bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural infection of synathropic rodent species Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus by Leishmania infantum in Sesimbra and Sintra – Portugal
Authors: Helhazar Marcos , Leitão José , Duarte Ana , Tavares Luís , da Fonseca Isabel Pereira
Published: April 2013

Background

Canine leishmaniosis caused byLeishmania infantumis a parasitic zoonotic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae). GenusPhlebotomusis the biological vector in the Old World andLutzomyiain the New World. The dog is the domestic reservoir host but other animals like the fox (Vulpes vulpes) and rodents are known to maintain the infection in both sylvatic and domestic cycles.

Methods

To identify the role of synanthropic rodentsMus musculusandRattus norvegicusas reservoir hosts forLeishmania infantumnatural infection, 30 rodents were captured under a trap rodent control program in two private dog shelters from Sintra and Sesimbra, located in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, known to be endemic for canine leishmaniosis in Portugal. Tissue samples were screened for the presence ofLeishmaniaamastigotes by qPCR and parasitological analysis.

Results

A total of 33.3% (9/27) ofMus musculusrodents revealed the presence ofLeishmaniaspp. DNA while 29.6% (8/27) were positive in the parasitological analysis. ConcerningRattus norvegicus(n=3), one animal revealed infection only by parasitological analysis.

Conclusions

Our results identified for the first time in Portugal the presence ofLeishmaniainfection in both rodent species. As susceptible hosts, infectedMus musculusandRattus norvegicusmay increase the risk for dog and human infection in households and surrounding areas, enhancing the need for efficient rodent control measures in shelters and risk zones to prevent transmission of the infection.
Fragile X mental retardation protein and synaptic plasticity
Authors: Sidorov Michael S , Auerbach Benjamin D , Bear Mark F
Published: April 2013

Loss of the translational repressor FMRP causes Fragile X syndrome. In healthy neurons, FMRP modulates the local translation of numerous synaptic proteins. Synthesis of these proteins is required for the maintenance and regulation of long-lasting changes in synaptic strength. In this role as a translational inhibitor, FMRP exerts profound effects on synaptic plasticity.
Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of human and piglet Clostridium difficile PCR-ribotype 078
Authors: Keessen Elisabeth C , Hensgens Marjolein PM , Spigaglia Patrizia , Barbanti Fabrizio , Sanders Ingrid MJG , Kuijper Ed J , Lipman Len JA
Published: April 2013

In the last decade, outbreaks of nosocomial Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) occurred worldwide. A new emerging type, PCR-ribotype 027, was the associated pathogen. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of this type were extensively investigated and used to partly explain its spread. In Europe, the incidence of C. difficile PCR-ribotype 078 recently increased in humans and piglets. Using recommendations of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) we studied the antimicrobial susceptibility to eight antimicrobials, mechanisms of resistance and the relation with previously prescribed antimicrobials in human (n=49) and porcine (n=50) type 078 isolates. Human and porcine type 078 isolates showed similar antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for the antimicrobials tested. In total, 37% of the isolates were resistant to four or more antimicrobial agents. The majority of the human and porcine isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin (100%), tetracycline (100%) and clindamycin (96%) and resistant to ciprofloxacin (96%). More variation was found for resistance patterns to erythromycin (76% in human and 59% in porcine isolates), imipenem (29% in human and 50% in porcine isolates) and moxifloxacin (16% for both human and porcine isolates). MIC values of cefuroxim were high (MICs >256 mg/L) in 96% of the isolates. Resistance to moxifloxacin and clindamycin was associated with a gyr(A) mutation and the presence of the erm(B) gene, respectively. A large proportion (96%) of the erythromycin resistant isolates did not carry the erm(B) gene. The use of ciprofloxacin (humans) and enrofloxacin (pigs) was significantly associated with isolation of moxifloxacin resistant isolates. Increased fluoroquinolone use could have contributed to the spread of C. difficile type 078.
Resumption of menses in anorexia nervosa during a course of family-based treatment
Authors: Faust Julianne P , Goldschmidt Andrea B , Anderson Kristen E , Glunz Catherine , Brown Melanie , Loeb Katharine L , Katzman Debra K , Le Grange Daniel
Published: April 2013

Background

The resumption of menses (ROM) is considered an important clinical marker in weight restoration for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). The purpose of this study was to examine ROM in relation to expected body weight (EBW) and psychosocial markers in adolescents with AN.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review at The University of Chicago Eating Disorders Program from September 2001 to September 2011 (N = 225 females with AN). Eighty-four adolescents (Mean age = 15.1,SD = 2.2) with aDSM-IVdiagnosis of AN, presenting with secondary amenorrhea were identified. All participants had received a course of outpatient family-based treatment (FBT), i.e., ~20 sessions over 12 months. Weight and menstrual status were tracked at each therapy session throughout treatment. The primary outcome measures were weight (percent of expected for sex, age and height), and ROM.

Results

Mean percent EBW at baseline was 82.0 (SD = 6.5). ROM was reported by 67.9% of participants (57/84), on average at 94.9 (SD = 9.3) percent EBW, and after having completed an average of 13.5 (SD = 10.7) FBT sessions (~70% of standard FBT). Compared to participants without ROM by treatment completion, those with ROM had significantly higher baseline Eating Disorder Examination Global scores (p = .004) as well as Shape Concern (p < .008) and Restraint (p < .002) subscale scores. No other differences were found.

Conclusions

Results suggest that ROM occur at weights close to the reference norms for percent EBW, and that high pre-treatment eating disorder psychopathology is associated with ROM. Future research will be important to better understand these differences and their implications for the treatment of adolescents with AN.
A randomised controlled phase II trial of pre-operative celecoxib treatment reveals anti-tumour transcriptional response in primary breast cancer
Authors: Brandão Rita D , Veeck Jürgen , Van de Vijver Koen K , Lindsey Patrick , de Vries Bart , van Elssen Catharina HMJ , Blok Marinus J , Keymeulen Kristien , Ayoubi Torik , Smeets Hubert JM , Tjan-Heijnen Vivianne C , Hupperets Pierre S
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is frequently over-expressed in primary breast cancer. In transgenic breast cancer models, over-expression of COX-2 leads to tumour formation while COX-2 inhibition exerts anti-tumour effects in breast cancer cell lines. To further determine the effect of COX-2 inhibition in primary breast cancer, we aimed to identify transcriptional changes in breast cancer tissues of patients treated with the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib.

Methods

In a single-centre double-blind phase II study, thirty-seven breast cancer patients were randomised to receive either pre-operative celecoxib (400 mg) twice daily for two to three weeks (n = 22) or a placebo according to the same schedule (n = 15). Gene expression in fresh-frozen pre-surgical biopsies (before treatment) and surgical excision specimens (after treatment) was profiled by using Affymetrix arrays. Differentially expressed genes and altered pathways were bioinformatically identified. Expression of selected genes was validated by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Immunohistochemical protein expression analyses of the proliferation marker Ki-67, the apoptosis marker cleaved caspase-3 and the neo-angiogenesis marker CD34 served to evaluate biological response.

Results

We identified 972 and 586 significantly up- and down-regulated genes, respectively, in celecoxib-treated specimens. Significant expression changes in six out of eight genes could be validated by qPCR. Pathway analyses revealed over-representation of deregulated genes in the networks of proliferation, cell cycle, extracellular matrix biology, and inflammatory immune response. The Ki-67 mean change relative to baseline was -29.1% (P = 0.019) and -8.2% (P = 0.384) in the treatment and control arm, respectively. Between treatment groups, the change in Ki-67 was statistically significant (P = 0.029). Cleaved caspase-3 and CD34 expression were not significantly different between the celecoxib-treated and placebo-treated groups.

Conclusions

Short-term COX-2 inhibition by celecoxib induces transcriptional programs supporting anti-tumour activity in primary breast cancer tissue. The impact on proliferation-associated genes is reflected by a reduction of Ki-67 positive cells. Therefore, COX-2 inhibition should be considered as a treatment strategy for further clinical testing in primary breast cancer.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01695226.
Relationship between red cell storage duration and outcomes in adults receiving red cell transfusions: a systematic review
Authors: Lelubre Christophe , Vincent Jean-Louis
Published: April 2013

Introduction

The duration of red blood cell (RBC) storage before transfusion may alter RBC function and supernatant and, therefore, influence the incidence of complications or even mortality.

Methods

A MEDLINE search from 1983 to December 2012 was performed to identify studies reporting age of transfused RBCs and mortality or morbidity in adult patients.

Results

Fifty-five studies were identified; most were single-center (93%) and retrospective (64%), with only a few, small randomized studies (eight studies, 14.5%). The numbers of subjects included ranged from eight to 364,037. Morbidity outcomes included hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), infections, multiple organ failure, microcirculatory alterations, cancer recurrence, thrombosis, bleeding, vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cognitive dysfunction. Overall, half of the studies showed no deleterious effects of aged compared to fresh blood on any endpoint. Eleven of twenty-two (50%) studies reported no increased mortality, three of nine (33%) showed no increased LOS with older RBCs and eight of twelve (66%) studies showed no increased risks of organ failure. Ten of eighteen (55%) studies showed increased infections with transfusion of older RBCs. The considerable heterogeneity among studies and numerous methodological flaws precluded a formal meta-analysis.

Conclusions

In this systematic review, we could find no definitive argument to support the superiority of fresh over older RBCs for transfusion.
Application of Sobolev gradient techniques to two-point ray tracing
Authors: Browning Matt , McMechan George , Ferguson John
Published: April 2013

The Sobolev gradient steepest descent provides a numerically efficient iterative bending algorithm for two-point ray tracing. This new algorithm has advantages in its relative ease of numerical implementation, its ability to provide accurate solutions in discontinuous velocity fields (including head wave solutions), and its ability, when smooth velocity fields are used, to provide accurate solutions while using relatively few ray segments. The algorithm owes its advantages to its implicit nature, which it inherits from the Sobolev gradient solution method. For most models, the algorithm can be implemented such that at convergence, the norm of the gradient approaches zero. Thus, convergence implies a stationary point of the traveltime integral, guaranteeing that the rays found satisfy Fermat’s principle.
Evaluation of known-boundary and resistivity constraints for improving cross-borehole DC electrical resistivity imaging of discrete fractures
Authors: Robinson Judith , Johnson Timothy , Slater Lee
Published: April 2013

There is a need to better characterize discrete fractures in contaminated hard rock aquifers to determine the fate of remediation injections away from boreholes and also to evaluate hydraulic fracturing performance. A synthetic cross-borehole electrical resistivity study was conducted assuming a discrete fracture model of an existing contaminated site with known fracture locations. Four boreholes and two discrete fracture zones, assumed to be the dominant electrical and hydraulically conductive pathways, were explicitly modeled within an unstructured tetrahedral mesh. We first evaluated different regularization constraints starting with an uninformed smoothness-constrained inversion, to which a priori information was incrementally added. We found major improvements when (1) smoothness regularization constraints were relaxed (or disconnected) along boreholes and fractures, (2) a homogeneous conductivity was assumed along boreholes, and (3) borehole conductivity constraints that could be determined from a specific conductance log were applied. We also evaluated the effect of including borehole packers on fracture zone model recovery. We found that the fracture zone conductivities with the inclusion of packers were comparable to similar trials excluding the use of packers regardless of electrical potential changes. The misplacement of fracture regularization disconnects (FRDs) can easily be misinterpreted as actual fracture locations. Conductivities within these misplaced disconnects were near the starting model value, and removing smoothing between boreholes and assumed fracture locations helped in identifying incorrectly located FRDs. We found that structural constraints used after careful evaluation of a priori information are critical to improve imaging of fracture electrical conductivities, locations, and orientations.
Rifampicin induced virulence determinants increase Candida albicans biofilm formation
Authors: Vogel Miriam , Köberle Martin , Schäffler Holger , Treiber Monika , Autenrieth Ingo B , Schumacher Ulrike K
Published: April 2013

Increased intravenous catheter use has been paralleled by increased bacterial and yeast bloodstream infection. Biofilm formation, which is associated with the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) phenotype, represents a major pathogenicity strategy ofCandida albicans, becoming especially important in the colonization of intravascular medical devices. Increasing evidence shows the induction of virulence factors inC. albicansby diverse substances. Therefore, we investigated whether rifampicin, an antibiotic shown to be capable of inducing MDR1 expression inC. albicansmay also promote the formation of a pathogenic biofilm. In response to 40 µg/mL rifampicin, an enhanced retention ofC. albicansSC5314 cells on polystyrene culture plates was observed by measuring increased metabolic activity by XTT assay, indicating induction of biofilm formation. Rifampicin treatment also induced fibronectin binding, cell hydrophobicity and germ tube formation. Furthermore, increased RNA and protein expression of CSH1p, a major mediator of CSH, was demonstrated. We conclude that exposure to rifampicin may result in upregulation of keyCandidavirulence determinants, potentially boosting pathogenicity and supporting biofilm formation. This finding gains clinical significance from the increasing popularity of rifampicin-coated catheters, which might provide an advantageous gateway forCandidabloodstream infections.
Die Vollendung des Deutschen Idealismus in Friedrich Heinrich JacobisSendschreibenan Fichte?
Authors: Schick Stefan
Published: April 2013

By denying the idea of an unprejudiced and presuppositionless reason and his assertion of a fundamental belief that underlies every performance of reason, Jacobi provoked both the German Enlighteners and the representatives of German Idealism. The paper tries to demonstrate the systematic importance of this provocation. To this end, it emphasizes Jacobi’s anticipation of Fichte’s and Schelling’s distinction between a negative (purely rational) and a positive philosophy. In particular, this study focuses on the idea of the self-annihilation of pure reason in its consequent self-realization.
Emerson’s Decomposition: Parnassus
Authors: Bilwakesh Nikhil
Published: April 2013

This essay offers a new reading of Emerson’s late redactorial and critical work that evinces a correspondence between bodily and literary decomposition. I argue that the critical value of Parnassus (1874) lies precisely in its demonstration of Emerson’s principles of composition, in particular a late compositional style that I define as Emerson’s “decomposition.” The very difficulty in “authorizing” such a text makes us attend to the role of citation and quotation in Emerson’s work, in larger proprietary questions of nineteenth-century authorship, in the twentieth-century discourse of the “death and rebirth” of the author, and in a current age when digital dissemination threatens copyright value and challenges writers to reconfigure conceptions of creative composition in formally innovative works. A revised formal appraisal of Parnassus, in its classificatory, literary, and biological contexts, is not only instrumental for Emerson scholars, but can also help bridge the ample body of theoretical work on the question of the author with the undertheorized critical study of the anthology as a genre.
Genomic Estimated Breeding Values Using Genomic Relationship Matrices in a Cloned Population of Loblolly Pine
Authors: Zapata-Valenzuela Jaime , Whetten Ross W , Neale David , McKeand Steve , Isik Fikret
Published: April 2013

Replacement of the average numerator relationship matrix derived from the pedigree with the realized genomic relationship matrix based on DNA markers might be an attractive strategy in forest tree breeding for predictions of genetic merit. We used genotypes from 3461 single-nucleotide polymorphism loci to estimate genomic relationships for a population of 165 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) individuals. Phenotypes of the 165 individuals were obtained from clonally replicated field trials and were used to estimate breeding values for growth (stem volume). Two alternative methods, based on allele frequencies or regression, were used to generate the genomic relationship matrices. The accuracies of genomic estimated breeding values based on the genomic relationship matrices and breeding values estimated based on the average numerator relationship matrix were compared. On average, the accuracy of predictions based on genomic relationships ranged between 0.37 and 0.74 depending on the validation method. We did not detect differences in the accuracy of predictions based on genomic relationship matrices estimated by two different methods. Using genomic relationship matrices allowed modeling of Mendelian segregation within full-sib families, an important advantage over a traditional genetic evaluation system based on pedigree. We conclude that estimation of genomic relationships could be a powerful tool in forest tree breeding because it accurately accounts both for genetic relationships among individuals and for nuisance effects such as location and replicate effects, and makes more accurate selection possible within full-sib crosses.
Consumption of Seafood, Serum Liver Enzymes, and Blood Levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Japanese Population
Authors: Yamaguchi Miwa , Arisawa Kokichi , Uemura Hirokazu , Katsuura‐Kamano Sakurako , Takami Hidenobu , Sawachika Fusakazu , Nakamoto Mariko , Juta Tomoya , Toda Eisaku , Mori Kei , Hasegawa Manabu , Tanto Masaharu , Shima Masayuki , Sumiyoshi Yoshio , Kodama Kazunori , Suzuki Takaichiro , Nagai Masaki , Satoh Hiroshi
Published: April 2013

Consumption of Seafood, Serum Liver Enzymes, and Blood Levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Japanese Population: Miwa YAMAGUCHI, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Health Biosciences, the University of Tokushima Graduate School, Japan—

Objective

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have been shown to accumulate in the human body. The purpose of the present study was to examine the factors associated with the blood levels of PFOS and PFOA.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed on 307 men and 301 women (aged 16−76 years) living in 15 prefectures in Japan. Blood levels of PFOS and PFOA were measured by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Hepatic enzymes (γ‐GTP, GOT, and GPT) and ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and EPA) levels in serum were also measured. Associations between the levels of PFOS and PFOA in blood and the intake frequency of 41 kinds of dishes, foods and beverages and the serum levels of liver enzymes and ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were examined using rank correlations.

Results

Frequency of intake of boiled fish in broth, sliced raw fish and coastal fish showed significant positive correlations with PFOS concentrations in blood after adjustments for potential confounders. Serum levels of GOT, GPT, DHA and EPA showed significant positive correlations with PFOS and PFOA in blood. There was also a significant regional difference in the blood levels of PFOS and PFOA, with medians being highest in the Tokai/Hokuriku/ Kinki region.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the concentrations of PFOS in blood were mainly associated with fish consumption and that the levels of PFOS and PFOA were associated with the serum levels of liver enzymes in Japanese populations. Further investigations are required to clarify the reason for the regional differences in blood levels of PFOS and PFOA in Japan.
Application of geospatial technology for gap analysis in tourism planning for the Western Cape
Authors: Van der Merwe Johannes H. , Van Niekerk Adriaan
Published: April 2013

We report on the use of modern spatial computing technology in the development of spatial tourism policy and planning in the context of a bounded resource base. We refer briefly to provincial tourism development policy, expand on the tourism marketing framework and use the express tourist preferences to determine suitability indicators or attraction features for a spatial tourism resource base, paying special attention to the conceptual foundations of attraction and the mapping of tourism potential variables. We applied the methodology to a combination of tourism products in the Western Cape Province of South Africa in an approach that involved applying the spatial multiple criteria evaluation through the weighted linear combination of spatial factor layers as images in a geographical information system. We performed an analysis of the gap between tourism potential and tourism resource provision at a spatial resolution of individual towns’ spheres of influence, as represented by Thiessen polygons. The outcome in map format demonstrates the applicability of the technique to the Western Cape. The fine-scale spatial result was analysed for its strategic planning implications. Our results are useful for entrepreneurial and regulatory planning and can be replicated in different spatial locations if the appropriate database can be constructed.
MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway Analysis in Primary Osteoblasts from Patients with Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis
Authors: Kim Sun-Don , Yagnik Garima , Cunningham Michael L. , Kim Jinoh , Boyadjiev Simeon A.
Published: April 2013

Objective

The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway has been implicated in several craniosynostosis syndromes and represents a plausible target for therapeutic management of craniosynostosis. The causes of sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (sNSC) have not been well understood and the role that MAPK/ERK signaling cascade plays in this condition warrants an investigation. We hypothesized that MAPK-signaling is misregulated in calvarial osteoblasts derived from patients with sNSC.

Methods

In order to analyze if the MAPK/ERK pathway is perturbed in sNSC, we established primary calvarial osteoblast cell lines from patients undergoing surgery for correction of this congenital anomaly. Appropriate negative and positive control cell lines were used for comparison, and we examined the levels of phosphorylated ERK by immunoblotting.

Results

Primary osteoblasts from patients with sNSC showed no difference in ERK1/2 phosphorylation with or without FGF2 stimulation as compared with control osteoblasts.

Conclusion

Under the described test conditions, we did not observe convincing evidence that MAPK/ERK signaling contributes to the development of sNSC.
Pattern without bias: local–regional richness relationship revisited
Authors: Szava-Kovats Robert C. , Ronk Argo , Pärtel Meelis
Published: April 2013

For decades, ecologists have been testing for species saturation by using regression analysis to determine the relationship between local and regional species richness. The cumulative result of scores of studies and meta‐analyses has led to a general consensus that evidence of species saturation is relatively uncommon. However, the bias induced on the regression by the arbitrary choice of local and regional area has threatened to undermine this consensus and has even led to the proposal to abandon the regression method entirely. Nonetheless, the use of regression analysis to determine local–regional richness relationships continues. We performed a meta‐analysis of almost 100 data sets using a log‐ratio‐based regression model that is free of the scale‐induced bias inherent in more commonly used models. This reanalysis contradicts the general consensus: saturated relationships are at least as common as unsaturated patterns. However, a discouragingly large proportion of studies produce no discernable patterns at all. An explanation for such a plethora of species saturation patterns poses a challenge to our understanding of the processes that govern community assembly.
Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis in a Patient With Nephrotic Syndrome Associated With Primary Renal Amyloidosis: A Case Report
Authors: Fentoğlu Özlem , Günhan Meral , Kürkçüoğlu Işın , Gürgan Cem A. , Sezer M. Tuğrul , Günhan Ömer
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Renal amyloidosis may lead to renal disease, and then nephrotic syndrome may develop. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report in which a patient presents with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and nephrotic syndrome in conjunction with renal amyloidosis.

Case Presentation: An 18‐year‐old male presented to the periodontology department for generalized gingival recessions. He was diagnosed as having primary renal amyloidosis by his physician. The patient presented with severe gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss. Biochemical tests were within normal limits except for serum albumin level. No amyloid deposition was found in a gingival biopsy, and the patient was diagnosed as having GAgP. Non‐surgical periodontal treatment, in combination with antibiotic treatment, was performed. After 3 years, his systemic and periodontal conditions showed deterioration.

Conclusions: The effects of systemic factors related to nephrotic syndrome in conjunction with renal amyloidosis and deterioration in oral hygiene may play a significant role in the progression of periodontal disease. Even if there is no amyloid deposition in periodontal tissues, clinicians should consider that nephrotic syndrome associated with systemic amyloidosis may provide an important contribution to the periodontal breakdown by the modifying conditions that affect the host response to the accumulation of dental biofilm.
Implant‐Supported Crown Design and the Risk for Peri‐Implantitis
Authors: Chaves Eros S. , Lovell J. Stephen , Tahmasebi Safa
Published: April 2013

Focused Clinical Question: Is dental implant crown design and overcontour a risk for peri‐implantitis?

Summary: Peri‐implantitis is a very significant complication in implant therapy caused by bacterial infection on the implant surfaces. Peri‐implantitis can become a liability issue in clinical practice, mainly because of the patient's expectation, additional expense involved, and the need for additional surgical and restorative procedures. The use of preventive plaque control measures and strict recall programs are very important in clinical practices involved in implant dentistry. There are many risk factors associated with peri‐implantitis, such as biologic, mechanical, and iatrogenic. This paper focuses on the potential risk associated with implant‐supported overcontoured restorations, which favor bacterial biofilm accumulation and, most importantly, restrict appropriate hygiene access by the patient and the dental care provider, leading to peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis. This paper also suggests the need for increasing communication among the implant team members, including laboratory technicians. The use of three‐dimensional computer technology for dental implant restorative design is suggested as a tool to improve communication.

Conclusions: Restorative planning and design of dental implants may be crucial to reducing the number of peri‐implantitis cases. This paper should improve the awareness of the importance of proper crown design on non‐submerged one‐stage dental implants and emphasize the risks for soft‐tissue inflammation and peri‐implantitis when implant‐supported restorative crowns are overcontoured.
Selective liquid phase oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid over novel supported Pt catalysts
Authors: Sproge Elina , Chornaja Svetlana , Dubencovs Konstantins , Zhizhkun Svetlana , Kampars Valdis , Serga Vera , Kulikova Lidija , Palcevskis Eriks
Published: April 2013

Several supported platinum catalysts were prepared by extractive-pyrolytic
method for the selective glyceric acid production from glycerol. Al2O3, Y2O3,
Lu2O3, ZrO2-Y2O3 TiO2, SG, Fe2O3, ?-AlO(OH) and C were used as catalyst
supports, glycerol oxidation was carried out in the alkaline solutions and
oxygen was used as oxidant. The optimal catalyst preparation parameters and
glycerol oxidation conditions to obtain glyceric acid were determined. The
best result (selectivity to glyceric acid 57% with glycerol conversion 92%)
was achieved in the presence of 4.8%Pt/Al2O3 catalyst.
Computational fluid dynamics analysis on heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of a turbulent flow for internally grooved tubes
Authors: Selvaraj P. , Sarangan J. , Suresh S.
Published: April 2013

The article presents computational fluid dynamics studies on heat transfer,
pressure drop, friction factor, Nusselt number and thermal hydraulic
performance of a plain tube and tube equipped with the three types of
internal grooves (circular, square and trapezoidal).Water was used as the
working fluid. Tests were performed for Reynolds number ranges from 5000 to
13500 for plain tube and different geometry inside grooved tubes. The maximum
increase of pressure drop was obtained from numerical modeling 74% for
circular, 38% for square and 78% for trapezoidal grooved tubes were compared
with plain tube. Based on computational fluid dynamics analysis the average
Nusselt number was increased up to 37%, 26% and 42% for circular, square and
trapezoidal grooved tubes respectively while compared with the plain tube.
The thermal hydraulic performance was obtained from computational fluid
dynamics analysis up to 38% for circular grooved tube, 27% for square grooved
tube and 40% for trapezoidal grooved tube while compared with the plain tube.
Free convection of a nanofluid in a square cavity with a heat source on the bottom wall and partially cooled from sides
Authors: Mahmoodi Mostafa , Abbasian Arani , Mazrouei Sebdani , Nazari Saeed , Akbari Mohammad
Published: April 2013

The problem of free convection fluid flow and heat transfer in a square
cavity with a flush mounted heat source on its bottom wall and two heat
sinks on its vertical side walls has been investigated numerically. Via
changing the location of the heat sinks, six different arrangements have
been generated. The cavity was filled with Cu-water nanofluid. The governing
equations were discretized using the finite volume method and SIMPLER
algorithm. Using the developed code, a parametric study was undertaken, and
effects of Rayleigh number, arrangements of the heat sinks and volume
fraction of the nanoparticles on fluid flow and heat transfer inside the
cavity were investigated. Also for the middle-middle heat sinks arrangement,
capability of five different water based nanofluids on enhancement of the
rate of heat transfer was examined and compared. From the obtained results
it was found that the average Nusselt number, for all six different
arrangements of the heat sinks, was an increasing function of the Rayleigh
number and the volume fraction of the nanoparticles. Also it was found that
at high Rayleigh numbers, maximum and minimum average Nusselt number
occurred for middle-middle and top-bottom arrangement, respectively.
Moreover it was found that for the middle-middle arrangement, at high
Rayleigh numbers, maximum and minimum rate of heat transfer was obtained by
Cu-water and TiO2-water nanofluids respectively.
Experimental investigation of natural convection in an enclosure with partial partitions at different angles
Authors: Ghazian Osameh , Rezvantalab Hossein , Ashjaee Mehdi
Published: April 2013

Natural convection heat transfer in a partially partitioned enclosure has
been investigated experimentally using Mach-Zehnder Interferometry technique.
The top and bottom of the enclosure are insulated while one of the vertical
walls is heated isothermally. The partitions are made of wood fiber and are
attached to the heated wall with angles changing from 30? to 150? in
different experiments. The length of each partition is equal to the width of
the enclosure, therefore dividing the enclosure to isolated cells only at
90?. At other angles the cells are interconnected near the cold wall.
Rayleigh number based on the enclosure width is changed from 3500 to 32000.
Results for the local and the average Nusselt numbers at the heated wall of
the enclosure are presented and discussed for various partition angles and
Rayleigh numbers. It is found that, at each Rayleigh number, there exists an
optimum inclination angle which minimizes the average Nusselt number.
A theoretical analysis of local thermal equilibrium in fibrous materials
Authors: Tian Mingwei , Pan Ning , Qu Lijun , Guo Xiaoqing , Han Guangting
Published: April 2013

The internal heat exchange between each phase and the Local Thermal
Equilibrium (LTE) scenarios in multi-phase fibrous materials are considered
in this paper. Based on the two-phase heat transfer model, a criterion is
proposed to evaluate the LTE condition, using derived characteristic
parameters. Furthermore, the LTE situations in isothermal/adiabatic boundary
cases with two different heat sources (constant heat flux and constant
temperature) are assessed as special transient cases to test the proposed
criterion system, and the influence of such different cases on their LTE
status are elucidated. In addition, it is demonstrated that even the
convective boundary problems can be generally estimated using this approach.
Finally, effects on LTE of the material properties (thermal conductivity,
volumetric heat capacity of each phase, sample porosity and pore hydraulic
radius) are investigated, illustrated and discussed in our study.
Processes development for high temperature solar thermal Kalina power station
Authors: Ganesh Shankar , Srinivas Tangellapalli
Published: April 2013

Kalina cycle system (KCS) operates at a heat source temperature up to 600?C
with an improved heat recovery. The current work focuses on thermodynamic
processes development and assessment of a KCS configuration to augment the
power from a heat recovery of solar thermal collectors operating from 250?C
to 600?C. There are three pressure levels in current cycle i.e. high
pressure (HP), intermediate pressure (IP) and low pressure (LP). The
superheated vapor expands from HP to LP and the separator is located at IP.
The current work develops a new methodology for thermodynamic evaluation with
more flexibility compared to the reported method in literature. Separator
inlet condition (temperature and concentration), turbine inlet condition
(pressure, temperature and concentration) and solar radiation have been
identified as key parameters for the plant evaluation. The performance is
improving with an increase in separator temperature, turbine inlet pressure,
source temperature and solar radiation. But it is decreasing with an increase
in separator and turbine inlet concentrations. The cycle efficiency, plant
efficiency and specific power have been found as 23.5%, 7.5% and 675 kW at
0.3 separator concentration and 0.5 turbine concentration.
Numerical study of heat and mass transfer during evaporation of a turbulent binary liquid film
Authors: Khalal Larbi , Feddaoui M’barek , Mediouni Touria
Published: April 2013

This paper deals with a computational study for analysing heat and mass
exchanges in the evaporation of a turbulent binary liquid film (water-ethanol
and water-methanol) along a vertical tube. The film is in co-current with the
dry air and the tube wall is subjected to a uniform heat flux. The effect of
gas-liquid phase coupling, variable thermophysical properties and film
vaporization are considered in the analysis. The numerical method applied
solves the coupled governing equations together with the boundary and
interfacial conditions. The algebraic systems of equations obtained are
solved using the Thomas algorithm. The results concern the effects of the
inlet liquid Reynolds number and inlet film composition on the intensity of
heat and mass transfer. In this study, results obtained show that heat
transferred through the latent mode is more pronounced when the concentration
of volatile components is higher in the liquid mixture .The comparisons of
wall temperature and accumulated mass evaporation rate with the literature
results are in good agreement.
A modified Yang-Laplace equation for the bubble electrospinning considering the effect of humidity
Authors: Liu Fu-Juan , Dou Hao
Published: April 2013

Polymer bubbles can be used for green mass-production of environmental
friendly nanofibers with less energy consumption than any other classical
methods. A modified Yang-Laplace equation is derived considering the effect
of humidity. The paper concludes that the humidity is an effective parameter
in controlling the spinning process.
Extending the Bejan number to a general form
Authors: Awad Mohamrd , Lage Jose
Published: April 2013

A modified form of the Bejan number (Be), originally proposed by
Bhattacharjee and Grosshandler for momentum processes, is obtained by
replacing the dynamic viscosity (m) appearing in the original proposition
with the equivalent product of the fluid density (r) and the momentum
diffusivity of the fluid (n). This modified form is not only more akin to the
physics it represents but it also has the advantage of being dependent on
only one viscosity coefficient. Moreover, this simple modification allows for
a much simpler extension of Be to other diffusion processes, such as a heat
or a species transfer process, by simply replacing the diffusivity
coefficient. Consequently, a general Be representation for any process
involving pressure-drop and diffusion becomes possible. It is shown that this
general representation yields analogous results for any process satisfying
the Reynolds analogy (i.e., when Pr = Sc = 1), in which case the momentum,
energy and species concentration representations of Be turn out to be the
same.
Mixed type symmetric and self duality for multiobjective variational problems with support functions
Authors: Husain I. , Mattoo Rumana
Published: April 2013

In this paper, a pair of mixed type symmetric dual multiobjective variational
problems containing support functions is formulated. This mixed formulation
unifies two existing pairs Wolfe and Mond-Weir type symmetric dual
multiobjective variational problems containing support functions. For this
pair of mixed type nondifferentiable multiobjective variational problems,
various duality theorems are established under convexity-concavity and
pseudoconvexity-pseudoconcavity of certain combination of functionals
appearing in the formulation. A self duality theorem under additional
assumptions on the kernel functions that occur in the problems is validated.
A pair of mixed type nondifferentiable multiobjective variational problem
with natural boundary values is also formulated to investigate various
duality theorems. It is also pointed that our duality theorems can be viewed
as dynamic generalizations of the corresponding (static) symmetric and self
duality of multiobjective nonlinear programming with support functions.
Production of l-tryptophan by enantioselective hydrolysis of d,l-tryptophanamide using a newly isolated bacterium
Authors: Xu Jian-Miao , Chen Ben , Wang Yuan-Shan , Zheng Yu-Guo
Published: April 2013

Bacterial strain ZJB-09211 capable of amidase production has recently been isolated from soil samples. The strain is able to asymmetrically hydrolyze l-tryptophanamide from d,l-tryptophanamide to produce l-tryptophan in high yield and with excellent stereoselectivity (enantiomeric excess > 99.9 %, and enantiomeric ratio > 200). Strain ZJB-09211 has been identified as Flavobacterium aquatile based on the cell morphology analysis, physiological tests, and the 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Optimization of the fermentation medium led to an about six-fold increase in the amidase activity of strain ZJB-09211, which reached 501.5 U L−1. Substrate specifity and stereoselectivity investigations revealed that amidase of F. aquatile possessed a broad substrate spectrum and high enantioselectivity.
Incremental Development of Multiple Tool Models for Robotic Reaching Through Autonomous Exploration
Authors: Jamone Lorenzo , Damas Bruno , Endo Nobotsuna , Santos-Victor José , Takanishi Atsuo
Published: April 2013

Autonomy and flexibility are two major requirements for modern robots. In particular, humanoid robots should learn new skills incrementally through autonomous exploration, and adapt to different contexts. In this paper we consider the problem of learning forward models for task space control under dynamically varying kinematic contexts: the robot learns incrementally and autonomously its forward kinematics under different contexts, represented by the inclusion of different tools, and exploits the learned model to realize reaching with those tools. We model the forward kinematics as a multi-valued function, in which different outputs for the same input query are related to different tools (i.e. contexts). The model is estimated using IMLE, a recent online learning algorithm for multi-valued regression, and used for control. No information is given about the tool changes, nor any assumption is made about the tool kinematics. Results are provided both in simulation and with a full-body humanoid. In the latter case we show how the robot successfully performs reaching using a flexible tool, a clear example of complex kinematics.
Textual Variants in Cascando: An Argument for a Scholarly Edition
Authors: Alsop D. K.
Published: April 2013

The article argues for a scholarly approach to editions of Beckett, taking the radio play Cascando as its example. Since the first English editions of this play, there have been two distinct and different translations from Beckett's original French. Though the Faber edition (originally with a series of obvious errors) has become the more established of the two, there remain fascinating variants between editions. The French original offers a basis for comparison between the translations. Readers should at least have access to the textual history of the play, and to its variants. There should also be a commitment to making the original music available.
‘Ill buttoned’ : Comparing the representation of objects in Samuel Beckett'sIll Seen Ill Saidand Gertrude Stein'sTender Buttons
Authors: Nugent-Folan Georgina
Published: April 2013

This article argues for a reconsideration of Gertrude Stein's influence on the development of Samuel Beckett's aesthetics of language, together with the overall comparability of their work. The article will demonstrate that when read through the context of Beckett's observations on Stein in the 1937 German letter, their respective approaches towards the same operation, namely the logographic representation of a word in other words, is highly comparable. The article forwards Stein's Tender Buttons as a text that can be considered highly compatible with Beckett's observations on Stein in the German letter and argues for a reconsideration of the avenues through which Beckett may have encountered Stein's work, specifically in relation to the magazine transition. The article subsequently compares Stein's representation of objects in Tender Buttons (published in transition 14), with excerpts from Beckett's Murphy and Watt, followed by an extended analysis of Ill Seen Ill Said.
Use of Tetravalent Galabiose for Inhibition of Streptococcus Suis Serotype 2 Infection in a Mouse Model
Authors: Pieters Roland , Slotved Hans-Christian , Mortensen Hanne , Arler Lene , Finne Jukka , Haataja Sauli , Joosten John , Branderhorst Hilbert , Krogfelt Karen
Published: April 2013

Streptococcus suis is an important swine pathogen associated with a variety of infections such as meningitis, arthritis and septicemia. The bacterium is zoonotic and has been found to cause meningitis especially in humans occupationally exposed to infected pigs. Since adhesion is a prerequisite for colonization and subsequent infection, anti-adhesion treatment seems a natural alternative to traditional treatment with antibiotics. In order to optimize the inhibitory potency a multivalency approach was taken in the inhibitor design. A synthetic tetravalent galabiose compound was chosen which had previously shown promising anti-adhesion effects with S. suis in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of the compound using an infection peritonitis mouse model. As such S. suis serotype 2 infection and treatment were tested in vivo and the effects were compared to the effect of treatment with penicillin.
Protein Kinase C Epsilon and Genetic Networks in Osteosarcoma Metastasis
Authors: Goudarzi Atta , Gokgoz Nalan , Gill Mona , Pinnaduwage Dushanthi , Merico Daniele , Wunder Jay , Andrulis Irene
Published: April 2013

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the bone, and pulmonary metastasis is the most frequent cause of OS mortality. The aim of this study was to discover and characterize genetic networks differentially expressed in metastatic OS. Expression profiling of OS tumors, and subsequent supervised network analysis, was performed to discover genetic networks differentially activated or organized in metastatic OS compared to localized OS. Broad trends among the profiles of metastatic tumors include aberrant activity of intracellular organization and translation networks, as well as disorganization of metabolic networks. The differentially activated PRKCε-RASGRP3-GNB2 network, which interacts with the disorganized DLG2 hub, was also found to be differentially expressed among OS cell lines with differing metastatic capacity in xenograft models. PRKCε transcript was more abundant in some metastatic OS tumors; however the difference was not significant overall. In functional studies, PRKCε was not found to be involved in migration of M132 OS cells, but its protein expression was induced in M112 OS cells following IGF-1 stimulation.