bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Endoscopic Treatment for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Minimum of Two-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Domb Benjamin G. , Lindner Dror , Schwindel Leslie , Stake Christine E. , El Bitar Youssef
Published: April 2014

Objectives:

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common complaint with an estimated incidence of 1.8/1,000 persons. GTPS usually responds well to conservative treatment. In refractory cases, endoscopy offers a less invasive approach than open surgery, and offers the advantage of evaluating and treating coexistent intraarticular disorders. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical outcomes of endoscopic treatment for GTPS at a minimum of two years follow-up and to report the incidence and outcomes of hip abductor tears.

Methods:

During the study period, patients who presented with lateral hip pain, pain on palpation over the greater trochanter or hip abductor weakness and were treated with an endoscopic trochanteric bursectomy were included. Exclusion criteria were previous hip conditions and Tonnis grade ≥ 2. Patient reported outcome (PRO) scores used include the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), the Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), the Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), and the Hip Outcome Score-Sport Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS). PRO scores were collected pre-operatively and two-years postoperatively. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and patient satisfaction ratings were also collected. Any revision surgeries, complications, or conversions to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were noted.

Results:

A total of 59 cases met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, of which 50 patients (85%) were available for follow-up at minimum two years. Forty-six patients reported two-year follow up PRO scores and four patients needed total hip replacement surgery. All patients had endoscopic trochanteric bursectomy. Thirteen patients (26%) had a gluteus medius tear treated during surgery. Average follow up was 31 months (range 24-50). Average age was 50 years (range 23-75). Patients demonstrated significant improvement (p<0.01) from pre-operative to last follow-up in all PROs. Patients who underwent gluteus medius (GM) repair demonstrated higher improvement in all PROs compared to patients without GM pathology (Table 1). Four patients (8%) went on to have THA, three patients (6%) required revision arthroscopy. Nine patients (18%) had a complication; however, all were transient and none required further surgical intervention.

Conclusion:

Patients experienced a statistically significant clinical improvement in PROs, and pain scores, and reported high satisfaction after endoscopic trochanteric bursectomy with or without gluteus medius repair. We conclude that peritrochanteric endoscopy is a safe and efficient treatment option for recalcitrant GTPS.
Performance and Return-to-Sport after Tommy John Surgery in Major League Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Gupta Anil Kumar , Erickson Brandon J. , Harris Joshua David , Bach Bernard R. , Abrams Geoffrey D. , Juan Angielyn San , Cole Brian J. , Bush-Joseph Charles A. , Romeo Anthony A.
Published: April 2014

Objectives:

Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is a common procedure performed in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers with symptomatic UCL deficiencies. The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) the rate of return to pitching in the MLB following UCLR, 2) performance after return to pitching, and 3) the difference in return to pitching and performance between pitchers who underwent UCLR and matched controls who did not.

Methods:

MLB pitchers with symptomatic UCL deficiency that underwent UCLR between 1986 and 2012 were evaluated. Players' data was extracted from MLB team websites, injury reports, player profiles/biographies, press releases and cross-referenced with the MLB injury database (MLB411). All player, elbow, and surgical demographic data were analyzed. Age, body mass index (BMI), position, handedness, and MLB experience-matched controls were selected from the MLB during the same years as those undergoing UCLR. An "index year" was designated for controls, analogous to UCLR year in cases. Return to pitching and performance measures in MLB was compared between cases and controls. Student's t-tests were performed for analysis of within-group and between-group variables, respectively.

Results:

One hundred forty-eight pitchers (83%) were able to return to pitching in MLB. Length of career in MLB following UCLR was 3.9 +/- 2.84 years. Revision rate was 3.9%. In the year prior to UCLR (or index year in controls), cases were significantly (p<0.05) worse than controls with regard to number of innings pitched, games played, wins, and winning percentage and were not significantly different than controls in all remaining parameters. Pitchers undergoing UCLR had significantly (p<0.05) fewer losses, a lower losing percentage, and lower earned run average (ERA) following surgery (versus pre-surgery). In addition, cases threw significantly (p<0.05) fewer walks and allowed fewer hits, runs, and home runs following surgery. Comparisons between cases and controls for the timeframe following UCLR (cases) or index year (controls) demonstrated that cases had significantly (p<0.05) fewer losses per season and a lower losing percentage. In addition, cases had a significantly lower ERA and fewer walks and hits allowed per inning pitched (WHIP) (Table 1).

Conclusion:

There is a high rate of return to pitching in the MLB following UCLR. Performance declined prior to surgery and improved following surgery. When comparing to demographic-matched controls, UCLR had better results in multiple performance measures. Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction allows for a predictable and successful return to professional-level baseball.
Intraoperative Sonography Opens New Doors for Patient Care
Authors: Rinehart Jamie Joann
Published: April 2014

Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) is rapidly changing as advancements in technology provide surgeons with more options for the treatment of their patients. Despite the introduction of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), advancements in IOUS technology and its low cost have kept this a viable modality. The improved image resolution that is available provides neurosurgeons, for example, with the information necessary to adequately resect cancer in the brain, including superficial and deep-set tumors, whether they are primary brain cancers or brain metastases. Strain sonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) are advancements being used to help better visualize residual tumor cells after resection. IOUS is the only modality that provides the neurosurgeon with the ability to obtain real-time imaging while a resection is taking place. All of this information helps to make the complete resection of brain cancer with the least amount of neurological damage more likely, significantly enhancing the patient’s chances of a good outcome.
Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Denkinger Claudia M. , Schumacher Samuel G. , Boehme Catharina C. , Dendukuri Nandini , Pai Madhukar , Steingart Karen R.
Published: April 2014

Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) is endorsed for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the accuracy of Xpert for the detection of extrapulmonary TB.

We searched multiple databases to October 15, 2013. We determined the accuracy of Xpert compared with culture and a composite reference standard (CRS). We grouped data by sample type and performed meta-analyses using a bivariate random-effects model. We assessed sources of heterogeneity using meta-regression for predefined covariates.

We identified 18 studies involving 4461 samples. Sample processing varied greatly among the studies. Xpert sensitivity differed substantially between sample types. In lymph node tissues or aspirates, Xpert pooled sensitivity was 83.1% (95% CI 71.4–90.7%)versusculture and 81.2% (95% CI 72.4–87.7%)versusCRS. In cerebrospinal fluid, Xpert pooled sensitivity was 80.5% (95% CI 59.0–92.2%) against culture and 62.8% (95% CI 47.7–75.8%) against CRS. In pleural fluid, pooled sensitivity was 46.4% (95% CI 26.3–67.8%) against culture and 21.4% (95% CI 8.8–33.9%) against CRS. Xpert pooled specificity was consistently >98.7% against CRS across different sample types.

Based on this systematic review, the World Health Organization now recommends Xpert over conventional tests for diagnosis of TB in lymph nodes and other tissues, and as the preferred initial test for diagnosis of TB meningitis.
Reduced 15-lipoxygenase 2 and lipoxin A4/leukotriene B4ratio in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Ringholz Fiona C. , Buchanan Paul J. , Clarke Donna T. , Millar Roisin G. , McDermott Michael , Linnane Barry , Harvey Brian J. , McNally Paul , Urbach Valerie
Published: April 2014

Airway disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterised by impaired mucociliary clearance, persistent bacterial infection and neutrophilic inflammation. Lipoxin A4(LXA4) initiates the active resolution of inflammation and promotes airway surface hydration in CF models. 15-Lipoxygenase (LO) plays a central role in the “class switch” of eicosanoid mediator biosynthesis from leukotrienes to lipoxins, initiating the active resolution of inflammation. We hypothesised that defective eicosanoid mediator class switching contributes to the failure to resolve inflammation in CF lung disease.

Using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from 46 children with CF and 19 paediatric controls we demonstrate that the ratio of LXA4to leukotriene B4(LTB4) is depressed in CF BAL (p<0.01), even in the absence of infection (p<0.001).

Furthermore, 15-LO2 transcripts were significantly less abundant in CF BAL samples (p<0.05). In control BAL, there were positive relationships between 15-LO2 transcript abundance and LXA4/LTB4ratio (p=0.01, r=0.66) and with percentage macrophage composition of the BAL fluid (p<0.001, r=0.82), which were absent in CF.

Impoverished 15-LO2 expression and depression of the LXA4/LTB4ratio are observed in paediatric CF BAL. These observations provide mechanistic insights into the failure to resolve inflammation in the CF lung.
Sleep apnoea severity independently predicts glycaemic health in nondiabetic subjects: the ESADA study
Authors: Kent Brian D. , Grote Ludger , Bonsignore Maria R. , Saaresranta Tarja , Verbraecken Johan , Lévy Patrick , Sliwinski Pawel , Tkacova Ruzena , Kvamme John-Arthur , Fietze Ingo , Hedner Jan , McNicholas Walter T.
Published: April 2014

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with increased risk of dysglycaemia but the intimate link of these conditions with obesity makes discerning an independent relationship between them challenging. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in nondiabetics but there is a lack of population-level data exploring the relationship of HbA1c with OSA.

A cross-sectional analysis of 5294 participants in the multinational European Sleep Apnoea Cohort (European Sleep Apnoea Database) study was performed, assessing the relationship of OSA severity with HbA1c levels in nondiabetic subjects, with adjustment for confounding factors.

HbA1c levels correlated significantly with OSA severity in univariate analysis. Following adjustment for confounding factors, apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) (standardised β 0.158; p<0.001), along with nocturnal hypoxaemia, predicted HbA1c. Adjusted mean HbA1c levels were lower in the lowest AHI quartile (5.24%, 95% CI 5.21–5.27%) than in the second (5.37%, 95% CI 5.34–5.40%), third (5.44%, 95% CI 5.41–5.47%) or highest (5.50%, 95% CI 5.46–5.53%) quartiles. Subjects in the higher quartiles had significantly greater adjusted odds ratios of HbA1c level ≥6.0% than those in the first quartile. In stratified analyses, OSA severity predicted glycaemic health irrespective of sleep study modality, sex, obesity or daytime sleepiness.

OSA severity independently predicts glycaemic health in nondiabetic subjects. Further studies should assess the impact of OSA treatment on glycaemic health and elucidate underlying mechanisms.
Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 mRNA expression in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: von Klot Christoph-A , Kramer Mario W , Peters Inga , Hennenlotter Joerg , Abbas Mahmoud , Scherer Ralph , Herrmann Thomas RW , Stenzl Arnulf , Kuczyk Markus A , Serth Juergen , Merseburger Axel S
Published: April 2014

Background

Galectins are known to regulate cell differentiation and growth as well as cell adhesion and apoptosis. Galectins have been discussed as possible prognosticators for survival in renal cell cancer (RCC) and other urological tumors. They might also play an emerging role as possible new marker-proteins for RCC. In this study, we analyzed the expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 mRNA in order to further investigate their clinical significance in RCC.

Methods

Tissue samples were obtained from 106 patients undergoing surgery for RCC. The expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 mRNA in normal kidney and corresponding cancer tissue was analyzed using quantitative real time PCR. Differences in expression levels of paired tissue samples were assessed using paired two-sample tests. Associations of relative mRNA expression levels in tumor tissues with clinical findings were analyzed using univariate logistic regression.

Results

The expression of galectin-1 (p < 0.001) and -3 (p < 0.001) mRNA were significantly higher in RCC when compared to the adjacent normal kidney tissue. For clear cell RCC, an association of male gender with higher galectin-1 and galectin-3 mRNA expression (p = 0.054, p = 0.034) was detected. For all RCCs, galectin-1 mRNA expression failed to show a significant association with advanced disease as well as a higher rate of lymph node metastases (p = 0.058, p = 0.059).

Conclusion

The mRNA expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 is significantly increased in RCC cancer tissue. The higher mRNA expression in tumor tissue of male patients raises the question of a functional connection between galectins and the higher prevalence of RCC in men. Associations with advanced disease might lead to new ways of identifying patients at higher risk of recurrent disease and might even facilitate early metastasectomy with curative intent.
Association of adiponectin with hepatic steatosis: a study of 1,349 subjects in a random population sample
Authors: Flechtner-Mors Marion , George Samuel N , Oeztuerk Suemeyra , Haenle Mark M , Koenig Wolfgang , Imhof Armin , Boehm Bernhard O , Graeter Tilmann , Mason Richard A , Kratzer Wolfgang , Akinli Atilla S ,   the EMIL-Study group
Published: April 2014

Background

Objective of the present study was to examine the association between adiponectin and hepatic steatosis, and other biochemical and anthropometric parameters in healthy subjects.

Results

A total of 1349 subjects (age 18–65 years) underwent ultrasound examination of the liver. Mean adiponectin concentration for the study collective was 11.35 ± 6.28 μg/mL. The following parameters were assessed for their association with adiponectin: body-mass index (BMI); age; sex; arterial blood pressure; nicotine use; alcohol consumption; physical activity; metabolic syndrome; total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; triglycerides; aspartate aminotransferase (AST); alanine aminotransferase (ALT); γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT); alkaline phosphatase (AP); C-reactive protein (CRP); insulin sensitivity according to the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA); random blood glucose; and the degree of steatosis of the liver. The numerical differences in the variables influencing adiponectin returned in the descriptive analysis were confirmed at bivariate analysis for BMI, ALT, AST, GGT, AP, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, CRP, arterial blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, nicotine use and alcohol consumption. The logistic regression of the multivariate analysis showed that male sex, hepatic steatosis, BMI, metabolic syndrome, tobacco smoking and CRP correlate negatively with adiponectin, while age, moderate alcohol consumption and HDL cholesterol exhibit a positive association.

Conclusions

The results of the present study confirm the findings of previous research. Adiponectin correlates negatively with cardiometabolic risk factors and is an independent indicator for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Cyprus: The Mouse That May Yet Roar
Authors: Clarke Michael
Published: April 2014

The eastern Mediterranean, and particularly Cyprus, had been set for some sort of international crisis throughout 2013. Many tense situations become spring loaded by their circumstances, and no one can predict what, if anything, might set them off. But in the politics of the eastern Mediterranean, there are so many hefty mice at large that it is increasingly likely that at least one of the them will run across the pressure plate, probably sooner rather than later. The fact is that Cyprus finds itself caught in the shockwaves of a number of upheavals in the Middle East and in Europe and in the increasingly fraught politics of the eastern Mediterranean itself—and at a time when the Cypriot government is least able to operate independently and navigate its own diplomacy in its own national interests.
Turks, Cypriots, and the Cyprus Problem: Hopes and Complications
Authors: Wilson Ross
Published: April 2014

Moves to resume the United Nations-led Cyprus peace talks in 2014 have given hope of an end to the island’s long-lived division. Factors that shape the prospects for progress now include the February 2013 election of a new, prosettlement Cypriot government and the discovery of offshore natural gas reserves, the cooperative development of which could help build bridges among the stakeholders. While Turkey is entering a long electoral period in which Cyprus is a sensitive issue, it should consider more creative steps toward fostering a settlement. More broadly, each side needs to convince the other that it is serious about reaching a settlement, and the United States and United Kingdom should be more active in encouraging one.
Mysteries of α1-antitrypsin deficiency: emerging therapeutic strategies for a challenging disease
Authors: Ghouse Raafe , Chu Andrew , Wang Yan , Perlmutter David H.
Published: April 2014

The classical form of α1-antitrypsin deficiency (ATD) is an autosomal co-dominant disorder that affects ~1 in 3000 live births and is an important genetic cause of lung and liver disease. The protein affected, α1-antitrypsin (AT), is predominantly derived from the liver and has the function of inhibiting neutrophil elastase and several other destructive neutrophil proteinases. The genetic defect is a point mutation that leads to misfolding of the mutant protein, which is referred to as α1-antitrypsin Z (ATZ). Because of its misfolding, ATZ is unable to efficiently traverse the secretory pathway. Accumulation of ATZ in the endoplasmic reticulum of liver cells has a gain-of-function proteotoxic effect on the liver, resulting in fibrosis, cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma in some individuals. Moreover, because of reduced secretion, there is a lack of anti-proteinase activity in the lung, which allows neutrophil proteases to destroy the connective tissue matrix and cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by loss of function. Wide variation in the incidence and severity of liver and lung disease among individuals with ATD has made this disease one of the most challenging of the rare genetic disorders to diagnose and treat. Other than cigarette smoking, which worsens COPD in ATD, genetic and environmental modifiers that determine this phenotypic variability are unknown. A limited number of therapeutic strategies are currently available, and liver transplantation is the only treatment for severe liver disease. Although replacement therapy with purified AT corrects the loss of anti-proteinase function, COPD progresses in a substantial number of individuals with ATD and some undergo lung transplantation. Nevertheless, advances in understanding the variability in clinical phenotype and in developing novel therapeutic concepts is beginning to address the major clinical challenges of this mysterious disorder.
Barcoding heat shock proteins to human diseases: looking beyond the heat shock response
Authors: Kakkar Vaishali , Meister-Broekema Melanie , Minoia Melania , Carra Serena , Kampinga Harm H.
Published: April 2014

There are numerous human diseases that are associated with protein misfolding and the formation of toxic protein aggregates. Activating the heat shock response (HSR) – and thus generally restoring the disturbed protein homeostasis associated with such diseases – has often been suggested as a therapeutic strategy. However, most data on activating the HSR or its downstream targets in mouse models of diseases associated with aggregate formation have been rather disappointing. The human chaperonome consists of many more heat shock proteins (HSPs) that are not regulated by the HSR, however, and researchers are now focusing on these as potential therapeutic targets. In this Review, we summarize the existing literature on a set of aggregation diseases and propose that each of them can be characterized or ‘barcoded’ by a different set of HSPs that can rescue specific types of aggregation. Some of these ‘non-canonical’ HSPs have demonstrated effectiveness in vivo, in mouse models of protein-aggregation disease. Interestingly, several of these HSPs also cause diseases when mutated – so-called chaperonopathies – which are also discussed in this Review.
Low-Temperature Synthesis of Perovskite-Type (Na,K)NbO3 through Nb6O198− Clusters by Dissolution–Precipitation Method
Authors: Shibata Kengo , Yamazoe Seiji , Wada Takahiro
Published: April 2014

We successfully synthesized perovskite-type (Na1−xKx)NbO3 materials from a Na3NbO4 precursor at low temperature by dissolution–precipitation method. The Nb6O198− cluster was formed as an intermediate by the dissolution of Na3NbO4 into a buffer solution (pH 7). White powders were precipitated by the addition of 1 M NaOH/KOH mixed aqueous solution. We found that the morphology and crystal structure depended on the NaOH/KOH ratio. When the concentration of KOH [CKOH = KOH/(NaOH + KOH)] was low (0 ≤ CKOH ≤ 0.3), rod-like (Na,K,H3O)8Nb6O19·14H2O was precipitated. In the case of high CKOH (0.5 ≤ CKOH ≤ 0.9), (Na0.5K0.5)8Nb6O19·9H2O, whose morphologies changed from hexagonal plate-like to truncated hexagonal bipyramidal structures with the increase in the CKOH, was formed. The (Na,K,H3O)8Nb6O19·14H2O and (Na0.5K0.5)8Nb6O19·9H2O mixture was precipitated using a NaOH/KOH solution with CKOH = 0.4. No precipitation was obtained by the addition of the KOH solution. These precipitations transformed into perovskite-type (Na,K)NbO3 while maintaining their morphology by calcination at 500 °C. The excess Na and/or K were washed out with water. From the lattice constants, the rod-like (Na1−xKx)NbO3 with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 and the hexagonal plate-like or the truncated hexagonal bipyramidal (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3 were synthesized from the rod-like (Na,K,H3O)8Nb6O19·14H2O (0 ≤ CKOH ≤ 0.3) and the hexagonal plate-like or the truncated hexagonal bipyramidal (Na0.5K0.5)8Nb6O19·9H2O (0.5 ≤ CKOH ≤ 0.9), respectively.
First-principle Calculation Evaluations for MTW-type Zeolite Synthesis Prescriptions
Authors: Feng Gang , Lu Zhang-Hui , Kong Dejin , Yang Deqin , Guo Hongli , Liu Jianwen
Published: April 2014

We present a thermodynamics model to evaluate zeolite synthesis prescriptions with first-principle calculations, which provide quick ways for prescription optimization. Taking MTW-type zeolites as an example, our results indicate that the framework and alkali ions selection follow the order: Al > Fe ≈ Ga > B, Li > Na ≈ K > NH4 > H. These results agree well with the reported experiments.
Efficient Synthetic Photocyclization for Phenacenes Using a Continuous Flow Reactor
Authors: Okamoto Hideki , Takane Takamitsu , Gohda Shin , Kubozono Yoshihiro , Sato Kaori , Yamaji Minoru , Satake Kyosuke
Published: April 2014

The continuous flow reaction technique has been applied to the photocyclization of 1,2-diarylethenes, the so-called Mallory reaction, to afford phenacenes in high chemical yields and efficiencies (114–288 mg h−1). The present technique will allow us to produce several grams of phenacenes at a time.
Abrupt Phase Transition Based on Electron-transfer-coupled Spin Transition in a Cyanide-bridged [Co2Fe2] Tetranuclear Complex
Authors: Sekine Yoshihiro , Nihei Masayuki , Oshio Hiroki
Published: April 2014

A cyanide-bridged tetranuclear complex, [Co2Fe2(CN)6(tp*)2(dmbpy)4](PF6)2·4CH3CN (1·4CH3CN) (tp*: hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate and dmbpy: 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine), was synthesized and its magnetic properties were investigated. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that 1 exhibited an abrupt one-step thermal phase transition based on electron-transfer-coupled spin transition (ETCST) and light-induced ETCST at low temperature.
Animal models of cartilage repair
Authors: Cook J. L. , Hung C. T. , Kuroki K. , Stoker A. M. , Cook C. R. , Pfeiffer F. M. , Sherman S. L. , Stannard J. P.
Published: April 2014

Cartilage repair in terms of replacement, or regeneration of damaged or diseased articular cartilage with functional tissue, is the ‘holy grail’ of joint surgery. A wide spectrum of strategies for cartilage repair currently exists and several of these techniques have been reported to be associated with successful clinical outcomes for appropriately selected indications. However, based on respective advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, no single strategy, or even combination of strategies, provides surgeons with viable options for attaining successful long-term outcomes in the majority of patients. As such, development of novel techniques and optimisation of current techniques need to be, and are, the focus of a great deal of research from the basic science level to clinical trials. Translational research that bridges scientific discoveries to clinical application involves the use of animal models in order to assess safety and efficacy for regulatory approval for human use. This review article provides an overview of animal models for cartilage repair.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;4:89–94.
Leben im Ruhestand
Authors: Denninger Tina , van Dyk Silke , Lessenich Stephan , Richter Anna Sarah
Published: April 2014

Wir leben in einer Zeit der weitreichenden Transformation des Sozialen: In Politik und Wirtschaft setzt sich ein Menschenbild durch, das von jedem Einzelnen erwartet, sich flexibel und vorsorgend, selbsttätig und eigenverantwortlich zu verhalten. Diese neue politische Ökonomie der Aktivgesellschaft greift dabei auch auf bislang verschonte Lebenssphären und -phasen über. So ist die politische Programmformel des »active aging« längst auch zu einem Teil der Fremd- und Selbstbeschreibung älterer Menschen geworden. Der Band untersucht den Wandel des politisch-medialen Altersbildes, konfrontiert diesen mit den Erzählungen älterer Menschen zu ihrem Leben im Ruhestand und überführt die Befunde in eine originelle Zeitdiagnose der alternden Gesellschaft.
Performing Stories
Authors: Tecklenburg Nina
Published: April 2014

Spuren lesen, Dinge sammeln, Erinnerungen kartografieren, um die Wette autobiografieren: In den performativen Künsten lassen sich eine Reihe neuer, nicht-literarischer Erzählpraktiken beobachten, die sich weder unter einer dramatischen noch einer postdramatischen Perspektive subsumieren lassen. Vor dem Hintergrund innovativer theatraler Erzählformen entwickelt Nina Tecklenburg einen alternativen Zugang zum Narrativen: Im Zentrum steht das Erzählen als sinnliche, kulturelle Praxis und als partizipatorischer, soziale Beziehungen stiftender Prozess. Das Buch liefert einen grundlegenden Beitrag zur Aufführungstheorie und zur interdisziplinären Erzählforschung.
Verfilmte Gefühle
Authors: Hahn Henrike
Published: April 2014

Von Paul Czinners Stummfilm »Fräulein Else« (1929) bis zu Stanley Kubricks Hollywood-Produktion »Eyes Wide Shut« (1999): Texte von Arthur Schnitzler wurden vielfach für Film und Fernsehen adaptiert. Doch ist es einer Literaturverfilmung überhaupt möglich, komplexe Gefühlswelten und Gedankengänge der Protagonisten wiederzugeben? Henrike Hahn zeigt aus literatur- und filmwissenschaftlicher Perspektive, wie figurative Innenwahrnehmungen mittels vielfältiger Strategien in das Medium Film übertragen werden können. Ihre Studie leistet so nicht nur einen wichtigen Beitrag zur medialen Rezeption Schnitzlers - sie regt auch zur Debatte über die filmpoetologische Ausrichtung seiner Texte an und diskutiert die generellen filmtechnischen Strukturen von Literaturverfilmungen.
Nicht Frosch - nicht Laborratte: Transmännlichkeiten im Bild
Authors: Hoenes Josch
Published: April 2014

Hartnäckig hält sich die Ansicht, es gäbe »in echt« nur zwei Geschlechter. Diese heteronormative Zweigeschlechtlichkeit wird sowohl durch die Wissenschaften als auch durch visuelle Repräsentationen von Geschlecht aufrechterhalten. Als Einsprüche in solch hegemoniale Wissensformationen diskutiert Josch Hoenes queere/trans* Fotografien von Del LaGrace Volcano und Loren Cameron sowie den Film »Boys Don't Cry« aus transdisziplinärer Perspektive: Welche Potenziale besitzen kulturell-künstlerische Arbeiten, um Geschlechterformationen von Trans*personen denk- und lebbarer werden zu lassen? Und welche neuen Möglichkeiten eröffnen sie damit, (sich) zu erzählen?
Leistung
Authors: Distelhorst Lars
Published: April 2014

Der Begriff »Leistung« ist in Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft omnipräsent. Doch auf die Frage, was Leistung ist, folgt in der Regel Schweigen. Lars Distelhorst geht in seinem Essay dieser Leerstelle auf den Grund und vermag so eine tiefgehende Kritik an der »Leistungsgesellschaft« zu üben. Er zeigt: Jede Rede von Leistung mündet in einen unauflösbaren Widerspruch. Was hinter dem Leistungsbegriff liegt, ist nicht weniger als die Leere einer Gesellschaft, deren Zentrum in der Akkumulationsbewegung des Kapitals zu suchen ist, während sie die letzten Karten der Ideologie spielt.
Körper und Migration
Authors: Terhart Henrike
Published: April 2014

Ob jemand als zugehörig oder als »nicht von hier« gilt, wird im Kontext von Migration oft an Körperlichem festgemacht. Doch wie hängen Fragen nach dem Körper und nach Migration als Erfahrung und Zuschreibung zusammen? Die empirisch-qualitative Studie geht dem Verhältnis von Körper und Sozialität, von körperlichem Empfinden und Zuschreibungserfahrungen im Zusammenhang mit Migration nach. Dabei kommen junge Frauen in biografischen Interviews zu Wort und porträtieren sich in Fotografien. Durch die Analyse der Körperinszenierungen in Text und Bild wird deutlich, dass Körperlichkeit im Kontext von Migration als ein in sich flexibler Möglichkeitsraum zu verstehen ist.
Neuverhandlungen des Holocaust
Authors: Frieden Kirstin
Published: April 2014

Die Tabus sind überwunden, Schuld ist abgegolten, political und memorial correctness bedeuten keinen Maulkorb mehr - immer wieder wird behauptet, dass die junge Generation die erste sei, die sich ohne Last der deutschen Vergangenheit annehmen und frei über sie sprechen kann. Aber ist das wirklich der Fall? Besteht nicht weiterhin ein Unbehagen mit der Vergangenheit? Abseits literaturwissenschaftlicher Trampelpfade untersucht Kirstin Frieden Formate unterschiedlicher Mediensegmente wie Performances, Comedy und Neue Medien (z.B. Facebook und YouTube). Sie diagnostiziert neue Möglichkeiten des Sprechens über den Holocaust sowie einer Erinnerungskultur, die das manifeste Gedächtnisparadigma medial transformiert.
Jenseits des konventionellen Kultursponsorings
Authors: Haltern Nina Johanna
Published: April 2014

Kooperationen zwischen Unternehmen und Akteuren des Kulturbereichs bergen ein bislang wenig genutztes Potenzial: Aktivitäten jenseits des konventionellen Kultursponsorings können auf beiden Seiten die organisationale Weiterentwicklung befördern. Nina Johanna Haltern stellt verschiedene Kooperationstypen vor und liefert unter Rückgriff auf die systemtheoretische Organisationsforschung und anhand eigener Fallbeispiele nicht nur einen Erklärungsrahmen für die Voraussetzungen und Chancen erfolgreicher sektorenübergreifender Zusammenarbeit, sondern auch Anregungen zur bewussten Erweiterung des Kooperationsrepertoires in der Praxis.
Sozialkritik und soziale Steuerung
Authors: Hagendorff Thilo
Published: April 2014

Der Zusammenhang von Sozialkritik und sozialer Steuerung ist in den Sozialwissenschaften bislang kaum untersucht worden. Der stillschweigende Anspruch einer engagierten Sozialphilosophie - die Verbesserung gesellschaftlicher Verhältnisse - kann jedoch nur über zielgerichtete Veränderungsintentionen, also über soziale Steuerungsarrangements, umgesetzt werden. Wie aber können diese aussehen? Thilo Hagendorff gibt hierauf Antworten. Seine Studie regt Modernisierungsschritte des methodischen Apparats der Sozialkritik ebenso an wie Effizienzsteigerungen sozialkritischer Diskurse.
Mauricio Kagels Buenos Aires (1946-1957)
Authors: Richter-Ibáñez Christina
Published: April 2014

Der Komponist Mauricio Kagel (1931-2008) lebte bis 1957 in Buenos Aires. Christina Richter-Ibáñez geht anhand seiner Biografie Aspekten der Politik unter dem Präsidentenpaar Perón/»Evita« ab 1946 sowie deren Auswirkungen auf das Musikleben nach. Neben Kagels musikalischem Engagement stehen seine Kontakte zum Film, zu bildenden Künstlern des Bauhauses, zu den Schriftstellern Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar und Witold Gombrowicz sowie zur französischen Theatergruppe Renaud-Barrault im Mittelpunkt ihrer Analysen. Sie finden sich ebenso wie die Musiker Pierre Boulez, Michael Gielen und Juan Carlos Paz als Bezugspunkt in Kagels Werken und Karriere wieder.
Iteration schema for common fixed points of nonlinear mappings in spaces of nonpositive curvature
Authors: Khan Muhammad Aqeel Ahmad
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we propose a one-step iteration for the approximation of common fixed points of two uniformly continuous total asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings in uniformly convex hyperbolic spaces. We establish strong convergence and Δ-convergence results of the proposed iteration in this setting. As a consequence, our convergence results improve and generalize various results announced in the current literature.
Refined global Gan–Gross–Prasad conjecture for Bessel periods
Authors: Liu Yifeng
Published: April 2014

We formulate a refined version of the global Gan–Gross–Prasad conjecture
for general Bessel models, extending the work of Ichino–Ikeda and R. N. Harris
in the co-rank 1 case. It is an explicit formula relating the automorphic
period of Bessel type and the central value of certain L-function. To
support such conjecture, we provide two examples for pairs

SO
5

×

SO
2

$\operatorname{SO}_{5}\times\operatorname{SO}_{2}$

and

SO
6

×

SO
3

$\operatorname{SO}_{6}\times\operatorname{SO}_{3}$

(both co-rank 3) in the endoscopic case via theta
lifting.
Donaldson–Thomas invariants and flops
Authors: Calabrese John
Published: April 2014

We prove a comparison formula for the Donaldson–Thomas curve-counting invariants of two smooth and projective Calabi–Yau threefolds related by a flop.
By results of Bridgeland any two such varieties are derived equivalent.
Furthermore there exist pairs of categories of perverse coherent sheaves on both sides which are swapped by this equivalence.
Using the theory developed by Joyce we construct the motivic Hall algebras of these categories.
These algebras provide a bridge relating the invariants on both sides of the flop.
Surprise and humor in product design
Authors: Ludden Geke D. S. , Kudrowitz Barry M. , Schifferstein Hendrik N. J. , Hekkert Paul
Published: April 2014

When information from two or more sensory modalities conflicts, this can evoke a surprise reaction as well as feelings of amusement, interest, confusion or disappointment. In concurrence to joke theory, we argue that people appreciate and enjoy appropriate incongruities that can be related back to the product, whereas they are confused by and have negative opinions towards inappropriate incongruities.

This paper reports the design and the evaluation of products in two categories (rubber duckies and deodorants), with (in)appropriate sensory incongruities of three types: visual-tactual, visual-olfactory and visual-auditory. Participants evaluated the level of surprise felt and the intensity of resulting emotions. They also indicated their overall liking for the products.

Both appropriate and inappropriate incongruities were evaluated as surprising as well as confusing. As expected, appropriate incongruities evoked more amusement and were generally favored. Whereas products with visual-tactual incongruities showed large differences in ratings on liking and amusement between appropriate and inappropriate incongruities, these differences were smaller for products with visual-auditory and visual-olfactory incongruities. Possibly, the appropriateness of an incongruity is more conspicuous when it is brought about by a conflict between touch and vision than when olfaction or audition are involved.
A Non-linear Inverse Problem in Estimating the Reaction Rate Function for an Annular-Bed Reactor
Authors: Huang Cheng-Hung , Li Bo-Yi
Published: April 2014

The conjugate gradient method, or iterative regularization method, based inverse algorithm is utilized in this work to predict the unknown concentration-dependent reaction rate function for an annular-bed reactor (ABR) using interior measurements of concentration distributions. Since no prior information on the functional form of unknown reaction rate is available, it can be classified as function estimation for the inverse calculation. The validity and accuracy of this inverse ABR problem are examined using the simulated exact and inexact concentration measurements in the numerical experiments. Results show that the estimation of the concentration-dependent reaction rate function can be obtained within a very short CPU time on an Intel Xeon Core 2 2.00 GHz personal computer, and reliable estimations can still be obtained when measurement errors are considered.
Planar infinite groups
Authors: Rajabian Mehdi , Farrokhi D. G. Mohammad , Erfanian Ahmad
Published: April 2014

We will determine all infinite 2-locally finite groups and all infinite 2-groups with planar subgroup graph, and show that infinite groups that satisfy the chain conditions and contain an involution do not have planar embeddings. We also determine all connected outer-planar groups and outer-planar groups satisfying the chain conditions. As a result, we obtain all planar groups that are direct products of connected groups.
Comparison of placental alpha microglobulin-1 in vaginal fluid with intra-amniotic injection of indigo carmine for the diagnosis of rupture of membranes
Authors: Sosa Claudio G. , Herrera Edward , Restrepo Juan C. , Strauss Alexander , Alonso Justo
Published: April 2014

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of an immunoassay for placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) in vaginal fluid with the intra-amniotic instillation of indigo carmine for the diagnosis of membrane rupture in patients with an equivocal status.

Methods: A prospective multi-site study was performed involving women reporting signs, symptoms, or complaints suggestive of rupture of membrane (ROM) between 21 and 42 weeks of gestation without obvious leakage of fluid from the cervical os during sterile speculum examination and without confirmation of ROM by traditional methods.

Results: A total of 140 patients were recruited with a prevalence of ROM of 19.3%. The PAMG-1 test had a sensitivity of 100.0% [confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.0], specificity of 99.1% [(CI) 0.95–0.99], positive predictive value of 96.3% [(CI) 0.82–0.99], negative predictive value of 100.0% [(CI) 0.97–1.0], and ± likelihood ratios of 74.6 [(CI) 20.31–274.51] and 0.0 [(CI) 0.00–0.98].

Conclusions: The PAMG-1 immunoassay in vaginal fluid yielded results that were comparable to those of the instillation of indigo carmine into the amniotic cavity; therefore, we propose that PAMG-1 is a sensitive and specific test to assess ROM in patients with an equivocal diagnosis based on simple tests. This finding prompts consideration for the use of the noninvasive PAMG-1 test in situations where the use of the invasive dye test is not practical.
Ideology and Tradition: An Epistemological View of Neoconservatism
Authors: Mándi Tibor
Published: April 2014

The paper aims to give an account of the emergence of American neoconservatism, approaching its subject from a theoretical point of view. Its main thesis is that the defining difference between neoconservatism and older, more traditional kinds of conservatism can be found in their relation to political knowledge. While traditional conservatism completely rejects a rationalist-ideological approach to political knowledge, accepting only tradition as a guide to political action, neoconservatism holds that among the circumstances of modern politics, especially in the US, relying on abstract ideas and general principles in the form of an ideology is a prerequisite of effective political performance. Neoconservatives use the classical liberal tradition of American political thought to forge a modern ideology that can be employed in contemporary political battles. The first part of the paper gives an outline of the theoretical framework regarding the roles of tradition and ideology as rival forms of political knowledge, using the works of Michael Oakeshott and Friedrich Hayek as representatives of two related, but opposing positions. The second part sketches the basic character of neoconservatism through the writings of primarily Irving Kristol, focusing on his drawing a distinction between a tradition-minded British conservatism and a more ideological American neoconservatism. In this part, we briefly mention the influence of Leo Strauss on the development of neoconservative political thought in the US Finally, the paper proceeds to show the duality of idealism and realism (loosely corresponding to ideology and tradition) in American neoconservative foreign policy thought in the 1970s and 1980s through the writings of Jeane Kirkpatrick.
The Deformation Measurement and Analysis on Meso-Structure of Aluminum Foams During SHPB Test
Authors: Yang Bao , Tang Liqun , Liu Yiping , Liu Zejia , Jiang Zhenyu , Fang Daining
Published: April 2014

The split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is most widely used to measure the dynamic mechanical properties of materials. Such a testing methodology implies the assumption of uniform deformation during an impact test. However, the experimental verification of this assumption for aluminum foams has, as yet, been unreported. In this paper, a test system combining the SHPB with a high-speed digital camera was designed and constructed to study the problem. In the system, the synchronization between SHPB and the high-speed digital camera, the lighting, and the surface treatment of specimen are established. The deformation of meso-structure of aluminum foams during the SHPB impact was observed successfully; furthermore, the localized strains along the specimens were measured quantitatively. Experimental results show that the deformation is non-uniform; that means the assumption of uniform deformation for aluminum foam is not well satisfied. Therefore, a need exists for some modifications to characterize the dynamic mechanical properties of aluminum foams by SHPB.
The Effects of Ownership Structure and Board Characteristics: Evidence From Chinese SOEs
Authors: Lo Keng-Hsin , Lin Bao-Ren
Published: April 2014

Existing studies have failed to reach the consistent conclusion about the differences in performance between state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and non-SOEs. A sample of Chinese-listed firms from the period 2003–2011 is used in this study for fixed-effects panel data regression, providing up-to-date evidence related to the accounting and market performance of Chinese SOEs. The results enhance our understanding of the Chinese corporate governance mechanism, and offer cross-sectional implications for other emerging countries. We find that, in China, non-SOEs perform significantly better than SOEs. In addition, the Chinese SOEs have more complex agency problems, and the entrenchment effect seems to dominate the alignment effect for these firms. The findings also suggest that board characteristics including independent directors and CEO duality, are detrimental to the performance of the Chinese SOEs.
Comparison of repaglinide and metformin monotherapy as an initial therapy in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Fang Fu-Sheng , Gong Yan-Ping , Li Chun-Lin , Li Jian , Tian Hui , Huang Wei , Wang Liang-Chen , Li Lin
Published: April 2014

Background

We aimed to compare the effect of repaglinide and metformin monotherapy as an initial therapy in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Patients and methods

In this 15-week, open-labelled, parallel-controlled, randomised study, 60 Chinese drug-naive patients with newly diagnosed T2DM were randomised (2:1) to receive repaglinide or metformin monotherapy. Primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to the end of the trial. Secondary endpoints included changes in glycaemic variability, insulin sensitivity and β-cell function.

Results

Patients in both repaglinide and metformin groups achieved significant reductions in HbA1c (−1.8±1.5 vs −1.6±1.5%), FPG (fasting blood glucose) (−1.7±1.7 vs −2.1±1.7 mmol/l) and 2-h PPG (post-prandial glucose) (−3.8±3.1 vs −3.8±3.6 mmol/l), with no statistical differences between the groups. Glycaemic variability, glucose infusion rate and β-cell function were all significantly improved from baseline in the two groups (allP<0.05), without any statistical differences in the improvement between the groups.

Conclusions

Repaglinide and metformin achieved comparable efficacy in improving glycaemic control, reducing glycaemic variability, enhancing insulin sensitivity and ameliorating β-cell function. Therefore, repaglinide is an optional agent for initial therapy in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed T2DM.
Análise da produção ambulatorial em municípios com e sem centros de especialidades odontológicas no Brasil em 2010
Authors: Celeste Roger Keller , Moura Flávio Renato Reis de , Santos Carolina Paiva , Tovo Maximiano Ferreira
Published: April 2014

O objetivo foi descrever a produção de serviços especializados em municípios brasileiros com e sem Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) e estudar fatores associados. Para a coleta de dados, foram consultados: o Departamento de Informática do SUS, dados do Atlas de Desenvolvimento Humano do Brasil e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Utilizou-se regressão binominal negativa inflada de zeros para modelar taxas de procedimentos de endodontia, atenção básica, periodontia e cirurgia. Após controle por fatores sociodemográficos, os municípios com CEO apresentaram taxas maiores do que os sem, exceto para taxas de atenção básica. No modelo final, com variáveis de estrutura dos serviços, os municípios com CEO do tipo III tiveram uma taxa de procedimentos de endodontia 2,08 (IC95%: 1,26; 3,44) vezes maior que sem CEO. Das variáveis de estrutura, mais gastos em saúde e maiores taxas de dentistas no SUS estavam consistentemente associados a maiores taxas de quaisquer procedimentos. Os CEO parecem ter um efeito positivo na produção municipal de procedimentos especializados, particularmente para a taxa de procedimentos de endodontia, e esse efeito não é explicado por variáveis de estrutura.