bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Properties of Liquid SiC during Rapid Solidification
Authors: Yan WanJun , Gao TingHong , Guo XiaoTian , Qin YunXiang , Xie Quan
Published: October 2013

The rapid solidification of liquid silicon carbide (SiC) is studied by molecular dynamic simulation using the Tersoff potential. The structural properties of liquid and amorphous SiC are analyzed by the radial distribution function, angular distribution function, coordination number, and visualization technology. Results show that both heteronuclear and homonuclear bonds exist and no atomic segregation occurs during solidification. The bond angles of silicon and carbon atoms are distributed at around 109° and 120°, respectively, and the average coordination number is <4. Threefold carbon atoms and fourfold silicon atoms are linked together by six typical structures and ultimately form a random network of amorphous structure. The simulated results help understand the structural properties of liquid and amorphous SiC, as well as other similar semiconductor alloys.
Relationships between Pathological Patterns and Quality of Life: Pathway Analysis
Authors: Cho Shin-Woong , Park Young-Jae , Lee Sang-Chul , Ryu Jaemin , Park Young-Bae , Oh Hwan-Sup
Published: October 2013

Purpose.The purpose of our study was to examine the relationships between pathological patterns and self-rated quality of life (QoL).Methods.A total of 426 Korean subjects participated in this study (male : female = 154 : 272). The subjects were asked to complete Yin Deficiency (YD), Qi Deficiency (QD), Food Stagnation (FS), Blood Stasis (BS), Phlegm, and Seven Emotions Impairment (SEI) pattern Questionnaires and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). We formed a pathway model consisting of pathological patterns and QoL questionnaire scores and examined which pathological patterns resulted in decreased QoL using path analysis.Results.Our pathway model had satisfactory fitness levels (GFI = 0.975, NFI = 0.984, and CFI = 0.984) and showed that Phlegm and SEI patterns directly resulted in decreased QoL, whereas QD, YD, FD, and BS indirectly resulted in decreased QoL. The pathway model suggested that the severity or stage of decreased QoL may be estimated by pathological patterns: QD and YD patterns are associated with the early stage; FS and BS patterns are associated with the middle stage; Phlegm and SEI are associated with the later stage of decreased QoL.Conclusion.Our results suggest that pathological patterns directly or indirectly affect decreases in QoL.
The Influence of Cigarette Smoking on Gingival Bleeding and Serum Concentrations of Haptoglobin and Alpha 1-Antitrypsin
Authors: Al-Bayaty Fouad H. , Baharuddin NorAdinar , Abdulla Mahmood A. , Ali Hapipah Mohd , Arkilla Magaji B. , ALBayaty Mustafa F.
Published: October 2013

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of cigarette smoking on gingival bleeding and serum concentrations of cotinine, haptoglobin, and alpha 1-antitrypsin in Malaysian smokers. A total of 197 male smokers and nonsmokers were recruited for this study. Plaque index, bleeding on probing (BOP), and levels of serum cotinine, haptoglobin, and alpha 1-antitrypsin were evaluated. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0, with the significance level set atα≤0.05. Linear regression analyses were performed. The mean cigarette consumption per day was13.39±5.75cigarettes; the mean duration was16.03±8.78years. Relatively low BOP values (26.05±1.48) and moderate plaque indexes (51.35±11.27) were found. The levels of serum cotinine (106.9±30.71 ng/dL), haptoglobin (76.04±52.48 mg/dL), and alpha 1-antitrypsin (141.90±18.40 mg/dL) were significantly higher in smokers compared to non-smokers. Multiple logistic regression models for all variables and smokers demonstrated observed differences between BOP, the number of cigarettes per day, and duration of smoking, while serum cotinine, haptoglobin and alpha-1 antitrypsin levels showed no significant differences. Duration of smoking (years) and the cotinine level in serum showed a significant correlation with plaque index. The present analysis demonstrated that the duration of smoking in years, but not the number of cigarettes smoked per day, was associated with reduced gingival bleeding in smokers.
The Determination of Six Ionophore Coccidiostats in Feed by Liquid Chromatography with Postcolumn Derivatisation and Spectrofotometric/Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Olejnik Małgorzata , Jedziniak Piotr , Szprengier-Juszkiewicz Teresa
Published: October 2013

The control of levels of anticoccidial feed additives in targeted feeds plays an important role in the assurance of efficiency of animal treatment, prevention of drug resistance, and food safety. The robust and labour‐efficient method for the simultaneous determination of six ionophore coccidiostats (lasalocid, maduramicin, monensin, narasin, salinomycin, and semduramicin) in targeted feed has been developed. Properly grinded and homogenized feed sample was spiked with internal standard (monesin methyl ester) and extracted with methanol. The extract was analysed with reversed phase HPLC without any further purification. The separation of the analytes with conventional C18 and core‐shell columns was compared. Lasalocid was analysed with fluorescence detection, whereas other ionophores were detected with UV‐Vis detector after derivatisation with vanillin in the presence of sulfuric acid. Fortified samples and targeted feeds at authorized levels were used for method validation. Recovery was in the range of 85–110%, depending on the analyte. The within‐laboratory reproducibility did not exceed the target value from Horwitz equation. The results of the proficiency tests (z‐scores in the range of −1.0 to 1.9) confirmed the reliability of the developed protocol.
Social Learning in Bumblebees (Bombus impatiens): Worker Bumblebees Learn to Manipulate and Forage at Artificial Flowers by Observation and Communication within the Colony
Authors: Mirwan Hamida B. , Kevan Peter G.
Published: October 2013

Social learning occurs when one individual learns from another, mainly conspecific, often by observation, imitation, or communication. Using artificial flowers, we studied social learning by allowing test bumblebees to (a) see dead bumblebees arranged in foraging positions or (b) watch live bumblebees actually foraging or (c) communicate with nestmates within their colony without having seen foraging. Artificial flowers made from 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes with closed caps were inserted through the centres of blue 7 cm plastic discs as optical signals through which the bees could not forage. The reinforcer reward syrup was accessible only through holes in the sides of the tubes beneath the blue discs. Two colonies (A and B) were used in tandem along with control (C and D) colonies. No bee that was not exposed (i.e., from the control colonies (C and D)) to social learning discovered the access holes. Inside colony B, we imprisoned a group of bees that were prevented from seeing or watching. Bees that saw dead bumblebees in foraging positions, those that watched nest-mates foraging, and those that had only in-hive communication with successful foragers all foraged successfully. The means of in-hive communication are not understood and warrant intense investigation.
Analysis of Grinding Force and Elastic Deformation in Thread Grinding Process
Authors: Wang Wei , Feng Xianying
Published: October 2013

Considering the grinding geometry of the thread grinding dynamic contact arc length, a dynamic numerical thread grinding model has been set up on the basis of study of a single grit grinding model. The properties of grinding force and dynamic contact arc-length have been studied by means of the developed numerical model. The results have shown that the angle of helix has little effect on the dynamic contact arc-length than the wheel speed on the dynamic contact arc-length. And the wheel speed also produced a large effect on grinding force.
Patterned Honeycomb Structural Films with Fluorescent and Hydrophobic Properties
Authors: Heng Liping , Hu Rongrong , Chen Sijie , Li Jie , Jiang Lei , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: October 2013

We have fabricated the patterned porous honeycomb‐like film with the aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) property successfully by breath figure method. Characterization of contact angles (CA) indicated that the patterned porous honeycomb structure can improve the hydrophobicity of the film, while smooth films do not have this function. Characterization of the fluorescence property indicates that the patterned honeycomb structure films are highly emissive. This work could not only be promising for controlling molecular group reorientation and suitable for the application of manipulating surface composition of the film but also make the tetraphenylethene derivatives with AIE properties have a promising application future in special wettability surface. The present findings should open a way for the new application of honeycomb structure materials, which will be useful in many areas, such as sensors, tissue engineering, clinical medicine, and biomaterials.
A Mucoadhesive Electrospun Nanofibrous Matrix for Rapid Oramucosal Drug Delivery
Authors: Dott Clare , Tyagi Charu , Tomar Lomas K. , Choonara Yahya E. , Kumar Pradeep , du Toit Lisa C. , Pillay Viness
Published: October 2013

A nanofibrous matrix system (NFMS), consisting of a drug‐loaded nanofiber layer, was electrospun directly onto a polymeric backing film, the latter of which was formulated and optimized according to a 3‐level, 3‐factor Box‐Behnken experimental design. The dependent variables, fill volume, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) concentration, and glycerol concentration, were assessed for their effects on measured responses, disintegration time, work of adhesion, force of adhesion, dissolution area under curve (AUC) at 1 minute, and permeation AUC at 3 minutes. Physicochemical and physicomechanical properties of the developed system were studied by rheology, FTIR, toughness determination, mucoadhesion, and nanotensile testing. Data obtained from the physicomechanical characterization confirmed the suitability of NFMS for application in oramucosal drug delivery. The optimized NFMS showed the drug entrapment of 2.3 mg/1.5 cm2 with disintegration time of 12.8 seconds. Electrospinning of drug‐loaded polyvinylalcohol (PVA) fibers resulted in a matrix with an exceedingly high surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio, which enhanced the rate of dissolution for rapid oramucosal drug delivery. To corroborate with the experimental studies, the incorporation of glycerol with HPMC and PVA blend was mechanistically elucidated using computer‐assisted modeling of the 3D polymeric architecture of the respective molecular complexes to envisage the likely alignment of the polymer morphologies affecting the performance of the nanofibrous device.
A new species of Pristimantis (Amphibia: Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Río Abiseo National Park, Peru
Authors: LEHR EDGAR , GREGORY CINDY , CATENAZZI ALESSANDRO
Published: October 2013

We describe a new species of Pristimantis from the Río Abiseo National Park in the Andes of northern Peru. Specimens were collected from 2650 to 3000 m elevation. The new species has a snout–vent length of 24.9–34.2 mm (n = 7) in adult females, and 15.3–23.5 mm (n = 29) in adult males. It differs from other species of Pristimantis in having the snout with a broad, slightly upwards curved, fleshy process. The most similar species, P. phoxocephalus has the snout with a vertical fleshy keel, but differs from the new species by being larger (female SVL up to 38.4 mm vs. 34.2 mm), by having prominent dentigerous processes of vomers (minute in the new species), by lacking an inner tarsal fold (present), by lacking heel tubercles (present), and by having the dorsum in life grey, red or brown and the groin with black and orange or yellow mottling, whereas in the new species the dorsum is rusty reddish-brown with lighter blotches or tannish-brown chevrons, and the groin tan with pale brown flecks.
Factors Related To Venous Ulceration
Authors: Vlajinac Hristina , Marinkovic Jelena , Maksimovic Milos , Radak Djordje
Published: October 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the factors related to venous ulceration. Patients with venous ulceration (278 patients) were compared with 1401 patients in other categories of clinical classification of venous disease (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiological [CEAP]). Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. According to multivariate analyses, risk factors for venous ulceration were age, male sex, personal history of superficial and deep venous thrombosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, skeletal or joint disease in the legs and emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, higher body mass index and physical inactivity, parental history of ankle ulcer as well as reflux in deep and perforator veins, deep obstruction, and combination of reflux and obstruction. It seems reasonable to pay special attention to patients in whom the postulated risk factors for venous ulceration are present.
Discours commémoratif Muriel Driver 2013
Authors: Finlayson Marcia L.
Published: October 2013

Description.

Compte tenu de la nature de la philosophie et de la pratique de l’ergothérapie, il n’est pas surprenant que le rôle « d’agent de changement » figure parmi les sept rôles assumés par les ergothérapeutes.

But.

Ce discours Muriel Driver examine le rôle d’agent de changement, ce qu’il signifie, de même que les connaissances, les compétences et les qualités personnelles requises pour assumer ce rôle efficacement.

Questions clés.

Dans l’ensemble, on a écrit relativement peu de choses au sujet du rôle d’agent de changement dans la littérature en ergothérapie. Une bonne partie de ce qui existe à ce sujet est implicite et souvent englobé dans des sujets connexes, comme la défense des intérêts. Un examen de la littérature d’autres domaines a permis de mettre en relief quatre thèmes importants à propos de ce rôle : (1) les agents de changement sont introspectifs, réfléchis et disciplinés; (2) les agents de changement sont des leaders visionnaires et des agents mobilisateurs; (3) les agents de changement sont des agents d’intégration et des courtiers du savoir; et (4) les agents de changement sont des interventionnistes diplomatiques qui produisent des résultats significatifs. Ces thèmes mettent en évidence plusieurs aspects sur lesquels la littérature en ergothérapie est demeurée silencieuse.

Conséquences.

Pour briser le silence et aller de l’avant, il faudra participer à des débats ouverts, controversés et savants, remettre constamment en question les compétences jugées essentielles pour assumer le rôle d’agent de changement, et transmettre clairement le message que nous pouvons tous être des agents de changement compétents et efficaces, peu importe notre titre ou notre milieu de pratique.

Financement.

Ce discours n’a bénéficié d’aucun financement.
Testing Accommodation or Modification?
Authors: Zhang Dake , Wang Qiu , Ding Yi , Liu Jeremy Jian
Published: October 2013

According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, geometry and spatial sense are fundamental components of mathematics learning. However, learning disabilities (LD) research has shown that many K–12 students encounter particular geometry difficulties (GD). This study examined the effect of an integrated object representation (IOR) accommodation on the test performance of students with GD compared to students without GD. Participants were 118 elementary students who took a researcher-developed geometry problem solving test under both a standard testing condition and an IOR accommodation condition. A total of 36 students who were classified with GD scored below 40% correct in the geometry problem solving test in the standard testing condition, and 82 students who were classified without GD scored equal to or above 40% correct in the same test and condition. All students were tested in both standard testing condition and IOR accommodation condition. The results from both ANOVA and regression discontinuity (RD) analyses suggested that students with GD benefited more than students without GD from the IOR accommodation. Implications of the study are discussed in terms of providing accommodations for students with mathematics learning difficulties and recommending RD design in LD research.
Estimation of time since death from electrolyte, glucose and calcium analysis of postmortem vitreous humour in semi-arid climate
Authors: Siddamsetty Arun Kumar , Verma Satish K , Kohli Anil , Puri Dinesh , Singh Archana
Published: October 2013

Estimating time since death (TSD) with fair accuracy from postmortem changes still remains an important but difficult task to be performed by every autopsy surgeon in medicolegal scenario. The aim of the present study was to estimate TSD from electrolyte analysis of postmortem vitreous humour collected from samples under semi-arid climate. Vitreous humour was collected from 210 dead bodies brought to University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, during the period of November 2010 to April 2012. The vitreous samples were analysed for sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and glucose. The results showed a significant positive relationship between TSD and potassium ( r = 0.841, p = 0.000) and a weak negative relationship between TSD and sodium ( r = −0.137, p = 0.048) and glucose ( r = −0.241, p = 0.000), whereas no significant relationship could be established between TSD and calcium ( r = 0.055, p = 0.429) and chloride ( r = 0.075, p = 0.11).
The War on Academic Women: Reflections on Postfeminism in the Neoliberal Academy
Authors: Meyers Marian
Published: October 2013

This article situates academic women within the context of a broader, societal war on women. It argues that the ideologies underlying postfeminism and neoliberalism intersect within the academy to deny, obscure, and delegitimize the continuing and systemic gender discrimination and sexism that so many women in higher education face. It also seeks to reclaim the use of terms such as sexism, misogyny, and patriarchy, which date to the second wave of the women’s movement in the 1970s, to underscore the fact that prefeminist sexism remains a powerful ideological force.
Waste, Art, and Social Change
Authors: Tadajewski Mark , Hamilton Kathy
Published: October 2013

Films and documentaries can be highly useful pedagogic and research tools. They take complex topics that are theoretically and empirically rich and distill them into vehicles having the potential to deeply affect the way we look at marketing, consumer behavior, and the natural environment. They illuminate how our current consumption patterns are fundamentally problematic in ways that we rarely register because they are far removed from our sight. Using the work of Zygmunt Bauman on moral distance as well as two recent documentary films that bring the subject of waste to the fore, we explore these and related issues. Trashed (Brady 2012) highlights our planet’s finite resources and the hazards stemming from various waste disposal practices. Waste Land (Walker 2010) draws our attention to excess by profiling an example of how waste can be transformed into art. We make a case that these accounts can contribute to the “estrangement effect” articulated and praised by Herbert Marcuse and concomitantly provide us with examples of Transformative Consumer Research outside of the academy.
Torsional vibration and acoustic noise analysis of a compound planetary power-split hybrid electric vehicle
Authors: Tang Xiaolin , Jin Yongjun , Zhang Jianwu , Zou Liang , Yu Haisheng
Published: October 2013

Theoretical and experimental analyses of torsional vibrations and acoustic noise for a deep hybrid electric vehicle driveline including an electric, continuously variable transmission are carried out. The dynamic and mathematical models with 16 degrees of freedom in a matrix form are developed for the torsional vibration characteristics of the hybrid driveline. On the other hand, the noise sources of the hybrid electric vehicle powertrain excited in the pure electric mode and the hybrid drive mode are tested and measured using acoustic and speed sensors. The noise orders and the frequency domain responses are constructed using signal treatment and torsional vibration analysis. The theoretical predictions for the natural frequencies and the corresponding vibration modes of the hybrid driveline are presented. The noise test results are also given in accordance with the torsional vibration modes of the hybrid driveline in the pure electric mode and the hybrid drive mode. The noise sources due to the self-excited and frequency-multiplied vibrations are found, focusing on the compound planetary gear set in the power-split electric, continuously variable transmission.
The Bio:Fiction film festival: Sensing how a debate about synthetic biology might evolve
Authors: Schmidt Markus , Meyer Angela , Cserer Amelie
Published: October 2013

Synthetic biology (SB) is a new techno-scientific field surrounded by an aura of hope, hype and fear. Currently it is difficult to predict which way the public debate – and thus the social shaping of technology – is heading. With limited hard evidence at hand, we resort to a strategy that takes into account speculative design and diegetic prototyping, accessing the Bio:Fiction science film festival, and its 52 short films from international independent filmmakers. Our first hypothesis was that these films could be used as an indicator of a public debate to come. The second hypothesis was that SB would most likely not follow the debate around genetic engineering (framing technology as conflict) as assumed by many observers. Instead, we found good evidence for two alternative comparators, namely nanotechnology (technology as progress) and information technology (technology as gadget) as stronger attractors for an upcoming public debate on SB.
Cohort Study on the Percutaneous Treatment of Displaced Intra-articular Fractures of the Calcaneus
Authors: de Vroome Stefan W. , van der Linden Frits M.
Published: October 2013

Background:

To reduce the high rate of soft tissue complications in the treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus, several minimally invasive techniques have been developed. Little evidence exists on the clinical outcome of these techniques.

Methods:

We performed a study on a cohort of 46 fractures treated by the 3-point distraction technique. In 41 fractures, clinical outcome was available. Fractures were classified according to the Essex-Lopresti and Sanders classifications. The clinical outcome was determined using the 3 most frequently used outcome scores.

Results:

The clinical outcome of our cohort of percutaneous treated intra-articular calcaneal fractures was good to excellent in 69% with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale (AOFAS) score. This percentage increases to 100% for tongue type fractures alone but decreases to 52% for joint depression type fractures. Infectious complications occurred in 1 (2.4%) and secondary arthrodesis was needed in 3 fractures (7.3%). The Sanders classification showed no prognostic value. The Essex-Lopresti classification was a strong prognosticator with a median AOFAS score of 92 (interquartile range [IQR], 87.8-97.8) for tongue type fractures and 75 (IQR, 63.0-85.0) for joint depression type fractures ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

The treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures by the 3-point distraction technique was an acceptable alternative to open surgery and other percutaneous techniques. It had a low amount of infectious complications with comparable outcome to open treatment. The computed tomography-based Essex-Lopresti classification had a strong prognostic value when fractures were treated by the 3-point distraction technique. The results of this study support the use of the 3-point distraction technique, especially in tongue type fractures.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
A note on frame indifference and material isomorphism for simple materials
Authors: Lidström P
Published: October 2013

In conventional presentations of continuum mechanics, the reference placement of a solid body is taken to be independent of the observer. Furthermore, the Euclidean spaces associated with different frames of reference are taken to be identical. In this paper these assumption are abandoned and different framings, as well as reference placements, will correspond to different Euclidean spaces. This requires a modified formulation of the principle of frame indifference for constitutive response functions. Consequences of this approach are investigated in terms of transformation formulas for kinematical and dynamical quantities and the reduction of constitutive equations for simple materials. A relation between material symmetry groups, relative to different framings, is derived.
Trajectory of change in pain, depression, and physical functioning after physical activity adoption in fibromyalgia
Authors: Steiner Jennifer L , Bigatti Silvia M , Ang Dennis C
Published: October 2013

Fibromyalgia is associated with widespread pain, depression, and declines in physical functioning. The purpose of this study was to examine the trajectory of these symptoms over time related to physical activity adoption and maintenance via motivational interviewing versus education, to increase physical activity. There were no treatment group differences; we divided the sample ( n = 184) based on changes in physical activity. Repeated measures analyses demonstrated differential patterns in depression, pain, and physical functioning at 24 and 36 weeks. Findings suggest increased physical activity may serve as a multiple-target intervention that provides moderate to large, long-lasting benefits for individuals with fibromyalgia.
Deconstructing the community radio model: Applying practice to theory in East Africa
Authors: Conrad David
Published: October 2013

Community radio is often theorized as being (1) independent from political and economic influence and (2) a platform for the meaningful engagement of marginalized populations traditionally excluded by its private and commercial cousins. Contrasting this theoretical model against the reality of practice, this study argues that the theorized benefits of community radio are unlikely to be realized given the reality of donor, rather than community, funding structures. Voices from 64 in-depth interviews reveal a community radio environment in East Africa that is significantly influenced by the interests – both political and economic – of external donors. Rather than engendering meaningful participation in media-making, this study also demonstrates that donor funding has caused some communities to assume recipient roles in the communication process.
The Ideal of the Dispassionate Judge: An Emotion Regulation Perspective
Authors: Maroney Terry A. , Gross James J.
Published: October 2013

According to legal tradition, the ideal judge is entirely dispassionate. Affective science calls into question the legitimacy of this ideal; further, it suggests that no judge could ever meet this standard, even if it were the correct one. What judges can and should do is to learn to effectively manage—rather than eliminate—emotion. Specifically, an emotion regulation perspective suggests that (a) judicial emotion is best managed by cognitive reappraisal and, often, disclosure; (b) behavioral suppression should be used sparingly; and (c) suppression of emotional experience is rarely helpful. We argue that the dispassionate-judge ideal presents a barrier to achieving the flexibility necessary for adaptive judicial emotion regulation. We suggest a new ideal, that of the emotionally well-regulated judge, and propose several directions for future research to strengthen ties between law and psychology, with particular attention to the study of emotion.
Fuel cell membranes prepared from multi-walled carbon nanotubes and silica nanotubes-filled sulfonated polyamide/sulfonated polystyrene porous blend films
Authors: Kausar Ayesha , Hussain Anjum , Khan M Yaqub , Siddiq Muhammad
Published: October 2013

A sulfonated polyamide (PA-S) was first synthesized through polycondensation of sulfonated 4,4′-oxydianiline and terephthaloyl chloride. The sulfonation of polystyrene (PS-S) was conducted using a mild sulfonating reagent (98% H2SO4). Two categories of mechanically robust and thermally stable nanocomposites, based on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and silica nanotube (SiNT), i.e. PS-S/PA-S/MWCNT and PS-S/PA-S/SiNT, were prepared by solution blending. Scanning electron micrographs showed good dispersion of filler and adhesion of matrix on the surface of nanotube. Accordingly, a symmetric membrane structure with dense porous top layer, porous sublayer, and fully developed micropores at the bottom were observed. The porous membrane structure was accountable for the excellent water retention capability, and so, higher proton conductivity of new hybrids. Increasing the amount of nanotube from 0.5 to 2 wt.% increased the ultimate tensile stress of functional PS-S/PA-S/MWCNT nanocomposites 51.8–62.2 MPa compared with non-functional filler (33.4 MPa) and PS-S/PA-S/SiNT. A rapport between nanotube loading and thermal stability of the materials was also observed as the glass transition in PS-S/PA-S/MWCNT nanocomposites increased from 202 to 206℃. MWCNT-based blend membranes had higher ion exchange capacity (IEC), around 2.99–3.42 mmol/g. Novel membranes with high IEC value achieved high proton conductivity of 1.28–2.23 S/cm in a wide range of humidity values at 80℃ which was higher than that of perfluorinated Nafion®117 membrane (1.1 × 10−1 S/cm) at 80℃ (94% relative humidity; RH) which was used as benchmark. Moreover, a H2/O2 fuel cell using the PS-S/PA-S/MWCNT (IEC 3.42 mmol/g) also showed better performance than that of Nafion®117 at 40℃ and 30% RH.
Non-recombinant display of the B subunit of the heat labile toxin of Escherichia coli on wild type and mutant spores of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Isticato Rachele , Sirec Teja , Treppiccione Lucia , Maurano Francesco , De Felice Maurilio , Rossi Mauro , Ricca Ezio
Published: October 2013

Background

Mucosal infections are a major global health problem and it is generally accepted that mucosal vaccination strategies, able to block infection at their entry site, would be preferable with respect to other prevention approaches. However, there are still relatively few mucosal vaccines available, mainly because of the lack of efficient delivery systems and of mucosal adjuvants. Recombinant bacterial spores displaying a heterologous antigen have been shown to induce protective immune responses and, therefore, proposed as a mucosal delivery system. A non-recombinant approach has been recently developed and tested to display antigens and enzymes.

Results

We report that the binding subunit of the heat-labile toxin (LTB) of Escherichia coli efficiently adsorbed on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spores. When nasally administered to groups of mice, spore-adsorbed LTB was able to induce a specific immune response with the production of serum IgG, fecal sIgA and of IFN-γ in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of the immunized animals. Dot blotting experiments showed that the non-recombinant approach was more efficient than the recombinant system in displaying LTB and that the efficiency of display could be further increased by using mutant spores with an altered surface. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy experiments showed that only when displayed on the spore surface by the non-recombinant approach LTB was found in its native, pentameric form.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that non-recombinant spores displaying LTB pentamers can be administered by the nasal route to induce a Th1-biased, specific immune response. Mutant spores with an altered coat are more efficient than wild type spores in adsorbing the antigen, allowing the use of a reduced number of spores in immunization procedures. Efficiency of display, ability to display the native form of the antigen and to induce a specific immune response propose this non-recombinant delivery system as a powerful mucosal vaccine delivery approach.
Insufficient radiofrequency ablation promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through Akt and ERK signaling pathways
Authors: Dong Shuying , Kong Jian , Kong Fandong , Kong Jinge , Gao Jun , Ke Shan , Wang Shaohong , Ding Xuemei , Sun Wenbing , Zheng Lemin
Published: October 2013

Background

Residual tumor progression after insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been recently reported. However, whether epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a key process that drives cancer metastasis, is involved in the tumor progression after insufficient RFA is not well understood.

Methods

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines SMMC7721 and Huh7 were used. Insufficient RFA was simulated using a water bath (47°C 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min and 25 min gradually). MTT assay was used to evaluate the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro. Migration and invasion of HCC cells were determined by transwell assay. The molecular changes in HCC cells after insufficient RFA were evaluated by western blot. LY294002 and PD98059 were used to treat HCC cells. An ectopic nude mice model and a tail vein metastatic assay were used to evaluate the growth and metastatic potential of SMMC7721 cells in vivo after insufficient RFA.

Results

SMMC7721 and Huh7 cells after insufficient RFA (named as SMMC7721-H and Huh7-H respectively) exhibited enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion (6.4% and 23.6%, 33.2% and 66.1%, and 44.1% and 57.4% increase respectively) in vitro. Molecular changes of EMT were observed in SMMC7721-H and Huh7-H cells. LY294002 and PD98059 inhibited the EMT of SMMC7721-H and Huh7-H cells. SMMC7721-H cells also exhibited larger tumor size (1440.8 ± 250.3 mm3 versus 1048.56 ± 227.6 mm3) and more lung metastasis (97.4% increase) than SMMC7721 cells in vivo. Higher expression of PCNA, N-cadherin and MMP-2 and MMP-9, was also observed in SMMC7721-H tumors.

Conclusions

Insufficient RFA could directly promote the invasiveness and metastasis of HCC cells. Insufficient RFA may promote the EMT of HCC cells through Akt and ERK signaling pathways.
Culture conditions for equine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and expression of key transcription factors during their differentiation into osteoblasts
Authors: Glynn Elizabeth R A , Londono Alfredo Sanchez , Zinn Steven A , Hoagland Thomas A , Govoni Kristen E
Published: October 2013

Background

The use of equine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) is a novel method to improve fracture healing in horses. However, additional research is needed to identify optimal culture conditions and to determine the mechanisms involved in regulating BMSC differentiation into osteoblasts. The objectives of the experiments were to determine: 1) if autologous or commercial serum is better for proliferation and differentiation of equine BMSC into osteoblasts, and 2) the expression of key transcription factors during the differentiation of equine BMSC into osteoblasts. Equine BMSC were isolated from the sterna of 3 horses, treated with purchased fetal bovine serum (FBS) or autologous horse serum (HS), and cell proliferation determined. To induce osteoblast differentiation, cells were incubated with L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate and glycerol-2-phosphate in the presence or absence of human bone morphogenetic protein2 (BMP2), dexamethasone (DEX), or combination of the two. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, a marker of osteoblast differentiation, was determined by ELISA. Total RNA was isolated from differentiating BMSC between d 0 to 18 to determine expression ofrunt-related transcription factor2(Runx2),osterix(Osx), andT-box3(Tbx3). Data were analyzed by ANOVA.

Results

Relative to control, FBS and HS increased cell number (133 ± 5 and 116 ± 5%, respectively;P < 0.001) and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation (167 ± 6 and 120 ± 6%, respectively;P < 0.001). Treatment with DEX increased ALP activity compared with control (1,638 ± 38%;P < 0.001). In the absence and presence of Dex, BMP-2 did not alter ALP activity (P > 0.8).Runt-related transcription factor2expression increased 3-fold (P < 0.001) by d 6 of culture.Osterixexpression increased 9-fold (P < 0.05) by d 18 of culture. Expression ofTbx3increased 1.8-fold at d 3 (P < 0.01); however expression was reduced 4-fold at d 18 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Dexamethasone, but not BMP-2, is required for differentiation of equine BMSC into osteoblasts. In addition, expression ofRunx2andosterixincreased and expression ofTbx3is reduced during differentiation.
Myosin 1E localizes to actin polymerization sites in lamellipodia, affecting actin dynamics and adhesion formation
Authors: Gupta Prabuddha , Gauthier Nils C. , Cheng-Han Yu , Zuanning Yuan , Pontes Bruno , Ohmstede Malte , Martin René , Knölker Hans-Joachim , Döbereiner Hans-Günther , Krendel Mira , Sheetz Michael
Published: October 2013

Because the actin network in active lamellipodia is continuously assembling at the edge, moving inward and disassembling, there is a question as to how actin-binding proteins and other components are transported to the leading edge and how nascent adhesions are stabilized. Active transport could play a significant role in these functions but the components involved are unknown. We show here that Myosin 1E (a long tailed Myosin 1 isoform) rapidly moves to the tips of active lamellipodia and to actin-rich early adhesions, unlike Myosin 1G, 1B or 1C (short tailed isoforms). Myosin 1E co-localizes with CARMIL, FHOD1, Arp3 and β3-integrin in those early adhesions. But these structures precede stable paxillin-rich adhesions. Myosin 1E movement depends upon actin-binding domains and the presence of an SH3 oligomerization domain. Overexpression of a Myosin 1E deletion mutant without the extreme C-terminal interacting (SH3) domain (Myosin 1EΔSH3) increases edge fluctuations and decreases stable adhesion lifetimes. In contrast, overexpression of Myosin 1E full tail domain (TH1+TH2+TH3/SH3) decreases edge fluctuation. In Myosin 1E knockdown cells, and more prominently in cells treated with Myosin 1 inhibitor, cell–matrix adhesions are also short-lived and fail to mature. We suggest that, by moving to actin polymerization sites and early adhesion sites in active lamellipodia, Myosin 1E might play important roles in transporting not only important polymerizing proteins but also proteins involved in adhesion stabilization.
Estimation of Fat Globule Size Distribution in Milk Using an Inverse Light Scattering Model in the near Infrared Region
Authors: Cabassi Giovanni , Profaizer Mauro , Marinoni Laura , Rizzi Nicoletta , Cattaneo Tiziana M.P.
Published: October 2013

The determination of particle characteristics from light scattering patterns is a challenging inversion problem and, not least, a demanding instrumentation problem. Despite the importance of the knowledge of size distribution in several technological dairy processes, often laser diffractometers and other instrumentation for particle size analysis are not available in dairy laboratories and, therefore, such information is not easily available, except for research purposes. Near infrared (NIR) instrumentation, instead, is largely available in dairy labs. Laser granulometers are based on the principle that particles scatter light from one or two laser beams with an angular pattern directly related to their size. Consequently, a suspension of particles forms an angular pattern of scattered light that is characteristic of its size distribution. In a similar manner, a NIR spectrometer in transmission mode can be considered as a tool for studying the behaviour of forward scattering at different wavelengths. In this work, a model based on an approximation of Mie scattering was developed for the calculation of scattering due to fat globules in the NIR transmission spectrum of milk. The inversion of the model was applied to raw milk spectra in the spectral regions from 1000 nm to 1360 nm and from 1580 nm to 1800 nm, free from strong absorption bands, in order to estimate the fat particle size distribution. More than 700 samples, collected monthly for two years from 50 Friesian–Holstein, 7 Jersey and 5 Brown cows, were analysed. Four hundred of these samples were also analysed using a laser granulometer. The correlation ( r2) between NIR and laser granulometric data was equal to 0.95 for the mean volume surface diameter ( d3,2) with a root mean square error ( RMSE) of 0.11 microns. A sub-class of Weibull distribution with only one freedom parameter proved to be sufficient in order to describe milk fat globule distribution and fit spectral data. The method developed in this work can be useful both for genetic selection and technological purposes and easily extended to the analysis of other dietary fat emulsions.
Explaining Some Light Scattering Properties of Milk Using Representative Layer Theory
Authors: Dahm Donald J.
Published: October 2013

Milk is an example of a strongly scattering material, as its white colour indicates. For non-scattering samples, the Beer-Lambert law can be used to compute an absorption coefficient for a material and this absorption coefficient can be used to calculate or predict the absorption for a sample of any thickness of that material. However, absorption coefficients calculated for scattering samples are less directly applicable to other samples of the same material, because the processes of absorption and scattering affect each other. To overcome this, “absorbance” for a scattering sample should not be defined as {log(1/ T)}, but as {-log( R+ T)} or {-log(1- A)}. Interactions between absorption and scattering can be understood through consideration of a layer of single particles, here termed a “representative layer”. A reasonable approximation for the “Beer's law absorbance” of a material is the {-log(1- A)} of the representative layer. Using the properties of the representative layer, the absorption and scattering properties of a sample can be understood based on the refractive index difference between the particles and the matrix, the size of the particles, the wavelength of the incident light, the concentration of the particles and the thickness of the sample. This review describes how the principles of representative layer theory can explain some of the light scattering properties of milk and examines several of the techniques used to separate the effects of absorption and scatter.
Fat Globule Size Effect on Visible and Shortwave near Infrared Spectra of Milk
Authors: Bogomolov Andrey , Melenteva Anastasiia , Dahm Donald J.
Published: October 2013

Step-wise homogenisation has been applied to raw milk samples of different composition to investigate the effect of fat globule size distribution on diffuse transmission spectra in the region 400–1100 nm. Homogenisation results in significant spectral changes with two distinct phases. Initial even growth of spectral intensity across the whole spectral range, observed at lower degrees of homogenisation, was followed by a drastic fall in absorbance at the long-wave end of spectrum as the fat globules reached some critical size. Fat and protein content in the sample significantly affected the observed dependences of spectra on the applied homogenisation time. These observations have been explained as a superposition of two effects: growing fat globule density and changes in scatter nature as the particle sizes approach the light wavelengths in a corresponding spectral range. The representative layer theory has been used to illustrate the nature of the spectral effects.
Pseudoaneurysmatic complication of an arteriovenous graft
Authors: Triga Konstantina
Published: October 2013

Pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of arteriovenous-grafts (AVGs) used in hemodialysis patients. Rupture and bleeding are the most common complications. In this case report, I present the case of a successful repair of an infected pseudoaneurysm that occurred at the AVG, its surgical ligation and the insertion of a new graft segment.
Forveri forseta. Konungur Íslands 1904-1944
Authors: Kjartansson Helgi Skúli
Published: October 2013

Hér er fjallað um konungsvaldið í íslenskum málum á heimastjórnartíma (1904-1918) og tíma íslenska konungsríkisins - í raun aðeins til 1940 því að ríkisstjóri gegndi hlutverki konungs á allt annan hátt en hann sjálfur. Þegar Ísland varð lýðveldi 1944 tók forseti þess við því hlutverki sem Danakonungur hafði áður gegnt í stjórnskipun Íslands. Vissulega ekki óbreyttu, en sama hlutverki þó í langflestum atriðum. Ekki heldur beint af konungi, því að eftir hernám Danmerkur 1940 var það fyrst ríkisstjórnin sjálf sem falin var meðferð konungsvaldsins, og síðan í þrjú ár ríkisstjórinn, staðgengill konungs, en því embætti gegndi Sveinn Björnsson, sá sem svo hélt áfram sem forseti fyrstu lýðveldisárin. Engu að síður er nærtækt, þegar rætt er um eðli og þróun forsetaembættisins, að leita samanburðar við konungshlutverkið eins og það hafði mótast á sínum tíma. Slíkum samanburði ætla ég mér ekki að fylgja eftir hér, enda stendur það kannski öðrum nær en sagnfræðingum, heldur takmarka mig við tíma konungsvaldsins, en fjalla um þá þætti þess sem helst skipta máli þegar hugsað er um lýðveldistímann og forsetaembættið.
Sjálfstæði ráðherra og þingræðisreglan
Authors: Kristinsson Gunnar Helgi
Published: October 2013

Fjallað er um hvort sjálfstæði ráðherra, eins og það hefur verið túlkað af íslenskum lögfræðingum, samrýmist þingræðisreglunni. Þingræðisreglan felur í sér að ríkisstjórn þarf að geta sýnt fram á stuðning meirihluta þings þegar og ef eftir því er leitað. Ráðherrar í þingræðisríkjum starfa í pólitísku umboði ríkisstjórnar og þingmeirihlutans og þurfa að lúta pólitísku forræði þeirra en víkja úr embætti ella. Ráðherrar geta hins vegar verið yfirmenn stjórnsýslunnar, eins og tíðkast þar sem ráðherrastjórnsýsla ríkir, svo sem á Íslandi og í Danmörku. Það er hluti af lagalegri ábyrgð ráðherra að tryggja að fyrirmæli sem stjórnsýslan fær frá pólitískum yfirboðurum sínum séu í samræmi við lög. Pólitískt eru ráðherrar þannig undir vald ríkisstjórnarmeirihlutans seldir þótt þeir séu yfirmenn stjórnsýslunnar.
Stjórnarmyndanir á Íslandi 1971-2007
Authors: Jóhannesson Guðni Th.
Published: October 2013

Eftir tólf ára tímabil viðreisnarstjórnar Sjálfstæðisflokks og Alþýðuflokks, sem lauk árið 1971, tók við óróaskeið í íslenskum stjórnmálum. Næstu tvo áratugi voru átta ríkisstjórnir við völd í landinu og stjórnarmyndanir voru nær alltaf langar og strangar; tóku að jafnaði einn til tvo mánuði í það minnsta. Árið 1991 varð hins vegar breyting á. Stjórnarskipti urðu þá hröð, sömuleiðis árið 1995 og næstu tólf ár sátu Sjálfstæðisflokkur og Framsóknarflokkur saman í stjórn - jafnlengi og viðreisnarstjórnin á sínum tíma. Stjórnarmyndunarviðræður vorið 2007 gengu jafnsnurðulaust fyrir sig og því má jafnvel ætla að verklag við stjórnarskipti hafi breyst til frambúðar. "Stjórnarkreppa", "stjórnarmyndunarviðræður" og "stjórnarmyndunarumboð" eru hugtök sem áður voru á hvers manns vörum eftir kosningar en eru nú nær horfin úr hugum landsmanna. Í þessari grein verður stiklað frá einni stjórnarmyndun til annarrar á tímabilinu. Skýringa verður leitað á því hvers vegna svo illa gekk að koma ríkisstjórnum saman áður fyrr og hvers vegna sá vandi virtist mun viðráðanlegri þegar fram liðu stundir. Einnig verður nefnt hvernig farið hefur fyrir áformum eða óskum um stjórnir "félagshyggjuflokkanna" í sambandi við stjórnarmyndanir og hvernig hlutverk forseta Íslands hefur snarminnkað við þær. Mestu rúmi er varið í umfjöllun um nýliðnar kosningar og stjórnarmyndun að þeim loknum.