bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exergy analysis of building thermal load and related energy flows in buildings
Authors: Han Tianhe , Zheng Yue , Gong Guangcai
Published: November 2015

In this study, the exergy analysis method was extended to analyse the building thermal load and related energy flows, aiming to investigate the exergy loss as well as improvement potential for building design and analysis. Five office buildings in five major climate zones in China were taken as case studies for the analysis. The building thermal loads and related energy flows were calculated and analysed using the exergy analysis method. Results show that the building exergy load is relatively low compared to the building thermal energy load. However, it is always met by consuming energy of high exergy value (e.g. electricity), indicating the exergy mismatch between the energy demand and supply. The latent exergy load cannot be disregarded for building thermal load and energy flows analysis, especially for buildings in humid climate. Large exergy loss, which is dominated by solar gain, was found in all five reference buildings across different climate zones. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of building thermal load and related energy flows, and would benefit building evaluation and thermal design of building envelop.
Association between apolipoprotein B gene polymorphisms and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD): an update meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Jing-Zhan , Zheng Ying-Ying , Yang Yi-Ning , Li Xiao-Mei , Fu Zhen-Yan , Dai Chuan-Fang , Liu Fen , Chen Bang-Dang , Gai Min-Tao , Ma Yi-Tong , Xie Xiang
Published: November 2015

Objective:

Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein B ( apoB) gene have been reported to be associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the results on this topic are conflicting. The present study aims to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between CHD and apoB genetic polymorphisms by meta-analysis.

Methods:

We identified a total of 54 studies involving 7236, 10,912, and 14,102 individuals, respectively, for EcoRI, XbaI, and SpIns/Del polymorphisms by searching in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, and CNKI. We utilized RevMan 5.0 software to perform the meta-analyses.

Results:

A significant statistical association between apoB EcoRI polymorphism and CHD was observed under an allelic ( p = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12–1.57), dominant ( p = 0.005, OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.40), and recessive ( p = 0.04, OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.01–1.74) model. We also found similar association of apoB SpIns/Del polymorphism with CHD. However, we did not find association between apoB XbaI polymorphism and CHD.

Conclusion:

The current meta-analysis found an association of EcoRI polymorphism and SpIns/Del polymorphism with an increased risk of CHD. No significant association between apoB XbaI polymorphism and CHD we observed in the present study.
Lifting the veil: The lived experience of sibling abuse
Authors: Meyers Amy
Published: November 2015

Sibling abuse remains under the radar despite its devastating consequences. Without the provision of child welfare statutes to identify sibling abuse and its lack of distinction from other forms of sibling conflict, child welfare workers, mandated reporters, and practitioners face challenges to make complete assessments of family violence. The narratives of 19 self-identified survivors of traumatic childhood and adolescent sibling abuse accentuate the need to identify and validate these experiences as a necessary aspect of protection and healing. Exploratory research of sibling abuse based in a grounded theory framework and phenomenological analysis uncovered critical incidents of physical and emotional sibling abuse underscoring its harrowing impact. The accounts give clarity to defining sibling abuse which includes unpredictable and relentless acts of intimidation resulting in a state of helplessness and isolation. The findings have protective and practice implications for child welfare and clinical social work.
Survival Processing and the Stroop Task
Authors: Kazanas Stephanie A. , Valkenburg Kendra M. Van , Altarriba Jeanette
Published: November 2015

This study was designed to investigate the impact of survival processing with a novel task for this paradigm: the Stroop color-naming task. As the literature is mixed with regard to task generalizability, with survival processing promoting better memory for words, but not better memory for faces or paired associates, these types of task investigations are important to a growing field of research. Using the Stroop task provides a unique contribution, as identifying items by color is an important evolutionary adaptation and not specific to humans as is the case with word recall. Our results indicate that survival processing, with its accompanying survival-relevance rating task, remains the best mnemonic strategy for word memory. However, our results also indicate that presenting the survival passage does not motivate better color-naming performance than color-naming alone. In addition, survival processing led to a larger amount of Stroop interference, though not significantly larger than the other conditions. Together, these findings suggest that considering one’s survival when performing memory and attention-based tasks does not enhance cognitive performance generally, although greater allocation of attentional resources to color-incongruent concrete objects could be considered adaptive. These findings support the notion that engaging in deeper processing via survival-relevance ratings may preserve these words across a variety of experimental manipulations.
An LED-based luminaire for badminton court illumination
Authors: Lee X-H , Yang J-T , Chang J-H , Chien W-T , Lo Y-C , Lin C-C , Sun C-C
Published: November 2015

In this paper, the design of a luminaire for badminton court illumination is demonstrated from concept through computer simulation, construction trials, on-site installation, comparison with simulations and, finally, evaluations of the illuminated environment before and after the installation of the luminaires. The luminaire is composed of two high-performance light-emitting diode lighting modules, volume scattering diffusers with a one-shot transmittance higher than 70% and a reflecting cavity with a reflectivity higher than 85%. The luminaire has three different exit faces forming three Lambertian-like light sources with low luminance so as to reduce glare to the players when looking at the flight of the shuttlecock. Under similar total electric power consumption, compared to the original traditional lighting, the average illuminance on the ground is enhanced by about 300% and the uniformity is obviously improved. A questionnaire was issued to players before and after the installation of the new light-emitting diode luminaires. The new installation gained much more positive responses for brightness, comfort and number of usable courts from the players than the old installation.
An Assessment of the Magnitude of Effect Sizes
Authors: Paterson Ted A. , Harms P.D. , Steel Piers , Credé Marcus
Published: November 2015

This study compiles information from more than 250 meta-analyses conducted over the past 30 years to assess the magnitude of reported effect sizes in the organizational behavior (OB)/human resources (HR) literatures. Our analysis revealed an average uncorrected effect of r = .227 and an average corrected effect of ρ = .278 ( SDρ = .140). Based on the distribution of effect sizes we report, Cohen’s effect size benchmarks are not appropriate for use in OB/HR research as they overestimate the actual breakpoints between small, medium, and large effects. We also assessed the average statistical power reported in meta-analytic conclusions and found substantial evidence that the majority of primary studies in the management literature are statistically underpowered. Finally, we investigated the impact of the file drawer problem in meta-analyses and our findings indicate that the file drawer problem is not a significant concern for meta-analysts. We conclude by discussing various implications of this study for OB/HR researchers.
Predictors of thrombotic complications and mass effect exacerbation after pipeline embolization: The significance of adenosine diphosphate inhibition, fluoroscopy time, and aneurysm size
Authors: Raychev Radoslav , Tateshima Satoshi , Vinuela Fernando , Sayre Jim , Jahan Reza , Gonzalez Nestor , Szeder Viktor , Duckwiler Gary
Published: November 2015

Background

The mechanisms leading to delayed rupture, distal emboli and intraparenchymal hemorrhage in relation to pipeline embolization device (PED) placement remain debatable and poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and procedural predictors of these perioperative complications.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent PED placement. We utilized a non-commercial platelet aggregation method measuring adenosine diphosphate (ADP)% inhibition for evaluation of clopidogrel response. To our knowledge, this is the first study to test ADP in neurovascular procedures. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify the strongest predictor of three separate outcomes: (1) thrombotic complications, (2) hemorrhagic complications, and (3) aneurysm mass effect exacerbation

Results

Permanent complication-related morbidity and mortality at 3 months was 6% (3/48). No specific predictors of hemorrhagic complications were identified. In the univariate analysis, the strongest predictors of thrombotic complications were: ADP % inhibition <49 ( p = 0.01), aneurysm size ( p = 0.04) and fluoroscopy time ( p = 0.002). In the final multivariate analysis, among all baseline variables, fluoroscopy time exceeding 52 min was the only factor associated with thrombotic complications ( p = 0.007). Aneurysm size ≥18 mm was the single predictor of mass effect exacerbation ( p = 0.039).

Conclusions

Procedural complexity, reflected by fluoroscopy time, is the strongest predictor of thrombotic complications in this study. ADP% inhibition is a reliable method of testing clopidogrel response in neurovascular procedures and values of <50% may predict thrombotic complications. Interval mass effect exacerbation after PED placement may be anticipated in large aneurysms exceeding 18 mm.
Real-time traffic signal optimization model based on average delay time per person
Authors: Jiao Pengpeng , Li Zhihong , Liu Meiqi , Li Dongyue , Li Yangwei
Published: October 2015

Real-time traffic signal control is very important for relieving urban traffic congestion. Many existing traffic control models were formulated using optimization approach, with the objective functions of minimizing vehicle delay time. To improve people’s trip efficiency, this article aims to minimize delay time per person. Based on the time-varying traffic flow data at intersections, the article first fits curves of accumulative arrival and departure vehicles, as well as the corresponding functions. Moreover, this article transfers vehicle delay time to personal delay time using average passenger load of cars and buses, employs such time as the objective function, and proposes a signal timing optimization model for intersections to achieve real-time signal parameters, including cycle length and green time. This research further implements a case study based on practical data collected at an intersection in Beijing, China. The average delay time per person and queue length are employed as evaluation indices to show the performances of the model. The results show that the proposed methodology is capable of improving traffic efficiency and is very effective for real-world applications.
Internal whole-school evaluation in South Africa
Authors: Govender Neelan , Grobler Bennie , Mestry Raj
Published: November 2015

The Holistic Equilibrium Theory of Organizational Development was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the influence of holistic staff capacity on conducting effective internal whole-school evaluation (IWSE) within the Gauteng Department of Education’s public secondary schools. In the context of South African education, the staff of each public school are legally mandated to conduct an IWSE annually to self-determine their school development paths within a school improvement framework. This IWSE programme, however, takes a myopic unidimensional approach to whole school improvement, demanding public school staff, from diverse milieus with varying degrees of capacity, to take greater ownership of their own development needs through self-evaluative mechanisms. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach comprising a structured questionnaire, supported by focus group interviews, individual interviews with school principals and open-ended responses, this study elicited data on five distinct but integrated theoretical capacity dimensions: school evaluation, school improvement, collaborative cultures, professional learning communities and transformational leadership. The findings from both data collection strands corroborated the overarching conclusion that development of holistic capacities, transcending a technicist, bureaucratic approach, is more likely to result in the meaningful use of IWSE scaffolding school improvement.
The ‘strange Mr Kastner’ – Leadership ethics in Holocaust-era Hungary, in the light of grey zones and dirty hands
Authors: Sanders Paul
Published: November 2015

As the leader of a group of rescue activists in Holocaust-era Budapest, Rezső Kasztner saved the lives of large numbers of Jews through negotiations with Nazi officials. This activity coincided with the deportation of thousands of others, and after the war Kasztner was considered by some to have made a Faustian bargain: his silence in return for the lives of the few. The ethics of this case have been approached from a variety of theoretical vantage points, none of which have the analytical power and pertinence to render justice to an existential challenge of this magnitude. The article therefore draws upon dirty hands as an alternative. Sustaining a dirty hands argument in this case relies on retaining a measure of skepticism with regard to established narrative framing, acknowledging the incidence of grey zones and replacing the implicit norm of agency in studies on Holocaust-era leaders with context focus.
Role of nuclear medicine imaging in evaluation of complications following renal transplant
Authors: Khor Yiu Ming , Lam Winnie Wing Chuen , Wong Wai Yin , Whatt Goh Anthony Soon
Published: November 2015

Evaluation of a failing renal allograft is a complex and challenging diagnostic problem. While ultrasonography with colour Doppler is usually the first approach for evaluation of graft dysfunction, radionuclide imaging is an excellent modality which provides complementary information regarding the perfusion and function of the allograft without any deleterious effect on the precious allograft. In this article, we review the imaging techniques of the nuclear medicine studies most commonly performed after renal transplant, discuss their roles and limitations in different clinical settings and illustrate with cases from our institution. Lastly, we will explore future development in the arena of nuclear imaging for renal transplant related complications.
Successful embolization and long-term follow-up of a rare neonatal diaphragmatic hemangioma
Authors: Wu Lin , Wang Ji Mei , Qiao Zhong Wei , Yan Ying Liu , Wang Lai Shuan
Published: November 2015

Background:

Congenital hemangioma of the diaphragm is an extremely rare disease in childhood.

Methods:

We report a newborn presenting with progressive respiratory distress and massive right hydrothorax due to congenital diaphragmatic hemangioma, requiring sustained ventilation support and chest drainage. The angiography revealed that the giant diaphragmatic hemangioma was supplied by the right internal thoracic, inferior diaphragmatic, and intercostal arteries. The selective embolization of the main feeding vessels was successfully achieved using the Embosphere particulates.

Results:

The clinical long-term follow-up demonstrated the resolution of the symptoms, pleural effusion, and nearly complete regression of the hemangioma at 18 months of age.

Conclusion:

Transcatheter embolization can provide an efficient therapy for symptomatic diaphramatic hemangioma.
The hidden cost of consensus: How coordinated market economies insulate politics
Authors: Ezrow Lawrence , Hellwig Timothy
Published: November 2015

Previous research has argued that while elections motivate parties to respond to public sentiment, global economic ties reduce this responsiveness by redirecting elites from their electorates and toward market actors. In this study, we extend this work to examine the influence of globalization on party responsiveness across different forms of production-welfare regimes. Coordinated market economies (CMEs) accommodate economic interdependence by striking corporatist bargains between political elites, trade union representatives, and organized business. Although these consensual relations facilitate economic stability, they also insulate policymakers from voters. Analyses that pair public opinion and party positions across 18 advanced capitalist democracies from 1977 to 2009 show that while CMEs permit political elites a wide room to maneuver under economic globalization, political parties competing in these organized market economies do not respond to public opinion. This is the case regardless of level of exposure to world markets. In CMEs, party position-taking is uninfluenced by external factors (economic globalization) and domestic factors (public opinion) alike. By examining the consequences for party behavior, our results raise questions about the virtues of coordinated market capitalism for the health of representative democracy.
Does vaginal estrogen treatment with support pessaries in vaginal prolapse reduce complications?
Authors: Bulchandani Supriya , Toozs-Hobson Philip , Verghese Tina , Latthe Pallavi
Published: November 2015

Objective

Pelvic organ prolapse is often co-existant with atrophy of the genital tract in older women who tend to prefer vaginal pessaries for prolapse. Vaginal estrogen therapy is used by some along with a support pessary for prolapse with no robust evidence to back this practice. We aimed to evaluate differences in complications of support pessaries for vaginal prolapse in postmenopausal women, with and without vaginal estrogen use.

Study design

We prospectively assessed postmenopausal women attending the urogynaecology clinic for a pessary change. We asked them about the level of discomfort during pessary change (visual analogue scale for pain), discharge, bleeding and infection. Ethics approval was not required as this was a service evaluation project. Statistical analysis for relative risk was performed, including sub-group analysis for ‘ring pessary’ and ‘non-ring group’ (Shelf, Gellhorn, Shaatz).

Results

Between July 2013 and December 2014, we assessed 120 postmenopausal women using support pessaries for prolapse. The mean age was 70 years; 45% of the patients used vaginal estrogen. There were no statistically significant differences in complications with or without vaginal estrogen use, although the trend was higher amongst non-users. The ‘non-ring’ sub-group not using vaginal estrogen had a higher risk of vaginal ulceration, bleeding and discharge.

Conclusion

Postmenopausal women may have lesser complications when using vaginal estrogen with a support pessary for prolapse, particularly with pessaries other than the ring. An adequately powered randomised controlled trial is needed to assess conclusively whether vaginal estrogen enhances comfort and reduces complications of support pessaries for prolapse.
Scoring of the radiological picture of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: a study to verify the reliability of the method
Authors: Kocova Eva , Vanasek Jiri , Koblizek Vladimir , Novosad Jakub , Elias Pavel , Bartos Vladimir , Sterclova Martina
Published: November 2015

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a clinical form of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Computed chest tomography (CT) has a fundamental role in the multidisciplinary diagnostics. However, it has not been verified if and how a subjective opinion of a radiologists or pneumologists can influence the assessment and overall diagnostic summary.

Purpose

To verify the reliability of the scoring system.

Material and Methods

Assessment of conformity of the radiological score of high-resolution CT (HRCT) of lungs in patients with IPF was performed by a group of radiologists and pneumologists. Personal data were blinded and the assessment was performed independently using the Dutka/Vasakova scoring system (modification of the Gay system). The final score of the single assessors was then evaluated by means of the paired Spearman’s correlation and analysis of the principal components.

Results

Two principal components explaining cumulatively a 62% or 73% variability of the assessment of the single assessors were extracted during the analysis. The groups did not differ both in terms of specialty and experience with the assessment of the HRCT findings.

Conclusion

According to our study, scoring of a radiological image using the Dutka/Vasakova system is a reliable method in the hands of experienced radiologists. Significant differences occur during the assessment performed by pneumologists especially during the evaluation of the alveolar changes.
Church Attendance and Religious Experience
Authors: Kvande Marianne Nilsen , Klöckner Christian Andreas , Nielsen Michael E.
Published: October 2015

Previous studies have shown that gender may moderate the relationship between religiousness and mental health in most countries, but few studies have been conducted in Norway and Denmark. This study examined gender differences in religious experiences and church attendance as predictors of existential well-being among 295 women and 233 men from the general Norwegian population. Analyses showed that the structural equation models for women and men did not differ significantly on the global level. The models for women and men, however, showed different patterns. Among men, church attendance and negative religious experiences predicted existential well-being; among women, positive and negative religious experiences were related to existential well-being, but church attendance was not. The present findings suggest that men may benefit more from active religiousness, whereas women may benefit more from affective religiousness. Comparing these results with research in other cultural contexts, we find that different operationalizations of church attendance yield the same types of patterns across cultural contexts. Consequently, the benefits of religiousness may be similar for women and men irrespective of cultural context.
Electromyographic Analysis of the Shoulder Girdle Musculature During External Rotation Exercises
Authors: Alizadehkhaiyat Omid , Hawkes David H. , Kemp Graham J. , Frostick Simon P.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Implementation of overhead activity, a key component of many professional sports, requires an effective and balanced activation of the shoulder girdle muscles, particularly during forceful external rotation (ER) motions.

Purpose:

To identify activation strategies of 16 shoulder girdle muscles/muscle segments during common shoulder ER exercises.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Method:

Thirty healthy subjects were included in this study, and 16 shoulder girdle muscles/muscle segments were investigated (surface electrode: anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid; upper, middle, and lower trapezius; serratus anterior; teres major; upper and lower latissimus dorsi; and upper and lower pectoralis major; fine wire electrodes: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and rhomboid major) using a telemetric electromyography (EMG) system. Five ER exercises (standing ER at 0° and 90° of abduction, with underarm towel roll, prone ER at 90° of abduction, side-lying ER with underarm towel) were studied. Exercise EMG amplitudes were normalized to EMG at maximum ER force in a standard position. Univariate analysis of variance and post hoc analysis applied on EMG activity of each muscle were used to assess the main effect of the exercise condition.

Results:

Muscular activity differed significantly among the ER exercises ( P < .05 to P < .001). The greatest activation for anterior and middle deltoid, supraspinatus, upper trapezius, and serratus anterior occurred during standing ER at 90° of abduction; for posterior deltoid, middle trapezius, and rhomboid during side-lying ER with underarm towel; for lower trapezius, upper and lower latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, and teres major during prone ER at 90° of abduction; and for the clavicular and sternal part of the pectoralis major during standing ER with underarm towel.

Conclusion:

Key glenohumeral and scapular muscles can be optimally activated during specific ER exercises, particularly in positions that stimulate athletic overhead motions.

Clinical Relevance:

These results enable sports medicine professionals to target specific muscles during shoulder rehabilitation protocols while minimizing the effect of others, providing a foundation for optimal evidence-based exercise prescription. They also provide information for tailored muscle training and injury prevention in overhead sports.
A Qualitative Synthesis of Families’ and Students’ Hospital-to-School Transition Experiences Following Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Hartman Laura R. , Tibbles Alana , Paniccia Alicia , Lindsay Sally
Published: November 2015

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is one of the greatest causes of death and disability among children in Canada. Following ABI, children are required to transition back to school and adapt to the physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional demands of the school environment. We conducted a qualitative systematic review of students’ and parents’ experiences of the transition back to school following ABI. We identified 20 articles that met our inclusion criteria. Six themes emerged: (a) lack of ABI-specific education for families and professionals, (b) communication-related factors as a facilitator and/or barrier to transition, (c) emotional focus, (d) peer relationships, (e) supports, and (f) ABI sequelae in the classroom. Students’ and families’ personal motivations and abilities and the support they receive in their environment affect their experiences of transitioning back to school and the disrupted occupations they face.
Sex-specific differences in genetic and nongenetic determinants of mean platelet volume: results from the Gutenberg Health Study
Authors: Panova-Noeva Marina , Schulz Andreas , Hermanns M. Iris , Grossmann Vera , Pefani Evgenia , Spronk Henri M. H. , Laubert-Reh Dagmar , Binder Harald , Beutel Manfred , Pfeiffer Norbert , Blankenberg Stefan , Zeller Tanja , Münzel Thomas , Lackner Karl J. , ten Cate Hugo , Wild Philipp S.
Published: October 2015

Key Points

Genetic and nongenetic determiners of MPV substantially differ between males and females in a large population-based study. MPV in males is significantly determined by the traditional CVRFs, and males with higher MPV are at higher risk of death.
Hormonal contraception increases risk of asthma among obese but decreases it among nonobese subjects: a prospective, population-based cohort study
Authors: Matheson Melanie C. , Burgess John A. , Lau Melisa Y.Z. , Lowe Adrian J. , Gurrin Lyle C. , Hopper John L. , Giles Graham G. , Johns David P. , Walters E. Haydn , Abramson Michael J. , Gómez Real Francisco , Dharmage Shyamali C.
Published: November 2015

Epidemiological data on asthma suggest a sex difference that varies with age. Hormonal effects have been suggested as a possible explanation for these differences but there is a scarcity of evidence on these relationships. Our objective was to examine the relationship between reproductive factors and asthma risk among females and to examine whether body mass index (BMI) modifies this relationship.

Female participants in the 2004 fifth decade follow-up postal survey of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study formed the study population. Reproductive history and data on hormonal contraceptive (HC) use were collected on 2764 females. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between the reproductive factors and current asthma.

The mean age of participants was 43 years and the prevalence of middle-aged current asthma was 12.8%. Females with very early menarche (≤10 years) had higher odds of middle-aged current asthma (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.14–3.2). Pregnancy history (number of births and age at first pregnancy) were not associated with current asthma risk at 44 years. Ever having used HCs, years of use and age started using HCs were not individually associated with current asthma risk. However, body mass index significantly modified the relationship between HC use and asthma. We found increasing years of pill use was associated with a significantly increased risk of current asthma in overweight/obese women but a reduced risk in normal weight women (interaction p=0.015).

Hormonal effects from use of HCs and early menarche may contribute to the sex differential in asthma risk. Our findings suggest that in obese women with a history of long-term HC use may be at an increased risk of chronic respiratory disease, and regular monitoring for asthma and asthma symptoms may be recommended.
p38 MAPK Mediates Glial P2X7R-Neuronal P2Y1R Inhibitory Control of P2X3R Expression in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons
Authors: Chen Yong , Li Guangwen , Huang Li-Yen Mae
Published: November 2015

Background

We have previously shown that endogenously active purinergic P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) in satellite glial cells of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) stimulate ATP release. The ATP activates P2Y1Rs located in the enwrapped neuronal somata, resulting in down-regulation of P2X3Rs. This P2X7R-P2Y1-P2X3R inhibitory control significantly reduces P2X3R-mediated nociceptive responses. The underlying mechanism by which the activation of P2Y1Rs inhibits the expression of P2X3Rs remains unexplored.

Results

Examining the effect of the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase on the expression of P2X3Rs in DRGs, we found that the p38 activator, anisomycin (Anis), reduced the expression of P2X3Rs. Blocking the activity of SGCs by the glial Krebs cycle inhibitor, fluorocitrate, did not change the effect of Anis. These results suggest that neuronal p38 plays a major role in the inhibition of P2X3R expression. Western blotting analyses showed that inhibiting P2Y1Rs by MRS2179 (MRS) or blocking P2X7Rs by either oxATP or A740003 reduced pp38 and increased P2X3R expression in DRGs. These results are further supported by the immunohistochemical study showing that P2X7R and P2Y1R antagonists reduce the percentage of pp38-positive neurons. These observations suggest that activation of P2X7Rs and P2Y1Rs promotes p38 activity to exert inhibitory control on P2X3R expression. Since activation of p38 by Anis in the presence of either A740003 or MRS could overcome the block of P2X7R-P2Y1R inhibitory control, p38 in DRG neurons is downstream of P2Y1Rs. In addition, inhibition of p38 by SB202190 was found to prevent the P2X7R and P2Y1R block of P2X3R expression and increase P2X3R-mediated nociceptive flinch behaviors.

Conclusions

p38 in DRG neurons downstream of P2Y1R is necessary and sufficient for the P2X7R-P2Y1R inhibitory control of P2X3R expression.
Ovarian stem cells are always accompanied by very small embryonic-like stem cells in adult mammalian ovary
Authors: Bhartiya Deepa
Published: November 2015

Background

Existing dogma that a female is born with fixed number of eggs was challenged by the detection of stem cells in adult mammalian ovary. Data has accumulated in support of ovarian stem cells (OSCs) proliferation, maintenance in culture, formation of germ cell nests and differentiation into oocytes and primordial follicle assembly using different strategies.

Results

Flow cytometry analysis identified >8 μm OSCs which are DDX1 positive and are considered equivalent to spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in testis. Analysis of both ovarian and testicular smears obtained after enzymatic digestion has led to the identification of an additional stem cell population termed very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). VSELs and OSCs/SSCs differ from each other in their size and OCT-4 expression. VSELs express pluripotent markers including nuclear OCT-4 whereas OSCs/SSCs express cytoplasmic OCT-4 suggesting a differentiated state. VSELs can be studied by flow cytometry as small sized cells which are LIN-/CD45-/Sca-1+. We have reported 0.02 ± 0.008, 0.03 ± 0.017 and 0.08 ± 0.03 % of total cells as VSELs in normal, chemoablated and after FSH treatment to chemoablated mouse ovary.

Conclusions

VSELs have remained poorly studied till now because of their very small size and rare occurrence. Spinning cells obtained after enzymatic digestion of ovarian tissue at a speed of 1000G (rather than 1200 rpm) throughout processing allows reliable detection of the VSELs by flow cytometry. VSELs exist in aged, chemoablated and non-functional ovary and providing a healthy niche to support their function offers an interesting strategy to manage infertility.
Endothelial properties of third-trimester amniotic fluid stem cells cultured in hypoxia
Authors: Schiavo Andrea Alex , Franzin Chiara , Albiero Mattia , Piccoli Martina , Spiro Giovanna , Bertin Enrica , Urbani Luca , Visentin Silvia , Cosmi Erich , Fadini Gian Paolo , De Coppi Paolo , Pozzobon Michela
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Endothelial dysfunction is found in different pathologies such as diabetes and renal and heart diseases, representing one of the major health problems. The reduced vasodilation of impaired endothelium starts a prothrombotic state associated with irregular blood flow. We aimed to explore the potential of amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells as a source for regenerative medicine in this field; for the first time, we focused on third-trimester amniotic fluid AFS cells and compared them with the already-described AFS cells from the second trimester.

Methods

Cells from the two trimesters were cultured, selected and expanded in normoxia (20 % oxygen) and hypoxia (5 % oxygen). Cells were analysed to compare markers, proliferation rate and differentiation abilities. Endothelial potential was assessed not only in vitro—Matrigel tube formation assay, acetylated human low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL) uptake—but also in vivo (Matrigel plug with cell injection and two animal models). Specifically, for the latter, we used established protocols to assess the involvement of AFS cells in two different mouse models of endothelial dysfunction: (1) a chronic ischemia model with local injection of cells and (2) an electric carotid damage where cells were systemically injected.

Results

We isolated and expanded AFS cells from third-trimester amniotic fluid samples by using CD117 as a selection marker. Hypoxia enhanced the proliferation rate, the surface protein pattern was conserved between the trimesters and comparable differentiation was achieved after culture in both normoxia and hypoxia. Notably, the expression of early endothelial transcription factors and AngiomiRs was detected before and after induction. When in vivo, AFS cells from both trimesters expanded in hypoxia were able to rescue the surface blood flow when locally injected in mice after chronic ischemia damage, and importantly AFS cells at term of gestation possessed enhanced ability to fix carotid artery electric damage compared with AFS cells from the second trimester.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research work that fully characterizes AFS cells from the third trimester for regenerative medicine purposes. The results highlight how AFS cells, in particular at term of gestation and cultured in hypoxia, can be considered a promising source of stem cells possessing significant endothelial regenerative potential.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Fixed point theorems and explicit estimates for convergence rates of continuous time Markov chains
Authors: Yan Zhenhai , Yan Guojun , Miyamoto Ikudol
Published: October 2015

In this paper we give Banach fixed point theorems and explicit estimates on the rates of convergence of the transition function to the stationary distribution for a class of exponential ergodic Markov chains. Our results are different from earlier estimates using coupling theory, and from estimates using stochastically monotone one. Our estimates show a noticeable improvement on existing results if Markov chains contain instantaneous states or nonconservative states. The proof uses existing results of discrete time Markov chains together with h-skeleton. At last, we apply this result, Ray-Knight compactification and Itô excursion theory to two examples: a class of singular Markov chains and Kolmogorov matrix.
Trusted and secure clustering in mobile pervasive environment
Authors: Gaur Madhu Sharma , Pant Bhaskar
Published: October 2015

Pervasive computing has the potential to offer low-cost, high performance, and user centric solutions to exchange the information and communicate seamlessly in highly dynamic, heterogeneous environment. Here small and influential dissimilar devices or nodes have to set up independent network unknown by the user. Communicating devices are resource-restricted and equipped with micro or bio-sensors to acknowledge the signals where traditional security systems based on cryptography and encryption are not enough for promising level of security assurance. In this paper we explore trust and security challenges and appraise the opportunities in autonomous mobile pervasive ad-hoc networks to improve security. Trust management models in human-centric applications can enhance the security assurance. Many researchers proposed various trust models for different scenarios. Inspiring from such models we propose a trust computation metric based on node’s impulsive behavior to become malicious node in dynamic scenario and breach the security. In winding up, we put our efforts to present energy efficient, secure and trusted clustering to enhance the security assurance and significant adaptation of trustworthy communication in user-centric m-healthcare applications where information is ubiquitous.
Stationary relativistic jets
Authors: Komissarov Serguei S , Porth Oliver , Lyutikov Maxim
Published: November 2015

In this paper we describe a simple numerical approach which allows to study the structure of steady-state axisymmetric relativistic jets using one-dimensional time-dependent simulations. It is based on the fact that for narrow jets with $v_{z}\approx c$

v
z

≈
c
the steady-state equations of relativistic magnetohydrodynamics can be accurately approximated by the one-dimensional time-dependent equations after the substitution $z=ct$
z
=
c
t
. Since only the time-dependent codes are now publicly available this is a valuable and efficient alternative to the development of a high-specialised code for the time-independent equations. The approach is also much cheaper and more robust compared to the relaxation method. We tested this technique against numerical and analytical solutions found in literature as well as solutions we obtained using the relaxation method and found it sufficiently accurate. In the process, we discovered the reason for the failure of the self-similar analytical model of the jet reconfinement in relatively flat atmospheres and elucidated the nature of radial oscillations of steady-state jets.
Long noncoding RNAs in T lymphocytes
Authors: Aune Thomas M , Crooke Phillip S , Spurlock Charles F
Published: November 2015

Long noncoding RNAs are recently discovered regulatory RNA molecules that do not code for proteins but influence a vast array of biologic processes. In vertebrates, the number of long noncoding RNA genes is thought to greatly exceed the number of protein-coding genes. It is also thought that long noncoding RNAs drive the biologic complexity observed in vertebrates compared with that in invertebrates. Evidence of this complexity has been found in the T-lymphocyte compartment of the adaptive immune system. In the present review, we describe our current level of understanding of the expression of specific long or large intergenic or intervening long noncoding RNAs during T-lymphocyte development in the thymus and differentiation in the periphery and highlight the mechanisms of action that specific long noncoding RNAs employ to regulate T-lymphocyte function, both in vitro and in vivo.
Context-specific comparison of sleep acquisition systems in Drosophila
Authors: Garbe David S. , Bollinger Wesley L. , Vigderman Abigail , Masek Pavel , Gertowski Jill , Sehgal Amita , Keene Alex C.
Published: October 2015

Sleep is conserved across phyla and can be measured through electrophysiological or behavioral characteristics. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, provides an excellent model for investigating the genetic and neural mechanisms that regulate sleep. Multiple systems exist for measuring fly activity, including video analysis and single-beam (SB) or multi-beam (MB) infrared (IR)-based monitoring. In this study, we compare multiple sleep parameters of individual flies using a custom-built video-based acquisition system, and commercially available SB- or MB-IR acquisition systems. We report that all three monitoring systems appear sufficiently sensitive to detect changes in sleep duration associated with diet, age, and mating status. Our data also demonstrate that MB-IR detection appeared more sensitive than the SB-IR for detecting baseline nuances in sleep architecture, while architectural changes associated with varying life-history and environment were generally detected across all acquisition types. Finally, video recording of flies in an arena allowed us to measure the effect of ambient environment on sleep. These experiments demonstrate a robust effect of arena shape and size as well as light levels on sleep duration and architecture, and highlighting the versatility of tracking-based sleep acquisition. These findings provide insight into the context-specific basis for choosing between Drosophila sleep acquisition systems, describe a novel cost-effective system for video tracking, and characterize sleep analysis using the MB-IR sleep analysis. Further, we describe a modified dark-place preference sleep assay using video tracking, confirming that flies prefer to sleep in dark locations.
Tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae) use different adhesive pads complementarily during climbing on smooth surfaces: experimental approach in eight arboreal and burrower species
Authors: Pérez-Miles Fernando , Perafán Carlos , Santamaría Laura
Published: November 2015

Tarantulas are large spiders with adhesive setae on their legs, which enable them to climb on smooth vertical surfaces. The mechanism proposed to explain adhesion in tarantulas is anisotropic friction, where friction is higher when the leg pushes than when it pulls. However, previous studies and measurements of adhesion in theraphosids were performed using dead specimens. To test their ability to climb, we studied static friction of live theraphosid spiders on different surfaces and at different inclines. We compared burrower with arboreal species to test the hypothesis of higher friction in arboreal tarantulas. We found a complementary participation of claw tufts and scopula of anterior and posterior legs when the tarantula climbs. The mechanics of climbing in association with the biological characteristics of the species are discussed.
The nature of alarm communication in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Blattodea: Termitoidea: Termitidae): the integration of chemical and vibroacoustic signals
Authors: Cristaldo Paulo F. , Jandák Vojtĕch , Kutalová Kateřina , Rodrigues Vinícius B. , Brothánek Marek , Jiříček Ondřej , DeSouza Og , Šobotník Jan
Published: November 2015

Alarm signalling is of paramount importance to communication in all social insects. In termites, vibroacoustic and chemical alarm signalling are bound to operate synergistically but have never been studied simultaneously in a single species. Here, we inspected the functional significance of both communication channels in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), confirming the hypothesis that these are not exclusive, but rather complementary processes. In natural situations, the alarm predominantly attracts soldiers, which actively search for the source of a disturbance. Laboratory testing revealed that the frontal gland of soldiers produces a rich mixture of terpenoid compounds including an alarm pheromone. Extensive testing led to identification of the alarm pheromone being composed of abundant monoterpene hydrocarbons (1S)-α-pinene and myrcene, along with a minor component, (E)-β-ocimene. The vibratory alarm signalling consists of vibratory movements evidenced as bursts; a series of beats produced predominantly by soldiers. Exposing termite groups to various mixtures containing the alarm pheromone (crushed soldier heads, frontal gland extracts, mixture of all monoterpenes, and the alarm pheromone mixture made of standards) resulted in significantly higher activity in the tested groups and also increased intensity of the vibratory alarm communication, with the responses clearly dose-dependent. Lower doses of the pheromone provoked higher numbers of vibratory signals compared to higher doses. Higher doses induced long-term running of all termites without stops necessary to perform vibratory behaviour. Surprisingly, even crushed worker heads led to low (but significant) increases in the alarm responses, suggesting that other unknown compound in the worker's head is perceived and answered by termites. Our results demonstrate the existence of different alarm levels in termites, with lower levels being communicated through vibratory signals, and higher levels causing general alarm or retreat being communicated through the alarm pheromone.
Do circadian genes and ambient temperature affect substrate-borne signalling duringDrosophilacourtship?
Authors: Medina Izarne , Casal José , Fabre Caroline C. G.
Published: October 2015

Courtship vibratory signals can be air-borne or substrate-borne. They convey distinct and species-specific information from one individual to its prospective partner. Here, we study the substrate-borne vibratory signals generated by the abdominal quivers of the Drosophila male during courtship; these vibrations travel through the ground towards courted females and coincide with female immobility. It is not known which physical parameters of the vibrations encode the information that is received by the females and induces them to pause. We examined the intervals between each vibratory pulse, a feature that was reported to carry information for animal communication. We were unable to find evidence of periodic variations in the lengths of these intervals, as has been reported for fly acoustical signals. Because it was suggested that the genes involved in the circadian clock may also regulate shorter rhythms, we search for effects of period on the interval lengths. Males that are mutant for the period gene produced vibrations with significantly altered interpulse intervals; also, treating wild type males with constant light results in similar alterations to the interpulse intervals. Our results suggest that both the clock and light/dark cycles have input into the interpulse intervals of these vibrations. We wondered if we could alter the interpulse intervals by other means, and found that ambient temperature also had a strong effect. However, behavioural analysis suggests that only extreme ambient temperatures can affect the strong correlation between female immobility and substrate-borne vibrations.