bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic analysis of mammalian maximal oxygen consumption during exercise
Authors: Dlugosz Elizabeth M. , Chappell Mark A. , Meek Thomas H. , Szafrańska Paulina , Zub Karol , Konarzewski Marek , Jones James H. , Bicudo Eduardo , Nespolo Roberto F. , Careau Vincent , Garland Theodore
Published: September 2013

We compiled published values of mammalian maximum oxygen consumption during exercise (VO2max) and supplemented these data with new measurements of VO2max for the largest rodent (capybara), 20 species of smaller-bodied rodents, two species of weasels, and one small marsupial. Many of the new data were obtained with running-wheel respirometers instead of the treadmill systems used in most previous measurements of mammalian VO2max. We used both conventional and phylogenetically informed allometric regression models to analyze VO2max of 77 ‘species’ (including subspecies or separate populations within species) in relation to body size, phylogeny, diet, and measurement method. Both body mass and allometrically mass-corrected VO2max showed highly significant phylogenetic signal (i.e., related species tended to resemble each other). The Akaike Information Criterion corrected for sample size was used to compare 27 candidate models predicting VO2max (all of which included body mass). In addition to mass, the two best-fitting models (cumulative Akaike weight = 0.93) included dummy variables coding for three species previously shown to have high VO2max (pronghorn, horse, and a bat), and incorporated a transformation of the phylogenetic branch lengths under an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model of residual variation (thus indicating phylogenetic signal in the residuals). We found no statistical difference between wheel- and treadmill-elicited values, and diet had no predictive ability for VO2max. Averaged across all models, the allometric scaling exponent was 0.839, with 95% confidence limits of 0.795 and 0.883, which does not provide support for a scaling exponent of 0.67, 0.75 or unity.
Rolling with the flow: Bumblebees flying in unsteady wakes
Authors: Ravi Sridhar , Crall James , Fisher Alex , Combes Stacey
Published: September 2013

Our understanding of how variable wind in natural environments affects flying insects is limited, because most studies of insect flight are conducted in either smooth flow or still air conditions. Here, we investigate the effects of structured, unsteady flow (the von Karman vortex street behind a cylinder) on the flight performance of bumblebees (Bombus impatiens). Bumblebees are "all-weather" foragers and thus frequently experience variable aerial conditions, ranging from fully mixed, turbulent flow to unsteady, structured vortices near objects such as branches and stems. We examined how bumblebee flight performance differs in unsteady versus smooth flow, as well as how the orientation of unsteady flow structures affects their flight performance, by filming bumblebees flying in a wind tunnel under various flow conditions. The three-dimensional flight trajectories and orientations of bumblebees were quantified in each of three flow conditions: (1) smooth flow, (2) the unsteady wake of a vertical cylinder (inducing strong lateral disturbances) and (3) the unsteady wake of a horizontal cylinder (inducing strong vertical disturbances). In both unsteady conditions, bumblebees attenuated the disturbances induced by the wind quite effectively, but still experienced significant translational and rotational fluctuations as compared to flight in smooth flow. Bees appeared to be most sensitive to disturbance along the lateral axis, displaying large lateral accelerations, translations, and rolling motions in response to both unsteady flow conditions, regardless of orientation. Bees also displayed the greatest agility around the roll axis, initiating voluntary casting maneuvers and correcting for lateral disturbances mainly through roll in all flow conditions. Both unsteady flow conditions reduced the upstream flight speed of bees, suggesting an increased cost of flight in unsteady flow, with potential implications for foraging patterns and colony energetics in natural, variable wind environments.
Postprandial regulation of hepatic glucokinase and lipogenesis requires the activation of TORC1 signaling in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Dai Weiwei , Panserat Stephane , Mennigen Jan , Terrier Frédéric , Dias Karine , Seiliez Iban , Skiba-Cassy Sandrine
Published: September 2013

To assess the potential involvement of TORC1 (target of rapamycin complex 1) signaling in the regulation of postprandial hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism-related gene expression in trout, we employed intraperitoneal (IP) administration of rapamycin to achieve an acute inhibition of the TOR pathway. Our results reveal that rapamycin inhibits the phosphorylation of TORC1 and its downstream effectors (S6K1, S6 and 4E-BP1), without affecting Akt and the Akt substrates Forkhead-box Class O1 (FoxO1) and glycogen synthase kinase 3α/β (GSK 3α/β). These results indicate that acute administration of rapamycin in trout leads to the inhibition of TORC1 activation. No effect is observed on the expression of genes involved in gluconeogenesis, glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation, but hepatic TORC1 inhibition results in decreased sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) gene expression and suppressed fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glucokinase (GK) at gene expression and activity levels, indicating that FAS and GK activity is controlled at a transcriptional level in a TORC1-dependent manner. This study demonstrates for the first time in fish that postprandial regulation of hepatic lipogenesis and glucokinase in rainbow trout requires the activation of TORC1 signaling.
The response of brain serotonergic and dopaminergic systems to an acute stressor in rainbow trout: a time-course study
Authors: Gesto Manuel , López-Patiño Marcos A. , Hernández Juan , Soengas José L. , Míguez Jesús M.
Published: September 2013

The brain monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems are known to be involved in the integrated response to stress in vertebrates. However, the present knowledge about the timing of their actions as well as their specific roles in the regulation of the endocrine axes that drive the stress response is incomplete. This is partially because of the complexity of the reciprocal interactions among the monoaminergic systems and other biochemical actors of the stress response such as CRF, AVT, ACTH or corticosteroids. In this study, we show for the first time in teleost fish, the short- and mid-term time-course of the response of the forebrain serotonergic and dopaminergic activities after the exposure to an acute stressor in rainbow trout. Other stress markers like the plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate were also monitored, providing a context to precisely locate the monoaminergic activation within the fish acute stress response. Our results show that the acute stress induced a rapid increase in the forebrain serotonergic activity, which became elevated after only 15 seconds of chasing. Several hours after stress, the serotonergic activity recovered its basal levels, in parallel to the recovery of other stress markers such as plasma catecholamines and cortisol. The dopaminergic activity was also increased after stress, but only in the telencephalon and only after 20 minutes post-stress. The increase in serotonergic activity happened before the elevation of plasma catecholamines, suggesting that this monoamine system could have a key role in triggering the initial steps of the activation of not only the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis, but also the brain-sympathetic-chromaffin axis in fish.
Pattern and contrast dependent visual response in the box jellyfish Tripedalia cystophora
Authors: Garm Anders , Hedal Ida , Islin Majken , Gurska Daniela
Published: September 2013

Cubomedusae possess a total of 24 eyes of which some are structurally similar to vertebrate eyes. Accordingly, the medusae also display a range of light guided behaviours including obstacle avoidance, diurnal activity patterns, and navigation. Navigation is supported by spatial resolution and image formation in the so-called upper lens eye. Further, there are indications that the obstacle avoidance requires image information from the lower lens eye. Here we use a behavioural assay to examine the obstacle avoidance behaviour of the Caribbean cubomedusa Tripedalia cystophora and test whether it requires spatial resolution. The possible influence of the contrast and orientation of the obstacles is also examined. We show that the medusae can only perform the behaviour when spatial information is present, and fail to avoid a uniformly dark wall, directly proving the use of spatial vision. We also show that the medusae respond stronger to high contrast lines than to low contrast lines in a graded fashion and propose that the medusae use the contrast as a semi reliable measure of distance to the obstacle.
Drastic reorganization of bioconvection pattern of Chlamydomonas: Quantitative analysis of the pattern transition response
Authors: Kage Azusa , Hosoya Chiharu , Baba Shoji A. , Mogami Yoshihiro
Published: September 2013

Motile aquatic microorganisms are known to self-organize into bioconvection. The swimming activity of the population of the microorganisms leads to the emergence of macroscopic patterns of density under the influence of gravity. Although long-term development of the bioconvection pattern is important in order to elucidate the possible integration of physiological functions of individuals through the bioconvection pattern formation, little quantitative investigation has been done. In the present paper, we present the first quantitative description of long-term behavior of bioconvection of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, particularly focusing on the "pattern transition response." The pattern transition response is a sudden breakdown of the steady bioconvection pattern followed by re-formation of the pattern with a decreased wavelength. We found the three phases in the pattern formation of the bioconvection of Chlamydomonas: the Onset, Steady State 1 before the transition and Steady State 2 after the transition. In Onset, the wavelength of the bioconvection pattern increases with increasing depth, but not in Steady States 1 and 2. By means of the newly developed two-axis view method, we revealed that the population of Chlamydomonas moves toward the bottom of the experimental chamber just before the pattern transition. This fact indicates the pattern transition response could be caused by enhancing the gyrotaxis of Chlamydomonas due to the changes in the balance between the gravitactic and gyrotactic torques. We also found that the bioconvection pattern changes in response to the intensity of red-light illumination, to which Chlamydomonas is phototactically insensitive. These facts suggest the bioconvection pattern has a potential to drastically reorganize its convection structure in response to the physiological processes under the influence of the environmental cues.
Bayesian prediction of microbial oxygen requirement
Authors: Jensen Dan B. , Ussery David W.
Published: September 2013

Background: Prediction of the optimal habitat conditions for a given bacterium, based on genome sequence alone would be of value for scientific as well as industrial purposes. One example of such a habitat adaptation is the requirement for oxygen. In spite of good genome data availability, there have been only a few prediction attempts of bacterial oxygen requirements, using genome sequences. Here, we describe a method for distinguishing aerobic, anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria, based on genome sequence-derived input, using naive Bayesian inference. In contrast, other studies found in literature only demonstrate the ability to distinguish two classes at a time.

Results: The results shown in the present study are as good as or better than comparable methods previously described in the scientific literature, with an arguably simpler method, when results are directly compared. This method further compares the performance of a single-step naive Bayesian prediction of the three included classifications, compared to a simple Bayesian network with two steps. A two-step network, distinguishing first respiring from non-respiring organisms, followed by the distinction of aerobe and facultative anaerobe organisms within the respiring group, is found to perform best.

Conclusions: A simple naive Bayesian network based on the presence or absence of specific protein domains within a genome is an effective and easy way to predict bacterial habitat preferences, such as oxygen requirement.
Pediatric chronic kidney disease rates in Southern Israel are higher than reported
Authors: Landau Daniel , Schreiber Ruth , Kleinman Anya , Vodonos Alina , Shalev Hannah
Published: September 2013

Background: The incidence and prevalence of pediatric chronic kidney disease (p-CKD) in developed countries has previously been estimated to be 12 and 75 cases/106 population respectively, much lower than reports in young adults (age 20-40) (40,000/106). Thus, the extent of p-CKD may be underestimated.

Methods: Being the only Pediatric Nephrology center in Southern Israel, we reviewed all detected cases of p-CKD (stages 1-5) between 1994-2008. We then prospectively summarized the incidence and prevalence of CKD between 2009-2010. 

Results: We retrospectively identified 192 children (53.9% of Bedouin origin, 53.4% males, median diagnosis age: 1 year) with CKD. The prevalence in December 2008 was 795 cases/106 for all CKD stages and 331/106 for CKD stage >2. Calculated incidence for the study period (1994-2008) was 46/106/year. The main CKD etiologies were: hypodysplasia: 35%; obstructive uropathy: 13%; genetic renal diseases: 28% and glomerulonephritis: 15%. The proportions of children in each CKD stage were as follows: stage 1: 50%; stages 2-4: 30%; stage 5: 20%. During a subsequent two-year study period we identified 26 new CKD cases (incidence: 54 cases/106/year). 

Conclusions: p-CKD rates in our area are higher than reported and maybe even higher if asymptomatic populations are screened. Fifty percent of detected cases have CKD stage 1. This may contribute significantly to CKD beyond the pediatric age.
Proof theory of epistemic logic of programs
Authors: Maffezioli Paolo , Naibo Alberto
Published: September 2013

A combination of epistemic logic and dynamic logic of programs is presented. Although rich enough to formalize some simple game-theoretic scenarios, its axiomatization is problematic as it leads to the paradoxical conclusion that agents are omniscient. A cut-free labelled Gentzen-style proof system is then introduced where knowledge and action, as well as their combinations, are formulated as rules of inference, rather than axioms. This provides a logical framework for reasoning about games in a modular and systematic way, and to give a step-by-step reconstruction of agents omniscience. In particular, its semantic assumptions are made explicit and a possible solution can be found in weakening the properties of the knowledge operator.
Impact of the EU funds in the field of transport infrastructure – national and regional dimension
Authors: Białek Jacek , Oleksiuk Adam
Published: September 2013

The following study aims at presenting the scale and impact of the projects concerning the development of the transport infrastructure in Poland co-financed from the European Union’s funds. The authors present the hypothesis that to date the impact of the said projects (implemented within the framework of both National Development Plan 2004-2006 and the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013) is – due to both prolonged period of negligence in this area and dynamic economic development – not significant enough to satisfy the existing needs in the analyzed area. It is emphasized, however, that the said projects have constituted an important part of the investment effort aimed at systematic improvement of the transportation system in Poland. The authors assert not only that in order to meet the existing needs in this field the investment process should continue under the framework of the financial perspective 2014-2020, but also that the continued development of the transport infrastructure should be based on the network-based paradigm and grounded in a solid institutional framework.
Using chosen conceptions and methods assisting the restructuring of enterprises in the Silesia province
Authors: Mrówka Mateusz
Published: September 2013

A subject of this study is to analyze the restructuring of the big enterprises based on an empirical research (trial 55 big enterprises located in Silesia Province). The author of this thesis has formulated and verified (using statistical tools) correctness of one research hypothesis: Companies with majority of domestic capital do not use concepts and methods supporting the restructuring processes of enterprises.
Conditions for the Development of Innovative Companies Based on Public-Private Partnership
Authors: Borowiec Arkadiusz
Published: September 2013

Innovative companies is one of the key conditions for enhancing the competitiveness of the economy. Unfortunately the Polish economy, according to reports published by the European Commission is still far behind other European countries with the highest degree of innovation. Therefore, in an article on the basis of their own attempts to identify the major determinants associated with the development of innovation through public-private partnership. Has also been a major strategic review of legislation affecting the development of this instrument in the Polish economy and brought closer the most important concepts associated with the use of this formula. The starting point for the study was the hypothesis that the level of support that instrument innovativeness of Polish enterprises is minimal and highly inadequate. In order to verify the results of the test were used in independent chi-square.
Investment Priorities and the Innovation of Enterprises in Poland
Authors: Wildowicz-Giegel Anna
Published: September 2013

The feature of contemporary enterprises is an aspiration of achieving the competitive edge thanks to investments in the knowledge and innovation. Apart from investment in tangible capital, more and more enterprises undertake many initiatives directed at the development of the intellectual capital. It gives them the chance both to the maintenance, as well as the improvement in the competitive position in the long-term prospect. Unfortunately, many enterprises in Poland still seem not to appreciate the significance of investment in intangible capital. Irrespective of the structure of investment, it should be stated simultaneously, that the investment activity of these entities relating to UE-27 countries is not only low, but what is worse insufficient from a point of view of developmental needs of the Polish economy. The purpose of the study is to present investment activity of enterprises in Poland, with paying special attention to the value and the structure of investment in tangible and intangible capital, as well as their influence on the innovativeness of this sector. Undertaken issues are unusually important, especially in the context of the low innovativeness of enterprises in Poland, being an important barrier in the process of building a modern economy, for which the knowledge and innovation constitute the driving force.
Sources, Obstacles and Effects of Innovation Activities in the Lubuskie Region in 2009-2011 – Probit Modeling
Authors: Świadek Arkadiusz , Gorączkowska Jadwiga
Published: September 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the significance of the use of probit modeling and the impact of sources and barriers to innovation activity and to determine its effects, in particular investments in innovation and implementation of new solutions. The main hypothesis of this paper is the claim that the innovative activity of enterprises is dependent on the diversity of factors affecting the parties, and both the source and the barriers can be influenced in different directions. The collected material for research (545 surveys) were analyzed by means of probability. The reason for the choice of this method is the fact that in the case of dichotomous variables (ie, taking the value of 0-no, 1-yes) the use of multiple regression is pointless. The values of this function may in fact be negative, which deprives them of interpretive meaning. An alternative test method in this situation is the probit regression. Positively to the implementation of new solutions affects search for information on innovations in science. The transfer of knowledge and the creation of new technological solutions, in particular, contribute to international research bodies. This strong links with R&D in the future may result in the achievement of superiority in the region. Interestingly it appears that keeping a positive effect on innovation activity affects their high cost. It’s not disstimulating on companies to implement such new products and processes. It can therefore draw the thesis that high expenditures on innovative activities of entrepreneurs make thorough preparation for innovation processes in their companies in order to minimize the risk of failure of implementing the new solution. In this way, many of them are successful. In addition, this thesis confirms the correctness of the fact that more than half of the surveyed companies indicated the cost barrier, and so much of the reasoning confirms the research sample.
Factors of Strengthening of International Market Position of Polish Building Enterprises
Authors: Posadzińska Iwona
Published: September 2013

The identification is the aim of article and the opinion of factors determining the activity of Polish building enterprises for border. She the analysis was conducted in support about the investigative material accumulated in 2011 year in track of questionnaire investigations in 150 enterprises acting on building market. It the purposeful selection of test was executed was with average communities and the large executing the building works subjects and the manufacturers of building materials. The criterion of selection, except size of employment and the market position of enterprise, specialisation in different kinds of building execution and the production of building materials - the realizing beyond borders of Poland the activity was. It the investigation was subjected was five areas the functioning the enterprises - the workers, organizational culture, technology the, products, the sale and the co-operation - decisive about appearing and (or) the consolidation of position. Both managers the reference of success on international market be dependent on in the largest degree from high skills of human supplies, as and workers. The similarly high opinions characterized the relating the guild of products requirements particularly, the quality and adaptation of to the customers' needs. Opinion of both segments of market of UE - the the founder's countries and remaining she - confirmed the tendencies, happened also in different trades and relating the comparatively large acceptance the and experiences connected with expansion to countries of Western Europe. For Polish sector of building predominant the German market stays. It was one should however suppose, that with regard on progressive integration as well as small cultural distance, market of new countries of UE will be the natural area of growth of activity.
Case Article—Beijing Opera Mask Sales in Four Cities in the United States
Authors: Hu Xiangling , Kumar Ashok
Published: September 2013

The Beijing Opera Theater Company organizes four shows a year in the United States, each in a different city. The company sells two styles of souvenir masks during each show. The case narrative is created as the retail manager of the Beijing Opera Theater Company consults her previous MBA professor to seek guidance on available resources to make cost- and service-effective ordering decisions. Available information includes historic demand data of masks and relevant costs and revenues. Other issues discussed include development of a demand forecast for a new site, analysis of the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the orders, and leftover shipping options. EasyFitXL, a module of Excel, is used to conduct all analyses to arrive at final decisions.

The methodology used to solve the case is the newsvendor model, which is appropriate for making ordering decisions in respect to seasonal, perishable, and short life-cycle items that face uncertain demand. The case requires curve-fitting skills and use of expertise related to the the newsvendor model. It can be utilized by faculty, students, consultants, and practitioners in the areas of operations and supply chain management, operations research, management science, quantitative methods, and industrial engineering to enhance inventory planning expertise.

Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Optimizing the Assignment of Students to Classes in an Elementary School
Authors: Krauss Binyamin , Lee Jon , Newman Daniel
Published: September 2013

Every summer, the Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy must create class placements for their elementary school students. Each grade of 80 to 100 students must be divided into four classes. In assigning students to classes, the school administration aims to foster a positive social and educational environment for students while satisfying placement requests and recommendations from parents, teachers, and school therapists. The school must satisfy several constraints such as not placing certain pairs of students in the same class or keeping boy/girl ratios balanced. The process of creating optimal class placements by hand can be laborious and difficult, especially for grades with many constraints to satisfy. This paper describes a model that is being used to assist SAR Academy with creating class placements. Following the constraints and objectives given by administrators at the school, we describe an integer-programming model for satisfying placement constraints and heuristics to further improve on the outputs of the integer-programming model. The results of this process were successfully used to assist administrators in assigning students in one grade for the 2012–13 school year, and SAR Academy plans to use the model for help with future class placements.
A Survey of Linear and Mixed-Integer Optimization Tutorials
Authors: Newman Alexandra M. , Weiss Martin
Published: September 2013

As advanced undergraduate and graduate students in optimization begin conducting research, they must base their work on articles found in academic journals. However, there is often a gap between the levels at which a journal article and a textbook are written. Bridging that gap are tutorials on fundamental, yet advanced, concepts such as (i) algorithmic details of linear and mixed-integer optimizers, (ii) formulations that render models more tractable, (iii) descriptions of the mathematical structure of linear and mixed-integer programs, and (iv) manuals of modeling languages that enable quick implementation of formulations and of linear and mixed-integer solvers. This survey paper provides references to papers and reports whose purpose is to give overviews of linear and mixed-integer optimization. We also include seminal texts and journal articles on fundamental topics, and furnish references on applications whose implementation may have implications for more general problems with similar mathematical structure. We propose to guide graduate students to identify references that aid in their understanding of advanced journal articles and that help them write their own research articles.
Chemical modifiers in electrothermal atomic absorption determination of Platinum and Palladium containing preparations in blood serum
Authors: Alemasova Ðntonina , Ponomarenko Ðžleg
Published: September 2013

The biological liquids matrixes influence on the characteristic masses and repeatability of Pt and Pd electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETAAS) determination was studied. The chemical modifiers dimethylglyoxime and ascorbic acid for matrix interferences elimination and ETAAS results repeatability improvement were proposed while bioliquids ETAAS analysis, and their action mechanism was discussed
Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemichal characterization of mixed cobalt complexes with aminoacids and isonitrosoacetophenone. Biological activities
Authors: Tidjani-Rahmouni Nabila , Djebbar Safia , Benali-Baitich Ouassini
Published: September 2013

Complexes formed from isonitrosoacetophenone and aminoacids such as L-Phenylalanine, L-Tryptophan and L-Histidine having the formula [Co(INAP)L(H2O)2] have been synthesized.The complexes have been characterized using elemental analyses, molar conductance, UV-Vis, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The value of molar conductance indicates them to be non-electrolytes.The IR spectra support the binding of the ligands with two N and two O donor sites to the cobalt(II) ion giving an arrangement of N2O2 donor group.Electrochemical behavior of the complexes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry which shows that the chelate structure and electron donating effects of the ligand substituent are among the factors influencing the redox potentials of the complexes.The antimicrobial activities of the complexes were evaluated against several pathogenic microorganisms to assess their antimicrobial potentials. The cobalt complexes were found to be more active against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria.Furthermore, the antioxidant efficiencies of the metal complexes were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavening activity. The antioxidant activity of the complexes indicates their high scavenging activity against the radical DPPH.
Point-of-care testing: where is the evidence? A systematic survey
Authors: Pecoraro Valentina , Germagnoli Luca , Banfi Giuseppe
Published: September 2013

Point-of-care testing (POCT) has had rapid technological development and their use is widespread in clinical laboratories to assure reduction of turn-around-time and rapid patient management in some clinical settings where it is important to make quick decisions. Until now the papers published about the POCT have focused on the reliability of the technology used and their analytical accuracy. We aim to perform a systematic survey of the evidence of POCT efficacy focused on clinical outcomes, selecting POCT denoted special analytes characterized by possible high clinical impact. We searched in Medline and Embase. Two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility, extracted study details and assessed the methodological quality of studies. We analyzed 84 studies for five POCT instruments: neonatal bilirubin, procalcitonin, intra-operative parathyroid hormone, troponin and blood gas analysis. Studies were at high risk of bias. Most of the papers (50%) were studies of correlation between the results obtained by using POCT instruments and those obtained by using laboratory instruments. These data showed a satisfactory correlation between methods when similar analytical reactions were used. Only 13% of the studies evaluated the impact of POCT on clinical practice. POCT decreases the time elapsed for making decisions on patient management but the clinical outcomes have never been adequately evaluated. Our work shows that, although POCT has the potential to provide beneficial patient outcome, further studies may be required, especially for defining its real utility on clinical decision making.
Examination of a fall prevention program on leisure and leisure-based fear of falling of older adults
Authors: Headley Catherine M. , Payne Laura
Published: September 2013

Falling is a serious public health issue, and many studies have examined the effects of balance programs on fall risk, balance, gait, and balance self-efficacy. However, few studies have focused on changes in leisure self-efficacy and leisure-based fear of falling. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in older adults’ perceptions of leisure efficacy, balance self-efficacy, and leisure-based fear of falling from participating in a six-week community based program called N’ Balance®. Participants were randomly assigned into the intervention group (n=26) or control group (n=24). The sample ranged in age from 73 to 97 years, with a mean age of 84.51 years. Leisure-based fear of falling was measured with one question: “In the last 12 months, to what extent have you limited your activities because you were afraid you would fall”? Balance self-efficacy was measured with an 18-item scale, where respondents estimated how confident they felt about their ability to do various daily tasks. Leisure self-efficacy was assessed with 25 questions about how confident they felt doing a variety of active leisure activities. Results indicated both groups significantly improved their balance self-efficacy over time and leisure self-efficacy improved by 8.1% in the intervention group, whereas the control group decreased. Fear of falling decreased significantly for N’ Balance participants, but at post-test was worse in the control group. Results highlight the importance of leisure-based fear of falling and leisure self-efficacy and future research should consider how participation in fall prevention programs can encourage people to resume or continue valued leisure activities.
Benefit-cost analysis of accelerated replacement of Hong Kong’s pre-Euro IV buses
Authors: Leung Weiwen
Published: September 2013

Hong Kong’s franchised buses contribute significantly to its high pollution levels, which in turn result in excess mortality and hospitalizations. I show that replacing all of Hong Kong’s pre-Euro IV buses with cleaner Euro V buses would save 1260 statistical lives, among other benefits. The expected net benefit of such a project is HK$26.4 billion under a discount rate of 3.5%. This result is robust to a discount rate of 10% and a mortality decrease of half of what is expected. This is one of the first studies to estimate the public health impact of air pollution from franchised buses in Hong Kong. The city can therefore consider conducting accelerated replacement of its franchised bus fleet. Given the strongly positive result, other Asian cities with ageing bus fleets could also conduct similar benefit-cost analyses.
Measurement and Evaluation of the Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Rock-Filled Concrete
Authors: Wang Jin-Ting , Wang Shuo , Jin Feng
Published: September 2013

Rock-filled concrete (RFC), formed by pouring self-compacting concrete (SCC) into rock blocks, is a newly developed type of mass concrete. It is important to determine its coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in engineering applications. In this study the CTE of RFC was determined for the first time using thermal expansion tests. RFC with three rock rates was measured at different ages. Meanwhile, the CTEs of SCC and rock blocks were experimentally tested for subsequent numerical simulation and theoretical analysis. The CTE of RFC was then evaluated numerically and theoretically based on the constituent materials. A three-dimensional finite element model was built for the numerical simulation of the thermal expansion tests of RFC. In addition, two composite models were used for the theoretical evaluation of the CTE of RFC based on the material parameters of SCC and rock blocks. The obtained numerical and theoretical CTE values agree well with the experimental CTE value. The numerical simulation and theoretical formulas can be used to estimate the CTE of RFC, thereby overcoming the high cost of complex experimental measurements.
Evaluation of a Cryogenic Sprayer Using Liquid Nitrogen and a Ballasted Roller for Weed Control
Authors: Cutulle Matthew A. , Armel Gregory R. , Brosnan James T. , Kopsell Dean A. , Hart William E. , Vargas J. Javier , Gibson Lori A. , Messer Rebecca E. , McLemore Alex J. , Duncan H. Adam
Published: September 2013

Current weed-control practices might not be sustainable because of the increased incidence of herbicide-resistant weeds and the limited effectiveness of organic weed-control techniques. A cryogenic weed-control system was developed to improve weed control in row crops without the input of synthetic or organic pesticides. The cryogenic system applies liquid nitrogen to target weeds through a modified sprayer and then crushes the weeds with a ballasted mechanical roller. Greenhouse studies were initially performed to validate the biological impact of directed liquid nitrogen and mechanical pressure on large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L. Scop). Field studies were performed to evaluate the effects of the liquid nitrogen volume, spray nozzle height, and mechanical roller pressure on pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.) control. This weed was most effectively controlled with 9360 l/ha of liquid nitrogen applied with a nozzle raised 30 cm above the soil surface, followed by 41 kPa of pressure with the mechanical roller. The concept of cryogenic weed control was validated in a field experiment using mostly standard farm equipment. This cryogenic system provides a successful prototype for future designs utilizing liquid nitrogen for weed control.
Modal Identification of Different RC Frames Using Experimental Measurements
Authors: Arslan Mehmet Emin , Durmuş Ahmet
Published: September 2013

The main purpose of this study is to determine dynamic characteristics, such as natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios of reinforced concrete (RC) frames with low and normal strength concrete and compare them with each other using the operational modal analyses method under ambient vibration. For this purpose, full-scaled, one bay, and one-story RC frames with low and normal strength concrete are produced. The RC frames are vibrated by natural excitations with small impact effects, and the response signals are recorded using accelerometers during the tests. Measurement time-frequency span and effective mode number are determined by considering similar studies and literature. To obtain experimental dynamic characteristics, enhanced frequency domain decomposition and stochastic subspace identification methods are evaluated together. Results of ambient vibration tests show that dynamic characteristics change significantly depending on the material properties. It is shown that the ambient vibration measurements are enough to identify the most significant modes of RC frames as well. The first five natural frequencies are obtained experimentally for the RC frame with low and normal strength concrete between 14.99–155.20 Hz and 16.64–179.20 Hz, respectively. Dynamic characteristics should be verified using finite element analysis. Finally, inconsistency between experimental and analytical dynamic characteristics should be minimized by finite element model updating using some uncertain parameters such as material properties, boundary condition, and section properties to reflect the current behavior of the RC frames.
Plasma proANP and SDMA and microRNAs are associated with chronic mitral regurgitation in a pig model
Authors: Cirera Susanna , Moesgaard Sophia G , Zois Nora E , Ravn Nathja , Goetze Jens P , Cremer Signe E , Teerlink Tom , Leifsson Páll S , Honge Jesper L , Hasenkam J Michael , Olsen Lisbeth H
Published: September 2013

Objective

Non-ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) is primarily caused by myxomatous mitral valve (MV) disease leading to adaptive remodeling, enlargement, and dysfunction of the left ventricle. The aim of this study was to examine the regulation of plasma markers and several cardiac key genes in a novel porcine model of non-ischemic MR.

Methods and results

Twenty-eight production pigs (Sus scrofa) were randomized to experimental MR or sham surgery controls. MR was induced by external suture(s) through the posterior MV leaflet and quantified using echocardiography. The experimental group was subdivided into mild MR (mMR, MR=20–50%, n=10) and moderate/severe MR (sMR, MR >50%, n=6) and compared with controls (CON, MR ≤10%, n=12). Eight weeks postoperatively, follow-up examinations were performed followed by killing. Circulating concentrations of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP), l-arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) were measured. MV, anterior papillary muscle, and left ventricular free wall tissues were collected to quantify mRNA expression of eNOS (NOS3), iNOS (NOS2), MMP9, MMP14, ANP (NPPA), BNP (NPPB), and TGFB1, 2, and 3 and five microRNAs by quantitative real-time PCR. Pigs with sMR displayed markedly increased plasma proANP and SDMA concentrations compared with both controls and mMR (P<0.05). The expression of all genes examined differed significantly between the three localizations in the heart. miR-21 and miR-133a were differently expressed among the experimental groups (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Plasma proANP and SDMA levels and tissue expression of miR-21 and miR-133a are associated with severity of chronic MR in an experimental porcine model.
Greater prevalence of PROKR2 mutations in Kallmann syndrome patients from the Maghreb than in European patients
Authors: Sarfati Julie , Fouveaut Corinne , Leroy Chrystel , Jeanpierre Marc , Hardelin Jean-Pierre , Dodé Catherine
Published: September 2013

Context

Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a genetically heterogeneous developmental disorder that associates hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia. Various causative genes have been identified, but their respective involvement in different world regions is poorly documented.

Objective

We aimed to compare the prevalence of mutations in five routinely analyzed KS genes between Maghrebian and European patients.

Methods

Blood samples from 120 presumably unrelated Maghrebian patients were collected for DNA sequencing by the Sanger technique. The prevalence of the non-synonymous mutations inKAL1,FGFR1,FGF8,PROKR2, andPROK2was determined for each gene, and compared with those previously obtained from the analysis of 712 European patients.

Results

Diverse mutations inPROKR2, a gene involved both in monogenic recessive and digenic/oligogenic KS transmission modes, were found in 23.3% of the Maghrebian patients, but only in 5.1% of the European patients (Fisher's exact test,P<0.001), whereas mutations in each of the other four KS genes were present either at similar frequencies in the Maghrebian and European patients (KAL1,PROK2,FGF8, from 6.6 to 0.8%; Fisher's exact test,P>0.4 for all comparisons) or at a lower frequency in Maghrebian patients (FGFR1, 5.0 vs 11.7%; Fisher's exact test,P<0.05). Homozygosity resulting from consanguineous marriages was not sufficient to account for the greater prevalence ofPROKR2mutations in the Maghrebian patients.

Conclusions

The great prevalence ofPROKR2mutations in Maghrebian patients has practical consequences for molecular diagnosis of the disease and genetic counseling in the Maghrebian population.
Smaller grey matter volumes in the anterior cingulate cortex and greater cerebellar volumes in patients with long-term remission of Cushing's disease: a case–control study
Authors: Andela Cornelie D , van der Werff Steven J A , Pannekoek J Nienke , van den Berg Susan M , Meijer Onno C , van Buchem Mark A , Rombouts Serge A R B , van der Mast Roos C , Romijn Johannes A , Tiemensma Jitske , Biermasz Nienke R , van der Wee Nic J A , Pereira Alberto M
Published: September 2013

Objective

Patients with long-term remission of Cushing's disease (CD) have persistent psychological and cognitive impairments. It is unknown whether, and to what extent, these impairments are accompanied by structural abnormalities in the brain. We aim to investigate structural changes in the brain in patients with predominantly long-term remission of CD and to examine whether these changes are associated with psychological and cognitive dysfunction and clinical severity.

Design

A cross-sectional, case–control study.

Methods

In 25 patients with predominantly long-term remission of CD and 25 matched healthy controls, grey matter volumes in the regions of interest (hippocampus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)) and in the whole brain were examined, using 3T magnetic resonance imaging and a voxel-based morphometry approach. Psychological and cognitive functioning were assessed using validated questionnaires and clinical severity was assessed using the Cushing's syndrome severity index.

Results

Compared with controls, patients had smaller grey matter volumes of areas in the ACC (on average 14%, P<0.05) and greater volume of the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum (on average 34%, P<0.05). As expected, patients with remitted CD reported more depressive symptoms (P=0.005), more anxiety (P=0.003), more social phobia (P=0.034), more apathy (P=0.002), and more cognitive failure (P=0.023) compared with controls, but the differences in grey matter volumes were not associated with psychological or cognitive measures, nor with clinical severity.

Conclusion

Patients with predominantly long-term remission of CD showed specific structural brain abnormalities, in the presence of psychological dysfunction. Our data form a basis for future work aimed at elucidating the relation of the structural brain abnormalities and the sustained psychological deficits after long-term exposure to high cortisol levels.
Insight into the mechanisms of action of estrogen receptor β in the breast, prostate, colon, and CNS
Authors: Dey Prasenjit , Barros Rodrigo P A , Warner Margaret , Ström Anders , Gustafsson Jan-Åke
Published: September 2013

Estrogen and its receptors (ERs) influence many biological processes in physiology and pathology in men and women. ERs are involved in the etiology and/or progression of cancers of the prostate, breast, uterus, ovary, colon, lung, stomach, and malignancies of the immune system. In estrogen-sensitive malignancies, ERβ usually is a tumor suppressor and ERα is an oncogene. ERβ regulates genes in several key pathways including tumor suppression (p53, PTEN); metabolism (PI3K); survival (Akt); proliferation pathways (p45Skp2, cMyc, and cyclin E); cell-cycle arresting factors (p21WAF1, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (CDKN1A)), p27Kip1, and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs); protection from reactive oxygen species, glutathione peroxidase. Because they are activated by small molecules, ERs are excellent targets for pharmaceuticals. ERα antagonists have been used for many years in the treatment of breast cancer and more recently pharmaceutical companies have produced agonists which are very selective for ERα or ERβ. ERβ agonists are being considered for preventing progression of cancer, treatment of anxiety and depression, as anti-inflammatory agents and as agents, which prevent or reduce the severity of neurodegenerative diseases.