bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Dose Aronia melanocarpa Concentrate Attenuates Paraquat‐Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Case A. J. , Agraz D. , Ahmad I. M. , Zimmerman M. C.
Published: December 2015

Herbicides containing paraquat may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Paraquat induces reactive oxygen species‐mediated apoptosis in neurons, which is a primary mechanism behind its toxicity. We sought to test the effectiveness of a commercially available polyphenol‐rich Aronia melanocarpa (aronia berry) concentrate in the amelioration of paraquat‐induced neurotoxicity. Considering the abundance of antioxidants in aronia berries, we hypothesized that aronia berry concentrate attenuates the paraquat‐induced increase in reactive oxygen species and protects against paraquat‐mediated neuronal cell death. Using a neuronal cell culture model, we observed that low doses of aronia berry concentrate protected against paraquat‐mediated neurotoxicity. Additionally, low doses of the concentrate attenuated the paraquat‐induced increase in superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and oxidized glutathione levels. Interestingly, high doses of aronia berry concentrate increased neuronal superoxide levels independent of paraquat, while at the same time decreasing hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, high‐dose aronia berry concentrate potentiated paraquat‐induced superoxide production and neuronal cell death. In summary, aronia berry concentrate at low doses restores the homeostatic redox environment of neurons treated with paraquat, while high doses exacerbate the imbalance leading to further cell death. Our findings support that moderate levels of aronia berry concentrate may prevent reactive oxygen species‐mediated neurotoxicity.
Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Different Sources Diverge in Their Expression of Cell Surface Proteins and Display Distinct Differentiation Patterns
Authors: Elahi Kourosch C. , Klein Gerd , Avci-Adali Meltem , Sievert Karl D. , MacNeil Sheila , Aicher Wilhelm K.
Published: December 2015

When germ‐free cell cultures became a laboratory routine, hopes were high for using this novel technology for treatment of diseases or replacement of cells in patients suffering from injury, inflammation, or cancer or even refreshing cells in the elderly. Today, more than 50 years after the first successful bone marrow transplantation, clinical application of hematopoietic stem cells is a routine procedure, saving the lives of many every day. However, transplanting other than hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells is still limited to a few applications, and it mainly applies to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from bone marrow. But research progressed and different trials explore the clinical potential of human MSCs isolated from bone marrow but also from other tissues including adipose tissue. Recently, MSCs isolated from bone marrow (bmMSCs) were shown to be a blend of distinct cells and MSCs isolated from different tissues show besides some common features also some significant differences. This includes the expression of distinct antigens on subsets of MSCs, which was utilized recently to define and separate functionally different subsets from bulk MSCs. We therefore briefly discuss differences found in subsets of human bmMSCs and in MSCs isolated from some other sources and touch upon how this could be utilized for cell‐based therapies.
Insight into Reepithelialization: How Do Mesenchymal Stem Cells Perform?
Authors: Chen Deyun , Hao Haojie , Fu Xiaobing , Han Weidong
Published: December 2015

Wound reepithelialization is a cooperative multifactorial process dominated by keratinocyte migration, proliferation, and differentiation that restores the intact epidermal barrier to prevent infection and excessive moisture loss. However, in wounds that exhibit impaired wound healing, such as chronic nonhealing wounds or hypertrophic scars, the reepithelialization process has failed. Thus, it is necessary to explore a suitable way to mitigate these abnormalities to promote reepithelialization and achieve wound healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity for self‐renewal as well as potential multipotency. These cells play important roles in many biological processes, including anti‐inflammation, cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation, and signal pathway activation or inhibition. The mechanism of the involvement of MSCs in reepithelialization is still not fully understood. An abundance of evidence has shown that MSCs participate in reepithelialization by inhibiting excessive inflammatory responses, secreting important factors, differentiating into multiple skin cell types, and recruiting other host cells. This review describes the evidence for the roles that MSCs appear to play in the reepithelialization process.
Subclinical Detection of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy with MicroRNAs: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: León Luis E. , Rani Sweta , Fernandez Mauricio , Larico Martín , Calligaris Sebastián D.
Published: December 2015

The prevalence of cardiac diabetic diseases has been increased around the world, being the most common cause of death and disability among diabetic patients. In particular, diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized with a diastolic dysfunction and cardiac remodelling without signs of hypertension and coronary artery diseases. In an early stage, it is an asymptomatic disease; however, clinical studies demonstrate that diabetic myocardia are more vulnerable to injury derived by acute myocardial infarct and are the worst prognosis for rehabilitation. Currently, biochemical and imaging diagnostic methods are unable to detect subclinical manifestation of the disease (prior to diastolic dysfunction). In this review, we elaborately discuss the current scientific evidences to propose circulating microRNAs as promising biomarkers for early detection of diabetic cardiomyopathy and, then, to identify patients at high risk of diabetic cardiomyopathy development. Moreover, here we summarise the research strategies to identify miRNAs as potential biomarkers, present limitations, challenges, and future perspectives.
Pluripotency Factors on Their Lineage Move
Authors: Weidgang Clair E. , Seufferlein Thomas , Kleger Alexander , Mueller Martin
Published: December 2015

Pluripotent stem cells are characterised by continuous self‐renewal while maintaining the potential to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers. Regulatory networks of maintaining pluripotency have been described in great detail and, similarly, there is great knowledge on key players that regulate their differentiation. Interestingly, pluripotency has various shades with distinct developmental potential, an observation that coined the term of a ground state of pluripotency. A precise interplay of signalling axes regulates ground state conditions and acts in concert with a combination of key transcription factors. The balance between these transcription factors greatly influences the integrity of the pluripotency network and latest research suggests that minute changes in their expression can strengthen but also collapse the network. Moreover, recent studies reveal different facets of these core factors in balancing a controlled and directed exit from pluripotency. Thereby, subsets of pluripotency‐maintaining factors have been shown to adopt new roles during lineage specification and have been globally defined towards neuroectodermal and mesendodermal sets of embryonic stem cell genes. However, detailed underlying insights into how these transcription factors orchestrate cell fate decisions remain largely elusive. Our group and others unravelled complex interactions in the regulation of this controlled exit. Herein, we summarise recent findings and discuss the potential mechanisms involved.
Sperm Oxidative Stress Is Detrimental to Embryo Development: A Dose‐Dependent Study Model and a New and More Sensitive Oxidative Status Evaluation
Authors: de Castro Letícia S. , de Assis Patrícia M. , Siqueira Adriano F. P. , Hamilton Thais R. S. , Mendes Camilla M. , Losano João D. A. , Nichi Marcílio , Visintin José A. , Assumpção Mayra E. O. A.
Published: December 2015

Our study aimed to assess the impact of sperm oxidative stress on embryo development by means of a dose‐dependent model. In experiment 1, straws from five bulls were subjected to incubation with increasing H2O2 doses (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 μM). Motility parameters were evaluated by Computed Assisted System Analysis (CASA). Experiment 2 was designed to study a high (50 μM) and low dose (12.5 μM) of H2O2 compared to a control (0 μM). Samples were incubated and further used for in vitro fertilization. Analyses of motility (CASA), oxidative status (CellROX green and 2’‐7’ dichlorofluorescein diacetate), mitochondrial potential (JC‐1), chromatin integrity (AO), and sperm capacitation status (chlortetracycline) were performed. Embryos were evaluated based on fast cleavage (30 h.p.i.), cleavage (D = 3), development (D = 5), and blastocyst rates (D = 8). We observed a dose‐dependent deleterious effect of H2O2 on motility and increase on the percentages of positive cells for CellROX green, capacitated sperm, and AO. A decrease on cleavage and blastocyst rates was observed as H2O2 increased. Also, we detected a blockage on embryo development. We concluded that sperm when exposed to oxidative environment presents impaired motility traits, prooxidative status, and premature capacitation; such alterations resulting in embryo development fail.
Clinical Observation of Employment of Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Therapy
Authors: Wang Liming , Zhang Yu , Li Hongtao , Hong Jingxin , Chen Xiaobo , Li Ming , Bai Wen , Wang Jiangang , Liu Yongjun , Wu Mingyuan
Published: December 2015

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), known as Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children aged under 17. It may cause sequelae due to lack of effective treatment. The goal of this study is to explore the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC‐MSCs) for JIA. Ten JIA patients were treated with UC‐MSCs and received second infusion three months later. Some key values such as 28‐joint disease activity score (DAS28), TNF‐α, IL‐6, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were evaluated. Data were collected at 3 months and 6 months after first treatment. DAS28 score of 10 patients was between 2.6 and 3.2 at three months after infusion. WBC, ESR, and CRP were significantly decreased while Tregs were remarkably increased and IL‐6 and TNF‐α were declined. Similar changes of above values were found after 6 months. At the same time, the amount of NSAIDS and steroid usage in patients was reduced. However, no significant changes were found comparing the data from 3 and 6 months. These results suggest that UC‐MSCs can reduce inflammatory cytokines, improve immune network effects, adjust immune tolerance, and effectively alleviate the symptoms and they might provide a safe and novel approach for JIA treatment.
Polydatin Protects Bone Marrow Stem Cells against Oxidative Injury: Involvement of Nrf 2/ARE Pathways
Authors: Chen Meihui , Hou Yu , Lin Dingkun
Published: December 2015

Polydatin, a glucoside of resveratrol, has been reported to possess potent antioxidative effects. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of polydatin in bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) death caused by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), imitating the microenvironment surrounding transplanted cells in the injured spinal cord in vitro. In our study, MTT results showed that polydatin effectively prevented the decrease of cell viability caused by H2O2. Hochest 33258, Annexin V‐PI, and Western blot assay showed H2O2‐induced apoptosis in BMSCs, which was attenuated by polydatin. Further studies indicated that polydatin significantly protects BMSCs against apoptosis due to its antioxidative effects and the regulation of Nrf 2/ARE pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that polydatin could be used in combination with BMSCs for the treatment of spinal cord injury by improving the cell survival and oxidative stress microenvironments.
New and little-known pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Thailand
Authors: Storozhenko Sergey Yu. , Dawwrueng Pattarawich
Published: December 2015

An annotated list of 39 species in 25 genera and seven subfamilies of the pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrididae) from Thailand is given; from these 18 species are recorded from this country for the first time. Five new species are described: Cotysoides gaponi sp. nov. (subfamily Metrodorinae), Eucriotettix anisyutkini sp. nov., Gavialidium bufocrocodil sp. nov., Scelimena bellula sp. nov. (subfamily Scelimeninae) and Phaesticus uvarovi sp. nov. (subfamily Discotettiginae). One species is transferred from Scelimena to Amphibotettix and a new combination is proposed: Scelimena hafizhaii Mahmmod, Idris et Salman, 2007 = Amphibotettix hafizhaii (Mahmmod, Idris et Salman, 2007), comb. nov. The previously unknown male of Falconius tschernovi Storozhenko, 2014 is described.
Morphological variation in diagnostic features for two Culex (Culex) species of the Neotropical Region (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: LAURITO MAGDALENA , ALMIRÓN WALTER R.
Published: December 2015

The classification of Culex L., with 768 species worldwide (Harbach 2015), is based mainly on adult anatomical characters (Harbach et al. 2012). The accurate identification of the 198 species included in the subgenus Culex is dependent on a few morphological characters, principally of the male genitalia (Harbach et al. 2012). Most species within Culex (Culex) have been described based on male genitalia due to their low intraspecific variability compared to characters of females and larvae. Male genitalia provide synapomorphic characters useful in establishing phylogenetic relationships in Culicidae (Reinert et al. 2008, Reidenbach et al. 2009, Harbach et al. 2012, Laurito & Almirón 2013), as well as autapomorphic traits allowing specific identifications.
Fourth contribution to the knowledge of water mites from the Comoros, with the description of two new species (Acari: Hydrachnidia)
Authors: PEŠIĆ VLADIMIR G. , SMIT HARRY
Published: December 2015

During a hydrobiological survey conducted by Nathalie Mary a number of water mites were collected on the Comoros. Aim of this research was to monitor temporal water quality trends in major surface streams throughout the Grande Terre of Mayotte, a French overseas department, and to monitor water quality trends in selected reference and very polluted sites, in order to develop a biotic index.
Exploring Behavioral Sleep Problems in Children With ADHD and Comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Thomas Simone , Lycett Kate , Papadopoulos Nicole , Sciberras Emma , Rinehart Nicole
Published: December 2015

Objective: This study (a) compared behavioral sleep problems in children with comorbid ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with those with ADHD and (b) examined child/family factors associated with sleep problems. Method: Cross-sectional study comparison of 392 children with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis (ADHD+ASD, n=93, ADHD, n=299) recruited from 21 peadiatric practises in Victoria, Australia. Data were collected from parents. Key measures included the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Results: Children with ADHD + ASD experienced similar levels and types of behavioral sleep problems compared with those with ADHD. In both groups, the presence of co-occurring internalizing and externalizing comorbidities was associated with sleep problems. Sleep problems were also associated with parent age in the ADHD + ASD group and poorer parent mental health in the ADHD group. Conclusion: Findings suggest comorbid ASD is not associated with increased behavioral sleep problems in children with ADHD and that co-occurring internalizing and externalizing comorbidities may flag children in these groups with sleep problems.
Positive Bias in Teenage Drivers With ADHD Within a Simulated Driving Task
Authors: Fabiano Gregory A. , Schatz Nicole K. , Hulme Kevin F. , Morris Karen L. , Vujnovic Rebecca K. , Willoughby Michael T. , Hennessy Dwight , Lewis Kemper E. , Owens Julie , Pelham William E.
Published: December 2015

Objective: Youth with ADHD exhibit positive bias, an overestimation of ability, relative to external indicators. The positive bias construct is understudied in adolescents, particularly in the domain of driving. Study is needed as youth with ADHD experience greater negative outcomes in driving relative to typically developing teens. Method: Positive bias on a driving simulator task was investigated with 172 teenagers with ADHD, combined type. Youth participated in a driving simulation task and rated driving performance afterward. Results: Compared with external ratings of driving performance, youth overestimated driving competence for specific driving behaviors as well as globally. The global rating demonstrated a greater degree of positive bias. Greater positive bias on global ratings of driving ability also predicted greater rates of risky driving behaviors during the simulator exercise independent from disruptive behavior disorder symptoms. Conclusion: Results inform prevention and intervention efforts for teenage drivers with ADHD.
Early Visual Foraging in Relationship to Familial Risk for Autism and Hyperactivity/Inattention
Authors: Gliga Teodora , Smith Tim J. , Likely Noreen , Charman Tony , Johnson Mark H.
Published: December 2015

Objective: Information foraging is atypical in both autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and ADHD; however, while ASD is associated with restricted exploration and preference for sameness, ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity and increased novelty seeking. Here, we ask whether similar biases are present in visual foraging in younger siblings of children with a diagnosis of ASD with or without additional high levels of hyperactivity and inattention. Method: Fifty-four low-risk controls (LR) and 50 high-risk siblings (HR) took part in an eye-tracking study at 8 and 14 months and at 3 years of age. Results: At 8 months, siblings of children with ASD and low levels of hyperactivity/inattention (HR/ASD-HI) were more likely to return to previously visited areas in the visual scene than were LR and siblings of children with ASD and high levels of hyperactivity/inattention (HR/ASD+HI). Conclusion: We show that visual foraging is atypical in infants at-risk for ASD. We also reveal a paradoxical effect, in that additional family risk for ADHD core symptoms mitigates the effect of ASD risk on visual information foraging.
Clinical Effects of ADHD Subtypes in Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Koyuncu Ahmet , Çelebi Fahri , Ertekin Erhan , Kök Burcu Ece , Tükel Raşit
Published: December 2015

Objective: Our aim in this study is to evaluate the impacts of inattentive and combined types of childhood ADHD (ADHD-I, ADHD-C) in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Methods: A total of 142 adult outpatients with a primary diagnosis of SAD were included. All patients were assessed by using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children–Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), ADHD module and a clinical and sociodemographic data form and scales were filled out. Results: Childhood ADHD comorbidity rates was found to be 88 (62%) in patients with SAD, and 63 of these patients had the diagnosis of ADHD-I. ADHD-I group had higher scores of social anxiety and avoidance and had earlier onset of SAD than the ADHD-C group. Conclusion: The inattentive subtype of ADHD may have a more specific relationship with SAD than ADHD-C.
Home, Heart, and Being Latina
Authors: Welsh Whitney , Burton Linda M.
Published: December 2015

The authors examine an emergent association between low-income Mexican mothers’ control of housing and power relations in their romantic unions. Guided by valued resource theory, and mothers’ lived racial, ethnic, and gender experiences of navigating access to housing and sustaining intimate unions, the authors used secondary longitudinal ethnographic data on 29 low-income mothers of Mexican descent as exemplar cases to explore (1) mothers’ housing dependencies as they transitioned from their natal homes to coresidential housing with romantic partners, (2) the factors that differentially shaped mothers’ housing options, and (3) how mothers’ control of housing procurement influenced their intimate relationship power. The findings suggest that mothers followed one of five housing dependency pathways, with 25 percent securing housing independently. Most traversed complex and transient levels of dependence on their partners for housing with immigrants and native-born Mexican Americans evincing nuanced differences in their relationship power depending on their housing situations. In most cases, regardless of their national origin (Mexico or the U.S.), mothers’ control of housing procurement directly corresponded to increased relationship power. The importance of considering the impact of race/ethnicity on housing and women’s power in Latino families in future research is also discussed.
Even Minkowski valuations
Authors: Schuster Franz E. , Wannerer Thomas
Published: December 2015

A new integral representation of smooth translation invariant and rotation equivariant even Minkowski valuations is established. Explicit formulas relating previously obtained descriptions of such valuations with the new more accessible one are also derived. Moreover, the action of Alesker’s Hard Lefschetz operators on these Minkowski valuations is explored in detail.
Pick Interpolation for free holomorphic functions
Authors: Agler Jim , McCarthy John E.
Published: December 2015

We give necessary and sufficient conditions to solve an interpolation problem for free holomorphic functions bounded in norm on a free polynomial polyhedron. As an application, we prove that every bounded holomorphic function on a polynomial polyhedron extends to a bounded free function.
Empire and the Country House in Early Nineteenth-Century Britain: The Amhersts of Montreal Park, Kent
Authors: Smith Kate
Published: December 2015

This article explores empire’s impact on British material culture. It does so by studying a particular site, the country house. The expansion of visitor numbers during the nineteenth century meant that the country house became a key site within which Britons interacted with sophisticated displays of material culture. As with texts, in “reading” for signs of imperial impact it is important to analyse not only the external aspects of objects and buildings—their surfaces and façades—but also their context, configuration and arrangement. By utilizing this approach, this article demonstrates the complex narratives of empire situated within country houses.
Improving Interactive Health Literacy Skills of Older Adults: Lessons Learned From Formative Organizational Research With Community Partners
Authors: Parmer John , Furtado Debra , Rubin Donald L. , Freimuth Vicki , Kaley Terry , Okundaye Mumbi
Published: December 2015

Background: Meals on Wheels (MOW) organizations are ideal community partners for delivering social support relating to health information exchange for vulnerable and home-bound older adults. Objectives: This article illustrates how formative organizational evaluation can be used to adapt health literacy interventions delivered by community partners. Methods: Key informant interviews and ethnographic observations were conducted as part of a formative organizational evaluation of potential community partners. Lessons Learned: The observed brevity of volunteer–client interaction led program planners to incorporate substantial emphasis on communicating with older adults into the health literacy coach training curriculum. Ethnographic observations made clear that program materials had to be portable and fit it in with the mobile nature of MOW delivery. Conclusions: Formative organizational research can greatly increase the chance of successful implementation of public health interventions when those interventions will be implemented in partnerships with community-based organizations in diverse settings and with varying practices.
Differential Role of Social Connectedness in Geriatric Depression Among Southeast Asian Ethnic Groups
Authors: Kim Taehoon , Nguyen Ethan T. , Yuen Elaine J. , Nguyen Thoai , Sorn Rorng , Nguyen Giang T.
Published: December 2015

Background. There is little empirical evidence on the effects of social connectedness on geriatric depression for Southeast Asians. Studies have rarely examined interethnic differences in the resilience factors for depression in this diverse population. Greater understanding is needed as the number of older Southeast Asians in the United States increases. Objectives. We sought to examine the association between social connectedness and depressive symptoms in Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian elders. Methods. Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, bilingual/bicultural staff collected demographics, the Lubben Social Network Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Univariate and multivariate regression models were constructed for the full aggregated sample and for each ethnic subgroup. Results. In the full aggregated sample analysis, Southeast Asian elders were at increased risk for depression and had low social connectedness. Marriage and English proficiency were resilience factors, whereas social connectedness did not play a significant role. In disaggregated analyses, high social connectedness, marriage, and younger age were resilience factors for Vietnamese elders. English proficiency was the only significant resilience factor for Laotians, and age at the time of immigration was the only significant resilience factor for Cambodian elders. Conclusions. This study underscores the need for researchers to disaggregate data for ethnic subgroups in the Asian American population. Southeast Asian elders are at increased risk for depression and have low social connectedness. There exist important interethnic differences in resilience factors for geriatric depression, suggesting the need for more studies and interventions that are sensitive to subtle cultural differences among Southeast Asian subgroups.
Concept Mapping as an Approach to Facilitate Participatory Intervention Building
Authors: L. Allen Michele , Schaleben-Boateng Dane , Davey Cynthia S. , Hang Mikow , Pergament Shannon
Published: December 2015

Background: A challenge to addressing community-defined need through community-based participatory intervention building is ensuring that all collaborators’ opinions are represented. Concept mapping integrates perspectives of individuals with differing experiences, interests, or expertise into a common visually depicted framework, and ranks composite views on importance and feasibility. Objectives: To describe the use of concept mapping to facilitate participatory intervention building for a school-based, teacher-focused, positive youth development (PYD) promotion program for Latino, Hmong, and Somali youth. Particiants were teachers, administrators, youth, parents, youth workers, and community and university researchers on the projects’ community collaborative board. We incorporated previously collected qualitative data into the process. Methods: In a mixed-methods process we 1) generated statements based on key informant interview and focus group data from youth workers, teachers, parents, and youth in multiple languages regarding ways teachers promote PYD for Somali, Latino and Hmong youth; 2) guided participants to individually sort statements into meaningful groupings and rate them by importance and feasibility; 3) mapped the statements based on their relation to each other using multivariate statistical analyses to identify concepts, and as a group identified labels for each concept; and 4) used labels and statement ratings to identify feasible and important concepts as priorities for intervention development. Results: We identified 12 concepts related to PYD promotion in schools and prioritized 8 for intervention development. Conclusions: Concept mapping facilitated participatory intervention building by formally representing all participants’ opinions, generating visual representation of group thinking, and supporting priority setting. Use of prior qualitative work increased the diversity of viewpoints represented.
“Hear(ing) New Voices”: Peer Reflections from Community-Based Survey Development with Women Living with HIV
Authors: Abelsohn Kira , Benoit Anita C. , Conway Tracey , Cioppa Lynne , Smith Stephanie , Kwaramba Gladys , Lewis Johanna , Nicholson Valerie , O’Brien Nadia , Carter Allison , Shurgold Jayson , Kaida Angela , Pokomandy Alexandra de , Loutfy Mona , Research The
Published: December 2015

Background: The Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS) engaged in an innovative community-based survey development process. Objectives: We sought to provide 1) an overview of the survey development process, and 2) personal reflections from women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; “peers”) on their own observations of strengths and short-comings of the process and opportunities for improvement. Methods: Guided by the principles of community-based research (CBR) and meaningful involvement of women living with HIV (WLWH), CHIWOS coordinated a national, multidisciplinary research team, and facilitated a community based survey development process. Lessons Learned: Four key lessons emerged highlighting the importance of 1) accommodating different preferences for feedback collection, 2) finding the right combination of people and skills, 3) formalizing mentorship, and 4) creating guidelines on survey item reduction and managing expectations from the outset. Conclusions: Peers discussed the strengths and weaknesses of participatory methodologies in survey development.
Applying Cognitive Interviewing to Inform Measurement of Partnership Readiness: A New Approach to Strengthening Community–Academic Research
Authors: Teal Randall , Enga Zoe , Diehl Sandra J. , Rohweder Catherine L. , Kim Mimi , Dave Gaurav , Durr April , Wynn Mysha , Isler Malika Roman , Corbie-Smith Giselle , Weiner Bryan J.
Published: December 2015

Background: Partnerships between academic and community-based organizations (CBOs) can richly inform the research process and speed translation of findings. Although immense potential exists to co-conduct research, a better understanding of how to create and sustain equitable relationships between entities with different organizational goals, structures, resources, and expectations is needed. Objective: We sought to engage community leaders in the development of an instrument to assess CBOs’ interest and capacity to engage with academia in translational research partnerships. Methods: Leaders from CBOs partnered with our research team in the design of a 50-item instrument to assess organizational experience with applying for federal funding and conducting research studies. Respondents completed a self-administered, paper/pencil survey and a follow-up structured cognitive interview ( n = 11). A community advisory board (CAB; n = 8) provided further feedback on the survey through guided discussion. Thematic analysis of the cognitive interviews and a summary of the CAB discussion informed survey revisions. Results: Cognitive interviews and discussion with community leaders identified language and measurement issues for revision. Importantly, they also revealed an unconscious bias on the part of researchers and offered an opportunity, at an early research stage, to address imbalances in the survey perspective and to develop a more collaborative, equitable approach. Conclusions: Engaging community leaders enhanced face and content validity and served as a means to form relationships with potential community co-investigators in the future. Cognitive interviewing can enable a bidirectional approach to partnerships, starting with instrument development.
Insane in the Membrane: Emily Dickinson Dissecting Brains
Authors: Schöberlein Stefan
Published: December 2015

This essay examines a major (but hitherto neglected) focal point of Dickinson’s poetry: the brain. Reading Dickinson’s cerebral poetry through the psychiatric discourses of her time, it argues that her explorations of the human mind—especially in states of aberration—disclose not only current medical knowledge but an ongoing poetic debate over the organic limits of consciousness, reason, and the soul in Dickinson’s work. By contextualizing the vivid images through which Dickinson analyzes the mind, we find her actively negotiating medical theory. Instead of reading disorder or psychosis into the poet’s enigmatic life and oeuvre (thereby inevitably recasting Higginson’s “partially cracked” poetess), we can then see Dickinson experimenting with dualism and monism, religion and materialism, free will and biological determinism.
The Rise of Malaysian Heritage Non-Governmental Organizations (1969–2005)
Authors: Blackburn Kevin
Published: December 2015

Two key Malaysian heritage NGOs were founded in the mid-1980s, Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) in Kuala Lumpur in 1983 and the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) in 1985. Other NGOs, such as the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP, formed in 1969), Institut Masyarakat (Community Institute, mid-1970s) and Aliran (1977) had previously pursued heritage conservation as part of a broader agenda they termed ‘sustainable development’, opposing a development model used by town councils and state governments, as well as property developers, which replaced heritage buildings with shopping complexes, office towers, and tourist theme parks. This article traces the history of Malaysia’s heritage NGOs and their involvement in decades of ‘heritage battles’ prior to the passing of Malaysia’s National Heritage Act in 2005, reviewing the impact of their ideas of ‘sustainable development’ across several decades.
Swimming with the Salamander: A community eco-performance project
Authors: Kuppers Petra
Published: December 2015

This article uses community writing to explore the ethics and engagements of the Salamander Project, an eco-performance project by The Olimpias, a disability culture collective. In the project, disabled people went swimming together and explored themes of stricture and freedom, access and play, biodiversity and border creatures, hanging out together in the wild..
Euskokantauriar arroko eboluzio geologikoa I: estentsioaren eraginpean
Authors: Apraiz Arturo , Aranburu Arantza , Mendia Miren , Bodego Arantxa
Published: December 2015

Euskokantauriar arroaren eboluzioak oso iraupen luzea du. Goi Permiarrean hasi zen, eta azken prozesuak, Miozenoan gertatu ziren. 250 Ma inguru horietan zehar, aldaketa nabarmenak izan dira bai erregimen tektoniko nagusian (luzapena, konpresioa), bai plaken arteko muga aktiboarekiko distantzian (rifta, ertz pasiboa, ertz aktiboa), eta bai azpiko lurrazalaren izaeran (kontinentala eta hipermehetua). Euskokantauriar arroak, oro har, eboluzio-prozesu konplexua du, baldintza tektoniko nagusiei egokituz pixkanaka aldatu zena.
Mikrotxipak arrainetan: atzo, gaur eta bihar.
Authors: Bilbao Eider , Diaz de Cerio Oihane
Published: December 2015

Mikrotxipak, besteak beste, itu organismo, ehun edo zelulen artean ematen diren transkriptoma mailako ezberdintasunak ikertzeko diseinatu dira. Emaitza gisa, faktore estresatzaile ezberdinen jokatzeko modua edo jarraibidea itsas organismoetan modu zabalean ikertzea lortu da. Horrela, lan honen helburu nagusiak, batetik, teleosteotan ingurune urtarretan ohikoak diren sustantzia kimikoen ekiteko modua aztertzen duten mikrotxipak laburbiltzea da; eta bestetik, mikrotxipen inguruan dauden kritikak azaltzea.
Nanoteknologia: artsenikoaren erauzketarako bide berria
Authors: Galarreta Itziar , Lozano Iñigo , Ruiz de Larramendi Idoia
Published: December 2015

Artsenikoarekiko esposizioak, nahiz eta kontzentrazio txikietan izan, osasunerako eta sistema ekologikoetarako oso kaltegarria da. Hori dela eta, artsenikoa modu eraginkorrean erauziko duen metodo berria aurkitzea ingurumen ikertzaile askorentzako erronka bihurtu da. Gaur egun, disoluzioan dagoen artsenikoa erauzteko metodo asko daude: prezipitazioa, oxidazioa, mintz bidezko bereizketa prozesuak, gainazaleko konplexazioa edo adsortzio selektiboa. Adsorbatzaile nanometrikoak dituzten propietate kimiko eta fisikoek ingurumen erremediaziorako materialik egokienak bihurtze dituzte. Lan honek artsenikoz kutsatutako uren tratamenduan erabiltzen diren nanoadsorbatzilei buruzko ezagutza handiagoa eskaintzea du helburu, nanoteknologia barneratzen duen ikerkuntzaren etorkizunaren inguruko ikuspegi berria emanez.
Looking outside education: Expanding our thinking about moving research into practice
Authors: Schneider Jack
Published: December 2015

This essay explores the usefulness of looking outside of education for inspiration, particularly with regard to seemingly intractable issues that have been resigned to the margins.  First, it proposes that, rather than comparing education to medicine and law—the traditional comparison fields for education—we turn instead to the “helping fields” of nursing and social work, which seem to offer better parallels.  Then it considers a test case: the stalled conversation around linking research and practice in education.  Finally, the work offers a model framework of the sort that might be generated through such cross-field analysis—one for organizing our thinking about what matters in moving research into practice in education.
Mapping the collaborative research process
Authors: Kochanek Julie Reed , Scholz Carrie , Garcia Alicia J
Published: December 2015

Despite significant federal investments in the production of high-quality education research, the direct use of that research in policy and practice is not evident. Some education researchers are increasingly employing collaborative research models that use structures and processes to integrate practitioners into the research process in an effort to produce more relevant and useful work. This article presents and describes the logic model developed by researchers at American Institutes for Research (AIR) to guide their work on the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest. Under this program, AIR researchers have developed eight research alliances. The alliance members, who represent districts, state education agencies, and other organizations with a vested interest in education, partner with researchers to develop three- to five-year research agendas. These agendas drive the research and technical assistance projects that the alliance members and AIR researchers do together. It contributes to the emergent literature on research-practice partnerships, providing a theory-based approach to the work that others might model, build upon, or revisit.
Evidence use and advocacy coalitions: Intermediary organizations and philanthropies in Denver, Colorado
Authors: Scott Janelle , Jabbar Huriya , Goel Priya , DeBray Elizabeth , Lubienski Christopher
Published: December 2015

The increasing involvement of philanthropists in education policy has contributed to the emergence of a dynamic sector of intermediary organizations (IOs), entities that serve a number of functions in school reform, including advocacy, consultation, policy design, alternative teacher and leadership preparation, and research. In recent years, many IOs have converged into coalitions that are pushing for incentivist educational policies like “parent trigger” laws, charter schools, vouchers, and teacher merit pay or sanctions often tied to value added metrics of teacher performance. This article draws on data from a mixed-methods, multiyear study of research use and dissemination. In this article, we examine the role of foundations in a broader advocacy coalition in Denver, Colorado, a key site for various incentivist reforms, including teacher pay-for-performance and charter schools. We find that IOs and their affiliated networks broker the production and use of research evidence, often targeting government and education policymakers, journalists, and increasingly, influential bloggers and social media communities. This brokering function positions foundations as the “hub” of research production, promotion, and utilization.
Brokering knowledge mobilization networks: Policy reforms, partnerships, and teacher education
Authors: Ng-A-Fook Nicholas , Kane Ruth , Butler Jesse , Glithero Lisa , Forte Rita
Published: December 2015

Educational researchers and policy-makers are now expected by funding agencies and their institutions to innovate the multidirectional ways in which our production of knowledge can impact the classrooms of teachers (practitioners), while also integrating their experiential knowledge into the landscape of our research. In this article, we draw on the curriculum implementation literature to complicate our understandings of knowledge mobilization (KMb). Policy implementation, we suggest, can be understood as one specific type of KMb. We draw on different models for KMb and curriculum implementation and develop a relational model for KMb. Utilizing our model we critically reflect on the specific successes and challenges encountered while establishing, building, and sustaining the capacity of our KMb network. Our findings suggest that faculties of education are uniquely positioned to act as secondary brokers for the implementation of policy reforms within public education systems. To this end, we discuss how a relational KMb network is a “best practice” for establishing and sustaining partnerships among policy makers, educational researchers, and public school practitioners.
Connecting the dots: Understanding the flow of research knowledge within a research brokering network
Authors: Rodway Joelle
Published: December 2015

Networks are frequently cited as an important knowledge mobilization strategy; however, there is little empirical research that considers how they connect research and practice. Taking a social network perspective, I explore how central office personnel find, understand and share research knowledge within a research brokering network. This mixed methods case study focused on the first two cohorts of school district Mental Health Leaders participating Ontario’s Child and Youth Mental Health program (N=37). Data were collected and analyzed in two phases: 1) the administration of a social network survey to all participants (response rate = 97%), and 2) follow-up interviews with key informants identified by the social network analysis (N=11). The findings indicate that this is a sparse network and the pattern of incoming ties tends to focus on a subset of individuals. When the identified key players (who are sometimes but not always program staff) are removed, network activity is cut by more than half; the removal of the remaining program staff members renders the network virtually non-existent. Research knowledge typically flowed in a single direction as there were few reciprocal ties within the network. Interview data yielded some important insights indicating that participants perceived formal CYMH events as their main access points to research knowledge and that Mental Health Leaders who were identified as prominent sources of research knowledge had pre-existing relationships with CYMH program staff.
Knowledge brokers in education: How intermediary organizations are bridging the gap between research, policy and practice internationally
Authors: Cooper Amanda , Shewchuk Samantha
Published: December 2015

Interest in how to better connect research to policy and practice is gaining momentum globally. Also gaining widespread agreement is the view that intermediary organizations have an important role to play in facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships between researchers, practitioners and policymakers in order to increase the mobilization of research and its impact in public service sectors. Knowledge mobilization (KMb) includes efforts to strengthen linkages between research, practice and policy in public service sectors. This special issue explores a range of intermediary organizations, networks and initiatives in order to showcase how research-practice-policy gaps are being addressed in different contexts.
Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union
Authors: Menges Roland , Pfaffenberger Wolfgang
Published: December 2015

One of the important goals of European energy policy is to increase the share of renewable energy resources in the energy supply. The instruments used in the member states are not fully compatible with the rules of the European internal market. In a theoretical section, this paper analyses possible different instruments for promoting renewable energy. Some countries use feed in tariffs - using fixed prices to increase incentives for producers to invest into renewable energy, other countries use quantity-based systems like quotas that lead to a premium above the market price. In an institutional analysis we show that on the basis of effectiveness and efficiency considerations for the European Union, in the long-term quantity oriented systems of promotion are preferable if combined with elements of a capacity market. The main reason for this conclusion is that price-based systems cannot give enough incentives for backup capacities necessary to cope with intermittent production of renewable sources. In addition price-based systems violate the basic rules of the open internal European market because feed in tariffs are a considerable barrier for trade of renewable energy products.
CFD Simulation and Optimization of Very Low Head Axial Flow Turbine Runner
Authors: Tobo Yohannis Mitiku , Ramayya A. Venkata , Tibba Getachew Shunki
Published: December 2015

The main objective of this work is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, simulation and optimization of very low head axial flow turbine runner  to be used to drive  a centrifugal pump of turbine-driven pump. The ultimate goal of the optimization is to produce a power of 1kW at head less than 1m from flowing  river to drive centrifugal pump using mechanical coupling (speed multiplier gear) directly. Flow rate, blade numbers, turbine rotational speed, inlet angle are parameters used in CFD modeling,  simulation and design optimization of the turbine runner. The computed results show that power developed by a turbine runner increases with increasing flow rate. Pressure inside the turbine runner increases with flow rate but, runner efficiency increases for some flow rate and almost constant thereafter. Efficiency and power developed by a runner drops quickly if turbine speed increases due to higher pressure losses and conversion of pressure energy to kinetic energy inside the runner. Increasing blade number increases power developed but, efficiency does not increase always. Efficiency increases for some blade number and drops down due to the fact that  change in direction of the relative flow vector at the runner exit, which decreases the net rotational momentum and increases the axial flow velocity.
Wind Turbine Rotor Simulation via CFD Based Actuator Disc Technique Compared to Detailed Measurement
Authors: Mahmoodi Esmail , Jafari Ali , Keyhani Alireza
Published: December 2015

In this paper, a generalized Actuator Disc (AD) is used to model the wind turbine rotor of the MEXICO experiment, a collaborative European wind turbine project. The AD model as a combination of CFD technique and User Defined Functions codes (UDF), so-called UDF/AD model is used to simulate loads and performance of the rotor in three different wind speed tests. Distributed force on the blade, thrust and power production of the rotor as important designing parameters of wind turbine rotors are focused to model. A developed Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory as a code based numerical technique as well as a full rotor simulation both from the literature are included into the results to compare and discuss. The output of all techniques is compared to detailed measurements for validation, which led us to final conclusions.