bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geological and engineering analysis of residualsoil for forewarning landslide from highland areain northern Thailand
Authors: Thongkhao Thanakrit , Phantuwongraj Sumet , Choowong Montri , Thitimakorn Thanop , Charusiri Punya
Published: November 2015

One devastating landslide event in northernThailand occurred in 2006 at Ban Nong Pla village, ChiangKlang highland of Nan province after, a massive amountof residual soil moved from upstream to downstream, viacreek tributaries, into a main stream after five days of unusualheavy rainfall. In this paper, the geological and engineeringproperties of residual soil derived fromsedimentaryrocks were analyzed and integrated. Geological mapping,electrical resistivity survey and test pits were carriedout along three transect lines together with systematiccollection of undisturbed and disturbed residual soilsamples. As a result, the average moisture content in soilis 24.83% with average specific gravity of 2.68,whereas theliquid limit is 44.93%, plastic limit is 29.35% and plastic indexis 15.58%. The cohesion of soil ranges between 0.096–1.196 ksc and the angle of internal friction is between 11.51and 35.78 degrees. This suggests that the toughness propertiesof soil change when moisture content increases. Resultsfrom electrical resistivity survey reveal that soil thicknessesabove the bedrock along three transects range from2 to 9 m. The soil shear strength reach the rate of high decreasesin the range of 72 to 95.6% for residual soil fromshale, siltstone and sandstone, respectively. Strength ofsoil decreaseswhen the moisture content in soil increases.Shear strength also decreases when the moisture contentchanges. Therefore, the natural soil slope in the study areawill be stable when the moisture content in soil level isequal to one, but when the moisture content between soilparticle increases, strength of soil will decrease resultingin soil strength decreasing.
A Review of Cloud Computing Bioinformatics Solutions for Next-Gen Sequencing Data Analysis and Research
Authors: Krampis Konstantinos , Wultsch Claudia
Published: November 2015

Research in biology has entered a digital era,
where next-generation sequencing instruments generate
multiple terabytes of data but are equipped with minimal
computational and storage capacity that is not sufficient
for large-scale, post-sequencing data analysis. Therefore,
scientific value cannot be obtained from investment in a
sequencing instrument, unless it is also combined with
a significant expense for informatics infrastructure. An
alternative option for laboratories is to outsource their
informatics infrastructure, by leasing computational
cycles and storage capacity from cloud computing services.
Development of cloud-based bioinformatics tool suites
can provide users with access to pre-configured software
and on-demand computing resources for genomic data
analysis, while at the same time lower the barrier for
working with sequencing datasets, leading to broader
adoption of genomic technologies for basic biological
research. We conclude that along with the democratization
of genome sequencing through the availability of lowcost,
bench-top sequencers, cloud computing can in
turn democratize access to computational capacity and
informatics infrastructures required for sequencing data
analysis.
Decoding Articulatory Features from fMRI Responses in Dorsal Speech Regions
Authors: Correia Joao M. , Jansma Bernadette M.B. , Bonte Milene
Published: November 2015

The brain's circuitry for perceiving and producing speech may show a notable level of overlap that is crucial for normal development and behavior. The extent to which sensorimotor integration plays a role in speech perception remains highly controversial, however. Methodological constraints related to experimental designs and analysis methods have so far prevented the disentanglement of neural responses to acoustic versus articulatory speech features. Using a passive listening paradigm and multivariate decoding of single-trial fMRI responses to spoken syllables, we investigated brain-based generalization of articulatory features (place and manner of articulation, and voicing) beyond their acoustic (surface) form in adult human listeners. For example, we trained a classifier to discriminate place of articulation within stop syllables (e.g., /pa/ vs /ta/) and tested whether this training generalizes to fricatives (e.g., /fa/ vs /sa/). This novel approach revealed generalization of place and manner of articulation at multiple cortical levels within the dorsal auditory pathway, including auditory, sensorimotor, motor, and somatosensory regions, suggesting the representation of sensorimotor information. Additionally, generalization of voicing included the right anterior superior temporal sulcus associated with the perception of human voices as well as somatosensory regions bilaterally. Our findings highlight the close connection between brain systems for speech perception and production, and in particular, indicate the availability of articulatory codes during passive speech perception.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSensorimotor integration is central to verbal communication and provides a link between auditory signals of speech perception and motor programs of speech production. It remains highly controversial, however, to what extent the brain's speech perception system actively uses articulatory (motor), in addition to acoustic/phonetic, representations. In this study, we examine the role of articulatory representations during passive listening using carefully controlled stimuli (spoken syllables) in combination with multivariate fMRI decoding. Our approach enabled us to disentangle brain responses to acoustic and articulatory speech properties. In particular, it revealed articulatory-specific brain responses of speech at multiple cortical levels, including auditory, sensorimotor, and motor regions, suggesting the representation of sensorimotor information during passive speech perception.
Convergence of Hippocampal Pathophysiology inSyngap+/−andFmr1−/yMice
Authors: Barnes Stephanie A. , Wijetunge Lasani S. , Jackson Adam D. , Katsanevaki Danai , Osterweil Emily K. , Komiyama Noboru H. , Grant Seth G.N. , Bear Mark F. , Nägerl U. Valentin , Kind Peter C. , Wyllie David J.A.
Published: November 2015

Previous studies have hypothesized that diverse genetic causes of intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) converge on common cellular pathways. Testing this hypothesis requires detailed phenotypic analyses of animal models with genetic mutations that accurately reflect those seen in the human condition (i.e., have structural validity) and which produce phenotypes that mirror ID/ASDs (i.e., have face validity). We show that SynGAP haploinsufficiency, which causes ID with co-occurring ASD in humans, mimics and occludes the synaptic pathophysiology associated with deletion of theFmr1gene.Syngap+/−andFmr1−/ymice show increases in basal protein synthesis and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-dependent long-term depression that, unlike in their wild-type controls, is independent of new protein synthesis. Basal levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 are also elevated inSyngap+/−hippocampal slices. Super-resolution microscopy reveals thatSyngap+/−andFmr1−/ymice show nanoscale alterations in dendritic spine morphology that predict an increase in biochemical compartmentalization. Finally, increased basal protein synthesis is rescued by negative regulators of the mGlu subtype 5 receptor and the Ras–ERK1/2 pathway, indicating that therapeutic interventions for fragile X syndrome may benefit patients with SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAs the genetics of intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are unraveled, a key issue is whether genetically divergent forms of these disorders converge on common biochemical/cellular pathways and hence may be amenable to common therapeutic interventions. This study compares the pathophysiology associated with the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and haploinsufficiency of synaptic GTPase-activating protein (SynGAP), two prevalent monogenic forms of ID. We show thatSyngap+/−mice phenocopyFmr1−/ymice in the alterations in mGluR-dependent long-term depression, basal protein synthesis, and dendritic spine morphology. Deficits in basal protein synthesis can be rescued by pharmacological interventions that reduce the mGlu5receptor–ERK1/2 signaling pathway, which also rescues the same deficit inFmr1−/ymice. Our findings support the hypothesis that phenotypes associated with genetically diverse forms of ID/ASDs result from alterations in common cellular/biochemical pathways.
GIRK Channels Mediate the Nonphotic Effects of Exogenous Melatonin
Authors: Hablitz Lauren M. , Molzof Hylton E. , Abrahamsson Kathryn E. , Cooper Joanna M. , Prosser Rebecca A. , Gamble Karen L.
Published: November 2015

Melatonin supplementation has been used as a therapeutic agent for several diseases, yet little is known about the underlying mechanisms by which melatonin synchronizes circadian rhythms. G-protein signaling plays a large role in melatonin-induced phase shifts of locomotor behavior and melatonin receptors activate G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels inXenopusoocytes. The present study tested the hypothesis that melatonin influences circadian phase and electrical activity within the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) through GIRK channel activation. Unlike wild-type littermates, GIRK2 knock-out (KO) mice failed to phase advance wheel-running behavior in response to 3 d subcutaneous injections of melatonin in the late day. Moreover,in vitrophase resetting of the SCN circadian clock by melatonin was blocked by coadministration of a GIRK channel antagonist tertiapin-q (TPQ). Loose-patch electrophysiological recordings of SCN neurons revealed a significant reduction in the average action potential rate in response to melatonin. This effect was lost in SCN slices treated with TPQ and SCN slices from GIRK2 KO mice. The melatonin-induced suppression of firing rate corresponded with an increased inward current that was blocked by TPQ. Finally, application of ramelteon, a potent melatonin receptor agonist, significantly decreased firing rate and increased inward current within SCN neurons in a GIRK-dependent manner. These results are the first to show that GIRK channels are necessary for the effects of melatonin and ramelteon within the SCN. This study suggests that GIRK channels may be an alternative therapeutic target for diseases with evidence of circadian disruption, including aberrant melatonin signaling.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDespite the widespread use of melatonin supplementation for the treatment of sleep disruption and other neurological diseases such as epilepsy and depression, no studies have elucidated the molecular mechanisms linking melatonin-induced changes in neuronal activity to its therapeutic effects. Here, we used behavioral and electrophysiological techniques to address this scientific gap. Our results show that melatonin and ramelteon, a potent and clinically relevant melatonin receptor agonist, significantly affect the neurophysiological function of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons through activation of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels. Given the importance of GIRK channels for neuronal excitability (with >600 publications on these channels to date), our study should generate broad interest from neuroscientists in fields such as epilepsy, addiction, and cognition.
Protein Phosphatase-1 Inhibitor-2 Is a Novel Memory Suppressor
Authors: Yang Hongtian , Hou Hailong , Pahng Amanda , Gu Hua , Nairn Angus C. , Tang Ya-Ping , Colombo Paul J. , Xia Houhui
Published: November 2015

Reversible phosphorylation, a fundamental regulatory mechanism required for many biological processes including memory formation, is coordinated by the opposing actions of protein kinases and phosphatases. Type I protein phosphatase (PP1), in particular, has been shown to constrain learning and memory formation. However, how PP1 might be regulated in memory is still not clear. Our previous work has elucidated that PP1 inhibitor-2 (I-2) is an endogenous regulator of PP1 in hippocampal and cortical neurons (Hou et al., 2013). Contrary to expectation, our studies of contextual fear conditioning and novel object recognition in I-2 heterozygous mice suggest that I-2 is a memory suppressor. In addition, lentiviral knock-down of I-2 in the rat dorsal hippocampus facilitated memory for tasks dependent on the hippocampus. Our data indicate that I-2 suppresses memory formation, probably via negatively regulating the phosphorylation of cAMP/calcium response element-binding protein (CREB) at serine 133 and CREB-mediated gene expression in dorsal hippocampus. Surprisingly, the data from both biochemical and behavioral studies suggest that I-2, despite its assumed action as a PP1 inhibitor, is a positive regulator of PP1 function in memory formation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe found that inhibitor-2 acts as a memory suppressor through its positive functional influence on type I protein phosphatase (PP1), likely resulting in negative regulation of cAMP/calcium response element-binding protein (CREB) and CREB-activated gene expression. Our studies thus provide an interesting example of a molecule with anin vivofunction that is opposite to itsin vitrofunction. PP1 plays critical roles in many essential physiological functions such as cell mitosis and glucose metabolism in addition to its known role in memory formation. PP1 pharmacological inhibitors would thus not be able to serve as good therapeutic reagents because of its many targets. However, identification of PP1 inhibitor-2 as a critical contributor to suppression of memory formation by PP1 may provide a novel therapeutic target for memory-related diseases.
Examining the Role of the Human Hippocampus in Approach–Avoidance Decision Making Using a Novel Conflict Paradigm and Multivariate Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: O'Neil Edward B. , Newsome Rachel N. , Li Iris H.N. , Thavabalasingam Sathesan , Ito Rutsuko , Lee Andy C.H.
Published: November 2015

Rodent models of anxiety have implicated the ventral hippocampus in approach–avoidance conflict processing. Few studies have, however, examined whether the human hippocampus plays a similar role. We developed a novel decision-making paradigm to examine neural activity when participants made approach/avoidance decisions under conditions of high or absent approach–avoidance conflict. Critically, our task required participants to learn the associated reward/punishment values of previously neutral stimuli and controlled for mnemonic and spatial processing demands, both important issues given approach–avoidance behavior in humans is less tied to predation and foraging compared to rodents. Participants played a points-based game where they first attempted to maximize their score by determining which of a series of previously neutral image pairs should be approached or avoided. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants were then presented with novel pairings of these images. These pairings consisted of images of congruent or opposing learned valences, the latter creating conditions of high approach–avoidance conflict. A data-driven partial least squares multivariate analysis revealed two reliable patterns of activity, each revealing differential activity in the anterior hippocampus, the homolog of the rodent ventral hippocampus. The first was associated with greater hippocampal involvement during trials with high as opposed to no approach–avoidance conflict, regardless of approach or avoidance behavior. The second pattern encompassed greater hippocampal activity in a more anterior aspect during approach compared to avoid responses, for conflict and no-conflict conditions. Multivoxel pattern classification analyses yielded converging findings, underlining a role of the anterior hippocampus in approach–avoidance conflict decision making.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTApproach–avoidance conflict has been linked to anxiety and occurs when a stimulus or situation is associated with reward and punishment. Although rodent work has implicated the hippocampus in approach–avoidance conflict processing, there is limited data on whether this role applies to learned, as opposed to innate, incentive values, and whether the human hippocampus plays a similar role. Using functional neuroimaging with a novel decision-making task that controlled for perceptual and mnemonic processing, we found that the human hippocampus was significantly active when approach–avoidance conflict was present for stimuli with learned incentive values. These findings demonstrate a role for the human hippocampus in approach–avoidance decision making that cannot be explained easily by hippocampal-dependent long-term memory or spatial cognition.
Loss of VGLUT3 Produces Circadian-Dependent Hyperdopaminergia and Ameliorates Motor Dysfunction and l-Dopa-Mediated Dyskinesias in a Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Divito Christopher B. , Steece-Collier Kathy , Case Daniel T. , Williams Sean-Paul G. , Stancati Jennifer A. , Zhi Lianteng , Rubio Maria E. , Sortwell Caryl E. , Collier Timothy J. , Sulzer David , Edwards Robert H. , Zhang Hui , Seal Rebecca P.
Published: November 2015

The striatum is essential for many aspects of mammalian behavior, including motivation and movement, and is dysfunctional in motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) is expressed by striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) and is thus well positioned to regulate dopamine (DA) signaling and locomotor activity, a canonical measure of basal ganglia output. We now report that VGLUT3 knock-out (KO) mice show circadian-dependent hyperlocomotor activity that is restricted to the waking cycle and is due to an increase in striatal DA synthesis, packaging, and release. Using a conditional VGLUT3 KO mouse, we show that deletion of the transporter from CINs, surprisingly, does not alter evoked DA release in the dorsal striatum or baseline locomotor activity. The mice do, however, display changes in rearing behavior and sensorimotor gating. Elevation of DA release in the global KO raised the possibility that motor deficits in a Parkinson's disease model would be reduced. Remarkably, after a partial 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-mediated DA depletion (∼70% in dorsal striatum), KO mice, in contrast to WT mice, showed normal motor behavior across the entire circadian cycle.l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-mediated dyskinesias were also significantly attenuated. These findings thus point to new mechanisms to regulate basal ganglia function and potentially treat Parkinson's disease and related disorders.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDopaminergic signaling is critical for both motor and cognitive functions in the mammalian nervous system. Impairments, such as those found in Parkinson's disease patients, can lead to severe motor deficits. Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) loads glutamate into secretory vesicles for neurotransmission and is expressed by discrete neuron populations throughout the nervous system. Here, we report that the absence of VGLUT3 in mice leads to an upregulation of the midbrain dopamine system. Remarkably, in a Parkinson's disease model, the mice show normal motor behavior. They also show fewer abnormal motor behaviors (dyskinesias) in response tol-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, the principal treatment for Parkinson's disease. The work thus suggests new avenues for the development of novel treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease and potentially other basal-ganglia-related disorders.
Daidzein Augments Cholesterol Homeostasis via ApoE to Promote Functional Recovery in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Kim Eunhee , Woo Moon-Sook , Qin Luye , Ma Thong , Beltran Cesar D. , Bao Yi , Bailey Jason A. , Corbett Dale , Ratan Rajiv R. , Lahiri Debomoy K. , Cho Sunghee
Published: November 2015

Stroke is the world's leading cause of physiological disability, but there are currently no available agents that can be delivered early after stroke to enhance recovery. Daidzein, a soy isoflavone, is a clinically approved agent that has a neuroprotective effectin vitro, and it promotes axon growth in an animal model of optic nerve crush. The current study investigates the efficacy of daidzein on neuroprotection and functional recovery in a clinically relevant mouse model of stroke recovery. In light of the fact that cholesterols are essential lipid substrates in injury-induced synaptic remodeling, we found that daidzein enhanced the cholesterol homeostasis genetic program, includingLxrand downstream transporters,Apoe,Abca1, andAbcg1genesin vitro. Daidzein also elevated the cholesterol homeostasis genes in the poststroke brain withApoe, the highest expressing transporter, but did not affect infarct volume or hemispheric swelling. Despite the absence of neuroprotection, daidzein improved motor/gait function in chronic stroke and elevated synaptophysin expression. However, the daidzein-enhanced functional benefits and synaptophysin expression were abolished inApoe-knock-out mice, suggesting the importance of daidzein-induced ApoE upregulation in fostering stroke recovery. Dissociation between daidzein-induced functional benefits and the absence of neuroprotection further suggest the presence of nonoverlapping mechanisms underlying recovery processes versus acute pathology. With its known safety in humans, early and chronic use of daidzein aimed at augmenting ApoE may serve as a novel, translatable strategy to promote functional recovery in stroke patients without adverse acute effect.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThere have been recurring translational failures in treatment strategies for stroke. One underlying issue is the disparity in outcome analysis between animal and clinical studies. The former mainly depends on acute infarct size, whereas long-term functional recovery is an important outcome in patients. In an attempt to identify agents that promote functional recovery, we discovered that an FDA-approved soy isoflavone, daidzein, improved stroke-induced behavioral deficits via enhancing cholesterol homeostasis in chronic stroke, and this occurs without causing adverse effects in the acute phase. With its known safety in humans, the study suggests that the early and chronic use of daidzein serves as a potential strategy to promote functional recovery in stroke patients.
Changes in Methionine Metabolism and Histone H3 Trimethylation Are Linked to Mitochondrial Defects in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Singhal Naveen Kumar , Li Shuo , Arning Erland , Alkhayer Kholoud , Clements Robert , Sarcyk Zachary , Dassanayake Rohan S. , Brasch Nicola E. , Freeman Ernest J. , Bottiglieri Teodoro , McDonough Jennifer
Published: November 2015

Mitochondrial changes, including decreased expression of electron transport chain subunit genes and impaired energetic, have been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms involved in these changes are not clear. To determine whether epigenetic mechanisms are involved, we measured the concentrations of methionine metabolites by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, histone H3 methylation patterns, and markers of mitochondrial respiration in gray matter from postmortem MS and control cortical samples. We found decreases in respiratory markers as well as decreased concentrations of the methionine metabolites S-adenosylmethionine, betaine, and cystathionine in MS gray matter. We also found expression of the enzyme betaine homocysteine methyltransferase in cortical neurons. This enzyme catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, with betaine as the methyl donor, and has previously been thought to be restricted to liver and kidney in the adult human. Decreases in the concentration of the methyl donor betaine were correlated with decreases in histone H3 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in NeuN+ neuronal nuclei in MS cortex compared with controls. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that H3K4me3 levels and mitochondrial respiration were reduced in SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside, and betaine was able to rescue H3K4me3 levels and respiratory capacity in these cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed that betaine regulates metabolic genes in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These data suggest that changes to methionine metabolism may be mechanistically linked to changes in neuronal energetics in MS cortex.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFor decades, it has been observed that vitamin B12deficiency and multiple sclerosis (MS) share certain pathological changes, including conduction disturbances. In the present study, we have found that vitamin B12-dependent methionine metabolism is dysregulated in the MS brain. We found that concentrations of the methyl donor betaine are decreased in MS cortex and are correlated with reduced levels of the histone H3 methyl mark H3K4me3 in neurons. Cell culture and chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq data suggest that these changes may lead to defects in mitochondria and impact neuronal energetics. These data have uncovered a novel pathway linking methionine metabolism with mitochondrial respiration and have important implications for understanding mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration in MS.
Incorporating Patient Preferences in the Management of Multiple Long-Term Conditions: Is This a Role for Clinical Practice Guidelines?
Authors: Young Charlotte E. , Boyle Frances M. , Brooker Katie S. , Mutch Allyson J.
Published: November 2015

Background

Clinical practice guidelines provide an evidence-based approach to managing single chronic conditions, but their applicability to multiple conditions has been actively debated. Incorporating patient-preference recommendations and involving consumers in guideline development may enhance their applicability, but further understanding is needed.

Objectives

To assess guidelines that include recommendations for comorbid conditions to determine the extent to which they incorporate patient-preference recommendations; use consumer-engagement processes during development, and, if so, whether these processes produce more patient-preference recommendations; and meet standard quality criteria, particularly in relation to stakeholder involvement.

Design

A review of Australian guidelines published from 2006 to 2014 that incorporated recommendations for managing comorbid conditions in primary care. Document analysis of guidelines examined the presence of patient-preference recommendations and the consumer-engagement processes used. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument was used to assess guideline quality.

Results

Thirteen guidelines were reviewed. Twelve included at least one core patient-preference recommendation. Ten used consumer-engagement processes, including participation in development groups (seven guidelines) and reviewing drafts (ten guidelines). More extensive consumer engagement was generally linked to greater incorporation of patient-preference recommendations. Overall quality of guidelines was mixed, particularly in relation to stakeholder involvement.

Conclusions

Guidelines do incorporate some patient-preference recommendations, but more explicit acknowledgement is required. Consumer-engagement processes used during guideline development have the potential to assist in identifying patient preferences, but further research is needed. Clarification of the consumer role and investment in consumer training may strengthen these processes.
Blood–testis barrier and Sertoli cell function: lessons from SCCx43KO mice
Authors: Gerber Jonathan , Heinrich Julia , Brehm Ralph
Published: November 2015

The gap junction protein connexin43 (CX43) plays a vital role in mammalian spermatogenesis by allowing for direct cytoplasmic communication between neighbouring testicular cells. In addition, different publications suggest that CX43 in Sertoli cells (SC) might be important for blood–testis barrier (BTB) formation and BTB homeostasis. Thus, through the use of the Cre-LoxP recombination system, a transgenic mouse line was developed in which only SC are deficient of the gap junction protein, alpha 1 (Gja1) gene.Gja1codes for the protein CX43. This transgenic mouse line has been commonly defined as the SC specific CX43 knockout (SCCx43KO) mouse line. Within the seminiferous tubule, SC aid in spermatogenesis by nurturing germ cells and help them to proliferate and mature. Owing to the absence of CX43 within the SC, homozygous KO mice are infertile, have reduced testis size, and mainly exhibit spermatogenesis arrest at the level of spermatogonia, seminiferous tubules containing only SC (SC-only syndrome) and intratubular SC-clusters. Although the SC specific KO of CX43 does not seem to have an adverse effect on BTB integrity, CX43 influences BTB composition as the expression pattern of different BTB proteins (like OCCLUDIN, β-CATENIN, N-CADHERIN, and CLAUDIN11) is altered in mutant males. The supposed roles of CX43 in dynamic BTB regulation, BTB assembly and/or disassembly and its possible interaction with other junctional proteins composing this unique barrier are discussed. Data collectively indicate that CX43 might represent an important regulator of dynamic BTB formation, composition and function.
Assessing the prevalence of paranasal sinuses anatomical variants in patients with sinusitis using Cone Beam Computer Tomography
Authors: Roman Raluca Ancuta , Hedeşiu Mihaela , Gersak Mirela , Fidan Floarea , Băciuț Grigore , Băciuț Mihaela
Published: November 2015

Background and aims: To asses, by using the Cone Beam CT (CBCT) reformatted images, the presence of anatomical variants of the sinonasal cavities and to determine the correlation of these variations with the onset of maxillary sinus inflammations.Method: The study is a retrospective one and consists of the investigation of 130 patients with CBCT imaging, patients that were referred to the Maxillo-Facial Clinic, Radiology Department of the Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, for clinical symptoms of sinusitis within a period of 24 months. The images were analyzed for the presence of different anatomical variations and sinus inflammation. The CBCT images were obtained using a NewTom 3G scanner and the data acquired were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test, Odds ratio data and confidence intervals, with a determined p<0.05 considered to be statistically significant.Results: The anatomical variants were detected both in the inflammation and control group. From the spectrum of variations concha bullosa, deviation of uncinate process and asymmetrical ethmoid roof presented significant association with sinusitis. The deviated position of the uncinate process appeared in more than 50% of patients in the positive group [OR=2.55] compared with a third of the control group. Concha bullosa was observed in 31% cases, 23% in the control group and 34% in the positive group [OR=1.73]. Haller cells showed a small difference between groups [OR=1.14] whereas the ethmoid roof asymmetry was evidently more prevalent in the inflammation group.Conclusion: The anatomical variants of the paranasal sinuses are not incidental, being found in a large number of patients and may be a predisposing factor in the onset and recurrence of sinuses inflammation. The CBCT technique, due to the finest multiplanar reconstruction, permits a very good pre-therapeutic assessment of these predisposing conditions.
A syntactic component for Vietnamese language processing
Authors: Le-Hong Phuong , Roussanaly Azim , Nguyen Thi-Minh-Huyen
Published: November 2015

This paper presents the development of a syntactic component for the Vietnamese language. We first discuss the construction of a lexicalized tree-adjoining grammar using an automatic extraction approach. We then present the construction and evaluation of a deep syntactic parser based on the extracted grammar. This is a complete system integrating necessary tools to process Vietnamese text, which permits to take as input raw texts and produce syntactic structures. A dependency annotation scheme for Vietnamese and an algorithm for extracting dependency structures from derivation trees are also proposed. At present, this is the first Vietnamese parsing system capable of producing both constituency and dependency analyses with encouraging performances: 69.33% and 73.21% for constituency and dependency analysis accuracy, respectively. The parser also compares favourably to a statistical parser which is trained and tested on the same data sets.
The CoreGram project: theoretical linguistics, theory development and verification
Authors: Müller Stefan
Published: November 2015

This paper describes the CoreGram project, a multilingual grammar engineering project that develops HPSG grammars for several typologically diverse languages that share a common core. The paper provides a general motivation for doing theoretical linguistics the way it is done in the CoreGram project and therefore is not targeted at computational linguists exclusively. I argue for a constraint-based approach to language rather than a generative-enumerative one and discuss issues of formalization. Recent advantages in the language acquisition research are mentioned and conclusions on how theories should be constructed are drawn. The paper discusses some of the highlights in the implemented grammars, gives a brief overview of central theoretical concepts and their implementation in TRALE and compares the CoreGram project with other multilingual grammar engineering projects.
A type-logical treebank for French
Authors: Moot Richard
Published: November 2015

The goal of the current paper is to describe the TLGbank, a treebank of type-logical proof semi-automatically extracted from the French Treebank. Though the framework chosen for the treebank are multimodal type-logical grammars, we have ensured that the analysis is compatible with other mondern type-logical grammars, such the displacement calculus and first-order linear logic. We describe the extraction procedure, analyse first results and compare the treebank to the CCGbank.
Reflections on the Relationship Between Cybernetic Pedagogy, Cognitive Science & Language
Authors: Aberšek Boris , Dolenc Kosta , Aberšek Metka Kordigel , Pisano Raffaele
Published: November 2015

Based on our previous educational researches we discuss whether it is possible to replace a human teacher with a virtual (machine) teacher, refereeing the hidden layers of doing so, as well as considering the technological possibilities currently available explain what this means in a society. For, an adaptation of current cybernetic into cybernetic pedagogy as cognitive modelling within a compounded educational system is proposed.
Prevalência das infecções latentes por BoHV-1 e BoHV-5 em bovinos de corte no Estado do Paraná
Authors: Oliveira R. A. M. , Lorenzetti E. , Alfieri A. A. , Lisbôa J. A. N.
Published: November 2015

RESUMOO objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a prevalência das infecções latentes por BoHV-1 e por BoHV-5 em bovinos de corte criados no Estado do Paraná. Os gânglios do nervo trigêmeo foram coletados de 400 bovinos hígidos, entre 18 e 36 meses de idade, provenientes de 90 propriedades rurais localizadas em diferentes mesorregiões geográficas do Estado e abatidos em frigorífico com Serviço de Inspeção Federal. A reação em cadeia da polimerase com amplificação do gene que codifica a glicoproteína C foi empregada para a detecção do DNA viral. Cento e nove bovinos eram herpéticos (27,25%), sendo 14,25% (57/400) infectados com BoHV-1, 9,75% (39/400) infectados com BoHV-5 e 3,25% (13/400) portadores de infecção mista. A distribuição geográfica foi heterogênea e as infecções foram mais prevalentes nas mesorregiões localizadas ao norte do Estado. A vigilância para a encefalite por BoHV-5 deve ser intensificada na mesorregião Noroeste.
Crescimento de codornas de diferentes grupos genéticos por meio de modelos não lineares
Authors: Mota L. F. M. , Alcântara D. C. , Abreu L. R. A. , Costa L. S. , Pires A. V. , Bonafé C. M. , Silva M. A. , Pinheiro S. R. F.
Published: November 2015

RESUMOObjetivou-se com o presente trabalho ajustar modelos não lineares para descrever o padrão de crescimento de genótipos de codornas de corte e de postura do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade. Foram utilizados dados de 1280 codornas machos e fêmeas, provenientes de sete genótipos de codornas de corte (EV1, EV2, UFV1, UFV2, UFV3, LF1, LF2) e um de postura. Todas as codornas foram pesadas a cada sete dias, do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade. Foram ajustados os modelos Brody, Gompertz, Logístico, Richards e von Bertalanffy aos dados de peso corporal de todos os genótipos. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando-se o PROC NLIN do SAS (Statistical Analysis System, versão 9.0). Os critérios empregados para a escolha do melhor modelo para descrever a curva de crescimento foram o coeficiente de determinação ajustado (R2), o desvio padrão assintótico (DPA), o desvio médio absoluto dos resíduos (DMA), o índice assintótico (IA), o critério de informação bayesiano (BIC), o critério de Akaike (AIC) e o quadrado médio do erro (QME). Todos os modelos não lineares testados convergiram, com exceção do modelo Brody, que não convergiu para nenhum genótipo avaliado. O modelo Richards não convergiu para o genótipo postura. Os parâmetros da curva de crescimento estimados pelos modelos indicaram maior precocidade, em geral, do genótipo postura comparado aos demais genótipos. O modelo Richards apresentou superestimação do ponto de inflexão para todos os genótipos, exceto para o genótipo postura. Os modelos Gompertz, Logístico e von Bertalanffy são recomendados para descrever o crescimento de codornas de corte dos grupos genéticos em estudo. O modelo Brody não convergiu, por isso não é recomendado para descrever o crescimento dos grupos genéticos de codornas em estudo.
Desempenho de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo alimentados com folha de mandioca desidratada na dieta
Authors: Santos E. L. , Bezerra K. S. , Soares E. C. S. , Silva T. J. , Ferreira C. H. L. H. , Santos C. C. S. , Silva C. F.
Published: November 2015

RESUMOO objetivo foi avaliar o crescimento e a viabilidade econômica de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), alimentados com diferentes níveis de farinha da folha de mandioca desidratada na ração (FFMD). Foram utilizados 80 alevinos distribuídos em 20 recipientes de 18L, constando de sistema de recirculação de água, durante um período de 51 dias. Cem exemplares, alimentados três vezes ao dia até a saciedade, foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, constituindo-se de 4 tratamentos (0, 5, 10 e 15% de adição da FFMD na ração) e 5 repetições cada. Os peixes alimentados com 10% de FFMD apresentaram melhor homogeneidade no crescimento. Entretanto, os indivíduos alimentados com inclusão de 5% de FFMD apresentaram homogeneidade de crescimento similar aos alimentados com 10%. Além disso, os peixes alimentados com 5% de FFMD obtiveram melhor desempenho zootécnico e viabilidade econômica da ração. Dessa maneira, recomenda-se a utilização de 5% da farinha de folha de mandioca desidratada em rações para tilápia do Nilo.
CAPACIDADES E TRAJETÓRIAS DE INOVAÇÃO DE EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: REICHERT FERNANDA MACIEL , CAMBOIM GUILHERME FREITAS , ZAWISLAK PAULO ANTÔNIO
Published: November 2015

RESUMOTodos os tipos de empresa têm condições de inovar e precisam fazê-lo? Como se dá o processo de inovação? Quais são as características necessárias para inovar? O setor de atividade e o nível tecnológico influenciam? Para responder a esses questionamentos, é preciso ir além do conceito de inovação como simples criação de algo novo. É preciso considerá-la, principalmente, como uma iniciativa de mudança para preencher lacunas de conhecimento e de mercado, e, assim, gerar resultados para as empresas. Sabe-se que todas as empresas sempre têm uma base tecnológica (um produto e seu processo) como objeto de seus negócios (a saber, a gestão interna e as transações externas). E, por isso, sempre são constituídas, em menor ou maior grau, por quatro funções básicas: desenvolvimento, operação, gestão e comercialização. A inovação emerge justamente dessas funções, e a cada uma delas corresponderá uma capacidade de inovação. Assim, o objetivo do presente artigo é identificar as capacidades de inovação de empresas industriais brasileiras e, com isso, explicitar suas trajetórias de inovação. Para realizar o objetivo proposto, utilizaram-se como base de dados os resultados oriundos de um projeto de pesquisa com uma amostra de 1.326 empresas industriais brasileiras. O projeto desenvolveu-se em três fases: 1. desenvolvimento de um modelo teórico de capacidades de inovação da firma, 2. fase exploratória e 3. levantamento de dados (survey) nas empresas de setores industriais do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Considerando o perfil da amostra, concluiu-se que a empresa típica é uma prestadora de serviços industriais com baixo potencial de inovação. Seja por conta dos ramos de atividade, em sua maioria de baixa e média baixa intensidades tecnológicas, seja pela predominância de um modelo de gestão familiar focado em custos, a trajetória de inovação é restrita à manutenção da qualidade e à maximização da produção.
Avaliação e regulação da educação superior: uma análise a partir dos primeiros 10 anos do SINAES()
Authors: Verhine Robert E
Published: November 2015

Resumo No presente artigo é focalizada a relação entre a avaliação e a regulação da Educação Superior no âmbito do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Superior – SINAES. São analisadas as tendências e tensões associadas a tal relação evidenciadas durante os primeiros dez anos do referido Sistema Nacional. No texto argumenta-se que, embora frequentemente confundidos um com outro, avaliação e regulação representam processos distintos que podem ser, ao mesmo tempo, complementares e também antagônicos, pois se por um lado uma articulação entre os dois processos faz-se necessária, por outro tal articulação pode gerar distorções não desejáveis. O artigo é iniciado com uma definição dos dois conceitos e depois é discutida suas aplicações no âmbito da educação superior brasileira. Em seções subsequentes são considerados os dois processos em relação aos indicadores utilizados pelo SINAES e à proposta de criação do Instituto Nacional de Avaliação e Supervisão da Educação Superior – INSAES. Nas considerações finais, ressalta-se a necessidade de medidas para assegurar a independência e a autonomia de cada processo, avaliação e regulação, em relação ao outro.
A trajetória da criação dos Bacharelados Interdisciplinares na Universidade Federal da Bahia
Authors: Veras Renata Meira , Lemos Denise Vieira da Silva , Macedo Brian Teles Fonseca
Published: November 2015

Resumo A presente pesquisa tem como proposta investigar as bases históricas da Universidade e analisar suas influências para o surgimento dos cursos Bacharelados Interdisciplinares na Universidade Federal da Bahia. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura com o objetivo de compreender com maior clareza as novas contingências políticas, sociais e educacionais brasileiras que demandaram uma reformulação na arquitetura curricular e pedagógica, adequando-as à realidade do ensino superior no século XXI. A criação dos Bacharelados Interdisciplinares, pautada no sistema de ciclos, almeja responder as atuais demandas contemporâneas que necessitam, cada vez mais, de uma integração entre as várias áreas do conhecimento. Neste sentido, este estudo aponta para a necessidade de construção de uma nova Universidade, através da restruturação dos currículos universitários e do processo de autonomia do graduando em seu percurso formativo, fundamentado na epistemologia interdisciplinar com pilares coerentes com as novas demandas da atualidade.
Inovação e avaliação na cultura do ensino superior brasileiro: formação geral interdisciplinar
Authors: Pereira Elisabete M. A , Carneiro Ana Maria , Gonçalves Mirian Lúcia
Published: November 2015

Resumo O texto tem por objetivo apresentar resultados parciais da avaliação do Programa de Formação Interdisciplinar Superior (ProFIS) relacionados à proposta de formação geral interdisciplinar, a qual representa uma inovação na cultura do ensino superior brasileiro. A educação geral prevista pelo Programa preocupa-se em preparar os estudantes com maior conhecimento, senso crítico e maturidade a partir da ampliação de seu conhecimento e cultura, bem como prepará-los como cidadãos para as atividades que venham a desenvolver futuramente. Além da inovação curricular, o curso tem por objetivo estabelecer uma política de ação afirmativa diferenciada, na Universidade Estadual de Campinas- Unicamp, por meio da inclusão social de alunos da rede pública. Apresentamos brevemente a formação geral como ênfase curricular adotada por universidades em várias partes do mundo. Em seguida, apresentamos a proposta do ProFIS, seu estágio atual de desenvolvimento e analisamos os resultados parciais do processo de avaliação contínua que estamos desenvolvendo. O processo de avaliação é desenvolvido com professores, alunos e coordenador do curso.
Inhalation therapy in mechanical ventilation
Authors: Maccari Juçara Gasparetto , Teixeira Cassiano , Gazzana Marcelo Basso , Savi Augusto , Dexheimer-Neto Felippe Leopoldo , Knorst Marli Maria
Published: November 2015

Patients with obstructive lung disease often require ventilatory support via invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation, depending on the severity of the exacerbation. The use of inhaled bronchodilators can significantly reduce airway resistance, contributing to the improvement of respiratory mechanics and patient-ventilator synchrony. Although various studies have been published on this topic, little is known about the effectiveness of the bronchodilators routinely prescribed for patients on mechanical ventilation or about the deposition of those drugs throughout the lungs. The inhaled bronchodilators most commonly used in ICUs are beta adrenergic agonists and anticholinergics. Various factors might influence the effect of bronchodilators, including ventilation mode, position of the spacer in the circuit, tube size, formulation, drug dose, severity of the disease, and patient-ventilator synchrony. Knowledge of the pharmacological properties of bronchodilators and the appropriate techniques for their administration is fundamental to optimizing the treatment of these patients.
Masthead
Authors: Haksız Meltem
Published: November 2015

Masthead
Perceived Control Predicts Pulse Pressure in African American Men: The Baltimore Study of Black Aging
Authors: Hill, PhD LaBarron K. , Sims Wright, PhD Regina , Aiken-Morgan, PhD Adrienne T. , Gamaldo, PhD Alyssa , Edwards, PhD Christopher L. , Whitfield, PhD Keith E.
Published: November 2015

Objective: Poorer health profiles among African American men throughout the life course evince greater rates of cardiovascu­lar disease (CVD) and significantly earlier mortality compared with other groups. De­spite growing emphasis on identifying how psychosocial factors influence disparate dis­ease risk, little of this research has focused intently on African American men.

Methodology: Using hierarchical linear re­gression, we explored the additive influence of stress, depression, and perceived control on pulse pressure, an established marker of CVD risk, in a sample (N = 153) of African American men (mean age = 66.73 ± 9.29) from the Baltimore Study of Black Aging (BSBA).

Results: After accounting for age and health status indicators, perceived control emerged as a significant predictor of pulse pressure.

Discussion: These findings suggest that greater belief in one’s own efficacy is a protective factor for cardiovascular health among African American men. Future re­search should examine whether enhancing perceived control can have an appreciable impact on the immense CVD burden in this and other at-risk populations. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(3):263-270.