bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Re-examination of Exchange Rate Exposure: Industry-level Analysis of Indian Firms
Authors: Sikarwar Ekta
Published: October 2014

This study examines the relationship between exchange rate changes and firm value. For this purpose, a sample of 342 Indian non-financial firms grouped into 20 industry portfolios is studied over the period of April 2006 to March 2011. The sensitivity of industry’s stock returns to actual and unanticipated changes in exchange rate is determined. The study reports a higher number of industries significantly exposed to real exchange rate changes than nominal changes which implies that the firms should focus more on their real currency exposure especially in the emerging markets experiencing high inflation. The results also suggest that the Indian industries gain (loss) from the depreciation (appreciation) of the rupee against foreign currencies. The results are robust to the use of bilateral exchange rate and estimation models. The findings have practical and theoretical implications.
Foreign Direct Investment in a Transition Economy: Lessons from the Experience of Mongolia
Authors: Davaakhuu Oyunbadam , Sharma Kishor , Bandara Yapa M.W.Y
Published: October 2014

This article presents an analysis of the trends and patterns of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mongolia, a former centrally planned economy which embarked on economic reforms in 1990. Since then, there has been a dramatic increase in FDI inflow into the country. The volume of FDI rose from less than one per cent of GDP in 1991 to 80 per cent by 2010. These foreign-owned enterprises have made a significant contribution to the country’s export earnings, but their effects on employment-creation and hence poverty-reduction remains very small. This appears to be largely due to a heavy concentration of foreign firms in relatively capital-intensive mining sectors rather than labour-intensive light manufacturing. Further, there is evidence to support growing business confidence that Mongolia has a potential of FDI to become a major player in global commodity markets with its rich gold, copper, zinc, uranium, coal, molybdenum and oil reserves.
Acute Toxicity of Subcutaneously Administered Vitamin E Isomers Delta- and Gamma-Tocotrienol in Mice
Authors: Swift Sibyl N. , Pessu Roli L. , Chakraborty Kushal , Villa Vilmar , Lombardini Eric , Ghosh Sanchita P.
Published: October 2014

The toxicity of parenterally administered vitamin E isomers, delta-tocotrienol (DT3) and gamma-tocotrienol (GT3), was evaluated in male and female CD2F1 mice. In an acute toxicity study, a single dose of DT3 or GT3 was administered subcutaneously in a dose range of 200 to 800 mg/kg. A mild to moderately severe dermatitis was observed clinically and microscopically in animals at the injection site at doses above 200 mg/kg. The severity of the reaction was reduced when the drug concentration was lowered. Neither drug produced detectable toxic effects in any other tissue at the doses tested. Based on histopathological analysis for both DT3 and GT3, and macroscopic observations of inflammation at the injection site, a dose of 300 mg/kg was selected as the lowest toxic dose in a 30-day toxicity study performed in male mice. At this dose, a mild skin irritation occurred at the injection site that recovered completely by the end of the experimental period. At a dose of 300 mg/kg of DT3 or GT3, no adverse effects were observed in any tissues or organs.
New Techniques for Evaluating Temporal Consistency
Authors: DeSimone Justin A.
Published: October 2014

Temporal consistency (otherwise known as test-retest reliability) is often calculated by correlating test scores for participants who have taken a test on two separate occasions. Unfortunately, analysis of the relationship between total scores across test administrations potentially ignores information related to the consistency of individual items, item interrelationships, and individual respondents. The purpose of this article is to introduce a set of new statistics intended to address these issues. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the potential utility of each proposed statistic and provide proof of concept. Each of the proposed statistics works as intended, providing evidence that this set of analyses can be used to enhance the assessment of temporal consistency.
Pressure distribution for multi-lobe bearings using Fourier analysis
Authors: Li Zhi , Yang Lihua , Zhou Jian , Yu Lie
Published: October 2014

During the past decades, researchers have focused a great deal of attention on the lobe bearings because of their superior stability. In this paper, a comprehensive methodology for determining the performances of bearings is developed based on the Fourier analysis. The advantage of this method is no longer to treat each lobe as an individual partial bearing like before, but to take into account the inherent relevance and coupling effects among lobes, etc. This article firstly puts forward universal frameworks of mathematical procedure, within which two multi-lobe journal bearings, namely, three- and four-lobe bearing are investigated. For the bearings with similar topology structure, the results show that the Fourier expansions of oil-film thickness are composed of the same family of harmonic basis functions. And those functions are merely related to the number of bearing lobes N. The results also show that both the oil-film profile and pressure field of the whole bearing completely inherit the periodicity from the periodic bearing structure and own the same period 2 π/ N commonly. Again, the simulated results construct the corresponding relationship between the expanded terms of oil-film thickness and pressure field. Further, quantitatively analyzing the variations of the pressure component indicates that as the order increases, the maximum of the pressure component decreases gradually. That provides a more convenient approach to obtain a satisfied prediction of the performance of the bearings just by using finite Fourier harmonic terms.
Community Health Workers in Primary Care Practice
Authors: Collinsworth Ashley , Vulimiri Madhulika , Snead Christine , Walton James
Published: October 2014

New, comprehensive, approaches for chronic disease management are needed to ensure that patients, particularly those more likely to experience health disparities, have access to the clinical care, self-management resources, and support necessary for the prevention and control of diabetes. Community health workers (CHWs) have worked in community settings to reduce health care disparities and are currently being deployed in some clinical settings as a means of improving access to and quality of care. Guided by the chronic care model, Baylor Health Care System embedded CHWs within clinical teams in community clinics with the goal of reducing observed disparities in diabetes care and outcomes. This study examines findings from interviews with patients, CHWs, and primary care providers (PCPs) to understand how health care delivery systems can be redesigned to effectively incorporate CHWs and how embedding CHWs in primary care teams can produce informed, activated patients and prepared, proactive practice teams who can work together to achieve improved patient outcomes. Respondents indicated that the PCPs continued to provide clinical exams and manage patient care, but the roles of diabetes education, nutritional counseling, and patient activation were shifted to the CHWs. CHWs also provided patients with social support and connection to community resources. Integration of CHWs into clinical care teams improved patient knowledge and activation levels, the ability of PCPs to identify and proactively address specific patient needs, and patient outcomes.
Alliance System and Policy Change
Authors: Clark Noreen M. , Quinn Martha , Dodge Julia A. , Nelson Belinda W.
Published: October 2014

Reducing diabetes inequities requires system and policy changes based on real-life experiences of vulnerable individuals living with the condition. While introducing innovative interventions for African American, Native American, and Latino low-income people, the five community-based sites of the Alliance to Reduce Disparities in Diabetes recognized that policy changes were essential to sustain their efforts. Data regarding change efforts were collected from site leaders and examined against documents provided routinely to the National Program Office at the University of Michigan. A policy expert refined the original lists to include only confirmed policy changes, scope of change (organizational to national), and stage of accomplishment (1, beginning; 2, adoption; 3, implementation; and 4, full maintenance). Changes were again verified through site visits and telephone interviews. In 3 years, Alliance teams achieved 53 system and policy change accomplishments. Efforts were implemented at the organizational (33), citywide (13), state (5), and national (2) levels, and forces helping and hindering success were identified. Three types of changes were deemed especially significant for diabetes control: data sharing across care-providing organizations, embedding community health workers into the clinical care team, and linking clinic services with community assets and resources in support of self-management.
Variables Associated With Enhanced Sustainability of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Authors: McIntosh Kent , Kim Jerin , Mercer Sterett H. , Strickland-Cohen M. Kathleen , Horner Robert H.
Published: October 2014

Practice sustainability is important to ensure that students have continued access to evidence-based practices. In this study, respondents from a national sample of 860 schools at varying stages of implementing School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) were administered a research-validated measure of factors predicting sustained implementation of school-based practices. School demographic characteristics and specific school team actions were assessed to indicate which variables were most strongly associated with four empirically-derived sustainability factors. Findings showed that, in general, school demographic characteristics were not significantly related to sustainability. School team actions, especially the frequency of sharing data with the whole school staff, were statistically significantly related to sustainability. Implications for enhancing sustainability of school-based practices are discussed.
A prospective, randomized comparative study of monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate versus photoselective vaporization of the prostate with GreenLight 120-W laser, in prostates less than 80 cc
Authors: Telli Onur , Okutucu Tolga Muharrem , Suer Evren , Burgu Berk , Gulpinar Omer , Yaman Onder , Bozkurt Selen
Published: October 2014

Objective:

In this study we aimed to compare photoselective vaporization (PVP) with the GreenLight 120-W Laser and monopolar transurethral resection as surgical treatments of prostates less than 80 cc in men with obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods:

From February 2009 to March 2012 we allocated 101 patients with a prostate glands of less than 80 cc; patients were randomly assigned for surgical treatment with monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) ( n = 62) or PVP ( n = 39). Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), maximum flow rate (Qmax) postmicturition residual (PMR), transrectal ultrasound volumes (TRUS), postvoid urine residual (PVR), complications, re-operations and hospitalization time were collected. The patients were seen in the follow up at 6, 12 and 24 months.

Results:

Median age was 69 (56–87) years old in the TURP group and 67 (51–87) years old in the PVP group. Mean preoperative prostate volume was 55 cc (40–72) and 60 cc (41–75) cc in the TURP group versus the PVP group. There was no statistically difference in subjectively (IPSS, SHIM) and objectively (Qmax-PMR) parameters and postoperatively complication rates between the two groups ( p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the PVP group with a 2 (1–4) days hospital stay compared with 5 (3–9) days for the TURP group ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Prostate PVP and TURP are effective surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Postoperative functional improvements were durable and equivalent in the two groups. The two techniques have a similar complication rate.
Management of Osteoarthritis with Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables
Authors: Christiansen Blaine A. , Bhatti Simrit , Goudarzi Ramin , Emami Shahin
Published: October 2014

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and life-altering disease that severely limits the daily activities of millions of Americans, and it is one of the most common causes of disability in the world. With obesity on the rise and the world’s population living longer, the prevalence of OA is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, generating burdensome socioeconomic costs. This review summarizes current pharmaceutical, nonpharmaceutical, and prospective new treatments for OA, with primary focus on the dietary supplement avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). ASU modulates OA pathogenesis by inhibiting a number of molecules and pathways implicated in OA. Anticatabolic properties prevent cartilage degradation by inhibiting the release and activity of matrix metalloproteinases and increasing tissue inhibitors of these catabolic enzymes. ASU also inhibits fibrinolysis by stimulating the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor. Anabolic properties promote cartilage repair by stimulating collagen and aggrecan synthesis via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor, ERK, and prostaglandin E2. Chondroprotective effects are mediated by correcting growth factor abnormalities, increasing TGF-β, and decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in synovial fluid. ASU also inhibits cholesterol absorption and endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, which mediate reactive oxygen species pathology in chondrocytes. At the clinical level, ASU reduces pain and stiffness while improving joint function, resulting in decreased dependence on analgesics.
A review of adipocyte lineage cells and dermal papilla cells in hair follicle regeneration
Authors: Zhang Peipei , Kling Russell E , Ravuri Sudheer K , Kokai Lauren E , Rubin J Peter , Chai Jia-ke , Marra Kacey G
Published: October 2014

Alopecia is an exceedingly prevalent problem effecting men and women of all ages. The standard of care for alopecia involves either transplanting existing hair follicles to bald areas or attempting to stimulate existing follicles with topical and/or oral medication. Yet, these treatment options are fraught with problems of cost, side effects, and, most importantly, inadequate long-term hair coverage. Innovative cell-based therapies have focused on the dermal papilla cell as a way to grow new hair in previously bald areas. However, despite this attention, many obstacles exist, including retention of dermal papilla inducing ability and maintenance of dermal papilla productivity after several passages of culture. The use of adipocyte lineage cells, including adipose-derived stem cells, has shown promise as a cell-based solution to regulate hair regeneration and may help in maintaining or increasing dermal papilla cells inducing hair ability. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of the cellular contribution and regulation of dermal papilla cells and summarize adipocyte lineage cells in hair regeneration.
CONVERT IMAGE FORMAT ECG IN MATRIX FORM FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Рашидов  , Rashidov G. , Лавлинский  , Lavlinskiy V.
Published: October 2014

ЭКГ, матричный вид, информационные технологии
Mediation in David Milch’s John from Cincinnati
Authors: Goodwin Jonathan
Published: October 2014

David Milch’s short-lived HBO series John from Cincinnati (2007) has an unexpected political premise that was largely ignored or misunderstood when the show aired: that the American population has been conditioned by the logic of television serials to expect closure to political events and thus will demand genocidal retribution for the next terror attack after 9/11. This article explores how Milch explains his intent with reference to the concept of mediation and compares Milch’s use of the concept to Richard Grusin’s premediation.
Book Reviews
Authors: Calvert Bronwen , Adams Mark Richard , Medhurst Jamie , Dvorak Ken
Published: October 2014

Joss Whedon: A Creative Portrait, David Lavery (2013) London: I. B. Tauris, 272 pp., ISBN: 9781848850309, p/bk, £10.99.

Doctor Who: The Eleventh Hour – A Critical Celebration of the Matt Smith and Steven Moffat Era, Andrew O’Day (ed.) (2013) London: I. B. Taurus, 288 pp. ISBN: 9781780760193, p/bk, £12.99

Transnational Television History: A Comparative Approach, Andreas Fickers and Catherine Johnson (Eds) (2012) London: Routledge, 176 pp., ISBN: 0145698603, h/bk, £85.00

Transnational Television Drama: Special Relations and Mutual Influence between the US and the UK, Elke Weissmann (2012) Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 240 pp., ISBN: 0230297753, h/bk, £50.00

The Triumph of Reality TV: The Revolution in American Television, Leigh H. Edwards (2013) California: Praeger, pp.199., ISBN: 9780313399015, h/bk, $37.00
The characterisation of Vitis vinifera ’Refošk’ with AFLP and SSR molecular markers and ampelographic traits
Authors: HLADNIK Matjaž , JAKŠE Jernej , BANDELJ Dunja , VUK Irma
Published: October 2014

The genetic diversity and ampelographic variability of autochthonous red wine cultivar ‘Refošk’ (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in Slovenia were evaluated with AFLP molecular markers and OIV descriptors, respectively. SSR molecular markers were employed to confirm cultivar identity of analysed samples. Eight AFLP primer combinations, one was monomorphic, produced 16 polymorphic markers in 41 out of 113 samples, what classified samples into monomorphic and polymorphic group. Dendrogram constructed with simple matching coefficient and unweighted pair-group method analysis presented genetic diversity within polymorphic group. Refošk biotypes from monomorphic and polymorphic groups were evaluated with 22 OIV descriptors related to bunch, berry and must, but on the basis of ampelographic characterization samples were not differentiated among two major groups obtained with AFLP analysis. Results of genetic analysis indicated that ‘Refošk’ originated from closely related plants that are phenotypically very similar. With regard to low observed genetic diversity more attention should be dedicated to the selection in order to conserve remaining genetic diversity.
‘And then we summarise in English for the others’: The lived experience of the multilingual workplace
Authors: Angouri Jo , Miglbauer Marlene
Published: October 2014

In multinational corporate companies, multilingualism is often a daily reality for employees and the negotiation of language practices for work and social purposes, a routine. Despite the role of English as a lingua franca, the linguistic ecology of modern workplaces is dynamic, rich and diverse. While English is often used for communication between a company’s headquarters and its subsidiaries, language choice is dynamically negotiated between the interactants in informal meetings and everyday interactions in the workplace. Against this backdrop, the article discusses the lived experience of the multinational workplace. We draw on interview data with 40 employees in senior and junior management posts in 12 companies situated in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Serbia, Sweden and the UK where English is the official corporate language. Special attention is paid to the employees’ perceptions of the role of languages in their daily work life. We focus here on three discourses that have emerged from the analysis of our data: multilingualism and the use of English, multilingualism and cosmpolitanism, and challenges and expectations of multilingualism. Our findings show that the employees draw on a range of linguistic resources in order to manage their work-related interactions, and dominant ideologies in relation to language use come to the fore. We close the article by focusing on the profile of the ‘global’ employee and the impact of the ‘modern’ workplace on the working realities of the participants.
A computational method for selection of optimal concrete recycling strategy
Authors: Akbarnezhad Ali , Moussavi Nadoushani Zahra Sadat
Published: October 2014

Current state-of-the-art concrete recycling technology provides decision makers with the option to produce coarse recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) with different qualities through variations in the number of crushing stages or the use of beneficiation processes available. Variations in the recycling process may significantly affect the economic and environmental impacts of the concrete recycling strategy. This, together with variations in transportation requirements from one project to another, makes it impossible to draw general conclusions about the sustainability of a concrete recycling strategy. This paper proposes a computational method for identifying the optimal concrete recycling method by considering the trade-off between costs, energy use and carbon dioxide emissions of concrete recycling in a particular project. After estimating the amount of various grades of the recyclable concrete available using the data made available by building information models, a computational algorithm is applied to identify alternative feasible concrete recycling methods to produce different RCA qualities and to estimate the costs, energy use and carbon dioxide emissions associated with each recycling method. The latter will then serve as decision-making criteria for selection of the best feasible concrete recycling method. The proposed computational method is applied to an illustrative example.
Multifunktionale Forstwirtschaft zwischen Inklusion und Extinktion (Essay)
Authors: Suda Michael , Pukall Klaus
Published: October 2014

Multifunctional forestry between inclusion and extinction (essay)

Within forestry, there is a battle between integrative and segregative concepts especially regarding nature conservation. However, the terms of integration and segregation are not sufficient to describe the management of the multifold interests in forests. The history of forestry is for example shaped by the exclusion and extinction of agricultural interests. Power-related questions on the discourse level have to be considered in addition to expert questions, such as how different interests could be integrated within a certain area.
A comparison of empirical and physically based glacier surface melt models for long-term simulations of glacier response
Authors: Gabbi Jeannette , Carenzo Marco , Pellicciotti Francesca , Bauder Andreas , Funk Martin
Published: October 2014

We investigate the performance of five glacier melt models over a multi-decadal period in order to assess their ability to model future glacier response. The models range from a simple degree-day model, based solely on air temperature, to more-sophisticated models, including the full shortwave radiation balance. In addition to the empirical models, the performance of a physically based energy-balance (EB) model is examined. The melt models are coupled to an accumulation and a surface evolution model and applied in a distributed manner to Rhonegletscher, Switzerland, over the period 1929–2012 at hourly resolution. For calibration, seasonal mass-balance measurements (2006–12) are used. Decadal ice volume changes for six periods in the years 1929–2012 serve for model validation. Over the period 2006–12, there are almost no differences in performance between the models, except for EB, which is less consistent with observations, likely due to lack of meteorological in situ data. However, simulations over the long term (1929–2012) reveal that models which include a separate term for shortwave radiation agree best with the observed ice volume changes, indicating that their melt relationships are robust in time and thus suitable for long-term modelling, in contrast to more empirical approaches that are oversensitive to temperature fluctuations.
WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative: School Nutrition Environment and Body Mass Index in Primary Schools
Authors: Wijnhoven Trudy , Van Raaij Joop , Sjöberg Agneta , Eldin Nazih , Yngve Agneta , Kunešová Marie , Starc Gregor , Rito Ana , Duleva Vesselka , Hassapidou Maria , Martos Éva , Pudule Iveta , Petrauskiene Ausra , Sant'Angelo Victoria , Hovengen Ragnhild , Breda João
Published: October 2014

Background: Schools are important settings for the promotion of a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity and thus overweight prevention. Objective: To assess differences in school nutrition environment and body mass index (BMI) in primary schools between and within 12 European countries. Methods: Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) were used (1831 and 2045 schools in 2007/2008 and 2009/2010, respectively). School personnel provided information on 18 school environmental characteristics on nutrition and physical activity. A school nutrition environment score was calculated using five nutrition-related characteristics whereby higher scores correspond to higher support for a healthy school nutrition environment. Trained field workers measured children’s weight and height; BMI-for-age (BMI/A) Z-scores were computed using the 2007 WHO growth reference and, for each school, the mean of the children’s BMI/A Z-scores was calculated. Results: Large between-country differences were found in the availability of food items on the premises (e.g., fresh fruit could be obtained in 12%-95% of schools) and school nutrition environment scores (range: 0.30-0.93). Low-score countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania) graded less than three characteristics as supportive. High-score (≥0.70) countries were Ireland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden. The combined absence of cold drinks containing sugar, sweet snacks and salted snacks were more observed in high-score countries than in low-score countries. Largest within-country school nutrition environment scores were found in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania. All country-level BMI/A Z-scores were positive (range: 0.20-1.02), indicating higher BMI values than the 2007 WHO growth reference. With the exception of Norway and Sweden, a country-specific association between the school nutrition environment score and the school BMI/A Z-score was not observed. Conclusions: Some European countries have implemented more school policies that are supportive to a healthy nutrition environment than others. However, most countries with low school nutrition environment scores also host schools with supportive school environment policies, suggesting that a uniform school policy to tackle the “unhealthy” school nutrition environment has not been implemented at the same level throughout a country and may underline the need for harmonized school policies.
Effects of Diesel Engine Exhaust Origin Secondary Organic Aerosols on Novel Object Recognition Ability and Maternal Behavior in BALB/C Mice
Authors: Win-Shwe Tin-Tin , Fujitani Yuji , Kyi-Tha-Thu Chaw , Furuyama Akiko , Michikawa Takehiro , Tsukahara Shinji , Nitta Hiroshi , Hirano Seishiro
Published: October 2014

Epidemiological studies have reported an increased risk of cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality associated with increasing exposure to air pollution. Ambient particulate matter consists of primary particles emitted directly from diesel engine vehicles and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) are formed by oxidative reaction of the ultrafine particle components of diesel exhaust (DE) in the atmosphere. However, little is known about the relationship between exposure to SOA and central nervous system functions. Recently, we have reported that an acute single intranasal instillation of SOA may induce inflammatory response in lung, but not in brain of adult mice. To clarify the whole body exposure effects of SOA on central nervous system functions, we first created inhalation chambers for diesel exhaust origin secondary organic aerosols (DE-SOAs) produced by oxidation of diesel exhaust particles caused by adding ozone. Male BALB/c mice were exposed to clean air (control), DE and DE-SOA in inhalation chambers for one or three months (5 h/day, 5 days/week) and were examined for memory function using a novel object recognition test and for memory function-related gene expressions in the hippocampus by real-time RT-PCR. Moreover, female mice exposed to DE-SOA for one month were mated and maternal behaviors and the related gene expressions in the hypothalamus examined. Novel object recognition ability and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor expression in the hippocampus were affected in male mice exposed to DE-SOA. Furthermore, a tendency to decrease maternal performance and significantly decreased expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER)-a, and oxytocin receptor were found in DE-SOA exposed dams compared with the control. This is the first study of this type and our results suggest that the constituents of DE-SOA may be associated with memory function and maternal performance based on the impaired gene expressions in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, respectively.
Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Based Backbones with High Peptide Loading Capacities
Authors: O'Connor Aoife , Marsat Jean-Noel , Mitrugno Annachiara , Flahive Tom , Moran Niamh , Brayden David , Devocelle Marc
Published: October 2014

Polymer-peptide conjugates are a promising class of compounds, where polymers can be used to overcome some of the limitations associated with peptides intended for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. Linear polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) can be conjugated through terminal moieties and have therefore limited loading capacities. In this research, functionalised linear poly(ethylene glycol)s are utilised for peptide conjugation, to increase their potential loading capacities. These poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives are conjugated to peptide sequences containing representative side-chain functionalised amino acids, using different conjugation chemistries, including copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, amide coupling and thiol-ene reactions. Conjugation of a sequence containing the RGD motif to poly(allyl glycidyl ether) by the thiol-ene reaction, provided a conjugate which could be used in platelet adhesion studies.
The Sustained Delivery of Resveratrol or a Defined Grape Powder Inhibits New Blood Vessel Formation in a Mouse Model of Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Kanavi Mozhgan , Darjatmoko Soesiawati , Wang Shoujian , Azari Amir , Farnoodian Mitra , Kenealey Jason , Van Ginkel Paul , Albert Daniel , Sheibani Nader , Polans Arthur
Published: October 2014

The objective of this study was to determine whether resveratrol or a defined, reconstituted grape powder can attenuate the formation of new blood vessels in a mouse model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). To accomplish this objective, C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control or treatment groups which received either resveratrol or grape powder by daily oral gavage, resveratrol or grape powder delivered ad libitum through the drinking water, or resveratrol by slow release via implanted osmotic pumps. A laser was used to rupture Bruch’s membrane to induce CNV which was then detected in sclerochoroidal eyecups stained with antibodies against intercellular adhesion molecule-2. CNV area was measured using fluorescence microscopy and Image J software. Ad libitum delivery of both resveratrol and grape powder was shown to significantly reduce the extent of CNV by 68% and 57%, respectively. Parallel experiments conducted in vitro demonstrated that resveratrol activates p53 and inactivates Akt/protein kinase B in choroidal endothelial cells, contributing to its anti-proliferative and anti-migratory properties. In addition resveratrol was shown to inhibit the formation of endothelial cell networks, augmenting its overall anti-angiogenic effects. The non-toxic nature of resveratrol makes it an especially attractive candidate for the prevention and/or treatment of CNV.
n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Mechanisms to Mitigate Inflammatory Paracrine Signaling in Obesity-Associated Breast Cancer
Authors: Monk Jennifer , Turk Harmony , Liddle Danyelle , De Boer Anna , Power Krista , Ma David , Robinson Lindsay
Published: October 2014

Globally, the prevalence of obesity is increasing which subsequently increases the risk of the development of obesity-related chronic diseases. Low-grade chronic inflammation and dysregulated adipose tissue inflammatory mediator/adipokine secretion are well-established in obesity, and these factors increase the risk of developing inflammation-associated cancer. Breast cancer is of particular interest given that increased inflammation within the subcutaneous mammary adipose tissue depot can alter the local tissue inflammatory microenvironment such that it resembles that of obese visceral adipose tissue. Therefore, in obese women with breast cancer, increased inflammatory mediators both locally and systemically can perpetuate inflammation-associated pro-carcinogenic signaling pathways, thereby increasing disease severity. Herein, we discuss some of these inflammation-associated pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of the combined obese breast cancer phenotype and offer evidence that dietary long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may have utility in mitigating the severity of obesity-associated inflammation and breast cancer.
Anti-Stress Effects of Lemon Balm-Containing Foods
Authors: Scholey Andrew , Gibbs Amy , Neale Chris , Perry Naomi , Ossoukhova Anastasia , Bilog Vanessa , Kras Marni , Scholz Claudia , Sass Mathias , Buchwald-Werner Sybille
Published: October 2014

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has been used historically and contemporarily as a modulator of mood and cognitive function, with anxiolytic effects following administration of capsules, coated tablets and topical application. Following a pilot study with lemon balm extract administered as a water based drink, which confirmed absorption of rosmarinic acid effects on mood and cognitive function, we conducted two similar double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies. These evaluated the mood and cognitive effects of a standardised M. officinalis preparation administered in palatable forms in a beverage and in yoghurt. In each study a cohort of healthy young adults’ self-rated aspects of mood were measured before and after a multi-tasking framework (MTF) administered one hour and three hours following one of four treatments. Both active lemon balm treatments were generally associated with improvements in mood and/or cognitive performance, though there were some behavioral “costs” at other doses and these effects depended to some degree on the delivery matrix.
Analysis of SnO2|WO3 Heterocontact Properties during the Detection of Hydrogen Sulphide
Authors: Suchorska-Woźniak Patrycja , Rac Olga , Fiedot Marta , Teterycz Helena
Published: October 2014

The main objective of the paper was the analysis of the properties of SnO2|WO3 heterocontact as well as the determination of its response to 50 ppm of hydrogen sulphide. It was noticed that the sensitivity of the sensor being tested to hydrogen sulphide depended significantly on the polarization direction. When its parameters were compared with those of sensors the gas-sensitive layer of which was made only from one type of metal oxide, a high impact of the heterocontact on the electric charge transport was noticed. The value of the activation energy of the electric conductivity is clearly dependent on the polarization direction. A mechanism of physicochemical processes occurring in a planar sensor with a heterocontact was suggested, and three areas differing in the width of depleted layer, where the inter-phase boundary of SnO2|WO3 had the most essential impact on the parameters of the sensor being tested, were distinguished and described.
A case for examining pre-service teacher preparation for inquiry teaching science with technology
Authors: Shively Chris T. , Yerrick Randy
Published: October 2014

Inquiry has been the framework for guiding reform-based science instruction. All too often, the role of technology is treated tacitly without contributions to this framework. This case study examines a collection of pre-service teachers enrolling in two educational technology courses and the role these experiences play in promoting inquiry teaching. Interviews, field notes, surveys, reflective digital narratives and student-generated exhibits served as the data informing the analysis of inquiry experiences which shaped the enacted lessons of science teachers. Implications for research and practices are discussed.Keywords: teacher reflection; science education; technologyCitation: Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22: 21691 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.21691
Individual Patient Factors Associated with Effective Tinnitus Treatment
Authors: Theodoroff Sarah M. , Schuette Andrew , Griest Susan , Henry James A.
Published: October 2014

Background:Little is known about patient factors that might influence outcomes of tinnitus interventions. Determining such factors would offer insights into why some individuals benefit from tinnitus intervention whereas others do not.Purpose:The purpose of this study
was to evaluate selected patient factors that may be associated with outcomes of tinnitus intervention. Factors studied include demographics, tinnitus characteristics, psychoacoustic tinnitus measures, audiometric data, and overall physical/emotional health status.Research Design:A
retrospective analysis was performed on data obtained from a controlled clinical study that compared factors associated with tinnitus relief after tinnitus masking and tinnitus retraining therapy.Study Sample:A total of 126 military veterans participated in this controlled clinical
study. Of these, 89 completed outcome measures at both baseline and 12 mo and were included in the present analysis.Data Collection and Analysis:A “responder” to intervention was identified as having a decrease (improvement) of 20 or more points on the Tinnitus Handicap
Inventory between baseline and 12 mo. A “nonresponder” did not achieve a 20-point improvement on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Individual patient factors were examined using independent t-tests or χ2 analysis. A logistic regression model was used to determine
how well each factor predicted treatment outcome (responder or nonresponder) while controlling for each of the other factors.Results:Five patient factors were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) between responders and nonresponders. Responders tended to (1) be younger in age;
(2) have better low-frequency hearing sensitivity; (3) have greater problems with overall hearing; (4) be more likely to have tinnitus for shorter durations; and (5) perceive their tinnitus to be located “in the head” versus “in the ears.” A logistic regression was
then performed to determine how well each factor predicted the treatment outcome (responder versus nonresponder) while controlling for each of the other factors. Results from the logistic regression revealed two of the five factors, localization of tinnitus and self-report of hearing problems,
to be statistically significant.Conclusions:Examining the association of individual patient factors to a specific tinnitus intervention yielded several significant findings. Although these findings are not definitive, they reveal the capability that exists to perform these kinds of
analyses to investigate relationships between individual patient characteristics and outcomes of intervention for tinnitus. Prospective research using systematic approaches is needed to identify these relationships that would contribute toward the ability to differentially predict outcomes
of various tinnitus interventions. Obtaining this information would lead to more targeted therapy and ultimately more effective intervention.
Annotations and the Ancient Greek Hero: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Muellner Leonard
Published: October 2014

Evidence for annotating Homeric poetry in Ancient Greece is as old as the 5th Century BCE, when the «Iliad» and «Odyssey» were performed by professional singers/composers who also performed annotations to the poetry in answer to questions from their audiences. As the long transition from a song culture into a literate society took place in Ancient Greece from the 8th to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, annotations were gradually incorporated into written poetic texts. By the 10th Century CE, the quantity of written annotations in the margins of medieval manuscripts has become huge. For the first two versions of «The Ancient Hero», a HarvardX MOOC, it was not possible to implement the set of annotation tools that we requested as a vehicle for close reading and assessment. Using a partial system, we were able to create a semblance of annotations in close reading self-assessment exercises. For the anticipated third version, we expect to have a complete set of textual and video annotation tools developed for HarvardX, including semantic tagging and full sharing of annotations. Such a system, which promises to make the educational experience more effective, will also inaugurate a digital phase in the long history of Homeric annotation.

Las evidencias de anotaciones en la poesía homérica de la Antigua Grecia se remontan al siglo V (a.C.), cuando ya la «Ilíada» y la «Odisea» eran representadas por cantantes profesionales/compositores, que hacían anotaciones en la poesía para responder a los interrogantes de su público. A medida que la transición, desde una cultura de la canción a una sociedad alfabetizada, aconteció en este período de la Antigua Grecia, entre el siglo VIII al I y II (a.C.), las anotaciones se incorporaron poco a poco en los escritos poéticos. La cantidad de anotaciones escritas en los márgenes de los manuscritos medievales se volvió enorme hacia el siglo X. En las dos primeras versiones de «The Ancient Hero» en el MOOC de HarvardX no fue posible utilizar el conjunto de herramientas de anotación solicitadas como medio para una atenta evaluación de las lecturas. Utilizando un sistema parcial, hemos sido capaces de crear aparentes anotaciones en los primeros ejercicios de autoevaluación de lectura. En la tercera versión, disponemos ya de un conjunto completo de herramientas de anotaciones de texto y de vídeo, desarrollados para HarvardX, incluyendo etiquetado semántico y anotaciones compartidas. Dicho sistema nos permitirá una experiencia educativa más eficaz, inaugurando también una fase digital en la larga historia de la anotación homérica.
Usability and Satisfaction in Multimedia Annotation Tools for MOOCs
Authors: Monedero-Moya Juan José , Cebrián-Robles Daniel , Desenne Philip
Published: October 2014

The worldwide boom in digital video may be one of the reasons behind the exponential growth of MOOCs. The evaluation of a MOOC requires a great degree of multimedia and collaborative interaction. Given that videos are one of the main elements in these courses, it would be interesting to work on innovations that would allow users to interact with multimedia and collaborative activities within the videos. This paper is part of a collaboration project whose main objective is «to design and develop multimedia annotation tools to improve user interaction with contents». This paper will discuss the assessment of two tools: Collaborative Annotation Tool (CaTool) and Open Video Annotation (OVA). The latter was developed by the aforementioned project and integrated into the edX MOOC. The project spanned two academic years (2012-2014) and the assessment tools were tested on different groups in the Faculty of Education, with responses from a total of 180 students. Data obtained from both tools were compared by using average contrasts. Results showed significant differences in favour of the second tool (OVA). The project concludes with a useful video annotation tool, whose design was approved by users, and which is also a quick and user-friendly instrument to evaluate any software or MOOC. A comprehensive review of video annotation tools was also carried out at the end of the project.

El auge del vídeo digital a nivel mundial puede ser una de las causas del crecimiento exponencial de los MOOC. Las evaluaciones de los MOOC recomiendan una mayor interacción multimedia y colaborativa. Siendo los vídeos unos de los elementos destacados en estos cursos, será interesante trabajar en innovaciones que permitan una mayor capacidad a los usuarios para interactuar con anotaciones multimedia y colaborativas dentro de los vídeos. El presente artículo es parte del proyecto de colaboración, cuyo objetivo principal fue «El diseño y creación de herramientas de anotaciones multimedia para mejorar la interactividad de los usuarios con los contenidos». En este artículo mostraremos la evaluación de dos herramientas como fueron Collaborative Annotation Tool (CaTool) y Open Video Annotation (OVA) esta última desarrollada por el proyecto e integrada en el MOOC de edX. El proyecto abarcó dos cursos académicos (2012-14) y se aplicó un instrumento de evaluación en diferentes grupos de la Facultad de Educación a un total de 180 estudiantes. Se compararon los datos obtenidos entre ambas herramientas con contrastes de media, resultando diferencias significativas a favor de la segunda herramienta. Al concluir el proyecto se dispone de una herramienta de anotaciones de vídeo con diseño validado por los usuarios; además de un instrumento sencillo y rápido de aplicar para evaluar cualquier software y MOOC. Se realizó también una revisión amplia sobre herramientas de anotaciones de vídeos.