bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Когда не выполнен $k$-закон нуля или единицы?
Authors: Zhukovskii Maksim Evgen'evich , Medvedeva Anna Evgen'evna
Published: February 2016

В данной работе изучаются предельные вероятности
свойств первого порядка случайного графа
в модели Эрдеша-Реньи $G(n,n^{-\alpha})$, где $\alpha\in(0,1)$.
Говорят, что случайный граф $G(n,n^{-\alpha})$ подчиняется
$k$-закону нуля или единицы, если для любого свойства,
выражаемого формулой с кванторной глубиной, не превосходящей $k$,
вероятность этого свойства стремится либо к 0, либо к 1. Известно,
что при $\alpha=1-1/(2^{k-1}+a/b)$, где $a>2^{k-1}$,
выполнен $k$-закон нуля или единицы. Более того, закон нарушается
при $b=1$, $a \leqslant 2^{k-1}-2$. В данной работе мы доказали,
что $k$-закон не выполнен также при $b>1$,
$a \leqslant 2^{k-1}-(b+1)^2$.
Библиография: 11 названий.
Цилиндрический каскад Безиковича с гeльдеровой функцией
Authors: Kochergin Andrey Vasilyevich
Published: February 2016

Для любого $\gamma\in(0,1)$ и любого $\varepsilon>0$ построен
цилиндрический каскад над некоторым поворотом окружности
с $\gamma$-гeльдеровой функцией, который обладает
свойством Безиковича, т.е. является топологически транзитивным
и имеет дискретные орбиты. Размерность Хаусдорфа множества
точек окружности, имеющих дискретные орбиты, больше,
чем $1-\gamma-\varepsilon$.
Библиография: 17 названий.
Nuevas vías que esta tomando la profesión
Authors: Boamistura Estudio
Published: February 2016

El pasado 6 de agosto se publicaba en el diario El País un artículo titulado “Arte para humanizar Madrid”, en el que se mencionaban a una serie de estudios, colectivos, oficinas, que plantean, precisamente, nuevas vías de acción para ejercer la arquitectura. Todas estas expresiones tienen un trasfondo común, la consciencia de que la labor del arquitecto va más allá de construir edificios y de que un conjunto de edificios no hace ciudad. Lo que nos motiva es crear ciudad y para ello, no sólo son necesarias determinadas construcciones físicas. Para crear ciudad hay que crear ciudadanía.
20 años de Europan en España
Authors: Carmona Belda Marita
Published: February 2016

Europan comenzó en España y es uno de los laboratorios de ideas sobre el habitar más importantes de Europa. El artículo toma como punto de partida dos aspectos: el primero lo constituyen los planteamientos teóricos que han desarrollado los enunciados del concurso desde su comienzo en 1988 y el segundo los edificios de vivienda social construidos en España. Por último, tras el estudio de la teoría y la práctica de Europan, el objetivo es ofrecer una aproximación a los modos de vida en el cambio de siglo en España a través de sus aportaciones después de más de veinte años de existencia.
Negative Hopes: Social Dynamics of Isolating and Passive Forms of Hope
Authors: Terpe Sylvia
Published: February 2016

This article critically questions the popular idea of hope as a motivating emotion as well as the more specific idea of hope as engendering solidary ties. Both notions can be found in social movement research and will be introduced in the first section. The idea that hope is such an activating force that binds people together is challenged by reports of some survivors of Nazi concentration camps. In the second part I will turn to a selection from the writings of Tadeusz Borowski and Ruth Klüger, both of whom survived Auschwitz. They emphasize that it was (besides other factors) the prisoners’ hope that isolated them from each other and which prevented them from undertaking acts of resistance against their tormentors. In the third and main section a close reading of Friedrich Torberg's novel Vengeance is Mine will help to identify particular features of such numbing forms of hope. Although fictitious, this novel broadens our understanding of hope by revealing two social dynamics encouraging hopes that have isolating effects and that induce passivity. I will close with reflections on how these negative accounts of hope can be integrated into a general conception of hope. I suggest differentiating between two meanings of hope: the one refers to ideas of a better future, the other one to the ways by which such futures may be achieved. It is useful to distinguish these two meanings analytically in order to understand the empirically different forms of hope.
Performativity and the Power of Shame: Lesson Observations, Emotional Labour and Professional Habitus
Authors: Edgington Ursula
Published: February 2016

Teaching and learning observations (henceforth ‘observations’) are used in educational environments worldwide to assess teaching quality and support professional development through reflexivity. Pressures from neo-liberalist, New Right politics encourage observations that are evaluative in nature, thereby over-emphasising quantitative strategies. Research suggests some observations are ineffectual because of emotional tensions between what is perceived as ‘authentic’ teaching and the inherent performativity required by managerialist policies ( Ball 2003 ). But as Scheff (2003) argues, conformity to social processes is not necessarily based on an individual's awareness of explicit rewards or sanctions resulting from judgements. Instead it can be based on invisible self-perceptions of the risk of shame. In turn, this discourages playfulness as these actions may be considered deviations from ‘best practice’. Hence observations can limit teacher effectiveness because they involve interpretations and judgements by an Other ( Price 2001 ). This article draws on narrative data from tertiary-sector staff in a UK research study using a multi-disciplinary interpretive framework ( Denzin 1989 ). Given the importance attributed to reflexivity in teaching practice, research in this area is sparse. Emotional factors within these contexts are often disregarded, perhaps because articulating feelings is considered weak or dangerous ( Lupton 1998 ). However, Bourdieu's theoretical concepts of professional habitus, field and capital bring deeper meaning to interpretations of teachers’ embodied emotional labour ( Colley 2006 a; Nias 1996 ; Reay 2004 ). The subtle nuance within the participants’ narratives illuminates the observer/observee dynamic within the classroom, providing examples of the complex, fluid nature of perceptions of performativity in observations; the inherent rewards and risks.
Is Romantic Love a Linking Emotion?
Authors: Seebach Swen , Núñez-Mosteo Francesc
Published: February 2016

This article aims to provide a contribution to the debate about concepts that describe the empirically rich phenomenon ‘romantic love’. The great variety of different facets of romantic love that exist and that we encountered in over 100 qualitative interviews and 4 focus group discussions carried out in Spain (Barcelona) and Germany (Leipzig) have inspired us to rethink existing definitions of romantic love. Rather than emotion or bond, the concept ‘linking emotion’ might help to capture usually rather unconsidered dimensions of romantic love. In order to discuss the value of defining love as linking emotion, this article will point at the 4 most important dimensions of love that we encountered in the analysis of our interviews. Results of our analysis will be compared with existing definitions of love, the usefulness of different concepts in order to define love will be questioned. Our empirically driven bottom-up approach will allow to discuss the usefulness of defining love as linking emotion.
Inequality and Prejudice. German Social Scientist as Producers of Feeling Rules
Authors: Flam Helena , Kleres Jochen
Published: February 2016

This article is about how sociological research in Germany addresses issues that first seem to be unconnected: young new Fascists and migrants. We will present research in these two areas to show how social scientists contribute to feelings about their respective objects of research. We will argue that although both have cultural disorientation of their study objects as their point of departure, they offer differing explanations for it and as a consequence construct contrasting emotions towards the new Fascists and migrants: they portray new Fascists as disoriented victims of modernization in need of sympathy, while they blame migrants for their disorientation resulting from migration and thus call for indifference or antipathy towards this group. Comparing both research fields we can show that both sets of emotions interconnect and thus form a dichotomous emotional regime. Sociological research helps to sustain lines of inclusion and exclusion from the German society.
‘My mother thought upper secondary school was OK, but then my sibling said no’ - Young People's Perceptions of the Involvement of Parents and Siblings in their Future Choices
Authors: Aaltonen Sanna
Published: February 2016

This paper seeks to contribute to the research on the role of the family in the educational decision-making of young people by highlighting two overlooked areas of study: vocational education and the role of siblings. It explores young, mainly working-class Finnish 15- to 17-year-olds’ future expectations and decision-making processes concerning the choice between the academic and vocational tracks by drawing on interviews with the young participants of targeted support programmes and their parents. The aim of the paper is to shed light both on how parents try to influence their children's post-school choices and on young people's perceptions of the influence that parents and older brothers and sisters had on their aspirations towards vocational education. The paper demonstrates how horizons for action and educational choices are influenced by family traditions and advice, but that the pieces of advice dispensed by parents and siblings are not necessarily in congruence with each other. The familial suggestions work as a point of reference which is acknowledged and reflected on in the young people's process of mapping and recognising their own preferences. The paper suggests that while the goals of parents and older siblings would not necessarily be upward mobility, but rather to help young people to make a decent choice within a sector corresponding to their own, it is important to acknowledge their influence as a resource valued by many young people.
Placing the distant other on the shelf: An analysis and comparison of (fair trade) coffee packages in relation to commodity fetishism
Authors: Geysmans Robbe , Hustinx Lesley
Published: February 2016

Fair trade has been praised for ‘de-fetishizing’ commodities by providing consumers with information on the production of the commodity. Various empirical studies of fair trade marketing materials have generated critique of this vision. However, these focused on materials produced by engaged fair trade organizations. As the fair trade concept has entered the mainstream, fair trade products have found their way into supermarkets. In this setting, these products are confronted with competition, both internal (with other fair trade products) and external (with non-fair trade products). In this article, we argue for a broader focus when studying the relationship between fair trade and defetishization. Our argument is based on a study of whether and how defetishization is advanced on packages of ground coffee within the retail landscape of Flanders, Belgium. Several categories of packages can be distinguished, based on brand (e.g., fair trade advocate, regular brand, retailer house brand) and label (e.g. fair trade label; other social label; no label, but origin is emphasized in the product name). We demonstrate the difficulty of distinguishing these packages based on the visual and textual information they carry (beyond the label), which complicates the identification of any clearly distinct ‘fair trade message’ on these packages. Instead of serving a clear ‘defetishizing’ function, these messages are mixed, interchanged, and adapted. We argue that this could be a direct consequence of perceived or actual changes in the consumer publics inherent to the mainstreaming of fair trade.
Damaging Real Lives through Obstinacy: Re-Emphasising Why Significance Testing is Wrong
Authors: Gorard Stephen
Published: February 2016

This paper reminds readers of the absurdity of statistical significance testing, despite its continued widespread use as a supposed method for analysing numeric data. There have been complaints about the poor quality of research employing significance tests for a hundred years, and repeated calls for researchers to stop using and reporting them. There have even been attempted bans. Many thousands of papers have now been written, in all areas of research, explaining why significance tests do not work. There are too many for all to be cited here. This paper summarises the logical problems as described in over 100 of these prior pieces. It then presents a series of demonstrations showing that significance tests do not work in practice. In fact, they are more likely to produce the wrong answer than a right one. The confused use of significance testing has practical and damaging consequences for people's lives. Ending the use of significance tests is a pressing ethical issue for research. Anyone knowing the problems, as described over one hundred years, who continues to teach, use or publish significance tests is acting unethically, and knowingly risking the damage that ensues.
The Body as an Object—a Sociocultural Perspective: The Study of Young Adults’ Narratives
Authors: Młożniak Ewa , Schier Katarzyna
Published: February 2016

The authors analyse the problem of the objectification of the body, searching for the cultural sources of this phenomenon, and try to outline the consequences of body objectification. When objectified, the body is treated in an instrumental, task-oriented manner, which implies that its value stems from its usefulness in achieving goals. The paper focuses on the ways in which young adults describe their bodies. In the study, responses to the question What does the body mean to you? were collected from 136 young adults. The obtained narratives were examined with the qualitative method of narrative analysis. The results indicate that the objectifying approach to body perception is clearly dominant in the participants’ responses in the following categories: a tool, a connector, a showcase, a machine and an object. The authors discuss some possible ways to change the dominant social metaphors concerning the body.
Improved retrieval of gas abundances from near-infrared solar FTIR spectra measured at the Karlsruhe TCCON station
Authors: Kiel M. , Wunch D. , Wennberg P. O. , Toon G. C. , Hase F. , Blumenstock T.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We present a modified retrieval strategy for solar absorption spectra recorded by the Karlsruhe Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, which is operational within the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). In typical TCCON stations, the 3800–11 000 cm−1 spectral region is measured on a single extended Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) detector. The Karlsruhe setup instead splits the spectrum across an Indium Antimonide (InSb) and InGaAs detector through the use of a dichroic beam splitter. This permits measurements further into the mid-infrared (MIR) that are of scientific interest, but are not considered TCCON measurements. This optical setup induces, however, larger variations in the continuum level of the solar spectra than the typical TCCON setup. Here we investigate the appropriate treatment of continuum-level variations in the retrieval strategy using the spectra recorded in Karlsruhe. The broad spectral windows used by TCCON require special attention with respect to residual curvature in the spectral fits. To accommodate the unique setup of Karlsruhe, higher-order discrete Legendre polynomial basis functions have been enabled in the TCCON retrieval code to fit the continuum. This improves spectral fits and air-mass dependencies for affected spectral windows. After fitting the continuum curvature, the Karlsruhe greenhouse gas records are in good agreement with other European TCCON data sets.
Planar magnetic structures in coronal mass ejection-driven sheath regions
Authors: Palmerio Erika , Kilpua Emilia K. J. , Savani Neel P.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Planar magnetic structures (PMSs) are periods in the solar wind during which interplanetary magnetic field vectors are nearly parallel to a single plane. One of the specific regions where PMSs have been reported are coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven sheaths. We use here an automated method to identify PMSs in 95 CME sheath regions observed in situ by the Wind and ACE spacecraft between 1997 and 2015. The occurrence and location of the PMSs are related to various shock, sheath, and CME properties. We find that PMSs are ubiquitous in CME sheaths; 85 % of the studied sheath regions had PMSs with the mean duration of 6 h. In about one-third of the cases the magnetic field vectors followed a single PMS plane that covered a significant part (at least 67 %) of the sheath region. Our analysis gives strong support for two suggested PMS formation mechanisms: the amplification and alignment of solar wind discontinuities near the CME-driven shock and the draping of the magnetic field lines around the CME ejecta. For example, we found that the shock and PMS plane normals generally coincided for the events where the PMSs occurred near the shock (68 % of the PMS plane normals near the shock were separated by less than 20° from the shock normal), while deviations were clearly larger when PMSs occurred close to the ejecta leading edge. In addition, PMSs near the shock were generally associated with lower upstream plasma beta than the cases where PMSs occurred near the leading edge of the CME. We also demonstrate that the planar parts of the sheath contain a higher amount of strong southward magnetic field than the non-planar parts, suggesting that planar sheaths are more likely to drive magnetospheric activity.
Drivers of summer oxygen depletion in the central North Sea
Authors: Queste Bastien Y. , Fernand Liam , Jickells Timothy D. , Heywood Karen J. , Hind Andrew J.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. In stratified shelf seas, oxygen depletion beneath the thermocline is a result of a greater rate of biological oxygen demand than the rate of supply of oxygenated water. Suitably equipped gliders are uniquely placed to observe both the supply through the thermocline and the consumption of oxygen in the bottom layers. A Seaglider was deployed in the shallow (≈ 100 m) stratified North Sea in a region of known low oxygen during August 2011 to investigate the processes regulating supply and consumption of dissolved oxygen below the pycnocline. The first deployment of such a device in this area, it provided extremely high-resolution observations, 316 profiles (every 16 min, vertical resolution of 1 m) of conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD), dissolved oxygen concentrations, backscatter, and fluorescence during a 3-day deployment.The high temporal resolution observations revealed occasional small-scale events (< 200 m or 6 h) that supply oxygenated water to the bottom layer at a rate of 2 ± 1 µmol dm−3 day−1. Benthic and pelagic oxygen sinks, quantified through glider observations and past studies, indicate more gradual background consumption rates of 2.5 ± 1 µmol dm−3 day−1. This budget revealed that the balance of oxygen supply and demand is in agreement with previous studies of the North Sea. However, the glider data show a net oxygen consumption rate of 2.8 ± 0.3 µmol dm−3 day−1, indicating a localized or short-lived (< 200 m or 6 h) increase in oxygen consumption rates. This high rate of oxygen consumption is indicative of an unidentified oxygen sink. We propose that this elevated oxygen consumption is linked to localized depocentres and rapid remineralization of resuspended organic matter.The glider proved to be an excellent tool for monitoring shelf sea processes despite challenges to glider flight posed by high tidal velocities, shallow bathymetry, and very strong density gradients. The direct observation of these processes allows more up to date rates to be used in the development of ecosystem models.
Age structure, carbonate production and shell loss rate in an Early Miocene reef of the giant oyster Crassostrea gryphoides
Authors: Harzhauser Mathias , Djuricic Ana , Mandic Oleg , Neubauer Thomas A. , Zuschin Martin , Pfeifer Norbert
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We present the first analysis of population structure and cohort distribution in a fossil oyster shell bed based on 1121 shells of the giant oyster Crassostrea gryphoides (von Schlotheim, 1813). Data derive from terrestrial laser scanning of a Lower Miocene shell bed covering 459 m2. Within two transects, individual shells were manually outlined on a digital surface model and cross-checked based on high-resolution orthophotos, resulting in accurate information on center line length and area of exposed shell surface. A growth model was calculated, revealing this species as the fastest growing and largest Crassostrea known so far. Non-normal distribution of size, area and age data hints at the presence of at least four distinct recruitment cohorts. The rapid decline of frequency amplitudes with age is interpreted to be a function of mortality and shell loss. The calculated shell half-lives range around a few years, indicating that oyster reefs were geologically short-lived structures, which could have been fully degraded on a decadal scale. Crassostrea gryphoides reefs were widespread and common along the Miocene circum-Tethyan coasts. Given its enormous growth performance of  ∼  150 g carbonate per year this species has been an important carbonate producer in estuarine settings. Yet, the rapid shell loss impeded the formation of stable structures comparable to coral reefs.
Environmental changes, climate and anthropogenic impact in southern-eastern Tunisia during the last 8 kyr
Authors: Jaouadi Sahbi , Lebreton Vincent , Bout-Roumazeilles Viviane , Siani Giuseppe , Lakhdar Rached , Boussoffara Ridha , Dezileau Laurent , Kallel Nejib , Mannai-Tayech Beya , Combourieu-Nebout Nathalie
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Pollen and clay mineralogical analyses of a Holocene sequence from Sebkha Boujmel (southern Tunisia) traces the climatic and environmental dynamics in the lower arid bioclimatic zone over the last 8000 years. During the Mid- to Late Holocene transition, between 8 and 3 ka, a succession of five wet/dry oscillations is recorded. An intense arid event occurs between 5.7 and 4.6 ka. This episode marks the onset of a long-term aridification trend with a progressive retreat of Mediterranean woody xerophytic vegetation and of grass steppes. It ends with the establishment of pre-desert ecosystems around 3 ka. The millennial-scale climate change recorded in the data from Sebkha Boujmel is consistent with records from the south and east Mediterranean, as well as with climatic records from the desert region for the end of the African Humid Period (AHP). Eight centennial climatic events are recorded at Sebkha Boujmel and these are contemporary with those recorded in the Mediterranean and in the Sahara. They indicate a clear coupling between the southern Mediterranean and the Sahara before 3 ka. The event at 4.2 ka is not evidenced and the link between events recorded in Sebkha Boujmel and the North Atlantic Cooling events is clearer from 3 ka onwards. These variations indicate the importance of climatic determinism in the structuring of landscapes, with the establishment of the arid climatic conditions of the Late Holocene. It is only from 3 ka onwards that the dynamic of plant associations is modified by both human activity and climatic variability. The climatic episodes identified during the historic period indicate strong regionalisation related to the differential impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Mediterranean Oscillation (MO) on the Mediterranean basin. The local human impact on regional ecosystems is recorded in the form of episodes of intensification of pastoral and/or agricultural activities. The development of olive production and of several taxa associated with agriculture attest to increasing sedentism among human populations during Classical Antiquity. The significant increase in Artemisia (wormwood) between 1.1 and 0.8 ka (850–1150 AD) is linked to intensive pastoral activity, associated with heightened interannual and/or seasonal climatic instability. A complete re-shaping of the landscape is recorded during the 20th century. The remarkable expansion of the olive tree, and the deterioration of regional ecosystems with the spread of desert species, is linked to recent local socio-economic changes in Tunisia.
Wind tunnel experiments: cold-air pooling and atmospheric decoupling above a melting snow patch
Authors: Mott Rebecca , Paterna Enrico , Horender Stefan , Crivelli Philip , Lehning Michael
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The longevity of perennial snowfields is not fully understood, but it is known that strong atmospheric stability and thus boundary-layer decoupling limit the amount of (sensible and latent) heat that can be transmitted from the atmosphere to the snow surface. The strong stability is typically caused by two factors, (i) the temperature difference between the (melting) snow surface and the near-surface atmosphere and (ii) cold-air pooling in topographic depressions. These factors are almost always a prerequisite for perennial snowfields to exist. For the first time, this contribution investigates the relative importance of the two factors in a controlled wind tunnel environment. Vertical profiles of sensible heat and momentum fluxes are measured using two-component hot-wire and one-component cold-wire anemometry directly over the melting snow patch. The comparison between a flat snow surface and one that has a depression shows that atmospheric decoupling is strongly increased in the case of topographic sheltering but only for low to moderate wind speeds. For those conditions, the near-surface suppression of turbulent mixing was observed to be strongest, and the ambient flow was decoupled from the surface, enhancing near-surface atmospheric stability over the single snow patch.
The Growth of Indonesian Aesthetic Value of Kriya (Handicrafts) in the 21st Century
Authors: Harmaen Dheni
Published: February 2016

The development of aesthetic values in the handicraft have been changing in terms of function, shape, appearance and even in terms of its significance, the changes will appear also to changes in the aesthetic value of a work of craft, because the essence of the aesthetic is beauty. In terms of language, the term kriya used in Indonesian language derived from Sanskrit, the word Kriya, when transferred to the Java language has a meaning work or action, and in particular the work related to religious ceremonies. Aesthetic value in a craft covered elements of line, shape, texture, color, composition and so on. The growth of aesthetic value to the craft woven eve of the 21st century can be traced starting from animist civilizations, until the civilization Ekotek Dynamic information (science and technology), or what we call the global community that positions the craft as a commodity. This development is an inter-linkages which always affect one aspect with other aspects including its aesthetic elements. Art craft is one branch or twig arts is undergoing a transformation, both form and function that are often lengthy conversations or discussions, regarding the status and position in the art developments in Indonesia. The development of craft capable of evolving to position itself in three directions, each of which has different interests, they are: 1) preservation oriented, 2) development to economic or commercial interests (craft industry) oriented, and 3) personal expression (artistic achievement) oriented.
Characteristics, Demographics, Outcomes, and Complications of Diabetic Traction Retinal Detachments Treated with Silicone Oil Tamponade
Authors: Parikh Hardik A. , Kalbag Neil S. , Zarbin Marco A. , Bhagat Neelakshi
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To describe the characteristics, demographics, anatomic and functional outcomes, and complications of diabetic eyes with traction retinal detachment (TRD) or combined traction/rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) silicone oil (SO) tamponade.

Methods

In this retrospective chart review, exclusion criteria included previous PPV.

Results

Forty eyes were identified. The mean preoperative complexity score (CS) of the TRDs was 5.95 (range 4-8). In patients with ≥6 months of follow-up (33; 82.5%), eyes with lower CSs had a better mean final visual acuity (VA): ~20/400 for CS 4, and hand motions (HM)-1/200 for CS >5. Eyes with macula-sparing TRDs had better final VA (~20/400) than those with a detached macula (~HM). Eyes with >3 panretinal photocoagulation sessions attained better mean final VA (20/400) than eyes without any history of laser treatment (~HM). The most frequent complications were cataract (46%), preretinal fibrosis (33%), recurrent TRD (15%), oil migration to the anterior chamber (12%), corneal edema (12%), and oil emulsification (9%). Eleven (27.5%) eyes underwent SO removal.

Conclusions

The average complexity score was high in this series. Use of SO tamponade for diabetic TRDs is not without complications, but may be beneficial in stabilizing vision in eyes with otherwise poor prognosis.
Capillary Nonperfusion by Novel Technology of OCT Angiography in a Patient with Sickle Cell Disease with Normal Fluorescein Angiogram
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Sambhav Kumar , Chalam Kakarla V.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Retinal ischemia is a pathophysiologic feature of sickle cell retinopathy. Inner retinal thinning of retina temporal to the fovea has been reported on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) even though clinical examination is normal and fluorescein angiography (FA) does not show any capillary dropout. In a patient with sickle cell disease with temporal inner retinal thinning on SD-OCT and normal FA, the new technology of OCT angiography (OCTA) showed a corresponding area of nonperfusion.

Methods

The patient with sickle cell disease underwent visual acuity testing, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and dilated fundus examination. The patient also underwent SD-OCT, digital FA, and OCTA. The findings are described in this case report.

Results

In this patient with sickle cell disease, although clinical examination was normal and FA did not show any capillary dropout, the SD-OCT showed inner retinal thinning temporal to the fovea. Corresponding to this area, OCTA showed an area of nonperfusion.

Conclusions

Optical coherence tomography angiography technology may be more sensitive than the gold standard FA in identifying retinal ischemia in patients with sickle cell disease.
Surgical Education of Eccentric Rotational Acetabular Osteotomy for HIP Trainees
Authors: Amano Takafumi , Hasegawa Yukiharu , Kawasaki Masashi , Yamaguchi Jin , Seki Taisuke , Ishiguro Naoki
Published: February 2016

Background

Periacetabular osteotomy is an excellent intervention for patients at early-stage osteoarthritis, but surgical education for this technique is more difficult than that for total hip arthroplasty.

Subjects and methods

47 joints were included from patients who underwent eccentric rotational acetabular osteotomy (ERAO) performed by 6 trainees under the instructing physician's guidance. We evaluated operative time, blood loss, radiographic parameters, clinical scores, perioperative complications, and 10-year survival rates. We also compared trainees’ cases with 47 joints from patients in a sex- and age-matched control group that underwent ERAO performed by the instructing physician.

Results

Hip surgery trainees took an average of 152 minutes and the instructor took 103 minutes. Blood loss during surgery by the trainees and the instructor was 382 and 276 g, respectively. Postoperatively, for the trainee and instructor groups, respectively, the Harris Hip Score improved to 88.9 and 93.7 points; the average centre-edge angle improved to 34.0°and 36.1°; and the average acetabular head index was 93.9% and 95.7%. Perioperative and postoperative complications were observed in 14 patients of the trainee group and 3 patients of the instructor group, which were significantly different (p = 0.0061). The 10-year survival rates were 97.8% and 100% for the trainee and instructor groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Postoperative imaging evaluations showed no evident differences in coverage. Postoperative clinical outcomes were also satisfactory. Thus, under proper guidance, education to hip surgery trainees on operative techniques is possible. Instructors need to make more effort to prevent complications by providing good education.
Ipsilateral Varus Knee Alignment Correlates with Increased Femoral Stem Anteversion in Primary Total HIP Arthroplasty
Authors: Nam Kwang Woo , Tsai Tsung-Yuan , Dimitriou Dimitris , Li Guoan , Kwon Young-Min
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the ipsilateral knee alignment secondary to knee osteoarthritis affect positioning of the femoral component anteversion during total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography-based 3-D femoral models were reconstructed for 20 total hip arthroplasty patients. Prosthetic femoral stem and native femoral anteversion was measured and compared.

Results

An average increase by 4.5° ± 8.1° in femoral anteversion was found following total hip arthroplasty (p = 0.02). Strong positive correlation was found between the knee varus angle and the changes in femoral anteversion (R = 0.87, p<0.0001). The knee alignment was an independent factor for predicting the intraoperative positioning of femoral stem anteversion.

Conclusions

The ipsilateral knee varus deformity should be considered to optimise the femoral component position during contemporary total hip arthroplasty.
Total HIP Arthroplasty without Femoral Osteotomy in Patients who had High and Low Dislocation Due to Developmental Dysplasia of the HIP
Authors: Kiyak Gorkem , Bezer Murat , Ketenci Ismail E. , Topkar Osman M.
Published: February 2016

Background

Various surgical techniques and outcome results have been reported after primary total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of patients dysplastic hips. Low failure and complication rates have been reported when the acetabular component has been placed in the true acetabulum. The current study reports the results of primary total hip arthroplasty in patients with high and low dislocation for whom the acetabular component was placed in the true acetabulum without femoral or trochanteric osteotomy.

Methods

26 primary total hip replacements were performed on 22 patients. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.9 years. There were 4 men and 18 women. 17 hips were classified as type B (low dislocation) and 9 as type C (high dislocation), according to the classification system of Hartofilakidis et al. Acetabular components were placed in the true acetabulum without osteotomy for all patients.

Results

At the time of final follow-up (mean 8.9 years) the average Harris Hip Score was 85 points. Femoral head autograft was used in 9 hips to supplement acetabular coverage. In 8 patient linear calcar fracture. 7 fixed with Dall-Mile cable and 1 fixed with a side plate. On radiologic evaluation, 2 incidents of asymptomatic osteolysis, 1 of acetabular loosening, 1 graft resorption, and 1 impingement (correlated with physical examination) were identified. 2 patients had neuropraxia and were treated medically. There were no early or late infections. Only 1 patient with acetabular loosening required revision surgery.

Conclusions

Although it is surgically difficult to place the acetabular component in the true acetabulum without femoral or trochanteric osteotomy, at the final follow-up we report favourable results. Long-term follow-up is needed to verify our results.
Comparison of Shear Bond Strength of Universal Adhesives on Etched and Nonetched Enamel
Authors: Beltrami Riccardo , Chiesa Marco , Scribante Andrea , Allegretti Jessica , Poggio Claudio
Published: February 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surface pretreatment with 37% phosphoric acid on the enamel bond strength of different universal adhesives.

Methods

One hundred and sixty bovine permanent mandibular incisors freshly extracted were used as a substitute for human teeth. The materials tested in this study included 6 universal adhesives, and 2 self-etch adhesives as control. The teeth were assigned into 2 groups: In the first group, etching was performed using 37% phosphoric acid for 30 seconds. In the second group, no pretreatment agent was applied. After adhesive application, a nanohybrid composite resin was inserted into the enamel surface by packing the material into cylindrical-shaped plastic matrices. After storing, the specimens were placed in a universal testing machine. The normality of the data was calculated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine whether significant differences in debond strength values existed among the various groups.

Results

Groups with phosphoric acid pretreatment showed significantly higher shear bond strength values than groups with no enamel pretreatment (p<0.001). No significant variation in shear strength values was detected when comparing the different adhesive systems applied onto enamel after orthophosphoric acid application (p>0.05).

Conclusions

All adhesives provide similar bond strength values when enamel pretreatment is applied even if compositions are different. Bond strength values are lower than promised by manufacturers.
Investigation into the Elastic Properties of ex vivo Porcine Corneas Subjected to Inflation Test after Cross-Linking Treatment
Authors: Matteoli Sara , Virga Antonio , Paladini Iacopo , Mencucci Rita , Corvi Andrea
Published: February 2016

Background

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of cross-linking (CXL) on ex vivo porcine corneal elastic properties, using an inflation procedure.

Methods

Twelve corneas were subjected to standard CXL (370 nm, 3 mW/cm2, 30 minutes), while 12 were used as controls. Corneal thickness was measured by Visante optical coherence tomography, before and immediately after treatment, and before inflation test. Both intraocular pressure and radial apical cornea displacement were measured during inflation. Stress-strain curves were obtained by applying the linear shell theory. The elastic modulus was evaluated by calculating the slope of the stress-strain curves.

Results

Results showed a statistically significant increase in elastic modulus (p<0.0001), with a mean of 3,868 ± 502 kPa for cross-linked corneas and 2,727 ± 238 kPa for untreated corneas, when subjected to high pressure (40-60 kPa). CXL significantly increased porcine cornea stiffness by about 42%. Findings did not show any significant difference within the physiological range of pressure (2-4 kPa).

Conclusions

The inflation test has been proven to be a valuable tool for the investigation of corneal biomechanics, maintaining both integrity and geometry of corneal tissue.
Growth and Follow-Up of Primary Cortical Neuron Cells on Nonfunctionalized Graphene Nanosheet Film
Authors: Meng Shiyun , Peng Rong
Published: February 2016

Background

Conductive biomaterials are an ideal biosubstrate for modifying cellular behaviors by conducting either internal or external electrical signals. In this study, based on a simple-preparation graphite exfoliation method in organic reagent, a nonfunctionalized graphene nanosheet film (NGNF) with high conductivity and large size was simply fabricated through spraying coating. The biocompatibility of the NGNF was carefully tested with primary cortical neuron cells, and its biocompatibility properties were compared with a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene film.

Methods

Nonfunctionalized graphene nanosheet (NGN) was first exfoliated from graphite with a flat-tip ultrasonicator probe, and then spray-coated onto glass slide substrate to form the film. The morphology of NGNF was observed with light microscopy and SEM. The morphology and neuronal network formation of primary cortical neuron cells onto NGNF, as shown by DAPI and Alexa Fluor® 488 staining, were observed with fluorescent microscopy. Cell viability and proliferation were measured with MTT.

Results

NGNF had better cell biocompatibility than CVD graphene film. MTT test showed that NGNF exhibited no cytotoxicity. According to neuronal network formation at 7 days of cell culture, primary neuron cells aggregated into 50-μm “nuclei”; the average neurite number and length were 3 and 100 μm, respectively. However, these values were almost doubled after 14 days of cell culture.

Conclusions

These results may improve the use of NGNF as a conductive scaffold for nerve regeneration.
Electrical and Microstructural Characterization of Ceramic Gadolinium-Doped Ceria Electrolytes for ITSOFCs by Sol-Gel Route
Authors: Accardo Grazia , Ferone Claudio , Cioffi Raffaele , Frattini Domenico , Spiridigliozzi Luca , Dell'Agli Gianfranco
Published: February 2016

Background

Gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) is a promising alternative as a solid electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFCs) due to its low operating temperature and its high electrical conductivity. The traditional synthesis processes require extended time for powder preparation. Sol-gel methodology for electrolyte fabrication is more versatile and efficient.

Methods

In this work, nanocrystalline ceria powders, with 10 and 20 mol% of gadolinium (Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 and Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9) were synthesized by a modified sol-gel technique, featuring a nitrate-fuel exothermic reaction. GDC tablets were prepared from powders and sintered at 1500°C with a dwell time of 3 hours. The sintered pellets’ microstructure (by SEM) and electrical conductivity (by EIS) were evaluated. The powder properties, such as crystalline structure (by XRD), thermal properties (TGA/DTA), particle size and morphology (TEM) and textural properties (BET method) were determined and, in addition, for the first time an accurate chemical structural evolution (FTIR) was studied.

Results

Sintered GDC0.8 samples exhibited the maximum theoretical density of 97% and an average grain size of 700 nm. The electrical conductivity vs. temperature showed values ranging from 1.9∙10−2 to 5.5∙10−2 S·cm−1 at 600°C and 800°C for GDC with 20 mol% of gadolinium.

Conclusions

The methodology investigated showed reduced reaction time, a better control of stoichiometry and low cost. Characterization results demonstrated that these materials can be applied in ITSOFCs due to high conductivity, even at 550°C-600°C. The increased conductivity is related to the improved mobility of gadolinium ions in a high-density structure, with nanometric grains.
Decreased miRNA-146A in Glioblastoma Multiforme and Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis by Target Notch1
Authors: Hu Hong-qi , Sun Lai-guang , Guo Wu-jun
Published: February 2016

Objective

The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the microRNA 146a (miR-146a) and the proliferation of cells occurring in glioblastoma multiforme. The secondary purpose of the paper is to investigate abnormalities of expression in miR-146a.

Methods

A real-time PCR assay was used to investigate the abnormal expression of miR-146a in glioma and adjacent tissue. Lipofection was used to transfect a mimic of miR-146a and induce the upregulation of miR-146a. Real-time PCR was used to observe the expression level of miR-146a. A cell viability analysis was conducted using MTT. A luciferase report vector was used to identify potential targets for miR-146a.

Results

The miR-146a component was found to be downregulated in glioma tissue compared with adjacent nontumor tissue (p<0.05). The upregulation of miR-146a in glioma cells through miR-146a mimic transfection led to reduction of cell viability and to an increase in the percentage of apoptosis. Notch1 was the name of the potential targeted gene for miR-146a in glioma.

Conclusions

The study found that the presence of miR-146a potentially affected the proliferation of glioma cells by regulating the rate of Notch1 expression.
Expression of PTEN and Its Correlation with Proliferation Marker Ki-67 in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Ahmed Malik W. , Kayani Mahmood A. , Shabbir Ghulam , Ali Syed M. , Shinwari Wajih-ud-Din , Mahjabeen Ishrat
Published: February 2016

Introduction

PTEN is part of large family of tyrosine phosphatases and has been found inactivated in a wide variety of human cancers.

Aims

In the present study we have tried to determine the association of the expression patterns of this gene with carcinogenesis.

Methods

First, a systematic review was carried out to ascertain the importance of the PTEN gene and its role in carcinogenesis. In the second phase, a case-control study was designed using different expression analysis techniques. Expression of PTEN mRNA was analyzed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

Significantly downregulated expression of PTEN was observed in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) compared to adjacent normal-tissue controls. These results were confirmed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Significant downregulation of the gene was observed in HNC patients compared to adjacent normal-tissue controls. PTEN expression was correlated with different histopathological parameters of the study cohort by Spearman's correlation coefficient and a significant negative correlation was observed with pT stage (r = −0.271*; p<0.02) and grade (r = −0.228*; p<0.02) of HNC tissues. Furthermore, the expression variations of PTEN were correlated with the expression pattern of the proliferation marker Ki-67. Significantly (p<0.008) upregulated expression of Ki-67 was observed in HNC patients compared with adjacent normal-tissue controls This upregulation of Ki-67 was confirmed at the protein level by immunohistochemistry in HNC patients. When Spearman's correlation was carried out a significant negative correlation was observed between PTEN and Ki-67 (r = −0.230*; p<0.03).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that downregulation of PTEN and overexpression of Ki-67 may contribute to the initiation and progression of HNC.
Targeting Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 to Inhibit Tumor Cell Aggressiveness
Authors: Beretta Giovanni L. , De Cesare Michelandrea , Albano Luisa , Magnifico Alessandra , Carenini Nives , Corna Elisabetta , Perego Paola , Gatti Laura
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Because the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase PIN1 interacts with multiple protein kinases and phosphoproteins into a network orchestrating the cellular response to various stimuli, there is an increasing interest in exploiting its potential as therapeutic target. In the present study, the effect of targeting PIN1 was investigated in 2 human cancer cell lines characterized by increased aggressive potential, high expression of erbB receptor family members, and defective p53.

Methods

PIN1 silencing was carried out in skin squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells displaying elevated EGFR/HER1 levels and in ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV-3 cells displaying high levels of erbB2 (HER2). Nonoverlapping siRNA duplexes targeting different regions of PIN1 mRNA were transfected in tumor cells, which were analyzed using Western blotting for the expression of selected proteins. In vivo tumorigenicity studies were carried out in athymic nude mice.

Results

A431 and SKOV-3 cell systems were found to be a source of cells with increased aggressive potential, i.e., cancer stem cell-like cells, as defined by the capability to grow as spheres. A marked decrease of PIN1 levels and of sphere-forming capability was observed in PIN1-silenced cells. The expression of phospho-p38 decreased following PIN1 silencing in A431 and SKOV-3 cells, as well as phospho-EGFR levels in A431 - silenced cells. PIN1 inhibition prolonged latency and reduced tumor take and growth of SKOV-3 cells in nude mice.

Conclusions

Our results support that PIN1 may be a valuable target to hit in cancer cells characterized by increased aggressive potential, overexpression of erbB receptor family members, and defective p53.