bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative “Hot-Spot” Imaging of Transplanted Stem Cells Using Superparamagnetic Tracers and Magnetic Particle Imaging
Authors: Bulte Jeff W. M. , Walczak Piotr , Janowski Miroslaw , Krishnan Kannan M. , Arami Hamed , Halkola Aleksi , Gleich Bernhard , Rahmer Jürgen
Published: December 2015

Magnetic labeling of stem cells enables their noninvasive detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In practical terms, most MRI studies have been limited to the visualization of local engraftment because other sources of endogenous hypointense contrast complicate the interpretation of systemic (whole-body) cell distribution. In addition, MRI cell tracking is inherently nonquantitative in nature. We report herein on the potential of magnetic particle imaging (MPI) as a novel tomographic technique for noninvasive “hot-spot” imaging and quantification of stem cells using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) tracers. Neural and mesenchymal stem cells, representing small and larger cell bodies, were labeled with 3 different SPIO tracer formulations, including 2 preparations (Feridex and Resovist) that have previously been used in clinical MRI celltracking studies. Magnetic particle spectroscopy measurements demonstrated a linear correlation between MPI signal and iron content for both free particles in homogeneous solution and for internalized and aggregated particles in labeled cells over a wide range of concentrations. The overall MPI signal ranged from 1 × 10−3 to 3 × 10−4 Am2/g Fe, which was equivalent to 2 × 10−14 to 1 × 10−15 Am2 per cell, indicating that cell numbers can be quantified with MPI analogous to the use of radiotracers in nuclear medicine or fluorine tracers in 19F MRI. When SPIO-labeled cells were transplanted in the mouse brain, they could be readily detected by MPI at a detection threshold of about 5 × 104 cells, with MPI/MRI overlays showing an excellent agreement between the hypointense MRI areas and MPI hot spots. The calculated tissue MPI signal ratio for 100,000 vs 50,000 implanted cells was 2.08. Hence, MPI can potentially be further developed for quantitative and easy-to-interpret, tracer-based noninvasive cell imaging, preferably with MRI as an adjunct anatomical imaging modality.
Monitoramento Passivo de Ozônio no Município de Jundiaí
Authors: Cangerana Fernanda , Pacheco Edson , Assunção João Vicente , Santos João Carlos , Francisco Ana Paula
Published: December 2015

No município de Jundiaí o monitoramento do poluente ozônio ocorre desde 1990 pela Com-panhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo ”“ Cetesb. Em 2008, a Cetesb iniciou o monitora-mento anual automático neste município. Desde então, níveis crescentes e acima do padrão de qualidade do ar têm sido registrados. Este artigo é resultado de um estudo sobre a distribuição do poluente em três diferentes áreas para avaliar e buscar compreender o comportamento do ozônio no município. Foram usados coletores passivos da marca Ogawa® contendo filtros que, posteriormente, foram analisados em Cromatógrafo Iônico. A análise estatística dos resultados foi feita pela análise de variância (ANOVA), com um Intervalo de Confiança de 95%. Os resultados da campanha de amostragens demonstraram maior concentração do poluente na região urbana com presença de vegetação natural e plantações. Entretanto, os padrões de qualidade do ar não foram excedidos e não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os resultados obtidos.
Barragem de Contenção de Cheias e Políticas Públicas:
Authors: Mendonça de Moura João Marcos Bosi , Vieira Rafaela , Bohn Noemia
Published: December 2015

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar o processo de tomada de decisão e as ações de ampliação da Barragem Sul de Contenção de Cheias, com base nas políticas nacionais de recursos hídricos, de segurança de barragens e de proteção e defesa civil. Trata-se esta de uma das três maiores barragens de contenção de cheias, no afluente do corpo d’água principal da Bacia Hidrográfica do rio Itajaí. Utilizou-se para este fim técnicas de análise de textos bibliográficos, científicos e documentais. Como resultado, verificou-se que as mudanças climáticas e os desastres ocorridos em 2008 e 2011 na região, tem pressionado o Poder Público a dar uma resposta Ã  população, como forma de evidenciar que não está inerte frente ao problema. Contudo, nota-se que a decisão de ampliar a Barragem Sul carece de articulação com a política de segurança de barragem, bem como, com as diretrizes de planejamento urbano e territorial.
importância do conhecimento numa era de crise ecológica
Authors: Sena Nathália Knejpp
Published: December 2015

Resenha escrita por Nathália Kneipp Sena, Doutoranda em Desenvolvimento Sustentável - Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidade de Brasília. 

Rodrigo T. Ponce Analfabetismo ecológico: el conocimiento en tiempos de crisis. Ciudad dePanamá: Ciudad del Saber, 2012. 144 p. Tabelas, mapas. ISBN 999900008881.
mudança de comportamento como foco da análise energética
Authors: Roysen Rebeca
Published: December 2015

Resenha escrita por Rebeca Roysen. Mestra em Psicologia Social (USP) e Doutoranda em Desenvolvimento Sustentável (UnB).

Peters Fudge et al (eds.). The Global Challenge of Encouraging Sustainable Living: opportunities,barriers, policy and practice. Glos: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, 2013. 262 p. Contémbibliografia, notas e índice remissivo. ISBN 978 1 78100 374 9.
PERKAWINAN MASYARAKAT SAMIN DALAM PANDANGAN HUKUM NEGARA
Authors: Rosyid Moh
Published: December 2015

Marriage is a demographic matter which needs involvement of state, it deals with registration of marriage contract in order to get legitimation of law.
 Registration is an evidence of residence’s obedient toward state law (law No.23/2006 about demographic administration, law no.12/200
about citizenship). However, in Samin’s community,marriage does not involved a state but based on the ancestors’ teaching and Samin’s principle of life.
This study based on a grounded, ethnographic and phenomenological
research, this can be categorized as a social-cultural research.
Object of this study is phenomena of social and cultural of  Samin’s community in Kudus, specifically on marriage  based on adat. This study aims to know a practice of Samin’s marriage in Kudus, steps of marriage  including nyumuk, ngendek,
nyuwito,  penyeksen, and tingkep. Such steps do not involve state’s roles even in
marriage contract.
Impact Of Inter-Professional Education On Nursing Student Outcomes In The Online Environment
Authors: Crouch Suzanne , Fillmore Laura , Fly Linda , Ukot Eme
Published: December 2015

The implementation and integration of inter-professional education (IPE) into a curriculum is supported by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the Inter-professional Education Collaborative (IPEC), and the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing report. While there is support for implementation, there is a lack of data and guidelines which to follow currently. The purpose of this nursing research study was to investigate the impact of inter-professional collaboration on nursing student outcomes in the online environment. A co-teaching model was implemented within an online environment to provide inter-professionally lead nursing sciences courses to nursing students in a baccalaureate program. In the four sessions following the implementation of interdisciplinary collaborative teaching, 605 students completed the courses with 179 submitting the end of course survey. Results indicated that the overall student satisfaction rating with the pathophysiology online course was significant at p < 0.05 following the implementation of inter-professional teaching methodology. Prior to implementation of collaborative teaching, the total enrollment in pathophysiology was 194. After the institution of collaborative teaching, the total student enrollment was 605. This reflected a significant increase in student enrollment of 311%. Today, the complex healthcare delivery system necessitates a shift from traditional education to an inter-professional collaborative teaching model that generates knowledge from interaction with a variety of educators from a variety of disciplines (Hean, Craddock, & Hammick, 2012). Nursing curricula is needed which fosters both an inter-professional learning of shared knowledge and the discipline-specific learning essential for professional practice.
«FORENSIC DIAGNOSIS. THE GUIDE» — EXCLUSIVE EDITION FOR THE MEDICOLEGAL EXPERTS
Authors: Zolotenkova G. V.
Published: December 2015

The article tells about the main direction of training and methodological commission’s actions in forensic medicine. The analysis of the edition “Forensic diagnosis. The guide” for its compliance with educational literature was carried out. The article emphasizes the practicability of using this edition for optimization of the educational process in higher educational institutions that train specialists in the forensic field.
A New Approach for Complex Upper Limb Revisions Utilizing the Clavicula Pro Humero Technique
Authors: Clayer Mark
Published: December 2015

Case:

A complex case is described involving limb salvage using a combination of the clavicula pro humero technique with a free vascularized fibular graft to span the defect following a failed megaprosthetic reconstruction. This is believed to be the first description of this approach for a very difficult problem.

Conclusion:

In the setting of infection and minimal bone stock, conventional reconstruction options for the proximal aspect of the humerus were unsatisfactory. This new technique provides a biologic, immunocompetent option for limb salvage.
Atraumatic Fracture of a BIOLOX Delta Ceramic Femoral Head Articulating with a Polyethylene Liner
Authors: Pomeroy Eoghan , Rowan Fiachra , Masterson Eric
Published: December 2015

Case:

We describe the case of a forty-one-year-old man who underwent total hip arthroplasty with a 32-mm BIOLOX delta ceramic head articulating with a polyethylene liner. The patient did not suffer any trauma postoperatively, and his only symptom was of a “clicking” noise from the operatively treated hip. At his six-week postoperative review, fracture of the femoral head was diagnosed.

Conclusion:

Fracture of a ceramic femoral head is a rare but catastrophic complication. This case report highlights the importance of vigilance on the part of the surgeon when reviewing patients after hip arthroplasty with ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing couples, even with limited symptoms associated with the hip and no reported trauma.
Planning scales and approval processes for IUWM projects; lessons from Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Furlong Casey , De Silva Saman , Guthrie Lachlan
Published: December 2015

In the Australian context integrated urban water management (IUWM) processes consistently recommend the implementation of recycled water and stormwater harvesting projects. These projects are typically decentralised and planned by a variety of organisational types. Major international research programmes have thus far focused on how IUWM should be operationalised as a single-tier, city scale planning system. This study investigates IUWM in relation to two under researched aspects: planning scales and approval processes, by investigating eight project case studies from Melbourne, Australia. Results reveal that IUWM projects are often planned at the sub-regional and local scales, without coordination from metro scale strategies, and that many of these projects are experiencing issues achieving final approvals. Major barriers to approval include a lack of communication between regulators and planners, and the absence of consistent financial evaluation methods. A multi-tier water planning system has been proposed to lessen these barriers through effective division of decision making responsibilities across scales, and setting of consistent frameworks, methods, and objectives at the metro scale. It is considered that this multi-tier planning system may help facilitate the implementation of decentralised IUWM projects.
Control of Attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia to Surfaces by Shear Force
Authors: Hui Yew Woh , Narayanan Kumaran , Dykes Gary A.
Published: December 2015

The effect of physical shearing on the attachment of six Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and six Burkholderia cepacia strains to glass, stainless steel, polystyrene and Teflon® was determined. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in hydrophobicity was apparent for all P. aeruginosa strains (17–36%) and B. cepacia, MS 5 (20%) after shearing. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in attachment of some P. aeruginosa (0.2–0.5 log CFU/cm2) and B. cepacia (0.2–0.4 log CFU/cm2) strains to some surface types was apparent after shearing. Significant (p < 0.05) correlation was observed for both numbers of flagellated cells and hydrophobicity against attachment to glass, stainless steel and polystyrene for P. aeruginosa while only hydrophobicity showed significant correlation against the same surfaces for B. cepacia. Scanning electron microscopy and protein analysis showed that shearing removed surface proteins from the cells and may have led to the observed changes in hydrophobicity and attachment to abiotic surfaces.
Aspects and roles in software modeling: A composition based comparison
Authors: Vranic Valentino , Laslop Milan
Published: December 2015

It?s intriguing how the work on inherent aspect-oriented modeling almost
completely ignores the similarity between aspect-oriented and role based
decomposition and composition. Ever since the notion of aspect entered the
software development arena, it has been compared to the notion of role.
Findings range from identifying greater similarities to more cautious
observations that albeit aspects and roles are similar, they appear to be
more as complimentary with a significant effort needed to really bring them
together in programming. Even a cursory comparison of Theme/UML, which
represents a design part of Theme, probably the best known and most
comprehensive approach to aspect-oriented modeling, to OOram, a prominent
representative of approaches to role based modeling that influenced UML,
reveals striking similarities in both decomposition and composition. Within a
more comprehensive effort of finding the principles of a sustainable approach
to aspect-oriented modeling, this paper pursues further this observation by
establishing a partially reversible transformation of a Theme/UML model to
the corresponding OOram model that proves principal analogy of themes to
OOram collaboration view diagrams accompanied by the corresponding scenario
view and interface view diagrams. An important implication is that aspects
have their counterpart not in roles themselves, but in role collaboration.
Based on these results, a possibility of using UML composite structure
diagrams for aspect-oriented design is sketched out in the paper.
Energy dependence of western Europe: The rise and fall
Authors: Glamotchak Marina
Published: December 2015

The relationship between energy sources import and export is placed in the
centre of energy security analysis. The issue of the future of Europe is
becoming increasingly important with the depth of the economic crisis that
started in 2008. In addition to a continuous growth in the number of the
unemployed, the crisis particularly emphasizes the chronic level of energy
dependence. The energy saving measures (energy efficiency), diversification
of sources (stability of supply), and the creation of substitutes in
renewable energy (energy transition), interwin with administrative measures
and form the response of European countries to the growing energy dependence.
At the same time, although facing the threatening warming (or cooling) of the
Earth, Europe, as a big advocate of reducing CO2 remains passively dependent
on NATO policy in the field of defence in the context of energy dependence.
However, for the first time after many decades, Europe and America do not
have the same energy, and consequently geo-strategic objective: the United
States has become energy independent, while Europe is chronically energy
dependent. Preservation of the environment and the fight against climate
deregulation becomes a crucial energy security domain.
“Race for resources” in astrospace: What does the future hold?
Authors: Filijovic Marko
Published: December 2015

The paper analyses how a fast advance in technology can ease both discovering
and exploitation of alternative energy resources available in space, and at
the same time can open new long-term conflicts over supremacy in
commercialisation of space resources. The author considers viability of
actual and planned projects of members of the prestigious club of ?space
nations?-the United States, Japan, Russia and the European Union. Global
energy demand growth stimulates technologically advanced countries to explore
more intensively the technical feasibility and economic viability of
renewable energy sources in space. Along with advancement in space technology
in the foreseeable future, astro-resources could be used as an alternative or
at least a supplement to the existing resource base. The author argues that
the increasing space technology ambitions of China, India and, to some extent
Iran, create a potential knot of new geopolitical and geoeconomical
international conflicts. In conclusion, the author emphasizes that the
extraterrestrial sources for the Earth's energy needs will not only stay an
important alternative basis for energy security in decades to come, but space
itself is likely to become rather a new battlefield of the great powers?
strategic interests than a part of the common heritage of mankind, equally
accessible to all nations.
The impact of world economic crisis on global currency war
Authors: Petrovic Pero , Kostic Dusko
Published: December 2015

The article examines how the deepening of the world economic crisis impacts
global financial flows and performance of international financial
institutions, with focus on two issues: 1) did the decrease of the Euro means
the beginning of the global currency war?; 2) is there any sort of banks?
?conspiracy? in the world gold market? Long-term financial crisis demands a
decisive reform measure to mend the functioning and structure of the IMF,
World Bank Group and other global and regional financial institutions. This
means that the outcome of their policies has been inadequate, so far, and
that their role is subjected to a critical observation in finding an
efficient performance of financial markets. Beijing is becoming more generous
lender for a large number of the low-performing countries, offering them the
significant support in Yuans due to Chinese geopolitical interests. China and
Russia in the field of economic development are strongly complemented: the
scope of cooperation is very broad, and there is a strong potential for the
establishment of other world currencies, which would suppress the U.S. dollar
as the dominant currency in global commodity and financial transactions. The
authors conclude that the struggle to increase the competitiveness of the
national state, at the expense of others, continues in the era of the deepest
global financial crisis.
Production of serum amyloid A in equine articular chondrocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes treated with proinflammatory cytokines and its effects on the two cell types in culture
Authors: Jacobsen Stine , Ladefoged Søren , Berg Lise C.
Published: December 2015

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of the major equine acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) in inflammation of equine intraarticular tissues.

SAMPLE Articular chondrocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from 8 horses (4 horses/cell type).

PROCEDURES Chondrocytes and FLSs were stimulated in vitro for various periods up to 48 hours with cytokines (recombinant interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, or a combination of all 3 [IIT]) or with recombinant SAA. Gene expression of SAA, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and −3, and cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR assay; SAA protein was evaluated by immunoturbidimetry and denaturing isoelectric focusing and western blotting.

RESULTS All cytokine stimulation protocols increased expression of SAA mRNA and resulted in detectable SAA protein production in chondrocytes and FLSs. Isoforms of SAA in lysed chondrocytes and their culture medium corresponded to those previously detected in synovial fluid from horses with joint disease. When exposed to SAA, chondrocytes and FLSs had increased expression of IL-6, SAA, and MMP3, and chondrocytes had increased expression of MMP-1. Chondrocytes had decreased expression of cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Upregulation of SAA in chondrocytes and FLSs stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines and the proinflammatory effects of SAA suggested that SAA may be involved in key aspects of pathogenesis of the joint inflammation in horses.
Thyroid Status of Infertile Women Attending at Infertility Outdoor in BSMMU
Authors: Deeba Farzana , Sultana Parveen , Chowdhury Shiuly , Fatima Parveen , Banu Jesmin , Begum Nurjahan
Published: December 2015

Aim: To evaluate the thyroid status in infertile women.Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the department of Infertility of Bangabandhu Shaekh Mujib Medical University from January 2012 to December 2012. A total 400 patients of infertility were studied. The thyroid function status of the subjects were assessed and analyzed.Results: Of the 400 women enrolled for the study, 221(55%) patients with primary infertility and 179 (45%) patients were with secondary subfertility. The mean age of the responders were 22.3±4.6 years, the mean duration of marriage were 4.5±1.2 years and mean BMI were 23.2±3.1 kg/m2.Among the 400 patients 70.50% that is 293 patients were euthyroid, TSH level was increased in 23% or in 92 subjects. Depending upon the TSH levels, hypothyroid infertile women were further subdivided into subclinical hypothyroidism where TSH 46 mIU/L with normal FT4 (9-24 pmol/L) and clinical hypothyroidism where TSH > 6 mIU/L with raised FT4 level. It was found that 66 (71.74%) of hypothyroid infertile women were with subclinical and remaining 26 (28.26%) were with clinical hypothyroidism.Hyperthyroidism that is low TSH level (<.5 mIU/L) found in 15(3.75%) subjects and visible goiter was present in only 2 patients. In 96 hypothyroid infertile females, the mean TSH levels were 7.34 ± 2.13 mIU/L, and mean FT4 level was 17.34±3.23pmol/L. The mean PRL levels were 52.46 ±11.17 ng/ml.Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is an important factors for infertility. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can reduce the burden of infertility due to thyroid dysfunction.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 206-210
Revisited Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Banerjee Sajal Krishna , Hoque Harisul , Zaman SM Mustafa
Published: December 2015

Abstract not availableUniversity Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 53-54
Study of External Measurements of Heart in Adult Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Shirin Lubna , Naushaba Humaira , Kabir Mohammad Shahjahan , Rahman SM Niazur , Yasmin Tahmida , Alam Tanbira , Faruque Md
Published: December 2015

The knowledge regarding normal physical measurement of heart is very important for proper diagnosis and management of various cardiac diseases. Heart disease is a predominant cause of disability and death among all industrialized nations. This study is to establish a standard data of different external parameters of heart of adult Bangladeshi population. The study was conducted at Department of Anatomy, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka from July 2009 to December 2009. The formalin fixed cadaveric 60 (sixty) (n=60) human hearts, 41 (forty one) male and 19 (nineteen) female were taken. The length, breadth and weight of the heart were measured and the data was analyzed statistically. The mean value of the length of the heart in male was 10.35±0.62 cm and female was 10.22±0.90 cm. The mean value of the breadth of the heart was 7.45±0.73 cm and 7.35±0.65 cm in male and female respectively. The mean value of the weight of the heart was 174.15±15.49 gm in male, where as for female the mean was 171.58±19.16 gm. The comparison of values of above mentioned variables between male and female were done by unpaired students test and it was statistically not significant.University Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 78-80
Association of ABO blood group with CAD in patients undergoing CAG in Cardiology Department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital
Authors: Hasan Md Nazmul , Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Islam Lahani Md Tajul , Safiuddin Mohammad , Haque Mostashirul , Hoque Harisul
Published: December 2015

There are many reports regarding association between ABO and Rhesus blood groups and coronary artery disease. This study has been designed to see the association of ABO blood group with coronary artery disease in patient who were admitted in Cardiology Department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and undergoing coronary angiography. A total of 680 patients were studied in this retrospective study. ABO blood group, gender and standard cardiovascular risk factors were determined. In our study 17.5% of the study population were female with mean age of 49.94±10.37 years and 82.5% were male with a mean age 49.68±10.45 years . Most of the patients belonged to blood group B (33.4%) .Our results demonstrated the prevalence of CAD in blood group B is much higher than other blood groups which is in contrast with other studies in few other countries including one study done on small groups of people in Bangladesh. Geographical distribution may explain the variation in results among countries.University Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 81-84
Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)
Authors: Sadi S Mokaddas Hossain
Published: December 2015

Abstract not availableUniversity Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 88-94
Tetralogy of Fallot with Anomalous Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery :A Rare Repair  A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Rahman Md Mazibur , Roy Siba Pada , Uddin Jalal
Published: December 2015

Surgical total correction of Fallots tetralogy (TOF) with coronary artery anomalies is associated with an increased risk for mortality and morbidity. We performed Trans-ventricular and Trans-annular autologous pericardial patchplasty with the incorporation of a monocusp valve at pulmonary annular level after excision of parietal and septal bands and anastomosis of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) at the distal segment of deliberately sacrificed left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in a 20-year young male patient in whom the LAD coronary artery arose from the right sinus of valsalva anomalously just next to the right coronary artery (RCA). The large ventricular septal defect (VSD) was closed with Dacron patch but the small atrial septal defect (ASD) was closed directly with suture. A large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and a major aortopulmonary collateral (MAPCA) were ligated before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The patient was discharged without any problem.University Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 97-101
Pericarditis with Atrial Septal Defect with Bilateral Haemorrhagic Ovarian Cyst: A Case Report
Authors: Salekin Mohammad Serajus , Khan Omar Sadeque , Urme Sharmin Jahan , Adhikary Asit Baran , Aftabuddin Md
Published: December 2015

We are reporting a case of bilateral haemorrhagic ovarian cyst with pericarditis with atrial septal defect (ASD) in a 32 years female. Diagnosis of ASD was incidental when she was under evaluation for bilateral haemorrhagic ovarian cyst. Diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography. ASD was closed by Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch. Pericardium was found full of multiple small whitish granular nodules. So pericardium was discarded as a patch. Pericardium was sent for histopathology and histopathology reveals chronic pericarditis. Postoperative course was uneventful with marked improvement of symptoms.University Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 102-103
Low-Cost Avoidance Behaviors are Resistant to Fear Extinction in Humans
Authors: Vervliet Bram , Indekeu Ellen
Published: December 2015

Elevated levels of fear and avoidance are core symptoms across the anxiety disorders. It has long been known that fear serves to motivate avoidance. Consequently, fear extinction has been the primary focus in pre-clinical anxiety research for decades, under the implicit assumption that removing the motivator of avoidance (fear) would automatically mitigate the avoidance behaviors as well. Although this assumption has intuitive appeal, it has received little scientific scrutiny. The scarce evidence from animal studies is mixed, while the assumption remains untested in humans. The current study applied an avoidance conditioning protocol in humans to investigate the effects of fear extinction on the persistence of low-cost avoidance. Online danger-safety ratings and skin conductance responses documented the dynamics of conditioned fear across avoidance and extinction phases. Anxiety- and avoidance-related questionnaires explored individual differences in rates of avoidance. Participants first learned to click a button during a predictive danger signal, in order to cancel an upcoming aversive electrical shock (avoidance conditioning). Next, fear extinction was induced by presenting the signal in the absence of shocks while button-clicks were prevented (by removing the button in Experiment 1, or by instructing not to click the button in Experiment 2). Most importantly, post-extinction availability of the button caused a significant return of avoidant button-clicks. In addition, trait-anxiety levels correlated positively with rates of avoidance during a predictive safety signal, and with the rate of pre- to post-extinction decrease during this signal. Fear measures gradually decreased during avoidance conditioning, as participants learned that button-clicks effectively canceled the shock. Preventing button-clicks elicited a sharp increase in fear, which subsequently extinguished. Fear remained low during avoidance testing, but danger-safety ratings increased again when button-clicks were subsequently prevented. Together, these results show that low-cost avoidance behaviors can persist following fear extinction and induce increased threat appraisal. On the other hand, fear extinction did reduce augmented rates of unnecessary avoidance during safety in trait-anxious individuals, and instruction-based response prevention was more effective than removal of response cues. More research is needed to characterize the conditions under which fear extinction might mitigate avoidance.
Electrotransfer of Plasmid DNA Encoding an Anti-Mouse Endoglin (CD105) shRNA to B16 Melanoma Tumors with Low and High Metastatic Potential Results in Pronounced Anti-Tumor Effects
Authors: Dolinsek Tanja , Sersa Gregor , Prosen Lara , Bosnjak Masa , Stimac Monika , Razborsek Urska , Cemazar Maja
Published: December 2015

Endoglin overexpression is associated with highly proliferative tumor endothelium and also with some tumors, including melanoma. Its targeting has anti-tumor effectiveness, which can also be obtained by RNA interference. The aim of our study was to explore the anti-tumor effectiveness of endoglin silencing by electrotransfer of plasmid DNA encoding short hairpin RNA against endoglin in two murine B16 melanoma variants with different metastatic potential on cells, spheroids and subcutaneous tumors in mice. The results demonstrate that endoglin silencing with gene electrotransfer reduces the proliferation, survival and migration of melanoma cells and also has anti-tumor effectiveness, as the therapy resulted in a high percentage of tumor cures (23% and 58% on B16F1 and B16F10 tumors, respectively). The effectiveness of the therapy correlated with endoglin expression in melanoma cells; in vitro the effects were more pronounced in B16F1 cells, which express more endoglin than B16F10. However, the opposite was observed in vivo in tumors, where there was a higher expression of endoglin and better anti-tumor effectiveness in the B16F10 tumor. In conclusion, targeting endoglin for the treatment of melanoma seems to be a concept worthy of further exploration due to the increased therapeutic effect of the therapy based on simultaneous vascular targeting and its direct effect on tumor cells.
Hybrid Wind Speed Prediction Based on a Self-Adaptive ARIMAX Model with an Exogenous WRF Simulation
Authors: Zhao Erdong , Zhao Jing , Liu Liwei , Su Zhongyue , An Ning
Published: December 2015

Wind speed forecasting is difficult not only because of the influence of atmospheric dynamics but also for the impossibility of providing an accurate prediction with traditional statistical forecasting models that work by discovering an inner relationship within historical records. This paper develops a self-adaptive (SA) auto-regressive integrated moving average with exogenous variables (ARIMAX) model that is optimized very-short-term by the chaotic particle swarm optimization (CPSO) algorithm, known as the SA-ARIMA-CPSO approach, for wind speed prediction. The ARIMAX model chooses the wind speed result from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulation as an exogenous input variable. Further, an SA strategy is applied to the ARIMAX process. When new information is available, the model process can be updated adaptively with parameters optimized by the CPSO algorithm. The proposed SA-ARIMA-CPSO approach enables the forecasting process to update training information and model parameters intelligently and adaptively. As tested using the 15-min wind speed data collected from a wind farm in Northern China, the improved method has the best performance compared with several other models.
Error Assessment of Solar Irradiance Forecasts and AC Power from Energy Conversion Model in Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Chicco Gianfranco , Cocina Valeria , Di Leo Paolo , Spertino Filippo , Massi Pavan Alessandro
Published: December 2015

Availability of effective estimation of the power profiles of photovoltaic systems is essential for studying how to increase the share of intermittent renewable sources in the electricity mix of many countries. For this purpose, weather forecasts, together with historical data of the meteorological quantities, provide fundamental information. The weak point of the forecasts depends on variable sky conditions, when the clouds successively cover and uncover the solar disc. This causes remarkable positive and negative variations in the irradiance pattern measured at the photovoltaic (PV) site location. This paper starts from 1 to 3 days-ahead solar irradiance forecasts available during one year, with a few points for each day. These forecasts are interpolated to obtain more irradiance estimations per day. The estimated irradiance data are used to classify the sky conditions into clear, variable or cloudy. The results are compared with the outcomes of the same classification carried out with the irradiance measured in meteorological stations at two real PV sites. The occurrence of irradiance spikes in “broken cloud” conditions is identified and discussed. From the measured irradiance, the Alternating Current (AC) power injected into the grid at two PV sites is estimated by using a PV energy conversion model. The AC power errors resulting from the PV model with respect to on-site AC power measurements are shown and discussed.
Empirical Validation of a Thermal Model of a Complex Roof Including Phase Change Materials
Authors: Guichard Stéphane , Miranville Frédéric , Bigot Dimitri , Malet-Damour Bruno , Libelle Teddy , Boyer Harry
Published: December 2015

This paper deals with the empirical validation of a building thermal model of a complex roof including a phase change material (PCM). A mathematical model dedicated to PCMs based on the heat apparent capacity method was implemented in a multi-zone building simulation code, the aim being to increase the understanding of the thermal behavior of the whole building with PCM technologies. In order to empirically validate the model, the methodology is based both on numerical and experimental studies. A parametric sensitivity analysis was performed and a set of parameters of the thermal model has been identified for optimization. The use of the generic optimization program called GenOpt® coupled to the building simulation code enabled to determine the set of adequate parameters. We first present the empirical validation methodology and main results of previous work. We then give an overview of GenOpt® and its coupling with the building simulation code. Finally, once the optimization results are obtained, comparisons of the thermal predictions with measurements are found to be acceptable and are presented.
Design and Control of a 3 kW Wireless Power Transfer System for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Wang Zhenshi , Wei Xuezhe , Dai Haifeng
Published: December 2015

This paper aims to study a 3 kW wireless power transfer system for electric vehicles. First, the LCL-LCL topology and LC-LC series topology are analyzed, and their transfer efficiencies under the same transfer power are compared. The LC-LC series topology is validated to be more efficient than the LCL-LCL topology and thus is more suitable for the system design. Then a novel q-Zsource-based online power regulation method which employs a unique impedance network (two pairs of inductors and capacitors) to couple the cascaded H Bridge to the power source is proposed. By controlling the shoot-through state of the H Bridge, the charging current can be adjusted, and hence, transfer power. Finally, a prototype is implemented, which can transfer 3 kW wirelessly with ~95% efficiency over a 20 cm transfer distance.
A Power Prediction Method for Photovoltaic Power Plant Based on Wavelet Decomposition and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Zhu Honglu , Li Xu , Sun Qiao , Nie Ling , Yao Jianxi , Zhao Gang
Published: December 2015

The power prediction for photovoltaic (PV) power plants has significant importance for their grid connection. Due to PV power’s periodicity and non-stationary characteristics, traditional power prediction methods based on linear or time series models are no longer applicable. This paper presents a method combining the advantages of the wavelet decomposition (WD) and artificial neural network (ANN) to solve this problem. With the ability of ANN to address nonlinear relationships, theoretical solar irradiance and meteorological variables are chosen as the input of the hybrid model based on WD and ANN. The output power of the PV plant is decomposed using WD to separated useful information from disturbances. The ANNs are used to build the models of the decomposed PV output power. Finally, the outputs of the ANN models are reconstructed into the forecasted PV plant power. The presented method is compared with the traditional forecasting method based on ANN. The results shows that the method described in this paper needs less calculation time and has better forecasting precision.
Managed Mixtures of Aspen and White Spruce 21 to 25 Years after Establishment
Authors: Kabzems Richard , Bokalo Mike , Comeau Philip , MacIsaac Daniel
Published: December 2015

Intimate mixtures of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) are a key feature of western Canadian boreal forests. These mixtures have the potential to produce high yields of merchantable fibre and provide numerous ecological services. Achievement of this potential has been difficult, and often expensive, to realize as a regeneration goal in managed forests. We report 21 to 25 year results of managed mixtures on two study sites where the white spruce was planted, and the density of aspen natural regeneration manipulated within five years of the stand initiation disturbance. On both sites, white spruce mortality did not increase with increasing aspen density. While height and diameter growth of white spruce declined with increasing aspen density, the effect was not entirely consistent across the two sites. Abrasion from aspen branches was the most common source of damage to spruce crowns. Mixed stands had greater merchantable volume production than pure spruce stands based on model projections. Application of aspen harvest at year 60, while protecting the spruce component for a second harvest entry at year 90, was projected to optimize combined yield for the mixedwood stands.
Double Blind Peer-Review in Games
Authors: Berger Ulrich , Rittman Martyn
Published: December 2015

Pre-publication peer-review forms the basis for how scholarly journals assess whether an articleis suitable for publication. [...]
Health Risk Behaviour among In-School Adolescents in the Philippines: Trends between 2003, 2007 and 2011, A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa
Published: December 2015

Intermittent monitoring of health risk behaviours at the population level is important for the planning and evaluation of national health promotion intervention programmes. The study aimed to provide trend estimates on the prevalence of various health risk behaviours assessed in the Global School-based Health Survey in 2003, 2007 and 2011 in the Philippines. Three waves of cross-sectional data included 18,285 school-going adolescents, 47.4% male and 52.6% female, aged between 11 years or younger and 16 years or older, with a mean age of about 14.7 years (SD = 1.2), and mainly in second to fourth year study Grade. Significant improvements in health risk and risk behaviours (overweight or obese and smokeless tobacco use among boys, being in a physical fight, troubles from alcohol drinking, mental health, oral and hand hygiene among both boys and girls) but also increases in health risk behaviour (bullying victimization, injury and loneliness) among both boys and girls were found in this large study over a period of eight years in the Philippines. High prevalences of health risk behaviours and increases in some of them should call for intensified school health promotion programmes to reduce such risk behaviours.
Biobanking of Exosomes in the Era of Precision Medicine: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Mora Edna , Álvarez-Cubela Silvia , Oltra Elisa
Published: December 2015

The emerge of personalized medicine demands high-quality human biospecimens with appropriate clinical annotation, especially in complex diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic alterations in which specimen heterogeneity and individual responses often complicate the development of precision therapeutic programs. In the growing field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) research, exosomes (EXOs)—a particular type of EVs—have been proposed as an advantageous diagnostic tool, as effective delivery vehicles and as therapeutic targets. However, the lack of consensus on isolation methods and rigorous criteria to characterize them puts the term EXO into question at the time that might explain some of the controversial results found in the literature. A lack of response in the biobank network to warrant standard optimized procedures for the isolation, characterization, and storage of EXOs will undoubtedly lead to a waste of resources and failure. This review is aimed at highlighting the increasing importance of EXOs for the clinic, especially in the cancer field, and at summarizing the initiatives taken to improve current isolation procedures, classification criteria, and storage conditions of EXOs as an effort to identify technological demands that biobank platforms face for the incorporation of EXOs and other extracellular vesicle fractions as valuable biospecimens for research.
CHMP4C Disruption Sensitizes the Human Lung Cancer Cells to Irradiation
Authors: Li Kang , Liu Jianxiang , Tian Mei , Gao Gang , Qi Xuesong , Pan Yan , Ruan Jianlei , Liu Chunxu , Su Xu
Published: December 2015

Human lung cancer is highly invasive and the most malignant among human tumors. Adenocarcinoma as a specific type of non-small cell lung cancer occurs with high frequency and is also highly resistant to radiation therapy. Thus, how to avoid radiation resistance and improve radiotherapy effectiveness is a crucial question. In the present study, human lung cancer A549 and H1299 cells were irradiated using γ-rays from a Co60 irradiator. Protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. Surviving fraction was determined by colony formation assay. γH2AX and 53BP1 foci formation were examined by fluorescence microscopy. In the results, we show that CHMP4C, a subunit of Endosomal sorting complex-III (ESCRT-III), is involved in radiation-induced cellular response. Radiation-induced Aurora B expression enhances CHMP4C phosphorylation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, maintaining cell cycle check-point and cellular viability as well as resisting apoptosis. CHMP4C depletion enhances cellular sensitivity to radiation, delays S-phase of cell cycle and reduces ionizing radiation (IR)-induced γH2AX foci formation. We found that Aurora B targets CHMP4C and inhibition of Aurora B exhibits similar effects with silencing of CHMP4C in radioresistance. We also confirm that CHMP4C phosphorylation is elevated after IR both in p53-positive and-negative cells, indicating that the close correlation between CHMP4C and Aurora B signaling pathway in mediating radiation resistance is not p53 dependent. Together, our work establishes a new function of CHMP4C in radiation resistance, which will offer a potential strategy for non-small cell lung cancer by disrupting CHMP4C.
1,3-Bis(5′-methyl-4′-phenyl-2′-thiazolylimino)isoindoline
Authors: Csonka Róbert , Szávuly Miklós , Giorgi Michel , Speier Gábor , Kaizer József
Published: December 2015

A new sterically hindered isoindoline-based 1,3-bis(5′-methyl-4′-phenyl-2′-thiazolylimino)isoindoline (1) was synthesized by fusion method with satisfyingly good yield. The structure of the newly synthesized compound was identified by FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and X-ray analysis.
Benz[c,d]indolium-containing Monomethine Cyanine Dyes: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Soriano Eduardo , Holder Cory , Levitz Andrew , Henary Maged
Published: December 2015

Asymmetric monomethine cyanines have been extensively used as probes for nucleic acids among other biological systems. Herein we report the synthesis of seven monomethine cyanine dyes that have been successfully prepared with various heterocyclic moieties such as quinoline, benzoxazole, benzothiazole, dimethyl indole, and benz[e]indole adjoining benz[c,d]indol-1-ium, which was found to directly influence their optical and energy profiles. In this study the optical properties vs. structural changes were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance and computational approaches. The twisted conformation unique to monomethine cyanines was exploited in DNA binding studies where the newly designed sensor displayed an increase in fluorescence when bound in the DNA grooves compared to the unbound form.
Corrosion Assessment of Steel Bars Used in Reinforced Concrete Structures by Means of Eddy Current Testing
Authors: De Alcantara Naasson , Da Silva Felipe , Guimarães Mateus , Pereira Matheus
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study on the use of Eddy Current Testing (ECT) to evaluate corrosion processes in steel bars used in reinforced concrete structures. The paper presents the mathematical basis of the ECT sensor built by the authors; followed by a finite element analysis. The results obtained in the simulations are compared with those obtained in experimental tests performed by the authors. Effective resistances and inductances; voltage drops and phase angles of wound coil are calculated using both; simulated and experimental data; and demonstrate a strong correlation. The production of samples of corroded steel bars; by using an impressed current technique is also presented. The authors performed experimental tests in the laboratory using handmade sensors; and the corroded samples. In the tests four gauges; with five levels of loss-of-mass references for each one were used. The results are analyzed in the light of the loss-of-mass and show a strong linear behavior for the analyzed parameters. The conclusions emphasize the feasibility of the proposed technique and highlight opportunities for future works.