bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of nanoparticles in cancer cells by external magnetic field
Authors: Shaw Jyoti , Raja Sufi O , Dasgupta Anjan Kr
Published: June 2014

Magnetic nanoparticles are well known for anticancer activity by deregulating cellular functions. In the present study, cellular effects of low strength static magnetic field (SMF) were explored. How nanoparticles affect the cellular response in presence and absence of static magnetic field was also studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and human lymphoma monocytic cell line U937 were chosen as representative normal and cancer cells models. The two effects we would like to report in this paper are, DNA damage induced by SMF of the order of 70 mT, and alteration in membrane potential. The other notable aspect was the changes were diametrically opposite in normal and cancer cell types. DNA damage was observed only in cancer cells whereas membrane depolarization was observed in normal cells. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were also used for cellular response studies in presence and absence of SMF. The effects of the magnetic nanoparticle IONP and also of AuNP were sensitive to presence of SMF. Unlike cancer cells, normal cells showed a transient membrane depolarization sensitive to static magnetic field. This depolarization effect exclusive for normal cells was suggested to have correlations with their higher repair capacity and lesser propensity for DNA damage. The work shows cancer cells and normal cells respond to nanoparticle and static magnetic field in different ways. The static magnetic induced DNA damage observed exclusively in cancer cells may have therapeutic implications. From the conclusions of the present investigation we may infer that static magnetic field enhances the therapeutic potentials of nanoparticles. Such low strength magnetic field seems to be a promising external manoeuvring agent in designing theranostics.
The Effects of Combustion Parameters on Pollutant Emissions in a Porous Burner
Authors: Khiavi Negin Moallemi
Published: June 2014

This paper reports a two-dimensional numerical prediction of premixed methane/air combustion in inert porous media. The two dimensional Navier-stokes equations, the two separate energy equations for solid and gas and conservation equations for chemical species are solved using finite volume method based on SIMPLE algorithm. The burner under study is a rectangular one with two different regions. First region is a preheating zone (low porosity matrix) that followed by the actual combustion region (high porosity matrix). For simulating the chemical reactions, skeletal mechanism (26 species and 77 reactions) is used. For studying the pollutant emissions in this porous burner, the effects of porous matrix properties, excess air ratio and inlet velocity are studied. The predicted gas temperature contour and pollutant formations are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The results indicate that the downstream of the burner should be constructed from materials with high conductivity, high convective heat transfer coefficient and high porosity in order to decrease the CO and NO emissions. Also, with increasing the inlet velocity of gas mixture and the excess air ratio, the pollutant emissions are decreased.
Avaliação da Força Muscular Respiratória de Pacientes Submetidos à Ventilação Mecânica Prolongada Pré e Pós Extubação em um Hospital de Fortaleza/CE
Authors: Moreira Priscila Mesquita , Vasconcelos Renata dos Santos , Sales Raquel Pinto , Araújo Camila Barbosa , Moreira Audair Tavares Xavier , Sousa Cristiano Teles , Rocha Emília Maria Matos , Bastos Vasco Pinheiro Diógenes
Published: June 2014

Introdução: A avaliação da força dos músculos respiratórios é fundamental para retirada da ventilação mecânica. Objetivo: Avaliar a força muscular respiratória de pacientes submetidos à ventilação mecânica prolongada pré e pós extubação. Métodos: Pesquisa de campo, descritiva, observacional e longitudinal com abordagem quantitativa, realizada no período de Agosto a Novembro de 2009, na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Respiratória do Hospital de Messejana - Fortaleza – CE. Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes independente do sexo, maiores de 18 anos, apresentando condições de extubação. As variáveis analisadas foram: idade, sexo, antecedentes pessoais, diagnóstico, tempo de ventilação mecânica, escore APACHE II e valores de pressão inspiratória e expiratória máximas. Os valores de pressão inspiratória e expiratória máximas foram mensurados em dois momentos: antes da extubação, após o paciente ter resposta favorável ao teste de respiração espontânea e 24 horas após a extubação. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 12 pacientes que estavam em ventilação mecânica prolongada e em fase de extubação. Quando analisado os valores das pressões máximas antes da extubação, encontrou-se uma média de - 38,3 ± 3,01 cmH2O para pressão inspiratória máxima e + 47,5 ± 3,36 cmH2O para pressão expiratória máxima. Já os valores após 24 horas da extubação foram de - 47 ± 3,36 cmH2O para pressão inspiratória máxima e + 50 ± 6,25 cmH2O para pressão expiratória máxima. Todos os pacientes tiveram sucesso na extubação. Conclusão: De acordo com os achados do presente estudo, observou-se uma melhora da força muscular respiratória após 24 horas de extubação, sugerindo que a ventilação mecânica por tempo prolongado pode causar fraqueza e hipotrofia muscular respiratória.
Ovitrap surveillance as dengue epidemic predictor
Authors: Pessanha José Eduardo Marques , Brandão Silvana Tecles , Almeida Maria Cristina Mattos , Cunha Maria da Consolação Magalhães , Sonoda Ivan Vieira , Bessa Adelaide Maria , Nascimento José Carlos
Published: June 2014

We used ovitraps, set out each two week to monitor for Aedes spp. at Belo Horizonte City, Brazil, 2002-2013. The average proportion of ovitraps with mosquitoes – the ovitraps index (OIP) had flutuations in these years. The average egg number of Aedes sp. (MNE) revealed that is a good sensitive index for detecting the presence of Aedes than the Breteau index. They also showed that Ae aegypti was a dominant species in studies periods. Analyses revealed that monthly cases of Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) were correlated with the number of adult female Aedes spp. collected in all the years with the correlation coefficient of0.54 in 2002-2013. Our survey also indicated that air temperature and precipitation are directly related to increases of mosquitoes in ovitraps. Thus, under circumstances where the Breteau index is low, the ovitrap method should be applied as an good and opportune surveillance tool to evaluate the risk of human dengue infection, and the need scaling up for mosquito vector control.
Case Report: Neuropathic pain in a patient with congenital insensitivity to pain
Authors: Wheeler Daniel W. , Lee Michael C.H. , Harrison E. Katherine , Menon David K. , Woods C. Geoffrey
Published: June 2014

We report a unique case of a woman with Channelopathy-associated Insensitivity to Pain (CIP) Syndrome, who developed features of neuropathic pain after sustaining pelvic fractures and an epidural hematoma that impinged on the right fifth lumbar (L5) nerve root. Her pelvic injuries were sustained during painless labor, which culminated in a Cesarean section. She had been diagnosed with CIP as child, which was later confirmed when she was found to have a null mutation of the SCN9a gene that encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7. She now complains of troubling continuous buzzing in both legs and a vice-like squeezing in the pelvis on walking. Quantitative sensory testing showed that sensory thresholds to mechanical stimulation of the dorsum of both feet had increased more than 10-fold on both sides compared with tests performed before her pregnancy. These findings fulfill the diagnostic criteria for neuropathic pain. Notably, she only experiences the negative symptoms (such as numbness and tingling) and she has not reported sharp, burning or electric shock sensations, although the value of verbal descriptors is somewhat limited in a person who has never felt pain before. However, her case strongly suggests that at least some of the symptoms of neuropathic pain can persist despite the absence of the Nav1.7 channel. Pain is a subjective experience and this case sheds light on the transmission of neuropathic pain in humans that cannot be learned from knockout mice.
Making smart pumps smarter, making IV therapy safer
Authors: Waterson James
Published: June 2014

Errors of IV drug administration outweigh errors related to prescribing and have remained stubbornly fixed at an unacceptable level, with one study giving a rate of 74.5 errors per 100 patient days. A major challenge, therefore, in smart pump development has been ‘closing the loop’—confirming correct administration and guiding clinicians at the point of administration.

CareFusion smart pumps set ‘rules’ for every infusion through the application of a drug library. The effectiveness of this library can be monitored through a reporting system, which allows teams to make informed changes to therapies and limits. Creating the drug library is a multidisciplinary undertaking which often involves conflict and a rolling back of assumptions about current practices.

Integrating smart pumps with electronic health records, and using auto-population to ‘close the loop’ for IV drug administration, release the potential of smart pumps to protect patients against drug administration error.
Implementing and evaluating the patient safety benefits of dose error reduction software in electronic infusion devices in an NHS Hospital Trust
Authors: Cousins David , Cartwright Edmund
Published: June 2014

A review of all dose error reduction software (DERS) alerts displayed in electronic infusion devices (‘smart pumps’) was undertaken in an NHS Hospital Trust over 12 months.

There were 265 880 infusion starts recorded. The majority of infusions (173 891 (65.4%)) were found to have been started using the DERS settings. Some 3700 (1.4%) infusion starts caused a DERS alert to be displayed to the user. Of these, 831 (0.3%) were above the hard dose rate limit and 1331 (0.5%) above and 1538 (0.6%) below the soft dose rate limits. Of these, 317 (8.6%) resulted in the ‘error’ being corrected by reprogramming the infusion rate within set limits, 478 (12.9%) were cancelled and 2452 (66.3%) were over-ridden with the rate of infusion unchanged. For 453 (12.2%) the actions were not recorded in a way that could be included in reports for analysis.

Implementation of this technology has enabled infusion rate errors involving critical infusions containing high alert medicines to be avoided. These types of infusion errors could also be avoided in other NHS Trusts if DERS were used.
3 Quality of life: patient safety and satisfaction
Authors: Ousey Karen
Published: June 2014

The UK has an ageing population with the fastest population increase being in those individuals aged 85 years and over; by 2035, it is projected that the number of people aged 85 years and over will reach 3.5 million. With the increasing population, we can assume that the number of acute, chronic and infected wounds will also increase. The Department of Health has been clear that patients should be kept at the heart of everything we do and as such, should be actively involved in the decision-making process relating to their care plans. It is vital that all practitioners are aware of the quality agenda and how to successfully engage patients in the decision-making process that will ultimately improve patient wellbeing.
Staða leikskólakennara í tveimur sveitarfélögum í kjölfar hruns
Authors: Axelsdóttir Laufey , Pétursdóttir Gyða Margrét
Published: June 2014

Í greininni er staða leikskólakennarastarfsins, sem er hefðbundið kvennastarf, skoðuð í tveimur sveitarfélögum í kjölfar efnahagslegs samdráttar. Rannsóknin er femínísk og er kenningarlegum ramma Lynn Weber (2001) um samtvinnun mismunarbreyta beitt til að varpa ljósi á stöðu leikskólakennarastarfsins innan tveggja sveitarfélaga. Rannsóknaraðferðin var eigindleg en gagnasöfnun hófst í september 2011 og stóð fram í apríl 2012. Greinin byggir á þrettán viðtölum við konur og karla sem starfa í tveimur leikskólum og í ytra starfsumhverfi þeirra. Tekin voru viðtöl við leikskólakennara í ólíkum stöðum innan og utan leikskólanna sem og leiðbeinendur til að skoða stöðu leikskólakennarastarfsins. Niðurstöður sýna að efnahagslegur samdráttur hjá sveitarfélögunum tveimur virðist hafa neikvæð áhrif á stöðu leikskólakennarastarfsins og stöðu kvenna meðal annars á þann veg að undirskipun kvenna á vinnumarkaðinum er viðhaldið. Jafnframt virðist efnahagslegur samdráttur skapa aðstæður sem hugsanlega hafa neikvæð áhrif á líðan og öryggi leikskólabarna. Umbætur og þróun leikskólakennaramenntunar og þar með starfsins virðast mæta talsverðri andstöðu innan stjórnsýslu sveitarfélaganna. Rekstrarkostnaður virðist skipta meira máli en efling leikskólakennara. Þrátt fyrir að sérfræðingar hafi sýnt fram á mikilvægi lengingar leikskólakennaranámsins er því haldið fram af Sambandi íslenskra sveitarfélaga að hún sé óþörf. Ef bæta á stöðu leikskólakennara og stöðu barna skiptir máli að stefnu stjórnvalda sé framfylgt á sveitastjórnarstiginu.
Dilemas do emprendedorismo pesqueiro de pequeno porte no sul de Santa Catarina
Authors: Búrigo Fábio Luiz
Published: June 2014

Este trabalho analisa a importância da pesca e da aquicultura no Território Sul Catarinense na ótica do desenvolvimento territorial sustentável. Um modelo de análise foi elaborado para orientar metodologicamente a pesquisa. Estudos preliminares indicaram a existência de quatro cadeias de valor relacionadas à pesca e à aquicultura no Território, com produtos oriundos da pesca industrial, pesca artesanal, carcinocultura e de tanques de água doce. Embora funcionem articuladas essas cadeias apresentam estruturas e graus de coordenação distintos, mas todas agindo de maneira incipiente no desenvolvimento do território. As debilidades relacionadas aos ambientes institucional e organizacional evidenciam a concentração dos ganhos obtidos por agentes que controlam as etapas finais das cadeias, demonstrando a necessidade de combinar aspectos ligados à preservação dos ecossistemas, fortalecimento de laços de cooperação e construção de empreendimentos que fortaleçam a participação econômica dos pescadores artesanais.
Investigation of Consecutive Fouling and Cleaning Cycles of Ultrafiltration Membranes Used for Whey Processing
Authors: Berg Thilo H. A. , Knudsen Jes C. , Ipsen Richard , van den Berg Frans , Holst Hans H. , Tolkach Alexander
Published: June 2014

Development of resistance during multiple foulings and three-step Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) operations, simulating an industrial cleaning regime of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes, was investigated. The study explored how trans-membrane pressure (150 and 300 kPa) and feed protein concentration (0.9 and 10%) influenced resistance reduction during filtration and flux recovery by the cleaning procedures. New membranes, pre-cleaned with a full CIP cycle, were used for each experiment. Subsequent fouling (simulating production) and CIP were done three times in a row and the development of fouling layer resistance was monitored and evaluated. Results show that filtration performance decreased during the first days of usage, possibly related to build-up of internal fouling. Cleaning success based on flux recovery was negatively influenced by a high protein concentration in the feed, but independent of the trans-membrane pressure during filtration.
X-ray structures of heteroleptic zinc(II) complexes involving combinations of O,O′-dialkyldithiophosphato and bidentate N-donor ligands
Authors: Jeremias Lukáš , Demo Gabriel , Babiak Michal , Vícha Jan , Trávníček Zdeněk , Novosad Josef
Published: June 2014

The detailed X-ray structural elucidation of reaction products of a zinc(II) salt with O,O′-dialkyldithiophosphate and nitrogen-containing heterocycles (N–N=1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy)) has been performed. Surprisingly, together with [Zn(S2 P(OR)2)2(N–N)] compounds, also ionic-type complexes having the formula of [Zn(N–N)3](S2 P(OR)2)2 have been obtained using the same molar ratios of the reactants. The prepared complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray analysis. The crystallographic analysis showed that the bond lengths and bite angles of the prepared complexes are in good agreement with those of similar compounds. The crystal packing of described complexes is formed via π–π stacking interactions and/or C–H···S non-covalent contacts.
Fatigue Performance of Asphalt Mixture under Actual Loading Patterns at Different Pulse Durations
Authors: Mansourkhaki Ali , Sarkar Alireza
Published: June 2014

The fatigue performance of an asphalt mixture under actual loading patterns corresponding to single, tandem, and tridem axle configurations at three different pulse durations corresponding to axle speeds with constant rest periods was examined using an indirect tensile cyclic load test. This research was conducted at two temperatures, 25°C and 35°C. Considering our sets of variables and three repetitions for each set, in total 54 specimens were tested. The actual loading patterns applied to the specimens were determined using the KENLAYER software program. After testing and data acquisition, the cumulative vertical plastic strain approach was utilized to determine the number of load applications at two points of deformation on the fatigue curves, the hardening and softening starting points. The results at these two points show the following: (1) force repetition depends on loading patterns and, at a constant speed, varies from maximum to minimum with tridem, tandem, and single loading patterns, except at the hardening starting point; (2) force repetitions are strongly related to pulse duration in such a way that fatigue life increases with a decrease in pulse duration; and (3) the effect of temperature depends on pulse durations and loading patterns. It can be stated, in general, that when comparing the effects of different loading patterns, pulse duration must be considered. Based on the findings of this study, at different temperatures the results follow the same trends and are not temperature dependent.
Evaluation of Cracks in Thin-Walled Pipe Using J
Q
Authors: Hosseini Ali , Cronin Duane , Plumtree Alan
Published: June 2014

Fracture toughness measurements on small samples are often considered valid (size independent) for a limited range of toughness and sample dimensions. In the present work, it is demonstrated that standard toughness tests are transferrable to thin-walled pipe provided the specimen width and pipe wall thickness are the same. Fracture toughness and tensile tests were undertaken on 508 mm (20 in.) diameter Grade API-5L X52 line pipe with a wall thickness of 5.7 mm. J tests were conducted on samples containing surface flaws to evaluate the fracture toughness of the thin-walled line pipe steel using the ASTM E1820 procedure. Owing to geometry limitations, JQ was determined from the resistance curves (J versus crack extension). The average measured JQ was 197 kJ/m2 for 5.3 mm wide samples. A series of full-scale rupture tests with crack and crack-in-corrosion flaws were conducted and the failure pressures were predicted using API 579 and the JQ results. The average difference between the predicted and experimental failure pressures was 21.4 % for the cracks and 11.0 % for the crack-in-corrosion flaws, demonstrating that the FAD method can be used with toughness characterized using specimens of similar thickness to the pipe, although the toughness results are not geometry independent.
Evaluating the Cleavage Energy of Brittle Single Crystals
Authors: Sherman Dov , Gleizer Anna
Published: June 2014

Evaluating the cleavage energy of brittle crystals is challenging due to the need to generate a controlled deformation of only a few microns; to introduce a straight and planar, atomistic thick precrack, perfectly aligned with the plane of propagation; to align the external loading with that plane; and above all, to grip the specimen while avoiding premature cleavage. In addition, achieving a relatively slow crack upon initiation is another requirement that needs special treatment. Consequently, we designed an experimental method that fulfills the above requirements. It consists in gluing a thin, rectangular specimen, with an atomistic sharp precrack, inside a rectangular hole in an aluminum loading frame, using thin layers of epoxy resin. Crack initiation and propagation occur upon heating the assembly on top of an electrical heating stage by only a few °C, due to the coefficients of thermal expansion mismatch between the specimen and the aluminum frame. Finite element analysis is used to evaluate the strain energy release rate. We describe it in full through cleavage experiments of two low energy cleavage systems of silicon crystal under pure Mode I, under room conditions and argon gas at atmospheric pressure.
Discrete Lattice Model of Quasi-Brittle Fracture in Porous Graphite
Authors: Morrison Craig N. , Zhang Mingzhong , Jivkov Andrey P. , Yates John R.
Published: June 2014

Lattice models allow the incorporation of length-scale-dependent microstructural features and damage mechanisms into analyses of the mechanical behavior of materials. We describe our 3D lattice implementation and its use in fracture simulations. The method is particularly suitable for modeling fractures of nuclear graphite. This is a quasi-brittle material in which there is considerable non-linearity prior to final fracture caused by the inherent porosity, which triggers a field of local distributed failures upon mechanical and thermal loading. Microstructure representative models are generated with experimentally measured particle and pore size distributions and volume densities in two graphite grades. The results illustrate the effect of distributed porosity on the emerging stress–strain response and damage evolution. It is shown how the failure mode shifts from graceful, plastic-like behavior associated with substantial energy dissipation via distributed damage at lower porosities, to glass-like behavior with negligible energy dissipation at higher porosities. Thus, the work proposes a microstructure-informed methodology for integrity assessment of aging structures, where porosity increase is driven by environmental factors, such as radiation of nuclear graphite components.
The Influence of Quenching and Aging on Fracture Toughness of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy 7449
Authors: Robinson J. S. , Higgins G.
Published: June 2014

This investigation characterises the fracture toughness of the very high strength Aluminium alloy 7449. This Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy is heat treatable and relies on rapid quenching from the solution heat treatment temperature to promote subsequent artificial aging. While the influence of quench paths on strength is well understood and can be predicted using techniques like quench factor analysis, the influence of quench rate on fracture toughness is more challenging. The rate of quenching can influence the fracture toughness through complex precipitation reactions occurring during cooling. The precipitate locations dictate the magnitude of the detrimental effect on the fracture toughness. In this investigation, the fracture toughness of 7449 in two product forms was measured using compact tension specimens cut from forged blocks and rolled plate. These plane strain (KIC) results were also augmented with Charpy impact tests. Various quench conditions were investigated, including water at three different temperatures and poly oxyethylene glycol (PAG) in two concentrations. The influence of standard and novel aging procedures including retrogression and reaging was also determined. The combinations of strength and toughness have been related to the prevailing microstructural condition. Fracture toughness magnitudes were found to vary most significantly with rapidity of cooling from the solution treatment temperature, with the subsequent aging treatments having a much smaller effect.
“Modern and Strange Things”
Authors: Hunt David
Published: June 2014

Alterations in the spending habits of country people constitute one thread in the history of Vietnamese society in the 1960s. Some welcomed and others objected to mass-produced consumer goods and especially to new forms of dress. The ensuing controversy played out amidst the violent crosscurrents of the Vietnam War and led to dissension within the ranks of the National Liberation Front and in the Sài Gòn milieu. The last word belongs to villagers who, in trying to sort out the meanings of new commodities, were trying to decide what sort of future they wished for their country.
Crosstalk between BRCA‐Fanconi anemia and mismatch repair pathways prevents MSH2‐dependent aberrant DNA damage responses
Authors: Peng Min , Xie Jenny , Ucher Anna , Stavnezer Janet , Cantor Sharon B
Published: June 2014

Several proteins in the BRCA‐Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway, such as FANCJ, BRCA1, and FANCD2, interact with mismatch repair (MMR) pathway factors, but the significance of this link remains unknown. Unlike the BRCA‐FA pathway, the MMR pathway is not essential for cells to survive toxic DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), although MMR proteins bind ICLs and other DNA structures that form at stalled replication forks. We hypothesized that MMR proteins corrupt ICL repair in cells that lack crosstalk between BRCA‐FA and MMR pathways. Here, we show that ICL sensitivity of cells lacking the interaction between FANCJ and the MMR protein MLH1 is suppressed by depletion of the upstream mismatch recognition factor MSH2. MSH2 depletion suppresses an aberrant DNA damage response, restores cell cycle progression, and promotes ICL resistance through a Rad18‐dependent mechanism. MSH2 depletion also suppresses ICL sensitivity in cells deficient for BRCA1 or FANCD2, but not FANCA. Rescue by Msh2 loss was confirmed in Fancd2‐null primary mouse cells. Thus, we propose that regulation of MSH2‐dependent DNA damage response underlies the importance of interactions between BRCA‐FA and MMR pathways.
Factors associated with vertebral fracture risk in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Eller-Vainicher Cristina , Battista Claudia , Guarnieri Vito , Muscarella Silvana , Palmieri Serena , Salcuni Antonio Stefano , Guglielmi Giuseppe , Corbetta Sabrina , Minisola Salvatore , Spada Anna , Hendy Geoffrey N , Cole David E C , Chiodini Iacopo , Scillitani Alfredo
Published: June 2014

Objective

To examine factors, in addition to bone mineral density (BMD), such as the common calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene polymorphisms, associated with vertebral fracture (VFx) risk in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

Design and methods

A cross-sectional analysis of 266 Caucasian PHPT seen as outpatients. Serum calcium (sCa) phosphate metabolism parameters were measured. BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (expressed as Z-score) at lumbar spine (Z-LS) and femoral neck, morphometric VFx by radiograph, and CASR A986S/R990G genotypes by PCR amplification and genomic DNA sequencing.

Results

Fractured patients (n=100, 37.6%) had lower sCa (10.8±0.7 mg/dl) and Z-LS BMD (−1.0±1.44), higher age (61±10 years), and prevalence (51%) of ≥1 S alleles of the CASR A986S single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; AS/SS), than those not fractured (n=166, 11.2±1.0 mg/dl, −0.57±0.97, 58±13 years, and 38% AS/SS, respectively, P<0.05 for all comparisons). Logistic regression, with VFx as dependent variable, showed independent risks associated with increased age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06, P=0.006), decreased sCa (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.28–2.7, P=0.001), and Z-LS BMD (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.12–1.7, P=0.002) and presence of AS/SS (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9, P=0.05). The presence of two out of three factors (age ≥58 years, sCa <10.8 and Z-LS BMD≤−1.0, and AS/SS genotype) gave an overall OR of 4.2 (95% CI 2.25–7.85, P<0.0001).

Conclusions

In PHPT, VFx is associated positively with age, negatively with sCa and spinal BMD, and presence of at least one copy of the CASR A986S SNP.
A bittersweet symphony
Authors: Daly Adrian F , Beckers Albert
Published: June 2014

This issue analyzes new work expanding the range of how genetic dysregulation of succinate dehydrogenase subunit (SDHx) genes can cause cancer syndromes with a prominent endocrine component, in this case Carney triad, which is characterized by gastrointestinal stromal tumors, paraganglioma, and pulmonary chondromas.
The linguistic representation of sexual violence in conflict settings
Authors: Holoshitz Tamar , Cameron Deborah
Published: June 2014

Although numerous studies have examined the representation of sexual violence in news and legal discourse, less is known about its representation when it occurs in the context of military and political conflict. This study analyses reports from the New York Times on two such contexts: the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Analysis reveals both similarities with the language used to report rape in non-conflict settings, and differences between the language used to describe rape and sexual abuse in the two settings. It is argued that reporting on the DRC uses an illustrative frame, which presents violence against women in sexualized terms and neglects to identify perpetrators or interrogate their motives. Reporting on Abu Ghraib, by contrast, uses an investigative frame, which de-emphasizes both the sexual nature of the abuse and the experiences of victims, focusing instead on the perpetrators as objects of judicial examination.
Text trajectories and media discourse
Authors: Romaniuk Tanya
Published: June 2014

During the Democratic nomination for President of the United States (2007-2008), Hillary Rodham Clinton’s laughter became the subject of intense scrutiny by mass media and was dubbed, The Clinton Cackle. This paper investigates how the ‘cackle’ characterization was first established, and thus, formed the basis of an intertextual series (Hodges, 2011), wherein this re-presentation of Clinton’s laughter circulated across multiple discursive contexts. By examining various dimensions of the decontextualization and recontextualization of Clinton’s laughter as it ‘travelled’ across contexts (Blommaert, 2005), the analysis illustrates how the news media effectively reshaped the kinds of meanings and values attached to it and concomitantly (re)produced and reinforced a stereotypically gendered, negative (i.e., sexist, misogynist) perception of her. The paper concludes with a discussion of the significance of tracing the trajectory of this ‘text’ in terms of the ideological nature of the intertextual processes at work, and the implications for women politicians more generally.
Narrating Women in Comics
Authors: Nixon Mark
Published: June 2014

Book Review Article In recent years, as comics has become a more pronounced and arguably elevated medium in culture, there has also been a development both in the appreciation and participation of women and girls (characters, readers, creators) in comics, as Danziger-Russell notes in the opening pages of her book, and of nonfictional graphic narratives, as Chute recognises in her opening passages. There has been a burgeoning of academic interest in narrating women in comics, as literature and cultural history. Linguists, however, do not seem to have been as interested in the form, despite its apparent usefulness for considering questions about the relationship of the visual and the verbal, and the structure of storytelling.
Expanding the use of non-dominant Caribbean languages: Can the law help?
Authors: Brown-Blake Celia
Published: June 2014

Language planners and advocates, at a conference in Jamaica in 2011, agreed on the terms of a Charter on Language Rights and Language Policy in the Creole-speaking Caribbean. This document contains a raft of principles and entitlements regarding the use of language in public official domains. The intention is to use the document to lobby Caribbean governments to adopt language laws in accordance with the principles set out in the Charter. This raises the question of utilising the law as a sociolinguistic change agent to induce the expansion of the use of non-dominant languages, particularly Creole languages, in public official domains. This article is concerned with the question of how effective the law is likely to be in achieving this expansion. Drawing on patterns arising from law on language in selected jurisdictions, the article concludes that the law promises only limited success in driving this change in the function of non-dominant languages in the Commonwealth Caribbean.
Looking out
Authors: Martin James
Published: June 2014

At the 2012 ‘Rethinking Genre’ conference in Ottawa a number of issues were raised from the perspectives of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and New Rhetorical Studies about the genre theory informing the literacy programmes of the so-called ‘Sydney School’. This paper address three of those issues from the perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics, focusing on the difference between an informing theory and the practices it might inform, the issue of language change and finally the question of modelling context. In doing so it attempts to re-write the ‘history’ naturalized in publications arising from the 1992 ‘Rethinking Genre’ conference in Ottawa from the perspective of the functional linguists, educational linguists and educators directly involved in the ongoing development of ‘Sydney School’ pedagogy and curriculum.
Use of an Intraoral Laser Scanner During the Prosthetic Phase of Implant Dentistry: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lee Cameron Y. S. , Wong Natalie , Ganz Scott D. , Mursic Jonathan , Suzuki Jon B.
Published: June 2014

The accuracy of a digital impression technique to fabricate the implant restoration and abutment for a dental implant using an intraoral laser scanner was evaluated in 36 patients who were missing a single posterior tooth in either the mandible or maxilla that was restored with a single implant. The spatial position of each integrated implant, including the surrounding anatomic hard and soft tissues of adjacent structures, was captured utilizing a special scanning abutment with an intraoral laser scanner. Data from the scanning protocol was then delivered via the Internet in the form of an STL file to the manufacturing site for the production of a custom computer-aided design abutment and crown. All 36 restorations and abutments were delivered to the patients and evaluated for marginal integrity, interproximal contact points, and occlusion. Of the 36 patients, 6 required contact adjustments, 7 required occlusal adjustments, and 3 required a gingivectomy around the implant to completely seat the restoration. Chair time for adjustments did not exceed 15 minutes. The findings suggest that an intraoral laser scanner can be used with confidence to obtain consistent and accurate digital impressions to fabricate custom restorations and abutments for dental implants.
The impact of livestock grazing on plant diversity: an analysis across dryland ecosystems and scales in southern Africa
Authors: Hanke Wiebke , Böhner Jürgen , Dreber Niels , Jürgens Norbert , Schmiedel Ute , Wesuls Dirk , Dengler Jürgen
Published: June 2014

A general understanding of grazing effects on plant diversity in drylands is still missing, despite an extensive theoretical background. Cross‐biome syntheses are hindered by the fact that the outcomes of disturbance studies are strongly affected by the choice of diversity measures, and the spatial and temporal scales of measurements. The aim of this study is to overcome these weaknesses by applying a wide range of diversity measures to a data set derived from identical sampling in three distinct ecosystems. We analyzed three fence‐line contrasts (heavier vs. lighter grazing intensity), representing different degrees of aridity (from arid to semiarid) and precipitation regimes (summer rain vs. winter rain) in southern Africa. We tested the impact of grazing intensity on multiple aspects of plant diversity (species and functional group level, richness and evenness components, alpha and beta diversity, and composition) at two spatial scales, and for both 5‐yr means and interannual variability. Heavier grazing reduced total plant cover and substantially altered the species and functional composition at all sites. However, a significant decrease in species alpha diversity was detected at only one of the three sites. By contrast, alpha diversity of plant functional groups responded consistently across ecosystems and scales, with a significant decrease at heavier grazing intensity. The cover‐based measures of functional group diversity responded more sensitively and more consistently than functional group richness. Beta diversity of species and functional types increased under heavier grazing, showing that at larger scales, the heterogeneity of the community composition and the functional structure were increased. Heavier grazing mostly increased interannual variability of alpha diversity, while effects on beta diversity and cover were inconsistent. Our results suggest that species diversity alone may not adequately reflect the shifts in vegetation structure that occur in response to increased grazing intensity in the dryland biomes of southern Africa. Compositional and structural changes of the vegetation are better reflected by trait‐based diversity measures. In particular, measures of plant functional diversity that include evenness represent a promising tool to detect and quantify disturbance effects on ecosystems.
Unrecognized impact of a biocontrol agent on the spread rate of an invasive thistle
Authors: Marchetto Katherine M. , Shea Katriona , Kelly Dave , Groenteman Ronny , Sezen Zeynep , Jongejans Eelke
Published: June 2014

Herbivores may significantly reduce plant populations by reducing seed set; however, we know little of their impact on seed movement. We show for the first time that the receptacle‐feeding weevil Rhinocyllus conicus not only reduces seed production by the invasive thistle Carduus nutans but also inhibits release and subsequent wind dispersal of seeds. These effects generate large, though different, impacts on spatial spread and local abundance in two populations with differing demography, located in the United States and New Zealand. Furthermore, the mechanism is context dependent, with the largest effects through increased terminal velocity in the United States but through reduced seed production in New Zealand. Our results show that the benefit of biocontrol programs may have been underestimated; screenings of potential biocontrol agents should examine effects on pest dispersal and spread, as well as on abundance.
Temperature sensitivity of community respiration rates in streams is associated with watershed geomorphic features
Authors: Jankowski K. , Schindler D. E. , Lisi P. J.
Published: June 2014

Aquatic ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle and represent substantial source of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. However, little attention has been paid to quantifying how aquatic community respiration (CR), a major source of CO2, will respond to warming temperatures expected under climate change, and whether landscape features affect temperature modulation of CR. We quantified how temperature sensitivity of CR varied among streams in southwestern Alaska, a region with one of the fastest warming trends globally. We incubated sediments from streams spanning a geomorphic gradient and estimated the degree to which CR responded to increased water temperature as described by Arrhenius kinetics. As expected, CR increased with temperature across all streams, and the average temperature sensitivity was similar to theoretical predictions for heterotrophic metabolism. However, temperature sensitivity was significantly higher in streams with higher quantity but lower quality organic C substrates, conditions that were strongly associated with watershed geomorphic characteristics. These results suggest that basic geomorphic features of landscapes will control the rates at which C is lost or sequestered from watersheds under new climate regimes.
Comparison of Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Individuals Without Diabetes and With and Without Periodontitis Before and After Non‐Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Authors: Perayil Jayachandran , Suresh Neethu , Fenol Angel , Vyloppillil Rajesh , Bhaskar Anuradha , Menon Saimegha
Published: June 2014

Background: Only a few studies have examined the association between periodontitis and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in individuals without diabetes. The aim of this study is to compare HbA1c levels in individuals without diabetes and with and without periodontitis before and after non‐surgical periodontal therapy.

Methods: This comparative study was done on individuals without diabetes who were 35 to 65 years old. Group A consisted of 30 individuals without periodontitis, and group B consisted of 30 individuals with periodontitis. Body mass indices and clinical parameters, including oral hygiene index‐simplified (OHI‐S) score, gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and HbA1c level, of all participants were recorded. All participants received non‐surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing). After 3 months, all participants were reexamined, and clinical parameters and HbA1c levels were evaluated and compared to baseline values.

Results: There were significant differences between group A and group B in regard to baseline OHI‐S, GI, PD, and HbA1c (P <0.05). There was no clinical attachment loss in group A, either at baseline or after 3 months. At the end of 3 months, group B showed improvement in all clinical parameters (P <0.05) and their HbA1c levels also significantly decreased (P <0.05), although the values never reached those of group A.

Conclusion: The HbA1c levels of individuals without diabetes and with periodontitis (group B) were significantly reduced 3 months after non‐surgical periodontal therapy, although they never reached the same levels as those of the individuals without diabetes or periodontitis (group A).
Validation of Periodontitis Screening Model Using Sociodemographic, Systemic, and Molecular Information in a Korean Population
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Duck , Sukhbaatar Munkhzaya , Shin Myungseop , Ahn Yoo‐Been , Yoo Wook‐Sung
Published: June 2014

Background: This study aims to evaluate and validate a periodontitis screening model that includes sociodemographic, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and molecular information, including gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and blood cytokines.

Methods: The authors selected 506 participants from the Shiwha‐Banwol cohort: 322 participants from the 2005 cohort for deriving the screening model and 184 participants from the 2007 cohort for its validation. Periodontitis was assessed by dentists using the community periodontal index. Interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and tumor necrosis factor‐α in blood and MMP‐8, ‐9, and ‐13 in GCF were assayed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. MetS was assessed by physicians using physical examination and blood laboratory data. Information about age, sex, income, smoking, and drinking was obtained by interview. Logistic regression analysis was applied to finalize the best‐fitting model and validate the model using sensitivity, specificity, and c‐statistics.

Results: The derived model for periodontitis screening had a sensitivity of 0.73, specificity of 0.85, and c‐statistic of 0.86 (P <0.001); those of the validated model were 0.64, 0.91, and 0.83 (P <0.001), respectively.

Conclusions: The model that included age, sex, income, smoking, drinking, and blood and GCF biomarkers could be useful in screening for periodontitis. A future prospective study is indicated for evaluating this model's ability to predict the occurrence of periodontitis.
Usefulness of ANN-based model for copper removal from aqueous solutions using agro industrial waste materials
Authors: Petrovic Marija , Sostaric Tatjana , Pezo Lato , Stankovic Slavka , Lacnjevac Caslav , Milojkovic Jelena , Stojanovic Mirjana
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adsorption properties of
locally available lignocelluloses biomaterials as biosorbents for the
removal of copper ions from aqueous solution. Materials are generated from
juice production (apricot stones) and from the corn milling process (corn
cob). Such solid wastes have little or no economic value and very often
present a disposal problem. Using batch adsorption techniques the effects of
initial Cu(II) ions concentration (Ci), amount of biomass (m) and volume of
metal solution (V), on biosorption efficiency and capacity were studied for
both materials, without any pre-treatments. The optimal parameters for both
biosorbents were selected depending on a highest sorption capability of
biosorbent, in removal of Cu(II). Experimental data were compared with
second order polynomial regression models (SOPs) and artificial neural
networks (ANNs). SOPs showed acceptable coefficients of determination (0.842
- 0.997), while ANNs performed high prediction accuracy (0.980-0.986) in
comparison to experimental results.
The Impact of Internal Audit Function Quality and Contribution on Audit Delay
Authors: Pizzini Mina , Lin Shu , Ziegenfuss Douglas E.
Published: June 2014

The number of days required to complete financial statement audits (i.e., audit delay) increased significantly with the implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX, U.S. House of Representatives 2002). As firms' in-house experts on internal control, Internal Audit Functions (IAFs) can substantially affect financial reporting processes and, thus, audit delay. Internal auditors can help management maintain strong internal controls and assist external auditors with financial statement audits. Accordingly, we investigate whether IAF quality and the IAF's contribution to financial statement audits affect audit delay in a sample of 292 firm-year observations drawn from the pre-SOX 404 period.

Using survey data from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), we develop a comprehensive proxy for IAF quality; we measure different aspects of IAF quality (e.g., competence, objectivity, fieldwork rigor); and we measure the nature of the IAF's contribution to financial statement audits (independently performed work and direct assistance). Results indicate audit delay is decreasing in IAF quality, and this decrease is driven by IAF competence and fieldwork quality. Delay is four days shorter when IAFs contribute to external audits by independently performing relevant work. High-quality IAFs contribute to financial statement audits by independently performing relevant work, while low-quality IAFs provide direct assistance.