bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palliative care needs in COPD patients with or without cancer: an epidemiological study
Authors: Meffert Cornelia , Hatami Isaak , Xander Carola , Becker Gerhild
Published: May 2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, many patients with severe COPD do not receive adequate palliative care. The main goals of our study were to identify the percentage of hospital patients with palliative care needs, particularly those who suffer from COPD.

Data were collected prospectively from inpatients at the University Medical Centre Freiburg (Freiburg, Germany). Based on the World Health Organization definition of palliative care, the treating physician reported for each patient discharged whether the patient had palliative care needs or not. Data from 39 849 patients could be analysed, of which 1455 were suffering from COPD.

Of all COPD patients, 9.1% had palliative care needs. In COPD patients with palliative care needs, hospital stay was significantly longer (13.7versus10.3 days) than in the group without palliative care needs, and significantly more patients died during their hospital stay (8.3%versus3.7%). The presence of metastases was the highest risk factor for developing palliative care needs (OR 4.18). Furthermore, a main diagnosis of COPD implied an increased probability of palliative care needs (OR 1.87).

Our results show that COPD patients have a high risk of developing palliative care needs. Further efforts are required to provide palliative care to COPD patients.
The effect of age on muscle characteristics of the abductor hallucis in people with hallux valgus: a cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Aiyer Ashok , Stewart Sarah , Rome Keith
Published: May 2015

Background

The abductor hallucis muscle plays an important role in maintaining alignment of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The aims of this study were (1) to determine differences in abductor hallucis muscle characteristics in people with hallux valgus between three age groups (20–44 years, 45–64 years, and 65+ years); and (2) to determine the association between age and abductor hallucis size and quality.

Methods

Characteristics of the abductor hallucis muscle were measured in 96 feet with hallux valgus using musculoskeletal ultrasound. Muscle characteristics included width, thickness, cross‐sectional area and echo‐intensity. A one‐way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the mean muscle characteristic values between the three age groups while adjusting for hallux valgus severity as a covariate. A Bonferroni post‐hoc was used to adjust for multiple testing (p < 0.0167). Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between age and the abductor hallucis muscle parameters.

Results

There was a significant difference in dorso‐plantar thickness (p = 0.003) and cross‐sectional area (p = 0.008) between the three age groups. The Bonferroni post hoc analysis revealed a significant difference in mean thickness and mean cross‐sectional area between the 20–44 age group (p = 0.003) and the 65+ age group (p = 0.006). No significant differences were noted between the three age groups for medio‐lateral width (p > 0.05) or echo‐intensity (p > 0.05). Increasing age was significantly associated with a reduction in dorso‐plantar thickness (r = −0.27, p = 0.008) and cross‐sectional area (r = −0.24, p = 0.019) but with small effect sizes. There was no significant correlation between age and medio‐lateral width (r = −0.51, p = 0.142) or echo intensity (r =0.138, p =0.179).

Conclusion

Increasing age is associated with a greater reduction in size of the abductor hallucis muscle in people with hallux valgus. People over the age of 65 years old with hallux valgus display a significant reduction in abductor hallucis muscle size compared to those aged less than 45 years old. This is consistent with age‐related changes to skeletal muscle.
The effect of weight change on changes in breast density measures over menopause in a breast cancer screening cohort
Authors: Wanders Johanna Olga Pauline , Bakker Marije Fokje , Veldhuis Wouter Bernard , Peeters Petra Huberdina Maria , van Gils Carla Henrica
Published: May 2015

Introduction

High weight and high percentage mammographic breast density are both breast cancer risk factors but are negatively correlated. Therefore, we wanted to obtain more insight into this apparent paradox.

Methods

We investigated in a longitudinal study how weight change over menopause is related to changes in mammographic breast features. Five hundred ninety-one participants of the EPIC-NL cohort were divided into three groups according to their prospectively measured weight change over menopause: (1) weight loss (more than −3.0 %), (2) stable weight (between −3.0 % and +3.0 %), and (3) weight gain (more than 3.0 %). SPSS GLM univariate analysis was used to determine both the mean breast measure changes in, and the trend over, the weight change groups.

Results

Over a median period of 5 years, the mean changes in percent density in these groups were −5.0 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) −8.0; −2.1), −6.8 % (95 % CI −9.0; −4.5), and −10.2 % (95 % CI −12.5; −7.9), respectively (P-trend = 0.001). The mean changes in dense area were −16.7 cm2 (95 % CI −20.1; −13.4), −16.4 cm2 (95 % CI −18.9; −13.9), and −18.1 cm2 (95 % CI −20.6; −15.5), respectively (P-trend = 0.437). Finally, the mean changes in nondense area were −6.1 cm2 (95 % CI −11.9; −0.4), −0.6 cm2 (95 % CI −4.9; 3.8), and 5.3 cm2 (95 % CI 0.9; 9.8), respectively (P-trend < 0.001).

Conclusions

Going through menopause is associated with a decrease in both percent density and dense area. Owing to an increase in the nondense tissue, the decrease in percent density is largest in women who gain weight. The decrease in dense area is not related to weight change. So the fact that both high percent density and high weight or weight gain are associated with high postmenopausal breast cancer risk can probably not be explained by an increase (or slower decrease) of dense area in women gaining weight compared with women losing weight or maintaining a stable weight. These results suggest that weight and dense area are presumably two independent postmenopausal breast cancer risk factors.
Rapid draft sequencing and real-time nanopore sequencing in a hospital outbreak of Salmonella
Authors: Quick Joshua , Ashton Philip , Calus Szymon , Chatt Carole , Gossain Savita , Hawker Jeremy , Nair Satheesh , Neal Keith , Nye Kathy , Peters Tansy , De Pinna Elizabeth , Robinson Esther , Struthers Keith , Webber Mark , Catto Andrew , Dallman Timothy J. , Hawkey Peter , Loman Nicholas J.
Published: May 2015

Background

Foodborne outbreaks of Salmonella remain a pressing public health concern. We recently detected a large outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis phage type 14b affecting more than 30 patients in our hospital. This outbreak was linked to community, national and European-wide cases. Hospital patients with Salmonella are at high risk, and require a rapid response. We initially investigated this outbreak by whole-genome sequencing using a novel rapid protocol on the Illumina MiSeq; we then integrated these data with whole-genome data from surveillance sequencing, thereby placing the outbreak in a national context. Additionally, we investigated the potential of a newly released sequencing technology, the MinION from Oxford Nanopore Technologies, in the management of a hospital outbreak of Salmonella.

Results

We demonstrate that rapid MiSeq sequencing can reduce the time to answer compared to the standard sequencing protocol with no impact on the results. We show, for the first time, that the MinION can acquire clinically relevant information in real time and within minutes of a DNA library being loaded. MinION sequencing permits confident assignment to species level within 20 min. Using a novel streaming phylogenetic placement method samples can be assigned to a serotype in 40 min and determined to be part of the outbreak in less than 2 h.

Conclusions

Both approaches yielded reliable and actionable clinical information on the Salmonella outbreak in less than half a day. The rapid availability of such information may facilitate more informed epidemiological investigations and influence infection control practices.
Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a negative regulator of chondrogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Karystinou Alexandra , Roelofs Anke J , Neve Anna , Cantatore Francesco P , Wackerhage Henning , De Bari Cosimo
Published: May 2015

Introduction

The control of differentiation of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) is crucial for tissue engineering strategies employing MSCs. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the transcriptional co-factor Yes-associated protein (YAP) regulates chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Methods

Expression of total YAP, its paralogue transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), and individual YAP transcript variants during in vitro chondrogenesis of human MSCs was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). YAP expression was confirmed by western blotting. To determine the effect of high YAP activity on chondrogenesis, C3H10T1/2 MSC-like cells were transduced with human (h)YAP and treated in micromass with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Chondrogenic differentiation was assessed by alcian blue staining and expression of chondrocyte-lineage genes. BMP signalling was determined by detection of pSmad1,5,8 by western blotting and expression of BMP target genes by quantitative RT-PCR. Finally, YAP and pYAP were detected in mouse embryo hindlimbs by immunohistochemistry.

Results

YAP, but not TAZ, was downregulated during in vitro chondrogenesis of human MSCs. One of the YAP transcript variants, however, was upregulated in high-density micromass culture. Overexpression of hYAP in murine C3H10T1/2 MSCs inhibited chondrogenic differentiation. High YAP activity in these cells decreased Smad1,5,8 phosphorylation and expression of the BMP target genes Inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation (Id)1, Id2 and Id3 in response to BMP-2. In developing mouse limbs, Yap was nuclear in the perichondrium while mostly phosphorylated and cytosolic in cells of the cartilage anlage, suggesting downregulation of Yap co-transcriptional activity during physiological chondrogenesis in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that YAP is a negative regulator of chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. Downregulation of YAP is required for chondrogenesis through derepression of chondrogenic signalling. Therapeutic targeting of YAP to promote cartilage repair and prevent secondary osteoarthritis is an exciting prospect in rheumatology.
Liraglutide effect in reducing HbA1c and weight in Arab population with type2 diabetes, a prospective observational trial
Authors: Bashier Alaaeldin M. K. , Hussain Azza Abdulaziz Khalifa Bin , Abdelgadir Elamin Ibrahim Elamin , Eltinay Ahmed Tarig , Thadani Puja , Abdalla Mohamed Elhassan , Abusnana Salah , AlAwadi Fatheya F.
Published: May 2015

Background

The pathophysiology of type2 diabetes differs between different ethnic groups. Asians develop type2 diabetes at younger age, lower body mass index, and in relatively short time. Not only that, some ethnicities have different responses and dosing regimens to different classes of anti-diabetic agents. Data from Japanese population showed that the optimal doses of liraglutide used are smaller than other population and that weight loss is not as effective as seen in Caucasians.

Methods

We aimed to assess liraglutide efficacy in reducing weight and HbA1c in Arab population when used as add on to other anti-diabetic agents. We prospectively followed patients who were recruited to treatment with liraglutide for a 6 months period; at the start of the study we checked patients’ demographics, weight, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid panel, LFTs and creatinine. Patients were checked at 3 months and at the end of the study at 6 months.

Results

There was a significant reduction in weight at 3 and 6 months from a mean weight of 96.01 ± 19.2 kg to (94.8 ± 20 kg with (P < 0.001)) and 94.5 ± 19 kg with (p < 0.001) respectively. Mean HbA1c at baseline was 8.3 ± 1.7 % dropped to 7.7 ± 1.4 % (p < 0.001) at 3 months, and 7.6 + 1.6 % (p < 0.001) at 6 months.

Conclusions

Liraglutide is effective in reducing weight, HbA1c as well as other metabolic parameters in Arab population with type2 diabetes.

Trial registration

The trial is approved and registered with the Institutional Ethical Committee Board (Dubai Health Authority Medical Research Committee) under registration Number (MRC-08/2013_03).
Distributed manufacturing with 3-D printing: a case study of recreational vehicle solar photovoltaic mounting systems
Authors: Wittbrodt Ben , Laureto John , Tymrak Brennan , Pearce Joshua M
Published: May 2015

For the first time, low-cost open-source 3-D printing provides the potential for distributed manufacturing at the household scale of customized, high-value, and complex products. To explore the potential of this type of ultra-distributed manufacturing, which has been shown to reduce environmental impact compared to conventional manufacturing, this paper presents a case study of a 3-D printable parametric design for recreational vehicle (RV) solar photovoltaic (PV) racking systems. The design is a four-corner mounting device with the ability to customize the tilt angle and height of the standoff. This enables performance optimization of the PV system for a given latitude, which is variable as RVs are geographically mobile. The open-source 3-D printable designs are fabricated and analyzed for print time, print electricity consumption, mechanical properties, and economic costs. The preliminary results show distributed manufacturing of the case study product results in an order of magnitude reduction in economic cost for equivalent products. In addition, these cost savings are maintained while improving the functionality of the racking system. The additional electrical output for a case study RV PV system with improved tilt angle functionality in three representative locations in the U.S. was found to be on average over 20% higher than that for conventional mass-manufactured racking systems. The preliminary results make it clear that distributed manufacturing - even at the household level - with open-source 3-D printers is technically viable and economically beneficial. Further research is needed to expand the results of this preliminary study to other types of products.
Estimation of surface-wave group velocity using slant stack in the generalized S-transform domain
Authors: Askari Roohollah , Hejazi S. Hossein
Published: May 2015

We have developed the slant stacking approach in the generalized S-transform (GST) domain of seismic data for the estimation of the group velocity of the multimodal surface wave. We used two versions of the GST. The constant-scale GST uses a constant scaling factor in the Gaussian window to control the spectral time-frequency localization. We found that a smaller scaling factor should be chosen for the low-frequency surface wave, whereas for higher frequencies, a larger scaling factor should be chosen. Therefore, the transform exhibits a trade-off in the group velocity resolution of low frequencies with small values of the scaling factor and the group velocity resolution of high frequencies with large values of the scaling factor. The modified S-transform (MST), another version of the GST used in this study, enhanced the time-frequency resolution by projecting the frequency into a linear frequency function in the Gaussian window. This property allowed us to estimate the group velocity for a broad range of frequencies. We demonstrated the robustness of the MST for the estimation of the group velocity by synthetic and real data examples.
Separation and reconstruction of simultaneous source data via iterative rank reduction
Authors: Cheng Jinkun , Sacchi Mauricio D.
Published: May 2015

We have developed a rank-reduction algorithm based on singular spectrum analysis (SSA) that is capable of suppressing the interferences generated by simultaneous source acquisition. We evaluated an inversion scheme that minimizes the misfit between predicted and observed blended data in [Formula: see text] domain subject to a low-rank constraint that is applied to data in the [Formula: see text] domain. In particular, we developed an iterative algorithm by adopting the projected gradient method with the SSA filter acting as the projection operator. This method entails extracting small patches of data from a common receiver gather and organizing the spatial data at a given monochromatic frequency into a Hankel matrix. For the ideal unblended data, Hankel matrices extracted from the data are of low rank. The incoherent interferences in common-receiver domain caused by simultaneously fired shots increase the rank of the aforementioned Hankel matrices. Therefore, rank-reduction filtering is an effective way to annihilate source interferences while preserving the unblended signal. Through tests with synthetic examples, we found that the interference can be effectively suppressed by the proposed method. In addition, we found that the proposed algorithm can be modified to simultaneously cope with deblending and data recovery. A real survey acquired in the Gulf of Mexico was used to mimic a simultaneous-source acquisition with missing shot locations. The algorithm was able to recover the missing shot gathers from the blended acquisition with an improvement of the signal quality of approximately 12 dB.
In the Shadow of a Long and Glorious Past: Understanding Greek Foreign Policy
Authors: Tziampiris Aristotle
Published: May 2015

This essay presents the major factors that make up the framework in which Greek foreign policy operates and explores whether they have any connections to past centuries, especially to Antiquity. They include Greece’s consequential geographical location between East and West and the fact that the country has often found itself at the center of international developments and debates. It is argued that Greece’s relative weakness demands strong alliances, elicits compensatory actions, and often allows individual politicians to play an outsized role in diplomatic affairs. Finally, the salience of nationalism, the current return to a more active participation in the eastern Mediterranean, and the extraordinary resilience of the Hellenes complete an explanatory framework for Greek diplomacy with specific historic antecedents.
WNT/β-catenin signaling inhibits CBP-mediated RelA acetylation and expression of proinflammatory NF-κB target genes
Authors: Ma Bin , Fey Monika , Hottiger Michael O.
Published: May 2015

The discovery of functional crosstalk between WNT and NF-κB signaling has established a more complex role of these two pathways in inflammation and cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of the crosstalk and its biological consequences are largely unknown. Here, we show that WNT/β-catenin signaling selectively inhibits the expression of a proinflammatory subset of IL-1β-induced NF-κB target genes. WNT/β-catenin signaling does not affect nuclear translocation of RelA or its association with CBP, but reduces CBP-mediated acetylation and chromatin recruitment of RelA. Thus, β-catenin selectively regulates NF-κB gene expression through its negative effects on RelA acetylation. This anti-inflammatory effect may be relevant for cancer treatment.
Genome-wide RNAi screen for nuclear actin reveals a network of cofilin regulators
Authors: Dopie Joseph , Rajakylä Eeva K. , Joensuu Merja S. , Huet Guillaume , Ferrantelli Evelina , Xie Tiao , Jäälinoja Harri , Jokitalo Eija , Vartiainen Maria K.
Published: May 2015

Nuclear actin plays an important role in many processes that regulate gene expression. Cytoplasmic actin dynamics are tightly controlled by numerous actin-binding proteins, but regulation of nuclear actin has remained unclear. Here, we performed a genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen in Drosophila cells to identify proteins that influence either nuclear polymerization or import of actin. We validate 19 factors as specific hits, and show that Chinmo (known as Bach2 in mammals), SNF4Aγ (Prkag1 in mammals) and Rab18 play a role in nuclear localization of actin in both fly and mammalian cells. We identify several new regulators of cofilin activity, and characterize modulators of both cofilin kinases and phosphatase. For example, Chinmo/Bach2, which regulates nuclear actin levels also in vivo, maintains active cofilin by repressing the expression of the kinase Cdi (Tesk in mammals). Finally, we show that Nup98 and lamin are candidates for regulating nuclear actin polymerization. Our screen therefore reveals new aspects of actin regulation and links nuclear actin to many cellular processes.
Thermodynamic examination of 1- to 5-nt purine bulge loops in RNA and DNA constructs
Authors: Strom Shane , Shiskova Evgenia , Hahm Yaeeun , Grover Neena
Published: May 2015

Bulge loops are common features of RNA structures that are involved in the formation of RNA tertiary structures and are often sites for interactions with proteins and ions. Minimal thermodynamic data currently exist on the bulge size and sequence effects. Using thermal denaturation methods, thermodynamic properties of 1- to 5-nt adenine and guanine bulge loop constructs were examined in 10 mM MgCl2 or 1 M KCl. The ΔG37∘ loop parameters for 1- to 5-nt purine bulge loops in RNA constructs were between 3.07 and 5.31 kcal/mol in 1 M KCl buffer. In 10 mM magnesium ions, the ΔΔG° values relative to 1 M KCl were 0.47–2.06 kcal/mol more favorable for the RNA bulge loops. The ΔG37∘ loop parameters for 1- to 5-nt purine bulge loops in DNA constructs were between 4.54 and 5.89 kcal/mol. Only 4- and 5-nt guanine constructs showed significant change in stability for the DNA constructs in magnesium ions. A linear correlation is seen between the size of the bulge loop and its stability. New prediction models are proposed for 1- to 5-nt purine bulge loops in RNA and DNA in 1 M KCl. We show that a significant stabilization is seen for small bulge loops in RNA in the presence of magnesium ions. A prediction model is also proposed for 1- to 5-nt purine bulge loop RNA constructs in 10 mM magnesium chloride.
Purification and characterization of GAD65-specific monoclonal autoantibodies
Authors: Jiang Wei , Macmillan Henriette , Madec Anne-Marie , Mellins Elizabeth D.
Published: May 2015

Autoantibodies against antigens expressed by insulin-producing β cells are circulating in both healthy individuals and patients at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. Recent studies suggest that another set of antibodies (anti-idiotypic antibodies) exists in this antibody/antigen interacting network to regulate auto-reactive responses. Anti-idiotypic antibodies may block the antigen-binding site of autoantibodies or inhibit autoantibody expression and secretion. The equilibrium between autoantibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies plays a critical role in mediating or preventing autoimmunity. Herein, using GAD65/anti-GAD65 autoantibodies as a model system, we aimed at establishing reliable approaches for purification of highly pure autoantibodies for the downstream investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying such a network.
Między polityką a kulturową tradycją
Authors: Aleksandrowicz Joanna
Published: May 2015

Between politics and cultural tradition. Basque Country in the films of Julio Medem

Julio Medem’s movies reflect the problem of Basque identity in unconventional way. Here we find an analysis of tensions between the regional authorities and the government in Madrid and the problem of terrorism as seen from the perspective of victims and the separatists themselves. At the same time, Medem shows a traditional Basque culture with its unique flavour and socio‑political determinants. This tradition is reflected also in contemporary narratives, where the characters who live far from Basque Country are named after divinities from the Basque mythology and in the most unexpected situations reveal attachment to their small homeland.
Oblicza kino "etno"
Authors: Kletowski Piotr
Published: May 2015

The Dimensions of the “Ethno” Cinema

The main aim of the text is an introduction of phenomenon of the “Ethno” cinema, which present the cultural activity of defined ethnic groups. The main thesis of author is a thought that we can erease the division both on ethnographical cinema, as and on ethnic cinema. Similarly, in the ground of “Ethno” cinema we can forget about divison on “fiction” feature and “documentary” feature because the border between these forms are very flexible. The most important thing is the truth about processes of ethnical society, not the form of the message, which is only the way of analysis. The central figure for understanding of the “ethno” cinema is Jean the Rouch – the pioneer of modern ethnographical cinema who created the fundamental base of the “Ethno” cinema, both intellectual and formal. Ethnic cinema is realized everywhere, where society is diversified by ethnical factor. First of all in USA and in Europe, as well (especially in Balkans). On the ground of “Ethno” cinema there are a few directors who put inside perspective in portraying ethnic matters, in the spirit of Rouch’s postulats. In America there are Afro‑American directors such as Spike Lee. In Europe one of them is Tony Gatlif – a Roma filmmaker, who is the main representative of European Roma Cinema.
Czym jest naród Państwa Środka?
Authors: Golik Katarzyna
Published: May 2015

What is Chinese Nation? Changing Narration of Ethnic Relations in Today’s China

Since the ancient times the non‑sinitic folks caused fear and were an object of disdain among the Chinese. In the twentieth‑century China the concept of a “nation” has been included in the state doctrine. Last three decades has brought a significant change in policy towards minorities, who had been politically incorporated to a “Chinese Nation”. This process was accompanied with an arising of the phenomenon of the „internal orientalism”. The idea of the “Chinese Nation” is present not only in the Chinese political thought but also in the education system and pop culture.
Narodziny mazurskiego regionalizmu autonomizacyjnego
Authors: Poniedziałek Jacek
Published: May 2015

The Birth of a Masurian Autonomous Regionalism

The aim of this article is to describe Masurian Autonomy Movement. Members of the organisation would like to change status of a Warmia and Masuria voivodeship by separating Masuria as an autonomous region. It is said that Masuria is poor and underdeveloped because of its dependence on the government in Warsaw. They underline that being autonomous means having separate budget and tax system. What is more, Masuria should have autonomous regional parliament and their own independent policy which would not be contrary to the central Polish state policy. According to RAM, because of Masurian cultural difference region should have autonomous status which would enable to protect the regional culture. RAM represents type of regionalism called economic with political and cultural elements.
Zielone ludy Padanii
Authors: Golemo Karolina
Published: May 2015

Green Folks of Padania. Tribal Fantasies and Economic Interests of the Italian Separatists

The article presents the genesis and the evolution of the Northern Italian separatist movement initially aiming at the foundation of the autonomist Padanian Republic. Among the main dimensions of the pro‑independence tendencies manifested by the members and followers of the Northern League party there are ethno‑linguistic diverseness and strong economic position which distinguishes the Northern regions of Italy from the rest of its territory. The article focuses on the analysis of both socio‑cultural and political‑economic backgrounds of the separatist tendencies. It underlines the special role of Celtic mythology and pagan symbols in the construction of the Padanian identity. The strategies of the political communication of the Northern League are described in relation to the Padanian rhetoric manifested through the electoral posters and slogans of the party.
Razem czy osobno?
Authors: Radowicz Joanna Aleksandra
Published: May 2015

Together or Separately? Scottish Independence Tendencies

In 1707, the Act of Union formally united Scotland with England as Great Britain. Scotland retained its own legal system, churches and universities but all real political power moved to London. Scots have never accepted English domination. But the electoral success of New Labour in 1997 paved finally the way for Scottish needs to independence. On September 11, 1997 Labour government held a referendum on the issue of devolution. A positive outcome led to the elections of a devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999. Devolution made Scotland more independent from Westminster but also strengthened Scottish national identity and tendencies of separatism. On October 15, 2012 First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond and British Prime Minister David Cameron have signed ‘Edinburgh agreement’ which enable to enact referendum on Scottish independence on September 18, 2014. That day Scots will decide whether they continue to be a part of the United Kingdom. The main purpose of this article is to present the Scottish independence tendencies in comparison to their history, national identity and devolution process.
Editorial
Authors: Soares Adriana Benevides , Tsallis Alexandra Cleopatre , Mendes Deise Maria Fernandes , Barros Rita Maria Manso de
Published: May 2015

Adriana Benevides Soares, Alexandra Cleopatre Tsallis, Deise Maria Fernandes Mendes, Rita Maria Manso de Barros
Evidências de validade de instrumentos de reações no ensino superior à distância
Authors: Martins Lara Barros , Zerbini Thaís
Published: May 2015

Com a crescente implantação de cursos superiores oferecidos via internet, os estudos na área de avaliação de ações educacionais a distância assumem grande relevância, ao propor instrumentos de medida para atestar a eficácia e a qualidade de cursos desta natureza. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se verificar as evidências de validade de dois instrumentos de medida: Reação aos Procedimentos Instrucionais e Reação ao Desempenho do Tutor. Alunos de graduação de uma universidade particular no interior paulista, que realizavam cursos a distância ou disciplinas híbridas, responderam a questionários que avaliaram o nível de satisfação com os procedimentos instrucionais adotados e a atuação profissional do tutor. Foram realizadas Análises Fatoriais Exploratórias e de consistência interna. Os escores analisados apontam para as evidências de validade estrutural em ambas escalas, que apresentam estruturas empíricas unifatoriais: 1) "Procedimentos Instrucionais em EAD" (17 itens, α=0,96 e cargas fatoriais entre 0,60 e 0,86); e 2) "Desempenho do Tutor" (27 itens, α=0,98 e cargas fatoriais entre 0,67 e 0,88). As estruturas de fator único já foram encontradas em estudos existentes com as medidas, que devem ser aplicadas em contextos e amostras diferentes, em futuras pesquisas.
A História da Psicologia e seu ensinamento há 40 anos desde "'Should the History of Science Be Rated X?" por Stephen Brush
Authors: Fierro Catriel
Published: May 2015

Comemorando os quarenta anos do artigo Should the History of Science Be Rated X? de Stephen Brush, propõe-se uma reflexão a respeito da relação entre o ensino da história da psicologia, a historiografia e a formação dos psicólogos. Em primeiro lugar, sintetiza-se a argumentação de Brush em torno à história da ciência e seu ensino. Depois, descreve-se a apropriação desde a história da psicologia e seu ensino de certas problemáticas citadas pelo autor, detalhando a questão da raiz geracional do conhecimento histórico e a necessidade da ampliação do gênero e tarefa histórica. Finalmente, menciona-se a questão da tensão entre a vertente curricular e acadêmica da história. Conclui-se que a adoção de uma moderada atitude crítica e de um marco historiográfico sociológico por parte dos docentes conseguiria evitar um ensino da história parcial e enviesado.
Reviews DVD/Blu-ray
Authors: Bennett Logan , Collier Stuart , Warpole Kailyn N.
Published: May 2015

Alone in a Crowded Street: Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver (1976) USA Director Martin Scorsese Runtime 114 minutes

Blu-ray USA, 2011 Produced and Distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (region free, NTSC)

Three Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman

Stromboli (1950) Italy Director Roberto Rossellini Runtime 106 minutes

Europe ’51 (1952) Italy Director Roberto Rossellini Runtime 109 minutes

Journey to Italy (1954) Italy Director Roberto Rossellini Runtime 85 minutes

DVD USA, 2013 Produced and Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region 1)

A Trip Across the Universe

Across the Universe (2007) USA Director Julie Taymor Runtime 133 minutes

DVD (2-Disc Deluxe Edition) USA, 2008 Produced and Distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (region 1)
Mathematical insight of species
Authors: Melvan Ena , Zucko Jurica , Ugrina Ivo , Cindric Mario , Hranueli Daslav , Starcevic Antonio
Published: May 2015

The application of mathematics to biology is not a novelty and just like the discovery of the microscope created a revolution in biology by revealing otherwise invisible and previously unknown worlds, mathematics could also be regarded as a form of microscope which can be used to visualise highly complex data.
Today, when Mass-Spectrometry based proteomic assays are becoming standard to identify microorganisms at the genus and species level in many clinical microbiology laboratories, it is prime time to find solutions which would solve the classification problem.
In our lab, we are developing one such solution by replacing numerous unrelated single protein searches with something we call a proteom fingerprint. By applying novel mathematics models we can display invisible worlds hidden within forests of data generated by mass spectrometry based proteomics.
By diving each protein into n-grams and making a vector of n-gram frequencies we can represent species proteome using term vector model. CUR matrix decomposition, used as a tool for exploratory data analysis, suggests that there are less then 1% of particulary important or influential n-grams in low-dimensional classification problem.
Therefore, we propose a proficient dimensionality reduction-based algorithm to identify microorganisms on both species and strain level. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) often used by Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is used to obtain a reduced data representation, therefore solving the sparsity and scalability issues. As a result, significant improvements in computational time are observed together with increased quality of returned results and decreased memory requirements.
To show the efficiency of our algorithm, we employed it to bacterial proteomes downloaded from NCBI. The algorithm assigned correctly both strain and species in more than 95% of tested samples. This work was funded by HRZZ (Croatian Science Foundation) research project Clinical proteomics of microorganisms.
Forecasting time series with multivariate copulas
Authors: Simard Clarence , Rémillard Bruno
Published: May 2015

In this paper we present a forecasting method for time series using copula-based models for multivariate
time series. We study how the performance of the predictions evolves when changing the strength of
the different possible dependencies, as well as the structure of the dependence. We also look at the impact
of the marginal distributions. The impact of estimation errors on the performance of the predictions is also
considered. In all the experiments, we compare predictions from our multivariate method with predictions
from the univariate version which has been introduced in the literature recently. To simplify implementation,
a test of independence between univariate Markovian time series is proposed. Finally, we illustrate the
methodology by a practical implementation with financial data.
Production of Oil and Char by Intermediate Pyrolysis of Scrap Tyres: Influence on Yield and Product Characteristics
Authors: Acosta Rolando , Tavera Claudia , Gauthier-Maradei Paola , Nabarlatz Debora
Published: May 2015

Scrap tyres represent a severe environmental problem that must be solved by developing technologies allowing the processing of high quantities of this residue. This work presents the results of pyrolysis oil and pyrolytic char production by intermediate pyrolysis of rubber recovered from scrap tyres. The influence of process variables such as particle size, temperature and reaction time on the characteristics of the products obtained was analysed. Maximal yields of 52.56 and 39.50 wt% of pyrolysis oil and pyrolytic char, respectively, were obtained, under operational conditions that favoured the production of pyrolysis oil. The products obtained were a pyrolytic char with a maximal surface area of 85.16 m2/g and fixed carbon content of 78.55 wt%; and pyrolysis oil with a higher heating value of 42.94 MJ/kg, real density of 0.948 g/mL, viscosity 2.29×10−3 Pa s and acidity between 0.39 and 1.57 mg KOH/g. The highest total aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes and ethylbenzene) yield in pyrolysis oil was obtained at a temperature of 466°C and volumetric gas flow of 155 NmL/min. In addition, at these conditions, the pyrolysis oil having the maximum aromatic yield showed the lowest acidity. Nevertheless, it was observed that the highest pyrolysis oil yield does not necessarily lead to a higher yield of aromatics.
Processing instruction on the Spanish passive with transfer-of-training effects to anaphoric and cataphoric reference contexts
Authors: Lee James F.
Published: May 2015

Transfer-of-training effects with processing instruction have recently been reported in the literature. That is, L2 learners receive processing instruction on one particular linguistic item and, as a consequence of instruction, learners' performance improves not only on the particular linguistic item but on other linguistic items as well. The present study examines processing instruction on the Spanish passive, the word order of which places the patient in the grammatical role of subject in sentence initial position and the agent as the object of a preposition in sentence final position. The purpose of the study is to determine whether learners transfer the training they receive on processing the word order of passive sentences to their processing of sentences with anaphoric reference, specifically, accusative case pronouns for which the word order is O
Insulin dynamics and biochemical markers for predicting impaired glucose tolerance in obese Thai youth
Authors: Tirabanchasak Sirapassorn , Siripunthana Sukumarn , Supornsilchai Vichit , Wacharasindhu Suttipong , Sahakitrungruang Taninee
Published: May 2015

Subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. The predictors of IGT in obese youth are not well described.

We studied 115 obese Thai children who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Plasma glucose and insulin levels were calculated for assessment of β-cell function. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid profile, and clinical parameters were also used to determine predictors of IGT.

We found that three patients had T2DM and 30 subjects had IGT. IGT patients had significantly higher fasting glucose (FG), 1-h postload glucose, 2-h postload insulin, and lower whole-body insulin sensitivity indices than in normal glucose tolerance subjects whereas other indices were comparable. By ROC curve analyses, 1-h postload glucose was the best predictor of IGT, but FG or HbA1c represented a poor diagnostic tool for prediabetes screening. Subjects with 1-h OGTT glucose >155 mg/dL had significantly lower high-density lipoprotein levels, lower insulin sensitivity, and more insulin resistance than those with 1-h postload glucose of ≤155 mg/dL.

Abnormal glucose tolerance is highly prevalent in obese Thai youth. Several fasting indices and HbA1c fail to predict IGT. An 1-h OGTT glucose of >155 mg/dL appears to be more associated with adverse insulin dynamics and metabolic profile than 2-h postload glucose.
Tamoxifen-associated hirsutism: an unusual side effect in a 5-year-old girl with McCune-Albright syndrome
Authors: Kırmızıbekmez Heves , Yesiltepe Mutlu Rahime Gül , Dursun Fatma , İşgüven Şükriye Pınar
Published: May 2015

Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has been used in the treatment of peripheral precoccious puberty. A 5-year and 3-month-old girl, diagnosed with McCune-Albright syndrome, came in with abnormal hair growth approximately 2 months after the initiation of tamoxifen. The pattern of terminal hair on the skin following the administration of the drug and the exclusion of other causes suggested tamoxifen-induced hirsutism.
In psychiatrically healthy individuals, overweight women but not men have lower tryptophan levels
Authors: Raheja Uttam K. , Fuchs Dietmar , Giegling Ina , Brenner Lisa A. , Rovner Sergio F. , Mohyuddin Iqra , Weghuber Daniel , Mangge Harald , Rujescu Dan , Postolache Teodor T.
Published: May 2015

Gender differences in tryptophan (TRP) breakdown in obese individuals have been previously reported. This could be both contributory to, as well as a consequence of, gender differences in mood changes among obese people. To exclude the potential effect of depression on TRP breakdown and its levels in obesity, we replicated analyses in psychiatrically healthy individuals. In 1000 participants, plasma kynurenine (KYN), TRP, and the KYN/TRP ratio were compared between overweight/obese and normal-weight individuals using analysis of covariance, with adjustment for age and gender. Bivariate post hoc tests were also conducted. There were no significant relationships between KYN, TRP, or the KYN/TRP ratio and overall overweight/obese status. However, a significant gender by weight category interaction was identified for TRP only, with overweight/obese women having lower TRP than overweight/obese men (p=0.02). No gender differences in TRP were found in non-obese participants. Our study in psychiatrically healthy individuals suggested that lower TRP levels in obese women were not secondary to depression, strengthening the possibility that TRP levels could mediate depression in vulnerable women. Thus experimental manipulations of TRP levels could be used to advance theoretical knowledge, prevention, and clinical control of depression in obese women.
The effects of Juglans regia L. (walnut) extract on certain biochemical paramaters and in the prevention of tissue damage in brain, kidney, and liver in CCl4 applied Wistar rats
Authors: Aydın Sevinç , Gökçe Zehra , Yılmaz Ökkeş
Published: May 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate protective effects of walnut samples on CCl4- induced tissue damage in vivo.

Methods: Walnut fruits were extracted and then subjected to vitamin and flavonoid analyses. The extracts obtained were injected intraperitoneally every other day to Wistar male rats given carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and the animals were decapitated at the end of the study period. The brain, kidney, and liver tissues were removed and lipid peroxidation (LPO) measurements were done in the lipid fraction generated. The fatty acids in the lipid extract were analyzed by gas chromatography after converting them into methyl esters. In addition, the amounts of glutathione, protein, and vitamins were analyzed.

Results: Given the results achieved, it was found that the levels of fatty acids increased in the brain and kidney tissues after CCl4 administration (p<0.001). In the groups given walnut extract against CCl4, it was found that the glutathione (GSH) level increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) level reduced in all tissues (p<0.05, p<0.01). Given lipophilic vitamin levels, it was found that α-tocopherol level increased in the brain and liver tissues in the group receiving additional walnut in comparison with the controls (p<0.05), and cholesterol level increased in the tissues, except kidney, in all groups in comparison with the control group (p<0.05, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our data indicates that walnut extract has protective effects against LPO formation in the brain, kidney and liver tissues.
Potential Anticancer Agents, XI. X-Ray Structure Determination of Acantholide [1]
Authors: Lotter H. , Wagner H. , Saleh A. A. , Cordell G. A. , Famsworth N. R.
Published: May 2015

The X-ray structure of acantholide, a melampolide sesquiterpene lactone from Acanthosper­mum glabratum (D C .) Willd. was determined by the aid of direct methods. The compound was cy­totoxic but displayed no antitumor activity. Evaluation of the X-ray and NMR data indicated that the same conformation exists in the solid state as in solution.
Isoflavonoid Phytoalexins of Yam Bean (Pachyrrhizus erosus)
Authors: Ingham John L.
Published: May 2015

The furanopterocarpan, neodunol, has been isolated as a major phytoalexin from the fungus-inoculated stems of Pachyrrhizus erosus. Neodunol is accompanied by small quantities of demethylmedicarpin and a third compound provisionally identified as the prenylated pterocarpan, homoedudiol; traces of a neodunol isomer were also isolated from P. erosus although its precise structure could not be determined. The apparently close chemical relationship between Pachyrrhizus and Neorautanenia is discussed in the light of a recent study which allocates these genera to differ­ent sections of the legume tribe Phaseoleae.
Screening of Aromatic Secondary Lichen Substances by High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Straek Dieter , Feige Guido Benno , Kroll Reinhard
Published: May 2015

A simple HPLC method is described which allows screening and accurate quantification of aromatic secondary lichen substances. Using a linear water-methanol gradient on a reversed-phase column packing (LiChrosorb RP-8) 13 aromatic lichen products were resolved within 55 min. With 8 arbitrarily selected lichens the application of the described method is demonstrated.
Proliferation and Metabolie Activities of Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells in Chemically Defined Albumin Media
Authors: Teschner Regina , Postius Stefan , Löffler Monika , Schneider Friedhelm
Published: May 2015

Cell proliferation, viability, DNA-, RNA-, protein synthesis, amino acid transport, respiration and lactate/glucose quotient of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells grown in suspension culture in serum free medium supplemented with albumin charges of different origin were studied. Optimal cell growth was obtained in nutrient medium supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin (Cohnfraction V, Serva). Cell proliferation under these culture conditions was delayed to 50% as compared to controls in normal medium; the rate of synthesis of macromolecules was reduced; energy metabolism was not significantly impaired. The trend of the cells in albumin medium to attach to glass was independent from the pH of the cultures between 7.2 and 8.0; it was enhanced by fatty acid deprivation of the albumin.