bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prosocial effects of MDMA: A measure of generosity
Authors: Kirkpatrick Matthew , Delton Andrew W , Robertson Theresa E , de Wit Harriet
Published: March 2015

Background:

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces “prosocial” effects that contribute to its recreational use. Few studies have examined the cognitive and behavioral mechanisms by which MDMA produces these effects. Here we examined the effect of MDMA on a specific prosocial effect, i.e. generosity, using a task in which participants make decisions about whether they or another person will receive money (Welfare Trade-Off Task; WTT).

Methods:

The project included one study without drug administration and one with MDMA. In Study 1, we administered the WTT to healthy adults ( N = 361) and examined their performance in relation to measures of personality and socioeconomic status. In Study 2, healthy volunteers with MDMA experience ( N = 32) completed the WTT after MDMA administration (0, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg).

Results:

As expected, in both studies participants were more generous with a close friend than an acquaintance or stranger. In Study 1, WTT generosity was related to household income and trait Agreeableness. In Study 2, MDMA (1.0 mg/kg) increased generosity toward a friend but not a stranger, whereas MDMA (0.5 mg/kg) slightly increased generosity toward a stranger, especially among female participants.

Conclusions:

These data indicate that the WTT is a valuable, novel tool to assess a component of prosocial behavior, i.e. generosity to others. The findings support growing evidence that MDMA produces prosocial effects, but, as with oxytocin, these appear to depend on the social proximity of the relationships. The brain mechanisms underlying the construct of generosity, or the effects of MDMA on this measure, remain to be determined.
The rural library’s role in Ugandan secondary students’ reading habits
Authors: Dent Valeda F. , Goodman Geoff
Published: March 2015

This study explores reading and library factors related to secondary school student academic outcomes in rural areas in Uganda. This mixed methods study utilized quantitative data collected as part of a more extensive project to explore six student factors in relation to students’ school, library, and home environments. The Kitengesa Community Library in Uganda ( www.kitengesalibrary.org ) served as the site for this study. The factors explored for this study include reading frequency, library use frequency, library access, overall grade average, and presence and type of reading materials in the home. Results indicated that both reading frequency and certain types of reading materials read for recreational purposes are correlated with higher overall grade average. Reading frequency was positively correlated with student overall grade average for all students.
Functional Neuroanatomical Correlates of The Frontal Assessment Battery Performance in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Lee Jun Ho , Byun Min Soo , Sohn Bo Kyung , Choe Young Min , Yi Dahyun , Han Ji Young , Choi Hyo Jung , Baek Hyewon , Woo Jong Inn , Lee Dong Young
Published: March 2015

Background/Objectives:

We aimed to elucidate the functional neuroanatomical correlates of Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) performances by applying [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to a large population of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Methods:

The FAB was administered to 177 patients with AD, and regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMglc) was measured by FDG-PET scan. Correlations between FAB scores and rCMglc were explored using both region-of-interest-based (ROI-based) and voxel-based approaches.

Results:

The ROI-based analysis showed that FAB scores correlated with the rCMglc of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. Voxel-based approach revealed significant positive correlations between FAB scores and rCMglc which were in various cortical regions including the temporal and parietal cortices as well as frontal regions, independent of age, gender, and education. After controlling the effect of global disease severity with Mini-Mental State Examination score, significant positive correlation was found only in the bilateral prefrontal regions.

Conclusions:

Although FAB scores are influenced by temporoparietal dysfunction due to the overall progression of AD, it likely reflects prefrontal dysfunction specifically regardless of global cognitive state or disease severity in patients with AD.
Clarifying perspectives
Authors: Bartholdson Cecilia , Lützén Kim , Blomgren Klas , Pergert Pernilla
Published: March 2015

Background:

Childhood cancer care involves many ethical concerns. Deciding on treatment levels and providing care that infringes on the child’s growing autonomy are known ethical concerns that involve the whole professional team around the child’s care.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of participating in ethics case reflection sessions in childhood cancer care.

Research design:

Data collection by observations, individual interviews, and individual encounters. Data analysis were conducted following grounded theory methodology.

Participants and research context:

Healthcare professionals working at a publicly funded children’s hospital in Sweden participated in ethics case reflection sessions in which ethical issues concerning clinical cases were reflected on.

Ethical considerations:

The children’s and their parents’ integrity was preserved through measures taken to protect patient identity during ethics case reflection sessions. The study was approved by a regional ethical review board.

Findings:

Consolidating care by clarifying perspectives emerged. Consolidating care entails striving for common care goals and creating a shared view of care and the ethical concern in the specific case. The inter-professional perspectives on the ethical aspects of care are clarified by the participants’ articulated views on the case. Different approaches for deliberating ethics are used during the sessions including raising values and making sense, leading to unifying interactions.

Discussion:

The findings indicate that ethical concerns could be eased by implementing ethics case reflection sessions. Conflicting perspectives can be turned into unifying interactions in the healthcare professional team with the common aim to achieve good pediatric care.

Conclusion:

Ethics case reflection sessions is valuable as it permits the discussion of values in healthcare-related issues in childhood cancer care. Clarifying perspectives, on the ethical concerns, enables healthcare professionals to reflect on the most reasonable and ethically defensible care for the child. A consolidated care approach would be valuable for both the child and the healthcare professionals because of the common care goals.
‘Imagined recovery’ from the European crisis
Authors: Belfrage Claes
Published: March 2015

This introduction provides a brief overview of the bleak recovery prospects within the current project of European integration illuminated by the challenges facing the European Central Bank. It thus sets the scene for analyses of how and why the European Union reached this situation and the constraints on the construction of ‘imagined recoveries' potentially able to bring about a better Europe and their translation into effective policies. It then outlines the critiques developed by the contributors to this special issue. These critiques, emerging from the Marxist tradition, express a pessimism of the intellect that leads to the recognition of the structural constraints on such progressive imagined recoveries. Nevertheless, they are also based on an optimism of the will, as they are intended to facilitate the construction of alternative imagined recoveries for and critical interventions in the project of European integration to create another, better Europe. As such, this introduction identifies how this collection of articles endeavours to contribute to exploit the desperate moment that the current project of integration finds itself in.
Remodeling of the Proximal Tibia Subsequent to Bone Graft Harvest
Authors: Vanryckeghem Vincent , Vandeputte Geoffroy , Heylen Steven , Somville Johan
Published: March 2015

Background:

Proximal tibia bone autograft (PTBG) is regularly used in reconstructive foot, ankle, and maxillofacial surgery. Although many surgeons prefer PTBG rather than the conventional iliac crest, little is known about the remodeling capacity of the proximal tibia after harvesting cancellous bone.

Methods:

Via bilateral postoperative computed tomography of 17 harvesting sites, comparing the defect side with the healthy side, we measured the repair capacity of the proximal tibia in response to bone defect created by the harvest at medium-term follow-up (mean 29 months; range, 7-55 months).

Results:

16 of 17 (94%) cortical defects showed complete consolidation. Cancellous remodeling was graded 0 to 3, with 2 defects showing complete remodeling (grade 3), 4 defects partial remodeling (more than 50%), 8 defects partial remodeling (less than 50%) and 3 defects no remodeling at all (grade 0).

Conclusion:

The proximal tibia has the potential to form new cancellous bone after cancellous bone graft harvesting. More data are required to identify possible variables influencing this remodeling capacity. When performing knee surgery, knee surgeons should take into account the relatively small defect size and the consolidation of the cortical window after proximal tibia bone harvesting.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Detection of feline coronavirus in cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis in cats with and without neurological signs
Authors: Doenges Stephanie J , Weber Karin , Dorsch Roswitha , Fux Robert , Fischer Andrea , Matiasek Lara A , Matiasek Kaspar , Hartmann Katrin
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) detecting feline coronavirus (FCoV) RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cats with and without neurological and/or ocular signs for the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

Methods

This prospective case-control study included 34 cats. Nineteen cats had a definitive histopathological diagnosis of FIP (seven of these with neurological and/or ocular signs), and 15 cats had other diseases but similar clinical signs (three of these with neurological and/or ocular signs). Real-time RT-PCR was performed on the CSF of all cats, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated.

Results

Real-time RT-PCR of CSF showed a specificity of 100% in diagnosing FIP, a sensitivity of 42.1%, a PPV of 100% and an NPV of 57.7%. The sensitivity of the real-time RT-PCR of CSF in cats with neurological and/or ocular signs was 85.7%.

Conclusions and relevance

Although it is known that RT-PCR can give false positive results, especially if performed using serum or plasma, this real-time RT-PCR detecting FCoV RNA in CSF can be considered a reliable specific tool for the diagnosis of FIP. If only cats with neurological involvement are evaluated, the sensitivity of this real-time RT-PCR in CSF is also high.
Characterizing ambient concentration of PM10 in urban environment of central south China
Authors: Deng Qihong , Lu Chan , Yu Chuck
Published: March 2015

China has been experiencing high particulate air pollution in spite of a decline in concentration over the past decade, but the key factors affecting the variation are not clear. This study characterizes the ambient concentration of PM10 in urban environment of Changsha. Hourly PM10 concentrations and meteorological parameters were monitored over a year in 2008 at the city centre of Changsha in central south China. The variation in ambient PM10 concentration and its association with meteorological parameters were statistically analyzed. The concentration could vary in seasons and week days; higher particulate concentration was found in cold seasons and weekdays than in warm seasons and weekends. The diurnal variations showed a bimodal distribution in the morning and evening rush hours. The temporal variation in PM10 concentration was shown to be dominated by both anthropogenic sources and meteorological conditions. The daytime peak is mainly due to human activities but high concentration during night-time is attributable to the unfavourable meteorological conditions, not sufficient for dispersion or disposition of pollutants. High concentration during night-time was responsible for the occurrence of exceedance episodes. Our work indicates that controlling PM10 concentration during night-time is an effective way to reduce episodes in China. The characterization of air pollution in an urban city of central south China would provide data to inform control strategies and distribution of pollution in the country.
Autoethnography in action research for health education practitioners
Authors: Acosta Sandra , Goltz Heather H , Goodson Patricia
Published: March 2015

We propose a methodological framework for conducting collaborative and analytic autoethnography (CAAE) in action research inquiry. Similar to other action research methodologies, CAAE is: (a) systematic, framed by a research question and employing explicit, transparent methods; (b) problem-based, drawn from health educators’ practices; and (c) cyclical, predicated on the assumption that a plan for implementing changes is derived from the findings and will be tested in subsequent action research cycles. The autoethnographic action research framework comprises four phases: inductive stage/formative assessment—developing a hypothesis (phase 1), pre-deductive stage—organizing the study (phase 2), deductive stage/summative evaluation—collecting data and testing the hypothesis (phase 3), and synthesis stage—constructing meaning (phase 4). Collaborative analytic autoethnography supports reflexivity, awareness, and agency by providing practitioners with an explicit framework for continually evaluating the complexities of self, the Other (i.e. experiencing self from another’s perspective), and context.
Utility of Basophil Activation Test for monitoring the acquisition of clinical tolerance after oral desensitization to cow's milk: Pilot study
Authors: Nucera Eleonora , Pecora Valentina , Buonomo Alessandro , Rizzi Angela , Aruanno Arianna , Pascolini Lucilla , Ricci Anna G , Di Rienzo Alessia , Mezzacappa Simona , Ferraironi Manuela , Patriarca Giampiero , Gasbarrini Giovanni , Schiavino Domenico
Published: March 2015

Objective

The quantification of basophil activation by flow cytometry is a useful tool for the assessment of immediate‐type responses to food allergens and the prediction of clinical tolerance in food allergy patients. The aim of this study is to investigate how the analysis of allergen‐induced CD63 up‐regulation by flow cytometry can be effective in monitoring the acquisition of clinical tolerance by specific oral desensitization in food allergy. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine this topic.

Materials and methods

Three male patients affected by cow's milk allergy underwent successful oral desensitization to cow's milk. In order to monitor the acquired clinical tolerance that occurred after treatment, we performed laboratory tests for total and specific IgE, specific IgG4 and the Basophil Activation Test (BAT) both at baseline and at the end of the desensitization protocol.

Results

Using a fluorescent enzyme immunoassay, the comparison of specific cow's milk antibodies before and after treatment showed a decrease of specific IgE levels, without reaching normal values, and an increase of specific IgG4 levels. A complete suppression of cow's milk proteins (α‐lactoalbumin, β‐lactoglobulin and casein) induced CD63 regulation was observed in all three reported cases.

Conclusions

Using flow cytometry, food allergen‐specific basophil responses could be monitored in order to identify an acquired tolerance induced by desensitization treatment. Although further studies are needed to develop this important new topic, it was interesting to note that the BAT seemed to be more sensitive and characterized by a close correlation with clinical tolerance.
Philosophical Embodiments in Igbo Music
Authors: Onwuegbuna Ikenna Emmanuel
Published: March 2015

The omnipresence of music in the human society and its utilitarian stance in the human life make the study of its philosophical tilt a necessity. Although the functionality of music can be ascertained from a myriad of perspectives, it is in the textual content and performance practices of folk songs that the general world view of a people is exposed. Through contemplation, appreciation, and analytical approaches, this research report reveals some of the set ideas, views, opinions, beliefs, and norms of the Igbo about the cosmos, nature, and providence, embodied in the folk songs of Mike Ejeagha—a folkloric popular musician of that regional extraction.
Inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase II (INPP4B) is associated with chemoresistance and poor outcome in AML
Authors: Rijal Sewa , Fleming Shaun , Cummings Nik , Rynkiewicz Natalie K. , Ooms Lisa M. , Nguyen Nhu-Y. N. , Teh Tse-Chieh , Avery Sharon , McManus Julie F. , Papenfuss Anthony T. , McLean Catriona , Guthridge Mark A. , Mitchell Christina A. , Wei Andrew H.
Published: March 2015

Key Points

INPP4B promotes chemoresistance in AML independent of phosphoinositide phosphatase function.
Lenalidomide in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: biological perspectives and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Kritharis Athena , Coyle Michael , Sharma Jaya , Evens Andrew M.
Published: March 2015

Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) with activity in lymphoid malignancies occurring primarily through immune modulation (eg, T-cell immune synapse enhancement and NK-cell/T-cell effector augmentation) and antiproliferative effects. Food and Drug Administration–approved for bortezomib-resistant, relapsed/refractory mantle-cell lymphoma, lenalidomide has demonstrated efficacy in several additional lymphoma subtypes. There are many ongoing clinical trials examining the use of lenalidomide alone or in combinatorial therapy. It will be important in these studies to delineate reliable, predictive biomarkers to optimally integrate lenalidomide into lymphoma treatment paradigms.
Activation of an endogenous retrovirus-associated long non-coding RNA in human adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gibb Ewan A , Warren René L , Wilson Gavin W , Brown Scott D , Robertson Gordon A , Morin Gregg B , Holt Robert A
Published: March 2015

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as molecules that significantly impact many cellular processes and have been associated with almost every human cancer. Compared to protein-coding genes, lncRNA genes are often associated with transposable elements, particularly with endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs). ERVs can have potentially deleterious effects on genome structure and function, so these elements are typically silenced in normal somatic tissues, albeit with varying efficiency. The aberrant regulation of ERVs associated with lncRNAs (ERV-lncRNAs), coupled with the diverse range of lncRNA functions, creates significant potential for ERV-lncRNAs to impact cancer biology.

Methods

We used RNA-seq analysis to identify and profile the expression of a novel lncRNA in six large cohorts, including over 7,500 samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Results

We identified the tumor-specific expression of a novel lncRNA that we have named Endogenous retroViral-associated ADenocarcinoma RNA or ‘EVADR’, by analyzing RNA-seq data derived from colorectal tumors and matched normal control tissues. Subsequent analysis of TCGA RNA-seq data revealed the striking association of EVADR with adenocarcinomas, which are tumors of glandular origin. Moderate to high levels of EVADR were detected in 25 to 53% of colon, rectal, lung, pancreas and stomach adenocarcinomas (mean = 30 to 144 FPKM), and EVADR expression correlated with decreased patient survival (Cox regression; hazard ratio = 1.47, 95% confidence interval = 1.06 to 2.04, P = 0.02). In tumor sites of non-glandular origin, EVADR expression was detectable at only very low levels and in less than 10% of patients. For EVADR, a MER48 ERV element provides an active promoter to drive its transcription. Genome-wide, MER48 insertions are associated with nine lncRNAs, but none of the MER48-associated lncRNAs other than EVADR were consistently expressed in adenocarcinomas, demonstrating the specific activation of EVADR. The sequence and structure of the EVADR locus is highly conserved among Old World monkeys and apes but not New World monkeys or prosimians, where the MER48 insertion is absent. Conservation of the EVADR locus suggests a functional role for this novel lncRNA in humans and our closest primate relatives.

Conclusions

Our results describe the specific activation of a highly conserved ERV-lncRNA in numerous cancers of glandular origin, a finding with diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications.
Haptoglobin-α1, -α2, vitamin D-binding protein and apolipoprotein C-III as predictors of etanercept drug response in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Blaschke Sabine , Rinke Kathinka , Maring Michael , Flad Thomas , Patschan Susann , Jahn Olaf , Mueller Claudia A , Mueller Gerhard A , Dihazi Hassan
Published: March 2015

Introduction

The introduction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonists has substantially improved patient’s clinical outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, nearly 20% to 40% of RA patients do not respond to anti-TNF-α treatment strategies. To identify valid predictors of TNF-α antagonist response in RA, serum proteome profiles from responders (R) and non-responders (NR) to etanercept, a soluble recombinant TNF-α receptor/IgG Fc fusion protein receptor, were compared in a prospective cohort study.

Methods

In this clinical study 50 RA patients with inadequate response to conventional DMARDs were included and treated with etanercept. The primary efficacy endpoint was response according to the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) improvement criteria. Serum samples collected prior to initiation and after six months of etanercept therapy were cleared of the most abundant major proteins by immunoaffinity chromatography. After separation by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and identification by mass spectrometry (MS) data were validated by Western blot analysis.

Results

After six months of etanercept treatment 62% (n = 31) of RA patients achieved response. Haptoglobin-α1 (Hp-α1) and -α2 (Hp-α2) and vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) were found to be significantly upregulated in responder sera (P ≤0.02) at study entry. In contrast, apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III) showed significantly higher levels in non-responders (P = 0.0162). At study end ApoA-II, Hp-α1, Hp-α2 and VDBP were identified to be expressed at significantly higher levels (P <0.05) in responder sera.

Conclusions

By application of clinical proteomics in immunodepleted sera we could identify and validate for the first time Hp-α1, -α2, VDBP and ApoC-III as potential biomarkers for prediction of etanercept drug response in RA.
Comparison of 4′-[methyl-11C]thiothymidine (11C-4DST) and 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) PET/CT in human brain glioma imaging
Authors: Toyota Yasunori , Miyake Keisuke , Kawai Nobuyuki , Hatakeyama Tetsuhiro , Yamamoto Yuka , Toyohara Jun , Nishiyama Yoshihiro , Tamiya Takashi
Published: March 2015

Background

3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) has been used to evaluate tumor malignancy and cell proliferation in human brain gliomas. However, 18F-FLT has several limitations in clinical use. Recently, 11C-labeled thymidine analogue, 4′-[methyl-11C]thiothymidine (11C-4DST), became available as an in vivo cell proliferation positron emission tomography (PET) tracer. The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of 11C-4DST PET in the diagnosis of human brain gliomas by comparing with the images of 18F-FLT PET.

Methods

Twenty patients with primary and recurrent brain gliomas underwent 18F-FLT and 11C-4DST PET scans. The uptake values in the tumors were evaluated using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), the tumor-to-normal tissue uptake (T/N) ratio, and the tumor-to-blood uptake (T/B) ratio. These values were compared among different glioma grades. Correlation between the Ki-67 labeling index and the uptake values of 11C-4DST and 18F-FLT in the tumor was evaluated using linear regression analysis. The relationship between the individual 18F-FLT and 11C-4DST uptake values in the tumors was also examined.

Results

11C-4DST uptake was significantly higher than that of 18F-FLT in the normal brain. The uptake values of 11C-4DST in the tumor were similar to those of 18F-FLT resulting in better visualization with 18F-FLT. No significant differences in the uptake values of 18F-FLT and 11C-4DST were noted among different glioma grades. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the Ki-67 labeling index and the T/N ratio of 11C-4DST (r = 0.50, P < 0.05) and 18F-FLT (r = 0.50, P < 0.05). Significant correlations were also found between the Ki-67 labeling index and the T/B ratio of 11C-4DST (r = 0.52, P < 0.05) and 18F-FLT (r = 0.55, P < 0.05). A highly significant correlation was observed between the individual T/N ratio of 11C-4DST and 18F-FLT in the tumor (r = 0.79, P = 0.0001).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that 11C-4DST is useful for the imaging of human brain gliomas with PET. A relatively higher background uptake of 11C-4DST in the normal brain compared to 18F-FLT limits the detection of low-tracer-uptake tumors. Moreover, no superiority was found in 11C-4DST over 18F-FLT in the evaluation of cell proliferation.
Immunohistochemical analysis in ethinylestradiol-treated breast cancers after prior long-term estrogen-deprivation therapy
Authors: Omoto Yoko , Takeshita Takashi , Yamamoto Yutaka , Yamamoto-Ibusuki Mutsuko , Hayashi Mitsuhiro , Sueta Aiko , Fujiwara Saori , Taguchi Tetsuya , Iwase Hirotaka
Published: March 2015

Background

Estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer can often be treated by hormone therapy; however a certain population of ER-positive patients become resistant to hormone therapy after long-term hormone treatment. Ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a derivative of estrogen, which has shown promising effects in these patients.

Methods

We successfully obtained tissue samples from 6 patients undergoing EE2 treatment and examined 13 well-known breast cancer-related factors by immunohistochemistry. Of the 6 patients, 5 responded but one patient did not.

Results

Before EE2 treatment, staining for both ER and androgen receptor (AR) was strong in the nucleus, and the progesterone receptor (PgR) was almost no staining. EE2 treatment significantly down-regulated ER and up-regulated PgR while nuclear and cytosolic AR were oppositely down- and up-regulated, respectively. Cytosolic staining of BRCA1 was significantly up-regulated by EE2 whereas nuclear staining tended to decrease. Individual comparisons suggested less induction of PgR and decreasing AKT but increasing pAKT in the non-responder following EE2 treatment.

Conclusions

Our observations revealed that EE2 activated ER downstream genes; however it did not stimulate cell growth. This suggests that hormone resistant cells might receive growth signals from a non-genomic pathway and this may be reflected in their sensitivity to EE2 treatment.
A novel gene network analysis in liver tissues of diabetic rats in response to resistant starch treatment
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Zhang Yinghui , Shi Runge , Zhou Zhongkai , Wang Fang , Strappe Padraig
Published: March 2015

In this study, we investigated the genome-wide gene expression profiles in the liver tissue of diabetic rats before and after RS treatment. The microarray-based analysis revealed that a total of 173 genes were up-regulated and 197 genes were down-regulated in response to RS treatment. These genes were mainly related to glucose metabolism (e.g., hexokinase, pyruvate kinase and phosphotransferase etc.), and lipid metabolism (e.g., carnitine palmitoyl transfer 1, fatty acid transporter, beta hydroxyl butyric dehydrogenase etc.). Cluster analysis results showed that the up/down-regulated genes were highly responsive to RS treatment, and were considered to be directly or indirectly associated with reducing plasma glucose and body fat. To interpret the mechanism of RS regulation at the molecular level, a novel gene network was constructed based on 370 up/down-regulated genes coupled with 718 known diabetes-related genes. The topology of the network showed the characteristics of small-world and scale-free network, with some pathways demonstrating a high degree. Forkhead class A signaling pathway, with a degree of 8, was analyzed and was found to have an effect mainly on glucose and lipid metabolism processes. The results indicate that RS can suppress the development of type 2 diabetes in the STZ rat model through modulating the expression of multiple genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. The potential application of this novel gene network is also discussed.
Post-seismic ionospheric response to the 11 April 2012 East Indian Ocean doublet earthquake
Authors: Sunil Anakuzhikkal Sudarsanan , Bagiya Mala S , Reddy Chappidi Divakar , Kumar Manish , Ramesh Durbha Sai
Published: March 2015

The 11 April 2012 East Indian Ocean earthquake is unique because of its largest ever recorded aftershock. The main earthquake occurred with a magnitude of 8.6 Mw and was followed by a strong aftershock (8.2 Mw). Our analysis of the main shock indicates that the rupture was a mixture of strike-slip and thrust faults, and significant vertical surface displacements were observed during the event. The prime interest here is to study the post-seismic ionospheric disturbances, along with their characteristics. As both earthquakes had large magnitudes, they provided an opportunity to minimize the ambiguity in identifying the corresponding seismic-induced ionospheric disturbances. Approximately 10 min after both seismic events, the nearby ionosphere started to manifest electron density perturbations that were investigated using GPS-TEC measurements. The epicenters of both events were located south of the magnetic equator, and it is believed that the varying magnetic field inclination might be responsible for the observed north-south asymmetry in the post-seismic total electron content (TEC) disturbances. These disturbances are observed to propagate up to approximately 1,500 km towards the north side of the epicenter and up to only a few hundred kilometers on the south side. The frequency analysis of the post-seismic TEC disturbances after both earthquakes exhibits the dominant presence of acoustic frequencies varying between approximately 4.0 to 6.0 mHz. The estimated propagation velocities of the post-seismic TEC disturbances during the main shock (0.89 km/s) and aftershock (0.77 km/s) confirm the presence of an acoustic frequency as the generative mode for the observed TEC fluctuations.
Inversion of donor vertical time shifts to update a near-surface depth/velocity model
Authors: Bridle Ralph , Hubbell Shelton
Published: March 2015

The near-surface model for static corrections requires a consistent regional depth/velocity model, while incorporating the fidelity of additional static solutions. We addressed the challenge of tying new seismic acquisition to a depth/velocity model, in which there are static corrections derived independently for each seismic data. The generalized method is a four-step procedure that starts with the grafting of the additional shifts to the recipient static model. The time shifts were then adjusted to constrain the long wavelength at defined locations. The next procedure was to split the time shifts into high- and low-frequency components. The final procedure inverted the high frequency into the shallowest layers and the long wavelength to the velocity from base of model to datum. The result was an updated regional depth/velocity model into which new 2D depth/velocity models could be tied. The generalized solution would work with any additional near-surface static corrections, which could include, and not be limited to, those built from surface waves, remote sensing, and joint inversion with nonseismic data. The inversion of the additional time shifts was primarily intended to provide a solution to their tie and any image improvement is serendipitous. We progressively learned lessons from a simple inversion and achieved the generalized solution.
Viscoelastic time-reversal imaging
Authors: Zhu Tieyuan
Published: March 2015

The time invariance of wave equations, an essential precondition for time-reversal (TR) imaging, is no longer valid when introducing attenuation. I evaluated a viscoelastic (VE) TR imaging algorithm based on a novel VE wave equation. By reversing the sign of the P- and S-wave loss operators, the VE wave equation became time invariant for the TR operation. Attenuation effects were thus compensated for during TR wave propagation. I developed the formulations of VE forward modeling and TR imaging. I tested my imaging approach in three numerical experiments. The first experiment used a 2D homogeneous model with full-aperture receivers to examine the time invariance of the VE TR imaging equation. Using the same model, the second experiment was used to demonstrate the method’s ability to characterize a point source. In the third experiment, I applied this method to characterize a complex source using borehole geophones. Numerical results illustrated that the VE TR imaging improved our knowledge of the source location, radiation pattern, and amplitude.
3D seismic attributes for a tight gas sand reservoir characterization of the eastern Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Wang Zhiguo , Gao Jinghuai , Wang Daxing , Wei Qiansheng
Published: March 2015

The Lower Permian Xiashihezi Formation of the Ordos Basin is the largest producer of tight gas sand in China. The controls on tight gas production are many and include a variety of geologic, hydrodynamic, and engineering factors from one well to another throughout the basin. In this study, we considered data from a [Formula: see text] 3D seismic volume and logs from 17 wells to investigate the geologic controls on gas production in the [Formula: see text] member of the Xiashihezi Formation, eastern Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin. Our objective was to determine the potential of applying multiple seismic attributes to identify the higher productivity areas of a tight gas sand reservoir. To achieve this, we used amplitude, complex traces, spectral decomposition, and seismic attenuation attributes derived from the 3D seismic volume to detect gas-bearing sand areas. The results of seismic attribute analysis revealed that no single attribute is correlated to higher productivity areas. The qualitative correlations between attributes and production records reflected that higher productivity areas are associated with seismically definable higher amplitude, more stable phase, tuning frequency, and stronger attenuation features in the study area. Meanwhile, three outlier wells in the seismic attribute analysis provided a reminder of the uncertainty in geologic interpretation. The gas-sand reservoir evaluation results suggested that the Pareto principle helps to enhance the interpretation needed to determine the productivity distribution of [Formula: see text] tight-gas reservoir in the study area.
Foundation News
Authors: Allison Paul
Published: March 2015

At the Foundation's first board meeting of 2015, Mike Forrest, Foundation chair, welcomed aboard five new SEG Foundation Board members. These are Anna Shaughnessy, Julie Hardie, Erik Finnstrom, David Bartel, and Peter Cramer.
In situ calibrated velocity-to-stress transforms using shear sonic radial profiles for time-lapse production analysis
Authors: Donald J. A. , Prioul R.
Published: March 2015

Borehole acoustic waves are affected by near- and far-field stresses within rocks that exhibit stress sensitivity, typically in medium- to high-porosity formations. Nonlinear, or third-order, elastic constants are obtained from the inversion of borehole sonic shear radial profiles with an elastic wellbore stress model. The stress-to-velocity relationship determined from these profiles in the elastic region surrounding the wellbore is used for calibration to compare with empirical laboratory data traditionally used in time-lapse seismic-feasibility studies to assess simulated production. This analysis enables rock physicists to use the wellbore as a laboratory and to examine the stress dependence of the acoustic velocities from in situ field data in their zone of interest. Laboratory experiments on core samples can yield both empirical and mathematical rock-physics models to describe the relationship between stress and velocity to link rock properties to in situ measurements of acoustic data (seismic and sonic). In an example from offshore Malaysia, full-waveform borehole sonic data are processed to produce shear radial profiles in a deepwater environment. The compressional velocities are mainly sensitive to stress in the polarization-propagation direction, and shear velocities are mainly sensitive to stresses in propagation and polarization directions, as expected from nonlinear elasticity. The three compressional and shear velocities vary greatly with vertical stress depending on the stress path because they depend on the three principal stress magnitudes. In contrast, a classical empirical model that depends on porosity, clay content, and effective stress cannot capture differences caused by stress path because it relies on only one stress. Results show that stress sensitivities are significantly stronger with borehole radial profiles than the empirical model for all considered stress paths (K = −0.5, 0, 0.5, and 1).
Anisotropy estimate for the Horn River Basin from sonic logs in vertical and deviated wells
Authors: Sayers Colin , den Boer Lennert , Dasgupta Sagnik , Goodway Bill
Published: March 2015

Shale anisotropy must be quantified to obtain reliable information about reservoir fluids, lithology, and pore pressure from seismic data. Failure to account for anisotropy in seismic processing can lead to errors in normal moveout (NMO), dip moveout (DMO), migration, time-to-depth conversion, and amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis. Kriged estimates of density, vertical compressional-wave, and shear-wave velocities were derived from vertical wells in an area of interest in the Horn River resource play in northeastern British Columbia. The kriged predictions were compared with measured logs along the trajectory of a deviated well. Whereas the density comparison provided a blind test of kriging accuracy because density is scalar and independent of well deviation, the same comparison for sonic velocities revealed that they are systematically higher than the kriged vertical velocities. This difference was used to estimate anisotropy parameters at the location of the deviated well. The fact that the higher velocities observed are caused by anisotropy was confirmed subsequently by using the derived anisotropy parameters to apply a nonhyperbolic moveout correction η to flatten gathers from a seismic survey 10 km north of the area of interest, within which the anisotropy parameters were estimated.
From ORCID iDs to SEG Wiki help
Authors: Farley Isaac
Published: March 2015

SEG Publications is always finding ways to simplify discovery of and contributions to our publications. This month, I highlight two projects that I am excited to unveil. The first, ORCID iDs, aims to solve the ongoing need to distinguish researchers (especially those with similar names). The second, our newly launched SEG Wiki video help series, provides an orientation to common tasks at wiki.seg.org .
STIM1L traps and gates Orai1 channels without remodeling the cortical ER
Authors: Saüc Sophie , Bulla Monica , Nunes Paula , Orci Lelio , Marchetti Anna , Antigny Fabrice , Bernheim Laurent , Cosson Pierre , Frieden Maud , Demaurex Nicolas
Published: March 2015

STIM proteins populate and expand cortical ER sheets to mediate store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) by trapping and gating Orai channels in ER-PM clusters. A longer splice variant, STIM1L, forms permanent ER-PM clusters and mediates rapid influx in muscle. Here, we used electron microscopy, TIRF, and Ca2+ imaging to establish the trafficking and signaling properties of the two STIM1 isoforms in Stim1−/−/Stim2−/− fibroblasts. Unlike STIM1, STIM1L was poorly recruited into ER-PM clusters and did not mediate store-dependent expansion of cortical ER cisternae. Removal of the STIM1 lysine-rich tail prevented store-dependent cluster enlargement, while inhibition of cytosolic Ca2+ elevations or removal of the STIM1L actin binding domain had no impact on cluster expansion. Finally, STIM1L restored robust, but not accelerated SOCE and clustered with Orai1 channels more slowly than STIM1 following store depletion. These results indicate that STIM1L does not mediate rapid SOCE but can trap and gate Orai1 channels efficiently without remodeling cortical ER cisternae. The ability of STIM proteins to induce cortical ER formation is dispensable for SOCE and requires the lysine-rich tail of STIM1 involved in binding to phosphoinositides.
The biological significance of acoustic stimuli determines ear preference in the music frog
Authors: Xue Fei , Fang Guangzhan , Yang Ping , Zhao Ermi , Brauth Steven E. , Tang Yezhong
Published: March 2015

Behavioral and neurophysiological studies support the idea that right ear advantage (REA) exists for perception of conspecific vocal signals in birds and mammals. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on anuran species that typically communicate through vocalization. The present study examined the direction and latencies of orientation behaviors in Emei music frogs (Babina daunchina) produced in response to six auditory stimuli emitted by a speaker placed directly behind the subjects. The stimuli included male advertisement calls produced from within burrow nests, which have been shown to be highly sexually attractive (HSA), calls produced from outside burrows, which are of low sexual attractiveness (LSA), screech calls produced when frogs are attacked by snakes, white noise, thunder and silence. For all sound stimuli except the screech, the frogs preferentially turned to the right. Right ear preference was strongest for HSA calls. For the screech and thunder stimuli, there was an increased tendency for subjects to move further from the speaker rather than turning. These results support the idea that in anurans, right ear preference is associated with perception of positive or neutral signals such as the conspecific advertisement call and white noise, while a left ear preference is associated with perception of negative signals such as predatory attack.
Electrochemical Formation of a Polyviologen–ZnO Composite with an Efficient Charging Capability
Authors: Maruo Hirofumi , Oyaizu Kenichi , Nishide Hiroyuki
Published: March 2015

Concurrent and cathodic electrolysis of tris(cyanopyridinio)mesitylene and zinc chloride gave redox-active polyviologen, densely formed around the zinc oxide nanorod, on a substrate, which displayed a large charging–discharging capacity and an excellent rate performance based on a large diffusivity of charge, and was useful as an anode-active material.
Fostering Entrepreneurially-Skilled People: Estonia’s Experience
Authors: Новикова  , Novikova Tatyana
Published: March 2015

The author considers some problems arising in the process of fostering and training a citizen, fit to work successfully in the innovative economy environment; outlines the features, inherent to an entrepreneurial individual; refers to the foreign countries’ experiences in terms of accommodating their citizens to become integral part of the knowledge economy; discusses the Program on “Entrepreneurship Education in Europe” adopted in Oslo. Further, the author highlights the difference between such notions, as “initiativity” and “entrepreneurial attitude”; shares the experience of fostering entrepreneurial mindset, gained by Scotland, and also considers in great detail Estonia’s best practices, elaborated to develop entrepreneurial mindset in its citizens.
sociocultural Reading оf the «Klimov’s Triad» or the Career Guidance as a Challenge
Authors: Кондратьева  , Kondrateva O. , Сергеев  , Sergeev Igor
Published: March 2015

The article presents a modern interpretation of the «Klimov’s triad» that reflects the social and cultural attitudes of youth to the career choice. Depending

on what kind of socio-cultural setting (or combination of settings) dominated in the upbringing and development of the growing human, he has formed

one or the other strategy of professional self-determination.
A Multiproduct Network Economic Model of Cybercrime in Financial Services
Authors: Nagurney Anna
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we propose a network economic model of cybercrime with a focus on financial services, since such organizations are one of the principal targets of such illicit activity. This multiproduct model is constructed as a layered bipartite network with supply price, transaction cost, and demand price functions linking the networks. A novelty of the new model is the incorporation of average time associated with illicit product delivery at the demand markets with the demand price functions being decreasing functions of such times, as noted in reality. The governing equilibrium conditions are formulated as a variational inequality problem with qualitative properties of the solution presented. An algorithm, with nice features for computations, is then applied to two sets of numerical examples in order to illustrate the model and computational procedure as well as the types of interventions that can be investigated from a policy perspective to make it more difficult for cybercriminals to obtain sensitive data.
Treating and preventing tissue shift and wrinkles caused by compression
Authors: Renton Kim , Keefe Kathy Young
Published: March 2015

Both the literature and the authors' findings support the idea that the ageing process nor genetic disposition are reason enough to cause facial wrinkles. The tissue damage caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and an action or force, such as repeated facial expression, gravitational shift and tissue shift caused by compression, work together to create wrinkles. This suggests that stringent preventative measures beyond the recommended use of adequate sun protection factor and sun avoidance, where possible, will affect the formation of wrinkles on the face and neck. The purpose of this paper is to educate aesthetic nurses on the significance of these preventative measures. When considering facial tissue protection aesthetic nurses must not only consider UVB irradiation, but also the lesser-known damaging effects of tissue shift due to the compression exhibited in habitual, side and/or stomach sleeping positions.
Physical and psychological scars: the impact of breast cancer on women's body image
Authors: Lewis-Smith Helena
Published: March 2015

While breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the UK, the number of those living with the residual consequences of the disease and its treatment is rising. Women are likely to undergo several different treatments, each accompanied by changes to appearance. This can impose an adverse impact on their body image. Helena Lewis-Smith reviews research in this area
Beauty, sexuality and cut-price procedures in a popular medical tourism destination
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: March 2015

With both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures on the rise worldwide, aesthetic nursing is becoming an increasingly popular profession. In this new series, Aysha Mendes examines aesthetic nursing practices and cultural perceptions of beauty across the globe by focusing on a different country every month. This issue looks at cosmetic procedures in popular medical tourism destination Poland