bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of materials and techniques in painted ceiling panels from a palace in Cremona (Italy, 15thcentury)
Authors: Malagodi Marco , Rovetta Tommaso , Licchelli Maurizio 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
This study concerns the analysis of four painted wooden panels from the second half of the 15th century which embellish the ceiling of a palace situated in Cremona (Northern Italy). This type of painting was generally used to decorate the top of the walls and the ceilings of the rooms in aristocratic palaces and they usually portray the owner’s ancestors, family members or important visitors. The paintings are of historical importance since they enable us to study the clothing and hair styles which were in fashionable in Italy during the Renaissance. These panels were heavily damaged and required a lot of restoration including the cleaning of the paint layers. This enabled us to carry out a thorough examination of the materials and techniques used for creating these paintings.

Results
Various micro-samples were taken in order to distinguish the materials and, in particular: (i) to analyze the ground layer and study its function; (ii) to typify the organic binders and the pigments of the polychrome films. The stratigraphic sequence of micro-samples was analyzed using optical microscopy, the elemental composition was determined by means of the SEM-EDX technique while the organic binders were analyzed by means of μFT-IR spectroscopy. The main component of ground layer proved to be clay. The organic binder was probably composed of a protein-based material such as animal glue. This type of ground layer is similar to the traditional 15th century Flemish formula and seems to confirm the strong influence of that artistic technique in Northern Italy. Cross-section investigation showed a primer layer over the ground layer made of white lead pigment. In fact, a white primer was used to cover the ground layer of yellowish clay common in Central Europe. The importance of this research is also confirmed by the study of paint films, for which pigments such as azurite or cinnabar were used. Red lake pigment for painting the subjects’ complexions was emphasized.

Conclusions
The analyses provide new detailed information concerning the materials used for painting the ceiling panels, the layer sequence of the paints and Northern Italian 15th century painting techniques.
Initial impacts of the Ticket to Work program: estimates based on exogenous variation in Ticket mail months
Authors: Stapleton David , Mamun Arif , Page Jeremy 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
This paper presents results from an impact analysis of the Ticket to Work (TTW) program, as implemented by the Social Security Administration (SSA) from 2002 through 2007. For new, young Social Security Disability beneficiaries, we use exogenous variation in the month of Ticket mailing to rigorously estimate impacts of TTW on beneficiary outcomes over a 48-month period following the start of Ticket mailings in the beneficiary’s state. We find substantial impacts on enrollment for employment services with TTW-qualified providers, but no consistent evidence of impacts on the number of months in which beneficiaries did not receive benefits because of work, or on other outcomes.

JEL classification

H55; I38
Next-generation transcriptome sequencing of the premenopausal breast epithelium using specimens from a normal human breast tissue bank
Authors: Pardo Ivanesa , Lillemoe Heather A , Blosser Rachel J , Choi MiRan , Sauder Candice A M , Doxey Diane K , Mathieson Theresa , Hancock Bradley A , Baptiste Dadrie , Atale Rutuja , Hickenbotham Matthew , Zhu Jin , Glasscock Jarret , Storniolo Anna Maria V , Zheng Faye , Doerge RW , Liu Yunlong , Badve Sunil , Radovich Milan , Clare Susan E 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Our efforts to prevent and treat breast cancer are significantly impeded by a lack of knowledge of the biology and developmental genetics of the normal mammary gland. In order to provide the specimens that will facilitate such an understanding, The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center (KTB) was established. The KTB is, to our knowledge, the only biorepository in the world prospectively established to collect normal, healthy breast tissue from volunteer donors. As a first initiative toward a molecular understanding of the biology and developmental genetics of the normal mammary gland, the effect of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives on DNA expression in the normal breast epithelium was examined.

Methods
Using normal breast tissue from 20 premenopausal donors to KTB, the changes in the mRNA of the normal breast epithelium as a function of phase of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception were assayed using next-generation whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq).

Results
In total, 255 genes representing 1.4% of all genes were deemed to have statistically significant differential expression between the two phases of the menstrual cycle. The overwhelming majority (221; 87%) of the genes have higher expression during the luteal phase. These data provide important insights into the processes occurring during each phase of the menstrual cycle. There was only a single gene significantly differentially expressed when comparing the epithelium of women using hormonal contraception to those in the luteal phase.

Conclusions
We have taken advantage of a unique research resource, the KTB, to complete the first-ever next-generation transcriptome sequencing of the epithelial compartment of 20 normal human breast specimens. This work has produced a comprehensive catalog of the differences in the expression of protein-coding genes as a function of the phase of the menstrual cycle. These data constitute the beginning of a reference data set of the normal mammary gland, which can be consulted for comparison with data developed from malignant specimens, or to mine the effects of the hormonal flux that occurs during the menstrual cycle.
Another brick in the wall of needs for invasive ventilation?
Authors: Quintel Michael , Moerer Onnen 
Published: March 2014

AbstractVentilator-induced lung injury and ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction are major complications in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure. Invasive ventilation adds a further burden by increasing the risk of infections. An approach that protects both lung and diaphragm is pivotal. Mirabella and colleagues compared conventional controlled ventilation with a mode that combines several potentially lung-protective properties - non-invasively applied neurally adjusted ventilatory assist - in an animal experiment. This approach seemed to be as effective but potentially more lung-protective. Although the experimental setup and results cannot be translated directly to the clinical setting, they should motivate us to further study this innovative approach.
Functional differentiation of midbrain neurons from human cord blood-derived induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Stanslowsky Nancy , Haase Alexandra , Martin Ulrich , Naujock Maximilian , Leffler Andreas , Dengler Reinhard , Wegner Florian 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer great promise for regenerative therapies or in vitro modelling of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Currently, widely used cell sources for the generation of hiPSCs are somatic cells obtained from aged individuals. However, a critical issue concerning the potential clinical use of these iPSCs is mutations that accumulate over lifetime and are transferred onto iPSCs during reprogramming which may influence the functionality of cells differentiated from them. The aim of our study was to establish a differentiation strategy to efficiently generate neurons including dopaminergic cells from human cord blood-derived iPSCs (hCBiPSCs) as a juvenescent cell source and prove their functional maturation in vitro.

Methods
The differentiation of hCBiPSCs was initiated by inhibition of transforming growth factor-β and bone morphogenetic protein signaling using the small molecules dorsomorphin and SB 431542 before final maturation was carried out. hCBiPSCs and differentiated neurons were characterized by immunocytochemistry and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction. Since functional investigations of hCBiPSC-derived neurons are indispensable prior to clinical applications, we performed detailed analysis of essential ion channel properties using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and calcium imaging.

Results
A Sox1 and Pax6 positive neuronal progenitor cell population was efficiently induced from hCBiPSCs using a newly established differentiation protocol. Neuronal progenitor cells could be further maturated into dopaminergic neurons expressing tyrosine hydroxylase, the dopamine transporter and engrailed 1. Differentiated hCBiPSCs exhibited voltage-gated ion currents, were able to fire action potentials and displayed synaptic activity indicating synapse formation. Application of the neurotransmitters GABA, glutamate and acetylcholine induced depolarizing calcium signal changes in neuronal cells providing evidence for the excitatory effects of these ligand-gated ion channels during maturation in vitro.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates for the first time that hCBiPSCs can be used as a juvenescent cell source to generate a large number of functional neurons including dopaminergic cells which may serve for the development of novel regenerative treatment strategies.
Thrombin promotes fibronectin secretion by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via the protease-activated receptor mediated signalling pathways
Authors: Chen Jin , Ma Yujie , Wang Zi , Wang Hengxiang , Wang Lisheng , Xiao Fengjun , Wang Hua , Tan Jianming , Guo Zikuan 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Fibronectin (FN) is commonly used in the development of serum-free media for the expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study was aimed to observe if thrombin could stimulate FN secretion by human bone marrow MSCs and investigate the potential underlying mechanisms.

Methods
PCR was performed to detect the expression of the protease-activated receptors (PARs) in MSCs. After thrombin treatment, the expression level and secretion of FN were observed by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence staining and ELISA, respectively, and the activation of ERK1/2 and NF kappa B pathways was revealed by Western blotting, with or without pre-treatment of small-molecule blockers specific for PAR-1 and –2. The phenotypic and functional activities of thrombin-treated MSCs were also observed.

Results
PCR analysis showed that human bone marrow MSCs expressed two subtypes of PARs, PAR-1 and PAR-2. Thrombin treatment enhanced MSCs to express FN at mRNA and protein levels and promoted FN secretion by MSCs, accompanied by potent adherence to the culture plastic. Thrombin induced prompt phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and NF kappa B p65 and the stimulatory effects of thrombin on FN secretion were blunted by specific inhibitors of these signaling molecules. Blockage to PAR-1 and PAR-2 partially abrogated thrombin-elicited FN secretion by MSCs and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, whereas that of NF kappa B p65 was unaffected. Moreover, thrombin-treated MSCs maintained the phenotypic features, in vitro osteogenesis and adipogenesis capacities, and inhibitory activity on Phytohemagglutinin-induced allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation.

Conclusions
Thrombin could promote FN secretion by MSCs via PAR-mediated ERK 1/2 activation, while NF kappa B might be also involved in an undefined manner.
Mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of midkine enhance cell survival and attenuate cardiac dysfunction in a rat model of myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhao Shu-Li , Zhang Yao-Jun , Li Ming-Hui , Zhang Xin-Lei , Chen Shao-Liang 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Elevated midkine (MK) expression may contribute to ventricular remodeling and ameliorate cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). Ex vivo modification of signaling mechanisms in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with MK overexpression may improve the efficacy of cell-based therapy. This study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of MSCs with MK overexpression transplantation in a rat model of MI.

Methods
A pLenO-DCE vector lentivirus encoding MK was constructed and infected in MSCs. MSC migration activity and cytoprotection was examined in hypoxia-induced H9C2 cells using transwell insert in vitro. Rats were randomized into five groups: sham, MI plus injection of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), MSCs, MSCs-green fluorescent protein (MSCs-GFP) and MSCs-MK, respectively. Survival rates were compared among groups using log-rank test and left ventricular function was measured by echocardiography at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

Results
Overexpression of MK partially prevented hypoxia-induced MSC apoptosis and exerted MSC cytoprotection to anoxia induced H9C2 cells. The underlying mechanisms may be associated with the increased mRNA and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transformation growth factor-β (TGF-β), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1a) in MSCs-MK compared with isolated MSCs and MSCs-GFP. Consistent with the qPCR results, the culture supernatant of MSCs-MK had more SDF-1a (9.23 ng/ml), VEGF (8.34 ng/ml) and TGF-β1 (17.88 ng/ml) expression. In vivo, a greater proportion of cell survival was observed in the MSCs-MK group than in the MSCs-GFP group. Moreover, MSCs-MK administration was related to a significant improvement of cardiac function compared with other control groups at 12 weeks.

Conclusions
Therapies employing MSCs with MK overexpression may represent an effective treatment for improving cardiac dysfunction and survival rate after MI.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone Deficiency in Girls With Congenital Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Deubzer Beate , Weber Karin , Lawrenz Barbara , Schweizer Roland , Binder Gerhard 
Published: March 2014

Context:
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is believed to validly reflect the ovarian reserve. We wanted to test whether congenital absence of gonadotropin stimulation of the ovaries affects AMH production.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to test the validity of AMH as a marker for the ovarian reserve in females with congenital multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD; deficiency of three or more axes).

Design:
This was a retrospective laboratory study.

Setting:
The study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology in a tertiary center.

Patients:
The AMH serum levels were assessed in females with congenital (n = 16; median age 12.5 y, range 0.7–31 y) or acquired (n = 20; 18.5 y, range 2–33 y) MPHD and in controls with short stature (n = 100; 9.7 y, range 2–17 y).

Main Outcome Measure:
AMH was measured by AMH Gen II ELISA from Beckmann Coulter.

Results:
In the controls, AMH ranged between 1.8 (P3) and 67.8 pmol/L (P97). Three patients with a severe form of congenital MPHD were AMH deficient, whereas the other 33 patients with MPHD had normal AMH levels. There was significantly more AMH deficiency in congenital than in acquired MPHD (P &lt; .05).

Conclusions:
Most girls with MPHD have normal serum AMH levels. However, some females with severe congenital MPHD are AMH deficient. This deficiency might be the result of the total absence of gonadotropins. In these females, AMH is unlikely to be an accurate prognostic parameter of the efficacy of fertility treatment.
On Terminology: are the Concepts of «Pedagogical Technology» and «Educational Technology» Identical?
Authors: Ахриева  , Akhrieva Anna 
Published: March 2014

Specifics of technological approach, underpinning current
educational paradigm, are discussed. Also highlighted are
terminological issues related to the notion of «technology», and
an effort is made to distinguish and demarcate the concepts of «pedagogical
» and «educational» as applied to the term «technology».
Current Technologies of Public Relations: Timely Trends
Authors: Моисеева  , Moiseeva Olga 
Published: March 2014

Swift progress in all kinds of communications, seen in
the recent years, prompts to seek out new ways of communicating
in the social sphere. The most demanded are communications in
the youth environment, which is known to be the most active and
aggressive. The paper explores current trends in the field of public
relations. Various aspects of target audience are considered,
recent changes in conditions and grounds for communications
are analyzed.
Medicaid Personal Care Services for Children With Intellectual Disabilities: What Assistance Is Provided? When Is Assistance Provided?
Authors: Elliott Timothy R. , Patnaik Ashweeta , Naiser Emily , Fournier Constance J. , McMaughan Darcy K. , Dyer James A. , Phillips Charles D. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
We report on the nature and timing of services provided to children with an intellectual disability (ID) identified by a new comprehensive assessment and care planning tool used to evaluate children's needs for Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) in Texas. The new assessment procedure resulted from a legal settlement with the advocacy community. Participants in the study were 1,109 children ages 4–20 with an intellectual disability diagnosis who were assessed between January and April of 2010. The need for assistance is higher on Saturday and Sunday, when school services are not available. We report differences in service patterns for children who vary in ID severity. Finally, we consider the implications of our results for policies and programs that serve families with children with an ID.
The Experience of Stress and Personal Growth Among Grandparents of Children With and Without Intellectual Disability
Authors: Findler Liora 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe aim of this research was to examine the contribution of internal and external resources to stress and personal growth among grandparents of children with and without an intellectual disability. Ninety-four grandparents of children with intellectual disability and 105 grandparents of children without intellectual disability completed the following scales: Multidimensional Experience of Grandparenthood; Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support, Level of Differentiation of Self Scale, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results indicate that group differences are reflected in higher negative emotions among grandparents of children without intellectual disability. In addition, both stress and growth are related to better health, lower level of education, family cohesiveness, and negative emotions. However, whereas stress is associated with the internal resource of self-differentiation, the external resource of social support, and the cost of grandparenthood, growth is associated with gender and the symbolic and behavioral aspects of the grandparenting role. This study aimed to correct the nearly exclusive focus in the literature on negativity, stress, and the burden of grandparenting children with intellectual disability, as well as to test the pervasive assumption that the absence of disability results in an almost entirely positive grandparenting experience with nearly no negative affect.
Aplicação de um gráfico cusum binomial no monitoramento de um indicador de água potável
Authors: Henning Elisa , Konrath Andréa Cristina , Walter Olga Maria Formigoni Carvalho , Alves Custodio da Cunha , Samohyl Robert Wayne 
Published: March 2014

A proposta deste artigo é analisar a aplicação de um gráfico de somas acumuladas (CUSUM) binomial no monitoramento da presença de coliformes totais, um indicador biológico para verificar a qualidade da água de abastecimento em um processo de tratamento de água. A série analisada é proveniente de uma estação de tratamento de água e corresponde ao período de 2007 a 2009, com frequência mensal. O tratamento estatístico dos dados foi realizado no GNU R, com desenvolvimento de rotinas para aproximar o limite superior do gráfico CUSUM binomial. Além disso, foi realizado um estudo comparativo para investigar se existe diferença significativa quanto à sensibilidade existente entre a aplicação do referido gráfico e o tradicional gráfico do tipo Shewhart, geralmente aplicado em monitoramento de processos. Os resultados demonstraram que este estudo foi fundamental para definir a melhor opção entre os gráficos para a análise estatística deste processo.
Sistema fuzzy para análise de riscos em projetos de software através dos atributos da norma de qualidade iso 25000
Authors: Shia Chau Sen , Costa Ivanir 
Published: March 2014

Com o crescimento da demanda por produtos e serviços na área de TI, as empresas encontram dificuldades em estabelecer uma métrica ou medida de qualidade de serviços para abordar de forma mensurável os valores qualitativos em seus planejamentos. Neste trabalho realiza-se o uso da lógica fuzzy, norma SQuaRE (medição da qualidade de produtos de software ), escala Likert, método GQM (Goal-Question-Metric – Indicador de Qualidade de Software) e a análise de risco de projeto do modelo de Boehm para avaliar a qualidade dos serviços e tomadas de decisão, segundo a sua demanda e solicitações de desenvolvimento de software. Com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade na prestação de serviços, o aplicativo desenvolvido é utilizado para integrar a equipe e acompanhar o ciclo de vida de um projeto desde a sua fase inicial e auxiliar na comparação com o cronograma proposto durante o levantamento de requisitos.
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN COACH EDUCATION PEDAGOGY
Authors: Morgan Kevin , Jones Robin L. , Gilbourne David , Llewellyn David 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT: We know that coach education programmes continue to be criticized for their largely didactic methods of delivery and rather superficial engagement with the complex reality of practice and we understand that innovative approaches in coach education pedagogy means moving somewhat away from the competencies based approach and it has been increasingly argued that the aim of coach education should be to develop in practitioners a ‘quality of mind’ so that they are better equipped to deal with the problematic and dynamic nature of their work. The skills of coach educators in facilitating the learning of student coaches are crucial to the effectiveness of the pedagogies. Coach educators, therefore, must be committed to the approaches outlined in this article and invest the time and work necessary to learning new skills if they are to be successfully implemented. We found that teaching in this way resulted in a raised degree of responsibility on behalf of the tutors, not so much in relation to their content delivery, but for the subsequent student interaction and learning (JONES et al., 2011). In this sense tutors took greater care to listen and react to group interactions, recognising that their (non) interventions at (in) appropriate times could genuinely affect and frame ensuing students’ discussions and perceptions. A further area of research, therefore, could be to explore the issues surrounding the training and support of coach educators in implementing such pedagogical innovative approaches to coach education. RESUMO: Sabemos que os trabalhos de orientação de técnicos/professores são muito criticados por seus métodos pouco se aproximarem de práticas inovadoras. No entanto, práticas pedagógicas inovadoras devem se aproximar da realidade prática e avançar aos métodos tradicionais, considerando que uma pedagogia inovadora deve mover alguém do lugar onde se encontra para conhecer novas possibilidades. As habilidades dos técnicos/professores devem ser trabalhadas no sentido dos mesmos se constituírem facilitadores do processo de aprendizagem dos estudantes para se pensar numa pedagogia inovadora. Entendemos que uma concepção pedagógica construída nessa direção possibilita o desenvolvimento tanto de técnicos/professores, assim como os estudantes e pesquisas educacionais devem caminhar nessa direção, tendo em vista a necessidade de transformação qualitativa dessa áreade atuação.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v24i1.2170