bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using audience response systems to enhance student engagement and learning in information literacy teaching
Authors: Funnell Paula
Published: December 2017

One of the key challenges in Information Literacy (IL) teaching in higher education is ensuring student engagement. As such, active learning approaches are encouraged in order to maximise student participation and interaction with the teaching. The use of audience response systems (ARSs) is one active learning approach which is being used increasingly in IL teaching. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of ARSs in terms of increased engagement and student learning. Previous research has explored the use of ARSs as an active learning approach in comparison to traditional lectures, but this study aims to specifically examine the effectiveness of these tools as part of an active learning pedagogy. Most existing studies have looked at a single ARS, usually clickers. With an increase in availability and functionality of online tools, and discussions at a university level about moving to a single system which makes use of students’ own devices, this study also aims to compare the effectiveness of clickers and online ARSs. A controlled study was carried out on two cohorts of medical students at Queen Mary University of London comparing the use of clickers, online response tools, or a mixture of the two, to teaching without ARSs. Class observation and student evaluation were used to measure student engagement, and quizzes and student confidence levels to measure student learning. Results of the study showed that ARSs, when used as part of an active learning pedagogy, are an effective tool in terms of increasing student engagement, and have a generally positive impact on student learning, with online tools being slightly more effective than clickers. The study provides evidence which can be used by IL practitioners to help integrate ARSs into their teaching as well as inform institutional decisions on the use of these tools.
Examining structural oppression as a component of information literacy:
Authors: Pashia Angela Joy
Published: December 2017

This article calls for librarians to expand our understanding of information literacy to include the connections between structural racism and information production, dissemination, and organisation. It begins with an examination of some of the ways libraries have recorded and replicated inequities endemic in Western society. These issues are connected to both the field of critical information literacy and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. The author then provides an overview of how these issues are taught in a credit bearing information literacy course.
Systematics of Thiodinini (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae), with description of a new genus and twelve new species
Authors: BUSTAMANTE ABEL A. , RUIZ GUSTAVO R.S.
Published: December 2017

The jumping spider tribe Thiodinini is revised at generic level: diagnoses are proposed for all valid genera, based on the type species of each genus, and in some cases, on new species herein described. The tribe contains seven genera: Thiodina Simon, 1900; Cyllodania Simon, 1902; Hyetussa Simon, 1902; Atomosphyrus Simon, 1902; Arachnomura Mello-Leitão, 1917, Titanattus Peckham & Peckham, 1885 and the new genus Tartamura gen. nov. The following genera are synonymized: Micalula Strand, 1932 and Bredana Gertsch, 1936 with Hyetussa Simon, 1902; Agelista Simon, 1900 with Titanattus Peckham & Peckham, 1885. With this, the following new combinations are established: Hyetussa longithorax (Petrunkevitch, 1925) comb. nov. (this species with a neotype designation), from Micalula, and Hyetussa complicata (Gertsch, 1936) comb. nov. and Hyetussa alternata (Gertsch, 1936) comb. nov., both from Bredana. A transfer is proposed: Thiodina minuta comb. nov. (from Cyllodania). Twelve new species are described: Arachnomura querandi sp. nov.; Cyllodania trinidad sp. nov.; Cyllodania zoobotanica sp. nov.; Hyetussa sergipe sp. nov.; Hyetussa tremembe sp. nov.; Tartamura agatelin sp. nov.; Tartamura huao sp. nov.; Tartamura metzneri sp. nov.; Thiodina firme sp. nov.; Thiodina perian sp. nov.; Titanattus acanjuba sp. nov. and Titanattus euryphaessa sp. nov. Morphological traits and aspects of the phylogeny are discussed.
Electrogena brulini sp. nov. and E. vipavensis Zurwerra & Tomka, 1986 syn. nov. revealed by integrative taxonomy of E. gridellii (Grandi, 1953)
(Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae)
Authors: WAGNER ANDRE , VUATAZ LAURENT , SARTORI MICHEL
Published: December 2017

A new species belonging to the speciose genus Electrogena Zurwerra & Tomka, 1985 is described based on all stages from material collected in Switzerland, northern Italy and Slovenia. Electrogena brulini Wagner sp. nov. is closely related to E. gridellii (Grandi, 1953). A genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial gene CO1, including 9 specimens from 5 populations, reveals a K2P distance of 22% between both species. Our investigations demonstrate that the description of the nymph of E. gridellii sensu Belfiore (1996) refers in fact to both species. Therefore, E. gridellii is redescribed in all stages. The number of bristles on each mandibular prostheca in the nymphs, the shape of titillators in male genitalia and the shape of the subanal plate in female imagines are the main characters allowing discrimination of these two species. This study also shows that in this case it is possible and helpful to use colour patterns to separate two closely related species. The re-examination of the type material of Electrogena vipavensis Zurwerra & Tomka, 1986 described from western Slovenia indicates that this species is a junior subjective synonym of E. gridellii.
Near-Surface and Deep Circulation Coupling in the Western Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Tenreiro M. , Candela Julio , Sanz Enric Pallàs , Sheinbaum Julio , Ochoa José
Published: December 2017

The coupling between the upper (z < 1000-m depth) and deep (z > 1500 m) circulation in the western Gulf of Mexico (WGoM) driven by the arrival of Loop Current eddies (LCEs) is analyzed from moorings measuring horizontal velocity in the full water column during a 5-yr period (October 2008–October 2013). Nine LCEs crossing the mooring array are documented. A composite of these events shows that strong northward currents at depth having speeds of 0.1–0.2 m s−1 precede (~10–20 days) the strong northward near-surface currents (~0.5 m s−1) characteristic of the western rim of the LCEs. These deep northward flow intensifications are followed by southward deep flows coupled with the surface-intensified southward current of the eastern (rear) part of the LCEs crossing the array. These results are consistent with the existence of a deep anticyclone leading and a cyclone trailing the upper-layer LCEs. Objectively interpolated regional maps of velocities and vertical vorticity obtained from up to 30 moorings indicate the mean circulation at 100-m depth in the northern WGoM is mostly anticyclonic and enhanced by the arrival of the westward-propagating LCEs, while the southern part is dominated by the presence of a semipermanent cyclonic structure (Bay of Campeche cyclonic gyre). At 1500-m depth, the mean circulation follows the slope in a cyclonic sense and shows a cyclonic vorticity maximum on the abyssal plane consistent with the LCE deep flow composites. This suggests the LCEs strongly modulate not only the upper-layer circulation but also impact the deep flow.
Foreign Rebel Sponsorship: A Patron–Client Analysis of Party Viability in Elections Following Negotiated Settlements
Authors: Marshall Michael C.
Published: December 2017

This project examines long-term viability of former rebel parties in postconflict elections following negotiated settlements. Building on a growing literature examining the environmental and organizational factors affecting insurgent-to-party transformations and emergence, this project asks why some insurgent organizations remain politically viable as party labels in postsettlement environments while others do not, despite facing similar costs of entry. I propose that revenues from foreign patrons provide political opportunities to desperate rebel groups, easing their transition into viable political parties. However, I also propose that the connection between foreign sponsorship and rebel party development is not ironclad. Utilizing the principal–agent model and the two-level game, this piece argues that the political development of rebel clients may be constrained by the rational and institutional pressures that potential foreign patrons face. Using binary logit models and marginal effects postestimation, this piece finds that rebel parties with authoritarian patrons are more likely to regularly participate in national elections and accumulate governing power.
Functional Effects of SNPs in MYH9 and Risks of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts
Authors: Wang Y. , Li D. , Xu Y. , Ma L. , Lu Y. , Wang Z. , Wang L. , Zhang W. , Pan Y.
Published: December 2017

Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOCs) are congenital newborn malformations. Myosin heavy chain 9 ( MYH9) is a candidate gene of NSOCs. To investigate the associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MYH9 and NSOC susceptibility, a 2-stage case-control study was designed and 4 potentially functional SNPs of MYH9 (rs12107, rs2269529, rs9619601, rs5756130) were selected and genotyped by iPLEX Sequenom MassARRAY and TaqMan assay in the first stage (599 NSOC cases and 590 controls). The significant SNPs in the first stage were replicated in the second stage (676 NSOC cases and 705 controls) by TaqMan assay. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, cell transfection, and luciferase assay were performed accordingly to explore their functionality. In stage I, rs12107 was nominally associated with NSOCs, whereas rs2269529 showed a significant association (rs12107: Phet = 0.028; rs2269529: Phet = 0.001). In stage II, rs12107 was nominally associated with NSOCs, and rs2269529 showed a significant association (rs12107: Phom = 0.014; rs2269529: Phet = 0.006). In combined stages, these 2 SNPs gained significant associations (rs12107: Pdom = 0.004; rs2269529: Pdom = 4.4 × 10–5). In subphenotype analysis, these 2 SNPs were associated with cleft lip only (CLO) and cleft lip with palate (CLP), and rs2269529 was also associated with cleft palate only (CPO). Haplotype analysis revealed associations between rs12107-G/rs2269529-T and NSOC susceptibility ( P = 0.011). Combined analysis of rs12107 and rs2269529 indicated the risk of NSOCs increased with the number of risk alleles (rs12107-G and rs2269529-T, P for trend = 0.008). MYH9 SNP rs12107 AG + GG and rs2269529 CT + TT were associated with higher MYH9 expression in lip tissues compared with their corresponding wild-type homozygote. For rs12107, higher luciferase activities of G allele than A allele were observed in the luciferase assay. MYH9 was downregulated when transfecting its putative binding target miR-196b-3p into human embryo plate mesenchyme (HEPM) and C2C12 cell lines. For rs2269529, C > T contributed to increased MYH9 messenger RNA. In conclusion, rs12107 and rs2269529 were associated with the expression of MYH9 and contributed to the susceptibility of NSOCs.
Medical Marijuana and Crime: Substance Use and Criminal Behaviors in a Sample of Arrestees
Authors: Cheon Hyunjung , Decker Scott H. , Katz Charles M.
Published: December 2017

After decades of prohibition, laws allowing marijuana use for medical and, in some cases, recreational purposes have been enacted across the country. To date, however, little is known about medical marijuana use, particularly regarding its relationship to criminal offending and use by nonauthorized persons. The current study bridges this gap by examining offending patterns in a sample of recent arrestees in Maricopa County, Arizona, identified and interviewed through the Arizona Arrestee Reporting Information Network (AARIN) project. Findings suggest that medical users had a higher probability for committing Driving Under the Influendce (DUI) and drug selling/making than nonusers, and diverted medical marijuana users had a higher probability for involvement in property crime, violent crime, DUI, and drug selling/making than nonusers. The results have important implications for developing marijuana decriminalization policies, criminal justice, and criminological theory. Directions for future research are discussed.
Learning Together: The Instinct to Do Good and Peer-Assisted Strategies That Work
Authors: Jellison Judith A. , Draper Ellary A. , Brown Laura S.
Published: December 2017

Children have a natural proclivity to teach, help, cooperate, and empathize with others, and these interactions can have positive benefits for children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. This article is about ways music teachers can design peer-assisted music learning activities that will benefit everyone in the class and ultimately contribute to creating a classroom culture of inclusion.
Recent and Continuing Initiatives and Practices in Special Education
Authors: Darrow Alice-Ann , Adamek Mary S.
Published: December 2017

A number of initiatives in special education have occurred in the United States over the years, some mandated by amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Having a working knowledge of these initiatives allows music educators to have informed discussions with colleagues and parents and participate more fully in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Adopting special education practices that are appropriate to music education can also promote consistent and coordinated efforts on behalf of students with disabilities. This article includes summaries of current practices and initiatives in special education. For music educators who would like a basic understanding of their colleagues’ discipline, these summaries offer useful information that can facilitate the inclusion of students with disabilities.
Noise attenuation performance of warp knitted spacer fabrics
Authors: Arumugam Veerakumar , Mishra Rajesh , Militky Jiri , Tomkova Blanka
Published: December 2017

The development of functional textile structures is important to improve noise attenuation of human life in automotives, residential and occupational environments. In this research, an attempt has been made to find the suitability of three-dimensional (3D) knitted spacer fabrics for sound absorption. Hence, an experimental and analytical investigation on the sound absorption behavior of warp knitted spacer fabrics was conducted. Due to their porous nature, interconnected pores, bulkier and 3D structure, the spacer fabrics have the ability to attenuate more sound energy than conventional materials. This research examined the acoustic properties of spacer fabrics in relation to material parameters such as thickness, density and surface structure and structural characteristics such as massivity, porosity, tortuosity and air flow resistivity. The sound absorption coefficient of the test samples was measured using the impedance tube method by ASTM E-1050 in the frequency range of 50–6400 Hz. The results showed that the acoustic insulation of spacer fabric improves with their thickness and massivity, reduction in their porosity, tortuous path and high air flow resistance. Advance statistical evaluation and two-way analysis of variance is used to analyze the significance of the combined effect of various factors on air flow resistivity and the noise reduction coefficient. These findings are important requirements for the design of spacer fabrics for noise control in the automobile upholstery, buildings, auditoriums, etc.
A new pseudo-energy function to simulate the Mullins effect
Authors: Wrubleski Eduardo Guilherme Mötke , Marczak Rogério
Published: December 2017

Several authors have proposed different parameters to include the softening effect in hyperelastic models; however, for a number of materials, softening parameters could be further improved. This article proposes a new softening parameter to include Mullins effect in hyperelastic material models. The methodology employed can be also used in cases with hysteresis or damage in a hyperelastic material, however this methodology modifies the behavior of the material differently from damage theories. Common hyperelastic constitutive models do not include dissipation effects and so the present work intends to fill this gap. Experimental data for silicone in uniaxial tensile test, equibiaxial, and pure shear tests were modeled in order to calibrate the models. The softening parameters essentially changes the constitutive law from the loading to the unloading path. Therefore, it is still necessary to use a hyperelastic model, and here Ogden and Hoss-Marczak material models were used. The obtained results show good agreement with experimental data even when simulating with a compressible finite element code and it can model isotropic Mullins effect.
Speckle Tracking in Transcranial Ultrasound Allows Noninvasive Analysis of Pulsation Patterns of the Third Ventricle
Authors: Würzer Benjamin , Laza Cristina , Pons-Kühnemann Jörn , Kaps Manfred , Junge Bernd , Roessler Florian C.
Published: December 2017

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is sensitive to many cerebral disorders. We aimed to develop a noninvasive bedside method to detect physiological and pathological CSF phenomena by measuring pulsation patterns of the third ventricle. By transcranial B-mode ultrasound, electrocardiography (ECG)-gated video loops of the third ventricle were acquired. “Speckle tracking” software was used to quantify the relative change of its width. We conducted measurements of nine cardiac cycles in 11 healthy subjects in sitting and in supine position during Valsalva maneuver to investigate the influence of an increased intracranial pressure on the relative deformation of the third ventricle. In one patient with occlusive hydrocephalus, 19 cardiac cycles were measured in sitting position before and after removal of a tumorous obstruction of the aqueduct of Sylvius. Healthy subjects expressed a pulse-related increased width of the third ventricle ([Formula: see text]: +5.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [4.38, 7.00]). No significant difference was found between the sitting and the supine position in healthy adults. In the preoperative state of occlusive hydrocephalus, we found a negative, pulse-related deformation ([Formula: see text]: −1.86, 95% CI = [−2.15, −1.58]) with delayed onset. After surgery, the deformation pattern resembled that of our healthy controls. The difference between pre- and postoperative condition was significant (p < 0.001). Transcranial B-mode sonography can be used to record small movements of the sidewalls of the third ventricle. This noninvasive bedside method is suitable to assess CSF pulsatility within the third ventricle and might be able to distinguish between physiological and pathological flows.
Repeated treatment with the α2-adrenoceptor agonist UK-14304 improves cognitive performance in middle-age rats: Role of hippocampal Fas-associated death domain
Authors: Hernández-Hernández Elena , Miralles Antonio , Esteban Susana , García-Fuster M Julia
Published: December 2017

The cell fate regulator Fas-associated death domain (FADD) balances cell death with non-apoptotic actions via its phosphorylated form. A recent study associated loss of cortical FADD with cognitive decline and increased risk of clinical dementia. Since the activation of cortical α2A-adrenoceptors improved memory deficits in various animal models of working memory loss, the present study evaluated whether UK-14304, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist known to acutely regulate brain FADD forms, would improve cognitive function in middle-aged rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with UK-14304 (0.3 or 1 mg/kg) or saline (1 mL/kg) for seven days. Cognitive performance was evaluated in the eight-arm radial maze. FADD protein content was measured in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus by Western blot analysis. The results showed that UK-14304 (1 mg/kg) improved cognitive performance (less time: –310±45 s, p=0.025 and fewer errors: –2.75±1.06, p=0.043 to complete the maze) and increased FADD selectively in the hippocampus (+35±11%, p=0.029). Interestingly, hippocampal FADD content negatively correlated with the time ( r=−0.651, p<0.01) needed to complete the maze. Thus, better cognitive scores were associated with higher FADD hippocampal content. These results support a role for α2-adrenoceptors in ameliorating cognition and suggest FADD protein content as a possible correlate for cognitive performance.
Cultural Fragmentation as a Barrier to Interagency Collaboration: A Qualitative Examination of Texas Law Enforcement Officers’ Perceptions
Authors: Cohen Galia
Published: December 2017

Public management scholars have long speculated on the importance of interagency collaboration among public agencies in the delivery of public services. This study examines barriers to public interagency collaboration in the area of public safety. Interjurisdictional collaboration among law enforcement agencies at all levels has become emblematic of “new governance” models for enhanced public safety delivery. However, such collaborative efforts encounter many challenges. The purpose of this research is to examine the ways in which cultural fragmentation among law enforcement officials constrain interagency collaboration. This study collected information from 45 law enforcement officers and command personnel from 18 different local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in a large metropolitan area in Texas. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus groups. Analysis of the data revealed three potential dimensions of cultural fragmentation that impede collaborative efforts between agencies and departments: the agency-type dimension, the rank-segment dimension, and the leadership style dimension. Implications for practice and future research are discussed as well.
Contingencies of Power Sharing in Collaborative Governance
Authors: Ran Bing , Qi Huiting
Published: December 2017

Studies on dynamics of power relationship play a significant role in the collaborative governance literature because many issues and challenges in collaborative governance can be linked to power asymmetry in collaboration. This article proposes a contingency framework on power asymmetry in collaborative governance that includes six contingency factors of power sharing from contextual, network, and node perspectives. We focus on how each contingency factor influences the relationship between power sharing and the effectiveness of collaborative governance and suggest that, instead of focusing on the attempt to balance power and share power in collaboration, it will be more fruitful to design and implement collaborative arrangements based on the dynamic contingencies.
Inverse KKT: Learning cost functions of manipulation tasks from demonstrations
Authors: Englert Peter , Vien Ngo Anh , Toussaint Marc
Published: December 2017

Inverse optimal control (IOC) assumes that demonstrations are the solution to an optimal control problem with unknown underlying costs, and extracts parameters of these underlying costs. We propose the framework of inverse Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT), which assumes that the demonstrations fulfill the KKT conditions of an unknown underlying constrained optimization problem, and extracts parameters of this underlying problem. Using this we can exploit the latter to extract the relevant task spaces and parameters of a cost function for skills that involve contacts. For a typical linear parameterization of cost functions this reduces to a quadratic program, ensuring guaranteed and very efficient convergence, but we can deal also with arbitrary non-linear parameterizations of cost functions. We also present a non-parametric variant of inverse KKT that represents the cost function as a functional in reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces. The aim of our approach is to push learning from demonstration to more complex manipulation scenarios that include the interaction with objects and therefore the realization of contacts/constraints within the motion. We demonstrate the approach on manipulation tasks such as sliding a box, closing a drawer and opening a door.
Detection of early nocturnal hypoventilation in neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Trucco Federica , Pedemonte Marina , Fiorillo Chiara , Tan Hui-leng , Carlucci Annalisa , Brisca Giacomo , Tacchetti Paola , Bruno Claudio , Minetti Carlo
Published: December 2017

Objective

Nocturnal hypoventilation (NH) is a complication of respiratory involvement in neuromuscular disorders (NMD) that can evolve into symptomatic daytime hypercapnia if not treated proactively with non-invasive ventilation. This study aimed to assess whether NH can be detected in the absence of other signs of nocturnal altered gas exchange.

Methods

We performed nocturnal transcutaneous coupled (tc) pCO2/SpO2 monitoring in 46 consecutive cases of paediatric-onset NMD with a restrictive respiratory defect (forced vital capacity < 60%). Nocturnal hypoventilation was defined as tcPCO2 > 50 mmHg for > 25% of recorded time, and hypoxemia as tcSpO2 < 88% for > 5 minutes. Daytime symptoms and bicarbonate were recorded after overnight monitoring.

Results

Twenty-nine of 46 consecutive patients showed NH. Twenty-three patients did not have nocturnal hypoxemia and 18 were clinically asymptomatic. In 20 patients, PaCO2 in daytime blood samples was normal. Finally, 13/29 patients with NH had isolated nocturnal hypercapnia without nocturnal hypoxia, clinical NH symptoms, or daytime hypercapnia.

Conclusions

Paediatric patients with NMD can develop NH in the absence of clinical symptoms or significant nocturnal desaturation. Therefore, monitoring of NH should be included among nocturnal respiratory assessments of these patients as an additional tool to determine when to commence non-invasive ventilation.
Outcome of pinning in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis: risk factors associated with avascular necrosis, chondrolysis, and femoral impingement
Authors: Ulici Alexandru , Carp Madalina , Tevanov Iulia , Nahoi Catalin Alexandru , Sterian Alin Gabriel , Cosma Dan
Published: December 2017

Objective

This study aimed to assess the principal risk factors that could lead to the most common long-term complications of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, such as avascular necrosis, chondrolysis, and hip impingement.

Methods

We conducted a single-centre, retrospective study and evaluated patients (70 patients, 81 hips) who were treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis from 2010 to 2015 and who underwent pinning. We measured the severity of displacement radiologically using the Southwick angle. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated for the most frequent long-term complications of avascular necrosis (AVN), chondrolysis, and femoral acetabular impingement (FAI).

Results

We found seven cases of AVN, 14 cases of chondrolysis, and 31 hips had an α angle of 60°. Sex, ambulation, and symptoms did not affect development of these complications. Patients with a normal weight were almost two times more likely to develop FAI. Patients with moderate and severe slips had a similar percentage of AVN. In severe slips, 85.7% of patients had an α angle higher than 60°.

Conclusions

This study shows that severe slips have a higher risk of developing AVN and hip impingement. Every patient who suffers from SCFE (even the mildest forms) should be regularly checked for FAI.
Amniotic fluid oxidant–antioxidant status in foetal congenital nervous system anomalies
Authors: Cim Numan , Tolunay Harun Egemen , Karaman Erbil , Boza Barıs , Bilici Mustafa , Çetin Orkun , Yıldızhan Recep , Sahin Hanım Guler
Published: December 2017

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the oxidant–antioxidant status of amniotic fluid in pregnant women with foetal congenital malformations of the central nervous system.

Methods

We studied pregnant women with foetal congenital nervous system anomalies at 16–22 weeks’ gestation (n = 36). The control group (n = 30) consisted of pregnant women at the same gestational age who underwent amniocentesis, resulting in a normal karyotype. We analysed glutathione, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels in amniotic fluid. Enzyme activation was measured by spectrophotometry.

Results

The demographic features of the groups were similar in terms of age, parity, body mass index, and gestational weeks. We detected lower glutathione and catalase levels in the foetal congenital anomaly group than in the control group. We detected higher malondialdehyde levels in the foetal congenital anomaly group than in the control group.

Conclusion

In the organism, the rate of formation of free radicals and their rate of removal are balanced, and this is called oxidative balance. As long as oxidative stability is achieved, the organism is not affected by free radicals. This fact should be kept in mind to avoid any type of teratogenic agent that could lead to congenital disorders.
Dexmedetomidine protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation injury-induced apoptosis via the p38 MAPK/ERK signalling pathway
Authors: Wang Ke , Zhu Yuekun
Published: December 2017

Objective

To investigate the protective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury, which is involved in a number of ischaemic diseases.

Methods

An in vitro OGD/R injury model was generated using mouse Neuro 2A neuroblastoma (N2A) cells. Different concentrations of DEX were administrated to OGD/R cells. CV-65 was used to inhibit p38 microtubule associated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (MAPK/ERK) signalling. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and the levels of proteins related to p38 MAPK/ERK signalling and apoptosis were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, TdT-UTP nick end labelling and Western blot analysis, respectively.

Results

DEX treatment of OGD/R cells promoted cell survival and attenuated OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis. It also activated the p38 MAPK/ERK signalling pathway, increased the levels of Bcl-2, and decreased the levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Treatment with the p38 MAPK/ERK inhibitor CV-65 inhibited the activation of p38 MAPK/ERK and abrogated the DEX-induced effects on cell survival and apoptosis.

Conclusions

DEX protects N2A cells from OGD/R-induced apoptosis via the activation of the p38 MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. DEX might be an effective agent for the treatment of ischaemic diseases.
Current management of refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Zhao Ruihong , Lu Juan , Shi Yu , Zhao Hong , Xu Kaijin , Sheng Jifang
Published: December 2017

Liver cirrhosis is a health problem worldwide, and ascites is its principal symptom. Refractory ascites is intractable and occurs in 5%–10% of all patients with ascites due to cirrhosis. Refractory ascites leads to a poor quality of life and high mortality rate. Ascites develops as a result of portal hypertension, which leads to water–sodium retention and renal failure. Various therapeutic measures can be used for refractory ascites, including large-volume paracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, vasoconstrictive drugs, and an automated low-flow ascites pump system. However, ascites generally can be resolved only by liver transplantation. Because not all patients can undergo liver transplantation, traditional approaches are still used to treat refractory ascites. The choice of treatment modality for refractory ascites depends, among other factors, on the condition of the patient.
Use of cerebral oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration to predict acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery
Authors: Balci Canan , Haftaci Engin , Kunt Atike Tekeli
Published: December 2017

Objective

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac surgery and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technique for real-time measurement of cerebral tissue oxygenation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlation of AKI with hemoglobin and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) measured intraoperatively and postoperatively in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the prospectively collected data of 45 adult patients with normal renal function who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from January 2014 to May 2014. Kidney injury was assessed according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. rScO2 and hemoglobin were measured every hour intraoperatively and for the first 24 hours postoperatively.

Results

The hemoglobin concentration and rScO2 were significantly lower in patients with than without AKI, and no linear trends were observed. No exact cut-off values were obtained.

Conclusion

This retrospective study shows that a lower rScO2 and hemoglobin concentration are correlated with AKI after CABG in patients with no peripheral vascular disease or recent myocardial infarction. We suggest that cerebral oximetry alone may predict postoperative AKI well.
The Posture of Putting One’s Palms Together Modulates Visual Motion Event Perception
Authors: Saito Godai , Gyoba Jiro
Published: December 2017

We investigated the effect of an observer’s hand postures on visual motion perception using the stream/bounce display. When two identical visual objects move across collinear horizontal trajectories toward each other in a two-dimensional display, observers perceive them as either streaming or bouncing. In our previous study, we found that when observers put their palms together just below the coincidence point of the two objects, the percentage of bouncing responses increased, mainly depending on the proprioceptive information from their own hands. However, it remains unclear if the tactile or haptic (force) information produced by the postures mostly influences the stream/bounce perception. We solved this problem by changing the tactile and haptic information on the palms of the hands. Experiment 1 showed that the promotion of bouncing perception was observed only when the posture of directly putting one’s palms together was used, while there was no effect when a brick was sandwiched between the participant’s palms. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the strength of force used when putting the palms together had no effect on increasing bounce perception. Our findings indicate that the hands-induced bounce effect derives from the tactile information produced by the direct contact between both palms.
Men and Women Differ in the Biochemical Composition of Platelet-Rich Plasma
Authors: Xiong Grace , Lingampalli Nithya , Koltsov Jayme C.B. , Leung Lawrence L. , Bhutani Nidhi , Robinson William H. , Chu Constance R.
Published: December 2017

Background:

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used for a variety of clinical applications. However, clinical outcome studies have not consistently shown positive effects. The composition of PRP differs based on many factors. An improved understanding of factors influencing the composition of PRP is important for the optimization of PRP use.

Hypothesis:

Age and sex influence the PRP composition in healthy patients.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Blood from 39 healthy patients was collected at a standardized time and processed into leukocyte-poor PRP within 1 hour of collection using the same laboratory centrifuge protocol and frozen for later analysis. Eleven female and 10 male patients were “young” (aged 18-30 years), while 8 male and 10 female patients were “older” (aged 45-60 years). Thawed PRP samples were assessed for cytokine and growth factor levels using a multiplex assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The platelet count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured. Two-way analysis of variance determined age- and sex-based differences.

Results:

Platelet and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations were similar in PRP between the groups ( P = .234). Male patients had higher cytokine and growth factor levels in PRP compared with female patients for inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin–1 beta (IL-1β) (9.83 vs 7.71 pg/mL, respectively; P = .008) and tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α) (131.6 vs 110.5 pg/mL, respectively; P = .048); the anti-inflammatory IL-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) (298.0 vs 218.0 pg/mL, respectively; P < .001); and growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor–basic (FGF-basic) (237.9 vs 194.0 pg/mL, respectively; P = .01), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) (3296.2 vs 2579.3 pg/mL, respectively; P = .087), and transforming growth factor–beta 1 (TGF-β1) (118.8 vs 92.8 ng/mL, respectively; P = .002). Age- but not sex-related differences were observed for insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1) ( P < .001). Age and sex interaction terms were not significant. While mean differences were significant, there was also substantial intragroup variability.

Conclusion:

This study in healthy patients shows differences in the composition of PRP between men and women, with sex being a greater factor than age. There was also proteomic variability within the groups. These data support a personalized approach to PRP treatment and highlight the need for a greater understanding of the relationships between proteomic factors in PRP and clinical outcomes.

Clinical Relevance:

Variability in the proteomic profile of PRP may affect tissue and clinical responses to treatment. These data suggest that clinical studies should account for the composition of PRP used.
Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma Immediately After an Injury Did Not Improve Ligament Healing, and Increasing Platelet Concentrations Was Detrimental in an In Vivo Animal Model
Authors: LaPrade Robert F. , Goodrich Laurie R. , Phillips Jennifer , Dornan Grant J. , Turnbull Travis Lee , Hawes Michael L. , Dahl Kimi D. , Coggins Ashley N. , Kisiday John , Frisbie David , Chahla Jorge
Published: December 2017

Background:

Limited information in basic science and clinical trials exists to determine if ligament healing may be accelerated with the use of biological adjuvants, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP). However, there has been widespread acceptance of PRP for use in clinical practice, despite an inadequate understanding of its biological mechanism of action.

Purpose:

To determine whether a single dose of PRP could accelerate ligament healing and correspondingly improve histological characteristics and biomechanical properties when injected immediately postoperatively into the injured medial collateral ligament (MCL) of New Zealand White rabbits.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eighty skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits (160 knees) were used. The MCL was torn midbody to simulate a grade 3 tear. After an acute injury of the MCL, the administration of autologous PRP at 3 different platelet concentrations (0 million/uL, platelet-poor plasma [PPP]; 0.6 million/uL, 2 times the baseline [2× PRP]; and 1.2 million/uL, 4 times the baseline [4× PRP]) was performed and compared with a saline injection control in the contralateral knee. Histological analysis and a biomechanical endpoint characterization were utilized to assess ligamentous healing and compare it to a sham surgery group.

Results:

The PPP ( P = .001) and 4× PRP ( P = .002) groups had a significantly lower collagen subscore than the sham surgery group. No other differences were observed among the treatment groups, including the vascularity subscore and overall ligament tissue maturity index score. Compared with saline-injected contralateral knees, the maximum load for PPP and 2× PRP was not significantly different ( P = .788 and .325, respectively). The maximum load and stiffness for knees treated with 4× PRP were significantly less than for the saline-treated contralateral knees ( P = .006 and .001, respectively).

Conclusion:

One single dose of PPP or 2× PRP at the time of injury did not improve ligament healing. In addition, 4× PRP negatively affected ligament strength and histological characteristics at 6 weeks after the injury.

Clinical Relevance:

The current practice of treating knee ligament injuries with PRP may not improve healing at low doses of PRP. The decreased mechanical properties and histological appearance of the torn MCL suggest that high doses of PRP decrease the quality of repair tissue. Further in vivo studies are necessary to determine the dosing and timing of PRP administration after a ligament injury before the widespread use of PRP to treat ligament injuries is recommended.
The Impact of Hair on African American Women’s Collective Identity Formation
Authors: Garrin Ashley R. , Marcketti Sara B.
Published: December 2017

The Black Pride and Power Movements of the 1960s and 1970s changed the aesthetic of the larger African American community, promoting self-affirmation and reclaiming African pride. As individuals engaged in the movement, they began to internalize new meanings and understandings of themselves, leading to self-transformation and collective identity that promoted the specific political ideology and agenda of the group. In this research, the lived experiences of African American women who were emerging adults (ages 18–25) during the Civil Rights Movement from 1960 to 1974 were examined, through in-depth interviews, to understand their experiences with wearing natural hairstyles during this time. Seven participants highlighted how wearing natural hair was used in the three dimensions of collective identity formation: boundaries, consciousness, and negotiation. Participants’ counterhegemonic use of appearance constructed, created, and negotiated a collective identity that was aligned with demonstration for racial equality of African Americans.
John Howard’s Investor State: Neoliberalism and the Rise of Inequality in Australia
Authors: Redden Guy
Published: December 2017

Recent work has acknowledged the variegated forms neoliberalism takes in different contexts while recognizing the elements that connect them. Neoliberalization has proven a flexible, adaptive and renewable pattern of reform. At the same time, there is increasing evidence for Harvey’s contention that its principal socio-economic outcome is inequality. Accordingly, this article proposes that contextualized understandings of neoliberal formations may shed some light on how inegalitarian upwards redistribution has come to pass. It focuses on the Australian government of John Howard (1996–2007), arguing that its fiscal policies created an ‘investor state’ – a uniquely generous and expensive system of tax cuts and state subsidy for investors and consumers of private welfare services. This fulfilled the general neoliberal imperative to boost markets in a locally adapted way that built on the market liberalization of the previous Hawke and Keating governments. Importantly, however, it also altered the generous welfare system they had established, redirecting state support away from those most in need towards those with capital.
Numerical investigation of cavitation in twin-screw pumps
Authors: Yan Di , Kovacevic Ahmed , Tang Qian , Rane Sham
Published: December 2017

In order to investigate the flow characteristics and the formation process of cavitation in twin-screw pumps, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics numerical analysis has been carried out. A conformal structured moving mesh generated by an in-house code SCORG was applied for the rotor domain. The volume of fluid method has been adopted for dealing with the liquid-gas two-phase flow, while the bubble dynamics was handled by a homogenous cavitation model. By changing the rotation speed and discharge pressure, the intensity, distribution area and variation of cavitation at different rotor angle were obtained. The effects of rotation speed and discharge pressure on cavitation characteristics have been analysed. Calculation results with cavitation model are compared with the results without cavitation and the experimentally obtained values. The influence of cavitation on the performance of a screw pump in terms of the mass flow rate, pressure distribution, rotor torque and the shaft power has been analysed and discussed. For analysis of cavitation in clearances, a 2D numerical model which includes radial and inter-lobe clearances was used. The relationship between volumetric efficiency and cavitation intensity was developed by variation of boundary conditions.
An unscented Kalman filter-based rolling radius estimation methodology for railway vehicles with traction
Authors: Onat Altan , Voltr Petr , Lata Michael
Published: December 2017

Monitoring the conditions of railway vehicle systems plays an important role in the maintenance of safety and performance of railway vehicles. Rolling radius is one of the properties that should be monitored continuously for the predictive maintenance of a railway vehicle since it changes with time due to wheel wear. In this study, a model-based condition monitoring methodology, which is based on an unscented Kalman filter, is proposed. The model includes the torsional dynamics of an independently rotating tram wheel with a traction motor and a contact model. The rolling radius is estimated by considering the traction effort of the motor and the angular velocity measurements. The proposed methodology is tested on a tram wheel test stand (roller rig), which has a wheel on roller configuration. First, a mathematical model is validated by the measurements taken from the test stand. Second, the unscented Kalman filter is applied as a parameter estimator. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is a promising option to be used in the predictive condition monitoring of the wheel profile for traction vehicles.
A track model for railway-induced ground vibration resulting from a transition zone
Authors: Germonpré Matthias , Degrande Geert , Lombaert Geert
Published: December 2017

Accurate computational models are required to predict the ground-borne vibration caused by railway traffic. Since these models generally require substantial computational effort, much research is focused on developing computationally efficient methods by either exploiting the regularity of the problem geometry in the direction along the track or by assuming a simplified track structure. This paper presents a track modeling approach based on a wave analysis technique for multi-coupled periodic structures. The track and part of the soil are modeled with finite elements, while a perfectly matched layer absorbs waves that travel in the semi-infinite soil. A case study that investigates a track with a transition zone between the ballasted and the slab track is presented. The track model is verified by comparing it with a periodic track model by using the Floquet transform. The train–track interaction force and the free field vibration are computed for transition zones with gradual and sudden increase in stiffness, respectively. It is found that, at higher train speeds, it is more important to have a more gradual increase in stiffness in the transition zone.