bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The search for finality: Serial killing, the narration of sexual injury, and the promise of consolation
Authors: McDonald Dave
Published: July 2015

This article explores the search for finality that arises in response to crime. Its focus is not simply upon how this search for finality functions, but on both the centrality of narrative within this and the question of consolation that arises when such cases officially remain unresolved. Examined by reference to one particular case – specifically, the deaths of five males in the South Australian city of Adelaide between 1979 and 1983 – the article explores the central role of cultural anxieties or phobias that often underpin infamous or iconic crimes. It examines the way in which the narrative of this case reveals particular anxieties associated with homosexuality and paedophilia as a means through which to investigate the complex way in which consolation is ultimately left wanting in spite of the presence of a narrative of culpability. In its entirety, the article attends to the enduring manner in which anxieties associated with sexual difference persist, and the haunting spectre that arises as a result of an unrealised search for finality.
The impact of maintenance contract arrangements on the yield of offshore wind power plants
Authors: Hawker Graeme S , McMillan David A
Published: July 2015

In the optimisation of maintenance and vessel strategies for the operation of offshore wind plant, it is normally assumed that the off-taker of the power produced may directly control the dispatch of maintenance resources. However, in practice, services such as maintenance technicians and vessels are usually contracted from companies with larger arenas of operation, and so the organisational interfaces between these parties, and the different objective functions involved, need to be considered. This article looks at different current and future models for contracted maintenance, identifies interfaces and conflicts of interest, and constructs a quantified model demonstrating the potential impact on headline energy yields for a set of wind farms with a common contracted maintenance resource. The modelling illustrates that the performance of a site with contracted maintenance operations is not only dependent on the contracts held by that site but also on the effective competition in place with other sites for a centralised resource, and the performance of a site may be highly sensitive to the alignment of contractual incentives, relative travel distances, and the relative size of the site in terms of energy yield.
Implantation of a denaturated cellulose adhesion barrier after plate osteosynthesis of finger proximal phalangeal fractures: results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kappos E. A. , Esenwein P. , Meoli M. , Meier R. , Grünert J.
Published: July 2015

Adhesions after osteosynthesis of finger proximal phalangeal fractures often cause stiffness. To minimize adhesions, the use of an adhesion barrier has been proposed. The results until now have not been convincing. The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to evaluate the use of an adhesion barrier. The trial included any isolated, closed proximal phalangeal fracture needing plate osteosynthesis. The patients were randomized into two groups: with or without application of the adhesion barrier. The outcomes we measured were finger ranges of motion and DASH score at 6 weeks and 6 months post-operatively. A total of 42 patients (42 fingers) entered the study; 37 completed the study. The key baseline characterisitcs were comparable. At 6 weeks there was a trend favouring the adhesion barrier that disappeared at 6 months. Overall the results do not support the use of this device.

Level of evidence: II.
Is There a Coherent Purpose for Planetary Consciousness?
Authors: Dennis Kingsley L.
Published: July 2015

This article examines the implications of the various theories of consciousness; in particular, the views of scientific philosopher Ervin Laszlo (the turbine, cloud, and hologram theories, respectively). It also examines how taking a spiritual-material worldview, instead of just a materialistic worldview, can lead to new insights upon the nature of human consciousness. The article then goes on to outline the implications of a coherent conscious universe model for planetary society. Aspects of an emerging planetary consciousness are examined in the context of evolving social systems, and what the implications may be for the future of human consciousness on planet Earth.
Examining perceptions of academic stress and its sources among university students: The Perception of Academic Stress Scale
Authors: Bedewy Dalia , Gabriel Adel
Published: July 2015

The development of a scale to measure perceived sources of academic stress among university students. Based on empirical evidence and recent literature review, we developed an 18-item scale to measure perceptions of academic stress and its sources. Experts ( n = 12) participated in the content validation process of the instrument before it was administered to ( n = 100) students. The developed instrument has internal consistency reliability of 0.7 (Cronbach’s alpha), there was evidence for content validity, and factor analysis resulted in four correlated and theoretically meaningful factors. We developed and tested a scale to measure academic stress and its sources. This scale takes 5 minutes to complete.
An Integrative Review of Enablement in Primary Health Care
Authors: Frost Jane , Currie Marian J. , Cruickshank Mary
Published: July 2015

Objectives: To review how enablement is conceptualized and practiced in primary health care and to explore the factors that influence patient enablement in this setting. Method: A narrative integrative literature review was undertaken. Results: Twenty-four articles specifically relating to enablement in primary health care were identified. Three literature reviews, 4 qualitative studies, and 17 quantitative studies were included in the analysis. Conclusions: In the primary health care setting, the concept of enablement is well defined as an outcome measure of quality. The literature exploring the practice of enablement is sparse, but 2 randomized controlled trials suggest enablement is linked to better outcomes for patients with asthma and diabetes. Primary factors influencing enablement included the practitioners’ open communication style, the degree to which the practitioner is patient centered, and longer consultations. Other factors found to be associated with enablement were the presenting health issue, general state of health, ethnicity, the patient’s own coping strategies and degree of independence, and socioeconomic status. The association between enablement and patients’ expectations and satisfaction is less clear. The majority of research on enablement was carried out among general practitioners. Further research into the degree to which patients are enabled by a wider range of health care providers is needed. Additional qualitative research would provide a deeper understanding of the attributes of enablement in the primary health care setting.
Right Pleural Empyema Secondary to Liver Abscess Due to Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Sano Atsushi , Tsuchiya Takehiro
Published: July 2015

A 64-year-old man with fever and dyspnea was referred to our hospital. He was diagnosed with right pleural empyema secondary to a liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae. He was successfully treated with decortication via a thoracotomy and percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess. Although it is very rare, we should keep in mind that pleural empyema can be caused by a liver abscess due to K pneumoniae.
Impact of Medication Onboarding
Authors: Barker Emily A. , Pond Scott T. , Zaiken Kathy
Published: July 2015

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the role of pharmacists during periods of transition of care. However, there are minimal studies that evaluate the impact that a pharmacist can have when a patient transitions his or her care to a new primary care provider (PCP). Objective: To assess the impact of a pharmacist-run medication “onboarding” service for patients new to a primary care (PC) practice. Methods: This prospective cohort study was approved by an institutional review board. Patients ≥50 years old and new to a PC practice were called by a pharmacist to obtain a medication list and identify any medication issues and recommendations. Recommendations were documented in the electronic medical record (EMR) and provided to the PCP prior to patients’ first appointments. After each appointment, the EMR was reviewed to determine the status of recommendations. As a comparison, the medication list and PCP’s initial appointment notes were reviewed for a similar cohort of patients not receiving a call. Medication-related actions taken at new patients’ first appointments were then compared between the pharmacist-assisted (intervention) and usual care (control) groups. Results: Forty-two percent versus 15% of medication issues were enacted in the intervention and control groups ( P = .001), respectively. Seventy-seven percent of PCPs found the service beneficial and time-saving during initial new patient visits; 85% felt the service helped them manage patients’ medication therapy. Conclusion: A pharmacist-provided medication “onboarding” service results in significantly more medication issues addressed by the PCP compared with new patient visits not preceded by this service.
The effect of long-term ruxolitinib treatment on JAK2p.V617F allele burden in patients with myelofibrosis
Authors: Deininger Michael , Radich Jerald , Burn Timothy C. , Huber Reid , Paranagama Dilan , Verstovsek Srdan
Published: July 2015

Key Points

The JAK2p.V617F mutation leads to constitutive activation of JAK2 and contributes to dysregulated JAK signaling in myelofibrosis. Long-term ruxolitinib treatment decreased JAK2p.V617F allele burden, with some patients achieving complete or partial molecular remissions.
Interpolation and denoising of high-dimensional seismic data by learning a tight frame
Authors: Yu Siwei , Ma Jianwei , Zhang Xiaoqun , Sacchi Mauricio D.
Published: July 2015

Sparse transforms play an important role in seismic signal processing steps, such as prestack noise attenuation and data reconstruction. Analytic sparse transforms (so-called implicit dictionaries), such as the Fourier, Radon, and curvelet transforms, are often used to represent seismic data. There are situations, however, in which the complexity of the data requires adaptive sparse transform methods, whose basis functions are determined via learning methods. We studied an application of the data-driven tight frame (DDTF) method to noise suppression and interpolation of high-dimensional seismic data. Rather than choosing a model beforehand (for example, a family of lines, parabolas, or curvelets) to fit the data, the DDTF derives the model from the data itself in an optimum manner. The process of estimating the basis function from the data can be summarized as follows: First, the input data are divided into small blocks to form training sets. Then, the DDTF algorithm is applied on the training sets to estimate the dictionary. The DDTF is typically embodied as an explicit dictionary, and a sparsity-promoting algorithm is used to obtain an optimized tight frame representation of the observed data. The computational time and redundancy is controlled by the block overlap of the training set. Finally, the learned dictionary is used to represent the observed data and to estimate data at unobserved spatial positions. Our numerical results showed that the proposed methodology is capable of recovering n-dimensional prestack seismic data under different signal-to-noise ratio scenarios. We determined that subtle features tend to be better preserved with the DDTF method in comparison with standard Fourier and directional transform reconstruction methods.
Paclitaxel Given Once Per Week With or Without Bevacizumab in Patients With Advanced Angiosarcoma: A Randomized Phase II Trial
Authors: Ray-Coquard Isabelle L. , Domont Julien , Tresch-Bruneel Emmanuelle , Bompas Emmanuelle , Cassier Philippe A. , Mir Olivier , Piperno-Neumann Sophie , Italiano Antoine , Chevreau Christine , Cupissol Didier , Bertucci François , Bay Jacques-Olivier , Collard Olivier , Saada-Bouzid Esma , Isambert Nicolas , Delcambre Corinne , Clisant Stéphanie , Le Cesne Axel , Blay Jean-Yves , Penel Nicolas
Published: July 2015

Purpose

The aim of this randomized, phase II trial was to explore the activity and safety of adding bevacizumab to paclitaxel once per week in treatment of angiosarcomas (AS).

Methods

Patients were treated with paclitaxel alone (90 mg/m2 per week for six cycles of 28 days each; arm A) or with paclitaxel combined with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg once every 2 weeks; arm B). In the combination treatment arm, bevacizumab was administered after the six cycles of chemotherapy as maintenance therapy (15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks) until intolerance or progression occurred. Stratification factors were superficial versus visceral AS and de novo versus radiation-induced AS. The primary end point was the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate, which was based on RECIST, version 1.1. Statistical assumptions were P0 = 20%, P1 = 40%, a = 10%, and b = 20%. P0 was the PFS rate at 6 months defining inactive drug, and P1 was the PFS rate at 6 months defining promising drug.

Results

A total of 52 patients were enrolled, and 50 were randomly assigned in 14 centers. The most common primary sites were the breast (49%) and skin (12%). There were 17 (34%) visceral and 24 (49%) radiation-induced AS. The performance status was 0 in 24 patients (49%) and 1 in the remaining 25 patients (51%). The median follow-up time was 14.5 months. Both treatment regimens were considered active, with 6-month PFS rates of 54% (14 of 26) in arm A and 57% (14 of 24) in arm B. The median overall survival rates were 19.5 months in arm A and 15.9 months in arm B. Toxicity was higher with the combination arm and included one fatal drug-related toxicity (intestinal occlusion).

Conclusion

The primary objective was met in both treatment arms. However, the present data do not support additional clinical investigation of combined paclitaxel/bevacizumab for the treatment of advanced AS.
Dexmedetomidine Pharmacology in Neonates and Infants After Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Su Felice , Gastonguay Marc R. , Nicolson Susan C. , DiLiberto MaryAnn , Ocampo-Pelland Alanna , Zuppa Athena F.
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND:

Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2-agonist with hypnotic, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties. Despite off-label administration, dexmedetomidine has found a niche in critically ill neonates and infants with congenital heart disease because of its minimal effects on respiratory function at sedative doses, facilitating early extubation and fast-track postoperative care. There are little pharmacokinetic data regarding newborns who have immature drug metabolizing capacity and who are at risk for reduced dexmedetomidine clearance and drug toxicity. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in neonates and infants after open heart surgery. This study included 23 evaluable neonates (age, 1 day–1 month) and 36 evaluable infants (age, 1 month–24 months) after open heart surgery.

METHODS:

Full-term neonates and infants requiring mechanical ventilation after open heart surgery received dexmedetomidine in a dose-escalation study. Dexmedetomidine was administered as a loading dose over 10 minutes followed by a continuous IV infusion up to 24 hours. Cohorts of 12 infants were enrolled sequentially to receive 0.35, 0.7, or 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine followed by 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine, respectively. Cohorts of 9 neonates received 0.25, 0.35, or 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine followed by 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine, respectively. Plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. A population nonlinear mixed effects modeling approach was used to characterize dexmedetomidine pharmacokinetics.

RESULTS:

Pharmacokinetic parameters of dexmedetomidine were estimated using a 2-compartment disposition model with weight allometrically scaled as a covariate on drug clearance, intercompartmental clearance, central and peripheral volume of distributions and age, total bypass time, and intracardiac shunting on clearance. Dexmedetomidine demonstrated a plasma drug clearance of 657 × (weight/70)0.75 mL/min, intercompartmental clearance of 6780 × (weight/70)0.75 mL/min, central volume of distribution of 88 × (weight/70) L and peripheral volume of distribution of 112 × (weight/70) L for a typical subject with age >1 month with a cardiopulmonary bypass time of 60 minutes and without right-to-left intracardiac shunt. Dexmedetomidine pharmacokinetics may be influenced by age during the neonatal period, weight, total bypass time, and presence of intracardiac shunt.

CONCLUSIONS:

Dexmedetomidine clearance is significantly diminished in full-term newborns and increases rapidly in the first few weeks of life. The dependence of clearance on age during the first few weeks of life reflects the relative immaturity of metabolic processes during the newborn period. Continuous infusions of up to 0.3 μg/kg/h in neonates and 0.75 μg/kg/h in infants were well tolerated after open heart surgery.
Two-Sided Matching with Endogenous Preferences
Authors: Antler Yair
Published: July 2015

We modify the stable matching problem by allowing agents' preferences to depend on the endogenous actions of agents on the other side of the market. Conventional matching theory results break down in the modified setup. In particular, every game that is induced by a stable matching mechanism (e.g., the Gale-Shapley mechanism) may have equilibria that result in matchings that are not stable with respect to the agents' endogenous preferences. However, when the Gale-Shapley mechanism is slightly modified, every equilibrium of its induced game results in a pairwise stable matching with respect to the endogenous preferences as long as they satisfy a natural reciprocity property. (JEL C78, D82)
Achieving Cooperation under Privacy Concerns
Authors: Dziuda Wioletta , Gradwohl Ronen
Published: July 2015

Two players choose whether to cooperate on a project. Each of them is endowed with some evidence, and if both possess a sufficient amount, then cooperation is profitable. In order to facilitate cooperation, the players reveal evidence to one another. However, some players are concerned about privacy, and so revelation of evidence that does not result in cooperation is costly. We show that in equilibrium evidence can be exchanged both incrementally and all at once, and identify conditions under which the different rates of evidence exchange are optimal. (JEL C71, D83)
Assessing the bipotency of in vitro-derived neuromesodermal progenitors
Authors: Tsakiridis Anestis , Wilson Valerie
Published: July 2015

Retrospective clonal analysis in the mouse has demonstrated that the posterior spinal cord neurectoderm and paraxial mesoderm share a common bipotent progenitor. These neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) are the source of new axial structures during embryonic rostrocaudal axis elongation and are marked by the simultaneous co-expression of the transcription factors T(Brachyury) (T(Bra)) and Sox2. NMP-like cells have recently been derived from pluripotent stem cellsin vitrofollowing combined stimulation of Wnt and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. Under these conditions the majority of cultures consist of T(Bra)/Sox2 co-expressing cells after 48-72 hours of differentiation. Although the capacity of these cells to generate posterior neural and paraxial mesoderm derivatives has been demonstrated at the population level, it is unknown whether a singlein vitro-derived NMP can give rise to both neural and mesodermal cells. Here we demonstrate that T(Bra) positive cells obtained from mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) after culture in NMP-inducing conditions can generate both neural and mesodermal clones. This finding suggests that, similar to their embryonic counterparts,in vitro-derived NMPs are truly bipotent and can thus be exploited as a model for studying the molecular basis of developmental cell fate decisions.
Advanced and Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuropsychiatric Lupus
Authors: Sarbu Nicolae , Bargalló Núria , Cervera Ricard
Published: July 2015

Neuropsychiatric lupus is a major diagnostic challenge, and a main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is, by far, the main tool for assessing the brain in this disease. Conventional and advanced MRI techniques are used to help establishing the diagnosis, to rule out alternative diagnoses, and recently, to monitor the evolution of the disease. This review explores the neuroimaging findings in SLE, including the recent advances in new MRI methods.
Case Report: Whole exome sequencing helps in accurate molecular diagnosis in siblings with a rare co-occurrence of paternally inherited 22q12 duplication and autosomal recessive non-syndromic ichthyosis.
Authors: Gupta Aayush , Sharma Yugal , Deo Kirti , Vellarikkal Shamsudheen , Jayarajan Rijith , Dixit Vishal , Verma Ankit , Scaria Vinod , Sivasubbu Sridhar
Published: July 2015

Lamellar ichthyosis (LI), considered an autosomal recessive monogenic genodermatosis, has an incidence of approximately 1 in 250,000. Usually associated with mutations in the transglutaminase gene (TGM1), mutations in six other genes have, less frequently, been shown to be causative. Two siblings, born in a collodion membrane, presented with fish like scales all over the body. Karyotyping revealed duplication of the chromosome arm on 22q12+ in the father and two siblings. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous p.Gly218Ser variation in TGM1; a variation reported earlier in an isolated Finnish population in association with autosomal recessive non-syndromic ichthyosis. This concurrence of a potentially benign 22q12+ duplication and LI, both rare individually, is reported here likely for the first time.
The Paradox of Corrupt Networks: An Analysis of Organizational Crime at Enron
Authors: Aven Brandy L.
Published: July 2015

Despite the prevalence of organizational crime and renewed academic interest in corruption, the coordination of corrupt activities remains undertheorized. This study uses longitudinal data based on the email communication from Enron Corporation prior to its demise and couples qualitative coding techniques with social network analysis to understand the effects of corruption on communication behavior. By contrasting the evolution of corrupt and noncorrupt projects at Enron, I examine how corruption influences the way individuals attempt to remain undetected while sharing information. Although transitive communications were not different at the projects’ onsets, the members of corrupt projects communicate less and have fewer reciprocal relations than the noncorrupt project members. But as the corrupt project members’ tenure on a project increases, their behavior tends to become more similar to the behavior of the noncorrupt project members. Potential mechanisms are explored to explain this finding. This study provides insight into how corruption is coordinated within firms over time and highlights the role of information in understanding the emergent properties of social networks.
Investigation of Petrophysical Parameters of Upper Sarvak Formation in One of the Iran South Oilfields
Authors: Movahed Ata , Masihi Mohsen , Hashemi Abdonabi
Published: July 2015

In this study, the upper Sarvak’s petrophysical parameters have been investigated in two A and B wells in one of the oil field in southern Iran. Based on this assessment and the use of conventional cross plots (neutron-density, sonic- neutron, MID_PLOT and M-N PLOT), lithology of upper Sarvak has been identified as a combination of limestone, dolomite and in small amounts, shale. With respect to calculated petrophysical properties and to more precise evaluation, the upper Sarvak in the studied area has been divided into 5 Zones. With respect to the specific petrophysical properties, zone S2 has been divided into 8 subdivisions. Finally, zone S2 with dominant lithology of limestone and with the lowest amount of shale in subdivision 2 and 3, have been recognized as the best reservoir parts.
Numerical Investigation of Factors Influencing Oil and Gas Lifelines Behavior due to Normal Faulting Geo-Hazard
Authors: Khaksar Reza , Moradi Majid
Published: July 2015

In this study, some factors influencing the response of buried oil and gas lifelines subjected to normal faulting are investigated. Due to such phenomenon, the stress, strain and displacement are induced in pipeline. Finite element code of Abaqus has been employed to model pipe and its surrounding soil considering material nonlinearities, soil-pipe interaction and foot wall and hanging wall interface. The numerical model has been calibrated through some small scale geotechnical centrifuge model tests and based on such calibrated model, some factors influencing the response of buried pipeline has been investigated.
Understanding Mental Disorders: Your guide to DSM-5
Authors: Gadsby Jonathan
Published: July 2015

American Psychiatric Association, 288pp ISBN 9781585624911
The top five clinical consequences of obesity in cats
Authors: Linder Deborah
Published: July 2015

There are numerous clinical and subclinical consequences of obesity in cats. Deborah Linder discusses the top five.
Associations between BMI, serum uric acid, serum glucose, and blood pressure with urinary tract stone opacity
Authors: Bramono Ikhlas A. , Rasyid Nur , Birowo Ponco
Published: July 2015

Background: Urolithiasis refers to formation of stone in the kidney, ureter, or bladder. Several studies showed metabolic abnormalities were common in urolithiasis patients. The aim of this study was to describe the association between body-mass-index (BMI), serum uric acid, serum glucose, and blood pressure toward stone opacity in urinary tract stone patients.Methods: This study was done retrospectively by reviewing registry data of urinary tract stone patients that had undergone ESWL on January 2008 – December 2013 in Department of Urology Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Data concerning body mass index, serum uric acid, serum glucose, blood pressure, and urinary tract stone opacity were recorded. Associations between body mass index, serum uric acid, serum glucose and blood pressure with urinary tract stone opacity were analyzed using chi-square test.Results: There were 2,889 patients who underwent ESWL on January 2008 – December 2013. We analyzed 242 subjects with complete data. Mean age was ± 12.78 (48.02 years). Male-to-female ratio was 2.27:1. Mean BMI was ± 3.78 (29.91 kg/m2). High risk BMIs were found in 161 patients (66.52%). The proportion of radioopaque stone was 77.69% (188 patients). Twenty two patients (9.1%) had normal blood pressure. Patients with high serum uric acid were 34.30% (83 patients). We found a significant association between random serum glucose level and stone opacity (p < 0.05).Conclusion: There is an association between random serum glucose level and stone opacity in urolithiasis patients. Hyperglycemia patients tend to have radiolucent stone, whereas normoglycemia patients tend to have radioopaque stone.
Serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a predictor of clinical outcomes in anterior circulation ischemic stroke
Authors: Puspitasari Vivien , Wahid Syarifuddin , Aliah Amiruddin , Suhadi Budhianto , Kaelan Cahyono , As'ad Suryani , Patellongi Ilhamjaya , Purba Jan S. , Wahjoepramono Eka J.
Published: July 2015

Background: Inflammatory response in the acute phase of ischemic stroke will trigger the process of neuroplasticity and determine the clinical outcomes. Angiogenesis and neurogenesis are induced by expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the acute phase of stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between VEGF serum level in acute phase of stroke with the clinical outcomes.Methods: This longitudinal cohort study was conducted on 64 patients suffering from first-attack of anterior circulation blockage as evidenced by cephalic diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). VEGF serum level was measured at 72 hours and 7 days after stroke and the clinical outcomes were assessed on day 30 post-stroke using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).Results: VEGF level at hour-72 and on day-7 were 5.84 ± 0.736 ng/mL and 5.797 ± 0.96 ng/mL, respectively (p > 0.05). High VEGF levels at hour-72 can be used to predict poor clinical outcome 30 days after stroke (OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 1.15-36.61; p = 0.034). Subjects who have increasing levels of VEGF on day-7 compared to hour-72 tend to have better clinical outcomes on day-30. (NIHSS score = 1.33 ± 1.22 vs 3 ± 3.78; p = 0.232).Conclusion: VEGF levels in the acute phase of ischemic stroke reflect the degree of brain damage, the dynamic of the increase in VEGF levels after a stroke was associated with better clinical outcomes.
Insects on pig carcasses as a model for predictor of death interval in forensic medicine
Authors: Wangko Sunny , Kristanto Erwin G. , Kalangi Sonny J.R. , Huijbregts Johannes , Sembel Dantje T.
Published: July 2015

Background: Forensic entomology has not been acknowledged in Indonesia so far. Indonesian carrion insects are very rarely reported. The aim of this study was to obtain the types of insects on pig carcasses that could be used for the estimation of post-mortem interval.Methods: Four domestic pigs sacrificed with different methods were used as a model. The carcasses were observed twice daily (around 9 a.m and 4 p.m) during 15 days to assess the stages of decomposition and to collect insects, both in mature and immature stages. The immature insects were reared and the mature insects were indentified in the Laboratory of Pests and Plant Diseases, University of Sam Ratulangi, Manado. Chrysomya megacephala and C. rufifacies were identified both morphologically and with deoxyribose-nucleic acid (DNA) techniques.Results: Five stages of decomposition (fresh, bloated, active decay, post-decay, and skeletonization) were observed. A total of 11 Diptera and 8 Coleoptera species were found during a 15-days succession study. Chrysomya megacephala, C. rufifacies and Hermetia illucens colonized in all carcasses.Conclusion: Insects found on four different pig carcasses consisted mainly of widespread Diptera and Coleoptera. Chrysomya megacephala, C. rufifacies and Hermetia illucens seemed to be primary candidates for the estimation of the post-mortem interval.
One photo, two stories: Chinese photos in British museums
Authors: Liao Min-Hsiu
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study is to explore how translations function as an integral part of museum exhibitions. Specifically, this study argues that translators of museum texts and visitors who make use of them in museum exhibitions can actively engage in forming different interpretations of the exhibitions themselves. In both museum and translation studies, the producers and receivers of translations tend to be viewed as additions to the monolingual communication in the source language of the museum. Therefore, analyses of translations tend to search for potential errors by using the source text as the yardstick by which to measure how much the translations have deviated from the original and how much potential damage may have been caused to the interpretation as a result. This article draws on Clifford’s (1997) conception of museums as ‘contact zones’, through which objects stimulate ongoing dialogues rather than the site of their display being a final destination in itself. It further extends Clifford’s concept to include the multilingual museum exhibition. From this perspective, I explore how the different voices of object makers, source- and target-text writers and visitors take place in the museum and interact or exist in dialogue with each other.
Dubbing Death Note: Framing the authentic text
Authors: Wroot Jonathan
Published: July 2015

This case study stems from an article written in 2005 by Laurie Cubbison, titled ‘Anime fans, DVDs, and the authentic text’. In her research, she states that English-speaking fans of Japanese animation (anime) pressured distributors to use the DVD medium to its full potential. This meant providing the choice of viewing anime with either a dubbed soundtrack or subtitles. However, this has not lessened the influence of distribution companies that affect how anime is viewed outside of Japan. This article will focus on this influence by looking at the extra features on anime DVDs, specifically using the English-language release of the Death Note TV series (Araki, Nippon Television Network, 2006–07) as a case study. Very few of the series’s DVD special features refer explicitly to the Japanese origins of the story. Interviews and making-ofs are included, as is the case with many DVDs of audio-visual media. But the Death Note series’s extras mostly illustrate the work of the cast and crew that recorded the dubbed English-language soundtrack. Applying approaches and concepts specific to the analysis of DVD special features means the intentions behind these decisions can be thoroughly explored. The extras for the Death Note series do not just provide an intriguing insight into the voice-recording process (for the TV series, as well as the media industry in general). They encourage viewers to see the value and work behind the dubbed version, meaning that the distributors are not just providing viewing-option choices for the anime. They are providing a frame which indirectly suggests how a media text should be viewed. The evidence presented in this case study will demonstrate how such frames, concerning dubbed translation within DVD media, can be used by the discs’ distributors.
Visualizing the self in comedic pathos: Japanese autobiographical manga at the limit of multiculturalism
Authors: Amano Ikuho
Published: July 2015

Since the 1960s, Japanese artists have utilized manga as an effective platform for life writing. In the twenty-first century the genre has visibly evolved around the theme of the transnational/cultural experience of each author, developing a significant size of readership and cultural market in Japan. One of the most prolific authors is Yamazaki Mari (1967–), whose fame is attributed to the success of her manga on comparative bath cultures, Thermae Romae (2008–13). On the other hand, artists of the previous decades used to create their autobiographical work after establishing a reputation for a number of masterpieces. This normative pattern became obsolete, and instead more recent artists have focused on their personal history and cultural experience to appeal to the contemporary readership. Yamazaki’s autobiographical manga, including Mo-retsu Italia kazoku/Ferocious! The Italian Family (2006) and Italia kazoku fu-rin kazan/The Italian Family, Serene but Daring (2010), prominently illustrates the formation of this emerging genre, reflecting the diversity of transnational/cultural realities that Japan faces today.
Is the Long March a dream? Imagination, nationalism and multiple declination of a real mythology
Authors: Neri Corrado
Published: July 2015

Whilst the historical reality of the Long March is not to be questioned, many voices rise to question its details and the actual meaning of this myth-making page of Chinese history. This article analyses two complementary texts that offer compelling readings on the contemporary renegotiation of the national imaginary that the Long March informs. First, there will be a discussion of Wo de changzheng/My Long March (Zhai, 2005), a propaganda film celebrating the heroic retreat/expedition. This movie – among others – calls attention to the unfading genre of propaganda films that elaborate new and different forms of nation-building imaginary for the twenty-first century. I will later draw a parallel with the contemporary artist Feng Mengbo’s installation Long March: Restart (2009), contextualizing it in the movement of ‘art ludique’ or ‘entertainment art’ (as it has been brilliantly termed by Jean-Jacques Launier and Jean-Samuel Kriegk [2011]), which is both an individual and collective new art form redefining the boundaries between video game and museum, CGI special effects and comic books, and high- and low-brow consumption of cultural imaginary. What is particularly challenging in this parallel is that both the film and the installation could be viewed and appreciated in Beijing without censorship. The contemporary presence of both mainstream ‘main melody’ film and (possibly) subversive art, of state-sponsored entertainment and consumerist pleasure-driven art, has reshaped the field of visual culture in contemporary China, far from a clear-cut dichotomy of independent-official–propaganda-dissident.
Chinese minstrelsy: The popular cultural performance art of Jinhua Daoqing
Authors: Cooper Eugene
Published: July 2015

This article first describes the distinctive characteristics of Jinhua Daoqing, a shuo-chang (speak-sing) genre, traditionally performed by blind male practitioners (with yugu drum and clappers) on urban streets and in teahouses, in village squares and at temple fairs, weaving together traditional folk tales and stories, with commentary on more recent and local events. As a result, Daoqing was often called ‘Singing the News’ (chang xinwen), a kind of minstrelsy, with a communication as well as an entertainment function.

The article moves on to present the genre’s historical narrative, which stretches from its supposed origins with Daoist Immortal Zhang Guolao, through the Republican period (1911–49), when it was exceeded in popularity in Jinhua only by the local opera. Practitioners of Daoqing survived into the Communist period (1949–present), and some achieved considerable renown prior to the Cultural Revolution (1966–78), by tailoring their messages to the circumstances of the ‘new society’. Despite suppression during the Cultural Revolution, ‘underground’ performances were said to have been held, and during the early period of economic reform, the genre experienced a vibrant revival. Daoqing performers came out of the backrooms to perform in public once again, and local cultural offices held classes to train up a new generation of ‘sighted’ performers. But the genre faces new challenges in the world of expanding and globalizing media, and may not survive another generation. This article concludes by placing Daoqing performers alongside the musings of Walter Benjamin (1955) about storytellers as communicators in an ‘artisan mode of production’, increasingly eclipsed and superseded, nay, overwhelmed by new forms of media and multimedia.
Comedy, love, irony: On Mauritz Stillers Thomas Graals Best Film
Authors: Røssaak Eivind
Published: July 2015

Mauritz Stillers Thomas Graals bästa film/Thomas Graals Best Film (1917) is a self-reflexive romantic comedy and has been called one of the cleverest films about film-making made in the silent era (Bordwell and Thompson 2003: 66). This article investigates the films correlations between love and metafiction and discusses some of the most striking differences between the Swedish and the American versions of the film. As in many silent comedies, the sight gag plays a dominant role. The article argues that in this film the sight gag is elaborated in an extended fashion more akin to romantic irony or what Friedrich Schlegel would call a permanent parabasis.
Pat and Patachon: A German comedy couple on the screen
Authors: Lange-Fuchs Hauke
Published: July 2015

Fyrtaarnet og Bivognen was an exceedingly popular Danish comedy duo during the inter-war years, and not only in their homeland. This short article focuses on their successful transnational career, in particular the German-language market where they soon became known as Pat and Patachon.
The joiking Injuns: Interpreting (multi)cultural politics of parody in the music of the Finnish Western film
Authors: Kärjä Antti-Ville
Published: July 2015

In the article, the goal is to interrogate the cultural politics of parody in the context of Finnish Western films in relation to the framework of multicultural Finland. The analysis focuses on the films music, in order to accentuate specific audio-visual interpretive competences and to challenge the visual epistemologies that dominate film studies. Parody is approached as an interpretive strategy and linked to six dimensions of film parody: reiteration, inversion, misdirection, literalization, extraneous inclusion and exaggeration. This entails examining the films musical scenes in relation to the actors public personae, the musical conventions of the Western film genre and the representations of the ethnic Other. In conclusion, it is maintained that the parodic joking as an interpretive activity rests significantly on features that are deeply implicated in the construction of irrefutable ethnic differences, musically and otherwise.
Deadly serious? The role of disability in Adams Apples
Authors: Hättich Achim
Published: July 2015

Adams Apples is a remarkable and sophisticated comedy despite incorporating a very severe disability. This condition is represented in an unusual manner, contrary to the fact that, theoretically and historically, comedy and disability share a common ground. In the context of this film, disability is not the target or focus of comedy but rather is entirely excepted from it.
Distinctions of Authenticity and the everyday punk self
Authors: Gordon Alastair
Published: July 2015

This article examines the construction authenticity of a particular UK DiY punk scene. Using ethnographic data gathered in 2001, it examines members’ reference to broader ethical ideological themes through an analysis of their interviews. I offer the model ‘Distinctions of Authenticity’, which identifies four key component strategies at work in the pursuit of self-authentication that have purchase for future work on punk authenticity studies. This model challenges reductionist models of a singular punk authenticity. In doing so it presents an approach to overcome what are identified as key gaps in subcultural research left by both traditional (BCCCS) subcultural research and later post-structuralist accounts that do not fully take into account the workings of micro-discourse in maintaining and constructing subcultural punk authenticity.
The need for healing: An interview with Martyn Bates
Authors: Loydell Rupert
Published: July 2015

Martyn Bates is currently ‘semi-retired’ from performing, although he continues to be active as both a songwriter and solo artist, plus working as of the influential post-punk duo Eyeless in Gaza (with Peter Becker). Author of three books of lyrics (A Map Of The Stars In Summer (2008), Plague of Years (1997), Imagination Feels like Poison (1996)), Bates continues to create new work – with a slew of both new and archive material currently being readied for release on his own ‘fiercely independent – to the point of invisibility’ imprint Ambivalent Scale Recordings. Bates also works in conjunction with the former architect of World Serpent Distribution, Alan Trench – ‘Twelve Thousand Days’ – with Trench producing Bates’ Spring 2014 released solo album Arriving Fire. Among a slew of genre defying musics, Martyn Bates has also produced three pioneering albums (Drift, Passages and Incest Songs) of ‘isolationist’ folk song stylings with Napalm Death originator Mick Harris.
The Apprehensions of Traditional Ulama towards Women’s Participation in Politics in Nigeria
Authors: Ibrahim Adebayo Rafiu
Published: July 2015

Throughout the political history of Islam, women played significant political roles in the affairs of muslim states. This, however, has not been the situation in Nigeria where muslim women are skeptical about their involvement in politics, seeing it as an exclusively male domain. This has been so probably because of the voice of ulama against women’s participation in politics or the general belief that politics is a dirty game which is not meant for women. The big question then is why do Nigerian ulama resist women’s involvement in politics? Further, would muslims not stand the risk of losing their political potentiality should they remain indifferent to political participation by women? And, how do female muslim elites who have a flair for politics feel about their lack of political voice: would this not affect their spiritual or religious interests in the long run? This paper explores Islamic political history for the purpose of discovering the extent of muslim women’s involvement in politics, and the reasons for the non-involvement of muslim women in the nation’s politics from the viewpoint of the traditional ulama in the country.
[Sepanjang sejarah Islam, wanita memainkan peran penting dalam politik di banyak negara muslim. Namun, hal ini tidak terjadi di Nigeria, karena wanitanya ragu terhadap peran mereka di kancah politik yang memang didominasi oleh para lelaki. Ini terjadi karena ulama menentang keterlibatan wanita di politik serta pandangan bahwa politik itu kotor dan tidak sesuai untuk wanita. Pertanyaannya kenapa para ulama menentang wanita berpolitik? Lalu, apakah mereka tidak rugi secara politis jika tidak peduli dengan partisipasi wanita? Bagaimana juga para wanita muslim itu tidak merasa kurang bersuara dalam politik: apakah ini tidak mempengaruhi spiritualitas dan kepentingan jangka panjang? Paper ini meneliti sejarah politik Islam terkait dengan peran wanita di politik, juga alasan kenapa mereka tidak terlibat menurut kaum ulama tradisional di Nigeria.]
Parametrische Modellordnungsreduktion für hierarchische selbstoptimierende Systeme
Authors: Krüger Martin , Trächtler Ansgar
Published: July 2015

In diesem Beitrag wird eine neuartige Methode zur parametrischen Modellordnungsreduktion paretooptimaler Systeme vorgestellt. Mit
dieser Methode können die komplexen Modelle, die im Rahmen selbstoptimierender Systeme auftreten, gezielt vereinfacht werden. Das
herausragende Merkmal der entwickelten Methode besteht in der engen Verzahnung der Verfahren der parametrischen Modellordnungsreduktion
mit der hierarchischen Optimierung auf der einen Seite und dem Konzept der hierarchischen Modellierung mechatronischer Systeme auf der
anderen Seite. Der Beitrag enthält einen Überblick über die eingesetzten Verfahren und demonstriert die Methode am Beispiel eines
Prüfstands für die aktive Federung eines Schienenfahrzeugs.
Positivity in varieties of maximal Albanese dimension
Authors: Chen Jungkai Alfred , Jiang Zhi
Published: July 2015

Given a generically finite morphism f from a smooth projective variety X to an abelian variety A,
we show that

f
*

⁢

ω
X

{f_{*}\omega_{X}}

is “sufficiently positive” on A. As an application, we prove that when X is of general type, the global sections of

ω
X
2

{\omega_{X}^{2}}

define a generically finite map of X.
We also study the structure of X when X is of general type and satisfies

χ
⁢

(
X
,

ω
X

)

=
0

{\chi(X,\omega_{X})=0}

.
We formulate a conjectural characterization of such X and prove the conjecture when A has exactly three simple factors.
The level four braid group
Authors: Brendle Tara E. , Margalit Dan
Published: July 2015

By evaluating the Burau representation at t

=

=

-1, one obtains a symplectic representation of the braid group. We study the resulting congruence subgroups of the braid group, namely, the preimages of the principal congruence subgroups of the symplectic group. Our main result is that the level four congruence subgroup is equal to the group generated by squares of Dehn twists. We also show that the image of the Brunnian subgroup of the braid group under the symplectic representation is the level four congruence subgroup.
Spectral asymptotics for canonical systems
Authors: Eckhardt Jonathan , Kostenko Aleksey , Teschl Gerald
Published: July 2015

Based on continuity properties of the de Branges correspondence, we develop a new approach to study the high-energy behavior of Weyl–Titchmarsh and spectral functions of

2
×
2

{2\times 2}

first order canonical systems. Our results improve several
classical results and solve open problems posed by previous authors. Furthermore, they are applied to radial Dirac and radial Schrödinger operators as well as to Krein strings and generalized indefinite strings.