bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interological Turn in Media Ecology
Authors: Zhang Peter , McLuhan Eric
Published: March 2017

This dialogue foregrounds the interological nature of media ecology as a style of exploration into the human condition. Besides Marshall McLuhan, it also brings Gilles Deleuze, field theory, and the I Ching, et cetera, to bear on media ecological inquiry. The idea is to reveal a pattern instead of defining a term.
Being-Jazz in the Middle
Authors: Charland Maurice
Published: March 2017

Jazz rhetoric can mean two things. The first is the discourse about jazz, its significance and its meaning. The second is the music itself as an unfolding form performed to an audience. Both have constitutive political effects that function through pathos prior to a distinction between subject and object. This pathos arises through in-betweenness or interality, and can be described in terms of the middle voice, Dasein, and aesthetic experience. This article develops these concepts through a discussion of the jazz rhetorics of Wynton Marsalis and Amiri Baraka.
Why Is It Change Instead of Being? Meditating on the Interalogical Meaning of Change/Yi in the Book of Change
Authors: Shang Geling
Published: March 2017

This article explores the multiple senses of yi or change in the Yi Jing or Book of Change, as a conception that denotes nothing but interality. By looking at the text interalogically, it tries to reveal that the underlying magnitude of the book is its focus on change as a study of interality (jianxing 间性), rather than Being, which thus became the foundation or point of departure of early Chinese thought.
Deleuze and Zen: An Interological Adventure
Authors: Zhang Peter
Published: March 2017

This article experiments with interology as a mode of inquiry. It creates a multitude of interalities between Deleuze’s works and Zen literature, partly for purposes of mutual illumination, partly for the sake of involution. It is meant as equipment for living, which is incomplete without the reader’s involvement. Its serviceability rests on the reader’s becoming one with it.
Co-Created Learning: Decolonizing Journalism Education in Canada
Authors: Todorova Miglena
Published: March 2017

The voices of journalism educators are largely absent from scholarly debates about media, journalism, and decolonization. To address this gap, this case study of Canadian journalism education reviewed the curricula of 10 university journalism programs as well as literature in journalism education, journalism cultures, and Indigenous journalism(s) to explore the links between power, journalism education, and social relations. The study aims to encourage journalism educators to apply a decolonizing approach that appreciates the pedagogical value of Indigenous practices related to media and communication and embeds Indigenous epistemologies across the curricula. This will help foster co-created learning that enriches both the professional repertoire of journalists and social well-being, by bridging the cultural, political, and social rifts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
They Are Not My Problem: A Content and Framing Analysis of References to the Social Determinants of Health within Canadian News Media, 1993–2014
Authors: Lucyk Kelsey
Published: March 2017

As public support is essential for implementing policies that act on the underlying social determinants of health (SDOH), it is important to consider how the public is exposed to this issue. This article explores how the SDOH have been represented in Canadian news media articles from 1993 to 2014. Of the 113 articles that explicitly included SDOH, housing (12.9%), income (10.5%), and poverty (9.3%) were most frequently reported. Over time, the reporting of SDOH increased, with peaks of coverage occurring at different times for different determinants (e.g., housing in 2005, income in 2009). A framing analysis revealed that the SDOH are presented in multiple ways: as an actionable issue and responsibility of government, a moral responsibility, and—problematically—as an issue that only affects disadvantaged groups.
Creating iPhone Dreams: Annihilating E-waste Nightmares
Authors: Good Jennifer Ellen
Published: March 2017

This article explores how the iPhone phenomenon was born, the reality of electronic waste, and the annihilation of news frames that link our use of electronics and electronic waste. Media sources and Google queries were searched for stories about the iPhone and electronic waste. Symbolic annihilation, push-and-pull media, and agenda-setting theory’s obtrusive issues are used to explore the implications. The results indicate that stories about the iPhone are plentiful and stories about electronic-waste very few and far between. The results also clearly show that stories that make connections between iPhones and electronic waste are annihilated. This article highlights that the iPhone is an iconic and readily outdated example of the horrible “waste makers” we have become. The conclusion offers suggestions for ways forward.
The Sound of Silence: The Absence of Public Service Values in Canadian Media Discourse about the CBC
Authors: DeCillia Brooks , McCurdy Patrick
Published: March 2017

Public service broadcasting (PSB) across the world is in crisis. This article examines how, if at all, normative academic ideals of public service broadcasting inform discussion about the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in Canadian news media. The researchers undertook a quantitative ( N = 467) and qualitative ( n = 29) content analysis of five years of Canadian news media coverage about the CBC published between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2014. Their systematic analysis of this research found little connection was made between the CBC and discussions of public service values. This study contends that the pre-eminence of neoliberal discourse represents a serious assault to broadcasters with a public service ethos.
Fidelity as Interseriality: The Challenges of Adapting the Québécois TV Series Les Invincibles for Broadcast in France
Authors: Boudon Héloïse , Niemeyer Katharina
Published: March 2017

This article takes a closer look at the processes of transcultural adaptation by focusing on the French-Canadian television series Les Invincibles (Radio-Canada, 2005), which was adapted for the French-German cultural channel ARTE in 2010. Based on recent developments in adaptation studies, the authors discuss the question of fidelity as interseriality on two adaptation levels: production process and the diegetic world. Their interest lies in how this example of a multi-faceted, hybrid format impacts upon representations of identities and cultural specificities when it comes to its transcultural adaptation. In-depth, semi-structured, and qualitative interviews with producers and screenwriters are discussed within a content analysis of the episodes as well as a semiotic reflection on aesthetics and narrative aspects.
Contemplation as Educational Activism within Communication Studies
Authors: Pyati Ajit
Published: March 2017

Critical reflection, contemplation, and inner transformation are vitally important for Canadian communication studies, particularly with regard to issues of pedagogy. To address this concern, this article brings the field of contemplative education into conversation with communication studies. Contemplative education is a small but growing field within the academy that deals with issues of inner meaning and purpose. The article provides examples of how these two fields can have meaningful interactions and is a call for more scholars and instructors in communication studies to explore contemplative education’s potentially transformative applications. Ultimately, contemplative education can be seen as a form of educational activism within Canadian communication studies, linking the robust critical tradition of the field with a much-needed focus on inner transformation and deeply personal forms of learning.
The Audience “Talking Back”: Alan M. Thomas’ Educational Television Experiment in Democratic Decision-Making
Authors: Salamon Errol
Published: March 2017

In 1959, adult educator Alan M. Thomas outlined a pioneering concept of the active broadcast audience in Canada. Thomas affirmed that the audience’s potential to be a force for two-way communication and direct democracy had been unfulfilled. Twenty years later, Thomas put this concept into practice. As president and chair of the Canadian Association for Adult Education, he developed a participatory television series with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation called People Talking Back. The six-part series was an activist experiment in democratic decision-making to facilitate social action and learning outside of formal educational institutions. This Research in Brief brings together Thomas’ concept of the audience with his adult educational broadcasting scholarship and research on People Talking Back, all of which have remained relatively unrecognized by communication scholars.
This Is Contract Faculty Time
Authors: Hanke Bob
Published: March 2017

This article argues that Maurizio Lazzarato’s (2014) book Signs and Machines: Capitalism and the Production of Subjectivity is useful for apprehending the employment of contract faculty. After setting the scene of the university, I examine the mixed semiotics of the York University budget. I then look inside CUPE Local 3903’s history and politics, and focus on the video This Is Contract Faculty Time: York Faculty in Support of Contract Faculty. In the next section I describe how mixed semiotics operates at the bargaining table. Finally, I review the outcome of collective bargaining with respect to job security, political action, and truth-telling. This case of academic labour struggle shows that semiotization and subjectivation need to be better understood. I conclude with some remarks on challenges, academic freedom, and ways of reforming the faculty employment system.
Aportes y limitaciones del Boston naming test: evidencia a partir de controles colombianos
Authors: Duarte Pedroza Liliana , Espitia Angie , Montañés Patricia
Published: March 2017

Introducción: el Boston naming test (Kaplan, Goodglass & Weintraub, 1983, 2001) es una prueba de denominación por confrontación visual que evalúa la capacidad de acceso lexical. La influencia de variables socio-demográficas es significativa en esta tarea y es importante establecer sus características en cada población.

Objetivo: analizar las características psicométricas del BNT en una población de controles colombianos, las respuestas erróneas de los mismos y plantear puntos de corte según variables sociodemográficas.

Materiales y métodos: se analiza el desempeño de 252 participantes (74 hombres, 178 mujeres, 123 < de 65, 129 > de 65 años, en tres niveles de escolaridad (60 baja, 64 media, 128 alta). Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-comparativo. Se analizó la frecuencia de cada uno de los tipos de errores según los grupos de edad y escolaridad. Se realizó análisis desde la teoría clásica de los test (TCT) y se derivaron puntos de corte.

Resultados: se encontró que en personas mayores de 65 años y con nivel bajo de escolaridad son comunes los errores de tipo visual y de no respuesta, mientras que en personas menores de 65 años y con escolaridad alta predominan errores semánticos y visual-semánticos. Se presenta un ordenamiento de los estímulos de menor a mayor dificultad y se identifican las particularidades del desempeño de los controles colombianos estudiados.

Conclusión: se resalta la importancia de la prueba en el contexto colombiano, su utilidad, y algunos criterios clínicos ofrecidos por las características de los ítems para diferenciar del envejecimiento patológico.
Indicaciones de TAC de cráneo simple en pacientes menores de 2 años con trauma encefalocraneano leve
Authors: Fábregas Castilla Evelyn , Sánchez Lilia , Acosta-Reyes Jorge
Published: March 2017

cráneo simple en los casos de trauma encefalocraneano leve, más aun en pacientes menores de 2 años.

En la mayoría de estos pacientes existe bajo riesgo de injuria intracraneal, sin embargo, este grupo etario plantea mayores retos diagnósticos por las dificultades en su evaluación y las pocas manifestaciones clínicas que podrían presentar dado a sus características anatómicas.

Resulta necesario acogerse a las guías de práctica clínica que contengan reglas de decisión clínicas, que incluyan los signos y/o síntomas con mayor valor predictivo para detectar injuria intracraneal, costo efectivas y redundando en el beneficio del paciente.
Rivastigmina parches sola o combinada con memantina, comparada con memantina sola en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer moderada y severa: revisión sistemática de la literatura
Authors: Otálora-Esteba Margarita , García-Alfonso Carolina , Velasco Mario , Baquero Laura , Castañeda-Cardona Camilo , Rosselli Diego
Published: March 2017

Introducción: la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA), una condición neurodegenerativa irreversible y progresiva, es la causa más frecuente de demencia y genera una gran carga económica anual. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática de la literatura para determinar la seguridad y eficacia de rivastigmina parche, sola o en combinación con memantina, comparadas con la memantina en monoterapia para el tratamiento de la EA moderada y severa.

Métodos: se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura. Se incluyeron estudios clínicos controlados aleatorizados de pacientes con diagnóstico de EA moderada a severa, evaluando los desenlaces de eficacia y seguridad.

Resultados: los resultados de los estudios experimentales que comparan dosis de rivastigmina en parche, indican una posible diferencia en algunos desenlaces de eficacia, tales como desempeño de las actividades diarias, actividades instrumentales y funcionamiento general en pacientes con EA moderada y severa, sin diferencia significativa en los desenlaces de seguridad. Se observó una tendencia a favor de la terapia combinada en algunos desenlaces como cambio en puntuación de MMSE y actividades diarias instrumentales.

Discusión: la evidencia disponible apoya el uso de rivastigmina, y la combinación con memantina parece una opción terapéutica apropiada en casos seleccionados.
Síndrome de piernas inquietas o enfermedad de Willis Ekbom
Authors: Calle López Yamile Calle López , Montes Gaviria María Isabel , Toro Pérez María Eugenia
Published: March 2017

El síndrome de piernas inquietas (SPI) es un trastorno sensitivo y motor en el que el paciente refiere un deseo incontenible de mover las extremidades, que puede estar acompañado por una sensación desagradable, mal definida, y hasta en el 50 % de los casos con dolor, difícil de ubicar en un punto específico, y que inicialmente se manifiesta en las piernas. Se presenta principalmente en las noches impidiendo el sueño y subsecuentemente afectando la calidad de vida del paciente. Clásicamente se divide en síndrome de piernas inquietas primario y secundario, por la presencia o no de enfermedades concomitantes relacionadas con el tratamiento y pronóstico del SPI. Esta enfermedad tiene una incidencia en la población general de 9 a 22 pacientes por cada 1.000 personas al año (equivalente a 1,7 % por año); con una prevalencia de 5-13 % de la población general. El diagnóstico del SPI se realiza mediante el uso de los criterios establecidos por el Grupo Internacional de Estudio de SPI, divididos en esenciales y de soporte. Su tratamiento tiene como piedra angular a los agonistas dopaminérgicos, y otros medicamentos como el gabapentin enacarbil que han ganado terreno en los últimos años. La importancia del conocimiento de la enfermedad radica en el impacto negativo que ejerce sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes afectados en general, y el aumento de la mortalidad en los pacientes con comorbilidad de enfermedad renal terminal en particular. Su diagnóstico es clínico y debe buscarse como causa de insomnio.
Hallazgos radiológicos en sistema nervioso central (SNC) del síndrome de MELAS: reporte de caso
Authors: Romero Osorio Oscar Mauricio , Ayala Copete Ana María
Published: March 2017

Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente adulta joven con episodios recurrentes sugestivos de ataque cerebrovascular, con cambios radiológicos típicos de enfermedad de MELAS con confirmación genética de mutación en el gen A3243G.
Percepción de neurofobia en estudiantes de último año de Medicina en una universidad privada
Authors: Restrepo Jorge , Aldana Ricardo , Álvarez Juan Camilo , Botero Díaz Laura Camila , Durán Barrera María Camila , Espinel Laverde Bayron Erisaldo , García Medina Diana Patricia , Martín Arsanios Daniel Augusto , Giraldo Aida Patricia
Published: March 2017

INTRODUCCIÓN:
Las neurociencias tienen un alto grado de dificultad en el pregrado; los estudiantes pueden percibir una sensación de neurofobia, definida como la poca afinidad o miedo hacia su aprendizaje y a la aplicación práctica de conocimientos neurológicos.

OBJETIVO:
Determinar la frecuencia de percepción de neurofobia en estudiantes de internado e indagar acerca de los factores que generan dicha percepción.

MÉTODOS:
Estudio de corte transversal en 100 estudiantes mediante la aplicación de una encuesta estructurada.

RESULTADOS:
48 % tuvieron una percepción de neurofobia en algún momento de la carrera y el 69 % consideró que las neurociencias tenían mayor grado de dificultad que otras especialidades; el 63 % sentía que sus conocimientos eran menores y el 53 % que sus habilidades para interrogar y examinar pacientes neurológicos eran menores. El 50 % consideró que el estilo de enseñanza de los profesores de neurología podía estar relacionado con dicha percepción.

CONCLUSIONES:
La percepción de neurofobia en estudiantes de internado se acercó al 50 %, siendo el estilo de enseñanza de los profesores un factor relacionado al problema; la percepción de menor destreza en la atención a los pacientes plantea implementar estilos de enseñanza en neurología con un modelo que defina los resultados de aprendizaje más importantes de la especialidad.
Diagnóstico retardado de mielopatía por HTLV-1, ¿hay hallazgos tempranos?
Authors: Muñoz Ortiz Natalia , Zamora Tomás
Published: March 2017

Se reporta un caso de mielopatía por HTLV-1 en paciente afrodescendiente en su sexta década de vida, procedente de Popayán, Cauca. Presentó sintomatología no típica desde años atrás, pero en los últimos meses aparecieron síntomas característicos y por ello se realizó diagnóstico de HTVL-1 por Elisa. La enfermedad progresó sin posibilidad de detención y solo se le pudo ofrecer manejo analgésico, terapia física y medidas de confort. Se discute la importancia de hacer un diagnóstico temprano para HTLV-1 y la necesidad de intervención antes de que la enfermedad sea incapacitante. Encontramos dos estudios, uno en Perú y otro en Brasil donde se descubren dos formas de identificar objetivamente cambios tempranos en pacientes seropositivos para este virus.
Linfoma cerebral de células B como complicación postrasplante cardiaco: reporte de caso
Authors: Silva Sieger Federico Arturo , Arias-Ruiz Jaime , Mendoza Sánchez José Alejandro , Pabón-Moreno Alexander , Rodríguez-Parra Vladimir , Navarro Johana , Castellanos Prada Jorge Armando , Guerrero Carlos Fernando
Published: March 2017

El trasplante se constituye en una alternativa de vida para pacientes con falla terminal de un órgano. Este tipo de tratamiento viene en aumento y para el caso de la falla cardiaca refractaria mejoran no sólo la expectativa de vida, sino la calidad de vida. Sin embargo cerca del 20% de las complicaciones observadas en estos pacientes, constituyen a complicaciones que afectan al sistema nervioso central, algunas relacionadas con el tratamiento inmunosupresor, como es el caso de las neuroinfecciones y las neoplasias.
Se presenta y analiza el caso de una paciente quien posterior a un trasplante cardiaco, presenta una neoplasia del sistema nervioso central, en quién por patología de hace un diagnóstico post-morten de Linfoma de células B.
Pheochromocytoma: A Rare Cause of Secondary Hypertension
Authors: Dhungana Sahadeb Prasad , Acharya G P , Piryani R M , Shrestha S K
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor, originating from the chromaffin tissue. Its frequency is approximately 1/100,000. The clinical manifestation is due to catecholamine excess, which includes high blood pressure, palpitation, headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting, trembling, weakness, irritation, abdominal and chest pain, dyspnea, red warm face, constipation, polyuria, and polydipsia.

 

Case Report: We present a case of 53 years old male, hospitalized for hypertensive crisis following the manipulation of left sided frozen shoulder. He had labile blood pressure ranging from 220/120 systolic- 90/60 diastolic, profuse sweating and tachycardia. Findings of Contrast enhanced CT of abdomen was consistent with right adrenal pheochromocytoma and 24 hours urinary VMA was 17 mg /24 hr (Normal <13.6 mg /24hr). After the clinical, paraclinical investigations and radiological tests, it was proved to be a pheochromocytoma. The surgical intervention was planned. But due to unavailability of required antihypertensive drugs in Nepal (alpha-blockers like phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine), surgeons were reluctant to operate, although blood pressure was well controlled with use of sodium nitroprusside during hypertensive crisis and prazosin, a selective alpha blocker as maintainance therapy. The use of prazosin to control hypertension secondary to pheochromocytoma is limited to case report and case series.

 

Conclusion: Although rare, pheochromocytoma is a treatable surgical cause of secondary hypertension.
Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital
Authors: Chhetri Bishal Khattri , Paudel M S , Pokharel Nabin , Dhungana Shadev Prasad , Paudel Anuj , _ Shamsuddin
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy includes visualization of the oropharynx, esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum, with real time assessment and interpretation of the findings encountered. An upper endoscopy is indicated in the diagnostic evaluation of signs and symptoms of a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders. Besides there are some therapeutic implication of the endoscopy. This study was conducted to study the spectrum of diseases found during the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patient presenting in Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital (LMCTH).

 

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study carried out in LMCTH. The endoscopic record book of the patients who underwent UGI endoscopy for various reasons from February 2011 to 2013 was analysed. The risk factor of smoking and alcohol was also included and analysed in the study.

 

Results: All together 550 upper GI endoscopy was performed in the two years. There were 290 males (52.72%) and females were 260 (47.38%). The mean age was 45.7 years (SD=17.9). Most of the patient belonged to the age group 41 to 80 years (71%). Among total patients, 209 (38%) of them were found to be macroscopically normal. Of those who had positive endoscopic findings; 165 (48.4%) had gastritis and 36 (10.6%) had duodenal ulcer, esophageal varices was in 30 (8.8%), gastric carcinoma in nine (2.6%) of cases. Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with the presence of peptic ulcer disease (p=0.01) and malignancy of gastrointestinal tract (p=0.03). Alcohol intake was non-significantly related to peptic ulceration (p=0.07) and malignancy of gastrointestinal tract (p=0.09).

 

Conclusion: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe and useful procedure for investigating patients with gastrointestinal complains. Gastritis was the most common finding among the patients who had abnormal endoscopy followed by duodenal ulcer and esophageal varices.
METHODO: Palabra griega compuesta
Authors: Lozano A.
Published: March 2017

Iniciamos con este primer número de la Revista METHODO un espacio para la publicación de investigaciones vinculadas a las ciencias biológicas.
Calidad de vida de la población adulta con acúfenos
Authors: Vigliano M. , Romero Orellano F. , Romero Moroni F.
Published: March 2017

El acúfeno es la percepción de un sonido en ausencia de un estímulo acústico externo. Se estima que comprometen gravemente la calidad de vida de los adultos y se asocia con un deterioro significativo en el desempeño de las actividades cotidianas; a menudo conduce a estados psicopatológicos tales como ansiedad y depresión. El presente trabajo adquiere un particular interés debido al aumento de la población mundial de adultos mayores, que son los que con mayor frecuencia sufren acúfenos.
Resecciones multiviscerales en el Tratamiento Quirúrgico de las Recaídas Locoregionales de Cirugía de RectoSigma. Factibilidad, Complicaciones y Resultados Oncológicos
Authors: Mandojana F. , Pedraza Zalazar I. , Pairola A. , Brancato F. , Sánchez Loria F. , Huertas E.
Published: March 2017

Las inmunodeficiencias primarias (IDP) son enfermedades de baja prevalencia. Existen signos de alarma para su sospecha clínica. Los objetivos fueron describir características clínicas y signos de alarma de pacientes con IDP y comparar diferencias clínicas entre déficit selectivo de inmunoglobulina A (IgA) y otras IDP. Se estudiaron 89 pacientes, con mediana de edad, al momento del diagnóstico, de 6 años (4,08-11,67). 53 (59,5%) pacientes, varones. 54 (60,7%) pacientes, con déficit selectivo de IgA, y 35 (39,3%), con otras IDP. Las principales manifestaciones clínicas fueron rinofaringitis en 65 (73,03%) pacientes y atopia en 39 (43,82%) pacientes. Presentaron signos de alarma 24 (26,97%) pacientes, ninguno con déficit selectivo de IgA. En los pacientes con otras IDP, se observó mayor incidencia de infección respiratoria baja, sepsis, infecciones cutáneas, candidiasis mucocutánea, alteraciones dentales, malformaciones cardiovasculares, angioedema, internaciones y mortalidad. 10 (28,57%) pacientes recibieron gammaglobulina endovenosa; 15 (42,85%), antibiótico-profilaxis; y 2 (2,24%), antimicóticoprofilaxis. Palabras clave: infecciones respiratorias, hipersensibilidad, gammaglobulinas, síndromes de inmunodeficiencia, deficiencia de IgA.
The author and the reviewer of the year 2016 awards by the Vojnosanitetski pregled
Authors: Dobric Silva
Published: March 2017

nema
Id1 Promotes Obesity by Suppressing Brown Adipose Thermogenesis and White Adipose Browning
Authors: Patil Mallikarjun , Sharma Bal Krishan , Elattar Sawsan , Chang Judith , Kapil Shweta , Yuan Jinling , Satyanarayana Ande
Published: March 2017

Obesity results from increased energy intake or defects in energy expenditure. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is specialized for energy expenditure, a process called adaptive thermogenesis. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) controls BAT-mediated thermogenesis by regulating the expression of Ucp1. Inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1) is a helix-loop-helix transcription factor that plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. We demonstrate a novel function of Id1 in BAT thermogenesis and programming of beige adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT). We found that adipose tissue–specific overexpression of Id1 causes age-associated and high-fat diet–induced obesity in mice. Id1 suppresses BAT thermogenesis by binding to and suppressing PGC1α transcriptional activity. In WAT, Id1 is mainly localized in the stromal vascular fraction, where the adipose progenitor/precursors reside. Lack of Id1 increases beige gene and Ucp1 expression in the WAT in response to cold exposure. Furthermore, brown-like differentiation is increased in Id1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. At the molecular level, Id1 directly interacts with and suppresses Ebf2 transcriptional activity, leading to reduced expression of Prdm16, which determines beige/brown adipocyte cell fate. Overall, the study highlights the existence of novel regulatory mechanisms between Id1/PGC1α and Id1/Ebf2 in controlling brown fat metabolism, which has significant implications in the treatment of obesity and its associated diseases, such as diabetes.
Functional Human Beige Adipocytes From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Guénantin Anne-Claire , Briand Nolwenn , Capel Emilie , Dumont Florent , Morichon Romain , Provost Claire , Stillitano Francesca , Jeziorowska Dorota , Siffroi Jean-Pierre , Hajjar Roger J. , Fève Bruno , Hulot Jean-Sébastien , Collas Philippe , Capeau Jacqueline , Vigouroux Corinne
Published: March 2017

Activation of thermogenic beige adipocytes has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target in obesity and diabetes. Relevant human models for beige adipocyte differentiation are essential to implement such therapeutic strategies. We report a straightforward and efficient protocol to generate functional human beige adipocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Without overexpression of exogenous adipogenic genes, our method recapitulates an adipogenic developmental pathway through successive mesodermal and adipogenic progenitor stages. hiPSC-derived adipocytes are insulin sensitive and display beige-specific markers and functional properties, including upregulation of thermogenic genes, increased mitochondrial content, and increased oxygen consumption upon activation with cAMP analogs. Engraftment of hiPSC-derived adipocytes in mice produces well-organized and vascularized adipose tissue, capable of β-adrenergic–responsive glucose uptake. Our model of human beige adipocyte development provides a new and scalable tool for disease modeling and therapeutic screening.
Pathogenic Role of microRNA-21 in Diabetic Retinopathy Through Downregulation of PPARα
Authors: Chen Qian , Qiu Fangfang , Zhou Kelu , Matlock H. Greg , Takahashi Yusuke , Rajala Raju V.S. , Yang Yanhui , Moran Elizabeth , Ma Jian-xing
Published: March 2017

Fenofibrate, a specific agonist of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-α (PPARα), displays robust therapeutic effects on diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our recent studies have shown that PPARα is downregulated in the diabetic retina, which contributes to the pathogenesis of DR. However, the mechanism for diabetes-induced downregulation of PPARα remains unknown. We investigated the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in regulating PPARα in DR. miR-21 was overexpressed, while PPARα levels were decreased in the retina of db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes. Such alterations were also observed in palmitate-treated retinal endothelial cells. miR-21 targeted PPARα by inhibiting its mRNA translation. Knockout of miR-21 prevented the decrease of PPARα, alleviated microvascular damage, ameliorated inflammation, and reduced cell apoptosis in the retina of db/db mice. Intravitreal injection of miR-21 inhibitor attenuated PPARα downregulation and ameliorated retinal inflammation in db/db mice. Further, retinal miR-21 levels were increased, while PPARα levels were decreased in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Knockout of miR-21 prevented PPARα downregulation and ameliorated retinal neovascularization and inflammation in OIR retinas. In conclusion, diabetes-induced overexpression of miR-21 in the retina is at least partly responsible for PPARα downregulation in DR. Targeting miR-21 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for DR.
Antibiotic resistance in lactococci and enterococci: phenotypic and molecular-genetic aspects
Authors: Plotnikava Danuta , Sidarenka Anastasiya , Novik Galina
Published: March 2017

Extensive use of antibiotics in medicine, veterinary practice and animal husbandry has promoted the development and dissemination of bacterial drug resistance. The number of resistant pathogens causing common infectious diseases increases rapidly and creates worldwide public health problem. Commensal bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria of genera Enterococcus and Lactococcus colonizing gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts of humans and animals may act as vehicles of antibiotic resistance genes similar to those found in pathogens. Lactococci and enterococci are widely used in manufacturing of fermented products and as probiotics, therefore monitoring and control of transmissible antibiotic resistance determinants in industrial strains of these microorganisms is necessary to approve their Qualified Presumption of Safety status. Understanding the nature and molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in enterococci and lactococci is essential, as intrinsic resistant bacteria pose no threat to environment and human health in contrast to bacteria with resistance acquired through horizontal transfer of resistance genes. The review summarizes current knowledge concerning intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance in Lactococcus and Enterococcus genera, and discusses role of enterococci and lactococci in distribution of this feature.
Resveratrol improves the lipid profile promoted by red yeast rice (monacolin k) in patients with moderate dyslipidemia: An open-label, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial
Authors: Panico Annalisa , Lupoli Gelsy Arianna , Lupoli Roberta , Romano Fiammetta , Barba Livia , Lupoli Giovanni
Published: March 2017

Introduction: A relevant role is now emerging for nutraceuticals and specific functional foods in the treatment of dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a nutraceutical multi-target approach in subjects with moderate cardiovascular risk and to compare it with red yeast rice (RYR) treatment alone. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with a first diagnosis of moderate dyslipidemia were included in a 6-week open-label, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial and were treated with a nutraceutical supplement of Red Yeast Rice (RYR) extract containing 10 mg of monacolin k or its combination with 48 mg of an improved form of highly bioavailable resveratrol. The dosage of RYR was selected on the basis of its expected efficacy in reducing low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol also approved by the EFSA panel. All differences were assessed by Student’s t test with P values .05 are considered as statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed by using Excel. Results: Treatment with RYR (10 mg monacolin K) led to a reduction of total cholesterol (20%) and low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (21%). The combination with resveratrol however, compared to RYR alone significantly reduced triglyceride (-18 %) levels, systolic blood pressure (-2 %) and HOMA index (-17 %). Discussion: These results indicate that the nutraceutical supplementation of RYR associated with resveratrol not only shows lipid-lowering activity but compared to RYR treatment alone significantly also ameliorates other metabolic parameters. Thus, may represent a valid and safe approach, especially in people with moderate cardiovascular risk, in which a pharmacologic intervention may not be appropriate.
In vitro androgenesis in triticale
Authors: Zaitseva Oksana Ivanovna
Published: March 2017

The technology for in vitro anther culturing was optimized in hexaploid triticale using combination of external factors that allowed to obtain more than 100 doubled haploid lines. Investigation of genetic variation among anther culture derived doubled haploids of triticale showed the occurrence of heterozygous plants.
Multinationals and Reallocation: Productivity Growth in the Canadian Manufacturing Sector, 2001–2010
Authors: Gu Wulong , Li Jiang
Published: March 2017

The article examines the role of multinationals and reallocation in productivity growth in the Canadian manufacturing sector in 2001–2010. It finds that foreign-controlled enterprises were more important than domestically controlled enterprises in overall labour productivity growth for 2001–2010, but the contribution of foreign-controlled enterprises declined after 2006 as a result of an increase in the exits of large and productive foreign-controlled firms during that period. Restructuring in the manufacturing sector intensified after 2006. During 2006–2010, there was an increase in reallocation to enterprises that are more productive and an increase in reallocation of labour to industries that are more capital and intermediate input intensive. The effect of new enterprises displacing exitors also increased after 2006, mostly because of the increased effect of domestic entrants displacing exitors while the effect of foreign entry and exit declined. Offsetting those positive effects of reallocation on labour productivity growth is the negative effect of reallocation of labour to the firms with lower relative capital and intermediate intensities within the same industries. Finally, the article finds that the decline in labour productivity growth after 2006 was partly due to a decline in the productivity contribution of foreign-controlled enterprises as a result of an increase in the exits of large and productive foreign-controlled firms during that period.
Statistical Model to Detect Voids for Curled or Warped Concrete Pavements
Authors: Alland Kevin , Vandenbossche Julie M. , Brigham John
Published: March 2017

A statistical classifier was developed to interpret falling weight deflectometer data for the detection of voids under jointed concrete pavement slabs. The classifier was trained with the Seasonal Monitoring Program sections in the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database and data from the Minnesota Road Research Facility. A two-level cross-validation process was used to assess the performance of existing void detection methods, according to a threshold of a single variable, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) classifier, which is based on several variables. Simple void detection methods based on the normalized 9,000-lb deflection were found to perform better than void detection methods based on variable deflection analysis. The LASSO classifier outperformed any of the existing void detection techniques. The LASSO classifier was validated through two field trials in Pennsylvania and an LTPP general pavement section in which significant faulting had developed.
Misplaced resource: The transformation of straw from valued resource to waste in North China
Authors: Yang Wenjun
Published: March 2017

In recent years, because of the increasingly rapid pace of large-scale urbanisation and industrialisation in China, the energy structure of rural areas has radically changed. Bio-fuel, i.e., specifically straw, which was commonly used in traditional farming, has been replaced by fossil fuels due to their higher heating value; likewise, artificial feed and fertilisers are now widely utilised instead of straw. These transformations have brought about a radical change in rural energy patterns. One result is a large amount of surplus straw, which today is often burnt in order to clear the fields for the next crop, leading to a pervasive air pollution problem that affects both cities and countryside.
Statistical Evaluations of Variations in Dairy Cows’ Milk Yields as a Precursor of Earthquakes
Authors: Yamauchi Hiroyuki , Hayakawa Masashi , Asano Tomokazu , Ohtani Nobuyo , Ohta Mitsuaki
Published: March 2017

Previous studies have provided quantitative data regarding unusual animal behavior prior to earthquakes; however, few studies include long-term, observational data. Our previous study revealed that the milk yields of dairy cows decreased prior to an extremely large earthquake. To clarify whether the milk yields decrease prior to earthquakes, we examined the relationship between earthquakes of various magnitudes and daily milk yields. The observation period was one year. In the results, cross-correlation analyses revealed a significant negative correlation between earthquake occurrence and milk yields approximately three weeks beforehand. Approximately a week and a half beforehand, a positive correlation was revealed, and the correlation gradually receded to zero as the day of the earthquake approached. Future studies that use data from a longer observation period are needed because this study only considered ten earthquakes and therefore does not have strong statistical power. Additionally, we compared the milk yields with the subionospheric very low frequency/low frequency (VLF/LF) propagation data indicating ionospheric perturbations. The results showed that anomalies of VLF/LF propagation data emerged prior to all of the earthquakes following decreases in milk yields; the milk yields decreased earlier than propagation anomalies. We mention how ultralow frequency magnetic fields are a stimulus that could reduce milk yields. This study suggests that dairy cow milk yields decrease prior to earthquakes, and that they might respond to stimuli emerging earlier than ionospheric perturbations.
Design and Testing of a Novel Building Integrated Cross Axis Wind Turbine
Authors: Chong Wen , Gwani Mohammed , Tan Chin , Muzammil Wan , Poh Sin , Wong Kok
Published: March 2017

The prospect of harnessing wind energy in urban areas is not promising owing to low wind speeds and the turbulence caused by surrounding obstacles. However, these challenges can be overcome through an improved design of wind turbine that can operate efficiently in an urban environment. This paper presents a novel design of a building integrated cross axis wind turbine (CAWT) that can operate under dual wind direction, i.e., horizontal wind and vertical wind from the bottom of the turbine. The CAWT consists of six horizontal blades and three vertical blades for enhancing its self-starting behavior and overall performance. The study employed a mock-up building model with gable rooftop where both of the developed CAWT and the conventional straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) are mounted and tested on the rooftop. The height of the CAWT and the VAWT above the rooftop was varied from 100 to 250 mm under the same experimental conditions. The results obtained from the experimental study showed that there is significant improvement in the coefficient of power (Cp) and self-starting behavior of the building integrated CAWT compared to the straight-bladed VAWT. At 100 mm height, the Cp,max value of the CAWT increased by 266%, i.e., from 0.0345 to 0.1263, at tip speed ratio (TSR) (λ) of 1.1 and at wind speed of 4.5 m/s. Similar improvements in performance are also observed for all condition of CAWT heights above the rooftop where the CAWT outperformed the straight-bladed VAWT by 196%, 136% and 71% at TSR of 1.16, 1.08, and 1.12 for Y = 150, 200, and 250 mm, respectively. Moreover, the CAWT performs better at 10° pitch angle of the horizontal blade compared to other pitch angles.
Numerical and Experimental Study on Enhancing Performance of the Stand Fan
Authors: Lin Sheam-Chyun , Shen Ming-Chiou , Tso Hao-Ru , Yen Hung-Cheng , Chen Yu-Cheng
Published: March 2017

To meet humans’ need of enhancing the quality of life, the high-performance stand fan has become an essential appliance in every family. On the other hand, energy saving can not only solve the problem of environment protection, but also can reduce the cost of energy consumption. However, the aerodynamic performance and flow characteristics of the stand fan are rarely investigated and analyzed in a systematical manner. Therefore, this research intends to investigate the physical mechanism of the flow pattern and identify the design parameters of the stand fan by combining numerical and experimental methods. First of all, both the structure and performance of a commercial 14-inch stand fan are chosen for analysis and are set as the reference for the fan. The stand fan can be divided into the impeller and the protective cover. Clearly, the impeller blades have a great influence on the fan performance, so they are the first design target. In this work, CFD (computational fluid dynamics) software Fluent (version 14.5, ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA, 2012) is used to analyze and observe the corresponding influences on flow fields and aerodynamic performance by changing the design parameters such as the setting, twist, and inclination angles. Then, the protective cover is studied, improved and integrated with the designed impeller to further enhance the performance of the fan. The protective cover is modified by varying the spacing between the blade tip and cover, as well as varying the shape and angle of ribs to improve the fan’s flow field and performance. Finally, the optimal fan mockup is made via CNC (computer numerical control) technology. Also, its acoustics and performance have been measured to validate the accuracy and reliability of the numerical simulation. The testing results show that the optimally designed stand fan is better than the reference fan with a significant 54% increase in max flow rate. In addition, it has more uniform velocity distribution compared with the reference fan to achieve a comfortable feeling for the human body. In summary, this research successfully establishes a reliable and systematic scheme to design the stand fan. Also, the corresponding performance influences caused by those important parameters are analyzed and summarized to serve as the design reference for the stand fan.
Direct Observation of the M1 Transition between the Ground Term Fine Structure Levels of W VIII
Authors: Mita Momoe , Sakaue Hiroyuki , Kato Daiji , Murakami Izumi , Nakamura Nobuyuki
Published: March 2017

We present a direct observation of the M1 transition between the fine structure splitting in the 4 f 13 5 s 2 5 p 6 2 F ground term of W VIII. The spectroscopic data of few-times ionized tungsten ions are important for the future ITER diagnostics, but there is a serious lack of data. The present study is part of an ongoing effort to solve this problem. Emission from the tungsten ions produced and trapped in a compact electron beam ion trap is observed with a Czerny–Turner visible spectrometer. Spectra in the EUV range are also observed at the same time to help identify the previously-unreported visible lines. The observed wavelength 574.47 ± 0.03 nm (air), which corresponds to the fine structure splitting of 17,402.5 ± 0.9 cm − 1 , shows reasonable agreement with the previously reported value 17,410 ± 5 cm − 1 obtained indirectly through the analysis of EUV spectra [Ryabtsev et al., Atoms 3 (2015) 273].
High-Bandwidth and Sensitive Air Flow Sensing Based on Resonance Properties of CNT-on-Fiber Hairs
Authors: Slinker Keith , Kondash Corey , Dickinson Benjamin , Baur Jeffery
Published: March 2017

Artificial hair flow sensors were fabricated using piezoresistive, radially grown carbon nanotube arrays on glass fibers and investigated for their dynamic aerodynamic response as measured within an instrumented plane-wave tube. The sensors were experimentally observed to provide both a large bandwidth of operation below first resonance and a strong resonance response at selected frequencies above first resonance. The frequency of first resonance was easily tunable by adjusting the length of the exposed hair and could be made to vary from a few hundred hertz to over 13 kHz. Higher frequency bands were accessible for a given hair length using higher-order resonance modes, up to five of which were observed. All of the responses were understood and modeled using a vibrating Euler-Bernoulli beam analysis.
Cobalt-Substituted Seven-Layer Aurivillius Bi8Fe4Ti3O24 Ceramics: Enhanced Ferromagnetism and Ferroelectricity
Authors: Lei Zhiwei , Chen Tong , Li Weigu , Liu Min , Ge Wen , Lu Yalin
Published: March 2017

In this work, Aurivillius-phase Bi8Fe4-xCoxTi3O24 (7-BFCT, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) powders and ceramics were successfully prepared by the combination of citrate combustion and hot-press methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) indicate a successful synthesis of the pure phase of the 7-BFCT ceramics, and all the samples showed a good seven-layer structure of the Aurivillius phase. Partial Fe substituted by Co was found to be effective to enhance both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties at room temperature, and the largest remnant magnetization (2Mr) of ~0.69 emu/g was revealed at the composition of x = 0.4. Zero field cooling and field cooling (ZFC-FC) magnetization measurement confirmed its magnetic transition occurring at a high temperature of ~750 K. Correspondingly, the enhanced ferroelectric properties of such Co-substituted ceramics were also investigated.