bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxygen-Glucose-Deprivation/Reoxygenation-Induced Autophagic Cell Death Depends on JNK-Mediated Phosphorylation of Bcl-2
Authors: Fan Jin , Liu Yuwen , Yin Jian , Li Qingqing , Li Yiming , Gu Jun , Cai Weihua , Yin Guoyong
Published: March 2016

Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of autophagy in oxygen-glucose-deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury in rat neurons. Methods and results: Cortical neurons were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and identified by immunofluorescence. The cortical neurons were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control group (I), experimental group (OGD/R group, II), JNK inhibitor pretreatment group (III) and JNK inhibitor pretreatment + OGD/R group (IV). Neuronal cell viability significantly decreased after 6h and 12h of reoxygenation in Group IV (P < 0.05). Electron microscopy showed the presence of many autophagic vacuoles and the formation of autolysosomes in the neurons; the number of autophagic vacuoles decreased transiently at 6h, while a new autophagic flux and a large number of empty autophagic vacuoles were observed at 12h. In Group IV, a large number of autophagic vacuoles were present at 0.5h and 2h of reoxygenation, which gradually decreased with increasing reoxygenation time. No significant differences in the expression of the LC3II protein were detected between the Group II and IV prior to 6h of reoxygenation, and LC3II expression showed an overall rise-decline pattern. However, LC3II protein expression increased in Group II at 12h of reoxygenation, whereas a continuous decline was observed in Group IV. The levels of phosphorylated JNK and Bcl-2 and the expression of Beclin-1 increased gradually as the reoxygenation time going in Group II, whereas they increased at 12h of reoxygenation in Group IV (P < 0.05). In addition, progressive dissociation of the Bcl-2/Beclin-1 complex was observed in the Group II, while JNK inhibitor suppressed this dissociation. Conclusion: The regulation of the JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin-1 signaling pathway may be one of the mechanisms underlying the OGD/R-induced autophagic cell death of neurons.
Association Studies Between XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3 Polymorphisms and Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Yan Li , Li Qinghuai , Li Xiaoyu , Ji Hong , Zhang Linlei
Published: March 2016

Background/Aims: DNA HRR pathway and BER pathway play vital roles in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) development, thus we supposed that polymorphisms of XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3 DNA repair genes are associated with thyroid cancer risk and progression. Methods: We searched the NCBI database for relevant literatures to determine eight SNPs to be included in our study (XRCC1: rs25487, rs25489, rs1799782; XRCC2: rs3218536; XRCC3: rs1799794, rs56377012, rs1799796, rs861539). Results: SNP of rs25487 was linked with a 53% decrease in DTC risk (OR: 0.47; 95%CI: 0.268-0.82; P = 0.01). For SNP of rs1799782, the homozygous TT genotype indicated a statistically significant 2-fold increased risk of DTC (OR: 2.09; 95%CI: 1.27-3.43; P < 0.001) after multivariate adjustment. For SNP of rs861539, the homozygous TT genotype suggested statistically significant 3-fold increased risk of DTC (OR: 3.02; 95%CI: 1.68-5.42; P < 0.001). No significant association between the other five SNPs and DTC risk. Besides that, female was linked with 47% increase in DTC risk (OR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.062-2.04; P = 0.02) after multivariate adjustment. Similar results for most of the SNPs were obtained from subgroup analysis by different histological types of DTC. Haplotype analysis revealed that AGC and GGT haplotypes of XRCC1 polymorphisms were associated with DTC. Moreover, results from gene-gene interaction showed that XRCC1-rs25487, XRCC1- rs1799782 and XRCC3- rs861539 variants jointly contributed to a specifically increased risk of DTC, with the combination variant of rs1799782-CT heterozygote and rs861539-TT homozygote exhibiting a higher 3.66-fold risk of DTC (OR: 3.66; 95% CI: 1.476-9.091, P = 0.005). Conclusion: Polymorphisms of XRCC1 (rs25487, rs1799782) and XRCC3 (rs861539), may play a critical role in DTC development and progression. Furthermore, XRCC1 variant can interact with XRCC3 variant to significantly increase DTC susceptibility. Identifying these genetic risk markers could provide evidence for exploring the insight pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic strategies for DTC.
Effect of Dialysis Day on Intradialytic Hypotension Risk
Authors: Rocha Ana , Sousa Clemente , Teles Paulo , Coelho Augusto , Xavier Eva
Published: March 2016

Background/Aims: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a serious and frequent complication of hemodialysis (HD). Thus far, data are scarcely available to assess the impact of first versus subsequent HD sessions of the week in IDH. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to evaluate IDH risk in patients on thrice-weekly HD. Methods: We conducted an analysis of all blood pressure (BP) measurements obtained during 492 HD treatments given to 41 prevalent adult patients over a one month period. A logistic regression model for repeated binary observations was used to determine the association between hypotension and patient and dialysis factors. Results: The incidence of IDH was 32.5%. First dialysis session of the week was associated with a 9% higher risk of hypotension relatively to the second one. The risk was even higher from the first to the third session of the week (60%) and from the second to the third (50%). A higher hypotension odds ratio was also associated with age (1.03, 90%CI: 1.01-1.06), higher predialysis BP (1.04, 90%CI: 1.03-1.05) and higher phosphorus level (1.38, 90%CI: 1.07-1.76). The risk decreased 24.4% for each additional antihypertensive drug taken by the patient. Conclusions: The odds of hypotension occurrence decrease throughout dialysis sessions of the week. Minimizing modifiable risk factors may decrease IDH episodes.
Helix B Surface Peptide Protects against Acute Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via the RISK and SAFE Pathways in a Mouse Model
Authors: Liu Peng , You Wei , Lin Lin , Lin Yongluan , Tang Xiuying , Liu Yingfeng , Miao Fei
Published: March 2016

Objective: This study explores the effects of helix B surface peptide (HBSP) on myocardial infarct size (IS), cardiac function, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress damage in mouse hearts subjected to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and also the mechanisms underlying the effects. Method: Male adult mice were subjected to 45 min of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion; 5 min before the reperfusion, they were treated with HBSP or vehicle. MIRI-induced IS, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac functional impairment were determined and compared. Western blot analysis was then conducted to elucidate the mechanism of HBSP after treatment. Results: HBSP administration before reperfusion significantly reduced the myocardial IS, decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde and partially preserved heart function. As demonstrated by the Western blot analysis, HBSP after treatment upregulated Akt/GSK-3β/ERK and STAT-3 phosphorylation; these inhibitors, in turn, weakened the beneficial effects of HBSP. Conclusion: HBSP plays a protective role in MIRI in mice by inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis, reducing the MIRI-induced IS, oxidative stress and improving the heart function after MIRI. The mechanism underlying these effects of HBSP is related to the activation of the RISK (reperfusion injury salvage kinase, Akt/GSK-3β/ERK) and SAFE (STAT-3) pathways.
Cyclic AMP Sensor EPAC Proteins and Their Role in Cardiovascular Function and Disease
Authors: Lezoualc’h Frank , Fazal Loubina , Laudette Marion , Conte Caroline
Published: March 2016

cAMP is a universal second messenger that plays central roles in cardiovascular regulation influencing gene expression, cell morphology, and function. A crucial step toward a better understanding of cAMP signaling came 18 years ago with the discovery of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC). The 2 EPAC isoforms, EPAC1 and EPAC2, are guanine-nucleotide exchange factors for the Ras-like GTPases, Rap1 and Rap2, which they activate independently of the classical effector of cAMP, protein kinase A. With the development of EPAC pharmacological modulators, many reports in the literature have demonstrated the critical role of EPAC in the regulation of various cAMP-dependent cardiovascular functions, such as calcium handling and vascular tone. EPAC proteins are coupled to a multitude of effectors into distinct subcellular compartments because of their multidomain architecture. These novel cAMP sensors are not only at the crossroads of different physiological processes but also may represent attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of several cardiovascular disorders, including cardiac arrhythmia and heart failure.
Measuring Intertemporal Substitution in Consumption: Evidence from a VAT Increase in Japan
Authors: Cashin David , Unayama Takashi
Published: March 2016

We estimate the intertemporal elasticity of substitution in consumption (IES) using a preannounced increase in Japan’s consumption tax rate. Because this tax is highly comprehensive, the rate increase was announced prior to its implementation, and because other factors that affect the real interest rate were constant, the tax rate increase presents an ideal natural experiment to estimate the IES. A Japanese monthly household survey is exploited to accurately categorize nondurables, and our empirical specification addresses intratemporal substitution bias. We find that the IES is 0.21 and not significantly different from 0, but it is significantly less than 1.
Some new and known species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Hatschekiidae) parasitic on the branchial lamellae of Japanese actinopterygian fishes belonging to Perciformes, with revision of the known species of the genus
Authors: Izawa Kunihiko
Published: March 2016

Nine species ofHatschekiaPoche, 1902 are (re-)described based on specimens recovered from the branchial lamellae of Japanese actinopterygian fishes belonging to Perciformes. They areHatschekia aulacocephalissp. nov.,H. bicaudataKabata, 1991,H. cirrhitichthysicolasp. nov.,H. crenulataKabata, 1991,H. curvataYamaguti & Yamasu, 1959,H. etelisicolaLee, Lee & Boxshall, 2013,H. nemipterisp. nov.,H. pagrosomiYamaguti, 1939, andH. paracaesioisp. nov., of whichH. curvatais resurrected from the synonymy ofH. quadrabdominalisYu, 1933. Additionally,H. jonesisp. nov. is herein established for Jones’ (1985) redescription ofH. quadrabdominalis.
Morphological and molecular diversity in the freshwater crab Potamon ruttneri-P. gedrosianum species complex (Decapoda, Brachyura) indicate the need for taxonomic revision
Authors: Keikhosravi Alireza , Naderloo Reza , Schubart Christoph D.
Published: March 2016

Many species and subspecies of Potamon have been described from the easternmost distribution of the genus in the western tributaries of the Indus River. Most of them were synonymised subsequently under the two names of currently valid species known from the region: Potamon gedrosianum Alcock, 1909 and Potamon ruttneri Pretzmann, 1962. Genetic and morphological information, based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA and the first male gonopod (G1), were gathered in the course of the present study. The corresponding results suggest the occurrence of four groups and question the taxonomic status of both species. We also revise the distribution range of both species, in particular that of P. gedrosianum, with a new record from Iran. Overall, the study reveals the need for a major revision using further morphological and molecular data. Because of the complexity of this necessary revision and the incomplete sampling, we here refrain from proposing any taxonomic conclusions.
Man, God and the Apotheosis of Man in Greek and Arabic Commentaries to the Pythagorean Golden Verses
Authors: Izdebska Anna
Published: March 2016

This paper focuses on the four preserved commentaries to a Pythagorean poem known as theGolden Verses. It deals with two Greek texts—Iamblichus’Protrepticusand Hierocles’Commentary to the Golden Verses—as well as two commentaries preserved in Arabic, attributed to Iamblichus and Proclus. The article analyses how each of these commentators understood the relationship between man and god in the context of the eschatological vision presented in the poem. It also demonstrates how differences in the interpretation of particular verses and ideas within the poem were dependent on an author’s philosophical views and cultural background.
A Sight for Sore Eyes: The Return of True Color to Geostationary Satellites
Authors: Miller Steven D. , Schmit Timothy L. , Seaman Curtis J. , Lindsey Daniel T. , Gunshor Mathew M. , Kohrs Richard A. , Sumida Yasuhiko , Hillger Donald
Published: March 2016

In 1967, at the dawn of the satellite era, the Applications Technology Satellite 3 (ATS-3) provided the first full-disk “true color” images of Earth. With its depiction of blue oceans, golden deserts, and green forestlands beneath white clouds, the imagery captured the iconic Blue Marble in a way that resonates strongly with human perception. After ATS-3, the standard fare of geostationary satellites entailed a single visible band with additional infrared spectral channels. While single-band visible satisfied the basic user requirements of daytime imagery, the loss of true-color capability and its inherent capability to distinguish myriad atmospheric and surface features via coloration left a notable void. Nearly half a century later, with the launch of Japan’s Himawari-8 in October 2014, there is once again a geostationary sensor—the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI)—containing the multispectral visible bands required notionally for true color. However, it soon became apparent that AHI’s “green” band, centered at 0.51 μm, was not aligned with the chlorophyll reflectance signature near 0.55 μm. As a result, vegetation appears browner and deserts appear redder than legacy true-color imagery. Here, we describe a technique that attempts to mitigate these issues by blending information from a ref lective-infrared band at 0.86 μm to form a “hybrid” green band. When combining this method with Rayleigh corrections, AHI’s true-color performance is found to be consistent with that of the optimal 0.55-μm band, offering a stopgap solution adaptable to future satellites of similar design.
The Relationship between Equatorial Mixed Rossby–Gravity and Eastward Inertio-Gravity Waves. Part I
Authors: Kiladis George N. , Dias Juliana , Gehne Maria
Published: March 2016

The relationship between n = 0 mixed Rossby–gravity waves (MRGs) and eastward inertio-gravity waves (EIGs) from Matsuno’s shallow-water theory on an equatorial beta plane is studied using statistics of satellite brightness temperature Tb and dynamical fields from ERA-Interim data. Unlike other observed convectively coupled equatorial waves, which have spectral signals well separated into eastward and westward modes, there is a continuum of MRG–EIG power standing above the background that peaks near wavenumber 0. This continuum is also present in the signals of dry stratospheric MRGs. While hundreds of papers have been written on MRGs, very little work on EIGs has appeared in the literature to date. The authors attribute this to the fact that EIG circulations are much weaker than those of MRGs for a given amount of divergence, making them more difficult to observe even though they strongly modulate convection.

Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and cross-spectral analysis of 2–6-day-filtered Tb isolate zonally standing modes of synoptic-scale convection originally identified by Wallace in 1971. These display antisymmetric Tb signals about the equator that propagate poleward with a period of around 4 days, along with westward-propagating MRG-like circulations that move through the Tb patterns. Further analysis here and in Part II shows that these signatures are not artifacts of the EOF approach but result from a mixture of MRG or EIG modes occurring either in isolation or at the same time.
Variations of the Global Net Air–Sea Heat Flux during the “Hiatus” Period (2001–10)
Authors: Liang Xinfeng , Yu Lisan
Published: March 2016

An assessment is made of the mean and variability of the net air–sea heat flux, Qnet, from four products (ECCO, OAFlux–CERES, ERA-Interim, and NCEP1) over the global ice-free ocean from January 2001 to December 2010. For the 10-yr “hiatus” period, all products agree on an overall net heat gain over the global ice-free ocean, but the magnitude varies from 1.7 to 9.5 W m−2. The differences among products are particularly large in the Southern Ocean, where they cannot even agree on whether the region gains or loses heat on the annual mean basis. Decadal trends of Qnet differ significantly between products. ECCO and OAFlux–CERES show almost no trend, whereas ERA-Interim suggests a downward trend and NCEP1 shows an upward trend. Therefore, numerical simulations utilizing different surface flux forcing products will likely produce diverged trends of the ocean heat content during this period. The downward trend in ERA-Interim started from 2006, driven by a peculiar pattern change in the tropical regions. ECCO, which used ERA-Interim as initial surface forcings and is constrained by ocean dynamics and ocean observations, corrected the pattern. Among the four products, ECCO and OAFlux–CERES show great similarities in the examined spatial and temporal patterns. Given that the two estimates were obtained using different approaches and based on largely independent observations, these similarities are encouraging and instructive. It is more likely that the global net air–sea heat flux does not change much during the so-called hiatus period.
Using Causal Effect Networks to Analyze Different Arctic Drivers of Midlatitude Winter Circulation
Authors: Kretschmer Marlene , Coumou Dim , Donges Jonathan F. , Runge Jakob
Published: March 2016

In recent years, the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes have suffered from severe winters like the extreme 2012/13 winter in the eastern United States. These cold spells were linked to a meandering upper-tropospheric jet stream pattern and a negative Arctic Oscillation index (AO). However, the nature of the drivers behind these circulation patterns remains controversial. Various studies have proposed different mechanisms related to changes in the Arctic, most of them related to a reduction in sea ice concentrations or increasing Eurasian snow cover.

Here, a novel type of time series analysis, called causal effect networks (CEN), based on graphical models is introduced to assess causal relationships and their time delays between different processes. The effect of different Arctic actors on winter circulation on weekly to monthly time scales is studied, and robust network patterns are found. Barents and Kara sea ice concentrations are detected to be important external drivers of the midlatitude circulation, influencing winter AO via tropospheric mechanisms and through processes involving the stratosphere. Eurasia snow cover is also detected to have a causal effect on sea level pressure in Asia, but its exact role on AO remains unclear. The CEN approach presented in this study overcomes some difficulties in interpreting correlation analyses, complements model experiments for testing hypotheses involving teleconnections, and can be used to assess their validity. The findings confirm that sea ice concentrations in autumn in the Barents and Kara Seas are an important driver of winter circulation in the midlatitudes.
A Unique Satellite-Based Sea Surface Wind Speed Algorithm and Its Application in Tropical Cyclone Intensity Analysis
Authors: Hong Sungwook , Seo Hwa-Jeong , Kwon Young-Joo
Published: March 2016

This study proposes a sea surface wind speed retrieval algorithm (the Hong wind speed algorithm) for use in rainy and rain-free conditions. It uses a combination of satellite-observed microwave brightness temperatures, sea surface temperatures, and horizontally polarized surface reflectivities from the fast Radiative Transfer for TOVS (RTTOV), and surface and atmospheric profiles from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Regression relationships between satellite-observed brightness temperature and satellite-simulated brightness temperatures, satellite-simulated brightness temperatures, rough surface reflectivities, and between sea surface roughness and sea surface wind speed are derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR-2). Validation results of sea surface wind speed between the proposed algorithm and the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) data show that the estimated bias and RMSE for AMSR-2 6.925- and 10.65-GHz bands are 0.09 and 1.13 m s−1, and −0.52 and 1.21 m s−1, respectively. Typhoon intensities such as the current intensity (CI) number, maximum wind speed, and minimum pressure level based on the proposed technique (the Hong technique) are compared with best-track data from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), and the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMSS) for 13 typhoons that occurred in the northeastern Pacific Ocean throughout 2012. Although the results show good agreement for low- and medium-range typhoon intensities, the discrepancy increases with typhoon intensity. Consequently, this study provides a useful retrieval algorithm for estimating sea surface wind speed, even during rainy conditions, and for analyzing characteristics of tropical cyclones.
A Novel Near-Real-Time Quality-Control Procedure for Radiometric Profiles Measured by Bio-Argo Floats: Protocols and Performances
Authors: Organelli Emanuele , Claustre Hervé , Bricaud Annick , Schmechtig Catherine , Poteau Antoine , Xing Xiaogang , Prieur Louis , D’Ortenzio Fabrizio , Dall’Olmo Giorgio , Vellucci Vincenzo
Published: March 2016

An array of Bio-Argo floats equipped with radiometric sensors has been recently deployed in various open ocean areas representative of the diversity of trophic and bio-optical conditions prevailing in the so-called case 1 waters. Around solar noon and almost every day, each float acquires 0–250-m vertical profiles of photosynthetically available radiation and downward irradiance at three wavelengths (380, 412, and 490 nm). Up until now, more than 6500 profiles for each radiometric channel have been acquired. As these radiometric data are collected out of an operator’s control and regardless of meteorological conditions, specific and automatic data processing protocols have to be developed. This paper presents a data quality-control procedure aimed at verifying profile shapes and providing near-real-time data distribution. This procedure is specifically developed to 1) identify main issues of measurements (i.e., dark signal, atmospheric clouds, spikes, and wave-focusing occurrences) and 2) validate the final data with a hierarchy of tests to ensure a scientific utilization. The procedure, adapted to each of the four radiometric channels, is designed to flag each profile in a way compliant with the data management procedure used by the Argo program. Main perturbations in the light field are identified by the new protocols with good performances over the whole dataset. This highlights its potential applicability at the global scale. Finally, the comparison with modeled surface irradiances allows for assessing the accuracy of quality-controlled measured irradiance values and identifying any possible evolution over the float lifetime due to biofouling and instrumental drift.
Image Size Influences Visual Search and Perception of Hemorrhages When Reading Cranial CT
Authors: Venjakob Antje C. , Marnitz Tim , Phillips Peter , Mello-Thoms Claudia R.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore reader gaze, performance, and preference during interpretation of cranial computed tomography (cCT) in stack mode at two different sizes.

Background:

Digital display of medical images allows for the manipulation of many imaging factors, like image size, by the radiologists, yet it is often not known what display parameters better suit human perception.

Method:

Twenty-one radiologists provided informed consent to be eye tracked while reading 20 cCT cases. Half of these cases were presented at a size of 14 × 14 cm (512 × 512 pixels), half at 28 × 28 cm (1,024 × 1,024 pixels). Visual search, performance, and preference for the two image sizes were assessed.

Results:

When reading small images, significantly fewer, but longer, fixations were observed, and these fixations covered significantly more slices. Time to first fixation of true positive findings was faster in small images, but dwell time on true findings was longer. Readers made more false positive decisions in small images, but no overall difference in either jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic or reading time was found.

Conclusion:

Overall performance is not affected by image size. However, small-stack-mode cCT images may better support the use of motion perception and acquiring an overview, whereas large-stack-mode cCT images seem better suited for detailed analyses.

Application:

Subjective and eye-tracking data suggest that image size influences how images are searched and that different search strategies might be beneficial under different circumstances.
Polymercaptan-based polyurethane foams
Authors: Javni I , Bilić O , Ljubić D , Wan X , Petrović ZS , Upshaw TA
Published: March 2016

Rigid thiourethane foams were prepared from vegetable oil-based polythiols (polymercaptans) and compared with soy- and castor oil-based polyurethane reference foams. Three types of polymercaptans were tested, soybean oil-based one with thiol groups only, epoxidized soybean oil-based with vicinal thiol and hydroxyl groups and castor oil-based with hydroxyl and thiol groups separated with several methylene units. Physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of polyol- and thiol based foams were similar to petrochemical foams used as heat insulation materials in construction, appliances, etc.
Combination of stationary wavelet transform and kernel support vector machines for pathological brain detection
Authors: Zhou Xing-Xing , Yang Jian-Fei , Sheng Hui , Wei Ling , Yan Jie , Sun Ping , Wang Shui-Hua
Published: March 2016

Finding an appropriate and accurate technology for early detection of disease is significantly important to research early treatments. We proposed some novel automatic classification systems based on the stationary wavelet transform (SWT) and the improved support vector machine (SVM). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is commonly used for brain imaging as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to assist the pre-clinical diagnosis. However, MRI generates a large information set, which poses a challenge for classification. To deal with this problem we proposed a new approach, which combines SWT and Principal Component Analysis for feature extraction. In our experiments, three different datasets and four kinds of classifiers of the SVM were employed. The results over 5×6-fold stratified cross-validation (SCV) for Dataset-66, and 5×5-fold SCV for the other two datasets show that the average accuracy is almost 100.00%.
Preparation and characterization of PSA/PEDOT conductive composite yarns
Authors: Yu Jiali , Xin Binjie , Shen Cuicui
Published: March 2016

Polysulfonamide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PSA/PEDOT) conductive composite yarns were prepared by the vapor phase polymerization technique. Ferric chloride (FeCl3) was used as the oxidant initiator with five different concentration settings (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/L). The effects of oxidant concentration on the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity of PSA/PEDOT composite yarns were analyzed. The surface resistance and mass-specific resistance of conductive yarns were measured to investigate its conductive behavior in terms of oxidant concentration, reaction time, impregnating time, and heating temperature. The effects of the applied voltage and the yarn’s combination structures (knotted, bundled, series, and parallel) on the electrothermal properties were determined using a direct current regulated power. It was concluded that the molecular structure and chemical composition of PSA is not changed significantly with the deposition of PEDOT. The optimized deposition settings for the preparation of the PSA/PEDOT conductive composite yarns were found to be 10 min (reaction time), 60 min (impregnating time), 80℃ (heating temperature), and 80 g/L (FeCl3 concentration). Correspondingly, the mass-specific resistance of PSA/PEDOT composite yarns could be up to 0.94  Ω g cm−2. The maximum heating temperature of PSA/PEDOT conductive composite yarns during the electrical heating procedure could be increased rapidly with an increase of applied voltage and then tended to be stable. The electrothermal properties of PSA/PEDOT conductive composite yarns with different combination structures (knotted, bundled, series, and parallel) have been investigated systematically. This study presents a new way to develop conductive polymer based yarns, which can be used as fibrous sensors, connection devices in smart clothing, and for electromagnetic shielding applications.
Retrofitting the existing building stock through a development rights market stimulation tool: An assessment of a recent experience in Northern Italy
Authors: Verones Sara
Published: March 2016

Energy retrofit of the existing building stock has a key role in responding to climate change. In light of a recent experience in Northern Italy, this article examines a new tool based on land development rights with which to support the reduction of energy consumption and the production of renewable energy in urban areas. The market stimulation tool is discussed in terms of an integrated conceptual model that starts from the similarities and differences between national and international uses of ‘non-financial instruments’. The research results show how difficult it is to transfer a theoretical concept to local realities. Nevertheless, a new role of the public administration whereby it activates private actors in addressing climate change goals will be even more challenging.
Alliance Formation in the Midst of Market and Network: Insights From Resource Dependence and Network Perspectives
Authors: Xia Jun , Wang Yonggui , Lin Ya (Lisa) , Yang Haibin , Li Sali
Published: March 2016

Alliances are often formed as a response to challenges from both market and social forces. Although the resource dependence logic posits that firms enter into alliances to stabilize resource flows between different markets and also to increase market power in their primary industry, it remains unclear whether the social power of firms, generated from alliance networks, may motivate firms to respond differently to the dependence logic of alliance formation. By incorporating social network theory, we argue that a firm’s social network advantages in the primary industry may serve as critical contingency conditions of the dependence logic. Analyses of firms in the U.S. computer industry from 1994 to 2007 suggest that a firm’s centrality advantage marginally reduces the positive effects of market dependencies on alliance formation, whereas a firm’s brokerage advantage enhances the market dependence effect.
Collective memory mobilization and Tiananmen commemoration in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Francis LF , Chan Joseph Man
Published: March 2016

Collective memory about past events needs to be ‘recalled’ to influence current happenings. Social movements relying on collective memory to articulate and legitimize their identity and causes thus need to engage in memory mobilization, that is, organized efforts to bring collective memory to the fore for the purposes of social mobilization. This article examines and reconstructs the process of memory mobilization through the news media in the case of Tiananmen commemoration in Hong Kong. The analysis shows that social organizations attempted to make news through scheduling their actions in association with multiple temporalities and through engaging the established political institutions on the issue. The news media served as both messengers and mobilizers. Meanwhile, attempts to contest the movement’s representation of Tiananmen inadvertently contributed to memory mobilization due to the power of the dominant collective memory. The article illustrates how the dynamics of memory mobilization can impinge on commemoration of past events.
Inventing the ‘authentic’ self: American television and Chinese audiences in global Beijing
Authors: Gao Yang
Published: March 2016

This article examines the ways educated urban Chinese youths engage American television fiction as part of their identity work. Drawing on theories of modern reflexive identity and based on 29 interviews with US TV fans among university students in Beijing, I found these youths are drawn to this television primarily because they perceive the American way of life portrayed on it as more ‘authentic’. This perception of authenticity must be examined within the sociocultural milieu these students inhabit. Specifically, torn between China’s ingrained collectivist culture and its recent neoliberal emphasis on the individual self, my respondents glean from US TV messages about how to live a spontaneous, nonconforming, and fulfilled life while remaining properly Chinese. By inspecting the ways these youths employ foreign symbolic materials to interrogate their own identity and life, this article demonstrates how transnational media consumption informs lived experiences for a historically unique and important Chinese demographic.
An Empirical Assessment of Training Effectiveness in Indian Banks
Authors: Jain Sheelam , Jain Ravindra
Published: March 2016

The present study measures the training effectiveness in public sector, private sector and foreign banks operating in India. Employee training was assessed through managerial perceptions with respect to five dimensions, namely commitment to training participation, access to training opportunities, relevance of training, benefits of training and satisfaction with training. The results of the study revealed that overall employee training (ET) and its individual dimensions exist at a moderate level in the selected banks and there is no significant difference regarding the effectiveness of ET among the three banking sectors. Correlation analysis reflects that all the five dimensions of ET were found to be positively and significantly correlated with each other. Further, no significant variation was found to exist regarding ET perceptions between male and female managers as well as among the managers of various cadres.
Measuring healthcare integration: Operationalization of a framework for a systems evaluation of palliative care structures, processes, and outcomes
Authors: Bainbridge Daryl , Brazil Kevin , Ploeg Jenny , Krueger Paul , Taniguchi Alan
Published: March 2016

Background:

Healthcare integration is a priority in many countries, yet there remains little direction on how to systematically evaluate this construct to inform further development. The examination of community-based palliative care networks provides an ideal opportunity for the advancement of integration measures, in consideration of how fundamental provider cohesion is to effective care at end of life.

Aim:

This article presents a variable-oriented analysis from a theory-based case study of a palliative care network to help bridge the knowledge gap in integration measurement.

Design:

Data from a mixed-methods case study were mapped to a conceptual framework for evaluating integrated palliative care and a visual array depicting the extent of key factors in the represented palliative care network was formulated.

Setting/participants:

The study included data from 21 palliative care network administrators, 86 healthcare professionals, and 111 family caregivers, all from an established palliative care network in Ontario, Canada.

Results:

The framework used to guide this research proved useful in assessing qualities of integration and functioning in the palliative care network. The resulting visual array of elements illustrates that while this network performed relatively well at the multiple levels considered, room for improvement exists, particularly in terms of interventions that could facilitate the sharing of information.

Conclusion:

This study, along with the other evaluative examples mentioned, represents important initial attempts at empirically and comprehensively examining network-integrated palliative care and healthcare integration in general.
Early Intervention for Psychosis in Canada
Authors: Nolin Marie , Malla Ashok , Tibbo Phil , Norman Ross , Abdel-Baki Amal
Published: March 2016

Objective:

Early intervention services (EIS) for psychosis have been developed in several countries, including Canada. There is some agreement about the program elements considered essential for improving the long-term outcomes for patients in the early phase of psychotic disorders. In the absence of national standards, the current state of EIS for psychosis in Canada needs to be examined in relation to expert recommendations currently available.

Method:

A detailed online benchmark survey was developed and administered to 11 Canadian academic EIS programs covering administrative, clinical, education, and research domains. In addition, an electronic database and Internet search was conducted to find existing guidelines for EIS. Survey results were then compared with the existing expert recommendations.

Results:

Most of the surveyed programs offer similar services, in line with published expert recommendations (i.e., easy and rapid access, intensive follow-up through case management with emphasis on patient engagement and continuity of care, and a range of integrated evidence-based psychosocial interventions). However, differences are observed among programs in admission and discharge criteria, services for patients at ultra high risk (UHR) for psychosis, patient to clinician ratios, accessibility of services, and existence of specific inpatient units. These seem to diverge from expert recommendations.

Conclusions:

Although Canadian programs are following most expert recommendations on clinical components of care, some programs lack administrative and organizational elements considered essential. Continued mentoring and networking of clinicians through organizations such as the Canadian Consortium for Early Intervention in Psychosis (CCEIP), as well as the development of a fidelity scale through further research, could possibly help programs attain and maintain the best standards of early intervention. However, simply making clinical guidelines available to care providers is not sufficient for changing practices; this will need to be accompanied by adequate funding and support from organizations and policy makers.
The Association of Level of Internet Use with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in South Korean Adolescents: A Focus on Family Structure and Household Economic Status
Authors: Lee Seo Yoon , Park Eun-Cheol , Han Kyu-Tae , Kim Seung Ju , Chun Sung-Youn , Park Sohee
Published: March 2016

Objective:

To examine the association between the level of Internet addiction and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in South Korean adolescents, focusing on the roles of family structure and household economic status.

Methods:

Data from 221 265 middle and high school students taken from the 2008–2010 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were used in this study. To identify factors associated with suicidal ideation/attempts, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. The level of Internet use was measured using the simplified Korean Internet Addiction Self-assessment Tool.

Results:

Compared with mild users of the Internet, high-risk users and potential-risk users were more likely to report suicidal ideation (nonuser, odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 1.15; potential risk, OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.36 to 1.63; high risk OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.79 to 2.10) or attempts (nonuser, OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.42; potential risk, OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.38; high risk, OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.14). The nonuser group also had a slightly higher risk of suicidal ideation/attempts compared with mild users. This association appeared to vary by perceived economic status and family structure.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that it is important to attend to adolescents who are at high risk for Internet addiction, especially when they do not have parents, have stepparents, or perceive their economic status as either very low or very high.
“No Monuments, No Heroes”
Authors: Hoey Lesli
Published: March 2016

The promises of land reform have always been as seductive as they are elusive. Bolivia’s experience is no different, but one forgotten case may still offer lessons today: a land distribution project initiated in San Julian in 1972. Through archival research and interviews, I argue that several understudied elements of the San Julian project—its spatial design, settler orientation program and implementation process—offer lessons about the role planners can play in structuring more successful land reform. Revisiting the lessons of past exemplars like San Julian is critical given renewed land reform efforts that appear to be replicating past failures.
New work demands create inequity for sports journalists
Authors: McGuire John , Murray Ray
Published: March 2016

Interviews with sports journalists at Oklahoma’s two largest newspapers reveal that many feel the demands of multimedia journalism stretch them beyond their capabilities, creating stress and causing the quality of their work to suffer.
Ibuprofen-conjugated hyaluronate/polygalacturonic acid hydrogel for the prevention of epidural fibrosis
Authors: Lin Cheng-Yi , Peng Hsiu-Hui , Chen Mei-Hsiu , Sun Jui-Sheng , Chang Chih-Ju , Liu Tse-Ying , Chen Ming-Hong
Published: March 2016

The formation of fibrous tissue is part of the natural healing response following a laminectomy. Severe scar tissue adhesion, known as epidural fibrosis, is a common cause of failed back surgery syndrome. In this study, by combining the advantages of drug treatment with a physical barrier, an ibuprofen-conjugated crosslinkable polygalacturonic acid and hyaluronic acid hydrogel was developed for epidural fibrosis prevention. Conjugation was confirmed and measured by 1D 1H NMR spectroscopy. In vitro analysis showed that the ibuprofen-conjugated polygalacturonic acid–hyaluronic acid hydrogel showed low cytotoxicity. In addition, the conjugated ibuprofen decreased prostaglandin E2 production of the lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Histological data in in vivo studies indicated that the scar tissue adhesion of laminectomized male adult rats was reduced by the application of our ibuprofen-conjugated polygalacturonic acid-hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Its use also reduced the population of giant cells and collagen deposition of scar tissue without inducing extensive cell recruitment. The results of this study therefore suggest that the local delivery of ibuprofen via a polygalacturonic acid-hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel reduces the possibility of epidural fibrosis.
Do patient, hospital, and community characteristics predict variations in overall inpatient experience scores? A multilevel analysis of hospitals in California
Authors: AbuDagga Azza , Weech-Maldonado Robert
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine how patient, hospital, and community characteristics explain variations in overall inpatient experience with care. We used data from the Patients’ Evaluations of Performance in California survey, the American Hospital Association annual hospital survey, and the Area Resource File. The sample consisted of 24,887 adult patients who received either medical or surgical inpatient care in 173 hospitals located in 46 California counties. A null hierarchical linear model for overall inpatient experience showed that 96.17%, 3.24%, and 0.59% of the variations were within hospitals, between hospitals, and between communities, respectively. Conditional models showed that patient characteristics (sex, age, education, health status, and service line) explained 10.95% of the within-hospital variations; hospital characteristics (teaching status, registered-nurse staffing intensity, and resources directed to patient care) explained 34.12% of the between-hospital variations; and community characteristics (hospital competition, teaching hospitals, per-capita income, and percentage of minority population) explained 99.33% of the between-community variations. These findings suggest that multilevel variations need to be considered when patient experiences are compared across hospitals. Larger future studies are needed to understand how patient experience with care may vary based on patient health-care provider communication across patient subgroups.
Long-term organ damage accrual and safety in patients with SLE treated with belimumab plus standard of care
Authors: Bruce I N , Urowitz M , van Vollenhoven R , Aranow C , Fettiplace J , Oldham M , Wilson B , Molta C , Roth D , Gordon D
Published: March 2016

Objective

To examine long-term organ damage and safety following treatment with belimumab plus standard of care (SoC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Pooled data were examined from two ongoing open-label studies that enrolled patients who completed BLISS-52 or BLISS-76. Patients received belimumab every four weeks plus SoC. SLICC Damage Index (SDI) values were assessed every 48 weeks (study years) following belimumab initiation (baseline). The primary endpoint was change in SDI from baseline at study years 5–6. Incidences of adverse events (AEs) were reported for the entire study period.

Results

The modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population comprised 998 patients. At baseline, 940 (94.2%) were female, mean (SD) age was 38.7 (11.49) years, and disease duration was 6.7 (6.24) years. The mean (SD) SELENA-SLEDAI and SDI scores were 8.2 (4.18) and 0.7 (1.19), respectively; 411 (41.2%) patients had organ damage (SDI = 1: 235 (23.5%); SDI ≥ 2: 176 (17.6%)) prior to belimumab. A total of 427 (42.8%) patients withdrew overall; the most common reasons were patient request (16.8%) and AEs (8.5%). The mean (SD) change in SDI was +0.2 (0.48) at study years 5–6 ( n = 403); 343 (85.1%) patients had no change from baseline in SDI score (SDI +1: 46 (11.4%), SDI +2: 13 (3.2%), SDI +3: 1 (0.2%)). Of patients without organ damage at baseline, 211/241 (87.6%) had no change in SDI and the mean change (SD) in SDI was +0.2 (0.44). Of patients with organ damage at baseline, 132/162 (81.5%) had no change in SDI and the mean (SD) change in SDI was +0.2 (0.53). The probability of not having a worsening in SDI score was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.91) and 0.75 (0.67, 0.81) in those without and with baseline damage, respectively (post hoc analysis). Drug-related AEs were reported for 433 (43.4%) patients; infections/infestations (282, 28.3%) and gastrointestinal disorders (139, 13.9%) were the most common.

Conclusion

Patients with SLE treated with long-term belimumab plus SoC had a low incidence of organ damage accrual and no unexpected AEs. High-risk patients with pre-existing organ damage also had low accrual, suggesting a favorable effect on future damage development.