bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Induces Loss of GABA Inhibition in Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone-Expressing Neurons through NKCC1 Upregulation
Authors: Gao Yonggang , Zhou Jing-Jing , Zhu Yun , Kosten Therese , Li De-Pei
Published: April 2016

Introduction: Prolonged and repeated stresses cause hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are an essential component of the HPA axis. Materials and Methods: Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats. GABA reversal potentials (EGABA) were determined by using gramicidin-perforated recordings in identified PVN-CRH neurons through expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein driven by the CRH promoter. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels were measured in rats implanted with a cannula targeting the lateral ventricles and PVN. Results: Blocking the GABAA receptor in the PVN with gabazine significantly increased plasma CORT levels in unstressed rats but did not change CORT levels in CUMS rats. CUMS caused a depolarizing shift in EGABA in PVN-CRH neurons compared with EGABA in PVN-CRH neurons in unstressed rats. Furthermore, CUMS induced a long-lasting increase in expression levels of the cation chloride cotransporter Na+-K+-Cl--Cl- (NKCC1) in the PVN but a transient decrease in expression levels of K+-Cl--Cl- in the PVN, which returned to the basal level 5 days after CUMS treatment. The NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide decreased the basal firing activity of PVN-CRH neurons and normalized EGABA and the gabazine-induced excitatory effect on PVN-CRH neurons in CUMS rats. In addition, central administration of bumetanide decreased basal circulating CORT levels in CUMS rats. Conclusions: These data suggest that chronic stress impairs GABAergic inhibition, resulting in HPA axis hyperactivity through upregulation of NKCC1.
A PRESERVAÇÃO DAS PALMEIRAS-IMPERIAIS DA PRAÇA RAMOS DE AZEVEDO: UM QUADRO PAISAGÍSTICO MEMORÁVEL DA CIDADE DE SÃO PAULO
Authors: Moraes Amaral Raquel Dias de Aguiar , Cavalcanti Neto Joaquim Teotônio , Yojo Takashi , Brazolin Sérgio
Published: April 2016

A manutenção das palmeiras e árvores localizadas nas áreas públicas, como em praças e calçadas, não é realizada preventivamente, ocasionando perdas vegetais, além do risco aos citadinos, devido à queda dos exemplares. Esta situação se agrava, quando envolve plantas pertencentes à vegetação significativa da cidade de São Paulo, como o renque de palmeiras-imperiais seculares com representatividade histórica na paisagem da Praça Ramos de Azevedo, no Vale do Anhangabaú em São Paulo, SP. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados do diagnóstico do estado geral, das condições fitossanitárias e do solo e da análise de risco de queda das palmeiras para realização do manejo e de sugestões para garantir a estabilidade estrutural dos exemplares. Das 25 palmeiras analisadas, 16 (64%) apresentaram ocorrência de cupins, brocas de madeira, fungos e/ou lagartas e seu estado geral se encontrava comprometido por cavidades, constrição do estipe e ações antrópicas, em 12 (48%) indivíduos. O manejo integrado das pragas e fungos foi realizado utilizando-se os controles biológicos, químicos e mecânicos para tratar a infestação dos organismos nas palmeiras. Para melhoria das condições do solo, utilizaram-se formulações indispensáveis para a nutrição das plantas, como os macro e micronutrientes e matéria orgânica. A adoção destes procedimentos contribuiu para a preservação e fortalecimento das palmeiras, as quais se mostraram saudáveis e viçosas. Três palmeiras foram classificadas quanto ao risco de queda com nível de prioridade alto, sendo que para uma delas, foi proposto o dimensionamento de uma estrutura metálica para se garantir a estabilidade estrutural da palmeira e evitar acidentes.
SISTEMAS INTEGRADOS NO TRANSPORTE URBANO: PÚBLICO E PRIVADO – O AUTOMÓVEL COMPARTILHADO EM SÃO PAULO
Authors: RUCHTI VALERIA
Published: April 2016

A perspectiva de fundamentação sistêmica (Capra, 1982, 1996, 2014) traduz a ideia de interdependência e inter-relação de todos os fenômenos, referenciada na concepção medieval da terra como organismo vivo. Substituída pelo princípio mecanicista (a partir do século XVI e XVII), no qual a natureza passa a ser vista como uma máquina, e apontando para o crescimento econômico ilimitado, tornou-se responsável pela raiz dos principais problemas planetários e da multifacetada crise global que resultou nas superpopulações urbanas com preponderância do uso do automóvel.Entretanto, cidades desenvolvidas no mundo todo têm buscado a cada dia, alternativas ecossistêmicas, para responder entre tantas questões, ao problema da mobilidade no transporte urbano. A proposta de uma rede interativa de transporte público e privado para a cidade de São Paulo, em cujos nós poderão ser possíveis abarcar locais de distribuição de serviços de carros compartilhados, com logística de conectividade entre os demais modais, objetiva resgatar o espaço público tendo em vista o cidadão fruindo a excelência da vida urbana.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Paclitaxel-Eluting Balloon Catheters and Everolimus-Eluting Stents in the Treatment of Coronary In-Stent Restenosis
Authors: Pleva Leos , Kukla Pavel , Kusnierova Pavlina , Zapletalova Jana , Hlinomaz Ota
Published: April 2016

Background—

The aim of this prospective randomized noninferiority study was to compare the efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting balloon (PEB) catheters and everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in the treatment of bare metal stent restenosis.

Methods and Results—

A total of 136 patients were enrolled in the study. Each treatment group included 68 patients with 74 in-stent restenotic lesions. The primary end point was in-segment late lumen loss (LLL) at 12 months. Secondary end points were the incidence of binary in-stent restenosis and 12-month major adverse cardiac events. The 2-sided 95% confidence interval of LLL difference between treatments (0.149–0.558) was greater than noninferiority margin (0.12), which demonstrates both noninferiority and superiority of PEB treatment. Furthermore, the PEB group had significantly less 12-month LLL than the EES group (0.02 versus 0.19 mm;
P
=0.0004). The difference in the incidence of repeated binary restenosis (8.7% versus 19.12%;
P
=0.078) and 12-month major adverse cardiac events (10.29% versus 19.12%;
P
=0.213) was not significant. The 12-month LLL was significantly less in the PEB group and also in subgroups with in-stent restenosis >10 mm (0.05 versus 0.26 mm;
P
=0.0002) and artery diameter <3 mm (0.05 versus 0.16 mm;
P
=0.003) compared with the EES groups, but not in the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus (
P
=0.254). In the EES group, repetitive binary restenosis had a significantly greater chance of occurring (odds ratio=3.132; 95% confidence interval, 1.058–9.269;
P
=0.039), even when adjusting for other risk factors.

Conclusions—

Treatment of bare metal stent restenosis using PEB led to significantly less 12-month LLL than the implantation of second-generation EES.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01735825.
Meta-Analyses of Human Cell-Based Cardiac Regeneration Therapies
Authors: Gyöngyösi Mariann , Wojakowski Wojciech , Navarese Eliano P. , Moye Lemuel À.
Published: April 2016

In contrast to multiple publication-based meta-analyses involving clinical cardiac regeneration therapy in patients with recent myocardial infarction, a recently published meta-analysis based on individual patient data reported no effect of cell therapy on left ventricular function or clinical outcome. A comprehensive review of the data collection, statistics, and the overall principles of meta-analyses provides further clarification and explanation for this controversy. The advantages and pitfalls of different types of meta-analyses are reviewed here. Each meta-analysis approach has a place when pivotal clinical trials are lacking and sheds light on the magnitude of the treatment in a complex healthcare field.
Campus Culture Wars and the Sociology of Morality
Authors: Campbell Bradley , Manning Jason
Published: April 2016

In 2014Comparative Sociologypublished our analysis of microaggression complaints – a comparative and theoretical piece addressing microaggression complaints as a form of social control indicative of a distinct moral culture. The article attracted a surprising amount of attention in popular media, and with this attention came confusion and controversy. Here we respond to popular accounts of our work, addressing common criticisms and confusions as well as the sociological question of why the article produced such strong reactions. We conclude by clarifying the sociology of morality’s role in moral debates and suggesting ways that sociological knowledge can inform debate and guide reform.
The Intersectionality of Gender, Rights, and Privilege: A Comparative Analysis of 127 Countries
Authors: Wernet Christine A.
Published: April 2016

This study provides a macro-level comparison of the rights and privileges that women have around the world through the development of a multi-dimensional index of pro-woman states. This is important because states that score highly on the index provide models for decreasing gender inequalities and increasing human rights for women worldwide. Cross-national differences in female education, employment, reproductive freedom, and participation in state policy formation are explored. Pro-woman states have policies that are associated with higher levels of education, income, and satisfaction. An understanding of the rights and privileges provided in pro-woman states can be used to restructure the welfare state to encourage the empowerment of women and the development of more equal societies.
The Socio-historical Racialization of Asians in New Zealand
Authors: Lowe John
Published: April 2016

This article seeks to establish comparability and continuity to past and present anti-Asiatic racisms in New Zealand society. In the years after 1986, the acceptance of non-European immigrants to New Zealand has drawn criticisms from both the dominant Anglo-Celtic majority in conjunction with the country’s indigenous Maori population. At a time when Asian minority subaltern existence fails to challenge the dominant discourse that has forestalled the state subvention of multiculturalism, it is hoped that this work provides conceptual clarity on the similarities and differences that exist between historical and contemporary anti-Asiatic racisms in New Zealand. There is, in other words, a shift from fears towards Asians or Orientals as an inferior ‘race’ to the current racialization involving the inscription of new forms of colonial power designed to maintain a sense of ethnocracy.
Growth ecology of the tree lizard Urosaurus bicarinatus (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae), in a tropical dry forest of the Chamela Region, Mexico
Authors: Ramírez-Bautista Aurelio , Hernández-Salinas Uriel , Zamora-Abrego J. Gastón
Published: April 2016

Determination of growth rate provides an important component of an organism’s life history, making estimations of size at maturity, survival rate, and longevity possible. Here, we report on growth rate of males and females of the tropical tree lizardUrosaurus bicarinatus, in a seasonal environment in the state of Jalisco on the Mexican Pacific Coast. We calculated body growth rates and fitted these to the Von Bertalanffy, the logistic-by-length, and the logistic-by-weight growth models. The Von Bertalanffy model provided the best fit, and we used it to analyze the growth pattern. Males and females did not differ in estimated asymptotic size and other characteristic growth parameters. Estimated growth curve predicted an age at maturity of 38 mm SVL on 120 days for males, and 40 mm SVL on 170 days for females. On the basis of the similarities in the growth rates between the sexes, comparisons were made between seasons, and we found that the average rate of growth was slightly, albeit insignificantly, higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. The similarities in the growth patterns for the sexes of this species might be indicative of variance in its life history traits (e.g., fecundity, egg size) compared to those of other populations of this species and other species of this genus; therefore, it is important to document interpopulation differences to understand the evolutionary changes that have led to optimal adaptation in a particular environment more accurately.
Aphelochaeta (Polychaeta: Cirratulidae) from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, with a description of five new species
Authors: DEAN HARLAN K. , BLAKE JAMES A.
Published: April 2016

Five new species of bitentaculate Cirratulidae belonging to the genus Aphelochaeta are herein described from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, all from shallow subtidal depths. Aphelochaeta antelonga sp. nov. is characterized by a long biannulate peristomium and fibrillated capillary setae and is from 11–18 m in the Gulf of Nicoya. Aphelochaeta guimondi sp. nov., with a wide dorsal trough in the thorax and hirsute capillaries (visible using SEM), is described from 11–26 m in the Gulf of Nicoya. Aphelochaeta praeacuta sp. nov., with its first peristomial annulation extending as a dorsal crest over the second annulation and first setiger, was collected from 11–28 m in Bahia Culebra. Aphelochaeta striata sp. nov., collected from 11–28 m in the Gulf of Nicoya, is recognized by its narrow body and the transverse blue stripes across the venter of setigers 5–8 produced with methyl green stain. Aphelochaeta zebra sp. nov., collected from a coral reef in Golfo Dulce, is characterized by its expanded posterior end and the darkly staining intersegmental regions using methyl green stain. Additionally, A. glandaria Blake, 1996, a species reportedly with a widespread geographic distribution (Blake, 1996), was also encountered subtidally from the Gulf of Nicoya and Golfo Dulce.
Two new synanthropic species of Anyphaena Sundevall (Araneae: Anyphaenidae) associated to houses in Mexico City
Authors: DURÁN-BARRÓN CÉSAR G. , PÉREZ TILA M. , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D.
Published: April 2016

The family Anyphaenidae is composed by 56 genera and 542 species worldwide (World Spider Catalog 2015). These spiders, known as “ghost spiders”, are wandering hunters living in a variety of environments, from forests to deserts, and can be quite abundant in different crops such as cotton, sorghum and rice (Brescovit 1996; Young & Edwards 1990; Taylor & Pfannenstiel 2008). They typically live on vegetation, among dead leaves or under loose bark and rocks (Richman & Ubick 2005) but synanthropic associations have been reported for a few species (Jiménez 1998; Guarisco 1999; Durán-Barrón et al. 2009). The genus Anyphaena has 81 species widely distributed in Asia, Central Europe, North America and Mexico (Brescovit 1996; Richman & Ubick 2005; World Spider Catalog 2015). The species from Noth America and Mexico were revised by Platnick (1974) who recognized four species groups (accentuata, celer, pectorosa and pacifica). Platnick (1977), Platnick & Lau (1975) and Brescovit & Lise (1989) complemented the revision of the genus in Central America. Presently, there are 27 species of Anyphaena recorded in Mexico (World Spider Catalog 2015), 24 of them from the celer group. Here, two new species of Anyphaena are described based in material collected during an inventory of spiders associated to houses in Mexico City, carried out by Durán-Barrón et al. (2009). Both species have the diagnostic characters of the members of the pacifica group as defined by Platnick (1974), such as the lack of leg coxal spurs and the presence of a lightly sclerotized atrium in the female epigynum. These species represent the first record of the pacifica group in Mexico. The occurrence of Anyphaenidae associated to houses was reported in Mexico by Durán-Barrón et al. (2009), who recorded Anyphaena obregon Platnick & Lau, 1975 and Hibana futilis (Banks, 1898) as frequent inhabitants inside houses. The species herein described are reported solely from urban areas and can be also characterized as frequent in these anthropic environments.
Chaunax multilepis sp. nov., a new species of Chaunax (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae) from the northern Indian Ocean
Authors: HO HSUAN-CHING , MELEPPURA RAJEESH KUMAR , BINEESH K. K.
Published: April 2016

A new species of Chaunax is described on the basis of eight type and five non-type specimens. This species belongs to the Chaunax abei species group and can be distinguished from congeners in the group by having a continuous tooth patch on the vomer, not divided into two patches, and four or five neuromasts in the lower preopercular series. It can be further separated by the following combination of characters: large green spots on dorsal surface; simple spinules on dorsal surface; 12 pectoral-fin rays; 13–16 neuromasts in pectoral series; 30–37 neuromasts in lateral-line proper; typically four neuromasts on caudal-fin base; typically 7 neuromasts in mandible; typically 12 gill rakers on second gill arch; gill chamber and buccal cavity pale; and peritoneum black.
Two new species of Cyphocharax (Teleostei: Characiformes: Curimatidae) from headwaters of the Jequitinhonha and São Francisco river basins, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: DUTRA GUILHERME MOREIRA , PENIDO IAGO DE SOUZA , MELLO GABRIEL CAETANO GUIMARÃES DE , PESSALI TIAGO CASARIM
Published: April 2016

Two new species of Cyphocharax from southeastern Brazil are described. Both new species share with C. punctatus, and C. vanderi the presence of a midlateral series of irregular patches of dark pigmentation along the lateral line. Cyphocharax jagunco, new species, from Rio Jequitinhonha basin, is distinguished from C. lundi, C. punctatus, and C. vanderi by the number of patches of dark pigmentation along lateral line; the number of pored scales posterior to the hypural joint; the number of scales in the lateral line; and the number of scales rows above lateral line. Cyphocharax lundi, new species, from Rio São Francisco basin, is distinguished from C. jagunco, C. punctatus, and C. vanderi by the presence of dark spots above the lateral line; and the number of scales in the lateral line. Comments on the relationships of the new species within Cyphocharax are presented.
A new species of Rhadinella (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero, Mexico
Authors: CAMPILLO GUSTAVO , DÁVILA-GALAVÍZ LUIS FERNANDO , FLORES-VILLELA OSCAR , CAMPBELL JONATHAN A.
Published: April 2016

We describe a new species of Rhadinella from the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero, Mexico, a region where the genus was previously unknown. This diminutive species is a member of a group of snakes previously allocated in the Rhadinaea godmani group, and more recently transferred to the genus Rhadinella. These snakes may have conspicuous dark longitudinal striping on a pale brown to orange background or may have dark brown to blackish dorsal ground coloration, which mostly or completely obfuscates a pattern of longitudinal striping. The new species is mostly dark with barely discernible slightly paler or darker striping (depending on how striping is interpreted). The closest relative of the new species, on the basis of morphological similarities and biogeography, appears to be Rhadinella donaji which occurs to the east in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Oaxaca about 275 km from the type-locality of the new species.
Tupiperla (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae) from southwestern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with the description of Tupiperla amorimi n.sp.
Authors: FROEHLICH CLAUDIO G.
Published: April 2016

The genus Tupiperla Froehlich 1969 occurs in Brazil from Bahia and Goiás states south to Santa Catarina State and also in nearby areas of Misiones Province, Argentina and southern Paraguay. Recently, Duarte et al. (2014a, 2014b) described two new species from Bahia State. With the present new species, the number of known species of this genus is currently 19.
Global Water Vapor Trend from 1988 to 2011 and Its Diurnal Asymmetry Based on GPS, Radiosonde, and Microwave Satellite Measurements
Authors: Wang Junhong , Dai Aiguo , Mears Carl
Published: April 2016

This study analyzes trends in precipitable water (PW) over land and ocean from 1988 to 2011, the PW–surface temperature Ts relationship, and their diurnal asymmetry using homogenized radiosonde data, microwave satellite observations, and ground-based global positioning system (GPS) measurements. It is found that positive PW trends predominate over the globe, with larger magnitudes over ocean than over land. The PW trend is correlated with surface warming spatially over ocean with a pattern correlation coefficient of 0.51. The PW percentage increase rate normalized by Ts expressed as is larger and closer to the rate implied by the Clausius–Clapeyron (C–C) equation over ocean than over land. The 2-hourly GPS PW data show that the PW trend from 1995 to 2011 is larger at night than during daytime. Nighttime PW monthly anomalies correlate positively and significantly with nighttime minimum temperature Tmin at all stations, but this is not true for daytime PW and maximum temperature Tmax. The ratio of relative PW changes with Tmin () is larger and closer to the C–C equation’s implied value of ~7% K−1 than . This suggests that the relationship between PW and Ts at night is a better indicator of the water vapor feedback than that during daytime, when clouds and other factors also influence Ts.
Identification and Prevalence of Allergic, Nonallergic, and Local Allergic Rhinitis Patients in Western Area, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Badran Hatem S. , Hussein Ahmed , Salah Mohamad , Lotfi Wassim T.
Published: April 2016

Objectives:

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of skin prick test (SPT) and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies level in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the role of nasal provocation test (NPT) for the determination of local allergic rhinitis (LAR) in patients with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR).

Methodology:

This multi-center study included 1230 patients with clinical manifestations for ≥2 years. Patients were classified according to the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and scored according to the quantitative Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR). The SPT and total IgE antibody levels were done for all patients. Patients gave negative SPT underwent NPT, and its result was interpreted using Lebel Symptom Score Scale.

Results:

The SPT was positive in 77.8% of patients, mostly for grass pollen and dust mites. All patients were sensitive to multiple allergens. Median serum IgE antibody level for total study population was 162 IU/ml. Forty-two patients (3.4%) with negative SPT showed a weak response to NPT, while 231 patients (18.7%) with negative SPT had a high response to NPT and were considered to have LAR.

Conclusion:

The SPT could discriminate between AR and NAR patients. The NPT could identify LAR in 84.6% of patients with rhinitis among those considered as NAR.
La religion, objet juridique non identifié ? Approches comparées des opérations de droit et de ses effets sur le religieux
Authors: Amiraux Valérie , Koussens David
Published: April 2016

Over the last two decades, public discussions on religion, whether national, supranational or international, have emerged increasingly in the juridical arena (courts, tribunals and parliaments). This movement can be observed in North American and European contexts, as well as in North African and Middle-Eastern countries. This special section aims to investigate the following issues from a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective: (1) The legitimacy of law, when used as an objective tool, to participate in the interpretation of religion; (2) The distributive effects of this process of interpretation, through its generation of definitions and assessment of the legitimacy of religion, in public and social life. The reflection on the centrality of law in the management of religion is a call for innovative theoretical and empirical research which focuses on the ways various actors engage in situations involving religion (participation, reaction, contestation, etc.).
Evaluating the Effect of Project Longevity on Group-Involved Shootings and Homicides in New Haven, Connecticut
Authors: Sierra-Arevalo Michael , Charette Yanick , Papachristos Andrew V.
Published: April 2016

Beginning in November 2012, New Haven, Connecticut, served as the pilot site for Project Longevity, a statewide focused deterrence gun violence reduction strategy. The intervention brings law enforcement, social services, and community members together to meet with members of violent street groups at program call-ins. Using autoregressive integrated moving average models and controlling for the possibility of a non-New Haven–specific decline in gun violence, a decrease in group offending patterns, and the limitations of police-defined group member involved (GMI) categorization of shootings and homicides, the results of our analysis show that Longevity is associated with a reduction of almost five GMI incidents per month. These findings bolster research confirming the efficacy of focused deterrence approaches to reducing gun violence.
Police Officer Receptivity to Research and Evidence-Based Policing: Examining Variability Within and Across Agencies
Authors: Telep Cody W.
Published: April 2016

Recent calls for police to focus more on integrating research into practice require paying closer attention to how receptive frontline practitioners are to using research. Officers in four U.S. municipal agencies ( n = 992) were surveyed to assess their exposure to research, knowledge about the evidence base, view of science, and willingness to evaluate interventions. Multivariate results show that officer awareness of evidence-based policing and willingness to work with researchers are influenced by education and prior research exposure. These factors strongly predict more specific indicators of receptivity. Results also suggest substantial variation in attitudes across agencies, emphasizing the importance of organizational context. The most receptive officers in our sample vary significantly from all others on multiple experience variables.
Interrogating violence against women and state violence policy: Gendered intersectionalities and the quality of policy in The Netherlands, Sweden and the UK
Authors: Hearn Jeff , Strid Sofia , Husu Liisa , Verloo Mieke
Published: April 2016

This article builds on feminist scholarship on intersectionality to address violence against women, and state policy thereon. It takes up the challenge of analysing the complex, situated and spatial relationship between theorizing on violence against women and state policy on such violence. Drawing on extensive comparative European data, it explores the relations of gender and intersectionality, conceptualized as gendered intersectionalities, by examining how multiple inequalities are made visible and invisible in state policy and debates in the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. Attention is paid to different forms of gendered intersectionalities in policy, for example, tendencies to degender violence against women. A key aim of the article is to investigate how comparative analysis can be a starting point for assessing if, how and to what extent the inclusion of multiple inequalities could increase the quality of policy, for both reducing and stopping violence, and assisting those subject to violence.
The Effects of Reading Fluency Interventions on the Reading Fluency and Reading Comprehension Performance of Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities: A Synthesis of the Research from 2001 to 2014
Authors: Stevens Elizabeth A. , Walker Melodee A. , Vaughn Sharon
Published: April 2016

Fluent word reading is hypothesized to facilitate reading comprehension by improving automatic word reading, thus releasing a reader’s cognitive resources to focus on meaning. Many students with learning disabilities (LD) struggle to develop reading fluency, which affects reading comprehension. This synthesis extends Chard, Vaughn, and Tyler’s (2002) review, synthesizing fluency intervention research from 2001 to 2014. The search yielded 19 studies examining reading fluency and comprehension outcomes of reading fluency interventions for students with LD in kindergarten through 5th grade. Results showed repeated reading (RR), multicomponent interventions, and assisted reading with audiobooks produced gains in reading fluency and comprehension. Providing a model of fluent reading and performance feedback, using easier level text, setting a performance criterion, and practicing RR with peers also contributed to improved outcomes. Findings suggest that RR remains the most effective intervention for improving reading fluency for students with LD. Limitations include sample size, only three group design studies, and infrequent use of standardized measures.
Two Views of Culture and Their Implications for Mathematics Teaching and Learning
Authors: Hodge Lynn Liao , Cobb Paul
Published: April 2016

In this article, the authors present an analysis of two views of culture reflected in equity scholarship and their implications on research and mathematics teaching. In doing so, they draw on two interrelated theoretical orientations to describe instructional practices that support equitable learning opportunities in mathematics classrooms. These two orientations are grounded in contrasting views of culture. They discuss the contributions of and the tensions associated with each orientation, and argue for a research agenda that focuses primarily on what is called the Cultural Participation Orientation. In addition, the authors discuss the usefulness of drawing on both orientations in understanding equitable instructional practices in urban mathematics classrooms.
How Pro-Poor and Income Equitable Are Tourism Taxation Policies in a Developing Country? Evidence from a Computable General Equilibrium Model
Authors: Mahadevan Renuka , Amir Hidayat , Nugroho Anda
Published: April 2016

This article highlights the impacts on poverty, income inequality, and the macroeconomic and sectoral output resulting from increases in the value-added tax and sales tax on hotels and restaurants using Indonesia as a case study. While taxing tourism-related sectors was ineffective in reducing poverty and income inequality, using tax revenue from the value-added tax as a cash transfer policy was effective and more so in rural Indonesia. Tax revenue used for infrastructural development was however limited in its impact on poverty and income distribution. Overall, the negative effects of taxation on various industries and the contraction of GDP and employment in the economy need to be mitigated. This can be done with an appropriate policy mix for the use of tax revenue between cash transfers and expenditure in education and health, with the view to address potential resource misallocation and output contraction in other industries.
The impact of character/background colour combinations and exposition on character legibility and readability on video display units
Authors: Grozdanovic Miroljub , Marjanovic Dobrivoje , Janackovic Goran L , Djordjevic Miodrag
Published: April 2016

This paper presents the impact of text and background colour combinations on the legibility of characters and readability of text presented on video display units (VDUs). The stimulus features influencing the operator’s response latency and accuracy are analysed in two experiments, examining the effects of text–background colour combinations and stimulus exposition on the ability of character and word identification on VDUs. This is analysed for the purpose of improving the information presentation in control information systems in Serbian underground coal mines. The legibility of characters based on the main colour combinations was tested by focusing on 30 participants. The first experiment required the participants to identify the legibility of uppercase alphabetic characters and numbers randomly selected and presented on a VDU. The visual performance was expressed by the number of correctly identified characters. The second experiment required the participants to identify the readability of the presented characters, based on the colour combinations of the characters and the background, in order to identify the best possible combination of colours for fast identification of information, which is very important in the detection of fast-changing unwanted events. The results of the experiments suggested that the character recognition was strongly influenced by character/background colour combination and exposition. The adequate selection of these variables can significantly improve the legibility of characters, and improve the speed and the accuracy of the identification of potential problems in underground coal mines during emergency situations.
A novel performance measurement approach based on trust context using fuzzy T-norm and S-norm operators: The case study of energy consumption
Authors: Azadeh Ali , Aryaee Mojtaba , Zarrin Mansour , Saberi Morteza
Published: April 2016

In today’s economic environment, performance and efficiency assessment is essential for organizations in order to survive and raise their market share. Energy efficient consumption is a major issue in the energy planning of each country which is a big concern of managers, hence, exploitation of a strong approach for efficiency evaluation and assessment seems necessary in the energy section. In this study, a novel performance assessment model is proposed based on the concept of trust, using two popular fuzzy operators called T-norm and S-norm. The developed model is applied for a real case study of energy consumption efficiency assessment for 36 countries. An adaptive network based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is used to measure the efficiencies. Also, to predict efficiency rates of the future time periods, a regression model is applied as a time series model. The obtained results indicate the superiority and applicability of the proposed methodology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that proposes a novel performance measurement approach based on trust context by using fuzzy T-norm and S-norm operators.
Experimental evaluation of different strategies for improving oil recovery at high-water-cut by quantitative etched-glass micro-models
Authors: Wu Dan , Ju Binshan , Chen Xinglong , Fu Yingkun , Brantson Eric Thompson
Published: April 2016

In this paper, microscopic visualization devices and image processing techniques were used to conduct microscopic water flooding experiments. A novel classification criterion for residual oil during the water flooding process was established as follows: contiguous type, branched type, oil film type, columnar type, and droplet type. Correlations between the five types of residual oil saturation and water-cut were established. Also, the recovery improving potential for different production strategies have been investigated by water flooding experiments. The relationship between various types of residual oil saturation and injection velocity were obtained, with the former residual oil saturation decreasing to 16.09% during the injection process when the velocity was increased from 0.05 mL/min to 0.5 mL/min. However, with an increase in injection velocity, the saturation of contiguous residual oil type decreased first and then stabilized. The saturation of branched oil type monotonically decreased, but saturation of droplet oil type monotonically increased. Residual oil saturations were 22.62% and 9.69% before and after altering injection direction, respectively, which means residual oil recovery was increased by 12.93%. Some places were considered to be “dead oil regions” before altering injection direction with most of the contiguous and branched type residual oil in these areas been displaced out by altering injection direction. Altering the injection direction is a more effective method of enhancing oil recovery than improving injection velocity when the same volume of water is injected. The proposed method and prediction correlations were presented in this paper to provide a novel means to predict oil recovery and residual oil saturation types for water flooding reservoirs, which have strong plane and weak vertical heterogeneity.
Does EU Framework Program Participation Affect Regional Innovation? The Differentiating Role of Economic Development
Authors: Varga Attila , Sebestyén Tamás
Published: April 2016

Framework Programs (FPs) of the European Union (EU) finance collaboration among research units located in different parts of Europe and as such they mediate the flow of a significant amount of knowledge across distantly located European regions. Contrary to expectations, no evidence has been found in the literature on the supposed positive regional innovation impact of FP participation. We assume in this article that the overall missing impact of EU FP participation on regional patenting masks an important spatial regime effect. Our results are supportive of this assumption. While FP research subsidies act as a substitute for funding from other sources in regions of old EU member states, innovation in lagging regions in Central and Eastern Europe tends to rely more on the external knowledge transferred via FP-funded research networks to compensate for their less developed local knowledge infrastructures. Our findings are important, as they suggest that, in combination with other policies, strengthening research excellence and international scientific networking in relatively lagging regions could be a viable option to increase regional innovativeness.
Critique of Urban Violence: Bismarckian Transformations in Managua, Nicaragua
Authors: Rodgers Dennis
Published: April 2016

Urban contexts are widely conceived as inherently violent due to their putatively disorderly nature. Such a conception of violence effectively conceives it as singular and fundamentally destructive, neither of which necessarily hold universally true. Drawing on Benjamin’s ‘Critique of Violence’ and the life history of Bismarck, a former gang member turned drug dealer turned property entrepreneur living in a poor neighbourhood in Managua, Nicaragua, this article highlights how different forms of urban violence interrelate with each other over time, and how they shape an individual’s urban experience and environment. In doing so, it underscores how urban violence is not a singular phenomenon, how it intertwines with a range of urban social processes, and how it is often socially constitutive rather than destructive. Seen from this perspective, the key question to ask is less to what extent violence is a hallmark of urban contexts but rather how different articulations of violence emerge in cities, and why it is that they can play such contrasting roles in the constitution of urban life.
Exploring the facilitation of young children with disabilities in research about their early intervention service
Authors: Carroll Clare , Sixsmith Jane
Published: April 2016

While participatory research approaches are being developed and applied within speech and language therapy practice it is not clear that all children are afforded the opportunity to participate in such activities. This study aimed to explore the involvement of young children, aged between two and four years, with developmental disabilities in the research process, focusing on early intervention disability services. Eight young children took part in this qualitative research. Clark and Moss’s (2011) framework for listening was used to structure the multi-method data collection process. The design was iterative; the collection of data from each participant was followed by a review of theoretical ideas to support the emerging data. Findings suggest that the use of an asset based approach to participation in research, focusing on participants strengths through a variety of data collection tools, used by a skilled facilitator, supported by parental expertise enabled the children to be part of the data collection process. The research highlights that speech and language therapists can facilitate the inclusion of children with disabilities in research activities about their early intervention service they receive. As members of early intervention teams speech and language therapists need to promote their skills in facilitating the active engagement of children with developmental disabilities in research. Thus making their participation in early intervention research, a reality with potential to promote holistic practice.
Sclerotherapy is a safe method of treatment of chronic venous disorders in older patients: A prospective and comparative study of consecutive patients
Authors: Gillet Jean-Luc , Desnos Claudine H , Lausecker Michel , Daniel Christian , Guex Jean-Jerome , Allaert François-André
Published: April 2016

Objectives

An aging population requires evaluation of methods of treatment for older patients. Our objective was to evaluate the indications, practical modalities, safety and tolerability of sclerotherapy in patients 75 years of age and older (group 1) and compare with a control group of patients 18 to74 years of age (group 2).

Method

This observational, multicentre, prospective and comparative study was conducted by the French Society of Phlebology. Each centre collected in 10 to 20 patients ≥75 years of age and an equal number of patients <75 years of age treated by sclerotherapy, the treatment indication, the patient's personal history, the CEAP clinical class, the type of the veins being treated, the characteristics of sclerotherapy and the complications (immediately after treatment and at one-month follow-up).

Results

Population: In total, 418 patients were enrolled in 15 centres: 176 patients in group 1 (mean: 79.4 years) and 242 patients in group 2 (mean: 52.7 years).CEAP clinical classes C4, C5 and C6, history of deep vein thrombosis (12.5%) and superficial vein thrombosis (11.9%), long-term anticoagulant therapy (9.1%) and antiplatelet therapy (16.5%) were more frequent in older patients.All types of veins were treated from saphenous veins to telangiectasias. Sclerotherapy features: There was no difference in concentration of the sclerosing agents. When foam sclerotherapy was used (84% of patients), the injected volume was lower in group 1. Complications: One vasovagal syncope occurred in group 1. One asymptomatic distal deep vein thrombosis, confined to the Medial Gastrocnemius Veins, was reported in both groups at one-month follow-up.

Conclusions

This study shows the feasibility and safety of sclerotherapy in older patients, with no specific complications nor need for special precautions.
Risk of long-term anticoagulation under sustained severe arterial hypertension: A translational study comparing warfarin and the new oral anticoagulant apixaban
Authors: Pfeilschifter Waltraud , Steinstraesser Thurid , Paulus Patrick , Zeiner Pia Susan , Bohmann Ferdinand , Theisen Alf , Lindhoff-Last Edelgard , Penski Cornelia , Wagner Marlies , Mittelbronn Michel , Foerch Christian
Published: April 2016

New oral anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation have recently been introduced. In this translational study, we explored the risk of long-term anticoagulation on intracerebral hemorrhage under sustained severe arterial hypertension. We initiated anticoagulation with warfarin or apixaban in spontaneously hypertensive rats prone to develop severe hypertension and subsequent intracerebral bleeding complications. A non-anticoagulated group served as control. During an 11-week-study period, blood pressure, anticoagulation parameters, and clinical status were determined regularly. The incidence of histopathologically proven intracerebral hemorrhage was defined as the primary endpoint. Both warfarin and apixaban anticoagulation was fairly stable during the study period, and all rats developed severe hypertension. Intracerebral hemorrhage was determined in 29% (4/14) of warfarin rats and in 10% (1/10) of apixaban rats. Controls did not show cerebral bleeding complications (chi-square not significant). Mortality rate at study termination was 33% (2/6) in controls, 43% (6/14) in the warfarin group, and 60% (6/10) in the apixaban group. Animals died from extracerebral complications in most cases. Our study describes an experimental intracerebral hemorrhage model in the context of sustained hypertension and long-term anticoagulation. Extracerebral bleeding complications occurred more often in warfarin-treated animals compared with apixaban and control rats.
Duplex ultrasound for identifying renal artery stenosis: direct criteria re-evaluated
Authors: Zachrisson Karin , Herlitz Hans , Lönn Lars , Falkenberg Mårten , Eklöf Hampus
Published: April 2016

Background

Renal artery duplex ultrasound (RADUS) is an established method for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis (RAS), but there is no consensus regarding optimal RADUS criteria.

Purpose

To define optimal cutoff values for RADUS parameters when screening for RAS using intra-arterial trans-stenotic pressure gradient measurement (PGM) as reference.

Material and Methods

The renal arteries of 58 consecutive patients evaluated for renovascular hypertension were examined by RADUS and PGM. Conclusive measurements with both methods were obtained in 76 arteries. Hemodynamically significant RAS was defined as PGM ≥15 mmHg and was found in 43 of the 76 arteries. RADUS parameters included renal artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the renal–aortic ratio (RAR) of flow velocities. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) and Youden’s index were used to calculate optimal RADUS criteria for RAS.

Results

When traditional RADUS criteria for RAS were used, with a combination of PSV ≥180 cm/s and RAR ≥3.5, the sensitivity was 62% and the specificity was 91%. When RADUS criteria were optimized for sensitivity, then RAR ≥2.6 alone resulted in a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 69%.

Conclusion

The RAR ≥2.6 is a more sensitive criterion than traditional RADUS criteria when screening patients with clinical suspicion of RAS.
Adverse effects of metallic artifacts on voxel-wise analysis and tract-based spatial statistics in diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Goto Masami , Abe Osamu , Hata Junichi , Fukunaga Issei , Shimoji Keigo , Kunimatsu Akira , Gomi Tsutomu
Published: April 2016

Background

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that reflects the Brownian motion of water molecules constrained within brain tissue. Fractional anisotropy (FA) is one of the most commonly measured DTI parameters, and can be applied to quantitative analysis of white matter as tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and voxel-wise analysis.

Purpose

To show an association between metallic implants and the results of statistical analysis (voxel-wise group comparison and TBSS) for fractional anisotropy (FA) mapping, in DTI of healthy adults.

Material and Methods

Sixteen healthy volunteers were scanned with 3-Tesla MRI. A magnetic keeper type of dental implant was used as the metallic implant. DTI was acquired three times in each participant: (i) without a magnetic keeper (FAnon1); (ii) with a magnetic keeper (FAimp); and (iii) without a magnetic keeper (FAnon2) as reproducibility of FAnon1. Group comparisons with paired t-test were performed as FAnon1 vs. FAnon2, and as FAnon1 vs. FAimp.

Results

Regions of significantly reduced and increased local FA values were revealed by voxel-wise group comparison analysis (a P value of less than 0.05, corrected with family-wise error), but not by TBSS.

Conclusion

Metallic implants existing outside the field of view produce artifacts that affect the statistical analysis (voxel-wise group comparisons) for FA mapping. When statistical analysis for FA mapping is conducted by researchers, it is important to pay attention to any dental implants present in the mouths of the participants.