bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Express Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase and Can Be Depleted in Tumor-Bearing Hosts by Ibrutinib Treatment
Authors: Stiff Andrew , Trikha Prashant , Wesolowski Robert , Kendra Kari , Hsu Vincent , Uppati Sarvani , McMichael Elizabeth , Duggan Megan , Campbell Amanda , Keller Karen , Landi Ian , Zhong Yiming , Dubovsky Jason , Howard John Harrison , Yu Lianbo , Harrington Bonnie , Old Matthew , Reiff Sean , Mace Thomas , Tridandapani Susheela , Muthusamy Natarajan , Caligiuri Michael A. , Byrd John C. , Carson William E.
Published: February 2016

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous group of immature myeloid cells that expand in tumor-bearing hosts in response to soluble factors produced by tumor and stromal cells. MDSC expansion has been linked to loss of immune effector cell function and reduced efficacy of immune-based cancer therapies, highlighting the MDSC population as an attractive therapeutic target. Ibrutinib, an irreversible inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and IL2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK), is in clinical use for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Here, we report that BTK is expressed by murine and human MDSCs, and that ibrutinib is able to inhibit BTK phosphorylation in these cells. Treatment of MDSCs with ibrutinib significantly impaired nitric oxide production and cell migration. In addition, ibrutinib inhibited in vitro generation of human MDSCs and reduced mRNA expression of indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase, an immunosuppressive factor. Treatment of mice bearing EMT6 mammary tumors with ibrutinib resulted in reduced frequency of MDSCs in both the spleen and tumor. Ibrutinib treatment also resulted in a significant reduction of MDSCs in wild-type mice bearing B16F10 melanoma tumors, but not in X-linked immunodeficiency mice (XID) harboring a BTK mutation, suggesting that BTK inhibition plays an important role in the observed reduction of MDSCs in vivo. Finally, ibrutinib significantly enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 (CD274) therapy in a murine breast cancer model. Together, these results demonstrate that ibrutinib modulates MDSC function and generation, revealing a potential strategy for enhancing immune-based therapies in solid malignancies. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2125–36. ©2016 AACR.
KLF4-Mediated Suppression of CD44 Signaling Negatively Impacts Pancreatic Cancer Stemness and Metastasis
Authors: Yan Yongmin , LI Zhiwei , Kong Xiangyu , Jia Zhiliang , Zuo Xiangsheng , Gagea Mihai , Huang Suyun , Wei Daoyan , Xie Keping
Published: February 2016

KLF4 and CD44 regulate cancer cell stemness, but their precise functions and roles in metastatic progression are not well understood. In this study, we used both inducible and genetic engineering approaches to assess whether the activities of these two factors intersect in pancreatic cancer. We found that genetic ablation of Klf4 in pancreatic cancer cells isolated from Klf4flox/flox mice drastically increased CD44 expression and promoted the acquisition of stem-like properties, whereas tetracycline-inducible expression of KLF4 suppressed these properties in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic investigation revealed that KLF4 bound to the CD44 promoter to negatively regulate transcription and also the expression of the CD44 variant. Moreover, in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissues, the expression patterns of KLF4 and CD44 were mutually exclusive, and this inverse relationship was particularly striking in human metastatic pancreatic tumors and in autochthonous mouse models of PDAC. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that KLF4 acts as a tumor suppressor in PDAC cells that restricts metastatic behaviors through direct negative regulation of CD44, providing support for the clinical investigation of therapeutic approaches focusing on targeted KLF4 activation in advanced tumors. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2419–31. ©2016 AACR.
Deletion of Interstitial Genes between TMPRSS2 and ERG Promotes Prostate Cancer Progression
Authors: Linn Douglas E. , Penney Kathryn L. , Bronson Roderick T. , Mucci Lorelei A. , Li Zhe
Published: February 2016

TMPRSS2–ERG gene fusions that occur frequently in human prostate cancers can be generated either through insertional chromosomal rearrangement or by intrachromosomal deletion. Genetically, a key difference between these two mechanisms is that the latter results in deletion of a ∼3-Mb interstitial region containing genes with unexplored roles in prostate cancer. In this study, we characterized two mouse models recapitulating TMPRSS2–ERG insertion or deletion events in the background of prostate-specific PTEN deficiency. We found that only the mice that lacked the interstitial region developed prostate adenocarcinomas marked by poor differentiation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Mechanistic investigations identified several interstitial genes, including Ets2 and Bace2, whose reduced expression correlated in the gene homologs in human prostate cancer with biochemical relapse and lethal disease. Accordingly, PTEN-deficient mice with prostate-specific knockout of Ets2 exhibited marked progression of prostate adenocarcinomas that was partly attributed to activation of MAPK signaling. Collectively, our findings established that Ets2 is a tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer, and its loss along with other genes within the TMPRSS2–ERG interstitial region contributes to disease progression. Cancer Res; 76(7); 1869–81. ©2016 AACR.
Paclitaxel-Loaded Polymersomes for Enhanced Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Authors: Simón-Gracia Lorena , Hunt Hedi , Scodeller Pablo D. , Gaitzsch Jens , Braun Gary B. , Willmore Anne-Mari A. , Ruoslahti Erkki , Battaglia Giuseppe , Teesalu Tambet
Published: February 2016

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is present in more than 60% of gastric cancer, 40% of ovarian cancer, and 35% of colon cancer patients. It is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality, with a median survival of 1 to 3 months. Cytoreductive surgery combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy is the current clinical treatment, but achieving curative drug accumulation and penetration in peritoneal carcinomatosis lesions remains an unresolved challenge. Here, we used flexible and pH-sensitive polymersomes for payload delivery to peritoneal gastric (MKN-45P) and colon (CT26) carcinoma in mice. Polymersomes were loaded with paclitaxel and in vitro drug release was studied as a function of pH and time. Paclitaxel-loaded polymersomes remained stable in aqueous solution at neutral pH for up to 4 months. In cell viability assay on cultured cancer cell lines (MKN-45P, SKOV3, CT26), paclitaxel-loaded polymersomes were more toxic than free drug or albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane). Intraperitoneally administered fluorescent polymersomes accumulated in malignant lesions, and immunofluorescence revealed an intense signal inside tumors with no detectable signal in control organs. A dual targeting of tumors was observed: direct (circulation-independent) penetration, and systemic, blood vessel–associated accumulation. Finally, we evaluated preclinical antitumor efficacy of paclitaxel-polymersomes in the treatment of MKN-45P disseminated gastric carcinoma using a total dose of 7 mg/kg. Experimental therapy with paclitaxel-polymersomes improved the therapeutic index of drug over free paclitaxel and Abraxane, as evaluated by intraperitoneal tumor burden and number of metastatic nodules. Our findings underline the potential utility of the polymersome platform for delivery of drugs and imaging agents to peritoneal carcinomatosis lesions. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(4); 670–9. ©2016 AACR.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI)-Mediated Amelioration in Renal Fibrosis Involves Suppression of Mast Cell Degranulation
Authors: Sun Nan , Zhai Lei , Li Hui , Shi Li-Hua , Yao Zhi , Zhang Bo
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: The mechanism by which angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) attenuate renal fibrosis has not been fully uncovered. Methods: Renal fibrosis in rats was triggered by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and treated with Enalapril. Results: Enalapril attenuated renal fibrosis, as evidenced by the fibrosis scores (1.07±0.73 versus 2.18±0.75 for 200 mg/ml Enalapril versus control, p<0.01) of Enalapril-treated UUO rats compared to mock-treated UUO rats. The amelioration was mast cell dependent, as Enalapril exhibited no effects on mast cell-deficient Kitwsh/wsh mice developing renal fibrosis. We detected lower levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a fibroblast activation marker) in the kidney tissue of Enalapril-treated UUO rats relative to the control UUO rats. Enalapril-treated UUO rats exhibited far fewer mast cells infiltrating per area in the kidney tissue than the control UUO rats (8.00±0.65 versus 29.00±0.57, p<0.01). Electron microscopy images revealed that mast cell degranulation was inhibited by Enalapril treatment. Further, IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis demonstrated that Enalapril blocked mast cell degranulation in vivo. Conclusion: Enalapril attenuated renal fibrosis in UUO rats, possibly by a mechanism involving the suppression of mast cell degranulation.
Profile of the Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) Gene 192Q/R Polymorphism and Clinical Associations among Older Singaporean Chinese with Alzheimer's and Mixed Dementia
Authors: Seow Dennis C.C. , Gao Qi , Yap Philip , Gan Jia Min , Chionh Hui Ling , Lim Su Chi , Feng Lei , Ng Tze Pin
Published: February 2016

Background: To examine the prevalence of the Paraoxonase1 (PON1) gene 192Q/R polymorphism amongst Singaporean Chinese with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mixed dementia and possible clinical associations. Methods: We examined the presence of the PON1 192Q/R polymorphism together with cognitive status, functional status and neuropsychiatric symptoms among 186 older Singaporean Chinese with AD (n = 109) and mixed dementia (n = 77). Results: The R allele predominated in 67% of the AD patients and 63.1% of the patients with mixed dementia. Within the mixed dementia subgroup, the R allele was significantly associated with a higher BADLS score, NPI-Q scores and CDR scores. Conclusion: Among older Singaporean Chinese with AD and mixed dementia, the R allele was predominant. In particular, within the mixed dementia subgroup, the R allele carrier status was associated with poorer functional status, greater presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and a more severe stage of dementia. Further studies should be conducted.
Differential Effects of Colchicine on Cardiac Cell Viability in an in vitro Model Simulating Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Margolis Gilad , Hertzberg-Bigelman Einat , Levy Ran , Ben-Shoshan Jeremy , Keren Gad , Entin-Meer Michal
Published: February 2016

Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects of colchicine, currently in clinical trials for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), on the viability of cardiac cells using a cell line model of AMI. Methods: HL-1, a murine cardiomyocyte cell line, and H9C2, a rat cardiomyoblast cell line, were incubated with TNFα or sera derived from rats that underwent AMI or sham operation followed by addition of colchicine. In another experiment, HL-1/H9C2 cells were exposed to anoxia with or without subsequent addition of colchicine. Cell morphology and viability were assessed by light microscopy, flow cytometry and Western blot analyses for apoptotic markers. Results: Cellular viability was similar in both sera; however, exposing both cell lines to anoxia reduced their viability. Adding colchicine to anoxic H9C2, but not to anoxic HL-1, further increased their mortality, at least in part via enhanced apoptosis. Under any condition, colchicine induced detachment of H9C2 cells from their culture plates. This phenomenon did not apply to HL-1 cells. Conclusions: Colchicine enhanced cardiomyoblast mortality under in vitro conditions mimicking AMI and reduced their adherence capability. HL-1 was not affected by colchicine; nevertheless, no salvage effect was observed. We thus conclude that colchicine may not inhibit myocardial apoptosis following AMI.
Factors Associated with Changes in Brain Atrophy during a Three-Year Observation in Elderly Diabetic Patients: Effect of Renal Impairment on Hippocampal Atrophy
Authors: Kawamura Takahiko , Umemura Toshitaka , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Imamine Rui , Kawano Naoko , Mase Hajime , Mizoguchi Asako , Minatoguchi Makiko , Kusama Minoru , Kouchi Yu , Watarai Atsuko , Kanai Akio , Nakashima Eitaro , Hotta Nigishi
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: We conducted a 3-year longitudinal study concerning factors associated with changes in brain atrophy in elderly diabetic patients. Methods: We evaluated hippocampal and global brain atrophy using automatic voxel-based morphometry of structural magnetic resonance images, 4 cognitive function tests, and cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) in 66 diabetic patients. Results: During the 3-year follow-up, hippocampal and global brain atrophy advanced, and cognitive functions worsened. For changes in hippocampal atrophy, changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, and being an ApoE ε4 carrier were independent factors; change in the number of silent brain infarctions was an independent factor for changes in global brain atrophy. A significant association of changes in eGFR and albuminuria with hippocampal atrophy remained after adjusting for confounders including SVD. Both types of brain atrophy at baseline were significantly correlated with cognitive impairment at baseline and especially associated with changes in delayed word recall during the follow-up after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: Changes in eGFR and albuminuria during follow-up were independent risk factors for hippocampal atrophy, which was associated with decline in delayed word recall, suggesting that management of chronic kidney disease may prevent the progression of hippocampal atrophy.
Between Dishwater and the River
Authors: Betancourt Sofía
Published: February 2016

The ground of ecowomanist ethics is watered by multigenerational responses to racial and gender stereotypes in relation to communal knowledge of the land. This wisdom survived through centuries of violence and the daily lived experience of bigotry and abuse in a white supremacist world, and rests on pluralistic understandings of the sacred relationship between human and non-human nature. It remains today as part of the womanist call to accountability and spirit defined in Alice Walker’s writings. Emergent ecowomanist thought is uniquely situated to interrupt many of the stereotypes that serve to maintain a separation between black communities and environmental engagement. This article argues that a robust ecowomanist ethics should situate itself in the interplay between ecojustice and environmental justice approaches to environmental devastation. It draws on the poem “No Images,” written by William Waring Cuney at the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance period, centering on the lived experiences of black women as expressed through black women’s musical appropriations of his work. The clear lamentation and grief interwoven between the words of this short poem are given new life in the voices of Nina Simone and Ysaye Maria Barnwell with the women of Sweet Honey in the Rock. Engaging questions of environmental ethics through the lens of black women’s lived experiences of agency and struggle can create a theological foundation for ecowomanist thought that promotes the preservation of both nature and human dignity.
The Investment Arbitration Practitioner: Chiara Giorgetti (ed.), Litigating International Investment Disputes: A Practitioner’s Guide.
Authors: Volterra Robert G. , Mandelli Giorgio Francesco , Agius Maria Fogdestam
Published: February 2016

Among practical guides to international investment arbitration, Litigating International Investment Disputes stands out due to both its practitioner-friendly selection of topics and in its approach to discussing the myriad milestones of investment dispute proceedings. The contributing authors underline the strategic importance of making procedural decisions in the early stages of the dispute settlement process and offer concrete suggestions on how to use the special nature of investment arbitration to a client’s advantage. Despite omitting a number of helpful topics, and overburdening some chapters with excessive descriptive detail, Litigating International Investment Disputes should serve as a useful companion tool and reference guide, particularly for the less-seasoned investment arbitration practitioner.
Seven new southeastern Brazilian species of Myrcia (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Sobral Marcos , CALIARI CLÁUDIA P. , GRESSLER ELIANA , MAZINE FIORELLA F. , MAGENTA MARA , VIANA PEDRO L.
Published: February 2016

There are described, illustrated, compared with related species and commented in their conservation issues Myrcia delicata, M. exapata, M. guarujana, M. parca, M. pseudosplendens, M. ubatubana and M. venosissima. Myrcia delicata, from the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, is close to M. neocambessedeana, differing through its triflorous, slender inflorescences; Myrcia exapata, from Rio de Janeiro, is related to M. calycampa, differing through its obovate blades, longer peduncles and dichasial branches; Myrcia guarujana, from São Paulo, is related to M. colpodes, but differs in its pilose flowers and trilocular ovaries; Myrcia parca, from the state of Espírito Santo, is related to M. warmingiana, but differs in its narrower, concolorous blades, pauciflorous inflorescences and smooth ovaries; Myrcia pseudosplendens, from Minas Gerais, is close to M. splendens, but has costate fruits and exfoliating bark; Myrcia ubatubana, from São Paulo, is related to M. ferruginosa, but is kept apart through its pauciflorous inflorescences and narrower blades, and Myrcia venosissima, from Minas Gerais, resembles M. almasensis, differing through its uniflorous to triflorous inflorescences and flowers with longer calyx lobes.
Effect of Vocal-Pitch Difference on Automatic Attention to Voice Changes in Audio Messages
Authors: Potter Robert F. , Jamison-Koenig Edgar J. , Lynch Teresa , Sites Joshua
Published: February 2016

Listeners exhibit orienting responses to voice changes in audio messages. However, the impact of pitch similarity between voices on the nature of the OR has not been explored. We conducted a 3 (Vocal Pitch) × 2 (Location of Change in Message) × 2 (Repetition) within-subjects experiment to address this question. Four non-professional announcers were selected based on differences in vocal pitch. Twelve radio commercials were produced using these announcers to include a single voice change—with either Low-, Medium-, or High-Pitch Differences. The voice changes occurred either within the first or last 20 seconds of the commercial. Heart rate and recognition memory data were collected from 41 subjects. Results show that vocal-pitch difference between speakers impacts automatic attention allocation via the orienting response, and recognition memory for the message is thereby affected. Furthermore, results suggest that having voice changes occur early in an audio message produces the best attentional result.
Consensus of high-order discrete-time linear networked multi-agent systems with switching topology and time delays
Authors: Zhang Guoliang , Xu Jun , Zeng Jing , Xi Jianxiang , Tang Wenjun
Published: February 2016

In this paper, the consensus problem for high-order discrete-time networked multi-agent systems (D-NMAS) is investigated by distributed feedback protocols. By constructing the self-feedback matrix and the neighbouring feedback matrix for networks, consensus protocols are designed under three different cases and the corresponding convergence analysis is provided. Consensus convergence results of networks are provided by three final consensus values, which are related to self-feedback matrices, initial states of networks and the topology of networks, not related to time delays. In the first case where a directed network with a fixed topology is concerned, the high-order discrete-time consensus problem is studied as an example, and a sufficient and necessary condition is obtained. In the scenario with directed networks with switching topology, a sufficient condition guaranteeing the consensus of high-order D-NMAS is derived, after the consensus analysis is transformed into stability analysis. As for directed networks with switching topology and time delays, the discrete-time stability model with time delays is converted into a general discrete-time stability model by an augmented method and the sufficient condition is provided to achieve consensus for directed networks. Furthermore, the sufficient conditions determining the neighbouring feedback matrix are independent of the number of agents. Two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the correctness and effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Weighing method for a truck scale based on optional neural network with penalty function
Authors: Lin Haijun , Li Songhui , Wang Lucai , Yang Jinbao
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a weighing method for a truck scale based on a neural network (NN) with penalty function (PFNN). Firstly, the truck scale’s prior knowledge, i.e. the positive partial derivatives of the truck scale’s input–output function and the distributions of truck scale’s permissible weighing errors, is used to construct the constraints for optimizing the NN. Then, the penalty function is applied to construct the new NN’s performance index, and the detailed algorithm for training this NN is given. Finally, the method for assigning the value of the penalty factors is also discussed. The comparative experimental results show that the PFNN’s generalization ability is better than that of a data-induced NN (DINN) especially with a lack of training samples (the DINN is a method for training an NN only by using the data samples, not prior knowledge), and the weighing errors of the truck scale with PFNN are far less than those of DINN. In addition, the convergence of the PFNN is faster than that of the DINN.
Structured triangulation in multi-robot systems: Coverage, patrolling, Voronoi partitions, and geodesic centers
Authors: Lee Seoung Kyou , Fekete Sándor P. , McLurkin James
Published: February 2016

We present a fundamental framework for organizing exploration, coverage, and surveillance by a swarm of robots with limited individual capabilities, based on triangulating an unknown environment with a multi-robot system. Locally, an individual triangle is easy for a single robot to manage and covers a small area; globally, the topology of the triangulation approximately captures the geometry of the entire environment. Combined, a multi-robot system can explore, map, navigate, and patrol. Algorithms can store information in triangles that the robots can read and write as they run their algorithms. This creates a physical data structure (PDS) that is both robust and versatile.

We study distributed approaches to triangulating an unknown, two-dimensional Euclidean space using a multi-robot network. The resulting PDS is a compact representation of the workspace, contains distributed knowledge of each triangle, encodes the dual graph of the triangulation, and supports reads and writes of auxiliary data. The ability to store and process this auxiliary information enables the simple robots to solve complex problems. We develop distributed algorithms for dual-graph navigation, patrolling, construction of a topological Voronoi tessellation, and location of the geodesic centers in non-convex regions. We provide theoretical performance guarantees for the quality of constructed triangulation and the connectivity of a dual graph in the triangulation. In addition, we show that the path lengths of the physical navigation are within a constant factor of the shortest-path Euclidean distance. We validate these theoretical results with simulations and experiments with a dozen or more robots.
Does Infection Site Matter? A Systematic Review of Infection Site Mortality in Sepsis
Authors: Motzkus Christine A. , Luckmann Roger
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

Sepsis treatment protocols emphasize source control with empiric antibiotics and fluid resuscitation. Previous reviews have examined the impact of infection site and specific pathogens on mortality from sepsis; however, no recent review has addressed the infection site. This review focuses on the impact of infection site on hospital mortality among patients with sepsis.

Methods:

The PubMed database was searched for articles from 2001 to 2014. Studies were eligible if they included (1) one or more statistical models with hospital mortality as the outcome and considered infection site for inclusion in the model and (2) adult patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock. Data abstracted included stage of sepsis, infection site, and raw and adjusted effect estimates. Nineteen studies were included. Infection sites most studied included respiratory (n = 19), abdominal (n = 19), genitourinary (n = 18), and skin and soft tissue infections (n = 11). Several studies found a statistically significant lower mortality risk for genitourinary infections on hospital mortality when compared to respiratory infections.

Conclusion:

Based on studies included in this review, the impact of infection site in patients with sepsis on hospital mortality could not be reliably estimated. Misclassification among infections and disease states remains a serious possibility in studies on this topic.
Preventative Services for Sexual Offenders
Authors: Piché Lyne , Mathesius Jeffrey , Lussier Patrick , Schweighofer Anton
Published: February 2016

The role of primary prevention of sexual offences is an understudied area. The current study examined a sample ( N = 100) of men charged or convicted of a sexual offence to determine their interest in interventions that could be offered prior to offending, reasons for not seeking out interventions in the past, and demographic information including onset of deviant sexual fantasy and interests. The majority indicated that preventative interventions, including individual and group treatment, would have been beneficial, but inaccessibility of interventions and fear of arrest prevented them from seeking services. The findings suggest that men who progress to committing a sexual offence are interested in preventative interventions but require information regarding availability of accessible support and the development of primary prevention structures to fulfill society’s desire to prevent sexual offending.
Recovering Coproduced Service Failures
Authors: Dong Beibei , Sivakumar K. , Evans Kenneth R. , Zou Shaoming
Published: February 2016

This article focuses on the locus of recovery (LOR) when failures occur in coproduced services. LOR refers to who contributes to the recovery. Based on the LOR effort, recovery can be classified into three types: firm recovery, joint recovery, and customer recovery. The authors develop a conceptual framework to examine the antecedents, consequences, and moderators of LOR and test the framework using three experiments. They find that the positive effect of customers’ self-efficacy on their expectancy to participate in recovery is stronger when they blame themselves for the failure than when they blame the service provider. Joint recovery is most effective in generating favorable service outcomes of satisfaction with recovery and intention for future coproduction. Furthermore, recovery urgency strengthens the effect of LOR; however, when a customer’s preferred recovery strategy is offered, such matching offsets the impact of recovery urgency. Our findings suggest several managerial implications for devising recovery strategies for service failures. Although having customers do the recovery may appear to be cost-effective, when customers are under time pressure, pushing them toward customer recovery against their preferences is likely to backfire. If a firm’s only available option is customer recovery, they should consider increasing customers’ sense of autonomy under resource constraints by aligning available recovery options with customer preferences. In contrast, joint recovery can be a win-win strategy—the customer is satisfied and the firm uses only moderate resources. It is also a more robust strategy that works particularly well under resource constraints and regardless of preference matching.
Sexology and the making of sexual subjects in contemporary China
Authors: Wong Day
Published: February 2016

This article examines the role of sociology in the newly emerged interdisciplinary field of sexology in China, the purpose of which is to produce the ideal citizen. Two strands of Chinese sexology are identified, the biomedical and subjective constructionist models. The former promotes sex for pleasure to enhance marital harmony and thus social stability. Through the establishment of new norms of behavior and relations to the self, individuals are called on to be modern subjects who master sexual knowledge and enjoy a quality sex life with a proper frequency of sex. Those who fail are subject to the control of the medical regime. The latter model emphasizes the recognition of subjective interpretation and divergent sexual practices, and has the potential to serve as a corrective to the biomedical model.
Addressing Europe’s democratic deficit: An experimental evaluation of the pan-European district proposal
Authors: Bol Damien , Harfst Philipp , Blais André , Golder Sona N , Laslier Jean-François , Stephenson Laura B , Van der Straeten Karine
Published: February 2016

Many academics and commentators argue that Europe is suffering from a democratic deficit. An interesting proposal that has been put forward to address this problem is to elect some members of the European parliament in a pan-European district. In this article, we evaluate this proposal using an online experiment, in which thousands of Europeans voted on a pan-European ballot we created. We find that the voting behaviour of European citizens would be strongly affected by the presence or absence of candidates from their own country on the lists. If a pan-European district is created, our findings provide an argument in favour of using a closed-list ballot and establishing a maximum number of candidates from each country on the lists.
The cybernetic imagination of computational architecture
Authors: Quin Camilo Andrés Cifuentes
Published: February 2016

Since the publication in 1948 of Norbert Wiener’s Cybernetics, this thought model has exerted a profound influence in contemporary knowledge. Such influence has been decisive for a paradigm shift in the profession of architecture and particularly for the rise of a computational perspective in architectural design. This article explores the link between the cybernetic paradigm and the conception of architectural objects as performative, responsive, intelligent, and sentient artifacts—the visions of buildings that have been central to the development of digital architecture since its early stages. This connection shows that the dominant visions of design problems associated with the development of a computational perspective in architecture have not been exclusively the result of the introduction of computer pragmatics in architectural design. On the contrary, following such scholars as Bruno Latour and Katherine Hayles, these developments must be considered as the result of a particular feedback process that includes technical aspects as well as the definition of design problems around an informational ontology and epistemology. The understanding of the intellectual foundations of digital architecture is crucial not only to promote a critical regard of its productions but to imagine scenarios for a viable cybernetic practice of computer-mediated architectural design.
Investigation of the properties of PAN/f-MWCNTs/AgNPs composite nanofibers
Authors: Kizildag Nuray , Ucar Nuray
Published: February 2016

In this study, composite nanofibers from a solution of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) in dimethylsulfoxide were successfully produced by the electrospinning method. Aqueous solution of hydrazinium hydroxide was used for the chemical reduction of silver ions. The effects of the simultaneous use of carbon nanotubes (either pristine or amine-functionalized) and silver nitrate in different percentages and the application of chemical reduction on the properties of the nanocomposite nanowebs were investigated. FTIR, SEM, conductivity meter, tensile tester, XRD, and DSC were used for the characterization. Antibacterial activities of the nanocomposite nanowebs were determined against S. Aureus. Full factorial experimental design was utilized in order to be able to evaluate the contributions of the selected factors (f-MWCNT content, AgNO3 content, and application of reduction process) to the variations in ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and conductivity of the composite nanowebs. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparisons were carried out to evaluate the average nanofiber diameters and mechanical properties. PAN/f-MWCNTs/AgNPs nanowebs displayed enhanced conductivity and antimicrobial properties particularly when the chemical reduction process was applied. Besides they showed improved crystallinity compared with pure PAN nanofibers. While the reduction process made the highest contribution to the ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and conductivity of the nanowebs, f-MWCNT content had negligible effect on conductivity of the nanowebs. Considering all the results obtained in this study, composite nanofiber webs of PAN with 1 w% f-MWCNTs and 1 w%AgNO3 can be suggested for use as antistatic and antibacterial filaments.
The New Juan Crow in Education
Authors: Madrigal-Garcia Yanira I. , Acevedo-Gil Nancy
Published: February 2016

This qualitative study examined the distribution of inequitable resources, a culture of control, and implications for postsecondary pathways for Latinas/os in five California high schools. This study integrated critical race theory in education, school culture, and the concept of panopticon to examine school structures, climate, and individual agency, which together can shape the schooling experiences and educational trajectories of Latina/o students. Grounded in the data, the authors establish the concept of the New Juan Crow in Education.
Video Games Set in the Middle Ages
Authors: San Nicolás Romera César , Nicolás Ojeda Miguel Ángel , Ros Velasco Josefa
Published: February 2016

Within the study of video games, there is a burgeoning interest in the phenomenon of historical representation; nonetheless, few studies have centered on the reflection of particular eras of History, such as the Middle Ages and the effect of this on interpretations of culture and potential pedagogical applications with respect to this specific period of time. In this study, we present and discuss the compilation and content of a database of over 600 medieval titles released between 1980 and 2013, demonstrating the growing popularity, with producers and consumers, of what we could now refer to as a stand-alone genre. We discuss our categorization of the collection as purely historical or as hybrid and provide what could prove a very rich source of data for researchers on typical plot lines, most and least popular eras or events in history, genres commonly adopted within both types of game.
Immune Function
Authors: Kohut Marian L
Published: February 2016

This article provides a brief commentary on the accompanying article, “Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions to Improve Immunity” by Davison, Kehaya, and Jones. The article reviews the evidence on physical exercise and/or nutrition in modulating immune response, with a specific focus on the prevention of respiratory infection. Given the large scope of the review, an overview of current findings is presented, rather than in-depth discussions, and the nutritional strategies discussed tend to focus on the strategies that have been studied in the context of exercise. Some further insight is provided in the commentary on potential mechanisms that may explain the benefits of exercise, a brief discussion on the impact of obesity and host defense, and future directions for research. In general, the article sufficiently describes the current evidence, and draws appropriate conclusions based on the evidence presented. The article is recommended for audiences that have limited background on these topics, and for those who are familiar with this line of research.
Equality, inclusion and marketization of Nordic education: Introductory notes
Authors: Lundahl Lisbeth
Published: February 2016

The concept of a Nordic model of education is sometimes used to refer to the considerable similarities of education reforms and systems of the five Nordic countries (i.e. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) during the second half of the 20th century – reforms that aimed at social justice, equality and cohesion not least by providing schooling of high and equal quality, regardless of children’s and young people’s resources, origin and location. This article discusses to what extent one may still speak of such a ‘Nordic model of education’, considering the impact of neoliberal policies in all of the five countries. It is concluded that even if the education systems still display a number of common, inclusive traits, extensive marketization and privatization practices in Nordic countries, and particularly of Swedish education, raise serious doubts about the survival of the alleged Nordic model.
Ensuring public service news provision in the era of networked communications
Authors: Lowe Gregory Ferrell , Stavitsky Alan G
Published: February 2016

The authors argue the continuing importance of public service values for journalistic practice and news provision in the emerging context of networked communications. Divergent perspectives regarding the economic viability of news production in for-profit and nonprofit sectors are reviewed, in application to two categories of media organizations: legacy media and digital native media. The authors assess the contemporary situation for news firms in the USA and Europe to arrive at a general understanding. Results suggest the public service ethos in journalism is at risk. This encourages the importance of collaborative efforts on the part of policymakers, news providers, and the academic community to address a complex set of problems in news production and provision today. The article makes a case for preserving historic professional values in journalistic practice but is not focused on the narrower interests of a particular sector or institutional arrangement. The authors encourage developing a comprehensive contemporary news media system to secure ongoing innovation, enhance diversity, and advance quality. The article concludes with actionable proposals regarding media policy, operational partnerships, education, and professionalism.
Effective Communication Strategies for Store Remodeling
Authors: Liu Stephanie Qing , Mattila Anna S.
Published: February 2016

Hospitality operators spend millions of dollars on store remodeling; however, existing research offers little guidance on how to effectively communicate such investments to consumers. This study examines the joint effects of explanation type (customer-focused vs. brand-focused vs. control) and relationship type (communal vs. exchange) on consumers’ opinions of remodeling, feelings of trust, and brand attitudes. Overall, the results indicate that a customer-focused explanation is more effective in gaining customer support for store remodeling. The positive impact of a brand-focused explanation is limited to brand attitudes among exchange-type customers, while a customer-focused explanation is effective in both communal and exchange relationships. Furthermore, the results show that feelings of trust are the underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between explanation type and brand attitudes. Findings of this study suggest that hospitality managers should consider store remodeling as a great advertising opportunity to leverage consumers’ brand evaluations.
Mapping Point-of-Purchase Influencers of Food Choice in Australian Remote Indigenous Communities
Authors: Henryks Joanna , Brimblecombe Julie
Published: February 2016

Closing the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians relies, in part, on addressing the poor levels of nutrition in remote Indigenous communities (RIC). This article identifies and maps key influencers of food choice at the point-of-purchase (POP) in Australian RIC and identifies gaps in our knowledge. It is based on a narrative review of the literature pertaining to food in RIC from a range of disciplinary perspectives including nutrition, ethnography, public health, anthropology, and remote health to map POP drivers of food choice. In particular, the role of habit is identified as a key factor that has previously not been discussed in the literature. The conceptual framework can be used as a basis for future POP research in RIC and provides guidance for social marketers, public health, nutrition, and policy workers operating in this field.
The Role of Debate in Moving Minds
Authors: Donovan Paul , Townsend John
Published: February 2016

Management development exercises aimed at passing on or scaffolding knowledge and skills in training programs are plentiful but exercises that can help change attitudes are in short supply. Role debate is a structured debating exercises where participants reconsider the way they think about important job-related issues. This article shows a case study where role debate enabled call agents to gain a greater grasp of their organization’s customer service policy. In role debates, participants, working in pairs, take up opposing stances on a given issue. After a few minutes debating, participants switch roles and argue the opposite to their initial stance. This allows for issues to be considered from many perspectives and for attitudes to adjust. Role debate has a wide applicability for teachers and facilitators in numerous settings. Instructions on how to design and conduct as well as several examples of role debates are given.
Antibodies from donor B cells perpetuate cutaneous chronic graft-versus-host disease in mice
Authors: Jin Hua , Ni Xiong , Deng Ruishu , Song Qingxiao , Young James , Cassady Kaniel , Zhang Mingfeng , Forman Stephen , Martin Paul J. , Liu Qifa , Zeng Defu
Published: February 2016

Key Points

Antibodies produced by donor B cells are required for thymic and lymphoid damage in mice with chronic GVHD. Antibody-producing donor B cells associate with infiltration of Th17 cells in the skin and perpetuation of cutaneous chronic GVHD in mice.
The long-term mental health impact of peacekeeping: prevalence
and predictors of psychiatric disorder
Authors: Forbes David , O'Donnell Meaghan , Brand Rachel M. , Korn Sam , Creamer Mark , McFarlane Alexander C. , Sim Malcolm R. , Forbes Andrew B. , Hawthorne Graeme
Published: February 2016

Background

The mental health outcomes of military personnel deployed on peacekeeping
missions have been relatively neglected in the military mental health
literature.

Aims

To assess the mental health impacts of peacekeeping deployments.

Method

In total, 1025 Australian peacekeepers were assessed for current and
lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, service history and exposure to
potentially traumatic events (PTEs). A matched Australian community
sample was used as a comparator. Univariate and regression analyses were
conducted to explore predictors of psychiatric diagnosis.

Results

Peacekeepers had significantly higher 12-month prevalence of
post-traumatic stress disorder (16.8%), major depressive episode (7%),
generalised anxiety disorder (4.7%), alcohol misuse (12%), alcohol
dependence (11.3%) and suicidal ideation (10.7%) when compared with the
civilian comparator. The presence of these psychiatric disorders was most
strongly and consistently associated with exposure to PTEs.

Conclusions

Veteran peacekeepers had significant levels of psychiatric morbidity.
Their needs, alongside those of combat veterans, should be recognised
within military mental health initiatives.
The Problem Behaviour Checklist: short scale to assess
challenging behaviours
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Nagar Jessica , Evans Rosie , Oliver Patricia , Bassett Paul , Liedtka Natalie , Tarabi Aris
Published: February 2016

Background

Challenging behaviour, especially in intellectual disability, covers a
wide range that is in need of further evaluation.

Aims

To develop a short but comprehensive instrument for all aspects of
challenging behaviour.

Method

In the first part of a two-stage enquiry, a 28-item scale was constructed
to examine the components of challenging behaviour. Following a simple
factor analysis this was developed further to create a new short scale,
the Problem Behaviour Checklist (PBCL). The scale was subsequently used
in a randomised controlled trial and tested for interrater reliability.
Scores were also compared with a standard scale, the Modified Overt
Aggression Scale (MOAS).

Results

Seven identified factors – personal violence, violence against property,
self-harm, sexually inappropriate, contrary, demanding and disappearing
behaviour – were scored on a 5-point scale. A subsequent factor analysis
with the second population showed demanding, violent and contrary
behaviour to account for most of the variance. Interrater reliability
using weighted kappa showed good agreement (0.91; 95% CI 0.83–0.99). Good
agreement was also shown with scores on the MOAS and a score of 1 on the
PBCL showed high sensitivity (97%) and specificity (85%) for a threshold
MOASscore of 4.

Conclusions

The PBCL appears to be a suitable and practical scale for assessing all
aspects of challenging behaviour.
Performance of Suspended Nonstructural Components and Their Anchorage during Shake Table Tests
Authors: Mahrenholtz Philipp , Hutchinson Tara C. , Eligehausen Rolf
Published: February 2016

Nonstructural components and systems are typically connected to concrete structures by means of post-installed anchors. Despite their widespread use, very little is known about the behavior of post-installed anchors when used in a system and loaded during an earthquake. The study presented in this paper was conducted to investigate the seismic performance of suspended model non-structural components connected by post-installed anchors to a concrete slab. The concrete slab was mounted in a special loading rig on a shake table and subjected to a series of floor motions simulating the acceleration histories at specific floor levels of typical reinforced concrete buildings of variable heights. Simultaneously, the anchors supporting the component were set in predefined cracks, which opened and closed according to pre-calculated crack histories. This unique test setup allowed evaluation of the performance of anchors and attached components under realistic boundary and loading conditions.
Milan Kundera and the Poetics of Novelistic Truth
Authors: Just Daniel
Published: February 2016

While not all literary fictions teach us valuable truths about life and the world, this expectation is what makes most of us read them. Literary texts communicate their truths in various ways, but what all of them have in common is that their truths are irreducible to unequivocal statements and propositions. The fact that narrative operation often implies a poetics of truth telling makes literary narratives—and complex novels, above all—a privileged genre for conveying insights about life and the world, especially at a time when we no longer believe in one absolute truth universally applicable to everyone. Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being is an exemplary case. Instead of telling us in what to believe and how to act, this novel obliquely offers a more general kind of truth and attitude toward life: it proposes that life is better lived if we dispense with the need to be recognized, accepted, and valued by others. Far from any didacticism, however, the way this truth is communicated underscores the individual process of reaching it in and even beyond the reading.