bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital Nurses’ Lived Experience of Power
Authors: Fackler Carol A. , Chambers Angelina N. , Bourbonniere Meg
Published: February 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore hospital nurses’ lived experience of power.

Design

A hermeneutic phenomenological approach informed by Merleau‐Ponty's philosophy of the phenomenology of perception was used to further an understanding of nurses’ embodiment of power. Fourteen hospital clinical nurses employed in intensive care units and on medical floors in two major medical centers in the northeastern United States participated in 1‐hr semistructured interviews about their lived experience of power.

Findings

A hermeneutic analytic approach and reflexive (cultural) bracketing produced three relational themes of power: (a) knowing my patients and speaking up for them; (b) working to build relationships that benefit patients; and (c) identifying my powerful self.

Conclusions

Hospital clinical nurses develop a sense of power. Nurses believe power develops through acquisition of knowledge, experience, and self‐confidence; this process is enhanced by exposure to good mentors. Nurses use their power to build relationships and advocate for patients. They consciously use power to improve patient care. Nurses’ voices need to be heard and acknowledged. To do this in the clinical setting and beyond, hospital nurses must invite themselves or find ways to be invited into the authoritative discourse of hospital organizations.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses use their power to advocate for positive outcomes for patients and families. The satisfaction that comes from these positive relationships may improve nurses’ perceptions of their work environment. Nurses’ understanding and use of sociopolitical knowing needs further study, so that nurses may understand how to participate in current and future debates and decisions about our changing healthcare delivery systems and services.
Local Day Care Quality and Maternal Employment: Evidence From East and West Germany
Authors: Schober Pia Sophia , Spiess Christa Katharina
Published: February 2015

By investigating how locally available early childhood education and care quality relates to maternal employment choices, this study extends the literature, which mostly has focused on the importance of day care availability or costs. The authors provide differentiated analyses by the youngest child's age and for West and East Germany to examine moderating influences, such as work‐care cultures, in a market with strongly state‐subsidized provision and near‐universal participation of preschool children. The empirical analysis linked the Socio‐Economic Panel and the Families in Germany Study for 2010 and 2011 (N = 3,301 mothers) with regional structural quality data and applied multivariate regression models. In East Germany, mothers with a child under age 3 years who lived in districts with smaller day care groups were more likely to be employed and to extend their work hours. For mothers in West Germany and those with older children, day care quality was not significantly related to employment.
Melatonin‐related genes expressed in the mouse uterus during early gestation promote embryo implantation
Authors: He Changjiu , Wang Jing , Li Yu , Zhu Kuanfeng , Xu Zhiyuan , Song Yile , Song Yukun , Liu Guoshi
Published: February 2015

Melatonin, a superior antioxidant, is an important molecule which regulates female reproduction due to its receptor‐mediated and receptor‐independent antioxidant actions. In this study, we investigated the effect of melatonin on early gestation in a mouse model. During early gestation, the expression of the melatonin's rate‐limiting enzyme, AANAT, gradually increased – in the uterus while the MT2 melatonin receptor was only expressed at day 2 of gestation and no MT1 was detected. Based on these findings, we conducted a melatonin injection experiment which demonstrated that 15 mg/kg melatonin significantly improved the number of implantation sites and the litter size. Also, the blastocyst and uterus were collected to identify the local action of melatonin. In the melatonin‐treated mice, the endometrium was thicker than in the control mice; melatonin also caused an increase in density of uterine glands, and the uterine gland index (UGI) was significantly elevated over that of the control. Serum steroid hormone measurements revealed that at day 6 of gestation (postimplantation), melatonin significantly downregulated the E2 level, with no obvious effects on progesterone. Gene expression assay revealed that melatonin significantly upregulated expression of HB‐EGF, a crucial gene involved in implantation as well as its receptor ErbB1 in the blastocyst. In addition, PRA, an important gene which influences the decidual response and luminal cell differentiation, p53, which regulates uterine through leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), were both increased after melatonin treatment. These data suggest that melatonin and its MT2 receptor influence early gestation. Exogenous melatonin treatment can improve mouse embryo implantation and litter size, which may have important applications in human reproductive health and animal husbandry.
Impact of an experimental PRRSV and Streptococcus suis coinfection on the pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur hydrochloride after intramuscular injection in pigs
Authors: Day D. N. , Sparks J. W. , Karriker L. A. , Stalder K. J. , Wulf L. W. , Zhang J. , Kinyon J. M. , Stock M. L. , Gehring R. , Wang C. , Ellingson J. , Coetzee J. F.
Published: February 2015

This study determined the impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Streptococcus suis coinfection on the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of ceftiofur hydrochloride in pigs after intramuscular (i.m.) injection. Eighteen clinically normal crossbred gilts were assigned by weight into a challenge group (10 pigs) and control group (eight pigs). Pigs in both groups received a single i.m. injection of ceftiofur hydrochloride (Excenel RTU Sterile Suspension; Zoetis) at a 5 mg/kg BW dose. Serial blood samples were collected to characterize the plasma concentration curve. After a 10 days drug washout period, the challenge group was inoculated with 2 mL of PRRSV isolate VR‐2385 (105.75 50% tissue culture infective doses per mL) intranasally and 8 days later inoculated S. suis. When clinical disease was evident, the second PK assessment began in both challenge and control groups. Coinfected pigs demonstrated lower values of AUC and CMAX, but higher values of Cl/F and Vz/F indicating drug kinetics were altered by infection. The data from this study have implications on ceftiofur treatment regimens in diseased pigs.
Emission Mitigation via Longitudinal Control of Intelligent Vehicles in a Congested Platoon
Authors: Wang Zhaodong , Chen Xiqun (Michael) , Ouyang Yanfeng , Li Meng
Published: February 2015

Drivers' car‐following behavior, coupled with inaccurate perception of ambient conditions, contributes to oscillations and significant emissions in congested highway traffic. The emergence of intelligent vehicles and modern communication technologies provides an opportunity to reduce adverse impacts of human factors and dynamically control car‐following vehicles. This article proposes a nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) approach for emission mitigation via longitudinal control of intelligent vehicles in a congested platoon. To relieve the real‐time optimization burden, we also propose an instantaneous control model which is essentially a simplified MPC approach with a short and identical prediction and control horizon. The proposed vehicle control strategies are tested using a series of simulations, and results verify that localized and instantaneous control of a few intelligent vehicles could reduce emissions of a platoon of vehicles. The proposed models are also applied to field trajectory data, and results show that the instantaneous emission optimization model significantly reduces emissions without increasing travel time. The effectiveness of the proposed vehicle control on emission mitigation and traffic stabilization is found to increase with the percentage (penetration rate) of intelligent vehicles in the congested vehicle platoon.
Sector innovation capacity determinants: modelling and empirical evidence from Spain
Authors: García‐Piqueres Gema , Serrano‐Bedia Ana Ma , López‐Fernández Ma Concepción
Published: February 2015

Studies about the variables that determine the ability to innovate at sectoral level are scarce and present a series of limitations. This paper tries to bridge this gap by building a model of sector innovation capacity based upon existing approaches related to the study of sectoral innovation (lifecycles of industries, evolutionary theory and the sectoral innovation systems approach) and a model of determinants for national innovation capacity. The empirical analysis is based upon data from the Survey on Innovation of Firms for Spain and the methods used comprise the application of panel data, factor analysis and ordinary least squares regression analysis. The main findings of the paper are the confirmation of the relevance of all the variables in determining sector innovation capacity, the formulation of the sector innovation capacity determinants model, the consistency of the proposed model confirming both the validity and appropriateness of the variables identified and, therefore, the value of using the variety of approaches selected.
Autoimmunity, Not a Developmental Defect, is the Cause for Subfertility of Autoimmune Regulator (Aire) Deficient Mice
Authors: Kekäläinen E. , Pöntynen N. , Meri S. , Arstila T. P. , Jarva H.
Published: February 2015

Autoimmune regulator's (AIRE) best characterized role is in the generation immunological tolerance, but it is also involved in many other processes such as spermatogenesis. Loss‐of‐function mutations in AIRE cause a disease called autoimmune polyendocrinopathy, candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophy (APECED; also called autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 1, APS‐1) that is dominated by various autoimmune manifestations, mainly endocrinopathies. Both patients with APECED and Aire−/− mice suffer from varying levels of infertility, but it is not clear if it is a result of an autoimmune tissue damage or more of a developmental defect. In this study, we wanted to resolve whether or not the reduced fertility of Aire−/− mice is dependent on the adaptive immune system and therefore a manifestation of autoimmunity in these mice. We generated lymphopenic mice without Aire expression that were devoid of the autoimmune manifestations previously reported in immunocompetent Aire−/− mice. These Aire−/−Rag1−/− mice regained full fertility. This confirms that the development of infertility in Aire−/− mice requires a functional adaptive immune system. We also show that only the male Aire−/− mice are subfertile, whereas Aire−/− females produce litters normally. Moreover, the male subfertility can be adoptively transferred with lymphocytes from Aire−/− donor mice to previously fertile lymphopenic Aire−/− recipients. Our data show that subfertility in Aire−/− mice is dependent on a functional adaptive immune system thus confirming its autoimmune aetiology.
Gendering Olympians: Olympic Media Guide Profiles of Men and Women Athletes
Authors: Carter J.A. , Casanova Erynn , Maume David J.
Published: February 2015

Media guides are constructed by sports organizations as a means for providing information about their organization to mass media professionals. Research on sports-themed mass media has already shown that women are covered less than men, and that the focus on women athletes is disproportionately on their personal lives and physical appearance, but is this true of materials provided to and used by mass media professionals, or more specifically, media guides? This research examines the textual content of 637 athlete profiles in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Media Guide using quantitative content analyses. Findings show significant differences in the size and content of the athlete profiles of women and men, with women athletes’ profiles being longer and containing more personal information than those of men.

Les guides des médias sont élaborés par les organisations sportives afin de fournir de l’information à propos de leur organisation aux professionnels des médias. Les recherches sur les médias ayant pour thème le sport ont déjà montré que les femmes sont moins présentes que les hommes et que le focus sur les athlètes femmes est de façon disproportionnée sur leur vie personnelle et leur apparence physique, mais est-ce vrai du matériel fourni et utilisé par les professionnels des médias, ou plus spécifiquement, des guides des médias ? Cette étude examine le contenu textuel des profils de 637 athlètes dans le guide des médias de l’équipe américaine olympique de 2008 et utilise des analyses de contenu quantitatives. Les résultats révèlent des différences significatives dans la taille et le contenu des profils d’athlètes des femmes et des hommes, les profils des athlètes femmes étant plus longs et contenant plus d’information personnelle que ceux des hommes.
‘If You Don’t Want to Get Hurt, Don’t Play Hockey’: The Uneasy Efforts of Hockey Injury Prevention in Canada
Authors: Adams Stephen , Mason Courtney W. , Robidoux Michael A.
Published: February 2015

Ice hockey is known for its speed, skill and aggression. This paper uses an analyses of injuries in boys’ minor leagues and primary documents to examine competing discourses that surround participant safety which give meaning to broader hockey practices. We problematize a prevailing discourse that preserves the physicality of Canadian hockey and an emerging reverse discourse that prioritizes player safety. Theoretically informed by Foucault’s concepts of discourse, knowledge and power relations, we interpret the relationships between these two competing discursive streams which have created a public controversy, particularly concerning body checking, and intensified a polarizing national debate. Ultimately, we argue that these discourses impact the implementation of progressive injury prevention initiatives in minor hockey and youth sport.

Le hockey sur glace est réputé pour être rapide, technique et violent. Cet article utilise une analyse des blessures et documents de ligues mineures masculines afin d’examiner les discours qui circulent à propos de la sécurité des participants et qui sont reliés aux pratiques plus générales du sport. Nous mettons en évidence un discours dominant qui préserve la physicalité du hockey canadien et un discours contraire émergeant qui priorise la sécurité des joueurs. En nous appuyant au niveau théorique sur les concepts foucaldiens de discours, savoir et relations de pouvoir, nous interprétons les relations entre ces deux courants discursifs en compétition qui ont créé une controverse publique, particulièrement en ce qui concerne les mises en échec, et intensifié un débat national polarisé. En bout de ligne, nous avançons que ces discours influencent l’implantation d’initiatives progressistes de prévention des blessures dans le hockey mineur et le sport pour les jeunes.
‘The Day the Flame Came to Town’: The Olympic Flame, Symbol, Community and Commodification
Authors: Maguire Joseph , Black Jack , Darlington Becky
Published: February 2015

Debates regarding the Olympic Flame Relay oscillate between questions concerning the symbolic value of the Relay and the commodified nature of the Games more generally. While some argue for the potential intercultural understanding that the Flame Relay fosters, others point to the extent to which Olympism is embedded within the practices of commercial companies. Research thus tends to use either ethnographic accounts or media analysis—the former being seen by some as authentic and the latter viewed as capable of capturing the commodified context of such consumption. Attention is given here to its visit to one town and how people experienced the Relay themselves, against its (re)construction in local and national mediated accounts. Data were collected from interviews with those watching the Flame Relay, extensive photographic records, fieldwork observations, and local media coverage of the event. The ritual itself appeared temporary, superficial and contoured by the major sponsors of the Relay. While the Flame had some local significance, claims made for its broader symbolic value appeared muted—people knew less about Olympism and were less moved by its symbolism.
For a single B cell, many roads to take
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: February 2015

Antigen affinity and the ability to resist cell death determine the differentiation patterns of individual immunological B cells.
Taking a snapshot of active brain circuitry
Authors: Stern Peter
Published: February 2015

A fluorescent sensor allows cellular-resolution snapshots of activity across the whole brains of freely moving organisms.
Incorporation of bomb-produced14C into fish otoliths. An example of basin-specific rates from the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Wischniowski Stephen G. , Kastelle Craig R. , Loher Timothy , Helser Thomas E.
Published: February 2015

Sagittal otoliths from juvenile Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) of known age were used to create a bomb-produced radiocarbon reference chronology for the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) by fitting a coupled-function model to Δ14C values from each specimen’s birth year. The newly created EBS reference chronology was then compared with a reference chronology previously created for Pacific halibut from the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Adult Pacific halibut age-validation samples from the EBS were also analyzed for14C and modeled to validate age-estimation accuracy. A Bayesian model was developed and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate model parameters and adult Pacific halibut ageing bias. Differences in reference chronologies between ocean basins were reflected in a large deviance information criterion (ΔDIC) between models, supporting the hypothesis that two separate coupled-function models were required to adequately describe the data, one each for the EBS and GOA. We determined that regionally specific GOA and EBS oceanography plays a considerable role in the Δ14C values and must be taken into consideration when selecting a reference chronology for bomb-produced14C age-validation studies. The age-validation samples indicated that the current ageing methodology used in Pacific halibut assessments is accurate and has provided accurate age assignments for Pacific halibut in the EBS.
Compositional and functional trajectories of herbaceous communities after deer density control in clear-cut boreal forests
Authors: Bachand Marianne , Pellerin Stéphanie , Tremblay Jean-Pierre , Côté Steeve D. , Poulin Monique
Published: February 2015

Overabundant populations of large herbivores have strong persistent effects on forest composition, structure, and function. However, the mechanism through which plant communities recover their original composition and function after herbivore management remains poorly understood. We assessed the temporal trajectories of the herbaceous communities in Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss stands on Anticosti Island (Quebec, Canada) over 8 years following clear-cutting and deer management. The impact of deer exclusion or reduction to 7.5 and 15 deer·km–2 was compared with benchmark in situ deer densities (27 and 56 deer·km–2). Effects of deer management treatments on plant species and functional trait assemblages over time were assessed using principal response curves. Although complete deer exclusion seemed necessary to modify species composition from that occurring under intense browsing, a reduced density of 7.5 deer·km–2 was sufficient to induce significant changes in functional trait assemblages of regenerating stands. For instance, reduced deer densities favored plants with brightly colored flowers and compound inflorescences pollinated by animals and producing large seeds and fleshy fruits dispersed by animals. We conclude that the boreal forest’s herbaceous communities are resilient to chronic browsing when deer population reduction and forest clearcutting are applied in synergy.
A characterization of completely regular spaces
Authors: Alves Richard W. M. , Rocha Victor H. L. , Souza Josiney A.
Published: February 2015

This paper proves that uniform spaces and admissible spaces form the same class of topological spaces. This result characterizes a completely regular space as a topological space that admits an admissible family of open coverings. In addition, the admissible family of coverings provides an interesting methodology of studying aspects of uniformity and dynamics in completely regular spaces.
Production of ηQ meson at LHC
Authors: Likhoded A. K. , Luchinsky A. V. , Poslavsky S. V.
Published: February 2015

The paper is devoted to theoretical consideration of inclusive ηc, b meson production at LHC. It is shown that existing experimental data on ηc meson production at LHCb detector can be described in the framework of NRQCD formalism and color singlet component with phenomenological value of matrix element |R(0)|2 gives main contribution. Using this model, we present theoretical prediction for integrated cross-sections and transverse momentum distributions for inclusive ηc production at other LHC detectors. The case of ηb meson production at LHC is also considered.
Current–current correlation function in 3D massive Dirac theory with chemical potential
Authors: Apresyan E. , Khachatryan Sh. , Sedrakyan A.
Published: February 2015

The response of fermionic system to external gauge fields is defined by current–current correlation function Πμν(q, q0). Transport properties of different physical quantities are determined by zero energy–momentum limit of it. As it is known close to half-filling the physics of graphene is described by (2+1)-dimensional Dirac theory. In this paper, we calculate current–current correlation function in Dirac theory in a presence of chemical potential η and gap m.
First-principles prediction of superconductivity in LiBSi1-xAlx
Authors: Miao Rende , Yang Jun , Bai Zhong , Can Dan , Zhang Xi , Jiang Min , Liu Cuicui , Wu Fangping , Ma Shuyun
Published: February 2015

Electronic structure, lattice dynamics and superconducting properties for theoretically devised superconductor LiBSi 1-x Al x are obtained by first-principles calculations. We assume that Lithium Boron Silicon ( LiBSi ) has the same crystal structure as that of Lithium borocarbide ( LiBC ). The pristine LiBSi is predicted to be a zero-gap semiconductor. Hole doping of LiBSi through partial substitution of Si by SiAl atoms can produce a semiconductor–metal transition and develop superconductivity. To assess the thermodynamic stability of LiBSi 1-x Al x, the formation energies are calculated using the supercell method. For LiBSi 0.75 Al 0.25 and LiBSi 0.875 Al 0.125, the obtained formation energies are -5.9 and -6.1 eV, respectively, indicating that LiBSi 1-x Al x is energetically favorable at least in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25. Phonon spectra and superconducting properties are obtained within the virtual-crystal approximation (VCA) treatment. The results show that LiBSi 1-x Al x is dynamically stable approximately in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.35. For LiBSi 0.8 Al 0.2, the obtained electron-phonon coupling constant λ is 0.86 and superconducting transition temperature TC is predicted to be in the range of 11–13 K (0.14 ≥ μ* ≥ 0.1).
Transport performance of feedback-coupled Brownian ratchets with closed-loop control strategy
Authors: Gao T. F. , Wang L. F. , Huang R. Z. , Zheng Z. G.
Published: February 2015

The transport performance of two feedback-coupled Brownian particles, which are subjected to the external force, the unbiased time-periodic force and thermal noise, is investigated in the double-well ratchet potential. The average velocity, the average diffusion coefficient and the Pe number are calculated, respectively. The results demonstrate that the transport characteristic of Brownian particles is different under the action of two factors of unbiased time-periodic force, amplitude and frequency. The former factor induces the increase of the average velocity and the average diffusion coefficient with the decrease of thermal noise intensity within certain limits, whereas the latter makes the average velocity decrease in the transport of coupled particles. Moreover, it is found there is an optimal value of the driving frequency at which the Pe number reaches its maximum. Remarkably, it is shown that the current reversal can be achieved by increasing the external force, and the directed transport can be enhanced by varying the structure of the ratchet potential and the intensity of noise.
Nonlinear analysis of lattice model with the consideration of multiple optimal current differences for two-lane freeway
Authors: Peng Guanghan
Published: February 2015

In this paper, a new lattice model is proposed with the consideration of the multiple optimal current differences for two-lane traffic system. The linear stability condition and the mKdV equation are obtained with the considered multiple optimal current differences effect by making use of linear stability analysis and nonlinear analysis, respectively. Numerical simulation shows that the multiple optimal current differences effect can efficiently improve the stability of two-lane traffic flow. Furthermore, the three front sites considered, is the optimal state of two-lane freeway.
Phonon contribution to heat capacitance of nanolayered crystalline structures
Authors: Šetrajčić Jovan P. , Jaćimovski Stevo K. , Sajfert Vjekoslav D.
Published: February 2015

The paper presents the innovated method of two-time dependent Green's functions applied to the bounded and translational perturbed systems. Film-structures and superlattices were analyzed by employing the phonon spectra for the calculation of relevant thermodynamic characteristics. Free energy and the internal energy of the system were found as well as the temperature behavior of layered structures. Heat capacitances of these nanostructures were compared to bulk ones. It was shown that heat capacitances of nanolayered structures in low-temperature region were higher than the same quantities of the corresponding bulk sample. In the middle and the highest temperature region, temperature behavior was inverse: heat capacitance of layered structures was lower than of the corresponding bulk ones. The consequences were discussed with relation to the (super)conductive properties of nanomaterials.
Effective boundary conditions for compressible flows over rough boundaries
Authors: Deolmi Giulia , Dahmen Wolfgang , Müller Siegfried
Published: February 2015

Simulations of a flow over a roughness are prohibitively expensive for small-scale structures. If the interest is only on some macroscale quantity it will be sufficient to model the influence of the unresolved microscale effects. Such multiscale models rely on an appropriate upscaling strategy. Here the strategy originally developed by Achdou et al. [Effective boundary conditions for laminar flows over periodic rough boundaries, J. Comput. Phys. 147 (1998) 187–218] for incompressible flows is extended to compressible high Reynolds number flow. For proof of concept a laminar flow over a flat plate with partially embedded roughness is simulated. The results are compared with computations on a rough domain.
A statistical model of information evaporation of perfectly reflecting black holes
Authors: Gyongyosi Laszlo
Published: February 2015

We provide a statistical communication model for the phenomenon of quantum information evaporation from black holes (BHs). A BH behaves as a reflecting quantum channel in a very special regime, which allows for a receiver to perfectly recover the absorbed quantum information. The quantum channel of a perfectly reflecting (PR) BH is the probabilistically weighted sum of infinitely many qubit cloning channels. In this work, we reveal the statistical communication background of the information evaporation process of PR BHs. We show that the density of the cloned quantum particles in function of the PR BH's mass approximates a Chi-square distribution, while the stimulated emission process is characterized by zero-mean, circular symmetric complex Gaussian random variables. The results lead to the existence of Rayleigh random distributed coefficients in the probability density evolution, which confirms the presence of Rayleigh fading (a special type of random fluctuation) in the statistical communication model of BH information evaporation.
A unified approach to measuring structures in orientated drill core
Authors: Blenkinsop Tom , Doyle Mark , Nugus Michael
Published: February 2015

A unified system of collecting structural data from drill core is proposed. The system encompasses planes and planar fabrics, lineations, fold hinges and hinge surfaces, faults and shear zones, vorticity vectors, shear directions and shear senses. The system is based on standard measurements of angles in the reference frame of the core (α and β angles), which are easily carried out by means of core protractors or templates. The methods for dealing with folds and kinematic analysis of shear zones have not been described previously, but they follow logically from the standard methods for dealing with planes and lines.
A Fast and Robust Framework for Semiautomatic and Automatic Registration of Photographs to 3D Geometry
Authors: Pintus Ruggero , Gobbetti Enrico
Published: February 2015

We present a simple, fast, and robust complete framework for 2D/3D registration capable to align in a semiautomatic or completely automatic manner a large set of unordered images to a massive point cloud. Our method converts the hard to solve image-to-geometry registration task in a Structure-from-Motion (SfM) plus a 3D/3D alignment problem. We exploit a SfM framework that, starting just from an unordered image collection, computes an estimate of the camera parameters and a sparse 3D geometry deriving from matched image features. We then coarsely register this model to the given 3D geometry by estimating a global scale and absolute orientation using two solutions: a minimal user intervention or a stochastic global point set registration approach. A specialized sparse bundle adjustment (SBA) step, that exploits the correspondence between the sparse geometry and the fine input 3D model, is then used to refine intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of each camera. Output data is suitable for photo blending frameworks to produce seamless colored models. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated on a series of synthetic and real-world 2D/3D Cultural Heritage datasets.
A Holistic User-Centered Approach to Immersive Digital Cultural Heritage Installations
Authors: Reunanen Markku , Díaz Lily , Horttana Tommi
Published: February 2015

This article deals with the design and implementation of an immersive installation where users could gesturally navigate around the wreck of Vrouw Maria, a Dutch merchant ship that sank near the Finnish coast in 1771 and was rediscovered in 1999. The installation was built for the Maritime Museum in Kotka, Finland, and is part of the preservation efforts of the wreck, which still remains underwater. In addition to the cultural heritage aspect, the project was an experiment in holistic user-centered design, where several design methods, such as scenarios, role playing and informance, storyboards, and prototyping, were employed throughout the process in order to envision the final product as well as assess their utility in the scope of immersive installations. The approach we have taken and documented here can be used as a starting point for similar projects where archaeological sites are reconstructed virtually and presented, for example, in a museum setting.
Orchestration and Prognostic Significance of Immune Checkpoints in the Microenvironment of Primary and Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer
Authors: Giraldo Nicolas A. , Becht Etienne , Pagès Franck , Skliris Georgios , Verkarre Virginie , Vano Yann , Mejean Arnaud , Saint-Aubert Nicolas , Lacroix Laetitia , Natario Ivo , Lupo Audrey , Alifano Marco , Damotte Diane , Cazes Aurelie , Triebel Frederic , Freeman Gordon J. , Dieu-Nosjean Marie-Caroline , Oudard Stephane , Fridman Wolf H. , Sautès-Fridman Catherine
Published: February 2015

Purpose: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has shown durable responses to checkpoint blockade therapies. However, important gaps persist in the understanding of its immune microenvironment. This study aims to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of immune checkpoints in primary and metastatic ccRCC, in relation with mature dendritic cells (DC) and T-cell densities.

Experimental Design: We investigated the infiltration and the localization of CD8+ T cells and mature DC, and the expression of immune checkpoints (PD-1, LAG-3, PD-L1, and PD-L2) in relation with prognosis, in 135 primary ccRCC tumors and 51 ccRCC lung metastases. RNA expression data for 496 primary ccRCC samples were used as confirmatory cohort.

Results: We identify two groups of tumors with extensive CD8+ T-cell infiltrates. One group, characterized by high expression of immune checkpoints in the absence of fully functional mature DC, is associated with increased risk of disease progression. The second group, characterized by low expression of immune checkpoints and localization of mature DC in peritumoral immune aggregates (tertiary lymphoid structures), is associated with good prognosis.

Conclusions: The expression of the immune checkpoints and the localization of DC in the tumor microenvironment modulate the clinical impact of CD8+ T cells in ccRCC. Clin Cancer Res; 21(13); 3031–40. ©2015 AACR.
Association between Vitamin C Intake and Glioma Risk: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhou Siru , Wang Xiaoya , Tan Ya , Qiu Lingli , Fang Huan , Li Wei
Published: February 2015

Background: The field of quantifying the association between the intake of vitamin C and risk of glioma still has conflicts. Thus, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that a high intake of vitamin C may be a protective effect on glioma risk. Methods: Pertinent studies were identified by a search in PubMed and Web of Knowledge up to June 2014. The random-effect model was used to combine study-specific results. Publication bias was estimated using Begg' funnel plot and Egger's regression asymmetry test. Results: Thirteen articles with 15 studies (2 cohort study and 13 case-control studies) involving 3,409 glioma cases about vitamin C intake and glioma risk were used in this meta-analysis. The combined relative risks (RRs) of glioma associated with vitamin C intake was 0.86 (95% CIs = 0.75-0.99). Overall, significant protective associations were also found in the American population (RRs = 0.85, 95% CIs = 0.73-0.98) and case-control studies (RRs = 0.80, 95% CIs = 0.69-0.93). No publication bias was found. Conclusions: Our analysis indicated that vitamin C intake might decrease the risk of glioma, especially among the Americans.
The Effect of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs on Retinal Function in the Electrophysiological ex vivo Model of the Isolated Perfused Vertebrate Retina
Authors: Ranjbar Mahdy , Schneider Toni , Brand Carl , Grisanti Salvatore , Lüke Julia , Lüke Matthias
Published: February 2015

Background: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been suggested in the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmological diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of these DMARDs on bovine retinal function. Methods: Bovine retina preparations were perfused with a standard solution. After recording stable electroretinograms the nutrient solution was substituted by a DMARD medium with varying concentrations of different drugs (etanercept and infliximab) for 30 min. Afterwards b-wave recovery was observed. Results: Significant decreases in the b-wave amplitude (p < 0.05) were found for etanercept 0.5 mg/ml (p = 0.0022). Infliximab 2 mg/ml (p = 0.1276) did not result in any statistically significant b-wave reduction. Conclusion: The presented data suggest that infliximab might have the better safety profile than etanercept.
Miconazole Nitrate Vaginal Suppository 1,200 mg versus Oral Fluconazole 150 mg in Treating Severe Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Authors: Fan Shangrong , Liu Xiaopingliu , Liang Yiheng
Published: February 2015

Aims: Miconazole is a synthetic imidazole antifungal that has a broad spectrum of activity against Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of miconazole nitrate vaginal suppository and oral fluconazole in treating severe vulvovaginal candidiasis (SVVC). Methods: In this prospective, randomized case control study, 577 cases of consecutive patients with SVVC were studied at the Gynecological Clinic of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. Patients with SVVC were treated with two doses of miconazole nitrate vaginal suppository 1,200 mg or two doses of fluconazole 150 mg. The patients were followed up for 7-14 and 30-35 days following the second dose of therapy. Results: The mycological cure rates of the patients on days 7-14 of follow-up were 75.9% (220/290) and 84.0% (241/287) in the miconazole and fluconazole groups, respectively (p < 0.05). The mycological cure rates of the patients at the second follow-up were 64.8% (188/290) and 69.7% (200/287), respectively, in the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that two doses of miconazole nitrate vaginal suppository 1,200 mg were as effective as two doses of an oral fluconazole 150 mg regimen in the treatment of patients with SVVC.
Cyclodialysis Cleft Treatment Using a Minimally Invasive Technique
Authors: Pinheiro-Costa João , Benevides Melo António , Carneiro Ângela Maria , Falcão-Reis Fernando
Published: February 2015

Purpose: To report a case of a cyclodialysis cleft that was successfully managed with gas endotamponade and cyclocryotherapy. Methods: A 37-year-old male victim of a severe blunt ocular trauma was referred to our service for evaluation and treatment of a left eye hypotony. Clinical examination revealed an intraocular pressure of 2 mm Hg, a cyclodialysis cleft extending from the 11 to 1 o'clock positions and a hypotonic maculopathy. Left eye best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 3/10. The patient failed to respond to conservative treatment with atropine 1%, so a single bubble of 16% C2F6 was injected into the vitreous cavity, followed by superior quadrant transconjunctival cyclocryotherapy. Results: After gas absorption, the intraocular pressure increased to 11 mm Hg and became steady during the 24 months of follow-up. His hypotonic maculopathy resolved, and the BCVA improved to 9/10. Complete closure of the cyclodialysis cleft was documented with ultrasound biomicroscopy. Conclusion: Cryotherapy associated with gas endotamponade is a minimally invasive technique that could be considered for patients with cyclodialysis clefts that fail to respond to medical therapy.
Do Study Abroad Programs Enhance the Employability of Graduates?
Authors: Di Pietro Giorgio
Published: February 2015

Using data on a large sample of recent Italian graduates, this paper investigates the extent to which participation in study abroad programs during university studies impacts subsequent employment likelihood. To address the problem of endogeneity related to participation in study abroad programs, I use a combination of fixed effects and instrumental variable estimation where the instrumental variable is exposure to international student exchange schemes. My estimates show that studying abroad has a relatively large and statistically meaningful effect on the probability of being in employment three years after graduation. This effect is mainly driven by the impact that study abroad programs have on the employment prospects of graduates from disadvantaged (but not very disadvantaged) backgrounds, though positive but imprecise effects are also found for graduates from advantaged backgrounds.
A Delicate Balance: Religious Autonomy Rights and lgbti Rights in Australia
Authors: Baines Charlotte
Published: February 2015

This article addresses a research gap by analysing the way the Australian legal system is balancing the right to religious autonomy of organisations and the right of lgbti individuals not to be discriminated against, and considers what ought to be the case. I argue that the Australian legal system recognises the value of religious freedom on the one hand, and on the other hand, does not place a high priority on protecting it as an existing human right. My findings reveal that the Australian legal system is not always defining the religion and society relationship in ways that reflect the lived reality of religion in society. The issue is compounded by the wording of religious exemptions under anti-discrimination law which is contested within faith communities. As a consequence, religious freedom can be unfairly restricted. I conclude with recommendations to improve the status quo.
The number of zoeal stages in larval development of Nihonotrypaea petalura (Stimpson, 1860) (Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae) from Russian waters of the Sea of Japan
Authors: KORNIENKO ELENA S. , KORN OLGA M. , GOLUBINSKAYA DARYA D.
Published: February 2015

Zoeal stages of the mud shrimp Nihonotrypaea petalura (Stimpson, 1860) (Decapoda: Axiiidea: Callianassidae) inhabiting Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) is described and illustrated from the larvae reared in the laboratory individually. The development included seven zoeal stages before molting to the megalopa. At 22–23°C the first megalopa was attained 26 days after hatching. A range of the number of zoeal stages in the family Callianassidae is analyzed. The possibility of variation of the number of zoeal stages of burrowing shrimps in different populations of the same species and/or under different laboratory conditions is discussed.
Procalcitonin as an Early Predictor of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Kurtul Alparslan , Murat Sani Namik , Yarlioglues Mikail , Duran Mustafa , Ocek Adil Hakan , Celik Ibrahim Etem , Kilic Alparslan , Koseoglu Cemal , Oksuz Fatih , Baris Veysel Ozgur
Published: February 2015

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a major issue after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), especially in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of CI-AKI. Procalcitonin (PCT) is introduced as a new marker of inflammation. We sought to examine whether admission PCT levels predict the development of CI-AKI. Patients (n = 814) were divided into 2 groups, namely, CI-AKI (−) and CI-AKI (+). An increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.5 mg/dL from baseline within 48 to 72 hours of contrast exposure was defined as CI-AKI. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 96 (11.8%) patients. The PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with CI-AKI than in those without, 0.11 (0.056-0.495) vs 0.04 (0.02-0.078) µg/L; P < .001. After multivariable analysis, PCT remained a significant independent predictor of CI-AKI (odds ratio 2.544; 95% CI [1.207-5.347]; P = .014) as well as age, women, white blood cell, hemoglobin, glomerular filtration rate, creatine kinase myocarial band, and SYNTAX score. In conclusion, serum PCT levels are independently associated with a risk of CI-AKI in patients with ACS who underwent urgent PCI.
Health Care Quality and Finite Changes of Trade Policy
Authors: Chatterjee Tonmoy , Gupta Kausik
Published: February 2015

This article attempts to relate the issues of health care quality with international trade. For this purpose we have mixed both flavours of Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson and Neo-Heckscher-Ohlin frameworks and have developed a hybrid type of trade theoretic general equilibrium model. In such a set-up we have shown that a movement from a regime of international health capital immobility to a regime of international health capital mobility may lead to an expansion of the size of the health quality exporting sector and at the same time such type of regime switch may lead to a contraction of quality of this health care sector. Moreover, from the hybrid model we have illustrated that the sizes of health care and composite export sector expand, whereas import sector of our small open economy contracts.
Arms and The Man: A Response to Dale Martin’s ‘Jesus in Jerusalem: Armed and Not Dangerous’
Authors: Fredriksen Paula
Published: February 2015

Did Jesus oppose the temple? Did he predict its destruction? Against the recent proposals of Dale Martin, this article argues that the evidence is controvertible. However, the article does agree that Jesus’ followers were probably armed with μάχαιραι; but so was a signiﬁcant proportion of Jerusalem’s male population, speciﬁcally at Passover. These ‘arms’, then, cannot explain Jesus’ arrest and execution.
The Songs we Used to Sing? Hymn ‘Traditions’ and Reception in Pauline Letters
Authors: Edsall Benjamin , Strawbridge Jennifer R.
Published: February 2015

This article builds on recent criticism of form-critical approaches to so-called hymnic material in Paul’s letters, in an effort to reset the default interpretive stance with respect to Phil. 2.6-11 and Col. 1.15-20. Beginning with a review and critique of previous form-critical criteria, the authors then survey ancient deﬁnitions of ὕμνος to demonstrate that the oft posited ‘Christ-hymns’ do not fulﬁll these deﬁnitions. In an effort to broaden out the discussion, the reception of these passages in early Christian writings is surveyed, showing that it provides no positive support for identifying these passages as ‘hymns’. The authors conclude that, given the lack of constructive evidence, scholars should reconsider the enduring and widespread operative assumption that these passages are hymns.
Class, trust and confessional media in Austerity Britain
Authors: Hill David W
Published: February 2015

This article situates The Jeremy Kyle Show, a television talk show broadcast in the United Kingdom, in wider narratives of austerity politics in order to explore the reinforcement and legitimation through reality television of neoliberal measures for economic crisis management. In the first section, it is argued that technologies of confession – lie detectors, paternity tests, drug testing – are used on guests who are deemed, by virtue of class position, to be untrustworthy, undermining the very basis of therapeutic talk by deferring to scientific measurement of the body in order to derive truths. In the second section, it is argued that this measurement does not simply identify bodily truths but locates bodies that lack the discipline to contribute efficiently to the austerity agenda, providing a platform for shaming that amounts to an attack on the welfare state. This article introduces austerity television, and the austerity realism that it promotes, as an important area of study in the humanities and social sciences.
Irrational Beliefs, Dysfunctional Emotions, and Marital Adjustment
Authors: Filipović Severina , Vukosavljević-Gvozden Tatjana , Opačić Goran
Published: February 2015

This study aimed to formulate and test a thorough and comprehensive model that explains how irrational beliefs and dysfunctional emotions of partners affect marital adjustment. Unlike previous research that examined the direct association of irrational cognitions and marital disturbance, we hypothesized that emotions—anger, depression, and anxiety—have a mediatory role in the relationship between irrational cognitions and marital adjustment of both partners. We also hypothesized that dysfunctional emotions of one partner affect the perceived marital adjustment of the other partner. The model was tested on nonclinical sample of 100 couples ( N = 200). The results of structural equation modeling support the model. We found that irrational beliefs lead to dysfunctional emotions, which further affect the perceived marital adjustment of both partners. However, on examining the partners’ mutual effect, it was found that only dysfunctional emotions of the males affect females’ perceived marital adjustment but not vice versa.