bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mean Platelet Volume—A Predictive Factor for the Diagnosis of Nonsymptomatic Prostatitis
Authors: Rifaioglu Murat Mehmet , Demirbas Onur , Gokce Hasan , Davarci Mursel
Published: December 2015

Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been reported to be related to inflammation. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate, and this protein may be elevated for several reasons, including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and/or cancer. The aim of the current study was to investigate the predictive effect of MPV values on nonsymptomatic prostatitis diagnosis and the relation between MPV and PSA. A total of 275 patients, 89 affected by benign prostate hyperplasia, 94 by prostate adenocancer, and 92 by prostatitis were included in the current study. PSA, total blood count parameters, and urine analysis were investigated. Findings were compared with the groups. The correlation between MPV and the other parameters were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of nonsymptomatic prostatitis diagnosis. MPV was significantly higher in patients with nonsymptomatic prostatitis than the other groups. There were negative correlations between MPV and age, total PSA or free PSA ( r = −.123; p = .042, r = −.235; p < .001, r = −.184; p = .006, respectively). According to multivariate regression model, only MPV was identified as the predictive factor for nonsymptomatic prostatitis (odds ratio: 1.451, 95% confidence interval [1.116, 1.887], p = .005). MPV, in the absence of other reasons that increased the MPV level, was significantly increased in cases with nonsymptomatic prostatitis; this increase is significantly higher than elevated PSA level in nonsymptomatic prostatitis patients. MPV could have a predictive value for the diagnosis of nonsymptomatic prostatitis.
Phlegmonous gastritis secondary to superior mesenteric artery syndrome
Authors: Nomura Kosuke , Iizuka Toshiro , Yamashita Satoshi , Kuribayashi Yasutaka , Toba Takahito , Yamada Akihiro , Furuhata Tsukasa , Kikuchi Daisuke , Matsui Akira , Mitani Toshifumi , Ogawa Osamu , Hoteya Shu , Inoshita Naoko , Kaise Mitsuru
Published: December 2015

We herein report a case of phlegmonous gastritis secondary to superior mesenteric artery syndrome. An 80-year-old woman visited the hospital emergency department with the chief complaints of epigastric pain and vomiting. She was hospitalized urgently following the diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome based on abdominal computed tomography findings. Conservative therapy was not effective, and phlegmonous gastritis was diagnosed based on the findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy performed on the 12th day of the disease. Undernutrition and reduced physical activity were observed on hospital admission, and proactive nutritional therapy with enteral nutrition was started. An upper gastrointestinal series, performed approximately 1 month later, confirmed the persistence of strictures and impaired gastric emptying. Because conservative therapy was unlikely to improve oral food intake, open total gastrectomy was performed on the 94th day of the disease. Examination of surgically resected specimens revealed marked inflammation and fibrosis, especially in the body of the stomach. Following a good postoperative recovery, the patient was able to commence oral intake and left our hospital on foot approximately 1 month after surgery.
Ornidazole-induced ataxia in an Indian woman: A case report
Authors: Gopinath Kango Gopal , Wilson Benny Paul , Viggeswarpu Surekha , Mathews Prasad K , Mani Sunithi
Published: December 2015

The nitroimidazole group of antibiotics like metronidazole have been reported to cause cerebellar ataxia as a rare side effect. Ornidazole, the newest derivative of this class, has a long half life and is very rarely known to cause cerebellar ataxia. Here, we report a 61-year-old patient who developed ataxia due to ornidazole to highlight an unusual adverse event that improved rapidly after discontinuation of the offending drug.
The duration of government formation processes in Europe
Authors: Ecker Alejandro , Meyer Thomas M
Published: December 2015

Although many studies analyse government formation and termination, there is only scant attention to the duration of government formation processes. The few existing studies focus on the empirical evidence of parliamentary democracies in Western Europe until 1998. We present a new data set on 297 government formation processes in 27 European countries that allows us to test models explaining delays in the government formation process developed in Western Europe using new data from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Our results suggest that these models perform much better in the Western European heartland of coalition studies than in the context of CEE. We highlight the implications of these findings and discuss potential avenues for future research.
Parameters Pointing at an Increased Risk for Contralateral Hip Fractures
Authors: Moll Maria A. , Bachmann Lucas M. , Joeris Alexander , Goldhahn Joerg , Blauth Michael
Published: December 2015

Background:

Early identification of hip fracture (HF) patients bearing an increased risk for a contralateral occurrence would allow providing preventive measures timely.

Objectives:

To summarize the available evidence describing risk scores, prognostic instruments, or (groups of) parameters predicting contralateral HFs at the time point of the first fracture. Methods/Systematic Review: Articles were identified through searches in MEDLINE and Scopus from inception to April 2014, checking of reference lists of the included studies and reviews. One reviewer assessed all articles for inclusion and abstracted the data. Uncertain cases were discussed and decided with a second reviewer. Salient study and population characteristics were abstracted for each article. Studies reporting the association of a set of risk factors for second HFs were further examined and compared. The number of studies reporting on a risk parameter was assessed.

Results:

Searches identified 3560 records, and 47 studies were included in this review. There was a large spectrum of study designs, patient populations, and follow-up periods. Among 11 studies reporting on a set of parameters, female gender was assessed most commonly (7 times), followed by age (5) and parameters of general health, vision, and stroke (each 4 times). We were unable to depict stringent patterns of risk parameters to be used for decision making in clinical practice.

Conclusions:

The findings of this article call for a conjoint effort to achieve an expert consensus regarding a critical set of parameters for a risk instrument identifying patients bearing an increased risk for contralateral HFs early.
Increased Compliance With Supervised Rehabilitation Improves Functional Outcome and Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Recreational Athletes
Authors: Han Fucai , Banerjee Anirban , Shen Liang , Krishna Lingaraj
Published: December 2015

Background:

Successful return to sport is an important outcome measure after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and a reason for patients’ decisions to elect surgery. Rehabilitation programs supervised by physical therapists are routinely prescribed after ACL reconstruction surgery. However, the added advantage of supervised physical therapy after ACL reconstruction is still debatable.

Hypothesis:

Attending more supervised physical therapy sessions after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction in recreational athletes increases their chance of successful return to sport.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The authors analyzed 93 recreational athletes who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. After arthroscopic single-bundle ACL reconstruction, patients were advised to attend 20 supervised physical therapy sessions. Patients’ demographics, surgical details, and outcome measures (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Lysholm scale, and Short Form–36 Health Survey [SF-36]) were recorded presurgery and at 1-year follow-up. Ability to return to sports was documented through patients’ self-report. The attendance at physical therapy by each patient was obtained by examining database records and assessed as fully compliant (>15 sessions), moderately compliant (6-15 sessions), or noncompliant (<6 sessions).

Results:

Patients in the fully compliant group had significantly greater odds (odds ratio [OR], 18.5; 95% CI, 1.9-184.5; P = .013) of a successful return to sport as compared with the noncompliant group. Patients in the moderately compliant group also had greater odds of returning to sport as compared with the noncompliant group (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.0-16.6; P = .043). Patients in the fully compliant group had significantly greater scores on the Lysholm ( P < .001), KOOS Sports and Recreation subscale ( P = .021), KOOS Symptoms subscale ( P = .040), and SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) ( P = .012) as compared with the noncompliant group. Moderately compliant patients had significantly greater scores on the Lysholm ( P = .004), KOOS Sports and Recreation ( P = .026), KOOS Symptoms ( P = .041), KOOS Quality of Life ( P = .022), and SF-36 PCS ( P = .004) as compared with noncompliant patients.

Conclusion:

In recreational athletes, moderate to full compliance with a supervised physical therapy program predicts improved knee function and a greater chance of returning to sport 1 year after ACL reconstruction.
Managing asthma in pregnancy
Authors: Murphy Vanessa E.
Published: December 2015

Asthma is a common comorbidity during pregnancy and its prevalence is increasing in the community. Exacerbations are a major clinical problem during pregnancy with up to 45% of women needing to seek medical help, resulting in poor outcomes for mothers and their babies, including low birth weight and preterm delivery. The goals of effective asthma management in pregnancy are to maintain the best possible asthma control and prevent exacerbations. This is achieved by aiming to prevent day- and night-time symptoms, and maintain lung function and normal activity. In addition, maintaining fetal oxygenation is an important consideration in pregnancy. Guidelines recommend providing asthma advice and review prior to conception, and managing asthma actively during pregnancy, with regular 4-weekly review, provision of a written action plan, use of preventer medications as indicated for other adults with asthma, and management of comorbid conditions such as rhinitis.

Improvements have been made in recent years in emergency department management of asthma in pregnancy, and multidisciplinary approaches are being proposed to optimise both asthma outcomes and perinatal outcomes. One strategy that has demonstrated success in reducing exacerbations in pregnancy is treatment adjustment using a marker of eosinophilic lung inflammation, the exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FeNO). The use of an algorithm that adjusted inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) according toFeNOand added long-acting β-agonists when symptoms remained uncontrolled resulted in fewer exacerbations, more women on ICS but at lower mean doses, and improved infant respiratory health at 12 months of age. Further evidence is needed to determine whether this strategy can also improve perinatal outcomes and be successfully translated into clinical practice.

Key points

Asthma is the most common chronic disease to affect pregnant women.

Exacerbations occur in up to 45% of pregnant women with asthma.

Asthma should be managed during pregnancy as for other adults.

Treatment adjustment using a marker of airway inflammation reduces the exacerbation rate in pregnancy.

Educational aims

To identify the goals of and steps associated with effective asthma management in pregnancy.

To understand the maternal and perinatal risks associated with asthma during pregnancy.

To describe a management strategy that has been shown to reduce exacerbations in pregnant women with asthma.
Pulmonary thrombo-embolism in pregnancy: diagnosis and management
Authors: Simcox Louise E. , Ormesher Laura , Tower Clare , Greer Ian A
Published: December 2015

Key points

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy remains a leading cause of direct maternal mortality in the developed world and identifiable risk factors are increasing in incidence.

VTE is approximately 10-times more common in the pregnant population (compared with non-pregnant women) with an incidence of 1 in 1000 and the highest risk in the postnatal period.

If pulmonary imaging is required, ventilation perfusion scanning is usually the preferred initial test to detect pulmonary embolism within pregnancy. Treatment should be commenced on clinical suspicion and not be withheld until an objective diagnosis is obtained.

The mainstay of treatment for pulmonary thromboembolism in pregnancy is anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin for a minimum of 3 months in total duration and until at least 6 weeks postnatal. Low molecular weight heparin is safe, effective and has a low associated bleeding risk.

Educational aims

To inform readers about the current guidance for diagnosis and management of pulmonary thromboembolism in pregnancy.

To highlight the risks of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy.

To introduce the issues surrounding management of pulmonary thromboembolism around labour and delivery
Synergism of MSC-secreted HGF and VEGF in stabilising endothelial barrier function upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation via the Rac1 pathway
Authors: Yang Yi , Chen Qi-hong , Liu Ai-ran , Xu Xiu-ping , Han Ji-bin , Qiu Hai-bo
Published: December 2015

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stabilise endothelial barrier function in acute lung injury via paracrine hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is secreted by MSCs, is another key regulator of endothelial permeability; however, its role in adjusting permeability remains controversial. In addition, whether an interaction occurs between HGF and VEGF, which are secreted by MSCs, is not completely understood.

Methods

We introduced a co-cultured model of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) and MSC conditioned medium (CM) collected from MSCs after 24 h of hypoxic culture. The presence of VEGF and HGF in the MSC-CM was neutralised by anti-VEGF and anti-HGF antibodies, respectively. To determine the roles and mechanisms of MSC-secreted HGF and VEGF, we employed recombinant humanised HGF and recombinant humanised VEGF to co-culture with HPMECs. Additionally, we employed the RhoA inhibitor C3 transferase and the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 to inhibit the activities of RhoA and Rac1 in HPMECs treated with MSC-CM or VEGF/HGF with the same dosage as in the MSC-CM. Then, endothelial paracellular and transcellular permeability was detected. VE-cadherin, occludin and caveolin-1 protein expression in HPMECs was measured by western blot. Adherens junction proteins, including F-actin and VE-cadherin, were detected by immunofluorescence.

Results

MSC-CM treatment significantly decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial paracellular and transcellular permeability, which was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with HGF antibody or with both VEGF and HGF antibodies. Furthermore, MSC-CM treatment increased the expression of the endothelial intercellular adherence junction proteins VE-cadherin and occludin and decreased the expression of caveolin-1 protein. MSC-CM treatment also decreased endothelial apoptosis and induced endothelial cell proliferation; however, the effects of MSC-CM treatment were inhibited by pretreatment with HGF antibody or with both HGF and VEGF antibodies. Additionally, the effects of MSC-CM and VEGF/HGF on reducing endothelial paracellular and transcellular permeability were weakened when HPMECs were pretreated with the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766.

Conclusion

HGF secreted by MSCs protects the endothelial barrier function; however, VEGF secreted by MSCs may synergize with HGF to stabilise endothelial cell barrier function. Rac1 is the pathway by which MSC-secreted VEGF and HGF regulate endothelial permeability.
Skeletal muscle contractile function predicts activity and behaviour in zebrafish
Authors: Seebacher Frank , Little Alexander G. , James Rob S.
Published: December 2015

Locomotion facilitates behaviour and its underlying physiological mechanisms may therefore impact behavioural phenotypes. Metabolism is often thought to modulate locomotion and behaviour, but empirical support for this suggestion is equivocal. Muscle contractile function is directly associated with locomotion. Here, we test the hypotheses that muscle mechanics determine locomotor performance and activity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and thereby also affect risk-taking behaviour. We show that there is a mechanistic link between muscle performance and behaviour by manipulating muscle contractile properties, which caused proportional changes in critical sustained swimming performance and, in an open arena, voluntary swimming speed, the proportion of time fish were active, and the latency to move. We modelled the relationships between muscle contractile properties, swimming performance, activity and behaviour with a partial least-squares path model. The latent variable ‘muscle’, formed by isolated muscle force production, stress, fatigue resistance and activation and relaxation rates, had a significant positive effect on swimming performance (‘swim’ reflected in sustained and sprint speeds). Together, muscle and swim had a significant positive effect on activity, and explained 71.8% of variation in the distance moved, time active and maximum voluntary speed in an open field. Activity had a significant positive effect on boldness, explaining 76.0% of variation in latencies to move and to approach a novel object. Muscle contractile function determines voluntary movement and we suggest that exploration and dispersal are functions of physiological and mechanical optimisation. Boldness therefore may be partly explained by the greater likelihood of faster fish to move further and encounter novel objects and conspecifics more quickly as a result.
Tiger Parenting and American Inequality: An Essay on Chua and Rubenfeld’s The Triple Package: How Three Unlikely Traits Explain the Rise and Fall of Cultural Groups in America
Authors: Lundberg Shelly
Published: December 2015

The role of culture in the creation and persistence of racial and ethnic inequalities has been the focus of considerable controversy in the social sciences. In The Triple Package: How Three Unlikely Traits Explain the Rise and Fall of Cultural Groups in America, a new book intended for a popular audience, “tiger mom” Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld argue that relatively successful ethnic, religious, and national origin groups in the United States possess a common set of culturally determined traits that drive this success: a sense of group superiority, individual insecurity, and good impulse control. The book is an unscholarly romp through fields of ethnic stereotypes and immigrant anxiety that relies on anecdote, rather than data, and that ignores the selectivity of immigrant flows. In their insistence on the need for the whole triple package, however, the authors raise issues relevant to current research on noncognitive skills—that there are important trait–environment interactions in the determinants of economic success, and that the source and impact of aspirations deserves greater attention. (JEL D63, J15, J24, Z12, Z13)
Double-stranded microRNA mimics can induce length- and passenger strand–dependent effects in a cell type–specific manner
Authors: Goldgraben Mae A. , Russell Roslin , Rueda Oscar M. , Caldas Carlos , Git Anna
Published: December 2015

MicroRNAs are short (17–26) noncoding RNAs driving or modulating physiological and pathological cellular events. Overexpression of miR-155 is pathogenic in B-cell malignancy but was also reported in a number of solid tumors—in particular, in breast cancer, where its role remains unclear and often contradictory. Using representative cell line models, we sought to determine whether the discrepant miR-155 effects in breast cancer could be explained by the heterogeneity of the disease. The growth of six breast cancer cell lines transfected with several miRNA mimics was analyzed. We found MCF-7 cell growth to be inhibited by miR-155 and miR-145 mimics, both 23-nt long, but not by a number of shorter mimics, including a universal commercial negative control. Microarray and Western blot analyses revealed induction of apoptosis, associated with interferon-β after activation of the double-stranded RNA sensor pathway. 3′ Trimming of the miRNA mimics to 21 nt substantially reduced their growth-inhibitory potency. Mutating the canonical seed of the miR-155 mimic had no effect on the induced inhibition, which was abolished by mutating the miRNA seed of the artificial passenger strand. A panel of breast cancer cell lines showed a wide range of sensitivities to 23-mer mimics, broadly consistent with the sensitivity of the cell lines to Poly (I:C). We demonstrate two sources for nonspecific in vitro effects by miRNA mimics: duplex length and the artificial passenger strand. We highlight the danger of a universal 21-mer negative control and the importance of using matched seed mutants for reliable interpretation of phenotypes.
Semi-automated Modular Program Constructor for physiological modeling: Building cell and organ models
Authors: Jardine Bartholomew , Raymond Gary M. , Bassingthwaighte James B.
Published: December 2015

The Modular Program Constructor (MPC) is an open-source Java based utility, built upon JSim's Mathematical Modeling Language (MML) (http://www.physiome.org/jsim/) that uses directives embedded in model code to construct larger, more complicated models quickly and with less error than manually combining models. A major obstacle in writing complex programs for modeling physiological processes is the large amount of time it takes to code the myriad processes taking place simultaneously in cells, tissues, and organs. MPC replaces this task by code-generating algorithms that take the code from several different modules and produce model code for a new JSim model. This is particularly useful during multi-scale model development where many variants are to be configured and tested against data. MPC is implemented in Java and requires JSim to use its output. MPC source code and documentation are available athttp://www.physiome.org/software/MPC/.
Magnetic Nondestructive Testing: Metrological Parameters Evaluation
Authors: Сухоруков  , Sukhorukov Vasiliy
Published: December 2015

Metrology is very important for nondestructive testing. The accurate evaluation of NDT instruments and technologies metrological parameters is а problem. It should be taken into consideration that the parameters (such as accuracy, threshold of sensitivity etc.) stated in the delivery documentation can differ significantly from those when the instruments and technologies are used in practice. If this difference is not taken into account, testing results can be substantially worse than they had been expected. The NDT technicians must be qualified enough to avoid this. Requirements for personnel skills are now included in the standards and norms on NDT technologies for concrete objects. Personnel qualification requirements regarding to NDT of steel wire ropes are now under consideration. Unfortunately, technicians do not always meet the requirements. This applies to almost all NDT methods and devices but especially to electromagnetic and magnetic flow leakage methods when they are used for testing of ferromagnetic objects, such as steel wire ropes, steel-cord conveyor belts, tubes, oil and gas tanks. The paper can be useful for NDT specialists in their practice of ferromagnetic objects testing, particularly of steel wire ropes.
Method activation end date in the past. direction:re
Authors: Палиенко  , Palienko Aleksandr , Нехотящий  , Nekhotiashchiy Vladimir , Гопкало  , Gopkalo Aleksey
Published: December 2015

Estimation of Steel 08X18H9 Degradation by Kinetics of Coercive Force
“Speranskiy´s System” and Efficiency of Justice Administration in Western Siberia
Authors: Krestyannikov Evgeniy
Published: December 2015

While staying in an honorable exile, M. M. Speranskiy continued to attend to important state issues. Large-scale transformation of management and court system in Siberia crowned his efforts as a general Governor of Siberia. Article is devoted to opportunities of the reformed judicial organization of the western part of the region which became effective to administer justice. The author draws attention to the human and material resources of justice, as well as the ability to improve the quality of the administration of justice. The famous reformer failed to create efficient judicial mechanisms, he failed to see the specific features of the region and thus could not come to the right decisions. Audits did not improve the legal proceedings, the administrative authority was unable to influence the Justice processes, the financial position of the courts was poor, the region was not attractive for the legal profession. Hardships of the Siberian life and service did not attract judicial workers of the European part of Russia. Poverty, long cases, the lack of qualified employees, judges abuse — all these characterized the state of the judicial system in Western Siberia at that time.
Legal Monitoring in the Field of Ecology
Authors: Gorokhov Dmitriy
Published: December 2015

The author presents a brief analysis of the conceptual foundations of legal monitoring, developed at the Institute of legislation and comparative law under the Government of the Russian Federation. The author stresses the importance of monitoring activities with a view to improving the legal system. The analysis of the current regulatory framework for legal monitoring develops further to the investigation of peculiarities of monitoring enforcement in the field of ecology. The article examines the organization of monitoring enforcement of the Federal bodies of Executive power which are to implement the state policy, legal regulation, control and supervision in the field of environmental protection and natural resources management. Attention is drawn to the planning of monitoring activities and its outcome. The author offers recommendations for the development of monitoring enforcement in the field of ecology.
Humanization of Criminal Proceedings System as an Important Factor to Regulate Justice in Russia
Authors: Kashyepov Vladimir
Published: December 2015

The article deals with the issues relating to humanization of criminal proceeding system as a method to be employed to regulate said sphere and the principle of humanism which is already provided for by the currently existing laws on criminal proceedings and the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The author speaks of humanistic values to be introduced into the criminal proceeding system, the importance thereof for the development of the relevant laws. Special attention is given to the moral aspects of the procedural norms. Observation of the principle of legality, respect for human dignity – all these require procedural guarantees to exclude any violations, and to ensure broader participation of the victims and representatives of the community at all stages of justice administration. The article examines the features of the legal status of the parties to the criminal proceedings, their rights and obligations against the background of the principle of humanism. Also attended to are the issues relating to the organizational and procedural legal guarantees in criminal proceeding processes, development of humanistic outlook. The author advocates for the inclusion into the criminal procedural code of the principle of humanism, so that the relations between the parties of the criminal process should be based on respect, observance of the fundamental rights, freedom and legitimate interests of a human being.
Areas and Limits of Harmonization of Private Law in the Context of Regional Economic Integration
Authors: Sergeeva Olga
Published: December 2015

The article covers the questions about the areas and limits of harmonization of private law in the context of regional economic integration. The author reveals two mechanisms of approximation of legal systems — unification and harmonization of law, explores the instruments of such approximation on the example of the EU, CIS, EurAsEC, EEU. The author draws attention to the fact, that in the context of regional integration, the harmonization of law is the only possible mechanism, because economic cooperation is not restricted by the creation of the uniform rules, but actually affects public aspects of legal regulation, which, in its turn, broaches the question about state sovereignty. The author makes a conclusion that model legislation could be the orienting point for the adoption of legally binding acts in future. International agreements and acts equivalent to the EU directives are the only possible instruments for the consensus building on public-legal questions. Acts equivalent to the EU regulations are the most appropriate instruments for the unification of private law in the context of regional economic integration.
International Custom as a Source of Liability for a Crime of Aggression
Authors: Timoshkov Stanislav
Published: December 2015

This article examines the sources of law relating to the liability for the crime of aggression. Currently, international treaties make the main sources of responsibility for the international crimes. However, we should not neglect customary international law, which is the major source of public international law. The role of the customary international law in the development of international law has always been dominant. In accordance with customary international law the main international Conventions were adopted on the maintenance of peace and security. These international treaties are the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, the Kellogg — Briand Pact of 1928; also the London conference of 1933, and the Nuremberg military Tribunal. Resultant was the definition of aggression laid down in the Resolution 3314 (XXIX) of the United Nations General Assembly on 14th December 1974. The International Court of Justice relies on said Resolution. However, the customary international law must be further developed since the crime of aggression can be committed by non-military methods.
Spatial Analysis of Surface Aquifer Thickness Based Frequency predominant in Bantul District
Authors: Wibowo Nugroho Budi
Published: December 2015

This research was conducted in Bantul in order to know the characteristics of the aquifer thickness on the top layer based on the predominant frequency value. This research was conducted by using 192 microtremor data and 32 bore hole data. The results showed that the thickness of the aquifer is more than 50 meters are in Jetis, Pundong and Bantul. Aquifer thickness> 50 m dominant in areas with predominant frequency interval (fo) 0.5 - 5 Hz contained in the district of Bantul, Bambanglipuro, Jetis and Pundong.
Primary gallbladder lymphoma presenting with perforated cholecystitis and hyperamylasaemia
Authors: Shah KSV , Shelat VG , Jogai S , Trompetas V
Published: December 2015

Primary gallbladder lymphoma is rare. Perforated cholecystitis due to primary gallbladder lymphoma and not related to chemotherapy has been unreported. We report the case of an 80-year-old woman presenting with an acute abdomen and clinical peritonitis. Her serum amylase was raised to 878iu/l. Urgent computed tomography revealed generalised free fluid with a normal pancreas and was non-diagnostic as to the underlying pathology. An emergency laparotomy revealed bilious peritonitis with a necrotic patch on a distended gallbladder. A cholecystectomy was carried out and histology of the gallbladder revealed a marginal zone lymphoma.
A Lot Done but Much More to Do: An Assessment of the Cuban Economic Transformation So Far
Authors: C. Juan Triana Cordoví  , Stephen Wilkinson
Published: December 2015

The aim of this paper is to provide a brief summary of the last two years of the process of transformation in Cuba from a primarily economic perspective. It consists of five parts: an introduction, which makes it clear that the changes are not merely economic; a first section that deals with the urgent needs of economic development; a second section that seeks to highlight how the process has been gaining in depth and scope and now focuses more on how to define the paths of development than on survival; a third section that evaluates the results in two perspectives, from the dynamics of the process of change and from the country's economic performance in recent years (although with restrictions due to data availability); and conclusions.
Cuban Civil Society during and beyond the Special Period
Authors: Velia Cecilia Bobes
Published: December 2015

This article analyses the ‘rebirth of civil society’ in Cuba as a consequence of the ‘Special Period’ and the changes that have occurred in the last 25 years. It examines the evolution of civil society and the constitution of the discursive field in which it has been defined, to explain how and to what limit the different discourses legitimise and enable the understanding of the plurality of actors as well as their potential for action and influence in the political processes. The analysis is divided into two stages: the founding phase (the 1990s) that begins with the arrival of the Special Period; and the consolidation stage, which starts with the new century, in particular since 2007 with the ‘updating model’ that has begun to push deeper changes. This periodisation, in stages that are associated with different state strategies, seeks a comparison to assess the impacts of each of the challenges and proposals facing civil society.
Untangling multiple inequalities: intersectionality, work and globalisation
Authors: Natalia Rocha Lawton  , Moira Calveley  , Cynthia Forson
Published: December 2015

This article begins by outlining the position of women and work in the Global South, highlighting the precarity of their labour market participation. It then argues that the experiences of these women are often examined within a one-dimensional analytical framework and are therefore invisible in the intersectional literature, which tends to take a Western-centric approach. It also contends that existing research fails to consider the particular domestic and cultural circumstances of the women so examined and how their location in these spaces impacts on their experiences of work. It then argues for an examination of women and work in the Global South that takes an intersectional approach that recognises the complexity of their experiences as generated by multi-categorical and multilevel strands of inequality. It goes on to introduce the contributions to this special issue, which explore inequality through an intersectional lens.
Individualistic Vikings: Culture, Economics and Iceland
Authors: Mixa Már Wolfgang , Vaiman Vlad
Published: December 2015

Icelandic culture has generally been considered to share many similarities to the Nordic cultures. However, the financial crisis in 2008 painted a completely different picture, with the Nordic nations faring much less worse than Iceland, which saw its banking system becoming almost entirely worthless. Looking at traditional cultural yardsticks in the vein of the most commonly used research in the field of business and organizational management, generally linked to Hofstede´s dimensional studies, one would at first glance conclude that Icelanders would have behaved in a similar manner as people in the Nordic nations. By focusing on savings ratio, it is shown that Icelanders were much more risk-seeking during the prelude of the crisis. Many nations badly hit during the 2008 financial crisis have a high level of individualism inherent in their culture. Iceland fits this scenario. Thus while general cultural characteristics may lack explanatory power regarding economic behavior of people between cultures, the individual/collective cultural dimension may provide clues of what dangers (and possible strengths) lurk within societies from a financial point of view. Such developments may affect the financial stability of nations, especially those with a high level of individualism where financial liberalization with possible abuses is occurring.
Embodying metaphors: Signed language interpreters at work
Authors: Nilsson Anna-Lena
Published: December 2015

The present study describes how Swedish Sign Language (SSL) interpreters systematically use signing space and movements of their hands, arms and body to simultaneously layer iconic expressions of metaphors for differences and for time, in ways previously not described. This is analyzed as the interpreters embodying metaphors, and each of the conceptual metaphors they embody seems to be expressed in a distinct manner not noted before in accounts of the structure of signed languages. Data consists of recordings of Swedish-SSL interpreting by native SSL signers. Rendering spoken Swedish into SSL, these interpreters produce complex sequences making abundant use of the circumstance that in signed language you can express several types of information simultaneously. With little processing time, they produce iconic expressions, frequently using several underlying conceptual metaphors to simultaneously layer information. The interpreters place individual signs in relation to time lines in order to express metaphorical content related to time, and use movement’s of their bodies to express comparisons and contrasts. In all of the analyzed sequences, the interpreters express the metaphor difference-between-is-distance-between. In addition, they layer metaphors for difference and time simultaneously, in some instances also expressing the orientational metaphor pair more-is-up and less-is-down at the same time.
Flow of River Tigris and its Effect on the Bed Sediment within Baghdad, Iraq
Authors: Al-Ansari Nadhir , Ali Ammar A. , Al-Suhail Qusay , Knutsson Sven
Published: December 2015

River Tigris is a major river in Iraq. Sediment at the bed of the river within a reach of about 18 km from the center of Baghdad upstream was investigated. Sixty five cross sections were surveyed, and 46 sediment samples were collected and analyzed. It was noticed that fine sand was dominant in the bed (90.74%). The average median size within the reach was 2.49 phi (0.177 mm), while the mean size was 2.58 phi (0.16 mm). In addition, the sediments were moderately sorted, fine skewed and leptokurtic. The size of the bed sediment decreased relative to previous investigations due to the construction of the Adhaim dam on tributary, which used to be the main sediment supplier to the Tigris River before entering Baghdad. Furthermore, the discharge of the Tigris River for the period 1983–2013 (715 m3/s) decreased by about 40% and 30%since 1983when compared with the periods 1931–1956 (1208 m3/s) and 1956–1980 (1015 m3/s), respectively, due to climate change and construction of dams upstream from Baghdad. This has decreased the capacity and the competence of the river. The bed elevation has increased compared to previous surveys. Itwas noticed that dredging operations and obstructions (e.g. fallen bridges and islands) have disturbed the flow of the river and sediment characteristics in several sites.
Peristaltic transport of a fractional Burgers’ fluid with variable
viscosity through an inclined tube
Authors: Rachid Hassan
Published: December 2015

In the present study,we investigate the unsteady
peristaltic transport of a viscoelastic fluid with fractional
Burgers’ model in an inclined tube. We suppose that the
viscosity is variable in the radial direction. This analysis
has been carried out under low Reynolds number and
long-wavelength approximations. An analytical solution
to the problem is obtained using a fractional calculus approach.
Figures are plotted to show the effects of angle
of inclination, Reynolds number, Froude number, material
constants, fractional parameters, parameter of viscosity
and amplitude ratio on the pressure gradient, pressure
rise, friction force, axial velocity and on the mechanical efficiency.
An approximation method for fractional
integro-differential equations
Authors: Emiroglu Ibrahim
Published: December 2015

In this work, an approximation method is proposed
for fractional order linear Fredholm type integrodifferential
equations with boundary conditions. The Sinc
collocation method is applied to the examples and its efficiency
and strength is also discussed by some special examples.
The results of the proposed method are compared
to the available analytic solutions.
Sex Differences in Nucleus Accumbens Transcriptome Profiles Associated with Susceptibility versus Resilience to Subchronic Variable Stress
Authors: Hodes Georgia E. , Pfau Madeline L. , Purushothaman Immanuel , Ahn H. Francisca , Golden Sam A. , Christoffel Daniel J. , Magida Jane , Brancato Anna , Takahashi Aki , Flanigan Meghan E. , Ménard Caroline , Aleyasin Hossein , Koo Ja Wook , Lorsch Zachary S. , Feng Jian , Heshmati Mitra , Wang Minghui , Turecki Gustavo , Neve Rachel , Zhang Bin , Shen Li , Nestler Eric J. , Russo Scott J.
Published: December 2015

Depression and anxiety disorders are more prevalent in females, but the majority of research in animal models, the first step in finding new treatments, has focused predominantly on males. Here we report that exposure to subchronic variable stress (SCVS) induces depression-associated behaviors in female mice, whereas males are resilient as they do not develop these behavioral abnormalities. In concert with these different behavioral responses, transcriptional analysis of nucleus accumbens (NAc), a major brain reward region, by use of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed markedly different patterns of stress regulation of gene expression between the sexes. Among the genes displaying sex differences was DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a), which shows a greater induction in females after SCVS. Interestingly, Dnmt3a expression levels were increased in the NAc of depressed humans, an effect seen in both males and females. Local overexpression of Dnmt3a in NAc rendered male mice more susceptible to SCVS, whereasDnmt3aknock-out in this region rendered females more resilient, directly implicating this gene in stress responses. Associated with this enhanced resilience of female mice upon NAc knock-out ofDnmt3awas a partial shift of the NAc female transcriptome toward the male pattern after SCVS. These data indicate that males and females undergo different patterns of transcriptional regulation in response to stress and that a DNA methyltransferase in NAc contributes to sex differences in stress vulnerability.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWomen have a higher incidence of depression than men. However, preclinical models, the first step in developing new diagnostics and therapeutics, have been performed mainly on male subjects. Using a stress-based animal model of depression that causes behavioral effects in females but not males, we demonstrate a sex-specific transcriptional profile in brain reward circuitry. This transcriptional profile can be altered by removal of an epigenetic mechanism, which normally suppresses DNA transcription, creating a hybrid male/female transcriptional pattern. Removal of this epigenetic mechanism also induces behavioral resilience to stress in females. These findings shed new light onto molecular factors controlling sex differences in stress response.
Unbiased, High-Throughput Electron Microscopy Analysis of Experience-Dependent Synaptic Changes in the Neocortex
Authors: Chandrasekaran Santosh , Navlakha Saket , Audette Nicholas J. , McCreary Dylan D. , Suhan Joe , Bar-Joseph Ziv , Barth Alison L.
Published: December 2015

Neocortical circuits can be altered by sensory and motor experience, with experimental evidence supporting both anatomical and electrophysiological changes in synaptic properties. Previous studies have focused on changes in specific neurons or pathways—for example, the thalamocortical circuitry, layer 4–3 (L4–L3) synapses, or in the apical dendrites of L5 neurons— but a broad-scale analysis of experience-induced changes across the cortical column has been lacking. Without this comprehensive approach, a full understanding of how cortical circuits adapt during learning or altered sensory input will be impossible. Here we adapt an electron microscopy technique that selectively labels synapses, in combination with a machine-learning algorithm for semiautomated synapse detection, to perform an unbiased analysis of developmental and experience-dependent changes in synaptic properties across an entire cortical column in mice. Synapse density and length were compared across development and during whisker-evoked plasticity. Between postnatal days 14 and 18, synapse density significantly increases most in superficial layers, and synapse length increases in L3 and L5B. Removal of all but a single whisker row for 24 h led to an apparent increase in synapse density in L2 and a decrease in L6, and a significant increase in length in L3. Targeted electrophysiological analysis of changes in miniature EPSC and IPSC properties in L2 pyramidal neurons showed that mEPSC frequency nearly doubled in the whisker-spared column, a difference that was highly significant. Together, this analysis shows that data-intensive analysis of column-wide changes in synapse properties can generate specific and testable hypotheses about experience-dependent changes in cortical organization.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDevelopment and sensory experience can change synapse properties in the neocortex. Here we use a semiautomated analysis of electron microscopy images for an unbiased, column-wide analysis of synapse changes. This analysis reveals new loci for synaptic change that can be verified by targeted electrophysiological investigation. This method can be used as a platform for generating new hypotheses about synaptic changes across different brain areas and experimental conditions.
Intertrial Variability in the Premotor Cortex Accounts for Individual Differences in Peripersonal Space
Authors: Ferri Francesca , Costantini Marcello , Huang Zirui , Perrucci Mauro Gianni , Ferretti Antonio , Romani Gian Luca , Northoff Georg
Published: December 2015

We live in a dynamic environment, constantly confronted with approaching objects that we may either avoid or be forced to address. A multisensory and sensorimotor interface, the peripersonal space (PPS), mediates every physical interaction between our body and the environment. Behavioral investigations show high variability in the extension of PPS across individuals, but there is a lack of evidence on the neural underpinnings of these large individual differences. Here, we used approaching auditory stimuli and fMRI to capture the individual boundary of PPS and examine its neural underpinnings. Precisely, we tested the hypothesis that intertrial variability (ITV) in brain regions coding PPS predicts individual differences of its boundary at the behavioral level. Selectively in the premotor cortex, we found that ITV, rather than trial-averaged amplitude, of BOLD responses to far rather than near dynamic stimuli predicts the individual extension of PPS. Our results provide the first empirical support for the relevance of ITV of brain responses for individual differences in human behavior.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPeripersonal space (PPS) is a multisensory and sensorimotor interface mediating every physical interaction between the body and the environment. A major characteristic of the boundary of PPS in humans is the extremely high variability of its location across individuals. We show that interindividual differences in the extension of the PPS are predicted by variability of BOLD responses in the premotor cortex to far stimuli approaching our body. Our results provide the first empirical support to the relevance of variability of evoked responses for human behavior and its variance across individuals.