bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter-Individual Differences in Vicarious Tactile Perception: a View Across the Lifespan in Typical and Atypical Populations
Authors: Gillmeister Helge , Bowling Natalie , Rigato Silvia , Banissy Michael J.
Published: February 2017

Touch is our most interpersonal sense, and so it stands to reason that we represent not only our own bodily experiences, but also those felt by others. This review will summarise brain and behavioural research on vicarious tactile perception (mirror touch). Specifically, we will focus on vicarious touch across the lifespan in typical and atypical groups, and will identify the knowledge gaps that are in urgent need of filling by examining what is known about how individuals differ within and between typical and atypical groups.
The Notion of Philosophical Knowledge and the Situation of Philosophy Today
Authors: Soboleva Maja
Published: February 2017

In this volume, scholars in the human sciences from different countries examine the meaning of philosophical knowledge today. The answer to the question of what is philosophical knowledge is not self-evident because of different cultural traditions in which national philosophies are situated. Thus philosophical knowledge can be understood as knowledge of history of philosophy, or of philosophical systems, schools and methodologies; or it can be seen as the ability to solve philosophical problems. Sometimes philosophical investigations affect not philosophy alone, but extend to other disciplines. One significant fact is that the problem of philosophical knowledge is not restricted to the theory of philosophy, but reflects the situation in philosophy itself, as well as the status of philosophy among other human sciences and its social prestige in general. Whether we still need philosophy today, in the period of total austerity, will depend upon what criteria we use to define the image of philosophy and its knowledge. On the other hand, the concerns about philosophy today – diagnosed in the present volume – are not merely intra-disciplinary; they are decisive for social outcomes in the world of today. These social outcomes – for educational curricula, for the position of women and minorities, for the political process and the formation of civil society – are the focus of the papers in this issue. In its totality, the issue offers an overview of the contemporary situation in philosophy in different countries in the ‘new’ Europe, which allows reflection about the differences and general tendencies in its development.
Philosophy and its Re-Formation in Post-Soviet Russia
Authors: Pertsev Aleksandr A. , Cherepanova Yekaterina S. , Batyuta Yekaterina A.
Published: February 2017

The article discusses the situation of philosophical education in Russia. After 1991, the teaching of the officially recognized “dialectical materialism” and “historical materialism” in Russia was stopped. Since then, there has been no unified curriculum in philosophy studies in Russia, and the discipline has been significantly changed and extended. Now it includes a variety of philosophical currents that correspond to the general image of this discipline in the world. Nevertheless, there are some distinctive features, which differentiate Russian philosophy teaching from the c of philosophy elsewhere. One significant trait of modern Russian philosophy is the quest for its own identity. This explains the steady and ongoing interest in the history of Russian philosophy and in religious philosophy, which is booming at present. It is also significant that a majority of post-Soviet philosophers still perceive themselves as successors to the scientific ideology in the Marxist sense and regard the working out of a scientific world outlook as their goal. Philosophical schools, such as phenomenology and hermeneutics, are still viewed with suspicion and considered as historical phenomena, which have been overcome a long time ago.

The paper will discuss the complex relationship between different positions in the understanding of philosophy in Russia, against the background of the struggle between conservative and progressive tendencies in Russian politics, culture and economics. The analysis of the mainstream of philosophical re-formation allows us to speak about the “New Epoch of Engineers” and the fall of the “Humanist Thaw”.
Young, Committed, Flexible and Female: The Precarious Future of the New Academic
Authors: Ackmann Anna , Ganterer Julia , Herzl Namita
Published: February 2017

The paper examines the connection between the situation of women in philosophy and feminist knowledge. Feminist knowledge refers, on this occasion, not only to scientific knowledge, but also to knowledge on the problems of women in philosophy. The focus is on the role of the young woman and the hurdles which she needs to negotiate in order to gain a foothold in the scientific field. The investigation into this problem takes the form of a case study, which demonstrates the gendered discrimination in the scientific sphere at the universities.
Four new species of Bryoria (Lichenized Ascomycota: Parmeliaceae) from the Hengduan Mountains, China
Authors: WANG LI SONG , WANG XIN YU , LIU DONG , MYLLYS LEENA , SHI HAI XIA , ZHANG YAN YUN , YANG MEI XIA , LI LI JUAN
Published: February 2017

Bryoria is one of the most common lichen genera in the Hengduan Mountains; however, due to only preliminary studies in China, species delimitations are poorly known. In this study, thousands of specimens from this region were examined, combined with morphological and chemical characters as well as phylogeny of ITS sequences. Four species of Bryoria are described as new to science: B. barbata, B. fruticulosa, B. wuii and B. yunnana. Consequently, the number of Bryoria species known from this area is increased to 24. Detailed descriptions of the new species and a key to all the known Chinese species are provided.
Taxonomy of the genus Chlamisus Rafinesque (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from China with description of three new species
Authors: SU LIANG , ZHOU HONG-ZHANG
Published: February 2017

This study is focused on the Chinese fauna of the leaf beetle genus Chlamisus Rafinesque, 1815 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and three new species are described, namely C. corollinotatus sp. nov. from Guangxi, and C. lycocephalus sp. nov. and C. varipennatus sp. nov. from Yunnan. The number of the Chinese Chlamisus is thus increased to 66. Twenty-five species are redescribed with the emphasis mainly on the genital morphological characters that are observed and reported for the first time for most species of the genus from China. Color plates and line drawings of general habitus and other detailed structures are also provided. Chinese fauna of the genus is keyed to species. Type specimens of the new species and other materials included in this study are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.
Avalanche Fatalities during Atmospheric River Events in the Western United States
Authors: Hatchett Benjamin J. , Burak Susan , Rutz Jonathan J. , Oakley Nina S. , Bair Edward H. , Kaplan Michael L.
Published: February 2017

The occurrence of atmospheric rivers (ARs) in association with avalanche fatalities is evaluated in the conterminous western United States between 1998 and 2014 using archived avalanche reports, atmospheric reanalysis products, an existing AR catalog, and weather station observations. AR conditions were present during or preceding 105 unique avalanche incidents resulting in 123 fatalities, thus comprising 31% of western U.S. avalanche fatalities. Coastal snow avalanche climates had the highest percentage of avalanche fatalities coinciding with AR conditions (31%–65%), followed by intermountain (25%–46%) and continental snow avalanche climates (<25%). Ratios of avalanche deaths during AR conditions to total AR days increased with distance from the coast. Frequent heavy to extreme precipitation (85th–99th percentile) during ARs favored critical snowpack loading rates with mean snow water equivalent increases of 46 mm. Results demonstrate that there exists regional consistency between snow avalanche climates, derived AR contributions to cool season precipitation, and percentages of avalanche fatalities during ARs. The intensity of water vapor transport and topographic corridors favoring inland water vapor transport may be used to help identify periods of increased avalanche hazard in intermountain and continental snow avalanche climates prior to AR landfall. Several recently developed AR forecast tools applicable to avalanche forecasting are highlighted.
Elevated Mixing in the Periphery of Mesoscale Eddies in the South China Sea
Authors: Yang Qingxuan , Zhao Wei , Liang Xinfeng , Dong Jihai , Tian Jiwei
Published: February 2017

Direct microstructure observations across three warm mesoscale eddies were conducted in the northern South China Sea during the field experiments in July 2007, December 2013, and January 2014, respectively, along with finestructure measurements. An important finding was that turbulent mixing in the mixed layer was considerably elevated in the periphery of each of these eddies, with a mixing level 5–7 times higher than that in the eddy center. To explore the mechanism behind the high mixing level, this study carried out analyses of the horizontal wavenumber spectrum of velocities and spectral fluxes of kinetic energy. Spectral slopes showed a power law of k−2 in the eddy periphery and of k−3 in the eddy center, consistent with the result that the kinetic energy of submesoscale motion in the eddy periphery was more greatly energized than that in the center. Spectral fluxes of kinetic energy also revealed a forward energy cascade toward smaller scales at the wavelength of kilometers in the eddy periphery. This study illustrated a possible route for energy cascading from balanced mesoscale dynamics to unbalanced submesoscale behavior, which eventually furnished turbulent mixing in the upper ocean.
The Relationship between Double-Diffusive Intrusions and Staircases in the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Bebieva Yana , Timmermans Mary-Louise
Published: February 2017

The origin of double-diffusive staircases in the Arctic Ocean is investigated for the particular background setting in which both temperature and salinity increase with depth. Motivated by observations that show the coexistence of thermohaline intrusions and double-diffusive staircases, a linear stability analysis is performed on the governing equations to determine the conditions under which staircases form. It is shown that a double-diffusive staircase can result from interleaving motions if the observed bulk vertical density ratio is below a critical vertical density ratio estimated for particular lateral and vertical background temperature and salinity gradients. Vertical background temperature and salinity gradients dominate over horizontal gradients in determining whether staircases form, with the linear theory indicating that perturbations to stronger vertical temperature gradients are more likely to give rise to a staircase. Examination of Arctic Ocean temperature and salinity measurements indicates that observations are consistent with the theory for reasonable estimates of eddy diffusivity and viscosity.
Executive Function Variation in Children With Conduct Problems: Influences of Coexisting Reading Difficulties
Authors: Kallitsoglou Angeliki
Published: February 2017

It is unknown whether children with conduct problems (CP) and poor reading (PR) skills exhibit more profound executive function impairments than children with CP only and whether such impairments are explained by coexisting PR. Executive functions were compared in four groups of 7- to 8-year-old children: 26 CP only, 35 PR only, 27 CP-PR, and 31 comparison (COM) children with neither CP nor PR. The Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale–28 and a sentence completion reading test were used to assess CP and PR skills. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition Backward Digit Span, the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test, and the Tower of London were used to assess three aspects of executive function: verbal working memory, response inhibition, and planning, respectively. The CP-PR group had lower verbal working memory than the CP-only and COM groups, but the difference was not significant after intellectual ability, inattention, and hyperactivity were controlled. The CP-PR group made more errors in the planning task (rule violations) than the COM and CP-only groups, but the difference was not significant after intellectual ability was controlled. No significant group differences were found in response inhibition. A specific PR group effect was found for verbal working memory. Children with CP-PR have more prominent executive function impairments that cannot be attributed to coexisting PR.
The Case for Teachers’ Classroom English Proficiency
Authors: Freeman Donald
Published: February 2017

New conceptualizations of English are challenging traditional norms of what the language is, as well as how it is taught and by whom. These changes, coupled with the expansion of teaching English across the educational spectrum from younger grades to tertiary levels, present challenges to many national education systems. The role of teachers’ English competence, particularly in public-sector teaching, is central to how these educational changes play out in countries around the world. How classroom English language ability is described connects to many dimensions of teaching. This article argues that conventional definitions that connect general English proficiency, often based on generic statements about language use, do not address the type of classroom language teachers need in order to teach. Further, language training focused on general language fluency often does not directly address teachers’ particular professional needs. Policies and practices based on these definitions disadvantage most English language teachers by defining problems of teaching quality in terms of deficits in general English proficiency. English-for-Teaching, a conceptualization of the English teachers’ use in classroom language teaching, is based on a languages for specific purposes (LSP) methodology. The construct defines three functional areas of classroom language use – managing the classroom, understanding and communicating lesson content, and assessing and giving students feedback. The article outlines the construct and a professional development programme based on it. Analyses from implementing these programmes provided by ministries of education to pre- and in-service teachers in Japan and in Vietnam are discussed.
Northward oceanic heat transport in the main branch of the Norwegian Atlantic Current over the late Holocene
Authors: Tegzes Andrea D , Jansen Eystein , Lorentzen Torbjørn , Telford Richard J
Published: February 2017

The Norwegian Atlantic Current represents the northernmost reaches of the (sub)surface limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Its shelf-edge branch, the Norwegian Atlantic Slope Current (NwASC), is of particular interest as it seems to be the main conduit for advected heat towards the Arctic. The objective of this study was to investigate northward oceanic heat transport in the NwASC on longer, geologically meaningful time scales. To this end, we reconstructed variations in the strength of the NwASC over the late Holocene using the sortable-silt method. We then analysed the statistical relationship between our palaeo-flow reconstructions and published upper-ocean hydrography proxy records from the same location on the mid-Norwegian Margin. Our sortable-silt time series show prominent multi-decadal to multi-centennial variability, but no clear long-term trend over the past 4200 years. These records we thus interpret to represent perturbations in a relatively stable late-Holocene mean flow. Our in-depth statistical analysis indicates that upper-ocean temperatures at the mid-Norwegian Margin may have varied independently from the strength of the NwASC on multi-decadal to multi-centennial time scales over the past few millennia.
A reconfigurable smart interface based on IEEE 1451 and field programmable gate array for multiple Internet of Things devices
Authors: Wang Shulong , Hou Yibin , Gao Fang , Ji Xinrong
Published: February 2017

The Internet of Things is becoming increasingly important in traffic, medical treatment, and other industry fields. With the development of the Internet of Things technology, lots of new “things” need to be accessed to the Internet of Things. Currently, Internet of Things applications adopt multiple methods to access the heterogeneous devices. How to provide unified access means for those “things” is a fundamental issue. To solve this problem, a new method is proposed in this article to design a reconfigurable smart interface for multiple Internet of Things devices. The IEEE 1451 standard is adopted for this design, and it comprehensively specifies the smart transducer design and relevant interface protocol to implement the intelligent acquisition for common sensors and actuators. Field programmable gate array is adopted for the implementation of this design to reduce consumption of resources and enable the reconfiguration of the whole system. Performance of the proposed system is evaluated, and good performance is achieved in practical application for office environment monitoring.
Performance analysis of the clustering-based multihop wireless energy harvesting sensor networks over symmetric and asymmetric fading channels
Authors: Singh Vikash , Ochiai Hideki
Published: February 2017

In this work, we propose a clustering-based multihop relaying with the partial relay selection scheme for an energy harvesting relaying network and analyze the performance in the framework of the decode-and-forward relaying and adaptive power splitting protocol over symmetric and asymmetric fading channel models. In particular, we analyze the system performance in terms of the outage probability, effective transmission rate, and throughput. Through extensive numerical analysis, we show that the proposed scheme can substantially outperform the conventional multihop relaying without clustering as well as direct transmission, which suggests that the proposed scheme can be used to extend the network coverage without any extra energy from the network. We also demonstrate that the proposed scheme can compensate for the performance loss due to poor radio frequency to DC conversion efficiency as well as path loss by exploiting the gain associated with multihop relaying as well as the diversity gain achieved through the partial relay selection scheme. Moreover, we investigate the relationship between the total number of relay nodes in the network and the number of hops and show that there is an optimal number of hops that can maximize the throughput for a given transmission power of the source. The effect of the asymmetric channels in our clustering-based multihop relaying is also investigated and it is revealed that the existence of Rician fading will help improve the throughput at the destination side, rather than the source side, as opposed to the conventional multihop relaying scenarios without clustering.
A Surgical Technique for Treating Submuscular and Subglandular Symmastia Combining Standard Techniques with An Aggressive Medial Capsulorrhaphy
Authors: Vondrak Jessica , Fennema Matthew , Beltre Kevin , Abaskalova Jana , Blomain Erik Scott , Blomain Eric W
Published: February 2017

Symmastia, the medial confluence of breast implants producing a ‘bread loaf’ quality, has continued to be a vexing complication of breast reconstruction and breast augmentation, despite numerous proposed repair methods. Previous procedures include capsulorrhaphy, allograft or xenograft sling suspensions, mastopexies and, in cases of subglandular implants, collapsing the pocket and reinserting the implant beneath the pectoralis major muscle. In the present article, the authors outline a reliable long-term correction of submuscular symmastia, combining the techniques of capsulorrhaphy, use of porcine xenograft slings, submuscular placement of the implants, and use of capsular tissue folded and sutured onto the presternal fascia with nonabsorbable sutures. This technique places the porcine xenograft sling between the implant and the folded capsular tissue sutured with nonabsorbable sutures, protecting the implant from erosion/puncture by the nonabsorbable sutures. The authors also propose a similar technique for the correction of subglandular symmastia.

The patient in the current article presented with submuscular symmastia and has been followed for <4 years postoperatively with absolutely no recurrence of symmastia, even with forcible application of lateral pressure on her breasts in an attempt to reproduce medial confluence. The technique offers a promising solution to the frustrating difficulty of symmastia, a complication with a high recurrence rate despite many proposed repairs across decades.
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Associated with Double-Lumen Breast Implants: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Wang Jessica S , Degeorge Brent R , Showalter Shayna L , Morgan Raymond F , Lin Kant Y
Published: February 2017

Background:

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is commonly associated with diagnostic delay due to the insidious nature of presentation with late periprosthetic fluid collection, mass or locoregional adenopathy.

Case Presentation:

A 75-year-old woman with a remote history of right breast cancer treated with modified radical mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with a double-lumen silicone implant presented 13 years later with volume asymmetry. The implant was removed and a saline implant was placed. Five years later, she presented with acute onset of right breast enlargement and pain. Ultrasound revealed an associated periprosthetic fluid accumulation. Cytology showed anaplastic lymphoma kinasenegative, CD30-positive ALCL without associated systemic disease. The patient was treated with implant removal and total capsulectomy.

Conclusion:

Due to the insidious presentation of ALCL, a high index of clinical suspicion must be maintained when evaluating patients for delayed presentation of volumetric discrepancy. Treatment typically entails implant removal. Indications for additional systemic treatment include extracapsular spread of ALCL or presence of a periprosthetic tumour.
Atypical Presentation of a Cellular Neurothekeoma On the Nasal Vestibule of a Pregnant Woman
Authors: Song Jin Soo A , Bullock Martin Joseph , Hart Robert , Trites Jonathan , Rigby Matthew , Taylor S Mark
Published: February 2017

Neurothekeomas are rare benign solitary tumours of the skin, most commonly manifesting in the head and neck and upper extremities of adults within the second to third decade of life, more often appearing in females at a 2:1 ratio. The authors describe a case of an immunohistochemical diagnosis of a cellular neurothekeoma on the nasal vestibule of a pregnant woman, and discuss the curative ability of surgical excision in these patient cohorts.
Cutaneous Horn: A Devil Not Only in Appearance
Authors: Mir Mohd Altaf , Mahmud Ali Adil , Mohd Yaseen M Ch , Rehman Suhailur , Imran Ahmad M Ch , Lalit Mohan Bariar M Ch
Published: February 2017

Background:

The pathology of most cutaneous horns are benign although malignancy potential has been reported in around 20 to 30 percent and not only the appearance of these lesions are a source of distress but also the fact that they can be associated with malignant transformations. The purpose of this article is to keep the clinician in constant vigil of this uncommon benign but potentially malignant lesions.

Objective:

To evaluate the association of Cutaneous horn with malignant change

Methods:

The six patients with cutaeous horn presented in our outpatient department of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery from 1st January 2014 to 30th November 2015 were evaluated and managed with wide local excision and reconstruction considering the principals of the reconstructive ladder. Histopathological reports of the specimen were collected and data was tabulated. The followup clinical examination was done every week.

Results:

In our study most of the lesions occured on the scalp and the remaining were found on the perineum and malignancy was confirmed on histopathology in half of these scalp lesions, whereas none of the perineal lesions in our sudy showed any malignant change.

Conclusions:

Cutaneous horn although an uncommon condition and usually neglected by the patient should be kept under high suspicion by the treating Surgeon and definitive management with wide local excision with adequate margins should always be explained to the patient.
Giant Cell Reparative Granuloma of the Mandibular Condyle: A Long-Term Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Chang Chun-Shin , Hsiao Yen-Chang , Huang Faye , Chen Philip Kuo-Ting , Chen Jyh-Ping , Noordhoff M Samuel
Published: February 2017

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) of the mandibular condyle is a rare benign non-neoplastic osteolytic lesion. The authors report the successful surgical management of such a case with a follow-up of nine years and review of the current literature on this subject. To their knowledge, the present article is the first to report the long-term result of condylar reconstruction following GCRG resection. There are no articles in the literature detailing the reconstructive techniques used after resection of large GCRG of the condyle. Accordingly, the present article also reviews the reconstructive options in the management of GCRG of the condyle.
Cost-Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition inBRAFWild-Type Advanced Melanoma
Authors: Kohn Christine G. , Zeichner Simon B. , Chen Qiushi , Montero Alberto J. , Goldstein Daniel A. , Flowers Christopher R.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Patients who are diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma have an estimated 5-year relative survival rate of only 17%. Randomized controlled trials of recent US Food and Drug Administration–approved immune checkpoint inhibitors—pembrolizumab (PEM), nivolumab (NIVO), and ipilumumab (IPI)—demonstrate improved patient outcomes, but the optimal treatment sequence in patients with BRAF wild-type metastatic melanoma remains unclear. To inform policy makers about the value of these treatments, we developed a Markov model to compare the cost-effectiveness of different strategies for sequencing novel agents for the treatment of advanced melanoma.

Materials and Methods

We developed Markov models by using a US-payer perspective and lifetime horizon to estimate costs (2016 US$) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for treatment sequences with first-line NIVO, IPI, NIVO + IPI, PEM every 2 weeks, and PEM every 3 weeks. Health states were defined for initial treatment, first and second progression, and death. Rates for drug discontinuation, frequency of adverse events, disease progression, and death obtained from randomized phase III trials were used to determine the likelihood of transition between states. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate model uncertainty.

Results

PEM every 3 weeks followed by second-line IPI was both more effective and less costly than dacarbazine followed by IPI then NIVO, or IPI followed by NIVO. Compared with the first-line dacarbazine treatment strategy, NIVO followed by IPI produced an incremental cost effectiveness ratio of $90,871/QALY, and first-line NIVO + IPI followed by carboplatin plus paclitaxel chemotherapy produced an incremental cost effectiveness ratio of $198,867/QALY.

Conclusion

For patients with treatment-naive BRAF wild-type advanced melanoma, first-line PEM every 3 weeks followed by second-line IPI or first-line NIVO followed by second-line IPI are the most cost-effective, immune-based treatment strategies for metastatic melanoma.
Hormonal Maintenance Therapy for Women With Low-Grade Serous Cancer of the Ovary or Peritoneum
Authors: Gershenson David M. , Bodurka Diane C. , Coleman Robert L. , Lu Karen H. , Malpica Anais , Sun Charlotte C.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes associated with hormonal maintenance therapy (HMT) compared with routine observation (OBS) after primary cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy in women with stage II to IV low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum.

Patients and Methods

Eligibility criteria for patients from our database were: treatment with primary surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy, stage II to IV disease, at least 2 years of follow-up for patients who had not experienced recurrence, and adequate clinical information. The two groups were compared for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival, and a multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed. Subset analyses for patients who were disease free or had persistent disease were also performed.

Results

Between 1981 and 2013, 203 eligible patients—133 who underwent OBS and 70 who received HMT—were seen at our institution. Median PFS for patients who underwent OBS was 26.4 months, compared with 64.9 months for those who received HMT ( P < .001). No statistically significant difference in overall survival was observed between the two groups (102.7 v 115.7 months, respectively). For subgroups of women who were disease free or had persistent disease, median PFS was superior for those who received HMT (81.1 v 30.0 months; P < .001 and 38.1 v 15.2 months; P < .001, respectively). Women who received HMT had a significantly lower risk of disease progression compared with those who underwent OBS (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.64; P < .001).

Conclusion

Women with stage II to IV low-grade serous carcinoma who received HMT after primary treatment had significantly longer PFS compared with women who underwent OBS. These findings warrant further investigation using a prospective trial design.
Use of Evidence-Based Prostate Cancer Imaging in a Nongovernmental Integrated Health Care System
Authors: Salloum Ramzi G. , O’Keeffe-Rosetti Maureen , Ritzwoller Debra P. , Hornbrook Mark C. , Lafata Jennifer Elston , Nielsen Matthew E.
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

The overuse of imaging, particularly for staging of low-risk prostate cancer, is well documented and widespread. The existing literature, which focuses on the elderly in fee-for-service settings, points to financial incentives as a driver of overuse and may not identify factors relevant to policy solutions within integrated health care systems, where physicians are salaried.

Methods:

Imaging rates were analyzed among men with incident prostate cancer diagnosed between 2004 and 2011 within the Colorado and Northwest regions of Kaiser Permanente. The sample was stratified according to indication for imaging, ie, high risk for whom imaging was necessary versus low risk for whom imaging was discouraged. Logistic regression was used to model the association between imaging receipt and clinical/demographic patient characteristics by risk strata.

Results:

Of the men with low-risk prostate cancer, 35% received nonindicated imaging at diagnosis, whereas 42% of men with high-risk prostate cancer did not receive indicated imaging. Compared with men diagnosed in 2004, those diagnosed in subsequent years were less likely to receive imaging across both risk groups. Men with high-risk cancer diagnosed at ≥ 65 years of age and those with clinical stage ≥ T2 were more likely to receive indicated imaging. Men with comorbidities were more likely to receive imaging across both risk groups. Men with low-risk prostate cancer who had higher median household incomes were less likely to receive nonindicated imaging.

Conclusion:

Nonindicated imaging for diagnostic staging of patients with low-risk prostate cancer was common, but has decreased over the past decade. These findings suggest that factors other than financial incentives may be driving overuse of imaging.
CDX2 is essential for cell proliferation and polarity in porcine blastocysts
Authors: Bou Gerelchimeg , Liu Shichao , Sun Mingju , Zhu Jiang , Xue Binghua , Guo Jia , Zhao Yueming , Qu Bo , Weng Xiaogang , Wei Yanchang , Lei Lei , Liu Zhonghua
Published: February 2017

The role of CDX2 in trophectoderm (TE) cells has been extensively studied, yet the results are contradictory and species specific. Here, CDX2 expression and function were explored in early porcine embryos. Notably, siRNA-mediated gene knockdown and lentivirus-mediated TE-specific gene regulation demonstrated that CDX2 is essential for the maintenance of blastocyst integrity by regulating the BMP4-mediated blastocyst niche and classic protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated TE polarity in mammalian embryos. Mechanistically, CDX2-depleted porcine embryos stalled at the blastocyst stage and exhibited apoptosis and inactive cell proliferation, possibly resulting from BMP4 downregulation. Moreover, TE cells in CDX2-depleted blastocysts displayed defective F-actin apical organization associated with downregulation of PKCα (PRKCA). Collectively, these results provide further insight into the functional diversity of CDX2 in early mammalian embryos.
Evolution, immunity and the emergence of brain superautoantigens
Authors: Nataf Serge
Published: February 2017

While some autoimmune disorders remain extremely rare, others largely predominate the epidemiology of human autoimmunity. Notably, these include psoriasis, diabetes, vitiligo, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Thus, despite the quasi-infinite number of "self" antigens that could theoretically trigger autoimmune responses, only a limited set of antigens, referred here as superautoantigens, induce pathogenic adaptive responses. Several lines of evidence reviewed in this paper indicate that, irrespective of the targeted organ (e.g. thyroid, pancreas, joints, brain or skin), a significant proportion of superautoantigens are highly expressed in the synaptic compartment of the central nervous system (CNS). Such an observation applies notably for GAD65, AchR, ribonucleoproteins, heat shock proteins, collagen IV, laminin, tyrosine hydroxylase and the acetylcholinesterase domain of thyroglobulin. It is also argued that cognitive alterations have been described in a number of autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease and autoimmune thyroiditis. Finally, the present paper points out that a great majority of the "incidental" autoimmune conditions notably triggered by neoplasms, vaccinations or microbial infections are targeting the synaptic or myelin compartments. On this basis, the concept of an immunological homunculus, proposed by Irun Cohen more than 25 years ago, is extended here in a model where physiological autoimmunity against brain superautoantigens confers both: i) a crucial evolutionary-determined advantage via cognition-promoting autoimmunity; and ii) a major evolutionary-determined vulnerability, leading to the emergence of autoimmune disorders inHomo sapiens. Moreover, in this theoretical framework, the so called co-development/co-evolution model, both the development (at the scale of an individual) and evolution (at the scale of species) of the antibody and T-cell repertoires are coupled to those of the neural repertoires (i.e. the distinct neuronal populations and synaptic circuits supporting cognitive and sensorimotor functions). Clinical implications and future experimental insights are also presented and discussed.
Antigenicity of peptides comprising the immunosuppressive domain of the retroviral envelope glycoprotein
Authors: Jenkins Bryony , Eksmond Urszula , Young George , Kassiotis George
Published: February 2017

To achieve persistent infection of the host, viruses often subvert or suppress host immunity through mechanisms that are not entirely understood. The envelope glycoprotein of several retroviruses is thought to possess potent immunosuppressive activity, mapped to a 17-amino acid residue conserved domain. Synthetic peptides corresponding to this immunosuppressive domain can inhibit lymphocyte activation, whereas mutation of key domain residues can increase the lymphocyte response to linked antigenic epitopes. Using three T cell receptors (TCRs) of defined specificity, we examine the effect of the immunosuppressive domain on the T cell response to their respective antigenic peptides. We find that fusion of a T cell epitope to the immunosuppressive domain can greatly modulate its potency. However, the effects heavily depend on the particular combination of TCR and peptide-major histocompatibility complex class II (pMHC II), and are mimicked by sequence-scrambled peptides of similar length, suggesting they operate at the level of pMHC formation or TCR-pMHC interaction. These results offer an alternative explanation for the immunogenicity of T cell epitopes comprising the putative immunosuppressive domain, which is more consistent with an effect on peptide antigenicity than true immunosuppressive activity.
On the Need for Analytical Support of Auditing
Authors: Вожжова  , Vozhzhova E.
Published: February 2017

The article considers the need for analytical support of the audit opinion. The authors prove the expediency of

analysis of the financial condition of the company as a component of the audit report, which reflects the degree of change

in the reliability of financial reporting and the effectiveness of the audit.
Research roundup: February 2017
Authors: Thurtle Val , Seal Joanne , Brook Judy
Published: February 2017

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles that may be of interest to health visitors is presented. The aim of this roundup is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Newly qualified health visitor: Promoting personal development
Authors: Rodger Ailsa
Published: February 2017

At a time when health visiting and the NHS is facing ever-increasing challenges, maintaining a nurturing environment has never been more difficult, says Ailsa Rodger, newly qualified JHV editorial board member for 2017.
Multiple professional identities: A personal exploration of the transition from nurse to lecturer
Authors: Seal Joanne
Published: February 2017

The communities of practice model has been used as a framework to highlight personal and professional development. This reflective account explores the transition from NHS employee to university lecturer in a higher educational institution.
Experiencias en la aplicación de Tabletas en Secundaria
Authors: Buendía García Felix , Benlloch Dualde José Vicente , Zahonero Viana Inmaculada , Cubel Barea Andrés
Published: February 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en presentar una serie de experiencias sobre el uso de dispositivos “tablet” (tabletas) en el ámbito de la Enseñanza Secundaria. Este tipo de dispositivos vienen utilizándose en diversos centros educativos repartidos por el estado español, principalmente en Educación Primaria, y pese a su potencial innovador y las ventajas tecnológicas que aportan, también aparecen dificultades cuando se busca  una implantación efectiva de los mismos. Por un lado, en el trabajo se plantean ciertas cuestiones sobre el aprovechamiento didáctico de estos dispositivos y las necesidades o requisitos que ello implica. Por otra parte, se trata de extraer una serie de recomendaciones/guías para una aplicación efectiva de este tipo de dispositivos. Para ello, se cuenta con la experiencia de un centro educativo a lo largo de varios cursos en la aplicación de tales tecnologías. A partir de dicha experiencia se analizan los resultados obtenidos y se pretende dar una nueva perspectiva en el uso didáctico de las tabletas.
A influência do suporte digital na produção escrita de aprendizes de língua inglesa: um estudo sobre netspeak
Authors: Santos Isabella De Gregório
Published: February 2017

O advento da Internet significou não apenas tecnologia e atualização, mas também o surgimento de novas palavras e expressões características do meio digital (CRYSTAL, 2001). Hoje, as pessoas têm a necessidade de interagir com o computador, o que faz com que o netspeak – termo da língua inglesa para “internetês” – se difunda rapidamente entre aqueles que têm acesso à Internet. Para verificar a incidência dessa linguagem na escrita, foram aplicados questionários em língua inglesa aos aprendizes de uma escola de idiomas de Uberaba por meio da ferramenta Google docs. Nosso objetivo foi identificar se, mesmo em suporte digital, os alunos se sentiriam à vontade em utilizar a linguagem de rede na escrita desse questionário, que possuía fins acadêmicos. Foram coletadas informações de 14 alunos adolescentes e jovens adultos considerados “nativos digitais” (PRENSKY, 2001), e a análise dos dados apontou que, por se tratar de um contexto acadêmico, alguns entrevistados se intimidaram no uso da linguagem de rede, apesar do suporte pelo qual foi realizado o questionário. Após essa análise, foi agendado, ainda, um chat (situação mais informal que o questionário, porém acondicionado no mesmo suporte) para que pudéssemos embasar essa suposição.
Saberes em construção: videogames e motivação na aprendizagem de língua estrangeira
Authors: Perine Cristiane Manzan
Published: February 2017

A motivação é listada como uma das variáveis afetivas da qual depende o sucesso na aprendizagem. Segundo Dörnyei (2005), a motivação está relacionada a um dos aspectos mais básicos da mente humana, e boa parte dos professores e pesquisadores concordam que a motivação tem papel importante na determinação de sucesso ou fracasso em qualquer situação de aprendizagem. A palavra motivação tem origem no verbo latino movere, que significa mover, sendo definida, então, como o que leva o indivíduo a fazer escolhas, a se engajar em certas atividades e a persistir nessa ação. O surgimento dos videogames nos remete aos Estados Unidos da década de 40. Esses jogos revolucionam a indústria de entretenimento e se proliferaram por todo o mundo, chegando aos aparelhos que conhecemos hoje, modernos, com alta tecnologia e mais, mediadores da aprendizagem de línguas. Este estudo tem por objetivo propor uma leitura dos princípios de aprendizagem de James Paul Gee em relação à aprendizagem por meio de videogames a partir das estratégias motivacionais para aprendizagem de língua estrangeira propostas pelo psicólogo Zóltan Dörnyei. Trata-se de uma tentativa de melhor compreender o papel facilitador para a aprendizagem de línguas inerentes aos videogames aliados ao seu potencial motivacional.
O uso das tecnologias de informação e comunicação no ensino de língua e suas implicações
Authors: Diedrich Marlete Sandra , Valério Patrícia
Published: February 2017

Refletir acerca do uso das tecnologias digitais na sociedade letrada é também tarefa do professor de língua, em especial, daqueles que trabalham com o ensino mediado por computador. Sendo assim, focalizamos neste artigo a necessidade de aprimoramento das habilidades discursivas dos educandos que vivem experiências de ensino de língua a distância, mais especificamente, de ensino em ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem (AVA). A experiência como professores de língua portuguesa, construída nas interações promovidas em AVA, tem nos apontado a necessidade de preparar o educando para o uso de ferramentas digitais de forma consciente e produtiva, a fim de que ele seja capaz de usufruir desses benefícios enquanto leitor e produtor de textos. Partimos de uma perspectiva funcionalista do objeto língua, segundo a qual falar e escrever bem é, antes de tudo, ser bem-sucedido na interação. Inicialmente, discutimos o conceito de tecnologias da informação e comunicação e sua relação com a prática de letramento; na sequência, focalizamos as habilidades discursivas necessárias para o sujeito interagir de forma produtiva em seu espaço social, virtual ou não, a partir da modalidade escrita; por fim, propomos alguns caminhos na busca do aprimoramento dessas habilidades tendo como recurso as TICs.
Tarefa de casa e tecnologia
Authors: Camin de Menezes Ana Maria
Published: February 2017

Acredita-se na importância da tarefa de casa, no entanto, no contexto do ensino da língua inglesa  percebe-se um grande “abismo” entre o movimento de integração da tecnologia em sala de aula e as mesmas velhas tarefas de casa. Diante desta contradição, surge o projeto descrito neste artigo, em que uma professora de inglês propõe a alternância de exercícios tradicionais com tarefas de casa utilizando a internet, a fim de propiciar aos alunos a possibilidade da prática das 4 habilidades na aprendizagem de línguas e a chance de utilizarem a língua inglesa de forma personalizada e criativa.
O professor e a EaD: será que o docente está preparado para isso?
Authors: Rodrigues Claudia Almeida
Published: February 2017

O crescimento da EaD no Brasil nos últimos anos tem levado à discussões acerca da formação dos profissionais da educação que trabalharão nessa modalidade de ensino. Percebe-se que as instituições de formação de professores não tem dado a devida importância à modalidade de ensino a distância, nem ao letramento digital do futuro professor. É preciso que se prepare o professor em sua formação inicial para trabalhar na EaD, visto que essa modalidade de ensino pode ser uma alternativa para mitigar os problemas educacionais existentes no Brasil.
Hunter-Gatherer Variability: Developing Models for the Northern Coasts
Authors: Rowley-Conwy Peter , Piper Stephanie
Published: February 2017

Hunter-fisher-gatherer (HFG) variability has received a lot of attention. We review the key developments in the theories of variability, which have usually resulted in binary classifications. We argue that a range of variation based on the degree of territorial ownership is preferable to these classifications. Hunter-fisher-gatherers of the world’s northern coasts have only been partially explored in this way with regard to variability. A major reason for this is that such coastal groups use boats, so normative models of inland terrestrial foraging are not immediately applicable. We suggest that the Saxe-Goldstein hypothesis, the cautious linking of territoriality to funerary behaviour, may be a useful avenue to explore. Much work has been done by scholars of the northern coasts on boats and maritime transport, and some conclusions could be extrapolated to regions farther south.
Fiber substrates in the nutrition of weaned piglets – a review
Authors: Flis Marianna , Sobotka Wiesław , Antoszkiewicz Zofia
Published: February 2017

The present review summarizes the results of 37 experiments in which different types and levels (from 0.5 to 29.7%) of fibrous supplements were used in the formulation of diets for weaned piglets. Diets were supplemented with different sources of insoluble dietary fiber (iDF), soluble dietary fiber (sDF), or mixed DF sources. Most of the applied DF sources decreased the ileal and fecal organic matter digestibility, and they often lowered crude protein digestibility. A moderate addition (1.5-8%) of iDF sources increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and, frequently, average daily gains (ADG). Sources of sDF as well as high inclusion levels of fiber-rich feeds tended to decrease ADFI and ADG. Improved fecal consistency, decreased diarrhea incidence and antibiotic interventions were confirmed in piglets fed diets with added lignocellulose, cooked or raw oat hulls and wheat bran. The dietary inclusion of iDF rather than sDF sources improved gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, enzyme activity and gut morphology. An increase in the counts of beneficial gut microbiota and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids was stimulated by diets with addition iDF or sDF sources. Such diets also slowed down proteolytic fermentation which negatively affects the colonic mucosa. Some research findings indicate that iDF sources improve intestinal barrier function. The analyzed experimental data suggest that the addition of 1.5-2% of a lignocellulose preparation, 2% of oat hulls, 4-8% of coarse wheat bran to diets for weaned piglets may be recommended to promote GIT development and health, and to improve growth performance.