bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A piezohydraulic vibration isolator used for energy harvesting
Authors: Kan Junwu , Liu Dianlong , Wang Shuyun , Wang Bin , Yu Li , Li Shengjie
Published: February 2014

A novel piezohydraulic vibration isolator consisting of a hydraulic cylinder and piezodiscs was presented for low-frequency and wide-bandwidth vibration energy harvesting. The analytical model for performance evaluation was established first based on the theory of vibration analysis and simulated to obtain the influence of backpressure and proof mass on equivalent bulk modulus and stiffness of fluid, and optimal frequency and generated voltage of the piezohydraulic vibration isolator. And then, a prototype was fabricated and tested. The research results show that, under other parameters given, the energy generation performance of a piezohydraulic vibration isolator can be tuned with changing backpressure and proof mass. And there are a series of optimal parameter combinations of backpressure and proof mass for a piezohydraulic vibration isolator to achieve the same optimal frequency and almost the same voltage. The minimal optimal tested frequency of 13 Hz and the relative voltage of 81.6 V were obtained at 0.2 MPa and 10 kg. For parameter combinations (0.4 MPa/10 kg, 0.4 MPa/5 kg and 0.8 MPa/5 kg), the optimal frequency and generated voltage are 19 Hz/98 V, 27 Hz/96.8 V and 39 Hz/94.8 V, respectively. Correspondingly, the bandwidths to generate voltage of 40 V are 28/35/30 Hz, respectively.
Chinese Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Relationships and Premarital Sex
Authors: Chang Yu-Ting , Hayter Mark , Lin Mei-Ling
Published: February 2014

This study was designed to explore Taiwanese school students’ attitudes toward sexual relationships and premarital sex. This was an exploratory descriptive, qualitative study. Focus groups ( N = 8) were conducted with 47 adolescents from three high schools in Taiwan. Transcripts were transcribed and thematically analyzed using Atlas V 5.0. Adolescent attitudes toward sexual relationships and premarital sexual behavior comprise the following three dimensions: (1) external incentives, (2) the developmental process, and (3) internal control. External incentives include the normalization of sexual behavior between peers, the desire to feel included in a group, parental influence, and media influence. The developmental process includes imagining the sexual experience and onset of sexual activity. Internal control includes the fear of pregnancy, the fear of parental rejection, and the fear of being judged. These findings can provide a reference for designing future sex education curricula and counseling programs for adolescents.
Implementation and Sustainability of an Evidence-Based Program
Authors: Woodbridge Michelle W. , Sumi W. Carl , Yu Jennifer , Rouspil Kristen , Javitz Harold S. , Seeley John R. , Walker Hill M.
Published: February 2014

Although numerous studies address the efficacy of school-based interventions, fewer focus on how to support sustainability of interventions from the perspective of participants. To address this research gap, we use the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model to examine how the characteristics of an evidence-based program interact with those of participants (i.e., students, parents, educators) to influence program implementation and continuation. Specifically, we consider lessons learned in one site of the national effectiveness study of First Step to Success which sustained implementation in a majority of participating schools after the study ceased. First, we analyze implementation fidelity and its effects on students’ behavioral and academic outcome data. Then, we analyze focus group and interview data collected from participants 2 years after initial implementation to consider contextual factors associated with continued program success, including (a) the nature of the intervention, (b) the external environment, (c) implementation and sustainability infrastructure, and (d) participant characteristics.
Medication adherence among adults prescribed imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Anderson Kristin R , Chambers Carole R , Lam Nadine , Yau Patrick S , Cusano Frances , Savoie M Lynn , Sheikh Naureen
Published: February 2014

Background

Oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the standard of care for chronic myeloid leukemia. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are administered in an outpatient setting for an indefinite period which may negatively impact adherence. Non-adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors is associated with disease progression.

Objectives

To evaluate the need for adherence-enhancing interventions, this study was designed to determine the proportion of chronic myeloid leukemia patients non-adherent to their tyrosine kinase inhibitor regimen. The secondary objective was to identify the influence of patient characteristics on tyrosine kinase inhibitor adherence.

Methods

Cross-sectional retrospective chart and dispensing record reviews were performed to identify patients receiving a tyrosine kinase inhibitor from 1 June 2010 to 31 January 2012. Adherence was evaluated using the medication possession ratio.

Results

A total of 124 patients were included. Thirty-eight (31%) patients were non-adherent to their tyrosine kinase inhibitor regimen. Patients not receiving concurrent medications were more likely to be non-adherent (odds ratio (OR) 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–5.13, p = 0.04). The median medication possession ratio was 0.95 (IQR = 0.83–1.07). Median medication possession ratio was lower in patients receiving imatinib compared to dasatinib or nilotinib (0.95 vs. 1.00, p = 0.01) and in those less than 50 years old compared to those greater than 50 years old (0.92 vs. 0.97, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Optimal tyrosine kinase inhibitor adherence in chronic myeloid leukemia patients poses a significant obstacle in achieving best possible outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. In this study, one in three chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor were non-adherent to their regimen. Those at higher risk of non-adherence were on no concurrent medications, less than 50 years old, and those treated with imatinib. Active intervention to improve tyrosine kinase inhibitor adherence should be developed, implemented, and evaluated to improve patient outcomes at our center.
The experience of specialist inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: A qualitative study from adult patients’ perspectives
Authors: Smith Vivien , Chouliara Zoe , Morris Paul G , Collin Paula , Power Kevin , Yellowlees Alex , Grierson David , Papageorgiou Elena , Cook Moira
Published: February 2014

This qualitative study aimed to explore experiences of women currently undergoing specialist inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa. Interviews were carried out with 21 women with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa from a specialist adult inpatient eating disorder unit. Five master themes emerged using thematic analysis: (1) shifts in control, (2) experience of transition, (3) importance of supportive staff relationships, (4) sharing with peers and (5) process of recovery and self-discovery. Findings suggest that patients experience a process of change and adjustment in relation to levels of perceived personal control, attachment to the treatment environment and a sense of self-identity.
Upregulation of circulating components of the alternative renin-angiotensin system in inflammatory bowel disease: A pilot study
Authors: Garg Mayur , Burrell Louise M , Velkoska Elena , Griggs Karen , Angus Peter W , Gibson Peter R , Lubel John S
Published: February 2014

Introduction:

The relationship between intestinal inflammation and circulating components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is poorly understood.

Materials and methods:

Demographic and clinical data were obtained from healthy controls and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plasma concentrations of the classical RAS components (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II (Ang II)) and alternative RAS components (ACE2 and angiotensin (1-7) (Ang (1-7))) were analysed by radioimmuno- and enzymatic assays. Systemic inflammation was assessed using serum C-reactive protein (CRP), white cell count, platelet count and albumin, and intestinal inflammation by faecal calprotectin.

Results:

Nineteen healthy controls (11 female; mean age 38 years, range 23–68), 19 patients with Crohn’s disease (11 female; aged 45 years, range 23–76) and 15 patients with ulcerative colitis (6 female; aged 42 years, 26–64) were studied. Circulating classical RAS component levels were similar across the three groups, whereas ACE2 activity and Ang (1-7) concentrations were higher in patients with IBD compared to controls (ACE2: 21.5 vs 13.3 pmol/ml/min, p<0.05; Ang (1-7): 22.8 vs 14.1 pg/ml, p<0.001). Ang (1-7) correlated weakly with platelet and white cell counts, but not calprotectin or CRP, in patients with IBD.

Conclusions:

Circulating components of the alternative RAS are increased in patients with IBD.
The Concept of ‘Reward’ in Proverbs: A Diachronic or Synchronic Approach?
Authors: Forti Tova
Published: February 2014

The book of Proverbs appears to employ two alternative conceptual paradigms with respect to the evaluation of human actions: the pragmatic-utilitarian model of the ‘deed-consequence nexus’, and the theological notion of divine retribution. These conceptual frameworks have frequently been adduced as evidence of diachronic stratification in the book—an older layer promoting pragmatic-mundane wisdom and a later level of theological elaboration. This article examines the various arguments made for viewing Proverbs as either synchronic or diachronic. It also explores the possibility that the dual presence of the human and divine systems is a function of the seam between the author’s didactic-utilitarian purpose and the conventional sapiential religious-moralistic view.
Responsiveness and Clinically Meaningful Improvement, According to Disability Level, of Five Walking Measures After Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Baert Ilse , Freeman Jennifer , Smedal Tori , Dalgas Ulrik , Romberg Anders , Kalron Alon , Conyers Helen , Elorriaga Iratxe , Gebara Benoit , Gumse Johanna , Heric Adnan , Jensen Ellen , Jones Kari , Knuts Kathy , Maertens de Noordhout Benoît , Martic Andrej , Normann Britt , Eijnde Bert O , Rasova Kamila , Santoyo Medina Carmen , Truyens Veronik , Wens Inez , Feys Peter
Published: February 2014

Background. Evaluation of treatment effects on walking requires appropriate and responsive outcome measures. Objectives. To determine responsiveness of 5 walking measures and provide reference values for clinically meaningful improvements, according to disability level, in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Methods. Walking tests were measured pre- and postrehabilitation in 290 pwMS from 17 European centers. Combined anchor- and distribution-based methods determined responsiveness of objective short and long walking capacity tests (Timed 25-Foot Walk [T25FW] and 2- and 6-Minute Walk Tests [2MWT and 6MWT] and of the patient-reported Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale–12 [MSWS-12]). A global rating of change scale, from patients’ and therapists’ perspective, was used as external criteria to determine the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), minimally important change (MIC), and smallest real change (SRC). Patients were stratified into disability subgroups (Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤4 [n = 98], >4 [n = 186]). Results. MSWS-12, 2MWT, and 6MWT were more responsive (AUC 0.64-0.73) than T25FW (0.50-0.63), especially in moderate to severely disabled pwMS. Clinically meaningful changes (MICs) from patient and therapist perspective were −10.4 and −11.4 for MSWS-12 ( P < .01), 9.6 m and 6.8 m for 2MWT ( P < .05), and 21.6 m ( P < .05) and 9.1 m ( P = .3) for 6MWT. In subgroups, MIC was significant from patient perspective for 2MWT (10.8 m) and from therapist perspective for MSWS-12 (−10.7) in mildly disabled pwMS. In moderate to severely disabled pwMS, MIC was significant for MSWS-12 (−14.1 and −11.9). Conclusions. Long walking tests and patient-reported MSWS-12 were more appropriate than short walking tests in detecting clinically meaningful improvement after physical rehabilitation, particularly the MSWS-12 for moderate to severely disabled pwMS.
Mobile Diabetes Intervention for Glycemic Control
Authors: Quinn Charlene C. , Sareh Patricia L. , Shardell Michelle L. , Terrin Michael L. , Barr Erik A. , Gruber-Baldini Ann L.
Published: February 2014

Background:

Of adults with type 2 diabetes, 84% take antihyperglycemic medication. Successful treatment requires active monitoring and medication dose adjustment by health providers. The objective of this study was to determine how a mobile-phone-based coaching system for diabetes management influences physician prescribing behavior.

Method:

This secondary data analysis is based on a cluster randomized clinical trial that reported patients provided with mobile self-management had reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 1.9% over 1 year, compared to 0.7% in control patients ( P < .001). Participants were primary care patients with type 2 diabetes randomized at physician practice level into a control group (n = 55) and intervention group (n = 62). Main study measures were patients’ medication records (medication, dose, frequency, start and end date) abstracted at baseline and study end. Antihyperglycemic medications, including sulfonylureas or thiazolidinediones, and antihypertensive and antilipemic medications were analyzed.

Results:

A higher percentage of patients in the intervention group had modification and intensification of incretin mimetics during the 1-year study period (9.7% vs 0.0% and 8.1% vs 0.0%, both P = .008). A higher percentage of patients in the intervention group had modification and intensification of metformin (24.2% vs 7.3%, P = .033). The overall difference in physician prescribing of oral antihyperglycemic medications was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest mobile diabetes interventions can encourage physicians to modify and intensify antihyperglycemic medications in patients with type 2 diabetes. Differences in physician prescribing behavior were modest, and do not appear to be large enough to explain a 1.2% decrease in HbA1c.
The Danger of Using Total Error Models to Compare Glucose Meter Performance
Authors: Krouwer Jan S.
Published: February 2014

Glucose meter performance specifications provide limits for 95% of results, which is the same as total error. A popular total error model is that total error equals (average) bias plus 2 times imprecision. This model has been used to specify combinations of average bias and imprecision that satisfy total error goals. But this model is incomplete and its conclusions are suspect. It is shown that when interferences occur in glucose meters as exemplified by hematocrit interference, the total error model proposed by Boyd and Bruns cannot distinguish between meters that differ in performance. The CLSI standard EP21-A, does not have this problem because it directly estimates total error bypassing the need for a model. An example illustrates these points.
Screening and identification of resistance related proteins from apple leaves inoculated with Marssonina coronaria (EII. & J. J. Davis)
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Xu Jianhua , Qiu Zonghao , Zhang Juan , Ma Fengwang , Zhang Junke
Published: February 2014

Background

Apple, an invaluable fruit crop worldwide, is often prone to infection by pathogenic fungi. Identification of potentially resistance-conferring apple proteins is one of the most important aims for studying apple resistance mechanisms and promoting the development of disease-resistant apple strains. In order to find proteins which promote resistance to Marssonina coronaria, a deadly pathogen which has been related to premature apple maturation, proteomes from apple leaves inoculated with M. coronaria were characterized at 3 and 6 days post-inoculation by two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE).

Results

Overall, 59 differentially accumulated protein spots between inoculation and non-inoculation were successfully identified and aligned as 35 different proteins or protein families which involved in photosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, transport, energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, binding, antioxidant, defense and stress. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was also used to examine the change of some defense and stress related genes abundance under inoculated conditions.

Conclusions

In a conclusion, different proteins in response to Marssonina coronaria were identified by proteomic analysis. Among of these proteins, there are some PR proteins, for example class III endo-chitinase, beta-1,3-glucanase and thaumatine-like protein, and some antioxidant related proteins including aldo/keto reductase AKR, ascorbate peroxidase and phi class glutathione S-transferase protein that were associated with disease resistance. The transcription levels of class III endo-chitinase (L13) and beta-1, 3-glucanase (L17) have a good relation with the abundance of the encoded protein’s accumulation, however, the mRNA abundance of thaumatine-like protein (L22) and ascorbate peroxidase (L28) are not correlated with their protein abundance of encoded protein. To elucidate the resistant mechanism, the data in the present study will promote us to investigate further the expression regulation of these target proteins.
Using anodic aluminum oxide templates and electrochemical method to deposit BiSbTe-based thermoelectric nanowires
Authors: Kuo Hsin-Hui , Kuo Chin-Guo , Yen Chia-Ying , Yang Cheng-Fu
Published: February 2014

In this study, the cyclic voltammetry method was first used to find the reduced voltages and anodic peaks of Bi3+, Sb3+, and Te4+ ions as the judgments for the growth of the (Bi,Sb)2 - x
Te3 + x
-based materials. Ethylene glycol (C2H6O2) was used as a solvent, and 0.3 M potassium iodide (KI) was used to improve the conductivity of the solution. Two different electrolyte formulas were first used: (a) 0.01 M Bi(NO3)3-5H2O, 0.01 M SbCl3, and 0.01 M TeCl4 and (b) 0.015 M Bi(NO3)3-5H2O, 0.005 M SbCl3, and 0.0075 M TeCl4. The potentiostatic deposition process was first used to find the effect of reduced voltage on the variation of compositions of the (Bi,Sb)2 - x
Te3 + x
-based materials. After finding the better reduced voltage, 0.01 M Bi(NO3)3-5H2O, 0.01 M SbCl3, and 0.01 M TeCl4 were used as the electrolyte formula. The pulse deposition process was successfully used to control the composition of the (Bi,Sb)2 - x
Te3 + x
-based materials and grow the nanowires in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates.
Probing substrate influence on graphene by analyzing Raman lineshapes
Authors: Huang Chen-Han , Lin Hsing-Ying , Huang Cheng-Wen , Liu Yi-Min , Shih Fu-Yu , Wang Wei-Hua , Chui Hsiang-Chen
Published: February 2014

We provide a new approach to identify the substrate influence on graphene surface. Distinguishing the substrate influences or the doping effects of charged impurities on graphene can be realized by optically probing the graphene surfaces, included the suspended and supported graphene. In this work, the line scan of Raman spectroscopy was performed across the graphene surface on the ordered square hole. Then, the bandwidths of G-band and 2D-band were fitted into the Voigt profile, a convolution of Gaussian and Lorentzian profiles. The bandwidths of Lorentzian parts were kept as constant whether it is the suspended and supported graphene. For the Gaussian part, the suspended graphene exhibits much greater Gaussian bandwidths than those of the supported graphene. It reveals that the doping effect on supported graphene is stronger than that of suspended graphene. Compared with the previous studies, we also used the peak positions of G bands, and I
2D/I
G ratios to confirm that our method really works. For the suspended graphene, the peak positions of G band are downshifted with respect to supported graphene, and the I
2D/I
G ratios of suspended graphene are larger than those of supported graphene. With data fitting into Voigt profile, one can find out the information behind the lineshapes.
Global existence and nonexistence of solutions for quasilinear parabolic equation
Authors: Xu Xianghui , Lee Yong-Hoon , Fang Zhong Bo
Published: February 2014

This work is concerned with the global existence and nonexistence of solutions for a quasilinear parabolic equation with null Dirichlet boundary condition. Based on the Galerkin approximation technique and the theory of a family of potential wells, we obtain the invariant sets and vacuum isolating of global solutions including critical case, and we also give global nonexistence.

MSC:35A01, 35B06, 35B08.
The PTTG1-Binding Factor (PBF/PTTG1IP) Regulates p53 Activity in Thyroid Cells
Authors: Read Martin L. , Seed Robert I. , Fong Jim C.W. , Modasia Bhavika , Ryan Gavin A. , Watkins Rachel J , Gagliano Teresa , Smith Vicki E. , Stratford Anna L. , Kwan Perkin K , Sharma Neil , Dixon Olivia M. , Watkinson John C. , Boelaert Kristien , Franklyn Jayne A. , Turnell Andrew S. , McCabe Christopher J.
Published: February 2014

The PTTG1-binding factor (PBF/PTTG1IP) has an emerging repertoire of roles, especially in thyroid biology, and functions as a protooncogene. High PBF expression is independently associated with poor prognosis and lower disease-specific survival in human thyroid cancer. However, the precise role of PBF in thyroid tumorigenesis is unclear. Here, we present extensive evidence demonstrating that PBF is a novel regulator of p53, a tumor suppressor protein with a key role in maintaining genetic stability, which is infrequently mutated in differentiated thyroid cancer. By coimmunoprecipitation and proximity-ligation assays, we show that PBF binds specifically to p53 in thyroid cells and significantly represses transactivation of responsive promoters. Further, we identify that PBF decreases p53 stability by enhancing ubiquitination, which appears dependent on the E3 ligase activity of Mdm2. Impaired p53 function was evident in a transgenic mouse model with thyroid-specific PBF overexpression (transgenic PBF mice), which had significantly increased genetic instability as indicated by fluorescent inter simple sequence repeat-PCR analysis. Consistent with this, approximately 40% of all DNA repair genes examined were repressed in transgenic PBF primary cultures, including genes with critical roles in maintaining genomic integrity such as Mgmt, Rad51, and Xrcc3. Our data also revealed that PBF induction resulted in up-regulation of the E2 enzyme Rad6 in murine thyrocytes and was associated with Rad6 expression in human thyroid tumors. Overall, this work provides novel insights into the role of the protooncogene PBF as a negative regulator of p53 function in thyroid tumorigenesis, in which PBF is generally overexpressed and p53 mutations are rare compared with other tumor types.
Early-Life Stress Reduces DNA Methylation of the Pomc Gene in Male Mice
Authors: Wu Yonghe , Patchev Alexandre V. , Daniel Guillaume , Almeida Osborne F.X. , Spengler Dietmar
Published: February 2014

Early-life stress (ELS) increases the vulnerability thresholds for stress-related diseases such as major depression and anxiety by inducing alterations in the structure and function of neural circuits and endocrine pathways. We previously demonstrated the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to the long-term programming of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity following ELS exposure in male mice. Here, ELS comprising daily separation of pups from their dams on postnatal days 1–10 was observed to up-regulate the expression of the pituitary proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) gene; POMC serves as a prohormone for ACTH, a key mediator of the adrenocortical response to stress. Detailed analysis revealed that the increase in Pomc mRNA levels results from a reduction in DNA methylation at a critical regulatory region of the Pomc gene; interestingly, this change occurs with some delay after ELS and persists for up to 1 year. Using a Pomc-expressing pituitary cell line (AtT20), we confirmed a role for DNA methylation in restraining Pomc expression under resting conditions: specifically, we show that CpG site-specific methylation of the Pomc promoter represses Pomc mRNA transcription. Further, we show high-affinity binding of methyl-CpG binding protein-2 to the distal promoter of Pomc, suggesting that methyl-CpG binding protein-2 acts in association with the chromatin modifiers histone deacetylase 2 and DNA methyltransferase 1 to repress Pomc gene expression. Collectively, these experiments contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms through which environmental cues are translated into stable changes (“cellular memory”) in neuroendocrine cells.
Inducible Reduction in Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Gene Expression Inhibits Established Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression in Mice
Authors: Bale Laurie K. , Chakraborty Suban , Conover Cheryl A.
Published: February 2014

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is a novel zinc metalloproteinase implicated in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether a reduction in PAPP-A expression in the adult affects the progression of established atherosclerotic plaque. Apolipoprotein E-null mice were fed a high-fat diet for 5 weeks to initiate early-stage plaque development before tamoxifen-inducible, Cre recombinase–mediated excision of the floxed PAPP-A gene. High-fat feeding was continued, and after 10 weeks the aorta and brachiocephalic artery were harvested for atherosclerotic plaque analyses of overall burden and morphology, respectively. An inducible decrease in PAPP-A gene expression significantly inhibited atherosclerotic plaque progression as assessed by a 70% reduction in plaque burden in the aorta (P = .012) without an effect on the elevated circulating levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in this model. Furthermore, this reduction in PAPP-A prevented the development of advanced plaque with necrotic cores and buried fibrous caps in the brachiocephalic artery. These data indicate PAPP-A as a potential target to limit progression of established atherosclerotic plaque.
Knockdown of PRKAR1A, the Gene Responsible for Carney Complex, Interferes With Differentiation in Osteoblastic Cells
Authors: Zhang Mei , Manchanda Parmeet K. , Wu Dayong , Wang Qianben , Kirschner Lawrence S.
Published: February 2014

PRKAR1A is the gene encoding the type 1A regulatory subunit of protein kinase A, and it is the cause of the inherited human tumor syndrome Carney complex. Data from our laboratory has demonstrated that Prkar1a loss causes tumors in multiple cell lineages, including neural crest cells and osteoblasts. We have proposed that one mechanism by which tumorigenesis occurs is through the failure of terminal differentiation. In the present study, we directly test the effects of Prkar1a reduction on osteogenic differentiation in mouse and human cells in vitro. We found that Prkar1a levels noticeably increased during osteoblastic differentiation, indicating a positive correlation between the expression of Prkar1a and osteogenic potential. To validate this hypothesis, we generated stable Prkar1a knockdown in both mouse and human cells. These cells displayed significantly suppressed bone nodule formation and decreased expression of osteoblast markers such as osteocalcin and osteopontin. These observations imply that the antiosteogenic effect of Prkar1a ablation is not species or cell line specific. Furthermore, because Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) is a key mediator of osteoblast differentiation, we reasoned that the function of this transcription factor may be inhibited by Prkar1a knockdown. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays demonstrated that Prkar1a ablation repressed DNA binding and function of Runx2 at its target genes. Additionally, we determined that this effect is likely due to reductions in the Runx2-cooperating transcription factors forkhead box O1 and activating transcription factor 4. Taken together, this study provides direct evidence that ablation of Prkar1a interferes with signaling pathways necessary for osteoblast differentiation.
Mild Lipid Stress Induces Profound Loss of MC4R Protein Abundance and Function
Authors: Cragle Faith K. , Baldini Giulia
Published: February 2014

Food intake is controlled at the central level by the melanocortin pathway in which the agonist α-MSH binds to melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), a Gs-coupled G protein-coupled receptor expressed by neurons in the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, which signals to reduce appetite. Consumption of a high-fat diet induces hypothalamic accumulation of palmitate, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis, and unresponsiveness to prolonged treatment with MC4R agonists. Here we have modeled effects of lipid stress on MC4R by using mHypoE-42 immortalized hypothalamic neurons expressing endogenous MC4R and Neuro2A cells expressing a tagged MC4R reporter, HA-MC4R-GFP. In the hypothalamic neurons, exposure to elevated palmitate in the physiological range induced splicing of X-box binding protein 1, but it did not activate C/EBP-homologous protein or induce increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, indicating mild ER stress. Such mild ER stress coexisted with a minimal loss of MC4R mRNA and yet a profound loss of cAMP signaling in response to incubation with the agonist. These findings were mirrored in the Neuro2A cells expressing HA-MC4R-GFP, in which protein abundance of the tagged receptor was decreased, whereas the activity per receptor number was maintained. The loss of cAMP signaling in response to α-MSH by elevated palmitate was corrected by treatment with a chemical chaperone, 4-phenylbutyrate in both mHypoE-42 hypothalamic neurons and in Neuro2A cells in which protein abundance of HA-MC4R-GFP was increased. The data indicate that posttranscriptional decrease of MC4R protein contribute to lower the response to α-MSH in hypothalamic neurons exposed to even a mild level of lipid stress and that a chemical chaperone corrects such a defect.
Oct4 is required for lineage priming in the developing inner cell mass of the mouse blastocyst
Authors: Le Bin Gloryn Chia , Muñoz-Descalzo Silvia , Kurowski Agata , Leitch Harry , Lou Xinghua , Mansfield William , Etienne-Dumeau Charles , Grabole Nils , Mulas Carla , Niwa Hitoshi , Hadjantonakis Anna-Katerina , Nichols Jennifer
Published: February 2014

The transcription factor Oct4 is required in vitro for establishment and maintenance of embryonic stem cells and for reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotency. In vivo, it prevents the ectopic differentiation of early embryos into trophoblast. Here, we further explore the role of Oct4 in blastocyst formation and specification of epiblast versus primitive endoderm lineages using conditional genetic deletion. Experiments involving mouse embryos deficient for both maternal and zygotic Oct4 suggest that it is dispensable for zygote formation, early cleavage and activation of Nanog expression. Nanog protein is significantly elevated in the presumptive inner cell mass of Oct4 null embryos, suggesting an unexpected role for Oct4 in attenuating the level of Nanog, which might be significant for priming differentiation during epiblast maturation. Induced deletion of Oct4 during the morula to blastocyst transition disrupts the ability of inner cell mass cells to adopt lineage-specific identity and acquire the molecular profile characteristic of either epiblast or primitive endoderm. Sox17, a marker of primitive endoderm, is not detected following prolonged culture of such embryos, but can be rescued by provision of exogenous FGF4. Interestingly, functional primitive endoderm can be rescued in Oct4-deficient embryos in embryonic stem cell complementation assays, but only if the host embryos are at the pre-blastocyst stage. We conclude that cell fate decisions within the inner cell mass are dependent upon Oct4 and that Oct4 is not cell-autonomously required for the differentiation of primitive endoderm derivatives, as long as an appropriate developmental environment is established.
BLIND ordering of large-scale transcriptomic developmental timecourses
Authors: Anavy Leon , Levin Michal , Khair Sally , Nakanishi Nagayasu , Fernandez-Valverde Selene L. , Degnan Bernard M. , Yanai Itai
Published: February 2014

RNA-Seq enables the efficient transcriptome sequencing of many samples from small amounts of material, but the analysis of these data remains challenging. In particular, in developmental studies, RNA-Seq is challenged by the morphological staging of samples, such as embryos, since these often lack clear markers at any particular stage. In such cases, the automatic identification of the stage of a sample would enable previously infeasible experimental designs. Here we present the ‘basic linear index determination of transcriptomes’ (BLIND) method for ordering samples comprising different developmental stages. The method is an implementation of a traveling salesman algorithm to order the transcriptomes according to their inter-relationships as defined by principal components analysis. To establish the direction of the ordered samples, we show that an appropriate indicator is the entropy of transcriptomic gene expression levels, which increases over developmental time. Using BLIND, we correctly recover the annotated order of previously published embryonic transcriptomic timecourses for frog, mosquito, fly and zebrafish. We further demonstrate the efficacy of BLIND by collecting 59 embryos of the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica and ordering their transcriptomes according to developmental stage. BLIND is thus useful in establishing the temporal order of samples within large datasets and is of particular relevance to the study of organisms with asynchronous development and when morphological staging is difficult.
A tissue-engineered humanized xenograft model of human breast cancer metastasis to bone
Authors: Thibaudeau Laure , Taubenberger Anna V. , Holzapfel Boris M. , Quent Verena M. , Fuehrmann Tobias , Hesami Parisa , Brown Toby D. , Dalton Paul D. , Power Carl A. , Hollier Brett G. , Hutmacher Dietmar W.
Published: February 2014

The skeleton is a preferred homing site for breast cancer metastasis. To date, treatment options for patients with bone metastases are mostly palliative and the disease is still incurable. Indeed, key mechanisms involved in breast cancer osteotropism are still only partially understood due to the lack of suitable animal models to mimic metastasis of human tumor cells to a human bone microenvironment. In the presented study, we investigate the use of a human tissue-engineered bone construct to develop a humanized xenograft model of breast cancer-induced bone metastasis in a murine host. Primary human osteoblastic cell-seeded melt electrospun scaffolds in combination with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 7 were implanted subcutaneously in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice. The tissue-engineered constructs led to the formation of a morphologically intact ‘organ’ bone incorporating a high amount of mineralized tissue, live osteocytes and bone marrow spaces. The newly formed bone was largely humanized, as indicated by the incorporation of human bone cells and human-derived matrix proteins. After intracardiac injection, the dissemination of luciferase-expressing human breast cancer cell lines to the humanized bone ossicles was detected by bioluminescent imaging. Histological analysis revealed the presence of metastases with clear osteolysis in the newly formed bone. Thus, human tissue-engineered bone constructs can be applied efficiently as a target tissue for human breast cancer cells injected into the blood circulation and replicate the osteolytic phenotype associated with breast cancer-induced bone lesions. In conclusion, we have developed an appropriate model for investigation of species-specific mechanisms of human breast cancer-related bone metastasis in vivo.
John F. Kennedy and the Irish Catholic Political Tradition
Authors: Duncan Jason K.
Published: February 2014

John F. Kennedy is remembered as the consummate American politician of his day, but he was also shaped by a distinct ethnic-religious tradition, that of Catholic Irish-Americans in the US. The often tragic history of Ireland is not easily reconciled with the power and glamour of the Kennedy family, but John Kennedy was closer to his immigrant roots than perhaps any other president. That heritage was often evident in his early political career and his rise to the White House. It was necessarily less obvious once he became president of a large and diverse nation. In the final months of his presidency, as he began to set a clearer direction for the nation both at home and abroad, he found time to visit Ireland. This seemingly sentimental journey had a more serious tone as well, as Kennedy recognized the origins of modern Irish nationalism.
The Roman Catholic Church in “Protestant” America Today
Authors: Fowler Robert Booth
Published: February 2014

This article explores the leading analyses of the contemporary situation and future prospects of the Roman Catholic Church in the US today. It suggests an alternative view, and it concludes by discussing the potential impact of Pope Francis I on the contemporary crisis and on the leading analyses of same.
Assessing the Effect of the Consumer-Voter Sentiment on Tiebout-Like Migration: The EU 27 Case
Authors: Kallandranis Christos , Karidis Socrates
Published: February 2014

The paper revisits the determinants of intra-European migration using a conditional logit model for the period 2000–2010. With all moving restrictions lifted, a substantial Union enlargement in 2004, and a severe economic crisis in progress, new evidence is being revealed regarding the decision making process of individuals who choose to relocate. We examine Tiebout’s proposition of voting with one’s feet in the context of the Union, and we show that fiscal policies in the form of fiscal packages offered to a country’s residents as well as consumer confidence indicators play a decisive role in affecting that process. With 26 alternative destinations over a period of 11 years, we find that people will choose to move to a country that offers them a better fiscal surplus, higher confidence as economic agents and higher potential earnings. In light of our results, and after establishing the migration patterns, we believe that a new discussion should open regarding efficiency concerns and government policy implications.
A Thermodynamic Model for Evaluation of Mass Action Concentrations of La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2-CaO-MgO Slags for Electroslag Remelting Based on the Ion and Molecule Coexistence Theory
Authors: Wu Chengchuan , Cheng Guoguang , Tian Jun
Published: February 2014

According to the ion and molecule coexistence theory (IMCT) for molten slags and corresponding phase diagrams, a thermodynamic model for the evaluation of mass action concentrations (designated by Ni for structure unit i) for La2O3-Al2O3, La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2, La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2-CaO, La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2-MgO and La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2-CaO-MgO slag systems for electroslag remelting (ESR) has been formulated. The influencing factors for the mass action concentration of La2O3, such as mass fraction of Al2O3, CaF2, CaO and MgO and temperature, were investigated. The results show that when the mole fraction of La2O3 is at 0.495, the mass action concentration of La2O3 · Al2O3 achieves its maximum value 0.946 in the La2O3-Al2O3 binary slag. In a composition area of La2O3: 10wt% ∼ 45wt%, Al2O3: 0wt% ∼ 50wt% and CaF2: 20wt% ∼ 70wt% of the La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2 ternary slag at 1873 K, the results show that the calculated values of NLa2O3 are in good agreement with the reported measured values of aLa2O3. The iso-curves of NLa2O3 is also drawn from the calculated results, which reveals that the mass action concentration of La2O3 decreases with the increasing of the Al2O3 and CaF2 content, and Al2O3 is stronger than CaF2 in decreasing the mass action concentration of La2O3. However, in La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2-CaO, La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2-MgO and La2O3-Al2O3-CaF2-CaO-MgO slag systems, the mass action concentration of La2O3 increases with the increasing of the MgO and CaO content, and CaO is stronger than MgO in increasing the mass action concentration of La2O3. In addition, the mass action concentration of La2O3 increases with the increasing temperature at the composition of 30wt%La2O3, 10wt%Al2O3, 40wt%CaF2, 10wt%MgO and 10wt%CaO.
Effect of Cooling Rate on the Microstructure and Precipitates of Directional Solidified 50W600 Non-oriented Silicon Steel
Authors: Wan Yong , Chen Wei-qing , Wu Shao-jie
Published: February 2014

The microstructure, morphologies of precipitates in directional solidified 50W600 non-oriented silicon steel with three cooling rates (0.095, 0.33 and 4.28 °C/s) were investigated. The results showed that the morphology of solid-liquid interface evolved from cellular to cellular dendritic, and then to dendritic with an increase of cooling rate. The grain size of specimen in the steady-state growth region decreased with increasing cooling rate. The precipitates in the steel were mainly four types as follows: AlN, MnS, AlN-MnS and Fe3C. The amount and volume fraction of precipitates firstly increased and then decreased with increasing cooling rate, and reached maximum values in the specimen with a cooling rate of 0.76 °C/s. The average size of precipitates decreased gradually with increasing cooling rate. The relationship between the average size of precipitates and cooling rate was D = 75.762·R−0.190.
Loops that are partitioned by groups
Authors: Atanasov Risto , Foguel Tuval
Published: February 2014

A set of subgroups of a group is said to be a partition if every nonidentity element belongs to one and only one subgroup in this set. The study of groups with partition dates back to a paper by Miller published in 1906 ([Bull. Amer.
Math. Soc. 17 (1906/1907), 446–449]). In this paper we study the structure of loops that are partitioned by subgroups.
Vincenzo Dandini Szent Zoerard-András és Borromeo Szent Károly-oltárképe az arezzói Santa Maria in Gradi-templomban
Authors: Ilkó Krisztina
Published: February 2014

This study introduces ways to unfold the St. Zoerard-Andrew and St. Charles Borromeo Altapiece of Vincenzo Dandini (1607–1675), the gifted pupil of the famous baroque painter, Pietro da Cortona. Created in 1657, it is still housed today in its original position in the Church of Santa Maria in Gradi at Arezzo, in Tuscany. This painting has its own importance in Dandini's oeuvre, not only because it's his first dated and signed work, but also because of the rarity of the imagery of Zoerard-Andrew in Italy.

We can separate two different levels of the image: the Hungarian hermit could be seen as the subject of the cardinal's vision and his role model too. Charles Borromeo was the leading figure of the Council of Trent, and the cardinal archbishop of the Archidiocese of Milan, but had similar fasting and extreme starving practices like Zoerard- Andrew. So Zoerard-Andrew's presence is more interesting in a Camaldolese altarpiece — however they were both Benedictines — than the well-known italian reformator and makes Dandini's work an iconographical challenge.

The altarpiece depicts a scene from the life of St. Zoerard-Andrew derived from the Vita Sancotum Zoerardi et Benedicti (c. 1064) by Bishop Maurus of Pécs, when the hermit in the state of swoon lies in the arms of an angel (iuvenis visionis angelice). St. Zoerard-Andrew, first canonised saint of the Hungarian Kingdom in 1083, had an extremely stiff fasting practice, ate only one nut day-to-day in the forty days of the Lenten period. His bodily self-lacerations were the most terrific ways to earn God, he made for himself a wooden crown with stones hanging on four sides and set on an oak-tree trunk surrounded by sharpened canes. Like on Jan Sadeler's etching, he showned with his clever arrangements designed to prevent sleep as his tipical attributes in this period. This essay contributes to find out appointments of Zoerard-Andrew's and St. Charles Borromeo's way of living with the habits of the Camaldolese monks. I mean they were perfect role models for these hermits of the Santa Maria in Gradi. Finally, I demonstrate in my article how could use up their cult in the order's ideology during the Counter- Reformation and how these elements are interwoven in the iconography of the church.
Lukáts Sámuel (1767–1789) Rajzairól
Authors: Boda Zsuzsanna
Published: February 2014

A graphic series of 13 pieces were acquired by the Hungarian National Gallery from private collection two years ago. They are drawn by the Hungarian painter Sámuel Lukáts (1767 Pécel–1789 Losonc/Luèenec) who died very young, at his age of 22. We knew only two works of him until now. Seven pages of this newly appeared series (portraits, pictures of saints and genres) were made after the Nuremberg engraver, Bernhard Vogel's (1683–1737) mezzotintos that had been published in 1745 in a book entitled Ioannis Kupezky, incomparabilis artificis, imagines et picturae…. Lukáts used this book as a collection of models for practicing painting. The other six drawings made after various engravings show some important persons of the Hungarian history. All of them were palatines of Hungary in the 17–18th century. The row is incomplete and it is unknown how large it could be, but was made perharps by commission.
Synthesis of Arborescent Polymers by “Click” Grafting
Authors: Aridi Toufic , Gauthier Mario
Published: February 2014

A novel method was developed for the preparation of arborescent (dendritic graft) polymers, by successive grafting reactions of linear chain segments using alkyne-azide “click” chemistry coupling. A linear polystyrene substrate was thus randomly functionalized with acetylene functionalities, by acetylation and further reaction with propargyl bromide in the presence of potassium hydroxide and 18-crown-6 in toluene. The anionic polymerization of styrene was achieved with 6-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-hexyllithium to obtain polystyrene with a protected hydroxyl chain end. Deprotection of the hydroxyl group, followed by conversion into tosyl and azide functionalities yielded the material serving as side chains in the grafting reactions. Coupling of the azide-terminated side chains with the acetylene-functionalized substrate in the presence of a Cu(I) catalyst proceeded in up to 93% yield. Additional cycles of substrate functionalization and side chain coupling led to arborescent polymers of generations G1 and G2, with low polydispersity indices (Mw/Mn≈ 1.1), in 60-84% yield. These polymers are characterized by a very compact structure, and molecular weights increasing geometrically over successive generations. A similar methodology was also shown to work for the synthesis of arborescent polybutadiene systems, using azide-functionalized substrates and alkyne-terminated side chains. The coupling reaction proceeded in up to 76% yield under optimized conditions for these systems.
Perímetro escrotal e características seminais de touros da raça Nelore selecionados para precocidade sexual
Authors: Lima F.P.C. , Xavier P.R. , Bergmann J.A.G. , Marques  Júnior A.P.
Published: February 2014

Vinte e quatro touros jovens da raça Nelore foram distribuídos em grupo 1 (G1, à puberdade) e grupo 2 (G2, pós-puberdade), segundo a concentração seminal e motilidade progressiva dos espermatozoides. Características de produção, seminais e endócrinas foram avaliadas à puberdade e pós-puberdade, aos 12, 14, 16 e 18 meses de idade. A média de idade, de peso e de perímetro escrotal à puberdade foram, respectivamente, de 15,37±1,58 meses, 391,35±55,64 kg e 26,41±2,35cm, e na pós-puberdade foram, respectivamente, de 17,49±1,73 meses; 451,75±35,44kg e 29,93±2,59cm. As características seminais na pós-puberdade aumentaram em relação à puberdade. Pode-se inferir que os tourinhos da raça Nelore submetidos a um programa de seleção para precocidade sexual manifestaram a puberdade em torno de 15 meses de idade e que touros jovens com maior perímetro escrotal apresentaram menor idade à puberdade.