bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral health survey of 6–12‐year‐old children with disabilities attending special schools in Chennai, India
Authors: Gardens Seby J. , Krishna Madhusudan , Vellappally Sajith , Alzoman Hamad , Halawany Hassan S. , Abraham Nimmi B. , Jacob Vimal
Published: December 2013

Background

The dental literature is replete with reports on the oral health surveys of normal children. Relatively few data exist for the oral conditions of mentally challenged children and adolescents with multiple disabilities in India.

Aim

To assess the oral hygiene practices and treatment needs among 6–12‐year‐old disabled children attending special schools in Chennai, India, between 2007 and 2008.

Design

A cross‐sectional study data were collected using WHO criteria, a questionnaire (for the parents/guardians) regarding demographic data and oral hygiene practices, medical record review, and clinical examination.

Results

Among 402 disabled children, majority of the children brushed their teeth once daily (89.7%) and with assistance from the caregiver (64.4%). The utilisation of the dental services was minimal (extractions 14.4%, oral prophylaxis 1.7%, and restorations 1.7%). There was significant difference between residents and non‐residents for the mean dft/DMFT. The periodontal health was comparatively better among the residents of the institutions than the non‐residents (P < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that various variables were significantly associated with dft/DMFT and Community Periodontal Index (CPI).

Conclusion

This study gives sufficient evidence to suggest that the oral health status of this disabled population was poor and there was an increased unmet dental treatment needs.
Looking up versus looking down: attractiveness‐based organizational biases are moderated by social comparison direction
Authors: Agthe Maria , Spörrle Matthias , Frey Dieter , Maner Jon K.
Published: December 2013

Organizational decision‐making research demonstrates an abundance of positive biases directed toward attractive individuals. However, recent research suggests that these favorable consequences of attractiveness do not hold when the person being evaluated is of the same sex as the evaluator. In the current study, participants evaluated prospective job candidates and indicated their desire to interact socially with the candidate. Results indicated positive responses toward attractive other‐sex targets but not toward attractive same‐sex targets. This pattern was moderated by participants' social comparison orientation: People who tended to engage in downward (rather than upward) social comparison displayed stronger reactions to attractive comparison targets. They indicated less desire to interact socially with attractive same‐sex job candidates than those who tend to engage in upward social comparison.
The availability of HEPA‐filtered rooms and the incidence of pneumonia in patients after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT): results from a prospective, multicentre, eastern European study
Authors: Vokurka Samuel , Bystrická Eva , Svoboda Tomáš , Škoda Gorican Irena Katja , Sever Matjaz , Mazur Ewa , Kopinska Anna , Pavlicová Vladislava , Mocanu Otilia , Tanase Alina , Ghelase Rodica , Zítková Marie , Labudíková Monika , Raida Ludek , Hrabánková‐Navrátilová Darja , Bocková Jana
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To establish the availability of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)‐ and nonHEPA‐filtered rooms in eastern European transplant centres and to investigate the impact on incidence of pneumonia and mortality after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Background

Barrier nursing in HEPA‐filtered rooms is generally recommended for patients undergoing HSCT. There are only limited data on the availability of HEPA‐filtered rooms and the impact on incidence of pneumonia and mortality.

Design

A prospective, observational, international study.

Methods

Monitoring cards were distributed within the East Forum EBMT‐Nurses Group cooperating centres, and 689 consecutive patients were registered in 1/2010‐6/2012. Patients were monitored for 100 days post‐transplant.

Results

In patients undergoing autologous HSCT, pneumonia developed in 14/400 (3·5%) and was the cause of death in 2/14 (14%) of patients. There was no significant difference in mortality between HEPA‐filtered and nonHEPA‐filtered groups (4·5% vs. 4·9%, respectively). 239/400 (59%) transplantations were performed in single‐bed rooms [190/239 (79%) HEPA‐filtered] and 161 (41%) in two‐bed rooms [28/161 (17%) HEPA‐filtered]. In allogeneic transplantation, pneumonia developed in 24/289 (8·3%) and was the cause of death in 11/24 (45%) of patients. There was no significant difference in mortality between HEPA‐filtered and non‐HEPA‐filtered groups (14% vs. 17%, respectively). 281/289 (97%) of allogeneic transplantations were performed in single‐bed rooms [254/281 (90%) HEPA‐filtered], and pneumonia was more frequent in patients on corticosteroids and in rooms without HEPA.

Conclusion

The incidence of pneumonia in the autologous transplantation setting is low. More pneumonia was observed in the allogeneic HSCT group, especially in patients on corticosteroids. There was a trend towards a lower incidence of pneumonia in allogeneic HSCT patients treated in HEPA‐filtered rooms.

Relevance to clinical practice

Autologous HSCT transplantation may safely be performed without HEPA filtration. HEPA filtration might be preferable in patients undergoing allogeneic transplantation.
Evaluation of the implementation of a bowel management protocol in intensive care: effect on clinician practices and patient outcomes
Authors: Knowles Serena , McInnes Elizabeth , Elliott Doug , Hardy Jennifer , Middleton Sandy
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the effect of a multifaceted implementation of a bowel management protocol on outcomes for intensive care patients, in particular the incidence of constipation and diarrhoea, and on clinicians' bowel management practices.

Background

Complications associated with poor bowel management for critically ill patients result in adverse outcomes. Implementation of protocols requires strategies proven to change clinician behaviour.

Design

Before and after study.

Methods

Our bowel management protocol was implemented using three evidence‐based elements: education sessions, printed educational materials in the form of a fact sheet and reminders. We retrospectively collected data from patients' medical records admitted at two time points within three Sydney metropolitan intensive care units (preimplementation, n = 101; postimplementation, n = 107).

Results

No significant difference was found in the incidence of constipation and diarrhoea pre and postimplementation of the protocol. Seventy‐two per cent (n = 73) of patients preimplementation and 70% (n = 75) of patients postimplementation experienced one or more episodes of constipation (bowels not open for 72 hours or greater), and 16% (n = 16) of patients preimplementation and 20% (n = 21) of patients postimplementation experienced one or more episodes of diarrhoea. There was a slight nonsignificant increase in bowel assessment on admission by medical officers postimplementation (pre, 47%, n = 48; post, 60%, n = 64).

Conclusion

Targeted multifaceted implementation of a bowel management protocol did not have an impact on the incidence of constipation or diarrhoea for intensive care patients or on clinician practices. The lack of impact on patient outcomes may be due to clinicians' nonadherence to our bowel management protocol. Reasons clinicians' practices did not change may include the influences of clinical decision‐making on behaviour.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study highlights difficulties inherent in changing clinician behaviour and practices to improve patient outcomes despite using an evidence‐based multifaceted implementation strategy. Further research is required to ascertain the most effective implementation strategies.
Multicompetence in L2 Language Play: A Longitudinal Case Study
Authors: Bell Nancy , Skalicky Stephen , Salsbury Tom
Published: December 2013

Humor and language play have been recognized as important aspects of second language (L2) development. Qualitative studies that have documented the forms and functions of language play for adult and child L2 users have taken place largely in classroom settings. In order to gain a fuller understanding of such creative manipulations by L2 users, it is necessary to examine these phenomena across a variety of contexts. In this article, we explore the ways that two L2 users marshal resources to play with language across communicative activities, for various purposes, and with a variety of interlocutors in interaction. Our goal is to gain a fuller view of our participants as multicompetent language users, specifically with respect to their playful communicative repertoires. The data consist of informal conversations which were recorded approximately every 2 weeks over 10–12 months. Episodes framed by the participants as playful were identified across all recordings and were analyzed qualitatively to document patterns of use and participation. Despite individual differences in style, both participants demonstrated sensitivity to context in their use of language play and an awareness of the ways humor functions as a social practice, subtly adjusting their strategies to changing social situations.
The effect of sevoflurane and ondansetron on QT interval and transmural dispersion of repolarization in children
Authors: Lee Ji‐Hyun , Park Yong‐Hee , Kim Jin‐Tae , Kim Chong‐Sung , Kim Hee‐Soo
Published: December 2013

Background

This study evaluated the prolongation of QT interval by the combination of sevoflurane and ondansetron in pediatric patients. Additionally, transmural dispersion of repolarization as interval between the peak and end of the T wave (Tp‐e) and Tp‐e/QT ratio was also measured to assess the risk of ventricular arrhythmia.

Methods

The 3‐lead electrocardiography (ECG) in lead II was sampled at three stages: at preinduction, just before (Sevo alone) and finally, after administration of ondansetron (Sevo+Ondansetron) in 41 children aged from 3 to 12 years. The QT interval was corrected for heart rate using Bazett's formula. And, Tp‐e interval was obtained, and Tp‐e/QT ratio was calculated. For analysis of the changes of parameters, a repeated‐measures analysis of variance was used to identify significant differences in QTc, Tp‐e interval and Tp‐e/QT ratio at the three epochs.

Results

The mean QTc at preinduction period was 413.8 (20.8) ms. The mean Sevo alone and Sevo+Ondansetron QTcs were 432.5 (28.1) and 439.2 (27.6) ms, and the differences in QTc prolongation between stages were all significant (P < 0.01). Ondansetron increased Tp‐e interval significantly; however, Tp‐e/QT ratio was not different among three stages. There were no ECG abnormalities such as atrial or ventricular arrhythmia and T‐wave abnormality in any patient.

Conclusions

Sevoflurane prolongs the QTc interval and its combination with ondansetron further increased this effect in children. However, the dispersion of ventricular repolarization was not significantly affected, and there were no adverse events such as ventricular arrhythmia in this study. The combination of sevoflurane and ondansetron may be clinically safe, but careful ECG monitoring is still advisable.
Microstructural Evolution and Transport Properties of Sintered Porous Media
Authors: Bodla Karthik K. , Garimella Suresh V.
Published: December 2013

Sintering is a material-bonding phenomenon that occurs under the application of heat. The porous structures formed by sintering powders are commonly employed as capillary wicks in two-phase heat transport devices such as heat pipes. These sintered wick microstructures are often not truly optimized for fluid and thermal performance. Understanding the role of sintering kinetics, and the resulting microstructural evolution, on wick transport properties is important for fabrication of structures with optimal performance. In this study, a cellular automaton model for predicting microstructural evolution during sintering is developed. The model, which determines mass transport during sintering based on curvature gradients in digital images, is first verified against benchmark cases, such as the evolution of a square into an area-preserving circle. The model is then employed to predict the sintering dynamics of a side-by-side two-particle configuration conventionally used for the study of sintering. Data from previously published studies on sintering of cylindrical wires is used for validation. Randomly packed multi-particle configurations are then considered in two and three dimensions. Sintering kinetics are described by the relative change in overall surface area of the compact compared to the initial random packing. The effect of sintering parameters, particle size, and porosity on fundamental transport properties, viz., effective thermal conductivity and permeability, is analyzed. The effective thermal conductivity increases monotonically as either the sintering time or temperature is increased. Permeability was observed to be largely independent of sintering conditions, but increases with particle size and porosity.
Diffusive-Ballistic Heat Transport in a Two-Dimensional Square Plate Using Energy Conserving Dissipative Particle Dynamics
Authors: Yamada Toru , Park Keunhan , Asako Yutaka , Faghri Mohammad , Sundén Bengt
Published: December 2013

Diffusive-ballistic heat transport in a two-dimensional square plate was simulated using energy conserving dissipative particle dynamics (DPDe). The solution domain was considered to be a two-dimensional square plate surrounded by walls at constant temperatures, where DPD particles are uniformly distributed. The effects of phonon mean free path was incorporated by its relation to the cutoff radius of energy interaction. This cutoff radius was obtained based on Knudsen number (Kn) using the existing phonon-boundary scattering models. The simulations for 0.1 < Kn < 10 were conducted with different modifications of the cutoff radius. The results are presented in form of temperature distributions in the solution domain and the effect of Knudsen number is discussed.
Use of an Inorganic Aqueous Solution to Prevent Non-Condensable Gas Formation in Aluminum Heat Pipes
Authors: Stubblebine Michael , Reilly Sean , Yao Qi , Catton Ivan
Published: December 2013

Heat pipes are used in many applications as an effective means for transferring heat from a source to a sink. The basic heat pipe typically consists of a solid metal casing within which a working fluid is sealed inside at a given pressure. The latent heat transfer via the heat pipe’s working fluid allows it to carry a larger amount of heat energy than would normally be possible with an identically dimensioned solid metal rod. Water is often used as a working fluid due to its high heat of vaporization and suitable operating range for electronics cooling. For many applications, especially space, aluminum is desired as a casing material for its high thermal conductivity, low weight, and low cost. However, water is incompatible for use with aluminum heat pipes because it forms a non-condensable gas (NCG), hydrogen, when they contact. In this work, an inorganic aqueous solution (IAS), which has thermophysical properties similar to water, has been used as the working fluid with an aluminum alloy 5052-H2 casing. The prepared thermosiphon underwent long-term lifetime testing and the results indicate no tube failure or significant NCG formation for the duration of the 9 week study. Furthermore, the data indicate that the IAS fluid not only inhibited NCG production but also led to a reduction in heat pipe thermal resistance over time. It is believed that the chemicals in IAS react with the aluminum surface to create a compact oxide layer and electrochemical reaction which prevents hydrogen generation. A secondary, hydrophilic surface coating is also generated by the fluid on top of the first oxide (passivation) layer. This hydrophilic layer is believed to be responsible for the heat transfer enhancement which was observed during testing and the reduction in ΔT (defined as Tevap−Tcond) over time. Aluminum heat pipes used currently in practice utilize ammonia, or other non-water based working fluids, which have inferior latent heats of vaporization compared to water or an aqueous-based fluid such as IAS. The use of aluminum heat pipe casings in combination with a water-based fluid such as IAS has the potential to provide a significant increase in heat transport capability per device unit mass over traditional ammonia charged aluminum heat pipes.
Forced Convection Heat Transfer of a Phase Change Material (PCM) Nanoemulsion
Authors: Anderson Ryan , Kawaji Masahiro , Togashi Kenichi , Ramnanan-Singh Ravi
Published: December 2013

Phase Change Materials (PCM) are suitable for use in Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems as they can store and release both sensible heat and latent heat during phase change. This investigation examines the thermophysical properties and heat transfer properties of a beeswax nanoemulsion during forced convection in a circular tube. First, the beeswax nanoemulsion was synthesized using surfactants and water, which possesses a relatively low viscosity to enhance pumpability, as well as a high beeswax percentage by mass for greater latent heat storage capacity. The test section was a circular stainless steel tube, 11.3 mm in diameter and heated uniformly using an Ohmic heating method. To determine the heat transfer coefficient, the inlet and exit nanoemulsion temperatures and tube wall temperatures were measured at several axial locations. The forced convection heat transfer coefficient results were first compared to water in order to verify the setup accuracy as well as the degree of success of the PCM in heat storage ability. The experimental results indicate suitable heat transfer coefficients for a stable beeswax nanoemulsion, making it a potential candidate for charging and discharging thermal energy in thermal storage applications.
Analysis of Galinstan-Based Microgap Cooling Enhancement Using Structured Surfaces
Authors: Lam Lisa Steigerwalt , Hodes Marc , Enright Ryan
Published: December 2013

Analyses of conventional microchannel and microgap cooling show that galinstan, a recently developed non-toxic liquid metal that melts at −19°C, may be more effective than water for high flux thermal management applications. This is because its thermal conductivity is nearly 28 times that of water. However, since the specific heat per unit volume of galinstan is about half that of water and its viscosity is 2.5 times that of water, caloric, rather than convective, resistance is dominant. We analytically investigate the effect of using microgaps that incorporate structured surfaces to ascertain their efficacy in reducing overall thermal resistance of galinstan-based thermal management in the laminar flow regime. Significantly, the high surface tension of galinstan (10 times that of water) implies that it can remain in the non-wetting Cassie state at the requisite pressure differences for driving flow through microchannels and microgaps. The flow over the structured surface encounters a limited liquid/solid contact area and a low viscosity gas layer interposed between the channel walls and galinstan. Consequent reductions in friction factor result in decreased caloric resistance and reductions in Nusselt number produce an increase in convective resistance. These are accounted for by recently developed expressions in the literature for hydrodynamic and thermal slip.
Identification of the Novel Lincosamide Resistance Gene
lnu
(E) Truncated by ISEnfa5-cfr-IS
Enfa5
Insertion in Streptococcus suis:
De Novo
Synthesis and Confirmation of Functional Activity in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Zhao Qin , Wendlandt Sarah , Li Hui , Li Jun , Wu Congming , Shen Jianzhong , Schwarz Stefan , Wang Yang
Published: December 2013

The novel lincosamide resistance gene
lnu
(E), truncated by insertion of an IS
Enfa5-cfr
-IS
Enfa5
segment, was identified in
Streptococcus suis
. The gene
lnu
(E) encodes a 173-amino-acid protein with ≤69.4% identity to other lincosamide nucleotidyltransferases. The
lnu
(E) gene and its promoter region were
de novo
synthesized, and
Staphylococcus aureus
RN4220 carrying a shuttle vector with the cloned
lnu
(E) gene showed a 16-fold increase in the lincomycin MIC. Mass spectrometry experiments demonstrated that Lnu(E) catalyzed the nucleotidylation of lincomycin.
Draft Genome Sequence of NDM-1-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolate 303K
Authors: Liao Yu-Chieh , Chen Ying-Hsiang , Lin Hsin-Hung , Mu Jung-Jung , Wu Ho-Sheng , Chen Feng-Chi , Hsiung Chao Agnes
Published: December 2013

Multidrug-resistant New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)-producing bacteria have spread globally and become a major clinical and public health threat. We report here the draft genome sequence of the
Klebsiella pneumoniae
clinical isolate 303K, harboring an NDM-1 coding sequence.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112
T
, the Active Ingredient of the Feed Additive Preparation Toyocerin
Authors: Jiménez Guillermo , Blanch Anicet R. , Tamames Javier , Rosselló-Mora Ramon
Published: December 2013

Strain BCT-7112, previously identified as
Bacillus cereus
var.
toyoi
, is the type strain of the species
Bacillus toyonensis
, a novel species of the
B. cereus
group. The complete genome of this strain, which is the active ingredient of the feed additive preparation Toyocerin, has been sequenced and annotated to reveal the genetic properties of this probiotic organism with a long history of safe use in animal nutrition.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis Strain PY79
Authors: Schroeder Jeremy W. , Simmons Lyle A.
Published: December 2013

Bacillus subtilis
is a Gram-positive soil-dwelling and endospore-forming bacterium in the phylum
Firmicutes
.
B. subtilis
strain PY79 is a prototrophic laboratory strain that has been highly used for studying a wide variety of cellular pathways. Here, we announce the complete whole-genome sequence of
B. subtilis
PY79.
Right ventricular adaptations and arrhythmias in amateur ultra-endurance athletes
Authors: Rimensberger Caroline , Carlen Frederik , Brugger Nicolas , Seiler Christian , Wilhelm Matthias
Published: December 2013

Objective

Ultra-endurance sports are becoming increasingly popular in middle-aged amateur athletes. Right ventricular (RV) arrhythmogenic remodelling has been described in high-level endurance athletes, like professional cyclists. The clinical relevance for amateurs is unknown.

Design

We investigated male amateur runners of the 2011 Grand Prix of Bern, a popular 10-mile race in Switzerland. Participants were stratified according to their former participations in long-distance competitions: active controls (leisure-time runners), marathon runners and ultra-endurance athletes (78 and 100 km runners, long-distance triathletes). RV function and morphology were assessed by echocardiography, including two-dimensional speckle tracking. Primary endpoint was RV global strain. Ventricular ectopy was assessed by 24 h ambulatory Holter monitoring. Results were adjusted for lifetime training hours.

Results

97 normotensive athletes were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 42±8 years. Compared with active controls and marathon runners, ultra-endurance athletes had significantly more lifetime training hours and participated more often in competitions. Groups showed no differences with regard to RV global strain (–21.8±2.9 vs −23.3±2.8 vs −21.7±2.3%; p=0.973) and RV end-diastolic area (22.1±2.9 vs 22.9±4.2 vs 23.2±3.5 cm2; p=0.694). The number of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) was weakly associated with the RV size (r=0.208; p=0.042). Overall ventricular ectopy was low (0–486 PVCs/24 h) and equally distributed between the groups.

Conclusions

In our small sample of amateur athletes, long-term ultra-endurance sport practice was not associated with RV dysfunction or complex ventricular arrhythmias.
Electrochemical Analysis of Antichemotherapeutic Drug Zanosar in Pharmaceutical and Biological Samples by Differential Pulse Polarography
Authors: Reddy Chennupalle Nageswara , ReddyPrasad Puthalapattu , Sreedhar NeelamYughandhar
Published: December 2013

The electrochemical reduction of zanosar was investigated systematically by direct current polarography, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse polarography (DPP). A simple DPP technique was proposed for the direct quantitative determination of anticancer drug zanosar in pharmaceutical formulation and spiked human urine samples for the first time. The reduction potential was −0.28 V versus Ag/AgCl with a hanging mercury drop electrode in Britton-Robinson buffer as supporting electrolyte. The dependence of the intensities of currents and potentials on pH, concentration, scan rate, deposition time, and nature of the supporting electrolyte was investigated. The calibration curve was found to be linear with the following equation:y=0.4041x+0.012, with a correlation coefficient of 0.992 (R2) over a concentration range from1.0×10-7 M to1.0×10-3 M. In the present investigation, the achieved limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantization (LQD) were7.42×10-8 M and2.47×10-8 M; respectively. Excipients did not interfere with the determination of zanosar in pharmaceutical formulation and spiked urine samples. Precision and accuracy of the developed method were checked by recovery studies in pharmaceutical formulation and spiked human urine samples.
Optimization Study of Shaft Tubular Turbine in a Bidirectional Tidal Power Station
Authors: Ge Xinfeng , Feng Yuan , Zhou Ye , Zheng Yuan , Yang Chunxia
Published: December 2013

The shaft tubular turbine is a form of tidal power station which can provide bidirectional power. Efficiency is an important turbine performance indicator. To study the influence of runner design parameters on efficiency, a complete 3D flow-channel model of a shaft tubular turbine was developed, which contains the turbine runner, guide vanes, and flow passage and was integrated with hybrid grids calculated by steady-state calculation methods. Three aspects of the core component (turbine runner) were optimized by numerical simulation. All the results were then verified by experiments. It was shown that curved-edge blades are much better than straight-edge blades; the optimal blade twist angle is 7°, and the optimal distance between the runner and the blades is 0.75–1.25 times the diameter of the runner. Moreover, the numerical simulation results matched the experimental data very well, which also verified the correctness of the optimal results.
Indian Craniometric Variability and Affinities
Authors: Raghavan Pathmanathan , Bulbeck David , Pathmanathan Gayathiri , Rathee Suresh Kanta
Published: December 2013

Recently published craniometric and genetic studies indicate a predominantly indigenous ancestry of Indian populations. We address this issue with a fuller coverage of Indian craniometrics than any done before. We analyse metrical variability within Indian series, Indians’ sexual dimorphism, differences between northern and southern Indians, index-based differences of Indian males from other series, and Indians’ multivariate affinities. The relationship between a variable’s magnitude and its variability is log-linear. This relationship is strengthened by excluding cranial fractions and series with a sample size less than 30. Male crania are typically larger than female crania, but there are also shape differences. Northern Indians differ from southern Indians in various features including narrower orbits and less pronounced medial protrusion of the orbits. Indians resemble Veddas in having small crania and similar cranial shape. Indians’ wider geographic affinities lie with “Caucasoid” populations to the northwest, particularly affecting northern Indians. The latter finding is confirmed from shape-based Mahalanobis-D distances calculated for the best sampled male and female series. Demonstration of a distinctive South Asian craniometric profile and the intermediate status of northern Indians between southern Indians and populations northwest of India confirm the predominantly indigenous ancestry of northern and especially southern Indians.
Differential transcriptome analysis of glandular and filamentous trichomes in Artemisia annua
Authors: Soetaert Sandra SA , Van Neste Christophe MF , Vandewoestyne Mado L , Head Steven R , Goossens Alain , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip CW , Deforce Dieter LD
Published: December 2013

Background

The medicinal plant Artemisia annua is covered with filamentous trichomes and glandular, artemisinin producing trichomes. A high artemisinin supply is needed at a reduced cost for treating malaria. Artemisinin production in bioreactors can be facilitated if a better insight is obtained in the biosynthesis of artemisinin and other metabolites. Therefore, metabolic activities of glandular and filamentous trichomes were investigated at the transcriptome level.

Results

By laser pressure catapulting, glandular and filamentous trichomes as well as apical and sub-apical cells from glandular trichomes were collected and their transcriptome was sequenced using Illumina RNA-Seq. A de novo transcriptome was assembled (Trinity) and studied with a differential expression analysis (edgeR).

A comparison of the transcriptome from glandular and filamentous trichomes shows that MEP, MVA, most terpene and lipid biosynthesis pathways are significantly upregulated in glandular trichomes. Conversely, some transcripts coding for specific sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid enzymes such as 8-epi-cedrol synthase and an uncharacterized oxidosqualene cyclase were significantly upregulated in filamentous trichomes. All known artemisinin biosynthesis genes are upregulated in glandular trichomes and were detected in both the apical and sub-apical cells of the glandular trichomes. No significant differential expression could be observed between the apical and sub-apical cells.

Conclusions

Our results underscore the vast metabolic capacities of A. annua glandular trichomes but nonetheless point to the existence of specific terpene metabolic pathways in the filamentous trichomes. Candidate genes that might be involved in artemisinin biosynthesis are proposed based on their putative function and their differential expression level.
Parallel analysis of RNA ends enhances global investigation of microRNAs and target RNAs of Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Jeong Dong-Hoon , Schmidt Skye A , Rymarquis Linda A , Park Sunhee , Ganssmann Matthias , German Marcelo A , Accerbi Monica , Zhai Jixian , Fahlgren Noah , Fox Samuel E , Garvin David F , Mockler Todd C , Carrington James C , Meyers Blake C , Green Pamela J
Published: December 2013

Background

The wild grass Brachypodium distachyon has emerged as a model system for temperate grasses and biofuel plants. However, the global analysis of miRNAs, molecules known to be key for eukaryotic gene regulation, has been limited in B. distachyon to studies examining a few samples or that rely on computational predictions. Similarly an in-depth global analysis of miRNA-mediated target cleavage using parallel analysis of RNA ends (PARE) data is lacking in B. distachyon.

Results

B. distachyon small RNAs were cloned and deeply sequenced from 17 libraries that represent different tissues and stresses. Using a computational pipeline, we identified 116 miRNAs including not only conserved miRNAs that have not been reported in B. distachyon, but also non-conserved miRNAs that were not found in other plants. To investigate miRNA-mediated cleavage function, four PARE libraries were constructed from key tissues and sequenced to a total depth of approximately 70 million sequences. The roughly 5 million distinct genome-matched sequences that resulted represent an extensive dataset for analyzing small RNA-guided cleavage events. Analysis of the PARE and miRNA data provided experimental evidence for miRNA-mediated cleavage of 264 sites in predicted miRNA targets. In addition, PARE analysis revealed that differentially expressed miRNAs in the same family guide specific target RNA cleavage in a correspondingly tissue-preferential manner.

Conclusions

B. distachyon miRNAs and target RNAs were experimentally identified and analyzed. Knowledge gained from this study should provide insights into the roles of miRNAs and the regulation of their targets in B. distachyon and related plants.
Lsh regulates LTR retrotransposon repression independently of Dnmt3b function
Authors: Dunican Donncha S , Cruickshanks Hazel A , Suzuki Masako , Semple Colin A , Davey Tracey , Arceci Robert J , Greally John , Adams Ian R , Meehan Richard R
Published: December 2013

Background

DNA methylation contributes to genomic integrity by suppressing repeat-associated transposition. In addition to the canonical DNA methyltransferases, several auxiliary chromatin factors are required to maintain DNA methylation at intergenic and satellite repeats. The interaction between Lsh, a chromatin helicase, and the de novo methyltransferase Dnmt3b facilitates deposition of DNA methylation at stem cell genes, which are hypomethylated in Lsh
−/−
embryos. We wished to determine if a similar targeting mechanism operates to maintain DNA methylation at repetitive sequences.

Results

We mapped genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in Lsh
−/−
and Dnmt3b
−/−
somatic cells. DNA methylation is predominantly lost from specific genomic repeats in Lsh
−/−
cells: LTR -retrotransposons, LINE-1 repeats and mouse satellites. RNA-seq experiments demonstrate that specific IAP LTRs and satellites, but not LINE-1 elements, are aberrantly transcribed in Lsh
−/−
cells. LTR hypomethylation in Dnmt3b
−/−
cells is moderate, whereas IAP, LINE-1 and satellite elements are hypomethylated but silent. Repressed LINE-1 elements in Lsh
−/−
cells gain H3K4me3, but H3K9me3 levels are unaltered, indicating that DNA hypomethylation alone is not permissive for their transcriptional activation. Mis-expressed IAPs and satellites lose H3K9me3 and gain H3K4me3 in Lsh
−/−
cells.

Conclusions

Our study emphasizes that regulation of repetitive elements by Lsh and DNA methylation is selective and context dependent. Silencing of repeats in somatic cells appears not to be critically dependent on Dnmt3b function. We propose a model where Lsh is specifically required at a precise developmental window to target de novo methylation to repeat sequences, which is subsequently maintained by Dnmt1 to enforce selective repeat silencing.
Sugar content in the sap of birches, hornbeams and maples in southeastern Poland
Authors: Łuczaj Łukasz , Bilek Maciej , Stawarczyk Kinga
Published: December 2013

There is very little data on the sugar content of tree sap in Central Europe. In order to fill this gap we measured sugar content in the spring sap of 55 trees from 8 species (six native and two introduced). Sugar content was measured chromatographically using an HPLC Dionex Ultimate 3000 system and CAD detection. The proportion of sugar was highly genus-specific: maples contained sucrose, birches a mix of glucose, fructose and sucrose and hornbeams glucose and fructose. Acer saccharinum had the sweetest sap (4.0%), followed by A. platanoides (3.2%), A. pseudoplatanus (3.2%), A. negundo (2.9%) and A. campestre (2.8%). Birches were slightly less sweet (Betula pendula 2.5% and B. pubescens 2.6%). Carpinus betulus sap contained only 0.9% sugar. The reported values for birches are higher than those reported in other European studies and the values for maples are similar to those for sugar maples in North America. As southeastern Poland has many large populations of maples and birches, a small-scale sugar syrup industry could become an additional source of income for forest owners.
The Frame-Breakers: Thomas Pynchon’s Post-human Luddites
Authors: McDonald Riley
Published: December 2013

Abstract:

Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland depicts an America moving inexorably toward what Gilles Deleuze calls a “control society,” one where intangible power structures enmesh agentless subjects. This article elaborates on the ways radical politics must be met by an equally revolutionary reconceptualization of the body. While, in Vineland, the activist film collective 24fps attempts to resist governmental power, their instrumentalization of their media technology (the film camera) leads to their own appropriation by hegemonic forces. Instead, it is the Thanatoids, liminal creatures inextricably linked with the television, who disrupt the control apparatus and present both a resistant (post)human body and a revolutionary new politics.
Enhanced Sensitivity of Anti-Symmetrically Structured Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors with Zinc Oxide Intermediate Layers
Authors: Chiu Nan-Fu , Tu Yi-Chen , Huang Teng-Yi
Published: December 2013

We report a novel design wherein high-refractive-index zinc oxide (ZnO) intermediary layers are used in anti-symmetrically structured surface plasmon resonance (SPR) devices to enhance signal quality and improve the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the SPR reflectivity curve. The surface plasmon (SP) modes of the ZnO intermediary layer were excited by irradiating both sides of the Au film, thus inducing a high electric field at the Au/ZnO interface. We demonstrated that an improvement in the ZnO (002) crystal orientation led to a decrease in the FWHM of the SPR reflectivity curves. We optimized the design of ZnO thin films using different parameters and performed analytical comparisons of the ZnO with conventional chromium (Cr) and indium tin oxide (ITO) intermediary layers. The present study is based on application of the Fresnel equation, which provides an explanation and verification for the observed narrow SPR reflectivity curve and optical transmittance spectra exhibited by (ZnO/Au), (Cr/Au), and (ITO/Au) devices. On exposure to ethanol, the anti-symmetrically structured showed a huge electric field at the Au/ZnO interface and a 2-fold decrease in the FWHM value and a 1.3-fold larger shift in angle interrogation and a 4.5-fold high-sensitivity shift in intensity interrogation. The anti-symmetrically structured of ZnO intermediate layers exhibited a wider linearity range and much higher sensitivity. It also exhibited a good linear relationship between the incident angle and ethanol concentration in the tested range. Thus, we demonstrated a novel and simple method for fabricating high-sensitivity, high-resolution SPR biosensors that provide high accuracy and precision over relevant ranges of analyte measurement.
SYSTEMATIC RISK DURING 2008–2009 RECESSION IN EMERGING MARKETS: SOME EVIDENCE FROM V3 AND BALTIC ECONOMIES
Authors: Pošta Vít , Pikhart Zdeněk
Published: December 2013

Abrupt and profound swings in economic activity can result in changes in systematic component of risk premia of capital market assets. This can translate into adjustments in risk perception by the market agents, which may lead to significant changes in real investment development. We examine the issue of time-varying systematic risk on a micro level using the capital asset pricing model in an intertemporal setting. We formulate the hypothesis within a bivariate GARCH-in-mean model, which enables us to estimate the time-varying variances and covariances of the respective assets and market returns and thus the time-varying sensitivity to systematic risk. The results of the paper show that the reaction of assets’ sensitivity to systematic risk varies across the sample and the changes were rather temporary. Based on the results, the downturn in economic activity witnessed in 2008 – 2009 should not be a drag on real investment.
IMPACT OF ROTATIONAL SPEED OF COMPOSITE FRICTION PAIR ON ENERGY ACCUMULATION IN ACOUSTIC EMISSION SIGNAL FORMATION
Authors: Filonenko Sergey , Kosmach Aleksandr
Published: December 2013

The paper considers the results of modelling acoustic emission signals that form under variations in the rotational speed of a friction pair made of a composite material. It is found that the energy accumulation in acoustic emission signals that form relative to time takes place in accordance with linear law under normal wear of a friction pair. If the rotational speed of a friction pair increases, the rates of accumulated average energy and accumulated total energy of the acoustic emission signals that form also grow. The resulting acoustic emission signals have both accumulated average energy and accumulated total energy. A comparison of these two types of energy is conducted. It is shown that the application of data averaging reduces the rate of the accumulated energy of the acoustic emission signals that form.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON DESTINATION AIR TRAFFIC FOLLOWING A FLAG CARRIER'S MARKET EXIT: A CASE STUDY FOR BUDAPEST
Authors: Torok Adam , Heinitz Florian
Published: December 2013

After 66 years of existence, the Hungarian state carrier MALEV had to cease operations in 2012 because of its financial situation. The sudden market exit affected more than half of the traffic at Budapest's Liszt Ferenc Airport (BUD). This paper aims to investigate the market reactions, taking particular note of the role of low-cost carriers (LCC). The examination of a legacy carrier's situation contending with dynamic low-cost airlines establishes the basis for the case of Budapest. Originating with the hypothesis that the shift from a flag carrier to an LCC dominated market has effects on incoming tourism, this paper also studies the secondary effects of this situation.
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Tamošaitienė Jolanta , Kapliński Oleg
Published: December 2013

Today, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Socio-Economic Systems exists in micro, meso and macro environments. A complicated process is required to find a rational solution that would include a large number of problems and criteria. Therefore, existing MCDM methods must be used as well as new ones developed. Notwithstanding SEA of Analysis of Socio-Economic Processes, there is little research examining factors of use of MCDM methods; thus, a more in-depth analysis should be undertaken. This study applied a systematic search of literature. A total of 73 papers from the academic literature containing such terms as ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)’, ‘Socio-Economic Processes (SEP)’, ‘Socio-Economic Systems (SES)’, ‘Social Systems (SS)’, ‘Economical Systems (ES)’, ‘Decision-Making (DM)’ and ‘Multi Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM)’ were identified and reviewed. As to the eligibility problem in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), criteria included studies on both Social and Economic Systems & Processes that examined development and trends related to SEA of Socio-Economic Processes. MCDM methods, assessment processes, data extraction and analysis were completed in all relevant studies. General activity fields in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Socio-Economic Systems were analysed. The key issues of SEA in micro, meso and macro environment, Socio-Economic Systems and Socio-Economic Processes factors were prominent across all researched categories. As far as the analysis of Socio-Economic Systems & Processes, decision makers should be aware of the problem in its complexity and undertake multi-stage decision-making. To honour the contribution made by Prof Valentinas Podvezko contribution in the field of Decision-Making (DM) to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Socio-Economic Systems using MCDM methods, and to commemorate his 70th anniversary, this article also highlights his academic career and research.
Use of the Internet and SME Characteristics to Expand Scale and Geographic Scope of Sales
Authors: Thomas Brychan C. , Williams Robert , Thompson Piers , Packham Gary
Published: December 2013

The potential of the Internet to both geographically expand customer bases and provide a source of sales growth has led to a rapid embracement of the Internet by a majority of small businesses in the United Kingdom. However, many studies suggest that much of this adoption takes the form of simple Web sites representing little more than an electronic brochure. Although theories and models have been proposed suggesting adoption and development of e-commerce takes a staged process, with firms moving to more complex e-commerce processes after first mastering simpler forms of Web site, studies have found mixed evidence with regard to this. This paper investigates the level of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Web site adoption and functionality and how this relates to growth aspirations, specifically the geographical expansion of customer bases. One potential explanation for this slow uptake of true e-commerce is a lack of employees with basic and advanced IT skills. The possibility that Information Technology (IT) skills shortages could explain the gap between the Internet’s potential and the extent of involvement by a vast majority of UK SMEs is explored. Discussion within the paper is complemented with analysis of data from a large survey of SMEs.
Technology and the Future of Healthcare
Authors: Thimbleby Harold
Published: December 2013

Healthcare changes dramatically because of technological developments, from anesthetics and antibiotics to magnetic resonance imaging scanners and radiotherapy. Future technological innovation is going to keep transforming healthcare, yet while technologies (new drugs and treatments, new devices, new social media support for healthcare, etc) will drive innovation, human factors will remain one of the stable limitations of breakthroughs. No predictions can satisfy everybody; instead, this article explores fragments of the future to see how to think more clearly about how to get where we want to go.
The study on wild oat (Avena fatua L.) biology. Part I. An interspecies variability of wild oat
Authors: Kieć Jacek
Published: December 2013

The study on wild oat variability was carried in 1986-89y. From among plants collected on cultivated fields were separated 10 species, 4 known in Poland and 6 new. Those had different highness of plants, length of panicles, pubescens and colour of kernels, callus pubescens and mass of 1000 grains. Avena fatua var. fatua and generally species with long callus pubescens were most numerous represented in investigated region. Species with short pubescens of callus were on the average higher, with longer panicles and bigger mass of 1000 grains.
Effect of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors on in vitro growth of Phyllosticta antirrhini Sydow and on the infection of Antirrhinum majus L. by the pathogen
Authors: Saniewska Alicja
Published: December 2013

Polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, DL-α-difluromethylornithine (DFMO) and DL-α-difluromethylarginine (DFMA) at concentrations of 1,0 and 3,0 mM greatly inhibited mycelial growth of Phyllosticta antirrhini on Czapek Dox Agar (CDA). Putrescine at the concentration of 1,0 mM completely reversed the inhibitory effect of DFMO but only partially that of DFMA. Both polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors at concentrations 1,0 and 3,0 mM applied preventively and curatively strongly inhibited the development of the pathogen on snapdragon leaves.