bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuronal activation of brain vagal-regulatory pathways and upper gut enteric plexuses by insulin hypoglycemia
Authors: Yuan Pu-Qing , Yang Hong
Published: February 2015

Neuronal activation of brain vagal-regulatory nuclei and gastric/duodenal enteric plexuses in response to insulin (2 U/kg, 2 h) hypoglycemia was studied in rats. Insulin hypoglycemia significantly induced Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, locus coeruleus, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMN), and nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), as well as in the gastric/duodenal myenteric/submucosal plexuses. A substantial number of insulin hypoglycemia-activated DMN and NTS neurons were choline acetyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase positive, respectively, whereas the activated enteric neurons included NADPH- and vasoactive intestinal peptide neurons. The numbers of Fos-positive cells in each above-named brain nucleus or in the gastric/duodenal myenteric plexus of insulin-treated rats were negatively correlated with serum glucose levels and significantly increased when glucose levels were lower than 80 mg/dl. Acute bilateral cervical vagotomy did not influence insulin hypoglycemia-induced Fos induction in the brain vagal-regulatory nuclei but completely and partially prevented this response in the gastric and duodenal enteric plexuses, respectively. These results revealed that brain-gut neurons regulating vagal outflow to the stomach/duodenum are sensitively responsive to insulin hypoglycemia.
Change in weight and body composition in obese subjects following a hypocaloric diet plus different training programs or physical activity recommendations
Authors: Benito Pedro J. , Bermejo Laura M. , Peinado Ana B. , López-Plaza Bricia , Cupeiro Rocío , Szendrei Barbara , Calderón Francisco J. , Castro Eliane A. , Gómez-Candela Carmen
Published: February 2015

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different physical activity programs, in combination with a hypocaloric diet, on anthropometric variables and body composition in obese subjects. Ninety-six obese (men: n = 48; women: n = 48; age range: 18-50 yr) participated in a supervised 22-wk program. They were randomized into four groups: strength training (S; n = 24), endurance training (E; n = 26), combined strength + endurance training (SE; n = 24), and physical activity recommendations (C; n = 22). In addition, all groups followed the same hypocaloric diet. At baseline and at the end of the intervention, dietetic and physical activity variables were assessed using validated questionnaires. Anthropometric variables were recorded along with body composition variables measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry techniques. At the end of the intervention, significant improvements were seen within groups in terms of body weight (S: −9.21 ± 0.83 kg; E: −10.55 ± 0.80 kg; SE: −9.88 ± 0.85 kg; C: −8.69 ± 0.89 kg), and total fat mass (S: −5.24 ± 0.55%; E: −5.35 ± 0.55%; SE: −4.85 ± 0.56%; C: −4.89 ± 0.59%). No differences were seen between groups at this time in terms of any other anthropometric or body composition variables examined. All groups increased their total physical activity in metabolic equivalents (MET) per week during the intervention, but with no difference between groups (S: 976 ± 367 MET-min/wk; E: 954 ± 355 MET-min/wk; SE: 1 329 ± 345 MET-min/wk; C: 763 ± 410 MET-min/wk). This study shows that, when combined with a hypocaloric diet, exercise training and adherence to physical activity recommendations are equally effective at reducing body weight and modifying body composition in the treatment of obesity (Clinical Trials Gov. number: NCT01116856).
Spatiotemporal Expression Dynamics of Selectins Govern the Sequential Extravasation of Neutrophils and Monocytes in the Acute Inflammatory Response
Authors: Zuchtriegel Gabriele , Uhl Bernd , Hessenauer Maximilian E.T. , Kurz Angela R.M. , Rehberg Markus , Lauber Kirsten , Krombach Fritz , Reichel Christoph A.
Published: February 2015

Objective—

Leukocyte recruitment to the site of inflammation is a key event in a variety of cardiovascular pathologies. Infiltrating neutrophils constitute the first line of defense that precedes a second wave of emigrating monocytes reinforcing the inflammatory reaction. The mechanisms initiating this sequential process remained largely obscure.

Approach and Results—

Using advanced in vivo microscopy and in vitro/ex vivo techniques, we identified individual spatiotemporal expression patterns of selectins and their principal interaction partners on neutrophils, resident/inflammatory monocytes, and endothelial cells. Coordinating the intraluminal trafficking of neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes to common sites of extravasation, selectins assign different sites to these immune cells for their initial interactions with the microvascular endothelium. Whereas constitutively expressed leukocyte L-selectin/CD62L and endothelial P-selectin/CD62P together with CD44 and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1/CD162 initiate the emigration of neutrophils, de novo synthesis of endothelial E-selectin/CD62E launches the delayed secondary recruitment of inflammatory monocytes. In this context, P-selectin/CD62P and L-selectin/CD62L together with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1/CD162 and CD44 were found to regulate the flux of rolling neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes, whereas E-selectin/CD62E selectively adjusts the rolling velocity of inflammatory monocytes. Moreover, selectins and their interaction partners P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1/CD162 and CD44 differentially control the intraluminal crawling behavior of neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes collectively enabling the sequential extravasation of these immune cells to inflamed tissue.

Conclusions—

Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms initiating the sequential infiltration of the perivascular tissue by neutrophils and monocytes in the acute inflammatory response and might thereby contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Are Responsible for a Prothrombotic Phenotype of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Arteries
Authors: Ait Aissa Karima , Lagrange Jérémy , Mohamadi Amel , Louis Huguette , Houppert Bénédicte , Challande Pascal , Wahl Denis , Lacolley Patrick , Regnault Véronique
Published: February 2015

Objective—

The hypothesis that hypertension induces a hypercoagulable state arises from the complications associated with hypertension: stroke and myocardial infarction. Here, we determine whether hypertension causes changes in the thrombin-generating capacity of the vascular wall.

Approach and Results—

We used spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with Wistar rats. The addition of thoracic aortic rings of SHR to a Wistar or SHR plasma pool resulted in a greater increase in thrombin generation compared with equivalent rings from Wistar. This increase occurred in 12- but not 5-week-old rats and was prevented by an angiotensin II–converting enzyme inhibitor, indicating that established hypertension is required to induce increased thrombin generation within the vessel wall. Whereas no difference was observed for endothelial cells, thrombin formation was higher on aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from SHR than on those from Wistar. Exposure of negatively charged phospholipids was higher on SHR than on Wistar rings, as well as on cultured SMCs. Tissue factor activity was higher in SHR SMCs. Twelve-week-old SHR exhibited accelerated FeCl
3
-induced thrombus formation in carotid arteries, and the resulting occlusive thrombi were disaggregated by blockade of glycoprotein Ibα–von Willebrand factor interactions. SHR SMCs were more sensitive to thrombin-induced proliferation than Wistar SMCs. This effect was totally abolished by a protease-activated receptor 1 inhibitor.

Conclusions—

The prothrombotic phenotype of the SHR vessel wall was due to the ability of SMCs to support greater thrombin generation and resulted in accelerated occlusive thrombus formation after arterial injury, which was sensitive to glycoprotein Ibα–von Willebrand factor inhibitors.
Are There Genetic Paths Common to Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors?
Authors: Rankinen Tuomo , Sarzynski Mark A. , Ghosh Sujoy , Bouchard Claude
Published: February 2015

Clustering of obesity, coronary artery disease, and cardiovascular disease risk factors is observed in epidemiological studies and clinical settings. Twin and family studies have provided some supporting evidence for the clustering hypothesis. Loci nearest a lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) showing genome-wide significant associations with coronary artery disease, body mass index, C-reactive protein, blood pressure, lipids, and type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected for pathway and network analyses. Eighty-seven autosomal regions (181 SNPs), mapping to 56 genes, were found to be pleiotropic. Most pleiotropic regions contained genes associated with coronary artery disease and plasma lipids, whereas some exhibited coaggregation between obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors. We observed enrichment for liver X receptor (LXR)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) and farnesoid X receptor/RXR nuclear receptor signaling among pleiotropic genes and for signatures of coronary artery disease and hepatic steatosis. In the search for functionally interacting networks, we found that 43 pleiotropic genes were interacting in a network with an additional 24 linker genes. ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) data were queried for distribution of pleiotropic SNPs among regulatory elements and coding sequence variations. Of the 181 SNPs, 136 were annotated to ≥1 regulatory feature. An enrichment analysis found over-representation of enhancers and DNAse hypersensitive regions when compared against all SNPs of the 1000 Genomes pilot project. In summary, there are genomic regions exerting pleiotropic effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors, although only a few included obesity. Further studies are needed to resolve the clustering in terms of DNA variants, genes, pathways, and actionable targets.
WHO LET “THE PIGS” OUT? OR WHY EDGAR ALLAN POE WOULDN'T, OR COULDN'T, OR ALMOST CERTAINLY DIDN'T WRITE THE MOST SNARKY AMERICAN POEM OF 1835
Authors: Lewis Paul
Published: February 2015

Haunted by the possibility that Edgar Allan Poe wrote a long-forgotten verse satire published in the September 1835 issue of the New England Magazine, the author of this essay launches an investigation to rid himself of his obsession.
Bending Heaven Down to Earth
Authors: Conty Arianne Francoise
Published: February 2015

This article sets out to rehabilitate the medieval icon as a visual paradigm, seeing it not as a primitive attempt at painterly perspective and the verisimilitude it sought to achieve, but as a sophisticated symbolic system with an entirely different intention, one that will be shown to share the apophatic nature of certain mystical texts. The “inverse perspective” that typifies the icon creates the impression of a figure actively gazing out of the frame at the viewer, calling him or her to witness an intention that is not depicted on the panel but that haunts it from an invisible dimension beyond. Seeing this intention requires the witness to move by means of contemplation beyond the pigment and egg-yolk of the panel toward the archetype. It is this movement that differentiates the icon from an idol, which presents the visible as a full presence with no exit onto alterity. Finally, I hope to show that this distinction between icon and idol is still relevant today, the apophatic movement of the icon providing a valid alternative to our post-modern saturation of visibility.
Teaching for Conversion
Authors: Armond Andrew
Published: February 2015

Following much recent scholarship on the relationship between the affective and cognitive dimensions of the human person, and the ways in which that relationship shapes the educational process, this article argues that conversion should be a primary goal of the humanist educator, whether that conversion be religious or theological in nature (as it might be in an explicitly religious institution) or a more generic idea of the educator cultivating a student’s love for a particular author, poem, or other imaginative literary work. The context for this argument is the author’s own experience teaching a poetry course in “faith and doubt” at an evangelical university, and the article focuses on the British Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Give-Constructions in Heritage Ambon Malay in the Netherlands
Authors: Moro Francesca , Klamer Marian
Published: February 2015

The domains where languages show variable syntax are often vulnerable in language contact situations. This paper investigates one such domain in Ambon Malay: the variable encoding of give-events. We study give-expressions in the Ambon Malay variety spoken by heritage speakers in the Netherlands, and compare the responses of heritage speakers with those of homeland speakers in Ambon, Indonesia. We report that heritage Ambon Malay shows an innovative higher incidence of do constructions compared to the homeland variety, and a significant decrease in the frequency of ‘two predicate’ constructions. The change that heritage Ambon Malay is undergoing is thus not categorical, but rather involves a change in frequency of certain constructions. We argue that this ‘restructuring by changing frequency’ is due to a combination of factors: influence from Dutch, universal tendencies in language acquisition, and the language history of individual speakers. Apart from a quantitative difference, we also observe a qualitative difference between the give-constructions of heritage and homeland speakers of Ambon Malay: both groups use different prepositions in the prepositional object construction, a reflection of their different social histories.
Suicidal Disclosures among Friends
Authors: Mueller Anna S. , Abrutyn Seth
Published: February 2015

A robust literature suggests that suicide is socially contagious; however, we know little about how and why suicide spreads. Using network data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we examine the effects of alter’s (1) disclosed and (2) undisclosed suicide attempts, (3) suicide ideation, and (4) emotional distress on ego’s mental health one year later to gain insights into the emotional and cultural mechanisms that underlie suicide contagion. We find that when egos know about alter’s suicide attempt, they report significantly higher levels of emotional distress and are more likely to report suicidality, net of extensive controls; however, alter’s undisclosed suicide attempts and ideation have no significant effect on ego’s mental health. Finally, we find evidence that emotional distress is contagious in adolescence, though it does not seem to promote suicidality. We discuss the implications of our findings for suicide contagion specifically and sociology more generally.
Corticosteroid injection of the arthritic hip: what is the indication?
Authors: Reidy M , Cousins G , Finlayson D
Published: February 2015

Forty-four patients who had image-guided corticosteroid injection of the hip were reviewed as part of a service improvement project to ascertain the medium term benefit of the procedure. Injections were indicated for treatment of hip pain or as part of a diagnostic work up to differentiate hip from back pain. At 42-month review, 39 patients fulfilled the criteria for the study. Of those having therapeutic injections, 70% had gone on to hip replacement, while only 20% of those having diagnostic injections had done so. These results suggest that, for patients who are fit for surgery, hip replacement should be the intervention of choice as corticosteroid injection does not substantially delay the need for surgery. Where there is doubt about the source of pain, there seems to be a clear role for diagnostic injection.
The Triple Bind of Narration: Fritz Schütze’s Biographical Interview in Prison Research and Beyond
Authors: Szczepanik Renata , Siebert Sabina
Published: February 2015

In this article we re-evaluate Fritz Schütze’s biographical interview method with its orientation towards the analysis of social problems experienced by the individual. We used Schütze’s method in a study of repeat offenders in a Polish prison, and on the basis of this experience we believe that we make two contributions – one to social science enquiry in general, and one to prison sociology. We argue that in social science research this method offers unique insights into the process of identity formation. These insights are made possible because of the ‘triple bind of narration’ inherent in Schütze’s method, that is to say the requirement to close, the requirement to condense and the requirement to provide detail. In relation to prison research we argue that Schütze’s method has rehabilitation value in making the interviewee/narrator re-evaluate their life through biography work. We also offer practical advice on how to conduct such interviews.
Is there a role for conventional MRI and MR diffusion-weighted imaging for distinction of skull base chordoma and chondrosarcoma?
Authors: Müller Uta , Kubik-Huch Rahel A , Ares Carmen , Hug Eugen B , Löw Roland , Valavanis Antonios , Ahlhelm Frank J
Published: February 2015

Background

Chordoma and chondrosarcoma are locally invasive skull base tumors with similar clinical symptoms and anatomic imaging features as reported in the literature.

Purpose

To determine differentiation of chordoma and chondrosarcoma of the skull base with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in comparison to histopathological diagnosis.

Material and Methods

This retrospective study comprised 96 (chordoma, n = 64; chondrosarcoma, n = 32) patients with skull base tumors referred to the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) for proton therapy. cMRI signal intensities of all tumors were investigated. In addition, median apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in a subgroup of 19 patients (chordoma, n = 11; chondrosarcoma, n = 8).

Results

The majority 81.2% (26/32) of chondrosarcomas displayed an off-midline growth pattern, 18.8% (6/32) showed clival invasion, 18.8% (6/32) were located more centrally. Only 4.7% (3/64) of chordomas revealed a lateral clival origin. Using cMRI no significant differences in MR signal intensities were observed in contrast to significantly different ADC values (subgroup of 19/96 patients examined by DWI), with the highest mean value of 2017.2 × 10−6 mm2/s (SD, 139.9 mm2/s) for chondrosarcoma and significantly lower value of 1263.5 × 10−6 mm2/s (SD, 100.2 × 10−6 mm2/s) for chordoma ( P = 0.001/median test).

Conclusion

An off-midline growth pattern can differentiate chondrosarcoma from chordoma on cMRI in a majority of patients. Additional DWI is a promising tool for the differentiation of these skull base tumors.
De-Risking Pension Plans Revisited
Authors: Kilgour John G.
Published: February 2015

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 changed the way in which the value of lump sum distributions is calculated. When the new method was fully implemented in 2012, it triggered a flood of de-risking activity by sponsors of defined benefit pension plans via one-time lump sum distributions, group annuity contracts with insurance companies and liability driven investing. Underlying these developments were a number of economic and demographic factors including a rising equity market, low interest rates, increased Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation insurance premiums and a declining number of active participants. These forces are still there. Indeed, they have strengthened due to recent legislation (MAP-21 in 2012, BBA in 2013 and HATFA in 2014). In addition, a number of legal questions have been resolved by the Verizon Communications decision of 2014 and new mortality tables have just been published by the Society of Actuaries. The combination of these developments indicate that 2015 will be another big year for pension plan sponsors to transfer pension risk to participants through lump sum distributions and to insurance companies through group annuity contracts.
Key Articles and Guidelines in the Management of Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Hollis Ian B. , Jennings Douglas L. , Oliphant Carrie S. , Baker William L. , Davis Estella M. , Allender J. Erin , Zemrak Wesley R. , Ensor Christopher
Published: February 2015

Significant numbers of patients undergo cardiac surgery worldwide each year. A large evidence base exists regarding the optimal pre-, intra-, and postoperative mediation management for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, valve replacements or repairs, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Prevention and treatment of perioperative arrhythmias, perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, prevention of thrombosis, and bleeding through proper management of perioperative antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, and the use of pharmacotherapy to optimize both short- and long-term patient outcomes after cardiac surgery are the focus of this first compilation of guidelines and key articles in this patient population to be published in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice.
Effects of polyarylene sulfide sulfone on the mechanical properties of glass fiber cloth-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide composites
Authors: Liu Zhao , Zhang Shouyu , Huang Guangshun , Zhang Kun , Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Gang , Long Shengru , Yang Jie
Published: February 2015

In this article, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)/polyarylene sulfide sulfone (PASS) was melt blended and PPS/PASS/glass fiber cloth (GFC) composite was prepared. Mechanical testing and dynamic mechanical analysis DMAof PPS/PASS blends and PPS/PASS/GFC composites were performed to inspect the effects of PASS on the mechanical properties of the composites. With the presence of PASS, the strength and modulus of the PPS/PASS blends declined to some extent, while the strength and modulus of the PPS/PASS/GFC composites increased. The results indicate that the addition of PASS is beneficial for strengthening the interaction between PPS and GFC. The scanning electron microscopy results of the impact fracture surfaces of composites were also consistent with the data of mechanical properties.
Flow-induced vibration and noise in control valve
Authors: Zeng Li-fei , Liu Guan-wei , Mao Jing-ru , Wang Shun-sen , Yuan Qi , Yuan Hao , Wang Kai-ge , Zhang Jun-jie , Xu Ya-tao
Published: February 2015

Control valves are used as flow regulators for steam turbines, which operate under wide ranges of valve openings and pressure ratios. The inherent throttling action and complex 3D flow in control valves result in vibration and intolerable noise at small and medium valve openings. The vibration and noise clearly are firmly with the flow pattern. Experiments and numerical simulation are the primary means of determining the mechanisms. In this paper, a phenomenon of sound mutation in control valve was experimentally observed by continuously changing the pressure ratio. This phenomenon is explained for the first time. Different noise and pressure fluctuations can appear even under the same condition, depending on the process of changing the pressure ratio. A method of continuously changing the pressure ratio was used in the unsteady numerical simulation to reveal the mechanism. The results show that sound mutation occurs due to the change of annular flow and core flow. The annular flow has a lower noise and a more stable flow pattern than the core flow. Sound mutation can be used as a simple way of determining the ranges of the core flow and the annular flow.
The ‘Third Neighbour’ Approach of Mongolia’s Diplomacy of External Relations
Authors: Soni Sharad K.
Published: February 2015

While focusing on the ‘third neighbour’ approach of Mongolia’s diplomacy of external relations, this article seeks to examine the effects of this new approach on India–Mongolia relations. It delves into the evolution of Mongolia’s ‘third neighbour’ policy and its implementation into forging a mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse areas with such ‘third neighbour’ nations or a group of nations that could help balance Mongolia’s two geographic neighbours—Russia and China. The article argues that such third neighbours have been identified to bolster Mongolia’s development, invest, and encourage the democratic transition/consolidation that is under way. In the case of India, ever since it began to be considered as one of Mongolia’s third neighbours, their relationship has witnessed a sea change, that is, the bilateral relations turned into a comprehensive partnership. Contrary to the ordinary viewpoint, the argument here is that India remains an important country for Mongolia in both regional and international contexts, particularly in the context of India’s role in promoting a multi-polar security structure in Asia. The Mongolians concede India’s positive influence on them and desire that the strong cultural relationship based on Buddhist traditions between the two sides should be translated into a strategic partnership. This is more so because Mongolia’s proximity with India appears to be a significant factor to balance off the equation with China.
Improving Instructional Simulation With Structural Debriefing
Authors: Pavlov Oleg V. , Saeed Khalid , Robinson Lawrence W.
Published: February 2015

Background. Research shows that learning and task performance improve when participants in management exercises understand the structure of the system they control. However, the majority of business simulators are black-boxes.

Aim. This article introduces structural debriefing, which is a debriefing activity aimed at helping students learn about causal relationships, feedbacks, accumulations, and delays within a black-box simulation.

Method. A structural debriefing can be prepared and facilitated by following the Structural Debriefing Protocol.

Results. A pilot study was conducted in which undergraduate students participated in a structural debriefing of The LITTLEFIELD TECHNOLOGIES, a popular simulation for teaching principles of operations management. The students were able to complete all eight steps of a structural debriefing, but required considerable time (three academic terms) to do so. Not every instructional simulation will require all the steps or such a large time commitment.

Conclusion. The successful completion of the pilot study demonstrates that structural debriefing is a useful debriefing technique. However, to be effective, the scope and format of a structural debriefing activity must suit practical and pedagogical considerations.
Nursing Home Stakeholder Views of Resident Involvement in Medical Care Decisions
Authors: Garcia Theresa J. , Harrison Tracie C. , Goodwin James S.
Published: February 2015

Demand by nursing home residents for involvement in their medical care, or, patient-centered care, is expected to increase as baby boomers begin seeking long-term care for their chronic illnesses. To explore the needs in meeting this proposed demand, we used a qualitative descriptive method with content analysis to obtain the joint perspective of key stakeholders on the current state of person-centered medical care in the nursing home. We interviewed 31 nursing home stakeholders: 5 residents, 7 family members, 8 advanced practice registered nurses, 5 physicians, and 6 administrators. Our findings revealed constraints placed by the long-term care system limited medical involvement opportunities and created conflicting goals for patient-centered medical care. Resident participation in medical care was perceived as low, but important. The creation of supportive educational programs for all stakeholders to facilitate a common goal for nursing home admission and to provide assistance through the long-term care system was encouraged.
The Nature of Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Olson Karin , Zimka Oksana , Stein Eleanor
Published: February 2015

In this article, we report the findings of our study on the nature of fatigue in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Using ethnoscience as a design, we conducted a series of unstructured interviews and card sorts to learn more about how people with chronic fatigue syndrome describe fatigue. Participants ( N = 14) described three distinct domains: tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion. Most participants experienced tiredness prior to diagnosis, fatigue during daily life, and exhaustion after overexertion. We also discuss participants’ ability to adapt to a variety of stressors and prevent shifts to exhaustion, and relate our findings to stress theory and other current research. Primary strategies that promoted adaptation to stressors included pacing and extended rest periods. These findings can aid health care professionals in detecting impending shifts between tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion and in improving adaptive strategies, thereby improving quality of life.
One- to three-year-old children’s experience of subjective wellbeing in day care
Authors: Seland Monica , Beate Hansen Sandseter Ellen , Bratterud Åse
Published: February 2015

The aim of the study on which this paper is based was to explore in which situations and contexts Norwegian 1–3-year-olds experience subjective wellbeing in day care. The data in this study was collected through qualitative phenomenological observations of 18 children, and an inductive process of analysis was conducted. The results show that 1–3-year-olds express clear wellbeing and pleasure when devoting themselves to social interaction and play, and exploration alone or with other children and staff members. Staff members creating an intersubjective space dominated by high sensitivity and responsivity is also an important factor for toddlers’ wellbeing. Wellbeing is expressed in situations where the child is seen, understood and recognized as a subject with own intentions, needs and preferences, which may be understood as a relational way of participation in everyday life. This study may contribute to developing knowledge about the wellbeing of toddlers by listening to their voices, and enables a better understanding of the content of the wellbeing concept in an educational context for very young children.
European Union budget politics: Explaining stability and change in spending allocations
Authors: Citi Manuele
Published: February 2015

The marginal involvement of the European Union (EU) in redistributive policies and its limited fiscal resources have led to a notable lack of attention by EU scholars towards the EU budget and its dynamics. Yet the nature of the budgetary data and their high usability for statistical analysis make them an excellent tool for studying and measuring policy change in the EU. In this article, I analyse an original dataset containing yearly data for the main categories of expenditure and how they have changed over the last three decades (1979–2013). Using time-series analysis, I find that the ability to form winning coalitions in the Council, the ideological positioning of the co-legislators and the inclusion of the cohesion countries have played a significant role in driving budget change.
Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Cragun Deborah , Pal Tuya , Vadaparampil Susan T. , Baldwin Julie , Hampel Heather , DeBate Rita D.
Published: February 2015

Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) was developed over 25 years ago to bridge the qualitative and quantitative research gap. On searching PubMed and the Journal of Mixed Methods Research, this review identified 30 original research studies that used QCA. Perceptions that QCA is complex and provides few relative advantages over other methods may be limiting QCA adoption. Thus, to overcome these perceptions, this article demonstrates how to perform QCA using data from 15 institutions that implemented universal tumor screening programs to identify patients at high risk for hereditary colorectal cancer. In this example, QCA revealed a combination of conditions unique to effective universal tumor screening programs. Results informed additional research and provided a model for improving patient follow-through after a positive screen.
Karl Marx in the World Interior of Animation: Critical Reflections on Marx Returns and Marx Reloaded
Authors: Barker Jason
Published: February 2015

In this article the author critically reflects on his motivation and creative approach to directing two Karl Marx films: the fully animated feature film Marx Returns (in development) and the Arte/ZDF partly animated documentary Marx Reloaded (2011). In the case of Marx Returns the author argues that animation has superior claims over live action film to be able to represent Marx, due to the prevalence of caricature in the 19th century illustrated press. In the case of Marx Reloaded the author further reflects on the role of caricature in relation to the Marxist–Communist revival, or the Idea of Communism of Slavoj Žižek. In the case of either film, the author maintains, animation is not employed satirically in order to simplify or parody Marx or Marxism. Instead the aim is to use animation in order to explore the limits of fantasy – to deform reality – and draw the ideological boundaries of Marx’s world.
Theorizing state civil disobedience in international politics
Authors: Franceschet Antonio
Published: February 2015

Illegal state actions are sometimes interpreted as civil disobedience. Yet, liberal theorists insist that, to count as such, states must intend to reform the systemic imperfections of the international legal order. Moreover, states must have the capacity to engineer such reforms responsibly. These requirements result in an elitist conception of international civil disobedience because weaker states cannot refashion the key rules of the international legal order. By introducing a broader conception of resistance than found in existing theory, I show how weaker states can still engage in civil disobedience. A conceptual framework of two types of power supports my argument: constituent power and destituent power. If state action were expressed through these two types of power, then more states and more types of illegal action would count as examples of civil disobedience.
Differences in Information Seeking Among Organizational Peers: Perceptions of Appropriateness, Importance, and Frequency
Authors: Myers Scott A. , Cranmer Gregory A. , Goldman Zachary W. , Sollitto Michael , Gillen Hailey G. , Ball Hannah
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore the differences that may exist among employees when they are seeking different types of information (i.e., technical, referent, social, appraisal, normative, organizational, and political) from their peers in the workplace. Specifically, this study examined whether employees differed in the perceived appropriateness, importance, and frequency of seeking information from information, collegial, and special peers. Participants were 229 working adults who completed one of three versions (reporting on an information peer, a collegial peer, or a special peer) of a survey packet containing a series of measures. Results indicate that employees generally report that they seek information from special peers rather than from collegial peers or information peers.
Crystallographic orientation-dependent pattern replication in direct imprint of aluminum nanostructures
Authors: Yuan Ying , Zhang Junjie , Sun Tao , Liu Cong , Geng Yanquan , Yan Yongda , Jin Peng
Published: February 2015

In the present work, we perform molecular dynamics simulations corroborated by experimental validations to elucidate the underlying deformation mechanisms of single-crystalline aluminum under direct imprint using a rigid silicon master. We investigate the influence of crystallographic orientation on the microscopic deformation behavior of the substrate materials and its correlation with the macroscopic pattern replications. Furthermore, the surface mechanical properties of the patterned structures are qualitatively characterized by nanoindentation tests. Our results reveal that dislocation slip and deformation twinning are two primary plastic deformation modes of single-crystalline aluminum under the direct imprint. However, both the competition between the individual deformation mechanisms and the geometry between activated dislocation slip systems and imprinted surface vary with surface orientation, which in turn leads to a strong crystallographic orientation dependence of the pattern replications. It is found that the (010) orientation leads to a better quality of pattern replication of single-crystalline aluminum than the (111) orientation.
The modified Ishikawa iterative algorithm with errors for a countable family of Bregman totally quasi-D-asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in reflexive Banach spaces
Authors: Ni Ren-Xing , Yao Jen-Chih
Published: February 2015

In this paper, a new modified Ishikawa iterative algorithm with errors by a shrinking projection method for generalized mixed equilibrium problems and a countable family of uniformly Bregman totally quasi-D-asymptotically nonexpansive mappings is introduced and investigated in the framework of a real Banach space. Strong convergence of the sequence generated by the proposed algorithm is derived under some suitable assumptions. These results are new and develop some recent results in this field.
College major peer effects and attrition from the sciences
Authors: Luppino Marc , Sander Richard
Published: February 2015

This paper examines how peer quality within distinct college majors affects graduation rates and major persistence. To mitigate the selection problem, we control for school-specific fixed effects, as well as very flexible application-admissions pattern fixed effects. Non-science peer quality appears to have a positive effect on both the likelihood that a student chooses a science major and on his or her cumulative GPA. Conversely, students who attend campuses with stronger peers in the sciences are less likely to graduate with a science degree. Weaker, non-minority students typically react to stronger peers in the sciences by shifting majors. Under-represented minorities tend to persist in the sciences regardless of peer quality, but in more competitive programs they suffer – often substantially – in terms of college grades and the likelihood of graduating.
Defective circulating CD4+LAP+ regulatory T cells in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zhu Zheng-Feng , Tang Ting-Ting , Dong Wen-Yong , Li Yuan-Yuan , Xia Ni , Zhang Wen-Cai , Zhou Su-Feng , Yuan Jing , Liao Meng-Yang , Li Jing-Jing , Jiao Jiao , Nie Shao-Fang , Wang Qing , Tu Xin , Xu Cheng-Qi , Liao Yu-Hua , Shi Guo-Ping , Cheng Xiang
Published: February 2015

There has been increasing evidence that chronic immune activation plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of DCM. CD4+ LAP+ Tregs are a newly identified T cell subset with suppressive function on the immune response. This study was designed to investigate whether the circulating frequency and function of CD4+LAP+ Tregs would be impaired in patients with DCM. The results demonstrated that DCM patients had a significantly lower frequency of circulating CD4+LAP+ Tregs compared with control donors. CD4+LAP+ Tregs from DCM patients showed compromised function to suppress proliferation of CD4+ LAP−CD25int/low T cells and proliferation and IgG production of B cells. Moreover, B cell proliferation and IgG subset production could be directly suppressed by CD4+ LAP+ Tregs. TGF-β and contact-dependent mechanisms were involved in CD4+LAP+ Treg-mediated suppression. Correlation analysis suggested that CD4+LAP+ Treg frequency was positively correlated with LVEF and negatively correlated with serum IgG3 and NT-proBNP concentration in patients with DCM. Our results are the first to demonstrate that the frequencies of CD4+LAP+ Tregs in patients with DCM are reduced and that their suppressive function is compromised. Defective CD4+ LAP+ Tregs may be an underlying mechanism of immune activation in DCM patients.
The Legacy of Mathématique Sociale in Italy and Ricardian Economics: The Case of Francesco Fuoco
Authors: Patalano Rosario
Published: February 2015

This article discusses the contribution made by Francesco Fuoco (1774–1841) to the methodological debate in the early nineteenth century. In opposition to Say’s view, Fuoco defended the validity of the deductive method in economic analysis, upholding the mathématique sociale tradition. This perspective characterizes his main work, Saggi economici (1825–27), in which he expounded a systematic view of economic theory and synthesized, within the framework of deductive methodology, a typical subjectivist theory of value, drawn from Condillac, with the new Ricardian theory of distribution. As he engaged in defense of the deductive nature of economic analysis, Fuoco found confirmation of the validity of the mathématique sociale tradition in the Ricardian “new theory” of rent. In this analytical context, Fuoco’s original contribution lay in the importance that he assigned to the money function in the capitalist economy.
The First Translator in English of Turgot’s Réflexions Sur La Formation Et La Distribution Des Richesses: Benjamin Vaughan
Authors: de Vivo Giancarlo , Sabbagh Gabriel
Published: February 2015

The main aim of this article is to identify the first translator in English of Turgot’s Réflexions sur la formation et la distribution des richesses, one of the most important economic works of all time. The translation, which appeared in book form in 1793, was first serialized in 1791–92 in an obscure English periodical. We show that the translator was Benjamin Vaughan (1751–1835), an interesting figure of the Enlightenment, previously known mostly for his role in the negotiations that led to the independence of the American colonies, and for his publication of Benjamin Franklin’s works in 1779. Vaughan deserves to be better known for many reasons: he was also an economist, influenced both by the Wealth of Nations and by the physiocrats, who wrote his own book on free trade (1788), which he also translated into French. He founded two London periodicals, supported religious tolerance, and published translations of other works by Turgot besides Réflexions (these translations have remained virtually unknown until now). He was also the translator of Condorcet’s Vie de Turgot. After a rather turbulent life, in 1797 Vaughan settled in the United States.
Names Are Predicates
Authors: Fara Delia Graff
Published: February 2015

One reason to think that names have a predicate-type semantic value is that they naturally occur in count-noun positions: ‘The Michaels in my building both lost their keys’; ‘I know one incredibly sharp Cecil and one that's incredibly dull’. Predicativism is the view that names uniformly occur as predicates. Predicativism flies in the face of the widely accepted view that names in argument position are referential, whether that be Millian Referentialism, direct-reference theories, or even Fregean Descriptivism. But names are predicates in all of their occurrences; they are predicates that are true of their bearers. When a name appears as a bare singular in argument position, it really occupies the predicate position of what in this essay is called a denuded definite description: a definite description with an unpronounced definite article. Sloat provided good evidence for this. The definite article is sometimes pronounced with names in the singular: ‘The Ivan we all love doesn't feel well’. Sloat proposed a disjunctive generalization of when the definite article must be pronounced with a singular name. This essay shows that by slightly revising Sloat's generalization, we arrive at a simple, nondisjunctive, syntactic rule that governs the overt appearance of the definite article with singular names. But Ivan does not necessarily bear the name ‘Ivan’, so one might worry that the sentence “Ivan might not have had ‘Ivan’ as a name” would incorrectly be predicted false. This essay shows that Predicativism does not have this consequence by showing that incomplete definite descriptions in general and incomplete denuded descriptions, such as ‘Øthe Ivan’, in particular are rigid designators.
Emergent Chance
Authors: List Christian , Pivato Marcus
Published: February 2015

This article offers a new argument for the claim that there can be nondegenerate objective chance in a deterministic world. Using a formal model of the relationship between different levels of description of a system, the article shows how objective chance at a higher level can coexist with its absence at a lower level. Unlike previous arguments for the level-specificity of chance, the present argument shows, in a precise sense, that higher-level chance does not collapse into epistemic probability, despite higher-level properties supervening on lower-level ones. The article demonstrates that the distinction between objective chance and epistemic probability can be drawn, and operationalized, at every level of description. There is, therefore, not a single distinction between objective and epistemic probability but a family of such distinctions.
Drosophila small heat shock protein CryAB ensures structural integrity of developing muscles, and proper muscle and heart performance
Authors: Wójtowicz Inga , Jabłońska Jadwiga , Zmojdzian Monika , Taghli-Lamallem Ouarda , Renaud Yoan , Junion Guillaume , Daczewska Malgorzata , Huelsmann Sven , Jagla Krzysztof , Jagla Teresa
Published: February 2015

Molecular chaperones, such as the small heat shock proteins (sHsps), maintain normal cellular function by controlling protein homeostasis in stress conditions. However, sHsps are not only activated in response to environmental insults, but also exert developmental and tissue-specific functions that are much less known. Here, we show that during normal development the Drosophila sHsp CryAB [L(2)efl] is specifically expressed in larval body wall muscles and accumulates at the level of Z-bands and around myonuclei. CryAB features a conserved actin-binding domain and, when attenuated, leads to clustering of myonuclei and an altered pattern of sarcomeric actin and the Z-band-associated actin crosslinker Cheerio (filamin). Our data suggest that CryAB and Cheerio form a complex essential for muscle integrity: CryAB colocalizes with Cheerio and, as revealed by mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation experiments, binds to Cheerio, and the muscle-specific attenuation of cheerio leads to CryAB-like sarcomeric phenotypes. Furthermore, muscle-targeted expression of CryABR120G, which carries a mutation associated with desmin-related myopathy (DRM), results in an altered sarcomeric actin pattern, in affected myofibrillar integrity and in Z-band breaks, leading to reduced muscle performance and to marked cardiac arrhythmia. Taken together, we demonstrate that CryAB ensures myofibrillar integrity in Drosophila muscles during development and propose that it does so by interacting with the actin crosslinker Cheerio. The evidence that a DRM-causing mutation affects CryAB muscle function and leads to DRM-like phenotypes in the fly reveals a conserved stress-independent role of CryAB in maintaining muscle cell cytoarchitecture.