bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Examination of Knowledge Management Processes and Market Orientation, Innovation Capability, and Organisational Performance: Insights from Jordan
Authors: Migdadi Mahmoud M. , Zaid Mohammed K. Abu , Yousif Mohammed , Almestarihi Ra’d , Al-Hyari Khalil
Published: February 2017

There are many studies discussing how knowledge management and market orientation (MO) are positively related to innovation, but an examination of the impact of the knowledge management processes (KMP) — as we conceptualize the four in this study — and MO on the innovation capability of organisations which in turn impact organisational performance has never been done. Hence, this study formulates a comprehensive conceptual framework which encompasses KMP (knowledge creation, intra-organisational knowledge sharing and application, external knowledge acquisition, and knowledge storage and documentation), MO (customer orientation, competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination), innovation capability (product, process, marketing and organisational innovation), and organisational performance (product quality, operational performance and financial performance). Then empirically test the relationships among the study models with the focus on the mediating role of innovation capability. The design of the study is based on a survey of 210 Jordanian manufacturing and service organisations. The sample of this study encompasses the mid-level managers of the organisations. About 440 self-administered questionnaires were distributed among the respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis is undertaken to assess statistically the validity of the study measures. Then the structural equation modelling (SEM) path analysis is used to assess the structural relationship of KMP, MO with innovation capability, and organisational performance. The results of the study reveal that engagement in KMP and MO can lead to better innovation capability in the organisations which in turn can lead to better organisational performance. The results we observe concerning this sample of companies may not be applicable to a greater population of companies from other countries with a different technological base or to specific subsectors of the manufacturing industry (e.g. the food industry). Moreover, the study represents only snapshots since it utilized self-administered questionnaires which also have no qualitative data. For the practicing managers intending to increase the rate of innovation in their firms, this means that KMP and MO are important activities to master. Additionally, managers should put additional emphasis on innovation as it is an important element for achieving improved overall firm’s performance and sustainable competitive power.
Fabrication of High Sensitive UV Photodetector Based on n-ZnO Nanowire/n-Porous-Si Heterojunction
Authors: Shahkarami M. M. Haji , Koohsorkhi J. , Fard H. Ghafoori
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we have reported the high sensitive UV detector using ZnO nanowires prepared on porous silicon (PS). The aligned naturally doped n-type zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires were grown on both PS and n-Si(100) substrates to produce isotype heterojunctions using hydrothermal method. The length of the nanowires ranges 3–4[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and the diameter 150–200[Formula: see text]nm. Grown ZnO nanowires on PS substrate has lower reflectivity value compared with Si substrate. The electrical behavior of such devices has been examined at different intensities of UV radiation. The current–voltage curve of the isotype heterojunction shows rectifying behavior in a dark environment. Under UV light, the current was increased by using PS instead of n-Si under reverse bias. The I–V characteristics of the device show a significant rise in the current for low intensity of UV radiation evidencing the high sensitivity of the reported structure. The sensitivity for such devices is obtained, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at UV radiation of 1.5[Formula: see text]mW/cm2 intensity at bias voltage of −0.75 V for three proposed structures. The samples have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate their structures and geometries.
Excellent Microwave Absorption Behaviors of Polyaniline Composites Containing CeO2 Nanorods in the X-Band
Authors: Xing Honglong , Yin Qing , Liu Zhenfeng , Wang Lei
Published: February 2017

Conductive polyaniline/CeO2 nanocomposite powders (PANI/CeO[Formula: see text] were prepared by an in situ polymerization method. The effects of CeO2 content on the microwave absorption properties of composites were investigated. The phase composition, morphological characteristics, electromagnetic parameters and microwave absorption properties of the composites were characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and vector network analysis. Results show that CeO2 nanorods are coated with PANI to form a well-defined hierarchical structure. CeO2 is well-incorporated into the PANI matrix. CeO2/PANI exhibits excellent microwave absorption properties at 2–18[Formula: see text]GHz. As the CeO2 content increases to 30[Formula: see text]wt.%, an optimal reflection loss (RL) of [Formula: see text]40[Formula: see text]dB (99.99% of electromagnetic wave absorption) is observed at 8.8[Formula: see text]GHz with a thickness of 3.0[Formula: see text]mm. The frequency bandwidth corresponding to 90% of electromagnetic wave absorption crosses the X-band. Therefore, PANI/CeO2 can be used as an advantageous candidate for a new type of microwave absorptive material.
Dynamic partner selection in Cloud Federation for ensuring the quality of service for cloud consumers
Authors: Thomas Manoj V. , Chandrasekaran K.
Published: February 2017

Cloud Computing has become the popular paradigm for accessing the various scalable and on-demand computing services over the internet. Nowadays, individual Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) offering specialized services to the customers collaborate to form the Cloud Federation, in order to reap the real benefits of Cloud Computing. By collaboration, the member CSPs of the federation achieve better resource utilization and Quality of Service (QoS), thereby increasing their business prospects. When a CSP runs out of resources in the Cloud Federation, in order to offload the customer requests for resources to other CSP(s), identifying a suitable partner is a challenging task due to the lack of global coordination among them. In this paper, we propose the design and implementation of an efficient partner selection mechanism in the Cloud Federation, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods, and also considering the trust values of various CSPs in the federation. The AHP method is used to calculate the weights of the QoS parameters used in the TOPSIS method which is used to rank the various CSPs in the Cloud Federation according to the user requirements. Simulation results show the effectiveness of this approach in order to efficiently select the trustworthy partners in large scale federations to ensure the required QoS to the cloud consumers.
Ranking the geothermal potential of radiothermal granites in Scotland: are any others as hot as the Cairngorms?
Authors: McCay Alistair T. , Younger Paul L.
Published: February 2017

Prior investigations concur that the granite plutons in Scotland which are most likely to prove favourable for geothermal exploration are the Ballater, Bennachie, Cairngorm and Mount Battock plutons, all of which have heat production values greater than 5 μW m
−3
. This heat production arises from the significant concentrations of potassium, uranium and thorium in some granite plutons. A new field-based gamma-ray spectrometric survey targeted plutons that were poorly surveyed in the past or near areas of high heat demand. This survey identifies several other plutons (Ben Rhinnes, Cheviot, Hill of Fare, Lochnagar and Monadhliath) with heat production rates between 3 and 5 μW m
−3
that could well have geothermal gradients sufficient for direct heat use rather than higher temperatures required for electricity generation.

The Criffel and Cheviot plutons are examples of Scottish granites that have concentric compositional zonation and some zones have significantly higher (up to 20%) heat production rates than others in the same plutons. However, the relatively small surface areas of individual high heat-production zones mean that it is unlikely to be worthwhile specifically targeting them.

Supplementary material:
The full set of heat production data is available at
https://doi.org/10.5525/gla.researchdata.302
Tsunami hazard in Central America: history and future
Authors: Lindholm Conrad , Strauch Wilfried , Fernández Mario
Published: February 2017

Central America is a small and culturally homogeneous region that, since the 1990s, has experienced economic and political integration of its six countries, which share the same threats of volcanic eruptions, disastrous earthquakes and tsunamis. The Pacific coastline of 1700 km is common for Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, and the Pacific subduction zone has the potential for creating huge tsunamis that threaten this coast. In addition to the natural hazard, the growing tourist industry is expanding its infrastructure along the Pacific beaches, which again enhances the exposure and tsunami risk. Even though the 1992 tsunami disaster in Nicaragua did not severely hit the tourist beaches, it raised the risk awareness, and special attention is now given to ‘slow’ earthquakes that may be modest in shaking while still having a large tsunami potential. The tsunami hazard mapping is well advanced in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador, and initiatives are ongoing to improve the mapping in all countries. National systems for early warning were established in Nicaragua and El Salvador, while the other four countries rely on rapid information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Mitigation measures and information campaigns are presently conducted on a national basis in all countries, but a regional centre for early tsunami warning and coordinated information campaigns (CATAC) is expected to become operational in the near future.
A global probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment from earthquake sources
Authors: Davies Gareth , Griffin Jonathan , Løvholt Finn , Glimsdal Sylfest , Harbitz Carl , Thio Hong Kie , Lorito Stefano , Basili Roberto , Selva Jacopo , Geist Eric , Baptista Maria Ana
Published: February 2017

Large tsunamis occur infrequently but have the capacity to cause enormous numbers of casualties, damage to the built environment and critical infrastructure, and economic losses. A sound understanding of tsunami hazard is required to underpin management of these risks, and while tsunami hazard assessments are typically conducted at regional or local scales, globally consistent assessments are required to support international disaster risk reduction efforts, and can serve as a reference for local and regional studies. This study presents a global-scale probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment (PTHA), extending previous global-scale assessments based largely on scenario analysis. Only earthquake sources are considered, as they represent about 80% of the recorded damaging tsunami events. Globally extensive estimates of tsunami run-up height are derived at various exceedance rates, and the associated uncertainties are quantified. Epistemic uncertainties in the exceedance rates of large earthquakes often lead to large uncertainties in tsunami run-up. Deviations between modelled tsunami run-up and event observations are quantified, and found to be larger than suggested in previous studies. Accounting for these deviations in PTHA is important, as it leads to a pronounced increase in predicted tsunami run-up for a given exceedance rate.
Testing and evaluation: the present and future of the assessment of medical professionals
Authors: Haist Steven A. , Butler Agata P. , Paniagua Miguel A.
Published: February 2017

The aim of this review is to highlight recent and potential future enhancements to the United States Licensing Examination (USMLE) program. The USMLE program is co-owned by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards. The USMLE includes four examinations: Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, Step 2 Clinical Skills, and Step 3; every graduate of Liaison Committee on Medical Education-accredited allopathic medical schools and all international medical graduates must pass this examination series to practice medicine in the United States. From 2006 to 2009, the program underwent an indepth review resulting in five accepted recommendations. These recommendations have been the primary driver for many of the recent enhancements, such as an increased emphasis on foundational science and changes in the clinical skills examination, including more advanced communication skills assessment. These recommendations will continue to inform future changes such as access to references (e.g., a map of metabolic pathways) or decision-making tools for use during the examination. The NBME also provides assessment services globally to medical schools, students, residency programs, and residents. In 2015, >550,000 assessments were provided through the subject examination program, NBME self-assessment services, and customized assessment services.
BMP4 inhibits PDGF-induced proliferation and collagen synthesis via PKA-mediated inhibition of calpain-2 in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: Cai Pengcheng , Kovacs Laszlo , Dong Sam , Wu Guangyu , Su Yunchao
Published: February 2017

In the present study, we investigated the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) on PDGF-induced cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Normal human PASMCs were incubated with and without PDGF-BB in the absence and presence of BMP4 for 0.5 to 24 h. The protein levels of collagen-I, p-Smad2/3, p-Smad1/5, and intracellular active TGF-β1, calpain activity, and cell proliferation were then measured. The results showed that BMP4 induced an increase in p-Smad1/5 but had no effect on the protein levels of collagen-I, p-Smad2/3, and intracellular active TGF-β1 and calpain activity in control PASMCs. Nevertheless, BMP4 attenuated increases in cell proliferation and protein levels of collagen-I, p-Smad2/3, and intracellular active TGF-β1 and calpain activity in PASMCs exposed to PDGF-BB. Moreover, BMP4 increased PKA activity and inhibition of PKA prevented the inhibitory effects of BMP4 on PDGF-BB-induced calpain activation in normal PASMCs. The PKA activator forskolin recapitulated the suppressive effect of BMP4 on PDGF-induced calpain activation. Furthermore, BMP4 prevented a PDGF-induced decrease in calpain-2 phosphorylation at serine-369 in normal PASMCs. Finally, BMP4 did not attenuate PDGF-induced increases in cell proliferation, collagen-I protein levels, and calpain activation and did not induce PKA activation and did not prevent a PDGF-induced decrease in calpain-2 phosphorylation at serine-369 in PASMCs from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. These data demonstrate that BMP4 inhibits PDGF-induced cell proliferation and collagen synthesis via PKA-mediated inhibition of calpain-2 in normal PASMCs. The inhibitory effects of BMP4 on PDGF-induced cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and calpain-2 activation are impaired in PASMCs from PAH patients, which may contribute to pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH.
An international collaboration studying the physiological and anatomical cerebral effects of carbon dioxide during head-down tilt bed rest: the SPACECOT study
Authors: Marshall-Goebel Karina , Mulder Edwin , Donoviel Dorit , Strangman Gary , Suarez Jose I. , Venkatasubba Rao Chethan , Frings-Meuthen Petra , Limper Ulrich , Rittweger Jörn , Bershad Eric M.
Published: February 2017

Exposure to the microgravity environment results in various adaptive and maladaptive physiological changes in the human body, with notable ophthalmic abnormalities developing during 6-mo missions on the International Space Station (ISS). These findings have led to the hypothesis that the loss of gravity induces a cephalad fluid shift, decreased cerebral venous outflow, and increased intracranial pressure, which may be further exacerbated by increased ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) levels on the ISS. Here we describe the SPACECOT study (studying the physiological and anatomical cerebral effects of CO2 during head-down tilt), a randomized, double-blind crossover design study with two conditions: 29 h of 12° head-down tilt (HDT) with ambient air and 29 h of 12° HDT with 0.5% CO2. The internationally collaborative SPACECOT study utilized an innovative approach to study the effects of headward fluid shifting induced by 12° HDT and increased ambient CO2 as well as their interaction with a focus on cerebral and ocular anatomy and physiology. Here we provide an in-depth overview of this new approach including the subjects, study design, and implementation, as well as the standardization plan for nutritional intake, environmental parameters, and bed rest procedures.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A new approach for investigating the combined effects of cephalad fluid shifting and increased ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) is presented. This may be useful for studying the neuroophthalmic and cerebral effects of spaceflight where cephalad fluid shifts occur in an elevated CO2 environment.
Inhibition of Age-Related Therapy Resistance in Melanoma by Rosiglitazone-Mediated Induction of Klotho
Authors: Behera Reeti , Kaur Amanpreet , Webster Marie R. , Kim Suyeon , Ndoye Abibatou , Kugel Curtis H. , Alicea Gretchen M. , Wang Joshua , Ghosh Kanad , Cheng Phil , Lisanti Sofia , Marchbank Katie , Dang Vanessa , Levesque Mitchell , Dummer Reinhard , Xu Xiaowei , Herlyn Meenhard , Aplin Andrew E. , Roesch Alexander , Caino Cecilia , Altieri Dario C. , Weeraratna Ashani T.
Published: February 2017

Purpose: Aging is a poor prognostic factor for melanoma. We have shown that melanoma cells in an aged microenvironment are more resistant to targeted therapy than identical cells in a young microenvironment. This is dependent on age-related secreted factors. Klotho is an age-related protein whose serum levels decrease dramatically by age 40. Most studies on klotho in cancer have focused on the expression of klotho in the tumor cell. We have shown that exogenous klotho inhibits internalization and signaling of Wnt5A, which drives melanoma metastasis and resistance to targeted therapy. We investigate here whether increasing klotho in the aged microenvironment could be an effective strategy for the treatment of melanoma.

Experimental Design: PPARγ increases klotho levels and is increased by glitazones. Using rosiglitazone, we queried the effects of rosiglitazone on Klotho/Wnt5A cross-talk, in vitro and in vivo, and the implications of that for targeted therapy in young versus aged animals.

Results: We show that rosiglitazone increases klotho and decreases Wnt5A in tumor cells, reducing the burden of both BRAF inhibitor–sensitive and BRAF inhibitor–resistant tumors in aged, but not young mice. However, when used in combination with PLX4720, tumor burden was reduced in both young and aged mice, even in resistant tumors.

Conclusions: Using glitazones as adjuvant therapy for melanoma may provide a new treatment strategy for older melanoma patients who have developed resistance to vemurafenib. As klotho has been shown to play a role in other cancers too, our results may have wide relevance for multiple tumor types. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 3181–90. ©2017 AACR.
The E3 Ligase CHIP Mediates p21 Degradation to Maintain Radioresistance
Authors: Biswas Kuntal , Sarkar Sukumar , Du Kangping , Brautigan David L. , Abbas Tarek , Larner James M.
Published: February 2017

Lung cancer resists radiotherapy, making it one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Here, we show that human lung cancer cell lines can be rendered sensitive to ionizing radiation (IR) by RNAi knockdown of C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP/STUB1), a U-box-type E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets a number of stress-induced proteins. Mechanistically, ubiquitin-dependent degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, p21 protein, is reduced by CHIP knockdown, leading to enhanced senescence of cells in response to exposure to IR. Cellular senescence and sensitivity to IR is prevented by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of the p21 gene (CDKN1A) in CHIP knockdown cells. Conversely, overexpression of CHIP potentiates p21 degradation and promotes greater radioresistance of lung cancer cells. In vitro and cell-based assays demonstrate that p21 is a novel and direct ubiquitylation substrate of CHIP that also requires the CHIP-associated chaperone HSP70. These data reveal that the inhibition of the E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP promotes radiosensitivity, thus suggesting a novel strategy for the treatment of lung cancer.

Implications: The CHIP-HSP70-p21 ubiquitylation/degradation axis identified here could be exploited to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 15(6); 651–9. ©2017 AACR.
Ex vivo Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Clearance during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Chaijamorn Weerachai , Shaw Alexander R. , Lewis Susan J. , Mueller Bruce A.
Published: February 2017

Background/Aims: To determine ceftolozane/tazobactam transmembrane clearances (CLTM) in continuous hemofiltration (CHF) and continuous hemodialysis (CHD) and to determine optimal ceftolozane/tazobactam dosing regimens for patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Method: Validated, ex vivo CHF and CHD bovine blood models using polysulfone (HF1400) and AN69 (Multiflow 150-M) hemofilters were used to evaluate adsorption and CLTM at different effluent flow rates. Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) using pharmacokinetic parameters from published studies and CLTM from this study were used to generate ceftolozane/tazobactam dosing for patients receiving CRRT. Results: CHF and CHD CLTM did not differ at equivalent effluent rates. CLTM approximated effluent flow rates. No adsorption of ceftolozane/tazobactam occurred for either hemofilter. Effluent flow was the most important determinant of MCS-derived doses. Conclusion: CRRT clearances of ceftolozane/tazobactam depended on effluent flow rates but not hemofilter types. MCS-derived ceftolozane/tazobactam doses of 750 (500/250)-1,500 (1,000/500) mg every 8 h met pharmacodynamic targets for virtual patients receiving CRRT at contemporary effluent rates.
Genetic Variation in CD36 Is Associated with Decreased Fat and Sugar Intake in Obese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Pioltine Marina B. , de Melo Maria Edna , Santos Aritânia , Machado Alisson D. , Fernandes Ariana E. , Fujiwara Clarissa T. , Cercato Cintia , Mancini Marcio C.
Published: February 2017

Background/Aims: Taste is recognized as an important predictor of food choices. Thus, polymorphisms in genes encoding taste receptors may explain the variability in food preference and intake. Here, we aimed to determine whether genetic variation in the CD36 gene affects food intake and risk of obesity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with obese Brazilian children and adolescents (n = 466; BMI-for-age z-score [zBMI] 3.29 ± 0.61) and normal-weight children (n = 114; zBMI -0.11 ± 0.7). To assess the obesity risk according to genotypes, a logistic regression adjusted for age and gender was performed. Two 24-h food recalls assessed total energy (kcal/day) and macronutrient (% kcal and g/day) intake, consumption of sweet and fatty tasting foods (portion and g/day), as well as the most commonly consumed foods (mL or g/day). The food portion sizes were measured according to Brazilian guidelines. The genetic variant rs1761667 (A/G) in CD36 was genotyped by real-time PCR. Results: We found no relationship between rs1761667 genotypes and obesity risk. A significant genetic association between CD36 genotype and fat intake was observed for the A allele of rs1761667, which was associated with a decreased intake of total fat (g/day) (p = 0.01), polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (% kcal and g/day), total sugars (g/day) (p = 0.01), fatty foods (portion and g/day) (p < 0.001 for both), and vegetable oils (mL/day) (p = 0.02) only in obese subjects. No differences were found between normal-weight children. Conclusion: The A allele of the rs1761667 single nucleotide polymorphism in CD36 is associated with decreased fat and sugar intake in obese children and adolescents.
Effects of Cardiac Function with Postoperative Arteriovenous Fistula Blood Flow in Patients with Hemodialysis
Authors: Wakabayashi Keiichi , Io Hiroaki , Nakata Junichiro , Nakamoto Hirotaka , Sato Michiko , Sasaki Yu , Shimizu Yoshio , Horikoshi Satoshi , Tomino Yasuhiko , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: February 2017

Background/Aims: This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of cardiac function with postoperative arteriovenous fistula (AVF) blood flow in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: A total of 45 HD patients were examined at the Juntendo University Hospital. The AVF blood flow was measured using ultrasonography, and the cardiac function was measured using echocardiography. Correlation between these parameters and the rate of change in body weight (BW) was analyzed. Results: The number of postoperative days significantly correlated with the AVF blood flow, and it positively correlated with the stroke volume (SV). The postoperative AVF blood flow in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) was lower than that in patients with normal EF. The rate of change of BW negatively correlated with that of SV, positively correlated with cardiac output (CO), and positively correlated with CO in patients with an AVF blood flow of more than 1,000 mL/min. Conclusion: It appears that the cardiac function can be improved by controlling the BW even in patients with high AVF blood flow.
Hematogenous Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis in the Postoperative Temporal Bone
Authors: Konishi Masaya , Suzuki Kensuke , Iwai Hiroshi
Published: February 2017

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) involving the temporal bone is a rare entity. It is usually asymptomatic and misdiagnosis as acute otitis media, mastoiditis, and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome in early onset is not uncommon. We report a case of RCC metastasis to the postoperative temporal bone in the middle of molecular targeted therapy. A 60-year-old man presented left facial palsy with severe retro-auricular pain and he also underwent left middle ear surgery for cholesteatoma more than 30 years before and had been aware of discontinuous otorrhea; therefore, initially we speculated that facial palsy was derived from recurrent cholesteatoma or Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Exploratory tympanotomy revealed RCC metastasis and postoperative MR indicated hematogenous metastasis. To the best of our knowledge, no report was obtained on temporal bone metastasis in the middle of chemotherapy or hematogenous metastasis in the postoperative middle ear. Metastasis in the temporal bone is still a possible pathological condition despite the development of present cancer therapy. Besides, this case indicates that hematogenous metastasis can occur in the postoperative state of the temporal bone.
Simultaneous Multiple Intracerebral Hemorrhages (SMICH)
Authors: Wu Teddy Y. , Yassi Nawaf , Shah Darshan G. , Ma Minmin , Sharma Gagan , Putaala Jukka , Strbian Daniel , Campbell Bruce C.V. , Yan Bernard , Tatlisumak Turgut , Desmond Patricia M. , Davis Stephen M. , Meretoja Atte
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—

Simultaneous multiple intracerebral hemorrhages (SMICHs) are uncommon. Few single-center studies have analyzed characteristics and outcome of SMICH. We analyzed clinical characteristics and outcome of SMICH patients from 2 comprehensive stroke centers.

Methods—

Baseline imaging from consecutive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients (n=1552) from Helsinki ICH study and Royal Melbourne Hospital ICH study was screened for SMICH. ICH pathogenesis was classified according to the structural lesion, medication, amyloid angiopathy, systemic/other disease, hypertension, undetermined classification system (SMASH-U). ICH caused by trauma, tumor, and aneurysmal rupture was excluded. Baseline clinical and radiological characteristics and 90-day mortality were compared between SMICH and single ICH patients. Association of SMICH with 90-day mortality was assessed in multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for predictors of ICH outcome.

Results—

Of 1452 patients, 85 (5.9%) were classified as SMICH. SMICH were more often female (58% versus 42%;
P
=0.004), had lower baseline Glasgow Coma Scale (12 versus 14;
P
=0.008), and more frequent lobar location (59% versus 34%;
P
<0.001) compared with single ICH. The SMASH-U pathogenesis of SMICH patients was less often hypertensive (20% versus 37%;
P
=0.001), more often systemic coagulopathy (12% versus 3%;
P
<0.001), and trended toward more cerebral amyloid angiopathy (32% versus 23%;
P
=0.071). SMICH was not associated with 90-day mortality on univariate (37% versus 35%;
P
=0.610), multivariable (odds ratio, 0.783; 95% confidence interval, 0.401–1.529;
P
=0.473), or propensity score–matched analyses (odds ratio, 0.760; 95% confidence interval, 0.352–1.638;
P
=0.484).

Conclusions—

SMICH occurs in ≈1 in 20 ICH, more commonly with lobar located hematomas and systemic coagulopathy with less hypertensive angiopathy. The associated mortality is similar to single ICH. Given varied etiologies, SMICH management should target the underlying pathology.
Palace Women in the Former Han Dynasty (202 BCE–CE 23): Gender and Administrational History in the Early Imperial Era
Authors: Milburn Olivia
Published: February 2017

In the chapters concerned with palace women, the Hanshu provides a detailed description of the administrational structures of the hougong (Rear palace) in the Former Han dynasty, the earliest information of this kind to survive for any Chinese regime. This includes an account of the twenty-one official ranks granted to women at this period, and the information given here has parallels in other contemporary historical texts. Thanks to the excavation of Han dynasty legal codes at Zhangjiashan, the Hanshu account can now be understood in much greater detail, not only with respect to the salaries paid to women, but also their right to hold tracts of land – a legal right shared with other women heads of household at this time. This paper examines the developing institutional structures of the Han dynasty hougong, and the impact of promotion within this hierarchy on the social and economic status of women inside and outside the walls of the palace.
First record of Brachycoris Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in India, with description of a new species
Authors: SALINI S
Published: February 2017

The genus Brachycoris remained monotypic so far, with Brachycoris semiflavus Stål, 1871 from Philippines. In this paper, the genus is redescribed and its distribution expanded with the description of Brachycoris tralucidus sp. nov., based on specimens from southern part of India. B. tralucidus sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on male and female genitalia.
New records of lampriform fishes (Teleostei: Lampriformes) from the Pacific coast of lower Central America, with comments on the diversity, taxonomy and distribution of the Lampriformes in the eastern Pacific Ocean
Authors: ANGULO ARTURO , LÓPEZ-SÁNCHEZ MYRNA I.
Published: February 2017

New records of occurrence for four species of lampriform fishes (Teleostei: Lampriformes; Desmodema polystictum, Regalecus russelii, Trachipterus fukuzakii and Zu cristatus) poorly known or previously unknown for the Pacific coast of lower Central America (Costa Rica-Panama) are herein reported. Museum specimens supporting such records are characterized and described. Comparative morphometric and meristic data on other collections and species of lampriforms, as well as distributional information, are provided and discussed. Diversity, taxonomy and distribution of the eastern Pacific species of the order also are briefly discussed. Finally, a key to the eastern Pacific species of the Lampriformes, based on our research and data available in the literature, is presented.
A new species of Acanthocaudus Smith (Braconidae: Aphidiinae), with a key to species and new host and distribution records for aphidiines associated with Silphium perfoliatum L. (Asterales: Asteraceae)
Authors: KULA ROBERT R. , JOHNSON PAUL J. , HEIDEL-BAKER THELMA T. , BOE ARVID
Published: February 2017

A new species, Acanthocaudus bicolor Kula (Braconidae: Aphidiinae), from the Nearctic Region is described and differentiated from all other species of Acanthocaudus Smith. Acanthocaudus schlingeri Muesebeck, 1958 is synonymized with Acanthocaudus tissoti (Smith, 1944). A key to the species of Acanthocaudus is provided. The following aphidiines are reported as parasitoids of aphids on Silphium perfoliatum L. (cup plant) for the first time: Aphidius (Aphidius) ohioensis ex Uroleucon (Uroleucon) cf. rudbeckiae (Fitch), Aphidius (Aphidius) polygonaphis (Fitch) ex Uroleucon sp., Praon pequodorum Viereck ex undetermined aphids, and Praon simulans (Provancher) ex undetermined aphids. Aphidius (A.) ohioensis and P. simulans are reported from Indiana and South Dakota for the first time. Acanthocaudus tissoti and P. pequodorum are reported from Indiana for the first time.
A Stochastic Perturbed Parameterization Tendency Scheme for Diffusion (SPPTD) and Its Application to an Idealized Supercell Simulation
Authors: Qiao Xiaoshi , Wang Shizhang , Min Jinzhong
Published: February 2017

Diffusion plays an important role in supercell simulations. A stochastically perturbed parameterization tendency scheme for diffusion (SPPTD) is developed to incorporate diffusive uncertainties in ensemble forecasts. This scheme follows the same procedure as the previously published stochastically perturbed parameterization tendencies (SPPT) scheme but uses a recursive filter to generate smooth perturbations. It also employs horizontal and vertical localization to retain the impact of perturbation in areas with strong shear. Three additional restrictions are added for the sake of integration stability; these restrictions determine the area and amplitude of the perturbation and the situation to suspend SPPTD.

The performance of this scheme is examined by using an idealized supercell storm. The model errors are simulated using different resolutions in the truth run (1 km) and ensemble forecasts (2 km). The results indicate that the ensemble forecasts using SPPTD encompass the intensity and displacement of maximum updraft helicity in the truth run. This scheme yields better results than can be obtained using initial perturbations or larger computational mixing coefficients.

The sensitivity of SPPTD to each of its parameters is also examined. The results indicate that the optimal horizontal and temporal scales for SPPTD are 40 km and 30 min, respectively. Moderately adjusting the spatiotemporal scale by 10 km or 10 min does not significantly change the SPPTD performance. In this case study, an ensemble size of 20 is sufficient. Perturbing the diffusion terms of all variables using the same approach does not provide additional benefits other than that of selected variables and thus requires further study.
Culture as a Random Treatment
Authors: Polavieja Javier G.
Published: February 2017

In a 2015 ASR article, I introduced SISTER, a new method to estimate the causal effects of culture using migrant populations. Chou raises significant concerns about SISTER and concludes that the method is flawed. I contend that this conclusion is incorrect because it is based on a mischaracterization of the method’s identification assumptions. Specifically, Chou disregards that SISTER exploits cultural variation across multiple countries of origin/ancestry as the main source of identification. I argue that SISTER can comply with the IV assumptions precisely because it is a multiple-origin method that conceptualizes culture of birth as a random treatment. I discuss potential threats to the exogeneity condition and offer several recommendations for future applications of the method.
Truth and reconciliation in Southeast Asia and the Melanesian Pacific: Potential Canadian contributions and potential lessons for Canada
Authors: Webster David
Published: February 2017

Recent experiences with truth and reconciliation processes in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific suggest that there is a role for historical research and memory in helping to build sustainable peace and stability in new nations—and conversely, that ignoring violent pasts undermines peacebuilding efforts. Two truth commissions have operated in this region, in Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Solomon Islands. There are also calls for truth and reconciliation processes in Indonesia at the national and local levels, including in (West) Papua. As the only Western developed country to have held a full truth commission, Canada could play a powerful role in promoting and supporting mutual dialogue on the implementation of truth and reconciliation outside its borders. We can derive both potential lessons and recommendations for Canadian action to promote truth and reconciliation processes from the cases of Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
Managing collaboration in public security networks in the fight against terrorism and organized crime
Authors: Kapucu Naim , Demirhan Cihan
Published: February 2017

The fight against terrorism and organized crime requires collaboration between public security organizations. Due to a lack of strong hierarchical structure, managing networks is not similar to managing a single government agency. This study examines the factors influencing network effectiveness in the public security sector. The study highlighted the importance of inter-organizational trust, network leadership style, goal convergence, and organizational culture on network effectiveness. In order to find these relations between study variables, a self-reported survey was conducted with 305 current and previous public network leaders. The study found that inter-organizational trust and goal convergence have a positive relationship with network effectiveness, with co-producer network leadership being the most convenient leadership style for effectiveness.

Points for practitioners

Government and network managers should focus on establishing relationships to promote trust and decrease the goal divergence between partner agencies, with increased open communication in the network. Governors should ensure an accountable system of public security, identify the boundaries of member organizations, network principles, and values, and appropriately coordinate joint actions. In order to promote governors to implement behaviors in co-producer leadership styles, the government should strengthen the governor’s authority and financial power over military units and intelligence departments.
Trade union revitalisation: Where are we now? Where to next?
Authors: Ibsen Christian Lyhne , Tapia Maite
Published: February 2017

In this article, we review and assess research on the role of trade unions in labour markets and society, the current decline of unions and union revitalisation. The review shows three main trends. First, trade unions are converging into similar strategies of revitalisation. The ‘organising model’ has spread far beyond the Anglo-Saxon countries and is now commonplace for unions as a way to reach new worker constituencies. Thus, even in ‘institutionally secure’ countries like Germany and the Nordic countries, unions are employing organising strategies while at the same time trying to defend their traditional strongholds of collective bargaining and corporatist policy-making. Second, research has shown that used strategies are not a panacea for success for unions in countries that spearheaded revitalisation. This finding points to the importance of supportive institutional frameworks if unions are to regain power. Third, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries, unions are building external coalitions with other social movements, including across borders, to compensate for the loss of power resources that were tied to national collective bargaining and policy-making. Research has shown that unions, even in adverse institutional contexts, can be effective when they reinvent their repertoires of contention, through political action or campaigning along global value chains.
‘Throughout my life I’ve had people walk all over me’: Trauma in the lives of violent men
Authors: Ellis Anthony , Winlow Simon , Hall Steve
Published: February 2017

This article presents original qualitative data gathered during prolonged ethnographic fieldwork with violent men in deindustrialised communities in the north of England. The data are used as an empirical platform for a theoretical exploration of the symbolism and subjectivising influences of traumatic life experiences in these men’s biographies. The article concludes by making the tentative suggestion that there is a complex and mediated causal link between traumatic experience and a deep subjective commitment to aggression and violence in adulthood.
Street children and ‘protective agency’: Exploring young people’s involvement in organised crime in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Atkinson-Sheppard Sally
Published: February 2017

Children’s agency has dominated discourse about young people in recent years, yet little is known about street children’s agency in regard to involvement in organised crime, particularly in Bangladesh. Drawing on interviews with 22 street children, 80 interviews with criminal justice practitioners and 3 years of participant observation of the Bangladeshi criminal justice system, this article proposes that the concept of ‘protective agency’ is important for understanding how, and why, street children engage with Bangladeshi organised crime group: the mastaans.
Day-care availability, maternal employment and satisfaction of parents: Evidence from cultural and policy variations in Germany
Authors: Schober Pia , Schmitt Christian
Published: February 2017

This study investigates how the availability and expansion of childcare services for children aged under 3 years relate to the subjective wellbeing of German mothers and fathers. It extends previous studies by examining in more detail the relationship between day-care availability and use, maternal employment and parental subjective wellbeing during early childhood in a country with expanding childcare services and varying work–care cultures. The empirical analysis links annual day-care attendance rates at the county-level to individual-level data of the Socio-Economic Panel Study for 2007–2012 and the ‘Families in Germany’ Study for 2010–2012. We apply fixed-effects panel models to samples of 2002 couples and 376 lone mothers. We find some evidence of a positive effect of the day-care expansion only on satisfaction with family life for lone mothers and for full-time employed partnered mothers. Transitions to full-time employment are associated with reductions in subjective wellbeing irrespective of local day-care availability among partnered mothers in West Germany but not in East Germany. These results suggest that varying work–care cultures between East and West Germany are more important moderators of the relationship between maternal employment and satisfaction than short-term regional expansions of childcare services.
Overexpression of junctional adhesion molecule-A and EphB2 predicts poor survival in lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Zhao Chen , Wang Aili , Lu Funian , Chen Hongxia , Fu Pin , Zhao Xianda , Chen Honglei
Published: February 2017

Junctional adhesion molecules are important components of tight junctions, and Eph/ephrin proteins constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Both junctional adhesion molecules and Eph/ephrin are involved in normal tissue development and cancer progression. However, the expression levels and clinical significances of junctional adhesion molecule-A, a member of junctional adhesion molecules, and EphB2, a member of Eph/ephrin family, in lung adenocarcinoma patients are unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the expression and prognostic values of junctional adhesion molecule-A and EphB2 in lung adenocarcinoma patients’ cohort. In our study, 70 (55.6%) showed high expression of junctional adhesion molecule-A protein and 51 (40.5%) showed high expression of EphB2 protein in 126 lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Junctional adhesion molecule-A and EphB2 expressions were both significantly increased in tumor tissues compared with noncancerous lung tissues. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test indicated that low expression of junctional adhesion molecule-A and EphB2 proteins can predict better survival and low mortality rate of lung adenocarcinomas. In univariate analysis, high expression levels of junctional adhesion molecule-A and EphB2 were both found to be significantly correlated with poor overall survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients (hazard ratio = 1.791, 95% confidence interval = 1.041–3.084, p = 0.035; hazard ratio = 1.762, 95% confidence interval = 1.038–2.992, p = 0.036, respectively). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that EphB2 expression is an independent prognosis parameter in lung adenocarcinoma patients (hazard ratio = 1.738, 95% confidence interval = 1.023–2.952, p = 0.016). Taken together, high expression of junctional adhesion molecule-A and EphB2 can predict poor overall survival and high mortality rate, and EphB2 is an independent prognostic biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma patients.
Extracellular vesicles: An overview of biogenesis, function, and role in breast cancer
Authors: Zha Quan Bin , Yao Yu Feng , Ren Zhao Jun , Li Xiu Juan , Tang Jin Hai
Published: February 2017

Extracellular vesicles have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication and play an active role in cancer, including breast cancer. Despite limited studies, initial observations suggest that these vesicles are important in breast physiology and pathophysiology. We here, in brief, describe their potential use as future biomarkers and therapeutic agents in breast cancer. Extracellular vesicles in blood and breast fluid may have a great potential to detect and predict the presence of breast cancer, and extracellular vesicles modulation may emerge as a therapeutic approach in cancer therapy.
MicroRNA-543 acts as a prognostic marker and promotes the cell proliferation in cervical cancer by BRCA1-interacting protein 1
Authors: Dang Huimin , Zheng Pengsheng , Liu Yu , Wu Xiaoling , Wu Xili
Published: February 2017

Human cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Recent studies have focused on microRNAs that play crucial roles in cancer development and progression of cervical cancer. In this study, we aimed to analyse the biological function of microRNA-543 in cervical cancer. Samples of human cervical cancer and matched adjacent normal cervical tissues were collected, and expression level of microRNA-543 and the clinical characteristics of cervical cancer were investigated. We found that microRNA-543 expression was significantly elevated in cervical cancer and its aberrant expression levels were positively correlated with tumour size ( p = 0.0315), differentiation ( p = 0.0134), clinical stage ( p = 0.0315) and overall ( p = 0.0426) and disease-free survival ( p = 0.0396) of cervical cancer. Overexpression of microRNA-543 in cancer-derived HeLa and SiHa facilitated cell growth and suppressed cell apoptosis, while down-regulation of microRNA-543 exerted a reverse effect on cell growth and apoptosis. In addition, we demonstrated that BRCA1-interacting protein 1 was directly regulated by microRNA-543 and the restoration of BRCA1-interacting protein 1 expression reversed the effects of microRNA-543 on cell proliferation. Taken together, these findings collectively demonstrate that microRNA-543 exerts its oncogene function by directly targeting BRCA1-interacting protein 1 in cervical cancer, indicating a potential novel potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for cervical cancer.