bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The compositional landscape of minicircle sequences isolated from active lesions and scars of American cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Rodrigues Eduardo Henrique Gomes , da Silva Soares Fábia Carla , Werkhäuser Roberto Pereira , de Brito Maria Edileuza F , Fernandes Octavio , Coutinho Abath Frederico G , Brandão Adeilton
Published: August 2013

Background

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is characterized by cutaneous lesions that heal spontaneously or after specific treatment. This paper reports on the analysis of kDNA minicircle sequences from clinical samples (typical lesions and scars) that were PCR-amplified with specific primers for Leishmania species of the subgenus Viannia.

Methods

From 56 clinical isolates we obtained a single amplified fragment (ca. 790 bp), which after cloning and sequencing resulted in 290 minicircle sequences from both active lesions and scars. We aimed to get a compositional profile of these sequences in clinical samples and evaluate the corresponding compositional changes. Sequences were analyzed with the compseq and wordcount (Emboss package) to get the composition of di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexanucleotides. Additionally, we built a nucleotide dictionary with words of 7, 8, 9 and 10 nucleotides.

Results

This compositional analysis showed that minicircles amplified from active cutaneous lesions and scars have a distinct compositional profile as viewed by nucleotide composition of words up to 10mer. With regard to the most frequent nucleotide words above length 6, there is also a distinct pattern for 7, 8, 9 and 10mer.

Conclusion

These results indicate that minicircle sequences can be monitored upon direct exposure to a selection/stressing environment (e.g. chemical action) by evaluating their nucleotide compositional profile. It might be useful as a molecular tool in research concerning the evolution of infecting Leishmania in both vector and vertebrate hosts.
Neurodegenerative changes initiated by presynaptic dysfunction
Authors: Yasuda Toru , Nakata Yasuto , Choong Chi-Jing , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: August 2013

α-Synucleinopathies are a subgroup of neurodegenerative diseases including dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Pathologically, these disorders can be characterized by the presence of intraneuronal aggregates composed mainly of α-synuclein (αSyn), which are called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Recent report showed that more than 90% of αSyn aggregates are present in the form of very small deposits in presynaptic terminals of the affected neurons in DLB. However, the mechanisms responsible for presynaptic accumulation of abnormal αSyn remain unclear. In this article, we review recent findings on the involvement of presynaptic dysfunction in the initiation of neuronal dysfunctional changes. This review highlights that the presynaptic failure can be a potential trigger of the dying-back neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases.
Continuous renal replacement therapy outcomes in acute kidney injury and end-stage renal disease: a cohort study
Authors: Allegretti Andrew S , Steele David JR , David-Kasdan Jo Ann , Bajwa Ednan , Niles John L , Bhan Ishir
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a widely used but resource-intensive treatment. Despite its broad adoption in intensive care units (ICUs), it remains challenging to identify patients who would be most likely to achieve positive outcomes with this therapy and to provide realistic prognostic information to patients and families.

Methods

We analyzed a prospective cohort of all 863 ICU patients initiated on CRRT at an academic medical center from 2008 to 2011 with either new-onset acute kidney injury (AKI) or pre-admission end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We examined in-hospital and post-discharge mortality (for all patients), as well as renal recovery (for AKI patients). We identified prognostic factors for both in-hospital and post-discharge mortality separately in patients with AKI or ESRD.

Results

In-hospital mortality was 61% for AKI and 54% for ESRD. In patients with AKI (n = 725), independent risk factors for mortality included age over 60 (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3, 2.7), serum lactate over 4 mmol/L (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5, 3.1), serum creatinine over 3 mg/dL at time of CRRT initiation (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43, 0.92) and comorbid liver disease (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.1, 2.9). Among patients with ESRD (n = 138), liver disease was associated with increased mortality (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1, 11.1) as was admission to a medical (vs surgical) ICU (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1, 4.7). Following discharge, advanced age became a predictor of mortality in both groups (AKI: HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2, 3.0; ESRD: HR 4.1, 95% CI 1.5, 10.9). At the end of the study period, only 25% (n = 183) of patients with AKI achieved dialysis-free survival.

Conclusions

Among patients initiating CRRT, risk factors for mortality differ between patients with underlying ESRD or newly acquired AKI. Long-term dialysis-free survival in AKI is low. Providers should consider these factors when assessing prognosis or appropriateness of CRRT.
Adenosine augments IL-10-induced STAT3 signaling in M2c macrophages
Authors: Koscsó Balázs , Csóka Balázs , Kókai Endre , Németh Zoltán H , Pacher Pál , Virág László , Leibovich S Joseph , Haskó György
Published: August 2013

The alternatively activated macrophage phenotype induced by IL-10 is called M2c. Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside that accumulates in the extracellular space in response to metabolic disturbances, hypoxia, inflammation, physical damage, or apoptosis. As adenosine is known to regulate classically activated M1 and IL4- and IL-13-activated M2a macrophages, the goal of the present study was to explore its effects on M2c macrophages. We found that adenosine augmented the IL-10-induced expression of TIMP-1 and arginase-1 by the mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 and by mouse BMDMs. The effects of AR stimulation on IL-10-induced TIMP-1 or arginase-1 expression were lacking in A2BAR KO macrophages. The role of A2BAR on TIMP-1 production of RAW 264.7 cells was confirmed with specific agonist BAY606583 and antagonist PSB0788. AR stimulation augmented IL-10-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in macrophages, and pharmacological inhibition or silencing of STAT3 using siRNA reduced the stimulatory effect of AR stimulation on TIMP-1 production. In contrast to its stimulatory effect on IL-10-induced STAT3 activation, adenosine inhibited IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and SAA3 expression. In conclusion, adenosine enhances IL-10-induced STAT3 signaling and M2c macrophage activation.
RelB: an outlier in leukocyte biology
Authors: Millet Patrick , McCall Charles , Yoza Barbra
Published: August 2013

RelB is one of the more unusual members of the NF-κB family. This family, arguably the best known group of transcription regulators, regulates an astonishing array of cell types and biological processes. This includes regulation of cell growth, differentiation and death by apoptosis, and the development and function of the innate and adaptive-immune system. RelB is best known for its roles in lymphoid development, DC biology, and noncanonical signaling. Within the last few years, however, surprising functions of RelB have emerged. The N-terminal leucine zipper motif of RelB, a motif unique among the NF-κB family, may associate with more diverse DNA sequences than other NF-κB members. RelB is capable of direct binding to the AhR that supports the xenobiotic-detoxifying pathway. RelB can regulate the circadian rhythm by directly binding to the BMAL partner of CLOCK. Finally, RelB also couples with bioenergy NAD+ sensor SIRT1 to integrate acute inflammation with changes in metabolism and mitochondrial bioenergetics. In this review, we will explore these unique aspects of RelB, specifically with regard to its role in immunity.
A Preliminary Investigation on Placenta Protein Profile Reveals Only Modest Changes in Well Controlled Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Lapolla Annunziata , Porcu Simona , Roverso Marco , Desoye Gernot , Cosma Chiara , Nardelli Giovanni Battista , Bogana Gianna , Carrozzini Monica , Traldi Pietro
Published: August 2013

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with a wide range of tissue-specific changes depending on the quality of glycemic control of the mothers. Here we tested the hypothesis that GDM is associated with alterations in the human term placenta proteome. For this aim, two different approaches were employed. The placenta homogenates from 20 healthy subjects and those from 20 GDM pregnant women were pooled. The two samples thus obtained were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and the proteins detected were tentatively identified by comparison of their molecular weight with the Human Protein Reference Database, restricting the search to the species expressed in the placenta tissue. However this approach led to misleading results: in fact, an in deep analysis of the spectra and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) measurements of the digestion products from the protein detected, unequivocally proved that the species observed are maternal and fetal globins. Consequently, the two pools were analyzed by 1D sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; the different bands obtained were digested by trypsin and the digestion products were analyzed by MALDI-MS; the protein identification was carried out by comparison of the peptide mass fingerprint with databases. Only modest quantitative differences were observed between the placenta protein profiles of healthy and GDM subjects, indicating that GDM, if well controlled, induces only minor changes in the placental proteome. One example of differently expressed proteins in the placenta homogenate pool from GDM and the controls was the SRRM1 protein, a member of the serine–arginine protein kinase family; for GDM samples, the MALDI spectrum of its digestion products showed the presence of molecular species attributable to glycation and glyco-oxidation processes.
Specific Enrichment and Direct Detection of Phosphopeptides on Insoluble Transition Metal Oxide Particles in Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Applications
Authors: Çelikbıçak Ömür , Kaynar Gizem , Atakay Mehmet , Güler Ülkü , Kayılı H. Mehmet , Salih Bekir
Published: August 2013

Several transition metal oxides, such as iron (III), nickel (II) and zirconium (IV) oxides, were examined in detail for the specific enrichment and the purification of phosphopeptides from a digested peptide mixture solution. Phosphopeptide enrichment was performed on the metal oxide particles using a peptide mixture obtained by tryptic digestion of β-casein. The mixture of protein digests containing bovine serum albumin (BSA):β-casein digests (100: 1 mole ratio) was also used for the phosphopeptide enrichment. Furthermore, non-fat milk digest was examined as a complex biological sample. In each phosphopeptide enrichment process, phosphopeptides were specifically enriched and separated from the non-phosphopeptides. The phosphopeptides were adsorbed onto the metal oxide surface at acidic pH values between 1.0 and 2.0 and, for desorption of phosphopeptides from metal oxide particles, pH values were examined and optimized in the enrichment studies. The analysis of phosphopeptides were carried out by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid matrix containing 1.0% phosphoric acid to obtain intense protonated signals and to overcome degradation of the phosphopeptides by phosphate group loss in mass spectrometric conditions. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the direct detection of phosphopeptides from the surface of the metal oxide particles was possible using MALDI-MS by mixing the phosphopeptide–adsorbed metal oxide particles with MALDI matrix solution in slurry form before the analysis. Thus, the effects of interferences arising from chemical species used in the desorption process was successfully eliminated for the fast and sensitive detection of phosphopeptides in MALDI-MS applications.
Origin and Distribution of Irregular Oil-Water Contacts in Tight Sandstones, Chang 81 Member, Longdong Area, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Fan Changyu , Wang Zhenliang , Ying Yage , Liu Jingjing
Published: August 2013

In recent years, understanding the distribution of oil and water in tight sandstones has been a challenge in the exploration and development of the Chang 81 Member in the Longdong area of the Ordos Basin. The spatial pattern of the oil/water contacts pattern varies widely over a distance of 160 km from south to north. The origin of these patterns is unknown. The present-day oil-water distribution in the reservoirs reflects the superimposed effects of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. An integrated analysis of the characteristics of the present-day oil-water distribution in the Chang81 Member revealed that the a typical water-oil relationships are primarily located in the northeastern oil migration zone, and nearly normal water-oil relationships are located in the southwestern oil accumulation zone. Large-scale oil accumulation occurred at the end of the Early Cretaceous in response to strong fluid dynamics. The oil migrated from northeast to southwest in the slightly oil-wet carrier beds, and nearly normal water-oil relationships and larger accumulations formed in the Xifeng and Heshui oilfields in the southwest. The fluid dynamics subsequently weakened, and reservoir heterogeneity dominated, causing the oil to be trapped more easily in the tight reservoirs in the deeper parts of the northeastern oil migration zone. A typical oil-water distributions, such as inverted oil-water distributions, gradational oil-water interfaces, and low-abundance oil reservoirs, developed in such locations as the Huachi oilfield. Strong reservoir heterogeneity existed in both stages, but the fluid dynamics were significantly different, which controlled the distribution of oil and water in the tight reservoirs.
Biodiesel Production from Leather Industry Wastes as an Alternative Feedstock and its Use in Diesel Engines
Authors: Altun Sşehmus , Yasşar Fevzi
Published: August 2013

Waste leather fat is produced by the leather industry in fleshing processing and discarded as waste. These wastes can be used as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production due to their considerable fat content. In this work, raw fleshing oil which is a fat-originated waste of the leather industry was transesterified using methanol in the presence of an alkali catalyst to obtain biodiesel. The obtained biodiesel was then used in a four-stroke and direct injection diesel engine to evaluate the biodiesel behavior as an alternative diesel fuel, at a constant speed under variable load conditions. Blends [20 and 50% (v/v)] of biodiesel with diesel reference fuel were tested too. The emissions test results compared with diesel reference fuel showed that diesel engine fueled by biodiesel emitted significantly lower opacity and gaseous emissions than the same engine fueled by diesel reference fuel, and with very similar performance. The obtained data indicated that biodiesel from leather industry wastes is promising as an alternative fuel for diesel engines, and can be used to substitute diesel fuel in terms of performance and emission parameters without any engine modification.
Uncertainty Quantification of an Asset Evaluation for an Oilfield Property Incorporating Response-Surface Monte-Carlo Simulation with Stochastic Oil Price Models
Authors: Nam Sang-Gu , Park Changhyup , Yoo Jaehoon
Published: August 2013

This study analyzes the sensitivities parameters for a reliable asset evaluation, through response-surface monte-carlo simulation. The developed model yields more reliable asset evaluation integrating contractual terms, oil price changes, and production-decline estimation and distinguishes the significance of each variable. The uncertainty explains the larger range of the response. The sensitive variables in stochastic price models to net present value are drift in GBM (Geometric Brownian Motion), equilibrium price in MR (Mean Reversion), and maximum price in MRJ (Mean Reversion with Jumps). Reserves and average oil price influence significantly the cash-flow under fixed contractual terms.
Sorption Mechanism of Cd(II) and Zn(II) onto Modified Palm Shell
Authors: Kushwaha Shilpi , Sudhakar Padmaja
Published: August 2013

A series of adsorbents were prepared from palm shell powder (PSP) at different thermochemical conditions. APSP was prepared by treating PSP with H2SO4, PAPSP by further modification of APSP with K2S2O8 at 150 °C and 9AAC by thermal activation of APSP at 900 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed similarity of functional groups in PSP, APSP and PAPSP, suggesting that functional groups are retained during chemical or physical treatment of PSP at 150 °C. A wide pH range (3–8) was found suitable for cadmium and zinc adsorption. The adsorption of Cd2+ and Zn2+ was found to be feasible, spontaneous, exothermic, and could be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model as well as by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 363.636 and 238.095 mg/g for Cd2+ and Zn2+, respectively, using PAPSP. Desorption was achieved using HCl and EDTA for Cd2+ and Zn2+, respectively.
3D Reconstruction Data Set -The Langweil Model of Prague
Authors: Sedlacek David , Burianek Jan , Zara Jiri
Published: August 2013

A large data set of input RAW photos for 3D reconstruction of historical paper model of Prague is presented in this paper. The data acquisition process and its organisation are described in detail together with color and camera calibration algorithms used. Moreover, a complete reconstruction work-flow together with several cultural heritage applications are briefly presented. The subject of this 3D reconstruction has been the Langweil model of Prague, originally created in the first half of 19th century. Three parts of this model with different characteristics are afforded for computer scientists through the internet.
INNOVATIVE DIRECTIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITIVE RUSSIAN COMPANIES
Authors: Карпова Светлана , Karpova Svetlana
Published: August 2013

The author defines characteristics of the innovative type of development of economy; names basic problems of formation of the «foundation» of the Russian innovation system; discloses strategy of competitiveness of Russian companies based on the creation of the organizational and economic mechanism of management of innovations.
MANAGEMENT DECISIONS – FROM THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO THE PARADOXES
Authors: Комаров Евгений , Komarov Evgeniy
Published: August 2013

The author considers legitimate and paradoxical phenomenon related to the practice of training and management decisionmaking in management.
STRATEGY AND TACTICS OF MANAGEMENT IN A SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS SITUATION
Authors: Трошихин Владимир , Troshikhin Vladimir
Published: August 2013

The article discusses a systematic approach to the management of personnel, in particular the formation of the concept of human resources policy, the foundations of human resource management. The author defines the kinds and features of the crisis as a context for management activities, as well as the specific features of the modern Russian crisis; proposes strategy of crisis management organization in the reorganization or liquidation of the company.
Strategiс thinking of leader
Authors: Комаров Евгений , Komarov Evgeniy
Published: August 2013

The article discusses the problems associated with strategic thinking of leader. This thinking has its own characteristics. Their knowledge (with the proper individual motivation) enables you to develop targetly this important thinking.
Political culture in the system of Russian self-consciousness
Authors: Трошихин Владимир , Troshikhin Vladimir
Published: August 2013

The article describes content, essence and role of political culture in the development of social and individual self-consciousness.
Account of the cost changes dynamics as the imperative of adequately evaluation of the effectiveness of innovative projects of industrial enterprises while the implementation of the selection procedure
Authors: Черкасов Михаил , Cherkasov Mikhail
Published: August 2013

The article discusses the questions connected with need of the accounting of dynamic nature of change of the current expenses of manufacturing enterprise at carrying out an assessment of efficiency of implementation of the specific innovative project or a number of innovative projects. The author discusses the questions of carrying out such assessment and the factors influencing on change of expenses of manufacturing enterprise within implementation of the innovative project.
Cross-sector partnerships with small voluntary organisations: some reflections from a case study of a mutual support group
Authors: McGovern Pauline
Published: August 2013

This article explores two partnerships that members of a small mutual support group for people with heart disease made with representatives of other organisations in order to gain funding and other resources. With a theoretical framework suggested by Pierre Bourdieu, the partnership process is examined in terms of the relationships between organisational representatives and the resources or potential resources available to the voluntary group. The substantive finding from this case study is that the mutual support group achieved collaborative advantage by gaining professional, therapeutic services while remaining largely true to its core mission. The Bourdieusian approach made it possible both to examine the dynamics of power relations within the voluntary organisation and also to look at the interaction and structural constraints in cross-sector partnerships. It proved to be a flexible, wide-ranging framework for research on the voluntary sector.
Mapping the environmental third sector in England: a distinctive field of activity?
Authors: Clifford David , Geyne-Rajme Frida , Smith Graham , Edwards Rebecca , Büchs Milena , Saunders Clare
Published: August 2013

The third sector has a long history of environmental action and yet we lack systematic knowledge of the size, scope and activities of third sector organisations with an environmental mission. To address this gap, we analyse data from two databases – the Charity Commission's Register of Charities and the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations – to provide the first systematic analysis of registered environmental third sector organisations in England. As well as providing much-needed data on different aspects of the environmental organisations, the article draws comparisons with the rest of the third sector, offering insights into the distinctive characteristics of environmental activity. In undertaking this analysis, we highlight the methodological challenges of using these data sources to analyse any subsector or industry of the third sector in England.
Decoupling the state and the third sector? The ‘Big Society’ as a spontaneous order
Authors: Macmillan Rob
Published: August 2013

Despite a largely indifferent and otherwise sceptical public reception, the ‘Big Society’ has remained a central feature of the Conservative-led coalition's project in the United Kingdom. This article asks what the Big Society might mean for the ‘third sector’ of voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises. The previous Labour government's approach has been characterised as the development of a closer ‘partnership’ between state and the third sector. However, a partial decoupling may now be under way in the new political and economic context. Theoretically, this might signal a shift away from the idea of interdependence between the state and the third sector, and towards a model involving separate spheres: from partnership to an emergent ‘trial separation’. The article draws on Friedrich Hayek's theory of ‘spontaneous order’, suggesting that the Big Society involves some implicit Hayekian assumptions. It concludes by considering the implications of regarding the third sector in such terms.
Cryptochrome in Sponges
Authors: Müller Werner E. G. , Schröder Heinz C. , Markl Julia S. , Grebenjuk Vlad A. , Korzhev Michael , Steffen Renate , Wang Xiaohong
Published: August 2013

Sponges (phylum: Porifera) react to external light or mechanical signals with contractile or metabolic reactions and are devoid of any nervous or muscular system. Furthermore, elements of a photoreception/phototransduction system exist in those animals. Recently, a cryptochrome-based photoreceptor system has been discovered in the demosponge. The assumption that in sponges the siliceous skeleton acts as a substitution for the lack of a nervous system and allows light signals to be transmitted through its glass fiber network is supported by the findings that the first spicules are efficient light waveguides and the second sponges have the enzymatic machinery for the generation of light. Now, we have identified/cloned in Suberites domuncula two additional potential molecules of the sponge cryptochrome photoreception system, the guanine nucleotide-binding protein β subunit, related to β-transducin, and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)–interacting protein. Cryptochrome and NOSIP are light-inducible genes. The studies show that the NOS inhibitor L-NMMA impairs both morphogenesis and motility of the cells. Finally, we report that the function of primmorphs to produce reactive nitrogen species can be abolished by a NOS inhibitor. We propose that the sponge cryptochrome-based photoreception system, through which photon signals are converted into radicals, is coupled to the NOS apparatus.
Sphingomyelin Patches on Pancreatic Beta-cells Are Indicative of Insulin Secretory Capacity
Authors: Kavishwar Amol , Moore Anna
Published: August 2013

The establishment and validation of specific markers on the surfaces of pancreatic beta-cells would have a significant impact on the development of agents that specifically target these cells for imaging and/or image-guided therapy in diabetes patient samples. We have recently described unique, cholesterol-stabilized sphingomyelin (SM) patches on the surfaces of beta-cells using the IC2 antibody. To further investigate the utility of SM patches as a unique beta-cell biomarker, we embarked on the current study to correlate the expression of this antigen with the insulin secretory capacity of beta-cells in tissue samples from patients and animals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and compared this with samples from normal subjects. We found that the locations of SM patches were consistent with the insulin status of islets in all tissues studied. Using immunohistochemistry and staining with an IC2 antibody, we demonstrated a direct correlation between the reduced expression of SM patches and insulin production in diabetic individuals, indicating that the former could potentially serve as a functional biomarker of beta-cells. We believe that our results have significant implications for the further development of ligands with SM specificity for the non-invasive functional assessment of beta-cells and/or for targeted therapeutic delivery in diabetic patients.
Designed to death: Tom Ford’s A Single Man
Authors: Black Prudence
Published: August 2013

Set a month after the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Tom Ford’s film A Single Man – based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood – crashes with emotion through memorable scenes set in snow and rain, by the fireplace and in the stylized rooms of the ultra modernist redwood and glass house designed by John Lautner (1949). While death is forever, this day in the life of George Falconer (played by Colin Firth) is an exercise in fine detail as the camera wrings new meaning from daily rituals lived in the shadow of death. This article examines the numerous ways in which Ford plays with the substance of life and death through the surfaces of the architecture, the grain of the film and the piercing portrayal of a day in the life of a man who cannot imagine his future.
D-Signed for girls: Disney channel and tween fashion
Authors: Blue Morgan Genevieve
Published: August 2013

The introduction of Disney’s first proprietary tween fashion collection, called D-Signed, marks an unprecedented expansion of synergistic marketing strategies for comprehensive lifestyle branding to the tween girl market in the United States. The production and exponential growth of this particular fashion collection allow girls to literally (at Target stores or at home) and virtually (via sponsored online dress-up games and social networks) try on the ‘edgy’ fashions of Sonny Munroe (played by Demi Lovato), among many other lines inspired by Disney Channel’s girl characters. Exploring the promotion of and inspiration for the D-Signed fashion collection, this article employs media industries analysis in conjunction with discursive and ideological textual analysis to advance an understanding of how fashion functions economically and ideologically in relation to television as a site of lifestyle marketing to tween girls. This project aims to address gaps in girls’ media culture scholarship and theorizations of postfeminist girlhoods through an exploration of how contemporary girlhood is constructed in the Disney empire. Thus, this article asks, how might the D-Signed fashion collection function, discursively and economically, as a site for the reproduction and performance of a form of idealized, postfeminist tween girlhood? And how do fashion lines affiliated with Disney Channel programmes function within and beyond Disney’s entertainment empire?
Revealing robes and sumptuous slashing: What Anne Boleyn wore to The Other Boleyn Girl
Authors: Burton Llewella
Published: August 2013

The Other Boleyn Girl forms part of the recent Tudor revival we have experienced in film and television. In this article I question how costume can conjecture a visceral tactility in heritage drama by analysing the television and film adaptations of the same source. This article will discuss how the different conventions of television and film approach Philippa Gregory’s positioning of dress through the ‘body natural’ versus the ‘body politic’ by specifically focusing on how Anne and Mary Boleyn are presented through costume. How do the individual versions of this tenuous Tudor tale allow for us to feel our way through history by following the evocative folds of clothing? From ‘cheap’ stock costume strategies of television to the more haute-couture fashion seen in Hollywood film, this article will determine
the individual approaches towards costume that define The Other Boleyn Girl in terms of medium specificity.
Tensile behavior of hybrid epoxy composite laminate containing carbon and basalt fibers
Authors: Subagia I.D.G. Ary , Kim Yonjig
Published: August 2013

This paper investigated the effect of the incorporation of basalt fibers on the tensile properties of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy laminates manufactured by vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. The purpose of this research was to design a carbon-basalt/epoxy hybrid composite material that is of low cost in production, is lightweight, and has good strength and stiffness. The tensile strength and stiffness of the hybrid laminates demonstrated a steady, linear decrease with an increase in basalt fiber content, but the fracture strain gradually increased together with the increase in the basalt layer content. In this study, the incorporation of basalt fibers into the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) showed lower tensile strength than CFRP but has higher tensile strain. Furthermore, we found that the arrangement and enhancement of basalt fiber into the CFRP significantly influence the mechanical properties of interply hybrid composites.
Miniature Short Hairpin RNA Screens to Characterize Antiproliferative Drugs
Authors: Kittanakom Saranya , Arnoldo Anthony , Brown Kevin R , Wallace Iain , Kunavisarut Tada , Torti Dax , Heisler Lawrence E , Surendra Anuradha , Moffat Jason , Giaever Guri , Nislow Corey
Published: August 2013

The application of new proteomics and genomics technologies support a view in which few drugs act solely by inhibiting a single cellular target. Indeed, drug activity is modulated by complex, often incompletely understood cellular mechanisms. Therefore, efforts to decipher mode of action through genetic perturbation such as RNAi typically yields “hits” that fall into several categories. Of particular interest to the present study, we aimed to characterize secondary activities of drugs on cells. Inhibiting a known target can result in clinically relevant synthetic phenotypes. In one scenario, drug perturbation could, for example, improperly activate a protein that normally inhibits a particular kinase. In other cases, additional, lower affinity targets can be inhibited as in the example of inhibition of c-Kit observed in Bcr-Abl−positive cells treated with Gleevec. Drug transport and metabolism also play an important role in the way any chemicals act within the cells. Finally, RNAi per se can also affect cell fitness by more general off-target effects, e.g., via the modulation of apoptosis or DNA damage repair. Regardless of the root cause of these unwanted effects, understanding the scope of a drug’s activity and polypharmacology is essential for better understanding its mechanism(s) of action, and such information can guide development of improved therapies. We describe a rapid, cost-effective approach to characterize primary and secondary effects of small-molecules by using small-scale libraries of virally integrated short hairpin RNAs. We demonstrate this principle using a “minipool” composed of shRNAs that target the genes encoding the reported protein targets of approved drugs. Among the 28 known reported drug−target pairs, we successfully identify 40% of the targets described in the literature and uncover several unanticipated drug−target interactions based on drug-induced synthetic lethality. We provide a detailed protocol for performing such screens and for analyzing the data. This cost-effective approach to mammalian knockdown screens, combined with the increasing maturation of RNAi technology will expand the accessibility of similar approaches in academic settings.
FijiWings: An Open Source Toolkit for Semiautomated Morphometric Analysis of Insect Wings
Authors: Dobens Alexander C , Dobens Leonard L
Published: August 2013

Development requires coordination between cell proliferation and cell growth to pattern the proper size of tissues, organs, and whole organisms. The Drosophila wing has landmark features, such as the location of veins patterned by cell groups and trichome structures produced by individual cells, that are useful to examine the genetic contributions to both tissue and cell size. Wing size and trichome density have been measured manually, which is tedious and error prone, and although image processing and pattern-recognition software can quantify features in micrographs, this approach has not been applied to insect wings. Here we present FijiWings, a set of macros designed to perform semiautomated morphophometric analysis of a wing photomicrograph. FijiWings uses plug-ins installed in the Fiji version of ImageJ to detect and count trichomes and measure wing area either to calculate trichome density of a defined region selected by the user or generate a heat map of overall trichome densities. For high-throughput screens we have developed a macro that directs a trainable segmentation plug-in to detect wing vein locations either to measure trichome density in specific intervein regions or produce a heat map of relative intervein areas. We use wing GAL4 drivers and UAS-regulated transgenes to confirm the ability of these tools to detect changes in overall tissue growth and individual cell size. FijiWings is freely available and will be of interest to a broad community of fly geneticists studying both the effect of gene function on wing patterning and the evolution of wing morphology.
Evaluating Adaptive Divergence Between Migratory and Nonmigratory Ecotypes of a Salmonid Fish, Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Hale Matthew C , Thrower Frank P , Berntson Ewann A , Miller Michael R , Nichols Krista M
Published: August 2013

Next-generation sequencing and the application of population genomic and association approaches have made it possible to detect selection and unravel the genetic basis to variable phenotypic traits. The use of these two approaches in parallel is especially attractive in nonmodel organisms that lack a sequenced and annotated genome, but only works well when population structure is not confounded with the phenotype of interest. Herein, we use population genomics in a nonmodel fish species, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), to better understand adaptive divergence between migratory and nonmigratory ecotypes and to further our understanding about the genetic basis of migration. Restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) tag sequencing was used to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in migrant and resident O. mykiss from two systems, one in Alaska and the other in Oregon. A total of 7920 and 6755 SNPs met filtering criteria in the Alaska and Oregon data sets, respectively. Population genetic tests determined that 1423 SNPs were candidates for selection when loci were compared between resident and migrant samples. Previous linkage mapping studies that used RAD DNA tag SNPs were available to determine the position of 1990 markers. Several significant SNPs are located in genome regions that contain quantitative trait loci for migratory-related traits, reinforcing the importance of these regions in the genetic basis of migration/residency. Annotation of genome regions linked to significant SNPs revealed genes involved in processes known to be important in migration (such as osmoregulatory function). This study adds to our growing knowledge on adaptive divergence between migratory and nonmigratory ecotypes of this species; across studies, this complex trait appears to be controlled by many loci of small effect, with some in common, but many loci not shared between populations studied.
Caenorhabditis elegansHistone Deacetylasehda-1Is Required for Morphogenesis of the Vulva and LIN-12/Notch-Mediated Specification of Uterine Cell Fates
Authors: Ranawade Ayush Vasant , Cumbo Philip , Gupta Bhagwati P
Published: August 2013

Chromatin modification genes play crucial roles in development and disease. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the class I histone deacetylase family member hda-1, a component of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation complex, has been shown to control cell proliferation. We recovered hda-1 in an RNA interference screen for genes involved in the morphogenesis of the egg-laying system. We found that hda-1 mutants have abnormal vulva morphology and vulval-uterine connections (i.e., no uterine-seam cell). We characterized the vulval defects by using cell fate-specific markers and found that hda-1 is necessary for the specification of all seven vulval cell types. The analysis of the vulval-uterine connection defect revealed that hda-1 is required for the differentiation of the gonadal anchor cell (AC), which in turn induces ventral uterine granddaughters to adopt π fates, leading to the formation of the uterine-seam cell. Consistent with these results, hda-1 is expressed in the vulva and AC. A search for hda-1 target genes revealed that fos-1 (fos proto-oncogene family) acts downstream of hda-1 in vulval cells, whereas egl-43 (evi1 proto-oncogene family) and nhr-67 (tailless homolog, NHR family) mediate hda-1 function in the AC. Furthermore, we showed that AC expression of hda-1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of the lin-12/Notch ligand lag-2 to specify π cell fates. These results demonstrate the pivotal role of hda-1 in the formation of the vulva and the vulval-uterine connection. Given that hda-1 homologs are conserved across the phyla, our findings are likely to provide a better understanding of HDAC1 function in development and disease.
Análise de Política Externa e Política Externa Brasileira: trajetória, desafios e possibilidades de um campo de estudos
Authors: Salomón Mónica , Pinheiro Letícia
Published: August 2013

No artigo é apresentada uma visão panorâmica da subdisciplina Análise de Política Externa (APE), na tentativa de refletir a diversidade que caracteriza a prática e a pesquisa nesse campo. Também mostra como a APE está se desenvolvendo no Brasil. Na primeira seção se apresenta de maneira sucinta a evolução da subdisciplina. Na segunda seção são assinalados os vínculos entre as principais aproximações teóricas das Relações Internacionais (RI) e da APE. Na terceira revisamos como os instrumentos da APE têm sido usados para analisar a Política Externa Brasileira.
O novo pleito brasileiro no mar: a plataforma continental estendida e o Projeto Amazônia Azul
Authors: Silva Alexandre Pereira da
Published: August 2013

O presente estudo analisa a submissão do Brasil a uma plataforma continental estendida formulada à Comissão de Limites da Plataforma Continental (CLPC). Primeiramente, o trabalho apresenta a evolução dos limites marítimos brasileiros ao longo de sua formação histórica até o momento atual. Posteriormente, examina o conceito jurídico de plataforma continental elaborado pela Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar (CNUDM) e a atuação da CLPC na fixação dos limites exteriores desse espaço do mar. Na parte final, destaca as implicações das recomendações "definitivas e obrigatórias" dessa instituição internacional sobre os interesses brasileiros na plataforma continental estendida.
El efecto de la triple hélice en los resultados de innovación
Authors: Luengo María Jesús , Obeso María
Published: August 2013

La innovación está relacionada con el crecimiento de las economías y de las empresas, y en un entorno cambiante como el actual, se presenta como una herramienta fundamental para conseguir ventajas competitivas. Esta investigación tiene por objetivo analizar la relación existente entre la capacidad de innovación de las empresas y la obtención de información de las mismas a través de la cooperación con competidores, proveedores, Universidades y otras instituciones públicas (Triple Hélice). En primer lugar se desarrolla una revisión bibliográfica de los conceptos relacionados para posteriormente, a través del método de ecuaciones estructurales, dar respuesta y aceptar la hipótesis propuesta que pone de manifiesto la relación existente entre los resultados de innovación de las empresas y la información obtenida de la Triple Hélice. La investigación se realiza con una muestra de empresas españolas, encuestadas por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), durante los años 2008-2010.
The effect of phenolated "vaccines" against experimental T. cruzi infection in mice
Authors: Menezes Humberto
Published: August 2013

"Vaccines" prepared from parasites of an avirulent cultivated Y strain of T. cruzi, suspended in phenolated 1/10.000 saline solution, with aluminum stearate, containing alive parasites, gave high degree of protection to mice against a posterior infection with virulent blood forms of the same parasites and strain. The degree of protection with 1/1000 and 1/10.000 phenol "vaccines", with no alive parasites, was very poor specially in the first group. The immunity seems to be related to the number of alive trypanosomes in the "vaccines".
Estudo da coagulação do sangue com o medicamento 1(5-Nitro-2-Tiazolil-2-Imidazolidinona) - Ciba 32.644-Ba: niridazol no tratamento da esquistossomose mansoni
Authors: Bastos Orion de , Basques José Carlos , Nohmi Nívia
Published: August 2013

Os autores estudaram a coagulação do sangue em 30 pacientes tratados com 25mg/kg/dia/7 dias, com o composto 1 (5-Nitro-2-Tiazolil-2-Imidazolidinona) - Ciba 32.644 - Ba. Além do exame clínico e várias provas laboratoriais, efetuaram pesquisa do tempo de protrombina, retração do coágulo, dosagem de fibrinogênio, contagem de plaquetas, tempo de sangria e coagulação. As alterações observadas não nos parecem ter influência nas hemorragias que possam ocorrer durante o tratamento com o medicamento estudado, em pacientes com a forma hepato-intestinal da esquistossomose. Mesmo a queda discreta do tempo de protrombina, verificada nos 6 meses seguintes ao tratamento, em seis dos pacientes, não favoreceria a hemorragia, porque os valores encontrados não alcançaram o limiar da mesma. Quanto à retração do coágulo, como alteração isolada, parece-nos impossível a interpretação de que possa ser justificada por alguma alteração na fisiologia das plaquetas.
Estudo sôbre o tratamento de algumas infecções com laurilsulfato de tetraciclina
Authors: Edelweiss Egomar L. , Martins Sofia M. , Milhem Antônio R.
Published: August 2013

Os autores tecem considerações gerais sôbre o uso dos derivados das tetraciclinas nas infecções. Descrevem sua experiência com um composto injetável, o laurilsulfato de tetraciclina. Trataram 19 infecções diversas com êste medicamento: 5 anginas agudas, 8 pneumopatias, 2 enterocolites agudas, 1 furunculose, 1 pielonefrite, 1 erisipela, e um panarício. Obtiveram 15 resultados excelentes e 1 bom o que eleva a porcentagem de sucessos a 84 2%. Não observaram fenômenos secundários imputáveis à droga, salvo manifestações alérgicas em um paciente.
Estudo imunocitológico do fígado, baço e gânglio linfático de pacientes na forma hepatoesplênica da esquistossomose mansônica, utilizando a microscopia de fluorescência
Authors: Magalhães Filho A. , Lira Vital , Coelho R. de Barros
Published: August 2013

Os autores estudaram amostras de fígado, baço e linfonodos de 45 pacientes portadores da forma hépatoesplênica da esqúistossomose mansônica, utilizando a técnica de imunofluorescência para detecção de antígenos em tecidos. Os casos que dispunham de dados clínicos e laboratoriais mais completos foram divididos em 3 grupos, de acôrdo com a idade, tendo sido tentada uma correlação entre a gravidade da doença e os achados imunológicos no baço e fígado. A correlação se mostrou positiva quanto ao baço e, sobretudo, nos grupos de crianças e adultos jovens. O estudo imunocitológico dos fígados à luz U.V. demonstrou a presença de células fagocitárías fluorescentes nos espaços porta, faixas de fibrose e, mais raramente nos sinusoides. A distribuição e freqüência das células fluorescentes, excetuados os granulomas, mostrou-se irregular e incaracterística. Estudo semelhante no baço demonstrou uniformidade de distribuição das células fluorescentes, predominantemente nos cordões de Billroth e nos sinusoides; menos freqüentemente nas trabéculas. Os folículos linfóides aparecem desprovidos de células fluorescentes. Do exame de numerosos granulomas em fígado e linfonodos, foi realizado um estudo evolutivo desta lesão. Os diversos aspectos imunocitológicos permitiram estabelecer cinco fases neste processo. As células fluorescentes são fagocitárias e reconhecíveis como polimorfonucleares neutrófilos e histiócitos; células redondas pequenas e algumas células alongadas não puderam ser identificadas. O material fluorescente dentro do ôvo ou no interior do citoplasma dos fagócitos aparece na forma de grumos e de finos grânulos com fluorescência verde-maçã brilhante. Os principais aspectos defendidos pelos autores podem ser sumariados como segue: o baço é mais uniformemente representativo do estado imunológico vigente nesta doença; as lesões fibroplásticas do fígado guardam relação direta com reações imunológicas; o infiltrado inflamatório dos espaços porta e das Jaixas de fibrose é especifico, pelo menos em parte; o granuloma esquistossoviótico é um processo reacional específico frente ao material antigênico contido no ôvo; o material antigênico demonstrado pelo método usado na esquistosomose mansônica é particulado (o método não permite demonstrar antígenos solúveis).