bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustainability Assessment of Red Sand as a Substitute for Virgin Sand and Crushed Limestone
Authors: Biswas Wahidul K. , Cooling David 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThis article assesses the sustainability benefits of replacing virgin sand and crushed limestone with Red Sand for road construction and top dressing. The sustainability of Red Sand was assessed using a triple bottom line analysis that includes economic, social, and environmental objectives. Each of these objectives consists of a number of headline performance indicators, with each being the aggregate of key performance indicators that measure whether Red Sand applications foster or impede sustainability. Red Sand is a newly developed product that is expected to be commercially available in 2014. It is produced by washing and carbonating the coarse fraction of the residue produced by the Bayer alumina refining process. Our assessment indicates that replacing virgin sand and crushed limestone with Red Sand will provide a range of financial and environmental benefits. For example, some environmental impacts associated with using virgin sand and crushed limestone, such as loss of biodiversity and land degradation, can be avoided by substituting Red Sand. Also, the use of Red Sand for road construction and top dressing is expected to conserve land and raw materials for future generations, thus enhancing intergenerational social equity. The energy consumption associated with producing Red Sand is projected to be lower than that required to quarry virgin sand and crushed limestone, thereby conserving energy and reducing the overall greenhouse impact of road construction and top‐dressing applications that use virgin sand and crushed limestone. The greenhouse benefit of Red Sand is further enhanced by avoiding the loss of vegetation associated with sand and limestone quarrying. There are also intangible benefits expected from the substitution of Red Sand, including ecological, aesthetic, and recreational benefits associated with bushland conservation, a significant issue in areas surrounding metropolitan Perth.
THE THEORY OF ENDOGENOUS MARKET STRUCTURES
Authors: Etro Federico 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMost market structures are neither perfectly or monopolistically competitive: they are characterized by a few large firms that are engaged in strategic interactions in their production and investment decisions and whose number is endogenous. The theory of endogenous market structures analyzes markets in partial and general equilibrium where strategies affect entry and entry affects strategies, and exogenous primitive conditions on technology and preferences affect the equilibrium. We discuss applications to industrial organization, international trade, business cycle theory, international finance, growth and implications for welfare and for competition, trade, fiscal and monetary policy.
First Report of a 16SrI‐C Phytoplasma Infecting Celery (Apium graveolens) with Stunting, Bushy Top and Phyllody in the Czech Republic
Authors: Fránová Jana , Špak Josef 
Published: April 2013

AbstractApium graveolens L. plants showing stunting, purplish/whitening of new leaves, flower abnormalities and bushy tops were observed in South Bohemia (Czech Republic) during 2011 and 2012. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed phytoplasmas in phloem sieve tube elements of symptomatic but not healthy plants. Polymerase chain reactions with universal and group‐specific phytoplasma primers followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and sequencing of 16S rDNA enabled classification of the detected phytoplasmas into the aster yellows group, ribosomal subgroup 16SrI‐C. Identical analyses of the ribosomal protein genes rpl22 and rps3 were used for further classification and revealed affiliation of the phytoplasmas with the rpIC subgroups. This is the first report of naturally occurring clover phyllody phytoplasma in A. graveolens in both the Czech Republic and worldwide.
Emergency room visits for dental problems among working poor Canadians
Authors: Ramraj Chantel C. , Quiñonez Carlos R. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the risk of visiting hospital emergency rooms (ERs) for dental problems not associated with trauma among a sample of working poor Canadians.MethodsData stem from a telephone survey administered between March and August 2007 of working poor Canadians aged 18‐64 years. Logistic regressions were employed to determine the predictors of reporting a visit to an ER for dental problems not associated with trauma.ResultsApproximately 6.1 percent of the sample reported visiting an ER in the past for a dental problem not associated with trauma. Those who were publicly insured, reported poor oral health, experienced a bed day due to dental pain, had dependent children, were lone parents, had competing needs, a history of receiving welfare, a history of an inability to afford dental care, and a perceived need for dental treatment were all more likely to have reported an ER visit. When adjusting for all variables, having experienced a bed day due to dental pain and a history of an inability to afford dental care were the dominant predictors of this outcome. A higher but not significantly different prevalence of ER visits for dental problems was found among the working poor sample when compared with the general Canadian population (6.1 percent versus 5.4 percent, P > 0.05).ConclusionsFurther research is needed in order to provide insight into the reasons why the working poor population is seeking dental care in hospital settings.
Activated Rho Kinase Mediates Diabetes-Induced Elevation of Vascular Arginase Activation and Contributes to Impaired Corpora Cavernosa Relaxation: Possible Involvement of p38 MAPK Activation
Authors: Toque Haroldo A. , Nunes Kenia P. , Yao Lin , Liao James K. , Webb R. Clinton , Caldwell Ruth B. , Caldwell R. William 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Activated RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) has been implicated in diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction. Earlier studies have demonstrated involvement of ROCK pathway in the activation of arginase in endothelial cells. However, signaling pathways activated by ROCK in the penis remain unclear.

Aim
We tested whether ROCK and p38 MAPK are involved in the elevation of arginase activity and subsequent impairment of corpora cavernosal (CC) relaxation in diabetes.

Methods
Eight weeks after streptozotocin-induced diabetes, vascular functional studies, arginase activity assay, and protein expression of RhoA, ROCK, phospho-p38 MAPK, p38 MAPK, phospho-MYPT-1Thr850, MYPT-1 and arginase levels were assessed in CC tissues from nondiabetic wild type (WT), diabetic (D) WT (WT + D), partial ROCK 2+/− knockout (KO), and ROCK 2+/− KO + D mice.

Main Outcome Measures
The expression of RhoA, ROCK 1 and 2, phosphorylation of MYPT-1Thr850 and p38 MAPK, arginase activity/expression, endothelial- and nitrergic-dependent relaxation of CC was assayed.

Results
Diabetes significantly reduced maximum relaxation (Emax) to both endothelium-dependent acetylcholine (WT + D: Emax; 61 ± 4% vs. WT: Emax; 75 ± 2%) and nitrergic nerve stimulation. These effects were associated with increased expression of active RhoA, ROCK 2, phospho-MYPT-1Thr850, phospho-p38 MAPK, arginase II, and activity of corporal arginase (1.6-fold) in WT diabetic CC. However, this impairment in CC of WT + D mice was absent in heterozygous ROCK 2+/− KO + D mice for acetylcholine (Emax: 80 ± 5%) and attenuated for nitrergic nerve-induced relaxation. CC of ROCK 2+/− KO + D mice showed much less ROCK activity, did not exhibit p38 MAPK activation, and had reduced arginase activity and arginase II expression. These findings indicate that ROCK 2 mediates diabetes-induced elevation of arginase activity. Additionally, pretreatment of WT diabetic CC with inhibitors of arginase (ABH) or p38 MAPK (SB203580) partially prevented impairment of ACh- and nitrergic nerve-induced relaxation and elevation of arginase activity.

Conclusion
ROCK 2, p38 MAPK and arginase play key roles in diabetes-induced impairment of CC relaxation.
Role of hepatitis C virus substitutions and interleukin‐28B polymorphism on response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in a prospective study of response‐guided therapy
Authors: Liang C.‐M. , Hu T.‐H. , Lu S.‐N. , Hung C.‐H. , Huang C.‐M. , Wang J.‐H. , Yen Y.‐H. , Chen C.‐H. , Chang K.‐C. , Tsai M.‐C. , Kuo Y.‐H. , Lee C.‐M. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryRecent studies have indicated that amino acid (aa) substitutions in the core region and NS5A interferon sensitivity‐determining region (ISDR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) as well as genetic polymorphisms in the interleukin‐28B (IL‐28B) locus affect the outcome of interferon (IFN)‐based therapies. We aimed to investigate the role of these factors on response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in a prospective study of response‐guided therapy. The aa sequences in core region and ISDR and rs12979860 genotypes were analysed in 115 HCV‐1 patients. The treatment was 24 weeks for patients achieving a rapid virological response (RVR), 48 weeks for those with an early virological response (EVR) and early terminated in those without an EVR. A sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 82% of 34 RVR patients, 45% of 74 EVR patients and 0% of seven non‐EVR patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that ISDR mutation (≥2) [odds ratio(OR): 6.024], double core 70/91 mutations (OR: 0.136), and platelet counts ≥ 15 × 104/μL (OR: 3.119) were independent pretreatment factors associated with SVR. Apart from rs12979860 CC genotype, low viral load and ISDR mutation (≥2) were significant factors predictive of RVR. Combination of rs12979860 genotype and baseline viral characteristics (viral load and core/ISDR mutations) could predict RVR and SVR with positive predictive value of 100% and 91%, and negative predictive value of 80% and 54%, respectively. In conclusion, pretreatment screening rs12979860 genotype and aa substitutions in the core region and ISDR could help identifying patients who are good candidates for peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy.
Melanism, body condition and elevational distribution in the asp viper
Authors: Castella B. , Golay J. , Monney J.‐C. , Golay P. , Mebert K. , Dubey S. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAlternative morphotypes can confer important selective advantages in different habitats, whereas they can be penalized in other circumstances. In ectotherms, such as reptiles, the body colour can have direct effects on numerous aspects of their existence, such as thermoregulation or prey–predator interactions. Darker melanic individuals show lower skin reflectance and consequently heat up more rapidly and maintain optimal body temperatures more easily than lighter coloured individuals. As a consequence, melanistic individuals of diurnal species in cool areas may exhibit higher body condition, growth rate, survival and fecundity than lighter coloured individuals. Such advantages of dark coloration may be counterbalanced by a lower crypsis to predators and a decreased foraging efficiency. We investigated, in two montane populations of asp vipers Vipera aspis, the relationship between (1) colour polymorphism and body condition and length and (2) the coloration of individuals and their elevational distribution. We showed significant relationships between (1) the coloration, body condition and sex of individuals; (2) sexes and reproductive state and morph frequency; and (3) colour morphs that were distributed following an elevational gradient. Hence, colour polymorphism plays an important role in the ecology and evolution of the asp viper and is maintained through differential selective pressures.
Cartilage degradation in temporomandibular joint induced by unilateral anterior crossbite prosthesis
Authors: Wang Y‐L , Zhang J , Zhang M , Lu L , Wang X , Guo M , Zhang X , Wang M‐Q 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the pathological effects on temporomandibular joint cartilage of an experimentally created unilateral anterior crossbite prosthesis.MethodsSix‐week‐old female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into experimental and control groups and further divided into three subgroups for three time points (n = 9). In experimental groups, the unilateral anterior crossbite was created by bonding two metal tubes on left maxillary and mandibular incisors. 2, 4, or 8 weeks after operation, the histomorphological changes and the expression changes of PCNA, COL II, aggrecan, MMP‐3, MMP‐9, MMP‐13, and TIMP‐1 in condylar cartilage were investigated by hematoxylin–eosin and toluidine blue staining, real‐time PCR, and immunohistochemistry.ResultsIn experimental groups, decreasing in chondrocytes, cell‐free areas, reduction in the thickness of hypertrophic layer, and loss of extracellular matrix were noticed. The expression level of PCNA was decreased at week 2 and week 4. The mRNA expression of COL II was decreased at 4 week and that of aggrecan was increased at 2 week but decreased at 4 and 8 week. The expression of MMP‐9, MMP‐13, and TIMP‐1 was increased at 2‐week and decreased at 4‐ and 8‐week, while that of MMP‐3 was increased at 4‐ and 8‐week.ConclusionsThe present unilateral anterior crossbite prosthesis led to degradation of mandibular condylar cartilage.
Aloe vera herbal dentifrices for plaque and gingivitis control: a systematic review
Authors: Dhingra K 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of aloe vera containing herbal dentifrices in improving plaque control and gingival health.MethodsA manual and electronic literature (MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) search was performed up to July 2012, for randomized controlled trials presenting clinical, microbiological, immunological, and patient‐centered data for the efficacy of aloe vera herbal dentifrices for controlling plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis.ResultsFrom 79 titles and abstracts, eight full‐text articles were screened and finally two randomized controlled trials were selected. These randomized controlled trials reported that aloe vera dentifrices were similar in efficacy to control dentifrices in effectively reducing plaque and gingival inflammation in gingivitis patients based on the assessment of clinical, microbiological, and patient‐centered treatment outcomes. However, many important details (composition and characteristics of aloe vera and control dentifrices along with appropriate randomization, blinding, and outcomes assessed) were lacking in these trials, and therefore, the quality of reporting and methods was generally flawed with high risk of bias.ConclusionEven though there are some promising results, the clinical effectiveness of aloe vera herbal dentifrices is not sufficiently defined at present and warrants further investigations based on reporting guidelines of herbal CONSORT statement.
Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment for Patients with Shoulder Pain Booked for Surgery: A Double‐Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Taverner Murray , Loughnan Terence 
Published: April 2013

AbstractShoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal problem and accounts for 5% of general practitioner consultations. Although many treatments are described, there is no consensus on optimal treatment and up to 40% of patients still have pain 12 months after initially seeking help for pain. Previously, the effect of transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency treatment (TCPRFT) was evaluated in a retrospective audit that showed good pain relief for a mean 395 days and justified this randomized sham controlled trial. In this study, 51 patients entered into a randomized double‐blinded, placebo controlled study of TCPRFT. Patients were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks by a blinded observer and compared with baseline. We observed sustained reductions in pain at night, pain with activity, and functional improvement at 4 and 12 weeks with active but not sham TCPRFT. The 25 subjects who received active treatment showed statistically significant reductions of 24/100 in pain at night and 20/100 of pain with activity at 4 weeks and 18/100 and 19/100, respectively, at 12 weeks from baseline. Statistically significant lower Brief Pain Inventory pain and function scores (4 and 12 weeks), improved pain self‐efficacy (4 weeks), Oxford Shoulder scores (12 weeks), and internal rotation (12 weeks) were seen. Pain at both rest and shoulder elevation were not improved by active treatment. No complications were seen. This study of a simple, low risk, outpatient treatment confirms the findings of our earlier study of TCPRFT for knee pain and shoulder pain audit that transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency treatment may help some people with painful shoulders.
Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Phenol Injection for Abdominal Wall Cancer Pain
Authors: Restrepo‐Garces Carlos Eduardo , Asenjo Juan Francisco , Gomez Carlos Mario , Jaramillo Santiago , Acosta Nathalia , Ramirez Lizeth Jazmin , Lopera Luz Maria , Vargas Juan Felipe 
Published: April 2013

Abstract:A subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) phenol injection was performed on a patient with refractory cancer pain due a metastatic involvement of the abdominal wall. A diagnostic block with local anesthetic was performed under ultrasound guidance (USG), resulting in a decrease of 80% and 100% in dynamic and static visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, respectively, for 20 hours. A phenol injection was then performed under USG. The patient reported 70% and 100% reduction in the dynamic and static VAS for pain and had a 50% decrease in the opioid requirement that was maintained for 2 months. TAP blocks offer an interesting tool for either diagnosis or therapeutic purpose in chronic pain management. USG provides an optimal approach to soft‐tissue lesions where fluoroscopy techniques are not useful.
Quantitative models of hydrolysis conversion efficiency and biomass crystallinity index for plant breeding
Authors: Vandenbrink Joshua P. , Hilten Roger N. , Das K.C. , Paterson Andrew H. , Alex Feltus Frank 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn conjunction with improvements to processing technology, selective breeding can be used to increase bioenergy yield potential either through an increase in total harvestable biomass or by modifying biomass conversion efficiency. In this study, the measurement of biomass composition (lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose) and proximate (fixed carbon, volatile matter, ash and moisture contents) components was conducted on leaf and tissue samples from diverse Sorghum bicolor genotypes across two environments. Multiple regression analysis was used to create models that predict two biomass conversion traits: hydrolysis yield potential (HYP) and crystallinity index (CI). CI model variables included tissue type, ash and lignin. HYP model variables included tissue type, ash, cellulose and volatile matter. The presence of ash content in all models was a salient finding of our study. Given that several models were able to predict HYP and CI in alternate grow‐out years, these models may be useful in selective breeding programmes aimed at sorghum bioenergy feedstock improvement through increased conversion efficiency.
Virtue beyond Reason
Authors: Landrum Ty 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn the wake of Aristotle, it is often thought that moral virtue is a matter of feeling and acting for the right reasons. This notion is not incorrect, but it obscures one of the most interesting dimensions of virtue. It overlooks the formative role that virtue can play in bringing forth the kinds of considerations that count as reasons. To illustrate this point, I discuss some instances of love and resentment that are not plausibly conceived as responses to reasons, but which exemplify virtue nonetheless. They do so, I argue, because they positively assert human worth.
Responses of physiological indexes and leaf epicuticular waxes of Brassica napus to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection
Authors: Ni Y. , Guo Y. ‐J. , Wang J. , Xia R. ‐E. , Wang X. ‐Q. , Ash G. , Li J. ‐N. 
Published: April 2013

Two Brassica napus genotypes with different resistances to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were used to clarify whether or not the epicuticular wax is involved in the defence mechanism of B. napus to S. sclerotiorum. The total wax and wax constituents were significantly higher in the susceptible cultivar than in the resistant cultivar, except for esters. Infection by S. sclerotiorum increased the content of aldehydes in both cultivars, while increasing the content of alkanes and unknowns in the resistant cultivar. More crystalloid rods were observed on adaxial surfaces of leaves of the susceptible cultivar than on those of the resistant cultivar. The resistance to S. sclerotiorum was correlated to the responses of wax content but not the amount of total wax. The up‐regulation of transcription of a wax‐related gene and a pathogenesis‐related gene (PR1) in the pathogen‐challenged resistant cultivar also supported this observation. After inoculation, the increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity in the resistant cultivar and the decrease in the susceptible cultivar were correlated with their resistance to disease. The content of alkanes, alcohols, ketones and total wax were negatively correlated with the activities of PAL and polyphenoloxidase. After wax removal, the resistant cultivar developed more necrotic spots compared to seedlings with intact wax, whilst no significant change was observed for susceptible seedlings. These results show that epicuticular wax contributed more to the defence of resistant cultivars than susceptible cultivars. The leaf epicuticular wax, defence enzymes and salicylic acid‐dependent signalling pathway all contribute to defence against S. sclerotiorum in B. napus.
Identifying concealment‐related responses in the concealed information test
Authors: Matsuda Izumi , Nittono Hiroshi , Ogawa Tokihiro 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe concealed information test (CIT) assesses an examinee's recognition of a crime‐relevant item using physiological measures. However, a guilty examinee not only recognizes the crime‐relevant item but also conceals the recognition intentionally. In this study, we attempted to identify the effect of concealing the recognition on event‐related potentials and autonomic responses. After committing a mock theft of two items, 30 participants received twoCITs: one for an item that they had to conceal, and the other for an item that they had disclosed.N2,P3, heart rate, skin conductance, and cutaneous blood flow differed between crime‐relevant and irrelevant items in bothCITs. In contrast, late positive potential and respiration differed between crime‐relevant and irrelevant items only when the examinee needed to conceal. The former measures appear to be related to orienting process, whereas the latter to controlled process related to concealment.
Housing Market Integration of Migrants: Moroccans in Spain
Authors: Meier Sarah 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMoroccans are the largest group of immigrants in Spain. Once they arrive at the new place, one of their first necessities is to access shelter. Focusing on the south‐eastern region of Murcia in Spain and combining quantitative and qualitative data, I explore the process of housing market integration of Moroccan migrants. Special attention is paid to the dynamics of this process and the role that the interaction between the supply side and the foreign demand of accommodation plays. Thereby, I will emphasise how an unfavourable structure of the housing market, along with behaviour of local private landlords on the supply side leads to considerable problems concerning the housing market integration of migrants in Spain. Thus, this paper aims to give a more accurate interpretation of the dynamics influencing the housing outcomes of migrants in the studied area.