bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Smart Gateway Architecture for Improving Efficiency of Home Network Applications
Authors: Ding Fei , Song Aiguo , Tong En , Li Jianqing
Published: January 2016

A smart home gateway plays an important role in the Internet of Things (IoT) system that takes responsibility for the connection between the network layer and the ubiquitous sensor network (USN) layer. Even though the home network application is developing rapidly, researches on the home gateway based open development architecture are less. This makes it difficult to extend the home network to support new applications, share service, and interoperate with other home network systems. An integrated access gateway (IAGW) is proposed in this paper which upward connects with the operator machine-to-machine platform (M2M P/F). In this home network scheme, the gateway provides standard interfaces for supporting various applications in home environments, ranging from on-site configuration to node and service access. In addition, communication management ability is also provided by M2M P/F. A testbed of a simple home network application system that includes the IAGW prototype is created to test its user interaction capabilities. Experimental results show that the proposed gateway provides significant flexibility for users to configure and deploy a home automation network; it can be applied to other monitoring areas and simultaneously supports a multi-ubiquitous sensor network.
Native ValveStreptococcus bovisEndocarditis and Refractory Transfusion Dependent Iron Deficiency Anaemia Associated with Concomitant Carcinoma of the Colon: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ahamed Riyaaz Abdul Azeez , Samarasinghe Randula , Sellahewa Kolitha , Sivakumaran Sabaratnam , Tampoe Manjula Sri
Published: January 2016

Streptococcus bovisis found as a commensal organism in human gut and may become opportunistically pathogenic. Infective endocarditis is one of the commonest modes of presentation of this infection. The association betweenStreptococcus bovisendocarditis and colorectal cancer is well recognized. We report a case ofStreptococcus bovisendocarditis along with a refractory iron deficiency anaemia associated with concomitant carcinoma of ascending colon in a 63-year-old male. Cooccurrence of these two conditions may cause a challenge in the management. Considering the strong association of colon cancer withStreptococcus bovisendocarditis, a detailed screening colonoscopy is mandatory following the diagnosis of the latter.
Exploring the Ruthenium-Ligands Bond and Their Relative Properties at Different Computational Methods
Authors: Adeniyi Adebayo A. , Ajibade Peter A.
Published: January 2016

We report some experimental bond distances and computational models of six ruthenium bonds obtained from DFT to higher computational methods like MP2 and CCSD. The bonds distances, geometrical RMSD, and the thermodynamic properties of the models from different computational methods are similar. It is observed that optimization of molecules of many light atoms with different functional methods results in significant geometrical variation in the values and order of the computed properties. The values of the hyperpolarizabilities, HOMO, LUMO, and isotropic and anisotropic shielding are found to depend greatly on the type of the functional used and the geometrical variation rather than on the nature of basis set used. However, all the methods rated modelled Ru-S, Ru-Cl, and Ru-O bonds as having the highest hyperpolarizabilities values. The infrared spectra data obtained from the different computational methods are significantly different from each other except for MP2 and CCSD which are found to be very similar.
Fostering Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Sphingolipid Strategies to Join Forces
Authors: Abdel Hadi Loubna , Di Vito Clara , Riboni Laura
Published: January 2016

Complex sphingolipids are essential structural components of intestinal membranes, providing protection and integrity to the intestinal mucosa and regulating intestinal absorption processes. The role of sphingolipid signaling has been established in numerous cellular events, including intestinal cell survival, growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. A significant body of knowledge demonstrates that intestinal sphingolipids play a crucial role, as such and through their signaling pathways, in immunity and inflammatory disorders. In this review, we report on and discuss the current knowledge on the metabolism, signaling, and functional implications of sphingolipids in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), focusing on the different aspects of sphingolipid actions on inflammatory responses and on the potential of sphingolipid-targeted molecules as anti-IBD therapeutic agents.
MHD Flow due to the Nonlinear Stretching of a Porous Sheet
Authors: El-Mistikawy Tarek M. A.
Published: January 2016

The MHD flow due to the nonlinear stretching of a porous sheet is investigated. A closed form solution is obtained when the stretching rate is inversely proportional to the distance from the origin. Otherwise a uniformly valid asymptotic expansion, for large magnetic interaction numberβ~∞, is developed. It coincides with a homotopy perturbation expansion for the problem. The asymptotic/homotopy perturbation expansion gives results in excellent agreement with accurate numerical results, for large as well as small values ofβ. For largeβ, the expansion, being asymptotic, needs a small number of terms, regardless of the mass transfer rate or the degree of nonlinearity. For smallβ, the expansion is a homotopy perturbation one. It needs considerably increasing number of terms with higher injection rates and/or with stretching rates approaching the inverse proportionality. It may even fail.
Angiographic Evidence of a Purely Pial Bihemispheric Intracranial Hemangiopericytoma
Authors: Stetson Nathaniel , Vadivelu Sudhakar , Li Jiang Y. , Setton Avi , Chalif David J.
Published: January 2016

Background. Classification of hemangiopericytoma (HPC) has evolved to a mesenchymal, nonmeningothelial grade two or three neoplasm according to the World Health Organization; however its blood supply has always been defined by dual origin, pial and dural contribution.Case Description. We present the case of a patient with an intracranial HPC with only pial vascular supply. Angiography confirmed the lack of dural supply to this bihemispheric intracranial mass. Subsequent histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma. Angiographic evidence here is atypical of the natural history of hemangiopericytomas with dual vascular supply and was critical in the decision-making towards surgical resection without tumor embolization.Conclusion. Data presented suggests the lack of dural vascular supply alone does not rule out the diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma.
The Expression of miR-192 and Its Significance in Diabetic Nephropathy Patients with Different Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio
Authors: Ma Xiaoyu , Lu Canlu , Lv Chuan , Wu Can , Wang Qiuyue
Published: January 2016

Objective. To investigate the expression of miR-192 and its significance in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients.Methods. 464 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were divided into normal albuminuria group (NA,n=157), microalbuminuria group (MA,n=159), and large amount of albuminuria group (LA,n=148). 127 healthy persons were selected as the control group (NC,n=127). The serum miR-192 levels were detected by Real-Time PCR and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibronectin (FN) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships among these parameters were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.Results. The miR-192 in the LA group was significantly lower than other groups, which was lower in the MA group than in the NA group (P<0.01). The TGF-β1 and FN in the LA group were significantly higher than other groups, which were higher in the MA group than in the NA group (P<0.01). The expression of miR-192 was negatively correlated with TGF-β1, FN, and Ln (UACR) and miR-192, TGF-β1, and FN were independent relevant factors affecting Ln (UACR) in T2DM (P<0.01).Conclusions. These findings indicate that the levels of miR-192 were lower accompanied by the decrease of urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and the association between miR-192 and nephritic fibrosis in DN.
Cross-Sectional Nakagami Images in Passive Stretches Reveal Damage of Injured Muscles
Authors: Lin Shih-Ping , Lin Yi-Hsun , Fan Shih-Chen , Huang Bu-Miin , Lin Wei-Yin , Wang Shyh-Hau , Shung K. Kirk , Su Fong-Chin , Wu Chia-Ching
Published: January 2016

Muscle strain is still awanting a noninvasive quantitatively diagnosis tool. High frequency ultrasound (HFU) improves image resolution for monitoring changes of tissue structures, but the biomechanical factors may influence ultrasonography during injury detection. We aim to illustrate the ultrasonic parameters to present the histological damage of overstretched muscle with the consideration of biomechanical factors. Gastrocnemius muscles from mice were assembled andex vivopassive stretching was performed before or after injury. After injury, the muscle significantly decreased mechanical strength. Ultrasonic images were obtained by HFU at different deformations to scan in cross and longitudinal orientations of muscle. The ultrasonography was quantified by echogenicity and Nakagami parameters (NP) for structural evaluation and correlated with histological results. The injured muscle at its original length exhibited decreased echogenicity and NP from HFU images. Cross-sectional ultrasonography revealed a loss of correlation between NP and passive muscle stretching that suggested a special scatterer pattern in the cross section of injured muscle. The independence of NP during passive stretching of injured muscle was confirmed by histological findings in ruptured collagen fibers, decreased muscle density, and increased intermuscular fiber space. Thus, HFU analysis of NP in cross section represents muscle injury that may benefit the clinical diagnosis.
Cellular Model of Atherogenesis Based on Pluripotent Vascular Wall Pericytes
Authors: Ivanova Ekaterina A. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: January 2016

Pericytes are pluripotent cells that can be found in the vascular wall of both microvessels and large arteries and veins. They have distinct morphology with long branching processes and form numerous contacts with each other and with endothelial cells, organizing the vascular wall cells into a three‐dimensional network. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that pericytes may play a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders, including atherosclerosis. Macrovascular pericytes are able to accumulate lipids and contribute to growth and vascularization of the atherosclerotic plaque. Moreover, they participate in the local inflammatory process and thrombosis, which can lead to fatal consequences. At the same time, pericytes can represent a useful model for studying the atherosclerotic process and for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In particular, they are suitable for testing various substances’ potential for decreasing lipid accumulation induced by the incubation of cells with atherogenic low‐density lipoprotein. In this review we will discuss the application of cellular models for studying atherosclerosis and provide several examples of successful application of these models to drug research.
Systemic Inflammatory Response Based on Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Marker in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Kim Hyung Suk , Ku Ja Hyeon
Published: January 2016

A growing body of evidence suggests that systemic inflammatory response (SIR) in the tumor microenvironment is closely related to poor oncologic outcomes in cancer patients. Over the past decade, several SIR-related hematological factors have been extensively investigated in an effort to risk-stratify cancer patients to improve treatment selection and to predict posttreatment survival outcomes in various types of cancers. In particular, one readily available marker of SIR is neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which can easily be measured on the basis of absolute neutrophils and absolute lymphocytes in a differential white blood cell count performed in the clinical setting. Many investigators have vigorously assessed NLR as a potential prognostic biomarker predicting pathological and survival outcomes in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder. In this paper, we aim to present the prognostic role of NLR in patients with UC of the bladder through a thorough review of the literature.
iPSC‐Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium Allografts Do Not Elicit Detrimental Effects in Rats: A Follow‐Up Study
Authors: Westenskow Peter D. , Bucher Felicitas , Bravo Stephen , Kurihara Toshihide , Feitelberg Daniel , Paris Liliana P. , Aguilar Edith , Lin Jonathan H. , Friedlander Martin
Published: January 2016

Phototransduction is accomplished in the retina by photoreceptor neurons and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Photoreceptors rely heavily on the RPE, and death or dysfunction of RPE is characteristic of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), a very common neurodegenerative disease for which no cure exists. RPE replacement is a promising therapeutic intervention for AMD, and large numbers of RPE cells can be generated from pluripotent stem cells. However, questions persist regarding iPSC‐derived RPE (iPS‐RPE) viability, immunogenicity, and tumorigenesis potential. We showed previously that iPS‐RPE prevent photoreceptor atrophy in dystrophic rats up until 24 weeks after implantation. In this follow‐up study, we longitudinally monitored the same implanted iPS-RPE, in the same animals. We observed no gross abnormalities in the eyes, livers, spleens, brains, and blood in aging rats with iPSC‐RPE grafts. iPS‐RPE cells that integrated into the subretinal space outlived the photoreceptors and survived for as long as 2 1/2 years while nonintegrating RPE cells were ingested by host macrophages. Both populations could be distinguished using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. iPSC‐RPE could be isolated from the grafts and maintained in culture; these cells also phagocytosed isolated photoreceptor outer segments. We conclude that iPS‐RPE grafts remain viable and do not induce any obvious associated pathological changes.
Decay of Metastable State with Account of Agglomeration and Relaxation Processes
Authors: Kurasov Victor
Published: January 2016

Theoretical description of the metastable phase decay kinetics in the presence of specific connections between the embryos of small sizes has been given. The theory of the decay kinetics in the presence of relaxation processes is constructed in analytical manner. The m-mers nucleation is investigated and the global kinetics of decay is also constructed in this case analytically.
Effects of Serum Uric Acid on Estimated GFR in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ejaz A. Ahsan , Alquadan Kawther F. , Dass Bhagwan , Shimada Michiko , Kanbay Mehmet , Johnson Richard J.
Published: January 2016

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of serum uric acid (SUA) on acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Prospectively collected data from a previous study were analyzed to investigate the relationship between SUA and AKI as assessed by neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), serum creatinine (SCr) and kinetic estimated glomerular filtration rate (KeGFR). Results: Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery (n = 37) were included. SUA was measured at postoperative 1 h. Statistically significant correlations were present between SUA and NGAL measured at postoperative 1 h (r = 0.39, p = 0.008), 6 h (r = 0.31, p = 0.029) and 24 h (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), respectively. Significant correlations were also noted between SUA and SCr measured on postoperative day 1 (r = 0.41, p = 0.006), day 2 (r = 0.29, p = 0.042) and day 3 (r = 0.42, p = 0.009). Negative correlations were demonstrated between SUA and day 1 (r = -0.44, p = 0.007), day 2 (r = -0.43, p = 0.007), day 3 (r = -0.44, p = 0.006 and day 4 KeGFR (r = -0.35, p = 0.035). The inverse relationship of SUA and KeGFR was also demonstrated with a different method (Jelliffe) of measurement. Conclusions: A reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can lead to a rise in SUA. However, in this study, we are able to show that SUA at 1 h (maximal dilution time) effectively predicts subsequent changes in urinary NGAL, SCr, KeGFR, and the development of AKI. Thus, these findings suggest that uric acid precedes and predicts acute changes in renal function and cannot be ascribed to a simple relationship in which a reduced GFR raises SUA.
O PROCESSO ORÇAMENTÁRIO E A TOMADA DE DECISÃO DE GESTORES EM UM HOSPITAL PÚBLICO
Authors: Sola Gabryel Lopes , Bonacim Carlos Alberto Grespan
Published: January 2016

Hospitais são instituições complexas e fundamentais na vida do ser humano. Eles consomem quase a metade das despesas destinadas à saúde no Brasil. Devido à especificidade dessas instituições há a genuína dificuldade em adaptar a atividade médica a controles administrativos. Ao deparar-se com um hospital público em que há a presença da ferramenta orçamentária e que conta com ausência de incentivos financeiros para o alcance de metas orçamentárias, com a complexidade da gestão, incerteza da tarefa e do embate entre profissionais da área médica e da administração, há o interesse do entendimento de como é a utilização dessa ferramenta para a tomada de decisão. Portanto, este trabalho aplicou um estudo de caso, utilizando entrevistas semiestruturadas, no Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto para esse entendimento. Os principais critérios de tomada de decisão observados e que estão presentes no processo orçamentário são: custo do material, acompanhamento do consumo de recursos, impacto no protocolo clínico, investimento em atualização tecnológica e normatização.
O IMPACTO DO NÍVEL DE DISCLOSURE SOBRE O CUSTO DE CAPITAL PRÓPRIO DAS COMPANHIAS ABERTAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Silva Davy Antonio da , Taboada Pinheiro Laura Edith
Published: January 2016

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o nível de disclosure e sua relação com o custo de capital próprio das empresas de capital aberto, após a conversão das normas contábeis brasileiras para os IFRS. A principal teoria utilizada para sustentar os achados desta pesquisa quanto ao nível de disclosure foi a Teoria da Divulgação, demonstrando também a importância das informações contábeis para os seus diversos usuários. A pesquisa foi orientada através de uma análise descritiva e explicativa, onde foram analisadas 66 empresas entre os anos de 2005 até 2011, sendo calculado o custo de capital e o índice de disclosure para cada organização. Aplicou-se o método de regressão com dados em painel, com a finalidade de escolher um, dentre os três principais modelos, Pooled, Efeitos Fixos e Efeitos Aleatórios, que fosse mais adequado para demonstrar se e de que forma o nível de disclosure afeta no custo de capital das empresas. Os resultados encontrados demonstram que não existe evidências estatísticas de que o nível de disclosure tem relação com o custo do capital, após a conversão para as normas internacionais de contabilidade.
Common Variant Near
HEY2
Has a Protective Effect on Ventricular Fibrillation Occurrence in Brugada Syndrome by Regulating the Repolarization Current
Authors: Nakano Yukiko , Ochi Hidenori , Onohara Yuko , Toshishige Masaaki , Tokuyama Takehito , Matsumura Hiroya , Kawazoe Hiroshi , Tomomori Shunsuke , Sairaku Akinori , Watanabe Yoshikazu , Ikenaga Hiroki , Motoda Chikaaki , Suenari Kazuyoshi , Hayashida Yasufumi , Miki Daiki , Oda Nozomu , Kishimoto Shinji , Oda Noboru , Yoshida Yukihiko , Tashiro Satoshi , Chayama Kazuaki , Kihara Yasuki
Published: January 2016

Background—

Risk stratification of Brugada syndrome (BrS) remains controversial and the majority of patients with BrS have no genetic explanation. We investigated relationships between genotypes of 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms reported in a recent genome-wide association study and BrS phenotypes.

Methods and Results—

SCN10A
(rs10428132),
SCN5A
(rs11708996), and downstream from
HEY2
(rs9388451) single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped and compared between 95 Japanese patients with BrS and 1978 controls. Relationships between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms and clinical characteristics, 12-lead ECG findings, signal-averaged ECG findings, and electrophysiological parameters were also examined in patients with BrS. Both rs10428132 and rs9388451 were significantly associated with BrS (
P
=2.7×10
−14
; odds ratio, 3.0;
P
=9.2×10
−4
; odds ratio, 1.7, respectively). Interestingly, the
HEY2
risk allele C was less frequent in BrS patients with ventricular fibrillation than in those without (59% versus 74%;
P
=4.1×10
−2
; odds ratio, 0.5). A significant linear correlation was found between
HEY2
genotypes and QTc interval (CC: 422±27 ms; CT: 408±21 ms; and TT: 381±27 ms;
P
= 4.0×10
−4
). The
HEY2 mRNA
expression level in the right ventricular specimens from patients with BrS (n=20) was significantly lower in patients with CC genotype than the other genotypes (
P
=0.04). Additionally, during 63±28 months follow-up periods after implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation (n=90), Kaplan–Meier event-free survival curves revealed that the cumulative rate of ventricular fibrillation events was significantly lower in cases with
HEY2
CC genotype (
P
=0.04).

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that
HEY2
CC genotype may be a favorable prognostic marker for BrS, protectively acting to prevent ventricular fibrillation presumably by regulating the repolarization current.
Sildenafil Treatment Ameliorates the Maternal Syndrome of Preeclampsia and Rescues Fetal Growth in the Dahl Salt–Sensitive Rat
Authors: Gillis Ellen E. , Mooney Jennifer N. , Garrett Michael R. , Granger Joey P. , Sasser Jennifer M.
Published: January 2016

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is detrimental to both mother and fetus. There is currently no effective treatment, but sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, has been proposed as a potential therapy to reduce blood pressure and improve uteroplacental perfusion in preeclamptic patients. We hypothesized that sildenafil would improve the maternal syndrome and fetal outcomes in the Dahl S rat model of superimposed preeclampsia. Dahl S rats were mated, and half received sildenafil (50 mg/kg per day, via food) from day 10 through day 20 of pregnancy. The untreated Dahl S rats had a significant rise in blood pressure and a 2-fold increase in urinary protein excretion from baseline to late pregnancy; however, sildenafil-treated Dahl S rats exhibited ≈40 mm Hg drops in blood pressure with no rise in protein excretion. Sildenafil also increased creatinine clearance and reduced nephrinuria and glomerulomegaly. Sildenafil treatment reduced the uterine artery resistance index during late pregnancy in the Dahl S rat and improved fetal outcomes (survival, weight, and litter size). In addition, 19% of all pups were resorbed in untreated rats, with no incidence of resorptions observed in the treated group. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor-α, endothelin-1, and oxidative stress, which are characteristically increased in women with preeclampsia and in experimental models of the disease, were reduced in treated rats. These data suggest that sildenafil improves the maternal syndrome of preeclampsia and blood flow to the fetoplacental unit, providing preclinical evidence to support the hypothesis that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition may be an important therapeutic target for the treatment of preeclampsia.
A Subsumption Agent for Collaborative Free Improvisation
Authors: Linson Adam , Dobbyn Chris , Lewis George E. , Laney Robin
Published: January 2016

This article discusses the design and evaluation of an artificial agent for collaborative musical free improvisation. The agent provides a means to investigate the underpinnings of improvisational interaction. In connection with this general goal, the system is also used here to explore the implementation of a collaborative musical agent using a specific robotics architecture called Subsumption. The architecture of the system is explained, and its evaluation in an empirical study with expert improvisors is discussed. A follow-up study using a second iteration of the system is also presented. The system design and connected studies bring together Subsumption robotics, ecological psychology, and musical improvisation, and they contribute to an empirical grounding of an ecological theory of improvisation.
ChucK: A Strongly Timed Computer Music Language
Authors: Wang Ge , Cook Perry R. , Salazar Spencer
Published: January 2016

ChucK is a programming language designed for computer music. It aims to be expressive and straightforward to read and write with respect to time and concurrency, and to provide a platform for precise audio synthesis and analysis and for rapid experimentation in computer music. In particular, ChucK defines the notion of a strongly timed audio programming language, comprising a versatile time-based programming model that allows programmers to flexibly and precisely control the flow of time in code and use the keyword now as a time-aware control construct, and gives programmers the ability to use the timing mechanism to realize sample-accurate concurrent programming. Several case studies are presented that illustrate the workings, properties, and personality of the language. We also discuss applications of ChucK in laptop orchestras, computer music pedagogy, and mobile music instruments. Properties and affordances of the language and its future directions are outlined.
The Contingent Internet
Authors: Clark David D.
Published: January 2016

The Internet is so omnipresent and pervasive that its form may seem an inevitability. It is hard to imagine a “different” Internet, but the character of the Internet as we experience it today is, in fact, contingent on key decisions made in the past by its designers, those who have invested in it, and those who have regulated it. With different choices, we might have a very different Internet today. This paper uses past choices made during the emergence of the early Internet as a lens to look toward its future, which is equally contingent on decisions being made today: by industry, by governments, by users, and by the research community. This paper identifies some of those key choices, and discusses alternative futures for the Internet, including how open, how diverse, how funded, and how protective of the rights of its users it may be.
Edge Networks & Devices for the Internet of Things
Authors: Kirstein Peter T.
Published: January 2016

This paper considers how existing concepts underlying the development of the Internet are being strained in the emerging Internet of Things (IoT). It also explores how the well-known and tried Domain Name Service concepts, which map hierarchic names to addresses, can be extended for the IoT. The extension greatly broadens the concept of name/address mapping to digital objects with identifier/attribute database mapping for physical objects, applications, and data. Finally, this essay discusses the properties of the identifier management systems, showing how scalability, security, and flexibility can be supported in the IoT.
Epitasis and Anesis in Aristotle, De caelo 2.6
Authors: Kidd Stephen E.
Published: January 2016

De caelo 2.6 describes irregular motion differently from the discussion at Physics 5.4. The desire to make the one discussion congrue with the other has strained interpretation of the De caelo passage. Aristotle provides a theory of irregular motion that is tripartite and the passage ought to be interpreted in such a way as to explain this tripartite motion. Akmē is not a ‘top speed’ as it is generally translated, but a point in an object’s motion when epitasis must become anesis. Although the terms epitasis and anesis cover ‘acceleration’ and ‘deceleration’ they cannot be reduced to them.
Logos and noēsis in Alcinous, Didaskalikos 4
Authors: Trabattoni Franco
Published: January 2016

This paper presents an analysis of some passages of Alcinous, Didaskalikos 4. Its aim is to show, on the one hand, that Alcinous suggests a reading of the main points of Plato’s epistemology focused on a hard dualistic interpretation of both the theory of forms and recollection; and, on the other hand, that in the text there is no real acceptance of Stoic doctrines, but only an attempt to show that outside of the Platonic framework no suitable account for Stoic notions such as logos or physikai ennoiai can be provided.
New records of ribbon worms (Nemertea) from Ceará, Northeast Brazil
Authors: MENDES CECILI B. , MATTHEWS-CASCON HELENA , NORENBURG JON L.
Published: January 2016

Of 45 species of nemerteans reported for the Brazilian coast, only two were recorded from Brazil’s Northeast coast. Here we report seven new records for the state of Ceará, in Northeast Brazil: Tubulanus rhabdotus Côrrea, 1954, Carinomella cf. lactea Coe, 1905, Baseodiscus delineatus (Delle-Chiaje 1825), Cerebratulus cf. lineolatus Coe, 1905, Cerebratulus sp. 1, Cerebratulus sp. 2 and Lineidae sp. 1. Specimens were collected at the following beaches: Praia dos Dois Coqueiros, Praia do Pacheco, Pecém harbor, Praia da Pedra Rachada and Praia do Guajiru. T. rhabdotus is a new record for Northeast Brazil, Carinomella cf. lactea and Cerebratulus cf. lineolatus are new records for the South Atlantic Ocean and both genera are new records for Brazil.
XXI a. pradžios lietuvių tarmės: geolingvistinis ir sociolingvistinis tyrimas. Žemėlapiai ir jų komentarai, red. D. Mikulėnienė, V. Meiliūnaitė, Vilnius: Lietuvių kalbos institutas, Leidykla Briedis, 2014, 459 ss.
Authors: Jankowiak Mirosław
Published: January 2016

ReviewThis text is a review of the Lithuanian language monumental work entitled XXI a. pradžios lietuvių tarmės: geolingvistinis ir sociolingvistinis tyrimas. Žemėlapiai ir jų komentarai published in Vilnius in 2014. It is the result of long-lasting studies by famous linguists conducting research on the Lithuanian dialects, on the Polish language of the Northern Borderlands and on the Belarusian and Russian languages in Lithuania. The publication presents some theoretical aspects of contemporary dialectological research in Lithuania, geolinguistic research in Lithuania, geolinguistic situation of the Lithuanian dialects in the 21st century and the optimisation of the field study points, description of other languages and dialects spoken in Lithuania (the Polish and Russian languages, the Belarusian dialects) and the dynamics of dialectal changes. The publication under review is of paramount importance for the Lithuanian dialectology – not only enormous and valuable dialectal material was collected but also its professional linguistic analysis was carried out. RecenzjaTekst stanowi recenzję monumentalnej pracy litewskojęzycznej XXI a. pradžios lietuvių tarmės: geolingvistinis ir sociolingvistinis tyrimas. Žemėlapiai ir jų komentarai, która ukazała się w Wilnie w 2014 r. Jest ona efektem wieloletniej pracy znanych lingwistów badających gwary litewskie, polszczyznę północnokresową oraz języki białoruski i rosyjski na Litwie. W publikacji ukazano aspekty teoretyczne współczesnych badań dialektologicznych na Litwie, litewskie badania geolingwistyczne, sytuację geolingwistyczną litewskich dialektów w XXI w. i optymalizację punktów terenowych, a dalej opis innych języków i gwar występujących na Litwie (polszczyzna, rosyjski, gwary białoruskie) oraz dynamizm zmian dialektalnych. Recenzowana publikacja jest niezmiernie ważną pozycją dla litewskiej dialektologii. Zgromadzono w niej nie tylko ogromny i wartościowy materiał dialektalny, lecz przeprowadzono też jego profesjonalną analizę.
Uwagi teoretyczne na temat zmiany kodu w monologach starowierców mieszkających w Polsce
Authors: Głuszkowski Michał
Published: January 2016

Theoretical remarks on code-switching in monologues of the Old Believers living in PolandThe Old Believers living in Poland are a bilingual community. Although they managed to maintain their religion, culture and language through ages, their language situation as well as the structure of the dialect have been undergoing severe changes. In spite of Polish loan translations and borrowings present in the Russian dialect, the Old Believers tend to switch the code between sentences and inside of them. The article is an approach to find an appropriate theoretical approach to characterize the phenomenon of code switching and code mixing in monologues, i.e. these cases of switching which are caused neither by the change of interlocutor nor by the change of communicative situation. Uwagi teoretyczne na temat zmiany kodu w monologach starowierców mieszkających w Polsce Mieszkający w Polsce staroobrzędowcy są społecznością dwujęzyczną. Choć na przestrzeni kilku stuleci udało im się zachować swoją religię, kulturę i język, ich sytuacja językowa oraz struktura dialektu wciąż podlegają poważnym zmianom. Oprócz zapożyczeń i kalk z języka polskiego przejawem tych zmian jest tendencja do przełączania kodów pomiędzy zdaniami i wewnątrz nich. Artykuł stanowi próbę znalezienia podejścia teoretycznego, które byłoby odpowiednie do opisu zjawisk przełączania i mieszania kodów w monologach, czyli tych przypadków zmiany języka wypowiedzi, które nie są spowodowane zmianą rozmówcy ani sytuacji komunikacyjnej.
Wszystkie gwary są piękne
Authors: Rutkowska Krystyna
Published: January 2016

All dialects are beautifulThe text presents the publication Visos tarmės gražiausios… Tarmių medžiagos rinkimo instrukcija [Eng. All dialects are beautiful… Dialectal material collection instruction] created by Lithuanian dialectologists. It aims to activate dialectical research data collection in various regions of Lithuania. The publication provides brief, popular and scholarly articles about the history of the Lithuanian dialectical research, as well as practical guidelines for researchers. The cooperation initiative between reserachers and dialect users is underlined. Wszystkie gwary są piękneTekst przedstawia publikację Visos tarmės gražiausios… Tarmių medžiagos rinkimo instrukcija [pol. Wszystkie gwary są piękne… Instrukcja gromadzenia materiałów gwarowych], opracowaną przez dialektologów litewskich. Ma ona na celu aktywizację pracy nad gromadzeniem danych gwaroznawczych w różnych regionach Litwy. Publikacja zawiera krótkie artykuły o charakterze popularnonaukowym, dotyczące historii gwaroznawstwa na Litwie oraz praktyczne wskazówki dla badaczy. Godna uwagi jest sama inicjatywa współpracy naukowców z użytkownikami gwar.
Feliks Czyżewski, Antroponimia pogranicza polsko‑wschodniosłowiańskiego w świetle inskrypcji nagrobnych, część 1: Słownik nazwisk, Lublin: Polihymnia, 2013, LXX + 150 ss.
Authors: Ostrówka Małgorzata Maria
Published: January 2016

ReviewThe work presents the book Antroponimia pogranicza polsko-wschodniosłowiańskiego w świetle inskrypcji nagrobnych (Eng. Anthroponymy of the Polish-East Slavonic borderland in light of tombstone inscriptions) by Feliks Czyżewski. The author, a well-known researcher of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland, collected, classified, elaborated and presented in the form of a dictionary about three thousand anthroponyms from working and closed cemeteries of Eastern Lublin region. It was preceded by a historical description of the region. The author also presented the current and historical state of the cemeteries (Orthodox, Catholic and mixed). Valuable parts of the book are color photographs illustrating various types of inscriptions, as well as maps presenting most important phonetic phenomena in Polish and the Ukrainian dialects, maps with location of the cemeteries where the inscriptions were collected, and bibliography concerning tombstone inscriptions in the Polish-East-Slavonic borderland. Recenzja Recenzja prezentuje książkę Feliksa Czyżewskiego Antroponimia pogranicza polsko-wschodniosłowiańskiego w świetle inskrypcji nagrobnych. Autor, znany badacz pogranicza polsko-ukraińskiego, zebrał, sklasyfikował i opracował oraz przedstawił w formie słownika ok. 3 tysięcy antroponimów z czynnych i zamkniętych cmentarzy Lubelszczyzny wschodniej. Całość poprzedził opisem historycznym regionu, przedstawił stan współczesny i historyczny cmentarzy wyznaniowych (prawosławnych, katolickich i mieszanych). Cennymi fragmentami książki są: kolorowe fotografie ilustrujące różne rodzaje inskrypcji, mapy przedstawiające ważniejsze zjawiska fonetyczne w gwarach polskich i ukraińskich, mapy z rozmieszczeniem miejscowości i cmentarzy, na których zebrano napisy, oraz bibliografia dotycząca inskrypcji nagrobnych na pograniczu polsko-wschodniosłowiańskim.
The Use of Public Language in Strategy
Authors: Gao He , Yu Tieying , Cannella Albert A.
Published: January 2016

We review the literature on public language used as a strategic tool to engage stakeholders and competitors. We define public language as words and text issued by an organization with specific strategic intent. Our review classifies studies into four typical settings for the strategic use of public language: entrepreneurial, image threatening, financial, and competitive. Our review highlights the disparate theoretical backdrops across the four settings coupled with very limited prior attempts to integrate across these settings. We propose an integrated model that synthesizes the antecedents, consequences, and contingencies of the strategic use of public language and highlight several knowledge gaps. We end with a discussion of promising directions for future research.
Systematic Review of Physical Activity Outcomes of Rural Lifestyle Interventions
Authors: Cai Yun , Richards Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze current lifestyle intervention literature conducted in U.S. rural areas to identify the most effective and impactful interventions on physical activity outcomes. Quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. Exploratory calculations of effect size and 95% confidence intervals were performed to demonstrate trends in clinical importance. Eight trials which included 1,399 adult participants met the inclusion criteria for review. Two trials reported a significant difference in the increase of physical activity between groups with medium to large effect sizes. Interventions which are very personalized or tailored and/or include many intervention contacts appear to be most effective. However, the small number of studies, mixed findings, and the risk of bias limit our ability to draw conclusion.
Motives for and Personal and Social Benefits of Airplane Piloting as a Serious Leisure Activity for Women
Authors: Shupe Frances L. , Gagné Patricia
Published: January 2016

Using the work of Freysinger (1995), Deci and Ryan (1985, 2000), and Stebbins (2007) as sensitizing concepts, we use analytic inductive methods to analyze interview data from twenty-six women who had experience as private pilots. Emergent from our data were themes showing that differences in motivations to learn to pilot were correlated with differing social benefits derived from flying. Moreover, our respondents discussed several personal and social benefits beyond durable serious leisure benefits. This exploratory study provides insight into women’s significant investment of time, money, and effort in a male-dominated leisure activity and suggests that women’s motivations for entering into serious leisure may differ from those of men and that when they do, the social benefits they derive vary as well. It suggests the need to revise motivation theories in light of the contextual and fluid nature of factors that prompt people to engage in leisure activities.
Corporate Governance and Performance of Foreign Firms in India
Authors: Bishnoi T.R. , Sh Sofia Devi
Published: January 2016

This article examined the issues related to corporate governance in foreign firms working in India. The three questions examined are: What is the nature of corporate governance in terms of board size, independence and quality of its functioning or its effectiveness? Does board independence and size of the board show difference in compliance with corporate governance? What is the relationship between corporate governance and firms’ performance? These three questions are examined with reference to board size, board composition, board independence, conduct of the board and its committees. The data relate to the period from 2005–2006 to 2011–2012 for 42 foreign firms listed in the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The analysis is based on compliance of the firms with corporate governance mandatory requirements. The degree of compliance with corporate governance is fairly good. Majority of the firms fulfilled the mandatory requirements in all sub-indices of the clause .
Unsuspected Xp11 Translocation Renal Neoplasm Associated With Contralateral Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: D’Antonio Antonio , Addesso Maria , Nappi Oscar , Zeppa Pio
Published: January 2016

In this report, we present for the first time the coexistence of a conventional renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and an undefined Xp11 translocation renal neoplasm in distinct kidneys, which was difficult to definitively classify as either carcinoma or PEComa (perivascular epithelioid cell tumor). While one of the tumors showed the morphological and immunohistochemical features of clear RCC, the other had an unusual morphology with a prominent nested pattern. Microscopically this tumor showed nests of cells with clear and eosinophilic cytoplasm and nuclei with prominent nucleoli; some hyaline globules were evident. Immunohistochemical panel showed negativity for cytokeratin-pan, cytokeratin-7, PAX8, and CD10 but positive immunostaining for cathepsin K, racemase, Melan-A, and TFE3. A subsequent, metaphase, dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed the Xp11 translocation. Attention should be paid to the routine immunohistochemical profile that, in case of negativity of specific RCC markers, may suggest an Xp11 translocation renal tumor. The addition of TFE3 can easily identify the specific subtype.
Images of fear in political philosophy and fairy tales: Linking private abuse to political violence in human rights discourse
Authors: Calloni Marina
Published: January 2016

Human rights can be understood as formal norms related to existing legislations as well as the result of public reasoning, when claims of validity coming from the bottom up are politically juridified. Yet, where does the “significance” of human rights come from? Does the “feeling” toward the violation of human dignity rise only from the mobilization of radical spheres in the public space, or does it have origin in other places, like in the intimacy of the household? In order to understand ex negativo the genealogy of the “sense” of the violation of human rights as a counter-factual allegation that immanently refers to daily life experiences, this article considers the interaction between sentiment of fear and pretense of human rights, comparing images and imaginaries of modern political theory with the stories of traditional folk/fairy tales. Namely, philosophical representations of terror and literary narratives of monsters have a common “private” genealogy, as it shines through the hidden relationship existing between imagination, imaginary, and fantasy. Therefore, the character of the “wolf,” as politically conceptualized by Thomas Hobbes and fictionally represented in fairy tales, will be taken as a conceptual and figurative medium, able to underline the semantics of violence. My thesis is that fantastic narratives implicitly evoke forms of violation of human rights that political philosophy has denied for centuries because of the incapacity to conceptualize unspeakable offenses. Fairy tales tell the truth, albeit under camouflaged “bodies”: they are a disguised reminder of the perdurance of domestic violence in the household, seamlessly perpetuated against women and children over centuries. Any criticism toward the abuse of human rights should not forget the heuristic significance of fairy tales and the place where they seem to be peacefully narrated to children: within the domestic space of the family.
Influence of EMS-physician presence on survival after out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Böttiger Bernd W. , Bernhard Michael , Knapp Jürgen , Nagele Peter
Published: January 2016

Background

Evidence suggests that EMS-physician-guided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) may be associated with improved outcomes, yet randomized controlled trials are not available. The goal of this meta-analysis was to determine the association between EMS-physician- versus paramedic-guided CPR and survival after OOHCA.

Methods and Results

Studies that compared EMS-physician- versus paramedic-guided CPR in OOHCA published until June 2014 were systematically searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. All studies were required to contain survival data. Data on study characteristics, methods, and as well as survival outcomes were extracted. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis due to a high degree of heterogeneity among the studies (I
2
 = 44 %). Return of spontaneous circulation [ROSC], survival to hospital admission, and survival to hospital discharge were the outcome measures.

Out of 3,385 potentially eligible studies, 14 met the inclusion criteria. In the pooled analysis (n = 126,829), EMS-physician-guided CPR was associated with significantly improved outcomes compared to paramedic-guided CPR: ROSC 36.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 31.0 – 41.7 %) vs. 23.4 % (95 % CI 18.5 – 29.2 %) (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.89, 95 % CI 1.36 – 2.63, p < 0.001); survival to hospital admission 30.1 % (95 % CI 24.2 – 36.7 %) vs. 19.2 % (95 % CI 12.7 – 28.1 %) (pooled OR 1.78, 95 % CI 0.97 – 3.28, p = 0.06); and survival to discharge 15.1 % (95 % CI 14.6 – 15.7 %) vs. 8.4 % (95 % CI 8.2 – 8.5 %) (pooled OR 2.03, 95 % CI 1.48 – 2.79, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This systematic review suggests that EMS-physician-guided CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is associated with improved survival outcomes.
Black Music Labor and the Animated Properties of Slave Sound
Authors: Radano Ronald
Published: January 2016

While historians, musicologists, and cultural critics have long acknowledged the widespread and enduring appeal of US black music, few have grappled with the problem of its enormous cultural and aesthetic value. This essay proposes a material understanding of black musical value that locates its origins in the peculiar economy of race and capitalism under US slavery. It argues that black music's value accrues from the anomaly of musical production within the context of slave labor, which brought to form a cultural property that was owned as it was embodied by another property, a property-in-slaves. The article traces the emergence of “Negro music” as an anomalous form extending from the body of a sounding property, slave, whose status as a living thing owning a viable audibility served to heighten the sense of an unobtainable musicality. This unobtainability is part and parcel of what I call here black music's “secret animation.”
Facing Reality in the Middle East: Understanding Why the Islamic State Is Winning and What to Do about It
Authors: Theros Patrick N.
Published: January 2016

The Arab Awakening (also known as the Arab Spring) caught the Western world, and even most experts, by surprise. A fuller understanding of how the peoples of the Middle East perceive their history and their relationship with the Western world—from their own perspective and not a Western analysis of that perspective—is a sine qua non to understanding what happened and how to begin to formulate policies and actions to deal with the new reality. The Islamic State has become the champion of disaffected Sunni Muslim youth building on those perceptions, and the West underestimates it at its peril.