bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender, Ethnicity, and Transgender Embodiment: Interrogating Classification in Facial Feminization Surgery
Authors: Plemons Eric
Published: November 2018

Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a set of bone and soft tissue procedures intended to feminize the faces of transgender women. In the surgical evaluation, particular facial features are identified as ‘sex specific’ and targeted for intervention as such. But those features do not exhibit ‘maleness’ or ‘femaleness’ alone; they are complexly entwined with morphologies of ethnic classification. Based on clinical observation, I show how the desired feminine ideal conflicted with facial characteristics identified as ‘ethnic’. In FFS practice, ‘masculinity’ and ‘ethnicity’ were entangled as the constitutive outsides by which desirable ‘femininity’ was articulated. I argue that surgery that self-consciously enacts a patient’s move away from physiognomically identifiable ethnicity in order to achieve an ostensibly unmarked and neutral femininity becomes not only a process of feminizing the face but of whitening it, regardless of whether ‘white’ features are the express desire of the patient or aim of the surgeon.
Antibiotic Use in Hand Surgery: Surgeon Decision Making and Adherence to Available Evidence
Authors: Dunn John C. , Means Kenneth R. , Desale Sameer , Giladi Aviram M.
Published: November 2018

Background: There are no clearly defined guidelines from hand surgical societies regarding preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Many hand surgeons continue to routinely use preoperative prophylaxis with limited supporting evidence. This study aimed to determine for which scenarios surgeons give antibiotics, the reasons for administration, and whether these decisions are evidence-based. Methods: An anonymous 25-question survey was e-mailed to the 921-member American Society for Surgery of the Hand listserv. We collected demographic information; participants were asked whether they would administer antibiotics in a number of surgical scenarios and for what reasons. Respondents were broken into 3 groups based on when they said they would administer antibiotics: Group 1 (40 respondents) would give antibiotics in the case of short cases, healthy patients, without hardware; group 2 (9 respondents) would not give antibiotics in any scenario; and group 3 (129 respondents) would give antibiotics situationally. The Fisher exact test compared demographic variables, frequency of use, and indications of antibiotic prophylaxis. Results: Of the 921 recipients, 178 (19%) responded. Demographic variables did not correlate with the antibiotic use group. Operative case time >60 minutes, medical comorbidity, and pinning each increased antibiotic use. Group 1 respondents were more likely to admit that their practice was not evidence-based (74.4%) and that they gave antibiotics for medical-legal concern (75%). Twenty-two percent of respondents reported seeing a complication from routine prophylaxis, including Clostridium difficile infection. Conclusions: Antibiotics are still given unnecessarily before hand surgery, most often for medical-legal concern. Clear guidelines for preoperative antibiotic use may help reduce excessive and potentially inappropriate treatment and provide medical-legal support.
Current state of acute stroke care in Southeast Asian countries
Authors: Ng Justin Christopher , Churojana Anchalee , Pongpech Sirintara , Vu Luu Dang , Sadikin Cindy , Mahadevan Jeyaledchumy , Subramaniam Josephine , Jocson Victor Erwin , Lee Wickly
Published: November 2018

Acute stroke care systems in Southeast Asian countries are at various stages of development, with disparate treatment availability and practice in terms of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy. With the advent of successful endovascular therapy stroke trials over the past decade, the pressure to revise and advance acute stroke management has greatly intensified. Southeast Asian patients exhibit unique stroke features, such as increased susceptibility to intracranial atherosclerosis and higher prevalence of intracranial haemorrhage, likely secondary to modified vascular risk factors from differing dietary and lifestyle habits. Accordingly, the practice of acute endovascular stroke interventions needs to take into account these considerations. Acute stroke care systems in Southeast Asia also face a unique challenge of huge stroke burden against a background of ageing population, differing political landscape and healthcare systems in these countries. Building on existing published data, further complemented by multi-national interaction and collaboration over the past few years, the current state of acute stroke care systems with existing endovascular therapy services in Southeast Asian countries are consolidated and analysed in this review. The challenges facing acute stroke care strategies in this region are discussed.
Four-Branch Model of Ability Emotional Intelligence With Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence: A Meta-Analysis of Relations
Authors: Olderbak Sally , Semmler Martin , Doebler Philipp
Published: November 2018

We meta-analytically investigated relations between the four-branch model of ability emotional intelligence (EI) with fluid (Gf) and crystallized intelligence (Gc; 352 effect sizes; ntotal = 15,333). We found that for each branch, the strength of relations with Gf and Gc were equivalent. Understanding emotions has the strongest relation with Gf/Gc combined (ρ = .43, k = 81, n = 11,524), relative to facilitating thought using emotion (ρ = .19, k = 51, n = 7,254), managing emotions (ρ = .20, k = 74, n = 11,359), and perceiving emotion (ρ = .20, k = 79, n = 9,636); for the latter, relations were also moderated by stimulus type. We conclude with implications and recommendations for the study of ability EI.
Darkness and Light in Evelyn Underhill
Authors: Wrigley-Carr Robyn
Published: November 2018

Evelyn Underhill (1875–1941) was one of the most widely read writers in spirituality in the first half of the twentieth century. In addition to her nearly 40 books and hundreds of articles and reviews, Underhill wrote a significant number of letters of spiritual direction and led spiritual retreats in England in the 1920s and 1930s. Darkness and light are recurring themes in both Underhill’s letters of spiritual nurture and in the prayers that she wrote and selected for use when leading retreats. These two themes also operate as a lens for exploring Underhill’s own personal, spiritual journey. In this article, the themes of darkness and light are explored in Underhill’s spiritual journey, in her soul care of others, as revealed through her letters, and in her prayers for retreat leading. Underhill provides us with wisdom concerning soul care for people experiencing darkness. She shows us how to help them endure and trust God when the light is gone.
Estimating Incumbency Effects Using Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: Song B. K.
Published: November 2018

In recent years, research on the incumbency effect using a regression discontinuity design has flourished. Although the regression discontinuity design has allowed scholars to examine the incumbency effect in various electoral settings, previous studies have not measured what has traditionally been defined as the incumbency (dis)advantage. In this paper, I bring together methods from previous research, provide a consistent exposition thereof, and highlight some of the challenges of estimation and interpretation by applying these methods to election data from 10 different electoral settings.
Psychopharmacology: From serendipitous discoveries to rationale design, but what next?
Authors: Robinson Emma
Published: November 2018

Psychopharmacology really developed as a discipline from the mid-20th century with the discovery of a number of new classes of psychoactive drugs which could modify behaviour. These drugs were discovered as a consequence of clinical observations of patients, often being treated for other conditions. These serendipitous discoveries were the start of an era of drug development which has led to the antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and mood stabilisers used today. Subsequent research focused on understanding why these drugs were effective, and used this information to develop a second generation of drugs that were more selective for their therapeutic targets, and therefore had reduced side effects and improved safety and tolerability. After a period of decline in new discoveries and withdrawal of the majority of the major pharmaceutical companies from active development programmes in psychiatry, new avenues are emerging fuelling renewed interest in this area.
Estimation of the permeability of hydrocarbon reservoir samples using induced polarization and nuclear magnetic resonance methods
Authors: Razavirad Fatemeh , Schmutz Myriam , Binley Andrew
Published: November 2018

We have evaluated several published models using induced polarization (IP) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements for the estimation of permeability of hydrocarbon reservoir samples. IP and NMR measurements were made on 30 samples (clean sands and sandstones) from a Persian Gulf hydrocarbon reservoir. We assessed the applicability of a mechanistic IP-permeability model and an empirical IP-permeability model recently proposed. The mechanistic model results in a broader range of permeability estimates than those measured for sand samples, whereas the empirical model tends to overestimate the permeability of the samples that we tested. We also evaluated an NMR permeability prediction model that is based on porosity [Formula: see text] and the mean of the log transverse relaxation time ([Formula: see text]). This model provides reasonable permeability estimations for the clean sandstones that we tested but relies on calibrated parameters. We also examined an IP-NMR permeability model, which is based on the peak of the transverse relaxation time distribution, [Formula: see text] and the formation factor. This model consistently underestimates the permeability of the samples tested. We also evaluated a new model. This model estimates the permeability using the arithmetic mean of log transverse NMR relaxation time ([Formula: see text]) and diffusion coefficient of the pore fluid. Using this model, we improved estimates of permeability for sandstones and sand samples. This permeability model may offer a practical solution for geophysically derived estimates of permeability in the field, although testing on a larger database of clean granular materials is needed.
Interparameter trade-off quantification for isotropic-elastic full-waveform inversion with various model parameterizations
Authors: Pan Wenyong , Innanen Kristopher A. , Geng Yu , Li Junxiao
Published: November 2018

Simultaneous determination of multiple physical parameters using full-waveform inversion (FWI) suffers from interparameter trade-off difficulties. Analyzing the interparameter trade-offs in different model parameterizations of isotropic-elastic FWI, and thus determining the appropriate model parameterization, are critical for efficient inversion and obtaining reliable inverted models. Five different model parameterizations are considered and compared including velocity-density, modulus-density, impedance-density, and two velocity-impedance parameterizations. The scattering radiation patterns are first used for interparameter trade-off analysis. Furthermore, a new framework is developed to evaluate the interparameter trade-off based upon multiparameter Hessian-vector products: Multiparameter point spread functions (MPSFs) and interparameter contamination sensitivity kernels (ICSKs), which provide quantitative, second-order measurements of the interparameter contaminations. In the numerical experiments, the interparameter trade-offs in various model parameterizations are evaluated using the MPSFs and ICSKs. Inversion experiments are carried out with simple Gaussian-anomaly models and a complex Marmousi model. Overall, the parameterization of the P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity, and density, and the parameterization of the P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity, and S-wave impedance perform best for reconstructing all of the physical parameters. Isotropic-elastic FWI of the Hussar low-frequency data set with various model parameterizations verifies our conclusions.
An elongated finite-difference scheme for 2D acoustic and elastic wave simulations in the frequency domain
Authors: Takekawa Junichi , Mikada Hitoshi
Published: November 2018

We have developed a novel scheme to simulate acoustic and elastic wave propagation in the frequency-domain using a rectangular finite-difference (FD) stencil. One of the main problem of the frequency-domain modeling is its huge computational costs, i.e., the calculation time and memory usage. To overcome this problem, researchers have proposed many schemes to reduce the number of grid points in a wavelength. In general, high-accuracy schemes require large-sized stencils that cause increment in the bandwidth of the impedance matrix. It is, therefore, important to improve the accuracy of numerical schemes without increasing the bandwidth. We have applied an elongated stencil with different sampling ratio between horizontal and vertical directions to circumvent extra numerical bandwidth in the impedance matrix. Optimal FD coefficients and the aspect ratio of the grid cell are determined to minimize the error of the phase velocity. We investigate the dispersion property of the proposed scheme using plane-wave analysis. The dispersion analysis indicates that we could reduce the number of grid points in a wavelength by approximately 2.78 for acoustic wave modeling and by approximately 3.15 for elastic wave modeling so that the error of the phase velocity is less than 1%. We also conduct numerical simulations using homogeneous and inhomogeneous models to demonstrate the effectiveness of our scheme. The comparison of numerical accuracy and computational costs between our scheme and the conventional ones indicates that the computational costs (calculation time, memory usage) can be reduced with high numerical accuracy especially in elastic wave modeling. Because our technique is a simple and a powerful cost-efficient frequency-domain method, the elongated stencil can be an alternative scheme to the conventional ones for acoustic and elastic wave modeling.
On the convergence of the Neumann series for electrostatic fracture response
Authors: Weiss Chester J. , van Bloemen Waanders G. Bart
Published: November 2018

The feasibility of Neumann-series expansion of Maxwell’s equations in the electrostatic limit is investigated for potentially rapid and approximate subsurface imaging of geologic features proximal to metallic infrastructure in an oilfield environment. Although generally useful for efficient modeling of mild conductivity perturbations in uncluttered settings, we have raised the question of its suitability for situations such as oilfields, in which metallic artifacts are pervasive and, in some cases, in direct electrical contact with the conductivity perturbation on which the Neumann series is computed. Convergence of the Neumann series and its residual error are computed using the hierarchical finite-element framework for a canonical oilfield model consisting of an L-shaped, steel-cased well, energized by a steady-state electrode, and penetrating a small set of mildly conducting fractures near the heel of the well. For a given node spacing [Formula: see text] in the finite-element mesh, we find that the Neumann series is ultimately convergent if the conductivity is small enough — a result consistent with previous presumptions on the necessity of small conductivity perturbations. However, we also determine that the spectral radius of the Neumann series operator grows as approximately [Formula: see text], thus suggesting that in the limit of the continuous problem [Formula: see text], the Neumann series is intrinsically divergent for all conductivity perturbations, regardless of their smallness. The hierarchical finite-element methodology itself is critically analyzed and shown to possess the [Formula: see text] error convergence of traditional linear finite elements, thereby supporting the conclusion of an inescapably divergent Neumann series for this benchmark example. Application of the Neumann series to oilfield problems with metallic clutter should therefore be done with careful consideration to the coupling between infrastructure and geology. The methods used here are demonstrably useful in such circumstances.
Geomechanical modeling of distributed fiber-optic sensor measurements
Authors: Sherman Christopher , Mellors Robert , Morris Joseph , Ryerson Frederick
Published: November 2018

Fiber-optic-based distributed acoustic sensors (DAS) are a new technology that can be deployed in a well and are continuously interrogated during operations. These sensors measure the strain (or strain rate) at all points along the fiber and have been used extensively to monitor hydraulic stimulations. The data from these sensors indicate that they are sensitive to high-frequency signals associated with microseismicity and low-frequency signals associated with fracture growth. We have developed a set of idealized models to simulate these signals and to identify interpretation methods that may be used to estimate fracture location, geometry, and extent. We use a multiphysics code that includes rock physics, fluid flow, and elastic-wave propagation to generate synthetic DAS measurements from a set of simple models that mimic hydraulic fracturing. We then relate the signals observed in the synthetic DAS to specific features in the model such as fracture height, width, and aperture. Our results demonstrate that the synthetic DAS measurements may be used to interpret field DAS measurements and to optimize the design of future sensor deployments for sensitivity to fracture attributes.
Functions of actin in mouse oocytes at a glance
Authors: Uraji Julia , Scheffler Kathleen , Schuh Melina
Published: November 2018

Gametes undergo a specialized and reductional cell division termed meiosis. Female gametes (oocytes) undergo two rounds of meiosis; the first meiotic division produces the fertilizable egg, while the second meiotic division occurs upon fertilization. Both meiotic divisions are highly asymmetric, producing a large egg and small polar bodies. Actin takes over various essential function during oocyte meiosis, many of which commonly rely on microtubules in mitotic cells. Specifically, the actin network has been linked to long-range vesicle transport, nuclear positioning, spindle migration and anchorage, polar body extrusion and accurate chromosome segregation in mammalian oocytes. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we summarize the many functions of the actin cytoskeleton in oocytes, with a focus on findings from the mouse model system.
Grounded Running Reduces Musculoskeletal Loading
Authors: BONNAERENS SENNE , FIERS PIETER , GALLE SAMUEL , AERTS PETER , FREDERICK EDWARD C. , KANEKO YASUNORI , DERAVE WIM , DE CLERCQ DIRK
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Recent observations demonstrate that a sizeable proportion of the recreational running population runs at rather slow speeds and does not always show a clear flight phase. This study determined the key biomechanical and physiological characteristics of this running pattern, i.e., grounded running (GR), and compared these characteristics with slow aerial running (SAR) and reference data on walking at the same slow running speed.

Methods

Thirty male subjects performed instructed GR and SAR at 2.10 m·s−1 on a treadmill. Ground reaction forces, tibial accelerations, and metabolic rate were measured to estimate general musculoskeletal loading (external power and maximal vertical ground reaction force), impact intensity (vertical instantaneous loading rate and tibial acceleration), and energy expenditure. More explicit measures of muscular loading (muscle stresses and peak eccentric power) were calculated based on a representative subsample, in which detailed kinematics and kinetics were recorded. We hypothesized that all measures would be lower for the GR condition.

Results

Subjects successfully altered their running pattern upon a simple instruction toward a GR pattern by increasing their duty factor from 41.5% to 51.2%. As hypothesized, impact intensity, general measures for musculoskeletal, and the more explicit measures for muscular loading decreased by up to 35.0%, 20.3%, and 34.0%, respectively, compared with SAR. Contrary to our hypothesis, metabolic rate showed an increase of 4.8%.

Conclusions

Changing running style from SAR to GR reduces musculoskeletal loading without lowering the metabolic energy requirements. As such, GR might be beneficial for most runners as it has the potential to reduce the risk of running-related injuries while remaining a moderate to vigorous form of physical activity, contributing to fulfillment of the recommendations concerning physical activity and public health.
Quantifying Brain White Matter Microstructure of People with Lateral Ankle Sprain
Authors: TERADA MASAFUMI , JOHNSON NATHAN , KOSIK KYLE , GRIBBLE PHILLIP
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to quantify differences in white matter microstructure and static postural control in individuals with and without a previous history of a lateral ankle sprain.

Methods

Ten participants with a history of a lateral ankle sprain and 10 controls performed three 20-s trials of single-leg static balance on a force platform under an eyes-open condition. Resultant sample entropy (SampEn) was used to assess static postural control performance. To assess white matter microstructure, fractional anisotropy (FA) of the superior cerebellar peduncles and corticospinal tracts was quantified using diffusion tensor imaging. In the case of statistically significant differences in FA, component diffusivities were evaluated, including mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity.

Results

Significant differences between participants with and without a history of lateral ankle sprains were observed in superior cerebellar peduncle FA and RD. Participants with a history of lateral ankle sprains had significantly lower FA in the superior cerebellar peduncle compared with controls. Participants with a history of lateral ankle sprains also demonstrated higher RD values in the superior peduncle compared with control. Finally, participants with a history of lateral ankle sprains had lower resultant SampEn values compared with controls.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that microstructural changes in white matter tracts governing postural control may be the biomarkers of central nervous system dysfunction in individuals with a lateral ankle sprain history.
An investigational RNAi therapeutic targeting Factor XII (ALN-F12) for the treatment of hereditary angioedema
Authors: Liu Jingxuan , Qin June , Borodovsky Anna , Racie Timothy , Castoreno Adam , Schlegel Mark , Maier Martin A. , Zimmerman Tracy , Fitzgerald Kevin , Butler James , Akinc Akin
Published: November 2018

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a genetic disorder mostly caused by mutations in the C1 esterase inhibitor gene (C1INH) that results in poor control of contact pathway activation and excess bradykinin generation. Bradykinin increases vascular permeability and is ultimately responsible for the episodes of swelling characteristic of HAE. We hypothesized that the use of RNA interference (RNAi) to reduce plasma Factor XII (FXII), which initiates the contact pathway signaling cascade, would reduce contact pathway activation and prevent excessive bradykinin generation. A subcutaneously administered GalNAc-conjugated small-interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting F12 mRNA (ALN-F12) was developed, and potency was evaluated in mice, rats, and cynomolgus monkeys. The effect of FXII reduction by ALN-F12 administration was evaluated in two different vascular leakage mouse models. An ex vivo assay was developed to evaluate the correlation between human plasma FXII levels and high-molecular weight kininogen (HK) cleavage. A single subcutaneous dose of ALN-F12 led to potent, dose-dependent reduction of plasma FXII in mice, rats, and NHP. In cynomolgus monkeys, a single subcutaneous dose of ALN-F12 at 3 mg/kg resulted in >85% reduction of plasma FXII. Administration of ALN-F12 resulted in dose-dependent reduction of vascular permeability in two different mouse models of bradykinin-driven vascular leakage, demonstrating that RNAi-mediated reduction of FXII can potentially mitigate excess bradykinin stimulation. Lastly, ex vivo human plasma HK cleavage assay indicated FXII-dependent bradykinin generation. Together, these data suggest that RNAi-mediated knockdown of FXII by ALN-F12 is a potentially promising approach for the prophylactic treatment of HAE.
Industry 4.0 and the digitalisation of society: Curse or cure?
Authors: Tsekeris Charalambos
Published: November 2018

The central aim of this article is to sketch and outline a brief and critical presentation, overview and assessment of the (radically ambivalent) dynamics of the large family of technological developments pertaining to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), as well as of the so-called digitalisation of society. This assessment attempts to comprehensively overcome relevant analytical dualisms and the one-sided “either-or” logic, in favor of a synthetic, open and creative “both-and” framework of interdisciplinary thought.
From social media and grassroots movements to Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for building global community: Entropy and organization on the Internet
Authors: Brailas Alexios , Gkini Christina , Koletsi Maria , Vagias Georgios , Barmpati Stella , Karras Dimitris
Published: November 2018

Starting from the grassroots movements and the Arabic spring we examine the utopic views of social media as they emerged at the dawn of the 21st century. Inspired by Umberto Eco’s dystopic notion of an army of idiots we analyze the techno-social dynamics of trumpism, Brexit and the global raise of extremist voices on social media over the past decade. How these phenomena relate to the techno-social complexity of the modern world? Is Trump’s successful presidential campaign related to social media dynamics, and to an army of idiots that emerged due to this dynamics? How specific social media affordances, like spreadability, searchability, anonymity, pseudonymity and echo chambers contribute to the emergence of a brand new, complex and unpredictable, social landscape? To address these questions, we take into consideration the last Mark Zuckerberg’s manifest Building Global Community (published on February, 2017) and we argue on how Logos-driven, virtual communities can play a critical role in an era of liquid reality, destabilization and unpredictability.
Multiple evolutionary origins of giant viruses
Authors: Koonin Eugene V. , Yutin Natalya
Published: November 2018

The nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) are a monophyletic group of diverse eukaryotic viruses that reproduce primarily in the cytoplasm of the infected cells and include the largest viruses currently known: the giant mimiviruses, pandoraviruses, and pithoviruses. With virions measuring up to 1.5 μm and genomes of up to 2.5 Mb, the giant viruses break the now-outdated definition of a virus and extend deep into the genome size range typical of bacteria and archaea. Additionally, giant viruses encode multiple proteins that are universal among cellular life forms, particularly components of the translation system, the signature cellular molecular machinery. These findings triggered hypotheses on the origin of giant viruses from cells, likely of an extinct fourth domain of cellular life, via reductive evolution. However, phylogenomic analyses reveal a different picture, namely multiple origins of giant viruses from smaller NCLDVs via acquisition of multiple genes from the eukaryotic hosts and bacteria, along with gene duplication. Thus, with regard to their origin, the giant viruses do not appear to qualitatively differ from the rest of the virosphere. However, the evolutionary forces that led to the emergence of virus gigantism remain enigmatic.
Phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Litsea angulata extracts
Authors: Kuspradini Harlinda , Wulandari Indah , Putri Agmi Sinta , Tiya Sabeti Yulis , Kusuma Irawan Wijaya
Published: November 2018

Background: Litsea angulata is a plant species belonging to Lauraceae family that is distributed throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, and New Guinea. The seeds have been traditionally used by local people in Kalimantan, Indonesia for the treatment of boils; however, there is no information about the potency of its branch, bark and leaves yet. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant, antimicrobial activity as well as the phytochemical constituent of Litsea angulata branch, bark, and leaves.

Methods: Extraction was performed by successive maceration method using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol solvent. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay. The antimicrobial activity using the 96 well-plate microdilution broth method against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans.

Results: Based on the phytochemical analysis, it showed that extract of L. angulata contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and coumarin. The results showed that all extracts of plant samples displayed the ability to inhibit DPPH free radical formation and all tested microorganisms.

Conclusions: L. angulata contains secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, carotenoids, and coumarin. The antioxidant activity on different plant extracts was a range as very strong to weak capacity. All extracts in this study could inhibit the growth of S. aureus and S. mutans.
Alcoholic bitters modulates sex hormones and some biochemical parameters of testicular function in male Wistar rats
Authors: Kayode Omowumi T. , Kayode Abolanle A.A. , Nwonuma Charles O.
Published: November 2018

Background:Alcoholic bitters have been acclaimed to boost sexual function and fertility in animals but there is no reported scientific evidence that evaluated its effects on the normal functioning of the testes. This study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of some alcoholic bitters on testicular function indices of male Wistar rats.

Methods:A total of 25 male Wistar rats were assigned into five groups of five animals each and treated with distilled water, ethanol, Alomo, Striker and Orijin Alcoholic Bitters at 0.2, 0.2, 0.2, 0.16 and 0.3 ml/kg body weight respectively for 28 days. The animals were thereafter sacrificed and the serum obtained was used for the determination of sex hormones. Assessment of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), cholesterol, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations as well as the activity of β-Hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were carried out using standard methods.

Results:There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in protein, cholesterol, testosterone, FSH and LH, as well as in the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, SOD and CAT  in all the groups of animals administered the alcoholic bitters, whereas concentration of MDA was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Concentration of triglycerides was not significantly different (p>0.05) from those of the control animals.

Conclusion:The alcoholic bitters enhanced the normal functioning of the testes, the antioxidant enzymes and the release of the reproductive hormones. This may partly explain its use in boosting sexual function and fertility in male rats.
Leopards and giants, tigers and woolly bears: casting a broader net in exploring heparin effects on Lepidoptera wing patterns
Authors: Sourakov Andrei
Published: November 2018

Background: Studies of heparin effects on Lepidoptera wing patterns have been restricted to a small number of species. I report observations from experiments on a broader range of taxa, including first results from swallowtails, tiger moths and microlepidoptera.

Methods: Heparin injections were made in prepupal and early pupal stages of the following species representing several Lepidoptera lineages: Junonia coenia, Agraulis vanillae, Asterocampa clyton (Nymphalidae); Heraclides cresphontes, Pterourus troilus, Eurytides marcellus (Papilionidae); Hypercompe scribonia, Estigmene acrea, Hyphantria cunea (Erebidae); and Glyphodes sibillalis (Crambidae). Heparin-induced changes in wing pattern are illustrated, and advantages of using prepupal vs. pupal stages for this type of pharmacological manipulation of wing patterns are discussed.

Results: In buckeyes, heparin-induced changes consisted of loss of orange parafocal elements as marginal and submarginal bands shifted basally. In gulf fritillaries, changes in black and silver markings were similar to those found in wild aberrant individuals. In tawny emperor, intermediate and extreme levels of transformation were achieved, pointing to homology of this species’ unusual eyespots to those of other nymphalids. In swallowtails, heparin-induced changes were much more restricted and proved harder to achieve, possibly indicating higher levels of stability and compartmentalization of wing patterns in this butterfly family. In tiger moths, elongation of black markings occurred so that normally distinct spots sometimes merged; in leopard moth, these changes were restricted to areas adjacent to discal spot. In pyraloid moth, changes were mostly restricted to expansion of wing marginal bands and hindwing border.

Conclusions: Variation in wing pattern response to heparin found between different species and families in this study warrants further taxonomic widening of exploration of wing pattern formation mechanisms in Lepidoptera. While there are many similarities, there also seem to be very significant differences in the ways wing patterns are formed in different families of butterflies and moths.
The Russian experience of interaction between the efforts of the state and society in pre-emption of social deviance (the end of XIX - beginning of XX century)
Authors: Мартыненко Надежда , Martynenko Nadezhda
Published: November 2018

The monograph deals with the problem of prostitution as one of the social deviations, conducted a retrospective analysis of all aspects of this phenomenon in the period of the mid XIX – early XX centuries.Investigated the origins of legalization of prostitution in Imperial Russia, shows the mechanism of regulation, the organization of police control and sanitary supervision. The ways of self-organization of society, the conditions that contributed to the development of private and public initiatives of self-help against the danger of turning to vicious fishing are revealed. The relationship of state structures, self-government bodies and public organizations in the prevention of prostitution. Describes the experience of Russian participation in the international fight against prostitution in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a synthesis of the obtained characteristics provides a basis to believe that the formation of the social institution of prostitution is a logical and objective process related to the deviation inherent in the human community. As a social deviation, prostitution is of double importance to society. The positive side is expressed in the illegal provision of needs that are not adequately met by the institution of the family, serves as a" safe valve " for aggressive trends. The negative is manifested in facilitation of crime. In modern Russian society, sexual morality normalizes many things that have traditionally been recognized as deviant in sexual behavior. The topic is relevant for the present in terms of the presence and establishment of this phenomenon. Prostitution remains one of indeterminant crime related to her involvement in minors with drugs, crimes and harboring criminals, a robbery and robbery.The reality clearly shows the unsolved nature of this burning problem. The tasks facing the current generation to combat negative social phenomena cannot be solved without the close cooperation of the state and society in this direction, without the historical experience of predecessors, without continuity. The introduction of the new material into scientific circulation in the course of the research enables a wide range of specialists, public organizations to use the historical experience of creating constructive mechanisms of interaction between the state and society to reduce the spread of modern prostitution, to solve urgent problems.
Polish version of the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS)
Authors: Wójciak Paweł , Górna Krystyna , Domowicz Klaudia , Jaracz Krystyna , Szpalik Renata , Michalak Michał , Rybakowski Janusz
Published: November 2018

Cel

Celem pracy było utworzenie polskiej wersji Skali Samooceny Objawów Negatywnych (Self-report of Negative Symptoms -SNS), ocena jej zgodności wewnętrznej oraz przeprowadzenie korelacji między oceną w skali SNS, a oceną w Krótkiej Skali Objawów Negatywnych (Brief Negative Symptom Scale – BNSS), w grupie chorych na schizofrenię.

Materiał i metody

Przeprowadzono procedurę polskiej adaptacji francuskojęzycznej wersji skali SNS obejmującej 20 punktów zorganizowanych w 5 podskal: asocjalność, spłycenie afektu, alogia, awolicja i anhedonia. Badania psychometryczne wykonano u 40 chorych na schizofrenię paranoidalną (20 mężczyzn i 20 kobiet), o nasileniu objawów w skali Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) 56+16 punktów, otrzymujących niezmienione leczenie farmakologiczne w okresie ostatnich 3 miesięcy

Wyniki

Polska wersja skali SNS została zaakceptowana przez twórcę skali, prof. Sonię Dollfus. Analiza rzetelności SNS wykazała wysokie wartości wskaźnika alfa-Cronbacha zarówno dla całej skali (0,91), jak i dla poszczególnych podskal (0,61-0,85). Skala SNS i jej podskale wykazywały istotną korelację z całkowitym wynikiem BNSS, jak również wartościami jej odpowiednich podskal, co potwierdza trafność skali

Wnioski

Znamienny statystycznie poziom zgodności całej skali oraz poszczególnych jej domen z wynikami skali klinicznej BNSS przemawia za adekwatnością oceny objawów negatywnych przez samego chorego na schizofrenię. Uzyskane w niniejszej pracy dobre własności psychometryczne polskiej wersji skali SNS mogą wskazywać na jej przydatność w badaniach objawów negatywnych prowadzonych w naszym kraju
Sobre a noção de valorização em um anel de divisão
Authors: Pombo Junior Dinamérico Pereira
Published: November 2018

Nesta nota provamos que o primeiro multiplicador e o segundo multiplicador de uma valorização em um anel de divisão estão fortemente relacionados e provêm de dois valores da valorização.
PAUL RICOEUR E UM NOVO CONCEITO DE INTERPRETAÇÃO: DA HERMENÊUTICA DOS SÍMBOLOS À HERMENÊUTICA DO DISCURSO
Authors: Tavares Manuel
Published: November 2018

Este texto é uma reflexão sobre a riqueza da problemática hermenêutica como estruturante do pensamento de Ricoeur, seguindo o próprio percurso do autor  e esclarecendo a transição de uma hermenêutica dos símbolos para uma hermenêutica do discurso, não esquecendo que o projeto do filósofo e os horizontes do seu pensamento são a construção de uma nova antropologia e de uma ontologia da compreensão do ser humano aplicáveis à problemática educacional. Esclareceremos o que se entende por hermenêutica da via longa que passa, necessariamente, por opções metodológicas, em oposição à via curta ou imediata defendida por Husserl e Heidegger; das nossas reflexões emerge a questão do mal por intermédio de uma abordagem da hermenêutica dos símbolos e dos mitos. Finalmente, a hermenêutica do discurso como produção de sentidos ocupará a última parte deste texto. O mundo humano é constituído por todas as referências abertas pelos textos, sejam poéticos, míticos ou de outra índole. A ontologia proposta por Ricoeur, ontologia quebrada, ganha maior densidade por intermédio do percurso transitório entre a hermenêutica simbólica e a hermenêutica do discurso restauradora do sentido.Palavras-chave: Paul Ricoeur; hermenêutica; hermenêutica dos símbolos; hermenêutica do discurso; mal.
PERCEPÇÃO E ENATIVISMO EM MERLEAU-PONTY E FRANCISCO VARELA
Authors: Benevides Barbosa Gomes Rodrigo
Published: November 2018

A percepção, argumenta Merleau-Ponty, deve ser entendida menos como uma representação de inputs desassociados e mais como uma apreensão corporal irrefletida de Gestalten. Tal formulação encontra continuidade no contexto das ciências cognitivas na crítica ao representacionismo efetivada pelo paradigma do enativismo, assim formulado por Francisco Varela, Evan Thompson e Eleanor Rosche em Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience (1991). Demonstrar e examinar a abordagem enativista, apontando sua harmonia com a fenomenologia de Merleau-Ponty, constitui o objetivo do presente artigo.
O conceito de maldito através dos tempos: um estudo do termo na obra Noite na taverna, de Álvares de Azevedo, e nas matérias jornalísticas Cais e sinuca, de João Antônio
Authors: Ferreira Verônica Da Silva
Published: November 2018

O presente trabalho tem como objetivoanalisar o conceito de maldito entre doisperíodos distintos, séculos XIX e XX,respectivamente, por meio das produçõesdos escritores Álvares de Azevedo e JoãoAntônio. O primeiro, representante daSegunda Geração Romântica, tem comouma das obras mais conhecidas Noite naTaverna e o segundo, repórter, atuouveementemente nas áreas de Jornalismo eLiteratura, tendo destaque em veículoscomo a revista Realidade e o Jornal doBrasil, entre as décadas de 1960 e 1970.Suas produções jornalísticas sempreressaltavam aqueles considerados “àmargem” da sociedade, como: prostitutas,moradores de rua, jogadores de sinuca,entre outros. Para este artigo serãoconsiderados dois textos de João Antônio,Cais e Sinuca. Além das obras para análise,serão aproveitados apontamentos de IedaMagri, Carlos Alberto Farias de AzevêdoFilho, Cilaine Alves, e outros autores.
O estranho e a metamorfose em duas narrativas contemporâneas: reflexões sobre o espaço
Authors: Silva Orivaldo Rocha da
Published: November 2018

O objetivo deste trabalho é proporalgumas reflexões acerca do espaçoliterário, tomando por base dois exemplosde narrativas contemporâneas – umabrasileira, de Duílio Gomes (“O ovo comsolenidade”) e uma portuguesa, deTeolinda Gersão (“Um casaco de raposavermelha”) – filiadas, em tese, ao grandegênero que poderíamos identificar comofantástico. Esclareça-se, no entanto, queos dois contos não pertencem, a rigor, aogênero citado, aproximando-se muitomais do chamado fantástico modal.
O mito do eldorado amazônico desmontado em A selva de Ferreira de Castro
Authors: Alves Ivanete Da Silva
Published: November 2018

A perspectiva do Eldorado foi bastanteprojetada na Amazônia. Isso se iniciouainda nos primeiros contatos por viajantese conquistadores. Mitos em torno daregião davam conta de que ela era fontede prosperidade. No entanto, taisdiscursos foram desmontados ao sepresenciar a realidade dos sujeitos noreferido espaço. Diante da notávelconstatação, refletir sobre adesconstrução da ideia de “Amazôniaparadisíaca” é o propósito da pesquisa emquestão que será feita por meio da análisedo romance A selva (1930), do escritorportuguês José Maria Ferreira de Castro. Areflexão proposta terá auxílio de teóricoscomo Pizarro (2012); Souza (1977);Weinstein (1993).
Who will buy my beautiful songs? An introduction to the dickinsonian sentence in Peter Doherty’s works
Authors: Brigida Marcela Santos
Published: November 2018

A obra de Emily Dickinson exerce profundainfluência sobre Peter Doherty. Nesteartigo, estudamos como a visão deDickinson sobre a tensão entre o artista eo mercado ressurge nos escritos do poetainglês. A ansiedade gerada pela fama eexposição desencadeia em ambos aescolha de certos temas. Os dois rejeitama mercantilização da obra de arte e suatransformação em peça deentretenimento. Enquanto em Dickinsonisso se reflete na sua aversão àinterferência editorial, na recusa depublicar seus poemas e no afastamento domeio social, Doherty aborda a tensãogerada pela fama em suas letras demúsica, entradas de diário e entrevistas.Lyndall Gordon (2010, p. 139) situou aansiedade em relação à exposição comoum ponto de conversão entre Dickinson eDoherty. Recorrendo à leitura cerrada e àanálise comparativa, buscamosestabelecer como a influência deDickinson se manifesta na vozcontemporânea do poeta inglês.
MEMÓRIA E IDENTIDADE DO POVO NO ROMANCE SOCIO-HISTÓRICO LES MISÉRABLES: A PERSONAGEM ENJOLRAS 1
Authors: Pereira Maria Júlia
Published: November 2018

Les Misérables (1862), de Victor Hugo, éum romance socio-histórico que versasobre uma série de questões políticas esociais da França do século XIX. O conceitode “povo” (DALLARI, 2011), bem como aconstrução de sua memória e identidade(POLLAK, 1992) estão, pois, no romance,integrados à insurreição republicana dejunho de 1832. Neste artigo, pretende-sedemonstrar como a personagem Enjolras,por meio de sua constituição, ação etransformação, ao evocar a memória econtribuir para a consolidação daidentidade do povo, encarna-o e orepresenta.
MEMÓRIAS DA PRIMEIRA GUERRA MUNDIAL EM ERICH MARIA REMARQUE E ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Authors: Navas Diana , Alves Evandro Fantoni Rodrigues
Published: November 2018

O século XX foi testemunha de umsignificativo número de eventos altamentetransformadores da sociedade e dacultura como um todo, dentre os quaispodemos destacar a ocorrência daPrimeira Guerra Mundial, entre os anos de1914 e 1918. Entre os sobreviventes daGrande Guerra que procuraram traduzirem textos suas memórias dos anos deconflito, encontramos Ernest Hemingwaye Erich Maria Remarque, que em seusromances Adeus às armas, e Nada de novono front, respectivamente, trouxeram paraa literatura aspectos de suas própriasexperiências no front. É baseando-se nasobras desses dois grandes autores que opresente artigo objetiva apresentar algunsaspectos da memória construída acerca daPrimeira Guerra Mundial – na medida emque a ideia corrente no período da glóriada guerra foi-se desmanchando diante dacruel realidade das trincheiras–ecompreender como essa realidadeaparece literariamente representada porestes dois autores.
O HUMILDE PATRIMÔNIO DE MANUEL BANDEIRA
Authors: Uzêda André Luís Mourão de
Published: November 2018

Apresentamos os resultados preliminares denossa pesquisa de doutorado pela leitura dovolume Crônicas da província do Brasil, deManuel Bandeira, com o intuito de nelerevelar um modo de concepção patrimonialque se manifesta tanto em forma quanto emtema. Com relação à forma, tomamos o dadode “humilde cotidiano” como chave de leiturapara conceber poeticamente uma “visão demundo patrimonial”. Como tema, analisamostrês aspectos que atravessam o tratamentodado ao patrimônio na obra: material,imaterial e literário.
O ROMANCE CACAU, DE JORGE AMADO, COMO ESPAÇO DE DENÚNCIA E MEMÓRIA DE UM DETERMINADO MOMENTO HISTÓRICO
Authors: Gomes Caroline Dos Santos
Published: November 2018

Este trabalho apresenta o romance Cacau,de Jorge Amado, enquanto espaço derecordação e denúncia de um momentohistórico, propondo uma análise críticasobre o compromisso da escrita literáriaem comparação com a historiográfica.Para a revisão teórica, são utilizados ostextos de Seligmann-Silva, Gagnebin,Jauss, Piglia, Koselleck, entre outros.Também são apresentadas brevesconsiderações sobre o autor e seu projetopolítico, visto que o mesmo mostrousignificativa participação nesse campo,refletindo, em suas obras, suasconcepções políticas e sociais.