bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic and Transcriptome Profiling Identifies a Population of Visceral Adipose-Derived Progenitor Cells with the Potential to Differentiate into an Endocrine Pancreatic Lineage
Authors: Williams Michael D. , Joglekar Mugdha V. , Satoor Sarang N. , Wong Wilson , Keramidaris Effie , Rixon Amanda , O’Connell Philip , Hawthorne Wayne J. , Mitchell Geraldine M. , Hardikar Anandwardhan A.
Published: October 2018

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by the loss of insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas. T1D can be treated using cadaveric islet transplantation, but this therapy is severely limited by a lack of pancreas donors. To develop an alternative cell source for transplantation therapy, we carried out the epigenetic characterization in nine different adult mouse tissues and identified visceral adipose-derived progenitors as a candidate cell population. Chromatin conformation, assessed using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing and validated by ChIP-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at key endocrine pancreatic gene promoters, revealed similarities between visceral fat and endocrine pancreas. Multiple techniques involving quantitative PCR, in-situ PCR, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry confirmed the presence of measurable (2–1000-fold over detectable limits) pancreatic gene transcripts and mesenchymal progenitor cell markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105; >98%) in visceral adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal cells (AMCs). The differentiation potential of AMCs was explored in transgenic reporter mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the regulation of the Pdx1 (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1) gene promoter. GFP expression was measured as an index of Pdx1 promoter activity to optimize culture conditions for endocrine pancreatic differentiation. Differentiated AMCs demonstrated their capacity to induce pancreatic endocrine genes as evidenced by increased GFP expression and validated using TaqMan real-time PCR (at least 2–200-fold relative to undifferentiated AMCs). Human AMCs differentiated using optimized protocols continued to produce insulin following transplantation in NOD/SCID mice. Our studies provide a systematic analysis of potential islet progenitor populations using genome-wide profiling studies and characterize visceral adipose-derived cells for replacement therapy in diabetes.
Integration and Prediction in Language Processing: A Synthesis of Old and New
Authors: Ferreira Fernanda , Chantavarin Suphasiree
Published: October 2018

Current theories of language processing emphasize prediction as a mechanism to facilitate comprehension, which contrasts with the state of the field a few decades ago, when prediction was rarely mentioned. We argue that the field of psycholinguistics would benefit from revisiting these earlier theories of comprehension that attempted to explain integration and the processes underlying the formation of rich representations of linguistic input and that emphasized informational newness over redundancy. We suggest further that integration and anticipation may be complementary mechanisms that operate on elaborated, coherent discourse representations, supporting enhanced comprehension and memory. In addition, the traditional emphasis on language as a tool for communication implies that much linguistic content will be nonredundant; moreover, the purpose of anticipation is probably not to permit the prediction of exact lexical or syntactic forms but instead to induce a state of preparedness that allows the comprehender to be receptive to new information, thus facilitating its processing.
Paths to Peace: Surviving Trauma as Told by Survivors
Authors: Praetorius Regina T. , Twis Mary , Rivedal Joshua , Moore Danielle
Published: October 2018

Most people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Considering outcomes such as posttraumatic stress disorder, the question emerges as to what helps people thrive and find peace posttrauma. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the essence of healing for individuals who have survived and thrived in the face of trauma. The content analysis of previously written accounts of healing revealed two major themes: a passageway of trauma and suffering within that passageway. Subthemes for these provide greater insight into two main approaches to assisting a person through their trauma: increasing social support and helping them restore the experience through narrative therapy.
Predictors Affecting Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Authors: Lee Jungsun , Jang Insil
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in POAF (postoperative atrial fibrillation) and non-POAF patients using demographic and clinical characteristics and identify predictors affecting POAF after coronary artery bypass grafts in South Korea. This retrospective cohort study included 999 patients followed-up for at least 1 year after coronary artery bypass graft, between January 2011 and December 2015. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess risk factors based on demographics, as well as preoperative and postoperative characteristics. The adjusted multivariate analysis demonstrated that risk factors for POAF were old age (⩾65 years; odds ratio [OR] = 3.022, p < .001), ejection fraction less than 45% (OR = 1.489, p = .036), electrolyte potassium level after surgery (OR = 1.765, p = .003), and the average pain score on Postoperative Day 1 (OR = 1.253, p < .001). The incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery can be reduced through the screening of preoperative risk factors, strict potassium monitoring, and pain management strategies.
A Technical Innovation in Midface Advancement With the External Frame Distraction Device
Authors: Hussain Syed Altaf , Vijayakumar Charanya
Published: October 2018

Background:

Maxillary advancement with a rigid external distractor (RED) II is a commonly performed procedure for correcting midface hypoplasia. While there are various methods of anchoring the osteotomized maxillary segment to the halo device, the looped transpyriform wire is the simplest and most cost-effective. However, a common complication with this is the cutting through of the stainless steel traction wire across the pyriform buttress during distraction. The patient with cleft undergoing midface distraction is particularly vulnerable since the force needed for distraction is higher due to scarring from previous operations.

Innovation and Design:

A single-hole titanium plate is introduced as an interface between the bone of the pyriform buttress and the looped stainless steel traction wire attached to the external frame device.

Evaluation:

Twenty-four patients with cleft who underwent midface advancement using the external frame distractor before the introduction of the innovation were compared with 26 patients who underwent the same procedure after its introduction. The former group had 12.5% complication in the form of cut through of the traction wire, while the latter group had only 3.8% complication rate.

Conclusion:

Introduction of the titanium eyelet as an interface between the traction wire and the bone is a simple technical addition for a more reliable distraction using the RED II device in patients with cleft even in the presence of extensive scarring.
Surgical Treatment for Stenosing Peroneal Tenosynovitis
Authors: Watson Geoffrey I. , Karnovsky Sydney C. , Levine David S. , Drakos Mark C.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Stenosing peroneal tenosynovitis (SPT) is an uncommon entity that is equally difficult to diagnose. We evaluated our outcomes with a local anesthetic diagnostic injection followed by surgical release of the sheath and calcaneal exostectomy.

Methods:

Eleven patients diagnosed with SPT underwent surgery between 2006 and 2014. Upon initial presentation, all patients reported a persistent history of pain along the ankle. Ultrasound-guided injections of anesthetics were administered into the peroneal tendon sheath to confirm the diagnosis. In patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SPT, we proceeded with surgical intervention with release of the peroneal tendon sheath and debridement of the calcaneal exostosis. Retrospective chart review was performed, and functional outcomes were assessed using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). FAOS results were collected pre- and postoperatively and were successfully obtained at 1 year or greater.

Results:

Of these patients, all showed significant improvements ( P < .05) in 4 of 5 categories of the FAOS (pain, daily activities, sports activities, and quality of life).

Conclusion:

We present a case series in which the peroneal tendon sheath was diagnostically injected with anesthetic to confirm a diagnosis of SPT. In each of these cases, symptomatic improvement was obtained following the injection. With the fact that many of these patients had advanced imaging denoting no significant tears, we believe that this diagnostic injection is paramount for the success of surgical outcome.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
MRI Tracking of the Effect of Bioabsorbable Pins on Bone Marrow Edema After Fixation of the Osteochondral Fragment in the Talus
Authors: Nakasa Tomoyuki , Ikuta Yasunari , Tsuyuguchi Yusuke , Ota Yuki , Kanemitsu Munekazu , Adachi Nobuo
Published: October 2018

Background:

Large osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) with good articular cartilage can be fixed by using bioabsorbable pins. These pins have various advantages but they can have adverse effects such as foreign body inflammation. This negative impact of pins on subchondral bone can be seen as bone marrow edema (BME) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the course of change in BME on MRI, including osteolytic change around pins in OLT treated with pin fixation.

Methods:

This study comprised 13 ankles in 12 patients, who underwent surgeries to fix an OLT using poly-l-lactide acid pins. MRIs were taken at preoperative, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The area of BME was measured at each time point, and osteolytic change around pins was evaluated. Moreover, pin insertion angle was measured.

Results:

BME significantly decreased from preoperative to 6 and 12 months. At 1 year, 28.1% of pins exhibited osteolytic change around them. Pin insertion angle was significantly lower in those with osteolytic change than those with no osteolytic change. At 3 and 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, BME with osteolytic change was significantly greater than those patients with no osteolytic change. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score significantly improved from preoperative (76.6±3.4 points) to 1 year after surgery (98.5±3.8 points).

Conclusion:

A shallow pin insertion angle was associated with osteolytic change around pins and persistence of BME on MRI, although excellent results were obtained at 1 year after surgery.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Active Supervision: An Effective, Efficient, Low-Intensity Strategy to Support Student Success
Authors: Menzies Holly M. , Lane Kathleen Lynne , Oakes Wendy Peia , Ruth Karen , Cantwell Emily D. , Smith-Menzies Lucia
Published: October 2018

Active supervision is a practical strategy for increasing student engagement and decreasing student disruptive behavior. In this article, we describe a step-by-step process for using active supervision, with teaching tips to assist with successful implementation. Throughout the article we offer lessons from the field featuring the perspectives of practitioners who have used active supervision in classrooms that include students with challenging behavior.
Examination of a Nascent Taxonomy of Priest Sexual Grooming
Authors: Spraitz Jason D. , Bowen Kendra N.
Published: October 2018

Research has established that sexually abusive priests often use grooming strategies on victims. Recently, researchers have proposed a behavioral taxonomy used specifically by clergy who sexually abuse children. Because this nascent taxonomy has only been studied once using a limited sample of sexually abusive priests, we seek to replicate and expand on its findings using a sample of abusive clergy from a separate institution. Specifically, we analyzed files of 18 monks in Minnesota who were credibly accused of sexual abuse. Using a deductive approach, we searched through these files in an effort to find all instances of eight clergy sexual grooming behaviors that were identified in previous research by Spraitz, Bowen, and Strange. Our findings suggest there is evidence to support the existence of this taxonomy of priest sexual grooming, although we argue that certain aspects of the centerpiece technique of their classification scheme are faulty and must be studied more extensively.
Shifting the Focus From Variables to Substantive Domains When Modeling Homicide Case Outcomes
Authors: Hawk Shila Rene’ , Dabney Dean A.
Published: October 2018

To advance our understanding of the factors that predict homicide investigation outcomes, this study systematizes measures into five substantive domains of inquiry (involved subjects, incident circumstances, case dynamics, ecological characteristics, and investigator factors), drawing attention to the significance of each block as a possible conceptual model for subsequent clearance research. The domain-focused approach was tested using 2009 to 2011 homicide cases ( N = 252). Findings suggest such comprehensive models may provide practical flexibility to researchers when confronted with data access restrictions while preserving a sense of conceptual sophistication.
How can regulatory systems be assessed? The case of earthquake preparedness in Israel
Authors: Shmueli Deborah F. , Ben Gal Michal , Segal Ehud , Reichman Amnon , Feitelson Eran
Published: October 2018

The aim of evaluating a regulatory system is to enable governments to improve the ways in which they function, regulate, and prioritize attention and resources to the system as a whole. Academic and professional literatures provide useful principles with which to proceed. However, off-the-shelf methods for assessing regulatory systems with generic characteristics are scarce. The Regulatory System Scan and Assessment methodology was designed for this purpose and applied to the current regulatory framework that governs Israel’s actions to plan—mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover—from the damage which may be caused by a severe earthquake. Although there is oftentimes widespread agreement concerning the existence of problems in a regulatory system, there is rarely consensus or a thorough understanding of what those problems are. Only when problems are identified can policy makers create viable and effective solutions. Development of the Regulatory System Scan and Assessment is a step toward addressing this challenge.
Tensions and contradictions: Women’s stories of ageing and sexuality in the context of the past
Authors: Thorpe Rachel
Published: October 2018

This article explores older Australian women’s sexual subjectivities in the context of cultural expectations of generational change in later-life sexual practices. Drawing upon interview and journal data from 28 women aged 55 to 81, it considers diverse recollections of their sexual pasts and their current subjective expectations of sex and intimacy in old age. These data suggest that these ‘post liberation’ women’s understandings of their sexual lives were shaped by a rejection of asexual old age, while simultaneously relying upon traditional gendered and heteronormative notions of sexual practice and desire. Applying a critical gerontological lens to these data, this article demonstrates the presence of obstacles in the sometimes over-simplified and linear interpretations of generational change.
Raising queer children and children of queer parents: Children’s political agency, human rights and Hannah Arendt’s concept of ‘parental responsibility'
Authors: Ammaturo Francesca Romana
Published: October 2018

This article starts from Arendt’s (1959) concept of ‘parental responsibility’ expressed in ‘Reflections on Little Rock’, where the author questioned whether children should be made part of adults’ political fights. Whilst pertinent to the school de-segregation movement for black children in the US in 1950s, Arendt’s provocations are applied here to navigate the tensions between the right to self-determination of the child, the child’s best interests, and parents’ desire to raise their children as they wish in relation to children’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The article suggests that a new radical engagement with the notion of ‘children’s political agency’ and a re-articulation of the concept of ‘the best interests of the child’ are required in order to enhance the right of the child to sexual and gender self-determination.
New-Style Campaigns in State Supreme Court Retention Elections
Authors: Hughes David
Published: October 2018

Scholarly research finds that partisan, hard-fought, expensive, and churlish state supreme court campaigns increase voter participation and their support for challenger candidates. These insights, however, are drawn nearly exclusively from competitive state supreme court elections. Little is known about voter behavior in uncompetitive retention elections. Traditionally, these races are not salient to the public given that incumbents raise and spend little-to-no money, and campaigns, parties, and political action committees air few (if any) advertisements. Since 2010, however, such behavior has become more commonplace. I assess voter participation and incumbent performance in 178 state supreme court retention elections from 2002 to 2014. I find that expensive, churlish retention elections are likely to increase voter turnout and to hurt incumbents' efforts to win retention.
Pregnancy-induced haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Yip Kay Por , Ali Muzzammil , Avann Felicity , Ganguly Saibal
Published: October 2018

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is an aggressive and life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation. It is associated with various aetiologies, including infections, collagen vascular diseases and malignancies. Pregnancy-induced immune dysregulation in genetically susceptible women may also play a critical role in haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Our case involves that of a 23-year-old pregnant woman who presented at 22 weeks gestation with tachycardia, swinging pyrexia, rigors and generalised myalgia. Refractory hypotension to intravenous fluids and rise in lactate level required admission to the intensive care unit for vasopressor support. Despite treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics for presumed sepsis, she made little clinical improvement. Investigations for infection and rheumatological disease were unremarkable. A pronounced hyperferritinaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and cytopenia raised the suspicion of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Subsequent elevated CD25 levels helped establish the diagnosis. Treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin provided a transient response in regard to temperature control and cardiovascular stability. The decision was made to treat her with anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. She responded well to this with a complete resolution of her symptoms and normalisation of her ferritin levels over the course of some weeks. Because of progressive slowing of foetal growth and abnormal umbilical artery Dopplers and cardiotocography, she eventually had an emergency caesarean section at 31 + 5 weeks. There were no foetal abnormalities.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Brazilian regulation on biosimilars: A critical view of the regulatory requirements for biosimilars in Brazil
Authors: de Assis Marcos Renato , Pinto Valdair
Published: October 2018

Biological products or biopharmaceuticals are medicinal products derived from living systems and manufactured by modern biotechnological methods that differ widely from the traditional synthetic drugs. Monoclonal antibodies are the most rapidly growing type of biologic. They are much larger and more complex molecules with inherent diversity; therefore, different manufacturers cannot produce identical biological products, even with the same type of host expression system and equivalent technologies. Thus, legal follow-on biologics manufactured and marketed after patent expiration are usually referred to as biosimilars. Biosimilarity is based on a comparability exercise whereby unavoidable clinical differences are evaluated and must meet equivalence or non-inferiority criteria. Biosimilars need to comply with different regulatory requirements for market authorization in different sites. There are several other related issues that need to be defined by the national authorities, such as interchangeability, labeling and prescribing information. The Brazilian health surveillance agency follows the key principles established by the World Health Organization for the assessment of biosimilarity, although does not adopt the name ‘biosimilar’. However, the agency also made a compromise on a standalone application pathway that does not require the usual comparability exercise with the reference product, originating nonbiosimilar copies. Interchangeability and the use of nonproprietary names are not regulated, giving rise to pressures on physicians and conflicts of interest in the decision making on biosimilar use. The scope of this article is to present the Brazilian regulation on biosimilars, its strengths and weaknesses, and to discuss it in the face of regulations in the USA and Europe.
Digital Diabetes Congress 2018
Authors: King Fraya , Klonoff David C. , Kerr David , Hu Jianying , Lyles Courtney , Quinn Charlene , Adi Saleh , Chen Kong , Hood Korey , Salber Patricia , de Clercq Casper , Hu Julia , Gabbay Robert
Published: October 2018

Digital health is capturing the attention of the healthcare community. This paradigm whereby healthcare meets the internet uses sensors that communicate wirelessly along with software residing on smartphones to deliver data, information, treatment recommendations, and in some cases control over an effector device. As artificial intelligence becomes more widely used, this approach to creating individualized treatment plans will increase the opportunities for patients, even if they are in remote settings, to communicate with and learn from healthcare professionals. Simple design is needed to promote use of these tools, especially for the purpose of increased adherence to treatment. Widespread adoption by the healthcare industry will require better outcomes data, which will most likely be in the form of safety and effectiveness results from robust randomized controlled trials, as well as evidence of privacy and security. Such data will be needed to convince investors to direct resources into and regulators to clear new digital health tools. Diabetes Technology Society and Sansum Diabetes Research Institute launched the Digital Diabetes Congress in 2017 because of great interest in determining the potential benefits, metrics of success, and appropriate components of mobile applications for diabetes. The second annual meeting in this series took place on May 22-23, 2018 in San Francisco. This report contains summaries of the meeting’s 4 plenary lectures and 10 sessions. This meeting report presents a summary of how 55 panelists, speakers, and moderators, who are leaders in healthcare technology, see the current and future landscape of digital health tools applied to diabetes.
Dynamic plastic response of beams subjected to localised pulse loads
Authors: Thil Nicolas , Mehreganian Navid , Moatamedi Mojtaba , Louca Luke A , Soleiman Fallah Arash
Published: October 2018

Localised blast loads give rise to high gradients of overpressure detrimental to structural elements as beams and plates. This article presents an analytical study on the dynamic plastic response of beams made of a ductile metallic material due to close-in pulse pressure loading. The close-in pressure load is characterised by a spatially varying function constant over a central region and exponentially decaying beyond it. The temporal pulse shape is assumed to take different forms. The exact static plastic collapse load was obtained for the characteristic load using the framework of plastic limit analysis, whereby the analysis was then extended to the dynamic case by considering the appropriate yield surface and inclusion of inertia forces. The yield surfaces considered were representative of pure bending, the interactions between the bending moment and transverse shear, and bending moment and membrane force, each corresponding to a special case depending on the geometry of the beam. A time-dependent, kinematically admissible velocity profile was assumed to treat the dynamic formulations in interaction of each phenomenon. A study on the strain-rate sensitivity was also presented, and existence of a critical pressure triggering the apparition of travelling plastic hinges was hence highlighted. For blast loads of high magnitude, the expressions for normalised deflection were furnished in terms of the impulsive velocity. The analytical models were validated by performing a parametric study on the two-dimensional representative of the beam model in commercial finite element software ABAQUS 6.14. The numerical results show a good correlation with the analytical results in each case.
The Mirage of Housing Affordability: An Analysis of Affordable Housing Plans in New York City
Authors: Elmedni Bakry
Published: October 2018

In the opening of the 21st century, housing affordability was described by the U.S. Congress as the most urgent issue facing America. This article provides an analysis of how feasible Mayor de Blasio’s Five Borough Ten-Year Plan will be in providing adequate affordable housing to low-income residents in New York City (NYC). It examines three main topics: (a) the Plan’s focus on using the private sector to achieve public goals and whether this is likely to come with unintended consequences such as less focus on the needy and gentrification of struggling neighborhoods, (b) the role of the nonprofit sector, which has historically been a major player in housing policies in the NYC, and (c) how much influence or control a municipal government has on economic forces to avoid negative outcomes. The analysis reveals that while providing any number of affordable units is a positive thing, it is unreasonable to assume that this intervention alone can adequately address the housing affordability crisis in NYC. This article also exposes other emerging problems as the plan is being implemented. One major concern is that through tax credits and rezoning efforts to encourage private-sector development, the Plan may wind up benefiting housing developers and gentrifiers more than actually ameliorating the housing crisis in NYC. Housing affordability is a multifaceted issue which requires a multifaceted approach from federal and state governments working in tandem with local governments.
European integration through the eyes of ASEAN: Rethinking Eurocentrism in comparative regionalism
Authors: Yukawa Taku
Published: October 2018

In the research field of comparative regionalism, divergent positions on how to frame the EU are a major obstacle to constructing a general theory of regionalism. Put simply, this is the issue of whether or not to treat the EU as a model. However, there has been no systemic study on how non- EU regionalisms have subjectively framed the EU in actuality. Have other regions held the EU as a model? This paper elucidates how ASEAN has perceived European integration and what factors have brought changes to that perception by using a variety of sources. Entering the 1990s, ASEAN came to see the EU as a model for its accelerated movement toward economic integration, also perceiving the need to increase institutionalization. This finding suggests that to call for a break with EU-centrism betrays a somewhat distorted view of actual conditions.
When Change Readiness Spirals Down: A Mixed-Method Case Study of Change Communication at a European Government Agency
Authors: Van Praet Ellen , Van Leuven Sarah
Published: October 2018

This article presents a single case study investigating the role of change communication in the early stages of change implementation at a European government agency. It adopts a multimethod approach, relying on quantitative methods and adding qualitative components to clarify core assumptions. The quantitative part of the research relies on a survey of 718 staff members, based on existing instruments—the ICA audit, the Organizational Change Recipients’ Belief scale, and the Cynicism about Organizational Change scale. The qualitative part of the research relies on 18 semistructured in-depth interviews. The findings demonstrate how a lack of clear, unambiguous communication proves a major obstacle for succeeding in unfreezing employees; it leads them to mainly think about their own self-interest, maintain the status quo and avoid needless risks.
Challenges When Translating and Culturally Adapting a Measurement Instrument: The Suitability and Comprehensibility of Materials (SAM+CAM)
Authors: Wallengren Catarina , Rosengren Kristina , Sawatzky Richard , Ohlen Joakim
Published: October 2018

There is evidence that low suitability and comprehensibility of printed education materials (PEMs) affects patients’ and relatives’ ability to read and comprehend information. However, few instruments measure the suitability of written information, and none exist in the Swedish language. The aim was to describe the translation and adaptation of the Suitability and Comprehensibility of Materials (SAM+CAM) instrument into the Swedish language and health care context and to explore challenges related to this process. The SAM+CAM instrument was translated and culturally adapted in five steps: forward translation, synthesis, back translation, expert review, and pretests. Differences were found when translating and culturally adapting the SAM+CAM instrument in the areas of semantic, idiomatic, and experiences. Participants revealed several clarity inconsistencies between items. They also identified linguistic differences and unfamiliar wording; they found that the instrument was perplexing to use and lacked knowledge regarding the specific health care areas in the examined PEMs. The cultural perspective is a significant factor that influences the usability of PEMs. Therefore, expert groups of participants are useful when adapting instruments to different cultures. The Swedish SAM+CAM instrument requires experienced and highly qualified raters.
Value Creation within AI-enabled Data Platforms
Authors: Milkau Udo
Published: October 2018

With digitalization, new type of firms—the so-called business platforms—emerged as a central hub in two-sided markets. As business platforms do not ‘produce’ products or services, they represent a new model of value creation that raises the question about the core nature of a firm in the twenty-first century, when ‘data is the new oil’. At the end of the twentieth century, the concept of ‘value chains, value shops and value networks’ represented the latest development about internal value creation in a firm, but lacked any discussion about information technology (IT) or even ‘data as raw material’. This digital approach to monetarize aggregated data sets as internal core function of a firm needs more clarification, as value creation ‘without production’ is a shift of paradigm. This article starts with the concept of ‘value chains, value shops and value networks’, extends this to current IT and includes business platforms within an integrated framework of internal value creation in a firm. Based on this framework and the current development of leading-edge artificial intelligence (AI), this framework is applied to forecast the development towards ‘AI-enabled data platforms’, which are not covered by traditional economic theories. This article calls for more research to clarify the impact of such data-based business models compared to production-based models.
Circulating Adrenomedullin Is Elevated in Gestational Diabetes and Its Role in Impaired Insulin Production by β-Cells
Authors: Dong Yuanlin , Banadakoppa Manu , Chauhan Madhu , Balakrishnan Meena , Belfort Michael , Yallampalli Chandra
Published: October 2018

Context

Defective pancreatic β-cell adaptation in pregnancy plays an important role in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the molecular basis remains unclear. Objectives of this study were to determine if circulating levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) in women with GDM are elevated and to assess the effects of ADM on insulin synthesis and secretion by human pancreatic β-cells.

Design

A stable gene product of ADM precursor, midregional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), was measured in plasma of pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 10) or GDM (n = 11). The β-Lox5 cell line, derived from human pancreatic β-cells, was transduced with homeodomain transcription factor pancreatic-duodenal homeobox (PDX) factor 1 (PDX1) encoding lentiviral vector and treated with different doses of ADM. mRNA for insulin, ADM, and its receptor components in β-Lox5 cells and insulin in media were measured.

Results

Plasma MR-proADM levels were significantly higher in GDM compared with patients with NGT. Pancreatic β-Lox5 cells express mRNA for insulin, ADM, and its receptor components. PDX1 transduction and cell-cell contact synergistically promote β-Lox5 cells insulin mRNA and secretion. Furthermore, ADM dose-dependently inhibited mRNA and secretion of insulin in β-Lox5 cell aggregates. These inhibitory effects were blocked by ADM antagonist ADM22-52, cAMP-dependent protein kinase A inhibitor KT5720, and Erk inhibitor PD98059, but not by PI-3K the inhibitor wortmannin.

Conclusions

Circulating ADM concentrations were elevated in pregnant women with GDM. ADM suppresses insulin synthesis and secretion by pancreatic β-cells in vitro. Thus, increased circulating ADM may contribute to the defective adaptation of β-cells in diabetic pregnancies, and blockade of ADM actions with its antagonists may improve β-cell functions.
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency During Lenvatinib or Vandetanib and Improvement of Fatigue After Cortisone Acetate Therapy
Authors: Colombo Carla , De Leo Simone , Di Stefano Marta , Vannucchi Guia , Persani Luca , Fugazzola Laura
Published: October 2018

Context

Two tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), lenvatinib and vandetanib, are often used to treat advanced radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAI-R DTC) and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), respectively. Fatigue is a common adverse event during treatment with these and other TKIs and a common cause of drug discontinuation or dosage reduction.

Cases Description

We evaluated the basal and stimulated adrenal function in 12 patients with advanced RAI-R DTC and MTC treated with lenvatinib or vandetanib, respectively. Ten patients complaining of fatigue showed a progressive ACTH increase with normal cortisol levels. Moreover, six of 10 patients had a blunted cortisol response after ACTH stimulation, thus confirming the diagnosis of primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). The causal relationship between TKIs and PAI onset was also demonstrated by the repeated testing of adrenal function before and during treatment. Patients with PAI received cortisone acetate replacement therapy, with a substantial and prompt improvement in the degree of fatigue, as assessed by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03, thus supporting the major impact of impaired adrenal function in the genesis of this adverse event.

Conclusions

We show that the occurrence of PAI may be a common cause of fatigue during lenvatinib and vandetanib treatment, and we therefore recommend testing adrenal function for a prompt start of replacement therapy to avoid treatment discontinuation, dosage reduction, and potentially severe PAI complications.
O princípio da eficiência na jurisprudência do STF
Authors: Lanius Danielle Cristina , Gico Junior Ivo Teixeira , Straiotto Raquel Maia
Published: October 2018

The efficiency principle at the Supreme Court’s case law A Emenda Constitucional nº 19/1998 introduziu a eficiência como um dos princípios basilares da administração pública direta e indireta, além da legalidade, impessoalidade, moralidade e publicidade. Este artigo investiga o conteúdo normativo desse princípio tal qual interpretado e aplicado pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), o intérprete oficial da Constituição. A análise quantitativa da jurisprudência de 1950 até 30/4/2017 identificou 186 casos em que o termo eficiência foi utilizado pela Corte, e em apenas sete casos (3,76%) o princípio da eficiência foi utilizado como fundamento. A análise qualitativa desses sete casos mostra que o princípio da eficiência: (i) não se confunde com os demais princípios da administração pública; (ii) possui valor normativo próprio e autônomo; (iii) pode ser usado para controlar a discricionariedade administrativa; e (iv) o conceito jurídico de eficiência coincide com a definição econômica de eficiência produtiva na prática, ainda que haja algumas imprecisões conceituais na casuística. The Constitutional Amendment nº 19/1998 inserted efficiency as one of the basic principles of the direct and indirect public administration, along legality, impersonality, morality and publicity. This article investigates the legal content of the efficiency principle as interpreted and applied by the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF), the official interpreter of the Constitution. The quantitative analysis covered all cases from 1950 to 4/30/2017 and identified 186 cases where efficiency was mentioned by the Court, but only in seven cases it was actually used as reasoning for the ruling. The qualitative analysis of these seven cases indicates that the efficiency principle: (i) is different than the other public administration principles; (ii) constitutes law and can be applied directly; (iii) can be used to control discretionary power of public officials; and (iv) the legal concept of efficiency coincides with the economic definition of productive efficiency, even though some conceptual imprecision may be identified.
"Doeu muito em mim!": Vivência da entrega de um filho para adoção na visão de mães doadoras
Authors: Faraj Suane Pastoriza , Machado Mônica Sperb , Siqueira Aline Cardoso , Campeol Ângela Roos
Published: October 2018

Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender o fenômeno da entrega de um filho para a adoção, a partir das mães que renunciaram à maternagem. Através de entrevistas com três mães doadoras, constatou-se que fatores socioeconômicos, familiares e emocionais estavam presentes na decisão da entrega do filho. Identificou-se que a entrega foi acompanhada por sofrimento e pelo sentimento de impossibilidade de cuidado à criança. Além disso, pode-se verificar que as ações realizadas por profissionais da saúde e conselheiros tutelares diante da decisão da mãe entregar o filho à adoção nem sempre estavam adequadas conforme o preconizado na Lei nº 12.010, havendo violação dos direitos. Destaca-se a necessária aplicabilidade das políticas públicas que visam à assistência jurídica e psicológica às mães que entregam o filho para adoção.
O processo de morrer e a bioética na imprensa: uma análise psicossocial
Authors: Morais Edclécia Reino Carneiro de , Aléssio Renata Lira dos Santos , Pontes Joanna Luiza da Cunha , Coelho Larissa De Siqueira
Published: October 2018

Este artigo objetivou analisar o processo de morrer como notícia atrelada ao debate da bioética na impressa brasileira com base na Teoria das Representações Sociais. Foram selecionadas 45 matérias jornalísticas, publicadas entre o período de 2000 até 2013, as quais focalizavam o processo de morrer, a partir de um banco de dados composto por 531 matérias sobre bioética retiradas do acervo do jornal Folha de São Paulo. Os dados foram analisados com auxílio do programa Alceste. A cobertura analisada apresentou três eixos temáticos de produção de sentidos: questões sobre criogenia, prolongamento da vida na terminalidade e contornos práticos e axiológicos da autonomia do indivíduo. Destacamos que os tipos de circulação da questão do morrer aparecem atreladas às formas de se pensar a relação com o tempo. Nesse sentido, os conteúdos enfatizam dinâmicas de preservação e mudanças sociais.
Desenvolvimento de um instrumento para avaliação de satisfação e segurança no bairro
Authors: Victor Tânia Abreu da Silva , Ramos Dandara De Oliveira , Moura Maria Lucia Seidl de , Fioravanti Ana Carolina Monnerat
Published: October 2018

Este trabalho representa o primeiro passo no desenvolvimento da Escala de Avaliação de Satisfação e Segurança no local de moradia (EASS), reunindo evidências conceituais e psicométricas. Propõe-se um instrumento para a avaliação subjetiva do local de moradia, através de duas dimensões teoricamente relevantes para a Psicologia Evolucionista: satisfação e segurança. Participaram 160 jovens moradores do estado do Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Uma análise de componentes principais apontou uma estrutura multidimensional da EASS, com três componentes e boa consistência interna (α=0,83). A análise de componentes principais sugeriu como aceitável a estrutura multifatorial desta medida, o que foi confirmado pela PAF. Apesar de não confirmar a estrutura bidimensional esperada, uma ANOVA com grupos de jovens em diferentes condições de moradia (duas favelas cariocas versus bairros de classe média) demonstrou que a EASS tem boa validade discriminante. São sugeridas as etapas seguintes para a validação da escala, concluindo-se que a EASS é uma medida consistente, e pode ser útil em futuros estudos de avaliação do local de moradia.
Habilidades sociais infantis: comparações por gênero, idade e características escolares
Authors: Silva Thaciana Araujo da , Cavalcante Lília Iêda Chaves
Published: October 2018

Habilidades sociais podem variar ao longo do desenvolvimento do indivíduo em razão de características pessoais e escolares. Neste estudo verificou se há diferenças nas médias de habilidades sociais em dois grupos de crianças de acordo com gênero, idade, ano escolar, presença de dificuldades de aprendizagem e problemas de comportamento. Participaram 81 crianças, entre seis e doze anos, alunos do segundo ao quinto ano do Ensino Fundamental e nove professores. Utilizou-se o Inventário Multimídia de Habilidades Sociais de Crianças - Del Prette (IMHSC-Del Prette). Os resultados indicaram que crianças com idades entre seis e oito anos e alunos no segundo ano escolar, são propensas a apresentar médias inferiores de habilidades sociais em relação àquelas entre nove a doze, que cursavam o terceiro ao quinto ano. Não houve diferenças significativas para dificuldades de aprendizagem e problemas de comportamento. Aponta-se que idade e ano escolar foram preditivos para presença de baixas habilidades sociais na amostra investigada, entretanto ressalta-se a necessidade de conhecer características do contexto de desenvolvimento das crianças por entender que padrões culturais de relações influenciam na presença ou ausência de adequado repertório social. Outras medidas de avaliação comportamental devem ser aplicadas em pesquisas futuras no contexto pesquisado.
Questões contemporâneas: proximidade e imagem, entre a ética e o gozo
Authors: Rinaldi Doris , Ribeiro Maria Anita Carneiro , Pollo Vera
Published: October 2018

Em 1930, Freud afirmou que o laço social é a principal fonte de sofrimento para os homens. Vivemos hoje sob o domínio das redes sociais, da comunicação imediata que dispensa a presença do outro. Quais os efeitos disso no laço social? O advento da internet, ao prometer o acesso irrestrito ao outro, sem o ônus de sua presença, coloca em questão a proximidade e a imagem do outro, o que toca em um dos conceitos mais caros à psicanálise: o estranho (Unheimlich). Abordamos estas referências a partir de Freud e Lacan, dialogando com autores da Filosofia e da Sociologia. Em seu artigo intitulado A Coisa, Heidegger introduz uma discussão de ordem ética. A partir da ideia de que "a proximidade não é pouca distância" ele se pergunta: "O que é esta igualdade em que tudo não fica nem distante nem próximo, como se fosse sem distância?" Quando examinamos a noção de proximidade, a noção de corpo-imagem se impõe. Segundo Baudrillard, o sujeito é induzido a tratar seu corpo como capital e como fetiche, estabelecendo-se uma equivalência mágica entre comprar e sentir-se bem. O que tem a psicanálise a dizer sobre isto? Em 1972, Lacan formalizou o discurso capitalista, que foraclui o laço social e induz a práticas perversas que visam obturar a castração, prometendo um gozo sem limite e fora dos domínios da ética.
O campo da saúde do trabalhador sob o crivo do mal-estar como fundamento ético
Authors: Ragnini Elaine Cristina Schmitt , Darriba Vinicius Anciães
Published: October 2018

Este artigo analisa, desde a perspectiva da clínica psicanalítica, a qual se apoia na noção de mal-estar, alguns elementos das práticas de saúde desenvolvidas no campo que se volta para a relação entre saúde e trabalho, acompanhando a constituição de saberes e práticas que buscam circunscrever tal relação, verifica-se a exclusão do sujeito em sua acepção associada ao inconsciente freudiano. Finalmente, indica-se que o campo da Saúde do Trabalhador, em sua perspectiva contra-hegemônica, crítica ao modo de produção no capitalismo, acaba por reiterar uma ordem de coisas agenciada segundo a lógica do capital quando, na busca de um nexo causal entre doença e trabalho, ratifica o estatuto epidêmico da depressão nos termos da psiquiatria biológica.
Escuta de uma experiência psicótica amparada no método junguiano: mater ecclesiae
Authors: Simões Emanuel Cesar Proença , Jesuino Filipe De Menezes
Published: October 2018

Temos como objetivo apresentar como um sujeito, em sua experiência psicótica, pode se beneficiar do atendimento individual apoiado na psicologia junguiana. O trabalho constitui-se a partir do estudo do desenvolvimento psicológico de uma usuária de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial, em município do interior do nordeste brasileiro, enquanto acompanhada por um profissional de psicologia que trabalhou com o método junguiano. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo abordado pelo relato de caso; as fontes das informações são o prontuário da paciente no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial e o diário de campo das observações clínicas, convertidos em dados pelo processo empírico-descritivo. Os dados são os relatos resultantes de um processo terapêutico abordado segundo o método redutivo e construtivo de Jung. A análise se orienta das interpretações redutiva e construtiva, articuladas como reflexão complementar aos significados já produzidos no próprio processo analítico. O acompanhamento contribuiu para a reconstrução do sentido de estar viva da mulher através da integração da experiência com a superação do sentido "doença mental" para "saúde mental", reduzindo o uso de antipsicóticos e a ocorrência das crises psicóticas e superando o efeito colateral de embotamento afetivo com uma reabilitação psicossocial germinal de sentido para a vida.
A proteção da infância no Brasil: uma visão crítica das relações intergeracionais
Authors: Libardi Suzana Santos , Castro Lucia Rabello de
Published: October 2018

Este trabalho apresenta uma discussão, historicamente embasada, de como se configurou a noção de proteção da infância no Brasil. Ainda, apresentamos a proteção em interface com as relações intergeracionais, entre adultos e crianças, de modo a responder à pergunta: como a ideia de proteção da infância modela as relações intergeracionais entre adultos e crianças no contemporâneo? Como elementos desta discussão, discutimos o viés classista e racializado constitutivo da emergência da noção de proteção no país com dois principais desdobramentos: a dificuldade de que ela possa orientar no presente práticas de cuidado às crianças compatíveis com a noção de criança como sujeito de direitos; a dificuldade para se efetivar a infância como uma categoria geracional universal compreendendo todas as crianças nesta unidade.