bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Extracellular Adenosine Generation in the Development of Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Morandi F. , Horenstein A. L. , Rizzo R. , Malavasi F.
Published: March 2018

Adenosine (ADO) is an immunosuppressive molecule, which suppresses the immune responses by interacting with specific receptors expressed by immune effector cells. ADO is produced from ATP through the enzymatic activities of CD39 and CD73. Alternatively, ADO can be generated starting from NAD+, which is metabolized by the concerted action of CD38, CD203a/PC-1, and CD73. The role of ADO in immunity has been characterized in the last years in physiology and in pathological settings. This review examines a panel of reports focused on the functions of ADO in the context of human autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and the selected animal models. The final aim is to consider the role of adenosinergic ectoenzymes and ADO receptors as novel therapeutic targets for selected diseases.
Selected Biomarkers Correlate with the Origin and Severity of Sepsis
Authors: Holub Michal , Džupová Olga , Růžková Michaela , Stráníková Alžběta , Bartáková Eva , Máca Jan , Beneš Jiří , Herwald Heiko , Beran Ondřej
Published: March 2018

The microbial etiology and source of sepsis influence the inflammatory response. Therefore, the plasma levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10), chemokines (CCL2/MCP-1, MIP-1β), heparin-binding protein (HBP), soluble CD14 (sCD14), and cortisol were analyzed in blood from septic patients obtained during the first 96 hours of intensive care unit hospitalization. The etiology was established in 56 out of a total of 62 patients enrolled in the study. Plasma concentrations of MCP-1, sCD14, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP;n=10) and infective endocarditis (IE;n=11) compared to those with bacterial meningitis (BM;n=18). Next, cortisol levels were higher in IE patients than in those with BM and CAP, and at one time point, cortisol was also higher in patients with gram-negative sepsis when compared to those with gram-positive infections. Furthermore, cortisol and MCP-1 levels correlated positively with the daily measured SOFA score. In addition, HBP levels were significantly higher in patients with IE than in those with BM. Our findings suggest that MCP-1, sCD14, IL-6, IL-10, cortisol, and HBP are modulated by the source of sepsis and that elevated MCP-1 and cortisol plasma levels are associated with sepsis-induced organ dysfunction.
Prognostic Significance of Cyclins A2, B1, D1, and E1 and CCND1 Numerical Aberrations in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Monteiro Luís Silva , Diniz-Freitas Márcio , Warnakulasuriya Saman , Garcia-Caballero Tomás , Forteza-Vila Jerónimo , Fraga Máximo
Published: March 2018

We analysed the expression of cyclins A2, B1, D1, and E1 by immunohistochemistry and numerical aberrations in CCND1 gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique in 67 primary oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Cyclin A2 expression was observed in 54 (83.1%) tumours, cyclin D1 in 58 (89.2%), cyclin B1 in 39 (60%), and cyclin E in 21 (32.8%). CCND1 region analysis revealed 26 (43.3%) tumours with the presence of numerical aberrations which were correlated with cyclin D1 high expression (Rho = 0.48; p<0.001). Twenty-nine (45.3%) tumours were classified as high proliferative tumours assessed by Ki-67 protein expression and correlated with tumours with high expression of cyclin A2 (Rho = 0.30; p=0.016) and cyclin B1 (Rho = 0.37; p=0.003). In multivariate analysis for an overall five-year survival (OS), we found an adverse independent prognostic value for cyclin A2 high expression (p=0.031) and for advanced tumour stage (p<0.001). Our results confirm that several cyclins are commonly expressed in OSCC. CCND1 gene is abnormal in more than one-third of the cases and is frequently associated with cyclin D1 high expression. Moreover, cyclin A2 high expression is an independent indicator of worse OS suggesting that this protein may serve as a reliable biological marker to identify high-risk subgroups with poor prognosis.
Cardiac Tamponade as the Initial Presentation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report with Review of the Literature
Authors: Karmo Dillon , Hafeez Adam , Halalau Alexandra , Yadav Siddhartha
Published: March 2018

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex disease with a variety of presentations. A large pericardial effusion is rare, occurring in less than 0.5% of all patients with AML prior to treatment. A 34-year-old male presented with dyspnea, malaise, and weight loss. On physical exam, he was noted to be hypoxic, tachypneic, tachycardic, and hypotensive. He had cervical lymphadenopathy and jugular venous distention. His WBC count was 110 bil/L with 33% blasts. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed AML with 60% blasts. Leukemic cells were also seen in the cerebrospinal fluid on lumbar puncture. An echocardiogram revealed a large pericardial effusion causing tamponade. He underwent emergent pericardiocentesis, and malignant cells were present in the pericardial fluid. Induction therapy with standard dose cytarabine and daunorubicin was initiated, and bone marrow biopsy 14 days later showed no residual AML. This case demonstrates the importance of a thorough evaluation of each organ system when caring for a patient with AML.
Investigation on the Vibration Effect of Shock Wave in Rock Burst by In Situ Microseismic Monitoring
Authors: Gao Mingshi , Zhao Hongchao , Zhao Yichao , Gao Xiaojun , Wang Xiangyu
Published: March 2018

Rock burst is a physical explosion associated with enormous damage at a short time. Due to the complicity of mechanics of rock burst in coal mine roadway, the direct use of traditional investigation method applied in tunnel is inappropriate since the components of surrounding rock are much more complex in underground than that of tunnel. In addition, the reliability of the results obtained through these methods (i.e., physical simulation, theoretical analysis, and monitoring in filed application) is still not certain with complex geological conditions. Against this background, present experimental study was first ever conducted at initial site to evaluate the effect of shock wave during the rock burst. TDS‐6 microseismic monitoring system was set up in situ to evaluate the propagation of shock wave resulting in microexplosions of roadway surrounding rock. Various parameters including the distance of epicentre and the characteristic of response have been investigated. Detailed test results revealed that (1) the shock wave attenuated exponentially with the increase of the distance to seismic source according to the equation of E = E0e−ηl; particularly, the amplitude decreased significantly after being 20 m apart from explosive resource and then became very weak after being 30 m apart from the seismic source; (2) the response mechanics are characteristic with large scatter based on the real location of surrounding rock despite being at the same section. That is, the surrounding rock of floor experienced serious damage, followed by ribs, the roof, and the humeral angles. This in situ experimental study also demonstrated that microseismic monitoring system can be effectively used in rock burst through careful setup and data investigation. The proposed in situ monitoring method has provided a new way to predict rock burst due to its simple instalment procedure associated with direct and reasonable experimental results.
Collagen Type III Metabolism Evaluation in Patients with Malignant Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy
Authors: Mazurek Klaudia , Siemianowicz Krzysztof , Likus Wirginia , Pierzchała Ewa , Kwiatkowski Robert , Markowski Jarosław
Published: March 2018

Ionizing radiation affects the metabolism of key proteins of extracellular matrix including type III collagen, an important component of human skin. The aim of the work is an analysis of the impact of radical and palliative radiotherapy on collagen type III synthesis in patients with head and neck cancer. The test group consisted of 56 males with histopathologically confirmed head and neck cancer, for whom radiotherapy was applied as a form of radical or palliative treatment. The level of procollagen III aminoterminal propeptide (PIIINP), which is a marker of collagen type III synthesis, was determined in blood serum before radiotherapy, immediately following radiotherapy, and 3 months after it was finished. As a result of radical radiotherapy a statistically significant decrease of PIIINP levels in serum (p<0.0001) was observed, both immediately after the radiotherapy and 3 months after the end of the treatment. Also the palliative radiotherapy caused a significant decrease of PIIINP right after the treatment (p=0.0052), as well as during the examination performed 3 months later (p=0.0004). The achieved results suggest that PIIINP can be used as a marker helpful in assessing radiation damage to connective tissue.
Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy Ameliorates Latent Digestive Symptoms in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Authors: Yamada Shinya , Tomatsuri Naoya , Kawakami Takumi , Nakatsugawa Yoshikazu , Nishimura Takeshi , Fujii Hideki , Sato Hideki , Okuyama Yusuke , Kimura Hiroyuki , Yoshida Norimasa
Published: March 2018

Background/Aims: This study investigated the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on latent digestive symptoms in chronic atrophic gastritis. Methods: We enrolled 650 health checkup patients who underwent eradication therapy for chronic gastritis and completed a self-report questionnaire before and after the treatment between January 2014 and December 2016 at the Japanese Red Cross Society Kyoto Daiichi Hospital. Results: H. pylori eradication therapy for chronic atrophic gastritis improved latent digestive symptoms, including both the acid reflux and dyspepsia components in the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG) scores. The effect was sustained until 1 year after the treatment. Higher FSSG scores (≥8 points) before H. pylori eradication therapy and age <70 years were significantly associated with the improvement of digestive symptoms after H. pylori eradication therapy. Conclusion: H. pylori eradication therapy may improve patients’ quality of life through the resolution of latent abdominal symptoms.
Protein Biomarkers in Asthma
Authors: Karaulov Alexander V. , Garib Victoria , Garib Firuz , Valenta Rudolf
Published: March 2018

Asthma is a chronic disabling respiratory disease that can be triggered by a variety of factors, including allergens, respiratory infections, psychological factors, occupational agents, exercise, atmospheric pollutants, and drugs. The asthma syndrome has been treated for decades according to a “one-fits-all” treatment strategy based on bronchodilators and steroids. With the availability of new forms of treatment targeting the different pathomechanisms of the asthma syndrome, such as anti-immunoglobulin E and cytokine-targeting therapies, the interest in biomarkers that can dis criminate different forms of asthma according to their pathomechanisms has increased. This review attempts to provide an overview of protein biomarkers in asthma and how they might be used to discriminate different forms of asthma that may respond positively to sophisticated new targeted therapies.
The Potential Close Future of Hemophilia Treatment - Gene Therapy, TFPI Inhibition, Antithrombin Silencing, and Mimicking Factor VIII with an Engineered Antibody
Authors: Korte Wolfgang , Graf Lukas
Published: March 2018

Hemophilia is one of the best researched monogenic diseases. Hemophilia A will affect approximately 1:5,000 male live births. In recent decades, great progress has been made with the introduction of recombinant proteins in the 1990s for therapy and prophylaxis, securing adequate availability and, with the introduction of the prophylaxis concept, reducing the negative impact of hemophilia on morbidity (especially arthropathy). Despite this progress, there are still challenges to overcome to secure adequate prophylaxis and treatment: for the time being, causal pharmacological hemophilia prophylaxis and therapy requires repeated i.v. application on a regular basis. Although this approach leads to a reduced comorbidity, it does not yet represent an optimized approach with continuous reversal of the hemophilic defect, which would be the ideal solution. This review summarizes the very new treatment strategies for the treatment of hemophilia A and B.
Effects of MiR-375-BMPR2 as a Key Factor Downstream of BMP15/GDF9 on the Smad1/5/8 and Smad2/3 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Liu Chang , Yuan Bao , Chen Hongyan , Xu Mingqiang , Sun Xulei , Xu JiaJun , Gao Yan , Chen Chengzhen , Jiang Hao , Zhang Jiabao
Published: March 2018

Background/Aims: Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), which are secreted by oocytes, are important regulators of follicular growth and development and ovarian function. These two factors can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of cumulus cells via modulation of the Smad signaling pathway. Studies have shown that BMP15 and GDF9 can affect the level of miR-375, whereas the target gene of miR-375 is BMPR2, the type II receptor of BMP15 and GDF9. However, whether or how the BMP15/ GDF9-miR-375-BMPR2 pathway affects the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine cumulus cells through regulation of the Smad signaling pathway remains unclear. Methods: In this study, cumulus cells were first obtained from cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Appropriate concentrations of BMP15 and GDF9 were added during the in vitro culture process. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) analyses and flow cytometry were used to determine the effects of BMP15/GDF9 on bovine cumulus cells proliferation and apoptosis. Subsequently, miR-375 mimics, miR-375 inhibitor and BMPR2 siRNA were synthesized and used for transfection experiments. Western Blot analysis was used to detect changes before and after transfection in the expression levels of the BMP15/GDF9 type I receptors ALK4, ALK5 and ALK6; the phosphorylation levels of Smad2/3 and Smad1/5/8, which are key signaling pathway proteins downstream of BMP15/GDF9; the expression levels of PTX3, HAS2 and PTGS2, which are key genes involved in cumulus cells proliferation; and Bcl2/Bax, which are genes involved in apoptosis. Results: The addition of 100 ng/mL BMP15 or 200 ng/mL GDF9 or the combined addition of 50 ng/mL BMP15 and 100 ng/mL GDF9 effectively inhibited bovine cumulus cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation. BMP15/GDF9 negatively regulated miR-375 expression and positively regulated BMPR2 expression. High levels of miR-375 and inhibition of BMPR2 resulted in increased expression of ALK4 and decreased expression of PTX3, HAS2 and PTGS2, whereas miR-375 inhibition resulted in the opposite results. BMP15 and GDF9 significantly activated the levels of p-Smad2/3 and p-Smad1/5/8, whereas miR-375 inhibited the levels of p-Smad2/3 and p-Smad1/5/8 by negatively regulating BMPR2 and also led to apoptosis. Conclusion: BMP15 and GDF9 have synergistic effects and can act through miR-375 to affect the expression levels of type I receptor ALK4 and type II receptor BMPR2 and the activation of Smad signaling pathway, which subsequently affected the proliferation, spread and apoptosis of cumulus cells.
Dialogismo interlocutivo e construção da autoria em artigos científicos
Authors: Bessa José Cezinaldo Rocha
Published: March 2018

Compreendendo que o interlocutor a quem o dizer é dirigido desempenha papel essencial nas escolhas estilísticas do sujeito que fala/escreve, da conversação cotidiana a um tratado científico, examinamos, neste trabalho, a construção da autoria na escrita científica, objetivando identificar e analisar formas de dialogismo interlocutivo como marcas de construção da voz autoral do sujeito pesquisador na escrita de artigos científicos. Os pressupostos teóricos do Círculo de Bakhtin acerca da abordagem dialógica da linguagem, em diálogo com trabalhos de estudiosos que discutem a escrita científica, constituem nossa ancoragem teórica central. O exame dos 10 artigos científicos coletados em anais de um dos eventos da Associação Brasileira de Linguística, que constituem o corpus da investigação, foi orientado pelo enfoque interpretativo e pela abordagem qualitativa da pesquisa. A análise dos artigos coletados permitiu identificar uma variedade de marcas que indiciam os intensos diálogos que o produtor trava com seus interlocutores na construção do dizer. A interpretação das marcas identificadas indica que o produtor orienta e orquestra o seu dizer no horizonte de reações, expectativas, julgamentos e apreciações de seus interlocutores, configurando, assim, uma construção autoral que se realiza de maneira fortemente marcada pela dimensão do dialogismo interlocutivo.
Influência do grau de saturação no módulo de elasticidade dos solos: aplicação à previsão do alcance em quedas de blocos de rochas
Authors: Castro Aliane Silva de , Ribeiro Rafael Silva , Barroso Emilio Velloso , Vargas Júnior Eurípedes Do Amaral , Polivanov Helena
Published: March 2018

O processo de queda de blocos rochosos é um dos mais destrutivos movimentos de massa em encostas. Considerando a baixa previsibilidade da sua deflagração, tem sido dada atenção à determinação das trajetórias dos blocos como método para redução de riscos. O coeficiente de restituição (ε) é o principal parâmetro físico envolvido na análise do alcance dos blocos, pois representa as perdas de energia após os choques do bloco de rocha com diferentes materiais geológicos em sua trajetória. Trata-se de um parâmetro ainda pouco conhecido na literatura geológica e geotécnica, sobretudo quando se considera a interação dos blocos de rocha com solos em diferentes umidades. Este artigo teve a finalidade de avaliar o efeito da umidade do solo sobre o módulo de elasticidade (E), parâmetro elástico que afeta a rigidez no contato entre rocha e solo no momento do choque e, por conseguinte, o próprio ε. Para fins de comparação, um solo derivado de rocha ácida e outro de rocha básica foram coletados na região serrana do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Procedeu-se à caracterização da mineralogia das rochas de origem e dos solos derivados, bem como dos índices físicos dos solos. Após a determinação da curva característica, os solos foram moldados em diferentes teores de umidade e submetidos a ensaios de compressão triaxial do tipo não adensado e não drenado. Os resultados mostraram variação de mais de uma ordem de grandeza do (E) em função da umidade do solo, indicando que esta tem considerável influência na rigidez do contato entre o solo e a rocha, tornando os alcances dependentes da variação sazonal de umidade nas encostas.
Umbrella Starwort Stellaria umbellata Turcz. (Caryophyllaceae): a new record to the flora of the western Himalaya, India
Authors: Chandra Satish , Rawat D. S.
Published: March 2018

The species Stellaria umbellata is reported as a new record for the western Himalayan flora.  Critical examination of the species in nature, Indian herbaria, online herbaria and protologue confirmed its identity as Stellaria umbellata.  Earlier, it was erroneously identified in the western Himalaya as Stellaria subumbellata or Holosteum umbellatum.  This species was previously not reported from the western, central or eastern Himalaya and thus, it is also a new record for the flora of the Himalaya.
Investigating Sri Lanka’s human-monkey conflict and developing a strategy to mitigate the problem
Authors: Cabral Surendranie Judith , Prasad Tharaka , Deeyagoda Thulmini Pubudika , Weerakkody Sanjaya Nuwan , Nadarajah Ashwika , Rudran Rasanayagam
Published: March 2018

Human-monkey conflicts reached crisis proportions in Sri Lanka over the last 10 years due to extensive deforestation to promote rapid economic growth and agricultural expansion.  This resulted in complaints from the public with demands for Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to solve the problem without delay.  Caught between political pressure and public outcry, the DWC’s efforts to deal with the crisis gradually fell into disarray.  To overcome this, the SPEARS Foundation--, offered to help the DWC to develop a strategic plan to deal with human-monkey conflicts.  This plan was developed through a series of workshops and submitted to the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife in March 2016 for approval.  During and after the development of the strategy, some of its key elements were implemented by the SPEARS Foundation.  One of these elements was documenting details of human-monkey conflict from letters of complaint received by DWC.  This information was used to initiate a series of field surveys to identify sites suitable for long-term protection of monkeys and other wildlife.  When these areas are identified they would be designated as community conservation areas (CCAs), and managed by local stakeholders on a sustainable basis under the supervision of DWC.  Establishing CCAs is a new paradigm for Sri Lanka to conserve wildlife while benefitting local communities.  Its details were presented in the strategic plan submitted to the government.  In this paper, we present the information obtained from the letters of complaint received by DWC and discuss its details.  In subsequent reports, we will discuss the results of our field surveys to identify areas suitable for the establishment of CCAs.
First record of fungus Cryptomarasmius T.S. Jenkinson & Desjardin (Physalacriaceae: Agaricales: Basidiomycota) from India
Authors: Dutta Arun Kumar , Acharya Krishnendu
Published: March 2018

The saprophytic fungus genus Cryptomarasmius has 28 reported species worldwide.  We report here the first record of Cryptomarasmius exustoides in India, extending the distribution of Cryptomarasmius.  A detailed taxonomic description with illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis with related species are provided.
A Babbler’s tale: assessing the distribution of Turdoides striata (Dumont, 1823) (Aves: Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae) in India
Authors: Gupta Nishikant , Talukdar Gautam
Published: March 2018

The Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata is an agriculturally important, non-endemic bird found throughout India, however, very little information is available regarding this less known/less studied species’ current distribution and population size.  The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evaluated the species as ‘Least Concern’, however, increasing anthropogenic stressors adversely impact the species’ natural habitat; and the changing climatic variables could affect its geographical range, population and ecology.  An online survey was conducted during 2014–2015 (targeting 232 ornithological forums comprising of over 4,00,000 members) to obtain information on the species’ location, and number of individuals in each social group in India.  The reported sites were verified during 2016–2017 by visiting the individual locations.  A total of 3,030 individual birds forming 400 social groups were recorded from 24 states and union territories of India.  This novel study utilized public participation as an important data collection tool for the species, which has a reportedly large distribution range.  Importantly, the findings of this study contribute to the existing baseline information on the non-endemic bird species of India.
Secreted Klotho Attenuates Inflammation-Associated Aortic Valve Fibrosis in Senescence-Accelerated Mice P1
Authors: Chen Jianglei , Fan Jun , Wang Shirley , Sun Zhongjie
Published: March 2018

Senescence-accelerated mice P1 (SAMP1) is an aging model characterized by shortened lifespan and early signs of senescence. Klotho is an aging-suppressor gene. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether in vivo expression of secreted klotho (
Skl
) gene attenuates aortic valve fibrosis in SAMP1 mice. SAMP1 mice and age-matched (AKR/J) control mice were used. SAMP1 mice developed obvious fibrosis in aortic valves, namely fibrotic aortic valve disease. Serum level of Skl was decreased drastically in SAMP1 mice. Expression of MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1), ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), F4/80, and CD68 was increased in aortic valves of SAMP1 mice, indicating inflammation. An increase in expression of α-smooth muscle actin (myofibroblast marker), transforming growth factorβ-1, and scleraxis (a transcription factor of collagen synthesis) was also found in aortic valves of SAMP1 mice, suggesting that accelerated aging is associated with myofibroblast transition and collagen gene activation. We constructed adeno-associated virus 2 carrying mouse Skl cDNA for in vivo expression of Skl.
Skl
gene delivery effectively increased serum Skl of SAMP1 mice to the control level.
Skl
gene delivery inhibited inflammation and myofibroblastic transition in aortic valves and attenuated fibrotic aortic valve disease in SAMP1 mice. It is concluded that senescence-related fibrotic aortic valve disease in SAMP1 mice is associated with a decrease in serum klotho leading to inflammation, including macrophage infiltration and transforming growth factorβ-1/scleraxis-driven myofibroblast differentiation in aortic valves. Restoration of serum Skl levels by adeno-associated virus 2 carrying mouse Skl cDNA effectively suppresses inflammation and myofibroblastic transition and attenuates aortic valve fibrosis. Skl may be a potential therapeutic target for fibrotic aortic valve disease.
Beneficial Pleiotropic Antidepressive Effects of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Interventions in the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Frisbee Stephanie J. , Singh Sarah S. , Jackson Dwayne N. , Lemaster Kent A. , Milde Samantha A. , Shoemaker J. Kevin , Frisbee Jefferson C.
Published: March 2018

Background

Although the increased prevalence and severity of clinical depression and elevated cardiovascular disease risk represent 2 vexing public health issues, the growing awareness of their combined presentation compounds the challenge. The obese Zucker rat, a model of the metabolic syndrome, spontaneously develops significant depressive symptoms in parallel with the progression of the metabolic syndrome and, thus, represents a compelling model for study. The primary objective was to assess the impact on both cardiovascular outcomes, specifically vascular structure and function, and depressive symptoms in obese Zucker rats after aggressive treatment for cardiovascular disease risk factors with long‐term exercise or targeted pharmacological interventions.

Methods and Results

We chronically treated obese Zucker rats with clinically relevant interventions against cardiovascular disease risk factors to determine impacts on vascular outcomes and depressive symptom severity. While most of the interventions (chronic exercise, anti‐hypertensive, the interventions (long‐term exercise, antihypertensive, antidyslipidemia, and antidiabetic) were differentially effective at improving vascular outcomes, only those that also resulted in a significant improvement to oxidant stress, inflammation, arachidonic acid metabolism (prostacyclin versus thromboxane A
2
), and their associated sequelae were effective at also blunting depressive symptom severity. Using multivariable analyses, discrimination between the effectiveness of treatment groups to maintain behavioral outcomes appeared to be dependent on breaking the cycle of inflammation and oxidant stress, with the associated outcomes of improving endothelial metabolism and both cerebral and peripheral vascular structure and function.

Conclusions

This initial study provides a compelling framework from which to further interrogate the links between cardiovascular disease risk factors and depressive symptoms and suggests mechanistic links and potentially effective avenues for intervention.
The Visiting Husband Revisited: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Stewart Frank H.
Published: March 2018

In 1910, a distinguished ethnographer, Father Antonin Jaussen, described an unusual form of marriage among the Bedouin of northern Arabia and Transjordan. In this type of marriage the wife was always a widow with young children. In contrast to the normal type of marriage, she did not maintain a joint household with her new husband, the husband had no obligation to support her, and he had no authority over her. She remained with the children of her late husband in her own household, supported by the resources derived from her late husband’s estate. The new husband – the musarrib in Arabic – merely came to her in the evening and left again in the morning. 

In an earlier article (1998), Stewart analysed Jaussen’s data and also information about a similar type of marriage recorded by Hilma Granqvist among Palestinian villagers near Bethlehem in the 1920s. Musarrib marriage had not been reported again since that time, and Stewart believed it to be extinct. This turned out to be incorrect: during recent visits to the Bedouin of central Sinai, he discovered that musarrib marriages of the type described by Jaussen still exist. He also found musarrib marriages of a different type, in which the wife is not a widow and remains with, and is supported by, her natal family. Again, the husband merely visits her and has no authority over her. 

This article reports on and analyses this new material, which may also shed indirect light on the history of misyār marriage.
The Commemoration Chancery: New Evidence about a Little-Known Institution in 17th-Century Muscovy – Панихидный приказ
Authors: Liseitsev Dmitrii V.
Published: March 2018

This article treats one of the least-known administrative institutions in Muscovy in the seventeenth century: the Commemoration Chancery (or Panikhidnyi prikaz). The discovery of previously unknown materials allows us for the first time to consider the timing of, and reasons for, the creation of this chancery. Income and Expenditure Books (Prikhodno-raskhodnye knigi) from the tsar’s Treasury (Kazennyi prikaz) include previously unnoticed references to the Commemoration Chancery, the earliest reference dating to 1616 – a full decade earlier than the previous first mention of the chancery in sources. An analysis of the available records suggests that the Commemoration Chancery during the reign of the first Romanov tsar, Mikhail Fedorovich (1613–1645), was originally an integral part of the Chancery of the Great Court, not a separate entity. This study also suggests that the chancery was set up during the early years of the reign of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich in order to organize religious commemoration services (panikhidy) for previous Russian rulers, with the evident goal of helping to link the Romanovs to the old dynasty and thereby bolster the new dynasty’s legitimacy on the throne.
A Critical Analysis of the Concept of “Gnosticism” in Polish Literary Studies
Authors: Kwiatkowski Fryderyk
Published: March 2018

In Polish literary-historical criticism, the concept of Gnosticism has been used most frequently as a hermeneutical category that makes it possible to understand better the oeuvre of authors from Central and Eastern Europe. Polish scholars have successfully identified (neo)gnostic ideas present in the works of Jerzy Hulewicz, Tadeusz Miciński, and Franz Kafka. By referring to the works of Hans Jonas, Kurt Rudolph, and Jerzy Prokopiuk, many of them, unfortunately, have reproduced stereotypes on Gnosticism. In light of more recent studies on Gnosticism, the conclusions of their inquiries have become problematic. The main goal of this paper, therefore, is to highlight the most common errors present in the examination of Polish literary scholars from the perspective of Gnostic studies, as well as the inaccuracies in their methodology that stem from outdated scholarly materials.
The taxonomy of the American Ariadna Audouin (Araneae: Synspermiata: Segestriidae)
Authors: GIROTI ANDRÉ MARSOLA , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO DOMINGOS
Published: March 2018

The spider genus Ariadna Audouin, 1826 currently comprises 102 of 127 described species of Segestriidae. Its distribution comprises all continents (except Antarctica), but it is mostly found on the tropical and subtropical regions. We present a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Ariadna in the American continent, including 2,519 specimens (i.e., type and non-type) from 30 arachnological collections. We present 31 nominal species, among which eight species are new to the science: Ariadna reginae n. sp. from Central America; Ariadna aurea n. sp., Ariadna caparao n. sp., Ariadna gaucha n. sp., Ariadna ipojuca n. sp., Ariadna lemosi n. sp. and Ariadna ubajara n. sp. from Brazil; and Ariadna lalen n. sp. from Chile. Nine species are proposed as junior synonyms: A. pragmatica Chamberlin, 1924 and A. scholastica Chamberlin, 1924 with A. bicolor (Hentz, 1842), A. gracilis Vellard, 1924 and A. conspersa Mello-Leitão, 1941 with A. obscura (Blackwall, 1858), A. murphyi (Chamberlin, 1920) with A. tarsalis Banks, 1902, A. pusilla (Nicolet, 1849) and A. ashantica Strand, 1916 with A. maxima (Nicolet, 1849), A. dubia Mello-Leitão, 1917 with A. boliviana Simon, 1907, and A. spinifera Mello-Leitão, 1947 with A. mollis (Holmberg, 1876). Ariadna comata O. P.-Cambridge, 1898 is revalidated. Two species became nomina dubia: Ariadna solitaria Simon, 1892 and A. tubicola Simon, 1893. The allotype of A. crassipalpa described by Camargo (1950) and the paratype of A. levii described by Grismado (2008), were identified as A. mollis and A. maxima, respectively and have been considered as misidentifications. The male of A. cephalotes and A. comata, and the female of A. calilegua are described for the first time.
Explaining Extreme Events of 2016 from a Climate Perspective
Authors: Herring Stephanie C. , Christidis Nikolaos , Hoell Andrew , Kossin James P. , Schreck Carl J. , Stott Peter A.
Published: March 2018

Editors note: For easy download the posted pdf of the Explaining Extreme Events of 2016 is a very low-resolution file. A high-resolution copy of the report is available by clicking here. Please be patient as it may take a few minutes for the high-resolution file to download.
Land-Cover Change and the “Dust Bowl” Drought in the U.S. Great Plains
Authors: Hu Qi , Torres-Alavez Jose Abraham , Van Den Broeke Matthew S.
Published: March 2018

The North American Dust Bowl drought during the 1930s had devastating environmental and societal impacts. Comprehending the causes of the drought has been an ongoing effort in order to better predict similar droughts and mitigate their impacts. Among the potential causes of the drought are sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Pacific Ocean and strengthened local sinking motion as a feedback to degradation of the land surface condition leading up to and during the drought. Limitations on these causes are the lack of a strong tropical SST anomaly during the drought and lack of local anomaly in moisture supply to undercut the precipitation in the U.S. Great Plains. This study uses high-resolution modeling experiments and quantifies an effect of the particular Great Plains land cover in the 1930s that weakens the southerly moisture flux to the region. This effect lowers the average precipitation, making the Great Plains more susceptible to drought. When drought occurs, the land-cover effect enhances its intensity and prolongs its duration. Results also show that this land-cover effect is comparable in magnitude to the effect of the 1930s large-scale circulation anomaly. Finally, analysis of the relationship of these two effects suggests that while lowering the precipitation must have contributed to the Dust Bowl drought via the 1930s land-cover effect, the initiation of and recovery from that drought would likely result from large-scale circulation changes, either of chaotic origin or resulting from combinations of weak SST anomalies and other forcing.
Origins of the Decadal Predictability of East Asian Land Summer Monsoon Rainfall
Authors: Li Juan , Wang Bin
Published: March 2018

The present study aims to explore the origins of decadal predictability of East Asian land summer monsoon rainfall (EA-LR) and estimate its potential decadal predictability. As a preliminary study, a domain-averaged EA-LR index (EA-LI) is targeted as it represents the leading mode of variability reasonably well. It is found that the decadal variations of EA-LI are primarily linked to a cooling over the central-eastern tropical Pacific (CEP) and a warming over the extratropical North Pacific and western tropical Pacific (NWP) during May–October. Two numerical experiments suggest that the CEP cooling may be a major driver of EA-LR, while the NWP warming, which is largely a response, cannot be treated as a forcing to EA-LR. However, this does not mean that the NWP sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) play no role. To elaborate on this point, a third experiment is conducted in which the observed cooling is nudged in the CEP but the SST is nudged to climatology in the NWP (i.e., atmosphere–ocean interaction is not allowed). The result shows anomalous northerlies and decreased rainfall over East Asia. Results of the three experiments together suggest that both the forcings from the CEP and the atmosphere–ocean interaction in the NWP are important for EA-LR. Assuming that the tropical and North Pacific SSTAs can be “perfectly” forecasted, the so-called perfect prediction of EA-LI, which is achieved by a physics-based empirical model, yields a significant temporal correlation coefficient skill of 0.70 at a 7–10-yr lead time during a 40-yr independent hindcast (1968–2009), providing an estimation of the lower bound of potential decadal predictability of EA-LI.
Towards formalisation: The organisation of work in the public and private sectors in Nordic countries
Authors: Anttila Timo , Oinas Tomi Sakari , Mustosmäki Armi
Published: March 2018

According to European comparative studies, organisational change and restructuration have been especially prevalent in Nordic countries. In particular, public-sector organisations have been under turbulence due to pressures for cost reduction and increased efficiency. Yet, not much is known about how these changes have affected the organisation of everyday work. Based on the three waves of European Working Conditions surveys (2000, 2005, 2010), this paper analyses the change in the organisation of work in Nordic countries. The aim is to look into types of work organisation in public- and private-sector organisations in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. The questions asked are how the type of work organisation differs between sectors and to what extent are there changes in the prevalence of work organisation types. According to the results, the trend is a move away from the use of forms of work organisation characterised by high levels of learning and autonomy to more constrained or formalised forms. However, differences were also found between countries and sectors. The formalisation of work (i.e. features characteristic especially of the lean model of work organisation) is more common in the public sector and in Finland and Denmark compared to Sweden.
The Core Voter’s Curse: Clientelistic Threats and Promises in Hungarian Elections
Authors: Mares Isabela , Young Lauren E.
Published: March 2018

In elections around the world, voters are influenced not only by positive offers of gifts and favors but also by the threat of negative sanctions for their individual electoral choices. Preelectoral entitlements such as jobs, assets, and welfare create expectations of future access that brokers can use as powerful negative inducements at the moment of the vote. We argue that in conditions where ballot secrecy makes it difficult to monitor vote choices, brokers are likely to target core supporters with both preelectoral entitlements and election-time threats. We refer to this counterintuitive logic as the “core voters’ curse.” We find evidence for this argument using an original household survey of 1,860 Hungarian citizens in 93 rural communities fielded shortly after the 2014 parliamentary election.
Respectful leadership: Reducing performance challenges posed by leader role incongruence and gender dissimilarity
Authors: van Gils Suzanne , Van Quaquebeke Niels , Borkowski Jan , van Knippenberg Daan
Published: March 2018

We investigate how respectful leadership can help overcome the challenges for follower performance that female leaders face when working (especially with male) followers. First, based on role congruity theory, we illustrate the biases faced by female leaders. Second, based on research on gender (dis-)similarity, we propose that these biases should be particularly pronounced when working with a male follower. Finally, we propose that respectful leadership is most conducive to performance in female leader–male follower dyads compared with all other gender configurations. A multi-source field study ( N = 214) provides partial support for our hypothesis. While our hypothesized effect was confirmed, respectful leadership seems to be generally effective for female leaders irrespective of follower gender, thus lending greater support in this context to the arguments of role congruity rather than gender dissimilarity.
Skilling and Employability: Understanding Challenges in India with Special Reference to West Bengal
Authors: Mitra Partha Pratim
Published: March 2018

Demand and supply mismatch is central to the issue of skills and employability. If levels of education are considered as proxy for skills, literacy and numeracy, then higher share of those with lower levels of education—primary to secondary level (44% to 52%)—has not joined the labour force compared to those with higher education levels. The paradox is that unemployment levels are the highest for engineering, technology and management and lower for law, medical and accounts graduates. High dropout rates in schools contribute to lower levels of skills in the workforce. There is dominance of self-employed and casual labour over wage labour. Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Uttarakhand have both high gross enrolment ratio and high workforce participation. Studies show that only 40 per cent are employable based on attributes of employability, such as domain knowledge, communication skills, numerical and logical attributes and vertical thinking. In West Bengal, there is excess supply of workforce in all categories—skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. Although the share of trained workforce in the state is higher than the national average, the absorption rate of this workforce is lower than the national average. Although national- and state-level skill policies have been announced, there is poor mapping of skill gaps which is not in keeping with the local demand. Skill-building policies and strategies need to be made more demand-driven and responsive to the needs of the industry, whose participation in the entire skill-building process will have to be proactive than has been the case at present.
Book review: Ramchandra Guha, India after Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy
Authors: Singh Mahendra Prasad
Published: March 2018

Ramchandra Guha, India after Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy. New Delhi: Picador India, 2017, 10th Anniversary Edition. XXXV + 919 pp., ₹799.
How Do Allied Health Professionals Define and Apply Equity When Making Resource Allocation Decisions?
Authors: Lane Haylee , Sturgess Tamica , Philip Kathleen , Markham Donna , Walsh Jill , Hubbard Wendy , Martin Jennifer , Haines Terry
Published: March 2018

An ethnographic study was conducted in 2 stages to understand how allied health professionals define and apply equity when making resource allocation decisions. Participants were allied health managers and clinicians from Victoria, Australia. Stage 1 included 4 semi-structured forums that incorporated real-life case studies, group discussions, and hypothetical scenarios. The project’s steering committee began a thematic analysis during post-forum discussions. Stage 2 included a key stakeholder working party that further discussed the concept of equity. The forum recordings were transcribed verbatim, and a detailed thematic analysis ensured the initial thematic analysis was complete. Several domains of equity were discussed. Participants would readily identify that equity was a consideration when making resource decisions but were generally silent for a prolonged period when prompted to identify what they meant when using this term. The findings indicate that asking allied health professionals to directly state how they define and apply equity to their decision-making could be too difficult a task, as this did not elicit rich and meaningful discussions. Future research should examine individual domains of equity when applied to resource allocation decisions.
Teachers’ Perceptions of Academic Intrinsic Motivation for Students With Disabilities
Authors: Daniel Johny R. , Cooc North
Published: March 2018

Students who report high levels of intrinsic motivation (IM) perform better on academic tasks compared with students who report low levels of IM. However, there is a paucity of data on IM for several disability categories (e.g., intellectual disability). The focus of this study was to use a nationally representative sample of students with disabilities to understand whether teachers’ perceptions of students’ academic IM varied by disability categories. Correlation and regression models were used to determine factors that influenced teachers’ perceptions of academic IM for students with disabilities. Controlling for external factors, such as parental expectation of their child’s academic career and teachers’ pedagogical competence, attenuated gaps in teacher perception of student IM between students with intellectual disability and learning disability. Including student classroom collaboration variables such as frequency of participation in peer work and classroom discussion to the model reduced disparities in teacher-perceived academic IM between students with autism and learning disabilities.
The Usage of Digital Resources by Swedish Suicide Bereaved in Their Grief Work: A Survey Study
Authors: Westerlund Michael Uv
Published: March 2018

This study examined Swedish suicide bereaved individuals’ use of different resources in their grief work and how they value these resources. The material consisted of a web-based survey, which was analyzed with quantitative methods. The results showed that the psychosocial ill-health was severe among the suicide bereaved participants and that a majority used digital resources in their grief work. The propensity to engage in online support groups or memorial websites was not predicted by the severity of psychosocial consequences following the suicide. However, multiple regressions showed that higher online support group activity predicted more satisfaction with current psychosocial health, while memorial websites seemed to have the opposite effect. This study not only indicates that some digital resources, for example, online support groups, may be an effective way of coping with grief related to suicide loss, but also suggests that memorial websites may increase rumination and in this way cause emotional distress.
Estimation of fiber orientation and length distribution in cashmere fibrous assemblies
Authors: Jing Hui , Yu WeiDong
Published: March 2018

In a general fibrous assembly, single fiber orientation as well as fiber length distributions are important characteristics because they directly influence the properties of textiles. An X-ray micro-tomography experiment with a high resolution of 3 μm was for the first time conducted on a randomly oriented inner Mongolia cashmere fibrous assembly to get a series of two-dimensional projections from different angles and the corresponding cone–beam algorithm proposed by Feldkamp and volume rendering technique were used to realize the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. An automated segmentation algorithm described by Rigort and Weber was used to trace and detect single fibers from tomographic 3D data. Local normalized cross-correlation of the tomograms was computed with a cylindrical template that mimics a short microtubule segment to get two new objects, named the correlation and orientation fields. Tracing results of fiber length and orientation distributions were given in this paper statistically.