bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the Epigenetic Code of Cardiac Myocyte Transcription
Authors: Preissl Sebastian , Schwaderer Martin , Raulf Alexandra , Hesse Michael , Grüning Björn A. , Köbele Claudia , Backofen Rolf , Fleischmann Bernd K. , Hein Lutz , Gilsbach Ralf
Published: June 2015

Rationale:

Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial for cell identity and transcriptional control. The heart consists of different cell types, including cardiac myocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and others. Therefore, cell type–specific analysis is needed to gain mechanistic insight into the regulation of gene expression in cardiac myocytes. Although cytosolic mRNA represents steady-state levels, nuclear mRNA more closely reflects transcriptional activity. To unravel epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional control, cell type–specific analysis of nuclear mRNA and epigenetic modifications is crucial.

Objective:

The aim was to purify cardiac myocyte nuclei from hearts of different species by magnetic- or fluorescent-assisted sorting and to determine the nuclear and cellular RNA expression profiles and epigenetic marks in a cardiac myocyte–specific manner.

Methods and Results:

Frozen cardiac tissue samples were used to isolate cardiac myocyte nuclei. High sorting purity was confirmed for cardiac myocyte nuclei isolated from mice, rats, and humans. Deep sequencing of nuclear RNA revealed a major fraction of nascent, unspliced RNA in contrast to results obtained from purified cardiac myocytes. Cardiac myocyte nuclear and cellular RNA expression profiles showed differences, especially for metabolic genes. Genome-wide maps of the transcriptional elongation mark H3K36me3 were generated by chromatin-immunoprecipitation. Transcriptome and epigenetic data confirmed the high degree of cardiac myocyte–specificity of our protocol. An integrative analysis of nuclear mRNA and histone mark occurrence indicated a major impact of the chromatin state on transcriptional activity in cardiac myocytes.

Conclusions:

This study establishes cardiac myocyte–specific sorting of nuclei as a universal method to investigate epigenetic and transcriptional processes in cardiac myocytes of different origins. These data sets provide novel insight into cardiac myocyte transcription.
Futile Interhospital Transfer for Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Fuentes Blanca , Alonso de Leciñana María , Ximénez-Carrillo Alvaro , Martínez-Sánchez Patricia , Cruz-Culebras Antonio , Zapata-Wainberg Gustavo , Ruiz-Ares Gerardo , Frutos Remedios , Fandiño Eduardo , Caniego Jose L. , Fernández-Prieto Andrés , Méndez Jose C. , Bárcena Eduardo , Marín Begoña , García-Pastor Andrés , Díaz-Otero Fernando , Gil-Núñez Antonio , Masjuán Jaime , Vivancos Jose , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

The complexity of endovascular revascularization treatment (ERT) in acute ischemic stroke and the small number of patients eligible for treatment justify the development of stroke center networks with interhospital patient transfers. However, this approach might result in futile transfers (ie, the transfer of patients who ultimately do not undergo ERT). Our aim was to analyze the frequency of these futile transfers and the reasons for discarding ERT and to identify the possible associated factors.

Methods—

We analyzed an observational prospective ERT registry from a stroke collaboration ERT network consisting of 3 hospitals. There were interhospital transfers from the first attending hospital to the on-call ERT center for the patients for whom this therapy was indicated, either primarily or after intravenous thrombolysis (drip and shift).

Results—

The ERT protocol was activated for 199 patients, 129 of whom underwent ERT (64.8%). A total of 120 (60.3%) patients required a hospital transfer, 50 of whom (41%) ultimately did not undergo ERT. There were no differences in their baseline characteristics, the times from stroke onset, or in the delays in interhospital transfers between the transferred patients who were treated and those who were not treated. The main reasons for rejecting ERT after the interhospital transfer were clinical improvement/arterial recanalization (48%) and neuroimaging criteria (32%).

Conclusions—

Forty-one percent of the ERT transfers were futile, but none of the baseline patient characteristics predicted this result. Futility could be reduced if repetition of unnecessary diagnostic tests was avoided.
The House-Spirit (Domovoj) in Dagestan
Authors: Seferbekov Ruslan
Published: June 2015

The article is devoted to the description of the house-spirit, Domovoj, a mythological personage in the folk beliefs of the Dagestan peoples. The whole nomenclature and functions of the mentioned image are given with a detailed indication of its geographical distribution and peculiarities depending on the given ethnic environment.
Richard Rorty and the Ironic Plenitude of Literature
Authors: Bartczak Kacper
Published: June 2015

When considered in relation to remarks in Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity, Rortian irony becomes a target of criticisms that see it as marred by the conflict between skeptical distance and commitment. But such critique ignores the fact that Rortian irony belongs to a broader literary intuition. In this article I trace Rorty’s concept of irony to the structural properties of a specific group of literary texts. These texts bring together diverse materials the affinity between which is precisely what is at stake in the interpretive game these texts put in motion: the formal, cognitive, and aesthetic coherence of these texts is a potentiality to be realized by readers. I treat the interpretive activity these texts depend on as equivalent to the practices by which inhabitants of democracies reexamine and recompose the materials of their networks of beliefs. Since such practices require a combination of ironic distance to the examined materials with a commitment to the interpretive process itself, they validate a Rortian model of irony.
Perfectionism in Practice: Shusterman’s Place in Recent Pragmatism
Authors: Girel Mathias
Published: June 2015

Building on recent texts, I give a characterization of Richard Shusterman’s specific variant of pragmatism, understood as amelioristic or perfectionist pragmatism, where ethical and political dimensions are deeply intertwined with the epistemological one. To do so, I focus on what seems to be Shusterman’s latest contribution to his interrupted dialogue with Richard Rorty inThinking through the Body.
Neosataria, replacement name for Sataria Annandale, 1920 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Bithyniidae), preoccupied by Sataria Roewer, 1915 (Arachnida: Opiliones: Sclerosomatidae)
Authors: KULKARNI SIDDHARTH , KHOT RAHUL
Published: June 2015

The family Bithyniidae is represented in tropical Asia by the following genera, Bithynia, Digonistoma, Mysorella, Parabithynia, Emmericiopsis, Hydrobioides, Parafossarulus, Pseudovivipara, Sataria and Wattebladia (Dudgeon 1999; Pyron & Brown 2015).
A new species of Mesochaetopterus (Annelida, Chaetopteridae) from Hong Kong, with comments on the phylogeny of the family
Authors: ZHANG YANJIE , ROUSE GREG W. , QIU JIAN-WEN
Published: June 2015

We described a new species, Mesochaetopterus tingkokensis, based on 14 specimens collected from an intertidal area in Hong Kong. This species is large (body length of complete specimens 17.9–24.1 cm), with 9, 2 and 36–41 chaetigers in region A, B and C, respectively. It belongs to a small group of Mesochaetopterus species with an expanded wing-shaped notopodia in chaetiger B2. The new species can be distinguished from other Mesochaetopterus species in this group by having a pair of palps with two longitudinal stripes formed by suture-like discontinuous orange bands, more teeth in the uncini of region B and C neuropodia, and presence of a bundle of simple chaetae in region C notopodia. Comparison with other chaetopterids based on partial cytochrome oxidase I (COI), 18S and 28S rRNA gene sequences confirmed the placement of M. tingkokensis n. sp.within Mesochaetopterus and its distinction from other members of this genus with the available DNA sequences. The phylogenetic tree base on COI showed that Mesochaetopterus and Chaetopterus are paraphyletic, but that based on concatenated data, 18S and 28S showed they are monophyletic with low supporting values.
Nematodes of amphibians from Java, Indonesia, with a description of
new species, Meteterakis wonosoboensis n. sp. (Nematoda : Heterakoidea)
Authors: PURWANINGSIH ENDANG , DEWI KARTIKA , HASEGAWA HIDEO
Published: June 2015

During a survey on the parasites of amphibians of Indonesia, toads (30 Bufo melanostictus) and 246 frogs (213 Fejervarya cancrivora, 11 F. limnocharis, 22 Rana macrodon from West Java and 68 F. cancrivora from Central Java) were examined for parasitic nematodes. Three species of nematodes were found and described, i.e. Meteterakis wonosoboensis n. sp. from Fejervaria cancrivora; Meteterakis japonica from Bufo melanostictus, F. cancrivora and F. limnocharis; and Chabaudus sp. from F. cancrivora, F. limnocharis and Rana macrodon. Meteterakis wonosoboensis n. sp. is distinguished from other species of the genus by the length and shape of spicules, the number of caudal papillae, the presence of gubernaculum in male and the presence of vulval flap in female. Bufo melanostictus and Java are recorded as new host and locality for M. japonica, respectively.
A review of the biology and literature of the Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer), native to Mexico and the United States
Authors: MENDELSON JOSEPH R.  III , KINSEY CHASE. T. , MURPHY JAMES. B.
Published: June 2015

The Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer) is an abundant and widespread species within its range in the United States and Mexico, so it appears on many faunal checklists and is considered in diverse kinds of research. We review the basic biology, distribution, and published history of this species, identifying only those records and publications referable to I. nebulifer, to help researchers identify published works pertaining to I. nebulfer rather than I. valliceps, with which it formerly was considered to be conspecific.
A new species of monadal coral snake of the genus Micrurus (Serpentes, Elapidae) from western Amazon
Authors: Feitosa Darlan Tavares , Da Silva Nelson Jorge  Jr. , Pires Matheus Godoy , ZAHER HUSSAM , PRUDENTE ANA LÚCIA DA COSTA
Published: June 2015

We described a new species of monadal coral snake of the genus Micrurus from the region of Tabatinga and Leticia, along the boundaries of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. The new species can be distinguished from the other congeners by the combination of the following characters: absence of a pale nuchal collar; black cephalic-cap extending from rostral to firstdorsal scale and enclosing white tipped prefrontal scales; upper half of first to four supralabials and postoculars black; tricolor body coloration, with 27–31 black rings bordered by narrower white rings and 27–31 red rings; tail coloration similar to body, with alternating black rings bordered by irregular narrow white rings, red rings of the same width as the black rings; ventral scales 205–225; subcaudal scales 39–47.
A new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India, with keys to Indian members of the subgenus Gomphostilbia
Authors: ANBALAGAN SANKARAPPAN , BALACHANDRAN CHELLAPANDIAN , PRASANNA VIMALANATHAN ARUN , KANNAN MANI , DINAKARAN SUNDARAM , KRISHNAN MUTHUKALINGAN
Published: June 2015

A new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) cauveryense sp. n., is described based on adult female, adult male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Kushalanagar, Karnataka, South India. This new species is placed in the decuplum subgroup of the batoense species-group within the subgenus Gomphostilbia. Keys to the species of the subgenus Gomphostilbia reported from India are provided for females, males, pupae and mature larvae.
Estimation of Errors in Two-Stream Approximations of the Solar Radiative Transfer Equation for Cloudy-Sky Conditions
Authors: Barker Howard W. , Cole Jason N. S. , Li Jiangnan , Yi Bingqi , Yang Ping
Published: June 2015

Solar flux densities and heating rates predicted by a broadband, multilayer δ-Eddington two-stream approximation are compared to estimates from a Monte Carlo model that uses detailed descriptions of cloud particle phase functions and facilitates locally nonzero net horizontal flux densities. Results are presented as domain averages for 256-km sections of cloudy atmospheres inferred from A-Train satellite data: 32 632 samples for January 2007 between 70°S and 70°N with total cloud fraction C > 0.05. The domains are meant to represent grid cells of a conventional global climate model and consist of columns of infinite width across track and Δx ≈ 1 km along track. The δ-Eddington was applied in independent column approximation (ICA) mode, while the Monte Carlo was applied using both Δx → ∞ (i.e., ICA) and Δx ≈ 1 km. Mean-bias errors due to the δ-Eddington’s neglect of phase function details and horizontal transfer, as functions of cosine of solar zenith angle μ0, are comparable in magnitude and have the same signs.

With minor dependence on cloud particle sizes, the δ-Eddington over- and underestimates top-of-atmosphere reflected flux density for the cloudy portion of domains by ~10 W m−2 for μ0 > 0.9 and −3 W m−2 for μ0 < 0.2; full domain averages are ~8 and −2 W m−2, respectively, given mean C > 0.75 for all μ0. These errors are reversed in sign, but slightly larger, for net surface flux densities. The δ-Eddington underestimates total atmospheric absorption by ~2.5 W m−2 on average. Hence, δ-Eddington mean-bias errors for domain-averaged layer heating rates are usually negative but can be positive. Rarely do they exceed ±10% of the mean heating rate; the largest errors are when the sides of liquid clouds are irradiated by direct beams.
Impact of Horizontal Resolution on Precipitation in Complex Orography Simulated by the Regional Climate Model RCA3*
Authors: Güttler Ivan , Stepanov Igor , Branković Čedo , Nikulin Grigory , Jones Colin
Published: June 2015

The hydrostatic regional climate model RCA, version 3 (RCA3), of the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute was used to dynamically downscale ERA-40 and the ECMWF operational analysis over a 22-yr period. Downscaling was performed at four horizontal resolutions—50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 km—over an identical European domain. The model-simulated precipitation is evaluated against high-resolution gridded observational precipitation datasets over Switzerland and southern Norway, regions that are characterized by complex orography and distinct climate regimes.

RCA3 generally overestimates precipitation over high mountains: during winter and summer over Switzerland and during summer over central-southern Norway. In the summer, this is linked with a substantial contribution of convective precipitation to the total precipitation errors, especially at the coarser resolutions (50 and 25 km). A general improvement in spatial correlation coefficients between simulated and observed precipitation is observed when the horizontal resolution is increased from 50 to 6 km. The 95th percentile spatial correlation coefficients during winter are much higher for southern Norway than for Switzerland, indicating that RCA3 is more successful at reproducing a relatively simple west-to-east precipitation gradient over southern Norway than a much more complex and variable precipitation distribution over Switzerland. The 6-km simulation is not always superior to the other simulations, possibly indicating that the model dynamical and physical configuration at this resolution may not have been optimal. However, a general improvement in simulated precipitation with increasing resolution supports further use and application of high spatial resolutions in RCA3.
Both sides now: A feminist reading of the Enthronement Psalms
Authors: deClaissé-Walford Nancy
Published: June 2015

The Enthronement Psalms in Book 4 of the Psalter celebrate God’s sovereign rule over all creation. This article attempts to unmoor the Enthronement Psalms from their traditional interpretation(s) and look at them through a different lens—a broadly feminist lens, one that recognizes the inherent goodness and value of all human life and all of creation and that is thereby concerned for all human life and all creation. How does such a reading impact and perhaps alter our understanding of these psalms? First, a broadly feminist reading suggests that the God depicted in the Enthronement Psalms is neither male nor female, but transcends all stereotypical gender understandings and is a delightful amalgam of the all-inclusiveness of humanity. Second, we see in these psalms God’s utter enjoyment of and care for creation. And third, the Enthronement Psalms issue a clear call to all creation (animate and inanimate alike) to celebrate the sovereignty of God.
Reading Jezebel from the “other” side: Feminist critique, postcolonialism, and comedy
Authors: Jackson Melissa
Published: June 2015

The Hebrew Bible is infused with an “us” and “them” dynamic that differentiates between Israel and any, particularly non-Israelite, “other” who might threaten Israel’s distinctive relationship to their God. In arguably no other biblical figure has the identification of the “other” become as entrenched as it has in the much-vilified figure of Jezebel. Furthermore, her infamy has travelled well beyond the Bible and into wider religious and cultural usage as a metaphor for any woman deemed dangerous, seductive, and/or evil. Thus, Jezebel is an ideal figure around whom to center a discussion about the self/other dichotomy, utilizing three reading strategies also attentive to this dichotomy: feminist critique, postcolonialism, and comedy. Reading the texts in which Jezebel has a role (1 Kgs 16:31; 18–19; 21:1–16; 2 Kgs 9:30–37) through these interpretive “lenses” allows a character to emerge from the caricature and enables the construction of a counternarrative by which the understanding of “self” in relation to “other” is an identity that can be established and maintained without requiring homogeneity, without deferring to violence, and with liberation as its fundamental aim.
Being human
Authors: Phillips Anthony
Published: June 2015

What it is to be human is best understood from the Hebrew concept of the nephesh, best translated as ‘personality’. This controls both thoughts and actions, and even expresses itself through personal property. It is though only by the exercise of a proper selfishness that the nephesh is able to achieve self-fulfilment. This cannot be done either in isolation from others, or without space to listen and to look, or by ignoring one’s failures. In the end everyone’s vocation is to secure both for themselves and others their essential humanity by being their own unique nephesh.
Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis for Identifying Causal Chains in Configurational Data
Authors: Thiem Alrik
Published: June 2015

In a recent contribution to Sociological Methods & Research, Baumgartner and Epple (B&E) employ Coincidence Analysis (CNA) to explain the outcome of the vote on the Swiss minaret initiative of 2009. Although the authors also present a substantive argument, their principal objective is to prove the superiority of CNA over Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) due to the former’s capability of identifying causal chains in configurational data without resort to Quine–McCluskey (QMC) optimization, whereby logical contradictions are allegedly introduced into the latter’s minimization process that trivialize the results. In this methodological commentary, I demonstrate that CNA does not challenge QCA per se but merely seeks to find fault with QMC. However, the link between QCA and QMC has never been inextricable, and alternative algorithms not beset by the one-difference restriction B&E consider problematic have long been in use. Hence, it follows that CNA introduces a new algorithm but does not perforce offer a superior method. To support this argument, I showcase the untapped potential of QCA for identifying causal chains in data that even incorporate multivalent factors. In employing the eQMC algorithm, whose general approach to Boolean minimization resembles that of CNA in decisive parts, I extend the authors’ original analysis in several directions, without generating logical contradictions along the way. I conclude that future research should continue to explore the methodological implications of the issues which CNA’s introduction has raised for QCA. Ultimately, however, the integration of their individual strengths represents one of the most promising avenues for the further development of configurational comparative methods.
A Unified Approach to Measurement Error and Missing Data: Details and Extensions
Authors: Blackwell Matthew , Honaker James , King Gary
Published: June 2015

We extend a unified and easy-to-use approach to measurement error and missing data. In our companion article, Blackwell, Honaker, and King give an intuitive overview of the new technique, along with practical suggestions and empirical applications. Here, we offer more precise technical details, more sophisticated measurement error model specifications and estimation procedures, and analyses to assess the approach’s robustness to correlated measurement errors and to errors in categorical variables. These results support using the technique to reduce bias and increase efficiency in a wide variety of empirical research.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Predicting Postpartum Depression
Authors: Rode Jennifer L.
Published: June 2015

This study examines the direct and moderating effects of emotional intelligence on postpartum depression (PPD), while taking into account social support and stressful life events. Using a prospective cohort design, 165 women were surveyed in their third trimester and again at 9 weeks postpartum. Results support the direct effects of emotional intelligence (β = −.20, p = .01), social support (β = −.17, p = .04), and stressful life events (β = .17, p = .04) on PPD. Moderating effects are also supported with significant effects on PPD: stressful life events × emotional intelligence (β = −.17, p = .04) and stressful life events × social support (β = −.21, p = .01).
Preliminary Evaluation of the Implementation of a Routines-Based Early Childhood Intervention Model in Australia
Authors: Hughes-Scholes Carolyn H. , Gatt Sarah L. , Davis Kate , Mahar Nicole , Gavidia-Payne Susana
Published: June 2015

The aim of the current pilot study was to evaluate the implementation of a routines-based early childhood intervention (RBECI) model by Australian Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) professionals. The RBECI model consisted of four key components: (a) Routines-Based Interviews (RBIs), (b) participation-based goals, (c) home visits, and (d) community consultations. Five ECI professionals and nine families were recruited from an Australian ECI service. Professionals’ ability to implement the model was assessed immediately before and 6 months after receiving training in the model. Individual in-depth interviews elicited professionals’ perspectives on implementing the model. Results revealed that professionals’ knowledge, understanding, confidence, and home visiting skills increased from pre- to post-intervention, but community consultation skills did not. There were limitations in the quality of RBIs and participation-based goals produced. Overall, professionals were positive about the implementation of the model. The findings provide support for the adoption of the RBECI model in ECI more broadly.
Toward a Theory of Intuitive Decision–Making in Nursing
Authors: Payne Lesle Karns
Published: June 2015

The author in this article presents a theory of decision-making in nursing, specifically a middle-range theory of intuitive decision-making in nursing created through the synthesis of Patricia Benner’s model of skill acquisition in nursing and Damasio’s somatic marker hypothesis. The author proposes that Damasio’s somatic state is equivalent to what Benner has identified as intuition. When a nurse is faced with a decision, intuition, if developed, is a somatic state that creates a measurable physiological biasing signal (skin conductive response) that helps in making an advantageous decision. Research, educational, clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Families of returned defence force personnel: a changing landscape of challenges
Authors: Berle David , Steel Zachary
Published: June 2015

Objective:

This paper aims to identify the key challenges experienced by the families of defence force personnel following deployment.

Method:

We undertook a selective review of four post-deployment challenges to the families of defence force personnel: (1) changes to relationships; (2) changes to family member roles and responsibilities; (3) adjustment of children and parenting challenges; and (4) anger, family conflict and violence. Emerging issues in the area of post-deployment adjustment are also discussed.

Results:

Empirical studies of post-deployment family adjustment are lacking. Each of the reviewed challenges can contribute to psychological difficulties and precipitate contact with mental health services.

Conclusions:

The challenges faced by defence force personnel when returning from deployment arise within a family context. Clinicians should thoroughly assess these factors in families following deployment, but also recognise family strengths and resilience to these challenges.
Implementation of a Meningitis Care Bundle in the Emergency Room Reduces Mortality Associated With Acute Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Viale Pierluigi , Scudeller Luigia , Pea Federico , Tedeschi Sara , Lewis Russell , Bartoletti Michele , Sbrojavacca Rodolfo , Cristini Francesco , Tumietto Fabio , Di Lauria Nicoletta , Fasulo Giovanni , Giannella Maddalena
Published: June 2015

Background: Prompt administration of antibiotics, adjunctive steroid therapy, and optimization of antibiotic delivery to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are factors associated with improved outcome of patients hospitalized for acute bacterial meningitis (ABM). However, the impact of a bundle of these procedures has not been reported. Objective: To assess mortality and neurological sequelae at hospital discharge in a cohort of patients with ABM managed according to a predefined bundle. Methods: Prospective study of all the patients hospitalized for ABM in two provinces of Northern Italy, over two consecutive periods (2005-2009, 2010-2013). The bundle included: i) supportive care if needed; ii) immediate administration of dexamethasone and 3rd generation cephalosporin; and iii) addition of levofloxacin if turbid CSF. Patients managed according to the bundle were compared with a historical group of patients cared for ABM before the bundle was implemented. Results: Overall, 85 patients with ABM were managed according to the bundle and were compared with 92 historical controls. In-hospital mortality rates for bundle and control group were 4.7% and 14.1% (p=0.04). Among survivors, 13.5% and 18.9% (p=0.4) of bundle and control-group patients presented neurological sequelae. The only variable associated with mortality at multivariate analysis was ICU admission (HR 3.65). After adjusting for ICU admission, patients managed according with the ABM bundle had significantly lower mortality rate compared to historical controls. Conclusions: Use of a bundled protocol and antibiotics with excellent CSF penetration for the initial management of ABM in emergency department is feasible and associated with significant reduction in mortality.
Evaluating Vitamin D Repletion Regimens and Effects in Veteran Patients
Authors: Aterrado Sheryl , Ono Gregory , Kanehira-Mar Shawn , Meier Joy , Swislocki Arthur
Published: June 2015

Background: There are wide variations in recommended dosing for vitamin D repletion. The identification of specific dosing thresholds to optimize repletion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (also known as 25(OH)D) may help narrow the wide spectrum of vitamin D dosing. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate vitamin D treatment regimens and their dose response effect on vitamin D serum levels. Secondary outcomes include evaluation of the frequency of monitoring vitamin D serum levels and prescription adherence. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective data extraction analysis conducted in patients who initiated monotherapy of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010. Following vitamin D therapy initiation, changes in laboratory values, frequency of laboratory monitoring, and prescription adherence were assessed. Ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol groups were separately organized into quartiles to identify dosing ranges that had the most impact on changes in 25(OH)D laboratory values. Results: There were 2272 and 4140 monotherapy patients in the ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol groups, respectively. Cholecalciferol mean doses between 600 and 1100 IU had similar changes in 25(OH)D ranging from 8 to 9.1 ng/mL. Cholecalciferol mean doses of 2700 IU had 12.7 ng/mL 25(OH)D increase ( P < 0.05). Ergocalciferol at mean doses of 11 000 IU had a 19.9 ng/mL increase of 25(OH)D ( P < 0.05). At baseline 25(OH)D levels less than 15 ng/mL, 90% of subjects reached a therapeutic 25(OH)D level with a cumulative 300 000 IU cholecalciferol dose. Adherence, calculated by medication possession ratio, was greater with cholecalciferol than ergocalciferol (87% compared with 68%). Conclusions: Lower vitamin D dose ranges had a comparable effect on 25(OH)D change. Higher doses can produce higher levels, but the relationship is not linear.
Comparison of breastfeeding rates and health outcomes for infants receiving care from hospital outpatient clinic and community health centres in China
Authors: Yu Chuan , Binns Colin W , Lee Andy H
Published: June 2015

Utilization of community health centres for child health care instead of hospital outpatient clinics is being promoted in China. To evaluate breastfeeding rates and health outcomes of infants who received health care from hospital outpatient clinic or community health centre, a prospective cohort study with six months follow-up was undertaken in Chengdu, China. Participants were 845 mothers and their infants, 417 receiving care from one hospital and 428 from five community health centres. The ‘any breastfeeding’ rates at one and three months post-partum were significantly lower ( p < 0.01) in the hospital outpatient clinic (84% and 68%) than community health centres (92% and 78%). The presence of common illness problems was similar, though the prevalence of lower respiratory tract infection was significantly higher in the hospital group (14.6% vs. 6%, p < .01). No difference in infant growth was observed between the two groups. The results support continuing expansion of child health-care services through community health centres in China.
Effect of plasma nitriding on nanostructure of TRD coating
Authors: Fesahat M. , Soltanieh M. , Eivani A. R.
Published: June 2015

In this study, the effect of conventional plasma nitriding on chromised tool steel was investigated. The samples were chromised at 1100°C for 12 h using thermoreactive diffusion/deposition (TRD). Subsequent tof TRD, specimens were nitrided at 600°C using a DC plasma set-up. Phase composition and surface morphology of the coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. Corrosion resistance of the samples was investigated by polarisation corrosion test. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that after chromising, the coating mainly consisted of Cr7C3, Cr23C6 and Fe3C and surface hardness increased from 330 to 1400 HV0.01. However, after plasma nitriding, nanosized Cr2N, CrN, Fe3N and Fe4N phases with particle sizes ranging from 32 to 54 nm were formed. The results of polarisation corrosion tests showed that by applying duplex TRD and plasma nitriding, the corrosion resistance was improved.
Salvage chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for transformed indolent lymphoma: a subset analysis of NCIC CTG LY12
Authors: Kuruvilla John , MacDonald David A. , Kouroukis C. Tom , Cheung Matthew , Olney Harold J. , Turner A. Robert , Anglin Peter , Seftel Matthew , Ismail Walid Sabry , Luminari Stefano , Couban Stephen , Baetz Tara , Meyer Ralph M. , Hay Annette E. , Shepherd Lois , Djurfeldt Marina S. , Alamoudi Sameer , Chen Bingshu E. , Crump Michael
Published: June 2015

Key Points

Patients with relapsed or refractory transformed indolent lymphoma and DLBCL have similar outcomes with salvage therapy and ASCT. This therapy should be considered the standard of care for previously treated transformed indolent lymphoma.
On monotone nonexpansive mappings in $L_{1}([0,1])$
Authors: Khamsi Mohamed Amine , Khan Abdul Rahim
Published: June 2015

Let the set $C \subset L_{1}([0,1])$
C
⊂

L
1

(
[
0
,
1
]
)
be nonempty, convex and compact for the convergence almost everywhere and $T: C \rightarrow C$
T
:
C
→
C
be a monotone nonexpansive mapping. In this paper, we study the behavior of the Krasnoselskii-Ishikawa iteration sequence $\{f_{n}\}$
{

f
n

}
defined by $f_{n+1} = \lambda f_{n} + (1-\lambda)T(f_{n})$

f

n
+
1

=
λ

f
n

+
(
1
−
λ
)
T
(

f
n

)
, $n = 1, 2, \ldots$
n
=
1
,
2
,
…
 , $\lambda\in(0,1)$
λ
∈
(
0
,
1
)
. Then we prove a fixed point theorem for these mappings. Our result is new and was never investigated.
Autonomous Vision-Based Navigation of a Quadrotor in Corridor-Like Environments
Authors: Keshavan Jishnu , Gremillion Greg , Alvarez-Escobar Hector , Humbert James Sean
Published: June 2015

Vision-based bio-inspired control strategies offer great promise in demonstrating safe autonomous navigation of aerial microsystems in completely unstructured environments. This paper presents an innovative navigation technique that embeds bio-inspired wide-field processing of instantaneous optic flow patterns within the H∞ loop shaping synthesis framework, resulting in a dynamic controller that enables robust stabilization and command tracking behavior in obstacle-laden environments. The local environment is parameterized as a series of simpler corridor-like environments in the optic flow model, and the loop shaping controller is synthesized to provide robust stability across the range of modeled environments. Experimental validation is provided using a quadrotor aerial vehicle across environments with large variation in local structure, with the loop shaping controller demonstrating better tracking performance than other comparable controllers in straight-line corridors of different widths. The current approach is computationally efficient, as it does not involve explicit extraction of an environment depth map, and makes for an attractive paradigm for aerial microsystem navigation in urban environments.
Unsteady Aerodynamic Response of a Rapidly Started Flexible Wing
Authors: Mancini Peter M. , Jones Anya R. , Granlund Kenneth O. , Ol Michael V.
Published: June 2015

Effects of camber and camber-change due to elastic deflection for aspect ratio 4.25 wings were examined for the classical unsteady problem of rectilinear translational acceleration. Direct force measurements and flow visualization by laser illumination of fluorescent dye allowed for the tracking of force history vs. evolution of the flowfield of rigid flat, rigid cambered, and flexible membranous wings. At low incidence (10 degrees and below), Wagner's approximation provides an accurate prediction of the time-evolution of lift for the rigid wings, beyond which flow separation leads to peaks in the force history and the camber-effect is no longer additive to the incidence effect. Both the rigid uncambered and cambered wings reach peak lift at 35 degrees, whereas the flexible wing experiences a form of stall-delay and reaches peak lift at 50 degrees. Due to the aeroelasticity of the flexible membrane, flow over the suction surface remains attached for much higher incidence angles than for the rigid wings. For incidence angles less than 30 degrees, the flexible wing's peak lift is lower than that of its rigid counterparts. However, beyond 30 degrees, the flexible wing experiences an aeroelastically-induced stall delay that allows lift to exceed the rigid analogs.
One Day at the Sands: Exploring Las Vegas' Intangible Heritage through Virtual Reality
Authors: Martina Andrea , Bottino Andrea , Rubino Irene , Cook Daniel
Published: June 2015

The construction, negotiation and dissemination of cultural heritage in the digital era can take advantage of several approaches, including Virtual Reality (VR). Leveraging on the provision of contextualized multimedia content, VR can foster awareness about the histories of specific times and places, encouraging personal interpretative processes. This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of “One Day at the Sands”, a VR application aimed at conveying the atmosphere of one of the most famous casinos in Las Vegas from the 1950s onwards. First, we collected a digital database, including a wide range of historical material; then, we developed a presentation medium that allows viewers to navigate the virtual reconstructions and access the archival material following their curiosity and interests. User tests underlined the capability of the application to facilitate a deep and meaningful exploration of the contents reinforcing the argument that virtual reality solutions represent valuable tools to engender awareness and explorative attitudes towards heritage.
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage by Creating Meaningful Transmission Experiences
Authors: Mitchenson Donna
Published: June 2015

This research analyses and reviews new and existing applications of novel technologies in heritage settings. This essay reviews current trends in heritage technologies and highlights their potential in safeguarding and transmitting intangible cultural heritage. True safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage is in creating meaningful transmission experiences. Modes of transmission have become tired, static and fail to pair with modes of learning. The term ‘meaningful transmission experience’ describes situations where heritage communications are optimized using established learning modes to enhance novel technologies. This research by no means covers all applications of safeguarding and the transmission of intangible cultural heritage, but instead concentrates on the intangible aspects of built heritage. The future of intangible cultural heritage lies in communicating heritage effectively. It is my recommendation that coupling novel technologies with established learning styles will enrich user experience. Further, this will enable intangible cultural heritage to remain current with society.
Developing an Audiovisual Cultural Heritage Platform for Educational Purposes: A Case Study of Teacher-Involvement Using a Living Lab Approach
Authors: Georges Annabel , Logghe Sara , Schuurman Dimitri
Published: June 2015

For the last few decades, technological developments have fostered improvements in the process of digitizing audiovisual heritage. Besides the archiving of the audiovisual heritage content, it is also important to provide access to this specific content in order to pass on cultural heritage to future generations. However, in literature little is known about the needs and wants of end-users on audiovisual heritage archives. Within this paper we will assess the value of the Living Lab approach to map the needs of end-users and to facilitate user contributions. This will be done by a case study analysis of VIAA (the Flemish Institute of Archiving) that wants to unlock its digital archive for educational purposes. The main goal of this paper is to give an illustration of the Living Lab approach in order to map the needs of teachers towards an audiovisual heritage platform.
Increased efficiency of evolved group I intron spliceozymes by decreased side product formation
Authors: Amini Zhaleh N. , Müller Ulrich F.
Published: June 2015

The group I intron ribozyme fromTetrahymenawas recently reengineered into atrans-splicing variant that is able to remove 100-nt introns from pre-mRNA, analogous to the spliceosome. These spliceozymes were improved in this study by 10 rounds of evolution inEscherichia colicells. One clone with increased activity inE. colicells was analyzed in detail. Three of its 10 necessary mutations extended the substrate binding duplexes, which led to increased product formation and reduced cleavage at the 5′-splice site. One mutation in the conserved core of the spliceozyme led to a further reduction of cleavage at the 5′-splice site but an increase in cleavage side products at the 3′-splice site. The latter was partially reduced by six additional mutations. Together, the mutations increased product formation while reducing activity at the 5′-splice site and increasing activity at the 3′-splice site. These results show the adaptation of a ribozyme that evolved in nature forcis-splicing totrans-splicing, and they highlight the interdependent function of nucleotides within group I intron ribozymes. Implications for the possible use of spliceozymes as tools in research and therapy, and as a model for the evolution of the spliceosome, are discussed.
Constellation Map: Downstream visualization and interpretation of gene set enrichment results
Authors: Tan Yan , Wu Felix , Tamayo Pablo , Haining W. Nicholas , Mesirov Jill P.
Published: June 2015

Summary: Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) approaches are widely used to identify coordinately regulated genes associated with phenotypes of interest. Here, we present Constellation Map, a tool to visualize and interpret the results when enrichment analyses yield a long list of significantly enriched gene sets. Constellation Map identifies commonalities that explain the enrichment of multiple top-scoring gene sets and maps the relationships between them. Constellation Map can help investigators take full advantage of GSEA and facilitates the biological interpretation of enrichment results.

Availability: Constellation Map is freely available as a GenePattern module at http://www.genepattern.org.
When dying at home is not an option: exploration of hostel staff views on palliative care for homeless people
Authors: Webb Wendy Ann
Published: June 2015

Background:

The Department of Health in the UK suggest that hostel staff are the most appropriate key workers for their dying homeless residents and that hostel-based palliative care may be the best way forward. However, little is known about the views of hostel staff with regard to this.

Methods:

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with seven participants from hostels distributed across three counties. A total of 37 specific case studies were discussed involving homeless residents with a wide range of life-limiting or palliative conditions.

Findings:

Eight main themes emerged: understanding palliative care; working with limited medical information; taking responsibility; building rapport; upholding residents' dignity; recognising physical deterioration; managing environmental challenges; role limitations and support needs of hostel staff.

Conclusion:

Discussion centred around the following four topics: policy, principles and practice of palliative care; professional boundaries as a threat to holism and a hindrance to dignity; the social undesirability and invisibility of homeless people; ‘community living’ as a barrier to hostel-based palliative care and a new concept of family.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Falls in Adults with Intellectual Disability Living in a Residential Facility: A Longitudinal Study [PreFallID]
Authors: Salb Johannes , Woodward Carol , Offenhäußer Jens , Becker Clemens , Sieber Cornel , Freiberger Ellen
Published: June 2015

The objective of our study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of falls in adults with intellectual disability living in a residential care setting and to define differences between fallers and non-fallers in younger and older resident groups. In contrast to the general population, falls are a problem for both aged and younger adults with intellectual disability living in a residential care setting. Falls of 147 residents, aged between 21-89 years with different grades of ID, were recorded prospectively over a 12 months period using a digital fall report form. For all participants, a total of 140 falls were reported and high fall rates per person-year were found in the younger (0.85) as well as in the older aged residents (1.06).
On the age of fossil diatoms
Authors: Siemińska Jadwiga
Published: June 2015

The finding of fossil freshwater diatoms in late Cretaceous chert in Mexico suggests - together with all the discoveries of fossil freshwater diatoms known from positions older than the Cretaceous - that the extinct marine Cretaceous diatom taxa cannot be considered to be the oldest.
Stereological and Immunohistochemical Study of the Spleen in Hypothyroid Juvenile Rats
Authors: Roksandić Dragutin , Radovanović Anita , Danilović Luković Jelena , Marković Danica , Kovačević Filipović Milica , Čolić Miodrag
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of hypothyroidism on spleen tissue morphology and immune cell density in fourteen-day-old juvenile rats. Hypothyroidism in pups (n=10) was induced by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) in drinking water (1.5 mg/L) to their mothers during pregnancy and period of lactation. Fourteen-day-old pups were sacrificed and the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) serum concentration and thyroid activation index (Ia) were determined. Increased serum level of TSH and increased Ia showed that pups from PTU treated mothers were hypothyroid. White and red spleen pulp, marginal zone and connective tissue volume density has been assessed by using the stereological method. Using immunohistochemistry, the present CD3+ T lymphocytes, CD45RA+ B lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages were quantified. A significant reduction of volume density of the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath (VvPALS) and lymphatic follicles (Vvf) due to depletion of T and B lymphocytes respectively, was observed in the spleens of hypothyroid pups compared to controls. The volume density of the red pulp (Vvrp), marginal zone (Vvmz) and connective tissue (Vvct) was increased, as well as the number of CD68+ macrophages in the spleens of hypothyroid pups compared to controls. These results indicate that thyroid hormones might be important for normal development of both, specific and innate immune cells in the spleen during prenatal and early postnatal period.