bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age does not influence efficacy of ramucirumab in advanced gastric cancer: Subgroup analyses of REGARD and RAINBOW
Authors: Muro Kei , Cho Jae Yong , Bodoky Gyorgy , Goswami Chanchal , Chao Yee , dos Santos Lucas V , Shimada Yasuhiro , Topuzov Eldar , Van Cutsem Eric , Tabernero Josep , Zalcberg John , Chau Ian , Cascinu Stefano , Cheng Rebecca , Hsu Yanzhi , Emig Michael , Orlando Mauro , Fuchs Charles
Published: September 2017

Background and Aim

REGARD and RAINBOW were global, phase 3, randomized, double‐blind trials of second‐line ramucirumab for metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Exploratory subgroup analyses were described to assess the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab in REGARD and RAINBOW in young (≤ 45 and < 65 years) and elderly (≥ 65, ≥ 70, and ≥ 75 years) patients.

Methods

Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive ramucirumab plus best supportive care or placebo plus best supportive care (REGARD) or 1:1 to ramucirumab plus paclitaxel or placebo plus paclitaxel (RAINBOW). Subpopulation Treatment Effect Pattern Plots assessed efficacy and adverse events by age groups for ramucirumab versus placebo.

Results

The hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival favored treatment with ramucirumab: REGARD ≤ 45 years (HR: 0.59, 95% confidence interval: 0.27–1.26), < 65 years (0.80, 0.59–1.10), ≥ 65 years (0.72, 0.48–1.08), ≥ 70 years (0.73, 0.44–1.23), and ≥ 75 years (0.59, 0.25–1.37); and RAINBOW ≤ 45 years (0.56, 0.33–0.93), < 65 years (0.78, 0.63–0.97), ≥ 65 years (0.88, 0.66–1.18), and ≥ 70 years (0.88, 0.60–1.28). The exception was elderly patients aged ≥ 75 years in RAINBOW (0.97, 0.47–2.01); however, patient numbers were low in this subgroup (n = 36). Similar findings were observed for progression‐free survival, for which HRs numerically favored ramucirumab‐treated patients. Adverse events (including grade ≥ 3) were not associated with age.

Conclusions

In comparison with placebo, ramucirumab conferred improvements in efficacy across age groups with a tolerable safety profile. Despite some limitations, these exploratory analyses support the use of ramucirumab in advanced gastric cancer, irrespective of age.
Reduced 30‐day gastrostomy placement mortality following the introduction of a multidisciplinary nutrition support team: a cohort study
Authors: Hvas C. L. , Farrer K. , Blackett B. , Lloyd H. , Paine P. , Lal S.
Published: September 2017

Background

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding allows patients with dysphagia to receive adequate nutritional support, although gastrostomy insertion is associated with mortality. A nutrition support team (NST) may improve a gastrostomy service. The present study aimed to evaluate the introduction of a NST for assessment and follow‐up of patients referred for gastrostomy.

Methods

We included adult inpatients referred for gastrostomy insertion consecutively between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2013. During the first 6 months, a multidisciplinary NST assessment service was implemented. Patient characteristics, clinical condition, referral appropriateness and follow‐up were documented prospectively. We compared the frequencies of appropriate referrals, 30‐day mortality and mental capacity/consent assessment time spent between the 6 months implementation phase and 2 years following establishment of the assessment service (‘established phase’).

Results

In total, 309 patients were referred for gastrostomy insertion and 199 (64%) gastrostomies placed. The percentage of appropriate referrals rose from 72% (61/85) during the implementation phase to 87% (194/224) during the established phase (P = 0.002). Thirty‐day mortality reduced from 10% (5/52) to 2% (3/147) (P = 0.01), whereas time allocated to assessment of mental capacity and attainment of informed consent rose from mean 3 days (limits of normal variation 0–7) to mean 6 (0–13) days.

Conclusions

The introduction of a NST to assess and select patients referred for gastrostomy placement was associated with a rise in the frequency of appropriate referrals and a decrease in 30‐day mortality following gastrostomy insertion. Concomitantly, time spent on patient assessment and attainment of informed consent increased.
Planetary Health and the Role of Nursing: A Call to Action
Authors: Kurth Ann E.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To discuss the drivers of planetary health, responses, and the role of nursing in making health systems more resilient in an era of increasing stresses. As health providers, scientists, educators, and leaders, nurses have an obligation to prepare for climate change and other impacts of ecosystem strain on human health.

Design and Methods

Review of literature relevant to a planetary health framework.

Findings

Population displacement, new disease patterns and health needs, stresses on air quality, food production and water systems, and equity concerns, as well as the generation of sustainable energy, are all intimately related to health.

Conclusions

Nurses are key to achieving the sustainable development goals that, like the planetary health framework, focus on environmental sustainability and human well‐being. Nurses contribute to resilient health systems, as trusted leaders and providers of health care, and as advocates and change makers impacting the world.

Clinical Relevance

It is critical that nurses and other health professionals consider the multiple effects of ecosystem strain on human health, and anticipate population health and health system planning and response.
Consumption of dietary supplements by Chinese women during pregnancy and postpartum: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Tang Li , Lee Andy H. , Yau Kelvin K. W. , Hui Yer Van , Binns Colin W.
Published: September 2017

The objectives of this study were to investigate usage patterns and factors associated with maternal dietary supplementation by Chinese women. A prospective cohort study of 695 mothers, who gave birth to a singleton baby, was conducted in Jiangyou, Sichuan Province of China. Information on dietary supplement use was collected from participants by personal interview at hospital discharge and followed up by telephone at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum. Logistic regression analysis and generalised linear‐mixed modelling were performed to determine factors affecting dietary supplementation during pregnancy and the first 6 months postpartum, respectively. A total of 81.8 and 32.1% of women consumed dietary supplements during pregnancy and postpartum, respectively. Calcium was the most popular supplement (pregnancy 63.9%; postpartum 28.1%), whereas folic acid was only taken during pregnancy (62.3%) with an average usage duration of 2.5 (standard deviation 1.3) months among users. High school and above education, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.63, 4.38], and attendance at prenatal classes (adjusted OR = 1.99, 95% CI [1.05, 3.76]) were associated with dietary supplementation during pregnancy. Mothers with a higher level of education (adjusted OR = 3.10, 95% CI [1.81, 5.30]) were also more likely to use dietary supplements in the postpartum period. Although dietary supplementation appeared to be common among Chinese mothers, maternal intake of folic acid was well below the guidelines. There is a need for further nutrition education on maternal use of micronutrient supplements, especially targeting mothers who are less educated.
Resveratrol and cancer treatment: updates
Authors: Jiang Zhengdong , Chen Ke , Cheng Liang , Yan Bin , Qian Weikun , Cao Junyu , Li Jie , Wu Erxi , Ma Qingyong , Yang Wei
Published: September 2017

Cancer, a growing health problem worldwide, affects millions of people every year. The overall survival rates of most cancers have been prolonged owing to the efforts of clinicians and scientists. However, some tumors develop resistance to chemoradiotherapeutic agents, and the cancer research community continues to search for effective sensitizers. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin, has shown promising effects in inhibiting proliferation and cancer progression in several tumor models. However, its molecular mechanisms and applications in chemotherapy and radiotherapy have yet to be fully determined. In this concise review, we highlight the role and related molecular mechanisms of resveratrol in cancer treatment. In particular, we focus on the role of resveratrol in the tumor microenvironment and the sensitization of cancer cells for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Resveratrol shows promising efficacies in cancer treatment and may be applied in clinical therapy, but it requires further clinical study.
Philosophical determinants of obesity as a disease
Authors: Kilov D. , Kilov G.
Published: September 2017

Is obesity a disease? Much ink has been spilled over this debate and for good reasons. The global prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since the 1980s and is now of pandemic proportions. Whether obesity is a disease has consequences for what kind of treatments are appropriate, as well as how we ought to allocate funding and access to healthcare resources. In most cases, there is no dispute over the medical facts, yet disagreement persists. This is because whether obesity is a disease is not determined by medical facts alone; the issue is, in part, conceptual. Science relies on careful argumentation and conceptual analysis as part of its armamentarium. In this review, we will examine the two concepts of disease most often employed in the philosophy of medicine: the naturalistic and constructivist. We will argue that, whichever definition of a disease is used, obesity fits the criteria for disease definition. Those seeking to meet the challenge of managing obesity will, therefore, need to embrace chronic disease models of care suited to addressing the lifelong challenge posed by this disease and its associated complications.
Effect of Asymmetric Tension on Biomechanics and Metabolism of Vertebral Epiphyseal Plate in a Rodent Model of Scoliosis
Authors: Li Qian‐yi , Zhong Gui‐bin , Liu Zu‐de , Lao Li‐feng
Published: September 2017

Objective

To investigate the effect of asymmetric tension on idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and to understand its pathogenic mechanism.

Methods

The rodent model of scoliosis was established using Sprague–Dawley rats with left rib‐tethering from T6 to T12, tail and shoulder amputation, and high‐cage feeding. Vertebrae epiphyseal cartilage plates were harvested from the convex and concave sides. To analyze differences on the convex and concave sides, finite element analysis was carried out to determine the mechanical stress. Protein expression on epiphyseal cartilage was evaluated by western blot. Micro‐CT was taken to evaluate the bone quality of vertebral on both sides.

Results

Scoliosis curves presented in X‐ray radiographs of the rats. Finite element analysis was carried out on the axial and transverse tension of the spine. Stresses of the convex side were −170.14, −373.18, and −3832.32 MPa (X, Y, and Z axis, respectively), while the concave side showed stresses of 361.99, 605.55, and 3661.95 MPa. Collagen type II, collagen type X, Sox 9, RunX2, VEGF, and aggrecan were expressed significantly more on the convex side (P < 0.05). There was asymmetric expression of protein on the epiphyseal cartilage plate at molecular level. Compared with the convex side, the concave side had significantly lower value in the BV/TV and Tb.N, but higher value in the Tb.Sp (P < 0.05). There was asymmetry of bone quality in micro‐architecture.

Conclusions

In this study, asymmetric tension contributed to asymmetry in protein expression and bone quality on vertebral epiphyseal plates, ultimately resulting in asymmetry of anatomy. In addition, asymmetry of anatomy aggravated asymmetric tension. It is the first study to show that there is an asymmetrical vicious circle in IS.
Need, Compassion, and Support for Social Welfare
Authors: Delton Andrew W. , Petersen Michael Bang , DeScioli Peter , Robertson Theresa E.
Published: September 2017

Funding for social welfare depends on citizen support. Drawing on evolutionary psychological approaches to politics, we study two types of need that might shape citizens' welfare support by regulating their feelings of compassion. One type of need is a recipient's absolute need. The other type is acute need created by sudden misfortune, such as sudden job loss. Across four studies, we find that absolute and acute needs independently affect compassion and welfare attitudes. This leads to potential inefficiencies in judgments: People who have fallen far are judged more deserving of compassion and access to welfare even when they are not in an absolute sense the most impoverished.
Wnt and frizzled expression during regeneration of internal organs in the holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix
Authors: Girich Alexander S. , Isaeva Marina P. , Dolmatov Igor Yu.
Published: September 2017

Several genes of the Wnt and Frizzled families in the holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix are characterized, and the complete coding sequences of wntA, wnt4, wnt6, wnt16, frizzled1/2/7, frizzled4, and frizzled5/8 are obtained. The dynamics of expression of these genes during regeneration of internal organs after evisceration are studied. Evisceration and the associated damages supposedly induce the expression of wnt16 on third day after evisceration. Genes wntA, wnt4, wnt6, and frizzled1/2/7 up‐regulate during the period of active morphogenesis (5–7 days after evisceration) and might participate in regulation of tissue and organ formation. The signaling induced via Frizzled5/8 is could be necessary for formation of the anterior (ectodermal) part of the digestive system and development of the calcareous ring on 10th day after evisceration. Our data suggest that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a significant role in the regulation of regeneration of internal organs in holothurians.
Effect of early dialectal exposure on adult perception of phonemic vowel length
Authors: Chen Hui , Rattanasone Xu , Cox Felicity , Demuth Katherine
Published: September 2017

Attunement to native phonological categories and the specification of relevant phonological features in the lexicon occur early in development for monolingual and monodialectal speakers. However, few studies have investigated whether and how early exposure to two dialects of a language might influence the development of phonological categories, especially when a phonemic contrast exists only in one dialect. This study compared perceptual sensitivity to mispronunciations in phonemic vowel length in Australian English adult listeners with and without early exposure to another English dialect that did not have this contrast. The results showed that, while both mono- and bi-dialectal groups were sensitive to mispronunciations in vowel length, the bi-dialectal adults were more likely to accept a mispronunciation in vowel length compared to mono-dialectal adults. The bi-dialectal group accepted mispronunciations in vowel length more than in vowel height and backness. These results suggest that the bi-dialectal Australian English adults may employ a more flexible vowel length category for spoken word processing compared to mono-dialectal adults. The findings reveal a complex influence of early exposure to another dialect on the development of phonological categories.
Minisatellite surge spurs downlink infrastructure
Authors: Sokol Joshua
Published: September 2017

Budding ground station networks capture deluge of CubeSat data.
Tropical forests are a net carbon source based on aboveground measurements of gain and loss
Authors: Baccini A. , Walker W. , Carvalho L. , Farina M. , Sulla-Menashe D. , Houghton R. A.
Published: September 2017

Forests out of balance

Are tropical forests a net source or net sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide? As fundamental a question as that is, there still is no agreement about the answer, with different studies suggesting that it is anything from a sizable sink to a modest source. Baccini
et al.
used 12 years of MODIS satellite data to determine how the aboveground carbon density of woody, live vegetation has changed throughout the entire tropics on an annual basis. They find that the tropics are a net carbon source, with losses owing to deforestation and reductions in carbon density within standing forests being double that of gains resulting from forest growth.

Science
, this issue p.
230
The rewarding nature of social contact
Authors: Preston Stephanie D.
Published: September 2017

New research in mice elucidates neural mechanisms underlying social interactions
Molecular identification of species of Physalis (Solanaceae) using a candidate DNA barcode: the chloroplast psbA–trnH intergenic region
Authors: Feng Shangguo , Jiao Kaili , Zhu Yujia , Wang Hongfen , Jiang Mengying , Wang Huizhong
Published: September 2017

Physalis L., an important genus of the family Solanaceae, includes many commercially important edible and medicinal species. Traditionally, species identification is based on morphological traits; however, the highly similar morphological traits among species of Physalis make this approach difficult. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using a popular DNA barcode, the chloroplast psbA–trnH intergenic region, in the identification of species of Physalis. Thirty-six psbA–trnH regions of species of Physalis and of the closely related plant Nicandra physalodes were analyzed. The success rates of PCR amplification and sequencing of the psbA–trnH region were 100%. MEGA V6.0 was utilized to align the psbA–trnH sequences and to compute genetic distances. The results show an apparent barcoding gap between intra- and interspecific variations. Results of both BLAST1 and nearest-distance methods prove that the psbA–trnH regions can be used to identify all species examined in the present study. In addition, phylogenetic analysis using psbA–trnH data revealed a distinct boundary between species. It also confirmed the relationship between species of Physalis and closely related species, as established by previous studies. In conclusion, the psbA–trnH intergenic region can be used as an efficient DNA barcode for the identification of species of Physalis.
Fabrication and characterization of AlN metal–insulator–semiconductor grown Si substrate
Authors: Mahyuddin A. , Azrina A. , Mohd Yusoff M. Z. , Hassan Z.
Published: September 2017

An experimental investigation was conducted to explore the effect of inserting a single AlGaN interlayer between AlN epilayer and GaN/AlN heterostructures on Si (111) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). It is confirmed from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that the AlGaN interlayer has a remarkable effect on reducing the tensile stress and dislocation density in AlN top layer. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements were conducted to study the electrical properties of AlN/GaN heterostructures. While deriving the findings through the calculation it is suggested that the AlGaN interlayer can significantly reduce the value of effective oxide charge density and total effective number of charges per unit area which are [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.
Recursive Five-Step Filter for State and Fault Estimation of Linear Descriptor Stochastic Systems with Unknown Disturbances
Authors: Bessaoudi Talel , Ben Hmida Fayçal
Published: September 2017

This study deals with state and fault estimation for linear descriptor systems. The main contribution lies in the synthesis of a novel filter to estimate both state and fault for linear discrete-time descriptor stochastic systems in an unbiased minimum variance sense and without making any assumption on the direct feedthrough matrix. In this study, an equivalent standard state-space system (ESSS) with fault and unknown disturbances is firstly obtained for the considered descriptor stochastic system, and then a recursive filter is designed based on the ESSS representation. Moreover, this study proposes a recursive filter design method to deal with the effect of the unknown disturbances. The relationship between the proposed filter and the existing results in the literature is addressed. Finally, an illustrative example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the recursive five-step state and fault estimator.
Existence of static wormholes in f(𝒢,T) gravity
Authors: Sharif M. , Ikram Ayesha
Published: September 2017

This paper investigates static spherically symmetric traversable wormhole (WH) solutions in [Formula: see text] gravity ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] represent the Gauss–Bonnet invariant and trace of the energy–momentum tensor, respectively). We construct explicit expressions for ordinary matter by taking specific form of redshift function and [Formula: see text] model. To analyze the possible existence of wormholes, we consider anisotropic, isotropic, as well as barotropic matter distributions. The graphical analysis shows the violation of null energy condition for the effective energy–momentum tensor throughout the evolution while ordinary matter meets energy constraints in certain regions for each case of matter distribution. It is concluded that traversable WH solutions are physically acceptable in this theory.
Systematic Erasure Codes with Optimal Repair Bandwidth and Storage
Authors: Liu Qing , Feng Dan , Jiang Hong , Hu Yuchong , Jiao Tianfeng
Published: September 2017

Erasure codes are widely used in distributed storage systems to prevent data loss. Traditional codes suffer from a typical repair-bandwidth problem in which the amount of data required to reconstruct the lost data, referred to as the repair bandwidth, is often far more than the theoretical minimum. While many novel codes have been proposed in recent years to reduce the repair bandwidth, these codes either require extra storage and computation overhead or are only applicable to some special cases.

To address the weaknesses of the existing solutions to the repair-bandwidth problem, we propose Z Codes, a general family of codes capable of achieving the theoretical lower bound of repair bandwidth versus storage. To the best of our knowledge, the Z codes are the first general systematic erasure codes that jointly achieve optimal repair bandwidth and storage. Further, we generalize the Z codes to the GZ codes to gain the Maximum Distance Separable (MDS) property. Our evaluations of a real system indicate that Z/GZ and Reed-Solomon (RS) codes show approximately close encoding and repairing speeds, while GZ codes achieve over 37.5% response time reduction for repairing the same size of data, compared to the RS and Cauchy Reed-Solomon (CRS) codes.
Offender Decision-Making in Criminology: Contributions from Behavioral Economics
Authors: Pogarsky Greg , Roche Sean Patrick , Pickett Justin T.
Published: September 2017

If there is agency and some decision-making process entailed in criminal behavior, then what are the incentives for crime and for conformity, and what is their role in offending decisions? Incentives have long been the province of economics, which has wide influence in criminology (e.g., Becker 1968 ). However, economics has evolved considerably since Becker's influential model. An important development has been the advent of behavioral economics, which some consider a branch of economics on par with macroeconomics or econometrics ( Dhami 2016 ). Behavioral economics integrates empirical departures from traditional microeconomic theories into a rigorous and more descriptively accurate economic model of choice. This review explains how behavioral economic applications on offender decision-making can help refine criminological theories of choice and identify innovative possibilities for improving crime-control policies.
Spinal Circuits for Touch, Pain, and Itch
Authors: Koch Stephanie C. , Acton David , Goulding Martyn
Published: September 2017

The exteroceptive somatosensory system is important for reflexive and adaptive behaviors and for the dynamic control of movement in response to external stimuli. This review outlines recent efforts using genetic approaches in the mouse to map the spinal cord circuits that transmit and gate the cutaneous somatosensory modalities of touch, pain, and itch. Recent studies have revealed an underlying modular architecture in which nociceptive, pruritic, and innocuous stimuli are processed by distinct molecularly defined interneuron cell types. These include excitatory populations that transmit information about both innocuous and painful touch and inhibitory populations that serve as a gate to prevent innocuous stimuli from activating the nociceptive and pruritic transmission pathways. By dissecting the cellular composition of dorsal-horn networks, studies are beginning to elucidate the intricate computational logic of somatosensory transformation in health and disease.
Gender Stereotypes
Authors: Ellemers Naomi
Published: September 2017

There are many differences between men and women. To some extent, these are captured in the stereotypical images of these groups. Stereotypes about the way men and women think and behave are widely shared, suggesting a kernel of truth. However, stereotypical expectations not only reflect existing differences, but also impact the way men and women define themselves and are treated by others. This article reviews evidence on the nature and content of gender stereotypes and considers how these relate to gender differences in important life outcomes. Empirical studies show that gender stereotypes affect the way people attend to, interpret, and remember information about themselves and others. Considering the cognitive and motivational functions of gender stereotypes helps us understand their impact on implicit beliefs and communications about men and women. Knowledge of the literature on this subject can benefit the fair judgment of individuals in situations where gender stereotypes are likely to play a role.
Phage Tail–Like Bacteriocins
Authors: Scholl Dean
Published: September 2017

Many dsDNA bacterial viruses (bacteriophages/phages) have long tail structures that serve as organelles for DNA delivery to host targets. These structures, particularly those of Myoviridae and Siphoviridae phages, have an evolutionary relationship with other cellular biological entities that share the common function of penetrating the bacterial envelope. Among these are type VI secretion systems, insecticidal protein complexes, and bacteriocins. Phage tail–like bacteriocins (PTLBs) are widespread in bacteria, comprising different types that likely evolved independently. They can be divided into two major classes: the R-type PTLBs, which are related to contractile Myoviridae phage tails, and the F-type PTLBs, which are related to noncontractile Siphoviridae phage tails. This review provides an overview of the history, biology, and diversity of these entities and also covers recent efforts to utilize these potent bactericidal agents as human therapeutics against bacterial disease.
Viruses in Soil Ecosystems: An Unknown Quantity Within an Unexplored Territory
Authors: Williamson Kurt E. , Fuhrmann Jeffry J. , Wommack K. Eric , Radosevich Mark
Published: September 2017

Viral abundance in soils can range from below detection limits in hot deserts to over 1 billion per gram in wetlands. Abundance appears to be strongly influenced by water availability and temperature, but a lack of informational standards creates difficulties for cross-study analysis. Soil viral diversity is severely underestimated and undersampled, although current measures of viral richness are higher for soils than for aquatic ecosystems. Both morphometric and metagenomic analyses have raised questions about the prevalence of nontailed, ssDNA viruses in soils. Soil is complex and critically important to terrestrial biodiversity and human civilization, but impacts of viral activities on soil ecosystem services are poorly understood. While information from aquatic systems and medical microbiology suggests the potential for viral influences on nutrient cycles, food web interactions, gene transfer, and other key processes in soils, very few empirical data are available. To understand the soil virome, much work remains.
Overcoming the Host Immune Response to Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Delivery Vectors: The Race Between Clearance, Tolerance, Neutralization, and Escape
Authors: Mingozzi Federico , High Katherine A.
Published: September 2017

Immune responses in gene therapy with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been the object of almost two decades of study. Although preclinical models helped to define and predict certain aspects of interactions between the vector and the host immune system, most of our current knowledge has come from clinical trials. These studies have allowed development of effective interventions for modulating immunotoxicities associated with vector administration, resulting in therapeutic advances. However, the road to full understanding and effective modulation of immune responses in gene therapy is still long; the determinants of the balance between tolerance and immunogenicity in AAV vector–mediated gene transfer are not fully understood, and effective solutions for overcoming preexisting neutralizing antibodies are still lacking. However, despite these challenges, the goal of reliably delivering effective gene-based treatments is now in sight.
Estratégias narrativas dos novos discursos fantásticos na contística de Murilo Rubião, como via de escape aos interditos dos duros anos da ditadura militar brasileira, em “Botão de Rosa”, de O convidado (1974)
Authors: García Flavio
Published: September 2017

O discurso fantástico, conforme Todorov e demais estudiosos dessa vertente ficcional, é considerado uma via de escape aos interditos de diferentes entraves da censura. A crítica brasileira é unânime em inscrever a obra de Murilo Rubião (1916 – 1991) nessa vertente literária. “Botão de Rosa”, conto de seu livro O convidado (1974), ilustraria o primeiro decênio da ditadura militar, instaurada em 1964, expondo mazelas dos duros anos da ditadura militar brasileira, que durou vinte e um anos, somente sendo suplantada em 1985. Nesse, o autor exporia sua visão crítica ao regime. Os mecanismos de construção narrativa empregados por Rubião,nesse seu conto, desnudam situações insólitas do regime ditatorial.
Calcium Signaling and Transcriptional Regulation in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Dewenter Matthias , von der Lieth Albert , Katus Hugo A. , Backs Johannes
Published: September 2017

Calcium (Ca
2+
) is a universal regulator of various cellular functions. In cardiomyocytes, Ca
2+
is the central element of excitation–contraction coupling, but also impacts diverse signaling cascades and influences the regulation of gene expression, referred to as excitation–transcription coupling. Disturbances in cellular Ca
2+
-handling and alterations in Ca
2+
-dependent gene expression patterns are pivotal characteristics of failing cardiomyocytes, with several excitation–transcription coupling pathways shown to be critically involved in structural and functional remodeling processes. Thus, targeting Ca
2+
-dependent transcriptional pathways might offer broad therapeutic potential. In this article, we (1) review cytosolic and nuclear Ca
2+
dynamics in cardiomyocytes with respect to their impact on Ca
2+
-dependent signaling, (2) give an overview on Ca
2+
-dependent transcriptional pathways in cardiomyocytes, and (3) discuss implications of excitation–transcription coupling in the diseased heart.
The Media and the Major Emitters: Media Coverage of International Climate Change Policy
Authors: Pandey Chandra Lal , Kurian Priya A.
Published: September 2017

News media outlets are crucial for the dissemination of information on climate change issues, but the nature of the coverage varies across the world, depending on local geopolitical and economic contexts. Despite extensive scholarship on media and climate change, less attention has been paid to comparing how climate change is reported by news media in developed and developing countries. This article undertakes a cross-national study of how elite newspapers in four major greenhouse gas emitting countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, China and India—frame coverage of climate change negotiations. We show that framing is similar by these newspapers in developing countries, but there are clear differences in framing in the developed world, and between the developed and developing countries. While an overwhelming majority of these news stories and the frames they deploy are pegged to the stance of domestic institutions in the developing countries, news frames from developed countries are more varied.
Astrolabes as Eclipse Computers: Four Early Arabic Texts on Construction and Use of the Ṣafīḥa Kusūfiyya
Authors: Thomann Johannes
Published: September 2017

The main topic of this article comprises four unpublished Arabic texts on astrolabe-like instruments for showing the conditions of eclipses. They are the earliest technical descriptions of eclipse computers in any language. The first text is a treatise by ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā (ninth century) on a special astrolabe for lunar phases and eclipses. The second text is an anonymous redaction of the first text with some omissions and additions. The third text describes a similar instrument with a different design, which was invented by Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad Nasṭūlus al-Asṭurlābī in the year 893/894 ce. The fourth anonymous text describes a plate for a graphical solution of the size of a lunar eclipse. In the concluding part, later Arabic descriptions of eclipse computers are summarized, some traces of these texts on real astrolabes are mentioned, and finally some comparable medieval Latin texts are referred to. Four Appendices contain an edition of the Arabic texts and English translations.
Ethnicity, Classroom Interaction and Student Achievement
Authors: Dunkin Michael J. , Doenau Stanley J.
Published: September 2017

In an investigation focused upon student ethnicity and classroom interaction in nine inner-suburban Year 6 classes in Sydney, comparisons were made between 43 Anglo students and 43 non-Anglo students matched on general ability within sex groups. The four sex x ethnicity groups were compared on anxiety, interactions with teachers during lessons on the same social studies topic for all classes, and on performance on tests developed to measure knowledge and critical thinking achievement related to the content of the lessons. While significant main effects of ethnicity and sex upon anxiety were found between the total samples of Anglo and non-Anglo students, only that for sex was found in the matched samples. The most distinctive students in terms of teacher-student interaction were the non-Anglo females who generally were involved in less than 50 per cent of the number of interactions expected on the basis of their numbers in the classes. There were no significant main effects of ethnicity or sex upon either knowledge or critical thinking achievement. When comparisons were made between these lessons and students and those involved in an earlier study employing a larger and socio-economically more representative sample of classes, differences were found which suggested that the lessons taught in the inner city schools were more effective.
Editor's Note
Authors: Marjoribanks Kevin
Published: September 2017

Once again I am indebted to all those people who, during the past 12 months, reviewed articles for The Australian Journal of Education. Of the 124 manuscripts that were received, approximately 15 per cent were eventually accepted for publication. In an attempt to keep the delay in publication of papers to a reasonable period it is unfortunate that many articles with much merit cannot be accepted. Such decisions regarding eventual rejection are extremely difficult to make and authors should be assured that much editorial discussion occurs before reaching final recommendations. I would also like to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to Mrs Bronwyn Hay of the ACER. It is her splendid editorial and organizational assistance that is, in good part, responsible for the efficient production of the Journal.
Paternalism and the Justification of Compulsory Education
Authors: Hobson Peter
Published: September 2017

This paper examines at a philosophical level the justification for making education compulsory, concentrating on those arguments based on the welfare of the child. These arguments rest on the principle of paternalism which, as a form of interference with a person's liberty, is distinguished from such interferences based on concern for the welfare of society on the one hand and with upholding a moral or religious principle on the other. After noting the dangers involved in the use of paternalism, possible ways of determining when it is justified are examined prior to presenting what this author holds to be the two necessary and sufficient conditions for justified paternalism. After some discussion and amplification of these conditions, they are applied to the case of compulsory education. It is found that they are satisfied in this case but only with regard to education up to a certain level. The paper ends by attempting to answer some possible objections to the argument presented.
Matriculation, Degree Structures, and Levels of Student Thinking
Authors: Collis Kevin F. , Biggs John B.
Published: September 2017

The functions of universities and colleges of advanced education (CAEs) are examined with a view to describing the general nature of the demands on knowledge and skill that are sought in each sector. These demands are elucidated in a public language by applying a newly developed evaluation technique, the SOLO Taxonomy, which sets out clearly the level and complexity of thought involved in various levels of tertiary study. A clear rationale for matriculation and degree structures emerges, a rationale which may help to clarify issues where college and university structures are in conflict.
Philosophy and Making the Study of Education Respectable
Authors: Wilson John , Cowell Barbara
Published: September 2017

Philosophy of education is important only because the study of education is important. In what follows we aim to do no more than draw attention to some points, mostly points of logic or common sense, which any serious person concerned with the study of education needs to bear in mind. As we see it, these points are obvious; but if so, it is all the more remarkable that they seem to be almost everywhere neglected. We do not, of course, expect that the mere clarification of these points will effect dramatic changes in the practice of departments, colleges, institutes, or faculties of education. The most one could reasonably hope for is that it will be of some help to those who, like ourselves, are thoroughly dissatisfied with the present situation and are concerned to produce some contexts, at least, in which the study of education can be seriously and respectably pursued.
Issues in the Analysis of Data from Natural Classroom Settings
Authors: Keeves John P. , Lewis Ramon
Published: September 2017

Three problems which arise in the analysis of data from natural classroom settings are examined and the effects of the use of different statistical procedures are illustrated with data derived from the Home Environment and School Study in Canberra in 1969. These three problems involve: (1) the appropriate procedures to be used in the analysis of data when prior performance influences teacher and classroom behaviours and treatment conditions, (2) the appropriate units of analysis when data associated with schools, classrooms, and students within classrooms are analysed, and (3) the effects on statistical inference of using samples that involve clustered groups of students in classes or schools rather than simple random samples. These three problems are commonly ignored and can give rise to gross errors in the interpretation of the findings of school and classroom research studies.
The Relative Influence of Time Variables on Primary Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Leach David J. , Tunnecliffe Michael R.
Published: September 2017

During the past decade, a large body of research has well established the nexus between time variables and classroom achievement. This study measured the relative influence of two particular time variables (allocated time, pupil engaged time) on mathematics achievement as compared with the influence of two context variables (IQ, socioeconomic status), often cited as determinants of achievement.

A multivariate analysis of the data collected from three primary schools indicated that time variables accounted for a significantly greater proportion of the variance in mathematics achievement scores than did the context variables measured. It was also found that, of all the variables investigated, pupil engaged time had the greatest influence on primary mathematics achievement. Some implications of these findings are commented upon in the light of time variable research carried out to date.
Higher Cognitive Behaviours in Classroom Discourse: Congruencies between Teachers’ Questions and Pupils’ Responses
Authors: Klinzing Gerhard , Klinzing-Eurich Gisela , Tisher Richard P.
Published: September 2017

The study reported here involved 45 experienced primary teachers in North Rhine, Westphalia, West Germany. Of these, 29 were trained to ask higher cognitive questions using a specially adapted mini-course. Sixteen comprised a control/comparison group. Data about the frequency, nature and cognitive levels of teachers’ questions and pupils’ utterances were obtained from 14-minute segments of audiotapes of lessons conducted prior to the training period, three to four weeks after it ceased and, for 14 of the experimental teachers, a further eight weeks later. The training program resulted in significant increases in the proportion of higher cognitive questions asked by teachers and in the proportion of correspondences between the cognitive levels of these questions and pupils’ responses. Furthermore, the proportions of higher cognitive questions and of correspondences between levels of questions and responses were maintained over a three-month period. The findings augment the relatively meagre amount of information about cognitive correspondences of questions and responses and by implication direct attention to a number of matters that deserve greater attention if more is to be understood about questions and responses in classroom discourse.
Academic Achievement among Australian Youth
Authors: Carpenter P. G. , Hayden M.
Published: September 2017

The importance of various attitudinal and motivational dispositions and of various external influences on the academic achievement of students completing the final year (Year 12) of secondary schooling in three Australian States (Victoria, Western Australia, and Queensland) is examined. A model of academic achievement is proposed, and step-wise multiple regression is used to analyse the data. While social origins and type of school attended are found to be significant in predicting Year 12 achievement, the most important predictors are the motivational and attitudinal dispositions of the students, the influence of significant other people, and the type of Year 12 course studied. Students who do well in Year 12 are more likely to have parents who are well educated, to have fathers who hold higher prestige occupations, and to have attended an independent rather than a government school. Factors which appear to be most important to Year 12 success are: how students regard their own ability; what type of course they study at Year 12 level; and the amount of positive teacher encouragement to proceed to further studies perceived by students.
The Collocation of Ischemia-Modified Albumin and Blood Gas Parameters in the PICU Setting
Authors: Kocaoglu Celebi
Published: September 2017

Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a marker that has been determined to be elevated in hypoxic conditions. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between serum IMA and blood gas parameters (BGPs) and evaluate whether IMA can be used as a parameter clinically in terms of reflecting tissue hypoxia in ventilator management. BGPs and serum IMA level were measured in blood samples drawn simultaneously from patients. Mean serum IMA levels, mean pCO2, mean pO2, and lactate levels were 82.56 ± 25.47 ng/mL, 47.99 ± 22.81 mm Hg, 53.62 ± 30.43 mm Hg, and 2.13 ± 3.22 mmol/L, respectively. No correlation was found between serum IMA level and BGPs. Our findings showed that serum IMA level can be concluded not to be a suitable parameter in ventilator management. However, IMA can be a reliable guide if used together with venous BGPs in terms of the estimating of tissue oxygenation, especially within the last few hours.
Exploring resting-state EEG complexity before migraine attacks
Authors: Cao Zehong , Lai Kuan-Lin , Lin Chin-Teng , Chuang Chun-Hsiang , Chou Chien-Chen , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: September 2017

Objective

Entropy-based approaches to understanding the temporal dynamics of complexity have revealed novel insights into various brain activities. Herein, electroencephalogram complexity before migraine attacks was examined using an inherent fuzzy entropy approach, allowing the development of an electroencephalogram-based classification model to recognize the difference between interictal and preictal phases.

Methods

Forty patients with migraine without aura and 40 age-matched normal control subjects were recruited, and the resting-state electroencephalogram signals of their prefrontal and occipital areas were prospectively collected. The migraine phases were defined based on the headache diary, and the preictal phase was defined as within 72 hours before a migraine attack.

Results

The electroencephalogram complexity of patients in the preictal phase, which resembled that of normal control subjects, was significantly higher than that of patients in the interictal phase in the prefrontal area (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05) but not in the occipital area. The measurement of test-retest reliability (n = 8) using the intra-class correlation coefficient was good with r1 = 0.73 ( p = 0.01). Furthermore, the classification model, support vector machine, showed the highest accuracy (76 ± 4%) for classifying interictal and preictal phases using the prefrontal electroencephalogram complexity.

Conclusion

Entropy-based analytical methods identified enhancement or “normalization” of frontal electroencephalogram complexity during the preictal phase compared with the interictal phase. This classification model, using this complexity feature, may have the potential to provide a preictal alert to migraine without aura patients.
Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study Examining the Effectiveness of an Hypericum Preparation in 105 Mildly Depressed Patients
Authors: Sommer H. , Harrer G.
Published: September 2017

One hundred and five outpatients with mild depressions of short duration were treated in a double-blind study with either 3 x 300 mg hypericum extract or placebo. The therapy phase was 4 weeks. The effectiveness was judged according to the Hamilton Depression Scale after 2 and 4 weeks. The values of the mean basic score in these periods fell from 15.8 to 9.6 or 7.2 in the active group, and in the placebo group, from 15.8 to 12.3 and 11.3. The difference between active and placebo groups were statistically significant with P < .05 and P < .01 achieved after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. In the active group, 28 of 42 patients (67%) and, in the placebo group, 13 of 47 Patients (28%) responded to treatment. Notable side effects were not found.
Effects of Hypericum Extract on the Sleep EEG in Older Volunteers
Authors: Schulz H. , Jobert M.
Published: September 2017

The effects of treatment with high doses (300 mg three times daily) of hypericum extract LI 160 on sleep quality and well-being were investigated over a 4-week period. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 12 older, healthy volunteers in a cross-over design, which included a 2-week washout phase between both treatment phases. A hypostatic influence of the REM sleep phases, which is typical for tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors, could not be shown for this phytopharmacon. Instead, LI 160 induced an increase of deep sleeP during the total sleeping period. This could be shown consistently in the visual analysis of the sleeping phases 3 and 4, as well as in the automatic analysis of slow-wave EEG activities. The continuity of sleep was not improved by LI 160; this was also the case for the onset of the sleep, the intermittent wake-up phases, and total sleep duration.