bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ischaemum agharkarii (Andropogoneae, Poaceae), a new species from Northern Western Ghats, India
Authors: GORADE PURUSHOTTAM , DATAR MANDAR N. , CHOUDHARY RITESH KUMAR , PATHARE PRAJAKTA S.
Published: August 2016

Ischaemum agharkarii, a new species of Poaceae from the Northern Western Ghats of India is described and illustrated here. It is closely similar to two Indian endemic species, I. travancorense and I. santapaui but differs in having hairy first node, presence of side nodules on lower glume of both sessile and pedicelled spikelets, band of hairs on ventral side of lower glume and other morphological features. We provide detailed morphological description, distribution map and photographs of the new species.
A new synonym of Ptilagrostis yadongensis and a new record of Stipa bhutanica to the flora of China (Poaceae)
Authors: ZHANG ZHONG-SHUAI , ZHU XIANG-YUN , LI LING-LU , JIANG SHAN-WEN , CHEN WEN-LI
Published: August 2016

Ptilagrostis Grisebach (1852: 447) is a small genus of the grass family, including approximately 11 species (Wu & Phillips 2006, Barkworth 2007). It occurs in both Asia and North America with about eight species distributed in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, its diversity center. Ptilagrostis yadongensis Keng & Tang (1985: 44) is one of the species that occurs in this region, which was described based on materials from Yadong, China, the southern slope of Himalayas. The paper was published in a Chinese journal, viz. Journal of Southwest Agriculural University, and had not been noticed until 2005 (Peterson et al. 2005, Wu & Phillips 2006). The author pointed out that P. yadongensis is distinguished from its morphological close, Ptilagrostis concinna (Hooker 1897: 230) Roshevitz (1934: 75) by linear panicles with fewer spikelets, longer and unequal glumes, and shorter and glabrous anthers.
An annotated taxonomic checklist of the Neotropical Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) with links to the information on host plants and parasitoids
Authors: PRINS JURATE DE , BRITO ROSÂNGELA , MOREIRA GILSON RUDINEI PIRES
Published: August 2016

This comprehensive checklist is a synthesis of the verified taxonomic information on all known Neotropical Gracillariidae species presented in a concise and uniformed way. The taxonomic information on these moth species in the Neotropical region is assembled and presented along with the referenced information on species distribution, host plants and parasitoids. The Genbank and BOLD accession numbers are given for the species that have been genetically investigated. By consulting robust literature sources, the Gracillariidae collections at natural history museums and in private holdings, we emphasize the significance of inter-links between the information on host plants, gracillariid moths and their parasitoids in the Neotropical Region.
A new species of Leioseius (Acari: Ascidae) from Brazil, redescription of Leioseius basis and a key for separation of the world species of the genus
Authors: SANTOS JANDIR C. , MORAES GILBERTO J. DE
Published: August 2016

Leioseius Berlese is known in South America only from one especies described from Chile. Leioseius cananeiensis n. sp. is described based on the morphology of adult females found in association with barnacles (Crustacea, Cirripedia) on roots of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) (Combretaceae) collected in Cananéia, São Paulo State, Brazil. Leioseius basis Karg is redescribed based on the holotype female, one paratype female and two sparatype males. A key for the separation of females of the 19 recognisable world Leioseius species is provided.
New species of Hercostomus Loew, 1857 (Dolichopodidae, Diptera) from Japan
Authors: NEGROBOV O.P. , KUMAZAWA T. , TAGO T. , SATO M.
Published: August 2016

Six new species of the genus Hercostomus Loew, 1857, are described from Japan: Hercostomus acutiformis Negrobov, Kumazawa & Tago sp. nov., H. falcilis Negrobov, Kumazawa & Tago sp. nov., H. flavipalpus Negrobov, Kumazawa, Tago & Sato sp. nov., H. nigricollaris Negrobov, Kumazawa & Tago sp. nov., H. spathulatus Negrobov, Kumazawa, Tago & Sato sp. nov., H. spinitibialis Negrobov, Kumazawa & Tago sp. nov. Hercostomus flaveolus Negrobov & Chalaya, 1987 is newly recorded from Japan, and Hercostomus arcticus Yang, 1996 is newly synonymized with Hercostomus flaveolus (syn. nov.). The holotype of Hercostomus flaviventris Smirnov & Negrobov, 1979 is redescribed. Hercostomus ussurianus Stackelberg is transferred to the genus Gymnopternus Loew, 1857 (stat. nov.). A key to the eleven recognized species of Japanese Hercostomus is provided.
New Genus and species of Heteroxyidae from Brazil (Axinellida: Demospongiae: Porifera), with a revised identification key for the family
Authors: SANTOS GEORGE GARCIA , PINHEIRO ULISSES , HAJDU EDUARDO , SOEST ROB VAN
Published: August 2016

Alveospongia sinuosclera gen. nov. sp. nov. is described from shallow-waters off Canavieiras (Bahia, Brazil). The species bears an unusual morphology, combining saccular or alveolar, evenly perforated habit, and sinuous spiny microrhabdose microscleres. This sponge is tentatively classified within the Heteroxyidae Dendy (1905), on the basis of its confused choanosomal architecture of styles, and possession of spiny microrhabdose microscleres. Assays to generate DNA sequences from this material were unsuccessful. We emended the diagnosis of the family to include species bearing saccular/alveolar shape, microrhabdose acanthomicrostrongyles and styles/strongyles with modifications at the ends. The proposed new genus is compared to the remaining heteroxyid genera, as well as Crella (Crellidae), Batzella (Chondropsidae), Goreauiella (Astroscleridae) and Sceptrintus (Podospongiidae). A revised key for identification of Heteroxyidae genera is provided.
Spongillaflies (Neuroptera, Sisyridae) in Baltic amber
Authors: WICHARD WILFRIED , WEDMANN SONJA , WEITERSCHAN THOMAS
Published: August 2016

Two spongillaflies species are described and illustrated from Eocene Baltic amber: Paleosisyra minor n. sp. and Paleosisyra electrobaltica Wichard et al., 2009; the latter species was described based on a female and is now re-described in consideration of the male genitalia of two new male specimens. Extant Sisyridae comprise few species, and their fossil record is very scarce.
The crane fly genus Libnotes Westwood, 1876 (Diptera: Limoniidae) for Korea including two new species and an identification key
Authors: PODENAS SIGITAS
Published: August 2016

Two new species of crane flies, Libnotes (Libnotes) charlesyoungi n. sp. and L. (L.) jirisana n. sp. are described. Libnotes (Afrolimonia) plutonis (Alexander, 1924) is described for the first time on the Korean Peninsula. A key for all Korean Libnotes spp. is presented.
Low-Frequency Currents from Deep Moorings in the Southern Bay of Bengal
Authors: Wijesekera H. W. , Teague W. J. , Wang D. W. , Jarosz E. , Jensen T. G. , Jinadasa S. U. P. , Fernando H. J. S. , Hallock Z. R.
Published: August 2016

High-resolution currents and hydrographic fields were measured at six deep-water moorings in the southern Bay of Bengal (BoB) by the Naval Research Laboratory as part of an international effort focused on the dynamics of the Indian Ocean. Currents, temperature, and salinity were sampled over the upper 500 m for 20 months between December 2013 and August 2015. One of the major goals is to understand the space–time scales of the currents and physical processes that contribute to the exchange of water between the BoB and the Arabian Sea. The observations captured Southwest and Northeast Monsoon Currents, seasonally varying large eddies including a cyclonic eddy, the Sri Lanka dome (SLD), and an anticyclonic eddy southeast of the SLD. The observations further showed intraseasonal oscillations with periods of 30–70 days, near-inertial currents, and tides. Monthly averaged velocities commonly exceeded 50 cm s−1 near the surface, and extreme velocities exceeded 150 cm s−1 during the southwest monsoon. Tides were small and dominated by the M2 component with velocities of about 3 cm s−1. The average transport into the BoB over the measurement period was 2 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) but likely exceeded 15 Sv during summer of 2014. This study suggests the water exchange away from coastal boundaries, in the interior of the BoB, may be largely influenced by the location and strength of the two eddies that modify the path of the Southwest Monsoon Current. In addition, there is a pathway below 200 m for transport of water into the BoB throughout the year.
Polynomial Chaos–Based Bayesian Inference of K-Profile Parameterization in a General Circulation Model of the Tropical Pacific
Authors: Sraj Ihab , Zedler Sarah E. , Knio Omar M. , Jackson Charles S. , Hoteit Ibrahim
Published: August 2016

The authors present a polynomial chaos (PC)–based Bayesian inference method for quantifying the uncertainties of the K-profile parameterization (KPP) within the MIT general circulation model (MITgcm) of the tropical Pacific. The inference of the uncertain parameters is based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) scheme that utilizes a newly formulated test statistic taking into account the different components representing the structures of turbulent mixing on both daily and seasonal time scales in addition to the data quality, and filters for the effects of parameter perturbations over those as a result of changes in the wind. To avoid the prohibitive computational cost of integrating the MITgcm model at each MCMC iteration, a surrogate model for the test statistic using the PC method is built. Because of the noise in the model predictions, a basis-pursuit-denoising (BPDN) compressed sensing approach is employed to determine the PC coefficients of a representative surrogate model. The PC surrogate is then used to evaluate the test statistic in the MCMC step for sampling the posterior of the uncertain parameters. Results of the posteriors indicate good agreement with the default values for two parameters of the KPP model, namely the critical bulk and gradient Richardson numbers; while the posteriors of the remaining parameters were barely informative.
Standoff Detection of Geological Samples of Metal, Rock, and Soil at Low Pressures Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Authors: Choi Jae-Jun , Choi Soo-Jin , Yoh Jack J.
Published: August 2016

Categorized certified reference materials simulating metal, rock, soils, or dusts are used to demonstrate the standoff detection capability of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) at severely low pressure conditions. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm with 17.2–50 mJ energy per pulse was used to obtain sample signals from a distance of 5.5 m; the detection sensitivity at pressures down to 0.01 torr was also analyzed. The signal intensity response to pressure changes is explained by the ionization energy and electronegativity of elements, and from the estimated full width half-maximum (FWHM) and electron density, the decrease in both background noise and line broadening makes it suitable for low pressure detection using the current standoff LIBS configuration. The univariate analyses further showed high correlation coefficients for geological samples. Therefore, the present work has extended the current state-of-the-art of standoff LIBS aimed at harsh environment detection.
Scaling up to institutional entrepreneurship: A life history of an elite training gymnastics organization
Authors: Bisel Ryan S , Kramer Michael W , Banas John A
Published: August 2016

This organizational life history documents how the founder of an elite gymnastics training organization led her organizational members to resist what she deemed to be unethical institutional influences prior to working toward changing those institutional practices. The study contributes the idea that institutional resistance leadership at the team and organizational levels can precede disruptive institutional entrepreneurship activities at the institutional level. The diachronic analysis describes the micro, local, historical, intra-organizational work that serves as a proving ground for generating resistance before proceeding to institutional level work; in doing so, the article explores how leadership activities can be ‘scaled up’ to affect institutions through the intermediary of an organization. Identity violations triggered a founder’s sensemaking and moved her to lead others to resist institutional forces on her own organization’s training practices. The founder used the rhetorical strategy of narrative to create sensebreaking to help members make sense of the dominant institutional influence, articulate an alternative philosophy, translate the alternative into practices, and acquire material resources for undertaking resistance at the local organizational level. Finally, in attempting to scale up to institutional entrepreneurship, the institutional resistance leadership then struggled with defining success for the organization in the view of dominant institutional actors.
How practice makes sense in healthcare operations: Studying sensemaking as performative, material-discursive practice
Authors: Hultin Lotta , Mähring Magnus
Published: August 2016

This article aims to move sensemaking theory forward by exploring a post-humanist view of how sense is made in material-discursive practices. Answering recent calls for novel theoretical views on sensemaking, we adopt a relational ontology, assuming subject and object to be ontologically entangled, and viewing agency as a circulating flow through material-discursive practices. Employing this perspective, we study how sensemaking unfolds at the emergency ward of a Nordic university hospital. By working through the concepts of material-discursive practices, flow of agency and subject positions, we produce an account of sensemaking that decenters the human actor as the locus and source of sensemaking, and foregrounds the performativity of practices through which certain ways of acting become enacted as sensible. This allows us to propose an alternative to the traditional view of sensemaking as episodic, cognitive-discursive practices enacted within and between separate human actors. With this view, what makes sense is understood as a material-discursive practice and related subject positions, which owing to their specific positioning in the circulating flow of agency emerge as sensible. Consequently, every actor is not just making sense, but is also already being made sense of; positioning and being positioned in the flow of agency.
Examining the Cross-Level Influence of Dispositional and Team Goal Orientations on Employee Self-Regulation and Performance in a Complex Task Environment
Authors: Katz-Navon Tal , Unger-Aviram Esther , Block Caryn
Published: August 2016

The study examined the mediating role of individual’s self-regulatory processes of deep cognitive strategies (meaningful learning rather than a reproduction of knowledge) and negative affect in the relationship between dispositional and team goal orientations and team member’s performance of complex tasks. Thirty-three research and development teams and their managers participated. Results demonstrated that dispositional performance orientation (focus on success) increased negative affect, which, in turn, lowered employee job performance. Whereas team learning orientation (focus on learning and improvement) decreased negative affect, which, in turn, was associated with higher employee job performance. Additionally, both dispositional and team learning orientations were positively and significantly associated with individuals’ use of deep cognitive strategies. However, deep cognitive strategies were not associated with employee performance. Findings suggest that managers of teams performing complex tasks may want to consider ways to create and sustain a high learning orientation in order to reduce negative affect and increase use of deep cognitive strategies within their teams.
Prediction of progressive fatigue damage and failure behavior of IM7/977-3 composites using the reduced-order multiple space-time homogenization approach
Authors: Bogdanor Michael J , Oskay Caglar
Published: August 2016

This manuscript presents the blind prediction of fatigue life performance in three laminated carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite layups using a reduced-order space-time homogenization model. To bridge the spatial scales, the modeling approach relies on the Eigendeformation-based reduced order homogenization method. To bridge the time scales associated with a single load cycle and the overall life of the composite, a homogenization-based accelerated multiple-time-scale integrator with adaptive time stepping capability is employed. The proposed multiscale modeling approach was used to predict the evolution of composite stiffness and progressive damage accumulation as a function of loading cycles, as well as residual strength after fatigue in tension and compression, for three layups ([0,45,90,−45]2 s, [30,60,90,−60,−30]2 s, and [60,0,−60]3 s). Following blind prediction, the experimental data from the blind prediction specimens were employed to better understand the failure mechanisms and recalibrate the model. This study was performed as a part of the Air Force Research Laboratory's “Damage Tolerant Design Principles” Program.
The Rate of Expanded Inner Speech During Spontaneous Sentence Productions
Authors: Netsell Ronald , Kleinsasser Steven , Daniel Todd
Published: August 2016

The rate of expanded inner speech and speech aloud was compared in 20 typical adults (3 males, 17 females; M age = 24 years, SD = 4). Participants generated and timed spontaneous sentences with both expanded inner speech and speech aloud following the instruction to say “the first thing that comes to mind.” The rate of expanded inner speech was slightly, but significantly, faster than the rate of speech aloud. The findings supported the hypothesis that expanded inner speech was faster than speech aloud because of the time required to move the articulators in the latter. Physical measures of speaking rate are needed to validate self-timed measures. Limitations of the study and directions for research are discussed.
Citizen Participation as Political Ritual: Towards a Sociological Theorizing of ‘Health Citizenship’
Authors: Komporozos-Athanasiou Aris , Fudge Nina , Adams Mary , McKevitt Christopher
Published: August 2016

This article examines citizen participation in health research, where funders increasingly seek to promote and define ‘patient and public involvement’ (PPI). In England, the focus of our study, government policy articulates a specific set of meanings attached to PPI that fuse patients’ rights and responsibilities as citizens, as ‘consumers’ and as ‘lay experts’. However, little is known about the meanings those who take part in PPI activities attach to this participation. Drawing on ethnographic data of PPI in three clinical areas (stroke, cancer and pre-term birth) we investigate citizen participation in health research as political ritual. We identify tensions between policy-driven and ground-level performance of citizenship, and use ritual theory to show how such tensions are accommodated in participatory structures. We argue that the ritual performance of PPI neutralizes the transformational potential of citizen participation, and we draw wider sociological implications for citizen participation beyond the health arena.
A study on the impact of hair wrappings on yarn properties – Part I: Theoretical analysis and manual experimental validations
Authors: Xia Zhigang , Wu Hui , Fu Minghui , Ye Wenxiang , Xu Weilin
Published: August 2016

Hair-wrapping distribution, hair-wrapping direction and yarn moving direction models have been developed to analyze and predict the impact of hair wrappings on yarn properties in theory. Then, Nm 48 ring-spun ramie yarns were respectively treated by various manual hair wrappings, such as the forward diagonal, the forward vertical, the forward random, the backward diagonal, the backward vertical and the backward random. The results showed that the various hair-wrapped yarns had a similar smoothened static surface appearance. Although vertical hair wrappings caused the highest deterioration in yarn unevenness and imperfections, they kept the smallest change of hairiness among all types of hair wrappings during yarn moving. Hair wrapping contributed to large fiber utilization, improving yarn tensile properties, regardless of the worsened yarn unevenness and imperfections. The manual experimental results corresponded well to our modeling suppositions and theoretical analysis.
Benchmarking gentrification near commuter rail stations in New Jersey
Authors: Deka Devajyoti
Published: August 2016

Predictions in recent studies that an increasingly large number of households will locate near rail stations because of changing lifestyles and perceptions of younger generations should be a reason for concern for transportation planners as excessively high demand for housing near stations can displace disadvantaged populations. In New Jersey, where the statewide Transit Village programme was introduced in 1999 to promote transit-oriented developments (TOD), many communities with rail stations are currently inhabited by low-income and minority populations. While gentrification through TODs can have many environmental and economic benefits, caution is needed to ensure that it does not displace disadvantaged households. With this assertion, the study sets benchmarks for current population characteristics of the areas near commuter rail stations in New Jersey and compares changes of the characteristics between 1990 and 2013 by using the Geolytics Neighborhood Change Database. Specifically, it compares the socioeconomic characteristics of the areas near stations with the areas further both at the macro and the micro levels by focusing on race, ethnicity, income, rent and other key variables. The study uses analysis of variance and regression models to compare areas near stations with areas beyond. Although the regression models showed higher home value and greater increase in home value near stations than areas further, change in rent has been more stable. The analysis did not reveal significant undesirable changes in population characteristics in the areas near stations, especially for the variables on race and ethnicity.
Lustration – the Polish experience
Authors: Tighe Carl
Published: August 2016

In 1848 Marx and Engels published their Communist Manifesto. The opening line claimed: ‘A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of communism.’ In Poland the experience of more than 40 years of communism and the fear that ‘reds’ still secretly control the government haunts the present. This article explores the emerging political culture and the volatile political climate of post-communist Poland. In particular it looks at the various attempts at lustration as part of transitional justice, at the Kaczyński brothers’ plan to redefine national identity by establishing a moral Fourth Republic, and at the involvement of writers, reporters and film-makers in the lustration debate.
Teaching for Social Justice
Authors: Brown Sonia , Blount Stacye , Dickinson Charles A. , Better Alison , Vitullo Margaret Weigers , Tyler Deidre , Kisielewski Michael
Published: August 2016

This article evaluates the reasons for career choice and job satisfaction among community college faculty who teach sociology, in relation to a social justice motivation for teaching. Using closed- and open-ended response data from a 2014 national survey of community college sociology faculty, this study finds that a preponderance of faculty do not see themselves as pushed into their careers through external factors but, rather, describe being pulled into community college instruction through a set of personally meaningful internal motivations. Those motivations include serving a diverse and underserved student body. Despite difficult working conditions, most faculty indicated that they likely will teach at a community college until retirement and would do so again if they could. Nearly half of sociology faculty discuss their motivations and satisfactions in community college careers in terms that are consistent with a social justice orientation.
Phase-constrained fractional order PIλ controller for second-order-plus dead time systems
Authors: Chen Kai , Tang Rongnian , Li Chuang
Published: August 2016

In this paper we propose a phase-constrained fractional order [Formula: see text] controller based on a second-order-plus dead time process and a new tuning method. The design is derived in several constraints: a flat phase constraint, a gain crossover frequency and a phase margin. With the specified phase margin, it can reach the corresponding upper boundary of gain crossover frequency and the stability region. The complete surface of stabilizing controllers is achieved by guaranteeing the open-loop system to fulfil the pre-set phase margin. Afterwards, a stability line on the relative stable surface can then be obtained. For a set of controllers on the stability line, the flat phase constraint is used to make sure the uniqueness of the designed controller. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated with several numerical examples.
Scheduled smooth MIMO robust control of aircraft verified through blade element SIL testing
Authors: Kasnakoğlu Coşku
Published: August 2016

This paper demonstrates a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) robust control approach where multiple scheduled designs are merged to produce a smooth control law. The design is verified using software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing based on blade element theory (BET) for highly realistic flight simulations. An inner-loop attitude controller balances performance and robustness, achieving a fast response time, low overshoot, good noise rejection and minimal lateral–longitudinal coupling. The controllers are formed at several predetermined grid points so the design covers a wide flight envelope. Blade element SIL testing shows that the flight control system preserves stable flight and follows the references well, even under tough weather conditions. The proposed strategy is also compared with a classical autopilot design procedure and is seen to be superior.
Seasonal variation of hours worked in home-based industrial production: Evidence from Sweden 1912
Authors: Nilsson Malin
Published: August 2016

This study investigates patterns of seasonal variation in hours worked by women employed in home-based industrial production in Sweden in the early 20th century. Previous studies often describe workers in this type of production as the most flexible segment of industrial workers, and highly dependent on seasonal fluctuations in supply and demand. However, few have studied this empirically. This study relies on data from interviews with home-based workers. Principal component analysis is used to identify seasonal patterns and OLS regressions to identify the factors driving these fluctuations. The results show surprisingly stable patterns in hours worked, most women worked 8–10 hours per day all year. Thus, while home-based workers were flexible in the sense that they all worked on piece-work contracts and provided their own means of production and place of work, their work was not essentially irregular or largely fluctuating by supply- or demand-driven seasonal variations.
Women in Construction and the Workforce Investment Act
Authors: Arcand Carolyn
Published: August 2016

This article examines whether women’s representation among senior-level construction jobs increased over time during a long-term, large-scale construction project in Boston, Massachusetts, and whether enactment of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) has fostered support and connection to construction career opportunities for women in this metropolitan area. Results show that the proportion of hours worked by women in senior-level positions on the project was relatively high for a few years, followed by a general decline across all job types, and the WIA did not significantly enhance opportunities for women in construction.
Temporary Organizing and Institutional Change
Authors: Tukiainen Sampo , Granqvist Nina
Published: August 2016

The relationship between the temporary and the permanent is a central issue in studies of temporary organizing. Recent research highlights that projects, as key forms of temporary organizations, both constitute and are constituted by their wider institutional contexts. However, there is still a lack of more detailed understanding of the actors and their activities through which projects produce and advance institutional change. To address this issue, we draw on extensive fieldwork to study the activities that constitute establishment of the Innovation University. This endeavour gained the status of a spearhead project and advanced nationwide university reform in one northern European country. Our central contribution is two-fold. We sediment a more robust approach to institutions within project literature by defining them as widely shared beliefs and practices that actors enact and (re)produce through their various activities. On this basis, we develop a model of an institutional project for regulative change and show that it is more parallel and multiplex and less sequential in nature than existing studies might convey. Our model also creates new understanding of the role of the ‘lock-ins’ shaped by projects to promote regulative change and casts light on the temporal linkages and temporal boundary objects in institutional projects. In closing, we discuss several future avenues for research in both project literature and institutional theory.
MEK and ERK Kinase Inhibitors Increase Circulating Ceruloplasmin and Cause Green Serum in Rats
Authors: Diaz Dolores , Pai Rama , Cain Gary , La Nghi , Dambach Donna , Schwartz Jacob , Tarrant Jacqueline M.
Published: August 2016

Inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated (MAPK/ERK) pathway is an attractive therapeutic approach for human cancer therapy. In the course of evaluating structurally distinct small molecule inhibitors that target mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and ERK kinases in this pathway, we observed an unusual, dose-related increase in the incidence of green serum in preclinical safety studies in rats. Having ruled out changes in bilirubin metabolism, we demonstrated a 2- to 3-fold increase in serum ceruloplasmin levels, likely accounting for the observed green color. This was not associated with an increase in α-2-macroglobulin, the major acute phase protein in rats, indicating that ceruloplasmin levels increased independently of an inflammatory response. Elevated serum ceruloplasmin was also not correlated with changes in total hepatic copper, adverse clinical signs, or pathology findings indicative of copper toxicity, therefore discounting copper overload as the etiology. Both ERK and MEK inhibitors led to increased ceruloplasmin secretion in rat primary hepatocyte cultures in vitro, and this increase was associated with activation of the Forkhead box, class O1 (FOXO1) transcription factor. In conclusion, increased serum ceruloplasmin induced by MEK and ERK inhibition is due to increased synthesis by hepatocytes from FOXO1 activation and results in the nonadverse development of green serum in rats.
Fontan circulation over 30 years. What should we learn from those patients?
Authors: Sakamoto Takahiko , Nagashima Mitsugi , Hiramatsu Takeshi , Matsumura Goki , Park In-Sam , Yamazaki Kenji
Published: August 2016

Background

This study aimed to evaluate Fontan circulation which was observed over 30 years.

Methods

Forty patients who underwent a Fontan operation between 1974 and 1986 and survived (group S, n = 20) or died in the late period (group LD, n = 20) were evaluated. The median age at operation was 10 years (range 2–32 years). The diagnoses were tricuspid atresia in 21, single ventricle in 9, and others in 10. The Fontan procedure was a right atrium-pulmonary artery graft in 2, atriopulmonary connection in 28, and right atrium-right ventricle anastomosis in 10 (Björk in 4, graft in 6).

Results

Causes of late death were congestive heart failure in 6, sudden death in 4, arrhythmia in 4, and others in 6. Sixteen patients underwent reoperation 23.3 ± 6.5 years after Fontan. Cardiac catheterization was performed at 1 month and 12 years. There were no significant differences in central venous pressure, ventricular ejection fraction, or pulmonary vascular resistance between the two groups. However, changes in ventricular end-diastolic volume suggested volume and pressure overload in group LD. In group S, the latest chest radiographs showed cardiothoracic ratio 51.3% ± 7.6%, oxygen saturation 94% ± 2%, brain natriuretic peptide 153 ± 111 pg ċ mL−1, and Holter monitoring revealed sinus rhythm in 10 patients. New York Heart Association class was I in 12 patients, II in 6, and III in 2.

Conclusions

For long-term Fontan survival, timely total cavopulmonary connection conversion and medication to decrease ventricular volume and pressure load might be important.
Mathematically defining and parametrically generating Traditional Chinese Private Gardens of the Suzhou Region and Style
Authors: Yu Rongrong , Ostwald Michael , Gu Ning
Published: August 2016

The Traditional Chinese Private Garden is a historically and socially significant landscape type that features multiple complex planning elements. Whereas there are many different examples of Traditional Chinese Private Gardens, the small gardens of Suzhou make up a distinct subset. This paper describes a method for mathematically capturing and then parametrically generating, new instances of what might be called the small ‘Suzhou type’, which features some of the same social and cognitive spatial properties as the historic cases. The research commences with a mathematical analysis of three historic Suzhou Traditional Chinese Private Gardens before using connectivity graphs to investigate their properties. Mathematical measurements derived from the Traditional Chinese Private Gardens are then used as rules for a parametric system to generate new instances of the Suzhou type. In the paper, three new Suzhou type connectivity and spatio-typological systems are generated and tested against the properties of the historic cases. Through this process, the paper demonstrates a method for capturing distinct social and cognitive properties in a parametric system and thereby derives possible new insights into these important heritage sites. This method may also be applied to the analysis and generation of different spatial types.
Neurocognitive performance following acute mephedrone administration, with and without alcohol
Authors: de Sousa Fernandes Perna EB , Papaseit E , Pérez-Mañá C , Mateus J , Theunissen EL , Kuypers KPC , de la Torre R , Farré M , Ramaekers JG
Published: August 2016

Recreational use of mephedrone, alone and in combination with alcohol, has increased over the past years. Pharmacological properties of mephedrone share similarities with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), but its effect on neurocognitive function has not been well established in humans. The present study assessed the effect of mephedrone alone and after co-administration with alcohol on neurocognitive function. It was hypothesised that mephedrone would improve psychomotor performance but impair memory performance, when administered alone. Neurocognitive performance was expected to be impaired following mephedrone when combined with alcohol. Eleven participants received single doses of 200 mg mephedrone or placebo combined with 0.8 g/kg alcohol or placebo. Neurocognitive performance was assessed at baseline (T0), at one hour (T1) and four hours after (T2) mephedrone administration, by means of the Divided Attention Task (DAT), Critical Tracking Task (CTT), and the Spatial Memory Test (SMT). Mephedrone intoxication impaired short-term spatial memory at T1 and improved critical tracking performance at T2. Mephedrone alone did not affect divided attention, but did show an interaction with alcohol on reaction time at T2. Reaction time decreased when mephedrone was combined with alcohol as compared to alcohol alone. Alcohol intoxication impaired both short- and long-term spatial memory at T1 and divided attention at T1 and T2. Critical tracking performance was not affected by alcohol intoxication. The current findings support the hypothesis that mephedrone improves psychomotor performance, impairs spatial memory and does not affect divided attention performance. Stimulatory effects of mephedrone were not sufficient to compensate for the impairing effects of alcohol on most performance parameters.
The effects of MDMA on socio-emotional processing: Does MDMA differ from other stimulants?
Authors: Bershad Anya K , Miller Melissa A , Baggott Matthew J , de Wit Harriet
Published: August 2016

±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that enhances sociability and feelings of closeness with others. These “prosocial” effects appear to motivate the recreational use of MDMA and may also form the basis of its potential as an adjunct to psychotherapy. However, the extent to which MDMA differs from prototypic stimulant drugs, such as dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate, in either its behavioral effects or mechanisms of action, is not fully known. The purpose of this review is to evaluate human laboratory findings of the social effects of MDMA compared to other stimulants, ranging from simple subjective ratings of sociability to more complex elements of social processing and behavior. We also review the neurochemical mechanisms by which these drugs may impact sociability. Together, the findings reviewed here lay the groundwork for better understanding the socially enhancing effects of MDMA that distinguish it from other stimulant drugs, especially as these effects relate to the reinforcing and potentially therapeutic effects of the drug.
Metabolic demands of neural-hemodynamic associated and disassociated areas in brain
Authors: Sanganahalli Basavaraju G , Herman Peter , Rothman Douglas L , Blumenfeld Hal , Hyder Fahmeed
Published: August 2016

Interpretation of regional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is contingent on whether local field potential (LFP) and multi-unit activity (MUA) is either dissociated or associated. To examine whether neural-hemodynamic associated and dissociated areas have different metabolic demands, we recorded sensory-evoked responses of BOLD signal, blood flow (CBF), and blood volume (CBV), which with calibrated fMRI provided oxidative metabolism (CMRO2) from rat’s ventral posterolateral thalamic nucleus (VPL) and somatosensory forelimb cortex (S1FL) and compared these neuroimaging signals to neurophysiological recordings. MUA faithfully recorded evoked latency differences between VPL and S1FL because evoked MUA in these regions were similar in magnitude. Since evoked LFP was significantly attenuated in VPL, we extracted the time courses of the weaker thalamic LFP to compare with the stronger cortical LFP using wavelet transform. BOLD and CBV responses were greater in S1FL than in VPL, similar to LFP regional differences. CBF and CMRO2 responses were both comparably larger in S1FL and VPL. Despite different levels of CBF-CMRO2 and LFP-MUA couplings in VPL and S1FL, the CMRO2 was well matched with MUA in both regions. These results suggest that neural-hemodynamic associated and dissociated areas in VPL and S1FL can have similar metabolic demands.
Targeted tumor MRI with gadobutrol-loaded anti-HER2 immunoliposomes
Authors: Chen Weicui , Liu Bo , Chen Jun , Liu Guoqing , Liu Xian
Published: August 2016

Background

Immunoliposomes have been used to deliver MR contrast agents to cancer tissue by targeting tumor associated antigens, thus enabling the visualization of biological processes at the cellular level.

Purpose

To develop and evaluate the feasibility of specific HER2 targeted liposomal MR contrast agent.

Material and Methods

Gd-loaded anti-HER2 immunolipomes (Gd-ILs) and non-targeted PEGylated liposomes (Gd-NTLs) were prepared and characterized. Tumor bearing animals were randomized into three groups: Gd- ILs, Gd- NTLs and gadobutrol. Animals were imaged prior and 5, 15, 60, 120 and 180 min after i.v. injection of different contrast agents. The signal intensity enhancement percentage, signal- to- noise ratio and contrast- to –noise ratio was used to qualify tumor enhancement of different groups. After imaging, tumors were excised for histological examination.

Results

In vivo dynamic MR images, the specific targeted contrast agent bound to tumor tissue and result in a gradual and persisting enhancement for at least 3 hours in mice bearing tumor xenografts, reaching a maximum of 87.7% enhancement after 120 min post-injection. Gd-ILs demonstrated superior tumor enhancement over control non target contrast agent and gadobutrol in HER2 overexpressing tumors at 60, 120 and 180 min post- injection. The SNR and CNR of Gd-ILs in the tumors were significantly greater than that of Gd-NTLs at 60, 120, 180 min post- injection.

Conclusion

The results indicate the feasibility of Gd-ILs providing prolonged circulation, specific tumor enhancement and cancer cell recognition as targeted contrast agent.
Anatomic variations of lower extremity venous system in varicose vein patients: demonstration by three-dimensional CT venography
Authors: Kim Rihyeon , Lee Whal , Park Eun-Ah , Yoo Jin Young , Chung Jin Wook
Published: August 2016

Background

Understanding the anatomy of the lower extremity veins is essential for successful varicose vein treatment. Computed tomography (CT) venography may be used to obtain a comprehensive overview and detailed information regarding this.

Purpose

To describe anatomic variations of the lower extremity venous system in patients with varicose veins, using three-dimensional (3D) CT venography.

Material and Methods

A total of 810 limbs in 405 patients with suspected varicose veins were prospectively referred to undertake CT venography and included in our study population retrospectively. The CT venography images were evaluated by consensus of two cardiovascular radiologists. Anatomical variations of the lower extremity venous system and their incidence were analyzed. Specifically, the number of tributaries at saphenofemoral junction, relative location of the great saphenous vein (GSV) with respect to the common femoral artery bifurcation, pattern of saphenopopliteal junction, and end of thigh extension from the small saphenous vein (SSV) were assessed.

Results

The most frequent number of tributaries joining the GSV was four (44.4%, 360/810). Only 0.7% (6/810) of the limbs demonstrated unusual location of the GSV between the bifurcated superficial and deep femoral arteries. The most common pattern of veins at the saphenopopliteal junction was a larger caliber of saphenopopliteal junction than thigh extension from SSV (43.8%, 355/810), end of which joining the femoral vein directly (41.0%, 288/703).

Conclusion

CT venography with 3D reconstruction can be used to understand the anatomy of lower extremity veins and how their variations contribute to varicose veins.
Comparison of handheld ultrasound and automated breast ultrasound in women recalled after mammography screening
Authors: Hellgren Roxanna , Dickman Paul , Leifland Karin , Saracco Ariel , Hall Per , Celebioglu Fuat
Published: August 2016

Background

Automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) is an ultrasound (US) device with a wide scanner that sweeps over a large area of the breast and the acquired transverse images are sent to a workstation for reconstruction and review. Whether ABVS is as reliable as handheld US is, however, still not established.

Purpose

To compare the sensitivity and specificity of ABVS to handheld breast US for detection of breast cancer, in the situation of recall after mammography screening.

Material and Methods

A total of 113 women, five with bilateral suspicious findings, undergoing handheld breast US due to a suspicious mammographic finding in screening, underwent additional ABVS. The methods were assessed for each breast and each detected lesion separately and classified into two categories: breasts with mammographic suspicion of malignancy and breasts with a negative mammogram.

Results

Twenty-six cancers were found in 25 women. In the category of breasts with a suspicious mammographic finding (n = 118), the sensitivity of both handheld US and ABVS was 88% (22/25). The specificity of handheld US was 93.5% (87/93) and ABVS was 89.2% (83/93). In the category of breasts with a negative mammography (n = 103), the sensitivity of handheld US and ABVS was 100% (1/1). The specificity of handheld US was 100% (102/102) and ABVS was 94.1% (96/102).

Conclusion

ABVS can potentially replace handheld US in the investigation of women recalled from mammography screening due to a suspicious finding. Due to the small size of our study population, further investigation with larger study populations is necessary before the implementation of such practice.
Impact of urethral catheterization on uroflow during pressure-flow study
Authors: Zhu Bi Song , Jiang Hui Chuan , Li Yuan
Published: August 2016

Objective

To investigate the impact of urethral catheterization on uroflow by comparing urodynamic parameters of free uroflowmetry versus pressure-flow study in adult patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, female stress incontinence, lumbosacral spinal injury or spina bifida.

Methods

Each patient was required to perform pressure-flow study immediately following free uroflowmetry. Maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), voided volume (VV), Tmax (time to Qmax) and post-voiding residual urine (PVR) were compared between the two tests.

Results

Out of 120 patients, transurethral catheterization significantly impacted uroflow. In male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia ( n = 50), Qmax, Qave and Tmax were significantly different between free uroflow and pressure-flow study. In patients with female stress incontinence ( n = 30), there were no statistically significant between-test differences in VV and Tmax, but Qmax, Qave and PVR were significantly different. In patients with spinal injury or spina bifida ( n = 40), Qmax, Qave and VV were significantly different between free uroflow and pressure-flow study.

Conclusion

Urethral catheterization adversely impacts uroflow in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, female stress incontinence, spinal injury or spina bifida. Free uroflowmetry should be performed before pressure-flow study.
Educational Instructors’ Attitudes Toward Juvenile Inmates: The Effect of the Inmate’s Role in a Criminal Event and the Instructors’ Belief in a Just World
Authors: Levy Inna , Reuven Yaacov
Published: August 2016

The aim of the present study was to examine factors that affect educational instructors’ attitudes toward juvenile inmates in corrective educational facilities. Educational instructors play an important role in the rehabilitation of juvenile inmates, and their attitudes may affect the adolescents’ chances of rehabilitation. We adopted an ecological perspective and explored the relationship between instructors’ belief in a just world (BJW) and the role of inmates in a criminal event (offender/victim). The study included 196 educational instructors. They answered a questionnaire on their background, BJW levels, and attitudes toward juvenile inmates. Results show that educational instructors perceived “victim” inmates as significantly more delinquent and less treatable than “offender” inmates, and that a BJW affected attitudes toward juvenile inmates. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed in this article.