bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental analysis of resin infusion in air cushion method
Authors: Chang Chih-Yuan 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
A new technique of resin infusion, called the air cushion method (ACM), has been developed to improve infusion time associated with the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The method utilizes an innovative vacuum bag consisting of a bagging film and air cushions. After the preform is sealed by the bagging film and then evacuated, distribution channels are created between air cushions for flow enhancement during infusion. Once the required volume of resin is infused, the bonding interfaces between the air cushion and the bagging film are punctured and distribution channels collapse. The ambient pressure is applied on the bagging film that entirely compacts the preform. This paper investigates the infusion process in ACM using flow visualization experiments. An approximate estimation of the equivalent permeability of the bulk distribution channel is provided. Finally, an assessment of the properties of the ACM part is performed in comparison with VARTM part.
Usefulness of Presepsin (sCD14-ST) in diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis - preliminary results of an observational study / Utilitatea presepsinului (sCD14-ST) în Endocardita Infecțioasă –rezultate preliminare ale unui studiu observațional
Authors: Topan Adriana , Carstina Dumitru , Rancea Raluca , Slavcovici Adriana , Flonta Mirela , Lupse Mihaela 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Background: Soluble CD14 subtype (sCD14-ST), also named presepsin, has been proposed as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis. We hypothesized that presepsin value might be helpful in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE).
Material and methods: In this prospective study a total of 29 patients with clinical suspicion of IE were enrolled. The plasma presepsin samples were collected at the admittance in the same time with blood cultures, CRP (C-reactive protein) and routine blood tests. Data about the antibiotic treatment prior to admittance were recorded. The diagnosis of IE was made using the Duke modified criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis and binary logistic regression were performed using SPSS software, version 18. A p value less than 0.05 is considered statistically significant.
Results: Patients were divided in two subgroups: 14 patients with definite IE and 8 with IE - rejected according to the modified Duke criteria. 7 patients with final diagnosis of sepsis were excluded. Presepsin levels in patient with definite IE were significantly higher than in those with rejected IE (p<0.03). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.781 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.590 - 0.973). The threshold value of presepsin in predicting IE was determined to be 345 pg/ml, of which the clinical sensitivity and specificity were 64% and respectively, 88%. The AUC for CRP was 0.656 (95% CI 0.37-0.88).
Conclusion: Presepsin might be a useful additional diagnostic marker in patients with suspected IE. These preliminary results needs confirmation by future studies.
Staphylococcus aureus harbouring egc cluster coding for non-classical enterotoxins, involved in a food poisoning outbreak, Romania, 2012 / Staphylococcus aureus purtător de gene codante pentru enterotoxine non-clasice (cluster egc), implicat într-un focar de toxiinfecţie alimentară, România, 2012
Authors: Coldea Ileana Luminita , Zota Lavinia , Dragomirescu Cristiana Cerasella , Lixandru Brandusa Elena , Dragulescu Elena Carmina , Sorokin Marilena , Codita Irina 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In March 2012, a food poisoning outbreak was reported in a Romanian county, with a total number of 30 children affected. The symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain), with onset within 1-2 hours after the ingestion of a particular food (milk), suggested a possible staphylococcal aetiology. An outbreak investigation was carried out, in accordance with the national surveillance methodology and 25 samples: stool (n=9), vomit (n=5), nasal swabs (n=9), and milk (n=2) were collected from the affected children, food handlers and suspected food. All isolated strains were sent to the Reference Centre for Staphylococci within the “Cantacuzino” National Institute of Research-Development for Microbiology and Immunology, Bucharest, Romania, for confirmation and further analysis. The aim of this study was to increase the reference laboratory capacity to confirm staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) outbreak by defining the molecular basis of toxicity of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolates and assessing their genetic relatedness. PCR methods have been used to detect 14 enterotoxin genes and the expression of some of these genes was proved by using a reverse transcription real-time PCR. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Staphylococcus protein A coding gene sequence typing (spa typing) have been used to track the origin of the S. aureus contamination and to confirm the food poisoning outbreak.
Two enterotoxigenic S. aureus strains isolated from milk, twelve isolated from patients and two from food handlers were of the same spa- type (t902) and revealed an indistinguishable SmaI macrorestriction pattern after a PFGE analysis. All these strains harboured the same toxin genes profile, namely the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc), which strongly supports the evidence that the milk was the incriminated food vehicle of the outbreak and a food-handler was the most likely source of the staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) incident.
The significance of soluble transferrin receptors in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia
Authors: Tijanić Ivan , Vučić Miodrag , Mačukanović Golubović Lana 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Introduction. In recent years, determination of soluble transferrin receptor levels has been emerging as a test that can reliably indicate iron deficiency in various states, and that is non-invasive and easy to use. The aim of this study was: to determine reference values of soluble transferrin receptor concentrations in serums in our population, to examine the reliability of this method in the diagnosis of anemia due to iron deficiency and associated iron deficiency in anemia accompanying malignant hemopathies, and to identify possible limitations of the test in certain conditions.
Material and Methods. The prospective research included 86 patients with anemia: 46 patients with iron deficiency anemia, and 40 patients with malignant hemopathies. The control group consisted of 40 healthy persons aging over 18.
Results. Ferritin values were reduced in 76.1% of patients, while higher levels of soluble transferrin receptors appeared in 100% of patients with iron deficiency anemia. In patients with reduced serum ferritin levels, the soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index was statistically significantly higher than in patients in whom ferritin concentration was in the normal range (p <0.001). ROC analysis of patients with iron deficiency anemia showed that the soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index (AUC 0.977) and levels of soluble transferrin receptors (AUC 0.931) occupied the largest area under the curve. The best diagnostic parameter for detecting iron deficiency in patients with malignant hemopathies by ROC analysis is the soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index (AUC 0.770).
Conclusion. Soluble transferrin receptors are useful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, especially when ferritin values are not reduced. The calculation of soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index is even more reliable. In patients with malignant hemopathies, the associated iron deficiency could be best indicated by soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index.
Recent developments in fatty acids profile determination in biological samples - a review
Authors: Tiuca Ioana , Nagy Katalin , Oprean Radu 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The present paper is a literature review of the recent years dealing with the most important separation techniques of fatty acids in biological samples. Our aim was to make a synthesis of the analytical methods used, to note the most used ones, but also to mention other methods that are less utilized, which can have important advantages (such as less time consuming, greener reagents, etc.). Gas-chromatographic separation methods were described and compared to liquid chromatographic separations of fatty acids in different types of biological samples. In the same time, the importance of determining fatty acids profiles in biological samples was revealed, pointing out the possible implications in diagnostics of different types of disorders or remarking different profiles compared to healthy states.
PCR coupled with mass-spectrometry for detection of Clostridium difficile virulence markers during the emergence of ribotype 027 in Bucharest area
Authors: Florea Dragos , Huhulescu Steliana , Indra Alexander , Badicut Ioana , Rafila Alexandru , Otelea Dan , Popescu Gabriel Adrian 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In recent years Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has represented a serious public health issue, mainly due to the global spread of the hypervirulent strain NAP1/027/BI. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of a PCR coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) commercial assay for the detection of C. difficile virulence markers. Non-duplicative C. difficile isolates from patients with CDI diagnosed in a tertiary level hospital from Bucharest were tested for toxin A, toxin B, binary toxin genes and deletion in tcdC gene using PCR/capillary gel electrophoresis and PCR/ESI-MS. The study analysed 45 non-duplicative isolates, 33 strains (73.3%) belonging to ribotype 027. The concordance between PCR/capillary gel electrophoresis and PCR/ESI-MS was 100% for toxin A gene, 97.8% for toxin B gene, 91.1% for binary toxin subunit A gene and 95.6% for binary toxin subunit B gene. The general concordance for the complete panel of markers was 88.9% but was 100% for ribotype 027 isolates. PCR/ESI-MS might be a valid method for the detection of C. difficile virulence markers, including binary toxin.
Bacteriological evaluation of the non-struvite nephrolithiasis and its association with urinary tract infections
Authors: Maier Adrian , Man Adrian , Chibelean Călin , Cighir Teodora , Nemes-Nagy Eniko , Maier Ioana , Todea Ciprian , Vida Oliver , Martha Orsolya 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the bacteriological features in non-struvite nephrolithiasis and in its associated urinary tract infection, and to establish the relationship between the two pathologies.

Methods: The non-struvite calculi from 132 patients were aseptically extracted by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). The midstream urine and calculi were bacteriologically and biochemically processed.

Results: Most calculi (78%) were located to renal pelvis, associated with hydronephrosis, the biochemical composition confirming the lack of struvite and revealing the predominance of calcium oxalate. The females presented significantly more colonized calculi (50%) than males (21.9%), with higher bacteriological diversity. There is a significant relation between the presence of colonized calculi and urinary tract infections, 24.2% of calculi and 25.8% of the urine samples presenting positive cultures. In 70.4% of cases, we found the same antibiotic resistance pattern between the pathogens isolated from calculi and urine, thus considering them identical strains. The Enterobacteriaceae represented the most predominant bacteria both from calculi (62.5%) and urine (63.6%), approximatively 30% being resistant to cephalosporins and over 50% resistant to fluoroquinolones, ampicillin and tetracycline. There were 3.8% of cases in which the calculi were colonized but the urine was sterile, the bacteria being sensitive to cephalosporins that are used as prophylaxis.

Conclusions: In all the cases, the same bacterial species was found both in calculi and urine, and 70.4% of them were phenotypically identical. The resistance to the second generation cephalosporins is lower than in the case of other antibiotics, which makes them the most suitable for prophylaxis in PNL.
Effects of CO-CR Discrepancy in Daily Orthodontic Treatment Planning
Authors: Costea Carmen Maria , Badea Mîndra Eugenia , Vasilache Sorin , Mesaroș Michaela 
Published: January 2016

Background and aims. Nowadays centric relation is defined as a musculoskeletal stable position, with the condyles forward, as far upward as possible, centered transversely and with the articular disc properly interposed. On the other hand, centric occlusion or maximum intercuspidation is a dental determined position. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the direction, frequency and magnitude of the discrepancy between centric occlusion and centric relation in all three axial directions, in a muscular non-deprogrammed population, before the beginning of orthodontic treatment.Methods. The study group was represented by 40 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients seeking orthodontic treatment in a private dental office in Cluj-Napoca, Romania between 2014 and 2015. All patients had full records and articulator mounted models. All measurements were analyzed three-dimensionally.Results. 85% of the patients had vertical and 87.5% had horizontal CO-CR discrepancy for both condyles. 87.5% of the cases have had a significant condylar displacement in at least one of the three planes.Conclusions. We should be aware of the dental occlusion determined by the dental contacts and the occlusion dictated by the musculoskeletal stable position of the condyles. The bigger the discrepancy between these two positions at the level of the condyles, the greater the chances to have either a patient who will develop a form of TMD before/during or after the orthodontic or prosthetic treatment, or a patient suffering already, but poorly diagnosed.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and the Quality of Life
Authors: Coman Andreea Codruta , Borzan Cristina , Vesa Cristian Stefan , Todea Doina Adina 
Published: January 2016

Background and aims. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) affects the quality of life (QOL) due to the effects on the patient’s physical and mental function. QOL in sleep apnea may improve under continuous airway positive pressure (CPAP) therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the OSA patients QOL before and after 3 months of CPAP therapy using Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI).Methods. We conducted a study in 79 sleep apnea subjects diagnosed using cardiorespiratory portable monitoring, under CPAP therapy, monitored in our Sleep Laboratory from January 2011 to December 2014. This is a cross-sectional study, achieved through quantitative research (SAQLI questionnaire application) about the perception of quality of life in patients with sleep apnea in the moment of diagnosis and 3 months after CPAP therapy. Results. Of the 79 subjects, 59 (74.7%) were men and 20 (26.3%) women; mean age was 54.13 years (SD±10.87), the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 52.46±20.83 events/h. In all 4 domains of SAQLI: daily functioning with mean pretreatment score 4.13±0.58 versus mean post treatment score 5.43±0.52; social interactions with mean pretreatment score 3.68±0.55 versus post treatment mean score 5.36±0.57; emotional functioning with mean pretreatment score 3.83±0.53 versus mean post treatment mean 5.38±0.56 and symptoms with mean pretreatment score 0.81±0.12 versus mean post treatment score 1.15±0.14, quality of life was improved after 3 months of therapy, with significantly statistical correlation (p=0.00). Also, an improvement was seen in mean total score of SAQLI after therapy as compared to baseline 3.11±0.32 versus 4.24±0.39 (p<0.01). Conclusion. The quality of life in sleep apnea was better after CPAP therapy than from baseline, according Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index. The SAQLI is a useful toll to evaluate quality of life in sleep apnea, especially to highlight the benefits of CPAP therapy, even with short time monitoring.
Criollos, mestizos e indios: etnias y clases sociales en México colonial a fines del siglo XVIII
Authors: Garavaglia Juan Carlos , Grosso Juan Carlos 
Published: January 2016

<p>Análisis de la composición social novohispana del siglo XVIII en el valle central de México. Desglosa las características primordiales de la clase dominante y del pueblo en general según SU procedencia étnica, Detecta la conceptualización social de la época que se desprende del oficio u ocupación de los individuos y determina los efectos en la sociedad de las interrelaciones raciales.</p>
Colima a finales del siglo XVIII
Authors: Olveda Jaime 
Published: January 2016

<p>Esbozo de la situación social, económica y política de Colima a fines del siglo XVIII y de la labor del alcalde mayor Perez Ponce de León. Subraya el estado de rezago y la oposición a los embates contra su precaria autonomía económica (basada en la producción de sal y coco principalmente) de las jurisdicciones michoacanas y neo gallega. Destaca los problemas políticos internos que impidieron su incorporación plena a la economía novohispana, debidos a los intereses particulares de los poderosos de la región.</p>
Vulnerabilidad económica y política de la elite criolla del Puerto Rico del siglo XIX
Authors: Flores Collazo María Margarita 
Published: January 2016

<p>Analiza las reformas institucionales orienta­ das hacia la solidificación de los resortes "poIítico­administrativos" durante el siglo XIX en Puerto Rico. Estudia las medidas represivas y responsivas para mantener la centralización de la metrópoli y garantizar el orden socioe­conómico y político-militar que legitimara al pacto colonial.</p>
Decongesting Prisons in Nigeria: the EBSU Law Clinic model
Authors: Chukwu Amari Omaka 
Published: January 2016

<p>Due to the growing problems of overcrowding and prison congestion in Nigeria, the need to conduct this pro bono study became imperative. This study is a needs assessment, evaluation and fact finding of the challenges and access to judges problems of detainees of Abakaliki and Afikpo Federal Prisons in Ebonyi State Nigeria. Bearing in mind the UN Standard Minimum Rules and other instruments in international law, the project report generally captures the following information:-</p><ul><li>State of the Structure of the prisons </li><li>Infrastructure at the prisons </li><li>Facilities at the prisons </li><li>Welfare of the inmates at the prison </li><li>Welfare of the prisons staff </li><li>Access to Justice by the inmates and</li><li>Other ancillary issues such as children in prison, over age in prison, nature of offences etc. </li></ul><p>In carrying out this study, empirical method of data collection and analysis was used. The two prisons in the state were visited and 250 prisoners responded to both the questionnaire and direct interview. Some staff of the Nigerian Prison Service and warders were also interviewed. The findings of this study were significant and highly revealing. The study specifically highlights certain issues of concern and proffers recommendations to address identified challenges. The report would serve as a national and international reference material as well as a programmatic tool for working out specific programmes and interventions to address the myriad problems facing the Nigerian prison system specifically, and the criminal justice administration system in Nigeria generally. The findings in this project are significant, the recommendations rich, we enjoin the government and development partners to implement them.</p><p> </p>
Clinical Legal Education and Cultural Relativism – The Realities in the 21st Century
Authors: Bamgbose Oluyemisi , Olomola Omolade 
Published: January 2016

<p>‘Ubi jus ibi remedium’ is a Latin maxim that means ‘where there is a wrong, there is a remedy’. Human rights are expected to be universal and applicable to every human being. In reality not all rights guaranteed in the International Instruments are applicable in some African societies with different culture, religion and norms. Culture shapes the identity of people generally in Africa and elsewhere thus the issue of Cultural Relativism is germane to the very existence of people of African descent. </p><p>International Convention and Instruments provide for Women’ Rights generally and particularly the Right to life.</p><p>The experience in the Women’s Law Clinic (the clinic) of the University of Ibaden has shown the imbalance between Clinical Legal Education (CLE) and the realities in practice. </p><p>This paper considers the cultural practices in some societies in Nigeria, the techniques of CLE adopted in the clinic and the challenges of the 21st Century.</p>
Legal Education And Challenges Of Contemporary Developments In Nigeria
Authors: Bukar Bagoni 
Published: January 2016

<p>The development of any society is anchored on the existence of enabling environment for imparting legal education. Technological breakthrough and globalization among other things has made the provision of sound legal education to would-be lawyers and continuing legal education for lawyers, judges and academics a sine qua non at national and international levels. Hitherto, legal education was and unfortunately is still to a large extent restricted to the domain of domestic law sufficient enough to give a student broad general knowledge and exposure to other disciplines in the process of acquiring legal education. Such system of legal education which exists to date hardly if at all expose the student or the lawyer to challenges and the developments in other jurisdictions or in the emerging fields of law. A lawyer or a judge is a mirror of the system of legal education that produced him. Sadly, the laws regulating legal education, apart from being obsolete are in some cases conflicting due to the roles assigned to different and disparate organs.</p>
A Re-Examination of the Cost of Capital Benefits from Higher-Quality Disclosures
Authors: Heflin Frank , Moon James R. , Wallace Dana 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
Prior research suggests a negative relation between disclosure and costs of capital, but Francis, Nanda, and Olsson (2008; hereafter FNO) find the relation weakens considerably or disappears after controlling for earnings quality. Their results suggest that prior research may incorrectly attribute the capital market benefits of earnings quality to disclosure quality. FNO utilize a self-constructed disclosure measure similar to Botosan (1997), while considerable cost of capital research relies on Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR) disclosure ratings. We posit that AIMR ratings can capture elements of disclosure quality that affect capital costs even in the presence of earnings quality. We introduce earnings quality into the designs of three prominent studies documenting capital market benefits from higher AIMR-rated disclosures. We find that inferences from prior research suggesting that better disclosure quality is associated with lower costs of equity, bid-ask spreads, and costs of debt are robust to conditioning on earnings quality. Further, the economic significance of disclosure quality and earnings quality for costs of capital are roughly equivalent. Additional analyses using non-AIMR disclosure measures suggest that differences between the AIMR ratings and the FNO disclosure measure, rather than differences in sample period, likely explain the disparity in our and FNO's results. We conclude earnings quality does not generally subsume disclosure quality in explaining costs of capital.
Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the paper.