bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent Nitrogen Deposition In Poland Monitored With The Moss Pleurozium Schreberi
Authors: Kapusta Paweł , Szarek-Łukaszewska Grażyna , Godzik Barbara , Łopata Barbara 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this study, atmospheric deposition of nitrogen was determined for Poland by moss biomonitoring. Nitrogen content was measured in the moss Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. sampled in 2010 from 320 sites evenly distributed throughout the country. Mosses (green parts) contained an average 1.56% nitrogen. The result places Poland among the European countries most polluted by airborne nitrogen. The highest nitrogen concentrations were found in mosses from the central and southern parts of the country, and the lowest in samples from some eastern and northern regions. Multiple regression showed that this variability was due mostly to nitrogen emissions from agricultural and industrial areas (moss nitrogen was positively associated with the consumption of mineral nitrogen fertilizers and the magnitude of particulate pollution). Some details of the spatial variability of the nitrogen data indicate that local and regional point sources of pollution (e.g., chemical plants) played an important role in shaping the nitrogen deposition pattern
Susceptibility of naked oat cultivars to seed sprouting
Authors: Zieliński Andrzej , Simlat Magdalena , Wójtowicz Tomasz , Moś Maria 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The production of economically important cereals is accompanied by the phenomenon of sprouting which in naked cultivars may limit their reproduction and usability. The objective of the work is to evaluate the susceptibility to sprouting in naked oat cultivars, and to test the usefulness of sprouting indices. In the years 2008–2010 for seeds of 8 cultivars, differing in the degree of sprouting damage, the coefficient of sprouting (Cs) was determined. Germinability (GF), dynamics (GD) and average germination time (GAT) were determined for seeds germinating in the presence of abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and under control conditions. Basing on the falling number (FN) in consecutive days of the sprouting induction, alpha-amylase activity was determined. The highest values of Cs were found in 2008, the year with the highest total rainfall and temperature. In the presence of ABA the GF decreased by 21%, the GAT was 4.7 days longer, and the GD decreased by 55% compared with other substrates. An increase in alpha-amylase activity contributed to a 50%, on average, decrease in FN at 10°C and 30°C after 48 and 24 h of incubation, respectively. In the analyzed years the greatest resistance to sprouting was found for Bullion seeds.
Genotyping of Vitis vinifera L. within the Slovak national collection of genetic resources
Authors: Dokupilová Ivana , Migliaro Daniele , Mihálik Daniel , Crespan Manna , Kraic Ján 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Microsatellites were used as a very effective tool for genetic diversity analysis and characterization of 51 grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) accessions from the national collection of genetic resources. Genetic diversity was relatively high, 8.91 alleles were detected per analysed microsatellite locus in average, and fifty-one accessions were distinguished into 45 groups. Distribution of recent Slovak cultivars across the dendrogram accented both their genetic diversity and the effectiveness of the national breeding program in maintaining genetic diversity and generating new genetic variants. Each cultivar was different from the others and twelve of them contained 77.6% of the total genetic diversity of the whole analysed set. Microsatellite patterns were also able to confirm parentage in selected Slovak cultivars. An unusual phenomenon of triallelism was also detected in one of the analysed accessions. The present study has initiated molecular characterization within the national grapevine genetic resource collection and their comparison with well-established international cultivars.
Edge Detection on Images of Pseudoimpedance Section Supported by Context and Adaptive Transformation Model Images
Authors: Kawalec-Latała Ewa 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Most of underground hydrocarbon storage are located in depleted natural gas reservoirs. Seismic survey is the most economical source of detailed subsurface information. The inversion of seismic section for obtaining pseudoacoustic impedance section gives the possibility to extract detailed subsurface information. The seismic wavelet parameters and noise briefly influence the resolution. Low signal parameters, especially long signal duration time and the presence of noise decrease pseudoimpedance resolution. Drawing out from measurement or modelled seismic data approximation of distribution of acoustic pseuoimpedance leads us to visualisation and images useful to stratum homogeneity identification goal. In this paper, the improvement of geologic section image resolution by use of minimum entropy deconvolution method before inversion is applied. The author proposes context and adaptive transformation of images and edge detection methods as a way to increase the effectiveness of correct interpretation of simulated images. In the paper, the edge detection algorithms using Sobel, Prewitt, Robert, Canny operators as well as Laplacian of Gaussian method are emphasised. Wiener filtering of image transformation improving rock section structure interpretation pseudoimpedance matrix on proper acoustic pseudoimpedance value, corresponding to selected geologic stratum. The goal of the study is to develop applications of image transformation tools to inhomogeneity detection in salt deposits.
Efficiency of the Needle Probe Test for Evaluation of Thermal Conductivity of Composite Materials: Two-Scale Analysis
Authors: Łydżba Dariusz , Różański Adrian , Rajczakowska Magdalena , Stefaniuk Damian 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The needle probe test, as a thermal conductivity measurement method, has become very popular in recent years. In the present study, the efficiency of this methodology, for the case of composite materials, is investigated based on the numerical simulations. The material under study is a two-phase composite with periodic microstructure of “matrix-inclusion” type. Two-scale analysis, incorporating micromechanics approach, is performed. First, the effective thermal conductivity of the composite considered is found by the solution of the appropriate boundary value problem stated for the single unit cell. Next, numerical simulations of the needle probe test are carried out. In this case, two different locations of the measuring sensor are considered. It is shown that the “equivalent” conductivity, derived from the probe test, is strongly affected by the location of the sensor. Moreover, comparing the results obtained for different scales, one can notice that the “equivalent” conductivity cannot be interpreted as the effective one for the composites considered. Hence, a crude approximation of the effective property is proposed based on the volume fractions of constituents and the equivalent conductivities derived from different sensor locations.
Numerical Simulation of Hysteretic Live Load Effect in a Soil-Steel Bridge
Authors: Sobótka Maciej 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The paper presents numerical simulation of hysteretic live load effect in a soil-steel bridge. The effect was originally identified experimentally by Machelski [1], [2]. The truck was crossing the bridge one way and the other in the full-scale test performed. At the same time, displacements and stress in the shell were measured. The major conclusion from the research was that the measured quantities formed hysteretic loops. A numerical simulation of that effect is addressed in the present work. The analysis was performed using Flac finite difference code. The methodology of solving the mechanical problems implemented in Flac enables us to solve the problem concerning a sequence of load and non-linear mechanical behaviour of the structure. The numerical model incorporates linear elastic constitutive relations for the soil backfill, for the steel shell and the sheet piles, being a flexible substructure for the shell. Contact zone between the shell and the soil backfill is assumed to reflect elastic-plastic constitutive model. Maximum shear stress in contact zone is limited by the Coulomb condition. The plastic flow rule is described by dilation angle ψ = 0. The obtained results of numerical analysis are in fair agreement with the experimental evidence. The primary finding from the performed simulation is that the slip in the interface can be considered an explanation of the hysteresis occurrence in the charts of displacement and stress in the shell.
Numerical Three-Dimensional Model of Airport Terminal Drainage System
Authors: Strzelecki Michał 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
During the construction of an airport terminal it was found that as a result of the hydrostatic pressure of underground water the foundation plate of the building had dangerously shifted in the direction opposite to that of the gravitational forces. The only effective measure was to introduce a drainage system on the site. The complex geology of the area indicated that two independent drainage systems, i.e., a horizontal system in the Quaternary beds and a vertical system in the Tertiary water-bearing levels, were necessary. This paper presents numerical FEM calculations of the two drainage systems being part of the airport terminal drainaged esign. The computer simulation which was carried out took into consideration the actual effect of the drainage systems and their impact on the depression cone being formed in the two aquifers.
Biomarkers of Bone Metabolism in Ankylosing Spondylitis in Relation to Osteoproliferation and Osteoporosis
Authors: Klingberg Eva , Nurkkala Merja , Carlsten Hans , Forsblad-d’Elia Helena 
Published: June 2014

Objective.To identify biomarkers for bone metabolism in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to determine the relationship between these biomarkers and disease activity, back mobility, osteoproliferation, and bone mineral density (BMD).Methods.Serum levels of Wingless protein (Wnt-3a), Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), sclerostin, soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL), and osteoprotegerin were assessed using ELISA. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C reactive protein, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis patient global score, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were used as disease activity measures, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) as a measure of spinal mobility. Lateral spine radiographs were scored for chronic AS-related changes (mSASSS). BMD was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.Results.Two hundred four patients with AS (NY criteria; 57% men), with a mean age of 50 ± 13 years and disease duration 15 ± 11 years, and 80 age and sex-matched controls were included. The patients with AS had significantly higher serum levels of Wnt-3a (p < 0.001) and lower levels of sclerostin (p = 0.014) and sRANKL (p = 0.047) compared with the controls. High CRP was associated with low sclerostin (rS= −0.21, p = 0.003) and DKK-1 (rS= −0.14, p = 0.045). In multiple linear regression analyses, increasing BASMI and mSASSS were independently associated with older age, male sex, high CRP, and elevated serum levels of Wnt-3a. In addition, mSASSS remained associated with a high number of smoking pack-years after adjusting for age. Low BMD of femoral neck was associated with high mSASSS after adjusting for age.Conclusion.Serum levels of Wnt-3a are elevated in AS and associated with increased BASMI and mSASSS, independent of age, indicating that Wnt-3a could be a biomarker for the osteoproliferative process.
Behçet Syndrome Manifestations and Activity in the United States versus Turkey — A Cross-sectional Cohort Comparison
Authors: Sibley Cailin , Yazici Yusuf , Tascilar Koray , Khan Nafiz , Bata Yasmin , Yazici Hasan , Goldbach-Mansky Raphaela , Hatemi Gulen 
Published: June 2014

Objective.To compare clinical manifestations and activity of Behçet syndrome (BS) in the United States versus Turkey using validated outcome measures.Methods.Consecutive patients with BS from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), New York University, and the University of Istanbul were evaluated. Disease activity was measured using the Behçet’s Syndrome Activity Scale (BSAS) and the Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) with quality of life measured by the Behçet Disease Quality of Life (BDQOL) form. One-way ANOVA, t-tests, and multivariate regression analyses were performed.Results.Mean age did not differ between sites; however, more women were seen in the United States versus in Turkey (p < 0.001), and disease duration was longer in the United States (p = 0.02). Organ manifestations were similar for oral and genital ulcers, skin disease, arthralgia, eye disease, and thrombosis. However, more gastrointestinal (p < 0.001) and neurologic disease (p = 0.003) was seen in the United States. BSAS and BDCAF scores were worse in the United States compared to Turkey (p = 0.013 and < 0.001, respectively). Worse mean BDQOL scores were observed at the NIH compared to Istanbul (not significant). Multivariable regression models showed worse scores in ethnically atypical patients for BSAS and BDCAF (p = 0.04 and p = 0.001), American patients for BDCAF (p = 0.01), older age for BDCAF (p = 0.005), and women for BDQOL (p = 0.01).Conclusion.Demographic and clinical manifestations of BS differ between sites with higher disease activity in the United States compared to Turkey. Referral patterns, age, sex, ethnicity, and country of origin may be important in these differences. These observations raise the question of whether pathogenic mechanisms differ in Turkish and American patients.
Human Th2 but Not Th9 Cells Release IL-31 in a STAT6/NF-κB–Dependent Way
Authors: Maier Elisabeth , Werner Dagmar , Duschl Albert , Bohle Barbara , Horejs-Hoeck Jutta 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
IL-31, a member of the IL-6 protein family, is one of the latest additions to the list of T cell–derived cytokines. Th2 cells are regarded as a main source of IL-31, which is produced in response to stimulation by IL-4. Because the development of Th9 cells also requires IL-4 as a polarizing cytokine, the current study investigates IL-31 production in human Th9 cells compared with Th2 cells. We found that, although Th9 cells were able to release IL-31 during the first weeks of in vitro polarization, no IL-31 was detected in Th9 cultures after a final restimulation in the absence of polarizing cytokines. We further show that TGF-β, which is required to obtain Th9 cells in vitro, potently inhibits the release of IL-31 from Th2 cells, whereas IL-33, a cytokine associated with Th2-mediated inflammation, synergizes with IL-4 in inducing IL-31 secretion. To analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of IL-31, EMSAs, reporter gene assays, and small interfering RNA-based silencing experiments were carried out. We show that STAT6 and NF-κB are central players in mediating IL-31 expression induced by IL-4/IL-33. In addition, we identified a novel NF-κB–binding element within the Il31 promoter that mediates the enhancing effects of IL-33 on IL-4/STAT6–induced IL-31 expression in human Th2 cells. Taken together, this study shows that IL-4 is essential for the production of IL-31, whereas TGF-β significantly suppresses IL-31 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. As a consequence, in vitro polarized Th2 cells, but not Th9 cells, are able to release IL-31.
Metabolic Engineering of Salmonella Vaccine Bacteria To Boost Human Vγ2Vδ2 T Cell Immunity
Authors: Workalemahu Grefachew , Wang Hong , Puan Kia-Joo , Nada Mohanad H. , Kuzuyama Tomohisa , Jones Bradley D. , Jin Chenggang , Morita Craig T. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Human Vγ2Vδ2 T cells monitor isoprenoid metabolism by recognizing foreign (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP), a metabolite in the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate pathway used by most eubacteria and apicomplexan parasites, and self isopentenyl pyrophosphate, a metabolite in the mevalonate pathway used by humans. Whereas microbial infections elicit prolonged expansion of memory Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, immunization with prenyl pyrophosphates or aminobisphosphonates elicit short-term Vγ2Vδ2 expansion with rapid anergy and deletion upon subsequent immunizations. We hypothesized that a live, attenuated bacterial vaccine that overproduces HMBPP would elicit long-lasting Vγ2Vδ2 T cell immunity by mimicking a natural infection. Therefore, we metabolically engineered the avirulent aroA− Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL7207 strain by deleting the gene for LytB (the downstream enzyme from HMBPP) and functionally complementing for this loss with genes encoding mevalonate pathway enzymes. LytB− Salmonella SL7207 had high HMBPP levels, infected human cells as efficiently as did the wild-type bacteria, and stimulated large ex vivo expansions of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells from human donors. Importantly, vaccination of a rhesus monkey with live lytB− Salmonella SL7207 stimulated a prolonged expansion of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells without significant side effects or anergy induction. These studies provide proof-of-principle that metabolic engineering can be used to derive live bacterial vaccines that boost Vγ2Vδ2 T cell immunity. Similar engineering of metabolic pathways to produce lipid Ags or B vitamin metabolite Ags could be used to derive live bacterial vaccine for other unconventional T cells that recognize nonpeptide Ags.
GM-CSF–Licensed CD11b+ Lung Dendritic Cells Orchestrate Th2 Immunity to Blomia tropicalis
Authors: Zhou Qian , Ho Adrian W. S. , Schlitzer Andreas , Tang Yafang , Wong Kenneth H. S. , Wong Fiona H. S. , Chua Yen Leong , Angeli Veronique , Mortellaro Alessandra , Ginhoux Florent , Kemeny David M. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The Blomia tropicalis dust mite is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Although it is a leading cause of asthma, little is known how it induces allergy. Using a novel murine asthma model induced by intranasal exposure to B. tropicalis, we observed that a single intranasal sensitization to B. tropicalis extract induces strong Th2 priming in the lung draining lymph node. Resident CD11b+ dendritic cells (DCs) preferentially transport Ag from the lung to the draining lymph node and are crucial for the initiation of Th2 CD4+ T cell responses. As a consequence, mice selectively deficient in CD11b+ DCs exhibited attenuated Th2 responses and more importantly did not develop any allergic inflammation. Conversely, mice deficient in CD103+ DCs and CCR2-dependent monocyte-derived DCs exhibited similar allergic inflammation compared with their wild-type counterparts. We also show that CD11b+ DCs constitutively express higher levels of GM-CSF receptor compared with CD103+ DCs and are thus selectively licensed by lung epithelial-derived GM-CSF to induce Th2 immunity. Taken together, our study identifies GM-CSF–licensed CD11b+ lung DCs as a key component for induction of Th2 responses and represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention in allergy.
Clinical efficacy of chlorhexidine chips and tetracycline fibers as an adjunct to non surgical periodontal therapy
Authors: Singh Munishwar , Shreehari A. K. , Garg P. K. , Singh Sangeeta 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Context: Local drug delivery agents. Aims: To clinically evaluate the efficacy of Chlorhexidine chip (PerioCol™ CG) with Tetracycline fibers (Periodontal Plus AB™). Settings and Design: Randomized controlled, split mouth study design with an observation period of six months. Materials and Methods: Patients were allocated in 3 experimental treatment groups, Group A: SRP + CHX Chip, Group B: SRP + Tetracycline fibers, and Group C: SRP alone (control group). 420 bleeding sites in 35 patients (18 females and 17 males) with chronic periodontitis (5-8mm probing depth), were evaluated clinically for pocket probing depth (PD), Clinical Attachment level (CAL), and Bleeding on Probing (BoP). Statistical Analysis: T-test and CV. Results: All the treatment groups were found to be efficacious as demonstrated by improvement in PD, CAL, and BoP. In the short term, CHX group showed increased gain of CAL but on long term observation the Tetracycline fiber group showed better consistent clinical results in comparison to the other two groups. Conclusions: Group B (SRP + Tetracycline fibers) resulted in better optimum clinical results in comparison to the other two treatment groups.
Dental management of a child with Goldenhar syndrome
Authors: Subramaniam Priya , Girish Babu K. L. , Jayasurya Shurti , Prahalad Divya 
Published: June 2014

AbstractGoldenhar syndrome is a condition with a multitude of abnormalities, classically involving ocular and ear defects, hemifacial microsomia and vertebral anomalies, which may also be associated with cardiovascular and renal malformations. This case-report presents the dental management of a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with Goldenhar syndrome.
Admissibility of Local Systems for some Classes of Line Arrangements
Authors: Tat Thang Nguyen 
Published: June 2014

AbstractLet 𝒜 be a line arrangement in the complex projective plane ℙ2 and let M be its complement. A rank one local system 𝓛 on M is admissible if, roughly speaking, the cohomology groups Hm(M, 𝓛) can be computed directly from the cohomology algebra H*(M, ℂ). In this work, we give a sufficient condition for the admissibility of all rank one local systems on M. As a result, we obtain some properties of the characteristic variety 𝒱1(M) and the Resonance variety 𝓡1(M).
Concise Review: Diabetes, the Bone Marrow Niche, and Impaired Vascular Regeneration
Authors: Fadini Gian Paolo , Ferraro Francesca , Quaini Federico , Asahara Takayuki , Madeddu Paolo 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem that results in multiorgan complications leading to high morbidity and mortality. Until recently, the effects of diabetes and hyperglycemia on the bone marrow microenvironment—a site where multiple organ systems converge and communicate—have been underappreciated. However, several new studies in mice, rats, and humans reveal that diabetes leads to multiple bone marrow microenvironmental defects, such as small vessel disease (microangiopathy), nerve terminal pauperization (neuropathy), and impaired stem cell mobilization (mobilopathy). The discovery that diabetes involves bone marrow-derived progenitors implicated in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis has been proposed as a bridging mechanism between micro- and macroangiopathy in distant organs. Herein, we review the physiological and molecular bone marrow abnormalities associated with diabetes and discuss how bone marrow dysfunction represents a potential root for the development of the multiorgan failure characteristic of advanced diabetes. The notion of diabetes as a bone marrow and stem cell disease opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions ultimately aimed at improving the outcome of diabetic patients.
L’influence du clavardage sur la maîtrise du français écrit des élèves du premier cycle du secondaire
Authors: Gonthier Marie-Ève , Leblanc Stéphanie 
Published: June 2014

Cette recherche quantitative a pour objectif de vérifier l’influence du clavardage sur la maîtrise du français écrit des élèves du premier cycle du secondaire au regard des caractéristiques de la langue codée et de la psychologie cognitive. À cet effet, nous avons montré que le clavardage n’a pas d’influence défavorable sur la maîtrise du français écrit de ces élèves, cela par l’intermédiaire d’une dictée et d’un questionnaire sur les habitudes de clavardage. Ainsi, il semble que le clavardage, qui est en plein essor, ne soit pas néfaste pour la langue écrite. Ce constat ouvre d’ailleurs la voie à l’utilisation du clavardage pédagogique.