bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An exploratory study on curriculum and teaching methods for cultural diversity education from culture and arts perspective
Authors: Lim Cheolil , Kim Sunhee , Kim Sungwook
Published: July 2014

As cultural diversity is among the most concerned theme in contemporary Korean education, this research investigates curriculum and teaching methods to enhance and appreciate cultural diversity education through the study of culture and arts. This research identify the four areas of educational contents that must be incorporated within cultural diversity curriculum in order to be responsive to the educational needs of the increasingly multicultural society that Korea is becoming: meaning and characteristics of culture, component of cultural diversity, expansion of cultural diversity, and acknowledgement and respect for cultural diversity. Guided by the four considerations above, curriculum designed for primary and secondary school levels have been developed in this research. Furthermore, based on the proposed curriculum, pedagogical strategies centered on cultural and artistic accessibility, have been applied and, in so doing, we developed lesson plans. To reflect to the greatest extent possible on-site applicability of our models, collaborative action research methodology that involve both experts and practitioners alike has been implemented. Finally, utilizing the user-centered design model, which evaluates responses from both students and teachers, against the yardstick of the usability test, optimal curriculum and lesson plans are developed. The results of this research could serve as significant benchmarks against which future selection of educational contents and methodology, which are needed in practice, is made when grappling with cultural diversity education.
Museums and Communities: Curators, Collections and Collaboration (Golding and Modest, eds.)
Authors: Dewhurst C. Kurt
Published: July 2014

This work is a book review considering the title Museums and Communities: Curators, Collections and Collaboration edited by Viv Golding and Wayne Modest.
Museums: A Visual Anthropology (Bouquet)
Authors: Van Allen Adrian
Published: July 2014

This work is a book review considering the title Museums: A Visual Anthropology by Mary Bouquet.
The Sacred Gift: Donations from Private Collectors to Public Museums
Authors: Van der Grijp Paul
Published: July 2014

The phenomenon of gifting from private collectors to museums has not yet been studied in depth. Prestigious art collections usually attract more attention than modest collections, which can also include other objects than artworks. The present analysis is concerned with both elite and popular collections and is illustrated with examples from various areas of the world, including Asia and the Pacific. Constituent parts of collections are seen as “semiophors” or carriers of meaning with a sacred dimension. They are set apart from ordinary objects. Moreover, through collecting, collectors can demonstrate their excellence in a competitive way. They not only rival one another, but sometimes compete with museums, and in such cases they may choose not to donate. On the other hand, museum directors and curators are not always keen to receive entire collections but may prefer to choose the best pieces and, in doing so, may injure the pride of generous donors. Donations to museums differ from bequests in wills to family members or close friends, in that they are given to the imagined community as a whole, which provides a sacred dimension to this kind of gift.
Arapaho Journeys (Wiles)
Authors: Anderson Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2014

This work is a book review considering the title Arapaho Journeys by Sara Wiles.
Effect of Test Specimen Size on Graphite Strength
Authors: Metcalfe M. P. , Tzelepi N. , Wilde D.
Published: July 2014

One of the key issues that must be addressed when a sampling and measurement program underwrites the performance of full-size graphite components is the understanding of the influence of material type and specimen size on the measured property. Because of sampling constraints, specimen sizes (geometry and/or volume) may not be compliant with measurement standards and this issue is investigated in the context of graphite strength. Theoretical considerations on stress distribution, together with a review of experimental work based upon Gilsocarbon nuclear graphite IM1-24, are presented for the measurement of strength by three-point bend. A broader historical review of the effects of specimen size on strength, covering studies published in the open literature and hitherto restricted studies published within the U.K. nuclear industry, is also presented, together with some considerations of three-point bend measurement consistency across multiple facilities and some basic trending of three-point bend data. Whereas the findings of this experimental work apply specifically to the grade of graphite selected for investigation, the methods employed in the study provide a model for general application. Furthermore, the review of the wider literature gives some indication of the sensitivity of flexural strength to specimen geometry, volume, and graphite grade.
Size Effect on the Fracture Properties of Nuclear Graphite
Authors: Singh Gyanender , Li Haiyan , Fok Alex , Mantell Susan
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the size effect on the fracture properties (fracture toughness, tensile and flexural strengths, and their statistical characteristics) of nuclear graphite through numerical modeling. The continuum damage mechanics (CDM) model was used to simulate the fracture of nuclear graphite under different loading conditions. The damage behavior of nuclear graphite was considered through a traction-separation relationship. Three fracture tests were simulated—bars under tension, un-notched beams under three-point bending, and single-edge-notched beams under three-point bending—with each test including specimens of different sizes. The microstructural heterogeneity of nuclear graphite was modeled by assigning the elements with properties randomly created with a Weibull distribution. Using the maximum loads obtained from the simulated load-displacement curves, the strength and fracture toughness were predicted according to beam theory and fracture mechanics theory, respectively. Monte Carlo analyses were conducted to predict the statistical characteristics of the predicted fracture properties. The numerical predictions were compared with experiments, including those performed by the authors. Most of the predicted fracture properties showed size effects. For the range of specimen sizes considered, with an increase in specimen size, (1) the mean tensile strength remained almost constant, (2) the mean bend strength decreased, and (3) the fracture toughness increased. Besides the mean values, the variations of the fracture properties caused by the inherent heterogeneity of the material also showed a size effect: the smaller the specimen size, the bigger the scatter in the predicted values. These simulated results were mostly consistent with experimental data. By combining the effect of material damage and microstructural heterogeneity, one can correctly simulate the size effect seen in the fracture properties, the mean values and the variations, of nuclear graphite. This method can be used to understand the complex fracture behaviors of different nuclear graphite grades under different loading conditions.
The Scaling of the Strength of Nuclear Graphite with Particular Emphasis on Statistical Aspects and Implications for Testing
Authors: Wheatley C. J.
Published: July 2014

This paper will discuss four mechanisms for scale effects in the strength of graphite, two of which originate from the amorphous structure of graphite. The main focus of the paper will be a theoretical investigation into one of these: the case when the micro-scale structure affects the scaling of the strength of macro-scale specimens. The theoretical analysis is based on the Weibull strength theory and comparisons with published data. The paper concludes that there is a sound theoretical basis for the Weibull strength theory but its limitations must not be overlooked. In summary, it does not apply to very small specimens (a micro-scale limitation), to regions of very high stress gradient (a second micro-scale limitation), to small sample sizes (i.e., numbers of specimens—a convergence limitation of asymptotic statistics), and to hybrid populations of material (a statistical population limitation). Three kinds of extrapolation of the theory were discussed in this paper: with gage length, with gage cross section, and with load configuration. Empirical evidence presented in the paper illustrates how the Weibull strength theory is able to correlate data at different scales and can be applied to flexural strength data obtained from macro-scale specimens to obtain an estimate of flexural strength at larger scale. It was found that the reduction in mean flexural strength due to the scale effect was slight and the minimum flexural strength can be quite large. Other comparisons in the paper were inconclusive about whether the Weibull theory can unify flexural and tensile strength data in the macro-scale region because the specimen sizes were too small. The primary conclusion of this paper is that the Weibull strength theory can, with the provisos noted above, explain the scaling of the mean and variance of strength with specimen volume.
Genome‐wide identification of miR‐200 targets reveals a regulatory network controlling cell invasion
Authors: Bracken Cameron P , Li Xiaochun , Wright Josephine A , Lawrence David M , Pillman Katherine A , Salmanidis Marika , Anderson Matthew A , Dredge B Kate , Gregory Philip A , Tsykin Anna , Neilsen Corine , Thomson Daniel W , Bert Andrew G , Leerberg Joanne M , Yap Alpha S , Jensen Kirk B , Khew‐Goodall Yeesim , Goodall Gregory J
Published: July 2014

The microRNAs of the miR‐200 family maintain the central characteristics of epithelia and inhibit tumor cell motility and invasiveness. Using the Ago‐HITS‐CLIP technology for transcriptome‐wide identification of direct microRNA targets in living cells, along with extensive validation to verify the reliability of the approach, we have identified hundreds of miR‐200a and miR‐200b targets, providing insights into general features of miRNA target site selection. Gene ontology analysis revealed a predominant effect of miR‐200 targets in widespread coordinate control of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Functional characterization of the miR‐200 targets indicates that they constitute subnetworks that underlie the ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade, including coordinate effects on Rho‐ROCK signaling, invadopodia formation, MMP activity, and focal adhesions. Thus, the miR‐200 family maintains the central characteristics of the epithelial phenotype by acting on numerous targets at multiple levels, encompassing both cytoskeletal effectors that control actin filament organization and dynamics, and upstream signals that locally regulate the cytoskeleton to maintain cell morphology and prevent cell migration.
No Evidence of Attentional Bias In Statistics Anxiety
Authors: Chew Peter K. H. , Swinbourne Anne , Dillon Denise B.
Published: July 2014

The role of attentional bias in statistics anxiety was explored through cognitive and affective tasks. Participants consisted of 76 (73.7% females) students in the James Cook University Psychology programs at the Australia (35.5%) and Singapore campuses (64.5%). Participants completed the emotional Stroop task and the dot probe task, and measures of statistics anxiety and social desirability. No evidence of attentional bias was found. This could be due several methodological reasons. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Variabilidad temporal de la abundancia de Coralliophila abbreviata y Coralliophila caribaea (Mollusca, Coralliophilidae) en un arrecife coralino del Parque Nacional Morrocoy, Venezuela
Authors: Del Mónaco Carlos , Villamizar Estrella , Narciso Samuel
Published: July 2014

C. abbreviata y C. caribaea son moluscos coralívoros del Mar Caribe. Evaluamos la variabilidad temporal de la abundancia y los cambios en la estructura de talla de C. abbreviata y C. caribaea en Cayo Sombrero, Venezuela (septiembre 2004-agosto 2005). Se colocaron transectas fijas de 50 metros de longitud a profundidades de tres y seis metros cada una, paralelas a la costa. Se evaluó mensualmente durante un año la densidad de ambos depredadores y se seleccionaron 30 individuos de C. abbreviata para medirlos cada mes. Las densidades de C. abbreviata en la transecta somera fluctuaron entre 1.78 ind/m2 en septiembre y 6.26 ind/m2 en mayo; las densidades de C. abbreviata en la transecta profunda estuvieron comprendidas entre 4.23 ind/m2 en enero y 7.66 ind/m2 en mayo. Las densidades de C. caribaea fluctuaron en la transecta somera entre 0 Ind/m 2 (todos los meses menos septiembre) y 0.03 Ind/m2 (septiembre) mientras que la transecta profunda fluctuó entre 0 Ind/m2 (octubre a marzo y julio) y 0.1 Ind/ m2 (abril). La mayoría de los individuos de C. abbreviata midieron entre 12 y 16 mm de longitud. El largo de la mayoría de los individuos de C. caribaea estuvo comprendido entre 10 y 15 mm.
Tramas tróficas de peces de arrecifes en la región noroccidental de Cuba. I. Contenido estomacal
Authors: Hernández Ivet , Aguilar Consuelo , González Sansón Gaspar
Published: July 2014

Se analizó el contenido estomacal de los peces arrecifales más abundantes de una zona del sublitoral rocoso de Ciudad de La Habana, desde octubre del 2004 hasta febrero del 2006. Para describir las dietas de las especies de peces carnívoras y omnívoras se empleó el índice de importancia relativa. Para los herbívoros y consumidores de esponjas se usó una modificación del método de abundancia relativa. La mayoría de las especies estudiadas son eurífagas y consumen principalmente otros peces y crustáceos bénticos.
Atributos vitales de especies leñosas en bordes de bosque altoandino de la Reserva Forestal de Cogua (Colombia)
Authors: Lucía Montenegro Alba , Vargas Orlando
Published: July 2014

En la Reserva Forestal de Cogua (Colombia), estudiamos mediante transectos la vegetación leñosa en dos parches de bosque altoandino para tres tipos de borde: chusque, paramizado y antiguo (este último denominado así por presentar un estado sucesional más avanzado). Seleccionamos como especies típicas de borde las que tenían mayor abundancia en esta zona, presentes en ambos parches del borde y capaces de colonizar la matriz adyacente. Se obtuvo un conjunto de nueve especies a las cuales se les evaluaron 20 atributos vitales, generando seis grupos mediante un análisis de agrupamiento (cluster): 1) Weinmannia balbisiana-W. tomentosa, 2) Gaiadendron punctatum-Hedyosmum bonplandianum, 3) Miconia ligustrina-M. squamulosa, 4) Macleania rupestris, 5) Pentacalia pulchella y 6) Tibouchina grossa. La amplia variación y plasticidad de las especies estudiadas en cuanto a los atributos analizados, conduce a pensar que los conjuntos obtenidos no obedecen a grupos funcionales claramente diferenciados, sino más bien a estrategias diferentes y que estas especies podrían hacer parte de un solo grupo funcional de gran plasticidad. T. grossa es la especie de borde más exitosa en la reserva, dados sus altos valores de abundancia, tolerancia fisiológica, reproducción vegetativa, producción de hojarasca y producción de semillas pequeñas, numerosas, formadoras de un banco de semillas persistente que evidencian su alta fecundidad.
Monitoring and theoretical losses of post-tensioned indeterminate I-beams
Authors: Dolatabad Yousef Askari , Maghsudi Ali-Akbar
Published: July 2014

Self-consolidating concrete is a desirable achievement in reinforced concrete structures. This non-vibrating concrete has had a significant impact on the prestressed concrete industry because it increases productivity in the casting of durable prestressed or precast members without mechanical vibration. In the design of prestressed concrete structures, the immediate and time-dependent losses in tendon stresses are important. The main objective of this study is to investigate the losses in tendon stresses of indeterminate (continuous) post-tensioned unbonded beams consisting of two different types of concrete (high-strength self-consolidating concrete (HSSCC) and high-strength normal concrete (HSNC)). Six continuous, unbounded, post-tensioned I-beams in two groups were cast and monitored by electrical strain gauges for a duration of 60 d and the losses were measured. Results were compared with the Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (Aashto) third and fourth edition methods, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) method and the Eurocode 2 model. It was found that the Aashto third edition, PCI and Eurocode 2 methods were conservative and the Aashto fourth edition method was non-conservative for estimating time-dependent losses in post-tensioned beams cast with high-strength concretes. The amount of experimental time-dependent losses in beams consisting of HSSCC was slightly lower than that of beams prepared using HSNC with almost the same concrete strength.
Effects of species' similarity and dominance on the functional and phylogenetic structure of a plant meta‐community
Authors: Chalmandrier L. , Münkemüller T. , Lavergne S. , Thuiller W.
Published: July 2014

Different assembly processes drive the spatial structure of meta‐communities (β‐diversity). Recently, functional and phylogenetic diversities have been suggested as indicators of these assembly processes. Assuming that diversity is a good proxy for niche overlap, high β‐diversity along environmental gradients should be the result of environmental filtering while low β‐diversity should stem from competitive interactions. So far, studies trying to disentangle the relative importance of these assembly processes have provided mixed results. One reason for this may be that these studies often rely on a single measure of diversity and thus implicitly make a choice on how they account for species relative abundances and how species similarities are captured by functional traits or phylogeny.

Here, we tested the effect of gradually scaling the importance of dominance (the weight given to dominant vs. rare species) and species similarity (the weight given to small vs. large similarities) on resulting β‐diversity patterns of an alpine plant meta‐community. To this end, we combined recent extensions of the Hill numbers framework with Pagel's phylogenetic tree transformation approach. We included functional (based on the leaf–height–seed spectrum) and phylogenetic facets of β‐diversity in our analysis and explicitly accounted for effects of environmental and spatial covariates.

We found that functional β‐diversity was high when the same weight was given to dominant vs. rare species and to large vs. small species' similarities. In contrast, phylogenetic β‐diversity was low when greater weight was given to dominant species and small species' similarities. Those results suggested that different environments along the gradients filtered different species according to their functional traits, while, the same competitive lineages dominated communities across the gradients.

Our results highlight that functional vs. phylogenetic facets, presence‐absence vs. abundance structure and different weights of species' dissimilarity provide complementary and important information on the drivers of meta‐community structure. By utilizing the full extent of information provided by the flexible frameworks of Hill numbers and Pagel's tree transformation, we propose a new approach to disentangle the patterns resulting from different assembly processes.
Entropy generation analysis of free convection from a constant temperature vertical plate using similarity solution
Authors: Mohaghegh Mohammad , Abolfazli Esfahani
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a similarity solution analysis of entropy generation due
to heat transfer and fluid flow which has been carried out for laminar free
convection from a constant temperature vertical plate in an infinite
quiescent fluid. The governing partial differential equations are transformed
into a set of ordinary differential equations using similarity variables. So
an analytical expression, in terms of entropy generation, entropy generation
number, Bejan number and irreversibility distribution ratio are derived using
velocity and temperature similarity (exact) solution. The rate of entropy
generation is investigated and discussed in details. The results presented by
the similarity solution are compared with integral method results. The
similarity solution presents more appropriate and correct distribution of
entropy generation in boundary layer because more accuracy than integral
method. It shows true position of maximum entropy generation and value of it.
Also, the result shows that the exact solution minimizes the rate of total
entropy generation in the boundary layer compared to integral solution. By
introducing group parameter (GP number) which is the ratio of friction
entropy to thermal entropy generation, one can recognize that one of the
thermal entropy and friction entropy generation is dominated in the boundary
layer.
Education Reform in New Orleans: Voices from the Recovery School District
Authors: Ciolino Max S. , Kirylo James D. , Mirón Luis , Frazier Kelly
Published: July 2014

In the post-Katrina education landscape in New Orleans, teachers in charter schools and district-run schools in the Recovery School District are uniquely situated to provide a direct eyewitness account of the successes and failures of the city's new direction in public education. This narrative presents the opinions of teachers in a critical assessment of recent reforms. This piece is a condensed overview of a qualitative study that took place during the 2010–11 academic year.
When Schools Become Dead Zones of the Imagination: A Critical Pedagogy Manifesto
Authors: Giroux Henry A.
Published: July 2014

This article examines the so-called new school reform movement led by a host of right-wing ideologues, billionaires, and foundations. It argues that instead of being reformers, the latter are part of a counter-revolution in American education to dismantle public schools not because they are failing but because they are public and make a claim, however deficient, to serve the public good. Not only have these non-reformers pushed for classroom practices that are utterly instrumental and reductionistic, they have turned American public schools into disimagination machines divorced from any viable notion of democratic governance and values. They kill the imagination of teachers and students by confusing education with training and teaching with mind-numbing instrumental practices. In opposition to these non-reforms, the article argues for schools as democratic public spheres and develops a theoretical architecture for developing elements of a critical pedagogy that offer a direct challenge to the notion of schools as dead zones engaged in mostly training and testing students.
Conceptualising Teacher Practice and Pupil Group Learning through Developmental Stages and Integration Factors
Authors: Saito Eisuke , Atencio Matthew
Published: July 2014

This article proposes four key developmental stages and various underpinning factors pertaining to the practices of setting up and supporting group learning in the classroom setting. The discussion is mostly explained conceptually, with some compelling examples from the field. The authors subsequently advise that three elements of integration — namely, reciprocity, redistribution and exchange — are also critical to the viability of group learning. The authors aver that teachers require extensive support and guidance in order to facilitate group learning appropriately. Frequent mutual peer observations and reflection can be used to improve practices and generate investment in this approach across the entire school culture.
Education Agonistes: An Epistle to the Transnational Capitalist Class
Authors: McLaren Peter
Published: July 2014

This article examines the current crisis of neoliberal capitalism and globalized imperialism from the perspective of a Marxist-humanist approach to pedagogy known as ‘revolutionary critical pedagogy’. It is written as an epistle to the transnational capitalist class, demanding that those who willingly serve its interests reconsider their allegiance and calling for a planetary revolution in the way that we both think about capitalism and how education serves to reproduce it at the peril of both students and humanity as a whole.
Adiponectin Stimulates Autophagy and Reduces Oxidative Stress to Enhance Insulin Sensitivity During High-Fat Diet Feeding in Mice
Authors: Liu Ying , Palanivel Rengasamy , Rai Esther , Park Min , Gabor Tim V. , Scheid Michael P. , Xu Aimin , Sweeney Gary
Published: July 2014

Numerous studies have characterized the antidiabetic effects of adiponectin, yet the precise cellular mechanisms in skeletal muscle, in particular, changes in autophagy, require further clarification. In the current study, we used a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and insulin resistance in wild-type (WT) or adiponectin knockout (Ad-KO) mice with and without adiponectin replenishment. Temporal analysis of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and muscle insulin receptor substrate and Akt phosphorylation demonstrated exaggerated and more rapid HFD-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of Ad-KO mice. Superoxide dismutase activity, the reduced glutathione-to-glutathione disulfide ratio, and lipid peroxidation indicated that HFD-induced oxidative stress was corrected by adiponectin. Gene array analysis implicated several antioxidant enzymes, including Gpxs, Prdx, Sod, and Nox4, in mediating this effect. Adiponectin also attenuated palmitate-induced reactive oxygen species production in cultured myotubes and improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in primary muscle cells. Increased LC3-II and decreased p62 expression suggested that HFD induced autophagy in muscle of WT mice; however, these changes were not observed in Ad-KO mice. Replenishing adiponectin in Ad-KO mice increased LC3-II and Beclin1 and decreased p62 protein levels, induced fibroblast growth factor-21 expression, and corrected HFD-induced decreases in LC3, Beclin1, and ULK1 gene expression. In vitro studies examining changes in phospho-ULK1 (Ser555), LC3-II, and lysosomal enzyme activity confirmed that adiponectin directly induced autophagic flux in cultured muscle cells in an AMPK-dependent manner. We overexpressed an inactive mutant of Atg5 to create an autophagy-deficient cell model, and together with pharmacological inhibition of autophagy, demonstrated reduced insulin sensitivity under these conditions. In summary, adiponectin stimulated skeletal muscle autophagy and antioxidant potential to reduce insulin resistance caused by HFD.
GLP-1 Receptor Activation Modulates Appetite- and Reward-Related Brain Areas in Humans
Authors: van Bloemendaal Liselotte , IJzerman Richard G. , ten Kulve Jennifer S. , Barkhof Frederik , Konrad Robert J. , Drent Madeleine L. , Veltman Dick J. , Diamant Michaela
Published: July 2014

Gut-derived hormones, such as GLP-1, have been proposed to relay information to the brain to regulate appetite. GLP-1 receptor agonists, currently used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), improve glycemic control and stimulate satiety, leading to decreases in food intake and body weight. We hypothesized that food intake reduction after GLP-1 receptor activation is mediated through appetite- and reward-related brain areas. Obese T2DM patients and normoglycemic obese and lean individuals (n = 48) were studied in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial. Using functional MRI, we determined the acute effects of intravenous administration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide, with or without prior GLP-1 receptor blockade using exendin 9-39, on brain responses to food pictures during a somatostatin pancreatic-pituitary clamp. Obese T2DM patients and normoglycemic obese versus lean subjects showed increased brain responses to food pictures in appetite- and reward-related brain regions (insula and amygdala). Exenatide versus placebo decreased food intake and food-related brain responses in T2DM patients and obese subjects (in insula, amygdala, putamen, and orbitofrontal cortex). These effects were largely blocked by prior GLP-1 receptor blockade using exendin 9-39. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which GLP-1 regulates food intake and how GLP-1 receptor agonists cause weight loss.
Insulin Sensitivity Is an Important Determinant of Renal Health in Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Bjornstad Petter , Maahs David M. , Cherney David Z. , Cree-Green Melanie , West Amy , Pyle Laura , Nadeau Kristen J.
Published: July 2014

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains the most common cause of end-stage renal disease and is a major cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes. Insulin sensitivity is an important determinant of renal health in adults with type 2 diabetes, but limited data exist in adolescents. We hypothesized that measured insulin sensitivity (glucose infusion rate [GIR]) would be associated with early markers of DN reflected by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) in adolescents with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Type 2 diabetic (n = 46), obese (n = 29), and lean (n = 19) adolescents (15.1 ± 2.2 years) had GIR measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. ACR was measured and GFR was estimated by the Bouvet equation (combined creatinine and cystatin C).

RESULTS

Adolescents with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower GIR, and higher eGFR and ACR than obese or lean adolescents. Moreover, 34% of type 2 diabetic adolescents had albuminuria (ACR ≥30 mg/g), and 24% had hyperfiltration (≥135 mL/min/1.73 m2). Stratifying ACR and eGFR into tertiles, adolescents with type 2 diabetes in the highest tertiles of ACR and eGFR had respectively lower GIR than those in the mid and low tertiles, after adjusting for age, sex, Tanner stage, BMI, and HbA1c (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04). GIR, but not HbA1c, LDL, or systolic blood pressure, was also associated with eGFR after adjusting for sex and Tanner stage (β ± SE: −2.23 ± 0.87; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of adolescents with type 2 diabetes showed evidence of early DN, and insulin sensitivity, rather than HbA1c, blood pressure, or lipid control, was the strongest determinant of renal health.
Safety and efficacy of vaginal misoprostol versus transcervical foley catheter and intravenous oxytocin for induction of labour
Authors: Orji Ernest O
Published: July 2014

Introduction: A variety of drugs were used for induction of labour, but only oxytocin and prostaglandins have survived critical test of effectivity with a minimum of side effects for mother and child. The objective of this study is to compare efficacy and safety of vaginal misoprostol with transcervical Foley’s catheter and intravenous oxytocin for induction of labour. Methods: Eighty women at term gestation with the Bishops score < 4 with various indications for labour induction were randomly allocated to receive 25 microgram misoprostol vaginally 4 hourly (maximum 6 doses) or transcervical Foley’s catheter with intravenous oxytocin (2mU/minute to a maximum of 32mU/ minute). There were 40 women in each group. Result: In the misoprotol group induction delivery interval was significantly less (5.50 versus 15.0 hours) and successful induction significantly higher (95% versus 75%) as compared to catheter/oxytocin group. There were more cases of hyperstimulation with misoprostol; however neonatal outcome was similar in both groups. There were more vaginal delivery and less caesarean section in misoprostol compared to Foley’s catheter/oxytocin group. Conclusion: Vaginal misoprostol is highly effective, safe to administer as an agent for induction of labour DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v3i2.10825   Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol.3(2) 2008; 12-15
Correlational Methods for Analysis of Dance Movements
Authors: Brick Timothy R. , Boker Steven M.
Published: July 2014

Among the qualities that distinguish dance from other types of human behavior and interaction are the creation and breaking of synchrony and symmetry. The combination of symmetry and synchrony can provide complex interactions. For example, two dancers might make very different movements, slowing each time the other sped up: a mirror symmetry of velocity. Examining patterns of synchrony and symmetry can provide insight into both the artistic nature of the dance, and the nature of the perceptions and responses of the dancers. However, such complex symmetries are often difficult to quantify.

This paper presents three methods – Generalized Local Linear Approximation, Time-lagged Autocorrelation, and Windowed Cross-correlation – for the exploration of symmetry and synchrony in motion-capture data as is it applied to dance and illustrate these with examples from a study of free-form dance. Combined, these techniques provide powerful tools for the examination of the structure of symmetry and synchrony in dance.
A Study of a Powder Coating Gun Near Field: Particle Flow in an Isothermal Staggered Concentric Air Jet
Authors: Payne Graham , Matovic Darko , Grandmaison Edward
Published: July 2014

An experimental study of inert particle dispersion in an isothermal concentric air jet near field was conducted for cases of standard non-staggered and alternative staggered jet nozzles, each taken from a polymer powder flame deposition gun. The experimental work consisted of analysis of high speed digital images of the inert two phase isothermal jet flow, illuminated by a laser light sheet along and across the jet axis. The analysis of particle spread in the jet, represented by families of particle density distributions, clearly showed that the staggered nozzles resulted in a better-focused flow, with narrower distributions in the near field, and in the elimination of the recirculation zone that disrupted the particle flow in a non-staggered nozzle arrangement. In all cases, histograms of the cross-sectional particle area density were found to be approximately Gaussian. It was also found that there was a wide variation in the size and shape of the ground polymer particles used and these two characteristics caused a wide variation in the radial and axial velocities of the particles. Despite the differences between single-phase numerical simulations and experimental results, reported in Payne et al. [1], the introduction of particles into a numerical model produced satisfactory agreement with the particle velocities found experimentally.
A Layered Fault Tree Model for Reliability Evaluation of Smart Grids
Authors: Song Guopeng , Chen Hao , Guo Bo
Published: July 2014

The smart grid concept has emerged as a result of the requirement for renewable energy resources and application of new techniques. It is proposed as a practical future form of power distribution system. Evaluating the reliability of smart grids is of great importance and significance. Focusing on the perspective of the consumers, this paper proposes a layered fault tree model to distinguish and separate two different smart grid power supply modes. Revised importance measures for the components in the fault tree are presented considering load priority, aiming to find the weak parts of the system and to improve the design and using. A corresponding hierarchical Monte Carlo simulation procedure for reliability evaluation is proposed based on the layered fault tree model. The method proposed in this paper is tested on a case of reliability assessment for the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) system. The proposed technique can be applicable to other forms of smart grids.
Associations Between Subjective Symptoms and Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels During Asian Dust Events
Authors: Otani Shinji , Onishi Kazunari , Mu Haosheng , Hosoda Takenobu , Kurozawa Youichi , Ikeguchi Masahide
Published: July 2014

Asian dust is a seasonal meteorological phenomenon caused by the displacement of atmospheric pollutants from the Mongolian and Chinese deserts. Although the frequency of Asian dust events and atmospheric dust levels have steadily increased in the eastern Asia region, the effects on human health remain poorly understood. In the present study, the impact of Asian dust on human health was determined in terms of allergic reactions. A total of 25 healthy volunteers were tested for a relationship between serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and subjective symptoms during a 3-day Asian dust event recorded in April 2012. They filled daily questionnaires on the severity of nasal, pharyngeal, ocular, respiratory, and skin symptoms by a self-administered visual analog scale. Serum levels of non-specific IgE and 33 allergen-specific IgE molecules were analyzed. Spearman rank-correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between nasal symptom scores and 2 microbial-specific IgE levels (Penicillium and Cladosporium). Microbes migrate vast distances during Asian dust events by attaching themselves to dust particles. Therefore, some of these symptoms may be associated with type 1 allergic reactions to certain type of microbes.
Screening and Invasive Testing in Twins
Authors: Monni Giovanni , Iuculano Ambra , Zoppi Maria
Published: July 2014

Prenatal screening and testing for trisomy 21 in twin pregnancies poses a number of challenges: the exact estimate of the a priori risk of trisomy 21, the choice of prenatal screening test and/or invasive techniques to employ for the diagnosis and the impact of the result on the options of treatment in case of discordant results within a twin pair or among multiples. These different aspects are discussed below while recognizing that many issues remain unresolved.
Polyphenols with Anti-Proliferative Activities from Penthorum Chinense Pursh
Authors: Huang Doudou , Jiang Yun , Chen Wansheng , Yao Fengyan , Sun Lianna
Published: July 2014

Two new polyphenols, penthorumin C (1) and 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone-4-O- [4ꞌ,6ꞌ-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-D-glucose (2), along with four known polyphenolic acids, pinocembrin-7-O-[4ꞌꞌ,6ꞌꞌ-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-D-glucose(3), pinocembrin-7-O-[3ꞌꞌ-O- galloyl- 4ꞌꞌ,6ꞌꞌ-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-D-glucose (4), thonningianin A (5), and thonningianin B (6) were isolated from Penthourm chinense. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity in HSC-T6 cells, and 2 and 5 showed significant activity, with IC50 values of 12.7 and 19.2 μM, respectively.
Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Effects in a Human Skin Model
Authors: Hengel Shawna , Aldrich Joshua , Waters Katrina , Pasa-Tolic Ljiljana , Stenoien David
Published: July 2014

To assess responses to low-dose ionizing radiation (LD-IR) exposures potentially encountered during medical diagnostic procedures, nuclear accidents or terrorist acts, a quantitative proteomic approach was used to identify changes in protein abundance in a reconstituted human skin tissue model treated with 0.1 Gy of ionizing radiation. To improve the dynamic range of the assay, subcellular fractionation was employed to remove highly abundant structural proteins and to provide insight into radiation-induced alterations in protein localization. Relative peptide quantification across cellular fractions, control and irradiated samples was performing using 8-plex iTRAQ labeling followed by online two-dimensional nano-scale liquid chromatography and high resolution MS/MS analysis. A total of 107 proteins were detected with statistically significant radiation-induced change in abundance (>1.5 fold) and/or subcellular localization compared to controls. The top biological pathways identified using bioinformatics include organ development, anatomical structure formation and the regulation of actin cytoskeleton. From the proteomic data, a change in proteolytic processing and subcellular localization of the skin barrier protein, filaggrin, was identified, and the results were confirmed by western blotting. This data indicate post-transcriptional regulation of protein abundance, localization and proteolytic processing playing an important role in regulating radiation response in human tissues.
Evangelicals’ Sanctification of Marriage through the Metaphor of Jesus as a Husband
Authors: Zaloudek Julie
Published: July 2014

Researchers have examined how perceiving marriage as “sacred” or believing God is manifest in marriage is associated with marital functioning and satisfaction, but little is known about how biblical family metaphors (e.g., God is father) inform Christians’ interpretations of family relationships. Few studies explore the perspective of individuals who believe in, interpret and apply these metaphors to their relationships. This study uses Hermeneutic Theory to examine how Evangelicals apply the metaphor of Jesus as husband and the church as bride to their intimate relationships and spirituality. Qualitative interviews with 15 Evangelicals explored the meaning, interpretations, and processes of marital relationships in light of the Christ-groom God image. Participants indicated many ways the metaphor was useful: value partners more; invest more in the relationship; strive to demonstrate love, patience, etc. toward partners; and guidance in relationship structuring. They discussed how their couple relationships opened positive and negative possibilities for relating to God. Gender hierarchy and implication that husbands are the “head” or “Christ” figure in marriage caused incongruence for some participants as did the difficulty of comparing a person or human relationship to a spiritual metaphor. Application, implications, and ideas for future research are discussed.
Remediation of Groundwater Polluted by Aromatic Compounds by Means of Adsorption
Authors: Canzano Silvana , Capasso Sante , Natale Michele , Erto Alessandro , Iovino Pasquale , Musmarra Dino
Published: July 2014

In this work, an experimental and modeling analysis of the adsorption of four aromatic compounds (i.e., toluene, naphthalene, o-xylene and ethylbenzene) onto a commercial activated carbon is carried out. The aim is to assess the suitability of the adsorption process for the treatment of polluted groundwater, also when a multiple contamination is detected. Batch adsorption tests from simulated polluted groundwater are performed in single-compound systems and in two binary systems (i.e., toluene + naphthalene and o-xylene + ethylbenzene), at constant temperature (20 °C) and pH (7). Experimental results in single-compound systems reveal that all of the analytes are significantly adsorbed on the tested activated carbon. In particular, toluene and naphthalene adsorption capacities are the highest and of similar value, while for o-xylene and ethylbenzene, the performances are lower. The adsorption of these compounds seems to be influenced by a combined effect of several parameters, such as hydrophobicity, molecule size, structure of the molecule, etc. Experimental results in binary systems show a different behavior of the two systems, which confirms their complexity and explains the interest in these complex adsorption systems. In particular, toluene and naphthalene are mutually competitive, while in the case of o-xylene + ethylbenzene, only the former undergoes competitive effects. The analysis of the entire experimental data set is integrated with a dedicated modeling analysis using the extended Langmuir model. For both single-compound and binary systems, this model provides acceptable results, in particular for low equilibrium concentrations, like those more commonly found in groundwater, and for the compounds involved in adsorptive competitive effects.
Doubly Phosphorylated Peptide Vaccines to Protect Transgenic P301S Mice against Alzheimer’s Disease Like Tau Aggregation
Authors: Richter Monique , Mewes Agneta , Fritsch Manuela , Krügel Ute , Hoffmann Ralf , Singer David
Published: July 2014

Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular senile plaques are potential targets for active and passive immunotherapies. In this study we used the transgenic mouse model P301S for active immunizations with peptide vaccines composed of a double phosphorylated tau neoepitope (pSer202/pThr205, pThr212/pSer214, pThr231/pSer235) and an immunomodulatory T cell epitope from the tetanus toxin or tuberculosis antigen Ag85B. Importantly, the designed vaccine combining Alzheimer’s disease (AD) specific B cell epitopes with foreign (bacterial) T cell epitopes induced fast immune responses with high IgG1 titers after prophylactic immunization that subsequently decreased over the observation period. The effectiveness of the immunization was surveyed by evaluating the animal behavior, as well as the pathology in the brain by biochemical and histochemical techniques. Immunized mice clearly lived longer with reduced paralysis than placebo-treated mice. Additionally, they performed significantly better in rotarod and beam walk tests at the age of 20 weeks, indicating that the disease development was slowed down. Forty-eight weeks old vaccinated mice passed the beam walk test significantly better than control animals, which together with the increased survival rates undoubtedly prove the treatment effect. In conclusion, the data provide strong evidence that active immune therapies can reduce toxic effects of deposits formed in AD.
Developments in Viral Vector-Based Vaccines
Authors: Ura Takehiro , Okuda Kenji , Shimada Masaru
Published: July 2014

Viral vectors are promising tools for gene therapy and vaccines. Viral vector-based vaccines can enhance immunogenicity without an adjuvant and induce a robust cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to eliminate virus-infected cells. During the last several decades, many types of viruses have been developed as vaccine vectors. Each has unique features and parental virus-related risks. In addition, genetically altered vectors have been developed to improve efficacy and safety, reduce administration dose, and enable large-scale manufacturing. To date, both successful and unsuccessful results have been reported in clinical trials. These trials provide important information on factors such as toxicity, administration dose tolerated, and optimized vaccination strategy. This review highlights major viral vectors that are the best candidates for clinical use.
Investigations of thiol-modified phenol derivatives for the use in thiol–ene photopolymerizations
Authors: Reinelt Sebastian , Tabatabai Monir , Fischer Urs Karl , Moszner Norbert , Utterodt Andreas , Ritter Helmut
Published: July 2014

Thiol–ene photopolymerizations gain a growing interest in academic research. Coatings and dental restoratives are interesting applications for thiol–ene photopolymerizations due to their unique features. In most studies the relative flexible and hydrophilic ester derivative, namely pentaerythritoltetra(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP), is investigated as the thiol component. Thus, in the present study we are encouraged to investigate the performance of more hydrophobic ester-free thiol-modified bis- and trisphenol derivatives in thiol–ene photopolymerizations. For this, six different thiol-modified bis- and trisphenol derivatives exhibiting four to six thiol groups are synthesized via the radical addition of thioacetic acid to suitable allyl-modified precursors and subsequent hydrolysis. Compared to PETMP better flexural strength and modulus of elasticity are achievable in thiol–ene photopolymerizations employing 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione (TATATO) as the ene derivative. Especially, after storage in water, the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity is twice as high compared to the PETMP reference system.