bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Published Trial Schematics to Assess a Brief (Spatial) History of Time: Questioning the Graphical Depiction of Experimental Procedures
Authors: Dyson Benjamin J.
Published: November 2015

Trial schematics are ubiquitous within psychology journals articles and have the potential to inform how we think about time in space from a non-linguistic point of view. Graphical representations of trial schematics were used to compare the spatial representations of time used by the scientific community with the dominant spatial stereotypes for temporal events reported by the scientific community. From 294 observations, approximately 81% of trial schematics contained left-to-right and / or top-to-bottom representations of first-to-last events, consistent with the dominant Western spatial expressions of time. An initially counter-intuitive left-to-right but bottom-to-top spatial stereotype used in approximately 18% of schematics is discussed with respect to its potential perceptual origins. The complications that arise from the use of multiple spatial axes in the representation of time are highlighted and given the tendency for trial schematics to be informationally poor, alternative routes for the supply of thorough experimental detail are suggested.
Review of East African Plant Collectors
Authors: BYNG JAMES W.
Published: November 2015

The Flora of Tropical East Africa, covering Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, was one of the largest regional floras ever compiled, with over 12,000 wild plant species and taking 64 years to complete. The East African Plant Collectors is the perfect supplement to this great flora and is a wonderful compendium of botanists, collectors and authors showing the human element of the flora - the people behind the herbarium specimens, the new species and combinations and the flora treatments. This book includes around 2,700 collectors that have collected herbarium specimens in the region arranged alphabetically. Each individual entry includes biographical data, including nationality, dates of birth and death, travels, publications, eponymy, publications and it lists the herbaria where specimens were deposited. The level of detail varies considerably from collector to collector with some briefly treated, whilst others are very detailed. For example, Bernard Verdcourt’s entry is lengthy and includes location details of his 30 years of fieldwork, publication details of the flora treatments he compiled (a remarkable one-fifth of the flora...) and even an anecdote about meeting a lion on Ndi Hill!
Corrections to Phytotaxa 222: Some nomenclatural adjustments and typifications for almond species in the genus Prunus sensu lato (Rosaceae)
Authors: Eisenman Sasha William
Published: November 2015

Following the publication of Some nomenclatural adjustments and typifications for almond species in the genus Prunus sensu lato (Rosaceae) (Eisenman 2015), two necessary corrections were brought to my attention.
Reprising the taxonomy of Cyprus Scops Owl Otus (scops) cyprius, a neglected island endemic
Authors: FLINT PETER , WHALEY DAVID , KIRWAN GUY M. , CHARALAMBIDES MELIS , SCHWEIZER MANUEL , WINK MICHAEL
Published: November 2015

The endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus (scops) cyprius has been treated as a subspecies of the widespread Eurasian Scops Owl O. scops since at least the 1940s. However, its song is distinct from that of all other subspecies of O. scops in being double-noted, rather than single-noted. Its plumage also differs, most obviously in being consistently darker than other subspecies and in lacking a rufous morph. However, it shows no biometric differences from O. s. cycladum and southern populations of O. s. scops. It is also unusual among scops (s. l.) populations in being at least partially resident, although two specimens showing characters of this taxon were collected in Israel in early spring, and the numbers of birds that are resident on Cyprus appear to vary, with few recent winter records. It differs from O. s. scops by one synapomorphic nucleotide exchange in the analysed mitochondrial marker, indicating a recent separation. Given that large numbers of O. s. scops and O. s. cycladum pass through Cyprus on spring migration, and that the latter breeds in adjacent countries, it seems probable that cycladum would colonize the island, but for the presence of cyprius. That it does not do so, and that cyprius retains its distinctive song and plumage, suggests that isolating mechanisms exist. We recommend that cyprius be considered specifically distinct, as are other distinctively voiced insular Otus populations.
Four new Entiminae from the Mediterranean region (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Phyllobiini, Trachyphloeini), with additional data on the distribution of some poorly known species
Authors: GERMANN CHRISTOPH , BOROVEC ROMAN , BRAUNERT CARLO
Published: November 2015

Argoptochus sappho sp. n. and Pelletierellus bryophilus sp. n. from Lesbos island, Greece, Cathormiocerus kostali sp. n. from Morocco, and C. meyeri sp. n. from Portugal are described. New faunistic data are presented for Argoptochus moraveci Borovec, 2006, Cathormiocerus inflatiscapus Escalera, 1918, C. jeani (Borovec, 1989), C. longiscapus Pic, 1912, C. tenuiscapus Fairmaire, 1884, Pelletierellus bosnicus (Apfelbeck, 1898) and P. neglectus (Borovec, 1992). Males of Cathormiocerus inflatiscapus Escalera, 1918 and C. tenuiscapus Fairmaire, 1884 are described for the first time and the penises of these species are illustrated.
Systematic review of the diagnostic category muscle dysmorphia
Authors: dos Santos Filho Celso Alves , Tirico Patrícia Passarelli , Stefano Sergio Carlos , Touyz Stephen W , Claudino Angélica Medeiros
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

(1) To collect, analyze and synthetize the evidence on muscle dysmorphia diagnosis as defined by Pope et al. and (2) To discuss its appropriate nosology and inclusion as a specific category in psychiatric classificatory systems.

Method:

A systematic search in the MEDLINE, the PsycNET, the LILACS and SciELO databases and in the International Journal of Eating Disorders was conducted looking for articles published between January 1997 and October 2014 and in EMBASE database between January 1997 and August 2013. Only epidemiological and analytical studies were considered for selection. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed according to the Evidence-Based Mental Health and the National Health and Medical Research Council’s guidelines. The support for inclusion of muscle dysmorphia in psychiatric classificatory systems was examined against Blashfield et al.’s criteria.

Results:

Thirty-four articles were considered eligible out of 5136. Most of the studies were cross-sectional and enrolled small, non-clinical samples. The methodological quality of all selected papers was graded at the lowest hierarchical level due to studies’ designs. Forty-one percent of the publications considered the available evidence insufficient to support the inclusion of muscle dysmorphia in any existing category of psychiatric disorders. The current literature does not fulfill Blashfield et al.’s criteria for the inclusion of muscle dysmorphia as a specific entity in psychiatric diagnostic manuals.

Conclusion:

The current evidence does not ensure the validity, clinical utility, nosological classification and inclusion of muscle dysmorphia as a new disorder in classificatory systems of mental disorders.
La guirlande térésienne: A nineteenth-century “Teresian bard” sings the praises of Teresa of Avila
Authors: Hanna Daniel J.
Published: November 2015

This study presents and analyses a newly discovered French manuscript by the nineteenth-century Jesuit Marcel Bouix, a translator, scholar and devotee of Teresa of Avila. In the work, a remarkable series of 19 poems entitled La guirlande térésienne, Bouix praises Teresa and other important Carmelite figures, and displays an intimate familiarity with Teresian spirituality and history. It is a unique document whose equivalent has not been seen elsewhere, and in it Marcel Bouix, already the most productive Teresian scholar in France of his time or of any previous age, sought to make his the definitive French voice of Teresa of Avila.
Linguistic Obfuscation in Fraudulent Science
Authors: Markowitz David M. , Hancock Jeffrey T.
Published: November 2015

The rise of scientific fraud has drawn significant attention to research misconduct across disciplines. Documented cases of fraud provide an opportunity to examine whether scientists write differently when reporting on fraudulent research. In an analysis of over two million words, we evaluated 253 publications retracted for fraudulent data and compared the linguistic style of each paper to a corpus of 253 unretracted publications and 62 publications retracted for reasons other than fraud (e.g., ethics violations). Fraudulent papers were written with significantly higher levels of linguistic obfuscation, including lower readability and higher rates of jargon than unretracted and nonfraudulent papers. We also observed a positive association between obfuscation and the number of references per paper, suggesting that fraudulent authors obfuscate their reports to mask their deception by making them more costly to analyze and evaluate. This is the first large-scale analysis of fraudulent papers across authors and disciplines to reveal how changes in writing style are related to fraudulent data reporting.
Laser; best practice techniques and evidence
Authors: Carradice Daniel , Leung Clement , Chetter Ian
Published: November 2015

Laser ablation involves the delivery of laser light through a glass fibre placed into the lumen of a refluxing vein. This energy is converted into heat inducing a permanent, non-thrombotic occlusion. This highly effective and safe approach has significant advantages over traditional surgical treatment and has driven the endovenous revolution in the management of varicose veins. This chapter will explore the mechanism of action, present the evidence of laser' clinical and cost effectiveness, and analyse specific and generic aspects of laser ablation technique.
Heritage tourism in the global South: Development impacts of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa
Authors: Rogerson Christian M , van der Merwe Clinton D
Published: November 2015

Heritage tourism is an increasingly popular form of tourism across many destinations globally. Maximising the opportunities from heritage tourism is a critical policy issue in the global South. Against a backcloth of the rising importance of heritage tourism for local development agendas across the global South this paper seeks to analyse the local impacts of one major new heritage development project operationalised in South Africa, namely the Cradle of Humankind. In the international context this heritage project is a state-led, infrastructure-led initiative introduced into an economically marginal area in search of pro-poor growth. The analysis suggests that currently this anchor project has not reached its anticipated potential for energising local development.
Development and analysis of a gravity-balanced exoskeleton for active rehabilitation training of upper limb
Authors: Wu Qingcong , Wang Xingsong , Du Fengpo
Published: November 2015

Robot-assisted therapy has become an important technology applied in rehabilitation engineering, allowing patients with motion impairment problems to perform training programs without continuous supervision from physiotherapists. The goal of this paper is to develop a gravity balanced exoskeleton for active rehabilitation training of upper limb. The mechanical structure and kinematics of the exoskeleton are described and optimized to enable natural interaction with user and avoid singular configurations within the desired workspace. The gravity balancing of the human arm and mechanism is achieved through a hybrid strategy making use of auxiliary links and zero-free-length springs to balance the effect of gravity over the range of motion. The balance errors resulting from the variation of anthropometric parameters are analyzed and discussed. Further experiments involving trajectories tracking tasks with and without gravity balancing are conducted to evaluate the improvement of the control performance and energetic efficiency made by the developed balanced mechanism. The experimental results indicate that the proposed balance strategy can achieve a reduction of 34.56% in overall power consumption compared with the cost in unbalanced condition.
The relationship between political parties and their regulators
Authors: Clark Alistair
Published: November 2015

Political parties are in a unique situation, being able to change electoral rules and regulations to minimise any potential negative effects on their electoral prospects. Attempts to influence regulators, however, can be complex and include voicing concerns, public pressure and the regulatory capture of electoral regulators. Little is known about this relationship between parties and their regulators. This article focuses on this crucial electoral relationship through a study of political parties’ relations with the UK Electoral Commission. The first section addresses the background to the legal regulation of political parties. The second section proposes a framework through which parties’ reactions to regulation may be understood. The third part introduces the British case, providing evidence to demonstrate the broad utility of the framework. The final section analyses the issues that parties have raised with their regulators.
Identifying perceived barriers to videoconferencing by rehabilitation medicine providers
Authors: Mozer Roslyn , Bradford Natalie K , Caffery Liam J , Smith Anthony C
Published: November 2015

The aim of this study was to identify barriers to the utilisation of videoconferencing within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation medicine healthcare team, as the first step towards creating a telerehabilitation service. A survey was developed on videoconference use and barriers to use, and distributed to healthcare providers including rehabilitation medicine societies and allied health societies through an anonymous link to SurveyMonkey®. There were 254 respondents, practicing primarily in Australia ( n = 245), in various healthcare roles. One-hundred and fifty-nine (66%) of respondents used videoconferencing regularly, primarily for their own education. Respondents not currently utilising videoconferencing ( n = 82, 34%) ranked the reasons for this and provided free-text responses to explain why this modality was not being utilised in practice. Respondents were reluctant to use videoconferencing because of perceived increase in time needed for video consultations compared to face-to-face consultations, concerns with lack of privacy and confidentiality, and a lack of clinical practice guidelines for video consultation. We believe many barriers to videoconferencing by healthcare providers can be managed with appropriate education and targeted training. Future research studies, which focus on standards and clinical practice guidelines for videoconferencing by healthcare providers, may result in increased utilisation of this modality for healthcare delivery in rehabilitation medicine.
Analysis of electrochemical behavior on micro-drilling of cast hybrid Al/(Al2O3p + SiCp + Cp)-MMC using micro-ECM process
Authors: Kalra Charanjit Singh , Kumar Vinod , Manna Alakesh
Published: November 2015

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on machining of micro-hole during electrochemical micromachining (ECMM) of stir-cast hybrid aluminum/(alumina + silicon carbide + carbon particulates) metal matrix composite. An ECMM set-up was developed and utilized for carrying out the experimental investigation. The supply current (Ip), supply voltage (v), pulse-on time (Ton), pulse-off time (Toff), electrolyte concentration (EC), and electrolyte flow rate (FR) were selected as process parameters. The effect of process parameters on material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), surface roughness height (SR), taper cut (TC), over cut (OC), and micro-spark-affected zone (MSAZ) were analyzed through various graphs. The surface characteristics of the micro-drilled holes were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope techniques. Experimental results revealed that the MRR, EWR, TC, OC, and MSAZ increase with an increase in supply current, voltage, and pulse-on time. The optimal parametric combination for high MRR with low TC, OC, and MSAZ was found at 1.5 A supply current, 13 V supply voltage, 10 µs pulse-on time, 10 µs pulse-off time, 15 g/L electrolyte concentration, and 0.2 L/min electrolyte flow rate.
Effects of salt intake and potassium supplementation on renalase expression in the kidneys of Dahl salt-sensitive rats
Authors: Zheng Wen-Ling , Wang Jing , Mu Jian-Jun , Liu Fu-Qiang , Yuan Zu-Yi , Wang Yang , Wang Dan , Ren Ke-Yu , Guo Tong-Shuai , Xiao Hong-Yu
Published: November 2015

Renalase is currently the only known amine oxidase in the blood that can metabolize catecholamines and regulate sympathetic activity. High salt intake is associated with high blood pressure (BP), possibly through the modulation of renalase expression and secretion, whereas potassium can reverse the high salt-mediated increase in blood pressure. However, whether potassium could also modulate BP through renalase is unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate how salt intake and potassium supplementation affect the level of renalase in rats. Eighteen salt-sensitive (SS) and 18 SS–13BN rats were divided into six groups, receiving normal salt (0.3% NaCl), high salt (8% NaCl) and high salt/potassium (8% NaCl and 8% KCl) dietary intervention for four weeks. At the end of experiments, blood and kidneys were collected for analysis. mRNA level of renalase was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and protein level was determined by Western blot. We found that mRNA and protein levels of renalase in the kidneys of SS and SS–13BN rats were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) after high salt intervention, whereas dopamine in plasma was increased ( P < 0.05) compared with rats received normal salt, suggesting that salt may induce salt-sensitive hypertension through inhibition of renalase expression. We also found increased mRNA level and protein level of renalase, decreased catecholamine levels in plasma, and decreased BP in SS rats treated with high salt/potassium, compared with that of the high salt SS group. Taken together, the salt-induced increase and potassium-induced decrease in BP could be mediated through renalase. More studies are needed to confirm our findings and understand the underlying mechanisms.
Knowledge discovery in design instances of mechanical structure symmetry
Authors: Ma Zhiyong , Zhang Taixia , Liu Fan , Yang Juncheng
Published: November 2015

Structure symmetry is a common phenomenon with a significant effect on mechanical systems. In this article, the technology of knowledge discovery was adopted to mine association rules from the database of mechanical structure symmetry design instances, and design knowledge of structure symmetry was built to guide the application of structure symmetry in mechanical design. The process of the knowledge discovery in design instances mainly includes the following steps. First, more than 1000 design instances were collected. Three standardized systems, including structure symmetry system, design requirement system, and structure design principle system, were built. Then the design instances were analyzed based on the three standardized systems. Second, a physical database was designed, and the information of design instances was stored in the database. Third, the association rules among structure symmetry, design requirement, and structure design principle were mined using association rule mining algorithm. Finally, the design knowledge of structure symmetry in realizing design requirements was proposed by analyzing mining results and relevant instances. The proposed design knowledge can lead to the application of structure symmetry and help to improve the technical, economic, and social performance of the mechanical products.
Too old to parent? Discursive representations of late parenting in the British press
Authors: Ylänne Virpi
Published: November 2015

Focusing on a corpus of 90 UK newspaper articles (2008–2013) on late parenting (40+), this study examines the framing via different dimensions of age in the press coverage of such parents and parenting. Five main frames emerged: social change, personal frame, risks of late parenting, older continued parenting and reproductive technology–enabled parenting. The relationship of these framings to the discursive construction of ageing and late parenting reveals varying positionings of older parents, which tend to reinforce, but also at times challenge, conventional expectations of ‘age-appropriate’ timing of reproduction, especially regarding women. Media framing analysis, critical discourse analysis and a social constructionist orientation to age(ing) and lifespan identity are drawn on in the analysis. The study also highlights how framing, as a concept from communication theory, together with different perspectives on ageing and different dimensions of age, can complement discourse analysis of news texts.
Disability rights, social rights, and freedom
Authors: Hirschmann Nancy J
Published: November 2015

In this essay, I seek to problematize the notion of rights as they have often been applied to persons with disabilities, and particularly in the framework of “social rights.” Although social rights have been important in articulating demands by and for disabled persons, they also have fallen prey to a problem with “rights discourse” more generally, which is that they are thought of in terms of justice rather than freedom. Such a framing has led to inadequate implementation of the concept of rights to disabled persons and has unforeseen consequences, including the ways in which the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability rights have been conceived along terms of US “welfare reform” rather than those of civil rights.
Hemoglobin A1c and Self-Monitored Average Glucose
Authors: Kovatchev Boris P. , Breton Marc D.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Previously we have introduced the eA1c—a new approach to real-time tracking of average glycemia and estimation of HbA1c from infrequent self-monitoring (SMBG) data, which was developed and tested in type 2 diabetes. We now test eA1c in type 1 diabetes and assess its relationship to the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI)—an established predictor of complications and treatment effect.

Methods:

Reanalysis of previously published 12-month data from 120 patients with type 1 diabetes, age 39.15 (14.35) years, 51/69 males/females, baseline HbA1c = 7.99% (1.48), duration of diabetes 20.28 (12.92) years, number SMBG/day = 4.69 (1.84). Surrogate fasting BG and 7-point daily profiles were derived from these unstructured SMBG data and the previously reported eA1c method was applied without any changes. Following the literature, we calculated HGI = HbA1c – (0.009 × Fasting BG + 6.8).

Results:

The correlation of eA1c with reference HbA1c was r = .75, and its deviation from reference was MARD = 7.98%; 95% of all eA1c values fell within ±20% from reference. The HGI was well approximated by a linear combination of the eA1c calibration factors: HGI = 0.007552* θ1 + 0.007645* θ2 – 3.154 ( P < .0001); 73% of low versus moderate-high HGIs were correctly classified by the same factors as well.

Conclusions:

The eA1c procedure developed in type 2 diabetes to track in real-time changes in average glycemia and present the results in HbA1c-equivalent units has shown similar performance in type 1 diabetes. The eA1c calibration factors are highly predictive of the HGI, thereby explaining partially the biological variation causing discrepancies between HbA1c and its linear estimates from SMBG data.
Quality of HbA1c Measurement in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Rastogi Maynika V. , Ladenson Paul , Goldstein David E. , Little Randie R.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Monitoring of HbA1c is the standard of care to assess diabetes control. In Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) there are no existing data on the quality of HbA1c measurement. Our study examined the precision and accuracy of HbA1c testing in T&T.

Methods:

Sets of 10 samples containing blinded duplicates were shipped to laboratories in T&T. This exercise was repeated 6 months later. Precision and accuracy were estimated for each laboratory/method.

Results:

T&T methods included immunoassay, capillary electrophoresis, and boronate affinity binding. Most, but not all, laboratories demonstrated acceptable precision and accuracy.

Conclusions:

Continuous oversight of HbA1c testing (eg, through proficiency testing) in T&T is recommended. These results highlight the lack of oversight of HbA1c testing in some developing countries.
Considerations for initial therapy in the treatment of acute heart failure
Authors: Peacock William F. , Cannon Chad M. , Singer Adam J. , Hiestand Brian C.
Published: November 2015

The diagnosis of patients presenting to the emergency department with acute heart failure (AHF) is challenging due to the similarity of AHF symptoms to other conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. Additionally, because AHF is most common in an older population, the presentation of coexistent pathologies further increases the challenge of making an accurate diagnosis and selecting the most appropriate treatment. Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of AHF can result in worse outcomes and higher healthcare costs. Rapid initiation of treatment is thus necessary for optimal disease management. Early treatment decisions for patients with AHF can be guided by risk-stratification models based on initial clinical data, including blood pressure, levels of troponin, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, B-type natriuretic peptide, and ultrasound. In this review, we discuss methods for differentiating high-risk and low-risk patients and provide guidance on how treatment decisions can be informed by risk-level assessment. Through the use of these approaches, emergency physicians can play an important role in improving patient management, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, and lowering healthcare costs. This review differs from others published recently on the topic of treating AHF by providing a detailed examination of the clinical utility of diagnostic tools for the differentiation of dyspneic patients such as bedside ultrasound, hemodynamic changes, and interrogation of implantable cardiac devices. In addition, our clinical guidance on considerations for initial pharmacologic therapy in the undifferentiated patient is provided. It is crucial for emergency physicians to achieve an early diagnosis of AHF and initiate therapy in order to reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
High quality draft genomic sequence of Flavobacterium enshiense DK69T and comparison among Flavobacterium genomes
Authors: Zeng Zhipeng , Chen Chong , Du Hailun , Wang Gejiao , Li Mingshun
Published: November 2015

Flavobacterium enshiense DK69T is a Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile and non-flagellated bacterium that belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes. The high quality draft genome of strain DK69T was obtained and has a 3,375,260 bp genome size with a G + C content of 37.7 mol % and 2848 protein coding genes. In addition, we sequenced five more genomes of Flavobacterium type strains and performed a comparative genomic analysis among 12 Flavobacterium genomes. The results show some specific genes within the fish pathogenic Flavobacterium strains which provide information for further analysis the pathogenicity.
The Increase in Signaling by Kisspeptin Neurons in the Preoptic Area and Associated Changes in Clock Gene Expression That Trigger the LH Surge in Female Rats Are Dependent on the Facilitatory Action of a Noradrenaline Input
Authors: Kalil Bruna , Ribeiro Aline B. , Leite Cristiane M. , Uchôa Ernane T. , Carolino Ruither O. , Cardoso Thais S. R. , Elias Lucila L. K. , Rodrigues José A. , Plant Tony M. , Poletini Maristela O. , Anselmo-Franci Janete A.
Published: November 2015

In rodents, kisspeptin neurons in the rostral periventricular area of the third ventricle (RP3V) of the preoptic area are considered to provide a major stimulatory input to the GnRH neuronal network that is responsible for triggering the preovulatory LH surge. Noradrenaline (NA) is one of the main modulators of GnRH release, and NA fibers are found in close apposition to kisspeptin neurons in the RP3V. Our objective was to interrogate the role of NA signaling in the kisspeptin control of GnRH secretion during the estradiol induced LH surge in ovariectomized rats, using prazosin, an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist. In control rats, the estradiol-induced LH surge at 17 hours was associated with a significant increase in GnRH and kisspeptin content in the median eminence with the increase in kisspeptin preceding that of GnRH and LH. Prazosin, administered 5 and 3 hours prior to the predicted time of the LH surge truncated the LH surge and abolished the rise in GnRH and kisspeptin in the median eminence. In the preoptic area, prazosin blocked the increases in Kiss1 gene expression and kisspeptin content in association with a disruption in the expression of the clock genes, Per1 and Bmal1. Together these findings demonstrate for the first time that NA modulates kisspeptin synthesis in the RP3V through the activation of α1-adrenergic receptors prior to the initiation of the LH surge and indicate a potential role of α1-adrenergic signaling in the circadian-controlled pathway timing of the preovulatory LH surge.
Transgenic Chickens Overexpressing Aromatase Have High Estrogen Levels but Maintain a Predominantly Male Phenotype
Authors: Lambeth Luke S. , Morris Kirsten R. , Wise Terry G. , Cummins David M. , O'Neil Terri E. , Cao Yu , Sinclair Andrew H. , Doran Timothy J. , Smith Craig A.
Published: November 2015

Estrogens play a key role in sexual differentiation of both the gonads and external traits in birds. The production of estrogen occurs via a well-characterized steroidogenic pathway, which is a multistep process involving several enzymes, including cytochrome P450 aromatase. In chicken embryos, the aromatase gene (CYP19A1) is expressed female-specifically from the time of gonadal sex differentiation. Ectopic overexpression of aromatase in male chicken embryos induces gonadal sex reversal, and male embryos treated with estradiol become feminized; however, this is not permanent. To test whether a continuous supply of estrogen in adult chickens could induce stable male to female sex reversal, 2 transgenic male chickens overexpressing aromatase were generated using the Tol2/transposase system. These birds had robust ectopic aromatase expression, which resulted in the production of high serum levels of estradiol. Transgenic males had female-like wattle and comb growth and feathering, but they retained male weights, displayed leg spurs, and developed testes. Despite the small sample size, this data strongly suggests that high levels of circulating estrogen are insufficient to maintain a female gonadal phenotype in adult birds. Previous observations of gynandromorph birds and embryos with mixed sex chimeric gonads have highlighted the role of cell autonomous sex identity in chickens. This might imply that in the study described here, direct genetic effects of the male chromosomes largely prevailed over the hormonal profile of the aromatase transgenic birds. This data therefore support the emerging view of at least partial cell autonomous sex development in birds. However, a larger study will confirm this intriguing observation.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-I Modulates Endothelial Blood-Brain Barrier Function in Ischemic Middle-Aged Female Rats
Authors: Bake Shameena , Okoreeh Andre K. , Alaniz Robert C. , Sohrabji Farida
Published: November 2015

In comparison with young females, middle-aged female rats sustain greater cerebral infarction and worse functional recovery after stroke. These poorer stroke outcomes in middle-aged females are associated with an age-related reduction in IGF-I levels. Poststroke IGF-I treatment decreases infarct volume in older females and lowers the expression of cytokines in the ischemic hemisphere. IGF-I also reduces transfer of Evans blue dye to the brain, suggesting that this peptide may also promote blood-brain barrier function. To test the hypothesis that IGF-I may act at the blood-brain barrier in ischemic stroke, 2 approaches were used. In the first approach, middle-aged female rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with IGF-I after reperfusion. Mononuclear cells from the ischemic hemisphere were stained for CD4 or triple-labeled for CD4/CD25/FoxP3 and subjected to flow analyses. Both cohorts of cells were significantly reduced in IGF-I–treated animals compared with those in vehicle controls. Reduced trafficking of immune cells to the ischemic site suggests that blood-brain barrier integrity is better maintained in IGF-I–treated animals. The second approach directly tested the effect of IGF-I on barrier function of aging endothelial cells. Accordingly, brain microvascular endothelial cells from middle-aged female rats were cultured ex vivo and subjected to ischemic conditions (oxygen-glucose deprivation). IGF-I treatment significantly reduced the transfer of fluorescently labeled BSA across the endothelial monolayer as well as cellular internalization of fluorescein isothiocyanate–BSA compared with those in vehicle-treated cultures, Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that IGF-I improves blood-brain barrier function in middle-aged females.
STUDY ON THE DAMAGE MECHANISM OF PORE STRUCTURE IN CONCRETE SUBJECTED TO FREEZE-THAW CYCLES
Authors: Li Ben , Wang Kaiyuan , Mao Jize , Guo Qingyong
Published: November 2015

It is well know that freeze-thaw cycles play the most significant role in the durability evolution in concrete structures, freeze-thaw cycles have been accounted as one of the major factors on the damage and demolition of concrete. Microscopic parameters have been used for describing the characterizations of damage in concrete under freeze-thaw actions by researchers. However, their models could not provide specific damage factors or parameters. In this paper, a new damage model and equation based on variations of pore structure in concrete is established. This new pore damage model is used for analysing freeze-thaw damage of concrete and validated by experiments. The results show that the measurement of pore structure becomes larger, the diameters of most probably pore structure, critical pore structure, and the variations of porosity increase with the process of freeze-thaw cycles. The pore damage factor or parameter is suitable for describing the mechanism of freeze-thaw damage. Furthermore, the damage results calculated by this new freeze-thaw damage equation, based on variations of pore structure in concrete gives an excellent correlation with experimental results. This pore damage equation was proved to be effective for evaluating the degradation of concrete which is subjected to freezing and thawing cycles in low or sub-zero regions.
MONITORING OF HEAPS USING VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Straková Helena , Šedina Jaroslav , Bílá Zdeňka
Published: November 2015

Coal heaps are frequently self-burning by definite environmental conditions, therefore thermal activity monitoring of these localities is important. For this purpose, data from terrestrial measurement or thermal infrared images are used. Subsurface coal fires monitored by terrestrial measurement by contact thermometers are time-consuming and dangerous because of landslides. That is a reason why coal fires are mostly monitored by thermal infrared images through remote sensing, i.e. satellite-borne or airborne data, which is much more suitable for thermal activity monitoring.The satellite data do not have sufficient geometric resolution (60 - 120m per pixel), aerial thermal data are accurate, but expensive. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or better RPAS - remotely piloted aircraft systems) can be solution – thermal images obtained by RPAS have good geometric resolution and can be used for small areas only and our case project areas are not so big. From economic point of view, low cost technology is preferred.The article describes opportunities of low-cost thermal infrared data, the use of RPAS (mapping by Microkopter system) in thermal monitoring and photogrammetric tasks (coal heaps) such as low cost aerial thermal mapping. The problems of planning and data acquisition are illustrated by creating an orthophoto. Theoretical preparation of data acquisition deals with RPAS Microkopter mission planning and operation. The obtained data are processed by several sets of software specially developed for close range aerial photogrammetry. The outputs are orthophoto images, digital elevation models and thermal map. As a bonus, low-cost aerial methods with small thermal camera are shown.
Investigación: Modelo de ciclo de negocios real con dinero endógeno y política monetaria pasiva
Authors: Guberman Carlos , Cymbler David Ezequiel
Published: November 2015

Construimos un modelo de ciclo de negocios real con dinero endógeno y política monetaria pasiva, que muestra algunas particularidades en cuanto a la dinámica de las tasas de interés y los mercados de crédito. Encontramos que el modelo es estable, aspecto que consideramos ausente en la literatura relacionada con la política monetaria pasiva. Creemos que este trabajo puede ser un buen punto de partida para el análisis de lo sucedido antes, durante y después de la crisis financiera internacional que comenzó en el mercado de crédito colateralizado.
Tesis de Posgrado: El endeudamiento corporativo: pautas prácticas para ponderar sus beneficios y amenazas
Authors: Dusso Javier
Published: November 2015

El endeudamiento de las empresas está expuesto a diversos riesgos. Por ello, el objetivo final del presente trabajo es poder brindar un conjunto de herramientas que actúen como marco referencial para ponderar diferentes modalidades de endeudamiento y contribuir así a que las empresas tomen las decisiones que mejor se adapten a sus necesidades y preferencias. El artículo se inicia con un análisis de los principales aportes teóricos en la materia. Posteriormente, en base al relevamiento de diferentes variables econó- mico financieras, se analiza la relación entre niveles de endeudamiento y desempeño corporativo, arribando así a la formulación de las conclusiones del trabajo.
The results of integration measurements of indoor radon activity concentration in houses in Ružomberok town (Northern Slovakia)
Authors: Smetanová Iveta , Műllerová Monika , Holý Karol , Moravcsík Attila , Kovács Tibor , Csordás Anita , Neznal Martin , Neznal Matej , Kozak Krzysztof , Mazur Jadwiga , Grzadziel Dominik
Published: November 2015

Integration measurements of indoor radon in houses were performed within the framework of the project “Harmonization of determining the radiation dose of the population originating from radon in V4 countries”. In Slovakia, the survey was performed in three localities: Záhorská Bystrica, Mochovce and Ružomberok. Monitoring started in March 2012 and lasted for one year. In Ružomberok ten houses were selected for monitoring purposes. The houses built before 1990 were predominantly chosen for the investigation. In selected houses in Ružomberok, radon activity concentration rarely exceeded 400 Bq/m3 in a three month period, in this case the inhabitants were advised how to lower radon exposure. No house was found with an annual radon activity concentration of more than 400 Bq/m3.
Parabolic curves of diffeomorphisms asymptotic to formal invariant curves
Authors: López-Hernanz Lorena , Sanz Sánchez Fernando
Published: November 2015

We prove that if F is a tangent to the identity diffeomorphism at

0
∈

ℂ
2

0\in\mathbb{C}^{2}

and Γ is a formal invariant curve of F which is not contained in the set of fixed points then
there exists a parabolic curve (attracting or repelling) of F asymptotic to Γ.
Understanding Emerson’s Self-Reliance in Terms of Education with a Focus on Language Didactics
Authors: Kouassi Jérome
Published: November 2015

Education has always been at the heart of most, if not all, human endeavours. This explains the growing interest of many scholars in educational issues. Self-Reliance, one of Emerson’s most impressive and influential works, provides an outstanding contribution to education in general and particularly to the personal development of individuals in society. The relevance of the educational values addressed in Self-Reliance makes it an appropriate context for academic reflection. This paper scrutinises the educational dimension of Emerson’s work with a focus on language didactics. My concern is to provide evidence that the educational values expressed instruct didactics. The study of Self-Reliance reveals the expression of some values, the main ones being trust, responsibility, commitment, creativity, autonomy, independence, self-esteem, self-determination, self-evaluation, and individual talents. By reflecting on their educational dimension with a focus on their didactic implications I come to conclude that even though didactics does not draw directly on Emerson’s educational philosophy, it integrates some aspects, notably the values referred to in this paper.
Normal weight obesity among young adults in Trinidad and Tobago: prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Ramsaran Cherrita , Maharaj Rohan G.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Patients with normal weight obesity (NWO) have a normal body mass index (BMI) but elevated body fat percentage (BF%), thereby increasing their risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of NWO and its associated factors in a sample of young adults in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

Methods:

A cross sectional study involving a convenience non-voluntary sample of participants with a normal BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 was conducted. The following information was collected: history, basic anthropometric measurements, including BF% via the Tanita Ironman Body Composition Analyzer (BC554), physical examination and basic blood investigations. Participants were divided into two groups; normal BF% (<23.1% males, <33.3% females) and elevated BF% (≥23.1% males, ≥33.3% females).

Results:

Two hundred and thirty-six students participated, F:M (2.1:1), aged 18–28 years [Mean 21.33 (SD 2.5)], mean BMI 21.66 (SD 1.9). A response rate of 80.3%. The prevalence of NWO for this population was 19.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.1–25.7]. Males 14.4% (95% CI 10.3–19.7) and females 5.5% (95% CI 3.1–9.5). Variables with a statistically significant association with NWO included gender, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure (BP), the ratio of total cholesterol (TC) to high density lipoprotein and in females, the presence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression revealed that predictors of NWO were male gender and waist circumference.

Conclusions:

One in five of this young adult population was found to have NWO. Long-term studies are recommended to study the full implications of these findings.
Differences in use of contraception by age, sex and HIV status of 10–19-year-old adolescents in Nigeria
Authors: Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Odetoyinbo Morolake , Harrison Abigail
Published: November 2015

Objective:

The study tried to identify predictors of good knowledge of contraceptive methods and use of condoms at the last sexual act with a girl/boyfriend by adolescents aged 10–19 years in Nigeria. It also tried to find the association between age, sex and HIV status with the study outcomes.

Methods:

This was a cross sectional study that recruited a geographically representative sample of 749 adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) and 825 HIV negative/untested adolescents aged 10–19 years in Nigeria. A face to face interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on their socio-demographic profile, awareness of contraceptive methods, and use of contraceptives. Study participants were recruited from six of the 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. Chi-square was used to establish association between self-reported HIV status, age and sex, and awareness of contraceptive methods and condom use during last sex act. Significant predictors of ‘good knowledge of modern contraceptive’ and ‘use of condoms by sexually active adolescents at last sex act’ were also determined using logistic regression.

Results:

Being a student significantly reduced the odds of having good knowledge about modern contraceptives (OR: 0.46; CI: 0.32–0.65; p<0.001). Having a tertiary level of education (OR: 1.36; CI: 1.12–1.64; p=0.002) and being HIV negative (OR: 2.92; CI: 1.98–4.32; p<0.001) increased the odds of having good knowledge of modern contraceptives. The only significant predictor for use of condoms at last sexual intercourse with a boy/girlfriend is self-efficacy about being about to negotiate condom use with a boy/girlfriend (OR: 141.01; CI: 14.99–1326.36; p<0.001).

Conclusion:

The study findings reiterate the need to introduce adolescents in general and ALHIV specifically to condom use in early adolescence prior to commencing sexual activities; and the need to provide adolescent friendly sexual and reproductive health services in Nigeria.
Access to Psychotherapy in the Era of Web 2.0 – New Media, Old Inequalities? / Zugang zur Psychotherapie in der Ära des Web 2.0 – Neue Medien, Alte Ungleichheiten?
Authors: Apolinario-Hagen Jennifer Anette , Tasseit Siegfried
Published: November 2015

Background: Currently, the debate on regional and socio-structurally related treatment gaps in psychotherapeutic care increases the interest in e-mental health interventions such as the Internet-based psychotherapy, online self-help and new approaches for self-empowerment. Thus, health professionals could support informed decision-making by knowing the latest developments. However, if the ‘digital revolution’ fails to reach patients not familiar with Web 2.0, access to psychotherapies is unlikely to improve. Therefore, the objective of this review is to clarify whether online therapies should be recommended as an effective alternative to conventional psychotherapy in primary care.

Methods: To investigate the research evidence of online therapies in adults within the last decade (2004-2014), a rapid review of literature was conducted by using electronic databases (i.e. Medline/PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library) to find systematic reviews, meta-analysis and clinical trials. Furthermore, a hand search in journals and grey literature was undertaken.

Results: A search in PubMed for clinical trials on ‘online psychotherapy’ resulted in a total number of 245 publications. So, eight reviews and several clinical trials were chosen. Overall, mostly positive findings on the effectiveness and acceptance of online psychotherapy, primarily in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, were identified.

Discussion: In sum, Internet-based psychotherapies have been effective in reducing symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders in clinical trials. However, due to the limited range of treatable disorders and non-representative samples (young female college graduates), external validity remains insufficient. Thus, further research is needed to determine if online therapies will be capable of improving access to psychotherapy.
Secure message transmission in the presence of a fully generalised adversary
Authors: Dowden Chris
Published: November 2015

We investigate the problem of secure message transmission
in the presence of a `fully generalised' adversary,
who disrupts and listens to separate sets of communication wires.
We extend previous results by considering the case when these sets may have arbitrary size,
providing necessary and sufficient conditions for both one-way and two-way communication.