bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-Sepsis State Induces Tumor-Associated Macrophage Accumulation through CXCR4/CXCL12 and Favors Tumor Progression in Mice
Authors: Mota José M. , Leite Caio A. , Souza Lucas E. , Melo Paulo H. , Nascimento Daniele C. , de-Deus-Wagatsuma Virginia M. , Temporal Jessica , Figueiredo Florêncio , Noushmehr Houtan , Alves-Filho José C. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Rego Eduardo M.
Published: January 2016

Survivors from sepsis are in an immunosuppressed state that is associated with higher long-term mortality and risk of opportunistic infections. Whether these factors contribute to neoplastic proliferation, however, remains unclear. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) can support malignant cell proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. We addressed the relationship between the post-sepsis state, tumor progression and TAM accumulation, and phenotypic and genetic profile, using a mouse model of sepsis resolution and then B16 melanoma in mice. In addition, we measured the serum concentrations of TNFα, TGFβ, CCL2, and CXCL12 and determined the effect of in vivo CXCR4/CXCL12 inhibition in this context. Mice that survived sepsis showed increased tumor progression both in the short and long term, and survival times were shorter. TAM accumulation, TAM local proliferation, and serum concentrations of TGFβ, CXCL12, and TNFα were increased. Naïve mice inoculated with B16 together with macrophages from post-sepsis mice also had faster tumor progression and shorter survival. Post-sepsis TAMs had less expression of MHC-II and leukocyte activation-related genes. Inhibition of CXCR4/CXCL12 prevented the post-sepsis–induced tumor progression, TAM accumulation, and TAM in situ proliferation. Collectively, our data show that the post-sepsis state was associated with TAM accumulation through CXCR4/CXCL12, which contributed to B16 melanoma progression. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(4); 312–22. ©2016 AACR.
Synergistic Effects of ACE Insertion/Deletion and GNB3 C825T Polymorphisms on the Efficacy of PDE-5 Inhibitor in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Nishimura Rintaro , Tanabe Nobuhiro , Sekine Ayumi , Kasai Hajime , Suda Rika , Kato Fumiaki , Jujo Takayuki , Sugiura Toshihiko , Shigeta Ayako , Sakao Seiichiro , Tatsumi Koichiro
Published: January 2016

Background: The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE) and the C825T polymorphism in the G-protein β3 subunit gene (GNB3) are associated with the efficacy of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE-5I) in erectile dysfunction. In addition, GNB3 genotypes could be associated with clinical worsening in pulmonary hypertension (PH) treated with PDE-5I. However, no studies have described the synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms on drug efficacy in patients with PH. Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects of combined ACE/GNB3 polymorphisms on the efficacy of PDE-5I in patients with PH. Methods: This was a retrospective uncontrolled study. Ninety patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic PH (CTEPH) were treated with PDE-5I. Freedom from clinical worsening and pre- and post-treatment parameters, including the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, were compared between patients with ACE/GNB3 II/TT and non-II/TT genotypes. Results: Time to clinical worsening was significantly longer in patients with the II/TT genotype than in those with the non-II/TT genotype (5-year freedom from clinical worsening: 100 vs. 48.8%, respectively; p = 0.018), even in patients with CTEPH alone. Post-treatment 6MWD and BNP levels in patients with the II/TT genotype tended to be better than those in patients with the non-II/TT genotype. The ACE/GNB3 genotype was a significant predictor of clinical worsening, even after adjusting for pulmonary vascular resistance and 6MWD. Conclusions:ACE and GNB3 polymorphisms may synergistically influence the efficacy of PDE-5I in patients with PH.
D-dimer and factor VIIa in atrial fibrillation – prognostic values for cardiovascular events and effects of anticoagulation therapy
Authors: Siegbahn Agneta , Oldgren Jonas , Andersson Ulrika , Ezekowitz Michael D. , Reilly Paul A. , Connolly Stuart J. , Yusuf Salim , Wallentin Lars , Eikelboom John W.
Published: January 2016

Coagulation markers may improve monitoring the risk of stroke and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) during anticoagulant treatment. We examined baseline levels of D-dimer and their association with stroke, cardiovascular death and major bleeding in 6,202 AF patients randomised to dabigatran or warfarin in the RE-LY trial. The effects of treatment on serial levels of D-dimer and coagulation factor (F) VIIa in 2,567 patients were also analysed. Baseline D-dimer levels were related to the rate of stroke/systemic embolism (SEE) with 0.64 % in the lowest quartile (Q1, as reference) (D-dimer < 298 μg/l), 1.38 % Q2 (D-dimer 298–473 μg/l), 1.71 % Q3 (D-dimer 474–822 μg/l) and 2.00 % in Q4 (D-dimer > 822 μg/l) (p=0.0007). Similar associations were shown for cardiovascular death and major bleeding. Addition of baseline D-dimer to established clinical risk factors improved prediction of stroke/SEE, cardiovascular death and major bleeding (C-index increased from 0.66 to 0.68, 0.71 to 0.73 and 0.66 to 0.67, respectively). Dabigatran provided a greater reduction of D-dimer levels than warfarin regardless of baseline anticoagulant treatment. Ontreatment levels of FVIIa were markedly reduced by warfarin (median 12.1–13.8 mU/ml) but significantly higher with dabigatran (median 39.4–49.0 mU/ml) at all-time points. Dabigatran is associated with greater reduction in D-dimer without the pronounced reduction of FVIIa seen with warfarin. These different effects on the coagulation system might explain the better efficacy and less intracranial bleeding observed with dabigatran compared with warfarin.

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT00262600 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Anel vascular: uma causa de desconforto respiratório neonatal frequentemente esquecida
Authors: Castro Ellen Binotto de , Silva Guilherme Ricardo Nunes , Bravo-Valenzuela Nathalie Jeanne Magioli
Published: January 2016

Objetivo: Relatar o caso de um recém-nascido com anel vascular completo causado por artéria subclávia esquerda retroesofágica em arco aórtico à direita, associado a um divertículo de Kommerell. Relato de Caso: Paciente do gênero feminino, prematuro (36 semanas e 3 dias), baixo peso (1670g), nasceu de parto via cesária e com Apgar 7/8. Ao exame físico notava-se dispneia, cianose, estridor inspiratório e sopro sistólico (2/6) em borda esternal esquerda alta. A paciente foi levada para unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal com melhora imediata do padrão respiratório e da cianose após intubação orotraqueal. A radiografia de tórax demonstrou alargamento do mediastino e arco aórtico à direita. O ecocardiograma transtorácico evidenciou: forame oval pérvio, arco aórtico à direita e tortuoso, dilatação da aorta ascendente, canal arterial pérvio grande, shunt esquerda-direita pelo septo interatrial e canal arterial e sinais de obstrução ao fluxo da artéria pulmonar direita por provável compressão vascular. A angiotomografia confirmou o anel vascular e esclareceu sua anatomia: arco aórtico à direita com artéria subclávia esquerda retroesofágica originando-se de um divertículo (Kommerell) associada à um canal arterial patente à esquerda. A artéria subclávia esquerda anômala ocasionava compressão extrínseca esofagotraqueal, do fluxo da artéria pulmonar direita e do brônquio fonte à direita. À esquerda, o grande canal arterial patente completava o anel vascular, o que ocasionou sintomas precoces. Conclusões: O anel vascular é uma malformação congênita que deve ser suspeitada em todos os pacientes com anomalias do arco aórtico que apresentam sintomas respiratórios (dispneia/estridor inspiratório e/ou sibilância crônica).
Reação hansênica tipo dois em paciente multibacilar, forma Virchowiana, em vigência de tratamento: relato de caso
Authors: Coelho Júnior Luilson Geraldo , Machado Gabrielly Borges , Faria Talitha Araújo
Published: January 2016

No Brasil, a hanseníase é um problema de saúde pública, devido sua alta incidência e ampla distribuição geográfica. É uma doença crônica causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae; acomete pele e nervos periféricos, podendo ocasionar lesões cutâneas, de aspecto variado: manchas, pápulas, placas, nódulos, infiltração difusa, dependendo da resposta imune do indivíduo. As reações hansênicas são fenômenos imuno inflamatórios agudos e subagudos podendo ocorrer antes, durante ou após o tratamento com a poliquimioterapia. As reações hansênicas são diagnosticadas através de exame físico geral, dermatológico e neurológico do paciente. O objetivo do presente trabalho é descrever um caso de reação hansênica tipo dois em paciente multibacilar, forma Virchowiana em vigência de tratamento.
El análisis del discurso oral y su enseñanza
Authors: Briz Gómes Antonio
Published: January 2016

Falar uma língua não é só dominar regras gramaticais e de construção linguística, mas saber comunicar e ser capaz de interagir com eficiência, de intercambiar e de interpretar a informação do outro nos diversos registros e modalidades linguísticas. É necessário, pois, ensinar, utilizando-se das ferramentas da Pragmática, tanto na análise quanto na reflexão sobre o uso, sobre os mecanismos estratégicos que se empregam ao falar (interagir) e, sobretudo, ao interagir com alguém em circunstâncias comunicativas determinadas. O ensino da oralidade, objetivo deste trabalho, certamente, capacitará para a análise de interações faladas. Entre as competências e resultados desta aprendizagem, cabe destacar o domínio das variedades e registros, em especial, o registro coloquial, o conhecimento das características próprias da oralidade (lexicais, sintáticas e prosódicas) e a capacidade de reconhecê-las, descrevê-las e explicá-las a partir de textos orais e, enfim, o reconhecimento das estratégias pragmáticas, das intenções ou funções dos atos de fala, associadas a determinadas estratégias ou recursos verbais e não-verbais.
A gênese e a permanência da crise do setor elétrico no Brasil
Authors: Sauer Ildo Luís
Published: January 2016

This paper reviews the causes and consequences of the crisis for the electricity sector in Brazil from the market reform introduced by the government FHC, the adjustment promoted by the Lula government in 2004, and the failed attempt by the government Rousseff 2012. The costs arising from the lack of effective planning and of efficient criteria for contracting expansion of capacity, the deficiencies in the representation of plants for the operation led to a path of skyrocketing tariffs, mistrust in the capacity of ensuring energy supply, public property destruction, and loans to be paid by consumers in the future. The main conclusion is that we need a deep review of the organizational structure, management, planning, operation and maintenance of the Brazilian electric system.
Energia nos governos Lula e Dilma – perspectivas
Authors: Rosa Luiz Pinguelli
Published: January 2016

This article addresses the current panorama and the perspectives for the energy sector in the country. It encompasses the Petrobras crisis, greenhouse effect, fossil energy sources and biofuels, in which Brazil stands out. It also takes a close look at electric energy, including hydroelectric, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear energies.
Liberalização interrompida
Authors: Oliveira Adilson de
Published: January 2016

The monopoly regime based on service cost tariffs allowed the electrical sector to move up through a virtuous cycle of expansion with decreasing tariffs for decades. That cycle was broken in the last quarter of the past century, when changes in the economic context exerted strong pressures on sector costs. Set in motion during the term of office of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, liberalization of the electricity market was suspended by the Lula government; and that led to two paradoxes: 1) low technical costs, but with high tariffs; 2) high reserve capacity, but with a permanent risk of energy rationing. Those problems arise from the inconsistencies of the electricity market. Resuming the process of liberalization of the electricity market is a sine qua non condition to move away from the recurring risk of rationing, and to bring the electric system back into operating in a virtuous cycle of expansion.
Setor elétrico: mimetismo, fragmentação e suas sequelas
Authors: D’Araujo Roberto Pereira
Published: January 2016

O artigo procura mostrar que a atual crise por que passa o setor elétrico brasileiro não está relacionada apenas a inesperadas secas hidrológicas. Muito embora se reconheça a relativa severidade hídrica, os sinais críticos já estavam delineados há cerca de quatro anos. Sob forte inspiração do tipo de modelo mercantil adotado, influenciado por um mimetismo advindo de sistemas de base térmica, apesar das enormes diferenças do caso brasileiro, diversas políticas equivocadas foram implantadas. Essa adaptação de modelagem gera um sistema de preços de mercado altamente volátil, em que valores irrisórios e impagáveis se sucedem. A crise está longe de ser sanada, uma vez que não se questiona a base estrutural do modelo.
Em busca da excelência
Authors: Goldemberg José
Published: January 2016

An analysis is made of the criteria of excellence of universities and how the University of São Paulo compares with universities abroad. In the annex we highlight the main contributions of the University of São Paulo to the advance of science and society in its 80 years of existence.
The Failing Heart Relies on Ketone Bodies as a Fuel
Authors: Aubert Gregory , Martin Ola J. , Horton Julie L. , Lai Ling , Vega Rick B. , Leone Teresa C. , Koves Timothy , Gardell Stephen J. , Krüger Marcus , Hoppel Charles L. , Lewandowski E. Douglas , Crawford Peter A. , Muoio Deborah M. , Kelly Daniel P.
Published: January 2016

Background—

Significant evidence indicates that the failing heart is energy starved. During the development of heart failure, the capacity of the heart to utilize fatty acids, the chief fuel, is diminished. Identification of alternate pathways for myocardial fuel oxidation could unveil novel strategies to treat heart failure.

Methods and Results—

Quantitative mitochondrial proteomics was used to identify energy metabolic derangements that occur during the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in well-defined mouse models. As expected, the amounts of proteins involved in fatty acid utilization were downregulated in myocardial samples from the failing heart. Conversely, expression of β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 1, a key enzyme in the ketone oxidation pathway, was increased in the heart failure samples. Studies of relative oxidation in an isolated heart preparation using ex vivo nuclear magnetic resonance combined with targeted quantitative myocardial metabolomic profiling using mass spectrometry revealed that the hypertrophied and failing heart shifts to oxidizing ketone bodies as a fuel source in the context of reduced capacity to oxidize fatty acids. Distinct myocardial metabolomic signatures of ketone oxidation were identified.

Conclusions—

These results indicate that the hypertrophied and failing heart shifts to ketone bodies as a significant fuel source for oxidative ATP production. Specific metabolite biosignatures of in vivo cardiac ketone utilization were identified. Future studies aimed at determining whether this fuel shift is adaptive or maladaptive could unveil new therapeutic strategies for heart failure.
Reanalyses and Observations: What’s the Difference?
Authors: Parker Wendy S.
Published: January 2016

Are there important differences between reanalysis data and familiar observations and measurements? If so, what are they? This essay evaluates four possible answers that relate to: the role of inference, reliance on forecasts, the need to solve an ill-posed inverse problem, and understanding of errors and uncertainties. The last of these is argued to be most significant. The importance of characterizing uncertainties associated with results—whether those results are observations or measurements, analyses or reanalyses, or forecasts—is emphasized.
Sea Surface Temperature Climate Data Record for the North Sea and Baltic Sea
Authors: Høyer Jacob L. , Karagali Ioanna
Published: January 2016

A 30-yr climate data record (CDR) of sea surface temperature (SST) has been produced with daily gap-free analysis fields for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea region from 1982 to 2012 by combining the Pathfinder AVHRR satellite data record with the Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR) Reprocessing for Climate (ARC) dataset and with in situ observations. A dynamical bias correction scheme adjusts the Pathfinder observations toward the ARC and in situ observations. Largest Pathfinder–ARC differences are found in the summer months, when the Pathfinder observations are up to 0.4°C colder than the ARC observations on average. Validation against independent in situ observations shows a very stable performance of the data record, with a mean difference of −0.06°C compared to moored buoys and a 0.46°C standard deviation of the differences. The mean annual biases of the SST CDR are small for all years, with a negligible temporal trend when compared against drifting and moored buoys. Analysis of the SST CDR reveals that the monthly anomalies for the North Sea, the Danish straits, and the central Baltic Sea regions show a high degree of correlation for interannual and decadal time scales, whereas the monthly variability differs from one region to another. The linear trends of the 1982–2012 SST anomaly time series range from 0.037°C yr−1 for the North Sea to 0.041°C yr−1 for the Baltic Sea.
Empirically based Suggested Insights into the Concept of False-Self Defense
Authors: Eichengreen Adva , Hoofien Dan , Bachar Eytan
Published: January 2016

The concept of the false self has been used widely in psychoanalytic theory and practice but seldom in empirical research. In this empirically based study, elevated features of false-self defense were hypothetically associated with risk factors attendant on processes of rehabilitation and integration of children with disabilities, processes that encourage adaptation of the child to the able-bodied environment. Self-report questionnaires and in-depth interviews were conducted with 88 deaf and hard-of-hearing students and a comparison group of 88 hearing counterparts. Results demonstrate that despite the important contribution of rehabilitation and integration to the well-being of these children, these efforts may put the child at risk of increased use of the false-self defense. The empirical findings suggest two general theoretical conclusions: (1) The Winnicottian concept of the environment, usually confined to the parent-child relationship, can be understood more broadly as including cultural, social, and rehabilitational variables that both influence the parent-child relationship and operate independently of it. (2) The monolithic conceptualization of the false self may be more accurately unpacked to reveal two distinct subtypes: the compliant and the split false self.
The Psychoanalytic Mode of Thought and its Application To the Non-Normative Analysis of Sexuality and Gender
Authors: Kloppenberg Brian
Published: January 2016

Freud’s psychoanalytic mode of thought, especially as interpreted by William Grossman, functions as an inherently non-normative means of analyzing both the psychic life of the individual and various historical and cultural phenomena. Application of this mode of thought to particular characterizations of gender and sexuality makes possible an essential critique of trait psychology and static formulations of human development, as restricting both clinical practice and theory building. An exploration of the complexities of sexuality and gender in gay men shows how Freud’s insistence on variability lends conceptual power at the intersection of classical psychoanalysis, with its problematic history, and the many clinical and theoretical manifestations of contemporary psychoanalysis. The non-normative psychoanalytic mode of thought developed by Freud must be integrated with more recent formulations about gender and sexuality in order to conduct a psychoanalysis.
The impact of democracy, government ideology, and globalization on social spending in less developed countries
Authors: Ha Eunyoung
Published: January 2016

This study examines how democracy, government ideology, and globalization have shaped social expenditures in 67 less developed countries from 1975 to 2005. The empirical results show that more democratic nations spend a greater amount on social security and welfare (SSW), while leftist governments spend more on education. This is because, in most less developed nations, SSW programs disproportionately benefit formal-sector workers, who tend to be the decisive voters in the countries, and education spending helps a broader spectrum of people. The article also examines factors related to globalization and finds that a higher level of external debt is strongly associated with reduced SSW spending, which imposes direct costs and burdens to business. The results in this article provide evidence that, even in less developed countries, political leaders’ commitment to social expenditures varies according to their electoral, ideological, and economic interests.
A Participatory Design Approach for a Mobile App-Based Personal Response System
Authors: Song Donggil , Oh Eun Young
Published: January 2016

This study reports on a participatory design approach including the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a mobile app-based personal response system (PRS). The first cycle formulated initial design principles through context and needs analysis; the second utilized the collaboration with instructors and experts embodying specific design guidelines to advance instructional benefits; the third developed a PRS and revised it based on pilot implementations; and the fourth engaged instructors and students in evaluating the PRS in terms of the class participation and learning support as well as design components. The authors provide an overview of the design and development process and summarize the results of the evaluation on design components. The results of this study inform educational researchers about the usefulness of a participatory design approach to formulate design components of educational software. This study also provides a natural guide toward future research on the relationship between each design aspect and learner performance when using a PRS.
Gender and the Military Profession
Authors: Smith David G. , Rosenstein Judith E.
Published: January 2016

As increasing numbers of women are recruited into the U.S. Navy, retention of women (especially in combat occupational specialties) lags behind men. Data indicate that women and men leave the Navy because of impact on their family. Lack of career persistence for women in nontraditional professions such as science, technology, engineering, and math professions has also been attributed to social psychological factors including self-efficacy, stereotype threat, and bias. We build on this research to examine the military and service academies’ socialization of women into a traditionally male profession through role model influence. Surveys were collected from students at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) on their work–family expectations. Results show a gendered difference in career intentions and influences by male and female non-USNA peers, but not from their families or officers. Expected work–family conflict, gender ideology, and family formation intentions were employed to explore relationships between work and family expectations.
The crisis of Arab states, ethics and citizenship
Authors: Corm Georges
Published: January 2016

The present article constitutes an attempt to analyse the historical causes of the present crisis affecting the Arab world and the failure to build modern states in this region. It has to be noticed that from the three main ethnic groups constituting the pillars of the Middle East, i.e. the Persians, the Arabs and the Turks, the Arab failure and the generalization of violence in Arab societies and between Arab states is to be adequately analysed in order to be able to contribute to peace, reform and a dignified life for Arab citizens. Different historical factors are identified in the article, some of them internal to Arab societies, but inextricably linked to massive foreign interferences in the region. The last of these interferences are linked to the instrumentalization of religion in the last period of the cold war in order to stop the extension of Soviet and communist influence in the Arab and Muslim world. Since then, this use of religion for political purpose in the conflicts about supremacy in the region has destroyed ethics and citizenship and given rise to generalized violence and acts of terrorism, in addition to other economic and social factors that are identified in the article.
Business models impacting social change in violent and poverty-stricken neighbourhoods: A case study in Colombia
Authors: Hlady Rispal Martine , Servantie Vinciane
Published: January 2016

The business model (BM) – a representation of a venture’s core logic for creating value – is an emergent construct of interest in social entrepreneurship research. While the BM concept is normally associated with financial objectives, socio-entrepreneurial BMs are uniquely identifiable by their social value propositions, by their intended target markets and by the projected social change. Drawing from a longitudinal case study of a Colombian foundation, we outline the characteristics of socio-entrepreneurial BMs. We analyse the entrepreneurial process behind the implementation of a BM that draws on communitarian innovative solutions that benefit the excluded and, ultimately, society at large. Focusing on the question of how socio-entrepreneurial BMs progressively evolve to produce social change, we examine the BM of a successful socio-entrepreneurial venture that exhibits the conditions of social change. Our findings show that the social value proposition, the entrepreneur’s passion for social change and a community-based network are decisive factors.
Reducing inequalities in care for patients with non-malignant diseases: Insights from a realist evaluation of an integrated palliative care pathway
Authors: Dalkin Sonia Michelle , Lhussier Monique , Philipson Pete , Jones Diana , Cunningham William
Published: January 2016

Background:

The need for palliative care is growing internationally with an increasing prevalence of non-malignant diseases. The integrated care pathway was implemented in primary care by multidisciplinary teams from 2009 in a locality in the North East of England. Fourteen general practitioner practices provided data for the study.

Aim:

To find whether, how, and under what circumstances palliative care registrations are made for patients with non-malignant diseases in primary care.

Design:

General practitioner practice data were analysed statistically and qualitative data were collected from health care professionals and members of relevant organisations.

Findings:

A mixed-effects logistic model indicated a significant difference beyond the 0.1% level ( p < 0.001) in registrations between the malignant and non-malignant groups in 2011, with an odds ratio of 0.09 (=exp(−2.4266)), indicating that patients in the non-malignant group are around 11 times (1/0.09) less likely to be registered than patients in the malignant group. However, patients with non-malignant diseases were significantly more likely to be registered in 2012 than in 2011 with an odds ratio of 1.46, significant beyond the 1% level. Qualitative analyses indicate that health care professionals find registering patients with non-malignant diseases stressful, yet feel that their confidence in treating this population is increasing.

Conclusion:

The integrated care pathway began to enable the reduction in inequalities in care by identifying, registering and managing an increasing number of palliative patients with non-malignant diseases. Consensual and inclusive definitions of palliative care were developed in order to legitimise the registration of such patients.
SNARC Effect in Different Effectors
Authors: Hesse Philipp N. , Fiehler Katja , Bremmer Frank
Published: January 2016

The SNARC (spatial numerical association of response codes) effect, indicating that subjects react faster to the left for small numbers and to the right for large numbers, is used as evidence for the idea that humans use space to organize number representations. Previous studies compared the SNARC effect across sensory modalities within participants and concluded modality independence. So far, it is unknown what sensory-to-motor mappings are involved in generating the SNARC effect and whether these mappings are identical for different effectors within subjects. Hence, we tested whether the SNARC effect is effector specific. Participants performed an auditory parity judgment task and responded with three different effectors: finger (button release), eyes (saccades), and arm (pointing). The SNARC effect occurred in each effector but varied in strength across the effectors. Across subjects, we found a significant correlation of SNARC strength for finger and arm responses suggesting the use of a shared sensory-to-motor mapping. SNARC strength did not correlate, however, between finger and eyes or arm and eyes. An additional statistical analysis based on conditional probabilities provided further evidence for SNARC-effector specificity. Taken together, our results suggest that the sensory-to-motor mapping is not as tight as it would be expected if the SNARC effect was effector independent.
Classifying sedimentary organics:
Authors: Alderson Danielle M. , Evans Martin G. , Rothwell James J. , Boult Stephen
Published: January 2016

Sediments are crucial to the understanding of environmental processes and conditions in a variety of systems. The study of sediments often focuses on quantity, but should involve more emphasis on the quality of the organic component, by utilising commonplace techniques employed by other disciplines. We provide a classification scheme that will allow those interested in organic matter quality to decide on appropriate techniques to apply, and discuss a variety of applications of the investigation of organic matter quality in diverse areas of Physical Geography. Firstly, this paper conceptualises organic matter quality by examining how different groups identify with this term, providing a classification scheme that may assist individuals in their exploration of organic matter character. Secondly, it identifies key areas of investigation linked to Physical Geography where research into organic matter quality may provide a necessary or useful component. Finally, it explains and evaluates crucial techniques for characterising organic matter quality.
Pulling together in a crisis? Anarchism, feminism and the limits of left-wing convergence in austerity Britain
Authors: Maiguashca Bice , Dean Jonathan , Keith Dan
Published: January 2016

In this article, we examine three key, recently emergent sites of anti-austerity activism in Britain – Left Unity, the People’s Assembly and Occupy – in order to explore to what extent and in which ways the traditional British left is in the process of reconfiguring itself. More specifically, we explore the ‘points of contact’ being developed, or not, amongst feminist, anarchist and Marxist/socialist activists. We argue that if we are seeing a mutation of the left at present, it concerns a noticeable (if partial and contested) ‘feminist turn’ in terms of the composition, ideas and practices of these sites.
Marxism and anarchism in an age of neoliberal crisis
Authors: Choat Simon
Published: January 2016

Challenging claims of a recent ‘anarchist turn’, this article argues that calls for a ‘left convergence’ between anarchism and Marxism should be treated with caution. It sets out to establish what distinguishes Marxism from anarchism today, and argues that the former contains superior resources with which to challenge the current dominance of neoliberalism. In order to elucidate the strengths of Marxism, it addresses three common anarchist criticisms of Marxism, concerning its authoritarian strategies; its economic reductionism; and its lack of moral or ethical perspective. It argues that each of these criticisms inadvertently highlights the advantages of Marxism over anarchism.
Latarjet Procedure for Anterior Shoulder Instability Due to Tramadol-Induced Seizures
Authors: Khater Ahmad Hany , Sobhy Mohamed H. , Said Hatem G. , Kandil Ahmed , Reda Walid , Seifeldin Ahmed Fouad , Moustafa Ramez , Elassal Maher A. , Kamel Ezzat M.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Seizures, commonly due to epilepsy, are known to cause shoulder instability. Tramadol addiction has recently been found to induce seizures in patients who exceed the recommended dose. Because of the easy accessibility and low cost of tramadol, an increasingly alarming phenomenon of tramadol abuse has been demonstrated in recent years.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this multicenter study was to investigate shoulder instability resulting from tramadol-induced seizure (TIS) as well as to recommended management for such shoulder instability. The hypothesis was that TIS leads to anterior shoulder dislocations with major bony defects, which favors bony reconstructive procedures as a suitable method of treatment.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This prospective case series study was conducted on 73 patients (78 shoulders) who presented with anterior shoulder dislocations and a clear history of tramadol abuse. The mean age of the patients was 26.8 years, and the mean number of dislocations was 14. The mean duration of addiction was 17 months, with a mean dose of 752 mg of tramadol hydrochloride per day. Glenoid and humeral bone loss ranged from 15% to 35% and from 15% to 40%, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 28 months. All patients underwent an open Latarjet procedure.

Results:

Postoperative mean Rowe score and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score at final follow-up (24 months) improved significantly from 20 to 84 and from 44 to 91, respectively ( P < .05). The patient satisfaction rate reached 95%, and the mean period of return to work was 12.8 weeks. Five patients (9%) had postoperative seizures due to relapse of the tramadol abuse, but only 3 patients (5%) had redislocations with nonunion or breakage of the graft or hardware.

Conclusion:

Tramadol addiction has evolved as an important cause of seizures that can result in shoulder dislocation. Anterior shoulder instability with TIS occurs mainly with higher levels of addiction and results in significant humeral and/or glenoid bone defects. The Latarjet procedure is recommended for these patients, after control of addiction, and provides 95% satisfaction at midterm follow-up.
Comparative in vivo toxicity assessment places multiwalled carbon nanotubes at a higher level than mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Rawat Nidhi , Sandhya  , Subaharan Kesavan , Eswaramoorthy M , Kaul Gautam
Published: January 2016

In the present work, we took two nanomaterials (NMs), mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and compared their in vivo toxicity taking albino mice as a test animal model. Presently, conflicting data persist regarding behavior of these NMs with macromolecules like protein and lipid at the cellular level in cell lines as well as in animal models and this generated the interest to study them. The mice were treated orally with a single dose of 50 ppm MWCNTs and intraperitoneally with 10, 25, and 50 mg kg−1 body weight (BW) of MSNs and 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg kg−1 BW of MWCNTs. Liver enzyme markers serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase along with total protein (TP) levels were evaluated 7 days postexposure. No significant differences in organ weight indices or enzyme levels were observed between different treatment doses but there were significant differences between the treatment groups and the controls. Of the three enzymes assayed, AST displayed a peculiar pattern, especially in the MWCNTs intraperitoneally treated group. TP level was significantly increased in the orally treated MWCNTs group. The results showed that MWCNTs even at much smaller doses than MSNs displayed similar toxicity levels, suggesting that toxicity of MWCNTs is greater than MSNs.
Community Experience With Public Sex Offender Registries in the United States: A National Survey
Authors: Harris Andrew J. , Cudmore Rebecca
Published: January 2016

Since the first sex offender community notification laws in the early 1990s, the expansion of online sex offender registries (SORs) in the United States has offered Americans unprecedented access to information about previously convicted sex offenders living in their communities. Despite this, survey data suggest that relatively few citizens use SORs and that even fewer use that information for specific protective purposes. The current study examines the patterns and correlates of SOR usage among a stratified nationwide sample of 1,000 U.S. adults, offering the most extensive national assessment to date of SOR use among the U.S. public. Although 45% of the sample reported that they had accessed an SOR (higher than rates reported in previous studies), the majority had done so only once or twice, most typically out of general curiosity rather than for a specific purpose. Separating these “casual users” from those who had consulted the SOR more frequently, the study revealed significant effects related to gender, age, race, political ideology, and importance of religion. Analyses also found the most frequent users to be significantly more likely to report diminished feelings of safety as a result of viewing SOR information and to engage in protective actions, including the sharing of information with family and neighbors. Policy implications for the design and implementation of public SORs are discussed.
Preparation, characterization, and properties of organic silicone intermediate-modified epoxy resin copolymers
Authors: Li Rui , Zhou Cheng , Chen Yang , Zou Huawei , Liang Mei , Li Yi
Published: January 2016

In this work, a series of silicone-containing epoxy copolymers (E231) were synthesized through a condensation reaction between the Si-OCH3 of SY231 and the –OH of E51. The chemical structural determinations of the copolymer were carried out with the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and an epoxy equivalent weight test. Besides, the grafting content of SY231 in E231 copolymers was determined by the proton (1H) NMR integration technique. The mechanical properties, thermal stabilities, and morphology of impact fractured surface of cured products were also investigated. The experimental results show that increased impact strength was observed for the cured E231 products, meanwhile the improvement of the impact strength was closely related to the content of silicone in copolymers. A smooth surface was observed on the neat epoxy specimen, while a rough surface was observed by scanning electron microscopic examination on the impact fractured surface of the cured E231 products. The data of TGA indicated that silicone exerted its thermal stability through thermal decomposition energy dissipation, acted as thermal insulation, and finally enhanced the solid residue at 800°C. Dynamic thermomechanical analysis tests displayed that the glass transition temperature of epoxy systems decreased slightly with the introduction of the flexible organosilicone.
Ultrahigh strength and modulus copolyamide films with uniaxially cold-drawing induced molecular orientation
Authors: Luo Longbo , Huang Jieyang , Feng Yan , Wang Xu , Qin Jiaqiang , Liu Xiangyang
Published: January 2016

The tensile strength of polymer films is generally lower than 200 MPa. Copolyamide (CPA) films with ultrahigh strength (approximately 317–865 MPa) and high modulus (approximately 3.96–11.76 GPa) were obtained by uniaxial cold-drawing and heat treatment. The relationship between structures and properties in the orientation state was also investigated. The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicate that hydrogen bonding interactions change a little with drawing. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns show orientational stretch induces π–π ordered packing after drawing 100%. The tensile strength and modulus of the drawn CPA films are improved approximately 41%–173% and 9%–197% compared to undrawn films. Dichroic ratios obtained under polarized FTIR spectroscopy represent overall orientation factors. The decrease of dichroic ratios at about 3300 cm−1 and 1650 cm−1 and the increase of dichroic ratios at 1515 cm−1 prove that the orientation of macromolecular chains is improved along stretch direction. What’s more, the degree of orientation is further increased after heat treatment, which is the phenomenon of spontaneous orientation. The degree of spontaneous orientation increases with the increase of cold-drawing ratio. Thus, the initial orientation in cold-drawing and spontaneous orientation during heat treatment leads to ultrahigh modulus and high strength.
CAx-technologies for hybrid fast tool/slow slide servo diamond turning of freeform surface
Authors: Neo Dennis Wee Keong , Senthil Kumar A , Rahman Mustafizur
Published: January 2016

Most of commercial CAM software solutions (SolidCAM, Unigraphics and etc.) are commonly employed for generating tool paths on machining of freeform surfaces. However, these CAM software solutions are presently unable to support fast tool/slow slide servo diamond turning of freeform surface due to difference in coordinating systems. In contrast to traditional machining processes, fast tool/slow slide servo diamond turning is controlled by both linear and angular positions of the workpiece and is known as polar or cylindrical coordinate system. Hence, a special CAM post-processor is required to generate the spiral tool trajectory in fast tool/slow slide servo diamond turning. However, these special CAM software solutions are very expensive. Manufacturers have been searching for solutions to sustain their competitive advantage in mass producing products at the shortest time to market and at a most economical cost. Hence, these drive the needs for an alternative and economical option of generating accurate tool trajectory for fast tool/slow slide servo diamond turning of freeform surfaces. This article proposes an attractive solution with an integration of Visual Basic application programming interface into SolidWorks to generate spiral tool trajectory for diamond turning of freeform surface. In this proposed methodology, the spiral tool trajectory can be extracted directly from computer-aided design models of freeform surface without utilizing any expensive CAM software. In addition, the critical cutting parameters and tool geometrical angles were also optimized with the developed methodologies for the accurate machining of freeform surfaces in the hybrid fast tool/slow slide servo process.
Mathematical modeling and a memetic algorithm for the integration of process planning and scheduling considering uncertain processing times
Authors: Jin Liangliang , Zhang Chaoyong , Shao Xinyu , Tian Guangdong
Published: January 2016

The integration of process planning and scheduling is important for an efficient utilization of manufacturing resources. However, the focus of existing works is mainly on deterministic constraints of jobs. This article proposes a novel memetic algorithm for the integrated process planning and scheduling problem with processing time uncertainty based on processing time scenarios. First, a mathematical model for the stochastic integrated process planning and scheduling problem based on the network graph is established. Due to the nonlinearity in the model and the complexity of the problem, a memetic algorithm is then suggested for this problem. A novel local search (variable neighborhood search) algorithm is incorporated into the memetic algorithm. Two effective neighborhood structures are employed in the variable neighborhood search algorithm to improve the overall performance of the population. Furthermore, for the uncertainty in processing times, a set of scenarios have been generated to evaluate each individual. Finally, two performance measures—the expected performance measure and the worst-case deviation measure—are introduced and compared. In the experimental studies, the proposed memetic algorithm is tested on typical benchmark instances. Computational results show that the expected makespan measure performs better than the worst-case deviation measure and the proposed method exhibits high performance especially for large-scale instances. In addition, the results obtained by the proposed memetic algorithm are more satisfactory than those obtained by the algorithm that considers deterministic processing times only.
Performance of reducing the dimensional error of an assembly by the rivet upsetting direction optimization
Authors: Ni Jun , Tang Wen Cheng , Xing Yan
Published: January 2016

Reduction in the dimensional error of an assembly mostly focuses on the variation of fixtures and parts inside, in which the variation is mainly controlled by the methods relating to the fixture design and variation analysis. Recently, more researches concentrate on the dimensional analysis of the aluminum assembly where the distortion of rivet joints cannot be neglected, that is, the riveting-induced dimensional error. Hence, both the device design and the variation analysis for the riveting are drawing much attention to reduce the overall distortion. This article presents a dimensional reduction method, a rivet upsetting direction optimization based on a local-to-global dimensional calculation. The method is developed from a recent framework of assembly process optimization according to the discovered sensitivity between global dimensional error and rivet upsetting directions. A potential function that gathers the overall effect of every locating error is included. Simulations for three riveted assemblies are presented for comparison and results show that the method is efficient for the specific assignment of every rivet upsetting directions, and the effects of locating errors and rivet upsetting directions are highly coupled. The coupled effect yields the key questions in the improvement of this method. Detailed suggestions are then summarized.