bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered Intrinsic Connectivity Networks in Frontal Lobe Epilepsy: A Resting-State fMRI Study
Authors: Cao Xinzhi , Qian Zhiyu , Xu Qiang , Shen Junshu , Zhang Zhiqiang , Lu Guangming
Published: November 2014

Examining the resting-state networks (RSNs) may help us to understand the neural mechanism of the frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data were acquired from 46 patients with FLE (study group) and 46 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects (control group). The independent component analysis (ICA) method was used to identify RSNs from each group. Compared with the healthy subjects, decreased functional connectivity was observed in all the networks; however, in some areas of RSNs, functional connectivity was increased in patients with FLE. The duration of epilepsy and the seizure frequency were used to analyze correlation with the regions of interest (ROIs) in the nine RSNs to determine their influence on FLE. The functional network connectivity (FNC) was used to study the impact on the disturbance and reorganization of FLE. The results of this study may offer new insight into the neuropathophysiological mechanisms of FLE.
Diabetes and Other Comorbidities in Breast Cancer Survival by Race/Ethnicity: The California Breast Cancer Survivorship Consortium (CBCSC)
Authors: Wu Anna H. , Kurian Allison W. , Kwan Marilyn L. , John Esther M. , Lu Yani , Keegan Theresa H.M. , Gomez Scarlett Lin , Cheng Iona , Shariff-Marco Salma , Caan Bette J. , Lee Valerie S. , Sullivan-Halley Jane , Tseng Chiu-Chen , Bernstein Leslie , Sposto Richard , Vigen Cheryl
Published: November 2014

Background: The role of comorbidities in survival of patients with breast cancer has not been well studied, particularly in non-white populations.

Methods: We investigated the association of specific comorbidities with mortality in a multiethnic cohort of 8,952 breast cancer cases within the California Breast Cancer Survivorship Consortium (CBCSC), which pooled questionnaire and cancer registry data from five California-based studies. In total, 2,187 deaths (1,122 from breast cancer) were observed through December 31, 2010. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, we estimated HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall and breast cancer–specific mortality associated with previous cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure (HBP), and myocardial infarction.

Results: Risk of breast cancer–specific mortality increased among breast cancer cases with a history of diabetes (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18–1.87) or myocardial infarction (HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.27–2.97). Risk patterns were similar across race/ethnicity (non-Latina white, Latina, African American, and Asian American), body size, menopausal status, and stage at diagnosis. In subgroup analyses, risk of breast cancer–specific mortality was significantly elevated among cases with diabetes who received neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy (HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.32–3.36); no increased risk was observed among those who received both treatments (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.70–1.84; Pinteraction = 0.03). A similar pattern was found for myocardial infarction by radiotherapy and chemotherapy (Pinteraction = 0.09).

Conclusion: These results may inform future treatment guidelines for patients with breast cancer with a history of diabetes or myocardial infarction.

Impact: Given the growing number of breast cancer survivors worldwide, we need to better understand how comorbidities may adversely affect treatment decisions and ultimately outcome. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(2); 361–8. ©2014 AACR.
Persistence of CTL Clones Targeting Melanocyte Differentiation Antigens Was Insufficient to Mediate Significant Melanoma Regression in Humans
Authors: Chandran Smita S. , Paria Biman C. , Srivastava Abhishek K. , Rothermel Luke D. , Stephens Daniel J. , Dudley Mark E. , Somerville Robert , Wunderlich John R. , Sherry Richard M. , Yang James C. , Rosenberg Steven A. , Kammula Udai S.
Published: November 2014

Purpose: Adoptive transfer of autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) can mediate durable cancer regression in selected patients with metastatic melanoma. However, the tumor antigens associated with these favorable responses remain unclear. We hypothesized that a clinical strategy involving the iterative adoptive transfer of selected autologous antigen-specific T-cell clones could help systematically define immunologic targets associated with successful cancer therapy, without the interpretative ambiguity of transferring polyclonal populations. Here, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of CD8+ T-cell clones specific for the melanocyte differentiation antigens (MDA), gp100 and MART-1, respectively.

Experimental Design: We conducted two consecutive phase II clinical trials involving the adoptive transfer of highly selected autologous antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell clones against gp100 and MART-1, respectively. Fifteen patients with HLA-A2+ treatment-refractory metastatic melanoma received highly avid MDA-specific CD8+ T-cell clones specific for either gp100 (n = 10) or MART-1 (n = 5) with or without intravenous interleukin-2 (IL2) after a lymphodepleting myeloablative preparative regimen.

Results: Of the 15 treated patients, we observed immune-mediated targeting of skin melanocytes in 11 patients (73%) and clonal engraftment in eight patients (53%) after cell transfer. There were only transient minor tumor regressions observed, but no objective tumor responses based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) criteria.

Conclusions: Despite successful clonal repopulation and evidence of in vivo antigen targeting, the poor therapeutic efficacy after the adoptive transfer of autologous MDA-specific T cells raises significant concerns regarding future immunotherapy efforts targeting this class of tumor antigens. Clin Cancer Res; 21(3); 534–43. ©2014 AACR.
Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger 1 Transgenic Mice Display Increased Relaxation in the Distal Colon
Authors: Nishiyama Kazuhiro , Morioka Ai , Kita Satomi , Nakajima Hidemitsu , Iwamoto Takahiro , Azuma Yasu-Taka , Takeuchi Tadayoshi
Published: November 2014

Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1) is a plasma membrane transporter involved in regulating intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. NCX1 is critical for Ca2+ regulation in cardiac muscle, vascular smooth muscle and nerve fibers. However, little is known about the physiological role of NCX1 in gastrointestinal motility. To determine the role of NCX1 in gastrointestinal tissues, we examined electric field stimulation (EFS)-induced responses in the longitudinal smooth muscle of the distal colon in smooth muscle-specific NCX1 transgenic mice (Tg). Tg show that NCX1 protein was overexpressed in the distal colon at a level twofold greater than that of endogenous NCX1. We found that the amplitudes of EFS-induced relaxation that persisted during EFS were greater in Tg than in wild-type mice (WT). Under the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic condition, the EFS-induced relaxation in Tg was also greater than that in WT. Inhibition of NO synthase, CO synthase, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and protein kinase G (PKG) all attenuated the enhanced relaxation in Tg, demonstrating the importance of NCX1 in NO/sGC/PKG signaling. The action of NOR-1, an NO donor, induced enhanced relaxation in Tg compared with that in WT. Unlike NOR-1, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide and vasoactive intestinal peptide induced a similar relaxation in Tg compared with that in WT. In this study, we demonstrate that NCX1 plays an important role in smooth muscle motility in the mouse distal colon. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Post-Stroke Fatigue: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics and Treatment
Authors: Acciarresi Monica , Bogousslavsky Julien , Paciaroni Maurizio
Published: November 2014

Fatigue is a disabling and persistent symptom affecting many stroke survivors and is a predictor for death after stroke onset. Post-stroke fatigue is a multidimensional motor-perceptive, emotional and cognitive experience that has become of interest for stroke researchers only in the recent past. More studies are still needed to understand the pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, associated factors and best treatment strategy. The aim of this narrative review was to provide a comprehensive knowledge, from current literature, regarding the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment of fatigue in order to provide physicians with better tools for treating this debilitating symptom that worsens outcome.
A New Paradigm of Technology-Enabled ‘Vital Signs' for Early Detection of Health Change for Older Adults
Authors: Rantz Marilyn J. , Skubic Marjorie , Popescu Mihail , Galambos Colleen , Koopman Richelle J. , Alexander Gregory L. , Phillips Lorraine J. , Musterman Katy , Back Jessica , Miller Steven J.
Published: November 2014

Environmentally embedded (nonwearable) sensor technology is in continuous use in elder housing to monitor a new set of ‘vital signs' that continuously measure the functional status of older adults, detect potential changes in health or functional status, and alert healthcare providers for early recognition and treatment of those changes. Older adult participants' respiration, pulse, and restlessness are monitored as they sleep. Gait speed, stride length, and stride time are calculated daily, and automatically assess for increasing fall risk. Activity levels are summarized and graphically displayed for easy interpretation. Falls are detected when they occur and alerts are sent immediately to healthcare providers, so time to rescue may be reduced. Automated health alerts are sent to healthcare staff, based on continuously running algorithms applied to the sensor data, days and weeks before typical signs or symptoms are detected by the person, family members, or healthcare providers. Discovering these new functional status ‘vital signs', developing automated methods for interpreting them, and alerting others when changes occur have the potential to transform chronic illness management and facilitate aging in place through the end of life. Key findings of research in progress at the University of Missouri are discussed in this viewpoint article, as well as obstacles to widespread adoption.
Efficient and Safe Small-Bowel Adhesiolysis
Authors: Klasen Jennifer , Wenning Anna , Storni Federico , Angst Eliane , Gloor Beat
Published: November 2014

Small-intestine adhesiolysis can be very time consuming and may be associated with bowel wall damage. The risk for injuries to the small or large bowel resulting in increased morbidity and costs is considerable. Both efficient and gentle dissection of adhesions is important in order to avoid intraoperative perforation or, worse, postoperative intestinal leaks. We present a technique using drops of body-warm isotonic saline solution to create an edematous swelling of the adhesions. This procedure not only protects the bowel from cooling and drying, but also simplifies the dissection and, thus, lowers the risk of intestinal lesions. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Successful Treatment of Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation with Intravitreal Triamcinolone and Ranibizumab Injections in a 67-Year-Old Male
Authors: Haq Adnaan , Kapoor Bharat , Logendran Maharatnam , Reddy Gopinath
Published: November 2014

A 67-year-old male who presented to the eye casualty department with deterioration in his vision was diagnosed with retinal angiomatous proliferation. After initial deterioration with ranibizumab intravitreal injections, we have demonstrated successful treatment and stabilised vision with ranibizumab and a single intravitreal triamcinolone injection. Stringent follow-up and top-up ranibizumab injections have stabilised his vision and have shown foveal improvement on optical coherence tomography imaging.
Weight Loss Maintenance for 2 Years after a 6-Month Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Education-Only and Group-Based Support in Japanese Adults
Authors: Nakata Yoshio , Okada Masafumi , Hashimoto Koichi , Harada Yoshinori , Sone Hirohito , Tanaka Kiyoji
Published: November 2014

Objective: Our previous study, a 6-month randomised controlled trial, demonstrated that a group-based support promoted weight loss as compared to an education-only intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine weight loss maintenance for 2 years. Methods: Originally, 188 overweight Japanese adults, aged 40-65 years, were randomly assigned to 3 groups: control, education-only or group-based support. After the 6-month intervention, 125 participants in the education-only and the group-based support groups were followed up for 2 years. The primary outcome was the amount of weight lost. The participants were retrospectively grouped into quartiles of percent weight loss for secondary analyses. Results: At the end of follow-up, the amount of weight lost in the education-only and the group-based support groups was the same (3.3 kg). Secondary analyses using data of those who completed the study (n = 100) revealed that the participants in the highest quartile of percent weight loss significantly increased their step counts and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared with the lowest quartile. No significant differences were observed in the energy intake among the four groups. Conclusion: The effects of group-based support disappear within 2 years. Increasing physical activity may be a crucial factor for successful maintenance of weight loss.
Kajian Pembelajaran Online Berbasis Wiki Di Lingkup Perguruan Tinggi
Authors: Wicaksono Soetam Rizky
Published: November 2014

Scope of online learning in higher education now more widely assumed to be a repository of teaching materials for both teachers and students. Nevertheless there are still many things that can still be developed and studied with an experimental model for online learning can be more participatory in the learning context given that the scope of the college is more directed to andragogik. One innovation that leads to this is to make the application of model-based learning wiki adopting crowdsourcing. This paper explores theoretical study attempted as a first step in the research development of wiki-based online learning model. The results of this study should be the basis for experiments to be conducted in order to adapt contextually in real state.
Laboratory Quality Management Requirements of Engineering at the Polytechnics Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia
Authors: Mohamad Zunuwanas , Mohammad Yasin Ruhizan , Ab Rahman Mohd Nizam
Published: November 2014

Engineering lab is instrumental in the technical fields of study. Continuity of learning theories in the classroom will be applied in the laboratory for understanding and exposure to engineering skills. This paper is a study that outlines the main aspects of quality management in the engineering laboratory (lab) to provide learning and teaching facilities in the labs. The roles and accountability of the lab management ensure appropriate management processes, preparation and execution of engineering laboratory work for students. A finding from the literature study raises important issues relating to laboratory quality management and should be addressed by the laboratory management personnel. Soundness of management of an engineering lab, depends on the relationship between management and network department, laboratory management, teaching staff and students. The key element of quality management is the management of engineering laboratory documentation, safety, environment and management tools.
Computer Anxiety, Academic Stress, and Academic Procrastination on College Students
Authors: Rahardjo Wahyu , Juneman Juneman , Setiani Yeni
Published: November 2014

Academic procrastination is fairly and commonly found among college students. The lack of understanding in making the best use of computer technology may lead to anxiety in terms of operating computer hence cause postponement in completing course assignments related to computer operation. On the other hand, failure in achieving certain academic targets as expected by parents and/or the students themselves also makes students less focused and leads to tendency of postponing many completions of course assignments. The aim of this research is to investigate contribution of anxiety in operating computer and academic stress toward procrastination on students. As much as 65 students majoring in psychology became participants in this study. The results showed that anxiety in operating computer and academic stress play significant role in influencing academic procrastination among social sciences students. In terms of academic procrastination tendencies, anxiety in operating computer and academic stress, male students have higher percentage than female students.
Pioneering of Schools with International Standard to Respond the Globalization
Authors: Ipnugraha Ipnugraha
Published: November 2014

In order to meet respond the challenges of globalization Indonesia Government held a Pioneering of Schools with International Standard (RSBI). As an international standard schools pilot, these schools prepared gradually through the guidance by government and stakeholders. Within a certain period of four years it is expected that the schools is able to fulfill and meet the criteria of Schools with International Standard (SBI). Actually, in it’s implementation, RSBI faces many challenges, among others, were expensive anda require modern infrastructure, require a qualified teacher, SBI criteria and English implementation in education not yet possessed constitutional base. With RSBI it will form a national school with national education standards that have international quality and its graduates are able to compete internationally
A Survey of User-Centered System Design for Supporting Online Collaborative Writing
Authors: Handayani Nani Sri
Published: November 2014

Collaborative Writing (CW) is a new emerging issue in education that must be addressed interdisciplinary. Nowadays there are a lot soft ware that can be use to support and enhance the collaboration in group writing. This paper presents the discussion about the recent user centre system design for supporting collaborative writing. Based on the taxonomy and collaborative writing and the problems appear in collaborative writing, we will proposed the required design of the User-Centered System Design (UCSD) for CW software. The last part of this paper will be dedicated to examine the recent available CW soft wares based on the required designed proposed
Continuous Improvement in Nursing Education through Total Quality Management (TQM)
Authors: Wai Mun Tang , A. Ghani Muhammad Faizal
Published: November 2014

Total Quality Management (TQM) has generally been validated as a crucial revolution in the management field. Many academicians believe that the concept of TQM is applicable to academics and provides guiding principles towards improving education. Therefore, an increasing number of educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities have started to embrace TQM philosophies to their curricula.Within the context of TQM, this paper would explore the concept of continuous improvement by using the Deming philosophy. Subsequently, this paper would elaborate on the application of TQM to bring about continuous improvement in the current education system.
Contemporary Approaches to Research in TESOL
Authors: Anwaruddin Sardar M
Published: November 2014

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is one of the largest educational enterprises in the world. Tens of thousands of teachersâ€”both native and non-native speakers of Englishâ€”are engaged in TESOL across the world. This large population of teachers depends heavily on academic researchers for developing their knowledge base. Although it is evident that teachers who engage in classroom research are more aware of their practices and better able to facilitate student learning, teacher-research is a minority activity in the field of TESOL. In this article, I briefly discuss TESOL practitionersâ€™ conceptions of research. Then, I focus on a dichotomous relationship between qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, and review some contemporary orientations to TESOL research. I conclude the article with a recommendation that TESOL practitioners engage in action research for their professional development as well as their studentsâ€™ increased learning of the target language.
Educating "Good Citizenship" through Bilingual Children Literature Arabic and Hebrew
Authors: Zamir Sara , Baratz Lea
Published: November 2014

The aim of the research has been to evaluate the contribution of the genre of bilingual literature, Arabic and Hebrew, to citizenship education. Since the Israeli society is a multicultural society comprised of both nations, Arabs and Jews who live in conflicted environment, one must regard those textbooks as civic agents. Literature is a socialization agent and as such it is an active influential factor in children's mental environment. The responsible citizens act responsibly in their community. They obey rules and regulation, acts kindly to his surroundings and occasionally donates out of their own resources. The participatory citizen actually participates in the social life of the community, at local, state and national levels by joining established systems. The justice citizen calls for attention to matters of injustice and to the importance of pursuing social goals. The content analysis procedure, revealed that most theÂ  stories, hence, ten out theÂ  thirteenÂ  dealÂ  with theÂ  two elevated typesÂ  of citizenship,Â  namely,Â  the participatory citizen and the justice citizen.Â  InspireÂ  ofÂ  theÂ  factÂ Â  thatÂ  weÂ  areÂ  dealing withÂ  children's literature, theÂ  authorsÂ  ofÂ  bilingualÂ  children literature do not belittle the capacity ofÂ  children toÂ  graspÂ  their roleÂ  as citizens in multiculturalÂ  society.
An Exploratory Study of the Critical Need for School Health Programs in Lebanon
Authors: Jabbour Khayrazad Kari
Published: November 2014

Abstract Schools play a vital role in establishing healthy behavior patterns among young people which carry these patterns into adulthood. This article explores and collects information about school health programs and health practices in Lebanese schools. The investigation goal is to provide baseline information to school policy makers, administrators, and educators as they plan and implement coordinated school health policies and educational programs that can promote healthy behaviors among the Lebanese youth. Data for the study was obtained from extensive literature reviews and questionnaire surveys of school principles; in addition, interviews were added to the data results. The survey was conducted in the spring of year 2013.
The Role of Mentoring Program in Enhancing Menteesâ€™ Academic Performance
Authors: Ismail Azman , Khian Jui Michael Kho
Published: November 2014

According to institutions of higher learning literature, mentoring program has two important features: communication and support. The ability of mentors to appropriately implement comfortable communication and provide adequate support may ehance positive mentee outcomes, especially academic performance. Although the nature of this relationship is crucial, little is known about the role of mentoring program as an important predictor of menteesâ€™ academic performance in the higher education mentoring research literature. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure the relationship between mentoring program and menteesâ€™ academic performance using self-administered questionnaires gathered from undergraduate students in Malaysian institutions of higher learning in Sarawak. The results of SmartPLS path model showed two important outcomes: firstly, communication positively and significantly correlated with academic performance. Secondly, support positively and significantly correlated with academic performance. The result demonstrates that mentoring program does act as an important predictor of menteesâ€™ academic performance in the organizational sample. Thus, discussion, implications and conclusion are elaborated.
Profiles Junior high School West Java in Education Learning Environment
Authors: Nahadi NFN , Siswaningsih Wiwi , Sarimaya Farida
Published: November 2014

Descriptive studies have been conducted on the existing junior high profile in West Java on Education Learning Environment. The study was conducted by purposive sampling and descriptive done to get an idea about the profile of SMP in West Java implementation of the learning environment. in junior high school in West Java. Research conducted by distributing questionnaires, and observations based on the indicators developed. Based on this research, it is known that, PLH learning in junior high school in West Java has been in force since 2007 after the enactment of the Governor of West Java on environmental education for junior high school students in West Java. Learning that lasts generally implemented in conventional teacher, and it is without any innovations. It has made learning the essential condition runs well, but has not lasted optimally.
Strategic Leadership and Its Application in Egyptian Universities
Authors: R. Alalfy Hany
Published: November 2014

Today's universities operate in a climate of great change, along with increased responsibilities and accountability from Internal and external customers. This has resulted in calls for a new kind of leadership working to help the university to improve educational services and face more challenges, called strategic leadership, at the university level. Aim of study defining of Egyptian leadership universities pattern of modern leadership styles, named as Strategic leadership (concept, objectives, roles, requirements, and application obstacles). Relate to the suffering of the Egyptian universities of many problems that limit their efficiency and effectiveness. This led to the need to search for new approaches as strategic leadership for eliminate of these problems. The study used a descriptive approach for its suitability for the nature of the study. The study found multiple reasons for the application of strategic leadership style in Egyptian universities as a result of  the problems the leaderships of the Egyptian universities suffer from  which limits its efficiency and effectiveness. Study recommended starting applying this pattern quickly after all the positive results it achieved in many universities.
Unpacking Student Feedback as a Basis for Metacognition and Mediated Learning Experiences: A Socio-cultural perspective
Authors: Mutekwe Edmore
Published: November 2014

The study examines the effects of the feedback given to students by lecturers as learning support. It was conducted with undergraduates in an educational theory course in a South African university. The thesis was that although some of the feedback messages transmitted to students regarding strengths and weaknesses in learning get easily decoded and turned into action to improve performance, some messages are misconstrued by the students making the process of giving feedback complex. Data was collected through a cross-sectional feedback survey utilizing focus group interviews with 50 Bachelor of Education pre-service students conveniently sampled. The data analysis followed a thematic approach with superordinate themes used to structure the discussion of findings. The study found that student feedback needs to be culturally responsive for it to foster metacognition in them. The conclusion was that unless lecturers provide feedback that is simple, meaningful and clearly focused, students are unlikely to take much heed of it as there is a general tendency to focus more on the marks obtained than on the role of the feedback provided. This makes some students leave university under-prepared or half-baked in terms of providing student feedback on performance.
Writing-skills Intervention Programming and its being a Component of Response to Intervention
Authors: Dunn Michael William
Published: November 2014

For a struggling writer, step-by-step instruction can be a helpful means to manage organizing and producing elaborate text. This mixed-methods project offered four struggling writers a mnemonic strategy called Ask, Reflect, Text (ART) in 45-minute sessions over 22 days. The second- and fourth-grade students attended a public school in the US Pacific Northwest. As a parallel component to the project, the students’ teachers and intervention specialist met with the author for 4 one-hour sessions to discuss: 1) the children’s intervention programming and progress, and 2) the paradigm of response to intervention (RTI) and their thoughts about its feasibility in classrooms. The end-of-project assessment data demonstrated that the children made progress with writing skills, but the teachers and intervention specialist felt that support personnel would be needed to manage RTI-type intervention programming in general education classrooms.
Metabolic Efficiency Promotes Protection From Pressure Overload in Hearts Expressing Slow Skeletal Troponin I
Authors: Carley Andrew N. , Taglieri Domenico M. , Bi Jian , Solaro R. John , Lewandowski E. Douglas
Published: November 2014

Background—

The failing heart displays increased glycolytic flux that is not matched by a commensurate increase in glucose oxidation. This mismatch induces increased anaplerotic flux and inefficient glucose metabolism. We previously found adult transgenic mouse hearts expressing the fetal troponin I isoform, (ssTnI) to be protected from ischemia by increased glycolysis. In this study, we investigated the metabolic response of adult mouse hearts expressing ssTnI to chronic pressure overload.

Methods and Results—

At 2 to 3 months of age, ssTnI mice or their nontransgenic littermates underwent aortic constriction (TAC). TAC induced a 25% increase in nontransgenic heart size but only a 7% increase in ssTnI hearts (
P
<0.05). Nontransgenic TAC developed diastolic dysfunction (65% increase in E/A ratio), whereas the E/A ratio actually decreased in ssTnI TAC. Isolated perfused hearts from nontransgenic TAC mice showed reduced cardiac function and reduced creatine phosphate:ATP (16% reduction), but ssTnI TAC hearts maintained cardiac function and energy charge. Contrasting nontransgenic TAC, ssTnI TAC significantly increased glucose oxidation at the expense of palmitate oxidation, preventing the increase in anaplerosis observed in nontransgenic TAC hearts. Elevated glucose oxidation was mediated by a reduction in pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 expression, enabling pyruvate dehydrogenase to compete against anaplerotic enzymes for pyruvate carboxylation.

Conclusions—

Expression of a single fetal myofilament protein into adulthood in the ssTnI-transgenic mouse heart induced downregulation of the gene expression response for pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase to pressure overload. The consequence of elevated pyruvate oxidation in ssTnI during TAC reduced anaplerotic flux, ameliorating inefficiencies in glucose oxidation, with energetic and functional protection against cardiac decompensation.
Experimental Sleep Restriction Causes Endothelial Dysfunction in Healthy Humans
Authors: Calvin Andrew D. , Covassin Naima , Kremers Walter K. , Adachi Taro , Macedo Paula , Albuquerque Felipe N. , Bukartyk Jan , Davison Diane E. , Levine James A. , Singh Prachi , Wang Shihan , Somers Virend K.
Published: November 2014

Background

Epidemiologic evidence suggests a link between short sleep duration and cardiovascular risk, although the nature of any relationship and mechanisms remain unclear. Short sleep duration has also been linked to an increase in cardiovascular events. Endothelial dysfunction has itself been implicated as a mediator of heightened cardiovascular risk. We sought to determine the effect of 8 days/8 nights of partial sleep restriction on endothelial function in healthy humans.

Methods and Results

Sixteen healthy volunteers underwent a randomized study of usual sleep versus sleep restriction of two‐thirds normal sleep time for 8 days/8 nights in a hospital‐based clinical research unit. The main outcome was endothelial function measured by flow‐mediated brachial artery vasodilatation (
FMD
). Those randomized to sleep restriction slept 5.1 hours/night during the experimental period compared with 6.9 hours/night in the control group. Sleep restriction was associated with significant impairment in
FMD
(8.6±4.6% during the initial pre‐randomization acclimation phase versus 5.2±3.4% during the randomized experimental phase,
P
=0.01) whereas no change was seen in the control group (5.0±3.0 during the acclimation phase versus 6.73±2.9% during the experimental phase,
P
=0.10) for a between‐groups difference of −4.40% (95%
CI
−7.00 to −1.81%,
P
=0.003). No change was seen in non‐flow mediated vasodilatation (
NFMD
) in either group.

Conclusion

In healthy individuals, moderate sleep restriction causes endothelial dysfunction.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
: ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier:
NCT
01334788.
Early Outcomes After Carotid Artery Stenting Compared With Endarterectomy for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Choi Jay Chol , Johnston S. Claiborne , Kim Anthony S.
Published: November 2014

Background and Purpose—

Despite the absence of definitive data from randomized clinical trials on the comparative effectiveness of carotid artery stenting (CAS) versus carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the use of CAS has been expanding and seems to be displacing the use of CEA in some parts of the United States.

Methods—

We used comprehensive hospital discharge data from January 2010 to December 2012 to identify patients who had CEA or CAS for asymptomatic carotid stenosis at all academic medical centers that participate in the University HealthSystem Consortium. In-hospital death and postoperative stroke after CAS and after CEA were compared using multivariable logistic regression, propensity score matching, and a grouped-treatment approach using multilevel mixed-effects models to adjust for baseline characteristics of patients selected for these procedures.

Results—

We identified 17 716 patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis treated with CEA and 3962 treated with CAS at 186 University HealthSystem Consortium hospitals. Postoperative stroke or in-hospital death was more frequent after CAS (4.0% versus 1.5%;
P
<0.001), and patients with CAS were more likely to have these adverse outcomes even after adjusting for baseline characteristics using multivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1–3.1;
P
<0.001) and propensity score matching (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.9–3.4;
P
<0.001). In a multilevel mixed-effects model, hospitals that performed a higher proportion of all carotid revascularization cases using CAS had significantly higher rates of adverse outcomes (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.8–7.6;
P
<0.001) after adjusting for patient-level variables.

Conclusions—

For asymptomatic carotid stenosis, CAS is associated with a substantially higher risk of postoperative stroke or in-hospital death than CEA even after adjustment for baseline differences in hospital and patient characteristics.
The Verb גער “to Exorcize” in Qumran Aramaic and Beyond
Authors: Joosten Jan
Published: November 2014

In the Genesis Apocryphon (1Q20 20:28–29) the verb גער “to rebuke” refers to the expelling of an impure spirit. A similar usage occurs in later magical amulets. Developing the hunch of earlier scholars such as Felix Klein-Franke and André Caquot, the present paper argues that the verb גער acquired a specialized meaning “to exorcize” because of the frequent use of Zech 3:2 in exorcisms. The usage is “delocutive”, גער means: “to say: ‘May the Lord rebuke you.’ ”
Did Mencius know the Analects?
Authors: Hunter Michael
Published: November 2014

This article questions the widely held assumption that the received Mengzi (Mencius) was composed by an author or authors familiar with the Lunyu (Analects). After reviewing the history of the association between Kongzi (Confucius) and Mengzi and between the Lunyu and Mengzi, it summarizes the case against the traditional dating of the Lunyu to argue for a reevaluation of the “Lunyu→Mengzi nexus.” It then analyzes Lunyu parallels in the Mengzi to show that those parallels do not establish the Mengzi authors’ familiarity with a Lunyu text. The next section on the dating of the Mengzi examines early Mengzi quotations to suggest that the text may not have been fixed until the Eastern Han period, in which case some Lunyu parallels in the Mengzi might reflect a Han milieu. A final section considers the implications of a Mengzi→Lunyu nexus for the study of early Chinese thought. 

Cet article met en question l’opinion extrêmement répandue selon laquelle le texte reçu du Mengzi (Mencius) aurait été composé par un ou plusieurs auteurs familiers du Lunyu (Analectes). Après avoir passé en revue l’histoire de l’association entre Kongzi (Con­fu­cius) et Mengzi et entre le Lunyu et le Mengzi, l’auteur récapitule les arguments allant à ­l’encontre de la datation traditionnelle du Lunyu et argumente en faveur d’une réévaluation de la “connexion Lunyu→Mengzi”. Il analyse ensuite les parallèles avec le Lunyu dans le Mengzi et montre que ceux-ci ne prouvent pas que les auteurs du Mengzi aient été au fait d’une quelconque version du Lunyu. La section suivante, sur la datation du Mengzi, s’intéresse aux citations anciennes du Mengzi et suggère que le texte n’a pu être fixé avant la période des Han Orientaux, auquel cas certains parallèles avec le Lunyu dans le Mengzi pourraient refléter un contexte Han. La section finale examine les implications de la connexion Lunyu→Mengzi pour l’étude de la pensée chinoise ancienne.
The Finance of Imperial Munificence: How Simple Quantitative Work Can Help Us Rethink High-Qing History
Authors: Dunstan Helen
Published: November 2014

This article takes the management of provincial finance during the years (1746–1748) of the Qianlong emperor’s first universal tax remission as a window through which to peer inquisitively at the fiscal system of the high-Qing era. How did that system work at provincial level, and how can we use the copious statistical data in archival sources to address questions that are hard to answer precisely because of that system’s routine operating procedures? This article moves from a naive question – how did provincial governments cope when the Qianlong emperor munificently cancelled their staple source of income for a year? – to a re-examination of the Chinese realm’s strategic geography, a methodology for measuring the fiscal health of individual provinces, and a demonstration of the organizational competence of the high-Qing Board of Revenue. 

Dans cet article, la gestion des finances provinciales pendant les années de la première exemption fiscale universelle (1746–1748) accordée par l’empereur Qianlong ouvre une fenêtre à travers laquelle il devient possible d’observer de près le système fiscal à l’apogée des Qing. Comment ce système fonctionnait-il au niveau des provinces, et comment peut-on mettre à contribution l’abondance de données statistiques fournie par les archives pour aborder des questions auxquelles il est difficile de répondre de façon précise en raison des procédures habituelles de gestion? Partant d’une question naïve – comment les gouvernements provinciaux s’en sortaient-ils lorsque l’empereur dans sa grande générosité supprimait leur principal source de revenu pendant une année entière ? –, l’article réexamine la géographie stratégique de l’empire, propose une méthodologie pour évaluer la santé fiscale des différentes provinces et met en évidence la compétence organisationnelle du ministère des Finances à l’époque.
Performing Domination/Theorizing Power: Israelite Prophecy as a Political Discourse beyond the Conflict Model
Authors: Silver Edward
Published: November 2014

This essay considers the image of the yoke (Akk. nīru/abšānu; Heb. ʿōl) in the context of ancient Near Eastern political discourse. It analyzes the yoke’s function in Jeremiah 27–29 as a means to developing a clearer understanding of how biblical prophecy operated as political speech. The yoke finds abundant attestation in the neo-Assyrian imperial rhetoric that immediately preceded the period of Babylonian domination in Judah. In manipulating this image, the Jeremian poetry strategically reframed an element of imperial ideology within the discourse of the patriarchal, agrarian household. In the course of this critical engagement, the prophet also restructured the basis for his Judean audience’s political identity, grounding it not in complex bureaucratic structures, but in the lifeworld of the basic kinship unit. The prophet’s speech functioned as a type of subaltern political theorizing in a poetic mode; it discloses a coherent theory of power and models intellective practices capable of operation under conditions of political domination.
Economic Policy and Theological Reflection in South Africa
Authors: Naudé Piet J.
Published: November 2014

After giving an overview of major economic policy developments and their successes or not in South Africa from its transition to democracy in 1994 until recently, this article acknowledges efforts at, but also pleads for stronger engagement of theology with economic issues. The article also highlights some of the difficulties in achieving this and gives guidelines that may assist in forging a closer link between theological reflection and economic policy formation/execution. It is suggested in particular that theologians embark on a more intentional and purposeful development of economic expertise by taking cognizance of the insights of economists. In this way public theology may move beyond mere formulations of visions of an economically just society and criticizing betrayals of that vision to a theology that employs thorough economic analyses to offer concrete suggestions for economic policy and economic practices. Such a public theology would contribute to addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality.
From Esther to Kwezi
Authors: Claassens L. Juliana , Gouws Amanda
Published: November 2014

This article seeks to reflect on the issue of sexual violence in the context of the twenty year anniversary of democracy in South Africa bringing together views from the authors’ respective disciplines of Gender and the Bible on the one hand and Political Science on the other. We will employ the Old Testament Book of Esther, which offers a remarkable glimpse into the way a patriarchal society is responsible for multiple levels of victimization, in order to take a closer look at our own country’s serious problem of sexual violence. With this collaborative engagement the authors contribute to the conversation on understanding and resisting the scourge of sexual violence in South Africa that has rendered a large proportion of its citizens voiceless.
Basil of Caesarea versus Eunomius of Cyzicus on the Nature of Time: A Patristic Reception of the Critique of Plato
Authors: DelCogliano Mark
Published: November 2014

This paper investigates rival views about the nature of time that were articulated in the fourth-century controversies over the Trinity. In his Contra Eunomium Basil of Caesarea refuted the definition of time put forward by his opponent, Eunomius of Cyzicus, and presented his own views on its nature. This study seeks to contextualize the views of both contestants polemically, theologically, and philosophically. It is argued that Eunomius’s definition of time has a Platonic pedigree. In addition, it is demonstrated that, in both his critique of Eunomius’s definition and the positive presentation of his own views on time, Basil draws upon his familiarity with the philosophical critique of Plato’s views, as found in Aristotle, the Peripatetics, the Stoics, and the Middle Platonists (and perhaps even Galen). Basil’s own views on time have been most immediately influenced by Middle Platonist, Peripatetic, and Stoic concerns.
Legitimacy Narratives in Polycentric Water Law and Governance
Authors: Ambrus Mónika
Published: November 2014

Global water law and governance is horizontally and vertically fragmented, very complex, involves both state and non-state parties, and is established under and / or mandated by national, supranational (eu) or international law. Accordingly, it can be qualified as polycentric governance. Any governance system — but a polycentric governance system in particular — raises questions of its legitimacy. The paper aims to look at one specific segment of this legitimacy discourse, namely how an international organization that is a ‘centrepiece’ in a polycentric governance system attempts to legitimize itself: that is, to justify its activities in order to gain social acceptance. For this purpose, the legitimacy narratives of a rather successful river basin organization — the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River — will be analysed as a case study for obtaining a better understanding of the specific nature of polycentric governance and its legitimacy narratives.
The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and the Challenges of Inter-Regionalism
Authors: Dragneva Rilka , Wolczuk Kataryna
Published: November 2014

Few agreements have become the focus of such dramatic domestic and international events as the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. This article discusses the evolution of the Agreement against the background of Ukraine’s relations with the EU and post-Soviet regional integration projects. We argue that negotiating a binding and comprehensive agreement on deep integration with the EU has been a long-term priority for Ukraine. This is in contrast with its cautious and selective approach to post-Soviet integration initiatives, prizing above all free trade without exemptions. The desire to achieve and maintain this objective has made Ukraine vulnerable to Russia’s regional integration plans which increasingly have entailed a veto on Ukraine’s engagement with the EU through the Association Agreement. The article discusses Russia’s key objections to the Agreement, arguing that they are driven by regional ambition and the need to assert the precedence of its integration regime over the EU. While the overlap of integration regimes is not a unique phenomenon in the modern world, clearly the Association Agreement has shown the limits of EU’s and Russia’s regional economic integration policies with regard to their shared neighborhood. Postponing the implementation of the Agreement as a result of Russia’s objections, however, does not address the core underlying issues behind these limits and creates significant problems of its own. While the crisis over the Agreement has brought up the need for effective inter-regionalism, finding sustainable solutions remains a considerable challenge.
Collective Religious Autonomy versus Individual Rights: A Challenge for the ECtHR?
Authors: Kiviorg Merilin
Published: November 2014

The article will focus on the conflicts between individual rights and collective religious autonomy in Europe. The goal is to analyze the approach taken by the European Court of Human Rights to these conflicts and investigate how it influences both individual and collective religious freedom, how it may affect domestic solutions, and how it may be related to other relevant processes in the fields of law, religion and politics at the European level, e.g., in the context of the Council of Europe and the European Union as well as in the (somewhat specific) context of East European countries. The article will put forward an individual (personal) autonomy-based framework for the court to deal with these conflicts.