bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A criação da cátedra de medicina tropical no Peru e no Brasil
Authors: Almeida Marta de
Published: December 2014

Analisa a proposta de criação da cátedra de medicina tropical nas faculdades de medicina da América Latina feita em 1913, por ocasião do 5º Congresso Médico Latino-americano, em Lima. Investiga o processo de institucionalização do ensino médico dessa especialidade no Peru e no Brasil, por meio da atuação de Julián Arce e Carlos Chagas, médicos que se dedicaram à medicina tropical. O foco da análise são as aulas inaugurais ministradas pelos médicos, a primeira em 1916, na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de San Marcos, em Lima, e a segunda em 1926, na Faculdade de Medicina do Rio de Janeiro. Pretende-se contribuir para uma análise mais aprofundada dos diferentes sentidos que a medicina tropical teve no Brasil e no Peru.
Comissão Rondon, doenças e política: "Região do Madeira: Santo Antônio", de Joaquim Augusto Tanajura - uma outra visão do Alto Madeira em 1911
Authors: Vital André Vasques
Published: December 2014

Comenta o artigo "Região do Madeira: Santo Antônio", do médico Joaquim Augusto Tanajura (1878-1941), chefe do serviço de saúde da Comissão Rondon de 1909 a 1912. Publicado em 5 de junho de 1911, no Jornal do Commercio de Manáos, o artigo insere-se no contexto inicial de redescoberta dos sertões, quando emergiram denúncias sobre o cenário de abandono e doenças no interior do Brasil, e dialoga com as primeiras viagens científicas promovidas pelo Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Ele permite analisar a atuação de membros da Comissão Rondon na dinâmica política local e as controvérsias ligadas à construção da imagem de sertão e seus habitantes, no período.
Climate‐induced changes in host tree–insect phenology may drive ecological state‐shift in boreal forests
Authors: Pureswaran Deepa S. , De Grandpré Louis , Paré David , Taylor Anthony , Barrette Martin , Morin Hubert , Régnière Jacques , Kneeshaw Daniel D.
Published: December 2014

Climate change is altering insect disturbance regimes via temperature‐mediated phenological changes and trophic interactions among host trees, herbivorous insects, and their natural enemies in boreal forests. Range expansion and increase in outbreak severity of forest insects are occurring in Europe and North America. The degree to which northern forest ecosystems are resilient to novel disturbance regimes will have direct consequences for the provisioning of goods and services from these forests and for long‐term forest management planning. Among major ecological disturbance agents in the boreal forests of North America is a tortricid moth, the eastern spruce budworm, which defoliates fir (Abiesspp.) and spruce (Piceaspp.). Northern expansion of this defoliator in eastern North America and climate‐induced narrowing of the phenological mismatch between the insect and its secondary host, black spruce (Picea mariana), may permit greater defoliation and mortality in extensive northern black spruce forests. Although spruce budworm outbreak centers have appeared in the boreal black spruce zone historically, defoliation and mortality were minor. Potential increases in outbreak severity and tree mortality raise concerns about the future state of this northern ecosystem. Severe spruce budworm outbreaks could decrease stand productivity compared with their occurrence in more diverse, southern balsam fir forest landscapes that have coevolved with outbreaks. Furthermore, depending on the proportion of balsam fir and deciduous species present and fire recurrence, changes in regeneration patterns and in nutrient cycling could alter ecosystem dynamics and replace black spruce by more productive mixed‐wood forest, or by less productive ericaceous shrublands. Long‐term monitoring, manipulative experiments, and process modeling of climate‐induced phenological changes on herbivorous insect pests, their host tree species, and natural enemies in northern forests are therefore crucial to predicting species range shifts and assessing ecological and economic impacts.
Analysis of the growth characteristics of a 450-year-old silver fir tree
Authors: Pantic Damjan , Medarevic Milan , Dees Matthias , Borota Dragan , Tubic Bojan , Obradovic Snezana , Sljukic Biljana , Cukovic Dusko , Marinkovic Marko
Published: December 2014

The growth characteristics of silver fir are of high importance for selection
forest management, and for the current aims laid out in Serbia?s forest
management focused on increasing the share of silver firs in Serbia?s growing
stock. With the objective of increasing the understanding of the growth
characteristics of silver fir, the growth of two silver fir trees felled
during forest site production research on Mt. Goc, located in Central Serbia,
have been analyzed. Both trees showed significant differences in their growth
dynamics over long periods as results of micro-site and micro-stand effects
(primarily ambient light regime). The common growth characteristic of the two
trees, a 450-year-old tree as the main study object (labeled Tree A) and a
270-year-old Tree B is a long stagnation stage. For Tree A the latent phase,
with small interruptions, lasted 410 years; one phase lasted 330 years in
continuity, which is the longest period of silver fir stagnation recorded in
Europe. Tree B showed a long-lasting stagnation stage that lasted 170 years.
The long stagnation stage of Tree A, characterized by an average diameter
increment of 1.4 mm/year (average growth ring width of 0.7 mm) and an average
height increment of 0.08 m/year, shows the extraordinary silver fir capacity
for physiological survival in complete shade. This study adds to the existing
knowledge of the shade tolerance of the silver fir. Therefore, the silver fir
belongs to the group of extremely shade-tolerant tree species. This
characteristic makes silver fir an irreplaceable tree species in the
selection forest structure. It offers a wide range of silvicultural
flexibility in the management of these forests, and is applicable to silver
fir selection Serbia?s forests.
Numerical Formats within Risk Disclosures and the Moderating Effect of Investors' Concerns about Management Discretion
Authors: Nelson Mark W. , Rupar Kathy K.
Published: December 2014

We report the results of two experiments that provide evidence that investors' risk judgments are affected by the numerical format used to describe outcomes within accounting disclosures. Consistent with prior research in psychology, investors assess higher risk in response to dollar-formatted disclosures than to equivalent percentage-formatted disclosures. Consistent with the Persuasion Knowledge Model (Friestad and Wright 1994), this effect is moderated when investors have both (1) awareness that management has discretion over format, and (2) sufficient cognitive capacity to consider its implications. Our results provide insight about the effects of current disclosure formats and suggest implications for managers who choose formats, investors who interpret formatted information, and regulators who consider whether to further prescribe the formats that are used in financial disclosures.
Early vs late orthodontic treatment of tooth crowding by first premolar extraction: A systematic review
Authors: Filho Hibernon Lopes , Maia Lúcio H. , Lau Thiago C. L. , de Souza Margareth M. G. , Maia Lucianne Cople
Published: December 2014

Objective: 

To investigate the body of evidence in the literature about the most favorable time for initiating orthodontic treatment in patients with severe crowding caused by tooth size arch length deficiency (TSALD).

Materials and Methods: 

Electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid Medline, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, and The Cochrane Library) were searched for articles published between 1900 and April 2014. Studies were included that evaluated treatment of patients with severe crowding caused TSALD, who were treated with first premolar extraction. The association between the stage of development of occlusion at which treatment was started, and the primary and/or secondary outcomes of early and late treatment were investigated.

Results: 

After application of the eligibility criteria and reading of the full texts, six articles were included in the final review. Of these six articles, all of which were retrospective, four showed that the primary outcome (correction of severe crowding) of the early and late groups was improved, but without statistically significant differences after treatment. Therefore, the findings of secondary outcomes in the literature (postretention crowding relapse, duration of total and active treatment [treatment with appliances], external apical root resorption, and soft tissue profile) were the target of this study. These studies presented low or moderate methodological quality and control of bias.

Conclusions: 

Both early and late extraction had a similar effect on correction of crowding. Early treatment had two favorable secondary outcomes (less relapse and reduced active treatment time) vs late treatment. However, the levels of evidence were not sufficient to assert which protocol was superior. (Angle Orthod. 2015;85:510–517.)
Changes of anterior maxillary alveolar bone thickness following incisor proclination and extrusion
Authors: Thongudomporn Udom , Charoemratrote Chairat , Jearapongpakorn Sarayut
Published: December 2014

Objective: 

To investigate changes in maxillary alveolar bone thickness after maxillary incisor proclination and extrusion during anterior crossbite correction in a group of growing patients with Class III malocclusion.

Materials and Methods: 

Maxillary incisors of 15 growing patients with anterior crossbite were proclined and extruded with 0.016″ beta-titanium advancing loops and Class III elastics. Lateral cephalograms were recorded before advancement (T0) and 4 months after a normal overjet and overbite were achieved (T1). Changes in alveolar bone thickness surrounding the maxillary incisors at the crestal (S1), midroot (S2), and apical (S3) levels were measured using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Paired t-tests were used to determine the significance of the changes. A Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between thickness changes and the rate and amount of incisor movements.

Results: 

Although statistically significant decreases were observed in palatal and total bone thickness at the S2 and S3 level (P < .05), the amounts of these changes were clinically insignificant, ranging from 0.34 to 0.59 mm. Changes in labial bone thickness at all levels were not significant. Changes in palatal bone thickness at S3 were negatively correlated with changes in incisor inclination. (r  =  −0.71; P < .05).

Conclusion: 

In a group of growing patients with Class III malocclusion undergoing anterior crossbite correction, controlled tipping mechanics accompanied by extrusive force may produce successful tooth movement with minimal iatrogenic detriment to the alveolar bone.
Primary Central Nervous System Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, with Antecedent Hemophagocytic Syndrome in a Child
Authors: Jiang Xianping , Yin Weihua , Song Jianming , Chen Xiaowen , Zhao Cailei , Wen Feiqiu
Published: December 2014

Primary central nervous system (CNS) extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (NKTCL), is an exceedingly uncommon entity. Here, we present a case of CNS NKTCL that manifested initially as hemophagocytic syndrome 4 months earlier in a 13-year-old girl. Histological examination revealed the cerebellum mass was composed of large-sized and atypical tumor cells, with an angiocentric and angiodestructive growth pattern and prominent necrosis. The tumor cells exhibited marked pleomorphism with conspicuous nucleoli and prominent mitotic activity. Immunohistochemical staining showed the tumor cells were positive for CD45, CD2, CD3ε, CD30, CD43, CD56, and granzyme B. Epstein-Barr virus––encoded ribonucleic acid was expressed in almost all of the nuclei of the lymphoma cells. The T-cell receptor γ chain gene rearrangement study showed no evidence of a clonal rearrangement. The patient was treated with etoposide and dexamethasone and died a few days after the operation. As far as we know, this case is the 1st pediatric and female patient of primary CNS NKTCL with antecedent hemophagocytic syndrome, which highlights the clinical data and is helpful for the diagnosis of this tumor.
Anxiety about Speaking a Foreign Language as a Mediator of the Relation between Motivation and Willingness to Communicate
Authors: Wu Chia-Pei , Lin Huey-Ju
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine whether anxiety about speaking a foreign language mediated the relation between motivation and a willingness to communicate among 107 Taiwanese students sampled from two public universities and one private university. A regression analysis indicated that motivation was negatively related to university students' anxiety about speaking a foreign language and positively related to willingness to communicate. Furthermore, anxiety about speaking a foreign language was negatively related to university students' willingness to communicate, and also partially mediated the relationship between motivation and willingness to communicate. The findings suggest that high motivation and low anxiety about speaking a foreign language are needed for Taiwanese students to demonstrate a stronger willingness to communicate.
Considerations on Direct Antiviral Agent Therapy in Patients Having Chronic Hepatitis C from Constanta County
Authors: Stavar Angelica , Dumitru Irina-Magdalena , Rugina S
Published: December 2014

Introduction: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) have a direct action in chronic hepatitis C, their addition to the standard therapy with interferon alfa2 (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) significantly improving the sustained virologic response (SVR) in this disease. Objective: The study analyses the results of triple therapy inclduign DAA in terms of tolerability and efficiency. Material and method: We selected a lot of 24 patients who concluded the DAA administration period, being in the period of finalization of standard therapy at the time of the study. In all the patients clinical and paraclinical assesment was performed including laboratory tests, fibroscan, echography, etc.

Results: The duration of the therapy consisting in association of DAA to the standard treatment was 3 months and led to a remarkable result represented by a high rate of negativation of viremia (83.3%). Among the adverse reactions recorded, the most important were: anemia 17 patients (70.8%), leucopenia 10 patients (41.6%), thrombocitopenia 14 patients (58.3%), hyperbilirubinemia 3 patients (12,5%); hyperuricemia 8 patients (33,3%), hypocalcemia 4 patients (16.6%), loss of weight 4 patients (16,6%), anal pruritus (16,6%); among the 24 patients, 2% did not exhibit any adverse reactions.

Conclusions: Despite of the various adverse reactions recorded, the triple therapy consisting in DAA added to the standard treatment proves its utility, and the high rates of sustained viral reaction justifies its utilization. It is necessary to increase the number of patients who benefit from the advantages of triple therapy, which, after becoming larger available, could become a new standard therapy in patients with viral chronic hepatitis.
Effects of Pilates and aqua fitness training on older adults’ physical functioning and quality of life
Authors: Vécseyné Kovách Magdolna , Kopkáné Plachy Judit , Bognár József , Olvasztóné Balogh Zsuzsanna , Barthalos István
Published: December 2014

Study aim: To measure the effects of Pilates and aqua fitness training on functional fitness and quality of life in older individuals.

Material and methods: A total of 54 participants (M = 66.4 ± 6.2 years) from a club for retired people in Eger, Hungary, were randomly assigned to 3 groups: one did Pilates 3 times/week (n = 22); one did aqua fitness 3 times/week (n = 17); and a control group (n = 15). The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (FFFT) was used to measure functional fitness pre - and post-program. Quality of life was measured by WHO’s quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL).

Results: In the FFFT, significant improvement was found in 5 out of 7 variables: lower and upper body strength, lower body flexibility, physical mobility (especially dynamic balance), and aerobic endurance by the Pilates group. Shoulder flexibility improved significantly in the Aqua fitness group. Lower body strength improved in the control group. BMI did not change significantly in any of the groups. WHOQOL showed improvement in perception and autonomy in the Pilates group; sociability in the Aqua group. The between-subject analyses yielded a significant main effect of the experimental group F(1, 52) = 4367 (p < 0.001).

Discussion: A 6-month intervention program is an appropriate tool to improve overall physical performance of healthy, inactive older adults, regardless of the type of exercise concerning Pilates or Aqua fitness, but might improve only some aspects of QOL. There is a strong need for well-designed intervention programs for the elderly.
Red photonic glasses and confined structures
Authors: Gonçalves R.R. , Lukowiak A. , Ristic D. , Boulard B. , Chiappini A. , Chiasera A. , Dorosz D. , Marciniak M. , Righini G.C. , Ferrari M.
Published: December 2014

We present some recent results obtained by our team in rare earth doped photonic glasses and confined structures, in order to give some highlights regarding the state of art in glass photonics. To evidence the unique properties of transparent glass ceramics we compare spectroscopic and structural properties between the parent glass and the glass ceramics. Starting from planar waveguides we move to spherical microresonators, a very interesting class of photonic confined structures. We also conclude the short review with some remarks about the perspective for glass photonics.
Magnetooptic effect of photonic crystal fiber in blue region of visible spectrum
Authors: Barczak K.
Published: December 2014

The phenomenon of optical birefringence in optical fibers is caused by external factors and stress induced by the manufacturing process. This optical birefringence makes it difficult to apply optical fibers as a polarimetric sensors head. Author of this paper, proposes the application of index guiding photonic crystal fibers because stress values in a fiber core caused by internal and external factors are lower. In this paper investigation results extended in comparison with the previous author’s investigations are presented. This extension relies on investigation of magnetooptic for wavelength 405 nm. On the basis of experimental results optimal work points of optical sensing fibers were determined.
Control contribution for wear bearing recurrence process
Authors: Wierzcholski K. , Miszczak A.
Published: December 2014

This paper presents the methods of control problem solutions using recurrence equations implementation and UOS transformation for the bearing wear estimation during the finite and infinite time units of an operation process. If we have two wear value increase processes then very important is information which process is divergent more slowly. On the other hand, in comparison with two convergent processes we must decide which process is convergent more quickly. The wear process is determined mostly by the summation factor method. Such a method is applied for the solutions of recurrence equations with variable coefficients
Probabilistic elements in analysis of performance of multiprocessor systems
Authors: Taborek K. , Hrynkiewicz E.
Published: December 2014

The paper presents important probabilistic elements that should be taken into consideration in the analysis of performance of classical multiprocessor systems. These elements represent the following quantities: modified arrival rate for processor requests and a few probabilities, which determine the frequency of certain events when a multiprocessor system is working. There are four peculiar events: service of another job, existence of the queue, a processor request while the given task is waiting into the queue and the return of another task into the queue while the given task is waiting in the queue. The first three events happen more often when a system consists of less number of processors, whereas the fourth event happens more often when more processors work in a system. Including (or not) the probabilities of these events to the analysis of performance of multiprocessor systems exerts its much influence on the precision of computations. All the mentioned quantities were described in detail. Formulas for these quantities were derived. Examples of applications of the formulas to the prediction of performance of various multiprocessor systems were presented.
Infinite time horizon optimal current control of a stepper motor exploiting a finite element model
Authors: Bernat J. , Stępień S. , Stranz A. , Szymański G. , Sykulski J.K.
Published: December 2014

An optimal control theory based method is presented aiming at minimizing the energy delivered from source and the power loss in a stepper motor circuit. A linear quadratic current regulator with an infinite time horizon is employed and its appropriateness for this type of a problem explained. With the purpose of improving the accuracy of the control system, the self and mutual inductances of windings are calculated using a finite element model. The numerically computed results are verified experimentally.
FE numerical tests of railway wagon for intermodal transport according to PN-EU standards
Authors: Krason W. , Niezgoda T.
Published: December 2014

A special wagon, presented in the paper, can be used for intermodal transport of various types of vehicles. It enables transport of vehicles of 36 tons mass and height of 4m on the GB1 clearance height. An innovative wagon is equipped with a frame-support with marginal parts mounted on standard biaxial bogies and the central part lowered with a rotatable loading platform. The rotating part of wagon acts as a kind of platform, allowing truck to move through it during load/unload. During railway operation, this rotating platform is to become an integrated part of the wagon; the tailboards of the rotating part will be connected to the over-bogie part with the special locks. A unique concept of the wagon structure forced a design approach which was rather unusual for the rail industry. Since the design team aimed at very challenging demands of GB1 envelope and usage of standard bogies, the layout of the wagon had to be thoroughly examined in terms of its overall stiffness. Every major design change had to be simulated in order to accurately predict its influence on the whole wagon structure. FE analysis was used for numerical tests of such a wagon structure in different configurations. The calculations were carried out on the basis of PN-EN standards. Selected results of numerical tests of the prototype version of a such wagon for intermodal transports were presented in the paper.
Infrared Devices And Techniques (Revision)
Authors: Rogalski A. , Chrzanowski K.
Published: December 2014

The main objective of this paper is to produce an applications-oriented review covering infrared techniques and devices. At the beginning infrared systems fundamentals are presented with emphasis on thermal emission, scene radiation and contrast, cooling techniques, and optics. Special attention is focused on night vision and thermal imaging concepts. Next section concentrates shortly on selected infrared systems and is arranged in order to increase complexity; from image intensifier systems, thermal imaging systems, to space-based systems. In this section are also described active and passive smart weapon seekers. Finally, other important infrared techniques and devices are shortly described, among them being: non-contact thermometers, radiometers, LIDAR, and infrared gas sensors.
Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in Salmonella serotypes isolated from chicken carcasses in Turkey
Authors: Ata Zafer , Yibar Artun , Arslan Erdem , Mustak Kaan , Gunaydin Elcin
Published: December 2014

Quinolones have been extensively used for treatment of a variety of invasive and systemic infections of salmonellosis. Widespread use of these agents has been associated with the emergence and dissemination of quinolone-resistant pathogens. The quinolone resistance and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants (qnrA,qnrB,qnrS andaac(6’)-Ib-cr) of 85Salmonellaisolates from chicken carcasses were investigated in this study. Isolates were serotyped according to the Kauffman-White-Le Minor scheme, and broth microdilution method was used to determine quinolone resistance. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes were investigated by real-time PCR and positive results were confirmed by sequencing. Among theSalmonellaisolates, 30/85 (35%) and 18/85 (21%) were found to be resistant to enrofloxacin (MIC ≥ 2 mg/ml), and danofloxacin (MIC ≥ 2 mg/ml), respectively. All the isolates were negative forqnrA,qnrB andaac(6’)-Ib-crgenes, nevertheless 2% (S.Brandenburg andS.Dabou) were positive forqnrS (qnrS1 determinant). This study is the first and unique investigating the plasmid- mediated quinolone resistance determinants ofSalmonellaisolated from chicken carcasses in Turkey.
The effect of Leiber Beta-S (1,3-1,6-β-D-glucan) on the phagocytic activity and oxidative metabolism of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes in calves
Authors: Wójcik Roman
Published: December 2014

The effect of the Leiber Beta-S (1,3-1,6-β-D-glucan) dietary supplement on the phagocytic activity (Phagotest) and oxidative metabolism (Phagoburst) of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes in calves was determined by flow cytometry. Fourteen animals were divided into two groups: a control group without dietary supplementation and an experimental group administered 50 mg/kg body weight/day of 1,3-1,6-β-D-glucan for 60 days. At the beginning of the experiment (day 0) and on days 15, 30 and 60, blood was sampled from the jugular vein to determine and compare immunological indicators. Leiber Beta-S significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.001) the percentages of phagocytic granulocytes (days 15 and 30) and monocytes (days 15, 30 and 60), and the percentage of bacteria engulfed by granulocytes (days 15 and 30) and monocytes (day 30). Leiber Beta-S increased the percentage of cells generating a respiratory burst in the population of granulocytes stimulated with fMLP (N-formyl-met-leu-phe) (day 15), PMA (4-phorbol-12-β-myristate-13-acetate) and Escherichia coli bacteria (days 15 and 30), and in the population of monocytes stimulated with fMLP (day 30), PMA (days 30 and 60) and E. coli (days 15, 30 and 60). The analyzed supplement increased mean fluorescence intensity in granulocytes stimulated with E. coli and fMLP (days 15 and 30) and PMA (days 30 and 60) as well as in monocytes stimulated with PMA, E. coli and fMLP (day 60). The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the effects of Leiber Beta-S on phagocytosis in calves, which have not been investigated to date.
Anaerobic degradability and acid hydrolysis of organic manure as an illustration of dietary organic matter utilization in cows in relation to lactation period
Authors: Váchalová Radka , Kolář Ladislav , Frelich Jan , Váchal Jan , Volfová Kateřina , Kobes Milan , Kudrna Václav , Homolka Petr , Marada Petr , Dumbrovský Miroslav
Published: December 2014

The objective of the present paper was to verify whether the method of studying the anaerobic degradability of organic matter of excrements could reveal the utilization of dietary organic matter in the digestive tract of ruminants in relation to the lactation period, and whether it could be replaced by a cheaper and easier method of acid hydrolysis of excrements. Changes in anaerobic degradability and hydrolysis yields of excrements were investigated in an experimental herd of 30 cows divided into two groups differing in their lactation period by 30 days. The results document that anaerobic degradability is a suitable indicator of anaerobic digestion conditions in the digestive tract of animals and of the fitness of their organism. However, the results of excrement hydrolysis according to the Rovira and Vallejo (2002) method were hardly reproducible and so they could not be used, when only the very labile organic fraction is evaluated. The evaluation of the sum of very labile fractions and semi-labile fraction provides easily available values, but these are only orientative values that cannot replace the costly and labour-consuming determination of anaerobic degradability of excrements.
Effect of adding prefermented cereal product containing gamma-linolenic acid to broiler feed on production indicators and fatty acid profile of chicken breast
Authors: Bača Martin , Marcinčák Slavomír , Čertík Milan , Popelka Peter , Marcinčáková Dana , Guothová Lucia , Molnár Ladislav , Klempová Tatiana , Maskaľová Iveta
Published: December 2014

Administration ofThamnidium elegansfor effective utilization of agroindustrial materials (wheat bran) creates new perspectives for animal cereal diet enriched with fungal γ-linolenic acid (GLA). The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of adding prefermented cereal product containing a high amount of gamma-linolenic acid into the feed on broiler chickens’ performance, fatty acids profile and oxidative stability in chilled breast meat. Seventy eight COBB 500 one-day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups with three replications and fattened for 42 days. During the first 21 days, all broilers consumed the starter diet. After three weeks, broilers were fed the grower diet; controls were fed without the addition of prefermented cereal product; and the experimental group was supplemented with 3% of prefermented product. Higher final body weight (2 688 vs. 2 604 g) and feed conversion ratio were recorded in the experimental group (P> 0.05). The increased GLA content in the experimental diet (0.095 g·kg-1) resulted in a significant increase of GLA, dihomo-GLA and arachidonic acid in the lipids of breast muscle tissue (P< 0.05). Adding prefermented product to the feed also resulted in an increase in total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid in lipids of breast (P< 0.05). The experimental diet produced a significant decrease in the n-6/n-3 ratio (from 10.00 to 8.14). Storage of breast muscles with a higher PUFA in chilling conditions led to a decrease in oxidative stability when the values of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) increased (P< 0.05). This is a first study using prefermented cereal product for the fattening of broiler chickens.
Modeling of Filtration Processes—Microfiltration and Depth Filtration for Harvest of a Therapeutic Protein Expressed in Pichia pastoris at Constant Pressure
Authors: Sampath Muthukumar , Shukla Anupam , Rathore Anurag
Published: December 2014

Filtration steps are ubiquitous in biotech processes due to the simplicity of operation, ease of scalability and the myriad of operations that they can be used for. Microfiltration, depth filtration, ultrafiltration and diafiltration are some of the most commonly used biotech unit operations. For clean feed streams, when fouling is minimal, scaling of these unit operations is performed linearly based on the filter area per unit volume of feed stream. However, for cases when considerable fouling occurs, such as the case of harvesting a therapeutic product expressed in Pichia pastoris, linear scaling may not be possible and current industrial practices involve use of 20–30% excess filter area over and above the calculated filter area to account for the uncertainty in scaling. In view of the fact that filters used for harvest are likely to have a very limited lifetime, this oversizing of the filters can add considerable cost of goods for the manufacturer. Modeling offers a way out of this conundrum. In this paper, we examine feasibility of using the various proposed models for filtration of a therapeutic product expressed in Pichia pastoris at constant pressure. It is observed that none of the individual models yield a satisfactory fit of the data, thus indicating that more than one fouling mechanism is at work. Filters with smaller pores were found to undergo fouling via complete pore blocking followed by cake filtration. On the other hand, filters with larger pores were found to undergo fouling via intermediate pore blocking followed by cake filtration. The proposed approach can be used for more accurate sizing of microfilters and depth filters.
Risk-Association of DNMT1 Gene Polymorphisms with Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Peng Chunyan , Deng Qianyun , Li Zuhua , Xiong Chenling , Li Cong , Zheng Fang
Published: December 2014

Recently, a significant epigenetic component in the pathogenesis of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has been realized. Here, we evaluated the possible association of candidate Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the epigenetic-regulatory gene, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), with CAD in Chinese Han population. Five tag SNPs (rs16999593, rs2336691, rs2228611, rs4804494, rs7253062) were analyzed by High Resolution Melt (HRM) method in 476 CAD patients and 478 controls. Overall, there were significant differences in the genotype and allele distributions of rs2228611 and rs2336691, between patients and controls. The minor A allele of rs2228611 was associated with a lower risk of CAD (p = 0.034); modest effect in the additive analysis but also marginal significance was found in the recessive model [ORadditive = 0.404 (0.184, 0.884), p = 0.023 and ORrecessive = 0.452 (0.213, 0.963), p = 0.040] after adjusting for confounders. While the rs2336691 A allele were associated with a higher risk of developing CAD (p = 0.037); borderline significant association in both additive and dominant models [ORadditive = 1.632 (1.030, 2.583), p = 0.037 and ORdominant = 1.599 (1.020, 2.507), p = 0.040]. In conclusion, these data provide the first evidence that occurrence of CAD may be moderated by genetic variation in the gene involved in the epigenetic machinery.
18F-Labeled Peptides: The Future Is Bright
Authors: Richter Susan , Wuest Frank
Published: December 2014

Radiolabeled peptides have been the subject of intense research efforts for targeted diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy over the last 20 years. Peptides offer several advantages for receptor imaging and targeted radiotherapy. The low molecular weight of peptides allows for rapid clearance from the blood and non-target tissue, which results in favorable target-to-non-target ratios. Moreover, peptides usually display good tissue penetration and they are generally non-immunogenic. A major drawback is their potential low metabolic stability. The majority of currently used radiolabeled peptides for targeted molecular imaging and therapy of cancer is labeled with various radiometals like 99mTc, 68Ga, and 177Lu. However, over the last decade an increasing number of 18F-labeled peptides have been reported. Despite of obvious advantages of 18F like its ease of production in large quantities at high specific activity, the low β+ energy (0.64 MeV) and the favorable half-life (109.8 min), 18F-labeling of peptides remains a special challenge. The first part of this review will provide a brief overview on chemical strategies for peptide labeling with 18F. A second part will discuss recent technological advances for 18F-labeling of peptides with special focus on microfluidic technology, automation, and kit-like preparation of 18F-labeled peptides.
Preparation of Spray-Dried Soy Isoflavone-Loaded Gelatin Microspheres for Enhancement of Dissolution: Formulation, Characterization and in Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Panizzon Gean , Bueno Fernanda , Ueda-Nakamura Tânia , Nakamura Celso , Dias Filho Benedito
Published: December 2014

The most bioactive soy isoflavones (SI), daidzein (DAI) and genistein (GEN) have poor water solubility, which reduces their bioavailability and health benefits and limits their use in industry. The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a new gelatin matrix to microencapsulate DAI and GEN from soy extract (SE) by spray drying, in order to obtain solid dispersions to overcome solubility problems and to allow controlled release. The influences of 1:2 (MP2) and 1:3 (MP3) SE/polymer ratios on the solid state, yield, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, release kinetics and cumulative release were evaluated. Analyses showed integral microparticles and high drug content. MP3 and MP2 yield were 43.6% and 55.9%, respectively, with similar mean size (p > 0.05), respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed the amorphous solid state of SE. In vitro release tests showed that dissolution was drastically increased. The results indicated that SE microencapsulation might offer a good system to control SI release, as an alternative to improve bioavailability and industrial applications.
Evaluation of Rapidly Disintegrating Vaginal Tablets of Tenofovir, Emtricitabine and Their Combination for HIV-1 Prevention
Authors: Clark Meredith , Peet M. , Davis Sarah , Doncel Gustavo , Friend David
Published: December 2014

Vaginal tablets are being developed as an alternative to gels as an inexpensive, discreet dosage form for the administration of microbicides. This work describes the pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluation of rapidly disintegrating vaginal tablets containing tenofovir (TFV, 10 mg), emtricitabine (FTC, 10 mg), and the combination of TFV and FTC (10 mg each) under in vitro and in vivo conditions, and in direct comparison to the clinical TFV 1% gel, a microbicide product in Phase III clinical testing. The PK of TFV and FTC from tablets were also evaluated in female rabbits following intravaginal administration. Direct comparison of a single dose of TFV tablets (intact or predissolved at 10 mg/mL) and TFV 1% gel showed no differences in the vaginal PK of TFV between groups; however systemic bioavailability of TFV was significantly higher from the gel. When rabbits were dosed either once or daily for seven days with intact tablets of TFV, FTC, or the combination of TFV/FTC, vaginal and systemic concentrations of TFV and FTC were unaffected by co-formulation. Moreover, plasma PK parameters were similar following a single dose or seven once-daily doses. Tissue concentrations of TFV and FTC in the cranial vagina 4 h after administration ranged between 104 and 105 ng/g. Concentrations of TFV-diphospate (TFV-DP, the active metabolite) were also high (over 103 ng/g or about 3000 to 6000 fmol/mg) in the cranial vagina 4 h after administration and similar to those measured following administration of TFV 1% gel. These data demonstrate that rapidly disintegrating vaginal tablets may be a suitable topical microbicide dosage form providing similar vaginal TFV PK to that of TFV 1% gel. The data also support co-administration of FTC with TFV in a single vaginal tablet to create a combination microbicide in a simple and inexpensive dosage form.
Penetration Characteristics of Air, Carbon Dioxide and Helium Transverse Sonic Jets in Mach 5 Cross Flow
Authors: Erdem Erinc , Kontis Konstantinos , Saravanan Selvaraj
Published: December 2014

An experimental investigation of sonic air, CO2 and Helium transverse jets in Mach 5 cross flow was carried out over a flat plate. The jet to freestream momentum flux ratio, J, was kept the same for all gases. The unsteady flow topology was examined using high speed schlieren visualisation and PIV. Schlieren visualisation provided information regarding oscillating jet shear layer structures and bow shock, Mach disc and barrel shocks. Two-component PIV measurements at the centreline, provided information regarding jet penetration trajectories. Barrel shocks and Mach disc forming the jet boundary were visualised/quantified also jet penetration boundaries were determined. Even though J is kept the same for all gases, the penetration patterns were found to be remarkably different both at the nearfield and the farfield. Air and CO2 jet resulted similar nearfield and farfield penetration pattern whereas Helium jet spread minimal in the nearfield.
DOES REAL ESTATE TRANSPARENCY MATTER FOR FOREIGN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS?
Authors: Farzanegan Mohammad Reza , Fereidouni Hassan Gholipour
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of real estate transparency (RET) on foreign real estate investments (FREI). Most of the previous studies have argued that the free flow of information and the fair and consistent application of local property laws could attract greater amounts of FREI. Using observations from 32 countries covering 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 and applying fixed-effect and the generalized method of moments (GMM) techniques, our empirical results reveal that RET is not a major determinant of FREI. However, we find that the effect of RET on FREI is dependent on its interaction with the level of income implying that the higher the level of income in the host country, the higher the effect of RET on FREI. Finally, the results show that foreign direct investment (FDI) in other sector, market size and property prices are important determinants of FREI.
THE EFFECTS OF MONETARY POLICY ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT IN CHINA: A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Wei Yigang , Lam Patrick T. I. , Chiang Yat Hung , Leung Barbara Y. P.
Published: December 2014

Monetary policy on real estate investment in China has had varying impacts across the country due to regional differences. A supply-determined model is used to measure the policy effects on property investment volume based on a set of regional data from 2003 to 2010. This research yields several important findings contributing to an understanding of uneven policy effects on the unbalanced regional markets. Firstly, it is revealed that the eastern coastal provinces in China have a higher dependence on bank loans for housing investment than that of the other inland provinces. Secondly, this research has disentangled the specific transmission channels of monetary policy in the property market. Bank loan supply, instead of interest rates, would be a potentially effective policy tool for the government in making property market adjustment. Thirdly, the eastern coastal provinces are more sensitive in their responses to the changes of monetary stances than the other non-coastal central and western provinces. Therefore, the government must take note of the significant heterogeneity arising from the regional differences in estimating the policy impacts, although monetary policy is uniformly employed in the nation most of the time.
DETERMINING APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES FOR CONCESSION CONTRACT: LESSONS LEARNED FROM 10 PPP PROJECTS IN CHINA
Authors: Xu Yelin , Yeung John F. Y. , Jiang Shaohua
Published: December 2014

Governments worldwide are keen to encourage PPP schemes, however PPP is not a foolproof business. Many local governments and private investors have suffered severe or trying experiences. In this research, 10 case studies were conducted to identify the obstacles and difficulties for successful implementation of PPP projects from the perspective of government guarantees. These PPP projects include two water supply plants, two sewage treatment plants, two power supply plants, two highway projects, and two bridge projects. The findings obtained indicate that the local governments are familiar with “the type of guarantees” to provide to the private investor but they are unsure of the “amount” that should be given. Many PPP projects have therefore been heavily criticized for over benefiting the private investors as the government provides them with too many guarantees. The inappropriate guarantees offered by the government are regarded as one of the root causes of PPP projects’ failure. The lessons learned are valuable for determining appropriate government guarantees for future PPP projects and broadening the opportunities for infrastructure development with PPP procurement model.
Edward W. Said et Raymond Williams : débat sur la culture impériale
Authors: Garnier Xavier
Published: December 2014

L’hypothèse, défendue par Edward Said dans Culture et Impérialisme , selon laquelle le monde occidental aurait justifié sa domination impériale sur le reste du monde par une survalorisation de sa propre culture, est largement redevable des travaux de Raymond Williams, le fondateur des Cultural Studies. Le combat politique que mène Williams pour une prise en compte des cultures populaires dans la configuration du corps social au niveau national, doit pour Said être repensé dans un cadre impérial, caractérisé par la réification des cultures dominées et leur hiérarchisation. La lutte engagée par Williams pour un débat démocratique sur l’hégémonie culturelle au sein de la nation suppose un consensus sur l’homogénéité d’un peuple. Cette homogénéité est rendue impossible à l’échelle impériale en raison des cloisonnements raciaux mis en place par l’impérialisme colonial. Le matérialisme culturel de Raymond Williams, ses analyses sur le rôle des diasporas dans les avant-gardes artistiques européennes, permettent à Said de penser, parfois contre les perspectives trop nationales de Williams lui-même, les conditions matérielles d’une propagation mondiale d’expériences culturelles dégagées du carcan impérial.
Edward W. Said : mondanité et performance
Authors: Elmarsafy Ziad
Published: December 2014

Bien qu’Edward Said soit connu avant tout comme l’auteur d’ Orientalism (1978) et de Culture and Imperialism (1993), le rapport entre ces titres et le reste de son œuvre reste largement méconnu. Le but de cet article est de présenter une généalogie critique de certains mots clefs de l’idiome saidien. L’argument se base sur l’équation Texte = Mondanité + Performance. La mondanité ( worldliness ), terme par lequel Said s’approprie l’idée de l’engagement politique, exige une prise en compte des conditions sociopolitiques de la production et de la réception de la littérature. La performance s’étend à tout ce qui permet au texte littéraire de se dégager de cette toile de fond et de faire appel à d’autres textes et d’autres idées. Dans l’espace entre la mondanité et la performance, d’autres concepts tirés du lexique saidien – secular criticism, tory anarchy, invention – s’ajoutent pour donner une nouvelle définition de la littérature et de la critique littéraire au prisme de l’esthétique et de la politique.
Edward W. Said : le scientifique et le biographique
Authors: Bridet Guillaume
Published: December 2014

Lorsqu’il publie Out of Place en 1999, Said n’est pas le premier chercheur à livrer des mémoires au public, mais il livre toutefois des confidences fort intimes plutôt inattendues. C’est tout l’intérêt de ce livre qui raconte sa vie entre 1935, année de sa naissance, et 1962, année de son doctorat. Notre but n’est pas de réduire la pensée de Said aux conditions de sa vie mais de montrer quels étaient les différents possibles qui se présentaient à lui. Car rien n’était joué : à la souffrance des déchirements identitaires, il était possible d’apporter d’autres réponses, bien plus agressives et dangereuses, que la déconstruction des identités aliénantes transformées en outils de domination. Dire cela, c’est souligner l’extraordinaire processus de sublimation auquel donna lieu l’œuvre de Said.
Piano et presse musicale française ( xviii e - xxi e siècles) : enjeux artistiques et sociaux
Authors: Pistone Danièle
Published: December 2014

Le xix e  siècle vit naître l’âge d’or de la presse française, tout comme le piano devint à cette époque l’instrument favori de la bourgeoisie. Pareille concomitance méritait d’être étudiée de plus près. Fondé sur la publication d’un récent panorama de quelque 4 000 périodiques musicaux, le présent article cherche à montrer comment, vu à travers ce prisme, le piano reflète bien quelques tendances nationales, pourquoi les journaux consacrés à cet instrument ont peiné à se maintenir, quelles furent et sont actuellement pour eux les conditions de la réussite La place et la fonction du piano ont certes évolué du xviii e  siècle à nos jours – où le clavier digital a souvent remplacé l’instrument acoustique – mais de nombreuses caractéristiques de ces textes journalistiques sont demeurées semblables dans leur intention, du premier périodique de cette spécialité ( Le Pianiste , 1833-1835) aux titres français contemporains (Piano, Pianiste...) ; la recette est ancienne : il faut divertir et instruire le lecteur.