bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of two interventions based on improving patient-practitioner communication on diabetes self-management in patients with low educational level: study protocol of a clustered randomized trial in primary care
Authors: Ricci-Cabello Ignacio , Olry de Labry–Lima Antonio , Bolívar-Muñoz Julia , Pastor-Moreno Guadalupe , Bermudez-Tamayo Clara , Ruiz-Pérez Isabel , Quesada-Jiménez Fermín , Moratalla-López Enrique , Domínguez-Martín Susana , de los Ríos-Álvarez Ana M , Cruz-Vela Pilar , Prados-Quel Miguel A , López-De Hierro José A
Published: October 2013

Background

In the last decades the presence of social inequalities in diabetes care has been observed in multiple countries, including Spain. These inequalities have been at least partially attributed to differences in diabetes self-management behaviours. Communication problems during medical consultations occur more frequently to patients with a lower educational level. The purpose of this cluster randomized trial is to determine whether an intervention implemented in a General Surgery, based in improving patient-provider communication, results in a better diabetes self-management in patients with lower educational level. A secondary objective is to assess whether telephone reinforcement enhances the effect of such intervention. We report the design and implementation of this on-going study.

Methods/Design

The study is being conducted in a General Practice located in a deprived neighbourhood of Granada, Spain. Diabetic patients 18 years old or older with a low educational level and inadequate glycaemic control (HbA1c > 7%) were recruited. General Practitioners (GPs) were randomised to three groups: intervention A, intervention B and control group. GPs allocated to intervention groups A and B received training in communication skills and are providing graphic feedback about glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Patients whose GPs were allocated to group B are additionally receiving telephone reinforcement whereas patients from the control group are receiving usual care. The described interventions are being conducted during 7 consecutive medical visits which are scheduled every three months. The main outcome measure will be HbA1c; blood pressure, lipidemia, body mass index and waist circumference will be considered as secondary outcome measures. Statistical analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions will include multilevel regression analysis with three hierarchical levels: medical visit level, patient level and GP level.

Discussion

The results of this study will provide new knowledge about possible strategies to promote a better diabetes self-management in a particularly vulnerable group. If effective, this low cost intervention will have the potential to be easily incorporated into routine clinical practice, contributing to decrease health inequalities in diabetic patients.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials U.S. National Institutes of Health, NCT01849731.
Up-regulation of miR-224 promotes cancer cell proliferation and invasion and predicts relapse of colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Guang-jun , Zhou He , Xiao Hua-xu , Li Yu , Zhou Tong
Published: October 2013

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in human cancer. Abnormally expressed miR-224 was found to play a fundamental role in several types of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic and biological values of miR-224 in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate expression levels of miR-224. The postoperative survival rate was analyzed with Kaplan–Meier method. The roles of miR-224 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion were analyzed with pre-miR-224 transfected cells. In addition, the regulation of SMAD4 by miR-224 was evaluated by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and luciferase reporter assays.

Results

In the present study, we demonstrated that miR-224 was significantly up-regulated in CRC tissue samples and associated with disease relapse and a relative poorer disease-free survival rate. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-224 potently promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, the over-expression of miR-224 in CRC cell lines decreased SMAD4 expression at the translational level and decreased SMAD4-driven luciferase-reporter activity.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that miR-224 could play an oncogenic role in the cellular processes of CRC and represent a novel biomarker for tumor relapse of CRC patients.
Identification of serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 as diagnostic biomarker for early-stage alcohol-induced liver disease
Authors: Li Heng-Hong , Doiron Kathryn , Patterson Andrew D , Gonzalez Frank J , Fornace Jr Albert J
Published: October 2013

Background

Alcohol consumption is a major cause of liver disease in humans. The use and monitoring of biomarkers associated with early, pre-clinical stages of alcohol-induced liver disease (pre-ALD) could facilitate diagnosis and treatment, leading to improved outcomes.

Methods

We investigated the pathological, transcriptomic and protein changes in early stages of pre-ALD in mice fed the Lieber-Decarli liquid diet with or without alcohol for four months to identify biomarkers for the early stage of alcohol induced liver injury. Mice were sampled after 1, 2 and 4 months treatment.

Results

Pathological examination revealed a modest increase in fatty liver changes in alcohol-treated mice. Transcriptomics revealed gene alterations at all time points. Most notably, the Igfbp1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1) was selected as the best candidate gene for early detection of liver damage since it showed early and continuously enhanced induction during the treatment course. Consistent with the microarray data, both Igfbp1 mRNA expression in the liver tissue and the IGFBP1 serum protein levels showed progressive and significant increases over the course of pre-ALD development.

Conclusions

The results suggest that in conjunction with other tests, serum IGFBPI protein could provide an easily measured biomarker for early detection of alcohol-induced liver injury in humans.
Astrocytes differentially respond to inflammatory autoimmune insults and imbalances of neural activity
Authors: Jukkola Peter , Guerrero Tomas , Gray Victoria , Gu Chen
Published: October 2013

Background

Neuronal activity intimately communicates with blood flow through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocyte endfeet cover more than 90% of brain capillaries and interact with synapses and nodes of Ranvier. The roles of astrocytes in neurovascular coupling in the CNS remain poorly understood.

Results

Here we show that astrocytes that are intrinsically different are activated by inflammatory autoimmune insults and alterations of neuronal activity. In the progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), both fibrous and protoplasmic astrocytes were broadly and reversibly activated in the brain and spinal cord, indicated by marked upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and other astrocytic proteins. In early and remitting EAE, upregulated GFAP and astrocytic endfoot water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) enclosed white matter lesions in spinal cord, whereas they markedly increased and formed bundles in exacerbated lesions in late EAE. In cerebellar cortex, upregulation of astrocytic proteins correlated with EAE severity. On the other hand, protoplasmic astrocytes were also markedly activated in the brains of ankyrin-G (AnkG) and Kv3.1 KO mice, where neuronal activities are altered. Massive astrocytes replaced degenerated Purkinje neurons in AnkG KO mice. In Kv3.1 KO mice, GFAP staining significantly increased in cerebellar cortex, where Kv3.1 is normally highly expressed, but displayed in a patchy pattern in parts of the hippocampus.

Conclusions

Thus, astrocytes can detect changes in both blood and neurons, which supports their central role in neurovascular coupling. These studies contribute to the development of new strategies of neuroprotection and repair for various diseases, through activity-dependent regulation of neurovascular coupling.
A new regional/residual separation for magnetic data sets using susceptibility from frequency-domain electromagnetic data
Authors: Tschirhart Peter , Morris Bill , Hodges Greg
Published: October 2013

Regional-residual separation is a fundamental processing step required before interpreting any magnetic anomaly data. Numerous methods have been devised to separate deep-seated long-wavelength (regional) anomalies from the near-surface high-frequency (residual) content. Such methods range in complexity from simple wavelength filtering to full 3D inversions, but most procedures rely on the assumption that all long-wavelength anomalies are associated with deep source bodies: an incorrect assumption in some geologic environments. We evaluated a new method for determining the contributions of near-surface magnetic sources using frequency-domain helicopter-borne electromagnetic (HFEM) data. We inverted the in-phase and quadrature components of the HFEM data to produce an estimate of the spatial variation of magnetic susceptibility. Using this susceptibility information along with known topography and original survey flight path data, we calculated a magnetic intensity grid by forward modeling. There are two immediate benefits to this approach. First, HFEM systems have a limited effective depth of penetration, within the first hundred meters from the surface, so any magnetic sources detected by this method must be located in the near surface. Second, the HFEM-derived susceptibility is completely independent of magnetic remanence. In contrast, apparent susceptibility computed from the original magnetic intensity data incorporates all magnetic signal sources in its derivation. Crossplotting of [Formula: see text] versus [Formula: see text] served to reveal areas where the observed magnetic field was dominated by magnetic remanence and provided an estimate of the polarity of the remanence contribution. We evaluated an example, and discussed the limitations of this method using data from an area in the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Though it is broadly successful, caution is needed when using this method because near-surface conductive bodies and anthropogenic sources can cause erroneous HFEM susceptibility values, which in turn produce invalid magnetic field estimates in the forward modeling exercise.
Overlapping and distinct functions of CstF64 and CstF64τ in mammalian mRNA 3′ processing
Authors: Yao Chengguo , Choi Eun-A , Weng Lingjie , Xie Xiaohui , Wan Ji , Xing Yi , Moresco James J. , Tu Patricia G. , Yates John R. , Shi Yongsheng
Published: October 2013

mRNA 3′ processing is dynamically regulated spatially and temporally. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. CstF64τ is a paralog of the general mRNA 3′ processing factor, CstF64, and has been implicated in mediating testis-specific mRNA alternative polyadenylation (APA). However, the functions of CstF64τ in mRNA 3′ processing have not been systematically investigated. We carried out a comprehensive characterization of CstF64τ and compared its properties to those of CstF64. In contrast to previous reports, we found that both CstF64 and CstF64τ are widely expressed in mammalian tissues, and their protein levels display tissue-specific variations. We further demonstrated that CstF64 and CstF64τ have highly similar RNA-binding specificities both in vitro and in vivo. CstF64 and CstF64τ modulate one another's expression and play overlapping as well as distinct roles in regulating global APA profiles. Interestingly, protein interactome analyses revealed key differences between CstF64 and CstF64τ, including their interactions with another mRNA 3′ processing factor, symplekin. Together, our study of CstF64 and CstF64τ revealed both functional overlap and specificity of these two important mRNA 3′ processing factors and provided new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of mRNA 3′ processing.
Teaching Note—MotherLand Air: Using Experiential Learning to Teach Revenue Management Concepts
Authors: Metters Richard , Vargas Vicente , Weaver Sherry
Published: October 2013

Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Teaching Note—Revenue Management at Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
Authors: Agrawal Narendra , Cohen Morris A. , Gans Noah
Published: October 2013

Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Teaching Note—Starting with Good Inputs: Unconstraining Demand Data in Revenue Management
Authors: Ferguson Mark , Queenan Carrie
Published: October 2013

Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Teaching Note—The MotoTech Manufacturing Company: Process Control and Improvement
Authors: Mirchandani Prakash
Published: October 2013

Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Teaching Note—The MotoTech Manufacturing Company: Design of Experiments/ANOVA
Authors: Mirchandani Prakash
Published: October 2013

Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Case—KEY Electronics—Sourcing and Warehouse Analysis
Authors: Kraft Tim , Chung Yenho T. , Erhun Feryal
Published: October 2013

This case is based on a real-life scenario. Names, dates, and company information have been disguised to protect the identity of the company.
The Nonnegative Node Weight j-Restricted k-Matching Problems
Authors: Li Yanjun
Published: October 2013

Given a simple and undirected graph, nonnegative node weights, a nonnegative integer j, and a positive integer k, a k-matching in the graph is a subgraph with no isolated nodes and with maximum degree no more than k, a j-restricted k-matching is a k-matching with each connected component having at least j + 1 edges, and the total node weight of a j-restricted k-matching is the total weight of the nodes covered by the edges in the j-restricted k-matching. When j = 1 and k = 2, Kaneko [Kaneko A (2003) A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a path factor every component of which is a path of length at least two. J. Combin. Theory, B 88:195–218] and Kano et al. [Kano M, Katona G, Király Z (2005) Packing paths of length at least two. Discrete Math. 283:129–135] studied the problem of maximizing the number of nodes covered by the edges in a 1-restricted 2-matching. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding a j-restricted k-matching with the maximum total node weight. We present a polynomial-time algorithm for the problem as well as a min-max theorem in the case of j < k. We also prove that, when j ≥ k ≥ 2, the problem of maximizing the number of nodes covered by the edges in a j-restricted k-matching is NP-hard.
Mood at the Midpoint: Affect and Change in Exploratory Search Over Time in Teams That Face a Deadline
Authors: Knight Andrew P.
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this paper is to advance the team dynamics and group development literatures by developing and testing a theoretical model of how affect shapes transitions in teams over time. Integrating the group transitions literature with theory and research on the mood-as-input theory, I propose that shared team mood influences the extent to which team members seek out and experiment with alternative ways of completing their work at different points in a team’s life. In the first half of the team’s life, when team members are relatively task-focused, I argue that team positive mood (i.e., a positively valenced affective state shared by team members at a given point in time) stimulates, whereas team negative mood (i.e., a negatively valenced affective state shared by team members) suppresses, exploratory search. At the temporal midpoint, however, when team members’ focus on performance heightens, team positive mood acts as a shutoff switch for search, leading to a decline in exploratory search over the second half of the team’s life. Team negative mood at the midpoint, on the other hand, leads team members to persist in exploratory search, even as a deadline draws near. A team’s trajectory of exploratory search over time, I propose, influences team performance such that it is highest when teams engage in high exploratory search early in the team’s life and decline in exploratory search over the second half of the team’s life. The results of a longitudinal, survey-based study of teams preparing for a military competition largely support my predictions.
La investigación académica sobre periodismo en México: una mirada crítica
Authors: Jurado Martín Montserrat
Published: October 2013

El estudio de los medios de comunicación permite conocer el perfil de una sociedad a través de los temas que le son de interés y que vienen publicados de manera diaria en las páginas de los periódicos. Los contenidos que se reflejan en sus páginas integran la historia contemporánea más actual y dan una visión concreta y específica de ese contexto. A estos contenidos se suele llegar mediante un análisis de contenido de los mismos periódicos y en el caso de México este tipo de investigaciones son muy escasas. En este artículo se lleva a cabo un pormenorizado estudio que confirma esta afirmación y se indaga en las cuestiones que hacen que este tipo de estudio no sea recurrente para los investigadores. Las características más singulares en este trabajo basado en la búsqueda de las referencias bibliográficas que respalden la hipótesis y la metodología del análisis de caso en el estado de Colima (México) concluyen que falta bibliografía adecuada y actual, fuentes hemerográficas dignas, inversión e interés por los temas relacionados con el Periodismo y en general con las Ciencias de la Comunicación desde el punto de vista de los contenidos que se publican en prensa. El artículo propone también la necesidad de la inversión en investigación, su posterior difusión y la concienciación social de la importancia de los contenidos de la prensa.
Contending Identity In The Islamic Ritual: the Slametan among Surinamese Javanese Muslims in The Netherlands
Authors: Khusen Moh.
Published: October 2013

Wacana tentang slametan dalam masyarakat Muslim Surinam keturunan Jawa di Belanda sesungguhnya, di satu sisi, merepresentasikan sebuah pertarungan identitas kultural keagamaan di antara mereka dan, di sisi lain, menunjukkan sebuah hubungan yang kompleks antara Islam ‘resmi’ dengan tradisi Jawa. Tulisan ini membuktikan bahwa praktek slametan dalam masyarakat Muslim Surinam keturunan Jawa di Belanda ternyata hampir tidak mengalami perubahan. Perubahan yang ada hanya berkaitan dengan aksesoris upacara sebagai akibat dari penyesuaian terhadap kondisi geografis dan iklim setempat. Hal ini tidak ada artinya dibandingkan dengan antusiasme yang sangat besar --khususnya bagi kelompok masyarakat Muslim Kejawen untuk melestarikan semua warisan budaya dari pendahulu mereka yang adalah orang Jawa. Tulisan ini pada akhirnya menunjukkan adanya pertarungan identitas antara kelompok Muslim Kejawen yang bangga dengan “agama jawa”-nya dan kelompok moderat dan reformis yang ingin menjadi Muslim yang sebenarnya.
Ethnicity-Based Religiousity: Multi-Faceted Islam in Miami, USA, in the Age of War on Terrorism
Authors: Muttaqin Ahmad , Ma’arif Syamsul
Published: October 2013

Minoritas muslim seringkali menunjukkan perilaku yang ambigu. Satu sisi mereka mendambakan pengakuan dan perlakukan yang tidak diskriminatif dari kalangan mayoritas-non Muslim, namun di sisi lain ada “keengganan” untuk berbaur dengan kelompok mayoritas. Tulisan ini menguraikan dua tipe minoritas Muslim di Miami, Florida, Amerika Serikat, Muslim imigran dan Muslim kelahiran Amerika, serta menjelaskan berbagai faktor keengganan mereka dalam berbaur dengan mayoritas non Muslim. Di antara faktor keengganan tersebut adalah kesulitan mereka mencari rujukan ajaran Islam yang melegitimitasi “etika proaktif ” minoritas terhadap mayoritas, segmentasi etnis, kebangsaan dan paham keagamaan minoritas Muslim, serta beban psikis mereka yang merasa belum sepenuhnya menjadi warga negara Amerika Serikat. Dibandingkan kaum Muslim imigran yang sebagian besar berasal dari Timur Tengah dan Pakistan, kaum Muslim keturunan Afrika yang lahir di Amerika cenderung lebih terbuka dan aktif berbaur dengan kelompok mayoritas non-Muslim. Sikap ini ternyata berkorelasi positif dengan perlakukan yang mereka peroleh pasca tragedy 9/11. Kelompok pertama merasa selalu menjadi target operasi anti teror pemerintah Amerika, sedangkan kelompok kedua justru menekankan bahwa mereka adalah korban dari terorisme tersebut.
Muslim Women’s Politics in Advancing Their Gender Interests: A Case-Study of Nasyiatul Aisyiyah in Indonesia New Order Era
Authors: Syamsiyatun Siti
Published: October 2013

This article analyses a strategy of Nasyiatul Aisyiyah, a youth Muslim women organization, in developing its ideology and the importance of gender in the reign of New Order Indonesia (1966-1998). In the name of political stability, the New Order applied a tight political control towards mass-religious based organizations and tried to minimize their militancy by forming new women’s movement organizations such as Dharma Wanita and PKK that are easily controlled by the government. As an Islamic women organization, Nasyiatul Aisyiyah underwent the surveillance practiced by the government via those two bodies; however Nasyiatul Aisyiyah could constantly maintain its entity as an Islamic women organization. In the 1980s when the New Order Regime was predominantly in power, Nasyiatul Aisyiyah held negotiations and adapted to the governmental gender policy to assure the position and the interests of young women.
Examining Asghar Ali Engineer’s Qur’anic Interpretation of Women in Islam
Authors: Nuryatno M. Agus
Published: October 2013

This article discusses Asghar Ali Engineer’s interpretation of women in Islam. Two topics discussed in this article are the status of women in Islam and the veil. Engineer offers an approach in understanding the Qur’an to deal with these topics and his method is based on three principles: firstly, the Qur’an has two ingredients: normative and contextual. Normative ingredient refers to the fundamental values and principles of Qur’an such as equality and justice, and these principles are eternal and can be applied in various social contexts. Contextual revelations, on the other hand, deal with verses that were tailored to socio-historical problems of the time. In line with the changes in context and time these verses can be abrogated. Secondly, the interpretation of the Quranic verses is very dependent on one’s own perceptions, world-view, experiences and the sociocultural background in which he/she lives. Thus, a ‘pure’ interpretation of the Scripture is not possible; it is always influenced by sociological circumstances, no one can be free of such influences. Thirdly, the meaning of the Quranic verses unfolds with times, therefore, the interpretations of classical scholars can be radically different from the interpretation of modern scholars. This is because Quranic verses often use symbolic or metaphorical language that is ambiguous in meaning. This ambiguity serves, of course, to promote flexibility and creative change. These three principles can be employed to understand the status of women in Islam and the veil.
Inserting Stipulation Pertaining to Polygamy in a Marriage Contract in Muslim Countries
Authors: Abdullah Raihanah
Published: October 2013

Generally, Islam permits a wife to stipulate any conditions in a marriage contract. The Muslim jurists however differed in determining the validity of certain conditions and terms upon which their marriage is to take place. One of the controversial conditions is that the wife includes a condition pertaining to polygamy in the marriage contract. It is interesting to note that the practice of inserting stipulations pertaining to polygamy is not a new practice or unusual among many Muslims in the Middle East. Therefore, this article seeks to discuss the possibilities to adopt the Hanbalite’s principles on this matter in muslim countries where the Shafi’ite school of thought is predominantly followed. This article argued that by allowing the wife to insert stipulations pertaining to polygamy in a marriage contract does not go against Islam. This is because stipulations in the marriage contract are often aimed at preventing such eventuality and also protecting the position of women should it come to prevent.
How Did al-Suyuti Abridge Ibn Taymiyya’s Nasihat Ahl al-Iman fi al-Radd ‘ala Mantiq al-Yunan?
Authors: Ali Mufti
Published: October 2013

Al-Radd ‘ala ’l-Mantiqiyyin (an alternative title for Nasihat Ahl al-Iman) is a work composed by Ibn Taymiyya to demolish each principle of logic as well as to unravel the depravity of their foundation. Probably due to Ibn Taymiyya’s being genius, when he destroys those principles, he could not avoid himself to discuss digressively irrelevant topics dealing with theological as well as metaphysical issues. In a number of passages in al-Radd, he could not even hinder himself to make a good deal of repetitions. Therefore, al-Radd ‘ala’l-Mantiqiyyin is complex and difficult to use. The coherence of arguments that Ibn Taymiyya formulated is not solid and comprehensive. His criticism of logic is not penetrating as well. On the basis of my analysis of al-Suyuti’s method of abridgement of Ibn Taymiyya’s al-Radd, I argue that al-Suyuti succeeded in rendering Ibn Taymiyya’s sequence of ideas superior to that found in the original work of the latter. The result of this study confirms Hallaq’s argument that the overall result of al-Suyuti’s abridgement of Ibn Taymiyya’s al-Radd is ‘a more effective critique of logic than that originally formulated by Ibn Taymiyya
Zakat and the Concept of Ownership in Islam: Yusuf Qaradawi’s Perspective on Islamic Economics
Authors: Nurlaelawati Euis
Published: October 2013

Looking at the two functions of ownership which include the individual and social, Qaradawi explores such a relationship and analyzes its implication for social justice. Zakat has multiple functions: the religious, economic, and social. It constitutes the earliest concept of mutual social responsibility proposed by Islam to achieve social justice. Zakat serves as a means to both guarantee social security and strengthen social solidarity. From this perspective, Qaradawi moves forward to link up the concept of zakat with the Islamic system of economics. The linkage between zakat and the Islamic system of economics is visible in the ways Qaradawi investigates various aspects of ownership and zakat in Islam. This can particularly be seen in his analysis that the concept of Islamic insurance coheres with the interpretation of al-gharimin, one of the groups deserving to the income of zakat and in his emphasis that mutual social responsibility, which aims to fulfill the needs of adequate livelihood, can be supplied only by zakat. This article argues that these views in turn confirm Qaradawi’s concern with the importance of zakat as the foundation of both the social and economic systems of Islam. This article also emphasizes that, for Qaradawi, different from voluntary charity that can only fulfill the minimum requirement of the needs of livelihood, zakat can supply the answer to cover all the needs of livelihood of Muslim society.
Religious Responses to Globalisation
Authors: Kadir Hatib A. , Maufur M.
Published: October 2013

Sociological discussion of globalisation is preoccupied with the political, economic, and military dimension of it, with little attention to its religious aspect. This paper attempts to trace the impacts of globalisation on religion and religious responses, the argument of which derives mainly from the so-called “Bridge-Building Program” organised by CRCS ICRS-UGM in 2008. It argues that though they share a common concern, people of different faiths are at risk of deepening the problems rather than offering solutions in view of their different responses for which we categorise them into different but overlapping categories -ideological, ambivalent, integrative, exclusive, and imitative. It then leads to a more fundamental question of whether interfaith cooperation is possible given those different and sometime opposing responses.[Dalam kajian sosiologi, diskusi mengenai globalisasi kerap kali semata-mata ditinjau dari sisi politik, enonomi dan militer, sementara dimensi agama sering kali dikesampingkan. Artikel ini membahas dampak globalisasi terhadap agama dan respon komunitas agama terhadap globalisasi. Data yang muncul dalam artikel ini diambil dari sebuah workshop berjudul“Bridge- Building Program.” Melalui artikel ini, saya berpendapat bahwa, meskikomunitas agama-agama memiliki keprihatinan yang sama terhadap dampak globalisasi, namun respon mereka cenderung mempertajam persoalan yang diakibatkan globalisasi, ketimbang memberikan solusi. Respon tersebut dalam dikategorikan –meski tidak kaku- dalam: respon ideologis, ambivalen, integratif, ekslusif dan imitatif. Selanjutnya, artikel juga mengulas pada pertanyaan mendasar mengenai apakah kerjasama antar agama mungkin dilakukan menyimak ragam respon yang saling bertentangan tersebut.]
Enhancement of Transient Stability Limit and Voltage Regulation with Dynamic Loads Using Robust Excitation Control
Authors: Hossain Jahangir , Mahmud Apel , Roy Naruttam K. , Pota Hemanshu R.
Published: October 2013

In stressed power systems with large induction machine component, there exist undamped electromechanical modes and unstable monotonic voltage modes. This article proposes a sequential design of an excitation controller and a power system stabiliser (PSS) to stabilise the system. The operating region, with induction machines in stressed power systems, is often not captured using a linearisation around an operating point, and to alleviate this situation a robust controller is designed which guarantees stable operation in a large region of operation. A minimax linear quadratic Gaussian design is used for the design of the supplementary control to automatic voltage regulators, and a classical PSS structure is used to damp electromechanical oscillations. The novelty of this work is in proposing a method to capture the unmodelled nonlinear dynamics as uncertainty in the design of the robust controller. Tight bounds on the uncertainty are obtained using this method which enables high-performance controllers. An IEEE benchmark test system has been used to demonstrate the performance of the designed controller.
piezo2bRegulates Vertebrate Light Touch Response
Authors: Faucherre Adèle , Nargeot Joël , Mangoni Matteo E. , Jopling Chris
Published: October 2013

The sense of touch allows an organism to detect and respond to physical environmental stimuli. Mechanosensitive proteins play a crucial role in this process by converting the mechanical cue into a biological response. Recently, the Piezo family of stretch-activated ion channels has been identified as genuine mechanosensitive proteins. We set out to determine whether any of these genes are involved in touch response during zebrafish development.In situhybridization indicates thatpiezo2bis specifically expressed in a subset of neurons (Rohon–Beard cells) responsible for detecting light touch. Using morpholino-mediated knockdown, we specifically targetedpiezo2band determined that it is involved in mediating touch-evoked response.
Lateral Mobility of Presynaptic α7-Containing Nicotinic Receptors and Its Relevance for Glutamate Release
Authors: Gomez-Varela David , Berg Darwin K.
Published: October 2013

Surface diffusion of postsynaptic receptors shapes synaptic transmission. Presynaptic receptors also influence transmission, but the relevance of their mobility for synaptic function is unknown. Using single-particle tracking with quantum dots, we show that calcium-permeable α7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7–nAChRs), capable of promoting transmitter release, are mobile on presynaptic terminals but constrained in synaptic space on rat hippocampal neurons in culture. Additional immobilization of presynaptic α7-nAChRs by antibody crosslinking increases glutamate release capacity as seen in the frequency of spontaneous miniature postsynaptic currents and the size of the readily releasable pool of transmitter. Conversely, blocking glutamate release by targeting tetanus toxin to individual synapses increases α7–nAChR dwell time at presynaptic sites. The effects on release require functional α7–nAChRs and may to depend on CAST/ELKS (calpastatin/glutamine, leucine, lysine, and serine-rich protein), which an unbiased proteomic screen yielded. The results support a new homeostatic regulatory mechanism in which α7–nAChR restrain may be adjusted as needed at presynaptic sites via active zone proteins to maintain transmitter release capability.
The Infralimbic Cortex Bidirectionally Modulates Mesolimbic Dopamine Neuron Activity via Distinct Neural Pathways
Authors: Patton Mary H. , Bizup Brandon T. , Grace Anthony A.
Published: October 2013

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been implicated in a number of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. One major regulator of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system is the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which makes direct and indirect connections to the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as directly to the VTA. The mPFC is comprised of two subregions: the infralimbic and prelimbic cortices (ilPFC and plPFC). However, the specific roles of these subregions in regulating VTA dopamine activity have remained unclear. In this study, we aim to clarify this role and to examine the divergent neuranatomical circuits by which the mPFC regulates VTA activity. Usingin vivoextracellular recordings in rats, we tested the effects of pharmacological activation (with NMDA) and inactivation (with TTX) of the ilPFC and plPFC on dopamine neuron activity, and tested the roles of the ventral subiculum (vSub) and basolateral amygdala in this process. We found that the ilPFC exerts a bidirectional control of VTA dopamine neurons, which are differentially modulated through the vSub and the basolateral amygdala. Specifically, activation or inactivation of the ilPFC attenuated or activated dopamine neuron population activity, respectively. Furthermore, dopamine activation depended on the ventral hippocampus and inactivation on the amygdala. In contrast, only inactivation of the plPFC altered dopamine neuron activity. These data indicate that the mPFC has the ability to uniquely fine-tune dopaminergic activity in the VTA. Furthermore, the data presented here suggest that the ilPFC may have a role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.
Regulator of Calcineurin 1 Modulates Expression of Innate Anxiety and Anxiogenic Responses to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment
Authors: Hoeffer Charles A. , Wong Helen , Cain Peter , Levenga Josien , Cowansage Kiriana K. , Choi Yoon , Davy Camille , Majmundar Neil , McMillan D. Randy , Rothermel Beverly A. , Klann Eric
Published: October 2013

Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) controls the activity of calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), which has been implicated in human anxiety disorders. Previously, we reported that RCAN1 functioned as an inhibitor of CaN activity in the brain. However, we now find enhanced phosphorylation of a CaN substrate, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), in the brains ofRcan1knock-out (KO) mice. Consistent with enhanced CREB activation, we also observe enhanced expression of a CREB transcriptional target, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) inRcan1KO mice. We also discovered that RCAN1 deletion or blockade of RCAN1–CaN interaction reduced CaN and protein phosphatase-1 localization to nuclear-enriched protein fractions and promoted CREB activation. Because of the potential links between CREB, BDNF, and anxiety, we examined the role of RCAN1 in the expression of innate anxiety.Rcan1KO mice displayed reduced anxiety in several tests of unconditioned anxiety. Acute pharmacological inhibition of CaN rescued these deficits while transgenic overexpression of humanRCAN1increased anxiety. Finally, we found thatRcan1KO mice lacked the early anxiogenic response to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine and had improved latency for its therapeutic anxiolytic effects. Together, our study suggests that RCAN1 plays an important role in the expression of anxiety-related and SSRI-related behaviors through CaN-dependent signaling pathways. These results identify RCAN1 as a mediator of innate emotional states and possible therapeutic target for anxiety.
Stereotypical Alterations in Cortical Patterning Are Associated with Maternal Illness-Induced Placental Dysfunction
Authors: Carpentier Pamela A. , Haditsch Ursula , Braun Amy E. , Cantu Andrea V. , Moon Hyang Mi , Price Robin O. , Anderson Matthew P. , Saravanapandian Vidya , Ismail Khadija , Rivera Moises , Weimann James M. , Palmer Theo D.
Published: October 2013

We have previously shown in mice that cytokine-mediated damage to the placenta can temporarily limit the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. The placental vulnerability is pronounced before embryonic day 11, when even mild immune challenge results in fetal loss. As gestation progresses, the placenta becomes increasingly resilient to maternal inflammation, but there is a narrow window in gestation when the placenta is still vulnerable to immune challenge yet resistant enough to allow for fetal survival. This gestational window correlates with early cortical neurogenesis in the fetal brain. Here, we show that maternal illness during this period selectively alters the abundance and laminar positioning of neuronal subtypes influenced by the Tbr1, Satb2, and Ctip2/Fezf2 patterning axis. The disturbances also lead to a laminar imbalance in the proportions of projection neurons and interneurons in the adult and are sufficient to cause changes in social behavior and cognition. These data illustrate how the timing of an illness-related placental vulnerability causes developmental alterations in neuroanatomical systems and behaviors that are relevant to autism spectrum disorders.
MiR199a is implicated in embryo implantation by regulating Grb10 in rat
Authors: Xia Hong-Fei , Cao Jing-Li , Jin Xiao-Hua , Ma Xu
Published: October 2013

MiR199a was found to be differentially expressed in rat uteri between the prereceptive and receptive phase via microRNA (miRNA) microarray analysis in our previous study. However, the role of miR199a in rat embryo implantation remained unknown. In the study, northern blot results showed that the expression levels of miR199a were higher on gestation days 5 and 6 (g.d.5–6) in rat uteri than on g.d.3–4 and g.d.7–8. In situ localization of miR199a in rat uteri showed that miR199a was mainly localized in the stroma or decidua. The expression of miR199a was not significantly different in the uteri of pseudopregnant rats and evidently increased in the uteri of rats subjected to activation of delayed implantation and experimentally induced decidualization. Treatment with 17β-estradiol or both 17β-estradiol and progesterone significantly diminished miR199a levels. Gain of function of miR199a in endometrial stromal cells isolated from rat uteri inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Loss of function of miR199a displayed opposite roles on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further investigation uncovered a significant inverse association between the expression of miR199a and growth factor receptor-bound protein 10 (Grb10), an imprinted gene, and miR199a could bind to the 3′UTR of Grb10 to inhibit Grb10 translation. In addition, in vivo analysis found that the immunostaining of GRB10 was attenuated in the stroma or decidua from g.d.4 to 6, contrary to the enhancement of miR199a. Collectively, upregulation of miR199a in rat uterus during the receptive phase is regulated by blastocyst activation and uterine decidualization. Enforced miR199a expression suppresses cell proliferation partially through targeting Grb10.
Towards inclusive waste management: participatory video as a communication tool
Authors: Tremblay Crystal
Published: October 2013

This paper describes the outcomes of a participatory video (PV) project with recycling cooperatives in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil between 2008 and 2012. Through a participatory action research approach, four PVs were co-produced and a collaborative research design was developed with participants to use the videos as a communication tool for enhancing dialogue and promoting inclusive and integrated approaches to waste management with policy makers. The catadore/as (‘recyclers’) involved are all participants of the Participatory Sustainable Waste Management (PSWM) project, a six-year partnership programme between the University of Victoria, the University of São Paulo, over 30 recycling cooperatives, municipal governments and various non-governmental organisations in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. This paper explores the methodological and theoretical contributions of using PV for enhancing the representation of catadore/as and the potential for shifting power dynamics in spaces of public policy. It also points to the growing organisation (and movement) of recycling cooperatives and associations as instrumental in improving the livelihoods of recyclers and crucial to expanding models of PSWM. The key findings highlight: the importance of building strong partnerships between the government and the recyclers; the necessary expansion of environmental education programmes valuing the principles of PSWM; and the need for adequate public policies to support these initiatives. The paper also draws attention to the relationship of power and knowledge that emerged through this process and reflects on the changing nature of citizen engagement in policy processes.
Application of energy and exergy analysis to increase efficiency of a hot water gas fired boiler
Authors: Todorovic Milena , Zivkovic Dragoljub , Mancic Marko , Ilic Gradimir
Published: October 2013

In engineering practice exergy can be used for technical and economic
optimization of energy conversion processes. The problem of increasing energy
consumption suggests that heating plants, i.e. hot water boilers, as energy
suppliers for household heating should be subjected to exergy and energy
analysis. Heating plants are typically designed to meet energy demands,
without the distinguished difference between quality and quantity of the
produced heat. In this paper, the energy and exergy analysis of a gas fired
hot water boiler is conducted. Energy analysis gives only quantitative
results, while exergy analysis provides an insight into the actually
available useful energy with respect to the system environment. In this
paper, a hot water boiler was decomposed into control volumes with respect to
its functional components. Energy and exergy of the created physical model of
the hot water boiler is performed and destruction of exergy and energy loss
in each of the components is calculated. The paper describes the current
state of energy and exergy efficiency of the hot water boiler. The obtained
results are analyzed and used to investigate possibilities for improvement of
availability and reliability of the boiler. A comparison between the actual
and the proposed more reliable solution is made.
Manufacturing and use of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells for phase I clinical trials: Establishment and evaluation of a protocol
Authors: Ilic Nina , Atkinson Kerry
Published: October 2013

Background/Aim. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been utilised in many
clinical trials as an experimental treatment in numerous clinical settings.
Bone marrow remains the traditional source tissue for MSCs but is relatively
hard to access in large volumes. Alternatively, MSCs may be derived from
other tissues including the placenta and adipose tissue. In an initial study
no obvious differences in parameters such as cell surface phenotype,
chemokine receptor display, mesodermal differentiation capacity or
immunosuppressive ability, were detected when we compared human marrow
derived- MSCs to human placenta-derived MSCs. The aim of this study was to
establish and evaluate a protocol and related processes for preparation
placenta-derived MSCs for early phase clinical trials. Methods. A full-term
placenta was taken after delivery of the baby as a source of MSCs. Isolation,
seeding, incubation, cryopreservation of human placentaderived MSCs and used
production release criteria were in accordance with the complex regulatory
requirements applicable to Code of Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing
of ex vivo expanded cells. Results. We established and evaluated instructions
for MSCs preparation protocol and gave an overview of the three clinical
areas application. In the first trial, MSCs were co-transplanted iv to
patient receiving an allogeneic cord blood transplant as therapy for
treatmentrefractory acute myeloid leukemia. In the second trial, MSCs were
administered iv in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and without
serious adverse effects. In the third trial, MSCs were injected directly into
the site of tendon damage using ultrasound guidance in the treatment of
chronic refractory tendinopathy. Conclusion. Clinical trials using both
allogeneic and autologous cells demonstrated MSCs to be safe. A described
protocol for human placenta-derived MSCs is appropriate for use in a clinical
setting, relatively inexpensive and can be relatively easily adjusted to a
different set of regulatory requirements, as applicable to early phase
clinical trials.
Autoantigen-Induced Focusing of Vβ13+ T Cells Precedes Onset of Autoimmune Diabetes in the LEW.1WR1 Rat
Authors: Eberwine Ryan A. , Cort Laura , Habib Michael , Mordes John P. , Blankenhorn Elizabeth P.
Published: October 2013

The earliest events leading to autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D) are not known in any species. A T-cell receptor (TCR)-variable region, TCR-Vβ13, is required for susceptibility to autoimmune diabetes in rats, and selective depletion of Vβ13+ T cells with an allele-specific monoclonal antibody prevents disease in multiple rat strains. To investigate the role of Vβ13 early in diabetes, we examined islet T-cell transcripts in susceptible (LEW.1WR1) and resistant (LEW.1W and Wistar Furth) strains induced with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid. Vβ13+ T cells displayed antigenic focusing in LEW.1WR1 islets 5 days postinduction and were characterized by a substantial decrease in complementarity determining region 3 diversity. This occurred prior to significant islet T-cell accumulation (day 7) or frank diabetes (days 10–14). Vβ13+ transcripts increased in LEW.1WR1 islets during diabetes progression, but not in resistant rats. We also analyzed transcript clonality of rat TCR-Vα5, an ortholog of the dominant TCR-Vα chain found on insulin B:9-23–reactive T cells in nonobese diabetic rat islets. We observed clonal expansion of Vα5+ transcripts in prediabetic LEW.1WR1 islets, suggesting that rat Vα5 is also an important component of islet autoantigen recognition. These data provide additional evidence that genome-encoded TCR sequences are important determinants of genetic susceptibility to T1D.