bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED: Is Listening Comprehension Influenced by the Cultural Knowledge of the Learners? A Case Study of Iranian EFL Pre-intermediate Learners
Authors: Bakhtiarvand Morteza , Adinevand Somaye 
Published: June 2011

At the request of the Editor the article ‘Is Listening Comprehension Influenced by the Cultural Knowledge of the Learners? A Case Study of Iranian EFL Pre-intermediate Learners’ by Morteza Bakhtiarvand and Somaye Adinevand RELC Journal August 2011 42: 111-124, doi:10.1177/0033688211401257 has been retracted because after publication in RELC Journal it has been found to be a republication of the following article: ‘The Impact of Cultural Knowledge on Listening Comprehension of EFL Learners’ by A. Majid Hayati, English Language Teaching September 2009, Volume 2, No.3 (http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/view/3704/3305) A similar article was also published in Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences: ‘Is Listening Comprehension Influenced by the Cultural Knowledge of the Learners? A Case Study of Iranian EFL pre-intermediate learners’ by Morteza Bakhtiarvand and Somaye Adinevand Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences, Volume 9, 2010 http://www.kon.org/urc/v9/bakhtiarvand.html. It is the publisher, SAGE, and the Editor’s understanding the article published in English Language Teaching is a paper extracted from Bakhtiarvand’s thesis and that Bakhtiarvand was A Majid Hayati’s student.
Learning Japanese by Reading ‘manga’: The Rise of ‘Soft Power Pedagogy’
Authors: Armour William Spencer 
Published: June 2011

Multimodal examples of Japanese language input (such as ‘manga’ and anime) have now become the default choice for curriculum designers, material developers, and classroom teachers to make learning ‘fun’. More traditional written only text-based materials are now in direct competition with such materials. While there has been a comfortable relationship in additional language (L2) teaching between using text and image, for example, pictures, fuzzy felt boards, and now much more sophisticated technology (e.g. Rosetta Stone™) to explicitly teach the lexico-grammar, the proliferation of ‘manga’ in Japanese language textbooks and as stand alone course materials, for example, has largely been left unproblematized. In this paper I explore three issues to using material examples of Japanese popular culture in the Japanese language classroom and beyond. First, I focus on ‘manga’ as a case study and relate it to a course that I have been teaching for the last five years using ‘manga’ as artefact. Second, I explore how using ‘manga’ and other J-pop artefacts can impact on how the notions of legitimacy and appropriateness are linked to constructions of learner and teacher identities. Third, I will introduce the concept of what I’ll call ‘soft power pedagogy’ as a way of theorizing the use and potential abuse of ‘manga’, anime and other examples of Japanese popular culture in and out of the classroom.
Compressor performance recovery system: which solution and when
Authors: Fabbri A , Traverso A , Cafaro S 
Published: June 2011

During normal operation, compressor is mainly affected by fouling due to air pollution, which causes its performance to degrade over time. The main solutions to reduce compressor fouling are off-line compressor washing, on-line compressor washing, and advanced air filtration systems. Overall, the choice of the best recovery system for each gas turbine in the specific power plant is not trivial. The aim of this study is to provide a guide to identify the best washing or filter devices for a gas turbine (GT) in a specific power plant site, using literature information and GT users data. Two procedures were conceived in order to have an user-friendly tool. ‘Best cleaning device’ was developed to help a GT user in the choice of the best devices for recovering compressor performance. Gathering information about GT performance and environmental conditions from real applicatios and literatures, a value of recommendation for each technology is provided. ‘Best cleaning time’ is based on the thermoeconomics theory of ‘best maintenance time’ and it provides the user an estimation about the best time to perform a compressor off-line or on-line washing. Both procedures have been proved on a few real cases, showing good results and indications to more in-depth development.
Analysis of binary cycle efficiency using Redlich–Kwong equation of state
Authors: Saunderson D J , Budiman R A 
Published: June 2011

Coal, natural gas, and nuclear power plants operate using various forms of Rankine cycle. A variant of Rankine cycle known as binary cycle has been implemented in power plants; yet, the optimization of binary cycles remains relatively unexplored. This article is concerned with efficiency maximization of binary cycle by investigating various working fluid materials for different operating conditions. We introduce a novel analysis approach by employing Redlich–Kwong equation of state to derive a simple, effective way to express the efficiency of binary cycles suitable for most working fluids. Five alkali metals and mercury are investigated for the topping cycle and two fluids for the bottoming cycle. The results show that for operating conditions of 1.25 MPa, 811 K, and 458 kPa, 589 K for the topping cycle and 10.6 MPa, 589 K, and 1.71 kPa, 289 K for the bottoming cycle, the mercury/ammonia combination provides the highest efficiency. For operating conditions of 1.25 MPa, 1123 K, and 458 kPa, 823 K for the topping cycle and 29 MPa, 823 K, and 4 kPa, 295 K for the bottoming cycle the mercury/ammonia combination also provides the highest efficiency. These binary cycle efficiencies are significantly higher than comparative Rankine cycle efficiencies.
Inflammation restraining effects of prostaglandin E2 on natural killer–dendritic cell (NK-DC) interaction are imprinted during DC maturation
Authors: Van Elssen Catharina H. M. J. , Vanderlocht Joris , Oth Tammy , Senden-Gijsbers Birgit L. M. G. , Germeraad Wilfred T. V. , Bos Gerard M. J. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAmong prostaglandins (PGs), PGE2 is abundantly expressed in various malignancies and is probably one of many factors promoting tumor growth by inhibiting tumor immune surveillance. In the current study, we report on a novel mechanism by which PGE2 inhibits in vitro natural killer–dendritic cell (NK-DC) crosstalk and thereby innate and adaptive immune responses via its effect on NK-DC crosstalk. The presence of PGE2 during IFN-γ/membrane fraction of Klebsiella pneumoniae DC maturation inhibits the production of chemokines (CCL5, CCL19, and CXCL10) and cytokines (IL-12 and IL-18), which is cAMP-dependent and imprinted during DC maturation. As a consequence, these DCs fail to attract NK cells and show a decreased capacity to trigger NK cell IFN-γ production, which in turn leads to reduced T-helper 1 polarization. In addition, the presence of PGE2 during DC maturation impairs DC-mediated augmentation of NK-cell cytotoxicity. Opposed to their inhibitory effects on peripheral blood–derived NK cells, PGE2 matured DCs induce IL-22 secretion of inflammation constraining NKp44+ NK cells present in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. The inhibition of NK-DC interaction is a novel regulatory property of PGE2 that is of possible relevance in dampening immune responses in vivo.
An RNAi-based system for loss-of-function analysis identifies Raf1 as a crucial mediator of BCR-ABL–driven leukemogenesis
Authors: Albers Corinna , Illert Anna L. , Miething Cornelius , Leischner Hannes , Thiede Melanie , Peschel Christian , Duyster Justus 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Genetic loss-of-function studies in murine tumor models have been essential in the analysis of downstream mediators of oncogenic transformation. Unfortunately, these studies are frequently limited by the availability of genetically modified mouse strains. Here we describe a versatile method allowing the efficient expression of an oncogene and simultaneous knockdown of targets of interest (TOI) from a single retroviral vector. Both oncogene and TOI-specific miR30-based shRNA are under the control of the strong viral long terminal repeat promoter, resulting in a single shared RNA transcript. Using this vector in a murine syngeneic BM transplantation model for BCR-ABL–induced chronic myeloid leukemia, we find that oncogene expression and target knockdown in primary hematopoietic cells with this vector is efficient both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrate that Raf1, but not BRAF, modulates BCR-ABL–dependent ERK activation and transformation of hematopoietic cells. This expression system could facilitate genetic loss-of-function studies and allow the rapid validation of potential drug targets in a broad range of oncogene-driven murine tumor models.
Adult human circulating CD34−Lin−CD45−CD133− cells can differentiate into hematopoietic and endothelial cells
Authors: Ciraci Elisa , Della Bella Silvia , Salvucci Ombretta , Rofani Cristina , Segarra Marta , Bason Caterina , Molinari Agnese , Maric Dragan , Tosato Giovanna , Berardi Anna C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA precise identification of adult human hemangioblast is still lacking. To identify circulating precursors having the developmental potential of the hemangioblast, we established a new ex vivo long-term culture model supporting the differentiation of both hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages. We identified from peripheral blood a population lacking the expression of CD34, lineage markers, CD45 and CD133 (CD34−Lin−CD45−CD133− cells), endowed with the ability to differentiate after a 6-week culture into both hematopoietic and endothelial lineages. The bilineage potential of CD34−Lin−CD45−CD133− cells was determined at the single-cell level in vitro and was confirmed by transplantation into NOD/SCID mice. In vivo, CD34−Lin−CD45−CD133− cells showed the ability to reconstitute hematopoietic tissue and to generate functional endothelial cells that contribute to new vessel formation during tumor angiogenesis. Molecular characterization of CD34−Lin−CD45−CD133− cells unveiled a stem cell profile compatible with both hematopoietic and endothelial potentials, characterized by the expression of c-Kit and CXCR4 as well as EphB4, EphB2, and ephrinB2. Further molecular and functional characterization of CD34−Lin−CD45−CD133− cells will help dissect their physiologic role in blood and blood vessel maintenance and repair in adult life.
BCR-ABL suppresses autophagy through ATF5-mediated regulation of mTOR transcription
Authors: Sheng Zhi , Ma Leyuan , Sun Jiaoyuan E. , Zhu Lihua J. , Green Michael R. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe oncoprotein BCR-ABL transforms myeloid progenitor cells and is responsible for the development of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In transformed cells, BCR-ABL suppresses apoptosis as well as autophagy, a catabolic process in which cellular components are degraded by the lysosomal machinery. The mechanism by which BCR-ABL suppresses autophagy is not known. Here we report that in both mouse and human BCR-ABL–transformed cells, activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5), a prosurvival factor, suppresses autophagy but does not affect apoptosis. We find that BCR-ABL, through PI3K/AKT/FOXO4 signaling, transcriptionally up-regulates ATF5 expression and that ATF5, in turn, stimulates transcription of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR; also called mechanistic target of rapamycin), a well-established master negative-regulator of autophagy. Previous studies have shown that the BCR-ABL inhibitor imatinib mesylate induces both apoptosis and autophagy, and that the resultant autophagy modulates the efficiency by which imatinib kills BCR-ABL–transformed cells. We demonstrate that imatinib-induced autophagy is because of inhibition of the BCR-ABL/PI3K/AKT/FOXO4/ATF5/mTOR pathway that we have identified in this study.
Unraveling the scissile bond: how ADAMTS13 recognizes and cleaves von Willebrand factor
Authors: Crawley James T. B. , de Groot Rens , Xiang Yaozu , Luken Brenda M. , Lane David A. 
Published: June 2011

Abstractvon Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large adhesive glycoprotein with established functions in hemostasis. It serves as a carrier for factor VIII and acts as a vascular damage sensor by attracting platelets to sites of vessel injury. VWF size is important for this latter function, with larger multimers being more hemostatically active. Functional imbalance in multimer size can variously cause microvascular thrombosis or bleeding. The regulation of VWF multimeric size and platelet-tethering function is carried out by ADAMTS13, a plasma metalloprotease that is constitutively active. Unusually, protease activity of ADAMTS13 is controlled not by natural inhibitors but by conformational changes in its substrate, which are induced when VWF is subject to elevated rheologic shear forces. This transforms VWF from a globular to an elongated protein. This conformational transformation unfolds the VWF A2 domain and reveals cryptic exosites as well as the scissile bond. To enable VWF proteolysis, ADAMTS13 makes multiple interactions that bring the protease to the substrate and position it to engage with the cleavage site as this becomes exposed by shear. This article reviews recent literature on the interaction between these 2 multidomain proteins and provides a summary model to explain proteolytic regulation of VWF by ADAMTS13.
Relationship between behavioural coping strategies and acceptance in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: Elucidating targets of interventions
Authors: Rodero Baltasar , Casanueva Benigno , Luciano Juan V , Gili Margalida , Serrano-Blanco Antoni , García-Campayo Javier 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Previous research has found that acceptance of pain is more successful than cognitive coping variables for predicting adjustment to pain. This research has a limitation because measures of cognitive coping rely on observations and reports of thoughts or attempts to change thoughts rather than on overt behaviours. The purpose of the present study, therefore, is to compare the influence of acceptance measures and the influence of different behavioural coping strategies on the adjustment to chronic pain.

Methods
A sample of 167 individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome completed the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory (CPCI) and the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ).

Results
Correlational analyses indicated that the acceptance variables were more related to distress and functioning than were behavioural coping variables. The average magnitudes of the coefficients for activity engagement and pain willingness (both subscales of pain acceptance) across the measures of distress and functioning were r = 0.42 and 0.25, respectively, meanwhile the average magnitude of the correlation between coping and functioning was r = 0.17. Regression analyses examined the independent, relative contributions of coping and acceptance to adjustment indicators and demonstrated that acceptance accounted for more variance than did coping variables. The variance contributed by acceptance scores ranged from 4.0 to 40%. The variance contributed by the coping variables ranged from 0 to 9%.

Conclusions
This study extends the findings of previous work in enhancing the adoption of acceptance-based interventions for maintaining accurate functioning in fibromyalgia patients.
Periostin: a promising target of therapeutical intervention for prostate cancer
Authors: Sun Chuanyu , Zhao Xiaojun , Xu Ke , Gong Jian , Liu Weiwei , Ding Weihong , Gou Yuancheng , Xia Guowei , Ding Qiang 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
In our recent study, Periostin was up-regulated in prostate cancer(PCa) compared with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) by proteomics analysis of prostate biopsies. We investigated the effect of sliencing Periostin by RNA interference (RNAi) on the proliferation and migration of PCa LNCap cell line.

Methods
All the prostate biopsies from PCa, BPH and BPH with local prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm(PIN) were analyzed by iTRAQ(Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) technology. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were used to verify Periostin expression in the tissues of PCa. Periostin expression in different PCa cell lines was determined by immunofluorescence staining, western blotting and reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR). The LNCap cells with Periostin expression were used for transfecting shRNA-Periostin lentiviral particles. The efficancy of transfecting shRNA lentiviral particles was evaluated by immunofluorescence, western blotting and Real-time PCR. The effect of silencing Periostin expression by RNAi on proliferation of LNCap cells was determined by MTT assay and tumor xenografts. The tissue slices from theses xenografts were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. The expression of Periostin in the xenografts was deteminned by Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. The migration of LNCap cells after silencing Periostin gene expression were analyzed in vitro.

Results
Periostin as the protein of interest was shown 9.12 fold up-regulation in PCa compared with BPH. The overexpression of Periostin in the stroma of PCa was confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Periostin was only expressed in PCa LNCap cell line. Our results indicated that the transfection ratio was more than 90%. As was expected, both the protein level and mRNA level of Periostin in the stably expressing shRNA-Periostin LNCap cells were significantly reduced. The stably expressing shRNA-Periostin LNCap cells growed slowly in vitro and in vivo. The tissues of xenografts as PCa were verificated by HE staining. Additionally, the weak positive Periostin expressed tumor cells could be seen in the tissues of 6 xenografts from the group of down-regulated Periostin LNCap cells which had a significant decrease of the amount of Periostin compared to the other two group. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that sliencing Periostin could inhibit migration of LNCap cells in vitro.

Conclusions
Our data indicates that Periostin as an up-regulated protein in PCa may be a promising target of therapeutical intervention for PCa in future.
Some extragradient methods for common solutions of generalized equilibrium problems and fixed points of nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Peng Jian-Wen 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this article, we introduce some new iterative schemes based on the extragradient method (and the hybrid method) for finding a common element of the set of solutions of a generalized equilibrium problem, and the set of fixed points of a family of infinitely nonexpansive mappings and the set of solutions of the variational inequality for a monotone, Lipschitz-continuous mapping in Hilbert spaces. We obtain some strong convergence theorems and weak convergence theorems. The results in this article generalize, improve, and unify some well-known convergence theorems in the literature.
An initial-boundary value problem for the one-dimensional non-classical heat equation in a slab
Authors: Salva Natalia Nieves , Tarzia Domingo Alberto , Villa Luis Tadeo 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Nonlinear problems for the one-dimensional heat equation in a bounded and homogeneous medium with temperature data on the boundaries x = 0 and x = 1, and a uniform spatial heat source depending on the heat flux (or the temperature) on the boundary x = 0 are studied. Existence and uniqueness for the solution to non-classical heat conduction problems, under suitable assumptions on the data, are obtained. Comparisons results and asymptotic behavior for the solution for particular choices of the heat source, initial, and boundary data are also obtained. A generalization for non-classical moving boundary problems for the heat equation is also given.

2000 AMS Subject Classification: 35C15, 35K55, 45D05, 80A20, 35R35.
Cinnamon extract inhibits α-glucosidase activity and dampens postprandial glucose excursion in diabetic rats
Authors: Mohamed Sham Shihabudeen H , Hansi Priscilla D , Thirumurugan Kavitha 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundα-glucosidase inhibitors regulate postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) by impeding the rate of carbohydrate digestion in the small intestine and thereby hampering the diet associated acute glucose excursion. PPHG is a major risk factor for diabetic vascular complications leading to disabilities and mortality in diabetics.Cinnamomum zeylanicum, a spice, has been used in traditional medicine for treating diabetes. In this study we have evaluated the α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of cinnamon extract to control postprandial blood glucose level in maltose, sucrose loaded STZ induced diabetic rats.MethodsThe methanol extract of cinnamon bark was prepared by Soxhlet extraction. Phytochemical analysis was performed to find the major class of compounds present in the extract. The inhibitory effect of cinnamon extract on yeast α-glucosidase and rat-intestinal α-glucosidase was determinedin vitroand the kinetics of enzyme inhibition was studied. Dialysis experiment was performed to find the nature of the inhibition. Normal male Albino wistar rats and STZ induced diabetic rats were treated with cinnamon extract to find the effect of cinnamon on postprandial hyperglycemia after carbohydrate loading.ResultsPhytochemical analysis of the methanol extract displayed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, coumarins and anthraquinones.In vitrostudies had indicated dose-dependent inhibitory activity of cinnamon extract against yeast α-glucosidase with the IC50value of 5.83 μg/ml and mammalian α-glucosidase with IC50value of 670 μg/ml. Enzyme kinetics data fit to LB plot pointed out competitive mode of inhibition and the membrane dialysis experiment revealed reversible nature of inhibition.In vivoanimal experiments are indicative of ameliorated postprandial hyperglycemia as the oral intake of the cinnamon extract (300 mg/kg body wt.) significantly dampened the postprandial hyperglycemia by 78.2% and 52.0% in maltose and sucrose loaded STZ induced diabetic rats respectively, compared to the control. On the other hand, in rats that received glucose and cinnamon extract, postprandial hyperglycemia was not effectively suppressed, which indicates that the observed postprandial glycemic amelioration is majorly due to α-glucosidase inhibition.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrates one of the mechanisms in which cinnamon bark extract effectively inhibits α-glucosidase leading to suppression of postprandial hyperglycemia in STZ induced diabetic rats loaded with maltose, sucrose. This bark extract shows competitive, reversible inhibition on α-glucosidase enzyme. Cinnamon extract could be used as a potential nutraceutical agent for treating postprandial hyperglycemia. In future, specific inhibitor has to be isolated from the crude extract, characterized and therapeutically exploited.