bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of aliskiren and valsartan in mice with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Wang Weidong , Qiu Liru , Howard Allison , Solis Nathaniel , Li Chunling , Wang Xiaoxin , Kopp Jeffrey B. , Levi Moshe
Published: July 2014

Aim:

We investigated whether aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, provided protection in a model of diabetic nephropathy in mice and compared its protective effects to valsartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker.

Materials and methods:

Hyperglycemia was induced with streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg/day × 5 days) injection in DBA/2J mice fed on a high fat diet. Mice were treated with either aliskiren (25 mg/kg/day) or valsartan (8 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks.

Results:

Aliskiren and/or valsartan treatment significantly attenuated albuminuria, urinary nephrin excretion and glomerulosclerosis. Aliskiren and/or valsartan prevented reduction of podocin and WT1 protein abundance in diabetic mice. Aliskiren and/or valsartan significantly prevented increased expression of profibrotic growth factors (TGFβ, CTGF and PAI-1), proinflammatory cytokines (MCP-1, TNFα and IL-1β), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (CHOP and XBP-1) and lipid accumulation in the kidney of diabetic animals. Aliskiren showed similar efficacy compared to valsartan therapy and dual treatment in some aspects has synergistic protective effects.

Conclusion:

Our study indicates that aliskiren and/or valsartan protects against diabetic kidney disease through multiple mechanisms, including decreasing podocyte injury, activation of profibrotic growth factors and proinflammatory cytokines, ER stress and accumulation of lipids.
The microRNA-132/212 family fine-tunes multiple targets in Angiotensin II signalling in cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Eskildsen Tilde V , Schneider Mikael , Sandberg Maria B , Skov Vibe , Brønnum Hasse , Thomassen Mads , Kruse Torben A , Andersen Ditte C , Sheikh Søren P
Published: July 2014

Introduction:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of cardiovascular development and disease; however, the cardiac miRNA target molecules are not well understood. We and others have described the Angiotensin II (AngII)-induced miR-132/212 family as novel regulators of cardiovascular function including regulation of cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure and blood pressure possibly through AT1R signalling. However, the miR-132/212 targets in the heart remain unknown.

Materials and methods:

To understand the role of these miRNAs in cardiac signalling networks, we undertook comprehensive in silico and in vitro experiments to identify miR-132/212 molecular targets in primary rat cardiac fibroblasts.

Results:

MiR-132/212 overexpression increased fibroblast cell size and mRNA arrays detected several hundred genes that were differentially expressed, including a wide panel of receptors, signalling molecules and transcription factors. Subsequent comprehensive in silico analysis identified 24 target genes, of which 22 genes were qPCR validated. We identified seven genes involved in AngII signalling pathways.

Conclusion:

We here report novel insight of an extensive network of molecular pathways that fine-tuned by miR-132/212, suggesting a role for this miRNA family as master signalling switches in cardiac fibroblasts. Our data underscore the potential for miRNA tools to manipulate a large array of molecules and thereby control biological function.
Blurred Lines: Reconsidering the Concept of ‘Diversion’ in Youth Justice Systems in Australia
Authors: Richards Kelly
Published: July 2014

This article revisits ‘diversion’ in the context of youth justice in Australia. Although ‘diversion’ is omnipresent in youth justice, it is rarely subject to critical examination. This article raises four interrelated questions: what young people are to be ‘diverted’ from and to; whether young people are to be ‘diverted’ from the criminal justice system or from offending; whether young people are to be ‘diverted’ from criminal justice processes or outcomes; and whether ‘diversion’ should be considered distinct from crime prevention and early intervention. The article concludes that the confusion about youth ‘diversion’ may foster individualized interventions in young people’s lives.
Tissue-engineered microenvironment systems for modeling human vasculature
Authors: Tourovskaia Anna , Fauver Mark , Kramer Gregory , Simonson Sara , Neumann Thomas
Published: July 2014

The high attrition rate of drug candidates late in the development process has led to an increasing demand for test assays that predict clinical outcome better than conventional 2D cell culture systems and animal models. Government agencies, the military, and the pharmaceutical industry have started initiatives for the development of novel in-vitro systems that recapitulate functional units of human tissues and organs. There is growing evidence that 3D cell arrangement, co-culture of different cell types, and physico-chemical cues lead to improved predictive power. A key element of all tissue microenvironments is the vasculature. Beyond transporting blood the microvasculature assumes important organ-specific functions. It is also involved in pathologic conditions, such as inflammation, tumor growth, metastasis, and degenerative diseases. To provide a tool for modeling this important feature of human tissue microenvironments, we developed a microfluidic chip for creating tissue-engineered microenvironment systems (TEMS) composed of tubular cell structures. Our chip design encompasses a small chamber that is filled with an extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding one or more tubular channels. Endothelial cells (ECs) seeded into the channels adhere to the ECM walls and grow into perfusable tubular tissue structures that are fluidically connected to upstream and downstream fluid channels in the chip. Using these chips we created models of angiogenesis, the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and tumor-cell extravasation. Our angiogenesis model recapitulates true angiogenesis, in which sprouting occurs from a “parent” vessel in response to a gradient of growth factors. Our BBB model is composed of a microvessel generated from brain-specific ECs within an ECM populated with astrocytes and pericytes. Our tumor-cell extravasation model can be utilized to visualize and measure tumor-cell migration through vessel walls into the surrounding matrix. The described technology can be used to create TEMS that recapitulate structural, functional, and physico-chemical elements of vascularized human tissue microenvironments in vitro.
An application of embryonic skin cells to repair diabetic skin wound: A wound reparation trail
Authors: Qian De Jian , Guo Xiang Kai , Duan Hui Chuan , Han Zhi Hua , Meng Fei , Liu Ju , Wang Yan
Published: July 2014

Cell therapy has shown its power to promote diabetic chronic wound healing. However, problems of scar formation and loss of appendages have not yet been solved. Our study aims to explore the potential of using embryonic skin cells (ESkCs) to repair diabetic wounds. Circular wound was created on the back of the diabetic mice, and ESkCs stained with CM-DIL were transplanted into the wound. Wound area was recorded at the day 4, 7, 11, and 14 after transplantation. The tissue samples were obtained at week 1, 2, and 3, and the tissue sections were stained by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), TGF-β3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD31. The new skin formed on the wound of the diabetic mice with ESkC treatment at week 1 but not on the wounds of the non-treatment group. The histological scores of diabetic group with ESkC treatment were significantly better than the non-treatment group ( P < 0.05). The fluorescence examination of CM-DIL and CD31 staining indicated that the ESkCs participated in the tissue regeneration, hair follicles formation, and angiogenesis. The expression of TGF-β1 and VEGF in ESkC-treated groups was noticeable in week 1 but disappeared in week 2. TGF-β3 was not expressed at week 1 but expressed markedly around hair follicles in week 2 in ESkC-treated groups. Our study demonstrated that ESkCs are capable of developing new skin with appendage restoration to repair the diabetic wounds.
Dietary salt restriction in hyperthyroid rats. Differential influence on left and right ventricular mass
Authors: Wangensteen Rosemary , Rodríguez-Gómez Isabel , Perez-Abud Rocío , Quesada Andrés , Montoro-Molina Sebastián , Osuna Antonio , Vargas Félix
Published: July 2014

This study assessed the impact of salt restriction on cardiac morphology and biochemistry and its effects on hemodynamic and renal variables in experimental hyperthyroidism. Four groups of male Wistar rats were used: control, hyperthyroid, and the same groups under low salt intake. Body weight, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded weekly for 4 weeks. Morphologic, metabolic, plasma, cardiac, and renal variables were also measured. Low salt intake decreased BP in T4-treated rats but not in controls. Low salt intake reduced relative left ventricular mass but increased absolute right ventricular weight and right ventricular weight/BW ratio in both control and hyperthyroid groups. Low salt intake increased Na+/H+ exchanger-1 (NHE-1) protein abundance in both ventricles in normal rats but not in hyperthyroid rats, independently of its effect on ventricular mass. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein abundance was not related to left or right ventricular mass in hyperthyroid or controls rats under normal or low salt conditions. Proteinuria was increased in hyperthyroid rats and attenuated by low salt intake. In this study, low salt intake produced an increase in right ventricular mass in normal and hyperthyroid rats. Changes in the left or right ventricular mass of control and hyperthyroid rats under low salt intake were not explained by the NHE-1 or mTOR protein abundance values observed. In hyperthyroid rats, low salt intake also slightly reduced BP and decreased HR, proteinuria, and water and sodium balances.
Heating potential evaluation of earth–air heat exchanger system for winter season
Authors: Bisoniya Trilok Singh , Kumar Anil , Baredar Prashant
Published: July 2014

Earth–air heat exchanger system can be used effectively to reduce heat energy demand of buildings in cold and dry winter weather conditions. A quasi-steady state, three-dimensional model based on computational fluid dynamics was developed to evaluate the heating potential of earth–air heat exchanger system. The simulation model of earth–air heat exchanger system is developed in computational fluid dynamics platform CFX 12.0. The simulation results obtained from computational fluid dynamics modeling of earth–air heat exchanger were validated by experimental observations taken on experimental setup installed in Bhopal (Central India). A good agreement was observed between simulation results and experimental observations with maximum values of coefficient of correlation and root mean square of percent deviation 0.999 and 2.1%, respectively. The experimental setup of earth–air heat exchanger with polyvinyl chloride pipe of 19.228 m length and 0.1016 m diameter buried at 2 m depth discussed in this article gives the maximum and minimum rises in air temperature of 8.2°C and 6.8°C for air flow velocities of 2 and 5 m/s, respectively. It was seen that the rise in air temperature is faster for the initial length of the pipe and it became moderate for the remaining length. The total hourly heat energy gain or heating potential obtained from experimental setup of earth–air heat exchanger varied from 0.59 to 1.22 MJ h for air flow velocities of 2–5 m/s. The air flow velocity is found to greatly affect the thermal performance of earth–air heat exchanger system.
The Institutionalization of Human Rights and its Discontents: A World Cultural Perspective
Authors: Elliott Michael A.
Published: July 2014

A recurring theme in the sociology of human rights is the vast decoupling that exists between the formal codification of these rights in principle and their implementation in practice, fueling much debate about the effectiveness of international law. Yet, despite this disjuncture, a deeper question remains: given all the barriers that have impeded the realization of human rights, why have they become so widely institutionalized? Revisiting previous work in this journal, I argue that one important component of the expansion of human rights is the rise of the universal, egalitarian individual as the primary entity of social organization in world society. Additionally, I explore how the nature of human rights law itself promotes widespread decoupling that, in turn, fuels ongoing efforts to close the gap between principle and practice. Indeed, while human rights law envisions an ideal world that is practically unrealizable, it inspires a never-ending, global crusade to bring about that vision.
The safety of asthma medications during pregnancy: an update for clinicians
Authors: Namazy Jennifer A. , Schatz Michael
Published: July 2014

Pregnancy may be complicated by new onset or preexisting asthma. This article reviews the recognition and management of asthma during pregnancy, as well as general principles of asthma medication use during pregnancy.
Effect of Multivitamin-Mineral Supplements Is Transient in Preschool Children With Low Appetite and Growth Failure
Authors: Hassanzadeh-Rostam Zahra , Kazemi Asma , Akhlaghi Masoumeh
Published: July 2014

Objective: Micronutrient deficiencies are contributing factors to growth failure and loss of appetite. This study investigated the effect of multivitamin-mineral supplements on appetite and growth of preschool children with poor appetite and growth failure. Methods: The study was placebo-controlled, with 63 children (29 boys and 34 girls), 3 to 7 years old, with low appetite and impaired growth. Children were randomized to receive multivitamin-mineral syrup plus folic acid (supplement group) or placebo. The intervention was continued for 2 months, but children were followed 1 month postintervention. The following parameters were investigated: weight, weight for age Z-score (WAZ), midarm circumference (MAC), and appetite. Findings: During intervention both groups demonstrated increases in weight, WAZ, MAC, and appetite, but the improvements in WAZ and MAC were not statistically significant in the placebo group. With the exception of weight, other improvements in the supplement group were not significantly different from those in the placebo group. One month postintervention, MAC and appetite decreased in both groups (P < .05), but weight and WAZ did not significantly change. Comparing the final data with the baseline showed that, compared with the placebo, supplementation did not make a significant difference in any of the parameters. Conclusion: Multivitamin-mineral supplements may have only transient beneficial effects on the weight of preschool children with poor appetite and impaired growth.
Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting With Endobronchial Metastases
Authors: Onyeaso Nduche Chika , Gosmanov Aidar R.
Published: July 2014

Endobronchial metastasis is a rare manifestation of differentiated thyroid cancer. A 79-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath, chest pain, anemia, and weight loss. Computed tomography of chest revealed multiple lung nodules. Bronchoscopy showed an endobronchial lesion in the right upper lobe. The biopsy of the lesion demonstrated neoplastic cells stained positive for thyroglobulin, thyroid transcription factor-1, and cytokeratin-7, consistent with metastatic follicular thyroid cancer. Physical examination revealed a firm fixed thyroid nodule, which was confirmed by thyroid ultrasound. He subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy and neck exploration. Thyroid gland pathology revealed a nodule with features of high-grade follicular thyroid carcinoma. Metastatic thyroid cancer should be considered in workup of pulmonary nodules. We recommend an examination of thyroid gland in patients who present with pulmonary nodules associated with signs and symptoms of malignancy.
The Ties that Do Not Bind
Authors: Samaan Jean-Loup
Published: July 2014

This article evaluates the current relations between Gulf monarchies and South Asian States (India, Pakistan) as well as China. Economic ties between the Arabian Peninsula and these Asian countries grew in earnest in recent years leading to the making of a popular narrative which states that this rapprochement is a consequence of the international redistribution of power from the West to the East. The narrative argues that in coming years the decline of the United States and European countries will lead to their retreat from their historical areas of influence. However the idea of a rising Gulf-Asian strategic nexus is shaped by misleading geopolitical determinism. It derives from the belief that Gulf and Asian countries are part of one and the same geopolitical space and implies that international relations are merely a zero-sum game according to which rising Saudi-China relations equate to declining Saudi–US relations. This article challenges this narrative by arguing that despite these interactions, the Persian Gulf and Asia do not blend into an interregional entity or a ‘meso-system’. Eventually national security considerations prevail and although bilateral ties between countries from the two areas are likely to grow in the economic domain, there is no reason to think that the two regional complexes will merge at the political and strategic levels.
Managing the Arab Spring
Authors: Quamar Md. Muddassir
Published: July 2014

The Arab Spring posed a number of challenges for Saudi Arabia both internally and externally. Its primary concern was to maintain security and stability within the kingdom as it feared a spillover of the problems faced by the affected countries. Arab Spring also challenged the regional dynamics which had the potential to harm Saudi national interests. Thus, the monarchy tried to manage the emerging situation by keeping an eye on its domestic stability and maintaining its external standing. Though it applied similar strategies inside and outside, the approaches were contradictory. It was accommodative in dealing with the situation within, but chose to be assertive when it came to pursuing its interests outside. It managed to effectively achieve its objectives of avoiding the spread of protests and the attendant potential for instability inside the kingdom despite facing security concerns. Moreover, it was largely successful in influencing the events in Bahrain and Yemen to secure its interests, and with Syria staring at a stalemate and an altered situation in Egypt, the potential threat of a radically changed regional environment also subsided. Thus, the Saudi aims of protecting the national interests and keeping the regional dynamics intact while ensuring the security and stability of the kingdom were fulfilled. However, with the evolving nature of sociopolitical life in the Arab world in general, and Saudi Arabia in particular, the monarchy needs to develop a nuanced and sustainable approach toward dealing with these recurring issues. It is important that a steady process of reform is initiated to satisfy people’s aspirations and an institutionalized foreign policy is developed to deal with the changing regional environment. A failure at any of the two can pose a threat to the kingdom’s stability and regional standing in the long run.
Human CD68 promoter GFP transgenic mice allow analysis of monocyte to macrophage differentiation in vivo
Authors: Iqbal Asif J. , McNeill Eileen , Kapellos Theodore S. , Regan-Komito Daniel , Norman Sophie , Burd Sarah , Smart Nicola , Machemer Daniel E. W. , Stylianou Elena , McShane Helen , Channon Keith M. , Chawla Ajay , Greaves David R.
Published: July 2014

Key Points

CD68-GFP reporter mice show GFP transgene expression in both monocytes and tissue resident macrophage populations. Adoptively transferred CD68-GFP monocytes maintain GFP expression after recruitment in an ongoing inflammatory response.
Sleep architecture and cognitive changes in olanzapine-treated patients with depression: A double blind randomized placebo controlled trial
Authors: Lazowski Lauren K , Townsend Ben , Hawken Emily R , Jokic Ruzica , du Toit Regina , Milev Roumen
Published: July 2014

Background

Disturbance in sleep quality is a symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) and thus improving quality of sleep is an important aspect of successful treatment. Here, a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the effect of olanzapine (an atypical antipsychotic) augmentation therapy on sleep architecture, specifically slow wave sleep (SWS), in the treatment of depression. The effect of olanzapine augmentation therapy on other features of sleep (e.g., sleep continuity) and depression (e.g., illness severity and cognitive function) were also determined.

Methods

Patients currently experiencing a major depressive episode and who were on a stable medication were included. Sleep architecture was measured by overnight ambulatory polysomnography. Illness severity was determined using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Cognitive function was examined using Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Spatial Span (SSP), and Reaction Time (RTI) tasks. Polysomnographs, clinical measures and cognitive tests were administered at baseline, after 2–4 days of treatment and after 28–31 days of treatment. Twenty-five patients participated in the study (N = 10, N = 15 for placebo and olanzapine treated groups respectively).

Results

The primary objective of the study was to assess the objective (polysomnographic) changes in sleep quality, defined as changes in SWS, following olanzapine treatment for depression. Latency to but not duration of SWS was found to significantly differ between olanzapine- and placebo-treated participants (Hedge’s g: 0.97, 0.13 respectively). A significant improvement in olanzapine-treated participants over placebo-treated participants was observed in secondary outcome measures, including sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and sleep latency. Secondary objectives assessed the subjective changes in sleep quality parameters and correlated them with measures of illness severity and changes in cognition. MADRS scores were significantly improved in olanzapine-treated participants over time but not more than placebo treatment. There was no significant difference between olanzapine- and placebo-treated participants in SWM, SSP or RTI tasks.

Conclusions

Olanzapine augmentation treatment generally did not improve SWS but did improve sleep continuity and depression. Olanzapine may be one of few medications that improve sleep continuity, thus directly targeting symptoms of depression.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00520507.
Comparison between rapid and mixed maxillary expansion through an assessment of dento-skeletal effects on posteroanterior cephalometry
Authors: Perillo Letizia , De Rosa Alfredo , Iaselli Francesco , d’Apuzzo Fabrizia , Grassia Vincenzo , Cappabianca Salvatore
Published: July 2014

Background

The aim of this study is to compare the dento-skeletal effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and mixed maxillary expansion (MME), assessed on posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms.

Methods

Treatment groups consisted of 42 patients; mean age in RME group (n = 21,13 female and 8 male subjects) was 8.8 years ± 1.37 at T0 and 9.6 years ± 1.45 at T1 and mean age in MME group (n = 21, 12 female and 9 male patients) was 8.9 years ± 2.34 at T0 and 10.5 years ± 2.08 at T1. Seventeen bilateral anatomic landmarks, 16 linear (12 skeletal and 4 dental) and 4 angular measurements were assessed for each patient at T0 and T1. Data from the two groups were compared using independent sample t test (p < 0.05).

Results

At T0, the groups were similar for all examined variables (p > 0.05). Significant and equal increase of lateronasal and maxillary and upper and lower molar widths (p < 0. 01) occurred in both groups at T1. Significant but different increases were observed for maxillary incisal, upper left first molar-lateroorbitale, and maxillary first molar angles (p < 0.001 vs. p < 0.05). Significant increases were reported for upper inter-incisal width apex (p < 0.001) and upper right first molar-lateroorbitale angle (p < 0.05) only in the RME group. At T1, differences in maxillary incisal angle (p < 0.05), upper left first molar-lateroorbitale, and maxillary first molar angles (p < 0.001) were noted.

Conclusions

RME and MME were both effective to increase skeletal transverse dimensions by opening mid-palatal suture in growing patients, while MME was associated with minor dental side effects than RME.
Predominant Role of GIP in the Development of a Metabolic Syndrome-like Phenotype in Female Wistar Rats Submitted to Forced Catch-up Growth
Authors: De Toro-Martín J. , Fernández-Millán E. , Lizárraga-Mollinedo E. , López-Oliva E. , Serradas P. , Escrivá F. , Álvarez C.
Published: July 2014

Catch-up growth has been associated with the appearance of metabolic dysfunctions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Because the entero-insular axis is critical to glucose homeostasis control, we explored the relevance of the incretins glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the development of these pathologies. Offspring of rat dams fed ad libitum (control [C]) or 65% food-restricted during pregnancy and suckling time (undernourished [U]) were weaned onto a high-fat (HF) diet (CHF and UHF, respectively) to drive catch-up growth. Both male and female UHF rats showed an obese phenotype characterized by hyperphagy, visceral fat accumulation, and adipocyte hypertrophy. High-fat diet induced deterioration of glucose tolerance in a sex-dependent manner. Female UHF rats experienced much more severe glucose intolerance than males, which was not compensated by insulin hypersecretion, suggesting insulin resistance, as shown by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance values. Moreover, female, but not male, UHF rats displayed enhanced GIP but not GLP-1 secretion during oral glucose tolerance test. Administration of the GIP receptor antagonist (Pro3)GIP to UHF female rats over 21 days markedly reduced visceral fat mass and adipocyte hypertrophy without variations in food intake or body weight. These changes were accompanied by improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, the exacerbated production and secretion of GIP after the catch-up growth seems to represent the stimulus for insulin hypersecretion and insulin resistance, ultimately resulting in derangement of glucose homeostasis. Overall, these data evidence the role of GIP as a critical link between catch-up growth and the development of metabolic disturbances.
Foreword / Eessõna / Eḑḑisõnā
Authors: Pajusalu Karl , Sutrop Urmas
Published: July 2014

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Livonian landscapes in the historical geography of Livonia and the division of Livonian tribes
Authors: Sutrop Urmas
Published: July 2014

There is no exact consensus on the division and sub-division of the former Livonian territories at the end of the ancient independence period in the 12th century. Even the question of the Coastal Livonians in Courland – were they an indigenous Livonian tribe or a replaced eastern Livonian tribe – remains unsolved. In this paper the anonymously published treatise on the historical geography of Livonia by Johann Christoph Schwartz (1792) will be analysed and compared with the historical modern views. There is an agreement on the division of the Eastern Livonian territories into four counties: Daugava, Gauja, Metsepole, and Idumea. Idumea had a mixed Livonian-Baltic population. There is no consensus on the parochial sub-division of these counties.Kokkuvõte. Urmas Sutrop: Liivi maastikud Liivimaa ajaloolises geograafias ja liivi hõimude jaotus. Tänapäeval puudub täielik konsensus, kuidas liivlaste territoorium jagunes muinasmaakondadeks ja/või -kihelkondadeks muistse iseseisvuse lõpul 12. sajandil. Lahendamata on isegi küsimus sellest, kas Kuramaa rannaliivlased on muistsete liivlaste või sinna 16. sajandil ümber asunud liivlaste järeltulijad. Käesolevas artiklis vaadeldakse 1792. aastal Johann Christoph Schwartzi anonüümselt ilmunud käsitlust Liivimaa ajaloolisest geograafiast ning võrreldakse seda tollaste ja tänapäevaste arusaamadega. Kokkulepe teadlaste vahel on üldisem idapoolsete liivlaste territoriaalses suurjaotuses: Väina jõe liivlase alad, Koiva jõe liivlaste alad, Metsapoole ja Idumea. Neist viimast peetakse liivlaste ja balti hõimude segaalaks. Samas puudub konsensus nende liivi maakondlike alade edasisest kihelkondlikust jaotusest.Märksõnad: Johann Christoph Schwartz, ajalooline geograafia, liivi hõimud, LiivimaaKubbõvõttõks. Urmas Sutrop:Līvõ mōpālgõd Līvõmō istōrilis geogrāfijs. Tämpõ tuņšlijid äb ūotõ īdmēļizt, kui līvlizt terītori vȯļ jagdõd muinižiz mōgõniž ja/agā pagāstõdõksks muiniz īžpīlimiz lopāndõksõs 12. āigastsadā āigal. Äb ūo arāntõt, või Kurāmǭ līvlizt ātõ muinizt līvlizt tagāntuļļid agā 16. āigastsadā āigal sīņõ lǟnõd līvlizt tagāntuļļid. Sīes kēras um vaņţõltõd 1792. āigastõs ulztund Johann Christoph Schwartz tuņšlõkst iļ Līvõmǭ istōriliz geogrāfij (ulzõtuldsõ se tuņšlõks vȯļ anonīmi). Siedā um ītõltõd sīeaigizt ja paldīņizt arusǭmiztõks. Tuņšlijid ātõ dižānist īdmēļizt mǭgõrpūoļizt līvlizt teritorij jagdõksõs: Vēna joug līvlizt mō, Koiva joug līvlizt mōd, Mõtsāpūol ja Idūmō. Idumō um mō, kus um līvlizt ja baltõd sugūd jelīzt siegāmõl. Īdmīel äb ūo, kui mōgõnd jagīzt kīlgõniž.
Survey of research on Livonian prosody
Authors: Tuisk Tuuli
Published: July 2014

The aim of the article is to give an overview of previous studies concerning Livonian prosody. In separate subsections a characterization of earlier treatments of the Livonian quantity and tone system will be provided. The Livonian prosodic system became the object of international discussion for the first time in the 19th century. The special status of Livonian tones was first noticed by the Estonian linguist Ferdinand Johann Wiedemann and later by the Danish linguist Wilhelm Thomsen. The first experimental studies of Livonian pronunciation were initiated in the 1920’s, mainly due to interest in the broken tone. Previous descriptions appear to reveal a certain degree of agreement among researchers who have studied Livonian. Yet the traditional two-way quantity opposition view is being challenged by a ternary quantity distinction at the level of metric feet.Kokkuvõte. Tuuli Tuisk: Ülevaade liivi prosoodia uurimustest. Käesolevas artiklis antakse ülevaade uurimustest, mis käsitlevad liivi keele prosoodilist süsteemi. Liivi keele prosoodia äratas esmakordselt rahvusvahelist tähelepanu 19. sajandil. Eesti keeleteadlane Ferdinand Johann Wiedemann ja taani keeleteadlane Wilhelm Thomsen olid esimesed, kes märkasid liivi toonide iseärasusi. Huvist liivi katketooni vastu hakati 1920. aastatel tegema ka esimesi eksperimentaal-foneetilisi uurimusi. Ehkki varasemad uurimused peegeldavad teadlaste üsna üksmeelseid seisukohti, on liivi binaarse kvantiteedivastanduse kõrval aina enam arutelu tekitanud ternaarne kvantiteedivastandus.Märksõnad: liivi keel, prosoodia, fonoloogia, eksperimentaalfoneetika, kvantiteet, toon, stødKubbõvõttõks. Tuuli Tuisk: Iļļõvaņtļimi iļ līvõ prosodij tuņšlõkst. Se kēra um iļļõvaņtļimi iļ tuņšlõkst līvõ kīel prosōdij sistēmõst. Līvõ kīel prosōdij sai ežmõks tǟdõlpanmizt 19. āigastsadā āigal. Ēsti kēļnikā Ferdinand Johann Wiedemann ja dēņõ kēļnikā Wilhelm Thomsen vȯļtõ ežmizt, kis kāipizt ku līvõ kīelsõ at īžkizt tūoņõd. Ežmizt fonētilizt kōļimizt teitõ 1920. āigastis, sīepierāst ku interesīerizt iļ līvõ katkāndõks agā murdtõd tūoņ. Jedlõmizt tuņšlõkst nägţõbõd, ku tieudmīed vȯļțõ dižānist īdmēļizt, agā līvõ kōdvīți pitkit vastõmtõks kūorõks um emīņ nõvtõd iļ kuolmvīţiz pitkit vastõmtõks.
FE SIMULATION OF STRUCTURES FROM NONHOMOGENEOUS MATERIALS WITH COMPLICATED PROPERTIES
Authors: Oganesyan Pavel Arturovich , Solovyev Arkady Nikolayevich
Published: July 2014

Two finite element simulation algorithms for heterogeneous properties including the connectivity of mechanical and electrical fields are considered. In the first instance, heterogeneous mechanical and piezoelectric properties of the body are given in the form of analytical relationships in certain classes of functions. The second method assumes that the functions describing the heterogeneous properties are known in a discrete set of points. The changes caused by inhomogeneous properties are taken into account under the calculation of the element matrices. For this, in the second case, the interpolation of heterogeneous properties within the body is implemented in two ways: using thin-plate splines, and J. Meinguet’s splines. The proposed algorithms are implemented as modules of the ACELAN finite element complex. Examples of using the developed software for the calculation of the stress strain state of inhomogeneous elastic and electroelastic bodies are presented.
ANTIFRICTION COMPOSITES IN ACTIVE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Vlasenko Ilya Borisovich
Published: July 2014

The experimental results of the antifriction polymer composite coating strength in the active aquatic environments with pH index varied in the range of 1.68…12.45 are presented. The coating strength is defined by the adhesion strength of the zone ‘coating-host substrate’. The interlaminate strength at the bending angle of 180 degrees is chosen as a criterion of the adhesion strength. Adequate regression models which allow calculating the coating adhesion strength value and estimating its retained strength percentage are obtained. The study on the polymer coating creep strain contribution to the working clearance forming in the tribocoupling is resulted. The obtained results show the significant increase of the composite coating stiffness at the relatively light loads applied that is caused by the capillary condensation of the aquatic environments in the micropores, and by their further diffusion into the composite layer. All the obtained data give a good indication of the antifriction coating properties degradation in the acid and alkaline aquatic solutions, as well as of the probable the antifriction coating life-time reducing.
CONTROL OF MOTOR WINDING REIMPREGNATION THROUGH ACOUSTIC EMISSION METHOD AIMED AT LABOR SAFETY IMPROVING
Authors: Shegay Vladimir Victorovich , Barannikova Olga Olegovna , Kobzev Kirill Olegovich
Published: July 2014

The applicability of the acoustic emission method for monitoring the motor winding reimpregnation is proved. The dip infiltration technique is described. An acoustic emission monitoring model for the motor winding reimpregnation through the impregnation method by example of a plaster prototype is offered. Two project scenarios of bubbling and corresponding mathematical models are presented. In the first instance, bubbles entering the liquid collapse, as they are affected by the liquid hydrostatic load and surface tension forces. In the latter case, bubbles caused by the buoyancy force come to the top and collapse being affected by the intrinsic pressure. The acoustic emission impregnation control provides process quality improvement, precise determination of the process time. Thus, the residence time in the toxic area can be shortened, the shop hazard rating can be lowered (and consequently, costs of employee compensations and benefits can be optimized).
ECONOMIC NATURE AND CONTRADICTIONS OF VENTURE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIAN ECONOMY
Authors: Ugnich Ekaterina Alexandrovna
Published: July 2014

The guarantee of a steady social and economic development of the country is possible within the framework of the dynamically developing innovative progressive economy. Venture capital is an important factor of increasing the economic transformation efficiency achieved in many countries through the conversion of the national economy into the innovative way of development. In Russia, the importance of the venture financing development is connected with the fact that the domestic economy faces a burning issue of the capital sourcing for the development of innovation enterprises. The impulse of the venture capital development is considered to be the conflict resolution between its entities. The conflict resolution of the venture capital development and the innovative activity intensification depend in many respects on the formed institutional conditions in the country.
Condition of linden (Tilia cordata mill.) and elm (Ulmus laevis pall.) populations in old-growth floodplain forests of the"Bolshaya Kokshaga" reserve
Authors: Браславская  , Braslavskaya Tatiana
Published: July 2014

To determine the characteristics of population loci of linden and elm in bottomland with short-term flooding and middle land ecotopes and at different cover of canopy, 132 test areas were laid on 0.04 hectares; surveys were conducted with the definition of developmental states and measuring the size of the trunks and crowns. Accounting revealed that individual linden is always higher than individual elm in the same developmental states. In bottomland ecotopes with short-term flooding population loci of limes dominate over elm loci not only in height but in numbers; in such circumstances, development of elm to generative stages of ontogeny is usually impossible and in the future its expulsion the stand will take place.
State inventory of russian forests
Authors: Перепечина  , Perepechina Yuliya , Глушенков  , Glushenkov Oleg
Published: July 2014

The authors analyzed the methodological recommendations for SFI in Russia. Deficiencies in the distribution of plots, forest stratification, data processing using software and information center (PIC SFI) are revealed. Recommendations on methodologies for adjustments of SFI, a method to identify areas of outstanding forest using satellite images are suggested.
New bandsaw equipment for small businesses of agriculture and forestry
Authors: Попиков  , Popikov Petr , Максименков  , Maksimenkov Alexey
Published: July 2014

New design of energy-efficient, high-speed compact band saw machine for small businesses of agriculture and forestry of forest-deficient steppe and steppe zones of Russia is proposed and justified, providing an increase in the quality and output of business sawn timber for cutting low-quality wood. From domestic and foreign counterparts’ machine differs by simplistic and reliable cutting unit, low power of technological process, capablity of providing high-speed cutting mode, lack of complex electronic circuits, complicating repair and increasing its value.
Investigation of the process of cutting seedling roots when pruning and digging out
Authors: Казаков  , Kazakov V. , Казаков  , Kazakov I.
Published: July 2014

The features of the process performed with root cutter and plant lifter, as well as the forces acting on their working bodies are examined. It was established that resistance to the root cutting increases with an increase in their number and diameter, but also depends on their mechanical strength. The studies obtained dependences of forces acting on the working bodies in accordance with their geometric parameters and specific application of technological process that can be used in the development of root cutters and plant lifters.
Review of existing forest clusters of Russia
Authors: Яковлева  , Yakovleva Elena
Published: July 2014

In sparsely wooded areas and medium wooded zones cluster formations are focused on representatives of wood processing and furniture production, as well as to organizations of forestry activities. Forest high technology cluster of sparsely wooded region should combine the properties of cluster formations and properties of non-commercial partnership in the form of SROs, existing today in Moscow, and not able to take into account and reflect the interests of all participants, as representatives of multiwood regions and representatives of sparsely wooded regions of Russia.
Mathematical modeling and optimization of milling process control of ornamental pieces of furniture
Authors: Грибанов  , Gribanov A. , Насер  , Naser Nikhad , Аббас  , Abbas Mokhammed Khayder , Петровский  , Petrovskiy Vladislav , Козельчук  , Kozelchuk D.
Published: July 2014

System analysis of the milling process of furniture parts allowed to allocate target control functions on cleanliness of processing and performance, taking into account the perturbing effects – moisture of wood material. According to the plan of active experiments based on the technical characteristics of existing CNC machine the minimum, maximum, and average values ​​of feed rates and cutting rate of tools are determined. The experiment with 12 pieces of MDF samples allowed determining the mathematical model of the dependence of the objective functions of roughness Ra on the feed rate V, cutting rate of tool w and humidity of the processed material f.
Do Incumbents Improve Service Quality in Response to Entry? Evidence from Airlines' On-Time Performance
Authors: Prince Jeffrey T. , Simon Daniel H.
Published: July 2014

We examine if and how incumbent firms respond to entry and entry threats using nonprice modes of competition. Our analysis focuses on airline service quality. We find that incumbent on-time performance (OTP) actually worsens in response to entry, and even entry threats, by Southwest Airlines. Since Southwest is both a top-performing airline in OTP and a low-cost carrier (LCC), we conjecture that this response by incumbents may be due to a cost-cutting strategy that allows for intense postentry price competition along with preentry deterrence, or it may be due to a postentry differentiation strategy along with preentry accommodation. Further analysis of entry and entry threats by other airlines is inconclusive, providing evidence that is partially consistent with both hypotheses. Nonetheless, the phenomenon of worsening OTP can only be observed when the (potential) entrant is a LCC (Southwest, Jet Blue, and AirTran).

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1918 .

This paper was accepted by by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Management Earnings Forecasts and Value of Analyst Forecast Revisions
Authors: Kim Yongtae , Song Minsup
Published: July 2014

This study examines the stock-price reactions to analyst forecast revisions around earnings announcements to test whether preannouncement forecasts reflect analysts' private information or piggybacking on confounding events and news. We find that management earnings forecasts influence the timing and precision of analyst forecasts. More importantly, evidence suggests that prior studies' finding of weaker (stronger) stock-price responses to forecast revisions in the period immediately after (before) the prior-quarter earnings announcement disappears once management earnings forecasts are controlled for. To the extent that management earnings forecasts are public disclosures, our results suggest that the importance of analysts' information discovery role documented in prior studies is likely to be overstated.

This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
Effectiveness of Clinical Pathway in Breast Cancer Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cui Qi , Tian Jinhui , Song Xuping , Yang Kehu , Zhang Peizhen
Published: July 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the use of clinical pathways (CPs) for breast cancer when compared with usual medical care. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and four Chinese databases were searched from inception to November 2012 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of CPs for breast cancer. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed included studies. The assessment of methodological quality of the included studies was based on the Jadad score. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan software (version 5.2). Results: Six randomized controlled trials (597 patients) were included. There were 297 patients in the CPs group and 300 patients in the usual medical care group. The results showed that compared with usual medical care, CPs could significantly shorten the length of hospital stay (MD = -3.83d, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-5.20, -2.46]), decreased hospitalization costs (SMD = -3.44, 95%CI, [-4.79, -2.09]) and preoperative hospitalization (MD = -0.56d, 95%CI, [-0.77, -0.34]). There was no statistically difference in patients’ satisfaction (OR =2.39, 95%CI, [1.00, 5.70]) and postoperative complications (OR = 0.34, 95%CI, [0.11, 1.08]). Conclusions: The current evidence showed that CPs could effectively improve the quality of the care provided to the breast cancer patient. It may be able to shorten the length of hospital stay, decreased hospitalization costs and preoperative hospitalization.
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transformation
Authors: Karadeniz Tugba , Yilmaz Hatice , Karadeniz Muammer
Published: July 2014

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) defined as a process by which epithelial cells lose their cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion, and gain migratory and invasive properties to transform into mesenchymal cells. Some signaling events activated transcription factors (Wnt, TGF-b, and FGF family members) that mediate EMT. EMTBeginning of metastasis needs invasion, which is allowed by EMT. Carcinoma cells in primary tumor lose intercellular adhesion mediated by E-cadherin repression and break through the basement membrane with increased invasive properties, and enter the bloodstream through intravasation. After then, when these circulating tumor cells (CTCs) exit the bloodstream to form micrometastases, they undergo its reverse process for clonal outgrowth at these metastatic sites.
The Timing of Diagenesis and Thermal Maturation of the Cretaceous Marias River Shale, Disturbed Belt, Montana
Authors: Osborn Stephen G. , Duffield Louise Totten , Elliott W. Crawford , Wampler J. M. , Elmore R. Douglas , Engel Michael H.
Published: July 2014

The hypothesis that chemical remanent magnetization (CRM) in argillaceous rocks may be due to release of Fe during smectite illitization has been tested by study of spatial and temporal relationships of CRM acquisition, smectite illitization, and organic-matter maturation to deformation in the Montana Disturbed Belt. New K-Ar ages and stacking order and percentages of illite layers in illite-smectite (I-S) are consistent with conclusions from previous studies that smectite illitization of bentonites in Subbelts I and II of the Disturbed Belt was produced by thrust-sheet burial resulting from the Laramide Orogeny. Internally concordant, early Paleogene, K-Ar age values (55–57 Ma) were obtained from clay subfractions of thick bentonites which were significantly different in terms of their ages (i.e. Jurassic Ellis Formation and late Cretaceous Marias River Shale), further supporting a model of smectite illitization as a result of the Laramide Orogeny. Internally concordant K-Ar ages were found also for clay sub-fractions from a thick bentonite at Pishkun Canal (54 Ma) and from an undeformed bentonite near Vaughn on the Sweetgrass Arch (48 Ma). In Subbelts I and II, a greater degree of smectite illitization corresponds to increased thermal maturation, increased natural remanent magnetization intensity, and increased deformation (dip of beds). A dissolution-precipitation model over a short duration is proposed for the formation of illite layers in Subbelts I and II. A characteristic remanent magnetization was developed before or just after folding began in the early Paleogene. More smectite-rich I-S, low thermal maturity, and the absence of a CRM were noted in one outcrop of an undeformed rock on the Sweetgrass Arch. Strontium isotope data allow for the possibility that internal or externally derived fluids may have influenced illitization, but the K-Ar age values suggest that illitization was probably in response to conductive heating after the overthrusting had occurred. The differences in K-Ar dates among the bentonites studied herein may be due to differences in the timing of peak temperature related to differences in distance below the overthrust slab, in rates of burial and exhumation, and in initial temperature.