bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid detection of live methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by using an integrated microfluidic system capable of ethidium monoazide pre-treatment and molecular diagnosis
Authors: Liu Yu-Hsin , Wang Chih-Hung , Wu Jiunn-Jong , Lee Gwo-Bin
Published: September 2012

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium resistant to all existing penicillin and lactam-based antimicrobial drugs and, therefore, has become one of the most prevalent antibiotic-resistant pathogens found in hospitals. The multi-drug resistant characteristics of MRSA make it challenging to clinically treat infected patients. Therefore, early diagnosis of MRSA has become a public-health priority worldwide. Conventionally, cell-culture based methodology and microscopic identification are commonly used for MRSA detection. However, they are relatively time-consuming and labor-intensive. Recently, molecular diagnosis based on nucleic acid amplification techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), has been widely investigated for the rapid detection of MRSA. However, genomic DNA of both live and dead pathogens can be distinguished by conventional PCR. These results thus could not provide sufficient confirmation of an active infection for clinicians. In this study, live MRSA was rapidly detected by using a new integrated microfluidic system. The microfluidic system has been demonstrated to have 100% specificity to detect live MRSA with S. aureus and other pathogens commonly found in hospitals. The experimental results showed that the limit of detection for live MRSA from biosamples was approximately 102 CFU/μl. In addition, the entire diagnostic protocol, from sample pre-treatment to fluorescence observation, can be automatically completed within 2.5 h. Consequently, this microfluidic system may be a powerful tool for the rapid molecular diagnosis of live MRSA.
Far field subwavelength imaging of magnetic patterns
Authors: Ourir Abdelwaheb , Lerosey Geoffroy , Lemoult Fabrice , Fink Mathias , de Rosny Julien
Published: September 2012

Far field imaging of subwavelength magnetic objects in real time is a very challenging issue. We propose an original solution based on a planar array of closely spaced split ring resonators. Hybridization between the resonators of such metalens induces subwavelength modes with different frequencies. Thanks to these high Q resonating modes, Purcell like effect allows an evanescent source, close to the metalens, to emit waves that can be collected efficiently in the far field. We present the first microwave experimental demonstration of such metalens to image of a subwavelength magnetic pattern. Numerical simulation shows that this approach is still valid at THz frequencies.
Some applications of the Lee-Yang theorem
Authors: Fröhlich Jürg , Rodriguez Pierre-François
Published: September 2012

For lattice systems of statistical mechanics satisfying a Lee-Yang property (i.e., for which the Lee-Yang circle theorem holds), we present a simple proof of analyticity of (connected) correlations as functions of an external magnetic field h, for \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\textrm {Re} \ \! h \ne 0$\end{document} Re h≠0. A survey of models known to have the Lee-Yang property is given. We conclude by describing various applications of the aforementioned analyticity in h.
Defect induced high photocurrent in solution grown vertically aligned ZnO nanowire array films
Authors: Kushwaha Ajay , Aslam M.
Published: September 2012

Highly oriented and homogeneously distributed single crystalline zinc oxide nanowires (NWs) are fabricated on amorphous glass substrates using soft solution growth approach. The nanowire films and sol-gel grown ZnO films are devised and tested for UV light detection applying four-probe conductivity measurements. As-grown ZnO NWs film device demonstrates three orders enhancement (sensitivity = 440) in conductivity at room temperature under an illumination of 365 nm UV light, while the sol-gel based thick film reveals two orders of enhancement in device conductance. A clear correlation of conductivity and photoluminescence measurements suggest that surface oxygen vacancies (singly charged/Vo+) which render higher green defect luminescence intensity (IG/IUV = 1.8) in ZnO NWs leads to poor dark conductance and higher photo-conductance. Post growth annealing of nanowire arrays either in air (IG/IUV = 0.85) or oxygen ambience (IG/IUV = 0.38) results in reduction of green defects and corresponding suppression of photocurrent. Higher concentration of surface traps also leads to persistent photocurrent due to ionization of oxygen vacancies and creation of perturb host states under UV light excitation.
Comment on “A nanopositioner for scanning probe microscopy: The KoalaDrive” [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 023703 (2012)]
Authors: Lu Qingyou , Wang Qi , Hou Yubin
Published: September 2012

In a recent paper, Cherepanov et al. [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 023703 (2012)10.1063/1.3681444] present two types of piezoelectric nanopositioners: Type I consists of two piezoelectric tubes coaxially mounted in series. At the ends and between the two piezo tubes, three springs are mounted and hold a central tube; Type II nanopositioner (called “a variant of Type I” by the authors) is similar to Type I except that the two tube piezo elements are mounted in parallel with one being coaxially inserted in the other. They both work via concerted axial deformations of the two piezo tubes such that each spring is in turn sliding on the shaft in the same direction while the other two springs hold the shaft by static friction. In this comment, we would like to clarify that both Type I and II nanopositioners are closely related to the one disclosed in our year 2009 paper [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 80, 085104 (2009)] which should therefore be cited.
Single file and normal dual mode diffusion in highly confined hard sphere mixtures under flow
Authors: Wanasundara Surajith N. , Spiteri Raymond J. , Bowles Richard K.
Published: September 2012

We use Monte Carlo simulations to study the dual-mode diffusion regime of binary and tertiary mixtures of hard spheres confined in narrow cylindrical pores under the influence of an imposed flow. The flow is introduced to the dynamics by adding a small bias directed along the long axis of the pore to the random displacement of each Monte Carlo move. As a result, the motion of the particles in all the components is dominated by a drift velocity that causes the mean squared displacements to increase quadratically in the long time limit. However, an analysis of the mean squared displacements at intermediate time scales shows that components of the mixture above and below their passing thresholds still exhibit behaviors consistent with normal and single-file diffusion, respectively. The difference between the mean squared displacements of the various components is shown to go though a maximum, suggesting there may be an optimal pore diameter for the separation of mixtures exhibiting dual-mode diffusion.
Study of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8/BiFeO3 nano-composite for electrical transport applications
Authors: Acharya S. , Biswal A. K. , Ray J. , Vishwakarma P. N.
Published: September 2012

The Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8/BiFeO3 (BSCCO/BFO) nano composite for various BFO weight percentage is prepared and studied for electrical transport. Double resistive superconducting transition is seen in all composite samples with increasing semiconducting nature as a function of BFO content. Initially, the added BFO goes mainly to the grain boundary and from 10% onwards, it enters grains as well, acting as pinning centers. The conduction mechanism in BSCCO shows weak localization for low BFO, tunneling in intermediate BFO, and power law behavior (similar to metal-insulator boundary) for higher BFO samples. The paraconductivity studies reveal the 2D-3D transition in parent BSCCO and the composites, with a signature of percolative behavior in the composites. The study of critical current density reveals two types of Josephson junction in the composites: (1) thin intrinsic superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) type present in all samples including parent BSCCO and (2) extrinsic type due to BFO added, present only in composite samples. The extrinsic junction is SIS with tunneling for low BFO and goes to proximity SIS type for increasing BFO. The Jc(0) as a function of BFO content, first decreases with increasing BFO, attains minima at 5% BFO, and increases thereafter.
Sub-micron normal-metal/insulator/superconductor tunnel junction thermometer and cooler using Nb
Authors: Nevala M. R. , Chaudhuri S. , Halkosaari J. , Karvonen J. T. , Maasilta I. J.
Published: September 2012

We have fabricated Cu/AlOx-Al/Nb normal-metal/insulator/superconductor tunnel junction devices with a high value of the superconducting gap (up to ∼1 mV), using electron-beam lithography and angle evaporation techniques in the sub-micron scale. The subgap conductance of these junctions shows the expected strong temperature dependence, rendering them suitable for thermometry all the way from 100 mK to 6 K. In addition, some direct electronic cooling of the normal metal was also seen at bias values near the gap edge. The device performance was strongly influenced by the details of the Al layer geometry, with lateral spilling of the aluminium giving rise to strong extra subgap features, and the thickness of Al layer affecting the proximised superconducting gap value of the superconducting Al/Nb bilayer.
Magnetic field dependence of the spin relaxation length in spin light-emitting diodes
Authors: Höpfner Henning , Fritsche Carola , Ludwig Arne , Ludwig Astrid , Stromberg Frank , Wende Heiko , Keune Werner , Reuter Dirk , Wieck Andreas D. , Gerhardt Nils C. , Hofmann Martin R.
Published: September 2012

We investigate the spin relaxation length during vertical electron transport in spin-light emitting diode devices as a function of magnetic field strength at room temperature. In most publications on spin relaxation in optoelectronic devices, strong magnetic fields are used to achieve perpendicular-to-plane magnetization of the spin injection contacts. We show experimentally that high magnetic field strengths significantly reduce spin relaxation during transport to the active region of the device. We obtain a spin relaxation length of 27(3) nm in magnetic remanence and at room temperature, which nearly doubles at 2 T magnetic field strength.
Black silicon with controllable macropore array for enhanced photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Ao Xianyu , Tong Xili , Sik Kim Dong , Zhang Lianbing , Knez Mato , Müller Frank , He Sailing , Schmidt Volker
Published: September 2012

Macroporous silicon with multiscale texture for reflection suppression and light trapping was achieved through a controllable electrochemical etching process. It was coated with TiO2 by atomic layer deposition, and used as the photoanode in photocatalytic water splitting. A conformal pn-junction was also built-in in order to split water without external bias. A 45% enhancement in photocurrent density was observed after black silicon etching. In comparison with nano-structured silicon, the etching process here has neither metal contamination nor requirement of vacuum facilities.
Integration of patient safety systems in a suburban hospital
Authors: Stride Peter , Seleem Mostafa , Nath Noleen , Horne Ami , Kapitsalas Christina
Published: September 2012

Public awareness of hospital misadventure is now common. In response, we describe our integrated hospital safety system, which is dependent on the linkage of multiple individual safety committees, and the presence on each committee of senior and junior multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to provide feedback to their peer groups on required improvements.
Hand hygiene: a way out of the deadlock
Authors: Stevens Stella C. , Scott Claire L. M.
Published: September 2012

Hospital-acquired infection costs money and lives. Improving compliance with hand hygiene is proving an intractable problem as initial gains often lack sustainability. A growing field of research suggests that health service managers may have a critical role in dealing with this issue, which crosses all professional boundaries.
Different speakers, different grammars
Authors: Dąbrowska Ewa
Published: September 2012

This article reviews several recent studies suggesting that — contrary to a widespread belief — adult monolingual native speakers of the same language do not share the same mental grammar. The studies examined various aspects of linguistic knowledge, including inflectional morphology, passives, quantifiers, and more complex constructions with subordinate clauses. The findings suggest that, in some cases, language learners attend to different cues in the input and end up with different grammars; in others, some speakers extract only fairly specific, ‘local’ generalizations which apply to particular subclasses of items while others acquire more abstract rules which apply ‘across the board’. At least some of these differences are education-related: more educated speakers appear to acquire more general rules, possibly as a result of more varied linguistic experience. These findings have interesting consequences for research on bilingualism, particularly for research on ultimate attainment in second language acquisition, as well as important methodological implications for all language sciences.
The wolf — an evil and ever-hungry beast or a nasty thief?
Authors: Idström Anna , Piirainen Elisabeth
Published: September 2012

This article aims to shed light on the impact of an extended social context on the motivation for the figurative content of conventional metaphors. The article therefore compares conventional linguistic metaphors found in Inari Saami with conventional linguistic metaphors that are widespread among European languages, in order to reveal differences and similarities between what is deeply local and shared only by a restricted speech community, i.e. an indigenous culture without a literary tradition, and what is unquestionably spread across a large number of languages. The comparison first presents three animal concepts prominent in both Inari Saami and widespread idioms, wolf, hare and raven, followed by an investigation of animal concepts found only in one of these two data sets: reindeer in Inari Saami and crocodile, ostrich and lynx among the widespread idioms. It is demonstrated that Inari Saami metaphors typically draw their motivation from the concrete life-experience of the people, while the widespread idioms are to a large extent based on literary traditions. In both contexts we find metaphors drawn from or supported by folklore: fairy tales, mythology and superstition. Comparing these two data sets offers great possibilities to the study of metaphors: how we understand metaphors, and how they come into being, and what is the nature of vehicle development over extended time and space.
Verb dynamics
Authors: Castro Miriam Buendía
Published: September 2012

This paper describes conceptual dynamicity as reflected in the verbs in specialized texts. All the examples used to illustrate this phenomenon are taken from a corpus of meteorological texts, and are typical of processes and actions within the TROPICAL CYCLONE frame. In this study, we analyze verb meaning as well as argument structure. Our results show that the basic meaning of each verb profiles the meaning of the term tropical cyclone in different ways, and provides a way to access the multidimensionality of terms and the concepts they designate. We also classify the verbs most frequently activated by TROPICAL CYCLONE in lexical domains since verbs with similar meaning also have similar argument structure. This method of studying terms in conjunction with the verbs that most frequently activate them is crucial for the representation of conceptual information, and is connected with the network of semantic relations that is activated by a specialized concept.
Identifying term candidates through adjective–noun constructions in English
Authors: Zelinsky-Wibbelt Cornelia
Published: September 2012

This paper evaluates the possibilities of recognizing term candidates through their formal and semantic characteristics. From a cognitive-linguistic stance, the semantic motivation of the word-formation patterns of collocations and compounds in domain-specific texts is assumed to promote their termhood. The semantic motivation to integrate into a multi-word unit is assumed to originate in the generally agreed on generic reference of the modifying constituent. This hypothesis is investigated empirically in a corpus-linguistic experiment. Term candidates instantiating different derivational patterns of adjective–noun constructions have been manually sorted by experts into approved and non-approved terms. Our subsequent linguistic categorization into the morpho-semantic constructions instantiated by the term candidates could be verified quantitatively in terms of relative frequencies. These frequencies clearly divide the term candidates into instances of term-promoting and term-impeding constructions. Obviously, the experts have approved the terms of those constructions which come up with a high relative frequency in the corpus.
French patterns for expressing concept relations
Authors: Marshman Elizabeth , Morgan Tricia , Meyer Ingrid
Published: September 2012

Researchers who are developing tools for extracting conceptual information automatically from corpora require inventories of linguistic patterns that can be incorporated into their toolsets. While several inventories of English patterns exist, almost none have been published for French. This paper provides an inventory of French linguistic patterns that commonly express generic-specific, part-whole and function relations in specialized texts. Our inventory is accompanied by a discussion of associated problematic issues.
Corpus analysis and conceptual relation patterns
Authors: Condamines Anne
Published: September 2012

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the notion of “conceptual relation pattern” via corpus analysis experiments. On the basis of this bottom-up approach, three major points are discussed. First the degree of dependency between conceptual relation patterns and corpus is examined. This dependency may range from insignificant to complete; it may also be related to corpus genre. Then, the limits of a purely binary conception of relations are examined through the description of patterns taking into account argument structure. Finally, an example in which application may influence pattern choice is presented. Some generally admitted classical assumptions are discussed and revisited under the light of empirical results.
The Fall of Mosaddeq, August 1953: Institutional Narratives, Professor Mark Gasiorowski and My Study
Authors: Bayandor Darioush
Published: September 2012

Over the decades that followed the overthrow of Mosaddeq in August 1953 a narrative attributing the fall exclusively to foreign conspiracy has taken hold and become institutionalized. In this narrative the internal factors are reduced to the simplest level of abstraction. They do not exist outside foreign conspiracy! This narrative is premised on an Anglo-American coup plot code-named TP-AJAX that was attempted in the late hours of 15 August but failed. The ensuing flight of the Shah generated dynamics which led to the fall of Mosaddeq four days later. The CIA chief operative in Tehran Kermit Roosevelt was quick to take credit claiming that these dynamics were inseminated by his ingenious and spontaneous planning. For abiding internal reasons both the CIA and the MI6 headquarters preferred to claim victory rather than admit failure. Evidence that emerged following the declassification of the State Department papers in 1989 and the leak of a secret CIA internal history in 2000 produced glaring evidence that the fall of Mosaddeq on 19 August 1953 had taken Washington, even its embassy in Tehran, by complete surprise and that post facto claims by Roosevelt were inconsistent both with Washington's explicit policy directives and Roosevelt's own situation reports filed with the CIA Washington during the interval between the two events. Roosevelt later published a phantasmagorical account of the event which, together with reminiscences of a few unnamed former operatives, was given credence by Professor Gasiorowski and associates, who curiously chose to ignore archival evidence.
Democratic transition and sectarian populism: the case of Lebanon
Authors: Salamey Imad , Tabar Paul
Published: September 2012

Despite being considered as one of the oldest constitutional democracies in the Middle East, Lebanon has been confronted with periodical institutional crises and civil violence. A protracted transitional period towards democracy has threatened the autonomy of deeply fragmented sectarian groups, and has instigated a polarizing struggle over nationhood. Fearing the degradation of their power to a majoritarian order, sectarian leaders have resorted to various mobilization strategies to obstruct the emergence of a unifying national identity and democratic state. Consequently, a chronically weak state has emerged, divided along antagonistic sectarian loyalties with power shared according to sectarian consociationalism. In order to reveal the tenets of sectarian populism in Lebanon and their impacts on nation-building, the state and democratic transition, a nationwide opinion survey was conducted by the Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, during January of 2011 with a random sample of 586 Lebanese respondents divided along sectarian affiliation. The survey examined differential populist mobilization among major sectarian groups and revealed potential explanatory variables. The results shed light on the formation of populism in a divided society and the challenges it poses for democratic transitions in Lebanon and perhaps in transitional Middle Eastern states.
Armington Elasticities and Induced Industrial Roundwood Specialization in Europe
Authors: Lundmark Robert , Shahrammehr Shima
Published: September 2012

We estimate Armington elasticities for industrial roundwood in eight European countries for the period 1961–2007, and analyze how the estimated elasticities change over time. Results indicate increasing differentiation between domestic and imported volumes during the first half of the time period. However, for the latter half, a decreasing degree of specialization is observed. A plausible explanation is the removal of trade barriers during development of the internal European market. This trend of decreasing specialization is arguably going to continue in the future. For instance, the technical feasibility of using more heterogeneous feed-stock in the paper industry is increasing. Moreover, energy and climate policy is stimulating the use of wood as fuel in the energy sector. These changes in technology and new uses might further decrease the differentiation between domestic and imported industrial roundwood.
Bringing together emerging and endemic zoonoses surveillance: shared challenges and a common solution
Authors: Halliday Jo , Daborn Chris , Auty Harriet , Mtema Zacharia , Lembo Tiziana , Bronsvoort Barend M. deC. , Handel Ian , Knobel Darryn , Hampson Katie , Cleaveland Sarah
Published: September 2012

Early detection of disease outbreaks in human and animal populations is crucial to the effective surveillance of emerging infectious diseases. However, there are marked geographical disparities in capacity for early detection of outbreaks, which limit the effectiveness of global surveillance strategies. Linking surveillance approaches for emerging and neglected endemic zoonoses, with a renewed focus on existing disease problems in developing countries, has the potential to overcome several limitations and to achieve additional health benefits. Poor reporting is a major constraint to the surveillance of both emerging and endemic zoonoses, and several important barriers to reporting can be identified: (i) a lack of tangible benefits when reports are made; (ii) a lack of capacity to enforce regulations; (iii) poor communication among communities, institutions and sectors; and (iv) complexities of the international regulatory environment. Redirecting surveillance efforts to focus on endemic zoonoses in developing countries offers a pragmatic approach that overcomes some of these barriers and provides support in regions where surveillance capacity is currently weakest. In addition, this approach addresses immediate health and development problems, and provides an equitable and sustainable mechanism for building the culture of surveillance and the core capacities that are needed for all zoonotic pathogens, including emerging disease threats.
Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Randomized Study Comparing Two Doses
Authors: Arnouk René , Suzuki Bellucci Carlos Henrique , Stull Roberto Benatuil , de Bessa Junior José , Malave Cesar Augusto , Gomes Cristiano Mendes
Published: September 2012

Purpose. To assess the efficacy and safety of intraprostatic injection of two botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) doses for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Materials and Methods. Men with symptomatic BPH who failed medical treatment were randomized to receive 100 U or 200 U of BoNT-A into the prostate. The International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual volume (PVR), PSA levels and prostate volume before injection and after 3 and 6 months were evaluated. Adverse events were compared between the groups.Results. Thirty four patients were evaluated, including 17 in the BoNT-A 100 U group and 17 in the BoNT-A 200 U group. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Both doses produced significant improvements in IPSS, Qmaxand PVR after 3 and 6 months and both doses promoted comparable effects. Prostate volume was affected by 200 U BoNT-A injection only after 6 months of treatment. PSA levels were significantly affected in the 100 U group only after 6 months of treatment. In the 200 U group, PSA levels were significantly decreased after 3 and 6 months. The complication rate was similar in both groups.Conclusions. Efficacy and safety of both BoNT-A doses are similar for BPH treatment in the short term followup.
Ultrasonograph and Clinical Quantitative Characterization of Tendinopathy by Modified Splitting in a Goat Model
Authors: Kavaguchi De Grandis A. , Boulocher C. , Viguier E. , Roger T. , Sawaya S.
Published: September 2012

A tendinopathy is a clinical condition characterized by activity-related pain, focal tendons tenderness, and intratendinous imaging changes. This study characterizes a surgically induced tendinopathy in a goat model with a noninvasivein vivolongitudinal followup based on physical examination and US. Cross-sectional area (CSA) is the most objective feature for the evaluation of tendinopathy in correlation with clinical findings. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of the left hind limb of six goats was isolated and scarified by a modified splitting. Pain and lameness at walk and trot were evaluated. External width and thickness of tendon region were measured by calipers. CSA and the ratio lesion/tendon CSA were obtained at days 0, 7, 21, 42, and 84 by US. The highest value of global functional score was obtained at day 7, then decreased until day 40 and was not significantly different from day 0 at the end of the study. The external width recovered a normal value at the end of the study, but the external thickness was still significantly increased (P<0.05). Peritendinous oedema was observed at day 7, but intratendinous lesions were visible only at day 21 as a focal hypo to anechoic area. At day 84, two tendons still presented visible lesions. US examination was reproducible, specific, and provided complementary information to the global functional score. A standardized focal tendinopathy was induced in goats. This experimental model of focal tendinopathy could be used to study the effect of different treatments.
Does Thrombocyte Size Give Us an Idea about Thrombocytosis Etiology?
Authors: Toprak Selami Kocak , Erismis Betul , Karakus Sema , Kursun Nazmiye , Haberal Aysegul , Ulusoy Mustafa Gurhan
Published: September 2012

In the presence of a pathogenetic mutation in JAK2 or MPL, a differential diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia (ET) from reactive causes is relatively simple. However, in patients with suspected ET who lack JAK2 and MPL mutations, the exclusion of secondary causes is especially important. The study was aimed to explore the clinical application of particularly mean platelet volume (MPV), hemoglobin, red blood cell indices, white blood cell, serum iron profile, and C-reactive protein level in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytosis. Medical records of 49 patients, consisting of reactive thrombocytosis (RT) and ET were retrospectively reviewed. The mean MPV level in RT group was 7.49 fL, and in ET group was 8.80 fL (P<0.01). A cutoff point of <8.33 fL was found to have significant predictive value according to ROC curve analysis. This cutoff was associated with 83% positive predictive value (PPV) and 74% negative predictive value (NPV) in the diagnosis of ET and had a sensitivity of 65% and specificity of 89% for ET. Investigation of MPV is cheap, quick, and noninvasive, and may serve as a predictor of primary thrombocytosis. High sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV enable this test an important tool and a possible surrogate marker in clinical practice.
NOD2 Agonist Promotes the Production of Inflammatory Cytokines in VSMC in Synergy with TLR2 and TLR4 Agonists
Authors: Sun Jinghua , Ding Yanchun
Published: September 2012

Objective. To investigate the expression of NOD2 in human VSMCs, its role in the production of inflammatory cytokines in VSMC and the possible interaction of NOD2-mediated signaling pathway with those mediated by TLR2 and TLR4. Methods. Human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were stimulated with NOD2 agonist MDP alone or in combination with either TLR2 agonist PAM3 or TLR4 agonist LPSs. The mRNA expression of NOD2 and FGF-2 were measured by RT-PCR. The concentration of IL-8 and TNF-α in the culture supernatants was determined by ELISA. VSMC proliferation ability was analyzed by MTT assay. Results. MDP up regulated the expression of NOD2 mRNA in VSMC in a time-dependent manner, up regulated the expression of FGF-2 mRNA in VSMC, induced the production of IL-8 and TNF-α, and promoted the proliferation of VSMC. Additionally, MDP synergied with LPS and PAM3 to promote the proliferation of VSMC and induce the production of IL-8 and TNF-α. Conclusion. The activation of NOD2-mediated innate immune signaling pathway can increase the proliferation ability of VSMC and induce the production of inflammatory cytokines in VSMC. It is also shown a synergistic effect with TLR2- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways in this process.
Diversity of Macro- and Micronutrients in the Seeds of Lentil Landraces
Authors: Karaköy Tolga , Erdem Halil , Baloch Faheem S. , Toklu Faruk , Eker Selim , Kilian Benjamin , Özkan Hakan
Published: September 2012

Increasing the amount of bioavailable mineral elements in plant foods would help to improve the nutritional status of populations in developing countries. Legume seeds have the potential to provide many essential nutrients. It is important to have information on genetic variations among different lentil populations so that plant breeding programs can use new varieties in cross-breeding programs. The main objective of this study was to characterize the micro- and macronutrient concentrations of lentil landraces seeds collected from South-Eastern Turkey. We found impressive variation in the micro- and macroelement concentrations in 39 lentil landraces and 7 cultivars. We investigated the relationships of traits by correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The concentrations of several minerals, particularly Zn, were positively correlated with other minerals, suggesting that similar pathways or transporters control the uptake and transport of these minerals. Some genotypes had high mineral and protein content and potential to improve the nutritional value of cultivated lentil. Cross-breeding of numerous lentil landraces from Turkey with currently cultivated varieties could improve the levels of micro- and macronutrients of lentil and may contribute to the worldwide lentil quality breeding program.
Exploiting Sparsity in Hyperspectral Image Classification via Graphical Models
Authors: Srinivas Umamahesh , Chen Yi , Monga Vishal , Nasrabadi Nasser , Tran Trac
Published: September 2012

A significant recent advance in hyperspectral image (HSI) classification relies on the observation that the spectral signature of a pixel can be represented by a sparse linear combination of training spectra from an overcomplete dictionary. A spatiospectral notion of sparsity is further captured by developing a joint sparsity model, wherein spectral signatures of pixels in a local spatial neighborhood (of the pixel of interest) are constrained to be represented by a common collection of training spectra, albeit with different weights. A challenging open problem is to effectively capture the class conditional correlations between these multiple sparse representations corresponding to different pixels in the spatial neighborhood. We propose a probabilistic graphical model framework to explicitly mine the conditional dependences between these distinct sparse features. Our graphical models are synthesized using simple tree structures which can be discriminatively learnt (even with limited training samples) for classification. Experiments on benchmark HSI data sets reveal significant improvements over existing approaches in classification rates as well as robustness to choice of training.
Health‐related quality of life and symptoms in patients with experiences of health problems related to dental restorative materials
Authors: Naimi‐Akbar Aron , Svedberg Pia , Alexanderson Kristina , Carlstedt‐Duke Bodil , Ekstrand Jan , Englund Gunilla Sandborgh
Published: September 2012

Objectives

The question of health risks associated with dental materials, especially dental amalgam, has long been controversial and remains unresolved. For the past 10 years, people in Sweden with perceived adverse reactions to dental restorative materials have been entitled to apply to their local county council for subsidized replacement of restorative materials. The aim of the study was to investigate symptoms, perceived health changes over time and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population, comprising subjects with subjective health impairment, allegedly because of dental materials. A further aim was to compare their HRQoL with that of the general population.

Methods

A comprehensive questionnaire was sent to 515 people who had applied for subsidized replacement of dental restorations. The questionnaire covered general and oral symptoms, HRQoL, health ratings over time and dental restoration replacement.

Results

The response rate was 54.4% (n = 280). Most (83.2%) answered that they had undergone replacement of restorative materials because of impaired health, perceived to be related to dental restorative materials. The most common symptoms were musculoskeletal pain (67.5%), sleep disturbance (60.0%) and fatigue (58.6%). The HRQoL of the study subjects was significantly lower than that of the Swedish population in general.

Conclusions

Subjects who had undergone subsidized dental restoration replacement reported persistent subjective symptoms and low HRQoL. The results indicate that replacement of restorative materials alone is insufficient to achieve improved health in patients with symptoms allegedly attributable to dental restorations.
Short implants with a nanometer‐sized CaP surface provided with either a platform‐switched or platform‐matched abutment connection in the posterior region: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Telleman G. , Meijer H. J. A. , Vissink A. , Raghoebar G. M.
Published: September 2012

Objective

To assess the performance of short nanorough implants (8.5 mm in length) provided with either a platform‐matched or a platform‐switched implant–abutment connection, placed in the resorbed posterior region of partially dentate patients.

Materials and Methods

A total of 149 implants with a dual‐acid surface and a discrete crystalline deposition of nanometer‐sized CaP particles, with either a platform‐matched (control) or a platform‐switched implant–abutment connection (test) were placed (randomly assigned) in 92 patients. Follow‐up visits were conducted 1 month and 1 year after placing the implant crown. Outcome measures were implant survival, radiographic peri‐implant bone loss, clinical parameters, and patient's satisfaction.

Results

One year after loading, 6 of 76 implants in the control group (survival 92.1%) and 3 of 73 implants in the test group (survival 95.9%) were lost (P = 0.33). Radiographic bone loss around test implants (0.50 ± 0.53 mm) was significantly less than around control implants (0.74 ± 0.61 mm; P < 0.005). With regard to implant survival, clinical parameters, and patient's satisfaction, no significant differences were observed between test and control group.

Conclusions

For teeth replacements in the resorbed posterior region of partially dentate patients, short implants with a platform‐switched implant–abutment connection showed significantly less peri‐implant bone loss after 1 year in function, while implant survival, clinical parameters, and patient's satisfaction were independent of the implant–abutment connection design.
Buccal bone remodeling after tooth extraction using the flapless approach with and without synthetic bone grafting. A histomorphometric study in dogs
Authors: Suaid Flávia , Grisi Márcio F. M. , Souza Sérgio L. S. , Palioto Daniela B. , Taba Mário , Novaes Arthur B.
Published: September 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate buccal bone remodeling of fresh sockets following tooth extraction using the flapless approach, with or without synthetic graft materials.

Material and Methods

Eight dogs had the mandibular bicuspids extracted without flaps, and two alveoli on each side (total of 4) were selected. The following groups were devised: one socket on each side received a grafting material (test group), and the other remained only with a blood clot (control group). Ground sections were prepared from 12‐week healing biopsies, and histomorphometry was performed.

Results

The buccal crest level (BCL) relative to the new bone (i), in the test group, showed numerically better data when compared with the control group, but without statistical relevance. The BCL relative to the old bone (ii) was very similar for the groups without statistical relevance. The alveolar ridge width (ARW) showed similar results without statistically significant difference between the groups. The total bone area (TBA) showed statistically significant differences between the test (38.60%) and control (47.18%) groups. The new bone area (NBA) presents a numerical difference between the test (15.62%) and control (22.24%), but without statistically significant differences. The old bone and the bone marrow were similar for both groups.

Conclusion

It was observed that there was no loss of the buccal bone crest in relation to the lingual bone crest, especially in the test group.
Does Corporate Governance Quality Lend Credibility to Open‐Market Share Repurchase Announcements?
Authors: Wu Ruei‐Shian
Published: September 2012

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

Low‐quality firms may use share repurchase announcements to send a false or conflicting message regarding firm value to the capital market. This study examines whether firm‐level corporate governance mechanisms can alleviate this mimicking behavior by affecting managers' buyback behavior following open‐market share repurchase announcements. I further investigate the extent to which differences in corporate governance affect the changes in insider shareholdings and the degree of information content provided in repurchase announcements.

Research Findings/Insights

Using unique archival data from Taiwan, I find that the capital market reaction to share repurchases announced for the purpose of signaling undervaluation is more favorable for firms with quality corporate governance. The increasing post‐repurchase insider shareholdings confirm the credibility of repurchase announcements for firms with better corporate governance. The buyback outcome subsequent to repurchase announcements is affected by internal corporate governance mechanisms. Furthermore, external monitoring factors, such as having Big Four accounting firms as auditors, listing requirements, and regulatory preset buyback price ranges, also determine the execution rate of repurchase programs.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

The signaling hypothesis, the leading hypothesis on open‐market share repurchases, suggests that low‐quality firms may engage in mimicking behavior to send a false signal regarding firm value when the signal cost is low. This study provides insight regarding the impacts of firm‐level corporate governance structures on the signaling effects of repurchase announcements, the subsequent insider shareholdings, and the completion of repurchase programs. In addition, this study is the first to analyze the influence of corporate governance mechanisms on the degree of information content in open‐market share repurchase announcements.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study suggests that higher quality corporate governance mechanisms lend credibility to a firm's open‐market share repurchase announcement, which is also noteworthy in assessing the wealth effect of the repurchase announcements on shareholder value. Moreover, the findings suggest that buyback regulations (e.g., preset buyback price ceiling and floor) in Taiwan influence managers' buyback decisions.
Using space‐for‐time substitution and time sequence approaches in invasion ecology
Authors: THOMAZ SIDINEI M. , AGOSTINHO ANGELO A. , GOMES LUIZ C. , SILVEIRA MÁRCIO J. , REJMÁNEK MARCEL , ASLAN CLARE E. , CHOW ELAINE
Published: September 2012

1. Invasion biologists use two main approaches to evaluate the effects of non‐native species (NNS) on diversity of native species (DNS), namely space‐for‐time and time approaches. These approaches have pitfalls related to lack of controls: the former lacks pre‐invasion data, while the latter often lacks data from non‐invaded sites.

2. We propose a framework that combines space‐for‐time and time approaches and which should result in more focused mechanistic hypotheses and experiments to test the causes of invasibility and the effects of NNS on DNS. We illustrate the usefulness of our framework using two case studies: one with the submersed macrophyte,Hydrilla verticillata, in reservoir and the other with the fish,Geophagus proximus, in a large river–floodplain system.

3. Hydrilla verticillatainvaded sites with DNS similar to that found in non‐invaded sites, indicating that biotic and/or abiotic factors did not influence invasion success; however, DNS increased over time in invaded sites compared with non‐invaded sites, suggesting thatH. verticillatafacilitated natives. In contrast,G. proximusinvaded sites with higher DNS than non‐invaded sites, suggesting that biotic and/or abiotic factors favouring natives were important for invasion success, but DNS increased in invaded and non‐invaded sites over time, indicating that an independent factor contributed to DNS increases.

4. Conclusions from both studies would have been inaccurate or incomplete if the space‐for‐time and time approaches had not been used in combination as proposed in our framework.
Regional species richness, hydrological characteristics and the local species richness of assemblages of North American stream fishes
Authors: NIU SOPHIA QIAN , FRANCZYK MICHAEL P. , KNOUFT JASON H.
Published: September 2012

1. Local assemblage structure, from a deterministic perspective, is presumably dictated by the regional species pool as well as regulated by local factors. We examined the relationships of the regional species pool and local hydrological characteristics to local species richness of North American freshwater fishes using data sets collected during the National Water Quality Assessment program conducted by the United States Geological Survey.

2. We predicted that local species richness is ultimately constrained by the composition of the regional species pool and further associated with local hydrological factors. Moreover, we predicted that variation in local species richness within major families can be explained by different combinations of hydrological characteristics that represent lineage‐specific responses to the environment.

3. Daily discharge and regional and local species richness data were assembled from 41 stream localities across the United States. Multiple stepwise regressions were conducted to predict local species richness, based on regional species richness, mean discharge and hydrological characteristics quantified by nine variables characterising flow variability. Species richness at each site was calculated for the entire assemblage as well as within the four most species‐rich families in the data set (Catostomidae, Centrarchidae, Cyprinidae and Percidae).

4. Local species richness was best predicted by a combination of regional species richness and discharge magnitude when all species were considered. Regional species richness was a significant explanatory variable of local species richness for three of four families (Catostomidae, Centrarchidae, Cyprinidae), but not for Percidae. Local richness in Centrarchidae and Cyprinidae was positively correlated with temporal flow variability as well as high and low flow duration, respectively, while richness in Catostomidae and Percidae tended to be associated with discharge volume. In addition, local species richness for three of the four major families was positively correlated with species richness of the other families in the assemblage, potentially suggesting the influence of local habitat quality and heterogeneity.

5. Results suggest the importance of the combined influences of the regional species pool and local hydrological characteristics on local richness in freshwater fishes, with variation in richness within each family predicted by different characteristics of flow regimes.