bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective Disruption of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5-Homer Interactions Mimics Phenotypes of Fragile X Syndrome in Mice
Authors: Guo Weirui , Molinaro Gemma , Collins Katie A. , Hays Seth A. , Paylor Richard , Worley Paul F. , Szumlinski Karen K. , Huber Kimberly M.
Published: February 2016

Altered function of the Gq-coupled, Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors, specifically mGlu5, is implicated in multiple mouse models of autism and intellectual disability. mGlu5 dysfunction has been most well characterized in the fragile X syndrome mouse model, theFmr1knock-out (KO) mouse, where pharmacological and genetic reduction of mGlu5 reverses many phenotypes. mGlu5 is less associated with its scaffolding protein Homer inFmr1KO mice, and restoration of mGlu5-Homer interactions by genetic deletion of a short, dominant negative of Homer,H1a, rescues many phenotypes ofFmr1KO mice. These results suggested that disruption of mGlu5-Homer leads to phenotypes of FXS. To test this idea, we examined mice with a knockin mutation of mGlu5 (F1128R; mGlu5R/R) that abrogates binding to Homer. Although FMRP levels were normal, mGlu5R/Rmice mimicked multiple phenotypes ofFmr1KO mice, including reduced mGlu5 association with the postsynaptic density, enhanced constitutive mGlu5 signaling to protein synthesis, deficits in agonist-induced translational control, protein synthesis-independent LTD, neocortical hyperexcitability, audiogenic seizures, and altered behaviors, including anxiety and sensorimotor gating. These results reveal new roles for the Homer scaffolds in regulation of mGlu5 function and implicate a specific molecular mechanism in a complex brain disease.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAbnormal function of the metabotropic, or Gq-coupled, glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, including a genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism called fragile X syndrome. In brains of a mouse model of fragile X, mGlu5 is less associated with its binding partner Homer, a scaffolding protein that regulates mGlu5 localization to synapses and its ability to activate biochemical signaling pathways. Here we show that a mouse expressing a mutant mGlu5 that cannot bind to Homer is sufficient to mimic many of the biochemical, neurophysiological, and behavioral symptoms observed in the fragile X mouse. This work provides strong evidence that Homer-mGlu5 binding contributes to symptoms associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Neural Correlates of Vocal Production and Motor Control in Human Heschl's Gyrus
Authors: Behroozmand Roozbeh , Oya Hiroyuki , Nourski Kirill V. , Kawasaki Hiroto , Larson Charles R. , Brugge John F. , Howard Matthew A. , Greenlee Jeremy D.W.
Published: February 2016

The present study investigated how pitch frequency, a perceptually relevant aspect of periodicity in natural human vocalizations, is encoded in Heschl's gyrus (HG), and how this information may be used to influence vocal pitch motor control. We recorded local field potentials from multicontact depth electrodes implanted in HG of 14 neurosurgical epilepsy patients as they vocalized vowel sounds and received brief (200 ms) pitch perturbations at 100 Cents in their auditory feedback. Event-related band power responses to vocalizations showed sustained frequency following responses that tracked voice fundamental frequency (F0) and were significantly enhanced in posteromedial HG during speaking compared with when subjects listened to the playback of their own voice. In addition to frequency following responses, a transient response component within the high gamma frequency band (75–150 Hz) was identified. When this response followed the onset of vocalization, the magnitude of the response was the same for the speaking and playback conditions. In contrast, when this response followed a pitch shift, its magnitude was significantly enhanced during speaking compared with playback. We also observed that, in anterolateral HG, the power of high gamma responses to pitch shifts correlated with the magnitude of compensatory vocal responses. These findings demonstrate a functional parcellation of HG with neural activity that encodes pitch in natural human voice, distinguishes between self-generated and passively heard vocalizations, detects discrepancies between the intended and heard vocalization, and contains information about the resulting behavioral vocal compensations in response to auditory feedback pitch perturbations.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe present study is a significant contribution to our understanding of sensor-motor mechanisms of vocal production and motor control. The findings demonstrate distinct functional parcellation of core and noncore areas within human auditory cortex on Heschl's gyrus that process natural human vocalizations and pitch perturbations in the auditory feedback. In addition, our data provide evidence for distinct roles of high gamma neural oscillations and frequency following responses for processing periodicity in human vocalizations during vocal production and motor control.
Distinct β Band Oscillatory Networks Subserving Motor and Cognitive Control during Gait Adaptation
Authors: Wagner Johanna , Makeig Scott , Gola Mateusz , Neuper Christa , Müller-Putz Gernot
Published: February 2016

Everyday locomotion and obstacle avoidance requires effective gait adaptation in response to sensory cues. Many studies have shown that efficient motor actions are associated with μ rhythm (8–13 Hz) and β band (13–35 Hz) local field desynchronizations in sensorimotor and parietal cortex, whereas a number of cognitive task studies have reported higher behavioral accuracy to be associated with increases in β band power in prefrontal and sensory cortex. How these two distinct patterns of β band oscillations interplay during gait adaptation, however, has not been established. Here we recorded 108 channel EEG activity from 18 participants (10 males, 22–35 years old) attempting to walk on a treadmill in synchrony with a series of pacing cue tones, and quickly adapting their step rate and length to sudden shifts in pacing cue tempo. Independent component analysis parsed each participant's EEG data into maximally independent component (IC) source processes, which were then grouped across participants into distinct spatial/spectral clusters. Following cue tempo shifts, mean β band power was suppressed for IC sources in central midline and parietal regions, whereas mean β band power increased in IC sources in or near medial prefrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex IC cluster, the β band power increase was stronger during (more effortful) step shortening than during step lengthening. These results thus show that two distinct patterns of β band activity modulation accompany gait adaptations: one likely serving movement initiation and execution; and the other, motor control and inhibition.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTUnderstanding brain dynamics supporting gait adaptation is crucial for understanding motor deficits in walking, such as those associated with aging, stroke, and Parkinson's. Only a few electromagnetic brain imaging studies have examined neural correlates of human upright walking. Here, application of independent component analysis to EEG data recorded during treadmill walking allowed us to uncover two distinct β band oscillatory cortical networks that are active during gait adaptation to shifts in the tempo of an auditory pacing cue: (8–13 Hz) μ rhythm and (13–35 Hz) β band power decreases in central and parietal cortex and (14–20 Hz) β band power increases in frontal brain areas. These results provide a fuller framework for electrophysiological studies of cortical gait control and its disorders.
The Site Frequency Spectrum for General Coalescents
Authors: Spence Jeffrey P , Kamm John A , Song Yun S
Published: February 2016

General genealogical processes such as Λ- and Ξ-coalescents, which respectively model multiple and simultaneous mergers, have important applications in studying marine species, strong positive selection, recurrent selective sweeps, strong bottlenecks, large sample sizes, and so on. Recently, there has been significant progress in developing useful inference tools for such general models. In particular, inference methods based on the site frequency spectrum (SFS) have received noticeable attention. Here, we derive a new formula for the expected SFS for general Λ- and Ξ-coalescents, which leads to an efficient algorithm. For time-homogeneous coalescents, the runtime of our algorithm for computing the expected SFS is O(n2), where n is the sample size. This is a factor of n2 faster than the state-of-the-art method. Furthermore, in contrast to existing methods, our method generalizes to time-inhomogeneous Λ- and Ξ-coalescents with measures that factorize as Λ(dx)/ζ(t) and Ξ(dx)/ζ(t), respectively, where ζ denotes a strictly positive function of time. The runtime of our algorithm in this setting is O(n3). We also obtain general theoretical results for the identifiability of the Λ measure when ζ is a constant function, as well as for the identifiability of the function ζ under a fixed Ξ measure.
VITAMIN E EFFECT IN A RAT MODEL OF TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE-INDUCED ASTHMA
Authors: Muti Andrea Daniela , Pârvu Alina Elena , Muti Leon Adrian , Moldovan Remus , Mureșan Adriana
Published: February 2016

Background and aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate vitamin E effect upon oxidative stress associated with toluene -2, 4-diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma in rats.Methods. The five study groups were: control, vehicle, TDI, vehicle+E, TDI+E. TDI animals were sensitized by nasal administration of TDI 10% (5µl/nostril) between days 1-7 and 15-21. Between days 22-28 groups TDI+E and vehicle+E rats received vitamin E (50 mg/kg, i. v.), and  control , vehicle and TDI groups received saline solution. On day 29 the rats were challenged by intranasal application of 5% TDI (5 μl/nostril). On day 30 blood, BALF and lung biopsy were harvested. Oxidative stress tests were malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PC), total thiols (tSH), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and reduced glutathione (GSH).Results. TDI sensitization increased oxidative stress systemically, but also locally in the respiratory airways and lung tissue. There was an increase of MDA and PC formation associated with a deficiency of the antioxidant defense reflected by DPPH decreases. There were no differences between systemic and local lung concentrations of oxidized molecules. After vitamin E treatment oxidative stress was reduced mostly due to serum, BALF and lung tissue GSH and DPPH increase.Conclusion. The study showed that in rat TDI-induced asthma there was oxidative stress caused by increased ROS production and antioxidants deficiency, and vitamin E reduced ROS production and improved antioxidant defense.
Second malignancies in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated with low and medium activities of radioactive I-131
Authors: Piciu Doina , Pestean Claudiu , Barbus Elena , Larg Maria Iulia , Piciu Andra
Published: February 2016

Background and aim. This study aimed at determining whether there is a risk regarding the development of second primary malignancies after patient exposure to the low and medium radioiodine activity used during the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC).Methods. Second primary malignancies that occurred after DTC were detected in 1,990 patients treated between 1970 and 2003. The mean long-term follow-up period was 182 months.Results. Radioiodine I-131was administrated at a mean dose of 63.2 mCi. There were 93 patients with at least one second primary malignancy. The relative risk of development of second malignancy in DTC patients was increased (p<0.0001) for breast, uterine and ovarian cancers compared with the general population.Conclusions. The overall risk concerning the development of second primary malignancies was related to the presence of DTC, but not to exposure to the low and medium activities of radioiodine administered as adjuvant therapy.
Obesity and Mortality Risk in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Ross Patrick A. , Newth Christopher J.L. , Leung Dennis , Wetzel Randall C. , Khemani Robinder G.
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Childhood obesity is epidemic and may be associated with PICU mortality. Using a large multicenter PICU database, we investigated the association between obesity and PICU mortality, adjusting for initial severity of illness. We further investigated whether height- and weight-based classifications of obesity compared with a weight-based classification alone alter the mortality distribution.

METHODS:

This retrospective analysis used prospectively collected data from the Virtual PICU Systems database. Height, weight, age, and gender were used to calculate z score groups based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization growth curves. A random effects mixed logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between obesity and PICU mortality, controlling for hospital, initial severity of illness, and comorbidities.

RESULTS:

A total of 127 607 patients were included; the mortality rate was 2.48%. Being overweight was independently associated with increased PICU mortality after controlling for severity of illness with the Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 score and preexisting comorbidities. Mortality had a U-shaped distribution when classified according to weight-for-age or weight-for-height/BMI. When classifying patients using weight-for-age without respect to height, the nadir of the mortality curve was shifted, potentially falsely implying a benefit to mild obesity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Risk-adjusted PICU mortality significantly increases as weight-for-height/BMI increases into the overweight and obese ranges. We believe that height data are necessary to correctly classify body habitus; without such information, a protective benefit from mild obesity may be incorrectly concluded.
RESEARCH ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SINGLE-COMPONENT EPOXY DESIGNED FOR BONDING OF STRUCTURAL JOINTS
Authors: MÜLLER Miroslav
Published: February 2016

An adhesive bonding technology is among the basic methods of bonding. However, it is limited by several factors, e.g. a treatment of bonded surface. Structural adhesives are chemicals. It follows that there are significant differences in the mechanical properties among particular types. The aim of the research was to evaluate the mechanical properties of single-component epoxy adhesives used in the transportation industry. The effect of a surface treatment of the steel surface on bond strength was also evaluated. The tested sets were mutually compared using Anova F-test from the point of view of the influence on mechanical properties (the tensile strength of adhesives, the elongation of adhesives, the adhesive bond tensile lap-shear strength, the elongation of the adhesive bond, the impact strength and hardness). The results confirm the assumption about the different behaviour of one-component epoxy. An important part of the experiment was to evaluate the influence of the surface treatment on the bond strength. From the result of experiments it can be concluded that the adhesive SP492 (p = 0.1898) and B5103-3 (p = 0.4263) are resistant to different types of tested treatment of the bonding surface.
Use efficiency of variable rate of nitrogen prescribed by optical sensor in corn
Authors: Bragagnolo Jardes , Amado Telmo Jorge Carneiro , Bortolotto Rafael Pivotto
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT The efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer in corn is usually low, negatively affecting plant nutrition, the economic return, and the environment. In this context, a variable rate of nitrogen, prescribed by crop sensors, has been proposed as an alternative to the uniform rate of nitrogen traditionally used by farmers. This study tested the hypothesis that variable rate of nitrogen, prescribed by optical sensor, increases the nitrogen use efficiency and grain yield as compared to uniform rate of nitrogen. The following treatments were evaluated: 0; 70; 140; and 210 kg ha-1 under uniform rate of nitrogen, and 140 kg ha -1 under variable rate of nitrogen. The nitrogen source was urea applied on the soil surface using a distributor equipped with the crop sensor. In this study, the grain yield ranged from 10.2 to 15.5 Mg ha-1, with linear response to nitrogen rates. The variable rate of nitrogen increased by 11.8 and 32.6% the nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency, respectively, compared to the uniform rate of nitrogen. However, no significant increase in grain yield was observed, indicating that the major benefit of the variable rate of nitrogen was reducing the risk of environmental impact of fertilizer.
Pesquisa-ação e mediação dialógica como práticas metodológicas para emergência da ação comunicativa em Conselhos Gestores de Políticas Públicas
Authors: Mucci Carla Beatriz Marques Rocha e , Mafra Rennan Lanna Martins
Published: February 2016

Resumo Este artigo objetiva examinar duas práticas metodológicas de suporte à participação nos espaços dos Conselhos Gestores de Políticas Públicas: a pesquisa-ação e a mediação dialógica. De modo mais específico, pretende-se refletir se e como tais práticas podem ser estimuladoras à emergência da ação comunicativa em meio aos desenhos institucionais participativos dos Conselhos. Para isso, foi feito um estudo no âmbito do Conselho Municipal de Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável de Viçosa (MG) (CMDRS). A base teórica do artigo constitui-se pela discussão sobre legitimidade e participação no âmbito da democracia deliberativa, e a metodologia utilizada constitui-se por uma combinação entre pesquisa documental e pesquisa qualitativa. Como principais resultados, compreende-se que tais práticas metodológicas se constituem, a depender do modo como são utilizadas, como importantes mecanismos de qualificação dos espaços participativos formais.
Transferências voluntárias da União para municípios brasileiros: mapeamento do cenário nacional
Authors: Moutinho José da Assunção
Published: February 2016

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é mapear o cenário nacional de descentralização de recursos do governo federal para municípios brasileiros, via transferências voluntárias, por meio de programáticas ministeriais e de emendas parlamentares individuais dos deputados federais. Recorrendo ao método de pesquisa documental, fontes oficiais de informações foram acessadas, possibilitando a construção de banco de dados para análise e interpretação. Os resultados apontaram para uma distribuição heterogênea de recursos entre os municípios do Brasil. Além disso, o estudo concluiu que a taxa de liberação de propostas decorrentes de emendas parlamentares foi bem maior do que aquelas resultantes dos editais da própria programática dos ministérios.
Serviços de aborto legal no Brasil – um estudo nacional
Authors: Madeiro Alberto Pereira , Diniz Debora
Published: February 2016

Resumo O artigo descreve os resultados de um estudo com métodos mistos nos serviços de aborto legal no país. Foram avaliados 68 serviços, em duas etapas. Na primeira, censitária, um questionário eletrônico com perguntas sobre organização dos serviços de aborto legal foi enviado a todas as instituições. A segunda, amostral e presencial, foi realizada em 5 serviços de referência, um para cada região do país, com aplicação de formulário para coletar dados das mulheres e do aborto nos arquivos de prontuários, além de 82 entrevistas com profissionais de saúde. Dos serviços, 37 informaram que realizam aborto legal e em 7 estados não estavam ativos. Boletim de ocorrência, laudo pericial e alvará judicial foram solicitados por 14%, 8% e 8% dos serviços, respectivamente. As mulheres que abortaram tinham predominantemente entre 15-29 anos, e eram solteiras e católicas. O aborto foi por estupro, até 14 semanas, com emprego da aspiração manual intrauterina. Para os profissionais, as principais dificuldades no funcionamento dos serviços são a pequena disponibilidade de médicos para o aborto e a capacitação escassa da equipe. Os dados mostram que ainda há distanciamento entre a previsão legal e a realidade dos serviços. A implementação de novos serviços e o fortalecimento dos existentes são ações necessárias.
Premature rupture of membranes: problems of diagnosis and induction of labor
Authors: Bolotskikh Vyacheslav Mikhaylovich , Afanasieva Marina Khivalievna , Borisova Vera Yur’yevna
Published: February 2016

We conducted a clinical trial of the test AmniSure® ROM in women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM). The results of labor induction in cases of PROM were also studied. AmniSure® ROM test showed high sensitivity and specificity and recommendation of the use of this test in women with PROM was approved. Our study demonstrated the worsening of obstetric indicators in patients with PROM after labor induction in the absence of biological readiness for labor.
Elective caesarean section and the risk of respiratory distress in preterm infants
Authors: Maslyanyuk Natal’ya Anatol’yevna , Evsyukova Inna Ivanovna
Published: February 2016

The incidence of respiratory disorders and their risk factors in 349 full-term newborns, extracted by planned cesarean section at various stages of pregnancy. It was found that respiratory disorders (transient tachypnea) observed in 16.5 % of newborns, gestational age of 37 weeks, 4.6% - 38 weeks and 1.6% - ≥39 weeks. The risk of respiratory disorders in children whose mothers have a combination of chronic functional systems (gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, respiratory system) and pregnancy complication preeclampsia mild.
Postcolonial Children's Literature: Songs of Innocence and Experience with Reference Tomarina Budhos’ Ask Me no Questions (2007), and Cathryn Clinton’s A Stone in my Hand (2002)
Authors: Elshaikh Ebtihal Abdelsalam
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this paper is to show how psychological trauma resulted from conflicts such as colonialism, immigration, racism, wars and invasion; and even gender discrimination makes its way into postcolonial children’s literature. For example, some contemporary writers of children's literature depict the painful experience of young immigrants who are living under constant stress and tension. Others try to depict how the Middle East conflicts and turmoil affect children living under occupation. In all of these cases, children are highly at risk of psychological trauma. This paper is going to discuss two contemporary children’s novels which address the issues of immigration and war conflicts: Marina Budhos’Ask Me no questions (2007),and Cathryn Clinton’sA Stone in my Hand (2002). They were chosen to reflect not only the variety of children’s literature available, but also the unique struggles faced by young female protagonists living in two different cultural and political environments. The common thread running through these two novels is the experience of emotional trauma that young protagonists go through. The study of such trauma is at the core of the discussion of both novels. The paper will show how the protagonists of the two novels suffer “a double or triple trauma for children, who may witness the forcible removal of the parent, suddenly lose their caregiver, and/or abruptly lose their familiar home environment” (McLeigh)
Formation of Future Philologists’ Professional Competence in the Aspect of Axiological Approach
Authors: Danylyuk Serhiy
Published: February 2016

The formation of future philologists’ professional competence in the aspect of axiological approach is studied in the paper. Taking into account axiological ideas, a set of cultural-and-humanistic educational functions are identified. Among them there are: development of spiritual strength, abilities and skills that enable a person to overcome life's obstacles; formation of character and moral responsibility; providing opportunities for personal and professional self-realization; mastering the means that are necessary to achieve intellectual and moral freedom; creating conditions for creative and spiritual growth of an individual. As far as humanistic aim of education is concerned, a number of problems is outlined. Among them there are: awareness of the intrinsic value of an individual as a carrier of high humanistic principles, its unique individuality and creative nature; recognition of the harmonious development of a personality as goal and the main purpose of a man; understanding of creative nature of activity, awareness of the need of spiritual costs and self-improvement for its implementation; development of humanitarian culture as a set of personality traits – the unity of the internal moral essence and external behavioral expression, subtle perception of beauty and ugliness in human relationships, empathy, sensitivity, expressiveness, optimism, kindness. Several approaches to the classification of educational values were suggested. Among them there are horizontal plane of existence of pedagogical values (values-goals, values-means, values-knowledge, values-relationships and values-qualities) and vertical plane of existence of pedagogical values (social-and-educational, vocational-and-group and individual-and-personal values), emphasizing the syncretic nature of these values.
Effect of different wavelengths of light on laccase, cellobiose dehydrogenase, and proteases produced by Cerrena unicolor, Pycnoporus sanguineus and Phlebia lindtneri.
Authors: Janusz Grzegorz , Sulej Justyna , Jaszek Magdalena , Osińska-Jaroszuk Monika
Published: February 2016

Three species of white rot fungi: Cerrena unicolor, Phlebia lindtneri and Pycnoporus sanguineus were cultured in two different media under five different lighting conditions: dark, white, red, blue, and green light. Laccase, cellobiose dehydrogenase, and protease activities were examined in the samples. Blue light efficiently boosted laccase synthesis in C. unicolor and P. sanguineus, whereas the highest activities (20 654 nkat/l) of P. lindtneri laccase were observed when this fungus was maintained in green light. On the contrary, the green light allowed obtaining the highest activities of cellobiose dehydrogenase of C. unicolor and P. lindtneri, while CDH of P. sanguineus seems to be dependent on white light. It is clearly visible that differences in protease activities are noticeable not only between the lights variants but also among the media used. However, high proteases activities are correlated with light variants inducing laccase in Lindeberg and Holm medium. Contrary to the cellulose-based medium, where they are weak in light variants that lead to high CDH activities.
Evaluating Public Health Interventions: 2. Stepping Up to Routine Public Health Evaluation With the Stepped Wedge Design
Authors: Spiegelman Donna
Published: February 2016

In a stepped wedge design (SWD), an intervention is rolled out in a staggered manner over time, in groups of experimental units, so that by the end, all units experience the intervention. For example, in the MaxART study, the date at which to offer universal antiretroviral therapy to otherwise ineligible clients is being randomly assigned in nine “steps” of four months duration so that after three years, all 14 facilities in northern and central Swaziland will be offering early treatment.

In the common alternative, the cluster randomized trial (CRT), experimental units are randomly allocated on a single common start date to the interventions to be compared. Often, the SWD is more feasible than the CRT, both for practical and ethical reasons, but takes longer to complete. The SWD permits both within- and between- unit comparisons, while the CRT only allows between-unit comparisons. Thus, confounding bias with respect to time-invariant factors tends to be lower in an SWD than a CRT, but the SWD cannot as readily control for confounding by time-varying factors. SWDs have generally more statistical power than CRTs, especially as the intraunit correlation and the number of participants within unit increases.

Software for both designs are available, although for a more limited set of SWD scenarios.
Does Surgical Correction of Right Thoracic Scoliosis in Syringomyelia Produce Outcomes Similar to Those in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?
Authors: Sha Shifu , Qiu Yong , Sun Weixiang , Han Xiao , Zhu Weiguo , Zhu Zezhang
Published: February 2016

Background:

Practice guidelines for deformity correction in patients with syringomyelia-associated scoliosis (SMS) remain ill defined. Although surgeons experienced in treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are commonly called on to treat SMS, no study has directly compared the results of surgical treatment between patients with SMS and those with AIS. The present study was performed to compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of posterior spinal fusion between patients with right-thoracic SMS and those with right-thoracic AIS.

Methods:

Sixty-nine adolescents with SMS were matched with patients with AIS for sex, age, and curve magnitude. Patients were evaluated before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the latest follow-up examination for changes in curve correction, global coronal balance, and scores on the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire.

Results:

The preoperative primary curve magnitude was similar between the two groups, but a trend toward less flexibility was observed in the SMS group. The amount of correction of the thoracic Cobb angles obtained surgically (68% compared with 71%) and the ratio of percent correction to flexibility (1.80 compared with 1.76) were similar in the SMS and AIS groups. At the latest evaluation, eight patients with SMS and five with AIS had lost >10° of thoracic spine correction (p = 0.382). The postoperative coronal decompensation averaged 13% and 6%, respectively, in the SMS and AIS groups (p = 0.243). No intergroup differences were noted with respect to the sagittal vertical axis or proximal junctional change, with preservation of global sagittal balance in both groups during follow-up. There were no neurologic or other major complications related to surgery in either group.

Conclusions:

Despite the differences in preoperative status, adolescents with idiopathic right thoracic scoliosis and those with syringomyelia-associated right thoracic scoliosis had comparable clinical and radiographic outcomes of pedicle-screw-based posterior spinal fusion, without neurologic complications.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Outcomes of ureteral surgery and ureteral stenting in cats: 117 cases (2006–2014)
Authors: Wormser Chloe , Clarke Dana L. , Aronson Lillian R.
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare outcomes in cats following ureteral surgery or ureteral stent placement.

DESIGN Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS 117 cats.

PROCEDURES Data regarding signalment, history, concurrent disease, clinical signs, clinicopathologic tests, surgical procedures, and perioperative complications (including death) were recorded. Follow-up data, including presence of signs of chronic lower urinary tract disease, chronic urinary tract infection, reobstruction, and death, if applicable, were obtained by records review or telephone contact with owners. Variables of interest were compared statistically between cats treated with and without stent placement. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression were performed to assess differences in survival time between cats with and without ureteral stents.

RESULTS Perioperative complications referable to the urinary tract were identified in 6 of 43 (14%) cats that had ≥ 1 ureteral stent placed and 2 of 74 (3%) cats that underwent ureteral surgery without stenting. Perioperative mortality rates were similar between cats with (4/43 [9%]) and without (6/74 [8%]) stents. After surgery, signs of chronic lower urinary tract disease and chronic urinary tract infection were significantly more common among cats with than cats without stents. Nineteen of 87 (22%) cats with follow-up information available had recurrent obstruction; incidence of reobstruction did not differ between cats with and without stents. Median survival time did not differ between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The potential for signs of chronic lower urinary tract disease and chronic infection, particularly among cats that receive ureteral stents, warrants appropriate client counseling. Judicious long-term follow-up for detection of reobstruction is recommended.
The Influence of Application a Simplified Transformation Model Between Reference Frames ECEF and ECI onto Prediction Accuracy of Position and Velocity of GLONASS Satellites
Authors: Krzyżek Robert , Skorupa Bogdan
Published: February 2016

In computational tasks of satellite geodesy there is a need for transformation of coordinates between reference frames ECEF – Earth Centered, Earth Fixed and ECI – Earth Centered, Inertial. Strict and simplified transformation models, which can be used in case of the position and velocity short-term predictions of GLONASS satellites, have been presented in this study. Comparison of the results of state vector components predictions of the GLONASS satellites, in dependence of the used transformation model, have also been presented. Accuracy of the prediction has been determined on the basis of the analyse of deviations of the predicted positions and velocities of GLONASS satellites from their values given in broadcast ephemeris.
Martensitbildung in Fe-basierten Legierungen während der Erwärmung von Stickstoff- Siedetemperatur*
Authors: Villa M. , Christiansen T. L. , Hansen M. F. , Somers M. A. J.
Published: February 2016

Kurzfassung

Die Austenit-zu-Martensit-Umwandlung unterhalb Raumtemperatur wurde in situ mit Magnetometrie in Fe-N-, Fe-Cr-C- und Fe-Cr-Ni-basierten Legierungen untersucht. Nach dem Abschrecken von der Austenitisiertemperatur auf Raumtemperatur wurden die Legierungen in siedendem Stickstoff abgeschreckt. Anschließend wurde die martensitische Umwandlung während der Erwärmung auf Raumtemperatur verfolgt. Verschiedene konstante Erwärmraten zwischen 0,5 K/min und 10 K/min wurden untersucht. Eine Probe wurde als Referenz schockartig in Wasser aufgeheizt, um zu überprüfen, ob die Martensitbildung bei einer hohen Erwärmrate unterdrückt werden kann. Thermisch aktivierte Bildung von Martensit während dem Erwärmen wurde für alle getesteten Legierungen mit einer von der Erwärmrate abhängigen Umwandlungskinetik überzeugend demonstriert. Außerdem konnte mittels Magnetometrie gezeigt werden, dass die Erwärmrate den Martensitanteil während der Wärmebehandlung beeinflusst. Die Aktivierungsenergie für thermisch aktivierte Martensitbildung wurde mit der Methode nach Kissinger zu 11–18 kJ/mol bestimmt und nimmt mit dem Anteil der Zwischengitterelemente zu.
Operations and Emissions Characteristics of Light-Duty Vehicles on Ramps
Authors: Liu Haobing , Sonntag Darrell , Brzezinski David , Fulper Carl R. , Hawkins David , Warila James E.
Published: February 2016

Ramps serve as the connections between restricted access highways and other road facilities, and considering the intensity of acceleration and deceleration occurring on ramps, the operation on ramps may contribute a significant amount of criteria-pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions from highway operation. In this study, second-by-second speed and position data were collected from 10 vehicles in the Detroit, Michigan, metropolitan area during their daily commute trips in 2012 using a portable activity measurement system. Ramp-associated operations were extracted from these measurements using ArcGIS, and emission rates were assigned based on model runs of the MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator, or MOVES. In general, emissions of light-duty vehicles estimated for ramp operation are about two to three times higher than those for highway operation (excluding ramps) and local cycles with average speed levels higher than 30 mph. Emissions for interchange ramps are estimated to be similar to highway emissions. Accelerations occurring immediately after vehicles enter the highway from on-ramps contribute a large portion of emissions from ramp operations, since high-power operations are involved. This point applies especially to loop on-ramps, where the emission rate immediately after entering the highways tends to be higher than driving within the physical ramp itself. This research will be useful for understanding basic ramp operation characteristics and their emissions effects, and it will be important for development of ramp classification systems and generic ramp driving cycles, for emissions modeling and ramp hot-spot analysis.
Cascade alkylarylation of substituted N-allylbenzamides for the construction of dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones and isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones
Authors: Qian Ping , Du Bingnan , Jiao Wei , Mei Haibo , Han Jianlin , Pan Yi
Published: February 2016

An oxidative reaction for the synthesis of 4-alkyl-substituted dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones with N-allylbenzamide derivatives as starting materials has been developed. The radical alkylarylation reaction proceeds through a sequence of alkylation and intramolecular cyclization. The substituent on the C–C double bond was found to play a key role for the progress of the reaction to give the expected products with good chemical yields. Additionally, N-methacryloylbenzamides were also suitable substrates for the current reaction and provided the alkyl-substituted isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones in good yield.
Using Plug-Avatars “hhh” Technology Education as Service-Oriented Virtual Learning Environment in Sliding Mode
Authors: Mkrttchian Vardan , Kataev Mikhail , Hwang Wu-Yuin , Bedi Sarabjeet Singh , Fedotova Anna
Published: February 2016

This chapter aims to show the possibilities of the use of plug-avatars “hhh” technology education as a Service-Oriented Virtual Learning Environment (SOVLE) in Sliding Mode (SM). This allows teachers to create an integrated learning environment using tools that have been selected to best meet their academic requirements and individual abilities of each student's full training in the system of Distance Education (DE). The work reported in this chapter engages with all aspects of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) design and architecture. Thus, created software of plug-avatars “hhh” technology education for SOVLE are applicable for use in DE processes and in virtual research collaboration works at the Astrakhan State University, Tomsk State University of Control System and Radio Electronics (Russian Federation), at HHH University (Australian Federation and the Republic of Armenia), at Rohilkhand University (India), and at National Central University (Taiwan).
Public Libraries
Authors: Karbach Laura
Published: February 2016

The author, as part of a Master Thesis study, analyzes the impact public library services and programs have in the lives of local Mexican mothers with children attending school in the United States and provides suggestions on ways to improve outreach of services and support. Results related to library use, parental involvement, service and programs, challenges including funding, Spanish-speaking staff, pre-conceived ideas, and awareness issues, as well as the largest issue of outreach are all discussed. In addition, outreach solutions are offered and the overall benefits of the study are assessed.
Production of Ethylene and its Commercial Importance in the Global Market
Authors: Alshammari Ahmad , Kalevaru Venkata Narayana , Bagabas Abdulaziz , Martin Andreas
Published: February 2016

Ethylene is the largest of the olefin markets and is also one of the most important petrochemically derived monomers that are used as a feedstock for the production of various commercially useful chemical products (e.g. polyethylene, polymers, fibers etc.). The primary objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview about olefins particularly ethylene production technologies and its commercial significance in the world market. The content of this chapter is presented as follows: a general overview about olefins production is given. This is followed by introducing the reader to ethylene including its properties importance/applications. The next section describes the production technologies of ethylene and some of its selected derivatives, followed by an overview of the technology, market, costs, capacity, global demand and supply of ethylene technology. Finally, main points and outlook of this highly industrially important commodity chemical are summarized.
Interacting with Whom?
Authors: Svensson Jakob , Larsson Anders Olof
Published: February 2016

This article explores Swedish Parliamentarians' Twitter practices during the 2014 general elections. For individual candidates, the political party is important for positions within the party and on the ballot, especially in a party-centered democracy. A previous qualitative (n)ethnographic research project during the previous elections in 2010, in which one campaigning politician was studied in-depth, found that her social media practices to a large extent were inward-facing, focusing on the own party network. But does this result resonate among all Swedish Parliamentarians? Specifically, the authors ask: is Twitter primarily used interactively, for intra-party communication, to interact with strategic voter groups or voters in general? By analyzing all Parliamentarians tweets two weeks up to the elections the authors conclude that retweeting was done within a party political network while @messaging was directed towards political opponents. Mass media journalists and editorial writers were important in Parliamentarians' Twitter practices, while so-called ordinary voters were more absent.
Using Narrative Sources from the Mass Observation Archive to Study Everyday Food and Families in Hard Times: Food Practices in England during 1950
Authors: Knight Abigail , Brannen Julia , O'connell Rebecca
Published: February 2016

By using examples from food and domestic life in England during 1950, this paper examines the use of narrative archival sources as a methodological alternative to researching everyday food practices by traditional research methods, such as interviewing. Through the analysis of three diaries written for the Mass Observation Archive, and the everyday food practices expressed in these diaries, we consider the benefits and challenges of using narrative archival diary data to gain insights into food and eating during times of austerity. Before presenting and discussing the cases, we outline some of the challenges of researching food practices as a result of the muted, moral and mundane aspects of such practices. We then describe the study on which this paper is based, including a discussion of our methods and the reasons for using diaries and selecting our cases. Following this, we set the scene for understanding food and eating in 1950s Britain, such as contextual background about rationing during the Second World War, government policy and propaganda of the time. In our analysis of the three diaries, we discuss some of the ways in which the data have enabled us to ‘get at’ and provide insights into habitual food practices.
Indels within the bovine visfatin gene affect its mRNA expression in longissimus muscle and subcutaneous fat
Authors: Cai H. , Wang Z. , Lan X. , Xu Y. , Chen H. , Lei C.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Visfatin, an adipokine hormone produced primarily by visceral adipose tissue in mammals, has been identified as having a crucial role in growth and development of skeletal muscle and lipids. In this research, the effects of two indel loci (35 bp indel: AC_000161.1: g. 20540–20541 Ins ACTGGAATTCTAGTTTAAAAATTGCTACTAATGAA located in intron 4; 6 bp indel: AC_000161.1: g. 25873–25878 Del: TAAAAA located in intron 5) of the visfatin gene on mRNA expression levels were studied by means of real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in longissimus muscle and subcutaneous fat from 95 Qinchuan cattle. Firstly, visfatin expression level in longissimus muscle of fetal cattle was prominently greater than that in calves and adult cattle (P < 0.05). The expression level of visfatin in subcutaneous fat was notably higher than that in longissimus muscle of calves and adult cattle (P < 0.05). Secondly, there were three genotypes (ins/ins, del/del and ins/del) and two genotypes (ins/del and ins/ins) detected in the 35 bp locus and 6 bp locus, respectively. Visfatin showed a minimum expression level in longissimus muscle in the homozygous deletion genotype at the 35 bp indel locus. Especially in calves, expression of visfatin was significantly greater in the heterozygous genotype than that in the homozygous insertion genotpye (P < 0.05). No statistical differences were found among visfatin expression level based on genotypes in the 6 bp indel locus (P > 0.05). Compared to heterozygous genotype, the expression level of homozygous insertion genotype was lower in longissimus muscle but greater in subcutaneous fat. These results imply that the expression levels of bovine visfatin vary with age and its indels might be putative variants mediating the expression of the bovine visfatin gene. This study provides useful information for further functional studies of bovine visfatin.
Drizzle formation in stratocumulus clouds: effects of turbulent mixing
Authors: Magaritz-Ronen L. , Pinsky M. , Khain A.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The mechanism of drizzle formation in shallow stratocumulus clouds and the effect of turbulent mixing on this process are investigated. A Lagrangian–Eularian model of the cloud-topped boundary layer is used to simulate the cloud measured during flight RF07 of the DYCOMS-II field experiment. The model contains ~ 2000 air parcels that are advected in a turbulence-like velocity field. In the model all microphysical processes are described for each Lagrangian air volume, and turbulent mixing between the parcels is also taken into account. It was found that the first large drops form in air volumes that are closest to adiabatic and characterized by high humidity, extended residence near cloud top, and maximum values of liquid water content, allowing the formation of drops as a result of efficient collisions. The first large drops form near cloud top and initiate drizzle formation in the cloud. Drizzle is developed only when turbulent mixing of parcels is included in the model. Without mixing, the cloud structure is extremely inhomogeneous and the few large drops that do form in the cloud evaporate during their sedimentation. It was found that turbulent mixing can delay the process of drizzle initiation but is essential for the further development of drizzle in the cloud.
A two-channel thermal dissociation cavity ring-down spectrometer for the detection of ambient NO2, RO2NO2 and RONO2
Authors: Thieser J. , Schuster G. , Schuladen J. , Phillips G. J. , Reiffs A. , Parchatka U. , Pöhler D. , Lelieveld J. , Crowley J. N.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We describe a thermal dissociation cavity ring-down spectrometer (TD-CRDS) for measurement of ambient NO2, total peroxy nitrates (ΣPNs) and total alkyl nitrates (ΣANs). The spectrometer has two separate cavities operating at  ∼  405.2 and 408.5 nm. One cavity (reference) samples NO2 continuously from an inlet at ambient temperature, the other samples sequentially from an inlet at 473 K in which PNs are converted to NO2 or from an inlet at 723 K in which both PNs and ANs are converted to NO2, difference signals being used to derive mixing ratios of ΣPNs and ΣANs. We describe an extensive set of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to characterise the fate of organic radicals in the hot inlets and cavity and derive correction factors to account for the bias resulting from the interaction of peroxy radicals with ambient NO and NO2. Finally, we present the first measurements and comparison with other instruments during a field campaign, outline the limitations of the present instrument and provide an outlook for future improvements.