bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lawyers, Globalization, and Transnational Governance Regimes
Authors: Regan Milton C.
Published: August 2016

The global law firm has become a significant actor in the provision of legal services in multiple countries. Although this reflects a response to increasing demand for these services by transnational companies, lawyers in these firms also help further the process of globalization that fuels such demand. One arena in which this occurs is the construction of transnational governance regimes that harmonize standards and expectations with respect to a variety of business activities. These regimes may be based on two different visions of the globalization process. One vision is of markets increasingly unfettered by national regulation, while another is of widely accepted human rights that impose common constraints on business activities. This article surveys the literature on transnational governance regimes and the work of transnational corporate lawyers to illuminate these dynamics, and suggests that further research on this topic can provide insight into how lawyers contribute to the globalization process.
The Modern Synthesis in the Light of Microbial Genomics
Authors: Booth Austin , Mariscal Carlos , Doolittle W. Ford
Published: August 2016

We review the theoretical implications of findings in genomics for evolutionary biology since the Modern Synthesis. We examine the ways in which microbial genomics has influenced our understanding of the last universal common ancestor, the tree of life, species, lineages, and evolutionary transitions. We conclude by advocating a piecemeal toolkit approach to evolutionary biology, in lieu of any grand unified theory updated to include microbial genomics.
Electromagnetic Structure of Two- and Three-Nucleon Systems: An Effective Field Theory Description
Authors: Phillips Daniel R.
Published: August 2016

I discuss the use of chiral effective field theory (χEFT) to describe electromagnetic reactions in the two- and three-nucleon systems. I review the results of χEFT power counting for charge and current operators up to [Formula: see text] relative to leading order, before showing that renormalization-group arguments imply that short-distance electromagnetic operators play a larger role than suggested by this standard counting. A detailed examination of χEFT's predictions for the electromagnetic form factors of deuterium and the trinucleons, and for the threshold captures np→dγ and nd→tγ, enables a critical appraisal of the theory's performance in these contexts. Recent χEFT calculations using the [Formula: see text] chiral perturbation theory (χPT) potential yielded both form factors that agree with experimental data for Q2<0.25 GeV2 and an excellent description of the challenging threshold captures. Short-distance M1 operators are essential to this success, and the addition of a short-distance part of the nucleon–nucleon charge operator produces precise predictions of the deuteron charge and quadrupole form factors in this kinematic domain.
Accelerating Drug Development: Antiviral Therapies for Emerging Viruses as a Model
Authors: Everts Maaike , Cihlar Tomas , Bostwick J. Robert , Whitley Richard J.
Published: August 2016

Drug discovery and development is a lengthy and expensive process. Although no one, simple, single solution can significantly accelerate this process, steps can be taken to avoid unnecessary delays. Using the development of antiviral therapies as a model, we describe options for acceleration that cover target selection, assay development and high-throughput screening, hit confirmation, lead identification and development, animal model evaluations, toxicity studies, regulatory issues, and the general drug discovery and development infrastructure. Together, these steps could result in accelerated timelines for bringing antiviral therapies to market so they can treat emerging infections and reduce human suffering.
The Impact of Food Prices on Poverty and Food Security
Authors: Headey Derek D. , Martin William J.
Published: August 2016

Recent food price fluctuations have sparked renewed interest in the impact of food prices on poverty and food security. This paper reviews the literature and analyzes why different authors often reach different conclusions regarding the welfare impacts of food price changes. We first show that systematic measurement errors in household surveys may seriously affect estimates of the poor's dependence on food purchases at any given point in time. We then turn to the theoretical case for why the rural poor might ultimately benefit from higher food prices, with a particular focus on agricultural supply responses and resultant increases in demand for unskilled farm labor, which raise the wages of the poor. Consistent with these predictions, more sophisticated simulation models and new econometric evidence suggest that sustained increases in food prices have often benefited the poor and likely contributed to faster global poverty reduction from the mid-2000s onward. Conversely, the recent decline in agricultural prices could retard global poverty reduction.
Rotavirus Strategies Against the Innate Antiviral System
Authors: López Susana , Sánchez-Tacuba Liliana , Moreno Joaquin , Arias Carlos F.
Published: August 2016

“Rotaviruses represent the most important etiological agents of acute, severe gastroenteritis in the young of many animal species, including humans.” This statement, variations of which are a common beginning in articles about rotaviruses, reflects the fact that these viruses have evolved efficient strategies for evading the innate immune response of the host and for successfully replicating in the population. In this review, we summarize what is known about the defense mechanisms that host cells employ to prevent rotavirus invasion and the countermeasures that these viruses have successfully developed to surpass cellular defenses. Rotaviruses use at least two viral multifunctional proteins to directly interact with, and prevent the activation of, the interferon system, and they use at least one other protein to halt the protein synthesis machinery and prevent the expression of most of the transcriptional antiviral program of the cell. Characterization of the confrontation between rotaviruses and their host cells has allowed us to learn about the virus–host coevolution that prevents the damaging effects of the innate immune response.
The Structural Biology of Hepatitis B Virus: Form and Function
Authors: Venkatakrishnan Balasubramanian , Zlotnick Adam
Published: August 2016

Hepatitis B virus is one of the smallest human pathogens, encoded by a 3,200-bp genome with only four open reading frames. Yet the virus shows a remarkable diversity in structural features, often with the same proteins adopting several conformations. In part, this is the parsimony of viruses, where a minimal number of proteins perform a wide variety of functions. However, a more important theme is that weak interactions between components as well as components with multiple conformations that have similar stabilities lead to a highly dynamic system. In hepatitis B virus, this is manifested as a virion where the envelope proteins have multiple structures, the envelope-capsid interaction is irregular, and the capsid is a dynamic compartment that actively participates in metabolism of the encapsidated genome and carries regulated signals for intracellular trafficking.
Perceptual Learning: Use-Dependent Cortical Plasticity
Authors: Li Wu
Published: August 2016

Our perceptual abilities significantly improve with practice. This phenomenon, known as perceptual learning, offers an ideal window for understanding use-dependent changes in the adult brain. Different experimental approaches have revealed a diversity of behavioral and cortical changes associated with perceptual learning, and different interpretations have been given with respect to the cortical loci and neural processes responsible for the learning. Accumulated evidence has begun to put together a coherent picture of the neural substrates underlying perceptual learning. The emerging view is that perceptual learning results from a complex interplay between bottom-up and top-down processes, causing a global reorganization across cortical areas specialized for sensory processing, engaged in top-down attentional control, and involved in perceptual decision making. Future studies should focus on the interactions among cortical areas for a better understanding of the general rules and mechanisms underlying various forms of skill learning.
Early Visual Cortex as a Multiscale Cognitive Blackboard
Authors: Roelfsema Pieter R. , de Lange Floris P.
Published: August 2016

Neurons in early visual cortical areas not only represent incoming visual information but are also engaged by higher level cognitive processes, including attention, working memory, imagery, and decision-making. Are these cognitive effects an epiphenomenon or are they functionally relevant for these mental operations? We review evidence supporting the hypothesis that the modulation of activity in early visual areas has a causal role in cognition. The modulatory influences allow the early visual cortex to act as a multiscale cognitive blackboard for read and write operations by higher visual areas, which can thereby efficiently exchange information. This blackboard architecture explains how the activity of neurons in the early visual cortex contributes to scene segmentation and working memory, and relates to the subject's inferences about the visual world. The architecture also has distinct advantages for the processing of visual routines that rely on a number of sequentially executed processing steps.
A Dynamic Evolutionary Game Model of Modular Production Network
Authors: He Wei
Published: August 2016

As a new organization mode of production in the 21st century, modular production network is deemed extensively to be a source of competitiveness for lead firms in manufacturing industries. However, despite the abundant studies on the modular production network, there are very few studies from a dynamic perspective to discuss the conditions on which a modular production network develops. Based on the dynamic evolutionary game theory, this paper constructs a model, which incorporates several main factors influencing the development of modular production network. By calculating the replicator dynamics equations and analyzing the evolutionary stable strategies, this paper discusses the evolution process of cooperation strategies of member enterprises in a modular production network. Furthermore, by using NetLogo software to simulate the model, this paper verifies the effectiveness of the model. From the model, we can find that the final stable equilibrium strategy is related to such factors as the initial cost, the extra payoff, the cooperation willingness of both parties, the cooperation efforts, and the proportion each party can get from the extra payoff. To encourage the cooperation of production integrator and modular supplier, some suggestions are also provided.
Thickness Dependent Interlayer Magnetoresistance in Multilayer Graphene Stacks
Authors: Bodepudi S. C. , Wang X. , Singh A. P. , Pramanik S.
Published: August 2016

Chemical Vapor Deposition grown multilayer graphene (MLG) exhibits large out-of-plane magnetoresistance due to interlayer magnetoresistance (ILMR) effect. It is essential to identify the factors that influence this effect in order to explore its potential in magnetic sensing and data storage applications. It has been demonstrated before that the ILMR effect is sensitive to the interlayer coupling and the orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the out-of-plane (c-axis) direction. In this work, we investigate the role of MLG thickness on ILMR effect. Our results show that the magnitude of ILMR effect increases with the number of graphene layers in the MLG stack. Surprisingly, thicker devices exhibit field induced resistance switching by a factor of at least ~107. This effect persists even at room temperature and to our knowledge such large magnetoresistance values have not been reported before in the literature at comparable fields and temperatures. In addition, an oscillatory MR effect is observed at higher field values. A physical explanation of this effect is presented, which is consistent with our experimental scenario.
A More Accurate Approach to Amyloid Detection and Subtyping: Combining in situ Congo Red Staining and Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Menter Thomas , Bachmann Matthias , Grieshaber Susanne , Tzankov Alexandar
Published: August 2016

Amyloidosis is the result of various, differently approachable diseases. It is vital to subtype the amyloid deposits in order to establish and finally treat the underlying disease properly. Besides the classical staining with Congo red, further procedures like immunohistochemical staining are needed for classification. Here, we present a more accurate approach using Congo red/immunohistochemical double staining easily applicable in routine diagnostics. Modifications of the Congo red staining technique and the immunohistochemical procedures were needed in order to combine both staining procedures on one slide. The evaluation was done using conventional light and fluorescence microscopy. By shortening the staining time for Congo red to 10 s and by modification regarding endogenous peroxidase blockage, accurate results could be obtained for evaluating the Congo red/immunohistochemistry double staining using a fluorescence microscope. Sections of 2 μm instead of 4 μm thickness were superior for evaluation, since they increased staining specificity. The combination of Congo red and immunohistochemistry as in situ double staining on one slide is a feasible approach in the diagnosis of amyloidosis. It allows focusing on the fluorescent Congo red-positive areas when evaluating immunohistochemistry, thus avoiding signing out false-positive results. Additionally, it increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the immunohistochemically stained sections on conventional microscopy.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Single-Institution Experience and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Loizzi Vera , Leone Luca , Camporeale Anna , Resta Leonardo , Selvaggi Luigi , Cicinelli Ettore , Cormio Gennaro
Published: August 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced ovarian carcinoma patients unable to undergo a complete resection during primary debulking surgery. Methods: From February 2005 to October 2015, all consecutive cases of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma at the University of Bari were retrospectively recorded. Of them, patients treated with NACT were collected. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to determine the predictors of survival. Results: Seventy-eight women with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with NACT. On univariate analysis, age (p = 0.003), CA-125 serum level (0.001), response to NACT (p < 0.0001), stage of disease (p = 0.011) and optimal debulking surgery (p < 0.0001) were found to be important prognostic factors related to survival. However, on multivariate analysis, age, response to NACT, CA-125 serum level and optimal debulking surgery remained as independent poor prognostic factors for survival. The median overall and disease-free survival were 31 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusions: NACT does not compromise survival in patients with stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer compared to patients treated with primary surgery. Prospective randomized trials comparing NACT to conventional treatment are needed to determine the quality of life and cost/benefit outcomes for women presenting advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Impact of Preferentially Expressed Antigen of Melanoma on the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Oyama Kenji , Kanki Keita , Shimizu Hiroki , Kono Yohei , Azumi Junya , Toriguchi Kan , Hatano Etsuro , Shiota Goshi
Published: August 2016

Background: Retinoids, vitamin A and its derivatives, have an antitumor effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The function of retinoids is exerted by the complex of retinoic acid (RA) with the heterodimer of retinoid X receptor and the RA receptor. The preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) acts as a dominant repressor of RA signaling by binding to the complex. The significance of PRAME on the prognosis of HCC remains to be clarified. Methods: PRAME mRNA expression was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in both tumor and non-tumor tissues of 100 HCC patients who received surgical resection. The effect of PRAME knockdown on DR5-mediated RA transcriptional activity was examined. Results: In tumor tissues, there were significant associations among PRAME expression, clinical stage, tumor markers, and tumor numbers. In non-tumor tissues, there were significant associations among PRAME expression, overall survival, and disease-free survival. The knockdown of PRAME caused no reduction in DR5-mediated transcriptional activity of RA, suggesting that PRAME acts via other mechanisms than the DR5 RA-responsive elements. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that PRAME expression is a novel prognostic marker in HCC patients.
Detection of Chlamydophila felis and Feline Herpesvirus Type-1 in non-domestic felids in Brazil
Authors: Seki Meire Christina , André Marcos Rogério , Carrasco Adriano De Oliveira Torres , Machado Rosangela Zacarias , Pinto Aramis Augusto
Published: August 2016

Poucos trabalhos descrevem a ocorrência dos agentes do complexo respiratório felino, Herpesvírus Felino tipo 1 (FHV-1) e Chlamydophila felis, e a coinfecção com o vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) e leucemia viral felina (FeLV) em felinos não domésticos no Brasil. Entre 2009 e 2010, 72 amostras de swab de conjuntiva e de soro foram coletados de oito espécies de felinos não domésticos (Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus, Panthera leo, Panthera tigris, Puma concolor, Puma yagouaroundi, Oncifelis colocolo, and Panthera onca) mantidos em cativeiro em zoológicos brasileiros. O DNA foi extraído das amostras de swab de conjuntiva para detecção de Chlamydophila sp e FHV-1 pela PCR. Anticorpos para FIV e antígeno para FeLV foram determinados pelo kit comercial de ELISA. Anticorpos para FIV foram detectados em cinco felídeos (6,9%). Nenhuma amostra foi positiva para a presença de antígeno de FeLV. Um (1,3%) dos 72 felinos não domésticos apresentou fragmentos de DNA de Chlamydophila sp e FHV-1 pela PCR. Este felino era uma jaguatirica que não apresentou anticorpos para FIV e nem antígeno para FelV. Estes resultados demonstram a ocorrência de coinfecção de C. felis e FHV-1 em uma jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis) no Brasil.
Use of an ultrasound device to determine sex and to perform gonad biopsy in the European eel Anguilla Anguilla
Authors: Kucharczyk Dariusz , Żarski Daniel , Krejszeff Sławomir , Nowosad Joanna , Biłas Maria , Targonska Katarzyna , Palinska-Zarska Katarzyna
Published: August 2016

A Enguia-Européia Anguilla anguilla é uma espécie de grande importância comercial e que apresenta também grande risco de extinção na Europa. Uma das formas para a proteção das espécies em seu ambiente natural e de manter o seu suprimento no comércio é a aquicultura, por exemplo, devido à taxa de sobrevivência em condições controladas ser muito superior a existente em condições naturais. Contudo isto só pode ser obtido quando é desenvolvida uma biotécnica de reprodução artificial eficiente. O presente trabalho foi delineado para utilizar um dispositivo ultrassonográfico a fim de determinar o sexo e de possibilitar a realização de biópsias das gônadas, o que é parte do protocolo complete de reprodução artificial de enguias. As constatações indicaram que a ultrassonografia é muito útil para a determinação do sexo das enguias (100% de exatidão) e também é capaz de possibilitar a realização de uma biópsia das gônadas de alta precisão. O método descrito oferece possibilidades para a rápida determinação da maturidade das gônadas das fêmeas. A aplicação da ultrassonografia é totalmente segura para peixes e o dispositivo portátil de ultrassonografia pode ser utilizado tanto no laboratório como em condições de campo.
Erythrocytic changes in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Matos Marilia B. P. , Dias Eliane P. , Arruda Augusto C. , Aguiar Junior Nestor A. , Galera Marcial F. , Leite Cristhiane A.
Published: August 2016

Objective: We assessed the prevalence of erythrocytic changes in patients with SLE, at Cuiabá University General Hospital (UNIC-HGU). Methods: blood samples from 40 female patients were collected and processed (ABX Pentra 80 automation – flow cytometry). Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 2.0 statistical software. Results: 42.5% of the 40 patients showed lowered concentrations of hemoglobin. The hematocrit and hemoglobin dosage averages of the anemic patients were respectively of 29.7% and 9.9 gdL, while those without anemia showed 41.1% of hematocrit average and hemoglobin average dosage of 13,7gdL. Normocytic and normochromic anemia was the most prevalent, founded in 64.7% of the anemic patients, with normal hematimetric indices. In cases of macrocytic anemia, hematimetric changes, such as increased RDW, policromasy and reticulocytosis observed in some patients suggest hemolytic processes, commonly observed in these patients. Conclusion: Anemia was found in 42% of the patients and careful observation of the erythrocytic changes is an important tool in the follow up of LES patients
The role of the placenta in the vertical transmission of HIV-1
Authors: Martinez Juliana , Santiago Mariana R , Souza Diego A , Silva Gyl E B , Chahud Fernando , Quintana Silvana M , Mendes-Junior Celso T , Donadi Eduardo A , Fernandes Ana Paula M
Published: August 2016

Vertical transmission (VT) is the main form of infection by HIV-1 in children under 13 years and estimates show that in 25% of cases intrauterine transmission has occurred. Under these circumstances, the virus somehow overcomes the placental membrane and reaches the fetal blood. This review aims to conduct a brief description of the mechanisms present in human placenta that are capable of generating susceptibility or resistance to VT of HIV-1. Placental cells produces a huge group of cytokines, chemokines, hormones and receptors that may contribute to the outcome of virus transmission to the fetus. Moreover, the ability of the virus to infect placental cells can also contribute to its transmission. However, the mechanism by which the virus is able to overcome the placental tissue is not fully elucidated. Thus, further research in this area may contribute to the development of effective preventive strategies to reduce the VT of HIV-1
Factors associated with cardiovascular diseases in adults
Authors: Teston Elen F. , Cecilio Hellen P. M. , Santos Aliny L. , Arruda Guilherme O. de , Radovanovic Cremilde A. T. , Marcon Sonia S.
Published: August 2016

Study design: cross-sectional study, population-based household survey. Objective: To identify the factors associated with cardiovascular disease in the adult population in the metropolitan region of Maringá Methodology: Participants were 1232 individuals of both sexes and aged between 20 and 59 years living in the metropolitan region of Maringa, Parana. For the identification of associated factors was used multiple logistic regression unconditioned after univariate association analysis. Results: Most subjects were female (72.2%), aged between 40 and 59 years (54.1%), white (72.3%), with a partner (66.1%) and belongs to economy class C (56%). The prevalence of cardiovascular disease was 27.9%, the most prevalent Arterial Hypertension (25.8%) and angina (5%). The factors associated with cardiovascular disease in general, and isolated cardiovascular disease, were waist circumference (p=0.004), body mass index (p=0.023), dyslipidemia (p=0.002) and alcohol consumption (p=0.024). Smoking was associated specifically to Acute Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure. Conclusion: The results indicate that it is imperative concern and the union of efforts by health professionals on the need for establishment of preventive measures related to the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases
Stimulatory Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on cKit
+
Cardiac Stem Cells Are Mediated by SDF1/CXCR4 and SCF/cKit Signaling Pathways
Authors: Hatzistergos Konstantinos E. , Saur Dieter , Seidler Barbara , Balkan Wayne , Breton Matthew , Valasaki Krystalenia , Takeuchi Lauro M. , Landin Ana Marie , Khan Aisha , Hare Joshua M.
Published: August 2016

Rationale:

Culture-expanded cells originating from cardiac tissue that express the cell surface receptor cKit are undergoing clinical testing as a cell source for heart failure and congenital heart disease. Although accumulating data support that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhance the efficacy of cardiac cKit
+
cells (CSCs), the underlying mechanism for this synergistic effect remains incompletely understood.

Objective:

To test the hypothesis that MSCs stimulate endogenous CSCs to proliferate, migrate, and differentiate via the SDF1/CXCR4 and stem cell factor/cKit pathways.

Methods and Results:

Using genetic lineage-tracing approaches, we show that in the postnatal murine heart, cKit
+
cells proliferate, migrate, and form cardiomyocytes, but not endothelial cells. CSCs exhibit marked chemotactic and proliferative responses when cocultured with MSCs but not with cardiac stromal cells. Antagonism of the CXCR4 pathway with AMD3100 (an SDF1/CXCR4 antagonist) inhibited MSC-induced CSC chemotaxis but stimulated CSC cardiomyogenesis (
P
<0.0001). Furthermore, MSCs enhanced CSC proliferation via the stem cell factor/cKit and SDF1/CXCR4 pathways (
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:

Together these findings show that MSCs exhibit profound, yet differential, effects on CSC migration, proliferation, and differentiation and suggest a mechanism underlying the improved cardiac regeneration associated with combination therapy using CSCs and MSCs. These findings have important therapeutic implications for cell-based therapy strategies that use mixtures of CSCs and MSCs.
Suppressed Production of Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1 Contributes to Myocardial Remodeling and Heart Failure
Authors: Seno Ayako , Takeda Yukiji , Matsui Masaru , Okuda Aya , Nakano Tomoya , Nakada Yasuki , Kumazawa Takuya , Nakagawa Hitoshi , Nishida Taku , Onoue Kenji , Somekawa Satoshi , Watanabe Makoto , Kawata Hiroyuki , Kawakami Rika , Okura Hiroyuki , Uemura Shiro , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: August 2016

Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), an endogenous inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor, is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, the significance of sFlt-1 in heart failure has not been fully elucidated. We found that sFlt-1 is decreased in renal failure and serves as a key molecule in atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of the decreased sFlt-1 production in heart failure, using sFlt-1 knockout mice. sFlt-1 knockout mice and wild-type mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction and evaluated after 7 days. The sFlt-1 knockout mice had significantly higher mortality (52% versus 15%;
P
=0.0002) attributable to heart failure and showed greater cardiac hypertrophy (heart weight to body weight ratio, 8.95±0.45 mg/g in sFlt-1 knockout mice versus 6.60±0.32 mg/g in wild-type mice;
P
<0.0001) and cardiac dysfunction, which was accompanied by a significant increase in macrophage infiltration and cardiac fibrosis, than wild-type mice after transverse aortic constriction. An anti–placental growth factor–neutralizing antibody prevented pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction. Moreover, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression was significantly increased in the hypertrophied hearts of sFlt-1 knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 inhibition with neutralizing antibody ameliorated maladaptive cardiac remodeling in sFlt-1 knockout mice after transverse aortic constriction. In conclusion, decreased sFlt-1 production plays a key role in the aggravation of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure through upregulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in pressure-overloaded heart.
Respiratory Network Enhances the Sympathoinhibitory Component of Baroreflex of Rats Submitted to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia
Authors: Moraes Davi J.A. , Bonagamba Leni G.H. , da Silva Melina P. , Mecawi André S. , Antunes-Rodrigues José , Machado Benedito H.
Published: August 2016

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) produces respiratory-related sympathetic overactivity and hypertension in rats. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the enhanced central respiratory modulation of sympathetic activity after CIH also decreases the sympathoinhibitory component of baroreflex of rats, which may contribute to the development of hypertension. Wistar rats were exposed to CIH or normoxia (control group) for 10 days. Phrenic nerve, thoracic sympathetic nerve, and neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and caudal ventrolateral medulla were recorded in in situ preparations of rats. Baroreflex regulation of thoracic sympathetic nerve, rostral ventrolateral medulla, and caudal ventrolateral medulla neurons activities were evaluated in different phases of respiration in response to either aortic depressor nerve stimulation or pressure stimuli. CIH rats presented higher respiratory-related thoracic sympathetic nerve and rostral ventrolateral medulla presympathetic neurons activities at the end of expiration in relation to control rats, which are indexes of respiratory-related sympathetic overactivity. Baroreflex-evoked thoracic sympathetic nerve inhibition during expiration, but not during inspiration, was enhanced in CIH when compared with control rats. In addition, CIH selectively enhanced the expiratory-related baroreceptor inputs, probably through caudal ventrolateral medulla neurons, to the respiratory-modulated bulbospinal rostral ventrolateral medulla presympathetic neurons. These findings support the concept that the onset of hypertension, mediated by sympathetic overactivity, after 10 days of CIH is not secondary to a reduction in sympathoinhibitory component of baroreflex. Instead, it was observed an increase in the gain of sympathoinhibitory component in in situ preparations of rats, suggesting that changes in the respiratory-related sympathetic network after CIH also play a key role in preventing greater increase in arterial pressure.
Parasociality and Habitus in Celebrity Consumption and Political Culture
Authors: De Guzman Centeno Dave
Published: August 2016

This paper characterises the celebrity culture in the Philippines as a symbolic function of parasociality (“illusionary intimacies”) where interpersonal meanings are constructed upon celebrities in the context of consumption and political endorsements. By looking into accounts of focus groups and online social media communities, it qualitatively elaborates such sociocultural and political inclinations of celebrity parasociality that characterise the Philippine political and commercial systems. Through the discourses on how ordinary people, industry actors and celebrities themselves interact to negotiate the celebrity social meanings, the paper concludes that celebrification is an embedded trait of Philippine democracy and consumption ideals. Furthermore, such parasociality is nuanced by the notion of habitus where celebrities mirror spaces of social classification. The study implies that while celebrity culture is an important element in social connection and social identity sustained by traditional and social media use, it is also a component in citizens’ own accounts to issues of public concern, democratic exercise on political election matters, and in the everyday consumption decisions.
The Cultural (Re)production of Masculinities
Authors: Lowe John , Mac an Ghaill Máirtín , Haywood Chris P.
Published: August 2016

In Asian societies, the framing of contemporary masculinities and femininities remains under-theorised. This article critically examines the interplay between schooling, Indonesian Chinese ethnicity and the (re)production of male entrepreneurial masculinities manifested in teenage boys’ sexual/gender subjectivities and identity formation. The qualitative data obtained from an anonymous Chinese-Christian majority international school in Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, illustrate how patrimonial practice, in conjunction with repudiations and identifications in an elite educational environment shape gender and specific ways of being male that also “speak” Chineseness. This exploratory case study aims to contribute a theoretically-led empirical intervention which locates Chinese ethnicity and masculinity within their socio-cultural schooling specificities as a prelude to discussing new directions for researching gendered ethnicity and education in Indonesia.
Impact of Warmer Eastern Tropical Pacific SST on the March 2015 Atacama Floods
Authors: Bozkurt Deniz , Rondanelli Roberto , Garreaud René , Arriagada Andrés
Published: August 2016

Northern Chile hosts the driest place on Earth in the Atacama Desert. Nonetheless, an extreme precipitation event affected the region on 24–26 March 2015 with 1-day accumulated precipitation exceeding 40 mm in several locations and hourly mean rainfall rates higher than 10 mm h−1, producing floods and resulting in casualties and significant damage. The event is analyzed using ERA-Interim, surface station data, sounding observations, and satellite-based radar. Two main conditions favorable for precipitation were present at the time of the event: (i) a cutoff low (COL) off the coast of northern Chile and (ii) positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the eastern tropical Pacific. The circulation driven by the COL was strong but not extraordinary. Regional Climate Model, version 4 (RegCM4), is used to test the sensitivity of precipitation to SST anomalies by removing the warm SST anomaly in the eastern tropical Pacific. The cooler simulation produced very similar COL dry dynamics to that simulated in a control run (with observed SST), but suppressed the precipitation by 60%–80% over northern Chile and 100% in parts of the Atacama Desert due to the decreased availability of precipitable water. The results indicate that the warm SST anomaly over the eastern Pacific, favored by the onset of El Niño 2015/16, was instrumental to the extreme precipitation event by providing an anomalous source of water vapor transported to Atacama by the circulation ahead of the COL.
Who wins? Evaluating the impact of UK public sector pension scheme reforms
Authors: Danzer Alexander M. , Dolton Peter , Bondibene Chiara Rosazza
Published: August 2016

Radical changes have been implemented to pension schemes across the UK public sector from April 2015. This paper simulates how these changes will affect the lifetime pension and how the negotiated pension changes compare across six public sector schemes by level of education. Specifically, we simulate the occupation specific Defined Benefit (DB) pension wealth accumulated for a representative employee over the lifecycle by factoring in the recent changes to pension conditions. We find that less educated workers with low or moderate earnings in the NHS, Local Government and Civil Service schemes are the winners having secured an increase in the value of their pension of between 10–20 per cent. Graduate workers with faster wage growth in the Civil Service, Teachers and Local Government schemes lose between 3 per cent and 5 per cent. This is in sharp contrast with the Police and Fire services who have lost around 40 per cent irrespective of their education.
A New Frame of Reference: National Bibliographies in Southern Africa and the ICNBS Recommendations
Authors: Bell Barbara L.
Published: August 2016

In November 1998 an International Conference on National Bibliographic Services (ICNBS) agreed recommendations that took into account changes in format, technology and communications since 1977. The current national bibliographies of 11 southern African countries adhere to these recommendations to varying degrees. National Bibliographic Agencies, mostly located in national libraries or national archives, with different parent bodies, are responsible for the bibliographies, except for Lesotho and Swaziland. Nine of the countries have legal deposit; four of them have revised the relevant law since 1990. All the bibliographies are produced as print on paper, only Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland offering alternatives. DDC is used by seven countries. The lag between dates of publication of works and publication of the national bibliography is between three and six years for six of the countries; South Africa and Swaziland are the most effective in timeliness of publication and distribution. Three countries have not automated their national bibliographies. Those bibliographies that are regularly published meet many of the ICNBS recommendations.
The National Library of Greenland
Authors: Nielsen Erika
Published: August 2016

Grœnlandica, which is part of Nunatta Atuagaateqarfia, the main library in Greenland, serves as the national library. It has a collection of 56,000 volumes, and is responsible for legal deposit and the library's research collection, including the largest collection in the Arctic region of material on Greenland, the Inuit, and the Arctic. It suffers from shortages of space, staff and funds, but one of its main challenges is to preserve the unique early printed works. A new national and research library is scheduled to open as part of a new university campus in 2005, when it will be separated from the public library.
The National Library of Romania: From Central State Library of the People's Republic to National Library
Authors: Anghelescu Hermina G.B.
Published: August 2016

In 1955, 54 years after the incorporation of the Central Library of the State into the Library of the Romanian Academy, the Central Library of the People's Republic of Romania was established. It was open to all Romanians over the age of 18. In 1990, various measures were introduced in an attempt to do away with the communist order, including changes in staff. The library's name was changed to the National Library of Romania. In 1995 the library was connected to the Internet, but only library staff had access. The library is still in a ‘temporary’ building occupied in 1957; collections continue to be moved around, and only one third is accessible. Following the December 2000 elections, it is hoped that there will now be additional funding for automation, collection development and staffing, and also finance to continue the construction of the new building for the library, which was started in 1987. However, so far the situation has become worse rather than better.
The National Library of Iran, Past and Present
Authors: Amirkhani Gholamreza
Published: August 2016

This article deals with the history and activities of the National Library of Iran, was officially inaugurated in 1937 but whose collection dates back 150 years. It contains large numbers of manuscripts, old printed books, old itineraries from European tourists, documents, rare periodicals and materials in non-print forms. It has grown gradually through donations, exchanges, acquisition, and legal deposit. The library is an educational, research, and service institution, aiming to acquire, organize and disseminate information published or produced in Iran or in the fields of Iranology and Islamic study in other countries, to promote research and planning in library and information science, and to provide consultation and devise appropriate methods for all Iranian libraries. A new building, with an area of 97,000 square metres, is due to be inaugurated in 2003.
The National Library of the Czech Republik and the Floods of 2002
Authors: Balík Vojtěch , Polišenský Jiří
Published: August 2016

About fifty Czech libraries were inundated by floods in August 2002, more than 600,000 volumes were soaked and consequently 150,000 of them had to be frozen. A huge amount of archival material was affected and frozen as well. A strategy for their treatment has been accepted, based upon assessment of their cultural and research value. Advisory, coordination, and executive centres for paper materials damaged were established at the National Library and the State Central Archive, as well as central coordination centres at the governmental level. Effective aid came from abroad: advisory expert visits, material and financial aid, grants awarded to enable research and the testing process, books to replace those damaged by water. Financial support by the Government enabled the realization of the main goals of the Programme of repairs and preventive measures in cultural institutions. Various methods have been applied for repairing the documents affected. From the numerous potential drying technologies tested, mainly vacuum-packing and warm air drying have been applied and a great part of the material frozen has been already processed. Historical documents affected require restoration. Of protective methods, a protective boxes programme has been launched, and protective reformatting, namely micrographic technology, has been undertaken. New experience born from the process of recovery after the floods should be taken into account, either for special methods of treatment of library materials damaged, or for architectural, organizational and technical measures necessary for prevention. Heritage institutions should not underestimate disaster planning and cooperation within a common rescue system.
The International Committee of the Blue Shield
Authors: McGowan Ian
Published: August 2016

The Blue Shield is the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross. It is the symbol specified in the 1954 Hague Convention for marking cultural sites to give them protection from attack in the event of armed conflict. It is also the name of an international committee set up in 1996 to work to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by wars and natural disasters.

The Mission of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) is to work for the protection of the world's cultural heritage by coordinating preparations to meet and respond to emergency situations.

The ICBS covers museums and archives, historic sites and libraries. It brings together the knowledge, experience and international networks of the four expert organizations dealing with cultural heritage: the International Council on Archives (ICA), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

More information can be found at www.ifla.org/blueshield.htm
The Bibliothèque nationale du Québec: A New Place of Culture Well Rooted in its Time
Authors: Bissonnette Lise
Published: August 2016

Created in 1967, the Bibliothèque nationale du Québec (BNQ) has seen its initial mission of preserving Québec's documentary heritage considerably enriched in recent years. As a result, like many other national libraries in the world, the BNQ has been asked to become a large public library and to extend its field of action throughout its territory. Accordingly, in April 2005 the BNQ will inaugurate a new building in the heart of Montréal with holdings of four million documents, provide a large range of services on site and via remote access through an Internet portal, and offer its users a rich programme of training and cultural activities. The last step of growth, later in 2005, will be the merger of the Archives nationales du Québec and the Bibliothèque nationale, which was ratified by a law passed in December 2004. Equipped with vast documentary resources and basing its operations on advanced technological architecture, the BNQ intends to become a unique place of meeting and exchange in its community. At a time when the burgeoning of real and virtual information can create the illusion of unlimited access to knowledge, the BNQ also wishes to be a place of true intellectual freedom, unconstrained by the pressures of fashions and markets, a place in which excellent library science professionals will be able to guide all users, in an atmosphere of respect and neutrality.
Issues in Formulating National Information Policies in Developing Countries: The Case of Tanzania
Authors: McHarazo Alli A.S.
Published: August 2016

National information policies in the Developing World became a particular concern of the library profession in the 1970s. In this paper the focus is on Tanzania. Primary sources are drawn upon, and the findings of a small survey of some of the major stakeholders involved in developing a national information policy (NIP) are reported. The significance of NIP for libraries and information practices is discussed. Attempts in Tanzania to establish and implement the concept of a national information policy are outlined, together with their lack of success. However, legislation and policies have been successfully developed and implemented for related sectors which should have been part and parcel of an NIP. This indicates a lack of coordination of information-related activities within the country. There is general agreement amongst those who write on the subject on the need to define information broadly; to create legislation which would bind all parties to abide by all the requirements of NIP; and for information specialists to think of suitable methods to interest politicians and other decision makers on how to go about developing the policy. Implementation, however, depends on information personnel seeing the need for such a policy and being prepared to invest their time in developing it. In the absence of this, Tanzania's information professionals and information users should not expect other professionals to do it on their behalf. If the measures recommended are taken into consideration they will not only lay down a strong basis for the creation of a national information policy but pave the way for its smooth creation.
Elementary Education in Eritrea: How Mother Tongue Language Policy Affects Pupils and Their Access to Information
Authors: Bokre Desta Arefaine , Olden Anthony
Published: August 2016

Eritrea, a country in the Horn of Africa with a population of over four million, has nine languages and a mother tongue education policy for its elementary schools. This paper investigates the impact of the policy on the design and implementation of elementary education in this developing country, and on the dissemination of information to pupils. A survey was conducted of fifty-eight interviewees drawn from the nine ethnic groups: the heads of the language panels in the National Department of Curriculum; elementary school teachers, trainee teachers, school directors; and parents. The research reveals the issues a multilingual society with minority ethnic groups faces in opting for mother tongue education at elementary level. There are not enough qualified and experienced educators to prepare the curriculum, and there are the challenges of translating and of turning spoken into written language. There is a lack of literature other than textbooks to refer to, and there are virtually no libraries in elementary schools. However, when elementary pupils learn and read through the medium of their first language it grounds their education in the real world. The curriculum is also an important tool in preserving, using and developing the languages of Eritrea.