bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibro-fluidized bed heat pump drying of mint leaves with respect to phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and color indices
Authors: Ataei Ardestani , Sadeghi Morteza , Beheshti Babak , Minaei Saeid , Hamdami Naser
Published: June 2014

Because of high porosity and stickiness of mint leaves, they could not be
fluidized well during fluidization. In this study, a vibro-fluidized bed
dryer assisted heat pump system was designed and fabricated to overcome this
problem. The drying experiments were carried out at temperatures of 40, 50
and 60 ?C. The quality of the dehydrated samples was assessed based on color
indices, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content. Drying process
primarily occurred in falling rate period. The effective coefficient of
moisture transfer of the samples was increased with air temperature and
varied from 4.26656?10-11 to 2.95872?10-10 m2 s-1 for heat pump drying (HPD)
method, and 3.71918?10-11 to 1.29196?10-10 m2 s-1 for none-heat pump drying
(NHPD) method. The color indices for temperatures of 40 and 50 ?C were very
close to each other, whereas by increasing temperature to 60 ?C, a
remarkable loss of green color was observed. The highest phenolic content
was found in methanolic extract for HPD at 60 ?C, and NHPD at 50 ?C
contained the lowest amount of phenolic compounds. NHPD treatments showed
lower antioxidant activity compared to HPD treatments at the same
temperature due to the longer drying times.
Scoring system development for prediction of extravesical bladder cancer
Authors: Prelevic Rade , Stojadinovic Miroslav , Simic Dejan , Spasic Aleksandar , Petrovic Nikola
Published: June 2014

Background/Aim. Staging of bladder cancer is crucial for optimal management
of the disease. However, clinical staging is not perfectly accurate. The aim
of this study was to derive a simple scoring system in prediction of
pathological advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Methods.
Logistic regression and bootstrap methods were used to create an integer
score for estimating the risk in prediction of pathological advanced MIBC
using precystectomy clinicopathological data: demographic, initial
transurethral resection (TUR) [grade, stage, multiplicity of tumors,
lymphovascular invasion (LVI)], hydronephrosis, abdominal and pelvic CT
radiography (size of the tumor, tumor base width), and pathological stage
after radical cystectomy (RC). Advanced MIBC in surgical specimen was
defined as pT3-4 tumor. Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve
quantified the area under curve (AUC) as predictive accuracy. Clinical
usefulness was assessed by using decision curve analysis. Results. This
single-center retrospective study included 233 adult patients with BC
undergoing RC at the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade. Organ confined
disease was observed in 101 (43.3%) patients, and 132 (56.7%) had advanced
MIBC. In multivariable analysis, 3 risk factors most strongly associated
with advanced MIBC: grade of initial TUR [odds ratio (OR) = 4.7], LVI (OR =
2), and hydronephrosis (OR = 3.9). The resultant total possible score ranged
from 0 to 15, with the cut-off value of > 8 points, the AUC was 0.795,
showing good discriminatory ability. The model showed excellent calibration.
Decision curve analysis showed a net benefit across all threshold
probabilities and clinical usefulness of the model. Conclusion. We developed
a unique scoring system which could assist in predicting advanced MIBC in
patients before RC. The scoring system showed good performance
characteristics and introducing of such a tool into daily clinical
decision-making may lead to more appropriate integration of perioperative
chemotherapy. Clinical value of this model needs to be further assessed in
external validation cohorts.
Caveolin-1 Expression and Cavin Stability Regulate Caveolae Dynamics in Adipocyte Lipid Store Fluctuation
Authors: Briand Nolwenn , Prado Cécilia , Mabilleau Guillaume , Lasnier Françoise , Le Lièpvre Xavier , Covington Jeffrey D. , Ravussin Eric , Le Lay Soazig , Dugail Isabelle
Published: June 2014

Adipocytes specialized in the storage of energy as fat are among the most caveolae-enriched cell types. Loss of caveolae produces lipodystrophic diabetes in humans, which cannot be reversed by endothelial rescue of caveolin expression in mice, indicating major importance of adipocyte caveolae. However, how caveolae participate in fat cell functions is poorly understood. We investigated dynamic conditions of lipid store fluctuations and demonstrate reciprocal regulation of caveolae density and fat cell lipid droplet storage. We identified caveolin-1 expression as a crucial step in adipose cell lines and in mice to raise the density of caveolae, to increase adipocyte ability to accommodate larger lipid droplets, and to promote cell expansion by increased glucose utilization. In human subjects enrolled in a trial of 8 weeks of overfeeding to promote fattening, adipocyte expansion response correlated with initial caveolin-1 expression. Conversely, lipid mobilization in cultured adipocytes to induce lipid droplet shrinkage led to biphasic response of cavin-1 with ultimate loss of expression of cavin-1 and -3 and EHD2 by protein degradation, coincident with caveolae disassembly. We have identified the key steps in cavin/caveolin interplay regulating adipocyte caveolae dynamics. Our data establish that caveolae participate in a unique cell response connected to lipid store fluctuation, suggesting lipid-induced mechanotension in adipocytes.
Light-curing Time and Aging Effects on the Nanomechanical Properties of Methacrylate- and Silorane-based Restorations
Authors: Catelan A , Pollard T , Bedran-Russo AK , Santos PH dos , Ambrosano GMB , Aguiar FHB
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of light-curing time on the nanohardness (H) and reduced elastic modulus (Er) of components (underlying dentin, hybrid layer, adhesive, and composite) of methacrylate- and silorane-based restorations after 24 hours and six months of storage. Class II slot preparations were carried out in human molars (n=3) and restored with methacrylate (Clearfil SE Bond [Kuraray] + Filtek Z250 [3M ESPE]) or silorane (LS restorative system [3M ESPE]) restorative systems and light-cured using light-emitting diode at 1390 mW/cm2 for the recommended manufacturers' time or double time. Restorations were sectioned, and bonded dentin-resin interfaces were embedded in epoxy resin and polished for evaluation with a Berkovich fluid cell tip (TI 700 Ubi-1 nanoindenter, Hysitron). Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). Overall, the H and Er values were higher for methacrylate-based restorations than for silorane materials (p≤0.05), an increase in curing time did not improve the H and Er of the bonded interface components of either material (p>0.05), and aging significantly decreased the mechanical properties of interface components of both resin-based restorative systems (p≤0.05). In general, nanomechanical properties decreased after six months of storage, the methacrylate restorative system exhibited higher H and Er than silorane, and light-curing time did not influence the properties tested.
Comparative Studies of Electrospinning and Solution Blow Spinning Processes for the Production of Nanofibrous Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Materials for Biomedical Engineering
Authors: Wojasiński Michal , Pilarek Maciej , Ciach Tomasz
Published: June 2014

Comparative statistical analysis of the infiuence of processing parameters, for electrospinning (ES) and solution blow spinning (SBS) processes, on nanofibrous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) material morphology and average fiber diameter was conducted in order to identify the key processing parameter for tailoring the product properties. Further, a comparative preliminary biocompatibility evaluation was performed. Based on Design of Experiment (DOE) principles, analysis of standard effects of voltage, air pressure, solution feed rate and concentration, on nanofibers average diameter was performed with the Pareto’s charts and the best fitted surface charts. Nanofibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The preliminary biocompatibility comparative tests were performed based on SEM microphotographs of CP5 cells cultured on materials derived from ES and SBS. Polymer solution concentration was identified as the key parameter infiuencing morphology and dimensions of nanofibrous mat produced from both techniques. In both cases, when polymer concentration increases the average fiber diameter increase. The preliminary biocompatibility test suggests that nanofibers produced by ES as well as SBS are suitable as the biomedical engineering scaffold material.
A shifted Jacobi collocation algorithm for wave type equations with non-local conservation conditions
Authors: Doha Eid , Bhrawy Ali , Abdelkawy Mohammed
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we propose an efficient spectral collocation algorithm to solve numerically wave type equations subject to initial, boundary and non-local conservation conditions. The shifted Jacobi pseudospectral approximation is investigated for the discretization of the spatial variable of such equations. It possesses spectral accuracy in the spatial variable. The shifted Jacobi-Gauss-Lobatto (SJ-GL) quadrature rule is established for treating the non-local conservation conditions, and then the problem with its initial and non-local boundary conditions are reduced to a system of second-order ordinary differential equations in temporal variable. This system is solved by two-stage forth-order A-stable implicit RK scheme. Five numerical examples with comparisons are given. The computational results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more accurate than finite difference method, method of lines and spline collocation approach
Research of some operating parameters and the emissions level variation in a spark ignited engine through on-board investigation methods in different loading conditions
Authors: Iosif Ferenti , Baldean Doru
Published: June 2014

The present paper shows research made on a spark ignited engine with port fuel injection in different operation conditions in order to improve the comprehension about the cold start sequence, acceleration when changing the gear ratios, quality of combustion process and also any measures to be taken for pollutant reduction in such cases. The engineering endeavor encompasses the pollutants investigation during the operation time of gasoline supplied engine with four inline cylinders in different conditions. The temperature and any other parameters were measured with specific sensors installed on the engine or in the exhaust pipes. All the data collected has been evaluated using electronic investigation systems and highly developed equipment. In this manner it has enabled the outline of the idea of how pollutants of engine vary in different operating conditions. Air quality in the everyday environment is very important for the human health, and thus the ambient air quality has a well-known importance in the European pollution standards and legislation. The high level of attention directed to the pollution problem in the European lifestyle is a driving force for all kinds of studies in the field of the reduction of engine emission.
Chronic effects of a monogenean Ligictaluridus floridanus (Ancyrocephalidae) infection on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) growth performance
Authors: Rábago-Castro Jaime Luis , Sánchez-Martínez Jesús Genaro , Pérez-Castañeda Roberto , Vázquez-Sauceda María de la Luz , Ruiz-Orozco Gonzálo
Published: June 2014

In aquaculture, acute infections may result in fish mortality, but in many cases the chronic effects of infections are not readily detected, and may result in a decrease in fish growth.Ligictaluridus floridanusis a gill monogenean parasite prevalent on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)farms in Northeastern Mexico. In order to assess and evaluate the impact of the chronic infection with this monogenean, 400 six-month-old catfish fingerlings from a hatchery, with a fork length of 10–15 cm were used in this study. Catfish naturally infected withL. floridanus(parasite abundance was 18) were divided in two groups of 200 fish. One group was treated with formalin, and infection was eliminated during a week, while the other group was not treated, and was used as a control. In total, 111 fish of each group were selected, placed into aquaria, and observed for 12 weeks. Indicators of growth such as fork length, mean weight, condition index, specific growth rate, feed conversion index and feed consumed were assessed. Significant differences (P< 0.05) between the treated group and control were found in the mean weight (127.85 g and 107.63 g) and specific growth rate (1.79 and 1.58), respectively. No significant differences were found in the other growth indicators assessed. We proved that growth performance of channel catfish is affected by infection withL. floridanus, which influence the farm economy. This is the first report on the effect ofL. floridanuson the growth performance of channel catfish.
Effects of heavy metals and pesticides on survival of Artemia franciscana
Authors: Falis Marcel , Špalková Michaela , Legáth Jaroslav
Published: June 2014

Assessment of the potential risk of pesticides is an important part of registration procedures in many countries. However, risk assessment of several pesticides used during the growing season has not been carried out. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pesticides (azoxystrobin and glyphosate), heavy metals (cadmium chloride, potassium dichromate, zinc disulphate) and their combinations on lethality to Artemia franciscana. In total, 1,250 freshly hatched nauplii of A. franciscana were used in the study. They were placed in 125 Petri dishes (10 nauplii in one Petri dish) containing 10 ml of azoxystrobin, glyphosate, cadmium chloride, potassium dichromate and zinc sulphate separately, or their combinations; the control dish contained only sea water. Each experimental set consisted of 50 nauplii which were divided into five replicates of 10 nauplii per replicate. Live A. franciscana were counted after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h and the numbers were compared with the control group. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in lethality was observed after exposure to azoxystrobin in combination with glyphosate after 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure, in combination with glyphosate and potassium dichromate after 48 h of exposure, and in combination with glyphosate and zinc disulphate after 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure. The results of this study provide information about the combined toxicity of pesticides used during the growing season and some heavy metals as major pollutants of the rural environment. A study of this kind has not been conducted yet. Further research for investigation of the combined toxicity of pollutants and pesticides is required.
Effect of prochloraz fungicide on neopterin and biopterin concentrations in blood plasma of common carp
Authors: Maršálek Petr , Mikulíková Ivana , Modrá Helena , Svobodová Zdeňka
Published: June 2014

Neopterin and biopterin are often used as markers of cell mediated immunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prochloraz on neopterin and biopterin concentrations in blood plasma of common carp as possible indicators for monitoring perturbations of the immune system caused by xenobiotics like pesticides. Prochloraz is a widely used imidazole fungicide in horticulture and agriculture. A total of 60 juvenile common carp were divided into four groups of 15 fish and exposed to prochloraz at concentrations of 0, 50, 150 and 380 µg·l-1, respectively. The total length of exposure was 28 days. Neopterin and biopterin concentrations were determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Our results indicated that concentrations of neopterin (25 ± 7.6 nmol·l-1) and biopterin (190 ± 29 nmol·l-1) in plasma of untreated common carp were comparable with those in mammals. Neopterin concentrations significantly (P < 0.01) increased after exposure to prochloraz in comparison to non-exposed fish, while biopterin concentrations were not influenced by exposure to prochloraz. This study contains new data on neopterin and biopterin concentrations in fish plasma and investigates neopterin and biopterin in their non-traditional role as markers of cell mediated immunity of fish associated with pesticide exposure.
Characteristics of Stabilizer Muscles: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sangwan Sangeeta , Green Rodney A. , Taylor Nicholas F.
Published: June 2014

Purpose: To identify the main characteristics, based on available evidence, of stabilizer muscles to inform the development of a definition of stabilizer muscles. Methods: Electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant literature from the databases' inception to June 2013 using keywords related to stability, muscles, and characteristics of stabilizer muscles. Studies that provided at least one characteristic of a stabilizer muscle were included. For the quality assessment, all included articles were categorized as either experimental or opinion-based studies. Methodological quality was assessed using a customized checklist, and data were analyzed with a narrative synthesis involving content analysis. The number of articles providing either direct evidence supporting a link between the characteristic and joint stability or indirect evidence that a muscle considered to be a stabilizer has that characteristic determined the level of significance of that characteristic for stabilizer muscles. Results: A total of 77 studies met the inclusion criteria. The highest number of articles providing supporting evidence that a particular muscle characteristic plays a stabilizing role related to biomechanical characteristics (27 articles), followed by neurological characteristics (22 articles) and anatomical/physiological characteristics (4 articles). Conclusion: Based on a synthesis of supporting evidence from the literature, stabilizer muscles can be defined as muscles that contribute to joint stiffness by co-contraction and show an early onset of activation in response to perturbation via either a feed-forward or a feedback control mechanism. These results may guide researchers to investigate which muscles exhibit these characteristics to determine whether particular muscles have a stabilizer rather than a prime mover role during normal functioning.
Observations and Performances “with distinction” by Physical Therapy Students in Clinical Education: Analysis of Checkboxes on the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT-CPI) over a 4-Year Period
Authors: Norman Kathleen E. , Booth Randy
Published: June 2014

Purpose: To describe how often the 24 performance criteria of the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT-CPI) were not observed and how often they were rated exceptionally well for physical therapy (PT) students in relation to clinical placement descriptors. Methods: Indicators of “not observed,” performance “with distinction,” and “significant concerns” were tabulated from 1,460 clinical placements between 2008 and 2012. The rates for these indicators were evaluated with respect to catchment area, practice setting (hospital/institutional or community-based), practice area (musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, neurology, paediatrics, geriatrics, or variety), and level (junior to senior). Results: Of the 24 PT-CPI criteria, 15 had observation rates >95%. Of the other nine criteria, some showed significant differences in observation rates across level, practice setting, and practice area. Ratings of “with distinction” were awarded most often for criteria related to professionalism and communication and were awarded more often in community-based settings than in hospital/institutional settings. For some criteria, “with distinction” was awarded more often in paediatrics placements than in other areas. The “significant concerns” checkboxes were rarely used. Conclusions: The overall observation rates were very similar to those reported elsewhere. The findings related to performance “with distinction” and observation rates relative to setting and practice area are new contributions to physical therapy knowledge.
A standardized protocol to reduce pediatric spine surgery infection: a quality improvement initiative
Authors: Ryan Sheila L. , Sen Anish , Staggers Kristen , Luerssen Thomas G. , Jea Andrew
Published: June 2014

Object

Quality improvement methods are being implemented in various areas of medicine. In an effort to reduce the complex (instrumented) spine infection rate in pediatric patients, a standardized protocol was developed and implemented at an institution with a high case volume of instrumented spine fusion procedures in the pediatric age group.

Methods

Members of the Texas Children's Hospital Spine Study Group developed the protocol incrementally by using the current literature and prior institutional experience until consensus was obtained. The protocol was prospectively applied to all children undergoing complex spine surgery starting August 21, 2012. Acute infections were defined as positive wound cultures within 12 weeks of surgery, defined in alignment with current hospital infection control criteria. Procedures and infections were measured before and after protocol implementation. This protocol received full review and approval of the Baylor College of Medicine institutional review board.

Results

Nine spine surgeons performed 267 procedures between August 21, 2012, and September 30, 2013. The minimum follow-up was 12 weeks. The annual institutional infection rate prior to the protocol (2007–2011) ranged from 3.4% to 8.9%, with an average of 5.8%. After introducing the protocol, the infection rate decreased to 2.2% (6 infections of 267 cases) (p = 0.0362; absolute risk reduction 3.6%; relative risk 0.41 [95% CI 0.18–0.94]). Overall compliance with data form completion was 63.7%. In 4 of the 6 cases of infection, noncompliance with completion of the data collection form was documented; moreover, 2 of the 4 spine surgeons whose patients experienced infections had the lowest compliance rates in the study group.

Conclusions

The standardized protocol for complex spine surgery significantly reduced surgical site infection at the authors' institution. The overall compliance with entry into the protocol was good. Identification of factors associated with post–spine surgery wound infection will allow further protocol refinement in the future.
Orthotopic murine model of a primary malignant bone tumor in the spine: functional, bioluminescence, and histological correlations
Authors: Fahim Daniel K. , Tatsui Claudio E. , Suki Dima , Gumin Joy , Lang Frederick F. , Rhines Laurence D.
Published: June 2014

Object

There is currently no reproducible animal model of human primary malignant bone tumors in the spine to permit laboratory investigation of the human disease. Therefore, the authors sought to adapt their previously developed orthotopic model of spinal metastasis to a model for primary malignant bone tumors of the spine.

Methods

A transperitoneal surgical approach was used to implant osteosarcoma (Krib-1) into the L-3 vertebral body of nude mice via a drill hole. Motor function was evaluated daily using the previously validated qualitative key milestones of tail dragging, dorsal stepping, hindlimb sweeping, and paralysis. A subset of these animals was euthanized upon reaching the various milestones, and the spines were removed, sectioned, and stained. The degree of spinal cord compression was correlated with the occurrence of milestones and assessed by a ratio between the neural elements divided by the area of the spinal canal. Another subset of animals received stably transfected Krib-1 cells with the luciferase gene, and bioluminescence was measured at 10, 20, and 30 days postimplantation.

Results

Osteosarcoma xenografts grew in all animals according to a reliable and reproducible time course; the mean time for development of behavioral milestones was noted in relation to the day of implantation (Day 1). Tail dragging (Milestone 1) occurred on Day 19.06 (95% CI 16.11–22.01), dorsal stepping (Milestone 2) occurred on Day 28.78 (95% CI 26.79–30.77), hindlimb sweeping (Milestone 3) occurred on Day 35.61 (95% CI 32.9–38.32), and paralysis of the hindlimb (Milestone 4) occurred on Day 41.78 (95% CI 39.31–44.25). These clinically observed milestones correlated with increasing compression of the spinal cord on histological sections. The authors observed a progressive increase in the local bioluminescence (in photons/cm2/sec) of the implanted level over time with a mean of 2.17 (range 0.0–8.61) at Day 10, mean 4.68 (range 1.17–8.52) at Day 20, and mean 5.54 (range 1.22–9.99) at Day 30.

Conclusions

The authors have developed the first orthotopic murine model of a primary malignant bone tumor in the spine, in which neurological decline reproducibly correlates with tumor progression as evidenced by pathological confirmation and noninvasive bioluminescence measurements. Although developed for osteosarcoma, this model can be expanded to study other types of primary malignant bone tumors in the spine. This model will potentially allow animal testing of targeted therapies against specific primary malignant tumor types.
The Nazi Comparison in the Debate over Restoration: Nativism and Domination
Authors: Katz Eric
Published: June 2014

In this essay, I discuss the comparison between the restoration of natural environments and the Nazi project to develop a pure homeland for native species and authentic Aryan humans. There exists a metaphorical comparison between Nazi eliminationist policies regarding specific human populations and the eradication of invasive and non-native species in ecological restorations. Moreover, there are substantive environmental policies of the Nazi regime that appear to be similar to the goals and methodology of contemporary restoration practice. But there is also a more fundamental connection: the idea of the domination of the natural world. The idea of domination is the key to understanding both the process of ecological restoration and its real connection to Nazism.
A Historical and Systematic Survey of European Perceptions of Wilderness
Authors: Kirchhoff Thomas , Vicenzotti Vera
Published: June 2014

This paper develops a historical and systematic typology of perceptions of wilderness that exist in contemporary western European cultures. After describing notions of wilderness associated with worldviews that emerged during the Enlightenment period (theological, early Enlightenment, liberalism, democratism) and as a critical response to it (Rousseauism, early Romanticism, English and German conservatism), we outline four recent transformations of these traditional notions of wilderness: wilderness as an ecological object, as a place of nature's self-reassertion, as a place of thrill and as a sphere of amorality and meaninglessness. In our conclusion, we suggest what practical relevance arises from such a nuanced understanding of the inherently ambiguous concept of wilderness.
Looking Backwards into a Mediterranean Edge Environment: Landscape Changes in El Congost Valley (Catalonia), 1850-2005
Authors: Tello Enric , Valldeperas Natàlia , Ollés Anna , Marull Joan , Coll Francesc , Warde Paul , Wilcox Paul Thomas
Published: June 2014

We examine the evolution from the mid-nineteenth century to the present of the cultural landscape in two Catalan townships that jointly constitute an edge environment between Mediterranean plain and mountain. This environmental edge has changed over time, from a border between an agricultural plain confronting an area of forestry and livestock-raising in the mid-nineteenth century, to a limit of the Barcelona Metropolitan Region confronting two 'natural' protected sites in the present. Over a century and a half land use changes in this area have brought about the two main, but superficially 'opposed' dynamics that characterise landscape evolution throughout Catalonia and great parts of Europe today: intensification and abandonment. The most salient ecological impact of both processes has been the loss of landscape mosaics. In the plain those mosaics interwove cereal cropping with vineyards and olive orchards together with patches of woodland, scrubland and pastureland into an agricultural land matrix. In the mountains, a woodland matrix of holm oaks and pines became cleared through timber and firewood extraction, and the pruning of branches for charcoal making, creating a mixture of open forest articulated by grazing areas, cropland and scrub. Both sides of the edge interlinked, and jointly played a key role as ecological connectors to maintain biodiversity. From the 1960s onwards the ecological dynamics attendant upon the abandonment of the prevailing integrated management of forests, livestock breeding and cropland has led to a significant loss of these landscape mosaics. In spite of the transformation of much of this area into natural protected sites, the growth of a uniform and continuous reforested woodland canopy, directly confronted with urban sprawl, is endangering its richness in terms of species - such as Mediterranean orchids, whose habitats are disappearing.
The Sludge Question: The Regulation of Mine Tailings in Nineteenth-Century Victoria
Authors: Lawrence Susan , Davies Peter
Published: June 2014

Mining waste was a significant environmental problem in nineteenth-century Victoria, an Australian colony dependent on gold mining for its economic prosperity. Sludge from alluvial (placer) workings and hard-rock mining flowed into rivers across the colony causing significant damage and disruption to downstream communities. The sludge problem was eventually resolved by the passage of legislation early in the twentieth century. The struggle to control sludge reveals changes in public perception over a fifty-year period, from acceptance of sludge as an inevitable consequence of industry to the identification of sludge as pollution that should be eliminated. Significantly, at a time when the cost of dealing with noxious waste from other industries was still being borne by the public purse, the anti-sludge legislation held the mining industry responsible for its own pollution and required gold miners to return clean water to river systems.
Some Unintended Consequences of Metaphors: The Case of Capital in Intellectual Capital Research
Authors: Marzo Giuseppe
Published: June 2014

The paper focuses on the consequences that the metaphorical use of the concept of capital can generate on research on Intellectual Capital. Consequences here analysed refer to: 1) the understanding of IC as being composed of homogenous and separable units; 2) those that are assets; 3) those expected to be under the proprietorship of someone; and 4) those expressible in monetary terms on the balance sheet. The analysis of consequences also offers some insights into overcoming the capital metaphor in favour of a sharper differentiation between the concepts at the basis of the traditional notion of capital, and the ones at the basis of IC.
Risk Disclosures in the Annual Reports of Italian Listed Companies
Authors: Neri Lorenzo , Russo Antonella
Published: June 2014

The study examines the relevance of risk reporting in the field of firm voluntary disclosure with an empirical work on Italian listed firms. The motivation of this study is the implementation of the Directive 51/2003/CE in Italy (D.Lgs. 32/2007), a sample of companies listed on the Italian Stock Exchange is selected to investigate the relationship between risk disclosure and company characteristics. This paper explores whether there are significant increases in risk reporting over a period of five years and investigates if risk disclosure is influenced only by new law requirement or also by other possible drivers. A content analysis is performed to obtain a measure of risk narrative disclosure. Then several hypothesis tests are carried out to verify whether there are any corporate differences between companies with different levels of risk disclosure, using univariate and multivariate analysis. Our results on the first question document significant increases in Italian companies' levels of risk disclosures. We find also that the disclosure is not only determined by the new law requirements but also by other drivers such as company size.
Continuity and Change in the Treatment of Frightening Subject Matter: Contemporary Retellings of Classical Mythology for Children in the Low Countries
Authors: Geerts Sylvie
Published: June 2014

Ever since its origins, children's literature has dealt with frightening subject matter. The forms of such frightening fiction for children are, however, continuously changing. Retellings of classical mythology are a case in point as myths contain subjects that might be considered a threat to the romantic notion of the innocent child. As such, a focus upon the way authors deal with sex, death and violence in retellings of classical mythology reveals how the paradoxical impulses that govern the act of retelling – that is, a desire for preserving and challenging cultural tradition – alter under the influence of society's changing ideas about children and their literature.

This paper concentrates on the rich and vivid tradition of retelling classical myths in the Low Countries. Shifts in the choice of pretext and in the age of the intended audience reveal a change of attitude towards frightening subjects in classical myths during the last decades. A closer look at retellings of the creation myths, dealing with sexual and lethal violence between parents and children, and the subject of death in the myth of Orpheus shows how the retellings of frightening myths range from unequivocal presentations as cautionary tales to demanding narratives generating unfixed meanings.
Traitorousness, Invisibility and Animism: An Ecocritical Reading of Nnedi Okorafor's West African Novels for Children
Authors: Curry Alice
Published: June 2014

The porous boundaries between the earthly and spiritual in many traditional cultures have prompted Cameroonian writer Jacques Fame Ndongo to suggest the appropriateness of an African ‘cosmocriticism’ in place of the more western ‘ecocriticism’. Godfrey B. Tangwa similarly proffers the term ‘eco-bio-communitarianism’ to describe a traditionally African mode of being-in-the-world in which ‘human beings tend to be more cosmically humble and therefore not only more respectful of other people but also more cautious in their attitude to plants, animals, and inanimate things, and to the various invisible forces of the world’. The foundational importance of these ‘invisible forces’ to much West African writing destabilises western understandings of human subjectivity by calling attention to the artificiality of the stable dichotomies between self and other, human and nonhuman on which successive instantiations of Enlightenment humanism have been built. Using Val Plumwood's ecofeminist notion of ‘traitorousness’ to explore the subversive potential of US-Nigerian author Nnedi Okorafor's ‘organic fantasy’, I argue that this type of conceptual dismantling has significant implications for ecocriticism, as it is practised in both postcolonial and western contexts.
Translation of Children's Literature in Iran and the Dichotomy of Identities
Authors: Tajeddini Shahrzad , Sharififar Masoud
Published: June 2014

As a neglected literary field in Iran, children's literature suffers a low domestic production and consequently the market is dominated by imported western books. Iranian translators have taken this opportunity to try to introduce children to new concepts from other cultures in hope of raising the level of tolerance and respect for ‘the other’ among them in a world dominated by the rhetoric of war. But young readers’ knowledge is limited; therefore they cannot be expected to comprehend the representations of other cultures which are taken for granted in adults’ literature. There emerges a conflict of norms in choosing to privilege domestication or foreignisation and thence local or global identity. In this study, four British children's books by Roald Dahl were chosen and compared with their Persian translations to find the main concerns of the translators in dealing with identity-reflecting items as classified by Helen T. Frank's research into translating for children, and thence to establish the most frequent type of identity encouraged by Persian translators for young readers. The article concludes that international understanding has been the main concern of Persian translators and global identity was more recurrently promoted by them.
The End of Being British?
Authors: Bechhofer Frank , McCrone David
Published: June 2014

As the 2014 Referendum on Scottish independence approaches, a question which many people see as crucial is: have the British ceased to be British? In particular, have the Scots ceased to be British, and are there signs that the English are following the same path away from state identity? This article reviews evidence from British and Scottish Social Attitudes surveys, to show that there is no simple dichotomy between ‘national’ (Scottish or English) identity, and ‘state’ (British) identity. A majority of people in both Scotland and England take some pride in being British. In Scotland, although people are more strongly ‘Scottish’, they do not take a negative view of Britain's past or its erstwhile Empire and they see ‘British’ as a multicultural and unifying label. The data show that ‘Britain’ remains a salient and meaningful frame of reference, even though fewer and fewer people in England and Scotland define their own identity primarily as British. If they choose not to define themselves as British, this is a positive decision, not one they make because they think Britishness is a concept devoid of meaning.
‘Our Friends in the North’: Responses to the Independence Debate in the North East and Cumbria
Authors: Shaw Keith
Published: June 2014

The increasingly contested nature of the debate on Scottish independence has served to reinforce deeply-rooted fears in the North East and Cumbria over the economic implications of a more powerful Scotland. If anything, recent fraternal overtures from the Scottish Government have tended to lead to a hardening of the attitudes of those initially opposed to independence. However, this article also captures other responses which are underpinned by a clear sense of the common bond that exists between the North East, Cumbria and Scotland. Different conclusions have been drawn from this sense of being close ‘neighbours’, ‘cousins’ or ‘friends’. For some, independence will fracture this close relationship, while for others the possibility of an independent Scotland should be used to gain leverage when arguing for devolving greater power within England itself. There are also signs that a more hopeful view is emerging just south of the border: one that has used the deliberative opportunities created by the referendum campaign to highlight how greater cross-border collaboration could be taken forward irrespective of the outcome of the September 18th vote.
Bacteriophages and Biofilms
Authors: Harper David , Parracho Helena , Walker James , Sharp Richard , Hughes Gavin , Werthén Maria , Lehman Susan , Morales Sandra
Published: June 2014

Biofilms are an extremely common adaptation, allowing bacteria to colonize hostile environments. They present unique problems for antibiotics and biocides, both due to the nature of the extracellular matrix and to the presence within the biofilm of metabolically inactive persister cells. Such chemicals can be highly effective against planktonic bacterial cells, while being essentially ineffective against biofilms. By contrast, bacteriophages seem to have a greater ability to target this common form of bacterial growth. The high numbers of bacteria present within biofilms actually facilitate the action of bacteriophages by allowing rapid and efficient infection of the host and consequent amplification of the bacteriophage. Bacteriophages also have a number of properties that make biofilms susceptible to their action. They are known to produce (or to be able to induce) enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix. They are also able to infect persister cells, remaining dormant within them, but re-activating when they become metabolically active. Some cultured biofilms also seem better able to support the replication of bacteriophages than comparable planktonic systems. It is perhaps unsurprising that bacteriophages, as the natural predators of bacteria, have the ability to target this common form of bacterial life.
Fibrogenesis and Carcinogenesis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): Involvement of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase (TIMPs)
Authors: Okazaki Isao , Noro Takuji , Tsutsui Nobuhiro , Yamanouchi Eigoro , Kuroda Hajime , Nakano Masayuki , Yokomori Hiroaki , Inagaki Yutaka
Published: June 2014

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging worldwide because life-styles have changed to include much over-eating and less physical activity. The clinical and pathophysiological features of NASH are very different from those of HBV- and HCV-chronic liver diseases. The prognosis of NASH is worse among those with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and some NASH patients show HCC with or without cirrhosis. In the present review we discuss fibrogenesis and the relationship between fibrosis and HCC occurrence in NASH to clarify the role of MMPs and TIMPs in both mechanisms. Previously we proposed MMP and TIMP expression in the multi-step occurrence of HCC from the literature based on viral-derived HCC. We introduce again these expressions during hepatocarcinogenesis and compare them to those in NASH-derived HCC, although the relationship with hepatic stem/progenitor cells (HPCs) invasion remains unknown. Signal transduction of MMPs and TIMPs is also discussed because it is valuable for the prevention and treatment of NASH and NASH-derived HCC.
Diagnosis and Management of Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Current Trends and Controversies
Authors: Swanson Mark , Sinha Uttam
Published: June 2014

Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous malignancy with a predilection for regional and distant metastasis. This malignancy presents most commonly on the head and neck of elderly Caucasian males, with a higher prevalence in the immunosuppressed. A high index of suspicion must be maintained due to the often asymptomatic presentation. Lip tumors, scalp tumors, local invasion, nodal metastasis, distant metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion are poor prognostic factors. Up to 8.7% of patients present with distant metastasis, and PET-CT is an accurate staging tool with a 90% sensitivity. Combined aggressive surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy affords the best regional control rates. The regional lymphatics must be addressed with either sentinel lymph node biopsy, surgery, or elective radiation due to the risk of occult metastasis. Addition of chemotherapy has no proven benefit in locoregional control.
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus: Molecular Insights into the Most Recently Discovered Human Tumour Virus
Authors: Stakaitytė Gabrielė , Wood Jennifer , Knight Laura , Abdul-Sada Hussein , Adzahar Noor , Nwogu Nnenna , Macdonald Andrew , Whitehouse Adrian
Published: June 2014

A fifth of worldwide cancer cases have an infectious origin, with viral infection being the foremost. One such cancer is Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive skin malignancy. In 2008, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was discovered as the causative agent of MCC. It is found clonally integrated into the majority of MCC tumours, which require MCPyV oncoproteins to survive. Since its discovery, research has begun to reveal the molecular virology of MCPyV, as well as how it induces tumourigenesis. It is thought to be a common skin commensal, found at low levels in healthy individuals. Upon loss of immunosurveillance, MCPyV reactivates, and a heavy viral load is associated with MCC pathogenesis. Although MCPyV is in many ways similar to classical oncogenic polyomaviruses, such as SV40, subtle differences are beginning to emerge. These unique features highlight the singular position MCPyV has as the only human oncogenic polyomavirus, and open up new avenues for therapies against MCC.
Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) and Her2 in Adenocarcinomas of the Esophagus
Authors: Slotta-Huspenina Julia , Becker Karl-Friedrich , Feith Marcus , Walch Axel , Langer Rupert
Published: June 2014

Her2 overexpression and amplification can be found in a significant subset of esophageal adenocarcinomas. The activity of Her2 has been shown to be modulated by molecular chaperones such as HSP90. We analyzed expression/amplification data for HSP90 and Her2 on 127 primary resected esophageal adenocarcinomas in order to evaluate a possible relationship between these two molecules. HSP90 expression determined by immunohistochemistry was observed in various levels. Thirty nine (39) tumors (30.7%) were classified as Her2-positive according to their immunoreactivity and amplification status. There was a significant correlation between HSP90 expression and Her2-status (p = 0.008). This could also be demonstrated by quantitative protein expression analysis with reverse phase protein arrays (r = 0.9; p < 0.001). Her2-status was associated withpT-category (p = 0.041), lymph node metastases (p = 0.049) and tumor differentiation (p = 0.036) with a higher percentage of cases with negative Her2 status in lower tumor stagesA negative Her2-status was also associated with better survival in univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014). For HSP90, no associations between clinical and pathological parameters were found. The observed association between HSP90 expression and Her2 suggests a co-regulation of these molecules in at least a subset of esophageal adenocarcinomas. Anti-HSP90 drugs, which recently have been introduced in cancer treatment, may also be an option for these tumors by targeting HSP90 alone or in combination with Her2.
TRPV Channels in Mast Cells as a Target for Low-Level-Laser Therapy
Authors: Wang Lina , Zhang Di , Schwarz Wolfgang
Published: June 2014

Low-level laser irradiation in the visible as well as infrared range is applied to skin for treatment of various diseases. Here we summarize and discuss effects of laser irradiation on mast cells that leads to degranulation of the cells. This process may contribute to initial steps in the final medical effects. We suggest that activation of TRPV channels in the mast cells forms a basis for the underlying mechanisms and that released ATP and histamine may be putative mediators for therapeutic effects.
Duality of Maximum Entropy and Minimum Divergence
Authors: Eguchi Shinto , Komori Osamu , Ohara Atsumi
Published: June 2014

We discuss a special class of generalized divergence measures by the use of generator functions. Any divergence measure in the class is separated into the difference between cross and diagonal entropy. The diagonal entropy measure in the class associates with a model of maximum entropy distributions; the divergence measure leads to statistical estimation via minimization, for arbitrarily giving a statistical model. The dualistic relationship between the maximum entropy model and the minimum divergence estimation is explored in the framework of information geometry. The model of maximum entropy distributions is characterized to be totally geodesic with respect to the linear connection associated with the divergence. A natural extension for the classical theory for the maximum likelihood method under the maximum entropy model in terms of the Boltzmann-Gibbs-Shannon entropy is given. We discuss the duality in detail for Tsallis entropy as a typical example.