bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy Distribution of a Regular Black Hole Solution in Einstein-Nonlinear Electrodynamics
Authors: Radinschi I. , Rahaman F. , Grammenos Th. , Spanou A. , Islam Sayeedul
Published: June 2015

A study about the energy momentum of a new four-dimensional spherically symmetric, static and charged, regular black hole solution developed in the context of general relativity coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics is presented. Asymptotically, this new black hole solution behaves as the Reissner-Nordström solution only for the particular valueμ=4, whereμis a positive integer parameter appearing in the mass function of the solution. The calculations are performed by use of the Einstein, Landau-Lifshitz, Weinberg, and Møller energy momentum complexes. In all the aforementioned prescriptions, the expressions for the energy of the gravitating system considered depend on the massMof the black hole, its chargeq, a positive integerα, and the radial coordinater. In all these pseudotensorial prescriptions, the momenta are found to vanish, while the Landau-Lifshitz and Weinberg prescriptions give the same result for the energy distribution. In addition, the limiting behavior of the energy for the casesr→∞,r→0, andq=0is studied. The special caseμ=4andα=3is also examined. We conclude that the Einstein and Møller energy momentum complexes can be considered as the most reliable tools for the study of the energy momentum localization of a gravitating system.
Beneficial Effects of Isoproterenol and Quinidine in the Treatment of Ventricular Fibrillation in Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Dakkak Melissa , Baxi Khyati , Patel Ambar
Published: June 2015

The use of an implantable cardiac defibrillator has been advocated as the only effective treatment for the management of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with Brugada Syndrome (BrS). However, this device is only useful for terminating VF. Intermittent and/or recalcitrant VF for which lifesaving cardioversion occurs is a problematic situation in this patient population. The immediate use of appropriate antiarrhythmics in the acute setting has proven to be lifesaving. Quinidine has been well established as an effective antiarrhythmic in BrS, while isoproterenol (ISP) has had some recognition as well. The addition of drug therapy to prevent the induction of these arrhythmias has been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with BrS. It was proven to be especially effective in the presence of early repolarization, evidenced by the reduction or normalization of the early repolarization pattern on ECG. Thus, for the prophylactic management and long term suppression of VF in BrS, further prospective studies should be performed to determine the effectiveness of quinidine and ISP in this patient population.
Induced Hypothermia Does Not Harm Hemodynamics after Polytrauma: A Porcine Model
Authors: Weuster Matthias , Mommsen Philipp , Pfeifer Roman , Mohr Juliane , Ruchholtz Steffen , Flohé Sascha , Fröhlich Matthias , Keibl Claudia , Seekamp Andreas , van Griensven Martijn , Witte Ingo
Published: June 2015

Background. The deterioration of hemodynamics instantly endangers the patients’ life after polytrauma. As accidental hypothermia frequently occurs in polytrauma, therapeutic hypothermia still displays an ambivalent role as the impact on the cardiopulmonary function is not yet fully understood. Methods. We have previously established a porcine polytrauma model including blunt chest trauma, penetrating abdominal trauma, and hemorrhagic shock. Therapeutic hypothermia (34°C) was induced for 3 hours. We documented cardiovascular parameters and basic respiratory parameters. Pigs were euthanized after 15.5 hours. Results. Our polytrauma porcine model displayed sufficient trauma impact. Resuscitation showed adequate restoration of hemodynamics. Induced hypothermia had neither harmful nor major positive effects on the animals’ hemodynamics. Though heart rate significantly decreased and mixed venous oxygen saturation significantly increased during therapeutic hypothermia. Mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, and wedge pressure showed no significant differences comparing normothermic trauma and hypothermic trauma pigs during hypothermia. Conclusions. Induced hypothermia after polytrauma is feasible. No major harmful effects on hemodynamics were observed. Therapeutic hypothermia revealed hints for tissue protective impact. But the chosen length for therapeutic hypothermia was too short. Nevertheless, therapeutic hypothermia might be a useful tool for intensive care after polytrauma. Future studies should extend therapeutic hypothermia.
Mathematical Development and Evaluation of Forecasting Models for Accuracy of Inflation in Developing Countries: A Case of Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Nhu-Ty , Tran Thanh-Tuyen
Published: June 2015

Inflation is a key element of a national economy, and it is also a prominent and important issue influencing the whole economy in terms of marketing. This is a complex problem requiring a large investment of time and wisdom to attain positive results. Thus, appropriate tools for forecasting inflation variables are crucial significant for policy making. In this study, both clarified value calculation and use of a genetic algorithm to find the optimal parameters are adopted simultaneously to construct improved models: ARIMA, GM(1,1), Verhulst, DGM(1,1), and DGM(2,1) by using data of Vietnamese inflation output from January 2005 to November 2013. The MAPE, MSE, RMSE, and MAD are four criteria with which the various forecasting models results are compared. Moreover, to see whether differences exist, Friedman and Wilcoxon tests are applied. Both in-sample and out-of-sample forecast performance results show that the ARIMA model has highly accurate forecasting in Raw Materials Price (RMP) and Gold Price (GP), whereas, the calculated results of GM(1,1) and DGM(1,1) are suitable to forecast Consumer Price Index (CPI). Therefore, the ARIMA, GM(1,1), and DGM(1,1) can handle the forecast accuracy of the issue, and they are suitable in modeling and forecasting of inflation in the case of Vietnam.
Coordinated Control of Pressure Difference and Rising Velocity for Stratospheric Airship with Thermal Effects
Authors: Hong Luhe , Jin Hui-Yu , Lin Xianwu , Lan Weiyao
Published: June 2015

Ascending control of stratospheric airship is a challenging control problem, especially if both the rising velocity and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the airship are required to be controlled simultaneously during ascending. In this paper, a coordinated scheme to control pressure difference and rising velocity of stratospheric airship with vector thrust is presented. With the control scheme, the airship maintains the pressure difference by exhausting air with feedback control. At the same time, the supplemental thrust is generated to compensate the buoyancy fluctuation caused by exhausting air so that the airship’s vertical velocity can track a given reference trajectory. Simulations show that the coordinated control scheme ensures that the airship rises to the altitude of 20 km steadily and rapidly while the pressure difference is always in the safe range. Furthermore, the control scheme is robust enough to the thermal disturbance caused by solar radiation and other thermal processes, which is calculated with partial differential equations.
Apexification of an Immature Permanent Incisor with the Use of Calcium Hydroxide: 16-Year Follow-Up of a Case
Authors: Silveira Camila Maggi Maia , Sebrão Cátia Cilene Nass , Vilanova Larissa Soares Reis , Sánchez-Ayala Alfonso
Published: June 2015

Apexification is a process of forming a mineralized apical barrier and had been performed by using calcium hydroxide paste, due to its biological and healing performances in cases of existent trauma. This clinical report aims to report the results of a 16-year follow-up study of an apexification treatment applied to nonvital tooth 22 of a healthy 8-year-old male after a trauma. Clinical inspection of the tooth showed fractures of the incisal edge and mesial angle, absence of coronal mobility, and negative pulp vitality under cold testing. Radiographic analysis of the root revealed incomplete apex formation. The possibility of fracture into the root or luxation injury was rejected, and the diagnosis of pulp necrosis was verified. Apexification by calcium hydroxide and subsequent endodontic treatment were planned. Initial formation of the mineralized apical barrier was observed after 3 months, and the barrier was considered to be completed after 8 months. Clinical, radiographic, and CBCT examinations after 16 years verified the success of the treatment, although the choice of calcium hydroxide for apexification treatment is discussed.
Neuroendocrine Transdifferentiation in Human Prostate Cancer Cells: An Integrated Approach
Authors: Cerasuolo Marianna , Paris Debora , Iannotti Fabio A. , Melck Dominique , Verde Roberta , Mazzarella Enrico , Motta Andrea , Ligresti Alessia
Published: June 2015

Prostate cancer is highly sensitive to hormone therapy because androgens are essential for prostate cancer cell growth. However, with the nearly invariable progression of this disease to androgen independence, endocrine therapy ultimately fails to control prostate cancer in most patients. Androgen-independent acquisition may involve neuroendocrine transdifferentiation, but there is little knowledge about this process, which is presently controversial. In this study, we investigated this question in a novel model of human androgen-dependent LNCaP cells cultured for long periods in hormone-deprived conditions. Strikingly, characterization of the neuroendocrine phenotype by transcriptomic, metabolomic, and other statistically integrated analyses showed how hormone-deprived LNCaP cells could transdifferentiate to a nonmalignantneuroendocrine phenotype. Notably, conditioned media from neuroendocrine-like cells affected LNCaP cell proliferation. Predictive in silico models illustrated how after an initial period, when LNCaP cell survival was compromised by an arising population of neuroendocrine-like cells, a sudden trend reversal occurred in which the neuroendocrine-like cells functioned to sustain the remaining androgen-dependent LNCaP cells. Our findings provide direct biologic and molecular support for the concept that neuroendocrine transdifferentiation in prostate cancer cell populations influences the progression to androgen independence. Cancer Res; 75(15); 2975–86. ©2015 AACR.
SRRM4 Expression and the Loss of REST Activity May Promote the Emergence of the Neuroendocrine Phenotype in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaotun , Coleman Ilsa M. , Brown Lisha G. , True Lawrence D. , Kollath Lori , Lucas Jared M. , Lam Hung-Ming , Dumpit Ruth , Corey Eva , Chéry Lisly , Lakely Bryce , Higano Celestia S. , Montgomery Bruce , Roudier Martine , Lange Paul H. , Nelson Peter S. , Vessella Robert L. , Morrissey Colm
Published: June 2015

Purpose: The neuroendocrine phenotype is associated with the development of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Our objective was to characterize the molecular features of the neuroendocrine phenotype in CRPC.

Experimental Design: Expression of chromogranin A (CHGA), synaptophysin (SYP), androgen receptor (AR), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was analyzed by IHC in 155 CRPC metastases from 50 patients and in 24 LuCaP prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Seventy-one of 155 metastases and the 24 LuCaP xenograft lines were analyzed by whole-genome microarrays. REST splicing was verified by PCR.

Results: Coexpression of CHGA and SYP in >30% of cells was observed in 22 of 155 metastases (9 patients); 11 of the 22 metastases were AR+/PSA+ (6 patients), 11/22 were AR–/PSA– (4 patients), and 4/24 LuCaP PDXs were AR−/PSA−. By IHC, of the 71 metastases analyzed by whole-genome microarrays, 5 metastases were CHGA+/SYP+/AR−, and 5 were CHGA+/SYP+/AR+. Only CHGA+/SYP+ metastases had a neuroendocrine transcript signature. The neuronal transcriptional regulator SRRM4 transcript was associated with the neuroendocrine signature in CHGA+/SYP+ metastases and all CHGA+/SYP+ LuCaP xenografts. In addition, expression of SRRM4 in LuCaP neuroendocrine xenografts correlated with a splice variant of REST that lacks the transcriptional repressor domain.

Conclusions: (i) Metastatic neuroendocrine status can be heterogeneous in the same patient, (ii) the CRPC neuroendocrine molecular phenotype can be defined by CHGA+/SYP+ dual positivity, (iii) the neuroendocrine phenotype is not necessarily associated with the loss of AR activity, and (iv) the splicing of REST by SRRM4 could promote the neuroendocrine phenotype in CRPC. Clin Cancer Res; 21(20); 4698–708. ©2015 AACR.
ARID1A Deficiency Impairs the DNA Damage Checkpoint and Sensitizes Cells to PARP Inhibitors
Authors: Shen Jianfeng , Peng Yang , Wei Leizhen , Zhang Wei , Yang Lin , Lan Li , Kapoor Prabodh , Ju Zhenlin , Mo Qianxing , Shih Ie-Ming , Uray Ivan P. , Wu Xiangwei , Brown Powel H. , Shen Xuetong , Mills Gordon B. , Peng Guang
Published: June 2015

ARID1A, SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex subunit, is a recently identified tumor suppressor that is mutated in a broad spectrum of human cancers. Thus, it is of fundamental clinical importance to understand its molecular functions and determine whether ARID1A deficiency can be exploited therapeutically. In this article, we report a key function of ARID1A in regulating the DNA damage checkpoint. ARID1A is recruited to DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) via its interaction with the upstream DNA damage checkpoint kinase ATR. At the molecular level, ARID1A facilitates efficient processing of DSB to single-strand ends and sustains DNA damage signaling. Importantly, ARID1A deficiency sensitizes cancer cells to PARP inhibitors in vitro and in vivo, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with ARID1A-mutant tumors.

Significance: ARID1A has been identified as one of the most frequently mutated genes across human cancers. Our data suggest that clinical utility of PARP inhibitors might be extended beyond patients with BRCA mutations to a larger group of patients with ARID1A-mutant tumors, which may exhibit therapeutic vulnerability to PARP inhibitors. Cancer Discov; 5(7); 752–67. ©2015 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 681
Hypothermia Does Not Reverse Cellular Responses Caused by Lipopolysaccharide in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischaemic Brain Injury
Authors: Osredkar Damjan , Sabir Hemmen , Falck Mari , Wood Thomas , Maes Elke , Flatebø Torun , Puchades Maja , Thoresen Marianne
Published: June 2015

Introduction: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection prior to hypoxia-ischaemia significantly increases hypoxia-ischaemic brain injury in 7-day-old (P7) rats. In addition, therapeutic hypothermia (HT) is not neuroprotective in this setting. However, the mechanistic aspects of this therapeutic failure have yet to be elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms in this double-hit model of infection-sensitised hypoxia-ischaemic brain injury. Material and Methods: P7 rat pups were injected with either vehicle or LPS, and after a 4-hour delay were exposed to left carotid ligation followed by global hypoxia inducing a unilateral stroke-like hypoxia-ischaemic injury. Pups were randomised to the following treatments: (1) vehicle-treated pups receiving normothermia treatment (NT) (Veh-NT; n = 40), (2) LPS-treated pups receiving NT treatment (LPS-NT; n = 40), (3) vehicle-treated pups receiving HT treatment (Veh-HT; n = 38) and (4) LPS-treated pups receiving HT treatment (LPS-HT; n = 35). On postnatal day 8 or 14, Western blot analysis or immunohistochemistry was performed to examine neuronal death, apoptosis, astrogliosis and microglial activation. Results: LPS sensitisation prior to hypoxia-ischaemia significantly exacerbated apoptotic neuronal loss. NeuN, a neuronal biomarker, was significantly reduced in the LPS-NT and LPS-HT groups (p = 0.008). Caspase-3 activation was significantly increased in the LPS-sensitised groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant increase in astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acidic expression, p < 0.001) was seen, as well as a trend towards increased microglial activation (Iba 1 expression, p = 0.051) in LPS-sensitised animals. Treatment with HT did not counteract these changes. Conclusion: LPS-sensitised hypoxia-ischaemic brain injury in newborn rats is mediated through neuronal death, apoptosis, astrogliosis and microglial activation. In this double-hit model, treatment with HT does not ameliorate these changes.
Synthetic plots: some history and examples
Authors: Brillinger David R.
Published: June 2015

Jerzy Neyman and Elizabeth Scott developed the idea of synthetic plots. These plots are a display of the data values of an experiment side by side with a display of simulated data values, with the simulation-based on a considered stochastic model. The Neyman and Scott work concerned the distribution of galaxies on the celestial sphere. A review of their wo is presented here followed by personal examples from hydrology, neuroscience, and animal motion.
Some Classes of Point Processes
Authors: Miranda Jose Carlos S. de
Published: June 2015

We dene four classes of point processes which we call A, B, *A, *B. Although we study point processes on R; these classes are suitable for generalizations for point processes on Rm and other measure metric spaces. The main result is the equivalence of classes *A and *B for point processes on R: As a matter of fact, we prove that A B A = B S; where S is the class of simple processes. We also relate these classes and the class of Poisson processes.
Copulas, Chaotic Processes and Time Series: a Survey
Authors: Pumi Guilherme , Lopes Silvia R.C.
Published: June 2015

In this work we summarize some of recent and classical results on the role played by copulas in the analysis of chaotic processes and univariate time series. We review some aspects of the copulas related to chaotic process, its properties and applications. We also present a review on classical and modern approaches to understand the relationship among random variables in Markov processes as well as short and long memory time series as well as ergodic properties of copula-based Markov processes.
Quasi U-statistics of innite order and applications to the subgroup decomposition of some diversity measures
Authors: Pinheiro Alusio , Sen Pranab Kumar
Published: June 2015

In several applications, information is drawn from quali- tative variables. In such cases, measures of central tendency and dis- persion may be highly inappropriate. Variability for categorical data can be correctly quantied by the so-called diversity measures. These measures can be modied to quantify heterogeneity between groups (or subpopulations). Pinheiro et al. (2005) shows that Hamming distance can be employed in such way and the resulting estimator of hetero- geneity between populations will be asymptotically normal under mild regularity conditions. Pinheiro et al. (2009) proposes a class of weighted U-statistics based on degenerate kernels of degree 2, called quasi U-statistics, with the property of asymptotic normality under suitable conditions. This is generalized to kernels of degree m by Pinheiro et al. (2011). In this work we generalize this class to an innite order degenerate kernel. We then use this powerful tools and the reverse martingale nature of U-statistics to study the asymptotic behavior of a collection of trans- formed classic diversity measures. We are able to estimate them in a common framework instead of the usual individualized estimation procedures. MSC 2000: primary - 62G10; secondary - 62G20, 92D20.
“É gay ou é hetero?” – Notas etnográficas sobre performatividade nas sociabilidades alternativas
Authors: Neiva Giórgia
Published: June 2015

O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em apresentar resultados parciais da etnografia que realizei em minha pesquisa de Mestrado, em duas casas noturnas da cidade Goiânia/GO, que comportam jovens que se nomeiam como alternativos (categoria nativa), ou seja, não se bastam em definições estanques quanto à identidade e à sexualidade, abarcando desde sujeitos heterossexuais, bissexuais ou homossexuais, até os que se dizem sem rótulos. Desta forma, tais estabelecimentos não são identificados como GLS (gays, lésbicas e simpatizantes) – mas também não são ambientes heterossexuais. De maneira que não somente os lugares são alternativos, mas as pessoas também assim se dizem. O que também chama atenção nesses sujeitos é seu caráter performático, desafiando a existência de atos de gênero verdadeiros ou falsos, reais ou distorcidos, levando a indagar se a heterossexualidade é uma ficção reguladora. Dessa forma, ressalto neste artigo a importância da performance e da performatividade neste mercado segmentado, nos quais os processos contemporâneos de circulação de discursos em torno das identidades e categorias sexuais se definem apoiadas em certa fluidez sexual.
Da feitiçaria como estética ritual nas religiões de matriz africana
Authors: Barbosa Neto Edgar Rodrigues
Published: June 2015

Este artigo retoma uma parte dos materiais etnográficos relativos à feitiçaria aos quais dediquei um capítulo de minha tese de doutorado, consagrada à descrição de três casas de religião de matriz africana, todas situadas no sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Meu objetivo é demonstrar que os espíritos, não obstante invisíveis, dispõem de um significativo lado material, de tal maneira que o agenciamento ritual desses seres supõe um delicadíssimo trabalho artesanal, o qual inclui maneiras específicas de aproximar e separar determinados alimentos e ingredientes culinários, mas também o uso cuidadoso de certos objetos, lugares e palavras. Esse é o caso da criação ritual implicada na feitiçaria, objeto privilegiado por este artigo, mas cuja compreensão parece exigir a descrição de uma parte do que acontece durante o rito de iniciação. Eis, portanto, sua hipótese de fundo: a criação ritual é a expressão de uma relação de transformação entre diferentes ritos.
Sá, Guilherme. No mesmo galho: antropologia de coletivos humanos e animais.
Authors: Ferreira José Cândido Lopes , Gonçalves Flora Rodrigues
Published: June 2015

SÁ, Guilherme. No mesmo galho: antropologia de coletivos humanos e animais. Rio de Janeiro: 7Letras, 2013.
Prolongation of Action Potential Duration and QT Interval During Epilepsy Linked to Increased Contribution of Neuronal Sodium Channels to Cardiac Late Na
+
Current
Authors: Biet Michael , Morin Nathalie , Lessard-Beaudoin Melissa , Graham Rona K. , Duss Sandra , Gagné Jonathan , Sanon Nathalie T. , Carmant Lionel , Dumaine Robert
Published: June 2015

Background—

Arrhythmias associated with QT prolongation on the ECG often lead to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The mechanism causing a prolongation of the QT interval during epilepsy remains unknown. Based on observations showing an upregulation of neuronal sodium channels in the brain during epilepsy, we tested the hypothesis that a similar phenomenon occurs in the heart and contributes to QT prolongation by altering cardiac sodium current properties (I
Na
).

Methods and Results—

We used the patch clamp technique to assess the effects of epilepsy on the cardiac action potential and I
Na
in rat ventricular myocytes. Consistent with QT prolongation, epileptic rats had longer ventricular action potential durations attributable to a sustained component of I
Na
(I
NaL
). The increase in I
NaL
was because of a larger contribution of neuronal Na channels characterized by their high sensitivity to tetrodotoxin. As in the brain, epilepsy was associated with an enhanced expression of the neuronal isoform Na
V
1.1 in cardiomyocyte. Epilepsy was also associated with a lower I
Na
activation threshold resulting in increased cell excitability.

Conclusions—

This is the first study correlating increased expression of neuronal sodium channels within the heart to epilepsy-related cardiac arrhythmias. This represents a new paradigm in our understanding of cardiac complications related to epilepsy.
E/e′ Ratio in Patients With Unexplained Dyspnea
Authors: Santos Mário , Rivero Jose , McCullough Shane D. , West Erin , Opotowsky Alexander R. , Waxman Aaron B. , Systrom David M. , Shah Amil M.
Published: June 2015

Background—

Elevated left ventricular filling pressure is a cardinal feature of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Mitral E/e′ ratio has been proposed as a noninvasive measure of left ventricular filling pressure. We studied the accuracy of E/e′ to estimate and track changes of left ventricular filling pressure in patients with unexplained dyspnea.

Methods and Results—

We performed supine and upright transthoracic echocardiography in 118 patients with unexplained dyspnea who underwent right heart catheterization. Supine E/e′ ratio modestly but significantly correlated with supine pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP;
r
=0.36;
P
<0.001) and demonstrated poor agreement with PAWP values (Bland–Altman limits of agreement of −8.3 to 8.3 mm Hg; range, 6.5–21.2 mm Hg). Similarly, E/e′ ratio cut off of 13 performed poorly in identifying patients with elevated left ventricular filling pressure (sensitivity 6%, specificity 90%). The receiver-operating characteristic area of E/e′ was 0.65 (95% confidencce interval, 0.50–0.79). With change from the supine to upright position, PAWP decreased (−5±4 mm Hg;
P
<0.001) as did both E wave (−17±15 cm/s;
P
<0.001) and e′ (−2.7±2.7 cm/s;
P
<0.001) velocities, whereas E/e′ remained stable (+0.2±2.6;
P
=0.57). Positional change in PAWP correlated modestly with change in E-wave (
r
=0.37;
P
<0.001) velocity. There was no appreciable relationship between change in PAWP and change in average E/e′ (
r
=−0.04;
P
=0.77) and in half the patients the change in PAWP and E/e′ were directionally opposite.

Conclusions—

In patients with unexplained dyspnea, E/e′ ratio neither accurately estimates PAWP nor identifies patients with elevated PAWP consistent with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Positional changes in E/e′ ratio do not reflect changes in PAWP.
Hck/Fgr Kinase Deficiency Reduces Plaque Growth and Stability by Blunting Monocyte Recruitment and Intraplaque Motility
Authors: Medina Indira , Cougoule Céline , Drechsler Maik , Bermudez Beatriz , Koenen Rory R. , Sluimer Judith , Wolfs Ine , Döring Yvonne , Herias Veronica , Gijbels Marjon , Bot Ilze , de Jager Saskia C. A. , Weber Christian , Cleutjens Jack , van Berkel Theo J.C. , Sikkink Kees-Jan , Mócsai Atilla , Maridonneau-Parini Isabelle , Soehnlein Oliver , Biessen Erik A.L.
Published: June 2015

Background—

Leukocyte migration is critical for the infiltration of monocytes and accumulation of monocyte-derived macrophages in inflammation. Considering that Hck and Fgr are instrumental in this process, their impact on atherosclerosis and on lesion inflammation and stability was evaluated.

Methods and Results—

Hematopoietic Hck/Fgr-deficient, LDLr
−/−
chimeras, obtained by bone marrow transplantation, had smaller but, paradoxically, less stable lesions with reduced macrophage content, overt cap thinning, and necrotic core expansion as the most prominent features. Despite a Ly6C
high
-skewed proinflammatory monocyte phenotype, Hck/Fgr deficiency led to disrupted adhesion of myeloid cells to and transmigration across endothelial monolayers in vitro and atherosclerotic plaques in vivo, as assessed by intravital microscopy, flow cytometry, and histological examination of atherosclerotic arteries. Moreover, Hck/Fgr-deficient macrophages showed blunted podosome formation and mesenchymal migration capacity. In consequence, transmigrated double-knockout macrophages were seen to accumulate in the fibrous cap, potentially promoting its focal erosion, as observed for double-knockout chimeras.

Conclusions—

The hematopoietic deficiency of Hck and Fgr led to attenuated atherosclerotic plaque formation by abrogating endothelial adhesion and transmigration; paradoxically, it also promoted plaque instability by causing monocyte subset imbalance and subendothelial accumulation, raising a note of caution regarding src kinase–targeted intervention in plaque inflammation.
Intensive Care Units With Low Versus High Volume of Myocardial Infarction: Clinical Outcomes, Resource Utilization, and Quality Metrics
Authors: Stolker Joshua M. , Badawi Omar , Spertus John A. , Nasir Ammar , Kennedy Kevin F. , Harris Ilene H. , Franey Christine S. , Hsu Van Doren , Ripple Gary R. , Howell Gregory H. , Lem Vincent M. , Chan Paul S.
Published: June 2015

Background

The volume‐outcome relationship associated with intensive care unit (
ICU
) experience with managing acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
) remains inadequately understood.

Methods and Results

Within a multicenter clinical
ICU
database, we identified patients with a primary
ICU
admission diagnosis of
AMI
between 2008 and 2010 to evaluate whether annual
AMI
volume of an individual
ICU
is associated with mortality, length‐of‐stay, or quality indicators. Patients were categorized into those treated in
ICU
s with low‐annual‐
AMI
volume (≤50th percentile, <2
AMI
patients/month, n=569 patients) versus high‐annual‐
AMI
volume (≥90th percentile, ≥8
AMI
patients/month, n=17 553 patients). Poisson regression and generalized estimating equation with negative binomial regression were used to calculate the relative risk (95%
CI
) for mortality and length‐of‐stay, respectively, associated with admission to a low‐
AMI
‐volume
ICU
. When compared with high‐
AMI
‐volume, patients admitted to low‐
AMI
‐volume
ICU
s had substantially more medical comorbidities, higher in‐hospital mortality (11% versus 4%,
P
<0.001), longer hospitalizations (6.9±7.0 versus 5.0±5.0 days,
P
<0.001), and fewer evidence‐based therapies for
AMI
(reperfusion therapy, antiplatelets, β‐blockers, and statins). However, after adjustment for baseline patient characteristics, low‐
AMI
‐volume
ICU
was no longer an independent predictor of in‐hospital mortality (relative risk 1.17 [0.87 to 1.56]) or hospital length‐of‐stay (relative risk 1.01 [0.94 to 1.08]). Similar findings were noted in secondary analyses of
ICU
mortality and
ICU
length‐of‐stay.

Conclusions

Admission to an
ICU
with lower annual
AMI
volume is associated with higher in‐hospital mortality, longer hospitalization, and lower use of evidence‐based therapies for
AMI
. However, the relationship between low‐
AMI
‐volume and outcomes is no longer present after accounting for the higher‐risk medical comorbidities and clinical characteristics of patients admitted to these
ICU
s.
Inhibition of WNK3 Kinase Signaling Reduces Brain Damage and Accelerates Neurological Recovery After Stroke
Authors: Begum Gulnaz , Yuan Hui , Kahle Kristopher T. , Li Liaoliao , Wang Shaoxia , Shi Yejie , Shmukler Boris E. , Yang Sung-Sen , Lin Shih-Hua , Alper Seth L. , Sun Dandan
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

WNK kinases, including WNK3, and the associated downstream Ste20/SPS1-related proline-alanine–rich protein kinase (SPAK) and oxidative stress responsive 1 (OSR1) kinases, comprise an important signaling cascade that regulates the cation-chloride cotransporters. Ischemia-induced stimulation of the bumetanide-sensitive Na
+
-K
+
-Cl
−
cotransporter (NKCC1) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of experimental stroke, but the mechanism of its regulation in this context is unknown. Here, we investigated the WNK3-SPAK/OSR1 pathway as a regulator of NKCC1 stimulation and their collective role in ischemic brain damage.

Method—

Wild-type
WNK3
and
WNK3
knockout mice were subjected to ischemic stroke via transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Infarct volume, brain edema, blood brain barrier damage, white matter demyelination, and neurological deficits were assessed. Total and phosphorylated forms of WNK3 and SPAK/OSR1 were assayed by immunoblotting and immunostaining. In vitro ischemia studies in cultured neurons and immature oligodendrocytes were conducted using the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation method.

Results—

WNK3 knockout mice exhibited significantly decreased infarct volume and axonal demyelination, less cerebral edema, and accelerated neurobehavioral recovery compared with WNK3 wild-type mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. The neuroprotective phenotypes conferred by WNK3 knockout were associated with a decrease in stimulatory hyperphosphorylations of the SPAK/OSR1 catalytic T-loop and of NKCC1 stimulatory sites Thr
203
/Thr
207
/Thr
212
, as well as with decreased cell surface expression of NKCC1. Genetic inhibition of WNK3 or small interfering RNA knockdown of SPAK/OSR1 increased the tolerance of cultured primary neurons and oligodendrocytes to in vitro ischemia.

Conclusions—

These data identify a novel role for the WNK3-SPAK/OSR1-NKCC1 signaling pathway in ischemic neuroglial injury and suggest the WNK3-SPAK/OSR1 kinase pathway as a therapeutic target for neuroprotection after ischemic stroke.
The Amazing Library Race:
Authors: Boss Katherine , Angell Katelyn , Tewell Eamon
Published: June 2015

Seeking to introduce first-year students to library resources and services in an engaging way, an orientation titled The Amazing Library Race (ALR) was developed and implemented at a university library. Informed by the pedagogy of problem-based learning, the ALR asks students to complete challenges regarding different departments and services. This study assesses this initiative’s success using observational and artifact-based data, addressing the challenging prospect of evaluating the impact of library orientation sessions. Two rubrics were developed to measure student involvement and student learning comprehension. More than 14 hours of in-class observations were used to track engagement, and 64 artifacts of student learning were collected and coded to evaluate learning comprehension. After coding, interrater reliability was established using the intraclass correlation coefficient to establish the validity of the ratings. This paper will outline these methodologies, present the results of the data analysis, and discuss the possibilities and difficulties of measuring student engagement in information literacy instruction centred upon active learning.
31 May 2013 El Reno Tornadoes: Advantages of Rapid-Scan Phased-Array Radar Data from a Warning Forecaster’s Perspective*
Authors: Kuster Charles M. , Heinselman Pamela L. , Austin Marcus
Published: June 2015

On 31 May 2013, a supercell produced a tornado rated as 3 on the enhanced Fujita scale (EF3) near El Reno, Oklahoma, which was sampled by the S-band phased-array radar (PAR) at the National Weather Radar Testbed in Norman, Oklahoma. Collaboration with the forecaster who issued tornado warnings for the El Reno supercell during real-time operations focused the analysis on critical radar signatures frequently assessed during warning operations. The wealth of real-world experience provided by the forecaster, along with the quantitative analysis, highlighted differences between rapid-scan PAR data and the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler located near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (KTLX), within the context of forecast challenges faced on 31 May 2013. The comparison revealed that the 70-s PAR data proved most advantageous to the forecaster’s situational awareness in instances of rapid storm organization, sudden mesocyclone intensification, and abrupt, short-term changes in tornado motion. Situations where PAR data were most advantageous in the depiction of storm-scale processes included 1) rapid variations in mesocyclone intensity and associated changes in inflow magnitude; 2) imminent radar-indicated development of the short-lived (EF0) Calumet, Oklahoma, and long-lived (EF3) El Reno tornadoes; and 3) precise location and motion of the tornado circulation. As a result, it is surmised that rapid-scan volumetric radar data in cases like this would augment a forecaster’s ability to observe rapidly evolving storm features and deliver timely, life-saving information to the general public.
Psychoanalytic Teaching by Video Link and Telephone
Authors: Scharff David E.
Published: June 2015

In this era of global connectedness, there is great interest in using distance video platforms such as Skype and VSee, as well as the telephone, for conducting psychoanalysis and psychotherapy across geographic distance. Little, however, has been written about the use of technology for psychoanalytic education. The International Psychotherapy Institute has extensive experience in the use of videoconference and telephone technology in the teaching of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, including didactic teaching, infant observation, and individual and group supervision, with individuals and groups across the United States and overseas. Use of this technology for tele-education has facilitated the spread of psychoanalytic ideas, recruitment of psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic trainees, and ongoing training for members living at great distances from one another and from the institute. This work is in many ways similar to ordinary psychoanalytic teaching and supervision, and yet presents significant differences in technique, opportunity, and group dynamics. Further implementation and study of this methodology can greatly aid in the dissemination of psychoanalysis in the digital age.
L'angelo musicante: Caravaggio e la musica
Authors: Donà Massimo
Published: June 2015

Le caratteristiche di ambiguità e di teatralità spesso riscontrate (e altrettanto spesso fraintese) nella pittura del Caravaggio sono conseguenza della sua particolare rappresentazione della realtà secondo una prospettiva non mimetica, bensì ritmica e “musicale”; tesa, cioè, a mostrare come a tutte le cose del mondo, pur nella loro ineradicabile differenza, sia sottesa sempre una medesima “relazione”, una stessa musica. Svincolando i suoi protagonisti dalla verosimiglianza dello spazio rappresentativo circostante (in tal modo quasi preannunciando l'artificialità fotografica), e preferendo farli emergere, senza particolari giustificazioni narrative, da uno sfondo indifferenziato di luce o buio, Caravaggio li libera dalle pastoie della significazione (vale a dire, dalla loro rigida collocazione entro un sistema differenziale di essere / non essere, presente / passato, umano / divino) per riconsegnarli al gesto poietico-immaginativo della loro ri-creazione all'interno della finzione pittorica. Proprio come la musica ci conquista in forma immediata, indifferente ai movimenti dialettici e alle determinazioni semantiche dell'argomentazione, i soggetti caravaggeschi rifiutano ogni precisa determinazione spaziale, facendosi piuttosto latori di un “tempo” musicale che, riconciliando gli opposti in natura, fa risuonare il senso originario, poetico e quindi serenamente immotivabile, dell'essere.
The longer your work hours, the worse your relationship? The role of selective optimization with compensation in the associations of working time with relationship satisfaction and self-disclosure in dual-career couples
Authors: Unger Dana , Sonnentag Sabine , Niessen Cornelia , Kuonath Angela
Published: June 2015

This two-wave panel study investigates the associations between working time, selective optimization with compensation in private life and relationship outcomes (i.e. relationship satisfaction and self-disclosure) in dual-career couples. We propose that one partner’s selective optimization with compensation in private life either mediates or moderates the association of this partner’s working time and relationship outcomes (i.e. relationship satisfaction and self-disclosure). Moreover, we postulate the crossover (i.e. transmission) of relationship satisfaction and self-disclosure within the couple. To test these hypotheses, we conducted an online study with a time lag of six months, in which 285 dual-career couples took part. We found evidence for selective optimization with compensation in private life as a mediator: working time spent by partners in dual-career couples was associated with selective optimization with compensation in their private life that, in turn, predicted relationship satisfaction and self-disclosure. Results did not support the assumption that one partner’s selective optimization with compensation in private life moderates the association between working time and relationship satisfaction and self-disclosure. Relationship satisfaction, but not self-disclosure, crossed over within the couples. The results challenge the assumption that longer work hours have negative consequences for romantic relationships.
A century of international affairs think tanks in historical perspective
Authors: Roberts Priscilla
Published: June 2015

This essay surveys the operations of foreign policy think tanks, and how they have functioned to create transnational knowledge networks, since their emergence in the early twentieth century, around the First World War. It discusses how patterns of linkages among foreign policy think tanks changed and evolved over time, and were linked to broader Anglo-American, imperial, and internationalist networks and relationships, and to the changing international political climate and configuration. It suggests some ways in which think tanks contributed to Cold War interchanges between different states, especially to Soviet bloc–Western relations and Asian–Western relations. It concludes by discussing the recent proliferation and frequent globalization of foreign policy think tanks, and suggests how such trends may develop in future.
Degradation characteristics of new bio-resin based-fiber-reinforced polymers for external rehabilitation of structures
Authors: Foruzanmehr Mohammadreza , Elkoun Said , Fam Amir , Robert Mathieu
Published: June 2015

Sustainability has recently become a key issue in the design and manufacture of products, due to dwindling oil reserves and increased environmental awareness. Therefore, bio-sourced resins are suggested to be used as an alternative in order to reduce the environmental impact of composite production. This paper presents the mechanical and physico-chemical characterization and the environmental degradation evaluation of furan resin-based glass fiber reinforced polymer (bio-sourced glass fiber reinforced polymer) for structural retrofitting applications in comparison with those of an equivalent thermoset-based glass fiber reinforced polymer (petro-sourced glass fiber reinforced polymer). Epoxy resin was used as a representative for petroleum-derived synthetic thermoset. To conduct this preliminary study, the following steps were taken: (1) prepare composites made from furan and epoxy resins, (2) characterize the mechanical and physico-chemical properties of the composites, (3) study the moisture absorption, and finally, (4) evaluate the degradation of both composites when subjected to alkaline solutions which was simulated to leached concrete pore solution. The experimental results show that the use of furan resin as polymer matrix in glass fiber reinforced polymer leads to an increase in the moisture absorption and a significant decrease in the degradation in alkaline solution.
Teaching as Assemblage
Authors: Strom Kathryn J.
Published: June 2015

Recent accountability policies seek to “grade” teacher preparation programs by the teaching evaluations of their graduates. This article addresses the problematic nature of the linear thinking underlying such reforms by examining the construction of teaching practices of Mauro, a first-year secondary science teacher who taught environmental and earth sciences. Drawn from a larger data set, the study uses concepts from rhizomatics, a non-linear theory of thought and social activity, and elements of postmodern grounded theory. Despite holding key factors constant across the two subject area settings, differences in the ways the teacher, students, and contextual conditions worked together helped produce strikingly different teaching practices in each set of classes. This study provides evidence that enacting pre-professional learning is a complex undertaking shaped by the ways the elements present in the school setting work together, and, thus, teaching is a collectively negotiated activity. The author offers implications for teacher preparation practice and policy, advocating for an ontological turn in teacher education research that focuses on processes of teaching rather than outcomes alone.
Preparing the Successful Urban Music Educator
Authors: Anderson Steven Armon , Denson Gregory Lamar
Published: June 2015

The January 1970 Music Educators Journal’s “Special Report: Facing the Music in Urban Education” included the article “Recommendations for Teacher Education Programs.” This article contained seven recommendations to prepare successful future urban music educators. As two urban music educators, we examine how MEJ authors have since addressed these recommendations. We offer suggestions for preservice and in-service music educators, as well as music teacher educators.
Skill Development
Authors: Walter Donald J. , Walter Jennifer S.
Published: June 2015

Practice is a major element in cultivating musical skill. Some psychologists have proposed that deliberate practice, a specific framework for structuring practice activities, creates the kind of practice necessary to increase skill and develop expertise. While psychologists have been observing behavior, neurologists have studied how the brain changes when people learn. Neurologists have found changes in the structure of the white matter of the brain that correlate with vast amounts of musical practice. This article contains a brief overview of what researchers believe happens in the brain when people learn or refine motor skills, such as singing or playing an instrument. This article also explores the new research into myelination, one mechanism the body uses to optimize the efficiency of neural circuits. In addition, the authors propose ways that music educators can use findings from both psychological and neurological fields to improve music teaching and learning and help their students begin to develop musical expertise.
An improved strong tracking Multiple-model Adaptive Estimation: a fast diagnosis algorithm for aircraft actuator fault
Authors: Ma Jun , Ni Shi-hong , Xie Wu-jie , Dong Wen-han
Published: June 2015

The Multiple-model Adaptive Estimation method has low capability to track abrupt faults; therefore, multiple fading factors may result in diverging the Strong Tracking Filter. Moreover, the fault probability calculation is large. In this paper, an improved Strong Tracking Multiple-model Adaptive Estimation fast diagnosis algorithm is proposed. The tracking performance of the filter was improved by multiple fading factors. An improved renewal equation of the step prediction covariance matrix is proposed. The stability of the filter was guaranteed, and the estimation accuracy was improved. Based on the Euclidean norm, a fast fault isolation method that reduces the fault probability calculation is proposed. The simulation results show that this algorithm is more efficient and has a better performance.
Evaluating the Accuracy of Results for Teacher Implemented Trial-Based Functional Analyses
Authors: Rispoli Mandy , Ninci Jennifer , Burke Mack D. , Zaini Samar , Hatton Heather , Sanchez Lisa
Published: June 2015

Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) allows for the systematic and experimental assessment of challenging behavior in applied settings. The purposes of this study were to evaluate a professional development package focused on training three Head Start teachers to conduct TBFAs with fidelity during ongoing classroom routines. To assess the accuracy of the TBFA results, the effects of a function-based intervention derived from the TBFA were compared with the effects of a non-function-based intervention. Data were collected on child challenging behavior and appropriate communication. An A-B-A-C-D design was utilized in which A represented baseline, and B and C consisted of either function-based or non-function-based interventions counterbalanced across participants, and D represented teacher implementation of the most effective intervention. Results showed that the function-based intervention produced greater decreases in challenging behavior and greater increases in appropriate communication than the non-function-based intervention for all three children.