bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of generic medicines in the Portuguese crisis
Authors: Mendonça Victor Lino
Published: December 2011

This article will focus on the past, present and future of the generics market in Portugal, providing an overview of the main measures taken since 2000, the results achieved, as well as the new measures being prepared to increase the prescription, dispensing and utilization of generics. The generics market is consistently growing since 2000 and reached a market share of 21.4% in August 2011. The comparison of the first 8 months of 2010 and 2011 shows a total market decrease of 7.1%, a decrease of the National Health Service (NHS) expenses with medicines of 19.2%, around 200 Million€ and a generics market growth of 19.9%. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) established between the Portuguese Government and the Troika sets the goal of reducing the public health expenditure with hospital and ambulatory medicines from 1.55% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010 to 1.25% of the GDP in 2012 and to 1% of the GDP in 2013. These reductions imply a decrease of 525 Million€ in 2012 (vs 2010) and around 942 Million€ in 2013 (vs 2010). In order to reach the savings with medicines established in the MoU, several measures are being taken at ambulatory level, like the 50% price reduction of the first generic in an active substance compared to the reference medicine; the removal of administrative barriers preventing the entrance of generics in the market due to intellectual propriety rights injunctions; the revision of the pharmacies remuneration scheme; the creation of guidelines for medicines’ prescription; the prescription by international nonproprietary name only and the revision of the four reference countries used for the medicines annual price revision. In conclusion, generic medicines can help Portugal overcome the crisis supporting the decrease of medicines’ public expenditure with medicines.
The Relationship Between Knee Arthroplasty and Foot Loading
Authors: Voronov Michael L. , Pinzur Michael S. , Havey Robert M. , Carandang Gerard , Gil Joseph A. , Hopkinson William J.
Published: December 2011

Surgeons have questioned whether foot deformity applies abnormal loading on a knee implant. A total of 24 patients with mild knee deformity underwent a static recording of foot loading prior to and at 3 months following knee replacement. Of these patients, 13 had a preoperative varus deformity. The recorded postoperative to preoperative loading in all 6 geographic sites was decreased by an average of 10%. The largest changes were observed in the hallux and lesser toe masks, whereas the postoperative to preoperative foot pressure ratio in the metatarsal head (lateral and medial), heel, and midfoot masks was 0.94. This preliminary investigation reveals a minimal change in geographic foot loading following total knee arthroplasty in patients with mild knee deformity.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV
Power Distance Predicts Gender Differences in Math Performance Across Societies
Authors: Hamamura Takeshi
Published: December 2011

In societies that oppose social inequality (low power distance societies), intergroup social comparison is relatively more prevalent. However, with an intergroup comparison focus, differences between groups are more salient and self-stereotyping more likely. Consequently, gender stereotypes regarding math may be relatively more consequential in low relative to high power distance societies. To examine this hypothesis, results from a standardized math exam among eighth graders compiled in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study were analyzed. As predicted, the societies' power distance predicted gender differences in math performance: The pattern of boys outperforming girls was more pronounced in low relative to high power distance societies. This effect was independent of the societies' gender equality and prevalence of implicit stereotype.
CO2 laser surface patterning of nylon 6,6 and subsequent effects on wettability characteristics and apatite response
Authors: Waugh D G , Lawrence J
Published: December 2011

Simulated body fluid has been used previously to predict the osseointegration potential of materials by assessing the apatite response. This paper details a study carried out using a CO2 laser to induce a number of surface patterns which inherently modified both the surface chemistry and surface topography of nylon 6,6 and gave rise to a difference in apatite response. These induced patterns caused a reduction in hydrophilicity with increased contact angles of up to 10°. Following immersion in simulated body fluid for 14 days each sample was weighed revealing an increase in weight of up to 0·029 g indicating that an apatite layer had begun to form. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis identified the presence of calcium and phosphorous, two elements which support osteoblast cell response. It was found that the laser induced patterned samples gave rise to more layer crystals forming suggesting a more optimised surface for osteoblast cell growth.
Adoptive immunotherapy with unselected or EBV-specific T cells for biopsy-proven EBV+ lymphomas after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Doubrovina Ekaterina , Oflaz-Sozmen Banu , Prockop Susan E. , Kernan Nancy A. , Abramson Sara , Teruya-Feldstein Julie , Hedvat Cyrus , Chou Joanne F. , Heller Glenn , Barker Juliet N. , Boulad Farid , Castro-Malaspina Hugo , George Diane , Jakubowski Ann , Koehne Guenther , Papadopoulos Esperanza B. , Scaradavou Andromachi , Small Trudy N. , Khalaf Ramzi , Young James W. , O'Reilly Richard J.
Published: December 2011

We evaluated HLA-compatible donor leukocyte infusions (DLIs) and HLA-compatible or HLA-disparate EBV-specific T cells (EBV-CTLs) in 49 hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients with biopsy-proven EBV-lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD). DLIs and EBV-CTLs each induced durable complete or partial remissions in 73% and 68% of treated patients including 74% and 72% of patients surviving ≥ 8 days after infusion, respectively. Reversible acute GVHD occurred in recipients of DLIs (17%) but not EBV-CTLs. The probability of complete response was significantly lower among patients with multiorgan involvement. In responders, DLIs and EBV-CTLs regularly induced exponential increases in EBV-specific CTL precursor (EBV-CTLp) frequencies within 7-14 days, with subsequent clearance of EBV viremia and resolution of disease. In nonresponders, EBV-CTLps did not increase and EBV viremia persisted. Treatment failures were correlated with impaired T-cell recognition of tumor targets. Either donor-derived EBV-CTLs that had been sensitized with autologous BLCLs transformed by EBV strain B95.8 could not lyse spontaneous donor-derived EBV-transformed BLCLs expanded from the patient's blood or biopsied tumor or they failed to lyse their targets because they were selectively restricted by HLA alleles not shared by the EBV-LPD. Therefore, either unselected DLIs or EBV-specific CTLs can eradicate both untreated and Rituxan-resistant lymphomatous EBV-LPD, with failures ascribable to impaired T-cell recognition of tumor-associated viral antigens or their presenting HLA alleles.
Platelet TGF-β1 contributions to plasma TGF-β1, cardiac fibrosis, and systolic dysfunction in a mouse model of pressure overload
Authors: Meyer Alexander , Wang Wei , Qu Jiaxiang , Croft Lori , Degen Jay L. , Coller Barry S. , Ahamed Jasimuddin
Published: December 2011

Circulating platelets contain high concentrations of TGF-β1 in their α-granules and release it on platelet adhesion/activation. We hypothesized that uncontrolled in vitro release of platelet TGF-β1 may confound measurement of plasma TGF-β1 in mice and that in vivo release and activation may contribute to cardiac pathology in response to constriction of the transverse aorta, which produces both high shear and cardiac pressure overload. Plasma TGF-β1 levels in blood collected from C57Bl/6 mice by the standard retro-bulbar technique were much higher than those obtained when prostaglandin E1 was added to inhibit release or when blood was collected percutaneously from the left ventricle under ultrasound guidance. Even with optimal blood drawing, plasma TGF-β1 was lower in mice rendered profoundly thrombocytopenic or mice with selectively low levels of platelet TGF-β1 because of megakaryocytespecific disruption of their TGF-β1 gene (Tgfb1flox). Tgfb1flox mice were also partially protected from developing cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and systolic dysfunction in response to transverse aortic constriction. These studies demonstrate that plasma TGF-β1 levels can be assessed accurately, but it requires special precautions; that platelet TGF-β1 contributes to plasma levels of TGF-β1; and that platelet TGF-β1 contributes to the pathologic cardiac changes that occur in response to aortic constriction.
Effect of pulmonary exacerbations on long-term lung function decline in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Waters Valerie , Stanojevic Sanja , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Lu Annie , Yau Yvonne , Tullis Elizabeth , Ratjen Felix
Published: December 2011

It is unknown what proportion of long-term lung function decline in cystic fibrosis (CF) is explained by pulmonary exacerbations. The aim of this study was to determine how exacerbations requiring hospitalisation contribute to the course of CF lung disease.

This was a retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the rate of decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted.

Out of 851 subjects, 415 (48.8%) subjects had ≥1 exacerbation. After adjustment for confounders, the annual rate of FEV1decline in those without an exacerbation was 1.2% per yr (95% CI 1.0–1.5), compared with 2.5% per yr (95% CI 2.1–2.8) in those with an exacerbation. The proportion of overall FEV1decline associated with ≥1 exacerbation was 52% (95% CI 35.0–68.9). For a given number of exacerbations, the annual rate of FEV1decline was greatest in subjects with ≤6 months between exacerbations.

Half of FEV1decline seen in CF patients was associated with pulmonary exacerbations. Time between exacerbations, specifically ≤6 months between exacerbations, plays an important contribution to overall lung function decline. These findings support using time to next exacerbation as a clinical end-point for CF trials.
Micro-RNAs as diagnostic or prognostic markers in human epithelial malignancies
Authors: Hui Angela , How Christine , Ito Emma , Liu Fei-Fei
Published: December 2011

Micro-RNAs (miRs) are important regulators of mRNA and protein expression; the ability of miR expression profilings to distinguish different cancer types and classify their sub-types has been well-described. They also represent a novel biological entity with potential value as tumour biomarkers, which can improve diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of treatment response for human cancers. This endeavour has been greatly facilitated by the stability of miRs in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, and their detection in circulation. This review will summarize some of the key dysregulated miRs described to date in human epithelial malignancies, and their potential value as molecular bio-markers in FFPE tissues and blood samples. There remain many challenges in this domain, however, with the evolution of different platforms, the complexities of normalizing miR profiling data, and the importance of evaluating sufficiently-powered training and validation cohorts. Nonetheless, well-conducted miR profiling studies should contribute important insights into the molecular aberrations driving human cancer development and progression.
Expression of recombinant multi-coloured fluorescent antibodies in gor -/trxB- E. colicytoplasm
Authors: Markiv Anatoliy , Beatson Richard , Burchell Joy , Durvasula Ravi V , Kang Angray S
Published: December 2011

Background

Antibody-fluorophore conjugates are invaluable reagents used in contemporary molecular cell biology for imaging, cell sorting and tracking intracellular events. However they suffer in some cases from batch to batch variation, partial loss of binding and susceptibility to photo-bleaching. In theory, these issues can all be addressed by using recombinant antibody fused directly to genetically encoded fluorescent reporters. However, single-chain fragment variable domains linked by long flexible linkers are themselves prone to disassociation and aggregation, and in some cases with isoelectric points incompatible with use in physiologically relevant milieu. Here we describe a general approach that permits fully functional intracellular production of a range of coloured fluorescent recombinant antibodies with optimally orientated VH/VLinterfaces and isoelectric points compatible for use in physiological solutions at pH 7.4 with a binding site to fluorophore stoichiometry of 1:1.

Results

Here we report the design, assembly, intracellular bacterial production and purification of a panel of novel antibody fluorescent protein fusion constructs. The insertion of monomeric fluorescent protein derived from eitherDiscosomaorAequoreain-between the variable regions of anti-p185HER2-ECDantibody 4D5-8 resulted in optimal VH/VLinterface interactions to create soluble coloured antibodies each with a single binding site, with isoelectric points of 6.5- 6. The fluorescent antibodies used in cell staining studies with SK-BR-3 cells retained the fluorophore properties and antibody specificity functions, whereas the conventional 4D5-8 single chain antibody with a (Gly4Ser)3linker precipitated at physiological pH 7.4.

Conclusions

This modular monomeric recombinant fluorescent antibody platform may be used to create a range of recombinant coloured antibody molecules for quantitativein situ, in vivoandex vivoimaging, cell sorting and cell trafficking studies. Assembling the single chain antibody with monomeric fluorescent protein linker facilitates optimal variable domain pairing and alters the isoelectric point of the recombinant 4D5-8 protein conferring solubility at physiological pH 7.4. The efficient intracellular expression of these functional molecules opens up the possibility of developing an alternative approach for tagging intracellular targets with fluorescent proteins for a range of molecular cell biology imaging studies.
It's not just the television: survey analysis of sedentary behaviour in New Zealand young people
Authors: Foley Louise S , Maddison Ralph , Jiang Yannan , Olds Timothy , Ridley Kate
Published: December 2011

Background

Sedentary behaviour has been linked with adverse health outcomes in young people; however, the nature and context of being sedentary is poorly understood. Accurate quantification and description of sedentary behaviour using population-level data is required. The aim of this research was to describe sedentary behaviour among New Zealand (NZ) youth and examine whether sedentary behaviour differs by Body Mass Index (BMI) status in this population.

Methods

A national representative cross-sectional survey of young people aged 5-24 years (n = 2,503) was conducted in 2008-2009. Data from this survey, which included subjectively (recall diary; n = 1,309) and objectively (accelerometry; n = 960) measured sedentary behaviour for participants aged 10-18 years were analysed using survey weighted methods.

Results

Participants self-reported spending on average 521 minutes per day (standard error [SE] 5.29) in total sedentary behaviour, 181 minutes per day (SE 3.91) in screen-based sedentary activities (e.g., television and video games), and 340 minutes per day (SE 5.22) in other non-screen sedentary behaviours (e.g., school, passive transport and self-care). Accelerometer-measured total sedentary behaviour was on average 420 minutes per day (SE 4.26), or 53% (SE 0.42%) of monitored time. There were no statistically significant differences in time spent in sedentary behaviour among overweight, obese and healthy/underweight young people.

Conclusions

Both subjective and objective methods indicate that NZ youth spend much of their waking time being sedentary. No relationships were found between sedentary behaviour and BMI status. These findings extend previous research by describing engagement in specific sedentary activities, as well as quantifying the behaviour using an objective method. Differences in what aspects of sedentary behaviour the two methods are capturing are discussed. This research highlights the potential for future interventions to target specific sedentary behaviours or demographic groups.
Gliotransmission Modulates Baseline Mechanical Nociception
Authors: Foley Jeannine C , McIver Sally R , Haydon Philip G
Published: December 2011

Pain is a physiological and adaptive process which occurs to protect organisms from tissue damage and extended injury. Pain sensation beyond injury, however, is a pathological process which is poorly understood. Experimental models of neuropathic pain demonstrate that reactive astrocytes contribute to reduced nociceptive thresholds. Astrocytes release “gliotransmitters” such as D-serine, glutamate, and ATP, which is extracellularly hydrolyzed to adenosine. Adenosine 1 receptor activation in the spinal cord has anti-nociceptive effects on baseline pain threshold, but the source of the endogenous ligand (adenosine) in the spinal cord is unknown. In this study we used a transgenic mouse model in which SNARE-mediated gliotransmission was selectively attenuated (called dnSNARE mice) to investigate the role of astrocytes in mediating baseline nociception and the development of neuropathic pain. Under baseline conditions, immunostaining in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord showed astrocyte-specific transgene expression in dnSNARE mice, and no difference in expression levels of the astrocyte marker GFAP and the microglia marker Iba1 relative to wild-type mice. The Von Frey filament test was used to probe sensitivity to baseline mechanical pain thresholds and allodynia following the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain. DnSNARE mice exhibit a reduced nociceptive threshold in response to mechanical stimulation compared to wild-type mice under baseline conditions, but nociceptive thresholds following spared nerve injury were similar between dnSNARE and wild-types. This study is the first to provide evidence that gliotransmission contributes to basal mechanical nociception.
Epidermal growth factor receptor in breast carcinoma: association between gene copy number and mutations
Authors: Lv Ning , Xie Xiaoming , Ge Qidong , Lin Suxia , Wang Xi , Kong Yanan , Shi Hongliu , Xie Xinhua , Wei Weidong
Published: December 2011

Background

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an available target of effective anti-EGFR therapy for human breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of EGFR gene amplification and mutations in breast cancer and to analyze the association between the statuses of these two gene alterations.

Materials and methods

EGFR gene amplification and mutations were investigated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 139 Chinese female patients with breast cancer by means of fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and fluorescently labeled real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.

Results

EGFR gene amplification was observed in 46/139 (33.1%) of cases by FISH. Based on RT-PCR, 2/139 (1.4%) samples had EGFR gene mutations. Overall, only 1 (0.7%) of the cases was identified with both whole gene amplification and mutation, and 92 (66.2%) of cases were negative for both. High gene copy numbers of EGFR had significant correlation with the occurrence of EGFR protein expressions (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

In this study, EGFR mutations were presented in only two samples, indicating that EGFR mutations should not be employed in future trials with anti-EGFR therapies for breast cancer. However, EGFR whole gene amplification is frequently observed in patients with breast cancer. It will be of significant interest to investigate whether EGFR gene copy number is a suitable screening test for EGFR-targeted therapy for breast cancer.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slides for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2521111805741248
Aflatoxin levels, plasma vitamins A and E concentrations, and their association with HIV and hepatitis B virus infections in Ghanaians: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Obuseh Francis A , Jolly Pauline E , Kulczycki Andrzej , Ehiri John , Waterbor John , Desmond Renee A , Preko Peter O , Jiang Yi , Piyathilake Chandrika J
Published: December 2011

Background

Micronutrient deficiencies occur commonly in people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Since aflatoxin exposure also results in reduced levels of several micronutrients, HIV and aflatoxin may work synergistically to increase micronutrient deficiencies. However, there has been no report on the association between aflatoxin exposure and micronutrient deficiencies in HIV‐infected people. We measured aflatoxin B1albumin (AF‐ALB) adduct levels and vitamins A and E concentrations in the plasma of HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative Ghanaians and examined the association of vitamins A and E with HIV status, aflatoxin levels and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in which participants completed a demographic survey and gave a 20 mL blood sample for analysis of AF‐ALB levels, vitamins A and E concentrations, CD4 counts, HIV viral load and HBV infection.

Results

HIV‐infected participants had significantly higher AF‐ALB levels (median for HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative participants was 0.93 and 0.80 pmol/mg albumin, respectively; p <0.01) and significantly lower levels of vitamin A (‐16.94 μg/dL; p <0.0001) and vitamin E (‐0.22 mg/dL; p <0.001). For the total study group, higher AF‐ALB was associated with significantly lower vitamin A (‐4.83 μg/dL for every 0.1 pmol/mg increase in AF‐ALB). HBV‐infected people had significantly lower vitamin A (‐5.66 μg/dL; p = 0.01). Vitamins A and E levels were inversely associated with HIV viral load (p = 0.02 for each), and low vitamin E was associated with lower CD4 counts (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Our finding of the significant decrease in vitamin A associated with AF‐ALB suggests that aflatoxin exposure significantly compromises the micronutrient status of people who are already facing overwhelming health problems, including HIV infection.
The C.R.E.A.T.E. Approach to Primary Literature Shifts Undergraduates’ Self-Assessed Ability to Read and Analyze Journal Articles, Attitudes about Science, and Epistemological Beliefs
Authors: Hoskins Sally G. , Lopatto David , Stevens Leslie M.
Published: December 2011

The C.R.E.A.T.E. (Consider, Read, Elucidate hypotheses, Analyze and interpret data, Think of the next Experiment) method uses intensive analysis of primary literature in the undergraduate classroom to demystify and humanize science. We have reported previously that the method improves students’ critical thinking and content integration abilities, while at the same time enhancing their self-reported understanding of “who does science, and why.” We report here the results of an assessment that addressed C.R.E.A.T.E. students’ attitudes about the nature of science, beliefs about learning, and confidence in their ability to read, analyze, and explain research articles. Using a Likert-style survey administered pre- and postcourse, we found significant changes in students’ confidence in their ability to read and analyze primary literature, self-assessed understanding of the nature of science, and epistemological beliefs (e.g., their sense of whether knowledge is certain and scientific talent innate). Thus, within a single semester, the inexpensive C.R.E.A.T.E. method can shift not just students’ analytical abilities and understanding of scientists as people, but can also positively affect students’ confidence with analysis of primary literature, their insight into the processes of science, and their beliefs about learning.
Applying Computerized-Scoring Models of Written Biological Explanations across Courses and Colleges: Prospects and Limitations
Authors: Ha Minsu , Nehm Ross H. , Urban-Lurain Mark , Merrill John E.
Published: December 2011

Our study explored the prospects and limitations of using machine-learning software to score introductory biology students’ written explanations of evolutionary change. We investigated three research questions: 1) Do scoring models built using student responses at one university function effectively at another university? 2) How many human-scored student responses are needed to build scoring models suitable for cross-institutional application? 3) What factors limit computer-scoring efficacy, and how can these factors be mitigated? To answer these questions, two biology experts scored a corpus of 2556 short-answer explanations (from biology majors and nonmajors) at two universities for the presence or absence of five key concepts of evolution. Human- and computer-generated scores were compared using kappa agreement statistics. We found that machine-learning software was capable in most cases of accurately evaluating the degree of scientific sophistication in undergraduate majors’ and nonmajors’ written explanations of evolutionary change. In cases in which the software did not perform at the benchmark of “near-perfect” agreement (kappa > 0.80), we located the causes of poor performance and identified a series of strategies for their mitigation. Machine-learning software holds promise as an assessment tool for use in undergraduate biology education, but like most assessment tools, it is also characterized by limitations.
Cooperation or competition? Proposed changes in healthcare provision in England
Authors: Mynors-Wallis Laurence
Published: December 2011

The Health and Social Care Bill currently going through the UK Parliament seeks to further increase cooperation in the English National Health Service (NHS). The proposals are controversial in significant part because the benefits of competition in healthcare are uncertain. Will patients benefit from innovation and choice brought about by new providers of care or will the vulnerable be faced by geographically variable, fragmented and non-integrated services? Will there be financial savings to reinvest in patient care or will there be increased administration driven by the transaction costs of market driven care? This editorial advocates a cautious targeted approach for the implementation of competition in those areas where current NHS provision is poor rather than whole scale potentially disruptive change.
Coda: The Cost of Getting Better
Authors: Puar Jasbir K.
Published: December 2011

This essay examines the potential for using affective connectivities to rethink neoliberal stratification. Because discourses surrounding queer suicide reproduce problematic assumptions not only about race, class, and gender but also about bodily health, debility, and capacity, I link Dan Savage's “It Gets Better” project and related discussions about the recent spate of queer suicides to broader social justice issues about disability as well as theoretical concerns in animal studies and posthumanist studies.
Estimation of dental age and its comparison with chronological age: accuracy of two radiographic methods
Authors: Grover Shekhar , Marya Charu Mohan , Avinash J , Pruthi Nidhi
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Accurate age data are always necessary in medicine and dentistry, and are also important to assess maturity and estimate age in a number of disciplines, such as forensic odontology, paediatric and preventive dentistry, orthodontics, etc.

Aim

This investigation determines the accuracy of dental age estimation and its comparison with chronological age by two methods: Demirjian's and Willems’.

Materials and methods

Tooth development was assessed in seven left mandibular teeth from 215 orthopantomograms (OPGs) belonging to healthy children aged 6–15 years selected by convenience sampling, from patients of the Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences & Research, Faridabad, and were staged according to Demirjian's and Willems’ scales. The statistical analysis was performed using the unpaired ‘ t’-test and the correlation was analysed using Karl Pearson's correlation coefficients test.

Results

Overall, Willems’ method was found to be more accurate with a mean age overestimation of 0.36 years (SD = 0.38) in boys and 0.24 years (SD = 0.36) in girls, and Demirjian's method produced a mean overestimation of 0.66 years (SD = 0.41) in boys and 0.56 years (SD = 0.43) in girls, respectively. Also, correlation between the two methods revealed a high coefficient value, 0.9947 for boys and 0.9944 for girls ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Despite the favourable result of Willems’ method in comparison with Demirjian's method, this study demonstrated a high correlation coefficient between both chronological and obtained dental age, thus confirming their potential applicability in clinical practice and forensic dentistry.
Comparison of Performance and Combustion Parameters in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Fueled with Iso-Butanol/Diesel Fuel Blends
Authors: Ozsezen Ahmet Necati , Turkcan Ali , Sayin Cenk , Canakci Mustafa
Published: December 2011

This study discusses the suitability of iso-butanol/diesel fuel blends as an alternative fuel and determines their effects on the performance and combustion characteristics of a heavy-duty diesel engine. For this purpose, various iso-butanol/diesel fuel blends containing 5%, 10% and 15% iso-butanol were prepared in volume basis and tested in a turbo-charged, six-cylinder direct injection diesel engine at the speed of 1400 rpm and three different loads (150, 300 and 450 Nm). The results indicate that when the test engine was fueled with the iso-butanol/diesel fuel blends, the brake thermal efficiency decreased, while the brake specific fuel consumption increased with proportion to using conventional diesel fuel. When iso-butanol/diesel fuel blends were used, the heat release rate, the peak cylinder gas pressure slightly increased compared to the neat diesel fuel use. Although the iso-butanol/diesel fuel blends have poor performance values at partial engine loads, their fuel properties affected the combustion and injection characteristics. They caused reductions in CO, NOx emissions and smoke opacity. However, unburned HC emission slightly increased.
Characteristics and Models of Hydrocarbon Accumulation in Eastern Tarim Basin, China
Authors: Lan Xiaodong , Lü Xiuxiang , Zhu Yanming , Ran Qigui
Published: December 2011

There are plentiful oil and gas shows in the Eastern Tarim Basin, but this area is much less explored. Development of a hydrocarbon accumulation model could provide guidance for future exploration. With analysis of control of hydrocarbon accumulation by tectonic evolution as a main line, combined with researches on hydrocarbon source rocks, reservoirs, traps and cap rocks in drilled wells, the processes of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation were studied comprehensively. Finally three patterns of hydrocarbon accumulation were established as follows: lower source-upper reservoir hydrocarbon accumulation model above the upper Ordovician, mixed source-fault transportation-common sealing hydrocarbon accumulation model of the Jurassic sandstone and self-generating-self-preserving hydrocarbon accumulation model of the lower Palaeozoic carbonatite.
Acoustics for Symphony Orchestras; Status after Three Decades of Experimental Research
Authors: Gade Anders Christian
Published: December 2011

In 1978, one particular paper in JASA by Harold Marshall, D. Gottlob and H. Alrutz titled: “Acoustical conditions preferred for ensemble” inspired the author and other researchers to investigate the acoustic conditions experienced by musicians on concert hall stages. The research carried out since then has involved subjective assessment by musicians playing in simulated sound fields as well as in real halls; but also purely objective investigations have been reported. After one third of a century, it seems appropriate to summarize what we have learned and where we still need more knowledge. The paper will summarize major contributions to the field, discuss the differences in opinion in view of the limitations associated with different experimental approaches, and finally address the challenges related to meeting working environment requirements recently enforced by law in Europe for limiting the sound exposure levels of musicians.
Evaluation of Concert Hall Auralization with Virtual Symphony Orchestra
Authors: Pätynen Jukka , Lokki Tapio
Published: December 2011

Authenticity of the simulation of room acoustics is evaluated by comparing auralizations with real recordings. Impulse responses are recorded in two concert halls with 34 loudspeakers positioned on the stage in the shape of an orchestra and a 3D microphone probe for spatial reproduction. The acoustics of the same concert halls are simulated with acoustics modeling software. B-format impulse responses are calculated by using the identical source and receiver positions as in the real halls. Additionally, two processing methods are applied to the simulated responses in order to decrease the difference in acoustical impression. Objective room acoustic parameters between the real and simulated halls are compared, and a listening test utilizing convolutions with anechoic orchestral music is organized. The results suggest that the subjects can be categorized in two groups having preference of brightness or naturalness. Depending on the music style, auralizations with processed responses are assessed equal or better than the real hall in terms of instrument balance and brightness.
Signaling Quality via Queues
Authors: Debo Laurens G. , Parlour Christine , Rajan Uday
Published: December 2011

We consider an M/M/1 queueing system with impatient consumers who observe the length of the queue before deciding whether to buy the product. The product may have high or low quality, and consumers are heterogeneously informed. The firm chooses a slow or (at a cost) a fast service rate. In equilibrium, informed consumers join the queue if it is below a threshold. The threshold varies with the quality of the good, so an uninformed consumer updates her belief about quality on observing the length of the queue. The strategy of an uninformed consumer has a “hole”: she joins the queue at lengths both below and above the hole, but not at the hole itself. We show that if the prior probability the product has high quality and the proportion of informed consumers are both low, a high-quality firm may select a slower service rate than a low-quality firm. The queue can therefore be a valuable signaling device for a high-quality firm. Strikingly, in some scenarios, the high-quality firm may choose the slow service rate even if the technological cost of speeding up is zero.

This paper was accepted by Assaf Zeevi, stochastic models and simulation.
Making the Cut: Using Status-Based Countertactics to Block Social Movement Implementation and Microinstitutional Change in Surgery
Authors: Kellogg Katherine C.
Published: December 2011

Much of the change that social movements try to accomplish requires changing practices inside organizations, yet reform implementation is difficult to achieve. This comparative case study of two hospitals demonstrates that implementing reform inside organizations may require internal reformers not only to mobilize with one another but also to stand up to internal defenders' countertactics in everyday encounters. Because reformer alliances across identity lines often require reformers with different statuses to collaborate with one another, defenders can divide reformer coalitions by linking reform practices to a status characteristic associated with lower-status reformers, denigrating higher-status reformers by associating them with these practices, and reintegrating higher-status reformers into the defender group. When status threat inside an organization is high to begin with, higher-status reformers are likely to be concerned about loss of privilege in the face of defenders' status-based countertactics and, in response, distance themselves from reform practices and align themselves with defenders to protect their identity and its rewards. This can undermine the multi-identity reformer coalition and cause change to fail. These findings regarding status-based countertactics contribute to our understanding of social movement implementation and microinstitutional change.
Three-Dimensional Microstructural Changes in Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Quantified Using Immunofluorescent Array Tomography
Authors: Saatchi Sanaz , Azuma Junya , Wanchoo Nishey , Smith Stephen J , Yock Paul G. , Taylor Charles A. , Tsao Philip S.
Published: December 2011

This study investigated the spatial and temporal remodeling of blood vessel wall microarchitecture and cellular morphology during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development using immunofluorescent array tomography (IAT), a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) microscopy technology, in the murine model. Infrarenal aortas of C57BL6 mice ( N=20) were evaluated at 0, 7, and 28 days after elastase or heat-inactivated elastase perfusion. Custom algorithms quantified volume fractions (VF) of elastin, smooth muscle cell (SMC) actin, and adventitial collagen type I, as well as elastin thickness, elastin fragmentation, non-adventitial wall thickness, and nuclei amount. The 3D renderings depicted elastin and collagen type I degradation and SMC morphological changes. Elastin VF decreased 37.5% ( p<0.01), thickness decreased 48.9%, and fragmentation increased 449.7% ( p<0.001) over 28 days. SMC actin VF decreased 78.3% ( p<0.001) from days 0 to 7 and increased 139.7% ( p<0.05) from days 7 to 28. Non-adventitial wall thickness increased 61.1%, medial nuclei amount increased 159.1% ( p<0.01), and adventitial collagen type I VF decreased 64.1% ( p<0.001) over 28 days. IAT and custom image analysis algorithms have enabled robust quantification of vessel wall content, microstructure, and organization to help elucidate the dynamics of vascular remodeling during AAA development.
Smoothed Analysis: Analysis of Algorithms Beyond Worst Case
Authors: Manthey Bodo , Röglin Heiko
Published: December 2011

Many algorithms perform very well in practice, but have a poor worst-case performance. The reason for this discrepancy is that worst-case analysis is often a way too pessimistic measure for the performance of an algorithm. In order to provide a more realistic performance measure that can explain the practical performance of algorithms, smoothed analysis has been introduced. It is a hybrid of the classical worst-case analysis and average-case analysis, where the performance on inputs is measured that are subject to random noise. We give a gentle, not too formal introduction to smoothed analysis by means of two examples: the k-means method for clustering and the Nemhauser/Ullmann algorithm for the knapsack problem.
Algorithm Engineering and Industrial Applications
Authors: Möhring Rolf H.
Published: December 2011

Algorithm engineering consists of the design, analysis, implementation and experimental evaluation of practicable algorithms. Research in this direction can be done both in a lab environment and in a real world application. Experience shows that there are significant differences in methodology between these two settings. This paper will illustrate them on two selected applications and highlight some of the main differences from the viewpoint of algorithm engineering.
Der Artemidorpapyrus (P.Artemid.) im Spiegel der Forschung
Authors: Rathmann Michael
Published: December 2011

Aufgrund zahlreicher Belege ist der P.Artemid. als ein authentisches Zeugnis aus dem ersten Jahrhundert anzusehen. Der Fälschungsvorwurf Canforas ist zurückzuweisen. Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich jedoch vor allem mit den erhaltenen fünf Textkolumnen auf dem Papyrusfragment, die zusammen mit der unfertigen Karte offenbar aus einer Artemidorepitome stammen. Diese Kopiervorlage von P.Artemid. bot den komprimierten Inhalt aller elf Bücher des Geographen auf einer Rolle, wobei der Epitomator anscheinend die Teile aus dem Originaltext extrahierte, die nach antiker Vorstellung die qualitativ besten Passagen Artemidors darstellten: seine Küstenbeschreibungen. Erhalten sind daher auf P.Artemid. mit den Kol. I–III ein Auszug aus dem Prooimion sowie mit den Kol. IV–V ein Paraplus Iberiens. Die Abschrift der Artemidorepitome wurde vermutlich aufgrund einer mit dem Iberien-Paraplus inkompatiblen Karte des Binnenlandes bald nach Arbeitsbeginn abgebrochen. Der Papyrus wurde sodann in zwei Stufen sekundär weiter genutzt bis er in spätflavischer Zeit als Papyruskonvolut (in einer Mumie?) endete.
Das „sasanidische Kronengesetz“: Entstehung und Entwicklung eines modernen Konstrukts. Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Deutung des Reliefs Narses in Naqsh-i Rustam
Authors: Mosig-Walburg Karin
Published: December 2011

Für mehrere Jahrzehnte galt es in der Forschung als Faktum, daß ein spezielles strenges Gesetz die sasanidischen Könige zur Annahme einer persönlichen Krone verpflichtete und ihnen unter bestimmten Umständen sogar einen Kronenwechsel zwingend vorschrieb. Bei näherer Betrachtung erweist sich das sogenannte „sasanidische Kronengesetz“ als ein Konstrukt der modernen Forschung, dessen Entstehung und kontinuierliche Weiterentwicklung hier nachgezeichnet werden. Anhand eines jüngst erschienenen Versuchs der Neuinterpretation des Felsreliefs Narses in Naqsh-i Rustam wird demonstriert, daß an dem Konstrukt bis heute ‚gearbeitet’ wird, wobei unter anderem das überkommene Repertoire der Umstände, die einen Kronenwechsel erzwungen haben sollen, noch erweitert wird.
Zum Lautwert einiger Hieroglyphen
Authors: Schweitzer Simon D.
Published: December 2011

This article examines the sound value of four hieroglyphs ([D1], [U23], [F25] and [W19]): They have to be read in the following way: [D1] as tp and not as dp, Dp or Tp, [U23] as mr and not as mHr, [F25] as whm and not as wHm and [W19] as mj and not as mr.
Scope of Health Care Benefits for Children From Birth Through Age 26
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON CHILD HEALTH FINANCING, Long Thomas F. , Chiu Thomas , Helm Mark E. , Libby Russell Clark , Racine Andrew D. , Shenkin Budd N. , Snider Iris Grace , White Patience Haydock , Berkelhamer Jay E. , Harbaugh Norman “Chip”
Published: December 2011

The optimal health of all children is best achieved with access to appropriate and comprehensive health care benefits. This policy statement outlines and defines the recommended set of health insurance benefits for children through age 26. The American Academy of Pediatrics developed a set of recommendations concerning preventive care services for children, adolescents, and young adults. These recommendations are compiled in the publication Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, third edition. The Bright Futures recommendations were referenced as a standard for access and design of age-appropriate health insurance benefits for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Pub L No. 114–148).
Métodos de obtenção da capacidade de suporte de carga de um argissolo cultivado
Authors: Rosa David Peres da , Reichert José Miguel , Mentges Marcelo Ivan , Vieira Davi Alexandre , Vogelman Eduardo Saldanha , Rosa Vanderleia Trevisan da , Reinert Dalvan José
Published: December 2011

O controle da capacidade de suporte à carga do solo pode minimizar os efeitos danosos da compactação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de métodos de determinação da tensão de pré-consolidação num Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo cultivado e submetido a diferentes condições. Os tratamentos empregados foram: semeadura direta (testemunha), semeadura direta com intensidade de tráfego de 24,79 Mg km ha-1 e 49,59 Mg km ha-1, cultivo mínimo há cinco meses e cultivo mínimo em solo compactado pelo tráfego de uma pá-carregadora (260 kPa de pressão ao solo e 24,67 Mg km ha-1). Os métodos usados para estimação da capacidade de suporte foram: (1) interseção da reta de compressão virgem (RCV) com o eixo x na deformação zero; (2) intercepto da RCV pela regressão com os primeiros dois pontos da curva; (3) intercepto da RCV pela regressão com os três pontos da curva; (4) resistência do solo a 2,5 % da deformação; (5) Casagrande, por meio do ajuste sigmoidal da equação de van Genuchten (1980); e (6) Pacheco & Silva (ABNT, 1990), também por esse meio. Os métodos de 2,5 % da deformação e a interseção da RCV com eixo x estimaram, no geral, valores abaixo da referência ao longo de todas as camadas analisadas. Já o método de regressão teve comportamento dependente da inclinação da RCV; em inclinações elevadas houve superestimação; e em inclinações baixas, ocorreu o contrário.
Calibração de métodos de extração de potássio em solos cultivados sob sistema plantio direto
Authors: Schlindwein Jairo André , Bortolon Leandro , Gianello Clesio
Published: December 2011

As recomendações de adubação no Rio Grande do Sul e em Santa Catarina são baseadas nos estudos realizados em culturas cultivadas no sistema convencional de preparo do solo e nos conhecimentos acumulados ao longo dos anos. Nesse período, ocorreram mudanças no sistema de cultivo, na profundidade de amostragem do solo e no aumento de rendimento das culturas. Isso pode alterar os teores críticos de K, as faixas de fertilidade e as quantidades de fertilizante para as culturas. Este trabalho teve por objetivo calibrar os teores de K disponível, extraído pelos métodos Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 e resina de troca iônica, para as culturas de soja, trigo e milho cultivadas no sistema plantio direto. Para isso, utilizaram-se amostras de terra de 17 experimentos e resultados de rendimento de grãos de 48 avaliações das culturas de soja, trigo e milho cultivadas em sistema plantio direto, com doses de K, no Rio Grande do Sul; a partir das funções de produção, determinaram-se a curva de calibração e as faixas de fertilidade. Os resultados indicaram que as respostas das plantas à adubação com K foram maiores, nesta sequência: milho, trigo e soja; os teores críticos de K com a solução de Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 e resina foram de 89,5; 91,6; e 83,8 mg kg-1 de K na camada de 0-20 cm de profundidade e de 117,2; 116,1; e 102,5 mg kg-1 de K na camada de 0-10 cm de profundidade, respectivamente, e são maiores do que os recomendados pela CFSRS/SC (2004) para as culturas soja, trigo e milho cultivadas no sistema plantio direto.
Zoneamento ambiental aplicado à conservação do solo e da água
Authors: Oliveira Paulo Tarso Sanches de , Alves Sobrinho Teodorico , Rodrigues Dulce Buchala Bicca , Panachuki Elói
Published: December 2011

O zoneamento ambiental auxilia na gestão do solo e da água, pois fornece informações de uso e manejo do solo de forma adequada. Assim, propõe-se neste estudo: (i) a aplicação do zoneamento ambiental, baseado em valores de perda de solo, tolerância à perda de solo e à legislação ambiental; e (ii) etapa de monitoramento das características quali-quantitativas dos cursos d'água a partir do uso de curvas Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). O estudo foi realizado na bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Salobra, localizada na transição entre os biomas Cerrado e Pantanal. A partir do cruzamento dos planos de informação, obteve-se a divisão da área em cinco zonas de uso do solo, determinadas de acordo com a conservação e preservação da vegetação nativa, ocorrência de áreas úmidas e nascentes, uso adequado do solo e recuperação de áreas erodidas. Paralelamente, as curvas TMDL foram obtidas a partir da curva de permanência e de padrões de qualidade da água. Verificou-se que cerca de 6 % da área em estudo apresentou perda de solo superior ao limite tolerável e foi definida como área prioritária de recuperação no contexto do planejamento ambiental. O método aplicado permitiu a determinação de zonas específicas de uso do solo, identificação de irregularidades e de prioridades de conservação do solo. Além disso, as curvas TMDL constituem boa alternativa de monitoramento da água, pois produzem informações em condições críticas do corpo d'água.