bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Mesoporous Gadolinium Doped Ceria - Platinum Composite
Authors: Yung Hoi , Chan Kwong-Yu , Leung-Yuk Lam Frank 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTOxygen reduction in SOFC cathodes has long been the rate determining step in SOFC operations, mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) and/or forming composite between cathode and electrolyte materials have been common strategies in order to aid the cathode kinetics. We demonstrate here a viable synthesis route to impregnate mesopores with high loading of platinum towards a mesoscale bicontinuous material that composed of channels of a fast ionic conductor, i.e. gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) intertwined with channels of a good electronic conductor, i.e. Pt. This highly structural composite material holds the promise of a high performing cathode in SOFC.
Graded Porous Silicon Carbide for High Temperature Membrane Applications
Authors: Suri Jyothi , Shaw Leon L. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTDue to its excellent thermal shock resistance, mechanical and chemical stability at both room and elevated temperatures, silicon carbide (SiC) is an attractive material for environmental protection and energy production applications such as catalyst supports, molten metal filters and gas separation membranes. Precise pore size control and high porosity are the key deciding factors for such applications. In this study, we demonstrated the fabrication of bi-layered SiC membranes with a graded porosity, consisting of porous nano-SiC layer on the surface of a porous coarse-grained SiC support layer. Nano-SiC powders utilized for this study were synthesized using a novel process based on mechanical activation of silica fume and graphite mixtures, resulting in particle sizes as small as 30 nm. The effects of sintering temperature were investigated to control the pore size, particle size and overall density of the bi-layered membrane.
Changes in Inflammatory and Metabolic Parameters After Periodontal Treatment in Patients With and Without Obesity
Authors: Altay Umut , Gürgan Cem A. , Ağbaht Kemal 
Published: February 2012

Background: Non‐surgical periodontal treatment decreases serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with and without obesity. However, the changes in metabolic parameters in association with these decreases in levels of inflammatory markers by periodontal treatment have not been evaluated in patients with obesity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short‐term changes in systemic inflammatory, lipid, and glucose parameters in the presence of obesity after periodontal treatment.Methods: The study included 22 dyslipemic patients with obesity and 24 healthy individuals without obesity with generalized chronic periodontitis. The periodontal parameters, anthropometric measurements, and serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein‐a, high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein, fasting blood glucose, insulin, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and leptin were measured. A homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) score was calculated before and 3 months after non‐surgical periodontal treatment.Results: Both groups responded well to the periodontal treatment in terms of periodontal parameters. The treatment was also associated with a decrease in serum TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels and HOMA‐IR scores in individuals with obesity and with a decrease in IL‐6 levels in patients without obesity. Conversely, there were insignificant decreases in lipid profiles and serum fasting glucose of patients with obesity.Conclusion: The non‐surgical periodontal treatment causes a decrease in the levels of some circulating proinflammatory cytokines and may be associated with a decrease in insulin resistance in the obese population.
Interleukin‐1 Gene Polymorphisms and Chronic Periodontitis in Adult Whites: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Karimbux Nadeem Y. , Saraiya Veeral M. , Elangovan Satheesh , Allareddy Veerasathpurush , Kinnunen Taru , Kornman Kenneth S. , Duff Gordon W. 
Published: February 2012

Background: Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) gene polymorphisms have been associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators and several inflammatory diseases. Periodontitis is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease that destroys the connective tissues and bone that support the teeth, affects substantial numbers of adults, and has been implicated as a contributing factor in systemic diseases. IL‐1 gene polymorphisms, most prominently IL1A (−889), IL1A (+4845), and IL1B (+3954), have been associated with chronic periodontitis (CP) in whites. Since the first report, ≥125 studies have examined IL‐1 gene variation in relation to periodontal disease. These studies have produced mixed findings in diverse periodontal phenotypes and in different ethnic groups. One previous meta‐analysis has been published on this topic and supported an association between IL‐1 genes and periodontitis, but considerable doubt remains about the patient populations in which the association may be of clinical relevance.Methods: A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted in an attempt to clarify whether IL‐1 gene variants were associated with well‐defined clinical phenotypes of CP in white patients. Study inclusion criteria focused on the analytic framework originally proposed for the IL‐1 genetic effect in which overexpression of inflammatory mediators is hypothesized to result in more severe periodontitis in response to a bacterial challenge.Results: Twenty‐seven studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Nineteen studies yielded significant associations between carriage of the minor IL‐1 alleles and periodontitis. The meta‐analysis, based on 13 qualifying studies, found significant effects for the two individual gene variations (IL1A odds ratio [OR] = 1.48; IL1B OR = 1.54) and for a composite genotype that combines minor alleles at each locus (OR = 1.51). Statistically significant heterogeneity was found that could not be explained, but there was no indication of publication bias.Conclusion: This review and meta‐analysis show that IL1A and IL1B genetic variations are significant contributors to CP in whites.
Clinical Efficacy of Subgingivally Delivered 1.2‐mg Simvastatin in the Treatment of Individuals With Class II Furcation Defects: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Pradeep A.R. , Priyanka N. , Kalra Nitish , Naik Savitha B. , Singh Sonender P. , Martande Santosh 
Published: February 2012

Background: Simvastatin (SMV) assists in bone regeneration and has an anti‐inflammatory effect when delivered or applied locally. The present clinical trial is designed to investigate the effectiveness of 1.2‐mg SMV as a local drug delivery system as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of Class II furcation defects.Methods: Seventy‐two patients with mandibular buccal Class II furcation defects were randomized and categorized into two treatment groups: SRP plus placebo (group 1) and SRP plus 1.2‐mg SMV (group 2). Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline before SRP and at 3 and 6 months; they included modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), probing depth (PD), and relative vertical (RVAL) and horizontal (RHAL) attachment levels. At baseline and after 6 months, radiologic assessment of bone defect fill was performed.Results: Both therapies resulted in significant improvements. The decrease in mSBI score at 6 months was greater in group 2 (2.02 ± 0.23) compared with group 1 (1.80 ± 0.22). The mean decrease in PD at 6 months was 1.30 ± 1.0 and 4.05 ± 1.31 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively. A significantly greater gain in mean RVAL and RHAL was found in group 2 than in group 1 (P <0.05). Furthermore, significantly greater mean percentage of bone fill was found in group 2 (25.16%) compared with group 1 (1.54%).Conclusion: Locally delivered SMV provides a comfortable and flexible method to improve clinical parameters and also to enhance bone formation.
Persistence of Prolonged C-peptide Production in Type 1 Diabetes as Measured With an Ultrasensitive C-peptide Assay
Authors: Wang Limei , Lovejoy Nicholas Fraser , Faustman Denise L. 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
To examine persistence of C-peptide production by ultrasensitive assay years after onset of type 1 diabetes and factors associated with preserving β-cell function.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Serum C-peptide levels, a marker of insulin production and surviving β-cells, were measured in human subjects (n = 182) by ultrasensitive assay, as was β-cell functioning. Twenty-two times more sensitive than standard assays, this assay’s lower detection limit is 1.5 pmol/L. Disease duration, age at onset, age, sex, and autoantibody titers were analyzed by regression analysis to determine their relationship to C-peptide production. Another group of four patients was serially studied for up to 20 weeks to examine C-peptide levels and functioning.

RESULTS
The ultrasensitive assay detected C-peptide in 10% of individuals 31–40 years after disease onset and with percentages higher at shorter duration. Levels as low as 2.8 ± 1.1 pmol/L responded to hyperglycemia with increased C-peptide production, indicating residual β-cell functioning. Several other analyses showed that β-cells, whose C-peptide production was formerly undetectable, were capable of functioning. Multivariate analysis found disease duration (β = −2.721; P = 0.005) and level of zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (β = 0.127; P = 0.015) significantly associated with C-peptide production. Unexpectedly, onset at &gt;40 years of age was associated with low C-peptide production, despite short disease duration.

CONCLUSIONS
The ultrasensitive assay revealed that C-peptide production persists for decades after disease onset and remains functionally responsive. These findings suggest that patients with advanced disease, whose β-cell function was thought to have long ceased, may benefit from interventions to preserve β-cell function or to prevent complications.
Impaired Glycemia and Diabetic Polyneuropathy
Authors: Dyck Peter J. , Clark Vicki M. , Overland Carol J. , Davies Jenny L. , Pach John M. , Dyck P. James B. , Klein Christopher J. , Rizza Robert A. , Melton L. Joseph , Carter Rickey E. , Klein Ronald , Litchy William J. 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
To test whether diabetic polyneuropathies (DPNs), retinopathy, or nephropathy is more prevalent in subjects with impaired glycemia (IG) (abnormality of impaired fasting glucose [IFG], impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], or impaired HbA1c [IA1C]) than in healthy subjects (non-IG).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Matched IG and non-IG volunteers were randomly identified from population-based diagnostic and laboratory registries, restudied, and reclassified as non-IG (n = 150), IG (n = 174), or new diabetes (n = 218).

RESULTS
Frequency (%) of DPN in non-IG, IG, and new diabetes was 3 (2.0%), 3 (1.7%), and 17 (7.8%) narrowly defined (no other cause for polyneuropathy) and 19 (12.7%), 22 (12.6%), and 38 (17.4%) broadly defined. Mean and frequency distribution of composite scores of nerve conduction and quantitative sensation tests were not significantly different between IG and non-IG but were worse in new diabetes. Frequency of retinopathy and nephropathy was significantly increased only in new diabetes. In secondary analysis, small but significant increases in retinopathy and nephropathy were found in IGT, IFG, and IGT combined groups.

CONCLUSIONS
In population studies of Olmsted County, Minnesota, inhabitants, prevalence of typical DPN, retinopathy, and nephropathy was significantly increased only in subjects with new diabetes—not in subjects with IG as defined by American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria of abnormality of IFG, IGT, or IA1C. For atypical DPN, such an increase was not observed even in subjects with new diabetes. In medical practice, explanations other than IG should be sought for patients with atypical DPN (chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy) who have IG.
Governmentality - Neoliberalism - Education: the Risk Perspective
Authors: Kaščák Ondrej , Pupala Branislav 
Published: February 2012

Governmentality - Neoliberalism - Education: the Risk PerspectiveThis paper understands the basic elements of neoliberalism in education and governmentality to be the technologies for the neoliberal government of education. It outlines Foucault's methodology for analysing governmentality and shows how neoliberalism is a discursive formation which homogenises apparently unrelated language games and discourses. It places particular emphasis on the rhizomatic dispersion of neoliberal discursive and non-discursive practices, which in the end create a mosaic of thinking and acting with its own existing internal logic. This paper provides a cross-sectional perspective on how neoliberalism has implanted itself as a universal phenomenon along the horizontal and vertical lines of the education sphere and shows how, particularly through the policy of lifelong learning for a knowledge society, it is transforming first of all the education of adults and how subsequently it has become a fundamental blueprint for the complex revision of higher education and regional schooling, including pre-school education. This paper prefaces this single-issue edition of the Journal of Pedagogy and therefore presents and summarises the articles published in this issue, and suggests how they are thematic examples of a single and more general theoretical framework.
Controlled Freedom - the Formation of the Control Society
Authors: Pongratz Ludwig 
Published: February 2012

Controlled Freedom - the Formation of the Control Society
My analysis develops via the following five conceptual steps. The first step links up with Foucault's analysis of techniques of ‘soft’ discipline, which relates to ‘classical’ reform pedagogy, in the transition period from the 19th to the 20th century. The second step thematises the shifts in these disciplinary techniques in the context of the crisis of the so-called ‘environments of enclosure’. Here there is a particular focus on Deleuze's arguments concerning the emergence of a modern ‘society of control’. The third step considers the specific form of the ‘government of the social’, which Foucault approaches with the concept of ‘governmentality’. The fourth step aims to show that the current educational reforms can be understood as a ‘governmental strategy’. The fifth step, finally, thematises the inconsistency of governmental practices. It pursues the possibility that such practices advance, en passant or contrary to their aims, their own contradiction: the preparedness and capacity for critical opposition.
Lunch Time at the Child Care Centre: Neoliberal Assemblages in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Nxumalo Fikile , Pacini-Ketchabaw Veronica , Rowan Mary 
Published: February 2012

Lunch Time at the Child Care Centre: Neoliberal Assemblages in Early Childhood EducationIn this article we interrogate neoliberal assemblages within the context of eating and feeding practices in early childhood education. We consider how neoliberal assemblages are enacted and created through multiple linkages between micro and macro regulations and policies, and everyday food routines. We attend to the embodied intensities, desires and affects that accompany these neoliberal formations. In particular, we are interested in making visible entanglements between particular situated neoliberal assemblages and racialization and neocolonialism. In our analysis, we consider how eating and food routines, situated within Inuit early childhood education, come to matter as instances of neoliberal encounters that merge with other discursive and material forces to create particular, situated and at times contradictory neoliberal assemblages that have colonizing and racializing effects on the capacities of certain bodies in certain spaces.
Stratégie environnementale, innovation et mutation des firmes
Authors: Laperche Blandine , Lefebvre Gilliane 
Published: February 2012

Résumé L’objectif de cet article est d’étudier la place de l’éco-innovation dans les stratégies actuelles des firmes industrielles et de comprendre de quelle manière elles modifient leurs trajectoires technologiques. Il est fondé sur une série d’entretiens réalisés sur la période 2009-2011 dans huit entreprises multinationales localisées en France. Nous montrons que dans le contexte de la crise, les firmes considèrent l’éco-innovation comme une nouvelle voie, à même de générer une croissance future. Pour transformer leurs stratégies, elles réorganisent leur « capital-savoir », concept que nous considérons comme un outil permettant d’étudier les capacités dynamiques nécessaires au changement. La capacité à développer la recherche collaborative apparaît centrale pour générer des éco-innovations, afin de mutualiser le coût et le risque de production de connaissances nouvelles et prendre en compte les intérêts des parties prenantes. Mais le changement de trajectoire et couteux et risqué, tant sur le plan du développement de technologies nouvelles que sur celui de la protection du capital-savoir. L’appui des politiques publiques apparaît comme essentiel au changement de trajectoire des entreprises. Codes JEL : F23, M14, O32, O33
Innovation en transgénèse végétale : relations public-privé en France et en Argentine
Authors: Pellegrini Pablo Ariel 
Published: February 2012

Résumé Les dynamiques de recherche et d’innovation au sein d’entreprises vouées au développement des cultures transgéniques sont des phénomènes peu étudiés. Dans le secteur privé, où la quête du profit est cruciale, les paramètres qui définissent ces dynamiques ne sont pas ceux de l’espace académique : les entreprises doivent prendre en compte les stratégies, les modes de financement de la recherche, les conditions du marché et – dans un domaine aussi particulier que celui de la biotechnologie – l’incidence de l’opinion publique. Le but de ce travail est de caractériser les modalités de division du travail scientifique et d’innovation en agrobiotechnologie au sein de firmes qui ne sont pas celles qui dominent le secteur, par l’analyse des cas des entreprises en Argentine et en France. Les caractéristiques de ces cas montrent bien que les pratiques de l’innovation au sein de ces firmes constituent un facteur dynamique et variable en fonction du contexte dans lequel elles se déroulent. La recherche fondamentale est assurée soit par le secteur public seul, soit avec la participation de l’entreprise privée. D’autre part, la division internationale du travail dans le domaine de l’innovation ne répond pas à un modèle simple Nord-Sud. Bien au contraire, elle dépend d’une part des conditions particulières existant dans chaque pays et d’autre part des intérêts globaux des entreprises considérées. Code JEL : O32, L6
Bone Marrow-Derived IL-13Rα1–Positive Thymic Progenitors Are Restricted to the Myeloid Lineage
Authors: Haymaker Cara L. , Guloglu F. Betul , Cascio Jason A. , Hardaway John C. , Dhakal Mermagya , Wan Xiaoxiao , Hoeman Christine M. , Zaghouani Sarah , Rowland Linda M. , Tartar Danielle M. , VanMorlan Amie M. , Zaghouani Habib 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe earliest thymic progenitors (ETPs) were recently shown to give rise to both lymphoid and myeloid cells. Whereas the majority of ETPs are derived from IL-7Rα–positive cells and give rise exclusively to T cells, the origin of the myeloid cells remains undefined. In this study, we show both in vitro and in vivo that IL-13Rα1+ ETPs yield myeloid cells with no potential for maturation into T cells, whereas IL-13Rα1− ETPs lack myeloid potential. Moreover, transfer of lineage-negative IL-13Rα1+ bone marrow stem cells into IL-13Rα1–deficient mice reconstituted thymic IL-13Rα1+ myeloid ETPs. Myeloid cells or macrophages in the thymus are regarded as phagocytic cells whose function is to clear apoptotic debris generated during T cell development. However, the myeloid cells derived from IL-13Rα1+ ETPs were found to perform Ag-presenting functions. Thus, IL-13Rα1 defines a new class of myeloid restricted ETPs yielding APCs that could contribute to development of T cells and the control of immunity and autoimmunity.
Balloon Valvuloplasty of Aortic Valve Stenosis in Childhood: Midterm Results in a Children's Hospital, Mansoura University, Egypt
Authors: Marshafawy Hala Al , Sawah Gehan Attia Al , Hafez Mona , Matter Mohammed , Gamal Adel El , Sheishaa Abdel Gawad , Kair Magdy Abu El 
Published: February 2012

Background Balloon valvuloplasty was established as an alternative to surgery for treatment of aortic valve stenosis in childhood. Acute complications after balloon dilatation including aortic insufficiency or early death were described. Aim of Work To analyze early outcome and midterm results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in Children's Hospital, Mansoura University, Egypt. Subjects and Methods Between April 2005–June 2008, all consecutive patients of age <18 years treated for aortic valve stenosis (AVS) with BAV were analyzed retrospectively. The study included 21 patients; 17 males, and 4 females. Their age ranged from the neonatal period to 10 years (mean age 5.6 ± 3.7 years). Patients with gradient ≥50 mmHg and aortic valve insufficiency (AI) up to grade I were included. All patients had isolated aortic valve stenosis except 3 patients (14.3%) had associated aortic coarctation. Six patients (28.6%) had bicuspid aortic valve. All patients had normal myocardial function except one (4.8%) had FS 15%. The duration of follow up was (mean ± SD: 18.5 ± 11.7 months). Results Femoral artery approach was used in 20 patients (95.2%) and carotid artery in one neonate (4.8%). Balloon/annulus ratio was 0.83 ± 0.04. Significant reduction in pressure gradient was achieved (mean 66.7 ± 9.8 mmHg to 20.65 ± 2.99 mmHg) ( P < 0.001). Nine patients (42.8%) developed grade I AI, 2 patients (9.5%) developed grade II AI and 1 patient (4.8%) developed grade III AI. Two early deaths (9.5%); one died due to heart failure caused by grade IV AI and a neonate died because of severely compromised LV function. One patient (4.8%) had femoral artery occlusion necessitating anticoagulation. Patients remained free from re-intervention during follow up. Conclusion Balloon valvuloplasty of aortic valve stenosis significantly reduces gradient with low morbidity and mortality in children.
Allogenous Vein Graft as Vascular Access for Hemodialysis – Lost Battle?
Authors: Nedvěd Karel , Suchý Theodor , Hálová Jarmila , Maličký Mojmír , Gorun Petr , Vitvar Pavel 
Published: February 2012

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess a long-term outcome of allogenous vein grafts (ALVG) as vascular access for hemodialysis. Materials and Methods For nearly eight years (between 9/2002 and 9/2011) a total of 78 patients with 112 ALVGs were involved in the study. The register included 46 women and 32 men, mean age 66.1 ± 11.2 years; range 20–88 years. The patient database was retrospectively reviewed and statistical processing was performed. Results Almost all ALVGs were treated by PTA or surgically, very often repeatedly. The number of radiologic interventions was 316, the number of surgical procedures 31. Mean follow-up time was 795 days, range 28–3522 days. Thirty-five patients died of unrelated causes, nineteen with functional graft, fourteen patients were lost to follow-up. Forty ALVGs failed for various reasons, mostly because of occlusion. Only one patient underwent successful renal transplantation, no patient converted to peritoneal dialysis. Thirty-seven ALVGs remain correctly functioning. Primary patency rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 81 ± 5%, 63 ± 5%, and 34 ± 2% respectively. Secondary patency rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 96 ± 2%, 82 ± 4%, and 65 ± 5% respectively. Conclusions Allogenous vein grafts, in spite of the high number of necessary radiologic and surgical interventions and reinterventions, show acceptable clinical usability and durability, comparable with other types of prosthetic grafts.