bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Cholesterol Efflux Capacity and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Ogura Masatsune , Hori Mika , Harada-Shiba Mariko
Published: November 2015

Objective—

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at high risk for premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), especially because of long-term exposure to high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. It has been reported that low-density lipoprotein–lowering therapy delays the onset of ASCVD. However, it still remains difficult to prevent it. Therefore, novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets are necessary to evaluate and prevent atherosclerosis in FH. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of cholesterol efflux capacity with the presence of ASCVD and clinical features in patients with heterozygous FH.

Approach and Results—

We measured cholesterol efflux capacity in 227 patients with heterozygous FH under pharmaceutical treatment. Seventy-six (33.5%) of them were known to have ASCVD. In a logistic-regression analysis adjusted for risk factors, increased efflux capacity was associated with decreased risk of ASCVD even after the addition of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level as a covariate (odds ratio per 1-SD increase, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.90–0.99;
P
<0.05). Decreased cholesterol efflux capacity was associated with the presence of corneal arcus after adjusting for age and sex. In addition, inverse relationships between cholesterol efflux capacity and Achilles tendon thickness, as well as carotid intima-media thickness, were observed after adjustment for age, sex, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions—

Cholesterol efflux capacity was independently and inversely associated with the presence of ASCVD in heterozygous FH. In view of residual risks after treatment with statins, cholesterol efflux capacity might be a novel biomarker and a therapeutic target for preventing atherosclerosis in patients with FH.
Behaviour and food selection of Heterocypris incongruens (Ostracoda)
Authors: Miličić D. M. , Majstorović A. P. , Pavković-Lučić S. B. , Savić T. T.
Published: November 2015

In this work, the ostracodHeterocypris incongruens(Ramdohr, 1808) was used to analyse three of its behavioural activities (feeding, swimming and resting) and its food preference. The majority of the individuals spent their time swimming. However, towards the end of the experiment, the number of individuals found feeding increased. The overall time spent feeding throughout the experiment was significantly longer than the time spent swimming and resting. Spinach was the most frequently used food, followed by mosquito larvae,Cyclops(plankton mix) and Spirulina mix. The retention time spent in the compartment containing spinach was also significantly longer than the time spent on all other items.
Localization and Subsidiarity in Brazil’s Engagement with the Responsibility to Protect
Authors: Kenkel Kai Michael , De Rosa Felippe
Published: November 2015

This article makes empirical use of the concepts of norm localization and norm subsidiarity, as developed by Acharya and revamped by Prantl and Nakano, to analyze Brazil’s engagement with the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and its development of the ‘responsibility while protecting’ (RwP) note in 2011. Many rising powers face a clear clash between their own normative priors and putatively universal norms such as R2P; the RwP note is one of the clearest examples in recent times of an attempt to navigate this contestation. The RwP note itself is not innovative, and its final intention is unclear; it contains elements of both norm localization and of the desire to establish the subsidiarity of Brazilian and regional traditions of non-intervention. As such it recasts the R2P in language acceptable to a Brazilian (and global Southern) public while simultaneously seeking to inject regional interpretations into the larger, global debate. The article makes use of Acharya’s model to outline drivers and resistances in the localization process, identifying the extent to which successful localization has occurred and contributing to more clearly differentiating the notions of localization and subsidiarity. RwP contains elements of both, which the paper clearly identifies in Brazil’s initial forays into the intervention debate. As such the piece contributes to advancing both the current state of norm diffusion theory and analysts’ and policymakers’ understanding of emerging powers’ engagement with R2P and intervention norms.
Revision of the New World Species of the Millipede-Parasitic Genus Myriophora Brown (Diptera: Phoridae)
Authors: HASH JOHN M. , BROWN BRIAN V.
Published: November 2015

The New World species of the millipede-parasitic genus Myriophora Brown are revised. Sixty-five species based on the female sex are treated, mostly from the Neotropical Region. Of these, fifty-seven are new to science: Myriophora alexandrae sp. nov., Myriophora alienipennis sp. nov., Myriophora angustifascia sp. nov., Myriophora annetteae sp. nov., Myriophora annulata sp. nov., Myriophora bicuspidis sp. nov., Myriophora bilsae sp. nov., Myriophora bimaculata sp. nov., Myriophora borealis sp. nov., Myriophora brevitarsus sp. nov., Myriophora browni sp. nov. Hash, Myriophora brunneipleuron sp. nov., Myriophora communis sp. nov., Myriophora curvata sp. nov., Myriophora curvicacumen sp. nov., Myriophora dennisoni sp. nov., Myriophora discalis sp. nov., Myriophora diversa sp. nov., Myriophora dividida sp. nov., Myriophora dolionatis sp. nov., Myriophora flavicosta sp. nov., Myriophora fuscidorsum sp. nov., Myriophora gigantea sp. nov., Myriophora gobaleti sp. nov., Myriophora harwoodi sp. nov., Myriophora hebes sp. nov., Myriophora heratyi sp. nov., Myriophora inaequalisetarum sp. nov., Myriophora infirmata sp. nov., Myriophora jeffersoni sp. nov., Myriophora kerri sp. nov., Myriophora kungae sp. nov., Myriophora longisetarum sp. nov., Myriophora luteitergum sp. nov., Myriophora magnilabellum sp. nov., Myriophora misionesensis sp. nov., Myriophora nigra sp. nov., Myriophora nigralinea sp. nov., Myriophora obscuritergum sp. nov., Myriophora pallida sp. nov., Myriophora parva sp. nov., Myriophora pectinata sp. nov., Myriophora perpendicularis sp. nov., Myriophora plana sp. nov., Myriophora porrasae sp. nov., Myriophora porrecta sp. nov., Myriophora reminatis sp. nov., Myriophora scopulata sp. nov., Myriophora simplex sp. nov., Myriophora sinesplendida sp. nov., Myriophora smithi sp. nov., Myriophora spicaphora sp. nov., Myriophora spicaticonus sp. nov., Myriophora tenuis sp. nov., Myriophora uruguaiensis sp. nov., Myriophora vancouverensis sp. nov., Myriophora wellsorum sp. nov. The first key to the species of Myriophora is provided.
Revision of the genus Thyreocephalus and description of Afrus gen. nov. of Africa south of the Sahara (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae)
Authors: JANÁK JIŘÍ , BORDONI ARNALDO
Published: November 2015

A revision of the genus Thyreocephalus Guérin-Méneville, 1844 of Africa south of the Sahara is presented. A new genus Afrus gen. nov. was described with the type species Thyreocephalus spegazzinii Bernhauer, 1915, which resulted in following new combination: Afrus spegazzinii (Bernhauer, 1915), comb. nov. Eulissus collarti (Cameron, 1932) was transferred to Afrus. Based on a revision of types and of additional material, 32 species of the genus Thyreocephalus and two species of the genus Afrus are recognized in Africa south of the Sahara. All species are described or redescribed and illustrated, seven of them for the first time: Thyreocephalus camerunensis sp. nov., T. manfredi sp. nov., T. marginipennis sp. nov., T. meridioafricanus sp. nov., T. pseudoafricanus sp. nov., T. subcorticalis sp. nov. and T. tsingidianus sp. nov. Neotypes are designated for Eulissus ater Laporte, 1835, Xantholinus coeruleipennis Quedenfeldt, 1881, and X. interocularis Eppelsheim, 1895. Lectotypes are designated for Eulissus atlanticus Bernhauer, 1915, E. burgeoni Bernhauer, 1929, E. mokaensis Bernhauer, 1915, E. secretus Bernhauer, 1935, E. turneri Bernhauer, 1937, Xantholinus alluaudi Fauvel, 1907, X. mocquerysi Fauvel, 1903, X. pilosus Roth, 1851, Thyreocephalus diversiceps Bernhauer, 1936, and T. spegazzinii Bernhauer, 1915. Eulissus africanus Bernhauer, 1913, E. alluaudi (Fauvel, 1907) (originally described in Xantholinus Dejean, 1821), E. atlanticus Bernhauer, 1915, E. brunneiventris Tottenham, 1956, E. burgeoni Bernhauer, 1929, E. guineensis Bernhauer, 1912, E. mokaensis Bernhauer, 1915, E. secretus Bernhauer, 1935, E. strinatii Scheerpeltz, 1958, and Xantholinus nairobiensis Fauvel, 1907 were transferred to Thyreocephalus. Following synonymies are proposed: Thyreocephalus nairobiensis (Fauvel, 1907) = Eulissus turneri Bernhauer, 1937, syn. nov., Thyreocephalus interocularis (Eppelsheim, 1895) = Thyreocephalus diversiceps Bernhauer, 1936, syn. nov., Thyreocephalus mokaensis (Bernhauer, 1915) = Eulissus flaviventris Bernhauer, 1939, syn. nov. = Thyreocephalus semirufus Coiffait, 1968, syn. nov., Thyreocephalus mocquerysi (Fauvel, 1903) = Eulissus milliaui Bernhauer, 1932, syn. nov. The distribution of both genera in Africa south of Sahara is mapped and a key to species is presented.
A new brachypterous scarab species, Orphnus longicornis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae), from the East African Rift
Authors: FROLOV ANDREY , AKHMETOVA LILIA
Published: November 2015

The Afrotropical Region is the center of the diversity of the scarab beetle genus Orphnus MacLeay, 1819 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae), with 94 species occurring from Sahel in the north to Little Karoo in the south (Paulian, 1948; Petrovitz, 1971; Frolov, 2008). The East African Rift is one of the richest regions of the Afrotropics housing more than 20 species of Orphnus (Paulian, 1948; Frolov, 2013), most of which are endemic to this region. Yet the scarab beetle fauna of the East African Rift, and especially the Eastern Arc Mountains, is still inadequately studied. Examination of the material housed in the Museum of Natural History of Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany (ZMHUB), revealed a series of brachypterous Orphnus beetles belonging to an undescribed species. The new species is described and illustrated below.
Cyrtarachne keralensis Jose, 2011 is a junior synonym of Anepsion maritatum (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1877) (Araneae, Araneidae)
Authors: MALAMEL JOBI J. , SANKARAN PRADEEP M. , JOSEPH MATHEW M. , SEBASTIAN POTHALIL A.
Published: November 2015

The Indo-pacific araneid genus Anepsion, with A. rhomboides (L. Koch, 1867) as the type species, was erected by Strand in 1929. He proposed the name Anepsion as a replacement name for Anepsia L. Koch, 1871, preoccupied by Anepsia Gistl, 1848, a dipteran genus (OBIS Australia, 2015). The genus was revised by Chrysanthus (1961, 1969) and currently has 16 described species and 1 subspecies (World Spider Catalog 2015). In the present paper, we are reporting the genus from India for the first time and synonymising Cyrtarachne keralensis Jose, 2011 with Anepsion maritatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1877. A redescription and illustrations of both male and female of A. maritatum are provided.
Thaumaleidae (Diptera) collected by the late Dr. W. Joost in the Caucasus Mountains
Authors: Wagner Rüdiger , Bellstedt Ronald
Published: November 2015

The aquatic insect collection of the late Dr. W. Joost contained two new species of Thaumaleidae (Diptera) from the Caucasus Mountains: Thaumalea monikae sp. n. and Thaumalea biacuminata sp. n. These two new species are herein described, and the most abundant species in Dr. Joost’s collection, Thaumalea martinovskyi Joost, 1979, is redescribed based on the type material. Figures of male and female genitalia for all species are provided. All three species show morphological similarities to taxa from the Eastern Mediterranean area. Thaumalea monikae is related to the European T. bezzii-species group, T. biacuminata to the T. serrata-group, and T. martinovskyi to T. kyladica Wagner, 1981 and T. malickyi Theischinger, 1979 from the Eastern Mediterranean area.
A new species of Acroperus Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Chydoridae) from Africa
Authors: NERETINA ANNA N. , KOTOV ALEXEY A.
Published: November 2015

A new species of Acroperus Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Chydoridae) is described based on the material from Lake Tana, Ethiopia and two water bodies in Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa. In Africa, Acroperus africanus sp. nov. had a chance to be confused by previous authors with Palearctic A. harpae (Baird, 1834) and A. angustatus Sars, 1863, but it could be easily distinguished from the latter by: (1) smaller seta on the proximal segment of antenna II endopod; (2) larger values of seta 3/seta 2 length ratio on the limb I, as well as some additional features. Diversity of the genus in Africa is underestimated yet, and further investigations of taxon distribution and ecology are necessary.
Cleptes pallipes Lepeletier synonym of Cleptes semiauratus (Linnaeus)
and description of Cleptes striatipleuris sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae, Cleptinae)
Authors: Rosa Paolo , Forshage Mattias , Paukkunen Juho , Soon Villu
Published: November 2015

The interpretation of Linnaeus’ name Sphex semiaurata Linnaeus, 1761 has been controversial. After type examinations, we conclude that it is identical with the common Cleptes pallipes Lepeletier, 1806 and thus re-establish the old synonymy: Cleptes semiauratus (Linnaeus, 1761) (=Cleptes pallipes Lepeletier, 1806, syn. reinst.). We have been unable to find an available name for the species with which it has been confused. In order to be able to designate a suitable type specimen, we prefer to describe it as a new species rather than suggest a replacement name: Cleptes striatipleuris Rosa, Forshage, Paukkunen & Soon sp. nov. (=Cleptes semiauratus sensu Lepeletier, 1806, nec Linnaeus, 1761; =C. splendens sensu Linsenmaier 1959, nec Fabricius, 1798).
The Transient and Equilibrium Climate Response to Rapid Summertime Sea Ice Loss in CCSM4
Authors: Blackport Russell , Kushner Paul J.
Published: November 2015

The impact that disappearing Arctic sea ice will have on the atmospheric circulation and weather variability remains uncertain. In this study, results are presented from a sea ice perturbation experiment using the coupled Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4). By decreasing the albedo of the sea ice, the impact of an ice-free summertime Arctic on the coupled ocean–atmosphere system is isolated in an idealized but energetically self-consistent way. The multicentury equilibrium response is examined, as well as the transient response in an initial condition ensemble. The perturbation drives pronounced year-round sea ice thinning, Arctic warming, Arctic amplification, and moderate global warming. Even in the almost complete absence of summertime sea ice, the atmospheric general circulation response is very weak and the transient response is small compared to the internal variability. Surface temperature variability is reduced on all time scales over most of the middle and high latitudes with a 50% reduction in the standard deviation of temperature over the Arctic Ocean. The reduction is attributed to decreased temperature gradients and increased maritime influence once the sea ice melts. This reduced variability extends weakly into the variability of the midlatitude and free tropospheric geopotential height (less than 10% reduction in the standard deviation). Consistently, eddy geopotential height variability is found to decrease while geopotential isopleth meandering, which reflects Arctic amplified warming, increases moderately. The sign of these changes is consistent with recent observations, but the size of these changes is relatively small.
Downslope Windstorms of San Diego County. Part I: A Case Study
Authors: Cao Yang , Fovell Robert G.
Published: November 2015

The “Santa Ana” wind is an offshore flow that affects Southern California periodically during the winter half of the year, typically between September and May. The winds can be locally gusty, particularly in the complex terrain of San Diego County, where the winds have characteristics of downslope windstorms. These winds can cause and/or rapidly spread wildfires, the threat of which is particularly acute during the autumn season before the onset of winter rains. San Diego’s largest fires, including the Cedar fire of 2003 and Witch Creek fire of 2007, occurred during Santa Ana wind events.

A case study of downslope flow during a moderately intense Santa Ana event during mid-February 2013 is presented. Motivated by the need to forecast winds impinging on electrical lines, the authors make use of an exceptionally dense network of near-surface observations in San Diego County to calibrate and verify simulations made utilizing the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, which in turn is employed to augment the observations. Results demonstrate that this particular Santa Ana episode consists of two pulses separated by a protracted lull. During the first pulse, the downslope flow is characterized by a prominent hydraulic jumplike feature, while during the second one the flow possesses a clear temporal progression of winds downslope. WRF has skill in capturing the evolution and magnitude of the event at most locations, although most model configurations overpredict the observed sustained wind and the forecast bias is itself biased.
Symbolic Status of Space: Event Centre Culture and Patronage in Nigeria
Authors: Tade Oludayo , Nnamani Magdaline Aimeanota
Published: November 2015

Traditional and social dimensions of wedding celebrations have been altered by modernity. Such alteration is apparent in the emerging culture of conducting wedding ceremonies in event centres as against the use of traditional family social space. This paper investigates the reasons underlying this emerging culture and its symbolism. Findings indicate that conducting marriages in event centres eased stresses associated with celebration. Convenience, accessibility, proximity, and cost influenced the choice of event centres used by celebrants. Event centres are categorised as big, medium and small relative to cost and facilities present. Hence, patronage of any of these leads to social categorisation and delineation of the users as ‘rich’ and ‘poor’, and confers high valuation on the users and the event.
(Re)membering the nation’s “forgotten” past: Portrayals of Gukurahundi in Zimbabwean literature
Authors: Ncube Gibson , Siziba Gugulethu
Published: November 2015

In the early 1980s Zimbabwe witnessed an ethnic cleansing which has been ignored in official state discourses and rendered unspeakable. This “moment of madness” (Ellis, 2006: 40), as Robert Mugabe called it, has come to be referred to as Gukurahundi. The minority Ndebele tribe was persecuted by government-backed forces. This article draws on the theoretical reflections of El Nossery and Hubbell who argue that even though some traumatic experiences may be unspeakable, they are not necessarily unrepresentable. Through an analysis of Yvonne Vera’s The Stone Virgins (2002), Christopher Mlalazi’s novel Running with Mother (2012), several poems by John Eppel as well as Owen Maseko’s paintings , this paper contends that these works of art broach a subject which has been rendered quasi-taboo. It is argued that these works of literature fictionalize, against the grain of the official national narrative, Zimbabwe’s traumatic postcolonial violence in which the national army turned against the country’s citizens under the guise of weeding out “dissidents” in the immediate post-independence period. Moreover, this article contends that fictional and artistic works function in such a way as to keep the memory of civilian victims alive, to heal the national trauma through memorializing it, and to call perpetrators to account by pointing out their culpability.
Pocket milling of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics using 532-nm nanosecond pulsed laser: An experimental investigation
Authors: Hu Jun , Xu Hebing
Published: November 2015

Non-traditional machining of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, such as laser machining, has great advantages over mechanical machining in the aspect of machinability and flexibility. In this article, a laser milling method using diode pumped and frequency doubled Nd:YVO4 nanosecond pulsed laser system is presented. The effects of processing parameters including laser power, scanning speed, and hatch distance were analyzed. It was found that machining quality and efficiency are seriously influenced by laser power and pulses overlapping rate. The features of micro-pit and chopped fibers on the machined surface were observed with metallographic microscope, and ablation mechanism involved was studied to explain the phenomenon. Depth-controlled milling strategy was realized in the laser focusing environment. Finally, challenges and suggestions are presented for wide application of the method.
Fast method to monitor the flow front and control injection parameters in resin transfer molding using pressure sensors
Authors: Di Fratta Claudio , Koutsoukis Grigorios , Klunker Florian , Ermanni Paolo
Published: November 2015

The quality of composite parts manufactured by resin transfer molding is sensitive to material and process variations during the preform impregnation. In order to improve the process robustness in two-dimensional injection cases, this work proposes a fast method for tracking and controlling the resin flow through the preform, using only a small number of pressure sensors embedded in the mold. The approach combines pressure signals and flow modeling in a quick algorithm that returns on-line estimations of the flow front profiles. Virtual and real injection tests demonstrated the accuracy of the methodology and provided information for designing the sensing system. Moreover, the investigation proved the feasibility of a simple and effective procedure of flow rate control. Based on a computer-controlled pressure regulator acting on the inlet gate, a feedback mechanism was implemented in the system and allowed keeping the flow front velocity within a target range of values. Such a control procedure may be used to limit the formation of voids and enhance the final part quality.
Explanatory Typologies as a Nested Strategy of Inquiry: Combining Cross-case and Within-case Analyses
Authors: Møller Jørgen , Skaaning Svend-Erik
Published: November 2015

Explanatory typologies have recently experienced a renaissance as a research strategy for constructing and assessing causal explanations. However, both the new methodological works on explanatory typologies and the way such typologies have been used in practice have been affected by two shortcomings. First, no elaborate procedures for assessing the general explanatory power of a typological theory on the cross-case level have been devised. Second, rigorous selection procedures for within-case analysis are lacking. Against this background, we introduce a systematic measure that helps researchers assess the explanatory power on the cross-case level, first, within the scope set by a particular typological theory and, second, by investigating the transferability of the theory beyond these scope conditions via an increase in the number of cases. Drawing on recent methodological works on nested analysis, we show how researchers can identify key cases for process tracing based on the cross-case explanatory fit of the typological theory. We illustrate the purchase of our procedures by revisiting seminal studies from the field of comparative historical analysis.
The Manchester urban heat island and adjustments for The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineer calculations
Authors: Levermore G , Parkinson J
Published: November 2015

Extensive measurements of the urban heat island (UHI), where the urban areas stay warmer than rural areas, have been made for Manchester, over a year. From these adjustment factors have been derived for the new CIBSE Guide A, A2 External design data. The paper briefly outlines the theory behind the UHI and the details of the measurements. It then outlines the method of adjustment for CIBSE calculations for thermal response and plant sizing calculations. Some interesting features of the data are discussed such as the Manchester UHI being comparable to that of London and that it is increasing.

Practical applications: Most buildings that building services engineers and other building designers are involved with are in urban or city centres. However, the weather data for their designs are based on near-rural weather data which does not include the urban heat island effect. This paper describes the urban heat island effects that a designer needs to consider and the adjustments that can be made, related to Manchester.
A feature selection model based on genetic rank aggregation for text sentiment classification
Authors: Onan Aytuğ , Korukoğlu Serdar
Published: November 2015

Sentiment analysis is an important research direction of natural language processing, text mining and web mining which aims to extract subjective information in source materials. The main challenge encountered in machine learning method-based sentiment classification is the abundant amount of data available. This amount makes it difficult to train the learning algorithms in a feasible time and degrades the classification accuracy of the built model. Hence, feature selection becomes an essential task in developing robust and efficient classification models whilst reducing the training time. In text mining applications, individual filter-based feature selection methods have been widely utilized owing to their simplicity and relatively high performance. This paper presents an ensemble approach for feature selection, which aggregates the several individual feature lists obtained by the different feature selection methods so that a more robust and efficient feature subset can be obtained. In order to aggregate the individual feature lists, a genetic algorithm has been utilized. Experimental evaluations indicated that the proposed aggregation model is an efficient method and it outperforms individual filter-based feature selection methods on sentiment classification.
Ulrich Beck and Japan
Authors: Abe Kiyoshi
Published: November 2015

Looking back, the process in which Ulrich Beck’s epoch-making work of Risikogesellschaft was introduced and translated into Japanese attracted great public interest there. This paper revisits the significance of the concept ‘risk society’ in the context of postwar Japan. Facing both the natural and artificial disasters caused by the huge earthquake in Fukushima in 2011, Japanese society was compelled to reconsider its atomic energy policy implemented after the end of the Second World War. While the general public has strongly embraced an anti-nuclear sentiment after witnessing the 3/11 disasters, the government and leading LDP are still eager to restart the atomic plants that have been suspended since the tragedy in Fukushima. Considering those complicated sociopolitical conditions concerning the legitimacy of the atomic energy policy in Japan, Risikogesellschaft redux might be a useful way through which we can envisage a future direction to take.
Entrepreneurial orientation: A review and synthesis of promising research directions
Authors: Wales William John
Published: November 2015

This review article analyzes and synthesizes key research on the topic of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in a scholarly effort to provide an integrative guide which enables researchers to more readily assimilate influential works on EO and thereby more productively contribute to the ever-evolving EO conversation in the literature. The article reviews and synthesizes promising directions in the EO research domain from a variety of perspectives, including how EO is manifest, how building on the Miller/Covin and Slevin conceptualization facilitates knowledge accumulation, which theories have been suggested as relevant to advancing the EO conversation, EO model building directions including the demand for longitudinal research, measurement considerations and implications, and the enduring unanswered call for qualitative research.
The effect of ultrafiltration with cardiopulmonary bypass on the removal of dabigatran from the circulation of adult pigs
Authors: DeNino Walter F. , Carter Christopher B. , Sievert Alicia , Goss Ashley , Toole John M. , Mukherjee Rupak , Uber Walter E.
Published: November 2015

Objective:

Dabigatran etexilate is a direct thrombin inhibitor approved for use in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. There is no currently available pharmacological therapy to reverse this renally cleared anticoagulant. Dabigatran has a low level of plasma protein binding and has been considered dialyzable. We used a pig model with renal artery ligation to exclude intrinsic drug excretion to examine the efficacy of ultrafiltration (UF) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for dabigatran removal.

Method:

Dabigatran was intravenously infused (20 mg) in Yorkshire pigs (male, n=7, 70±1 kg) following renal artery ligation. CPB with UF was initiated after heparinization and continued until a total volume of 6 liters of UF effluent was removed. Serial labs, including dabigatran concentration, activated coagulation times (ACT), hematocrit and creatinine were drawn at intervals before the start of CPB and then incrementally during UF (0, 2, 4 and 6 L removed). Hemodialysis (HD) was performed on one animal following UF.

Results:

Dabigatran concentration (ng/mL) rose from undetectable levels at baseline to 296±70 (p<0.05) at the conclusion of infusion, but dropped significantly upon administration of heparin (178±40, p<0.05). A further decrement in dabigatran concentration was observed from the administration of heparin to the start of CPB (to 135±28, p<0.05). Once on CPB, dabigatran remained stable, with the end UF (eUF) dabigatran concentration being 133±34. Dabigatran concentration in the UF effluent was measured in one animal and was 98.8, with 6 L of effluent having been removed. The total recovery of dabigatran was calculated to be less than 5%. Dabigatran concentrations also did not decrease appreciably with HD on CPB following UF.

Conclusions:

UF in conjunction with CPB was ineffective at removing dabigatran. Heparin demonstrated a dabigatran-lowering effect, suggesting a possible drug interaction or assay impairment. Based on these findings, emergent cardiac surgery with UF on cardiopulmonary bypass to remove dabigatran is not advisable. Alternative forms of drug removal or reversal must be identified.
Use of PTFE patch for pericardial closure after minimal invasive LVAD implantation
Authors: Mohite Prashant N , Sabashnikov Anton , Popov Aron F , Fatullayev Javid , Simon André R
Published: November 2015

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is now a routine therapy for advanced heart failure. The thoracotomy approach for LVAD implantation, in which the left ventricle is approached through a pericardial rent, is becoming popular. We demonstrate closure of the pericardial rent with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch and its advantages.
Musicians have larger memory spans for Mandarin tones but not segments
Authors: Yu Lijun , Li Xiaonuo , Yu Hua , Cui Zhuoya , Liao Wenchen , Li Sha , Peng Yu , Wang Zhaoxin
Published: November 2015

It is unclear how music training leads to superior memory of language. In the present study, we investigated whether musically trained adults (musicians) have superior segmental and tonal loops using non-musical Mandarin stimuli. Forty-three musicians and thirty-nine demographically matched non-musically trained adults (non-musicians) participated in this study, all native Chinese. Memory spans, typical indicators of capacity of the phonological loop, were measured in both visual and auditory modalities in the following three conditions: (1) a segmental condition, defined as different syllables with the same high level tone; (2) a tonal condition (suprasegmental condition), defined as the same syllable with different tones; and (3) a mixed condition, defined as different syllables with different tones. The results revealed a main effect of condition. Memory spans of the tonal conditions were significantly smaller than those of segmental and mixed conditions, regardless of group and modality. Moreover, a significant condition by group interaction was found. Musicians outperformed non-musicians in the tonal conditions, but not in the segmental or mixed conditions in both modalities. These findings suggest that there are tonal and segmental loops for Mandarin, and musicians, compared to controls, have larger memory spans for Mandarin tones but not segments.
Neoliberal affects
Authors: Anderson Ben
Published: November 2015

Claims about neoliberalism and its geographies frequently involve assumptions about the affective life of neoliberalism and/or neoliberal societies. However, existing cultural approaches to neoliberalism as a discursive formation, an ideology or governmentality collapse a concern with affect into a focus on the operation of signifying-subjectfying processes that make ‘neoliberal subjects’. Political economy approaches only make implicit claims about the ‘mood’ of neoliberal societies. In this paper, I argue that collective affects are part of the conditions of formation for particular neoliberalisms and therefore understanding the affective life of neoliberalism is critical to explaining how it emerges, forms and changes. Through examples including The Mont Pelerin Society, the Chicago School of Economics and Thatcherism, I propose a vocabulary that supplements existing approaches by focusing on the affective conditions for neoliberalism, specifically the atmospheres that are part of the formation of neoliberal reason and the structures of feeling that condition how particular neoliberalisms actualize in the midst of other things. The result is a way of discerning neoliberalisms as both conditioned by affects and ‘actually existing’ affectively – as dispersed affective ‘qualities’ or ‘senses’.
Protective effects of quercetin glycosides, rutin, and isoquercetrin against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells
Authors: Magalingam Kasthuri Bai , Radhakrishnan Ammu , Haleagrahara Nagaraja
Published: November 2015

There is increasing evidence that free radicals induced oxidative stress is a major causative agent in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease. Quercetin glycosides, namely rutin and isoquercitrin, are flavonoid polyphenol compounds found ubiquitously in fruits and vegetables and have been known to possess antioxidant effects. This study was designed to compare the neuroprotective effects of quercetin glycosides rutin and isoquercitrin in 6-OHDA-induced rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells. The results showed that both rutin and isoquercitrin significantly increased antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione level that were attenuated by 6-OHDA in PC-12 cells. There was no significant difference in the activation of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase enzymes between rutin and isoquercitrin. These two glycosides were equally effective in suppressing lipid peroxidation in 6-OHDA-induced PC-12 cells as both compounds suppressed the malondialdehyde generation and prevented cell damage. In conclusion, quercetin glycosides rutin and isoquercetrin are having a significant neuroprotective effect against 6-OHDA toxicity in PC-12 cells.
The Effects of an Inference-Making Strategy Taught With and Without Goal Setting
Authors: Reed Deborah K. , Lynn Devon
Published: November 2015

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of a strategy for making text-dependent inferences—with and without embedded self-regulation skills—on the reading comprehension of 24 middle-grade students with disabilities. Classes were randomly assigned to receive the inference intervention only (IO), inference + individual goal setting (IIG), or inference + group goal setting (IGG). The Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between groups on overall reading comprehension performance, but students in the IGG group significantly outperformed the IO and IIG groups on evaluation items, χ 2(2, N = 24) = 13.18, p = .001. Paired samples t tests indicated all groups significantly improved their comprehension performance from pre- to posttest, IO: t(8) = 2.76, p < .05; IIG: t(6) = 3.97, p < .01; IGG: t(7) = 4.35, p < .01. The IGG group wrote significantly more valid inferences in Lessons 3 to 7 than the IO or IIG groups; χ 2(2) ranged from 7.26, p < .05, to 16.16, p < .001.
Bugs and Guts
Authors: Barnes Danielle , Yeh Ann Ming
Published: November 2015

Probiotics are foods or products that contain live microorganisms that benefit the host when administered. In this clinical review, we evaluate the literature associated with using probiotics in common pediatric gastrointestinal disorders, focusing specifically on antibiotic‐associated diarrhea, acute gastroenteritis, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), colic, inflammatory bowel disease, and functional gastrointestinal diseases. Meta‐analysis of several randomized controlled trials have confirmed benefit for the administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii to prevent antibiotic‐associated diarrhea and to treat acute infectious diarrhea. Individual studies have also suggested benefit of probiotics to prevent acute gastroenteritis and serve as an adjunct in ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, antibiotic‐associated diarrhea, CDI, functional abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and colic in breastfed babies. Although promising, larger well‐designed studies need to confirm these findings. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend probiotics for the treatment of constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease.
Dualization or liberalization? Investigating precarious work in eight European countries
Authors: Prosser Thomas
Published: November 2015

A recent upsurge in the incidence of precarious work in Europe necessitates fresh examination of the origins of this trend. On the basis of field research in eight European countries and with reference to theories of liberalization and dualization, the factors that drive precarious work in discrete European labour markets are thus investigated. It is discovered that, while a structural-demographic factor such as non-compliance with labour law is a notable progenitor of precarious work, the deregulatory strategies of public authorities are particularly significant drivers. In conclusion it is asserted that although the theory of dualization helps explain developments in conservative-corporatist countries, in Anglophone and Mediterranean countries liberalization theory is generally more apposite. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries emerge as a hybrid case.
Experimental investigation and crystal plasticity–based prediction of AA1050 sheet formability
Authors: Hajian Masoud , Assempour Ahmad , Akbarzadeh Abbas
Published: November 2015

This article presents a crystal plasticity methodology to evaluate the AA1050 sheet formability. In order to determine the orientation distribution of the crystals, initial texture of the material is measured through X-ray diffraction technique. Also, the stress–strain behavior of the material is determined by performing tensile test. In order to simulate the path-dependent crystal plasticity behavior of body-centered cubic crystal structures, a UMAT subroutine that employs the rate-dependent crystal plasticity model along with the power law hardening was developed previously by the authors and linked to the finite element software ABAQUS. This subroutine was further developed to simulate face-centered cubic crystal structures. The second-order derivative of sheet thickness variations with respect to time is considered as the instability factor, and forming limit diagram of the material is predicted. In order to assess the validity of formability prediction results for face-centered cubic materials, forming limit diagram of AA1050 sheet is also experimentally extracted by conducting hemi-spherical punch test. It is observed that the predicted forming limit diagram is in agreement with the experimental results. Finally, the prediction accuracy in different regions of forming limit diagram is discussed and some suggestions for further improving the accuracy are made.
Social dialogue and public pension reform in Greece and Turkey
Authors: Taşdemir Aslı Güleç
Published: November 2015

This article explores the involvement of organized social actors (trade unions and business groups) in the reform of public pension systems in Greece and Turkey. Most early studies of the reform of welfare policies perceived benefits in a consensual policy process, but more recent neoliberal literature has been critical of the political involvement of trade unions. On the basis of interviews with actors involved in the reform process in Greece and Turkey, I conclude that the effectiveness of social pacts is contingent on the financial, political and organizational resources available to the actors involved.
‘And how long have you been sick?’: The discursive construction of symptom duration during acute general practice visits and its implications for ‘doctorability’
Authors: Nielsen Søren Beck
Published: November 2015

This study uses Conversation Analysis to investigate how doctors and patients talk about the duration of patients’ symptoms during acute general practice consultations in Denmark. Both parties treat it important to address and reach shared understanding about this issue, and it is the subject of much clarification and negotiation. Mentioning the duration of symptoms may be patient-initiated from the very outset of the consultation, as part of the problem presentation, or doctor-solicited in the subsequent interaction. Analysis reveals that in both cases, patients use concepts that stress relative duration as part of efforts to legitimise their visits. Legitimisation by such means is most evident in connection with doctor-solicited mention of duration of symptoms. Patients treat doctors’ questions as preferring an answer, which confirms that they have been sick for a long time. Overall, the study provides insight about the huge impact that discussions about time have for conversational organisation during consultations. It also shows how a shared understanding of the duration of symptoms is treated as a precondition for medical decisions and entitlements.
Effect of First Ray Insufficiency and Metatarsal Index on Metatarsalgia in Hallux Valgus
Authors: Slullitel Gaston , López Valeria , Calvi Juan Pablo , Seletti Maximiliano , Bartolucci Carla , Pinton Gustavo
Published: November 2015

Background:

Two concepts have been proposed to explain the etiology of metatarsalgia in hallux valgus patients: First, as the magnitude of hallux valgus increases, there is a mechanical overload of the lesser metatarsals. Second, increased relative lesser metatarsal length is a factor in the development of metatarsalgia. However, there is no current evidence that these structural factors lead to primary metatarsalgia. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the factors associated with metatarsalgia in hallux valgus patients.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of 121 consecutive adult patients with non-arthritic hallux valgus was carried out. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify the effect of the clinical and demographic factors on the occurrence of metatarsalgia. One hundred twenty-one patients (184 feet) with hallux valgus were analyzed. The median weight was 65 kg (interquartile range 58-72).

Results:

Metatarsalgia was present in 84 (45.6%) feet. The binary logistic regression showed that lesser toe deformity (OR 2.6, 95% CI 0.2-0.5), gastrocnemius shortening (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.8-12.3), metatarsal index (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.5), and weight (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.3) were significantly associated.

Conclusion:

Metatarsalgia occurs in almost half of hallux valgus patients. It has a multifactorial etiology. Our findings contradict the common theory that both the magnitude of hallux valgus deformity and an increased length of the lesser metatarsals, by themselves, lead to primary metatarsalgia. Metatarsalgia was associated with Achilles shortening, excessive weight, and associated lesser toe deformity. These factors should be addressed in order to treat this disorder adequately.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative series.
Childhood Sexual Abuse Moderates the Relationship Between Obesity and Mental Health in Low-Income Women
Authors: Ramirez Jennifer C. , Milan Stephanie
Published: November 2015

We examined whether a history of self-reported childhood sexual abuse (CSA) moderates the relationship between obesity and mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder) in an ethnically diverse sample of low-income women. A community sample of 186 women completed self-report measures and had their weight and height measured. Body mass index and CSA had an interactive effect on all mental health measures, such that obese women with a CSA history reported substantially higher levels of all symptoms. These results give greater specificity to the obesity–mental health link reported in previous studies and provide possible directions for targeted intervention.
A Multivariate Model for Analyzing Crime Scene Information
Authors: Fujita Goro , Watanabe Kazumi , Yokota Kaeko , Suzuki Mamoru , Wachi Taeko , Otsuka Yusuke , Kuraishi Hiroki
Published: November 2015

This study examines the validity of a statistical offender profiling technique that predicts the multi-dimensional classification of homicide offenders. Analyzing 539 Japanese homicide cases, we constructed multivariate prediction models that infer classifications defined by three dichotomous variables (stranger offender, solo offender, money-oriented motive) on the basis of crime scene information. We evaluated the validity of the models with a 10-fold cross-validation procedure and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and found the models to have moderate accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] = .73 to .82). We discussed the results from the perspective of the offender’s rational choices in the crime scene and crime specialization.
Provider Opinions Regarding the Development of a Stigma-Reduction Intervention Tailored for Providers
Authors: Mittal Dinesh , Corrigan Patrick , Drummond Karen L. , Porchia Sylvia , Sullivan Greer
Published: November 2015

Interventions involving contact with a person who has recovered from mental illness are most effective at reducing stigma. This study sought input from health care providers to inform the design of a contact intervention intended to reduce provider stigma toward persons with serious mental illness. Using a purposive sampling strategy, data were collected from providers at five Veterans Affairs hospitals in the southeastern United States. Seven focus groups were conducted, and 83 health care providers participated. A semistructured interview guide was used to elicit providers’ opinions about the target group of a contact intervention for providers, what providers would consider a credible contact, the preferred format for delivery, the usefulness of potentially tailoring the intervention to a specific facility, and how to measure change in clinical behaviors. Focus group data were analyzed using rapid data analysis techniques. Participants uniformly recommended a broad target audience for the stigma-reduction intervention, including all primary care and specialist providers. They suggested that the person providing the “lived experience” for the contact intervention should be either a health care provider or a patient with serious mental illness. Face-to-face presentation was favored, but video presentation was considered more feasible. Participants stated that information about local disparities in care rendered to patients with or without mental illness would convince providers of how stigma may be a contributing factor to these disparities. Multiple training opportunities were favored, while mandatory training was disliked. Standard stigma-reduction interventions with subgroups of the general public (e.g., providers) may need to be modified for optimum subgroup effectiveness.