bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stoichiometry and pH dependence of the rabbit proton‐dependent oligopeptide transporter PepT1.
Authors: Steel A , Nussberger S , Romero M F , Boron W F , Boyd C A , Hediger M A
Published: December 2014

1. The intestinal H(+)‐coupled peptide transporter PepT1, displays a broad substrate specificity and accepts most charged and neutral di‐ and tripeptides. To study the proton‐to‐peptide stoichiometry and the dependence of the kinetic parameters on extracellular pH (pHo), rabbit PepT1 was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and used for uptake studies of radiolabelled neutral and charged dipeptides, voltage‐clamp analysis and intracellular pH measurements. 2. PepT1 did not display the substrate‐gated anion conductances that have been found to be characteristic of members of the Na(+)‐ and H(+)‐coupled high‐affinity glutamate transporter family. In conjunction with previous data on the ion dependence of PepT1, it can therefore be concluded that peptide‐evoked charge fluxes of PepT1 are entirely due to H+ movement. 3. Neutral, acidic and basic dipeptides induced intracellular acidification. The rate of acidification, the initial rates of the uptake of radiolabelled peptides and the associated charge fluxes gave proton‐substrate coupling ratios of 1:1, 2:1 and 1:1 for neutral, acidic and basic dipeptides, respectively. 4. Maximal transport of the neutral and charged dipeptides Gly‐Leu, Gly‐Glu, Gly‐Lys and Ala‐Lys occurred at pHo 5.5, 5.2, 6.2 and 5.8, respectively. The Imax values were relatively pHo independent but the apparent affinity (Km(app) values for these peptides were shown to be highly pHo dependent. 5. Our data show that at physiological pH (pHo 5.5‐6.0) PepT1 prefers neutral and acidic peptides. The shift in transport maximum for the acidic peptide Gly‐Glu to a lower pH value suggests that acidic dipeptides are transported in the protonated form. The shift in the transport maxima of the basic dipeptides to higher pH values may involve titration of a side‐chain on the transporter molecule (e.g. protonation of a histidine group). These considerations have led us to propose a model for coupled transport of neutral, acidic and basic dipeptides.
Relationship between depolarization‐induced force responses and Ca2+ content in skeletal muscle fibres of rat and toad.
Authors: Owen V J , Lamb G D , Stephenson D G , Fryer M W
Published: December 2014

1. The relationship between the total Ca2+ content of a muscle fibre and the magnitude of the force response to depolarization was examined in mechanically skinned fibres from the iliofibularis muscle of the toad and the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat. The response to depolarization in each skinned fibre was assessed either at the endogenous level of Ca2+ content or after depleting the fibre of Ca2+ to some degree. Ca2+ content was determined by a fibre lysing technique. 2. In both muscle types, the total Ca2+ content could be reduced from the endogenous level of approximately 1.3 mmol l‐1 (expressed relative to intact fibre volume) to approximately 0.25 mmol l‐1 by either depolarization or caffeine application in the presence of Ca2+ chelators, showing that the great majority of the Ca2+ was stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Chelation of Ca2+ in the transverse tubular (T‐) system, either by exposure of fibres to EGTA before skinning or by permeabilizing the T‐system with saponin after skinning, reduced the lower limit of Ca2+ content to < or = 0.12 mmol l‐1, indicating that 10‐20% of the total fibre Ca2+ resided in the T‐system. 3. In toad fibres, both the peak and the area (i.e. time integral) of the force response to depolarization were reduced by any reduction in SR Ca2+ content, with both decreasing to zero in an approximately linear manner as the SR Ca2+ content was reduced to < 15% of the endogenous level. In rat fibres, the peak size of the force response was less affected by small decreases in SR content, but both the peak and area of the response decreased to zero with greater depletion. In partially depleted toad fibres, inhibition of SR Ca2+ uptake potentiated the force response to depolarization almost 2‐fold. 4. The results show that in this skinned fibre preparation: (a) T‐system depolarization and caffeine application can each virtually fully deplete the SR of Ca2+, irrespective of any putative inhibitory effect of SR depletion on channel activation; (b) all of the endogenous level of SR Ca2+ must be released in order to produce a maximal response to depolarization; and (c) a substantial part (approximately 40%) of the Ca2+ released by a depolarization is normally taken back into the SR before it can contribute to force production.
Upregulation of Na(+)‐K(+)‐2Cl‐ cotransporter activity in rat parotid acinar cells by muscarinic stimulation.
Authors: Evans R L , Turner R J
Published: December 2014

1. The effects of fluid secretory stimuli on the Na(+)‐K(+)‐2Cl‐ cotransporter in rat parotid acini were investigated. Cotransporter activity was measured using NH4+ as a K+ surrogate and following cotransporter‐mediated NH4+ fluxes by monitoring intracellular pH. 2. A dramatic upregulation (15‐ to 20‐fold) of acinar Na(+)‐K(+)‐2Cl‐ cotransporter activity was induced by muscarinic, alpha 1‐adrenergic and peptidergic stimuli. A half‐maximal effect of the muscarinic agonist carbachol was observed at approximately 0.5 microM. 3. Our results indicate that the rise in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) which accompanies these stimuli is both a necessary and a sufficient condition for this effect; but it is not a consequence of the KCl loss and concomitant isotonic shrinkage caused by increased [Ca2+]i as it persists when these effects are prevented. 4. The effect of muscarinic stimulation on the cotransporter can, however, be blocked by inhibitors of phospholipase A2 (4‐bromophenacylbromide and manoalide), by a general inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism (5,8,11,14‐eicosatetraynoic acid) and by specific inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 pathway (methoxsalen and ketoconazole). 5. These latter results argue strongly for the involvement of a product of the cytochrome P450 pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism in upregulation of the salivary Na(+)‐K(+)‐2Cl‐ cotransporter. 6. Owing to the complexity of the arachidonic acid cascade a wide variety of agents could potentially interfere with this upregulation of the cotransporter, and thereby result in decreased salivary fluid production. We suggest that such an effect could underlie the dry mouth (xerostomia) that occurs as an unexplained side‐effect of many commonly prescribed medications.
Non‐genomic mechanism of 17 beta‐oestradiol‐induced inhibition of contraction in mammalian vascular smooth muscle.
Authors: Kitazawa T , Hamada E , Kitazawa K , Gaznabi A K
Published: December 2014

17 beta‐Oestradiol (E2) at 0.1‐10 microM directly inhibited various tonic and phasic smooth muscle contractions. The mechanism(s) of oestrogen‐induced inhibition of contraction was studied using intact and permeabilized strips and isolated single cells of smooth muscle. 2. In endothelium‐denuded vascular smooth muscle, E2 attenuated high K(+)‐induced force development and myosin light chain phosphorylation, and produced rapid and reversible relaxation. There were no significant differences in these inhibitory effects between tissue types (femoral artery vs. portal vein), species (rat vs. rabbit) or sexes. 3. The inhibitory potencies of several steroidal and non‐steroidal oestrogen analogues were examined and their effects were for the most part stereo‐specific. However, two steroids with negligible affinities for the nuclear oestrogen receptor also strongly inhibited high K(+)‐induced contraction. 4. Genomic modulators including a protein synthesis inhibitor, an RNA synthesis inhibitor, and oestrogen receptor antagonists did not affect the inhibitory actions of E2. Inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide‐dependent protein kinases did not reduce the E2 effect. 5. Ca2+ release from intracellular stores by agonists and by inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) does not appear to be modulated by E2. Neither pretreatment with ryanodine nor with thapsigargin affected the E2‐induced inhibition of high K(+)‐induced contraction. 6. E2 had no effect on either normal or GTP gamma S‐increased Ca2+ sensitivity of the regulatory and contractile apparatus. 7. E2 and its analogues rapidly inhibited voltage‐dependent L‐type Ca2+ channel currents in isolated smooth muscle cells. Repetitive stimulation was not required for E2‐induced inhibition of the currents. 8. This study strongly suggests that at pharmacological concentrations oestrogen primarily reduces Ca2+ influx through inhibition of L‐type Ca2+ channels in a non‐genomic manner and decreases myosin light chain phosphorylation and contraction of smooth muscle.
Role of L‐ and N‐type Ca2+ channels in muscarinic receptor‐mediated facilitation of ACh and noradrenaline release in the rat urinary bladder.
Authors: Somogyi G T , Zernova G V , Tanowitz M , de Groat W C
Published: December 2014

1. 3H‐Noradrenaline (NA) and 14C‐acetylcholine (ACh) released by electrical field stimulation were measured simultaneously in strips from the body of rat urinary bladder. 2. omega‐Conotoxin GVIA (omega‐CgTX; 20‐100 nM) suppressed the non‐facilitated transmitter release evoked by intermittent stimulation (IS), whereas nifedipine (1 microM) did not affect release. 3. Continuous electrical stimulation (CS) facilitated NA and ACh release via an atropine‐sensitive mechanism. omega‐CgTX reduced the facilitated release of NA (44% depression) but did not affect ACh release. Nifedipine depressed ACh release (43%) but not NA release. Combined administration of nifedipine and omega‐CgTX (20 nM) produced a greater suppression of NA and ACh release (86 and 91%, respectively). 4. Maximal muscarinic facilitation of NA (5‐fold) and ACh (17‐fold) release occurred following administration of eserine, an anticholinesterase agent. Release of both NA and ACh was depressed by nifedipine (70 and 83%, respectively) but not by omega‐CgTX. Combined application of omega‐CgTX and nifedipine elicited a further depression of NA (95%) but not ACh release. 5. When NA and ACh release was facilitated with phorbol dibutyrate (0.5 microM), nifedipine inhibited ACh (67%) but not NA release, whereas omega‐CgTX inhibited NA (73%) but not ACh release. Combined administration of both Ca2+ channel blockers did not elicit greater inhibition. 6. Bay K 8644, the L‐type Ca2+ channel activator, increased ACh release in a dose‐dependent manner (up to 5‐fold) but did not significantly change NA release. 7. Both omega‐CgTX (20‐100 nM) and nifedipine (100 nM‐1 microM) significantly decreased (50‐80%) the neurally evoked contractions of the bladder strips. 8. It is concluded that L‐type Ca2+ channels play a major role in muscarinic facilitation of NA and ACh release in the urinary bladder but are not essential for non‐facilitated release. Other types of Ca2+ channels, including N‐type, are involved to varying degrees in non‐facilitated and facilitated release under different experimental conditions.
Innervation ratio and motor unit force in large muscles: a study of chronically stimulated cat medial gastrocnemius.
Authors: Rafuse V F , Pattullo M C , Gordon T
Published: December 2014

1. The present study uses chronic low frequency stimulation of cat medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle to investigate the relative contribution of innervation ratio to the wide range of motor unit force in large mammalian muscles by reducing the normal variation in muscle fibre cross‐sectional area and specific force. 2. Isometric force recordings from isolated and physiologically characterized motor units were made 42‐240 days after stimulation. Innervation ratio, fibre area and fibre type (I, II A, II B) were determined in one glycogen‐depleted motor unit per muscle. 3. After 42 days of stimulation, all motor units were non‐fatigable and were classified as either slow (S) or fast‐fatigue resistant (FR). Despite the absence of fast‐fatigable (FF) motor units, all three muscle fibre types were present, as identified according to their myofibrillar ATPase reactivity. After 143 days, all motor units and muscle fibres were classified as type S and type I, respectively. 4. A rapid decline in muscle and motor unit force to 30% of normal values after 42 days of chronic stimulation was accounted for by a reduction in muscle fibre area. Fibre areas did not change further with longer periods of stimulation but type II fibres were converted to type I. All stimulated muscle fibres were the size of normal type I fibres; the size of the fibres within single motor units covered the full range of the muscle fibre population. 5. In long‐term stimulated muscles (> 100 days) when all muscle fibres were type I and all motor units type S, only differences in innervation ratio could account for the remaining range in motor unit force. Estimates of this range from the minimum and maximum values recorded and from values of tetanic force between the 5th and 95th percentiles indicate that the range in innervation ratio in the MG muscles is at least 15‐fold and may be as large as 38‐fold. Enumerations of glycogen‐depleted muscle fibres from single motor units were consistent with this explanation. 6. The findings provide evidence that there is a wide range of innervation ratios in large muscles, which can account for the large range in motor unit forces in the muscles. Since motor unit force and innervation ratio vary with motoneurone size, these studies provide further support that the size of the peripheral field of innervation of motoneurones is related to their size.
Recombinant nicotinic receptors, expressed in Xenopus oocytes, do not resemble native rat sympathetic ganglion receptors in single‐channel behaviour.
Authors: Sivilotti L G , McNeil D K , Lewis T M , Nassar M A , Schoepfer R , Colquhoun D
Published: December 2014

1. In order to establish the subunit composition of neuronal nicotinic receptors in rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG), their single‐channel properties were compared with those of recombinant receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes, using outside‐out excised patch recording. 2. The mean main conductance of SCG channels from adult and 1‐day‐old rats was 34.8 and 36.6 pS, respectively. Less frequent openings to lower conductances occurred both as isolated bursts and as events connected to the main level by direct transitions. There was considerable interpatch variability in the values of the lower conductances. 3. Nicotinic receptors from oocytes expressing alpha3beta4 and alpha4beta4 subunits had chord conductances lower than that of SCG neurones (22 pS for alpha3beta4 and 29 pS for alpha4beta4). 4. Prolonged recording from both native and recombinant channels was precluded by ‘run‐down’, i.e. channel activity could be elicited for only a few minutes after excision. Nevertheless, SCG channel openings were clearly seen to occur as short bursts (slowest component, 38 ms), whereas recombinant channels opened in very prolonged bursts of activity, the major component being the slowest (480 ms). 5. Addition of the alpha5 subunit to the alpha3beta4 pair produced channels with a higher conductance than those observed after injection of the pair alone (24.9 vs. 22 pS), suggesting incorporation of alpha5 into the channel. Addition of the beta2 subunit did not change alpha3beta4 single‐channel properties. In one out of fourteen alpha3alpha5beta4 patches, both ganglion‐like, high conductance, short burst openings and recombinant‐type, low conductance, slow burst openings were observed. 6. Channels produced by expression in Xenopus oocytes of neuronal nicotinic subunits present in rat SCG as a rule differ from native ganglion receptors in single‐channel conductance and gross kinetics. While it is possible that an essential nicotinic subunit remains to be cloned, it is perhaps more likely that oocytes either cannot assemble neuronal nicotinic subunits efficiently into channels with the correct composition and stoichiometry, or that they produce post‐translational channel modifications which differ from those of mammalian neurones.
Sustained outward rectification of oxytocinergic neurones in the rat supraoptic nucleus: ionic dependence and pharmacology.
Authors: Stern J E , Armstrong W E
Published: December 2014

1. Intracellular recordings were obtained in vitro from oxytocin and vasopressin neurones from dioestrous and lactating female rats. Oxytocin neurones were characterized under current clamp by the expression of a depolarization‐activated, sustained outward rectification (SOR) and a rebound depolarization (RD). 2. An increment in extracellular K+ shifted the expression of the SOR and RD towards a more depolarized membrane potential, indicating that the mechanisms underlying these events are dependent on extracellular potassium. 3. The SOR and RD were blocked by external tetraethylammonium (10 mM) and Ba2+ (0.1‐0.5 mM). Cs+ (2 mM) blocked the hyperpolarization‐activated inward rectification without affecting the expression of the SOR and RD. 4. The SOR was not affected by 4‐aminopyridine (6 mM). However, the rebound amplitude was significantly enhanced, indicating that the activation of a transient outward current interacts with the expression of the rebound. 5. Iberiotoxin (100 nM) and apamin (50 nM), toxins known to block some calcium‐dependent potassium conductances, did not affect the expression of the SOR and RD. 6. The SOR and RD were significantly reduced by Cd2+ (0.5 mM) but not by Ni2+ (0.25 mM). 7. Muscarine (10 microM) did not affect the SOR or the RD. 8. These results indicate that the SOR and RD depend upon a depolarization‐activated, sustained outward potassium current, which might be calcium dependent. A current with these characteristics has never been described before in the magnocellular system. Voltage‐clamp experiments are needed to completely characterize this potassium conductance selectively expressed by oxytocin neurones.
Microfluidics Device Manufacturing Using the Technique of 3D Printing
Authors: de Araújo Filho Walter Duarte , Morales Rigoberto E. M. , Schneider Fábio K. , de Araújo Luciana Martins P.
Published: December 2014

The Microfluidics emerged at the end of the 1970’s decade as a result of the use of the technology responsible for the development of micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) that utilized the infrastructure and well-established manufacturing techniques for microelectronics. Initially, silicon was used as substrate for the manufacture of micros systems, however in the last decades it has been replaced by other materials like glass, polymers and ceramic. Currently the most widely used technique in the fabrication of Microfluidic devices is the microlithography. However, besides having a high operating cost, this manufacturing technique requires additional procedures for adapting the interfaces of micro scale to macro scale (e.g. connections), which makes it even more complex. 3D printing technique used in the fabrication of microfluidic devices can overcome these difficulties and become a viable alternative, since it has the ability to fabricate devices in a single printing step. In addition to removing the need for additional procedures relating to adaptations of the interfaces, this technique allows to produce devices with circular sections channels. In this work microfluidic devices are manufactured according to the technique of 3D printing. They were tested for the production of monodisperse microbubbles aimed to clinical applications. The results proved the efficiency of the devices in the generation of microbubbles with the percentage variation rate of 0.4% and average diameter of 73.7 μm.
Sensitivity Analysis of the Response of a Gas Sensor in a Microfluidic-Based Gas Analyzer
Authors: Paknahad Mohammad , Ghafarinia Vahid , Hoorfar Mina
Published: December 2014

Gas sensors have been used as the detection unit of gas analyzers. A low-cost and easy to fabricate gas analyzer can be made by integration a general purpose gas sensor with a microfluidic channel on a polymer substrate. However, ambient fluctuations influence the gas sensor characteristics and operation. In essence, these devices are vulnerable to drift since the interaction of the sensing pallet of the gas sensor with the surrounding air is a temperature- and humidity-dependent process which introduces drift terms to the output signal. These drift terms can also be considered as a controllable input while the sensor itself is considered as a multiple input and output system. In the present study, a methodology based on statistical techniques is introduced to perform the sensitivity analysis and to determine the contribution of each of the input parameters in the output response of the sensor used in a gas analyzer. A regression model is also applied to predict the response of the sensor to the temperature, humidity and the gas concentration values that have not been experimentally tested. Also, the effect of these environmental conditions on the three mentioned factors is studied using design of experiments (DOX) methods.
System-Wide Implications of Changing Water Availability and Agricultural Productivity in the Mediterranean Economies
Authors: Roson Roberto , Sartori Martina
Published: December 2014

We evaluate the structural consequences of water availability scenarios in the Mediterranean, following a multidisciplinary approach and a sequential modeling methodology. This includes an assessment of future water availability and a general equilibrium macroeconomic analysis of changes in agricultural productivity. Lower productivity in agriculture, induced by reduced water availability, generates negative consequences in terms of real income and welfare. The magnitude of the loss depends on the amount of the productivity shock, but also on the share of agricultural activities in the economy and on the stringency of the environmental regulation. We find evidence of a dramatic cut in the supply of water for agriculture in the Middle East. We consider alternative scenarios, differing in terms of stringency of environmental regulation and assumptions about water efficiency. The largest welfare losses turn out to be in Morocco and Tunisia, especially in the "worst" scenario NM. Other very relevant impacts can be observed in Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy and Rest of Middle East and North Africa (XMENA). There are also clear differences among the scenarios. First, applying a constraint on the access to environmental water reserves only for Europe does make a big difference for non-European countries, implying that governments in the Middle East could respond to increasing water scarcity by accepting, to some extent, lower environmental quality (deterioration of aquatic environments). To avoid large drops in income and welfare, countries such as Tunisia and Morocco would not devote to environmental flows more than 10% and 5%, respectively, of their blue water resources. Second, improvements in water efficiency, as envisaged in the simulation exercise, appear to curb the economic impact of water scarcity quite significantly. This is especially true for countries in the North, whereas efficiency does not compensate for a strict environmental policy in the South.
Buddhist Apologetics and a Genealogy of Comparative Religion in Siam
Authors: Winichakul Thongchai
Published: December 2014

Contemporary identity in Thailand is prominently configured through an allegiance of reformed Buddhism with the modern Thai state. What is not well understood, however, is the centrality of “comparative religion” to the construction of this naturalized religionationalist identity, for interreligious study in Siam has been an integral component of modern Thai identity since the mid-nineteenth century. First, the emergence of “religion” as an object of study in modern Thailand is explored here, in an effort to detail the genealogy of this field for the first time. The articulation of Thai religious identity is identified as a response to intellectual challenges from colonial influences, especially the reproofs of Buddhism by Christian missionaries and Orientalist scholarship on religion. Thai Buddhist intellectuals responded to these challenges by robustly countering that Theravada Buddhism was, in fact, superior to Christianity and other religions. Finally, I explore the contentions between the Thai Buddhist apologetics and their opponents as a genealogy of the knowledge in comparative religion in Siam over the past century and a half. Given this genealogy, the field of comparative religion in Thailand is revealed as being far from a disinterested pursuit of knowledge; rather, it is part of the formation and reaffirmation of Thai national identity.
The recognition of infraspecific taxa in Juniperus brevifolia (Cupressaceae)
Authors: ELIAS RUI BENTO , DIAS EDUARDO
Published: December 2014

Based on morphological, genetic and ecological data, we describe new infraspecific taxa of the Azorean endemic Juniperus brevifolia. J. brevifolia subsp. maritima is an erect shrub or small tree, found in Flores, Terceira, Pico and São Jorge , in coastal scrubs below 100 m. J. brevifolia subsp. brevifolia occurs in all islands of the archipelago except Graciosa, between 300 and 1500 m. J. brevifolia subsp. brevifolia var. brevifolia is a small to medium tree found between 300 and 1000 m. J. brevifolia subsp. brevifolia var. montanum is a small prostrate shrub, common in mountain scrubs and blanket bogs, between 850 and 1500 m. The most striking morphological differences of subsp. maritima are the larger leaves, seed cones and seeds. Phenological patterns of the subspecies also differ, notably in the periods of seed maturation and pollination. The distribution of taxa within islands is peripatric. Coastal populations (subsp. maritima) are small and isolated from the usually much larger subsp. brevifolia populations, above 300 m. In subsp. brevifolia the varieties are parapatric, since their ranges are adjacent to each other, occurring together in narrow contact zones.
Gagea vanensis, a new species and G. chomutovae, a new record from Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey (Liliaceae)
Authors: Tekşen Mehtap , Karanan Erkul Seher
Published: December 2014

Gagea vanensis sp. nov. (Liliaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Van province in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. G. chomutovae is reported as a new record for the Turkish flora. Both species belong to the section Stipitatae, based on morphological features. The taxonomic relationships of G. vanensis with other taxa, such as G. ova, G. stipitata, G. absurda, G. kunawurensis, and G. chomutovae, are given.
Democratizing Teacher Education
Authors: Zeichner Ken , Payne Katherina A. , Brayko Kate
Published: December 2014

In this article, the authors argue that teacher education needs to make a fundamental shift in whose knowledge and expertise counts in the education of new teachers. Using tools afforded by cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and deliberative democracy theory, they argue that by recasting who is considered an expert, and rethinking how teacher candidates and university faculty cross institutional boundaries to collaborate with communities and schools, teacher education programs can better interrogate their challenges and invent new solutions to prepare the teachers our students need. Drawing on examples from joint-work among universities, schools, and communities in a variety of teacher education programs, they highlight the possibilities and complexities in pursuing more democratic work in teacher education.
Laser Capture Microdissection of Feline Streptomyces spp Pyogranulomatous Dermatitis and Cellulitis
Authors: Traslavina R. P. , Reilly C. M. , Vasireddy R. , Samitz E. M. , Stepnik C. T. , Outerbridge C. , Affolter V. K. , Byrne B. A. , Lowenstine L. J. , White S. D. , Murphy B.
Published: December 2014

Suspected Streptomyces spp infections were identified in 4 cats at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 1982 and 2011. Three had ulcerated, dark red mycetomas involving the dermis, subcutis, and fascia with fistulous tracts and/or regional lymphadenopathy. One cat had pyogranulomatous mesenteric lymphadenitis. Granulomatous inflammation in all cats contained colonies of Gram-positive, non-acid-fast organisms. All 4 cats failed to respond to aggressive medical and surgical treatment and were euthanized. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to selectively harvest DNA from the affected formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Cloned amplicons from LCM-derived tissue confirmed the presence of Streptomyces spp in the dermatitis cases. Amplicons from the remaining cat with peritoneal involvement aligned with the 16S ribosomal RNA gene for Actinomycetales. Usually considered a contaminant, Streptomyces spp can be associated with refractory pyogranulomatous dermatitis and cellulitis in cats with outdoor access. LCM is useful in the diagnosis of bacterial diseases where contamination may be an issue.
Revisiting the Derivation of Batterer Subtypes
Authors: Brasfield Rebecca
Published: December 2014

Research directed toward profiling an abuser to develop effective treatment modalities should consider the framework for how batterer subtypes were developed. This article evaluates a seminal work in batterer typology for a review of its method and findings. Findings indicate that the formation of batterer subtypes rely on unstable theory and methods: (a) Variables were not held constant, (b) Theoretical constructs lack clarity, (c) There were unclear boundaries for subtypes. A re-evaluation of this particular line of typology research should address the utility and relevance of these batterer subtypes in an effort to address methodological implications that may help profile and treat abusers.
Nursing in Switzerland
Authors: Baumann Steven L.
Published: December 2014

After an edited transcript of an interview with a nurse leader, Teodora Duarte, RN; MA, on nursing in Switzerland, the author further discusses the challenges and opportunities facing nursing in that country from a global perspective. Also discussed are some of the advantages and problems of international nursing, in particular nurses who migrate to work in other countries or commute across national borders.
Reverence—Or Not?
Authors: Bunkers Sandra Schmidt
Published: December 2014

This is an introduction to the column “Feeling Disrespected: An Exploration of the Extant Literature.”
Investigation of the effects of magnetic field on near-dry electrical discharge machining performance
Authors: Gholipoor Ahad , Baseri Hamid , Shakeri Mohsen , Shabgard Mohammadreza
Published: December 2014

The stability of electrical discharge machining process would be improved by better expelling debris from machining gap. In this investigation, a rotational external magnetic field was applied around machining gap of near-dry electrical discharge machining process to make a new hybrid method for machining of stiff and high-strength parts. The Taguchi method of design of experiments was employed to study the effects of applying magnetic field in near-dry electrical discharge machining process. The experimental results showed that in magnetic field–assisted near-dry electrical discharge machining, material removal rate is more and surface roughness is less than in near-dry electrical discharge machining process without magnetic field, but tool wear rate is a little more. Also, the optical micrographs of the surfaces machined indicated better surface integrity resulted by magnetic field–assisted near-dry electrical discharge machining as compared to near-dry electrical discharge machining process without magnetic field.
Does Lower Cognitive Ability Predict Greater Prejudice?
Authors: Dhont Kristof , Hodson Gordon
Published: December 2014

Historically, leading scholars proposed a theoretical negative association between cognitive abilities and prejudice. Until recently, however, the field has been relatively silent on this topic, citing concerns with potential confounds (e.g., education levels). Instead, researchers focused on other individual-difference predictors of prejudice, including cognitive style, personality, negativity bias, and threat. Yet there exists a solid empirical paper trail demonstrating that lower cognitive abilities (e.g., abstract-reasoning skills and verbal, nonverbal, and general intelligence) predict greater prejudice. We discuss how the effects of lower cognitive ability on prejudice are explained (i.e., mediated) by greater endorsement of right-wing socially conservative attitudes. We conclude that the field will benefit from a recognition of, and open discussion about, differences in cognitive abilities between those lower versus higher in prejudice. To advance the scientific discussion, we propose the Cognitive Ability and Style to Evaluation model, which outlines the cognitive psychological underpinnings of ideological belief systems and prejudice.
Analysis of combustion concepts in a newly designed two-stroke high-speed direct injection compression ignition engine
Authors: Benajes Jesús , Novella Ricardo , De Lima Daniela , Tribotté Pascal
Published: December 2014

Two research paths are being followed to develop compression ignition engines, the extreme optimization of the conventional diesel combustion concept and the development of alternative combustion concepts. The optimization of the conventional diesel combustion concept focuses on controlling the combustion development in an attempt to improve pollutant emissions and efficiency. Additionally, extensive research in four-stroke engines already demonstrated the benefits of the partially premixed combustion concept in terms of emissions and efficiency when using high volatility and low reactivity fuels, such as gasoline-like fuels, from medium-to-high engine loads. A detailed optimization of the conventional diesel combustion concept has been performed in an innovative two-stroke poppet valves high speed direct injection compression ignition engine, in order to find the real limits of this engine configuration. Later, its compatibility with the partially premixed combustion concept using a high octane fuel (Research Octane Number 95) with a triple injection strategy for reducing pollutant emissions at medium-to-low load conditions has been evaluated considering also the impact on engine efficiency. Results confirm the potential for attaining state-of-the-art emission levels operating with diesel combustion, and how emissions and efficiency can be optimized by adjusting the air management settings without facing any additional trade-off aside from that usual between NOX and soot. The feasibility of combining this engine configuration with the gasoline partially premixed combustion concept for controlling pollutant emissions has been also corroborated and, with a fine tuned triple injection strategy, engine efficiency even improves compared to that obtained operating with well-optimized diesel combustion.
The role of the Janus-faced transcription factor PAX5-JAK2 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Schinnerl Dagmar , Fortschegger Klaus , Kauer Maximilian , Marchante João R. M. , Kofler Reinhard , Den Boer Monique L. , Strehl Sabine
Published: December 2014

Key Points

PAX5-JAK2 is the first nuclear DNA-binding JAK2 fusion protein with kinase activity. JAK2 inhibitors block the kinase activity of PAX5-JAK2.
MicroRNA-486 regulates normal erythropoiesis and enhances growth and modulates drug response in CML progenitors
Authors: Wang Li-Sheng , Li Ling , Li Liang , Chu Su , Shiang Keh-Dong , Li Min , Sun Hui-Yan , Xu Jun , Xiao Feng-Jun , Sun Guihua , Rossi John J. , Ho YinWei , Bhatia Ravi
Published: December 2014

Key Points

miR-486-5p is expressed in megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors and regulates growth and survival by regulating FOXO1 and AKT. miR-486-5p is overexpressed in CML progenitors and enhances their growth, survival, and response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
New Approach on Analysis of Pathologic Cardiac Murmurs Based on WPD Energy Distribution
Authors: Jiang Zhongwei , Tao Ting , Wang Haibin
Published: December 2014

In this paper, an approach on analysis of the pathologic cardiac murmurs for congenital heart defects was proposed based on the wavelet packet (WP) technique. Considering the difference of the energy intensity distributions for the innocent and pathologic murmurs in frequency domain, the WP decomposition was introduced and the WP energies at each frequency band were calculated and compared. Based on the analysis of a large amount of clinic heart sound data, the murmurs energy distributions were divided into five frequency bands, and the relative evaluation indexes for cardiac murmurs (ICM) were proposed for analysis of the pathologic murmurs. Finally, the threshold values between the innocent and pathologic cardiac murmurs were determined based on the statistical results of the normal heart sounds. The analysis results validate the proposed evaluation indexes and the corresponding thresholds.
Information Analytics for Healthcare Service Discovery
Authors: Sun Lily , Yamin Mohammad , Mushi Cleopa , Liu Kecheng , Alsaigh Mohammed , Chen Fabian
Published: December 2014

The concept of being ‘patient‐centric’ is a challenge to many existing healthcare service provision practices. This paper focuses on the issue of referrals, where multiple stakeholders, such as General Practitioners (GPs) and patients, are encouraged to make a consensual decision based on patients′ needs. In this paper, we present an ontology‐enabled healthcare service provision, which facilitates both patients and GPs in jointly deciding upon the referral decision. In the healthcare service provision model, we define three types of profiles which represent different stakeholders′ requirements. This model also comprises a set of healthcare service discovery processes: articulating a service need, matching the need with the healthcare service offerings, and deciding on a best‐fit service for acceptance. As a result, the healthcare service provision can carry out coherent analysis using personalised information and iterative processes that deal with requirements which change over time.
Levantamento Taxonômico e Sazonalidade de Calliphoridae, Muscidae e Fanniidae (Insecta: Diptera) em Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Monteiro Thayana Teles , Da Silva Evandro Nascimento , Bravo Freddy Ruben
Published: December 2014

Os dípteros necrófagos utilizam matéria orgânica em decomposição como fonte proteica em ao menos uma fase de sua vida. Deste modo o conhecimento taxonômico dessa fauna se torna importante para estudos forense, sanitário e médico. Os dípteros das famílias Calliphoridae, Muscidae e Fanniidae possuem espécies necrófagas associadas ao ambiente humano, estando entre os insetos de maior destaque nesse aspecto e até então nunca foram estudados na cidade de Feira de Santana, Bahia. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento da fauna de dípteros necrófagos das famílias Calliphoridae, Muscidae e Fanniidae de Feira de Santana, Bahia. Para isso, foram realizadas coletas mensais ao longo de um ano em três áreas da cidade com um total de cinco armadilhas iscadas (com 24 horas de exposição) por área, resultando em um subconjunto de 60 armadilhas/área e um total de 180 amostras. Foram coletados 4.818 dípteros, pertencentes a 20 espécies das três famílias estudadas: Calliphoridae (seis espécies), Fanniidae (três espécies) e Muscidae (11 espécies). A maior abundância das famílias ocorreu no outono e a menor no verão. Observou-se que treze das vinte espécies coletadas, possuem interesse forense e sanitário descritos na literatura.

Taxonomic Survey and Seasonality of Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Fanniidae (Insecta: Diptera) in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract. Taxonomic studies in necrphagous Diptera is relevant because of its importance for forensic, health and medical purposes, since they feed in decaying organic matter as protein source, at least in one stage of their lives. Synantropic Diptera, such us some species of Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Fannidae had not been studied in Feira de Santana, BA. The aim of this study was to do an inventory of necrophagous Diptera belonging to the families cited above. Five baited traps (24 hours of exposure) were placed in three sites in the town, once a month, resulting in a subset of 60 traps per site and a total of 180 samples. A total of 4.818 specimens were collected, belonging to 20 species: Calliphoridae (six species), Fannidae (three species) and Muscidae (11 species). The abundance of synantropic Diptera showed seasonality being the fall the season with higher abundance while in the summer the abundance was significant lower. Thirteen out of the twenty species collected were cited in the literature as being of forensic importance.
Ostrowski type inequalities for s-logarithmically convex functions in the second sense with applications
Authors: Akdemir Ahmet Ocak , Tunç Mevlüt
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we establish some new Ostrowski type inequalities for s-logarithmically convex functions. Some applications of our results to
PDFs and in numerical integration are given.
Model parameter estimation of linear time-invariant systems from
combined data of forced and initial condition responses
Authors: Guo Ya , Tan Jinglu
Published: December 2014

Many systems can be represented as linear time-invariant (LTI) systems in
state space with ordinary differential equations (ODE). Forced responses are
often used for model parameter estimation; however, some models are not
uniquely identifiable from the data of forced responses, or experiments with
pure forced response may not be the optimal design. It is thus meaningful to
look for other types of data for model parameter estimation through
redesigning experiments. In this work, we compare the influence of forced and initial
condition responses on the deterministic identifiability of LTI systems in
state space with ODEs as model structure. It is clearly
demonstrated that one initial condition vector is equivalent to one column
vector of the control matrix for constraining system eigenvectors. The
combination of forced and initial condition responses can improve the
identifiability of models that are not identifiable only from forced
responses. Explicit formulations and an algorithm are derived to identify
model parameters from the combined data of forced and initial condition
responses.
Sirolimus therapy in a patient with severe hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia due to a compound heterozygous ABCC8 gene mutation
Authors: Shah Pratik , Arya Ved Bhushan , Flanagan Sarah E. , Morgan Kate , Ellard Sian , Senniappan Senthil , Hussain Khalid
Published: December 2014

Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (HH) is the most common cause of severe and persistent hypoglycaemia in neonates. The treatment of severe diazoxide unresponsive HH involves near total pancreatectomy. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that regulates cellular proliferation. mTOR inhibitors are used in cancer patients and recently found to be effective in the treatment of insulinoma and HH patients.

A 36 weeks large for gestational age neonate presented with severe hypoglycaemia on day 1 of life. The hypoglycaemia screen confirmed HH and genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous

We report the first case of compound heterozygous
Ionic conductivity study of LiI-Ga2S3-GeS2 chalcogenide glasses using a random-walk approach
Authors: Patil Deepak S. , Konale Manisha S. , Kolar Jakub , Shimakawa Koichi , Zima Vitezslav , Wagner Tomas
Published: December 2014

Electrical properties of a set of lithium-ion conducting sulfide glasses with general formula 20LiI-xGa2S3-(80-x)GeS2 (x = 10, 15 and 20) is studied in the present article. The experimental data obtained using impedance spectroscopy are analyzed by means of a random-walk (RW) model assuming that the conduction takes place by a random motion of Li+ ions. The influences of added gallium on the structural network and on the conductivity of prepared glasses are also analyzed using the RW model. The results are further confirmed by Raman spectral analysis. The results obtained by the random-walk model and by a conventional equivalent electric circuit model are in a good agreement. We observed that the addition of Ga2S3 contributed to phase separation in the prepared glassy system and negatively influenced the conductivity of the studied glasses. Factors contributing to the total conductivity with respect to the amount of both LiI and Ga2S3 are also reported.
Splitting the sḏm.n⸗f? A Discussion of Written Forms in Coffin Texts
Authors: Stauder Andréas
Published: December 2014

The paper discusses the written forms of II.red in Coffin Texts adduced by Wolfgang Schenkel in support of his hypothesis of two morphologically distinct forms of the sḏm.n⸗f. Also examined are the case of ult.n
non-II.red, which had only a secondary role in Schenkel’s original proposal, and the case of the high-frequency verb wnn, which is special. The conclusion is that none of these written forms supports the hypothesis of two distinct forms of the sḏm.n⸗f, just as none contradicts it. In the course of the argument, various issues of broader interest are touched upon: the representation of verbal morphology in writing, the individual verbs (notably ngigi/ngg “cackle,” originally a N-stem based on an onomatopoietic segment), the morphology of wnn, and aspects of the dynamics of textual variation in Coffin Texts (notably the extraordinarily complex case afforded by CT I 73c–74f; Spell 24).
QD-Salt Mixed Crystals: the Influence of Salt-Type, Free-Stabilizer, and pH
Authors: Adam Marcus , Tietze Remo , Gaponik Nikolai , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: December 2014

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) bear a huge potential in different
application fields due to their unique properties. Unfortunately,
their limited stability against environmental influences and the
limited processability of the colloidal solutions restricts, among
other factors, their widespread implementation. Incorporating the QDs
into an inorganic matrix allows overcoming of these barriers. In this
manuscript, we demonstrate the reproducible incorporation of high
quality CdTe QDs capped with thioglycolic acid into NaCl
and KCl salt crystals. In comparison to previous reports, here
we avoided the production of powder-like, weakly emitting mixed
crystals and/or a loss of large amounts of QDs due to
aggregation. The optimum conditions for this process were found by the
variation of the amount of additional free-stabilizer and the pH of
the saturated salt solutions. Both variables exhibit high influence on
the colloidal stability of the QDs, ensuring the electrostatic forces
on their surface to be high enough to prevent
agglomeration. Incorporation in NaCl as host matrix is
accompanied with pronounced etching of the QDs, causing a blue shift
of the photoluminescence (PL)-spectra upon incorporation while
KCl preserves the original optical properties of the QDs. Under
optimized conditions, even the matrix-induced red shift of the
emission upon incorporation can be overcome, resulting in a higher
predictability of the mixed crystal preparation.