bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of antibacterial 1,3-diyne-linked peptoids from an Ugi-4CR/Glaser coupling approach
Authors: Brauer Martin C N , Neves Filho Ricardo A W , Westermann Bernhard , Heinke Ramona , Wessjohann Ludger A
Published: January 2015

A library of ten 1,3-diyne-linked peptoids has been synthesized through an Ugi four-component reaction (U-4CR) followed by a copper-catalysed alkyne homocoupling (Glaser reaction). The short and chemoselective reaction sequence allows generating diverse (pseudo) dimeric peptoids. A combinatorial version allows the one-pot preparation of, e.g., six-compound-libraries of homo- and heterodimers verified by ESI-MS and HPLC. In a preliminary evaluation, some compounds display moderate activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis.
Réforme du droit d'information : quels défis relever ?
Authors: Zolynski Célia
Published: January 2015

[prospective] La période est charnière, les questions à régler, en matière de droit d’auteur et de protection des données personnelles, nombreuses et les débats animés. L’Europe doit veiller à bâtir un nouveau modèle qui réponde à ses valeurs.
Un code de déontologie, concrètement...
Authors: Gorin Michel , Bezençon Christophe
Published: January 2015

[éthique] Indispensable pour encadrer les pratiques professionnelles, un code de déontologie valorise aussi l’image d’une profession.
L'alimentation du nourrisson : une histoire de sens
Authors: Cascales Thomas , Pirlot Gérard , Olives Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2015

Compte tenu de l’importance de l’oralité dans le champ de la clinique périnatale, les auteurs proposent une réflexion autour des liens entre l’organisation sensorielle précoce et l’installation de la fonction d’alimentation chez le nourrisson. Après avoir présenté les principaux concepts théorico-cliniques dont Sigmund Freud et sa fille Anna ont la paternité, les auteurs déclinent le rôle joué par chacun des cinq sens dans le fonctionnement précoce de l’alimentation. Les réflexions proposées dans l’article permettent de conclure à la contribution majeure de l’environnement humain dans les acquisitions sensorielles qui jalonnent le développement du nourrisson. Ainsi, si la fonction de l’alimentation est acquise dans les temps intra-utérins, elle devient pérenne, pour le nourrisson, à partir de l’organisation de ses compétences sensorielles initiales et des ajustements parentaux qui enrichissent son patrimoine développemental.
Contextual Influences on Teachers' Writing Instruction
Authors: Leong Patrick Ng Chin , Hu Tsui-Chun (Judy) , Boucher-Yip Esther
Published: January 2015

Research in ESL/EFL writing has shown there is a need for a framework that explores teaching contexts and decision making within various settings, and the way writing instructors work within a variety of teaching contexts (Pardo, 2006). This chapter intends to fill this gap by examining how ESL/EFL writing teachers negotiate differing teaching practices and professional cultures in their classroom writing instruction. The authors adopted an autoethnography approach (Ellis, 2009) to illuminate the hidden feelings, motivations, and tensions posed by cultural factors in their classroom writing instruction (Canagarajah, 2012). The results of the study show that three contextual factors—school policy, teachers' identities as writers, and the type of students—affect writing instruction in significant ways. There is a need to construct locally appropriate responses to support the preparation and professionalism of ESL/EFL writing instructors due to the changing sociopolitical and socioeconomic contexts in which teachers are positioned.
Awareness of Plagiarism
Authors: Alhinai Reham Sulaiman , Al-Mahrooqi Rahma Ibrahim
Published: January 2015

Evaluating students by giving them assignments and projects is essential for their learning. Yet the validity of this assessment can be threatened by the serious problem of plagiarism. Researchers have found that copying another's work is very common in schools (Decoo, 2002) and is caused by several factors. Curiously, most prominent among these is lack of awareness of what plagiarism is (Pritchett, 2010). Thus, this chapter tries to measure this awareness among English students in a Foundation Program at Oman's Sultan Qaboos University and determine how their teachers deal with it. The sample included 40 English Foundation students (20 males and 20 females) and 20 instructors (10 males and 10 females). A questionnaire revealed that these students lacked awareness of plagiarism because its meaning had not been explained at school. Participants thus suggested receiving more instruction about proper citation and quotation as one solution to the problem. Instructors dealt with plagiarism in different ways, with such penalties as deducting marks the most common. Moreover, a negative relationship was found between students' academic proficiency and their willingness to plagiarize. To help these Foundation students to avoid facing difficulties in higher education, the study suggested teaching them, while still in school, how to cite, quote, and use references without plagiarizing.
Comprehensive Methods for Dealing with Uncertainty in Assessing Sustainability Part 1
Authors: Pilar de la Cruz M. , Castro Alberto , del Caño Alfredo , Gómez Diego , Lara Manuel , Cartelle Juan J.
Published: January 2015

Integrated Value Method for Sustainability Evaluation (MIVES) is a deterministic method based on requirement trees, value functions, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. It allows integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators in a global index. The value functions make it possible to consider non-linearity in the assessment. MIVES takes into account the relative weight of the various model indicators. Deterministic models can cause significant problems in terms of adequately managing project sustainability. A method not only has to estimate the sustainability index at the end of the project. It also has to evaluate the degree of uncertainty that may make it difficult to achieve the sustainability objective. Uncertainty can affect indicators, weights, and value function shapes. This chapter presents a method for sustainability assessment, taking into account uncertainty. It is based on MIVES and the Monte Carlo simulation technique. An example of potential application is proposed, related to power plants.
Modeling of Wind Speed Profile using Soft Computing Techniques
Authors: Samui Pijush , Dalkiliç Yıldırım
Published: January 2015

This chapter examines the capability of three soft computing techniques (Genetic Programming [GP], Support Vector Machine [SVM], and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline [MARS]) for prediction of wind speed in Nigeria. Latitude, longitude, altitude, and the month of the year have been used as inputs of GP, RVM, and MARS models. The output of GP, SVM, and MARS is wind speed. GP, SVM, and MARS have been used as regression techniques. To develop GP, MARS, and SVM, the datasets have been divided into the following two groups: 1) Training Dataset – this is required to develop GP, MPMR, and RVM models. This study uses 18 stations' data as a training dataset. 2) Testing Dataset – this is required to verify the developed GP, MPMR, and RVM models. The remaining 10 stations data have been used as testing dataset. Radial basis function has been used as kernel functions for SVM. A detailed comparative study between the developed GP, SVM, and MARS models is performed in this chapter.
Integrated Management of Energy Resources in the Residential Sector Using Evolutionary Computation
Authors: Soares Ana , Gomes Álvaro , Antunes Carlos Henggeler
Published: January 2015

The gradual transformation of electricity distribution networks to smart grids is expected to provide the technological infrastructure allowing demand to be treated as a responsive resource, enabling end-users to make optimized decisions concerning the integrated use of domestic energy resources (i.e. manageable loads, storage, and local generation systems). The support to this active use of demand asks for the development of optimization models of combinatorial nature, given the diversity of comfort requirements, technical constraints, appliances to be scheduled, etc. in a near real-time framework. Evolutionary algorithms have been used to cope with the combinatorial characteristics of models, large and irregular search spaces, and also multiple objectives of economic, environmental, quality of service, and technical nature. This chapter makes a review of the use of evolutionary algorithms to optimize the use of domestic energy resources, identifying the main characteristics of the approach, including decision variables, sets of constraints and objective functions, as well as the main algorithmic features to obtain usable solutions.
Mindful Marketing
Authors: Bayraktar Ahmet
Published: January 2015

Mindful marketing, a customer-centric approach, is an increasingly significant concept in marketing literature that considers both sellers' and buyers' interests at the same time. Considering the mindfulness concept as a form of marketing approach along with its conceptualization and meaning, this chapter introduces the importance of “mindful marketing approach” for positive marketing by discussing how mindful marketing contributes to firms' social responsibility, environmental concern, and consumer and societal well-being. In other words, it discusses how mindful marketing leads to ideal marketing by helping an organization improve individual and societal well-being while at the same time helping the organization and its stakeholders enjoy profits or increased business.
Integrated Waste Management
Authors: Kocasoy Günay
Published: January 2015

Handling of solid waste has been a serious problem for countries all over the world. Increase in population, change in life standard and life style, industrialization and production of new products contribute to the increase in the amount of solid wastes and consequently the problems generated by them. Developed countries, being aware of the significance of the problems, established regulatory programs, while economically developing countries continued to handle the solid wastes in a very primitive way, such as dumping them into “open dumps.” In these countries recycling activities are mostly carried on by scavengers in a very primitive way. For the protection of the environment and sustainable development, economically developing countries should establish solid waste management policies, plan recycling programs and publish related regulations and by-laws, and strictly control the application of them. This is explored in this chapter.
Integrating Ethics into Management
Authors: Tukel Irem , Celikdemir Deniz Zaptcioglu
Published: January 2015

Ethics is the science of morals dealing with human morality revealed in the human character and conduct. In general, ethics shows a corporation how to behave properly in all their businesses and operations. In business, ethical behavior means feeling responsible, being honest and confident towards your clients, employees, and stakeholders. On the other hand, when a company does not respect ethical criteria and fails to improve them, this will disrupt its integrity and unity and lead to internal or external conflicts. The rules of behavior are set by the government and society in the public area whereas the rules of behavior are set by employers in the workplace. The corporate world has always had some rules, norms, and standards in doing business. In this chapter, the authors show the impact of ethics in the field of management.
Environmental Management Accounting
Authors: Gurarda Sevin
Published: January 2015

Living with carrying capacity of natural resources of the Earth and keeping and improving the quality of human life are the most important environmental issues that we face today. Implementation of numerous arrangements to decrease the negative effects of industrialization have become a serious current issue. These regulations aim to push responsibility to the firms for the wellbeing of the public. Accounting, which is the language of business in numbers, needs to complete the adoption to the new situation for producing environmentally related information. Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) is needed as an application of accounting that is concerned with the environmentally induced impacts of companies, measured in monetary units or in physical units. In this chapter, the emergence of environmental information is discussed, and it is followed by definition and framework of environmental accounting, environmental costs, and EMA. In addition, the new environmental issues, especially in international financial reporting standards, are presented.
The Effect of Capital Structure on Profitability
Authors: Erdoğan Seda
Published: January 2015

The main objective of this chapter is to understand the trade-off between using debt and equity in the financing decisions of investments and investigate whether capital structure affects profitability of corporate firms in Turkey. This relationship is tested through using observations of 235 firms for 4 years with the inclusion of Correlation Analysis, Independent Sample t-test, and Regression Analysis with random/fixed effect estimation. Results show that in the manufacturing sector, size, growth, GDP, market to book value, short-term debt to total assets, and total debt to total assets came out to be significant factors in determining profitability (i.e. ROA). Findings indicate that the relationship between independent variables (i.e. debt/total assets and profitability) is positive, since firms can benefit from the tax advantages brought through receiving additional debt. For the service firms, contradictory results are obtained, such that the relationship between leverage and profitability is negative.
The Rise of Credit Default Swaps and Its Implications on Financial Stability
Authors: Dural Fatma Sezer
Published: January 2015

The credit default swap market has experienced an exponential growth in recent decades. Though the first credit default swap contract was negotiated in the mid-1990s, the market has enjoyed a surge of popularity beginning in 2003. By the end of June 2013, the outstanding amount reached 24.3 trillion dollars. It is mostly used to transfer or to hedge credit risk. Concurrently with the global credit crisis, several shortcomings in CDS markets have appeared. One of the obvious questions is whether they affect the stability of financial markets. In this context after broader exhibition of credit default swaps market, speculative use of CDS, inception of central counterparty, and transparency of CDS market is handled. As a conclusion, it is true that the CDS market still has some weaknesses, but it is no more prone to be destabilizing than other financial instruments. This is shown in this chapter.
Financial Problems of the Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Solution Suggestions
Authors: Dinçer Hasan , Hacıoğlu Ümit , Beyaztaş Fatma
Published: January 2015

The global economic crisis affected the giant companies and Small- and Mid-Sized Enterprises (SME). Financial problems of SMEs illustrate the necessity of effective management and a sufficient capital structure. In this chapter, the significant role of SMEs in the Turkish economy is evaluated. The major financial problems of SMEs and their effects on management and capital structure are analyzed. The financial problems of these fast-growing enterprises are highlighted and solution suggestions are provided.
The Structural Effects of Quality Management Control Systems on Organizational Performance
Authors: Yaacob Zulnaidi
Published: January 2015

This chapter discusses the results of an investigation into the effects of control systems on organizational performance within the context of Quality Management (QM). Data were collected using questionnaires from 205 managers within local authority organizations in Malaysia. Respondents were selected using stratified random sampling, and the data was analyzed using two computer software programs: SPSS and AMOS. The findings demonstrate the existence of a significant effect for Quality Management Control Systems (QMCS) on employee satisfaction, innovation, and cost benefit. Although the direct effect of QMCS on customer satisfaction was insignificant, this relationship was mediated by the dimensions of employee satisfaction and cost benefit. In summary, this chapter provides evidence for the significant role performed by control systems as a source for performance improvement within QM-organizations. In addition, this study reveals that the relationship between control systems and performance is not a simple and direct relationship but rather a structural relationship.
Understanding the Antecedents of Customer Loyalty by Applying Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Şimşek Gülhayat Gölbaşı , Tekeli Fatma Noyan
Published: January 2015

The objective of this chapter is to form a model of customer loyalty for supermarkets in the Turkish retailing sector, which investigates the extent to which customer loyalty is influenced by customer perceptions of service quality, customer perceptions of product quality, comparative price perceptions, discount perceptions, value perceptions, and customer satisfaction. Structural equation modeling has been used to analyze the data collected from 1530 customers of four major supermarket chains in Turkey. After building a measurement model for customer loyalty and its potential antecedents, the relationships are examined. The direct effects of customer satisfaction, comparative price perceptions, and discount perceptions on customer loyalty; value perceptions, comparative price perceptions, and service quality perceptions on customer satisfaction; comparative price perceptions, discount perceptions, product quality perceptions, and service quality perceptions on value perceptions; and discount perceptions and service quality perceptions on product quality perceptions are empirically supported.
Marketing Strategies for the Generation “C” Consumer Behavior
Authors: Kaplan Burcin
Published: January 2015

Generations are mainly listed as the silent generation, Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z, and lastly, Generation C. Among them, “Generation C” is the new target market of the strategists with their high use of technology and changing consumer behavior. Especially with the conveniences provided by the Internet, while the world is getting smaller and more global, it is foreseen that this generation, who tend to live mobile and who are active media users, will change the equilibrium in the future. In this chapter, generation C's consumer behavior and the marketing strategies developed for them are explored. As GSM sector is assumed to be one of the most important sectors of this generation, a good member of Turkish GSM market, Turkcell's, approach to this generation is surveyed in the frame of this new generation.
Open Social Innovation
Authors: Martins Teresa Cristina Monteiro , Bermejo Paulo Henrique de Souza
Published: January 2015

Social innovation and open innovation are two concepts that have gained prominence in the last decade. Small social innovations have the potential to change the global system, expanding through a collaborative process. Furthermore, the collaborative process is the main characteristic of open innovation. Social and open innovations are relevant and emerging; their relationship with each other has been neglected in the literature. Based on the study of social innovation and open innovation, this chapter proposes a framework about the “open social innovation” and demonstrates how it can be implemented through examples in Brazil and the US. Based on the literature review and these examples, it is evident that “open social innovation” is already a reality in many regions and is a combination of the two original concepts converging in collaborative process.
The German Electronic Identity Card
Authors: Sorge Christoph
Published: January 2015

Authentication is an important aspect of e-government applications, as in many cases the identity of a citizen has to be established before provision of a service. Germany is among the countries that have established an electronic identification and authentication infrastructure, based on an electronic identity card. The card enables both local and remote authentication to service providers and authorities. While privacy-enhancing technologies have been used to a large extent in its design and there are no known attacks on its security protocols, the eID card has been harshly criticized. Less than a third of the citizens requesting an identity card choose to activate the eID function. Using the example of Germany, this chapter discusses whether the establishment of an electronic authentication infrastructure makes sense and presents possible reasons for the German eID card's lack of success. In addition, the author considers electronic signatures and their integration in an electronic authentication infrastructure.
Evaluating E-Government Initiatives
Authors: Alencar Antonio Juarez , Fernandes Marcelo Carvalho , Schmitz Eber Assis , Correa Alexandre Luis
Published: January 2015

Over the last decade, governments around the word have made substantial investments in e-government initiatives with the aim of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. While some of these initiatives are aimed at improving tax collection and reducing running costs, the main benefits that they provide are intangibles such as greater taxpayer satisfaction and increased transparency in government decisions. This chapter presents a method to analyse e-government initiatives. The method takes into consideration that these initiatives are frequently comprised of several projects that are divided into a number of subprojects. Moreover, it evaluates e-government initiatives through a balanced view of the tangible and intangible benefits they provide. All of this is made clear with the support of a real-world inspired example.
Workplace Culture as a Driver for Social Change
Authors: Loverock Deanne Turnbull , Kool Richard , Kajzer-Mitchell Ingrid
Published: January 2015

An individual's employer can be a strong authority within an influential milieu. This chapter examines the impact employers committed to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can have on their staff, as measured by the type and extent of Pro-Environmental Behaviors (PEBs) practiced by staff at work and at home. Empowered internal stakeholders self-report that they adopt pro-environmental behaviors at work, find that they become habits, and report that they pass these new behaviors on to their family and members of the community. Tracking the development and diffusion of PEBs demonstrates the efficacy of CSR in action, confirming the workplace as an important leverage point that governments, businesses, and NGOs can use to encourage rapid social change.
Protecting Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources by Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Yajima Noriko
Published: January 2015

The problems to establish equitable benefit sharing of Traditional Knowledge (TK) associated with Genetic Resources (GRs) have been one of the main discussions in international negotiations. This chapter analyses how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) could contribute to international organizations, national governments, and the private sector protecting TK associated with GRs in indigenous and local communities. This research uses the concept of the United Nations Triple Bottom Line Approach, which promotes balance among economic, environmental, and social imperatives towards sustainable development. This chapter illustrates the responsibility of international organizations by providing legally binding instruments. It also compares different national governments' responses to protect TK associated with GRs. Then, the chapter proposes that Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) could be the key to improving contradictions between legal and voluntary instruments in local communities and national and international governments. The analysis suggests that CSR is coherent with PPPs and might generate environmental, economic, and socio-economic challenges in the private and public sectors.
Evaluation of Mobile Learning Project at the UAE University
Authors: Hussein Mousa. I.
Published: January 2015

The relentless expansion of information technology in educational institutions is widely acknowledged. There is substantial evidence that technology enhances student learning and educational outcomes. Many colleges and universities have adapted technology in their education system. The college of Engineering at the United Arab Emirates University launched its IT-based active learning (Laptop) project at the first semester of the academic year 2002-2003. After several years of implementation, the college is reviewing its course development technology strategy and is asking a very important question, “Did our investment in technology result in enhanced learning outcomes and promote the new, learner-centered pedagogy, or did it have little impact on learning?” The work presented in this chapter highlights the main outcomes and conclusions of a survey study, which was developed to answer the raised question. Many lessons have been learned about the benefits and difficulties in being a laptop college. These lessons are documented in this chapter.
Challenges and Opportunities for Virtual Universities in the 21st Century
Authors: Carvalho Luísa Margarida Cagica
Published: January 2015

This chapter aims to provide a theoretical approach concerning challenges and opportunities to virtual universities in 21st century. Virtual universities have an important role in capturing different audiences to the e-learning programs, such as long life learning, executive programs, etc. Additionally, the virtual model allows a more efficient internationalization of the education and improves the attraction of the students from several countries. Nevertheless, the virtual universities front some problems and challenges on the global education market and could be important to identify and present some good practices followed by virtual universities around the world. This chapter presents some remarks about virtual universities, the advantages and challenges fronted, and the case of the Portuguese virtual university, Open University of Lisbon, as a complement to the theoretical approach.
The Role of Internet Technology in Higher Education
Authors: Blomme Robert J.
Published: January 2015

This chapter introduces the perspective of complex responsive systems for organizational and individual learning. It also discusses how these systems may profit from the use of Internet Technology. Using Herbert Mead's perspective on interactions and learning, the authors discuss the theory of complex responsive systems as learning systems. They also elaborate on the implications of this perspective for the use of Internet Technology as a driver for individual and organizational learning.
Internet Technology and its Application in Competence Development of Highly Educated Staff
Authors: Blomme Robert J.
Published: January 2015

This chapter discusses how Internet technology can be used as a distant learning means for individual competence development of highly educated staff. By formulating clear perspectives on competencies, competence development, and transfer, it is argued that Internet technology can only partly be used as a means for competence development. Furthermore, hopes are expressed that by understanding the assumptions underlying competencies, competence development, and transfer, researchers and practitioners find themselves invited to develop varied and effective ways to apply Internet technology in highly educated staff learning processes.
Mobile Wireless Technologies Application in Education
Authors: Haghshenas Maryam , Sadeghzadeh Abouzar , Shahbazi Roghayeh , Nassiriyar Mojtaba
Published: January 2015

This chapter brings the reader's attention to understanding how technologies are aiding education with a focus on mobile technologies. In the early sections of this chapter, mobile technologies are explained briefly along with their significance to education. Implications for all involved in the education process using these technologies are then discussed. A pedagogical framework for mobile learning is then introduced along with standard theories commonly used, such as the transactional distance theory. Technological limitations and considerations are discussed to highlight future measures when designing these technologies specifically for educational purposes. Examples of mobile technology implementations in current education stages are then presented, such as mobile technology uses in higher education along with technologies used for early learners. Finally, the main objective of this chapter is presented to discuss the future of mobile technologies thoroughly, including assumptions of how these technologies will be part of everyday life for future learners.
A Paradigm Shift for Diversity Management
Authors: Byrd Marilyn Y. , Hughes Claretha
Published: January 2015

This chapter brings to light how diversity management, a widely practiced management philosophy, has emerged from an original focus of equal opportunity and representation to a focus on a strategic and competitive business opportunity for organizations. The objective of this chapter is to represent diversity management as an organization-serving philosophy that has failed to uphold a personal, moral, and ethical obligation to the dignity and worth of its socially marginalized workforce. The goal is to recommend a paradigm shift for diversity management that responds to the social injustices experienced by marginalized employees in everyday lived career experiences that can be detrimental to career aspirations.
When Demographic and Personality Diversity are Both at Play
Authors: Trinh Mai P.
Published: January 2015

This chapter reviews what we know about the effects of demographic diversity (age, sex, and ethnicity) and personality diversity (conscientiousness, openness to experience, extraversion, emotional stability, and agreeableness) in teams in organizations. It also outlines challenges to today's diversity management and Human Resource (HR) practices, such as the lack of definite conclusions from research results, the mismatch between team diversity research designs and organizations' needs, and the lack of research examining simultaneously different aspects of diversity. Drawing from analysis results of team data from 55 teams of volunteers from Shanghai, the author recommends that HR training and selection take specific team contexts into account and increase attention on functions that support important team processes such as communication and mutual support among team members.
Exophytic pontine glioblastoma multiforme presenting as cerebellopontine angle mass
Authors: Jhawar Sukhdeep , Sarvpreet Garewal , Shadangi T
Published: January 2015

Exophytic pontine glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant tumor of posterior fossa, which is quite rare and such tumor presenting as cerebellopontine (CP) angle mass is even rarer. Here, we describe a 12-year-old boy who presented with imbalance on walking and facial nerve paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed an irregular ring enhancing mass lesion of the CP angle, which was initially thought to be a tuberculoma, but was later confirmed to be a GBM. Clinical and radiological differentiation of uncommon lesions of CP angle in children is discussed with brief review of pertaining literature.
Genetic Association for Caries Susceptibility among Cleft Lip and/or Palate Individuals
Authors: Antunes Leonardo Santos , Tannure Patricia Nivoloni , Antunes Lívia Azeredo Alves , Reis Maria Fernanda , Costa Marcelo Castro , Gouvêa Cresus Vinicius Depes , Olej Beni , Granjeiro Jose Mauro
Published: January 2015

Aim

To evaluate the association of the polymorphisms in the TGFB3 gene (rs2268626), and the BMP4 gene (rs17563) with dental caries in two different groups (noncleft group and oral cleft group) from a cleft center located at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Materials and methods

A total of 486 unrelated children and adolescents with or without caries were evaluated using a cohort design. Data on oral health habits was obtained through a questionnaire and caries data was collected by clinical examination. Genotyping of the selected polymorphisms for TGFB3 and BMP4 were carried out by real-time PCR using the TaqMan assay method from a genomic DNA isolated from buccal epithelial cells of all children and adolescents.

Results

No association was found between BMP4 polymorphism and caries among individuals from both groups. For TGFB3 polymorphism, significant differences were observed for allele and genotype frequencies between caries free and caries affected individuals in oral cleft group (p = 0.013 and 0.006 for allele and genotype frequencies respectively).

Conclusion

Our findings provide evidence suggesting that TGFB3 may be involved in caries susceptibility in oral cleft group.

Clinical significance

In the future, the possibility of identifying genes related to caries susceptibility can lead to counseling of the individual that carries gene alterations, with the aim of working on preventive measures for caries as well as bioengineering treatments.

How to cite this article

Antunes LS, Tannure PN, Antunes LAA, Reis MF, Costa MC, Gouvêa CVD, Olej B, Granjeiro JM, Küchler EC. Genetic Association for Caries Susceptibility among Cleft Lip and/or Palate Individuals. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):288-293.
Evaluation of Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins as Prognosticators in Leukoplakia
Authors: Ganavi BS , Patil Shankargouda
Published: January 2015

Background

Oral cancer is the 8th most common cancer worldwide. Squamous cell carcinomas constitute 94% of all oral malignancies and are often preceded by leukoplakia. Despite many adjunctive techniques to monitor transformation of leukoplakia to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the mortality rate is on the rise.

Incidentally, patients diagnosed with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancers manifest with low choles-terol levels. Given a thought, hypolipidemia may be a useful adjunctive tool as it reflects the initial changes within the neo-plastic cells, thus giving a red alert in malignant transformation of leukoplakia at the earlier stage.

Aim

To evaluate the feasibility of serum lipid profile as an adjunct early marker for malignant transformation of leukoplakia to OSCC.

Objectives

To estimate the serum cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein (HDL, LDL, VLDL) levels in patients with leukoplakia, OSCC and age matched healthy control group.

To compare the serum cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein levels between patients of leukoplakia, OSCC and age matched healthy control group.

Materials and methods

The study group comprised of selected 30 individuals which included 10 each of histopathologically confirmed OSCC, leukoplakia and healthy controls. A written consent was taken from all of them, and a thorough case history was recorded and then venous blood was collected 12 hours post fasting and centrifuged. The serum cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL were estimated by enzymatic and colorimetric methods using commercially available kits — Roche/ Hitachi cobas systems. Chemistry assay QC procured from Bio-Rad was used as control. VLDL and LDL were derived from these values. Results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc Tukey Test.

Results

Oral squamous cell carcinoma patients demonstrated significantly lower mean serum cholesterol level (151.60 mg/dl) than the control group (183.70 mg/dl). The mean cholesterol level in leukoplakia patients (173.90 mg/dl) was lower than that of control group (183.70 mg/dl) but higher than that of the OSCC group (151.60 mg/dl) with no statistical significance.

Conclusion

Convenience, universal availability, patient compatibility and simplicity being the merits of serum lipid profile make it a feasible adjunctive prognosticator in leukoplakic patients.

How to cite this article

Ganavi BS, Patil S, Rao RS. Evaluation of Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins as Prognosticators in Leukoplakia. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):294-299.
A Quantitative Analysis of Mast Cells in Inflammatory Periapical and Gingival Lesions
Authors: Rao Kavita , Priya NS , Uma K , Umadevi HS , Smitha T
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim of the study was to quantify the presence of mast cells in various inflammatory lesions like periapical granuloma, periapical cyst, inflammatory gingival hyperplasia and pyogenic granuloma. Mast cell degranulation and association with lymphocytes were also recorded in an attempt to understand the role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of these inflammatory lesions.

Materials and methods

The quantification of mast cells was done on toluidine blue stained sections of all the four groups of lesions, using the image analyzer software, Image-Pro-Express (Media Cybernetics, USA).

Results

An increased number of mast cells in various inflammatory lesions with a significant difference between the four groups were noted. Mast cell number tended to be greater in the lesions present in the anterior region of the mouth than in the posterior region of the oral cavity. The mean mast cell number decreased with the increasing age which was directly correlated with the age of the patients. Mast cell site, distribution, degranulation and its association with fibroblasts, lymphocytes and blood vessels were noted.

Conclusion

The location of mast cells in different areas, their association with lymphocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and the phenomenon of degranulation helps to appreciate the release of various mediators and multiple interactions among these cells, leading to increased vascular permeability, angiogenic response, collagen synthesis, regulation of inflammation, bone resorption, and extracellular matrix destruction, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of these inflammatory lesions.

How to cite this article

Sheethal HS, Uma K, Rao K, Priya NS, Umadevi HS, Smitha T. A Quantitative Analysis of Mast Cells in Inflammatory Periapical and Gingival Lesions. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):300-305.
Evaluation of the Effect of a Home-bleaching Agent on the Surface Characteristics of Indirect Esthetic Restorative Materials: Part I—Roughness
Authors: Vojdani Mahroo , Torabi Kianoosh , Rasaeipour Sasan , Khaledi Amir Alireza , Ghodsi Safoura
Published: January 2015

Background

Pressing esthetic demands of good looking make people undergo bleaching procedures. However, the effect of bleaching agents on esthetic restorative materials with different surface preparations has been poorly studied.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a homebleaching agent (carbamide peroxide: CP 38%) on the surface roughness of the polished fiber reinforced composite (FRC), overglazed, autoglazed, or polished ceramic samples.

Materials and methods

Twenty standardized cylindrical specimens were made of each of the following groups: overglazed, autoglazed, polished porcelain and also FRC. The test specimens exposed to the CP 38%, 15 minutes, twice a day for 2 weeks according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Six samples from each group were selected randomly to form negative controls. Surface roughness measurements (Ra, micrometer) for baseline, test and control specimens were performed by use of a profilometer. Paired t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analyses.

Results

The data showed that bleaching with CP 38% significantly increased the surface roughness of all the test samples (p < 0.05). The type of surface preparation caused significant differences between the susceptibility of porcelain subgroups to bleaching (p < 0.05). The polished porcelain specimens showed the highest changes after bleaching.

Conclusion

CP 38% significantly increases the surface roughness of the porcelains and FRC. The type of surface condition affects the amenability of the porcelain surface to the bleaching agent. Glazed porcelains were more resistant to roughness than the polished porcelains and also the composite.

Clinical significance

Roughening of porcelain and FRC occur following bleaching procedure. No special surface preparation of indirect esthetic restorative materials can completely preserve these materials from adverse effects of bleaching agents.

How to cite this article

Torabi K, Rasaeipour S, Khaledi AA, Vojdani M, Ghodsi S. Evaluation of the Effect of a Homebleaching Agent on the Surface Characteristics of Indirect Esthetic Restorative Materials: Part I—Roughness. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):326-330.
Marginal Adaptation of Class V Restorations with Current- Generation Dentin-Bonding Agents: Effect of Different Dentin Surface Treatments
Authors: de Andrade Marcelo Ferrarezi , Borges Alvaro Henrique , Bandéca Matheus Coelho , Saad José Roberto Cury , de Campos Edson Alves , Santos Reidson Stanley Soares dos , Dantas Andrea Abi Rached , Cavalheiro Jessica Patrícia , Tonetto Mateus Rodrigues
Published: January 2015

This study sought to assess the use of chlorhexidine with several excipients as a dentin surface treatment and its effect on marginal adaptation of class V restorations with currentgeneration dentin bonding agents. A total of 120 human third molars were selected and allocated into 12 groups, with standardized buccal class V restorations randomly divided into preconditioned dentin rinsed with: water; water + chlorhexidine; ethanol; or ethanol + chlorhexidine. After rinsing of dentin (previously conditioned with 35% phosphoric acid) with the test solutions, the Adper single bond 2, prime and bond 2.1, and Excite bonding systems were applied randomly. Restorations were performed with Filtek™ Z350 XT composite resin. The resulting specimens were subjected to thermal and mechanical load cycling. Quantitative analysis of marginal adaptation was performed on epoxy replicas by means of scanning electron microscopy. Results were assessed by means of the Kruskal- Wallis test (percentages of continuous margins) and Wilcoxon test (differences between percentages of continuous margins before and after thermal cycling and mechanical loading), at a significance level of p < 0.05. Outcomes in the chlorhexidinetreated groups were not superior to those obtained with other treatments.

How to cite this article

Cavalheiro JP, Tonetto MR, Borges ÁH, Bandéca MC, dos Santos RSS, de Campos EA, Saad JRC, Dantas AAR, de Andrade MF. Marginal Adaptation of Class V Restorations with Current-Generation Dentin-Bonding Agents: Effect of Different Dentin Surface Treatments. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):331-335.
Unstimulated Whole Saliva Cortisol Levels during Ramadan in Iranian Muslims
Authors: Mirzaii-Dizgah Iraj , Vasaghi-Gharamaleki Behnoosh
Published: January 2015

Aims

Ramadan is a great opportunity for scientific research due to its peculiar nature. This study was designed to investigate whether morning saliva cortisol pick can change during and after Ramadan compared to before it.

Materials and methods

A total of 30 healthy volunteer men (aged between 30 and 76 years) were asked to participate in a cross-sectional study between August 12 and September 10, 2010. Saliva was collected 2 weeks before the beginning of Ramadan (BR), during the first week (R1), middle (R2), the last week (R3) of Ramadan and 3 weeks after Ramadan (AR). Cortisol concentration was analyzed by ELISA. Statistical analysis of one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used.

Results

The mean unstimulated saliva cortisol concentration and its output were significantly higher in the BR than during and after Ramadan.

Conclusion

Mean saliva cortisol concentration and its output tended to be lower during and 3 weeks after Ramadan.

Clinical significance

Cortisol as a stress hormone seems to be low during Ramadan.

How to cite this article

Vasaghi-Gharamaleki B, Mirzaii-Dizgah I. Unstimulated Whole Saliva Cortisol Levels during Ramadan in Iranian Muslims. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):341-344.
Knowledge, Practice and Utilization of Dental Services among Pregnant Women in the North of Jordan
Authors: Malkawi Zain A , Tubaishat Reem S
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate women's oral hygiene knowledge, practice, and use of dental services during pregnancy in the north of Jordan.

Materials and methods

Voluntary sample of 154 pregnant women of 18 to 40 years old were invited to participate in the study. They were asked to read a self-designated questionnaire and a cover letter which explained the purpose of the study. The questionnaire addressed self-reported demographics, knowledge, practice and use of dental services during pregnancy. Data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test to determine statistically significant differences across knowledge, practice and use of dental services during pregnancy.

Results

The sample included 29.3% aged 20 to 24 years old; 33.1% having bachelor degree; and 66.9% were housewives. The majority of study sample 68.2% knew they need dental consultation during pregnancy; however, 39.5% received dental consultation during pregnancy. Majority 62.4% brushed their teeth regularly; however, 73.2% does not use auxiliary dental hygiene devices. Majority 44.5% visited dentist, when they feel pain. Statistically significant association were found between educational level and knowledge about need to dental consultation during pregnancy (p = 0.012); educational level and knowledge about link between pregnancy and periodontal diseases (p = 0.01); and economic status and use of auxiliary dental hygiene devices during pregnancy (p = 0.040).

Conclusion

Pregnant women brushed their teeth regularly and visited dentist occasionally. Income was significantly associated with increase use of auxiliary dental hygiene devices. Educational level was significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge about the need for consultation and possible link between pregnancy and periodontal diseases.

How to cite this article

Malkawi ZA, Tubaishat RS. Knowledge, Practice and Utilization of Dental Services among Pregnant Women in the North of Jordan. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):345-351.
Management of a Malpositioned Implant using Custom Abutment and Screw-Retained Fixed Dental Prosthesis
Authors: Turkyilmaz Ilser
Published: January 2015

A 32-year-old woman with missing permanent mandibular right molars and left first molar presented for treatment. One of the implants were misaligned during the placement due to sudden mouth closure of the patient. All implants successfully osseointegrated. However, the misaligned implant resulted in substantial mechanical and esthetic restorative challenges. The prosthodontic treatment included a custom abutment and a screw-retained fixed dental prosthesis on the right side. The patient did not report any problems with the implants and restorations during the first year of service. The treatment presented in this clinical report may be an alternative option to restore malpositioned implants.

How to cite this article

Turkyilmaz I. Management of a Malpositioned Implant using Custom Abutment and Screw-Retained Fixed Dental Prosthesis. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3): 381-384.