bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progressive Diffuse Osteonecrosis in a Patient with Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Takahashi Takashi , Rykken Jeffrey
Published: November 2015

This is a case report with serial imaging showing progression of diffuse osteonecrosis in a patient after a diagnosis of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). While bone marrow involvement in HLH has been long noted at histological evaluation and is itself one of the diagnosis criteria, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no previous publication addressing osseous image findings in a patient with HLH.
EK Sign: A Wrinkling of Uvula and the Base of Uvula in Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome
Authors: Koka Venkata , Baron Sandrine , Abedipour Darius , Latournerie Vincent , El Chater Pierre
Published: November 2015

Introduction. Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is suspected in the presence of symptoms and/or pharyngeal alterations and skeletal abnormalities of maxilla and mandible. Our aim is to find a new clinical sign that leads to suspicion of OSAHS in snorers.Methods. We reviewed the clinical data of 69 snoring patients with or without OSAHS. We defined EK sign as the presence of horizontal wrinkling of uvula and the base of uvula and tried to correlate its presence with OSAHS.Results. EK sign was present in 25 of 69 patients. The positive predictive value of EK sign is 100%. The presence of EK sign significantly correlated with OSAHS (44% if AHI ≥ 5 and 0% if AHI < 5;p= 0.01) and severity of OSAHS (7% if AHI < 15 and 58% with AHI ≥ 15;p< 0.001).Conclusions. The EK sign is a strong predictor of OSAHS with a specificity of 100%. We recommend performing sleep tests in presence of EK sign in snorers even in the absence of other abnormalities or symptoms.
Synergistic Use of Geniposide and Ginsenoside Rg1 Balance Microglial TNF-αand TGF-β1 following Oxygen-Glucose DeprivationIn Vitro: A Genome-Wide Survey
Authors: Wang Jun , Hou Jincai , Zhao Hui , Liu Jianxun
Published: November 2015

Ischemia-activated microglia are like a double-edged sword, characterized by both neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to reveal the synergistic effect of geniposide and ginsenoside Rg1 based on tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)αand transforming growth factor- (TGF-)β1 balance of microglia. BV2 microglial cells were divided into 5 groups: control, model (oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)), geniposide-treated, ginsenoside-Rg1-treated, and combination-treated. A series of assays were used to detect on (i) cell viability; (ii) NO content; (iii) expression (content) of TNF-αand TGF-β1; and (iv) gene expression profiles. The results showed that integrated use of geniposide and ginsenoside Rg1 significantly inhibited NO level and protected cell viability, improved the content and expression of TGF-β1, and reduced the content and expression of TNF-α. Separated use of geniposide or ginsenoside Rg1 showed different effects at different emphases. Next-generation sequencing showed that Fcγ-receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway played a key regulatory role in the balance of TNF-αand TGF-β1 when cotreated with geniposide and ginsenoside Rg1. These findings suggest that synergistic drug combination of geniposide and ginsenoside Rg1 in the treatment of stroke is a feasible avenue for the application.
Short-Term Dynamics Reveals Seasonality in a Subtropical Heliconius Butterfly
Authors: Sobral-Souza Thadeu , Bastos Francini Ronaldo , Guimarães Murilo , Benson Woodruff Withman
Published: November 2015

Although tropical insect populations are generally regarded as constant and stable over time, some of these tropical populations, including butterflies, may fluctuate according to precipitation and temperature variation, specialized feeding patterns, and density-dependent factors. Heliconiini butterfly populations are generally regarded as stable over time because of the presence of host-plants and absence of diapause. However, peaks of abundance occur in subtropical Heliconius populations, and opposite trends concerning stability are found in the literature. Here we further investigate the dynamics of subtropical Heliconius butterflies by assessing a population of the species Heliconius sara apseudes from southeastern Brazil. We estimated individual apparent survival probability and population growth rate while accounting for the imperfect detectability of individuals using mark-recapture models to evaluate the population dynamics. Adult males presented slightly higher weekly survival estimates than females. Contrary to the common pattern described in the literature for Heliconius populations we observed a rapid decline on the adult population by the end of the mating season, possibly leading to local extinction. We discuss the potential drivers for such dynamics.
Two New Reformulation Convexification Based Hierarchies for 0-1 MIPs
Authors: Ouzia Hacene
Published: November 2015

First, we introduce two new reformulation convexification based hierarchies calledRTCandRSCfor which the rankdcontinuous relaxations are denoted byP^RTCdandP^RSCd, respectively. These two hierarchies are obtained using two different convexification schemes:term convexificationin the case of theRTChierarchy andstandard convexificationin the case of theRSChierarchy. Secondly, we compare thestrengthof these two hierarchies. We will prove that (i) the hierarchyRTCisequivalentto theRLThierarchy of Sherali-Adams, (ii) the hierarchyRTCdominates the hierarchyRSC, and (iii) the hierarchyRSCis dominated by the Lift-and-Project hierarchy. Thirdly, for every rankd, we will prove thatconvTd∩Etd⊆P^RTCd⊆TdandconvSd∩Esd⊆P^RSCd⊆Sdwhere the setsTdandSdare convex, whileEtdandEsdare two nonconvex sets with empty interior (all these sets depend on the convexification step). The first inclusions allow, in some cases, an explicit characterization (in the space of the original variables) of theRLTrelaxations. Finally, we will discuss weak version of bothRTCandRSChierarchies and we will emphasize some connections between them.
Aortic Remodelling Is Improved by 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside Involving the Smad3 Pathway in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Duan Ju , Han Xin , Ling Shuang , Gan Woting , Sun Li , Ni Rong-Zhen , Xu Jin-Wen
Published: November 2015

Hypertension is a common health problem that substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The condition increases blood pressure, which causes alterations in vascular structure and leads to the development of vascular pathologies. 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), a resveratrol analogue extracted from a Chinese medicinal plant, has been proven to have numerous vascular protection functions. This study investigated whether THSG can improve vascular remodeling, which has thus far remained unclear. Orally administering THSG to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) aged 12 weeks for 14 weeks significantly inhibited intima-media thickness in the lower parts of the aortic arch, increased the vascular diastolic rate in response to acetylcholine, and reduced remodelling-related mRNA expression, such as that of ACTA2, CCL3, COL1A2, COL3A1, TIMP1 WISP2, IGFBP1, ECE1, KLF5, MYL1 BMP4, FN1, and PAI-1. Immunofluorescence staining also showed an inhibitory effect similar to that of THSG on PAI-1 protein expression in rat aortas. Results from immunoprecipitation and a Western blot assay showed that THSG inhibited the acetylation of Smad3. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that THSG prevented Smad3 binding to the PAI-1 proximal promoter in SHR aortas. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of THSG on aortic remodelling involved the deacetylating role of Smad3 with increasing blood flow and with constant blood pressure.
Winter Annual Weed Response to Nitrogen Sources and Application Timings prior to a Burndown Corn Herbicide
Authors: Nelson Kelly A.
Published: December 2015

Autumn and early preplant N applications, sources, and placement may affect winter annual weed growth. Field research evaluated (1) the effect of different nitrogen sources in autumn and early preplant on total winter annual weed growth (2006–2010), and (2) strip-till and broadcast no-till N applied in autumn and early preplant on henbit (Lamium amplexicauleL.) growth (2008–2010) prior to a burndown herbicide application. Total winter annual weed biomass was greater than the nontreated control when applying certain N sources in autumn or early preplant for no-till corn. Anhydrous ammonia had the lowest average weed density (95 weeds m−2), though results were inconsistent over the years. Winter annual weed biomass was lowest (43 g m−2) when applying 32% urea ammonium nitrate in autumn and was similar to applying anhydrous ammonia in autumn or early preplant and the nontreated control. Henbit biomass was 28% greater when applying N in the autumn compared to an early preplant application timing. Nitrogen placement along with associated tillage with strip-till placement was important in reducing henbit biomass. Nitrogen source selection, application timing, and placement affected the impact of N on winter annual weed growth and should be considered when recommending a burndown herbicide application timing.
Heterogeneous Parking Market Subject to Parking Rationing
Authors: Asadi Bagloee Saeed , Asadi Mohsen
Published: December 2015

Different types of drivers and parking spaces delineate a heterogeneous parking market for which the literature has yet to provide a model applicable to the real world. The main obstacle is computational complexities of considering various parking restrictions along with traffic congestion on the road network. In this study, the heterogeneity aspects are considered within a Logit parking choice model. A mathematical programming problem was introduced to explicitly consider parking capacities and parking rationing constraints. The parking rationing is defined as any arrangement to reserve parking space for some specific demand such as parking permit, private parking, VIP parking, and different parking durations. Introduction of parking rationing in the presence of other constraints is a unique factor in this study which makes the model more realistic. The algorithm was tested on a central business district case study. The results prove that the algorithm is able to converge rapidly. Among the algorithm’s output are shadow prices of the parking capacity and parking rationing constraints. The shadow prices contain important information which is key to addressing a variety of parking issues, such as the location of parking shortages, identification of fair parking charges, viability of parking permits, and the size of reserved parking.
Evaluation of Gingival Microleakage in Class II Composite Restorations with Different Lining Techniques: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Bore Gowda Vedavathi , Sreenivasa Murthy B. V. , Hegde Swaroop , Venkataramanaswamy Swapna Devarasanahalli , Pai Veena Suresh , Krishna Rashmi
Published: November 2015

Aim. To compare the microleakage in class II composite restorations without a liner/with resin modified glass ionomer and flowable composite liner.Method. Forty standardized MO cavities were prepared on human permanent mandibular molars extracted for periodontal reasons and then divided into 4 groups of ten specimens. The cavity preparations were etched, rinsed, blot dried, and light cured and Adper Single Bond 2 is applied. Group 1 is restored with Filtek P60 packable composite in 2 mm oblique increments. Group 2 is precure group where 1 mm Filtek Z350 flowable liner is applied and light cured for 20 sec. Group 3 is the same as Group 2, but the liner was cocured with packable composite. In Group 4, 1 mm RMGIC, Fuji Lining LC is applied and cured for 20 sec. All the teeth were restored as in Group 1. The specimens were coated with nail varnish leaving 1 mm around the restoration, subjected to thermocycling, basic fuchsin dye penetration, sectioned mesiodistally, and observed under a stereomicroscope.Results. The mean leakage scores of the individual study groups were Group 1 (33.40), Group 2 (7.85), Group 3 (16.40), and Group 4 (24.35). Group 1 without a liner showed maximum leakage. Flowable composite liner precured was the best.
Single Spring Joint Element Based on the Mixed Coordinate System
Authors: Zhao Lanhao , Zhang Wei , Bai Xin , Yan Tianyou , Li Tongchun
Published: December 2015

As a FEM for reinforced concrete bond-slip problems, one important feature of the typical double spring joint element method is the selection of the normal stiffness, which may cause the mutual embedding problem and bring challenges to the calculation. In this paper, a novel single spring joint element method based on the mixed coordinate system is proposed to simulate the interaction of two materials. Instead of choosing the normal stiffness arbitrarily, the proposed method makes DOFs of two materials in the normal direction equal to ensure deformation compatibility. And its solid elements for the concrete are solved in global coordinate system, while the beam elements for the steel bar are solved in local coordinate system. In addition, the proposed method can also be applied to RC structures with irregular arrangements of steel bars. Numerical examples demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the proposed approach. Furthermore, the bond model is applied to RC beams with the description of the damage process.
Preclinical Models Provide Scientific Justification and Translational Relevance for Moving Novel Therapeutics into Clinical Trials for Pediatric Cancer
Authors: Langenau David M. , Sweet-Cordero Alejandro , Wechsler-Reya Robert J. , Dyer Michael A.
Published: December 2015

Despite improvements in survival rates for children with cancer since the 1960s, progress for many pediatric malignancies has slowed over the past two decades. With the recent advances in our understanding of the genomic landscape of pediatric cancer, there is now enthusiasm for individualized cancer therapy based on genomic profiling of patients' tumors. However, several obstacles to effective personalized cancer therapy remain. For example, relatively little data from prospective clinical trials demonstrate the selective efficacy of molecular-targeted therapeutics based on somatic mutations in the patient's tumor. In this commentary, we discuss recent advances in preclinical testing for pediatric cancer and provide recommendations for providing scientific justification and translational relevance for novel therapeutic combinations for childhood cancer. Establishing rigorous criteria for defining and validating druggable mutations will be essential for the success of ongoing and future clinical genomic trials for pediatric malignancies. Cancer Res; 75(24); 5176–86. ©2015 AACR.
p21 Gene Expression Evaluation in Esophageal Cancer Patients
Authors: Salari Fanoodi Tahereh , Motalleb Gholamreza , Yegane Moghadam Ahmad , Talaee Rezvan
Published: December 2015

Background: Cancer is the third most common cause of death in Iran, and 30,000 Iranians lose their lives each year due to cancer. Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the sixth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. It is reported that more than 80% of all deaths from esophageal cancer occur in developing countries. The p21 protein is encoded by WAF1/CIP1, a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 2.6 p21. This protein is known to be related to the cell cycle; p21 stimulation is a common mechanism of growth inhibition in different physiological conditions. Summary: The results indicated no significant difference in p21 gene expression between patients and controls (p > 0.05). Moreover, no significant difference was observed in p21 gene expression between males and females (p > 0.05). Key Message: It appears that p21 is not a specific tumor marker in Iranian esophageal cancer patients. Practical Implications: In this qualitative research work, for the first time, we investigated the p21 gene expression in esophageal cancer patients in Iran. For the present study, we randomly selected 15 paraffin-embedded esophageal cancer tissues and 15 paraffin-embedded normal esophageal samples collected from different medical centers in Zahedan and Kashan. RT-qPCR reactions were performed with three repetitions for the p21 gene and internal control (GAPDH) using the 2-ΔΔCt (Livak) method for all samples. Results were analyzed using SPSS software.
A Common Genetic Variant in the Insulin Receptor Gene Is Associated with Eating Difficulties at 2 Years of Age in a Cohort of Preterm Infants
Authors: Amarger Valérie , Bouvagnet Audrey , Moyon Thomas , Vaiman Daniel , Darmaun Dominique , de Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Robitaille Julie , Flamant Cyril , Rozé Jean-Christophe , Parnet Patricia
Published: December 2015

Background/Aims: Children born preterm are more likely than full-term infants to develop eating difficulties that can affect their growth. Although this behavior is certainly influenced by their fetal and postnatal history, a large individual variability exists that results from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. We performed an original pilot study to identify common genetic variants associated with eating difficulties at 2 years of age in the POLYNUCA cohort of preterm infants. Methods: Eating behavior was assessed using a parental questionnaire in a cohort of 234 very preterm infants (including 38 pairs of twins). Eighty-two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected in a total of 40 candidate genes involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis and food intake. Results: Eating behavior was strongly correlated in monozygotic (r = 0.92, p = 0.001) but not dizygotic twins (r = 0.27, p = 0.14), suggesting a strong heritability of this trait. One SNP (rs11671975) in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene was significantly associated with eating behavior. This effect was maintained after adjustment for birth weight Z score and maternal education level, two factors that are associated with eating difficulties at 2 years of age. Conclusion: The INSR gene is potentially associated with eating difficulties in preterm infants.
Mesalamine Intolerance in Three Children with Crohn's Disease
Authors: Tuna Kirsaclioglu Ceyda , Kuloglu Zarife , Ustundag Gonca , Kansu Aydan , İnce Erdal , Ensari Arzu , Girgin Nurten
Published: December 2015

Objective: To present the mesalamine-induced acute exacerbation of symptoms and inflammatory markers in children with Crohn's disease (CD). Clinical Presentation and Intervention: Three children who presented with CD had acute exacerbation of colitis symptoms or elevated inflammatory markers when mesalamine was added to treatment while tapering/ceasing steroid treatment. While on steroid treatment, the patients maintained clinical and laboratory remission, but with the initiation of mesalamine treatment, they had abdominal pain and bloody mucoid diarrhoea and/or elevation of white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Bacterial pathogens were excluded from the urine, throat and blood cultures, parasites with stool examination, viral pathogens with serology. Within 3-7 days after the mesalamine treatment had been stopped, the patients showed improvement of colitis symptoms and normalisation of white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusion: In this study mesalamine mimicked CD relapse in children with CD while tapering or after stopping steroid treatment. Awareness of this side effect of mesalamine could prevent a misdiagnosis of steroid dependency.
Entre o passado e o futuro das coleções e acervos de música no Brasil
Authors: Machado Cacá
Published: December 2015

A cultura digital que se instaurou no século XXI trouxe novos parâmetros para a criação, difusão e preservação da música no Brasil e no mundo. Investigar as narrativas que se criam neste ambiente contemporâneo, em suas construções da memória e da história, exige do historiador da cultura uma nova postura conceitual metodológica, institucional e discursiva. Este artigo se propõe a diagnosticar e sistematizar esses desafios com o objetivo de matizar algumas perspectivas para este novo cenário conceitual, em torno dos conceitos desenvolvidos aqui da “memória em disputa” e da “memória equivalente”.
O que é que a Bahia tem?
Authors: Castillo Lisa Earl
Published: December 2015

Resenha da obra

 ICKES, Scott. African-Brazilian culture and regional identity in Bahia, Brazil. University Press of Florida, 2013, 322 p.
Comparison Between the Original and Shortened Versions of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in Ischemic Stroke Patients of Intermediate Severity
Authors: Lee Chun Fan , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Wong K.S. Lawrence , Chen Christopher L.H. ,   CHIMES Study Investigators, Navarro Jose C. , Gan Herminigildo H. , Lao Annabelle , Baroque Alejandro , Lokin Johnny , Hiyadan John Harold B. , Sarfati Ma. Socorro , Fangonillo Randolph John , Ambasing Neil , Chua Carlos , San Jose Ma. Cristina , Advincula Joel , Berame Eli John , Canete Maria Teresa , Young Sherry H. , Mamauag Marlie Jane , Tay San San , Pande Shrikant , Thirugnanam Umapathi , Singh Rajinder , Chang Hui Meng , De Silva Deidre Anne , Chan Bernard P.L. , Sharma Vijay , Luen Teoh Hock , Poungvarin Niphon , Muengtaweepongsa Sombat , Towanabut Somchai , Suwanwela Nijasri , Chotickanuchit Songkram , Chankrachang Siwaporn , Nitinun Samart , de Silva H. Asita , Ranawake Udaya , Wijekoon Nirmala , Eow Gaik Bee
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose—

The 15-item National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) has been critiqued for its complexity and variability, and shortened versions have been proposed. This study aimed to compare the measurement properties of the original version with 3 shortened versions with 11, 8, and 5 items, respectively.

Methods—

Analyses were performed using data from an international, double-blind randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of MLC601 on stroke recovery in patients with ischemic stroke of intermediate severity (Chinese Medicine Neuroaid Efficacy on Stroke recovery [CHIMES]). To compare discriminative ability and responsiveness to change, the effect sizes of the NIHSS scores in relation to modified Rankin Scale, mini-mental status examination, and Barthel index were estimated using regression analysis.

Results—

For both discriminative ability and responsiveness to change, the original version exhibited a larger effect size (0.55 and 0.84) in relation to modified Rankin Scale than the other 3 shortened versions (0.35–0.46 and 0.74–0.78).

Conclusions—

The original 15-item NIHSS retained information that made it more discriminative and responsive to change than the shortened versions. We recommend future clinical researchers to use the full version NIHSS to evaluate patients’ stroke severity.

Clinical Trial Registration Information—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00554723.
Body Mass Index and Adverse Outcomes in Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Senoo Keitaro , Lip Gregory Y.H.
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose—

Obesity has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in atrial fibrillation, but little is known in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods—

Post hoc analysis of data from the AMADEUS (Evaluating the Use of SR34006 Compared to Warfarin or Acenocoumarol in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) trial.

Results—

We studied 1588 elderly patients, who were categorized as normal body mass index (BMI, 18.5–25 kg/m
2
; n=515 [32.4%]), overweight (BMI, 25–30 kg/m
2
; n=711 [44.8%]), and obese (BMI≥30 kg/m
2
; n=362 [22.8%]). There was a significant reduction in the composite outcome of cardiovascular death and stroke/systemic embolism with increasing BMI category, being 5.0%, 3.2%, and 1.5% per 100 patient-years, respectively (
P
for trend=0.01). Cox proportional hazards analysis found obesity to be associated with a lower risk of the primary composite outcome (hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.77;
P
=0.01). In the warfarin arm (n=814), multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that obesity was independently related to higher odds of time in therapeutic range ≥60% (odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–2.80;
P
=0.004).

Conclusion—

Obesity was associated with a lower stroke and mortality rate in elderly anticoagulated atrial fibrillation patients. Obesity was related to good quality anticoagulation control.
Reformulating the Madhhab in Cyberspace
Authors: Halim Fachrizal A.
Published: December 2015

In this essay, I examine the networks and activities of transnational Shāfiʿī scholars in reformulating the madhhab and reviving the legal tradition of the Shāfiʿī school of law for contemporary Muslims. The discussion builds on recent debates in two overlapping fields. The first field argues that new modern communications media and technology have greatly fragmented the authority relationship in Islamic law; the second field centers on the perceived dissolution of the madhhab as a result of the widespread rejection of the authority of classical jurists. I argue that the same new media technology also provides a rationale and an instrument that enable Muslims to reformulate legal doctrines and revive the structure of legal authority as reflected in the school’s tradition. By shifting the operation of the madhhab into cyberspace, these Shāfiʿī scholars have creatively responded to changes in communication technology and have effectively reformulated and refashioned the legal tradition of the madhhab as a practical reference for present-day Muslims. The ongoing presence of the madhhab, in this case, does not necessarily represent a zero sum game in the encounter with the legal reality of the modern nation-states.
9.5 Theses on Art and Class by Ben Davis
Authors: Charnley Kim
Published: December 2015

Ben Davis’s 9.5 Theses on Art and Class argues from a Marxist perspective that art and politics should be understood as distinct fields. In a collection of essays on different aspects of contemporary art, Davis attacks the tendency towards ‘aesthetic politics’ and the prevalence of Frankfurt School and post-operaist Marxism in contemporary art. Davis affirms that an understanding of class allows the relationship between art and politics to be correctly gauged, and excessive claims for art to be moderated. While it contains some useful observations, his argument often misrepresents recent art theory and deploys militant populist arguments in support of a conservative notion of the art critic as arbiter of artistic value. Davis’s hostility to work that blurs the boundary between art and politics is part of this conservatism. His argument is contrasted to rigorous analyses of the relation between art and class that emerged from the Art & Language collective since the mid-1970s. The work of this collective demonstrates that a thorough class-analysis always tends to destabilise the field of art, rather than clarifying it.
A More Marxist Foucault?
Authors: Elden Stuart
Published: December 2015

This article analyses Foucault’s 1972–3 lecture course,La société punitive. While the course can certainly be seen as an initial draft of themes for the 1975 bookSurveiller et punir (Discipline and Punish), there are some important differences. The reading here focuses on different modes of punishment; the civil war and the social enemy; the comparison of England and France; and political economy. It closes with some analysis of the emerging clarity in Foucault’s work around power and genealogy. This is a course where Foucault makes use of Marxist language and categories, engages with historical materialism, and offers a complementary and at times corrective focus.
Piercing the Present with the Past
Authors: Harootunian Harry
Published: December 2015

This response to Tomba’sMarx’s Temporalitieshomes in on its critical interrogation of linear conceptions of development which have distorted Marxism’s capacity to seize the present. The article foregrounds the resources on which Tomba draws, from Walter Benjamin’s theses on history to Marx’s account of the struggles over the working day, and enlists them in an encounter with the questions of unevenness, archaism and pre-capitalism in Postcolonial theory, as well as in the attempts to ‘overcome modernity’ that marked the thought and practice of interwar fascism in Europe and Japan.
Biomedicine as Global Assemblage: The Malay Muslim Account of Total Brain Failure
Authors: Schreiber Jenny
Published: December 2015

The rather rare condition of total brain failure, commonly referred to as “brain death”, has become emblematic of the possible conflicts between scientific and religious, modernising and traditional, and academic and popular views on death and dying. To capture those heterogeneous and often contradictory discourses on total brain failure in one particular context, that of Malay Muslims in Malaysia, I make use of the analytical construct “global assemblage”, a concept that grasps well the complexity of discourses and practices pertaining to biomedicine. The article delineates how the global assemblage of total brain failure has played out in Malaysia, based on ethnographic fieldwork. It reveals that representatives from the Malaysian Ministry of Health and Muslim clergy from JAKIM, the federal Department for Islamic Development, and the State Mufti Departments accepted the established, albeit disputed biomedical notion of total brain failure in order to establish death and remove “viable” organs for transplant purposes. In contrast, the rural Malay Muslim community surveyed here does not accept the notion of total brain failure, sticking rather to their hitherto held, traditional perception of death, stemming from an era before ventilation became a standard procedure at critical care units. The opinions of such communities are, I argue, excluded from the national discourse on total brain failure in Malaysia.
Foreign Correspondence: European Accounts of Sultan Süleyman I’s Persian Campaigns, 1548 and 1554
Authors: Tracy James
Published: December 2015

European sources for Süleyman I’s Persians campaigns of 1548 and 1554 have been little noticed. This essay reviews a journal of a French ambassador’s campaign travels (1548), a Venetian merchant’s account of the 1553–1555 war, and the dispatches of Vienna’s ambassadors at the Porte, relaying what are said to be letters from the sultan’s camp. No definitive assessment of these sources is offered, since Ottoman and Persians sources are used only in translation. But the European accounts add unfamiliar material for a still-needed discussion of logistical problems. They corroborate one another, and they combine to give a concrete idea how difficult it was to supply a huge army in mountainous terrain 2,000 km from the Ottoman capital.
The genus Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818 (Annelida, Syllidae) from Australia. Molecular analysis and re-description of some poorly-known species
Authors: ÁLVAREZ-CAMPOS PATRICIA , RIESGO ANA , HUTCHINGS PAT , MARTÍN GUILLERMO SAN
Published: December 2015

The taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships within Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818, the type genus of the family Syllidae, are still a matter of debate because the group does not show clear synapomorphies and because of the lack of molecular data for many of the species. In order to help understand some of the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Syllis, we have performed a morphological revision of part of the material collected during decades by the Australian Museum staff, and provide molecular data for species not sequenced before. In particular, seven poorly known Australian species of the genus Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818 have been re-described in detail and sequenced to analyze their phylogenetic position: Syllis broomensis n. comb., S. crassicirrata (Treadwell, 1925) n. comb., Syllis cruzi Núñez & San Martín, 1991, S. edensis (Hartmann-Schröder, 1989), Syllis gracilis Grube, 1840, Syllis picta (Kinberg, 1866) n. comb., and S. setoensis (Imajima, 1966). The results obtained indicate the paraphyly of Typosyllis and a possible new organization of Syllis, which contains at least four well-supported clades.
Two new species of Sternaspis Otto, 1821 (Polychaeta: Sternaspidae) from China seas
Authors: WU XUWEN , SALAZAR-VALLEJO SERGIO I. , XU KUIDONG
Published: December 2015

Two species of Sternaspidae, Sternaspis chinensis sp. nov. and S. liui sp. nov., are described based on historic material and recently collected specimens in the sea areas of China. Sternaspis chinensis is abundantly distributed from the Bohai Sea southwards to the East China Sea. It has been frequently misidentified as the nominally cosmopolitan species S. scutata (Ranzani, 1817) in China since the 1950s. However, S. chinensis differs from the latter by possessing concentric bands on the shield (vs. absent) and crenulated posterior margin reaching or slightly expanded beyond the posterolateral corners (vs. posterior margin smooth and markedly expanded beyond the posterolateral corners). Sternaspis chinensis most resembles the NE Pacific species S. affinis Stimpson, 1864, but differs distinctly by its markedly concentric bands decorated from margin to center (vs. mainly restricted in the marginal area). Sternaspis liui is characterized within the genus by its slightly soft shield with firmly adhered sediment particles, which gives it a superficial resemblance to species of Caulleryaspis Sendall & Salazar-Vallejo, 2013. However, the shields of the latter are remarkably soft and poorly developed, without ribs and concentric lines, while in Sternaspis liui both the ribs and concentric lines are well defined. Variations of both species with remarks on juvenile shield development are provided.
Seeking an Anchorage. Stability and Variability in Tonal Alignment of Rising Prenuclear Pitch Accents in Cypriot Greek
Authors: Themistocleous Charalambos
Published: December 2015

Although tonal alignment constitutes a quintessential property of pitch accents, its exact characteristics remain unclear. This study, by exploring the timing of the Cypriot Greek L*+H prenuclear pitch accent, examines the predictions of three hypotheses about tonal alignment: the invariance hypothesis, the segmental anchoring hypothesis, and the segmental anchorage hypothesis. The study reports on two experiments: the first of which manipulates the syllable patterns of the stressed syllable, and the second of which modifies the distance of the L*+H from the following pitch accent. The findings on the alignment of the low tone (L) are illustrative of the segmental anchoring hypothesis predictions: the L persistently aligns inside the onset consonant, a few milliseconds before the stressed vowel. However, the findings on the alignment of the high tone (H) are both intriguing and unexpected: the alignment of the H depends on the number of unstressed syllables that follow the prenuclear pitch accent. The ‘wandering’ of the H over multiple syllables is extremely rare among languages, and casts doubt on the invariance hypothesis and the segmental anchoring hypothesis, as well as indicating the need for a modified version of the segmental anchorage hypothesis. To address the alignment of the H, we suggest that it aligns within a segmental anchorage–the area that follows the prenuclear pitch accent–in such a way as to protect the paradigmatic contrast between the L*+H prenuclear pitch accent and the L+H* nuclear pitch accent.
Alveolar and Velarized Laterals in Albanian and in the Viennese Dialect
Authors: Moosmüller Sylvia , Schmid Carolin , Kasess Christian H.
Published: December 2015

A comparison of alveolar and velarized lateral realizations in two language varieties, Albanian and the Viennese dialect, has been performed. Albanian distinguishes the two laterals phonemically, whereas in the Viennese dialect, the velarized lateral was introduced by language contact with Czech immigrants. A categorical distinction between the two lateral phonemes is fully maintained in Albanian. Results are not as straightforward in the Viennese dialect. Most prominently, female speakers, if at all, realize the velarized lateral in word-final position, thus indicating the application of a phonetically motivated process. The realization of the velarized lateral by male speakers, on the other hand, indicates that the velarized lateral replaced the former alveolar lateral phoneme. Alveolar laterals are either realized in perceptually salient positions, thus governed by an input-switch rule, or in front vowel contexts, thus subject to coarticulatory influences. Our results illustrate the subtle interplay of phonology, phonetics and sociolinguistics.
The working group performance modeled by a bi-layer cellular automaton
Authors: Malarz Krzysztof , Kowalska-Styczeń Agnieszka , Kułakowski Krzysztof
Published: December 2015

The problem of ‘humans and work’ in a model working group is investigated by means of the cellular automata technique. The attitude of members of a group towards work is measured by an indicator of loyalty to the group (the number of agents who carry out their tasks) and lack of loyalty (the number of agents who give their tasks to other agents). Initially, all agents realize scheduled tasks one by one. Agents with the number of scheduled tasks larger than a given threshold change their strategy to an unloyal one and begin to avoid completing tasks by passing them to their colleagues. Optionally, in some conditions, we allow agents to return to the loyal state; hence the rule is hysteretic. Results are presented on an influence of (i) the density of tasks, (ii) the threshold number of tasks assigned to the agent, forcing him/her to change strategy on the system efficiency. We show that a ‘black’ scenario of the system stacking in a ‘jammed phase’ (with all agents preferring the unloyal strategy and having plenty of tasks scheduled for realization) may be avoided when return to loyalty is allowed and either (i) the number of agents chosen for task realization, (ii) the number of assigned tasks, (iii) the threshold value of assigned tasks that forces the agent to conversion from a loyal strategy to an unloyal one, or (iv) the threshold value of tasks assigned to an unloyal agent that forces him/her to task redistribution among his/her neighbors, are smartly chosen.
To Whom Am I Speaking? Communication, Culture, and Fundamental Theology
Authors: Karuvelil George
Published: December 2015

Vatican II’s aggiornamento sought to reach out to the modern world with the message of the gospel in a way that was intelligible to the contemporary world. Fundamental theology was expected to play an important role in this process, but it has not been very successful in doing so. Set in this context, this article attempts to rethink the nature of fundamental theology. It uses a communication perspective to make a principled distinction between theology and fundamental theology, and goes on to clarify their tasks.
Overview of ICRP Committee 4: application of the Commission’s recommendations
Authors: Cool D.A.
Published: December 2015

Committee 4 develops principles and recommendations on radiological protection of people in all exposure situations. The committee meeting in 2014 was hosted by GE Healthcare in Arlington Heights, IL, USA on 27 July–1 August 2014. The programme of work of Committee 4 encompasses several broad areas, including a series of reports covering various aspects of existing exposure situations, leading the efforts of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to update and elaborate recommendations in light of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant for emergencies and living in contaminated areas, elaborating the underpinnings of the system of radiological protection, and developing focussed reports on specific topic areas in consultation with ICRP’s special liaison organisations. Committee 4 has six active Task Groups working on naturally occurring radioactive material; cosmic radiation in aviation; updates of ICRP Publications 109 and 111; ethics of radiological protection; surface and near-surface disposal of solid radioactive waste; and exposures resulting from contaminated sites from past industrial, military, and nuclear activities. In addition, there is a Working Party on tolerability of risk, and ongoing work with the various special liaison organisations of ICRP.
University Students’ Perceptions of Parents and Childless or Childfree Couples
Authors: Koropeckyj-Cox Tanya , Çopur Zeynep , Romano Victor , Cody-Rydzewski Susan
Published: December 2015

Earlier studies have documented persistent negative stereotypes of childless or childfree adults, though acceptance has increased in recent decades. Recent studies have also shown negative biases against parents, especially mothers, in work-related contexts. The current study used college students’ responses to hypothetical vignettes ( N = 1,266) to compare perceptions of childless and childfree adults and parents using means comparisons with generalized linear modeling methods, controlling for student and vignette characteristics. Results showed that parents were perceived as warmer, but with less positive marital relationships, than those without children. Mothers were perceived as more stressed and childless men and women as more emotionally troubled, but there were few differences in work-related perceptions. Childless wives with no plans to have children were perceived as least warm, whereas husbands were perceived as least stressed. Results indicate some persistent negative stereotypes of childless adults along with negative perceptions of stress and marital strains related to parenthood.
Eustachian Tube Function in 6‐Year‐Old Children with and without a History of Middle Ear Disease
Authors: Mandel Ellen M. , Casselbrant Margaretha L. , Richert Beverly C. , Teixeira Miriam S. , Swarts J. Douglas , Doyle William J.
Published: December 2015

Objective

To test the hypothesis that eustachian tube opening efficiency, measured as the fractional gradient equilibrated (FGE), is lower in 6‐year‐old children with no middle ear disease but a well‐documented history of recurrent acute otitis media, as compared with children with a negative disease history (control).

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Bilateral eustachian tube function was evaluated in 44 healthy 6‐year‐old children (19 boys, 29 white). None had middle ear disease at the time of testing, but 23 had a history of recurrent acute otitis media. Twenty‐one had no significant past otitis media. Eustachian tube function was measured with a pressure chamber protocol that established negative middle ear gauge pressures (referenced to the chamber pressure) and recorded that pressure before and after a swallow. FGE was calculated as the change in middle ear gauge pressure with swallowing divided by the preswallow pressure. Between‐group comparisons of the preswallow pressures and FGEs were made with a 2‐tailed Student’s t test.

Results

FGE was independent of the preswallow middle ear gauge pressure. For the 39 and 44 evaluable ears in the control and recurrent acute otitis media groups, the mean preswallow pressures were −194 daPa (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = −211 to −177) versus −203 (95% CI = −216 to −190; P >. 40), and FGEs were 0.32 (95% CI = 0.21‐0.43) vs 0.16 (95% CI = 0.08‐0.24; P =. 016), respectively.

Conclusion

In children with past recurrent acute otitis media, residual eustachian tube opening inefficiency is maintained after they have “outgrown” their middle ear disease.
Evaluating the effects of Australian policy changes on human capital: the role of a graduate visa scheme
Authors: Faggian Alessandra , Corcoran Jonathan , Rowe Francisco
Published: December 2015

High-skilled migration across international borders is becoming increasingly important in policy and academic debates. In Australia, the recognition of the importance of attracting and retaining highly skilled individuals has stimulated fundamental shifts in immigration policies. This paper explores the impacts of one of these policy shifts in focusing on the introduction of a graduate visa scheme. The scheme was introduced in Australia for the first time in September 2007 offering international graduates from Australian universities 18 months of working rights post-graduation. Since the implementation of this visa scheme there has been a sharp increase in the number of overseas graduates staying in Australia. However, no research has been carried out that investigates the working conditions and interregional migration patterns of these graduates remaining in Australia under this temporary 18 months visa. Through the exploration of individual survey data describing the 2005 and 2008 cohorts of graduates representing the ‘before’ and ‘after’ the graduate visa scheme introduction this paper explores the impact of the visa scheme through analysing and comparing the working conditions and migration patterns of two cohorts of graduates. Findings suggest that although the introduction of the graduate visa scheme attracted more international students/graduates into the country, our analysis highlighted that the average working conditions of the international graduates who decided to remain in Australia worsened. Comparing these results with their domestic (Australian) graduate counterparts revealed that this was not due to the overall state of the Australian economy over the period under consideration.
Disposition of Charges, Out-of-Home Mental Health Treatment, and Juvenile Justice Recidivism
Authors: Robst John
Published: November 2015

This study examined whether the disposition of juvenile justice encounters among youth with severe emotional disturbance was associated with the likelihood of recidivism. Court dispositions, such as probation and diversion, as well as Medicaid-funded out-of-home mental health treatment, were compared. Data sources included the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and Medicaid claims data. Youth receiving probation had the highest recidivism rates. Among youth in out-of-home treatment, those receiving treatment in foster care services had the lowest recidivism rates. Youth placed into a diversion program were less likely to be re-arrested for a felony, whereas youth receiving inpatient psychiatric services were less likely to be re-arrested for a misdemeanor. Mental health treatment may reduce the likelihood of youth continuing on increasing criminal trajectories.
Sex Offenses Against Minors in China: An Empirical Comparison
Authors: Hu Ming , Liang Bin , Huang Siwen
Published: November 2015

In recent years, due to a number of notorious sex offense cases against minors, a new punitive public attitude emerged in China and pressed for harsher crackdown and punishment against sex offenders. In particular, an “engagement in prostitution with a minor” law (Article 360 of the Criminal Law) was targeted as “unjust” based on the belief that offenders of such crimes often received “lenient” punishment, and many called for its abolition. In this study, based on 440 adjudicated sex offense cases, we examine potential differences across three sex offenses (including rape, child molestation, and engagement in prostitution with a minor) in the demographics of defendants and victims, offending characteristics, and trials and sentences of convicted offenders. Our empirical inquiry pointed to the unique nature of engagement in prostitution with a minor. Offenders of such crimes seemingly carried a different profile, compared with offenders of the other two sex crimes. Moreover, our data casted some doubt on the “lenient” punishment received by offenders of engagement in prostitution with a minor. Policy implications were also drawn based on our findings.