bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MiR-378 Plays an Important Role in the Differentiation of Bovine Preadipocytes
Authors: Liu Si-Yuan , Zhang Yang-Yang , Gao Yan , Zhang Lian-Jiang , Chen Hong-Yan , Zhou Qian , Chai Meng-Long , Li Qing-Ying , Jiang Hao , Yuan Bao , Dai Li-Sheng , Zhang Jia-Bao
Published: July 2015

Background: Adipocyte, the main cellular component of white adipose tissue, plays a vital role in energy balance in higher eukaryotes. In recent years, adipocytes have also been identified as a major endocrine organ involved in immunological responses, vascular diseases, and appetite regulation. In farm animals, fat content and categories are closely correlated with meat quality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules, participate in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through regulating the transcription or translation of target mRNAs. MiR-378 plays an important role in a number of biological processes, including cell growth, cell differentiation, tumor cell survival and angiogenesis. Methods: In the present study, bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to identify and validate the target genes of miR-378. In vitro cell transfection, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot analysis, Oil Red O staining, and triglyceride content measurement were conducted to analyze the effects of miR-378 on bovine preadipocyte differentiation. Results: MiR-378 was induced during adipocyte differentiation. In the differentiated adipocytes overexpressing miR-378, the volume of lipid droplets was enlarged, and the triglyceride content was increased. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of the adipocyte differentiation marker genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), were significantly elevated in the differentiated, mature adipocytes. In contrast, the mRNA expression level of preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) was markedly reduced. E2F transcription factor 2 (E2F2) and Ras-related nuclear (RAN)-binding protein 10 (RANBP10) were the two target genes of miR-378. The mRNA expression levels of E2F2 and RANBP10 did not significantly change in bovine preadipocytes overexpressing miR-378. However, the protein expression levels of E2F2 and RANBP10 were markedly reduced. Conclusion: MiR-378 promoted the differentiation of bovine preadipocytes. E2F2 and RANBP10 were the two target genes of miR-378, and might involve in the effects of miR-378 on the bovine preadipocyte differentiation.
Neuroglobin Plays a Protective Role in Arsenite-Induced Cytotoxicity by Inhibition of Cdc42 and Rac1GTPases in Rat Cerebellar Granule Neurons
Authors: Liu Xiaona , Gao Yanhui , An Yuan , Fu Xiaoyan , Li Yuanyuan , Sun Dianjun , Wang Jing
Published: July 2015

Background and Aims: We have previously shown that neuroglobin (Ngb) expression can be regulated by sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) exposure in rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). However, the precise molecular mechanisms of Ngb action are largely unknown. Ras homolog (Rho) guanosine triphosphatases (Rho GTPases) are involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes, including cell cytotoxicity. It has been reported that Ngb can act as a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitior (GDI) role to inactivate Rho GTPases. Therefore, we investigated Rho GTPases activation induced by NaAsO2 exposure in rat CGNs and effects of Rho GTPases activation on the cells. We also investigated the role of Ngb in this process. Methods: Primary cultures of CGNs were prepared from 7-day-old Wistar rat pups. The cytotoxic effects of NaAsO2 on CGNs were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and TUNEL staining. RNA interference technology was used to silence Ngb, and the subsequent effects were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Cdc42 and Rac1 activation were measured by pull-down assay and Western blot. Results: NaAsO2 induced cytotoxicity in rat CGNs, increased GTP-bound form of Cdc42 and Rac1 GTPases in the cells. Furthermore, inhibition of Cdc42 or Rac1 activity using the inhibitor ZCL278 or NSC23766 decreased apoptosis and increased cell viability in the cells exposed to NaAsO2. Using siRNA-mediated knockdown, we show that NaAsO2-induced cytotoxicity was exacerbated, activation of Cdc42 (GTP-Cdc42) and Rac1 (GTP-Rac1) was increased in Ngb RNA silencing cells. Conclusions: cytotoxic effects of NaAsO2 on rat CGNs is induced at least partly by Cdc42 and Rac1 activation, and Ngb can inhibit Cdc42 and Rac1 activation to play protective role in rat CGNs exposed to NaAsO2.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Complementopathy?
Authors: Kijlstra Aize , Berendschot Tos T.J.M.
Published: July 2015

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease affecting many elderly individuals. It has a multifactorial pathogenesis and is associated with numerous environmental (e.g. smoking, light and nutrition) and genetic risk factors. A breakthrough in the mechanisms causing AMD is emerging; the involvement of the alternative pathway of the complement system appears to play a pivotal role. This has led to the statement that AMD is a disease caused by a hyperactive complement system, allowing the term ‘complementopathy' to define it more precisely. Abundant evidence includes: the identification of drusen components as activators of complement, immunohistochemical data showing the presence of many species of the complement system in the retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch's membrane-choroidocapillary region of AMD eyes, a strong association of AMD with certain genetic complement protein variants, raised complement levels in blood from AMD patients and the preliminary successful treatments of geographic atrophy with complement factor D (FD) inhibitors. FD is the rate-limiting enzyme of the alternative complement pathway, and is produced by adipose tissue. Recent findings suggest that nutrition may play a role in controlling the level of FD in the circulation. Addressing modifiable risk factors such as smoking and nutrition may thus offer opportunities for the prevention of AMD.
Impact of Catheter Contact Force on Human Left Atrial Electrogram Characteristics in Sinus Rhythm and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ullah Waqas , Hunter Ross J. , Baker Victoria , Ling Liang-Han , Dhinoja Mehul B. , Sporton Simon , Earley Mark J. , Schilling Richard J.
Published: July 2015

Background—

During left atrial mapping, optimal contact parameters minimizing variation secondary to catheter contact are not established.

Methods and Results—

Across 30 patients undergoing first-time atrial fibrillation ablation, 1965 stable mapping points (1409 atrial fibrillation, 556 sinus rhythm), comprising 8-s contact force (CF) and bipolar electrogram data were analyzed. Points were taken in groups at locations with CF or catheter orientation actively changed between acquisitions. Complexes were less positive at higher CF (Spearman ρ, −0.2;
P
<0.005, both rhythms). Increasing CF at a location significantly increased complex size, but only where initial CF was <10 g, and if the change was ≥4.5 g in sinus rhythm and ≥8 g in atrial fibrillation (
P
<0.0005, both rhythms): if initial CF was ≥10 g, no change was observed, regardless of CF change (
P
>0.05, both). Atrial ectopics during sinus rhythm were observed more frequently when CF was ≥10 g (
P
<0.0005). Increasing CF at a location was associated with an increase in the complex fractionated atrial electrogram interval confidence level score, but only if initial CF was <10 g and CF increased ≥8 g (
P
=0.003). The dominant frequency and organization index were unaffected by CF (
P
>0.1 for both). Changing catheter orientation from perpendicular to parallel in atrial fibrillation was associated with smaller, more positive complexes (
P
=0.001 for both), but no changes in complex fractionated atrial electrogram scores, dominant frequency or organization index (
P
>0.08 for each).

Conclusions—

During left atrial electrogram mapping, including complex fractionated atrial electrogram but not spectral parameter mapping, CF and catheter orientation influence results: consequently, mapping CFs should be ≥10 g to negate the influence of CF.

Clinical Trials Registration—

URL:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier: NCT01587404.
Intracranial Hemorrhage After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Ögren Joachim , Irewall Anna-Lotta , Bergström Lisa , Mooe Thomas
Published: July 2015

Background—

Epidemiological data on the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICrH) after ischemic stroke are sparse. The aims of this study were to describe incidence, trends over time, and predictors of ICrH within 1 year after ischemic stroke.

Methods and Results—

All patients registered in the Swedish stroke register Riksstroke for 1998 to 2009 were included (n=196 765), and data were combined with the National Patient Register to identify ICrH occurrence. A matched reference population was obtained. Incidence rates and cumulative incidences were calculated. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify predictors. Analyses were performed separately for the first 30 days and days 31 to 365 after ischemic stroke. The incidence rate was 1.97% per year at risk for the first year (0.13% in the reference population) and 0.85% excluding the first 30 days. Over time, the cumulative incidence increased the first 30 days but decreased over days 31 to 365. Thrombolysis, previous ICrH, atrial fibrillation, and male sex were associated with increased risk of ICrH during the first 30 days. Previous ICrH, increasing age, and male sex were associated with increased risk during days 31 to 365. Statins and antithrombotic treatment did not independently predict ICrH occurrence.

Conclusions—

The incidence of ICrH within 1 year after ischemic stroke was ≈2% per year at risk, about 15 times higher compared with the reference population. Over the study period, ICrH risk increased within the first 30 days but decreased thereafter. Previous ICrH, thrombolysis, and male sex affected the risk, whereas an increased use of antithrombotic treatments and statins did not.
What Is in a Name?
Authors: Bokhour Barbara G. , Kressin Nancy R.
Published: July 2015

Despite major advances in treating hypertension, >50% of all individuals diagnosed with the condition remain in poor control. A fundamental issue may be that patients may not fully understand the meaning of the term hypertension or its cause, leading to poor adherence to medications and limiting other effective self-management behaviors. We posit that the word hypertension itself may contribute to these misunderstandings, particularly in regards to the role of stress in causing hypertension, which thus suggests stress management as a primary strategy for control. The word hypertension is often interpreted by patients to mean too much tension. In conjunction with cultural framings of stress causing high blood pressure, many patients turn to stress management to control their hypertension. The word hypertension can thus cause patients to think of it as more of a psychological than physiological condition, thus discounting the value of antihypertensive medications and interfering with medication adherence. We therefore suggest that clinicians reconsider the use of the term hypertension and the ways in which they explain the condition to patients. Reorienting the language to the more patient-centered term of high blood pressure may help patients better understand the condition and to more readily embrace the available efficacious therapies.
Clinical Prediction Models for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Wessler Benjamin S. , Lai YH Lana , Kramer Whitney , Cangelosi Michael , Raman Gowri , Lutz Jennifer S. , Kent David M.
Published: July 2015

Background—

Clinical prediction models (CPMs) estimate the probability of clinical outcomes and hold the potential to improve decision making and individualize care. For patients with cardiovascular disease, there are numerous CPMs available although the extent of this literature is not well described.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a systematic review for articles containing CPMs for cardiovascular disease published between January 1990 and May 2012. Cardiovascular disease includes coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral vascular disease. We created a novel database and characterized CPMs based on the stage of development, population under study, performance, covariates, and predicted outcomes. There are 796 models included in this database. The number of CPMs published each year is increasing steadily over time. Seven hundred seventeen (90%) are de novo CPMs, 21 (3%) are CPM recalibrations, and 58 (7%) are CPM adaptations. This database contains CPMs for 31 index conditions, including 215 CPMs for patients with coronary artery disease, 168 CPMs for population samples, and 79 models for patients with heart failure. There are 77 distinct index/outcome pairings. Of the de novo models in this database, 450 (63%) report a c-statistic and 259 (36%) report some information on calibration.

Conclusions—

There is an abundance of CPMs available for a wide assortment of cardiovascular disease conditions, with substantial redundancy in the literature. The comparative performance of these models, the consistency of effects and risk estimates across models and the actual and potential clinical impact of this body of literature is poorly understood.
Reduction of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Contrast of Acute Ischemic Stroke at Short Diffusion Times
Authors: Baron Corey Allan , Kate Mahesh , Gioia Laura , Butcher Kenneth , Emery Derek , Budde Matthew , Beaulieu Christian
Published: July 2015

Background and Purpose—

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of tissue water is a sensitive and specific indicator of acute brain ischemia, where reductions of the diffusion of tissue water are observed acutely in the stroke lesion core. Although these diffusion changes have been long attributed to cell swelling, the precise nature of the biophysical mechanisms remains uncertain.

Methods—

The potential cause of diffusion reductions after stroke was investigated using an advanced DWI technique, oscillating gradient spin-echo DWI, that enables much shorter diffusion times and can improve specificity for alterations of structure at the micron level.

Results—

Diffusion measurements in the white matter lesions of patients with acute ischemic stroke were reduced by only 8% using oscillating gradient spin-echo DWI, in contrast to a 37% decrease using standard DWI. Neurite beading has recently been proposed as a mechanism for the diffusion changes after ischemic stroke with some ex vivo evidence. To explore whether beading could cause such differential results, simulations of beaded cylinders and axonal swelling were performed, yielding good agreement with experiment.

Conclusions—

Short diffusion times result in dramatically reduced diffusion contrast of human stroke. Simulations implicate a combination of neuronal beading and axonal swelling as the key structural changes leading to the reduced apparent diffusion coefficient after stroke.
Buddhist Connections in the Indian Ocean: Changes in Monastic Mobility, 1000-1500
Authors: Blackburn Anne M.
Published: July 2015

Since the nineteenth century, Buddhists residing in the present-day nations of Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka have thought of themselves as participants in a shared southern Asian Buddhist world characterized by a long and continuous history of integration across the Bay of Bengal region, dating at least to the third centurybcereign of the Indic King Asoka. Recently, scholars of Buddhism and historians of the region have begun to develop a more historically variegated account of Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia, using epigraphic, art historical, and archaeological evidence, as well as new interpretations of Buddhist chronicle texts.1 This paper examines three historical episodes in the eleventh- to fifteenth-century history of Sri Lankan-Southeast Asian Buddhist connections attested by epigraphic and Buddhist chronicle accounts. These indicate changes in regional Buddhist monastic connectivity during the period 1000-1500, which were due to new patterns of mobility related to changing conditions of trade and to an altered political ecosystem in maritime southern Asia.
A Possible Archaeological Case of the Taxation of Medieval Eurasian Nomads
Authors: Wright Joshua
Published: July 2015

At several locations in the Mongolian steppe, the archaeological remains of large enclosure walls have been found in association with structures and ceramics related to the Mongol and Khitan-Liao empires. These structures are probably the remains of infrastructure built to support large-scale extraction of livestock from the pastoralist population in Mongolia between the ninth and fourteenth centuries. This may be evidence of little-documented taxation policies of steppe states during this period, the scale of the production of resource surplus from the steppe, and examples of state-structured pastoralist landscapes and the state itself in the everyday experience of medieval herders.
New records and range-extension of the swimming crab Xiphonectes pseudohastatoides (Yang & Tang, 2006) (Brachyura, Portunidae)
Authors: Koch M. , Chong V. C. , Sasekumar A. , Ďuriš Z.
Published: July 2015

During an examination of swimming crabs of the Xiphonectes hastatoides species-complex from Malaysia and Vietnam, a series of specimens of Xiphonectes pseudohastatoides (Yang & Tang, 2006) was identified. This small-sized species was recognized based on its flattened pilose carapace with typical shape of its frontal teeth, a pair of long posterior lateral teeth and sharp posterolateral angles forming spines, ‘T’-shaped male abdomen with widely fused segments, and strongly curved first male pleopods. These specimens represent the first record of X. pseudohastatoides outside the northern part of the South China Sea, and thus, an extension of the known species range to central Vietnam and northeastern peninsular Malaysia. A short description and photographs are provided for the examined specimens.
Taxonomic identity of Torenia leucosiphon (Linderniaceae) and its resurrection from the synonymy of Torenia travancorica
Authors: Prasad Mangavayal Govindan , Sunojkumar Purayidathkandy
Published: July 2015

Taxonomic identity of Torenia leucosiphon is discussed. Perusal of literature shows that it has been treated as a synonym of Torenia travancorica. However, a detailed analysis of the type, additional specimens and protologue information of both taxa clearly indicates that T. leucosiphon should be treated as a distinct species. Therefore, T. leucosiphon is resurrected from the synonymy of T. travancorica and recognised as an independent species. Lectotypes of T. leucosiphon and T. travancorica were also designated. Detailed description, illustration, colour photographs, distribution and habitat notes of both T. travancorica and T. leucosiphon are provided along with a key to the Southern Peninsular Indian species of the genus Torenia.
Parviphycus bompardii sp. nov. and P. albertanoae (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta), two species misidentified as Gelidiella ramellosa in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Bottalico Antonella , Russo Christian , Furnari Giovanni , Perrone Cesira
Published: July 2015

A critical re-examination of both recent and historical herbarium specimens from the Mediterranean Sea attributed to Gelidiella ramellosa highlighted that previous identifications were incorrect. Our investigations have demonstrated that the examined specimens actually belong to the genus Parviphycus; some of them must be attributed to the recently described P. albertanoae and some to the undescribed species Parviphycus bompardii. The new species shows morphological features that distinguish it from the other congeners and represents the fifth species of the genus occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. Parviphycus bompardii is readily recognizable for both branching pattern and characteristics of tetrasporangial sori. Results of this study suggest a re-examination of previous Mediterranean records attributed to G. ramellosa and a much more accurate approach to future records of Gelidiales. An identification key to Mediterranean species of Parviphycus is also presented based on our results and also on a review of the literature.
Billolivia tichii (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Vietnam
Authors: Vũ Ngọc Long , Phạm Hữu Nhân , Nguyễn Thế Văn , Luu Hong Truong
Published: July 2015

The genus Billolivia D.J.Middleton in Middleton et al. (2014a: 255) of the Gesneriaceae was recently established with five species, namely B. longipetiolata (Middleton et al. 2014a: 256), B. minutiflora (Middleton et al. 2014a: 258), B. poilanei (Middleton et al. 2014a: 260), B. vietnamensis (Middleton et al. 2014a: 261) and B. violacea (Middleton et al. 2014a: 262). The sixth taxon of the genus, B. moelleri, was described shortly after in Middleton et al. (2014b: 189). Our continued search for the genus in southern Vietnam has gathered several other possible new taxa that are under examination. In this paper, we describe one of them as a new species from Bidoup-Núi Bà National Park.
Catalogue of distribution of lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) from the Brazilian Amazonia. I. Dactyloidae, Hoplocercidae, Iguanidae, Leiosauridae, Polychrotidae, Tropiduridae
Authors: RIBEIRO-JÚNIOR MARCO A.
Published: July 2015

I present distribution data of all Dactyloidae, Hoplocercidae, Iguanidae, Leiosauridae, Polychrotidae and Tropiduridae lizards known from the Brazilian Amazonia, totaling 40 species-level taxa, belonging to 11 genera. This represents four more species-level taxa than previously reported for these families. Data were based on the direct examination of 41,243 specimens deposited in three North American and eight Brazilian musea, including the main collections harboring Amazonian material. Most species (62.5%) are endemic to the Amazonia; non-endemic species are mainly associated with open dry (semideciduous) forest or open vegetation (savanna) enclaves in Amazonia, with a few exceptions. As a whole, seven taxa are widespread in Amazonia, one is restricted to eastern Amazonia, three to western Amazonia, five to northern Amazonia (either in part of it or widespread in the Guiana region), two to northwestern Amazonia, one to southern Amazonia, nine to southwestern Amazonia, and seven to the southern peripheral portion of Amazonia. Five species have unique distributions and five species have a distribution that is congruent with one of the areas of endemism (AE) recognized for other organisms (birds and primates). The first herpetological gazetteer for the Brazilian Amazonia with about 3,600 georeferenced localities was also produced.
Midlatitude–Equatorial Dynamics of a Grounded Deep Western Boundary Current. Part I: Midlatitude Flow and the Transition to the Equatorial Region
Authors: Swaters Gordon E.
Published: July 2015

A comprehensive theoretical study of the nonlinear hemispheric-scale midlatitude and cross-equatorial steady-state dynamics of a grounded deep western boundary current is given. The domain considered is an idealized differentially rotating, meridionally aligned basin with zonally varying parabolic bottom topography so that the model ocean shallows on both the western and eastern sides of the basin. Away from the equator, the flow is governed by nonlinear planetary geostrophic dynamics on sloping topography in which the potential vorticity equation can be explicitly solved. As the flow enters the equatorial region, it speeds up and becomes increasingly nonlinear and passes through two distinguished inertial layers referred to as the “intermediate” and “inner” inertial equatorial boundary layers, respectively. The flow in the intermediate equatorial region is shown to accelerate and turn eastward, forming a narrow equatorial jet. The qualitative properties of the solution presented are consistent with the known dynamical characteristics of the deep western boundary currents as they flow from the midlatitudes into the tropics. The predominately zonal flow across the ocean basin in the inner equatorial region (and its exit from the equatorial region) is determined in Part II of this study.
Testing Mediation in Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Leth-Steensen Craig , Gallitto Elena
Published: July 2015

A large number of approaches have been proposed for estimating and testing the significance of indirect effects in mediation models. In this study, four sets of Monte Carlo simulations involving full latent variable structural equation models were run in order to contrast the effectiveness of the currently popular bias-corrected bootstrapping approach with the simple test of joint significance approach. The results from these simulations demonstrate that the test of joint significance had more power than bias-corrected bootstrapping and also yielded more reasonable Type I errors.
Investigation of capillary impregnation for permeability prediction of fibrous reinforcements
Authors: Koubaa Sana , Burtin Christian , Le Corre Steven
Published: July 2015

In thermoplastic pultrusion process, unidirectional glass fibre bundles are very often used as reinforcement. This study was motivated by the industrial requirement to evolve from low viscosity thermoset resin processes to high viscosity thermoplastic polymers. The key parameters to control the impregnation process are the permeability of the fibrous reinforcement and the capillary pressure. The current study's objectives are threefold: (1) study the fibres arrangement by X-ray tomography, (2) determine the longitudinal and transversal permeabilities as well as capillary pressure to use them as input parameters of impregnation process in pultrusion and (3) carry out sensitivity analyses of the permeability measurements to the perturbation of fibre structure. To reach these purposes, two theoretical models were used to determine both axial and transversal tow permeability. The axial impregnation of aligned fibres was described by Washburn equation applied to 1D infiltration into the bundles. The in-plane impregnation was described by Darcy's law. The elliptical equation for highly anisotropic medium was resolved. Results show that permeability measurements are subjected to large variations, caused by perturbation of the fibre architecture during experiments. Besides, it was shown that the tensile force applied on fibres during pultrusion has a great effect on impregnation. Indeed, the permeability increases with the applied tension.
Theoretical and computational modeling of clustering effect on effective thermal conductivity of cement composites filled with natural hemp fibers
Authors: Wang Hui , Lei Yong-Peng , Wang Jian-Shan , Qin Qing-Hua , Xiao Yi
Published: July 2015

This paper investigates the effects of clustering on the effective transverse thermal conductivity of unidirectional cement composites filled with natural hemp fibers. A typical clustering pattern with four hemp fibers embedded into cement matrix is designed as the representative two-dimensional unit cell, which is taken from the periodic cement composite under consideration, and a clustering degree parameter is introduced to adjust the distance between clustered fibers. For this heterogeneous two-component composite model, distributions of the heat flux component are obtained using finite element simulation for various clustering cases involving different global fiber volume concentrations, clustering degree parameters, and thermal conductivity of both fiber and matrix, to evaluate the effective thermal conductivity of the composite. To further reveal the effects caused by clustered fibers, a random cluster pattern of hemp fibers in the unit cell is considered for comparison with the present regular clustering pattern. Further, a simple theoretical model with specified flexible factor f is developed by matching the theoretical and numerical predictions.
Cellular Components Mediating Coadherence of Candida albicans and Fusobacterium nucleatum
Authors: Wu T. , Cen L. , Kaplan C. , Zhou X. , Lux R. , Shi W. , He X.
Published: July 2015

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen found as part of the normal oral flora. It can be coisolated with Fusobacterium nucleatum, an opportunistic bacterial pathogen, from oral disease sites, such as those involved in refractory periodontitis and pulp necrosis. The physical coadherence between these 2 clinically important microbes has been well documented and suggested to play a role in facilitating their oral colonization and colocalization and contributing to polymicrobial pathogenesis. Previous studies indicated that the physical interaction between C. albicans and F. nucleatum was mediated by the carbohydrate components on the surface of C. albicans and the protein components on the Fusobaterium cell surface. However, the identities of the components involved still remain elusive. This study was aimed at identifying the genetic determinants involved in coaggregation between the 2 species. By screening a C. albicans SN152 mutant library and a panel of F. nucleatum 23726 outer membrane protein mutants, we identified FLO9, which encodes a putative adhesin-like cell wall mannoprotein of C. albicans and radD, an arginine-inhibitable adhesin-encoding gene in F. nucleatum that is involved in interspecies coadherence. Consistent with these findings, we demonstrated that the strong coaggregation between wild-type F. nucleatum 23726 and C. albicans SN152 in an in vitro assay could be greatly inhibited by arginine and mannose. Our study also suggested a complex multifaceted mechanism underlying physical interaction between C. albicans and F. nucleatum and for the first time revealed the identity of major genetic components involved in mediating the coaggregation. These observations provide useful knowledge for developing new targeted treatments for disrupting interactions between these 2 clinically relevant pathogens.
The Crisis of New Labor and Alinsky’s Legacy
Authors: McAlevey Jane
Published: July 2015

Scholars attribute contemporary union failure to structural factors, such as the legal decision allowing striking workers to be permanently replaced, and to globalization. This article examines the strategic choices made by New Labor’s leadership after their victory at the AFL-CIO in 1995, and the choices made by the breakaway unions that formed Change to Win. I identify the influence of Saul Alinsky in the background of many of the current New Labor leaders and attribute the strengths and weaknesses of New Labor’s organizing approach to Alinsky’s strengths and weaknesses. I argue that despite two decades of rhetoric about organizing and the difficulties presented by a hostile climate, a critical factor in labor’s decline rests with decisions within its control: to embrace corporate campaigns and narrowly defined interest-based politics—decisions that led unions away from workers and the workplace and put them at odds with unorganized workers and the community.
Losers and Pareto optimality in optimising commuting patterns
Authors: Zhou Jiangping , Long Ying
Published: July 2015

When optimising the overall commuting pattern for a city or a region, there are often winners and losers among commuters at the subdivision level. Losers are those who are burdened with longer commutes than before the optimisation. Knowing who or where losers are is of interest to both researchers and policy-makers. The information would help them efficiently locate losers and compensate them. Few, however, pay attention to such losers. By revisiting ‘excess commuting’ in the economic framework, we show that optimising the commuting pattern is comparable to restoring Pareto optimality in commuting. Using Beijing as a case study, we identify and geo-visualise the losers when the city’s bus commuting pattern is optimised. We examine the severity of the loss among the losers, the spatial pattern of the losers and their influencing factors. We find that most losers are located around the epicenter. The severity of the loss is independent of jobs/housing ratio but is associated with the commute distance before the optimisation. Workers whose commute distance is less than the global average are more likely to become losers. Places where losers reside have significantly lower employment density in a few industries than where non-losers reside. A low jobs/housing ratio in individual subareas does not necessarily increase the average trip length of commuters therein. A low jobs/housing ratio of one or several subareas, however, could influence the average trip length of all the commuters in the area. Locating diverse jobs and housing opportunities around or along transit corridors could compensate the losers and reduce the overall commuting cost.
Waiting for the R train: Public transportation and employment
Authors: Tyndall Justin
Published: July 2015

Expanding employment opportunities for citizens has become an increasingly central goal of public policy in the United States. Prior work has considered that the inability of households to spatially access jobs may be a driver of unemployment. The provision of public transportation provides a viable policy lever to increase the number of job opportunities available to households. Previous research has yielded mixed results regarding whether household location is an important factor in determining employment status. Several papers have identified mobility as a limiting factor for obtaining a job, particularly in regards to private vehicle ownership. The location of economically developed neighbourhoods and the citing of public transportation are conceivably codetermined, presenting an endogenous relationship. It is therefore unclear if public transportation access is actually contributing to neighbourhood job market outcomes. This paper will use the incidence of Hurricane Sandy striking New York City on 29 October 2012 and the resulting exogenous reduction in public transit access to particular neighbourhoods as a natural experiment to test for the effect of public transportation on employment outcomes. This study identifies a significant causal effect linking public transportation access to neighbourhood unemployment rates, particularly amongst subgroups dependent on public transit.
Effects of China’s urban form on urban air quality
Authors: Lu Chen , Liu Yi
Published: July 2015

Poor urban air quality in China has received global attention. This article analyses the extent to which the urban form of all provincial and prefectural cities in China affects urban air quality. A geographically weighted regression model was used to quantify the relationship between the urban form indices, as well as the satellite-derived pollutant column density of NO2 and SO2. The results show that urban form has a significant effect on the urban air quality in China. The effect of urban form on air quality varies among the cities in this vast region. The compact ratio index is negatively correlated with both NO2 and SO2 column density for most of the cities. An ‘X’- or ‘H’-shaped city has less air pollution than a rhomboid-shaped city when the city is located in northern or central China. In comparison, the fractal dimension index is not a statistically significant predictor of air quality. Urban form can have effects on air quality that are equivalent to some meteorological and socioeconomic factors.
The politics of land supply and affordable housing: Auckland’s Housing Accord and Special Housing Areas
Authors: Murphy Laurence
Published: July 2015

Increasingly, planning for housing development involves political conflict between local government planning practices, based on urban sustainability and housing intensification, and central government housing policies, centred on land supply and housing affordability. This paper examines a key historical moment in the politics of housing supply and planning in New Zealand. Drawing upon a discourse analysis of a range of housing policy documents and urban plans, this paper traces the dynamic of local and central government negotiations and conflict arising from the development of Auckland’s spatial plan, the development of the Auckland Housing Accord (a central and local government agreement to fast-track planning permission for new housing) and the implementation of the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act. The paper focuses on the manner in which certain policy knowledge is prioritised and applied in the construction of affordable housing policies and how this process, which is presented as objective evidence-based policy formation, is inherently political. It is argued that the legislation supporting housing accords alters central/local government power relations and represents a challenge to the existing planning system.
The Political Economy of Brazil-China Trade Relations, 2000–2010
Authors: de Melo Maria Cristina Pereira , do Amaral Filho Jair
Published: July 2015

Sino-Brazilian trade reached record levels in 2010. At the core of this phenomenon was the return to a primary production structure reinforced by the difficulty of diversifying exports of Brazilian manufactures of higher value added and technological content. Brazilian imports have revolved around the acquisition of manufactures similar to the ones produced in Brazil and with a sophisticated technological profile. The results of this trade tie are related to differences in the development agendas of the two countries, especially their industrial policies.

Em 2010, o volume do comércio sino-brasileiro ultrapassou níveis anteriormente re-gistrados. O cerne desse fenômeno foi um retorno à estrutura de produção calçada no setor primário. Ademais, esse retorno foi reforçado pela dificuldade em diversificar as exportaçãoes dos manufaturados brasileiros de alto valor agregado e conteúdo tecnológico. As importações brasileiras estão centradas na aquisição de manufaturas similares às produzidas no Brasil e que apresentam um perfil tecnológico sofisticado. Os resultados desses laços comerciais correspondem às diferenças nas agendas de desenvolvimento dos dois países, especialmente suas respectivas políticas industriais.
Denoising of hydropower unit vibration signal based on variational mode decomposition and approximate entropy
Authors: An Xueli , Yang Junjie
Published: July 2015

A denoising method for a hydropower unit vibration signal based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) and approximate entropy is proposed. The signal was decomposed by VMD into discrete numbers of modes, then the approximate entropy of each mode was computed. These modes were reconstructed according to a preset threshold of the approximate entropy. Finally, the denoising of the hydropower unit vibration signal can be achieved. A simulation signal and real signals of hydropower unit vibration were used to verify the proposed method. The results showed that the proposed method had a good denoising performance and was better than the wavelet transform method in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), root mean square error (RMSE) and partial correlation index. It was ideally suited for the online denoising of the hydropower unit vibration signal.
Graphical tuning method for non-linear fractional-order PID-type controllers free of analytical model
Authors: Zheng Shiqi , Tang Xiaoqi , Song Bao
Published: July 2015

The main focus of this paper is on a graphical tuning method of non-linear fractional-order PID (FOPID)-type controllers, i.e. a class of FOPID-type controllers that non-linearly depend on the control parameters, e.g. FO[PI], FO[PD] etc. Firstly, a method is proposed to determine the stabilizing region of non-linear FOPID-type controllers, namely the complete sets of FOPID-type controllers providing stability of the control system. Secondly, two different approaches are proposed to determine the H∞ region of these FOPID-type controllers, namely the complete sets achieving H∞ robust performance specifications. The first approach maps the H∞ constraints into the parameter space by solving a series of non-linear equations. The second approach transforms the original H∞ region problem into simultaneous stabilization of a family of characteristic polynomials. It turns out that these two approaches are both very flexible, and the second approach is more efficient than the former. The main advantage of our proposed graphical tuning method is that the exact mathematical model of the controlled plant is not needed. The stabilizing and H∞ regions can be computed only from the frequency response data of the plant. Finally, numerical and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the proposed graphical tuning method.
Experimental studies on the dynamic behaviour of a robot cable-detecting system
Authors: Xu Fengyu , Wang Xingsong , Jiang Guoping
Published: July 2015

A cable-detecting robot usually works in a high-altitude environment that spans hundreds of meters. Thus, the stability and safety of the system are very important. To analyse further the dynamic performance of the robot–cable system, similar experimental models of cables on the Junshan Highway Bridge over the ChangJiang River are set up and vibration experiments are conducted. To study the effects of high-altitude wind load on the safe performance of the cable and on the climbing ability of the robot, transverse wind load is simulated and wind-load equivalent experiments on cable vibration are performed. The experimental results indicate that, under Grade 7 wind (wind velocity is less than 61 km/h), the vibration amplitude of the cable is significantly less than 2.5 D ( D is the diameter of the cable), although the vibration slightly increases. Under the circumstances, the cable cannot be damaged; therefore, the safety of the cable–robot system is demonstrated.
“We call it put him away”
Authors: Obermeyer Brice
Published: July 2015

An ethnographic approach for documenting the funerary nature of museum objects is offered to complement existing practices for documenting collections under Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. This approach draws on the Delaware Tribe’s work to identify funerary objects affiliated with the Delaware, which indicated that a cemetery, and not simply the graves within it, met the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act definition for a burial site. This approach also revealed that a funerary object would be all the items that were found in association with human remains and/or were recovered from the fill and surface of each individual grave. Using such an approach requires ongoing consultation and engagement with potentially affiliated tribes during the documentation process and will likely result in producing alternative perspectives for documenting collections. Although a more time-intensive approach, it is one that holds greater potential for interpreting the mortuary intent of curated objects.
Perceptual distortions and delusional thinking following ketamine administration are related to increased pharmacological MRI signal changes in the parietal lobe
Authors: Stone James , Kotoula Vasileia , Dietrich Craige , De Simoni Sara , Krystal John H , Mehta Mitul A
Published: July 2015

Ketamine produces effects in healthy humans that resemble the positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. We investigated the effect of ketamine administration on brain activity as indexed by blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal change response, and its relationship to ketamine-induced subjective changes, including perceptual distortion. Thirteen healthy participants volunteered for the study. All underwent a 15-min functional MRI acquisition with a ketamine infusion commencing after 5 min (approx 0.26 mg/kg over 20s followed by an infusion of approx. 0.42 mg/kg/h). Following the scan, participants self-rated ketamine-induced effects using the Psychotomimetic States Inventory. Ketamine led to widespread cortical and subcortical increases in BOLD response (FWE-corrected p < 0.01). Self-rated perceptual distortions and delusional thoughts correlated with increased BOLD response in the paracentral lobule (FWE-corrected p < 0.01). The findings suggest that BOLD increases in parietal cortices reflect ketamine effects on circuits that contribute to its capacity to produce perceptual alterations and delusional interpretations.
Multicentre investigation of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Ma Xiuqing , Cui Junchang , Wang Jing , Chang Yan , Fang Qiuhong , Bai Changqing , Zhou Xiumei , Zhou Hong , Feng Huasong , Wang Ying , Zhao Weiguo , Wen Zhongguang , Wang Ping , Liu Yi , Yu Ling , Li Chunsun , Chen Liangan
Published: July 2015

Objective

A prospective observational study to investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in Beijing, China.

Methods

Patients with AECOPD were recruited from 11 general hospitals. Sputum specimens were cultured and bacteria identified. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined for each isolate, and presence of antibiotic resistance genes was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 109/318 patients (34.28%); 124 isolates of 22 pathogenic bacterial species were identified, including Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.94%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.94%), Acinetobacter baumannii (11.29%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (8.87%), and Staphylococcus aureus (7.26%). S. aureus was sensitive to tigecycline, teicoplanin, vancomycin and linezolid but resistant to penicillin and levofloxacin. K.pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii and E. coli were susceptible to amikacin and cefoperazone.

Conclusions

K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa are the most common pathogenic bacteria in AECOPD cases in Beijing, China. Our antibiotic resistance findings may be helpful in selecting antibiotic therapy.
Occupational therapists as change agents in multidisciplinary teams
Authors: Brian Helen , Cook Sarah , Taylor Deborah , Freeman Lara , Mundy Tim , Killaspy Helen
Published: July 2015

Introduction

This qualitative study explored the experiences of occupational therapists attempting to implement change within multidisciplinary teams via a 5-week training intervention. This encouraged ward staff in inpatient mental health rehabilitation units to facilitate service user engagement in activities. This study is supplementary to a randomised control trial (RCT).

Method

Daily diaries and training reflections completed by two therapists (P1 and P2) during the training were subjected to Framework analysis. The indexing stage of this process was completed in collaboration with the participants.

Findings

When implementing change, the occupational therapists encountered a number of barriers such as emotional responses and attitudes towards service users. Facilitators of change included openness, sharing knowledge and skills, and reported change. The analysis revealed a change process moving from ‘assessing the context’, to ‘building relationships’ and ‘addressing issues’ that was aided by the therapists’ high-level skills and capacity for social and self-awareness.

Conclusion

The process of change aligned well with the chosen three-stage model of change as well as occupational therapy philosophy. When acting as change agents, the therapists adapted and applied their clinical skills to the organisational context in accord with their core values and capacity for social and self-awareness.