bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational Status Moderates the Association Between Current Perceived Stress and High Blood Pressure
Authors: Wiernik Emmanuel , Pannier Bruno , Czernichow Sébastien , Nabi Hermann , Hanon Olivier , Simon Tabassome , Simon Jean-Marc , Thomas Frédérique , Bean Kathy , Consoli Silla M. , Danchin Nicolas , Lemogne Cédric
Published: January 2013

Although lay beliefs commonly relate high blood pressure (BP) to psychological stress exposure, research findings are conflicting. This study examined the association between current perceived stress and high BP, and explored the potential impact of occupational status on this association. Resting BP was measured in 122 816 adults (84 994 men), aged ≥30 years (mean age±standard deviation: 46.8±9.9 years), without history of cardiovascular and renal disease and not on either psychotropic or antihypertensive drugs. High BP was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg. Perceived stress in the past month was measured with the 4-item perceived stress scale. A total of 33 154 participants (27.0%) had high BP (151±14/90±9 mm Hg). After adjustment for all variables except occupational status, perceived stress was associated with high BP (odds ratio [OR] for a 5-point increase: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.09). This association was no longer significant after additional adjustment for occupational status (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.99–1.04). There was a significant interaction (
P
<0.001) between perceived stress and occupational status in relation to BP: perceived stress was negatively associated with high BP among individuals of high occupational status (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.87–0.96), but positively associated among those of low status (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03–1.17) or unemployed (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03–1.24). Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. The association between current perceived stress and BP depends on occupational status. This interaction may account for previous conflicting results and warrants further studies to explore its underlying mechanisms.
Nucleus of the Solitary Tract (Pro)Renin Receptor-Mediated Antihypertensive Effect Involves Nuclear Factor-κB-Cytokine Signaling in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat
Authors: Zubcevic Jasenka , Jun Joo Y. , Lamont Gwyneth , Murça Tatiane M. , Shi Peng , Yuan Wei , Lin Fan , Carvajal Jessica Marulanda , Li Qiuhong , Sumners Colin , Raizada Mohan K. , Shan Zhiying
Published: January 2013

The importance of the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) in the function of the central nervous system is increasingly evident because PRR seems to play a role in neuronal control of cardiovascular function. PRR expression is elevated in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that altered activity of PRR in the NTS is linked to hypertension. Eight weeks of chronic knockdown of the NTS PRR, using recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2)-PRR-small hairpain RNA (shRNA)–mediated gene transduction, caused a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the SHR (shRNA, 173±5; Control, 151±6 mm Hg) but not in Wistar Kyoto rats (shRNA, 108±7; Control, 106±6 mm Hg). The MAP elevation in the SHR was associated with decreased inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, C-C motif ligand 5, and their transcription factor, nuclear factor-κB. Consistent with the pressor effects of the PRR knockdown, acute bilateral NTS injection of human renin (2 pmol/side) decreased MAP and heart rate (HR) in SHR (ΔMAP, −38±4 mm Hg; Δheart rate, −40±10 bpm), with negligible responses in Wistar Kyoto rats (ΔMAP, −4±3 mm Hg; Δheart rate, −12±7 bpm). These effects in SHR were attenuated (80%) by prorenin handle region peptide but were not affected by angiotensin II type 1 or angiotensin II type 2 receptor blockers. Finally, PRR activation in SHR neuronal cultures by prorenin activated nuclear factor-κB and increased mRNA levels of interleukin-1β (250-fold), tumor necrosis factor-α (32-fold), interleukin-6 (35-fold), C-C motif ligand 5 (12-fold), and interleukin-10 (7-fold) in a nuclear factor-κB–dependent but angiotensin II type 1 receptor–independent manner. Therefore, NTS PRR mediates antihypertensive effects via an angiotensin II–independent mechanism in SHR, which involves stimulation of the nuclear factor-κB–cytokine signaling pathway.
Translating natural selection: true concept, but false term?
Authors: HOQUET Thierry
Published: January 2013

This paper focuses on the translation of the term “natural selection” in some European languages (mostly French and German). It adopts a historical and philosophical perspective on the term “natural selection” to emphasize the power of words in science. Although natural selection is probably Darwin’s most significant contribution to the theory of evolution, the phrase itself has been strangely and largely neglected by historians. This paper tries to understand why Darwin maintained the term in spite of the considerable dispute which it provoked from 1859, when the Origin of Species was first published. Indeed, Darwin thought it useful since it is both a technical term and one that nicely encapsulates an analogy with the practice of breeders. However, what Darwin saw as linguistic and conceptual efficiency entailed great difficulties in translating the term, and also in understanding it—as is clearly evidenced by ever-recurring debates on the “agential” connotations of selection. Besides, processes of translation suggest that the phrase “natural selection” gained a technical value before its sense was fully understood and a general theory of natural selection was well established. The study of the French translation of “natural selection” leads to another important result. I claim that French breeders did not have the word sélection; and if they were actually “choosing” individuals for breeding and leading breeding experiments over several generations, the absence of the term is nonetheless indicative of important differences between the practices in France and in the United Kingdom. The case of Vilmorin’s method of “maddening” [“affolement”] is indicative of those different “philosophies of breeding”: although “affolement” is a choice of mates, it differs from selection as it is not the patient accumulation of minute variations in a definite direction but a perturbation of the organization as a whole.
The distinction between introduction of a new nomen and subsequent use of a previously introduced nomen in zoological nomenclature
Authors: DUBOIS Alain
Published: January 2013

In order to avoid or at least reduce the number of mistakes and confusions due to the indiscriminate use of imprecise categories and terms which too often occur in publications dealing with zoological nomenclature, a precise terminology is provided for the distinction between different categories of terms designating the erection of new taxa and their subsequent modification, and the introduction of new nomina, their subsequent use or modification, and their replacement by other nomina.
A revision of Hydraena species of the “Haenydra” lineage (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae)
Authors: TRIZZINO MARCO , CARNEVALI LUCILLA , DE FELICI STEFANO , AUDISIO PAOLO
Published: January 2013

Hydraena Kugelann represents the largest genus within the water beetle family Hydraenidae, and in particular within Hydraeninae, with about 900 species widely distributed all over the world and several hundreds not yet described. In a recent cladistic analysis, based on morphological characters, Hydraena s. l. was split into two subgenera: Hydraenopsis Janssens (Gondwanian) and Hydraena s. str. (Laurasian). Moreover, within Hydraena s. str., some derived and well-supported monophyletic clades were recognised, and defined as “lineages”. Among them, the "Haenydra" lineage, previously considered by many authors as a valid genus/subgenus, includes 89 species distributed exclusively in western Palaearctic, from Portugal to Iran, but absent in North Africa. The main aim of the present paper is to provide a revision of the whole lineage, re-examining taxonomy, ecology, and biogeography of all known species. All species were therefore redescribed, also providing information about diagnostic characters, taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships, ecology and biogeography. A faunistic dataset, including all the known published, and many unpublished, localities for each species, with a series of detailed geographic maps for each species and species complex, was herein supplied. Finally, dichotomous keys are provided for identification of males of all the "Haenydra" species.
Revision of the Asian species of Afidentula Kapur, 1958 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Epilachnini)
Authors: TOMASZEWSKA WIOLETTA , SZAWARYN KAROL
Published: January 2013

The Asian species of Afidentula Kapur are revised, diagnosed and illustrated. The following new synonyms are proposed: Afidentula stephensi (Mulsant, 1850) (= Afidentula erberi Fürsch, 1984); Afidentula thanhsonensis Hoang, 1977 (=Afidentula cucphuongensis Hoang, 1977). The status of Afidentula herbigrada (Mulsant, 1850) as a synonym of Afidentula bisquadripunctata (Gyllenhal, 1808) is confirmed. One new species: Afidentula semisqualens sp. nov. and three new subspecies: A. manderstjernae bielawskii ssp. nov., A. manderstjernae bhutani ssp. nov. and A. manderstjernae bahraini ssp. nov. are described. The lectotype is designated for: Epilachna minima Gorham, 1894. A key for species identification is presented. Nomenclatural history and distribution are provided for each species. Afidentula decimaculata Wang & Cao, 1992 is treated here as incertae sedis, due to the unavailability of material for study.
Mayflies of the Caucasus Mountains. II. Description of the first representative of the subgenus Helvetoraeticus Bauernfeind & Soldán, 2012 (Heptageniidae: Ecdyonurus)
Authors: KLUGE NIKITA J. , GODUNKO ROMAN J. , APANASKEVICH DMITRY A.
Published: January 2013

The first representative of the subgenus Helvetoraeticus Bauernfeind & Soldán, 2012, from the Caucasus Mountains, Ecdyonurus (Helvetoraeticus) adjaricus sp. nov., is described on the basis of larvae, female imago (reared from larva) and male imago from the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Georgia. The male imago of the new species can be separated from other representatives of Helvetoraeticus by its conspicuous yellowish wings coloration (especially of hind wings) and the shape of the penis lobes. The larva has a distinctive broad and apically pointed lateral projection on the pronotum, pointed bristles on the ventral side of the posterior border of the femora and markedly long, sharp posterolateral expansions of abdominal sterna. This last character is unique within Helvetoraeticus. The new species is most closely related to E. krueperi (Stein, 1863).
Validation of three sympatric Thoracophelia species (Annelida: Opheliidae) from Dillon Beach, California using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data
Authors: LAW CHRIS J. , DORGAN KELLY M. , ROUSE GREG W.
Published: January 2013

Thoracophelia (Annelida, Opheliidae) are burrowing deposit feeders generally found in the mid- to upper intertidal areas of sandy beaches. Thoracophelia mucronata (Treadwell, 1914) is found along the west coast of North America, including at Dillon Beach, CA. Two additional species, Thoracophelia dillonensis (Hartman, 1938) and T. williamsi (Hartman, 1938) were also described from this beach. These three sympatric species have been primarily distinguished by branchial morphology, and efforts to determine the validity of the species have been based on morphological, reproductive and ecological studies. Here we demonstrate using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data that these three species are valid. Mitochondrial Cytochrome c subunit 1 (COI) sequences show uncorrected interspecific distances of ~9–13%. We found no inter—specific differences in body color or in hemoglobin concentration, but found that reproductive males were pinkish-red in color and had lower hemoglobin concentrations than purplish—red reproductive females.
A new species of Corinnella Thomas & Dominique, 2006 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)
Authors: BOLDRINI R. , SALLES F. F. , PES A. M.O.
Published: January 2013

The monotypic genus Corinnella Thomas & Dominique, 2006, was described based on nymphs from French Guyana, and since the original description nothing has been added to knowledge of its systematics. The aim of the present paper is to describe a new species of the genus from Northern Brazil, to improve its diagnoses, and to report the genus for the first time from Brazil. The new species can be recognized by: labrum with discernible anteromedial emargination and process; posterior margin of terga IV with rounded spines; and tarsal claw with seven to nine denticles, with the outer and inner denticles distinctly longer than the others.
Pattern of stigma numbers as a taxonomic character in some didemnid ascidians (Aplousobranchia: Didemnidae)
Authors: NAGAYA KAZUHIKO , HIROSE EUICHI
Published: January 2013

Colonial animals are often lacking in taxonomic characters due to their small size and the simple morphology of zooids. Since zooid size is nearly uniform in many colonial ascidians, the stigma numbers in each row can be a useful taxonomic character. To evaluate their potential utility, we investigated intraspecific variations in stigma patterns in a subset of photosymbiotic didemnid ascidians, including five morphotypes of Didemnum molle, Lissoclinum midui, Trididemnum clinides, and T. nubilum. Stigma number patterns were almost stable in L. midui and T. nubilum. In contrast, there was considerable variation in stigma number even among clone zooids within the same colony in D. molle and T. clinides. Further, the stigma patterns did not differentiate the five morphotypes of D. molle. There was no significant correlation between the total number of stigma and the length of the thorax in any of the species examined here, suggesting that stigma number is probably invariable within each zooid. Stigma patterns can be usable as a taxonomic character in didemnid ascidians, particularly in species having one or a few patterns. Even in species with various patterns, the range of variation will be informative once such ranges are comprehensively described for didemnid species.
The Influence of Entrainment and Mixing on the Initial Formation of Rain in a Warm Cumulus Cloud
Authors: Cooper William A. , Lasher-Trapp Sonia G. , Blyth Alan M.
Published: January 2013

The objective of this study is to address the problem of the production of rain in warm cumulus clouds that has been observed to occur within about 20 min. A hybrid model approach is used where a microphysical parcel model is run along trajectories produced by a 3D cloud model, with sufficiently high resolution to allow explicit representation of the effects of entrainment and mixing. The model calculations take the next step from the previous study, which showed that entrainment and mixing can accelerate the diffusional growth of cloud droplets to the production of raindrops by collision and coalescence. The mechanism depends on the variability in droplet trajectories arriving at a given location and time in a cumulus cloud. The resulting broadening favors collisions among droplets in the main peak of the droplet size distribution, which leads to the production of raindrop embryos. However, this production and the subsequent growth of the embryos to become raindrops only occur in regions of relatively high cloud water content. The modeling framework allows an objective test of this sequence of events that explain the seemingly contradictory notions of the enhancement of cloud droplet growth as a result of entrainment and mixing and the need for substantial cloud water content for collision and coalescence growth. The results show that raindrops can be produced within 20 min in warm cumulus clouds. The rain produced is sensitive to giant aerosols, but modification of the modeling framework is required to conduct a more robust test of their relative importance.
Moisture Origin and Meridional Transport in Atmospheric Rivers and Their Association with Multiple Cyclones*
Authors: Sodemann Harald , Stohl Andreas
Published: January 2013

During December 2006 many cyclones traveled across the North Atlantic, causing temperature and precipitation in Norway to be well above average. Large excursions of high vertically integrated water vapor, often referred to as atmospheric rivers, reached from the subtropics to high latitudes, inducing precipitation over western Scandinavia. The sources and transport of atmospheric water vapor in the North Atlantic storm track during that month are examined by means of a mesoscale model fitted with water vapor tracers. Decomposition of the modeled total water vapor field into numerical water vapor tracers tagged by evaporation latitude shows that when an atmospheric river was present, a higher fraction of water vapor from remote, southerly source regions caused more intense precipitation. The tracer transport analysis revealed that the atmospheric rivers were composed of a sequence of meridional excursions of water vapor, in close correspondence with the upper-level flow configuration. In cyclone cores, fast turnover of water vapor by evaporation and condensation were identified, leading to a rapid assimilation of water from the underlying ocean surface. In the regions of long-range transport, water vapor tracers from the southern midlatitudes and subtropics dominated over local contributions. By advection of water vapor along their trailing cold fronts cyclones were reinforcing the atmospheric rivers. At the same time the warm conveyor belt circulation was feeding off the atmospheric rivers by large-scale ascent and precipitation. Pronounced atmospheric rivers could persist in the domain throughout more than one cyclone's life cycle. These findings emphasize the interrelation between midlatitude cyclones and atmospheric rivers but also their distinction from the warm conveyor belt airstream.
A Climatological Analysis of the Extratropical Flow Response to Recurving Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Archambault Heather M. , Bosart Lance F. , Keyser Daniel , Cordeira Jason M.
Published: January 2013

Although prior studies have established that the extratropical flow pattern often amplifies downstream of recurving tropical cyclones (TCs), the extratropical flow response to recurving TCs has not to the authors' knowledge been systematically examined from a climatological perspective. In this study, a climatology of the extratropical flow response to recurving western North Pacific TCs is constructed from 292 cases of TC recurvature during 1979–2009. The extratropical flow response to TC recurvature is evaluated based on a time-lagged composite time series of an index of the North Pacific meridional flow surrounding TC recurvature. Similar time series are constructed for recurving TCs stratified by characteristics of the large-scale flow pattern, the TC, and the phasing between the TC and the extratropical flow to assess factors influencing the extratropical flow response to TC recurvature. Results reveal that following TC recurvature, significantly amplified flow develops over the North Pacific and persists for ~4 days. The tendency for significantly amplified North Pacific flow to develop following TC recurvature is sensitive to the strength of the TC–extratropical flow interaction (the phasing between the TC and the extratropical flow), which is based on the negative potential vorticity advection by the divergent outflow of the TC. In contrast, the tendency for significantly amplified North Pacific flow to develop following TC recurvature is relatively insensitive to the intensity or size of the recurving TC, or whether it subsequently reintensifies after becoming extratropical.
Health identity, participation and knowledge: A qualitative study of a computer game for health education among adolescents in Denmark
Authors: Grabowski Dan
Published: January 2013

Objective:

To analyse the interrelated processes of identity, participation and knowledge in the context of the health educational Lifecalculator computer game. The analysis focuses on if and how this school-based health promotion initiative communicated relevant health knowledge to adolescents. Further development of the concept of health identity was a secondary objective of the study.

Setting:

Danish public schools.

Methods:

A qualitative study based on 21 focus group interviews with a total of 103 adolescents and 10 individual interviews with their teachers.

Results:

The simplified description of health and health choices in Lifecalculator makes it hard for the adolescents to relate the game to their everyday lives. They know that everyday health choices are more complex and they consequently dismiss the information altogether and do not gain much knowledge. The adolescents’ identities and the way they interpret themselves and their health in relation to others decide if and how they acquire knowledge. Healthy adolescents, who consider themselves as healthy, find it easier to relate to the health knowledge than the unhealthy adolescents who are aware of their unhealthiness. Lifecalculator seems to confirm that healthy adolescents (who view themselves as healthy) are healthy and unhealthy adolescents (who view themselves as unhealthy) are unhealthy and, as such, this approach does very little in terms of motivating participation and presenting the adolescents with new health knowledge.

Conclusions:

The study of Lifecalculator and the theoretical advances disclose the multi-layered interrelatedness of health identity, knowledge and participation. This interrelatedness creates multiple perspectives for both practice and research.
Non-overweight and overweight children’s physical activity during school recess
Authors: Ridgers Nicola D , Saint-Maurice Pedro F , Welk Gregory J , Siahpush Mohammad , Huberty Jennifer L
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Little research has investigated children’s physical activity levels during school recess and the contribution of recess to school day physical activity levels by weight status. The aims of this study were to examine non-overweight and overweight children’s physical activity levels during school recess, and examine the contribution of recess to school day physical activity.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Four elementary schools located in Nebraska, United States of America (USA).

Methods:

Two hundred and seventeen children (99 boys, 118 girls; 47.9% overweight) wore a uni-axial accelerometer for five consecutive school days during autumn 2009. The proportion of time spent engaged in sedentary (SED), light (LPA), moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA) intensity physical activity during recess was determined using age-specific accelerometer thresholds.

Results:

Overweight children engaged in more %MPA and less %VPA than non-overweight children, respectively. No differences were found between overweight and healthy weight children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Recess contributed 16.9% and 16.3% towards non-overweight and overweight children’s school day %MVPA, respectively.

Conclusion:

Examining %MVPA as an outcome variable may mask differences in recess physical activity levels between non-overweight and overweight children. Future research is needed to establish why healthy weight and overweight children engage in differing levels of %MPA and %VPA during recess.
Journalists and the Stirring of Australian Public Diplomacy: The Colombo Plan Towards the 1960s
Authors: Lowe David
Published: January 2013

Australia was an active member of the Colombo Plan for aid to South and Southeast Asia, beginning in 1951 as a loosely organized umbrella of multiple bilateral aid agreements between Commonwealth countries and quickly expanding in geographical reach and membership. Towards the end of the 1950s, as members of this ‘plan’ geared up for a new wave of aid projects, they also attached new importance to information activities associated with aid. In this Australian case study, journalists were thrust to the fore of story-generation relating to Australia’s involvement in the Colombo Plan. These written stories, and also still and moving images, were aimed at both domestic Australian audiences and also overseas audiences. Thus began some of the first important steps in what today is called ‘public diplomacy’, and what, at the time, was a new experiment in foreign policy and reputation-making.
A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS Enhances Foam Cell Formation Induced by LDL
Authors: Morishita M. , Ariyoshi W. , Okinaga T. , Usui M. , Nakashima K. , Nishihara T.
Published: January 2013

The objective of this study was to examine whether native low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induces foam cell formation by macrophages and to examine the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on native LDL-induced foam cell formation by macrophages in vitro. RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with LDL or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the presence of LPS derived from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Foam cell formation was determined by staining with Oil-red-O to visualize cytoplasmic lipid droplet accumulation. The expression of LDL-receptor and the degree of internalization of FITC-conjugated LDL in RAW 264.7 cells were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The images were digitally recorded and analyzed with Image J software. Statistical analysis was performed by JMP software. Foam cell formation was induced by the addition of native LDL in dose- and time-dependent manners, whereas HDL showed no effect. LPS enhanced the foam cell formation induced by native LDL. In addition, LPS stimulated the expression of LDL-receptor protein on RAW 264.7 cells and enhanced the internalization of LDL. The enhancement of foam cell formation induced by LPS and LDL was inhibited by the depolymerizing agent nocodazole and amiloride analog 5-(N-ethyl-N-isoprophyl) amiloride (EIPA). Our findings indicate that LPS plays an important role in foam cell formation by LDL-stimulated macrophages.
Modeling pedestrian crossing activities in an urban environment using microscopic traffic simulation
Authors: Suh Wonho , Henclewood Dwayne , Greenwood Aaron , Guin Angshuman , Guensler Randall , Hunter Michael P , Fujimoto Richard
Published: January 2013

Microscopic traffic simulation tools are increasingly being employed as an integral part of modeling vehicular traffic and pedestrian activity. However, the complexity of pedestrians’ behaviors and their interactions with the various components of the traffic network is commonly under-represented in simulation models, resulting in potentially misleading analyses. This paper explores modeling pedestrians at the microscopic level, attempting to replicate observed pedestrian behavior at a crosswalk in Midtown Atlanta, GA. The VISSIM® simulation tool, with pedestrian movement based on the Social Force Model by Helbing and Molnár (Social Force Model for pedestrian dynamics. Phys Rev E 1995; 51: 4282-4286), is utilized.

Comparative results of field observations and the microscopic modeling of the same vehicle and pedestrian activity are presented. A primary observation is that, for the intersection studied, only a small percentage of pedestrians appear to comply with the pedestrian signal indication, with the vast majority of pedestrians exhibiting gap-seeking behavior, crossing when a gap is available, regardless of the signal indication. This results in potentially significant over-estimates of wait time if high pedestrian signal compliance rates are assumed. A second notable observation is that the pedestrian crossing behavior is strongly related to the cross-street traffic queue clearance time and subsequent traffic flow. Capturing this interaction significantly enhances the models’ ability to reflect the observed field performance.
Pornography Consumption, Education, and Support for Same-Sex Marriage Among Adult U.S. Males
Authors: Wright Paul J. , Randall Ashley K.
Published: January 2013

Many consider same-sex marriage the civil rights issue of our time. Although support is on the rise, there are some Americans who oppose same-sex marriage. Heterosexual males are a demographic group particularly likely to oppose same-sex marriage. Mass media and education are often thought of as important agents of socialization in American culture. Pornography in particular is a platform often discussed in terms of its impact on males’ sexual attitudes. This study used nationally representative three-wave longitudinal data gathered from adult U.S. males to examine the over-time interplay between pornography consumption, education, and support for same-sex marriage. Support for same-sex marriage did not prospectively predict pornography consumption, but pornography consumption did prospectively predict support for same-sex marriage. Education was also positively associated with support for same-sex marriage. Scientific and social implications of these findings are discussed.
Accurate Diagnosis? Exploring Convergence and Divergence in Non-Western Missionary and Sociological Master Narratives of Christian Decline in Western Europe
Authors: Catto Rebecca
Published: January 2013

Non-Western Christian missionaries from a variety of backgrounds represent Europe as being in decline in terms of its religiosity and morals. Such evaluations are set against a backdrop of Christian demographic shift from the global North to the global South and secularization theory.

The shift in demographics is, however, unfinished, as is the inversion of relations implied by the vocal, critical presence of Southern Christians in Europe. There is great religious variety within Europe, the West and the global South. Hence scholars are developing fresh theoretical lenses to take better account of contexts and connections in analyses, and further research into the relationship between rhetoric and reality is called for.
Open innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises: An overview
Authors: Wynarczyk Pooran , Piperopoulos Panagiotis , McAdam Maura
Published: January 2013

Our introduction provides the foundation and background for this special issue on open innovation. Since the beginning of the 21st century, innovation has evolved from being the artefact of an individual or internal process within firms to an interactive process between firms and/or in collaboration with knowledge-creating institutions at both the domestic and global levels. The open innovation model suggests that firms should combine external and internal ideas and technologies as effective pathways to market when advancing and commercialising technologies. However, existing research focuses mainly on high-technology multi-national firms hence, theoretically driven and empirically-based research exploring open innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises remains relatively scarce. This special issue offers a critical contribution to this gap with four articles which explore differing aspects of open innovation within smaller firms. The introduction to this special issue commences with an overview of the relevant literature; it then describes the articles and, finally, suggests potential avenues for future research.
¡Apóyenos! Latina/o Student Recommendations for High School Supports
Authors: McWhirter Ellen Hawley , Luginbuhl Paula J. , Brown Kimbree
Published: January 2013

We examined 401 Latina/o high school students’ postsecondary plans and their responses to an open-ended question about how their schools should better help Latina/o students to achieve their plans. The majority of students planned to enroll in postsecondary education or training. Boys and those responding in Spanish were more likely not to plan to continue their education, and those responding in Spanish were more likely to plan to work full time or part time than those responding in English. Themes generated from the open-ended responses include that schools should provide more motivational support, structured programs, and clubs that engage Latina/o students within their schools and communities, academic assistance and support, information related to financial aid, college, and careers, and that schools should eliminate discrimination and racism and increase Latina/o cultural resources. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
‘What’s a vendetta?’ Political socialization in the everyday interactions of Los Angeles families
Authors: George Rachel
Published: January 2013

Political socialization is an interdisciplinary subfield that addresses questions surrounding the inter-generational transmission of political engagement, values, and preferences. Through close analysis of face-to-face conversations about political issues, events, and ideas in Los Angeles families, this article brings a linguistic anthropological and conversation analytic perspective to bear on the study of political socialization by demonstrating the key role played by discursive and interactional practices. Children in this corpus take an active role in their own socialization, as they use a range of conversational strategies – particularly questions and repair – to initiate and sustain their participation in political conversations. Parents in this corpus vary widely in their tolerance for and treatment of children’s questions: some parents attempt to shut down or re-orient lines of questioning, while others use children’s questions as teaching moments in which to state values explicitly. Several possible explanations for the variance in parents’ uptake are considered, and parents’ responses are examined for their implicit political messages or stances. Finally, the article suggests that many of the strengths of language socialization – including its focus on interaction, its consideration of child agency, and its emphasis on socialization as an ongoing process – make it a useful framework for those who study political socialization.
The discourse of Olympic security: London 2012
Authors: MacDonald Malcolm N , Hunter Duncan
Published: January 2013

This article uses a combination of critical discourse analysis (CDA) and corpus linguistics (CL) to investigate the discursive realization of the security operation for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Drawing on Didier Bigo’s (2008) conceptualization of the ‘ban-opticon’, it addresses two questions: (1) What distinctive linguistic features are used in documents relating to security for London 2012? (2) How is Olympic security realized as a discursive practice in these documents? Findings suggest that the documents indeed realized key features of the ban-opticon: exceptionalism, exclusion and prediction, as well as what we call ‘pedagogization’. Claims were made for the exceptional scale of the Olympic events; predictive technologies were proposed to assess the threat from terrorism; and documentary evidence suggests that access to Olympic venues was being constituted to resemble transit through national boundaries.
Adaptive fuzzy output feedback dynamic surface sliding mode control for a nonlinear dynamic system
Authors: Kim Byeong S , Han Seong I , Lee Jang M
Published: January 2013

Friction and deadzone nonlinearities in the nonlinear dynamic systems act often the main obstacles for higher motion control. It is difficult to achieve effective motion compensation for these types of nonlinearities by traditional linear control methodology without the aid of a proper estimation scheme on nonlinearity. Here, we present an adaptive fuzzy dynamic surface control scheme combined with state and nonlinearity observer and sliding mode control to estimate immeasurable state and compensate undesirable uncertainty on motion control for a strict output feedback nonlinear dynamic system. The adaptive laws of the fuzzy, friction and deadzone observer are derived from the recursive steps of the dynamic surface control. The boundedness and convergence of the closed-loop system are guaranteed by a Lyapunov stability analysis. The performance of the proposed control scheme is verified through simulation and experiment on the robot manipulator.
Long-Term Retrospective Analysis of Surgical Treatment for Irretrievable Tuberculosis of the Ankle
Authors: Chen Shih-Hao , Lee Chen-Hsiang , Wong To , Feng Huei-Shian
Published: January 2013

Background:

Although antituberculosis medication is the first step in the management of skeletal tuberculosis (TB), surgical debridement, biopsy, synovectomy, or arthrodesis may be needed for the definitive diagnosis and treatment of the symptomatic ankle.

Methods:

Twenty-nine patients with TB around the ankle joint were enrolled during a 23-year period and followed for 73.1 months (range, 30-260 months) after TB was controlled. Among 61 surgical procedures performed in 29 patients, complete resolution of ankle TB was seen in 28 patients.

Results:

According to Martini and Ouahes classification, radiographic findings of localized osteoporosis were stage I in 4 patients, one or more erosions were stage II in 9 patients, destruction of the whole joint was stage III in 8 patients, and anatomic disorganization and subluxation were stage IV in 8 patients. Functional results were excellent in 6 patients and good in 16 patients, but with talar bone collapse or hindfoot malalignment, a fair result was noted in 6 patients. The diagnostic accuracy rates were 28.5% with aspiration of synovial fluid, 66.7% in histological analysis, and 44.4% in bacteriological analysis. Mixed infection with bacterial flora was noted in 8 patients (27.6%).

Conclusions:

Ankle TB is easily misdiagnosed and may ultimately involve the peritalar neighboring joints with talar height loss or hindfoot deformity. Successful treatment depends on the extent of disease at presentation, accurate staging, duration of adequate chemotherapy, and optimal surgical intervention.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Single-Stage Flexor Tendon Transfer for the Treatment of Severe Concomitant Peroneus Longus and Brevis Tendon Tears
Authors: Jockel Jeffrey R. , Brodsky James W.
Published: January 2013

Background:

Although peroneal tendon injuries are a common cause of lateral ankle pain, there is a paucity of literature specifically addressing the treatment of severe concomitant peroneus longus and brevis tears. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes following a single-stage flexor tendon transfer for the treatment of severe concomitant tears of both peroneal tendons.

Methods:

Eight patients were treated with a single-stage flexor tendon transfer for severe concomitant peroneus longus and brevis tears over a 15-year period. Mean age at the time of surgery was 54 years (range, 41-67 years), including 4 male and 4 female patients. Tendon transfer of either the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) or flexor digitorum longus (FDL) was performed when both peroneal tendons were found intraoperatively to have severe nonreconstructable tears. Mean follow-up time from surgery was 58 months (range, 12-91 months). Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS hindfoot and visual analog pain scores were prospectively collected, and patient charts were reviewed for complications. A postoperative outcome questionnaire was administered during latest follow-up to assess return to activities, satisfaction, and self-rated patient outcome.

Results:

Mean pre- and postoperative AOFAS hindfoot scores increased from 64 (range, 54-77) to 86 (range, 69-100), whereas mean score for pain on a visual analog scale decreased from 4.2 (range, 0.5-6) to 0.7 (range, 0-3). One surgical complication occurred following FDL transfer in a patient who developed a transient peroneal nerve palsy, and 1 patient underwent a subsequent calcaneal osteotomy. Seven of 8 patients reported a return to preoperative activity levels, and no patient required bracing for activities of daily living. All patients reported satisfaction with surgical results, and 7 rated their outcomes as good or excellent.

Conclusion:

Single-stage flexor tendon transfer is an effective surgical option for the treatment of severe concomitant peroneus longus and brevis tendon tears.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Best-Practice Recommendations for Defining, Identifying, and Handling Outliers
Authors: Aguinis Herman , Gottfredson Ryan K. , Joo Harry
Published: January 2013

The presence of outliers, which are data points that deviate markedly from others, is one of the most enduring and pervasive methodological challenges in organizational science research. We provide evidence that different ways of defining, identifying, and handling outliers alter substantive research conclusions. Then, we report results of a literature review of 46 methodological sources (i.e., journal articles, book chapters, and books) addressing the topic of outliers, as well as 232 organizational science journal articles mentioning issues about outliers. Our literature review uncovered (a) 14 unique and mutually exclusive outlier definitions, 39 outlier identification techniques, and 20 different ways of handling outliers; (b) inconsistencies in how outliers are defined, identified, and handled in various methodological sources; and (c) confusion and lack of transparency in how outliers are addressed by substantive researchers. We offer guidelines, including decision-making trees, that researchers can follow to define, identify, and handle error, interesting, and influential (i.e., model fit and prediction) outliers. Although our emphasis is on regression, structural equation modeling, and multilevel modeling, our general framework forms the basis for a research agenda regarding outliers in the context of other data-analytic approaches. Our recommendations can be used by authors as well as journal editors and reviewers to improve the consistency and transparency of practices regarding the treatment of outliers in organizational science research.
Nicotine might have a protective effect in the etiology of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hedström AK , Hillert J , Olsson T , Alfredsson L
Published: January 2013

Objective:

The use of moist snuff is common in Sweden and leads to exposure to high doses of nicotine. Recent studies indicate that exposure to nicotine could modulate immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of snuff use on the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), taking smoking habits into consideration.

Methods:

In two Swedish population-based, case-control studies (7883 cases, 9437 controls), subjects with different snuff use habits were compared regarding MS risk, by calculating odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

Snuff-takers have a decreased risk of developing MS compared with those who have never used moist snuff (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.92), and we found clear evidence of an inverse dose-response correlation between cumulative dose of snuff use and the risk of developing the disease. We further observed that subjects who combined smoking and snuff use had a significantly lower risk for MS than smokers who had never used moist snuff, also after adjustment for amount of smoking.

Conclusions:

Our results add evidence to the hypothesis that nicotine exerts anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects in a way that might decrease the risk of developing MS.
Early brain pseudoatrophy while on natalizumab therapy is due to white matter volume changes
Authors: Vidal-Jordana Angela , Sastre-Garriga Jaume , Pérez-Miralles Francisco , Tur Carmen , Tintoré Mar , Horga Alejandro , Auger Cristina , Río Jordi , Nos Carlos , Edo Mari C , Arévalo María J , Castilló Joaquín , Rovira Alex , Montalban Xavier
Published: January 2013

Background:

Investigation of atrophy data from a pivotal natalizumab trial has demonstrated an increased rate of volume loss, compared to placebo, after the first year of therapy. It was considered to be probably due to a pseudoatrophy effect.

Objective:

To assess grey and white matter volume changes and their relation to global brain volume changes and to baseline inflammation, for patients under natalizumab therapy.

Methods:

We selected 45 patients on natalizumab therapy for at least 24 months, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at baseline, 12 and 24 months. We calculated the percentage brain volume change (PBVC) for the first and second year, using SIENA software. Grey and white matter fractions (GMF and WMF, respectively) for the first year were calculated with SPM5, using lesion masks. After quality checks, six patients were excluded. We studied the predictive variables of change in brain volumes.

Results:

The PBVC decrease was faster during the first year (−1.10% ± 1.43%), as compared to the second (−0.51% ± 0.96%) ( p = 0.037). These differences were more marked in patients with baseline gadolinium-enhancing lesions ( p = 0.005). Mean GMF and WMF changes during the first year of treatment were +1.15% (n.s.) and −1.72% ( p = 0.017), respectively. The presence of active lesions at baseline MRI predicted PBVC ( p = 0.022) and WMF change ( p = 0.026) during the first year of treatment, after adjusting for age and corticosteroid treatment. No predictors were found for GMF volume changes.

Conclusion:

Early brain volume loss during natalizumab therapy is mainly due to WMF volume loss and it is related to the inflammatory activity present at the onset of therapy. We found that the pseudoatrophy effect is mostly due to white matter volume changes.
Determining social change: The role of technological determinism in the collective action framing of hackers
Authors: Söderberg Johan
Published: January 2013

This article takes the political engagement of hackers as a prism for examining the relations between technological determinist thinking and collective action. The concept ‘collective action framing’ is borrowed from social movement theory to describe how hackers have appropriated notions of a post-industrial, information society in their struggles against intellectual property laws and state censorship. Hackers have reintroduced an element of conflict and antagonism into otherwise politically innocuous visions of post-industrialism. This residual of antagonism can be traced back to the roots of the post-industrial myth in Marxist, historical materialist theory. By exploring these origins, the article proceeds to compare the hopes invested by hackers in the emancipatory force of information technology with the earlier beliefs of labour movements that the forces of history were on their side. Building on this comparison it is argued that technological determinism does not always lead to political resignation, but can also serve as a foundation for collective action.