bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstructing integration: Domestic politics and the European Court of Justice
Authors: Peritz Lauren
Published: April 2018

Do legal rulings from the Court of Justice promote European economic integration? This article examines lawsuits where governments are found guilty of breaching their commitment to the common market. In these cases, governments are required to adopt reforms which, correctly applied, should promote intra-European trade. Using a novel dataset of trade-liberalizing rulings, I show that although they do prompt some increases in trade, the effect is contingent on domestic politics. When the defendant government has many political constraints, both institutional and partisan, it is less likely to expand its trade with the European Union. Domestic politics obstructs the policy reforms—and active enforcement—necessary to deepen economic integration. The findings highlight obstacles to the completion of the single market and limitations of the court.
Death and dying in a Karen refugee community: An overlooked challenge in the resettlement process
Authors: Bird Jessica Nancy
Published: April 2018

This paper explores death and dying in a settling refugee community. I use ethnographic description to explore an overlooked practical challenge of resettlement – funerals. The focus of research is the Brisbane Karen community, from Burma and/or Thai-Burma border camps. Death and dying as a theme of resettlement research is inadequate. Yet we ought to consider death and dying as a settlement challenge, just as we consider language, employment, or housing (for example). Death and dying traverses the practical challenges of settlement, to deeper ontological questions associated with spiritual existence, rituals and community bonding. The paper provides practical insights into the basic boundaries of Australian funeral practice, which can speak to other minority groups practising burial rites that depart from the mainstream. It comments on how those boundaries can bump up against cultural practice brought from elsewhere. It also demonstrates transnationalism in the Brisbane Karen community.
Not the Sum of Its Parts: A Critical Review of the MacDonald Triad
Authors: Parfitt Charlotte Hannah , Alleyne Emma
Published: April 2018

The MacDonald triad posits that animal cruelty, fire setting, and bed wetting in childhood is indicative of later aggressive and violent behavior in adults. Researchers refer to this phenomenon as a precursor to later antisocial behaviors including serial and sexual murder; while practitioners cite the triad in clinical formulations and risk assessments. However, there is yet to be a critical review and consolidation of the literature that establishes whether there is empirical support. This article explores the validity of the triad. We conducted a narrative review of the relevant studies examining the MacDonald triad and its individual constituents. There is evidence that any one of the triad behaviors could predict future violent offending, but it is very rare to find all three behaviors together as predictors. Thus, the empirical research on the MacDonald triad does not fully substantiate its premise. Rather, it would appear that the triad, or its individual constituents, is better used as an indicator of dysfunctional home environments, or poor coping skills in children. Future research is needed with robust and rigorous methodologies (e.g., adequate control groups, longitudinal designs) to fully establish the MacDonald triad’s validity. Finally, further consideration is needed as to whether the triad behaviors are more indicative of other problematic outcomes (e.g., maladaptive coping to life stressors).
Effect of stacking sequence on properties of coconut leaf sheath/jute/E-glass reinforced phenol formaldehyde hybrid composites
Authors: Bharath KN , Sanjay MR , Jawaid Mohammad , Harisha  , Basavarajappa S , Siengchin Suchart
Published: April 2018

In the present study, the effect of stacking sequence on mechanical, physical, and biodegradability properties of treated coconut leaf sheath/jute/glass fabric reinforced phenol formaldehyde hybrid composites were studied. The hybrid composite laminates were fabricated by using hand lay-up technique. The specimen preparation and testing were conducted as per ASTM standards. Obtained results indicated that the incorporation of coconut leaf sheath with glass fiber of hybrid composites has greater effect on tensile and hardness properties. Coconut leaf sheath fibers treated with NaOH solution shows significant improvement for adhesion between fiber and matrix. Water absorption plots for different periods of immersion indicated that coconut leaf sheath with glass hybrid composites offer better resistance to water absorption than pure natural fiber reinforced composites. Thickness swelling of the hybrid composites increases due to increase in the percentage of water absorption of the composites. From SEM analysis of the tensile fractured surface of hybrid composites, it is found that the failure of composite is due to poor interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix. An overall comparison of all the laminates revealed that the hybrid laminates of coconut leaf sheath with extreme glass fibers plies as skin layer is the optimum combination with a good balance between the properties. So they may be suited in manufacturing of car doors, car interiors, dash boards, headliners, decking, parcel shelves, pallets, spare tyre covers, spare-wheel pan, seat backs, etc.
Classifying Judicial Selection Institutions
Authors: Goelzhauser Greg
Published: April 2018

The judicial selection classification problem is widely recognized but poorly understood. In this note, I identify the classification problem's three interrelated sources: ambiguous theoretical arguments, varying decision rules for categorizing merit selection states, and not accounting for interim selections in mixed systems. To demonstrate threats to inference posed by the classification problem, I replicate a study on opinion writing productivity in state supreme courts. I also offer straightforward suggestions for resolving the classification problem. Eliminating the classification problem will help ensure that inferences are comparable across studies with respect to the consequences of institutional design choices concerning state judicial selection mechanisms.
The state-of-the-art wireless body area sensor networks: A survey
Authors: Khan Rahat Ali , Pathan Al-Sakib Khan
Published: April 2018

Wireless body area sensor network is a sub-field of wireless sensor network. Wireless body area sensor network has come into existence after the development of wireless sensor network reached some level of maturity. This has become possible due to the tremendous technological advancement leading to easy-to-use wireless wearable technologies and electronic components that are small in size. Indeed, this field has gained significant attention in recent time due to its applications which mostly are toward healthcare sector. Today, tiny-sized sensors could be placed on the human body to record various physiological parameters and these sensors are capable of sending data to other devices so that further necessary actions could be taken. Hence, this can be used for diagnosis of disease and for developing serious health-complication alert systems. Considering this recent hot topic, the intent of this work is to present the state-of-the-art of various aspects of wireless body area sensor network, its communication architectures, wireless body area sensor network applications, programming frameworks, security issues, and energy-efficient routing protocols. We have tried to cover the latest advancements with some discussion on the available radio technologies for this type of network. Future visions and challenges in this area are also discussed.
Development and Preliminary Testing of the Perceived Benefit and Burden Scales for Cancer Clinical Trial Participation
Authors: Ulrich Connie M. , Zhou Qiuping (Pearl) , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , Knafl Kathleen , Wallen Gwenyth R. , Richmond Therese S. , Grady Christine
Published: April 2018

We developed measures of benefits and burdens of research participation in cancer clinical trials using a sequential mixed methods design with a qualitative ( n = 32) and quantitative sample ( n = 110) of cancer clinical trial participants. Benefit–burden items (22 for benefits, 23 for burdens) were subsequently developed and assessed through cognitive interviewing for content, clarity, and meaning. Preliminary psychometric analyses support the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of Benefit (α = .90) and Burden (α = .87) research participation scales. Item response theory models supported the discrimination ability of the items on the scales. Participants who had thoughts of dropping out had lower Benefit scale scores ( p < .001) and higher Burden scores ( p < .001) than those who had no thoughts of dropping out, supporting construct validity. With further psychometric testing, the scale can be used to develop appropriate interventions to address recruitment and retention of human participants in clinical research.
Optimization design of piston structure for abnormal noise control in a single-cylinder gasoline engine
Authors: Xiao Shenghao , Yan Fuwu , Lu Chihua , Liu Zhien
Published: April 2018

The noise characteristic of an entire single-cylinder gasoline engine was tested through acoustic spectral and intensity analyses to solve its abnormal noise problem in idling condition. Then, the abnormal noises were identified as piston impact noises caused by the anomalous dynamic performance of the piston mechanism. A piston multibody dynamic model was established on the basis of the key performance and the structure parameters of the piston to eliminate the abnormal noise. Then, the piston dynamic performance was improved by optimizing the piston structures. Analysis results showed that the lateral force, secondary kinetic energy, and friction power loss of the piston were reduced by approximately 51.3%, 40.2%, and 31.8%, respectively. Finally, the acoustic verification tests were implemented on the basis of the original engine when the optimized sample was manufactured and installed in the engine. The results showed that the abnormal noise was eliminated and the overall sound pressure level of the engine was reduced by 2.5 dB(A) in idling condition. Meanwhile, the subjective evaluation results showed that the sound quality was obviously improved. The dynamic performance of the piston could be improved by optimizing the piston structure to reduce the impact noise.
A neural network–based synchronized computed torque controller for three degree-of-freedom planar parallel manipulators with uncertainties compensation
Authors: Doan Quang Vinh , Le Tien Dung , Le Quang Dan , Kang Hee-Jun
Published: April 2018

This study presents a new adaptive synchronized computed torque control algorithm based on neural networks for three degree-of-freedom planar parallel manipulators. The basic idea of the proposed control algorithm is to use the incorporation of cross-coupling errors of active joints with the adaptive computed torque control algorithm, online self-tuned neural networks, and error compensators. The key to the success of the proposed approach is to improve the trajectory tracking accuracy of the parallel manipulator’s end-effector while driving the synchronization errors among active joints to zero. The uncertainties of the control system such as modeling errors, frictional terms, and external disturbances are adaptively compensated online during the trajectory tracking of the parallel manipulator. Using the Lyapunov theory, it is proved that the tracking errors and error rates of the overall system asymptotically converge to zero. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm, compared simulations are conducted using MATLAB/Simulink [version 2013a] combined with Solidworks 2014.
Isolated hydatid cyst of thyroid: An unusual case
Authors: Aydin Sonay , Tek Cihat , Dilek Gokharman Fatma , Fatihoglu Erdem , Nercis Kosar Pinar
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Hydatid cystic disease is a parasitic infestation that is mostly caused by Echinococcus granulosus, which is common in sheep-rearing areas of the Mediterranean, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America. Canines are the definitive hosts, and herbivores (e.g. sheep, horses, deer) or humans are intermediate hosts. Ingested eggs from animal feces hatch in the gut and release oncospheres (immature forms of the parasite enclosed in an embryonic envelope).

Case report

A very rare case of isolated, thyroidal, hydatic cyst is presented.

Conclusion

Non-vascular cysts may be seen on ultrasonographic examination that are not specific for hydatid disease. Clinical and laboratory findings are therefore important. Definitive diagnosis is based on histopathological findings. Treatment is surgical and antiparasitic drugs are required after surgery.
The micro-politics of organisational change in professional youth football: Towards an understanding of “actions, strategies and professional interests”
Authors: Gibson Luke , Groom Ryan
Published: April 2018

Employment within professional football is characterised by high levels of staff turnover, uncertainty, vulnerability and insecurity. This paper aims to investigate the experiences of James, Head of Foundation Phase within an English professional youth academy, during a period of organisational change. Data were collected through field notes, informal observations and meetings, formal academy team meetings, co-worker interviews and four semi-structured in-depth participant interviews, which were subjected to an iterative process of inductive and deductive analysis. Theorising regarding the influence of professional self-interests upon the actions and strategies of the social actors was utilised to make sense of James' narrative. The findings highlighted how James strategically managed his relationships with others to further his own professional self-interests. Finally, following the findings of this study, we propose that the ability to develop micro-political literacy and a repertoire of micro-political actions and strategies would benefit coaches working within professional football during such periods of instability and change.
Trends in Contemporary Art Discourse: Using Topic Models to Analyze 25 years of Professional Art Criticism
Authors: Roose Henk , Roose Willem , Daenekindt Stijn
Published: April 2018

In this article, we use topic modeling to systematically explore topics discussed in contemporary art criticism. Analyzing 6965 articles published between 1991 and 2015 in Frieze, a leading art magazine, we find a plurality of topics characterizing professional discourse on contemporary art. Not surprisingly, media- or genre-specific topics such as film/cinema, photography, sculpture/installations, etc. emerge. Interestingly, extra-artistic topics also characterize contemporary art criticism: there is room for articles on new digital technology and on art and philosophy; there is also growing interest in the relationship between art and society. Our analysis shows that despite evolutions in the field of contemporary art – such as the ‘social turn’, in which contemporary art starts paying more attention to social forms and content – the prevalence of certain topics in contemporary art criticism has barely changed over the past 25 years. With this article, we demonstrate the unique value of topic modeling for cultural sociology: it is both a powerful computational technique to generate a bird’s-eye view of a huge text corpus and a heuristic device that locates key texts for further close reading.
Making the Grade: The Importance of Academic Enablers in the Elementary School Counseling Program
Authors: Barna Jennifer S. , Brott Pamelia E.
Published: April 2018

Elementary school counselors can support academic achievement by connecting their comprehensive programs to increasing academic competence. One valuable framework focuses on academic enablers, which are identified as interpersonal skills, motivation, engagement, and study skills (DiPerna, 2004). In this article, the authors (a) discuss the essential role of elementary school counselors in supporting student achievement, (b) provide an overview of the academic enablers’ framework, and (c) offer practical recommendations for implementing this framework.
Meeting the Holistic Needs of Students: A Proposal for Spiritual and Religious Competencies for School Counselors
Authors: Kimbel Tyler M. , Schellenberg Rita
Published: April 2018

Authors discuss the importance of school counselors addressing spiritual and religious issues in ethically meeting the developmental and cultural needs of K-12 students. Domains of spiritual and religious competence for professional counselors, published by the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC, 2009), are examined in relation to their relevance for professional school counselors. The authors introduce expert-reviewed Spiritual and Religious Competencies for School Counselors to supplement the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies (ASCA, 2012). Implications for practice are presented along with strategies for integrating the competencies into a comprehensive school counseling program.
School-Based Mental Health Professionals’ Bullying Assessment Practices: A Call for Evidence-Based Bullying Assessment Guidelines
Authors: Blake Jamilia J. , Banks Courtney S. , Patience Brenda A. , Lund Emily M.
Published: April 2018

A sample of 483 school-based mental health professionals completed a survey about the training they have received related to conducting bullying assessments in schools, competence in conducting an assessment of bullying, and the bullying assessment methods they used. Results indicate that school counselors were usually informed about incidents of bullying more frequently than school psychologists. Whereas the majority of school-based mental health professionals surveyed reported some level of competence in using assessment tools for bullying, few reported using empirically based instruments to assess for bullying. This article discusses results and implications, namely, the need to identify clinically meaningful tools for the assessment of bullying and the need to adopt more formal and empirically based methods of assessment in schools.
Preventing and Responding to Bullying: An Elementary School's 4-Year Journey
Authors: McCormac Mary E.
Published: April 2018

Bullying continues to be a pervasive problem in schools and requires a schoolwide approach. This article describes the action research process used to examine the impact of a 4-year, K-5 school bullying prevention and intervention. The school counselors collaborated with students, staff, and parents to implement the program, and collected and analyzed data to improve the program. Results indicated that the program reduced bullying and increased students’ perception that adults listen to bullying reports. The author offers suggestions for improving bullying interventions.
Virtual School Counseling
Authors: Osborn Debra S. , Peterson Gary W. , Hale Rebecca R.
Published: April 2018

The advent of virtual schools opens doors to opportunity for delivery of student services via the Internet. Through the use of structured interviews with four practicing Florida virtual school counselors, and a follow-up survey, the authors examined the experiences and reflections of school counselors who are employed full time in a statewide virtual school. Findings highlight how virtual school counselors differ in their activities from traditional school counselors. This article presents implications for practice, training, and future research.
Relationship Between Quantitative MRI Biomarkers and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures After Cartilage Repair Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lansdown Drew A. , Wang Kevin , Cotter Eric , Davey Annabelle , Cole Brian J.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Treatment of articular cartilage injuries remains a clinical challenge, and the optimal tools to monitor and predict clinical outcomes are unclear. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) allows for a noninvasive biochemical evaluation of cartilage and may offer advantages in monitoring outcomes after cartilage repair surgery.

Hypothesis:

qMRI sequences will correlate with early pain and functional measures.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A PubMed search was performed with the following search terms: knee AND (cartilage repair OR cartilage restoration OR cartilage surgery) AND (delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI OR t1-rho OR T2 mapping OR dgemric OR sodium imaging OR quantitative imaging). Studies were included if correlation data were included on quantitative imaging results and patient outcome scores.

Results:

Fourteen articles were included in the analysis. Eight studies showed a significant relationship between quantitative cartilage imaging and patient outcome scores, while 6 showed no relationship. T2 mapping was examined in 11 studies, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) in 4 studies, sodium imaging in 2 studies, glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer (gagCEST) in 1 study, and diffusion-weighted imaging in 1 study. Five studies on T2 mapping showed a correlation between T2 relaxation times and clinical outcome scores. Two dGEMRIC studies found a correlation between T1 relaxation times and clinical outcome scores.

Conclusion:

Multiple studies on T2 mapping, dGEMRIC, and diffusion-weighted imaging showed significant correlations with patient-reported outcome measures after cartilage repair surgery, although other studies showed no significant relationship. qMRI sequences may offer a noninvasive method to monitor cartilage repair tissue in a clinically meaningful way, but further refinements in imaging protocols and clinical interpretation are necessary to improve utility.
From Khrushchev and Brezhnev to Putin: Has Moscow’s Policy in the Middle East Come Full Circle?
Authors: Freedman Robert O.
Published: April 2018

Russian under President Vladimir Putin has established a strong presence in the Middle East. In fact, in 2017, Russian involvement in the regional affairs is more pronounced. Putin has done his utmost to restore Russia’s prestige in the region and has been successful to an extent. Russia though for a brief period lost out to the USA, especially in the case of Iraq and Libya but its decisive intervention in Syria has changed the dynamics. If one compares the policies followed by the Soviet Union in the Middle East during the reigns of Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev to the present situation some interesting parallels can be drawn. However, it should be noted that the goals and policies pursued by Putin are entirely different. But in comparing the position of Russia in the Middle East under Putin to the Soviet position in the region under Khrushchev and Brezhnev is much stronger.
Ovulatory Induction of SCG2 in Human, Nonhuman Primate, and Rodent Granulosa Cells Stimulates Ovarian Angiogenesis
Authors: Hannon Patrick R , Duffy Diane M , Rosewell Katherine L , Brännström Mats , Akin James W , Curry Thomas E
Published: April 2018

The luteinizing hormone (LH) surge is essential for ovulation, but the intrafollicular factors induced by LH that mediate ovulatory processes (e.g., angiogenesis) are poorly understood, especially in women. The role of secretogranin II (SCG2) and its cleaved bioactive peptide, secretoneurin (SN), were investigated as potential mediators of ovulation by testing the hypothesis that SCG2/SN is induced in granulosa cells by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), via a downstream LH receptor signaling mechanism, and stimulates ovarian angiogenesis. Humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents were treated with hCG in vivo resulting in a significant increase in the messenger RNA and protein levels of SCG2 in granulosa cells collected early during the periovulatory period and just prior to ovulation (humans: 12 to 34 hours; monkeys: 12 to 36 hours; rodents: 4 to 12 hours post-hCG). This induction by hCG was recapitulated in an in vitro culture system utilizing granulosa-lutein cells from in vitro fertilization patients. Using this system, inhibition of downstream LH receptor signaling pathways revealed that the initial induction of SCG2 is regulated, in part, by epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. Further, human ovarian microvascular endothelial cells were treated with SN (1 to 100 ng/mL) and subjected to angiogenesis assays. SN significantly increased endothelial cell migration and new sprout formation, suggesting induction of ovarian angiogenesis. These results establish that SCG2 is increased in granulosa cells across species during the periovulatory period and that SN may mediate ovulatory angiogenesis in the human ovary. These findings provide insight into the regulation of human ovulation and fertility.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is Associated With Adverse Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Authors: Berni Thomas R , Morgan Christopher L , Berni Ellen R , Rees D Aled
Published: April 2018

Context

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism and subfertility, but the effects on mental health and child neurodevelopment are unclear.

Objectives

To determine if (1) there is an association between PCOS and psychiatric outcomes and (2) whether rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are higher in children of mothers with PCOS.

Design

Data were extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Patients with PCOS were matched to two control sets (1:1) by age, body mass index, and primary care practice. Control set 2 was additionally matched on prior mental health status. Primary outcomes were the incidence of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Secondary outcomes were the prevalence of ADHD or ASD in the children.

Results

Eligible patients (16,986) were identified; 16,938 and 16,355 were matched to control sets 1 and 2, respectively. Compared with control set 1, baseline prevalence was 23.1% vs 19.3% for depression, 11.5% vs 9.3% for anxiety, and 3.2% vs 1.5% for bipolar disorder (P < 0.001). The hazard ratio for time to each endpoint was 1.26 (95% confidence interval 1.19 to 1.32), 1.20 (1.11 to 1.29), and 1.21 (1.03 to 1.42) for set 1 and 1.38 (1.30 to 1.45), 1.39 (1.29 to 1.51), and 1.44 (1.21 to 1.71) for set 2. The odds ratios for ASD and ADHD in children were 1.54 (1.12 to 2.11) and 1.64 (1.16 to 2.33) for set 1 and 1.76 (1.27 to 2.46) and 1.34 (0.96 to 1.89) for set 2.

Conclusions

PCOS is associated with psychiatric morbidity and increased risk of ADHD and ASD in their children. Screening for mental health disorders should be considered during assessment.
Temporal Changes in Cardiovascular Remodeling Associated with Football Participation
Authors: KIM JONATHAN H. , HOLLOWED CASEY , PATEL KEYUR , HOSNY KAREEM , AIDA HIROSHI , GOWANI ZAINA , SHER SALMAN , SHOOP JAMES L. , GALANTE ANGELO , CLARK CRAIG , MARSHALL THOMAS , PATTERSON GENE , SCHMITT GARY , KO YI-AN , QUYYUMI ARSHED A. , BAGGISH AARON L.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

American-style football (ASF) participation rates in the United States are highest among high school (HS) athletes. This study sought to compare the cardiovascular response to HS versus collegiate ASF participation.

Methods

The ASF participants (HS, n = 61; collegiate, n = 87) were studied at preseason and postseason time points with echocardiography and applanation tonometry. Primary outcome variables included: left ventricular (LV) mass index, LV diastolic function (early relaxation velocity [E′]), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]).

Results

High school (17.1 ± 0.4 yr) and collegiate ASF participants (18 ± 0.4 yr) experienced similar LV hypertrophy (ΔLV mass HS = 10.5 ± 10 vs collegiate = 11.2 ± 13.6 g·m−2, P = 0.97). Among HS participants, increases in LV mass were associated with stable diastolic tissue velocities (ΔE′ = −0.3 ± 2.9 cm·s−1, P = 0.40) and vascular function (ΔPWV = −0.1 ± 0.6 m·s−1, P = 0.13). In contrast, collegiate participants demonstrated a higher burden of concentric LV hypertrophy (21/87, 24% vs 7/61, 11%, P = 0.026) with concomitant reductions in diastolic tissue velocities (ΔE′: −2.0 ± 2.7 cm·s−1, P < 0.001) and increased arterial stiffness (ΔPWV: Δ0.2 ± 0.6 m·s−1, P = 0.003), changes that were influenced by linemen who had the highest post-season weight (124 ± 10 kg) and systolic blood pressure ([SBP], 138.8 ± 11 mm Hg). In multivariable analyses adjusting for age and ethnicity, body mass was an independent predictor of post-season PWV (β estimate = 0.01, P = 0.04) and E′ (β estimate = −0.04, P = 0.05), whereas SBP was an independent predictor of postseason LV mass index (β estimate = 0.18, P = 0.01) and PWV (β estimate = 0.01, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

The transition from HS to college represents an important physiologic temporal data point after which differential ASF cardiovascular phenotypes manifest. Future work aimed to clarify underlying mechanisms, and the long-term clinical implications of these findings is warranted.
Fragger: a protein fragment picker for structural queries
Authors: Berenger Francois , Simoncini David , Voet Arnout , Shrestha Rojan , Zhang Kam Y.J.
Published: April 2018

Protein modeling and design activities often require querying the Protein Data Bank (PDB) with a structural fragment, possibly containing gaps. For some applications, it is preferable to work on a specific subset of the PDB or with unpublished structures. These requirements, along with specific user needs, motivated the creation of a new software to manage and

query 3D protein fragments. Fragger is a protein fragment picker that allows protein fragment databases to be created and queried. All fragment lengths are supported and any set of PDB files can be used to create a database. Fragger can efficiently search a fragment database with a query fragment and a distance threshold. Matching fragments are ranked by distance to the query. The query fragment can have structural gaps and the allowed amino acid sequences matching a query can be constrained via a regular expression of one-letter amino acid codes. Fragger also incorporates a tool to compute the backbone RMSD of one versus many fragments in high throughput. Fragger should be useful for protein design, loop grafting and related structural

bioinformatics tasks.
The Model of a Computerized Information Space of a Higher Educational Institution
Authors: Наговицын Роман , Nagovitsyn Roman
Published: April 2018

The article is devoted to the problem of integrating the introduction of information technologies into the process of implementing vocational training, monitoring the quality of education and science, and introducing various technologies for diagnosing external and internal audit of a higher educational organization. As a result of the research, a model for the automated information space of an institution of higher education is developed, which consists of three interrelated blocks: information collection, information processing and an effective block.
Professional and Educational Standard of a Specialist in the Field of Social and Cultural Activities: Problems of Development and Application
Authors: Лазарева Л. , Lazareva L.
Published: April 2018

The necessity of development and approval of a professional standard of a specialist in the field of socio-cultural activities is substantiated. The reasons preventing the process of its creation are considered. The normative legal documents containing qualifying characteristics and requirements to posts and professions in the field of social and cultural activity are analyzed.The reasons of insufficient activity of the federal educational-methodical association on the enlarged group of directions and specialties 51.00.00. «Cultural Studies and Social-Cultural Projects”are revealed.The issue of the loss of the formal pedagogical status of graduates in the field of training 51.03.03. “Social and cultural activities” is being raised. The need to create a professional union of specialists in socio-cultural activities and their participation in the development of a new law on culture in the Russian Federation is proved.
Implementation of Activities on the Development of a System for General Education Quality Assessment in the Framework of the Federal Target Program for the Development of Education in the territorial entities of the Russian Federation for 2016–2020
Authors: Ганеев А. , Ganeev A.
Published: April 2018

The article describes the mechanism of state support for the implementation of state programs in the sphere of education in the territorial entities of the Russian Federation. These programs are aimed at developing of general education quality assessment procedures through the provision of subsidies from the federal budget within the framework of the Federal Target Program for the Development of Education for 2016-2020. The main procedural elements of the getting subsidy are specified. The problems encountered by the territorial entities of the Russian Federation in the implementation of activities aimed at technological support of the general education quality assessment procedures are described. The best regional practices of human resources development and effective examples of developed regional assessment tools are presented.
Peculiarities of Organization of Teaching Process of Visually Impaired Children
Authors: Попова А. , Popova A.
Published: April 2018

The article considers the problem of compensatory education for children with disabilities in conditions of inclusive education. Based on the experience of the work of the educational organization, the features of organization of the process of teaching visually impaired children of preschool and primary school age are revealed. Attention is focused on ensuring continuity between preschool and primary education of children with visual impairments.
Propaedeutic Acquaintance of Fourth-Grade Students with Physics
Authors: Картунов В. , Kartunov V.
Published: April 2018

The article discusses the problem of the discrepancy between the logic of constructing the contents of the subjects of the natural science cycle for the most sensitive periods of development of modern children of primary school age, which hinders the physically substantiated understanding of the phenomena of the surrounding world by students, the formation of scientific thinking and cognitive experience, and does not meet their cognitive interests. Resolution of this problem the author sees in the use of elective courses on which there is an earlier acquaintance of younger schoolchildren with the physical principles and laws underlying all natural phenomena and actions of technical systems. The technique developed by the author for conducting a propaedeutic elective “On the way to physics” for pupils of the fourth grade, suggesting the possibility of sensory perception by children of the actions of physical laws, active participation in experiments, mini-studies is described. The analysis of the results of the elective has shown that this methodological approach allows to ensure continuity in the teaching of the physics course between the primary and secondary levels of schooling, to increase the general level of training of the primary school graduate.
Use of Social and Pedagogical Potential of Done Outside of Class Hours Activity for Adaptation of Young Schoolchildren to Study
Authors: Иванова Ирина , Ivanova Irina
Published: April 2018

In the article, the positive influence of done outside of class hours activities on the process of adapting children of primary school age to study as a new type of activity is considered on the example of the experience of Kaluga and Kaluga region schools. The description of the author’s program of done outside of class hours activities of the social and pedagogical orientation “My New World” is given, which can be widely used in regional educational practice when organizing done outside of class hours classes with younger schoolchildren.
IL-6–HaloTag® enables live-cell plasma membrane staining, flow cytometry, functional expression, and deorphaning of recombinant odorant receptors
Authors: Noe Franziska , Frey Tim , Fiedler Julia , Geithe Christiane , Nowak Bettina , Krautwurst Dietmar
Published: April 2018

The assignment of cognate odorant/agonist pairs is a prerequisite for an understanding of odorant coding at the receptor level. However, the identification of new ligands for odorant receptors in cell-based assays has been challenging, due to their individual and rather sub-optimal plasma membrane expression, as compared with other G protein-coupled receptors. Accessory proteins, such as the chaperone RTP1S, or Ric8b, have improved the surface expression of at least a portion of odorant receptors. Typically, recombinant odorant receptors carry N-terminal tags, which proved helpful for their functional membrane expression. The most common tag is the ‘Rho-tag’, representing an N-terminal part of rhodopsin, but also ‘Lucy-‘ or ‘Flag-tag’ extensions have been described. Here, we used a bi-functional N-terminal tag, called ‘IL-6-HaloTag®’, with IL-6 facilitating functional cell surface expression of recombinant odorant receptors, and the HaloTag® protein, serving as a highly specific acceptor for cell-impermeant or cell-permeant, fluorophore-coupled ligands, which enable the quantification of odorant receptor expression by live-cell flow cytometry. Our experiments revealed on average an about four-fold increased surface expression, a four-fold higher signaling amplitude, and a significant higher potency of odorant-induced cAMP signaling of six different human IL-6-HaloTag®-odorant receptors across five different receptor families in NxG 108CC15 cells, as compared to their Rho-tag–HaloTag® constructs. We observed similar results in HEK-293 cells. Moreover, screening an IL-6–HaloTag®-odorant receptor library with allyl phenyl acetate, revealed both known receptors as best responders for this compound. In summary, the IL-6–HaloTag® represents a promising tool for the de-orphaning of odorant receptors.
Large-scale production of lentiviral vectors using multilayer cell factories
Authors: Rout-Pitt Nathan , McCarron Alexandra , McIntyre Chantelle , Parsons David , Donnelley Martin
Published: April 2018

Lentiviral-mediated gene therapy has been proposed for the treatment of a range of diseases, and due to its genome integration properties, it offers the potential for long-lasting benefit from a once-off treatment. Production methods for pre-clinical studies in animal models, and ultimately for human clinical trials, must be capable of producing large quantities of high-quality lentiviral vector in an efficient and cost-effective manner. We report here a medium-scale method (from 1.5 L to 6 L of vector supernatant) for lentiviral vector production in adherent cell cultures using the NUNCâ„¢ EasyFillâ„¢ Cell Factoryâ„¢ from Thermo Fisher Scientific. Downstream purification uses a Mustang Q XT5 anion exchange capsule from Pall, and an ultracentrifugation step to concentrate the vector. This method is capable of producing lentiviral vector with concentrated titres of 108–109 TU/ml, with reduced manual handling compared to single monolayer flask methods.
A Simple Snap Oscillator with Coexisting Attractors, Its Time-Delayed Form, Physical Realization, and Communication Designs
Authors: Rajagopal Karthikeyan , Jafari Sajad , Akgul Akif , Karthikeyan Anitha , Çiçek Serdar , Shekofteh Yasser
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we report a novel chaotic snap oscillator with one nonlinear function. Dynamic analysis of the system shows the existence of bistability. To study the time delay effects on the proposed snap oscillator, we introduce multiple time delay in the fourth state equation. Investigation of dynamical properties of the time-delayed system shows that the snap oscillator exhibits the same multistable properties as the nondelayed system. The new multistable hyperjerk chaotic system has been tested in chaos shift keying and symmetric choc shift keying modulated communication designs for engineering applications. It has been determined that the symmetric chaos shift keying modulated communication system implemented with the new chaotic system is more successful than the chaos shift keying modulation for secure communication. Also, circuit implementation of the chaotic snap oscillator with tangent function is carried out showing its feasibility.
IP3Receptors and Associated Ca2+Signals Localize to Satellite Cells and to Components of the Neuromuscular Junction in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Powell Jeanne A. , Molgó Jordi , Adams Dany S. , Colasante Cesare , Williams Aislinn , Bohlen MacKenzie , Jaimovich Enrique
Published: April 2018

Recently, we described an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) signaling system in cultured rodent skeletal muscle, triggered by high K+and affecting gene transcription (Powell et al., 2001). Now, in a study of adult rodent skeletal muscle, using immunocytology and confocal microscopy, we have found a high level of IP3receptor (IP3R) staining in satellite cells, which have been shown recently to contribute to nuclei in adult fibers after muscle exercise. These IP3R staining cells are positively identified as satellite cells by their position, morphology and staining with satellite-cell-specific antibodies such as desmin and neural cell adhesion molecule. IP3Rs are also localized to postsynaptic components of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), in areas surrounding the nuclei of the motor end plate, and in perisynaptic Schwann cells, and localized close to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the endplate gutters. Ca2+imaging experiments show calcium release at the motor endplate upon K+depolarization precisely in these IP3R-rich regions. We suggest that electrical activity stimulates IP3-associated Ca2+signals that may be involved in gene regulation in satellite cells and in elements of the NMJ, contributing both to muscle fiber growth and stabilization of the NMJ.
Modification of Social Memory, Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, and Brain Asymmetry by Neonatal Novelty Exposure
Authors: Tang Akaysha C. , Reeb Bethany C. , Romeo Russell D. , McEwen Bruce S.
Published: April 2018

Although corticosterone (a stress hormone) is known to influence social behavior and memory processes, little has been explored concerning its modulatory role in social recognition. In rats, social recognition memory for conspecifics typically lasts <2 hr when evaluated using a habituation paradigm. Using neonatal novelty exposure, a brief and transient early life stimulation method known to produce long-lasting changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, we found that social recognition memory was prolonged to at least 24 hr during adulthood. This prolonged social memory was paralleled by a reduction in the basal blood concentration of corticosterone. The same neonatal stimulation also resulted in a functional asymmetry expressed as a greater right-turn preference in a novel environment. Rats that preferred to turn right showed better social recognition memory. These inter-related changes in basal blood corticosterone concentration, turning asymmetry, and social recognition memory suggest that stress hormones and brain asymmetry are likely candidates for modulating social memory. Furthermore, given that neonatal stimulation has been shown to improve learning and memory performance primarily under aversive learning situations, the neonatal novelty exposure-induced enhancement in social recognition broadens the impact of early life stimulation to include the social domain.
Metabotropic Glutamate 5 Receptor Blockade Alleviates Akinesia by Normalizing Activity of Selective Basal-Ganglia Structures in Parkinsonian Rats
Authors: Breysse Nathalie , Amalric Marianne , Salin Pascal
Published: April 2018

Glutamate overactivity within the basal ganglia has been shown to be central to the expression of motor symptoms in advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) represent promising targets for new therapeutic strategies in this pathology. Little is known, however, about the cellular and behavioral changes occurring in the early stages of the disease when dopamine depletion is moderate. Here, we report that rats with partial bilateral dopamine lesions exhibit akinetic deficits associated with dramatically increased neuronal metabolic activity in selective structures of the basal ganglia such as the subthalamic nucleus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata, but not in the entopeduncular nucleus. Furthermore, chronic treatment with the mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethylnyl)-pyridine alleviated the akinesia and was associated with a normalization of the activity of these two overactive structures. These data stress the therapeutic potential of mGluR5 antagonists in the treatment of parkinsonian patients in the early stages of the disease.
Complex Formation between the Postsynaptic Scaffolding Protein Gephyrin, Profilin, and Mena: A Possible Link to the Microfilament System
Authors: Giesemann Torsten , Schwarz Günter , Nawrotzki Ralph , Berhörster Kerstin , Rothkegel Martin , Schlüter Kathrin , Schrader Nils , Schindelin Hermann , Mendel Ralf R. , Kirsch Joachim , Jockusch Brigitte M.
Published: April 2018

Gephyrin is an essential component of the postsynaptic cortical protein network of inhibitory synapses. Gephyrin-based scaffolds participate in the assembly as well as the dynamics of receptor clusters by connecting the cytoplasmic domains of glycine and GABAAreceptor polypeptides to two cytoskeletal systems, microtubules and microfilaments. Although there is evidence for a physical linkage between gephyrin and microtubules, the interaction between gephyrin and microfilaments is not well understood so far. Here, we show that neuronal gephyrin interacts directly with key regulators of microfilament dynamics, profilin I and neuronal profilin IIa, and with microfilament adaptors of the mammalian enabled (Mena)/vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) family, including neuronal Mena. Profilin and Mena/VASP coprecipitate with gephyrin from tissue and cells, and complex formation requires the E-domain of gephyrin, not the proline-rich central domain. Consequently, gephyrin is not a ligand for the proline-binding motif of profilins, as suspected previously. Instead, it competes with G-actin and phospholipids for the same binding site on profilin. Gephyrin, profilin, and Mena/VASP colocalize at synapses of rat spinal cord and cultivated neurons and in gephyrin clusters expressed in transfected cells. Thus, Mena/VASP and profilin can contribute to the postulated linkage between receptors, gephyrin scaffolds, and the microfilament system and may regulate the microfilament-dependent receptor packing density and dynamics at inhibitory synapses.
The Origin of Cortical Surround Receptive Fields Studied in the Barrel Cortex
Authors: Fox Kevin , Wright Nicholas , Wallace Helen , Glazewski Stanislaw
Published: April 2018

The neocortex is thought to be organized into functional columns of neurons, each of which processes an element of a larger representation. In the barrel cortex, the thalamic input to the column preferentially terminates in a barrel. To study the extent and nature of functional connections between columns, we measured the degree to which whisker responses are relayed between columns in the barrel cortex. Inactivating a single barrel by iontophoresis of the GABAAagonist muscimol abolished the representation of that barrel's whisker in neighboring barrels. Reactivating a single barrel by iontophoresis of the GABAAantagonist bicuculline while the rest of the cortex was blocked by muscimol led to single whisker receptive fields. Under the same conditions, septal cells tended to exhibit multiwhisker receptive fields. These studies demonstrate that the surround receptive fields of barrel cells are generated by intracortical transmission and that many septal cells derive a component of their surround receptive field from the thalamus.