bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of tumor fatty acids, through overexpression or loss of thyroid hormone responsive protein spot 14 is associated with altered growth and metastasis
Authors: Wellberg Elizabeth A , Rudolph Michael C , Lewis Andrew S , Padilla-Just Nuria , Jedlicka Paul , Anderson Steven M
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Spot14 (S14), encoded by the THRSP gene, regulates de novo fatty acid synthesis in the liver, adipose, and lactating mammary gland. We recently showed that S14 stimulated fatty acid synthase (FASN) activity in vitro, and increased the synthesis of fatty acids in mammary epithelial cells in vivo. Elevated de novo fatty acid synthesis is a distinguishing feature of many solid tumors compared with adjacent normal tissue. This characteristic is thought to be acquired during tumor progression, as rapidly proliferating cells have a heightened requirement for membrane phospholipids. Further, overexpression of FASN is sufficient to stimulate cell proliferation. While many studies have focused on the FASN enzyme in cancer biology, few studies have addressed the roles of proteins that modify FASN activity, such as S14.

Methods

Tumor fatty acids were modulated using two mouse models, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-neu mice overexpressing S14 and MMTV-polyomavirus middle T antigen (PyMT) mice lacking S14, and associations between elevated or impaired fatty acid synthesis on tumor latency, growth, metastasis, and signaling pathways were investigated. We evaluated S14-dependent gene expression profiles in mouse tumors by microarray and used publicly available microarray datasets of human breast tumors.

Results

S14 overexpression in the MMTV-Neu transgenic model is associated with elevated medium-chain fatty acids, increased proliferation and a shorter tumor latency, but reduced tumor metastasis compared to controls. Loss of S14 in the MMTV-PyMT model decreased FASN activity and the synthesis of medium-chain fatty acids but did not alter tumor latency. Impaired fatty acid synthesis was associated with reduced solid tumor cell proliferation, the formation of cystic lesions in some animals, and decreased phosphorylation of Src and protein kinase B (Akt). Analysis of gene expression in these mouse and human tumors revealed a relationship between S14 status and the expression of genes associated with luminal epithelial differentiation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a potential role for S14 in regulating mammary tumor growth and fatty acid synthesis in vivo. Furthermore, these results suggest that modulating the amount of medium chain fatty acids, by changing the levels of S14, has the potential to impact malignant mammary tumor phenotypes.
Dissociation between sublingual and gut microcirculation in the response to a fluid challenge in postoperative patients with abdominal sepsis
Authors: Edul Vanina Siham Kanoore , Ince Can , Navarro Noelia , Previgliano Luciana , Risso-Vazquez Alejandro , Rubatto Paolo Nahuel , Dubin Arnaldo
Published: December 2014

Background

This study was performed to compare intestinal and sublingual microcirculation and their response to a fluid challenge.

Methods

Twenty-two septic patients in the first postoperative day of an intestinal surgery, in which an ostomy had been constructed, were evaluated both before and 20 min after a challenge of 10 mL/kg of 6% hydroxyethylstarch 130/0.4. We measured systemic hemodynamics and sublingual and intestinal microcirculation. Correlations between variables were determined through the Pearson test.

Results

Fluid administration increased the cardiac index (2.6 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 1.0 L/min/m2, P < 0.01) and mean arterial blood pressure (68 ± 11 vs. 82 ± 12 mm Hg, P < 0.0001). The sublingual but not the intestinal red blood cell (RBC) velocity increased (912 ± 270 vs. 1,064 ± 200 μm/s, P < 0.002 and 679 ± 379 vs. 747 ± 419 μm/s, P = 0.12, respectively). The sublingual and intestinal perfused vascular density (PVD) did not change significantly (15.2 ± 2.9 vs. 16.1 ± 1.2 mm/mm2 and 12.3 ± 6.7 vs. 13.0 ± 6.7 mm/mm2). We found no correlation between the basal sublingual and intestinal RBC velocities or between their changes in response to the fluid challenge. The individual changes in sublingual RBC velocity correlated with those in cardiac index and basal RBC velocity. Individual changes in intestinal RBC velocity did not correlate with either the cardiac index modifications or the basal RBC velocity. The same pattern was observed with the sublingual and the intestinal PVDs. The sublingual RBC velocities and PVDs were similar between survivors and nonsurvivors. But the intestinal RBC velocities and PVDs were lower in nonsurvivors.

Conclusions

In this series of postoperative septic patients, we found a dissociation between sublingual and intestinal microcirculation. The improvement in the sublingual microcirculation after fluid challenge was dependent on the basal state and the increase in cardiac output. In contrast, the intestinal microcirculation behaved as an isolated territory.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a thioredoxin from Taiwanofungus camphorata
Authors: Chen Yu-Ting , Hong Pin-Feng , Wen Lisa , Lin Chi-Tsai
Published: December 2014

Background

Thioredoxin (Trx) is reduced by thioredoxin reductase. Trx is used in ribonucleoide reduction, assimilatory sulfate reduction, in modulation of protein sulfhydryl groups, and refolding proteins.

Results

A TcTrx (Tc: Taiwanofungus camphorata) cDNA (640 bp, GenBank AY838902.1) encoding a putative thioredoxin (Trx) of 135 amino acid residues with calculated molecular mass of 16.17 kDa was cloned from Taiwanofungus

c

amphorata. The deduced amino acid sequence containing a motif (Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys) that is highly conserved among the reported Trxs. A three dimensional structural model of the TcTrx has been created based on the known structure of Malassezia sympodialis Trx (MsTrx, PDB ID: 2j23). To characterize the TcTrx, the codon optimized coding region was subcloned into an expression vector and transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The recombinant His8-tagged TcTrx was expressed and purified by Ni affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a band of approximately 32 kDa (expected dimeric form) on a 12% SDS-PAGE. The molecular mass determined by MALDI-TOF is 33.16 kDa which suggests that the purified enzyme is a dimeric enzyme. Furthermore, the enzyme exhibited TcTrx activity via insulin assay. The Michaelis constant (K

M
) value for insulin was 3.78 × 10−2 mM. The enzyme’s half-life of deactivation was 13 min at 45°C. The enzyme was most active at pH 7.

Conclusions

A three dimensional structural model of T. camphorata Trx based on its TcTrx cDNA sequence. The active form of the TcTrx has been successfully expressed in yeast. The enzyme possesses Trx activity and is capable of reduction of disulfide bonds during the formation of newly synthesized proteins.
Multifocusing 3D diffraction imaging for detection of fractured zones in mudstone reservoirs: Case history
Authors: Schoepp Alana , Labonté Stephane , Landa Evgeny
Published: December 2014

Diffracted waves are generated by a wave incident on a subsurface obstruction (of a size less than a seismic wavelength) that acts as a point source, scattering the wave in all directions. In the most general terms, diffractors are points and edges and they typically appear in the subsurface as faults, steep reef edges, karsts, or extensive systems of well-developed fractures. Diffracted waves are rarely imaged in sufficient detail for interpretation because they have low amplitudes compared to the reflectivity data, and standard processing flows are not optimized for them. Diffraction imaging, in the form of diffraction multifocusing, is a seismic processing technique that separates the recorded diffractions from the specular reflections (waves reflected from a smooth surface that obey Snell’s law). A 3D volume of the semblance of the diffracted energy can be created and interpreted to indicate the presence of the diffractors. We applied diffraction imaging to seismic data acquired above a fractured mudstone oil reservoir. In an unconventional reservoir, there may be additional hydrocarbon storage or permeability in the fractures that could affect drilling, completions, and production. We mapped the diffraction energy at the reservoir level and correlated it with rates of initial production of the wells. In addition, the diffraction imaging amplitudes were qualitatively related to gas shows encountered during drilling and may be used to predict the relative increase or decrease in gas shows in this reservoir. The ability to predict the presence of natural fractures allowed us to spatially locate well trajectories and may impact decisions regarding well operations and completions.
Cockroach optomotor responses below single photon level
Authors: Honkanen Anna , Takalo Jouni , Heimonen Kyösti , Vähäsöyrinki Mikko , Weckström Matti
Published: December 2014

Reliable vision in dim light depends on the efficient capture of photons. Moreover, visually guided behaviour requires reliable signals from the photoreceptors to generate appropriate motor reactions. Here, we show that at behavioural low-light threshold, cockroach photoreceptors respond to moving gratings with single-photon absorption events known as ‘quantum bumps’ at or below the rate of 0.1 s−1. By performing behavioural experiments and intracellular recordings from photoreceptors under identical stimulus conditions, we demonstrate that continuous modulation of the photoreceptor membrane potential is not necessary to elicit visually guided behaviour. The results indicate that in cockroach motion detection, massive temporal and spatial pooling takes place throughout the eye under dim conditions, involving currently unknown neural processing algorithms. The extremely high night-vision capability of the cockroach visual system provides a roadmap for bio-mimetic imaging design.
Consume Now or Later? Time Inconsistency, Collective Choice, and Revealed Preference
Authors: Adams Abi , Cherchye Laurens , De Rock Bram , Verriest Ewout
Published: December 2014

We develop a revealed preference methodology that allows us to explore whether time inconsistencies in household choice are the product of individual preference nonstationarities or the result of individual heterogeneity and renegotiation within the household. An empirical application to household-level microdata highlights that an explicit recognition of the collective nature of household choice enables the observed behavior to be rationalized by a theory that assumes preference stationarity at the individual level. The methodology created in this paper also facilitates the recovery of theory-consistent discount rates for each individual within particular household under study. (JEL E24, F13, F16)
Monuments of Orthodox cult as an element of the regional traditional culture and as the tourist resource of Togliatti city district
Authors: Овсянников Валерий , Ovsyannikov Valeriy , Якунин Вадим , Yakunin Vadim
Published: December 2014

The article analyses the role of traditional cultural heritage in the development of tourism industry and describes the history and the modern situation of the temple construction in Togliatti. The authors depended on the complex historical method, system approach, various postnonclassical methods and systematized and analyzes historical facts connected with the Orthodox culture in Togliatti city district. The article also reveals positive tendencies and mechanisms of preservation and development of the most successful phenomena of traditional culture and of their popularization by religious tourism. The following thesis is introduced and proved: the unity of the past and present in regional culture manifests itself through cultural codes and the creation of elements of traditional media in young industrialized cities will contribute to the revival of the conventional spirituality. Power and business receive ideas of restoration of traditional spiritual components of social consciousness through the creation of appropriate environment that would demonstrate the beauty and the greatness of the architectural forms of the Orthodox culture and of their spiritual development abilities.
Conflict as a factor of students´ professional motivation in tourist higher education
Authors: Воробьева Марина , Vorobeva Marina , Чурилова Ирина , Churilova Irina
Published: December 2014

The article examines the role of conflict in the development of professional motivation of students of tourism universities. In this context, the use of educational technologies and context-based learning is at the focus of the study. The authors conclude that the above mentioned types of training, being conflict-help in their nature, assist future managers of tourist areas to know and understand themselves and the profession, to compare their professional capabilities and performance with the capabilities and achievements of others. The authors stress the progressive and positive impact of the conflict on the development of professional motivation of students of tourism universities. The evaluative, intrapersonal and interpersonal types of conflicts are identified. Attention is paid to the causes of conflicts for tourism students in the learning process, identified are the most effective strategies for student behavior in conflict situations. Tricks of technological assistance are shown for teachers responsible for directing the activities of the students to facilitate the acquisition of professional experience in solving conflicts, creating situations for student success, promoting professional growth and, as a consequence, the development of a conscious professional motivation. The study represents an attempt to prove that the conflict resides in the process of obtaining vocational education, as an essential attribute of students´ professional identity development and indicating the intensity of that identity´s evolution. And that is in itself an important factor in the development of professional motivation of the future managers in tourism-related areas.
Analysis of the model of training for the tourism industry in Norway
Authors: Сахарчук Елена , Sakharchuk Elena
Published: December 2014

This article is another publication of the research results of foreign models of training for the tourism sector. All the author´s publications are based on a single cycle of a conceptual representation of professional education in the field of tourism as an activity-system which has its own goal-setting and invariant and variable structural elements, super-system limiters, resources, and so on. Comparative analysis of foreign models of training for tourism allows identifying the essential characteristics of the basic structure and content of models, which affect the efficiency of education systems, which in turn means the maximum achievement of the purposes of educational activities for their participants. In order to analyze the model of training for the tourism industry in Norway were used the author´s own methods of analyzing the structure and content of vocational education in the field of tourism developed in order to study quantitative and qualitative parameters of education. As sources of information the author uses both secondary (research reports, statistics) and primary (results of surveys and interviews with representatives of education, students; pedagogical documentation) sources. The study of the Norwegian model of training for tourism includes: a research framework of conditions for the establishment and development of a training system for tourism in Norway; a study of tourism employment in Norway, which has a pronounced specificity (seasonality, alternative forms of tourism); a study of the structural features of the formation and continuity of educational levels. Of particular interest are the results of a study of factors affecting the consumer subsystem parameters, in particular, focus on student training; validity of educational levels and modules which direct education at the development of human resources. The results of the study lead to the conclusion about high levels which characterize the consumer subsystem of the system of professional education in the field of tourism. It is also possible to formulate an assumption about a correlation between the indicators of competitiveness of the tourism sector (in terms of the parameters describing human resources) and the indicators characterizing the consumer subsystem of the training system for the tourism sector.
Major destinations of Moscow region as priority points of tourist attraction
Authors: Афанасьев Олег , Afanasiev Oleg
Published: December 2014

The article describes the tourist destinations of the Moscow region, defined as the most important points to attract tourists, which development will contribute to the intensification of tourism development in the region. The program for the development of the inner and inbound types of tourism is a priority for Moscow region, as it allows to significantly increase the profitability of the local budget. This requires the implementation of measures of regional brand management. In particular, the identification of key points, destinations, their propaganda as major centers of tourist interest, market positioning of tourist product supply, new directions and packet services. The region has adopted and actively has been implementing the «Concept of tourism development in Moscow region», which identifies and lists 33 «objects of attraction» for tourists, and these objects are distributed among four «supporting tourism and recreation areas». The categorical composition of these objects is visualized on the thematic map «Major destinations and tourist and recreational areas of Moscow region.» As the results of the quantitative and categorical analysis of the most attractive objects of the Moscow region show, they are clearly dominated by cultural and educational, historical and architectural sites. A significant number of objects represent the spiritual heritage of the Russian people. Natural and industrial objects are represented to a much lesser extent. To some extent, the list of objects can be considered as representative of the entire Moscow region, but in territorial terms, they are spread unevenly and very poorly represented in the eastern supporting recreational area. The article presents the samples of the information and illustrative brochures, developed by the author, describing their unified structure and illustrations. An important consequent task is the need to further popularize and publicize tourism opportunities of these sites, the creation and maintenance of tourist information centers for them, the development of integrated tourism package proposals designed for long-term visitor.
Features of the spatial organization of services in Dagestan (based on hotel and restaurant businesses)
Authors: Гусенова Джамилия , Gusenova Dzhamiliya
Published: December 2014

The article examines some of the features of service in the Republic of Dagestan. The paper provides a specific statistical evidence of uneven development of the service sector in the region, including a faster growth in the average monthly wage in some areas of the service sector. In particular, there is a relatively lower level of demand for jobs among service workers, workers in housing and utilities, trade and related activities (5.3% of total demand) whereas for those professions there is an above-average wage growth in comparison to the whole economy. Thus, the average monthly wage in the hotel and restaurant sector in January-May 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 was 134.1%, which is almost 23%> higher than the average salary increase for the whole economy.

Particular attention is paid to the spatial organization of catering in Makhachkala. As a result of cartographic data placement of objects and their subsequent analysis identified are 6 specific territorial zones of the urban environment in which the great bulk of catering is concentrated. The author assumes the existence of a positive relation between the placement of enterprises and the location of the major higher educational institutions of the city, which indicates the orientation of catering on the student youth as the main consumer of goods and services. The methodological basis of the research is comprised of general scientific methods and particular studies of the phenomenon of «service area». Comparative analysis as a scientific method has allowed revealing the features of the organization of the service area, relative to the other spheres of economic activity. Among other methods actively is used content analysis of Internet resources, involving quantitative calculation of the control units (keywords).
Using devices to improve the wellbeing and life expectancy of heart failure patients
Authors: Linden Belinda
Published: December 2014

Belinda Linden highlights the NICE recommendations for treating patients with arrhythmias or heart failure with implantable cardioverter defibrillators or cardiac resynchronisation therapy
Research Roundup
Authors: Linden Belinda
Published: December 2014

In this section, Belinda Linden presents a synopsis of a selection of recently published articles of interest to those nurses working in the field of cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview, rather than a detailed critique, of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to look at the research in further detail
Post-implantation pacemaker complications: the nurse's role in management
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: December 2014

The use of pacemakers worldwide continues to increase. Although they have significant benefits, pacemaker complications are also increasingly prevalent post-operatively. However, if managed appropriately, these complications can be relatively benign. Therefore, it is essential that nurses looking after patients who have been fitted with a pacemaker have a good knowledge of the assessment and appropriate action required when symptoms of a complication occur following insertion. Complications that are more frequently observed include pneumothorax, infection, haematoma/pocket bleeding and lead failure. Two less common complications include pacemaker syndrome and superior vena cava syndrome. A true reflection of the prevalence of complications is unclear, but registry data appears to have the greatest reliability. Factors affecting prevalence of such complications include sample size, observation period, classification of data collected, operator experience and differences in complication rates depending on age and gender.
Treatment for atrial flutter in a patient with heart failure and mesothelioma: a case study
Authors: Eftekhari Helen , Darlison Liz
Published: December 2014

This case study follows the management of a patient with Mesothelioma who is subsequently diagnosed with heart failure and atrial flutter. The article illustrates how the appropriate management of atrial flutter with radiofrequency ablation can impact on the disease management; both heart failure and mesothelioma, improving patient care in this case. This was achieved by specialist nurses learning from each other, achieving patient care through working together. This case emphasises the importance of advocacy in patient care, even with life-limiting diagnosis, to secure appropriate treatment options
Reducing mortality with remote monitoring
Authors: Illes Carolyn
Published: December 2014

Carolyn Illes gives an overview of the recent IN-TIME trial and how remote monitoring could change the practices of nurses who manage patients with cardiac devices
Immediate changes in pressure pain threshold in the iliotibial band using a myofascial (foam) roller
Authors: Vaughan Brett , McLaughlin Patrick , Lepley Adam S
Published: December 2014

Background

Foam rolling is a self-release myofascial technique that can be applied to a variety of tissues. Previous studies have demonstrated physiological changes in range of motion and arterial stiffness with the application of a foam roller; however, no studies have investigated the change in pain levels. The present study investigated the effect on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) following the application of a foam roller for three minutes to the right iliotibial band (ITB) of asymptomatic participants.

Methods

Participants completed a questionnaire and had their height and mass measured. Three points on the ITB of the right leg were marked. The PPT was measured at each point using a pressure algometer. Measurements were taken pre-intervention, post-intervention and five minutes post-intervention. Participants completed a single three-minute bout on the foam roller.

Findings

Results demonstrated a statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in the PPT at the lower thigh immediately post-treatment; however, the difference was ameliorated five minutes later.

Conclusions

Foam rolling the ITB produces an immediate increase in the PPT of the lower thigh in asymptomatic participants.
An observational study on usual physiotherapy care in a stroke rehabilitation unit for patients with mobility deficits
Authors: Tole Genevieve , Williams Gavin , Clark Ross , Holland Anne E , Jackson Joanna
Published: December 2014

Aim

To document the range of physiotherapy interventions undertaken by stroke patients with mobility deficits during ‘usual care’ in inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods

Twenty consecutively admitted adults were approached to participate if they met the inclusion criteria: diagnosis of first stroke with leg weakness; functional ambulation category score ≥ able to mobilise ≥14 metres on level ground; and able to provide consent. All individual physiotherapy sessions for each participant were observed for one day. The duration of each therapy session was recorded, as well as the duration and type of specific physiotherapy interventions.

Findings

Twenty participants (12 males, 8 females; mean±SD age: 69±20 years) were observed. All participants attended at least one individual session of physiotherapy on the day this study was conducted. Physiotherapy sessions lasted 47.8±7.6 minutes, with an average of 17.9±6.9 minutes spent resting. The most frequently provided therapies were: gait training (10.8±4.7 minutes per session); strength training (8.5±7.0 minutes per session); and balance training (6.2±3.6 minutes per session).

Conclusions

In this sample of ambulant patients following stroke, inpatient physiotherapy rehabilitation focused on gait training, lower limb strengthening and balance training. Active therapy time was low and long rest periods with no prescribed activity were evident, which suggests therapy time is not optimally utilised in this population.
Advising parents on infant sleep
Authors: Kochhar Suneeta
Published: December 2014

Most parents want their child to sleep through the night. Suneeta Kochhar discusses infant sleep patterns
Recognising prediabetes
Authors: Morris David
Published: December 2014

Prediabetes identifies a cohort of patients at high risk of progression to diabetes, says David Morris
Behaviour: A long-term plan
Authors: Pittam Nadine
Published: December 2014

Dreikurs’ Theory divides misbehaviour into four distinct types and offers a simple approach to managing each one. Nadine Pittam looks at the clear implications for teachers
Don't Change the Light Bulbs
Authors: Lee-Potter Emma
Published: December 2014

A new book has brought together a wealth of teaching guidance and tips. Emma Lee-Potter looks at some of the advice for NQTs and speaks to its curator about how new teachers can thrive during their first year
Developing Electronic Data Methods Infrastructure to Participate in Collaborative
Research Networks
Authors: Priest Elisa L. , Klekar Christopher , Cantu Gabriela , Berryman Candice , Garinger Gina , Hall Lauren , Kouznetsova Maria , Kudyakov Rustam , Masica Andrew
Published: December 2014

Context: Collaborative networks support the goals of a learning health system by
sharing, aggregating, and analyzing data to facilitate identification of best practices
care across delivery organizations. This case study describes the infrastructure and
process developed by an integrated health delivery system to successfully prepare and
submit a complex data set to a large national collaborative network.Case Description: We
submitted four years of data for a diverse population of patients in specific clinical
areas: diabetes, chronic heart failure, sepsis, and hip, knee, and spine. The most
recent submission included 19 tables, more than 376,000 unique patients, and almost 5
million patient encounters. Data was extracted from multiple clinical and administrative
systems.Lessons Learned: We found that a structured process with documentation was key
to maintaining communication, timelines, and quality in a large-scale data submission to
a national collaborative network. The three key components of this process were the
experienced project team, documentation, and communication. We used a formal QA and
feedback process to track and review data. Overall, the data submission was resource
intensive and required an incremental approach to data quality.Conclusion: Participation
in collaborative networks can be time and resource intense, however it can serve as a
catalyst to increase the technical data available to the learning health
system.
Underscore Alchemy: Extending the Underscore for creative artists
Authors: McKenzie Vahri
Published: December 2014

Underscore Alchemy is a research project designed to investigate how artists from disciplines outside the performing arts might engage with Nancy Stark Smith’s collaborative improvisation model, the Underscore, in order to enhance their creative practices. Creative artists with limited prior experience of somatic practices were invited to participate in a series of research workshops based on Smith’s Underscore. These participants were offered somatic exercises based on everyday movements by facilitators trained in contact and improvisation, within an egalitarian workshop culture. This phenomenological study captured data generated through practice as well as qualitative data, analysis of which suggests that the Underscore can be successfully adapted for artists working in non-dance disciplines. This article looks at the role Smith’s Underscore played in Underscore Alchemy, entailing an investigation of how contact manifested through rhythmic and visual patterns, as well as how these creative artists from a variety of disciplines engaged with improvisation through attention to the experiential body.
touch + talk: Ecologies of questioning in contact and improvisation
Authors: Sarco-Thomas Malaika
Published: December 2014

This article explores the potential of the touch + talk score to act as a framework in which to articulate and open up dance practitioners’ questions underlying the practice and performance of contact and improvisation. Guattari’s model of three ecologies is used as a reference point from which to identify how a practice of questioning is significant to improvisational modalities in dance as well as wider practices of relating to social, mental and physical spheres of thought. I suggest that negotiating contact with another through physical and verbal questioning can be a route towards articulating our emerging understanding of current improvisation practices and makes visible the ethical practice of encountering another.
Risk and flow in contact improvisation: Pleasure, play and presence
Authors: Urmston Elsa , Hewison James
Published: December 2014

Grounded in Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory, the focus of this study was to examine the role of flow as a framework for optimizing the practice of risk-taking in the teaching and learning of contact improvisation in higher education, and to better enable students to take the creative, physical and psychological risks associated with that practice. A range of qualitative methodologies were employed including observation, analysis, writing, drawing and focus group discussions. Findings of this study included: establishing shared learning environments, attending to language and tone of delivery, and ensuring the development of scaffolded tasks for trust, non-judgement, optimal experience and pleasure to flourish.
A pedagogy of vital contact
Authors: Smith Stephen J.
Published: December 2014

Children, youth, other persons, animals even are those with whom our lives are entwined, yet our connections are customarily superficial, fleeting and distant. Where they are sustained in various professional and pedagogical practices, the relations tend to be constrained by routines, rituals and rites. The primary motive of contact improvisation, however, is to connect to others beyond our habitual containments. As a movement form, contact improvisation brings postural, positional, gestural and expressive nuance to our actions, reactions and interactions. It is a somatic practice not only of relating sensitively to others, but also of cultivating a corporeal responsiveness to those who would otherwise fall outside our personal and professional commitments. We realize the possibilities of such connection when the spatial, and especially the temporal, dynamics of contact improvisation are transposed ‘somatophorically’ to discursive realms. A felt durational emphasis can be now heard as the agogic accent of multilingualism. And as an accent of speech, but also of song, music and motion, its significance spreads through all our relations with others. Particular attention is paid to the pedagogical formulation of this accent and to how improvisatory contact might be transposed to settings of evident educational concern. Relations between teachers and students, therapists and clients, social workers and youth, as well as parents and their children, can incorporate this accent of contact duration. At their pedagogical best, these relations can be corporeally improvisatory, multilingually responsive, and essentially and durationally tactful. More formal, institutionalized representations of pedagogy can thus be understood as derivative, and too often subversive, of a vital contact with others in the manifold, multilingual worlds we share.
Fatal Snake Bite in a Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos L.): A Case Report
Authors: Velev Romel , Tankoski Toni , Tankoska Maja
Published: December 2014

Poisoning from snake venom in animals is an emergency which requires immediate attention or otherwise, the delayed and inadequate treatment leads to untoward consequences and death. The present paper describes a case of venomous snakebite in a brown bear cub (Ursus arctos L.) and its therapeutic management. The brown bear cub of which was found alone on the slopes of a mountain in the southwest part of the country was presented to the peripheral veterinary practice in Ohrid with a history of dullness, disorientation and excessive swelling around the left forepaw. It was diagnosed for snakebite based on the history and physical examination. The hematological parameters showed reduced values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and increased total leukocyte count. The biochemical values showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and creatinine. After immobilization of the animal, the treatment was conducted with fluids, corticosteroid and broad spectrum antibiotic with careful monitoring. Despite the treatment which was initiated immediately, it was only partially effective, and the animal died one hour after the beginning of its course. Poisonous snakes are common in the mountainous part of Macedonia and, just like humans, wild bears especially their cubs are susceptible to the deadly venom of some species. The severity of the reaction to snake venom and prognosis in animals depends on a number of factors: on the type and species of snake, on how much venom was injected, on the location of the bite, on the age, health and body weight of the animal and crucially, the time interval between the snakebite and the application of the treatment.
Drivers of Local Relative to Global Brand Purchases: A Contingency Approach
Authors: Strizhakova Yuliya , Coulter Robin A.
Published: December 2014

Consumers around the world are choosing between local versus global brands in the marketplace. The authors draw on the dual-drivers theory of consumer choice and global consumer culture theory to offer a sociocultural-historical perspective on purchases of local (relative to global) brands. Their framework focuses on two local–global consumer values (ethnocentrism and global connectedness) and the identity- and quality-signaling functions of local (relative to global) brands. The authors argue for a contingency approach such that the effects of these local–global consumer values are moderated by country level of economic development and product category symbolism. This research uses consumer-level data (n = 2,197) and country-level data (from Euromonitor's Global Market Information Database) from seven countries (Australia, Brazil, China, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States). They find that purchases of local (relative to global) brands are predicated on local–global consumer values, mediated by perceptions of the identity function of local (relative to global) brands, and moderated by the country's level of economic development and product category symbolism.
Music-induced prolongation of heart rate corrected QT intervals from electrocardiogram recordings of healthy preterm pregnant women
Authors: Rhomberg Franziska , Moeslinger Thomas , Gottsauner-Wolf Michael
Published: December 2014

Aim:

Women do have longer QTc intervals compared to men. The aim of this study was to investigate as-yet undocumented effects of music on QTc intervals from electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings compared to various cardiovascular parameters of women in the prenatal phase.

Methods:

Forty-four healthy women in pregnancy were exposed to quiet surroundings (Q), self-selected slow music (S), and investigator-provided fast music (F) with different rhythm and frequency characteristics for 3 min each during their routine cardiotocography investigation. QTc intervals from ECG recordings were calculated according to the formulas of Bazett, Fridericia, and Sagie.

Results:

QTc durations (Bazett) increased from 0.396±0.02 (Q) to 0.401±0.02 s (S) and to 0.407±0.03 s (F). The increase in QTc (delta QTc) value for slow (S) and fast (F) music was found to be 5.3 (S) and 10.1 ms (F, milliseconds) when compared to quiescent (Q) conditions showing a highly significant tripled P-value of 0.002 (Q vs. F). Similar results were found using alternate frequency corrections (Fridericia, Sagie) – QTc (delta QTc): 8.1 (Fridericia) and 7.2 ms (Sagie), quiescent vs. F, with P<0.001. None of the tests for other cardiovascular parameters showed significant differences.

Conclusions:

As shown from our data, music with different rhythm and frequency characteristics may prolong QTc intervals in healthy preterm pregnant women and may add to other risk factors (e.g., preexisting QTc prolongation or application of QTc prolonging drugs). These data could prove to be relevant in the primary prevention recommendations for women at risk for arrhythmic patterns during pregnancy.
Influence of pressure on molecular packing and photochemical properties in three chalcone analogs
Authors: Bąkowicz Julia , Galica Tomasz , Turowska-Tyrk Ilona
Published: December 2014

The structures of 1-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(2-thienyl)prop-2-en-1-one, (I), 1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-furyl)prop-2-en-1-one, (II), and 1-(3-furyl)-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one, (III), were determined in ambient and high pressure conditions. The values of the intermolecular geometrical parameters describing possibilities of execution of [2+2] photodimerization were calculated and analysed. In the case of ambient pressure, for (I) they are close to the border valid for photoreactive compounds and for (II) and (III) they exclude the photochemical reaction in crystals. High pressure hardly changed the mutual orientation of adjacent molecules and largely the distance between them: in the case of (I), the distance was far below limits for compounds undergoing [2+2] photodimerization. The volume of free space was calculated for the studied compounds for different values of pressure and analysed in the context of possibilities of the [2+2] photodimerization.
Context-Dependent Urgency Influences Speed–Accuracy Trade-Offs in Decision-Making and Movement Execution
Authors: Thura David , Cos Ignasi , Trung Jessica , Cisek Paul
Published: December 2014

Speed–accuracy tradeoffs (SATs) exist in both decision-making and movement control, and are generally studied separately. However, in natural behavior animals are free to adjust the time invested in deciding and moving so as to maximize their reward rate. Here, we investigate whether shared mechanisms exist for SAT adjustment in both decisions and actions. Two monkeys performed a reach decision task in which they watched 15 tokens jump, one every 200 ms, from a central circle to one of two peripheral targets, and had to guess which target would ultimately receive the majority of tokens. The monkeys could decide at any time, and once a target was reached, the remaining token movements accelerated to either 50 ms (“fast” block) or 150 ms (“slow” block). Decisions were generally earlier and less accurate in fast than slow blocks, and in both blocks, the criterion of accuracy decreased over time within each trial. This could be explained by a simple model in which sensory information is combined with a linearly growing urgency signal. Remarkably, the duration of the reaching movements produced after the decision decreased over time in a similar block-dependent manner as the criterion of accuracy estimated by the model. This suggests that SATs for deciding and acting are influenced by a shared urgency/vigor signal. Consistent with this, we observed that the vigor of saccades performed during the decision process was higher in fast than in slow blocks, suggesting the influence of a context-dependent global arousal.
Layer Specific Sharpening of Frequency Tuning by Selective Attention in Primary Auditory Cortex
Authors: O'Connell Monica Noelle , Barczak Annamaria , Schroeder Charles E. , Lakatos Peter
Published: December 2014

Recent electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies provide converging evidence that attending to sounds increases the response selectivity of neuronal ensembles even at the first cortical stage of auditory stimulus processing in primary auditory cortex (A1). This is achieved by enhancement of responses in the regions that process attended frequency content, and by suppression of responses in the surrounding regions. The goals of our study were to define the extent to which A1 neuronal ensembles are involved in this process, determine its effect on the frequency tuning of A1 neuronal ensembles, and examine the involvement of the different cortical layers. To accomplish these, we analyzed laminar profiles of synaptic activity and action potentials recorded in A1 of macaques performing a rhythmic intermodal selective attention task. We found that the frequency tuning of neuronal ensembles was sharpened due to both increased gain at the preferentially processed or best frequency and increased response suppression at all other frequencies when auditory stimuli were attended. Our results suggest that these effects are due to a frequency-specific counterphase entrainment of ongoing delta oscillations, which predictively orchestrates opposite sign excitability changes across all of A1. This results in a net suppressive effect due to the large proportion of neuronal ensembles that do not specifically process the attended frequency content. Furthermore, analysis of laminar activation profiles revealed that although attention-related suppressive effects predominate the responses of supragranular neuronal ensembles, response enhancement is dominant in the granular and infragranular layers, providing evidence for layer-specific cortical operations in attentive stimulus processing.
MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Controls Dendritic Complexity, Spine Morphogenesis, and Glutamatergic Synapse Maturation in the Hippocampus
Authors: Qiu Shenfeng , Lu Zhongming , Levitt Pat
Published: December 2014

The MET receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), implicated in risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and in functional and structural circuit integrity in humans, is a temporally and spatially regulated receptor enriched in dorsal pallial-derived structures during mouse forebrain development. Here we report that loss or gain of function of METin vitroorin vivoleads to changes, opposite in nature, in dendritic complexity, spine morphogenesis, and the timing of glutamatergic synapse maturation onto hippocampus CA1 neurons. Consistent with the morphological and biochemical changes, deletion ofMetin mutant mice results in precocious maturation of excitatory synapse, as indicated by a reduction of the proportion of silent synapses, a faster GluN2A subunit switch, and an enhanced acquisition of AMPA receptors at synaptic sites. Thus, MET-mediated signaling appears to serve as a mechanism for controlling the timing of neuronal growth and functional maturation. These studies suggest that mistimed maturation of glutamatergic synapses leads to the aberrant neural circuits that may be associated with ASD risk.
Global Cognitive Factors Modulate Correlated Response Variability between V4 Neurons
Authors: Ruff Douglas A. , Cohen Marlene R.
Published: December 2014

Recent studies have shown that cognitive factors such as spatial and feature-based attention, learning, and task-switching can change the extent to which the trial-to-trial variability in the responses of neurons in sensory cortex is shared between pairs of neurons (for review, see Cohen and Kohn, 2011). Global cognitive factors related to concentration, motivation, effort, arousal, or alertness also affect performance on perceptual tasks and the responses of individual neurons in many cortical areas (Spitzer et al., 1988; Spitzer and Richmond, 1991; Motter, 1993; Bichot et al., 2001; Hasegawa et al., 2004; Boudreau et al., 2006; Niwa et al., 2012). The question of how global cognitive factors affect correlated response variability is important because these factors likely vary both across and within all psychophysical and physiological studies. Furthermore, global cognitive factors might provide a convenient platform for studying the neuronal mechanisms underlying how cognitive factors affect correlated variability because they can be manipulated easily without training complex perceptual tasks. We recorded simultaneously from groups of neurons in visual area V4 while rhesus monkeys performed a contrast discrimination task whose difficulty changed in blocks of trials. We found that correlated variability decreased when the task was more difficult, even when the visual stimuli were far outside the receptive fields of the recorded neurons. Our results suggest that studying global cognitive factors might provide a general framework for studying how cognitive factors affect the responses of neurons throughout sensory cortex.