bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Philippians ‘Christ Hymn’: Trends in Critical Scholarship
Authors: Fewster Gregory P.
Published: February 2015

The so-called ‘Christ hymn’ of Phil. 2.5-11 has maintained great scholarly interest for over a century, with monographs and articles continuing to appear that seek to address important critical issues. Questions including the pre-existence of Christ and ‘kenotic theology’ have digressed and been revived with the invocation of numerous methodologies and the influence of major philosophical trends external to New Testament studies proper. This article tracks the major trends in research of Phil. 2.5-11, with a view to three central topics of interest: the authorship and origin of the passage, its plausible hymnic structure and form, and its function and theology within the letter itself, including its ancient audience.
The Fate of Joel in the Redaction of the Twelve
Authors: Troxel Ronald
Published: February 2015

In the twenty years since James Nogalski introduced the topic (1993a, 1993b) the book of Joel has received renewed redactional analysis, within the context of the discussion of the redaction of the Book of the Twelve. This article provides both a survey of how numerous monographs on the Twelve have portrayed Joel’s place within the collection, as well as a critique of the application of redaction criticism to chapters 1–2 of the book. The problems besetting such proposals suggest that the choice of this approach for the study of Joel within the context of the Book of the Twelve constitutes a problem of coordinating analysis with genre, rather than a weakness of the tool itself.
What Are They Now Saying about Christ Groups and Associations?
Authors: Ascough Richard S.
Published: February 2015

Over the past decade and a half a considerable number of scholarly books and articles have addressed directly the relationship between associations and early Christ groups. Some, albeit not all, of the Pauline communities have been subjected to thorough investigation, while preliminary studies have been undertaken with the Gospels, Acts, and other early Christian writings. The majority of scholarly works leave little doubt regarding the relevance of the associations for understanding the organizational and ideological predilections of the early Christ groups. In their structure and organization Christ groups look and sound like associations. Thus, it no longer makes sense to construe the investigation, as has so often been the case in past scholarship, as focusing on three separate and distinct categories such as ‘synagogues, churches, and associations’. A review of the data available and the trends in recent scholarship is suggestive for new and fruitful avenues of exploration that dismantle such falsely constructed categorical boundaries.
The Relationship of the Different Editions of Daniel: A History of Scholarship
Authors: Davis Bledsoe Amanda M.
Published: February 2015

The book of Daniel has one of the more complicated textual histories of any biblical book. It is written in two languages (Hebrew and Aramaic), and the content drastically differs in the two halves of the book (stories in chs. 1–6 and visions in chs. 7–12). Perhaps the most difficult attribute to explain, however, is that it is preserved in several distinct editions, which at times vastly diverge from one another. These are the Masoretic edition in Hebrew and Aramaic, and the Old Greek and Theodotionic editions in Greek. The relationship of these three editions of the book of Daniel has been disputed for more than two hundred years, and a scholarly consensus has not yet been reached. This overview surveys the history of scholarship on the different editions in hopes that future studies on the book of Daniel will give the OG edition equal status with the MT edition of the book, which it has hitherto not received.
Is Ancient Jewish Studies (Still) Postmodern (Yet)?
Authors: Grossman Maxine L.
Published: February 2015

Postmodern theory, with its concerns about textual meaning, identity formation, and dynamics of power, has had an impact on the study of ancient Judaism in a variety of ways over the last several decades. Theories of reader-response and intertextuality have particularly shaped recent work in biblical studies, while these and other philosophical concerns have contributed to postmodern understandings of midrash. The impact of postmodern theory on the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls is more subtle but nonetheless provides an interesting model for the use of theory in the study of ancient Judaism. Attention to the work of a particular scholar (D. Boyarin) or the possibilities for a particular theoretical approach (postcolonial theory) provides further evidence for postmodern treatments of ancient Jewish texts and history. Although the heyday of critical theory is now long past, the field of ancient Jewish studies has been shaped by theory-driven concerns about discourse, power, and the world.
Transdisciplinary collaborations for sustainability education: Institutional and intragroup challenges and opportunities
Authors: Evans Tina Lynn
Published: February 2015

This article takes as its point of departure the many converging crises of sustainability and the responsibility of higher education institutions and faculty members to participate in mitigating these crises to any extent possible. The author characterizes sustainability education as transdisciplinary praxis, explores the institutional and interpersonal barriers to transdisciplinary faculty collaboration, and suggests rationales and strategies for overcoming these barriers. In order to lay a foundation for discussing transdisciplinary collaborations, the author also explores the concepts of sustainability, transdisciplinarity, and praxis. She concludes that, because disciplinary and other traditional power structures within higher education tend to inhibit transdisciplinary collaboration and engagement in sustainability praxis, such work is most likely to be successful when it meets with visionary sustainability leadership practiced by upper administration.
Visual Priming Enhances the Effects of Nonspatial Cognitive Rehabilitation Training on Spatial Learning After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Edwards Clarice M. , Kumar Krishma , Koesarie Kathleen , Brough Elizabeth , Ritter Anne C. , Brayer Samuel W. , Thiels Edda , Skidmore Elizabeth R. , Wagner Amy K.
Published: February 2015

Previous work demonstrates that spatial (explicit) and nonspatial (implicit) elements of place learning in the Morris water maze (MWM) task can be dissociated and examined in the context of experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). Providing nonspatial cognitive training (CT) after injury can improve place learning compared with untrained controls. In the present study, we hypothesized that brief exposure to extra-maze cues, in conjunction with CT, may further improve MWM performance and extra-maze cue utilization compared with CT alone. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 66) received controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury or sham surgery. Beginning day 8 postsurgery, CCI and sham rats received 6 days of no training (NT) or CT with/without brief, noncontextualized exposure to extra-maze cues (BE and CT, respectively). Acquisition (days 14-18), visible platform (VP; day 19), carryover (CO; days 20-26), and periodic probe trials were performed. Platform latencies, peripheral and target zone time allocation, and search strategies were assessed. CCI/BE rats had shorter acquisition trial latencies than CCI/NT ( P < .001) and tended to have shorter latencies than CCI/CT rats ( P < .10). Both BE and CT reduced peripheral zone swimming for CCI rats versus CCI/NT. CCI/BE animals increased spatial swim strategies from day 14 to day 18 relative to CCI/CT and showed similar swim strategy selection to the Sham/NT group. These data suggest that visual priming improves initial place learning in the MWM. These results support the visual priming response as another clinically relevant experimental rehabilitation construct, to use when assessing injury and treatment effects of behavioral and pharmacological therapies on cognition after TBI.
Explaining Time Spent in Multiplayer Online Games
Authors: Hornbeck Ryan G.
Published: February 2015

Why do people spend time in massively multiplayer online games? This article aims to complement games studies’ analytical toolkit with a material causal perspective on players’ time spent in Chinese World of Warcraft ( WoW). I argue that the WoW gameworld is atypically rich in stimuli that have a strong, or supernormal, capacity to activate the moral cognition reasoning systems identified by Haidt and Joseph’s “moral foundations theory.” Testimonial data gathered during long-term fieldwork in Wuhan, China, and data from a survey of 545 Chinese WoW players, wherein combat role (healer, tank) predicts frequency and type of in-game moral experience, are presented in support of this argument. Finally, the causal perspectives outlined in this article are styled in a steampunk aesthetic ( Hornbeck, 2014 ), which I use as “playful” aid to interdisciplinary discourse.
The impact of patient and doctor characteristics on the prescribing of low cost generic formulations in Brazil
Authors: Stephens Peter , Leufkens Hubert
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To examine the impact of the characteristics of doctors and patients on the use of low cost generic formulations in Brazil in 2012.

Setting

This study examined 17,627 consultations in which a medicine known to have an unbranded generic formulation available was prescribed. These consultations were generated by a sample of 723 doctors working in both public and private sectors in 2012.

Results

74% of doctors prescribed both branded and unbranded formulations. Only 8/723 doctors never prescribed a generic of any sort. Doctors were found to prescribe less expensive formulations of medicines to those patients with co-morbid conditions and those needing treatment with higher priced medicines. Increasing patient age was significantly associated with less expensive formulations.

Conclusion

This study indicates that Brazil is a relatively mature generic market with most doctors prescribing a generic formulation. Doctors prescribe formulations that are relatively less expensive where the absolute price of the medicine is higher and where the patient is older or being treated for more than one diagnosis. This suggests that the economic burden of treatment may be being taken into account.
Accentuating the Queer
Authors: Miller Brandon
Published: February 2015

Much research has looked at the framing of political issues and events in the mainstream media. Little work, however, has focused on the framing of these issues in alternative media; and no study to date has examined political framing in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) publications. This study explores the framing of political content through a distinctively queer lens. A thematic analysis was conducted on articles from three online LGBT news outlets to investigate how the queer news media framed the 2012 presidential election. The following four distinctive themes emerged: the creation of a gay angle without obvious gay content, the idea of 2012 being a historic election year for LGBT people, a sense of community between journalist and readers, and a focus on marriage equality above all else. A uniquely queer frame was identified as being central to the coverage of the election, the candidates, and all things political.
Balance and Bias in Network Evening News Coverage of Presidential State of the Union Addresses
Authors: Schaefer Todd , Fordan Robert
Published: February 2015

While balance and fairness are important journalistic norms worthy of research, many previous studies have only examined them in the electoral context. A content analysis of news coverage of State of Union Messages from 1982-2013 on ABC, CBS, and NBC, tests for balance in tone as well as sourcing between the President's side and the partisan opposition. It also addresses partisan or ideological biases. Despite the customary opposition response, coverage showed sourcing imbalances favoring the President the vast majority of time on all networks. Though the overall tone was neutral, non-partisan and media sources were decidedly negative. Democratic presidents received more favorable coverage than Republicans, though Republican presidents were somewhat more likely to receive airtime advantage. ABC also appeared more balanced than the other two. Journalists may be balancing the presidency's institutional bias with critical outside voices, and tempering a Democratic tonal bias with greater use of Republican sound bites.
Effect of Minimalist Footwear on Running Efficiency
Authors: Gillinov Stephen M. , Laux Sara , Kuivila Thomas , Hass Daniel , Joy Susan M.
Published: February 2015

Background:

Although minimalist footwear is increasingly popular among runners, claims that minimalist footwear enhances running biomechanics and efficiency are controversial.

Hypothesis:

Minimalist and barefoot conditions improve running efficiency when compared with traditional running shoes.

Study Design:

Randomized crossover trial.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

Fifteen experienced runners each completed three 90-second running trials on a treadmill, each trial performed in a different type of footwear: traditional running shoes with a heavily cushioned heel, minimalist running shoes with minimal heel cushioning, and barefoot (socked). High-speed photography was used to determine foot strike, ground contact time, knee angle, and stride cadence with each footwear type.

Results:

Runners had more rearfoot strikes in traditional shoes (87%) compared with minimalist shoes (67%) and socked (40%) ( P = 0.03). Ground contact time was longest in traditional shoes (265.9 ± 10.9 ms) when compared with minimalist shoes (253.4 ± 11.2 ms) and socked (250.6 ± 16.2 ms) ( P = 0.005). There was no difference between groups with respect to knee angle ( P = 0.37) or stride cadence ( P = 0.20). When comparing running socked to running with minimalist running shoes, there were no differences in measures of running efficiency.

Conclusion:

When compared with running in traditional, cushioned shoes, both barefoot (socked) running and minimalist running shoes produce greater running efficiency in some experienced runners, with a greater tendency toward a midfoot or forefoot strike and a shorter ground contact time. Minimalist shoes closely approximate socked running in the 4 measurements performed.

Clinical Relevance:

With regard to running efficiency and biomechanics, in some runners, barefoot (socked) and minimalist footwear are preferable to traditional running shoes.
Urogenital tuberculosis: definition and classification
Authors: Kulchavenya Ekaterina
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To improve the approach to the diagnosis and management of urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB), we need clear and unique classification. UGTB remains an important problem, especially in developing countries, but it is often an overlooked disease. As with any other infection, UGTB should be cured by antibacterial therapy, but because of late diagnosis it may often require surgery.

Methods

Scientific literature dedicated to this problem was critically analyzed and juxtaposed with the author’s own more than 30 years’ experience in tuberculosis urology.

Results

The conception, terms and definition were consolidated into one system; classification stage by stage as well as complications are presented. Classification of any disease includes dispersion on forms and stages and exact definitions for each stage. Clinical features and symptoms significantly vary between different forms and stages of UGTB. A simple diagnostic algorithm was constructed.

Conclusions

UGTB is multivariant disease and a standard unified approach to it is impossible. Clear definition as well as unique classification are necessary for real estimation of epidemiology and the optimization of therapy. The term ‘UGTB’ has insufficient information in order to estimate therapy, surgery and prognosis, or to evaluate the epidemiology.
Foucault, pastoral power, and optics
Authors: Siisiäinen Lauri
Published: February 2015

The article shows that in Foucault’s late 1970s and early 1980s analyses of pastoral, conductive power—most essentially in early and medieval Christianity—the issue of sight and visual perception recurs and occupies a crucial status. In Foucault’s discussion, these Christian relations of power, knowledge, and truth are attached with a surveying gaze that is both totalizing as well as individualizing, one that is mobilized by the thrust towards perfect visibility, transparency, and illumination of the subject turned into an object. The intention is also to develop Foucault’s analysis further, by demonstrating how Christian, providential government can be and actually has been detached from the totalizing modality of optics, and instead become articulated with a very different sort of sight and seeing, one that is non-totalizing and affirms its own limits. The article maintains that from this angle, Foucault’s conception of modern, economic-liberal governmentality has essential convergences with the Christian form of providential government, even though Foucault himself leaves these convergences partly inarticulate.
“Avoid that pornographic playground”
Authors: Edward Sumerau J , Cragun Ryan T
Published: February 2015

In recent years, many studies have examined conservative Christian responses to shifting societal attitudes about sexuality. In this article we examine official discourse from the LDS Church found in General Conference talks and the official adult magazine of the Church, Ensign, to better understand how leaders of the religion have taught the members to abstain from the use of pornography. Using a grounded-theory approach, we noted a pattern to the lessons that included four elements: (1) avoiding dangerous associations, (2) taking personal responsibility, (3) maintaining inner purity, and (4) seeking spiritual treatment. This study extends previous research by examining how Mormon leaders taught their followers to interpret and protect themselves from pornography. As such, our analysis demonstrates the elaboration of religious teachings that may facilitate the negative reactions to pornography researchers have observed in survey and outcome-based research on members of conservative religions.
‘Good’ food
Authors: Dahlan-Taylor Magfirah
Published: February 2015

In this article, I aim to contribute to the remedy of the current under-theorization of discourse on food ethics and politics from the perspective of the Islamic food tradition by proposing a formulation of an Islamic conception of food justice that extends the religious discourse on food beyond that of dietary laws. The conception of Islamic food justice that I propose makes explicit the connections between the religious, ethical, and political discourses on food. First, I argue that the similarity between the central question of the secular approach to food ethics (i.e. what the rational-ethical individual should eat) and that of the modern interpretation of the religious approach to food (i.e. what the pious individual should eat) is best understood as a consequence of the shared assumption of the modern concept of subjectivity. Second, I argue that problematizing the concept of subjectivity that underlies both the secular and the religious approaches to food ethics is key to challenging the boundaries of the current disciplinary-bound discourses as it would allow for a reformulation of the central question beyond that of individual identity and extend the religious discourse on food to the realm on politics.
The Socio-Economic and Physical Contributors to Food Insecurity in a Rural Community
Authors: Lê Quynh , Auckland Stuart , Nguyen Hoang Boi , Murray Sandra , Long Gretchen , Terry Daniel R.
Published: February 2015

Australia is considered a highly food-secure nation; however, this is not always the case for every individual, household, and community. This article examines the physical and financial access to food of the population of Dorset, a rural municipality in North East Tasmania (Australia); the impact that socio-economic factors have on their food security; and the coping strategies they use when food shortages occur. A mixed-methods approach was used: Quantitative data were collected through the Tasmanian Household Food Security Survey and qualitative data through nine community focus groups conducted throughout the Dorset municipality. A total of 364 respondents (response rate 63%) completed the survey. Two main themes were identified within the data: food availability and food access. Food availability considered food origin, sustainability, and food production, whereas food access considered physical access, financial access, and other access issues such as awareness, skills, cultural preferences, and social support. The data revealed the wide-ranging effects of the importation of cheaper food alternatives, which had long-term implications not only on individuals’ health but also on the economic health of the community. A number of respondents indicated they were at times unable to buy nutritious foods due to limited finances, which led some to go without food or use other strategies to feed themselves. This study highlights the inappropriateness of the continuation of individual behavior change as a policy focus, as many of the problems facing communities are beyond individual abilities. Thus, the implications for policy from this study are centered on providing further support for strategies that focus on ensuring equity and food security for all, particularly the rural inhabitants of many food-secure nations.
Green Care From the Provider’s Perspective
Authors: Lund Inger Elisabeth , Granerud Arild , Eriksson Bengt G.
Published: February 2015

Green Care is an international concept, where utilization of agricultural farms is a base for promoting human mental and physical health, as well as quality of life for a variety of client groups. The purpose of this study was to improve knowledge and understanding of opportunities and difficulties faced by providers of Green Care services, and to discuss the role of being a Green Care service provider. Data were collected by three qualitative multi-stage focus group interviews with seven providers of Green Care services (five women, two men). The findings indicated that running Green Care services means different kinds of challenges such as low predictability and complicated cooperation with authorities and stakeholders. Efforts toward increased quality assurance are regarded positive. Being a Green Care service provider means that the farmer’s function is extended, that is, by shaping a therapeutic environment and being a role model, which takes a genuine interest and belief in the idea of Green Care, and ability to think creatively and innovatively. To watch the users grow as persons and master new tasks is rewarding to the service provider. Providers of Green Care Services have to face different and sometimes incompatible social worlds. Their role is sometimes indistinct and they find themselves in a border position. Perhaps some of the potential in Green Care will get lost with a more professionalized provider role.
Perceptions of Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Crocetti Elisabetta , Tagliabue Semira , Sugimura Kazumi , Nelson Larry J. , Takahashi Aya , Niwa Tomomi , Sugiura Yuko , Jinno Maasa
Published: February 2015

In this study, we sought to compare perceptions of emerging adulthood of Italian and Japanese youth and we examined, within each national sample, gender and occupational status (students vs. workers) differences on these perceptions. Participants were 2,472 emerging adults (1,513 Italian and 959 Japanese) of age 18–30 (50.8% females; 57.1% university students and 42.9% workers). Findings indicated measurement invariance of the Inventory of Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA-short form) across national groups and across gender and occupational groups within each national sample. Results of latent mean comparisons indicated that Japanese participants scored higher than Italian respondents on dimensions of emerging adulthood with the largest difference being detected on perception of possibilities. Further, within each nation, small gender differences and small to moderate occupational differences in perceptions of emerging adulthood were detected. Overall, this study highlighted that perceptions of emerging adulthood vary across and within national groups.
Bridging Levels of Understanding in Schizophrenia Through Computational Modeling
Authors: Anticevic Alan , Murray John D. , Barch Deanna M.
Published: February 2015

Schizophrenia is an illness with a remarkably complex symptom presentation that has thus far been out of reach of neuroscientific explanation. This presents a fundamental problem for developing better treatments that target specific symptoms or root causes. One promising path forward is the incorporation of computational neuroscience, which provides a way to formalize experimental observations and, in turn, make theoretical predictions for subsequent studies. We review three complementary approaches: (a) biophysically based models developed to test cellular-level and synaptic hypotheses, (b) connectionist models that give insight into large-scale neural-system-level disturbances in schizophrenia, and (c) models that provide a formalism for observations of complex behavioral deficits, such as negative symptoms. We argue that harnessing all of these modeling approaches represents a productive approach for better understanding schizophrenia. We discuss how blending these approaches can allow the field to progress toward a more comprehensive understanding of schizophrenia and its treatment.
In situ observation of acicular ferrite formation and grain refinement in simulated heat affected zone of high strength low alloy steel
Authors: Wan X. L. , Wu K. M. , Nune K. C. , Li Y. , Cheng L.
Published: February 2015

The phase transformation from austenite to acicular ferrite in the simulated coarse grained heat affected zone of a high strength low alloy steel was investigated by means of analytical characterisation techniques such as in situ microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction analysis. The acicular ferrite grains nucleated on inclusions (Zr–Ti oxides) in coarse austenite grain grew in different directions and effectively partitioned coarse austenite grain into several finer and separate regions. The crystallographic grain size became small for coarse austenite grains due to the effective partitioning by acicular ferrite laths or plates.
Microstructural investigation and mechanical properties of dissimilar friction stir welded magnesium alloys
Authors: Liu Z. , Liu D. , Xu J. , Zheng X. , Liu Q. , Xin R.
Published: February 2015

Dissimilar joints of magnesium alloys were obtained by friction stir welding. Detailed microstructure and texture examinations were performed on the joints. Significant difference in microtexture distribution and microstructural features is observed between crown and stir zones in the dissimilar joints. However, an overall effect of these factors on mechanical properties of layered joints is not obvious as both the up and middle samples present quite similar yield strength and strain hardening behaviour. Moreover, both samples fracture in the Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy side. The fracture of the middle sample starts at the boundary of transition and stir zones, while the up sample starts in the crown zone side.
Refinement of inclusions in molten steel by electric current pulse
Authors: Dai W. B. , Yu J. K. , Du C. M. , Zhang L. , Wang X. L.
Published: February 2015

The refinement of inclusions in molten steel induced by a continuous electric current pulse was investigated at 1823 K. The results revealed that due to the application of electric current, the melted sulphide inclusions in molten steel were refined. Analysed from the thermodynamic theory, the refinement mechanism was ascribed to the decrease in the system free energy that resulted from the formation of the refined sulphide inclusions in molten steel at 1823 K. Hence, the electric current pulse treatment may be a new method to refine inclusions in molten metallic materials in the future.
Effect of tin-doped indium oxide film on electrodeposition of ZnO nanostructures
Authors: Pruna A. , Pullini D. , Tamvakos D. , Tamvakos A. , Busquets-Mataix D.
Published: February 2015

Surface studies are reported for the deposition of ZnO nanostructures by one-step electrodeposition method. The electrosynthesis was perfomed at the surface of tin doped indium oxide coated glass substrates in the absence of any buffer layer. The growth of ZnO nanostructures was investigated with the morphology of substrate and the deposition mode. Combined nucleation mode was observed for the ZnO independently of substrate. The results indicated the growth, morphology and density of the ZnO nanostructures are markedly influenced by both the substrate and the deposition conditions. It was observed the ZnO formation is defect site driven in case of galvanostatic deposition mode, while in case of potentiostatic deposition mode, it is dependent on the roughness of the substrate.
Surface properties and biocompatibility of nanostructured TiO2 film deposited by RF magnetron sputtering
Authors: Majeed Asif , He Jie , Jiao Lingrui , Zhong Xiaoxia , Sheng Zhengming
Published: February 2015

Nanostructured TiO2 films are deposited on a silicon substrate using 150-W power from the RF magnetron sputtering at working pressures of 3 to 5 Pa, with no substrate bias, and at 3 Pa with a substrate bias of −50 V. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that TiO2 films deposited on unbiased as well as biased substrates are all amorphous. Surface properties such as surface roughness and wettability of TiO2 films, grown in a plasma environment, under biased and unbiased substrate conditions are reported according to the said parameters of RF power and the working pressures. Primary rat osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) cells have been cultured on nanostructured TiO2 films fabricated at different conditions of substrate bias and working pressures. The effects of roughness and hydrophilicity of nanostructured TiO2 films on cell density and cell spreading have been discussed.
Bridger: a new framework for de novo transcriptome assembly using RNA-seq data
Authors: Chang Zheng , Li Guojun , Liu Juntao , Zhang Yu , Ashby Cody , Liu Deli , Cramer Carole L , Huang Xiuzhen
Published: February 2015

We present a new de novo transcriptome assembler, Bridger, which takes advantage of techniques employed in Cufflinks to overcome limitations of the existing de novo assemblers. When tested on dog, human, and mouse RNA-seq data, Bridger assembled more full-length reference transcripts while reporting considerably fewer candidate transcripts, hence greatly reducing false positive transcripts in comparison with the state-of-the-art assemblers. It runs substantially faster and requires much less memory space than most assemblers. More interestingly, Bridger reaches a comparable level of sensitivity and accuracy with Cufflinks. Bridger is available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/rnaseqassembly/files/?source=navbar.
Combinatorial activities of SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE and FLOWERING LOCUS C define distinct modes of flowering regulation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Mateos Julieta L , Madrigal Pedro , Tsuda Kenichi , Rawat Vimal , Richter René , Romera-Branchat Maida , Fornara Fabio , Schneeberger Korbinian , Krajewski Paweł , Coupland George
Published: February 2015

Background

The initiation of flowering is an important developmental transition as it marks the beginning of the reproductive phase in plants. The MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) form a complex to repress the expression of genes that initiate flowering in Arabidopsis. Both TFs play a central role in the regulatory network by conferring seasonal patterns of flowering. However, their interdependence and biological relevance when acting as a complex have not been extensively studied.

Results

We characterized the effects of both TFs individually and as a complex on flowering initiation using transcriptome profiling and DNA-binding occupancy. We find four major clusters regulating transcriptional responses, and that DNA binding scenarios are highly affected by the presence of the cognate partner. Remarkably, we identify genes whose regulation depends exclusively on simultaneous action of both proteins, thus distinguishing between the specificity of the SVP:FLC complex and that of each TF acting individually. The downstream targets of the SVP:FLC complex include a higher proportion of genes regulating floral induction, whereas those bound by either TF independently are biased towards floral development. Many genes involved in gibberellin-related processes are bound by the SVP:FLC complex, suggesting that direct regulation of gibberellin metabolism by FLC and SVP contributes to their effects on flowering.

Conclusions

The regulatory codes controlled by SVP and FLC were deciphered at the genome-wide level revealing substantial flexibility based on dependent and independent DNA binding that may contribute to variation and robustness in the regulation of flowering.
IgG anti-apolipoprotein A-1 antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are associated with disease activity and corticosteroid therapy: an observational study
Authors: Croca Sara , Bassett Paul , Chambers Sharon , Davari Maria , Alber Karim Fouad , Leach Oliver , Ioannou Yiannis , Giles Ian , Isenberg David , Rahman Anisur
Published: February 2015

Introduction

IgG anti-apolipoprotein A-1 (IgG anti-apoA-1) antibodies are present in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may link inflammatory disease activity and the increased risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in these patients. We carried out a rigorous analysis of the associations between IgG anti-apoA-1 levels and disease activity, drug therapy, serology, damage, mortality and CVD events in a large British SLE cohort.

Methods

Serum IgG anti-apoA-1 levels were measured in 100 healthy controls to define a cut-off for positivity. In 499 patients with SLE we obtained the earliest stored serum sample from their disease course and measured IgG anti-apoA-1 level. We then examined associations between IgG anti-apoA-1 positivity in early disease and the development of damage, CVD or death over a mean follow-up period of 12.1 years in these patients. In a separate study, we measured IgG anti-apoA-1 levels in 397 samples taken longitudinally from 49 patients with SLE over a mean period of 89 months of fluctuating disease activity and carried out multi-variable analysis to examine the demographic, serological, disease activity and treatment factors associated with IgG anti-apoA-1 level over time.

Results

In the longitudinal study, IgG anti-apoA-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with persistently active disease, those on high dose corticosteroid and those not taking hydroxychloroquine. Of the 499 subjects who had early disease IgG anti-apoA-1 levels measured, 135 (27%) were positive. However, we found no convincing associations between early IgG anti-apoA-1 positivity and development of damage, mortality or CVD.

Conclusions

IgG anti-apoA-1 developed early in a quarter of our patients with SLE, but this had no major impact on subsequent clinical outcomes. However, levels of IgG anti-apoA-1 vary over time and are associated with disease activity, treatment with high dose corticosteroid and not taking hydroxychloroquine.
Thyroid hormones enhance the biomechanical functionality of scaffold-free neocartilage
Authors: Lee Jennifer K , Gegg Courtney A , Hu Jerry C , Reddi A Hari , Athanasiou Kyriacos A
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of thyroid hormones tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) from the parathyroid glands, known to regulate the developing limb and growth plate, on articular cartilage tissue regeneration using a scaffold-free in vitro model.

Methods

In Phase 1, T3, T4, or PTH was applied during weeks 1 or 3 of a 4-week neocartilage culture. Phase 2 employed T3 during week 1, followed by PTH during week 2, 3, or weeks 2 to 4, to further enhance tissue properties. Resultant neotissues were evaluated biochemically, mechanically, and histologically.

Results

In Phase 1, T3 and T4 treatment during week 1 resulted in significantly enhanced collagen production; 1.4- and 1.3-times untreated neocartilage. Compressive and tensile properties were also significantly increased, as compared to untreated and PTH groups. PTH treatment did not result in notable tissue changes. As T3 induces hypertrophy, in Phase 2, PTH (known to suppress hypertrophy) was applied sequentially after T3. Excitingly, sequential treatment with T3 and PTH reduced expression of hypertrophic marker collagen X, while yielding neocartilage with significantly enhanced functional properties. Specifically, in comparison to no hormone application, these hormones increased compressive and tensile moduli 4.0-fold and 3.1-fold, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that T3, together with PTH, when applied in a scaffold-free model of cartilage formation, significantly enhanced functional properties. The novel use of these thyroid hormones generates mechanically robust neocartilage via the use of a scaffold-free tissue engineering model.
On the iterates of asymptotically k-strict pseudocontractive mappings in Hilbert spaces with convergence analysis
Authors: Razani Abdolrahman , Moradi Robabe
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we consider the approximations of an iterative process for asymptotically k-strict pseudocontractive mappings in Hilbert spaces. Finally, we present some examples to study the rate of convergence.
Effects of on-farm composted tomato residues on soil biological activity and yields in a tomato cropping system
Authors: Pane Catello , Celano Giuseppe , Piccolo Alessandro , Villecco Domenica , Spaccini Riccardo , Palese Assunta M , Zaccardelli Massimo
Published: February 2015

Background

The use of compost may relieve the factors that limit productivity in intensive agricultural systems, such as soil organic matter depletion and soil sickness. Concomitantly, the practice of on-farm composting allows the recycle of cropping green residues into new productive processes.

Results

We produced four vegetable composts by using tomato biomass residues in an on-farm composting plant. The tomato-based composts were assessed for their chemical, microbiological properties, and their effects on soils and plants were evaluated after their application within a tomato cropping system. Compost characteristics affected plant development and productivity through increased nutrient uptake and biostimulation functions. Soil biological activities, including basal respiration, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase, and Biolog community levels of physiological profiles, were differently affected by the on-farm tomato-based composts.

Conclusions

Changes in soil activity and community structure due to compost amendments were related to classes of biomolecules such as polysaccharides and lignin-derived compounds, as revealed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of compost materials. The nutrient content and fertility potential of composts were positively related to the amount of tomato residues present in the feedstock.
Pulsed bias effect on roughness of TiO2:Nb films deposited by grid assisted magnetron sputtering
Authors: Scholtz Juliano Sadi , Stryhalski Joel , Sagás Julio César , Recco Abel André Cândido , Mezaroba Marcello , Fontana Luís César
Published: February 2015

In this work Nb-doped TiO2 (TiO2:Nb) films were deposited by reactive sputtering. The substrate was biased with negative pulses to change the energy of the ions nearby the sample surface during the deposition. As consequence, the film crystalline structure and roughness were changed. It was verified that higher energy favours the rutile growth with a higher roughness, even under low temperature as 300°C, and the material structure can be controlled by setting the duty cycle, voltage and frequency of the switched power supply applied to the substrate.
High-midlatitude ionosphere response to major stratospheric warming
Authors: Shpynev Boris G , Kurkin Vladimir I , Ratovsky Konstantin G , Chernigovskaya Marina A , Belinskaya Anastasiya Yu , Grigorieva Svetlana A , Stepanov Alexander E , Bychkov Vasily V , Pancheva Dora , Mukhtarov Plamen
Published: February 2015

This study investigates the impact of dynamical processes in the neutral atmosphere on the high-midlatitude ionosphere during two sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events. For this purpose, the reanalysis meteorological data of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) and UK Met Office (UKMO) were used in addition to that from the high-midlatitude chain of Russian ionosonde stations. The results show that the ionospheric response to the SSW events at high-midlatitudes depends on the position of the ionosonde stations relative to the stratospheric circulation pattern. Two well-pronounced effects were detected in this study. The first effect, observed in January 2009, was a negative effect in critical frequency (foF2) and a positive effect in F2 layer maximum (hmF2) above the border of a stratospheric cyclone and an anticyclone with northward flow direction. During a 6-day period, the ionosphere exhibited a sharply inhomogeneous longitudinal structure when ionosondes, displaced at a longitude of approximately 20°, showed differences of approximately 1 MHz in foF2 and more than 50 km in hmF2. The second feature, which was clearly observed in January 2013, implied a positive effect in foF2 up to approximately 2.5 MHz and a negative effect in hmF2 at approximately 10 km above the center of the stratospheric cyclone. We conclude that these effects were caused by upward transport of molecular gas to the lower thermosphere for the first case and a pulldown forcing of molecular species above the low-pressure zone inside the cyclone for the second case. Changes in the O+/N2 ratio in the lower thermosphere altered the O+ recombination rate and the corresponding variations of ionosphere parameters.
Characterization and process optimization of indigo dyed cotton denim garments by enzymatic wash
Authors: Mondal Md Ibrahim H , Khan Md Mashiur Rahman
Published: February 2015

Denim garment was treated with cellulase enzyme by varying the process parameters, namely concentration of enzyme, washing temperature and time to develop novel design and fashion. The effect of process parameters on the physical and mechanical properties of cotton denim garment was investigated and denim fabric properties like tensile strength, elongation at break, weight loss, stiffness, water absorption, shrinkage, color fading and morphological values by SEM were discussed. To obtain the desired fashion effect in terms of color fading, comfort ability in terms of reducing the stiffness of denim and high wear performance in terms of longevity/minimum tensile strength losses of denim, indigo dyed denim garment (trousers, 100% cotton with twill weave 3/1 construction) had been chosen and processed with the enzyme concentration of 0.5% to 3.5%, treatment temperature from 40°C to 70°C and treatment time from 20 min to 60 min. The process parameters were optimized and the optimized washing condition for the best value is 2% enzyme concentration at 55°C for 40 min.
Assessment of airflow and microclimate for the running wear jacket with slits using CFD simulation
Authors: Lim Jihye , Choi Hyunyoung , Roh Eui Kyung , Yoo Hwasook , Kim Eunae
Published: February 2015

This study was performed to estimate the exchange of air (ventilation) and temperature distribution in the cylinder that simulated human body. Simulation simplified the human body wearing the running wear jacket with slits. Slits were positioned at the shoulder, mid-back and lower-back. For the running wear jacket, non-air permeable material was assumed to eliminate the effect of porosity of the fabrics. Airflow and microclimate temperature were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results showed that the air tended to rise and drift towards the slits. Air flown out through the slits was in the order of the lower-back slit > mid-back slit > shoulder slit. Discrepancy in the air flow rate at each slit was caused by the generation of ascending air currents according to slit positions. The direction of the air current depended on the microclimate temperature inside the jacket. These results indicate that the lower-back slit gives better air exchange effect which was in agreement with the clothing microclimate observed by human wear tests.
Mammography Rates 3 Years After the 2009 US Preventive Services Task Force Guidelines Changes
Authors: Wharam J. Frank , Landon Bruce , Zhang Fang , Xu Xin , Soumerai Stephen , Ross-Degnan Dennis
Published: February 2015

Purpose

In November 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) changed its mammography recommendations from every 1 to 2 years among women age ≥ 40 years to personalized screening decisions for women age 40 to 49 years and screening every 2 years for women age 50 to 74 years.

Methods

We studied mammography trends among 5.5 million women age 40 to 64 years enrolled in a large national health insurer. We used 2005 to 2009 mammography trends to predict 2012 rates. Our primary measure was the estimated difference between observed and predicted 2012 annual and biennial mammography rates. We stratified results by age group and race/ethnicity.

Results

Among women age 40 to 49 years, 2012 mammography rates declined by 9.9% (95% CI, −10.4% to −9.3%) relative to the predicted 2012 rate. Decreases were lowest among black women (−2.3%; 95% CI, −6.3% to 1.8%) and highest among Asian women (−17.4; 95% CI, −20.0 to −14.8). Annual mammography rates among women age 50 to 64 years declined by 6.1% (95% CI, −6.5% to −5.7%) by 2012. Regarding biennial mammography rates, women age 40 to 49 years experienced a 9.0% relative reduction (95% CI, −9.6% to −8.4%). White, Hispanic, and Asian women age 40 to 49 years demonstrated similar relative reductions of approximately 9% to 11%, whereas black women had no detectable changes (0.1%; 95% CI, −4.0% to 4.3%). Women age 50 to 64 years had a 6.2% relative reduction (95% CI, −6.6% to −5.7%) in biennial mammography that was similar among white, Hispanic, and Asian women. Black women age 50 to 64 years did not have changes in biennial mammography (0.4%; 95% CI, −2.6% to 3.5%).

Conclusion

Three years after publication of the 2009 USPSTF guidelines, mammography rates declined by 6% to 17% among white, Hispanic, and Asian women but not among black women. Small reductions in biennial mammography might be an unintended consequence of the updated guidelines.