bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete mitochondrial genome of wild aurochs (Bos primigenius) reconstructed from ancient DNA
Authors: Zeyland J. , Wolko Ł. , Bocianowski J. , Szalata M. , Słomski R. , Dzieduszycki A.M. , Ryba M. , Przystałowska H. , Lipiński D.
Published: August 2013

Extinct aurochs (Bos primigenius), accepted as the ancestor of domestic cattle, was one of the largest wild animals inhabiting Europe, Asia and North Africa. The gradual process of aurochs extinction finished in Poland in 1627, were the last recorded aurochs, a female, died. Some aspects of cattle domestication history and the distribution of aurochs genetic material among modern cattle breeds still remain unclear. Analyses of ancient DNA (aDNA) from bone sample deliver new genetic information about extinct wild aurochs as well as modern cattle phylogeny. DNA was extracted from a fragment of aurochs fossil bone found in the Pisz Forest, Poland. The sample was radiocarbon- dated to about 1500 yBP. The aDNA was used for Whole Genome Amplification in order to form a DNA bank. Auroch mitochondrial DNA sequences were amplified using sets of 41 primers overlapping the whole mtDNA, cloned and sequenced. The sequence of the whole mitochondrial genome was reconstructed and deposed in GenBank [GenBank:JQ437479]. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of the Bovine mitochondrial genomes, a phylogenetic tree was created. As expected, the tree clearly shows that the mtDNA sequence of the analyzed PWA (Polish Wild Aurochs) individual belongs to haplogroup P. In the course of the comparative mtDNA analysis we identified 30 nucleotide marker positions for haplogroup P and nine unique PWA differences compared to the two remaining haplotype P representatives. Our analysis provides the next step to the reconstruction of the demographic history of this extinct but still exciting species.
Production and characterization of egg yolk antibodies against bovine alimentary tract pathogens
Authors: Sitnik O. , Jawor P. , Kopeć W. , Skiba T. , Stefaniak T.
Published: August 2013

Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of immunization of hens with bovine vaccines (C, R, T) on the course of IgY antibodies production against selected bovine E.coli strains, rota- and coronaviruses in egg yolk in farm conditions. The hens (40 individuals per group) were vaccinated twice, subcutaneously in four week interval and eggs were harvested once a week. Control group consisted of eggs sampled from non-vaccinated hens located in neighbouring cages. The antibody activity was measured by ELISA. All used vaccines induced the rise of IgY antibody in egg yolks. Based on the duration and the highest level of IgY antibody against bovine alimentary tract pathogens C vaccine was further used in next two trials for vaccination of 1000 hens each time. Double immunization seems to be enough in mounting response against examined pathogens for several weeks. Immunization with C vaccine allowed to harvest eggs with satisfactory levels of E.coli, rotavirus and coronavirus IgY antibodies which may be used to evaluate their protective effect by oral administration in calves.
Imidazole-induced contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells in the presence of U-73122, ODQ, indomethacin and 7-nitroindazole
Authors: Wiciński M. , Grześk G. , Malinowski B. , Grześk E. , Sinjab A.T. , Krzyżanowski M. , Michalska A. , Dzięcioł J. , Bylina D. , Szadujkis-Szadurska K. , Czeczuk A.
Published: August 2013

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of modulating factors on vascular smooth muscle cells reactivity. Vascular resistance was induced by the administration of increasing concentrations of imidazole.

The experiments were performed on isolated and perfused tail artery of Wistar rats (weight 250 g - 350 g). Rats were been narcotized by urethane (intraperitoneal injection) at a dose of 120 mg/kg, stunned and then sacrificed by cervical dislocation. In the following investigation classical pharmacometric methods were used. Relationships between concentration-response curves (CRCs) for imidazole observed in the presence of ODQ [(1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one)], 7-nitroindazole and indomethacin were analyzed.

Imidazole-induced contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells was independent from alpha- adrenergic receptors and PLC activity. Reactivity of VSMCsinduced by imidazole, was significantly changed in the presence of ODQ and 7-nitroindazole.
The novel effect of hCG administration on luteal function maintenance during the estrous cycle/pregnancy and early embryo development in the pig
Authors: Bołzan E. , Andronowska A. , Bodek G. , Morawska-Pucińska E. , Krawczyński K. , Dąbrowski A. , Zięcik A.J.
Published: August 2013

Two independent experiments were performed on cyclic (Experiment I) and pregnant (Experiment II) gilts to examine the effect of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) administration on day 12 of the estrous cycle/pregnancy on ovarian and endometrial secretory function. Animals were divided into hCG Group (injection of 750 IU hCG) and Control Group (injection of saline). In Experiment I, the prolonged lifespan of the corpus luteum (CL), extended progesterone (P4) production (P<0.05) and delayed luteolysis were found. In hCG Group increased ratio of PGE2:PGFM during 12 hrs period on day 15 (P<0.05) of the estrous cycle was observed. In both experiments, higher concentrations of E2 in hCG treated gilts (P<0.05) on days 14-15 of the estrous cycle/pregnancy were found. In Experiment II, hCG injection did not affect P4, PGE2 and PGFM concentrations in blood plasma, but reduced the number of resorbed embryos on day 30 of pregnancy. In the pregnant hCG treated gilts the immunostaining against von Willebrand Factor (vWF) demonstrated an enhanced (P<0.05) angiogenesis in CLs and endometrium. Furthermore, the flow cytometry revealed an increased (P<0.05) viability of cells in CLs of hCG Group. An augmented expression of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (STAR; P<0.05) and LH/hCG receptor mRNA (P<0.05) in CLs of hCG Group were observed, but an elevated concentration of protein was confirmed only for STAR (P<0.05). Our studies revealed, for the first time, that administration of hCG affects PGE2:PGFM ratio during the estrous cycle as well as the development of conceptuses through enhanced angiogenesis and decreased luteal apoptosis in early pregnant pigs.
Morphology and immunohistochemical characteristics of the pterygopalatine ganglion in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger, Molina)
Authors: Szczurkowski A. , Sienkiewicz W. , Kuchinka J. , Kaleczyc J.
Published: August 2013

Histological and histochemical investigations revealed that the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) in the chinchilla is a structure closely connected with the maxillary nerve. Macro-morphological observations disclosed two different forms of the ganglion: an elongated stripe representing single agglomeration of nerve cells, and a ganglionated plexus comprising smaller aggregations of neurocytes connected with nerve fibres. Immunohistochemistry revealed that nearly 80% of neuronal cell bodies in PPG stained for acetylcholine transferase (CHAT) but only about 50% contained immunoreactivity to vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VACHT). Many neurons (40%) were vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-positive. Double-staining demonstrated that approximately 20% of the VIP-immunoreactive neurons were VACHT-negative. Some neurons (10%) in PPG were simultaneously VACHT/nitric oxide synthase (NOS)- or Met-enkephaline (Met-ENK)/CHAT-positive, respectively. A small number of the perikarya stained for somatostatin (SOM) and solitary nerve cell bodies expressed Leu-ENK- and galanin-immunoreactivity. Interestingly about 5-8% of PPG neurons exhibited immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Intraganglionic nerve fibres containing immunoreactivity to VACHT-, VIP- and Met-ENK- were numerous, those stained for calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)- and substance P (SP)- were scarce, and single nerve terminals were TH-, GAL-, VIP- and NOS-positive.
Pharmacokinetics of orally administered simvastatin in turkeys
Authors: Jasiecka A. , Grabowski T. , Maślanka T. , Ziółkowski H. , Jaroszewski J.J.
Published: August 2013

The aim of the present study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin (SIM) administered orally in 6-week-old turkeys at a single dose of 2 mg/kg b.w. The SIM concentrations in plasma were determined by validated HPLC-MS/MS method. Mean (± SD; n = 10) values of pharmacokinetic parameters evaluated were as follows: Cmax = 0.49 ± 0.21 ng/ml, tmax = 1.6 ± 1.1 h, AUC(0-∞) = 1.08 ± 0.57 h×ng/ml, t1/2kel = 2.14 ± 1.3 h and MRT = 3.08 ± 1.52 h. The results indicate that the SIM is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys; however, achieved plasma level is lower compared to those observed in mammals.
Toxin-producing fungi on feed grains and application of yeasts for their detoxification
Authors: Repečkienė J. , Levinskaitė L. , Paškevičius A. , Raudonienė V.
Published: August 2013

The research deals with the contamination of feeding crops with fungi, producing mycotoxins and use of selected yeasts for detoxification. The thin-layer chromatography and ELISA methods were applied for the analysis of fungal secondary metabolites. The results showed a high rate of the grain contamination with fungi, mainly from genera Penicillium, Fusarium, Aspergillus and Alternaria. Some of the fungal strains produced 6-9 toxic compounds. The novelty of the study was the application of the yeast strains in detoxification of aflatoxins, zearalenon and deoxynivalenol in feed.
In vitro and in vivo toxicity evaluation of the freshwater cyanobacterium Heteroleiblenia kuetzingii
Authors: Teneva Ivanka , Stoyanov Plamen , Mladenov Rumen , Dzhambazov Balik
Published: August 2013

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms characterized by their ability to produce secondary metabolites with different biological activities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of the cosmopolitan freshwater cyanobacterium H. kuetzingii. An extract from H. kuetzingii and cyanobacterial growth media were assessed for presence of intracellular and extracellular toxins by in vitro tests using primary cell cultures from mouse kidney and fibroblasts, cell lines A549 and 3T3, a fish cell line RTgill-W1 as well as by a traditional in vivo mouse bioassay. The presence of toxicity was compared with the ELISA and HPLC data for corresponding cyanotoxins. In vitro tests showed pronounced cytotoxicity of the cyanobacterium extract and growth medium in which H. kuetzingii released potential extracellular toxic compounds as the mammalian cells were significantly more sensitive to exposure compared to the fish cells. Histopathological analyses of the liver and kidneys of treated mice showed pathological changes such as leukocyte infiltration and necrosis, changes in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules, lack of differentiation of Bowman’s space, enlarged Bowman’s capsules and massive hemorrhages. ELISA and HPLC analyses confirmed the presence of saxitoxins and microcystins at low concentrations. In addition, the histological analyses suggest that H. kuetzingii produces other, yet unknown toxic metabolites. Monitoring efforts are therefore required to evaluate the potential hazard for the freshwater aquatic systems and possible public health implications associated with this cyanobacterium.
Risk. Dealing with Uncertainty in Modern Times
Authors: Bonß Wolfgang
Published: August 2013

People have always lived under conditions of uncertainty. But how to deal with uncertainty and how security is produced varies depending on the social formation. This paper deals with the handling of uncertainty in modern societies. Modern societies always try to conceptualize uncertainties as action-related, responsible and calculable/predictable ‘risks’. This was a quite successful approach for a long time. However, under the conditions of ‘risk society’, this approach is increasingly difficult to work. Especially in the case of ‘new risks’, the attempt to conceptualize any uncertainty as a predictable and cumulatively controllable risk, can hardly be realized. That's why modern societies must ask for and reflect on a ‘new culture of uncertainty’.
Poverty in Abundance: Is Corruption an Answer?
Authors: Barber Benjamin R.
Published: August 2013

With the challenges of inequality so embedded in the political and economic infrastructure and their origin at least in part associated with national and global forces outside and beyond the control of the city, remediation is extraordinarily difficult. Only with innovation and imagination is inequality likely to be touched. Only if we are willing to look at the informal as well as the formal economy, and ignore the common wisdom about corruption and squatting and hidden capital, are we likely to find some partial answers to the burdens under which the most progressive and prosperous cities labour. (Excerpt)
Shock Therapy – Rethinking the Global Order
Authors: Nair Chandran
Published: August 2013

The most obvious lesson from the recent crisis is that today's version of unfettered capitalism is unable to selfcorrect. For the past 30 years and more, perhaps, the neoliberal model of capitalism has ruled supreme, promoting ultimate freedom in markets and the globalisation of finance to apparently deliver endless prosperity to all through consumption-led growth. The result has been massive environmental damage, depletion of natural resources and a growing gap between rich and poor. The model is unravelling, as the hidden costs are surfacing everywhere. Asian governments are being called upon to wake up and understand that to rely on the market to correct the inefficiencies in the allocation of resources is at best futile and naive and at worst plain dishonest.
Voluntary Simplicity – A Path to Sustainable Prosperity
Authors: Elgin Duane
Published: August 2013

Voluntary simplicity is not about living in poverty; it is about living with balance. This contribution illuminates the pattern of changes that an increasing number of people around the world are making their everyday lives as an active response to the challenges of our times. By embracing a lifeway of simplicity - characterized by a compassionate and ecological consciousness, frugal consumption, and inner development - people can change their lives and, in the process, move the world toward sustainable prosperity.
The Lifestyle Discourse in Consumer Capitalism
Authors: Bierhoff Burkhard
Published: August 2013

This paper presents some dimensions of the lifestyle discourse which have become relevant in recent years in science and public. The discourse that had initially focused on the limits of growth increasingly showed the destructive consequences of the materialistic consumer way of life and discussed sustainable lifestyles. The commodification and infantilization of the consumers who are involved in the commodity structure of consumerist lifestyle have been criticized. For some time an increasing emphasis is found for problems that extend beyond one's own life. With increasing empathy the personal lifestyle is widely based on relationships and contexts outside the immediate sphere of life. Accordingly, a lifestyle of voluntary simplicity is propagated. The consistent postmaterialistic orientation, which means a renunciation of the consumer capitalism, is regarded as its central feature.
Horizontal Lifts of some Geometric Objects to the Bundle of Pairs of Volume Forms
Authors: Gąsior Anna
Published: August 2013

In this paper we present a bundle of pairs of volume forms V2. We describe horizontal lift of a tensor of type (1; 1) and we show that horizontal lift of an almost complex structure on a manifold M is an almost complex structure on the bundle V2. Next we give conditions under which the almost complex structure on V 2 is integrable. In the second part we find horizontal lift of vector fields, tensorfields of type (0; 2) and (2; 0), Riemannian metrics and we determine a family of a t-connections on the bundle of pairs of volume forms. At the end, we consider some properties of the horizontally lifted vector fields and certain infinitesimal transformations.
Optimal Control in Chemotherapy of a Viral Infection
Authors: Ştefănescu Răzvan , Pogan Matei-Ciprian
Published: August 2013

In this study we develop some results concerning the optimal chemotherapy in case of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Generally, in viral infection, the drug strategy affects either the virus infectivity or reduce the virion production. The mathematical model proposed here, deals with the first situation, and represents an optimal control problem, with the state equation given by an ODE and the objective function based on a combination of maximizing benefit relied on T cells count (the white cells that coordinate activities of the immune system) and minimizing the systemic cost of chemotherapy. We demonstrate the existence of an optimal control and introduce the first order necessary optimality conditions in order to derive an algorithm to approximate the optimal chemotherapy strategy. Conclusive numerical simulations are presented.
On Multipliers of the Group Lp;w(G)-Algebras
Authors: Eryilmaz Ilker , Duyar Cenap
Published: August 2013

Let G be a locally compact abelian group (non-compact, non-discrete) with Haar measure and 1 ≤ p < ∞: The purpose of this paper is to study the space of multipliers on Lp;w (G) and characterize it as the algebra of all multipliers of the closely related Banach algebra of tempered elements in Lp;w (G).
Performance analysis of wavelength multiplexed SAC OCDMA codes in beat noise mitigation in SAC OCDMA systems
Authors: Alhassan A. M. , Badruddin N. , Saad N. M. , Aljunid S. A.
Published: August 2013

In this paper we investigate the use of wavelength multiplexed spectral amplitude coding (WM SAC) codes in beat noise mitigation in coherent source SAC OCDMA systems. A WM SAC code is a low weight SAC code, where the whole code structure is repeated diagonally (once or more) in the wavelength domain to achieve the same cardinality as a higher weight SAC code. Results show that for highly populated networks, the WM SAC codes provide better performance than SAC codes. However, for small number of active users the situation is reversed. Apart from their promising improvement in performance, these codes are more flexible and impose less complexity on the system design than their SAC counterparts.
Spectral switching control of ultrafast pulses in dual core photonic crystal fibre
Authors: Koys M. , Bugar I. , Hrebikova I. , Mesaros V. , Buczynski R. , Uherek F.
Published: August 2013

The work presented in this paper is a study of an all-optical narrow-band switch in extended spectral area by dual core photonic crystal fibre expressing nonlinear coupler performance. The investigation is focused on the nonlinear propagation of femtosecond pulses in the near infrared spectral region at up to 50 kW peak power which induces spectral broadening through almost two octaves. The mutual effect of nonlinear spectral transformation and field redistribution between the two fibre cores is analyzed by both theoretical and experimental approaches. The simulation of the nonlinear propagation is based on coupled generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equations. A modified numerical model utilizing split-step Fourier method was adapted for dual core fibres. The complex experimental study was accomplished for various input settings such as polarization, intensity and selective coupling into each core and the selective detection of spectra from each core. The presented work encompasses promising results obtained regarding a spectral intensity switch between the two output channels by input intensity or polarization change in the S-band of optical communication systems.
Durability Assessment of Coarse Aggregates for Hot-Mix Asphalt in Maine
Authors: Nener-Plante Derek
Published: August 2013

In this study, micro-Deval and Los Angeles (LA) abrasion tests were used to evaluate the durability of 72 coarse aggregates used for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) in Maine. Aggregates used in HMA must be durable and resistant to abrasion and degradation. Material loss in HMA pavements has recently been observed by the Maine Department of Transportation. Aggregate degradation has been hypothesized as a possible contributor. The micro-Deval results showed no correlation with results from the LA abrasion; the range in values was quite large. Two alternative methods of analyzing micro-Deval results were employed to measure the change in gradation of aggregate samples. A relatively large portion of tested aggregate sources was found to degrade significantly in the micro-Deval test while having acceptable AASHTO micro-Deval loss values, presumably as the result of fracturing instead of abrasion. The weighted-average method and the area-between-curves method proved to be effective in measuring the change in particle size distribution not captured with the Method 1 micro-Deval loss value. In addition, a significant influence of initial grading size was found in all the micro-Deval data, with finer initial gradations producing higher loss values. The alternative analysis methods for micro-Deval are recommended for use in detecting degradation not captured by the traditional micro-Deval value.
Assessing Soil Stiffness of Stabilized Pavement Foundations
Authors: White David J. , Becker Peter , Vennapusa Pavana K. R. , Dunn Mark J. , White Christianna I.
Published: August 2013

The quality of constructed pavement foundation layers was studied with rapid and near-continuous soil stiffness measurements as alternatives to traditional nuclear gauge moisture–density measurements. Sixteen sections of stabilized pavement foundations covering 4.8 mi, with ground conditions ranging from soft to very stiff, were studied. Measurements from falling weight deflectometer, light weight deflectometer, dynamic cone penetrometer, and roller-integrated compaction monitoring systems were used to assess soil stiffness. Statistical analyses of the results were reported in the form of coefficient of variation and empirical correlations between measurements. Results of soil stiffness were compared with two independent groups of nuclear moisture–density measurements to demonstrate some of the shortcomings of traditional nuclear-gauge testing for quality assessment. The findings from this paper show the value in using soil stiffness measurements to characterize ground variations. Cost data are also reported for the stabilized sections.
Carbonic Anhydrases and Their Biotechnological Applications
Authors: Boone Christopher , Habibzadegan Andrew , Gill Sonika , McKenna Robert
Published: August 2013

The carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are mostly zinc-containing metalloenzymes which catalyze the reversible hydration/dehydration of carbon dioxide/bicarbonate. The CAs have been extensively studied because of their broad physiological importance in all kingdoms of life and clinical relevance as drug targets. In particular, human CA isoform II (HCA II) has a catalytic efficiency of 108 M−1 s−1, approaching the diffusion limit. The high catalytic rate, relatively simple procedure of expression and purification, relative stability and extensive biophysical studies of HCA II has made it an exciting candidate to be incorporated into various biomedical applications such as artificial lungs, biosensors and CO2 sequestration systems, among others. This review highlights the current state of these applications, lists their advantages and limitations, and discusses their future development.
Working Memory Capacity, Inhibitory Control and the Role of L2 Proficiency in Aging L1 Dutch Speakers of Near-Native L2 English
Authors: Keijzer Merel
Published: August 2013

This paper examines the intricate relationship between working memory (WM) capacity and inhibitory control as a function of both L2 proficiency and age. In both its design and research questions, this study closely follows Gass & Lee’s work, where both L1 and L2 Reading Span Tasks (as measures of WM capacity) and L1 and L2 Stroop interference tasks (to measure inhibitory control) were administered. In this study, the test battery is augmented by both an L1 and L2 C-test of overall language proficiency. Participants were 63 L1 Dutch speakers of L2 English, who had been immersed in an L2 environment for a considerable amount of time. Their data were set off against those of 54 monolingual Dutch speakers and 56 monolingual English speakers. At the time of testing, all the bilingual participants had a near-native command of English and their L1 and L2 WM scores were not found to be significantly different. However, discrepancies did occur in Stroop test scores of inhibition, where the bilinguals performed better in their L2 English than L1 Dutch. These main effects often contradicted the results found in Gass & Lee’s study, who examined less proficient L2 learners. An aging effect was furthermore found: older subjects consistently performed more poorly on WM and inhibition tasks than their younger peers. These results can shed light on how individual factors like WM capacity and inhibitory control interact in successful late bilinguals and how these dynamics shift with advanced age.
Infertility and Its Treatments in Association with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review and Results from the CHARGE Study
Authors: Lyall Kristen , Baker Alice , Hertz-Picciotto Irva , Walker Cheryl
Published: August 2013

Previous findings on relationships between infertility, infertility therapies, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been inconsistent. The goals of this study are first, to briefly review this evidence and second, to examine infertility and its treatments in association with having a child with ASD in newly analyzed data. In review, we identified 14 studies published as of May 2013 investigating infertility and/or its treatments and ASD. Overall, prior results showed little support for a strong association, though some increases in risk with specific treatments were found; many limitations were noted. In new analyses of the CHildhood Autism Risk from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) population-based study, cases with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 513) and controls confirmed to have typical development (n = 388) were compared with regard to frequencies of infertility diagnoses and treatments overall and by type. Infertility diagnoses and treatments were also grouped to explore potential underlying pathways. Logistic regression was used to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratios overall and, in secondary analyses, stratified by maternal age (≥35 years) and diagnostic subgroups. No differences in infertility, infertility treatments, or hypothesized underlying pathways were found between cases and controls in crude or adjusted analyses. Numbers were small for rarer therapies and in subgroup analyses; thus the potential for modest associations in specific subsets cannot be ruled out. However, converging evidence from this and other studies suggests that assisted reproductive technology is not a strong independent risk factor for ASD. Recommendations for future studies of this topic are provided.
Recurrent Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) Due to Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatititis, Pharyngitis and Adenitis (FAPA) Syndrome in an Adult
Authors: Muñoz-Gómez Sigridh , Cunha Burke
Published: August 2013

FAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatititis, pharyngitis and adenitis) is a relatively new entity described in pediatric patients. In adults, reports of FAPA are limited to rare case reports. The differential diagnosis of FAPA in adults includes Behcet’s syndrome, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), Hyper IgD syndrome and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), i.e., adult Still’s disease. With FAPA syndrome, between episodes patients are completely asymptomatic and serologic inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count are normal. The etiology of FAFA is unknown, but lack of secondary cases or clustering in close contacts, lack of seasonality, and the lack of progression for years argue against an infectious etiology. We describe an extremely rare case of an adult with a recurrent FUO with profuse night sweats and prominent chills due to FAPA syndrome.
Bone-Targeted Agents for the Management of Breast Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases
Authors: Simos Demetrios , Addison Christina , Kuchuk Iryna , Hutton Brian , Mazzarello Sasha , Clemons Mark
Published: August 2013

Despite advances in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, bone remains the most common site of recurrence. The goal of therapy for these patients is palliative and focused on maximizing the duration and quality of their life, while concurrently minimizing any disease or treatment-related complications. Bone metastases predispose patients to reduced survival, pain, impaired quality of life and the development of skeletal-related events. With an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of bone metastasis, effective treatments for their management have evolved and are now in widespread clinical use. This article will discuss the pathogenesis of bone metastases and review the key clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of currently available systemic bone-targeted therapies in breast cancer patients with an emphasis on bisphosphonates and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) inhibitors. We will also discuss novel strategies and therapies currently in development.
Docosahexaenoic Acid, Inflammation, and Bacterial Dysbiosis in Relation to Periodontal Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Tabbaa Maria , Golubic Mladen , Roizen Michael , Bernstein Adam
Published: August 2013

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has been used to treat a range of different conditions, including periodontal disease (PD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). That DHA helps with these oral and gastrointestinal diseases in which inflammation and bacterial dysbiosis play key roles, raises the question of whether DHA may assist in the prevention or treatment of other inflammatory conditions, such as the metabolic syndrome, which have also been linked with inflammation and alterations in normal host microbial populations. Here we review established and investigated associations between DHA, PD, and IBD. We conclude that by beneficially altering cytokine production and macrophage recruitment, the composition of intestinal microbiota and intestinal integrity, lipopolysaccharide- and adipose-induced inflammation, and insulin signaling, DHA may be a key tool in the prevention of metabolic syndrome.
Modeling of Particulate Processes for the Continuous Manufacture of Solid-Based Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms
Authors: Rogers Amanda , Hashemi Amir , Ierapetritou Marianthi
Published: August 2013

The objective of this work is to present a review of computational tools and models for pharmaceutical processes, specifically those for the continuous manufacture of solid dosage forms. Relevant mathematical methods and simulation techniques are discussed, as is the development of process models for solids-handling unit operations. Continuous processing is of particular interest in the current study because it has the potential to improve the efficiency and robustness of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Alternative Communications about Sustainability Education
Authors: McGregor Sue
Published: August 2013

In preparation for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, UNESCO communicated its conceptualization of education for sustainable development (ESD). This paper does not assume that UNESCO was ineffective in communicating its approach to ESD; rather, the premise is that UNESCO’s actual message was not well received by everyone, with some pushing back with alternative communications of their own. This paper identifies and profiles seven vanguard theoretical and pedagogical approaches to the problem of unsustainability, including, but not limited to: sustainable contraction, unlearning unsustainability, a 3D-heuristic, an integrative, place-based approach, and a Gaia-informed, ecological approach. It concludes with a discussion of seven overarching alternative messages for communicating about sustainability including: refocused education; complexity, chaos and living systems; Gaia and ecology; paradigm shifts for uncertainty; knowledge integration; existentialism; and fear and hope. Intellectual and pedagogical discourse can be kindled and stimulated by drawing on alternative communications about the normative concept of sustainability.
Bone-to-Body Biometric Relationships for Owens and Lahontan Tui Chubs and their Hybrids in California
Authors: Leunda Pedro M. , Galicia David , Miranda Rafael , Madoz Javier , Parmenter Steve
Published: August 2013

Regression parameters for the length of several bony structures against fish body length, and for body length against body weight, were determined for Owens tui chub Siphateles bicolor snyderi, Lahontan tui chub Siphateles bicolor obesa, and hybrid swarm deriving from the two species. Two-hundred eleven individuals from 16 localities from the Owens River and neighboring basins along the border between California and Nevada were used for regression analyses. The coefficient of determination of linear regressions for scales, pharyngeal arches, dentaries, cleithra, and opercula against body length were consistently high (r2 ≥ 0.9). Differences between subspecies were mainly with reference to the intercept parameter in comparisons involving Lahontan tui chub. Coefficients of determination from log-linear length–weight regressions were also high (r2 ≥ 0.9) for individual taxa and for the pooled data set combining both Lahontan and hybrid species. The length–weight relationship did not differ between subspecies. Estimates of the length–weight relationship using data pooling both Lahontan and hybrid tui chub suggest a weak allometric growth effect (P < 0.05). The bone-length to body-length and body-length to body-weight relationships presented here will be useful tools for future dietary studies of tui chub predators as well as for archaeological and paleontological studies on tui chub remains.
Classification and Recovery of Fragmented Multimedia Files using the File Carving Approach
Authors: Poisel Rainer , Rybnicek Marlies , Schildendorfer Bernhard , Tjoa Simon
Published: August 2013

File carving is a recovery technique which does not consider file tables or other meta-data which is used to organize data on storage media. As files can be recovered based only on their content and/or structure, this technique is an indispensable task during digital investigations. The main contribution of this paper is the description of procedures that allow for successful content-based recovery of multimedia files from their fragments. So far many approaches for the recovery of digital images have been proposed. After a short discussion of relevant representatives in this domain the authors focus on the applicability of these approaches to the recovery of multimedia files.
Neighborhood-Based Route Discovery Protocols for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Alwidian Sanaa A. , Ababneh Ismail M. , Yassein Muneer O. Bani
Published: August 2013

Network–wide broadcasting is used extensively in mobile ad hoc networks for route discovery and for disseminating data throughout the network. Flooding is a common approach to performing network-wide broadcasting. Although it is a simple mechanism that can achieve high delivery ratio, flooding consumes much of the communication bandwidth and causes serious packet redundancy, contention and collision. In this paper, the authors propose new broadcast schemes that reduce the overhead associated with flooding. In these schemes, a node selects a subset of its neighbors for forwarding the packet being broadcast to additional nodes. The selection process has for goal reducing the number of neighbors and maximizing the number of nodes that they can reach (i.e., forward the packet to). By applying this novel neighborhood-based broadcasting strategy, the authors have come up with routing protocols that have very low overhead. These protocols were implemented and simulated within the GloMoSim 2.03 network simulator. The simulation experiments show that our routing protocols can reduce the overhead for both low and high mobility substantially, as compared with the well-known and promising AODV routing protocol. In addition, they outperform AODV by increasing the delivery ratio and decreasing the end-to-end delays of data packets.
Indigenous Knowledge Management in the Kelabit Community in Eastern Malaysia
Authors: Yeo Alvin Wee , Zaman Tariq , Kulathuramaiyer Narayanan
Published: August 2013

Knowledge audits and assessment help organizations to identify the status of knowledge processes and develop strategies to manage their knowledge-based assets. The structure of Indigenous Knowledge Management Systems (IKMS) is different from the organisation’s Knowledge Management (KM) systems and mainly based on the tacit and implicit knowledge forms. Hence, the existing organisation’s knowledge audit and assessment tools are not addressing the inherent structure of IKMS. The paper addresses this gap and uses a methodological approach for the assessment of Indigenous Knowledge Management (IKM) processes. The approach is tested in the indigenous Kelabit community of Bario in East Malaysia. The methods used for data collection are survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study finding argues that indigenous communities exercise the processes of storage, leveraging, sharing and applying knowledge. These processes are a combination of the knowledge and the ways in which this knowledge is put into practice in their daily life activities. These processes may be different but not less effective or less efficient in comparison to organisation’s KM processes. The study will help Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers to better understand the structure of IKMS and then use this understanding for designing the technological solution for IKM.
E-Leadership and Trust Management
Authors: Jawadi Nabila
Published: August 2013

Trust is considered a key factor in virtual team performance and outcomes. Recent studies suggest that e-leaders significantly contribute to trust development in their teams and that their contributions depend on the team’s level of virtuality. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the behaviors and practices that enable e-leaders to build trusty relationships in their teams. Using leadership behavioral complexity theory, we focus on the roles played by e-leaders in managing their teams. To this end, we conducted a large survey with virtual team members. The results highlight the importance of the roles of rational goals and human relations in trust management. With regard to the effects of virtuality, distance is found to have a significant negative moderator effect on the contribution of leadership to trust development, while the moderator effect of ICT use is positive.
Automatic Cognitive Load Classification Using High-Frequency Interaction Events
Authors: Lin Tao , Li Xiao , Wu Zhiming , Tang Ningjiu
Published: August 2013

There is still a challenge of creating an evaluation method which can not only unobtrusively collect data without supplement equipment but also objectively, quantitatively and in real-time evaluate cognitive load of user based the data. The study explores the possibility of using the features extracted from high-frequency interaction events to evaluate cognitive load to respond to the challenge. Specifically, back-propagation neural networks, along with two feature selection methods (nBset and SFS), were used as the classifier and it was able to use a set of features to differentiate three cognitive load levels with an accuracy of 74.27%. The main contributions of the research are: (1) demonstrating the use of combining machine learning techniques and the HFI features in automatically evaluating cognitive load; (2) showing the potential of using the HFI features in discriminating different cognitive load when suitable classifier and features are adopted.
Merchandise and Replenishment Planning Optimisation for Fashion Retail
Authors: Iannone Raffaele , Ingenito Angela , Martino Giada , Miranda Salvatore , Pepe Claudia , Riemma Stefano
Published: August 2013

The integration among different companies functions, collaborative planning and the elaboration of focused distribution plans are critical to the success of each kind of company working in the complex retail sector. In this contest, the present work proposes the description of a model able to support coordinated strategic choices continually made by Supply Chain (SC) actors. The final objective is achievement of the full optimisation of Merchandise & Replenishment Planning phases, identifying the right replenishment quantities and periods.

To test the proposed model's effectiveness, it was applied to an important Italian fashion company in the complex field of fast-fashion, a sector in which promptness is a main competitive leverage and, therefore, the planning cannot exclude the time variable. The passage from a total push strategy, currently used by the company, to a push-pull one, suggested by the model, allowed us not only to estimate a reduction in goods quantities to purchase at the beginning of a sales period (with considerable economic savings), but also elaborate a focused replenishment plan that permits reduction and optimisation of departures from network warehouses to Points of Sale (POS).
The Logistic Maturity Model: Application to a Fashion Company
Authors: Battista Claudia , Schiraldi Massimiliano M.
Published: August 2013

This paper describes the structure of the logistic maturity model (LMM) in detail and shows the possible improvements that can be achieved by using this model in terms of the identification of the most appropriate actions to be taken in order to increase the performance of the logistics processes in industrial companies. The paper also gives an example of the LMM's application to a famous Italian female fashion firm, which decided to use the model as a guideline for the optimization of its supply chain. Relying on a 5-level maturity staircase, specific achievement indicators as well as key performance indicators and best practices are defined and related to each logistics area/process/sub-process, allowing any user to easily and rapidly understand the more critical logistical issues in terms of process immaturity.
Designing an Efficient Production System: A Case Study of a Clothing Company
Authors: Bevilacqua M. , Ciarapica F.E. , Crosta A. , Mazzuto G. , Paciarotti C.
Published: August 2013

This paper is based on a discrete-event simulation model and reproduces the sewing department of a clothing company involved in the fashion industry. It aims to quantitatively assess the effects of different production configurations on flow time and production capacity.

In particular, the production phases of men's jackets are examined. Eight configurations are evaluated, stemming from the combination of two parameters: batch size and number of machines. For each configuration, the flow time, the production capacity and the waiting time are computed. A subsequent Design of Experiment (DoE) analysis has been performed on these configurations, with the aim of identifying significant single and combined effects of the above parameters on the results observed. The goal is to obtain improvements in the production process. The data provided by the simulation is used in order to make a critical analysis of the system production and leads to the formation of proposals for the improvement of the lay-out.
Exploration morphologique et sémantique des leitmotive communs à Tristan und Isolde et aux Wesendonck-Lieder de Richard Wagner
Authors: Manitt Russ
Published: August 2013

L’article tente de démontrer les relations souvent citées, mais rarement explicitées, entreTristan und Isoldeet lesWesendonck-Liederde Wagner. Faisant appel au modèle sémiologique de Molino et Nattiez, l’auteur illustre la correspondance entre les œuvres en s’appuyant (1) sur une étude des origines de leur composition, (2) sur l’analyse littéraire des textes mis en musique, ainsi que (3) sur une analyse d’inspiration paradigmatique des motifs communs aux deux œuvres. Les liens entre les textes de Wagner et Mathilde Wesendonck, la musique du compositeur et la philosophie de Schopenhauer sont notamment explorés dans cet exercice de sémiotique appliquée.
Miniatures and tensions: phenomenological reverberations in and around Kaija Saariaho's Lichtbogen (1985-86)
Authors: Sivuoja-Gunaratnam Anne
Published: August 2013

The article studies miniatures in Kaija Saariaho's Lichtbogen for nine musicians and live electronics (1985-86). The research material consists of records, the score and composer's interviews and articles. Methodologically, the article is based on Gaston Bachelard 's phenomenology (The Poetics of Space) and Denis Smalley's "Spectromorphology." Miniatures are subtle spatio-temporal constellations, which require a non-global listening strategy, or an "aural magnification glass" in order to be perceived. In Saariaho's case, these miniatures are often imbued with musical tension, which reverberates across the material borders of music and texts. By working on the borderline between music and language, they challenge the notion that a hard separation exists between the purely musical and the extra-musical.
The Magic Wand of the Wagnerians: Musik als Ausdruck
Authors: McClatchie Stephen
Published: August 2013

As is well-known, throughout most of the nineteenth century the defence of Wagner's music was not undertaken on the same grounds on which it was attacked. Critics such as Ludwig Bischoff and Eduard Hanslick attacked Wagner's music for its alleged "formlessness" and harmonic illogicalities, while Wagner's partisans countered with appeals to vaguer criteria of beauty and truthfulness, couched generally in leitmotivic terms, often focusing on the so-called "symphonic web" of Wagner's late works. One particular strategy is encapsulated by the phrase "Musik als Ausdruck," which forms the basis of a number of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century monographs and articles about Wagner's works. Musical gestures were held to encode a particular emotional state and to reawaken that state in the listener, who would intuit the "meaning" of the gesture instinctively; within such an aesthetic, music was held to represent the essence of phenomenon, the "thing-in-itself."

This article attempts to provide an account of the dual foundations of this aesthetic paradigm in philosophy and science, as manifested by Arthur Schopenhauer's Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung and by Friedrich von Hausegger's Die Musik als Ausdruck respectively, and suggests that the resulting position – as articulated by Hans von Wolzogen and Curt Mey – is not only incompatible with but also incomparable to that of the formalists. The reconciliation of these two positions would not take place until the 1920s and 1930s with the work of Alfred Lorenz.