bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Greening of Global Value Chains: Insights from the Furniture Industry
Authors: De Marchi Valentina , Di Maria Eleonora , Ponte Stefano
Published: July 2013

With increasing fragmentation of production between independent firms that are spatially dispersed and are responsible for different steps of the production process, a Global Value Chain approach is employed to examine how ‘lead firms’ shape the green features of upstream activities. Comparative case studies in the Italian furniture industry (Ikea, Valcucine) are used to show that lead firms implement ‘hands-on’ governing mechanisms to improve the environmental performance of their value chain partners — moving away from the market but still avoiding vertical integration — but also ‘hands-off’ mechanisms embedded in standards and design. Two governing approaches to the greening of value chains are identified: standard-driven and mentoring-driven, and these are used to provide some reflections on when we are likely to observe one or the other, and also to develop a future research agenda.
Virus-associated activation of innate immunity induces rapid disruption of Peyer’s patches in mice
Authors: Heidegger Simon , Anz David , Stephan Nicolas , Bohn Bernadette , Herbst Tina , Fendler Wolfgang Peter , Suhartha Nina , Sandholzer Nadja , Kobold Sebastian , Hotz Christian , Eisenächer Katharina , Radtke-Schuller Susanne , Endres Stefan , Bourquin Carole
Published: July 2013

Key Points

Systemic virus infection leads to rapid disruption of the Peyer’s patches but not of peripheral lymph nodes. Virus-associated innate immune activation and type I IFN release blocks trafficking of B cells to Peyer’s patches.
Crystal structure of signal regulatory protein gamma (SIRPγ) in complex with an antibody Fab fragment
Authors: Nettleship Joanne E , Ren Jingshan , Scott David J , Rahman Nahid , Hatherley Deborah , Zhao Yuguang , Stuart David I , Barclay A Neil , Owens Raymond J
Published: July 2013

Background

Signal Regulatory Protein γ (SIRPγ) is a member of a closely related family of three cell surface receptors implicated in modulating immune/inflammatory responses. SIRPγ is expressed on T lymphocytes where it appears to be involved in the integrin-independent adhesion of lymphocytes to antigen-presenting cells. Here we describe the first full length structure of the extracellular region of human SIRPγ.

Results

We obtained crystals of SIRPγ by making a complex of the protein with the Fab fragment of the anti-SIRP antibody, OX117, which also binds to SIRPα and SIRPβ. We show that the epitope for FabOX117 is formed at the interface of the first and second domains of SIRPγ and comprises residues which are conserved between all three SIRPs. The FabOX117 binding site is distinct from the region in domain 1 which interacts with CD47, the physiological ligand for both SIRPγ and SIRPα but not SIRPβ. Comparison of the three domain structures of SIRPγ and SIRPα showed that these receptors can adopt different overall conformations due to the flexibility of the linker between the first two domains. SIRPγ in complex with FabOX117 forms a dimer in the crystal. Binding to the Fab fixes the position of domain 1 relative to domains 2/3 exposing a surface which favours formation of a homotypic dimer. However, the interaction appears to be relatively weak since only monomers of SIRPγ were observed in sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation of the protein alone. Studies of complex formation by equilibrium ultracentrifugation showed that only a 1:1 complex of SIRPγ: FabOX117 was formed with a dissociation constant in the low micromolar range (K
d = 1.2 +/− 0.3 μM).

Conclusion

The three-domain extracellular regions of SIRPs are structurally conserved but show conformational flexibility in the disposition of the amino terminal ligand-binding Ig domain relative to the two membrane proximal Ig domains. Binding of a cross-reactive anti-SIRP Fab fragment to SIRPγ stabilises a conformation that favours SIRP dimer formation in the crystal structure, though this interaction does not appear sufficiently stable to be observed in solution.
A commonly used rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid supplement marginally affects fatty acid distribution of body tissues and gene expression of mammary gland in heifers during early lactation
Authors: Kramer Ronny , Wolf Simone , Petri Tobias , von Soosten Dirk , Dänicke Sven , Weber Eva-Maria , Zimmer Ralf , Rehage Juergen , Jahreis Gerhard
Published: July 2013

Background

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in general, and in particular the trans- 10,cis- 12 (t 10,c 12-CLA) isomer are potent modulators of milk fat synthesis in dairy cows. Studies in rodents, such as mice, have revealed that t 10,c 12-CLA is responsible for hepatic lipodystrophy and decreased adipose tissue with subsequent changes in the fatty acid distribution. The present study aimed to investigate the fatty acid distribution of lipids in several body tissues compared to their distribution in milk fat in early lactating cows in response to CLA treatment. Effects in mammary gland are further analyzed at gene expression level.

Methods

Twenty-five Holstein heifers were fed a diet supplemented with (CLA groups) or without (CON groups) a rumen-protected CLA supplement that provided 6 g/d of c 9,t 11- and t 10,c 12-CLA. Five groups of randomly assigned cows were analyzed according to experimental design based on feeding and time of slaughter. Cows in the first group received no CLA supplement and were slaughtered one day postpartum (CON0). Milk samples were taken from the remaining cows in CON and CLA groups until slaughter at 42 (period 1) and 105 (period 2) days in milk (DIM). Immediately after slaughter, tissue samples from liver, retroperitoneal fat, mammary gland and M. longissimus (13th rib) were obtained and analyzed for fatty acid distribution. Relevant genes involved in lipid metabolism of the mammary gland were analyzed using a custom-made microarray platform.

Results

Both supplemented CLA isomers increased significantly in milk fat. Furthermore, preformed fatty acids increased at the expense of de novo- synthesized fatty acids. Total and single trans- octadecenoic acids (e.g., t 10-18:1 and t 11-18:1) also significantly increased. Fatty acid distribution of the mammary gland showed similar changes to those in milk fat, due mainly to residual milk but without affecting gene expression. Liver fatty acids were not altered except for trans- octadecenoic acids, which were increased. Adipose tissue and M. longissimus were only marginally affected by CLA supplementation.

Conclusions

Daily supplementation with CLA led to typical alterations usually observed in milk fat depression (reduction of de novo-synthesized fatty acids) but only marginally affected tissue lipids. Gene expression of the mammary gland was not influenced by CLA supplementation.
Can initial diagnostic PET-CT aid to localize tumor bed in breast cancer radiotherapy: feasibility study using deformable image registration
Authors: Cho Oyeon , Chun Mison , Oh Young Taek , Kim Mi Hwa , Park Hae Jin , Heo Jae Sung , Noh O Kyu
Published: July 2013

Background

Localization of the tumor bed of breast cancer is crucial for accurate planning of boost irradiation. Lumpectomy cavity and surgical clips provide localizing information about tumor bed. However, defining the tumor bed is often difficult because of presence of unclear lumpectomy cavity and lack of certain information such as absence of surgical clips. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of initial diagnostic PET-CT in localization of the tumor bed using deformable image registration (DIR).

Methods

We selected twenty-five patients who had an initial diagnostic PET-CT performed and underwent breast-conserving surgery with surgical clips in tumor bed. In every individual patient, two target volumes were separately delineated on planning CT; 1) target volume based on surgical clips with a margin of 1 cm (TVclip) and 2) tumor volume based on 90% of maximum SUV on PET-CT registered by DIR (TVPET). The percent of TVPET in TVclip (Vin) was calculated and distance between center points of two volumes (Dcenter) was also measured.

Results

Mean Dcenter between two volumes was 1.4 cm (range, 0.33 – 2.53). Mean Vin was 94.8% (range, 60.9-100) and 100% in 18 out of 25 patients. When compared to the center of TVclip, the center of TVPET tended to be located posteriorly (mean 0.3 cm, standard deviation 0.6), laterally (mean 0.3 cm, standard deviation 0.8) and inferiorly (mean 0.4 cm, standard deviation 0.9).

Conclusion

Initial diagnostic PET-CT can be one of the possible references to localize the tumor bed in breast cancer radiotherapy.
Developmental GnRH Signaling Is Not Required for Sexual Differentiation of Kisspeptin Neurons but Is Needed for Maximal Kiss1 Gene Expression in Adult Females
Authors: Kim Joshua , Tolson Kristen P. , Dhamija Sangeeta , Kauffman Alexander S.
Published: July 2013

Kisspeptin, encoded by Kiss1, stimulates reproduction. In rodents, one Kiss1 population resides in the hypothalamic anterior ventral periventricular nucleus and neighboring rostral periventricular nucleus (AVPV/PeN). AVPV/PeN Kiss1 neurons are sexually dimorphic (greater in females), yet the mechanisms regulating their development and sexual differentiation remain poorly understood. Neonatal estradiol (E2) normally defeminizes AVPV/PeN kisspeptin neurons, but emerging evidence suggests that developmental E2 may also influence feminization of kisspeptin, although exactly when in development this process occurs is unknown. In addition, the obligatory role of GnRH signaling in governing sexual differentiation of Kiss1 or other sexually dimorphic traits remains untested. Here, we assessed whether AVPV/PeN Kiss1 expression is permanently impaired in adult hpg (no GnRH or E2) or C57BL6 mice under different E2 removal or replacement paradigms. We determined that 1) despite lacking GnRH signaling in development, marked sexual differentiation of Kiss1 still occurs in hpg mice; 2) adult hpg females, who lack lifetime GnRH and E2 exposure, have reduced AVPV/PeN Kiss1 expression compared to wild-type females, even after chronic adulthood E2 treatment; 3) E2 exposure to hpg females during the pubertal period does not rescue their submaximal adult Kiss1 levels; and 4) in C57BL6 females, removal of ovarian E2 before the pubertal or juvenile periods does not impair feminization and maximal adult AVPV/PeN Kiss1 expression nor the ability to generate LH surges, indicating that puberty is not a critical period for Kiss1 development. Thus, sexual differentiation still occurs without GnRH, but GnRH or downstream E2 signaling is needed sometime before juvenile development for complete feminization and maximal Kiss1 expression in adult females.
Preparation and Photovoltaic Application of Fullerene–Porphyrin Composite Micropowder
Authors: Kimura Kento , Oku Takeo , Akiyama Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2013

C60 fullerene and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) composite micropowder was prepared by simply mixing C60 and TAPP in an organic solvent under ambient conditions. The composite micropowder contributed to photoelectric conversion, which was confirmed by a semi-wet-type photovoltaic application.
Unravelling the enigma of Perthes disease
Authors: Perry DC
Published: July 2013

Perthes disease is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of a juvenile hip. Although 2010 marked a century since it was first described, the aetiology remains unknown. It is suggested that adverse socioeconomic circumstances may be a key precipitant. This work describes recent studies that explore the disease epidemiology.

Descriptive studies include a case register from Merseyside, hospital discharge data from Scotland, analysis of the world’s largest community disease register (General Practice Research Database [GPRD]) and a systematic review of incidence. Analytical studies include a nested case-controlled study in the GPRD and a hospital case-controlled study. The studies demonstrated a striking north–south divide in the UK incidence of Perthes disease, similar to that seen in many adult diseases. There was a sustained fall in disease frequency in all studies, with a narrowing of the north–south divide. There was a strong association with area deprivation, independent of living in an urban environment. Internationally, equatorial regions were unaffected by disease and northern Europe had the highest incidence, which was primarily a function of race although latitude was an independent predictor. Individual characteristics associated with the disease were congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract and a structural abnormality of arterial calibre.

Despite a falling incidence, Perthes disease remains an important cause of child morbidity and exemplifies socioeconomic inequalities. A deprivation-related exposure, acting early in development, appears critical. The aetiological factor in Perthes disease remains elusive but it is likely that unravelling this enigma may unlock additional secrets pertaining to the developmental origins of this and other diseases.
Evaluation of the efficacy of a combination of diltiazem and periprostatic nerve block in pain control during transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate
Authors: Jindal T , Mandal SN , Biswas G , Karmakar D
Published: July 2013

Introduction

The choice of analgesia during prostate biopsy remains controversial. The pain has dual origin: from the insertion of the probe as well as the biopsy itself. Periprostatic nerve block (PPNB) is currently the gold standard modality for decreasing pain of prostate biopsy but it does not alleviate the pain of probe insertion. A randomised controlled trial was performed to test the efficacy and safety of the combination of topical application of diltiazem gel and PPNB for pain control during transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy.

Methods

A total of 73 patients who were to undergo their first prostate biopsy were randomised to receive either 2ml of 2% topical diltiazem gel or a placebo 15 minutes before the biopsy. All the patients then had a PPNB using 1% lignocaine. A ten-point visual analogue scale was used to record the pain immediately after the insertion of the probe and during the biopsy. Any adverse effects were also recorded.

Results

There was no significant difference in the mean age and prostate volumes between the groups. There was a significantly lower mean pain score due to probe insertion in those patients who received topical diltiazem than in the placebo group (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between the pain scores during the biopsy itself between the two groups.

Conclusions

Topical diltiazem significantly reduces the pain of probe insertion during prostate biopsy and can be used effectively as an adjuvant to PPNB.
Patient Preferences for the Method of Delivery of Preoperative Patient Information
Authors: Bird JH , Biggs TC , Bennett WO , Reddy VM , Counter PR
Published: July 2013

The importance of providing patients with adequate additional information prior to the consenting process for a surgical procedure has long been established. This information is intended to provide sufficient detail to allow the patient to make an informed decision about the proposed surgical intervention. indeed, the general Medical Council states this in Good Medical Practice: patients must be given sufficient information, in a way that they can understand, in order to enable them to exercise their right to make informed decisions about their care.
RCS invited Review service
Authors: Bennett Alan
Published: July 2013

For several years, the College has offered an advisory service to healthcare organisations to help them determine whether there is cause for concern about the practice of either an individual surgeon or a surgical team. This Invited Review service is delivered by means of close collaboration between the Royal College of Surgeons, the surgical specialty associations and the RCS patient liaison group.
A heuristic approach to the management of Muscle-related temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Mercuri Louis
Published: July 2013

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been defined as a collective term used to embrace a number of clinical problems that involve the masticatory musculature and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) itself.1 This paper will discuss the management of extra-articular muscle-related TMD since this has been the topic of much anecdotal commentary and debate.
The role of three-dimensional imaging in patients with cleft lip and palate
Authors: Gardner Lauren , Gillgrass Toby , Devlin Mark
Published: July 2013

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging is revolutionising patient assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment planning. Restorative dentistry is using optical scanning such as the computer aided design/computer aided manufacture systems to help with tooth preparation design and construction of fixed prosthodontics. Other specialties in dentistry are frequently employing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to facilitate 3D imaging. This article outlines how CBCT and 3D sterophotogrammetry have been used in the management of cleft lip and palate with reference to the cleft team based at Glasgow Dental Hospital.
The role of general dentists in the management of cleft lip and palate patients
Authors: Vasanth Madhura , Smith Anne-Marie , Murray Alison
Published: July 2013

The management of children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) presents many challenges, and effective management involves a multidisciplinary treatment approach, which is now considered the standard of care for these patients. Patients with CLP generally require extensive and prolonged orthodontic treatment and this can be at any stage from birth to young adult age.
Personalized Medicine in the Context of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Authors: Basu Anirban
Published: July 2013

The world of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) seems to bridge the previously disjointed worlds of comparative effectiveness research (CER) and personalized medicine (PM). Indeed, theoretical reasoning on how information on medical quality should inform decision making, both at the individual and the policy level, reveals that personalized information on the value of medical products is critical for improving decision making at all levels. However, challenges to generating, evaluating and translating evidence that might lead to personalization need to be critically assessed. In this paper, I discuss two different concepts of personalized medicine – passive personalization (PPM) and active personalization (APM) that are important to distinguish in order to invest efficiently in PCOR and develop objective evidence on the value of personalization that will aid in its translation. APM constitutes the process of actively seeking identifiers, which can be genotypical, phenotypical or even environmental, that can be used to differentiate between the marginal benefits of treatment across patients. In contrast, PPM involves a passive approach to personalization where, in the absence of explicit research to discover identifiers, patients and physicians “learn by doing” mostly due to the repeated use of similar products on similar patients. Benchmarking the current state of PPM sets the bar to which the expected value of any new APM agenda should be evaluated. Exploring processes that enable PPM in practice can help discover new APM agendas, such as those based on developing predictive algorithms based on clinical, phenotypical and preference data, which may be more efficient that trying to develop expensive genetic tests. It can also identify scenarios or subgroups of patients where genomic research would be most valuable since alternative prediction algorithms were difficult to develop in those settings. Two clinical scenarios are discussed where PPM was explored through novel econometric methods. Related discussions around exploring PPM processes, multi-dimensionality of outcomes, and a balanced agenda for future research on personalization follow.
Legendrian realization in convex Lefschetz fibrations and convex stabilizations
Authors: Akbulut Selman , Arikan Mehmet F.
Published: July 2013

We show that, up to a Liouville homotopy and a deformation of compact convex Lefschetz fibrations on W, any Lagrangian submanifold with trivial first de Rham cohomology group, embedded on a (symplectic) page of the (induced) convex open book on

∂
W

$\partial W$

, can be assumed to be Legendrian in

∂
W

$\partial W$

with the induced contact structure. This can be thought as the extension of Giroux's Legendrian realization (which holds for contact open books) for the case of convex open books. We also show that the convex stabilization of a compact convex Lefschetz fibration on W yields a compact convex Lefschetz fibration on a Liouville domain W' which is exact symplectomorphic to a positive expansion of W. In particular, with the induced structures

∂
W

$\partial W$

and

∂

W
'

$\partial W^{\prime }$

are contactomorphic.
Effects of selective hypothermia on blood-brain barrier integrity and tight junction protein expression levels after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats
Authors: Sun Hongwei , Tang Ying , Guan Xiqin , Li Lanfeng , Wang Desheng
Published: July 2013

Hypothermia has neuroprotective effects on global cerebral ischemic injuries. However, its efficacy after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is inconclusive. In this study, bacterial collagenase was used to induce ICH stroke in male Wistar rats. We assessed the effects of normothermia and 4 h of local hypothermia (∼33.2°C) initiated 1, 6, or 12 h after collagenase infusion on hemorrhage volume and neurological outcomes. Following early cooling initiated after 1 h, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and brain water content were tested. Furthermore, the expression levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins (claudin 5 and occludin) and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were determined using Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemical staining at 1 and 3 d after ICH. Early local hypothermia tends to reduce hemorrhagic volume and neurological deficits, but the difference is not statistically significant compared with other groups. However, early hypothermia significantly reduces BBB disruption, edema formation, the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, and the loss of TJ proteins. Together, these data suggest that local hypothermia is an effective treatment for edema formation and BBB disruption via the upregulation of TJ proteins and the suppression of TNF-α and IL-1β.
The amino acids surrounding the flavin 7a-methyl group determine the UVA spectral features of a LOV protein
Authors: Raffelberg Sarah , Gutt Alexander , Gärtner Wolfgang , Mandalari Carmen , Abbruzzetti Stefania , Viappiani Cristiano , Losi Aba
Published: July 2013

Flavin-binding light, oxygen, and voltage (LOV) domains are UVA/blue-light-sensing protein units that form a reversible flavin mononucleotide-cysteine adduct upon light induction. In their dark-adapted state, LOV domains exhibit the typical spectral features of fully oxidized riboflavin derivatives. A survey on the absorption spectra of various LOV domains revealed that the UVA spectral range is the most variable region (whereas the absorption band at 450 nm is virtually unchanged), showing essentially two distinct patterns found in plant phototropin LOV1 and LOV2 domains, respectively. In this work, we have identified a residue directly interacting with the isoalloxazine methyl group at C(7a) as the major UVA spectral tuner. In YtvA from Bacillus subtilis, this amino acid is threonine 30, and its mutation into apolar residues converts the LOV2-like spectrum of native YtvA into a LOV1-like pattern. Mutation T30A also accelerates the photocycle ca. 4-fold. Together with control mutations at different positions, our results experimentally confirm the previously calculated direction of the transition dipole moment for the UVA ππ* state and identify the mechanisms underlying spectral tuning in the LOV domains.
The Value of Community-Focused Interprofessional Care in Peru for Developing Cultural Competency in Health Professions Students
Authors: Allen Carol B. , Smart Denise A. , Odom-Maryon Tamara , Swain Deborah
Published: July 2013

International immersion experiences for health-care students have increased over the past 10 years. Students and faculty expect these experiences to increase cultural competency; however, research on outcomes of these programs has lacked rigor. Over a 4-year period, groups of nursing and other health professions students spent 3 weeks in Peru providing primary care and health education. Students attended pre-departure seminars addressing personal travel health and safety, culture and health care in Peru, working with interpreters, and ethics of international health care. Student participants (N= 77) completed an instrument assessing self-perceived cultural competency before and after the experience. Results of pre- and post-immersion scores showed significant increases in perceived cultural competency and increased self-efficacy in cultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes for four groups of students. Implications and future directions are discussed and recommended.
Management of prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) at term
Authors: Ismail Abdul Qader Tahir , Lahiri Soma
Published: July 2013

Over a 20-month period we identified several cases of neonatal pneumonia associated with prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) at term. PROM complicates 8%–10% of all pregnancies, yet 60% of cases occur at term. Ascending infection is a contributing factor and the incidence of chorioamnionitis in these patients is relatively high, especially with prolonged membrane rupture. The signs and symptoms NICE recommends patients look out for are not always present as the majority of infections are subclinical, yet associated maternal and neonatal morbidity of chorioamnionitis is potentially devastating. A survey of maternity units in the West Midlands reveals significant variance in management of these cases. Given the lack of consensus and clear evidence on optimal management of PROM at term, we believe early detection of developing infections could be enhanced by using a combination of investigations (at presentation, 12 and 24 h), as well as current advice to self-monitor temperature and vaginal loss.
Correlation of the heater’s duty cycle and specific energy consumption, and reduction in energy consumption in the pultrusion process
Authors: Khan Wajid Ali , Methven Jim
Published: July 2013

Efforts have been made to improve the line speed and consequently the economy of the pultrusion in last few years, but most of the reported work focuses on the kinematics of the curing reaction and different resin systems. Pultrusion is a fast cure process where heat is supplied through heaters to start and complete the curing process inside the die to get quality product at relatively high speeds. This work has extended the previous studies and quantifies for the first time the duty cycle of the heaters of a typical process to establish a relationship between the duty cycle and the specific energy consumption (SEC) of the process. It is shown experimentally and analytically that preheating the precursor would result in higher line speeds and shorter duty cycle, thus contributing to the reduction in SEC by up to 30%.
Ovarian cyst regression with levothyroxine in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome associated with hypothyroidism
Authors: Molaei Langroudi Roghieh , Ghazanfari Amlashi Fatemeh , Hedayati Emami Mohammad Hassan
Published: July 2013

Background: Spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (sOHSS) can occur following hypothyroidism. Ultrasonography facilitates diagnosis and monitoring of this syndrome. We describe ovarian sonographic changes in a hypothyroid patient with sOHSS after treatment with levothyroxine (l-T4).

Case presentation: A 15-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain and distension for a few months. On examination, she had classical features of hypothyroidism. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound revealed enlarged ovaries with multiple thin-walled cysts and mild ascitic fluid. On follow-up, abdominal ultrasound showed significant reduction of ovary size after 6 weeks of initiation ofl-T4. Normal ovary size with complete regression of ovarian cysts was seen after 4 months.

Conclusion: Serial ultrasound in sOHSS associated with hypothyroidism showed regression of ovarian cysts and ovarian volume after 4 months whereas in other studies, it is reported to happen in various durations, presumably according to its etiology.

Learning points

OHSS can rarely occur due to hypothyroidism.

This type of OHSS can be simply treated byl-T4replacement, rather than conservative management or surgery in severe cases.

Ultrasound follow-up shows significant regression of ovarian size and cysts within 6 weeks of initiation ofl-T4.

Ultrasound follow-up shows normal ovarian size with complete resolution of ovarian cysts 4 months after treatment.
Main actors and their strategies in Hungarian higher education
Authors: Lakner Zoltán
Published: July 2013

There is a considerable discrepancy between official rhetoric and reality in the Hungarian higher education system. Based on a series of personal interviews conducted with the actors of Hungarian higher education, this article offers an analysis of the positions and strategies of the key players. Using the Matrix of Alliances and Conflicts: Tactics, Objectives and Recommendations (MACTOR) method, the actors of the higher education system are analysed in terms of direct and indirect reciprocal influences, and their positions with regard to a generic set of possible objectives. It is argued that there is an urgent need for concentrating resources and for re-defining the higher education strategy based on the long-term demands of a globalising world.
Associação de marcadores moleculares SNP com o conteúdo de ácido linolênico em sementes de soja
Authors: Pinto Marcos de Oliveira , Good‑God Pedro Ivo Vieira , Moreira Maurílio Alves , Barros Everaldo Gonçalves de
Published: July 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi validar a associação de marcadores moleculares do tipo "single nucleotide polymorphism" (SNP) para os genes FAD3A, FAD3B e FAD3C com o conteúdo de ácido linolênico (18:3) em sementes de soja e analisar a influência dos parâmetros genéticos destes marcadores nesta característica. Foram genotipadas 185 progênies F2 derivadas do cruzamento entre A29 (mutante para os três genes FAD3, 1% de 18:3) e Tucunaré (genótipo selvagem, 11% de 18:3). Os marcadores moleculares para os genes FAD3A, FAD3B e FAD3C explicaram a variação do conteúdo de 18:3 nas populações segregantes F2 e F2:3. Além disso, as substituições alélicas no loco FAD3A proporcionam maiores variações no conteúdo de 18:3 que as substituições nos outros dois locos.
Percepção da associação entre estimulação ambiental e desenvolvimento normal por mães de crianças nos três primeiros anos de vida
Authors: Paula Lila Isabel C. de , Pires Cibelle Dutra , Mascarenhas Tamara Santiago , Costa Joyce Pinheiro L. , Brito Luciane Maria O.
Published: July 2013

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a percepção das mães de crianças entre zero e três anos sobre a associação da estimulação ambiental e o desenvolvimento normal das crianças atendidas em uma unidade de saúde em São Luís, Maranhão, e identificar o nível de entendimento das mães quanto à estimulação do ambiente familiar em que a criança está inserida. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se pesquisa qualitativa exploratória. Os sujeitos estudados foram 15 mães de crianças de zero a três anos atendidas na Unidade de Saúde Antônio Carlos Reis, Cidade Olímpica, em São Luís, Maranhão, de outubro de 2009 a março de 2010. Os instrumentos da coleta de dados foram prontuários médicos, entrevistas semiestruturadas aplicadas em domicílio com pais, observação participante e visita domiciliar. RESULTADOS: A maioria das mães pesquisadas era adolescente, solteira, do lar, com ensino fundamental incompleto e renda familiar de 0 a 0,5 salário mínimo. As principais dificuldades encontradas foram: despreparo em educar os filhos, baixo nível de resolutividade das situações cotidianas e ausência paterna na convivência familiar. Analisou-se o modo como as mães associam as carências ambientais e o desenvolvimento infantil normal. CONCLUSÕES: As mães apresentaram percepção relativa ao ambiente em que seus filhos vivem e que a falta de estimulação nestes ambientes interfere no desenvolvimento de tais crianças. Observou-se, assim, a necessidade de melhora dos níveis de estimulação e dos vínculos entre criança, família e profissionais de saúde.
Repercussões do uso do calçado de salto alto na postura corporal de adolescentes
Authors: Silva Anniele Martins , Siqueira Gisela Rocha de , Silva Giselia Alves P. da
Published: July 2013

OBJETIVO: Revisar estudos referentes às repercussões do uso de calçado com salto alto na postura corporal de adolescentes. FONTES DE DADOS: Pesquisa realizada nas bases de dados Scopus, SciELO e PubMed entre 1980 e 2011, incluindo artigos escritos em inglês e português. Foram utilizados os descritores: "postura", "centro de gravidade" e "calçado de salto alto". Foram encontrados 55 artigos, independentemente do desenho do estudo, incluindo-se 20 relacionados à postura da coluna vertebral e membros inferiores, à localização do centro de gravidade e às repercussões do uso do calçado de salto alto no sistema musculoesquelético em adolescentes. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: O uso frequente do calçado de salto alto acarreta modificação do centro de gravidade e do equilíbrio corporal, podendo ocasionar mudança no alinhamento dos segmentos corporais. Isso traz repercussões negativas ao desenvolvimento motor das adolescentes, pois nessa fase há a necessidade de manutenção da postura fisiológica para que ocorra o crescimento e o desenvolvimento do sistema musculoesquelético. CONCLUSÕES: O uso do calçado de salto alto por adolescentes pode favorecer o aparecimento de distúrbios posturais, dentre os quais se destacam anteriorização da cabeça, hiperlordose lombar, anteversão pélvica e joelho em valgo. Identificou-se que a altura e a largura do salto são as características do calçado que mais influenciam no surgimento de alterações posturais e desequilíbrio corporal.
Cardiovascular risk in obese patients with chronic periodontitis: a clinical controlled study
Authors: Pires Juliana Rico , Dezem Thaís Uenoyama , Barroso Eliane Marçon , Toledo Benedicto Egbert Corrêa de , Monteiro Sally Cristina Moutinho , Martins Alex Tadeu , Zuza Elizângela Partata
Published: July 2013

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown that obesity is considered a risk factor for the development of periodontal disease and cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in obese patients with and without periodontal. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred patients were divided into four groups: Group O - obese without chronic periodontitis (n=25); Group OP - obese with chronic periodontitis (n=25); Group NO - non-obese without chronic periodontitis (n=25); and Group NOP - non-obese with chronic periodontitis (n=25). Demographic and laboratorial data (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein - HDL and low-density lipoprotein - LDL, triglycerides, and glucose); anthropometric measurements (body mass index - BMI; waist circumference - WC; body fat - BF); blood pressure; and periodontal parameters (bleeding on probing - BOP, periodontal probing depth - PPD, and the clinical attachment level - CAL) were evaluated. Cardiovascular risk was obtained according to the PROCAM's score. The correlation between obesity, periodontal disease and risk for CVD was verified by Spearman's test (α = 0.05). RESULT: The group OP showed a statistically higher rate of PPD > 7 mm (11.2 ± 2.03) when compared with other groups, as well as higher levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL (p<0.05). The risk for CVD was statistically higher in the group OP (28.1 ± 3.3) when compared with group O (16.5 ± 3.5), group NOP (12.8 ± 3.9), and group NO (7.7 ± 0.9). Obesity and periodontal disease are directly related to a moderate increase in CVD risk (r = 0.53, p <0.0001 and r = 0.62, p <0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that obesity and periodontal disease increases the risk to cardiovascular events.
Rapid litter production and accumulation in Bornean mangrove forests
Authors: Sukardjo Sukristijono , Alongi Daniel M. , Kusmana Cecep
Published: July 2013

Litter fall and accumulation were measured weekly for one year (January–December 2007) at five mangrove forests within the Apar‐Adang Nature Reserve, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Three forests were located near the sea edge, each co‐dominated by combinations of Sonnertia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, and Bruguiera parviflora; two forests were co‐dominated by Ceriops decandra, Exocoecaria agallocha, and Bruguiera sexangula (site IV), and by B. parviflora and B. sexangula (site V) and located further inland but subjected to intermittant freshwater inputs. Mean rates of annual litter production at forests I to V were 20.3, 19.7, 27.2, 24.2 and 27.6 Mg DW ha−1 yr−1 (mean of all forests = 23.7 Mg DW ha−1 yr−1) and rates of litter accumulation were 44.4, 50.2, 45.9, 61.3 and 66.2 Mg DW ha−1 yr−1 (mean of all forests = 57.8 Mg DW ha−1 yr−1), respectively, exhibiting peaks in the wet and dry seasons. Litter accumulation was greater than litter fall due to tidal advection of litter from forests closer to the sea edge coupled with slow decay rates. These rates of aboveground litter production and accumulation are the highest recorded for mangroves and higher than rates measured in tropical humid evergreen forests, suggesting that large expanses of equatorial mangrove forest, such as those on Borneo, may constitute an immense sink for coastal carbon.
Application of the PEDD flow detector for analysis of natural dissolved organic substances in coloured water
Authors: Libecki B. , Kalinowski S.
Published: July 2013

The automated techniques of measurement of water parameters are developed based on flow analysis (flow injection analysis, sequential injection analysis). PEDD detectors (paired emitter–detector diode), built with the use of two paired light-emitting diodes (LEDs) – emission and detection, can serve that purpose. The aim of the studies was to optimize the system for determination of the dissolved organic substances in coloured water with the use of PEDDs in the flowing-stream measurement system. The investigations were conducted for a number of concentrations of the humic, fulvic and tannic acids, which were measured as the dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Three arrangements of diodes (PEDD) with a selected emission spectrum and absorption characteristics were used. A two-beam flow cell was designed for the measurements. The signal from the detection diode was recorded and converted into absorbance through software written for that purpose. The results obtained showed a high sensitivity in relation to the concentration as well as the selectivity in the type of substances studied. A miniature and cheap photometric flow analysis set was proposed, adapted to work with one or several light wavelengths and steered by a microprocessor unit.
Modelling of green roofs' hydrologic performance using EPA's SWMM
Authors: Burszta-Adamiak E. , Mrowiec M.
Published: July 2013

Green roofs significantly affect the increase in water retention and thus the management of rain water in urban areas. In Poland, as in many other European countries, excess rainwater resulting from snowmelt and heavy rainfall contributes to the development of local flooding in urban areas. Opportunities to reduce surface runoff and reduce flood risks are among the reasons why green roofs are more likely to be used also in this country. However, there are relatively few data on their in situ performance. In this study the storm water performance was simulated for the green roofs experimental plots using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) with Low Impact Development (LID) Controls module (version 5.0.022). The model consists of many parameters for a particular layer of green roofs but simulation results were unsatisfactory considering the hydrologic response of the green roofs. For the majority of the tested rain events, the Nash coefficient had negative values. It indicates a weak fit between observed and measured flow-rates. Therefore complexity of the LID module does not affect the increase of its accuracy. Further research at a technical scale is needed to determine the role of the green roof slope, vegetation cover and drying process during the inter-event periods.
An aeration control strategy for oxidation ditch processes based on online oxygen requirement estimation
Authors: Zhan J. X. , Ikehata M. , Mayuzumi M. , Koizumi E. , Kawaguchi Y. , Hashimoto T.
Published: July 2013

A feedforward-feedback aeration control strategy based on online oxygen requirements (OR) estimation is proposed for oxidation ditch (OD) processes, and it is further developed for intermittent aeration OD processes, which are the most popular type in Japan. For calculating OR, concentrations of influent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) are estimated online by the measurement of suspended solids (SS) and sometimes TKN is estimated by NH4-N. Mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and temperature are used to estimate the required oxygen for endogenous respiration. A straightforward parameter named aeration coefficient, Ka, is introduced as the only parameter that can be tuned automatically by feedback control or manually by the operators. Simulation with an activated sludge model was performed in comparison to fixed-interval aeration and satisfying result of OR control strategy was obtained. The OR control strategy has been implemented at seven full-scale OD plants and improvements in nitrogen removal are obtained in all these plants. Among them, the results obtained in Yumoto wastewater treatment plant were presented, in which continuous aeration was applied previously. After implementing intermittent OR control, the total nitrogen concentration was reduced from more than 5 mg/L to under 2 mg/L, and the electricity consumption was reduced by 61.2% for aeration or 21.5% for the whole plant.
The adaptation of nitrifying microorganisms to inhibiting substances at meso- and psychrophilic temperature conditions
Authors: Marx Conrad , Ahnert Markus , Krebs Peter , Kühn Volker
Published: July 2013

This paper deals with adaption capacity of nitrifiers to allylthiourea (ATU) as a model inhibitor at two temperature levels. Nitrifying communities were developed at 15 (BM15) and 30 °C (BM30). The activity of the nitrifiers was determined by using short-time respiration (STR) tests, oxygen monitoring and in-situ measurements. The oxygen monitoring provided information about the temperature-dependent time delay between the dosage of NH4+-N or ATU and reaching its characteristic level of effect. The greatly scattered results from the STR tests for BM15 were thus explained by the time delay, which was two to three times higher than for BM30. Furthermore, combining the results of oxygen-monitoring and in-situ measurements it can be stated that an adaption to ATU at psychrophilic temperature conditions was not achieved, whereby up to 40% of nitrification was sustained for BM30 at an ATU-concentration over 7 mg/l. The nitrification by BM15 did not start until ATU was degraded to 1–2 mg/l, the typical inhibition concentration for ATU. Hence, the results indicate a population drift to adapted nitrifiers at mesophilic conditions and ATU-degrading microorganisms at psychrophilic temperature conditions, which can have a considerable influence on domestic wastewater treatment in cold climates receiving industrial effluents.
N2O emissions from a one stage partial nitrification/anammox process in moving bed biofilm reactors
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Trela Jozef , Plaza Elzbieta , Tjus Kåre
Published: July 2013

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from wastewater treatment are getting increased attention because their global warming potential is around 300 times that of carbon dioxide. The aim of the study was to measure nitrous oxide emissions from one stage partial nitrification/anammox (Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation) reactors, where nitrogen is removed in a biological way. The first part of the experimental study was focused on the measurements of nitrous oxide emissions from two pilot scale reactors in the long term; one reactor with intermittent aeration at 25 °C and the other reactor with continuous aeration at 22–23 °C. The second part of the experiment was done to evaluate the influence of different nitrogen loads and aeration strategies, described by the ratio between the non-aerated and aerated phase and the dissolved oxygen concentrations, on nitrous oxide emissions from the process. The study showed that 0.4–2% of the nitrogen load was converted into nitrous oxide from two reactors. With higher nitrogen load, the amount of nitrous oxide emission was also higher. A larger fraction of nitrous oxide was emitted to the gas phase while less was emitted with the liquid effluent. It was also found that nitrous oxide emissions were similar under intermittent and continuous aeration.
A spatial-temporal rainfall generator for urban drainage design
Authors: McRobie Fiona H. , Wang Li-Pen , Onof Christian , Kenney Stephen
Published: July 2013

The work presented here is a contribution to the Thames Water project of improving the Counters Creek catchment sewerage system in London. An increase in the number of floods affecting basements in the area has indicated the need for improvements to the system. The cost of such improvements could be very high, and as such it is important to determine whether the traditional approach of applying 30-year spatially uniform design storms results in substantial overestimation. The first step in this is to generate simulations of spatially distributed rainfall events, from which 30-year storms can be extracted. Storms are modelled as clusters of Gaussian rainfall cells, extending the earlier Willems method to radar rainfall data. The parameters describing the cells and their motion are sampled from probability distributions derived from parameter estimates gained from 45 historical storm events within the catchment for the period 2000–2011. This spatial-temporal stochastic rainfall generator produces a two-dimensional time series of simulated storm events, from which events of given return period can be identified.
Benchmark simulation models, quo vadis?
Authors: Jeppsson U. , Alex J. , Batstone D. J. , Benedetti L. , Comas J. , Copp J. B. , Corominas L. , Flores-Alsina X. , Gernaey K. V. , Nopens I. , Pons M.-N. , Rodríguez-Roda I. , Rosen C. , Steyer J.-P. , Vanrolleghem P. A. , Volcke E. I. P. , Vrecko D.
Published: July 2013

As the work of the IWA Task Group on Benchmarking of Control Strategies for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is coming to an end, it is essential to disseminate the knowledge gained. For this reason, all authors of the IWA Scientific and Technical Report on benchmarking have come together to provide their insights, highlighting areas where knowledge may still be deficient and where new opportunities are emerging, and to propose potential avenues for future development and application of the general benchmarking framework and its associated tools. The paper focuses on the topics of temporal and spatial extension, process modifications within the WWTP, the realism of models, control strategy extensions and the potential for new evaluation tools within the existing benchmark system. We find that there are major opportunities for application within all of these areas, either from existing work already being done within the context of the benchmarking simulation models (BSMs) or applicable work in the wider literature. Of key importance is increasing capability, usability and transparency of the BSM package while avoiding unnecessary complexity.