bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-10 regulates the inflammasome-driven augmentation of inflammatory arthritis and joint destruction
Authors: Greenhill Claire J , Jones Gareth W , Nowell Mari A , Newton Zarabeth , Harvey Ann K , Moideen Abdul N , Collins Fraser L , Bloom Anja C , Coll Rebecca C , Robertson Avril AB , Cooper Matthew A , Rosas Marcela , Taylor Philip R , O'Neill Luke A , Humphreys Ian R , Williams Anwen S , Jones Simon A
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Activation of the inflammasome has been implicated in the pathology of various autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases. While the NLRP3 inflammasome has been linked to arthritis progression, little is known about its synovial regulation or contribution to joint histopathology. Regulators of inflammation activation, such as interleukin (IL)-10, may have the potential to limit the inflammasome-driven arthritic disease course and associated structural damage. Hence, we used IL-10-deficient (IL-10KO) mice to assess NLRP3 inflammasome-driven arthritic pathology.

Methods

Antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was established in IL-10KO mice and wild-type controls. Using histological and radiographic approaches together with quantitative real-time PCR of synovial mRNA studies, we explored the regulation of inflammasome components. These were combined with selective blocking agents and ex vivo investigative studies in osteoclast differentiation assays.

Results

In AIA, IL-10KO mice display severe disease with increased histological and radiographic joint scores. Here, focal bone erosions were associated with increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells and a localized expression of IL-1β. When compared to controls, IL-10KO synovium showed increased expression of Il1b, Il33 and NLRP3 inflammasome components. Synovial Nlrp3 and Casp1 expression further correlated with Acp5 (encoding TRAP), while neutralization of IL-10 receptor signaling in control mice caused increased expression of Nlrp3 and Casp1. In ex vivo osteoclast differentiation assays, addition of exogenous IL-10 or selective blockade of the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibited osteoclastogenesis.

Conclusions

These data provide a link between IL-10, synovial regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the degree of bone erosions observed in inflammatory arthritis.
Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells regulate IFN-α production through activation-induced splicing of IL-18Rα
Authors: Chao Yinxia , Kaliaperumal Nivashini , Chretien Anne-Sophie , Tang Suisheng , Lee Bernett , Poidinger Michael , Fairhurst Anna-Marie , Connolly John E
Published: August 2014

IFN-α production by pDCs regulates host protection against viruses and is implicated in autoimmune pathology. Human pDCs express high levels of IL-18R, but little is known of its role in pDC function. We report that IL-18R signaling negatively regulates IFN-α production through activation-induced splicing of IL-18Rα in human pDCs. Our data reveal two distinct isoforms of IL-18Rα in human pDCs: the known, full-length receptor (IL-18Rα1) and a novel, truncated variant (IL-18Rα2), which functions as a molecular decoy that competitively inhibits the canonical IL-18Rα1/IL-18Rβ signaling pathway. Whereas NK cells and pDCs both express IL-18Rα1, pDCs express significantly higher levels of IL-18Rα2, resulting in differential responses of these populations to IL-18. Flu exposure increases IL-18Rα1 expression in pDCs, and the blocking of IL-18R enhances pDC production of IFN-α and IP-10; thus, pDCs use activation-induced splicing to regulate IFN-α production in response to flu. These data demonstrate that IL-18R modulates IFN-α release by human pDCs and suggest that IL-18R signaling may represent a promising therapeutic target.
Cross-talk among myeloid-derived suppressor cells, macrophages, and tumor cells impacts the inflammatory milieu of solid tumors
Authors: Beury Daniel W , Parker Katherine H , Nyandjo Maeva , Sinha Pratima , Carter Kayla A , Ostrand-Rosenberg Suzanne
Published: August 2014

MDSC and macrophages are present in most solid tumors and are important drivers of immune suppression and inflammation. It is established that cross-talk between MDSC and macrophages impacts anti-tumor immunity; however, interactions between tumor cells and MDSC or macrophages are less well studied. To examine potential interactions between these cells, we studied the impact of MDSC, macrophages, and four murine tumor cell lines on each other, both in vitro and in vivo. We focused on IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, and NO, as these molecules are produced by macrophages, MDSC, and many tumor cells; are present in most solid tumors; and regulate inflammation. In vitro studies demonstrated that MDSC-produced IL-10 decreased macrophage IL-6 and TNF-α and increased NO. IL-6 indirectly regulated MDSC IL-10. Tumor cells increased MDSC IL-6 and vice versa. Tumor cells also increased macrophage IL-6 and NO and decreased macrophage TNF-α. Tumor cell-driven macrophage IL-6 was reduced by MDSC, and tumor cells and MDSC enhanced macrophage NO. In vivo analysis of solid tumors identified IL-6 and IL-10 as the dominant cytokines and demonstrated that these molecules were produced predominantly by stromal cells. These results suggest that inflammation within solid tumors is regulated by the ratio of tumor cells to MDSC and macrophages and that interactions of these cells have the potential to alter significantly the inflammatory milieu within the tumor microenvironment.
Blocking Ligand Occupancy of the αVβ3 Integrin Inhibits the Development of Nephropathy in Diabetic Pigs
Authors: Maile Laura A. , Busby Walker H. , Gollahon Katherine A. , Flowers William , Garbacik Nikol , Garbacik Stefani , Stewart Kara , Nichols Timothy , Bellinger Dwight , Patel Amit , Dunbar Paul , Medlin Matt , Clemmons David
Published: August 2014

Hyperglycemia stimulates secretion of αVβ3 ligands from vascular cells, including endothelial cells, resulting in activation of the αVβ3 integrin. This study determined whether blocking ligand occupancy of αVβ3 would inhibit the development of diabetic nephropathy. Ten diabetic pigs received an F(ab)2 fragment of an antibody directed against the extracellular domain of the β3-subunit, and 10 received a control IgG F(ab)2 for 18 weeks. Nondiabetic pigs excreted 115 ± 50 μg of protein/mg creatinine compared with control F(ab)2-treated diabetic animals (218 ± 57 μg/mg), whereas diabetic animals treated with the anti-β3 F(ab)2 excreted 119 ± 55 μg/mg (P < .05). Mesangial volume/glomerular volume increased to 21 ± 2.4% in control-treated diabetic animals compared with 14 ± 2.8% (P < .01) in animals treated with active antibody. Diabetic animals treated with control F(ab)2 had significantly less glomerular podocin staining compared with nondiabetic animals, and this decrease was attenuated by treatment with anti-β3 F(ab)2. Glomerular basement membrane thickness was increased in the control, F(ab)2-treated diabetic animals (212 ± 14 nm) compared with nondiabetic animals (170 ± 8.8 nm), but it was unchanged (159.9 ± 16.4 nm) in animals receiving anti-β3 F(ab)2. Podocyte foot process width was greater in control, F(ab)2-treated, animals (502 ± 34 nm) compared with animals treated with the anti-β3 F(ab)2 (357 ± 47 nm, P < .05). Renal β3 tyrosine phosphorylation decreased from 13 934 ± 6437 to 6730 ± 1524 (P < .01) scanning units in the anti-β3-treated group. We conclude that administration of an antibody that inhibits activation of the β3-subunit of αVβ3 that is induced by hyperglycemia attenuates proteinuria and early histologic changes of diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that it may have utility in preventing the progression of this disease complication.
Stit Tessellations have Trivial Tail σ-Algebra
Authors: Martínez Servet , Nagel Werner
Published: August 2014

We consider homogeneous STIT tessellations Y in the ℓ-dimensional Euclidean space ℝℓ and show the triviality of the tail σ-algebra. This is a sharpening of the mixing result by Lachièze-Rey (2001).
Queues and Risk Models with Simultaneous Arrivals
Authors: Badila E. S. , Boxma O. J. , Resing J. A. C. , Winands E. M. M.
Published: August 2014

We focus on a particular connection between queueing and risk models in a multidimensional setting. We first consider the joint workload process in a queueing model with parallel queues and simultaneous arrivals at the queues. For the case that the service times are ordered (from largest in the first queue to smallest in the last queue), we obtain the Laplace-Stieltjes transform of the joint stationary workload distribution. Using a multivariate duality argument between queueing and risk models, this also gives the Laplace transform of the survival probability of all books in a multivariate risk model with simultaneous claim arrivals and the same ordering between claim sizes. Other features of the paper include a stochastic decomposition result for the workload vector, and an outline of how the two-dimensional risk model with a general two-dimensional claim size distribution (hence, without ordering of claim sizes) is related to a known Riemann boundary-value problem.
A Cellular Network Model with Ginibre Configured Base Stations
Authors: Miyoshi Naoto , Shirai Tomoyuki
Published: August 2014

Stochastic geometry models for wireless communication networks have recently attracted much attention. This is because the performance of such networks critically depends on the spatial configuration of wireless nodes and the irregularity of the node configuration in a real network can be captured by a spatial point process. However, most analysis of such stochastic geometry models for wireless networks assumes, owing to its tractability, that the wireless nodes are deployed according to homogeneous Poisson point processes. This means that the wireless nodes are located independently of each other and their spatial correlation is ignored. In this work we propose a stochastic geometry model of cellular networks such that the wireless base stations are deployed according to the Ginibre point process. The Ginibre point process is one of the determinantal point processes and accounts for the repulsion between the base stations. For the proposed model, we derive a computable representation for the coverage probability—the probability that the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) for a mobile user achieves a target threshold. To capture its qualitative property, we further investigate the asymptotics of the coverage probability as the SINR threshold becomes large in a special case. We also present the results of some numerical experiments.
Stationarity and Ergodicity for an Affine Two-Factor Model
Authors: Barczy Mátyás , Döring Leif , Li Zenghu , Pap Gyula
Published: August 2014

We study the existence of a unique stationary distribution and ergodicity for a two-dimensional affine process. Its first coordinate process is supposed to be a so-called α-root process with α ∈ (1, 2]. We prove the existence of a unique stationary distribution for the affine process in the α ∈ (1, 2] case; furthermore, we show ergodicity in the α = 2 case.
Me2S-induced Highly Selective Reduction of Aldehydes in the Presence of Ketones Involving Aldehyde-selective Rate Enhancement: A Triruthenium Cluster-catalyzed Hydrosilylation
Authors: Yumino Shohei , Hashimoto Toru , Tahara Atsushi , Nagashima Hideo
Published: August 2014

Addition of appropriate amounts of Me2S unusually accelerated the hydrosilylation of aldehydes catalyzed by [Ru3(CO)7(Acy)] (1, Acy: µ3-η2,η3,η5-acenaphthylene). The reduction of ketones was completely suppressed under the reaction conditions. The highly selective reduction of aldehydes in the presence of ketones was achieved via a nonconventional mechanism.
Navicular syndrome
Authors: Shepherd Chris
Published: August 2014

Chris Shepherd BVM&S BSc MRCVS discusses the latest diagnoses and treatment protocols
Good foundations – the structure of wound healing
Authors: Hollis Georgie
Published: August 2014

Georgie Hollis of the Veterinary Wound Library examines how wounds heal, and discusses the effects of topical applications and their role in supporting healing
A limited option?
Authors: Sears Howard
Published: August 2014

Howard Sears of Price Bailey Chartered Accountants examines the benefits of incorporation
Sarcoid treatment - what are the options?
Authors: Wylie Claire
Published: August 2014

Claire Wylie BVM&S MSc PhD MRCVS, Rossdales, discusses the latest developments
Partnering for effective HIV/AIDS palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mastrojohn III John , Nanney Erinn , Smith Shelley , DiSorbo Phil
Published: August 2014

Each December 1st, World AIDS Day provides individuals and organizations with an opportunity to recognize the impact of HIV/AIDS, and increase awareness across the globe. The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 was ‘Universal Access and Human Rights.’ Though advances have been made in the past with regard to prevention and treatment, there remain significant variations in access. As described in the 2009 World AIDS Day statement (Global Health Council, 2009), issues such as discrimination, stigma, and human rights violations against those living with HIV/AIDS continue to be significant barriers in effectively addressing the epidemic.
Living with a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer: patients’ lived experiences
Authors: McCarthy Ita , Dowling Maura
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to explore patients’ experience of living with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients diagnosed with NSCLC know that their treatment is not with curative intent and can expect distressing symptoms. In this phenomenological study, six adults with a diagnosis of NSCLC were interviewed. Data was analysed guided by van Manen’s six-step process. Four main themes were interpreted: ‘Maintaining my life’; ‘The enemy within’; ‘Staying on the train’, and ‘I’m still me’. The study findings contribute to nurses’ understanding of patients living with this distressing diagnosis, where treatment is palliative. Understanding these patients’ experiences can help nurses to interact in a different way, and to maximize opportunities to care holistically for this group of patients and best meet their needs.
Religion, world view and the nurse: results of a quantitative survey among Flemish palliative care nurses
Authors: Gielen Joris , van den Branden Stef , van Iersel Trudie , Broeckaert Bert
Published: August 2014

Aims: To study the religious or ideological views and practices of palliative care nurses. Method: An anonymous questionnaire was sent to all nurses (n=589) employed in palliative care in Flanders, Belgium. A total of 70.5% of the nurses (n=415) responded. Results: Four meaningful factors were found: the ideological dimension, the intellectual dimension, the ritualistic dimension, and the experiential dimension. Five religious or ideological clusters were found: atheists/agnostics (n=66, 18.3%), ‘doubters’ (n=64, 17.8%), church-going respondents (n=106, 29.4%), religious but not church-going respondents (n=64, 17.8%), and devout church-going respondents (n=60, 16.7%). Older nurses were more committed to the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Many nurses take the freedom to compose their own religious or ideological identity. Conclusion: A large majority of the nurses are interested in religious issues. Yet, their attitude toward religion and world view is noncommittal.
Caring for people dying at home: a research study into the needs of community nurses
Authors: Smith Robert , Porock Davina
Published: August 2014

The majority of patients in the United Kingdom would choose to die at home, however, less than 20% of patients achieve this. Community nurses are central to care at the end of life, however, little attention has been given to the attitudes of community nurses to this role and how these may influence patient care, and ultimately facilitate patient preferences. This study aimed to identify the attitudes of community nurses to the care of the dying patient and discover the factors that influence these attitudes. Almost 40% of community nurses held negative attitudes to care of the dying. These attitudes improved with training and education but were not significantly influenced by experience alone. Attitudes were also influenced by levels of support, workload and time constraints. The study recommends the development of training and educational interventions to improve knowledge and practical competence, thus improving attitudes. Further study should also examine how the intensity of community nursing visits affects the number of home deaths.
Implementing a clinical supervision programme for nurses in a hospice setting
Authors: Chilvers Rowena , Ramsey Sarah
Published: August 2014

Access to clinical supervision for registered nurses is an important way of maintaining and improving standards of patient care. Ten years ago clinical supervision only existed for the community nurse specialists within a group of hospices in the south east of England managed under one clinical governance framework. With the appointments of a lead nurse for patient safety and quality and an education and training co-ordinator the whole system of clinical supervision was reviewed to include all nursing staff (registered nurses, health-care assistants and community associate practitioners) from the inpatient, day hospice and community services. This article looks at the methods employed to initiate a reflective clinical supervision programme using a group model. Details in this article are provided on the processes for implementation addressing the practicalities of providing this valued service and how to overcome some of the difficulties encountered.
A happy holiday: humour and health care
Authors: Smyth Dion
Published: August 2014

At this time of year many of the world’s faith-based religions and otherwise spiritual belief systems commemorate momentous events from their history or creed. Christmas, Hanukkah, Al-Hijirah, or Yule are some of the examples of the different ways that the various people of the globe will celebrate. On a personal, professional and collective level, coming together to share a laugh is recognizably an important aspect of our day-to-day lives. The use of humour in health care and particularly in terminal and palliative care is, perhaps, afforded less significance. However, as the Irish playwright and essayist George Bernard Shaw said ‘Life does not cease to be funny when people die anymore than it ceases to be serious when people laugh’. As we see out 1 year and greet the new, this and next month’s Web Words will consider resources that inform and enlighten our clinical or academic practice—and possibly also lighten the mood
Quality of care: campaigning for consumer rights
Authors: Bright Les
Published: August 2014

Consel and Care is a registered charity providing information and advice to older people. Alongside this it also sets out to influence the policies and practices of those who provide services. Les Bright describes the programme of work aimed at residential care and nursing homes.
A personal view of Fit for the Future
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: August 2014

Adrian Ashurst presents a personal view on the consultation document which outlines the proposed national standards for residential and nursing homes for older people.
Can the development of pressure ulcers constitute abuse?
Authors: Moody Marion
Published: August 2014

Marion Moody introduces the importance of using guidelines for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers as a means of avoiding successful litigation claims due to negligence on the part of the carer.
Management of incontinence in nursing and residential care
Authors: Pomfret Ian
Published: August 2014

The management of urinary and faecal incontinence in nursing and residential care can be problematic. Ian Pomfret describes the dual role of incontinence aids in both promoting and managing incontinence.
Occupational therapy in nursing and residential homes
Authors: Hong Chia Swee , Yates Penny
Published: August 2014

Residential homes are for people who can no longer manage daily activities alone in their own home. Nursing homes are for people whose illness or injury requires nursing care on a regular basis. The needs of people vary from those who can no longer look after their own needs to those who are active but cognitively impaired. The aim of this article is to describe the role of occupational therapy in residential and nursing homes.
The role of the GP in the care home setting
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: August 2014

In this article, Adrian Ashurst discusses the role of the general practitioner (GP) within care homes. He recommends that developing the GP's role within nursing homes may help to enhance a home's reputation and provide consistent medical cover for residents.
Influenza outbreaks in elderly care institutions
Authors: Nguyen-Van-Tam Jonathan
Published: August 2014

Influenza outbreaks in elderly care homes pose a serious threat to residents. Several recent outbreaks in British care homes have been associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. In this article, Jonathan Nguyen-Van-Tam reviews the subject and discusses the prevention and control of influenza in care homes.
Sources of information for nurses on the Internet
Authors: Davies Rebecca
Published: August 2014

Rebecca Davies evaluates the information needs of nurses, discusses issues which need to be considered when conducting a literature search and explains how to find relevant information.
Parkinson's disease: treatments and prospects
Authors: Morinan Alun
Published: August 2014

Perhaps because it is so common among residents of nursing and care homes, many staff see symptoms of Parkinson's disease as ‘just normal ageing’. However, in the first of a new series on drug treatments, Alun Morinan describes the difficulties faced by people with this profound neurodegenerative condition. He describes some of the main effects of medication and how these affect key parts of the brain.
Equipment for moving and handling: hoists and slings
Authors: Steed Ron , Tracey Clive
Published: August 2014

This article gives an overview of the hoists and slings that are available for moving and handling. It is abbreviated from the chapter ‘Equipment: what's available and how do I use it’ taken from the book Safer Handling of People in the Community, published by BackCare.
Funding for NVQ training and other issues
Authors: Barham Bob
Published: August 2014

In this article, Bob Barham responds to comments from a reader about the NVQ training series and looks at some potential sources of funding.
Empowering staff and clients
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: August 2014

In this article, Adrian Ashurst discusses the effect of empowering staff and residents on developing a proactive approach to care within the home.
Effect of Inspection Holes on Flexural Properties of Douglas-Fir Utility Poles
Authors: Morrell Jeffrey J. , Sinha Arijit , Clauson Milo , Love Connie S.
Published: August 2014

Routine inspection of wood utility poles to detect internal decay involves drilling holes at or about the ground line. While these holes are useful for detecting internal decay, their presence raises concern among engineers about their potential effects on pole flexural properties. The effect of inspection holes on flexural properties was studied on 92 Douglas-fir poles. Drilling up to six 20-mm-diameter inspection holes had no significant effect on flexural properties, indicating that inspection does not adversely affect pole condition.
Developing evidence for public health policy and practice: the implementation of a knowledge translation approach in a staged, multi-methods study in England, 2007–09
Authors: South Jane , Cattan Mima
Published: August 2014

Effective knowledge translation processes are critical for the development of evidence-based public health policy and practice. This paper reports on the design and implementation of an innovative approach to knowledge translation within a mixed methods study on lay involvement in public health programme delivery. The study design drew on scientific and experiential knowledge, and included iterative feedback loops to ensure that lay and professional perspectives shaped the research process and dissemination outputs. The paper concludes by discussing the application of this approach as a means to close the knowledge-practice gap in public health.
Health system decision makers’ feedback on summaries and tools supporting the use of systematic reviews: a qualitative study
Authors: Ellen Moriah E , Lavis John N , Wilson Michael G , Grimshaw Jeremy , Haynes R Brian , Ouimet Mathieu , Raina Parminder , Gruen Russell
Published: August 2014

Health system managers and policy makers need timely access to high quality, policy-relevant systematic reviews. Our objectives were to obtain managers’ and policy makers’ feedback about user-friendly summaries of systematic reviews and about tools related to supporting or assessing their use. Our interviews identified that participants prefer key messages up front, such as details regarding background, methods, and applicability, appreciate quality ratings, and prefer bullets and tables to paragraphs. There were mixed views about the relevance-assessment tool and positive views about the use-assessment tool. The findings can be used to support evidence-informed decision making among managers and policy makers.
Juvenile Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs): A Qualitative Description of Current Programmes
Authors: Doulas Anabelle V. , Lurigio Arthur J.
Published: August 2014

This article describes one of the newest, most specialised law enforcement programmes in the United States: Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs) for youth with mental illness. In response to the fragmentation of behavioural healthcare services in the educational, juvenile justice and mental health systems, Juvenile-CITs (J-CITs) have been implemented in a handful of jurisdictions to serve as an intervention for troubled and troublesome adolescents in need of mental health care. Information about J-CITs is limited; little has been written about such programmes, and no published studies have examined their effectiveness. Hence the present study was undertaken to identify all of the currently operational J-CITs in the United States. We conducted structured telephone interviews in order to gather qualitative data regarding the philosophy, origins, operations and components of each J-CIT. We afford an early look at several J-CIT programmes in diverse geographic areas. We conclude with observations concerning the role of such programmes in a law enforcement as well as the challenges that police departments are likely to face in the implementation and maintenance of such initiatives.
Allegations of the Discriminatory Use of Stop and Search Powers before the Courts: Some Recent English and American Experiences
Authors: Parpworth Neil
Published: August 2014

Statutory stop and search powers constitute an important weapon in the police's armoury in the battle to prevent or detect the commission of criminal offences. Many such powers are only capable of being exercised where a police officer reasonably suspects that a person is in possession of an item or article that they ought not to have, e.g. a stolen or prohibited article, a firearm, a controlled drug etc. The ‘reasonable suspicion’ requirement is therefore intended to be a safeguard to prevent the arbitrary use of a stop and search power, even though it is not defined in any of the relevant enactments. However, not all stop and search powers require reasonable suspicion as a condition precedent for their exercise. Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, as amended, is one such power. A recent Court of Appeal judgment merits consideration for the light which it shines on the s. 60 power and its compatibility with the ECHR. It is of further interest in that it may be contrasted with a recent American case, concerning the New York Police Department's ‘Stop and Frisk’ policy, where an American judge was required to consider the constitutionality of the exercise of this important police power.
Do Part-Time Volunteer Police Officers Aspire to Be Regular Police Officers?
Authors: Pepper Ian
Published: August 2014

The freeze and now gradual thaw on regular police officer recruitment has meant that the role of the volunteer police officer (or special constable), has become increasingly important to the police service. This pool of over 19,000 part-time volunteer police officers is viewed by many within the police service as a potential recruiting ground for new regular officers.

A research study was conducted over six months following a group of new part-time volunteer police officers as they were first exposed to operational policing. The research utilised a range of methods to gather data on their initial and changing motivations and career aspirations.

The research confirmed that the role is viewed by many of the volunteer police officers sampled as a means through which they may gain employment as regular police officers and generally their motivations to achieve this policing role are high. The part-time volunteers also reported using this experience to help them decide if a full-time policing career is for them.
Forced Perspective: Police Officers' Personal Opinions and Racial Data Collection in Nebraska
Authors: Arp Don
Published: August 2014

Law enforcement officers in Nebraska, as in many other states, are required to collect data concerning the perceived race of persons contacted in traffic stops and the cause for the stop. This data is then used to identify patterns of possible racial profiling. Nebraska's system forces officers to choose between six races. Interviews of officers in one police department found that their personal understandings of race did not conform with the six categories provided. This flawed collection approach, when framed within an analysis of the issues inherent in racial profiling, shows the need for policy reform in data-collection schemes.
Police Stressors, Negative Outcomes Associated with Them and Coping Mechanisms That May Reduce These Associations
Authors: Can S. Hakan , Hendy Helen M.
Published: August 2014

One purpose of the present study was to examine how exposure to police stressors was associated with increased risk for physical, psychological and interpersonal negative outcomes. Another purpose was to identify ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ coping mechanisms that mediate these associations between police stressors and negative outcomes.

Participants included 201 police officers from small departments under 100 officers (96% male; mean age = 40.3 years; 91% Caucasian; 55% Patrol Officer rank; mean years of service = 15.0 years), who completed anonymous surveys that included the 25-item Law Enforcement Officer Stress Survey (LEOSS) and measures of health problems, self-esteem and aggression to romantic partners and police partners. They also reported 12 ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ coping mechanisms as suggested by the Theory of Threat Appraisal and Coping (exercise, sleep, eating fruit and vegetables, family support, police support, religiosity, alcohol, tobacco, snacks, caffeine, expressed anger, repressed anger).

Higher exposure to police stressors was associated with increased risk for health problems, low self-esteem, partner aggression and police aggression. Repressed anger was the ‘unhealthy’ coping mechanism most significantly associated with officers' reports of police stressors. Mediation analysis revealed that only the removal of repressed anger dropped associations between police stressors and the four negative outcomes to non-significance. Present results demonstrate that the most prevalent coping mechanism used by stressed police officers may not always be associated with improvements in outcomes. Employee assistance programmes for officers with high levels of police stressors should focus on anger-management and anger-expression skills.
The medial metaphor: Hip hop as media
Authors: Sachs Aaron Dickinson
Published: August 2014

In the mid-1980s, hip hop began shifting from a subcultural articulation organized around a set of cultural practices – namely breaking (breakdancing), graffiti and party-DJing – to an articulation as rap music culture. I use the scholarship of media ecologist Harold Adams Innis to argue that the distinct and opposing medial, or structural, qualities of the elements primary to each articulation contributed to this shift. Looking at these competing articulations of hip hop through the lens of media ecology in detail illuminates telling differences about the articulations of hip hop culture in the mid-1980s that may help further explain the current definitive dominance of rap music in hip hop culture.
Immigrant-related visual themes in the press of two new receiver countries (Greece and Spain)
Authors: Batziou Athanasia
Published: August 2014

Photographs look objective and truthful when in fact they are affected by the human factor and by the ideology of the society in which they are produced. In turn, they recycle this ideology by creating models upon which we pattern ourselves and our environment. Taking a comparative perspective, this article explores the visual themes used in five newspapers in Greece and Spain to represent immigrants, given that the thematic context in which immigrants appear is crucial for the viewers’ perception of the depicted people. Press photographs are treated as cultural text, capable of conveying meaning independent of the accompanying report or article, and are analysed using content analysis. The results of this research show that press photographs place immigrants in a rather narrow frame of reference, directing public opinion towards associating them with specific ‘functions’ in society and preventing their association with the normality of life.
A media ecological analysis of do-it-yourself education: Exploring relationships between the symbolic and the material realms of human action
Authors: Dowd John
Published: August 2014

Drawing on the work of Marshall McLuhan and subsequent theories of media ecology, this article seeks to build upon an understanding of the complex interactions of the material and symbolic aspects of human action. To do so, I perform a tetradic analysis of an educational movement referred to as Do-It-Yourself (DIY) education. Broadly defined, the DIY education movement includes any attempt to decentralize or disrupt traditional place-based educational models through the sometimes collective, other times individual use of digital media. Thus, The DIY movement is not simply a description of a particular model but rather, models that emerge or otherwise reflect a particular educational ideology. Accordingly, examples of this model could include online educational communities such as YouTube or for the purposes of this article, MOOCs. Ultimately then, through an analysis of the DIY movement I seek to elucidate the educational forms that emerge as a result of the interplay among discourses and technologies related to contemporary understandings of teaching and learning.
The artist, the dandy and men’s fashion in the Belle-Époque in Rio
Authors: Volpi Maria Cristina
Published: August 2014

This article examines the influence and impact of European dandyism on the clothing of artists and public figures – key players in fashion – in Rio de Janeiro during the Belle-Époque by the end of the XIX and beginning of the XX century. The interpretive stance of this model questions symbolic and aesthetic choices and ways of building and expressing distinct world-views, for one side, the symbols and signs associated to the European literary and artistic dandyism, and for the other, the north-American rational and pragmatic dressing standards, which are key to understanding the various choices and successive movements that form contemporaneity.
Exploring the fashion identity of Gypsy and Traveller women: Research problems and processes
Authors: Lingham Vanessa
Published: August 2014

This article explores the crucial issues of identification, access, participation and documenting addressed within the research design and methodology for my M.A. thesis. Within my thesis I questioned whether English Gypsy and Irish Traveller women’s style-fashion-dress can indeed be culturally defined and fixed collectively by cultural definitions, which are so often deemed to be set by terminology. Reflecting on some of the ‘novice’ research dilemmas I faced within the field of Gypsy and Traveller Studies this article is about first approaches to ethnographic research specifically for new fashion scholars, like myself, engaging with ‘minority’ fashion studies.
Infusing a fashion curriculum into a twenty-first-century business programme
Authors: Wyatt Nioka , Nixon Natalie , Samoni Leslie
Published: August 2014

This article explores how a fashion programme introduced into a traditional business school curriculum exemplifies disruptive innovation and can enable differentiation for an institution that is in a region dominated by competitive business school programmes. We point out the ways in which we have implemented Laster’s Model Driven Design method at Philadelphia University in transitioning the Fashion Industry Management programme into the business school and fulfilling the requirements of accreditation.
Turning the flesh inside-out: Uncovering the muscles and showing the veins in Jean Paul Gaultier’s scene costume Flayed
Authors: Borjas Weronika Pérez
Published: August 2014

This article studies the use of anatomical motifs in fashion on example of Jean Paul Gaultier’s musculature bodysuit Flayed. Through a visual and tactile analysis of the garment and further contextualization in the light of anatomical imagery created since the Renaissance times, the author intends to find the meaning for showing the inner anatomy on the outside of the body. Previous research in the area of fashion and body considered mostly the way the image of the body can change by applying clothing. Is the anatomical fashion working of the image of the body in different ways than common clothing?
The ‘Nigerianization’ of Ghanaian eyes
Authors: Aveh Africanus
Published: August 2014

The popularity of Nigerian video films, also known as Nollywood, is growing across Africa and beyond. Ghana is one such country that has witnessed the growing popularity of Nigerian films on its local scene. ‘Nigerianization of Ghanaian eyes’ refers to the increasing presence of Nollywood in Ghana in the everyday lives of Ghanaians. This Nigerianization is expressed through regular screenings on local television, peddling of video discs on the streets and in shops, and through cross-border activities of film producers and actors with exchange of acting and film-making styles. It is also expressed through discourses of fondness for, and phobia (and protectionism) against, Nollywood. Generally, the phenomenon is seen to affect local ‘equilibrium’ in one way or another. This article therefore proposes that the Nollywood ‘invasion’ of Ghana has brought about some local transformations evident in the social responses of Ghanaians generally and in aesthetic and economic effects on the movie industry in particular. The article traces ‘Nigerianization’ through selective post-screening focus group discussions, university students’ responses, survey of media reports, interviews with industry players and readings of selected literature and movies.
The political economy of DTT: An international overview
Authors: Albornoz Luis A. , Leiva Mª Trinidad García
Published: August 2014

This article offers a panoramic view of the ongoing transformations within the field of television in nine different countries, regarding their full digitalization. More specifically, it describes and analyses the shift from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) through a
detailed enquiry on specific case studies in America, Europe and Asia. It evaluates thus the role of public institutions and private companies in the ongoing transition of the hegemonic entertainment and information media.
Challenges of television after digital switchover in Japan
Authors: Kumabe Norio
Published: August 2014

The switchover to digital television has been accomplished in Japan. Its new digital broadcast infrastructure puts more stress on the high-quality picture. The use of released analogue channels has begun, but the tempo is rather slow in the midst of digitization of other media. The
broadcast programmes about the Great East Japan Earthquake were highly evaluated in general, but there are reflections among broadcasters about whether broadcasts could not have diminished the number of victims of the disaster. Having these reflections in mind, broadcasters are now facing
the new challenges after transition.
REVIEWS
Authors: Starks Michael , Lealand Geoff
Published: August 2014

MEDIA REGULATION: GOVERNANCE AND THE INTERESTS OF CITIZENS AND CONSUMERS, PETER LUNT AND SONIA LIVINGSTONE (2012)London: Sage, 212 pp.,ISBN: 978-0-85702-570-8, p/bk (also available in h/bk),£21.99

NEW ZEALAND FILM & TELEVISION: INSTITUTION, INDUSTRY AND CULTURAL CHANGE,
TRISHA DUNLEAVY AND HESTER JOYCE (EDS)(2011) Bristol: Intellect, 291 pp.,ISBN: 978-1-84150-457-5, p/bk, £29.95
Investigating the impact of television advertisement image quality on telepresence, attitude towards brands and purchase intentions
Authors: Bracken Cheryl Campanella
Published: August 2014

In an experiment manipulating the image quality of television ads, 127 participants watched television commercials in either high or low image quality. The participants rated each ad for their attitude towards the ad and purchase intentions. Additionally, sensations of telepresence and transportation were assessed. The participants who viewed the ads in higher image quality reported more positive attitudes towards the brands, and higher levels of telepresence. The implications are discussed.
Beyond dialogue: Exploring solidarity as a mode of communication through a debate on readers’ comments to online news
Authors: Roosvall Anna
Published: August 2014

This article aims to explore dialogic and solidaritarian modes of communication in relation to democracy that builds on communicational exchange in and with the media, and particularly in relation to online news communication. Departing from the fraud dialogue concept, it defines and exemplifies solidaritarian modes of communication, which are argued to better meet the challenges of democracy and online journalism. This theoretical discussion draws on examples from a debate on the reconstruction of the comments sections in Swedish online newspapers. The debate concerned hate speech, freedom of speech/censorship, anonymity/openness, and moderation/registration policies. I argue that solidaritarian modes of communication include and exceed dialogue through their attitude (discursive mode of address) and practice (discursive or non-discursive mode of action) of reciprocal exchange, empathy, responsibility and restitution. A particular underlining of responsibility as journalistic/editorial/publicist indicates the importance of the communicative setting, online journalism, where ‘journalism’ turns out to be more crucial than ‘online’.
Belonging to neo-tribes or just glocal youth talk: Jewish Israeli adolescent girls representing themselves on Facebook
Authors: Levin David , Barak-Brandes Sigal
Published: August 2014

This article examines the role of Facebook language tools in shaping and preserving community limits among Jewish Israeli adolescent girls, who constitute a young, dynamic, western and age-specific community. We describe how actions such as confirming friend requests, updating statuses and assigning ‘likes’ serve as means of phatic communication and as deictic elements that sketch out the community’s limits. Based on interviews with eight focus groups comprising a total of 35 Israeli adolescent girls, we challenge the prevalent view that social networks and the Internet in general facilitate fast and superficial transitions between sites and identities. Quite the contrary, we argue that these ostensibly random transitions in fact set clear limits by means of apparently banal authorizations of belonging to a community that occur on a daily basis. These community limits set by this youth communication are more rigid and conservative than those apparent in these girls’ everyday lives offline.
Corporate communication: Analysing Marvel and DC
Authors: van den Anker Marinus J. J. , Verhoeven Piet
Published: August 2014

US publishers of superhero comic books are large media entertainment companies that develop and license not only superhero comic books, but also superhero movies, video games and various merchandise. These superhero media entertainment companies use certain strategic corporate communication guidelines. Based on a structured quantitative analysis of 1000 superhero media entertainment company tweets and twenty superhero comic books, it appears that the corporate communication of modern superhero media entertainment companies focus, from a promotional strategic point of view, on the comic books they publish. In addition to strategic promotional attention to superhero comic books, every company decides how much strategic attention is received by other superhero media entertainment domains, such as superhero movies, superhero video games and all types of superhero merchandise. The findings also show that company logos, company brand names and certain fictional superheroes are salient to strategic corporate communication of the superhero media entertainment companies. And every company decides how much promotional advertising within the published comic books is given to their own developed and licensed superhero products or to products and merchandise of other companies.
Static action, silent sound: Translating visual techniques from manga to film in Katsuhiro Ō-tomo’s AKIRA
Authors: Gangnes Madeline B.
Published: August 2014

In the manga AKIRA (1982–1990), Katsuhiro O-tomo depicts action sequences, violence and the presentation of space through a visual approach that expertly creates a dynamic sense of movement and presence within the moment. This effect is achieved through the manipulation of the form and structure of the comics page, particularly through the use of a cantilevering technique to unbalance the page structure and make the action sequences feel visceral and tense. To that end, O-tomo also uses embodied perspectives, eye-line matches and appeals to the senses, especially sound. O-tomo strives to achieve similar effects in his 1988 animated film adaptation of the manga by incorporating a blend of manga and cinematic techniques. Some of these are taken from the original AKIRA manga, others from cinematic influences, particularly western ones. The film adapts the manga in a sympathetic way, but also changes a great deal, especially with regard to the presentation of space, sound, perspective and violence. Much of what the manga alludes to, or leaves in the gutters for the reader’s imagination to concoct, is translated to the screen to quite different effect. This article will also consider the translation of the manga into English, and how the changes in, for example, sound effects, as well as the addition of colour alter the precision engineering of O-tomo’s pages. These two forms of translation (from one language to another, and from page to screen) will be considered alongside one another to reveal the complexity of O-tomo’s masterpiece in both media, and the difficulties of such adaptations and translations.