bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triangulating abuse liability assessment for flavoured cigar products using physiological, behavioural economic and subjective assessments: a within-subjects clinical laboratory protocol
Authors: Wall Catherine S , Bono Rose S , Lester Rebecca C , Hoetger Cosima , Lipato Thokozeni , Guy Mignonne C , Eissenberg Thomas E , Bickel Warren K , Barnes Andrew J , Cobb Caroline O
Published: October 2018

Introduction

In the USA, Food and Drug Administration regulations prohibit the sale of flavoured cigarettes, with menthol being the exception. However, the manufacture, advertisement and sale of flavoured cigar products are permitted. Such flavourings influence positive perceptions of tobacco products and are linked to increased use. Flavourings may mask the taste of tobacco and enhance smoke inhalation, influencing toxicant exposure and abuse liability among novice tobacco users. Using clinical laboratory methods, this study investigates how flavour availability affects measures of abuse liability in young adult cigarette smokers. The specific aims are to evaluate the effect of cigar flavours on nicotine exposure, and behavioural and subjective measures of abuse liability.

Methods and analyses

Participants (projected n=25) are healthy smokers of five or more cigarettes per day over the past 3 months, 18–25 years old, naive to cigar use (lifetime use of 50 or fewer cigar products and no more than 10 cigars smoked in the past 30 days) and without a desire to quit cigarette smoking in the next 30 days. Participants complete five laboratory sessions in a Latin square design with either their own brand cigarette or a session-specific Black & Mild cigar differing in flavour (apple, cream, original and wine). Participants are single-blinded to cigar flavours. Each session consists of two 10-puff smoking bouts (30 s interpuff interval) separated by 1 hour. Primary outcomes include saliva nicotine concentration, behavioural economic task performance and response to various questionnaire items assessing subjective effects predictive of abuse liability. Differences in outcomes across own brand cigarette and flavoured cigar conditions will be tested using linear mixed models.

Ethics and dissemination

The Virginia Commonwealth University Institutional Review Board approved the study (VCU IRB: HM20007848). Dissemination channels for study findings include scientific journals, scientific meetings, and policy briefs.

Trial registration number

NCT02937051.
Measuring the teamwork performance of teams in crisis situations: a systematic review of assessment tools and their measurement properties
Authors: Boet Sylvain , Etherington Cole , Larrigan Sarah , Yin Li , Khan Hira , Sullivan Katrina , Jung James J , Grantcharov Teodor P
Published: October 2018

Background

Educational interventions to improve teamwork in crisis situations have proliferated in recent years with substantial variation in teamwork measurement. This systematic review aimed to synthesise available tools and their measurement properties in order to identify the most robust tool for measuring the teamwork performance of teams in crisis situations.

Methods

Searches were conducted in Embase (via OVID), PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Education Resources Information Center, Medline and Medline In-Process (via OVID) (through 12 January 2017). Studies evaluating the measurement properties of teamwork assessment tools for teams in clinical or simulated crisis situations were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies based on predetermined criteria and completed data extraction. Risk of bias was assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist.

Results

The search yielded 1822 references. Twenty studies were included, representing 13 assessment tools. Tools were primarily assessed in simulated resuscitation scenarios for emergency department teams. The Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) had the most validation studies (n=5), which demonstrated three sources of validity (content, construct and concurrent) and three sources of reliability (internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and test–retest reliability). Most studies of TEAM’s measurement properties were at no risk of bias.

Conclusions

A number of tools are available for assessing teamwork performance of teams in crisis situations. Although selection will ultimately depend on the user’s context, TEAM may be the most promising tool given its measurement evidence. Currently, there is a lack of tools to assess teamwork performance during intraoperative crisis situations. Additional research is needed in this regard.
Evidence for the ‘safety in density’ effect for cyclists: validation of agent-based modelling results
Authors: Thompson Jason Hugh , Wijnands Jasper S , Mavoa Suzanne , Scully Katherine , Stevenson Mark R
Published: October 2018

The safety in numbers (SiN) effect for cyclists is widely observed but remains poorly understood. Although most studies investigating the SiN phenomenon have focused on behavioural adaptation to ‘numbers’ of cyclists in the road network, previous work in simulated environments has suggested SiN may instead be driven by increases in local cyclist spatial density, which prevents drivers from attempting to move through groups of oncoming cyclists. This study therefore set out to validate the results of prior simulation studies in a real-world environment. Time-gap analysis of cyclists passing through an intersection was conducted using 5 hours of video observation of a single intersection in the city of Melbourne, Australia, where motorists were required to ‘yield’ to oncoming cyclists. Results demonstrated that potential collisions between motor vehicles and cyclists reduced with increasing cyclists per minute passing through the intersection. These results successfully validate those observed under simulated conditions, supporting evidence of a proposed causal mechanism related to safety in density rather than SiN, per se. Implications of these results for transportation planners, cyclists and transportation safety researchers are discussed, suggesting that increased cyclist safety could be achieved through directing cyclists towards focused, strategic corridors rather than dispersed across a network.
Effect of high-intensity interval training on cardiovascular disease risk factors and body composition in psoriatic arthritis: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Thomsen Ruth Stoklund , Nilsen Tom Ivar Lund , Haugeberg Glenn , Bye Anja , Kavanaugh Arthur , Hoff Mari
Published: October 2018

Background

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with an accumulation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on CVD risk factors in patients with PsA.

Methods

We randomly assigned 61 patients with PsA (41 women and 20 men) to an intervention group performing HIIT for 11 weeks or a control group who were instructed to not change their physical exercise habits. Outcomes were assessed at 3 and 9  months with measures on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), fat percentage and Body Mass Index (BMI). We used linear mixed models to calculate mean difference with 95% CI between the groups according to the intention-to-treat principle.

Results

At 3  months, the HIIT group had a 3.72  mL/kg/min (95%  CI 2.38 to 5.06) higher VO2maxand a 1.28 (95% CI −2.51 to −0.05) lower truncal fat percentage than controls. There was also some evidence that the HIIT group had lower total fat percentage (−0.80; 95%  CI −1.71 to 0.10) and slightly lower BMI (−0.31; 95%  CI −0.78 to 0.17) than the control group. At 9  months, the HIIT group had still a higher VO2max(3.08; 95%  CI 1.63 to 4.53) than the control group, whereas the difference in other factors were small.

Conclusion

In patients with PsA, 3  months with HIIT was associated with a substantial increase in VO2maxand a reduction in truncal fat percentage compared with controls. The beneficial effect on VO2maxwas also sustained through 9  months.

Trial registration number

NCT02995460.
Investigating the impacts of plausible Canadian policies and their supporting mechanisms on export-based regional air pollution in China: A cement manufacturing case study
Authors: Brown Darren , Sadiq Rehan , Hewage Kasun
Published: October 2018

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) enables the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to develop policy to curtail international air pollution. However, regional air pollution generated during the manufacturing of products outside of Canada is not addressed in CEPA. Using cement manufacturing in China as a case study, three policy options were devised to manage export-based regional air pollution. The options investigated included Policy 1—an open border with direct support for domestic cement manufacturers, Policy 2—a restricted border with no support for domestic cement manufacturers, and Policy 3—a selective border with partial support for domestic cement manufacturers. An analytic hierarchy process, in conjunction with the three actionable solidarities of cultural theory, was applied to the policy options and their supporting mechanisms. Results indicated that Policy 3 was strongly favoured (52.5%), followed by Policy 2 (33.4%), with Policy 1 being the least favoured (14.2%). Regarding policy mechanisms, a verification process was preferred by all three solidarities. From the standpoint of a universal approach to trade it is recommended that an air quality agreement between China and Canada under CEPA be established with a framework to eventually incorporate environmental production declarations. With respect to cement exports, it is recommended that manufacturers in China provide emissions intensities and winter smog assessments.
Convergence in Probability on a Big Class of Time-Variant Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Chen Ming , Lei Yunwen , Ding Lixin , Tong Zhao
Published: October 2018

Motivated by the growing popularity of time-variant evolutionary algorithms (EAs) in solving practical problems, this paper uses spectral analyses to study convergence in probability for a general class of time-variant EAs which can be asymptotically described by reducible Markov chains with multiple aperiodic recurrent classes, covering many existing concrete case studies as specific instantiations. We provide a universal yet easily checkable characteristic for time-variant EAs satisfying global convergence, by introducing the asymptotical elitism and asymptotical monotonicity. To illustrate the effectiveness of our result, we consider four specific EAs with distinct asymptotical behavior, and recover, under even mild conditions, the state-of-the-art result as simple applications of our general theorem. Besides, simulation experiments further verify these results.
Refined long-time asymptotics for Fisher–KPP fronts
Authors: Nolen James , Roquejoffre Jean-Michel , Ryzhik Lenya
Published: October 2018

We study the one-dimensional Fisher–KPP equation, with an initial condition [Formula: see text] that coincides with the step function except on a compact set. A well-known result of Bramson in [Maximal displacement of branching Brownian motion, Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 31 (1978) 531–581; Convergence of Solutions of the Kolmogorov Equation to Travelling Waves (American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 1983)] states that, as [Formula: see text], the solution converges to a traveling wave located at the position [Formula: see text], with the shift [Formula: see text] that depends on [Formula: see text]. Ebert and Van Saarloos have formally derived in [Front propagation into unstable states: Universal algebraic convergence towards uniformly translating pulled fronts, Phys. D 146 (2000) 1–99; Front propagation into unstable states, Phys. Rep. 386 (2003) 29–222] a correction to the Bramson shift, arguing that [Formula: see text]. Here, we prove that this result does hold, with an error term of the size [Formula: see text], for any [Formula: see text]. The interesting aspect of this asymptotics is that the coefficient in front of the [Formula: see text]-term does not depend on [Formula: see text].
Effects of muscle energy technique on pain, range of motion and function in patients with post-surgical elbow stiffness: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Faqih Anood I , Bedekar Nilima , Shyam Ashok , Sancheti Parag
Published: October 2018

Background: Elbow is a very functional joint. Elbow stiffness is a significant cause of disability hampering the function of the upper extremity as a whole. Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) are relatively pain-free techniques used in clinical practice for restricted range of motion (ROM).

Objective: To study the effects of MET on pain, ROM and function given early in the rehabilitation in post-surgical elbow stiffness.

Methods: An RCT was conducted on 30 patients post elbow fracture fixation. Group 1 was given MET immediately post removal of immobilization while Group 2 received MET 1 week later along with the rehabilitation protocol. Pain (Visual Analogue Scale), ROM (goniometry) and function (Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) were assessed pre and post 3 weeks.

Results: Group 1 showed greater improvement than Group 2, mean flexion and extension change between groups being [Formula: see text], 95%CI(5.9,17.4) and [Formula: see text], 95%CI(4.4,12.7), respectively. VAS and DASH scores improved better in Group 1, mean change being [Formula: see text], 95%CI(0.6,1.8) and [Formula: see text], 95%CI(13.5,22.8) for VAS and DASH scores, respectively.

Conclusion: MET can be used as an adjunct to the rehabilitation protocol to treat elbow stiffness and can be given safely in the early stages of post elbow fracture rehabilitation managed surgically with open reduction and rigid internal fixation.
BARRIERS TO RADICAL INNOVATIONS AS STABLE DESIGNS: INSIGHTS FROM AN IT CASE STUDY
Authors: KOMPELLA LAKSHMINARAYANA
Published: October 2018

Radical innovations start as product innovations in sub-systems of the socio-technical system. External triggers cause product innovations which in turn influence transitions of a socio-technical system. Socio-technical systems require configurations and/or customisations to multiple sub-systems not necessarily to ICT alone. Expansions to product innovations in the sub-systems are required to provide meaningful designs. Actors combine meaningful designs of various sub-systems and devise solutions and its adoption. Product innovations cumulate as stable designs when solutions meet end-users wants and needs, and require changes to policies, procedures, and methods used during devising and adoption of the solution. In other words, we require process innovations. The author using a single case study examines the above phenomena. The methods and theories towards process innovations assist in expanding the existing socio-technical transition theories, especially Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), thereby assisting actors in analysing, learning, adjusting, and internalise innovations while they navigate, struggle, and negotiate alternatives.
Molecular Evolution of the Major Arthropod Chemoreceptor Gene Families
Authors: Robertson Hugh M.
Published: October 2018

The evolutionary origins of the three major families of chemoreceptors in arthropods—the odorant receptor (OR), gustatory receptor (GR), and ionotropic receptor (IR) families—occurred at the base of the Insecta, Animalia, and Protostomia, respectively. Comparison of receptor family sizes across arthropods reveals a generally positive correlation with their widely disparate complexity of chemical ecology. Closely related species reveal the ongoing processes of gene family evolution, including gene duplication, divergence, pseudogenization, and loss, that mediate these larger patterns. Sets of paralogous receptors within species reveal positive selection on amino acids in regions likely to contribute to ligand binding and specificity. Ligands of many ORs and some GRs and IRs have been identified; however, ligand identification for many more chemoreceptors is needed, as are structures for the OR/GR superfamily, to improve our understanding of the molecular evolution of these ecologically important receptors in arthropods.
VNUT and VMAT2 segregate within sympathetic varicosities and localize near preferred Cav2 isoforms in the rat tail artery
Authors: Mojard Kalkhoran Somayeh , Chow Sarah Heather Jane , Walia Jagdeep Singh , Gershome Cynthia , Saraev Nickolas , Kim BaRun , Poburko Damon
Published: October 2018

ATP and norepinephrine (NE) are coreleased from peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals. Whether they are stored in the same vesicles has been debated for decades. Preferential dependence of NE or ATP release on Ca2+ influx through specific voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (Cav2) isoforms suggests that NE and ATP are stored in separate vesicle pools, but simultaneous imaging of NE and ATP containing vesicles within single varicosities has not been reported. We conducted an immunohistochemical study of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2/SLC18A2) and vesicular nucleotide translocase (VNUT/SLC17A9) as markers of vesicles containing NE and ATP in sympathetic nerves of the rat tail artery. A large fraction of varicosities exhibited neighboring, rather than overlapping, VNUT and VMAT2 fluorescent puncta. VMAT2, but not VNUT, colocalized with synaptotagmin 1. Cav2.1, Cav2.2, and Cav2.3 are expressed in nerves in the tunica adventitia. VMAT2 preferentially localized adjacent to Cav2.2 and Cav2.3 rather than Cav2.1. VNUT preferentially localized adjacent to Cav2.3 > Cav2.2 >> Cav2.1. With the use of wire myography, inhibition of field-stimulated vasoconstriction with the Cav2.3 blocker SNX-482 (0.25 µM) mimicked the effects of the P2X inhibitor suramin (100 µM) rather than the α-adrenergic inhibitor phentolamine (10 µM). Variable sensitivity to SNX-482 and suramin between animals closely correlated with Cav2.3 staining. We concluded that a majority of ATP and NE stores localize to separate vesicle pools that use different synaptotagmin isoforms and that localize near different Cav2 isoforms to mediate vesicle release. Cav2.3 appears to play a previously unrecognized role in mediating ATP release in the rat tail artery.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Immunofluorescence imaging of vesicular nucleotide translocase and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 in rat tail arteries revealed that ATP and norepinephrine, classical cotransmitters, localize to well-segregated vesicle pools. Furthermore, vesicular nucleotide translocase and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 exhibit preferential localization with specific Cav2 isoforms. These novel observations address long-standing debates regarding the mechanism(s) of sympathetic neurotransmitter corelease.
Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage Simulating Melanoma in Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Honig Stephanie E. , Srinivasan Archana , Shields Carol L.
Published: October 2018

Background: We report a case of suprachoroidal hemorrhage simulating choroidal melanoma in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Methods: Case report. Results: A 79-year-old white male with a history of lung adenocarcinoma, ITP, and mild anemia noted blurred vision with photopsia and floaters in the right eye (OD) that worsened over 2 months. He was found to have a pigmented choroidal mass and was referred for evaluation of possible choroidal melanoma. Visual acuity was 20/30 in the affected right eye and 20/25 in the left eye (OS). There was mild vitreous hemorrhage and 2 pigmented peripheral choroidal tumors in the temporal and nasal fundus OD. B-scan ultrasonography confirmed 2 acoustically hollow tumors, and transillumination demonstrated no shadowing. Optical coherence tomography over the lesions revealed choroidal elevation with suprachoroidal scalloped surface. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography revealed normal choroidal fluorescence and cyanescence with no “double circulation” of melanoma and no dye blockage, suggesting a suprachoroidal location. These findings were suggestive of suprachoroidal hemorrhage rather than melanoma. The patient was managed conservatively, and the hemorrhages demonstrated spontaneous resolution. Conclusion: Ocular manifestations of ITP are uncommon. Rarely, spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage simulating melanoma can occur. A thorough clinical evaluation with multimodal imaging is critical to establishing the appropriate diagnosis.
An Analysis of Relationship Between RAS Mutations and Prognosis of Primary Tumour Resection for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Liang Li , Tian Jiawen , Yu Yiyi , Wang Zhiming , Peng Ke , Liu Ruiqi , Wang Yan , Xu Xiaojing , Li Hong , Zhuang Rongyuan , Cui Yuehong , Zhu Chouwen , Liu Tianshu 
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Non-radical primary tumour resection (PTR) of asymptomatic metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) can prolong survival time of some patients. Patients with mutated RAS gene have worse survival outcome. This study aimed to investigate the impact of RAS gene mutations on the prognosis of asymptomatic unresectable mCRC patients who underwent PTR. Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was deduced among mCRC patients who experienced PTR or had intact primary tumour (IPT). All of them had the primary tumour tissue genotyping tested for RAS (KRAS and NRAS) gene mutations. The tumour-related overall survival (OS) time and progression-free survival (PFS) time was estimated. From January 2011 to June 2014, 421 mCRC patients with asymptomatic, unresectable, metastatic disease were enrolled in this study. Among them, 282 patients underwent PTR and 139 patients had IPT. Results: The mutation rate of RAS was 53.8% (221/411). With a median followed-up time of 46.5 months, the overall survival time of mCRC patients harboring wtRAS or mtRAS was 28.0 versus 22.0 months (p = 0.043) in PTR group and was 21.6 versus 17.8 months (p=0.071) in IPT groups. A Multivariate regression analysis suggested that RAS gene (p=0.039, HR=1.288,95%CI [1.072∼2.911]), metastatic organ number (p=0.033, HR=3.091,95%CI [1.090∼5.755]) and systemic therapy response (p=0.019, HR=0.622,95%CI [0.525∼0.811]) were independent prognostic factors in PTR population. Conclusion: We found that wild-type RAS gene was a favorable factor for the asymptomatic unresectable mCRC patients experiencing PTR.
AZD5153 Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Shen Gang , Chen Jianchun , Zhou Yongqiang , Wang Zhenfan , Ma Zheng , Xu Chen , Jiang Minjun
Published: October 2018

Backgrounds/Aims: Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) overexpression participates in prostate cancer progression by enhancing the transcriptional activity and expression of several key oncogenes. AZD5153 is a novel BRD4 inhibitor. Methods: Prostate cancer cells were treated with AZD5153. Cell survival was tested by MTT assay and clonogenicity assay. Cell proliferation was tested by [H3] DNA incorporation assay. Cell apoptosis was tested by caspase-3/-9 activity assay, Histone DNA ELISA assay, Annexin V FACS assay and TUNEL staining assay. Cell cycle progression was tested by propidium iodide (PI) FACS assay. Signaling was tested by Western blotting assay. The nude mice PC-3 xenograft model was applied to test AZD5153’s activity in vivo. Results: AZD5153 inhibited proliferation and survival of established and primary prostate cancer cells. AZD5153 induced apoptosis activation and cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer cells. AZD5153 was non-cytotoxic to the prostate epithelial cells. AZD5153 downregulated BRD4 targets (cyclin D1, Myc, Bcl-2, FOSL1 and CDK4) in PC-3 and primary prostate cancer cells. Further studies show that AKT could be the primary resistance factor of AZD5153. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic depletion of AKT induced BRD4 downregulation, sensitizing AZD5153-induced cytotoxicity in PC-3 cells. In vivo, AZD5153 oral administration inhibited PC-3 xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. Its anti-tumor activity was further enhanced with co-treatment of the AKT specific inhibitor MK-2206. Conclusion: Together, our results indicate a promising therapeutic value of the novel BRD4 inhibitor AZD5153 against prostate cancer cells.
Comunicação-ética-integridade, uma luz para a compreensão dos fenômenos organizacionais no tempo-espaço contemporâneo
Authors: Kunsch Margarida Maria Krohling , Lemos Else , Paraventi Agatha
Published: October 2018

Apresentação do dossiê.
Alteridade, ética e integridade em um mundo de consumidores: o que o caso Me Gusta Picolés Artesanais nos ensina?
Authors: Silva Marcelo Pereira da , Rossi Jéssica De Cássia , Trindade Ana Carolina
Published: October 2018

Em nossa sociedade ambivalente, valores como ética e respeito são condições para a construção de um mundo melhor no qual as diferenças possam coabitar apesar das conflitualidades, desafiando organizações e stakeholders em um contexto de fácil conexão e exposição de críticas, indignações e decepções. Assim, analisamos, por meio de pesquisa literária e estudo de caso, o posicionamento da Me Gusta Picolés Artesanais diante da atitude de um funcionário, inferindo que a coragem do amor se mede pelo reconhecimento das diferenças e, não obstante, ser capaz de acolher essa alteridade.
Ética das Relações Públicas: os casos da Public Relations Review e Journal of Public Relations Research
Authors: Theodoro Victor Silva , Gonçalves Gisela Marques Pereira
Published: October 2018

Este artigo tem como objetivo compreender a importância atribuída à investigação em ética nas revistas especializadas em relações públicas, em especial nas publicações Public Relations Review e Journal of Public Relations Research (2000-2015). Por meio do método bibliométrico, pode-se enumerar os artigos e categorias de acordo com o tema e perceber que, apesar da importância de estudar a ética das relações públicas, este ainda é um tópico pouco discutido nas principais revistas científicas especializadas nesse campo de investigação.
Ética e organizações: narrativas e conflitos
Authors: Nassar Paulo , Farias Luiz Alberto de
Published: October 2018

Este artigo faz uma reflexão sobre as relações entre ética, narrativas organizacionais e responsabilidade sócio-histórica, com base em um recorte conceitual e referências marcantes principalmente no campo da filosofia grega, inglesa e alemã, trazendo à tona os conflitos entre o discurso e as decisões e práticas organizacionais. Também projeta as tendências do capitalismo, uma vez que a ética se torna um ativo vital para a diferenciação das empresas no século XXI. E revela a pluralidade de visões éticas, sempre convergindo (e pondo em questão) os conceitos de bem e de felicidade.
Presença, identidade e reputação: estratégias de comunicação das empresas blumenauenses nas redes sociais digitais
Authors: Zucco Fabricia Durieux , Bona Rafael José , Testoni Marina
Published: October 2018

A finalidade deste trabalho é analisar as estratégias de uso das redes sociais digitais nas empresas de Blumenau/SC a partir da teoria dos Blocos de Construções Funcionais. Para cumprir o objetivo, utilizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa em sete empresas da região de Blumenau, selecionadas a partir da técnica de amostragem “não probabilística intencional”. Como resultado, evidenciou-se que, embora as empresas estejam inseridas nas plataformas das redes sociais digitais, elas ainda não possuem o conhecimento necessário para se adequarem a esse meio.
Storytelling corporativo y responsabilidad social corporativa: análisis del caso “The promise” de Volvo
Authors: Atarama-Rojas Tomás , Sánchez Armas Carla
Published: October 2018

Este artículo estudia el uso del storytelling dentro de las empresas como herramienta para comunicar eficazmente el compromiso de responsabilidad social corporativa. Se realizará un análisis diegético que se aplicará a la campaña “The promise” de Volvo, en el que se estudiará la evolución del planteamiento, objetivo, trama, conflicto y arco de transformación en la historia de la campaña. De este modo, se identificará la solución que plantea Volvo al conflicto que se narra en la historia, a partir de sus valores corporativos.
Endothelial-Specific Cre Mouse Models
Authors: Payne Sophie , De Val Sarah , Neal Alice
Published: October 2018

The field of vascular biology has gained enormous insight from the use of Cre and inducible Cre mouse models to temporally and spatially manipulate gene expression within the endothelium. Models are available to constitutively or inducibly modulate gene expression in all or a specified subset of endothelial cells. However, caution should be applied to both the selection of allele and the analysis of resultant phenotype: many similarly named Cre models have divergent activity patterns while ectopic or inconsistent Cre or inducible Cre expression can dramatically affect results. In an effort to disambiguate previous data and to provide a resource to aid appropriate experimental design, here we summarize what is known about Cre recombinase activity in the most widely used endothelial-specific Cre and Cre/ERT2 mouse models.
Association of Plasma Ceramides With Myocardial Perfusion in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Stress Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy
Authors: Mantovani Alessandro , Bonapace Stefano , Lunardi Gianluigi , Salgarello Matteo , Dugo Clementina , Gori Stefania , Barbieri Enrico , Verlato Giuseppe , Laaksonen Reijo , Byrne Christopher D. , Targher Giovanni
Published: October 2018

Objective—

It is known that specific plasma ceramides are associated with stress-induced reversible myocardial perfusion defects in patients with established or suspected coronary artery disease undergoing myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). However, it is currently uncertain whether plasma ceramides are also associated with reduced poststress myocardial perfusion in these patients.

Approach and Results—

We measured 6 previously identified high-risk plasma ceramide species (ceramide [d18:1/16:0], ceramide [d18:1/18:0], ceramide [d18:1/20:0], ceramide [d18:1/22:0], ceramide [d18:1/24:0], and ceramide [d18:1/24:1]) in 167 consecutive patients with established or suspected coronary artery disease undergoing stress MPS for clinical indications. Plasma ceramides were measured by a targeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay both at baseline and after MPS. Multivariable linear regression analysis was undertaken to examine the associations (standardized B coefficients) between plasma ceramides and the percentage of poststress myocardial perfusion after adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Seventy-eight patients had stress-induced myocardial ischemia on MPS (mainly located in the anteroapical wall). Of the 6 measured plasma ceramides, higher levels of basal ceramide (d18:1/18:0; B=−0.182;
P
=0.019), ceramide (d18:1/20:0; B=−0.224;
P
=0.004), ceramide (d18:1/22:0; B=−0.163;
P
=0.035), and ceramide (d18:1/24:1; B=−0.20;
P
=0.010) were associated with lower poststress anteroapical wall perfusion. Notably, these significant associations persisted even after adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, previous coronary artery disease, electrocardiographic left bundle branch block, left ventricular ejection fraction and type of stress testing. Similar results were observed for poststress plasma ceramides.

Conclusions—

Higher circulating levels of specific ceramides, both at baseline and after stress, were independently associated with lower poststress anteroapical wall perfusion in patients with suspected or established coronary artery disease referred for clinically indicated MPS.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Pathogenic Variants in
TJP1
Gene Associated With Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: De Bortoli Marzia , Postma Alex V. , Poloni Giulia , Calore Martina , Minervini Giovanni , Mazzotti Elisa , Rigato Ilaria , Ebert Micaela , Lorenzon Alessandra , Vazza Giovanni , Cipriani Alberto , Bariani Riccardo , Perazzolo Marra Martina , Husser Daniela , Thiene Gaetano , Daliento Luciano , Corrado Domenico , Basso Cristina , Tosatto Silvio C.E. , Bauce Barbara , van Tintelen J. Peter , Rampazzo Alessandra
Published: October 2018

Background:

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disease characterized by progressive fibro-fatty myocardial replacement, ventricular arrhythmia, heart failure, and sudden death. Causative mutations can be identified in 60% of patients, and most of them are found in genes encoding mechanical junction proteins of the intercalated disk.

Methods:

Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the proband of an ACM family. Sanger sequencing was used to screen for mutations the tight junction protein 1 (
TJP1
) gene in unrelated patients. Predictions of local structure content and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the structural impact of the variants.

Results:

A novel c.2006A>G p.(Y669C) variant in
TJP1
gene was identified by whole-exome sequencing in a patient with ACM.
TJP1
encodes zonula occludens 1, an intercalated disk protein interacting with proteins of gap junctions and area composita. Additional rare
TJP1
variants have been identified in 1 of 40 Italian probands (c.793C>T p.(R265W)) with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and in 2 of 43 Dutch/German patients (c. 986C>T, p.(S329L) and c.1079A>T, p.(D360V)) with dilated cardiomyopathy and recurrent ventricular tachycardia. The p.(D360V) variant was identified in a proband also carrying the p.(I156N) pathogenic variant in
DSP
. All 4
TJP1
variants are predicted to be deleterious and affect highly conserved amino acids, either at the GUK (guanylate kinase)–like domain (p.(Y669C)) or at the disordered region of the protein between the PDZ2 and PDZ3 domains (p.(R265W), p.(S329L), and p.(D360V)). The local unfolding induced by the former promotes structural rearrangements of the GUK domain, whereas the others are predicted to impair the function of the disordered region. Furthermore, rare variants in
TJP1
are statistically enriched in patients with ACM relative to controls.

Conclusions:

We provide here the first evidence linking likely pathogenic
TJP1
variants to ACM. Prevalence and pathogenic mechanism of
TJP1
-mediated ACM remain to be determined.
Response Gene to Complement 32 Maintains Blood Pressure Homeostasis by Regulating α-Adrenergic Receptor Expression
Authors: Tang Jun-Ming , Shi Ning , Dong Kun , Brown Scott A. , Coleman Amanda E. , Boegehold Matthew A. , Chen Shi-You
Published: October 2018

Rationale:

Hypertension prevalence is much higher among children and adolescents with low birth weight and greater postnatal weight gain than in individuals with normal birth weight. However, the cause and molecular mechanisms underlying this complication remain largely unknown. Our previous studies have shown that RGC-32 (response gene to complement 32)–deficient (RGC-32
−/−
) mice are born significantly smaller but grow faster than their WT (wild type) controls, which allows adult RGC-32
−/−
mice to attain body weights similar to those of control mice.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to determine whether RGC-32
−/−
mice develop hypertension, and if so, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods and Results:

By using a radiotelemetry system, we found that RGC-32
−/−
mice exhibit higher mean arterial pressure than WT mice (101±4 versus 119±5 mm Hg), which enabled us to use RGC-32
−/−
mice to study the mechanisms underlying low birth weight–related hypertension. The increased blood pressure in RGC-32
−/−
mice was associated with increased vascular tone and decreased distensibility of small resistance arteries. The increased vascular tone was because of an increase in the relative contribution of sympathetic versus parasympathetic activity and was linked to increased expression of AT1R (angiotensin II type I receptor) and α1-AdR (α1-adrenergic receptor) in arterial smooth muscles. Mechanistically, RGC-32 regulated
AT1R
gene transcription by interacting with Sp1 (specificity protein 1) transcription factor and further blocking its binding to the AT1R promoter, leading to suppression of AT1R expression. The attenuation of AT1R leads to reduction in α1-AdR expression, which was critical for the balance of sympathetic versus parasympathetic control of vascular tone. Of importance, downregulation of RGC-32 in arterial smooth muscles was also associated with low birth weight and hypertension in humans.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that RGC-32 is a novel protein factor vital for maintaining blood pressure homeostasis, especially in individuals with low birth weight.
Comparison of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Management Strategies Before Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Registry Trial
Authors: van Diepen Sean , Norris Colleen M. , Zheng Yinggan , Nagendran Jayan , Graham Michelle M. , Gaete Ortega Damaris , Townsend Derek R. , Ezekowitz Justin A. , Bagshaw Sean M.
Published: October 2018

Background

Postoperative clinical outcomes associated with the preoperative continuation or discontinuation of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (
ACEIs
) or angiotensin receptor blockers (
ARBs
) before cardiac surgery remain unclear.

Methods and Results

In a single‐center, open‐label, randomized, registry‐based clinical trial, patients undergoing nonemergent cardiac surgery were assigned to
ACEI
/
ARB
continuation or discontinuation 2 days before surgery. Among the 584 patients screened, 261 met study criteria and 126 (48.3%) patients were enrolled. In total,121 patients (96% adherence; 60 to continuation and 61 to
ACEI
/
ARB
discontinuation) underwent surgery and completed the study protocol, and follow‐up was 100% complete. Postoperative intravenous vasopressor use (78.3% versus 75.4%,
P
=0.703), vasodilator use (71.7% versus 80.3%,
P
=0.265), vasoplegic shock (31.7% versus 27.9%,
P
=0.648), median duration of vasopressor (10 versus 5 hours,
P
=0.494), and vasodilator requirements (10 versus 9 hours,
P
=0.469) were not significantly different between the continuation and discontinuation arms. No differences were observed in the incidence of acute kidney injury (1.7% versus 1.6%,
P
=0.991), stroke (no events, mortality (1.7% versus 1.6%,
P
=0.991), median duration of mechanical ventilation (6 versus 6 hours,
P
=0.680), and median intensive care unit length of stay (43 versus 27 hours,
P
=0.420) between the treatment arms.

Conclusions

A randomized study evaluating the routine continuation or discontinuation of
ACEIs
or
ARB
s before cardiac surgery was feasible, and treatment assignment was not associated with differences in postoperative physiological or clinical outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that preoperative
ACEI
/
ARB
management strategies did not affect the postoperative course of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02096406.
Intangible Matters
Authors: Figal Günter
Published: October 2018

This paper is on matter and on art. Based on the assumption that the everyday attitude toward the world is a kind of materialistic realism and that philosophers, from the beginning of philosophy on, have objected to the plausibility of epistemological reliance on matter, I make attempts to investigate what matter is. I suggest doing this in reference to art. In particular I discuss works of art representing kinds of matter so extraordinary that their material character even could be doubted: light and sound. An installation by James Turrell and a piece of music composed by Morton Feldman, Rothko Chapel, function as paradigms to demonstrate the material character of light and sound and also the affinity of matter to space. Having qualities, matter proves to be different from space; being amorphous, however, matter as such has no distinct appearance, but, like space, enables appearance.
On Music and Memory through Μνήµη and Ἀνάµνησις
Authors: Wiskus Jessica
Published: October 2018

Memory plays an integral role in music listening and music performance. But what specific memory structures do we employ when we engage with music? Taking Aristotle’s De memoria et reminiscentia as principle guide, I aim to press upon a matter of central interest to the phenomenologist of music, focusing on the relation between memory proper [µνήµη] and recollection [ἀνάµνησις]. Drawing upon Physics IV and De anima III, I clarify a two-fold temporal structure—a structure comprised of sensation and flowing continuity—at work in the experience of remembering. Finally, I claim that music, through the ordered expression of its successive sensations, pertains directly to ἀνάµνησις but supports access to µνήµη, as well.
Δύναµις and Dasein, Ἐνέργεια and Ereignis
Authors: Gonzalez Francisco J.
Published: October 2018

The “destructive” appropriation of the Aristotelian concepts of δύναµις and ἐνέργεια played a central role in Martin Heidegger’s own reflection on the meaning of being. While this has been generally known for some time, it is only now that we can understand the full scope, complexity and evolving character of this appropriation. One reason is the fairly recent publication (in 2012, Gesamtausgabe 83) of notes and protocols for seminars Heidegger led on Aristotle as late as the 1940s and 1950s. Another is the existence of student transcripts in the Special Collections Department of Stanford University for a number of unpublished seminars on Aristotle that Heidegger led during the 1920s. Considering all of this material enables us to see both the significance of Heidegger’s interpretation of the δύναµις/ἐνέργιεα pair as well as how this interpretation evolved along with his own “Kehre”: from a “pandynamic” conception of being to being as “Ereignis.”
EarthCARE’s Broadband Radiometer: Uncertainties Associated with Cloudy Atmospheres
Authors: Tornow F. , Barker H. W. , Blázquez Velázquez , Domenech C. , Fischer J.
Published: October 2018

The Earth Clouds, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) satellite’s Broadband Radiometer (BBR) consists of three telescopes and a rotating chopper drum (CD). Together they yield alternating measurements of total wave (TW; 0.25 to >50 μm) and shortwave (SW; 0.25–4 μm) radiances with point spread functions that translate to 0.6-km-diameter pixels. The mission requires that SW and TW radiances be averaged over 100-km2 domains. Correspondingly, the average longwave (LW) radiances are the differences between TW and SW averages. It is shown that impacts on domain-average nadir radiances resulting from alternating samples of TW and SW signals for realistic cloudy atmospheres are sensitive to the variance of cloudy-sky radiances, CD rotation rate, and along-track length of averaging domains. Over domains measuring 5 × 21 km2 and at a 50% rotation rate, uncertainties reached up to 3.2 and 4.1 W m−2 sr−1 for SW and TW radiances, respectively. The BBR’s design allows for in-flight alteration of the CD rate. An approximate method is provided for estimating SW and LW uncertainties resulting from the CD rate. While the nominal rotation rate meets EarthCARE’s mission requirements, reducing below 75% of that rate will lead to uncertainties for domain-average LW radiances that will often exceed mission requirements. This could be mitigated by increasing the size of averaging domains but that would compromise the BBR’s role in EarthCARE’s radiative closure assessment program. Uncertainties for off-nadir radiances are largely free of impacts arising from changes to the CD rotation rate.
An Analog Technique to Improve Storm Wind Speed Prediction Using a Dual NWP Model Approach
Authors: Yang Jaemo , Astitha Marina , Delle Monache Luca , Alessandrini Stefano
Published: October 2018

This study presents a new implementation of the analog ensemble method (AnEn) to improve the prediction of wind speed for 146 storms that have impacted the northeast United States in the period 2005–16. The AnEn approach builds an ensemble by using a set of past observations that correspond to the best analogs of numerical weather prediction (NWP). Unlike previous studies, dual-predictor combinations are used to generate AnEn members, which include wind speed, wind direction, and 2-m temperature, simulated by two state-of-the-science atmospheric models [the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System–Integrated Community Limited Area Modeling System (RAMS–ICLAMS)]. Bias correction is also applied to each analog to gain additional benefits in predicting wind speed. Both AnEn and the bias-corrected analog ensemble (BCAnEn) are tested with a weighting strategy, which optimizes the predictor combination with root-mean-square error (RMSE) minimization. A leave-one-out cross validation is implemented, that is, each storm is predicted using the remaining 145 as the training dataset, with modeled and observed values over 80 stations in the northeast United States. The results show improvements of 9%–42% and 1%–29% with respect to original WRF and ICLAMS simulations, as measured by the RMSE of individual storms. Moreover, for two high-impact tropical storms (Irene and Sandy), BCAnEn significantly reduces the error of raw prediction (average RMSE reduction of 22% for Irene and 26% for Sandy). The AnEn and BCAnEn techniques demonstrate their potential to combine different NWP models to improve storm wind speed prediction, compared to the use of a single NWP.
Data Access as Regulation
Authors: Sterett Susan M.
Published: October 2018

This article considers calls for data transparency as research regulation and accountability. Rather than arguing for or against the value of sharing data, the article argues that understanding the call for data sharing requires questioning assumptions embedded in the debate about the context of scholarship and rethinking the purposes of data access. The article first argues that the spread of information available digitally means that researchers in the academy and outside it work with digital information, quite apart from mandates for data access. Second, replication as an accountability measure is often offered as one reason for making data available. However, scholars of replication have argued that replication has multiple components, many difficult to enact. Demands in universities for grant funding, impact by standard metrics, and newsworthy research encourage rapidly produced scholarship and research that makes big innovative claims. However, replication imposed sporadically cannot regularly counter these systematic incentives. If one purpose of data access is to regulate the research enterprise, scholarship on regulatory strategies and the difficulty of accomplishing goals via mandates illuminates the call for data access. Replication operates as a threat, one seen to generate incentives for good science, but is erratically enforced. Borrowing from the scholarship of audit and regulation, the article uses regulation, including audit, as accountability to argue that the sciences might need to address fundamental concerns about trust.