bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outbreak of duck viral hepatitis in duckling flocks in Poland - case report
Authors: Kozdru Wojciech , Czekaj Hanna , Lorek Mariusz
Published: December 2014

The aim of the study was to determine the aetiologic agent causing deaths in two flocks of Pekin ducklings at the age of 12 d in Poland. on the basis of clinical symptoms and pathological changes, viral hepatitis infection was suspected in the birds. During the necropsy, liver sections were collected, from which total cellular RNA was isolated. Then, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using primers complementary to the pre-S region of the duck hepatitis virus genome. In all liver samples, the presence of a 530 bp PCR product was detected. The RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of genetic material of duck hepatitis virus type 1 (DH type 1) in the examined ducklings.
Infections of swine caused by Leptospira serovars of serogroup Sejroe - possibilities of recognition with the use of PCR
Authors: Wasiński Bernard
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of leptospires from the Sejroe serogroup in aborting seropositive sows and to identify which serovars of this serogroup are responsible for the infection. Serum and urine samples from 20 aborting sows, reared in five farms infected with the Sejroe serogroup, were submitted for examination. Serum samples were examined by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and urine samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primer sets specific for genus Leptospira, species L. borgpetersenii, the Sejroe serogroup, and the Hardjo-bovis genotype. All the examined serum samples showed titres specific to the Sejroe serogroup, ranging from 100 to 6400. PCR indicated the presence of Leptospira genus-specific DNA sequences in all urine samples examined. DNA sequences specific for both L. borgpetersenii and the Sejroe serogroup were found in 12 of these samples. Additionally, the sequences specific only for L. borgpetersenii were found in five urine samples and sequences for the Sejroe serogroup in two samples. The DNA sequence specific for the Hardjo-bovis genotype was not found in the urine samples. PCR confirmed the results of the MAT, displayed the presence of Leptospira sp. DNA in the urine of all the sows examined, proved the affinity of the detected leptospires to the Sejroe serogroup or at least to L. borgpetersenii, and excluded the Hardjo serovar as the reason for the infections described in the sows.
Detection of Brucella sp. and Leptospira sp. in dogs using conventional polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Khamesipour Faham , Doosti Abbas , Emadi Mohsen Fard , Awosile Babafela
Published: December 2014

The study was conducted to detect Brucella sp. and Leptospira sp. in blood samples of dogs in Isfahan and Shahrekord province in Iran. A total of 94 blood samples were collected from dogs of different breed, age, sex, and dogs’ type (stray or nonstray). The samples were examined using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fourteen (14.89%) dogs were positive for Brucella sp. and 18 (19.15%). dogs for Leptospira sp. There were no significant differences between the prevalence of the pathogens, provinces, sex, and age groups (P > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference in prevalence of Brucella sp. and Leptospira sp. between stray and non-stray dogs (P < 0.0001; χ2 = 30.3767). The study also demonstrated that PCR was successfully used for the first time in Iran for the detection of Brucella sp. and Leptospira sp. in blood samples of dogs. Therefore, we recommend the PCR as a supplementary method with other commonly recognised methods (e.g. serological methods) for the diagnosis of subclinical infections with the microorganisms. Strict measures for the control of stray dogs are also highly recommended.
Application of quantitative PCR for detection of Mycoplasma suis in blood samples
Authors: Jabłoński Artur , Borowska Dominika , Zębek Sylwia , Kowalczyk Andrzej , Dors Arkadiusz , Żmudzki Jacek , Nowak Agnieszka , Pejsak Zygmunt
Published: December 2014

The aim of the study was to develop and validate a real-time PCR method, using a TaqMan probe, for quantification of Mycoplasma suis in porcine blood. No PCR signals with closely related non-haemotrophic mycoplasmas were obtained. The detection limit of PCR for plasmid combined with blood DNA was determined to be 103/reaction (5 μL of DNA) (1.2x105 target copies in 1 mL of blood). The linearity of real-time PCR (near 1) indicates its use as a quantitative method. Real-time and quantitative PCR were sensitive and specific for the detection and quantification of M. suis in the blood of animals with acute and chronic form of eperythrozoonosis. Developed quantitative PCR cannot be used to detect carrier animals with a small amount of M. suis in their blood. The validity of real-time PCR used in the studies was confirmed by the low inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation. This fact confirms the applicability of the assay in other laboratories.
Occurrence of Campylobacter on carcasses of slaughtered animals between 2009 and 2013
Authors: Wieczorek Kinga , Osek Jacek
Published: December 2014

A total of 2668 swabs from poultry (n = 2166), pig (n = 311), and cattle (n = 191) carcasses were collected in slaughterhouses all over Poland and tested for the presence of Campylobacter. It was found that 1319 (49.4%) of them were contaminated with these bacteria. The percentages of the positive samples were different in each year of the study and the highest proportion of Campylobacter contaminated samples occurred in 2009, when 64.1% of investigated carcasses were positive. On the other hand, the lowest prevalence of Campylobacter was observed in 2013, in the last year of the survey. In all kind of carcass samples both C. jejuni and C. coli were identified, although the pork meat was more contaminated with C. coli (75.3% of positive samples) than with C. jejuni (24.7%), whereas poultry was nearly equally positive for C. jejuni and C. coli (50.6% and 49.4% respectively). The analysis of seasonal contamination of the carcasses revealed that more positive results were found during the second half of year than between January and June. The prevalence of Campylobacter showed that in all provinces, except one (Pomorskie), the mean percentage of the positive samples was above 40%. The most contaminated samples were identified in Lubelskie (69.3%) and Zachodniopomorskie (66.3%) regions. The obtained results showed that slaughtered animals in Poland, especially broilers, were often contaminated with Campylobacter, either C. jejuni or C. coli.
Detection of classical genes and enterotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk in the south-east region of Poland
Authors: Korpysa-Dzirba Weronika , Osek Jacek
Published: December 2014

The aim of the study was to investigate if the enterotoxigenic strains of S. aureus isolated from raw milk are able to produce staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) A - E. A total of 168 of S. aureus isolates from raw milk collected in the south - east region of Poland (Lubelskie Province) were tested for SE production by the ELFA, while multiplex PCR was applied for detection of enterotoxin genes (sea, seb, sec, sed, see). It was found that 20 (11.9%) out of 168 strains were positive for one or more classical SE markers and 19 of them produced a detectable level of enterotoxins. The results obtained by mPCR and ELFA were in agreement, when the presence of A, B, and D toxin types was tested; whereas SEC was not found by the ELFA although the S. aureus was positive for the respective gene. The results of the two methods showed that mPCR identified one more strain potentially producing enterotoxin than the ELFA, which may suggest that the enterotoxigenic S. aureus are not always able to express the toxin protein.
Antipruritic application of ovocystatin in atopic dermatitis in dogs - preliminary study
Authors: Popiel Jarosław , Cekiera Agnieszka , Kurosad Agnieszka , Pasławska Urszula , Noszczyk-Nowak Agnieszka , Nicpo Józef
Published: December 2014

The study was an attempt to determine the possibilities of using ovocystatin, a component of a new generation product of natural origin, in local therapy of atopic dermatitis in dogs by suppressing pruritus during illness. Chicken egg cystatin was used locally in the interdigital spaces of forelimbs of dogs used in the experiment. The degree of pruritus and clinical changes in the animals were defined using CADESI-03 scale before and after the beginning of the experiment. The results obtained proved that ovocystatin may be used as a substance suppressing pruritus in atopic dermatitis.
Orthodontic treatment of dogs on the basis of modern knowledge and own experience
Authors: Polkowska Izabela , Gołyńska Magdalena , Sobczyńska-Rak Aleksandra , Putowska Katarzyna , Matthews-Brzozowska Teresa , Szyszkowska Anna , Gołyński Marcin , Chełmiński Artur , Capik Igor
Published: December 2014

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the orthodontic treatment of malocclusions in dogs, a condition which can lead to cranio-mandibular and functional disorders of the stomatognathic system. The treatment involved the use of maxillofacialorthopaedic appliances, which type depended on the type of disorder and the degree of malocclusion. The applied treatment induced changes in the alveolar bone. Throughout the process of the treatment a great attention was paid to regular brushing off the orthodontic appliance using antiseptics for prophylactic prevention of inflammation of gingival tissue and the palate caused by food getting stuck in the spaces between the teeth.
Analyses of Phytohormones in Coconut (Cocos Nucifera L.) Water Using Capillary Electrophoresis-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Tan Swee , Yong Jean , Ge Liya
Published: December 2014

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is reported as an alternative and potentially useful method for the simultaneous analysis of various classes of phytohormones with diversified structures, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA), zeatin (Z), N6-benzyladenine (BA), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The key to the CE-MS/MS analysis was based on electroosmotic flow reversal using a cationic polymer-coated capillary. Under optimum conditions, a baseline separation of eight phytohormones was accomplished within 30 min using 60 mM ammonium formate/formic acid buffer of pH 3.8 with −20 kV as the separation voltage. The accessibility of MS/MS together with the characterization by migration properties obtained by CE allows for the development of CE-MS/MS as an emerging potential method for the analysis of different classes of phytohormones in a single run. The utility of the CE-MS/MS method was demonstrated by the comprehensive screening of phytohormones in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water after pre-concentration and purification through solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. IAA, ABA, GA and Z were detected and quantified in the purified coconut water extract sample.
Effect of the Postural Challenge on the Dependence of the Cardiovascular Control Complexity on Age
Authors: Catai Aparecida , Takahashi Anielle , Perseguini Natália , Milan Juliana , Minatel Vinicius , Rehder-Santos Patrícia , Marchi Andrea , Bari Vlasta , Porta Alberto
Published: December 2014

Short-term complexity of heart period (HP) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was computed to detect age and gender influences over cardiovascular control in resting supine condition (REST) and during standing (STAND). Healthy subjects (n = 110, men = 55) were equally divided into five groups (21–30; 31–40; 41–50; 51–60; and 61–70 years of age). HP and SAP series were recorded for 15 min at REST and during STAND. A normalized complexity index (NCI) based on conditional entropy was assessed. At REST we found that both NCIHP and NCISAP decreased with age in the overall population, but only women were responsible for this trend. During STAND we observed that both NCIHP and NCISAP were unrelated to age in the overall population, even when divided by gender. When the variation of NCI in response to STAND (ΔNCI = NCI at REST-NCI during STAND) was computed individually, we found that ΔNCIHP progressively decreased with age in the overall population, and women were again responsible for this trend. Conversely, ΔNCISAP was unrelated to age and gender. This study stresses that the complexity of cardiovascular control and its ability to respond to stressors are more importantly lost with age in women than in men.
A Large Deviation Principle and an Expression of the Rate Function for a Discrete Stationary Gaussian Process
Authors: Faugeras Olivier , MacLaurin James
Published: December 2014

We prove a large deviation principle for a stationary Gaussian process over Rb,indexed by Ζd (for some positive integers d and b), with positive definite spectral density, andprovide an expression of the corresponding rate function in terms of the mean of the processand its spectral density. This result is useful in applications where such an expression isneeded.
Testing for A Set of Linear Restrictions in VARMA Models Using Autoregressive Metric: An Application to Granger Causality Test
Authors: Di Iorio Francesca , Triacca Umberto
Published: December 2014

In this paper we propose a test for a set of linear restrictions in a Vector Autoregressive Moving Average (VARMA) model. This test is based on the autoregressive metric, a notion of distance between two univariate ARMA models, M0 and M1, introduced by Piccolo in 1990. In particular, we show that this set of linear restrictions is equivalent to a null distance d(M0,M1 ) between two given ARMA models. This result provides the logical basis for using d(M0,M1) = 0 as a null hypothesis in our test. Some Monte Carlo evidence about the finite sample behavior of our testing procedure is provided and two empirical examples are presented.
Hydrology: An International and Interdisciplinary Scientific Open Access Journal
Authors: Batelaan Okke
Published: December 2014

Water is essential to all forms of life and is regarded as the most important and exploited natural resource in the world. Water moves through and is stored in different compartments of the Earth environment (atmosphere, glaciers, vegetation, soil, shallow and deep subsurface, rivers, lakes and oceans) at different velocities and quantities respectively, strongly controlled by current and past hydrometeorological and geological conditions. Understanding and quantification of the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the typical physical processes like precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, interception, infiltration, runoff, recharge, surface water and groundwater discharge form the fundamental components of the hydrological sciences. Hence, one of the definitions of hydrology is the scientific study of the occurrence, distribution, movement and properties of the waters and their interaction with the environment within each phase of the hydrologic cycle [1]. [...]
Predicting Relevant Change in High Resolution Satellite Imagery
Authors: Klaric Matthew
Published: December 2014

With the ever increasing volume of remote sensing imagery collected by satellite constellations and aerial platforms, the use of automated techniques for change detection has grown in importance, such that changes in features can be quickly identified. However, the amount of data collected surpasses the capacity of imagery analysts. In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of imagery analysts performing data maintenance activities, we propose a method to predict relevant changes in high resolution satellite imagery based on human annotations on selected regions of an image. We study a variety of classifiers in order to determine which is most accurate. Additionally, we experiment with a variety of ways in which a diverse set of training data can be constructed to improve the quality of predictions. The proposed method aids in the analysis of change detection results by using various classifiers to develop a relevant change model that can be used to predict the likelihood of other analyzed areas containing a relevant change or not. These predictions of relevant change are useful to analysts, because they speed the interrogation of automated change detection results by leveraging their observations of areas already analyzed. A comparison of four classifiers shows that the random forest technique slightly outperforms other approaches.
From End to End: tRNA Editing at 5'- and 3'-Terminal Positions
Authors: Betat Heike , Long Yicheng , Jackman Jane , Mörl Mario
Published: December 2014

During maturation, tRNA molecules undergo a series of individual processing steps, ranging from exo- and endonucleolytic trimming reactions at their 5'- and 3'-ends, specific base modifications and intron removal to the addition of the conserved 3'-terminal CCA sequence. Especially in mitochondria, this plethora of processing steps is completed by various editing events, where base identities at internal positions are changed and/or nucleotides at 5'- and 3'-ends are replaced or incorporated. In this review, we will focus predominantly on the latter reactions, where a growing number of cases indicate that these editing events represent a rather frequent and widespread phenomenon. While the mechanistic basis for 5'- and 3'-end editing differs dramatically, both reactions represent an absolute requirement for generating a functional tRNA. Current in vivo and in vitro model systems support a scenario in which these highly specific maturation reactions might have evolved out of ancient promiscuous RNA polymerization or quality control systems.
A Longitudinal Study of Health Improvement in the Atlanta CHDWB Wellness Cohort
Authors: Tabassum Rubina , Cunningham Lynn , Stephens Emily , Sturdivant Katelyn , Martin Gregory , Brigham Kenneth , Gibson Greg
Published: December 2014

The Center for Health Discovery and Wellbeing (CHDWB) is an academic program designed to evaluate the efficacy of clinical self-knowledge and health partner counseling for development and maintenance of healthy behaviors. This paper reports on the change in health profiles for over 90 traits, measured in 382 participants over three visits in the 12 months following enrolment. Significant changes in the desired direction of improved health are observed for many traits related to cardiovascular health, including BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, and arterial stiffness, as well as for summary measures of physical and mental health. The changes are most notable for individuals in the upper quartile of baseline risk, many of whom showed a positive correlated response across clinical categories. By contrast, individuals who start with more healthy profiles do not generally show significant improvements and only a modest impact of targeting specific health attributes was observed. Overall, the CHDWB model shows promise as an effective intervention particularly for individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Design and Optimisation of Bioactive Cyclic Peptides: Generation of a Down-Regulator of TNF Secretion
Authors: New Roger , Bansal Gurpal , Dryjska Malgorzata , Bogus Michal , Green Patricia , Feldmann Marc , Brennan Fionula
Published: December 2014

Although strong binding interactions between protein receptor and ligand do not require the participation of a large number of amino acids in either site, short peptide chains are generally poor at recreating the types of protein-protein interactions which take place during cell recognition and signalling process, probably because their flexible backbones prevent the side chains from forming sufficiently rigid and stable epitopes, which can take part in binding with the desired strength and specificity. In a recently-reported study, it was shown that a proto-epitope containing F, R and S amino acids has the ability to down-regulate TNF secretion by macrophages. This paper extends these findings, putting those amino acids into a short cyclic peptide scaffold, and determining the optimal configuration required to overcome the problems of conformational instability, and give rise to molecules which have potential as therapeutic agents in human disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Molecular Insights into the Genetic Diversity of Hemarthria compressa Germplasm Collections Native to Southwest China
Authors: Guo Zhi-Hui , Fu Kai-Xin , Zhang Xin-Quan , Bai Shi-Qie , Fan Yan , Peng Yan , Huang Lin-Kai , Yan Yan-Hong , Liu Wei , Ma Xiao
Published: December 2014

Start codon targeted polymorphism (SCoT) analysis was employed to distinguish 37 whipgrass (Hemarthria compressa L.) clones and assess the genetic diversity and population structure among these genotypes. The informativeness of markers was also estimated using various parameters. Using 25 highly reproducible primer sets, 368 discernible fragments were generated. Of these, 282 (77.21%) were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 21, and the genetic variation indices varied. The polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.358, the Shannon diversity index (H) was 0.534, the marker index (MI) was 4.040, the resolving power (RP) was 6.108, and the genotype index (GI) was 0.782. Genetic similarity coefficients (GS) between the accessions ranged from 0.563 to 0.872, with a mean of 0.685. Their patterns observed in a dendrogram constructed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean analysis (UPGMA) based on GS largely confirmed the results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). PCoA was further confirmed by Bayesian model-based STRUCTURE analysis, which revealed no direct association between genetic relationship and geographical origins as validated by Mantel’s test (r = 0.2268, p = 0.9999). In addition, high-level genetic variation within geographical groups was significantly greater than that between groups, as determined by Shannon diversity analysis, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and Bayesian analysis. Overall, SCoT analysis is a simple, effective and reliable technique for characterizing and maintaining germplasm collections of whipgrass and related species.
Determination and Pharmacokinetic Study of Gentiopicroside, Geniposide, Baicalin, and Swertiamarin in Chinese Herbal Formulae after Oral Administration in Rats by LC-MS/MS
Authors: Lu Chia-Ming , Lin Lie-Chwen , Tsai Tung-Hu
Published: December 2014

A sensitive and efficient liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of gentiopicroside, geniposide, baicalin, and swertiamarin in rat plasma. To avoid the stress caused by restraint or anesthesia, a freely moving rat model was used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of herbal medicine after the administration of a traditional Chinese herbal prescription of Long-Dan-Xie-Gan-Tang (10 g/kg, p.o.). Analytes were separated by a C18 column with a gradient system of methanol–water containing 1 mM ammonium acetate with 0.1% formic acid. The linear ranges were 10–500 ng/mL for gentiopicroside, geniposide, and baicalin, and 5–250 ng/mL for swertiamarin in biological samples. The intra- and inter-day precision (relative standard deviation) ranged from 0.9% to 11.4% and 0.3% to 14.4%, respectively. The accuracy (relative error) was from −6.3% to 10.1% at all quality control levels. The analytical system provided adequate matrix effect and recovery with good precision and accuracy. The pharmacokinetic data demonstrated that the area under concentration-time curve (AUC) values of gentiopicroside, geniposide, baicalin, and swertiamarin were 1417 ± 83.8, 302 ± 25.8, 753 ± 86.2, and 2.5 ± 0.1 min µg/mL. The pharmacokinetic profiles provide constructive information for the dosage regimen of herbal medicine and also contribute to elucidate the absorption mechanism in herbal applications and pharmacological experiments.
Simple Sugar Intake and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Epidemiological and Mechanistic Insight
Authors: Laguna Juan , Alegret Marta , Roglans Núria
Published: December 2014

Sugar intake has dramatically increased during the last few decades. Specifically, there has been a clear trend towards higher consumption of fructose and high fructose corn syrup, which are the most common added sugars in processed food, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages. Although still controversial, this rising trend in simple sugar consumption has been positively associated with weight gain and obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Interestingly, all of these metabolic alterations have also been related to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this review is to discuss the evidence coming from epidemiological studies and data from animal models relating the consumption of simple sugars, and specifically fructose, with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and to gain insight into the putative molecular mechanisms involved.
Effects of Levocarnitine on Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Higuchi Terumi , Abe Masanori , Yamazaki Toshio , Mizuno Mari , Okawa Erina , Ando Hideyuki , Oikawa Osamu , Okada Kazuyoshi , Kikuchi Fumito , Soma Masayoshi
Published: December 2014

Background and Aims: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease patients often exhibit a deficiency in l-carnitine due to loss during hemodialysis (HD). We studied the effects of l-carnitine supplementation on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of atherosclerosis, in HD patients. Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, randomized, parallel controlled, multi-center trial testing the anti-atherosclerotic efficacy of oral l-carnitine administration (20 mg/kg/day). HD patients (n = 176, mean age, 67.2 ± 10.3 years old; mean duration of HD, 54 ± 51 months) with plasma free l-carnitine deficiency (<40 μmol/L) were randomly assigned to the oral l-carnitine group (n = 88) or control group (n = 88) and monitored during 12 months of treatment. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline clinical variables between the l-carnitine and control groups. l-carnitine supplementation for 12 months significantly increased total, free, and acyl carnitine levels, and reduced the acyl/free carnitine ratio. The baPWV value decreased from 2085 ± 478 cm/s at baseline to 1972 ± 440 cm/s after six months (p < 0.05) to 1933 ± 363 cm/s after 12 months (p < 0.001) of l-carnitine administration, while no significant changes in baPWV were observed in the control group. Baseline baPWV was the only factor significantly correlated with the decrease in baPWV. Conclusions: l-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced baPWV in HD patients. l-carnitine may be a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
The Role of Dietary Fat throughout the Prostate Cancer Trajectory
Authors: Di Sebastiano Katie , Mourtzakis Marina
Published: December 2014

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed world-wide; however, patients demonstrate exceptionally high survival rates. Many lifestyle factors, including obesity and diet, are considered risk factors for advanced prostate cancer. Dietary fat is a fundamental contributor to obesity and may be specifically important for prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer treatment can result in changes in body composition, affecting quality of life for survivors by increasing the risk of co-morbidities, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We aim to examine dietary fat throughout the prostate cancer treatment trajectory, including risk, cancer development and survivorship. Focusing on one specific nutrient throughout the prostate cancer trajectory provides a unique perspective of dietary fat in prostate cancer and the mechanisms that may exacerbate prostate cancer risk, progression and recurrence. Through this approach, we noted that high intake of dietary fat, especially, high intake of animal and saturated fats, may be associated with increased prostate cancer risk. In contrast, a low-fat diet, specifically low in saturated fat, may be beneficial for prostate cancer survivors by reducing tumor angiogenesis and cancer recurrence. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/Akt signaling pathway appears to be the key pathway moderating dietary fat intake and prostate cancer development and progression.
Fossilized Venom: The Unusually Conserved Venom Profiles of Heloderma Species (Beaded Lizards and Gila Monsters)
Authors: Koludarov Ivan , Jackson Timothy , Sunagar Kartik , Nouwens Amanda , Hendrikx Iwan , Fry Bryan
Published: December 2014

Research into snake venoms has revealed extensive variation at all taxonomic levels. Lizard venoms, however, have received scant research attention in general, and no studies of intraclade variation in lizard venom composition have been attempted to date. Despite their iconic status and proven usefulness in drug design and discovery, highly venomous helodermatid lizards (gila monsters and beaded lizards) have remained neglected by toxinological research. Proteomic comparisons of venoms of three helodermatid lizards in this study has unravelled an unusual similarity in venom-composition, despite the long evolutionary time (~30 million years) separating H. suspectum from the other two species included in this study (H. exasperatum and H. horridum). Moreover, several genes encoding the major helodermatid toxins appeared to be extremely well-conserved under the influence of negative selection (but with these results regarded as preliminary due to the scarcity of available sequences). While the feeding ecologies of all species of helodermatid lizard are broadly similar, there are significant morphological differences between species, which impact upon relative niche occupation.
Extracellular vesicles in parasitic diseases
Authors: Marcilla Antonio , Martin‐Jaular Lorena , Trelis Maria , de Menezes‐Neto Armando , Osuna Antonio , Bernal Dolores , Fernandez‐Becerra Carmen , Almeida Igor C. , del Portillo Hernando A.
Published: December 2014

Parasitic diseases affect billions of people and are considered a major public health issue. Close to 400 species are estimated to parasitize humans, of which around 90 are responsible for great clinical burden and mortality rates. Unfortunately, they are largely neglected as they are mainly endemic to poor regions. Of relevance to this review, there is accumulating evidence of the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in parasitic diseases, acting both in parasite–parasite inter‐communication as well as in parasite–host interactions. EVs participate in the dissemination of the pathogen and play a role in the regulation of the host immune systems. Production of EVs from parasites or parasitized cells has been described for a number of parasitic infections. In this review, we provide the most relevant findings of the involvement of EVs in intercellular communication, modulation of immune responses, involvement in pathology, and their potential as new diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents in some of the major human parasitic pathogens.
GIBSON PARADOX REVISITED – LIQUIDITY CHAIN EFFECT
Authors: Škare Marinko , Mošnja-Škare Lorena
Published: December 2014

Gibson paradox remains a puzzle in the discipline of economics. Previous studies attempted to resolve the paradox looking separately at the gold standard, changing monetary regimes, inflation expectations, risk and uncertainty. Our study shows Gibson paradox holds for the Netherlands 1800-2012 with real long interest rates and prices diverging after 2008. This paper offers empirical evidence (nonlinear cointegration) on the integrity of the Gibson paradox. Single factor cannot explain the paradox itself (because of its nonlinear nature) as previous studies attempted. Empirical link between long interest rates and prices is caused by complex interaction between purchasing power, liquidity, gold prices, market turnover, stocks accumulation, productivity, short-term interest rates. This approach analysis the purchasing power and price relation, resulting in firms’ turnover and liquidity shifts, leading to short-term borrowings changes and pressures on interest rates in the short as well as in long-term. Actually, the model enables us to track the series of price change effects finally resulting in interest rates shifts, via a set of microeconomic and financial laws, which taken at the aggregate level could offer the Gibson paradox explanation. Further studies must explore nonlinear nature of the paradox in order to explain it. Study results have important implications for policy makers and firm governance policy.
THE USE OF E-PASSPORTS FOR INBOUND AIRPORT BORDER SECURITY SCREENING: THE PASSENGER PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Kneale David K. , Baxter Glenn S. , Wild Graham
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the use of machine readable passport systems for inbound airport border security screening, from the perspective of the travelling public. Traditional stamped passports are increasingly being replaced by electronic documents, or e-passports, and associated screening technology. This reality has been examined from the users’ point-of-view. To investigate the use of e-passports, a survey was conducted on inbound international passengers arriving at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport. Use in terms of usage rate, usability, ease of use, time, and satisfaction were investigated. In terms of gender, there was no difference in the five categories. For age, there was a statistical significant difference in terms of usage rate and clearance times, between younger (16 to 44 year olds) and older (45+) passengers. That is, 16 to 44 year olds were more likely to use the technology, and as a result, took less time to clear customs. The direct relationship between these is apparent, the fact that more 45+ passengers did not use the system resulted in their longer clearance times. More interesting is the fact that those 45+ passengers that utilised the system reported it was as easy to use as 16 to 44 year olds, and were equally satisfied when using the system.
THE EVOLUTION OF LOW COST CARRIERS IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Srisaeng Panarat , Baxter Glenn S. , Wild Graham
Published: December 2014

Due to the vast distances across the country as well as between urban centres, Australia is heavily reliant upon its air transport industry. Following deregulation of Australia's domestic air travel market on the 30th October, 1990, low cost carriers have entered the market. Australia's LCC market has had three discrete phases. The first wave occurred between 1990 and 1993 and was subsequently followed by a duopoly period in 1994–1999. The second wave occurred between 2000 and 2006 and the final wave has been in the post-2006 period. This paper examines the evolution of Australia's domestic low cost carrier airline market and finds that by 2010, low cost carriers had captured around 64 per cent of the market. Following the evolution of the “Virgin Australia” business model from a low cost carrier to a full service network carrier, commencing in 2011, the low cost carrier's market share has declined significantly and is now around 31 per cent. “Jetstar” and “Tiger Airways” are the two major carriers presently operating in this market segment.
DESIGN PARAMETERS ASSESSMENT FOR GROUND ANCHORS IN TERTIERY FLUVIAL CLAYS
Authors: Štefaňák Jan , Miča Lumír
Published: December 2014

The design of the bond length of an postgrouted presstressed anchor is based on presumption of bond shear stress on contact of the bond skin and surrounding soil. Statistical analysis of measured test data was performed, including Latin Hypercube Sampling technique, to specify shear stress parameter for geotechnical conditions of Neogene fluvial clays stiff to very stiff consistency. Information about anchors installed into clays was abstracted from acceptance tests records provided by TOPGEO – Czech special foundations contractor. All tested anchors were used as supports of temporary retaining structures on construction site in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Results of conducted analysis are expressed as confidence interval estimation of mean of bond shear stress parameter. This parameter is usable for future design of anchors installed into analogical geotechnical conditions. Influencing of results by technological aspects of the construction process is partially discussed too.
NEW MEDIA IN THE EDUCATION OF THE NET GENERATION / NAUJOSIOS MEDIJOS UGDANT TINKLO KARTĄ
Authors: Klibavičius Darius
Published: December 2014

The article focuses on the role of New Media in the education of the Net Generation. The Net Generation student is a new type learner who has an alternative approach to the process of learning. This Generation requires applying new paradigms for teaching and learning beyond the traditional classroom. Therefore, the paper analyzes such students’ needs, their learning characteristics and the objectives of the 21st century education as well as a variety of learning environments. The usage of New Media and digital technologies significantly alters teaching programs (curriculum) and the selection of teaching methods. The fundamental goal for the educators is to discover and apply such learning forms and tools that effectively convey teaching content, help to achieve new learning objectives and encourage students to collaborate actively. Straipsnyje pagrindinis dėmesys skiriamas naujųjų medijų vaidmeniui ugdant tinklo kartą. Tinklo kartos studentas yra naujo tipo besimokantysis, kuris turi alternatyvų požiūrį į mokymosi procesą. Ši karta reikalauja taikyti naujas mokymo (-si) paradigmas anapus tradicinės klasės, todėl tekste analizuojami šių studentų poreikiai, jų mokymosi ypatybės, nagrinėjami XXI a. ugdymo tikslai ir mokymosi aplinkų įvairovė. Naujųjų medijų ir skaitmeninių technologijų naudojimas reikšmingai pakeičia mokymo programas (curriculum) ir mokymo metodų pasirinkimą. Esminis pedagogų tikslas – atrasti ir taikyti tokias mokymosi formas bei priemones, kurios veiksmingai perteiktų mokymo turinį, padėtų pasiekti naujus mokymosi tikslus ir skatintų studentus aktyviai bendradarbiauti.
TH. HOBBES’ VISIBLE RHETORIC: A CASE STUDY OF HISTORY OF POLITICAL IDEAS / T. HOBBESO VIZUALIOJI RETORIKA: POLITINIŲ IDĖJŲ ISTORIJOS ATVEJO ANALIZĖ
Authors: Mester Béla
Published: December 2014

In the topic of this article, it is the early modern intellectual history; it will be offered at first an overview of the approaches of the parallelism between the researches of words, pictures, and gestures, based on the author's personal experiences as a researcher of this epoch. The first examples will be several loci of English classics, John Milton, and John Locke; then it will be mentioned the significance of the methodology of the “Iconic Turn,” with the concept of “pictorial (speech) act”, and with the history of religious art. At the end of this overview it will be mentioned briefly the methodological contribution of the Cambridge school of intellectual history, and that of the Geschichtliche Grundbegriffe of Reinhart Koselleck. Second part of this article will offer a historical example from the early modern age. The first one is an analysis of several details of Thomas Hobbes’ ambivalent relationship with the antique tradition of rhetoric, and their consequences for the visual sphere. Šio straipsnio tema – moderniųjų laikų pradžios intelektualinė istorija. Pirmoje jo dalyje pateikiama tarp mokslinių tyrinėjimų, skirtų žodžiams, vaizdams ir gestams, susiklostančių paralelių traktavimo bendroji samprata. Vienoks ar kitoks jų traktavimas priklauso nuo autoriaus, kaip toje epochoje gyvenančio tyrėjo, asmeninių patirčių. Pirmieji pavyzdžiai – tai keletas anglų klasikų, tokių kaip Johnas Miltonas ir Johnas Locke'as. Paskui pabrėžiama „vaizdinio posūkio“ metodologijos „vaizdavimo (kalbėjimo) akto“ koncepto, religinio meno istorijos svarba. Galiausiai trumpai paminimas Kembridžo mokyklos indėlis į intelektualinę istoriją ir Reinharto Kosellecko Geschichtliche Grundbegriffe. Antroje straipsnio dalyje pateikiamas istorinis pavyzdys iš ankstyvosios moderniosios epochos. Pirmiausia imamasi Thomaso Hobbeso ambivalentiško santykio su antikine retorikos tradicija keleto detalių analizės, o paskui aptariama šio santykio įtaka vizualumo sričiai.
Implementation of a Heart Failure Quality Initiative in a Skilled Nursing Facility: Lessons Learned
Authors: Nazir Arif , Dennis M.E. , Unroe Kathleen T.
Published: December 2014

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are organizations that represent complex adaptive systems, offering barriers to the implementation of quality improvement (QI) initiatives. The current article describes the authors’ efforts to use the approach of reflective adaptive process to implement a new model of care (i.e., the Skilled Heart Unit Program) for effective heart failure (HF) care in one SNF. A team of stakeholders from the local hospital system and a local SNF was convened to design and implement this new model. Evaluation of the implementation processes confirmed the value of the implementation approach, which centered on team-based approaches, staff engagement, and flexibility of processes to respect the SNF’s needs and culture. Interviews with facility staff and the administrator revealed their perceptions that the strategy resulted in better HF care, enhanced teamwork between staff and clinicians, and improved staff job satisfaction. This work provides a unique blueprint of strategic QI implementation for patients with HF in the SNF setting. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 41
(5), 26–33.]
Phylogenetic relationships of Erysimum (Brassicaceae) from the Baetic Mountains (SE Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Abdelaziz Mohamed , Muñoz-Pajares A. Jesús , Lorite Juan , Herrador M. Belén , Perfectti Francisco , Gómez José M.
Published: December 2014

The Baetic mountains, located in the southern Iberian Peninsula, is a major hotspot of biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin, constituting one of the most important glacial refugia for vascular plants in Europe. Despite their relatively limited extension, the Baetic Mountains contain almost 50% of the total endemic Erysimum species in the Iberian Peninsula. The broadly distributed Erysimum genus has diversified profusely in the Mediterranean region, with more than a hundred species described in the area, out of a total of c. 200 species included in the genus. We used two plastid DNA regions (ndhF and trnT-L) and one nuclear DNA region (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2), with 3,556 bp total length, to carry out phylogenetic analysis by Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony, in order to explore the evolutionary relationships between the Erysimum species inhabiting these ranges. Analyses of concatenated sequences from the two genomes identified two main clades with no overlap in species composition so that samples from the same species fell within the same major clade. The phylogenetic relationships depicted by those two clades do not give support to the E. nevadense group, previously proposed on taxonomic grounds. In addition, our results indicated recurrent changes in flower colour in the Baetic Erysimum species although, alternatively, reticulate evolution, which is suggested by incongruent position of taxa in the different trees, may have also affected this trait.
Illustrations and studies in Neotropical Orchidaceae. 6. The Lepanthes guatemalensis group (Pleurothallidinae) in Costa Rica
Authors: Pupulin Franco , Bogarín Diego
Published: December 2014

We revise and characterize the group of species close to Lepanthes guatemalensis. The group comprises eight species in Costa Rica. Three new species are described and illustrated. Lepanthes durikäensis is distinguished by the non resupinate flowers, the lateral sepals ovate with the apical tails diverging, the lower lobe of petals lanceolate-subfalcate, up-curved and the pinkish column. Lepanthes leporina is recognized by the resupinate flowers with yellow sepals, faintly suffused with red, the petals violet, the lip orange, the bifid synsepal with the apices of the lateral sepals not forming tails, the lateral sepals subequal to the dorsal sepal, the petals markedly convex with the upper lobe elliptic-lanceolate and the lobes of the lip connivent at apex. Lepanthes sanctiorum is characterized by the small plants less than 1.1 cm tall, the short peduncle less than 10 mm long, the petals as wide as the lip length and the blades of the lip distinctly diverging at apex. All the species are described and illustrated on the basis of Costa Rican material. A key to the species of the group is provided.
EPILEPTIFORM DISCHARGES DETECTION FROM EEG SIGNALS USING GROUPED-CHANNEL RESTRICTED BAND ANALYSIS
Authors: Yang Sheng-Chih , Lan Sheng-Hsing , Chang Han-Yen , Chung Pau-Choo
Published: December 2014

Epileptiform activities can be detected by scanning the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals of an epileptic patient. Since EEG provides multi-channel signals, it is an opportunity to employ multi-spectrum signal processing techniques for improving the accuracy of signal separation or feature extraction. Although multi-channel signals provide stronger characteristics than a single signal for feature extraction, taking all of the EEG signals into consideration may interfere with the accuracy of epileptiform discharge detection because a part of the signals that do not contain the epileptic activity will be treated as noise. In this paper, we developed a new signature analysis scheme, grouped-channel restricted band analysis (GRBA), for interictal epileptiform discharges (IED) detection from EEG signals. Unlike most traditional epileptic activity detection techniques that inaccurately take single or all EEG signals into consideration, GRBA simultaneously considers three important characteristics of epileptiform discharge waves, i.e. multispectral, finite spread, and specific duration, to detect epileptiform discharges efficiently. A series of experiments were conducted to compare GRBA with traditional feature-classifier methods and the non-grouped approach to evaluate this novel approach by the correct detection rate (Rc) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The experimental results showed that our new signature analysis scheme, GRBA, had a superior quality. Moreover, we observed that the area under ROC curves and the Rc for GRBA were as high as 0.9479 and 94.1%, respectively.
Clustering by Swarm Intelligence in the Ad-Hoc Networks
Authors: Meroufel Bakhta , Belalem Ghalem
Published: December 2014

An Ad-hoc wireless is composed mainly of mobile hosts that communicate with each other without fixed infrastructure and no central administration. The main problems associated with these networks are the unpredictable mobility of hosts and a modest flow of communication. In this context, a major problem is partitioning the network in groups called clusters, giving a hierarchical organization. This work presents a deterministic self-stabilizing clustering algorithm for Ad-Hoc networks based on PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization). The proposed approach creates clusters and controls the nodes mobility to ensure more stability for the system. To increase the network life and reduce the answer time of user queries, it proposed also a replication strategy based on the non-similarity degree. The simulations show that the cooperative approaches (clustering, mobility and replication) minimize the energy consumption and increase the QoS of the system.