bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous inversion of the background velocity and the perturbation in full-waveform inversion
Authors: Wu Zedong , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: September 2015

The gradient of standard full-waveform inversion (FWI) attempts to map the residuals in the data to perturbations in the model. Such perturbations may include smooth background updates from the transmission components and high wavenumber updates from the reflection components. However, if we fix the reflection components using imaging, the gradient of what is referred to as reflected-waveform inversion (RWI) admits mainly transmission background-type updates. The drawback of existing RWI methods is that they lack an optimal image capable of producing reflections within the convex region of the optimization. Because the influence of velocity on the data was given mainly by its background (propagator) and perturbed (reflectivity) components, we have optimized both components simultaneously using a modified objective function. Specifically, we used an objective function that combined the data generated from a source using the background velocity, and that by the perturbed velocity through Born modeling, to fit the observed data. When the initial velocity was smooth, the data modeled from the source using the background velocity will mainly be reflection free, and most of the reflections were obtained from the image (perturbed velocity). As the background velocity becomes more accurate and can produce reflections, the role of the image will slowly diminish, and the update will be dominated by the standard FWI gradient to obtain high resolution. Because the objective function was quadratic with respect to the image, the inversion for the image was fast. To update the background velocity smoothly, we have combined different components of the gradient linearly through solving a small optimization problem. Application to the Marmousi model found that this method converged starting with a linearly increasing velocity, and with data free of frequencies below 4 Hz. Application to the 2014 Chevron Gulf of Mexico imaging challenge data set demonstrated the potential of the proposed method.
Assessing seismic uncertainty via geostatistical velocity-model perturbation and image registration: An application to subsalt imaging
Authors: Li Lewis , Caers Jef , Sava Paul
Published: September 2015

Seismic data play a critical role in reservoir forecasting and decision making. However, large uncertainties are associated with seismic data, many of which arise from depth migration and the absence of accurate velocity models. Moreover, because of the computational and labor costs associated with velocity-model building, generally only a single seismic image and interpretation are performed. In that sense, seismic uncertainty largely is neglected in the reservoir-modeling workflow. A novel framework for assessing this uncertainty combines geostatistics with image-registration techniques. A novel geostatistical perturbation algorithm is used to generate multiple velocity models which are verified to be consistent with observed geophysical data. To alleviate the computational bottlenecks associated with migration, a distance-based model-selection step is performed to select a representative subset of the velocity models for depth migration. Image registration in combination with manual interpretation is used to generate a set of interpretations. This allows for direct linking of seismic-velocity uncertainty to the positional uncertainty of imaged structures. The workflow is demonstrated for a subsalt imaging case using the SEG Advanced Modeling (SEAM) model.
Failure of lysosome clustering and positioning in the juxtanuclear region in cells deficient in rapsyn
Authors: Aittaleb Mohamed , Chen Po-Ju , Akaaboune Mohammed
Published: September 2015

Rapsyn, a scaffold protein, is required for the clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at contacts between motor neurons and differentiating muscle cells. Rapsyn is also expressed in cells that do not express AChRs. However, its function in these cells remains unknown. Here, we showed that rapsyn plays an AChR-independent role in organizing the distribution and mobility of lysosomes. In cells devoid of AChRs, rapsyn selectively induced the clustering of lysosomes at high density in the juxtanuclear region without affecting the distribution of other intracellular organelles. However, when the same cells overexpress AChRs, rapsyn is recruited away from lysosomes to co-localize with AChR clusters on the cell surface. In rapsyn-deficient (rapsyn−/−) myoblasts or cells overexpressing rapsyn mutants, lysosomes are scattered within the cell and highly dynamic. The increased mobility of lysosomes in rapsyn−/− cells is associated with a significant increase of lysosomal exocytosis as evidenced by increased release of lysosomal enzymes and the plasma membrane damage when cells were challenged with the bacterial pore-forming toxin streptolysin-O. These findings uncover a new link between rapsyn, lysosome positioning, exocytosis, and plasma membrane integrity.
Rhodium(III)-catalyzed Intramolecular Ar–H/Ar–H Coupling Directed by Carboxylic Group to Produce Dibenzofuran Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Okada Takeshi , Unoh Yuto , Satoh Tetsuya , Miura Masahiro
Published: September 2015

The rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular Ar–H/Ar–H coupling of 3-phenoxybenzoic acids proceeds smoothly, accompanied by double C–H bond cleavage at the 2- and 2′-positions, to produce dibenzofuran-1-carboxylic acid derivatives. Related tetra- and pentacyclic molecules can also be readily constructed by the present procedure. A reaction mechanism involving 1,4-rhodium(III) migration is proposed.
Engineering food crops to grow in harsh environments
Authors: López-Arredondo Damar , González-Morales Sandra Isabel , Bello-Bello Elohim , Alejo-Jacuinde Gerardo , Herrera Luis
Published: September 2015

Achieving sustainable agriculture and producing enough food for the increasing global population will require effective strategies to cope with harsh environments such as water and nutrient stress, high temperatures and compacted soils with high impedance that drastically reduce crop yield. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular, cellular and epigenetic mechanisms that orchestrate plant responses to abiotic stress will serve as the platform to engineer improved crop plants with better designed root system architecture and optimized metabolism to enhance water and nutrients uptake and use efficiency and/or soil penetration. In this review we discuss such advances and how the generated knowledge could be used to integrate effective strategies to engineer crops by gene transfer or genome editing technologies.
Audit of Fixed Asset Acquisition at Foreign Corporative Enterprises
Authors: Кучеров  , Kucherov Aleksey
Published: September 2015

The article reviews one of the key trials of fixed assets audit at corporate enterprises — the purchase of these assets. The author presents a general audit scheme and defines main analytical procedures applied during the audit of such entities.
Tax accounting of expenses on advertising
Authors: Парасоцкая  , Parasotskaya N.
Published: September 2015

Building upon the Russian Tax Code and Advertising FederalAct, the article details the tax accounting of

advertising expenditures, reveals associated issues, and outlines its possible solutions.
Risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and birth
Authors: Chandrarajan Lojana , Nelson-Piercy Catherine
Published: September 2015

Death from venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy is potentially preventable. Guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2015) provide a framework to assist clinicians in risk-stratifying pregnant women and offer measures to reduce the possibility of developing VTE. The biggest challenge for clinicians is to remember to risk-stratify women while not over-medicalising a ‘normal’ pregnancy.
Midwifery in Northern Ireland
Authors: Hughes Breedagh , Gillen Patricia
Published: September 2015

As part of our series on the UK and Ireland's midwifery policy, Breedagh Hughes and Patricia Gillen discuss the strengths and challenges of maternity care in Northern Ireland.
Abdominal ultrasonography — what can be achieved in first-opinion practice?
Authors: Bradley Kate
Published: September 2015

Improvements in image quality, and relative decreases in equipment cost, make ultrasonography an imaging modality that should be widely used in first opinion small animal practice. This article briefly describes the transducers that are commonly used for small animal abdominal ultrasonography, outlining the advantages, limitations and main applications of each. As ultrasound is a ‘real time’ modality, ways are described in which the operator can maximise image quality during a scan. The utility of ultrasound for evaluating the main abdominal organ systems is summarised, together with clinical examples where an ultrasound examination can be of significant value in the diagnostic work-up of a case.
Leptospirosis: a review to aid diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Murphy Kate
Published: September 2015

Leptospirosis is reported to be a re-emerging disease worldwide, and clinical disease has been confirmed in a number of cases at the author's practice during the last 12 months. Non-vaccinal serovars can be involved, therefore vaccination cannot prevent all infections. Leptospirosis is an important differential diagnosis to consider in dogs and can present with a wide range of non-specific signs, in particular with liver, kidney and respiratory signs. This article reviews the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of leptospirosis in dogs, with a brief mention of infection in cats.
Essential local anaesthetic blocks for small animal practice: dental blocks
Authors: Trimble Toby , Leece Elizabeth A
Published: September 2015

Dental disease is common, particularly in geriatric animals, and often requiring general anaesthesia for dental procedures. The use of multimodal analgesia may help to minimise morbidity in patients as part of balanced anaesthesia, and provide effective perioperative analgesia. Locoregional anaesthesia can be used to reduce the amount of inhalational anaesthetic agent required, and provide better analgesia both during and after surgery, facilitating smoother anaesthetics and potentially better recoveries. This article will discuss the commonly used drugs, equipment, anatomy and techniques required to provide effective nerve blocks for dental procedures.
Psittacine nutrition and common deficiency diseases
Authors: Wissink-Argilaga Nathalie , Pellett Sarah
Published: September 2015

This article discusses some nutritional guidelines to help practitioners provide appropriate nutritional support for their avian patients, and the necessary tools to be able to advise owners of psittacine birds on how to improve the health and welfare of their pets through diet. Common ailments due to dietary deficiencies are also discussed.
Measuring what matters: Effectiveness of implementing evidence-based supported employment for adults with severe mental illness
Authors: Waghorn Geoffrey , Dias Shannon , Gladman Beverley , Harris Meredith
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims:

This investigation compared the utility of two approaches to measuring the effectiveness of a supported employment programme. Both were multi-site trials of evidence-based supported employment which differed by research design. The first approach, a non-randomised multisite intervention, used a parallel group design that did not involve a control group at the site level. The second approach was conducted simultaneously in different locations. This was a controlled trial with randomisation to an evidence-based supported employment programme and a control condition consisting of existing local employment services. The results of the four-site randomised controlled trial (RCT) have recently been reported and provide benchmarks for this comparison.

Methods:

A four-site parallel group design (n=160) evaluated the implementation of the individual placement and support approach in Brisbane (two sites), Sunshine Coast and Bellerive (Tasmania). The employment intervention involved a full-time employment specialist employed by an existing employment service, to be hosted by a community mental health team.

Results:

There was no significant difference in commencing employment outcomes between the four-site non-randomised approach to implementation and the four-site RCT (35.6% vs 42.5%). The RCT provided two cohorts whose performance benchmarked the implementation in the non-controlled sites. The promising results of both evaluation approaches show that randomisation did not inflate results, and both methods show utility for programme evaluation in different settings.

Conclusions:

For the purpose of evaluating new programme implementations, both RCT and non-RCT parallel group designs have potential utility. If the focus is on determining which programme type or which programme ingredient is the most effective, then an RCT design with high internal validity is recommended. In this case, the non-randomised parallel group design had utility through its use of more natural implementation conditions with greater ecological validity. If suitable benchmarks are available and strong potential confounders, such as client age, diagnostic mix and service delivery attributes, are managed, then non-randomised evaluations can be informative, particularly when randomisation is neither practical nor feasible.
Association between suitability of bra fit and pectoral girdle myalgia in Nigerian women
Authors: Odebiyi Daniel O , Aweto Happiness A , Gbadebo Olumide A , Oluwole Ayodeji A , Aiyegbusi Ayoola I , Olaogun Matthew O , Lee Lester J
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims:

Bra cup size has been shown to be associated with shoulder–neck pain, or pectoral girdle myalgia (PGM), in women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PGM in a population of Nigerian women and investigate the association of PGM with the congruence of measured vs reported bra size.

Methods:

A total of 291 females aged 15–50 years completed a 31-item, closed-ended questionnaire, which collected information on biodata, prevalence of PGM, and bra use. Bra size was recorded as reported by the participants and as measured by one of the investigators. A chi-squared test was used to determine the association between age, cup size, congruence of measured vs reported bra size, and occurrence of PGM.

Results:

The 12-month prevalence of PGM was 44% (n=122). Having tightly pulled straps was the factor most commonly reported to worsen PGM (n=75, 58.9%). Removing the bra was the factor most commonly reported to relieve pain (n=94, 73.4%). Of the 252 respondents (86.6%) who claimed to know their bra size, only 63 (25%) were correct when their bra size was measured. Self-selection was the most common method for determining bra size (n=224, 77.3%). There was no association between age, cup size, congruence of measured vs reported bra size, and occurrence of PGM (p>0.05).

Conclusions:

PGM was found to be common among the respondents. The fact that the size of bra worn was largely dependent on self-selection might have been responsible for the high number of respondents wearing wrong-sized bras. Working with the arms elevated had a significant association with the development of PGM (χ2=4.12; p=0.040), a finding that requires further exploration.
Streamlining clinical practice in an Australian community rehabilitation service using The Calderdale Framework
Authors: Patterson Sarah A , Comans Tracy A , Pitt Erin L , Currin; Michelle L
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims:

With increased budgetary demands, pressure exists to create a flexible workforce and ensure efficient service delivery within health care services. This study investigated the impact of using The Calderdale Framework on team dynamics, client focus and communication, and resource use in an existing community rehabilitation service.

Methods:

The Calderdale Framework provided a structured process where clinicians were able to determine relevant tasks that could be shared with other health professionals to develop a streamlined transprofessional screening tool. Associated risks were reviewed and the resulting training and governance structures were embedded into practice. Staff views and resource usage costs were collected at three time points during the implementation process.

Findings:

Qualitative data from staff suggest a positive impact of The Calderdale Framework on team dynamics, understanding each other's roles, and client focus. Resource usage analysis revealed an increase in the number of client services provided, as well a reduction in cost per client appointment.

Conclusions:

This study provides further insight into the processes, resource usage outcomes and staff reflections of using The Calderdale Framework. This structured tool appears beneficial to develop a flexible workforce and an efficient service within this community rehabilitation context.
Guidance on the professional duty of candour for aesthetic nurses
Authors: Brackenbury Julie
Published: September 2015

Although aesthetic medicine is perceived to be a taboo discipline, nurses specialising in this area are still bound by the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Code and professional guidance. Aesthetic nurses must therefore comply with the recently published guidelines on the duty of candour and continue to be open and honest with their patients. Julie Brackenbury explains how the guidance applies to independent practitioners
Swimming in the blue ocean versus riding the choppy waves of the red ocean
Authors: Yardley Josh
Published: September 2015

With the aesthetic industry firmly becoming a high street service, it is timely to question whether practitioners are adopting the skills required to meet the demands of today's consumer. Josh Yardley believes that, to rise above the competition, clinic owners should be ready to learn and apply the successful business philosophies and strategies of established retailers from other sectors
Holding open evenings to increase clinic awareness and recruit loyal clients
Authors: Smith Victoria
Published: September 2015

Having an event for existing and prospective clients can provide individuals with a valuable opportunity to ask clinic staff key questions about a range of treatments, says Victoria Smith. Although this will involve advanced planning and take time out of the clinic diary, open evenings can put your clinic ahead of the competition and give you a chance to promote your brands and products
‘It has taken time for people to understand the role of intuition in client consultations’
Authors: Zadah Kate
Published: September 2015

In medical aesthetics, establishing and running a successful clinic is not just about delivering high-quality treatments—having business acumen and a nose for the latest trends is key to setting your business apart from the rest. In this practice management series, PR professional Kate Zadah interviews clinic managers from all over the UK to find out about each practice's successes and struggles
Book Reviews
Authors: Levy Gal , Ross Alistair , Issitt John
Published: September 2015

Citizenship, Education and Social Conflict: Israeli Political Education in Global Perspective, Hanan Alexander, Halleli Pinson and Yossi Yonah (eds) (2011) NY & Abingdon: Routledge, 314 pp., ISBN-13: 9780415744256 p/bk $48.95

Education for Citizenship in Europe: European Policies, National Adaptations and Young Pe ople’s Attitudes, Avril Keating (2014) Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 233+ix pp., ISBN: 9781137019561, h/bk, £61.75

Education and the Common Good: Essays in Honor of Robin Barrow, John Gingell (ed.) (2014) Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 162 pp., ISBN-13: 9780415518345, h/bk, £90
Espécies nativas que podem substituir as exóticas no paisagismo
Authors: Stumpf Elisabeth Regina Tempel , Silva Patrick Da Silva , Romagnoli Isadora Dias , Fischer Síntia Zitzke , Mariot Márcio Paim
Published: September 2015

Beyond aesthetics, the contemporary landscaping intends to provide other benefits for humans and environment, especially related to the environmental quality of urban spaces and conservation of the species. A trend in this direction is the reduction in the use of exotic plants in their designs, since, over time, they can become agents of replacement of native flora, as it has occurred in Rio Grande do Sul with many species introduced by settlers. However, the use of exotic species is unjustifiable, because the flora diversity of the Bioma Pampa offers many native species with appropriate features to the ornamental use. The commercial cultivation and the implantation of native species in landscaped areas constitute innovations for plant nurseries and landscapers and can provide a positive reduction in extractivism, contributing to dissemination, exploitation and preservation of native flora, and also decrease the impact of chemical products on environment. So, this work intends to identify native species of Bioma Pampa with features and uses similar to the most used exotic species at Brazilian landscaping. The species were selected from consulting books about native plants of Bioma Pampa and plants used at Brazilian landscaping, considering the similarity on habit and architecture, as well as characteristics of leafs, flowers and/or fruits and environmental conditions of occurrence and cultivation. There were identified 34 native species able to properly replace exotic species commonly used. The results show that many native species of Bioma Pampa have interesting ornamental features to landscape gardening, allowing them to replace exotic species that are traditionally cultivated.
Influence of electrical conductivity on water uptake and vase life of cut gladiolus stems
Authors: Da Costa Lucas Cavalcante , De Araújo Fernanda Ferreira , Mendes Teresa Drummond Correia , Finger Fernando Luiz
Published: September 2015

Several experiments reveal that distilled water varies among different laboratories and also does not have a standard composition. Water electrical conductivity (EC) of vase solution is one of the parameters that influence the water uptake by cut flowers. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of electrical conductivity on water uptake and vase life in cut stems of gladiolus. The stems harvested and kept in distilled water (pH 6.6, EC <0.01dS m-1) and tap water (pH 7.0, EC 0.75 dS m-1) at room temperature. Flowers kept in tap water showed lower fresh weight loss after the second day and higher water uptake during vase life. In a second set of experiments, we verified the limit EC saturation supported by the flower. For this, flowers were placed in individual test tubes containing four different solutions with varying ion concentrations. Solution 2 (EC 0.60 dS m-1) promoted increased vase life and allowed maximum water uptake by the flowers. The results show that the electrical conductivity of vase solution is a major parameter in experiments with vase life of cut gladiolus. The presence of ions in the vase solution increases the overall vase life and improves water uptake of flowers with favorable optimal EC between 0.60 to 0.87 dS m-1.
Use of Azolla as a growing medium component in the nursery production of olive trees
Authors: Petruccelli Raffaella , Briccoli Bati Caterina , Carlozzi Pietro , Padovani Giulia , Vignozzi Nadia , Bartolini Giorgio
Published: September 2015

Peat is used in olive-tree nurseries as a component in commercial growing media. Environmental and economic pressures are questioning the use of peat as a component of substrates. In order to remain competitive and to satisfy environmental concerns, it is necessary to identify and evaluate possible alternatives to peat. This study involves the use of Azolla filiculoides, as a growing media component in olive nurseries (Olea europaea L.) for containerized plants. Four treatments were established, based on the addition of increasing quantities of Azolla (0%, 25%, 50%, and 100 %). Were determined some physical and chemical properties of media, the growth, the physiological parameters and nutritional state of olive plants. The physical and chemical properties of the media were significantly affected by the Azolla content. Nursery-produced olive plants grown in substrates supplemented by 50 % Azolla displayed linear growth and the total biomass production greater than those of the control medium. The research indicated that Azolla might be suitable substrate component for olive plants grown in containers.
Flocked Bioconversion Media for Ammonia/ Water Bioremediation II: Physical and Mechanistic Aspects of Bioconversion Processes
Authors: Kim Yong K. , Lewis Armand F. , Sun Yu
Published: September 2015

By extrapolating (exponential) plots of ammonium ion depletion rates (ADR) vs. water flow rate curves to the zero water flow rate, a new parameter called the intrinsic ammonia depletion rate (ADR(i)) has been defined. This parameter is helpful in understanding the ammonia/water bioremediation process. ADR(i), representing the ammonium ion depletion rate for bio-media under quiescent, equilibrium ammonia/water conditions, should be an inherent property of the bio-media material itself, and can serve as an ADR effectiveness rating index for various bio-media. In the reported work, flocked bio-media were shown to exhibit overall higher ADR(i) values than non-flocked media. The bio-reaction's physical (hydrodynamic) process mechanism appears to be different for non-flocked and flocked media classifications. A short term “live fish” aquaculture field trial was also carried out.
LC-MS/MS method for hepcidin-25 measurement in human and mouse serum: clinical and research implications in iron disorders
Authors: Lefebvre Thibaud , Dessendier Nathalie , Houamel Dounia , Ialy-Radio Nathalie , Kannengiesser Caroline , Manceau Hana , Beaumont Carole , Nicolas Gael , Gouya Laurent , Puy Hervé , Karim Zoubida
Published: September 2015

The peptide hepcidin plays a central role in regulating dietary iron absorption and body iron distribution. This 25-amino acid hormone is produced and secreted predominantly by hepatocytes. Hepcidin has been suggested as a promising diagnostic marker for iron-related disorders. However, its accurate quantification for clinical use remains so far challenging. In this report we describe a highly specific and quantitative serum hepcidin method using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

The analytical validation included the determination of the limit of detection, of quantification, repeatability, reproducibility and linearity. This assay was developed for human and mouse hepcidin. The human assay was performed on serum patients with unexplained microcytic anemia. We applied our LC-MS/MS method for quantifying hepcidin-1 in mouse in various conditions: inflammation, hemolytic anemia,

We show that the LC-MS/MS is suitable for accurate determination of hepcidin-25 in clinical samples, thereby representing a useful tool for the clinical diagnosis and follow-up of iron-related diseases. In mouse, a strong correlation between hepatic

Therefore, we propose this adaptive LC-MS/MS method as a suitable method for accurate determination of hepcidin-25 in clinical samples and as a major tool contributing to the clinical diagnosis, follow-up and management of iron-related disorders. It also opens new avenues to measure hepcidin in animal models without interspecies antigenic limitations.
Phenobarbital inhibits calpain activity and expression in mouse hepatoma cells
Authors: Groll Nicola , Kollotzek Ferdinand , Goepfert Jens , Joos Thomas O. , Schwarz Michael , Braeuning Albert
Published: September 2015

The antiepileptic drug phenobarbital (PB) exerts hepatic effects related to cell proliferation and tumorigenesis which are closely linked to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This pathway is, amongst others, regulated by calpain proteases. We now identified PB as an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mouse hepatoma cells. Further analyses revealed that PB inhibits calpain activity, an effect which is at least in parts mediated by a transcriptional regulation of calpain mRNA levels and which is furthermore independent of the constitutive androstane receptor, the known mediator of most effects of PB in liver cells.
“Believe me when I say that this is not an attack on American parents”: The intercultural in intercultural parenting books
Authors: von Münchow Patricia
Published: September 2015

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Shaping subjects of globalisation: at the intersection of voluntourism and the new economy
Authors: Dlaske Kati
Published: September 2015

Volunteer tourism is one of the latest branches of the ever expanding globalised tourism. The initiative Workaway, an expression of this trend, was established in the late 90s with the aim of promoting “cultural understanding between different peoples and lands throughout the world”. The figure of the workawayer as a new cosmopolitan subjectivity started to take shape. With the growth of the tourism industry, the Workaway scheme has started to be of interest also to tourism entrepreneurs, especially in the global peripheries such as northern Lapland, home to the indigenous minority language community of the Sámi. By signing up as a volunteer in a heritage tourism resort, the workawayer, the cultural adventurer, becomes linked up to the network of the globalised new economy. Drawing on aspects of governmentality studies, discourse studies and ethnographic approaches, this study traces the translocal formation of the figure of the workawayer through two crucial technologies of subjectification: the Internet portal workaway.info and the actuality of everyday work in a Sámi heritage tourist resort in northernmost Finnish Lapland. Although the Workaway initiative positions itself as non-capitalist if not anti-capitalist, the study shows how the workawayer is gradually shaped to meet the requirements of the contemporary neoliberal world of work. If Workaway offers new languages and cultures with a flavour of romanticised multiculturalism, in the tourist resort actual encounters are governed by straightforward market rationality. Here, languages are valued as skills among others, but not above others, since ultimately “you don’t necessarily need any language for money transactions”.
Translation as Taking Stances: The Emergence of Syriac Theodoranism in 5th Century Edessa
Authors: Kavvadas Nestor
Published: September 2015

The sheer dimensions of the theological and ecclesio-political consequences of Theodor of Mopsuestia’s reception by eastern Syriac schools, theologians and bishops, a reception that shaped eastern Syriac Christianity like no other intellectual factor, raises the question of what triggered the reception process in the first place - about the concrete intentions behind the initiation of the Syriac Theodore translation project in fourth century Edessa, which formed the basis for all Syriac Theodore reception. An investigation of the historical contexts of this translation project suggests that the project first started as a reaction to the simultaneous promotion of Syriac Cyrillianism by bishop Rabbula of Edessa. It also points out the close connection between the translation project’s emergence on the one hand and the (theological only, at first) Syriac Cyrillians-Theodorans divide as well as the later schism between Miaphysites and Nestorians on the other
Motor Neuron Pools of Synergistic Thigh Muscles Share Most of Their Synaptic Input
Authors: Laine Christopher M. , Martinez-Valdes Eduardo , Falla Deborah , Mayer Frank , Farina Dario
Published: September 2015

Neural control of synergist muscles is not well understood. Presumably, each muscle in a synergistic group receives some unique neural drive and some drive that is also shared in common with other muscles in the group. In this investigation, we sought to characterize the strength, frequency spectrum, and force dependence of the neural drive to the human vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles during the production of isometric knee extension forces at 10 and 30% of maximum voluntary effort. High-density surface electromyography recordings were decomposed into motor unit action potentials to examine the neural drive to each muscle. Motor unit coherence analysis was used to characterize the total neural drive to each muscle and the drive shared between muscles. Using a novel approach based on partial coherence analysis, we were also able to study specifically the neural drive unique to each muscle (not shared). The results showed that the majority of neural drive to the vasti muscles was a cross-muscle drive characterized by a force-dependent strength and bandwidth. Muscle-specific neural drive was at low frequencies (<5 Hz) and relatively weak. Frequencies of neural drive associated with afferent feedback (6–12 Hz) and with descending cortical input (∼20 Hz) were almost entirely shared by the two muscles, whereas low-frequency (<5 Hz) drive comprised shared (primary) and muscle-specific (secondary) components. This study is the first to directly investigate the extent of shared versus independent control of synergist muscles at the motor neuron level.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPrecisely how the nervous system coordinates the activity of synergist muscles is not well understood. One possibility is that muscles of a synergy share a common neural drive. In this study, we directly compared the relative strength of shared versus independent neural drive to synergistically activated thigh muscles in humans. The results of this analysis support the notion that synergistically activated muscles share most of their neural drive. Scientifically, this study addressed an important gap in our current understanding of how neural drive is delivered to synergist muscles. We have also demonstrated the feasibility of a novel approach to the study of muscle synergies based on partial coherence analysis of motor unit activity.
Neuronal-Targeted TFEB Accelerates Lysosomal Degradation of APP, Reducing Aβ Generation and Amyloid Plaque Pathogenesis
Authors: Xiao Qingli , Yan Ping , Ma Xiucui , Liu Haiyan , Perez Ronaldo , Zhu Alec , Gonzales Ernesto , Tripoli Danielle L. , Czerniewski Leah , Ballabio Andrea , Cirrito John R. , Diwan Abhinav , Lee Jin-Moo
Published: September 2015

In AD, an imbalance between Aβ production and removal drives elevated brain Aβ levels and eventual amyloid plaque deposition. APP undergoes nonamyloidogenic processing via α-cleavage at the plasma membrane, amyloidogenic β- and γ-cleavage within endosomes to generate Aβ, or lysosomal degradation in neurons. Considering multiple reports implicating impaired lysosome function as a driver of increased amyloidogenic processing of APP, we explored the efficacy of targeting transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of lysosomal pathways, to reduce Aβ levels. CMV promoter-driven TFEB, transduced via stereotactic hippocampal injections of adeno-associated virus particles in APP/PS1 mice, localized primarily to neuronal nuclei and upregulated lysosome biogenesis. This resulted in reduction of APP protein, the α and β C-terminal APP fragments (CTFs), and in the steady-state Aβ levels in the brain interstitial fluid. In aged mice, total Aβ levels and amyloid plaque load were selectively reduced in the TFEB-transduced hippocampi. TFEB transfection in N2a cells stably expressing APP695, stimulated lysosome biogenesis, reduced steady-state levels of APP and α- and β-CTFs, and attenuated Aβ generation by accelerating flux through the endosome-lysosome pathway. Cycloheximide chase assays revealed a shortening of APP half-life with exogenous TFEB expression, which was prevented by concomitant inhibition of lysosomal acidification. These data indicate that TFEB enhances flux through lysosomal degradative pathways to induce APP degradation and reduce Aβ generation. Activation of TFEB in neurons is an effective strategy to attenuate Aβ generation and attenuate amyloid plaque deposition in AD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA key driver for AD pathogenesis is the net balance between production and clearance of Aβ, the major component of amyloid plaques. Here we demonstrate that lysosomal degradation of holo-APP influences Aβ production by limiting the availability of APP for amyloidogenic processing. Using viral gene transfer of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of lysosome biogenesis in neurons of APP/PS1 mice, steady-state levels of APP were reduced, resulting in decreased interstitial fluid Aβ levels and attenuated amyloid deposits. These effects were caused by accelerated lysosomal degradation of endocytosed APP, reflected by reduced APP half-life and steady-state levels in TFEB-expressing cells, with resultant decrease in Aβ production and release. Additional studies are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of this approach.
Attention Determines Contextual Enhancement versus Suppression in Human Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Flevaris Anastasia V. , Murray Scott O.
Published: September 2015

Neural responses in primary visual cortex (V1) depend on stimulus context in seemingly complex ways. For example, responses to an oriented stimulus can be suppressed when it is flanked by iso-oriented versus orthogonally oriented stimuli but can also be enhanced when attention is directed to iso-oriented versus orthogonal flanking stimuli. Thus the exact same contextual stimulus arrangement can have completely opposite effects on neural responses—in some cases leading to orientation-tuned suppression and in other cases leading to orientation-tuned enhancement. Here we show that stimulus-based suppression and enhancement of fMRI responses in humans depends on small changes in the focus of attention and can be explained by a model that combines feature-based attention with response normalization.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNeurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) respond to stimuli within a restricted portion of the visual field, termed their “receptive field.” However, neuronal responses can also be influenced by stimuli that surround a receptive field, although the nature of these contextual interactions and underlying neural mechanisms are debated. Here we show that the response in V1 to a stimulus in the same context can either be suppressed or enhanced depending on the focus of attention. We are able to explain the results using a simple computational model that combines two well established properties of visual cortical responses: response normalization and feature-based enhancement.
A Disease Mutation Causing Episodic Ataxia Type I in the S1 Links Directly to the Voltage Sensor and the Selectivity Filter in Kv Channels
Authors: Petitjean Dimitri , Kalstrup Tanja , Zhao Juan , Blunck Rikard
Published: September 2015

The mutation F184C in Kv1.1 leads to development of episodic ataxia type I (EA1). Although the mutation has been said to alter activation kinetics and to lower expression, we show here that the underlying molecular mechanisms may be more complex. Although F184 is positioned in the “peripheral” S1 helix, it occupies a central position in the 3D fold. We show in cut-open oocyte voltage-clamp recordings of gating and ionic currents of the Shaker Kv channel expressed inXenopusoocytes that F184 not only interacts directly with the gating charges of the S4, but also creates a functional link to the selectivity filter of the neighboring subunit. This link leads to impaired fast and slow inactivation. The effect on fast inactivation is of an allosteric nature considering that fast inactivation is caused by a linked cytosolic ball peptide. The extensive effects of F184C provide a new mechanism underlying EA.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTEpisodic ataxia (EA) is an inherited disease that leads to occasional loss of motor control in combination with variable other symptoms such as vertigo or migraine. EA type I (EA1), studied here, is caused by mutations in a voltage-gated potassium channel that contributes to the generation of electrical signals in the brain. The mechanism by which mutations in voltage-gated potassium channels lead to EA is still unknown and there is no consistent pharmacological treatment. By studying in detail one disease-causing mutation in Kv1.1, we describe a novel molecular mechanism distinct from mechanisms described previously. This mechanism contributes to the understanding of potassium channel function in general and might lead to a better understanding of how EA develops.
Altering Effort Costs in Parkinson's Disease with Noninvasive Cortical Stimulation
Authors: Salimpour Yousef , Mari Zoltan K. , Shadmehr Reza
Published: September 2015

In Parkinson's disease (PD), the human brain is capable of producing motor commands, but appears to require greater than normal subjective effort, particularly for the more-affected side. What is the nature of this subjective effort and can it be altered? We used an isometric task in which patients produced a goal force by engaging both arms, but were free to assign any fraction of that force to each arm. The patients preferred their less-affected arm, but only in some directions. This preference was correlated with lateralization of signal-dependent noise: the direction of force for which the brain was less willing to assign effort to an arm was generally the direction for which that arm exhibited greater noise. Therefore, the direction-dependent noise in each arm acted as an implicit cost that discouraged use of that arm. To check for a causal relationship between noise and motor cost, we used bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex, placing the cathode on the more-affected side and the anode on the less-affected side. This stimulation not only reduced the noise on the more-affected arm, it also increased the willingness of the patients to assign force to that arm. In a 3 d double-blind study and in a 10 d repeated stimulation study, bilateral stimulation of the two motor cortices with cathode on the more-affected side reduced noise and increased the willingness of the patients to exert effort. This stimulation also improved the clinical motor symptoms of the disease.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn Parkinson's disease, patients are less willing to assign force to their affected arm. Here, we find that this pattern is direction dependent: directions for which the arm is noisier coincide with directions for which the brain is less willing to assign force. We hypothesized that if we could reduce the noise on the affected arm, then we may increase the willingness for the brain to assign force to that arm. We found a way to do this via noninvasive cortical stimulation. In addition to reducing effort costs associated with the affected arm, the cortical stimulation also improved clinical motor symptoms of the disease.
Effects of Peritoneal Sepsis on Rat Central Osmoregulatory Neurons Mediating Thirst and Vasopressin Release
Authors: Stare Jerneja , Siami Shidasp , Trudel Eric , Prager-Khoutorsky Masha , Sharshar Tarek , Bourque Charles W.
Published: September 2015

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the systemic inflammatory response to a bacterial infection. Although much is known about the cellular and molecular changes that characterize the peripheral inflammatory response to sepsis, almost nothing is known of the neuronal changes that cause associated perturbations in the central control of homeostasis. Osmoregulation is one of the key homeostatic systems perturbed during sepsis. In healthy subjects, systemic hypertonicity normally excites osmoreceptor neurons in the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT), which then activates downstream neurons that induce a parallel increase in water intake and arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion to promote fluid expansion and maintain blood pressure. However, recent studies have shown that the early phase of sepsis is associated with increased AVP levels and suppressed thirst. Here we examined the electrophysiological properties of OVLT neurons and magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) in acutein vitropreparations obtained from rats subjected to sham surgery or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). We found that the intrinsic excitability of OVLT neurons was not affected significantly 18–24 h after CLP. However, OVLT neurons in CLP rats were hyperpolarized significantly compared with shams. Moreover, a reduced proportion of these cells displayed spontaneous electrical activity and osmoresponsiveness in septic animals. In contrast, the osmoresponsiveness of MNCs was only attenuated by CLP, and a larger proportion of these neurons displayed spontaneous electrical activity in septic animals. These results suggest that acute sepsis disrupts centrally mediated osmoregulatory reflexes through differential effects on the properties of neurons in the OVLT and supraoptic nucleus.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the systemic inflammatory response to bacterial infection. Although the early phase of sepsis features impaired thirst and enhanced vasopressin release, the basis for these defects is unknown. Here, we show that cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats impairs the osmoresponsiveness of neurons in the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT; which drives thirst) and attenuates that of neurosecretory neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON; which secrete oxytocin and vasopressin). Notably, we found that OVLT neurons are hyperpolarized and electrically silenced. In contrast, CLP increased the proportion of SON neurons displaying spontaneous electrical activity. Therefore, CLP affects the properties of osmoregulatory neurons in a manner that can affect systemic osmoregulation.
Regional Cervical Plexus Blockage for Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Taşar Mehmet , Kalender Mehmet , Karaca Okay Güven , Ecevit Ata Niyazi , Salihi Salih , Adademir Taylan , Darçın Osman Tansel
Published: September 2015

Background: Carotid artery disease is not rare in cardiac patients. Patients with cardiac risk factors and carotid stenosis are prone to neurological and cardiovascular complications. With cardiac risk factors, carotid endarterectomy operation becomes challenging. Regional anesthesia is an alternative option, so we aimed to investigate the operative results of carotid endarterectomy operations under regional anesthesia in patients with cardiac risk factors.
Methods: We aimed to analyze and compare outcomes of carotid endarterectomy under regional anesthesia with cardiovascular risk groups retrospectively. Between 2006 and 2014, we applied 129 carotid endarterectomy ± patch plasty to 126 patients under combined cervical plexus block anesthesia. Patients were divided into three groups (high, moderate, low) according to their cardiovascular risks. Neurological and cardiovascular events after carotid endarterectomy were compared.
Results: Cerebrovascular accident was seen in 7 patients (5.55%) but there was no significant difference between groups (P > .05). Mortality rate was 4.76% (n = 6); it was higher in the high risk group and was not statistically significant (P = .180). Four patients required revision for bleeding (3.17%). We did not observe any postoperative surgical infection.
Conclusion: Carotid endarterectomy can be safely performed with regional cervical anesthesia in all cardiovascular risk groups. Comprehensive studies comparing general anesthesia and regional anesthesia are needed.