bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
11 ½ TESES SOBRE O CONCEITO DE LITERATURA-MUNDIAL
Authors: Medeiros Paulo De
Published: December 2019

A Literatura-Mundial é um conceito cujo tempo já deveria ter chegado como dizia Goethe, mas que continua sempre em devir. Este breve ensaio esboça uma intervenção o debate atual sobre o conceito de literatura-mundial com base na elaboração feita pela Warwick Research Collective (WReC) em 2015. Assim, baseia-se na teoria de sistema-mundo de Immanuel Wallerstein, que adopta para o campo literário com referência ao trabalho de Franco Moretti. A definição básica de Literatura-Mundial aqui proposta, portanto difere radicalmente de outras perspectivas, ao concentrar-se na literatura do sistema capitalista moderno. Num foco mais concentrado ainda, este ensaio propõe que o estudo da Literatura-Mundial seja visto como uma forma de resistência, num questionamento crítico da imaginação do centro.
CANDIDO, O ESTRUTURALISMO E A GUERRILHA
Authors: Silva Cristiano Augusto da
Published: December 2019

O artigo objetiva discutir o parecer de Antonio Candido sobre o livro Em câmara lenta (1977), de Renato Tapajós. O governo militar o acusara de publicar obra subversiva que atentava contra a Lei de Segurança Nacional. O texto em questão fora solicitado pela defesa do escritor a fim de mostrar que Em câmara lenta não seria capaz de arregimentar leitores para a guerrilha, mas peça de ficção na qual Tapajós realiza uma autocrítica da opção pela luta armada. O parecer de Candido foi fundamental para a libertação do autor e da obra. Nossa hipótese entende que Antonio Candido elaborou, intencionalmente, um parecer estratégico com um viés estruturalista, não dialético, contrariando suas convicções, com o objetivo maior de auxiliar na libertação do escritor.
2019 Russell Ross Memorial Lecture in Vascular Biology
Authors: Upadhye Aditi , Sturek Jeffrey M. , McNamara Coleen A.
Published: December 2019

Atherosclerosis—the major underlying pathology of cardiovascular disease—is characterized by accumulation and subsequent oxidative modification of lipoproteins within the artery wall, leading to inflammatory cell infiltration and lesion formation that can over time result in arterial stenosis, ischemia, and downstream adverse events. The contribution of innate and adaptive immunity to atherosclerosis development is well established, and B cells have emerged as important modulators of both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in atherosclerosis. Murine B cells can broadly be divided into 2 subsets: (1) B-2 cells, which are bone marrow derived and include conventional follicular and marginal zone B cells, and (2) B-1 cells, which are largely fetal liver derived and persist in adults through self-renewal. B-cell subsets are developmentally, functionally, and phenotypically distinct with unique subset-specific contributions to atherosclerosis development. Mechanisms whereby B cells regulate vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis will be discussed with a particular emphasis on B-1 cells. B-1 cells have a protective role in atherosclerosis that is mediated in large part by IgM antibody production. Accumulating evidence over the last several years has pointed to a previously underappreciated heterogeneity in B-1 cell populations, which may have important implications for understanding atherosclerosis development and potential targeted therapeutic approaches. This heterogeneity within atheroprotective innate B-cell subsets will be highlighted.
The Multidimensional Research Agendas Inventory—Revised (MDRAI-R): Factors shaping researchers’ research agendas in all fields of knowledge
Authors: Horta Hugo , Santos João M.
Published: December 2019

This study creates a novel inventory that characterizes factors influencing the research agendas of researchers in all fields of knowledge: the Multi-dimensional Research Agendas Inventory-Revised (MDRAI-R). The MDRAI-R optimizes an initial inventory designed for the social sciences (the MDRAI) by reducing the number of items per dimension, improving the inventory’s psychometric properties, and including new dimensions (“Academia Driven” and “Society Driven”) that reflect the greater influence of social and organizational structures on knowledge production and demands for research impact. This inventory enhances our ability to measure research activities at a time when researchers’ choices matter more than ever, and it will be of interest to researchers, policy makers, research funding agencies, and university and research organizations.
Comprehensive Security in a Conflict Environment
Authors: Apakan Ertugrul , Sporrer Wolfgang
Published: December 2019

For the past five years, the osce Special Monitoring Mission has been implementing its mandate, partially in an environment of ongoing violence. This article describes ways in which the conflict continues to impact the lives of civilians and describes the humanitarian-security nexus in the Ukrainian conflict. As well, the article draws conclusions, which contributions an international monitoring mission can make to mitigate the human cost of the conflict and pursue a comprehensive concept of security and to prevention, even while operating under the conditions of an ongoing conflict.
A Balance of Risks: The Protection of Human Rights in International Arms Trade Agreements
Authors: Martínez Borja Álvaro Álvarez
Published: December 2019

This article seeks to explore the possibilities and limitations that the introduction of human rights sensibilities within arms trade treaties has. It will compare and analyze the leading instruments in this field, namely the Arms Trade Treaty and the Council of Europe Common Position 2008/944/CFSP. It will be argued that these instruments, in spite of the issues common to both instruments, such as the employment of blurred terms, unclear guidelines, lackluster implementation, are however, the flexible frameworks that will allow for future improvements, and a growing relevance of human rights risk assessments within international arms trade.
Shaping the Evolution of Regime Complex
Authors: Yu Hanzhi , Xue Lan
Published: December 2019

Regime complex has been widely recognized in many governance issues, but the evolutionary dynamics in regime complex are largely overlooked. This article explores the evolutionary dynamics by conducting a case study on the regime complex for human genetic data, which has evolved as an alternation between stable and unstable periods, known as punctuated equilibrium. Given that existing theories fail to explain the evolutionary pattern, a multiactor analysis framework is set up with the core argument that the evolution of regime complex is shaped by interactions between governance issues outside the regime complex, and a combination of actor power and institutional logics within them. Besides its specific contribution to the literature on regime complex, this article has general implications for research in global governance.
Providing for Global Security
Authors: Fung Courtney J.
Published: December 2019

A fundamental question facing global governance today is whether the UN peacekeeping regime can function with enough skilled troops to execute increasingly demanding and complicated mandates. The People’s Republic of China is informally thought of as a potential lead troop-contributing country. China typically deploys non-combat enabler troops, and recently began deploying combat troops, which may have to engage in live fire to defend the mandate. The risks and costs associated with dispatching combat troops challenge the benefits that China derives from supporting peacekeeping. I first establish China’s feedback mechanisms to facilitate simple and complex learning against China’s peacekeeping trajectory and motivations for participation. I then address the implications of China’s combat troop deployment, focusing on the UN Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali and the UN Mission in South Sudan. The article draws insights from interviews with Chinese foreign policy elites and UN officials, and participant observation at the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
Viewing Rome in the Latin Literature of the Ventennio Fascista: Francesco Giammaria’s Capitolium Novum
Authors: Bettegazzi Nicolò , Lamers Han , Reitz-Joosse Bettina
Published: December 2019

This article analyses Francesco Giammaria’s Capitolium Novum, a Latin poem describing a tour of the historic center of Rome in 1933, in its historical, architectural, and intellectual contexts. It offers a detailed analysis of three key sections of the poem, which deal with the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Ara dei caduti fascisti respectively. The authors show how Giammaria’s poem responds to urbanistic interventions in the city center during the ventennio, and specifically to the Fascist ‘recoding’ of the city as the ‘Third Rome’, with a narrative emphasizing the historically layered nature of Rome. Giammaria offers his own interpretation of the respective importance and interrelation of the city’s historic layers: the rhetoric of his poem is aimed at superimposing Catholic Rome over pagan Rome, and at framing all historical layers of the city, including the Fascist one, as part of its Christian mission and destiny. Thus, Capitolium novum resonates with efforts of intellectuals gathered around Carlo Galassi Paluzzi’s Istituto di Studi Romani, who aimed to promote a cultural reconciliation between Fascism and Catholicism.
Fascism, National Socialism, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair
Authors: Fortuna James J.
Published: December 2019

This article considers the involvement of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. It considers the form, function, and content of the Italian Pavilion designed for this fair and asserts that the prefabricated monumental structure would be best interpreted, not in isolation, but as an element of the larger architectural conversation which continued to unfold across contemporary fascist Europe. Such reconsideration of this building makes it possible to evaluate the relationship between Fascist design, the assertion of political will, and the articulation of national identity and cultural heritage within a larger, transnational context. The author also investigates the American exhibition committee’s earnest and persistent, yet ultimately unheeded, solicitation of Nazi German participation and argues that motives behind German withdrawal from this event had as much to do with the threat of popular protest as economic pressure.
The contribution of cell wall remodeling and signaling to lateral organs formation
Authors: Duman Zvi , Eliyahu Avi , Abu-Abied Mohamad , Sadot Einat
Published: December 2019

Lateral organs are formed in plants by post embryonic developmental programs. Leaves, and flowers differentiate from the shoot apical meristem and lateral roots from the primary root pericycle meristem. Adventitious roots are roots formed from non-root lateral meristematic tissues, mostly the cambium, in many cases in response to stress signals. The ability of plants to regenerate adventitious roots is fundamental for selection and breading programs which are based on vegetative propagation of elite clones. Thus, recalcitrant plants, losing their rooting capability, may form a genuine commercial barrier in agricultural and forestry improvement programs. Some cellular mechanisms underlying adventitious root formation have been revealed, but much is yet to be clarified. The plant primary cell wall is a dynamic organ that can change its form, and perceive and relay molecular signals inward and outward during certain stages of development in particular cells. Therefore, before the secondary cell wall is deposited and plants become the wood from which walls and furniture are built, and the fibers from which cloths are woven, primary cell walls actively participate in plant cell differentiation and developmental programs. While auxin is a major regulator, cell walls are important in regulating coherent formative cell division and synchronized polar elongation of cell lineages that are necessary for lateral organ induction and formation, and collaborative cell functioning. Nevertheless, little is known of how cell wall changes are molecularly sensed and translated to intracellular signals during differentiation of adventitious roots. Here we summarize recent data linking, directly or indirectly, cell wall events to auxin signaling and to lateral or adventitious root induction and formation.
Mosques as a Platform to Address the Issue of the Anti-Hadith Ideology
Authors: Ghazali Mohd Al’ikhsan , Md. Sawari Siti Salwa , Abd Aziz Azwira
Published: December 2019

In Malaysia, the authorities have taken a number of steps to prevent the anti-Hadith movement. Various parties, especially the religious authorities at federal and state levels, have united to try to resolve the anti-Hadith issue, and activities such as weekly talks and lectures have been organized by mosque institutions to halt the spread of this ideology. The objective of this study is to investigate whether any significant correlation can be seen between attendance at the programs of the mosque and the influence of the anti-Hadith. This quantitative study involved the distribution of questionnaires that included anti-Hadith related questions to 800 participants in order to gather demographic data as well as information regarding their attendance of mosque lectures. A detailed analysis between the interest of those who took part in programs at mosques and the influence of anti-Hadith had a significant impact. The results indirectly prove that Muslims who frequented the mosques were safe from the influence of the anti-Hadith movement. Consequently, it can be said that the spiritual teaching carried out in mosques has succeeded in preserving the faith of Muslims. This study highlights the fact that such spiritual teaching can be one of the main factors to help Muslims to avoid dangerous ideologies.
Understanding the Use of Ruqyah (Healing Method Based on The Quran and Hadith) in the Treatment of Disease: Analysis based on Fiqh al-Hadith Al-Imam Al-Bukhari (Pemahaman Terhadap Aspek Penggunaan Ruqyah Dalam Rawatan Penyakit: Analisis Berasaskan Fiqh al-Hadith Imam Al-Bukhari)
Authors: Ahmad Khadher , Ramli Mohd Anuar , Rahman Nor Azian Ab
Published: December 2019

Ruqyah refers to the healing method based on the Quran and hadith through the recitation of the Quran, seeking of refuge, remembrance and supplication that is used as a means of treating sickness and other problems, by reading verses of the Quran, the names and attributes of Allah, or by using the prayers in Arabic or in a language the meaning of which is understood. The use of ruqyah as a method of treatment is popular among the Islamic alternative healing practitioners. This method of ruqyah is based on the recommendations and practices carried out by the Prophet (pbuh) for self-treatment or to help his Sahabah and others. Through analysis of the inductive, deductive and historical approaches, this article aims to explain the views of Imam al-Bukhari in relation to aspects of ruqyah and its use in the treatment of disease by analysing some chapters translated (tarjamah al-bab) by Imam al-Bukhari in the Kitab al-Tibb. The results show that the use of ruqyah in the treatment of diseases refers to the discussion of the seven chapters translated (tarjamah al-bab) on three main issues: [1] The use of ruqyah from the Quran, [2] Conditions in using a ruqyah, and [3] The types of ruqyah recommended by the Prophet.
Archeaneurus neli gen. et. sp. nov. from Cretaceous Burmese amber (Heteroptera, Aradidae)

Authors: HEISS ERNST
Published: December 2019

Insects are the most abundant arthropods yielded from Cretaceous Burmese amber and a considerable number of inclusions with taxa belonging to 18 families of the suborder Heteroptera (bugs) are recorded to date (Ross, 2019). From bark-bug family Aradidae, nine genera and ten species are described so far: Aradoleptus birmanus Heiss, 2016, Archearadus burmensis Heiss & Grimaldi, 2001; Archearadus elongatus Heiss, 2016; Archecalisius longiventris Heiss, 2019; Calisiomorpha yuripopovi Heiss, 2016; Cretopiesma suukyiae Grimaldi & Engel, 2008; Ellenbergeria oviventris Heiss, 2016; Kachinocoris brevipennis Heiss, 2012; Microaradus anticus Heiss & Poinar, 2012; Myanmezira longicornis Heiss & Poinar, 2012 (Grimaldi & Engel, 2008; Heiss & Grimaldi, 2001; Heiss & Poinar, 2012; Heiss, 2012, 2016, 2019).
A taxonomic revision of Geschollia (Asparagaceae, Urgineeae)—from a monotypic genus towards its diversification, including the description of five new species

Authors: MARTÍNEZ-AZORÍN MARIO , DOLD ANTHONY P. , CRESPO MANUEL B. , PINTER MICHAEL , ALONSO-VARGAS MARÍA ÁNGELES , WETSCHNIG WOLFGANG
Published: December 2019

In the frame of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples across its whole range of distribution, we here present a taxonomic revision of Geschollia, a genus originally accepted as monotypic to include G. anomala. This genus was characterized by the single, synanthous, terete leaf; long racemose inflorescence; tepals connate for ca. 1 mm and reflexed at anthesis; spreading to patent stamens; and small polygonal seeds. Our morphological studies in combination with phylogenetic analyses evidence that Geschollia is indeed a strongly supported monophyletic group, which includes eight species matching most of the features cited above. In this context, we here describe five new species in this genus and accordingly expand the original characterization of Geschollia to accommodate these new taxa. Furthermore, two new combinations are presented for previously described species. An identification key is provided for all accepted species in the genus.
Discovery of Raphidioptera (Insecta: Neuropterida) in Xizang, China, with description of a new species of Inocellia Schneider
Authors: SHEN RONGRONG , HE YINGNAN , PAN ZHAOHUI , LIU XINGYUE
Published: December 2019

The holometabolous order Raphidioptera is recorded from Xizang Autonomous Region for the first time. A new species of the family Inocelliidae, Inocellia tibetana sp. nov., from southeastern Xizang is described and its two sexes illustrated. Based on the male gonocoxite 9 that is longer than width of its base, the new species belongs to the I. fulvostigmata species-group, and it appears to be closely related to I. fulvostigmata U. Aspöck, Rausch & H. Aspöck, 1968. Both species are distributed near the southern edge of the Himalayas. The male of the new species is characterized in the genitalia by the presence of a membranous, short and digitiform gonostylus 9, the gonarcus (fused gonocoxites 11) subtriangular in caudal view dorsally with a pair of short tubercular processes, and the reduction of bristle tuft on the endophallus.
A Meteorological Study of the Port Hills Fire, Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Pretorius Ilze , Sturman Andrew , Strand Tara , Katurji Marwan , Pearce Grant
Published: December 2019

In February 2017, a wildfire occurred in the Port Hills on the southern boundary of Christchurch city in New Zealand. It was one of the country’s most severe fires of the last decade in terms of the scale of evacuation, infrastructure damage, and property loss. On the third day of the fire, fire behavior was unexpectedly active, and two rapid downhill fire-spread events took place, creating a dangerous situation for firefighters. The aim of this paper is to explore the atmospheric processes that influenced the fire behavior at a range of meteorological scales, from the synoptic to meso- and microscales. Meteorological and fire data analyzed include observed data together with model simulations of weather conditions at different scales: 1) the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical weather prediction model, which provided the regional context of the fire; and 2) the California Meteorological (CALMET) diagnostic model, which was used to undertake a higher-resolution investigation of atmospheric processes near the fire. Results indicate that the fire was not strongly seasonally influenced. Instead, it appears the fire conditions were the effect of a specific combination of synoptic weather conditions and local meteorological conditions. The first rapid downhill fire-spread event was the result of airflow interaction with the intricate terrain of the Port Hills under stable nocturnal conditions. The second downhill fire-spread event bears similarities to vorticity-driven lateral spread, because the downhill component of the spread happened on a broad fire flank perpendicular to the surface wind direction and characteristic pyrocumulus convection occurred.
Time-Dependent Propagation of Tsunami-Generated Acoustic–Gravity Waves in the Atmosphere
Authors: Wu Yue , Llewellyn Smith Stefan G. , Rottman James W. , Broutman Dave , Minster Jean-Bernard H.
Published: December 2019

Tsunami-generated linear acoustic–gravity waves in the atmosphere with altitude-dependent vertical stratification and horizontal background winds are studied with the long-term goal of real-time tsunami warning. The initial-value problem is examined using Fourier–Laplace transforms to investigate the time dependence and to compare the cases of anelastic and compressible atmospheres. The approach includes formulating the linear propagation of acoustic–gravity waves in the vertical, solving the vertical displacement of waves and pressure perturbations numerically as a set of coupled ODEs in the Fourier–Laplace domain, and employing den Iseger’s algorithm to carry out a fast and accurate numerical inverse Laplace transform. Results are presented for three cases with different atmospheric and tsunami profiles. Horizontal background winds enhance wave advection in the horizontal but hinder the vertical transmission of internal waves through the whole atmosphere. The effect of compressibility is significant. The rescaled vertical displacement of internal waves at 100-km altitude shows an arrival at the early stage of wave development due to the acoustic branch that is not present in the anelastic case. The long-term displacement also shows an O(1) difference between the compressible and anelastic results for the cases with uniform and realistic stratification. Compressibility hence affects both the speed and amplitude of energy transmitted to the upper atmosphere because of fast acoustic waves.
A Multiresolution Ensemble Hybrid 4DEnVar for Global Numerical Prediction
Authors: Kay Junkyung , Wang Xuguang
Published: December 2019

A multiresolution ensemble (MR-ENS) method is developed to resolve a wider range of scales of the background error covariance (BEC) in the hybrid four-dimensional ensemble–variational (4DEnVar) while saving computational costs. MR-ENS is implemented in the NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS) gridpoint statistical interpolation (GSI) hybrid 4DEnVar. MR-ENS generates analysis increment by incorporating high-resolution static BEC and flow-dependent ensemble BECs from both high and low resolutions. MR-ENS is compared with three 4DEnVar update approaches: 1) the single-resolution (SR)-Low approach where the analysis increments are generated from the ensemble BEC and the static BEC at the same low resolution; 2) the dual-resolution (DR) approach where the analysis increment is generated using the high-resolution static BEC and low-resolution ensemble BEC; and 3) the SR-High approach, which is the same as 1) except that all covariances are at high-resolution. Experiments show that MR-ENS improves global and tropical cyclone track forecasts compared to SR-Low and DR. Inclusion of the high-resolution ensemble leads to increased background ensemble spread, better fitting of the background to observations, increased effective ranks, more accurate ensemble error correlation, and increased power of analysis increment at small scales. The majority of the improvement of MR-ENS relative to SR-Low is due to the partial use of high-resolution background ensemble. Compared to SR-High, MR-ENS decreases the overall cost by about 40% and shows comparable global and tropical cyclone track forecast performances. Diagnostics show that particularly in the tropics, MR-ENS improves the analysis increment over a wide range of scales and increases the effective rank of the ensemble BEC to the degree comparable to SR-High.
“Do this in remembrance of me”
Authors: Powery Luke A.
Published: December 2019

Slavery was an assault on black humanity, including the black body. Theological education paired with and shaped by slavery embodied the same type of violence through its mission and curriculum, that is, the sanctified erasure of black personhood, Christianity, and scholarship. In light of the relationship of Princeton Theological Seminary and slavery, this article focuses on the implications of this history for the mission and curriculum of theological schools, especially as it pertains to wounded black bodies. The key exploratory question will be, “What would theological education look like if it was reimagined through the lens of these black human wounds?”
How Do Academic Institutions Evaluate Their History?
Authors: Allen Jody L.
Published: December 2019

These remarks, shared at the “Legacy and Mission: Theological Education and the History of Slavery” conference at Princeton Theological Seminary, provide an overview of how William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia is addressing its history with slavery and Jim Crow.
The Elusive Destination Brand and the ATLAS Wheel of Place Brand Management
Authors: Kavaratzis Mihalis , Hatch Mary Jo
Published: December 2019

This conceptual article reconsiders the formation of destination and place brands. It proposes that brands initiate people’s meaning making over the place directly involving them in the branding process. Using a combination of process-based approaches to brands and places, the article substantiates the argument that the place brand’s quintessence lies in the constant alterations it causes to the meaning of the place as stakeholders interact, thereby keeping the brand active and in constant formation. The distinction between conceived, perceived, and lived dimensions of a place brand is used to conceptualize the brand as open-ended, allowing for different interpretations to occur and different meanings to develop. This makes the brand rather elusive. The article accounts for the implications of the elusiveness of place brands for place brand management and proposes the ATLAS wheel of place brand management as a tool to follow and influence the place brand in its on-going formation.
Risk factors of postoperative low back pain for low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis: a retrospective study
Authors: Guan Fulin , Yin Hongna , Zhu Lin , Zhang Zhizhuang , Gao Qichang , Shao Tuo , Tang Weilong , Guan Guofa , Chen Ming , Chi Zhiyong , Gu Jiaao , Yu Zhange
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the risk factors of postoperative low back pain (LBP) following posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery for low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS).

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled patients with IS that underwent PLIF between January 2011 and January 2016. Demographic, clinical, surgical and radiological characteristics were analysed to determine associations between these characteristics and LBP as measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score.

Results

A total of 192 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean VAS pain score of LBP decreased significantly after surgery. The mean preoperative VAS pain score was significantly greater in patients with symptoms of ≤3 years duration compared with those with symptoms lasting >3 years. The postoperative VAS pain score was significantly lower in patients with grade 1 slippage compared with those with grade 2 slippage. There was a significant correlation between preoperative to postoperative change of VAS pain score and postoperative disc height ( r = 0.99).

Conclusion

PLIF significantly improved LBP in patients with low-grade IS, although patients still reported some postoperative LBP. The grade of slippage was a risk factor for postoperative LBP. Restoring the disc height appeared to improve LBP.
Meta-analysis of the prognostic significance of FOXC2 in various tumors
Authors: Xu Bixia , Tian Yun , Liu Lin
Published: December 2019

Objective

Many studies have focused on correlations between forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) and various tumors but discrepant results have been reported. Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to assess the prognostic role of FOXC2 in tumors.

Methods

Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and SinoMed) were screened through September 2019.

Results

The final analysis included 15 reports and 2115 patients; results suggested that cancer patients with FOXC2 had worse overall survival (hazard ratio 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74–2.64), cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 2.65, 95% CI 1.44–4.89), and disease-free survival (hazard ratio 1.93, 95% CI 1.49–2.50) than patients lacking FOXC2.

Conclusions

The presence of FOXC2 was associated with poor survival in cancer patients. FOXC2 could be a promising prognostic marker in the future.
Biopolitics Multiple: Migration, Extraction, Subtraction
Authors: Aradau Claudia , Tazzioli Martina
Published: December 2019

This article proposes ‘biopolitics multiple’ as an approach to the heterogeneity of biopolitical technologies deployed to govern migration today. Building on work that has started to develop analytical vocabularies to diagnose biopolitical technologies that work neither by fostering life nor by making people die in a necropolitical sense, it conceptualises ‘extraction’ and ‘subtraction’ as two such technologies that take ‘hold’ of migrants’ lives today. Extraction, explored in the article through a focus on borderzones in Greece, captures the imbrication of biopolitics and value through the ‘outside’ creation of the economic conditions of data circulation. Subtraction, which is analysed in this article through a focus on Calais, captures the practices of (partial) non-governing by taking material and legal terrain away from migrants and reconfiguring convoluted geographies of (forced) hyper-mobility. This move allows us to understand the governmentality of migration beyond binary oppositions such as ‘making live/letting die’, biopolitics/necropolitics and inclusion/exclusion.

Biopolítica múltiple: migración, extracción, sustracción
Ictal neck pain investigated in the interictal state – a search for the origin of pain
Authors: Hvedstrup Jeppe , Kolding Lærke Tørring , Younis Samaira , Ashina Messoud , Schytz Henrik Winther
Published: December 2019

Background

Neck pain is reported in more than 50% of migraine patients during migraine attacks and may be an important source to migraine pain.

Objectives

To investigate phenotypical differences between migraine patients with and without ictal neck pain in the interictal phase. Additionally, to prospectively examine the association between pericranial muscle tenderness and the impending migraine attack.

Methods

Migraine patients (n = 100) and controls (n = 46) underwent a semi-structured interview and sensory testing interictally. Pericranial muscle tenderness was determined using total tenderness score and local tenderness score. The occurrence of migraine attacks was then prospectively recorded for the following seven days.

Results

Patients with ictal neck pain had increased tenderness of pericranial neck muscles compared to migraine patients without ( p = 0.023). Ictal neck pain was not associated with migraine localization, tension-type headache, or markers of central sensitization. Prospective data of 84 patients showed that tenderness of trigeminal sensory innervated muscles increased the migraine attack rate ( p = 0.035).

Conclusion

The distinction of migraine patients based on the occurrence of ictal neck pain could indicate migraine subtypes and possible involvement of peripheral tissue in the pathophysiology. Whether treatment responses differ among these groups would be fascinating. Additionally, we found that cephalic muscle tenderness is a risk factor for an impending migraine attack.
Experimental and numerical investigation of a polypropylene orthotic device for assistance in level ground walking
Authors: Jena Shreeshan , Arunachalam Thirugnanam , Panda Subrata Kumar
Published: December 2019

This study investigates the use of an orthotic device for improving pathologic gait lacking a heel-strike and its effect on the joint loads. The orthosis is fabricated from 10-mm thick polypropylene sheets joined together using a bolted joint. The gait trials are recorded using a Qualisys motion capture system and Kistler’s force platform. The data recorded in this study comprise five male and five female participants, executing level ground gait under barefoot, shod and orthotic conditions. Computed tomography reconstructed foot bone–tissue model and computer-aided design model of the orthosis are used to predict the mechanical behaviour with and without orthosis under static loading. A one-way analysis of variance is conducted to compare the peak gait parameters in the early and late stance phase between the three walking conditions. The experimental results show that the orthosis reduces the peak joint forces and the rate of change of moment at the hip, knee and ankle joints. The finite element analysis results present a decrease in foot plantar pressure from 0.74 to 0.32 MPa with orthotic usage. The results of this study indicate that the orthosis can eliminate the heel-ground gap while retaining sufficient ankle motion and providing peak joint force reduction.
Early Radiographic Changes in the Lateral Talocalcaneal Angle Following Achilles Tenotomy in Children With Idiopathic Clubfoot
Authors: Li Jingchun , Liu Yuanzhong , Li Yiqiang , Yuan Zhe , Xu Hongwen , Canavese Federico
Published: December 2019

Background:

Percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (PAT) is an important component of the Ponseti method and is performed in 85% to 90% of patients. However, there is a lack of objective data assessing early radiographic changes in children undergoing PAT.

Methods:

Forty-nine patients with idiopathic clubfoot treated by Ponseti casting were prospectively enrolled between October 2017 and October 2018. Preoperative and postoperative ankle dorsiflexion (pre-ADFmax, post-ADFmax) and lateral talocalcaneal angle (pre-LTCAmax, post-LTCAmax) values with the ankle in maximal dorsiflexion as well as postoperative LTCA values with the ankle in the neutral position (post-LTCAneutral) were measured. The relationship between the preoperative and postoperative ADF and LTCA values was studied using Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients. Forty-nine patients (72 feet) were included; the mean age at initial treatment was 32.2 ± 24.1 days.

Results:

Post-LTCAmax improved significantly from 18.6 ± 9.2 degrees to 25.1 ± 10.5 degrees ( P < .0001). Pre-ADF and pre-LTCAmax showed a positive correlation in both the less than 28-day group ( r = 0.42; P = .015) and the Dimeglio III group ( r = 0.29; P = .035). However, post-ADF and post-LTCAmax showed a positive correlation in the Dimeglio III group ( r = 0.30; P = .028). The degree of improvement in post-LCTAmax in the Dimeglio III group was similar to that in the Dimeglio IV group ( P = .28).

Conclusion:

The LTCA increased immediately after PAT in clubfoot, although the improvement seemed to be unrelated to the severity of the disease. PAT led to an increase in both ADF and the LTCA, and it contributed to the improvements in subtalar joint motion and alignment.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative study.
Gender and Generational Differences in the Internalized Homophobia Questionnaire: An Alignment IRT Analysis
Authors: Wickham Robert E. , Gutierrez Renee , Giordano Brenna L. , Rostosky Sharon S. , Riggle Ellen D. B.
Published: December 2019

Internalized homophobia (IH) refers to negative attitudes and stereotypes that a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) person may hold regarding their own sexual identity. Recent sociocultural changes in attitudes and policies affecting LGB people generally reflect broader acceptance of sexual minorities, and may influence the manner in which LGB people experience IH. These experiences should be reflected in the measurement properties of instruments designed to assess IH. This study utilized data from three different samples ( N = 3,522) of LGB individuals residing in the United States to examine the invariance of a common self-report IH measure by gender identity (Female, Male) and age cohort (Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials). Multigroup item response theory–differential item functioning analysis using the alignment method revealed that 6 of the 9 Internalized Homophobia Scale items exhibited differential functioning across gender and generation. Latent scores based on the invariant items suggested that Male and Female Boomers exhibited the lowest level of latent IH, relative to the other cohorts.
Longitudinal research on EFL teacher professional development in (Japanese) contexts: Collaborative action research projects
Authors: Sato Kazuyoshi , Mutoh and Nancy , Kleinsasser Robert C.
Published: December 2019

This study examined how secondary teachers (junior and senior high school teachers) of English as a foreign language (EFL) in Japan participated in collaborative action research and engaged in their professional development over four years. In particular, little is known as to how EFL teachers challenge their beliefs and implement innovative practices based on communicative language teaching (CLT) through teacher learning processes. Using a mixed methods design, the study identified three developmental stages regardless of years of teaching experience: (1) Challenging teacher beliefs through TESOL classes and modeling teachers who have done similar action research (AR) through trial and error teaching as they practice communicative activities; (2) Making sense of teaching through adapting and modifying theories of CLT; and (3) Building confidence in teaching by actually seeing students change. These stages overlap and are not mutually exclusive, depending on teacher and teaching context. The study reveals teachers’ dynamic learning processes and professional development.
Predictive factors of physicians’ satisfaction with telemedicine services acceptance
Authors: Kissi Jonathan , Dai Baozhen , Dogbe Courage SK , Banahene Jonathan , Ernest Oyeh
Published: December 2019

Despite the significant increase in telemedicine services technology, its adoption and use have been quite slow in some healthcare settings. It is generally accepted in today’s globalizing world that the success of telemedicine services relies on users’ satisfaction. Satisfying physicians and patients is one of the crucial objectives of telemedicine success. This study seeks to evaluate physicians’ satisfaction with telemedicine services adoption and utilization using the technology acceptance model. A structured questionnaire based on the construct of technology acceptance model was used to solicit for data from participants in four different government health institutions. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select healthcare professionals from various medical fields. Structural equation modeling was utilized in the data analysis. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of telemedicine services were found to influence physicians’ behavioral intentions. This resulted in increased efficiency, quality of services, quality patient care delivery, and satisfaction among physicians in using telemedicine services. We noted that the adoption of telemedicine services in clinical settings depends on physicians’ and patients’ satisfaction with the use of the service. The study contributes to empirical knowledge by identifying the vital predictive factors affecting telemedicine services satisfaction among physicians.
An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within nursing research
Authors: Doyle Louise , McCabe Catherine , Keogh Brian , Brady Annemarie , McCann Margaret
Published: December 2019

Background

Qualitative descriptive designs are common in nursing and healthcare research due to their inherent simplicity, flexibility and utility in diverse healthcare contexts. However, the application of descriptive research is sometimes critiqued in terms of scientific rigor. Inconsistency in decision making within the research process coupled with a lack of transparency has created issues of credibility for this type of approach. It can be difficult to clearly differentiate what constitutes a descriptive research design from the range of other methodologies at the disposal of qualitative researchers.

Aims

This paper provides an overview of qualitative descriptive research, orientates to the underlying philosophical perspectives and key characteristics that define this approach and identifies the implications for healthcare practice and policy.

Methods and results

Using real-world examples from healthcare research, the paper provides insight to the practical application of descriptive research at all stages of the design process and identifies the critical elements that should be explicit when applying this approach.

Conclusions

By adding to the existing knowledge base, this paper enhances the information available to researchers who wish to use the qualitative descriptive approach, influencing the standard of how this approach is employed in healthcare research.
Robust adaptive online sequential extreme learning machine for predicting nonstationary data streams with outliers
Authors: Guo Wei
Published: December 2019

Data streams online modeling and prediction is an important research direction in the field of data mining. In practical applications, data streams are often of nonstationary nature and containing outliers, hence an online learning algorithm with dynamic tracking capability as well as anti-outlier capability is urgently needed. With this in mind, this paper proposes a novel robust adaptive online sequential extreme learning machine (RA-OSELM) algorithm for the online modeling and prediction of nonstationary data streams with outliers. The RA-OSELM is developed from the famous online sequential extreme learning machine algorithm, but it uses a more robust M-estimation loss function to replace the conventional least square loss function so as to suppress the incorrect online update of the learning algorithm with respect to outliers, and hence enhances its robustness in the presence of outliers. Moreover, the RA-OSELM adopts a variable forgetting factor method to automatically track the dynamic changes of the nonstationary data streams and timely eliminate the negative impacts of the outdated data, so it tends to produce satisfying tracking results in nonstationary environments. The performances of RA-OSELM are evaluated and compared with other representative algorithms with synthetic and real data sets, and the experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm has better adaptive tracking capability with stronger robustness than its counterparts for predicting nonstationary data streams with outliers.
Cardiovascular morbidities of obstructive sleep apnea and the role of circulating extracellular vesicles
Authors: Khalyfa Abdelnaby , Castro-Grattoni Anabel L. , Gozal David
Published: December 2019

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep resulting in impaired blood gas exchange, namely intermittent hypoxia (IH) and hypercapnia, fragmented sleep (SF), increased oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. Among a myriad of potential associated morbidities, OSA has been particularly implicated as mechanistically contributing to the prevalence and severity of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is generally employed in OSA treatment, to either prevent or improve CVD outcomes remain unconvincing, suggesting that the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the incremental CVD risk associated with OSA are not clearly understood. One of the challenges in development of non-invasive diagnostic assays is the ability to identify clinically and mechanistically relevant biomarkers. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargos reflect underlying changes in cellular homeostasis and can provide insights into how cells and systems cope with physiological perturbations by virtue of the identity and abundance of miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, and lipids that are packaged in the EVs under normal as well as diseased states, such as OSA. EVs can not only provide unique insights into coordinated cellular responses at the organ or systemic level, but can also serve as reporters of the effects of OSA in CVD, either by their properties enabling regeneration and repair of injured vascular cells or by damaging them. Here, we highlight recent progress in the pathological CVD consequences of OSA, and explore the putative roles of EVs in OSA-associated CVD, along with emerging diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Effects of Naringin on the Activity and mRNA Expression of CYP Isozymes in Rats
Authors: Cheng Keling , Zeng Xuan , Wu Hao , Su Weiwei , Fan Weiyang , Bai Yang , Yao Hongliang , Li Peibo
Published: December 2019

Naringin (NRG) is a common dietary flavonoid in citrus fruits and has been documented to possess multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Naringin is frequently consumed in combination with common clinical drugs. To date, the effects of NRG on cytochrome P450 enzymes have not been fully investigated yet. In this study, the activities of hepatic CYP1A2, CYP2D2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2E1 in rats after the continuous oral administration of NRG (50 and 500 mg/kg) were evaluated using cocktail probe-drug method. The concentrations of 5 probe drugs (phenacetin, dextromethorphan, diclofenac sodium, omeprazole, and chlorzoxazone) in rat plasma were simultaneously determined with a validated HPLC-MS/MS (high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) method and then used to calculate corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters. Compared with the control group, the AUC(0- t), AUC(0-∞), t 1/2, and C max of each probe drug in treatment groups showed no significant differences. Meanwhile, fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) analysis revealed that NRG did not significantly affect the mRNA expressions of genes CYP1a2, CYP2d2, CYP2c6, CYP2c11, and CYP2e1 in rat liver. Based on these results, it could be concluded that NRG showed no significant effects on the activities and mRNA expressions of tested CYP450 in rats.
Clinical features and surgical treatment of epilepsy after viral encephalitis
Authors: Liu Yiou , Zhou Wenjing
Published: December 2019

Encephalitis is an acute inflammatory process of the brain parenchyma, which is often caused by viral infection. It is an vital cause of acute symptomatic seizures and subsequent epilepsy. The incidence of unprovoked and recurrent seizures after previous infections of the central nervous system is high and accounts for 1%~5% of the cases of epilepsy. Viral encephalitis (VE) is directly caused by viral infection. The occurrence of seizures after VE is associated with poor prognosis. In survivors of VE, among other neurological sequelae, the risk of developing epilepsy is increased 10-fold. The risk of severe neurological sequelae after VE is particularly high in very young children. Studies on seizure occurrence, possible underlying mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and clinical treatment (especially surgical treatment) of VE have yielded only limited detailed data. We reviewed the most recent literature on the clinical features and surgical treatment of post-VE epilepsy.