bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decentralization and delivery of public services in Asia
Authors: Ghuman B S , Singh Ranjeet 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Impact of decentralization on public service delivery is mixed. A meta-analysis of the studies suggests that impact of decentralization on public service delivery is contingent on factors such as the design of the decentralization policy; implementation bottlenecks and diluting the model of decentralization for accommodating the dissenting segments of stakeholders including employees; and participatory governance. In particular decentralization has resulted in improvements in delivery of local services where devolution as a mode of decentralization is accompanied by sound financial resource base of local governments, full autonomy to local governments in HRM matters, regular capacity building of local officials, performance based incentive structures, and participatory governance. In contrast where either truncated model of decentralization is adopted or the original model is diluted in favour of centralisation particularly in the form of imposition of central personnel policies, thus burdening local governments financially and in the process delivery of public services suffered. Rampant corruption and elite capture in the decentralized bodies have also hampered the equitable delivery of services.
Factors related to the prevalence of anterior disc displacement without reduction and bony changes of the temporomandibular joint in patients with facial asymmetry
Authors: Ooi Kazuhiro , Inoue Nobuo , Minowa Kazuyuki , Totsuka Yasunori 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPurpose: The aim of the study was to determine the factors related to the prevalence of anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) and bony changes of the mandibular condyle (bony changes) in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of patients with dentofacial deformity exhibiting facial asymmetry.Patients and methods: A total of 75 female patients (150 joints) with facial asymmetry, who had undergone orthognathic surgery, were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ and cephalometric analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether there was a statistically significant association between age, cephalometric measurements, and prevalence of ADDwoR and bony changes.Results: Facial asymmetry, the prevalence of ADDwoR, and bony changes were more frequently found on the left side than that of the right side. Unilateral ADDwoR (n = 28) and unilateral bony changes (n = 14) were only found on the deviated side. The difference between the distance of upper incisal midpoints and lower incisal midpoints from the facial midline (U1–L1 distance) was significantly larger in 36 patients with ADDwoR and 52 patients with bony changes. According to logistic regression analysis, U1–L1 distance might be related to the prevalence of ADDwoR and bony changes in the TMJs with facial asymmetry.Conclusion: U1–L1 distance related to the prevalence of ADDwoR and bony changes in TMJs of patients with dentofacial deformity exhibiting facial asymmetry.
Expression of antimicrobial peptides and E‐cadherin in periapical lesions
Authors: Ishihata Kiyohide , Kume Kenichi , Hijioka Hiroshi , Kibe Toshiro , Tanaka Shoko , Komatsuzawa Hitoshi , Harada Hidemitsu , Nakamura Norifumi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjective: Radicular cysts and apical granulomas are inflammatory diseases that develop in association with an infected root canal. It is thought that persistent inflammation may stimulate proliferation of dental epithelial cells around the root to form a cyst. However, pathogenesis and the mechanism of epithelial proliferation have not been clarified. The purpose of this study is to examine the levels of chemical and physical antimicrobial activities of periapical lesions.Methods: To explore the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and E‐cadherin in periapical lesions, 10 tissue specimens each of apical granulomas and radicular cysts were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti‐AMPs [human neutrophil defensin (HNP), LL37, human beta‐defensin (HBD)‐1 and ‐2] and anti‐E‐cadherin antibody. In vitro assay to assess the expression of LL37, HBD‐1, ‐2 and E‐cadherin in the immortalized rat dental epithelial cell line (HAT‐7) stimulated with/without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or bacterial cells were detected by immunocytochemistry, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation after incubation with/without LPS or LL37 was assayed by MTT assay.Results: HNP and LL37 were observed mainly in the neutrophils of apical granulomas, while HBD‐1 and E‐cadherin showed higher expression in radicular cysts than in apical granulomas. In vitro assays showed that bacterial stimulation enhanced expression of HBD‐2, LL37, and E‐cadherin, but epithelial cell proliferation was not enhanced with LPS and LL37.Conclusions: These observations suggest that dental epithelial cells can secrete AMPs and consolidate epithelial intercellular junctions when stimulated by bacterial infection, and radicular cysts may play an important role in defense mechanisms.
Flame wrinkle destruction processes in harmonically forced, turbulent premixed flames
Authors: Shin Dong-Hyuk , Lieuwen Timothy 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper describes analyses of the nonlinear dynamics of harmonically forced, turbulent premixed flames. A key objective of this work is to analyse the ensemble-averaged dynamics of the flame front position, $\langle \xi \rangle $, excited by harmonic forcing of amplitude $\varepsilon $, in the presence of stochastic flow fluctuations of amplitude $\mu $. Low-amplitude and/or near-field effects are quantified by a third-order perturbation analysis, while the more general case is analysed computationally by solving the three-dimensional level-set equation, extracting the instantaneous flame position, and ensemble averaging the results. We show that different mechanisms contribute to smoothing of flame wrinkles, manifested as progressive decay in the magnitude of $\langle \xi \rangle $. Near the flame holder, random phase jitter, associated with stochastic velocity fluctuations tangential to the flame, is dominant. Farther downstream, propagation of the ensemble-averaged front normal to itself at the time-averaged turbulent burning velocity, $ \overline{{S}_{T, eff} } $, leads to destruction of wrinkles, analogous to the laminar case, an effect that scales with $\mu $. A second, new result is the demonstration that the ensemble-averaged turbulent burning velocity, ${S}_{T, eff} (s, t)$, is modulated by the harmonic forcing, i.e. ${S}_{T, eff} (s, t)= \overline{{S}_{T, eff} (s)} + { S}_{T, eff}^{\prime } (s, t)$, where ${ S}_{T, eff}^{\prime } $ has an inverse dependence upon the instantaneous, ensemble averaged-flame curvature, an effect that scales with $\varepsilon $ and $\mu $. We show that this curvature dependence follows from basic application of Huygens propagation to flames with stochastic wrinkling superimposed upon base curvature. This effect also leads to smoothing of flame wrinkles and is analogous to stretch processes in positive-Markstein-length, laminar flames.
Spontaneous layering in stratified turbulent Taylor–Couette flow
Authors: Oglethorpe R. L. F. , Caulfield C. P. , Woods Andrew W. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe conduct a series of laboratory experiments to study the mixing of an initially linear stratification in turbulent Taylor–Couette flow. We vary the inner radius, ${R}_{1} $, and rotation rate, $\Omega $, relative to the fixed outer cylinder, of radius ${R}_{2} $, as well as the initial buoyancy frequency ${N}_{0} = \sqrt{(- g/ \rho )\partial \rho / \partial z} $. We find that a linear stratification spontaneously splits into a series of layers and interfaces. The characteristic height of these layers is proportional to ${U}_{H} / {N}_{0} $, where ${U}_{H} = \sqrt{{R}_{1} { \mathrm{\Delta} }_{R} } \Omega $ is a horizontal velocity scale, with ${ \mathrm{\Delta} }_{R} = {R}_{2} - {R}_{1} $ the gap width of the annulus. The buoyancy flux through these layers matches the equivalent flux through a two-layer stratification, independently of the height or number of layers. For a strongly stratified flow, the flux tends to an asymptotic constant value, even when multiple layers are present, consistent with Woods et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 663, 2010, pp. 347–357). For smaller stratification the flux increases, reaching a maximum just before the layers disappear due to overturning of the interfaces.
CANADIAN CANCER RISK MANAGEMENT MODEL: EVALUATION OF CANCER CONTROL
Authors: Evans William K. , Wolfson Michael C. , Flanagan William M. , Shin Janey , Goffin John , Miller Anthony B. , Asakawa Keiko , Earle Craig , Mittmann Nicole , Fairclough Lee , Oderkirk Jillian , Finès Philippe , Gribble Stephen , Hoch Jeffrey , Hicks Chantal , Omariba D. Walter R. , Ng Edward 
Published: March 2013

Objectives:The aim of this study was to develop a decision support tool to assess the potential benefits and costs of new healthcare interventions.Methods:The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) commissioned the development of a Cancer Risk Management Model (CRMM)—a computer microsimulation model that simulates individual lives one at a time, from birth to death, taking account of Canadian demographic and labor force characteristics, risk factor exposures, and health histories. Information from all the simulated lives is combined to produce aggregate measures of health outcomes for the population or for particular subpopulations.Results:The CRMM can project the population health and economic impacts of cancer control programs in Canada and the impacts of major risk factors, cancer prevention, and screening programs and new cancer treatments on population health and costs to the healthcare system. It estimates both the direct costs of medical care, as well as lost earnings and impacts on tax revenues. The lung and colorectal modules are available through the CPAC Web site (www.cancerview.ca/cancerrriskmanagement) to registered users where structured scenarios can be explored for their projected impacts. Advanced users will be able to specify new scenarios or change existing modules by varying input parameters or by accessing open source code. Model development is now being extended to cervical and breast cancers.
Rapid denudation processes in cryptogamic communities from Maritime Antarctica subjected to human trampling
Authors: Pertierra L.R. , Lara F. , Tejedo P. , Quesada A. , Benayas J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis study explores the impact of human trampling on moss and lichen dominated communities of Maritime Antarctica. A simulation of trampling was performed on previously unaffected plots of different terricolous cryptogamic assemblages at Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island. The communities studied were: 1) a uniform moss carpet, 2) a heterogeneous moss assemblage composed of hummocks and turfs, and 3) a fellfield lichen community. All communities analysed were extremely sensitive but different denudation processes were observed. None of the plots maintained 50% of initial coverage after 200 pedestrian transits. Even very low trampling intensity resulted in disturbance at all plots. Sensitivities of the different communities were identified in order to formulate recommendations for minimizing the trampling impacts. In our study the lichen dominated community on dry exposed soils exhibited the lowest resistance to trampling. For moss communities, lower resistance was found in peat soils with higher water content and biomass. With the current trend of increasing human presence in Antarctica, we predict that the cumulative impacts of trampling over future decades will adversely affect all types of moss and lichen communities.
Phylogeographic analysis of filterable bacteria with special reference toRhizobialesstrains that occur in cryospheric habitats
Authors: Nakai Ryosuke , Shibuya Eri , Justel Ana , Rico Eugenio , Quesada Antonio , Kobayashi Fumihisa , Iwasaka Yasunobu , Shi Guang-Yu , Amano Yuki , Iwatsuki Teruki , Naganuma Takeshi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAlthough the lower size limit of microorganisms was previously believed to bec. 0.2 μm, there is evidence for the existence of microorganisms that can pass through 0.2 μm-pore-size filters called ultramicrobacteria or nanobacteria. However, information on the phylogeny and biogeography of these bacteria is limited. We obtained 53 isolates of 0.2 μm-passable bacteria from 31 samples collected at 26 locations worldwide, including the Arctic Svalbard Islands, deserts, and Maritime Antarctica. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that 18 of the 53 isolates were < 97% homologous with previously cultured isolates, representing potentially novel species. Two isolates (orderRhizobiales) (100% identical) collected from Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island in Maritime Antarctica, were closely related (99.8% similarity) to an isolate collected from intertidal sediments in East Antarctica. In addition, the sequence of this Antarctic isolate showed ≥ 97% similarity to 901 sequences derived from known isolates and samples collected at geographically disparate locations under various environmental conditions. Interestingly, among 13 sequences showing ≥ 99% similarity, ten were isolated from cryospheric habitats such as Arctic, Antarctic, and alpine environments. This implies that suchRhizobialesstrains occur in the cryospheric regions, however, their abundance and biomass may be scarce depending on the geographic location.
Ecological relationships and stoichiometry within a Maritime Antarctic watershed
Authors: Velázquez David , Ángeles Lezcano Maria , Frias Ana , Quesada Antonio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDuring summer, ice-free areas are common in Maritime Antarctica, and vegetation and microbial communities frequently occur in the moist parts of catchments. In this paper, we present new data and evaluate the biomass, C, N, and P content of various types of vegetation, and the water catchment of an oligotrophic lake sited at Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. As the main results show, the total amount of C, N, and P contained in the organisms of the watershed is 144, 0.71 and 0.018 g m-2, respectively. According to element contents, 98% of the biological C from the watershed is within mosses and microbial mats structures (79.1 and 19.0% respectively). Also, 98.7% of the N is partially distributed between moss carpets, microbial mats and lichens, 55.2, 43.5, and 3.37 x 10-7% respectively. On the other hand, 90.2% of P is within moss carpets structures. Nutrient pools in the communities of Limnopolar Lake itself are a minor component of the whole catchment.
Stability and endemicity of benthic diatom assemblages from different substrates in a maritime stream on Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, Antarctica: the role of climate variability
Authors: Pla-Rabes Sergi , Toro Manuel , Van De Vijver Bart , Rochera Carlos , Villaescusa Juan Antonio , Camacho Antonio , Quesada Antonio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDiatom assemblages from four different substrates from a stream on Byers Peninsula were analysed during the summer. The substrate type was the main factor explaining the variability in the diatom assemblages. Sandy biofilms showed a higher diversity and a greater number of endemic species. Two main hydrological regimes were observed: 1) a hydrologically unstable period with high variability in stream flow and successive freezing and thawing periods, 2) a late summer hydrologically stable period, characterized by low stream velocity and variability. The structure of the diatom communities was different between the two hydrological periods, although the substrate modulated the difference. The diatom assemblages showed low similarity among the substrates and high dominance of endemic species during early summer. The late summer community showed high dominance of motile cosmopolitan species on all substrate types. As the length of both hydrological regimes would ultimately be driven by climatic variability, the predicted climate warming could reduce overall stream diversity. Hence, subtle changes could alter the length of both hydrological periods. The relationship between diatom species association with different substrates and hydrological regimes could be relevant for tracking past climate variability using diatom palaeorecords.
Structure of planktonic microbial communities along a trophic gradient in lakes of Byers Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
Authors: Rochera Carlos , Toro Manuel , Rico Eugenio , Fernández-Valiente Eduardo , Villaescusa Juan Antonio , Picazo Antonio , Quesada Antonio , Camacho Antonio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractA systematic limnological survey of water bodies of Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands) was carried out during the summer of 2001/02. Abundances of microbial plankton were determined which allowed a delineation of the pelagic food web structure. We also report the nutrient status of these lakes. We demonstrate the occurrence of a trophic gradient that extended from upland lakes (oligotrophic) to the coastal ones (eutrophic). The study shows that a lake's morphology regulates the relative importance of the pelagic and benthic habitats, whereas nutrient loads mainly determine its trophic status. Yet, some of the variability observed could be also a legacy of the landscape. Photosynthetic pigments analyses by high-performance liquid chromatography of the lake waters revealed a major occurrence of chlorophytes, chrysophytes and diatoms. The chlorophyllaconcentrations in lakes in the central plateau were consistently lower (< 2.5 μg l-1) than coastal sites, which were one order of magnitude higher. Numbers of both bacterioplankton and autotrophic picoplankton also increased from inland to coastal sites. However, the relative role of autotrophic picoplankton in the total phytoplankton assemblage decreased with the increase in nutrients loads. Our results show that the trophic status clearly plays a significant role in structuring the pelagic communities of these lakes despite climatic constraints.
Vertical structure of bi-layered microbial mats from Byers Peninsula, Maritime Antarctica
Authors: Rochera Carlos , Villaescusa Juan Antonio , Velázquez David , Fernández-Valiente Eduardo , Quesada Antonio , Camacho Antonio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractA summer study of the vertical structure of bi-layered microbial mats was carried out on Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands). These benthic communities had a common basic structure that consisted of two distinct layers differing in composition, morphology and colour. Our sampling focused on mats showing more layering, which thrived over moist soils and at the bottom of ponds. The photosynthetic pigments analysis performed by high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated a major occurrence of cyanobacteria and diatoms on these mats, the former being more abundant in relative terms on the surface and composed by morphospecies grouping into orders Oscillatoriales, Nostocales and Chroococcales. The areal chlorophyll a concentrations were slightly higher in the deeper layer although not significantly. Our microscopic and chemical analyses showed that non-active biomass accumulates at the surface. Hence, the upper layers showed the sheath pigment scytonemin and higher amounts of exopolysaccharides, as a strategy to cope with environmental stress. On the other hand, the basal layer was composed of more active photosynthetic microbiota, which also revealed a more balanced stoichiometry. Here we exemplify how environmental stresses are potentially overcome by physiological mechanisms developed by microbial mats which also shape their vertical structure.
A Comparison of Patient Needs Following Two Hurricanes
Authors: Nufer Kevin E. , Wilson-Ramirez Gina 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectives:The New Mexico-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (NM-1 DMAT) has responded to more disasters due to hurricanes than disasters from any other type of event. To assess whether defined patient needs may be applied to future hurricanes, the patient needs after Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki were compared. The study question was, “Did patient medical needs differ after these hurricanes?”Methods:Design: Retrospective cohort review. Subjects: All patients evaluated by NM-1 DMAT following Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki. Observations: Age, past medical history, chief complaint, diagnosis, diagnostic tests, treatments, triage level, and disposition. Age was analyzed using Student's t-test, other data were analyzed using the chisquare test.Results:A total of 1,056 patients were evaluated. Age distributions did not differ between events. More patients had co-morbidities after Hurricane Andrew. The only difference in chief complaint was that more patients complained of “cold” symptoms following Hurricane Iniki. The only differences in diagnoses were for upper respiratory infections, which were diagnosed more often after Hurricane Iniki. There were no differences in the administration of tetanus toxoid, antibiotics, or analgesics. Patients evaluated after Hurricane Andrew had more diagnostic tests performed and a higher illness/injury acuity. The proportion of the total number of patients conveyed to a hospital did not differ.Conclusion:Patient needs were similar after Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Iniki and may be applicable for predicting the needs of patients for future hurricanes.
Pulsars are cool. Seriously.
Authors: Ransom Scott M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractEver since the first pulsar was discovered by Bell and Hewish over 40 years ago, we've known that not only are pulsars fascinating and truly exotic objects, but that we can use them as powerful tools for basic physics and astrophysics as well. Taylor and Hulse hammered these views home with their discovery and timing of the spectacular “binary pulsar” in the 1970s and 1980s. In the last two decades a host of surprises and a promise of phenomenal scientific riches in the future has come from the millisecond pulsars. As our instrumentation has become more sensitive and better suited to measuring the pulses from these objects, they've given us new tests of general relativity, fantastic probes of the interstellar medium, constraints on the physics of ultra-dense matter, new windows into binary and stellar evolution, and the promise of a direct detection of gravitational waves. These things really are cool, and there is much more we will do with them in the future.
Magnetars: neutron stars with huge magnetic storms
Authors: Rea Nanda 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAmong the many different classes of stellar objects, neutron stars provide a unique environment where we can test (at the same time) our understanding of matter with extreme density, temperature, and magnetic field. In particular, the properties of matter under the influence of magnetic fields and the role of electromagnetism in physical processes are key areas of research in physics. However, despite decades of research, our limited knowledge on the physics of strong magnetic fields is clear: we only need to note that the strongest steady magnetic field achieved in terrestrial labs is some millions of Gauss, only thousands of times stronger than a common refrigerator magnet. In this general context, I will review here the state of the art of our research on the most magnetic objects in the Universe, a small sample of neutron stars called magnetars. The study of the large high-energy emission, and the flares from these strongly magnetized (~ 1015 Gauss) neutron stars is providing crucial information about the physics involved at these extremes conditions, and favoring us with many unexpected surprises.