bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting users’ assessment of the economic value of university library services
Authors: Ko Young Man , Shim Wonsik , Pyo Soon-Hee
Published: January 2015

Assessing the economic value of academic libraries has emerged as a new approach to the evaluation of library services. Using contingent valuation methods, we collected willingness to pay amounts for five different library services from users at four universities in Korea. Based on past research and the results from a preliminary survey at two institutions, we formulated five hypotheses that tested the efficacy of the factors predicting variations in willingness to pay values. The results indicate that university characteristics such as the type of institutions (public vs. private) and core mission (research vs. instruction) did not seem to affect differences in the service value assessments. The presence of payment cards in the data collection also did not seem to give variability in willingness to pay values. The only factor that seemed to affect these values turned out to be users’ status: faculty members consistently assigned higher amounts than students. For economic valuation methods to be fully appreciated, we need reliable data collection methodologies and more systematic approaches to the factors affecting value assessments. This study is still in its infancy due to the small scope of participating institutions and users; however, this is just a first step towards the proper economic evaluation of library services.
A surrogate-primary replacement algorithm for response-adaptive randomization in stroke clinical trials
Authors: Nowacki Amy S , Zhao Wenle , Palesch Yuko Y
Published: January 2015

Response-adaptive randomization (RAR) offers clinical investigators benefit by modifying the treatment allocation probabilities to optimize the ethical, operational, or statistical performance of the trial. Delayed primary outcomes and their effect on RAR have been studied in the literature; however, the incorporation of surrogate outcomes has not been fully addressed. We explore the benefits and limitations of surrogate outcome utilization in RAR in the context of acute stroke clinical trials. We propose a novel surrogate-primary (S-P) replacement algorithm where a patient’s surrogate outcome is used in the RAR algorithm only until their primary outcome becomes available to replace it. Computer simulations investigate the effect of both the delay in obtaining the primary outcome and the underlying surrogate and primary outcome distributional discrepancies on complete randomization, standard RAR and the S-P replacement algorithm methods. Results show that when the primary outcome is delayed, the S-P replacement algorithm reduces the variability of the treatment allocation probabilities and achieves stabilization sooner. Additionally, the S-P replacement algorithm benefit proved to be robust in that it preserved power and reduced the expected number of failures across a variety of scenarios.
Strategies for Coping with Career Indecision
Authors: Lipshits-Braziler Yuliya , Gati Itamar , Tatar Moshe
Published: January 2015

The goal of this study was to develop and test a theoretical model of Strategies for Coping with Career Indecision ( SCCI). The proposed model consists of 14 categories that represent three major coping clusters—Productive coping, Support-seeking, and Nonproductive coping. The major concepts of the model were adopted from coping theories (Frydenberg & Lewis, 1993; Skinner, Edge, Altman, & Sherwood, 2003) and adapted to the context of career decision making. To test the proposed model, the SCCI questionnaire was developed and refined using data from 10 samples ( N = 3,081). Study 1 reports the development of the SCCI and its psychometric properties using an additional sample of Israelis young adults deliberating about their career decisions ( N = 460). Study 2a presents the results of a confirmatory factor analysis, based on American ( N = 386) and Israeli ( N = 819) samples of young adults. Study 2b tests the concurrent validity of the SCCI. The results from both the American and the Israeli samples supported the hypothesized distinction among the three major coping clusters; however, Support-seeking was associated partially with Productive coping and partially with Nonproductive coping. The implications for future research and career counseling are discussed.
Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Authors: Bronstein Carolyn , Fitzpatrick Kathy R.
Published: January 2015

New journalism and mass communication curricula must prepare students to lead the media revolutions of the twenty-first century. Journalism, public relations, and advertising are being transformed by new media platforms and entrepreneurship, and these fields are now defined by rapid, radical change. Yet, the corresponding—and urgent—need to incorporate leadership education has not been widely articulated as a curricular priority. Leadership education would help students develop the knowledge and skills to lead dynamic industries and a leadership mind-set oriented to innovation. Leadership education would be especially beneficial for female students entering fields in which women are underrepresented in senior leadership.
A Constructionist Review of Morality and Emotions
Authors: Cameron C. Daryl , Lindquist Kristen A. , Gray Kurt
Published: January 2015

Morality and emotions are linked, but what is the nature of their correspondence? Many “whole number” accounts posit specific correspondences between moral content and discrete emotions, such that harm is linked to anger, and purity is linked to disgust. A review of the literature provides little support for these specific morality–emotion links. Moreover, any apparent specificity may arise from global features shared between morality and emotion, such as affect and conceptual content. These findings are consistent with a constructionist perspective of the mind, which argues against a whole number of discrete and domain-specific mental mechanisms underlying morality and emotion. Instead, constructionism emphasizes the flexible combination of basic and domain-general ingredients such as core affect and conceptualization in creating the experience of moral judgments and discrete emotions. The implications of constructionism in moral psychology are discussed, and we propose an experimental framework for rigorously testing morality–emotion links.
Anesthetic Management of Parturients With a Fontan Circulation
Authors: Tiouririne Mohamed , de Souza Duncan G. , Beers Kevin T. , Yemen Terrance A.
Published: January 2015

Parturients with Fontan physiology provide unique and complex challenges to anesthesiologists. Such challenges include the maintenance of a perfect balance between preload, pulmonary vascular resistance, afterload, and cardiac output in a setting of a single ventricle physiology. The physiological changes of pregnancy add additional burden to an already “fragile” physiology, making the anesthetic management for labor and/or cesarean delivery even more complex. Understanding the impact of these changes on the Fontan physiology and the effect of anesthetic choices on this dyad (pregnancy–Fontan) is an imperative prior to caring for these patients. In an effort to determine how these patients are best managed for labor and/or cesarean delivery, we have reviewed the literature examining the peripartum anesthetic management of parturients with Fontan circulation and have identified 27 case reports.
The institutionalization of evaluation matters: Updating the International Atlas of Evaluation 10 years later
Authors: Jacob Steve , Speer Sandra , Furubo Jan-Eric
Published: January 2015

This text provides a comparative cross-country analysis of evaluation culture and the institutionalization of evaluation. The countries included in this research are the 19 OECD countries examined by the authors of the International Atlas of Evaluation 10 years ago (Furubo et al., 2002). The analysis is based on the results of an expert survey of four to five evaluation experts from different backgrounds for each country, as well as additional information from the literature. Using the nine indicators from Furubo et al. (2002) with a focus on the institutional characteristics of reforms, trends in evaluation culture over the last decade have been identified.
The need for reflexive evaluation approaches in development cooperation
Authors: Arkesteijn Marlèn , van Mierlo Barbara , Leeuwis Cees
Published: January 2015

Within development cooperation, development issues are increasingly recognized as complex problems requiring new paths towards solving them. In addition to the commonly used two dimensions of complex problems (uncertainty and disagreement), we introduce a third dimension: systemic stability; that is, stability provided by rules, relations and complementary technology. This article reflects on how development evaluation methodologies and especially those introducing a complexity perspective address these three dimensions. Inferring that this third dimension deserves more attention, we explore the characteristics of reflexive evaluation approaches that challenge systemic stability and support processes of learning and institutional change. We conclude that reflexive evaluation approaches may well complement current system approaches in development evaluation practice.
Into the void: A realist evaluation of the eGovernment for You (EGOV4U) project
Authors: Horrocks Ivan , Budd Leslie
Published: January 2015

‘ e-government for You’ ( EGOV4U) was a European Commission (EC) funded project developed to pilot models of multi-channel, public and community e-services designed to tackle social exclusion and disadvantage through a range of initiatives delivered by five project partners from a variety of European countries. The project evaluation employed a theory-driven approach and the use of mixed methods for data capture and analysis. In this article we combine this with a form of mechanistic explanation that has been specifically developed for realist evaluation: namely the context + mechanism = outcome (CMO) approach. Our contention is that by so doing we further enhance the analytical focus and granularity of the evaluation process and thus the material we present here. This article aims to make use of previously unused material from the EGOV4U evaluation, and provide a realist insight into what works, for whom, in what circumstances and why.
Student perceptions: Improving the educational experiences of high school students on the autism spectrum
Authors: Saggers Beth
Published: January 2015

Listening to and reflecting on the voices and personal stories of adolescent students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is critically important to developing more inclusive approaches to their education. This article considers the experiences of nine adolescents with an ASD on their inclusive education in a large urban secondary school in Australia. These educational experiences were mapped onto four themes emanating from a similar study by Humphrey and Lewis from the United Kingdom. The results from both studies suggest that although students with ASD are having positive and enabling educational experiences, a number of common inhibitors continue to prevent them from taking full advantage of their schooling. By listening to the voices of students with ASD, specific enablers and inhibitors to promoting successful educational experiences are identified, and recommendations for practice are put forward to better support the education not only of students with ASD but all students.
Empowering the ‘shamed’ self: Recognition and critical social work
Authors: Houston Stan
Published: January 2015

This article provides a review of the contribution of Axel Honneth’s model of recognition for critical social work. While Honneth’s tripartite conceptualisation of optimal identity-formation is positively appraised, his analysis of the link between misrecognition, the experience of shame and eventual sense of moral outrage, is contested. Drawing on a range of sources, including the sociology of shame, Honneth’s ideas about the emotional antecedents of emancipatory action are revised to guide critical social work with misrecognised service users.

Findings

The intellectual background to Honneth’s recognition model, emanating from leading German philosophers, is described and its application to social work set out. Even so, Honneth’s model is found to be deficient in one primary regard: its assumption about the emotional antecedents to quests for withheld recognition is misapprehended. In particular, the argument in this article is that the ubiquitous emotion of shame, which Honneth argues flows from misrecognition, must be carefully addressed through the medium of relationship, otherwise it might lead to repressed shame and frustrated attempts at social struggle. To this end, a social work process is delineated for dealing with shame, following episodes of misrecognition.

Applications

Honneth’s model of recognition, along with revised ideas about how to recognise and manage shame, is incorporated into a conceptual framework for critical social work practice. With this renewed understanding of the impact of shame, following misrecognition, social workers should be better equipped conceptually to enable service users to take action for empowerment.
Contribution of participatory action research to knowledge mobilization in mental health services for children and families
Authors: Ungar Michael , McGrath Patrick , Black David , Sketris Ingrid , Whitman Shelly , Liebenberg Linda
Published: January 2015

Problems with knowledge mobilization (KMb) (also known as knowledge translation and implementation science) among providers of children and youth services may be addressed by looking to models of participatory action research (PAR) that are already familiar to those working in community-based services. In contexts such as these, where there is mistrust of traditional sources of expertise, PAR has the potential to provide a way to make it easier for the sharing and adoption of new practices. A case example of an evaluation of a community-based gang prevention program for children aged 9–14 is used to highlight how PAR can enhance program design and implementation based on the sharing of best practices and the active engagement of community members through a research advisory committee. This integration of PAR with KMb, though an imperfect attempt to share practice evidence, provides clues to the methodological techniques required for more participatory development and exchange of promising practices among providers of services for children and youth.
Vision Impaired or Professionally Blind
Authors: Price James H. , Khubchandani Jagdish , Payton Erica
Published: January 2015

In the past three decades, approximately 1 million Americans have been killed with firearms and over 2 million have been injured with firearms. Firearm violence is one of the top 10 causes of premature mortality for racial/ethnic minorities and youths 1 to 19 years of age. However, firearm violence issues are virtually absent in the past 15 years in health education–related journals. We provide several examples of areas of health education where firearm violence is congruent with the professional responsibilities of health educators. Finally, we encourage health educators to become involved in firearm violence research and health education–related journal leaders to become more proactive in soliciting manuscripts that address firearm violence–related issues.
ApoE Type 4 Allele Affects Cognitive Function of Aged Population in Tianjin City, China
Authors: Sun Shoudan , Fu Jingming , Chen Jun , Pang Wei , Hu Ruomei , Li Haiqiang , Tan Long , Jiang Yugang
Published: January 2015

Apolipoprotein E type 4 allele (ApoE∊4) is known as a risk gene for the late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and the relationship between ApoE∊4 and cognitive function of the elderly people has drawn the attention of the scientists. In this study, we investigated the relationship between ApoE∊4 and the cognitive function of the old people. A total of 156 old people were investigated, of whom 31 were ApoE∊4 carriers. The ApoE∊4 primarily influenced the global cognitive function, perceptual speed, and work memory. The results indicate that ApoE∊4 has significant negative effect on the cognitive function of the elderly people who are 60 years and older.
Vaspin promotes 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation
Authors: Liu Ping , Li Guoliang , Wu Jine , Zhou Xin , Wang Liping , Han Wenqi , Lv Ying , Sun Chaofeng
Published: January 2015

Vaspin, a novel adipocyte factor secreted from visceral adipose tissues, is associated with obesity and insulin resistance and can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, increase insulin sensitivity, and suppress inflammation; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Proliferation and maladaptive differentiation are important pathological mechanisms underlying obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vaspin on the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells and to explore the likely mechanisms responsible for 3T3-L1 differentiation. Vaspin was added to cultured 3T3-L1 cells, and the differentiation of adipocytes was evaluated using Oil Red O staining. The AKT signaling pathway and specific differentiation factors related to the differentiation of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells, peroxisome proliferator-activated γ and the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family, were evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analyses during the early phase of differentiation. Additionally, adiponectin mRNA, interleukin-6 mRNA (IL-6 mRNA), and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) protein levels were measured in the differentiated adipocytes. The results indicated that vaspin promotes the intracellular accumulation of lipids and increases differentiation-related factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, C/EBPα, and free fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, vaspin (200 ng/mL) increased the mRNA and protein levels of C/EBPβ, peroxisome proliferator-activated γ, C/EBPα, and FABP4. Moreover, compared with the control, significantly smaller eight-day differentiated adipocytes were observed, and these cells exhibited decreased IL-6 mRNA and increased GLUT4 mRNA levels; these results also indicated the potential of vaspin to promote the insulin-mediated AKT signaling pathway during the early phase of differentiation. In conclusion, vaspin is able to promote the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and may increase their sensitivity to insulin and suppress obesity.
Ethical Issues in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research and Comparative Effectiveness Research
Authors: Brody Howard , Croisant Sharon A. , Crowder Jerome W. , Banda Jonathan P.
Published: January 2015

Community bioethics dialogues were held on the topic of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and comparative effectiveness research (CER). Participants were 65 and older and represented either a lower income, African American group (A) or a higher income White group (B). Participants were presented with a variety of background reading and study materials. Meetings were held 2 hr per week for 6 weeks. The groups showed both independence in judgment from the investigators and diversity of opinion between the two groups. Group B addressed more topics than Group A and in some instances explored additional policy nuances. Members of Group A appeared more cognizant of issues of social justice that affect vulnerable populations and appeared leery of approaches that suggested possible disrespect for their own personal experiences. Future plans call for both repeating the dialogue with additional, diverse community groups and repeating community bioethics dialogues on new topics with the same groups.
Speaking Out of Both Sides of Their Mouths
Authors: Crawford Jarret T. , Kay Sophie A. , Duke Kristen E.
Published: January 2015

The ideologically objectionable premise model posits that biased political judgments can emerge across the political spectrum. Previous tests of ideological differences in political judgment biases have utilized between-subjects designs (i.e., separate comparisons). In this study ( N = 410), we examined whether these biases also emerge in within-subjects designs (i.e., joint comparisons) and compared the strengths of judgment biases in between-subjects and within-subjects designs. Across designs, both liberals and conservatives favored sympathetic over unsympathetic targets in scenario judgments, but biases were attenuated in the within-subjects design. No ideological differences in bias strength emerged, although liberals reported a stronger internal motivation to respond without prejudice toward ideologically dissimilar others. Further, consistent with the ideological conflict hypothesis, both liberals and conservatives were prejudiced toward ideologically dissimilar targets, although biases in prejudice ratings were stronger among liberals than conservatives. Together, results support the ideological symmetry perspective on political bias and prejudice.
Implicit Attitude Generalization From Black to Black–White Biracial Group Members
Authors: Chen Jacqueline M. , Ratliff Kate A.
Published: January 2015

We investigated whether Black–White biracial individuals are perceived as Black in the domain of evaluation. Previous research has documented that White perceivers’ negative evaluation of one Black person leads to a negative implicit evaluation of another Black person belonging to the same minimal group. We built upon this out-group transfer effect by investigating whether perceivers also transferred negative implicit attitudes from one Black person to a novel Black–White biracial person. In three experiments, participants learned about a Black individual who performed undesirable behaviors and were then introduced to a new group member. White perceivers formed negative attitudes toward the original individual and transferred these attitudes to the new group member if she was Black or Biracial, but not if she was White (Experiment 1) or Asian (Experiment 2). Experiment 3 demonstrated that only White participants exhibited transfer to the new Black and Biracial group members; Black participants did not.
What’s APPening to news? A mixed-method audience-centred study on mobile news consumption
Authors: Van Damme Kristin , Courtois Cédric , Verbrugge Karel , De Marez Lieven
Published: January 2015

News is increasingly being consumed on a multitude of media devices, including mobile devices. In recent years, mobile news consumption has permeated individuals’ news consumption repertoires. The main purpose of this study is twofold: (a) gain insight in how mobile news outlets infiltrated the broader news media repertoires of mobile device owners and (b) understand in what circumstances mobile news is consumed within these news media repertoires. The key is to understand how and why this widening agency in appropriating various places and social spaces in everyday life relates to general news media consumption (Peters, 2012). This two-phased study aims to illuminate how mobile device owners position their mobile news consumption in relation to other types of news media outlets. First, a guiding cluster analysis of a large-scale questionnaire ( N = 1279) was performed, indicating three types of news consumers. Second, in order to thicken the originally derived clusters, a mixed-method study was set up, combining objective data originating from mobile device logs with more subjective audience constructions through personal diaries and face-to-face interviews ( N = 30). This study reveals the Janus-faced nature of mobile news. On the one hand, the majority of news consumers dominantly relies on traditional media outlets to stay informed, only to supplement with online mobile services in specific circumstances. Even then, there is at least a tendency to stick to trusted brand materials. On the other hand, these mobile news outlets/products do seem to increasingly infiltrate the daily lives of mobile audiences who were previously disengaged with news.
Elevated adenosine signaling via adenosine A2B receptor induces normal and sickle erythrocyte sphingosine kinase 1 activity
Authors: Sun Kaiqi , Zhang Yujin , Bogdanov Mikhail V. , Wu Hongyu , Song Anren , Li Jessica , Dowhan William , Idowu Modupe , Juneja Harinder S. , Molina Jose G. , Blackburn Michael R. , Kellems Rodney E. , Xia Yang
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Adenosine signaling via ADORA2B induces SphK1 activity in sickle and normal erythrocytes via PKA-mediated ERK1/2 activation. Lowering adenosine by PEG-ADA or interfering ADORA2B activation by specific antagonist decreases SphK1 activity in normal and sickle RBCs.
Parmodulins inhibit thrombus formation without inducing endothelial injury caused by vorapaxar
Authors: Aisiku Omozuanvbo , Peters Christian G. , De Ceunynck Karen , Ghosh Chandra C. , Dilks James R. , Fustolo-Gunnink Susanna F. , Huang Mingdong , Dockendorff Chris , Parikh Samir M. , Flaumenhaft Robert
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Parmodulins are a new class of PAR1 inhibitors that target the cytosolic face of PAR1 to block signaling through Gαq, but not Gα12/13. Unlike vorapaxar, which causes endothelial injury, parmodulins selectively block proinflammatory, but not cytoprotective, signaling.
Interaction of kindlin-2 with integrin β3 promotes outside-in signaling responses by the αVβ3 vitronectin receptor
Authors: Liao Zhongji , Kato Hisashi , Pandey Manjula , Cantor Joseph M. , Ablooglu Ararat J. , Ginsberg Mark H. , Shattil Sanford J.
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Interaction of the integrin β3 cytoplasmic tail with kindlin-2 selectively promotes outside-in signaling through αVβ3. Disruption of the kindlin-2/αVβ3 interaction impairs outside-in signaling and endothelial cell functions, both in vitro and in vivo.
Targeting interferon response genes sensitizes aromatase inhibitor resistant breast cancer cells to estrogen-induced cell death
Authors: Choi Hye Joung , Lui Asona , Ogony Joshua , Jan Rifat , Sims Peter J , Lewis-Wambi Joan
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Estrogen deprivation using aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is currently the standard of care for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Unfortunately, the majority of patients treated with AIs eventually develop resistance, inevitably resulting in patient relapse and, ultimately, death. The mechanism by which resistance occurs is still not completely known, however, recent studies suggest that impaired/defective interferon signaling might play a role. In the present study, we assessed the functional role of IFITM1 and PLSCR1; two well-known interferon response genes in AI resistance.

Methods

Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were used to assess mRNA and protein levels of IFITM1, PLSCR1, STAT1, STAT2, and IRF-7 in AI-resistant MCF-7:5C breast cancer cells and AI-sensitive MCF-7 and T47D cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed on tissue microarrays consisting of normal breast tissues, primary breast tumors, and AI-resistant recurrence tumors. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitate intracellular IFNα level. Neutralizing antibody was used to block type 1 interferon receptor IFNAR1 signaling. Small interference RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown IFITM1, PLSCR1, STAT1, STAT2, IRF-7, and IFNα expression.

Results

We found that IFITM1 and PLSCR1 were constitutively overexpressed in AI-resistant MCF-7:5C breast cancer cells and AI-resistant tumors and that siRNA knockdown of IFITM1 significantly inhibited the ability of the resistant cells to proliferate, migrate, and invade. Interestingly, suppression of IFITM1 significantly enhanced estradiol-induced cell death in AI-resistant MCF-7:5C cells and markedly increased expression of p21, Bax, and Noxa in these cells. Significantly elevated level of IFNα was detected in AI-resistant MCF-7:5C cells compared to parental MCF-7 cells and suppression of IFNα dramatically reduced IFITM1, PLSCR1, p-STAT1, and p-STAT2 expression in the resistant cells. Lastly, neutralizing antibody against IFNAR1/2 and knockdown of STAT1/STAT2 completely suppressed IFITM1, PLSCR1, p-STAT1, and p-STAT2 expression in the resistant cells, thus confirming the involvement of the canonical IFNα signaling pathway in driving the overexpression of IFITM1 and other interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the resistant cells.

Conclusion

Overall, these results demonstrate that constitutive overexpression of ISGs enhances the progression of AI-resistant breast cancer and that suppression of IFITM1 and other ISGs sensitizes AI-resistant cells to estrogen-induced cell death.
Fitting the epidemiology and neuropathology of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease to prevent dementia
Authors: Mar Javier , Soto-Gordoa Myriam , Arrospide Arantzazu , Moreno-Izco Fermín , Martínez-Lage Pablo
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Recent research on biomarkers has made possible the diagnosis of pre-dementia and even preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD), thus providing the ideal context for prevention. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of the early stages of AD by fitting neuropathologic and epidemiological data to assess the feasibility of prevention programs.

Methods

The study addressed primarily the construction of a discrete event simulation model of the stages of dementia. Age was included in the mathematical functions to combine the two competitive risks that determine the epidemiology of AD, that is, time to onset of dementia and time until death by other causes. Subsequently, this model was calibrated to reproduce the prevalence of pathological findings associated with AD. The beginning of the preclinical stage was taken to coincide with Thal phase 1 deposition of amyloid-beta. The duration of the prodromal stage, marked by mild cognitive impairment, was based on a 10% annual conversion rate from this level of impairment to dementia. The validation of prevalence figures also permitted estimation of the incidence and duration of preclinical and prodromal stages.

Results

In Spain, half of the nearly 10 million people aged more than 60 years are in the early stages of AD; 35.9% are in a preclinical stage, and up to 14.2% are in a prodromal stage. However, dementia will develop in only 38% of this population. The weighted mean time to dementia was 22.0 years from the start of Thal phase 1 and 9.0 years from the start of phase 2. Results of simulation models showed a lack of correlation between clinical and pathological classifications.

Conclusions

These findings raise questions about the feasibility of drug-based prevention strategies. Currently, screening programs with biomarkers in the early stages of AD cannot be applied to the half of the general population older than 60 years. Hence, intensive research is needed regarding risk factors, so that more affordable strategies may be planned. More efficient criteria are also needed to select those subjects with mild cognitive impairment who have an increased probability of positive screening for biomarkers (prodromal stage).
Sustained-release methylphenidate in methamphetamine dependence treatment: a double-blind and placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Rezaei Farzin , Emami Maryam , Zahed Shakiba , Morabbi Mohammad-Javad , Farahzadi Mohammadhadi , Akhondzadeh Shahin
Published: January 2015

Background

The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of sustained-release methylphenidate (MPH-SR) in treatment of methamphetamine dependence.

Methods

Fifty-six individuals who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for methamphetamine dependence participated in this 10-week trial. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups and received 18 to 54 mg/day sustained-released methylphenidate or placebo for 10 weeks. Craving was evaluated by a visual analogue craving scale every week. Urinary screening test for methamphetamine was carried out each week. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to monitor participant depressive symptoms at baseline and bi-weekly during the treatment period.

Results

At the end of the trial, the MPH-SR group was less methamphetamine positive compared to the placebo group and the difference was significant (p = 0.03). By the end of the study, MPH-SR group showed significantly less craving scores compared to the placebo group [MD (95% CI) = -10.28(0.88-19.18), t(54) = 2.19, p = 0.03]. There was greater improvement in the depressive symptoms scores in the intervention group compared to the placebo group [MD (95% CI) =2.03(0.31-3.75), t (54) =2.37, p = 0.02].

Conclusion

Sustained-released methylphenidate was safe and well tolerated among active methamphetamine users and significantly reduced methamphetamine use, craving and depressive symptoms.

Trial registration

IRCT201202281556N38
Restricted diffusion effects on nuclear magnetic resonance DT2 maps
Authors: Luo Zhi-Xiang , Paulsen Jeffrey , Vembusubramanian M. , Song Yi-Qiao
Published: January 2015

The 2D nuclear magnetic resonance diffusion-relaxation experiment (NMR [Formula: see text]) has proven to be a powerful method to characterize complex fluids. Molecular components with distinct diffusion coefficients are shown on [Formula: see text] maps as separate peaks. In porous media such as reservoir rocks, molecular diffusion is restricted such that the apparent diffusion coefficient is time dependent and the diffusion behavior is non-Gaussian. Such restricted diffusion effects can manifest on the [Formula: see text] maps and complicate the interpretation of the results, but so far, they have not been systematically investigated. We used controlled laboratory experiments to demonstrate the influence of non-Gaussian restricted diffusion on NMR [Formula: see text] maps under various conditions and to show how restricted diffusion effects on [Formula: see text] maps can be distinguished from multiphase fluids. NMR [Formula: see text] experiments were carried out on a series of water-saturated packs of glass beads and two rock cores. The results revealed the important role of two critical length scales controlling the restricted diffusion effects on NMR [Formula: see text] maps: the molecular diffusion length [Formula: see text] during the NMR diffusion encoding time and the characteristic pore size [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text], the effect of non-Gaussian diffusion was negligible and the NMR [Formula: see text] map showed only one peak. As [Formula: see text] approaches [Formula: see text], an additional peak with a smaller diffusion coefficient emerged (resembling the [Formula: see text] map of an unrestricted two molecular components fluid), and its relative intensity was maximized (to [Formula: see text]), when [Formula: see text]. As [Formula: see text] further increased, the relative intensity of the additional peak started decreasing, in contrast to the scenario of [Formula: see text] maps of multiphase fluids. We determined the extent and influence of restricted diffusion on NMR [Formula: see text] maps, and we informed the interpretation of NMR [Formula: see text] measurements, which are commonly used to quantify gas, water, and oil signals in reservoir rocks.
Constructive optimization of electrode locations for target-focused resistivity monitoring
Authors: Wagner Florian M. , Günther Thomas , Schmidt-Hattenberger Cornelia , Maurer Hansruedi
Published: January 2015

Crosshole resistivity tomography has received consideration as a tool for quantitative imaging of carbon dioxide stored in deep saline aquifers. With regard to the monitoring responsibility of site operators and the substantial expenses associated with permanent downhole installations, optimized experimental design gains particular importance. Based on an iterative appraisal of the formal model resolution matrix, we developed a method to estimate optimum electrode locations along the borehole trajectories with the objective to maximize the imaging capability within a prescribed target horizon. For the presented crosshole case, these layouts were found to be symmetric, exhibiting refined electrode spacings within the target horizon. Our results revealed that a sparse but well conceived set of electrodes can provide a large part of the information content offered by comparably dense electrode distributions. In addition, the optimized layout outperformed equidistant setups with the same number of electrodes because its resolution was focused on the monitoring target. The optimized electrode layouts presented provided a powerful and cost-efficient opportunity to complement permanent installations, particularly at, but not limited to, future [Formula: see text] storage sites. Although preliminarily developed to support the design of crosshole resistivity layouts, our approach is directly applicable to other survey geometries including surface and surface-to-hole acquisitions.
Effects of fluid-shear resistance and squirt flow on velocity dispersion in rocks
Authors: Saxena Nishank , Mavko Gary
Published: January 2015

Laboratory measurements of rocks saturated with high-viscosity fluids (such as heavy-oil, bitumen, magma, kerogen, etc.) often exhibit considerable seismic velocity dispersion, which is usually underestimated by the Biot theory. Over the years, grain-scale dispersion mechanisms such as squirt (local-flow) and shear relaxation (nonzero shear stress in the pore fluid) have been more successful in explaining the measured dispersion. We developed a new method to quantify the combined high-frequency effects of squirt and shear dispersion on the effective moduli of rocks saturated with viscous fluids. Viscous fluid at high frequencies was idealized as an elastic solid of finite shear modulus, hydraulically locked in stiff and soft pores. This method entailed performing solid substitution in stiff pores of a dry rock frame, which itself was unrelaxed due to solid-filled soft pores. The unrelaxed frame stiffness solutions required information on the pressure dependency of the rock stiffness and porosity. This method did not have any adjustable parameters, and all required inputs can be directly measured. With various laboratory and numerical examples, we noted that accounting for combined effects of squirt and shear relaxation was necessary to explain laboratory-measured velocities of rocks saturated with fluids of high viscosity. Predictions of the new method were in good agreement with the laboratory data.
Chemostratigraphic, palynostratigraphic, and sequence stratigraphic analysis of the Woodford Shale, Wyche Farm Quarry, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
Authors: Turner Bryan W. , Molinares-Blanco Carlos E. , Slatt Roger M.
Published: January 2015

Understanding mudrocks and shale reservoirs has become a significant area of interest within industry and academia in recent years. Of particular interest is understanding the pervasive variability present within these units. This variability became apparent when conventional approaches, such as lithostratigraphic analysis and well log correlation, were coupled with recent developments in palynostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy. A single shallow Woodford Shale research core in the western Arkoma Basin from Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, was used to identify three scales of stratigraphic cyclicity. By comparing the relative abundances of continental sourced pollen and spores to marine-derived acritarchs over a stratigraphic interval, it was possible to extrapolate the overall trends in shoreline trajectory. Conventional well log analysis, such as gamma ray logs, provided a balanced understanding of the interplay between localized changes in sedimentation and regional shifts in the stratigraphic base level, in addition to providing a means to tie these analyses to extensive subsurface data sets. Chemostratigraphic correlations resolved subtle, but stratigraphically significant, shifts in localized patterns in sedimentation. Using these approaches, the Lower and Middle Woodford Shale can be divided into four chemostratigraphic parasequences within a transgressive systems tract defined by well log and core analysis. The Upper Woodford can be separated into an additional four chemostratigraphic parasequences within a highstand systems tract. Chemostratigraphic data also revealed the changing bottom water conditions present at the time of deposition, with a period of localized anoxic conditions recorded in the Lower and Upper Woodford in this part of the basin. These localized changes in sedimentation and environmental conditions can be nested into two longer term regional transgressions and regressions.
Dynamic Instability of Soil-SDOF Structure Systems under Far-Fault Earthquakes
Authors: Khoshnoudian Faramarz , Ahmadi Ehsan , Kiani Mahdi , Tehrani Mohammad Hadikhan
Published: January 2015

A parametric study is devoted to investigating the dynamic instability of soil-structure systems under far-fault earthquakes. The superstructure and soil are simulated as a bilinear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) oscillator and based on the cone model concept, respectively. The results show that soil flexibility makes the system dynamically more unstable and that as the non-dimensional frequency increases, the collapse strength-reduction factor highly decreases. Moreover, increasing the aspect ratio leads to a lower collapse strength-reduction factor. However, its effect is found to be negligible. The effects of vibration period and post-yield slope on the collapse strength-reduction factor are the same as on the fixed-base condition. Additionally, comparison of collapse strength-reduction factors resulting from exact time history analyses with those proposed in FEMA 440 for the fixed-base condition shows a great underestimation with errors larger than 20% at approximately all cases and 60% at extreme cases. Finally, a formulation is calibrated using nonlinear regression analysis in order to estimate collapse strength-reduction factors of soil-structure systems.
H3K36 Trimethylation-Mediated Epigenetic Regulation is Activated by Bam and Promotes Germ Cell Differentiation During Early Oogenesis in Drosophila
Authors: Mukai Masanori , Hira Seiji , Nakamura Katsuhiro , Nakamura Shoichi , Kimura Hiroshi , Sato Masanao , Kobayashi Satoru
Published: January 2015

Epigenetic silencing is critical for maintaining germline stem cells in Drosophila ovaries. However, it remains unclear how the differentiation factor, Bag-of-marbles (Bam), counteracts transcriptional silencing. We found that the trimethylation of lysine 36 on histone H3 (H3K36me3), a modification that is associated with gene activation, is enhanced in Bam-expressing cells. H3K36me3 levels were reduced in flies deficient in Bam. Inactivation of the Set2 methyltransferase, which confers the H3K36me3 modification, in germline cells markedly reduced H3K36me3 and impaired differentiation. Genetic analyses revealed that Set2 acts downstream of Bam. Furthermore, orb expression, which is required for germ cell differentiation, was activated by Set2, probably through direct H3K36me3 modification of the orb locus. Our data indicate that H3K36me3-mediated epigenetic regulation is activated by bam, and that this modification facilitates germ cell differentiation, probably through transcriptional activation. This work provides a novel link between Bam and epigenetic transcriptional control.
The developmental origins of chronic physical aggression: biological pathways triggered by early life adversity
Authors: Provençal Nadine , Booij Linda , Tremblay Richard E.
Published: January 2015

Longitudinal epidemiological studies with birth cohorts have shown that physical aggression in humans does not appear suddenly in adolescence as commonly thought. In fact, physically aggressive behaviour is observed as early as 12 months after birth, its frequency peaks around 2–4 years of age and decreases in frequency until early adulthood. However, a minority of children (3–7%) maintain a high frequency of physical aggression from childhood to adolescence and develop serious social adjustment problems during adulthood. Genetic factors and early social experiences, as well as their interaction, have been shown to play an important role in the development of chronic aggressive behaviour. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these associations are just beginning to be uncovered. Recent evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms are responsive to adverse environments and could be involved in the development of chronic aggression. Using both gene candidate and genomic approaches, recent studies have identified epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation alterations in genes involved in the stress response and the serotonin and immune systems to be partly responsible for the long-lasting effects of early adversity. Further longitudinal studies with biological, environmental and behavioural assessments from birth onwards are needed to elucidate the sequence of events that leads to these long-lasting epigenetic marks associated with early adversity and aggression.
Promoting Effect of CeO2 on the Catalytic Activity of Ba–Y2O3 for Direct Decomposition of NO
Authors: Doi Yasuyuki , Haneda Masaaki , Ozawa Masakuni
Published: January 2015

The effect of CeO2 additive on the catalytic performance of Ba–Y2O3 prepared by coprecipitaion for the direct decomposition of NO was investigated. Although Ba–Y2O3 effectively catalyzed NO decomposition, its activity was clearly increased by addition of CeO2. The optimum CeO2 content was 10 mol %. CO2-TPD measurement revealed that the addition of CeO2 into Ba–Y2O3 caused an increase in the CO2 desorption peak in the temperature range of 473 and 723 K derived from highly dispersed Ba species. The predominant role of CeO2 additive was suspected to effectively create the highly dispersed Ba species as catalytically active sites. Kinetic studies of NO decomposition on Ba–CeO2(10)–Y2O3 suggested that coexisting O2 suppresses the NO decomposition reaction by competitive adsorption. Isotopic transient kinetic analysis suggested a reaction pathway in which the surface NOx adspecies act as reaction intermediates for the formation of N2 in NO decomposition over Ba–CeO2–Y2O3. We concluded that CeO2 additive does not directly participate in the NO decomposition reaction as catalytically active species.
Fabrication of Highly Transparent, Thermally Stable, and Scalable Conductive Films from Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Imazu Naoki , Fujigaya Tsuyohiko , Nakashima Naotoshi
Published: January 2015

To fabricate transparent conducting films (TCFs) for electronic devices, both a high conductivity and thermal stability are significant issues due to the need for a high temperature annealing process. In this report, we describe the preparation of a highly transparent (94% transmittance), conductive (surface resistivity: 354 Ω sq−1) and thermally stable double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) film without adding any chemical doping or rinsing. Such film was obtained by a simple dilution and condensation/filtration process (DC/F). The procedure is quite simple, and thus large scalability is easy.
Off-Road Vehicle Seat Suspension Optimisation, Part I: Derivation of an Artificial Neural Network Model to Predict Seated Human Spine Acceleration in Vertical Vibration
Authors: Gohari M. , Rahman R.A. , Tahmasebi M. , Nejat P.
Published: January 2015

Whole body vibration produces some serious problems for human health in the long term. Low-frequency vibration, generated during vehicle operation, and transmitted to the vehicle operator, plays a major role in the development of low-back pain. Back pain is one of epidemic injuries in heavy duty vehicle drivers. Generally seat suspensions are designed and optimised to remove this unwanted movement. Human body biodynamic model is essential in passive seat suspension optimisation and active control seat suspension design. Lumped parameter models have been used by researchers for this purpose, but they have some limitations such as fixed body weight. With reference to this limitation, in first part of this paper a new artificial neural network (ANN) model is introduced which can predict spine acceleration from excitation signal and human body mass and height. The accuracy of model is 96% and makes it useful in real-time and off-line analysis. In second part of the paper, an off-road seat suspension will be optimised via this achieved ANN model and three Meta-Heuristic algorithms.