bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro experiments of cerebral blood flow during aspiration thrombectomy: potential effects on cerebral perfusion pressure and collateral flow
Authors: Lally Frank , Soorani Mitra , Woo Timothy , Nayak Sanjeev , Jadun Changez , Yang Ying , McCrudden John , Naire Shailesh , Grunwald Iris , Roffe Christine
Published: August 2015

Background

Mechanical thrombectomy with stent retriever devices is associated with significantly better outcomes than thrombolysis alone in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Thrombus aspiration achieves high patency rates, but clinical outcomes are variable. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different suction conditions on perfusate flow during aspiration thrombectomy.

Methods

A computational fluid dynamics model of an aspiration device within a patent and occluded blood vessel was used to simulate flow characteristics using fluid flow solver software. A physical particulate flow model of a patent vessel and a vessel occluded by thrombus was then used to visualize flow direction and measure flow rates with the aspiration catheter placed 1–10 mm proximal of the thrombus, and recorded on video.

Results

The mathematical model predicted that, in a patent vessel, perfusate is drawn from upstream of the catheter tip while, in an occluded system, perfusate is drawn from the vessel proximal to the device tip with no traction on the occlusion distal of the tip. The in vitro experiments confirmed the predictions of this model. In the occluded vessel aspiration had no effect on the thrombus unless the tip of the catheter was in direct contact with the thrombus.

Conclusions

These experiments suggest that aspiration is only effective if the catheter tip is in direct contact with the thrombus. If the catheter tip is not in contact with the thrombus, aspirate is drawn from the vessels proximal of the occlusion. This could affect collateral flow in vivo.
Roles, tasks and educational functions of postgraduate programme directors: a qualitative study
Authors: Frydén Hanna , Ponzer Sari , Heikkilä Kristiina , Kihlström Lars , Nordquist Jonas
Published: August 2015

Background

A programme director is often required to organise postgraduate medical education. This leadership role can include educational as well as managerial duties. Only a few published studies have explored programme directors’ own perceptions of their role. There is a need to explore the use of theoretical frameworks to improve the understanding of educational roles.

Objective

To explore programme directors’ own perceptions of their role in terms of tasks and functions, and to relate these roles to the theoretical framework developed by Bolman and Deal.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 programme directors between February and August 2013. The data were subjected to content analysis using a deductive approach.

Results

The various roles and tasks included by participants in their perceptions of their work could be categorised within the framework of functions described by Bolman and Deal. These included: structuring the education (structural function); supporting individuals and handling relations (human resource function); negotiating between different interests (political function); and influencing the culture at the departmental level (symbolic function). The functions most often emphasised by participants were the structural and human resource functions. Some tasks involved several functions which varied over time.

Conclusions

Programme directors’ own perceptions of their roles, tasks and functions varied widely. The theoretical framework of Bolman and Deal might be helpful when explaining and developing these roles.
WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR RECREATIONAL ATTRIBUTES OF PUBLIC PARKS: A CHOICE EXPERIMENT APPROACH
Authors: HASAN-BASRI BAKTI , ABD KARIM MOHD ZAINI , BAKAR NORMIZAN
Published: September 2015

The choice to visit a park depends on individual preferences and understanding these preferences will be useful to parks’ management decisions on facilities and infrastructure needs and maintenance. Choice experiment (CE) method is used to inform parks’ management in Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia on the social values of attributes available at the park. The latent class (LC) model is used to explore the effect of taste heterogeneity on the attributes. The results in the LC models indicate that the most preferred attribute at parks in Kuala Lumpur is recreational facilities. The willingness to pay (WTP) for these facilities range from RM3.25 to RM39.96. This shows that individuals can afford to pay up to RM40.00 per visit for such improvement in the attributes.
ECONOMIC GROWTH OF SELECTED EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES: A MACROECONOMIC VIEW OF THEIR DEPENDENCE ON THE US AND EUROPE
Authors: TAN EU CHYE , TANG CHOR FOON
Published: September 2015

This paper aims to ascertain whether direct macroeconomic linkages exist between some East Asian (EA) countries on the one hand and the United States (US) and Europe on the other, based upon quarterly real gross domestic product (GDP) series spanning from the early 1990s. Long-run and short-run lead-lag relations are explored within a trivariate modeling framework. Contrary to popular belief, the empirical evidence suggests generally either very nominal or no direct links at all between these EA countries and the US in terms of GDP. Direct links with Europe are completely ruled out. All these would allude to a very limited susceptibility of these EA economies to shocks in the US and Europe, barring a global economic crisis of catastrophic proportions. The growing belief that if China sneezes, the world catches the flu is also not borne out by the empirical results.
THE EVOLUTION OF GENDER WAGE DIFFERENTIALS IN THAILAND: 1991–2007 — AN APPLICATION OF UNCONDITIONAL QUANTILE REGRESSION
Authors: ADIREKSOMBAT KAMPON , FANG ZHENG , SAKELLARIOU CHRIS
Published: September 2015

Using unconditional quantile regression and an approach which allows the identification of the individual contributors to the gender wage gap and its over-time change, we study the gender wage differentials over the whole distribution in Thailand from 1991 to 2007. We also propose an extension of the single quantile decomposition to explore the origins of the distributional changes in gender wage differentials over time. A persistent sticky floor effect and declining gender wage gaps over time are observed. Aggregate decompositions using a reweighting approach show that most of the gap and changes in gaps are due to (changing) coefficients effect. Detailed decompositions show that within the (changing) characteristics effect, education contributes to the narrowing of the gap over the whole distribution, and within the coefficients effect age and the constant term are the most influential factors but with opposite effects.
Physical account of Weyl anomaly from Dirac Sea
Authors: Habara Yoshinobu , Nielsen Holger B. , Ninomiya Masao
Published: September 2015

We rederive in a physical manner the Weyl anomaly in two-dimensional space–time by considering the Dirac Sea. It is regularized by some bosonic extra species which are formally negatively counted. In fact, we calculate the trace of the energy–momentum tensor in the Dirac Sea in presence of background gravitational field. It has to be regularized, since the Dirac Sea is bottomless and thus causes divergence. The new regularization method consists in adding various massive bosonic species some of which are to be counted negative in the Dirac Sea. The mass terms in the Lagrangian of the regularization fields have a dependence on the background gravitational field.
Theory of second optimization for scan experiment
Authors: Mo X. H.
Published: September 2015

In many high energy experiments, the physics quantities are obtained by measuring the cross-sections at a few energy points over an energy region. This was referred to as scan experiment. The optimal design of the scan experiment (how many energy points, what the energies are, and what is the luminosity at each energy point) is of great significance both for scientific research and from economical viewpoint. Two approaches, one has recourse to the sampling technique and the other resorts to the analytical proof, are adopted to figure out the optimized scan scheme for the relevant parameters. The final results indicate that for [Formula: see text] parameters scan experiment, [Formula: see text] energy points are necessary and sufficient for optimal determination of these [Formula: see text] parameters; each optimal position can be acquired by single parameter scan (sampling method), or by analysis of auxiliary function (analytic method); the luminosity allocation among the points can be determined analytically with respect to the relative importance between parameters. By virtue of the second optimization theory established in this paper, it is feasible to accommodate the perfectly optimal scheme for any scan experiment.
Korean Air Cargo: Strategic Challenges in an Evolving Environment
Authors: Park Namgyoo K. , Lee Jeonghwan , Park Uisung D.
Published: September 2015

This case study conducted qualitative research of the air cargo transportation industry, focusing on the case of Korean Air Cargo. The air cargo business was now in its maturity stage and had revenues of $66 billion in 2010. Since the deregulation of the air industry during the expansion stage, the industry had witnessed fierce competition. Radical changes in the business environment and international politics also affected the industry and cargo airlines need to adjust to industry lifecycles and industry circumstances.

In 2004, Korean Air Cargo was ranked the world's largest air cargo carrier. This was the result of adaptation to the business environment and meeting the needs of the market. The firm offered a new service, focusing on delivery of IT products and targeted niche markets. However, the double-digit growth rate of the Chinese economy offered huge opportunity for Chinese and Hong Kong airlines, and by 2010, Cathay Pacific surpassed Korean Air Cargo to become the market leader.

With the double-dip global recession and the slowdown in the Chinese economy as well as lowered barriers to entry due to international deregulation, the air cargo industry has entered a hyper-competition phase. What should Korean Air Cargo do to proactively address world economic trends and the industry environment in order to capture market leadership again?
Disturbance, Complexity, Scale: New Approaches to the Study of Human–Environment Interactions
Authors: Bird Rebecca Bliege
Published: September 2015

New approaches to human–environment interactions are beginning to move beyond a narrow focus on individuals and simple (patch-level) predatory or competitive interactions. These approaches link nonequilibrium theory from community and landscape ecology with theories of individual decision making from behavioral ecology to explore new ways of approaching complex issues of diachronic change in behavior, subsistence, and social institutions. I provide an overview of two such approaches, one to understand long-term hunting sustainability among mixed forager-horticulturalists in the wet tropics and the other to understand how foragers act as ecosystem engineers in a dry perennial grassland in Australia. I conclude by describing the implications of new approaches that incorporate anthropogenic “intermediate” disturbance (an emergent property of human–environment interaction) as a force shaping environments through time and space, and in so doing patterning the sustainability of subsistence, ways of sharing, ownership norms, and even structures of gendered production.
Fluid Mechanics of Heart Valves and Their Replacements
Authors: Sotiropoulos Fotis , Le Trung Bao , Gilmanov Anvar
Published: September 2015

As the pulsatile cardiac blood flow drives the heart valve leaflets to open and close, the flow in the vicinity of the valve resembles a pulsed jet through a nonaxisymmetric orifice with a dynamically changing area. As a result, three-dimensional vortex rings with intricate topology emerge that interact with the complex cardiac anatomy and give rise to shear layers, regions of recirculation, and flow instabilities that could ultimately lead to transition to turbulence. Such complex flow patterns, which are inherently valve- and patient-specific, lead to mechanical forces at scales that can cause blood cell damage and thrombosis, increasing the likelihood of stroke, and can trigger the pathogenesis of various life-threatening valvular heart diseases. We summarize the current understanding of flow phenomena induced by heart valves, discuss their linkage with disease pathways, and emphasize the research advances required to translate in-depth understanding of valvular hemodynamics into effective patient therapies.
Constitutional Amendments
Authors: Klug Heinz
Published: September 2015

Constitutional amendment remains a source of ongoing academic and political contestation. Although in some cases the rigidity of formal amendment rules has produced debates over the impact of judicial interpretation as a substitute for amendment, in other cases amendments remain highly controversial or existing constitutional provisions remain unimplemented owing to continuing social, economic, or political pressures. This review both explores the continuing theoretical debates over the idea of constitutional amendment and uses the examples of historic land conflicts in South Africa and Zimbabwe to demonstrate the interaction between existing constitutional provisions, formal amendments, and ongoing demands over land and property rights. By providing both an overview of the theoretical debates as well as a contextual application, this review aims to demonstrate the importance of a contextually grounded, sociolegal understanding of the phenomena of constitutional amendment, stasis, and change.
Adjuvant Bisphosphonates and Breast Cancer Survival
Authors: Strobl Stephanie , Korkmaz Belgin , Devyatko Yelena , Schuetz Michael , Exner Ruth , Dubsky Peter C. , Jakesz Raimund , Gnant Michael
Published: September 2015

Randomized trials have studied bisphosphonates in the adjuvant setting of early breast cancer to investigate their ability to prevent treatment-induced bone loss. Trial results have also suggested their potential to prevent disease recurrence and metastases. These trials are summarized in this review. A recent patient-level meta-analysis by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) finds convincing evidence that adjuvant antiresorptive treatments provide persistent benefits to breast cancer patients in low-estrogen situations and should be considered an important part of the treatment algorithm.
Deep Recombination: RNA and ssDNA Virus Genes in DNA Virus and Host Genomes
Authors: Stedman Kenneth M.
Published: September 2015

Viruses are notorious for rapidly exchanging genetic information between close relatives and with the host cells they infect. This exchange has profound effects on the nature and rapidity of virus and host evolution. Recombination between dsDNA viruses is common, as is genetic exchange between dsDNA viruses or retroviruses and host genomes. Recombination between RNA virus genomes is also well known. In contrast, genetic exchange across viral kingdoms, for instance between nonretroviral RNA viruses or ssDNA viruses and host genomes or between RNA and DNA viruses, was previously thought to be practically nonexistent. However, there is now growing evidence for both RNA and ssDNA viruses recombining with host dsDNA genomes and, more surprisingly, RNA virus genes recombining with ssDNA virus genomes. Mechanisms are still unclear, but this deep recombination greatly expands the breadth of virus evolution and confounds virus taxonomy.
Tracer-based assessments of hepatic anaplerotic and TCA cycle flux: practicality, stoichiometry, and hidden assumptions
Authors: Previs Stephen F. , Kelley David E.
Published: September 2015

Two groups recently used different tracer methods to quantify liver-specific flux rates. The studies had a similar goal, i.e., to characterize mitochondrial oxidative function. These efforts could have a direct impact on our ability to understand metabolic abnormalities that affect the pathophysiology of fatty liver and allow us to examine mechanisms surrounding potential therapeutic interventions. Briefly, one method couples the continuous infusion of [13C]acetate with direct real-time measurements of [13C]glutamate labeling in liver; the other method administers [13C]propionate, in combination with other tracers, and subsequently measures the13C labeling of plasma glucose and/or acetaminophen-glucuronide. It appears that a controversy has arisen, since the respective methods yielded different estimates of the anaplerotic/TCA flux ratio (VANA:VTCA) in “control” subjects, i.e., the [13C]acetate- and [13C]propionate-derived VANA:VTCAflux ratios appear to be ∼1.4 and ∼5, respectively. While the deep expertise in the respective groups makes it somewhat trivial for each to perform the tracer studies, the data interpretation is inherently difficult. The current perspective was undertaken to examine potential factors that could account for or contribute to the apparent differences. Attention was directed toward 1) matters of practicality, 2) issues surrounding stoichiometry, and 3) hidden assumptions. We believe that the [13C]acetate method has certain weaknesses that limit its utility; in contrast, the [13C]propionate method likely yields a more correct answer. We hope our discussion will help clarify the differences in the recent reports. Presumably this will be of interest to investigators who are considering tracer-based studies of liver metabolism.
Leukocyte-specific protein 1 regulates neutrophil recruitment in acute lung inflammation
Authors: Le Nguyen Phuong Khanh , Channabasappa Shankaramurthy , Hossain Mokarram , Liu Lixin , Singh Baljit
Published: August 2015

The mechanisms of excessive migration of activated neutrophils into inflamed lungs, credited with tissue damage, are not fully understood. We explored the hitherto unknown expression of leukocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1) in human and mouse lungs and neutrophils and examined its role in neutrophil migration in acute lung inflammation. Autopsied septic human lungs showed increased LSP1 labeling in epithelium, endothelium, and leukocytes, including in their nuclei compared with normal lungs. We induced acute lung inflammation through intranasal administration of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (80 μg) in LSP1-deficient ( Lsp1−/−) and wild-type (WT) 129/SvJ mice. Immunocytochemistry and Western blots showed increased expression of LSP1 and phosphorylated LSP1 in lungs of LPS-treated WT mice. Histology showed more congestion, inflammation, and Gr-1+neutrophils in lung of WT mice than Lsp1−/−mice. LPS-treated WT mice had significantly more neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and myeloperoxidase levels in lungs compared with Lsp1−/−mice. However, there were no differences in lung tissue and BAL concentrations of keratinocyte-derived chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α and -1β, vascular permeability, and phosphorylated p38 MAPK between LPS-treated WT and Lsp1−/−mice, whereas TNF-α concentration was higher in BAL fluid from LPS-treated WT. Immunoelectron microscopy showed increased LSP1 in the nuclei of LPS-treated neutrophils. We also found increased levels of phosphorylated LSP1 associated with plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytosol at various times after LPS treatment of murine bone marrow-derived neutrophils, suggesting its role in modulation of neutrophil cytoskeleton and the membrane. These data collectively show increased expression of LSP1 in inflamed mouse and human lungs and its role in neutrophil recruitment and lung inflammation.
High CO2 alters the hypoxia response of the Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) transcriptome including known and novel hemocyanin isoforms
Authors: Johnson Jillian G. , Paul Matthew R. , Kniffin Casey D. , Anderson Paul E. , Burnett Louis E. , Burnett Karen G.
Published: September 2015

Acclimation to low O2 in many organisms involves changes at the level of the transcriptome. Here we used high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to explore the global transcriptomic response and specific involvement of a suite of hemocyanin (Hc) subunits to low O2 alone and in combination with high CO2, which naturally co-occurs with low O2. Hepatopancreas mRNA of juvenile L. vannamei exposed to air-saturated water, low O2, or low O2/high CO2 for 4 or 24 h was pooled, sequenced (HiSeq 2500) and assembled (Trinity: 52,190 contigs) to create a deep strand-specific reference transcriptome. Annotation of the assembly revealed sequences encoding the previously described small Hc subunit (HcS), and three full-length isoforms of the large subunit (HcL1-3). In addition to this, a previously unidentified full-length Hc subunit was discovered. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the subunit to be a β-type Hc subunit (denoted HcB), making this the first report of a β-type hemocyanin subunit in the Penaeoidea. RNAs of individual shrimp were sequenced; regulated genes identified from pairwise comparisons demonstrated a distinct pattern of regulation between prolonged low O2 and low O2/high CO2 treatments by GO term enrichment analysis (Roff-Bentzen, P < 0.0001), showcasing the stabilization of energetically costly translational machinery, mobilization of energy stores, and downregulation of the ubiquitin/proteasomal degradation machinery. Exposure to hypoxia for 24 h resulted in an increase in all of the full-length hemocyanin subunits (HcS, HcL1, HcL2, HcL3, and HcB). The addition of CO2 to hypoxia muted the transcriptomic response of all the Hc subunits to low O2, except for the β-type subunit.
Role of MALAT1 as a Prognostic Factor for Survival in Various Cancers: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wei Yao , Niu Ben
Published: September 2015

Objectives. The expression of metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a highly abundant and ubiquitously expressed long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), influences clinical parameters and may have prognostic value in cancer. This meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic role of MALAT1 in various cancers.Materials and Methods. Systematic literature searches of PubMed and EMBASE databases were conducted for eligible studies of the prognostic role of MALAT1 in cancer. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were assessed to evaluate the influence of MALAT1 expression on patient prognosis.Results. Nine studies with a total of 932 patients were included in the analysis. Elevated MALAT1 expression was significantly correlated with poor OS (HR 2.02; 95% CI: 1.62–2.52;P<0.001;I2=0%). Subgroup analysis indicated that tumor type, histology type, ethnicity, and measurement technique did not affect the prognostic value of MALAT1 for OS. The HR of elevated MALAT1 for DFS was 2.78 (95% CI: 1.87–4.15;P<0.001;I2=0%).Conclusions. Elevated MALAT1 expression is correlated with poor OS in various types of cancer, suggesting that this gene is a prognostic factor for different types of cancer.
Computer Simulation and Field Experiment for Downlink Multiuser MIMO in Mobile WiMAX System
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuhiro , Nagahashi Takaharu , Akiyama Takuya , Matsue Hideaki , Uekado Kunio , Namera Takakazu , Fukui Hiroshi , Nanamatsu Satoshi
Published: September 2015

The transmission performance for a downlink mobile WiMAX system with multiuser multiple‐input multiple‐output (MU‐MIMO) systems in a computer simulation and field experiment is described. In computer simulation, a MU‐MIMO transmission system can be realized by using the block diagonalization (BD) algorithm, and each user can receive signals without any signal interference from other users. The bit error rate (BER) performance and channel capacity in accordance with modulation schemes and the number of streams were simulated in a spatially correlated multipath fading environment. Furthermore, we propose a method for evaluating the transmission performance for this downlink mobile WiMAX system in this environment by using the computer simulation. In the field experiment, the received power and downlink throughput in the UDP layer were measured on an experimental mobile WiMAX system developed in Azumino City in Japan. In comparison with the simulated and experimented results, the measured maximum throughput performance in the downlink had almost the same performance as the simulated throughput. It was confirmed that the experimental mobile WiMAX system for MU‐MIMO transmission successfully increased the total channel capacity of the system.
Differential Phonological and Semantic Modulation of Neurophysiological Responses to Visual Word Recognition
Authors: Drakesmith Mark , El-Deredy Wael , Welbourne Stephen
Published: September 2015

Background: Reading words for meaning relies on orthographic, phonological and semantic processing. The triangle model implicates a direct orthography-to-semantics pathway and a phonologically mediated orthography-to-semantics pathway, which interact with each other. The temporal evolution of processing in these routes is not well understood, although theoretical evidence predicts early phonological processing followed by interactive phonological and semantic processing. Method: This study used electroencephalography-event-related potential (ERP) analysis and magnetoencephalography (MEG) source localisation to identify temporal markers and the corresponding neural generators of these processes in early (∼200 ms) and late (∼400 ms) neurophysiological responses to visual words, pseudowords and consonant strings. Results: ERP showed an effect of phonology but not semantics in both time windows, although at ∼400 ms there was an effect of stimulus familiarity. Phonological processing at ~200 ms was localised to the left occipitotemporal cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus. At 400 ms, there was continued phonological processing in the inferior frontal gyrus and additional semantic processing in the anterior temporal cortex. There was also an area in the left temporoparietal junction which was implicated in both phonological and semantic processing. In ERP, the semantic response at ∼400 ms appeared to be masked by concurrent processes relating to familiarity, while MEG successfully differentiated these processes. Discussion: The results support the prediction of early phonological processing followed by an interaction of phonological and semantic processing during word recognition. Neuroanatomical loci of these processes are consistent with previous neuropsychological and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies. The results also have implications for the classical interpretation of N400-like responses as markers for semantic processing.
Brugada Syndrome Phenotype Elimination by Epicardial Substrate Ablation
Authors: Brugada Josep , Pappone Carlo , Berruezo Antonio , Vicedomini Gabriele , Manguso Francesco , Ciconte Giuseppe , Giannelli Luigi , Santinelli Vincenzo
Published: September 2015

Background—

Whether Brugada syndrome (BrS) depends on functional epicardial substrates, which may be definitively eliminated by radiofrequency ablation, remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

Patients with BrS underwent epicardial mapping to identify areas of abnormal electrograms as target for radiofrequency ablation. Substrate identification consisted in mapping right ventricle epicardial surface before and after flecainide (2 mg/kg per 10 minutes). After radiofrequency ablation, flecainide and remap confirmed elimination of abnormal substrate, BrS ECG pattern, and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation inducibility. Flecainide testing was performed at each follow-up visits ≤6 months. Fourteen patients with BrS, median age 39 years (30.3–42.3) with implantable cardioverter–defibrillator were enrolled. Low-voltage areas (<1.5 mV) were commonly identified on the anterior right free wall and right ventricular outflow tract, which increased after flecainide from 17.6 cm
2
(12.1–24.2) to 28.5 cm
2
(21.6–30.2;
P
=0.001). Similarly, areas with abnormal electrograms increased after flecainide from 19.0 (17.5–23.6) to 27.3 cm
2
(24.0–31.2;
P
=0.001). After 23.8 minutes (18.1–28.5) of radiofrequency ablation, abnormal electrograms disappeared, whereas low-voltage areas were replaced by scar areas (<0.5 mV) of 25.9 cm
2
(19.6–31.0). Substrate elimination resulted in BrS ECG pattern disappearance and no ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation inducibility without complications. After a median follow-up of 5 months (3.8–5.3), ECG remained normal despite flecainide.

Conclusions—

In patients with BrS, there is a relationship between abnormal ECG pattern, the extent of abnormal epicardial substrate, and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation inducibility. Ablation of the substrate identified in the presence of flecainide can eliminate the BrS phenotype and warrants further study.
Human Carotid Plaques With High Levels of Interleukin-16 Are Associated With Reduced Risk for Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Grönberg Caitríona , Bengtsson Eva , Fredrikson Gunilla Nordin , Nitulescu Mihaela , Asciutto Giuseppe , Persson Ana , Andersson Linda , Nilsson Jan , Gonçalves Isabel , Björkbacka Harry
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose—

Interleukin-16 (IL-16) functions as a regulator of T-cell growth and acts as an inducer of cell migration. The aim of this study was to determine whether IL-16 measured in human carotid plaques was associated with symptoms (eg, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or amaurosis fugax), markers of plaque stability, and postoperative cardiovascular events.

Methods—

Plaques obtained from patients who had ≥1 cerebrovascular ischemic events within 1 month before endarterectomy (n=111) were compared with plaques from patients without symptoms (n=95). Neutral lipids, smooth muscle cell, and macrophage contents were evaluated histologically, and collagen, elastin, and caspase-3 activity were measured biochemically. IL-16, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases were measured in plaque homogenates using a multiplex immunoassay. IL-16, CD3, CD4, and FoxP3 mRNA expressions in carotid plaques were analyzed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results—

Carotid plaques from asymptomatic patients had higher levels of IL-16 mRNA. High plaque IL-16 protein levels (above median) were associated with reduced incidence of postoperative cardiovascular events during a mean follow-up of 21 months (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.99;
P
=0.047). IL-16 levels correlated with the plaque-stabilizing components: elastin, collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 and FoxP3 mRNA.

Conclusions—

This study shows that high levels of IL-16 are associated with asymptomatic carotid plaques, expression of factors contributing to plaque stability, and decreased risk of new cardiovascular events during a 2-year period after surgery, suggesting that IL-16 might have a protective role in human atherosclerotic disease.
Aportación a la flora liquénica de las Islas Canarias. iv. Líquenes epifitos de La Gomera (Islas Canarias)

Authors: Etayo J.
Published: September 2015

A catalogue of epiphytic lichens from La Gomera (Canary Islands) is presented, especially from Garajonay National Park. 207 species are treated, many of which are new records from the island. Gyalideopsis muscicola var. gomerae is proposed as new. Gyalideopsis calabrica and Porina isidiata are proposed as synonyms of G. muscicola and Porina guaranitica, respectively. Helocarpon corticolum is reported for the first time from North America. New for Macaronesia are Arthonia vinosa, Arthopyrenia cinereopruinosa, Bacidina egenula, B. phacodes, Gyalecta truncigena, Lauderlindsaya acroglypta, Lecidea botryosa, L. erythrophaea, Lecidella achristotera, Lichinodium ahlneri, Ochrolechia arborea, Opegrapha vermicellifera, Pertusaria amara var. slesvicensis, Pseudevernia furfuracea var. ceratea, Pseudosagedia obsoleta, Strigula smaragdula and S. taylorii. New for the Canary Islands are Arthonia anglica, Arthothelium norvegicum, Blarneya hibernica, Calicium lenticulare, Catinaria montana, Haematomma sorediatum, Hypotrachyna taylorensis, Lecanora argentata, L. strobilina, Melaspilea diplasiospora, Micarea melaena, Ochrolechia androgyna, Pertusaria ophthalmiza, Psoroglaena stigonemoides, Pyrenula dermatodes, Scoliciosporum pruinosum and Trapeliopsis granulosa.
The jumping spider genus Thiodina Simon, 1900 reinterpreted, and revalidation of Colonus F.O.P-Cambridge, 1901 and Nilakantha Peckham & Peckham, 1901 (Araneae: Salticidae: Amycoida)
Authors: BUSTAMANTE ABEL A. , MADDISON WAYNE P. , RUIZ GUSTAVO R.S.
Published: September 2015

In this paper we call attention to the identity of the type species of Thiodina Simon, 1900, T. nicoleti Roewer, 1951. When Simon proposed the genus, he characterized it based on morphological features found in species he described, but not found in the type species he designated, and whose type specimens, apparently, he had not examined. Nicolet’s original description makes it clear that the type species is not closely related to the more familiar species placed in the genus. This misinterpretation was followed by contemporary researchers and survives until today. Here we designate and describe a neotype for T. nicoleti. We revalidate Colonus F.O.P.-Cambridge, 1901 and Nilakantha Peckham & Peckham, 1901 to transfer most species formerly placed in Thiodina. The combinations Colonus puerperus (Hentz, 1846), Nilakantha cockerelli Peckham & Peckham, 1901 and N. peckhami Bryant, 1940 are restored. The following new combinations are established: Colonus branicki (Taczanowski, 1871) new comb., C. candidus (Mello-Leitão, 1922) new comb., C. germaini (Simon, 1900) new comb., C. hesperus (Richman & Vetter, 2004) new comb., C. melanogaster (Mello-Leitão, 1917) new comb., C. pallidus (C.L. Koch, 1846) new comb., C. pseustes (Chamberlin & Ivie, 1936) new comb., C. punctulatus (Mello-Leitão, 1917) new comb., C. rishwani (Makhan, 2006) new comb., C. robustus (Mello-Leitão, 1945) new comb., C. sylvanus (Hentz, 1846) new comb., C. vaccula (Simon, 1900) new comb., C. vellardi (Soares & Camargo, 1948) new comb., Nilakantha beugelorum (Wolff, 1990) new comb., N. crucifera (F.O.P.-Cambridge, 1901) new comb., and N. inerma (Bryant, 1940) new comb. Thiodina setosa Mello-Leitão, 1947 is tentatively transferred to Cotinusa Simon, 1900.
A new deep-sea species of the genus Urocaridella (Crustacea: Decapoda:
Caridea: Palaemonidea) from Yap Seamount in the Western Pacific
Authors: WANG YAN-RONG , CHAN TIN-YAM , SHA ZHONG-LI
Published: September 2015

A new species of palaemonid shrimp, Urocaridella liui sp. nov., is discovered from deep waters on the Yap Seamount in the Western Pacific. The new species is unique in the genus by having a pronounced triangular protrusion on the third posterior part of the third pleonal tergite and the almost colorless body, as well as for its occurrence in waters deeper than 250 meters. Other distinct characteristics of this species are the arrangement of dorsal rostral teeth; shorter fingers of the first and second pereiopods and shorter dactyli of the posterior pereiopods; the ratio of the carpus/palm length of the first and second pereiopods; the slender, but not filiform third to fifth pereiopods; and rounded postero-ventrally margin of the fifth abdominal somite. A key to the species of Urocaridella is provided.
Three new species of freshwater Macrostomum (Platyhelminthes, Macrostomida) from southern China
Authors: SUN TING , ZHANG LV , WANG AN-TAI , ZHANG YU
Published: September 2015

Macrostomum is a diverse genus of turbellarians with more than 180 species described from around the world. However, the Macrostomum fauna in China is poorly known. In this study, three new species of freshwater Macrostomum were described from southern China based on morphology of the penis stylet, an important character for species identification in this genus. In M. heyuanensis n. sp., the penis stylet bends 108° leftwards at its 1/2 length then backwards besides the distal opening, and the terminal region is thicker than other parts of penis stylet. In M. dongyuanensis n. sp., the penis stylet is J-shaped, with the opening at the tail end. In M. bicaudatum n. sp., the penis stylet is C-shaped, with the upper margin of the distal end longer but slimmer than the lower margin. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted to aid the classification of the novel species. Finally, their habitat and taxonomic status are compared and discussed.
Revision of the Neotropical genus Eschatocerus Mayr (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Eschatocerini) with biological notes and the first description of the terminal larva
Authors: NIEVES-ALDREY JOSÉ LUIS , BLAS GERMÁN SAN
Published: September 2015

The gall wasp genus Eschatocerus (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Eschatocerini), a cynipid genus of gall inducers on Prosopis and Acacia species (Fabaceae), endemic to southern South America, is revised. Complete descriptions of the external morphology of the genus and its three known species, illustrated with scanning electron photographs, are given for the first time, and an updated key for the identification of the species is provided. The biology of the species of Eschatocerus and their galls is described. Host plant associations are given, and the terminal larva of Eschatocerus niger is described for the first time. Preliminary notes on the inquiline and parasitoid community associated with the galls of Eschatocerus species are also given.
A Conceptual Framework in Building Dynamic Capabilities in Highly Competitive Industry
Authors: Saroso Hardijanto
Published: September 2015

In highly competitive industry, as such in Indonesian Television Industry, the companies should have the ability to respond the competition, in a very narrow window time. Dynamic Capability concept from David Teece, Gary Pisano, and Amy Shuen is in an excellent concept in addressing
this situation and became the central of thought in building organization capability to face the competition. Dynamic capabilities took a significant attention from researcher and continue to draw more new concepts and theories. However based on Jeffrey T Macher and David C Mowery, only few
researchers focused to the organizational process in developing this capability inside the organizations. Organizational capabilities are built from organizational routines, structures, and processes. It also requires resources, which are available through internal development or acquisition,
and lead by a manager or entrepreneurial leader that improve existing routine or create the new ones. The dynamic market forces the organization to explore and exploit the internal and external resources to reach a level of innovation and win the competition. An entrepreneur leader has a high
potential to initiate exploitation of internal resources and exploration of external resources, as well as proactively initiate strategic and innovative steps, manage risk, in order to optimize the organization capability and gain competitive advantage. This paper intended to explore a conceptual
framework to develop dynamic capabilities in the organization and bring Indonesian Television Industry into the discussion of industrial dynamic competition.
Indonesian Mutual Funds Classification Using Clustering Method
Authors: Dewi Tamara Ir. , Revina Shintia
Published: September 2015

Mutual funds have existed since 1990 as an alternative investment in Indonesia. The objective of this research is to examine the existing classification of mutual funds database. The data of mutual funds is taken from Bloomberg through Portal Reksadana 2013 which covered 690 mutual
funds. The existing classification consists of mutual funds fixed income (reksadana pendapatan tetap), equity (reksadana saham), money market (reksadana pasar uang) and structured (reksadana campuran). The existing financial attributes consists of the net asset value, percentage annualized
return the last 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and year-to-date. This paper uses K-means clustering to propose new classification of Indonesian mutual funds. The result reveals that mutual funds in equity and fixed income belong to its group. However, mutual funds money market is
belong to mutual fund fixed income and mutual funds structures are identified to mutual funds equity. Furthermore, we find that in average 43% of Indonesian mutual funds are misclassified in accordance with their attributes. Finally, it is suggested to re-group the mutual funds into smaller
classification, which has lower rates of misclassified mutual funds and possibility to achieve better performances in terms of its percentage annualized return.
On the Relationships Among Expected Return, Volume, Holding Period, and Bid-Ask Spread in Indonesia Stock Market
Authors: Garnia Erna , Primiana Ina , Sudarsono Rachmat , Masyita Dian
Published: September 2015

The relationships among expected return and various liquidity measures are first examined theoretically in this paper. Under constant holding period, it is shown that the expected return is proportional to the bid-ask spread. Under constant expected return, the holding period is proportional
to the bid-ask spread and the volume is inversely proportional to the bid-ask spread. Under constant bid-ask spread, the expected return is inversely proportional to the holding period and is also proportional to the volume. Based on five years data from Indonesia Stock Market, the previous
relationships are examined empirically.
The Effect of Enterprise Agility and Network Structure on Firms’ Performance in the Housing Industry
Authors: Pamadi Mulia , Ismael Ishak , Haron Hasnah
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of enterprise agility and network structure on firms’ performance in the housing industry with special reference to the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs play a key role in building and supplying low-cost houses for
low-income people in Indonesia. The study uses a survey method. The data was collected from 379 SME housing developers which spread over 33 REALESTAT INDONESIA (REI) region chapters. Data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method with Lisrel Software as the measurement tool.
SEM examines the causal effects among latent variables and the testing of hypotheses. This study is related to the national issue of housing backlog in Indonesia which is predicted to reach 15 million units in 2014. The findings show that the biggest contributors for low-cost housing in Indonesia
are the SMEs who are members of REI. Majority of them are small-sized enterprises (SEs) which have limited organizational and resources. Results of the hypothesis tested indicates that the SME housing developers should have an ability of enterprise agility and able to develop its own network
structure to acquire access to external resources in-order to enhance their firms’ performance.
Novel Value Added Services Generated from Corporate Network Data
Authors: Tanutama Lukas , Polla Gerrard , Kosala Raymond , Kumaradjaja Richard
Published: September 2015

The competitive nature of Internet access service business drives Service Providers to find innovative revenue generators within their core competencies. Internet connection is the essential infrastructure in the current business environment. Service Providers provide the Internet connections
to corporate networks. It processes network data to enable the Internet business communications and transactions. Mining the network data of a particular corporate network resulted in its business traffic profile or characteristics. Based on the discovered characteristics, this research proposes
novel generic Value Added Services (VAS). The VAS becomes the innovative and competitive revenue generators. The VAS is competitive as only the Service Provider and its customer know the traffic profile. The knowledge becomes the barrier of entry for competitors. To offer the VAS, a Service
Provider must build close relationship with its customer for acceptance.
Prototype of Dashboard Business Intelligent for Employees Training Effectiveness
Authors: Hartono Indra K. , Zulkarnain Novan , Tjahyadi Rudy
Published: September 2015

Employees training in a company is considered as expenditure rather than as a long-term investment by company. The company needs to monitor the training of employees in order to take advantage of the training results by using Business Intelligent (BI). The object of research conducted
at Garuda Indonesia Training Center (GITC). Methods of the research is a quantitative, analyze correlation and regression and the variables need to be examine in this research, are as follows: Nature of Training, Management Involvement, Management Motivation, Training Outcome and Firm Performance.
Based on this research findings, the hypothesis can be accepted or rejected and hence, a better of prototype of Dashboard Business Intelligent can be well designed and make Employees Training more effective.
Intention to Use Self-Service Technology: Blitzmegaplex Jakarta
Authors: Anggraeni Adilla , Soepraptoyo Mandayu Victory
Published: September 2015

Objective—Due to the advancement of technology, the service delivery process has changed in various industries. The service process has been utilized as a means to create competitive advantages by many industries. The main purpose of this research is to explore the perceptions
of non-users of self-service technology towards the potential convenience and control benefits of using the technology and how they influence the non-users’ overall perceptions of speed of transaction, trust in the service provider and future intentions to use the self-service technology.
Design/Methodology/Approach—Cronbach’s Alpha and Confirmatory Factorial Analyses were utilized to determine reliability and validity of the constructs. Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were used to determine whether there were any relationships between the variables.
Result and Conclusion—The result concluded that both the perceived control and perceived convenience act as mediators between the relationship of speed of transaction, and trust in a service provider to intention to use self-service technology. The findings also show that both
perceived control and perceived convenience can directly influence an individual’s intention to use self-service technology. Practical Implications—The findings suggest that it is important for companies to offer self-service technology that can increase customer’s
perception of control and convenience as those characteristics can affect the customers’ intention to use self-service technology in the future. It is also crucial to emphasize the speed of transaction and trust in the service provider as both factors have a mediating impact between
customers’ perceived control and perceived convenience towards their intentions to use self-service technology.