bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions between Typhoon Megi (2010) and a Low-Frequency Monsoon Gyre
Authors: Bi Mingyu , Li Tim , Peng Melinda , Shen Xinyong
Published: April 2015

The ARW Model is used to investigate the sharp northward turn of Super Typhoon Megi (2010) after it moved westward and crossed the Philippines. The NCEP analyzed fields during this period are separated into a slowly varying background-flow component, a 10–60-day low-frequency component representing the monsoon gyre, and a 10-day high-pass-filtered component representing Megi and other synoptic-scale motion. It appears that the low-frequency (10–60 day) monsoon gyre interacted with Megi and affected its track. To investigate the effect of the low-frequency mode on Megi, numerical experiments were designed. In the control experiment, the total fields of the analysis are retained in the initial and boundary conditions, and the model is able to simulate Megi’s sharp northward turn. In the second experiment, the 10–60-day monsoon gyre mode is removed from the initial and lateral boundary fields, and Megi moves westward and slightly northwestward without turning north. Tracks of the relative positions between the Megi and the monsoon gyre centers suggest that a Fujiwhara effect may exist between the monsoon gyre and Megi. The northward turning of both Megi and the monsoon gyre occurred when the two centers were close to each other and the beta drift was enhanced.

A vorticity budget analysis was conducted. It is noted that the Megi moves toward the maximum wavenumber-1 vorticity tendency. The sharp change of the maximum vorticity tendency direction before and after the track turning point is primarily attributed to the change of the horizontal vorticity advection. A further diagnosis shows that the steering of the vertically integrated low-frequency flow is crucial for the change of the horizontal advection tendency.
The Resurrection of Jesus: A Clinical Review of Psychiatric Hypotheses for the Biblical Story of Easter
Authors: Bergeron Joseph W. , Habermas Gary R.
Published: April 2015

Jesus’ resurrection to bodily life after death by crucifixion is foundational to orthodox Christianity. The disciples had encounters with Jesus after his crucifixion which caused them to believe he had been bodily resurrected to life again. Psychiatric hypotheses have been proposed as naturalistic explanations for his disciples’ beliefs, which include hallucinations, conversion disorder, and bereavement experiences. Since they propose hallucinatory symptoms that suggest the presence of underlying medical pathology, clinical appraisal of these hypotheses for the disciples’ encounters with the resurrected Jesus is warranted. Psychiatric hypotheses for the disciples’ belief in Jesus’ resurrection are found to be inconsistent with current medical understanding and do not offer plausible explanations for the biblical story of Easter.
Interpersonal Communication as Social Action
Authors: Carassa Antonella , Colombetti Marco
Published: April 2015

We compare a number of influential approaches to human communication with the aim of understanding what it means for interpersonal communication to be a form of social action. In particular, we discuss the large-scale social normativity advocated by speech act theory, the view of communication as small-scale social interaction proper of Gricean approaches, and the intimate connection between communication and cooperation defended by Tomasello. We then argue in favor of a small-scale view of communication capable of accounting for the normative effects of communicative acts; to this purpose, we introduce the concept of interpersonal normativity and analyze its relationship with communicative intentions.
Investigation of mechanical properties of gold nanocoating using nanoindentation experiments
Authors: Han Xuesong , Wang Qian Jane
Published: April 2015

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to determine the mechanical properties of gold coating from indentation. The results show that the depressed surface generation process should be attributed to three key factors: first, the atom inclined to go to its original crystal position under the molecular interactions; second, the attractive force exerted by the indenter at the unloading stage; third, the self-organization effect induced by surface/subsurface atoms, and the final depressed surface is generated through the strong nonlinear coupling effect of these three basic factors. There are little anisotropy phenomenon in the elastic deformation stage while obvious anisotropy phenomenon is observed in the plastic deformation process. The maximum value of contact pressure is located at the edge of contact area and vanished outward from the contact circle. The magnitudes of the maximum principal stresses appear to shift outward, away from the center of contact area.
Experimental study on initial loss of tension in bolted joints
Authors: Zhu Linbo , Hong Jun , Yang Guoqing , Jiang Xiangjun
Published: April 2015

The initial loss of tension in individual bolts after initial tightening obviously affects the level and the stability of the clamp load in bolted joints. A high-precision instrument to analyze the clamp load loss was developed. In this instrument, an Atlas Copco’s high performance spindle with an accuracy of ±2.5% under the conditions of one million duty cycles was used to tighten the test bolts and nuts. A rotary torque-angle transducer was integrated in the tightening spindle to measure the tightening torque. KMR force washer with a repeatability of < ±1% was applied to monitor the clamping force in real time. Using this instrument, the design of experiment analysis was performed to determine the effect of variables on the initial loss of tension. Those variables included the joint materials, the fastener class, the gasket grade, the lubrication, the surface roughness, the tightening speed, and the number of repeated tightening. The results showed that the tightening speed and the number of repeated tightening had a significant effect on the initial loss of tension. Moreover, a process criterion of eliminating plastic deformation was proposed to minimize the initial loss of tension. The findings presented in this paper will be expected to enhance the reliability and the safety of bolted assemblies, especially in critical applications.
The “crisis” of psychology between fragmentation and integration: The Italian case
Authors: Proietto Mariagrazia , Lombardo Giovanni Pietro
Published: April 2015

Crisis, as a construct, recurs in the history of psychology and has attracted the attention of psychological historians and philosophers in recent years, who have given life not only to a debate about psychological historiography, but also to a philosophical-epistemological reflection about the foundations of scientific psychology. These scholars, however, ignore the Italian literature on the theme, which is rich with useful details for both areas. After an analysis of the different meanings historically applied to the term crisis, this article examines the history of Italian psychology with a description of the origins and developments and with special attention paid to the construct of crisis. The analysis covers both the output of early 20th-century Italian psychologists on the theme, and how this has been treated in historians’ reconstruction of the theme. The article provides new historiographical elements within the framework of international research on the crisis.
Antenatal screening for Down’s syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13: Reporting a single screening result for all three
Authors: Bestwick Jonathan P , Wald Nicholas J
Published: April 2015

Objective

To compare the performance of antenatal screening for Down’s syndrome (DS), trisomy 18 (T18), and trisomy 13 (T13) using a single risk of being affected by one of the three disorders, with the performance using separate risks for each disorder.

Methods

Screening performance was estimated using Monte Carlo simulation based on published parameters for the Integrated, Combined, and Quadruple tests. Detection rates (DRs) were calculated using a single risk and separate risks for each disorder at given false-positive rates (FPRs).

Results

With separate risks, using a 3% DS test FPR and 0.2% FPRs for the T18 and T13 tests, the overall FPRs for the Integrated and Combined tests are both 3.3%. For the same overall FPR (3.3%), the use of a single risk with the Integrated test increases the T13 DR from 76% to 82%, with unchanged DS and T18 DRs (94% and 92% respectively). With the Combined test, it increases the T13 and T18 DRs (from 89% to 91% and 77% to 81% respectively), with unchanged DS DR (85%). With separate risks, using a 5% DS test FPR and 0.2% FPRs for the T18 and T13 tests, the overall FPR for the Quadruple test is 5.4%. For the same overall FPR (5.4%), the use of a single risk increases the T18 DR from 61% to 67% with unchanged DS and T13 DRs (87% and 33% respectively).

Conclusions

Reporting a single risk estimate for the three disorders is less confusing than reporting separate risks and can yield the same or better screening performance.
Functionalized microfibers for field-responsive materials and biological applications
Authors: Bossis Georges , Marins Jéssica A , Kuzhir Pavel , Volkova Olga , Zubarev Andrey
Published: April 2015

Fiber-like particles are mostly used as basic components of electrorheological and magnetorheological suspensions because of their lower sedimentation rate and higher yield stress. The theoretical approach of the yield stress mainly rests on the interaction between two spherical particles. We analyze the interactions between fibers, taking into account the contribution of friction between fibers. Comparing experimental results to the model we conclude that it is not possible to clearly assess what is the part due to the friction in the increase of the yield stress which, on the other hand, can be explained by the increase of magnetization of the particles due to their lower demagnetization factor. We also show in an experiment between two nickel fibers that the rupture force between the fibers is very sensitive to the shape of their extremity. Besides the particles made of the same material, the core-shell particles made of different materials can also present advantages. We compare electrorheological suspensions made of pure polyaniline to those made of sepiolite and coated with polyaniline. We show that the much higher yield stress obtained with the hybrid particles is essentially due to a higher aspect ratio of sepiolite fibers.
The use of self-regulation strategies by foreign language learners and its role in language achievement
Authors: Seker Meral
Published: April 2015

Studies show that incorporating self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies into foreign language teaching encourages the development of autonomous learners. However, interviews with teachers ( n = 51) indicate that they mostly do not consider SRL in classroom practices. The present study attempts to highlight the significance of SRL in language teaching by exploring its impact on language achievement. It investigates learner reported use of SRL, focusing on its three main components – orientation, performance, and evaluation – and their power in predicting foreign language achievement. A total of 222 undergraduate foreign language learners at a state university participated in the study. Data was collected from two sources: a five-point Likert-type self-regulated language learning questionnaire, adapted from models and research instruments used in previous studies to investigate SRL and language learning strategies, and the university’s English achievement exam. Quantitative analyses indicated that although participants reported moderate to low levels of SRL use, it is a significant predictor of foreign language achievement and had significant correlations with language achievement. The results are meant to draw attention to the importance of SRL research within the foreign language teaching field as well as foster SRL implementation in language instruction.
Staged authenticity in penal history sites across Canada
Authors: Walby Kevin , Piché Justin
Published: April 2015

Literature on penal tourism has examined meanings of imprisonment and punishment communicated in infamous American (e.g. Alcatraz, Eastern State Penitentiary), Australian (e.g. Fannie Bay Gaol, Port Arthur) and South African (e.g. Robben Island) sites. Yet such research has not extensively drawn from academic debates on authenticity and heritage that have become prominent in tourism research. This article examines the staging of authenticity in lesser-known penal history museums located across Canada. Whether large and aesthetically impressive or small and dingy, the existence of museums in original heritage penal sites raises questions about authenticity and how it is staged. Based on an analysis of field notes and interviews from visits to 45 penal history sites in Canada, we present four strategies (preservation, restoration, importation and creation) used by staff and volunteers at penal history museums to draw attention to four types of authenticity (architectural and spatial, tactile and visual, existential and narrative) that reinforce claims about the purported realities of incarceration found therein.
‘Hacking multitude’ and Big Data: Some insights from the Turkish ‘digital coup’
Authors: Cardullo Paolo
Published: April 2015

The paper presents my first findings and reflections on how ordinary people may opportunistically and unpredictably respond to Internet censorship and tracking. I try to capture this process with the concept of ‘hacking multitude'. Working on a case study of the Turkish government's block of the social media platform Twitter (March 2014), I argue that during systemic data choke-points, a multitude of users might acquire a certain degree of reflexivity over ubiquitous software of advanced techno-capitalism. Resisting naïve parallels between urban streets and virtual global streets, the article draws on Fuller's ‘media ecologies' to make sense of complex and dynamic interactions between processes and materialities, strategies of communication and mundane practices. Such a dense space is mostly invisible to network and traffic analysis, although it comes alive under the magnifying lens of digital ethnography. As the Turkish government tried to stop protesters on both the urban and the Twitter spheres, alternative material configurations and new hybrid formations and practices emerged. I try to bring this process alive following the traces – that is, a combination of digital data and materialities – of a social space between the protest for Twitter access, the ‘digital coup' and the interactions that this situation determined. In the final section, I briefly explore two research trajectories which can further develop my initial formulation of a ‘hacking multitude'. I argue that a generalisation of hacking/multitude is problematic for the political, cultural or economic processes more directly associated with Big Data.
Rationale for targeting the pre–B-cell receptor signaling pathway in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Müschen Markus
Published: April 2015

Inhibitors of B-cell receptor (BCR) and pre-BCR signaling were successfully introduced into patient care for various subtypes of mature B-cell lymphoma (eg, ibrutinib, idelalisib). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) typically originates from pre-B cells that critically depend on survival signals emanating from a functional pre-BCR. However, whether patients with ALL benefit from treatment with (pre-) BCR inhibitors has not been explored. Recent data suggest that the pre-BCR functions as tumor suppressor in the majority of cases of human ALL. However, a distinct subset of human ALL is selectively sensitive to pre-BCR antagonists.
The association of circulating adiponectin and + 45 T/G polymorphism of adiponectin gene with gestational diabetes mellitus in Iranian population
Authors: Takhshid Mohammad Ali , Haem Zinab , Aboualizadeh Farzaneh
Published: April 2015

Background

Adiponectin is an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing effects. We investigated the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) +45 T > G ( rs 2241766 ;Gly15Gly) in the adiponectin gene, serum adiponectin levels, insulin resistance and risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) in Iranian population.

Methods

65 GDM patients and 70 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Genotyping for SNP +45 T > G in the adiponectin gene ( rs 2241766 ) was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The level of fasting serum adiponectin, insulin, glucose, and lipid levels were measured. Insulin resistance was estimated using homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Results

The G allele and TG/GG genotype of rs 2241766 were more frequent than the T allele and TT genotype in GDM patients compared to the controls (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of GDM was significantly higher in subjects with the TG/GG genotype to those with TT genotype [odds ratio = 2.38, 95% CI 1.09-5.22, p = 0.030]. No significant association was observed between genotypes of rs 2241766 and circulating concentrations of adiponectin. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum adiponectin levels was negatively associated with HOMA-IR in GDM patients (β = −0.385, p <0.01).

Conclusion

The findings demonstrated that TG/GG genotype of rs 2241766 was an independent risk factor of GDM in our population. Furthermore, circulating adiponectin level was negatively correlated with insulin resistance in GDM patients.
Factors that influence commitment to breastfeeding: A pilot study
Authors: Ricotti Grace , Apekey Tanefa , Gatenby Lisa
Published: April 2015

Background:

Only 1% of mothers in the UK meet the World Health Organization recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Understanding what helps UK mothers to commit to exclusive breastfeeding could help shape the promotion and support of breastfeeding.

Objective:

To investigate the experiences of mothers who are fulfilling this recommendation, by considering their initial motivations, the barriers they faced and effective coping strategies.

Design:

Seven mothers (average age 30.2 years) were recruited through a breastfeeding support group. A 30-minute semi-structured face-to-face interview allowed the mothers to provide elaborate personal accounts of their experiences. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The coded data were organised by clustering statements into common themes to finalise the general dimensions. Categories were separated into time frames—feeding intentions, breastfeeding duration and commitment to breastfeeding—and then organised with sub-headings.

Setting:

Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, UK.

Subjects:

White British mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding a child aged 4–12 months.

Results:

Threats to breastfeeding duration include pain and the notion of negative support. Commitment to breastfeeding is aided by peer support, perceived convenience and personal determination. Implications for wider research include the compatibility and effectiveness of support programmes both pre- and postnatal, inclusion of the wider family and methods for promoting and tailoring messages to nursing mothers.

Conclusions:

The data from this pilot study will inform the design of larger research across the UK.
Research roundup: April 2015
Authors: Odd Dawn , Rankin Jenny , Brook Judy
Published: April 2015

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles that may be of interest to health visitors is presented. The aim of this roundup is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Heat shock and titanium dioxide nanoparticles decrease superoxide dismutase and glutathione enzymes activities in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Capela-Pires Joana , Ferreira Rui , Alves-Pereira Isabel
Published: April 2015

The exposure of living organisms to metals can generate reactive oxygen species and failure in their antioxidant defences, triggering oxidative stress and oxidative damage. Despite the intensive use of engineered nanoparticles in numerous consumer and industrial products, data on their potential hazards in eukaryotic cells and their dependence on environmental factors such as temperature are still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant response of
Crystal structure of poly[aqua-bis(nitrato-κ2O,O')-(μ3-1,3-benzimidazol- 3-ium-1,3-diacetato-κ4O,O':O'':O''')samarium(III)], C11H11N4O11Sm
Authors: Zhang Qian , He Li , Yu Qiong-Yan
Published: April 2015

C11H11N4O11Sm, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 12.091(4) Å, b = 14.756(5) Å, c = 8.839(3) Å, β = 94.242(6)°, V = 1572.6 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0258, wRref(F2) = 0.0586, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of 1-benzamido-2-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-nitropropane, C17H17ClN2O3
Authors: Fang Liangxia , Zhi Sanjun , Wei Changmei
Published: April 2015

C17H17ClN2O3, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 17.390(9) Å, b = 21.12(1) Å, c = 9.734(5) Å, β = 112.113(6)°, V = 3312.1 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0445, wRref(F2) = 0.1035, T = 291 K.
The role of prosody and gesture in the perception of mock impoliteness
Authors: McKinnon Sean , Prieto Pilar
Published: April 2015

Within the impoliteness literature, an important distinction has beenmade between genuine and mock (or non-genuine) impoliteness (Culpeper1996, 2011; Bernal 2008, among others). Even though mock impoliteness hasgenerally been analyzed within an impoliteness framework, recent proposalssuggest that it is an essentially different pragmatic phenomenon that requiresa continuous conversational evaluation (Haugh and Bousfield 2012). Thepresent study had the goal of assessing the offline evaluation process of targetgenuine vs. mock impoliteness utterances, specifically the role the situational/discourse contexts, as well as prosodic and gestural patterns, play in their interpretation.A total of 97 participants were either asked to rate the degree ofimpoliteness of target genuine and mock impoliteness utterances in isolation(Experiment 1), or to rate the same utterances preceded with a set of matchedand mismatched situational/discourse contexts which favored either a genuineor a mock impoliteness interpretation (Experiment 2). The results of the twoexperiments show that (a) evaluations of intended mock impoliteness utterancesgenerate more uncertainty in listeners than intended genuine impolite utterances;and (b) mock impoliteness evaluations are characterized by a moreactive use of gestural cues. These results provide evidence that mock impolitenesstriggers a more complex evaluation procedure of a phenomenon that lieson the boundary between polite and impolite behavior.
“Mama Zimbi, pls help me!” – Gender differences in (im)politeness in Ghanaian English advice-giving on Facebook
Authors: Hampel Elisabeth
Published: April 2015

This paper explores (im)politeness and gender in a specific advice-giving practice of young Ghanaians online. The data is collected from the Facebook fan page of Mama Zimbi, a radio and TV personality from Ghana, and consists of a sample of 400 messages in response to two male and two female advice-seekers’ problem messages. The messages are analyzed according to form- and content-based categories, focussing on the directness and content of advice, the content of discursive moves other than advice, and address terms. The results indicate that very direct forms (i.e., imperatives) are the preferred way by both males and females to give advice. Directness, however, cannot be equated with impoliteness or politeness, which rather depends on a combination of the content of advice, further discursive moves and additional elements such as politeness markers. Although there are trends towards more cooperative advice by females and more negative responses directed at males, there are many exceptions to this and no clear gender differences are found. The high number of rude or sarcastic comments most probably serves the function of entertaining readers, while other users try to maintain politeness on the page by giving sincere advice and/or scolding those who insult advice-seekers.
Perceived Communicative Context and Emotional Content Amplify Visual Word Processing in the Fusiform Gyrus
Authors: Schindler Sebastian , Wegrzyn Martin , Steppacher Inga , Kissler Johanna
Published: April 2015

The personal significance of a language statement depends on its communicative context. However, this is rarely taken into account in neuroscience studies. Here, we investigate how the implied source of single word statements alters their cortical processing. Participants' brain event-related potentials were recorded in response to identical word streams consisting of positive, negative, and neutral trait adjectives stated to either represent personal trait feedback from a human or to be randomly generated by a computer. Results showed a strong impact of perceived sender. Regardless of content, the notion of receiving feedback from a human enhanced all components, starting with the P2 and encompassing early posterior negativity (EPN), P3, and the late positive potential (LPP). Moreover, negative feedback by the “human sender” elicited a larger EPN, whereas positive feedback generally induced a larger LPP. Source estimations revealed differences between “senders” in visual areas, particularly the bilateral fusiform gyri. Likewise, emotional content enhanced activity in these areas. These results specify how even implied sender identity changes the processing of single words in seemingly realistic communicative settings, amplifying their processing in the visual brain. This suggests that the concept of motivated attention extends from stimulus significance to simultaneous appraisal of contextual relevance. Finally, consistent with distinct stages of emotional processing, at least in contexts perceived as social, humans are initially alerted to negative content, but later process what is perceived as positive feedback more intensely.
Emotion Regulation and Trait Anxiety Are Predicted by the Microstructure of Fibers between Amygdala and Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Eden Annuschka Salima , Schreiber Jan , Anwander Alfred , Keuper Katharina , Laeger Inga , Zwanzger Peter , Zwitserlood Pienie , Kugel Harald , Dobel Christian
Published: April 2015

Diffusion tensor imaging revealed that trait anxiety predicts the microstructural properties of a prespecified fiber tract between the amygdala and the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex. Besides this particular pathway, it is likely that other pathways are also affected. We investigated white matter differences in persons featuring an anxious or a nonanxious personality, taking into account all potential pathway connections between amygdala and anxiety-related regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Diffusion-weighted images, measures of trait anxiety and of reappraisal use (an effective emotion-regulation style), were collected in 48 females. With probabilistic tractography, pathways between the amygdala and the dorsolateral PFC, dorsomedial PFC, ventromedial PFC, and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were delineated. The resulting network showed a direct ventral connection between amygdala and PFC and a second limbic connection following the fornix and the anterior limb of the internal capsule. Reappraisal use predicted the microstructure of pathways to all calculated PFC regions in the left hemisphere, indicating stronger pathways for persons with high reappraisal use. Trait anxiety predicted the microstructure in pathways to the ventromedial PFC and OFC, indexing weaker connections in trait-anxious persons. These effects appeared in the right hemisphere, supporting lateralization and top-down inhibition theories of emotion processing. Whereas a specific microstructure is associated with an anxious personality, a different structure subserves emotion regulation. Both are part of a broad fiber tract network between amygdala and PFC.
In VivoPET Imaging of the α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor As a Marker for Brain Inflammation after Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Martín Abraham , Szczupak Boguslaw , Gómez-Vallejo Vanessa , Domercq Maria , Cano Ainhoa , Padro Daniel , Muñoz Clara , Higuchi Makoto , Matute Carlos , Llop Jordi
Published: April 2015

PET imaging of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) could become an effective tool for the diagnosis and therapy evaluation of neurologic diseases. Despite this, the role of nAChRs α4β2 receptors after brain diseases such as cerebral ischemia and its involvement in inflammatory reaction is still largely unknown. To investigate this, we performed in parallelin vivomagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) with 2[18F]-fluoro-A85380 and [11C]PK11195 at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. In the ischemic territory, PET with 2[18F]-fluoro-A85380 and [11C]PK11195 showed a progressive binding increase from days 3–7, followed by a progressive decrease from days 14–28 after cerebral ischemia onset.Ex vivoimmunohistochemistry for the nicotinic α4β2 receptor and the mitochondrial translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) confirmed the PET findings and demonstrated the overexpression of α4β2 receptors in both microglia/macrophages and astrocytes from days 7–28 after experimental ischemic stroke. Likewise, the role played by α4β2 receptors on neuroinflammation was supported by the increase of [11C]PK11195 binding in ischemic rats treated with the α4β2 antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine hydrobromide (DHBE) at day 7 after MCAO. Finally, both functional and behavioral testing showed major impaired outcome at day 1 after ischemia onset, followed by a recovery of the sensorimotor function and dexterity from days 21–28 after experimental stroke. Together, these results suggest that the nicotinic α4β2 receptor could have a key role in the inflammatory reaction underlying cerebral ischemia in rats.
Non-Aggregating Tau Phosphorylation by Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 Contributes to Motor Neuron Degeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Miller Nimrod , Feng Zhihua , Edens Brittany M. , Yang Ben , Shi Han , Sze Christie C. , Hong Benjamin Taige , Su Susan C. , Cantu Jorge A. , Topczewski Jacek , Crawford Thomas O. , Ko Chien-Ping , Sumner Charlotte J. , Ma Long , Ma Yong-Chao
Published: April 2015

Mechanisms underlying motor neuron degeneration in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading inherited cause of infant mortality, remain largely unknown. Many studies have established the importance of hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau in various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. However, tau phosphorylation in SMA pathogenesis has yet to be investigated. Here we show that tau phosphorylation on serine 202 (S202) and threonine 205 (T205) is increased significantly in SMA motor neurons using two SMA mouse models and human SMA patient spinal cord samples. Interestingly, phosphorylated tau does not form aggregates in motor neurons or neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), even at late stages of SMA disease, distinguishing it from other tauopathies. Hyperphosphorylation of tau on S202 and T205 is mediated by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in SMA disease condition, because tau phosphorylation at these sites is significantly reduced in Cdk5 knock-out mice; genetic knock-out of Cdk5 activating subunit p35 in an SMA mouse model also leads to reduced tau phosphorylation on S202 and T205 in theSMA;p35−/−compound mutant mice. In addition, expression of the phosphorylation-deficient tauS202A,T205A mutant alleviates motor neuron defects in a zebrafish SMA modelin vivoand mouse motor neuron degeneration in culture, whereas expression of phosphorylation-mimetic tauS202E,T205E promotes motor neuron defects. More importantly, genetic knock-out oftauin SMA mice rescues synapse stripping on motor neurons, NMJ denervation, and motor neuron degenerationin vivo. Altogether, our findings suggest a novel mechanism for SMA pathogenesis in which hyperphosphorylation of non-aggregating tau by Cdk5 contributes to motor neuron degeneration.
Microsecond-Scale Timing Precision in Rodent Trigeminal Primary Afferents
Authors: Bale Michael R. , Campagner Dario , Erskine Andrew , Petersen Rasmus S.
Published: April 2015

Communication in the nervous system occurs by spikes: the timing precision with which spikes are fired is a fundamental limit on neural information processing. In sensory systems, spike-timing precision is constrained by first-order neurons. We found that spike-timing precision of trigeminal primary afferents in rats and mice is limited both by stimulus speed and by electrophysiological sampling rate. High-speed video of behaving mice revealed whisker velocities of at least 17,000°/s, so we delivered an ultrafast “ping” (>50,000°/s) to single whiskers and sampled primary afferent activity at 500 kHz. Median spike jitter was 17.4 μs; 29% of neurons had spike jitter < 10 μs. These results indicate that the input stage of the trigeminal pathway has extraordinary spike-timing precision and very high potential information capacity. This timing precision ranks among the highest in biology.
Trade-Off in the Sound Localization Abilities of Early Blind Individuals between the Horizontal and Vertical Planes
Authors: Voss Patrice , Tabry Vanessa , Zatorre Robert J.
Published: April 2015

There is substantial evidence that sensory deprivation leads to important cross-modal brain reorganization that is paralleled by enhanced perceptual abilities. However, it remains unclear how widespread these enhancements are, and whether they are intercorrelated or arise at the expense of other perceptual abilities. One specific area where such a trade-off might arise is that of spatial hearing, where blind individuals have been shown to possess superior monaural localization abilities in the horizontal plane, but inferior localization abilities in the vertical plane. While both of these tasks likely involve the use of monaural cues due to the absence of any relevant binaural signal, there is currently no proper explanation for this discrepancy, nor has any study investigated both sets of abilities in the same sample of blind individuals. Here, we assess whether the enhancements observed in the horizontal plane are related to the deficits observed in the vertical plane by testing sound localization in both planes in groups of blind and sighted persons. Our results show that the blind individuals who displayed the highest accuracy at localizing sounds monaurally in the horizontal plane are also the ones who exhibited the greater deficit when localizing in the vertical plane. These findings appear to argue against the idea of generalized perceptual enhancements in the early blind, and instead suggest the possibility of a trade-off in the localization proficiency between the two auditory spatial planes, such that learning to use monaural cues for the horizontal plane comes at the expense of using those cues to localize in the vertical plane.
Altered Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Cortical Networks in Psychopathy
Authors: Philippi Carissa L. , Pujara Maia S. , Motzkin Julian C. , Newman Joseph , Kiehl Kent A. , Koenigs Michael
Published: April 2015

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by callous antisocial behavior and criminal recidivism. Here we examine whether psychopathy is associated with alterations in functional connectivity in three large-scale cortical networks. Using fMRI in 142 adult male prison inmates, we computed resting-state functional connectivity using seeds from the default mode network, frontoparietal network, and cingulo-opercular network. To determine the specificity of our findings to these cortical networks, we also calculated functional connectivity using seeds from two comparison primary sensory networks: visual and auditory networks. Regression analyses related network connectivity to overall psychopathy scores and to subscores for the “factors” and “facets” of psychopathy: Factor 1, interpersonal/affective traits; Factor 2, lifestyle/antisocial traits; Facet 1, interpersonal; Facet 2, affective; Facet 3, lifestyle; Facet 4, antisocial. Overall psychopathy severity was associated with reduced functional connectivity between lateral parietal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. The two factor scores exhibited contrasting relationships with functional connectivity: Factor 1 scores were associated with reduced functional connectivity in the three cortical networks, whereas Factor 2 scores were associated with heightened connectivity in the same networks. This dissociation was evident particularly in the functional connectivity between anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. The facet scores also demonstrated distinct patterns of connectivity. We found no associations between psychopathy scores and functional connectivity within visual or auditory networks. These findings provide novel evidence on the neural correlates of psychopathy and suggest that connectivity between cortical association hubs, such as the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, may be a neurobiological marker of the disorder.
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Management of pregnant patients with Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Bronstein M D , Machado M C , Fragoso M C B V
Published: April 2015

Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine diseases has turned pregnancy into a possibility for women with such medical disorders, including Cushing's syndrome (CS). Nevertheless, despite its rarity, pregnancy in patients with CS can be troublesome because of the risk of maternal–fetal complications. Therefore, hypercortisolism, if present, should be surgically or medically controlled in most cases. Moreover, changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis during normal pregnancy may mislead the diagnosis of CS during this period, because many laboratory assessments suggestive of CS may be present in normal pregnancy, with clinical features mimicking those seen in patients with CS. The aim of the present review is to update the diagnostic approach to this medical condition, mainly for pregnant women without previous diagnosis of CS, and to describe the therapeutic strategies for CS during pregnancy in order to minimize complications for both mother and fetus.
Total score or subscales in scoring the acromegaly quality of life questionnaire: using novel confirmatory methods to compare scoring options
Authors: Felt John M , Depaoli Sarah A , Pereira Alberto M , Biermasz Nienke R , Tiemensma Jitske
Published: April 2015

Context

Impaired quality of life (QoL) is common in patients after long-term remission of acromegaly. The acromegaly QoL (AcroQoL) is a disease-specific QoL questionnaire for patients diagnosed with acromegaly. The summed total score is the most frequently used scoring method of the AcroQoL. However, the total score does not capture all of the aspects of QoL that are outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Objective

The aim of the present study was to use novel and sophisticated confirmatory methods to identify the optimal number of subscales for the AcroQoL.

Design and patients

Patients in remission from acromegaly were recruited from the Leiden University Medical Center and were asked to complete the AcroQoL (Dutch version) questionnaire (n=72).

Results

The three-subscale version of the AcroQoL consisted of subscales reflecting Physical Complaints, Appearance Issues, and Personal Relations Issues related to QoL. Model fit indices (i.e., comparative fit index and root mean square error of approximation) indicated that the three-subscale version represented the data better than the total score and two-subscale models did. A χ2 difference test indicated that the three-subscale model was a significantly better fit than the total score and two-subscale models were (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Model fit and comparison statistics indicate that the three-subscale model is a better scoring method than the total score and two-subscale versions of the AcroQoL are. The three-subscale version also better reflected the WHO's recommendation of using a multidimensional measure of QoL than the total score and two-subscale methods did. Therefore, it is recommended that values from the three-subscales of the AcroQoL be reported in future research.
HOW I DO IT : Off-Pump Myocardial Revascularization. The Single-Suture Technique: How to Avoid Any Complication
Authors: D'Arrigo Giuseppe , Scolaro Antonio , Lomeo Alberto
Published: April 2015

To achieve a good exposure of coronary arteries, the singlesuture
technique allows a good exposure of the circumflex
territory. This suture may injure the organs situated behind
the pericardium. We suggest placing a single suture of silk in
the oblique sinus to allow a good elevation of the posterior
pericardium before placing the single suture. This simple and
inexpensive method avoids any damage to the structures
behind the pericardium.
Abstracts from Cardiac BioInterventions 2002
Authors: Matheny Robert G.
Published: April 2015

October 4-5, 2002, San Francisco, California, USA
Clinical Outcomes of Coronary Revascularization without Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Stamou Sotiris C. , Pfister Albert J. , Jablonski � Kathleen A. , Hill Peter C. , Dullum Mercedes K. C. , Bafi Ammar S. , Boyce Steven W. , Garcia Jorge M. , Lomax Tracie A. , Corso Paul J.
Published: April 2015

Objective: Coronary artery bypass without cardiopulmonary bypass (OPCAB) eliminates the complications related to cardiopulmonary bypass. However, the long-term outcomes of this procedure are largely unknown. Methods: We sought to investigate the rates of late mortality, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and target vessel reintervention after OPCAB in a consecutive series of 857 patients who underwent OPCAB between May 1987 and March 1999. Results: Long-term follow-up was obtained for 86% of eligible patients. Actuarial and event-free survival was 89% and 76%, respectively, for a median follow-up period of 2.2 years (range, 0-13.3 years). Risk factors for late mortality were identified with Cox regression analysis. In the multivariate analysis, patient age >75 years (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.1; P = .01) and an ejection fraction <35% (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.2; P = .02) emerged as independent predictors of late mortality. Conclusion: OPCAB is associated with a low mortality and clinical event rate. Advanced age and depressed ejection fraction may increase mortality after OPCAB.
FARINOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF WHEAT DOUGH ENRICHED WITH INULIN, NAKED BARLEY, MALT AND POTEX ADDITION
Authors: Tokár MariÃ¡n , Bojňanská Tatiana , Frančáková Helena , Ivanišová Eva , Dráb Å tefan , Mocko Karolina , Balková Hana
Published: April 2015

One of the most important biological substances consumed in insufficient quantity is fibre that is often deficient in the diet. In general, dietary fibre is edible part of plants, or similar carbohydrates, that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Nowadays, there are many sources of fibre available for bakery industry, whether through addition of non-traditional bread cereals or through isolated form as additives. Except to supposed increase the nutritional value of bakery products with added fiber and raw materials containing fiber is necessary to think about their technological quality and rheological properties of dough. The aim of this experimental work was to investigate the effect of the addition of selected polysaccharides (inulin, Potex - potato fiber) and non-bakery crops (naked barley, malt) containing significant polysaccharides used in the mixture with wheat flour type T-650 in different ratios on the basis of farinographic evaluations. Based on the results of rheological measurements we found out that quality of dough was deteriorating proportionally to the amount of used additives. On the other hand, positively could be considered the increase of water absorption with addition of Potex and naked barley.
164THE SCREENING OF CHROMIUM, LEAD, CADMIUM AND MERCURY IN YOGURTS
Authors: Tóth Tomáš , Kopernická Miriama , Slávik Marek , Harangozo Ľuboš , Csölleová Veronika
Published: April 2015

In our study, we have focused on monitoring the content of cromium, lead, cadmium and mercury in the 11 samples of yogurt, available in the sales network of the Slovak Republic and comparing it with the HighestPermissibleQuantity (HPQ). Samples of yogurt were mineralized by microwave digestion unit MARS X-press. Heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer VARIAN 240 FS and automatic mercury analyser AMA 254. On the basis of our findings it was shown that the content of Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg of the samples do not exceeded the HPQ, the content of cromium was in the range of 0.000 – 0.250 mg.kg-1, lead content was 0.000 – 0.091 mg.kg-1, cadmium content was 0.005 – 0.039 mg.kg-1 and mercury content was 0.000144 – 0.003252 mg.kg-1. The measured values were compared with the applicable legislative provisions for heavy metals maximum permissible levels of contaminants in yogurt by the food codex of Slovak Republic. During analysis, we found that none of the samples has exceeded the highest amount of all heavy metals in the food codex of the Slovak Republic.
Metal-Based Iodine Bearing Materials Prepared by Mechanical Milling
Authors: Wang Song , Corcoran Amy , Leybova Victoria , Dreizin Edward L.
Published: April 2015

Recent research has demonstrated that ternary aluminum-boron-iodine (Al-B-I2) materials prepared by mechanical milling are effective in generating biocidal combustion products. Such reactive materials are of interest for the munitions aimed to defeat stockpiles of biological weapons. In this research, ternary Mg∙B∙I2 composites were synthesized using two-stage milling. The first stage consisted of a binary B∙I2 powder prepared by mechanical milling, followed by addition of magnesium for iodine stabilization. Specific compositions for each ternary material were varied. Stability of the samples was assessed by their heating in argon at a constant rate using Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and observing weight loss. Oxidation of the prepared powders was also studied by TGA. Ternary Mg∙B∙I2 composite powders prepared by two-stage milling were more stable than any of the previously prepared iodine-bearing materials with the same concentration of iodine (20 wt %). Particle size distributions were measured using low-angle laser light scattering. Powders were ignited using in an air-acetylene flame and in a constant volume explosion apparatus. Particle burn times and temperatures were measured optically. Substantially longer burn times and lower temperatures were observed for the prepared materials compared to the reference pure Mg powder.
HYDRODYNAMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BINH CANG - NHA TRANG WATERS FROM MODELS: FEM AND ECOSMO
Authors: Chung Tran Van , Long Bui Hong
Published: April 2015

This paper has focused on the hydro-dynamical characteristics of Binh Cang - Nha Trang waters from 2 models: ECOSMO (finite difference) and FEM (finite element) based on the last observed data of the VAST’s project, code: VAST 07. 04/11-12. The seasonal currents simulated by FEM showed the existence of local eddies in the top of Nha Phu lagoon. Meanwhile, they have not been detected by ECOSMO (because the best stabilization of ECOSMO is achieved for the minimum depth of 2.0 meters). In addition, the spatial distances from the mesh grids of finite difference have had restrictions for modelling current regimes at coastal borders, islands, reefs, etc., as well as in the cases that the particular representation of local characteristics of small space configurations (the mouth of small rivers with complicated topography) is required. In this paper, some calculated results about self-cleaning capabilities (water exchange, residential water ...) of reseached water body have been persented.