bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Big Glamorous Monster (or Lady Gaga’s Adventures at Sea): Improving Student Writing Through Dramatic Approaches in Schools
Authors: Lee Bridget Kiger , Enciso Patricia ,   Austin Theatre Alliance
Published: March 2017

Drawing on assets-oriented, sociocultural theories of imagination and learning, the authors argue that the improvisational qualities and expanded resources of dramatic approaches to teaching make a positive difference in the quality of and persistence in students’ story writing. The authors describe findings from a controlled quasi-experimental study examining the outcomes of an 8-week story-writing and drama-based program, Literacy to Life, implemented in 29 third-grade classrooms in elementary schools with and without Title I funding located within the same urban school district in Texas. Pre- and post-measures of writing self-efficacy, story building, and generating and revising ideas showed significant positive results, especially for students in schools that receive Title I funding. Research findings and the sociocultural theoretical framework argue for increased resources in support of opportunities for students to practice combinatorial imagination and use cultural knowledge for creative writing, as was made possible through the Literacy to Life program.
Analyzing the Influence of Dosage in Social Experiments With Application to the Supporting Healthy Marriage Program
Authors: Moulton Shawn R. , Peck Laura R. , Greeney Adam
Published: March 2017

In experimental evaluations of health and social programs, the role of dosage is rarely explored because researchers cannot usually randomize individuals to experience varying dosage levels. Instead, such evaluations reveal the average effects of exposure to an intervention, although program exposure may vary widely. This article compares three analytic methods that are used to examine dosage effects: the Analysis of Symmetrically Predicted Endogenous Subgroups (ASPES) method developed by Peck, instrumental variables, and propensity score matching methods. The article provides an illustration using data from the Supporting Healthy Marriage (SHM) demonstration, which rigorously tested the effectiveness of a skills-based relationship education program that had high take-up (91%) but substantial variation in exposure thereafter. To understand the relationship between program dosage level and impact magnitude, we use the ASPES method to create subgroups defined by the number of workshop hours couples attended and estimate impacts for those groups. We find that the SHM program impact on study members who received any program services is similar in magnitude to the impact on those study members who received a high or low-to-moderate dose of program services. For experimental evaluations of federal programs, the ASPES method shows promise as a way to investigate the relationship between treatment dosage and impact magnitude, a relationship crucial to designers and funders of public programs seeking to maximize program effectiveness.
The effects of dual-therapy intensification with insulin or dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jil Mamza , Rajnikant Mehta , Richard Donnelly , Iskandar Idris
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To compare time to a composite endpoint of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had their treatment intensified with a dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor or insulin following dual-therapy (metformin plus sulfonylurea) failure.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 5238 patients newly treated with either a dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor or insulin following dual-therapy failure (2007–2014). Data were sourced from UK General Practices. The risk of the composite outcome was compared between two treatment groups: metformin + sulfonylurea + insulin ( n = 1584) and metformin + sulfonylurea + dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor ( n = 3654), while adjusting for baseline covariates. Follow-up was for up to 5 years. Propensity score matching analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were employed.

Results:

Overall, 123 and 171 composite outcome events occurred among patients who added insulin versus dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor, respectively (44.5 vs 14.6 events per 1000 person-years). Addition of insulin was associated with a significantly higher hazard ratio versus the addition of a dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.9–3.4; p < 0.01), an effect that was more pronounced in obese (body mass index: 30–34.9 kg/m2) patients (corresponding adjusted hazard ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval: 2.3–5.6; p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

In routine clinical practice, intensification of metformin + sulfonylurea therapy by adding insulin is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and death compared with adding a dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor. These findings are in line with suggestions from previous studies regarding the cardiovascular safety of insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus, but should be interpreted with caution.
Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016)
Authors: Alaggia Ramona , Collin-Vézina Delphine , Lateef Rusan
Published: March 2017

Identifying and understanding factors that promote or inhibit child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosures has the potential to facilitate earlier disclosures, assist survivors to receive services without delay, and prevent further sexual victimization. Timely access to therapeutic services can mitigate risk to the mental health of survivors of all ages. This review of the research focuses on CSA disclosures with children, youth, and adults across the life course. Using Kiteley and Stogdon’s literature review framework, 33 studies since 2000 were identified and analyzed to extrapolate the most convincing findings to be considered for practice and future research. The centering question asked: What is the state of CSA disclosure research and what can be learned to apply to practice and future research? Using Braun and Clarke’s guidelines for thematic analysis, five themes emerged: (1) Disclosure is an iterative, interactive process rather than a discrete event best done within a relational context; (2) contemporary disclosure models reflect a social–ecological, person-in-environment orientation for understanding the complex interplay of individual, familial, contextual, and cultural factors involved in CSA disclosure; (3) age and gender significantly influence disclosure; (4) there is a lack of a life-course perspective; and (5) barriers to disclosure continue to outweigh facilitators. Although solid strides have been made in understanding CSA disclosures, the current state of knowledge does not fully capture a cohesive picture of disclosure processes and pathways over the life course. More research is needed on environmental, contextual, and cultural factors. Barriers continue to be identified more frequently than facilitators, although dialogical forums are emerging as important facilitators of CSA disclosure. Implications for practice in facilitating CSA disclosures are discussed with recommendations for future research.
Lessons Learned From the Field-Testing of Healthy Love: An HIV Prevention Intervention for Black Women
Authors: Galindo Carla A. , Few Tai E. , Daniels Brandy , Parks Carolyn P. , Diallo Dázon D. , Moss L. Nyrobi N. , Wilkes Aisha L. , Carraway G. Chezia
Published: March 2017

Background. Healthy Love is a brief, highly interactive, single-session, group-level HIV prevention intervention designed for African American women that is effective at reducing sex risk behaviors and increasing condom use and HIV testing among participants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, through a contract, developed a user-friendly intervention package that would allow organizations to adopt and implement Healthy Love with fidelity. Method. Training and implementation materials were developed to support original research protocols, and piloted and revised to conduct field-testing with case study agencies (CSAs). Three CSAs were selected to deliver the intervention over a 3-month period to test the utility of intervention materials and feasibility of implementation. Results. All CSAs were able to successfully deliver 10 sessions with a total of 185 women ranging from 18 to 59 years of age. Successes and challenges encountered in training, preimplementation activities, and intervention delivery are described. Discussion. Lessons learned from training, technical assistance, and process monitoring and evaluation informed final package revisions. Research to practice recommendations are shared as is guidance for future implementations of Healthy Love. The research to practice process used is a model approach for developing a comprehensive intervention package and will support the adoption of Healthy Love by other organizations.
Large-Scale Phase Synchrony Reflects Clinical Status After Stroke: An EEG Study
Authors: Kawano Teiji , Hattori Noriaki , Uno Yutaka , Kitajo Keiichi , Hatakenaka Megumi , Yagura Hajime , Fujimoto Hiroaki , Yoshioka Tomomi , Nagasako Michiko , Otomune Hironori , Miyai Ichiro
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose. Stroke-induced focal brain lesions often exert remote effects via residual neural network activity. Electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques can assess neural network modifications after brain damage. Recently, EEG phase synchrony analyses have shown associations between the level of large-scale phase synchrony of brain activity and clinical symptoms; however, few reports have assessed such associations in stroke patients. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of hemispheric phase synchrony in stroke patients by calculating its correlation with clinical status. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 19 patients with post-acute ischemic stroke admitted for inpatient rehabilitation. Interhemispheric phase synchrony indices (IH-PSIs) were computed in 2 frequency bands (alpha [α], and beta [β]), and associations between indices and scores of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the Fugl−Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) were analyzed. For further assessments of IH-PSIs, ipsilesional intrahemispheric PSIs (IntraH-PSIs) as well as IH- and IntraH-phase lag indices (PLIs) were also evaluated. Results. IH-PSIs correlated significantly with FIM scores and NIHSS scores. In contrast, IH-PSIs did not correlate with FMA scores. IntraH-PSIs correlate with FIM scores after removal of the outlier. The results of analysis with PLIs were consistent with IH-PSIs. Conclusions. The PSIs correlated with performance on the activities of daily living scale but not with scores on a pure motor impairment scale. These results suggest that large-scale phase synchrony represented by IH-PSIs provides a novel surrogate marker for clinical status after stroke.
Treatment of Cancer and Inflammation With Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Kojima Shuji , Tsukimoto Mitsutoshi , Shimura Noriko , Koga Hironobu , Murata Akishisa , Takara Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2017

There is considerable evidence from experimental studies in animals, as well as from clinical reports, that low-dose radiation hormesis is effective for the treatment of cancer and ulcerative colitis. In this study, we present 3 case reports that support the clinical efficacy of low-dose radiation hormesis in patients with these diseases. First, a patient with prostate cancer who had undergone surgical resection showed a subsequent increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA). His PSA value started decreasing immediately after the start of repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation treatment and remained low thereafter. Second, a patient with prostate cancer with bone metastasis was treated with repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation. His PSA level decreased to nearly normal within 3 months after starting the treatment and remained at the low level after the end of hormesis treatment. His bone metastasis almost completely disappeared. Third, a patient with ulcerative colitis showed a slow initial response to repeated low-dose irradiation treatment using various modalities, including drinking radon-containing water, but within 8 months, his swelling and bleeding had completely disappeared. After 1 year, the number of bowel movements had become normal. Interest in the use of radiation hormesis in clinical practice is increasing, and we hope that these case reports will encourage further clinical investigations.
Living Independently: Exploring the Experiences of Visually Impaired People Living in Age-Related and Lifetime Housing Through Qualitative Synthesis
Authors: Rooney Clíona , Hadjri Karim , Faith Verity , Rooney Máirin , McAllister Keith , Craig Cathy
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of visually impaired older people living independently at home.

Background:

As populations are aging globally, there is now an increase in the prevalence of visual impairment. That means for ongoing and future aging-in-place strategies that seek to enable older people to remain independent for longer, more attention needs to be given to the needs of those with visual impairment. As people develop visual impairment, they use adaptive strategies including modifying long-term homes or relocating to more suitable accommodation. In the United Kingdom, aging-in-place strategies include employing statutory lifetime home standards (LTHS) in the home or relocating to sheltered housing to live independently with support available if required.

Methods:

To get a better understanding of the needs of the visually impaired in the home, 12 interviews with six visually impaired occupants of LTHS homes and six from sheltered accommodation were analyzed separately using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Secondly, qualitative synthesis was used to further analyze themes generated from both samples before interview results were conceptualized in two superordinate concepts, namely, “negotiating priorities” and “understanding visual impairment.”

Results:

Participants from both groups had similar needs and were willing to compromise by living with some negative features. Those who coped well with moving utilized various resources.

Conclusions:

These findings will shed more understanding on providing good quality housing for those with visual impairment wanting to live either independently or within healthcare home environments.
Human platelet-rich plasma improves the nesting and differentiation of human chondrocytes cultured in stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds
Authors: Sancho-Tello Maria , Martorell Sara , Mata Roig Manuel , Milián Lara , Gámiz-González MA , Gómez Ribelles Jose Luis , Carda Carmen
Published: March 2017

The clinical management of large-size cartilage lesions is difficult due to the limited regenerative ability of the cartilage. Different biomaterials have been used to develop tissue engineering substitutes for cartilage repair, including chitosan alone or in combination with growth factors to improve its chondrogenic properties. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the benefits of combining activated platelet-rich plasma with a stabilized porous chitosan scaffold for cartilage regeneration. To achieve this purpose, stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds were prepared using freeze gelation and combined with activated platelet-rich plasma. Human primary articular chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds with and without combination to activated platelet-rich plasma. Scanning electron microscopy was used for the morphological characterization of the resulting scaffolds. Cell counts were performed in hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections, and type I and II collagen expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Significant increase in cell number in activated platelet-rich plasma/stabilized porous chitosan was found compared with stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds. Chondrocytes grown on stabilized porous chitosan expressed high levels of type I collagen but type II was not detectable, whereas cells grown on activated platelet rich plasma/stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds expressed high levels of type II collagen and type I was almost undetectable. In summary, activated platelet-rich plasma increases nesting and induces the differentiation of chondrocytes cultured on stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research and Patient-Centered Care for Older Adults
Authors: Jayadevappa Ravishankar
Published: March 2017

Patient-centered care that reflects consumer-driven health care decision of an individual as opposed to collective or social choice–based health decision has many implications for clinical decision and resource allocation. With possession of required information and faced with appropriate assessment of preferences, older adults make better choices for their own health. However, one must acknowledge that patient-centered approach for older adults should effectively integrate tenets of value-based care to improve overall quality of care and societal well-being. In this perspective, I present the importance and challenges of patient-centered care and patient-centered outcomes research among older adults.
An updated systematic review and meta-analysis for treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Bastos Mayara Lisboa , Lan Zhiyi , Menzies Dick
Published: March 2017

This systematic review aimed to update the current evidence for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment.

We searched for studies that reported treatment information and clinical characteristics for at least 25 patients with microbiologically confirmed pulmonary MDR-TB and either end of treatment outcomes, 6-month culture conversion or severe adverse events (SAEs). We assessed the association of these outcomes with patients' characteristics or treatment parameters. We identified 74 studies, including 17 494 participants.

The pooled treatment success was 26% in extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) patients and 60% in MDR-TB patients. Treatment parameters such as number or duration and individual drugs were not associated with improved 6-month sputum culture conversion or end of treatment outcomes. However, MDR-TB patients that received individualised regimens had higher success than patients who received standardised regimens (64%versus52%; p<0.0.01). When reports from 20 cohorts were pooled, proportions of SAE ranged from 0.5% attributed to ethambutol to 12.2% attributed to para-aminosalicylic acid. The lack of significant associations of treatment outcomes with specific drugs or regimens may reflect the limitations of pooling the data rather than a true lack of differences in efficacy of regimens or individual drugs.

This analysis highlights the need for stronger evidence for treatment of MDR-TB from better-designed and reported studies.
Effectiveness and safety of clofazimine in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a nationwide report from Brazil
Authors: Dalcolmo Margareth , Gayoso Regina , Sotgiu Giovanni , D'Ambrosio Lia , Rocha Jorge L. , Borga Liamar , Fandinho Fatima , Braga Jose U. , Galesi Vera M.N. , Barreira Draurio , Sanchez Denise A. , Dockhorn Fernanda , Centis Rosella , Caminero Jose A. , Migliori Giovanni B.
Published: March 2017

Although clofazimine is used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), there is scant information on its effectiveness and safety. The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to evaluate these factors as well as the tolerability of clofazimine in populations in Brazil, where it was administered at a daily dose of 100 mg·day−1(body weight ≥45 kg) as part of a standardised MDR-TB treatment regimen until 2006 (thereafter pyrazinamide was used).

All MDR-TB patients included in the Sistema de Informação de Tratamentos Especiais da Tuberculose (SITETB) individual electronic register were analysed. The effectiveness of clofazimine was assessed by comparing the treatment outcomes of patients undergoing clofazimine-containing regimens against those undergoing clofazimine-free regimens and its safety by describing clofazimine-attributed adverse events. A total of 1446 patients were treated with clofazimine-containing regimens and 1096 with pyrazinamide-containing regimens.

Although success rates were similar in patients treated with clofazimineversusthose treated with pyrazinamide (880 out of 1446, 60.9%,versus708 out of 1096, 64.6%; p=0.054), clofazimine-treated cases exhibited higher death rates due to tuberculosis than pyrazinamide-treated ones (314 out of 1446, 21.7%,versus120 out of 1096, 10.9%) but fewer failures (78 out of 1446, 5.4%,versus95 out of 1096, 8.7%) and less loss to follow-up (144 out of 1446, 10.0%,versus151 out of 1096, 13.8%). No relevant differences were detected when comparing adverse events in patients treated with clofazimine-containing regimens to those treated with clofazimine-free regimens. However, the incidence of side-effects was less than previously reported (gastro-intestinal complaints: 10.5%; hyper-pigmentation: 50.2%; neurological disturbances: 9–13%).
MMP-7 is a predictive biomarker of disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Bauer Yasmina , White Eric S. , de Bernard Simon , Cornelisse Peter , Leconte Isabelle , Morganti Adele , Roux Sebastien , Nayler Oliver
Published: March 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease with poor prognosis, which is characterised by destruction of normal lung architecture and excessive deposition of lung extracellular matrix. The heterogeneity of disease progression in patients with IPF poses significant obstacles to patient care and prevents efficient development of novel therapeutic interventions. Blood biomarkers, reflecting pathobiological processes in the lung, could provide objective evidence of the underlying disease.

Longitudinally collected serum samples from the Bosentan Use in Interstitial Lung Disease (BUILD)-3 trial were used to measure four biomarkers (metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), Fas death receptor ligand, osteopontin and procollagen type I C-peptide), to assess their potential prognostic capabilities and to follow changes during disease progression in patients with IPF.

In baseline BUILD-3 samples, only MMP-7 showed clearly elevated protein levels compared with samples from healthy controls, and further investigations demonstrated that MMP-7 levels also increased over time. Baseline levels of MMP-7 were able to predict patients who had higher risk of worsening and, notably, baseline levels of MMP-7 could predict changes in FVC as early as month 4.

MMP-7 shows potential to be a reliable predictor of lung function decline and disease progression.
Effects of bile acids on human airway epithelial cells: implications for aerodigestive diseases
Authors: Aldhahrani Adil , Verdon Bernard , Ward Chris , Pearson Jeffery
Published: March 2017

Gastro-oesophageal reflux and aspiration have been associated with chronic and end-stage lung disease and with allograft injury following lung transplantation. This raises the possibility that bile acids may cause lung injury by damaging airway epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bile acid challenge using the immortalised human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B).

The immortalised human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) was cultured. A 48-h challenge evaluated the effect of individual primary and secondary bile acids. Post-challenge concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and granulocyte−macrophage colony-stimulating factor were measured using commercial ELISA kits. The viability of the BEAS-2B cells was measured using CellTiter-Blue and MTT assays.

Lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid were successfully used to stimulate cultured BEAS-2B cells at different concentrations. A concentration of lithocholic acid above 10 μmol·L−1causes cell death, whereas deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid above 30 μmol·L−1was required for cell death. Challenge with bile acids at physiological levels also led to a significant increase in the release of IL-8 and IL6 from BEAS-2B.

Aspiration of bile acids could potentially cause cell damage, cell death and inflammationin vivo. This is relevant to an integrated gastrointestinal and lung physiological paradigm of chronic lung disease, where reflux and aspiration are described in both chronic lung diseases and allograft injury.
Is individual smoking behaviour influenced by area-level ethnic density? A cross-sectional electronic health database study of inner south-east London
Authors: Mathur Rohini , Schofield Peter , Smith Dianna , Gilkes Alexander , White Patrick , Hull Sally
Published: March 2017

Tobacco smoking remains one of the greatest public health problems facing the UK today. It varies significantly by ethnic group. This study aimed to determine whether ethnic differences in smoking behaviour are related to neighbourhood-level, own-group ethnic density across south and east London.

The association between ethnic density and individual smoking behaviour was assessed by multilevel logistic regression using the electronic health records of 688 397 general practitioner-registered patients. Restricted cubic splines were created to explore whether the effect of ethnic density on smoking behaviour was nonlinear.

Increasing own-group ethnic density was found to be associated with a significant reduction in the odds of being a current smoker in all ethnic groups, except for Black Caribbean women. The relationship between ethnic density and current smoking was found to be nonlinear, with the strength of association varying significantly by sex and ethnic group.

These novel findings point to a complex relationship between culture, neighbourhood-level experience of adversity or social support and smoking behaviour, and will allow us to target smoking cessation services differentially to individuals/groups living in relative ethnic isolation, who do not benefit from the potential cultural/social factors associated with reduced tobacco consumption.
Broadband seismic amplitude variation with offset inversion
Authors: Zong Zhaoyun , Li Kun , Yin Xingyao , Zhu Ming , Du Jiayuan , Chen Weitao , Zhang Weiwei
Published: March 2017

Seismic amplitude variation with offset (AVO) inversion is well-known as a popular and pragmatic tool used for the prediction of elastic parameters in the geosciences. Low frequencies missing from conventional seismic data are conventionally recovered from other geophysical information, such as well-log data, for estimating the absolute rock properties, which results in biased inversion results in cases of complex heterogeneous geologic targets or plays with sparse well-log data, such as marine or deep stratum. Broadband seismic data bring new opportunities to estimate the low-frequency components of the elastic parameters without well-log data. We have developed a novel AVO inversion approach with the Bayesian inference for broadband seismic data. The low-frequency components of the elastic parameters are initially estimated with the proposed broadband AVO inversion approach with the Bayesian inference in the complex frequency domain because seismic inversion in the complex frequency domain is helpful to recover the long-wavelength structures of the elastic models. Gaussian and Cauchy probability distribution density functions are used for the likelihood function and the prior information of model parameters, respectively. The maximum a posteriori probability solution is resolved to estimate the low-frequency components of the elastic parameters in the complex frequency domain. Furthermore, with those low-frequency components as initial models and constraints, the conventional AVO inversion method with the Bayesian inference in the time domain is further implemented to estimate the final absolute elastic parameters. Synthetic and field data examples demonstrate that the proposed AVO inversion in the complex frequency domain is able to predict the low-frequency components of elastic parameters well, and that those low-frequency components set a good foundation for the final estimation of the absolute elastic parameters.
Emboldened by Outsiders, Restricted At Home
Authors: Corey-Boulet Robbie
Published: March 2017

"Either we hide who we are and are at peace with society, or we live publicly, and we are cut off," says Carmen, a 31-year-old from western Cameroon. Journalist Robbie Corey-Boulet writes that in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, gender roles restrict women's financial independence and can make it difficult for queer women to be self-sufficient outside traditional family models.
The Big Question
Authors: Bluth Natasha , Chan Melody
Published: March 2017

World Policy Journal asked five experts from around the globe how the media has promoted or deterred xenophobia.
From Andijon to Bowling Green
Authors: Kendzior Sarah
Published: March 2017

Kellyanne Conway's casual invocation of a make-believe massacre in Ohio shouldn't be dismissed simply as a slip of the tongue. Comparing Conway's lie to Uzbek propaganda tactics, Central Asia scholar Sarah Kendzior argues that the Bowling Green massacre should be viewed as a part of a broader initiative to demonize Muslims and create an alternate history of terrorist threat in America.
Is it Time to Drop the F-Bomb on Russia?
Authors: Snegovaya Maria
Published: March 2017

Vladimir Putin's Russia meets the classical definition of fascist state, says Maria Snegovaya, except for one factor-the Kremlin can't yet unite the public around a clearly articulated nationalist ideology. This missing piece constrains the aggressiveness of the state. Without it, the Russian people will not accept fighting foreign wars indefinitely.
Constructivism, Dewey, and Academic Advising
Authors: Xyst Kurt
Published: March 2017

Many published scholars argue for constructivism as a basis for academic advising theory. However, few have discussed the commensurate ontological assumptions of constructivist thinking. Potential problems with the metaphysical view of the student in contemporary academic advising may be attributable to constructivism. John Dewey's critique of dualism suggests that although constructivism proves fruitful for practice, academic advisors may need to reexamine the use of it to avoid creation of educationally harmful conditions for students. They can begin this investigation by looking at the work of John Dewey and by reconsidering their own assumptions about knowing and learning.
Antera: os desafios da gestão do capital empreendedor
Authors: Campani Carlos Heitor , Maranho Flávia Schwartz , Alvarenga Henrique de Castro Augusto , Lima Max Borges Alves , Guimarães Renato Silveira
Published: March 2017

Este caso descreve os desafios encontrados por uma gestora de fundos de investimentos em Private Equity e Venture Capital (PE&VC), cujo crescimento é impulsionado pela crescente demanda por capital semente no Brasil, e as consequentes mudanças e adaptações que o mercado nacional impõe ao modelo de investimento, que, embora já seja validado internacionalmente, carece de muito desenvolvimento no país. As métricas usadas para avaliar risco e retorno de cada projeto e a ordenação dos projetos candidatos, a expansão da empresa com a chegada de um novo fundo de investimento na carteira e a iliquidez característica do investimento estão por trás dos dilemas enfrentados pelos sócios. Nesse contexto, o professor deverá trabalhar com os alunos as implicações dos elementos discutidos no caso e as opções existentes para a gestora de forma a construir uma estratégia sustentável para seleção de empresas investidas.
Modernist urban visions and the contemporary city
Authors: Carola Hein
Published: March 2017

The future of the city is underground, says the Urban UndergroundSpace Center of Japan (USJ, 2016). And Japanese politicians clearlyagree. In 2001, the Diet passed a law about the use of the extremeunderground (daishindo), allowing some development of areas below 40 meters for public services without negotiations with owners of the land aboveground. Underground constructions are already everywhere throughout Japan. Beneath one of the densest and most crowded urban centers (Hongo, 2014), for example, Tokyo Station is connected through more than four kilometers of passageways to neighboring locations, including other major stations. They anchor another bustling city. Long passageways of underground shopping malls with restaurants are connected to subway entrances and to the high-speed Shinkansen Station. Aboveground, the land has seen extensive remodeling, fromcareful restoration of the old train station facing the Imperial Palace(Fig. 1) to the creation of new skyscrapers (Fig. 2) and a new entrance towards the Ginza shopping area (Figs. 3 and 4) (Tokyo Station, 2016).But below, the new Tokyo Station City, with its old and super-modern elements, attracts tourists and shoppers, not just passengers (Figs. 5 and 6). It has become an attraction in itself. Tokyo Station is not an exception: many other underground shopping malls lie under the capital’s major stations. Close to 3 kilometers of underground passages connect Shinjuku to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office and other corporate skyscrapers, hotels, and department stores in its vicinity (Figs. 7, 8, and 9).
Detección de árboles dañados por plaga en bosques de Abies religiosa en la Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca, mediante fotografías aéreas infrarroja
Authors: Leautaud Valenzuela Pablo , López-García José
Published: March 2017

Las plagas forestales son agentes que ocasionan daños de tipo mecánico o fisiológico a los árboles, como deformaciones, disminuciones en el crecimiento, debilitamiento o incluso la muerte, causando un impacto ecológico, económico y social importante. En este estudio se desarrolla una técnica para la detección de plaga forestal por medio de fotografías aéreas infrarrojas. El uso de fotografías aéreas digitales en color e infrarrojo permitió obtener imágenes VIR (visible + infrarrojo) con cuatro bandas y una resolución aproximada de un metro por pixel. Mediante la interpretación visual se logró reconocer y localizar árboles con algún estado de deterioro e incluso individuos muertos.Se analizó una superficie de 1 907 ha en sierra Chincua, donde la mayor afectación se dio en zona núcleo con 97 puntos (62%) con más del doble de densidad de individuos (11 árboles/km2) en comparación con la zona de amortiguamiento (4 árboles/km2). Este mayor daño es debido a las políticas de manejo forestal, que establecen el no manejo (incluido el saneamiento) en la zona núcleo.Las fotografías aéreas digitales son útiles para la detección de árboles dañados en los bosques de oyamel mediante la interpretación visual con una eficiencia del 98%. El método utilizado tiene una mayor relación costo-efectividad comparado con sobrevuelo de helicóptero y trabajo de campo.
Evaluación de la conectividad del paisaje en la región Puuc-Chenes, México, con base en los requerimientos de hábitat del jaguar (Panthera onca)
Authors: Salazar Eduardo , Mendoza Jorge , Ochoa-Gaona Susana , Ku-Quej Víctor , Hidalgo-Mihart Mircea
Published: March 2017

La región Puuc-Chenes está ubicada en el centro de la Península de Yucatán. Debido a que está rodeada por tres áreas naturales protegidas, constituye un importante eslabón para mantener la conectividad de la selva maya. Sin embargo, la expansión de la frontera agrícola en la región está favoreciendo la fragmentación del hábitat del jaguar (Panthera onca). En el presente estudio hemos analizado el grado de conectividad del paisaje para la región Puuc-Chenes con base en los requerimientos del hábitat de P. onca. Se usaron los programas ArcMap, FRAGSTATS e IDRISI para el análisis de la conectividad estructural y funcional del paisaje, el cual se basó en las diferencias conocidas de los requerimientos de hábitat para machos y para hembras. La selva fue la cobertura vegetal dominante al ocupar 49.8% del paisaje. El índice de contagio fue del 62.5% y el índice de contraste total de los bordes fue de 43.7%. De acuerdo con nuestros resultados, concluimos que la región Puuc-Chenes presenta una conectividad de paisaje estructural intermedia, ya que se identificó un corredor adecuado solo para machos y tres corredores para ambos sexos. Este estudio aporta elementos robustos basados en evidencias científicas que justifican la conservación de cuatro fragmentos de selva en la región Puuc-Chenes para preservar la conectividad del paisaje para Panthera onca en esta región.
Temporomandibular joint disorders â€“ a lookback in time
Authors: Baig Nazish , Parasrampuria Nikita , Yeshwante Babita , Mazumder Debojyoti
Published: March 2017

The variety of terms used has contributed to a great amount of confusion that exists in this already complicated field of study. Lack of communication and coordination of research efforts often begins with differences in terminology. Therefore in an attempt to coordinate efforts, the American Dental Association began to use TMD to include all functional disturbances of the masticatory system. The article reviews the research work done by various authors pertaining to the disorders of the temporomandibular joint.
Effects of insulin and the glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonist liraglutide on the kidney proteome in db/db mice
Authors: Liljedahl Leena , Norlin Jenny , McGuire James N. , James Peter
Published: March 2017

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide disease that affects 9% of the adult world population and type 2 DM accounts for 90% of those. A common consequence of DM is kidney complications, which could lead to kidney failure. We studied the potential effects of treatment with insulin and the glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor (GLP‐1R) agonist liraglutide on the diabetic kidney proteome through the use of the db/db mouse model system and mass spectrometry (MS). Multivariate analyses revealed distinct effects of insulin and liraglutide on the db/db kidney proteome, which was seen on the protein levels of, for example, pterin‐4 α‐carbinolamine dehydratase/dimerization cofactor of hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1α (PCBD1), neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down‐regulated‐8 (NEDD8), transcription elongation factor‐B polypeptide‐1 (ELOC) and hepcidin (HEPC). Furthermore, the separation of the insulin, liraglutide and vehicle db/db mouse groups in multivariate analyses was not mainly related to the albumin excretion rate (AER) or the level of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c%) in the mice. In summary, we show that insulin and liraglutide give rise to separate protein profiles in the db/db mouse kidney.
Deactivation of Chlorinated Pt/Al2O3 Isomerization Catalyst Using Water Containing Feed
Authors: Salehirad Fathollah , Sadighi Sepehr , Alijani Shahram
Published: March 2017

Light naphtha isomerization is a significant process in a crude oil refinery which is responsible for upgrading low-octane light naphtha to the high-octane and low-aromatic content gasoline. In this work, deactivation of an industrial chlorinated Pt/Al2O3 isomerization catalyst was studied in a laboratory scale plant. Experiments were carried out under temperatures in the range of 120–180 °C, liquid hourly space velocities (LHSV) of 0.7–2 h−1 and hydrogen to hydrocarbon molar ratios (H2/Oil) of 0.7–1.5. Moreover, the total water content of the combined feed, i. e. n-hexane and hydrogen, was 70 ppmwt. During 75 h time on stream (TOS), 42 data sets were collected and applied for training, testing and validating a hybrid-artificial neural network model (hybrid-ANN or HANN) to estimate the activity of the catalyst. Results showed that the activity decreased to 0.56 at the end of the operation mostly due to water poisoning. Furthermore, using the estimated activity, HANN could simulate the conversion and selectivity of the isomerization process with the absolute average deviations (AAD%) of 0.97 % and 0.0766 % and the mean squared errors (MSE) of 0.311 and 0.0156, respectively.
Ein universitäres DaF-Unterrichtsprojekt im Spiegel von Curriculumdiskussion und berufsbezogenem Fremdsprachenunterricht
Authors: Prikoszovits Matthias
Published: March 2017

Im Beitrag wird zunächst erläutert, wie sich Curriculumforschung und berufsbezogenes Lernen und Lehren im Bereich Deutsch als Fremdsprache seit den 1990er Jahren entwickelt haben, um in einem weiteren Schritt zu beschreiben, wie sich ein konkretes Unterrichtsprojekt in die DaF-Curriculumdiskussion eingliedert. Dabei wird vor allem auf die Frage eingegangen, ob die Forderung nach einer Berufsorientierung im universitären Fremdsprachenunterricht mit dem Unterrichtsprojekt umgesetzt wurde. Untersuchungsgegenstand ist eine im Jahr 2014 an der Germanistik der University of St Andrews (Schottland, GB) durchgeführte, benotete Projektarbeit, bei der Studierende des vierten und letzten Studienjahres Werbeclips drehen mussten.
Informationsmanager auf dem Arbeitsmarkt
Authors: Bertram Jutta
Published: March 2017

Anlässlich einer bevorstehenden Curriculumsrevision führte der Bachelorstudiengang Informationsmanagement der Hochschule Hannover im März 2016 eine Studie unter all seinen bisherigen Absolventen durch (Abschlussjahrgänge 2008 bis 2015). Bei einer Grundgesamtheit von 303 Personen antworteten 200 (66 %). Die Ergebnisse enthalten ein retrospektives Feedback auf das Studium und skizzieren die Strukturreform, die daraus als Konsequenz erwächst. Zudem geben sie Aufschluss über Berufseinmündung und Berufsverlauf der Alumni und enthalten Eckdaten über ihr erstes und aktuelles Beschäftigungsverhältnis. Der Übergang vom Studium in den Beruf gestaltet sich bei dem Gros der Befragten problemlos. Ein Drittel der Alumni schließt ein Masterstudium an. Zum Befragungszeitpunkt liegt die Beschäftigungsquote bei 96 Prozent. Davon arbeiten 64 Prozent unbefristet. Die thematische Breite des IM-Curriculums spiegelt sich in einer Vielfalt von Branchen und Tätigkeiten wider, die die Alumni mit ihrem aktuellen Beschäftigungsverhältnis abdecken. Die Befragten äußern insgesamt eine große Zufriedenheit mit ihrer beruflichen Entwicklung, allerdings hätten sie sich im Studium mehr Orientierung und größere Wahlfreiheit bei der Fächerbelegung gewünscht. Das revidierte Curriculum wird deshalb mehr Verbindlichkeit und zugleich größere Flexibilität bei der Schwerpunktwahl vorsehen.
Cytokine changes in gastric and colonic epithelial cell in response to Planta ovata extract
Authors: Yakoob Javed , Jafri Wasim , Mehmood Malik Hassan , Abbas Zaigham , Tariq Kanwal
Published: March 2017

Background

Psyllium (Planta ovata, Ispaghul) seed and husk are used for treatment of altered bowel habit, i. e. constipation and diarrhea. We studied the effect of Ispaghul extract on secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) by AGS (ATCC CRL 1739) and SW480 (ATCC CCL-227) epithelial cell lines and determined whether Ispaghul extract has an effect on IL-1β secretion by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-stimulated AGS cell and Escherichia coli K-12 (E. coli K-12)-stimulated SW480 cells in vitro.

Methods

The AGS cells and SW480 cells were pretreated with Ispaghul extract in concentrations, i. e. 3.5 and 7 μg/mL prior to infection with H. pylori and E. coli K-12.

Results

DNA fragmentation in AGS and SW480 cells treated with Ispaghul extract was not significant (2.3±0.8 %) compared with untreated cells (2.2±0.6 %). Ispaghul extract decreased the H. pylori-stimulated secretion of IL-1β by AGS cell (p<0.0001). This effect did not increase as the concentration of extract was increased. Ispaghul extract also decreased E. coli K-12-stimulated IL-1β secretion by SW480 cell (p<0.0001). This effect increased as the concentration of extracts was increased.

Conclusions

Ispaghul extract had an effect on stimulated secretion of IL-1β by the AGS and SW480 cell. It decreased pro-inflammatory reaction from both cell lines stimulated by bacteria.
The taxonomic status of Copemyodon ecuadorensis (Rodentia, Cricetidae), a supposedly extinct muroid from the Ecuadorean Quaternary
Authors: Moreno Pablo , Román José Luis , Brito Jorge , Pardiñas Ulyses F.J.
Published: March 2017

Copemyodon ecuadorensis was described as a non-sigmodontine extinct cricetid from two rich fossiliferous localities in northern Ecuador. It was hypothesized as being related to both the fossil genus Copemys and the living Peromyscus and, as such, is an example of an independent “copemyine-neotomine” attempt to colonize South America. Here, we re-study the holotype of C. ecuadorensis concluding that it cannot be separated from Reithrodontomys (Cricetidae, Neotominae) at a generic level. Copemyodon constitutes a junior synonym of Reithrodontomys. There are recent populations of Reithrodontomys in Ecuador and most likely it comprises several species. In this context, seems convenient to retain ecuadorensis as a species of Reithrodontomys until an appropriate revision of this genus is performed, although we identify morphological similarities between Reithrodontomys ecuadorensis and the nominal form Reithrodontomys soederstroemi.
Crystal structure of N,N′–bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxamide dihydrate, C18H20N6O4
Authors: Wang Zhaodong , Lin Huanzhu , Yang Yanshuang
Published: March 2017

C18H20N6O4, monoclinic, Pc, a = 4.4412(8) Å, b = 14.100(3) Å, c = 15.206(3) Å, β = 95.920(4)°, V = 947.1(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0352, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0770, T = 296.15 K.
Crystal structure of 1-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-1-one, C13H12N2O3
Authors: Al-Wabli Reem I. , Al-Ghamdi Alwah R. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Attia Mohamed I.
Published: March 2017

C13H12N2O3, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 7.3322(5) Å, b = 8.0341(5) Å, c = 19.4479(14) Å, β = 95.775(2)°, V = 1139.82(13) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0533, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1335, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of 3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-benzo[c]chromene-1,6(2H)-dione, C15H14O3
Authors: Song Rui , Zhou Bo , Shao Rui-Xin
Published: March 2017

C15H14O3, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.0972(11) Å, b = 11.1576(14) Å, c = 12.5933(16) Å, β = 105.368(1)°, V = 1232.6(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0393, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1190, T = 296 K.
Measuring Latent Constructs in Nonprofit Surveys with Item Response Theory: The Example of Political Ideology
Authors: Mason Dyana P.
Published: March 2017

Latent constructs are the unobservable characteristics of individuals, groups and organizations. Although researchers use many tools to measure latent constructs, including scaled-items and factor analysis techniques, this study offers a different way to measure these characteristics in nonprofit research. Using Item Response Theory (IRT), this study develops one approach to measure revealed political ideology among leaders in nonprofit social welfare organizations. This approach can also be used to measure a variety of other constructs that may be difficult to measure through traditional approaches, opening up new lines of inquiry for those who study nonprofit organizations.
Bowling Together: Mobilization of Collective Action by Environmental NGOs
Authors: Dolšak Nives
Published: March 2017

Social capital generated by frequent, face-to-face interactions provides the foundation for collective action. Does this also hold for a community action in post-communist, Central European countries where modern NGOs are perceived to be ineffective? This article examines this question in the context of the cleanup of illegal dumpsites organized by a Slovenian NGO, Ecologists without Borders, in 2010. This community cleanup effort sought to produce local public goods such as improved aesthetics, sanitation, and ground water quality. Local participation levels (percentage of adults contributing to the cleanup effort) varied across 192 districts of Slovenia. Analyzing an original, micro-level dataset, this article finds that, all else equal, social capitals rooted in frequent face-to-face interactions (the common Catholic religion and membership in Hunters clubs) are associated with increased participation levels. However, social capital generated via common native language does not show statistical association with participation levels.