bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of 2D:4D in Subjects with Anteroposterior Mandibular Dysplasia
Authors: Premkumar Sridhar , Gurumurthy Bhuvaneswari
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To compare 2D:4D ratio which is determined by testosterone levels with patients having orthognathic, retrognathic and prognathic mandibles.

Materials and methods

The study was performed at Chennai, on 320 subjects of which, 60 subjects (32 males and 28 females) had retrognathic mandible; 55 subjects (25 males and 30 females) had prognathic mandible and 205 subjects (98 males and 107 females) had normal mandible. All the subjects had a normal maxilla and were in the age group of 18 to 25 years. 2D:4D ratio was determined using the photocopies of the ventral surface of right hand made with vernier calipers of 0.01 mm accuracy. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Student's t- test, ANOVA test and TukeyHSD test.

Results

(i) Low 2D:4D is seen in subjects with mandibular prognathism, (ii) Among females, low 2D:4D is seen only in prognathic mandible.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the fact that testosterone plays an important role in mandibular growth. Thus 2D:4D, a least invasive and reproducible procedure can be used as an early marker for mandibular progathism, and as a diagnostic tool in correlating the mandibular growth with causal relations between hormones and craniofacial development.

How to cite this article

Premkumar S, Gurumurthy B. Assessment of 2D:4D in Subjects with Anteroposterior Mandibular Dysplasia. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(4):582-585.
Antibiogram Pattern of Oral Microflora in Periodontic Children of Age Group 6 to 12 Years: A Clinicomicrobiological Study
Authors: Hafiz KA Abdul , Fysal N , Jose Santhosh , Kulshrestha Reena , Arora Dimple , Vasudevan Sanjay
Published: November 2013

Aim

The study was carried out to see the diversity of oral microflora and its antibiotic sensitivity test in children of age group 6 to 12 years was carried.

Materials and methods

Total 50 patients of age group 6 to 12 years were analyzed for their oral microflora and then checked for the antibiotic susceptibility test. The samples that were collected were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. Once dispersed samples were taken and Gram staining was done, also they were spread on to a number of freshly prepared agar plates and incubated to allow cells to form microbial colony.

Results

The result showed microflora common in all types, Gram-positive facultative anaerobic rods and cocci. In normal children Gram-positive facultative anaerobic and fermenting cocci were predominant where as in children with caries growth of microbiota that were Gram-negative and positive, capnophilic, motile and anaerobic rods and cocci belonging to members of genera S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans was seen.

Conclusion

By the present study it has been concluded that the number of bacteria determined by microscopic counts was twice as high in caries patients as in healthy sites, and also recommended that amoxicillin, ampicillin and amikacin are the most effective antibacterial drugs for the treatment of dental caries.

How to cite this article

Fysal N, Jose S, Kulshrestha R, Arora D, Abdul Hafiz KA, Vasudevan S. Antibiogram Pattern of Oral Microflora in Periodontic Children of Age Group 6 to 12 Years: A Clinicomicrobiological Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013; 14(4):595-600.
Effect of Different Polishing Systems and Drinks on the Color Stability of Resin Composite
Authors: Gurgan Sevil , Berber Asll , Cakir Filiz Yalcin , Baseren Meserret
Published: November 2013

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of resin composit using different finishing systems and drinks.

Materials and methods

Composit disks (5 mm diameter, 2 mm thickness) were prepared for each nanofilled composite using a brass mold. The specimens were divided into 5 finishing system groups Mylar strip (Mylar, DuPont, Wilmington, Del., USA), Soft Lex (3M™ ESPE™ St. Paul, MN, USA), Enhance (Dentsply-DeTrey GmbHD Konstanz, Germany), Hiluster (KerrHawe, Bioggio, Switzerland), Opti Disc (KerrHawe, Bioggio, Switzerland) and each group was divided into 10 subgroups (n = 10) and stored for 24 hours at 37°C in different drinks water coffee, coffee with sugar, tea, tea with sugar, diet coke, coke, light sour cherry juice or sour cherry juice. Color of all specimens was measured before and after exposure with a spectrophotometer using CIE L*a*b* relative, and color changes (ΔE*) were then calculated. The data were analyzed with a twoway analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mean values were compared by the Tukey HSD test (p = 0.05).

Results

For the drinks, the lowest ΔE* values were observed in the water and highest ΔE* values were observed in sour cherry juice. When drinks with and without sugar were compared, all groups with sugar demonstrated a higher color difference than without sugar. For the different finishing systems, Mylar strip group demonstrated signicantly highest color change; Enhance groups demonstrated signicantly lowest color change.

Conclusion

Finishing treatments and storage solutions significantly affect the color stability of resin composite. The presence of sugar in drinks increased the color difference compared to drinks without composit.

Clinical significance

Polishing techniques and drinking drinks with sugar may affect the color of esthetic restorations.

How to cite this article

Berber A, Cakir FY, Baseren M, Gurgan S. Effect of Different Polishing Systems and Drinks on the Color Stability of Resin Composite. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013; 14(4):662-667.
Comparison of Dimensional Accuracy of Four Different Die Materials before and after Disinfection of the Impression: An in vitro Study
Authors: Nandini Yamini , Vinitha KB , Smitha M
Published: November 2013

Background

This study was conducted to compare the linear dimensional accuracy of die materials before and after disinfection of the impression. Type IV and V conventional dental stone, type IV-resin impregnated and copper-plated die materials were studied.

Materials and methods

A stainless-steel master die analogs to a complete veneer crown preparation with three scribed lines (I: vertical, II and III: horizontal) was machined and measurements were made from these scribed reference lines. Impressions were made with monophase addition silicone impression material for each of the specimens. 2% glutaraldehyde was used as a disinfectant. The fabricated dies were measured to the nearest 0.0001 mm. ANOVA and post hoc was carried out using Scheffe multiple comparison test at significance level of 0.05.

Results

Type IV resin-impregnated dental stone and copperplated dies approximated the dimensions of the master die. Type IV and V conventional dental stone dies showed greater variation in measurements. Statistically significant differences were observed for type IV resin-impregnated and copper-plated dies in dimension I and III. For dimension II no significant differences were found for dies fabricated from four die materials. A one-way analysis of variance indicated no statistical significant differences among the two groups of dies fabricated from disinfectant treated impressions and those fabricated from nondisinfectant treated impressions.

Conclusion

Type IV resin-impregnated dental stone and copper-plated dies are dimensionally more accurate than type IV and V conventional dental stone die materials. No significant linear distortion in the dies fabricated from the disinfected impressions was observed.

How to cite this article

Nandini Y, Vinitha KB, Manvi S, Smitha M. Comparison of Dimensional Accuracy of Four Different Die Materials before and after Disinfection of the Impression: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(4):668-674.
Effects of Commonly Consumed Beverages on Surface Roughness and Color Stability of the Nano, Microhybrid and Hybrid Composite Resins: An in vitro Study
Authors: Reddy P Sarveshwar , Tejaswi KL Sunil , Shetty Suneeth , Annapoorna BM , Pujari Sudarshan C , Thippeswamy HM
Published: November 2013

Background

Consumption of certain beverages may affect the esthetic and physical properties of the resin composite, thereby undermining the quality of restorations.

Aim

To analyze the effect of three beverages (cola, coffee, tea) on color stability and surface roughness of three different types of resin composites at various time intervalsin vitro.

Materials and methods

Nano, microhybrid and hybrid resin composites were used. Each material was randomly divided into four equal subgroups of 10 samples each according to the beverages used (cola, coffee, tea, distilled water). The samples were immersed in each beverage for 1, 15 and 30 days. Surface roughness and color changes measurements were noted at the baseline—the first, fifteenth and thirteenth day.

Results

It was found that nanoresin composite followed by microhybrid and hybrid showed least surface roughness and color change. The Coke beverage subgroup showed more surface roughness and the subgroup coffee has shown more color changes with respect to other subgroups.

Conclusion

All specimens showed discoloration after completion of the test period which was visually perceptible and clinically unacceptable.

At the end of 30th day, among the materials, nanofilled composite resin showed comparatively less surface roughness and color change than microhybrid and hybrid composite resins.

How to cite this article

Reddy PS, Tejaswi KLS, Shetty S, Annapoorna BM, Pujari SC, Thippeswamy HM. Effects of Commonly Consumed Beverages on Surface Roughness and Color Stability of the Nano, Microhybrid and Hybrid Composite Resins: Anin vitroStudy. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(4): 718-723.
Long-Term Evaluation of Clinical Performance of Directbonded Brackets: An Epidemiologic Survey
Authors: Atashi Mohamad Hossein Ahangar
Published: November 2013

Aim

The objective of the current epidemiologic study was to investigate characteristics associated with bracket failure in bonded brackets.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study on data of 144 patients treated during 2009 to 2012 was done. Baseline data including age, gender, malocclusion, bite type and debonding incidences per teeth were retrieved. ANOVA analysis and t-test were used to evaluate the data.

Results

Second premolar teeth had significantly higher debonding incidences. Patients’ age was negatively correlated with debonding incidences. No difference was observed for various types of malocclusion (class I, II and III), arch side (right or left) or arch location (upper or lower). However, deep bite patients had significantly higher failure incidents.

Conclusion

For a total of 144 patients with 2,524 bonded brackets, the overall failure rate was 7.8%. Deep bite was the only factor that was associated with higher bracket failure. The bracket failure incidents tend to decrease as patients age increase.

Clinical significance

Deep bite patients and also second premolar teeth seem to be especially prone to debonding incidents. Care must be taken to avoid premature contacts in deep bite patients. Also strict adherence to moisture control protocols when bonding second premolar teeth is recommended since these teeth are at increased risk for debonding.

How to cite this article

Atashi MHA, Shahamfar M. Long-Term Evaluation of Clinical Performance of Direct-bonded Brackets: An Epidemiologic Survey. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(4): 738-742.
Endoscopic Retrieval of Dental Implant from Maxillary Sinus
Authors: Satwalekar Parth , Reddy B Anantha , Chander K Subash , Reddy G Ramaswamy , Agarwal Taruna , Chowdary Sheeba Glory
Published: November 2013

Aim

Minimally invasive method for retrieving displaced objects like implants from the maxillary antrum with minimal complications.

Background

Minimal invasive endoscopic surgery has been developed for various indications in the craniomaxillofacial area.

Case description

In this article, a technique for endoscopic removal of a dental implant displaced into the maxillary sinus is presented. Access to the implant was achieved transorally via the canine fossa. The endoscopic surgical approach described was reliable and minimally invasive for removing dental materials displaced into the maxillary sinus.

Conclusion

Transantral endoscopic surgery is a reliable, minimally invasive method for retrieving displaced objects from the maxillary antrum with minimal complications.

How to cite this article

Satwalekar P, Reddy BA, Chander KS, Reddy GR, Agarwal T, Chowdary SG. Endoscopic Retrieval of Dental Implant from Maxillary Sinus. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(4):759-761.
Going Green with Eco-friendly Dentist
Authors: Avinash Bhagyalakshmi , Shivalinga BM , Jyothikiran S , Padmini MN
Published: November 2013

Eco-friendly dentistry is currently transforming the medical and dental field to decrease its affect on our natural environment and reduce the amount of waste being produced. Eco-friendly dentistry uses a sustainable approach to encourage dentists to implement new strategies to try and reduce the energy being consumed and the large amount of waste being produced by the industry. Many reasonable, practical and easy alternatives do exist which would reduce the environmental footprint of a dental office were it to follow the ‘green’ recommendations. Dentist should take a leading role in the society by implementing ‘green’ initiatives to lessen their impact on the environment

This article provides a series of ‘green’ recommendations that dentists around the world can implement to become a leading Stewards of the environment.

How to cite this article

Avinash B, Avinash BS, Shivalinga BM, Jyothikiran S, Padmini MN. Going Green with Eco-friendly Dentistry. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(4):766-769.
The Atmospheric Mercury Network: measurement and initial examination of an ongoing atmospheric mercury record across North America
Authors: Gay D. A. , Schmeltz D. , Prestbo E. , Olson M. , Sharac T. , Tordon R.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) developed and operates a collaborative network of atmospheric-mercury-monitoring sites based in North America – the Atmospheric Mercury Network (AMNet). The justification for the network was growing interest and demand from many scientists and policy makers for a robust database of measurements to improve model development, assess policies and programs, and improve estimates of mercury dry deposition. Many different agencies and groups support the network, including federal, state, tribal, and international governments, academic institutions, and private companies. AMNet has added two high-elevation sites outside of continental North America in Hawaii and Taiwan because of new partnerships forged within NADP. Network sites measure concentrations of atmospheric mercury fractions using automated, continuous mercury speciation systems. The procedures that NADP developed for field operations, data management, and quality assurance ensure that the network makes scientifically valid and consistent measurements. AMNet reports concentrations of hourly gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), two-hour gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM), and two-hour particulate-bound mercury less than 2.5 microns in size (PBM2.5). As of January 2012, over 450 000 valid observations are available from 30 stations. AMNet also collects ancillary meteorological data and information on land use and vegetation, when available. We present atmospheric mercury data comparisons by time (3 yr) at 21 individual sites and instruments. Highlighted are contrasting values for site locations across the network: urban versus rural, coastal versus high elevation and the range of maximum observations. The data presented should catalyze the formation of many scientific questions that may be answered through further in-depth analysis and modeling studies of the AMNet database. All data and methods are publically available through an online database on the NADP website (http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/amn/). Future network directions are to foster new network partnerships and continue to collect, quality assure, and post data, including dry deposition estimates, for each fraction.
Inorganic salts interact with organic di-acids in sub-micron particles to form material with low hygroscopicity and volatility
Authors: Drozd G. , Woo J. , Häkkinen S. A. K. , Nenes A. , McNeill V. F.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Volatility and hygroscopicity are two key properties of organic aerosol components, and both are strongly related to chemical identity. Here we show that inorganic-organic component interactions typically not considered in atmospheric models may strongly affect aerosol volatility and hygroscopicity. In particular, bi-dentate binding of di-carboxylic acids (DCA) to soluble inorganic ions can lead to very strongly bound metal-organic complexes with largely undetermined hygroscopicity and volatility. These reactions profoundly impact particle hygroscopicity, transforming hygroscopic components into irreversibly non-hygroscopic material. While the hygroscopicities of pure salts, DCA, and DCA salts are known, the hygroscopicity of internal mixtures of hygroscopic salts and DCA, as they are typically found in the atmosphere, has not been fully characterized. We have studied the volatility of pure, dry organic salt particles and the hygroscopicity of internal mixtures of oxalic acid (OxA, the dominant DCA in the atmosphere) and a number of salts, both mono- and di-valent. The formation of very low volatility organic salts was confirmed, with minimal evaporation of oxalate salt particles below 75 °C. Dramatic increases in the CCN activation diameter for particles with divalent salts (e.g. CaCl2) and relatively small particle mass fractions of OxA indicate that standard volume additivity rules for hygroscopicity do not apply. Thus small organic compounds with high O:C are capable of forming low volatility and very low hygroscopicity particles. Given current knowledge of the formation mechanisms of OxA and M-Ox salts, surface enrichment of insoluble M-Ox salts is expected. The resulting formation of an insoluble coating of metal-oxalate salts can explain low particle hygroscopicities. The formation of particles with a hard coating could offer an alternative explanation for observations of glass-like particles with very low viscosity.
Validation of satellite OPEMW precipitation product with ground-based weather radar and rain gauge networks
Authors: Cimini D. , Romano F. , Ricciardelli E. , Di Paola F. , Viggiano M. , Marzano F. S. , Colaiuda V. , Picciotti E. , Vulpiani G. , Cuomo V.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The Precipitation Estimation at Microwave Frequencies (PEMW) algorithm was developed at the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis of the National Research Council of Italy (IMAA-CNR) for inferring surface rain intensity (sri) from satellite passive microwave observations in the range from 89 to 190 GHz. The operational version of PEMW (OPEMW) has been running continuously at IMAA-CNR for two years. The OPEMW sri estimates, together with other precipitation products, are used as input to an operational hydrological model for flood alert forecast. This paper presents the validation of OPEMW against simultaneous ground-based observations from a network of 20 weather radar systems and a network of more than 3000 rain gauges distributed over the Italian Peninsula and main islands. The validation effort uses a data set covering one year (July 2011–June 2012). The effort evaluates dichotomous and continuous scores for the assessment of rain detection and quantitative estimate, respectively, investigating both spatial and temporal features. The analysis demonstrates 98% accuracy in correctly identifying rainy and non-rainy areas; it also quantifies the increased ability (with respect to random chance) to detect rainy and non-rainy areas (0.42–0.45 Heidke skill score) or rainy areas only (0.27–0.29 equitable threat score). Performances are better than average during summer, fall, and spring, while worse than average in the winter season. The spatial–temporal analysis does not show seasonal dependence except over the Alps and northern Apennines during winter. A binned analysis in the 0–15 mm h−1 range suggests that OPEMW tends to slightly overestimate sri values below 6–7 mm h−1 and underestimate sri above those values. With respect to rain gauges (weather radars), the correlation coefficient is larger than 0.8 (0.9). The monthly mean difference and standard deviation remain within ±1 and 2 mm h−1 with respect to rain gauges (respectively −2–0 and 4 mm h−1 with respect to weather radars).
Impacts of food availability and pCO2 on planulation, juvenile survival, and calcification of the azooxanthellate scleractinian coral Balanophyllia elegans
Authors: Crook E. D. , Cooper H. , Potts D. C. , Lambert T. , Paytan A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Ocean acidification, the assimilation of atmospheric CO2 by the oceans that decreases the pH and CaCO3 saturation state (Ω) of seawater, is projected to have severe adverse consequences for calcifying organisms. While strong evidence suggests calcification by tropical reef-building corals containing algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) will decline over the next century, likely responses of azooxanthellate corals to ocean acidification are less well understood. Because azooxanthellate corals do not obtain photosynthetic energy from symbionts, they provide a system for studying the direct effects of acidification on energy available for calcification. The solitary azooxanthellate orange cup coral Balanophyllia elegans often lives in low-pH, upwelled waters along the California coast. In an 8-month factorial experiment, we measured the effects of three pCO2 treatments (410, 770, and 1220 μatm) and two feeding frequencies (3-day and 21-day intervals) on "planulation" (larval release) by adult B. elegans, and on the survival, skeletal growth, and calcification of newly settled juveniles. Planulation rates were affected by food level but not pCO2. Juvenile mortality was highest under high pCO2 (1220 μatm) and low food (21-day intervals). Feeding rate had a greater impact on calcification of B. elegans than pCO2. While net calcification was positive even at 1220 μatm (~3 times current atmospheric pCO2), overall calcification declined by ~25–45%, and skeletal density declined by ~35–45% as pCO2 increased from 410 to 1220 μatm. Aragonite crystal morphology changed at high pCO2, becoming significantly shorter but not wider at 1220 μatm. We conclude that food abundance is critical for azooxanthellate coral calcification, and that B. elegans may be partially protected from adverse consequences of ocean acidification in habitats with abundant heterotrophic food.
Comment on "Soil CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes from an afforested lowland raised peat bog in Scotland: implications for drainage and restoration" by Yamulki et al. (2013)
Authors: Artz R. R. E. , Chapman S. J. , Saunders M. , Evans C. D. , Matthews R. B.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Yamulki and co-authors address in their recent publication the important issue of net emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from peatlands where land use conversion has taken place. In their case, they studied conversion to forestry versus peatland restoration after a first rotation of plantation forestry. They monitored soil-derived fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) using opaque chamber measurements on planted and unplanted control treatments (with or without drainage), and an unplanted plot within a restored (felled) block on former lowland raised bog. They propose that their measurements of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at these sites suggest that the total net GHG emissions, in 100 yr carbon dioxide equivalents, of the restored peat bog would be higher than that of the peat bog with trees. We believe there are a number of issues with the measurement, calculation and comparison of these greenhouse budgets that may invalidate this conclusion.
Morphodynamics of river bed variation with variable bedload step length
Authors: Pelosi A. , Parker G.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Here we consider the 1-D morphodynamics of an erodible bed subject to bedload transport. Fluvial bed elevation variation is typically modeled by the Exner equation which, in its classical form, expresses mass conservation in terms of the divergence of the bedload sediment flux. An entrainment form of the Exner equation can be written as an alternative description of the same bedload processes, by introducing the notions of an entrainment rate into bedload and of a particle step length, and assuming a certain probability distribution for the step length. This entrainment form implies some degree of non-locality which is absent from the standard flux form, so that these two expressions, which are different ways to look at same conservation principle (i.e. sediment continuity), may no longer become equivalent in cases when channel complexity and flow conditions allow for long particle saltation steps (including, but not limited to the case where particle step length has a heavy tailed distribution) or when the domain of interest is not long compared to the step length (e.g. laboratory scales, or saltation over relatively smooth surfaces). We perform a systematic analysis of the effects of the non-locality in the entrainment form of Exner equation on transient aggradational/degradational bed profiles by using the flux form as a benchmark. As expected, the two forms converge to the same results as the step length converges to zero, in which case non-locality is negligible. As step length increases relative to domain length, the mode of aggradation changes from an upward-concave form to a rotational, and then eventually a downward-concave form. Corresponding behavior is found for the case of degradation. These results may explain anomalously flat aggradational long profiles that have been observed in some short laboratory flume experiments.
Potential evaporation estimation through an unstressed surface-energy balance and its sensitivity to climate change
Authors: Barella-Ortiz A. , Polcher J. , Tuzet A. , Laval K.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Potential evaporation (ETP) is a basic input for many hydrological and agronomic models, as well as a key variable in most actual evaporation estimations. It has been approached through several diffusive and energy balance methods, out of which the Penman–Monteith equation is recommended as the standard one. In order to deal with the diffusive approach, ETP must be estimated at a sub-diurnal frequency, as currently done in land surface models (LSMs). This study presents an improved method, developed in the ORCHIDEE LSM, which consists of estimating ETP through an unstressed surface-energy balance (USEB method). The results confirm the quality of the estimation which is currently implemented in the model (Milly, 1992). The ETP underlying the reference evaporation proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, (computed at a daily time step) has also been analysed and compared. First, a comparison for a reference period under current climate conditions shows that USEB and FAO's ETP estimations differ, especially in arid areas. However, they produce similar values when the FAO's assumption of neutral stability conditions is relaxed, by replacing FAO's aerodynamic resistance by that of the model's. Furthermore, if the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) estimated for the FAO's equation, is substituted by ORCHIDEE's VPD or its humidity gradient, the agreement between the daily mean estimates of ETP is further improved. In a second step, ETP's sensitivity to climate change is assessed by comparing trends in these formulations for the 21st century. It is found that the USEB method shows a higher sensitivity than the FAO's. Both VPD and the model's humidity gradient, as well as the aerodynamic resistance have been identified as key parameters in governing ETP trends. Finally, the sensitivity study is extended to two empirical approximations based on net radiation and mass transfer (Priestley–Taylor and Rohwer, respectively). The sensitivity of these ETP estimates is compared to the one provided by USEB to test if simplified equations are able to reproduce the impact of climate change on ETP.
Downstream prediction using a nonlinear prediction method
Authors: Adenan N. H. , Noorani M. S. M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The estimation of river flow is significantly related to the impact of urban hydrology, as this could provide information to solve important problems, such as flooding downstream. The nonlinear prediction method has been employed for analysis of four years of daily river flow data for the Langat River at Kajang, Malaysia, which is located in a downstream area. The nonlinear prediction method involves two steps; namely, the reconstruction of phase space and prediction. The reconstruction of phase space involves reconstruction from a single variable to the m-dimensional phase space in which the dimension m is based on optimal values from two methods: the correlation dimension method (Model I) and false nearest neighbour(s) (Model II). The selection of an appropriate method for selecting a combination of preliminary parameters, such as m, is important to provide an accurate prediction. From our investigation, we gather that via manipulation of the appropriate parameters for the reconstruction of the phase space, Model II provides better prediction results. In particular, we have used Model II together with the local linear prediction method to achieve the prediction results for the downstream area with a high correlation coefficient. In summary, the results show that Langat River in Kajang is chaotic, and, therefore, predictable using the nonlinear prediction method. Thus, the analysis and prediction of river flow in this area can provide river flow information to the proper authorities for the construction of flood control, particularly for the downstream area.
Small farm dams: impact on river flows and sustainability in a context of climate change
Authors: Habets F. , Philippe E. , Martin E. , David C. H. , Leseur F.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The repetition of droughts in France has led to a growing demand for irrigation water and consequently to an increase in requests for the construction of small farm dams. Although such dams are small, their accumulation in a basin affects the river flows. In order to gain more insight into their impact, a small farm dam model was built and connected to a hydrometeorological model. Several scenarios with different volume capacity, filling catchment size and filling period were tested for such dams. The results were analysed in a small basin in western France, where the pressure for building such dams is high, and then extended to the whole country. It was found that, due to the hydrometeorological conditions (mainly precipitation), the development of small farm dams in north-western France would lead to larger impacts on the riverflows and to less efficient filling of the small farm dams than in other regions of France. Moreover, such behaviour is projected to worsen in a context of climate change, despite the uncertainty on the evolution of precipitation.
Reduction of maximum tsunami run-up due to the interaction with beachfront development – application of single sinusoidal waves
Authors: Goseberg N.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Experiments are presented that focus on the interaction of single sinusoidal long waves with beachfront development on the shore. A pump-driven methodology is applied to generate the tested waves in the wave flume. The approaching waves firstly propagate over a horizontal bottom, then climbing up a 1 in 40 beach slope. The experiments reported here are confined to the surf similarity parameter of the waves ranging from ξ =7.69–10.49. The maximum run-up of the tested waves under undisturbed conditions agrees well with analytical results of of Madsen and Schäffer (2010). Beachfront development is modelled with cubic concrete blocks (macro-roughness (MR) elements). The obstruction ratio, the number of element rows parallel to the shoreline as well as the way of arranging the MR elements influences the overall reduction of maximum run-up compared to the undisturbed run-up conditions. Staggered and aligned as well as rotated and non-rotated arrangements are tested. As a result, nomograms are finally compiled to depict the maximum run-up reduction over the surf similarity parameter. In addition, some guidance on practical application of the results to an example location is given.
Short-term spatio-temporal spring grassland fire effects on soil colour, organic matter and water repellency in Lithuania
Authors: Pereira P. , Úbeda X. , Mataix-Solera J. , Martin D. , Oliva M. , Novara A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The aim of this work was to study the short-term effects (first 9 months after the fire) of a low-severity spring boreal grassland fire on soil colour, soils organic matter (SOM) and soil water repellency (SWR) in Lithuania. Three days after the fire we designed a plot of 400 m2 in a control (unburned) and unburned area with the same geomorphological characteristics. Soil water repellency analysis were assessed through the 2 mm mesh (composite sample) and in the subsamples of all of the 250 samples divided into different soil aggregate fractions of 2–1, 1–0.5, 0.5–0.25 and < 0.25 mm, using the Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT) method. The results showed that fire darkened the soil significantly during the entire study period due to the incorporation of ash/charcoal into the soil profile. Soil organic matter was significantly higher in the first two months after the fire in the burned plot, in comparison to the unburned plot. Soil water repellency (SWR) of the composite sample was higher in the burned plot during the first two months after the fire. However, considering the different aggregate fractions studied, the SWR was significantly higher until 5 months after the fire in the coarser fractions (2–1 mm, 1–0.5 mm) and 7 months after in the finer (0.5–0.25 mm and < 0.25 mm), suggesting that the leachability of organic compounds is different with respect to soil aggregate size fractions. This finding has implications for the spatio-temporal variability of fire effects on SWR. SOM was significantly negative correlated with SWR (composite sample) only in the two months after the fire. These results demonstrated that in the first two months the hydrophobic compounds produced by fire were one of the factors responsible for the increase in SWR. Subsequently repellent compounds were leached, at different rates, according to particle size. The impacts of this low severity grassland fire were limited in time, and are not considered a~threat to this ecosystem.
Novel biomaterial for bone grafting and healing synthesized from bovine serum albumin using sub-critical water technology
Authors: Abdelmoez Wael , Yoshida Hiroki
Published: November 2013

The interest in bone and softtissue replacement achieves rapid advances throughout the last decades. Injured bone has a unique ability to regenerate which leads to complete anatomic and physiologic repair. However, not every bony defect can beself-repaired. Repair of large osseous defects caused by neoplasms, cysts, trauma, infection, congenital diseases and surgical intervention are major problems in oral and maxillofacial field. The current approach is to use bone and bone substitutes for filling such defects. The aims of filling such osseous defects are to preserve the morphologic contour, restoration of the mechanical strength and function, elimination of the dead space to reduce postoperative infection, and the prevention of ingrowths of soft tissue. When conditions are favorable for regeneration of bone, such goals can be achieved without the need for grafting techniques. However, in many large lesions or in the absence of favorable conditions in small defects, the morphological contour is not completely restored and the bone remains weak. Different grafting materials have been introduced into the field in the last decade. The profound limitations of biological grafts have prompted the use of synthetic materials as an alternative to autogenous and allogenic bone grafts.In the present invention, we succeeded in manufacturing of a novel biomaterial in the field of bone healing. Our novel biomaterial synthesized from bovine serumalbumin using our newly developed technology (sub-critical water technology). The biomaterial showed a variety of mechanical properties and biodegradability that allowed for its application in the biomedical field and in particular as an alloplastic bone substitute. In our way to validate the applicability of our novel biomaterial, we co-operated with the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty of Dentistry, Al Minia University, to evaluate our material as an alloplastic bone substitute through animal test. The results revealed satisfactory results when used as a bone grafting material in surgically created bone defects in the rabbit models. The obtained results showed that these novel materials have the following properties: Biocompatibility, Nontoxic and nonirritant, Act as a haemostatic agent and maintained the blood clot inside the defect, Osteoconductive property, Biodegradability property,easily manipulated and handled.The most important findings from the obtained results revealed that these novel materials have the ability to accelerate bone healing specially at the early stages following implementation of the material. Part of the work was patented in Japan with patent number 2005-028066 and published in high impact factor scientific journals worldwide 1, 2,3, 4, 5 . In the presnt work the most new obtained data concerning biocompatibility and animal test will be presented
Food safety priorities in the Middle East
Authors: Alali Walid
Published: November 2013

The foodborne and waterborne disease continues to pose significant health problems in the Middle East. This region specifically Arabic speaking countries, imports large amounts of food products from all over the world. At the same time, this region exports a variety of food commodities to many countries worldwide. The increased international food trade, changes in agriculture production, food processing, and consumer demand for wholesome safe food have led to new food safety challenges which have impacted the food safety systems. There are country- and intra-country/subregional specific based food safety systems. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is an example of a subregional coalition aimed at harmonizing their country-members' food safety standards based on Codex Alimentarius. There are a number of challenges and potential opportunities available for the Middle Eastern countries to enhance their food safety systems. These challenges include: 1) domestic and imported food inspection, 2) laboratory capacity and staff training, 3) foodborne surveillance systems, and 4) scientific research to support policies and regulations. Given these challenges, there are a number of opportunities to enhance food safety in the Middle East. These include: 1) Training of inspectors for domestic and imported food and making available a detailed and comprehensive manual to follow as a guideline in their daily work. This guideline would be a valuable aid especially to those with limited training. In addition, standard uniform methods for sampling and data collection would be needed, 2) building research institutions for food safety and quality research that supports laboratory capacity, surveillance, and data analysis, and 3) better risk assessment and communication is needed to focus on highest foodborne disease risks and to link the strategies to reduce those risks across the full food production chain. Special consideration should be given to certain situations in specific countries to overcome barriers of non-collaboration among disciplines and responsible agencies.
Severe loss-of-function mutations affect critical genes and pathways in the Qatari population
Authors: Fakhro Khalid , Rodriguez-Flores Juan , Crystal Ronald
Published: November 2013

Exome sequencing was used to study genetic variation in the Qatari population. We sequenced 100 healthy Qataris (50X average depth, with >80% of sites at >10x depth) representing the 3 major Qatari genetic subpopulations (Q1 - Bedouin, Q2 - Persian/South Asian, Q3 - African). A total of ~174,000 high quality variants were identified, of which 1306 were predicted to cause loss of function (frameshift/stop-gain/splice/start-loss) in 1102 unique genes. Of these, 471 (36%) were novel Qatari variants (absent from public databases) of which 43 were observed in 2 or more individuals, suggesting a population allele frequency =1%. 54 of 471 loss of function mutations affected genes in the OMIM database with a confirmed disease-causing status. Of these, 30 occurred in genes known to cause severe autosomal recessive disease. Of interest, some of these mutation had allele frequencies of up to 8% in Qataris. We further focused on the subset that were nonsense mutations (n=671/1306). These occurred in 616 of 1102 unique genes and resulted in a median truncated protein length of 54.3%. 237 of 671 nonsense mutations were novel to Qataris, suggesting that a significant number of variants from this population are yet to be sampled and covered in public databases. When nonsense alleles were considered in the 3 separate Qatari subpopulations, the Q3 population displayed the highest number of nonsense alleles per individual (mean: 40.7, range: 28-55), consistent with the highest genome diversity due to African ancestry. Surprisingly, despite having the lowest number of heterozygous nonsense mutations (mean: 22.8, range: 16-31), the Q1 subpopulation had at least 20% more homozygous nonsense mutations (range: 2-15, mean: 6.7) per individual than either Q2 or Q3, consistent with the high levels of consanguinity in this population. Specifically, the Q1 had significantly higher allele frequencies than the rest of the world for 2 autosomal recessive disease genes, including 1 individual homozygous for a nonsense mutation in POMT1 which causes muscular dystrophy, and 4 individuals heterozygous for a mutation that truncates the Holoprocencephaly-causing TGIF1 gene to 7.5% full length. Additionally, the population as a whole had higher allele frequencies for 6 other autosomal-recessive-disease-causing mutations, bearing significant health implications for the Qatari population in particular, and for this highly consanguineous region of the world in general.
Development Of A Novel Method For The Selective Detection Of Erythrocyte Membrane Bound Proteins
Authors: Jaganjac Morana
Published: November 2013

Blood doping still remains as a performance enhancement strategy misused by athletes . Blood doping is the practice of boosting the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream by means of either blood transfusion of an individual or by administration of erythropoietin, in order to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. There is no direct method currently for the detection of autologous transfusion, leaving this an open issue in antidoping strategies. Recently it was reported that some proteins might represent suitable markers for in vitro aging of erythrocytes, particularly those proteins that can be detected in the membrane. Thus, this study was conducted on erythrocytes isolated from fresh and 20-day old blood samples of the same individual, with a particular focus on the erythrocyte membrane bound proteins. Isolated proteins were separated into 12 fractions on the Gelfree system, digested with trypsin and separated using a nanoLC. Eluted peptides were then spotted on a MALDI plate with MALDI spotter and detected on MALDI-TOF/TOF instrument. Afterwards, the MS/MS data for these peptides were identified using SwissProt and Mascot database search. The results have shown significant differences in the peptides when comparing fresh and stored blood samples, revealing several potential targets that can be used as markers for blood doping detection. The next step is to prove the reproducibility of the results on a larger number of specimens as an initial validation step.
Toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in shisha water
Authors: Althaiban Hussain
Published: November 2013

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are an important class of chemical carcinogens formed as a result of incomplete combustion; it is therefore found in grilled foods, tobacco smoke and in general, the environment. Previous studies have shown exposure of smokers and second hand smokers (SHS) towards a whole host of PAHs and more than 500 of these have been demonstrated in tobacco smoke. As it is ubiquitous in the environment, exposure may result from various sources; for cigarette smokers a number of these PAHs markers have been correlated to tobacco smoke exposure while others like benzo(a)pyrene has been associated with environmental and occupational exposures. Tobacco smoke from narghile or "shisha" has been shown to contain approximately 50 times more PAHs compared to cigarette smoke; this phenomenally high exposure can significantly increase risks of narghile smokers towards the toxic carcinogenic effects of this class of compounds. In this study, the smoke condensates in shisha water was extracted and analysed for 16 targeted PAHs using Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode on the gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS). As part of the establishment of a validated quantitated method, the LOD (limit of detection), LOQ (limit of quantification), linearity, reproducibility and precision as well as robustness were determined for all 16 PAHs. The PAHs were quantitated in 20 shisha water collected from 20 different locations; as PAHs in shisha water may be directly related to the amount of charcoal and flavourings as well as amount of condensate, the profiles were found to be vastly/relatively different. Included is a discussion of these relative differences and their implications for shisha users. Finally, preliminary work is presented for the discovery of more toxic nitrated PAH in the shisha water condensate.