bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corn Response to Planting Date as Affected by Plant Population and Hybrid in Continuous Corn Cropping Systems
Authors: Lindsey A. J. , Thomison P. R. , Mullen R. , Geyer A. B.
Published: March 2015

Excessive rainfall in April and May often forces farmers in Ohio to plant or replant as much as half of their corn acreage as late as mid‐June. Short‐season hybrids that are earlier maturing than commonly grown maturities are planted after 1 June but optimum plant populations for these hybrids in late planting environments are not known. Field experiments were conducted at two Ohio locations (South Charleston and Custar in southwest and northwest OH respectively) in 2009 and 2010 to determine whether the economically optimum plant population in relation to corn grain yield is influenced by corn hybrid relative maturity and planting date. The experiments evaluated two planting dates (PD1‐ late April/early May and PD2‐ early/mid‐June), with subplots containing corn hybrids of differing maturities (102‐, 104‐, 111‐, and 113‐day relative maturity), and sub‐subplots comparing plant populations (20,000; 25,000; 30,000; 35,000; 40,000; and 45,000 plants A−1). Yields at the two locations, averaged across hybrids and plant populations, decreased 12 to 22% between PD1 and PD2. There were differences in yield response among hybrids for PD1 and PD2, but these differences were not strongly related to hybrid maturity. The economically optimum plant population was greater for PD1 than PD2 only at South Charleston. These results suggest in some Ohio environments, populations should be reduced regardless of relative maturity to optimize yield in June plantings in a continuous corn cropping system.
Observing Solute Transport in the Capillary Fringe Using Image Analysis and Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Laboratory Experiments
Authors: Persson Magnus , Dahlin Torleif , Günther Thomas
Published: March 2015

Five laboratory experiments were conducted to study solute transport in the capillary fringe in a sand‐filled glass tank containing an artificial groundwater zone, an unsaturated zone, and a capillary fringe in between. Dye‐stained water, applied at the soil surface, moved downward through the unsaturated zone and then horizontally in the capillary fringe. The horizontal velocity of the dye plume front was calculated using optical image analysis and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements. Both methods gave similar velocities if an appropriate value of the threshold ratio describing the dye front was used. The hydraulic model HYDRUS‐2D was used to simulate dye movement in the glass tank. After calibrating the dispersivity value in the hydraulic model, the horizontal velocity was found to be in the range −10 to 17% compared with the values measured using image analysis and −12 to 24% compared with the values measured by ERT; the differences could probably be attributed to uncertainties in the hydraulic parameters and soil heterogeneities. Both experimental and numerical results showed that the horizontal velocity of the capillary fringe is more or less identical to the one in the saturated zone. Thus, from a water transport perspective, the results suggest that the capillary fringe should be treated as a part of the saturated zone in hydrologic modeling.
Impact of Bioclogging on Peat vs. Sand Biofilters
Authors: Mostafa M. , Van Geel P.J.
Published: March 2015

Biological clogging of unsaturated soils is an important process that can lead to the development of a biomat and failure of biofilters used to treat various wastewater streams. Septic beds and peat filters used to treat septic tank effluent are important applications. Several conceptual models have been developed to simulate clogging in saturated soils; however, limited effort has been conducted to develop similar models for unsaturated soils. Different conceptual models have been proposed to simulate biological clogging in unsaturated systems. These models include the impacts of biomass growth on the relative permeability term for unsaturated flow, but limited experimental data have been used to validate these models. In this study, column experiments were conducted to study the clogging process in loose and dense peat, filter media sand, and septic bed sand. Experimental data indicated that the pore structure of the peat, in comparison to two commonly used sands for septic drainage fields, allowed the biomass to distribute itself over a greater depth within the peat biofilter and delayed the formation of a biomat at the surface and eventual clogging of the filter medium.
Retraction: Stanimirovic Z, Aleksic N, Kulic M, Maletic M. Fumagillin-induced chromosome aberrations in mouse bone-marrow cells, Arch Biol Sci. 2010;62(1):47-55, DOI: 10.2298/ABS1001047S
Authors: Editorial E
Published: March 2015

This is a notice of retraction of the article:
Fumagillin-induced chromosome aberrations in mouse bone-marrow cells,
published in the Archives of Biological Sciences in 2010, Vol. 62, Issue 1.
The Editor-in-Chief has been informed that this paper plagiarizes an earlier
paper: Kulic M, Aleksic N, Stanimirovic Z, Ristic S, Medenica S. Examination
of genotoxic effects of fumagillin in vivo. Genetika. 2009;41(3):329-38. The
results presented in the article that is being retracted partially overlap
with the results in the original article without appropriate justification,
permission or crossreferencing. Further, Figs. 1 and 2 in the retracted
article also appear in: Stanimirovic Z, Stevanovic J, Kulic M, Stojic V.
Frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the evaluation of genotoxic potential
of dicyclohexylamine (fumagillin) in vivo. Acta Veterinaria.
2006;56(4):353-66. and in Stanimirovic Z, Stevanovic J, Bajic V, Radovic I.
Evaluation of genotoxic effects of fumagillin by cytogenetic tests in vivo.
Mutat Res. 2007;628(1):1-10. These figures (in the retracted article) have
been subsequently tampered with and therefore present falsified results.
After confirmation of this fact, the Editor-in-Chief of the Archives of
Biological Sciences has decided to retract the paper immediately. We
apologize to the readers of the journal that it took so many years to notice
this error and to retract the paper. We request readers of the journal to
directly get in touch with the editorial office and the editors of the
journal for similar cases in the future, so that they can be handled
promptly.

 Link to the retracted article 10.2298/ABS1001047S
U.S.-Listed Foreign Companies' Choice of a U.S.-Based versus Home Country-Based Big N Principal Auditor and the Effect on Audit Fees and Earnings Quality
Authors: Asthana Sharad C. , Raman K. K. , Xu Hongkang
Published: March 2015

SYNOPSIS

We examine why U.S.-listed foreign companies choose to have a U.S.-based (rather than home country-based) Big N firm as their principal auditor for SEC reporting purposes and the effects of that choice for audit fees and earnings quality. We find that the likelihood of the Big N principal auditor being U.S.-based is decreasing in client size and the level of investor protection in the home country, and increasing in the proportion of income earned outside the home country. We also find compelling evidence that U.S.-based Big N auditors are associated with higher-quality earnings (albeit for a higher fee), despite two factors—the greater distance between the U.S.-based (vis-à-vis home country-based) Big N auditor and the client, and the likelihood that much of the audit work is done outside the U.S.—which potentially could lower the earnings quality of the U.S.-listed foreign client when the Big N principal auditor is U.S.-based. Overall, our study suggests that the higher fees associated with a U.S.-based Big N principal auditor is not just price protection; rather, U.S.-based Big N principal auditors are also improving the financial reporting environment by reporting higher-quality audited earnings for their U.S.-listed foreign clients.

JEL Classifications: L11; L15; M42.
A Theory of Hard and Soft Information
Authors: Bertomeu Jeremy , Marinovic Iván
Published: March 2015

We study optimal disclosure via two competing communication channels: hard information whose value has been verified, and soft disclosures such as forecasts, unaudited statements, and press releases. We show that certain soft disclosures may contain as much information as hard disclosures, and we establish that: (1) exclusive reliance on soft disclosures tends to convey bad news, (2) credibility is greater when unfavorable information is reported, and (3) misreporting is more likely when soft information is issued jointly with hard information. We also show that a soft report that is seemingly unbiased in expectation need not indicate truthful reporting. We demonstrate that mandatory disclosure of hard information reduces the transmission of soft information, and that the aggregation of hard with soft information will turn all information soft.

JEL Classifications: D72; D82; D83; G20.
Hemodynamic influence of acepromazine or dexmedetomidine premedication in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs
Authors: Grasso Stefania C. , Ko Jeff C. , Weil Ann B. , Paranjape Vaidehi , Constable Peter D.
Published: March 2015

Objective—To investigate hemodynamic effects of acepromazine and dexmedetomidine premedication in dogs undergoing general anesthesia induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and assess the influence of these drugs on oxygen-carrying capacity and PCV.

Design—Prospective, randomized crossover study.

Animals—6 healthy adult dogs.

Procedures—Dogs received acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg [0.023 mg/lb]) or dexmedetomidine (15.0 μg/kg [6.82 μg/lb]) IM. Fifteen minutes later, anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained at end-tidal isoflurane concentration of 1.28% (1 minimum alveolar concentration) for 30 minutes. Hemodynamic variables were recorded at predetermined times. The experiment was repeated 48 hours later with the alternate premedication. Results were analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA with a mixed-models procedure.

Results—Bradycardia, hypertension, and significant cardiac output (CO) reduction developed after dexmedetomidine premedication but improved during isoflurane anesthesia. Hypotension developed after acepromazine administration and persisted throughout the isoflurane maintenance period, but CO was maintained throughout the anesthetic period when dogs received this treatment. Oxygen delivery and consumption were not different between treatments at most time points, whereas arterial oxygen content was lower with acepromazine premedication owing to lower PCV during isoflurane anesthesia.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Acepromazine exacerbated hypotension, but CO did not change in dogs anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane. Dexmedetomidine reduced CO but prevented propofol-isoflurane–induced hypotension. In general, oxygen-carrying capacity and PCV were higher in dexmedetomidine-treated than in acepromazine-treated dogs anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane.
Pcl/Chitosan Blended Nanofibrous Tubes Made by Dual Syringe Electrospinning
Authors: Hild Martin , Fayez Al Rez Mohammed , Aibibu Dilbar , Toskas Georgios , Cheng Tong , Laourine Ezzedine , Cherif Chokri
Published: March 2015

3D tubular scaffolds made from Poly-(Ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL)/chitosan (CS) nanofibres are very promising candidate as vascular grafts in the field of tissue engineering. In this work, the fabrication of PCL/CS-blended nanofibrous tubes with small diameters by electrospinning from separate PCL and CS solutions is studied. The influence of different CS solutions (CS/polyethylene glycol (PEO)/glacial acetic acid (AcOH), CS/trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), CS/ AcOH) on fibre formation and producibility of nanofibrous tubes is investigated. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is used to verify the presence of CS in the blended samples. Tensile testing and pore size measurements are done to underline the good prerequisites of the fabricated blended PCL/ CS nanofibrous tubes as potential scaffolds for vascular grafts. Tubes fabricated from the combination of PCL and CS dissolved in AcOH possesses properties, which are favourable for future cell culture studies.
Definitive single-stage posterior surgical correction of complete traumatic spondyloptosis at the thoracolumbar junction
Authors: Sandquist Lee , Paris Alexander , Fahim Daniel K.
Published: March 2015

Complete dislocation at the thoracolumbar junction is a rare occurrence, with only 4 previously reported cases in 3 separate series. Surgical procedures in the reported cases of spondyloptosis at the thoracolumbar junction have been described using instrumentation, reduction, decompression, and stabilization techniques. In this report the authors' patient presented with spondyloptosis at the thoracolumbar junction, resulting in a T-11 American Spinal Injury Association Grade A injury. The authors corrected the patient's thoracolumbar spondyloptosis with surgical reconstruction without the use of leveraged instrumented reduction. They describe a single-stage, posterior-only spinal realignment, reconstruction, and stabilization. Within months of beginning postoperative therapy, the patient enrolled and attended courses at a local college and regained personal independence by learning to drive a motor vehicle with a hand control. Two-year radiographic and clinical follow-up confirms solid fusion across the reconstruction.
Pallidal stimulation for Holmes tremor: clinical outcomes and single-unit recordings in 4 cases
Authors: Kilbane Camilla , Ramirez-Zamora Adolfo , Ryapolova-Webb Elena , Qasim Salman , Glass Graham A. , Starr Philip A. , Ostrem Jill L.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Holmes tremor (HT) is characterized by irregular, low-frequency (< 4.5 Hz) tremor occurring at rest, with posture, and with certain actions, often affecting proximal muscles. Previous reports have tended to highlight the use of thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in cases of medication-refractory HT. In this study, the authors report the clinical outcome and analysis of single-unit recordings in patients with medication-refractory HT treated with globus pallidus internus (GPi) DBS.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 4 patients treated with pallidal DBS for medication-refractory HT at the University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Clinical outcomes were measured at baseline and after surgery using an abbreviated motor-severity Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) tremor rating scale. Intraoperative microelectrode recordings were performed with patients in the awake state. The neurophysiological characteristics identified in HT were then also compared with characteristics previously described in Parkinson's disease (PD) studied at the authors' institution.

RESULTS

The mean percentage improvement in tremor motor severity was 78.87% (range 59.9%–94.4%) as measured using the FTM tremor rating scale, with an average length of follow-up of 33.75 months (range 18–52 months). Twenty-eight GPi neurons were recorded intraoperatively in the resting state and 13 of these were also recorded during contralateral voluntary arm movement. The mean firing rate at rest in HT was 56.2 ± 28.5 Hz, and 63.5 ± 19.4 Hz with action, much lower than the GPi recordings in PD. GPi unit oscillations of 2–8 Hz were prominent in both patients with HT and those with PD, but in HT, unlike PD, these oscillations were not suppressed by voluntary movement.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of GPi DBS exceeded that reported in prior studies of ventrolateral thalamus DBS and suggest GPi may be a better target for treating HT. These clinical and neurophysiological findings help illuminate evolving models of HT and highlight the importance of cerebellar–basal ganglia interactions.
A Critical Analysis of the British Horseracing Authority’s Review of the Use of the Whip in Horseracing
Authors: Jones Bidda , Goodfellow Jed , Yeates James , McGreevy Paul
Published: March 2015

There is increasing controversy about the use of the whip as a performance aid in Thoroughbred horseracing and its impact on horse welfare. This paper offers a critical analysis of the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) 2011 Report Responsible Regulation: A Review of the Use of the Whip in Horseracing. It examines the BHA’s process of consultation and use of science and public opinion research through the application of current scientific literature and legal analysis. This analysis suggests that the BHA’s findings on the welfare impact and justification for whip use are insufficiently defended by the report. These findings indicate that the report is an inadequate basis from which to draw any definitive conclusions on the impact of whips on racehorse welfare. Further review is needed, undertaken by an independent scientific body, to advance this debate.
Silymarin as a Natural Antioxidant: An Overview of the Current Evidence and Perspectives
Authors: Surai Peter
Published: March 2015

Silymarin (SM), an extract from the Silybum marianum (milk thistle) plant containing various flavonolignans (with silybin being the major one), has received a tremendous amount of attention over the last decade as a herbal remedy for liver treatment. In many cases, the antioxidant properties of SM are considered to be responsible for its protective actions. Possible antioxidant mechanisms of SM are evaluated in this review. (1) Direct scavenging free radicals and chelating free Fe and Cu are mainly effective in the gut. (2) Preventing free radical formation by inhibiting specific ROS-producing enzymes, or improving an integrity of mitochondria in stress conditions, are of great importance. (3) Maintaining an optimal redox balance in the cell by activating a range of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants, mainly via Nrf2 activation is probably the main driving force of antioxidant (AO) action of SM. (4) Decreasing inflammatory responses by inhibiting NF-κB pathways is an emerging mechanism of SM protective effects in liver toxicity and various liver diseases. (5) Activating vitagenes, responsible for synthesis of protective molecules, including heat shock proteins (HSPs), thioredoxin and sirtuins and providing additional protection in stress conditions deserves more attention. (6) Affecting the microenvironment of the gut, including SM-bacteria interactions, awaits future investigations. (7) In animal nutrition and disease prevention strategy, SM alone, or in combination with other hepatho-active compounds (carnitine, betaine, vitamin B12, etc.), might have similar hepatoprotective effects as described in human nutrition.
Cholinergic Transactivation of the EGFR in HaCaT Keratinocytes Stimulates a Flotillin-1 Dependent MAPK-Mediated Transcriptional Response
Authors: Kühne Sina , Ockenga Wymke , Banning Antje , Tikkanen Ritva
Published: March 2015

Acetylcholine and its receptors regulate numerous cellular processes in keratinocytes and other non-neuronal cells. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are capable of transactivating the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and, downstream thereof, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, which in turn regulates transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation and migration. We here show that cholinergic stimulation of human HaCaT keratinocytes results in increased transcription of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-3 as well as several ligands of the epidermal growth factor family. Since both metalloproteinases and the said ligands are involved in the transactivation of the EGFR, this transcriptional upregulation may provide a positive feed-forward loop for EGFR/MAPK activation. We here also show that the cholinergic EGFR and MAPK activation and the upregulation of MMP-3 and EGF-like ligands are dependent on the expression of flotillin-1 which we have previously shown to be a regulator of MAPK signaling.
Correction: Rasmussen, B.B., et al. Global and Phylogenetic Distribution of Quorum Sensing Signals, Acyl Homoserine Lactones, in the Family of Vibrionaceae. Mar. Drugs 2014, 12, 5527–5546
Authors: Rasmussen Bastian , Nielsen Kristian , Machado Henrique , Melchiorsen Jette , Gram Lone , Sonnenschein Eva
Published: March 2015

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: Due to duplicated and missing data in Table 3, Page 5533, replace: [...]
Kalkitoxin Inhibits Angiogenesis, Disrupts Cellular Hypoxic Signaling, and Blocks Mitochondrial Electron Transport in Tumor Cells
Authors: Morgan J. , Liu Yang , Coothankandaswamy Veena , Mahdi Fakhri , Jekabsons Mika , Gerwick William , Valeriote Frederick , Zhou Yu-Dong , Nagle Dale
Published: March 2015

The biologically active lipopeptide kalkitoxin was previously isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Moorea producens (Lyngbya majuscula). Kalkitoxin exhibited N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated neurotoxicity and acted as an inhibitory ligand for voltage-sensitive sodium channels in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. Subsequent studies revealed that kalkitoxin generated a delayed form of colon tumor cell cytotoxicity in 7-day clonogenic cell survival assays. Cell line- and exposure time-dependent cytostatic/cytotoxic effects were previously observed with mitochondria-targeted inhibitors of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). The transcription factor HIF-1 functions as a key regulator of oxygen homeostasis. Therefore, we investigated the ability of kalkitoxin to inhibit hypoxic signaling in human tumor cell lines. Kalkitoxin potently and selectively inhibited hypoxia-induced activation of HIF-1 in T47D breast tumor cells (IC50 5.6 nM). Mechanistic studies revealed that kalkitoxin inhibits HIF-1 activation by suppressing mitochondrial oxygen consumption at electron transport chain (ETC) complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase). Further studies indicate that kalkitoxin targets tumor angiogenesis by blocking the induction of angiogenic factors (i.e., VEGF) in tumor cells.
Interpreting the Australian Dietary Guideline to “Limit” into Practical and Personalised Advice
Authors: Fayet-Moore  Flavia , Pearson Suzanne
Published: March 2015

Food-based dietary guidelines shift the focus from single nutrients to whole diet. Guideline 3 of the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) recommends “limiting” discretionary foods and beverages (DF)—Those high in saturated fat, added sugars, salt, and/or alcohol. In Australia, DF contribute 35% of total energy intake. Using the ADG supporting documents, the aim of this study was to develop a food‑based educational toolkit to help translate guideline 3 and interpret portion size. The methodology used to produce the toolkit is presented here. “Additional energy allowance” is specific to gender, age, height and physical activity level, and can be met from core foods, unsaturated fats/oils/spreads and/or DF. To develop the toolkit, additional energy allowance was converted to serves equaling 600 kJ. Common DF were selected and serves were determined based on nutrient profile. Portion sizes were used to calculate number of DF serves. A consumer brochure consisting of DF, portion sizes and equivalent number of DF serves was developed. A healthcare professional guide outlines the methodology used. The toolkit was designed to assist dietitians and consumers to translate guideline 3 of the ADF and develop a personalized approach to include DF as part of the diet.
Associations between Orosensory Perception of Oleic Acid, the Common Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (rs1761667 and rs1527483) in the CD36 Gene, and 6-n-Propylthiouracil (PROP) Tasting
Authors: Melis Melania , Sollai Giorgia , Muroni Patrizia , Crnjar Roberto , Tomassini Barbarossa Iole
Published: March 2015

Orosensory perception of dietary fat varies in individuals, thus influencing nutritional status. Several studies associated fat detection and preference with CD36 or 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) sensitivity. Other studies have not confirmed the latter association. We analyzed the relationship between orosensory perception of oleic acid, two CD36 variants, and PROP tasting. Thresholds of oleic acid perception were assessed in 64 subjects using a modification of the three-alternative forced-choice procedure. Subjects were classified for PROP taster status and genotyped for TAS2R38 and CD36 (SNPs: rs1761667 and rs1527483). Subjects homozygous for GG of the rs1761667 polymorphism showed higher sensitivity to oleic acid than AA subjects. The capability to detect oleic acid was directly associated with TAS2R38 or PROP responsiveness. PROP non-tasters had a lower papilla density than tasters, and those with genotype GG of the rs1761667 polymorphism had lower oleic acid thresholds than PROP non-tasters with genotype AA. In conclusion, results showed a direct association between orosensory perception of oleic acid and PROP tasting or rs1761667 polymorphism of CD36, which play a significant role in PROP non-tasters, given their low number of taste papillae. Characterization of individual capability to detect fatty acids may have important nutritional implications by explaining variations in human fat preferences.
Open Hardware: A Role to Play in Wireless Sensor Networks?
Authors: Fisher Roy , Ledwaba Lehlogonolo , Hancke Gerhard , Kruger Carel
Published: March 2015

The concept of the Internet of Things is rapidly becoming a reality, with many applications being deployed within industrial and consumer sectors. At the ‘thing’ level—devices and inter-device network communication—the core technical building blocks are generally the same as those found in wireless sensor network implementations. For the Internet of Things to continue growing, we need more plentiful resources for building intelligent devices and sensor networks. Unfortunately, current commercial devices, e.g., sensor nodes and network gateways, tend to be expensive and proprietary, which presents a barrier to entry and arguably slows down further development. There are, however, an increasing number of open embedded platforms available and also a wide selection of off-the-shelf components that can quickly and easily be built into device and network gateway solutions. The question is whether these solutions measure up to built-for-purpose devices. In the paper, we provide a comparison of existing built-for-purpose devices against open source devices. For comparison, we have also designed and rapidly prototyped a sensor node based on off-the-shelf components. We show that these devices compare favorably to built-for-purpose devices in terms of performance, power and cost. Using open platforms and off-the-shelf components would allow more developers to build intelligent devices and sensor networks, which could result in a better overall development ecosystem, lower barriers to entry and rapid growth in the number of IoT applications.
Indicator Policy Factsheets: A Knowledge Brokerage Tool
Authors: Hák Tomáš , Janoušková Svatava , Whitby Alistair , Abdallah Saamah , Kovanda Jan
Published: March 2015

The concepts of sustainable development, quality of life, wellbeing, green growth, etc., and their assessment by various kinds of indicators (within the “Beyond GDP”, or later known as the “GDP and Beyond” movement) have become important features of the professional life of many researchers, administrators and even policy makers. The underlying concepts, as well as the indicators are very broad, are often closely linked or overlapping and are in a continuous process of development. Information about them is primarily available in a scientific form—hypotheses, models, scenarios and figures—seldom comprehensible for a broad spectrum of final users. Some recent surveys show that the proliferation of indicators and the complexity (and complicatedness) of the underlying concepts impede the willingness of policy makers to use them. One of the most viable and effective ways to overcome this barrier is to provide users with accurately targeted information about particular indicators. The article introduces “indicator policy factsheets” complementing the already developed and routinely used “indicator methodology sheets”; indicator policy factsheets contain specific and easy-to-obtain information supporting instrumental, conceptual and symbolic use of indicators.
Further Evidence for Staphylococcal Food Poisoning Outbreaks Caused by egc-Encoded Enterotoxins
Authors: Johler Sophia , Giannini Petra , Jermini Marco , Hummerjohann Jörg , Baumgartner Andreas , Stephan Roger
Published: March 2015

Staphylococcal food poisoning represents the most prevalent foodborne intoxication worldwide. It is caused by oral intake of enterotoxins preformed by Staphylococcus aureus in food. The relevance of newly described enterotoxins in outbreaks of staphylococcal food poisoning is controversially discussed. Although the staphylococcal enterotoxins SEG, SEI, SEM, SEN, and SEO elicit emesis in a monkey feeding assay, there has been no conclusive proof of their emetic activity in humans. In this study, we provide further evidence suggesting that one of these enterotoxins or a combination of SEG, SEI, SEM, SEN, and SEO cause staphylococcal food poisoning. We investigated two outbreaks registered with the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, in which only Staphylococcus aureus strains harboring the egc cluster, including seg, sei, sem, sen, and seo linked to typical signs of staphylococcal food poisoning were isolated. The outbreaks were caused by consumption of raw goat cheese and semi-hard goat cheese, and were linked to strains assigned to CC45 (agr type I) and CC9 (agr type II), respectively. These outbreaks provide further evidence that newly-described staphylococcal enterotoxins are likely to cause staphylococcal food poisoning in humans.
Selection Pressure in CD8+ T-cell Epitopes in the pol Gene of HIV-1 Infected Individuals in Colombia. A Bioinformatic Approach
Authors: Acevedo-Sáenz Liliana , Ochoa Rodrigo , Rugeles Maria , Olaya-García Patricia , Velilla-Hernández Paula , Diaz Francisco
Published: March 2015

One of the main characteristics of the human immunodeficiency virus is its genetic variability and rapid adaptation to changing environmental conditions. This variability, resulting from the lack of proofreading activity of the viral reverse transcriptase, generates mutations that could be fixed either by random genetic drift or by positive selection. Among the forces driving positive selection are antiretroviral therapy and CD8+ T-cells, the most important immune mechanism involved in viral control. Here, we describe mutations induced by these selective forces acting on the pol gene of HIV in a group of infected individuals. We used Maximum Likelihood analyses of the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous mutations per site (dN/dS) to study the extent of positive selection in the protease and the reverse transcriptase, using 614 viral sequences from Colombian patients. We also performed computational approaches, docking and algorithmic analyses, to assess whether the positively selected mutations affected binding to the HLA molecules. We found 19 positively-selected codons in drug resistance-associated sites and 22 located within CD8+ T-cell epitopes. A high percentage of mutations in these epitopes has not been previously reported. According to the docking analyses only one of those mutations affected HLA binding. However, algorithmic methods predicted a decrease in the affinity for the HLA molecule in seven mutated peptides. The bioinformatics strategies described here are useful to identify putative positively selected mutations associated with immune escape but should be complemented with an experimental approach to define the impact of these mutations on the functional profile of the CD8+ T-cells.
Human Papillomavirus and Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer
Authors: Ramqvist Torbjörn , Grün Nathalie , Dalianis Tina
Published: March 2015

In 2007, human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 was recognized as a risk factor by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), where tonsillar and base of tongue cancer (TSCC and BOTSCC) dominate. Furthermore, patients with HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC, had a much better clinical outcome than those with corresponding HPV-negative cancer and other head and neck cancer. More specifically, survival was around 80% for HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC vs. 40% five-year disease free survival, for the corresponding HPV-negative tumors with conventional radiotherapy and surgery, while this could not be observed for HPV-positive OSCC at other sites. In addition, the past 20–40 years in many Western Countries, the incidence of HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC has risen, and >70% are men. This has resulted in a relative increase of patients with HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC that may not need the intensified chemo-radiotherapy (with many more severe debilitating side effects) often given today to patients with head and neck cancer. However, before tapering therapy, one needs to enable selection of patients for such treatment, by identifying clinical and molecular markers that together with HPV-positive status will better predict patient prognosis and response to therapy. To conclude, there is a new increasing group of patients with HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC with good clinical outcome, where options for better-tailored therapy are needed. For prevention, it would be of benefit to vaccinate both girls and boys against HPV16 infection. For potential future screening the ways to do so need optimizing.
Changes of CD4+CD25+ Cells Ratio in Immune Organs from Chickens Challenged with Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Strains with Varying Virulences
Authors: Yu Xiaoxue , Rui Lei , Shao Qiang , Liu Haiwen , Lu Yanan , Zhang Yongchao , Li Zandong
Published: March 2015

In the current study, we investigate changes in CD4+CD25+ cells in chickens during infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ cells in lymph organs, e.g., the thymus, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and peripheral blood, during the first 1–5 days post infection (dpi) was assessed by flow cytometry. The data revealed a remarkable decrease in the percentage of CD4+CD25+ cells in the thymus from 1 to 5 dpi and in the spleen during early infection. An increase of the percentage of CD4+CD25+ cells among peripheral blood lymphocytes was observed during the first two days of IBDV infection. Additionally, CD4+CD25+ cells infiltrated the bursa along with CD4+ cells after IBDV infection. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA levels of immune-related cytokines in IBDV-infected thymus and bursa of Fabricius tissues. The data revealed that IBDV caused a significant increase in interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA levels, with the Harbin-1 strain (vvIBDV) inducing higher IL-10 expression than the Ts strain. Taken together, our data suggest that chicken CD4+CD25+ cells may participate in IBDV pathogenicity by migrating from their sites of origin and storage, the thymus and spleen, to the virally targeted bursa of Fabricius during IBDV infection.
Behavior of a Fully-Looped Drainage Network and the Corresponding Dendritic Networks
Authors: Seo Yongwon , Seo Young-Ho , Kim Young-Oh
Published: March 2015

Hydraulic and hydrologic analysis in urban catchments is typically accompanied by a number of uncertainties, such as a lack of required information for modeling purposes or complex loops inside a drainage network. In this article, Gibbs’ stochastic network model is utilized in order to achieve a dendritic network that corresponds to a fully looped network in terms of the peak of the runoff hydrograph at the outlet. A synthetic catchment with a drainage network composed of 8 × 8 grids is introduced to investigate the behavior of a fully looped network for a given rainfall event using the Storm Water Management Model. Dendritic networks are generated from the Gibbsian model for a given value of the parameter, β. The results showed that the shape of the hydrograph and the peak flow of a fully looped network are heavily dependent on the catchment slope. Moreover, the results showed that it is possible to find the corresponding dendritic networks generated by the Gibbsian model that match the fully looped network depending on the catchment slope in terms of peak flows. The results of this study imply the potential improvement of drainage network analysis providing a relationship between the catchment slope of a fully looped network and the corresponding dendritic network generated by the Gibbsian model.
Synthesis and chemosensing properties of cinnoline-containing poly(arylene ethynylene)s
Authors: Danilkina Natalia A , Vlasov Petr S , Vodianik Semen M , Kruchinin Andrey A , Vlasov Yuri G , Balova Irina A
Published: March 2015

Novel poly(arylene ethynylene)s comprising a cinnoline core were prepared in high yields via a three-step methodology. A Richter-type cyclization of 2-ethynyl- and 2-(buta-1,3-diynyl)aryltriazenes was used for cinnoline ring formation, followed by a Sonogashira coupling for the introduction of trimethylsilylethynyl moieties and a sila-Sonogashira coupling as the polycondensation technique. The fluorescence of the cinnoline-containing polymers in THF was highly sensitive to quenching by Pd2+ ions.
¿Otra clase de politización? Representaciones de la vida colectiva y procesos de implicación cívica de los jóvenes en situación de desventaja
Authors: Benedicto Jorge , Morán María Luz
Published: March 2015

El artículo analiza el modo en que los jóvenes españoles en situación de desventaja politizan la complicada realidad en la que desarrollan sus vidas y cómo, en algunos casos, son capaces de convertirse en actores políticos por medio de la implicación con otros en acciones de carácter reivindicativo, superando así el efecto de las desventajas que dificultan enormemente sus transiciones. Utilizando los resultados de una investigación realizada entre 2009 y 2011 con jóvenes madrileños y andaluces que presentan evidentes dificultades en sus procesos de integración, se analiza la complejidad de sus procesos de politización. La frustración y la impotencia cívica derivadas de las difíciles condiciones en que desarrollan sus transiciones condicionan sus relaciones con lo colectivo, pero no impiden la construcción de diferentes discursos políticos ni tampoco las experiencias de compromiso colectivo.
High Temperature Oxidation Investigation of Hot Roll Material with High-Speed Steel
Authors: Hao Liang , Jiang Zheng Yi , Chen Zhi Xin , Wei Dong Bin , Cheng Xia Wei , Luo Su Zhen , Jiang Lai Zhu , Luo M. , Ma Li
Published: March 2015

High-speed steels are successfully manufactured to make work rolls in hot rolling steel mills. An understanding of their oxidation behaviour is crucial to the degradation of work rolls and the surface quality of rolled strip. In this paper, the high temperature oxidation behaviour of a work roll with high-speed steel material was investigated under isothermal conditions from 550 to 750 °C for 30 min in 20% humid air. The results indicate that molybdenum-rich carbides M2C are oxidised and protrude out of the surface, vanadium-rich carbides MC and iron and chromium-rich carbides are easily identified and less influenced, but the oxides grown on the matrix are relatively even at 550 and 600 °C. However, at higher temperature, MC carbides are severely oxidised and extend to their nearby areas, whereas M7C3 zones can still be recognised but with more small particles grown on them.
Influence of Neodymium on Wear Resistance of Hypereutectic Al-Si Alloy
Authors: Shi Wei Xi , Du Cheng Wu , Li Gui Mao , Liu Zhi Ming
Published: March 2015

The morphology of eutectic and primary silicon phases was analyzed by OM and SEM. OM and SEM results show that pure Nd can significantly refine both eutectic and primary silicon of hypereutectic Al-20%Si alloy. Morphology of primary silicon is transformed from star-shaped and irregular morphology to fine polyhedral and grain size of primary silicon is refined from 80~120 μm to 20~50 μm. Friction and wear resistance tests show that friction coefficient of Al-20%Si alloy reduces after Nd modification. Wear resistance of Al-20%Si alloy after modification is significantly improved as compared to the initial sample. The dominant wear mechanism for 0.3% Nd modified alloy is abrasive wear, adhesive wear and oxidative wear mechanism, but wear mechanism for unmodified alloy is abrasive wear and adhesive wear mechanism.
Influence of Pre-Deformation Strain on Recovery Performance of Ni47Ti44Nb9 Alloy Φ8mm Pipe Joint
Authors: Wang Ke Lu , Lu Shi Qiang , Li Gui Fa , Liu Jun Wei , Wang Er Min
Published: March 2015

Using the method of expanding diameter in low temperature and water bath heating, this paper studied the effect of pre-deformation strain on shape memory recovery characteristics of Ni47Ti44Nb9 alloy Φ8 mm pipe joint. The results showed that the transformation hysteresis was relative stable along with the pre-deformation strain more than 12.1%, which was 130°C. And the radial recoverable strain got maximum value 8.4% when the pre-deformation strain was in 10.8%~12.5%. But the radial recovery rate of inside diameter declined smoothly with the pre-deformation strain. Systems considering the three parameters of transformation hysteresis, recoverable strain and strain recovery rate, it seemed the excellent predeformed strain for Ni47Ti44Nb9 alloy Φ8 mm pipe joint was just in 12%~17%.
Influence of Solution Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an Deformed Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg Alloy
Authors: Liu Fang , Yu Fu Xiao , Hu Ke , Zhao Da Zhi , Zuo Liang
Published: March 2015

Deformed Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg alloy was heat treated for different solution treatment. The effect of solution treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg alloy were investigated. The long Si particle is first fragmented, subsequently individual particles coarsen whilst becoming rounder with solution treatment in the present study. It was found that the size and aspect ratio of Si particles, have an effect on mechanical property of deformed Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg alloy. The mechanical properties of deformed Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg alloy in T4 condition are much higher than that of 6063 alloy in T4.
Investigation on the Property of High Si-Al Alloy Prepared with Ultrasonic Vibration Aided Casting Technology
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Yang , Zhao Long Zhi , Zhao Ming Juan , Jiang Xian
Published: March 2015

In common hypereutectic high Si-Al alloy, the properties and applications of high Si-Al alloy was influenced by the thick multi-triangle shaped primary silicon seriously. In this paper, the fine hypereutectic Al-Si alloy was fabricated with ultrasonic vibration aided casting technology and the influence of ultrasonic vibration on the alloy structure is investigated as well as the influence of the silicon content on the wear volume and hardness with the comparison of microscopic structures. The results show that the increase of silicon content ascends the hardness of the high Si-Al alloy. However, along with increase of silicon content, the wear loss decreases initially and increases when the silicon content is larger than 22%.
Liquid-Phase Separation of Undercooled Fe-Cu-Si Alloy
Authors: Wu Peng Hui , Liu Ning , Zhu Zhi Xuan
Published: March 2015

Liquid phase separation occurred in undercooled Fe-Cu alloys when the undercooling of the melt exceeds a critical value. 5at.% of Si was added into Cu50Fe50 alloy to investigate its effect on the liquid phase separation of Fe-Cu alloys in this paper. It indicated that the addition of Si could enhance the liquid-phase separation in Cu50Fe50 alloy. Additionally, with the increase of undercooling, second liquid-separation occurred in Fe-rich liquids, and many globular, tadpole and peanut-like morphology emerged in the Fe-rich region of Fe45Cu50Si5 alloy. Because of the mixing enthalpy of Fe-Si atomic pairs is more negative than that of Cu-Si atomic pairs; so Si is inclined to rich in Fe-rich region.
Manufacturing Technology Research of Magnesium Alloy Transmission Case
Authors: Wang Dong , Wang Shou Ren , Zhang Zhi Dong , Wu Wei
Published: March 2015

Based on the AZ91D magnesium alloy transmission case model, the paper analyzes the strength of transmission case by FEM method and manufacture products through the lost foam casting process. Then analyzes microstructure, ultimate strength, yield strength, elongation and impact toughness by sampling method. The results that AZ91D magnesium alloy is a preferable material in the small transmission field.
Micromechanics Analysis of Elastic Modulus of Alumina-Carbon Refractories
Authors: Ma Tian Fei , Li Hong Xia , Wang Xin Fu , Liu Guo Qi
Published: March 2015

Based on the micromechanics theory, Alumina-carbon refractories were regarded as resin-carbon bonded composites, including alumina, graphite and pores derived from particles packing gaps and phenolic resin pyrolysis. Graphite was regarded as isotropic spherical inclusions; particles packing gaps and phenolic resin pyrolysis pores were regarded as pore phase all together. Applying Mori-Tanaka multi-phase spherical inclusion method, firstly, elastic constants of resin-carbon phase were computed reversely by the elastic constants known alumina-carbon refractories, alumina and graphite, and then the effective elastic modulus of alumina-carbon refractories were estimated by the calculated elastic constants of resin-carbon and other raw materials. The results show that: the predicted elastic modulus by Mori-Tanaka model are higher than the experimental measurement values; resin carbon residue and pores have a great influence on effective elastic modulus of alumina-carbon refractories.
Modification of Hypereutectic Al-20%Si Alloy by Neodymium
Authors: Shi Wei Xi , Du Cheng Wu , Lv Guang Zhe , Liu Chang Wan
Published: March 2015

The modification mechanism was studied by OM, SEM, XRD and Trace Element Analysis. The results of OM and SEM analysis show that pure Nd can effectively refine primary and eutectic silicon in hypereutectic Al-20%Si alloy. Morphology of primary silicon is transformed from pentalpha to block and the average grain size of primary silicon is reduced from 80~120μm to 20~50μm after modification. Trace Element Analysis results show that Nd can purity base metal and reduce impurity contents. XRD patterns show that no new phase formed after Nd modification. The results of mechanical properties test show that whole properties of modified sample are significantly improved. Tensile strength increases about 35.8% from 117 MPa to 148 MPa after modification, Elongation change increases about 193% from 0.56% to 1.64%. The improvement of mechanical properties should be attributed to fine primary Si phase and eutectic silicon phase and purification of base metal after modification.
Study on High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of SPHC Steel Produced by CSP Technology
Authors: Peng Qi Chun , Wang Jia Jie , Tong Zhi Bo
Published: March 2015

The high-temperature mechanical properties of SPHC steel produced by compact strip production (CSP) process were tested on Gleeble thermal simulator under different temperature conditions. The results show that: at the strain rate of 1×10-3s-1,the SPHC steel has three brittleness temperature zones within the range from 650°C to 1200°C;the percentage reduction of area of the tested steel are all above 60% within the range from 950°C to 1150°C,thus the steel has good high temperature plasticity; the percentage reduction of area decreases rapidly when the testing temperature is under 900°C and the minimum percentage reduction of area is only about 41.78% at 800°C.
The Feature of Slag from Complex Hot Metal Blown by Converter Processing and its Influence on the Craft
Authors: Zheng Jia Liang , Wu Cong Ying , He Meng , Zheng Xin Quan , Ren Zheng De
Published: March 2015

The composition of the molten iron is complex because V-Ti ore is added in the blast furnace of Shuicheng Steel Corp. The physical and chemical property of the complex hot metal containing V and Ti, the steel slag from the complex hot metal were researched. The mechanism of foaming performance in slag and dephosphorization in melting slag process were clarified. And on this basis, the optimization of complex molten iron in converter process was carried and the effect was obvious.