bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Evidence-Based Literacy Practices in Middle School Response to Intervention
Authors: Ciullo Stephen , Lembke Erica S. , Carlisle Abigail , Thomas Cathy Newman , Goodwin Marilyn , Judd Laura
Published: March 2015

The authors report findings from a systematic observational study of middle school educators (Grades 6–8) in two states who provided reading interventions within Tier 2 and Tier 3 of a Response to Intervention (RTI) framework. Intervention sessions were coded and analyzed to understand (a) the frequency and type of evidence-based strategies implemented for students with learning disabilities and reading difficulties, and (b) whether observed practices within secondary and tertiary intervention settings align with researcher recommendations regarding middle school reading instruction based on extant research. The findings indicated that more than 12% of time was devoted to logistical and non-academic activities, and evidence-based interventions including explicit instruction, cognitive strategy instruction, content enhancements, and independent practice opportunities were reported infrequently, although instructional differences across sites were demonstrated. Encouraging findings include evidence of peer-mediated reading and explicit performance feedback. Implications for teacher preparation, professional development, and future research for RTI are discussed.
Two Siblings With a CDKL5 Mutation
Authors: Hagebeuk Eveline E. O. , Marcelis Carlo L. , Alders Mariëlle , Kaspers Ageeth , de Weerd Al W.
Published: March 2015

This is the second report of a family with a recurrence of a CDKL5 mutation (c. 283-3_290del) in 2 sisters. Both parents tested negative for the mutation in all tissues, but germline mosaicism is likely. Clinically CDKL5 patients resemble those with Rett syndrome, caused by a MECP2 mutation, who experience a regression, after an initial normal development. Even though both siblings showed a typical CDKL5 phenotype, their presentation is different. From birth, the oldest daughter had a severe developmental delay, feeding problems, and hypotonia and experienced daily refractory seizures. The youngest daughter appeared to be normal until age 3 months. At that age seizures started, deterioration and regression became evident, and an epileptic encephalopathy developed. This report of familial recurrence, with suspected germline mosaicism in a healthy parent, has important consequences for genetic counseling. Although it is not possible to predict an exact recurrence risk, it is likely to be increased.
Kalpathy Kumaraswamy
Authors: Shankar Raj K.
Published: March 2015

It is widely believed that there is an aspiring entrepreneur within every individual. While in some cases entrepreneurship manifests, in most it does not. While many entrepreneurship cases discuss objective issues such as opportunity selection, business modelling and growth challenges, ones discussing subtle entrepreneur dilemmas are sparse. Kalpathy Kumaraswamy Case (A) brings to the forefront a dilemma that is often taken for granted: the decision to become an entrepreneur. While exceptions do exist, it is a deliberate decision in majority of the individuals. Case (B) then takes the discussion to another ignored dilemma in the entrepreneurial process: trading-off passion for commercial success. Are right trade-offs the prerogative of exceptions? Entrepreneurial dilemmas, though subtle, are aplenty, and discussing them will hopefully enable aspiring entrepreneurs avoid them.
Book Review: V. Santhakumar, Economics in Action—An Easy Guide for Development Practitioners
Authors: Datta Samar K.
Published: March 2015

V. Santhakumar, Economics in Action—An Easy Guide for Development Practitioners, New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2013, 350 pp.
Validity and Reliability of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (Cantonese)
Authors: Young Daniel Kim-Wan , Ng Petrus Y. N. , Pan Jia-Yan , Cheng Daphne
Published: March 2015

Purpose:

This study aims to translate and test the reliability and validity of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness-Cantonese (ISMI-C).

Methods:

The original English version of ISMI is translated into the ISMI-C by going through forward and backward translation procedure. A cross-sectional research design is adopted that involved 295 participants randomly drawn from a population of Chinese consumers participated in different kinds of community-based mental health services.

Results:

Results show that the Cronbach’s α coefficient of the ISMI-C is .93. With regard to validity test, the ISMI-C shows significant and negative correlation with measures on self-esteem and quality of life. Also, an explorative factor analysis yields five factors that are consistent with previous research results.

Discussion:

This study shows that the ISMI-C is a reliable and valid measure. ISMI-C can facilitate the development of interventions in reducing self-stigma for people with mental illness across Chinese societies.
Who Can Give Me Satisfaction?
Authors: Sobral Maria Pedro , Teixeira Cátia P. , Costa Maria Emília
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to better understand couples’ satisfaction. We hypothesized that similar levels on the two dimensions of fear of intimacy (fear of losing the self [FLS] and fear of losing the other [FLO]) would buffer the negative association between fear of intimacy and relationship satisfaction. Findings revealed a positive influence in relationship satisfaction from partner similarity in FLS. No effects were found from partner similarity in FLO. Relationship satisfaction decreased when one partner’s higher fear of losing the self was combined with lower fear of losing the other from the other partner. Repercussions for couple therapy are discussed.
Motivators of and Barriers to Eating Foods and Snacks Among Adolescents
Authors: Wippold Guillermo M. , Tucker Carolyn M. , Smith Tasia M.
Published: March 2015

Adolescents from low-income households and minority groups are disproportionately affected by obesity compared with their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Engaging in health promoting behaviors such as routinely eating healthy foods and snacks and engaging in physical activity are ways of preventing and reducing obesity and obesity disparities. The major purposes of the present study are (a) to identify the motivators of and barriers to eating healthy foods and snacks among culturally diverse adolescents and (b) to determine if the strengths of endorsement of these motivators and barriers differ by race, gender, and age. In the present study, a series of factor analyses was used to identify the motivators of and barriers to eating healthy foods and snacks among the culturally diverse adolescent participants (N = 172) in the national study. Specifically, an adolescent motivator of eating healthy foods and snacks scale, adolescent barrier to eating healthy foods and snacks scale, and subscales for each of these 2 scales were identified. The adolescent motivator subscales found were Knowledge and Commitment (α = .86) and Routine (α = .87). The adolescent barrier subscales found were Lack of Exposure (α = .72), Pessimistic Attitude (α = .80), and Temptation (α = .59). MANOVAs were used to determine if the mean scores for these scales and subscales differ by race, age, and gender. Nonsignificant differences were found among the mean scores for these scales and subscales. Results have implications for customizing adolescent health promotion interventions, including those to reduce and prevent obesity.
Impairment of erectile function after elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Majd P , Ahmad W , Luebke Th , Gawenda M , Brunkwall J
Published: March 2015

The purpose of the present study was to compare the functional change of erectile dysfunction after endovascular repair (EVAR) and open repair (OR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Between April 2009 and December 2011, male patients admitted for elective treatment of an asymptomatic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm were included. The erectile function was evaluated by using a validated KEED questionnaire. All patients filled out the questionnaire preoperatively and postoperatively after one year.

The number of patients with an increase of erectile dysfunction was 8 (26.6%) to 16 (53.3%) in open repair group vs. 30 (42.6%) to 40 (58.8%) in endovascular aneurysm repair. There was no statistically significant difference between open repair and endovascular aneurysm repair groups in order of new incidence of erectile dysfunction ( p = 0.412). The study showed an increase in the mean value of Erectile Dysfunction -Score postoperatively in both the groups as well.

The present study showed an increase of erectile dysfunction postoperatively, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Experiential Learning in a Student-Run Free Clinic
Authors: Kruger Jessica S. , Kruger Daniel J. , Suzuki Rie
Published: March 2015

Experiential learning is an important contributor to higher education. Incorporating experiential learning into a program of study helps provide a new avenue for the application of theory to practice. These activities are often in the form of volunteer services, which help students translate classroom learning into real-world solutions, address community needs, help students serve their neighbors, facilitate campus–community collaboration, and connect students with local organizations. This article describes an assessment of educationally relevant experiences at a student-run free health clinic. The majority of students believed that their clinic experiences fit well into their academic curriculum and schedule. They considered this a positive and worthwhile endeavor, both because of their own personal gain in knowledge, skills, and experiences and because of the direct benefit to the local community. Overall, the students’ experiences were very positive and were consistent with achieving the clinic’s and the university’s goals.
Welding metallurgy of stainless steels during resistance spot welding Part I: fusion zone
Authors: Pouranvari M. , Alizadeh-Sh M. , Marashi S. P. H.
Published: March 2015

Weldability is one of the key requirements for automotive materials. This two-part paper aims at understanding the metallurgical phenomena during resistance spot welding of stainless steels, as interesting candidates for automotive body in white. Part I addresses the phase transformations in the fusion zone of three types of stainless steels including austenitic, ferritic and duplex types. The solidification and solid state phenomena including columnar to equiaxed transition, ferrite–austenite post-solidification transformation, martensitic transformation and carbide precipitation are discussed. Particular attention is given to the effect of high cooling rate of resistance spot welding process on the ferrite–austenite transformation. Key factors controlling the hardness of the fusion zone are highlighted.
Xenograft models for normal and malignant stem cells
Authors: Goyama Susumu , Wunderlich Mark , Mulloy James C.
Published: March 2015

The model systems available for studying human hematopoiesis, malignant hematopoiesis, and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function in vivo have improved dramatically over the last decade, primarily due to improvements in xenograft mouse strains. Several recent reviews have focused on the historic development of immunodeficient mice over the last 2 decades, as well as their use in understanding human HSC and leukemia stem cell (LSC) biology and function in the context of a humanized mouse. However, in the intervening time since these reviews, a number of new mouse models, technical approaches, and scientific advances have been made. In this review, we update the reader on the newest and best models and approaches available for studying human malignant and normal HSCs in immunodeficient mice, including newly developed mice for use in chemotherapy testing and improved techniques for humanizing mice without laborious purification of HSC. We also review some relevant scientific findings from xenograft studies and highlight the continued limitations that confront researchers working with human HSC and LSC in vivo.
Validity and reliability of the Malay version of the Structured Migraine Interview (SMI) Questionnaire
Authors: Shaik Munvar Miya , Hassan Norul Badriah , Tan Huay Lin , Bhaskar Shalini , Gan Siew Hua
Published: March 2015

Background

The Structured Migraine Interview (SMI) is a valid and reliable instrument for migraine diagnosis. However, a Malay version of the SMI is not available to be applied to the local Malaysian population. This study was designed to access the validity and reliability of a new Malay version of the SMI questionnaire.

Methods

Patients with headache attending the Neurology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, were screened against the inclusion/exclusion criteria before recruitment. A standard translation procedure was used to translate and adapt the questionnaire into the Malay language. The translated version was tested for face, content and construct validities. Subsequently, validity and reliability studies were conducted (1st compilation), followed by retesting seven days later (2nd compilation).

Results

A total of 157 patients between 15 and 60 years of age were enrolled in this study. The kappa value was 0.70 (p < 0.001) with high sensitivity (0.97) and specificity (0.63). The misclassification rate was 0.15, with a positive predictive value of 0.82 and a negative predictive value of 0.92. The positive likelihood ratio was 2.62, while the negative likelihood ratio was 0.05. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.93 (1st compilation) and 0.90 (2nd compilation), respectively. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient ranged from 0.86 (Question 4) to 0.95 (Question 1). The overall concordance for item 1 was very high (97%), followed by item 4 (83%), item 2 (71%) and finally item 3 (64%).

Conclusion

The Malay version of the SMI questionnaire is comparable to the English version in terms of validity and reliability. It was highly reliable with good internal consistency and can be used for the diagnosis of migraine in clinical settings in Malaysia.
Uniformity and passivation research of Al2O3 film on silicon substrate prepared by plasma-enhanced atom layer deposition
Authors: Jia Endong , Zhou Chunlan , Wang Wenjing
Published: March 2015

Plasma-enhanced atom layer deposition (PEALD) can deposit denser films than those prepared by thermal ALD. But the improvement on thickness uniformity and the decrease of defect density of the films deposited by PEALD need further research. A PEALD process from trimethyl-aluminum (TMA) and oxygen plasma was investigated to study the influence of the conditions with different plasma powers and deposition temperatures on uniformity and growth rate. The thickness and refractive index of films were measured by ellipsometry, and the passivation effect of alumina on n-type silicon before and after annealing was measured by microwave photoconductivity decay method. Also, the effects of deposition temperature and annealing temperature on effective minority carrier lifetime were investigated. Capacitance-voltage and conductance-voltage measurements were used to investigate the interface defect density of state (D
it) of Al2O3/Si. Finally, Al diffusion P+ emitter on n-type silicon was passivated by PEALD Al2O3 films. The conclusion is that the condition of lower substrate temperature accelerates the growth of films and that the condition of lower plasma power controls the films’ uniformity. The annealing temperature is higher for samples prepared at lower substrate temperature in order to get the better surface passivation effects. Heavier doping concentration of Al increased passivation quality after annealing by the effective minority carrier lifetime up to 100 μs.
Strain echocardiography in septic shock – a comparison with systolic and diastolic function parameters, cardiac biomarkers and outcome
Authors: De Geer Lina , Engvall Jan , Oscarsson Anna
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Myocardial dysfunction is a well-known complication in septic shock but its characteristics and frequency remains elusive. Here, we evaluate global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) of the left ventricle as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in septic shock.

Methods

Fifty adult patients with septic shock admitted to a general intensive care unit were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on the first day, and repeated during and after ICU stay. Laboratory and clinical data and data on outcome were collected daily from admission and up to 7 days, shorter in cases of death or ICU discharge. The correlation of GLPS to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function parameters, cardiac biomarkers and clinical data were compared using Spearman’s correlation test and linear regression analysis, and the ability of GLPS to predict outcome was evaluated using a logistic regression model.

Results

On the day of admission, there was a strong correlation and co-linearity of GLPS to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mitral annular motion velocity (é) and to amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (Spearman’s ρ -0.70, −0.53 and 0.54, and R2 0.49, 0.20 and 0.24, respectively). In LVEF and NT-proBNP there was a significant improvement during the study period (analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures, p = 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively), but not in GLPS, which remained unchanged over time (p = 0.10). GLPS did not correlate to the improvement in clinical characteristics over time, did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors (−17.4 (−20.5-(−13.7)) vs. -14.7 (−19.0 - (−10.6)), p = 0.11), and could not predict mortality.

Conclusions

GLPS is frequently reduced in septic shock patients, alone or in combination with reduced LVEF and/or é. It correlates with LVEF, é and NT-proBNP, and remains affected over time. GLPS may provide further understanding on the character of myocardial dysfunction in septic shock.
Therapeutic potential of ixmyelocel-T, an expanded autologous multicellular therapy for treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Ledford Kelly J , Murphy Nikki , Zeigler Frank , Bartel Ronnda L , Tubo Ross
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Bone marrow derived cellular therapies are an emerging approach to promoting therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic cardiovascular disease. However, the percentage of regenerative cells in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) is small, and large amounts of BMMNCs are required. Ixmyelocel-T, an expanded autologous multicellular therapy, is manufactured from a small sample of bone marrow aspirate. Ixmyelocel-T contains expanded populations of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and M2-like macrophages, as well as many of the CD45+ cells found in the bone marrow. It is hypothesized that this expanded multi-cellular therapy would induce angiogenesis and endothelial repair.

Methods

A rat model of hind limb ischemia was used to determine the effects of ixmyelocel-T on blood flow recovery. To further determine the effects on endothelial cells, ixmyelocel-T was co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in non-contacting Transwell® inserts.

Results

Co-culture of HUVECs with ixmyelocel-T resulted secretion of a variety of pro-angiogenic factors. HUVECs stimulated by ixmyelocel-T exhibited enhanced migration, proliferation, and branch formation. Ixmyelocel-T co-culture also resulted in increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production. In tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-stimulated HUVECs, ixmyelocel-T co-culture decreased apoptosis and reactive oxygen species generation, increased super oxide dismutase activity, and decreased nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) activation. Treatment with ixmyelocel-T in a rat model of hind limb ischemia resulted in significantly increased blood flow perfusion and capillary density, gene expression and plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, plasma nitrates, plasma platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and significantly decreased plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS).

Conclusions

This work demonstrates that ixmyelocel-T interacts with endothelial cells in a paracrine manner, resulting in angiogenesis and endothelial protection. This data suggests that ixmyelocel-T could be useful for promoting of angiogenesis and tissue repair in ischemic cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, ixmyelocel-T therapy may provide a new aspect of therapeutic angiogenesis in this patient population where expanded populations of regenerative cells might be required.
SPECT imaging of glioma with radioiodinated CLINDE: evidence from a mouse GL26 glioma model
Authors: Tsartsalis Stergios , Dumas Noé , Tournier Benjamin B , Pham Tien , Moulin-Sallanon Marcelle , Grégoire Marie-Claude , Charnay Yves , Millet Philippe
Published: March 2015

Background

Recent research has demonstrated the potential of 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) to serve as a target for nuclear imaging of gliomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate SPECT imaging of GL26 mouse glioma using radioiodinated CLINDE, a TSPO-specific tracer.

Methods

GL26 cells, previously transfected with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing lentivirus, were stereotactically implanted in the striatum of C57/Bl6 mice. At 4 weeks post-injection, dynamic SPECT scans with [123I]CLINDE were performed. A displacement study assessed specificity of tracer binding. SPECT images were compared to results of autoradiography, fluorescence microscopy, in situ nucleic acid hybridization, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed to verify TSPO production by the tumor.

Results

Specific uptake of tracer by the tumor is observed with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Tracer uptake by the tumor is indeed 3.26 ± 0.32 times higher than that of the contralateral striatum, and 78% of the activity is displaceable by unlabeled CLINDE. Finally, TSPO is abundantly expressed by the GL26 cells.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the feasibility of [123I]CLINDE SPECT in translational studies and underlines its potential for clinical glioma SPECT imaging.
Power minimization of cooperative beamforming networks with spectrum sharing
Authors: Ling Cen , Yin Xuefeng , Boqué Silvia Ruiz , García-Lozano Mario
Published: March 2015

Cooperative communication with spectrum sharing has been proved to be an efficient way to reduce energy consumption. In this work, an optimal power allocation algorithm is proposed for mobile cooperative beamforming networks, where several secondary users (SUs) collaboratively act as relay nodes to assist the transmission of a primary user (PU) in reward of transmitting their own information. The optimal power allocation scheme is obtained by solving a convex optimization problem aiming at minimizing network energy consumption with guaranteed quality of service (QoS) for both PU and SUs. Simulation results show that with the consideration of overheads, circuit power, and energy costs for message sharing, a cooperative beamforming network augmented with our proposed power allocation algorithm performs better in scenarios of more SUs in terms of higher energy efficiency and less power consumption per unit throughput. Additionally, the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional best-relay selection approach in the aspects of power consumption per unit throughput, energy efficiency, and network power consumption. Furthermore, simulations also demonstrate that the derived cooperative beamforming algorithm exhibits superior performance in energy saving than conventional methods in high-speed scenarios.
Optimizing Bridge Network Retrofit Planning Based on Cost-Benefit Evaluation and Multi-Attribute Utility Associated with Sustainability
Authors: Dong You , Frangopol Dan M. , Sabatino Samantha
Published: March 2015

During their service life, bridge networks may be exposed to extreme events, including strong earthquakes, which pose an imminent threat to society, economy, and surrounding environment. This threat reinforces the need to implement updated sustainability assessment and optimal risk mitigation procedures. The sustainability-based seismic optimization of bridge networks considering the utility associated with cost and benefit of retrofit interventions is investigated. The ultimate aim of this framework is to reduce the extent of earthquake damage to society, economy, and environment, while simultaneously minimizing the total retrofit costs of bridge networks. The total benefit of a retrofit plan is quantified in terms of the reduction in the seismic loss during a given time interval using multi-attribute utility theory. Retrofit actions associated with varying improvement levels are considered herein. A genetic algorithm based optimization procedure is adopted to determine the optimal retrofit action for each bridge within an existing bridge network.
17β-Estradiol Inhibits MMP-9 and SUR1/TrpM4 Expression and Activation and Thereby Attenuates BSCB Disruption/Hemorrhage After Spinal Cord Injury in Male Rats
Authors: Lee Jee Y. , Choi Hae Y. , Na Won H. , Ju Bong G. , Yune Tae Y.
Published: March 2015

Blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption and progressive hemorrhage after spinal cord injury (SCI) lead to secondary injury and the subsequent apoptosis and/or necrosis of neuron and glia, causing permanent neurological deficits. In this study, we examined the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on BSCB breakdown and hemorrhage as well as subsequent inflammation after SCI. After a moderate contusion injury at the 9th thoracic segment of spinal cord, E2 (300 μg/kg) was administered by iv injection immediately after SCI, and the same dose of E2 was then administered 6 and 24 hours after injury. Our data show that E2 attenuated BSCB permeability and hemorrhage and reduced the infiltration of neutrophils and macorphages after SCI. Consistent with this finding, the expression of inflammatory mediators was significantly reduced by E2. Furthermore, E2 treatment significantly inhibited the expression of sulfonylurea receptor 1 and transient receptor potential melastatin 4 after injury, which are known to mediate hemorrhage at an early stage after SCI. Moreover, the expression and activation of matrix metalloprotease-9 after injury, which is known to disrupt BSCB, and the degradation of tight junction proteins, such as zona occludens-1 and occludin, were significantly inhibited by E2 treatment. Furthermore, the protective effects of E2 on BSCB disruption and functional improvement were abolished by an estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182780 (3 mg/kg). Thus, our study provides evidence that the neuroprotective effect of E2 after SCI is, in part, mediated by inhibiting BSCB disruption and hemorrhage through the down-regulation of sulfonylurea receptor 1/transient receptor potential melastatin 4 and matrix metalloprotease-9, which is dependent on estrogen receptor.
Paradoxical Dissociation Between Hepatic Fat Content and De Novo Lipogenesis Due to PNPLA3 Sequence Variant
Authors: Mancina Rosellina M. , Matikainen Niina , Maglio Cristina , Söderlund Sanni , Lundbom Nina , Hakkarainen Antti , Rametta Raffaela , Mozzi Enrico , Fargion Silvia , Valenti Luca , Romeo Stefano , Taskinen Marja-Riitta , Borén Jan
Published: March 2015

Context:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging epidemic disease characterized by increased hepatic fat, due to an imbalance between synthesis and removal of hepatic lipids. In particular, increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) is a key feature associated with NAFLD. The genetic variations I148M in PNPLA3 and E167K in TM6SF2 confer susceptibility to NAFLD.

Objective:

Here we aimed to investigate the contribution of DNL to liver fat accumulation in the PNPLA3 I148M or TM6SF2 E167K genetic determinants of NAFLD.

Patients and Methods:

The PNPLA3 I148M and TM6SF2 E167K were genotyped in two well-characterized cohorts of Europeans. In the first cohort (Helsinki cohort; n = 88), we directly quantified hepatic DNL using deuterated water. In the second cohort (Milan cohort; n = 63), we quantified the hepatic expression of SREBP1c that we have found previously associated with increased fat content. Liver fat was measured by magnetic resonance proton spectroscopy in the Helsinki cohort, and by histological assessment of liver biopsies in the Milan cohort.

Results:

PNPLA3 148M was associated with lower DNL and expression of the lipogenic transcription factor SREBP1c despite substantial increased hepatic fat content.

Conclusions:

Our data show a paradoxical dissociation between hepatic DNL and hepatic fat content due to the PNPLA3 148M allele indicating that increased DNL is not a key feature in all individuals with hepatic steatosis, and reinforces the contribution of decreased mobilization of hepatic triglycerides for hepatic lipid accumulation in subject with the PNPLA3 148M allele.
Selective Coregulator Function and Restriction of Steroid Receptor Chromatin Occupancy by Hic-5
Authors: Chodankar Rajas , Wu Dai-Ying , Gerke Daniel S. , Stallcup Michael R.
Published: March 2015

Steroid receptors (SRs) bind specific DNA regulatory sequences, thereby activating and repressing gene expression. We previously showed that transcriptional coregulator Hic-5 facilitates glucocorticoid regulation of some genes but blocks glucocorticoid regulation of others. Here, in a genome-wide analysis, Hic-5 depletion dramatically increased the global number of sites occupied by glucocorticoid receptor (GR) α (the major GR isoform), and many binding sites blocked by Hic-5 were associated with genes for which Hic-5 also blocked glucocorticoid-regulated expression. Hic-5 had similar effects on GRγ (a splice variant of GRα) and estrogen receptor α (ERα), facilitating hormonal regulation of some genes and blocking hormonal regulation of others. As with GRα, Hic-5 blocking of hormonal gene regulation mediated by GRγ and ERα was associated with blocking of GRγ and ERα occupancy at nearby sites. Hic-5 supported hormonal regulation of many more genes for GRα than for GRγ or ERα and thus exhibited selective coregulator functions for different SRs. In contrast, the number of Hic-5–blocked genes was similar for all 3 SRs. In addition to classic coregulator activity, Hic-5 influences the genomic occupancy of multiple SRs and thereby blocks some aspects of hormonal regulation. Thus, Hic-5, because of its tissue-specific expression, could contribute to tissue-specific genomic occupancy and gene regulation by SRs.
Sensuous Communism: Sand with Marx
Authors: White Claire
Published: March 2015

This article reads George Sand's Le Compagnon du Tour de France (1840) alongside Karl Marx's “Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844.” It considers how these contemporaries bring to bear on their accounts of labor, estrangement, and the structures of property an attention to the fate of the senses under capitalism. Both elaborate a critique of political economy—Sand's voiced by her worker-hero—that demonstrates how the individual's sensuous life is circumscribed by the pressures of material subsistence. The article examines how this attention to the senses inflects their visions of a communist future in which the very character of labor is transformed. In showing how Sand and Marx place the development and emancipation of sensuous life at the heart of their humanist projects, this discussion attends to the place of Sand's fiction in a wider history of ideas and argues for the relevance of Marx's early writing to sentimental fiction.
Caste in Black and White: Dalit Identity and the Translation of African American Literature
Authors: Desai Manan
Published: March 2015

In 1965, the critic Manohar Namdeo Wankhade completed a Ph.D. in American literature in the U.S. and returned to Maharashtra, where he published several influential essays for the nascent Marathi Dalit literary movement. This essay examines the role that American literature played in Wankhade's criticism, from early writings on Whitman's “spiritual democracy” to essays on the Black Arts Movement and Ralph Ellison, which were repurposed by a generation of Marathi Dalit writers. These writings imagined new terms of Dalit identity outside of the discourse of the Indian nation and the restrictive language of the caste system. By constructing a racialized, “culturally dualistic” America, Wankhade's Marathi essays sought in African American narratives a way of describing the historical trauma, alienated labor, and “double consciousness” of Black life that could resonate with Dalit subjectivity and the ongoing injustices of caste prejudice and violence.
Poly(1,4-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) Synthesis via Oxidative Polymerization of Diphenyl Disulfide: Mechanistic Insight into the Selective Formation of 1,4-Thiophenylene Chain
Authors: Aida Fuyuki , Takatori Yohei , Kiyokawa Daichi , Nagamatsu Kentaro , Nishide Hiroyuki , Oyaizu Kenichi
Published: March 2015

Oxidative polymerization of diphenyl disulfide under molten conditions at moderately elevated temperatures gave poly(1,4-phenylene sulfide) (PPS), using a vanadyl complex–strong acid catalyst with oxygen as the ultimate oxidant. Origin of the selectivity of the sulfonium electrophile for the formation of the 1,4-thiophenylene chain, characterized by the presence of a disulfide bond at the chain end, was determined by the behavior of polymerization and structural analysis of the product together with a computational calculation, which revealed a unique chain growth-type polycondensation process.
Creation of Kinetically Stabilized Porphyrin Microfilms through Synchronized Hydrogen-bonding Interactions in Microflow
Authors: Numata Munenori , Nishino Yuri , Sanada Yusuke , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: March 2015

Fine hydrogen-bonded networks over the micrometer scale were spontaneously constructed in microflow through the synchronized protonation of porphyrin having four carboxylic acid groups. The obtained porphyrin-based microfilms were kinetically stabilized by the hydrogen-bonded networks, and therefore were easily decomposed through synchronized deprotonation in the microflow.
Theoretical Investigation of Bridge Seismic Responses with Pounding under Near-Fault Vertical Ground Motions
Authors: Yang Haibo , Yin Xiaochun , Hao Hong , Bi Kaiming
Published: March 2015

Vertical earthquake loading is normally regarded not as important as its horizontal components and are not explicitly considered in many seismic design codes. However, some previous severe near-fault earthquakes reveal that the vertical ground motion component can be much larger than the horizontal components and may cause serious damage to the bridge structures. This paper theoretically investigates the vertical pounding responses of a two-span continuous bridge subjected to the severe near-fault vertical ground motions. The bridge is simplified as a continuous beam-spring-rod model. The structural wave effect and the vertical pounding between the bridge girder and the supporting bearing are considered, and the theoretical solutions of bridge seismic responses are derived from the expansion of transient wave functions as a series of eigenfunctions. The effects of vertical earthquake and vertical pounding on the bridge bearing, girder and pier are investigated. The numerical results show that the severe vertical earthquake loading may cause the bridge girder to separate from the supporting bearing and hence result in vertical poundings between them when they are in contact again. These vertical poundings can significantly alter the seismic responses of the bridge structure and may cause severe damage to the bridge components such as bridge girder, supporting bearing and bridge pier. Neglecting the influence of vertical earthquake loading may lead to inaccurate estimation of seismic responses of bridge structures, especially when they are subjected to near-fault earthquake with relatively large vertical motion.
Improvement of Pavement Design and Management for More Frequent Flooding Caused by Climate Change
Authors: Wang Yuhong , Huang Yu , Rattanachot Wit , Lau K.K. (Woody) , Suwansawas Suchatvee
Published: March 2015

Climatological records show a trend of the increasing occurrence of extreme weathers caused by global climate change. One form of extreme weathers is heavy rainfall which, combined with rising sea levels, made highways in some subtropical regions susceptible to flooding. Flooding in these regions causes noticeable damages to flexible highway pavements. However, little research has been conducted to quantify such damages and develop possible mitigation measures. This study developed a method to incorporate flood risk into the structural analysis of flexible pavements, examined the effects of flooding on pavement materials and structures through laboratory tests and design simulations, and recommended better pavement design and management strategies. Flexible pavement is found to be significantly affected by flooding. Future climate change and the resultant increase of flooding frequency pose a serious challenge to the reliability of flexible highway pavements. To mitigate the detrimental effects of flooding, pavement thickness and drainage system need to be adequately designed and post-flood traffic control may need to be imposed.
An Experimental Study of Frame-Supported Multi-Ribbed Composite Walls
Authors: Jia S.Z. , Cao W.L. , Yuan Q.
Published: March 2015

This paper references the structural design of the novel oblique frame-grid multi-ribbed composite (MRC) wall in studying the seismic performance of frame-supported MRC (FSMRC) walls. Two 1/2-scale FSMRC wall specimens with first floors composed of frame-shear walls and second floors composed of MRC walls were tested under cyclic loading. The failure processes and force-transfer mechanisms of both the orthogonal and the oblique frame-grid specimens were then investigated. Concurrently, the hysteresis of the vertex-horizontal displacement and inter-storey displacement, the skeleton curves, the loading-strain curves of the reinforcing bars of the members, and the residual deformation ratios of the specimens were analysed. The results indicate that the FSMRC wall exhibited good seismic performance and that the oblique frame-grid design was able to improve the overall ductility, deformation capacity, seismic resistance and repairability of the wall.
Bayesian-Based Structural Damage Detection on the Integration of Global and Local Information
Authors: Sun X.D. , Sun X.Y. , He J. , Hou G.L.
Published: March 2015

Vibration-based damage detection methods have inherent uncertainties due to the perturbation of measurement noise, modeling errors, and environmental changes, such as variations in temperature. However, other measured local information, including the static strain and deflection measured by the structural health monitoring system, have not been taken full advantage of. The integration of such global and local information has the potential to lead to more accurate structural damage detection. This paper proposes a method for integrating the global and local information for structural damage detection based on Bayesian theory. First, the Bayesian probability model associated with natural frequencies, displacement mode shapes, and strain modes is developed. In this model, the local strain information is also used as an input. Second, to reduce the model's computational cost in complex structures, the strain energy damage index is employed to determine the potential damage ranges. Finally, the exact damage elements are detected by a proposed sequence elimination method. Numerical simulations on a 14-bay planar rigid structure and the experiment on a 20-bay rigid truss are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method while considering model uncertainty and measurement noise. The results show that the proposed damage detection method can increase the model's identification accuracy and decrease its misjudgment rate, compared with the method that only uses global information.
Quantum-Behaved Particle Swarm Optimization with Novel Adaptive Strategies
Authors: Sheng Xinyi , Xi Maolong , Sun Jun , Xu Wenbo
Published: March 2015

Quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO), motivated by analysis from particle swarm optimization (PSO) and quantum mechanics, has shown excellent performance in finding the optimal solutions for many optimization problems. In QPSO, the mean best position, defined as the average of the personal best positions of all the particles in a swarm, is employed as a global attractor to attract the particles to search solutions globally. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the mean best position and proposes several novel adaptive strategies to determine the position. In particular, four variants of mean best position are proposed to serve as global attractors and the corresponding parameter selection methods are also provided. Empirical studies on a suite of well-known benchmark functions are undertaken in order to make an overall performance comparison among the proposed methods and other QPSO and PSO variants. The simulation results show that the proposed QPSO algorithm have some advantages over the original QPSO and other PSO algorithms.
Digital teaching tools and global learning communities
Authors: Williams Mary , Lockhart Patti , Martin Cathie
Published: March 2015

In 2009, we started a project to support the teaching and learning of university-level plant sciences, called Teaching Tools in Plant Biology. Articles in this series are published by the plant science journal, The Plant Cell (published by the American Society of Plant Biologists). Five years on, we investigated how the published materials are being used through an analysis of the Google Analytics pageviews distribution and through a user survey. Our results suggest that this project has had a broad, global impact in supporting higher education, and also that the materials are used differently by individuals in terms of their role (instructor, independent learner, student) and geographical location. We also report on our ongoing efforts to develop a global learning community that encourages discussion and resource sharing.
On the Proposal for Reforming of the Global Justice in the Russian Federation through “Radical Autonomation”
Authors: Zhuykov Viktor
Published: March 2015

The author proves the inadmissibility of the transformation of the global justice through its “autonomation” (separation from federal justice and locking-in at the level of constituent entities of the Russian Federation) suggested in the article of M. I. Kleandrov “On the Model of the Global Justice Radical Autonomation in the Russian Federation” (Journal of Russian Law. 2015. No. 3. P. 31—42), as well as groundlessness of the statement on deprivation of the right to judicial protection for more than 30 million Russia’s citizens, who carry out entrepreneurial activities as unregistered entrepreneurs. The author defends the suggestion on the transfer of civil cases involving individual entrepreneurs from arbitration courts to general jurisdiction courts with the purpose of providing individual entrepreneurs with the access to justice. The author justifies the necessity to preserve currently existing procedural and organizational contacts between justices of the peace who are judges of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and federal courts (district, regional, the Supreme Court of the Russian
Federation).
On Correlation between Public Services, Functions and Powers of the Executive Power Bodies
Authors: Smirnova Anna
Published: March 2015

The article analyzes the legislation in force as well as opinions existing in the legal science with respect to the interpretation of public services, functions and powers of the executive power bodies. The author notes the ambiguous and contradictory nature of legal regulation in the sphere of public services as well as the absence of a uniform approach to their definition in the Russian legal theory. The author also points out the drawbacks of the administrative reform measures related to the ambiguity in interpretation of the abovementioned terminology.
On Certain Issues of Limitation Period
Authors: Erdelevskiy Aleksandr
Published: March 2015

The article brought to readers’ notice considers certain issues, related to the legal institute of a limitation period. The purpose of the research was the analysis of the norms of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, which were considerably altered in the process of the current reform of the Russian civil legislation. The research was conducted on the basis of comparison between the norms, referring to the limitation period in their actual and previous editions, taking into account the relevant court’s practice. In particular, a detailed consideration was given to Article 199 of the Civil Code in its new edition, a number of problems were disclosed, which may arise in the court’s practice in connection with the application of this norm. Also an evaluation is given to Article 200 of the Civil Code. Special attention is devoted to the application of the limitation norms to the requirements, related to the invalidity of legal transactions. Materials of the Russian court’s practice, referring to the limitation norms are critically evaluated. As a result of the conducted research the conclusion was drawn on certain deficiencies of the norms in the research area and on the necessity of the legislation and court’s practice improvement.
Prospects and Directions of Development of the Forest Legislation of the Russian Federation
Authors: Shupletsova Yuliya
Published: March 2015

The article deals with the legal protection of forests and improving the legal regulation of forest management in Russia. It is focused on the Forest Code of the Russian Federation including amendments and supplements. Forests belong to one of the main natural resources of the Russia and of the world. The state regulation of forest relations acquires the great importance in terms of the forestry reforming. Special attention to the improvement of the legal regulation of forest management is associated with the most urgent problems of the application of the Forest Code of the Russian Federation. First and foremost problems in forest legislation are the lack of forests protection against the fires, numerous ambiguities in the questions concerning disposition of the linear forests objects, improvement of forest protection, forest supervision and control, lack of clear delimitation of between the Russian Federation and its subjects in the field of forest management, the imperfection of the procedure of forest auctions, the need to strengthen the legal barriers to illegal chopping and export of timber. The main recent changes in forest legislation of Russia are analyzed and the proposals about the directions of its further improvement are drawn.
Management of colonic polyps and the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
Authors: Chattree A , Lee TJW , Gupta S , Rutter MD
Published: March 2015

This article describes the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and the management of large colonic polyps, many of which are diagnosed and managed successfully during bowel cancer screening, in addition to non-endoscopic management options.
Carbon monoxide poisoning: an ancient and frequent cause of accidental death
Authors: Dubrey Simon W , Chehab Omar , Ghonim Sarah
Published: March 2015

Carbon monoxide poisoning is both an ancient and current cause of inadvertent (accidental) death and more recently has emerged as a cause of suicide worldwide. This article describes the pathophysiology and epidemiology of this most toxic and frequently occult poison.
Supporting the engagement of doctors in training in quality improvement and patient safety
Authors: Till Alex , Banerjee Jay , McKimm Judy
Published: March 2015

This article discusses how doctors in training and medical students’ routine, formal and meaningful engagement in quality improvement initiatives is a vital component of establishing a ‘culture of care’.
How many young carers are there in your school?
Authors: O'Connell Suzanne
Published: March 2015

Statistics suggest that there are far more young carers in our primary schools than we might imagine. A new law is aiming to help better identify and support our young carers. Suzanne O'Connell explains