bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous haptic feedback to ensure the stability of robotic teleoperation systems
Authors: Pacchierotti C. , Meli L. , Chinello F. , Malvezzi M. , Prattichizzo D.
Published: October 2015

Cutaneous haptic feedback can be used to enhance the performance of robotic teleoperation systems while guaranteeing their safety. Delivering ungrounded cutaneous cues to the human operator conveys in fact information about the forces exerted at the slave side and does not affect the stability of the control loop. In this work we analyze the feasibility, effectiveness, and implications of providing solely cutaneous feedback in robotic teleoperation. We carried out two peg-in-hole experiments, both in a virtual environment and in a real (teleoperated) environment. Two novel 3-degree-of-freedom fingertip cutaneous displays deliver a suitable amount of cutaneous feedback at the thumb and index fingers. Results assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Cutaneous feedback was outperformed by full haptic feedback provided by grounded haptic interfaces, but it outperformed conditions providing no force feedback at all. Moreover, cutaneous feedback always kept the system stable, even in the presence of destabilizing factors such as communication delays and hard contacts.
Trigeminal neuralgia (part I): Revisiting the clinical phenotype
Authors: Haviv Y , Khan J , Zini A , Almoznino G , Sharav Y , Benoliel R
Published: October 2015

Aims

We conducted a cross-sectional study to re-examine the clinical profile of patients with a clinical diagnosis of classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN).

Methods

Inclusion criteria consisted of the International Headache Society’s published classification of CTN. For the specific purposes of the study, features such as autonomic signs, persistent background pain, attack durations of >2 minutes and reports of pain-related awakening were included. The demographic and clinical phenotype of each patient were carefully recorded for analysis.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 81 patients and based on reported attack duration these were divided into short (≤ 2 minutes, n = 61) and long (> 2 minutes, n = 20) groups for further analysis. The group with short attack duration neatly fit most of the criteria for CTN while the long attack group presents a more challenging diagnosis. There were no significant differences in pain severity, quality and location between the short and long attack groups. The frequency of persistent background pain was significantly higher in the long (70%) compared to the short attack group (29.5%, p = 0.001). There were significantly more reports of pain-related awakenings in the long (55%) than in the short attack groups (29.5%, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in the frequency of autonomic signs between the short (21.3%) and long attack groups (40%, p = 0.1). In the short attack group, the presence of autonomic signs was significantly associated with longer disease duration, increased pain-related awakenings, and a reduced prognosis.

Conclusion

There are clear diagnostic criteria for CTN but often patients present with features, such as long pain attacks, that challenge such accepted criteria. In our cohort the clinical phenotype of trigeminal, neuralgiform pain with or without autonomic signs and background pain was observed across both short and long attack groups and the clinical implications of this are discussed.
Stoking the Dialogue on the Domains of Transformative Learning Theory
Authors: Moyer Joanne M. , Sinclair A. John
Published: October 2015

Transformative learning theory is applied in a variety of fields, including archaeology, religious studies, health care, the physical sciences, environmental studies, and natural resource management. Given the breadth of the theory’s application, it needs to be adaptable to broad contexts. This article shares insights gained from applying the theory’s learning domains in the analysis of learning experiences outside the classroom. The discussion is based on empirical qualitative research exploring how individual learning emerges from the intersection of faith and the pursuit of sustainability within faith-based organizations operating in Kenya. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and participant observation. Chronicling our analysis process, problems encountered, and solutions adopted, we introduce a new introspective domain and explore the interactions among learning domains.
How Is the Rule of Law a Limit on Power?
Authors: McIlroy David
Published: October 2015

A commitment to the rule of law is a commitment to the governance of a society through the use of general or generalisable rules which are binding on both the subjects and the rulers. By giving due notice of the rules and of any changes to them, those who are subject to the law are protected from violence and enabled to act as agents. This is the essential contribution the rule of law makes to important human goods including freedom. Such an understanding of the rule of law illuminates why the law-like character of God and the revelation of God’s law make human free will meaningful and a relationship of love between God and human beings possible. A commitment to the rule of law also means that those exercising power have to offer justifications to explain why the rules are binding, which opens up space for debate about whether the rules are just.
Changes induced in the properties of dielectric silicone elastomers by the incorporation of transition metal complexes
Authors: Stiubianu George , Dumitriu Ana-Maria Corina , Varganici Cristian-Dragos , Tugui Codrin , Iacob Mihail , Bele Adrian , Cazacu Maria
Published: October 2015

Three new, cheap, and easily obtained complexes of triethanolamine with Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) were incorporated in a high-molecular-weight polydimethylsiloxane-α,ω-diol (number-average molecular weight = 440,000 g mol−1) together with silica nanoparticles. While silica has a well-known mechanical reinforcing role, adding the metal complexes with high dielectric permittivity aims to increase values for this characteristic of the prepared silicone composites in order to be useful for electromechanical applications. A simple procedure was employed for the incorporation of fillers by mechanical mixing in bulk without a solvent. The composites were processed as films and stabilized by curing initiated with 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide at high temperature (180°C) and pressure. The cross-linking yield was estimated on the basis of swelling in chloroform, while the cross-linking density was calculated from differential scanning calorimetry traces. The filler’s effect on mechanical and dielectric properties was assessed by appropriate measurements (tensile testing and dielectric spectroscopy). Changes in dielectric behavior as a result of the repeated deformation by stretching were also highlighted. Electromechanical sensitivity and ultimate tensile toughness values were estimated on the basis of these results as primary indices on suitability of these materials in transducers. The dielectric strength of the composite films was also evaluated by electrical breakdown field measurements.
Modelling the palimpsest: An exploratory agent-based model of surface archaeological deposit formation in a fluvial arid Australian landscape
Authors: Davies Benjamin , Holdaway Simon J , Fanning Patricia C
Published: October 2015

Archaeologists make inferences about past human behaviour based on patterned material residues in various depositional contexts, including existing landsurfaces. These deposits are generated by processes that may obscure patterns at some observational scales while highlighting others, and interpretive differences can arise from a lack of explicit models of deposit formation. Here, an exploratory agent-based model based on the concept of the palimpsest is used to examine the effects of episodic sediment transport on the visibility and preservation of surface archaeological deposits in a fluvial context. Outcomes from the model indicate that the compound influences of preservation and visibility are capable of transforming a static radiocarbon record into one of increasing intensity towards the present, while simultaneously displaying periodic chronological gaps – features that have been used in our Australian study area to argue for demographic change driven by social or environmental factors. To differentiate between interpretations, expectations derived from the model are assessed against a second proxy from the same study area: Optically Stimulated Luminescence dates from hearth stones in surface contexts. Results indicate that patterns in the chronometric proxies from the study area are more consistent with episodic geomorphic change than explanations invoking changes in the local organization of human activity.
Hardwiring the frontier? The politics of security technology in Europe’s ‘fight against illegal migration’
Authors: Andersson Ruben
Published: October 2015

Migration controls at the external EU borders have become a large field of political and financial investment in recent years – indeed, an ‘industry’ of sorts – yet conflicts between states and border agencies still mar attempts at cooperation. This article takes a close look at one way in which officials try to overcome such conflicts: through technology. In West Africa, the secure ‘Seahorse’ network hardwires border cooperation into a satellite system connecting African and European forces. In Spain’s North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, advanced border fencing has joined up actors around a supposedly impenetrable divide. And on the EU level, the ‘European external border surveillance system’, or Eurosur, papers over power struggles between agencies and states through ‘decentralized’ information-sharing – even as the system’s physical features (nodes, coordination centres, interfaces) deepen competition between them. The article shows how such technologies, rather than ‘halting migration’, have above all acted as catalysts for new social relations among disparate sectors, creating areas for collaboration and competition, compliance and conflict. With these dynamics in mind, the conclusion sketches an ‘ecological’ perspective on the materialities of border control – infrastructure, interfaces, vehicles – while calling for more research on their contradictory and often counterproductive consequences.
Lessons Learned Designing and Using an Online Discussion Forum for Care Coordinators in Primary Care
Authors: Ferrante Jeanne M. , Friedman Asia , Shaw Eric K. , Howard Jenna , Cohen Deborah J. , Shahidi Laleh
Published: October 2015

While an increasing number of researchers are using online discussion forums for qualitative research, few authors have documented their experiences and lessons learned to demonstrate this method’s viability and validity in health services research. We comprehensively describe our experiences, from start to finish, of designing and using an asynchronous online discussion forum for collecting and analyzing information elicited from care coordinators in Patient-Centered Medical Homes across the United States. Our lessons learned from each phase, including planning, designing, implementing, using, and ending this private online discussion forum, provide some recommendations for other health services researchers considering this method. An asynchronous online discussion forum is a feasible, efficient, and effective method to conduct a qualitative study, particularly when subjects are health professionals.
Instantaneous impulses in multibody dynamics
Authors: Lidström P
Published: October 2015

This paper considers instantaneous impulses in multibody dynamics. Instantaneous impulses may act on the multibody from its exterior or they may appear in its interior as a consequence of two of its parts interacting by an impact imposed by a unilateral constraint. The theory is based on the Euler laws of instantaneous impulses, which may be seen as a complement to the Euler laws for regular motions. Based on these laws, and specific continuum properties of the quantities involved, local balance laws for momentum and moment of momentum, involving instantaneous impulses and introducing the Cauchy impulse tensor, are derived. Thermodynamical restrictions on the impulse tensor are formulated based on the dissipation inequality. By stating a principle of virtual work for instantaneous impulses, and demonstrating its equivalence to Euler’s laws, Lagrange’s equations are derived. Lagrange’s equations are convenient to use in the case of multibody dynamics containing rigid as well as flexible parts. A central theme of this paper is the discussion of the interaction between parts of the multibody and their relation to geometrical and kinematical constraints. This interaction is severely affected by the presence of friction, which is notoriously difficult to handle. In a preparation for this discussion we first consider the one-point impact between two rigid bodies. The importance of the so-called impact tensor for this problem is demonstrated. In order to be able to handle the impact laws of Poisson and Stonge, an impact process, governed by a system of ordinary differential equations, is defined. Within this model phenomena, such as slip stop, slip start and slip direction reversal, may be handled. For a multibody with an arbitrary number of parts and multiple impacts, the situation is much more complicated and certain simplifications have to be introduced. Equations of motion for a multibody, consisting of rigid parts and in the presence of ideal bilateral constraints and unilateral constraints involving friction, are formulated. Unique solutions are obtained, granted that the mass matrix of the multibody system is non-singular, the constraint matrices satisfy specific full rank conditions and that the friction is not too high.
Propagation of thermal waves in a functionally graded thick plate
Authors: Sur Abhik , Kanoria Mridula
Published: October 2015

The aim of the present contribution is concerned with the interactions of thermoelastic displacements, temperatures and stresses for the three-phase-lag and Green–Naghdi heat equations in a functionally graded transversely isotropic plate subjected to a spatially varying heat source. The upper surface of the plate is stress free with prescribed surface temperature while the lower surface of the plate rests on a rigid foundation and is thermally insulated. The governing equations for displacement and temperature fields are obtained in the Laplace–Fourier transform domain by applying Laplace and Fourier transform techniques. The inversion of double transform has been done numerically. The numerical inversion of Laplace transform is done by using a method based on the Fourier Series expansion technique. The solution to the analogous problem for isotropic material is obtained by taking suitable nonhomogeneity parameters. A comparative study between isotropic material and transversely isotropic material is also shown. In absence of nonhomogeneity, the results corresponding to Green–Naghdi II, Green–Naghdi III and 3P lag models agree with the results of the existing literature.
Neighborhood Sociostructure and Adolescent Homicide Victimization in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Swart Lu-Anne , Seedat Mohamed , Nel Juan
Published: October 2015

The socioeconomic conditions of communities in which young South Africans live may be an important contributor to the high levels of violence in the country. Informed by social disorganization theory, this study examined the relationship between neighborhood sociostructural context and adolescent (15-19 years) homicide victimization in Johannesburg (2001-2009). The results revealed that neighborhood-concentrated disadvantage and measures of family structure were significantly related to levels of male and female adolescent homicide. The study underscores the importance of neighborhood structure in understanding adolescent homicide, particularly in Johannesburg, and can inform interventions that target high-risk communities.
A community of values: Democratic identity formation in the European Union
Authors: Oshri Odelia , Sheafer Tamir , Shenhav Shaul R
Published: October 2015

Has the European Union (EU) succeeded in socializing citizens to support the democratic values it claims to promote? On the face of it, the prevailing skepticism precludes any expectation of a successful socialization of EU citizens to the EU values. Yet, according to the socialization hypothesis, citizens' support for these values is expected to increase as countries accumulate more years of the EU membership. Using survey data to isolate distinct dimensions of democratic values, we examine differences among countries in this regard, as well as changes within countries over time. Results confirm the socialization hypothesis, showing that support for democratic values is generally higher in countries with more years of the EU membership, and that this support trends upwards over time.
Discordant fandom and global football brands: ‘Let the people sing’
Authors: Hewer Paul , Gannon Martin , Cordina Renzo
Published: October 2015

This article has three main objectives. Our first is to turn to sport as a particularly illuminating and revealing example of consumer culture in the making. Marketplace logic suffuses consumer culture, and exploring practices of fandom as performed thus becomes particularly revealing of the tensions and contradictions which are thrown up when passions collide with finance and branding strategies. Our second objective is to mobilise this insight to further research on brand communities through better situating social practices as entangled in this heady nexus of passions, power and cultural politics. Through a netnographic analysis of forum posts from Celtic Football Club’s notorious ‘Green Brigade’ ultras-style fan-group, we focus on how such social formations forge counter-identities, which act not in harmony with the larger brand ethos but serve to legitimate and affirm a counter-philosophy. As such, our final objective is to better understand the roles of brand agitator and brand heretic as key roles within this contested social formation. Fandom as dramatic ritual and social drama brings in its wake contradictions and tensions especially when it goes toe-to-toe with the forces of economics, branding and marketing strategy. Here, a counter-brand community as we reveal mobilises marketplace logic and appears to adopt their own practices of mimicking brand strategising for their own ends, or as they assert, ‘Let the people sing’.
Influence of linear density of elastic inlay yarn on pressure generation on human body
Authors: Bera Moumita , Chattopadhyay R , Gupta Deepti
Published: October 2015

Pressure garments are used to heal different medical conditions such as hypertrophic scars, venous problems and orthopaedic disorders. The requirement of therapeutic pressure for different applications is different. So there is a need for engineering pressure garments according to the requirement. Pressure garments are made from elastic knitted fabric. The principle of pressure generation depicts that the tensile property of the elastic knitted fabric is an important factor which can be regulated by varying the property of elastic inlay yarn used in the fabric. Little information is available in this aspect. In the present study, elastic knitted fabric tubes were prepared by varying the linear density of the elastic inlay yarn. Pressure exerted by the fabric tubes was studied on 10 male and 10 female upper arm of left hands. The pressure generation behaviour was then compared in between male and female subjects. The results were also compared with pressure development on rigid body. Results showed that tensile property of elastic knitted fabric can be regulated by varying the linear density of elastic inlay yarn. Pressure exerted by the fabric tubes can be regulated by changing the linear density of elastic inlay yarn. Pressure generation was always higher on rigid body than human body.
Assessing the Mechanisms of Senatorial Responsiveness to Constituency Preferences
Authors: Buttice Matthew K. , Highton Benjamin
Published: October 2015

This article analyzes the relationship between U.S. senators and their constituencies over the entire period of time that senators have been selected by direct election. Focusing on preference change within states, we identify three mechanisms that might produce responsiveness in senators’ ideological locations. We find that it is not merely the case that responsiveness is produced by party representation. Replacement of one senator with another of the same party facilitates responsiveness, too. And, even without electoral replacement, individual senators appear to adjust their ideological locations in response to changes in their electorates’ preferences. We also investigate how the mechanisms of responsiveness changed with the erosion of Democratic dominance in the South and as the parties grew stronger over time.
Participants’ Understanding of Informed Consent in a Randomized Controlled Trial for Chronic Knee Pain
Authors: Guillemin Marilys , Barnard Emma , Walker Hannah , Bennell Kim , Hinman Rana , Gillam Lynn
Published: October 2015

This study explored participants’ experiences of randomized controlled trial (RCT) participation to examine their understanding of the trial design and whether their consent was indeed informed. A nested qualitative interview study was conducted with 38 participants from a sample of 282 who participated in a complex RCT evaluating the effectiveness of laser compared with needle acupuncture for chronic knee pain. Overall participants had a good understanding of the RCT, and concepts such as randomization and placebo. Their experiences of being in the trial were largely positive, even if they did not experience any knee pain improvement. Their responses to unblinding at the end of the study were accepting. Participants had a good functional understanding of the RCT, sufficient for valid informed consent.
Masculinity, Racism, Social Support, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake Among African American Men: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rogers Charles R. , Mitchell Jamie A. , Franta Gabriel J. , Foster Margaret J. , Shires Deirdre
Published: October 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly preventable when CRC screening is utilized, yet CRC screening completion among African American men is relatively low and their mortality rates remain 50% higher juxtaposed to their White counterparts. Since a growing body of literature indicates masculinity, racism, and social support each have strong influences on CRC screening uptake, this systematic review examined the connections between these three sociocultural factors and CRC screening uptake among African American men. Potential studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Cited reference searching for the final sample was employed to identify and assess additional studies for inclusion using Scopus. The methodological quality of the reviewed evidence was also evaluated. Nineteen studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Thirteen studies employed nonexperimental research designs; a quasi-experimental design was present in four, and two utilized experimental designs. Studies were published between 2000 and 2014; the majority between 2009 and 2013. Social support was most frequently addressed (84%) while masculinity and racism were equally studied with paucity (11%) for their influence on CRC screening. After evaluating conceptual and methodological characteristics of the studies, 42% fell below average in quality and rigor. The need for increased attention to the sociocultural correlates of CRC screening for African American men are highlighted in this systematic review, and important recommendations for research and practice are provided. Alongside a call for more rigorous research, further research examining the influence of masculinity and racism on CRC screening completion among African American men is warranted.
The Production of Comedy
Authors: Sturges Paul
Published: October 2015

The joke is an essential comic format, and since great volumes of jokes circulate unattributed and without explicit context, the question of their origin requires answering. The current production of jokes is explored in this article, using interviews with stand-up comedians and the current literature of comedy. Comedians reveal a serious devotion to their joke writing, spending working time trawling their own experience and cultural exposure for potentially comic material which they then can structure as jokes. In carrying out this task, they are strongly concerned that the material they create will represent a message that is true to themselves (or “authentic”) rather than merely amusing. They use social media to test material and build their profile with potential audiences. In doing so, they accept the collateral effect that their jokes will quickly enter the communally owned resource of comic content that circulates orally and electronically.
Ages & Stages Questionnaire–Brazil–2011
Authors: Santana Cristina M. T. , Filgueiras Alberto , Landeira-Fernandez J.
Published: October 2015

Introduction. Professionals who assess early childhood development highly benefit from reliable development screening measures. The Ages & Stages Questionnaire was adapted Brazil in 2010 and named ASQ-BR. Modifications in some items were required to improve the instrument’s psychometric properties. The present study modified the ASQ-BR to verify if those changes increase its characteristics. Method. This study researched 67 522 children from 972 public day care centers and preschools. Changes in items were made considering Cronbach’s α and item-to-total correlations. Reliability, dimensionality, and item-to-total correlations were calculated. Results. Regarding dimensionality, 86.2% of the scales in ASQ-BR-2011 were unidimensional. Internal consistency showed improvement from 2010 to 2011: 53.8% of the scales increased the α statistics against 41.2% that decreased, and 5.0% remained the same. Finally, 65.2% of the modified items showed improvement. Conclusions. Overall, the instrument’s psychometrics improved from 2010 to 2011, especially in the personal/social domain. However, it still leaves room for improvement in future studies.
Valproic acid improves second-line regimen of small cell lung carcinoma in preclinical models
Authors: Hubaux Roland , Vandermeers Fabian , Cosse Jean-Philippe , Crisanti Cecilia , Kapoor Veena , Albelda Steven M. , Mascaux Céline , Delvenne Philippe , Hubert Pascale , Willems Luc
Published: October 2015

With 5-year survival rates below 5%, small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) has very poor prognosis and requires improved therapies. Despite an excellent overall response to first-line therapy, relapses are frequent and further treatments are disappointing. The goal of the study was to improve second-line therapy of SCLC.

The effect of chemotherapeutic agents was evaluated in cell lines (apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, and RNA and protein expression) and in mouse models (tumour development).

We demonstrate here that valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, improves the efficacy of a second-line regimen (vindesine, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) in SCLC cells and in mouse models.

Transcriptomic profiling integrating microRNA and mRNA data identifies key signalling pathways in the response of SCLC cells to valproic acid, opening new prospects for improved therapies.
Role of Chemoradiotherapy in Elderly Patients With Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Corso Christopher D. , Rutter Charles E. , Park Henry S. , Lester-Coll Nataniel H. , Kim Anthony W. , Wilson Lynn D. , Husain Zain A. , Lilenbaum Rogerio C. , Yu James B. , Decker Roy H.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To investigate outcomes for elderly patients treated with chemotherapy (CT) alone versus chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the modern era by using a large national database.

Patients and Methods

Elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer clinical stage I to III who received CT or CRT were identified in the National Cancer Data Base between 2003 and 2011. Hierarchical mixed-effects logistic regression with clustering by reporting facility was performed to identify factors associated with treatment selection. Overall survival (OS) of patients receiving CT versus CRT was compared by using the log-rank test, Cox proportional hazards regression, and propensity score matching.

Results

A total of 8,637 patients were identified, among whom 3,775 (43.7%) received CT and 4,862 (56.3%) received CRT. The odds of receiving CRT decreased with increasing age, clinical stage III disease, female sex, and the presence of medical comorbidities (all P < .01). Use of CRT was associated with increased OS compared with CT on univariable and multivariable analysis (median OS, 15.6 v 9.3 months; 3-year OS, 22.0% v 6.3%; log-rank P < .001; Cox P < .001). Propensity score matching identified a matched cohort of 6,856 patients and confirmed a survival benefit associated with CRT (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.55; P < .001). Subset analysis of CRT treatment sequence showed that patients alive 4 months after diagnosis derived a survival benefit with concurrent CRT over sequential CRT (median OS, 17.0 v 15.4 months; log-rank P = .01).

Conclusion

In elderly patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer, modern CRT appears to confer an additional OS advantage beyond that achieved with CT alone in a large population-based cohort. Our findings suggest that CRT should be the preferred strategy in elderly patients who are expected to tolerate the toxicities of the combined approach.
The PGE2 EP3 Receptor Regulates Diet-Induced Adiposity in Male Mice
Authors: Ceddia Ryan P. , Lee DaeKee , Maulis Matthew F. , Carboneau Bethany A. , Threadgill David W. , Poffenberger Greg , Milne Ginger , Boyd Kelli L. , Powers Alvin C. , McGuinness Owen P. , Gannon Maureen , Breyer Richard M.
Published: October 2015

Mice carrying a targeted disruption of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) E-prostanoid receptor 3 (EP3) gene, Ptger3, were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), or a micronutrient matched control diet, to investigate the effects of disrupted PGE2-EP3 signaling on diabetes in a setting of diet-induced obesity. Although no differences in body weight were seen in mice fed the control diet, when fed a HFD, EP3−/− mice gained more weight relative to EP3+/+ mice. Overall, EP3−/− mice had increased epididymal fat mass and adipocyte size; paradoxically, a relative decrease in both epididymal fat pad mass and adipocyte size was observed in the heaviest EP3−/− mice. The EP3−/− mice had increased macrophage infiltration, TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-6 expression, and necrosis in their epididymal fat pads as compared with EP3+/+ animals. Adipocytes isolated from EP3+/+ or EP3−/− mice were assayed for the effect of PGE2-evoked inhibition of lipolysis. Adipocytes isolated from EP3−/− mice lacked PGE2-evoked inhibition of isoproterenol stimulated lipolysis compared with EP3+/+. EP3−/− mice fed HFD had exaggerated ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle and liver, with evidence of hepatic steatosis. Both blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were similar between genotypes on a control diet, but when fed HFD, EP3−/− mice became hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic when compared with EP3+/+ fed HFD, demonstrating a more severe insulin resistance phenotype in EP3−/−. These results demonstrate that when fed a HFD, EP3−/− mice have abnormal lipid distribution, developing excessive ectopic lipid accumulation and associated insulin resistance.
Torsion in tensor powers of modules
Authors: Celikbas Olgur , Iyengar Srikanth B. , Piepmeyer Greg , Wiegand Roger
Published: October 2015

Tensor products usually have nonzero torsion. This is a central theme of Auslander's 1961 paper; the theme continues in the work of Huneke and Wiegand in the 1990s. The main focus in this article is on tensor powers of a finitely generated module over a local ring. Also, we study torsion-free modules N with the property that M ⊗R N has nonzero torsion unless M is very special. An important example of such a module N is the Frobenius power peR over a complete intersection domain R of characteristic p > 0.
SLAT promotes TCR-mediated, Rap1-dependent LFA-1 activation and adhesion through interaction of its PH domain with Rap1
Authors: Côte Marjorie , Fos Camille , Canonigo-Balancio Ann J. , Ley Klaus , Bécart Stéphane , Altman Amnon
Published: October 2015

SLAT promotes T cell activation and differentiation by regulating NFAT/Ca2+ signaling. However, its role in TCR-mediated inside-out signaling that induces integrin activation and T cell adhesion, a central process in T cell immunity and inflammation, has not been explored. Here we show that SLAT is crucial for TCR-induced adhesion to ICAM-1 and LFA-1 affinity maturation in CD4+ T cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that SLAT interacts through its PH domain with a key component of inside-out signaling, namely the active form of the small GTPase Rap1. This interaction has been further shown to facilitate the interdependent recruitment of Rap1 and SLAT to the T cell immunological synapse upon TCR engagement. Furthermore, a SLAT mutant lacking its PH domain drastically inhibited LFA-1 activation and CD4+ T cell adhesion. Finally, we established that a constitutively active form of Rap1, which is present at the plasma membrane, rescues the defective LFA-1 activation and ICAM-1 adhesion in SLAT-deficient (Def6−/−) T cells. These findings ascribe a novel function to SLAT, and identify Rap1 as a target of SLAT function in TCR-mediated inside-out signaling.
Editorial
Authors: Dudek Dominika , Sobański Jerzy , Klasa Katarzyna
Published: October 2015

bez streszczenia
Isolation and screening of rhizobacteria from soil in Ngawi, East Java,as candidates of agent for liquid organic fertilizer production
Authors: IMAMUDDIN HARTATI , DEWI TIRTA KUMALA , ANTONIUS SARJIYA
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Imamuddin H, Dewi TK, Antonius S. 2015. Isolation and screening of rhizobacteria from soil in Ngawi, East Java as candidates of agent for liquid organic fertilizer production. Nusantara Bioscience 7: 107-111. A series of activities have been done to find indigenous microbes from Ngawi, East Java, as candidates for living organic fertilizers. The study was started with sampling of soils from 17 locations in Ngawi. Then, the samples were isolated to get population of soil microbes, including total, phosphate-solubilizing, N-fixing, and IAA-(Indol Acetic Acid)-producing bacteria. Five soil samples were used to test bacterial growth in several concentration of propoxur. Method of isolation used in this study was enrichment culture and the growth was determined using spectrophotometer at 436 nm wave length. The resuts showed that the populations of total and IAA-producing bacteria in Ngawi soil were relatively high, namely 106 CFU/g soil, but the population N-fixing bacteria was only 10-5, and no phosphate-solubilizing bacteria could grow. Twenty one isolates of bacteria were found, 16 of which postively produced IAA and 5 isolates of which could grow in  propoxur medium. The highest production of IAA was found in sample number 6.3 with a concentration of 123.535 ppm and isolate H-2-NG (sample number 2) could grow at concentration of 1000 ppm (MM medium)-3000 ppm (MSB medium). It is hoped that these isolates can be used as candidates of agent for liquid living organic fertilizers.
Planar Functionalized Surfaces for Direct Immunoaffinity Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Pompach Petr , Nováková Jana , Kavan Daniel , Benada Oldřich , Růžička Viktor , Volný Michael , Novák Petr
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Recent studies show that the haptoglobin phenotype in individuals with diabetes mellitus is an important factor for predicting the risk of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, and stroke. Current methods for haptoglobin phenotyping include PCR and gel electrophoresis. A need exists for a reliable method for high-throughput clinical applications. Mass spectrometry (MS) can in principle provide fast phenotyping because haptoglobin α 1 and α 2, which define the phenotype, have different molecular masses. Because of the complexity of the serum matrix, an efficient and fast enrichment technique is necessary for an MS-based assay.

METHODS

MALDI plates were functionalized by ambient ion landing of electrosprayed antihaptoglobin antibody. The array was deposited on standard indium tin oxide slides. Fast immunoaffinity enrichment was performed in situ on the plate, which was further analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. The haptoglobin phenotype was determined from the spectra by embedded software script.

RESULTS

The MALDI mass spectra showed ion signals of haptoglobin α subunits at m/z 9192 and at m/z 15 945. A cohort of 116 sera was analyzed and the reliability of the method was confirmed by analyzing the identical samples by Western blot. One hundred percent overlap of results between the direct immunoaffinity desorption/ionization MS and Western Blot analysis was found.

CONCLUSIONS

MALDI plates modified by antihaptoglobin antibody using ambient ion landing achieve low nonspecific interactions and efficient MALDI ionization and are usable for quick haptoglobin phenotyping.
Investigation of writing tendencies of secondary school students with regards to various variables
Ortaokul öğrencilerinin yazma eğilimlerinin farklı değişkenler açısından incelenmesi
Authors: Kana Fatih , Özbaşı Durmuş , Ünlü Süleyman
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate writing tendencies of secondary school students with regards to different variables. Descriptive survey model was used in the study to find out students’ general writing tendencies. Writing Tendency Inventory which was adapted into Turkish by İşeri and Ünal (2010)  and which has 21 items, was used in this study. The sampling of this study consists of 1145 secondary school students in 2013-2014 academic year. T-test and one-way variance analysis were used in the analysis of the collected data in this study. The findings of this study reveal that there has been a significant difference in students’ writing tendencies depending on their classes, gender, their state of keeping or not keeping a diary, the number of the books that they read in the former year, the reading group that they feel they belong to  and the state of their liking or not liking to read. As a conclusion of the study, it can be suggested that secondary students’ writing tendencies (with regards to reliance, passion and continuity sub-dimensions) are higher at first years compared to other classes (especially at the 5th year) and they have more tendency to write.  Besides, female students were found to have higher writing tendencies, and it can also be suggested that writing tendency is closely related to the number of read books, the state of keeping or not keeping a diary or the state of liking or not liking to read.

 

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı ortaokul öğrencilerinin yazma eğilimlerini çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelemektir. Araştırma öğrencilerin genel yazma eğilimlerinin araştırılması bakımından betimsel türde tarama modelinde bir araştırmadır. Çalışmada öğrencilerin okuma yazma eğilimlerini tespit etmek amacıyla İşeri ve Ünal (2010) tarafından Türkçe ’ye uyarlanan 21 maddeden oluşan yazma eğilimi ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 2013-2014 eğitim öğretim yılında öğrenim görmekte olan 1145 ortaokul öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Verilerin analizinde t-testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın bulgularına göre, öğrencilerin yazma eğilimleri okudukları sınıf, cinsiyet, günlük tutup tutmamaları, son bir yıl içerisinde okudukları kitap sayısı, kendilerini hissettikleri okuyucu grubu, yazmayı sevip sevmedikleri bakımından anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. Çalışmanın sonucu olarak, yazma eğilimi (güven, tutku ve süreklilik alt boyutlarında) ortaokul öğrencilerinin ilk yıllarında (özellikle beşinci sınıfta) diğer sınıflara göre daha yüksek olduğu, öğrencilerin yazmaya daha yatkın olduğu söylenebilir. Ayrıca kız öğrencilerin yine yazma eğilimlerinin daha yüksek odluğu; yazma eğiliminde okunan kitap sayısının, günlük tutmanın ve yazmayı sevmenin etkili olduğu araştırma sonucuna söylenebilir.
The TT Genotype of the MTHFR 677C>T Polymorphism Increases Susceptibility to Premature Coronary Artery Disease in Interaction with Some of the Traditional Risk Factors
Authors: Sarecka-Hujar Beata , Zak Iwona , Krauze Jolanta
Published: October 2015

Background: The presence of several risk factors (genetic and non-genetic) has greater impact on the risk of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) than single risk factor. Objective: The aim of the study was to establish possible relations between genotypes and alleles of 677C>T polymorphism ofMTHFRgene and some traditional risk factors e.g. elevated levels of lipid parameters and smoking in development of premature CAD. Methods: The groups comprised 152 patients with angiographically documented premature CAD (aged 42.9 ± 5.5) and 121 age-matched blood donors (aged 42.3 ± 6.5) were studied. TheMTHFR677C>T polymorphism was genotyped with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: Patients with TT genotype who simultaneously smoked had increased risk of premature CAD compared to non-smoking cases with CC genotype (OR = 24.62). We also found that individuals with TT genotype and elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-chol.) level had significantly higher risk of CAD (OR = 9.92) than individuals with normal LDL-chol. level and CC genotype. Conclusions: The present study shows that simultaneous presence ofMTHFRTT genotype and smoking or elevated levels of LDL-chol. influences the risk of premature CAD. This findings give interesting contribution to gene-environment interaction problem that may have clinical implications in the future.
Successful Treatment of Intracardiac and Pulmonary Thrombi in Behçet’s Disease with Oral Anticoagulant and Immunosuppressive Therapy
Authors: Canpolat Uğur , Yorgun Hikmet , Akdoğan Ali , Aytemir Kudret
Published: October 2015

Behçet’s disease is a multisystem chronic inflammatory disease generally presenting as recurrent oral-genital ulcers and uveitis. Vascular involvement is a common presentation. However, cardiac involvement is rare in this disorder. In this case report, we present a large right ventricular thrombus detected both in computed tomography and echocardiography in a 32 year-old male patient with complaints of fever, haemoptysis and weight loss. Intracardiac thrombus showed both clinical and radiological regression with oral anticoagulant and immunosuppressive therapy.
Understanding entry and exit: a business cycle accounting approach
Authors: Macnamara Patrick
Published: October 2015

This paper considers a model of firm dynamics to study how well aggregate shocks account for fluctuations in the entry and exit of establishments. To do this, I construct measures of aggregate technology, labor and investment shocks. Under reasonable parameters, the model indicates that labor shocks (and not technology or investment shocks) best account for cyclical fluctuations in entry and exit rates. Moreover, this has had significant implications for the aggregate economy, as entry and exit have made output and hours more volatile and persistent.
Optimization of Nickel Chemical Extraction from Hazardous Residue
Authors: Gharabaghi Mahdi , Azadmehr Amirreza
Published: October 2015

Statistical design of experiments was used for design and analysis of nickel extraction from hazardous waste. Sulphuric acid leaching of zinc plant residue has been performed for monitoring and evaluating the effects of process factors on the nickel leaching yield. Factorial design was planned first in order to study the effect of six process factors and screen main variables. These factors were reaction time, acid concentration, solid-liquid ratio % (w/v), particle size, stirring speed and reaction temperature. The main factors and their interaction were studied by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the results showed that the reaction time, acid concentration and solid-liquid ratio were the most significant factors. In the second set of experiments, response surface methodology (RSM) was used for modelling and optimisation of significant factors. Quadratic model was derived for the prediction of nickel extraction. The optimum values for maximum nickel was identified to be a leaching time of 30 min, acid concentration 10% (V/V) and solid liquid ratio of 10%. Using these optimum conditions, more than 94% nickel was extracted. In addition the results of model equation showed a good agreement with the experimental data.
Labordiagnostik bei systemischen Autoimmunerkrankungen
Authors: Diller Magnus , Fleck Martin
Published: October 2015

Bei systemischen Autoimmunerkrankungen wie der rheumatoiden Arthritis, den Kollagenosen und den Vaskulitiden hat sich seit mehreren Jahren der Nachweis von Autoantikörpern im klinischen Alltag etabliert. Bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis (RA) gelingt allerdings nur bei 80% der Patienten ein Nachweis des Rheumafaktors (RF) oder anti-citrullinierter Protein/Peptid-Antikörper (ACPA). Als neue Biomarker für die RA gelten anti-CarP-Autoantikörper, die diese Lücke möglicherweise schließen könnten. Bei Kollagenosen erleichtert der Nachweis von ANA (Autonukleäre Antikörper) die Diagnosefindung wesentlich. Zu den ANAs zählen u.a. Anticentromer-AK, anti-Topoisomerase-I-[anti-Scl-70]-AK und anti-RNA-Polymerase-III-AK, die bei Patienten mit systemischer Sklerose nachgewiesen werden können und in den neuen Klassifikationskriterien berücksichtigt werden. Bei der Diagnose eines Antiphospholipidsyndroms spielt der Nachweis des Lupusantikoagulans und der aCL- bzw. anti-β2GPI-Antikörper der Isotypen IgG, IgM und IgA eine entscheidende Rolle. Antineutrophile-zytoplasmatische Antikörper (ANCA) sind wichtiger Bestandteil der Diagnostik bei Vaskultiden kleiner Gefäße und der Nachweis wird zunächst mit einem Screening über Immunfluoreszenztests (IFT) und mit anschließenden Immunoassays zum Nachweis der spezifischen Antikörper gegen Proteinase-3 (PR3) und Myeloperoxidase (MPO) geführt. Durch neue Schnelltestverfahren für anti-GBM-AK, anti-PR3-AK und anti-MPO-AK kann eine frühzeitigere Diagnosestellung bei kritisch kranken Vaskulitispatienten ermöglicht werden. Auch bei der Polymyalgia rheumatica und bei Patienten mit Spondyloarthritiden wird die Identifikation von neuen Biomarkern beschrieben; deren Stellenwert muss allerdings noch in weiteren Studien evaluiert werden.
Structural VARs, deterministic and stochastic trends: how much detrending matters for shock identification
Authors: Wiriyawit Varang , Wong Benjamin
Published: October 2015

Detrending within structural vector autoregressions (SVAR) is directly linked to the shock identification. We investigate the consequences of trend misspecification in an SVAR using both standard real business cycle models and bi-variate SVARs as data generating processes. Our bias decomposition reveals biases arising directly from trend misspecification are not trivial when compared to other widely studied misspecifications. Misspecifying the trend also distorts impulse response functions of even the correctly detrended variable within the SVAR system. Pretesting for unit roots mitigates trend misspecification to some extent. We also find that while practitioners can specify high lag order VARs to mitigate trend misspecification, relying on common information criterion such as the Akaike information criterion (AIC) or Bayesian information criterion (BIC) may choose a lag order that is too low.