bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting survivin with prodigiosin isolated from cell wall of Serratia marcescens induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Yenkejeh RA , Sam MR , Esmaeillou M
Published: June 2016

Background:

Abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway increases survivin expression that is involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Therefore, downregulation of survivin may provide an attractive strategy for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this regard, little is known about the anticancer effects of prodigiosin isolated from cell wall of Serratia marcescens on the survivin expression and induction of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Methods:

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells were treated with 100-, 200-, 400-, and 600-nM prodigiosin after which morphology of cells, cell number, growth inhibition, survivin expression, caspase-3 activation, and apoptotic rate were evaluated by inverted microscope, hemocytometer, MTT assay, RT-PCR, fluorometric immunosorbent enzyme assay, and flow cytometric analysis, respectively.

Results:

Prodigiosin changed morphology of cells to apoptotic forms and disrupted cell connections. This compound significantly increased growth inhibition rate and decreased metabolic activity of HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After 24-, 48-, and 72-h treatments with prodigiosin at concentrations ranging from 100 nM to 600 nM, growth inhibition rates were measured to be 1.5–10%, 24–47.5%, and 55.5–72.5%, respectively, compared to untreated cells. At the same conditions, metabolic activities were measured to be 91–83%, 74–53%, and 47–31% for indicated concentrations of prodigiosin, respectively, compared to untreated cells. We also found that treatment of HepG2 cells for 48 h decreased significantly cell number and survivin expression and increased caspase-3 activation in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, treatment with 600-nM prodigiosin resulted in 77% decrease in cell number, 88.5% decrease in survivin messenger RNA level, and 330% increase in caspase-3 activation level compared to untreated cells. An increase in the number of apoptotic cells (late apoptosis) ranging from 36.9% to 97.4% was observed with increasing prodigiosin concentrations.

Conclusion:

From our data, prodigiosin is an attractive compound that turns the profile of high-level survivin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells into that of normal cells and may provide a novel approach to the hepatocellular carcinoma-targeted therapy.
Information literacy life cycle and its standards and models: A view from Ibero-America
Authors: Pinto María , Ponjuán Gloria , Fernández Mercedes , Sales Dora
Published: June 2016

This paper examines the views of a group of experts on the term “information literacy life cycle” and the application of information literacy standards and models in the Ibero-American context. Using the Delphi method, it explores the views of a group of experts made up of INFOLIT academics and professionals. The results show that the concept of “life cycle” is not generally accepted by the participant experts, that there is agreement regarding INFOLIT essential stages and that the experts know and apply international standards and models on INFOLIT, alongside some models developed from their own countries. All in all, the paper aims to contribute to a broader international panorama on information literacy.
Start-up Community Narratives: The Discursive Construction of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Authors: Roundy Philip T.
Published: June 2016

Entrepreneurial ecosystems are receiving growing attention. However, past research has primarily focused on the physical characteristics and artefacts of such systems. The social construction of entrepreneurial ecosystems, and particularly the discourse involved in their creation, evolution and promotion, has not been examined. To address this omission in past research, this conceptual article builds on the work from several disciplines on a specific type of discourse: narratives. Theory is developed regarding the types of narratives constructed in entrepreneurial ecosystems and their functions. The theorising draws from and synthesises multiple streams of research, including work on sense-making, identity construction, legitimacy and attention.
The Effects of Group Work With Institutionalized Elderly Persons
Authors: Duyan Veli , Şahin-Kara Gülay , Camur Duyan Gülsüm , Özdemir Burcu , Megahead Hamido A.
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

This research article aims to measure the effects of group therapy on institutionalized elderly in terms of reducing depression and improving psychosocial functioning.

Methods:

Thirty elderly nursing home residents were recruited, and 16 of them elected to receive group treatment for depression and 14 declined treatment. The Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects and the Geriatric Depression Scale were given to both groups when group work began and again when it ended.

Results:

Clients who received group treatment experienced reductions in depression and their psychosocial functioning improved.

Conclusion:

Group work intervention was followed by reductions in the depression levels and improvements in their psychosocial functions among institutionalized elderly clients.
Women’s Self-Report of Sexual Victimization: An Experimental Examination of the Influence of Race, Mode of Inquiry, Setting, and Researcher Contact
Authors: McCallum Ethan B. , Peterson Zoë D.
Published: June 2016

Female college students ( N = 255) provided self-report of adult sexual assault (ASA) and child sexual abuse (CSA) in one of eight randomly assigned conditions which manipulated three methodological variables (level of researcher contact, setting, and inquiry mode). The impact of methodology on reporting was examined, with race as a moderator. Non-White participants reported significantly more CSA than White participants out of lab, but differences were not observed in lab. White participants reported significantly more ASA than non-White participants on pencil-and-paper surveys, but there were no differences on computer surveys. Interpretation of race-related differences in self-reported victimization may require consideration of methodological effects.
Assessing Variations in Ijo Migrant Fishermen Architecture Through Spatial Classification
Authors: Brisibe Warebi Gabriel
Published: June 2016

This article focuses on identifying variations in the base camp dwellings of Ijo migrant fishermen in Nigeria and Cameroon. Migrant fishermen in diasporas learn the techniques of the fishing trade and the skills required for building their vernacular dwellings by cultural transmission methods. This includes obtaining instructions by oral tradition and hands-on practice while they serve as apprentices under parents, master fishermen, or elders. The designs of the dwellings were patterned after the mental blueprints obtained from similar dwellings in their ethnic homeland in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. As a result of cultural dynamism, changes may have occurred in the design of migrant fishermen’s dwellings in diasporas over time. The accumulation of such changes may have constituted significant variations in the design of these vernacular dwellings. The variations in these designs have been analyzed using a spatial classification method, and this article bears some of the findings of the study.
Glycoprotein non-metastaticmelanoma protein B promotes glioma motility and angiogenesis through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Bao Gang , Wang Ning , Li Ruichun , Xu Gaofeng , Liu Peijun , He Baixiang
Published: June 2016

Glioma is a common tumor with high mortality and poor overall survival. However, the regulatory mechanisms of glioma tumorigenesis and glioma cell motility are completely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B in glioma. The expression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B is observed to be aberrantly regulated in glioma tissues and cells, and high levels of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B present an inverse correlation with the survival of glioma patients. Compared with the control, glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B inhibition significantly retarded the proliferation and migration of human glioma cells. The tube formation ability of HBMECs induced by glioma cells was also remarkably reduced by glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B silencing. Increased levels of VEGF-C and TEM7 were down-regulated by the suppression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B in glioma cells. Additionally, the activity of MMP-2/3/9 was assessed in glioma cells using Western blotting and gelatin zymography assay; their activities were strongly decreased following the suppression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B. Further studies suggested that canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated, but was inactivated by glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B suppression in glioma cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B might be an inducer for glioma and could enhance matrix metalloproteinase activity through Wnt/β-catenin pathway to contribute to glioma tumorigenesis. This may represent a new understanding for malignant glioma.
Estimation of pathological tremor from recorded signals based on adaptive sliding fast Fourier transform
Authors: Wang Shengxin , Gao Yongsheng , Zhu Yanhe , Zhao Jie
Published: June 2016

Pathological tremor is an approximately rhythmic movement and considerably affects patients’ daily living activities. Biomechanical loading and functional electrical stimulation are proposed as potential alternatives for canceling the pathological tremor. However, the performance of suppression methods is associated with the separation of tremor from the recorded signals. In this literature, an algorithm incorporating a fast Fourier transform augmented with a sliding convolution window, an interpolation procedure, and a damping module of the frequency is presented to isolate tremulous components from the measured signals and estimate the instantaneous tremor frequency. Meanwhile, a mechanism platform is designed to provide the simulation tremor signals with different degrees of voluntary movements. The performance of the proposed algorithm and existing procedures is compared with simulated signals and experimental signals collected from patients. The results demonstrate that the proposed solution could detect the unknown dominant frequency and distinguish the tremor components with higher accuracy. Therefore, this algorithm is useful for actively compensating tremor by functional electrical stimulation without affecting the voluntary movement.
A Systematic and Integrated Review of Mobile-Based Technology to Promote Active Lifestyles in People With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: McMillan Kathryn Anne , Kirk Alison , Hewitt Allan , MacRury Sandra
Published: June 2016

Aim:

The aim was to review studies examining the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of mobile-based technology for promoting active lifestyles in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Background:

Benefits of leading an active lifestyle following a diagnosis of T2D, including improved glycemic control, have been reported. Studies examining the specific use of mobile-based technologies to promote an active lifestyle in T2D have not previously been reviewed.

Methods:

Research studies examining effectiveness, feasibility or acceptability of mobile-based technology for active lifestyle promotion for T2D management were included (n = 9). The databases searched included PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect, and ACM Digital Library (January 2005 to October 2015). Studies were categorized as (1) informing, (2) monitoring, (3) provoking, or (4) sustaining behavior change.

Results:

Technologies used included smartphone or tablet apps, diabetes personal digital assistant, continuous glucose monitor and accelerometer, pedometer, and a website delivered by a smartphone. No articles examined the effectiveness of mobile-based technology in monitoring health behaviors and behavior change. Four of the studies found mobile-based technology to be motivational and supportive for behavior change. The visual reinforcement was identified as motivational. The feasibility and acceptability of using mobile-based technology to provide sustained lifestyle change and the effectiveness of mobile-based technology in monitoring health behaviors and behavior change have not been investigated. No studies examined all 3 of the outcomes or focused decreasing the participants’ sedentary behavior.

Conclusions:

Limited research has examined the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of mobile-based technology to promote active lifestyles and subsequently good diabetes management in people with T2D.
Elbow Biomechanics of Pitching
Authors: Fehr Shayne , Damrow Derek , Kilian Christopher , Lyon Roger , Liu Xue-Cheng
Published: June 2016

Background:

Elbow pain and elbow injuries are common in youth baseball players. It is not clear whether pitching experience and/or age creates biomechanical differences at the elbow and whether these differences place an athlete at greater risk.

Hypotheses:

(1) Youth pitchers will have differing elbow kinematics with regard to flexion/extension, internal/external rotation, and pronation/supination when compared with nonbaseball athletes and (2) younger youth pitchers will have differing elbow kinematics when compared with older youth pitchers.

Study Design:

Case-control study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Methods:

Twenty-seven healthy male youths age 10 to 18 years were recruited and divided into an experience group (n = 18 pitchers) and a no experience group (n = 9 nonbaseball athletes). The experience group was subdivided by age into the younger experience subgroup (n = 10 pitchers) and the older experience subgroup (n = 8 pitchers). Biomechanics were recorded using an electromagnetic motion tracking system. Subjects from each group were averaged together, and a Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for statistical analysis.

Results:

The experience group had greater external rotation during late cocking (−47.8° vs 5.8°) and greater flexion during early cocking (112.8° vs 100.1°). The younger experience subgroup had greater range of motion with supination-pronation during early cocking (21.9° vs 11.2°) and late cocking (5.9° vs 2.0°).

Conclusion:

Youth athletes with pitching experience had an increase in maximal external rotation in late cocking and maximal flexion in early cocking, which suggests experience may be a factor to these parameters. The age of experienced baseball pitchers may be a factor due to differences observed with supination and pronation.

Clinical Relevance:

Learning to throw is a skill that leads to changes in elbow motion; however, these changes may be stable once athletes reach grade school age. Minimal differences were noted between the younger and older experience subgroups, which may underscore the importance of teaching proper mechanics at a young age.
Long‐term outcomes of Botulinum toxin in the treatment of chronic anal fissure: 5 years of follow‐up
Authors: Barbeiro Sandra , Atalaia‐Martins Catarina , Marcos Pedro , Gonçalves Cláudia , Canhoto Manuela , Arroja Bruno , Silva Filipe , Cotrim Isabel , Eliseu Liliana , Santos Antonieta , Vasconcelos Helena
Published: June 2016

Background

Chronic anal fissure is a frequent and disabling disease, often affecting young adults. Botulinum toxin and lateral internal sphincterotomy are the main therapeutic options for refractory cases. Botulinum toxin is minimally invasive and safer compared with surgery, which carries a difficult post‐operative recovery and fecal incontinence risk. The long‐term efficacy of Botulinum toxin is not well known.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term efficacy and safety of Botulinum toxin in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Methods

This was a retrospective study at a single center, including patients treated with Botulinum toxin from 2005 to 2010, followed over at least a period of 5 years. All patients were treated with injection of 25U of Botulinum toxin in the intersphincteric groove. The response was registered as complete, partial, refractory and relapse.

Results

Botulinum toxin was administered to 126 patients, 69.8% (n  = 88) were followed over a period of 5 years. After 3 months, 46.6% (n  = 41) had complete response, 23.9% (n  = 21) had partial response and 29.5% (n  = 26) were refractory. Relapse was observed in 1.2% (n  = 1) at 6 months, 11.4% (n  = 10) at 1 year, 2.3% (n  = 2) at 3 years; no relapse at 5 years. The overall success rate was 64.8% at 5 years of follow‐up. Botulinum toxin was well tolerated by all patients and there were no complications.

Conclusion

The use of Botulinum toxin to treat patients with chronic anal fissure was safe and effective in long‐term follow‐up.
Establishment of Over‐The‐Scope‐Clips (OTSC®) in daily endoscopic routine
Authors: Honegger C , Valli PV , Wiegand N , Bauerfeind P , Gubler C
Published: June 2016

Background

Alongside the evolution of interventional endoscopy, the need for a more sophisticated closure tool tailored to the treatment of new challenging indications has been increasing rapidly.

Methods

We here present our collected data on 262 Over‐The‐Scope‐Clip (OTSC®) placements in a total of 233 interventions at our institution. Follow‐up was focused on clinically lasting success with regards to different indications.

Results

Immediate success of OTSC® treatment was observed in 87.1% of all sessions (203/233). The success rates per indication were as follows: spontaneous bleeding 84.8% (28/33); iatrogenic bleeding 100% (20/20); acute perforation 90.3% (65/72); prophylaxis for perforation 100% (24/24); anastomotic leakage 61.1% (11/18); fistulae 80.7% (46/57); diameter reduction of the gastrojejunal anastomosis 100% (6/6); and stent fixation 100% (3/3). At 30‐day follow‐up, the overall success rate was 67.4% (157/233). The success rates per indication were as follows: spontaneous bleeding 69.7% (23/33); iatrogenic bleeding 90% (18/20); acute perforation 86.1% (62/72); prophylaxis for perforation 100% (24/24); anastomotic leakage 33.3% (6/18); fistulae 29.8% (17/57), diameter reduction of the gastrojejunal anastomosis 83.3% (5/6); and stent fixation 66% (2/3).

Conclusions

Our cohort confirms previous data on the clinical usefulness of the OTSC® in daily routine practice.
Korean National Identity, Civic Activism and the Dokdo/Takeshima Territorial Dispute
Authors: Bukh Alexander
Published: June 2016

This article joins the debate on the territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan over the Dokdo/Takeshima islets. The extant literature tends to attribute the continuous importance of the dispute for Korean politics to the collective historical memory of Japanese colonialism. This article seeks to offer a more nuanced interpretation of the symbolic role of Dokdo in Korean national identity. By focusing on the largest civil society organization engaged in ‘Protect Dokdo’ activism, this article examines the similarities and differences between the Dokdo related narrative and the ideas of the democratization movement of the 1970s and 1980s. The argument of the article is twofold. First, it argues that there are important similarities between the ways Korean national identity has been constructed in the two discourses. At the same time, the article identifies important differences between the two. These differences, it argues, enable the Dokdo related identity construct to bridge between the democratization movement’s conception of Korean identity and the conception of national identity advocated by the pre-1987 ruling elites. In other words, the article argues that the symbolic importance of Dokdo lies not only in the historical memory of Japanese colonization but is directly related to post-independence domestic processes in South Korea.
Resisting Misogyny and Caste: The Writings of Meena Kandasamy
Authors: Gowrinathan Nimmi
Published: June 2016

This article examines the political writing of Meena Kandasamy, online and in print, as it provokes vicious personal attacks which, in themselves, speak to the cultural critique Kandasamy puts forth.
Electrical stimulation towards melanoma therapy via liquid metal printed electronics on skin
Authors: Li Jun , Guo Cangran , Wang Zhongshuai , Gao Kai , Shi Xudong , Liu Jing
Published: June 2016

Background

We proposed a method of using electrical stimulation for treatment of malignant melanoma through directly spray‐printing liquid metal on skin as soft electrodes to deliver low intensity, intermediate frequency electric fields.

Methods

With patterned conductive liquid metal components on mice skin and under assistance of a signal generator, a sine wave electrical power with voltage of 5 V and 300 kHz could be administrated on treating malignant melanoma tumor.

Findings

The experiments demonstrated that tumor volume was significantly reduced compared with that of the control group. Under the designed parameters (signal: sine wave, signal amplitude Vpp: 5 V and Vpp: 4 V, frequency: 300 kHz) of Tumor treating fields (TTFields) with the sprayed liquid metal electrode, four mice tumor groups became diminishing after 1 week of treatment. The only device‐related side effect as seen was a mild to moderate contact dermatitis underneath the field delivering electrodes. The SEM images and pathological analysis demonstrated the targeted treating behavior of the malignant melanoma tumor. Further, thermal infrared imaging experiments indicated that there occur no evident heating effects in the course of treatment. Besides, the liquid metal is easy to remove through medical alcohol.

Conclusions

Tumor treating fields through liquid metal electrode could offer a safe, straightforward and effective treatment modality which evidently slows down tumor growth in vivo. These promising results also raised the possibility of applying spray‐printing TTFields as an easy going physical way for future cancer therapy.
Staphylococcus aureus SaeR/S-regulated factors reduce human neutrophil reactive oxygen species production
Authors: Guerra Fermin E , Addison Conrad B , de Jong Nienke W M , Azzolino Joseph , Pallister Kyler B , van Strijp Jos (A G) , Voyich Jovanka M
Published: June 2016

Neutrophils are the first line of defense after a pathogen has breached the epithelial barriers, and unimpaired neutrophil functions are essential to clear infections. Staphylococcus aureus is a prevalent human pathogen that is able to withstand neutrophil killing, yet the mechanisms used by S. aureus to inhibit neutrophil clearance remain incompletely defined. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a vital neutrophil antimicrobial mechanism. Herein, we test the hypothesis that S. aureus uses the SaeR/S two-component gene regulatory system to produce virulence factors that reduce neutrophil ROS production. With the use of ROS probes, the temporal and overall production of neutrophil ROS was assessed during exposure to the clinically relevant S. aureus USA300 (strain LAC) and its isogenic mutant LACΔsaeR/S. Our results demonstrated that SaeR/S-regulated factors do not inhibit neutrophil superoxide (O2−) production. However, subsequent neutrophil ROS production was significantly reduced during exposure to LAC compared with LACΔsaeR/S. In addition, neutrophil H2O2 production was reduced significantly by SaeR/S-regulated factors by a mechanism independent of catalase. Consequently, the reduction in neutrophil H2O2 resulted in decreased production of the highly antimicrobial agent hypochlorous acid/hypochlorite anion (HOCl/−OCl). These findings suggest a new evasion strategy used by S. aureus to diminish a vital neutrophil antimicrobial mechanism.
Recovery practice in community mental health teams: national survey
Authors: Leamy M. , Clarke E. , Le Boutillier C. , Bird V. , Choudhury R. , MacPherson R. , Pesola F. , Sabas K. , Williams J. , Williams P. , Slade M.
Published: June 2016

Background

There is consensus about the importance of ‘recovery’ in mental health services, but the link between recovery orientation of mental health teams and personal recovery of individuals has been underresearched.

Aims

To investigate differences in team leader, clinician and service user perspectives of recovery orientation of community adult mental health teams in England.

Method

In six English mental health National Health Service (NHS) trusts, randomly chosen community adult mental health teams were surveyed. A random sample of ten patients, one team leader and a convenience sample of five clinicians were surveyed from each team. All respondents rated the recovery orientation of their team using parallel versions of the Recovery Self Assessment (RSA). In addition, service users also rated their own personal recovery using the Questionnaire about Processes of Recovery (QPR).

Results

Team leaders (n = 22) rated recovery orientation higher than clinicians (n = 109) or patients (n = 120) (Wald(2) = 7.0, P = 0.03), and both NHS trust and team type influenced RSA ratings. Patient-rated recovery orientation was a predictor of personal recovery (b = 0.58, 95% CI 0.31–0.85, P<0.001). Team leaders and clinicians with experience of mental illness (39%) or supporting a family member or friend with mental illness (76%) did not differ in their RSA ratings from other team leaders or clinicians.

Conclusions

Compared with team leaders, frontline clinicians and service users have less positive views on recovery orientation. Increasing recovery orientation may support personal recovery.
Access to Medical Care Under Strain: New Pressures in Canada and Australia
Authors: Gray Gwen
Published: June 2016

Health policy changes intended to achieve cost control in OECD countries run the risk of reintroducing financial barriers to health care. However, although the problems faced are similar, different countries are dealing with the situation in different ways. For example, Canada and Australia, which share many similarities, have taken quite different policy paths in the last decade: Canada has preserved universal access, whereas Australian policy is promoting a two-tier system through the provision of public subsidies for private insurance. The evidence is that country-specific factors such as institutional arrangements, attitudes, and values intersect with economic and financial factors to shape policy outcomes. Moreover, the Canadian and Australian experiences suggest that in relation to access issues, attitudes and values are the key policy determinants.
Rural Hospital Mergers, Antitrust Policy, and the Ukiah Case
Authors: Blackstone Erwin A. , Fuhr Joseph P.
Published: June 2016

This article examines the antitrust issues in rural hospital mergers by focusing on an important antitrust case involving the merger of two small hospitals in Ukiah, California. A key issue in this matter was whether the geographic market served by the merger included a nearby larger city. The economic efficiency of small rural hospitals and the competitive implications of their mergers are examined in the context of the Ukiah case. Economies of scale are shown to be important for small rural hospitals and should mitigate any increase in price. The efficiencies defense is shown to be difficult to make even when economies of scale make the likelihood of efficiencies high. The financial difficulties of many rural hospitals, especially in areas where too many exist, mean that mergers such as this one in Ukiah often are an efficient way to keep these hospitals financially sound and accessible. The Ukiah case suggests the desirability of the merger guidelines that permit most mergers of small rural hospitals.
Jing-Jin-Ji
Authors: Kan Karoline
Published: June 2016

Beijing is the cosmopolitan capital; Tianjin is an international harbor—but the surrounding Hebei province is mired in poverty. Beijing-based writer Karoline Kan outlines China’s plan to integrate these three areas, known collectively as Jing-Jin-Ji, and raise the living standards of Hebei’s 73 million residents.
Laser-based technique for controlled damage of mesenchymal cell spheroids: a first step in studying reparationin vitro
Authors: Kosheleva N. V. , Ilina I. V. , Zurina I. M. , Roskova A. E. , Gorkun A. A. , Ovchinnikov A. V. , Agranat M. B. , Saburina I. N.
Published: June 2016

Modern techniques of laser microsurgery of cell spheroids were used to develop a new simple reproducible model for studying repair and regeneration in vitro. Nanosecond laser pulses (wavelength 355 nm, frequency 100 Hz, pulse duration 2 ns) were applied to perform a microdissection of the outer and the inner zones of human bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (BM MMSC) spheroids. To achieve effective dissection and preservation of spheroid viability, the energy of laser pulses was optimized and adjusted in the range 7-9 μJ. After microdissection, the edges of the wound surface opened and the angular opening reached a value of more than 180°. The destruction of the initial spheroid structure was observed in the wound area, with surviving cells changing their shape into a round one. Partial restoration of a spheroid form took place in the first six hours. The complete structure restoration accompanying the reparative processes occurred gradually over seven days due to remodelling of surviving cells.
Dephosphorylation of MAP2D enhances its binding to vimentin in preovulatory ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Flynn Maxfield P. , Fiedler Sarah E. , Karlsson Amelia B. , Carr Daniel W. , Maizels Evelyn T. , Hunzicker-Dunn Mary
Published: June 2016

Preovulatory granulosa cells express the low-molecular-mass MAP2D variant of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). Activation of the luteinizing hormone choriogonadotropin receptor by human choriogonadotropin (hCG) promotes dephosphorylation of MAP2D on Thr256 and Thr259. We sought to evaluate the association of MAP2D with the cytoskeleton, and the effect of hCG on this association. MAP2D partially colocalized, as assessed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, with the vimentin intermediate filament and microtubule cytoskeletons in naive cells. In vitro binding studies showed that MAP2D bound directly to vimentin and β-tubulin. Phosphorylation of recombinant MAP2D on Thr256 and Thr259, which mimics the phosphorylation status of MAP2D in naive cells, reduces binding of MAP2D to vimentin and tubulin by two- and three-fold, respectively. PKA-dependent phosphorylation of vimentin (Ser32 and Ser38) promoted binding of vimentin to MAP2D and increased contraction of granulosa cells with reorganization of vimentin filaments and MAP2D from the periphery into a thickened layer surrounding the nucleus and into prominent cellular extensions. Chemical disruption of vimentin filament organization increased progesterone production. Taken together, these results suggest that hCG-stimulated dephosphorylation of MAP2D at Thr256 and Thr259, phosphorylation of vimentin at Ser38 and Ser72, and the resulting enhanced binding of MAP2D to vimentin might contribute to the progesterone synthetic response required for ovulation.
Προσθήκες και διορθώσεις στην «Ελληνική βιβλιογραφία 1800-1863» Δ. Γκίνη και Β. Μέξα. Έργα του καπετάν Νικολάου Κεφαλά
Authors: Μακρυμίχαλος Στέφανος Ι.
Published: June 2016

No abstract
On research of Estonian school students’ physical development in diploma theses of the Department of Zoology at Tartu State University, 1958–1970
Authors: Kasmel Tiiu , Kasmel Jaan
Published: June 2016

The article provides an overview of ten diploma theses written under the supervision of Professor of Zoology Juhan Aul at the University of Tartu from 1958–1970. The theses deal with physical development of Estonian school students in two Estonian towns (Tartu and Pärnu) and nine districts (Tartu, Elva, Põlva, Räpina, Rapla, Keila, Pärnu, Võru, Harju) according to the then existing administrative division. The theses are based on the anthropological material collected from 1956–1966.The first part of the article briefly describes the period of nearly 202 years during which the scholars related to the University of Tartu have conducted various physical anthropological studies on Estonians. These years can conditionally be divided as follows: the first period, 1814–1927 – the period from Baer to Aul, the second period, 1927–1993 – the Aul period, the third period, from 1993 to the present – the period of the Centre for Physical Anthropology.The article describes some of the options the students had for participating in anthropological research. An overview is given of the beginning of anthropological research of children and school students in Estonia and in the world. The article acquaints the reader with the whole of the so-called Aul period and the diploma theses on Estonian school students’ physical development supervised by him.The second part gives an overview of the diploma theses.
Analysis of physical fitness tests and the body composition of the military personnel
Authors: Pļaviņa Liana , Umbraško Silvija
Published: June 2016

The Body composition is related to higher physical performance and a lower risk of health problems, it connects to external and internal factors. Military activitiesf are characterized with a high physical load and a psychological load, physical fitness and the body composition have an adverse effect on military performance. The primary purpose of the body composition and physical fitness is related to the selection of individuals the best suited to the demands of military service [2,10]. The proper body mass supports good health capacity [11,13]. The maintenance of body composition and appropriate physical fitness standards by the military personnel is affected by the intrinsic factors such as the individual’s genetic factors, development history, social background, and extrinsic factors, environmental changes and institutional, systemic changes. The effects of the excess body mass are widespread, raise the variety of concerns relevant to the health and performance of the military personnel [1,3,4,5]. The diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and heart disease increased with the obesity [6,7,9,12]. The individuals with overweight have more medical complication than the individuals with the standard body mass. The higher body mass index was associated with higher morbidity and mortality [8]. We have classified individuals according to the age into subgroups and provided the evaluation of the body composition on the basis of the main anthropometric characteristics as well the analysis of the standard physical fitness tests results. The analysis of the average value of the body mass and the Body Mass Index have shown large individual changes inside the subgroups and between the subgroups. The assessment of the results of physical fitness tests is provided differentially according to the individual corresponding age subgroup. The analysis of the respondent data reveals the overweight and obesity problem that became actual with the increasing the age of individuals. Physical fitness tests results have shown that the excellent physical fitness evaluation is received by about 33–44% of the military personnel that reflects a high unit of operational readiness.
Lessons From Abroad: Teaching Cultural and Global Leadership in the U.S. Classroom
Authors: Zimmerman Jeff
Published: June 2016

This paper provides an insightful perspective to the common problem facing many global leadership educators across the U.S.: helping students understand “global leadership” while they sit in U.S. classrooms. The instructor of an undergraduate leadership course addressed this problem by recreating for U.S. students in local “cultural groups” a “culture shock” similar to that experienced by expatriates in foreign cultures. The culture shock experience is important for cross-cultural leadership development because culture shock produces challenges of uncertainty, anxiety and stress similar to those challenges needed to be overcome by an effective cross- cultural leader. The author discusses course structure and design (i.e. experiential-reflection project utilizing participant observation to write multi-stage report) along with student feedback, illustrating that teaching global, cross-cultural leadership can start in one’s backyard.
Student-Moderated Discussion Boards in a Graduate Online Course
Authors: McRay Jeni , Goertzen Brent , Klaus Kaley
Published: June 2016

This application brief describes a “Module Discussant” activity assigned in an online graduate-level leadership theory course. The assignment was designed to stimulate higher-level thinking, apply leadership theory to practice, and foster extensive communication among students in the online learning environment using a common learning management tool—the online discussion forum. This brief presents leadership educators with perspectives from two professors who coordinated the assignment, as well as the perspective of a graduate student participating in the activity. The professors and students involved report that the assignment resulted in compelling levels of engagement and critical thinking. Recommendations for future use and for enhancing the quality of the assignment are also offered.
Authentic Classroom Leaders: The Student Perspective
Authors: Downing Megan S.
Published: June 2016

In a qualitative study assessing students’ perceptions of faculty-student interaction in the online learning environment, findings demonstrated that students make meaning of faculty- student interaction in ways that align with authentic leadership behaviors. Faculty interaction, or lack thereof, shaped students’ perceptions of faculty authenticity and commitment to students’ learning outcomes. Students indicated satisfaction in their leadership learning experience when instructors were perceived as authentic in their actions.
The Perceived Importance of Youth Educator’s Confidence in Delivering Leadership Development Programming
Authors: Brumbaugh Laura , Cater Melissa
Published: June 2016

A successful component of programs designed to deliver youth leadership develop programs are youth educators who understand the importance of utilizing research-based information and seeking professional development opportunities. The purpose of this study was to determine youth educator’s perceived confidence in leading youth leadership development programs. Study objectives included describing types of youth leadership development training received by youth educators, describing the number of hours of youth leadership development training received by youth educators, describing the perceived importance of youth leadership development training received by youth educators, describing youth leadership development training delivery mode preferences of youth educators, determining if the addition of hours of training received and the perception of the importance of youth leadership training improved the prediction of perceived confidence beyond that provided by differences in selected demographic variables (gender, age, years of service, education level, office location). The target population for this study was southern region 4-H youth development educators. Results of this study indicate that perceived importance of youth leadership development training is predictive of youth educator’s confidence level in teaching youth leadership development.

Youth leadership development programs are a cornerstone of many youth serving organizations. The importance of youth leadership development to the core goals of programs is illustrated by its explicit inclusion in program logic models as well as its implicit presence when older youth serve in teaching and mentoring roles for younger youth. The success or failure of a youth leadership development program may be linked to many factors, one of which is the educator who leads the program. Youth educators influence program success in many ways. The focus of this study is to explore educators’ prior experiences as well as their perceived confidence in delivering youth leadership development programming. Given the strong connections between a person’s beliefs and behaviors, it is important to understand youth educators’ beliefs within the context of their prior experiences (Ajzen, Joyce, Sheikh, & Cote, 2011). This study seeks to expand the literature about youth educators’ youth leadership development training beliefs. It has practical implications for developing professional development trainings for youth educators as well as theoretical implications for advancing a deeper understanding of educators’ core beliefs about training specifically related to youth leadership development.
The relationship between student leaders’ constructive development, their leadership identity, and their understanding ofleadership
Authors: Sessa Valerie I. , Ploskonka Jillian , Alvarez Elphys L. , Dourdis Steven , Dixon Christopher , Bragger Jennifer D.
Published: June 2016

The purpose of our research was to use Day, Harrison, and Halpin’s, (2009) theory of leadership development as a premise to investigate how students’ constructive development is related to their leader identity development and understanding of leadership. Baxter Magolda’s Model of Epistemological Reflection (MER, 1988, 2001) was used to understand constructive development, Komives, Owen, Longerbeam, Mainella, & Osteen’s Leadership Identity Development (2005) to determine leader identity, and Drath’s principles of leadership (2001) to determine understanding of leadership. Fifty junior and senior college student leaders filled out the MER and participated in an interview about their leadership experiences. Interviews were coded according to the above constructs of leader identity development and leadership understanding. Although there was a relationship between leader identity development and understanding of leadership, no relationship was found between these two constructs and constructive development. Findings suggest that most of the student leaders still depend on others to help them construct reality. Furthermore, many believe that because they are in a leadership role, they are leaders while others are not.
Leadership Identity Development through an Interdisciplinary Leadership Minor
Authors: Sorensen Tyson J. , McKim Aaron J. , Velez Jonathan J.
Published: June 2016

Leadership development among postsecondary students can occur through a variety of experiences; one such experience is a leadership minor. The purpose of this descriptive interpretive study was to analyze students’ experiences while enrolled in a leadership minor with a focus on exploring evidence of leadership identity development. By exploring the leadership identity development of students enrolled in a leadership minor, we sought to provide valuable information for professionals within postsecondary leadership education offering, or planning to offer a leadership minor. Our analysis revealed changes in the leadership identity and skill development of students involved in the leadership minor. Implications and recommendations for leadership development programs, specifically leadership minors, arediscussed.
Creating a Meaningful Learning Environment: Reflection in Leadership Education
Authors: White Jillian Volpe , Guthrie Kathy L.
Published: June 2016

This article examines the use of a book discussion as an instructional tool for developing leadership exploration competency skills in university students, as it pertains to the study of women and leadership. A book discussion centered on Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In washeld as a means to conceptualize discourse regarding leadership issues in the arena of women and leadership in a multidisciplinary campus wide symposium. In an effort to assess the effectiveness of such a program to learn about leadership issues, student commentary was collected during the discussion via an audio recordingdevice.

A qualitative exploration of the resulting commentary focused on this initiative as an effort to provide insight into the efficacy of book discussions as a best practice for facilitating the engagement of students in the exploration of leadership issues. As leadership educators seek to develop pedagogical tools that catalyze transformative learning, research regarding tools and methods by which faculty equip students to explore leadership becomes increasingly critical.
Circles of Learning: Applying Socratic Pedagogy to Learn Modern Leadership
Authors: Friesen Katherine L. , Stephens Clinton M.
Published: June 2016

In response to the National Leadership Education Agenda, this application brief furthers priority one, addressing the teaching, learning, and curriculum development of leadership education. The ability of students to demonstrate leadership outcome mastery in areas of communication, self-awareness, interpersonal interactions, and civic responsibility (Seemiller, 2014), is valued across disciplines. Socratic Circles provide a structured discussion learning strategy based on Socratic pedagogy (Copeland, 2005), beneficial to the practice of leadership outcomes. Discussed are descriptions of implementation methods; outcomes related to Seemiller’s (2014) Student Leadership Competencies; and practitioner reflections of the use of Socratic Circles in college level leadership courses.
High-Trust Leadership and Blended Learning in the Age of Disruptive Innovation: Strategic Thinking for Colleges and Schools of Education
Authors: Holland Denise D. , Piper Randy T.
Published: June 2016

We introduce diverse definitions of leadership and its evolutionary history and then we integrate this idea network: strategic thinking, high-trust leadership, blended learning, and disruptive innovation. Following the lead of Marx’s (2014) model of Teaching Leadership and Strategy and Rehm’s (2014) model of High School Student Leadership Development, we identify how the Holland and Piper (2014) Technology Integration Education (TIE) model serves as a complementary guide for assessing the leadership performance of preservice teachers, who will be educating future K-12 leaders. We identify 20 research questions that education colleges and schools can use as evidence-based management in their undergraduate courses and their doctoral programs in education leadership. We conclude by recommending the special leadership role that colleges and schools of education play in sustaining democracy.
Dynamic Control of Runway Configurations and of Arrival and Departure Service Rates at JFK Airport Under Stochastic Queue Conditions
Authors: Jacquillat Alexandre , Odoni Amedeo R. , Webster Mort D.
Published: June 2016

High levels of flight delays require implementation of airport congestion mitigation tools. In this paper, we optimize the use of airport capacity at the tactical level in the face of operational uncertainty. We formulate an original Dynamic Programming model that jointly and dynamically selects runway configurations and the balance of arrival and departure service rates at a busy airport to minimize congestion costs, under stochastic queue dynamics and stochastic operating conditions. Control is exercised as a function of flight schedules, of arrival and departure queue lengths, and of weather and wind conditions. We implement the model in a realistic setting at JFK Airport. The exact Dynamic Programming algorithm terminates within reasonable time frames. In addition, we implement an approximate one-step look-ahead algorithm that considerably accelerates execution of the model and results in close-to-optimal policies. Together, these solution algorithms enable online implementation of the model using real-time information on flight schedules and meteorological conditions. Application of the model shows that the optimal policy is path-dependent, i.e., it depends on prior decisions and on the stochastic evolution of arrival and departure queues during the day. This underscores the theoretical and practical need for integrating operating stochasticity into the decision-making framework. From comparisons with an alternative model based on deterministic queue dynamics, we estimate the benefit of considering queue stochasticity at 5% to 20%. Finally, comparisons with heuristics designed to imitate actual operating procedures suggest that the model can yield significant cost savings, estimated at 20% to 30%.