bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemodynamic responses to small muscle mass exercise in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Barrett-O'Keefe Zachary , Lee Joshua F. , Berbert Amanda , Witman Melissa A. H. , Nativi-Nicolau Jose , Stehlik Josef , Richardson Russell S. , Wray D. Walter
Published: September 2014

To better understand the mechanisms responsible for exercise intolerance in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the present study sought to evaluate the hemodynamic responses to small muscle mass exercise in this cohort. In 25 HFrEF patients (64 ± 2 yr) and 17 healthy, age-matched control subjects (64 ± 2 yr), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and limb blood flow were examined during graded static-intermittent handgrip (HG) and dynamic single-leg knee-extensor (KE) exercise. During HG exercise, MAP increased similarly between groups. CO increased significantly (+1.3 ± 0.3 l/min) in the control group, but it remained unchanged across workloads in HFrEF patients. At 15% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), forearm blood flow was similar between groups, while HFrEF patients exhibited an attenuated increase at the two highest intensities compared with controls, with the greatest difference at the highest workload (352 ± 22 vs. 492 ± 48 ml/min, HFrEF vs. control, 45% MVC). During KE exercise, MAP and CO increased similarly across work rates between groups. However, HFrEF patients exhibited a diminished leg hyperemic response across all work rates, with the most substantial decrement at the highest intensity (1,842 ± 64 vs. 2,675 ± 81 ml/min; HFrEF vs. control, 15 W). Together, these findings indicate a marked attenuation in exercising limb perfusion attributable to impairments in peripheral vasodilatory capacity during both arm and leg exercise in patients with HFrEF, which likely plays a role in limiting exercise capacity in this patient population.
An acute rise in intraluminal pressure shifts the mediator of flow-mediated dilation from nitric oxide to hydrogen peroxide in human arterioles
Authors: Beyer Andreas M. , Durand Matthew J. , Hockenberry Joseph , Gamblin T. Clark , Phillips Shane A. , Gutterman David D.
Published: September 2014

Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) is the primary mediator of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in human adipose microvessels. Impaired NO-mediated vasodilation occurs after acute and chronic hypertension, possibly due to excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The direct role of pressure elevation in this impairment of human arteriolar dilation is not known. We tested the hypothesis that elevation in pressure is sufficient to impair FMD. Arterioles were isolated from human adipose tissue and cannulated, and vasodilation to graded flow gradients was measured before and after exposure to increased intraluminal pressure (IILP; 150 mmHg, 30 min). The mediator of FMD was determined using pharmacological agents to reduce NO [ NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO)], or H2O2[polyethylene glycol (PEG)-catalase], and mitochondrial (mt) ROS was quantified using fluorescence microscopy. Exposure to IILP decreased overall FMD (max %dilation: 82.7 ± 4.9 vs. 62 ± 5.6; P < 0.05). This dilation was abolished by treatment with l-NAME prepressure and PEG-catalase after IILP (max %dilation: l-NAME: 23.8 ± 6.1 vs. 74.8 ± 8.6; PEG-catalase: 71.8 ± 5.9 vs. 24.6 ± 10.6). To examine if this change was mediated by mtROS, FMD responses were measured in the presence of the complex I inhibitor rotenone or the mitochondrial antioxidant mitoTempol. Before IILP, FMD was unaffected by either compound; however, both inhibited dilation after IILP. The fluorescence intensity of mitochondria peroxy yellow 1 (MitoPY1), a mitochondria-specific fluorescent probe for H2O2, increased during flow after IILP (%change from static: 12.3 ± 14.5 vs. 127.9 ± 57.7). These results demonstrate a novel compensatory dilator mechanism in humans that is triggered by IILP, inducing a change in the mediator of FMD from NO to mitochondria-derived H2O2.
Cigarette smoke attenuates the RIG-I-initiated innate antiviral response to influenza infection in two murine models
Authors: Wu Wenxin , Zhang Wei , More Sunil , Booth J. Leland , Duggan Elizabeth S. , Liu Lin , Zhao Yan D. , Metcalf Jordan P.
Published: September 2014

Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure increases the frequency and severity of respiratory tract infections. Despite this association, the mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility to respiratory virus infection are poorly understood. Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) is an important regulator of influenza virus-induced expression of antiviral cytokines, mainly interferons (IFNs), which are necessary to clear viral infections. In this study, we compared the innate cytokine responses of two mouse CS exposure models following a challenge with influenza A virus (IAV): 1) exposure of the mice to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) intratracheally and 2) exposure of the mice to CS in a whole body exposure chamber. Both intratracheal CSE treatment and whole body CS exposure caused antiviral immunosuppression in these mice, and both CS exposure methods inhibited RIG-I induction. CS attenuated influenza-induced antiviral IFNs and IP-10 expression in vivo. However, we did not find that CS inhibited induction of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, whose expression was induced by IAV. Interestingly, IAV infection also increased Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) expression in mouse lung, but CS exposure did not impact TLR3 induction in these mice. Together, the results support our previous finding in a human lung organ culture model that the suppression of RIG-I induction and antiviral cytokine responses by CS are likely important in the enhanced susceptibility of smokers to influenza infection in the lung.
Adiponectin Receptor Signaling on Dendritic Cells Blunts Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Tan Peng H. , Tyrrell Helen E.J. , Gao Liquan , Xu Danmei , Quan Jianchao , Gill Dipender , Rai Lena , Ding Yunchuan , Plant Gareth , Chen Yuan , Xue John Z. , Handa Ashok I. , Greenall Michael J. , Walsh Kenneth , Xue Shao-An
Published: September 2014

Immune escape is a fundamental trait of cancer. Dendritic cells (DC) that interact with T cells represent a crucial site for the development of tolerance to tumor antigens, but there remains incomplete knowledge about how DC-tolerizing signals evolve during tumorigenesis. In this study, we show that DCs isolated from patients with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer express high levels of the adiponectin receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, which are sufficient to blunt antitumor immunity. Mechanistic investigations of ligand–receptor interactions on DCs revealed novel signaling pathways for each receptor. AdipoR1 stimulated IL10 production by activating the AMPK and MAPKp38 pathways, whereas AdipoR2 modified inflammatory processes by activating the COX-2 and PPARγ pathways. Stimulation of these pathways was sufficient to block activation of NF-κB in DC, thereby attenuating their ability to stimulate antigen-specific T-cell responses. Together, our findings reveal novel insights into how DC-tolerizing signals evolve in cancer to promote immune escape. Furthermore, by defining a critical role for adiponectin signaling in this process, our work suggests new and broadly applicable strategies for immunometabolic therapy in patients with cancer. Cancer Res; 74(20); 5711–22. ©2014 AACR.
Cellular Disposal of miR23b by RAB27-Dependent Exosome Release Is Linked to Acquisition of Metastatic Properties
Authors: Ostenfeld Marie Stampe , Jeppesen Dennis K. , Laurberg Jens R. , Boysen Anders T. , Bramsen Jesper B. , Primdal-Bengtson Bjarke , Hendrix An , Lamy Philippe , Dagnaes-Hansen Frederik , Rasmussen Mads H. , Bui Khan H. , Fristrup Niels , Christensen Erik I. , Nordentoft Iver , Morth Jens P. , Jensen Jørgen B. , Pedersen Jakob S. , Beck Martin , Theodorescu Dan , Borre Michael , Howard Kenneth A. , Dyrskjøt Lars , Ørntoft Torben Falck
Published: September 2014

Exosomes are small secreted vesicles that can transfer their content to recipient cells. In cancer, exosome secretion has been implicated in tumor growth and metastatic spread. In this study, we explored the possibility that exosomal pathways might discard tumor-suppressor miRNA that restricts metastatic progression. Secreted miRNA characterized from isogenic bladder carcinoma cell lines with differing metastatic potential were uncoupled from binding to target transcripts or the AGO2–miRISC complex. In metastatic cells, we observed a relative increase in secretion of miRNA with tumor-suppressor functions, including miR23b, miR224, and miR921. Ectopic expression of miR23b inhibited invasion, anoikis, angiogenesis, and pulmonary metastasis. Silencing of the exocytotic RAB family members RAB27A or RAB27B halted miR23b and miR921 secretion and reduced cellular invasion. Clinically, elevated levels of RAB27B expression were linked to poor prognosis in two independent cohorts of patients with bladder cancer. Moreover, highly exocytosed miRNA from metastatic cells, such as miR23b, were reduced in lymph node metastases compared with patient-matched primary tumors and were correlated with increments in miRNA-targeted RNA. Taken together, our results suggested that exosome-mediated secretion of tumor-suppressor miRNA is selected during tumor progression as a mechanism to coordinate activation of a metastatic cascade. Cancer Res; 74(20); 5758–71. ©2014 AACR.
A Hypusine–eIF5A–PEAK1 Switch Regulates the Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Fujimura Ken , Wright Tracy , Strnadel Jan , Kaushal Sharmeela , Metildi Cristina , Lowy Andrew M. , Bouvet Michael , Kelber Jonathan A. , Klemke Richard L.
Published: September 2014

Deregulation of protein synthesis is a hallmark of cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastatic progression. eIF5A1 and its highly related isoform eIF5A2 are translation initiation factors that have been implicated in a range of human malignancies, but how they control cancer development and disease progression is still poorly understood. Here, we investigated how eIF5A proteins regulate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) pathogenesis. eIF5A proteins are the only known proteins regulated by a distinct posttranslational modification termed hypusination, which is catalyzed by two enzymes, deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH). The highly selective nature of the hypusine modification and its amenability to pharmacologic inhibition make eIF5A proteins attractive therapeutic targets. We found that the expression and hypusination of eIF5A proteins are upregulated in human PDAC tissues and in premalignant pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia tissues isolated from Pdx-1-Cre: LSL-KRASG12D mice. Knockdown of eIF5A proteins in PDAC cells inhibited their growth in vitro and orthotopic tumor growth in vivo, whereas amplification of eIF5A proteins increased PDAC cell growth and tumor formation in mice. Small-molecule inhibitors of DHPS and DOHH both suppressed eIF5A hypusination, preventing PDAC cell growth. Interestingly, we found that eIF5A proteins regulate PDAC cell growth by modulating the expression of PEAK1, a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase essential for PDAC cell growth and therapy resistance. Our findings suggest that eIF5A proteins utilize PEAK1 as a downstream effector to drive PDAC pathogenesis and that pharmacologic inhibition of the eIF5A–hypusine–PEAK1 axis may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to combat this deadly disease. Cancer Res; 74(22); 6671–81. ©2014 AACR.
Saphenous Vein Graft Failure After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Hess Connie N. , Lopes Renato D. , Gibson C. Michael , Hager Rebecca , Wojdyla Daniel M. , Englum Brian R. , Mack Michael J. , Califf Robert M. , Kouchoukos Nicholas T. , Peterson Eric D. , Alexander John H.
Published: September 2014

Background—

Coronary artery bypass grafting success is limited by vein graft failure (VGF). Understanding the factors associated with VGF may improve patient outcomes.

Methods and Results—

We examined 1828 participants in the Project of Ex Vivo Vein Graft Engineering via Transfection IV (PREVENT IV) trial undergoing protocol-mandated follow-up angiography 12 to 18 months post–coronary artery bypass grafting or earlier clinically driven angiography. Outcomes included patient- and graft-level angiographic VGF (≥75% stenosis or occlusion). Variables were selected by using Fast False Selection Rate methodology. We examined relationships between variables and VGF in patient- and graft-level models by using logistic regression without and with generalized estimating equations. At 12 to 18 months post–coronary artery bypass grafting, 782 of 1828 (42.8%) patients had VGF, and 1096 of 4343 (25.2%) vein grafts had failed. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between patients with and without VGF, although VGF patients had longer surgical times, worse target artery quality, longer graft length, and they more frequently underwent endoscopic vein harvesting. After multivariable adjustment, longer surgical duration (odds ratio per 10-minute increase, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.07), endoscopic vein harvesting (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–1.71), poor target artery quality (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.84), and postoperative use of clopidogrel or ticlopidine (odds ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.69) were associated with patient-level VGF. The predicted likelihood of VGF in the graft-level model ranged from 12.1% to 63.6%.

Conclusions—

VGF is common and associated with patient and surgical factors. These findings may help identify patients with risk factors for VGF and inform the development of interventions to reduce VGF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00042081.
Changes in Legislation on Foster Family Care in the Arab Republic of Egypt
Authors: Megahead Hamido A.
Published: September 2014

This article reports on changes in legislation on foster family care in the Arab Republic of Egypt, specifically the replacement and/or addition of terms to the Egyptian Ministry Decree (17) 1968 and Egyptian Child Law No. 12 of 1996. The replacement of terms refers to Terms 4 and 10 in Article 87 of the Egyptian Child Law No. 12 of 1996. Term 4 addresses the numbers of biological siblings and foster children permitted in a foster family. Term 10 relates to how contact should be managed between a foster child and its biological family. The terms added are Terms D and H in Article 83 and Terms 10 and 12 in Article 87 of the Egyptian Child Law No. 12 of 1996. Terms D and H focus on the objectives of the foster family care system. Terms 10 and 12 address the process of reuniting a foster child with its biological family and the issue of retaining a foster child’s original parentage.
Business Diplomacy in Practice: Advancing Interests in Crisis Situations
Authors: Small James M.
Published: September 2014

This practitioner’s perspective focuses on how to combine the efforts of a company, home and supportive governments, and key stakeholders to address, and hopefully to overcome, an issue caused by the harmful actions of a host government against a company. It begins with a suggested definition for what constitutes business diplomacy based on the author’s experience of working with companies that have used this approach in the Balkans, Central Asia, West Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as commenting on how the practice of business diplomacy should be viewed as distinct from other forms of high-level advocacy that a company may wish to undertake in addressing issues in a foreign country. It then looks at the importance of aligning a company’s private interests with the national interests of a home and supportive government and, ideally, with essential allies. This section also looks at the reasons why a company would want to turn to diplomacy for assistance, the issues at stake when a supportive government agrees to take on the company’s cause, and the importance of maintaining that alignment throughout the business diplomacy effort. The article then looks at the elements that need to be understood in order to advance those aligned interests towards a common objective and a measurable result. Finally, the article concludes with some practical recommendations, both for companies operating in foreign countries and their home governments.
Business Diplomacy Competence: A Requirement for Implementing the oecd’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Authors: Saner Raymond , Yiu Lichia
Published: September 2014

Faced with pressures from governments and civil society, multinational enterprises (mnes) have increasingly committed themselves to signing codes, charters and guidelines of good conduct developed, for instance, by the United Nations (the un Global Compact), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (oecd Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises), or multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Kimberly Process (a joint governmental, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds). The issue of how to implement such commitments requires abilities to engage external counterparts constructively and — equally important — the ability to convince actors within a mne to agree to implement such codes of conduct. This article discusses the challenges of implementing the oecd Guidelines and proposes that mnes consider appointing business diplomats, who the authors consider are best qualified to meet these complex but also increasingly important business challenges. Business diplomats are best qualified to nurture such a business culture that supports, leads and cajoles a mne to orient its business activities towards an overall balance of diverse objectives and respect for obligations. These objectives and obligations are at times in opposition with each other, and at other times coalesce towards achieving a sustained business that is based on publically agreed criteria of good conduct.
Redefining Digital Diplomacy: Modelling Business Diplomacy by Internet Companies in China
Authors: West Sarah Myers
Published: September 2014

This article develops a conceptual framework for analyzing the international activities of internet companies. It focuses specifically on the question of whether internet companies’ activities are examples of business diplomacy, by examining cases of conflict between corporate actors and the Chinese government and their negotiations under a divided set of loyalties. In so doing, the article seeks to re-examine notions of sovereignty as applied to cyberspace, and to engage in a conceptual discussion of critical issues on the role of business diplomacy in the internet governance debate. Ultimately, it argues that while their activities are more commercial than diplomatic on the whole, internet companies cannot be neutral actors outside of international politics. The article thus makes a case for greater engagement by companies in business diplomacy on a country-to-country basis.
Health Care Access for Latino Mixed-Status Families
Authors: Castañeda Heide , Melo Milena Andrea
Published: September 2014

There are approximately 2.3 million mixed-status families in the United States, containing varied combinations of citizens, permanent legal residents, undocumented immigrants, and individuals in legal limbo. These families offer an opportunity to examine the functioning of the contemporary state and its penetration at the household level. For many Latino youth, experiences are framed not only by their own but other family members’ legal status. This article reports on health care seeking experiences of mixed-status families in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and the impact of the recent health care reform (Affordable Care Act). We utilized qualitative ethnographic methods including 55 semistructured interviews with mixed-status families and 43 interviews with health care providers, caseworkers, and public health officials. Results indicate that changes accompanying the reform directly and indirectly affect mixed-status households’ ability to access care. We describe strategies in times of illness, including those unique to border communities. We conclude that, for successful implementation of policies associated with health care reform, broader issues related to immigration status must be addressed, especially anxieties regarding future chances of regularization. These uniquely affect mixed-status families, create a ripple effect on all household members, and result in unintended consequences for U.S. citizen children. Implications point to the need for a pathway to citizenship for parents as a basic step in improving well-being of children.
Falsely raised whole blood chloride caused by systemic absorption of cerium nitrate cream for burns
Authors: Ha Leah Y , Woollard Gerald A , Chiu Weldon W
Published: September 2014

Whole blood, serum or plasma chloride is almost exclusively measured by potentiometry with an ion-selective chloride electrode which utilizes membrane selectivity to chloride ions. Other anions such as bromide, iodide and thiosulphate can interfere but usually are not present in high enough concentration to cause significant cross reactivity. A patient from our burns unit had serial chloride measurements on a Radiometer ABL800 blood gas analyser. The results were higher in contrast to plasma measurements on the Abbott Architect Ci8200, which were within reference intervals and in line with the patient's pathophysiological status. This indicated a likely interference with the blood gas analyser chloride estimation. The chloride results on the ABL800 for 3rd, 4th and 5th day after the burn accident were 170, 137 and 119 mmol/L. Corresponding plasma chloride results on the Ci8200 were all around 105 mmol/L. Nitrate was found to be markedly elevated in these samples, and the results were 6.7, 4.9 and 1.1 mmol/L, respectively (reference limit < 0.08 mmol/L). To further demonstrate nitrate was the causative agent, pooled plasma spiked with 7 mmol/L of sodium nitrate caused a rise in the ABL800 chloride from 105 to 202 mmol/L. Later we confirmed that the patient was topically medicated with cerium nitrate cream (Flammacerium®, Sinclair IS Pharma, UK) for his burns. In summary, the results clearly indicated nitrate was the interferent with the ABL800 chloride estimation and the source was the topical burns cerium nitrate cream.
Social Justice Beyond the Classroom
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sriya , Ashby Kimberly M. , Goodman Lisa A.
Published: September 2014

Counseling psychology doctoral programs across the country are working to develop new approaches to bring social justice to the curriculum. Boston College has done so, in part, through a course titled Counseling in Context. The three core emphases are (a) ongoing self-examination of power and privilege, (b) applying traditional counseling skills to community-level problems, and (c) building from a clear intellectual and values framework. Building on an ally development conceptual frame, we illustrate how these principles were used to develop an intervention to combat Islamophobia on campus in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. The Don’t Meet Hurt With Hate. Love Islam Campaign served to support Muslims and engage non-Muslims in ally behavior, engaging more than 400 students on campus and 10,000 people virtually. In demonstrating how students can act with and for oppressed communities, we hope to provide a template for similar actions on other campuses.
The Sentencing Consequences of Federal Pretrial Supervision
Authors: Oleson James C. , Lowenkamp Christopher T. , Wooldredge John , VanNostrand Marie , Cadigan Timothy P.
Published: September 2014

Legal variables, such as offense severity and criminal history, principally shape sentencing decisions, but extralegal factors such as race, gender, and age also influence sentencing outcomes. Studies focusing on the effect of pretrial detention on sentencing outcomes usually associate pretrial detention with negative sentencing outcomes. The current study followed 90,037 federal defendants from indictment through sentencing, and measured the effects of pretrial detention on sentencing decisions. Detention (and, to a lesser degree, revocation of pretrial release) was associated with increased likelihood of receiving a prison sentence and greater sentence length, even when controlling for offense severity and criminal history scores.
Psychophysical Evaluation of Haptic Perception Under Augmentation by a Handheld Device
Authors: Wu Bing , Klatzky Roberta , Lee Randy , Shivaprabhu Vikas , Galeotti John , Siegel Mel , Schuman Joel S. , Hollis Ralph , Stetten George
Published: September 2014

Objective:

This study investigated the effectiveness of force augmentation in haptic perception tasks.

Background:

Considerable engineering effort has been devoted to developing force augmented reality (AR) systems to assist users in delicate procedures like microsurgery. In contrast, far less has been done to characterize the behavioral outcomes of these systems, and no research has systematically examined the impact of sensory and perceptual processes on force augmentation effectiveness.

Method:

Using a handheld force magnifier as an exemplar haptic AR, we conducted three experiments to characterize its utility in the perception of force and stiffness. Experiments 1 and 2 measured, respectively, the user’s ability to detect and differentiate weak force (<0.5 N) with or without the assistance of the device and compared it to direct perception. Experiment 3 examined the perception of stiffness through the force augmentation.

Results:

The user’s ability to detect and differentiate small forces was significantly improved by augmentation at both threshold and suprathreshold levels. The augmentation also enhanced stiffness perception. However, although perception of augmented forces matches that of the physical equivalent for weak forces, it falls off with increasing intensity.

Conclusion:

The loss in the effectiveness reflects the nature of sensory and perceptual processing. Such perceptual limitations should be taken into consideration in the design and development of haptic AR systems to maximize utility.

Application:

The findings provide useful information for building effective haptic AR systems, particularly for use in microsurgery.
Exploring Relationships of Human-Automation Interaction Consequences on Pilots
Authors: Durso Francis T. , Stearman Eric J. , Morrow Daniel G. , Mosier Kathleen L. , Fischer Ute , Pop Vlad L. , Feigh Karen M.
Published: September 2014

Objective:

We attempted to understand the latent structure underlying the systems pilots use to operate in situations involving human-automation interaction (HAI).

Background:

HAI is an important characteristic of many modern work situations. Of course, the cognitive subsystems are not immediately apparent by observing a functioning system, but correlations between variables may reveal important relations.

Method:

The current report examined pilot judgments of 11 HAI dimensions (e.g., Workload, Task Management, Stress/Nervousness, Monitoring Automation, and Cross-Checking Automation) across 48 scenarios that required airline pilots to interact with automation on the flight deck.

Results:

We found three major clusters of the dimensions identifying subsystems on the flight deck: a workload subsystem, a management subsystem, and an awareness subsystem.

Discussion:

Relationships characterized by simple correlations cohered in ways that suggested underlying subsystems consistent with those that had previously been theorized.

Application:

Understanding the relationship among dimensions affecting HAI is an important aspect in determining how a new piece of automation designed to affect one dimension will affect other dimensions as well.
Interstate competition and Chinese ascendancy: The political construction of the global cotton market, 1973–2012
Authors: Quark Amy A , Slez Adam
Published: September 2014

This article argues that interstate competition over the organization of the world economy shapes the spatial configuration of commodity chains. This departs from much of the literature that emphasizes firm- and sector-level dynamics. To illustrate this argument, we use formal network methods in conjunction with a historical analysis to examine the evolution of the global cotton trade between 1973 and 2012. Through this analysis, we demonstrate that changes in the spatial configuration of the cotton market were shaped by changes in the nature of competition among the most powerful states in the world economy. While the cotton trade was once characterized by a bipolar network reflecting the nature of interstate competition under the Cold War, by the early 2000s China’s accession to the World Trade Organization and the end of the Multi-Fiber Arrangement had dramatically reshaped the global cotton market. The result was a binodal network in which trade flows were increasingly concentrated between China and the United States.
Predicting fiber composite damage and failure
Authors: Rohwer Klaus
Published: September 2014

Considerable effort has been put into the development of models describing damage and failure of fiber composites. This paper aims at providing an overview of models for intralaminate fracture of continuous fiber-reinforced polymer composites under quasi-static load. The models are grouped into homogeneous ones, those with some effect of inhomogeneity between fibers and the matrix, and fully inhomogeneous ones. Even a world-wide competition was not able to decide for the one and only homogeneous model. Accounting for the inhomogeneity between fibers and the matrix allows being more close to the real behavior on the account of higher computational effort. They suffer, however, from the difficulty to gather reliable material data. In summary, it must be concluded that a fully satisfying solution is not yet available. Consequently, for the time being, a real test remains the authentic way to secure structural strength.
Global Burden of Severe Periodontitis in 1990-2010
Authors: Kassebaum N.J. , Bernabé E. , Dahiya M. , Bhandari B. , Murray C.J.L. , Marcenes W.
Published: September 2014

We aimed to consolidate all epidemiologic data about severe periodontitis (SP) and, subsequently, to generate internally consistent prevalence and incidence estimates for all countries, 20 age groups, and both sexes for 1990 and 2010. The systematic search of the literature yielded 6,394 unique citations. After screening titles and abstracts, we excluded 5,881 citations as clearly not relevant to this systematic review, leaving 513 for full-text review. A further 441 publications were excluded following the validity assessment. A total of 72 studies, including 291,170 individuals aged 15 yr or older in 37 countries, were included in the metaregression based on modeling resources of the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. SP was the sixth-most prevalent condition in the world. Between 1990 and 2010, the global age-standardized prevalence of SP was static at 11.2% (95% uncertainty interval: 10.4%-11.9% in 1990 and 10.5%-12.0% in 2010). The age-standardized incidence of SP in 2010 was 701 cases per 100,000 person-years (95% uncertainty interval: 599-823), a nonsignificant increase from the 1990 incidence of SP. Prevalence increased gradually with age, showing a steep increase between the third and fourth decades of life that was driven by a peak in incidence at around 38 yr of age. There were considerable variations in prevalence and incidence between regions and countries. Policy makers need to be aware of a predictable increasing burden of SP due to the growing world population associated with an increasing life expectancy and a significant decrease in the prevalence of total tooth loss throughout the world from 1990 to 2010.
Book Review: Pratiksha Baxi, Public Secrets of Law: Rape Trials in India
Authors: P.M. Arathi
Published: September 2014

Pratiksha Baxi, Public Secrets of Law: Rape Trials in India, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2014, pp. 433, ₹1150.
Book Review: Hira Singh, Recasting Caste: From Sacred to the Profane
Authors: Pankaj Ashok K.
Published: September 2014

Hira Singh, Recasting Caste: From Sacred to the Profane, Delhi, SAGE Publications, 2014, pp. XIX + 288, ₹795.
Trading places: Accumulation as mediation in French ministry map depots, 1798–1810
Authors: Kingston Ralph
Published: September 2014

During the French Revolution, the comparative geographer Jean-Denis Barbié du Bocage lost his patron, his job, and (most importantly) his access to source materials. Working for ministry map depots, however, he was able to forge new alliances and, by acting as a broker between different actors and interests, mobilize new networks of accumulation inside France and across central and eastern Europe. In these new centers of accumulation, Barbié translated the meanings and the significance of the objects he collected to fit the interests of the different constituencies in his network: including French politicians, diplomats and consuls, Greek merchants and Enlightenment scholars. The strength of the ‘mobiles’ he collected was their mutability, the ease with which they could be repurposed. Such translations shifted Barbié’s own assumptions about the ways in which old and new information could be combined both in his work for the government and in his private antiquarian scholarship.
A Meta-Analysis of Single-Case Research on Behavior Contracts
Authors: Bowman-Perrott Lisa , Burke Mack D. , de Marin Sharon , Zhang Nan , Davis Heather
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize the single-case research (SCR) literature on the use of behavior contracts with children and youth. This study examined the efficacy of behavior contracts on problem behaviors and academic behaviors across 18 SCR studies. Academic and behavioral outcomes were examined for 58 children and youth ages 5 to 21 using the TauU effect size index. Results indicated the overall moderate effect of the use of behavior contracts was ES = .57 (95% confidence interval [CI95] = [0.55, 0.58]) with a range of effects across studies (ES = .27 to ES = 1.00). Moderator analyses indicated that behavior contracts are beneficial for students regardless of grade level, gender, or disability status. Findings suggest that the intervention is more effective in reducing inappropriate behaviors than increasing appropriate behaviors, and that academic outcomes are positively affected by behavior contracting.
Iodine Deficiency in a Parenteral Nutrition–Dependent Adolescent With Intestinal Pseudo‐Obstruction
Authors: Mortensen Melissa , Williamson Nila , Davis Cheryl , Kanyu Hsu Evelyn , Javid Patrick J. , Horslen Simon
Published: September 2014

Routine supplementation of iodine in parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions is not current practice in the United States. In this case study, we describe an incidental finding of goiter in a long‐term PN‐dependent adolescent. With increased iodine screening, we then identified additional patients with undetectable urinary iodine concentrations in our population of children with short bowel receiving long‐term PN. We hypothesize that 2 practice changes are possibly reducing iodine provision to long‐term PN‐dependent patients: transition to alcohol‐based skin preparations and lipid minimization.
Dual‐Purpose Gastric Decompression and Enteral Feeding Tubes Rationale and Design of Novel Nasogastric and Nasogastrojejunal Tubes
Authors: Silk David B. A. , Quinn David G.
Published: September 2014

Background: The importance of early postoperative nutrition in surgical patients and early institution of enteral nutrition in intensive care unit (ICU) patients have recently been highlighted. Unfortunately, institution of enteral feeding in both groups of patients often has to be postponed due to delayed gastric emptying and the need for gastric decompression. The design of current polyvinylchloride (PVC) gastric decompression tubes (Salem Sump [Covidien, Mansfield, MA] in the United States; Ryles [Penine Health Care Ltd, Derby, UK] in the United Kingdom and Europe) make them unsuitable for their subsequent use as either nasogastric enteral feeding tubes or for continued gastric decompression during postpyloric enteral feeding. To overcome these problems, we have designed a range of polyurethane (PU) dual‐purpose gastric decompression and enteral feeding tubes that include 2 nasogastric tubes (double lumen to replace Salem Sump; single lumen to replace Ryles). Two novel multilumen nasogastrojejunal tubes (triple lumen for the United States; double lumen for the United Kingdom and Europe) complete the range. By using PU, a given internal diameter (ID) and flow area can be incorporated into a lower outside diameter (OD) compared with that achieved with PVC. The ID and lumen and flow area of an 18Fr (OD 6.7 mm) PVC Salem Sump can be incorporated into a 14Fr (OD 4.7 mm) PU tube. The design of aspiration/infusion ports of current PVC and PU tubes invites occlusion by gastrointestinal mucosa and clogging by mucus and enteral feed. To overcome this, we have designed long, single, widened, smooth, and curved edge ports with no “dead space” to trap mucus or curdled diet. Involving up to 214° of the circumference, these ports have up to 11 times the flow areas of the aspiration ports of current PVC tubes. Conclusion: The proposed designs will lead to the development of dual‐purpose nasogastric and nasojejunal tubes that will significantly improve the clinical and nutrition care of postoperative and ICU patients.
Exploring characteristics of video consuming behaviour in different social media using K-pop videos
Authors: Kim Yong Hwan , Lee Dahee , Han Nam Gi , Song Min
Published: September 2014

Differences in user behaviours appearing across different social media are yet to be explored. This paper aims to investigate aspects of the way users consume Web videos, which is a specific cultural behaviour, reflected in different social media. Specifically, we looked at YouTube K-pop videos viewed on YouTube or mentioned on Twitter, which were collected by Web crawling and used for building the respective networks. The node of the networks is the video, and the edges are the relatedness in the YouTube network and the co-link relationships in the Twitter network. Multilateral analysis is conducted to compare two networks. We found that users focused heavily on K-pop music in the YouTube network whereas they were engaged in a more diverse range of cultural contents including music, dance and TV programmes in the Twitter network. This study can be extended to the other user studies to better understand user behaviour of social media.
Correction of Protruding Ears (Weerda Grade I Deformity) Using Knotless Bidirectional Barbed Absorbable Sutures
Authors: Taboada‐Suárez Antonio , Brea‐García Beatriz , Couto‐González Ivan , Vila‐Moriente José Luís
Published: September 2014

Objective

To introduce a variant of the Furnas technique using a knotless bidirectional barbed absorbable suture for the correction of Weerda grade I prominent ears.

Study Design

Comparative study between groups of patients and literature review.

Setting

Tertiary care teaching hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Review of 25 patients who underwent otoplasty by the technique described by Furnas and 23 patients who underwent otoplasty by this modified technique using knotless bidirectional barbed absorbable sutures. Postoperative complications and level of satisfaction were measured.

Results

The postoperative complication rate was low regardless of the suture technique used. We observed statistical significance in relation to the pain caused by the suture knots (P <. 001). The reoperation rate was on the limit of statistical significance (P =. 051). In the group with bidirectional barbed absorbable sutures, no reoperation was required. In the group with classic sutures, reoperation was necessary in 5 cases to correct recurrence and in 1 case to correct asymmetry. Furthermore, in 4 cases of this group, sutures were removed due to pain or extrusion. The overall long‐term satisfaction rate was 91.6% in the group operated with classic suture techniques and 95.7% in the group operated with knotless bidirectional barbed absorbable sutures.

Conclusion

The use of knotless bidirectional barbed absorbable sutures in the Furnas technique is simple and fast and presents few complications. The major advantages that we obtained with the use of this technique were the absence of discomfort caused by the type of suture and the fact that no reoperation was required to correct relapses.
Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy on the muscle architecture and functional capacity in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Melo Mônica de Oliveira , Pompeo Klauber Dalcero , Brodt Guilherme Auler , Baroni Bruno Manfredini , da Silva Junior Danton Pereira , Vaz Marco Aurélio
Published: September 2014

Objectives:

To determine the effects of low-level laser therapy in combination with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the muscle architecture and functional capacity of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Design:

A randomized, evaluator-blinded clinical trial with sequential allocation of patients to three different treatment groups.

Setting:

Exercise Research Laboratory.

Subjects:

A total of 45 elderly females with knee osteoarthritis, 2-4 osteoarthritis degrees, aged 66–75 years.

Intervention:

Participants were randomized into one of the following three intervention groups: electrical stimulation group (18–32 minutes of pulsed current, stimulation frequency of 80 Hz, pulse duration of 200 μs and stimulation intensity fixed near the maximal tolerated), laser group (low-level laser therapy dose of 4–6 J per point, six points at the knee joint) or combined group (electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy). All groups underwent a four-week control period (without intervention) followed by an eight-week intervention period.

Main measures:

The muscle thickness, pennation angle and fascicle length were assessed by ultrasonography, and the functional capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walk test and the Timed Up and Go Test.

Results:

After intervention, only the electrical stimulation and combined groups exhibited significant increases in the muscle thickness (27%–29%) and pennation angle (24%–34%) values. The three groups exhibited increased performance on the walk test (5%–9%). However, no significant differences in terms of functional improvements were observed between the groups.

Conclusions:

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduced the deleterious effects of osteoarthritis on the quadriceps structure. Low-level laser therapy did not potentiate the effects of electrical stimulation on the evaluated parameters.
A new technique of in vivo synchrotron radiation coronary microangiography in the rat
Authors: Sakamoto Hiroaki , Matsushita Shonosuke , Hyodo Kazuyuki , Tokunaga Chiho , Sato Fujio , Hiramatsu Yuji
Published: September 2014

Background

Previously, in our laboratory, synchrotron radiation coronary microangiography (SRCA) using Langendorff-perfused rat hearts could visualize a coronary artery of 50 µm in diameter. However, in vivo rat SRCA poses the problem of compromised temporal resolution due to the rapid heart rate of rats.

Purpose

To establish a simple method of in vivo rat SRCA with bradycardia induced by intravenous injection of adenosine triphosphate disodium hydrate (ATP).

Material and Methods

SRCA was performed at the Photon Factory of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (Tsukuba, Japan). Eight male Wistar rats were anesthetized. A catheter for injecting the contrast material was inserted into the carotid artery. Temporary bradycardia was induced by an intravenous bolus injection of 5 mg of ATP, and SRCA was performed immediately thereafter.

Results

After ATP administration, the average heart rate decreased from 388 to 73 beats per minute. As a result, we could detect a coronary artery as small as 45 µm in diameter.

Conclusion

Our SRCA system which has a high resolution of 9 µm per pixel could detect a coronary artery as small as 45 µm in diameter in the in vivo rat.
Methodology for estimating strain gauge measurement biases and uncertainties on isotropic materials
Authors: Arpin-Pont Jérémy , Gagnon Martin , Tahan Antoine S , Coutu André , Thibault Denis
Published: September 2014

Compared to actual strains, the values obtained with strain gauges during experimental measurements contain biases and uncertainties. In this article, we propose a methodology using Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the effects of biases and uncertainties from the following: location uncertainty, integration effect and transverse sensitivity errors in unidirectional strain gauges. Moreover, the specific behaviour of welded gauges is also considered. The approach simulates strain gauges on the displacement fields obtained from the structure’s finite element analyses to predict the expected biases and uncertainties. With the use of experimental measurements designed to highlight the biases between gauge measurements and finite element analyses strain results, we verify the methodology. In our experimental verification, we observe that biases are adequately predicted by the proposed method. It is worth mentioning that such an approach can be used not only for validations between finite element analyses and experimental measurements but also for optimizations of strain gauge positioning during measurement campaigns.
Evidence of speculation in world oil prices
Authors: Roberts Dale , Ryan Laura
Published: September 2014

It has recently been suggested that financial speculation is now playing an important role in daily price movements of global oil prices. This raises the question: what are important drivers of price changes given this new speculative regime? We identify new factors of the oil market related to speculation by fitting subset vector autoregression models with exogenous variables (SubVARX) and rank them by importance. Further, to account for model uncertainty and to obtain robust parameter estimation in this study, we apply a bootstrap model selection procedure. We find that certain speculative factors explain a large portion of the variation in oil price for the given data set.
Capital, Economic Crises, Institutions and History
Authors: O’Hara Phillip Anthony
Published: September 2014

This article examines different ways of “doing” heterodox political economy by way of “book plans” for “principles and practices” volumes (and articles). First, the Uno Japanese School method is scrutinized, as utilized by Robert Albritton and John Bell; starting with [a] the pure theory of “capital”; followed by [b] stages of evolution including institutions; and concluding with [c] political economy history. Second, this is compared with the methods of Michael Lebowitz and David Harvey, who both seek to interpenetrate within discourse the [i] the principles of “capital,” with more concrete issues such as [ii] wage labor, [iii] landed property, [iv] state, and [v] the uneven world economy and crises. Third, the Japanese School, Lebowitz, and Harvey methods are compared vis-à-vis both Karl Marx’s “Book Plans” and explanations of the 2008-14 crises of capitalism (deep recessions, debt crises). Fourth, I introduce other plans, such as those developed by Samuel Bowles, Howard Sherman, and Danny Mackinnon (and coauthors), respectively. One of these such plans starts with [1] history and institutions; followed by [2] capitalism and the surplus; linking this with [3] social structures of accumulation, community, and state; and last adding [4] policy/governance plus alternative systems and institutions. The significance of these various book plans for the future of heterodox political economy is then outlined.