82 research outputs found
Cultural identity in K. S. Maniam's Ratnamuni
No full textIn his fiction, the Malaysian-Indian author, K. S. Maniam depicts the identity and culture of Malaysian-Indian. This is shaped with a collection of materials that are vital to keep the trace of ancestral identification marks, of retaining the status of being Indian, even though the land they live in is not India. In the new land the Indian community invests its new narrative of existence with a power structure to support the Diasporic Indian “self”. In Maniam’s reconstruction of the Indian immigrant experience in Malaysia, there are the difficulties that the community faced when trying to recreate this world. Maniam depicts the rites of the complicated cultural issues in a Diasporic Indian community. In his reconstruction of the Indian immigrant experience of Malaya, One can see these previously peripheral characters as the agents of the Diasporic identity that the present day Malaysian-Indian has inherited. The passage of such identity formation, however, is demonstrated to be filled with the many snares of both colonial and postcolonial experiences. The present study examines Maniam’s short story, Ratnamuni, from a Diaspora perspective. This study shows the way in which Maniam symbolically depicts the culture of a nation in Diaspora
Bone healing around titanium implants in a preclinical model of bile duct ligation‐induced liver injury
No full textOBJECTIVES
Chronic liver disease increases the risk for periodontal disease and osteoporotic fractures, but its impacts on bone regeneration remain unknown. Herein, we studied the impact of liver cirrhosis on peri-implant bone formation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: one with the common bile duct ligated (BDL) and the respective sham-treated control group (SHAM). After four weeks of disease induction, titanium mini-screws were inserted into the tibia. Successful induction of liver cirrhosis was confirmed by the presence of clinical symptoms. Another four weeks later, peri-implant bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV) and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were determined by histomorphometric analysis.
RESULTS
Peri-implant bone formation was not significantly different between the SHAM and BDL groups. In the cortical compartment, the median percentage of peri-implant new bone was 10.1% (95% CI of mean 4.0-35.7) and 22.5% (13.8-30.6) in the SHAM and BDL groups, respectively (p = .26). Consistently, the new bone in direct contact with the implant was 18.1% (0.4-37.8) and 23.3% (9.2-32.8) in SHAM and BDL groups, respectively (p = .38). When measuring the medullary compartment, the new bone area was 7.1% (4.8-10.4) and 10.4% (7.2-13.5) in the SHAM and BDL groups, respectively (p = .17). Medullary new bone in direct contact with the implant was 10.0% (1.2-50.4) and 20.6% (16.8-35.3) in SHAM and BDL groups, respectively, and thus comparable between the two groups (p = .46).
CONCLUSIONS
Bile duct ligation has no significant impact on the early stages of peri-implant bone formation
Eimar O’Duffy and the Lesson of the Masters to Imagine Ireland’s Utopias into Reality
No full textThis paper examines the dystopic and utopic writings of Eimar O’Duffy in light of theoretical ideas about literature and spatiality as well as the particular socio-political circumstances of post-revolutionary Ireland. The focus is on O’Duffy’s “Cuanduine trilogy”, which comprises the novels King Goshawk and the Birds (1926, republished in 2017), The Spacious Adventures of the Man in the Street (1928/2018), and Asses in Clover (1933/2003). The recent republications of the novels are due, arguably, to their capability of shedding light on the religious sectarianism that has informed much of the modern Irish nationalist thinking. Indeed, the trilogy tackles an issue that is still crucial in Ireland, where, as many scholars observe (Elliott 2007, 2009; Fischer 2016; Ruane 2021), political identity has often taken a sectarian route both in the North, with its one-religion ghettoes, and in the Republican South. Bearing this in mind, I read O’Duffy’s trilogy as a sardonic exposure of the fragile Free State, which sought self-definition through non-negotiable absolutes of homeland and Catholicism. The author, formerly a militant nationalist, here conjures worlds reminiscent of his own, in which religion has overthrown science and led to the creation of ethnocentric, religiously-defined communities. This bleak scenario points to O’Duffy’s dissatisfaction with the everyday realities of the Free State and his apprehension about claims that group identity lies in differences. First, I argue that O’Duffy was suggesting that, in both his actual and fictitious worlds, identity was more diverse than the essentialisations upheld by authorities would make people believe. Second, I contend that his increasing experimentations with voice and genres served to articulate alternative images of Ireland, in which the retrieval of its mythical heritage and history of rebellions
unexpectedly fosters the emergence of a new community characterised by fluidity and hybridity.
O’Duffy’s Ireland is a utopia that pitches itself not only against the ‘colonial’ nation of the past, but also the Irish-Irelander, Catholic model of his centur
Eimar O’Duffy and the Lesson of the Masters to Imagine Ireland’s Utopias into Reality
No full textThis article examines the dystopic and utopic writings of Eimar O’Duffy in light of theoretical ideas about literature and spatiality as well as the particular socio-political circumstances of post-revolutionary Ireland. The focus is on O’Duffy’s “Cuanduine trilogy”, which comprises the novels King Goshawk and the Birds (1926, republished in 2017), The Spacious Adventures of the Man in the Street (1928/2018), and Asses in Clover (1933/2003). The recent republications of the novels are due, arguably, to their capability of shedding light on the religious sectarianism that has informed much of the modern Irish nationalist thinking. Indeed, the trilogy tackles an issue that is still crucial in Ireland, where, as many scholars observe (Elliott 2007, 2009; Fischer 2016; Ruane 2021), political identity has often taken a sectarian route both in the North, with its one-religion ghettoes, and in the Republican South. Bearing this in mind, I read O’Duffy’s trilogy as a sardonic exposure of the fragile Free State, which sought self-definition through non-negotiable absolutes of homeland and Catholicism. The author, formerly a militant nationalist, here conjures worlds reminiscent of his own, in which religion has overthrown science and led to the creation of ethnocentric, religiously-defined communities. This bleak scenario points to O’Duffy’s dissatisfaction with the everyday realities of the Free State and his apprehension about claims that group identity lies in differences. First, I argue that O’Duffy was suggesting that, in both his actual and fictitious worlds, identity was more diverse than the essentialisations upheld by authorities would make people believe. Second, I contend that his increasing experimentations with voice and genres served to articulate alternative images of Ireland, in which the retrieval of its mythical heritage and history of rebellions unexpectedly fosters the emergence of a new community characterised by fluidity and hybridity. O’Duffy’s Ireland is a utopia that pitches itself not only against the ‘colonial’ nation of the past, but also the Irish-Irelander, Catholic model of his centur
Computational Modeling of Hydro-Electro-Mechanical Flow During CO2 Geosequestration
No full textCO2 geo-sequestration (CGS) is considered to be a feasible technology for reducing the amount of CO2 emission into the atmosphere. Selection of an appropriate reservoir is vital and requires appropriate knowledge of the involved phenomena and processes. In a CO2 geo-sequestration process, carbon dioxide goes through mainly four storage (trapping) mechanisms: structural and stratigraphic trapping, residual trapping, solubility trapping and mineral trapping. In this study, focus is placed on modeling the first trapping mechanism, together with corresponding deformation and electrokinetic flow. Multiphase fluid flow due to injection of CO2 in an unsaturated reservoir is accompanied by continuous redistribution of pore pressure and effective stress, causing local and regional deformations and probably major uplifting or subsidence. This flow is also accompanied by electrokinetic flow. In such a system, electrokinetic potentials occur due to the interaction between the formation fluid and the mineral grains. Due to pressure gradients, the flow of the pore fluid produces an advective electric current: such a flow generates an electric field, which produces a counter electric current through the interface, known as the self-potential (SP). Since the electrical conductivity of CO2 is lower than that of the formation brine, it can be detected by measuring the self-potential. Based on this, the SP can be used for monitoring CO2 plume movement, a necessary procedure to ensure that geologic sequestration is both safe and effective. In spite of the versatility of the available numerical tools, attempts to model CO2 geo-sequestration in a region and considering events occurring in local areas lead to enormous demands for computational power. This makes the development of numerical tools for CO2 geo-sequestration not only difficult, but rather expensive. In this study, the governing field equations are derived based on the averaging theory and solved numerically based on a mixed discretization scheme. In this scheme, variables exhibiting different nature are treated using different numerical discretization techniques. Techniques such as the standard Galerkin finite element method (SG), the extended finite element method (XFEM), the level-set method (LS) and the Petrov-Galerkin method (PG) are integrated in a single numerical scheme. SG is utilized to discretize the deformation and the diffusive dominant field equations, and XFEM, together with LS, are utilized to discretize the advective dominant field equations. The level-set method is employed to trace and locate the CO2 plume front, and the XFEM is employed to model the associated high gradient in the saturation field front. The use of XFEM for the advective field leads to a computationally efficient, stable and effectively mesh-independent discretization. However, it gives rise to an extra degree of freedom. The use of SG for the deformation and the diffusive fields requires only standard degrees of freedom, limiting the total number of degrees of freedom and making the scheme computationally efficient. Several verification and numerical examples are presented for both homogenous and fractured reservoirs. The examples demonstrate the capability of the proposed mixed discretization model to simulate challenging, coupled analyses. It has been shown that this model is capable of solving problems, which typically involve several state variables with different transient nature, using relatively coarse meshes.Structural EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience
Liver Cirrhosis in Implant Dentistry; In-vitro and preclinical model
No full textDie Einflüsse systemischer Erkrankungen auf die Gesundheit der parodontalen Strukturen wie Knochenund Zahnfleisch sowie im Allgemeinen des Kiefers sind nicht nur für die Erhaltung der natürlichen Zähnewichtig, sondern auch für den Erfolg und das Überleben der Zahnimplantate. Die Osseointegration ist einProzess, bei dem ein Implantat in das Knochengewebe integriert wird. Sowohl die Knochenresorption alsauch die Knochenformation sind an diesem Phänomen beteiligt und kann durch eine Entzündung verändertwerden. Ziel dieses Projekts war es zu testen, wie Leberzirrhose diesen Prozess beeinflussen kann. Wirberichten hier, wie zwei Substrate, eines als Haupttherapeutikum und das andere als eine der an denstärksten erhöhten Gallensäuren im Verlauf einer Lebererkrankung, die Entzündungsreaktion von dreiZelllinien beeinflussen können, die für die oralen Zellen repräsentativ sind. Wir berichten auch, wie derdurch Ligation des Gallengangs induzierte akute Zustand der Leberzirrhose die frühen Stadien derOsseointegration von Implantaten bei Ratten beeinflussen kann. Die Ergebnisse der in vitro Experimentezeigten, dass Ursodeoxycholsäure (UDCA) und Taurocholsäure (TCA), ein Therapeutikum bzw. einenatürliche Gallensäure, die Entzündungsreaktionen in den oralen Zellen abschwächen können. PCR-Testszeigten, dass diese beiden Substrate die Genexpression der getesteten entzündlichen Zytokine IL1, IL6 undIL8 herunterregulieren können. Die reduzierte Produktion von IL6 wurde durch ELISA-Analyse gesichert.Die berichtete entzündungshemmende Wirkung wurde auch durch die Immunfluoreszenzfärbung bestätigt,bei der UDCA und TCA die Translokation der p65-Untereinheit des NF-κB-Weges blockierten. Diepräklinische Studie wurde durch chirurgische Induktion einer akuten Phase der Leberzirrhose bei WistarRatten durchgeführt. Insgesamt 10 Leberzirrhose- und 10 Kontrollratten wurden Mini-Titan-Schrauben inihre Tibia implantiert. Histomorphometrische Analysen bewerteten zwei Hauptindikatoren für dieOsseointegration; das Knochenvolumen pro Gewebevolumen und auch der Kontakt zwischen Knochen undImplantat in drei knöchernen Kompartimenten von Periost, Kortex und Medulla. Die Ergebnisseverdeutlichten, dass die getesteten Parameter zwischen der Kontrollgruppe und den BDL-Ratten nichtsignifikant veränderte waren. Unter Berücksichtigung aller Einschränkungen zeigen unsere Studien, dassUDCA und TCA, zwei wichtige Substrate im Zusammenhang mit cholestatischen Lebererkrankungen wieZirrhose, die Entzündungsreaktionen in Parodontalzellen reduzieren können. Darüber hinaus beeinflussenakute Leberzirrhosezustände, die durch eine 4-wöchige Ligation des Gallengangs hervorgerufen werden,die frühen Stadien der Osseointegration der Implantate in einem zirrhotischen Rattenmodell nichtdramatischThe influences of systemic diseases on the health of the periodontal structures consisting of the bone andgingival tissue and generally the jaws are important not only in maintenance of the natural teeth but also inthe success and survival of the dental implants. Osseointegration is a histologic process during which animplanted body is microscopically firmly integrated within the bony tissue. Bone resorption and boneregeneration both are involved in this phenomenon. Inflammation plays a key role in regulation of thisprogress that can both trigger and limit the remodeling of the bone. This project aimed to test how livercirrhosis can affect this process. We report here how two substrates, one as a main therapeutic agent andthe other as one of the most elevated bile acids during the course of liver disease, can affect theinflammatory response of three cell lines representative of the oral cells. Also, we report how acute statusof the liver cirrhosis inducted by ligation of the biliary duct can affect the early stages of osseointegrationof the implants in rats. The results of the in-vitro experiments showed that Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)and Taurocholic acid (TCA), a therapeutic agent and a natural bile acid, respectively, can attenuate theinflammatory responses in the oral cells. PCR tests presented that both of these substrates could downregulate the gene expression of the tested inflammatory cytokines, IL1, IL6 and IL8. The production of IL6was also diminished by UDCA and TCA as demonstrated by the ELISA analysis. Reported antiinflammatory effect also was confirmed by the immunofluorescence staining where UDCA and TCAblocked the translocation of the p65 subunit of the NF-κB pathway. The preclinical study was performedby surgically induction of an acute phase of the liver cirrhosis in Wistar rats. A total of 10 cirrhotic and 10control rats underwent implantation of mini-titanium screws in their tibia. Histomorphometric analysesevaluated two main osseointegration indicators; the bone volume per tissue volume and also the bone toimplant contact in three bony compartments of the periosteum, cortex and medulla. The results clarifiedthat acute status of the induced liver cirrhosis did not significantly change tested parameters between twogroups of control and the BDL rats. In general, and considering all the limitations of these studies, theresults of this doctoral project expressing that UDCA and TCA, two important substrates related to thecholestatic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, diminish the inflammatory responses in periodontal cells.Furthermore, acute status of liver cirrhosis induced by a 4-week ligation of the bile duct don’t dramaticallyinfluence the early stages of the osseointegration of the implants in a cirrhotic rat model.Abweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersDissertation Medizinische Universität Wien 202
Ursodeoxycholic acid attenuates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in periodontal cells
No full textBackground
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is one of the first-line therapeutic medications used in treatment of cholestatic liver disease. Considering that periodontitis is epidemiologically linked to liver diseases, the question arises weather UDCA holds anti-inflammatory properties on periodontal health. Herein, we provide information that support anti-inflammatory effects of UDCA on three different periodontium-related cell types.
Methods
Gingival fibroblasts and the oral human squamous carcinoma cell line HSC-2 were exposed to interleukin (IL)1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α with and without UDCA. Murine RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated with sterile-filtered human saliva also in the presence of UDCA. The expression of inflammatory cytokines was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunoassay was applied to detect the production of IL6. Immunostaining was performed for the p65 subunit to further support the anti-inflammatory role of UDCA.
Results
We report here that UDCA significantly reduced the IL1β and TNFα-induced expression of IL1, IL6, and IL8 in gingival fibroblasts and the HSC-2 cell line. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, UDCA attenuated the expression of IL1α, IL1β, and IL6 that was increased by saliva. Immunoassay confirmed the capacity of UDCA to reduce inflammation-induced production of IL6 in gingival fibroblasts, HSC-2 and RAW 264.7 cells. Immunostaining revealed the blocking of nuclear translocation of p65 in gingival fibroblasts.
Conclusions
Taken together, UDCA can attenuate the provoked expression of inflammatory cytokines in oral fibroblasts, oral human squamous carcinoma cells and macrophages in vitro. These data support the hypothesis that patients with cholestatic liver disease might benefit from UDCA with respect to periodontal health
Korean Panax Ginseng Reduces Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Rats
No full textGinseng, a herbal plant, is rich in pharmacologically active ginsenosides capable of promoting bone regeneration and of reducing inflammatory osteolysis. Ginseng was therefore proposed to reduce the catabolic changes during periodontitis. Here, we tested the capability of ginseng to modulate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). To this aim, 55 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly distributed into five groups: (I) a normal group without any interventions; (II) an untreated OTM serving as a control; and (III, IV, and V) treated OTMs receiving daily oral administrations of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg of a standardized extract from the roots of Korean Panax ginseng G115 for three weeks, respectively. The molar tooth was moved towards the incisor during three weeks followed by measurements of the distance between the first and the second molars. Moreover, the impact of OTM and ginseng extracts on body weight was determined. Our data showed that, compared with the OTM control, 150 and 300 mg/kg of G115 ginseng extract significantly decreased the OTM from 0.87 mm (min 0.69; max 0.96) to 0.53 (min 0.42, max 0.62; p = 0.002) and 0.36 (min 0.27, max 0.43; p 0.0001), respectively. Moreover, 150 and 300 mg/kg of G115 significantly lowered the body weights of the rats when compared with the respective controls (p = 0.002 and p 0.0001, respectively). These findings suggest that extracts from Panax ginseng are capable of reducing orthodontic tooth movement in rats and is associated with a decrease in body weight
Investigating environmental and economic impacts of the 3D printing technology on supply chains: The case of tire production
No full textThe 3D printing technology is expected to revolutionize several industries including tire industry as this technology can alter the tire supply chain to a more agile structure and significantly save on logistics costs, primarily due to the fact that tire is a bulky product requiring substantial transportation and inventory operations. This paper contributes to the literature by designing a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) required for the 3D production of tire and introducing a multi-product mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model yielding optimal decisions including facility locations and the material flows among them. A scenario-based stochastic programming approach is adopted to account for the uncertainty in demand. For the sake of comparison, the MILP model that corresponds to optimal management of the traditional production scheme is also offered. To demonstrate the applicability of the models, the paper employs them to optimally design the chain of an Iranian tire manufacturer. Modeling parameters are predominantly drawn from the relevant literature. The results suggest that the productivity of the supply chain of 3D printing production is less sensitive to the management\u27s risk-seeking level, compared to traditional production. The 3DP CLSC could be 51–61% economically more efficient than the traditional CLSC, depending on the management\u27s strategy. From the environmental perspective, the 3D printing technology could help reduce the carbon emission of the chain by 9–10%. This could promise a cleaner tire production and distribution system in the future. Extensive sensitivity analysis is further conducted to understand how model outputs vary with changing input parameters
A mixed discretization scheme for CO2 sequestration in fractured porous media (abstract)
No full textStructural EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience
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