bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Reduction in Thickness and Rolling Conditions on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Rolled Mg-8Al-1Zn-1Ca Alloy
Authors: Fukuda Yuta , Noda Masafumi , Ito Tomomi , Suzuki Kazutaka , Saito Naobumi , Chino Yasumasa
Published: July 2017

A cast Mg-8Al-1Zn-1Ca magnesium alloy was multipass hot rolled at different sample and roll temperatures. The effect of the rolling conditions and reduction in thickness on the microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. The optimal combination of the ultimate tensile strength, 351 MPa, yield strength, 304 MPa, and ductility, 12.2%, was obtained with the 3 mm thick Mg-8Al-1Zn-1Ca rolled sheet, which was produced with a roll temperature of 80°C and sample temperature of 430°C. This rolling process resulted in the formation of a bimodal structure in the α-Mg matrix, which consequently led to good ductility and high strength, exclusively by the hot rolling process. The 3 mm thick rolled sheet exhibited fine (mean grain size of 2.7 μm) and coarse grain regions (mean grain size of 13.6 μm) with area fractions of 29% and 71%, respectively. In summary, the balance between the strength and ductility was enhanced by the grain refinement of the α-Mg matrix and by controlling the frequency and orientation of the grains.
Association of GCLM -588C/T and GCLC -129T/C Promoter Polymorphisms of Genes Coding the Subunits of Glutamate Cysteine Ligase with Ischemic Heart Disease Development in Kazakhstan Population
Authors: Skvortsova Liliya , Perfelyeva Anastasia , Khussainova Elmira , Mansharipova Alma , Forman Henry Jay , Djansugurova Leyla
Published: July 2017

Background. Glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) is a rate-limiting enzyme in synthesis of glutathione. Evidence suggests that genetic variations in the promoter region of genes coding a catalytic subunit (GCLC -129T/C) and a modifier subunit (GCLM -588C/T) of GCL have a functional impact on their transcriptional activity and were associated with various disorders. Hence, we hypothesize whether these two polymorphic variants of GCLM and GCLC genes are associated with the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) development in the population of Kazakhstan. Methods. We evaluated 360 patients with IHD and 341 control subjects. Allele frequencies of studied promoters’ polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the risk for different genotypes obtained. Results. The presence of -588T allele in GCLM and -129T allele in GCLC gene genotypes was associated with an increased risk of IHD (GCLM -588T: OR=3.92, p=0.003; GCLC -129T: OR=3.22, p=0.03) for general ethnically mixed group. Analysis of each ethnical groups separately showed the higher risk tendency for Kazakhs as for GCLM -588T (OR=4.79; p=0.03) and as for GCLC -129T (OR=4.79, p=0.03). For Russians, statistically differences for two polymorphisms were not observed. Conclusion. The two promoter polymorphisms of GCLM (-588C/T) and GCLC (-128T/C) are associated with an increased risk of IHD in Kazakhstan population.
ProbioticLactobacillusStrains Stimulate the Inflammatory Response and Activate Human Macrophages
Authors: Rocha-Ramírez L. M. , Pérez-Solano R. A. , Castañón-Alonso S. L. , Moreno Guerrero S. S. , Ramírez Pacheco A. , García Garibay M. , Eslava C.
Published: July 2017

Lactobacillihave been shown to promote health functions. In this study, we analyzed the mechanism by which four different strains of probiotics affected innate immunity, such as regulation of ROS, cytokines, phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, signaling by NF-κB pp65, and TLR2 activation. The production of ROS was dependent on the concentration and species ofLactobacillus. The results obtained from the tested strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosusGG,L. rhamnosusKLSD,L. helveticusIMAU70129, andL. caseiIMAU60214) showed that strains induced early proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8,TNF-α, IL-12p70, and IL-6. However, IL-1βexpression was induced only byL. helveticusandL. caseistrains (after 24 h stimulation). Phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of macrophages against various pathogens, such asS. aureus,S. typhimurium, andE. coli, were increased by pretreatment withLactobacillus. The nuclear translocation NF-κB pp65 and TLR2-dependent signaling were also increased by treatment with the probiotics. Taken together, the experiments demonstrate that probiotic strains ofLactobacillusexert early immunostimulatory effects that may be directly linked to the initial inflammation of the response of human macrophages.
Metabolic Reprogramming, Autophagy, and Reactive Oxygen Species Are Necessary for Primordial Germ Cell Reprogramming into Pluripotency
Authors: Sainz de la Maza D. , Moratilla A. , Aparicio V. , Lorca C. , Alcaina Y. , Martín D. , De Miguel M. P.
Published: July 2017

Cellular reprogramming is accompanied by a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) toward glycolysis. Previous results from our laboratory showed that hypoxia alone is able to reprogram primordial germ cells (PGCs) into pluripotency and that this action is mediated by hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF1). As HIF1 exerts a myriad of actions by upregulating several hundred genes, to ascertain whether the metabolic switch toward glycolysis is solely responsible for reprogramming, PGCs were cultured in the presence of a pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2) activator, or glycolysis was promoted by manipulating PPARγ. Conversely, OXPHOS was stimulated by inhibiting PDK1 activity in normoxic or in hypoxic conditions. Inhibition or promotion of autophagy and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was performed to ascertain their role in cell reprogramming. Our results show that a metabolic shift toward glycolysis, autophagy, and mitochondrial inactivation and an early rise in ROS levels are necessary for PGC reprogramming. All of these processes are governed by HIF1/HIF2 balance and strict intermediate Oct4 levels. Histone acetylation plays a role in reprogramming and is observed under all reprogramming conditions. The pluripotent cells thus generated were unable to self‐renew, probably due to insufficient Blimp1 downregulation and a lack of Klf4 and cMyc expression.
A Novel Approach towards Medical Entity Recognition in Chinese Clinical Text
Authors: Liang Jun , Xian Xuemei , He Xiaojun , Xu Meifang , Dai Sheng , Xin Jun’yi , Xu Jie , Yu Jian , Lei Jianbo
Published: July 2017

Medical entity recognition, a basic task in the language processing of clinical data, has been extensively studied in analyzing admission notes in alphabetic languages such as English. However, much less work has been done on nonstructural texts that are written in Chinese, or in the setting of differentiation of Chinese drug names between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Here, we propose a novel cascade-type Chinese medication entity recognition approach that aims at integrating the sentence category classifier from a support vector machine and the conditional random field-based medication entity recognition. We hypothesized that this approach could avoid the side effects of abundant negative samples and improve the performance of the named entity recognition from admission notes written in Chinese. Therefore, we applied this approach to a test set of 324 Chinese-written admission notes with manual annotation by medical experts. Our data demonstrated that this approach had a score of 94.2% in precision, 92.8% in recall, and 93.5% in F-measure for the recognition of traditional Chinese medicine drug names and 91.2% in precision, 92.6% in recall, and 91.7% F-measure for the recognition of Western medicine drug names. The differences in F-measure were significant compared with those in the baseline systems.
Human Brain Mapping of Visual Script Familiarity between Phonological and Logographic Language: 3 T Functional MRI Study
Authors: Kim Nambeom , Kim Jongho , Kang Chang-Ki , Park Chan-A , Lim Mi-Ra , Kim Young-Bo , Bak Byung-Gee
Published: July 2017

Neurolinguistic circuitry for two different scripts of language, such as phonological scripts (PhonoS) versus logographic scripts (LogoS) (e.g., English versus Chinese, resp.), recruits segregated neural pathways according to orthographic regularity (OrthoR). The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of VSF for cortical representation according to different OrthoR to represent Hangul versus Hanja as PhonoS versus LogoS, respectively. A total of 24 right-handed, native Korean undergraduate students with the first language of PhonoS and the second language of LogoS were divided into high- or low-competent groups for L2 of LogoS. The implicit word reading task was performed using Hanja and Hangul scripts during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquisition. Fluctuations of fMRI BOLD signal demonstrated that the LogoS was associated with the ventral pathway, whereas PhonoS was associated with the dorsal pathway. By interaction analysis, compared with high-competent group, low-competent group showed significantly greater activation for Hanja than for Hangul reading in the right superior parietal lobule area and the left supplementary motor area, which might be due to neural efficiency such as attention and cognition rather than core neurolinguistic neural demand like OrthoR processing.
An In Situ and In Silico Evaluation of Biophysical Effects of 27 MHz Electromagnetic Whole Body Humans Exposure Expressed by the Limb Current
Authors: Karpowicz Jolanta , Zradziński Patryk , Kieliszek Jarosław , Gryz Krzysztof , Sobiech Jaromir , Leszko Wiesław
Published: July 2017

Objectives. The aim was to evaluate correlations between biophysical effects of 27 MHz electromagnetic field exposure in humans (limb induced current (LIC)) and (1) parameters of affecting heterogeneous electric field and (2) body anthropometric properties, in order to improve the evaluation of electromagnetic environmental hazards. Methods. Biophysical effects of exposure were studied in situ by measurements of LIC in 24 volunteers (at the ankle) standing near radio communication rod antenna and in silico in 4 numerical body phantoms exposed near a model of antenna. Results. Strong, positive, statistically significant correlations were found in all exposure scenarios between LIC and body volume index (body height multiplied by mass) (r>0.7; p<0.001). The most informative exposure parameters, with respect to the evaluation of electromagnetic hazards by measurements (i.e., the ones strongest correlated with LIC), were found to be the value of electric field (unperturbed field, in the absence of body) in front of the chest (50 cm from body axis) or the maximum value in space occupied by human. Such parameters were not analysed in previous studies. Conclusions. Exposed person’s body volume and electric field strength in front of the chest determine LIC in studied exposure scenarios, but their wider applicability needs further studies.
Mitochondrial Heterogeneity: Evaluating Mitochondrial Subpopulation Dynamics in Stem Cells
Authors: Woods D. C.
Published: July 2017

Although traditionally viewed as the “powerhouse” of the cell, an accruing body of evidence in the rapidly growing field of mitochondrial biology supports additional roles of mitochondria as key participants in a multitude of cellular functions. While it has been well established that mitochondria in different tissues have distinctive ultrastructural features consistent with differential bioenergetic demands, recent and emerging technical advances in flow cytometry, imaging, and “-omics”-based bioinformatics have only just begun to explore the complex and divergent properties of mitochondria within tissues and cell types. Moreover, contemporary studies evaluating the role of mitochondria in pluripotent stem cells, cellular reprogramming, and differentiation point to a potential importance of mitochondrial subpopulations and heterogeneity in the field of stem cell biology. This review assesses the current literature regarding mitochondrial subpopulations within cell and tissue types and evaluates the current understanding of how mitochondrial diversity and heterogeneity might impact cell fate specification in pluripotent stem cells.
In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatoprotective Effects of Geranium koreanum Methanolic Extract via Downregulation of MAPK/Caspase‐3 Pathway
Authors: Akanda Md Rashedunnabi , Kim In-Shik , Ahn Dongchoon , Tae Hyun-Jin , Tian Weishun , Nam Hyeon-Hwa , Choo Byung-Kil , Park Byung-Yong
Published: July 2017

Geranium koreanum (GK) is an indigenous Chinese herbal medicine widely used for the treatment of various inflammation and liver disorders. However, the exact mechanism of action of GK remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and related molecular mechanism of GK on NaAsO2‐induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells and liver damage in mice. The cytoprotective role of GK was assessed on HepG2 cells using MTT assay. Oxidative stress and lactate dehydrogenase levels were measured with ROS and LDH assay. Histopathology and serum enzymes levels were estimated. The molecular mechanism was evaluated by qPCR and immunoblotting to ensure the hepatoprotective role of GK against NaAsO2 intoxication in mice. We found cotreatment with GK significantly attenuated NaAsO2‐induced cell viability loss, intracellular ROS, and LDH release. Hepatic histopathology and serum biochemical parameters, ALT, and AST were notably improved by cotreatment with GK. Beside, GK markedly altered both mRNA and protein expression level of MAPK. The proapoptotic and antiapoptotic protein Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio was significantly regulated by GK. Moreover, GK remarkably suppressed the postapoptotic transcription protein cleaved caspase‐3 expression. The present study reveals that GK possesses hepatoprotective activity which is probably involved in the modulation of the MAPK/caspase‐3 pathway.
A Rare Case of Aortoatrial Fistula from Streptococcal Endocarditis
Authors: Arshad Hammad , Young Meilin , Rali Parth
Published: July 2017

We represent an unfortunate case of postinfluenza streptococcal endocarditis in a 34-year-old healthy male. He presented with hypoxic respiratory failure and was found to have mitral and aortic valve vegetation. Hospital course was complicated by the presence of an aortoatrial fistula from an aortic root abscess, persistent septic shock, and multiorgan failure.
Buccal Fat Pad as a Potential Source of Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration: A Literature Review
Authors: Salehi-Nik Nasim , Rezai Rad Maryam , Kheiri Lida , Nazeman Pantea , Nadjmi Nasser , Khojasteh Arash
Published: July 2017

Adipose tissues hold great promise in bone tissue engineering since they are available in large quantities as a waste material. The buccal fat pad (BFP) is a specialized adipose tissue that is easy to harvest and contains a rich blood supply, and its harvesting causes low complications for patients. This review focuses on the characteristics and osteogenic capability of stem cells derived from BFP as a valuable cell source for bone tissue engineering. An electronic search was performed on all in vitro and in vivo studies that used stem cells from BFP for the purpose of bone tissue engineering from 2010 until 2016. This review was organized according to the PRISMA statement. Adipose-derived stem cells derived from BFP (BFPSCs) were compared with adipose tissues from other parts of the body (AdSCs). Moreover, the osteogenic capability of dedifferentiated fat cells (DFAT) derived from BFP (BFP-DFAT) has been reported in comparison with BFPSCs. BFP is an easily accessible source of stem cells that can be obtained via the oral cavity without injury to the external body surface. Comparing BFPSCs with AdSCs indicated similar cell yield, morphology, and multilineage differentiation. However, BFPSCs proliferate faster and are more prone to producing colonies than AdSCs.
Thermal Storage Capacity and Night Ventilation Performance of a Solar Chimney Combined with Different PCMs
Authors: Lu Jun , Gao Xiaolong , Li Qianru , Li Yongcai
Published: July 2017

Thermal storage capacity and airflow rate of a solar chimney combined with different PCMs are numerically studied during nighttime. PCMs with phase change temperatures of 38°C, 44°C, 50°C, and 63°C are selected in this numerical study. Results show that the maximum average ventilation rate of 610 kg/m2 and maximum thermal storage of 4750 kJ/m2 are achieved at the phase change temperature of 38°C. However, for phase change temperature of 63°C, night ventilation does not occur under the identical conditions. The findings reveal that a lower phase change temperature can increase the chargeability (and therefore the dischargeability) of a solar chimney, since a higher phase change temperature demands higher solar radiation intensity and longer charging time for a solar chimney. For PCM with a phase change temperature of 44°C, most of the heat stored in PCM is lost to ambient through glass cover by radiation and only a small portion is used for heating the air within air channel.
Acinetobacter baumanniiLipopolysaccharide Influences Adipokine Expression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Unno Yuka , Sato Yoshinori , Nishida Satoshi , Nakano Akiyo , Nakano Ryuichi , Ubagai Tsuneyuki , Ono Yasuo
Published: July 2017

Acinetobacter baumanniiis one of the most important nosocomial opportunistic pathogen worldwide. In addition, obesity has been associated with an increased risk of nosocomial infection, suggesting that there may be an association betweenA. baumanniiand white adipose tissue. However, the effects ofA. baumanniion adipocytes have not been well studied at the molecular level. Here, we investigated the potential role ofA. baumannii-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as signaling molecules that affect adipocyte functionality. We tested the effect of increasing concentrations ofA. baumannii-derived LPS (10, 100, or 1000 ng/mL) on the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line. Exposure to LPS was found to increase the expression of several adipokines (e.g., MIP-2, MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6, lipocalin-2, and FABP4) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and significantly reduced the expression of leptin and adiponectin. The effects ofA. baumannii-derived LPS on MIP-2 expression were similar in comparison with that of LPS prepared fromPseudomonas aeruginosaandEscherichia coliin our cell culture-based system. This study suggests thatA. baumannii-derived LPS functions as a signaling molecule that impacts the inflammatory function of white adipose tissue on the level of gene expression.
Effect of Chitosan and Liposome Nanoparticles as Adjuvant Codelivery on the Immunoglobulin G Subclass Distribution in a Mouse Model
Authors: Haryono Agus , Salsabila Korrie , Restu Witta Kartika , Harmami Sri Budi , Safari Dodi
Published: July 2017

Background. We investigate the immunogenic properties of chitosan and liposome nanoparticles as adjuvant codelivery against a commercial pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in an animal model. Methods. The chitosan and liposome nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation and dry methods, respectively. The PCV immunization was performed intradermally in the presence of adjuvants and booster injections which were given without an adjuvant. The Quil-A® was used as a control adjuvant. The ELISA was performed to measure the antibodies against pneumococcal type 14 polysaccharide (Pn14PS). Results. The level of total antibodies against Pn14PS antigen was no different between the mouse groups with or without adjuvant codelivery. Codelivery of the PCV with chitosan nanoparticles as well as the Quil-A adjuvant elicited IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 antibodies. Meanwhile, codelivery of liposome nanoparticles elicited mainly IgG1 antibodies against the Pn14PS. Conclusions. The chitosan and liposome nanoparticles as adjuvant codelivery were successfully synthesized. These nanoparticles have different shapes in particle formation, liposome nanoparticle with their unilamellar shape and chitosan nanoparticles in large shape due to the aggregation of small-size particles. Codelivery of chitosan nanoparticles has more effect on the IgG subclass antibody production than that of liposome nanoparticles in a mouse model.
Learning and Treatment of Anaphylaxis by Laypeople: A Simulation Study Using Pupilar Technology
Authors: Fernandez-Mendez Felipe , Saez-Gallego Nieves Maria , Barcala-Furelos Roberto , Abelairas-Gomez Cristian , Padron-Cabo Alexis , Perez-Ferreiros Alexandra , Garcia-Magan Carlos , Moure-Gonzalez Jose , Contreras-Jordan Onofre , Rodriguez-Nuñez Antonio
Published: July 2017

An anaphylactic shock is a time-critical emergency situation. The decision-making during emergencies is an important responsibility but difficult to study. Eye-tracking technology allows us to identify visual patterns involved in the decision-making. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate two training models for the recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis by laypeople, based on expert assessment and eye-tracking technology. A cross-sectional quasi-experimental simulation study was made to evaluate the identification and treatment of anaphylaxis. 50 subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: three groups watching different training videos with content supervised by sanitary personnel and one control group who received face-to-face training during paediatric practice. To evaluate the learning, a simulation scenario represented by an anaphylaxis’ victim was designed. A device capturing eye movement as well as expert valuation was used to evaluate the performance. The subjects that underwent paediatric face-to-face training achieved better and faster recognition of the anaphylaxis. They also used the adrenaline injector with better precision and less mistakes, and they needed a smaller number of visual fixations to recognise the anaphylaxis and to make the decision to inject epinephrine. Analysing the different video formats, mixed results were obtained. Therefore, they should be tested to evaluate their usability before implementation.
New B7 Family Checkpoints in Human Cancers
Authors: Ni Ling , Dong Chen
Published: July 2017

T cells are the main effector cells in immune response against tumors. The activation of T cells is regulated by the innate immune system through positive and negative costimulatory molecules. Targeting immune checkpoint regulators such as programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and CTL antigen 4 (CTLA-4) has achieved notable benefit in a variety of cancers, which leads to multiple clinical trials with antibodies targeting the other related B7/CD28 family members. Recently, five new B7 family ligands, B7-H3, B7-H4, B7-H5, B7-H6, and B7-H7, were identified. Here we review recent understanding of new B7 family checkpoint molecules as they have come to the front of cancer research with the concept that tumor cells exploit them to escape immune surveillance. The aim of this article is to address the structure and expression of the new B7 family molecules as well as their roles in controlling and suppressing immune responses of T cells as well as NK cells. We also discuss clinical significance and contribution of these checkpoint expressions in human cancers. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(7); 1203–11. ©2017 AACR.
Simulação como Estratégia para o Ensino de Administração em Enfermagem
Authors: Leonello Valéria Marli , Leite Maria Madalena Januário , Almeida Denise Maria De , Dias Cláudia Aparecida
Published: July 2017

Na enfermagem, a simulação pode ser utilizada como um recurso para o ensino de habilidades e atitudes relacionadas a instrumentos gerenciais fundamentais ao trabalho em saúde, entre elas as estratégias de negociação e conflito. Este relato de experiência descreve o uso da simulação como estratégia de ensino na disciplina Administração Aplicada à Enfermagem, do curso de graduação em Enfermagem da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo (EEUSP). Para realizar a simulação aqui tematizada, foram desenvolvidas estas etapas: construção do roteiro, montagem do cenário, definição dos participantes, desenvolvimento da simulação e debrifieng. A simulação alcançou seu objetivo ao colocar os discentes de Enfermagem próximos de uma situação real, permitindo a reflexão acerca de suas habilidades e atitudes na resolução de conflitos e negociação.
Transcription Factor RUNX1 Regulates Platelet
PCTP
(Phosphatidylcholine Transfer Protein): Implications for Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Mao Guangfen , Songdej Natthapol , Voora Deepak , Goldfinger Lawrence E. , Del Carpio-Cano Fabiola E. , Myers Rachel A. , Rao A. Koneti
Published: July 2017

Background:

PCTP (phosphatidylcholine transfer protein) regulates the intermembrane transfer of phosphatidylcholine. Higher platelet PCTP expression is associated with increased platelet responses on activation of protease-activated receptor 4 thrombin receptors noted in black subjects compared with white subjects. Little is known about the regulation of platelet
PCTP
. Haplodeficiency of RUNX1, a major hematopoietic transcription factor, is associated with thrombocytopenia and impaired platelet responses on activation. Platelet expression profiling of a patient with a
RUNX1
loss-of-function mutation revealed a 10-fold downregulation of the
PCTP
gene compared with healthy controls.

Methods:

We pursued the hypothesis that
PCTP
is regulated by RUNX1 and that
PCTP
expression is correlated with cardiovascular events. We studied RUNX1 binding to the
PCTP
promoter using DNA-protein binding studies and human erythroleukemia cells and promoter activity using luciferase reporter studies. We assessed the relationship between
RUNX1
and
PCTP
in peripheral blood RNA and
PCTP
and death or myocardial infarction in 2 separate patient cohorts (587 total patients) with cardiovascular disease.

Results:

Platelet PCTP protein in the patient was reduced by ≈50%. DNA-protein binding studies showed RUNX1 binding to consensus sites in ≈1 kB of
PCTP
promoter.
PCTP
expression was increased with
RUNX1
overexpression and reduced with
RUNX1
knockdown in human erythroleukemia cells, indicating that
PCTP
is regulated by RUNX1. Studies in 2 cohorts of patients showed that
RUNX1
expression in blood correlated with
PCTP
gene expression;
PCTP
expression was higher in black compared with white subjects and was associated with future death/myocardial infarction after adjustment for age, sex, and race (odds ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval 1.6–2.7;
P
<0.0001).
RUNX1
expression is known to initiate at 2 alternative promoters, a distal P1 and a proximal P2 promoter. In patient cohorts, there were differential effects of
RUNX1
isoforms on
PCTP
expression with a negative correlation in blood between
RUNX1
expressed from the P1 promoter and
PCTP
expression.

Conclusions:

PCTP
is a direct transcriptional target of RUNX1.
PCTP
expression is associated with death/myocardial infarction in patients with cardiovascular disease. RUNX1 regulation of
PCTP
may play a role in the pathogenesis of platelet-mediated cardiovascular events.
What Crumpling a Polychronic Materials Map Can Reveal
Authors: Norris Jane
Published: July 2017

What Crumpling a Polychronic Materials map can reveal… is a reflection on the Research Through Design Conference that was held at Microsoft Research in Cambridge UK in 2015. It focuses on the issues involved in offering a design methodology as a collaborative experience within the environs of a research through design conference. In considering the use of an interactive research exercise, such as crumpling maps of materials and time to communicate tacit knowledge and the process of designing, this reflection explores some of the constraints involved both in communicating in conferences and the process of research through design itself.
Reflecting on RTD 2015: Making Connections to Doing Research Through Design
Authors: Taylor Rebecca
Published: July 2017

This article shares the connections I have made between having experienced the Research Through Design 2015 Conference (RTD) and my experiences of doing Research through Design (RtD). To provide an example of doing RtD, I outline the projects situated at the heart of my doctoral studies, critically examine the features of my experience, and present how they have emerged from doing RtD. The purpose of this article is to provoke further discussion on the reflective processes of doing RtD and, in doing so, reveal the potential to map and inform the progression and effects of RtD methodology.
Scribing as Seen from the Inside: The Ethos of the Studio
Authors: Wallace Jayne , Rogers Jon , Foster Joanna , Kingsley Sean , Koulidou Nantia , Shorter Erika , Shorter Mike , Trotman Natasha
Published: July 2017

This reflective piece focuses on the practices of Scribes, a feature that was newly introduced to RTD 2015 and is envisioned to capture aspects of the highly discursive nature of this conference format. Scribing comprises drawing, writing notation, or mark making on paper to capture some essence of the discussions, dynamics, and atmosphere of the various conference sessions as they took place.
Making as Growth: Narratives in Materials and Process
Authors: Lambert Ian , Speed Chris
Published: July 2017

As an activity, research through design gives rise to new knowledge from both creative processes and, if there are any, resultant artifacts. Arguably, all creative practitioners are researchers of one kind or another, whether through materials, aesthetics, technologies, ethnographies, or cultural theory. It also can be argued that research methods in creative practice have not so much been invented or applied to validate academic integrity, but instead they have unfolded and emerged as enquiry has deepened. In this way, the design researcher has the means to re-position their projects to frame premeditated research questions and objectives within their work, and in some cases, apply research questions after practice has taken place.
Mosaic Paideia: The Law of Moses within Philo of Alexandria’s Model of Jewish Education
Authors: Zurawski Jason M.
Published: July 2017

Paideia is one of Philo’s most consistent preoccupations. It was so thoroughly foundational for the Alexandrian that he built it into nearly every aspect of his philosophy and worldview. Paideia was the tool needed to acquire virtue and wisdom, eradicate the passions, become an ideal citizen of the world, and secure the immortal life of the soul. The following explores the role of the Mosaic law within Philo’s overall theory of education, looking at what made the law such a unique pedagogical resource, how it functioned at various levels of education, what its relationship was to the other forms of education Philo deemed necessary—the curriculum of encyclical paideia and the study of philosophy—and, ultimately, what Philo’s idealized vision of Jewish education can tell us about his deeper concerns for his fellow Alexandrian Jews and his understanding of Jewish identity in the Mediterranean diaspora.
The New Life of the Good Souls in Josephus: Resurrection or Reincarnation?
Authors: Yli-Karjanmaa Sami
Published: July 2017

This study examines four Josephan passages discussing souls entering a new body or life. It argues that research on this issue can be advanced from the conclusion by several scholars that despite the language of reincarnation it is really the belief in resurrection that underlies Josephus’s accounts. The key findings include: Josephus does not directly characterize the new life as a reward, and the fact that its recipients are good souls does not contradict reincarnation. The descriptions of the new body inb.j.are in all respects easier to reconcile with reincarnation than resurrection. The expression ἐκ περιτροπῆς (αἰώνων) is best understood as referring to (cyclical) recurrence. The Josephan version of re-embodiment that emerges has many exact similarities with accounts of reincarnation but only a few general ones with resurrection. The thesis that Josephus’s real referent is resurrection is implausible.
Demand for Coffee Imports
Authors: Kutty P. Unneen
Published: July 2017

Basic economic theory suggests that the level of demand for imports of any good for consumption is determined by various factors, though their relative importance may vary from country to country.

As far as coffee is concerned, it is believed that factors such as its own prices, prices of its close substitutes, i.e. tea, real income, population, price elasticity, income elasticity, change in the consumer's proference do determine the level of demand for its imports in any country. Based on the above proposition the study aims at building appropriate import demand models for analysing the pattern of imports of coffee for consumption in different countries. Countries considered for the study are - USA, UK, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
A Critical Appraisal of Unctad Conferences with Special Reference to Unctad Xi
Authors: Nag Biswajit , Nandi Anisha
Published: July 2017

The UNCTAD is a forum which was created to further the needs and concerns of the developing and the least developed countries and carry forward their developmental goals in the world. Since its inception, ten conferences have been held. UNCTAD XI was another step towards bridging the gap between the developed and the developing countries in the form of dialogue and action. The failure of Cancun Ministerial Conference in 2003 and subsequent apathy and frustration of developing and LDCs in the multilateral trading system led to creation of UNCTAD XI. This eleventh session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development took place in Sao Paulo on 13-18 June 2004.

The overall theme of this 2004 ministerial event (UNCTAD XI) was “enhancing the coherence between national development strategies and global economic processes towards economic growth and development, particularly of developing countries”.

In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the role of UNCTAD XI in reference to the previous experiences of the various development tasks undertaken by UNCTAD in coherence to trade issues.
Japanese Deregulation and Financial Liberalization between 1990s and the New Century
Authors: Tandon Rameshwar
Published: July 2017

In the late l980s, Japan was moving to a competitive market-based system of banking and capital markets; new environment created new kinds of risks as also opportunities and dangers of taking risks. The pace of financial liberalization and deregulation was accelerated which spurred competition. But forces leading to the asset bubble started building up much earlier with the slowdown in the economy. The government deficit started rising and share of government bonds rose from 5 per cent of GDP during the l970s to over 18 per cent during late l980s.

During the decade, the Nikkei share price index, from its 1989 peak, fell by more than 50 per cent; between l99l and 2000, land prices declined by more than 30 per cent. The OECD estimates point out that net wealth losses incurred by the economy between 1989 and l999 due to this asset price collapse amounted to more than two years' wealth of GDP or about $7 trillion, of which more than 50 per cent was borne by the households. This massive loss in wealth had serious negative consequences; the banking sector was saddled with a large amount of non-performing assets and they drastically curtailed heir lending.

The progressive tightening of monetary policy during late 1990s and inevitable unwinding of borrowing boom produced a steep drop in the growth of real money supply and bank lending also weakened appreciably. This rapid rise in stock prices up to l989 was seen as an abnormality; was it the speculative zeal of investors or unmanaged monetary policy or business losses in corporate sectors? While since the early 1990s the MOF pursued vigorous liberalization of bond market and internationalization of stock and bond markets and introduction of a futures market for bonds, etc, these reform measures began with relaxation of the collateral rule.

The Paper makes an attempt to understand and highlight a slew of measures taken by Japanese government to liberalize and deregulate its financial sector and has pointed out the ups and downs of such bold initiatives taken by the government.
Indecent Exposure in Developing Country Debt
Authors: Aggarwal Raj
Published: July 2017

This paper reviews the continuing seriousness of the LDC debt overhang. This review suggests that the problem belongs to the category of the wcllknown “tragedy of the commons” and, th us, there may be a need I to better monitor and regulate such activity in the future.
Human Factors in Highway Design, Operation and Safety Problems
Authors: Forbes Theodore W.
Published: July 2017

On several urban freeways, peak hour traffic leads drivers to operate vehicles at time spacing less than their fastest emergency reaction time. Therefore, factors affecting speed and accuracy of driver judgment and response have become critically important. Experimental studies have shown how driver perception, judgment, and response time (measured by driver lag in acceleration and deceleration) can be affected by highway design features. Experimental studies of factors affecting driver responses when combined with mathematical analyses based on such driver-vehicle-highway responses may explain differences in maximum traffic flow at which self limiting stoppage occurs without adequate physical causes in heavy traffic.

Other human engineering data already available or obtainable through specialized studies suggest ways of obtaining more efficient driver-vehicle-highway-and-environment interrelationships and, thereby, more efficient and safer operation of highways. Examples of such information and studies are given.
Tarǵet Size and Visual Recoǵnition
Authors: Steedman William C. , Baker Charles A.
Published: July 2017

This study was conducted to determine the speed and accuracy of form recognition as a function of the size of target forms for various amounts of detail resolution. The stimulus forms were generated by filling in, on a statistical basis, some of the cells of a 90,000-cell matrix. The subjects were shown a “briefing target” and instructed to locate that target on a display containing numerous other forms. The significant finding is that both search time and errors remain invariant until the visual angle subtense of the targets falls below 12 min; at values below 12 min performance deteriorates. This effect is independent of the range of resolutions investigated. The implications of these findings to equipment design are discussed.
A Laboratory Evaluation of the Effects of Electronic Countermeasures on System Performance
Authors: Hitt William D. , Ray Horace W.
Published: July 2017

The present research program was designed to make optimum use of selected laboratory and analytical methods for purposes of simulating a relatively complex man-machine system. Results of this research program indicate that the laboratory approach, when applied within a systems framework, offers an efficient and meaningful method for the evaluation of ECM effectiveness.
A Dynamic Analysis of the Upper Extremity: Planar Motions
Authors: Pearson J. Raymond , McGinley Dale R. , Butzel Leo M.
Published: July 2017

Free body diagrams of arm segments show what forces are involved in planar motions. To represent equilibrium D'Alembert's principle is applied in graphical vector diagrams. From these diagrams are derived equations for determining joint force and torque reactions to weight and inertia. The equations make it clear that accelerations and physical constants are needed. A graphical vector acceleration diagram shows how linear accelerations can be determined from angular accelerations, derived in turn by finite differences from displacement time data. Experimental methods of determining kinematic data and constants are described. The analysis rationale is then used to establish an algorithm for programmed computation by digital computer. The output information is presented in a sample set of curves for one of the several types of motions treated.
Verbal Behavior in Retrieving Telephone Information
Authors: Deininger R. L.
Published: July 2017

A telephone information bureau is a simple information retrieval system, and computer based systems are being considered. The design of the system will depend in part upon: [a) what the customer says in making the request, (b) the role of the customer and the operator in making the request more definite and (c) the time consuming activities found with the present system.

A method was developed for analyzing the verbal behavior of the participants in calls to information bureaus in order to assess these factors in present day bureaus. The method was applied to one sample of calls and the results were discussed as indicating design problems in terms of what the participants knew and said.
Effects of Visual Display Mode on Six Hours of Visual Monitoring
Authors: Webber Carl E. , Adams Jack A.
Published: July 2017

An experiment was performed to assess the effects of visual display mode and 6 hr of monitoring on performance in a complex vigilance task. The task had 12 stimulus sources arrayed over 60 degrees, and alphanumeric signals that persisted for 6 sec. Each group of 15 subjects had a different display configuration: normally off, normally on, and normally on with noise. Display mode influenced overall mean performance, but not vigilance decrement. The amount of vigilance decrement was small despite the long session, and its magnitude was essentially the same as previous studies whose sessions were two-three hours duration. Earlier conclusions about the triviality of vigilance decrement when tasks are complex were supported.
Link Analysis by Computer
Authors: Haygood Robert C. , Teel Kenneth S. , Greening Charles P.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of graphic vs. computer-aided link analysis. One analyst performed a graphic analysis of a complex flight control system checkout console. Another, following the same operating procedure, carried out a computer-aided analysis of the same console, utilizing the RECOMP II and a specially prepared machine-language program.

Results indicated that the computer-aided analysis was equally accurate and resulted in significant savings in time and money. Therefore, further development and application of the computer-aided technique are recommended.
Schematic Simulation: A Technique for the Design and Development of a Complex System
Authors: Alexander L. T. , Cooperband A. S.
Published: July 2017

Schematic simulation is the name of a method for studying system specifications and explicating implications of the specifications for subsystem design. The method was developed in response to the expressed need of the designers of a Terminal Air Traffic Control (TATC) laboratory system. The method provides a model of the projected system and a procedure by which the designers can view system operations from the standpoint of the eventual operators. An illustration is given of how schematic simulation was used.
Detection of Vehicle Velocity Changes during Expressway Driving
Authors: Braunstein Myron L. , Laughery Kenneth R.
Published: July 2017

The time required by an observer in a moving vehicle to detect controlled accelerations and decelerations by the vehicle ahead was measured for automobiles travelling on a four-lane, divided, limited-access highway. Two levels of rate of velocity change and two initial intervehicle separations were studied. Detection time increased with intervehicle separation and decreased with increasing rate of change.
Following Distance on the Highway Related to Speed, Trip Duration, Traffic, and Illumination
Authors: Lerner Herman D. , Abbott Henry E. , Sleight Robert B.
Published: July 2017

Following distances of fifteen drivers were measured at 33 and 55 mph, during day and night runs, at 4 intervals over 2-hr periods, and under 3 simulated traffic conditions. Consistent change in following distances occurred only for different speeds.
The Psychometric Prediction of Problem Drivers
Authors: Schuster D. H. , Guilford J. P.
Published: July 2017

The major aim was to develop personality-inventory scales for the discrimination between two groups of problem drivers—traffic violators and accident-repeater drivers—and better-than-average drivers. A secondary aim was to attempt to improve prediction of problem drivers through multiple-regression equations.

An experimental instrument including 395 items was developed, taking into account a very wide variety of personal qualities that had previously been found to characterize problem drivers or that were newly hypothesized to be potentially discriminating. The instrument was administered to approximately 2000 drivers. Problem-driver criterion groups were set up, each characterized by a different degree of seriousness of violation or accident record.

Item analyses yielded scales that were found to be predictive on cross validation, also scales for the detection of test-taking biases. Multiple-regression equations were derived incorporating the scale scores with variables pertaining to biographical data and were cross-validated. Useful degrees of prediction were demonstrated from the scales alone and from the multiple-regression equations.
Batch vs. Sequential Displays: Effects on Human Problem Solving
Authors: Baker James D. , Goldstein Ira
Published: July 2017

This study was concerned with problem solving under two display conditions. In one condition (“Sequential”), only those response alternatives permissable at any given time were displayed at that time. Under the other condition (“Batch”), all response alternatives, permissable at the moment or not, were presented at all times. Significantly greater time was found to be required to learn solutions using the “Batch” display. This requirement was attributed to the significantly greater display search-time which was found to be required in that condition. No significant difference in number of trials to reach the criterion of learning solutions was found, indicating that the additional material displayed in the “Batch” condition carries no significant amount of useful information. It is concluded that displaying data which has only potential relevance is not only ineffective but actually degrades performance.
Simple Reaction Time and Response Sets
Authors: Moss Stanley M.
Published: July 2017

This study was concerned with the effects of induced response inhibition on simple visual reaction time. Ten Ss were confronted with up to four response alternatives (fingers of the right hand), one of which was the required response. Each of these responses was associated with a specific stimulus. Three response ensemble conditions were used: I—within a block of trials only one light appeared, II—within a block of trials one of two possible lights appeared, III—within a block of trials one of the four possible lights appeared. Under all conditions Ss were given more than adequate time to extract the appropriate response from the remaining responses in the ensemble prior to the time that they were required to make the response. A significant interaction was found between the individual responses and response ensembles. These results were explained in terms of the contextual effects of the unused responses within the different ensemble conditions. Additional data indicated that these effects reflect a spatial relationship to responses being measured. Unused responses that are more proximal to the measured response depress the reactions to that response as compared to unused responses that are more distant.
Qwerty versus Alphabetic Keyboards as a Function of Typing Skill
Authors: Michaels S. Eugene
Published: July 2017

A comparison was made of performance on two keyboards, a three-row alphabetic arrangement (ALPHA) and the standard typewriter array (QWERTY). Thirty subjects who ranged in typing skill from almost none to secretarial level operated the keyboards for ten half-hour sessions. Half of the subjects started on ALPHA and half on QWERTY, switching from one keyboard to the other after five sessions. Input material was a list of names and addresses taken from telephone directories. Keying rates and work output, as measured by the number of names and addresses correctly keyed, was found to be greater for skilled and semiskilled typists on the QWERTY keyboard. Performance on the two keyboards was essentially equal for unskilled typists.