bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of Native Antigens for the Development of Brucellosis Antibody Detection System
Authors: Bano Yasmin , Selvam D. T. ,   College of Life Sciences, Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Mandre Ki Mata, Cancer Hills, Gwalior 474009, Madhya Pradesh, India.,   Division of Microbiology, Defence Research & Development Establishment, Gwalior 474 002, India.
Published: April 2016

Brucellosis is a highly infectious zoonotic disease and an economically important infection of humans and livestock with a worldwide distribution. The main mode of transmission of this disease to humans is through the consumption of infected milk, milk products, and uncooked or raw meat. The present study was designed to prepare few native antigens, that is, sonicated antigen (SA), cell envelope (CE) antigen, and freeze and thaw (FT) antigen fromBrucella abortusS99 culture and to test them in a highly sensitive and specific indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) in both a microtiter plate and a dot-blot format for the development of field-based diagnosis. All 50 suspected bovine samples were tested by plate as well as in dot ELISA formats for all the three antigens prepared. The CE antigen was found to be more suitable as it had the maximum agreement with the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test results followed by the SA and the least agreement was found with that of the FT antigen. This detection system in microtiter plates and a dot-blot format will be useful for the rapid screening of samples for the disease surveillance and routine diagnosis.
Textos y glosas nº 8
Authors: Administración Revista Barataria
Published: April 2016

Reseñas Bibliográficas correspondientes al número 8 de Barataria. Para visualizar/descargar la reseña correspondiente diríjase al apartado texto completo (pdf).

ÍNDICE de reseñas:

Autor: J. López-Galiacho Perona, pp. 219-221

Texto: José PÉREZ DE VARGAS MUÑOZ (Coord.)

Protección jurídica patrimonial de las personas con discapacidad

Madrid: La Ley-Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. 2007. 751 pp.

 

Autor: J. F. Jiménez Díaz, pp. 221-224

Texto: Nathalie BERTRAND y Volker KREIBICH, (Eds.)

Europe´s city-regions competitiveness: growth regulation and periurban land management

Assen: Royal Van Gorcum. 2006. 187 pp.

 

Autor: R. Pérez Redondo, pp. 224-227

Texto: Manuel GARCÍA FERRANDO

Posmodernidad y deporte: entre la individualización y la masificación. Encuesta sobre hábitos deportivos de los españoles 2005

Madrid: Consejo Superior de Deportes y Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas. 2006. 308 pp.

 

Autor: E. Díaz Cano, pp. 227-229

Texto: Jesús HUERTA DE SOTO

Die Österreichische Schule der Nationalökonomie – Markt und unternehmerische Kreativität

Viena: F. A. V. Hayek Institut, Barbara Kolm-Lamprechter. 2007. 152 pp.

 

Autor: E. Díaz Cano, 230-233

Texto: Roland INGLEHART y Christian WELZEL

Modernización, cambio cultural y democracia: la secuencia del desarrollo humano

Madrid: CIS-Siglo XXI. 2006. 448 pp.

 

Autora: M. I. Morán Morán, 233-235

Texto: Carl MENGER

El método de las ciencias sociales.

Madrid: Unión Editorial. 2006. 425 pp.

 

Autor: G. Steingress, pp. 235-238

Texto: Juan A. ROCHE CÁRCEL y Manuel OLIVER NARBONA (Eds.)

Cultura y globalización. Entre el conflicto y el diálogo

Alicante: Publicaciones de la Universidad de Alicante. 2005. 472 pp.

 

Autor: E. Díaz Cano, pp. 238-241

Texto: Octavio UÑA JUÁREZ, Jaime HORMIGOS RUIZ y Antonio MARTÍN CABELLO (Coords.)

Las dimensiones sociales de la globalización

Madrid: Paraninfo. 2007. 300 pp.
La perspectiva de género
Authors: Brunet Icart Ignasi
Published: April 2016

Este artículo tiene por objetivo exponer cómo los procesos de pobreza y exclusión social de las mujeres y de los hombres hay que analizarlos desde la perspectiva de género. Perspectiva que permite explicar de qué forma la posición económica de las mujeres viene determinada por la división sexual del trabajo, y se explica gracias a la existencia del orden patriarcal, al sistema de dominación masculina en el que hombres y mujeres son definidos como seres humanos diferentes, cada uno de ellos con sus propias oportunidades, roles y responsabilidades.
Estereotipos de género y actitudes sexistas de la población escolar extremeña
Authors: González Pozuelo Fernando
Published: April 2016

El proceso de investigación aquí propuesto gira en torno a una realidad sociológica bien concreta: conocer hasta qué punto se han superado en las y los escolares extremeños de primaria y secundaria las creencias que justifican y conducen al sexismo y la violencia de género.

Nuestro propósito es proporcionar los datos y análisis indispensables que sirvan para poder desarrollar programas de intervención que permitan reducir las condiciones de riesgo detectadas para favorecer la construcción de la igualdad y la prevención de la violencia contra la mujer desde la Educación Primaria y Secundaria.
El habla actual de los españoles
Authors: De Miguel Rodríguez Amando
Published: April 2016

Una cosa es el “lenguaje” propiamente dicho como objeto de estudio, análisis y perfeccionamiento por parte de filólogos, lingüistas y gramáticos. Ese enfoque suele mantener un tono prescriptivo: lo que es correcto para una buena sintaxis. El supuesto excelso de esa aproximación sería el estudio del lenguaje literario. Pero cabe otro aproche en esa incruenta batalla, el de considerar el “habla” como un uso social. Es algo parecido a describir o explicar la moda en el vestir o los hábitos alimentarios. En esos casos no hay prescripción sino observación, comparación y análisis. Lo que cabe es estudiar el lenguaje literario y las otras manifestaciones del idioma que podríamos llamar culto en contraste con las expresiones del habla popular. Por cierto, una de las peculiaridades del idioma español -si lo comparamos con el inglés- es la poca distancia que suele haber entre el lenguaje literario y el habla popular. De ahí el carácter inevitablemente realista de lo mejor de la Literatura española de todos los tiempos. O también puede entenderse el tono afectado que a veces rezuma del habla popular.
Prehipertensi pada Obesitas Abdominal
Authors: Churniawati Lia , Martini Santi , Wahyuni Catharina Umbul
Published: April 2016

AbstrakPrehipertensi banyak terjadi pada penderita obesitas abdominal. Prevalensi obesitas abdominal di Kabupaten Gresik sebesar 21,5%. Kepatuhan diet penderita prehipertensi dengan obesitas abdominal diperlukan untuk mengurangi risiko terjadinya hipertensi. Prehipertensi dan hipertensi berhubungan dengan pelbagai komplikasi pada hampir seluruh organ. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis determinan prehipertensi pada obesitas abdominal di Kabupaten Gresik. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Kabupaten Gresik pada November 2013 - November 2014 dengan rancangan penelitian potong lintang. Responden adalah pasien yang datang ke unit rawat jalan puskesmas yang diambil secara konsekutif sejumlah 74 orang. Responden berusia antara 25 - 64 tahun, mengalami obesitas abdominal, tidak hamil, tidak hipertensi, dan tidak syok. Responden diwawancarai usia, jenis kelamin, pendidikan, aktivitas fisik, kebiasaan merokok, riwayat keluarga, dan kebiasaan makan serta diperiksa tekanan darah, kadar kolesterol total, LDL, HDL, trigliserida, dan gula darah puasa. Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat dan bivariat dengan uji kai kuadrat serta multivariat dengan regresi logistik ganda. Prevalensi prehipertensi pada obesitas abdominal sebesar 62,2%. Jika dibandingkan menurut jenis kelamin, laki-laki banyak mengalami prehipertensi. Kadar trigliserida berhubungan secara signifikan dengan prehipertensi (PR = 4,620; 95% CI = 1,439 - 14,831; nilai p = 0,010). Intervensi untuk mencegah prehipertensi perlu dilakukan sejak dini dengan memodifikasi gaya hidup orang dengan obesitas abdominal.AbstractPrehypertension commonly happened to people suffering abdominal obesity. The abdominal obesity prevalence in Gresik District was 21.5%. Dietary compliance of patients with prehypertension and abdominal obesity was needed to decrease hypertension risk. Prehypertension and hypertension correlate with various complications in almost organs. This study aimed to analyze prehypertension determinants among abdominal obesity as conducted on November 2013 - November 2014 using cross sectional design. Respondents were patients coming to primary health care’s outpatient unit as 74 people taken consecutively. They were 25 - 64 years old, suffering abdominal obesity, not getting pregnant, non-hypertensive and not in a shock. Respondents were interviewed regarding age, sex, education, physical activities, smoking habits, family records and eating habits as blood pressure and levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride and fasting blood glucose measured. Data analysis applied univariate, bivariate with chi square test and multivariate with multiple logistic regressions. The prehypertension prevalence among abdominal obesity was 62.2%. If compared based on sex, males have more prehypertension experience. Triglyceride levels significantly related to prehypertension (PR = 4.620; 95% CI = 1.439 - 14.831; p value = 0.010). Intervention to prevent prehypertension should be implementedsince early by modifying lifestyle of people suffering abdominal obesity.
Ex Vivo Dermis Mechanical Behavior in Relation to Decellularization Treatment Length
Authors: Terzini Mara , Bignardi Cristina , Castagnoli Carlotta , Cambieri Irene , Zanetti Elisabetta M. , Audenino Alberto L.
Published: April 2016

Background:

The dermis is a commonly used source tissue for biologic scaffolds; all cellular and nuclear materials need to be removed to limit the inflammatory immune response by the host organism. The decellularization is critical because it must preserve the structural integrity of the extracellular matrix. This work has analyzed a decellularization procedure commonly followed for the dermal tissue that is a chemical treatment with sodium hydroxide. The goal of this work is to identify the optimal treatment length on the basis of structural properties.

Methods:

Tensile tests have been performed on the native tissue and on tissues decellularized for 1-7 weeks in sodium hydroxide. The collected data have been analyzed through Tukey-Kramer test to assess if the mechanical properties (ultimate tensile stress and elastic modulus) of decellularized tissues were significantly different from the properties of the native tissue. These tests have been performed on specimens cut along two orthogonal directions (parallel and perpendicular to Langer’s lines).

Results:

The decellularization treatment performed with sodium hydroxide in general weakens the tissue: both the ultimate stress and the elastic modulus get lower. The structural properties along Langer lines orientation are more strongly impacted, while the structural properties orthogonal to Langer lines can be preserved with an optimal duration of the decellularization treatment that is 5-6 weeks.

Conclusion:

The duration of the decellularization treatment is critical not only to reach a complete decellularization, but also to preserve the mechanical properties of the tissue; 5-6 week treatment performed with sodium hydroxide allows preserving the mechanical properties of the native tissue perpendicularly to Langer lines orientation, and minimizing the impact of the decellularization process on the mechanical properties along the Langer lines orientation.
Is capitalism in our genes? Competition, cooperation and the idea of homo oeconomicus from an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Portera Mariagrazia
Published: April 2016

In the last few years a growing number of academic disciplines in the
Humanities and Social Sciences have turned to the evolutionary approach:
Evolutionary Economics, among these disciplines, is a thriving subfield of
Economics, which adopts Darwin?s evolutionary ideas and concepts for the
understanding of economic system and modes of production. Evolutionary
hypotheses such as the ?selfish gene? idea, the ideas of ?inclusive fitness?,
?struggle for life? and ?survival of the fittest? may suggest - and have
indeed suggested - that humans are rational self-interest individuals, doing
what they can to increase their own reproductive chances or at least the
chances of their close relatives (?inclusive fitness?). To put it
differently, evolutionary theory seems to suggest that capitalism (in a broad
sense) is a system that has co-evolved with humans and best fits our evolved
psychology. Is this the whole story? Is capitalism ?in our genes?? In this
paper I argue that conclusions such as ?we are born to be rational
self-interested agents? or ?capitalism is encoded in our genome? are the
result of a misleading application of Darwin?s evolutionary theory to human
socio-economic processes, mainly to justify a (Western) society based on
selfish principles, but which is not naturally selfish in itself. Evolution
seems to be the result of cooperative, not only (or not mainly) competitive
processes, and the model of Homo oeconomicus, that is the idea that humans
are rational self-interested agents always trying to maximize profit, is,
also from an bio-evolutionary perspective, nothing more than a fictional
exercise.
Two historians in front of the economic crisis of 2007-2008: Hobsbawm and Judt between Marxism and the legacies of 20th century
Authors: Bresciani Marco
Published: April 2016

How did intellectuals react to the economic crisis of 2007-2008 and its
long-term backlash? What did they learn from the main twentieth-century
political and social experiences, in order to make a new sense of the
traditional cultures of the Left? In order to answer these crucial issues,
this proposal will analyze the paths of the well-known historians E. Hobsbawm
and T. Judt and their apparently similar, but actually different reactions to
the crisis. First, I will focus on their respective books: How to Change the
World (2011) and Ill Fares the Land (2010). On the one hand, Hobsbawm?s
critical approach to the post-1991 world, shaped by his lifelong fidelity to
Marxism and his persistent sympathy for the Russian Revolution, was connected
to his catastrophic vision of the end of the both conflicting and
collaborative dynamics between capitalism and socialism. On the other hand,
Judt?s re-thinking of the social-democratic tradition, compelled by the
global transformations of the social question, was inspired by his
connections with the East Central European dissidents? anti-totalitarian
liberalism and by his critical approach to the engagement of the French
intellectuals. Second, I will investigate their different interpretations of
the ?Golden Age? of post-1945 Europe (with special regard to the long-term
impact of the crisis of 1929 and to the influence of Soviet communism) and of
the causes of its crisis. Third, I will show how, in spite of their common
reference to Marx, late Hobsbawm?s and Judt?s historical visions -
respectively combined with determinism and moralism - provide opposite ways
of coping with the legacies of the 20th century and of criticizing the
language of neoliberal economy within the Left.
Property - a philosophical analysis: Argument
Authors: Babic Jovan
Published: April 2016

After a short historical survey of philosophical views on property, the
article contains an analysis of the argument which justifies property by
referring to the universal respect due to anyone?s right to use any thing for
any purpose. Usage of things for the realization of set ends (or goals) is
among the conditions of action/ agency. The capacity of freedom as a specific
causal power in real world is dependent on the possibility of using things as
means. However, without a real prospect to finish the process of realization
of set goals, this causal power would not be real. Property is a scheme
within which this prospect becomes a real possibility. Property is thus a
condition of effective successful purposeful agency. In property the
normative position of all others, besides the owner, has been changed, as
they do not have the right to use things possessed for their ends, although
they have a right to use any non-possessed thing as a means for whichever end
they might set. As a right, property entails, first, the obligation to
respect the fact of any established possession, and, second, an obligation to
accept and recognize the established possession as ownership, which does not
depend on the fact of factual physical control of the property. Ownership is
therefore a guarantee of future possession. For this to be established there
is a need for an explicit recognition from all others; however this
recognition is normatively necessary for everybody, as no-one has a right to
withdraw the recognition of a legitimate right to property. This comes from
the ontological and axiological difference between persons and things:
persons have a right to use and possess unpossessed things as means for
realization of ends they set.
From public reason to deliberative democracy
Authors: Mladenovic Ivan
Published: April 2016

In this paper I shall investigate the relationship between public reason and
deliberative democracy, mainly as it is presented in Rawls?s later political
theory. Against the critics who claim that Rawls has no deliberative
democratic theory, I shall argue that he presented a complex view of public
deliberation that contains a set of formal and substantive requirements
derived from the idea of public reason. My main aim in this paper is to
defend and further elaborate the thesis that Rawls?s later political theory
is crucially important for deliberative democracy. Furthermore, in light of
the recent literature on deliberative democracy, I examine the relevance of
Rawls?s view for addressing some current problems, but also look at some
limits of the public reason perspective.
Ridge’sJoaquín Murieta: Banditry, Counterinsurgency, and Colonial Power after Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Authors: Drysdale David J.
Published: April 2016

The article explores the role that the language of banditry and outlawry played in the transformation of Mexican territory into American national space in the wake of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Through a reading of Cherokee author John Rollin Ridge’s The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta, it suggests that the appellation of “bandit” attached to Mexican resistance worked to delegitimate racialized resistance to American colonization while authorizing anti-Mexican, vigilante violence as a nationalizing activity for Euro-Americans living in the borderlands.
Debunking the Diasporic “China Doll” with Satirical Disquietude: Young Jean Lee’s Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven
Authors: Hwang Seunghyun
Published: April 2016

Asian-American women are confronted with both homeland traditions and American culture, caught between two conflicting cultural identities in a third time-space. This article examines the strategies playwright Young Jean Lee uses to excogitate this dual identity within the context of diasporic disquietude, debunking the “china doll” stereotypical portrayal of diasporic Asian women.
A Study on the Feeding Practices among Under-Five Children in Urban Slum dwellers of District Dehradun, India
Authors: Sinha Richa , Kakkar Rakesh , Kandpal S D
Published: April 2016

Background: Breast milk feeding is the first fundamental right of the child. However, there are many cultural practices associated with infant feeding of which certain undesirable practices need to be discouraged.Objectives: To assess the feeding practices of under five year children in urban slum and to determine the factors influencing it, if any.Methodology: Community based analytical cross sectional study was conducted in urban slums amongst mothers over one-year period. A house to house survey was conducted and Data was collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire on breastfeeding practices & data pertaining to breastfeeding practices was asked in detail from mothers of babies who were breastfed.Results: A total of 381 children were studied. A total of 87.0% of the children were delivered at health facilities and the rest at home. 65.9% received prelacteal feed in the form of water, infant milk formula, cow milk and honey. Most of the children (54.1%) received breast milk within 24 hrs of birth. 95.0% received colostrum and 67.2% received exclusive breast feeding for 6 months. It was observed that children who were exclusively breastfed for six months were found to be better nourished (51.3%).Conclusions: Majority of the mothers were practicing exclusive breast feeding, however a significant proportion of children was deprived of timely initiation of breast feeding. About 2/3 of the mothers were still practicing pre-lacteal feeds to their children. The study documents that there was significantly increased risk of PEM if the child is not exclusive breastfed for 6 months.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.15-19
Prospective Randomized Study between Intravesical BCG and Mitomycin-C for Non-Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of Urinary-Bladder Post TURBT
Authors: Mondal Hari Pada , Yirang Kapang , Mukhopadhyay Chandranath , Adhikary Shyam Sundar , Dutta Biswajit , Bhoj Sudhansu Sekhar
Published: April 2016

Background: Approximately 70% of urinary bladder cancer are non-muscle invasive at presentation. It is notorious for its high incidence and recurrence rate. The five-year recurrence rate varies between 30 and 60%. The intravesical treatment evolved out of need to prevent tumour recurrence after local surgical resection.Objectives: To compare intravesical Mitomycin C and BCG therapies in the prevention of recurrences and severity of their side effects.Materials and Methods: 40 patients with superficial bladder cancer were studied in urology unit of surgery department of North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling from June, 2012 to May, 2013. They underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour. Post operatively 19 patients were treated by intravesical Mitomycin C and 21 patients with BCG. Post intravesical therapy, patients were monitored 3 monthly for recurrence and side effects.Results: No recurrence was observed at the 3rd month follow up, two recurrences were observed at the end of 6th month in the Mitomycin C group. Regarding side effects, cystitis had no significant difference between the two groups but fever, hematuria and retention of urine were found significantly in BCG group during the study period.Conclusions: In the prevention of recurrences, intravesical Mitomycin C and BCG therapies have comparable efficacies at the end of 6 months. A further follow up period is required to see and compare the long term results. The incidence of the side effects although mild was much higher with intravesical BCG therapy.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.74-77
Coexisting morphea with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in a single lesion - a rare case report
Authors: Das Abhijit , Gupta Srishti , Singh Sompal , Pant Leela
Published: April 2016

Background: Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) is an inflammatory dermatitis of unknown etiology affecting usually genital region with rare involvement of extragenital regions like face, neck, shoulder etc. Coexistence of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and morphea is a very rare finding. Although LSA at early stage and morphea can be differentiated clinically and histologically, both diseases at late stage present diagnostic difficulties.Case presentation: We reported a 4-year-old female child presented with a non-pruritic hypopigmented sclerotic patch over left shoulder. Histopathology showed features consistent with both LSA and morphea in the same lesion.Conclusion: Coexistence of both LSA and morphea in same patient suggests that these lesions represent a spectrum of diseases which may reflect similar events or closely related pathologic process.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.145-147
Spectrum of Perforation Peritonitis in a Rural Medical College
Authors: Malhotra Mohinder Kumar , Singal Rikki , Chowdhary Kunal , Sharma Ram Gopal , Sharma Saurabh , Dhankhar Ajay
Published: April 2016

Aim: Perforation peritonitis is the most common surgical emergency encountered by surgeons in India. The etiology and sites of perforation shows wide geographical variation. The objective of the study was to find the spectrum of perforation peritonitis & highlight its management at Maharishi Markendeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Mullana (MMIMSR).Methods: 93 Operated patients of perforation peritonitis were studied retrospectively in terms of clinical presentation, duration, operative findings and postoperative morbidity and mortality over a period of two years between 2011 to 2013 at MMIMSR Mullana. All the patients had undergone emergency laparatomy under general anesthesia and sites of perforation were identified & managed.Results: The most common cause of perforation peritonititis noticed in our series was peptic ulcer perforation 43 cases (46%), followed by ileal perforation 30 cases (32%), appendicular perforation 6 cases (6.4%), gallbladder perforation 5 cases (5.3%) and all the jejunal perforation 6cases (6.4%) was post traumatic. Large bowel and malignant perforation were least common in our series. Highest no. of perforation noticed in upper part of Gastro intestinal tract as compared to western countries where perforations are seen in distal parts. Mortality was of 11 cases (11.8%) & morbidity was noticed in 55 cases (59%).Conclusion: Peptic ulcer perforation peritonitis is the leading etiology. Mortality is comparable to that of best centre. Aggressive resuscitation and early minimum surgery are required to avoid the high morbidity and mortality. Major complication noticed was wound infection and dehiscence.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.70-73
Pattern of distribution of different salivary gland tumors; a retrospective study in NICRH, Dhaka
Authors: Khanam Afroza , Akhter Gulshan , Rahman Md. Abdur
Published: April 2016

Background: Salivary gland tumors are rare, generally benign and affect both major and minor salivary glands.Objective: To find out the pattern of distribution of different benign and malignant salivary gland epithelial tumors and their relation to age and sex in a tertiary care center in Bangladesh.Methodology: This is a retrospective study. Details of epithelial salivary gland tumors were obtained from department of ENT, National institute of cancer & research hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from the period January 2009 to December 2012 (3 years).Result: A total number of 261 cases presenting with both benign and malignant salivary gland tumors were analyzed according to gender, age and histopathological findings. There were 130 (49.84%) males and 131 (50.19%) females with the male female ration of 1: 0.99. Age of study population ranged from 10 to 70 years with the mean age 40.78. Percentage of benign salivary gland tumors was 73.94% and malignant salivary gland tumor 26.05%. Among major salivary gland tumors, no sublingual tumors were found and parotid gland tumors were the commonest. Whereas, among minor salivary gland tumors palatal minor salivary tumors were common.Conclusion: Parotid gland was the most common site of origin of both benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Histopathologically, pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign salivary gland tumor and mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent malignant neoplasm. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was common minor salivary gland tumor.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.90-94
Off-road and Off-beat: Gadael Lenin, American Interior and the Transnational Focus of Welsh Art Cinema
Authors: Woodward Kate
Published: April 2016

This article focuses on two recent films from Wales, the feature film Gadael Lenin (1993) and the documentary American Interior (2014). Together, they are well placed to offer a rich interrogation of the many contrasting and contradictory aspects of contemporary art cinema. I argue that film production in Wales – despite the fact that the very concepts of Wales, Welsh cinema and Welsh film are highly complex, contested and shifting – has developed a distinctly transnational status which allows an interrogation of the national (in terms of Wales) but also of the interface between the national and the transnational.

Set wholly and mainly outside Wales, with dialogue in Welsh as well as other languages, the films employ a comparativist agenda in order to internationalise the Welsh experience and demonstrate that it is within art cinema's reach to be both national and transnational, by addressing distinct, contrasting dimensions. While Gadael Lenin makes bold statements about the role of art in society, American Interior engages in a transmedial, multi-platform form of film-making which transcends boundaries and demonstrates the cultural potential of an expansive and inclusive form of culture making from Wales, one which reaches out globally and crosses national and cultural forms.
Nonlinear Monetary Policy Rules: An Essay in the Comparative Study on Egyptian and Tunisian Central Banks
Authors: Baaziz Yosra , Labidi Moez
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the behavior of monetary authorities in Tunisia and Egypt, in response to changes in macroeconomic variables over time based on LSTR model. In this sense, we estimate Taylor-type equations for short-term interest rate in Tunisia and Egypt using quarterly data covering the period 1998.Q4–2013.Q2. We find strong evidence that the real decision-making process followed by these central banks varies from one central bank to another and that it exhibits nonlinear patterns that better capture special events and unexpected contingencies i.e., the terrorist attack in the US in September 2001, the global financial crisis in 2008, and the effect of political instability with the onset of the revolution. Additionally, the presence of asymmetries in the reaction function of the Tunisian and Egyptian Bank requires disconnection from their automatic pilot rules and use of judgement to make decisions.
GL-1196 Suppresses the Proliferation and Invasion of Gastric Cancer Cells via Targeting PAK4 and Inhibiting PAK4-Mediated Signaling Pathways
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Hong-Yan , Wang Jian , You Liang-Hao , Zhou Rui-Zhi , Zhao Dong-Mei , Cheng Mao-Sheng , Li Feng
Published: April 2016

Gastric cancer, which is the most common malignant gastrointestinal tumor, has jumped to the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. It is of great importance to identify novel and potent drugs for gastric cancer treatment. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) has emerged as an attractive target for the development of anticancer drugs in consideration of its vital functions in tumorigenesis and progression. In this paper, we reported that GL-1196, as a small molecular compound, effectively suppressed the proliferation of human gastric cancer cells through downregulation of PAK4/c-Src/EGFR/cyclinD1 pathway and CDK4/6 expression. Moreover, GL-1196 prominently inhibited the invasion of human gastric cancer cells in parallel with blockage of the PAK4/LIMK1/cofilin pathway. Interestingly, GL-1196 also inhibited the formation of filopodia and induced cell elongation in SGC7901 and BGC823 cells. Taken together, these results provided novel insights into the potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies for Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Doulames Vanessa , Plant Giles
Published: April 2016

Cervical-level injuries account for the majority of presented spinal cord injuries (SCIs) to date. Despite the increase in survival rates due to emergency medicine improvements, overall quality of life remains poor, with patients facing variable deficits in respiratory and motor function. Therapies aiming to ameliorate symptoms and restore function, even partially, are urgently needed. Current therapeutic avenues in SCI seek to increase regenerative capacities through trophic and immunomodulatory factors, provide scaffolding to bridge the lesion site and promote regeneration of native axons, and to replace SCI-lost neurons and glia via intraspinal transplantation. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a clinically viable means to accomplish this; they have no major ethical barriers, sources can be patient-matched and collected using non-invasive methods. In addition, the patient’s own cells can be used to establish a starter population capable of producing multiple cell types. To date, there is only a limited pool of research examining iPSC-derived transplants in SCI—even less research that is specific to cervical injury. The purpose of the review herein is to explore both preclinical and clinical recent advances in iPSC therapies with a detailed focus on cervical spinal cord injury.
Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EndoMT) in the Pathogenesis of Human Fibrotic Diseases
Authors: Piera-Velazquez Sonsoles , Mendoza Fabian , Jimenez Sergio
Published: April 2016

Fibrotic diseases encompass a wide spectrum of clinical entities including systemic fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, sclerodermatous graft versus host disease, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and IgG4-associated sclerosing disease, as well as numerous organ-specific disorders including radiation-induced fibrosis, and cardiac, pulmonary, liver, and kidney fibrosis. Although their causative mechanisms are quite diverse, these diseases share the common feature of an uncontrolled and progressive accumulation of fibrous tissue macromolecules in affected organs leading to their dysfunction and ultimate failure. The pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases is complex and despite extensive investigation has remained elusive. Numerous studies have identified myofibroblasts as the cells responsible for the establishment and progression of the fibrotic process. Tissue myofibroblasts in fibrotic diseases originate from several sources including quiescent tissue fibroblasts, circulating CD34+ fibrocytes, and the phenotypic conversion of various cell types including epithelial and endothelial cells into activated myofibroblasts. However, the role of the phenotypic transition of endothelial cells into mesenchymal cells (Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition or EndoMT) in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders has not been fully elucidated. Here, we review the evidence supporting EndoMT’s contribution to human fibrotic disease pathogenesis.
Stable Imaging and Accuracy Issues of Low-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Photogrammetry Systems
Authors: Yang Ying , Lin Zongjian , Liu Fengzhu
Published: April 2016

Stable imaging of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry system is an important issue that affects the data processing and application of the system. Compared with traditional aerial images, the large rotation of roll, pitch, and yaw angles of UAV images decrease image quality and result in image deformation, thereby affecting the ground resolution, overlaps, and the consistency of the stereo models. These factors also cause difficulties in automatic tie point matching, image orientation, and accuracy of aerial triangulation (AT). The issues of large-angle photography of UAV photogrammetry system are discussed and analyzed quantitatively in this paper, and a simple and lightweight three-axis stabilization platform that works with a low-precision integrated inertial navigation system and a three-axis mechanical platform is used to reduce this problem. An experiment was carried out with an airship as the flight platform. Another experimental dataset, which was acquired by the same flight platform without a stabilization platform, was utilized for a comparative test. Experimental results show that the system can effectively isolate the swing of the flying platform. To ensure objective and reliable results, another group of experimental datasets, which were acquired using a fixed-wing UAV platform, was also analyzed. Statistical results of the experimental datasets confirm that stable imaging of a UAV platform can help improve the quality of aerial photography imagery and the accuracy of AT, and potentially improve the application of images acquired by a UAV.
Vehicle Detection Based on Probability Hypothesis Density Filter
Authors: Zhang Feihu , Knoll Alois
Published: April 2016

In the past decade, the developments of vehicle detection have been significantly improved. By utilizing cameras, vehicles can be detected in the Regions of Interest (ROI) in complex environments. However, vision techniques often suffer from false positives and limited field of view. In this paper, a LiDAR based vehicle detection approach is proposed by using the Probability Hypothesis Density (PHD) filter. The proposed approach consists of two phases: the hypothesis generation phase to detect potential objects and the hypothesis verification phase to classify objects. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated in complex scenarios, compared with the state-of-the-art.
Effects of Nanocylinders on the Whispering Gallery Modes in a Microcylinder
Authors: Han Jinwoo
Published: April 2016

Optical biosensors have been studied extensively for the detection and characterization of biological entities, such as viruses, bacteria, and biomolecules. A two-dimensional (2D) microcylinder resonator ( Q ∼ 2 × 10 5 ) was designed, and the effects of a nanocylinder on the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) were examined numerically. For this purpose, the finite element method with COMSOL multiphysics software was employed. The perturbation of the WGM resonances can be characterized by the shift and splitting of the resonance peaks, which varies according to the position, size, and refractive index of an embedded nanocylinder. The positional dependence shows a large splitting in the region of strong electric fields, and the size dependence shows a broad peak of the splitting at R c = 110 nm . These results are attributed to the changing degree of overlap of the WGMs with the nanocylinder. The refractive index dependences of splitting show linear behavior for a nanocylinder less than 50 nm in size, and the nonlinear behavior increases with increasing size of the nanocylinder. The optical resonator system is shown to be suitable for detecting impurity particles, which are smaller than the sizes of the node and antinode regions.
Fatty Acid Composition of Cultured Fibroblasts Derived from Healthy Nasal Mucosa and Nasal Polyps
Authors: Jabr Ayyad Suha , Roca-Ferrer Jordi , Picado César
Published: April 2016

Background: Fibroblasts from nasal polyps (NP) of asthma patients have reduced expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). We hypothesized that the reported alterations are due to alterations in the availability of arachidonic acid (AA). Objective: The objective was to determine the fatty acid composition of airway fibroblasts from healthy subjects and from asthma patients with and without aspirin intolerance. Methods: We analyzed the fatty acid composition of cultured fibroblasts from non-asthmatics (n = 6) and from aspirin-tolerant (n = 6) and aspirin-intolerant asthmatics (n = 6) by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Fibroblasts were stimulated with acetyl salicylic acid (ASA). Results: The omega-6 fatty acids dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (C20:3) and AA (C20:4), and omega-3 fatty acids docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (C22:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (C22:6) were significantly higher in NP fibroblasts than in fibroblasts derived from nasal mucosa. The percentage composition of the fatty acids palmitic acid (C16:0) and palmitoleic acid (C16:1) was significantly higher in fibroblasts from patients with NP and aspirin intolerance than in fibroblasts derived from the nasal NP of aspirin-tolerant patients. ASA did not cause changes in either omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. Conclusions. Our data do not support the hypothesis that a reduced production of AA in NP fibroblasts can account for the reported low production of PGE2 in nasal polyps. Whether the increased proportion of omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to reduced PGE2 production in nasal polyps by competitively inhibiting COX-2 and reducing the amount of AA available to the COX-2 enzyme remains to be elucidated.
HIV Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Efavirenz Reduces Neural Stem Cell Proliferation in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Jin Jingji , Grimmig Bethany , Izzo James , Brown Lecia A. M. , Hudson Charles , Smith Adam J. , Tan Jun , Bickford Paula C. , Giunta Brian
Published: April 2016

The prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains high despite combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). There is evidence that neural stem cells (NSCs) can migrate to sites of brain injury such as those caused by inflammation and oxidative stress, which are pathological features of HAND. Thus, reductions in NSCs may contribute to HAND pathogenesis. Since the HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz (EFV) has previously been associated with cognitive deficits and promotion of oxidative stress pathways, we examined its effect on NSCs in vitro as well as in C57BL/6J mice. Here we report that EFV induced a decrease in NSC proliferation in vitro as indicated by MTT assay, as well as BrdU and nestin immunocytochemistry. In addition, EFV decreased intracellular NSC adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stores and NSC mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Further, we found that EFV promoted increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and increased Bax expression in cultured NSCs. Moreover, EFV reduced the quantity of proliferating NSCs in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of C57BL/6J mice as suggested by BrdU, and increased apoptosis as measured by active caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. If these in vitro and in vivo models translate to the clinical syndrome, then a pharmacological or cell-based therapy aimed at opposing EFV-mediated reductions in NSC proliferation may be beneficial to prevent or treat HAND in patients receiving EFV.
Microsatellite markers for hoop‐petticoat daffodils (Narcissus sect. Bulbocodii; Amaryllidaceae)
Authors: Könyves Kálmán , David John C. , Culham Alastair
Published: April 2016

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite markers were developed using hoop‐petticoat daffodils (Narcissus sect. Bulbocodii; Amaryllidaceae) to aid in the taxonomic revision of the section, and to further evaluate their broad applicability for daffodil cultivar identification.

Methods and Results:

Three hundred fifty‐one primer pairs were developed using a commercial service. Nineteen polymorphic and repeatable markers were developed by screening 67 of these primer pairs. Of these, 11 chosen markers were used to screen 317 samples; the number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 21, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.101 to 0.297. There were null genotypes in some samples for six of the markers. All the microsatellites were transferable to other Narcissus sections.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that these new markers have sufficient potential variation to be used for taxonomic revision of the genus and to distinguish many commercial daffodil cultivars.
Nucleic acids through condensation of nucleosides and phosphorous acid in the presence of sulfur
Authors: Lönnberg Tuomas
Published: April 2016

Short phosphorothioate oligonucleotides have been prepared by refluxing an equimolar mixture of thymidine and triethylammonium phosphite in toluene in the presence of elemental sulfur. Desulfurization and subsequent digestion of the products by P1 nuclease revealed that nearly 80% of the internucleosidic linkages thus formed were of the canonical 3´,5´-type.
CREATIVITY OF BIOTECHNOLOGICAL IMMUNOLOGY: INVENTION, NATURALNESS AND BEING
Authors: PIRC Tadej
Published: April 2016

The article discusses three intertwined issues posed by the modern biotechnological immunology and its creativity potential: invention, naturalness and Being. In the first part, the author reflects on evolutionary paradigm and Peter Sloterdijk’s theory of immunology, particularly in their relation to the biotechnological enhancement of human beings. The second part discusses Being’s own naturalness and the possibility of creative invention. In the third part, the author combines these viewpoints to highlight some metaphysical challenges of biotechnological immunology. Most importantly the forgotten question of what does it mean to be, especially after the postmetaphysical annulment of the possibility of death. The core thesis argues for the naturalness of the creative biotechnological practice for preventive and reparative purposes.
A SUBSTRUCTURE INSIDE SPIRAL ARMS, AND A MIRROR IMAGE ACROSS THE GALACTIC MERIDIAN
Authors: Vallée Jacques P.
Published: April 2016

Though the galactic density wave theory is over 50 years old and is well known in science, it has been difficult to say whether it fits our own Milky Way disk. Here we show a substructure inside the spiral arms. This substructure is reversing with respect to the Galactic Meridian (longitude zero), and crosscuts of the arms at negative longitudes appear as mirror images of crosscuts of the arms at positive longitudes. Four lanes are delineated: a mid-arm (extended 12CO gas at the mid-arm, H i atoms), an in-between offset by about 100 pc (synchrotron, radio recombination lines), an in-between offset by about 200 pc (masers, colder dust), and an inner edge (hotter dust seen in mid-IR and near-IR).
SPACE TELESCOPE AND OPTICAL REVERBERATION MAPPING PROJECT. III. OPTICAL CONTINUUM EMISSION AND BROADBAND TIME DELAYS IN NGC 5548
Authors: Fausnaugh M. M. , Denney K. D. , Barth A. J. , Bentz M. C. , Bottorff M. C. , Carini M. T. , Croxall K. V. , Rosa G. De , Goad M. R. , Horne Keith , Joner M. D. , Kaspi S. , Kim M. , Klimanov S. A. , Kochanek C. S. , Leonard D. C. , Netzer H. , Peterson B. M. , Schnülle K. , Sergeev S. G. , Vestergaard M. , Zheng W.-K. , Zu Y. , Anderson M. D. , Arévalo P. , Bazhaw C. , Borman G. A. , Boroson T. A. , Brandt W. N. , Breeveld A. A. , Brewer B. J. , Cackett E. M. , Crenshaw D. M. , Bontà E. Dalla , Lorenzo-Cáceres A. De , Dietrich M. , Edelson R. , Efimova N. V. , Ely J. , Evans P. A. , Filippenko A. V. , Flatland K. , Gehrels N. , Geier S. , Gelbord J. M. , Gonzalez L. , Gorjian V. , Grier C. J. , Grupe D. , Hall P. B. , Hicks S. , Horenstein D. , Hutchison T. , Im M. , Jensen J. J. , Jones J. , Kaastra J. , Kelly B. C. , Kennea J. A. , Kim S. C. , Korista K. T. , Kriss G. A. , Lee J. C. , Lira P. , MacInnis F. , Manne-Nicholas E. R. , Mathur S. , McHardy I. M. , Montouri C. , Musso R. , Nazarov S. V. , Norris R. P. , Nousek J. A. , Okhmat D. N. , Pancoast A. , Papadakis I. , Parks J. R. , Pei L. , Pogge R. W. , Pott J.-U. , Rafter S. E. , Rix H.-W. , Saylor D. A. , Schimoia J. S. , Siegel M. , Spencer M. , Starkey D. , Sung H.-I. , Teems K. G. , Treu T. , Turner C. S. , Uttley P. , Villforth C. , Weiss Y. , Woo J.-H. , Yan H. , Young S.
Published: April 2016

We present ground-based optical photometric monitoring data for NGC 5548, part of an extended multiwavelength reverberation mapping campaign. The light curves have nearly daily cadence from 2014 January to July in nine filters (BVRI and ugriz). Combined with ultraviolet data from the Hubble Space Telescope and Swift, we confirm significant time delays between the continuum bands as a function of wavelength, extending the wavelength coverage from 1158 Å to the z band (~9160 Å). We find that the lags at wavelengths longer than the V band are equal to or greater than the lags of high-ionization-state emission lines (such as He ii

λ
1640

and

λ
4686

), suggesting that the continuum-emitting source is of a physical size comparable to the inner broad-line region (BLR). The trend of lag with wavelength is broadly consistent with the prediction for continuum reprocessing by an accretion disk with

τ
∝

λ

4

/

3

. However, the lags also imply a disk radius that is 3 times larger than the prediction from standard thin-disk theory, assuming that the bolometric luminosity is 10% of the Eddington luminosity (

L
=
0.1

L

Edd

). Using optical spectra from the Large Binocular Telescope, we estimate the bias of the interband continuum lags due to BLR emission observed in the filters. We find that the bias for filters with high levels of BLR contamination (~20%) can be important for the shortest continuum lags and likely has a significant impact on the u and U bands owing to Balmer continuum emission.