bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
System Accuracy Evaluation of Four Systems for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Following ISO 15197 Using a Glucose Oxidase and a Hexokinase-Based Comparison Method
Authors: Link Manuela , Schmid Christina , Pleus Stefan , Baumstark Annette , Rittmeyer Delia , Haug Cornelia , Freckmann Guido
Published: April 2015

Background:

The standard ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 15197 is widely accepted for the accuracy evaluation of systems for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Accuracy evaluation was performed for 4 SMBG systems (Accu-Chek® Aviva, Contour®XT, GlucoCheck XL, GlucoMen® LX PLUS) with 3 test strip lots each. To investigate a possible impact of the comparison method on system accuracy data, 2 different established methods were used.

Methods:

The evaluation was performed in a standardized manner following test procedures described in ISO 15197:2003 (section 7.3). System accuracy was assessed by applying ISO 15197:2003 and in addition ISO 15197:2013 criteria (section 6.3.3). For each system, comparison measurements were performed with a glucose oxidase (YSI 2300 STAT Plus™ glucose analyzer) and a hexokinase (cobas® c111) method.

Results:

All 4 systems fulfilled the accuracy requirements of ISO 15197:2003 with the tested lots. More stringent accuracy criteria of ISO 15197:2013 were fulfilled by 3 systems (Accu-Chek Aviva, ContourXT, GlucoMen LX PLUS) when compared to the manufacturer’s comparison method and by 2 systems (Accu-Chek Aviva, ContourXT) when compared to the alternative comparison method. All systems showed lot-to-lot variability to a certain degree; 2 systems (Accu-Chek Aviva, ContourXT), however, showed only minimal differences in relative bias between the 3 evaluated lots.

Conclusions:

In this study, all 4 systems complied with the evaluated test strip lots with accuracy criteria of ISO 15197:2003. Applying ISO 15197:2013 accuracy limits, differences in the accuracy of the tested systems were observed, also demonstrating that the applied comparison method/system and the lot-to-lot variability can have a decisive influence on accuracy data obtained for a SMBG system.
Optimizing the use of thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Goel Rishi M. , Blaker Paul , Mentzer Alex , Fong Steven C.M. , Marinaki Anthony M. , Sanderson Jeremy D.
Published: April 2015

Immunomodulator drugs, of which thiopurines can be considered the backbone, are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. They have been shown to be highly effective and safe; however, a significant proportion of patients are deemed to have a poor response or suffer adverse reactions. Knowing how to monitor and optimize thiopurine therapy in these scenarios is crucial to effective management. We discuss the metabolism of thiopurines, the use of enzyme/metabolite testing to guide treatment, as well as strategies to circumvent toxicity and side effects, such as allopurinol coprescription. The indications, use in pregnancy, safety profile and duration of thiopurine therapy are also discussed.
Quetiapine versus aripiprazole in the management of schizophrenia
Authors: Shoja Shafti Saeed , Kaviani Hamid
Published: April 2015

Objectives:

Current evidence supports the use of various second-generation antipsychotics for pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia. While in a systematic review, generally no difference in efficacy was found between atypical antipsychotics, other studies have found quetiapine less effective than aripiprazole. This article reviews the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole versus quetiapine in the context of recommended management strategies for schizophrenia.

Method:

Fifty female inpatients, meeting the diagnosis of schizophrenia, were randomly entered into two groups ( n = 25 in each group) to participate in a 12-week, double-blind study for random assignment to quetiapine or aripiprazole. The primary outcome measures were Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms and Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms. The schedule for Assessment of Insight (SAI), Clinical Global Impressions Severity Scale (CGI-S) and the Simpson Angus Scale (SAS) were also used as secondary measures.

Results:

Both quetiapine and aripiprazole showed significant effectiveness in the improvement of positive symptoms. The effectiveness for negative symptoms was also noteworthy with both drugs, although not to a significant level during this study. In addition, significant improvement was found on assessment with CGI-S and SAI for quetiapine and aripiprazole. SAS did not show any important increment in extrapyramidal side effects at the end of the examination.

Conclusion:

According to the findings, quetiapine and aripiprazole had similar effectiveness and tolerability with respect to management of schizophrenia.
Group B Streptococcus vaccine: state of the art
Authors: Nuccitelli Annalisa , Rinaudo C. Daniela , Maione Domenico
Published: April 2015

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is cause of neonatal invasive diseases as well as of severe infections in the elderly and immune-compromised patients. Despite significant advances in the prevention and treatment of neonatal disease, sepsis and meningitis caused by GBS still represent a significant public health care concern globally and additional prevention and therapeutic strategies against infection are highly desirable. The introduction of national recommended guidelines in several countries to screen pregnant women for GBS carriage and the use of antibiotics during delivery significantly reduced disease occurring within the first hours of life (early-onset disease), but it has had no effect on the late-onset diseases occurring after the first week and is not feasible in most countries. Availability of an effective vaccine against GBS would provide an effective means of controlling GBS disease. This review provides an overview of the burden of invasive disease caused by GBS in infants and adults, and highlights the strategies for the development of an effective vaccine against GBS infections.
“Fortis Et Liber” Unless You Are a Farm Worker
Authors: Barnetson Bob
Published: April 2015

Precarious employment entails both a heightened risk of injury and a greater likelihood of exclusion from statutory injury-compensation schemes. The contrasting cases of workers’ compensation entitlements among firefighters and farm workers in the anti-union Canadian province of Alberta provide a preliminary insight into how issue framing can be used to gain mandatory workers’ compensation coverage for workers. In addition to careful and timely critiques of legislator justifications, farm-worker advocates may be able to (a) generate shared framings among farm workers and farmers by creating a credible liability threat, (b) leverage preferential workers’ compensation access accorded to noncitizens into policy change, (c) challenge the constitutionality of the exclusion, and (d) trigger a framing process among farm workers via social media to increase pressure on legislators. These strategies offer a way to undermine the interlocking interests of farmers, politicians, and agribusiness that constrain efforts to achieve broad statutory inclusion of farm workers and achieve greater access to workers’ compensation benefits for them.
A Short Note on the Fallacy of Identification of Technological Progress in Models of Economic Growth
Authors: Acikgoz Senay , Mert Merter
Published: April 2015

This study emphasizes the necessity of the Harrod-neutral identification of technological progress for the models of economic growth, which use Cobb–Douglas production function and which are based on stability. Some of the important studies, which reviewed a balanced growth path or a steady state of the Solow model, assumed the nature of technological progress as Hicks-neutral rather than Harrod-neutral. In this work, we have reminded that Harrod-neutral is a better assumption for the nature of technological progress in such studies.
Zn isotope fractionation in a pristine larch forest on permafrost-dominated soils in Central Siberia
Authors: Viers Jerome , Prokushkin Anatoly S , Pokrovsky Oleg S , Kirdyanov Alexander V , Zouiten Cyril , Chmeleff Jerome , Meheut Merlin , Chabaux Francois , Oliva Priscia , Dupré Bernard
Published: April 2015

Stable Zn isotopes fractionation was studied in main biogeochemical compartments of a pristine larch forest of Central Siberia developed over continuous permafrost basalt rocks. Two north- and south-oriented watershed slopes having distinctly different vegetation biomass and active layer depth were used as natural proxy for predicting possible future climate changes occurring in this region. In addition, peat bog zone exhibiting totally different vegetation, hydrology and soil temperature regime has been studied.

The isotopic composition of soil profile from Central Siberia is rather constant with a δ66Zn value around 0.2‰ close to the value of various basalts. Zn isotopic composition in mosses (Sphagnum fuscum and Pleurozium schreberi) exhibits differences between surface layers presenting values from 0.14 to 0.2‰ and bottom layers presenting significantly higher values (0.5 – 0.7‰) than the underlain mineral surface. The humification of both dead moss and larch needles leads to retain the fraction where Zn bound most strongly thus releasing the lighter isotopes in solution and preserving the heavy isotopes in the humification products, in general accord with previous experimental and modeling works [GCA 75:7632–7643, 2011].

The larch(Larix gmelinii) from North and South-facing slopes is enriched in heavy isotopes compared to soil reservoir while larch from Sphagnum peatbog is enriched in light isotopes. This difference may result from stronger complexation of Zn by organic ligands and humification products in the peat bog compared to mineral surfaces in North- and South-facing slope.

During the course of the growing period, Zn followed the behavior of macronutrients with a decrease of concentration from June to September. During this period, an enrichment of larch needles by heavier Zn isotopes is observed in the various habitats. We suggest that the increase of the depth of rooting zone, and the decrease of DOC and Zn concentration in soil solution from the root uptake zone with progressively thawing soil could provoke heavy isotopes to become more available for the larch roots at the end of the vegetative season compared to the beginning of the season, because the decrease of DOC will facilitate the uptake of heavy isotope as it will be less retained in strong organic complexes.
Technological study of the gilded haft-rang tiles of the Imamzadih Ismail mausoleum in Qazvin, Iran
Authors: Mishmastnehi Moslem , Holakooei Parviz
Published: April 2015

Background

Gilding decorations on Islamic tiles have been previously studied either historically or technologically. The major emphasis in these studies has always been focused on the use of gold leaf on glazed tiles. The current research has been conducted by electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), portable micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to shed light on a less-known technique of gilding applied on the nineteenth century haft rang glazed tiles of the Imamzadih Ismail mausoleum in Qazvin, Iran.

Results

Our observations showed that the gilding decorations are performed on a blue alkali glaze. Plant ash was suggested to be the source of alkali and cobalt was identified as the colouring agent of the glaze. Moreover, trace amounts of arsenic in the composition of the blue glaze was interpreted to be associated with the colouring agent of the glaze; i.e., cobalt. Furthermore, the gilding decorations were suggested to be achieved by firing gold powder on the pre-fired blue substrate glaze. AFM, SEM and optical microscopy proved that the gold flakes partially penetrated the pre-fired blue substrate glaze.

Conclusions

This paper established a local provenance for the colouring agent of the blue glaze used as a substrate of gilding decorations. In addition, our studies showed that the gilding decorations were achieved by firing gold powder on the pre-fired blue glaze of a nineteenth century Persian haft rang tile.
Queerness without Intimacy
Authors: Borgstrom Michael
Published: April 2015

This article examines a central pedagogical dilemma within queer studies: with an increase in public attention to LGBT concerns (and an investment in the categories that comprise the LGBT rubric), how might we prioritize the complexities of queerness within a social context that tends to privilege discrete designations for identity?
ICP-OES Monitoring of the Instability of [OsCl6]2− and Evaluation of [OsO2(CN)4]2− as Alternative Standard for Osmium Quantification
Authors: Chiweshe Trevor T , Purcell Walter , Venter Johan A
Published: April 2015

A spectrometric method using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the determination of Os and the stability of (NH4)2[OsCl6] standard was developed. Results obtained from this study showed a gradual decrease in Os recovery in the liquid reference material (RM) within 96 h of having prepared the calibration standards. The instability of the Os standard (NH4)2[OsCl6] resulted in the decrease in Os percentage recoveries. The Os calibration plots shifted (gained or lost sensitivity) after every 24 h. This gain or loss in sensitivity also varied, depending on acid or base used. In acidic medium, the gain in sensitivity of the calibration curves increased from HCl < HBr < HF whilst in the basic medium, the calibration plots decreased in sensitivity from NaOH < KOH < NH4OH. The stable Cs2[OsO2(CN)4] compound was synthesized and evaluated for its suitability as osmium standard and it was determined to be a good alternative standard for Os analysis due to its excellent stability in HCl matrix and at room temperature. The optimum storage conditions for both Os standards (NH4)2[OsCl6] and Cs2[OsO2(CN)4] and the liquid RM analyte solutions were in the acidic medium (HCl), in the dark and at ca. 10 °C.
Key Tertiary Interactions in FMN Riboswitch Aptamers Required for Ligand Binding
Authors: Rode Ambadas B , Endoh Tamaki , Sugimoto Naoki
Published: April 2015

The key tertiary interactions in the riboswitch aptamer that are critical for flavin mononucleotide binding were identified by structure-guided mutations. Binding affinity was reduced significantly (more than 16-fold) after disruption of non-canonical G·G base pair and enhanced moderately (up to 2.1-fold) after mutation in the base triple or T-loop like motif.
Legal Monitoring of Transnational Acts
Authors: Pavlushkin Aleksey , Nanba Sariya
Published: April 2015

The article examines modern legal technologies that allow assessing the effectiveness of legal and regulatory framework — legal monitoring and regulatory impact assessment. The authors note that the activities on the evaluation of the regulatory impact of laws and regulations and their projects are seen as part of legal monitoring, as well as anti-corruption expertise of laws and regulations and their projects. It is noted that during the implementation of the regulatory impact assessment it is necessary to monitor interstate (transnational) acts, which were assessed. In this case, legal monitoring allows evaluating the conformity between the effects of regulation and its goals, set forth at the adoption of the legal instructions, as well as the quality of the regulatory impact assessment procedures performed at the stage of the development and adoption of regulatory legal acts. The authors offer suggestions and recommendations to optimize the mechanism of legal monitoring of transnational acts.
International Legal, Constitutional and Criminal Legal Preconditions of the Publicity Principle in Criminal Proceedings
Authors: Bezrukov Sergey
Published: April 2015

The draftspersons of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation never included publicity into the system of criminal proceedings’ principles, having considered previous ideological guidelines, which positioned the proceedings in criminal cases as a means of combating crime, as inappropriate. At the same time the task of uncovering of crimes also disappeared from the criminal procedure legislation. As such, the overwhelming majority of the norms, requiring competent authorities to respond to each fact of the discovery of indicia of crime and to institute criminal proceedings against persons guilty of criminal acts, remained virtually unchanged. The overrepresentation in the modern Russian criminal trial of publicity principles does not cause any doubts, as well as the absence of ideological underpinning in the task of crime solving. Furthermore, in the author’s point of view, the analysis of the dictates of the international law, the Constitution and the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation clearly shows the obvious need to grant publicity the status of a criminal process principle.
Human Rights, Rights of Minorities and Rights of People
Authors: Napso Maryana
Published: April 2015

The article reviews the problem of the formation and validation of the peoples’ rights. In the modern context collective rights of ethnic communities are of key importance. The collective rights, together with the human rights make it possible for ethnic communities to preserve themselves as unique ethno-cultural communities and for the state — to regulate the ethno-social relations more effectively. Validation of the collective rights of ethnic communities is one of the most difficult modern law problems. Traditionally it favors individual rights and grants the rights to indigenous peoples and minorities, but not to all peoples. And this approach is still predominant in spite of the gradual advancement of the collective rights. Having investigated different views on the problem, the author offers a sight at the problem of the rights of people in the context of ethno-national interests.
Institute of Health Visiting hosts inaugural Fellowship conferment
Authors: Murphy Madeleine
Published: April 2015

In March, a glittering event was held in London to officially award iHV Fellowships to more than 150 health visitors from across the country, in recognition of their work.
Raising the bar for health visiting
Authors: Cowley Dame Sarah
Published: April 2015

The Willis Review of nurse education has significant implications. While the proposal for a new community nursing branch would not suffice for health visiting, it offers a chance to discuss what should replace the current programme, says Dame Sarah Cowley.
The Ningbo-Hakata Merchant Network and the Reorientation of East Asian Maritime Trade, 1150–1350
Authors: von Glahn Richard
Published: April 2015

Richard von Glahn analyzes the movement of coin to illuminate the hey day enjoyed by East Asian maritime commerce during the period 1170–1270. The widespread substitution of paper money for bronze coin in China triggered a massive export of Chinese coin to Japan. These exports in turn stimulated the rapid monetization of Japan’s domestic economy, which further invigorated maritime commerce. A transnational network of merchants from Ningbo and Hakata emerged and achieved dominance over Sino-Japanese trade. In the port city of Hakata, Ningbo merchants developed personal and business ties with Japan’s kenmon elite—the warriors, courtiers, and religious institutions that dominated Japanese government and society—ties that proved crucial to their commercial success. As a result of these networks, China’s overseas commerce underwent a major reorientation, with Ningbo abruptly supplanting Quanzhou and Guangzhou as the main port of international trade.
An optimal control problem for a system of linear hyperbolic differential equations with constant coefficients
Authors: Guliyev Hamlet F. , Nazarova Vera B.
Published: April 2015

In this paper, an optimal control problem
is considered for a system of fourth order hyperbolic equations
with constant coefficients. The gradient of the functional is calculated
and the necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality in the form
of an integral inequality are derived.
Isolation of Linoleic Acid from Sambucus williamsii Seed Oil Extracted by High Pressure Fluid and Its Antioxidant, Antiglycemic, Hypolipidemic Activities
Authors: Lv Hui , Chen Shunsheng , Xu Xiaolin , Zhu Manman , Zhao Wenfang , Liu Kewu , Liu Kehai
Published: April 2015

Linoleic acid was isolated effectively from Sambucus williamsii (SW) seed oil which was extracted by high-pressure fluid and its biological activities were investigated. Linoleic acid was isolated from the oil by urea inclusion, the yield was 65.81% and the purity was 92.12%. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity of linoleic acid. IC50 of DPPH radical scavenging activity of linoleic acid was 61.92 mg/mL. The antiglycemic activity of linoleic acid was evaluated by determining its inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase. The results showed that α-glucosidase was inhibited to a certain extent by linoleic acid (1.56–25 mg/mL). In addition, the hypolipidemic activity of linoleic acid was investigated in vivo using hyperlipidemia mice models fed with the linoleic acid at doses of 1, 2, 4 g/kg BW (body weight). The results showed that serum lipid levels were highly significantly (p<0.01) improved, which indicated the hypolipidemic activity of linoleic acid. The linoleic acid extracted from SW seed oil was proved to possess good antioxidant, antiglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in human diets, which may have industrial use.
Crystal structure of (diazido-2,3κ1N)-bis(μ2-azido-2:3κ1N)-((bis(ethane- 1,2-diylbis((1-(2-oxidophenyl)ethyl)amido))-1κ4N,N',O,O':2κ2O,O'- 4κ4N'',N''',O'',O''':3κ2O'',O''')tetracopper(II), C36H36Cu4N16O4
Authors: Liu Yuhai , Li Weihua , Lu Hui , Sun Jianhua
Published: April 2015

C36H36Cu4N16O4, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 9.6157(7) Å, b = 10.5256(7) Å, c = 10.7201(7) Å, α = 82.863(1)°, β = 66.780(1)°, γ = 69.949(1)°, V = 936.6 Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0272, wRref(F2) = 0.1355, T = 296 K.
Polite appearances: How non-manual features convey politeness in British Sign Language
Authors: Mapson Rachel
Published: April 2015

This paper explores how non-manual features are key to conveyinglinguistic politeness in British Sign Language (BSL). Data were collectedthrough five semi-structured interviews incorporating the elicitation of twospeech acts commonly associated with research on linguistic politeness: requestsand apologies. The data from this exploratory study suggest that nonmanualfeatures (including specific mouth gestures and movements of the headand upper body) are more crucial for linguistic politeness than manual signs.The data indicate a degree of commonality between the features used for politenessin BSL and those previously identified in American Sign Language (Roush1999; Hoza 2001, 2007). While non-manual features convey both linguistic andparalinguistic meaning in signed language (Sandler and Lillo-Martin 2006),their use in politeness highlights the complexity of the interaction betweenthese two functions and illuminates an aspect of politeness frequently overlookedin much research: the use of intonation. Analysis of the use of nonmanualfeatures for politeness also problematizes the categorization of politenessstrategies using existing frameworks developed on spoken languages,such as the internal modifications outlined by Blum-Kulka et al. (1989).
Conventionalized Politeness Structures: Empirical Evidence from Hindi/Urdu
Authors: Kumar Ritesh
Published: April 2015

This paper discusses the results of a survey undertaken to investigate conventionalized politeness structures in Hindi\Urdu, with specific focus on the ability of native speakers to view politeness as a scalar phenomenon across different utterances vis-à-vis each other. The speakers were provided with utterances that encoded systematic differences in lexical choice (High Perso-Arabic\High Sanskritic\neutral native) and construction choice (suggestion\request\subjunctives, etc.), but nevertheless performed the same act so as to be possible to rank on a politeness scale as realizations of the same speech act. The paper focusses on the correlation between High\formal registers and politeness as well as the correlation between different grammatical structures and politeness to argue that linguistic structures are conventionalized for possible politeness effects.
The role of religion in shaping politeness in Moroccan Arabic: The case of the speech act of greeting and its place in intercultural understanding and misunderstanding
Authors: Bouchara Abdelaziz
Published: April 2015

This paper investigates, from a cross-cultural pragmatics framework, the motivations and reasons which induce Moroccans in particular, and Arabs in general, to invoke Qur’anic verses and religious lexicons in their daily politeness discourse. By focusing on the speech act of greeting, this study attempts to show that greetings are ordinary day-to-day events, which often encapsulate a lot of different cultural values that may cause misunderstandings. Based on data collected from natural interaction between Arabs and Germans, Arabs seem inclined to show politeness when greeting one another by using religious vocabulary and giving religious praises. In addition, the use of religion as a politeness strategy appears to function as a way of protecting the self-image of both the speaker and the hearer. Furthermore, the findings of this study also reveal that by resorting to the use of this politeness strategy, Moroccans seem to reflect their firm belief and the importance they attach to the Qur’an and, more especially, to the question of fate and destiny in Islam. As a result, it is not the linguistic expression itself but rather the pragmatic function of the utterance that seems to determine the use and interpretation of politeness strategies in (Moroccan) Arabic.
Tau-Dependent Kv4.2 Depletion and Dendritic Hyperexcitability in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Hall Alicia M. , Throesch Benjamin T. , Buckingham Susan C. , Markwardt Sean J. , Peng Yin , Wang Qin , Hoffman Dax A. , Roberson Erik D.
Published: April 2015

Neuronal hyperexcitability occurs early in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and contributes to network dysfunction in AD patients. In other disorders with neuronal hyperexcitability, dysfunction in the dendrites often contributes, but dendritic excitability has not been directly examined in AD models. We used dendritic patch-clamp recordings to measure dendritic excitability in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. We found that dendrites, more so than somata, of hippocampal neurons were hyperexcitable in mice overexpressing Aβ. This dendritic hyperexcitability was associated with depletion of Kv4.2, a dendritic potassium channel important for regulating dendritic excitability and synaptic plasticity. The antiepileptic drug, levetiracetam, blocked Kv4.2 depletion. Tau was required, as crossing with tau knock-out mice also prevented both Kv4.2 depletion and dendritic hyperexcitability. Dendritic hyperexcitability induced by Kv4.2 deficiency exacerbated behavioral deficits and increased epileptiform activity in hAPP mice. We conclude that increased dendritic excitability, associated with changes in dendritic ion channels including Kv4.2, may contribute to neuronal dysfunction in early stages AD.
Second Language Feedback Abolishes the “Hot Hand” Effect during Even-Probability Gambling
Authors: Gao Shan , Zika Ondrej , Rogers Robert D. , Thierry Guillaume
Published: April 2015

Research into language–emotion interactions has revealed intriguing cognitive inhibition effects by emotionally negative words in bilinguals. Here, we turn to the domain of human risk taking and show that the experience of positive recency in games of chance—the “hot hand” effect—is diminished when game outcomes are provided in a second language rather than the native language. We engaged late Chinese-English bilinguals with “play” or “leave” decisions upon presentation of equal-odds bets while manipulating language of feedback and outcome value. When positive game outcomes were presented in their second language, English, participants subsequently took significantly fewer gambles and responded slower compared with the trials in which equivalent feedback was provided in Chinese, their native language. Positive feedback was identified as driving the cross-language difference in preference for risk over certainty: feedback for previous winning outcomes presented in Chinese increased subsequent risk taking, whereas in the English context no such effect was observed. Complementing this behavioral effect, event-related brain potentials elicited by feedback words showed an amplified response to Chinese relative to English in the feedback-related negativity window, indicating a stronger impact in the native than in the second language. We also observed a main effect of language on P300 amplitude and found it correlated with the cross-language difference in risk selections, suggesting that the greater the difference in attention between languages, the greater the difference in risk-taking behavior. These results provide evidence that the hot hand effect is at least attenuated when an individual operates in a non-native language.
Gustatory Learning and Processing in theDrosophilaMushroom Bodies
Authors: Kirkhart Colleen , Scott Kristin
Published: April 2015

TheDrosophilamushroom bodies are critical association areas whose role in olfactory associative learning has been well characterized. Recent behavioral studies using a taste association paradigm revealed that gustatory conditioning also requires the mushroom bodies (Masek and Scott, 2010; Keene and Masek, 2012). Here, we examine the representations of tastes and the neural sites for taste associations in the mushroom bodies. Using molecular genetic approaches to target different neuronal populations, we find that the gamma lobes of the mushroom bodies and a subset of dopaminergic input neurons are required for taste associative learning. Monitoring responses to taste compounds in the mushroom body calyx with calcium imaging reveals sparse, taste-specific and organ-specific activation in the Kenyon cell dendrites of the main calyx and the dorsal accessory calyx. Our work provides insight into gustatory representations in the mushroom bodies, revealing the essential role of gustatory inputs not only as rewards and punishments but also as adaptive cues.
DNA Methylation in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Regulates Alcohol-Induced Behavior and Plasticity
Authors: Barbier Estelle , Tapocik Jenica D. , Juergens Nathan , Pitcairn Caleb , Borich Abbey , Schank Jesse R. , Sun Hui , Schuebel Kornel , Zhou Zhifeng , Yuan Qiaoping , Vendruscolo Leandro F. , Goldman David , Heilig Markus
Published: April 2015

Recent studies have suggested an association between alcoholism and DNA methylation, a mechanism that can mediate long-lasting changes in gene transcription. Here, we examined the contribution of DNA methylation to the long-term behavioral and molecular changes induced by a history of alcohol dependence. In search of mechanisms underlying persistent rather than acute dependence-induced neuroadaptations, we studied the role of DNA methylation regulating medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) gene expression and alcohol-related behaviors in rats 3 weeks into abstinence following alcohol dependence. Postdependent rats showed escalated alcohol intake, which was associated with increased DNA methylation as well as decreased expression of genes encoding synaptic proteins involved in neurotransmitter release in the mPFC. Infusion of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor RG108 prevented both escalation of alcohol consumption and dependence-induced downregulation of 4 of the 7 transcripts modified in postdependent rats. Specifically, RG108 treatment directly reversed both downregulation of synaptotagmin 2 (Syt2) gene expression and hypermethylation on CpG#5 of its first exon. Lentiviral inhibition ofSyt2expression in the mPFC increased aversion-resistant alcohol drinking, supporting a mechanistic role ofSyt2in compulsive-like behavior. Our findings identified a functional role of DNA methylation in alcohol dependence-like behavioral phenotypes and a candidate gene network that may mediate its effects. Together, these data provide novel evidence for DNA methyltransferases as potential therapeutic targets in alcoholism.
Distinct Terminal and Cell Body Mechanisms in the Nociceptor Mediate Hyperalgesic Priming
Authors: Ferrari Luiz F. , Araldi Dioneia , Levine Jon D.
Published: April 2015

Hyperalgesic priming, a form of neuroplasticity in nociceptors, is a model of the transition from acute to chronic pain in the rat, which involves signaling from the site of an acute tissue insult in the vicinity of the peripheral terminal of a nociceptor to its cell body that, in turn, induces a signal that travels back to the terminal to mediate a marked prolongation of prostaglandin E2-induced hyperalgesia. In the present experiments, we studied the underlying mechanisms in the cell body and compared them to the mechanisms in the nerve terminal. Injection of a cell-permeant cAMP analog, 8-bromo cAMP, into the dorsal root ganglion induced mechanical hyperalgesia and priming with an onset more rapid than when induced at the peripheral terminal. Priming induced by intraganglion 8-bromo cAMP was prevented by an oligodeoxynucleotide antisense to mRNA for a transcription factor, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and by an inhibitor of importin, which is required for activated CREB to get into the nucleus. While peripheral administration of 8-bromo cAMP also produced hyperalgesia, it did not produce priming. Conversely, interventions administered in the vicinity of the peripheral terminal of the nociceptor that induces priming—PKCε activator, NGF, and TNF-α—when injected into the ganglion produce hyperalgesia but not priming. The protein translation inhibitor cordycepin, injected at the peripheral terminal but not into the ganglion, reverses priming induced at either the ganglion or peripheral terminal of the nociceptor. These data implicate different mechanisms in the soma and terminal in the transition to chronic pain.
Pregnancy and Valvular Heart Disease
Authors: DeLaRosa Jacob , Sharoni Erez , Guyton Robert A.
Published: April 2015

Heart disease can affect anyone at any time, and pregnant women are not exceptions. Some type of cardiac pathologic disease can be seen in 1% to 2% of all pregnant women. Because of the high fetal mortality rate and the high relative rate of maternal mortality in surgery, medical management is the first line of treatment. Nevertheless, when medical treatment fails, cardiac surgery may be necessary. Here we present such a case of cardiac valvular disease complicated by pregnancy. Current decision-making, treatment, and trends are reviewed.
Beating Heart Revascularization with Minimal Extracorporeal Circulation in Patients with a Poor Ejection Fraction
Authors: Folliguet Thierry A. , Philippe Fran�ois , Larrazet Fabrice , Dibie Alain , Czitrom Daniel , Bret Emmanuel Le , Bachet Jean , Laborde Fran�ois
Published: April 2015

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting with cardioplegia in patients with a low ejection fraction carries a risk of myocardial ischemia. Beating heart surgery is associated with hemodynamic changes when the heart is manipulated. We assessed an alternative: minimal extracorporeal circulation for coronary artery bypass grafting on a beating heart in patients with a poor ejection fraction. Methods: From January 2000 to January 2002, 50 patients with an ejection fraction of less than 35%, who represented 10% of all patients undergoing coronary artery procedures, underwent revascularization on a beating heart with assistance. We used a closed cardiopulmonary bypass system with a centrifugal pump without reservoir, and the surgical strategy was modified to avoid aortic cross-clamping and to decrease bypass time. Results: The main preoperative characteristics were: age (mean � SD) of 64 � 11.2 years (range, 41-87 years), 35 male patients (70%), mean left ejection fraction of 24.8% � 11.2%, and a mean EuroSCORE of 5.8 � 2.7. Revascularizations of 146 distal anastomoses (2.9 � 0.7 grafts/patient) were completed. Twelve percent were double bypass, 86% were triple bypasses, and 2% were quadruple bypasses; the mean bypass time was 64.2 � 26.2 minutes. The mean graft number was 2.9, and the hospital mortality was 2%. Perioperative hematocrit levels were 30.1%, and 26% of patients received transfusions. Postoperative data showed a median extubation time of 9 hours, a median intensive care unit stay of 48 hours, and a hospital stay of 8 � 2 days. Postoperative complications included inotropic support (14%), cerebrovascular events (2%), reoperation for homeostasis (4%), delayed sternal closure (2%), and mediastinitis (2%). Peak troponin Ic level remained a low 2.4 � 1.9 3g/mL. Follow-up at 6 months was complete with 1 late mortality and with a mean ejection fraction of 30.5% � 10.8% for the survivors. Conclusions: Coronary revascularization on a beating heart with extracorporeal assistance can be done in patients with a low ejection fraction. It avoids the myocardial injury associated with aortic cross-clamping and allows safe and complete coronary revascularization.
Cortical Folding of the Primate Brain: An Interdisciplinary Examination of the Genetic Architecture, Modularity, and Evolvability of a Significant Neurological Trait in Pedigreed Baboons (GenusPapio)
Authors: Atkinson Elizabeth G , Rogers Jeffrey , Mahaney Michael C , Cox Laura A , Cheverud James M
Published: April 2015

Folding of the primate brain cortex allows for improved neural processing power by increasing cortical surface area for the allocation of neurons. The arrangement of folds (sulci) and ridges (gyri) across the cerebral cortex is thought to reflect the underlying neural network. Gyrification, an adaptive trait with a unique evolutionary history, is affected by genetic factors different from those affecting brain volume. Using a large pedigreed population of ∼1000 Papio baboons, we address critical questions about the genetic architecture of primate brain folding, the interplay between genetics, brain anatomy, development, patterns of cortical–cortical connectivity, and gyrification’s potential for future evolution. Through Mantel testing and cluster analyses, we find that the baboon cortex is quite evolvable, with high integration between the genotype and phenotype. We further find significantly similar partitioning of variation between cortical development, anatomy, and connectivity, supporting the predictions of tension-based models for sulcal development. We identify a significant, moderate degree of genetic control over variation in sulcal length, with gyrus-shape features being more susceptible to environmental effects. Finally, through QTL mapping, we identify novel chromosomal regions affecting variation in brain folding. The most significant QTL contain compelling candidate genes, including gene clusters associated with Williams and Down syndromes. The QTL distribution suggests a complex genetic architecture for gyrification with both polygeny and pleiotropy. Our results provide a solid preliminary characterization of the genetic basis of primate brain folding, a unique and biomedically relevant phenotype with significant implications in primate brain evolution.
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE DURING TRANSPORTATION TO THE QUALITY OF PORK
Authors: Mlynek Juraj , Imrich Ivan , Mlyneková Eva
Published: April 2015

The aim of the experiment was to assess the impact of different temperature during transportation on the pork quality. Two thousand eleven commercial pigs hybrids, weighing 100-130 kg were used in the experiment. Acidity of meat and muscle temperature were assessed 45 minutes after slaughter in the longest back muscles between the next to last and last thoracic vertebrae (musculus longissimus dorsi, pars thoracis) – pH1 MLD and T MLD, and in the geometric center semimembranosus thigh muscle (musculus semimembranosus) – pH1 MSM and T MLD. Pigs were divided into groups according to the temperature during housing in slaughterhouse using quartile distribution. Experiment results show that increase of average daily temperature during the transport resulted in worse quality of meat in MLD which was shown in pH1 MLD decrease and the temperature MLD increase. More significant pH1 (5.97) decrease occurred during average daily temperature higher than 15.0 °C and at this temperature the most significant temperature increase occurred in MLD muscle. Also the pH1 MSM indicator showed decrease in average values due to average outer temperature increase. The lowest pH1 MSM (6.22) value was detected in the group with average daily temperature during transport above 15 °C. Lower pH1 values were detected in musculus longissimus dorsi.
CHANGES IN THE ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF POTATOES DEPENDING ON THE CULTIVAR, CONTENTS OF POLYPHENOLS, CHLOROGENIC ACID AND ASCORBIC ACID
Authors: Musilova Janette , Bystricka Judita , Volnova Beata , Hegedűsova Alzbeta , Vesely Matej , Heldak Jan
Published: April 2015

Effect of cultivar is known as the most important factor determining the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of potatoes. In the study the influence of this factor on the content of chlorogenic acid (CGA), ascorbic acid (AA), total polyphenols (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (TAC) in six potato cultivars (Viola, Malvina, Evelin, Arlet, Megan, Timea) was investigated. Potatoes were grown in vitro on peat substrate in a greenhouse and were harvested in the stage of physiological ripeness. The content of CGA, AA and the TAC were determined in fresh matter of potato tubers. CGA content was determined using standard HPLC gradient method. The lowest CGA amount was determined in cv. Viola (18.49 mg/kg FM) and the highest one in cv. Megan (46.73 mg/kg FM). The determined AA content was in interval 5.40 mg/100 g FM (cv. Evelin) – 20.10 mg/100 g FM (cv. Viola). Total antioxidant capacity expressed as mg eqv. Trolox/kg FM was the lowest in cv. Megan (41.06 mg TE/kg FM) and the highest in cv. Arlet (56.16 mg TE/kg FM). For TP content determination lyophilised potato samples were used. The determined values ranged from 256.44 until 425.37 mg.kg-1 DM in followed order: Evelin < Arlet < Megan < Timea < Viola < Malvina. The obtained results were evaluated using one-factorial analysis ANOVA (LSD-test), statistical software Statgraphic. Mutual correlations between the contents of CGA, AA, TP and TAC were evaluated using regression and correlation analysis (Microsoft Excel). Statistically significant dependence (P-value < 0.05) between observed factors was confirmed.
UNCOMMON SENSORY METHODOLOGIES
Authors: Vietoris VladimÃ­r , Balková Hana , Czako Peter , Bojňanská Tatiana
Published: April 2015

Sensory science is the young but the rapidly developing field of the food industry. Actually, the great emphasis is given to the production of rapid techniques of data collection, the difference between consumers and trained panel is obscured and the role of sensory methodologists is to prepare the ways for evaluation, by which a lay panel (consumers) can achieve identical results as a trained panel. Currently, there are several conventional methods of sensory evaluation of food (ISO standards), but more sensory laboratories are developing methodologies that are not strict enough in the selection of evaluators, their mechanism is easily understandable and the results are easily interpretable. This paper deals with mapping of marginal methods used in sensory evaluation of food (new types of profiles, CATA, TDS, napping).
THE RESEARCH OF TOTAL POLYPHENOLS CONTENT AND THEIR CHANGES IN DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF POTATOES
Authors: Volnová BeÃ¡ta , Musilová Janette , Hrabovská Diana , Bystrická Judita , Kavalcová Petra , Kopernická Miriama
Published: April 2015

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants with antioxidant properties. In this work we research the changes in the content of total polyphenols in five varieties of potatoes (Rumelia, Arwen, Megan, Malvína, Erídia). Potatoes were grown at the stage of full maturity from Matejovce nad Hornádom, region of Poprad. Total polyphenols we determined in whole peeled potatoes; in the outside part of peeled potato tubers (1 cm); in inside part of potato tubers (mean 2 cm) and in the whole peel-boiled potatoes. The total polyphenols content was determined by spectrophotometry (λ = 765 nm) and it was used lyophilized samples in ethanol extracts. In whole peeled potatoes was the content of total polyphenols in the range from 243.34 mg.kg-1 DM (cv. Rumelia) to 446.38 mg.kg-1 DM (cv. Megan), in the outside part of peeled potato tubers was content in the range from 190.45 mg.kg-1 (cv. Rumelia) to 446.84 mg.kg-1 DM (cv. Malvína) and in inside part of potato tubers from 245.51 mg.kg-1 to 446.26 mg.kg-1 DM (Arwen < Rumelia < Megan < Erídia < Malvína). In the whole peel-boiled potatoes was the lowest content of total polyphenols in variety Rumelia (252.5 mg.kg-1 DM) and the highest content in variety Megan (440.54 mg.kg-1 DM). Results were statistically evaluated by the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA – Multiple Range Tests, Method: 95.0 percent LSD) using statistical software STATGRAPHICS (Centurion XVI.I, USA) and the regression and correlation analysis (Microsoft Excel) was used.
IMPACT OF SELECTED PARAMETERS ON MILK PRODUCTION IN TSIGAI BREED
Authors: Vršková Martina , Tančin VladimÃ­r , Kirchnerová KatarÃ­na , Sláma Petr
Published: April 2015

The objective of our research was to study selected parameters which affect milk production. The study was performed in the selected herd of purebred Tsigai ewes (231 animals). Regular milk yield recording was performed during the morning milking in around the middle of April, May and June. Milk samples were analyzed for basic milk composition (fat, protein and lactose) and somatic cells count. According to animals, the dairy ewes were divided into the four groups on the basis of individual SCC (G1= SCC 106 cells.ml-1 to study the frequency of distribution of animals in selected group of ewes throughout experimental period. We have not created group with SCC between 700-1000×103 cells.ml-1 because there would not be sufficient number of animals. The average daily milk production in selected herd of Tsigai was 614.51 ml, equivalent to 95.65 liters for a normalized lactation. We reached the highest daily milk production in April 779 ml and the highest content of fat and protein in May, while milk production was lower by only 30 ml. We conclude that the protein content of milk was over 6% within each division, whether by order of lactation, season or somatic cells count, except of June (5.98%). We found a tendency to lower milk production by a higher SCC. With the increasing SCC decreased lactose content from 4.66% (G1) to 4.27% (G4) and there is a need for performing bacteriological examination in milk.
Thin Film growth and characterization of Ti doped ZnO by RF/DC magnetron sputtering
Authors: Haider M. Baseer , Al-Kuhaili Mohammad F. , Durrani S. M. A. , Singaravelu Venkatesh , Roqan Iman
Published: April 2015

Thin film Ti doped ZnO (Ti-ZnO) film were grown on sapphire (0001) substrate by RF and DC magnetron sputtering. Films were grown at a substrate temperature of 250 °C with different Ti/Zn concentration. Surface chemical study of the samples was performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine the stoichiometry and Ti/Zn ratio for all samples. Surface morphology of the samples were studied by atomic force microscopy. X-ray diffraction was carried out to determine the crystallinity of the film. No secondary phases of TixOy was observed. We observed a slight increase in the lattice constant with the increase in Ti concentration in ZnO. No ferromagnetic signal was observed for any of the samples. However, some samples showed super-paramagnetic phase.