bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constitutive Intracellular Na
+
Excess in Purkinje Cells Promotes Arrhythmogenesis at Lower Levels of Stress Than Ventricular Myocytes From Mice With Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Willis B. Cicero , Pandit Sandeep V. , Ponce-Balbuena Daniela , Zarzoso Manuel , Guerrero-Serna Guadalupe , Limbu Bijay , Deo Makarand , Camors Emmanuel , Ramirez Rafael J. , Mironov Sergey , Herron Todd J. , Valdivia Héctor H. , Jalife José
Published: May 2016

Background—

In catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), cardiac Purkinje cells (PCs) appear more susceptible to Ca
2+
dysfunction than ventricular myocytes (VMs). The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Using a CPVT mouse (RyR2
R4496C+/Cx40eGFP
), we tested whether PC intracellular Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]
i
) dysregulation results from a constitutive [Na
+
]
i
surplus relative to VMs.

Methods and Results—

Simultaneous optical mapping of voltage and [Ca
2+
]
i
in CPVT hearts showed that spontaneous Ca
2+
release preceded pacing-induced triggered activity at subendocardial PCs. On simultaneous current-clamp and Ca
2+
imaging, early and delayed afterdepolarizations trailed spontaneous Ca
2+
release and were more frequent in CPVT PCs than CPVT VMs. As a result of increased activity of mutant ryanodine receptor type 2 channels, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
load, measured by caffeine-induced Ca
2+
transients, was lower in CPVT VMs and PCs than respective controls, and sarcoplasmic reticulum fractional release was greater in both CPVT PCs and VMs than respective controls. [Na
+
]
i
was higher in both control and CPVT PCs than VMs, whereas the density of the Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchanger current was not different between PCs and VMs. Computer simulations using a PC model predicted that the elevated [Na
+
]
i
of PCs promoted delayed afterdepolarizations, which were always preceded by spontaneous Ca
2+
release events from hyperactive ryanodine receptor type 2 channels. Increasing [Na
+
]
i
monotonically increased delayed afterdepolarization frequency. Confocal imaging experiments showed that postpacing Ca
2+
spark frequency was highest in intact CPVT PCs, but such differences were reversed on saponin-induced membrane permeabilization, indicating that differences in [Na
+
]
i
played a central role.

Conclusions—

In CPVT mice, the constitutive [Na
+
]
i
excess of PCs promotes triggered activity and arrhythmogenesis at lower levels of stress than VMs.
Typification and nomenclatural notes on twenty eight names of juno irises (Iridaceae) from Central and South Asia
Authors: BOLTENKOV EUGENY V.
Published: May 2016

Juno is one of the most disputable groups of the genus Iris s.l. (Iridaceae) and the largest part of its taxa are in need of typification. In the present paper, the nomenclatural types for 28 names (21 species, 7 varieties) of juno irises are designated. Most of the original material was collected from the Central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union (especially Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), and the other part was from South Asia (Afghanistan and Pakistan). Lectotypes are designated for 27 names, or a typification remark is provided. Among them, the previous first-step lectotypification of 2 names has been finalized, and 2 epitypes are designated for lectotypified names. A neotype is also designated for the name Iris tubergeniana.
A Model for the Complete Radial Structure of the Tropical Cyclone Wind Field. Part II: Wind Field Variability
Authors: Chavas Daniel R. , Lin Ning
Published: May 2016

Part I of this work developed a simple physical model for the complete radial structure of the low-level azimuthal wind field in a tropical cyclone that compared well with observations. However, wind field variability in the model is tied principally to its external parameters given by the maximum wind speed and the radius of maximum wind, the latter of which lacks a credible independent physical model for its variability. Here the authors explore the modes of variability that arise from the alternative specification of the model, which takes the outer radius in lieu of the radius of maximum wind. Nondimensionalization of the model reveals two theoretical modes of structural variability in absolute angular momentum that are shown to closely match observations. These two modes correspond to three modes of wind field variability associated with variations in intensity, outer storm size, and latitude. These wind field modes are demonstrated to mirror the dominant modes of variability found in nature, in particular the intrastorm variation of inner-core structure and the interstorm variation of overall storm size. In combination, the model offers a credible physical solution for the complete time-dependent tropical cyclone wind field in conjunction with the external specification of intensity, outer size, and latitude. More broadly, the model offers theoretical and conceptual insight into the nature of the tropical cyclone wind field, including the oft-conflated terms “size” and “structure” and their distinct variabilities.
Nondestructive Investigation of Heterojunction Interfacial Properties Using Two-Wavelength Raman Spectroscopy on Thin-Film CdS/CdTe Solar Cells
Authors: Zeng Guanggen , Harrison Paul , Kidman Ali , Al-mebir Alaa , Feng Lianghuan , Wu Judy
Published: May 2016

Raman spectra specific to CdS and CdTe were obtained on the CdS/CdTe heterojunction interface by employing two excitation wavelengths of λ1 = 488 nm and λ2 = 633 nm, respectively, from the glass side of Glass/FTO/CdS/CdTe/HgTe:Cu:graphite/Ag solar cells fabricated using pulsed-laser deposition (PLD). This two-wavelength Raman spectroscopy approach, with one wavelength selected below the absorption edge of the window layer (λ2 in this case), allows nondestructive characterization of the CdS/CdTe heterojunction and therefore correlation of the interfacial properties with the solar cell performance. In this study, the evolution of the interfacial strain relaxation during cell fabrication process was found to be affected not only by the inter-diffusion of S and Te corresponding to the formation of CdS xTe 1–x ternary alloy with a various x from ∼0.01 to ∼0.067, but also by the variation in misfit dislocations (MDs) at CdS/CdTe interface from Raman TO/LO ratio ∼2.85 for as-deposited sample to TO/LO ∼4.44 for the cells post treatment. This is consistent with the change of the Urbach energy from 0.03 eV to 0.09 eV, indicative of the deterioration of crystalline quality of CdTe at interface although improved CdTe crystalline quality was observed away from the interface after the CdCl2 annealing. This difference crucially impacted on the rectification characteristics of the CdS/CdTe heterojunction and therefore the solar cell performance.
High-sensitive cardiac troponin-I facilitates timely detection of subclinical anthracycline-mediated cardiac injury
Authors: Jones Melissa , O’Gorman Peter , Kelly Catherine , Mahon Niall , Fitzgibbon Maria C
Published: May 2016

Background

Anthracycline drugs are effective anticancer agents, but their optimal use is limited in many patients by the associated cardiotoxicity, even at designated safe doses. As conventionally sensitive cardiac troponin-I assays fail to reliably quantify concentrations of cardiac troponin-I below 30 ng/L, we investigated the potential role of high-sensitive cardiac troponin-I in the detection of subclinical cardiomyocyte injury in patients treated with anthracycline agents.

Methods

Serial high-sensitive cardiac troponin-I concentrations were assessed in 84 patients, receiving anthracycline-containing ( n = 38) and non-anthracycline-containing ( n = 46) regimens. Results were assessed for change from pretreatment levels and evaluated according to unisex and gender-specific 99th percentiles (25 ng/L and M: 34 ng/L, F: 16 ng/L, respectively).

Results

A significant increase in high-sensitive cardiac troponin-I was observed in the anthracycline cohort following five cycles of treatment, with the greatest change correlating to an absolute δ increase of 30.7 ng/L in the early-dose group (early-dose group: P < 0.0001, late-dose group: P < 0.01 and continuous-dose group: P < 0.0001). Doxorubicin dose did not correlate directly with high-sensitive cardiac troponin-I concentrations (Spearman r < −0.22). No significant changes in high-sensitive cardiac troponin-I were reported among the non-anthracycline cohort with all measurements below the 99th percentiles.

Conclusions

Treatment with anthracycline-based chemotherapeutic regimen demonstrated significant elevations of high-sensitive cardiac troponin-I, indicative of subclinical cardiomyocyte damage. This study demonstrates a role for high-sensitive cardiac troponin-I in evaluating those patients where cardiotoxicity is a concern and a potential future role as a biomarker in optimizing cardioprotective treatments in patients receiving anthracycline therapy.
Multiple sclerosis: assay of free immunoglobulin light chains
Authors: Ramsden DB
Published: May 2016

Over the past five years, a number of papers have appeared describing the assay of free immunoglobulin light chains in cerebrospinal fluid to assist in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The assay of kappa free immunoglobulin chains is being advocated as a technically simpler and cheaper quantitative alternative to the qualitative detection of oligoclonal bands. This article reviews the analytical and clinical characteristics of these immunoglobulin free light chain assays and places them in their historical context and possible future developments.
Variance functions, detectability and bias: a re-evaluation
Authors: Sadler William A
Published: May 2016

Background

A recent study used simulated internal quality control data (4 specimens × 40 replicates) to investigate the use of variance functions in estimating limit of blank and limit of detection, as per ISO definitions. Small systematic negative biases were found (typically <1%), but subsequent investigation has shown that these estimates had unacceptably large uncertainties because of an inadequate simulation size.

Methods

The previous data generation and variance function estimations were repeated 25 times using a different random number generator seed on each occasion. The study was further extended by increasing data quantities 100-fold and by reducing the number of replicates per specimen (40 through 20, 10, 5 and 2).

Results

The previously reported negative biases were shown to be an artefact, and this was confirmed by simulations using 100-fold more data. Biases were <|0.1%| throughout with replication ≥20, but positive biases were found at lower replication; up to + 1.23% in the case of duplicates and large variances (e.g. some immunoassays) and up to + 0.2% in the case of duplicates and small variances.

Conclusions

The variance function provides essentially unbiased estimates of limit of blank and limit of detection at data replication ≥20 (bias: <1 part in 1000) and minimal biases at lower replication when measurement errors are small.
Management, bullying and the work outcomes of Australian paramilitary
Authors: Brunetto Yvonne , Xerri Matthew , Shacklock Kate , Farr-Wharton Ben , Farr-Wharton Rod
Published: May 2016

This study compared the impact of perceived organisational support from management upon bullying of soldiers and police officers and their work outcomes (wellbeing, affective commitment and turnover intentions). Data from self-report surveys from 99 army personnel and 193 police officers were analysed using SEM. The results indicate that significant paths between most variables and perceived organisational support explained 6% of bullying (comprising intimidation and personal attacks). Together, (a) perceived organisational support and bullying explained almost a third (28%) of psychological wellbeing, (b) perceived organisational support, bullying and psychological wellbeing explained over two-thirds (68%) of affective commitment, and (c) bullying and affective commitment explained over half (53%) of turnover intentions. Also, bullying partially mediated the relationship between perceived organisational support and affective commitment. There were no significant differences between the two cohorts, except for perceived organisational support from management. Implications include that soldiers and police officers are likely to experience better workplace performance if management support is improved. Both soldiers and police undertake emotionally difficult tasks at times, and without adequate support, the stress of their jobs is likely to negatively impact their wellbeing and commitment. Poor perceived management support is not sustainable in the long-term without negative employee consequences.
Role of Health Coaches in Pediatric Weight Management
Authors: Rice Kerrilynn G. , Jumamil Riana B. , Jabour Sarah M. , Cheng Jennifer Kimberly
Published: May 2016

This study aims to describe patients’ and families’ perspectives regarding the ideal role and responsibilities of a health coach to facilitate pediatric weight management in the primary care setting. Systematic thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with overweight children and their parents was performed. The majority of participants self-identified as racial/ethnic minorities and were Medicaid eligible. Desired health coaching elements included ( a) customized support and encouragement, including goal setting and maintenance, cultural sensitivity, and consideration of budget and lifestyle; ( b) nutritional guidance, including meal planning, assistance obtaining healthy food, and education and counseling; and ( c) linkage to resources, including social services, physical activity support, and programs for children with special health care needs. We conclude that families’ specific needs should be holistically considered in the design of health coaching programs targeting pediatric obesity. Such support may help overcome social and financial barriers to changing health behaviors related to weight management.
ECHO Autism
Authors: Mazurek Micah O. , Brown Rachel , Curran Alicia , Sohl Kristin
Published: May 2016

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have complex medical problems, yet they are at high risk for unmet health care needs. Primary care providers are perfectly positioned to meet these needs; however, they often lack training in ASD. This pilot project developed and tested a new model for training primary care providers in best-practice care for ASD using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) framework. The 6-month ECHO Autism pilot project consisted of 12 biweekly clinics focused on screening and identification of ASD symptoms and management of medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Participants completed measures of practice behavior and self-efficacy in screening and management of children with ASD at baseline (pretest) and after 6 months of ECHO Autism (posttest). Statistically significant improvements were observed in self-efficacy, in adherence to ASD screening guidelines, and in use of ASD-specific resources. Participants also reported high satisfaction with the program.
Equitable Access for Secondary English Learner Students
Authors: Callahan Rebecca M. , Shifrer Dara
Published: May 2016

Purpose: English learner (EL) education policy has long directed schools to address EL students’ linguistic and academic development without furthering inequity or segregation. The recent Every Student Succeeds Act reauthorization expresses a renewed focus on evidence of equity, effectiveness, and opportunity to learn. We propose that high school course taking patterns provide evidence of program effectiveness and equity in access. Research Design: Using data from the nationally representative Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002, we employ multinomial regression models to predict students’ likelihood of completing two types of high school coursework (basic graduation, college preparatory) by their linguistic status. Findings: Despite considerable linguistic, sociodemographic, and academic controls, marked disparities in high school course taking patterns remain, with EL students experiencing significantly less academic exposure. Implications for Policy and Practice: Building on McKenzie and Scheurich’s notion of an equity trap and evidence of a long-standing EL opportunity gap, we suggest that school leaders might use our findings and their own course taking patterns to prompt discussions about the causes and consequences of local EL placement processes. Such discussions have the potential to raise awareness about how educators and school leaders approach educational equity and access, key elements central to the spirit of EL education policy.
The Moderating Role of Performance in the Link From Interactional Justice Climate to Mutual Trust Between Managers and Team Members
Authors: Martínez-Tur Vicente , Gracia Esther , Moliner Carolina , Molina Agustín , Kuster Inés , Vila Natalia , Ramos José
Published: May 2016

The main goal of this study was to examine the interaction between team members’ performance and interactional justice climate in predicting mutual trust between managers and team members. A total of 93 small centers devoted to the attention of people with intellectual disability participated in the study. In each center, the manager ( N = 93) and a group of team members ( N = 746) were surveyed. On average, team members were 36.2 years old ( SD = 9.3), whereas managers were 41.2 years old ( SD = 8.8). The interaction between interactional justice climate and performance was statistically significant. Team members’ performance strengthened the link from interactional justice climate to mutual trust.
Effects of Self-Evaluation Threat on Schadenfreude Toward Strangers in a Reality TV Show
Authors: Watanabe Hitomi
Published: May 2016

Schadenfreude toward strangers in a reality TV show may be affected by self-evaluation threat. This study extends previous work by adding a control group to positive and negative feedback groups in order to investigate the effects of self-evaluation threat. Sex of the target of schadenfreude and schadenfroh participant was considered. Among undergraduate students screened for low general self-esteem, 31 men ( M = 20.3 ± 1.6 years old) and 59 women ( M = 20.0 ± 1.2 years old) volunteered to participate. Participants performed a simple calculation task, and then received negative, positive, or no feedback regarding the task before completing the State Self-Esteem Scale and watching videos taken from American Idol that showed an applicant being criticized by judges. After watching videos, participants completed items related to schadenfreude. There were no differences in schadenfreude toward strangers between the three feedback groups. In addition to the Japanese tendency of reduced self-enhancement in self-threatening situations, targets with no psychological closeness may also explain the lack of a relationship between self-evaluation threat and schadenfreude.
Deep Responsibility for the Deep Future
Authors: Miller Richard W.
Published: May 2016

This article enters into dialogue with Laudato Si’. Part one examines the gap between the social imagination of the future and the long-term climate effects of our actions: the “deep future.” Part two argues for the intrinsic teleological connection between the doctrines of creation, Christology, and eschatology in order to create theological foundations for opening our imaginations to the deep future. Part three addresses the apparent contradiction between God’s bringing of the kingdom, which is the ground of our hope, and human responsibility.
Book Review: Nigel Dodd, The Social Life of Money
Authors: Beri Suraj
Published: May 2016

Nigel Dodd, The Social Life of Money, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2014, ix + 444 pp., $35, ISBN: 978-0-691-14142-8 (Hardcover).
Nonlinear stabilizing control of a rotary double inverted pendulum: a modified backstepping approach
Authors: Jabbar Abdul , Malik Fahad Mumtaz , Sheikh Shahzad Amin
Published: May 2016

Modified backstepping control is proposed for an under-actuated rotary double inverted pendulum. The system has actuated rotary base joint with which two unactuated links are attached. The proposed control design is a three step process for de-coupled system model. In the first stage, a backstepping controller is designed for each of the active and passive joints. In the second stage, compensation is introduced in the respective control efforts to cater for uncertain terms based on Lyapunov function for each joint. Finally, the controllers obtained in the two stages are combined to form a total control law. The performance of the proposed control scheme is evaluated by convergence analysis and simulations.
Gendered pathways to young adult symptomatology
Authors: Seiffge-Krenke Inge , Persike Malte
Published: May 2016

The transition to adulthood is a critical juncture in the course of psychopathology. This study examined the ways in which earlier capacity to deal with relationship stress during adolescence contributed to an adaptive outcome in emerging adulthood. In a prospective study of 145 individuals, relationship stress, individual coping capacities, and perceived support from fathers, mothers, and peers were analyzed, when the participants were 13 and 17 years old. The effects of these earlier capacities to deal with relationship stress on health outcomes were examined in young adulthood (age 23). Gendered pathways to young adults’ symptomatology emerged. Females experiencing earlier relationship stress, but also support by mothers, fathers, and friends, showed less symptomatology at age 23. In addition, females’ withdrawal coping mediated the impact of stressful encounters on later internalizing symptomatology. In contrast, earlier coping with relationship stress was not found to be predictive for males. Earlier support from parents or friends was associated with later externalizing symptomatology in young men. Reasons for the gender-specific pathways to symptomatology are discussed.
Legitimacy Processes and Emotional Responses to Injustice
Authors: Johnson Cathryn , Hegtvedt Karen A. , Khanna Nikki , Scheuerman Heather L.
Published: May 2016

People typically respond with negative emotions when they perceive an authority’s outcome distribution to be unjust. We argue, however, that legitimacy of the authority—“what others think” in terms of support coworkers and superiors extend to an individual occupying an authority position—acts as an opposing force, attenuating negative emotions and thus helping to sustain stratified orders. Likewise, legitimacy may stymie intentional displays of felt emotions. Our experiment examines the effects of perceived distributive injustice, legitimacy of the authority, and authority’s procedural fairness on members’ self-reported emotions and likelihood of intended emotional displays toward that authority, a superordinate authority, and coworkers in a work group context. Findings demonstrate that while perceived injustice arouses expected self-reported negative emotions, legitimacy (authorization as support by a superordinate authority and endorsement as support by coworkers) reduces such feelings. Also, strong authorization and endorsement indirectly affect intended emotional displays through self-reported negative emotions.
A Survey of Mesenchyme-related Tumors of the Rat Kidney in the National Toxicology Program Archives, with Particular Reference to Renal Mesenchymal Tumor
Authors: Hard Gordon C. , Seely John Curtis , Betz Laura J.
Published: May 2016

In order to harmonize diagnostic terminology, confirm diagnostic criteria, and describe aspects of tumor biology characteristic of different tumor types, a total of 165 cases of mesenchyme-related tumors and nephroblastomas of the rat kidney were reexamined from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Archives. This survey demonstrated that renal mesenchymal tumor (RMT) was the most common spontaneous nonepithelial tumor in the rat kidney, also occurring more frequently in the NTP studies than nephroblastoma. Renal sarcoma was a distinct but very rare tumor entity, representing a malignant, monomorphous population of densely crowded, fibroblast-like cells, in which, unlike RMT, preexisting tubules did not persist. Nephroblastoma was characterized by early death of affected animals, suggesting an embryonal origin for this tumor type. Male and female rats were equally disposed to developing RMT, but most of the cases of nephroblastoma occurred in female rats and liposarcoma occurred mostly in male rats. This survey confirmed discrete histopathological and biological differences between the mesenchyme-related renal tumor types and between RMT and nephroblastoma. Statistical analysis also demonstrated a lack of any relationship of these renal tumor types to test article administration in the NTP data bank.
Dietary Macronutrients and Sleep
Authors: Lindseth Glenda , Murray Ashley
Published: May 2016

This study examined the effects of macronutrient diets on sleep quantity and quality. Using a repeated-measures, randomized crossover study design, 36 young adults served as their own control, and consumed high protein, carbohydrate, fat, and control diets. Treatment orders were counterbalanced across the dietary groups. Following consumption of the study diets, sleep measures were examined for within-subject differences. Fatty acid intakes and serum lipids were further analyzed for differences. Sleep actigraphs indicated wake times and wake minutes (after sleep onset) were significantly different when comparing consumption of macronutrient diets and a control diet. Post hoc testing indicated high carbohydrate intakes were associated with significantly shorter ( p < .001) wake times. Also, the Global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index© post hoc results indicated high fat intake was associated with significantly better ( p < .05) sleep in comparison with the other diets. These results highlight the effects that dietary manipulations may have on sleep.
The imperative of African perspectives on International Relations (IR)
Authors: Niang Amy
Published: May 2016

This article argues that location, as both geography and epistemology, can be a place of innovation in the discipline of international relations (IR). Specifically, it suggests that a re-appropriation of IR as a product of a global history in which the Global South, in general, and Africa, in particular, played an important role can help displace the moral and historical centrality of Western theory where it has failed to give credence to ‘peripheral’ experience and social thought. This belief coincides with a commonsense according to which the production of knowledge is by necessity inseparable from the intellectual conventions, traditions and lineages of the place of production. This means that African universities in particular have the opportunity to generate new perspectives in IR based on the analyses of the historical events that marked the life of the continent. In this manner, thinking and teaching IR in Africa would consist of revisiting the received truths about the evolution of the international order and society by revising their historical underpinnings, where necessary, and by interrogating the ‘unit-ideas’ that structure disciplinary impulses.
Infrastructure, planning and the command of time
Authors: Marshall Tim , Cowell Richard
Published: May 2016

Governments in many countries have sought to accelerate the time taken to make decisions on major infrastructure projects, citing problems of ‘delay’. Despite this, rarely has the time variable been given careful empirical or conceptual attention in decision-making generally, or in infrastructure decision-making specifically. This paper addresses this deficit by analysing decision-making on two categories of major infrastructure in the UK – transport and electricity generation – seeking both to generate better evidence of the changes to decision times in recent decades, and to generate insights from treating time as resource and tracking its (re)allocation. We find that reforms introduced since 2008 have done relatively little to alter overall decision times, but that there are marked and revealing changes to the allocation of time between decision-making stages. While public planning processes have their time frames tightly regulated, aspects led by developers (e.g. pre-application discussion) are not; arranging finance can have a bigger effect on project time frames, and central government retains much flexibility to manage the flow of time. Speed-up reforms are also sectorally uneven in their reach. This indicates how arguments for time discipline falter in the face of infrastructure projects that remain profoundly politicised.
Perceived motor competence of children with visual impairments: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Brian Ali S , Haegele Justin A , Bostick Laura
Published: May 2016

Literature focusing on individuals with visual impairments has not evaluated the important role perceived motor competence (PMC) plays in promoting moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The purposes of this study were to examine the association between visual impairment level and PMC scores for children ages 3–13, and the association between PMC and physical activity (PA) for children ages 8–13. Results demonstrated a positive association between level of visual impairment and PMC ( rs = .574, p = .025) and a negative, non-significant association between age and PMC ( rs =  −.358, p = .190). For participants ages 8–13, PMC was positively associated with MVPA ( rs = .797, p = .010), while age was negatively associated with MVPA ( rs = −752, p = .019). The findings suggest that children with visual impairments tend to have low levels of PMC. For children ages 8–13, PMC relates with MVPA. As children age, a trend emerges that PMC and MVPA lowers.
Retinal degeneration mimicking cerebral visual impairment in a young child with CEP290 mutations: Case report
Authors: Hyvärinen Lea VM
Published: May 2016

This publication depicts an unusual variant of retinitis pigmentosa–like retinal degeneration with visual adaptation problems in cone cell functioning from early infancy. In the beginning, the symptoms mimicked visual processing disorders (cerebral visual impairment [CVI]). Repeated functional and clinical assessments from the age of 3 years to the age of 9 years confirmed stable retinal functions. Genetic studies at the age of 9 years revealed that the girl and her parents are the carriers of CEP290 mutations.
Labour market regulation and collective bargaining in Portugal during the crisis: Continuity and change
Authors: Távora Isabel , González Pilar
Published: May 2016

This article examines the changes to employment regulation in Portugal during the sovereign debt crisis and assesses their impact on collective bargaining in manufacturing. The changes were wide-ranging and had a negative immediate impact on the process and outcome of bargaining. While this is consistent with the experience of other EU member states in similar circumstances, the changes in Portugal continued the pre-crisis path of reform. Despite significant corrosion and weakening of collective bargaining, there were also signs of resilience. Nevertheless, prospects for a renewed regulatory role for collective bargaining still appear uncertain. We offer some explanations for the distinctive experience in Portugal.
Reproducibility and variability of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging markers in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: De Guio François , Jouvent Eric , Biessels Geert Jan , Black Sandra E , Brayne Carol , Chen Christopher , Cordonnier Charlotte , De Leeuw Frank-Eric , Dichgans Martin , Doubal Fergus , Duering Marco , Dufouil Carole , Duzel Emrah , Fazekas Franz , Hachinski Vladimir , Ikram M Arfan , Linn Jennifer , Matthews Paul M , Mazoyer Bernard , Mok Vincent , Norrving Bo , O’Brien John T , Pantoni Leonardo , Ropele Stefan , Sachdev Perminder , Schmidt Reinhold , Seshadri Sudha , Smith Eric E , Sposato Luciano A , Stephan Blossom , Swartz Richard H , Tzourio Christophe , van Buchem Mark , van der Lugt Aad , van Oostenbrugge Robert , Vernooij Meike W , Viswanathan Anand , Werring David , Wollenweber Frank , Wardlaw Joanna M , Chabriat Hugues
Published: May 2016

Brain imaging is essential for the diagnosis and characterization of cerebral small vessel disease. Several magnetic resonance imaging markers have therefore emerged, providing new information on the diagnosis, progression, and mechanisms of small vessel disease. Yet, the reproducibility of these small vessel disease markers has received little attention despite being widely used in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. This review focuses on the main small vessel disease-related markers on magnetic resonance imaging including: white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, dilated perivascular spaces, microbleeds, and brain volume. The aim is to summarize, for each marker, what is currently known about: (1) its reproducibility in studies with a scan–rescan procedure either in single or multicenter settings; (2) the acquisition-related sources of variability; and, (3) the techniques used to minimize this variability. Based on the results, we discuss technical and other challenges that need to be overcome in order for these markers to be reliably used as outcome measures in future clinical trials. We also highlight the key points that need to be considered when designing multicenter magnetic resonance imaging studies of small vessel disease.
The Mysterious Case of Aafia Siddiqui: Gothic Intertextual Analysis of Neo-Orientalist Narratives
Authors: Gentry Caron E.
Published: May 2016

When Aafia Siddiqui ‘disappeared’ from her upper-middle class life in Boston in 2003 due to accusations that she was involved in al Qaeda, competing narratives from the US government, media, and her family emerged striving to convince the American public of her guilt or innocence. These narratives were rooted in a gendered form of neo-Orientalism that informed and structured the War on Terror. The narratives, of innocent Soccer Mom, nefarious Lady al Qaeda, and mentally fragile Grey lady, sought to explain how a well-educated woman could possibly be involved with a terrorist organisation. This article uses intertextual analysis to draw parallels between Gothic literature and the Siddiqui narratives. Gothic literature’s dependency upon gendered unease is particularly evident in the Siddiqui narratives, which then reveal the uncertainties within the War on Terror, particularly those related to American exceptionalism.
Equity Impacts of Urban Land Use Planning for Climate Adaptation
Authors: Anguelovski Isabelle , Shi Linda , Chu Eric , Gallagher Daniel , Goh Kian , Lamb Zachary , Reeve Kara , Teicher Hannah
Published: May 2016

A growing number of cities are preparing for climate change impacts by developing adaptation plans. However, little is known about how these plans and their implementation affect the vulnerability of the urban poor. We critically assess initiatives in eight cities worldwide and find that land use planning for climate adaptation can exacerbate socio-spatial inequalities across diverse developmental and environmental conditions. We argue that urban adaptation injustices fall into two categories: acts of commission, when interventions negatively affect or displace poor communities, and acts of omission, when they protect and prioritize elite groups at the expense of the urban poor.
Race prominent feature in coverage of Trayvon Martin
Authors: Willis Erin , Painter Chad
Published: May 2016

This textual analysis examines news framing of the shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman. After studying coverage from The Sanford Herald, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Denver Post, the authors conclude national media perpetuated racial stereotypes, thus heightening the issue of race and making the case more emotional than factual. Readers outside of Sanford had few details about the physical altercation, the heart of Zimmerman’s self-defense claim.
Transformative Learning in Postapartheid South Africa
Authors: Cox Amanda J. , John Vaughn M.
Published: May 2016

The catalyst for learning and change in transformative learning theory has mostly been explained in terms of a disorientation in a relatively stable life. This article explores a South African, nonformal adult learning program, as a source of orienting dilemmas, which catalyze learning and change in lives that are regularly and repeatedly disrupted, such that disorientation has become normalized. The article opens a conversation about transformative learning theory in a postapartheid South African context, marked by high levels of violence, poverty, and inequality. It thus responds to critiques of the dominance of Western cultural values and lives in transformative learning theory literature and contributes to the theory in Southern, developing contexts, with greater recognition of the significance of context. The article shows how an early life of repeated disruption and difficulty can be transformed through emancipatory education initiatives. Such programs can introduce orienting dilemmas, which catalyze transformative learning.
Spinal Decerebrate-Like Posturing After Brain Death
Authors: Kumar Abhay , Tummala Pavan , Feen Eliahu S. , Dhar Rajat
Published: May 2016

Introduction:

Criteria for establishing brain death (BD) require absence of all brainstem-mediated reflexes including motor (ie, decerebrate or decorticate) posturing. A number of spinal cord automatisms may emerge after BD, but occurrence of decerebrate-like spinal reflexes may be particularly problematic; confusion of such stereotypic extension–pronation movements with brain stem reflexes may confound or delay definitive diagnosis of BD. We present a case in which we verified the noncerebral (ie, likely spinal) origin of such decerebrate-like reflexes.

Methods:

Case report and systematic review of literature.

Results:

A 63-year-old woman presented with large pontine hemorrhage and complete loss of cerebral function, including no motor response to pain. Apnea testing confirmed death by neurologic criteria. Thirty-six hours after BD declaration, during assessment for organ donation, she began to exhibit spontaneous and stimulus-induced stereotypic extension–pronation of the upper extremities. The similarity of these movements to decerebrate posturing prompted concern for retained brain stem function, but repeat neurological examination of cranial nerves and apnea testing did not reveal any cerebral responses. Electrocerebral silence on electroencephalogram and absent perfusion on nuclear medicine brain imaging further confirmed BD. Review of PubMed yielded 5 additional case reports and 4 cohorts describing cases of decerebrate-like extension–pronation movements presenting in a delayed fashion after BD.

Conclusion:

Extension–pronation movements that mimic decerebrate posturing may be seen in a delayed fashion after BD. Verification of lack of any brain activity (by both examination and multiple ancillary tests) in this case and others prompts us to attribute these movements as spinal cord reflexes and propose they be recognized within the rubric of accepted post-BD automatisms that should not delay diagnosis or necessitate confirmatory testing.
Britain’s slow movement to a gender egalitarian equilibrium: parents and employment in the UK 2001–13
Authors: Connolly Sara , Aldrich Matthew , O’Brien Margaret , Speight Svetlana , Poole Eloise
Published: May 2016

This article examines the working lives of British couple families across the first decade of the millennium using EU Labour Force Survey data (2001–13) taking a multiple equilibria approach. Some growth in dual full-time earners, increased working hours of mothers in part-time employment and a growing proportion of households with ‘non-standard’ working patterns are all identified, suggesting both a convergence and greater diversity in economic provisioning within parent couple households. Household employment patterns remain strongly associated with maternal education and family size but are becoming less sensitive to the age of the youngest child. The dual full-time earner model is growing in significance for British parents of young children but a new gender egalitarian equilibrium has not yet been reached.
The Las Salinas palaeo-lagoon in the Sechura Desert (Peru): Evolution during the last two millennia
Authors: Christol Aurélien , Wuscher Patrice , Goepfert Nicolas , Mogollón Valentin , Béarez Philippe , Gutiérrez Belkys , Carré Matthieu
Published: May 2016

The Sechura Desert provides a unique example of a vast palaeo-lagoon system on the Peruvian coast that was active during the first millennium AD. Reconstruction of coastal evolution is made possible by the good resolution of the sedimentary records of the Las Salinas Noroeste coastal plain. Evidence from morphostratigraphy and sedimentary facies indicates marked environmental diversity between the 3rd and the 8th centuries AD and a wide variability of sedimentary dynamics: lagoon foreshores received alternately fine distal marine sediments and coarser continental sediments in pro-deltaic sheets. Evaporation phases periodically occurred in these foreshores causing the formation of salt crusts. After a last high water level in the 8th century AD, the lagoon ultimately dried out and remains dry today. The malacofauna and sedimentary facies indicate that marine marshes bordered by vegetation, perhaps mangrove, developed in the higher parts of these lagoons. This palaeogeography is explained by the progressive build-up of a sand bar which started at least in the middle Holocene. From the 3rd to 8th centuries AD, the lagoon had limited connection to the sea in its northern end and hosted a warm-water and productive ecosystem that was exploited by pre-Hispanic populations. Wetter conditions in the Andes and occasional El Niño rainfalls maintained the lagoon during this period. The freshwater input likely stopped in the 8th century AD, which led to the closing of the shore bar under the influence of the longshore drift rapidly followed by the drying up of the lagoon, and the abandonment of the archaeological site.
Radical change and dietary conservatism: Mixing model estimates of human diets along the Inner Asia and China’s mountain corridors
Authors: Liu Xinyi , Reid Rachel EB , Lightfoot Emma , Matuzeviciute Giedre Motuzaite , Jones Martin K
Published: May 2016

Recent research has demonstrated that a series of mountains from the eastern Iranian Plateau to eastern Kazakhstan and to western China played a significant role in trans-Eurasian exchange during the third and second millennia BC. In close association with these mountain corridors, a number of southwestern Asian cereals, notably free threshing wheat and barley, moved eastward, and broomcorn millet, among other plant foods originating in China, moved westward. In this paper, we apply Bayesian stable isotope mixing models to published and newly obtained isotopic data in order to quantitatively estimate the contribution of different food resources to human diets, and we consider the complexity of human food strategies at both ends of these mountain corridors: southern Kazakhstan and the Hexi Corridor in western China. Our results contrast the rapid adoption of wheat and/or barley in the Hexi Corridor with the gradual, incremental adoption of millet in southern Kazakhstan during the second millennium BC.
Employment, spillovers and ‘decent work’: Challenging the Productivity Commission’s auto industry narrative
Authors: Barnes Tom , Roose Joshua M , Heap Lisa , Turner Bryan S
Published: May 2016

The 2013 and 2014 announcements by major car manufacturers that they would wind down all their remaining Australian automotive operations by 2016/2017 pre-empted the March 2014 release of the Productivity Commission’s final report into motor vehicle manufacturing. The Commission suggested that government subsidies had only delayed car plant closures and reiterated its longstanding opposition to industry policy and redistributive regional adjustment programmes by government. Industrialists, employer associations, state governments and trade unions have, however, questioned the Commission’s forecasts for both economic spillover effects and social impacts in regions affected by automotive plant closures. In addition to challenging several underlying assumptions used to calculate the Productivity Commission’s forecasts, this article argues that insufficient attention has been paid to the quality of future work. It extends insights from previous studies of industrial decline by proposing a new research agenda based on the idea of ‘social spillovers’.
Retirement Preparation Programs
Authors: Cohen-Mansfield Jiska , Regev Irit
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

This study was designed to examine whether preretirement intervention, through preparation programs conducted by social workers, enhances retirees’ healthy retirement transition, self-mastery, and well-being outcomes.

Methods:

Data were gathered at preprogram, postprogram, and at 6-month follow-up. A total of 84 participants filled out pre- and postprogram questionnaires, of which 66 also completed follow-up assessment. Participants were 1–3 months before retirement at preassessment and 4–8 months after retirement at follow-up.

Results:

The preretirement program improved participants’ appraisal of retirement and created lower and more realistic expectations of postretirement work prospects. While these variables changed in the expected direction between pre- and postprogram assessment, participants’ scores at follow-up indicated less self-mastery, greater depressed affect, and less positive feelings regarding retirement.

Discussion:

The short-term value of retirement programs was supported and revealed the importance of follow-up programs to maintain short-term gains and to address additional long-term developments.
Validation of the Offending-Related Attitudes Questionnaire of CRIME-PICS II Scale (Chinese)
Authors: Chui Wing Hong , Wu Joseph , Kwok Yan Yuen , Liu Liu
Published: May 2016

This study examined the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the first part of the Chinese version of the CRIME-PICS II Scale, a self-administrated instrument assessing offending-related attitudes. Data were collected from three samples: male Hong Kong young offenders, female Mainland Chinese prisoners, and Hong Kong college students. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure that differed from the one proposed by Frude, Honess, and Maguire. The Chinese version of the scale was found to have good internal consistency (α = .90) and good test–retest reliability ( r = .86) and also to present evidence of construct, concurrent, discriminant, and predictive validity. Overall, the Offending-Related Attitude Questionnaire (Chinese) proves to have great potential utility in the context of the Chinese criminal justice systems but will benefit from further validation studies.