bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salmonella Extracellular Matrix Components Influence Biofilm Formation and Gallbladder Colonization
Authors: Adcox Haley E. , Vasicek Erin M. , Dwivedi Varun , Hoang Ky V. , Turner Joanne , Gunn John S. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever in humans, forms biofilms encapsulated by an extracellular matrix (ECM). Biofilms facilitate colonization and persistent infection in gallbladders of humans and mouse models of chronic carriage. Individual roles of matrix components have not been completely elucidated
in vitro
or
in vivo
. To examine individual functions, strains of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, the murine model of
S
. Typhi, in which various ECM genes were deleted or added, were created to examine biofilm formation, colonization, and persistence in the gallbladder. Studies show that curli contributes most significantly to biofilm formation. Expression of Vi antigen decreased biofilm formation
in vitro
and virulence and bacterial survival
in vivo
without altering the examined gallbladder pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines. Oppositely, loss of all ECM components (Δ
wcaM
Δ
csgA
Δ
yihO
Δ
bcsE
) increased virulence and bacterial survival
in vivo
and reduced gallbladder interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Colanic acid and curli mutants had the largest defects in biofilm-forming ability and contributed most significantly to the virulence increase of the Δ
wcaM
Δ
csgA
Δ
yihO
Δ
bcsE
mutant strain. While the Δ
wcaM
Δ
csgA
Δ
yihO
Δ
bcsE
mutant was not altered in resistance to complement or growth in macrophages, it attached and invaded macrophages better than the wild-type (WT) strain. These data suggest that ECM components have various levels of importance in biofilm formation and gallbladder colonization and that the ECM diminishes disseminated disease in our model, perhaps by reducing cell attachment/invasion and dampening inflammation by maintaining/inducing IL-10 production. Understanding how ECM components aid acute disease and persistence could lead to improvements in therapeutic treatment of typhoid fever patients.
Modified Policy-Delphi study for exploring obesity prevention priorities
Authors: Haynes Emily , Palermo Claire , Reidlinger Dianne P 
Published: September 2016

IntroductionUntil now, industry and government stakeholders have dominated public discourse about policy options for obesity. While consumer involvement in health service delivery and research has been embraced, methods which engage consumers in health policy development are lacking. Conflicting priorities have generated ethical concern around obesity policy. The concept of ‘intrusiveness’ has been applied to policy decisions in the UK, whereby ethical implications are considered through level of intrusiveness to choice; however, the concept has also been used to avert government regulation to address obesity. The concept of intrusiveness has not been explored from a stakeholder's perspective. The aim is to investigate the relevance of intrusiveness and autonomy to health policy development, and to explore consensus on obesity policy priorities of under-represented stakeholders.Methods and analysisThe Policy-Delphi technique will be modified using the James Lind Alliance approach to collaborative priority setting. A total of 60 participants will be recruited to represent three stakeholder groups in the Australian context: consumers, public health practitioners and policymakers. A three-round online Policy-Delphi survey will be undertaken. Participants will prioritise options informed by submissions to the 2009 Australian Government Inquiry into Obesity, and rate the intrusiveness of those proposed. An additional round will use qualitative methods in a face-to-face discussion group to explore stakeholder perceptions of the intrusiveness of options. The novelty of this methodology will redress the balance by bringing the consumer voice forward to identify ethically acceptable obesity policy options.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was granted by the Bond University Health Research Ethics Committee. The findings will inform development of a conceptual framework for analysing and prioritising obesity policy options, which will be relevant internationally and to ethical considerations of wider public health issues. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and collaborative platforms of policy and science.
Evaluating a smartphone application to improve child passenger safety and fire safety knowledge and behaviour
Authors: Omaki Elise , Shields Wendy C , McDonald Eileen , Aitken Mary E , Bishai David , Case James , Gielen Andrea 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundAlthough proven measures for reducing injury due to motor vehicle collision and residential fires exist, the number of families properly and consistently using child passenger restraints and smoke alarms remains low. This paper describes the design of the Safety In Seconds (SIS) 2.0 study, which aims to evaluate the impact of a smartphone app on parents' use of child restraints and smoke alarms.MethodsSIS is a multisite randomised controlled trial. Participants are parents of children aged 4–7 years who are visiting the Pediatric Emergency Department or Pediatric Trauma Service. Parents are randomised to receive tailored education about child passenger safety or about fire safety via the SIS smartphone app. A baseline and two follow-up surveys at 3 months and 6 months are conducted. Primary outcomes are: (1) having the correct child restraint for the child's age and size; (2) restraining the child in the back seat of the car; (3) buckling the child up for every ride; (4) having the restraint inspected by a child passenger safety technician; (5) having a working smoke alarm on every level of the home; (6) having hard-wired or lithium battery smoke alarms; (7) having and (8) practising a fire escape plan.DiscussionFinding ways to communicate with parents about child passenger and fire safety continues to be a research priority. This study will contribute to the evidence about how to promote benefits of proper and consistent child restraint and smoke alarm use.Trial registration numberNCT02345941; Pre-results.
Study of improved confinement by a stepwise increase of the input heating power for tokamak plasmas
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Mohamed Mabruka , Kim Eun-Jin 
Published: September 2016

This paper is an extension of the brief study by Sarah Douglas et al. [Phys. Plasmas 20 (2013) 114504] where in the study a sinusoidal perturbation of the heating power has been studied. In this paper a stepwise increase of the heating power and its influence on the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] transition are studied. Using a function, [Formula: see text] for the transition of input heating power for tokamak plasmas, i.e. the addition of the perturbation, [Formula: see text], to constant power [Formula: see text] is shown to promote the confinement, leading to the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] transition at a lower value of [Formula: see text], as compared to the case of constant [Formula: see text] without the [Formula: see text] perturbation. It is seen that the input heating power [Formula: see text] that consists of constant part [Formula: see text] in addition to a function [Formula: see text] provides the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] transition for relatively small [Formula: see text] and much wider range values of [Formula: see text] as compared to Sarah Douglas et al. [Phys. Plasmas 20 (2013) 114504].
Reasons for Implant Removal after Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Tan Audrey , Chong Alphonsus 
Published: September 2016

Background: With new low profile locked volar plate designs for distal radius fractures, soft tissue complications are uncommon. However, there are still patients who request to have their implants removed. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the reasons for this. Methods: We reviewed the hospital operative records of patients who had operative fixation of wrist fractures between November 2008 and May 2009. We examined the clinical records of these patients in order to ascertain if there was a difference in patient demographics between those who eventually had their implants removed and those who had their implants retained. We also noted down the reasons for removal of implants. Results: In the period of study, 165 patients had operative fixation of their distal radius fractures, of which 44 (26.7%) had had their implants eventually removed. These patients tended to be younger (mean age of 37.1 years compared to 45.5 years in those who retained their implants). We also found a correlation between removal of implants and the presence of ulnar implants, as well as hand dominance. Reasons for implant removal were symptomatic irritation/implant prominence (15), joint stiffness requiring arthrolysis (6), infection (2), malunion (2), and patients who did not have a clinical reason (19). Conclusions: Our results suggest the involvement of other psychosocial factors, such as cultural attitudes towards the presence of implants within the body. In light of our results, we also suggest that ulnar styloid fractures be treated non-operatively.
Percutaneous Fixation for Scaphoid Nonunion with Bone Grafting Through the Distal Insertion Hole of a Fully Threaded Headless Screw
Authors: Ohta Souichi , Ikeguchi Ryosuke , Noguchi Takashi , Kaizawa Yukitoshi , Oda Hiroki , Yurie Hirofumi , Matsuda Shuichi 
Published: September 2016

Background: Percutaneous scaphoid screw fixation is a popular treatment for acute scaphoid fractures with no or minimal displacement. For treating scaphoid nonunions, however, open reduction and internal fixation with bone grafting is still the most popular treatment. Percutaneous fixation with bone grafting through the screw insertion hole has received little attention, although it minimizes damage to the surrounding tissues. We report excellent results of six scaphoid nonunions treated by retrograde percutaneous fixation with curettage and bone grafting through the distal insertion hole of a fully threaded headless screw.Methods: Six scaphoid nonunions with substantial bone loss were treated, including one revision case. All nonunions were located at the middle third of the scaphoid. The mean patient age at operation was 26 years, and the mean interval between fracture and surgery was 7 months. In the revision case, the interval between the primary and revision surgery was 6 months. In one case, curettage alone was performed before retrograde insertion of the headless screw. In the other cases including the revision, curettage and bone grafting with a bone biopsy needle was required through a distal insertion hole.Results: The mean follow-up was 11.3 months. Radiologically, union was achieved at averaged 12 weeks postoperatively. At the final follow-up, there was significant improvement in the wrist extension range of movement (from 65.8° to 80.8°) and grip strength (from 69.5% to 93.0% of the unaffected side). Five patients were free of pain, and one experienced mild pain only during heavy manual labor. The mean VAS, DASH, and Cooney wrist scores were 0.3, 1 and 99, respectively. All patients returned to their work or athletic activities.Conclusions: Retrograde percutaneous fixation with bone grafting through the distal insertion hole of a fully threaded headless screw is a promising option for surgical treatment of scaphoid nonunions.
Post-Reduction Stability of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint after Dorsal Fracture Dislocation—A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Cheah Andre Eu-Jin , Foo Tun-Lin , Liao Janice Chin-Yi , He Min , Chong Alphonsus Khin-Sze 
Published: September 2016

Background: Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) dorsal fracture dislocations (DFD) are challenging injuries. Treatment aims to achieve stability of the PIPJ after reduction so that early motion can be initiated. We studied how increasing articular destruction would affect post reduction stability and investigate the amount of traction and PIPJ flexion needed to maintain the reduction.Methods: Increasing amounts (20%, 40% and 60%) of damage to the volar lip of the middle phalanx in cadaveric specimens were created to represent PIPJ DFD that were stable, of tenuous stability and frankly unstable. Traction forces and PIPJ flexion needed to maintain the reduction were then measured.Results: The PIPJ DFD with 20% damage were stable and did not subluxe while the one with 40% articular involvement was stable after reduction. For unstable the PIPJ with 60% involvement, the more the PIPJ was flexed, the less traction force was needed to hold the joint in reduction. For PIPJ flexion of 20 degrees, a minimum 4.4N of force is needed to maintain reduction while PIPJ flexion of 10 degrees required a minimum 5.0N of force. No amount of force could maintain PIPJ reduction if traction was performed in full extension.Conclusions: In our model, PIPJ DFD with less than 30% articular damage are stable while those with 30% to 50% of involvement have tenuous stability. For the unstable PIPJ DFD, traction obviates the need for excessive flexion of the PIPJ to maintain joint reduction. This information should be considered in treatment modalities for PIPJ DFD, as well in the design of external traction devices for the treatment of PIPJ DFD.
FERNANDO PESSOA, CESÁRIO VERDE. SUAS CIDADES
Authors: Fernandes Geraldo Augusto 
Published: September 2016

Não é desconhecido, se não a paixão, mas o culto da cidade, da vida urbana pré-moderna – em Cesário Verde – e já modernista – em Fernando Pessoa. “Num bairro moderno”, Cesário Verde, ao pintar os “transparentes” que matizam não só as casas, a natureza à sua volta, mas também as pessoas, tem um súbito insight: “que visão de artista! / Se eu transformasse os simples vegetais (...)/ Num ser humano que se mova e exista...” Pessoa-Caeiro, em “O guardador de rebanhos”, parece oprimir-se “Na cidade [em que ] as grandes casas fecham a vista à chave, / Escondem o horizonte, empurram o nosso olhar para longe de todo o céu, / Tornam-nos pequenos porque nos tiram o que os nossos olhos nos podem dar, / E tornam-nos pobres porque a nossa única riqueza é ver.” O clima que deixa Verde em seu poema – e, parece, naqueles todos em que a cidade é sua protagonista maior – é, sob seu olhar, só deslumbramento. Seria para Alberto Caeiro a cidade também deslumbramento ou seria onde nossos olhos são empurrados “para longe de todo o céu”? Pretendo, com esses dois poemas, estudar o olhar de Cesário e de Pessoa-Caeiro sobre a cidade.
RESPINGOS DE "CHUVA OBLÍQUA" DE FERNANDO PESSOA EM "SUMÁRIO LÍRICO" DE FIAMA HASSE PAIS BRANDÃO
Authors: Steinberg Vivian 
Published: September 2016

Fernando Pessoa compôs "Chuva oblíqua" como um poema-manifesto do que denominou de "interseccionismo". Partindo do pressuposto que esse poema é uma arte poética, aproximaremos dele a leitura do poema "Sumário Lírico" de Fiama Hasse Pais Brandão, escrito em 1998. Enquanto em "Chuva oblíqua", as intersecções são possíveis cenários que convivem imaginariamente e que se interseccionam ou se justapõem, contrapondo o interior e o exterior do sujeito poético. As cenas se intercalam inclusive em relação ao tempo, ou seja, a memória e o sonho ajudam a compor e a recompor a paisagem. É uma poética que contribui e que paga tributo às artes visuais, principalmente ao cubismo. Em "Sumário Lírico", o sujeito poético se coloca atrás de uma vidraça da janela, há as camadas de realidade se interpondo: ao mesmo tempo, relacionam-se outros tempos, outros poetas e outros versos, marcando a intertextualidade presente na atualidade poética. O que torna possível a visibilidade de outras cenas é a transparência do vidro, material, assim como no poema de Pessoa, onde o real é descrito a partir da materialidade. A cena marítima marca o lugar onde encontra-se o sujeito, que está escrevendo, outra questão coincidente, além da presença da metalinguagem, que encontramos em ambas poéticas.
ÁLVARO DE CAMPOS E A POÉTICA DA EXISTÊNCIA.
Authors: Leopoldo e Silva Franklin 
Published: September 2016

Trata-se de apontar alguns aspectos que permitam uma leitura de Álvaro de Campos como representação poética da Existência. Tanto na temática quanto nas formas de expressão seria possível encontrar na poesia de Campos a tentativa de recusar a representação essencialista da realidade, aquela que pretende chegar ao núcleo essencial a partir do qual as coisas se explicitariam. Existir, para as coisas, é apresentar-se como sensível; existir, para o sujeito, é apreender-se como sensação. Neste sentido, pensar conceitualmente é trair a sensação, a totalidade difusa e infundamentada do real. Assim também, as palavras seriam, sobretudo, obstáculo e obscurecimento, sendo preciso atravessá-las para recuperar o mutismo primordial do sensível “pré-reflexivo”, tarefa que angustia e desorienta o poeta. A partir dos comentários teóricos de Pessoa acerca do “sensacionismo”, presente também em outros heterônimos, se procura compreender a situação poética de Álvaro de Campos, encontrando em sua poética uma recusa do dualismo metafísico que, entretanto, desembocaria numa metafísica do fracasso.
MENSAGEM, DE PESSOA: UMA EPOPEIA DA MODERNIDADE
Authors: Quesado José Clécio Basílio 
Published: September 2016

O presente trabalho objetiva mostrar a Mensagem, de Fernando Pessoa como manifestação do Modelo Épico Moderno que parte do vazio histórico do sonhado Quinto Império para o seu preenchimento com o mito do Encoberto. Para tanto, observa a sua articulação da temática da alteridade transcendente a partir de algumas ocorrências semânticas como naus, mares e o pronome outro com suas consequentes proposições messiânicas. Na série literária, observa-se a articulação dialogal com o Modelo Épico Renascentista d’Os lusíadas, de Camões.
Recent Discoveries in the Field of Classical Archaeology in Georgia
Authors: Lordkipanidze Otar D 
Published: September 2016

This article reviews the archaeological studies conducted in the 70s and 80s on the territory of modern Georgia (ancient Iberia and Colchis) for the period 8th-7th c B C to 4th c AD Archaeology has added considerably to our knowledge of the history and culture of ancient Colchis Systematic studies of the remains of ironworking show how the integration of mining in the uplands and metalfounding and agriculture in the coastal plain came to unite the area into a single economic (and then political) unit They also reveal the existence of mass production and an associated demographic boom in the 8th-7th c B C well before the period of Greek colonization in the area The Greeks arrived in an already densely settled coastal zone, long occupied and exploited by the local population Discoveries of large numbers of agricultural implements show the high level of intensive farming in the area Aerial surveys of the Rioni valley have revealed the structure of ancient Colchian settlements, with farms clustered around defended hegemon settlements and drained by complex canal systems
Archaeological studies in Iberia (E Georgia) have focused on towns and conform the descriptions of ancient authors like Strabo of Iberian cities as developed urban centres with complex systems of defence works, their own farming territories and developed artisan manufacture ( e g studies at Htskheta, Ozalisa, the palace complex at Doghlauri and the cave city at Uplistsikhe)
Managing Working Capital by Strategic Choice
Authors: Singh Sampat P 
Published: September 2016

Managing working capital effectively requires an understanding of the processes underlying the cash cycle. Managers project and evaluate working capital needs using three different approaches — industry norms, economic model, and strategic choice. Professor Sampat Singh illustrates the processes underlying working capital flow and discusses the problems in each of the three approaches to managing working capital. Some companies have shifted to using the strategic choice approach to gain competitive advantage.
Losing a Base of Power through Routinized Rewards
Authors: Singh R P , Pandey Janak 
Published: September 2016

Do Indian organizations use fear of punishment rather than rewarding achievement of extraordinary results, initiative, and enterprise? Have they so routinized employee rewards that they do not use this important instrument for influencing organizational behaviour and processes? Does this organizational choice of the bases of power emanate from our societal value system? Based on a questionnaire study of 250 employees of a large electronic equipment manufacturing public undertaking, Professors R P Singh and Janak Pandey raise these questions for our examination.
Return to Equity, Financial Structure, and Risk Contracting in Infrastructure Projects
Authors: Sinha Sidharth 
Published: September 2016

Infrastructure projects, with private participation, worth several hundred billions of dollars, using some form of ‘project finance’ are under consideration in many emerging markets. These projects are made bankable by extensive risk contracting. One stumbling block in finalizing these projects is the question of appropriate return to equity investment. This paper by Sidharth Sinha discusses the relationship between risk contracting arrangements and the return to equity and financial structure. The main conclusion that emerges is the need for competitive bidding in the absence of an equity market for ‘infrastructure type projects.’ Governments can help reduce the risk and required return on equity investment by creating the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for reducing delays and uncertainties in finalizing and implementing these projects.
Intra-firm Allocation of Organizational Effort: Inter-firm Variations in Indian Industry
Authors: Rameshan P , Trivedi M L 
Published: September 2016

The degree of organizational efficiency of a firm is a crucial determinant of its business success. But, organizational efficiency itself is dependent on the level and effectiveness of the organizational effort spent by the firms. This paper by Rameshan and Trivedi, therefore, attempts to examine the inter-firm variations in the intra-firm allocation of organizational effort. It also focuses on the effectiveness of the effort allocated to different areas of action which is required to tackle the scores of inefficiency elements prevailing in the firms.
Biopsy-proven kidney diseases in the elderly: clinical characteristics, renal histopathological spectrum and prognostic factors
Authors: Chen Yue , Li Ping , Cui Chunli , Yuan Aihong , Zhang Kun , Yu Chen 
Published: September 2016

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics, renal histopathological spectrum and prognostic factors of biopsy-proven kidney diseases in the elderly. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in elderly patients who had received renal biopsies. Demographic, clinical and pathological data at the time of the biopsy were collected from the medical records. Follow-up records and prognostic factors were studied. Results The elderly (≥60 years) accounted for 74 of 434 (17.1%) native renal biopsies that were performed in a 9-year period. In the cohort of included elderly patients ( n = 72), the prevalence of nephrotic syndrome and acute kidney injury was 62.5% (45 of 72) and 40.3% (29 of 72), respectively. For elderly patients with primary glomerular diseases ( n = 44), membranous nephropathy was the most frequent pathological type (24 of 44; 54.5%). For elderly patients with secondary glomerular diseases ( n = 25), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis was the most frequent aetiology (nine of 25; 36.0%). Requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis. Conclusions Kidney diseases in the elderly have distinctive characteristics. Requirement for RRT was associated with poor prognosis in the elderly with biopsy-proven kidney diseases.