bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Structure of Geotextile Called Soil Nets for Reinforcement
Authors: Xiong Bo-Bo , Tian Bin , Lu Xiao-chun , Chen Bo-Fu
Published: September 2017

This paper proposes a new reinforcement structure called soil nets firstly, which is capable of strengthening foundations, slopes, and other structures with better effect than that of soilbags. This proposed geotextile structure typically contains several layers of soil net, which are placed in a unique way. One layer of soil net can be described as a collection of spherical soilbags that are connected together in two directions, one in which they are connected by ropes and another in which they are connected by the PP woven bags that contain the soil. A mechanical property analysis of the soil nets shows that the yield stress of the soil within the soil nets is improved, the tensile capacity of the soil nets is greater than that of the soil with which it is filled, and the equivalent coefficient of interlayer friction between the connected soil nets is larger than that for soilbags. Applications of this new reinforcement structure in the reinforcement of a foundation and a slope are considered, and the corresponding reinforcement effects are calculated. The calculation results demonstrate that the soil nets concept yields efficient reinforcement structures with many advantages.
Dos efeitos de um exílio: Moses Finley na Inglaterra
Authors: Palmeira Miguel Soares
Published: September 2017

Analisam-se aqui os significados da expatriação para a trajetória de Moses I. Finley (1912-1986), historiador de origem estadunidense ao qual se atribui um papel importante na reconfiguração dos estudos de História Antiga Greco-Romana na Inglaterra. Começa-se por uma caracterização do êxito acadêmico do personagem em questão, acompanhada de uma crítica à maneira como os pares de Finley ligam esse êxito à condição de exilado. Procede-se em seguida a uma descrição das condições da ida para a Inglaterra, em um primeiro movimento de apresentação dos traços pertinentes à compreensão da trajetória do historiador. A isso sucede um exame de certas marcas das obras de Finley do início dos anos 1950 que contribuem para regular sua inscrição no universo social dos classicistas da Inglaterra. Por fim, procura-se mapear constrangimentos e possibilidades postos a Finley devido à sua condição de “estrangeiro” (ou de historiador estrangeirado) no mundo acadêmico britânico, com o que se espera invocar elementos de algum modo úteis para a discussão de tipos análogos de exílio.
Temporary Suppression of Cardiac Ganglionated Plexi Leads to Long‐Term Suppression of Atrial Fibrillation: Evidence of Early Autonomic Intervention to Break the Vicious Cycle of “AF Begets AF”
Authors: Lo Li‐Wei , Chang Hung‐Yu , Scherlag Benjamin J. , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Chou Yu‐Hui , Lin Wei‐Lun , Chen Shih‐Ann , Po Sunny S.
Published: September 2017

Background

Botulinum toxin (
BTX
), temporarily suppressing cholinergic transmission (<3 weeks), has been reported to suppress atrial fibrillation (
AF
) for ≥1 year. We aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying long‐term suppression of
AF
caused by injecting
BTX
into major atrial ganglionated plexi (GPs).

Methods and Results

Bilateral thoracotomies in anesthetized dogs allowed programmed stimulation at 4 pulmonary veins, biatrial appendages, and the superior vena cava to determine the effective refractory period (
ERP
) in the first operation. Group 1 (n=10) received
BTX
injection into all
GP
s; group 2 (n=7) received no injection. Groups 1 and 2 received rapid atrial pacing (800 bpm) 6 days a week. Group 3 (n=7) did not undergo thoracotomy or rapid atrial pacing to serve as controls for histological studies. A second operation and the same measurements were made 3 months later. During the first operation in group 1,
ERP
s of 4 pulmonary veins, but not biatrial appendages or superior vena cava, increased immediately after
BTX
injection.
AF
burdens increased significantly from the fifth week after the first operation in group 2 but not in group 1. In the second operation,
ERP
s remained unchanged compared with
ERP
s before
BTX
injection in group 1, whereas
ERP
s shortened significantly at all sites except the superior vena cava in group 2. There was no difference of autonomic nerve density between group 1 and group 3. The
GP
choline acetyltransferase (+) and atrial tyrosine hydroxylase (+) nerve densities were higher in group 2 than in group 1 and group 3.

Conclusions

Temporary suppression of major atrial
GPs
by
BTX
prevents autonomic remodeling and provides long‐term suppression of
AF
, indicating the critical role of
GPs
in
AF
progression.
Further Insights in the Most Common
SCN5A
Mutation Causing Overlapping Phenotype of Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Conduction Defect
Authors: Veltmann Christian , Barajas‐Martinez Hector , Wolpert Christian , Borggrefe Martin , Schimpf Rainer , Pfeiffer Ryan , Cáceres Gabriel , Burashnikov Elena , Antzelevitch Charles , Hu Dan
Published: September 2017

Background

Phenotypic overlap of type 3 long
QT
syndrome (
LQT
3), Brugada syndrome (BrS), cardiac conduction disease (
CCD
), and sinus node dysfunction (
SND
) is observed with

SCN
5A

mutations.

SCN
5A

‐E1784K is the most common mutation associated with BrS and
LQTS
3. The present study examines the genotype–phenotype relationship in a large family carrying

SCN
5A

‐E1784K and

SCN
5A

‐H558R polymorphism.

Methods and Results

Clinical work‐up, follow‐up, and genetic analysis were performed in 35 family members. Seventeen were

SCN
5A

‐E1784K positive. They also displayed
QT
c prolongation, and either BrS,
CCD
, or both. One carrier exhibited
SND
. The presence of

SCN
5A

‐H558R did not significantly alter the phenotype of

SCN
5A

‐E1784K carriers. Fourteen

SCN
5A

‐E1784K patients underwent implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (
ICD
) implantation; 4 developed
VF
and received appropriate
ICD
shocks after 8±3 months of follow‐up. One patient without
ICD
also developed
VF
after 6.7 years. These 5 cases carried both

SCN
5A

‐E1784K and

SCN
5A

‐H558R. Functional characterization was achieved by expressing

SCN
5A

variants in
TSA
201 cells. Peak (I
Na,P
) or late (I
Na,L
) sodium currents were recorded using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques. Co‐expression of

SCN
5A

‐E1784K and

SCN
5A

‐
WT
reduced I
Na,P
to 70.03% of
WT
, shifted steady‐state inactivation by −11.03 mV, and increased I
Na,L
from 0.14% to 1.86% of I
Na,P
. Similar changes were observed when

SCN
5A

‐E1784K was co‐expressed with

SCN
5A

‐H558R.

Conclusions

We demonstrate a strong genotype‐phenotype correlation with complete penetrance for BrS,
LQTS
, or
CCD
in the largest family harboring

SCN
5A

‐E1784K mutation described so far. Phenotype of
LQTS
is present during all decades of life, whereas
CCD
develops with increasing age. Phenotypic overlap may explain the high event rate in carriers.
Extracardial Vasculopathy After Kawasaki Disease: A Long‐Term Follow‐up Study
Authors: Dietz Sanne M. , Tacke Carline E. , de Groot Eric , Kuipers Irene M. , Hutten Barbara A. , Kuijpers Taco W. , ten Berge Maartje , Biezeveld Maarten H. , Bruijn Martijn , Delemarre Luçan C. , Dolman Koert M. , Filippini Luc H.P.M. , Hendriks Tom , Maingay‐Visser Dianne A.P.G.F. , Noordzij Jeroen G. , Nuboer Roos , Plötz Frans B. , Rozendaal Lieke , ten Tusscher Gavin W. , Starreveld Sander , Verhoeven Jennifer J. , Weggelaar Nielske M. , Weijer Olivier , de Winter Peter
Published: September 2017

Background

Kawasaki disease (
KD
) is a pediatric vasculitis with coronary artery aneurysm (
CAA
) as a major complication. Controversy exists about cardiovascular risk later in life. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether
KD
patients are at increased risk, as assessed by carotid intima‐media thickness (
cIMT
).

Methods and Results

We measured
cIMT
over 15 years by B‐mode ultrasonography in
KD
patients during follow‐up and in unaffected controls (mostly siblings). A multilevel, repeated‐measures, linear mixed‐effects model was used to evaluate the association between
KD
and
cIMT
. A total of 319 patients with 528 measurements were compared with 150 controls. In
KD
patients, the mean
cIMT
was increased compared with controls (0.375 mm [95%
CI
0.372–0.378 mm] versus 0.363 mm [95%
CI
0.358–0.368 mm];
P
<0.001). Furthermore, mean
cIMT
of
CAA
‐negative patients was 0.373 mm (
P
<0.01 compared with controls), of patients with small–medium
CAA
was 0.374 mm (
P
<0.05 compared with controls), and of patients with giant
CAA
was 0.381 mm (
P
<0.01 compared with controls). Compared with controls,
CAA
‐negative participants started with an increased
cIMT
(+0.0193±0.0053 mm,
P
<0.001) but showed slower progression (−0.0014±0.0006 mm/year,
P
=0.012). Patients with giant
CAA
showed a trend toward increased
cIMT
progression (0.0013±0.0007 mm/year,
P
=0.058).

Conclusions

We observed a positive correlation between
cIMT
and
KD
severity of coronary arteritis at the acute stage. Although initially increased, the
cIMT
in
CAA
‐negative patients normalized at a later age. In contrast, patients with a history of
KD
complicated by giant
CAA
showed a trend toward persistently increased
cIMT
. These patients may need cardiovascular counseling and follow‐up beyond the heart.
Stability of High‐Quality Warfarin Anticoagulation in a Community‐Based Atrial Fibrillation Cohort: The Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) Study
Authors: Dallalzadeh Liane O. , Go Alan S. , Chang Yuchiao , Borowsky Leila H. , Fang Margaret C. , Singer Daniel E.
Published: September 2017

Background

Warfarin reduces ischemic stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (
AF
) but increases bleeding risk. Novel anticoagulants challenge warfarin as stroke‐preventive therapy for
AF
. They are available at fixed doses but are more costly. Warfarin anticoagulation at a time in therapeutic range (
TTR
) ≥70% is similarly as effective and safe as novel anticoagulants. It is unclear whether
AF
patients with
TTR
≥70% will remain stably anticoagulated and avoid the need to switch to a novel anticoagulant. We assessed stability of warfarin anticoagulation in
AF
patients with an initial
TTR
≥70%.

Methods and Results

Within the community‐based Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in AF (ATRIA) cohort followed from 1996 to 2003, we identified 2841 new warfarin users who continued warfarin over 9 months. We excluded months 1 to 3 to achieve a stable dose. For the 987 patients with TTR ≥70% in an initial 6‐month period (
TTR
1
; months 4–9), we described the distribution of
TTR
2
(months 10–15) and assessed multivariable correlates of persistent
TTR
≥70%. Of patients with
TTR
1
≥70%, 57% persisted with
TTR
2
≥70% and 16% deteriorated to
TTR
2
<50%. Only initial
TTR
1
≥90% (adjusted odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.07–2.01) independently predicted
TTR
2
≥70%. Heart failure was moderately associated with marked deterioration (
TTR
2
<50%); adjusted odds ratio 1.45, 95% CI 1.00–2.10.

Conclusions

Nearly 60% of
AF
patients with high‐quality

TTR
1

on warfarin maintained
TTR
≥70% over the next 6 months. A minority deteriorated to very poor
TTR
. Patient features did not strongly predict
TTR
in the second 6‐month period. Our analyses support watchful waiting for
AF
patients with initial high‐quality warfarin anticoagulation before considering alternative anticoagulants.
Zofenopril Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury by Increasing Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Sulfide Bioavailability
Authors: Donnarumma Erminia , Ali Murtuza J. , Rushing Amanda M. , Scarborough Amy L. , Bradley Jessica M. , Organ Chelsea L. , Islam Kazi N. , Polhemus David J. , Evangelista Stefano , Cirino Giuseppe , Jenkins J. Stephen , Patel Rajan A. G. , Lefer David J. , Goodchild Traci T.
Published: September 2017

Background

Zofenopril, a sulfhydrylated angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), reduces mortality and morbidity in infarcted patients to a greater extent than do other ACEIs. Zofenopril is a unique
ACE
I that has been shown to increase hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S) bioavailability and nitric oxide (
NO
) levels via bradykinin‐dependent signaling. Both H
2
S and
NO
exert cytoprotective and antioxidant effects. We examined zofenopril effects on H
2
S and
NO
bioavailability and cardiac damage in murine and swine models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (
I
/R) injury.

Methods and Results

Zofenopril (10 mg/kg
PO
) was administered for 1, 8, and 24 hours to establish optimal dosing in mice. Myocardial and plasma H
2
S and
NO
levels were measured along with the levels of H
2
S and
NO
enzymes (cystathionine β‐synthase, cystathionine γ‐lyase, 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase). Mice received 8 hours of zofenopril or vehicle pretreatment followed by 45 minutes of ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion. Pigs received placebo or zofenopril (30 mg/daily orally) 7 days before 75 minutes of ischemia and 48 hours of reperfusion. Zofenopril significantly augmented both plasma and myocardial H
2
S and
NO
levels in mice and plasma H
2
S (sulfane sulfur) in pigs. Cystathionine β‐synthase, cystathionine γ‐lyase, 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase, and total endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels were unaltered, while phospho‐endothelial nitric oxide synthase
1177
was significantly increased in mice. Pretreatment with zofenopril significantly reduced myocardial infarct size and cardiac troponin I levels after
I
/R injury in both mice and swine. Zofenopril also significantly preserved ischemic zone endocardial blood flow at reperfusion in pigs after I/R.

Conclusions

Zofenopril‐mediated cardioprotection during
I
/R is associated with an increase in H
2
S and
NO
signaling.
Electronic Alert System for Improving Stroke Prevention Among Hospitalized Oral‐Anticoagulation‐Naïve Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Silbernagel Günther , Spirk David , Hager Adrian , Baumgartner Iris , Kucher Nils
Published: September 2017

Background

Many patients with atrial fibrillation (
AF
) do not receive oral anticoagulants (
OAC
) for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism. We aimed to improve the prescription of (
OAC
) among hospitalized patients with
AF
.

Methods and Results

We developed a computer‐based electronic alert system for identifying hospitalized
OAC
‐naïve patients with
AF
. The alert system contained a
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score calculation tool and provided recommendations for
OAC
prescription. The alert system was tested in a 1:1 randomized controlled trial at the University Hospital Bern: Patients with suspected
AF
without an active prescription order were allocated to an alert group in which an alert was issued in the electronic patient chart and order entry system or to a control group in which no alert was issued. The primary end point was the rate of adequate
OAC
prescription at hospital discharge, defined as prescription in
OAC
‐naïve men and women with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score ≥1 and ≥2, respectively. Overall, 889
OAC
‐naïve patients (455 from the alert group and 434 from the control group) were eligible for analysis. Although the
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score module was used in only 48 (10.5%) patients from the alert group, 100 (22.0%) patients from the alert group versus 69 (15.9%) from the control group received adequate
OAC
prescription (relative risk 1.38;
P
=0.021).
OAC
or antiplatelet therapy was prescribed in 325 (71.4%) patients from the alert group versus 271 (62.4%) from the control group (
P
=0.004).

Conclusions

Versus standard care, the alert system modestly improved
OAC
prescription among consecutive hospitalized
AF
patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02455102.
Nanoparticle‐Mediated Delivery of Mitochondrial Division Inhibitor 1 to the Myocardium Protects the Heart From Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury Through Inhibition of Mitochondria Outer Membrane Permeabilization: A New Therapeutic Modality for Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ishikita Ayako , Matoba Tetsuya , Ikeda Gentaro , Koga Jun‐ichiro , Mao Yajing , Nakano Kaku , Takeuchi Osamu , Sadoshima Junichi , Egashira Kensuke
Published: September 2017

Background

Mitochondria‐mediated cell death plays a critical role in myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion (
IR
) injury. We hypothesized that nanoparticle‐mediated drug delivery of mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi1) protects hearts from
IR
injury through inhibition of mitochondria outer membrane permeabilization (
MOMP
), which causes mitochondrial‐mediated cell death.

Methods and Results

We formulated poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing Mdivi1 (Mdivi1‐
NP
). We recently demonstrated that these nanoparticles could be successfully delivered to the cytosol and mitochondria of cardiomyocytes under H
2
O
2
‐induced oxidative stress that mimicked
IR
injury. Pretreatment with Mdivi1‐
NP
ameliorated H
2
O
2
‐induced cell death in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes more potently than Mdivi1 alone, as indicated by a lower estimated half‐maximal effective concentration and greater maximal effect on cell survival. Mdivi1‐
NP
treatment of Langendorff‐perfused mouse hearts through the coronary arteries at the time of reperfusion reduced infarct size after
IR
injury more effectively than Mdivi1 alone. Mdivi1‐
NP
treatment also inhibited Drp1‐mediated Bax translocation to the mitochondria and subsequent cytochrome
c
leakage into the cytosol, namely,
MOMP
, in mouse
IR
hearts.
MOMP
inhibition was also observed in cyclophilin D knockout (CypD‐
KO
) mice, which lack the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (
MPTP
) opening. Intravenous Mdivi1‐
NP
treatment in vivo at the time of reperfusion reduced
IR
injury in wild‐type and CypD‐
KO
mice, but not Bax‐
KO
mice.

Conclusions

Mdivi1‐
NP
treatment reduced
IR
injury through inhibition of
MOMP
, even in the absence of a CypD/
MPTP
opening. Thus, nanoparticle‐mediated drug delivery of Mdivi1 may be a novel treatment strategy for
IR
injury.
Semantically Congruent Visual Stimuli Can Improve Auditory Memory
Authors: Heikkilä Jenni , Alho Kimmo , Tiippana Kaisa
Published: September 2017

We investigated the effects of audiovisual semantic congruency on recognition memory performance. It has been shown previously that memory performance is better for semantically congruent stimuli that are presented together in different modalities (e.g., a dog’s bark with a picture of the dog) during encoding, compared to stimuli presented together with an incongruent or non-semantic stimulus across modalities. We wanted to clarify whether this congruency effect is also present when the effects of response bias and uncertainty of stimulus type are removed. The participants memorized auditory or visual stimuli (sounds, spoken words or written words), which were either presented with a semantically congruent stimulus in the other modality or presented alone during encoding. This experimental paradigm allowed us to utilize signal detection theory in performance analysis. In addition, it enabled us to eliminate possible effects caused by intermingling congruent stimuli with incongruent or non-semantic stimuli, as previously done in other studies. The memory of sounds was facilitated when accompanied by semantically congruent pictures or written words, in comparison to sounds presented in isolation. The memory of spoken words was facilitated by semantically congruent pictures. However, written words did not facilitate memory of spoken words, or vice versa. These results suggest that semantically congruent verbal and non-verbal visual stimuli presented in tandem with auditory counterparts, can enhance the precision of auditory encoding, except when the stimuli in each modality are both verbal.
Semantic Congruency Improves Recognition Memory Performance for Both Audiovisual and Visual Stimuli
Authors: Heikkilä Jenni , Alho Kimmo , Tiippana Kaisa
Published: September 2017

Audiovisual semantic congruency during memory encoding has been shown to facilitate later recognition memory performance. However, it is still unclear whether this improvement is due to multisensory semantic congruency or just semantic congruency per se. We investigated whether dual visual encoding facilitates recognition memory in the same way as audiovisual encoding. The participants memorized auditory or visual stimuli paired with a semantically congruent, incongruent or non-semantic stimulus in the same modality or in the other modality during encoding. Subsequent recognition memory performance was better when the stimulus was initially paired with a semantically congruent stimulus than when it was paired with a non-semantic stimulus. This congruency effect was observed with both audiovisual and dual visual stimuli. The present results indicate that not only multisensory but also unisensory semantically congruent stimuli can improve memory performance. Thus, the semantic congruency effect is not solely a multisensory phenomenon, as has been suggested previously.
Gender, Race, Class, and the Politics of Schooling in the Inner City
Authors: Gadsden Vivian L.
Published: September 2017

The politics of gender, race, and class are present within and outside of schools, and are pivotal issues raised in the policies and practices of schooling. This article focuses on the ways in which gender, race, and class are addressed within institutional practices and politics, both historically and in contemporary inner-city schooling. I examine gender, race, and class as integrated or intersectional identities, rather than as isolated status categories. The discussion highlights experiences and perspectives of African American youth who identify as girls to depict the complex intersectional dynamics of gender, race, and class; and argues that these dynamics influence, if not dictate, the quality of their in-school and life experiences. I then identify new directions for research and practice that recognize and build upon inner-city students’ intersectional identities, urging policy initiatives that promote educational success while advancing equal educational opportunity.
The Devolution of the Inner-City High School
Authors: Anderson Elijah
Published: September 2017

Over the past century, the inner-city high school has devolved from a place that was indicative of progress and social betterment to an institution that is severely challenged by structural poverty and racial inequality. Exploring the connections between education and the process of demographic, economic, and political change in Philadelphia, this article considers white resistance to the presence of black people in white neighborhoods and black students in their public schools and, ultimately, the white workplace itself. The typical inner-city high school is no longer widely perceived as a “cathedral of learning,” an engine of upward mobility, and a center of civic pride; it now symbolizes many of the ills of the ghetto. As black and increasingly impoverished students replaced those who were white and middle and working class, public investment in the school declined; it lost the moral authority, political power, and finances so vital to fulfilling its educational mission.
The Fight: Discipline and Race in an Inner-City Public Charter High School
Authors: Kulkarni Vani S.
Published: September 2017

What are the disciplinary practices in which inner-city schools engage? How is order maintained or restored? Drawing on a three-year ethnographic study of a public charter school in Philadelphia, this study demonstrates the significance of understanding school discipline through a cultural lens. Beginning with a case study of a fight in the cafeteria, I describe how teachers, administrators, and students made sense of the school’s disciplinary ethos and how the disciplinary gaze that pervaded the school put invisible pressure on staff and students. Teachers and administrators in charge of discipline, who were overwhelmingly white, made implicit racial appeals regarding what practices were the most effective and fair to students who were overwhelmingly black and from single-parent, economically precarious households in urban neighborhoods.
International Tourist Arrival in India
Authors: Gunasekar Sangeetha , Patri Rojalin , Narayanan Badri
Published: September 2017

India experienced terror attack on its financial and entertainment capital Mumbai on 26 November 2008. There were 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks which lasted four days, killing 164 and injuring several hundred (Press Information Bureau, 2008, HM announces measured to enhance security, New Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI.). The attack was largely targeted towards international tourists visiting Mumbai at the hotels like Oberoi Trident, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and Leopard Café. The objective of this article is to study the impact of the 26/11 terror attack on the arrival of international tourists in India. Very few studies in the literature have examined the impact of terrorist attacks on the tourism industry. (For more recent work see Arana & Leon, 2008, Annals of Tourism Research, 35, 299–315; Raza & Jawaid, 2013, Economic Modelling, 33, 65–70.) Our article tries to add evidence to this growing literature. Further in analyzing tourist demand, several researchers (see Song et al., 2012 for a review) have studied the relationship between tourism and economic growth. While studies have found unidirectional relationship between international tourism and economic growth (e.g., Balaguer & Cantavella-Jorda, 2002; Oh, 2005), there are others who find evidence supporting bidirectional relationship (e.g., Dritsakis, 2004; Kim & Chen, 2006, Tourism Management, 27, 925–933). In our study, we assume a bidirectional relationship between foreign tourists arriving in India and its economic condition. In the present study, we analyze the impact of 26/11 terror attack at Mumbai on the international tourist arrival in India. The analysis is done using the vector autoregression (VAR) model, where the foreign tourists arriving in India is a function of economic condition prevailing in the country, captured here by real gross domestic product of India and the terror attack dummy variable. Our results indicate that post 26/11 there has been a significant decline in the number of foreign tourists arriving in India. We further analyze the disaggregated airport level data, where similar significant negative impact were found for Mumbai and Delhi airports.

JEL: L83, Z32, Z38
The Impact of Incorporating Antimicrobials into Implant Surfaces
Authors: Hickok N.J. , Shapiro I.M. , Chen A.F.
Published: September 2017

With the increase in numbers of joint replacements, spinal surgeries, and dental implantations, there is an urgent need to combat implant-associated infection. In addition to stringent sterile techniques, an efficacious way to prevent this destructive complication is to create new implants with antimicrobial properties. Specifically, these implants must be active in the dental implant environment where the implant is bathed in the glycoprotein-rich salivary fluids that enhance bacterial adhesion, and propagation, and biofilm formation. However, in designing an antimicrobial surface, a balance must be struck between antimicrobial activity and the need for the implant to interact with the bone environment. Three types of surfaces have been designed to combat biofilm formation, while attempting to maintain osseous interactions: 1) structured surfaces where topography, usually at the nanoscale, decreases bacterial adhesion sufficiently to retard establishment of infection; 2) surfaces that actively elute antimicrobials to avert bacterial adhesion and promote killing; and 3) surfaces containing permanently bonded agents that generate antimicrobial surfaces that prevent long-term bacterial adhesion. Both topographical and elution surfaces exhibit varying, albeit limited, antimicrobial activity in vitro. With respect to covalent coupling, we present studies on the ability of the permanent antimicrobial surfaces to kill organisms while fostering osseointegration. All approaches have significant drawbacks with respect to stability and efficacy, but the permanent surfaces may have an edge in creating a long-term antibacterial environment.
The history of international thought and International Relations theory: from context to interpretation
Authors: Hall Ian
Published: September 2017

Over the past two decades, historians of international thought have markedly improved our understanding of the disciplinary history of International Relations (IR) and its wider intellectual history. During that period, ‘contextualism’ has become a leading approach in the field, as it has been for half a century in the history of political thought. This article argues that while the application of contextualism in IR has improved our understanding of its disciplinary history, its assumptions about the proper relationship between historians and theorists threaten to marginalise the history of international thought within IR. It argues that unless the inherent weaknesses in contextualism are recognised, the progress made in the field will go unrecognised by a discipline that sees little reason to engage with its history. It suggests that historians of international thought adopt an extensively modified version of contextualism that would allow them to rebuild bridges back into IR, especially IR theory.
American diplomatic history and international thought: a constitutional perspective
Authors: Hendrickson David C
Published: September 2017

This essay offers a constitutional perspective on the American encounter with the problem of international order. Its point of departure is the American Founding, a subject often invisible in both the history of international thought and contemporary International Relations theory. Although usually considered as an incident within the domestic politics of the United States, the Founding displays many key ideas that have subsequently played a vital role in both international political thought and IR theory. The purpose of this essay is to explore these ideas and to take account of their passage through time, up to and including the present day. Those ideas shine a light not only on how we organize our scholarly enterprises but also on the contemporary direction of US foreign policy and the larger question of world order.
Sliding mode control for uncertain switched systems subject to state and input delays
Authors: Liu Yonghui , Niu Yugang
Published: September 2017

This paper considers sliding mode control for a class of uncertain switched systems with state and input delays. In the control systems, each subsystem is not required to share the same input channel, which is usually assumed in previous works. By employing a weighted sum of the input matrices, a common sliding surface is designed. The sliding surface includes a predictor to compensate for the input delay of the control systems. To guarantee the asymptotic stability of the sliding motion, a switching signal based on the min-projection strategy is proposed. Moreover, it is shown that the state trajectories can be driven onto the specified sliding surface despite the presence of state and input delays and external disturbances. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Finite time control strategy for satellite attitude maneuver based on hybrid actuator
Authors: Ye Dong , Zhang Xiao , Wan Xucheng , Sun Zhaowei
Published: September 2017

In this paper, a Nonsingular Terminal Sliding Mode Control (NTSMC) strategy is investigated to address the finite-time attitude tracking problem of a rigid spacecraft. Hybrid thruster and flywheel actuator system is used for rapid reorientation under external disturbance. The reference torque is obtained from time-optimal attitude trajectory, and it is exerted on the satellite by thrusters in the form of feedforward compensation. Owing to thruster output torque deviation, initial measurement error and external disturbances, the practical trajectory of a satellite would deviate from reference trajectory. In order for the satellite to track the reference trajectory in finite time, the correction torque is deduced based on the error between reference trajectory and real-time measurements, and then applied through flywheels in the form of feedback compensation. The NTSMC method is used to solve nonsingular problem and to improve the control precision of the satellite attitude tracking issue. The numerical simulation results show that this control strategy is effective and it has great robustness.
A digital phase shift method for phase compensation of electronic transformer
Authors: Wei Wei , Cheng Han-miao , Li Fan , Tang Deng-ping , Xia Shui-bin
Published: September 2017

When sampling analog signal, the electronic transformer generally produces a fixed phase error that will compromise the measurement accuracy and require a phase shift method for correction. In this paper, we propose a digital phase shift method based on least squares fitting algorithm and derive the recursion formula of digital phase shift. The simulation has also been done to analysis its performance. The result shows that the method has high phase shift resolution and precision. By applying the method to an electronic transformer based on Rogowski coil, we have experimentally verified the feasibility and validity of the method.
Developing a Government Openness Index: The case of developing countries
Authors: Park Eun G , Oh Wankeun
Published: September 2017

This study aims to develop a comprehensive Government Openness Index (GOI) in developing countries, explore the relationship of the variables in the GOI, and examine the relationship of the GOI and income levels. Based on a linear scaling method, panel data from 101 countries was used to develop a GOI using four variables (e.g. accountability (ACC), information and communication technology (ICT), citizen participation and freedom (CPF), and transparency (TRA)). The results show that ICT performs highest in global means, coefficients of variation, and the contribution rate and contribution level to the change of GOI but CPT performs lowest in the contribution rate. The relationship between GOI and income is significantly positive. The results of this study suggest that developing countries should improve their capacity to utilize and sustain ICT and in particular human capacity for directing ICT toward improving citizen participation and freedom.
Sociological research and collaboration in South Africa: Past and present
Authors: Sooryamoorthy Radhamany
Published: September 2017

Sociological research in South Africa presents characteristic features in line with its historical and political phases. This article maps the production of sociological research in South Africa during the apartheid and democratic periods. The data used in the article were drawn from the publication records of South African scholars stored in the database of the Web of Science (WoS). A total of 2342 publications representing the period 1970–2015 was sampled for this scientometric analysis. Employing appropriate statistical tests, the article examines the role of collaboration in the production of sociological knowledge in South Africa, and the relationships that exist among collaboration, international partnerships, subject areas and citations. The analysis shows that South African sociological research has distinctive characteristics that represent the two periods of study. It has benefitted from collaboration, both domestic and international. Collaboration continues to grow in specific subject fields of sociological research in South Africa, and has importance in the visibility of sociological research in the country.
Dialogic Reading in Early Childhood Settings: A Summary of the Evidence Base
Authors: Towson Jacqueline A. , Fettig Angel , Fleury Veronica P. , Abarca Diana L.
Published: September 2017

Dialogic reading (DR) is an evidence-based practice for young children who are typically developing and at risk for developmental delays, with encouraging evidence for children with disabilities. The purpose of this review was to comprehensively evaluate the evidence base of DR across early childhood settings, with specific attention to fidelity features. We coded identified studies ( n = 30) published in peer-reviewed journals on a number of variables, including participant characteristics, setting, adherence to intervention components, fidelity of training procedures, implementation fidelity, dependent variables, overall outcomes, and study rigor. Our findings indicate wide variance is present in adherence to the DR protocol despite all studies reporting use of DR. In addition, although most researchers describe training procedures, none reported fidelity of those practices. Variability was also noted in how the implementation of DR with children is monitored in research.
Foe or friend? Janus-faces of the neurovascular unit in the formation of brain metastases
Authors: Wilhelm Imola , Fazakas Csilla , Molnár Kinga , Végh Attila G , Haskó János , Krizbai István A
Published: September 2017

Despite the potential obstacle represented by the blood–brain barrier for extravasating malignant cells, metastases are more frequent than primary tumors in the central nervous system. Not only tightly interconnected endothelial cells can hinder metastasis formation, other cells of the brain microenvironment (like astrocytes and microglia) can also be very hostile, destroying the large majority of metastatic cells. However, malignant cells that are able to overcome these harmful mechanisms may benefit from the shielding and even support provided by cerebral endothelial cells, astrocytes and microglia, rendering the brain a sanctuary site against anti-tumor strategies. Thus, cells of the neurovascular unit have a Janus-faced attitude towards brain metastatic cells, being both destructive and protective. In this review, we present the main mechanisms of brain metastasis formation, including those involved in extravasation through the brain vasculature and survival in the cerebral environment.
MRI findings and demographics of elastofibroma dorsi: assessment of diffusion-weighted imaging and contrast enhancement patterns
Authors: Tsubakimoto Maho , Yamashiro Tsuneo , Tsuchiya Nanae , Okada Masahiro , Maehara Hiroki , Kitsukawa Kaoru , Murayama Sadayuki
Published: September 2017

Background

Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare pseudotumoral lesion. Thus, there is no report of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that investigates multiple patients particularly with respect to diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings and contrast enhancement patterns.

Purpose

To describe the imaging findings of elastofibroma on MRI, particularly DWI findings and contrast enhancement patterns, and to further investigate patient demographics.

Material and Methods

Forty-four patients with elastofibroma that underwent MRI were enrolled in this retrospective study. All images were evaluated by two radiologists to visually assess the signal intensity for each sequence. Enhanced elastofibromas were classified into four categories to assess the enhancement pattern. Differences in gender and laterality were also assessed statistically.

Results

An equal number of men and women were included (n = 22 each). There was no significant difference in laterality ( P = 0.783). All lesions (73 lesions) had low signal intensity on both T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) images: heterogeneous in 56, homogeneous in 17. None of the 41 lesions with DWI had true abnormal diffusion restriction. The average ADC value was 1.36 × 10–3 ± 0.29 mm2/s. All 31 lesions that had contrast-enhanced MRI were classified according to enhancement pattern: homogeneous (three lesions, 9.7%); heterogeneous (15 lesions, 48.4%); streak-like (three lesions, 9.7%); and rim-like (ten lesions, 32.2%).

Conclusion

There were no statistically significant differences in gender or laterality. Elastofibroma showed homogeneous to heterogeneous low signal intensity on T1W and T2W images. No lesion showed abnormal diffusion restriction, and all lesions demonstrated enhancement on MRI.
Geopolitics: Putting geopolitics in its place in cultural political economy
Authors: Jessop Bob , Sum Ngai-Ling
Published: September 2017

This comment explores the relation between geoeconomics and geopolitics from a critical realist, strategic-relational, and cultural political economy perspective. We disambiguate the ‘geo-’ family of concepts; introduce a more complex view of sociospatiality that enables a taxonomy of approaches to geopolitical analytical objects and inquiries; and illustrate this from China’s Belt and Road Initiative seen as a complex geopolitical imaginary and linked modes of multi-spatial metagovernance.
The relationship between migraine and rosacea: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Christensen Casper Emil , Andersen Frederikke Schelde , Wienholtz Nita , Egeberg Alexander , Thyssen Jacob P , Ashina Messoud
Published: September 2017

Objective

To systematically review the association between migraine and rosacea.

Background

Migraine is a complex disorder with episodes of headache, nausea, photo- and phonophobia. Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition with flushing, erythema, telangiectasia, papules, and pustules. Both are chronic disorders with exacerbations of symptoms almost exclusively in areas innervated by the trigeminal nerve. Previous studies found an association between these disorders. We review these findings, provide a meta-analysis, and discuss possible pathophysiological commonalities.

Methods

A search through PubMed and EMBASE was undertaken for studies investigating the association between all forms of migraine and rosacea published until November 2016, and meta-analysis of eligible studies.

Results

Nine studies on eight populations were identified. Studies differed in methodology and diagnostic process, but all investigated co-occurrence of migraine and rosacea. Four studies were eligible for meta-analysis, resulting in a pooled odds ratio of 1.96 (95% confidence interval 1.41–2.72) for migraine in a rosacea population compared to a non-rosacea population.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis confirmed an association in occurrence of migraine and rosacea. Future studies should specifically investigate possible shared pathophysiological mechanisms between the two disorders.
Characterizing Verified Head Impacts in High School Girls’ Lacrosse
Authors: Caswell Shane V. , Lincoln Andrew E. , Stone Hannah , Kelshaw Patricia , Putukian Margot , Hepburn Lisa , Higgins Michael , Cortes Nelson
Published: September 2017

Background:

Girls’ high school lacrosse players have higher rates of head and facial injuries than boys. Research indicates that these injuries are caused by stick, player, and ball contacts. Yet, no studies have characterized head impacts in girls’ high school lacrosse.

Purpose:

To characterize girls’ high school lacrosse game-related impacts by frequency, magnitude, mechanism, player position, and game situation.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Thirty-five female participants (mean age, 16.2 ± 1.2 years; mean height, 1.66 ± 0.05 m; mean weight, 61.2 ± 6.4 kg) volunteered during 28 games in the 2014 and 2015 lacrosse seasons. Participants wore impact sensors affixed to the right mastoid process before each game. All game-related impacts recorded by the sensors were verified using game video. Data were summarized for all verified impacts in terms of frequency, peak linear acceleration (PLA), and peak rotational acceleration (PRA). Descriptive statistics and impact rates were calculated.

Results:

Fifty-eight verified game-related impacts ≥20 g were recorded (median PLA, 33.8 g; median PRA, 6151.1 rad/s2) during 467 player-games. The impact rate for all game-related verified impacts was 0.12 per athlete-exposure (AE) (95% CI, 0.09-0.16), equivalent to 2.1 impacts per team game, indicating that each athlete suffered fewer than 2 head impacts per season ≥20 g. Of these impacts, 28 (48.3%) were confirmed to directly strike the head, corresponding with an impact rate of 0.05 per AE (95% CI, 0.00-0.10). Overall, midfielders (n = 28, 48.3%) sustained the most impacts, followed by defenders (n = 12, 20.7%), attackers (n = 11, 19.0%), and goalies (n = 7, 12.1%). Goalies demonstrated the highest median PLA and PRA (38.8 g and 8535.0 rad/s2, respectively). The most common impact mechanisms were contact with a stick (n = 25, 43.1%) and a player (n = 17, 29.3%), followed by the ball (n = 7, 12.1%) and the ground (n = 7, 12.1%). One hundred percent of ball impacts occurred to goalies. Most impacts occurred to field players within the attack area of the field (n = 32, 55.2%) or the midfield (n = 18, 31.0%). Most (95%) impacts did not result in a penalty.

Conclusion:

The incidence of verified head impacts in girls’ high school lacrosse was quite low. Ball to head impacts were associated with the highest impact magnitudes. While stick and body contacts are illegal in girls’ high school lacrosse, rarely did such impacts to the head result in a penalty. The verification of impact mechanisms using video review is critical to collect impact sensor data.
Lasting peace or temporary calm? Rebel group decapitation and civil war outcomes
Authors: Ryckman Kirssa Cline
Published: September 2017

Existing research has found that killing or capturing rebel group leaders can lead to the termination of civil wars. This paper considers the quality of those terminations, examining how wars end and whether this produces a lasting peace or only a temporary reprieve from violence. Decapitation is expected to weaken rebel groups, shifting the balance of power to the government; however, results suggest that killing or capturing a rebel group leader tends to produce termination through inactivity rather than outright government victories. Decapitation is also found to have no effect on the chances of civil war recurrence. This suggests that the removal of rebel group leaders is effective primarily as a short-term strategy that does not tend to generate a lasting peace.
Who Benefits More From Manufacturing Foreign Direct Investment? Examining Its Earnings Distribution Effects Across Earnings Quantiles
Authors: Park Jeong-Il
Published: September 2017

Although several studies suggest foreign manufacturers in the United States may provide access to good quality employment opportunities with fair compensation and stable benefits, the question of who benefits more from the location of manufacturing foreign direct investment (FDI) remains open. Using the National Establishment Time Series data set and individual earnings data from the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample files, this research conducts a quantile regression to estimate the earnings distribution effects that a concentration of manufacturing FDI may have on different earnings groups in Georgia between 2004 and 2010. The research does not measure inequality directly, but the findings both from place-of-work and place-of-residence earnings analyses suggest strong implications relating to the issue of inequality among people. The concentration of manufacturing FDI in a certain area shows the largest distribution effects on area workers in the lower earnings group and residents in the middle earnings group.