bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Do Medical Students Know about Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Wloch Andreas , Saryyeva Assel , Heissler Hans E. , Schrader Christoph , Capelle H. Holger , Krauss Joachim K.
Published: April 2017

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for movement disorders. It is currently under investigation in neuropsychiatric disorders. Neurophobia is a common phenomenon that might have a negative impact in medical education. Little is known about medical students' knowledge about DBS when they enter university and what they learn about it during their medical formation. Methods: A 10-item questionnaire was designed. Questions addressed indications for DBS, costs of DBS, complications, the percentage of Parkinson disease (PD) patients who might profit from DBS, etc. Students at Hannover Medical School were asked to complete the questionnaire in the preclinical study period and in the last year of the study. Results: Comparing the “early group” (204 students) and the “advanced group” (162 students), there was a significant gain of knowledge. More common disorders such as PD and tremor were known to be indications for DBS. Knowledge about the impact of DBS on specific symptoms in PD and about DBS targets was limited in both groups. Conclusions: DBS is partly known among medical students in the preclinical phase with a gain of knowledge during further study. Future studies on this topic addressing general practitioners as neurologists are needed to better understand why knowledge on DBS is still limited.
Cytotoxic Effects of Transthyretin Aggregates in an Epidermoid Cell Line
Authors: Fong Vai Hong , Vieira Amandio
Published: April 2017

Objective: Skin amyloid deposits can occur as part of systemic amyloidoses including those involving misfolded- aggregated transthyretins (agTTR). Pathological effects of agTTR on the skin are not well understood. The main objective of the current study was to examine the toxicity of agTTR upon a human keratinocyte cell line. Methods: Cells were analyzed for indicators of oxidative stress after treatment with normal soluble TTR or the same pre-aggregation concentration of agTTR. Hydrogen peroxide production was analyzed as an indicator for the involvement of reactive oxygen species. Results: Treatment of cells with agTTR significantly increased hydrogen peroxide production (p < 0.05 vs. controls). Glutathione (GSH) and catalase were analyzed as indicators of endogenous cellular antioxidant activity. Treatment of cells with agTTR resulted in significant decreases in both catalase activity and GSH levels (p < 0.05 vs. controls). Conclusion: agTTR disrupts redox balance and induces oxidative stress in these epidermoid cells.
Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy and the Blood-Brain Barrier in Neonates
Authors: Lee Wei Ling Amelia , Michael-Titus Adina T. , Shah Divyen K.
Published: April 2017

This review aims to highlight a possible relationship between hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Inflammatory reactions perpetuate a large proportion of cerebral injury. The extent of injury noted in HIE is not only determined by the biochemical cascades that trigger the apoptosis-necrosis continuum of cell death in the brain parenchyma, but also by the breaching of the BBB by pro-inflammatory factors. We examine the changes that contribute to the breakdown of the BBB that occur during HIE at a macroscopic, cellular, and molecular level. The BBB is a permeability barrier which separates a large majority of brain areas from the systemic circulation. The concept of a physiological BBB is based at the anatomical level on the neurovascular unit (NVU). The NVU consists of various cellular components that jointly regulate the exchanges that occur at the interface between the systemic circulation and the brain parenchyma. There is increased understanding of the contribution of the components of the NVU, e.g., astrocytes and pericytes, to the maintenance of this physiological barrier. We also explore the development of therapeutic options in HIE, such as harnessing the transport systems in the BBB, to enable the delivery of large molecules with molecular Trojan horse technology, and the reinforcement of the physical barrier with cell-based therapy which utilizes endothelial progenitor cells and stem cells.
The Effect of Traumatic Experiences and Psychiatric Symptoms on the Life Satisfaction of North Korean Refugees
Authors: Choi Yeonsun , Lim Sun Young , Jun Jin Yong , Lee So Hee , Yoo So Young , Kim Soohyun , Gwak Ah Reum , Kim Ji-Chul , Lee Yu Jin , Kim Seog Ju
Published: April 2017

Background: Successful adaptation of refugees to a new society can be hindered by traumatic experiences and psychiatric symptoms. This study aims to examine the relationship between trauma, psychiatric symptoms and life satisfaction of North Korean refugees resettled in South Korea. Methods: A total of 211 North Korean refugees living in South Korea completed a series of questionnaires on the history of their previous traumatic experiences, life satisfaction in South Korea, depression, anxiety, somatization and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Results: North Korean refugees who had experienced more traumatic events were less satisfied with their economic status in South Korea. Severe depression, anxiety, somatization or PTSD symptoms negatively correlated with their overall satisfaction in South Korea. In the stepwise regression model including all psychiatric symptoms and the number of traumatic experiences as dependent variables, only anxiety, but not trauma, predicted lower life satisfaction in South Korea. Conclusions: Traumatic experiences of North Korean refugees negatively affected the life satisfaction, especially the economic satisfaction, in South Korea. Since the negative effect of trauma was mainly mediated by psychiatric symptoms, the strategy of relieving psychiatric symptoms of traumatized refugees may help the adaptation of refugees.
The Aachen Minipig: Phenotype, Genotype, Hematological and Biochemical Characterization, and Comparison to the Göttingen Minipig
Authors: Pawlowsky Kerstin , Ernst Lisa , Steitz Julia , Stopinski Thaddäus , Kögel Babette , Henger Anna , Kluge Reinhart , Tolba René
Published: April 2017

Background: The pig is one of the most frequently used large animal models for biomedical research, especially in the field of translational research and surgical models. While standard livestock breeds are used in short-term and acute studies, minipig breeds are the preferred breeds in long-term and chronic studies due to their limited growth and body weight. Objective: In consideration of the 3R principle (refinement, reduction, replacement) and the increasing demand, the aim of this study was to generate a new, robust, non-specific-pathogen-free minipig breed, the Aachen minipig. Methods: Phenotype, genotype, and hematological as well as clinical chemistry parameters were characterized, and reference values of the Aachen minipig were generated and compared to the values in the commonly used Göttingen minipig. Organ weights of the heart, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and brain were determined using a laboratory balance. Blood samples were collected for hematology and clinical chemistry. Assessment of genetic diversity was performed by microsatellite markers. Nasal swabs were collected from 11 individual minipigs representing 6 races for DNA extraction. DNA was quantified and the identity and origin of the Aachen minipigs at the genomic level was determined by microsatellites. Results: The Aachen minipig established here is based on the Mini-LEWE breed and consists of the Vietnamese potbelly pig, the Schwäbisch Hällisch Landpig, the German Landrace, and the Minnesota minipig. Relative organ weights (lung, heart, kidneys, brain), hematology (hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils), and clinical chemistry parameters (sodium, calcium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total bilirubin, total protein, creatine kinase) of the Aachen minipigs and the Göttingen minipigs were not significantly different. Significant differences where only seen in relative organ weights (liver, spleen), hematology (red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cell count, banded neutrophils, monocytes), and clinical chemistry parameters (inorganic phosphorus, potassium, glucose, cholesterol, albumin, amylase). Conclusion: The Aachen minipig is a suitable model for research due to its similarity to other minipig breeds, especially the Göttingen minipig. The reference values established in this study may be used for the comparison of scientific data and encourage the use of the Aachen minipig as an animal model for biomedical research.
Gain-of-Function Mutation in Filamin A Potentiates Platelet Integrin α
IIb
β
3
Activation
Authors: Berrou Eliane , Adam Frédéric , Lebret Marilyne , Planche Virginie , Fergelot Patricia , Issertial Odile , Coupry Isabelle , Bordet Jean-Claude , Nurden Paquita , Bonneau Dominique , Colin Estelle , Goizet Cyril , Rosa Jean-Philippe , Bryckaert Marijke
Published: April 2017

Objective—

Dominant mutations of the X-linked filamin A (
FLNA
) gene are responsible for filaminopathies A, which are rare disorders including brain periventricular nodular heterotopia, congenital intestinal pseudo-obstruction, cardiac valves or skeleton malformations, and often macrothrombocytopenia.

Approach and Results—

We studied a male patient with periventricular nodular heterotopia and congenital intestinal pseudo-obstruction, his unique X-linked
FLNA
allele carrying a stop codon mutation resulting in a 100–amino acid–long FLNa C-terminal extension (NP_001447.2:
p.Ter2648SerextTer101
). Platelet counts were normal, with few enlarged platelets. FLNa was detectable in all platelets but at 30% of control levels. Surprisingly, all platelet functions were significantly upregulated, including platelet aggregation and secretion, as induced by ADP, collagen, or von Willebrand factor in the presence of ristocetin, as well as thrombus formation in blood flow on a collagen or on a von Willebrand factor matrix. Most importantly, patient platelets stimulated with ADP exhibited a marked increase in α
IIb
β
3
integrin activation and a parallel increase in talin recruitment to β
3
, contrasting with normal Rap1 activation. These results are consistent with the mutant FLNa affecting the last step of α
IIb
β
3
activation. Overexpression of mutant FLNa in the HEL megakaryocytic cell line correlated with an increase (compared with wild-type FLNa) in PMA-induced fibrinogen binding to and in talin and kindlin-3 recruitment by α
IIb
β
3
.

Conclusions—

Altogether, our results are consistent with a less binding of mutant FLNa to β
3
and the facilitated recruitment of talin by β
3
on platelet stimulation, explaining the increased α
IIb
β
3
activation and the ensuing gain-of-platelet functions.
Flow Perturbation Mediates Neutrophil Recruitment and Potentiates Endothelial Injury via TLR2 in Mice
Authors: Franck Grégory , Mawson Thomas , Sausen Grasiele , Salinas Manuel , Masson Gustavo Santos , Cole Andrew , Beltrami-Moreira Marina , Chatzizisis Yiannis , Quillard Thibault , Tesmenitsky Yevgenia , Shvartz Eugenia , Sukhova Galina K. , Swirski Filip K. , Nahrendorf Matthias , Aikawa Elena , Croce Kevin J. , Libby Peter
Published: April 2017

Rationale:

Superficial erosion currently causes up to a third of acute coronary syndromes; yet, we lack understanding of its mechanisms. Thrombi because of superficial intimal erosion characteristically complicate matrix-rich atheromata in regions of flow perturbation.

Objective:

This study tested in vivo the involvement of disturbed flow and of neutrophils, hyaluronan, and Toll-like receptor 2 ligation in superficial intimal injury, a process implicated in superficial erosion.

Methods and Results:

In mouse carotid arteries with established intimal lesions tailored to resemble the substrate of human eroded plaques, acute flow perturbation promoted downstream endothelial cell activation, neutrophil accumulation, endothelial cell death and desquamation, and mural thrombosis. Neutrophil loss-of-function limited these findings. Toll-like receptor 2 agonism activated luminal endothelial cells, and deficiency of this innate immune receptor decreased intimal neutrophil adherence in regions of local flow disturbance, reducing endothelial cell injury and local thrombosis (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions:

These results implicate flow disturbance, neutrophils, and Toll-like receptor 2 signaling as mechanisms that contribute to superficial erosion, a cause of acute coronary syndrome of likely growing importance in the statin era.
Progression of Coronary Artery Calcium and Incident Heart Failure: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Bakhshi Hooman , Ambale‐Venkatesh Bharath , Yang Xiaoying , Ostovaneh Mohammad R. , Wu Colin O. , Budoff Matthew , Bahrami Hossein , Wong Nathan D. , Bluemke David A. , Lima João A.C.
Published: April 2017

Background

Although the association between coronary artery calcium (
CAC
) and future heart failure (
HF
) has been shown previously, the value of
CAC
progression in the prediction of
HF
has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the association of
CAC
progression with subclinical left ventricular (
LV
) dysfunction and incident
HF
in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results

The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis is a population‐based study consisting of 6814 men and women aged 45 to 84, free of overt cardiovascular disease at enrollment, who were recruited from 4 ethnicities. We included 5644 Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants who had baseline and follow‐up cardiac computed tomography and were free of
HF
and coronary heart disease before the second cardiac computed tomography. Mean (±
SD
) age was 61.7±10.2 years and 47.2% were male. The Cox proportional hazard models and multivariable linear regression models were deployed to determine the association of
CAC
progression with incident
HF
and subclinical
LV
dysfunction, respectively. Over a median follow‐up of 9.6 (interquartile range: 8.8–10.6) years, 182 participants developed incident
HF
.
CAC
progression of 10 units per year was associated with 3% of increased risk of
HF
independent of overt coronary heart disease (
P
=0.008). In 2818 participants with available cardiac magnetic resonance images,
CAC
progression was associated with increased LV end diastolic volume (β=0.16;
P
=0.03) and LV end systolic volume (β=0.12;
P
=0.006) after excluding participants with any coronary heart disease.

Conclusions

CAC
progression was associated with incident
HF
and modestly increased LV end diastolic volume and LV end systolic volume at follow‐up exam independent of overt coronary heart disease.
Sugar- and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and the Risks of Incident Stroke and Dementia
Authors: Pase Matthew P. , Himali Jayandra J. , Beiser Alexa S. , Aparicio Hugo J. , Satizabal Claudia L. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Seshadri Sudha , Jacques Paul F.
Published: April 2017

Background and Purpose—

Sugar- and artificially-sweetened beverage intake have been linked to cardiometabolic risk factors, which increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease and dementia. We examined whether sugar- or artificially sweetened beverage consumption was associated with the prospective risks of incident stroke or dementia in the community-based Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort.

Methods—

We studied 2888 participants aged >45 years for incident stroke (mean age 62 [SD, 9] years; 45% men) and 1484 participants aged >60 years for incident dementia (mean age 69 [SD, 6] years; 46% men). Beverage intake was quantified using a food-frequency questionnaire at cohort examinations 5 (1991–1995), 6 (1995–1998), and 7 (1998–2001). We quantified recent consumption at examination 7 and cumulative consumption by averaging across examinations. Surveillance for incident events commenced at examination 7 and continued for 10 years. We observed 97 cases of incident stroke (82 ischemic) and 81 cases of incident dementia (63 consistent with Alzheimer’s disease).

Results—

After adjustments for age, sex, education (for analysis of dementia), caloric intake, diet quality, physical activity, and smoking, higher recent and higher cumulative intake of artificially sweetened soft drinks were associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, all-cause dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease dementia. When comparing daily cumulative intake to 0 per week (reference), the hazard ratios were 2.96 (95% confidence interval, 1.26–6.97) for ischemic stroke and 2.89 (95% confidence interval, 1.18–7.07) for Alzheimer’s disease. Sugar-sweetened beverages were not associated with stroke or dementia.

Conclusions—

Artificially sweetened soft drink consumption was associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia.
Predictors of the Aspiration Component Success of a Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique (ADAPT) for the Endovascular Treatment of Stroke Reperfusion Strategy in Anterior Circulation Acute Stroke
Authors: Blanc Raphaël , Redjem Hocine , Ciccio Gabriele , Smajda Stanislas , Desilles Jean-Philippe , Orng Eliane , Taylor Guillaume , Drumez Elodie , Fahed Robert , Labreuche Julien , Mazighi Mikael , Lapergue Bertrand , Piotin Michel
Published: April 2017

Background and Purpose—

A direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) has been reported to be fast, safe, and effective for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The aim of this study is to determine the preoperative factors that affect success of the aspiration component of the technique in ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation.

Methods—

We enrolled all 347 consecutive patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke admitted for mechanical thrombectomy at our institution from August 2013 to October 2015 and treated by ADAPT for the endovascular treatment of stroke. Baseline and procedural characteristics, modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction scores, and 3-month modified Rankin Scale were captured and analyzed.

Results—

Among the 347 patients (occlusion sites: middle cerebral artery=200, 58%; internal carotid artery Siphon=89, 25%; Tandem=58, 17%), aspiration component led to successful reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b/3 scores) in 55.6% (193/347 patients), stent retrievers were required in 40%, and a total successful final reperfusion rate of 83% (288/347) was achieved. Overall, procedural complications occurred in 13.3% of patients (48/347). Modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 at 90 days was reported in 45% (144/323). Only 2 factors positively influenced the success of the aspiration component: an isolated middle cerebral artery occlusion (
P
<0.001) and a shorter time from stroke onset to clot contact (
P
=0.018).

Conclusions—

In this large retrospective study, ADAPT was shown to be safe and effective for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke with a final successful reperfusion achieved in 83%. The site of arterial occlusion and delay of the procedure were predictors for reperfusion.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02523261, NCT02678169, and NCT02466893.
Tuning Neural Phase Entrainment to Speech
Authors: Falk Simone , Lanzilotti Cosima , Schön Daniele
Published: April 2017

Musical rhythm positively impacts on subsequent speech processing. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are so far unclear. We investigated whether carryover effects from a preceding musical cue to a speech stimulus result from a continuation of neural phase entrainment to periodicities that are present in both music and speech. Participants listened and memorized French metrical sentences that contained (quasi-)periodic recurrences of accents and syllables. Speech stimuli were preceded by a rhythmically regular or irregular musical cue. Our results show that the presence of a regular cue modulates neural response as estimated by EEG power spectral density, intertrial coherence, and source analyses at critical frequencies during speech processing compared with the irregular condition. Importantly, intertrial coherences for regular cues were indicative of the participants' success in memorizing the subsequent speech stimuli. These findings underscore the highly adaptive nature of neural phase entrainment across fundamentally different auditory stimuli. They also support current models of neural phase entrainment as a tool of predictive timing and attentional selection across cognitive domains.
The International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on Kosovo: Perspectives of a Delicate Question
Authors: Hilpold Peter
Published: April 2017

On 22 July 2010 , the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued the muchawaited opinion on Kosovo’s declaration of independence. The general reaction to the opinion was mostly disappointment.

In fact, in 2008, the question referred by the United Nations General Assembly (UN GA) to the ICJ had the ingredients to pave the way for some of the most controversial questions of modern international law, inter alia, on the meaning of self-determination in the 21st century. Some hoped that the ICJ would decline jurisdiction for this case; others hoped to receive allencompassing guidance on the many thorny subjects the question touched upon. The ICJ sought for a compromise, declaring that it had jurisdiction, but shied away from addressing the substance of the question. Acting in this manner, it appears doubtful as to whether the ICJ has measured up to its ‘duty to cooperate’ within the UN system. In fact, the line of arguments the ICJ presented is too shaky and as a consequence, status and function of the ICJ end up damaged from this proceeding. On the other hand, the ICJ deserves praise for having handled a thoroughly political issue with a great sense of responsibility. It is argued here, that notwithstanding all the ambiguities surrounding the distinction between the legal and the political, this distinction still matters – judges should not be asked to do the undone jobs of politicians.
Irenicism as a Learned Practice (Irenik als gelehrte Praxis)
Authors: Garloff Mona
Published: April 2017

The violent religious conflicts that shook Early Modern Europe gave rise to several models for peaceful coexistence with religious pluralism. Ideas of toleration and reunification were more closely interrelated than one may think. A principal proponent of irenicism was the French scholar and diplomat Jean Hotman (1552–1636), who was widely read in the humanist Respublica litteraria. Hotman used a wide and diverse range of media to achieve his goals, which can be regarded as the epitome of scholarly research practices around 1600.

In Reaktion auf die gewaltsamen Konfessionskonflikte, die Europa in der Frühen Neuzeit erschütterten, wurden verschiedene Modelle für einen dauerhaften, friedlichen Umgang mit dem religiösen Pluralismus entwickelt. Dabei erscheinen Vorstellungen religiöser Toleranz und der konfessionellen Reunion eng aufeinander bezogen. Ein maßgeblicher Protagonist der irenischen Debatten war der französische Gelehrte und Diplomat Jean Hotman (1552-1636). Seine Ansätze wurden innerhalb der späthumanistischen Respublica litteraria breit rezipiert. Zur Beförderung seiner Zielsetzungen bediente sich Hotman verschiedener Medienformen, die als Inbegriff gelehrter Sammelpraktiken um 1600 gelten können.
“Hell is what you make it” (“Hölle ist, was Ihr draus macht”)
Authors: Kurzmann Frank
Published: April 2017

The article explores Luther’s descriptions of Judgement Day from an universal- eschatological perspective, arguing that he does not deny Christ’s future judgement. Indicating Christ’s last judgement, Luther admonishes believers about their duty for charity. Believers, who trust that Christ has suffered God’s judgement for them, are able to surpass the experience of hell in their lives and long for judgement day to come.

Gegenstand des Artikels ist Martin Luthers Rede vom Jüngsten Gericht nach den Werken. Zunächst werden exemplarische Ausführungen Luthers von Letztem Gericht und Jüngstem Tag in universal-eschatologischer Perspektive referiert. Es wird ferner gezeigt, dass Luther das futurische Universalgericht keinesfalls negiert. Mit dem Hinweis auf Christi Endgericht kann Luther zu tätiger Nächstenliebe mahnen. Zu glauben, dass Christus der für die Glaubenden gerichtete Richter ist, ermöglicht es dem Christenmenschen, Erfahrungen der Hölle zu überwinden und den Jüngsten Tag liebzugewinnen.
Protecting Dutch Girls from the Harem: Premarital Counselling for Mixed Marriages with Muslim Men
Authors: de Hart Betty
Published: April 2017

In the migration history literature, the number of marriages between newcomers and the native population is considered to be the ultimate litmus test of the integration or assimilation of migrants. However, little attention has been paid to how the state has actively intervened to prevent such marriages. The premarital counselling for mixed marriages provided by Dutch state officials, in cooperation with churches and NGOs, represents one such intervention. It mainly targeted Dutch women marrying Muslim men, and until the 1990s it was informed by stereotypes about gender, class and race that intersected with religion. Counselling Dutch girls about Islamic family law served as a way to demonstrate how intrinsically different ‘the other’ was. Ultimately, premarital counselling was about the power of regulations of mixture in shaping identities and producing ‘race’, linking it to sex, gender and family formations.
Prostitution Regulation and Restriction: Dutch Dual Policy 1911–1949
Authors: Kleijn Mariëlle
Published: April 2017

This article explores the reasons and strategies behind the import of women for the sex industry in the Dutch Antilles, while in the mother country prostitution was restricted. It will show that the cultural justification claim was used to mask economic reasons to regulate prostitution. I also look at the long-term consequences of this policy. This article ties in with debates on migration and colonial policy regarding the regulation of sexuality built on a racist and moral discourse.
Verbascum golawanense (Scrophulariaceae), a new species from Van, Turkey
Authors: FIRAT MEHMET
Published: April 2017

Verbascum golawanense is described and illustrated as a new species from Van, Turkey. The diagnostic morphological characters of this taxon and the morphologically similar species V. lasianthum are discussed. A distribution map of the new species and V. lasianthum is also provided.
Phyllanthus carmenluciae, a supreme species of Phyllanthus (Phyllantaceae) from Brazil
Authors: RIBEIRO RAYANE DE TASSO MOREIRA , NETO RAIMUNDO LUCIANO SOARES , LOIOLA MARIA IRACEMA BEZERRA
Published: April 2017

We describe a new species of Phyllanthus, currently known only from the Serra de Baturité mountains in Ceará State, Brazil, a region of predominantly dense ombrophilous forests. Phyllanthus carmenluciae is quite distinct from other species of the genus, and is therefore considered supreme, and is also named to honor the current president of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (STF), Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha. This species is characterized by having pubescent cylindrical branches, a mucronate leaf apex, inflorescences in bisexual cymules, with two proximal staminate flowers and two distal pistillate flowers, and anthers sagittate with vertical clefts. We present information concerning ecological aspects of the species, geographic distribution, affinities with other species of Phyllanthus, photographs, and its conservation status.
Contribution of Urban Surface Expansion to Regional Warming in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhao Deming , Wu Jian
Published: April 2017

The contribution of urban surface expansion to regional warming as detected from meteorological observational station data may vary with considerable uncertainty because of the spatial heterogeneity of such data—a situation that promotes a requirement for numerical model-based investigations. Satellite-based images from 1980 to 2016 that have fine resolution over three city clusters and that display the urban surface expansion in China from rapid economic development and anthropogenic activity were used to perform 37-yr nested dynamical downscaling using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The urban surface areas in Beijing, China, expressed marked expansion in the last 37 years. The contribution of urban surface expansion to regional warming was approximately 22% of the overall warming in Beijing and was stronger in the plains areas of Beijing (42%). The contributions to land-use grids that changed from nonurban (in 1980) to urban (in 2016; N2U) were much stronger than those to grids that were classified as urban in both time periods (U2U), which were closer to the values of urban areas (including N2U and U2U) because of the intense increase in urban surface areas. Urban-related warming expressed marked annual variation and was greater in the warm seasons and smaller in the cold seasons. The greater increase in surface air temperature (SAT) minimum and the weaker SAT maximum accounted for the decreased diurnal temperature range.
Development of the Regional Arctic System Model (RASM): Near-Surface Atmospheric Climate Sensitivity
Authors: Cassano John J. , DuVivier Alice , Roberts Andrew , Abel Mimi R. , Seefeldt Mark , Brunke Michael , Craig Anthony , Fisel Brandon , Gutowski William , Hamman Joseph , Higgins Matthew , Maslowski Wieslaw , Nijssen Bart , Osinski Robert , Zeng Xubin
Published: April 2017

The near-surface climate, including the atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, and land state and fluxes, in the initial version of the Regional Arctic System Model (RASM) are presented. The sensitivity of the RASM near-surface climate to changes in atmosphere, ocean, and sea ice parameters and physics is evaluated in four simulations. The near-surface atmospheric circulation is well simulated in all four RASM simulations but biases in surface temperature are caused by biases in downward surface radiative fluxes. Errors in radiative fluxes are due to biases in simulated clouds with different versions of RASM simulating either too much or too little cloud radiative impact over open ocean regions and all versions simulating too little cloud radiative impact over land areas. Cold surface temperature biases in the central Arctic in winter are likely due to too few or too radiatively thin clouds. The precipitation simulated by RASM is sensitive to changes in evaporation that were linked to sea surface temperature biases. Future work will explore changes in model microphysics aimed at minimizing the cloud and radiation biases identified in this work.
Empirically Derived Sensitivity of Vegetation to Climate across Global Gradients of Temperature and Precipitation
Authors: Quetin Gregory R. , Swann Abigail L. S.
Published: April 2017

The natural composition of terrestrial ecosystems can be shaped by climate to take advantage of local environmental conditions. Ecosystem functioning (e.g., interaction between photosynthesis and temperature) can also acclimate to different climatological states. The combination of these two factors thus determines ecological–climate interactions. A global empirical map of the sensitivity of vegetation to climate is derived using the response of satellite-observed greenness to interannual variations in temperature and precipitation. Mechanisms constraining ecosystem functioning are inferred by analyzing how the sensitivity of vegetation to climate varies across climate space. Analysis yields empirical evidence for multiple physical and biological mediators of the sensitivity of vegetation to climate at large spatial scales. In hot and wet locations, vegetation is greener in warmer years despite temperatures likely exceeding thermally optimum conditions. However, sunlight generally increases during warmer years, suggesting that the increased stress from higher atmospheric water demand is offset by higher rates of photosynthesis. The sensitivity of vegetation transitions in sign (greener when warmer or drier to greener when cooler or wetter) along an emergent line in climate space with a slope of about 59 mm yr−1 °C−1, twice as steep as contours of aridity. The mismatch between these slopes is evidence at a global scale of the limitation of both water supply due to inefficiencies in plant access to rainfall and plant physiological responses to atmospheric water demand. This empirical pattern can provide a functional constraint for process-based models, helping to improve predictions of the global-scale response of vegetation to a changing climate.
Bathymetric Influences on the Estuarine Equilibrium Length and Adjustment Time
Authors: Chen Shih-Nan
Published: April 2017

Linear theories are extended to enable investigations of how exponentially convergent width and sloping bottom affect the sensitivity of estuarine equilibrium length and adjustment time. This study focuses on the response to river forcing and considers a regime dominated by gravitational circulation, but the results are generalizable. For a range of forcing and bathymetric profiles, the predicted equilibrium length and adjustment time compare favorably with numerical solutions from a width-averaged model. The main findings are that 1) convergent width and sloping bottom reduce the sensitivity of equilibrium length to river forcing. The sensitivity is governed by a dimensionless parameter that measures the degree of width and depth changes sampled by the intrusion length. Hence, the sensitivity is not a constant in a system but varies with forcing: when discharge increases, a shortened estuary experiences less bathymetric changes over its intrusion. The sensitivity therefore increases progressively toward the conventional −⅓ power law. An observational example of variable sensitivity from Delaware Bay is given. 2) Width convergence and bottom slope help accelerate the adjustment process. It is shown that the linear adjustment time is set by the ratio of salt content variations to the discharge perturbation. Hence, under the same forcing, the adjustment time is controlled by the salt content variations, which decrease monotonically with increasing convergence and slope. This means that, to achieve a given length change, a more strongly convergent and sloped system simply requires transport of less salt, thereby needing a shorter adjustment time.
Physician Perspectives on Decision Making for Treatment of Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Authors: Boss Emily F. , Links Anne R. , Saxton Ron , Cheng Tina L. , Beach Mary Catherine
Published: April 2017

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in children and most commonly treated by surgery with adenotonsillectomy. We aimed to learn physician perspectives of social and communication factors that influence decision making for treatment of pediatric SDB. Purposive sampling identified 10 physician key informants across disciplines and practice settings, who participated in semistructured interviews regarding SDB care experiences and communication with parents. Interviews were analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis. Physicians provided a variety of perspectives on decision making for treatment that fell into 3 overarching themes: approach to surgery and alternatives, communication and decision making with families, and sociocultural factors/barriers to care. Perspectives were moderately heterogeneous, suggesting that individual social and relational elements may significantly influence how physicians refer patients and recommend treatment, and how parents choose surgery for this prevalent condition. These findings will inform development of culturally competent communication strategies and support tools to enhance shared decision making for physicians treating children with SDB.
Classical sociology meets technology: Doing independent large-scope research
Authors: Duke Shaul A
Published: April 2017

During his short-lived but highly productive career, C Wright Mills put forth a vision for how sociology should be done. Two central directives can be gleaned from this vision: to tackle macro social theory issues by doing large-scope research; to achieve scholastic independence by doing non-administrative research. One might ask if Mills is sending scholars on a mission impossible. Analysing these two concepts in terms of both their merits and applicability, the present article indeed identifies a conflict between them, highlighted by what emerges as Mills’ own failure to realize this vision. After deeming these directives worthy goals, the article seeks to determine whether technological advances in the social sciences have the potential to allow both directives to be fulfilled at once. What is shown is that while the technology is ripe to enable autonomous big studies, its implementation by institutional and individual agents severely impedes the vision’s realization.
Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence and Ethical Decision Making in Iranian Nurses
Authors: Arsang-Jang Shahram , Khoramirad Ashraf , Pourmarzi Davoud , Raisi Marziyeh
Published: April 2017

Background: Nurses, on a daily basis, face ethical dilemmas that arise from situations involving conflicting values or beliefs. Overall, ethical decision making of nurses seems to be a challenging aspect of their duties. This study has examined the relationship between spiritual intelligence and ethical decision making in nurses working in hospitals in Iran. Proportional stratified sampling was used in this study. Data were collected from 376 nurses who completed the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI) and Nursing Dilemma Test. Statistical analyses were done using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. Findings: The mean spiritual intelligence score was 49.5 ± 14.6, and mean ± SD of the Nursing Principled Thinking was 52.8 ± 12.1 and Practical Consideration was 28.16 ± 7.6. The mean score in the postconventional level was higher than the two other levels. Significant negative correlations exist between the preconventional component of the Nursing Dilemma Test and Personal Meaning Production and the Critical Existential Thinking components of the SISRI ( p < .05). There were significant positive correlations between the postconventional (Nursing Principled) and Critical Existential Thinking, Personal Meaning Production, and total score of the SISRI. Conclusion: Hence, we have concluded that spiritual intelligence plays a positive role in the ethical decision making of nurses.
Recent Methods for the Study of Measurement Invariance With Many Groups
Authors: Muthén Bengt , Asparouhov Tihomir
Published: April 2017

This article reviews and compares recently proposed factor analytic and item response theory approaches to the study of invariance across groups. Two methods are described and contrasted. The alignment method considers the groups as a fixed mode of variation, while the random-intercept, random-loading two-level method considers the groups as a random mode of variation. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses are applied. A survey of close to 50,000 subjects in 26 countries is used as an illustration. In addition, the two methods are studied by Monte Carlo simulations. A list of considerations for choosing between the two methods is presented.
Low-Intensity Democracy and Peru’s Neoliberal State: The Case of the Humala Administration
Authors: Avilés William , Rosas Yolima Rey
Published: April 2017

The election of Ollanta Humala in 2011 did not lead to a radical break from neoliberalism as many expected. His administration continued and deepened Peru’s conservative political and economic regime, its “low-intensity democracy.” His lack of a shift has been attributed to electoral dynamics, his leadership style, and the weakness of political parties. However, these readings overlook the structural impediments to any left government in Peru and Humala’s readiness to adapt his politics to this neoliberal reality. The power of Peru’s neoliberal political elite, the United States, economic groups, and transnational capital have all helped to constitute a structure of elite rule strong enough to prevent a radical shift.

La elección de Ollanta Humala en el 2011 no condujo a una ruptura radical con el neoliberalismo, a diferencia de lo que esperaban muchos. Su administración mantuvo y profundizó el régimen político y económico conservador del Perú, su “democracia de baja intensidad”. La falta de cambio se ha atribuido a la dinámica electoral, su estilo de liderazgo y la debilidad de los partidos políticos. Sin embargo, estas interpretaciones ignoran los impedimentos estructurales existentes en Perú para cualquier gobierno de izquierda, así como la predisposición de Humala a adaptar su política a esta realidad neoliberal. El poder de la élite política neoliberal del Perú, los Estados Unidos, los grupos económicos y el capital transnacional han ayudado a construir una estructura de poder elitista lo suficientemente fuerte como para prevenir un cambio radical.
A review of current and future weather data for building simulation
Authors: Herrera Manuel , Natarajan Sukumar , Coley David A , Kershaw Tristan , Ramallo-González Alfonso P , Eames Matthew , Fosas Daniel , Wood Michael
Published: April 2017

This article provides the first comprehensive assessment of methods for the creation of weather variables for use in building simulation. We undertake a critical analysis of the fundamental issues and limitations of each methodology and discusses new challenges, such as how to deal with uncertainty, the urban heat island, climate change and extreme events. Proposals for the next generation of weather files for building simulation are made based on this analysis. A seven-point list of requirements for weather files is introduced and the state-of-the-art compared to this via a mapping exercise. It is found that there are various issues with all current and suggested approaches, but the two areas most requiring attention are the production of weather files for the urban landscape and files specifically designed to test buildings against the criteria of morbidity, mortality and building services system failure.

Practical application: Robust weather files are key to the design of sustainable, healthy and comfortable buildings. This article provides the first comprehensive assessment of their technical requirements to ensure buildings perform well in both current and future climates.
Translating U-500R Randomized Clinical Trial Evidence to the Practice Setting: A Diabetes Educator/Expert Prescriber Team Approach
Authors: Bergen Paula M. , Kruger Davida F. , Taylor April D. , Eid Wael E. , Bhan Arti , Jackson Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide recommendations to the diabetes educator/expert prescriber team for the use of human regular U-500 insulin (U-500R) in patients with severely insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes, including its initiation and titration, by utilizing dosing charts and teaching materials translated from a recent U-500R clinical trial.

Conclusions

Clinically relevant recommendations and teaching materials for the optimal use and management of U-500R in clinical practice are provided based on the efficacy and safety results of and lessons learned from the U-500R clinical trial by Hood et al, current standards of practice, and the authors’ clinical expertise. This trial was the first robustly powered, randomized, titration-to-target trial to compare twice-daily and three-times-daily U-500R dosing regimens. Modifications were made to the initiation and titration dosing algorithms used in this trial to simplify dosing strategies for the clinical setting and align with current glycemic targets recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Leveraging the expertise, resources, and patient interactions of the diabetes educator who can provide diabetes self-management education and support in collaboration with the multidisciplinary diabetes team is strongly recommended to ensure patients treated with U-500R receive the timely and comprehensive care required to safely and effectively use this highly concentrated insulin.
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Clinic-based Mediterranean-style Diet Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk for Hispanic Americans With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cubillos Laura , Estrada del Campo Yanire , Harbi Khalil , Keyserling Thomas , Samuel-Hodge Carmen , Reuland Daniel S.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to modify a previously tested Spanish language version of a Mediterranean (Med)-style dietary intervention so that the dietary recommendations align with the cultural and social needs of Hispanic Americans (HAs) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and evaluate the modified intervention’s feasibility and acceptability.

Methods

In phase I (formative), semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used to refine the intervention content and format for delivery to HAs with T2D receiving care at a large primary care practice. In phase II (clinical pilot), the 2-month intervention that promoted a Med-style dietary pattern was given to all participants via 2 face-to-face counseling sessions and 2 telephone counseling sessions. Major outcomes were engagement with study activities and intervention acceptability; dietary behavior change at 2 months using the PREDIMED Med-diet score (range, 0-14, higher indicating better dietary pattern) is also reported.

Results

From clinic records, we identified 86 potentially eligible participants and enrolled 21. Baseline characteristics were: mean age = 52 years, 12 (57%) female, 15 (71%) from Mexico, mean years in the US = 19, low acculturation scores for all, and mean BMI = 33.7 kg/m2. Engagement and acceptability were high, with 19 (90%) completing all intervention visits and follow-up measures, all of whom would recommend the program to others. Mean Med-diet score improved from 5.7 to 7.9 (difference = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.0-3.5; P = .001).

Conclusions

Intervention engagement and acceptability were high, and there was improvement in self-reported dietary behaviors. This type of intervention should be evaluated in randomized trials enrolling HAs with diabetes.
Why Pharmaceutical Exports from India to Europe Grew During Economic Crisis?
Authors: Bose Arundhati Sarkar
Published: April 2017

This article looks into the export trends of pharmaceuticals from India to selected destinations in Europe during the time period 2005–2014. Ten countries of Europe have been selected and divided into two groups—those that are more affected by the crisis beginning in 2008, and those that are less affected. The first group maintained a negative growth rate of GDP more consistently than the second group during the period of study. We found that India’s pharmaceutical exports to European countries, which are relatively more affected by economic crisis, in the time period of study, have increased despite falling income and falling per capita pharmaceutical expenditure. This article investigates the reasons for such trends in exports. Health care and pharmaceutical expenditures in the selected European destinations are largely publicly provided and have been subject to cost-containment policies. The austerity measures in Europe, as they were carried out in health care provision, India’s cost advantage in pharmaceuticals and its advantage as a generic producer and exporter are likely positive contributors to this growth.