bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Righteous Among the Nations of the World
Authors: Yelich Biniecki Susan M. , Donley Sarah
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to explore how learners make meaning of their experiences at exhibits depicting narratives of the Polish Righteous Among the Nations of the World, free-choice learning contexts. The study focused on two exhibits at a university in the mid-Western United States. The conceptual framework of the study integrates free-choice learning, the role of narratives, reflection, and Holocaust education. Three main mechanisms emerged from the qualitative analysis and interpretation of data of how participants made meaning of their experiences: through emotions, being challenged, and broadening awareness. This study further informs our understanding of meaning making and learning in free-choice learning contexts, suggesting ways in which we might provide additional prompts to bridge historical distance and integrate connectors to learners’ personal contexts in international education exhibits.
Evolution of acute myelogenous leukemia stem cell properties after treatment and progression
Authors: Ho Tzu-Chieh , LaMere Mark , Stevens Brett M. , Ashton John M. , Myers Jason R. , O’Dwyer Kristen M. , Liesveld Jane L. , Mendler Jason H. , Guzman Monica , Morrissette Jennifer D. , Zhao Jianhua , Wang Eunice S. , Wetzler Meir , Jordan Craig T. , Becker Michael W.
Published: July 2016

Key Points

Using AML as a model, we investigated the effect of treatment and disease evolution on functionally defined cancer stem cell populations. We demonstrate large-scale changes in LSC frequency and phenotype after relapse, best described using high-dimensional space analyses.
Development, roll-out and impact of Xpert MTB/RIF for tuberculosis: what lessons have we learnt and how can we do better?
Authors: Albert Heidi , Nathavitharana Ruvandhi R. , Isaacs Chris , Pai Madhukar , Denkinger Claudia M. , Boehme Catharina C.
Published: July 2016

The global roll-out of Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has changed the diagnostic landscape of tuberculosis (TB). More than 16 million tests have been performed in 122 countries since 2011, and detection of multidrug-resistant TB has increased three- to eight-fold compared to conventional testing. The roll-out has galvanised stakeholders, from donors to civil society, and paved the way for universal drug susceptibility testing. It has attracted new product developers to TB, resulting in a robust molecular diagnostics pipeline. However, the roll-out has also highlighted gaps that have constrained scale-up and limited impact on patient outcomes. The roll-out has been hampered by high costs for under-funded programmes, unavailability of a complete solution package (notably comprehensive training, quality assurance, implementation plans, inadequate service and maintenance support) and lack of impact assessment. Insufficient focus has been afforded to effective linkage to care of diagnosed patients, and clinical impact has been blunted by weak health systems. In many countries the private sector plays a dominant role in TB control, yet this sector has limited access to subsidised pricing. In light of these lessons, we advocate for a comprehensive diagnostics implementation approach, including increased engagement of in-country stakeholders for product launch and roll-out, broader systems strengthening in preparation for new technologies, as well as quality impact data from programmatic settings.
Salmonid fish: model organisms to study cardiovascular morphogenesis in conjoined twins?
Authors: Fjelldal Per Gunnar , Solberg Monica F. , Hansen Tom , Vågseth Tone , Glover Kevin Alan , Kryvi Harald
Published: July 2016

Background

There is a gap in knowledge regarding the cardiovascular system in fish conjoined twins, and regarding the cardiovascular morphogenesis of conjoined twins in general. We examined the cardiovascular system in a pair of fully developed ventrally conjoined salmonid twins (45.5 g body weight), and the arrangement of the blood vessels during early development in ventrally conjoined yolk sac larvae salmonid twins (<0.5 g body weight).

Results

In the fully developed twins, one twin was normal, while the other was small and severely malformed. The mouth of the small twin was blocked, inhibiting respiration and feeding. Both twins had hearts, but these were connected through a common circulatory system. They were joined by the following blood vessels: (i) arteria iliaca running from arteria caudalis of the large twin to the kidney of the small twin; (ii) arteria subclavia running from aorta dorsalis of the large twin to aorta dorsalis of the small twin; (iii) vena hepatica running from the liver of the small twin into the sinus venosus of the large twin. Among the yolk sac larvae twins investigated, distinct vascular connections were found in some individuals through a joined v. vitellina hepatica.

Conclusions

Ventrally conjoined fish twins can develop cardiovascular connections during early development, enabling a normal superior twin to supply a malfunctioning twin with oxygen and nutrients. Since the yolk sac in salmonids is transparent, twinning in salmonids may be a useful model in which to study cardiovascular morphogenesis in conjoined twins.
Best proximity results: optimization by approximate solutions
Authors: Choudhury Binayak S , Metiya Nikhilesh , Maniu Georgeta , Konar Pulak
Published: July 2016

In this paper we utilize a generalized weakly contractive mapping to establish some best proximity point results which are global optimization results for finding the minimum distances between two sets. Amongst many approaches to this problem, we adopt the approach where the problem is treated as that of finding global optimal approximate solution of the fixed point equation for the generalized weak contraction mapping. We use three control functions to define such mappings. The results are obtained in metric spaces with a partial ordering defined therein. There is a blending of analytic and order theoretic approaches in the proofs. The uniqueness is obtained by imposing some order theoretic conditions additionally. There are several corollaries. An illustration of the main theorem through an example is given which also shows that the corollaries are properly contained in the main theorem.
Evaluating smartphone-based dynamic security questions for fallback authentication: a field study
Authors: Albayram Yusuf , Khan Mohammad Maifi Hasan
Published: July 2016

To address the limitations of static challenge question based fallback authentication mechanisms (e.g., easy predictability), recently, smartphone based autobiographical authentication mechanisms have been explored where challenge questions are not predetermined and are instead generated dynamically based on users’ day-to-day activities captured by smartphones. However, as answering different types and styles of questions is likely to require different amounts of cognitive effort and affect users’ performance, a thorough study is required to investigate the effect of type and style of challenge questions and answer selection mechanisms on users’ recall performance and usability of such systems. Towards that, this paper explores seven different types of challenge questions where different types of questions are generated based on users’ smartphone usage data. For evaluation, we conducted a field study for a period of 30 days with 24 participants who were recruited in pairs to simulate different kinds of adversaries (e.g., close friends, significant others). Our findings suggest that the question types do have a significant effect on user performance. Furthermore, to address the variations in users’ accuracy across multiple sessions and question types, we investigate and present a Bayesian classifier based authentication algorithm that can authenticate legitimate users with high accuracy by leveraging individual response patterns.
Contribution of CD14 and TLR4 to changes of the PI(4,5)P2 level in LPS-stimulated cells
Authors: Płóciennikowska Agnieszka , Hromada-Judycka Aneta , Dembinńska Justyna , Roszczenko Paula , Ciesielska Anna , Kwiatkowska Katarzyna
Published: July 2016

LPS binds sequentially to CD14 and TLR4/MD2 receptor triggering production of proinflammatory mediators. The LPS-induced signaling is controlled by a plasma membrane lipid PI(4,5)P2 and its derivatives. Here, we show that stimulation of murine peritoneal macrophages with LPS induces biphasic accumulation of PI(4,5)P2 with peaks at 10 and 60–90 min that were still seen after silencing of TLR4 expression. In contrast, the PI(4,5)P2 elevation was abrogated when CD14 was removed from the cell surface. To assess the contribution of CD14 and TLR4 to the LPS-induced PI(4,5)P2 changes, we used HEK293 transfectants expressing various amounts of CD14 and TLR4. In cells with a low content of CD14 and high of TLR4, no accumulation of PI(4,5)P2 occurred. With an increasing amount of CD14 and concomitant decrease of TLR4, 2 peaks of PI(4,5)P2 accumulation appeared, eventually approaching those found in LPS-stimulated cells expressing CD14 alone. Mutation of the signaling domain of TLR4 let us conclude that the receptor activity can modulate PI(4,5)P2 accumulation in cells when expressed in high amounts compared with CD14. Among the factors limiting PI(4,5)P2 accumulation are its hydrolysis, phosphorylation, and availability of its precursor, PI(4)P. Inhibition of PLC and PI3K or overexpression of PI4K IIα that produces PI(4)P promoted PI(4,5)P2 elevation in LPS-stimulated cells. The elevation of PI(4,5)P2 was dispensable for TLR4 signaling yet enhanced its magnitude. Taken together, these data suggest that LPS-induced accumulation of PI(4,5)P2 that maximizes TLR4 signaling is controlled by CD14, whereas TLR4 can fine tune the process by affecting the PI(4,5)P2 turnover.
Endotoxemia—menace, marker, or mistake?
Authors: Munford Robert S
Published: July 2016

Endotoxemia is in its scientific ascendancy. Never has blood-borne, Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin (LPS) been invoked in the pathogenesis of so many diseases—not only as a trigger for septic shock, once its most cited role, but also as a contributor to atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic fatigue, metabolic syndrome, and many other conditions. Finding elevated plasma endotoxin levels has been essential supporting evidence for each of these links, yet the assays used to detect and quantitate endotoxin have important limitations. This article describes several assays for endotoxin in plasma, reviews what they do and do not measure, and discusses why LPS heterogeneity, LPS trafficking pathways, and host LPS inactivation mechanisms should be considered when interpreting endotoxin assay results.
Structure–function analysis and genetic interactions of the SmG, SmE, and SmF subunits of the yeast Sm protein ring
Authors: Schwer Beate , Kruchten Joshua , Shuman Stewart
Published: July 2016

A seven-subunit Sm protein ring forms a core scaffold of the U1, U2, U4, and U5 snRNPs that direct pre-mRNA splicing. Using human snRNP structures to guide mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we gained new insights into structure–function relationships of the SmG, SmE, and SmF subunits. An alanine scan of 19 conserved amino acids of these three proteins, comprising the Sm RNA binding sites or inter-subunit interfaces, revealed that, with the exception of Arg74 in SmF, none are essential for yeast growth. Yet, for SmG, SmE, and SmF, as for many components of the yeast spliceosome, the effects of perturbing protein–RNA and protein–protein interactions are masked by built-in functional redundancies of the splicing machine. For example, tests for genetic interactions with non-Sm splicing factors showed that many benign mutations of SmG, SmE, and SmF (and of SmB and SmD3) were synthetically lethal with null alleles of U2 snRNP subunits Lea1 and Msl1. Tests of pairwise combinations of SmG, SmE, SmF, SmB, and SmD3 alleles highlighted the inherent redundancies within the Sm ring, whereby simultaneous mutations of the RNA binding sites of any two of the Sm subunits are lethal. Our results suggest that six intact RNA binding sites in the Sm ring suffice for function but five sites may not.
Genome-edited human stem cell-derived beta cells: a powerful tool for drilling down on type 2 diabetes GWAS biology
Authors: Beer Nicola L. , Gloyn Anna L.
Published: July 2016

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a disease of pandemic proportions, one defined by a complex aetiological mix of genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors. Whilst the last decade of T2D genetic research has identified more than 100 loci showing strong statistical association with disease susceptibility, our inability to capitalise upon these signals reflects, in part, a lack of appropriate human cell models for study. This review discusses the impact of two complementary, state-of-the-art technologies on T2D genetic research: the generation of stem cell-derived, endocrine pancreas-lineage cells and the editing of their genomes. Such models facilitate investigation of diabetes-associated genomic perturbations in a physiologically representative cell context and allow the role of both developmental and adult islet dysfunction in T2D pathogenesis to be investigated. Accordingly, we interrogate the role that patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell models are playing in understanding cellular dysfunction in monogenic diabetes, and how site-specific nucleases such as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system are helping to confirm genes crucial to human endocrine pancreas development. We also highlight the novel biology gleaned in the absence of patient lines, including an ability to model the whole phenotypic spectrum of diabetes phenotypes occurring bothin uteroand in adult cells, interrogating the non-coding ‘islet regulome’ for disease-causing perturbations, and understanding the role of other islet cell types in aberrant glycaemia. This article aims to reinforce the importance of investigating T2D signals in cell models reflecting appropriate species, genomic context, developmental time point, and tissue type.
AutoAnnotate: A Cytoscape app for summarizing networks with semantic annotations
Authors: Kucera Mike , Isserlin Ruth , Arkhangorodsky Arkady , Bader Gary D.
Published: July 2016

Networks often contain regions of tightly connected nodes, or clusters, that highlight their shared relationships. An effective way to create a visual summary of a network is to identify clusters and annotate them with an enclosing shape and a summarizing label. Cytoscape provides the ability to annotate a network with shapes and labels, however these annotations must be created manually one at a time, which can be a laborious process. AutoAnnotate is a Cytoscape 3 App that automates the process of identifying clusters and visually annotating them. It greatly reduces the time and effort required to fully annotate clusters in a network, and provides freedom to experiment with different strategies for identifying and labelling clusters. Many customization options are available that enable the user to refine the generated annotations as required. Annotated clusters may be collapsed into single nodes using the Cytoscape groups feature, which helps simplify a network by making its overall structure more visible. AutoAnnotate is applicable to any type of network, including enrichment maps, protein-protein interactions, pathways, or social networks.
Managing Co-Creation in Information Technology Projects: A Differential Games Approach
Authors: Demirezen Emre M. , Kumar Subodha , Shetty Bala
Published: July 2016

We study the relationship between a client and a vendor in value co-creation environments such as information technology projects. We consider that the client gets utility from the project throughout the development period and that the effort levels are not verifiable if not monitored. The output is contingent on the effort levels of each party, and we allow these effort levels to be dynamic. Hence, the client needs to optimally decide the terms of payment structures so as to maximize her net value. We analyze the performance of different payment structures and find the best one for the client in diverse settings. We show that the remaining time of the project and the client’s valuation of the project regulate the behavior of the effort levels and some other characteristics in the collaboration. We derive the conditions under which the client chooses not to monitor the vendor’s effort and operates in a double moral hazard environment. In addition, we find that the equilibrium effort levels or the values the parties gain from the collaboration do not necessarily increase when the output becomes more sensitive to either party’s effort. Based on the results of our model, we present several other managerial insights.
Preschool Music Education: The Case of the Aguascalientes Institute of Education, Mexico
Authors: Capistrán Raúl Wenceslao
Published: July 2016

Preschool music education is vital as part of children's integral education. In this article, the author presents the results of a study that aimed to know the situation of preschool music education in the State of Aguascalientes, Mexico. Additionally, the author shares the commendable efforts that the State of Aguascalientes Institute of Education in partnership with the Center for the Arts and the Culture from the Aguascalientes Autonomous University are doing in order to improve the musical and artistic level in this State.
Motivational Strategies for Instrumental Training
Authors: Muñoz Silvia Tripiana
Published: July 2016

A priori it seems that the use of motivational strategies is not applicable to something so vocational as the learning of a musical instrument. However, the many years of academic development linked to the search for autonomy in individual study, which accompanies the performer for life, point to the need to assess the role played by motivation in these types of teaching.

This article emphasizes that music students require responses and objectives for adequate self-motivation. At the same time, various strategies are presented that can assist teachers in the preparation and development of the instrumental class as well as other topics that concern students in the realization of their individual practice. All of the strategies have been taken from recent perspectives on motivation towards learning in general education, establishing relevant relations and their possible application in the field of instrumental practice.

In conclusion, the article is based on the idea that a motivated student will reach greater musical achievements which will result in professional performance of greater quality.
The National System of Youth and Children's Choirs and Orchestras of Venezuela: A teaching model of social inclusion through musical excellence
Authors: Verhagen Franka , Panigada Leonardo , Morales Ronnie
Published: July 2016

The National System of Youth and Children's Choirs and Orchestras of Venezuela, now in its 41st year, serves as a powerful tool for social inclusion by means of collective music education.

This paper tries to illustrate the validity of its vision and mission and clarify the ways its particular didactic practices break traditional paradigms. Along these four decades and with the support of the Venezuelan state, El Sistema has adapted itself to changing times, deepening its social action as proposed by Maestro José Antonio Abreu. This has been accomplished through a number of educational principles and with the creation of new programs that have responded to the needs of thousands of children and youngsters, and with the practice of music making.

Here there is a close look at the key pedagogical and didactical concepts, describing the individual and collective benefits that derive from their practice. Finally, we define the educational principles underneath the musical and social work of the institution.
Analysis on writing development of school-aged children from multicultural families
Authors: Bae Hee-sook
Published: July 2016

The purposes of this study is to seize the characteristics of writing development, especially three formal components(orthography, morphology, and syntax) of school-aged children from multicultural families. For the study, written language samples have collected through a sentence completion writing test for 25 children from multicultural families, and for 25 children from non-multicultural families. Excluding children whose expressive lexical ability are above -1 SD among these 50 children, the data of 16 multicultural children and 24 non-multicultural children are analyzed for this study. The two groups are firstly compared in orthographic features such as spacing errors and spelling errors, secondly in morphological features such as the particle errors and the ending errors, and thirdly in syntactic features such as the MLC-w and the frequency of 4 types of embedded clauses. The orthographic error rate, the ending error rate, and the MLC-w were significantly higher in the group of children from multicultural families than the other. However, the particle error rate and the frequency of embedded clauses were not significantly different in the two groups. These results implicate that it is necessary to support early school-aged children from multicultural families for developing their writing skill.
A narrative inquiry on the experiences of ‘multicultural’ acculturation of marital immigrant women
Authors: Kim Hee Soon
Published: July 2016

This Study was conducted using a purposive sample of seven marital immigrant women for the purpose of full understanding of their experiences of ‘multicultural’ acceptance of Korea. The study participants were Vietnamese women who have been living in Korea over ten years. Data collection was through unstructured group and individual interviews and their verbatim were analyzed by narrative exploratory methods. The major findings are their common experiences illustrated by ‘the life of survivals’ and ‘living out the life again’. The outcome of this study may provide significant insight and direction for the development of effective practice intervention for the quality life of these and other marital immigrant women and multicultural families in the Korean society.
School life characteristics of resilient students: Evidence from PISA 2012
Authors: Song Hyojune , Cha Yun-kyung
Published: July 2016

This paper conducted an empirical study focusing on 15-year-old students using Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2012 data. In particular, the study first classified students into two groups based on Index of economic, social and cultural status (ESCS) in PISA 2012: 1) resilient students defined as students who succeeded at school(the top quarter of PISA 2012 mathematics score) despite a disadvantaged family background(the bottom 25% of ESCS); 2) at-risk students with the same disadvantageous family background who under-performed at school(the bottom quarter of PISA 2012 mathematics score). Next, the study examined which school life characteristics were more likely to differentiate these two student groups using hierarchical generalized linear model (HGLM) analysis. The major findings can be summarized as follows: First, in comparison with at-risk students, resilient students were more likely to perceive that schooling is valuable or useful. Second, the scores of “sense of belonging to school” for resilient students were significantly higher compared to those for at-risk students. These findings can be used as a useful evidence in developing educational policies and school reforming strategies for students from disadvantaged family background.
Men’s and women’s position in the family in the context of social gender roles
Authors: Vargün Berivan
Published: July 2016

Men’s and Women’s positions in traditional families differ in the context of social gender roles. Identifying and analysing the socio-cultural values concerning gender roles transmitted down to individuals through teaching is important in that they demonstrate the status of traditional values and unwritten rules which are alive in societies today. The study was conducted in the central quarters of Şanlıurfa and Batman cities. Firstly, men’s and women’s duties in a family, women’s position in a family, the way participants got married, and families’ value  judgements on families’ role in the formation of conjugal union were investigated in this research. The method of field research was employed in this study. The questions in the interview form were prepared as open-ended questions so as to be able to understand participants’ attitudes towards and thoughts about the issue and to go into detils during face-to-face interviews. The interviews with women which started as individual interviews later turned into group interviews especially in some quarters due to the fact that  the women invited their friends living in their neighborhood into the interviews, and spontaneous conversations occured. The women listened to each other and then responded to the questions but by defending their views.
Nicotine Analysis in Several Non-Tobacco Plant Materials
Authors: Moldoveanu Serban C. , Scott Wayne A. , Lawson Darlene M.
Published: July 2016

Present study describes the determination of nicotine in various plant samples with a low content of this compound. Nicotine is found naturally in plants from the Solanaceae family. The plants from Nicotiana genus contain large levels of nicotine. However, only low levels are present in plants from Solanum genus including potato, tomato, eggplant, and from Capsicum genus, which are used as food. Because the levels of nicotine in these materials are in the range of parts per billion, the measurements are difficult and the results are very different from study to study. The present study evaluated the level of nicotine in a number of plants (fruits, roots, leaves, tubers) from Solanaceae family (not including Nicotiana genus) and from several other vegetables commonly used as food. The analysis consisted of the treatment of plant material with an aqueous solution 5% NaOH at 70°C for 30 min, followed by extraction with TBME containing d3-nicotine as an internal standard. The TBME organic layer was analyzed on a 7890B/7000C GC-MS/MS system with a 30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 μm film CAM column. The MS/MS system worked in MRM positive ionization mode monitoring the transition 162 - 84 for nicotine and 165 - 87 for d3-nicotine. Particular attention was given to the preservation of the intact levels of nicotine in the plant material. The plant material was analyzed as is, without drying and with minimal exposure to contaminations. Separately, the moisture of the plant material was measured in order to report the nicotine level on a dry-basis. Levels of nicotine around 180 ng/g dry material were obtained for tomatoes and eggplant (fruit) and lower levels were obtained for green pepper and potato. Similar levels to that in the tomato fruit were detected in tomato leaves. Materials from other plant families also showed traces of nicotine. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 27 (2016) 54-59]
A Simultaneous Analytical Method to Profile Non-Volatile Components with Low Polarity Elucidating Differences Between Tobacco Leaves Using Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry Detection
Authors: Ishida Naoyuki
Published: July 2016

A comprehensive analytical method using liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry detector (LC/APCI-MSD) was developed to determine key non-volatile components with low polarity elucidating holistic difference among tobacco leaves. Nonaqueous reversed-phase chromatography (NARPC) using organic solvent ensured simultaneous separation of various components with low polarity in tobacco resin. Application of full-scan mode to APCI-MSD hyphenated with NARPC enabled simultaneous detection of numerous intense product ions given by APCI interface. Parameters for data processing to filter, feature and align peaks were adjusted in order to strike a balance between comprehensiveness and reproducibility in analysis. 63 types of components such as solanesols, chlorophylls, phytosterols, triacylglycerols, solanachromene and others were determined on total ion chromatograms according to authentic components, wavelength spectrum and mass spectrum. The whole area of identified entities among the ones detected on total ion chromatogram reached to over 60% and major entities among those identified showed favorable linearity of determination coefficient of over 0.99. The developed method and data processing procedure were therefore considered feasible for subsequent multivariate analysis. Data matrix consisting of a number of entities was then subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis. Cultivars of tobacco leaves were distributed far from each cultivar on PCA score plot and each cluster seemed to be characterized by identified non-volatile components with low polarity. While fluecured Virginia (FCV) was loaded by solanachromene, phytosterol esters and triacylglycerols, free phytosterols and chlorophylls loaded Burley (BLY) and Oriental (ORI) respectively. Consequently the whole methodology consisting of comprehensive method and data processing procedure proved useful to determine key-components among cultivars of tobacco leaves, and was expected to additionally expand coverage that metabolomics study has ensured. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 27 (2016) 60-73]
Cross-Sectional Relations Between Slim Cigarettes and Smoking Prevalence
Authors: Slater Adam
Published: July 2016

Slim cigarettes were defined in the 2012 draft European Union-Tobacco Product Directive (EU-TPD) as cigarettes with a diameter of less than 7.5mm. Allegations that slim cigarettes may negatively impact tobacco control efforts led the European Commission to propose a ban on them in 2012, which was ultimately rejected. This study investigated whether there is any association between slim cigarettes and smoking prevalence rates, in order to see if these allegations are justified. Data was compiled on the market share of slim cigarettes and smoking prevalence rates from the years 2012, 2006 and 1996. The core 2012 sample (once data limitations were accounted for) consisted of 95 countries. Raw correlations between market shares of slim cigarettes and smoking prevalence rates were first examined, followed by multivariate cross-country regressions where various factors were controlled for. This was done for overall smoking prevalence, as well as for male and female prevalence separately.

Although raw correlations between the slim cigarette market share and smoking prevalence were sometimes positive and statistically significant, this result disappeared in all cases except for one when potential confounding factors were fully controlled for. The correlation between slim cigarette market share and smoking prevalence remained significant only for males in 2012 at levels of statistical significance of 10% or above when cultural and socio-economic factors were fully controlled for. Importantly, for females no positive statistically significant correlations between the slim cigarette market share and smoking prevalence were found for any year. The cross-country variation in smoking prevalence was substantially explained by a number of regional and cultural dummies, as well as socio-economic factors.

This study has found no indication that a higher market share of slim cigarettes was associated with greater smoking prevalence among females, and has failed to find a strong indication among males, once confounding factors were controlled for. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 27 (2016) 75-99]
Lymphocyte signaling and activation by the CARMA1-BCL10-MALT1 signalosome
Authors: Meininger Isabel , Krappmann Daniel
Published: July 2016

The CARMA1-BCL10-MALT1 (CBM) signalosome triggers canonical NF-κB signaling and lymphocyte activation upon antigen-receptor stimulation. Genetic studies in mice and the analysis of human immune pathologies unveiled a critical role of the CBM complex in adaptive immune responses. Great progress has been made in elucidating the fundamental mechanisms that dictate CBM assembly and disassembly. By bridging proximal antigen-receptor signaling to downstream signaling pathways, the CBM complex exerts a crucial scaffolding function. Moreover, the MALT1 subunit confers a unique proteolytic activity that is key for lymphocyte activation. Deregulated ‘chronic’ CBM signaling drives constitutive NF-κB signaling and MALT1 activation, which contribute to the development of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as lymphomagenesis. Thus, the processes that govern CBM activation and function are promising targets for the treatment of immune disorders. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the functions and mechanisms of CBM signaling in lymphocytes and how CBM deregulations contribute to aberrant signaling in malignant lymphomas.
Winston Peters “Puts His Hand to the Plow”: The Bible in New Zealand Political Discourse
Authors: Myles Robert J.
Published: July 2016

This article examines the charismatic New Zealand politician Winston Peters’ sparse use of the Bible as a case study in the propagation of the “Cultural” and “Liberal” Bibles across the relatively irreligious landscape of New Zealand’s political landscape. It considers why politicians continue to employ biblical rhetoric despite increasing indifference towards Christianity and the Bible, by situating such moves within the context of global capitalism. It also identifies some peculiarities of the political use of the Bible unique to the New Zealand situation and explores how these have aided the construction of distinctive political identities.

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God’.” – Luke 9:62

“The Old Testament was my textbook.” – Winston Peters
Spectral Methods for Determining the Stability and Noise Performance of Passively Modelocked Lasers
Authors: Menyuk Curtis R. , Wang Shaokang
Published: July 2016

We describe spectral or dynamical methods that can be used to determine the stability and noise performance of modelocked lasers.We first review methods that have been used to date to theoretically and computationally study passively modelocked lasers, contrasting evolutionary and dynamical approaches and their application to full, averaged, and reduced models. We then develop the spectral methods and show how they can be used to determine the stability and to calculate the timing jitter and power spectral density for any averaged model with any equilibrium pulse shape. We review work that has been done on soliton lasers using soliton perturbation theory from this dynamical perspective, and we contrast the simplicity and generality of our methods to prior work. We close with a discussion of how to extend our approach from averaged models to full models.
Local Versus Global Effects of Isoflurane Anesthesia on Visual Processing in the Fly Brain
Authors: Cohen Dror , Zalucki Oressia H. , van Swinderen Bruno , Tsuchiya Naotsugu
Published: July 2016

What characteristics of neural activity distinguish the awake and anesthetized brain? Drugs such as isoflurane abolish behavioral responsiveness in all animals, implying evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. However, it is unclear whether this conservation is reflected at the level of neural activity. Studies in humans have shown that anesthesia is characterized by spatially distinct spectral and coherence signatures that have also been implicated in the global impairment of cortical communication. We questioned whether anesthesia has similar effects on global and local neural processing in one of the smallest brains, that of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). Using a recently developed multielectrode technique, we recorded local field potentials from different areas of the fly brain simultaneously, while manipulating the concentration of isoflurane. Flickering visual stimuli (‘frequency tags’) allowed us to track evoked responses in the frequency domain and measure the effects of isoflurane throughout the brain. We found that isoflurane reduced power and coherence at the tagging frequency (13 or 17 Hz) in central brain regions. Unexpectedly, isoflurane increased power and coherence at twice the tag frequency (26 or 34 Hz) in the optic lobes of the fly, but only for specific stimulus configurations. By modeling the periodic responses, we show that the increase in power in peripheral areas can be attributed to local neuroanatomy. We further show that the effects on coherence can be explained by impacted signal-to-noise ratios. Together, our results show that general anesthesia has distinct local and global effects on neuronal processing in the fruit fly brain.
The Effects of Minimal Group Membership on Young Preschoolers’ Social Preferences, Estimates of Similarity, and Behavioral Attribution
Authors: Richter Nadja , Over Harriet , Dunham Yarrow
Published: July 2016

We investigate young children’s sensitivity to minimal group membership. Previous research has suggested that children do not show sensitivity to minimal cues to group membership until the age of five to six, contributing to claims that this is an important transition in the development of intergroup cognition and behavior. In this study, we investigated whether even younger children are sensitive to minimal cues to group membership. Random assignment to one of either of two color groups created a temporary, visually salient minimal group membership in 3 and 4-year-old study participants. Using explicit measures, we tested whether children preferred minimal group members when making social judgments. We find that, in the absence of any knowledge regarding the two groups, children expressed greater liking for ingroup than outgroup targets. Moreover, children estimated that ingroup members would share their preferences. Our findings demonstrate that from early in development, humans assess unknown others on the basis of minimal cues to social similarity and that the perception of group boundaries potentially underlies social assortment in strangers.
Prolactin-releasing peptide: a new tool for obesity treatment
Authors: Kuneš Jaroslav , Pražienková Veronika , Popelová Andrea , Mikulášková Barbora , Zemenová Jana , Maletínská Lenka
Published: July 2016

Obesity is an escalating epidemic, but an effective noninvasive therapy is still scarce. For obesity treatment, anorexigenic neuropeptides are promising tools, but their delivery from the periphery to the brain is complicated because peptides have a low stability and limited ability to cross the blood–brain barrier. In this review, we summarize results of several studies with our newly designed lipidized analogs of prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP). PrRP is involved in feeding and energy balance regulation as demonstrated by obesity phenotypes of both PrRP- and PrRP-receptor-knockout mice. Lipidized PrRP analogs showed binding affinity and signaling in PrRP receptor-expressing cells similar to natural PrRP. Moreover, these analogs showed high binding affinity also to anorexigenic neuropeptide FF (NPFF)-2 receptor. Acute peripheral administration of myristoylated and palmitoylated PrRP analogs to mice and rats induced strong and long-lasting anorexigenic effects and neuronal activation in the brain areas involved in food intake regulation. Two-week-long subcutaneous administration of palmitoylated PrRP31 and myristoylated PrRP20 lowered food intake, body weight, improved metabolic parameters and attenuated lipogenesis in mice with diet-induced obesity. A strong anorexigenic, body weight-reducing and glucose tolerance-improving effect of palmitoylated-PrRP31 was shown also in diet-induced obese rats after its repeated 2-week-long peripheral administration. Thus, the strong anorexigenic and body weight-reducing effects of palmitoylated PrRP31 and myristoylated PrRP20 make these analogs attractive candidates for antiobesity treatment. Moreover, PrRP receptor might be a new target for obesity therapy.
Socialinių normų panaudojimas skatinant tvarią elgseną: metaanalizė
Authors: Poškus Mykolas Simas
Published: July 2016

Šio tyrimo tikslas yra įvertinti socialinių normų efektyvumą skatinant tvarią elgseną. Tikslui pasiekti atlikta metaanalizė. Į analizę buvo įtraukti nuo 1990 metų recenzuojamuose žurnaluose išspausdintuose straipsniuose aprašyti eksperimentiniai tyrimai, kuriuose tvari elgsena skatinta pasitelkiant socialines normas. Renkant tyrimus analizei, nebuvo išskiriamos jokios populiacijos. Bendriems efekto dydžiams apskaičiuoti naudoti atsitiktinių efektų modeliai. Aptikta, kad socialinės normos gali būti sėkmingai panaudotos tvariai elgsenai paskatinti (d = 0,35, 95 proc. CI [0,13, 0,57]), jų efektyvumas didžiausias tada, kai jos naudojamos kasdienėse situacijose (d = 0,52, 95 proc. CI [0,38, 0,65]), taip pat normomis pagrįstos intervencijos yra efektyvesnės, nei alternatyvūs kreipimaisi, skirti paskatinti tvarią elgseną (d = 0,18, 95 proc. CI [0,03, 0,32]). Daroma išvada, kad socialinėmis normomis pagrįstos intervencijos efektyviai skatina tvarią elgseną. Siekiant paskatinti tvarią elgseną, ypač rekomenduojama kaip įrankį pasitelkti socialines normas, nes socialinių normų naudojimas yra įrodymais pagrįstas ir efektyvus būdas paskatinti norimą elgseną.
Lyties veiksnys asmens santykyje su autoritetais: kokybinė subjektyvaus patyrimo analizė
Authors: Bieliauskienė Ieva , Gudaitė Gražina
Published: July 2016

Santykį su autoritetais, kuriuos apibrėžiame kaip asmenis ar institucijas, pasižyminčius didesne kompetencija, žiniomis, išmintimi ar galia, galime laikyti universaliu žmogišku patyrimu. Įvairūs teoriniai darbai ir mūsų ankstesni tyrimai skatina tyrinėti santykio su autoritetais ir lyties veiksnio sąsajas – trūksta žinių apie motinos bei moterų autoritetingumą, be to, galima kelti prielaidas, kad vyrų ir moterų santykio su autoritetais kūrimo būdai yra skirtingi. Šiame straipsnyje siekiame atskleisti subjektyvų 22–25 ir 44–49 metų vyrų ir moterų santykio su abiejų lyčių autoritetais patyrimą. Atlikus pusiau struktūruotus interviu su aštuoniais vyrais ir aštuoniomis moterimis bei teminę interviu analizę, išskirtos penkios santykį su autoritetais apibūdinančios temos: priešinimasis autoritetui; autoriteto pasiekiamumas; autoriteto neigimas; autoriteto pripažinimas; panašumas į autoritetą. Moterų santykis su autoritetais, ypač moteriškosios lyties, labiau pasižymėjo artumu, asmeniškumu, vyrų – didesne distancija, racionalumu. Dauguma vyrų ir moterų neigė bent vieno iš tėvų autoritetą: tėvo – dažniausiai dėl jo pasyvumo, nutolimo nuo šeimos, motinos – dėl jos dominavimo, siekio kontroliuoti, emocingumo. Visiems vyresniesiems tyrimo dalyviams buvo būdingas stiprus poreikis priešintis autoritetams maištaujant prieš juos, tačiau moterys atskleidė ir paklusimo autoritetams situacijų, o vyrai paklusimo galimybę neigė. Jaunesniosios grupės vyrų santykis su autoritetais buvo panašesnis į moterų – jis pasižymėjo asmeniškumu, artumu, siekiu tapatintis.
Assessing the potential value of bridge monitoring systems
Authors: Vardanega Paul J. , Webb Graham T. , Fidler Paul R. A. , Middleton Campbell R.
Published: July 2016

On-going developments in smart technologies such as wireless sensor networks, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), computer vision, fibre optics and advanced data interpretation techniques may revolutionise structural health monitoring (SHM). Dedicated SHM of bridge assets has the potential to produce valuable data-sets and provide owners and managers with information to aid with key questions such as: current performance, margins of safety, actual loading, stress history and risk of fatigue, extent of deterioration and residual life. However, the parameters measured and value of the data obtained will differ when viewed from the perspectives of different stakeholders such as asset owners, designers, contractors and researchers. In this paper the purposes of monitoring are reviewed. A methodology is proposed to facilitate formal discussions between the key stakeholders before any deployment is specified and to ensure that scarce resources are not wasted in the pursuit of data as opposed to information. This approach can be used to determine if there is a prima facie case for the specification of SHM on a project and assess the potential value of any information that may be obtained. The developed methodology has been trialled with five historical monitoring case studies on bridges with which the authors are familiar.
Assessment of Tame Valley Viaduct
Authors: West Chris
Published: July 2016

Tame Valley Viaduct is a key link within the West Midlands highway network. Earlier assessments had indicated that the viaduct was inadequate for current loading. This paper describes the detailed assessment undertaken to improve the capacity rating, aid the interim management of the structure and minimise subsequent strengthening requirements. The steel-composite box-girder construction is extensively stiffened with bulb-flat stiffeners. Standards suggested that these were susceptible to torsional buckling. Studies using non-linear finite-element models were able to demonstrate the adequacy of the web stiffeners, thereby allowing the associated web panels to be used at their maximum efficiency. Similar modelling demonstrated that non-standard longitudinal stiffeners could develop adequate post-buckling capacity to be used in the Eurocode effective-area method of calculating the resistance of plated structures. The comprehensive approach assessed each and every panel of the box girders, rather than conservatively selecting critical panels. This required creation of a structural information model and a bespoke software tool to automate the assessment process.
Resistivity of Irish glacial deposits
Authors: O'Connor Sophie , O'Connor Peter , Long Michael
Published: July 2016

Irish glacial soils or boulder clays are often difficult to characterise using conventional sampling and laboratory testing due to the high quantity of coarse particles. Therefore, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is often used in geotechnical investigations in Ireland. A feature of ERT measurements in Irish boulder clays is that the resistivity values are much higher than those published for similar materials elsewhere. In order to study the factors that control the resistivity values of these boulder clays, a detailed in situ and laboratory study was carried out at five sites. The sites were chosen to correspond with soils derived from the most prominent rock types found in Ireland. Measured resistivity values were found to reduce with increased density, increased water content, reduced porosity and increased degree of saturation. The influence of coarse particles was found to be the primary reason why Irish boulder clays have relatively high resistivity values. It was also found that pore water content plays a dominant role in the measured resistivity values, which overrides the influence of other factors. Simple correlations between soil type and resistivity values can be misleading and the context of the in situ state of the material and the nature of the soil particles needs to be considered.