bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parallelism, Political
Authors: Mancini Paolo
Published: November 2015

There are differences between party press parallelism and political parallelism. Political parallelism indicates the degree to which media outlets tend to support and/or are linked to different cultures, ideas, and organizations that play some role within the political arena. Party press parallelism indicates some sort of organizational links, providing a tool for the party to organize its activity and to mobilize members. As numbers of party members have declined, readerships for party newspapers have also declined, and many parties have sold their newspapers to private entrepreneurs. This progressive disappearance of party press parallelism is not just linked to changes in the political arena but has occurred within a much larger process of cultural change. Party press parallelism has shifted toward what we define today as political parallelism. This is reflected by the alignment of newspapers along the lines of different ideological, political, and cultural views. In the present era of media abundance, market segmentation becomes the winning instrument for media outlets. This is usually based on cultural, ideological, and political dimensions rather than on demographic ones.
Aesthetics, Political
Authors: Aiello Giorgia , Parry Katy
Published: November 2015

The relationship between the aesthetic and the political is historically controversial and increasingly complex. In broad terms, politics is associated with a commitment to substantial debate and concrete action, where aesthetics is related to image, style, and performance. Due to this dialectic, political aesthetics has been often equated with a potential for manipulation and mystification. The 20th century was set apart by pessimism toward popular culture and anxiety around the role and use of aesthetics in the political sphere. Though this suspicion towards the aesthetic persists across the humanities and social sciences, the growing interdependence of the popular and the political, alongside recent changes in communication technology, have compelled a number of scholars to consider aesthetics as a fundamental dimension of political activity. Careful attention to key moments of tension and complementarity, especially where political critique is realized
through
spectacle, encourages productive engagement with the aesthetic dimensions of political communication. Thanks to such engagement, it further becomes clear that the visual plays an especially significant role in mainstream and activist politics alike, insofar as key political activities such as debate, protest, and action commonly take place in and through sensorially rich mediated arenas like television, digital journalism, and social media.
Online News
Authors: Mitchelstein Eugenia , Boczkowski Pablo J.
Published: November 2015

This entry provides a comprehensive examination of the research on online journalists and news consumers. It analyzes three areas of scholarship on online news production (organizational and market conditions, changes in work practices and professional identities of news workers, and users as content producers) and another three streams on online news consumption (displacement and complementarity between traditional and Internet news sources, audience fragmentation and homogenization, and the connection between online news consumption and political knowledge and participation). It also discusses the limitations in the research and explores how these limitations are tied to fundamental conceptual organizers in the political communication literature.
Symbolic Interactionism
Authors: Vardanega Agnese
Published: November 2015

This entry presents the main concepts of symbolic interactionism as a theoretical and methodological framework aimed at analyzing how social experience is constructed by the means of language and social interaction. It also describes the evolution of these key concepts, in the course of the long history of this sociological current, with particular reference to their application in media studies. Recent developments in the field of Internet studies are briefly presented, in consideration of the revived interest in some classical constructs of sociological theory (community, definition of the situation, presentation of the Self), resulting from the diffusion of new forms of mediated interactions on the Web.
Issue Voting
Authors: Pasquino Gianfranco
Published: November 2015

Voting is never a simple act. It entails a complex relationship between, on the one hand, candidates and parties, and, on the other hand, voters. Voting is always the consequence of a decision made by voters, not in splendid isolation, but with reference to what candidates and parties have offered them and after evaluating the pluses and minuses on several levels. Candidates may want to emphasize their personality. Parties will attempt to stress their performance. The voters' decision is also influenced by many social and psychological preconditions and factors. In some elections and in given circumstances, candidates and parties may highlight the importance of particular issues and voters may come to consider one issue of special significance to them. Whether an issue becomes salient and paramount is also the product of the interplay between candidates, parties, and voters and of the power of whoever succeeds in setting the agenda.
Protest, Political
Authors: Diani Mario
Published: November 2015

This entry explores the complex relation between political protest and political communication from three different angles: the nature of protest as a distinctive form of political communication; the multiple ways in which protest (its forms as well as its outcomes) is shaped by established communication media, while in turn influencing them to various degrees; the role of communication practices and communication rights as objects of political protest. The entry concludes with a discussion of how changes in information and communication technology (ICT) might be altering the interplay of protest and communication.
Computer‐Mediated Communication
Authors: Singer Jane B.
Published: November 2015

Although political actors, journalists, and citizens continue to use all forms of mediated and interpersonal communication for political purposes, computer‐mediated communication (
CMC
) has become central to gathering, producing, and sharing civic information.
Framing Theory
Authors: de Vreese Claes H. , Lecheler Sophie
Published: November 2015

Political issues can be viewed from different perspectives and they can be defined differently in the news media by emphasizing some aspects and leaving others aside. This is at the core of news framing theory. Framing originates within sociology and psychology and has become one of the most used theories in political communication research.
Political Election Debates
Authors: Benoit William L.
Published: November 2015

This essay explains why campaign debates are important events in democratic societies. Political election debates are becoming more common, occurring in more countries around the world as time goes on. Political campaign debates have several advantages over other kinds of campaign message forms. The effects of watching election debates will be discussed in this essay: Campaign debates have been found to reinforce existing attitudes. This can be important because if a voter has a stronger attitude he or she is more likely to donate funds to the candidate, more likely to actually cast a vote on election day, and less likely to defect and vote for the opposing candidate. However, debates also have the potential to inform voters and to change attitudes for some voters. This essay then discusses the content of election debates. Candidates usually acclaim more than they attack; incumbents acclaim even more and attack less than challengers. The target of attack is an important strategic consideration in primary debates and multiparty elections. Most candidates discuss policy more than character. Differences occur between messages from incumbents and from challengers.
Knowledge Gap
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuro
Published: November 2015

This entry provides an overview of predictors, consequences, implications, and methodological issues surrounding gaps in political knowledge. It reviews theories and research findings focusing on individual motivation and cognitive skills, political institutions, and media systems as predictors of such knowledge gaps. The democratic implications of knowledge gaps are discussed from the viewpoints of a monitorial citizen and low‐information rationality. Arguments about the validity of conventional measures of political knowledge are also reviewed.
Narrative, Political
Authors: Hartley John
Published: November 2015

Political narrative, the mediation of the political process in story form, has been regarded as secondary to political reality in political science. Textual approaches derived from structuralism, evolutionary theory, and media studies conclude that political narrative is better conceptualized as constitutive of the polity. Recent archaeological discoveries appear to confirm the latter view.
Collective Memory
Authors: Tenenboim‐Weinblatt Keren , Baden Christian
Published: November 2015

Collective memory is a current interpretation of the past that members of a group recognize as commonly shared. The study of collective memory has developed in fields as diverse as sociology, anthropology, social psychology, history, cultural studies, and communication. Collective memory concerns a group's recollections of the past, construed through the perspective of the present, and interpreted to serve present purposes. It emerges from active constructions of the past, typically achieved through the interplay of a wide range of actors. To become manifested as a shared narrative, resulting constructions must be widely disseminated and appropriated by individuals in a group to ensure mutual awareness. As a consequence, collective memory exists in the shared and private imagination of people, and is represented in the texts, practices, and artifacts of a group. The construction, dissemination, appropriation, and discursive mobilization of collective memory play significant roles in political processes.
Constructivism
Authors: Danelzik Mathis
Published: November 2015

Constructivism is a theory that carries on the ancient epistemological debate about skepticism, which denies the possibility of attaining objective knowledge. Constructivism poses basic questions about scientific inquiry. Social constructivism has become a transdisciplinary endeavor that encompasses all social sciences. Various arguments for and against constructivism are brought forth, with the most important debates revolving around the issue of relativism regarding both morality and science. Constructivist theories differ considerably from each other as well, especially regarding the need to rethink methodology and constructivism's impetus of social change via the exposing of truth claims. Constructivism has shaped the understanding of the political, broadened the subject of political communication, and redefined power as a category of analysis. It challenges realist positions in a recognizable pattern across different fields. Different takes on framing theory exemplify disputes between realism and constructivism in political communication and beyond.
Corporatism
Authors: Kunelius Risto
Published: November 2015

Corporatism refers to a trajectory of social thinking emphasizing the possibility of deliberate negotiation of common good. It assumes a possible functionalistic solution to key questions of the public and politics: recognition, representation, and redistribution of social resources. As a modern ideology of governance it emerged in the context of 19th‐century nation‐building and ripened the context of 20th‐century welfare states. Corporatist tendencies forcefully shaped political communication by supporting powerful elite policy networks and structuring representation in the wider public. The corporatist media system became the dominant model particularly in some Northern European countries, combining strong media professionalism and commercial mass media with a substantial role for state actors in media policy, structures, and everyday political news practices. As a new wave of globalization erodes the fundamental conditions of corporatism, the concrete manifestations of corporatist media systems also face challenges.
Generations, Political
Authors: Kansteiner Wulf
Published: November 2015

The concept of political generation enjoys canonical status in the field of memory studies. Originally developed by the sociologist Karl Mannheim in the 1920s and successfully applied by Pierre Bourdieu in the 1980s, the concept is inherently instable. Political generations appear to emerge as a result of a process of historical imprint. A political generation represents a synchronic community of individuals who shared similar experiences during their youth and therefore developed similarly structured worldviews. But political generations do not jump into existence during historic events. They are socially constructed by people of roughly the same age who constitute themselves as a self‐conscious generation with the benefit of hindsight. Due to its conflicted profile, the concept of political generation mediates successfully between nature and culture, subjective perceptions and social structures, and the continuities and discontinuities of history.
Reception Analysis
Authors: Christian Schrøder Kim
Published: November 2015

The entry defines reception analysis as essentially oriented towards the qualitative exploration of audiences' sense‐making of media content in context, and by extension of how audiences make sense of their media‐saturated lifeworlds. The origins of reception research are described in opposition to textual analysis and effects research. The entry delineates the history of reception analysis by focusing on the five stages through which it has explored mediated citizenship, encompassing hegemonic, monitorial, popular, participatory, and ubiquitous forms of citizenship. The key challenges for reception analysis as a result of the transition from a mass media society to a culture of participation and ubiquitous media are discussed under the headings of methodological pluralism and the adoption of a cross‐media perspective.
Rational Choice
Authors: Vowe Gerhard
Published: November 2015

Rational choice theory (RCT) is a paradigm in the social sciences in which political communication is understood as a rational decision between distinct opportunities of action made by individual actors in accordance with the expected consequences arising from the respective conditions, especially from the costs and benefits of the decision.
Conflict/War
Authors: Wolfsfeld Gadi , Yarchi Moran
Published: November 2015

The role of the media in conflicts and wars is a central topic in political communication. There are few types of events that are as newsworthy as wars because they provide an extensive amount of drama and political significance. Many would claim that the media have become the central arena for modern wars. The relative level of independence that domestic media can attain during wars, the factors that can alter that level of independence, and the interactions between leaders, the media, and public opinion are of paramount importance in this field. The media generally play a problematic role in attempts to prevent wars. In the digital age online and mobile communication technologies reshape the media's role in conflicts considerably.
Mediated Deliberation
Authors: Rinke Eike Mark
Published: November 2015

Mediated deliberation refers to a family of media communication processes conducive to a well‐ordered polity as envisioned in deliberative theories of democracy. It is based on the traditional engagement of deliberation scholars with face‐to‐face small‐group communication and has evolved into a distinct program of empirical and normative research. This entry traces the relations to deliberative democratic theory, highlights the differences between mediated deliberation and face‐to‐face deliberation, provides an overview of the key components of mediated deliberation processes, and outlines future directions in researching mediated deliberation.
Civil Society
Authors: Avritzer Leonardo
Published: November 2015

The concept of civil society emerged in the 19th century, around 1820, as a dualist concept capable of expressing two changes brought about by western modernity: the differentiation between the family and the economic sphere caused by the abolition of bondage, and the differentiation between state and society caused by the systemic specialization of the modern state. Thus, in its first formulation civil society is a dualist concept which expresses the beginning of a process of state and society differentiation in the west. Civil society both as a concept and as a form of activism remains central to both western and nonwestern modernity as a form of pluralization and democratization of social life.
Talk Shows, Political
Authors: Harmer Emily
Published: November 2015

Political talk shows have a significant present on television around the world. There are a diverse range of formats, which appeal to different audiences, but they are all characterized by informal and unscripted discussion. Political talk shows are constructed as spontaneous and informal but are in fact rigidly structured. It is claimed that they offer a space for political commentary that allows audiences to form their own political views, but critics claim that political talk shows do not inspire healthy political debate and instead focus on trivial matters. Political talk shows are also criticized for presenting an insufficient spectrum of political views, and for privileging elite or expert voices.
Political Communication Research inEurope
Authors: Voltmer Katrin
Published: November 2015

Europe is characterized as much by its diversity as by any common feature that could reasonably be identified as European. Reaching from the Atlantic to the Ural and from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle, Europe includes a large variety of cultural traditions, languages, religions, and polities, which have brought about different political communication cultures and systems of media‐politics relations across the continent. In fact, it seems easier to identify what divides Europeans than what unites them.
Representation, Political
Authors: Saward Michael
Published: November 2015

Defined as making present something that is absent, or acting or speaking for something or someone, the concept of political representation has a rich history and is subject to vibrant contemporary debate. Mainstream electoral views of political representation are challenged by new actors and modes of representing, and its relationship to key political values such as democracy and participation continues to evolve.
Voting Behavior and Communication
Authors: Kleinen‐Von Königslöw Katharina
Published: November 2015

Few questions have triggered as much theoretical debate and empirical research in the field of political communication as the potential impact of communication on voting behavior. This entry discusses the theoretical underpinnings, main empirical results, and future research perspectives regarding the influence of communication by political actors, communication by journalists, and interpersonal communication on two forms of voting behavior: voter turnout and vote choice. Despite fears to the contrary, communication about an election will encourage citizens to participate and cast their votes. At the same time, the influence of communication on vote choice seems to occur mainly in the form of indirect effects, such as knowledge gains, agenda‐setting, and priming and framing effects. A direct persuasive influence is comparatively rare and mostly short‐lived. But this may change as the proportion of undecided, more susceptible voters continues to rise in many countries.
Pluralism, Political
Authors: Pasquino Gianfranco
Published: November 2015

Pluralism—the practice of competition among interests, ideas, and associations—lies at the heart of democratic regimes. Pluralism holds the view that between the state, on the one hand, and the individual, on the other, there are autonomous and independent associations of all kinds. These associations prevent the state from becoming omnipotent and oppressive and offer to the individual the best chance to participate in the political life and to exercise some influence. Pluralism has been challenged by the elitists as well as by the neocorporatists. The former claim that even in democratic societies there are dominant groups that are far more powerful than most citizens' associations. The neocorporatists have maintained that iron triangles comprising governments and their bureaucracy, the unions, and major industrial organizations dominate the decision‐making process. While neocorporatism has substantially receded, the challenge to be faced by all democracies continues to be the unequal distribution to individuals and groups of political (social and economic) voice and power.
RAFT polymerization of acrylamide manipulated with trithiocarbonates in poly(ethylene glycol) solution
Authors: Zhang Yulin , Ye Lei , Diao Yongfu , Lei Weiwei , Shi LinYing , Ran Rong
Published: November 2015

The reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylamide (AM) in aqueous two‐phase system was successfully carried out in polyethylene glycol (PEG) aqueous solution. Because of phase transition involved in the polymerization process, the ln([M]0/[M])‐time plots were indicated in two‐stages significantly. Both the initial homogeneous polymerization and the subsequent heterogeneous polymerization were under good control. The effects of various synthesis parameters such as polymerization temperature, concentration of CTA, and initiator on RAFT polymerization behaviors have been investigated. Furthermore, the evolution process of the droplet morphologies after separation was examined by transmission electron microscope. The results showed that the nuclei were formed throughout the whole heterogeneous polymerization and stable sphere particles with an average size of about 1 μm were produced finally. More importantly, it was also found that the viscosity played a significant role in the stabilization of the dispersion of polymer particles. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43000.
Two‐phase and three‐phase liquid‐phase microextraction of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene in urine samples
Authors: Ahmad Panahi Homayon , Ejlali Maryam , Chabouk Monireh
Published: November 2015

This paper reports the applicability of two‐phase and three‐phase hollow fiber based liquid‐phase microextraction (HF‐LPME) for the extraction of hydrochlorothiazide (HYD) and triamterene (TRM) from human urine. The HYD in two‐phase HF‐LPME is extracted from 24 mL of the aqueous sample into an organic phase with microliter volume located inside the pores and lumen of a polypropylene hollow fiber as acceptor phase, but the TRM in three‐phase HF‐LPME is extracted from aqueous donor phase to organic phase and then back‐extracted to the aqueous acceptor phase, which can be directly injected into HPLC for analysis. Under optimized conditions preconcentration factors of HYD and TRM were obtained as 128 and 239, respectively. The calibration curves were linear (R2 ≥ 0.995) in the concentration range of 1.0–100 µg/L for HYD and 2.0–100 µg/L for TRM. The limits of detection for HYD and TRM were 0.5 µg/L. The intra‐day and inter‐day RSD based on four replicates were obtained as ≤5.8 and ≤9.3%, respectively. The methods were successfully applied for determining the concentration of the drugs in urine samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Will invasive coronary imaging identify vulnerable plaque and predict future cardiac events?
Authors: Safian Robert D.
Published: November 2015

Key Points

Culprit ACS lesions are characterized by varying degrees of plaque rupture and thrombosis overlying a large lipid core plaque (LCP).

Identification of LCP using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was accurate for detecting culprit lesions in ACS patients.

While LCP may be a marker of vulnerable plaque, further studies are needed to determine if NIRS can provide a site‐specific approach to predicting and preventing future cardiac events.

© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ageless benefits of transradial access for percutaneous coronary revascularization
Authors: Kim Sun Moon , Moliterno David J.
Published: November 2015

Key Points

Radial artery access for PCI is an independent predictor of reduced mortality and lower major bleeding events.

In this report, use of radial artery access increased roughly from less than 20% in 2006 to great than 60% in 2012, with the lowest increase among octogenarians.

Steadily increasing operator experience and improving equipment should make radial artery access the preferred approach in the overwhelming majority of cases—irrespective of patient age.
Implantation of everolimus‐eluting bioresorbable scaffolds in a diabetic all‐comers population—the future is now?
Authors: Sharma Ajay K. , Levy Michael S.
Published: November 2015

Key Points

This article describes a single‐center experience of Everolimus‐eluting bioresorbable scaffolds as an alternative to drug eluting stents in diabetic patients with various presentations of coronary artery disease.

The results suggest the possibility of a paradigm shift for treatment in this population as ultimately no metallic remains are left to act as a nidus for inflammation.

The study suggests the benefits as well as technical limitations of the current bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) technology, such as increased strut thickness, decreased deliverability, and increase in major cardiovascular events compared to current drug eluting stent (DES) technology.
Refining rather than redefining the BVS in “real world”
Authors: Seth Ashok , Ezhumalai Babu
Published: November 2015

Key Points

The article outlines the factors influencing acute recoil of BVS after implantation, especially the role of lesion preparation and predilatation.

It attracts attention to “optimal implantation technique” of BVS in complex “real world” patients to improve outcomes and avoid scaffold thrombosis.

Large multicenter registries/trials in complex lesions utilizing “optimal implantation techniques” could establish the role of BVS in our “real world” practice.
Conjunctival and pulmonary hemodynamic properties in sickle cell disease subjects with and without pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kord Valeshabad Ali , Wanek Justin , Molokie Robert E. , Machado Roberto F. , Gordeuk Victor R. , Shahidi Mahnaz
Published: November 2015

Key Clinical Message

Conjunctival microvascular hemodynamic alterations were reported for the first time in sickle cell subjects with and without pulmonary hypertension. Assessment of the conjunctival microcirculation using noninvasive imaging may improve understanding of microvascular hemodynamic alterations that occur due to pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease.
Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of cystic biliary atresia
Authors: Morel Baptiste , Kolanska Kamila , Dhombres Ferdinand , Jouannic Jean Marie , Franchi‐Abella Stéphanie , Ducou Le Pointe Hubert , Garel Catherine
Published: November 2015

Key Clinical Message

Nonvisualization of the gallbladder during the second trimester of pregnancy should prompt concern for biliary atresia. A normal‐sized gallbladder with irregular and crenelated wall associated with a cyst of the extrahepatic tract should raise concern for cystic biliary atresia.
Synthesis of Polypentenamer and Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) with a Phase‐Separable Polyisobutylene‐Supported Second‐Generation Hoveyda–Grubbs Catalyst
Authors: Al‐Hashimi Mohammed , Tuba Robert , Bazzi Hassan S. , Grubbs Robert H.
Published: November 2015

Equilibrium ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclic olefins using a soluble supported second‐generation Ru complex has been investigated. Cycloolefin homo‐ and copolymers are of great academic and industrial importance owing to their interesting applications as packaging materials, adhesives in coatings, and optoelectronics. The supported complex exhibits good chemical stability and was effective in ROMP of strained cyclic olefins. In addition, the complex is easily phase separated from the product, resulting in lower residual ruthenium in the final polymer product compared with the homogeneous complex.
How Consistent are Publicly Reported Cytotoxicity Data? Large‐Scale Statistical Analysis of the Concordance of Public Independent Cytotoxicity Measurements
Authors: Cortés‐Ciriano Isidro , Bender Andreas
Published: November 2015

While increased attention is being paid to the impact of data quality in cell‐line sensitivity and toxicology modeling, to date, no systematic study has evaluated the comparability of independent cytotoxicity measurements on a large‐scale. Here, we estimate the experimental uncertainty of public cytotoxicity data from ChEMBL version 19. We applied stringent filtering criteria to assemble a curated data set comprised of pIC50 data for compound–cell line systems measured in independent laboratories. The estimated experimental uncertainty calculated was a mean unsigned error (MUE) value of 0.61–0.76, a median unsigned error (MedUE) value of 0.51–0.58, and a standard deviation of 0.76–1.00 pIC50 units. The experimental uncertainty (σE) estimated from all pairs of cytotoxicity measurements with a ΔpIC50 value lower than 2.5 was found to be 0.59–0.77 pIC50 units, and thus 21–60 % and 21–26 % higher than that of pKi and pIC50 data for ligand–protein data (σE=0.47–0.48 pKi units and σE=0.57‐0.61 pIC50 units, respectively). The estimated σE value from the pairs of pIC50 values measured with metabolic assays was 0.98, whereas the σE value was found to be 0.69 when using the 1388 pIC50 pairs measured using exactly the same experimental setup. The maximum achievable Pearson correlation coefficient (
) of in silico models trained on cytotoxicity data from different laboratories was estimated to be 0.51–0.85, which is considerably different from the value of 1 corresponding to perfect predictions, hinting at the maximum performance one can expect also from computational cytotoxicity predictions. The lowest concordance between pairs of measurements was found for the drugs paclitaxel, methotrexate, zidovudine, and docetaxel, and for the cell lines HepG2, NCI‐H460, L1210, and CCRF‐CEM, hinting at particular sensitivity of those systems to experimental setups. The highest concordance was estimated for the compound–cell line system HL‐60–etoposide (σE=0.70), whereas the lowest for L1210–methotrexate (σE=1.68). We found that annotation errors are responsible for the high discordance observed for some pairs of measurements, pointing out the importance of data curation when automatically extracting cytotoxicity data from public databases. Likewise, these results highlight the importance of estimating compound cytotoxicity with assays providing complementary biological information (i.e., metabolic, clonogenic and assays based on cell membrane integrity), especially when the mechanism of action of test compounds is unknown. From this analysis, guidelines can be created on the reliability of cytotoxicity data from public databases, which could ultimately prove valuable for modeling purposes, and to guide reporting of data in the literature.
High‐Strength Composite Fibers from Cellulose–Lignin Blends Regenerated from Ionic Liquid Solution
Authors: Ma Yibo , Asaadi Shirin , Johansson Leena‐Sisko , Ahvenainen Patrik , Reza Mehedi , Alekhina Marina , Rautkari Lauri , Michud Anne , Hauru Lauri , Hummel Michael , Sixta Herbert
Published: November 2015

Composite fibres that contain cellulose and lignin were produced from ionic liquid solutions by dry‐jet wet spinning. Eucalyptus dissolving pulp and organosolv/kraft lignin blends in different ratios were dissolved in the ionic liquid 1,5‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non‐5‐enium acetate to prepare a spinning dope from which composite fibres were spun successfully. The composite fibres had a high strength with slightly decreasing values for fibres with an increasing share of lignin, which is because of the reduction in crystallinity. The total orientation of composite fibres and SEM images show morphological changes caused by the presence of lignin. The hydrophobic contribution of lignin reduced the vapour adsorption in the fibre. Thermogravimetric analysis curves of the composite fibres reveal the positive effect of the lignin on the carbonisation yield. Finally, the composite fibre was found to be a potential raw material for textile manufacturing and as a precursor for carbon fibre production.
Enhancement of Lumbar Fusion and Alleviation of Adjacent Segment Disc Degeneration by Intermittent PTH(1-34) in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Zhou Zhuang , Tian Fa-Ming , Gou Yu , Wang Peng , Zhang Heng , Song Hui-Ping , Shen Yong , Zhang Ying-Ze , Zhang Liu
Published: November 2015

Osteoporosis, which is prevalent in postmenopausal or aged populations, is thought to be a contributing factor to adjacent segment disc degeneration (ASDD), and the incidence and extent of ASDD may be augmented by osteopenia. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1-34) has already been shown to be beneficial in osteoporosis, lumbar fusion and matrix homeostasis of intervertebral discs. However, whether PTH(1-34) has a reversing or retarding effect on ASDD in osteopenia has not been confirmed. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of intermittent PTH(1-34) on ASDD in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. One hundred 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent L4–L5 posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) with spinous-process wire fixation 4 weeks after OVX surgery. Control groups were established accordingly. PTH(1-34) was intermittently administered immediately after PLF surgery and lasted for 8 weeks using the following groups (n = 20) (V = vehicle): Sham+V, OVX+V, Sham+PLF+V, OVX+PLF+V, OVX+PLF+PTH. The fused segments showed clear evidence of eliminated motion on the fusion-segment based on manual palpation. Greater new bone formation in histology was observed in PTH-treated animals compared to the control group. The extent of ASDD was significantly increased by ovariotomy. Intermittent PTH(1-34) significantly alleviated ASDD by preserving disc height, microvessel density, relative area of vascular buds, endplate thickness and the relative area of endplate calcification. Moreover, protein expression results showed that PTH(1-34) not only inhibited matrix degradation by decreasing MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and Col-I, but also promote matrix synthesis by increasing Col-II and Aggrecan. In conclusion, PTH(1-34), which effectively improves lumbar fusion and alleviates ASDD in ovariectomized rats, may be a potential candidate to ameliorate the prognosis of lumbar fusion in osteopenia. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Surgical anatomy of oropharynx and supraglottic larynx for transoral robotic surgery
Authors: Gun Ramazan , Ozer Enver
Published: November 2015

Traditional external surgical approaches have been used for the surgical management of the oropharyngeal and laryngeal tumors. Trans‐oral robotic surgery allows surgeon to operate oropharyngeal and supraglottic tumors through the mouth with preservation of functions. The surgeons must be knowledgeable about the anatomy of the oral cavity and oropharynx medial to lateral perspective. In this article, we will describe the relevant inside out surgical anatomy and its clinical implications for trans‐oral robotic surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015;112:690–696. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What is a clinically relevant difference in MDADI scores between groups of head and neck cancer patients?
Authors: Hutcheson Katherine A. , Barrow Martha P. , Lisec Asher , Barringer Denise A. , Gries Kacie , Lewin Jan S.
Published: November 2015

Objective/Hypothesis

To describe clinically relevant between‐group differences in MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) scores among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted in 1,136 HNC patients seen for modified barium swallow (MBS) studies.

Methods

The MDADI was administered by written questionnaire at the MBS appointment. MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory global, composite, and subscale scores were calculated. Anchor‐based methods were employed to determine clinically meaningful between‐group differences by feeding tube status, aspiration status (per MBS study), and diet level.

Results

Mean MDADI scores for the 1,136 patients were: emotional 65.8 ± 17.3, functional 68.1 ± 19.6, physical 60.1 ± 18.6, global 59.3 ± 28.3, and composite 64.0 ± 17.1. Three hundred seventy‐eight patients (33%) were feeding tube‐dependent; 395 (34.8%) were aspirators; 122 (11%) were nothing per oral (Performance Status Scale‐Head and Neck [PSS‐HN] diet = 0); and 249 (22%) ate unrestricted, regular diets (PSS‐HN diet = 100). Statistically significant (P < 0.0001) between‐group differences (feeding tube vs. no feeding tube, aspirator vs. nonaspirator, oral vs. nonoral diet, PSS‐HN diet levels) were observed for all mean MDADI scores (global, composite, and subscales). A mean difference of 10 points in composite MDADI scores differentiated feeding tube‐dependent from nontube‐dependent patients, aspirators from nonaspirators, and distinct PSS‐HN diet levels.

Conclusions

We identify that a 10‐point between‐group difference in composite MDADI scores was associated with clinically meaningful between‐group differences in swallowing function.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:1108–1113, 2016
The Mechanism and Thermodynamic Studies of CMRP: Different Control Mechanisms Demonstrated by CoII(TMP), CoII(salen*), and CoII(acac)2 Mediated Polymerization, and the Correlation of Reduction Potential, Equilibrium Constant, and Control Mechanism
Authors: Wang Fu‐Sheng , Yang Tsung‐Yao , Hsu Ching‐Chun , Chen Ya‐Jo , Li Ming‐Han , Hsu Yu‐Jie , Chuang Min‐Chieh , Peng Chi‐How
Published: November 2015

The mechanism study of cobalt mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) is performed with CoII(TMP), CoII(salen*), and CoII(acac)2 at 60 °C to demonstrate that the control of vinyl acetate radical polymerization is achieved via a degenerative transfer pathway when CoII(TMP) and CoII(salen*) are used but via a reversible termination process with equilibrium constant (Keq) equal to 1.4 × 106 m−1 when CoII(acac)2 is the mediator. Given by the measured Keq in CMRP with varied cobalt complexes and the reduction potential (E1/2) of the corresponding cobalt complexes, a linear correlation between log(Keq), and E1/2 is found and can be used to estimate the Keq of other CMRP systems. With the enriched database of Keq values, the control mechanisms of CMRP are quantitatively defined by CoII/CoIII equilibrium constant. The connection of reduction potential, equilibrium constant, and control mechanism would contribute to the in‐depth understanding of CMRP process.

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Preparation of Head‐to‐Tail Regioregular 6‐(1‐Alkenyl)‐Functionalized Poly(pyridine‐2,5‐diyl) and its Post‐Functionalization via Hydroboration
Authors: Grandl Markus , Pammer Frank
Published: November 2015

In this work, the preparation of head‐to‐tail regioregular poly(6‐(1‐tridecenyl)‐pyridine‐2,5‐diyl) (PPy) and its post‐functionalization via hydroboration is described. PPy has been prepared via Kumada‐coupling polycondensation with different catalytic systems. Number‐average molecular weights of up to Mn = 14.7 kDa (PDI = 2.0, DPn = 60) can be obtained, as determined by gel permeation chromatography relative to polystyrene standards. PPy has been characterized by MALDI‐TOF MS, optical spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The regioregularity of the material is confirmed by comparison with a head‐to‐head‐tail‐to‐tail regioregular polybipyridine (PBPy, Mn = 14.0 kDa, PDI = 1.5, DPn = 29). The 1‐alkenyl‐substituents in PPy have been introduced to provide functional groups for post‐functionalization. Herein, it is also demonstrated that these internal double‐bonds are sufficiently reactive to allow for hydroboration with 9H‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9H‐BBN), to furnish an intermediate borylated polymer (PPyHB). Treatment of PPyHB with strong acids, and characterization of the deborylated polymer PPyH2 proves quantitative conversion of the precursor polymer.

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Two novel regulators of N‐acetyl‐galactosamine utilization pathway and distinct roles in bacterial infections
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Ravcheev Dmitry A. , Hu Dan , Zhang Fengyu , Gong Xiufang , Hao Lina , Cao Min , Rodionov Dmitry A. , Wang Changjun , Feng Youjun
Published: November 2015

Bacterial pathogens can exploit metabolic pathways to facilitate their successful infection cycles, but little is known about roles of d‐galactosamine (GalN)/N‐acetyl‐d‐galactosamine (GalNAc) catabolism pathway in bacterial pathogenesis. Here, we report the genomic reconstruction of GalN/GalNAc utilization pathway in Streptococci and the diversified aga regulons. We delineated two new paralogous AgaR regulators for the GalN/GalNAc catabolism pathway. The electrophoretic mobility shift assays experiment demonstrated that AgaR2 (AgaR1) binds the predicted palindromes, and the combined in vivo data from reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and RNA‐seq suggested that AgaR2 (not AgaR1) can effectively repress the transcription of the target genes. Removal of agaR2 (not agaR1) from Streptococcus suis 05ZYH33 augments significantly the abilities of both adherence to Hep‐2 cells and anti‐phagocytosis against RAW264.7 macrophage. As anticipated, the dysfunction in AgaR2‐mediated regulation of S. suis impairs its pathogenicity in experimental models of both mice and piglets. Our finding discovered two novel regulators specific for GalN/GalNAc catabolism and assigned them distinct roles into bacterial infections. To the best of our knowledge, it might represent a first paradigm that links the GalN/GalNAc catabolism pathway to bacterial pathogenesis.
CL‐20 Evaporative Crystallization under Reduced Pressure
Authors: Maksimowski Paweł , Tchórznicki Paweł
Published: November 2015

The effect of parameters of the CL‐20 crystallization process carried out by solvent removal by evaporation in vacuo on shape, polymorph type, crystal size, and on their shock sensitivity was studied. The CL‐20 crystallization process by this technique was shown to allow a precise control of the crystallization process parameters and of the process run. The o‐xylene/ ethyl acetate system proved to be highly effective. Selecting suitable values of the parameters such as: pressure, process time, temperature, stirring rate, CL‐20 crystals were obtained in the ε form (even with no need for inoculation of the crystallization system with polymorph ε seeds) and of the shape close to a spherical one. The crystal growth modifiers added allowed to additionally control the shape and size of the CL‐20 crystals formed and to produce crystals of reduced impact and friction sensitivity.
Demonstrating the effect of vertical and directional shear for resource mapping of wind power
Authors: Clack Christopher T. M. , Alexander Anneliese , Choukulkar Aditya , MacDonald Alexander E.
Published: November 2015

The use of wind energy is growing around the world, and its growth is set to continue into the foreseeable future. Estimates of the wind speed and power are helpful to assess the potential of new sites for development and to facilitate electric grid integration studies. In the present paper, wind speed and power resource mapping analyses are performed. These resource mappings are produced on a 13 km, hourly model grid over the entire continental USA for the years of 2006–2014. The effects of the rotor equivalent wind speed (REWS) along with directional shear are investigated. The total dataset (wind speed and power) contains ≈152,000 model grid points, with each location containing ≈78,000 hourly time steps. The resource mapping and dataset are created from analysis fields, which are output from an advanced weather assimilation model. Two different methods were used to estimate the wind speed over the rotor swept area (with rotor diameter of 100 m). First, using a single wind speed at hub height (80 m) and, second, the REWS with directional shear. The demonstration study shows that in most locations the incorporation of the REWS reduces the average available wind power. In addition, the REWS technique estimates more wind power production at night and less production in the day compared with the hub height technique; potentially critical for siting new wind turbines and plants. However, the wind power estimate differences are dependent on seasonality, diurnal cycle and geographic location. More research is warranted into these effects to determine the level at which these features are observed at actual wind plants.© 2015 The Authors. Wind Energy published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness and Mechanism of Preoperative Lugol Solution for Reducing Thyroid Blood Flow in Patients with Euthyroid Graves’ Disease
Authors: Huang Shih‐Ming , Liao Wei‐Ting , Lin Chiou‐Feng , Sun H. Sunny , Chow Nan‐Haw
Published: November 2015

Background

To reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications, using Lugol solution to preoperatively prepare patients with Graves’ disease has (1) rapidly reduced the severity of thyrotoxicosis and (2) reduced the vascularity of the thyroid gland. The vascularity reduction normally accompanies reducing the severity of thyrotoxicosis. However, the effects and mechanism of Lugol solution for reducing blood flow have not been well investigated in the patients with euthyroid (normally functioning thyroid) Graves’ disease.

Methods

Twenty‐five patients with euthyroid Graves’ disease being preoperatively treated with Lugol solution for 10 days were measured, at baseline and on the operative day, for (1) superior thyroid artery blood flow; (2) systemic angiogenic factor (VEGF); and (3) systemic inflammatory factor [interleukin (IL)‐16].

Results

All three parameters were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower after 10 days of Lugol solution treatment. The average reductions were blood flow: 60 % (0.294 vs. 0.117 L/min), serum VEGF: 55 % (169.8 vs. 76.7 pg/mL), and serum IL‐16: 50 % (427.2 vs. 214.2; pg/mL).

Conclusion

Lugol solution significantly reduced thyroid arterial blood flow, VEGF, and IL‐16, even in patients with euthyroid Graves’ disease. We recommend routine preoperative Lugol solution treatment for all patients with Graves’ disease.