bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and initial validation of the Cat HEalth and Wellbeing (CHEW) Questionnaire: a generic health-related quality of life instrument for cats
Authors: Freeman Lisa M , Rodenberg Cindy , Narayanan A , Olding Jane , Gooding Margaret A , Koochaki Patricia E
Published: August 2016

Objectives:

The aims of the study were to define factors that owners consider relevant to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of cats, to develop an instrument based on this information, and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the final instrument (the Cat HEalth and Wellbeing [CHEW] Questionnaire).

Methods:

Psychometric research techniques and guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration on outcome measures were used to develop a valid and reliable instrument. Fifty-four cat owners and caregivers participated in the qualitative research, while 1303 cat owners were included in the quantitative validation phase (development dataset, n = 648; validation dataset, n = 655). A random subset of cat owners (n = 391) also participated in test–retest evaluation. Qualitative research was used to generate a draft instrument, which was then subjected to quantitative validation techniques. These included item reduction, domain identification, data quality assessment, and exploratory and confirmatory analysis to develop a final instrument, which underwent confirmatory reliability and validity assessment.

Results:

A draft instrument with 11 domains and 100 items based on qualitative research underwent online quantitative validation testing which refined the instrument to eight domains and 33 items. Confirmatory reliability and validity assessment showed that the final instrument had good validity, was able to discriminate between cats by age and overall health status, and demonstrated good internal and test–retest reliability.

Conclusions and relevance:

The CHEW Questionnaire was developed and validated. Additional research is needed to verify its ability to differentiate cats with and without disease, and to assess its potential as a screening tool.
Living longer with help from others: Seeking advice lowers mortality risk
Authors: Delaney Rebecca K , Turiano Nicholas A , Strough JoNell
Published: August 2016

Associations between self-sufficiency and advice seeking with mortality risk were examined to assess the long-term implications of individualistic and interpersonally oriented strategies. Wave 1 participants from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States ( N = 6116, 25–75 years, Mage = 46.38 years) completed questionnaires assessing demographics, self-sufficiency, advice seeking, social support, and health. Cox proportional hazard models indicated that each standard deviation increase in seeking advice was associated with an 11 percent decreased hazard of dying 20 years later. Self-sufficiency was not significantly related. Future research should examine contexts in which interpersonal strategies are adaptive, as seeking advice from others promotes longevity.
Combined cognitive biases for pain and disability information in individuals with chronic headache: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Schoth Daniel E , Parry Laura , Liossi Christina
Published: August 2016

Pain-related cognitive biases have been demonstrated in chronic pain patients, yet despite theoretical predictions are rarely investigated in combination. Combined cognitive biases were explored in individuals with chronic headache ( n = 17) and pain-free controls ( n = 20). Participants completed spatial cueing (attentional bias), sentence generation (interpretation bias) and free recall tasks (memory bias), with ambiguous sensory-pain, disability and neutral words. Individuals with chronic headache, relative to controls, showed significantly greater interpretation and memory biases favouring ambiguous sensory-pain words and interpretation bias favouring ambiguous disability words. No attentional bias was found. Further research is needed exploring the temporal pattern of cognitive biases.
Deconstructing post-exertional malaise: An exploratory factor analysis
Authors: McManimen Stephanie L , Sunnquist Madison L , Jason Leonard A
Published: August 2016

Post-exertional malaise is a cardinal symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome. There are two differing focuses when defining post-exertional malaise: a generalized, full-body fatigue and a muscle-specific fatigue. This study aimed to discern whether post-exertional malaise is a unified construct or whether it is composed of two smaller constructs, muscle fatigue and generalized fatigue. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on several symptoms that assess post-exertional malaise. The results suggest that post-exertional malaise is composed of two empirically different experiences, one for generalized fatigue and one for muscle-specific fatigue.
Variability of radon and thoron concentration with type of dwellings in a hilly area
Authors: Sivakumar R.
Published: August 2016

Indoor radon, thoron and progenies are major contributors to the indoor radiation dose which have been measured by our study for different types of dwellings during four seasons of a year. The indoor radon, thoron and progeny levels observed in the present study found to vary with seasons of a year. The average highest radon, thoron and progeny were observed during winter and the corresponding lowest values were observed during summer. The highest 222Rn, 220Rn and progenies concentrations were observed in mud houses and the lowest values were recorded in wooden houses. A good correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.85 was observed between indoor 222Rn and concentration of its grandparent 238U in underlying soil. A moderate correlation was found between 220Rn and 232Th concentration in underlying soil. The effective dose received by the general public in the present study due to radon and thoron was estimated as 1.43 and 1.13 mSv y−1, respectively. The 222Rn and 220Rn progenies contribute 0.79 and 0.25 mSv y−1, respectively to the annual effective dose received. The inhalation dose received by the general public of the study area due to these airborne isotopes 3.69 mSv y−1 is less than the action limit of International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP) (2009).
Space choice, rejection and satisfaction in university campus
Authors: Kim Tae Wan , Cha Seunghyun , Kim Youngchul
Published: August 2016

This paper explores the relationships between students’ activities, space choice patterns and satisfaction with campus space provision with the aim of establishing rational space utilization strategies. Many universities attempt to achieve their sustainability goals and address the constraints of space restrictions by implementing no-net growth policies and rational space utilization strategies. However, architects or facility managers often experience difficulties in keeping their commitment to such initiatives because they lack empirical data that explain the relationships in action between students and campus space. This paper demonstrates these relationships by analysing empirical data obtained from a university campus. University students completed 330 student-day time-use surveys and relevant post-occupancy evaluations for regular days at university. Three major space-choice-rejection patterns were found: (1) spaces for 56% of activities were chosen by students themselves; (2) students often struggled to find an appropriate space for their group activities; (3) students’ space choice behaviour was both common and influential on campus. A campus sustainability model of space choice-rejection was theorized based on the students’ post-occupancy evaluations, comprising anticipated space choice and intended space rejection. Three categories of relationships were established: space-oriented relationships with space environmental performance and spatial form; user-oriented relationships with user capacity and locational accessibility and equipment-oriented relationships with equipment adequacy and equipment condition.
Influence of mould material on ceramic disc dimensions in low-pressure injection moulding
Authors: Costa Carlos A , Altafini Carlos R , Visioli Fabio R , Baccin André P
Published: August 2016

This work presents a study regarding the influence of the cooling process, as a result of different mould insert materials, on ceramic parts dimensions obtained by low-pressure injection moulding process. Discs of ceramic with Ø80 × 2 mm, composed by 86 wt.% alumina (Al2O3) and 14 wt.% organic vehicle, were produced. An experimental injection mould was designed and manufactured with built-in heating and cooling systems, controlled by a DAQ (Measurement Computing – USB-TC) and thermocouples K type. Four types of insert materials were used: aluminium alloy (AA7075-T6), electrolytic copper, brass alloy (C36000) and SAE1045 steel. Tests were carried out considering injection moulding parameters constant, i.e. initial mould temperature, injection pressure and time and extraction temperature. All the post-process (debinding by wicking; final debinding and sintering) parameters were also kept constant. Parts were analysed considering dimensions, mass, geometry, visual aspects and defects. The results showed that the cooling rate resulting from the thermal conductivity of each material has influenced more significantly the dimensional shrinkage and mass reduction of the samples during the intermediate post-processes phases. The geometric deviations were different for each condition throughout the process and they increased in the final parts. The parts produced with higher cooling rate had higher geometric deviations.
Flaky and fullerene-like WS2 nanoparticles as tribologic and toughening additives for epoxy
Authors: Haba Dietmar , Hausberger Andreas , Brunner Andreas J
Published: August 2016

Just like MoS2, WS2 is known for its outstanding tribologic properties. When used as additives, both were found to considerably improve the tribologic behavior of epoxy, i.e., its coefficient of friction and wear resistance. The best improvements were obtained with WS2 or MoS2 nanoparticles, in particular if they had a fullerene-like morphology. Likewise, fullerene-like WS2 nanoparticles were shown to considerably enhance the fracture toughness of epoxy. It was thus hypothesized that the improved wear resistance could be due to the toughening effect rather than due to reduced friction. Our investigations showed that both flaky and fullerene-like WS2 nanoparticles can improve the fracture toughness of certain epoxy systems, while they can embrittle others. The beneficial effect on the epoxy’s wear resistance could not be confirmed either: The coefficient of friction and wear measured in pin-on-disc tests correlated insignificantly with the type or amount of nanoparticles used or the dispersion technique applied. The fact that the fracture toughness did not correlate with the measured wear suggests that the investigated epoxy system wears by adhesion rather than by abrasion. It is thus possible that tribologic additives like WS2 are unsuited for counteracting this wear mechanism. In a nutshell, both the toughening and the wear-reducing effect of flaky and fullerene-like WS2 nanoparticles seem to depend strongly on the particular epoxy system investigated.
Improving EMI shielding effectiveness and dielectric properties of polyaniline-coated polyester fabric by effective doping and redoping procedures
Authors: Hoghoghifard Sedigheh , Mokhtari Hossein , Dehghani Sajjad
Published: August 2016

Conductive polymers with their medium level of conductivity are synthetic materials that can be used as electromagnetic wave absorber. In this work, the effect of aging and washing on the surface resistivity and also the influence of efficient doping and redoping procedure on the dielectric properties and electromagnetic radiation shielding of uniformly polyaniline coated polyester fabric are investigated in the X-band frequency range. They can affect the shielding effectiveness by changing the surface resistivity and dielectric permittivity. It is found that lightweight, flexible, and thin polyaniline-coated polyester fabric sample prepared in 1:1:7 monomer:oxidant:dopant molar ratio and redoped with concentrated HCl vapor shows the highest transmission loss (53–43%) in 8.2–12.4 GHz. Compared to single layer, double and triple layer samples attenuated 71–61% and 83–77% of incident wave, respectively. Absorption was the dominant shielding mechanism. It is also demonstrated that the increment of surface resistivity due to washing of samples is compensated by the redoping process.
Day Habilitation Services for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers
Authors: Friedman Carli
Published: August 2016

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) waivers are one of the largest providers of long-term services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). HCBS waivers also play a prominent role in providing day habilitation services for people with IDD. The purpose of this study was to examine how HCBS waivers allocate day habilitation services for people with IDD. HCBS waivers providing day habilitation services for people with IDD were analyzed to determine service utilization and projected expenditures. In fiscal year 2014, HCBS waivers projected US$5.62 billion of funding for day habilitation services; however, there was wide variance across services in terms of projected total spending, spending per participant, and reimbursement rates.
Spatial statistical analysis for the design of indoor particle-filter-based localization mechanisms
Authors: Martínez-Gómez Jesus , Martínez del Horno Miguel , Castillo-Cara Manuel , Brea Luján Víctor Manuel , Barbosa Luis Orozco , García-Varea Ismael
Published: August 2016

The accurate localization of end-users and resources is seen as one of the main pillars toward the successful implementation of context-based applications. While current outdoor localization mechanisms fulfill most application requirements, the design of accurate indoor localization mechanisms is still an open issue. Most research efforts are focusing on the design of mechanisms making use of the receiver signal strength indications generated by WLAN (wireless local area network) devices. However, the accuracy and robustness of such mechanisms can be severely compromised due to the random and unpredictable nature of radio channels. In this article, we develop a methodology incorporating various algorithms capable of coping with the unpredictable nature of radio channels. Following a holistic approach, we start by identifying the wireless equipment parameter setting, better meeting the implementation requirements of a robust indoor localization mechanism. We then make use of RANdom SAmple Consensus paradigm: a robust model-fitting mechanism capable of smoothing the data captured during the space survey. Using an experimental setup, we evaluate the benefits of integrating the floor plan and an ordinary Kriging interpolation algorithm in the estimation process. Our main findings show that our proposal can greatly improve the quality of the information to be used in the development of particle-filter-based indoor localization mechanisms.
Synchronization method for long-term evolution-based machine-type communication in low-power cellular Internet of Things
Authors: Pec Rothna , Choi Joo-Hyung , Park Chang-Hwan , Cho Yong Soo
Published: August 2016

The significant growth of machine-to-machine applications for low-power cellular Internet of Things has compelled 3rd Generation Partnership Project to ensure that the future release of long-term evolution can support massive transfer of small, infrequent packets using ultra-low-power and low-cost devices. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project version of machine-to-machine, called “machine-type communication,” is currently being standardized for low-cost machine-type communication operations. In this article, a complete synchronization and cell search procedure is described for machine-type communication devices in long-term evolution systems. Low-complexity algorithms for primary synchronization signal and secondary synchronization signal detection, which requires the highest computational complexity in synchronization and cell search period, are also proposed for low-power machine-type communication devices. Through simulation under long-term evolution-based machine-type communication environments, we show that the proposed methods for primary synchronization signal and secondary synchronization signal detection require six and five times less computational complexity than the conventional methods, respectively, while their performance is similar. The proposed algorithms allow machine-type communication devices in a discontinuous reception cycle to resynchronize quickly with less power when synchronization is lost during a deep sleep period.
Hybrid secure beamforming and vehicle selection using hierarchical agglomerative clustering for C-RAN-based vehicle-to-infrastructure communications in vehicular cyber-physical systems
Authors: Xu Dongyang , Ren Pinyi , Du Qinghe , Sun Li
Published: August 2016

The architecture of C-RAN-based soft-defined vehicular networks can support increasing demands of various applications in the future vehicular cyber-physical systems, but lacks strong and practical security–enhancing mechanisms in the physical layer. In this article, we propose a hybrid beamforming and vehicle-selection framework for vehicle-to-infrastructure communications to broadcast high-speed confidential messages. A one-dimensional roadway scenario having multiple lanes is considered, and the concept of secure region and interference-selection region is, respectively, developed for each roadside unit. We formulate an optimization problem of maximizing secrecy sumrate with the constraint of orthogonality-based vehicle selection. The original problem is then divided into two subproblems subtly. In terms of the first subproblem, we, by exploiting the orthogonality assumption, obtain a corresponding secure beamformer for each vehicle located in the secure region to reduce the interference and confidential information leakage. Based on secure beamformers, the second subproblem is changed to be a vehicle-selection problem, which is then solved by adopting hierarchical agglomerative clustering method and implemented by two proposed novel algorithms blending vehicle selection with beamformer generation. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms in the respect of secrecy sumrate compared with the conventional zero-forcing beamforming using semi-orthogonal user selection algorithms. Furthermore, simulations show how our proposed algorithms resist against eavesdropping from collusive vehicles located in the same secure region by flexibly altering the size of secure region and interference-selection according to the traffic density.
A non-intrusive runtime enforcement on behaviors of open supervisory control and data acquisition systems
Authors: Mao Yan-Fang , Zhang Yang , Chen Jun-Liang
Published: August 2016

With the development of Web-based services and related technologies, today’s supervisory control and data acquisition is regarded as an Internet of things service system for industrial infrastructures and ensuring open supervisory control and data acquisition systems in a secure and safe state at runtime becomes a critical and mandatory requirement. Existing host-based monitoring automata are vulnerable because “inside” malware may compromise and subvert the monitoring mechanism itself, and the virtual machine–based monitoring cannot provide observable running traces of the protected services because of the isolation between these services and the runtime monitor. In this article, we propose a non-intrusive solution to guarantee runtime state of open supervisory control and data acquisition systems. In this solution, the running traces of protected services are obtained in an “out-of-box” framework, which is built on abstract execution of network events on Internet of things service models and virtual machine semantic reconstruction of the protected services. In addition, a property checking procedure is employed to check the states of physical devices in advance to guarantee the runtime behavior in compliance with the security policies of open supervisory control and data acquisition systems. In such a way, the solution provides a fine-grained protection for open supervisory control and data acquisition systems and physical devices running in safety.
Delay-sensitive flooding based on expected path quality in low duty-cycled wireless sensor networks
Authors: Nguyen Dung Tien , Choe Junseong , Duc Thang Le , Le Duc Tai , Zalyubovskiy Vyacheslav V , Choo Hyunseung
Published: August 2016

Flooding in low duty-cycled wireless sensor networks suffers from a large transmission delay because a sender has to wait until a receiver becomes active to forward a packet. With the presence of unreliable radio links, the delay performance is even more severely degraded. In this article, we aim to reduce the flooding delay in low duty-cycled wireless sensor networks in relation to link unreliability. The key idea is to build a delay-sensitive flooding tree in which a node receives packet through the shortest path in terms of the total expected number of transmissions. In addition, the algorithm allows multiple senders to send through links outside of the tree if they can provide earlier expected delivery time. To give priorities to potential senders, we employ an energy-balancing mechanism which dynamically distributes the sending role among them. The mechanism not only makes sure senders start to acquire the channel at different times to prevent collisions but also lets them alternatively take turns based on residual energy, in order to lengthen network lifetime. Compared with the best known schemes, the proposed algorithm achieves up to 8% improvement in terms of flooding delay, energy consumption, and network lifetime.
A review on applications of activity recognition systems with regard to performance and evaluation
Authors: Ranasinghe Suneth , Al Machot Fadi , Mayr Heinrich C
Published: August 2016

Activity recognition systems are a large field of research and development, currently with a focus on advanced machine learning algorithms, innovations in the field of hardware architecture, and on decreasing the costs of monitoring while increasing safety. This article concentrates on the applications of activity recognition systems and surveys their state of the art. We categorize such applications into active and assisted living systems for smart homes, healthcare monitoring applications, monitoring and surveillance systems for indoor and outdoor activities, and tele-immersion applications. Within these categories, the applications are classified according to the methodology used for recognizing human behavior, namely, based on visual, non-visual, and multimodal sensor technology. We provide an overview of these applications and discuss the advantages and limitations of each approach. Additionally, we illustrate public data sets that are designed for the evaluation of such recognition systems. The article concludes with a comparison of the existing methodologies which, when applied to real-world scenarios, allow to formulate research questions for future approaches.
Rarefied flow and heat transfer characteristics over a vertical stretched surface
Authors: Al-Kouz Wael , Sari Ma’en , Kiwan Suhil , Alkhalidi Ammar
Published: August 2016

Similarity solution for the steady-state two-dimensional laminar natural convection heat transfer for a rarefied flow over a linearly vertical stretched surface is being proposed. Similarity conditions are obtained for the boundary layer equations for the vertical flat plate subjected to power law for the temperature variations. It is found that the similarity solution exists for linear temperature variation and linear stretching surface. The study shows that there are three different parameters affecting the flow and heat transfer characteristics for the rarefied flow over a vertical linearly stretched surface. These parameters represent the effects of the velocity slip ( K1), temperature jump ( K2), and the Prandtl number ( Pr). The effects of these parameters are presented. It is found that the velocity slip parameter affects both the hydrodynamic and thermal behaviors of such flows. Correlations for the skin friction as well as Nusselt number are being proposed in terms of Grashof number ( Grx), the slip velocity parameter ( K1), and the temperature jump parameter ( K2).
The stress protein heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70) inhibits the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel
Authors: Iftinca Mircea , Flynn Robyn , Basso Lilian , Melo Helvira , Aboushousha Reem , Taylor Lauren , Altier Christophe
Published: August 2016

Background

Specialized cellular defense mechanisms prevent damage from chemical, biological, and physical hazards. The heat shock proteins have been recognized as key chaperones that maintain cell survival against a variety of exogenous and endogenous stress signals including noxious temperature. However, the role of heat shock proteins in nociception remains poorly understood. We carried out an expression analysis of the constitutively expressed 70 kDa heat-shock cognate protein, a member of the stress-induced HSP70 family in lumbar dorsal root ganglia from a mouse model of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-induced chronic inflammatory pain. We used immunolabeling of dorsal root ganglion neurons, behavioral analysis and patch clamp electrophysiology in both dorsal root ganglion neurons and HEK cells transfected with Hsc70 and Transient Receptor Potential Channels to examine their functional interaction in heat shock stress condition.

Results

We report an increase in protein levels of Hsc70 in mouse dorsal root ganglia, 3 days post Complete Freund’s Adjuvant injection in the hind paw. Immunostaining of Hsc70 was observed in most of the dorsal root ganglion neurons, including the small size nociceptors immunoreactive to the TRPV1 channel. Standard whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 current after exposure to heat shock. We found that capsaicin-evoked currents are inhibited by heat shock in dorsal root ganglion neurons and transfected HEK cells expressing Hsc70 and TRPV1. Blocking Hsc70 with matrine or spergualin compounds prevented heat shock-induced inhibition of the channel. We also found that, in contrast to TRPV1, both the cold sensor channels TRPA1 and TRPM8 were unresponsive to heat shock stress. Finally, we show that inhibition of TRPV1 depends on the ATPase activity of Hsc70 and involves the rho-associated protein kinase.

Conclusions

Our work identified Hsc70 and its ATPase activity as a central cofactor of TRPV1 channel function and points to the role of this stress protein in pain associated with neurodegenerative and/or metabolic disorders, including aging.
Design, development, and flight testing of a high endurance micro quadrotor helicopter
Authors: Winslow Justin , Benedict Moble , Hrishikeshavan Vikram , Chopra Inderjit
Published: August 2016

This paper describes the experimental design studies conducted to maximize the hover endurance of a micro air vehicle-scale quadrotor helicopter (gross weight < 50 g) by careful design and selection of the individual subsystems while understanding their interdependencies. The different subsystems of the quadrotor that were examined include the rotors, motors, electronic speed controllers, gear transmission systems, battery, and airframe structure. An optimized micro air vehicle-scale rotor with a diameter of 110 mm and a figure of merit of 0.67 served as the basis for the vehicle design. Brushed and brushless motor systems were paired with the optimized rotor and were examined for maximum system level efficiency and capability to produce the required thrust. Propulsion systems using brushed motors with speed controllers and the optimum gear ratio showed up to 35% improvement in efficiency over brushless outrunner motors with speed controllers. Lithium-ion polymer batteries were compared and evaluated on voltage drop-off characteristics and achievable endurance versus weight. Quadrotor airframe weight has been minimized to 7.4% of the gross weight, representing a 30–50% decrease compared existing similarly sized quadrotors. The highest endurance was obtained using brushed motors with a 5.33:1 gear ratio and a 650 mAh battery. Presently, the longest continuous hover endurance achieved with this design is 31 min.
Effect of wing flexibility on flight dynamics stability of flapping wing MAVs in forward flight
Authors: Xue Dong , Song Bifeng , Song Wenping , Yang Wenqing
Published: August 2016

The paper presents a qualitative study of the effect of the wing flexibility on the flight stability of flapping wing micro air vehicles in forward flight. The longitudinal dynamic flight stability is compared between rigid wing flapping wing micro air vehicles and flexible-wing flapping wing micro air vehicles. The aerodynamics derivatives are computed respectively using the method of computational fluid dynamics and fluid–structure interaction method, and the techniques of eigenvalue and eigenvector analysis are applied to solve the equations of motion. It is shown that the flexibility can change the stability properties of the flapping micro air vehicles from unstable to stable. Besides, the position of mass center of flapping micro air vehicles is also a key factor to the flight stability, which provides a new insight to design a stable flapping wing micro air vehicle.
Serial magnetic resonance imaging findings of intracerebral spread of listeria utilising subcortical U-fibres and the extreme capsule
Authors: Hsu Charlie Chia-Tsong , Singh Dalveer , Watkins Trevor William , Kwan Gigi Nga Chi , Skalski Matt , Hapugoda Sachintha , Korah Ipeson
Published: August 2016

We present a case of Listeria monocytogenes cerebral abscess with axonal spread via the subcortical U-fibres and extreme capsule on magnetic resonance imaging, with follow-up studies demonstrating serial reduction in oedema and enhancement pattern of the white-matter fibre tracts following antimicrobial treatment. We discuss the microbiological mechanism of bacterial mobility to account for these unique imaging features. Recognition of this distinct pattern of spread of L. monocytogenes cerebral abscess may aid in diagnosis and enable early microbiological culture and treatment.
Stent-assisted coil embolisation for bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Ishikawa Tatsuya , Yamaguchi Koji , Anami Hidenori , Ishiguro Taichi , Matsuoka Go , Kawamata Takakazu
Published: August 2016

Bilateral dissecting aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage are rare. The treatment strategy for bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms is controversial because the contralateral vertebral artery is already dissected and can easily undergo enlargement or bleed after non-reconstructive treatment procedures such as trapping or proximal occlusion. Here, we report a case of bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage that was treated with stent-assisted coiling for the ruptured side. A 42-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with sudden headache (WFNS grade 1). Computed tomography showed a high-density region in the basal cistern and posterior fossa with more haemorrhage on the right side (Fisher group 3). Three-dimensional computed tomography and three-dimensional rotational angiography demonstrated a bilateral round protrusion on the vertebral arteries with a diameter of 5 mm just distal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Stent-assisted coiling was performed for the ruptured right side and conservative therapy was selected for the contralateral side. The ruptured side was well embolised, and the contralateral side was stable over the 12-month follow-up period after treatment. The treatment strategy for bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage is different from that for unilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms. Non-reconstructive treatment procedures such as trapping may cause contralateral enlargement or rupture; therefore, reconstructive treatment may be appropriate for the ruptured side.
The Health Equity Certificate Program: A Targeted Approach to Reducing Health Disparities and Increasing the Competence of Health Professional Students
Authors: Elias Thistle I. , Williams Kelly Rice , Hershey Tina Batra , Documet Patricia Isabel , Barinas-Mitchell Emma , Gary-Webb Tiffany
Published: August 2016

Health disparities and their social determinants are critical for public health students to understand in order to pursue a more equitable state of health for all. To improve an existing Health Equity Certificate to train a multidisciplinary workforce able to address health inequities, authors reviewed public health schools and programs across the United States to determine the extent of graduate-level academic focus on this area. The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health offers 1 of 11 health equity academic programs offered nationally. University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health has recently restructured the Health Equity Certificate, incorporating crosscutting competencies, broadening applicability across disciplines, and reworking courses to include more comprehensive review of social determinants that reflect avoidable differences in access to health care, quality of health care, and health outcomes. Students pursuing the certificate take 15 credits plus a practical component. Through carefully sequenced courses, this certificate prepares students to address and prevent furthering disparities in their public health careers.
Potency testing of mesenchymal stromal cell growth expanded in human platelet lysate from different human tissues
Authors: Fazzina R. , Iudicone P. , Fioravanti D. , Bonanno G. , Totta P. , Zizzari I. G. , Pierelli L.
Published: August 2016

Background

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been largely investigated, in the past decade, as potential therapeutic strategies for various acute and chronic pathological conditions. MSCs isolated from different sources, such as bone marrow (BM), umbilical cord tissue (UCT) and adipose tissue (AT), share many biological features, although they may show some differences on cumulative yield, proliferative ability and differentiation potential. The standardization of MSCs growth and their functional amplification is a mandatory objective of cell therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cumulative yield and the ex vivo amplification potential of MSCs obtained from various sources and different subjects, using defined culture conditions with a standardized platelet lysate (PL) as growth stimulus.

Methods

MSCs isolated from BM, UCT and AT and expanded in human PL were compared in terms of cumulative yield and growth potential per gram of starting tissue. MSCs morphology, phenotype, differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory properties were also investigated to evaluate their biological characteristics.

Results

The use of standardized PL-based culture conditions resulted in a very low variability of MSC growth. Our data showed that AT has the greater capacity to generate MSC per gram of initial tissue, compared to BM and UCT. However, UCT-MSCs replicated faster than AT-MSCs and BM-MSCs, revealing a greater proliferation capacity of this source irrespective of its lower MSC yield. All MSCs exhibited the typical MSC phenotype and the ability to differentiate into all mesodermal lineages, while BM-MSCs showed the most prominent immunosuppressive effect in vitro.

Conclusions

The adoption of standardized culture conditions may help researchers and clinicians to reveal particular characteristics and inter-individual variability of MSCs sourced from different tissues. These data will be beneficial to set the standards for tissue collection and MSCs clinical-scale expansion both for cell banking and for cell-based therapy settings.
Extraction Behavior of U(VI) Using Novel Betainium-Type Ionic Liquids: More Hydrophobic Cations Enhance Extractability, Selectivity, and Recyclability
Authors: Mori Takahiro , Ikeda Yasuhisa , Takao Koichiro
Published: August 2016

Extraction behavior of U(VI) in biphasic systems consisting of an aqueous layer and an ionic liquid (IL) layer has been investigated. The ILs used are bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Tf2N]−) salts of N,N,N-trimethyl-l-alaninium ([HAbet]+), N,N,N-trimethyl-l-valinium ([HVbet]+), N,N,N-trimethyl-l-leucinium ([HLbet]+), or N,N,N-trimethyl-l(+)-isoleucinium ([HIbet]+). The present ILs resulted in higher extractability of U(VI) compared with that of the N,N,N-trimethylglycinium ([HGbet]+) system studied by us previously. This improvement can be explained in terms of hydrophobicity of ILs, because hydrophobicity of the present ILs is higher than that of [HGbet][Tf2N] as demonstrated by logarithmic partitioning coefficients (log Pow) of the [Tf2N]− salts of [HGbet]+ (−0.54), [HAbet]+ (−0.15), [HVbet]+ (−0.09), [HLbet]+ (1.4) and [HIbet]+ (1.8). Uranium(VI) was also selectively extracted from aqueous solutions containing other metal ions such as Na(I), Ca(II), Al(III), Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II). In addition, extracted U(VI) species were easily separated as precipitates by adding 30 wt % H2O2. After removal of the U(VI) precipitate, ILs were also collected. The recovery yield of IL was enhanced with an increase in hydrophobicity of its cationic component. Therefore, highly hydrophobic betainium is preferable for both high U(VI) extractability and recyclability of ILs.
The Study and Application of Photoreceptive Membrane Protein, Rhodopsin
Authors: Inoue Keiichi
Published: August 2016

Microbial rhodopsins are photoreceptive seven-transmembrane proteins diversely found in unicellular microorganisms. The chromophore of microbial rhodopsin is all-trans retinal. The retinal isomerizes to 13-cis form upon light-absorption and it triggers the expression of various biological functions by light. We studied the mechanism of various types of microbial rhodopsins (H+ pump, Cl− pump and sensors) by physicochemical spectroscopic methods. On the basis of these studies, we found the importance of the residues on the third helix (helix C) for the function of microbial rhodopsin, and it led to the discovery of a new functional class of microbial rhodopsin, light-driven outward Na+ pump. The mechanism of Na+ pump rhodopsin was studied by several spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. These studies provided new insights very informative for the development of novel functional artificial rhodopsins (K+ and Cs+ pumps). These new natural and artificial rhodopsins are expected to have high potential for applications such as optogenetics.
Recent advances in targeted therapy for Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Pishas Kathleen I. , Lessnick Stephen L.
Published: August 2016

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive, poorly differentiated neoplasm of solid bone that disproportionally afflicts the young. Despite intensive multi-modal therapy and valiant efforts, 70% of patients with relapsed and metastatic Ewing sarcoma will succumb to their disease. The persistent failure to improve overall survival for this subset of patients highlights the urgent need for rapid translation of novel therapeutic strategies. As Ewing sarcoma is associated with a paucity of mutations in readily targetable signal transduction pathways, targeting the key genetic aberration and master regulator of Ewing sarcoma, the EWS/ETS fusion, remains an important goal.
Effect of Sodium and Potassium Ions on the Growth and Fatty Acid Composition of Dunaliella salina
Authors: Devi V. , Dhawan Vibha
Published: August 2016

In the present work, the effect of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions on the growth and fatty acid profile of marine microalgae Dunaliella salina was investigated. The cell growth was determined in two different phases. The growth, lipid productivity and fatty acid profile of D.salina were determined and compared under K+ ion and Na+ ion deficient and control conditions. D.salina under K+ ion deficient condition exhibited higher cellular lipid content (23%) than the cells grown under control condition (20%). However, no growth was observed in Na+ ion deficient batch. Optimum content of all fatty acid compositions (SFA = 29.39, MUFA = 20.43, PUFA = 29.15) with appropriate biodiesel properties were obtained under K+ ion deficient conditions. The results suggests that the K+ ion deficient condition has a significant effect on lipid content and fatty acid profile, thus D.salina grown in K+ ion deficient condition holds great potential for the lipid-based biofuel production.
Eraikiriko ondarearen birgaitze energetikoaren onurak eta arriskuak: bost esku-hartze maila
Authors: Uranga Eneko Jokin , Etxepare Lauren , Sagarna Maialen , Lizundia Iñigo
Published: August 2016

Bi auzik eragingo diote datozen urteotan eraikiriko ondarearen birgaitze energetikoari: aurretiko eraikin eta bizitetxeen gainean energia-eskaera murrizteko helburuz esku hartzeko beharrak, batetik, eta eraikiriko arkitektura-ondarea zaintzeko beharrak, bestetik. Esku-hartze eta birgaitze-estrategiek, baina, energia-eskaeraren murrizketa beste helbururik izan ezean, luze gabe gerta liteke geure parke eraikia itxuraldatua suertatzea, jatorrizko arkitektura-ezaugarriak erabat galduta. Horrez gain, gure herri eta hirietako parke eraikia babesteko arauek eta legeek ezinezkoa eginez gero etxe eta eraikinen birgaitze energetikoa aurrera eramatea, ez da Europar Batasunak ezarritako helburuekin konplitzerik izango. Lan honek mutur bi horien arteko dialektikari erantzun mailakatua ematea du helburu. Alde batetik, bost esku-hartze maila proposatzen ditu. Maila bakoitzak jatorrizko eraikinaren izaerari eta inguruabarrei erantzuten die, eta maila bakoitzari, noski, kontsumo-hobekuntza jakin bat dagokio. Beste aldetik, gure herri eta hirietan ohikoenak diren etxe tipo nagusiak hartzen ditu saiakuntza-bankutzat, esku-hartze maila ezberdinen eragina neurtzeko.
Zitosoleko lipido-tanten sorrera eta erabilera
Authors: Navarro-Imaz Hiart , Arisqueta Lino , Rueda Yuri , Fresnedo Olatz
Published: August 2016

Lipido-tantak klasikoki lipido-biltegi inertetzat hartu badira ere, gaur egun benetako organulutzat hartzen dira, beren konplexutasunagatik eta metabolismoan eta zelulen beste fenomenoetan dituzten zereginengatik. Erretikulu endoplasmatikoan sortu eta bertatik askatu ondoren, beren bizitzan zehar hazi egiten dira, lipidoen eta proteinen transferentzia egiten dute, fusio prozesuetan hartzen dute parte eta elkarrekintza espezifikoak izaten dituzte beste organuluekin. Gordetzen dituzten lipidoak erregai zein beste molekula batzuen aitzindari gisa erabiltzen dira, eta horretarako lipolisi eta lipofagia prozesuen bidez askatzen dituzte modu erregulatuan. Lan honetan laburki aztertzen dira prozesu horiek eta lipido-tantek betetzen dituzten funtzio ezkanonikoak.
Ikus-entzunezko teknikak (ist) irakastea: etorkizuneko ikus-entzunezkoetako profesionalen hezibidea
Authors: Zabalondo Loidi Beatriz , Fernández Guerra Vanesa , Alonso Ruiz de Erenchun Estibaliz , Pagadigorria Ruiz Aintzane
Published: August 2016

La asignatura de Técnicas de Creación Audiovisual que se imparte en la Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) es fundamental dentro del módulo de Producción y Realización. Es una asignatura de primer curso, en todos los grados de Comunicación. Su propio carácter y objetivos nos obligan casi indefectiblemente a plantear un modelo de Enseñanza Basada en Proyectos (EBPy), ya que al finalizar el semestre los y las estudiantes deben presentar una pieza audiovisual de entre tres y cinco minutos de duración. Las piezas audiovisuales deben tener la calidad suficiente como para ser presentadas al Festival de TCA, que organiza la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Comunicación de la UPV/EHU. El proceso de enseñanza se basa en las fases/etapas seguidas en el sector audiovisual, y el objetivo es conseguir que el alumnado se impregne de las rutinas y métodos de trabajo de los profesionales. Ello no es óbice para que aunque se plantee una asignatura pragmática, se menosprecie el aspecto teórico, tan necesario para trabajar el audiovisual: a nuestro entender es indispensable en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje deTCA que los estudiantes valoren los criterios técnicos y así sean capaces de reflexionar y profundizar sobre los aspectos que atañen al conjunto de las obras audiovisuales.
Italo Calvino e a tradução: ler, roubar, criar
Authors: Maia Claudia , Moreira Maria Elisa Rodrigues
Published: August 2016

O artigo procura investigar as reflexões de Italo Calvino sobre a tradução, especialmente seu posicionamento quanto à relação entre o ato de traduzir e os processos criativos. A partir da ideia de “roubo”, tema de uma conversa entre o escritor e o artista Tulio Pericoli, publicada sob o título “Furtos com arte”, pretende-se discutir o potencial que a tradução apresenta na obra de Calvino, sobretudo como meio de leitura e escrita: “Traduzir é o mais absoluto sistema de leitura”, ele argumenta. Com esse pensamento, assumindo o epíteto de escritor-ladrão, Calvino questiona a ideia de propriedade e trata a imitação e a cópia como processos naturais e legítimos da produção criativa. Além disso, reafirma uma visão de literatura que se aproxima da concepção de “enciclopédia aberta”, tal qual defendida por ele em Seis propostas para o próximo milênio, na conferência dedicada à multiplicidade.
Traduzir o verso moderno francês no Brasil: aberturas para século XXI
Authors: Faleiros Álvaro
Published: August 2016

Ao longo do século XX consolidou-se no Brasil uma maneira de se traduzir o verso francês pautada pelo desejo de recuperar a forma do poema de partida, muitas vezes em detrimento de sua sintaxe e de seu campo imagético. Apesar dessa tendência dominante, há alguns projetos que rompem com esse paradigma. Para ilustrar nosso propósito comentaremos neste artigo algumas traduções de Baudelaire, Mallarmé e Valéry que apontam para esse caminho.
Suicídio e Política em Tradução: Mishima como um texto brasileiro
Authors: Cunha Andrei , Kanashiro Victor
Published: August 2016

Neste artigo, refletimos sobre processos e limites da tradução literária e cultural, vinculadas a uma economia geopolítica das representações fortemente euro-norte-americanocêntrica. Para isso, analisamos as trajetórias da tradução e recepção da obra e da morte do escritor japonês Yukio Mishima no Brasil, argumentando que os processos tradutórios podem tanto reproduzir regimes de representação quanto torná-los mais complexos.
Sobre a (in)visibilidade do escritor-tradutor: Em busca de Mario Quintana e Fernando Py
Authors: Dos Santos Sheila Maria , Romanelli Sergio
Published: August 2016

Este artigo se constrói em torno da figura do escritor-tradutor a fim de investigar a possibilidade da aplicação do conceito de invisibilidade venutiana no caso deste agente duplo, o qual possui a particularidade de desfrutar de um reconhecimento prévio junto ao público leitor, e em solo brasileiro, visto que Venuti desenvolve sua teoria baseado no contexto anglo-americano. Para tanto, utiliza-se como base teórica as contribuições de Venuti (1995), contrapondo-as as de Haroldo de Campos (2013) acerca da teoria da transcriação, com vistas à análise de duas traduções da obra Le côté de Guermantes (1920) de Marcel Proust, realizadas pelos escritores-tradutores Mario Quintana (1953) e Fernando Py (2004).