bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone Health in Adults Treated with Endocrine Therapy for Early Breast or Prostate Cancer
Authors: Van Poznak Catherine H.
Published: May 2015

Bone is a hormonally responsive organ. Sex hormones and calcium regulating hormones, including parathyroid hormone, 1–25 dihydroxy vitamin D, and calcitonin, have effects on bone resorption and bone deposition. These hormones affect both bone quality and bone quantity. The sex hormone estrogen inhibits bone resorption, and estrogen therapy has been developed to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Androgens are an important source of estrogen through the action of the enzyme aromatase and may themselves stimulate bone formation. Hence, the sex steroids play a role in bone metabolism. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are frequently hormonally responsive and may be treated with antiestrogens or antiandrogens respectfully. In addition, chemotherapy and supportive medications may alter the patient's endocrine system. In general, the suppression of sex hormones has a predictable affect on bone health, as seen by loss of bone mineral density and increased risk of fragility fractures. The bone toxicity of cancer-directed endocrine therapy can be mitigated through screening, counseling on optimization of calcium and vitamin D intake, exercise, and other lifestyle/behavioral actions, as well as the use of medications when the fracture risk is high. Maintaining bone health in patients who are treated with endocrine therapy for breast and prostate cancer is the focus of this review.
Surgery or Ablative Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer Oligometastases
Authors: Salama Joseph K. , Chmura Steven J.
Published: May 2015

Precisely focused radiation or surgical resection of limited metastases resulted in long-term disease control and survival in multiple studies of patients with oligometastatic breast cancer. The integration of these ablative techniques into standard systemic therapy regimens has the potential to be paradigm shifting, leaving many patients without evidence of disease. Although an attractive treatment option, the utility of these therapies have not been proven in controlled studies, and improved outcomes may be because of patient selection or favorable biology alone. Ongoing studies continue to refine radiation techniques and determine the role for ablative therapies in the management of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Additionally, patient selection for metastasis-directed therapies is based on clinical criteria, with many not benefiting from therapies that may have substantial toxicities. Recent reports are beginning to uncover the biology of oligometastatic cancer, but much work is needed. Current and developing trials that integrate both clinical and translational endpoints have the potential to transform management strategies in women with limited MBC.
Socio-economic changes in the Rybnik conurbation (Poland) as a result of economic restructuring – a case study
Authors: Spórna Tomasz , Kurpanik Monika
Published: May 2015

The Rybnik conurbation is an example of a traditional industrial area, where, due to economic restructuring, social and economic transformations are taking place. It is located in the Silesian voivodeship (southern Poland) and its development is mostly based on intensive coal mining after the Second World War. The article presents selected aspects of social and economic transformation happening in the area of the Rybnik conurbation after 1945 and connected with its rapid economic development in the 1960s and 70s, as well as with the systematic and economic transformation in Poland after 1989. The article was prepared on the base of subject literature, statistics and own studies. Population transformations have been analysed for the period 1980-2010, in each case, in relation to selected administrative units and three zones of the conurbation - the core, the inner and the outer areas. In order to evaluate and compare the demographic situation in the Rybnik conurbation in the years 1988 and 2008, a rank method has been applied. Community classification has been based on the total value of ranks for particular communities for the following variables: birth rate, population growth, net migration rate and the participation of the population in the pre-working and post-working age. The results of population transformation indicate that until 1991, the population of the Rybnik conurbation had been increasing (up to 197.7 thousand people). In the period 1991-2012, it decreased by 26.4 thousand (i.e. by 3.8%). In the same period of time, depopulation took place in the largest mining cities of the conurbation core (Wodzisław Śląski, 56.1%, connected with its administrative division into 4 towns and 1 rural community; Jastrzębie-Zdrój - 12.3%, Żory - 7.8% and Rybnik, to a lesser degree - 2.7%). The rank method that was applied has revealed the worsened demographic condition in the western communes of the conurbation (a shift from weak to bad). Simultaneously, in the period 1990-2012, the population gradually increased in the outer zone of the conurbation, by 6.8%. This indicates the process of suburbanisation taking place in the area. Demographic and economic changes in the Rybnik conurbation after 1989, in comparison to other mining areas in Poland and in Europe, seem to be less intensive.
Influence of the Hardener Proportion on Mechanical Properties of Adhesive Bonds Used in Agriculture
Authors: Valášek P. , Müller M. , Maleček J.
Published: May 2015

Joining materials by adhesive bonding is used across all industrial branches. The occurrence of adhesive bonds in machine constructions is still more frequent because of the development of adhesives which are able to meet various requirements of designers. This trend is observable also in agriculture - in the construction of agricultural machines. There even exists a cooperation between the companies developing the adhesives and the agricultural machines producers. The production process of machines and equipment must consider a required production tact. Adhesives and the process of their hardening have to meet these requirements. In the sphere of agriculture, epoxy resins hardening based either on hardeners or heating are used. Mechanical properties of two-component epoxy resins depending on variable amount of the hardener starting crosslinking of these reactoplastics are described.
Freezing and Thawing Behavior of Internally Cured Concrete
Authors: Jones Wesley A. , Weiss W. Jason
Published: May 2015

The paper presents results from an experimental investigation on the freezing and thawing behavior of internally cured concrete. Air-entrained internally cured concrete was tested in a series of mixtures. The internally cured concrete was designed where a portion of the normal-weight fine aggregate was replaced with an equivalent volume of pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregate. The internally cured concrete was then exposed to cyclic freezing and thawing following the ASTM C666A procedure. This work was performed to determine whether properly designed, internally cured, air-entrained concrete may have an increased susceptibility to freeze–thaw damage. It is shown that when concrete is designed with a low water/cement ratio (w/c) (approximately 0.42 or lower) and a volume of internal curing water is added to match the chemical shrinkage volume, the internally cured concrete mixtures showed a very low potential for freeze–thaw damage (comparable to that of conventional concrete). The work did show that when water remains in the lightweight aggregates (because of a higher w/c that may not draw the water from the aggregate or when substantially more internal curing water is used than necessary), freeze–thaw damage may occur.
Neural Transformation of Dissonant Intervals in the Auditory Brainstem
Authors: Lee Kyung Myun , Skoe Erika , Kraus Nina , Ashley Richard
Published: May 2015

Acoustic periodicity is an important factor for discriminating consonant and dissonant intervals. While previous studies have found that the periodicity of musical intervals is temporally encoded by neural phase locking throughout the auditory system, how the nonlinearities of the auditory pathway influence the encoding of periodicity and how this effect is related to sensory consonance has been underexplored. By measuring human auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to four diotically presented musical intervals with increasing degrees of dissonance, this study seeks to explicate how the subcortical auditory system transforms the neural representation of acoustic periodicity for consonant versus dissonant intervals. ABRs faithfully reflect neural activity in the brainstem synchronized to the stimulus while also capturing nonlinear aspects of auditory processing. Results show that for the most dissonant interval, which has a less periodic stimulus waveform than the most consonant interval, the aperiodicity of the stimulus is intensified in the subcortical response. The decreased periodicity of dissonant intervals is related to a larger number of nonlinearities (i.e., distortion products) in the response spectrum. Our findings suggest that the auditory system transforms the periodicity of dissonant intervals resulting in consonant and dissonant intervals becoming more distinct in the neural code than if they were to be processed by a linear auditory system.
Context Dependent Pitch Perception in Consonant and Dissonant Harmonic Intervals
Authors: Seror George A. , Neill W. Trammell
Published: May 2015

Two experiments examined whether discrimination of component pitches in a harmonic interval is affected by the consonance or dissonance of the interval. A single probe pitch (B or C) was followed by a two note harmonic interval including that pitch (e.g., C then C-F# or C-G) or not including it (e.g., C then B-F# or B-G). On each trial, subjects indicated by key press whether the probe note was repeated in the following interval. The target note in the interval either matched the probe or differed by one semitone (B or C). The other note produced a consonant (e.g., perfect fifth) or dissonant (e.g., tritone) context for the target. Pitch discrimination was faster and more accurate in consonant intervals than dissonant, when the context note was higher than the target (Experiment 1), but there was no effect of consonance when the target was higher (Experiment 2). We conclude that the perception of the lower but not the upper pitch in a two note harmonic interval is affected by the interval’s consonance or dissonance. We discuss the results in terms of the theoretical framework of processing fluency and aesthetics proposed by Winkielman, Schwarz, Fazendeiro, and Reber (2003).
Catching the Lyrics
Authors: Condit-Schultz Nathaniel , Huron David
Published: May 2015

Although purely instrumental music is commonplace, much of the world’s most popular music is sung with lyrics. However, it is evident that listeners don’t always attend to lyrics and that those who do aren’t always successful in deciphering them. An empirical study is reported whose goal is to measure the intelligibility of lyrics in commercial recordings of music from a variety of genres. Thirty participants were exposed to 120 brief musical excerpts from twelve song genres: Avante-garde, Blues, Classical, Country, Folk, Jazz, Musical Theater, Pop/Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Rap, Reggae, and Religious. Participants were instructed to transcribe the lyrics after hearing each excerpt once. The transcribed lyrics were then compared to the actual lyrics and intelligibility scores calculated. The different genres were found to exhibit significantly different levels of lyric intelligibility, from as low as 48% for Classical music, to as high as 96% for Jazz, with an overall average of 72%. Intelligibility scores were positively correlated with listener judgments of the general importance of lyrics. In a second experiment, participants were allowed to hear excerpts five times. Improvements to intelligibility were modest but significant after the second and third hearings, but not on further hearings.
General Reward Sensitivity Predicts Intensity of Music-Evoked Chills
Authors: Mori Kazuma , Iwanaga Makoto
Published: May 2015

Chills (goose bumps or shivers) evoked by listening to one’s favorite music are an indicator of a rewarding experience. The current study examined the relationship between individual differences in general reward sensitivity and music-evoked chills. To assess this relationship, we measured the three subscales of the behavioral activation system (BAS) and the frequency and intensity of music-evoked chills in a large-sample survey (Study 1) and a psychophysiological experiment (Study 2). One result observed in both studies was that people with high BAS reward responsiveness experienced more intense chills from music. Moreover, the results showed that the experience of chills induced highly pleasurable emotions and psychophysiological arousal. The present study suggests that general reward sensitivity is a predictor of music-evoked chills. Although music is just a sequence of tones and not clearly related to survival value, music could create a rewarding experience partially similar to other rewarding actions or events.
Music Preference, Social Identity, and Self-Esteem
Authors: Shepherd Daniel , Sigg Nicola
Published: May 2015

Social identity theory posits that membership to social groups serves to enhance and maintain self-esteem. In young people music plays a prominent role in defining social identity, and so a relationship between music preference and self-esteem is expected, but is as yet unconfirmed by the literature. The objective of this study was to further examine the association between music preference and the self-esteem, and to apply social identity theory to differences in music preferences and self-esteem. The present study measured self-esteem from university students (n = 199) using Rosenberg’s (1965) self-esteem scale, and employed confirmatory factor analysis to derive a representative model of the self-esteem data. Music preference scores for clusters of music genres were found to significantly correlate with self-esteem. Furthermore, some measures of group differentiation based on music preference were significantly associated with self-esteem, but the relationships differed depending on gender. Overall, the results provided both support and challenges for social identity theory.
Auditory Processing in ASD & Sound-Based Interventions
Authors: Papagiannopoulou Eleni A.
Published: May 2015

The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and limitations in existing treatment options have led parents to seek out treatments such as sound-based training programs. Recent studies have sought to integrate neuroimaging techniques with sound-based interventions in ASD. Given the increasing popularity of these interventions and the paucity of existing research into sound-based therapies, there is significant interest in elucidating the mechanisms by which these therapies impact atypical auditory processing, as well as in the design and refinement of intervention techniques. This paper aims to review the extant literature addressing atypical auditory processing within the ASD population andcurrent sound-based interventions in the context of behavioral, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological domains. The evidence for its effectiveness as an early intervention tool in the treatment of ASD is discussed and suggestions for future directions are offered.
Targeting Angiogenesis in Cancer Therapy: Moving Beyond Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Authors: Zhao Yujie , Adjei Alex A.
Published: May 2015

Angiogenesis, or the formation of new capillary blood vessels, occurs primarily during human development and reproduction; however, aberrant regulation of angiogenesis is also a fundamental process found in several pathologic conditions, including cancer. As a process required for invasion and metastasis, tumor angiogenesis constitutes an important point of control of cancer progression. Although not yet completely understood, the complex process of tumor angiogenesis involves highly regulated orchestration of multiple signaling pathways. The proangiogenic signaling molecule vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its cognate receptor (VEGF receptor 2 [VEGFR-2]) play a central role in angiogenesis and often are highly expressed in human cancers, and initial clinical efforts to develop antiangiogenic treatments focused largely on inhibiting VEGF/VEGFR signaling. Such approaches, however, often lead to transient responses and further disease progression because angiogenesis is regulated by multiple pathways that are able to compensate for each other when single pathways are inhibited. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor (PDGFR) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and FGF receptor (FGFR) pathways, for example, provide potential escape mechanisms from anti-VEGF/VEGFR therapy that could facilitate resumption of tumor growth. Accordingly, more recent treatments have focused on inhibiting multiple signaling pathways simultaneously. This comprehensive review discusses the limitations of inhibiting VEGF signaling alone as an antiangiogenic strategy, the importance of other angiogenic pathways including PDGF/PDGFR and FGF/FGFR, and the novel current and emerging agents that target multiple angiogenic pathways for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.

Implications for Practice:

Significant advances in cancer treatment have been achieved with the development of antiangiogenic agents, the majority of which have focused on inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. VEGF targeting alone, however, has not proven to be as efficacious as originally hoped, and it is increasingly clear that there are many interconnected and compensatory pathways that can overcome VEGF-targeted inhibition of angiogenesis. Maximizing the potential of antiangiogenic therapy is likely to require a broader therapeutic approach using a new generation of multitargeted antiangiogenic agents.
Mechanical behaviour of TRC thin-plates exposed to high temperature: experimental study
Authors: Shen Linghua , Xu Shilang , Wang Jiyang
Published: May 2015

Textile reinforced concrete (TRC) is a type of composite material with great potential in lightweight and thin-walled structural components bearing high capacity. In this study, TRC thin-plates with epoxy resin impregnated fibre (type 1) and non-impregnated fibre (type 2) were exposed to high temperatures from 35°C to 800°C with the unstressed residual test method. The processed TRC thin-plates were examined through four-point bending tests with the aim of building a foundation for a fire prevention code for TRC. The results demonstrate that the ultimate load of type 1 TRC thin-plates is relatively high and does not vary significantly when the target temperature is below 200°C. The ultimate load of type 2 TRC thin-plates is lower than that of type 1, and does not vary significantly when the target temperature is below 400°C; the turning point for the reduction of ultimate load is 400–500°C, and 20% of loading capacity at normal temperature is maintained at 800°C. Stripping damage to type 1 occurs along the interface and the damage is brittle. For a target temperature of 300°C, epoxy resin is prone to deteriorate and the bursting ratio of the specimens was 100%. The damage feature of type 2 thin-plates is a slipping failure between fibre and mortar mixes, and significant ductile damage properties were observed during the damage process. The investigations were also accompanied by scanning electron microscope and alpha ray spectrometer analyses, which provided an additional basis for analysing the damaged sections of specimens. The results show that the surface flaws of the carbon filaments, matrix decomposition and the weak bond behaviour between the fibres and matrix are affected by elevated temperatures. These three factors may result in the decline of the bearing capacity of type 2 TRC thin-plates.
Europe's waste incineration capacities in a circular economy
Authors: Wilts Henning , von Gries Nadja
Published: May 2015

A lack of proper treatment infrastructure and sufficient capacity for municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment is a crucial barrier for the environmentally sound management of waste. However, overcapacities, especially for waste incineration, also have to be taken into account regarding their potential impacts on recycling markets and waste treatment prices. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of existing MSW incineration plants and their capacities within Europe. In combination with the analysis of imports and exports of MSW for incineration, it provides an indication of over- and undercapacities for incineration plants. Among other things, the results show that in six of the 32 countries analysed in this study, capacities exceed more than 50% of the annual waste generation, while in two countries the total amount of waste generated annually is not enough to fill all the incineration plants.
NOD2/CARD15 mutations in Polish and Bosnian populations with and without Crohn's disease: prevalence and genotype-phenotype analysis
Authors: Salkic Nermin N , Adler Grazyna , Zawada Iwona , Alibegovic Ervin , Karakiewicz Beata , Kozlowska-Wiechowska Anna , Wasilewicz Michał , Sulzyc-Bielicka Violetta , Bielicki Dariusz
Published: May 2015

Data on prevalence and phenotypic consequences of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2/caspase recruitment domains 15 (NOD2/CARD15) variants in Crohn's disease (CD) population in Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) are nonexistent. We aimed to determine the prevalence of NOD2/CARD15 mutations and their association with disease phenotype in Polish and Bosnian patients with CD and in healthy controls. We prospectively recruited 86 CD patients and 83 controls in Poland and 30 CD patients and 30 controls in BH, 229 in total. We determined the prevalence of NOD2/CARD15 mutations and their association with the disease phenotype according to Montreal classification. Participants were genotyped for Leu1007fsinsC and Gly908Arg mutations. At least one CD-associated allele was found in 29/86 (33.7%) of Polish CD patients and in 9/83 (10.8%) of healthy controls (p<0.001). In both CD patients and controls in the Bosnian sample, at least one NOD2 mutation was found in an equal number of patients (3/30; 10%) with all of the NOD2 mutation-positive CD patients being homozygous, while controls being heterozygous. In the Polish sample, the perianal disease was less frequent in CD patients with any NOD2 mutation (1/21; 4.8%) compared to those without (11/41; 26.8%; p=0.046). The higher percentage of patients with NOD2 mutations had a history of CD related surgery when compared with those without mutations (66.7% vs. 43.3%; p=0.05). The risk for CD is increased in patients with NOD2 mutations (Poland) and especially in the presence of homozygous NOD2 mutations (Poland and Bosnia). The presence of variant NOD2 alleles is associated with an increased need for surgery and reduced occurrence of perianal disease.
Disturbance‐mediated colonization–extinction dynamics in experimental protist metacommunities
Authors: Fukumori Kayoko , Livingston George , Leibold Mathew A.
Published: May 2015

Colonization–extinction dynamics and species sorting among habitats determine the distribution of species within metacommunities. Theory suggests that disturbances reduce the importance of species sorting and enhance spatial patterning and stochastic effects, however this has not yet been experimentally shown. We examined how extinctions in a heterogeneous landscape of patches affects the influence of environmental, spatial, and stochastic factors on community composition in a simple two‐species, two‐habitat, protist metacommunity where each species dominates in a different habitat type. We imposed four different levels of random extinctions on local patches and monitored changes in the metacommunity through time. We found that near‐steady state patterns of community variability developed relatively rapidly (within nine colonization–extinction cycles) and that increased extinction rate produced altered patterns of community regulation by reducing environmental control and increasing spatial and stochastic effects. Our results indicate a possible explanation for the combination of environmental, spatial and stochastic effects observed in natural metacommunities.
Reactivity to N-Terminally Truncated GAD65(96–585) Identifies GAD Autoantibodies That Are More Closely Associated With Diabetes Progression in Relatives of Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Williams Alistair J.K. , Lampasona Vito , Wyatt Rebecca , Brigatti Cristina , Gillespie Kathleen M. , Bingley Polly J. , Achenbach Peter
Published: May 2015

GAD autoantibodies (GADAs) identify individuals at increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes, but many people currently found to be GADA positive are unlikely to progress to clinical disease. More specific GADA assays are therefore needed. Recent international workshops have shown that the reactivity of sera from healthy donors varies according to assay type and indicated that the use of N-terminally truncated GAD65 radiolabels in GADA radiobinding assays is associated with higher specificity. To determine whether a radiobinding assay using radiolabeled GAD65(96–585) identified individuals who are at higher risk of developing diabetes, samples from recent-onset patients and GADA-positive first-degree relatives participating in the Bart’s-Oxford type 1 diabetes family study were reassayed with full-length or N-terminally truncated GAD using the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases harmonized protocol. The sensitivity in patients was the same with both labels, but fewer relatives retested positive with truncated GAD. Among relatives who progressed to diabetes, similar proportions were found to be GADA positive when tested with either label, but because of their higher specificity the cumulative risk of diabetes was higher in those with autoantibodies to GAD65(96–585). Autoantibodies to GAD65(96–585) in relatives are more closely associated with diabetes risk than those to full-length GAD, suggesting that assays using N-terminally truncated GAD should be used to select participants for intervention trials.
Improved Insulin Sensitivity 3 Months After RYGB Surgery Is Associated With Increased Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue AMPK Activity and Decreased Oxidative Stress
Authors: Xu X. Julia , Apovian Caroline , Hess Donald , Carmine Brian , Saha Asish , Ruderman Neil
Published: May 2015

Morbidly obese individuals are predisposed to a wide range of disorders, including type 2 diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and certain cancers. Remarkably, all of these disorders can be improved or prevented by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. We have reported that decreased AMPK activity, together with increased oxidative stress and inflammation in adipose tissue, is associated with insulin resistance in morbidly obese bariatric surgery patients. In the current study, we assessed how these parameters are affected by RYGB surgery. Eleven patients (average age of 46 ± 4 years) were studied immediately prior to surgery and 3 months postoperatively. We measured subcutaneous adipose tissue AMPK phosphorylation (threonine 172, an index of its activation), malonyl-CoA content, protein carbonylation (a marker of oxidative stress), plasma adiponectin, and mRNA expression of several inflammatory cytokines. After surgery, AMPK activity increased 3.5-fold and oxidative stress decreased by 50% in subcutaneous adipose tissue. In addition, malonyl-CoA levels were reduced by 80%. Furthermore, patients had improvements in their BMI and insulin sensitivity (HOMA) and had increased circulating high–molecular weight adiponectin and decreased fasting plasma insulin levels. In contrast, the expression of inflammatory markers in subcutaneous adipose tissue was unchanged postoperatively, although plasma CRP was diminished by 50%.
DNA Methylation Variants at HIF3A Locus, B-Vitamin Intake, and Long-term Weight Change: Gene-Diet Interactions in Two U.S. Cohorts
Authors: Huang Tao , Zheng Yan , Qi Qibin , Xu Min , Ley Sylvia H. , Li Yanping , Kang Jae H. , Wiggs Janey , Pasquale Louis R. , Chan Andrew T. , Rimm Eric B. , Hunter David J. , Manson JoAnn E. , Willett Walter C. , Hu Frank B. , Qi Lu
Published: May 2015

The first epigenome-wide association study of BMI identified DNA methylation at an HIF3A locus associated with BMI. We tested the hypothesis that DNA methylation variants are associated with BMI according to intake of B vitamins. In two large cohorts, we found significant interactions between the DNA methylation–associated HIF3A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3826795 and intake of B vitamins on 10-year changes in BMI. The association between rs3826795 and BMI changes consistently increased across the tertiles of total vitamin B2 and B12 intake (all P for interaction <0.01). The differences in the BMI changes per increment of minor allele were −0.10 (SE 0.06), −0.01 (SE 0.06), and 0.12 (SE 0.07) within subgroups defined by increasing tertiles of total vitamin B2 intake and −0.10 (SE 0.06), −0.01 (SE 0.06), and 0.10 (SE 0.07) within subgroups defined by increasing tertiles of total vitamin B12 intake. In two independent cohorts, a DNA methylation variant in HIF3A was associated with BMI changes through interactions with total or supplemental vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and folate. These findings suggest a potential causal relation between DNA methylation and adiposity.
Effect of Feeding with Algae on Fatty Acid Profile of Goat’S Milk
Authors: Kouřimská L. , Vondráčková E. , Fantová M. , Nový P. , Nohejlová L. , Michnová K.
Published: May 2015

The study was conducted to determine whether the inclusion of algae Chlorella vulgaris in dairy goats’ diets would change the fatty acid profile and increase the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in goat’s milk. White short-haired dairy goats on 2nd and 3rd lactations were fed 5 and 10 g of dried algae supplementation for six weeks. The fatty acids profile of milk was analyzed using gass chromatography (flame ionization detector (FID)). The addition of dried algae caused changes of the profile of fatty acids in the milk. The more algae were added to the diet, the greater the changes in the fatty acids profile of milk were found. A statistically significant effect (P = 0.0390) was found between the control group and the group supplemented with 10 g of Chlorella vulgaris per goat per day. The greatest effect of dietary treatment was seen in the relative reduction of palmitic acid content and increased oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids content. Results suggested that the addition of algae also increased the nutritional quality of goat’s milk. There was a positive change in the ratio of SFA:MUFA:PUFA in terms of reducing the proportion of saturated fatty acids, as well as a change in the ratio of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs
Voltage-Gated Ion Channels in Cancer Cell Proliferation
Authors: Rao Vidhya , Perez-Neut Mathew , Kaja Simon , Gentile Saverio
Published: May 2015

Changes of the electrical charges across the surface cell membrane are absolutely necessary to maintain cellular homeostasis in physiological as well as in pathological conditions. The opening of ion channels alter the charge distribution across the surface membrane as they allow the diffusion of ions such as K+, Ca++, Cl−, Na+. Traditionally, voltage-gated ion channels (VGIC) are known to play fundamental roles in controlling rapid bioelectrical signaling including action potential and/or contraction. However, several investigations have revealed that these classes of proteins can also contribute significantly to cell mitotic biochemical signaling, cell cycle progression, as well as cell volume regulation. All these functions are critically important for cancer cell proliferation. Interestingly, a variety of distinct VGICs are expressed in different cancer cell types, including metastasis but not in the tissues from which these tumors were generated. Given the increasing evidence suggesting that VGIC play a major role in cancer cell biology, in this review we discuss the role of distinct VGIC in cancer cell proliferation and possible therapeutic potential of VIGC pharmacological manipulation.
Carbon Storage in a Eucalyptus Plantation Chronosequence in Southern China
Authors: Du Hu , Zeng Fuping , Peng Wanxia , Wang Kelin , Zhang Hao , Liu Lu , Song Tongqing
Published: May 2015

Patterns of carbon (C) allocation across different stages of stand development in Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis plantations are not well understood. In this study, we examined biomass and mineral soil C content in five development stages (1, 2, 3, 4–5, and 6–8 years old) of a Eucalyptus stand in southern China. The tree biomass C pool increased with stand age and showed a high annual rate of accumulation. Stems accounted for the highest proportion of biomass C sequestered. The C pool in mineral soil increased initially after afforestation and then declined gradually, with C density decreasing with soil depth. The upper 50 cm of soil contained the majority (57%–68%) of sequestered C. The other biomass components (shrubs, herbaceous plants, litter, and fine roots) accounted for <5% of the total ecosystem C pool. Total C pools in the Eucalyptus plantation ecosystem were 112.9, 172.5, 203.8, 161.1, and 162.7 Mg ha−1 in the five developmental stages, respectively, with most of the C sequestered below ground. We conclude that Eucalyptus plantations have considerable biomass C sequestration potential during stand development.
Twinning-Detwinning Behavior during Cyclic Deformation of Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Lee Soo , Wang Huamiao , Gharghouri Michael
Published: May 2015

In situ neutron diffraction has been used to examine the deformation mechanisms of a precipitation-hardened and extruded Mg-8.5wt.%Al alloy subjected to (i) compression followed by reverse tension (texture T1) and (ii) tension followed by reverse compression (texture T2). Two starting textures are used: (1) as-extruded texture, T1, in which the basal pole of most grains is normal to the extrusion axis and a small portion of grains are oriented with the basal pole parallel to the extrusion axis; (2) a reoriented texture, T2, in which the basal pole of most grains is parallel to the extrusion axis. For texture T1, the onset of extension twinning corresponds well with the macroscopic elastic-plastic transition during the initial compression stage. The non-linear macroscopic stress/strain behavior during unloading after compression is more significant than during unloading after tension. For texture T2, little detwinning occurs after the initial tension stage, but almost all of the twinned volumes are detwinned during loading in reverse compression.
Palladium-Catalyzed Modification of Unprotected Nucleosides, Nucleotides, and Oligonucleotides
Authors: Shaughnessy Kevin
Published: May 2015

Synthetic modification of nucleoside structures provides access to molecules of interest as pharmaceuticals, biochemical probes, and models to study diseases. Covalent modification of the purine and pyrimidine bases is an important strategy for the synthesis of these adducts. Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling is a powerful method to attach groups to the base heterocycles through the formation of new carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. In this review, approaches to palladium-catalyzed modification of unprotected nucleosides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides are reviewed. Polar reaction media, such as water or polar aprotic solvents, allow reactions to be performed directly on the hydrophilic nucleosides and nucleotides without the need to use protecting groups. Homogeneous aqueous-phase coupling reactions catalyzed by palladium complexes of water-soluble ligands provide a general approach to the synthesis of modified nucleosides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides.
Fructose:Glucose Ratios—A Study of Sugar Self-Administration and Associated Neural and Physiological Responses in the Rat
Authors: Levy AnneMarie , Marshall Paul , Zhou Yan , Kreek Mary , Kent Katrina , Daniels Stephen , Shore Ari , Downs Tiana , Fernandes Maria , Mutch David , Leri Francesco
Published: May 2015

This study explored whether different ratios of fructose (F) and glucose (G) in sugar can engender significant differences in self-administration and associated neurobiological and physiological responses in male Sprague-Dawley rats. In Experiment 1, animals self-administered pellets containing 55% F + 45% G or 30% F + 70% G, and Fos immunoreactivity was assessed in hypothalamic regions regulating food intake and reward. In Experiment 2, rats self-administered solutions of 55% F + 42% G (high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)), 50% F + 50% G (sucrose) or saccharin, and mRNA of the dopamine 2 (D2R) and mu-opioid (MOR) receptor genes were assessed in striatal regions involved in addictive behaviors. Finally, in Experiment 3, rats self-administered HFCS and sucrose in their home cages, and hepatic fatty acids were quantified. It was found that higher fructose ratios engendered lower self-administration, lower Fos expression in the lateral hypothalamus/arcuate nucleus, reduced D2R and increased MOR mRNA in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens core, respectively, as well as elevated omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. These data indicate that a higher ratio of fructose may enhance the reinforcing effects of sugar and possibly lead to neurobiological and physiological alterations associated with addictive and metabolic disorders.
Apples and Cardiovascular Health—Is the Gut Microbiota a Core Consideration?
Authors: Koutsos Athanasios , Tuohy Kieran , Lovegrove Julie
Published: May 2015

There is now considerable scientific evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can improve human health and protect against chronic diseases. However, it is not clear whether different fruits and vegetables have distinct beneficial effects. Apples are among the most frequently consumed fruits and a rich source of polyphenols and fiber. A major proportion of the bioactive components in apples, including the high molecular weight polyphenols, escape absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract and reach the large intestine relatively intact. There, they can be converted by the colonic microbiota to bioavailable and biologically active compounds with systemic effects, in addition to modulating microbial composition. Epidemiological studies have identified associations between frequent apple consumption and reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Human and animal intervention studies demonstrate beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, vascular function and inflammation but only a few studies have attempted to link these mechanistically with the gut microbiota. This review will focus on the reciprocal interaction between apple components and the gut microbiota, the potential link to cardiovascular health and the possible mechanisms of action.
Development of a Nucleic Acid Extraction Procedure for Simultaneous Recovery of DNA and RNA from Diverse Microbes in Water
Authors: Hill Vincent , Narayanan Jothikumar , Gallen Rachel , Ferdinand Karen , Cromeans Theresa , Vinjé Jan
Published: May 2015

Drinking and environmental water samples contain a diverse array of constituents that can interfere with molecular testing techniques, especially when large volumes of water are concentrated to the small volumes needed for effective molecular analysis. In this study, a suite of enteric viruses, bacteria, and protozoan parasites were seeded into concentrated source water and finished drinking water samples, in order to investigate the relative performance of nucleic acid extraction techniques for molecular testing. Real-time PCR and reverse transcription-PCR crossing threshold (CT) values were used as the metrics for evaluating relative performance. Experimental results were used to develop a guanidinium isothiocyanate-based lysis buffer (UNEX buffer) that enabled effective simultaneous extraction and recovery of DNA and RNA from the suite of study microbes. Procedures for bead beating, nucleic acid purification, and PCR facilitation were also developed and integrated in the protocol. The final lysis buffer and sample preparation procedure was found to be effective for a panel of drinking water and source water concentrates when compared to commercial nucleic acid extraction kits. The UNEX buffer-based extraction protocol enabled PCR detection of six study microbes, in 100 L finished water samples from four drinking water treatment facilities, within three CT values (i.e., within 90% difference) of the reagent-grade water control. The results from this study indicate that this newly formulated lysis buffer and sample preparation procedure can be useful for standardized molecular testing of drinking and environmental waters.
Circuit Model of Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence
Authors: Simovski Constantin
Published: May 2015

Hybridized decaying oscillations in a nanosystem of two coupled elements—a quantum emitter and a plasmonic nanoantenna—are considered as a classical effect. The circuit model of the nanosystem extends beyond the assumption of inductive or elastic coupling and implies the near-field dipole-dipole interaction. Its results fit those of the previously developed classical model of Rabi splitting, however going much farther. Using this model, we show that the hybridized oscillations depending on the relationships between design parameters of the nanosystem correspond to several characteristic regimes of spontaneous emission. These regimes were previously revealed in the literature and explained involving semiclassical theory. Our original classical model is much simpler: it results in a closed-form solution for the emission spectra. It allows fast prediction of the regime for different distances and locations of the emitter with respect to the nanoantenna (of a given geometry) if the dipole moment of the emitter optical transition and its field coupling constant are known.
High-Resolution Precipitation Datasets in South America and West Africa based on Satellite-Derived Rainfall, Enhanced Vegetation Index and Digital Elevation Model
Authors: Ceccherini Guido , Ameztoy Iban , Hernández Claudia , Moreno Cesar
Published: May 2015

Mean Annual Precipitation is one of the most important variables used in water resource management. However, quantifying Mean Annual Precipitation at high spatial resolution, needed for advanced hydrological analysis, is challenging in developing countries which often present a sparse gauge network and a highly variable climate. In this work, we present a methodology to quantify Mean Annual Precipitation at 1 km spatial resolution using different precipitation products from satellite estimates and gauge observations at coarse spatial resolution (i.e., ranging from 4 km to 25 km). Examples of this methodology are given for South America and West Africa. We develop a downscaling method that exploits the relationship among satellite-derived rainfall, Digital Elevation Model and Enhanced Vegetation Index. Finally, we validate its performance using rain gauge measurements: comparable annual precipitation estimates for both South America and West Africa are retrieved. Validation indicates that high resolution Mean Annual Precipitation downscaled from CHIRP (Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation) and GPCC (Global Precipitation Climatology Centre) datasets present the best ensemble of performance statistics for both South America and West Africa. Results also highlight the potential of the presented technique to downscale satellite-derived rainfall worldwide.
Tracking Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics in Cloud Prone Areas Using Moderate Resolution Satellite Data: A Case Study in Central Africa
Authors: Basnet Bikash , Vodacek Anthony
Published: May 2015

Tracking land surface dynamics over cloud prone areas with complex mountainous terrain is an important challenge facing the Earth Science community. One such region is the Lake Kivu region in Central Africa. We developed a processing chain to systematically monitor the spatio-temporal land use/land cover dynamics of this region over the years 1988, 2001, and 2011 using Landsat data, complemented by ancillary data. Topographic compensation was performed on Landsat reflectances to avoid the strong illumination angle impacts and image compositing was used to compensate for frequent cloud cover and thus incomplete annual data availability in the archive. A systematic supervised classification was applied to the composite Landsat imagery to obtain land cover thematic maps with overall accuracies of 90% and higher. Subsequent change analysis between these years found extensive conversions of the natural environment as a result of human related activities. The gross forest cover loss for 1988–2001 and 2001–2011 period was 216.4 and 130.5 thousand hectares, respectively, signifying significant deforestation in the period of civil war and a relatively stable and lower deforestation rate later, possibly due to conservation and reforestation efforts in the region. The other dominant land cover changes in the region were aggressive subsistence farming and urban expansion displacing natural vegetation and arable lands. Despite limited data availability, this study fills the gap of much needed detailed and updated land cover change information for this biologically important region of Central Africa. These multi-temporal datasets will be a valuable baseline for land use managers in the region interested in developing ecologically sustainable land management strategies and measuring the impacts of biodiversity conservation efforts.
Energy Usage of Residents on Offshore Islands in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Szu-Cheng , Chang Keh-Chin , Lin Wei-Min , Chung Kung-Ming
Published: May 2015

A field study was conducted through interviews on offshore islands in Taiwan to investigate the energy usage of local residents. A comparison of household appliance usage in mainland Taiwan with that on the offshore islands revealed that, overall, the most commonly used household appliances are steam cookers/rice cookers, water dispensers, and washing machines. For other household appliances, Levels 2 and 3 offshore isles have lower use penetration rates compared with those in mainland Taiwan and on Level 1 offshore isles, particularly for the use of computers. By contrast, the use penetration rate for chest freezers on Levels 2 and 3 offshore isles is high, and each household has one or more freezers on average. This appliance is not a commonly observed household product in mainland Taiwan or on Level 1 offshore isles. Furthermore, because of the government policy, every household on parts of Level 2 offshore isles and on all Level 3 offshore isles has a fixed monthly charge of electricity. The transportation of liquefied petroleum gas is also inconvenient, and the gas price is slightly higher, leading to the tendency of residents to consume excessive amounts of electrical energy, which does not correspond with the aim of the government to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions; thus, the relevant authorities’ review and improvement on energy consumption on Levels 2 and 3 offshore isles are required.