bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase: mechanism of action and role in regulating oxidative phosphorylation
Authors: Wilson David F. , Vinogradov Sergei A.
Published: October 2014

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation has a central role in eukaryotic metabolism, providing the energy (ATP) required for survival. Regulation of this important pathway is, however, still not understood, largely due to limitations in the ability to measure the essential metabolites, including oxygen (pO2, oxygen pressure), ADP, and AMP. In addition, neither the mechanism of oxygen reduction by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase nor how its rate is controlled is understood, although this enzyme determines the rate of oxygen consumption and thereby the rate of ATP synthesis. Cytochrome c oxidase is responsible for reduction of molecular oxygen to water using reducing equivalents donated by cytochrome c and for site 3 energy coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. A mechanism-based model of the cytochrome c oxidase reaction is presented in which transfer of reducing equivalents from the lower- to the higher-potential region of the coupling site occurs against an opposing energy barrier, Q. The steady-state rate equation is fitted to data for the dependence of mitochondrial respiratory rate on cytochrome c reduction, oxygen pressure (pO2), and [ATP]/[ADP][Pi] at pH 6.5 to 8.35 (where Pi is inorganic phosphate). The fit of the rate expression to the experimental data is very good for all experimental conditions. Levels of the intermediates in oxygen reduction in the oxidase reaction site have been calculated. An intermediate in the reaction, tentatively identified as peroxide, bridged between the iron and copper atoms of the reaction site has a central role in coupling mitochondrial respiration to the [ATP]/[ADP][Pi].
Impact of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-linked mutations in the NH2terminus of the RLC on β-myosin cross-bridge mechanics
Authors: Farman Gerrie P. , Muthu Priya , Kazmierczak Katarzyna , Szczesna-Cordary Danuta , Moore Jeffrey R.
Published: October 2014

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with mutations in sarcomeric proteins, including the myosin regulatory light chain (RLC). Here we studied the impact of three HCM mutations located in the NH2terminus of the RLC on the molecular mechanism of β-myosin heavy chain (MHC) cross-bridge mechanics using the in vitro motility assay. To generate mutant β-myosin, native RLC was depleted from porcine cardiac MHC and reconstituted with mutant (A13T, F18L, and E22K) or wild-type (WT) human cardiac RLC. We characterized the mutant myosin force and motion generation capability in the presence of a frictional load. Compared with WT, all three mutants exhibited reductions in maximal actin filament velocity when tested under low or no frictional load. The actin-activated ATPase showed no significant difference between WT and HCM-mutant-reconstituted myosins. The decrease in velocity has been attributed to a significantly increased duty cycle, as was measured by the dependence of actin sliding velocity on myosin surface density, for all three mutant myosins. These results demonstrate a mutation-induced alteration in acto-myosin interactions that may contribute to the pathogenesis of HCM.
Circulating pEGFR Is a Candidate Response Biomarker of Cetuximab Therapy in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Katsila Theodora , Juliachs Mercè , Gregori Josep , Macarulla Teresa , Villarreal Laura , Bardelli Alberto , Torrance Chris , Elez Elena , Tabernero Josep , Villanueva Josep
Published: October 2014

Purpose: The lack of secreted biomarkers measurable by noninvasive tests hampers the development of effective targeted therapies against cancer. Our hypothesis is that cetuximab (an anti-EGFR mAb) induces a specific secretome in colorectal cancer cells that could be exploited for biomarker discovery.

Experimental Design: Considering the strong correlation between mutated KRAS and a lack of response to cetuximab therapy, we addressed whether performing secretome-based proteomics on isogenic colorectal cancer cells sharing the KRAS mutations found on patients would yield candidate-secreted biomarkers useful in the clinical setting. Because 2D culture did not optimally model the sensitivity/resistance to cetuximab observed in colorectal cancer patients, we moved to 3D spheroids, developing a methodology for both cell-based assays and quantitative proteomics.

Results: A large comparative quantitative proteomic analysis of the 3D secretomes of colorectal cancer isogenic cells treated with cetuximab uncovered an EGFR pathway-centric secretome found only when cells grow in 3D. The validation of the secretome findings in plasma of colorectal cancer patients, suggests that phosphorylated-EGFR (pEGFR) is a candidate-secreted biomarker of response to cetuximab.

Conclusions: We have proved that 3D spheroids from colorectal cancer cells generate secretomes with a drug-sensitivity profile that correlates well with patients with colorectal cancer, illustrating molecular connections between intracellular and extracellular signaling. Furthermore, we show how the secretion of pEGFR is associated with the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to cetuximab and the response of patients with colorectal cancer to the drug. Our work could allow the noninvasive monitoring of anti-EGFR treatment in patients with colorectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(24); 6346–56. ©2014 AACR.
α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Is Expressed in Human Atherosclerosis and Inhibits Disease in Mice—Brief Report
Authors: Johansson Maria E. , Ulleryd Marcus A. , Bernardi Angelina , Lundberg Anna M. , Andersson Annica , Folkersen Lasse , Fogelstrand Linda , Islander Ulrika , Yan Zhong-qun , Hansson Göran K.
Published: October 2014

Objective—

Cholinergic pathways of the autonomic nervous system are known to modulate inflammation. Because atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition, we tested whether cholinergic signaling operates in this disease. We have analyzed the expression of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in human atherosclerotic plaques and studied its effects on the development of atherosclerosis in the hypercholesterolemic
Ldlr
–/–
mouse model.

Approach and Results—

α7nAChR protein was detected on T cells and macrophages in surgical specimens of human atherosclerotic plaques. To study the role of α7nAChR signaling in atherosclerosis, male
Ldlr
–/–
mice were lethally irradiated and reconstituted with bone marrow from wild-type or α7nAChR-deficient animals. Ablation of hematopoietic cell α7nAChR increased aortic atherosclerosis by 72%. This was accompanied by increased aortic interferon-γ mRNA, implying increased Th1 activity in the absence of α7nAChR signaling.

Conclusions—

The present study shows that signaling through hematopoietic α7nAChR inhibits atherosclerosis and suggests that it operates by modulating immune inflammation. Given the observation that α7nAChR is expressed by T cells and macrophages in human plaques, our findings support the notion that cholinergic regulation may act to inhibit disease development also in man.
Phospholipid Transfer Protein Destabilizes Mouse Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Zhang Ke , Liu Xiaoling , Yu Yang , Luo Tian , Wang Lin , Ge Chen , Liu Xinxin , Song Jiantao , Jiang Xiancheng , Zhang Yun , Qin Shucun , Zhang Mei
Published: October 2014

Objective—

Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) accelerates the development of atherosclerosis in mouse models. We examined the role of PLTP in atherosclerotic plaque stability.

Approach and Results—

We prepared apolipoprotein E and PLTP double-knockout (PLTP
−/−
ApoE
−/−
) mice. PLTP deficiency significantly decreased lesion size and reduced monocyte/macrophage infiltration, as well as macrophage apoptosis in lesion areas. Moreover, it increased fibrous content in plaques, which suggests that PLTP may affect atherosclerotic plaque stability. Importantly, PLTP overexpression mediated by adenovirus had the reverse effect. It promoted the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in macrophages, which could lead to cell apoptosis and increased the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. PLTP overexpression could promote receptor-interacting protein 3 recruitment of macrophages in cytoplasm, which could induce reactive oxygen species, thus inducing atherogenesis.

Conclusions—

PLTP plays an important role in modulating the stability of atherosclerotic plaques. The receptor-interacting protein 3- reactive oxygen species signal pathway could be involved in this PLTP-mediated process.
Circulating CD34
+
Progenitor Cells and Risk of Mortality in a Population With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Patel Riyaz S. , Li Qunna , Ghasemzadeh Nima , Eapen Danny J. , Moss Lauren D. , Janjua A. Umair , Manocha Pankaj , Al Kassem Hatem , Veledar Emir , Samady Habib , Taylor W. Robert , Zafari A. Maziar , Sperling Laurence , Vaccarino Viola , Waller Edmund K. , Quyyumi Arshed A.
Published: October 2014

Rationale:

Low circulating progenitor cell numbers and activity may reflect impaired intrinsic regenerative/reparative potential, but it remains uncertain whether this translates into a worse prognosis.

Objectives:

To investigate whether low numbers of progenitor cells associate with a greater risk of mortality in a population at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods and Results:

Patients undergoing coronary angiography were recruited into 2 cohorts (1, n=502 and 2, n=403) over separate time periods. Progenitor cells were enumerated by flow cytometry as CD45
med+
blood mononuclear cells expressing CD34, with additional quantification of subsets coexpressing CD133, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4. Coefficient of variation for CD34 cells was 2.9% and 4.8%, 21.6% and 6.5% for the respective subsets. Each cohort was followed for a mean of 2.7 and 1.2 years, respectively, for the primary end point of all-cause death. There was an inverse association between CD34
+
and CD34
+
/CD133
+
cell counts and risk of death in cohort 1 (β=−0.92,
P
=0.043 and β=−1.64,
P
=0.019, respectively) that was confirmed in cohort 2 (β=−1.25,
P
=0.020 and β=−1.81,
P
=0.015, respectively). Covariate-adjusted hazard ratios in the pooled cohort (n=905) were 3.54 (1.67–7.50) and 2.46 (1.18–5.13), respectively. CD34
+
/CD133
+
cell counts improved risk prediction metrics beyond standard risk factors.

Conclusions:

Reduced circulating progenitor cell counts, identified primarily as CD34
+
mononuclear cells or its subset expressing CD133, are associated with risk of death in individuals with coronary artery disease, suggesting that impaired endogenous regenerative capacity is associated with increased mortality. These findings have implications for biological understanding, risk prediction, and cell selection for cell-based therapies.
HIV Infection and Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Authors: Womack Julie A. , Chang Chung‐Chou H. , So‐Armah Kaku A. , Alcorn Charles , Baker Jason V. , Brown Sheldon T. , Budoff Matthew , Butt Adeel A. , Gibert Cynthia , Goetz Matthew Bidwell , Gottdiener John , Gottlieb Stephen , Justice Amy C. , Leaf David , McGinnis Kathleen , Rimland David , Rodriguez‐Barradas Maria C. , Sico Jason , Skanderson Melissa , Tindle Hilary , Tracy Russell P. , Warner Alberta , Freiberg Matthew S.
Published: October 2014

Background

HIV
infection is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) in men. Whether
HIV
is an independent risk factor for
CVD
in women has not yet been established.

Methods and Results

We analyzed data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study on 2187 women (32%
HIV
infected [
HIV
+
]) who were free of
CVD
at baseline. Participants were followed from their first clinical encounter on or after April 01, 2003 until a
CVD
event, death, or the last follow‐up date (December 31, 2009). The primary outcome was
CVD
(acute myocardial infarction [
AMI
], unstable angina, ischemic stroke, and heart failure).
CVD
events were defined using clinical data, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, and/or death certificate data. We used Cox proportional hazards models to assess the association between
HIV
and incident
CVD
, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, lipids, smoking, blood pressure, diabetes, renal disease, obesity, hepatitis C, and substance use/abuse. Median follow‐up time was 6.0 years. Mean age at baseline of
HIV
+
and
HIV
uninfected (
HIV
−
) women was 44.0 versus 43.2 years (
P
<0.05). Median time to
CVD
event was 3.1 versus 3.7 years (
P
=0.11). There were 86 incident
CVD
events (53%,
HIV
+
):
AMI,
13%; unstable angina, 8%; ischemic stroke, 22%; and heart failure, 57%. Incident
CVD
/1000 person‐years was significantly higher among
HIV
+
(13.5; 95% confidence interval [
CI]
=10.1, 18.1) than
HIV
−
women (5.3; 95%
CI
=3.9, 7.3;
P
<0.001).
HIV
+
women had an increased risk of
CVD,
compared to
HIV
−
(hazard ratio=2.8; 95%
CI
=1.7, 4.6;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

HIV
is associated with an increased risk of
CVD
in women.
Evolution of Practice During the Interventional Management of Stroke III Trial and Implications for Ongoing Trials
Authors: Broderick Joseph P. , Palesch Yuko Y. , Demchuk Andrew M. , Yeatts Sharon D. , Khatri Pooja , Hill Michael D. , Jauch Edward C. , Jovin Tudor G. , Yan Bernard , von Kummer Rüdiger , Molina Carlos A. , Goyal Mayank , Mazighi Mikael , Schonewille Wouter J. , Engelter Stefan T. , Anderson Craig , Spilker Judith , Carrozzella Janice , Janis L. Scott , Foster Lydia D. , Tomsick Thomas A.
Published: October 2014

Background and Purpose—

We explored changes in the patient population and practice of endovascular therapy during the course of the Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) III Trial.

Methods—

Changes in baseline characteristics, use of baseline CT angiography, treatment times and specifics, and outcomes were compared between the first 4 protocols and the fifth and final protocol.

Results—

Compared with subjects treated in the first 4 protocol versions (n=610), subjects treated in fifth and final protocol (n=46) were older (75 versus 68 years,
P
<0.0002) and less likely to have a pretreatment Rankin of 0 (76% versus 89%,
P
=0.01), were more likely to have a pretreatment CT angiography (65% versus 45%,
P
=0.009), had quicker median times in the endovascular arm from onset to start of intra-arterial therapy (209 versus 250 minutes,
P
=0.002) and to reperfusion (269 versus 344 minutes,
P
<0.0001), had a higher mean dose of total tissue-type plasminogen activator in the endovascular arm (74.0 versus 63.7 mg,
P
<0.0001), and were less likely to receive intra-arterial tissue-type plasminogen activator as part of the endovascular procedure (16% versus 44%,
P
=0.015). There were no significant differences in functional and safety outcomes between subjects treated in the 2 treatments arms in either the first 4 protocols or fifth protocol although the small sample size in the fifth protocol provided limited power.

Conclusions—

Endovascular technology and diagnostic approaches to acute stroke patients changed substantially during the IMS III Trial. Efforts to decrease the time to delivery of endovascular therapy were successful.
A new name for Gloriosa grandiflora (Colchicaceae) from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa
Authors: Maroyi Alfred , Maroyi Alfred
Published: October 2014

In a recent contribution, Vinnersten & Manning (2007) transferred Littonia Hooker (1853: t. 4723) species to Gloriosa Linnaeus (1753: 305), making 7 new combinations. Unfortunately, the combination Gloriosa grandiflora (De Wildeman & Durand 1901: 34) J.C.Manning & Vinnersten in Vinnersten & Manning (2007: 178) is illegitimate since it is preoccupied by Gloriosa grandiflora (Hooker 1860: t. 5216) O’Brien (1904: 188), now known as Gloriosa simplex Linnaeus (1767: 62) (Maroyi, 2012). We hereby correct this matter by providing a new epithet:
Updating the description and taxonomic status of Brachionus sessilis Varga, 1951 (Rotifera: Brachionidae) based on detailed morphological analysis and molecular data
Authors: PROIOS KONSTANTINOS , MICHALOUDI EVANGELIA , PAPAKOSTAS SPIROS , KAPPAS ILIAS , VASILEIADOU KALLIOPI , ABATZOPOULOS THEODORE J.
Published: October 2014

Brachionus sessilis Varga, 1951 is an epizoic rotifer living exclusively on cladocerans of the genus Diaphanosoma. Current taxonomic knowledge relies solely on limited morphological information, whereas there is no type material. Here, we aim to resolve issues concerning its morphology and taxonomy using both morphological and genetic characters on material sampled from Lake Balaton (Hungary), as well as Lake Doirani (Greece) that was selected for comparison purposes. Biometrical analysis was based on extensive lorica measurements. Phylogenetic reconstruction was based on DNA sequence information of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA gene regions as well as of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). Well-supported evidence for substantial differentiation of B. sessilis from its closest phylogenetic relatives supports its species-rank status. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests a highly supported clade encompassing B. sessilis and another epizoic rotifer, namely B. rubens.
The Influence of Chronic Ozone Exposure on Global Carbon and Water Cycles
Authors: Lombardozzi D. , Levis Samuel , Bonan G. , Hess P. G. , Sparks J. P.
Published: October 2014

Ozone (O3) is a phytotoxic greenhouse gas that has increased more than threefold at Earth’s surface from preindustrial values. In addition to directly increasing radiative forcing as a greenhouse gas, O3 indirectly impacts climate through altering the plant processes of photosynthesis and transpiration. While global estimates of gross primary productivity (GPP) have incorporated the effects of O3, few studies have explicitly determined the independent effects of O3 on transpiration. In this study, the authors include effects of O3 on photosynthesis and stomatal conductance from a recent literature review to determine the impact on GPP and transpiration and highlight uncertainty in modeling plant responses to O3. Using the Community Land Model, the authors estimate that present-day O3 exposure reduces GPP and transpiration globally by 8%–12% and 2%–2.4%, respectively. The largest reductions were in midlatitudes, with GPP decreasing up to 20% in the eastern United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia and transpiration reductions of up to 15% in the same regions. Larger reductions in GPP compared to transpiration decreased water-use efficiency 5%–10% in the eastern United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, and central Africa; increased surface runoff more than 15% in eastern North America; and altered patterns of energy fluxes in the tropics, high latitudes, and eastern North America. Future climate predictions will be improved if plant responses to O3 are incorporated into models such that stomatal conductance is modified independently of photosynthesis and the effects on transpiration are explicitly considered in surface energy budgets. Improvements will help inform regional decisions for managing changes in hydrology and surface temperatures in response to O3 pollution.
Mean Structure and Diurnal Cycle of Southeast Atlantic Boundary Layer Clouds: Insights from Satellite Observations and Multiscale Modeling Framework Simulations
Authors: Painemal David , Xu Kuan-Man , Cheng Anning , Minnis Patrick , Palikonda Rabindra
Published: October 2014

The mean structure and diurnal cycle of southeast (SE) Atlantic boundary layer clouds are described with satellite observations and multiscale modeling framework (MMF) simulations during austral spring (September–November). Hourly resolution cloud fraction (CF) and cloud-top height (HT) are retrieved from Meteosat-9 radiances using modified Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) algorithms, whereas liquid water path (LWP) is from the University of Wisconsin microwave satellite climatology. The MMF simulations use a 2D cloud-resolving model (CRM) that contains an advanced third-order turbulence closure to explicitly simulate cloud physical processes in every grid column of a general circulation model. The model accurately reproduces the marine stratocumulus spatial extent and cloud cover. The mean cloud cover spatial variability in the model is primarily explained by the boundary layer decoupling strength, whereas a boundary layer shoaling accounts for a coastal decrease in CF. Moreover, the core of the stratocumulus cloud deck is concomitant with the location of the strongest temperature inversion. Although the model reproduces the observed westward boundary layer deepening and the spatial variability of LWP, it overestimates LWP by 50%. Diurnal cycles of HT, CF, and LWP from satellites and the model have the same phase, with maxima during the early morning and minima near 1500 local solar time, which suggests that the diurnal cycle is driven primarily by solar heating. Comparisons with the SE Pacific cloud deck indicate that the observed amplitude of the diurnal cycle is modest over the SE Atlantic, with a shallower boundary layer as well. The model qualitatively reproduces these interregime differences.
The emerging hypercarbon reality, technological and post-carbon utopias, and social innovation to low-carbon societies
Authors: Murphy Raymond
Published: October 2014

Emphasis has shifted in climate change politics from fear to dreams and opportunities. This article demonstrates that many social science analyses of anthropogenic climate change are characterized by utopian presumptions, including technological mastery of nature, and that key concepts such as post-carbon society, decarbonization, low-carbon transitions, ecological direction of travel, and ecological modernization have not been defined in terms of the absolute amount of emissions appropriate for anthropogenic global warming. It shows that time-cost discounting is erroneous. These misleading conceptions give false positives for improvement and sustain wishful thinking in societies that have locked themselves into carbon-based infrastructures where default options are fossil fuels leading to an emerging path-dependent hypercarbon world. The article explains how those concepts can be reconceptualized to increase validity and also suggests accurate concepts like time-cost exacerbation, low-carbon and decarbonization transition searches, and ecological modernization niches. By comparing longue durée emitting societies, it documents the superiority of (1) social democracy over neoliberalism in transitioning to low-carbon economies while enhancing democracy, equity, and prosperity, and (2) multitasking of international mitigation commitments with local mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. The article seeks to stimulate research into learning from better performing societies to innovate transitions of institutions and culture to robustly defined low-carbon economies.
Evaluating the implementation of an emotional wellbeing programme for primary school children using participatory approaches
Authors: Clarke Aleisha M , Sixsmith Jane , Barry Margaret M
Published: October 2014

Objective:

This paper reports on the use of child participatory approaches to evaluate the implementation and impact of the Zippy’s Friends emotional wellbeing programme on children in disadvantaged primary schools in Ireland.

Design:

 As part of the overall evaluation study, which comprised a clustered randomised controlled trial, qualitative participatory approaches were utilised to explore children’s experiences of the Zippy’s Friends programme.

Setting:

From the overall sample of 44 primary schools ( N = 717 pupils) that participated in the evaluation study, a subsample of 9 classes ( n = 161 children) from the intervention and control groups was randomly selected to take part in child participatory workshops at pre-intervention, interim and post-intervention.

Method:

A semi-structured child participatory workshop consisting of three activities, including draw and write technique, feelings activity and group brainstorming, was used to explore the children’s experiences of the programme and its impact on their coping strategies and emotional literacy skills.

Results:

The results from the draw and write activity provided evidence of the positive impact of the programme on children’s use of problem-solving and support-seeking strategies in coping with certain problem situations. Findings from the participatory workshop also helped provide insight into how the programme impacted on children’s emotional literacy skills. Children in the intervention group had a broader range of vocabulary and understanding in relation to emotions concerning problem situations. In addition, children identified factors that, from their perspective, supported their engagement with the programme, including the use of narrative through story and the activity-based nature of the programme.

Conclusion:

The use of participatory approaches generated data that enriched our understanding of how children experienced and benefited from the programme from their own perspective, thereby providing insights that were untapped by other research methods in this study.
Examining the Relationships of Component Reading Skills to Reading Comprehension in Struggling Adult Readers
Authors: Tighe Elizabeth L. , Schatschneider Christopher
Published: October 2014

The current study employed a meta-analytic approach to investigate the relative importance of component reading skills to reading comprehension in struggling adult readers. A total of 10 component skills were consistently identified across 16 independent studies and 2,707 participants. Random effects models generated 76 predictor–reading comprehension effect sizes among the 10 constructs. The results indicated that six of the component skills exhibited strong relationships with reading comprehension (average rs ≥ .50): morphological awareness, language comprehension, fluency, oral vocabulary knowledge, real word decoding, and working memory. Three of the component skills yielded moderate relationships with reading comprehension (average rs ≥ .30 and < .50): pseudoword decoding, orthographic knowledge, and phonological awareness. Rapid automatized naming (RAN) was the only component skill that was weakly related to reading comprehension ( r = .15). Morphological awareness was a significantly stronger correlate of reading comprehension than phonological awareness and RAN. This study provides the first attempt at a systematic synthesis of the recent research investigating the reading skills of adults with low literacy skills, a historically understudied population. Directions for future research, the relation of our results to the children’s literature, and the implications for researchers and adult basic education programs are discussed.
An intelligent computer method for automatic mosaic and segmentation of tracer fiber images for yarn structure analysis
Authors: Li Sheng Yan , Xu Bin Gang , Tao Xiao Ming , Chi Zhe Ru
Published: October 2014

Tracer fiber measurement is a popular and effective method to study yarn internal structure. In this method, a series of consecutive yarn images are stitched into panorama, and yarn boundaries and tracer fiber are extracted for further analysis. Currently, the image mosaic and segmentation of tracer fiber images largely involve manual operation because the existing image processing methods are generally not capable in most cases. Therefore, this study aims to develop an intelligent computer method for automatic mosaic and segmentation of tracer fiber images. In this study, an extended QRS complex detection method is developed for tracer fiber detection. In the image mosaic, a decision function, integrating several matching functions extracted from the tracer fiber and gradient image, is proposed to identify the optimal stitching position. The QRS complex is a name for the combination of Q wave, R wave and S wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which reflects the rapid depolarization of the right and left ventricles. In image segmentation, a baseline fitting method is used to eliminate the effect of uneven background for identifying yarn boundaries from the binary image. Finally, an objective method is proposed to evaluate the qualities of the image mosaic and segmentation of the proposed method.
A simple sleeve test worn during exercise to quantify skin feel and willingness to pay for wool fabric samples
Authors: Doyle Emma K , Tester David , Thompson John
Published: October 2014

This paper describes a protocol in which female participants scored a range of sensory attributes and applied a financial value to sleeves made from knitted fabric after undertaking a 30 minute circuit training program in a gym. Each participant wore a test and a control sleeve which they scored a line scale for breathability (anchored by the words ‘doesn’t breathe well’/‘breathes well’), skin feel (anchored by the words ‘prickly itchy’/‘soft smooth’), feel after exercise (anchored by the words ‘damp sweaty’/‘dry’) and overall comfort (anchored by the words ‘very uncomfortable’/‘very comfortable’). Participants also estimated their willingness to pay (WTP) for two long-sleeved next-to-skin garments made from the test and the control fabrics. All sensory scores and WTP estimates were positively correlated. Participant and sleeve fit impacted on sensory scores and WTP estimates. However, the significance of participant and fit effects were reduced if differences between the test and control sleeves were analysed and therefore this difference was a better measure of the fabric attributes than simply meaning the test fabric score. The sleeve protocol provided a relatively inexpensive and simple means to score fabrics on sensory attributes and WTP.
The effects of ear acupressure, massage therapy and no therapy on symptoms of dementia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rodríguez-Mansilla Juan , González López-Arza María Victoria , Varela-Donoso Enrique , Montanero-Fernández Jesús , González Sánchez Blanca , Garrido-Ardila Elisa María
Published: October 2014

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of ear acupressure and massage vs. control in the improvement of pain, anxiety and depression in persons diagnosed with dementia.

Design:

A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Residential homes in Extremadura (Spain).

Subjects:

A total of 120 elders with dementia institutionalized in residential homes.

Intervention:

The participants were randomly allocated, in three groups. Control group – they continued with their routine activities; ear acupressure intervention group – they received ear acupressure treatment (pressure was applied to acupressure points on the ear); and massage therapy intervention group – they received relaxing massage therapy.

Main measures:

The variables pain, anxiety and depression were assessed with the Doloplus2, Cornell and Campbell scales. The study was carried out during five months; three months of experimental treatment and two months with no treatment. The assessments were done at baseline, each month during the treatment and at one and two months of follow-up. In the statistical analysis the three groups were compared with each other.

Results:

A total of 111 participants completed the study. Their aged ranged from 67 to 91 years old and 86 of them (77.4%) were women. The ear acupressure intervention group showed better improvements than the massage therapy intervention group in relation to pain and depression during the treatment period and at one month of follow-up. The best improvement in pain was achieved in the last (3rd) month of ear acupressure treatment ( p  < 0.001) being the average improvement 8.55 (4.39) with IC 95% (7.14, 9.95). Regarding anxiety, the best results were also observed in the last month of treatment. The average improvement in anxiety was 9.63 (5.00) with IC 95% (8.02, 11.23)

Conclusions:

Ear acupressure and massage therapy showed better results than the control group in relation to pain, anxiety and depression. However, ear acupressure achieved more improvements.
Effects of Preinfection With Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus on Immune Cells From the Lungs of Calves Inoculated With Bovine Herpesvirus 1.1
Authors: Risalde M. A. , Molina V. , Sánchez-Cordón P. J. , Romero-Palomo F. , Pedrera M. , Gómez-Villamandos J. C.
Published: October 2014

The aim of this work was to study the interstitial aggregates of immune cells observed in pulmonary parenchyma of calves preinfected with bovine viral diarrhea virus and challenged later with bovine herpesvirus 1. In addition, the intent of this research was to clarify the role of bovine viral diarrhea virus in local cell-mediated immunity and potentially in predisposing animals to bovine respiratory disease complex. Twelve Friesian calves, aged 8 to 9 months, were inoculated with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus genotype 1. Ten were subsequently challenged with bovine herpesvirus 1 and euthanized at 1, 2, 4, 7, or 14 days postinoculation. The other 2 calves were euthanized prior to the second inoculation. Another cohort of 10 calves was inoculated only with bovine herpesvirus 1 and then were euthanized at the same time points. Two calves were not inoculated with any agent and were used as negative controls. Pulmonary lesions were evaluated in all animals, while quantitative and biosynthetic changes in immune cells were concurrently examined immunohistochemically to compare coinfected calves and calves challenged only with bovine herpesvirus 1. Calves preinfected with bovine viral diarrhea virus demonstrated moderate respiratory clinical signs and histopathologic evidence of interstitial pneumonia with aggregates of mononuclear cells, which predominated at 4 days postinoculation. Furthermore, this group of animals was noted to have a suppression of interleukin-10 and associated alterations in the Th1-driven cytokine response in the lungs, as well as inhibition of the response of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes against bovine herpesvirus 1. These findings suggest that bovine viral diarrhea virus preinfection could affect the regulation of the immune response as modulated by regulatory T cells, as well as impair local cell-mediated immunity to secondary respiratory pathogens.
Cognitive dysfunction during migraine attacks: A study on migraine without aura
Authors: Gil-Gouveia Raquel , Oliveira António G , Martins Isabel Pavão
Published: October 2014

Background

Cognitive difficulties contribute to patients’ disability during migraine attacks and have been overlooked in migraine research. Neuropsychological studies performed during attacks have produced inconsistent findings due to design differences and limitations.

Objective

Our objective is to document changes in cognitive performance of migraine patients during migraine attacks with a comprehensive battery of cognitive/behavioral tests, while controlling for potential confounders.

Method

A prospective two-period, randomized, cross-over study compared within-subject neuropsychological evaluation in two conditions—during a naturally occurring untreated migraine attack and a headache-free period.

Results

Thirty-nine patients with episodic migraine (37 females, average 38 years old) were included and 24 completed the study. Participants performed worse during the attack in the majority of cognitive tests, compared to the headache-free status, and significantly so in word reading speed ( p = 0.013), verbal learning ( p = 0.01), short-term verbal recall with ( p = 0.01) and without ( p = 0.013) semantic cueing and delayed recall with ( p = 0.003) and without ( p = 0.05) semantic cues. Differences found were unrelated to age, gender, literacy, condition order, interval between evaluations, anxiety, pain intensity or duration of the attack.

Discussion

Cognitive performance decreases during migraine attacks, especially in reading and processing speed, verbal memory and learning, supporting patients’ subjective complaints. These findings suggest the existence of a reversible brain dysfunction during attacks of migraine without aura, which can relate specifically to migraine or be a consequence of acute pain processing by the brain.
All-Inside, Physeal-Sparing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Does Not Significantly Compromise the Physis in Skeletally Immature Athletes
Authors: Nawabi Danyal H. , Jones Kristofer J. , Lurie Brett , Potter Hollis G. , Green Daniel W. , Cordasco Frank A.
Published: October 2014

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients can result in growth disturbance due to iatrogenic physeal injury. Multiple physeal-sparing ACL reconstruction techniques have been described; however, few combine the benefits of anatomic reconstruction using sockets without violation of the femoral or tibial physis.

Purpose:

To utilize physeal-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify the zone of physeal injury after all-inside ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature athletes.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Twenty-three skeletally immature patients (mean chronologic age 12.6 years; range, 10-15 years) were prospectively evaluated after all-inside ACL reconstruction. The mean bone age was 13.2 years. There were 8 females and 15 males. Fifteen patients underwent an all-epiphyseal (AE) ACL reconstruction and 8 patients had a partial transphyseal (PTP) ACL reconstruction, which spared the femoral physis but crossed the tibial physis. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, MRI using 3-dimensional fat-suppressed spoiled gradient recalled echo sequences and full-length standing radiographs were performed to assess graft survival, growth arrest, physeal violation, angular deformity, and leg length discrepancy.

Results:

The mean follow-up for this cohort was 18.5 months (range, 12-39 months). Minimal tibial physeal violation was seen in 10 of 15 patients in the AE group and, by definition, all patients in the PTP group. The mean area of tibial physeal disturbance (±SD) was 57.8 ± 52.2 mm2 (mean 2.1% of total physeal area) in the AE group compared with 145.1 ± 100.6 mm2 (mean 5.4% of total physeal area) in the PTP group ( P = .003). Minimal compromise of the femoral physis (1.5%) was observed in 1 case in the PTP group and no cases in the AE group. No cases of growth arrest, articular surface violation, or avascular necrosis were noted on MRI. No postoperative angular deformities or significant leg length discrepancies were observed.

Conclusion:

The study data suggest that all-inside ACL reconstruction is a safe technique for skeletally immature athletes at short-term follow-up. Physeal-specific MRI reveals minimal growth plate compromise that is significantly lower than published thresholds for growth arrest.
Primary Intracranial Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumors
Authors: Zhao Rui-jiao , Wu Kai-yan , Zhang Jian-guo , Ma Yi-hui , Kong Ling-fei
Published: October 2014

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors are rare malignant pediatric brain tumors. This study was performed to characterize the clinicopathologic and neuroradiologic characteristics of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors from 8 patients, including 5 male and 3 female infants (median age, 67 months). Neuroimaging revealed bulky masses of heterogeneous intensity with inhomogeneous enhancement. Three cases were infratentorial and 5 were supratentorial. Histopathologically, the tumors were predominantly composed of rhabdoid cells and undifferentiated small cells, mixed with some spindle or epithelial components. The tumors displayed striking polyphenotypic immunoreactivity, including varying degrees of positivity for vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen, smooth-muscle actin, cytokeratin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament protein, synaptophysin, and CD99, and immunonegativity for desmin, placental alkaline phosphatase, and INI-1. The median survival duration was 9.5 months (range, 1-15 months) despite aggressive therapy. These results suggest that atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors display distinct clinicopathologic characteristics and indicate a poor prognosis. Immunohistochemistry facilitates the appropriate diagnosis of these tumors.
Development of the Attitudes to Domestic Violence Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents
Authors: Fox Claire L. , Gadd David , Sim Julius
Published: October 2014

To provide a more robust assessment of the effectiveness of a domestic abuse prevention education program, a questionnaire was developed to measure children’s attitudes to domestic violence. The aim was to develop a short questionnaire that would be easy to use for practitioners but, at the same time, sensitive enough to pick up on subtle changes in young people’s attitudes. We therefore chose to ask children about different situations in which they might be willing to condone domestic violence. In Study 1, we tested a set of 20 items, which we reduced by half to a set of 10 items. The factor structure of the scale was explored and its internal consistency was calculated. In Study 2, we tested the factor structure of the 10-item Attitudes to Domestic Violence (ADV) Scale in a separate calibration sample. Finally, in Study 3, we then assessed the test–retest reliability of the 10-item scale. The ADV Questionnaire is a promising tool to evaluate the effectiveness of domestic abuse education prevention programs. However, further development work is necessary.
The Importance of Substance-Related Sexual Victimization
Authors: Eshelman Lee R. , Messman-Moore Terri L. , Sheffer Nicole
Published: October 2014

Data on risk perception, sexual victimization, and substance use were obtained via surveys from 496 female college students to determine what factors influence risk perception using a written vignette in which participants make a hypothetical decision to leave a potentially risky situation. Experiences of substance-related (SR) victimization, rather than forcible victimization, were associated with significantly delayed risk perception. SR victimization victims reported feeling uncomfortable significantly later and leaving the scenario significantly later than non-victims. SR victimization victims also had significantly higher scores on heavy episodic drinking (HED), marijuana use, alcohol-related tolerance, and blackouts. Both substance use (HED and marijuana use) and alcohol-related problems (tolerance and blackouts) mediated the link between SR victimization and risk perception in the form of behavioral leave response. In contrast, only HED and tolerance mediated the link between SR victimization and risk recognition. Findings suggest the importance of differentiating types of victimization in predicting risk perception and of addressing substance use in sexual victimization risk reduction interventions.
Are Alternative Sources of Official Crime Data Interchangeable? A Note on Inter-Agency Consistency
Authors: Chamlin Mitchell B. , Krajewski Andrea E.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the decision to use one source of official data in lieu of another affects the assessment of social policy on crime. Specifically, we examine the effect of the implementation of stand your ground legislation on state and municipal compilations of residential and non-residential burglaries known to the police within a large, Midwestern city. The interrupted time series analyses of the state agency data reveal that the castle doctrine legislation led to a temporary decline in residential burglaries, but had no effect on non-residential burglaries. In contrast, our analyses of the city agency data indicate that this legislative initiative had no effect on residential burglaries, but did generate a permanent, monthly increase in the number of non-residential burglaries. The implications of these findings for the use of official crime statistics are discussed.
Recent developments in hydroforming technology
Authors: Lee Myoung-Gyu , Korkolis Yannis P , Kim Ji Hoon
Published: October 2014

This article is the review of hydroforming technologies that have been used increasingly in various industries including automotive applications. General concepts and technological developments in tube hydroforming and sheet hydroforming are presented with recent research and development activities. Then, the theoretical background associated with the plasticity and constitutive laws and their implementation to the computational modeling of the hydroforming process are discussed.
Computational study of a two-stroke direct-injection reactivity-controlled compression ignition engine
Authors: Rocchi Simone , Rossi Riccardo , Musu Ettore , Gentili Roberto , Ghandhi Jaal , Reitz Rolf D
Published: October 2014

Reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion has proved to be effective in reducing the pollutant emissions and the fuel consumption in four-stroke internal-combustion engines. The application of this combustion mode to port-controlled crankcase-scavenged two-stroke engines also seems promising to avoid short-circuiting of fresh charge and to take advantage of the intrinsic residual exhaust gas. Accordingly, a computational study of a small-bore two-stroke dual-fuel direct-injection reactivity-controlled compression ignition engine was made including computational fluid dynamics simulations and zero-dimensional modeling. The zero-dimensional model is used to supply suitable initial conditions for the computational fluid dynamics simulations and to generate useful operating maps. These maps predict the engine behavior, highlighting the conditions where combustion would be controllable by means of in-cylinder reactivity stratification. The computational fluid dynamics simulations were validated against experimental data under motored and fired conditions, and the spray model was calibrated against dedicated bench tests. The in-cylinder behavior was explored to understand the effect and the importance on the engine operation of several types of stratification, including thermal stratification and reactivity stratification caused by the scavenging process and fuel injections. The models emphasize the importance of the exhaust gas thermal content which can promote combustion. Furthermore, its stratification in the combustion chamber due to the scavenging process, together with the reactivity stratification caused by the dual-fuel injection is able to change both the combustion phasing and the combution duration, thereby increasing the efficiency and reducing the combustion roughness.
Reported contraceptive use, risk behaviours and STIs among military conscripts in Estonian defence forces
Authors: David Parker R , Regier Michael D , Widmeyer Joseph , Honaker John , Rüütel Kristi
Published: October 2014

Limited research exists on sexually transmitted infection (STI) and risk behaviour among military personnel. Published research on condom use and types of contraceptives used yield mixed results, yet, the perception that military members are at higher risk for STIs remains. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to measure factors such as condom use, contraceptive methods, and risky behaviours (i.e. drug use and sex with commercial sex workers) and investigate differences between ethnic groups, where culture could influence behaviour. Data were collected from a recruited population of 584 male, military conscripts in northeastern Europe. Using multinomial logistic regression models, statistically significant findings include an interaction between the use of contraceptive methods of Russians with casual partners and ethnicity, with higher odds of effective methods used among Estonians with regular partners (OR = 8.13) or casual partners (OR = 11.58) and Russians with regular partners (OR = 4.98). Effective contraceptive methods used less frequently with casual partners by ethnic Russians is important in providing education and risk reduction services to young, male conscripts. These findings may be used as a baseline to inform health education and STI prevention programmes tailored to military members in Eastern Europe in the absence of other published studies.