bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The abandonment of hermeneutics and the potentialization of the past
Authors: van der Heiden Gert-Jan
Published: January 2015

Both Agamben and Nancy introduce the notions of ban and abandonment to understand the contemporary experience of the loss of tradition. Whereas Nancy reinterprets hermeneutics in light of this abandonment, Agamben tries to move beyond this account of abandonment. In this article, I examine how these two positions are related and to which conceptions of hermeneutics and tradition they give rise. First, I explore how the notion of abandonment provides an alternative to Gadamer’s account of hermeneutics, which focuses on the belonging to tradition. Subsequently, I discuss which accounts of hermeneutics and tradition Nancy develops in his discussion of ban and abandonment. Finally, I discuss how Agamben tries to move beyond Nancy’s account of the ban by suggesting that the ban of tradition be broken along the lines of thought he finds in the work of Benjamin. I conclude by showing how this latter suggestion might give rise to a third figure of hermeneutics that discovers, beyond belonging to the past and being banned from the past, the ‘potentialization’ of the past.
Hegel’s political theology
Authors: Agar Jolyon
Published: January 2015

This article proposes that the foundations of Hegel’s contribution to social criticism are compatible with, and enriched by, his meta-theology. His social critique is grounded in his belief that normative ideas – and especially the idea of freedom – are necessarily experiential and historical. Often regarded as a recipe for an authoritarian reconciliation with the status quo, Hegel’s philosophy has been dismissed by some unsympathetic commentators from the left as inimical to the task of social criticism. Much of the reason for this has been the opinion that his systematic approach to philosophy is one underpinned by either a highly unorthodox theism or, more commonly, pantheism. Even scholars who wish to defend Hegel as a social critic have tended to abandon or at least massively downplay his meta-theology. In this article, I argue that it is precisely the emphasis on his original theo-metaphysics that offers a powerful and relevant contribution to social criticism. Hegel then becomes an important contributor, from the tradition of social criticism, to the growing trend in academia and wider society of rethinking the relationship between the religious and the secular, known as post-secularism. The proposition at the centre of his system – that human history and society are necessary moments in the process of divine self-understanding – is not new. But the specifics of Hegel’s concept of God that I am proposing – and, moreover, their implications for his political thought – are new. I propose that Hegel was neither a theist nor a pantheist but, rather, a dialectical panentheist. According to panentheism, God is neither straightforwardly transcendent to nature and history (theism) nor immanently identifiable with nature and history (pantheism), but rather is dynamically and dialectically immanent in the ongoing processes of self-transcendence that are nature and history. If such an interpretation of Hegel’s system is valid then the proposition that his political thought is an exercise in dialectical panentheistic theology is one that is worth making and defending because it has important things to say about his social critique.
National Trends in Retropharyngeal Abscess among Adult Inpatients with Peritonsillar Abscess
Authors: Qureshi Hannan A. , Ference Elisabeth H. , Tan Bruce K. , Chandra Rakesh K. , Kern Robert C. , Smith Stephanie Shintani
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To describe national trends in retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) complicating peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and to determine factors associated with RPA in patients with PTA.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Setting

Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2003‐2010.

Subjects and Methods

PTA patients ≥18 years old, with or without RPA, were extracted according to ICD‐9‐CM codes. The cohort was analyzed with descriptive statistics and multivariate regression modeling to identify factors associated with RPA.

Results

Of the 91,647 (95% CI: 86,433‐95,449) patients identified with PTA, 885 (1.0%) also had a concurrently coded RPA. The annual rate of concomitant RPA increased from 0.5% (95% CI: 0.3%‐0.8%) to 1.4% (95% CI: 1.0%‐2.0%) between 2003 and 2010 (P <. 001). PTA patients with RPA more frequently underwent tonsillectomy (23.5% vs 11.1%), endotracheal intubation (7.1% vs 1.5%), and mechanical ventilation (13.2% vs 2.0%) than those without RPA (all P <. 001). PTA patients with RPA were significantly older (41 vs 34 years old), had a longer hospital stay (6.4 vs 2.5 days), and had more procedures (2.5 vs 0.9) when compared to patients without RPA (all P <. 001). Upon multivariate regression analysis, factors associated with RPA included the age groups of 40 to 64 years (odds ratio, 2.256; P <. 001) and 65 and older (odds ratio, 2.086; P =. 045). Median total charges for PTA inpatients with concomitant RPA were approximately $8700 greater (P <. 001) when compared to patients with PTA alone.

Conclusions

The incidence of RPA among adult inpatients with PTA is increasing, and patients with RPA have higher in‐hospital resource utilization. Further studies may help validate factors predictive of RPA to enable prevention or earlier identification.
Free sources for patent searching
Authors: Rainey Margaret M
Published: January 2015

This article examines some reasons for information professionals of all kinds to consider including patent information in their search armoury, and reviews some free Internet sources of patent information, focusing on Espacenet from the European Patent Office and PatentScope from World Intellectual Property Office.
Utilization of motor imagery in upper limb rehabilitation: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Harris JE , Hebert A
Published: January 2015

Objective:

To determine how motor imagery is being delivered in upper limb rehabilitation to guide practice and research.

Data source:

MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO databases were searched from 1987 to November 2014

Study selection:

English, adults, any clinical population or diagnosis, intervention for upper limb with an outcome measure used. All types of studies were included. Two authors independently selected studies for review using consensus.

Data extraction:

Seven motor imagery elements were extracted using a model implemented in sport research: PETTLEP model (Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion, and Perspective).

Results:

The search yielded 1107 articles with 1059 excluded leaving 48 articles for full review. A total of 38 articles involved individuals with stroke, five articles involved individuals with complex regional pain syndrome, and five articles for other conditions. Motor imagery elements most commonly described were physical, environment, task, and perspective. Elements less commonly described were timing, learning, and emotional aspects. There were significant differences between study populations (e.g. stroke and complex regional pain syndrome) and within populations on how motor imagery was delivered.

Conclusion:

Many of the imagery elements reviewed are not being considered or reported on in the selected studies. How motor imagery is being delivered within and between populations is inconsistent, which may lead to difficulties in determining key elements of effectiveness.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression among Norwegian musicians compared to the general workforce
Authors: Vaag Jonas , Bjørngaard Johan Håkon , Bjerkeset Ottar
Published: January 2015

In order to investigate mental health problems among professional musicians, we estimate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression (psychological distress) among musicians compared to the general workforce. A total sample of 1,607 musicians from the Norwegian Musicians Union answered an online questionnaire about demographic characteristics, lifestyle and symptoms of anxiety and depression. They were compared to a sample of the Norwegian workforce ( n = 2,550) drawn from the Norwegian survey of level of living 2012. Based on logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, education level, smoking status, alcohol usage, use of drugs, physical exercise and financial status, we compared anxiety and depression symptom levels in musicians to a variety of professions. Psychological distress was more prevalent among musicians than in the total workforce sample. Solo/lead performers, vocalists, keyboard instrument players and musicians playing within the traditional music genre reported the highest prevalence. Further research needs to map the psychosocial and personal factors contributing to the higher degree of depression and anxiety symptoms among musicians, as well as establishing evidence-based preventative measures.
Australian superannuation (pension) fund product ratings and performance: A guide for fund managers
Authors: Watson John , Delaney James , Dempsey Michael , Wickramanayake J.
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates the ability of Morningstar superannuation fund ratings to predict future performance in the context of the Australian superannuation fund industry. In this context, we make provisions for fund size and fund age. We draw three broad conclusions. First, fund ratings can assist in predicting funds that are likely to significantly underperform in subsequent periods. Second, the ratings are mostly unable to distinguish between highly and moderately performing funds. Third, the likelihood of a fund being highly rated is negatively related to the size of assets under management and positively related to its age. Accordingly, the paper should be of benefit not only to fund managers seeking to identify underperforming funds, but also to fund advisers, retail investors, and trustee boards choosing SF products for investment choice menus.
Shutting Down the Fog Machine
Authors: Lipow Gar W.
Published: January 2015

The RRPE article, “Left Clouds Over Climate Policy Change” (Hahnel 2012a: 83-89), includes stringent and radical proposals to solve two additionality problems in project-level carbon offsets. Its failure suggests carbon offsets are irreparably broken. National penalties for non-additionality, intended to shift regulatory incentives, fail to solve the principal/agent problems addressed. Modifying standards for emission cap measurements in order to solve additionality problems in land use change and forestry (LUCF) overlooks technical obstacles and political consequences.
Some Unsettled Issues in a Second Phase of the Cambridge-Cambridge Controversy
Authors: Lazzarini Andrés
Published: January 2015

The aim of this paper is to clear up some issues in a second phase of the Cambridge-Cambridge capital theory controversies, when the neoclassical argument was chiefly conducted in terms of the Walrasian specification of capital in intertemporal and temporary general equilibrium models. It is held that the response by the neoclassical side in that phase has not been as satisfactory to rebut the implications of reswitching and capital reversing as some neoclassical scholars have argued. The reason for this can be traced in the overlooking of the implications of the redefinition of equilibrium implied in those models.
Can the Marginal Productivity Theory of Distribution be Tested?
Authors: Felipe Jesus , McCombie John S. L.
Published: January 2015

This paper shows why attempts to test the neoclassical aggregate marginal productivity theory of distribution are inherently flawed. The use of constant-price value data and an underlying accounting identity mean that the close correspondence often found between the “output elasticities” of a putative aggregate production function and the relevant factor shares is a mere statistical artefact. Likewise, the results of estimating neoclassical labor demand functions must, for the same reason, always give spurious results.
The Marginal Productivity Theory of Capital in Intermediate Microeconomics Textbooks
Authors: Moseley Fred
Published: January 2015

This paper focuses on the marginal productivity theory of capital and the price of capital, and examines some fundamental problems in this theory and how these problems have been dealt with in three leading undergraduate intermediate microeconomics textbooks by Varian, Frank, and Nicholson-Snyder. The three main problems to be discussed are: (1) it is impossible to incorporate materials inputs (and intermediate inputs in general) into marginal productivity theory because the existence of materials inputs in production processes invalidates the basic concept of the marginal product of capital (or labor), which is the foundation of the theory; (2) because the concept of the marginal product of capital (or labor) is invalid, so is the derivation of the demand for capital (or labor), which is based on the marginal product of capital; and (3) ultimately the marginal productivity theory of capital takes as given what it is supposed to explain: the return to capital.
Bien-être et well-being dans la consommation : une analyse comparative
Authors: Gorge Hélène , Özçağlar-Toulouse Nil , Toussaint Stéphanie
Published: January 2015

Cet article propose une synthèse critique comparant les recherches francophones sur le bien-être du consommateur (BEC) et les travaux portant sur le well-being anglo-saxon issus de la Transformative Consumer Research (TCR). Après l’identification du positionnement et des thématiques propres à chacune des deux perspectives, nous questionnons l’ancrage culturel relatif à chaque approche. Au terme de cette synthèse, nous discutons les résultats de notre analyse et proposons des perspectives et voies de recherches futures.
Temperament Styles of Children in Three Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Oakland Thomas , Callueng Carmelo
Published: January 2015

This cross-national research examined temperament style preferences among children in three sub-Saharan African countries (i.e., Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) and possible differences between them on four bipolar temperament styles: extroverted–introverted, practical–imaginative, thinking–feeling, and organized–flexible. Children in these three countries overwhelmingly favor practical to imaginative styles as well as organized to flexible styles. They also generally favor feeling to thinking styles. Children’s preferences for extroverted and introverted styles are more balanced. Differences between countries and by gender are discussed. Implications for school psychology practice as well as viewing these four bipolar qualities as etic traits also are discussed.
Psychological Language on Twitter Predicts County-Level Heart Disease Mortality
Authors: Eichstaedt Johannes C. , Schwartz Hansen Andrew , Kern Margaret L. , Park Gregory , Labarthe Darwin R. , Merchant Raina M. , Jha Sneha , Agrawal Megha , Dziurzynski Lukasz A. , Sap Maarten , Weeg Christopher , Larson Emily E. , Ungar Lyle H. , Seligman Martin E. P.
Published: January 2015

Hostility and chronic stress are known risk factors for heart disease, but they are costly to assess on a large scale. We used language expressed on Twitter to characterize community-level psychological correlates of age-adjusted mortality from atherosclerotic heart disease (AHD). Language patterns reflecting negative social relationships, disengagement, and negative emotions—especially anger—emerged as risk factors; positive emotions and psychological engagement emerged as protective factors. Most correlations remained significant after controlling for income and education. A cross-sectional regression model based only on Twitter language predicted AHD mortality significantly better than did a model that combined 10 common demographic, socioeconomic, and health risk factors, including smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Capturing community psychological characteristics through social media is feasible, and these characteristics are strong markers of cardiovascular mortality at the community level.
An Expanded Decision-Making Procedure for Examining Cross-Level Interaction Effects With Multilevel Modeling
Authors: Aguinis Herman , Culpepper Steven Andrew
Published: January 2015

Cross-level interaction effects lay at the heart of multilevel contingency and interactionism theories. Also, practitioners are particularly interested in such effects because they provide information on the contextual conditions and processes under which interventions focused on individuals (e.g., selection, leadership training, performance appraisal, and management) result in more or less positive outcomes. We derive a new intraclass correlation, ρβ, to assess the degree of lower-level outcome variance that is attributed to higher-level differences in slope coefficients. We provide analytical and empirical evidence that ρβ is an index of variance that differs from the traditional intraclass correlation ρα and use data from recently published articles to illustrate that ρα assesses differences across collectives and higher-level processes (e.g., teams, leadership styles, reward systems) but ignores the variance attributed to differences in lower-level relationships (e.g., individual level job satisfaction and individual level performance). Because ρα and ρβ provide information on two different sources of variability in the data structure (i.e., differences in means and differences in relationships, respectively), our results suggest that researchers contemplating the use of multilevel modeling, as well those who suspect nonindependence in their data structure, should expand the decision criteria for using multilevel approaches to include both types of intraclass correlations. To facilitate this process, we offer an illustrative data set and the icc beta R package for computing ρβ in single- and multiple-predictor situations and make them available through the Comprehensive R Archive Network (i.e., CRAN).
International support for the Arab uprisings: Understanding sympathetic collective action using theories of social dominance and social identity
Authors: Stewart Andrew L. , Pratto Felicia , Bou Zeineddine Fouad , Sweetman Joseph , Eicher Véronique , Licata Laurent , Morselli Davide , Saab Rim , Aiello Antonio , Chryssochoou Xenia , Cichocka Aleksandra , Cidam Atilla , Foels Rob , Giguère Benjamin , Liu Li , Prati Francesca , van Stekelenburg Jacquelien
Published: January 2015

Inspired by the popular Arab protests against oppressive regimes that began in 2010, people around the world protested in sympathy with the Arab peoples. The present research draws on two major theories of intergroup relations to develop an initial integrative model of sympathetic collective action. We incorporate social dominance theory’s (SDT) concept of (rejectionist) legitimizing myths with the solidarity and emotional mediation concept of the social identity model of collective action (SIMCA) to understand motivations for sympathetic collective action among bystanders. Using data from 12 nations ( N = 1,480), we tested three models: (a) SIMCA (i.e., solidarity, anger, and efficacy), (b) a social dominance theory model of collective action (i.e., social dominance orientation and ideologies concerning Arab competence), and (c) an integrated model of sympathetic collective action combining both theories. Results find the greatest support for an integrated model of collective action. Discussion focuses on theoretical pluralism and suggestions for future research.
‘At the crossroad of Magic and Positivism’. Roots of an Evidential Paradigm through Benjamin and Adorno
Authors: Mele Vincenzo
Published: January 2015

The article focuses on an apparently secondary aspect of Adorno’s argumentation in the Positivist Debate: social physiognomy. Physiognomy forms part of what the historian Carlo Ginzburg called an ‘evidential paradigm’. Based specifically on semiotics, it began to assert itself in the human sciences in the late nineteenth century. The art connoisseur Giovanni Morelli, Sherlock Holmes and Sigmund Freud showed how through its application, information considered marginal could enable understanding a deeper, otherwise unattainable reality. Benjamin and Adorno also set physiognomy at the centre of their complex, anti-reductionist theory of culture, which focuses on aspects neglected by conventional approaches. While traditional ‘rationalistic’ historical and sociological approaches generally focus on overt aspects of ‘culture’, such as language or words, physiognomy seeks more far-reaching significance through the conviction that mental abilities are reflected in the corporeal nature of human beings. Physiognomy thus considers those aspects of culture that are neither rational nor logical and not explicitly revealed. For this reason, physiognomic practice generally focuses on analysing myths, dream states, and covert aspects of the mind and body – cultural expressions that are not produced by the conscious, logical mind, but are involuntary and repressed. Today, more than half a century after the Positivist Debate, the topicality of Adorno’s sociological thinking can be seen to lie more in his efforts to unify abstract theorising, object, and aesthetic representation, than in his explanatory analysis of capitalist society.
Local Antibiotic Delivery Systems in Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis
Authors: Panagopoulos Periklis , Drosos Georgios , Maltezos Efstratios , Papanas Nikolaos
Published: January 2015

In patients with diabetes mellitus, osteomyelitis is a severe, difficult-to-treat form of foot infection. In the management of diabetic foot osteomyelitis, carriers for local delivery of antimicrobial agents have begun to be tried, in an attempt to provide high local antibiotic concentrations. Randomized clinical trials are now expected to clarify when this new approach should be used and how it can be integrated into the overall therapeutic strategy for diabetic foot osteomyelitis.
Effective suppression of nitric oxide production by HX106N through transcriptional control of heme oxygenase-1
Authors: Suk Lee Doo , Kim Binna N. , Lim Seonung , Lee Junsub , Kim Jiyoung , Jeong Jae-Gyun , Kim Sunyoung
Published: January 2015

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been suggested to be a key neuroprotective enzyme because of its widespread distribution in the brain as well as its strong antioxidative effects. HX106N, a water-soluble botanical formulation, has previously been demonstrated to prevent amyloid β-induced memory impairment and oxidative stress in mice by upregulating HO-1 levels. In this study, the underlying molecular mechanisms of HX106N-induced HO-1 expression were investigated using BV-2 cells, a murine microglial cell line, and primary microglia. Treatment with HX106N induced the expression of HO-1 at the transcriptional level through the stress-responsive element-containing enhancer present in the ho-1 promoter. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was activated in cells treated with HX106N. The results from knockdown assay showed that small interfering RNA of Nrf2 attenuated HX106N-mediated HO-1 expression. Pharmacological inhibitors of p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases suppressed the HX106N-mediated induction of HO-1. The NF-κB signaling pathway was activated by HX106N and played a role in HX106N-induced HO-1 expression. Furthermore, HO-1 and one of its by-products during the enzymatic degradation of heme, CO, were found to be involved in HX106N-mediated suppression of NO production. Taken together, these data indicate that HX106N exerts potent antioxidative effects by increasing the expression of HO-1 through multiple signaling pathways, leading to the suppression of NO production.
Use of Accelerometer-Based Feedback of Walking Activity for Appraising Progress With Walking-Related Goals in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Mansfield Avril , Wong Jennifer S. , Bryce Jessica , Brunton Karen , Inness Elizabeth L. , Knorr Svetlana , Jones Simon , Taati Babak , McIlroy William E.
Published: January 2015

Background. Regaining independent ambulation is important to those with stroke. Increased walking practice during “down time” in rehabilitation could improve walking function for individuals with stroke. Objective. To determine the effect of providing physiotherapists with accelerometer-based feedback on patient activity and walking-related goals during inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Methods. Participants with stroke wore accelerometers around both ankles every weekday during inpatient rehabilitation. Participants were randomly assigned to receive daily feedback about walking activity via their physiotherapists (n = 29) or to receive no feedback (n = 28). Changes in measures of daily walking (walking time, number of steps, average cadence, longest bout duration, and number of “long” walking bouts) and changes in gait control and function assessed in-laboratory were compared between groups. Results. There was no significant increase in walking time, number of steps, longest bout duration, or number of long walking bouts for the feedback group compared with the control group ( P values > .20). However, individuals who received feedback significantly increased cadence of daily walking more than the control group ( P = .013). From the in-laboratory gait assessment, individuals who received feedback had a greater increase in walking speed and decrease in step time variability than the control group ( P values < .030). Conclusion. Feedback did not increase the amount of walking completed by individuals with stroke. However, there was a significant increase in cadence, indicating that intensity of daily walking was greater for those who received feedback than the control group. Additionally, more intense daily walking activity appeared to translate to greater improvements in walking speed.
Spontaneous development of neoplasms in severe combined immunodeficient mice
Authors: Samuel Rekha
Published: January 2015

Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice lack functional T and B cells. This renders them useful for implantation of human cells. The absence of immune cells, however, makes severe combined immunodeficient mice highly susceptible to infections and spontaneous development of malignancies; 2 of 114 CB17/Icr- Prkdcscid/IcrIcoCrl severe combined immunodeficient mice aged 9 and 10 months developed spontaneous acute leukaemia and thymic lymphoma. The differential diagnosis of such an atypical lymphoid infiltrate includes ‘leaky’ severe combined immunodeficient mice, thymic lymphoma and acute leukaemia. Until this time, the link between the development of neoplasms in severe combined immunodeficient mice and the mutation remains unclear.
FLT3-ITD and TLR9 use Bruton tyrosine kinase to activate distinct transcriptional programs mediating AML cell survival and proliferation
Authors: Oellerich Thomas , Mohr Sebastian , Corso Jasmin , Beck Julia , Döbele Carmen , Braun Helene , Cremer Anjali , Münch Silvia , Wicht Johannes , Oellerich Mark F. , Bug Gesine , Bohnenberger Hanibal , Perske Christina , Schütz Ekkehard , Urlaub Henning , Serve Hubert
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Two novel transducer modules consisting of BTK in combination with either FLT3-ITD or TLR9 induce distinct oncogenic signaling programs. This study suggests subtype-specific treatment strategies, including BTK/FLT3 inhibitor combinations, and shows how TLR9 affects AML biology.
An analysis of DNA methylation in human adipose tissue reveals differential modification of obesity genes before and after gastric bypass and weight loss
Authors: Benton Miles C , Johnstone Alice , Eccles David , Harmon Brennan , Hayes Mark T , Lea Rod A , Griffiths Lyn , Hoffman Eric P , Stubbs Richard S , Macartney-Coxson Donia
Published: January 2015

Background

Environmental factors can influence obesity by epigenetic mechanisms. Adipose tissue plays a key role in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, and gastric bypass provides a model to investigate obesity and weight loss in humans.

Results

Here, we investigate DNA methylation in adipose tissue from obese women before and after gastric bypass and significant weight loss. In total, 485,577 CpG sites were profiled in matched, before and after weight loss, subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue. A paired analysis revealed significant differential methylation in omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue. A greater proportion of CpGs are hypermethylated before weight loss and increased methylation is observed in the 3′ untranslated region and gene bodies relative to promoter regions. Differential methylation is found within genes associated with obesity, epigenetic regulation and development, such as CETP, FOXP2, HDAC4, DNMT3B, KCNQ1 and HOX clusters. We identify robust correlations between changes in methylation and clinical trait, including associations between fasting glucose and HDAC4, SLC37A3 and DENND1C in subcutaneous adipose. Genes investigated with differential promoter methylation all show significantly different levels of mRNA before and after gastric bypass.

Conclusions

This is the first study reporting global DNA methylation profiling of adipose tissue before and after gastric bypass and associated weight loss. It provides a strong basis for future work and offers additional evidence for the role of DNA methylation of adipose tissue in obesity.
How behavioral economics can help to avoid ‘The last mile problem’ in whole genome sequencing
Authors: Blumenthal-Barby Jennifer S , McGuire Amy L , Green Robert C , Ubel Peter A
Published: January 2015

Editorial summary

Failure to consider lessons from behavioral economics in the case of whole genome sequencing may cause us to run into the ‘last mile problem’ - the failure to integrate newly developed technology, on which billions of dollars have been invested, into society in a way that improves human behavior and decision-making.
Chronic ethanol feeding increases the severity of Staphylococcus aureus skin infections by altering local host defenses
Authors: Parlet Corey P , Kavanaugh Jeffrey S , Horswill Alexander R , Schlueter Annette J
Published: January 2015

Alcoholics are at increased risk of Staphylococcus aureus skin infection and serious sequelae, such as bacteremia and death. Despite the association between alcoholism and severe S. aureus skin infection, the impact of EtOH on anti-S. aureus cutaneous immunity has not been investigated in a model of chronic EtOH exposure. To test the hypothesis that EtOH enhances the severity of S. aureus skin infection, mice were fed EtOH for ≥12 weeks via the Meadows-Cook model of alcoholism and inoculated with S. aureus following epidermal abrasion. Evidence of exacerbated staphylococcal disease in EtOH-fed mice included: skin lesions that were larger and contained more organisms, greater weight loss, and increased bacterial dissemination. Infected EtOH-fed mice demonstrated poor maintenance and induction of PMN responses in skin and draining LNs, respectively. Additionally, altered PMN dynamics in the skin of these mice corresponded with reduced production of IL-23 and IL-1β by CD11b+ myeloid cells and IL-17 production by γδ T cells, with the latter defect occurring in the draining LNs as well. In addition, IL-17 restoration attenuated S. aureus-induced dermatopathology and improved bacterial clearance defects in EtOH-fed mice. Taken together, the findings show, in a novel model system, that the EtOH-induced increase in S. aureus-related injury/illness corresponds with defects in the IL-23/IL-17 inflammatory axis and poor PMN accumulation at the site of infection and draining LNs. These findings offer new information about the impact of EtOH on cutaneous host-defense pathways and provide a potential mechanism explaining why alcoholics are predisposed to S. aureus skin infection.
Genomic Analysis Reveals That Immune Function Genes Are Strongly Linked to Clinical Outcome in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group N9831 Adjuvant Trastuzumab Trial
Authors: Perez Edith A. , Thompson E. Aubrey , Ballman Karla V. , Anderson S. Keith , Asmann Yan W. , Kalari Krishna R. , Eckel-Passow Jeanette E. , Dueck Amylou C. , Tenner Kathleen S. , Jen Jin , Fan Jian-Bing , Geiger Xochiquetzal J. , McCullough Ann E. , Chen Beiyun , Jenkins Robert B. , Sledge George W. , Winer Eric P. , Gralow Julie R. , Reinholz Monica M.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To develop a genomic signature that predicts benefit from trastuzumab in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

DASL technology was used to quantify mRNA in samples from 1,282 patients enrolled onto the Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Trastuzumab in Treating Women With Breast Cancer (North Central Cancer Treatment Group N9831 [NCCTG-N9831]) adjuvant trastuzumab trial. Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for significant clinicopathologic risk factors, were used to determine the association of each gene with relapse-free survival (RFS) for 433 patients who received chemotherapy alone (arm A) and 849 patients who received chemotherapy plus trastuzumab (arms B and C). Network and pathway analyses were used to identify key biologic processes linked to RFS. The signature was built by using a voting scheme.

Results

Network and functional ontology analyses suggested that increased RFS was linked to a subset of immune function genes. A voting scheme model was used to define immune gene enrichment based on the expression of any nine or more of 14 immune function genes at or above the 0.40 quantile for the population. This model was used to identify immune gene–enriched tumors in arm A and arms B and C. Immune gene enrichment was linked to increased RFS in arms B and C (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.55; P < .001), whereas arm B and C patients who did not exhibit immune gene enrichment did not benefit from trastuzumab (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.28; P = .53). Enriched immune function gene expression as defined by our predictive signature was not associated with increased RFS in arm A (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.37; P = .64).

Conclusion

Increased expression of a subset of immune function genes may provide a means of predicting benefit from adjuvant trastuzumab.
Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Postow Michael A. , Callahan Margaret K. , Wolchok Jedd D.
Published: January 2015

Immunologic checkpoint blockade with antibodies that target cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed cell death protein 1 pathway (PD-1/PD-L1) have demonstrated promise in a variety of malignancies. Ipilimumab (CTLA-4) and pembrolizumab (PD-1) are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of advanced melanoma, and additional regulatory approvals are expected across the oncologic spectrum for a variety of other agents that target these pathways. Treatment with both CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade is associated with a unique pattern of adverse events called immune-related adverse events, and occasionally, unusual kinetics of tumor response are seen. Combination approaches involving CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade are being investigated to determine whether they enhance the efficacy of either approach alone. Principles learned during the development of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 approaches will likely be used as new immunologic checkpoint blocking antibodies begin clinical investigation.
BF3-Functionalized Silica-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Novel Heterogeneous Solid Acid for Synthesis of Formazan Derivatives via a Green Protocol
Authors: Bamoniri Abdolhamid , Moshtael-Arani Naimeh
Published: January 2015

A new type of green heterogeneous solid acid was prepared by the immobilization of BF3·Et2O on the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 core–shell nanocomposite (Fe3O4@SiO2–BF3) and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The activity of this super solid acid was probed through the synthesis of aryl diazonium salts as the starting reactant and then, their diazo coupling with aldehyde phenylhydrazones for formation of formazan derivatives in a solvent-free medium at room temperature. This clean and environmentally benign methodology has advantages such as: no need for corrosive and toxic liquid acids, solvents, or buffer solutions, room temperature reaction, high yields, and short reaction times. In addition, long-term stability of aryl diazonium salts supported on the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2–BF3 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) at room temperature was one of the most important results of this procedure.
Evaluation of Stretching Properties of [7]Thiaheterohelicene Framework Called “Molecular Spring” Using AFM Force Measurements and Electrostatic State Calculations
Authors: Nakahara Yoshio , Higashi Minako , Funayama Ryoto , Horii Yasuo , Osuga Hideji , Sakamoto Hidefumi , Oda Masato , Kado Shinpei , Kimura Keiichi
Published: January 2015

The stretching properties of a [7]thiaheterohelicene framework, what we call molecular spring, have not been investigated so far, despite a variety of [7]thiaheterohelicene derivatives having very interesting characteristics due to both the rigidity arising from fused benzene rings and the flexibility like a spring originating from helical structure. In this study, a novel [7]thiaheterohelicene derivative, which has a disulfide moiety for bonding to a gold-coated substrate and a carboxy group for reacting with an amino-modified probe tip at each of its end groups, was synthesized in order to elucidate the elasticity of the [7]thiaheterohelicene framework by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM force measurements were carried out using two carboxy-terminated disulfide derivatives with or without a [7]thiaheterohelicene moiety, and the deviation between two kinds of force–extension curves was related to the stretching originating from the [7]thiaheterohelicene framework here. Furthermore, its elasticity was compared to that of biphenyl, which is generally known as a rigid framework, using electrostatic state calculations.
Methane Sorption Capacity of Organics and Clays in High-Over Matured Shale-Gas Systems
Authors: Fan Erping , Tang Shuheng , Zhang Chenglong , Guo Qiulei , Sun Changhua
Published: January 2015

Methane adsorption experiments were conducted on a series of organic-rich shales, isolated kerogens, and pure clay minerals at 60 °C and up to 20 MPa pressure. The maximum adsorption capacities of the two isolated kerogens (type I) (17.45 cm3/g and 12.41 cm3/g) were much higher than those of the clay minerals and shale samples. In the high-over mature stage, the affinity of methane for type I kerogens gradually increased, while the amounts of methane adsorbed decreased with increasing thermal maturity. Among the pure clay minerals, the methane adsorption capacity decreased in the following order: montmorillonite (4.02 cm3/g) > kaolinite (3.48 cm3/g) > illite (3.46 cm3/g) > illite/smectite mixed layer (3.1 cm3/g) > chlorite (0.88 cm3/g); the methane adsorption capacities were controlled by the effective surface areas available for adsorption. These clay minerals with higher Langmuir pressures exhibited weaker affinities for methane than the isolated kerogens. Moreover, the adsorption results of kerogen, shale, and illite at different temperatures (30 °C, 60 °C, and 90 °C) show that the VL values of kerogen decreased linearly with increasing temperature, while the amount of adsorbed water on clay minerals decreased with increasing temperature, which may have affected the methane adsorption capacity. The results show that the contributions of kerogens to the adsorption capacities of the two bulk shale samples were ∼ 43.08% and 56.58%, and the methane adsorption of clay minerals accounted for ∼ 44.12% and 16.74%.
Effect of Cap Rock Thickness and Permeability on Geological Storage of CO2: Laboratory Test and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Chen Zhixi , Zhou Fengde , Rahman Sheikh S.
Published: January 2015

Geological storage of CO2 is considered widely as an efficient method of mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. CO2 storage mechanism includes structural trapping, residual gas trapping, solubility trapping and mineral trapping. The shale cap rock acts as a seal for the storage when CO2 accumulates at the top of the reservoir. The injected CO2 may migrate through the cap rock under buoyancy force or pressure build-up which depends on the seal capacity of the cap rock. As a result, the effectiveness of containment of injected CO2 in the reservoir is largely dependent on the migration rate of CO2 through the cap rock. This paper investigates the effects of CO2 leakage through cap rock by a combination of experimental studies and numerical simulation. Firstly, experimental measurements on shale core samples collected from Australian cap rocks were conducted to determine properties, such as capillary pressure, pore size distribution and permeability. Based on the measured cap rock properties, the effect of thickness and permeability of cap rocks on CO2 leakage was studied using a commercial compositional simulator. Experimental results show that the permeabilities of the shale samples measured by transient pulse technique range from 60 to 300 nD; a non-Darcy calibration factor which equals the ratio of the measured permeability divided by 1000, is identified for samples with permeability lower than 1000 nD. Numerical simulation results show that the largest leakage of CO2 through the seal (cap cock) is about 7.0% with seal thickness of 3m and vertical permeability of 90 nD; both shale thickness and permeability affect the CO2 leakage significantly; with a given seal permeability, the leakage rate has a power relationship with shale thickness.
An Energy Efficiency Analysis of an Industrial Reheating Furnace and an Implementation of Efficiency Enhancements Methods
Authors: Kilinç Enes , Kaya Durmuş , Kiliç Fatma Çanka , Eyidoğan Muharrem , Özkaymak Mehmet , Taylan Osman , Pedrycz Witold
Published: January 2015

Rapid consumption of energy resources, increasing energy needs, the competitive conditions in the industry and environmental concerns, all of those call for efficient use of energy resources. In this context, energy efficiency studies were carried out in a rolling mill of a reheating furnace of an integrated industrial enterprise. In studies, some important efficiency measurements were conducted, mass and energy balances were established by using the results of these measurements and the operating data of the plant along with energy saving opportunities, with the specified amounts and repayment periods were determined. Energy conservation studies that can be realized in the reheating furnace were considered including operation of the reheating furnace with the pertinent excess air coefficient, compensation of the air leakage losses in the recuperator and establishment of the economizer in the furnace. As a result of these investigations some saving opportunities were determined and a new recuperator, economizer and gas analyzer were installed in the reheating furnace leading in total of 2,913,924 kcal/h of energy savings. After the implementation of energy saving measures, reheating furnace efficiency was increased from 61.83% to 69.43%.
Preparation and Recognition Characteristics of Thymopentin Molecularly Imprinted Polymers on SiO2
Authors: Hou Sen , Wang Yanfei , Liu Na , Liu Jing
Published: January 2015

A computer simulation approach was developed to screen functional monomers for the rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The proposed approach is based on a comparison of the binding energy of complexes, which are formed by the interaction between a template molecule and various functional monomers. According to the results of theoretical calculations, MIPs using thymopentin (TP5) as a template were prepared by a solution polymerization method, in which 2-methylacrylamide, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide and poly(methylacrylic acid)/SiO2 were used as the functional monomer, cross-linker and support, respectively. Solid-phase extraction experiments were performed, and static and dynamic binding properties of the synthesized MIP (i.e. TP5-MIP) for TP5 were studied. Results show that TP5-MIP exhibits excellent binding affinity and specific selectivity for the template molecule (i.e. TP5).
Response of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine to Time Varying Wind Conditions Found within the Urban Environment
Authors: Kooiman S.J. , Tullis S.W.
Published: January 2015

Experimental testing of a vertical axis wind turbine within the urban environment was used to assess the effects that unsteady wind conditions have on the aerodynamic performance of the turbine. Temporal variation of the wind with respect to the direction and velocity fluctuations was quantified and the corresponding performance of the experimental turbine was compared to the base case wind tunnel performance.

Theoretical analysis indicated that the performance of the turbine should depend on wind speed fluctuations, while remaining relatively independent of direction fluctuations. Experimental testing confirmed the independence of the direction fluctuations and quantified the impact of the wind speed fluctuations on the turbine performance. The wind speed fluctuations ( Iv = based on a 10 s averaging interval) exhibited minimal impact on the performance for Iv < 0.15, while for greater fluctuations the performance decreased with a roughly linear relationship with increasing Iv.
A deeply conserved, noncanonical miRNA hosted by ribosomal DNA
Authors: Chak Li-Ling , Mohammed Jaaved , Lai Eric C. , Tucker-Kellogg Greg , Okamura Katsutomo
Published: January 2015

Advances in small RNA sequencing technologies and comparative genomics have fueled comprehensive microRNA (miRNA) gene annotations in humans and model organisms. Although new miRNAs continue to be discovered in recent years, these have universally been lowly expressed, recently evolved, and of debatable endogenous activity, leading to the general assumption that virtually all biologically important miRNAs have been identified. Here, we analyzed small RNAs that emanate from the highly repetitive rDNA arrays of Drosophila. In addition to endo-siRNAs derived from sense and antisense strands of the pre-rRNA sequence, we unexpectedly identified a novel, deeply conserved, noncanonical miRNA. Although this miRNA is widely expressed, this miRNA was not identified by previous studies due to bioinformatics filters removing such repetitive sequences. Deep-sequencing data provide clear evidence for specific processing with precisely defined 5′ and 3′ ends. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the mature miRNA species is incorporated in the effector complexes and has detectable trans regulatory activity. Processing of this miRNA requires Dicer-1, whereas the Drosha–Pasha complex is dispensable. The miRNA hairpin sequence is located in the internal transcribed spacer 1 region of rDNA and is highly conserved among Dipteran species that were separated from their common ancestor ∼100 million years ago. Our results suggest that biologically active miRNA genes may remain unidentified even in well-studied organisms.
Educación ambiental, inteligencia espiritual y naturaleza
Authors: Puig Baguer Jordi , Echarri Iribarren Fernando , Jericó María Casas
Published: January 2015

La conciencia ambiental es característica en nuestra cultura, y plantea múltiples retos educativos. Las elecciones ambientales no dejan de construirnos… o destruirnos, tanto personal como colectivamente, en dimensiones corporales o culturales, en el individuo humano y en su paisaje. Entre ser humano y naturaleza existe un vínculo, común a ambos, de humanidad y naturalidad que no puede olvidarse en la educación sin erosionar el valor y el respeto del ser humano y la naturaleza a la vez.Este artículo busca impulsar la educación en medio ambiente mediante el desarrollo de la inteligencia espiritual y viceversa, con el fin de alimentar nuestro conocimiento con una profundidad y universalidad que necesitamos. En particular, destaca el papel cultural de la ciencia ecológica y resalta que la diferencia esencial entre los seres humanos y su medio natural permite –y debe– alimentar el respeto de ambos a través de la importancia y valor del recíproco.