bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asthma Predicts Cardiovascular Disease Events
Authors: Tattersall Matthew C. , Guo Mengye , Korcarz Claudia E. , Gepner Adam D. , Kaufman Joel D. , Liu Kiang J. , Barr R. Graham , Donohue Kathleen M. , McClelland Robyn L. , Delaney Joseph A. , Stein James H.
Published: April 2015

Objectives—

To identify and characterize an association between persistent asthma and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Approach and Results—

MESA is a longitudinal prospective study of an ethnically diverse cohort of individuals free of known CVD at its inception. The presence and severity of asthma were assessed in the MESA at examination 1. Persistent asthma was defined as asthmatics using controller medications (inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and oral corticosteroids) and intermittent asthma as asthmatics not using controller medications. Participants were followed up for a mean (SD) of 9.1 (2.8) years for development of incident CVD (coronary death, myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, and CVD death). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess associations of asthma and CVD. The 6792 participants were 62.2 (SD, 10.2) years old: 47% men (28% black, 22% Hispanic, and 12% Chinese). Persistent asthmatics (n=156), compared with intermittent (n=511) and nonasthmatics (n=6125), respectively, had higher C-reactive protein (1.2 [1.2] versus 0.9 [1.2] versus 0.6 [1.2] mg/L) and fibrinogen (379 [88] versus 356 [80] versus 345 [73] mg/dL) levels. Persistent asthmatics had the lowest unadjusted CVD-free survival rate of 84.1%, 95% confidence interval (78.9%–90.3%) compared with intermittent asthmatics 91.1% (88.5%–93.8%) and nonasthmatics 90.2% (89.4%–91%). Persistent asthmatics had greater risk of CVD events than nonasthmatics (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.6 [1.01–2.5];
P
=0.040]), even after adjustment for age, sex, race, CVD risk factors, and antihypertensive and lipid medication use.

Conclusions—

In this large multiethnic cohort, persistent asthmatics had a higher CVD event rate than nonasthmatics.
Revision of the Jones Criteria for the Diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic Fever in the Era of Doppler Echocardiography
Authors: Gewitz Michael H. , Baltimore Robert S. , Tani Lloyd Y. , Sable Craig A. , Shulman Stanford T. , Carapetis Jonathan , Remenyi Bo , Taubert Kathryn A. , Bolger Ann F. , Beerman Lee , Mayosi Bongani M. , Beaton Andrea , Pandian Natesa G. , Kaplan Edward L.
Published: April 2015

Background—

Acute rheumatic fever remains a serious healthcare concern for the majority of the world’s population despite its decline in incidence in Europe and North America. The goal of this statement was to review the historic Jones criteria used to diagnose acute rheumatic fever in the context of the current epidemiology of the disease and to update those criteria to also take into account recent evidence supporting the use of Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis of carditis as a major manifestation of acute rheumatic fever.

Methods and Results—

To achieve this goal, the American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young and its Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease Committee organized a writing group to comprehensively review and evaluate the impact of population-specific differences in acute rheumatic fever presentation and changes in presentation that can result from the now worldwide availability of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, a methodological assessment of the numerous published studies that support the use of Doppler echocardiography as a means to diagnose cardiac involvement in acute rheumatic fever, even when overt clinical findings are not apparent, was undertaken to determine the evidence basis for defining subclinical carditis and including it as a major criterion of the Jones criteria. This effort has resulted in the first substantial revision to the Jones criteria by the American Heart Association since 1992 and the first application of the Classification of Recommendations and Levels of Evidence categories developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association to the Jones criteria.

Conclusions—

This revision of the Jones criteria now brings them into closer alignment with other international guidelines for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever by defining high-risk populations, recognizing variability in clinical presentation in these high-risk populations, and including Doppler echocardiography as a tool to diagnose cardiac involvement.
Consumption of Fried Foods and Risk of Heart Failure in the Physicians' Health Study
Authors: Djoussé Luc , Petrone Andrew B. , Gaziano J. Michael
Published: April 2015

Background

Consumption of fried foods is highly prevalent in the Western dietary pattern. Though limited studies have reported a positive association between frequency of fried food intake and risk of coronary artery disease, diabetes, or hypertension, other investigators failed to report such an association. It is unclear whether intake of fried foods is associated with a higher risk of heart failure (HF). Hence, we sought to examine the association between the frequency of fried food consumption and the risk ofHF.

Methods and Results

This was a prospective cohort study of 15 362 participants from the Physicians' Health Study. Fried food intake frequency was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (1997–2001), and incidentHFwas captured by annual questionnaires. We used Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) ofHF. After an average follow‐up of 9.6±2.4 years, a total of 632 newHFcases occurred in this cohort. Compared to subjects who reported fried food consumption of <1 per week, HRs (95%CI) forHFwere 1.24 (1.04 to 1.48), 1.28 (1.00 to 1.63), and 2.03 (1.37 to 3.02) for fried food intake of 1 to 3/week, 4 to 6/week, and 7+/week, respectively, after adjustment for age, energy intake, alcohol use, exercise, smoking, and overall diet score (Plinear trend, 0.0002). Similar results were obtained for intake of fried foods at home or away from home and among subjects with higher dietary score orHFwithout antecedent myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Our data are consistent with a positive association of fried food intake frequency with incidentHFin male physicians.
Dietary Intake of Sugar Substitutes Aggravates Cerebral Ischemic Injury and Impairs Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Mice
Authors: Dong Xiao-Hui , Sun Xin , Jiang Guo-Jun , Chen Alex F. , Xie He-Hui
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose—

In our current food supply, sugar substitutes are widely used in beverages and other food products. However, there is limited information about the link between dietary consumption of sugar substitutes and stroke to date. This study sought to determine the effect of various sugar substitutes on the cerebral ischemic injury and endothelial progenitor cells, which have been implicated to play an important role in vascular repair and revascularization in ischemic brain tissues, in mice.

Methods—

After treatment with sucrose and various sugar substitutes (the doses are in the range of corresponding acceptable daily intake levels) and vehicle for 6 weeks, mice were subjected to permanent left middle cerebral artery occlusion, and the infarct volumes, angiogenesis, and neurobehavioral outcomes were determined. In addition, the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells were also examined.

Results—

After long-term treatment with fructose, erythritol (sugar alcohols), acesulfame K (artificial sweeteners), or rebaudioside A (rare sugars), the cerebral ischemic injury (both infarct volumes and neurobehavioral outcomes) was significantly aggravated, angiogenesis in ischemic brain was reduced, and endothelial progenitor cell function was impaired in mice compared with control. However, the similar impairments were not found in sucrose (with the same dose as fructose’s)-treated mice.

Conclusions—

Long-term consumption of sugar substitutes aggravated cerebral ischemic injury in mice, which might be partly attributed to the impairment of endothelial progenitor cells and the reduction of angiogenesis in ischemic brain. This result implies that dietary intake of sugar substitutes warrants further attention in daily life.
Only a small subset of the SPRY domain gene family in Globodera pallida is likely to encode effectors, two of which suppress host defences induced by the potato resistance gene Gpa2
Authors: Mei Yuanyuan , Thorpe Peter , Guzha Athanas , Haegeman Annelies , Blok Vivian C. , MacKenzie Katrin , Gheysen Godelieve , Jones John T. , Mantelin Sophie
Published: April 2015

Analysis of the genome sequence of the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, has shown that a substantial gene family (approximately 300 sequences) of proteins containing a SPRY domain is present in this species. This is a huge expansion of the gene family as compared to other organisms, including other plant-parasitic nematodes. Some SPRY domain proteins from G. pallida and G. rostochiensis have signal peptides for secretion and are deployed as effectors. One of these SPRYSEC proteins has been shown to suppress host defence responses. We describe further analysis of this gene family in G. pallida. We show that only a minority (10%) of the SPRY domain proteins in this species have a predicted signal peptide for secretion and that the presence of a signal peptide is strongly correlated with the corresponding gene being expressed at the early stages of parasitism. The data suggest that while the gene family is greatly expanded, only a minority of SPRY domain proteins in G. pallida are SPRYSEC candidate effectors. We show that several new SPRYSECs from G. pallida are expressed in the dorsal gland cell and demonstrate that some, but not all, of the SPRYSECs can suppress the hypersensitive response induced by co-expression of the resistance gene Gpa2 and its cognate avirulence factor RBP-1 in Nicotiana benthamiana.
Muslim Missions to Early Modern France, c.1610-c.1780: Notes for a Social History of Cross-Cultural Diplomacy
Authors: Grenet Mathieu
Published: April 2015

This essay challenges traditional views on cross-cultural diplomacy by making the case for a social history of “Muslim” missions to early modern France. Calling for both a deeper understanding of the historical phenomenon and a broad reassessment of the research strategies at stake, it points to some hitherto unexplored issues, such as the lengthy duration of these missions, the many social interactions between Muslim envoys and French people, and the rather unspectacular nature of the “Oriental” presence even in inland regions of Europe distant from royal courts and capital cities. The essay stresses the necessity of taking a longer view of the presence and reception of foreign envoys, while also arguing against traditional court-centric perspectives in order to challenge the monolithic picture of cross-cultural exchanges as happening between two discrete cultural entities. Finally, advocating for a more fluid approach to these contacts and relations, it calls for a better understanding of the role of French royal interpreters in articulating figures and motifs of otherness.
A new species of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae) from Guizhou, China
Authors: Xu Wen-Fen , Wang Yong , He Shun-Zhi
Published: April 2015

In October 2008, an investigation at the Guizhou province, Guiding County, Pingfa township found some low and small plants of Aspidistra Kew Gawler (1822: 628) with freshly opened flowers widespread in the limestone valley. After investigations in the wild for several years (30 September 2010, 13 October 2011, 16 October 2014) were performed, this species was identified as new for science after studying relevant literature.
Neocordana gen. nov., the causal organism of Cordana leaf spot on banana
Authors: Hernandez Restrepo Margarita , GROENEWALD JOHANNES Z. , CROUS PEDRO W.
Published: April 2015

Cordana leaf spot of banana is shown to be associated with several species of a new genus described here as Neocordana gen. nov. Furthermore, Neocordana belongs to Pyriculariaceae (Magnaporthales) rather than Cordanaceae where the type species of Cordana, C. pauciseptata resides. Neocordana is established to accommodate Cordana musae, C. johnstonii, C. versicolor, and a previously undescribed species, N. musicola, which is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct. Neocordana species are found to be associated with leaves of Musa spp. (Musaceae) and Canna denudata (Cannaceae). Based on these results, Cordanaceae is best recognized in a separate order, established here as Cordanales ord. nov.
Description of the female of Cordulegaster vanbrinkae (Lohmann, 1993) (Odonata: Anisoptera: Cordulegastridae)
Authors: HOLUŠA OTAKAR
Published: April 2015

The female of Cordulegaster vanbrinkae is described and illustrated, basing on four specimens collected in Gīlān and Māzandarān Provinces, northern Iran. Their characters and variability are shown and compared with females of other Cordulegaster species.
Impacts of Free-Tropospheric Temperature and Humidity on Nocturnal Nonprecipitating Marine Stratocumulus
Authors: Xu Xukun , Xue Huiwen
Published: April 2015

Marine stratocumulus (MSc) cloud amount can decrease with an increase in the cloud-top instability parameter κ, based on the cloud-top entrainment instability (CTEI) theory. Notice that if boundary layer temperature and humidity remain the same, a given κ can correspond to different combinations of free-tropospheric temperature and humidity. By employing large-eddy simulations coupled with bin microphysics, this study investigates the characteristics of three nocturnal nonprecipitating MSc systems with the same κ but different free-tropospheric conditions. It is found that the spread of liquid water path (LWP) among the three cases is large. The LWPs of these three cases are also compared with the base case where κ is smaller. One of the three cases even has larger LWP than the base case, which is not expected by the CTEI theory. Results indicate that the thermodynamic properties of the free-tropospheric air are important. For the three cases with the same κ, cooler and moister free-tropospheric air leads to a cooler and moister boundary layer through entrainment, hence a lower cloud base. A cooler and moister free troposphere also allows the turbulent boundary layer air parcels to overshoot to a higher height, leading to a higher cloud top. Therefore, there is a spread in LWPs among systems with the same κ. The spread can be so large that sometimes systems with larger κ may have larger LWPs than systems with smaller κ. More simulations are also performed covering other free tropospheric conditions and aerosol concentrations.
Agents of Change
Authors: Peng Danjie , Tsao Yi Tzu , Glaudemans Nicolas
Published: April 2015

This article studies the impact of dual-culture Chinese young professionals (agents) on American–Sino cooperation. It describes the current characteristics and speculates about likely evolution in the importance of agents. We report the manner in which they make career plans. Our findings suggest that agents are a rapidly growing demographic. They have strong career prospects, in part because third parties believe the agents can readily work and communicate on either side of the Pacific. Whether or not they return to China for the long term depends on several variables, including wages, career opportunities, eligibility for expert programs, living standards, and familial considerations. The article also examines how agents are modernizing China’s financial system. We examine how they have advanced retail banking by developing credit-rating systems. We make a case study of Joseph Tsai and his role as an agent in the initial public offering of Alibaba.
Advancing High-Quality Preschool Inclusion
Authors: Barton Erin E. , Smith Barbara J.
Published: April 2015

Although considerable progress has been achieved regarding the research and laws supporting preschool inclusion, access to inclusive preschool environments remains intangible for many children with disabilities in the United States. The purpose of this article is to discuss current challenges and solutions to high-quality preschool inclusion. We use the conceptual framework identified in the Division for Early Childhood (DEC)/National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) inclusion position statement to promote solutions to support high-quality inclusion and the success of all children. We provide conceptual and empirical support for preschool inclusion and outline recommendations to the field.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Monoamine Metabolite Analysis in Pediatric Movement Disorders
Authors: Tonduti Davide , Zorzi Giovanna , Ghezzi Daniele , Zibordi Federica , Garavaglia Barbara , Nardocci Nardo
Published: April 2015

Abnormal concentrations of dopamine and serotonin metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid is the diagnostic hallmark of a group of treatable conditions known as the monoamine neurotransmitter disorders. We assessed cerebrospinal fluid dopamine and serotonin metabolite concentrations in a series of 69 patients affected by movement disorders of unknown etiology. Abnormal results were disclosed in 13/69 subjects (19%). Both primary and secondary monoamine neurotransmitter disorders were observed. The clinical presentation of both forms was hypokinetic-rigid syndrome or dystonia. l-Dopa treatment resulted in significant improvement of the clinical picture in the majority of primary neurotransmitter disorders. Eight patients presented a secondary neurotransmitter disorder. One suffered from a GM2 gangliosidosis and one from infantile bilateral striatal necrosis. Etiologic diagnoses were not established in the others. l-Dopa was started in four patients, leading to a significant improvement of hypokinesia in the patient suffering from GM2 gangliosidosis and a slight improvement in 3 unclassified patients.
Identification of bearing faults using linear discriminate analysis and continuous hidden Markov model
Authors: Liu Tao , Chen Jin , Dong Guangming
Published: April 2015

It is important to diagnose the bearing fault to prevent the serious accident of equipment. This paper introduces a bearing fault identification scheme based on envelope power spectrum analysis, linear discriminate analysis and continuous hidden Markov model. First the envelope power spectrum features are extracted from amplitude demodulated vibration signals from fault bearings. Then, linear discriminate analysis is employed to reduce the feature dimensions, which are helpful for improving the computing speed and diagnosing accuracy. At last, the new linear discriminate analysis features are input into continuous hidden Markov model to train the models under different conditions, respectively. In bearing fault identification, test data are input into the pretrained continuous hidden Markov models, and the bearing state can be detected by the output of continuous hidden Markov model. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, experimental samples of four bearing conditions at different fault sizes and loads are utilized to test the continuous hidden Markov model and back-propagation neural network. The result shows that continuous hidden Markov model and linear discriminate analysis-based method have higher accuracy and efficiency than back-propagation neural network.
Wave dynamics analysis at the intake of a turbocharged engine: concept proposal of a new active inlet charge air duct for low-speed tuning and high-speed permeability
Authors: Mezher Haitham , Chalet David , Raimbault Vincent , Migaud Jérôme
Published: April 2015

The unsteady-state gas dynamics at the intake of a turbocharged engine were analysed. The objective is to tune the intake line to low operating speeds where the exhaust gases lack the enthalpy needed to operate the turbocharger at rated speeds and to provide the boost pressure needed. The proposed methodology compensates for the lack of boost pressure by benefiting from the existing wave action at the intake. Zero-dimensional acoustic modelling is first used to investigate the geometrical parameters which have the most influnce on low-end acoustic tuning. Impedance bench and electrically driven engine tests complete the study and compare different intake configurations and two geometries of charge air coolers: an air-to-air charge air cooler and a water-cooled charge air cooler. Optimal intake configurations were found for low-end torque considerations as well as high-speed operation where a reduction in the pressure losses is most important. The findings were validated and established on an engine test bench with torque gain at different rotational speeds of the engine. The study led to the proposal of an active charge air duct which enables a solution to be found for the low-end torque where acoustic tuning is favoured and for high-speed operation where the boost pressure is readily available. The acoustic response of this part was compared with the reference solution, and conclusions and possible topics for future work were obtained from the analysis.
‘What was your blood sugar reading this morning?’ Representing diabetes self-management on Facebook
Authors: Hunt Daniel , Koteyko Nelya
Published: April 2015

Social networking sites have swiftly become a salient venue for the production and consumption of neoliberal health discourse by individuals and organisations. These platforms offer both opportunities for individuals to accrue coping resources and a means for organisations to promote their agendas to an online audience. Focusing specifically on diabetes, this article examines the representation of social actors and interactional styles on three organisational Pages on Facebook. Drawing on media and communication theories, we situate this linguistic analysis in relation to the communicative affordances employed by these organisations as they publish content online. Diabetes sufferers are represented as an at-risk group whose vulnerabilities can be managed through forms of participation specific to the respective organisation. More popular diabetes Pages draw on the opportunities for social interaction afforded by Facebook and combine informational and promotional content to foster communication between the organisation and its audience. By encouraging reflexive management of diabetes risks, these Pages contribute to the construction of ‘biological citizens’ who interweave habitual interactions on social networking sites with responsible self-care, consumption of health information and health activism.
Collaborative Individualization? Peer-to-peer Action in Youth Transitions
Authors: Cuzzocrea Valentina , Collins Rebecca
Published: April 2015

In this article we propose the notion of collaborative individualization (henceforth, C.I.) as a means of characterizing young people’s attempts to define their identities as simultaneously self-reliant and in need of support and collaboration. Our arguments are based on the findings of a transnational case study: a recent Council of Europe policy project called Edgeryders, an online platform whose participants were invited to discuss their experience of attempting to achieve ‘fully independent adulthood’. In light of findings which suggest that individualization amongst the young might take forms which are more collaborative than self-focused, we argue that youth scholars ought to rethink the assumptions made about the nature of individualization in youth transitions. We propose that such theorizations should embrace the potential described by C.I. in order to provide constructive responses to young people’s changing socio-economic needs, and refocus attention on young people’s situatedness within the communities many are demonstrably committed to working with and for.
Climate justice without freedom
Authors: Skillington Tracey
Published: April 2015

Storm surges, flooding, heatwaves, and prolonged drought, as ever more regular features of life under deteriorating climate conditions, are unmistakably violent. Their effects on the lives of vulnerable human populations and ecosystems across the world are widely known to be devastating. Yet a legal order that denies the victims of such ecological persecution safe haven, no matter how great its use of force (e.g., detention, arrest, forced return) cannot, by definition, be violent. The power of law, used to protect states’ rights to exclude from their jurisdictions growing numbers displaced involuntarily by global climate harms, in being a source of ‘legitimate right’, is never the same as violence. This article challenges the ongoing validity of this assumption. It points to some of the ways in which legal instruments are used today to deny those displaced by climatic conditions sufficient normative status to guarantee their safety. What is needed instead is a new critical normative understanding of the evolving relationship between climate change, violence, justice, and law, one that re-assesses the democratic justificatory grounds for the current positions of non-responsibility for the climate displaced whilst re-affirming such people’s legal and political status as equal co-members of the politically constituted international community of humanity.
When do confounding by indication and inadequate risk adjustment bias critical care studies? A simulation study
Authors: Sjoding Michael W , Luo Kaiyi , Miller Melissa A , Iwashyna Theodore J
Published: April 2015

Introduction

In critical care observational studies, when clinicians administer different treatments to sicker patients, any treatment comparisons will be confounded by differences in severity of illness between patients. We sought to investigate the extent that observational studies assessing treatments are at risk of incorrectly concluding such treatments are ineffective or even harmful due to inadequate risk adjustment.

Methods

We performed Monte Carlo simulations of observational studies evaluating the effect of a hypothetical treatment on mortality in critically ill patients. We set the treatment to have either no association with mortality or to have a truly beneficial effect, but more often administered to sicker patients. We varied the strength of the treatment’s true effect, strength of confounding, study size, patient population, and accuracy of the severity of illness risk-adjustment (area under the receiver operator characteristics curve, AUROC). We measured rates in which studies made inaccurate conclusions about the treatment’s true effect due to confounding, and the measured odds ratios for mortality for such false associations.

Results

Simulated observational studies employing adequate risk-adjustment were generally able to measure a treatment’s true effect. As risk-adjustment worsened, rates of studies incorrectly concluding the treatment provided no benefit or harm increased, especially when sample size was large (n = 10,000). Even in scenarios of only low confounding, studies using the lower accuracy risk-adjustors (AUROC < 0.66) falsely concluded that a beneficial treatment was harmful. Measured odds ratios for mortality of 1.4 or higher were possible when the treatment’s true beneficial effect was an odds ratio for mortality of 0.6 or 0.8.

Conclusions

Large observational studies confounded by severity of illness have a high likelihood of obtaining incorrect results even after employing conventionally “acceptable” levels of risk-adjustment, with large effect sizes that may be construed as true associations. Reporting the AUROC of the risk-adjustment used in the analysis may facilitate an evaluation of a study’s risk for confounding.
Predicting changes in mandibular length and total anterior facial height using IGF-1, cervical stage, skeletal classification, and gender
Authors: Masoud Mohamed I , Marghalani Hussain Y A , Bamashmous Mohamed , Alamoudi Najlaa M , El Derwi Douaa , Masoud Ibrahim M , Allareddy Veerasathpurush , Gowharji Nour F
Published: April 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to predict the annual growth rate of the mandible and total anterior facial height using IGF-1 levels together with cervical stage, skeletal classification, and gender.

Methods

Twenty-five orthodontic patients (12 females and 13 males) had their cervical stages, blood-spot IGF-1 levels, and cephalometric parameters measured at 1-year intervals. The number of years each patient was followed up varied between 1 and 5 years resulting in 43 12-month intervals collected from 77 observations. Descriptive, bivariate, and regression analyses were used to analyze this data.

Results

The linear regression model for predicting the annual mandibular growth rate was significant at p < 0.01 with an R-square value of 0.52. We found that the average IGF-1 level for the interval, the change in IGF-1 level, and the presence of a skeletal class III pattern were statistically significant predictors of mandibular growth. The regression model for predicting the annual change in anterior facial height was significant at p < 0.01 with an R-square value of 0.42. We found that the change in IGF-1 level was the only statistically significant predictor of this outcome.

Conclusions

The proposed method which combines IGF-1 levels with information that is readily available to clinicians can be used to predict the timing and intensity of the growth spurt. These factors together explain more of the observed individual variation in growth rate than any of the factors used in isolation.
Iron is a specific cofactor for distinct oxidation- and aggregation-dependent Aβ toxicity mechanisms
Authors: Ott Stanislav , Dziadulewicz Nikolas , Crowther Damian C.
Published: April 2015

Metals including iron are present at high concentrations in amyloid plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease where they are also thought to be co-factors in generating oxidative stress and modulating amyloid formation. In this study we present data from several Drosophila models of neurodegenerative proteinopathies indicating that the interaction between iron and Aβ is specific and is not seen for other aggregation-prone polypeptides. The interaction with iron is likely important in the dimerisation of Aβ and is mediated by three N-terminal histidines. Transgenic fly lines systematically expressing all combinations of His>Ala substitutions in Aβ were generated and were used to study the pathological role of these residues. Developmental eye phenotypes, longevity and histological examinations indicate that the N-terminal histidines have distinct position-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The former mediate the toxic effects of metals and Aβ aggregation under non-oxidising conditions and the latter are relevant under oxidising conditions. Understanding how Aβ mediates neurotoxic effects in vivo will help us better target pathological pathways using aggregation-blockers and metal-modifying agents.
A new cellular model to follow Friedreich's ataxia development in a time-resolved way
Authors: Vannocci Tommaso , Faggianelli Nathalie , Zaccagnino Silvia , Rosa Ilaria della , Adinolfi Salvatore , Pastore Annalisa
Published: April 2015

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a recessive autosomal ataxia caused by reduced levels of frataxin, an essential mitochondrial protein highly conserved from bacteria to primates. The exact role of frataxin and its primary function remain unclear although this information would be very valuable to design a therapeutic approach for FRDA. A main difficulty encountered so far has been that of establishing a clear temporal relationship between the different observations that could allow a distinction between causes and secondary effects and provide a clear link between aging and disease development. To approach this problem, we developed a cellular model in which we can switch off/on in a time-controlled way the frataxin gene partially mimicking what happens in the disease. We exploited the TALEN and CRISPR methodologies to engineer a cell line where the presence of an exogenous, inducible FXN gene rescues the cells from the knockout of the two endogenous FXN. This system allows the possibility of testing the progression of disease and is a valuable tool to follow the phenotype with different newly acquired markers.
Arabidopsis KCBP interacts with AIR9 but stays in the cortical division zone throughout mitosis via its MyTH4-FERM domain
Authors: Buschmann Henrik , Dols Jacqueline , Kopischke Sarah , Peña Eduardo J. , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A. , Heinlein Manfred , Szymanski Daniel B. , Zachgo Sabine , Doonan John H. , Lloyd Clive W.
Published: April 2015

The preprophase band of microtubules performs the crucial function of marking the plane of cell division. Although the preprophase band depolymerises at the onset of mitosis, the division plane is ‘memorized’ by a cortical division zone to which the phragmoplast is attracted during cytokinesis. Proteins have been discovered that are part of the molecular memory but little is known about how they contribute to phragmoplast guidance. Previously, we found that the microtubule-associated protein AIR9 is found in the cortical division zone at preprophase and returns during cell plate insertion but is absent from the cortex during the intervening mitosis. To identify new components of the preprophase memory, we searched for proteins that interact with AIR9. We detected the kinesin-like calmodulin-binding protein, KCBP, which can be visualized at the predicted cortical site throughout division. A truncation study of KCBP indicates that its MyTH4-FERM domain is required for linking the motor domain to the cortex. These results suggest a mechanism by which minus-end-directed KCBP helps guide the centrifugally expanding phragmoplast to the cortical division site.
The Drosophila fragile X mental retardation protein participates in the piRNA pathway
Authors: Bozzetti Maria Pia , Specchia Valeria , Cattenoz Pierre B. , Laneve Pietro , Geusa Annamaria , Sahin H. Bahar , Di Tommaso Silvia , Friscini Antonella , Massari Serafina , Diebold Celine , Giangrande Angela
Published: April 2015

RNA metabolism controls multiple biological processes, and a specific class of small RNAs, called piRNAs, act as genome guardians by silencing the expression of transposons and repetitive sequences in the gonads. Defects in the piRNA pathway affect genome integrity and fertility. The possible implications in physiopathological mechanisms of human diseases have made the piRNA pathway the object of intense investigation, and recent work suggests that there is a role for this pathway in somatic processes including synaptic plasticity. The RNA-binding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP, also known as FMR1) controls translation and its loss triggers the most frequent syndromic form of mental retardation as well as gonadal defects in humans. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that germline, as well as somatic expression, of Drosophila Fmr1 (denoted dFmr1), the Drosophila ortholog of FMRP, are necessary in a pathway mediated by piRNAs. Moreover, dFmr1 interacts genetically and biochemically with Aubergine, an Argonaute protein and a key player in this pathway. Our data provide novel perspectives for understanding the phenotypes observed in Fragile X patients and support the view that piRNAs might be at work in the nervous system.
Scaling of left ventricle cardiomyocyte ultrastructure across development in the kangaroo Macropus fuliginosus
Authors: Snelling Edward P. , Taggart David A. , Maloney Shane K. , Farrell Anthony P. , Leigh Christopher M. , Waterhouse Lyn , Williams Ruth , Seymour Roger S.
Published: April 2015

The heart and left ventricle of the marsupial western grey kangaroo Macropus fuliginosus exhibit biphasic allometric growth, whereby a negative shift in the trajectory of cardiac growth occurs at pouch exit. In this study, we use transmission electron microscopy to examine the scaling of left ventricle cardiomyocyte ultrastructure across development in the western grey kangaroo over a 190-fold body mass range (0.355−67.5 kg). The volume-density (%) of myofibrils, mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticuli and t-tubules increase significantly during in-pouch growth, such that the absolute volume (mL) of these organelles scale with body mass (Mb; kg) with steep hyperallometry, 1.41Mb1.38, 0.64Mb1.29, 0.066Mb1.45, and 0.035Mb1.87, respectively. Maturation of the left ventricle ultrastructure coincides with pouch vacation, as organelle volume-densities scale independent of body mass across postpouch development, such that absolute organelle volumes scale in parallel and with relatively shallow hypoallometry, 4.65Mb0.79, 1.75Mb0.77, 0.21Mb0.79, and 0.35Mb0.79, respectively. The steep hyperallometry of organelle volumes and volume-densities across in-pouch growth is consistent with the improved contractile performance of isolated cardiac muscle during foetal development in placental mammals, and is likely critical in augmenting cardiac output to levels necessary for endothermy and independent locomotion in the young kangaroo as it prepares for pouch exit. The shallow hypoallometry of organelle volumes during postpouch growth suggests a decrease in relative cardiac requirements as body mass increases in free-roaming kangaroos, which is possibly because the energy required for hopping is independent of speed, and the capacity for energy storage during hopping could increase as the kangaroo grows.
Enzymatic Allylation of Catechols
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Liu Wujun , Sohail Muhammad , Wang Xueying , Liu Yuxue , Zhao Zongbao K
Published: April 2015

Enzymatic allylation of catechols was realized via catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) using an allylated S-adenosyl-l-methionine (allyl-SAM) analog, with relatively good chemo- and regioselectivities. This new reaction offered an alternative procedure for allylation of catechols, which can be expanded as a biocatalytic allylation method in organic synthesis.
Mandatory Audit of Closed Joint Stock Companies
Authors: Колесникова  , Kolesnikova Alla , Кеворкова  , Kyevorkova ZHanna
Published: April 2015

The paper deals with the annual mandatory audit of closed joint stock companies, introduced in connection with the amendments made to the Civil Code. The introduction of mandatory audit for CJSCs determined the order of conducting the audit, the imposition of fines for failure to carry out statutory audit and the body that can administer the penalties.
Methodological Approaches to Evaluating the Internal Control System in Agricultural Organizations
Authors: Сунгатуллина  , Sungatullina R. , Гоголева  , Gogoleva O.
Published: April 2015

The article presents the stages of evaluating the effectiveness of the internal control system in agricultural organizations. The classification of the stages of distortion

of facts of economic life concerning accounting procedure stageswas suggested. A matrix of general and application controls of agricultural organizations was

developed. Procedures to verify the operation of controls and control procedures in terms of budgetary subsidies accounting were presented.
Formation of the Method to Adapt Islamic Accounting to Russian Accounting Standards
Authors: Умаров  , Umarov Kh.
Published: April 2015

The article deals with Islamic model financial accounting and reporting. The current state of Islamic finance in Russia isrevealed, and the capacity of parallel

accounting organization for Russian entities, that offer Islamic financial services,are studiedfrom objective research position
Assessment Services Market Competition
Authors: Румянцева  , Rumyantseva I. , Смарагдов  , Smaragdov I. , Мотохин  , Motokhin A.
Published: April 2015

The article presents the results of the analysis of the Russian assessment services market performed by the method of market cores based on data of the rating

agency «Expert RA» by volumes of total revenue of leading valuating companies in 2013, and quantitative valuation of the level of market competition.
On Socially Optimal Queue Length
Authors: Wang Chia-Li
Published: April 2015

Suppose customers arrive at an observable queueing system for service with a utility function of reward and waiting cost. The self- (customer) decision is whether to queue or balk, and the social (system administrator) goal is to maximize the profit of the whole system. Whereas the self-optimal policy is relatively easy to obtain, the socially optimal policy, which is of more practical importance, often requires a tedious and ad hoc analysis as a result of external effects. We will introduce a simple and general approach to determine the optimal admission policy. The main idea of this approach is to consider a special rule that admits an extra customer who is served only by the surplus capacity and bears all the increased waiting time and thus incurs no external cost. The approach applies in principle to queues with exponential service. In fact, for such queues, a marginal analysis based on this rule will explore the properties of the optimal social policy and lead to a general procedure for deriving the optimal threshold.

This paper was accepted by Noah Gans, stochastic models and simulation.
Discover slippery stuff
Authors: White Hilary
Published: April 2015

We continue our exploration of textures and surfaces with a look at slippery things. The following activities encourage the children to discover how these things feel and behave.
Together apart
Authors: Doyle Phoebe
Published: April 2015

Phoebe Doyle continues to tell us what she has learnt through first-hand experience of managing separation with young children. Understanding they are loved by both parents is vital.
Development and Applications of an Outcomes Assessment Framework for Care
Management Programs in Learning Health Systems
Authors: Wang Lin , Kuntz-Melcavage Kara , Forrest Christopher , Lu Yanyan , Piet Leslie , Evans Kathy , Uriyo Uriyo Maria , Sherry Melissa , Richardson Regina , Hawkins Michelle , Neale Donna
Published: April 2015

Purpose: To develop and apply an outcomes assessment framework (OAF) for care
management programs in health care delivery settings.Background: Care management (CM)
refers to a regimen of organized activities that are designed to promote health in a
population with particular chronic conditions or risk profiles, with focus on the triple
aim for populations: improving the quality of care, advancing health outcomes, and
lowering health care costs. CM has become an integral part of a care continuum for
population-based health care management. To sustain a CM program, it is essential to
assure and improve CM effectiveness through rigorous outcomes assessment. To this end,
we constructed the OAF as the foundation of a systematic approach to CM outcomes
assessment.Innovations: To construct the OAF, we first systematically analyzed the
operation process of a CM program; then, based on the operation analysis, we identified
causal relationships between interventions and outcomes at various implementation stages
of the program. This set of causal relationships established a roadmap for the rest of
the outcomes assessment. Built upon knowledge from multiple disciplines, we (1)
formalized a systematic approach to CM outcomes assessment, and (2) integrated proven
analytics methodologies and industrial best practices into operation-oriented CM
outcomes assessment.Conclusion: This systematic approach to OAF for assessing the
outcomes of CM programs offers an opportunity to advance evidence-based care management.
In addition, formalized CM outcomes assessment methodologies will enable us to compare
CM effectiveness across health delivery settings.
Deutschsein (wieder-)herstellen
Authors: Figge Maja
Published: April 2015

Was konnte nach dem Ende des Nationalsozialismus deutsch sein? Wie antwortete die frühe Bundesrepublik auf die ›Krise der Männlichkeit‹ - und welchen Anteil hatte Weißsein daran? Wie überlagerten sich die postnationalsozialistische und die postkoloniale Situation? Maja Figge zeigt: In den fünfziger Jahren war das bundesdeutsche Kino nicht einfach restaurativ und eskapistisch, sondern zentraler Ort dieser Aushandlungen. Deren rassistische und sexualisierte Auslassungen, Verschiebungen und Umdeutungen grundieren die nationalen Selbstentwürfe bis heute.
Die Ausstellung verhandeln
Authors: Reitstätter Luise
Published: April 2015

Ausstellungen sind sozial umkämpfte Räume. Hier wird verhandelt, wer spricht und wer gehört wird. (Un-)Bewusste Intentionen der Ausstellungsmacher_innen treffen räumlich vermittelt auf vermeintliche Deutungen der Besucher_innen. Doch was passiert in diesem Setting tatsächlich? Bislang betrachtete die Forschung kunsthistorische Inszenierungsanalysen und empirische Besucher_innenforschung vorwiegend getrennt. Die Frage nach dem Verhältnis von Menschen und Dingen im Raum wurde vergleichsweise selten gestellt. Mittels umfassender Feldforschungen sowie raum- und handlungstheoretischer Bezüge liefert Luise Reitstätter Antworten und veranschaulicht ortsspezifische Eigenlogiken des Sozialraums Ausstellung.
Dancehall und Homophobie
Authors: Helber Patrick
Published: April 2015

Erstmalig wird in diesem Buch die mediale Kontroverse um Dancehall-Musik und Homophobie im Jahr 2004 analysiert und in den historischen, politischen und kulturellen Kontext des postkolonialen jamaikanischen Staates eingeordnet. Ein umfangreicher Querschnitt durch die Geschichte der Insel beleuchtet die vielfältigen Widerstandskulturen von den Maroons und den Rastafari bis zu den »Gangstern« der zeitgenössischen Dancehall-Musik. Patrick Helber betont die Präsenz und politische Arbeit von sexuellen Minderheiten auf Jamaika und veranschaulicht, inwiefern bei internationalen Kampagnen gegen Homophobie im globalen Süden neokoloniale Machtkonstellationen und Alterisierungsprozesse eine Rolle spielen.
Nanofluid properties for forced convection heat transfer :a review
Authors: Darabi Mohsen , Naeimi Reza , Mohammadiun Hamid , Mortazavi Saeed
Published: April 2015

The thermal conductivity of nanofluids depends on various parameters, such as concentration, temperature, particle size, pH, shape, material, and possibly on the manufacturing process of the nanoparticles. Data on the viscosity of nanofluids, available in the literature, are very limited. Theoretical models for the determination of the thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluids have been pursued. Experiments with nanofluids indicate that they higher heat transfer coefficients than the base fluid. No significant increase in a pressure drop is reported with nanofluids, compared with values with the base fluid. However, the stability of nanofluids with regard to settlement/agglomeration, especially at higher concentrations, is still a problem for practical applications.
Study of transient phenomena using NI-USB data acquisition systems in Matlab-Simulink medium on 64 bit operating systems
Authors: Titu Niculescu
Published: April 2015

The paper presents a new and modern method for study the transient phenomena appeared to connect the capacitive charges to an AC power source, using the MATLAB-SIMULINK software package. It is known that NI-USB data-acquisition systems manufactured by National Instruments are not seen by Simulink software package in 64-bit systems. For this is obligatory for use a 32-bit system. From this point of view, the article presents a method by which this disadvantage is eliminated, making possible the data acquisition process in Simulink software package.
The effect of selected fungicides on the chemical composition of strawberry fruits and contamination with dithiocarbamate residues
Authors: Wysocki Karol , Banaszkiewicz Tadeusz
Published: April 2015

In a four-year field experiment, fenhexamid, iprodione, pyrimethanil and thiram were applied in four different series as fungicides recommended for the control of grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) in strawberries. The plant protection products had no significant effect on the chemical composition of strawberry fruits of the Kent and Senga Sengana cultivars with the exception of an increase in the vitamin C level in ‘Kent’ strawberries. They also contributed to minor variations in the content of extract, total sugars, organic acids, polyphenols and anthocyanins. Dithiocarbamate residues were detected in all samples from the first harvest of strawberries that had been treated with the thiram fungicide