bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case-Matched Gender Comparison Transcriptomic Screen Identifies eIF4E and eIF5 as Potential Prognostic Markers in Male Breast Cancer
Authors: Humphries Matthew P. , Sundara Rajan Sreekumar , Droop Alastair , Suleman Charlotte A.B. , Carbone Carmine , Nilsson Cecilia , Honarpisheh Hedieh , Cserni Gabor , Dent Jo , Fulford Laura , Jordan Lee B. , Jones J. Louise , Kanthan Rani , Litwiniuk Maria , Di Benedetto Anna , Mottolese Marcella , Provenzano Elena , Shousha Sami , Stephens Mark , Walker Rosemary A. , Kulka Janina , Ellis Ian O. , Jeffery Margaret , Thygesen Helene H. , Cappelletti Vera , Daidone Maria G. , Hedenfalk Ingrid A. , Fjällskog Marie-Louise , Melisi Davide , Stead Lucy F. , Shaaban Abeer M. , Speirs Valerie
Published: December 2016

Purpose: Breast cancer affects both genders, but is understudied in men. Although still rare, male breast cancer (MBC) is being diagnosed more frequently. Treatments are wholly informed by clinical studies conducted in women, based on assumptions that underlying biology is similar.

Experimental Design: A transcriptomic investigation of male and female breast cancer was performed, confirming transcriptomic data in silico. Biomarkers were immunohistochemically assessed in 697 MBCs (n = 477, training; n = 220, validation set) and quantified in pre- and posttreatment samples from an MBC patient receiving everolimus and PI3K/mTOR inhibitor.

Results: Gender-specific gene expression patterns were identified. eIF transcripts were upregulated in MBC. eIF4E and eIF5 were negatively prognostic for overall survival alone (log-rank P = 0.013; HR = 1.77, 1.12–2.8 and P = 0.035; HR = 1.68, 1.03–2.74, respectively), or when coexpressed (P = 0.01; HR = 2.66, 1.26–5.63), confirmed in the validation set. This remained upon multivariate Cox regression analysis [eIF4E P = 0.016; HR = 2.38 (1.18–4.8), eIF5 P = 0.022; HR = 2.55 (1.14–5.7); coexpression P = 0.001; HR = 7.04 (2.22–22.26)]. Marked reduction in eIF4E and eIF5 expression was seen post BEZ235/everolimus, with extended survival.

Conclusions: Translational initiation pathway inhibition could be of clinical utility in MBC patients overexpressing eIF4E and eIF5. With mTOR inhibitors that target this pathway now in the clinic, these biomarkers may represent new targets for therapeutic intervention, although further independent validation is required. Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2575–83. ©2016 AACR.
Activating ESR1 Mutations Differentially Affect the Efficacy of ER Antagonists
Authors: Toy Weiyi , Weir Hazel , Razavi Pedram , Lawson Mandy , Goeppert Anne U. , Mazzola Anne Marie , Smith Aaron , Wilson Joanne , Morrow Christopher , Wong Wai Lin , De Stanchina Elisa , Carlson Kathryn E. , Martin Teresa S. , Uddin Sharmeen , Li Zhiqiang , Fanning Sean , Katzenellenbogen John A. , Greene Geoffrey , Baselga José , Chandarlapaty Sarat
Published: December 2016

Recent studies have identified somatic ESR1 mutations in patients with metastatic breast cancer and found some of them to promote estrogen-independent activation of the receptor. The degree to which all recurrent mutants can drive estrogen-independent activities and reduced sensitivity to ER antagonists like fulvestrant is not established. In this report, we characterize the spectrum of ESR1 mutations from more than 900 patients. ESR1 mutations were detected in 10%, with D538G being the most frequent (36%), followed by Y537S (14%). Several novel, activating mutations were also detected (e.g., L469V, V422del, and Y537D). Although many mutations lead to constitutive activity and reduced sensitivity to ER antagonists, only select mutants such as Y537S caused a magnitude of change associated with fulvestrant resistance in vivo. Correspondingly, tumors driven by Y537S, but not D5358G, E380Q, or S463P, were less effectively inhibited by fulvestrant than more potent and bioavailable antagonists, including AZD9496. These data point to a need for antagonists with optimal pharmacokinetic properties to realize clinical efficacy against certain ESR1 mutants.

Significance: A diversity of activating ESR1 mutations exist, only some of which confer resistance to existing ER antagonists that might be overcome by next-generation inhibitors such as AZD9496. Cancer Discov; 7(3); 277–87. ©2016 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 235
MicroRNAs for the Prediction of Early Response to Sorafenib Treatment in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Nishida Naoshi , Arizumi Tadaaki , Hagiwara Satoru , Ida Hiroshi , Sakurai Toshiharu , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: December 2016

Background: Several studies suggest the role of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the serum miRNA profile associated with the response to sorafenib remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to clarify the specific miRNAs in serum that could predict the early response of HCC to sorafenib treatment. Summary: Analyzing the sera from 16 HCC patients, we selected five miRNAs that showed differences in serum levels between patients with and without tumor responses among 179 known secretory miRNAs by using locked nucleic acid probe-based quantitative PCR. Through further analysis using a validation cohort that included 53 HCC patients who underwent sorafenib treatment and 8 healthy control subjects, we found that miR-181a-5p and miR-339-5p showed significant differences in serum levels among patients with partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD), where PR patients showed the highest and PD the lowest levels. We also analyzed the factors associated with disease control (DC; PR or SD) 3 months after the initiation of sorafenib treatment; patients with DC showed a significantly higher level of serum miR-181a-5p than non-DC patients or healthy control subjects (p = 0.0349 and 0.0180 for DC vs. non-DC and control vs. non-DC by Tukey-Kramer test, respectively). We further conducted multivariate analysis among HCC patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C using extrahepatic metastasis, serum decarboxyprothrombin, and miR-181a-5p levels as covariables; serum miR-181a-5p was the only independent factor for achieving DC (p = 0.0092, odds ratio 0.139, and 95% confidence interval 0.011-0.658). In addition, miR-181a-5p level was also the only independent factor affecting overall survival (p = 0.0194, hazard ratio 0.267, and 95% confidence interval 0.070-0.818). Key Messages: A high serum level of miR-181a-5p before treatment is associated with DC after the initiation of sorafenib.
Anatomical Study of the Caudate Lobe with Special Reference to Portal Venous and Biliary Branches Using Corrosion Liver Casts and Clinical Application
Authors: Kumon Masamitsu
Published: December 2016

The definition and extent of the human caudate lobe in the liver is unclear, and thus, the anatomy of the caudate lobe was studied using 23 corrosion liver casts, with special reference to the portal venous and biliary branches. These branches and their ramification type in the caudate lobe showed that this lobe includes: (1) the Spiegel lobe; (2) the paracaval portion; and (3) the caudate process portion. The three portions often have their own independent branches; for example, the portal venous and biliary branches of the Spiegel lobe were ramified mainly from the left-side tract, whereas those of the caudate process portion were ramified from the right-side tract. The portal venous branches of the paracaval portion were ramified mainly from the left portal vein, while the biliary branches of this portion drained into the right and left biliary tracts at almost equal frequencies. In most cases, the peripheral branches reached the liver surface beneath the diaphragm. Thus, the present division of the caudate lobe into three portions could make the extent of the caudate lobe clear and is considered logical from a clinical viewpoint.
Nonobstructive Versus Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Pizzi Carmine , Xhyheri Borejda , Costa Grazia Maria , Faustino Massimiliano , Flacco Maria Elena , Gualano Maria Rosaria , Fragassi Giorgia , Grigioni Francesco , Manzoli Lamberto
Published: December 2016

Background

Differences in prognosis and baseline clinical presentation have been documented among patient with acute coronary syndrome and coronary artery disease with obstructive (Ob
CAD
) or nonobstructive arteries (
NO
b
CAD
), but the rates of events largely varied across single studies. We carried out a meta‐analysis to compare the clinical presentation and prognosis of
NO
b
CAD
versus Ob
CAD
acute coronary syndrome patients, as well as of the subjects with zero versus mild occlusion.

Methods and Results

Searches were made in MedLine, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and proceedings of international meetings up to June 30, 2015. We compared the risk of events of
NO
b
CAD
versus Ob
CAD
patients using random‐effect meta‐analyses. We also performed meta‐analyses to estimate the yearly or monthly outcome rates in each single group. In
NO
b
CAD
and Ob
CAD
patients, respectively, the combined yearly rates were as follows: 2.4% versus 10.1% (all‐cause mortality); 1.2% versus 6.0% (myocardial infarction), 4.0% versus 12.8% (all‐cause mortality plus myocardial infarction), 1.4% versus 5.9% (cardiac death), and 9.2% versus 16.8% (major cardiovascular events). In the studies directly comparing
NO
b
CAD
versus Ob
CAD
, all of the above outcomes were significantly less frequent in
NO
b
CAD
subjects (with risk ratios ranging from 0.33 to 0.66). No differences in any outcome rate were observed between mild occlusion (1–49% stenosis) and zero occlusion patients.

Conclusions

NO
b
CAD
in patients with acute coronary syndrome has a significantly lower cardiovascular risk at baseline and a subsequent lower likelihood of death or main cardiovascular events. However, these subjects are still at high risk for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, suggesting potential undertreatment and calling for specific management.
Valuing Care Protects Religiosity from the Antisocial Consequences of Impersonal Deontology
Authors: Deak Csilla , Saroglou Vassilis
Published: December 2016

Morality typically includes prosociality but often also extends to impersonal deontology. Religion, theoretically and empirically, is concerned with both moral domains. What happens when the two domains are in conflict? Do religious people prefer impersonal deontology at the detriment of prosociality? Or do their prosocial inclinations allow them to transgress conflicting moral principles, for instance through white lies? Participants (177 Belgian adults) made a choice in several hypothetical moral dilemmas and were afterwards evaluated on Haidt’s moral foundations (care, fairness, authority, loyalty, and purity) and religiosity. When the conflict implied minor consequences for the target, religiosity predicted impersonal deontology at the detriment of prosociality, because of a high endorsement of purity. However, when the consequences were severe, religiosity was unrelated to impersonal deontology due to a suppressor effect of care. The findings indicate that prosocial dispositions shape religiosity into a ‘compassionate moral rigorism’, thus protecting it from excessive moralism.
Biblical Conservatism and Psychological Type
Authors: Village Andrew
Published: December 2016

The Village Bible Scale, a measure of biblical conservatism, was completed by 3,243 Church of England readers of the Church Times in 2013 alongside a measure of psychological type. Overall, biblical conservatism was higher for men than women, for those under 60 than those over 60, for those with school-level than those with university-level qualifications, for laity than clergy, and higher among evangelicals and charismatics than among those in Anglo-catholic or broad-church traditions. For the sample as a whole, the perceiving process was the only dimension of psychological type to predict biblical conservatism, which was positively correlated with sensing and negatively correlated with intuition. Within church traditions, sensing scores predicted biblical conservatism in Anglo-catholic and broad-church traditions, but not for evangelicals. Thinking function scores were positively correlated with biblical conservatism among evangelicals, but negatively correlated among Anglo-catholics. The findings point to the possible roles of psychological preferences in influencing predispositions for retaining or changing theological convictions.
The Sahin-Francis Scale of Attitude towards Islam: A Study among Students in Pakistan
Authors: Hamid Sahar Nadeem , Robbins Mandy , Nadeem Tania , Khan Ziasma
Published: December 2016

Recent years have seen growing interest in empirical religious research within the Islamic context. This paper contributes to that growth by exploring the reliability of the Sahin-Francis Scale of Attitude toward Islam. The scale is a 23-item instrument which measures attitudes toward Islam on a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 729 English speaking Pakistani young people (45% male and 55% female) completed the fscai. The data demonstrated that the scale is a reliable measure achieving a Cronbach Alpha of .91 and accounting for 37.4% of the variance. The measure is recommended for further research in the Muslim context.
The benefit to Romanists of using the Basilica
Authors: de Jong Hylkje
Published: December 2016

In Roman and Byzantine legal literature there has been much debate about the payment (merces/μισθός) claimed by the mandatory in D. 17,1,26,8 (B. 14,1,26,8). The reason was the requirement of gratuitousness of mandatum, which made that this case should in principle be classified as a locatio conductio/μίσθωσις. To explain the presence of merces in Roman law literature several suggestions were made: interpolation, remuneration, the existence of two contracts or a pactum adiectum. In Byzantine law literature μισθός was interpreted as the payment for the slave. These interpretations are one way or another unsatisfactory. In (early) Byzantine law a plausible new interpretation can be found. Here the payment is interpreted as expenses incurred to make the property, i.e. slave, worth more, and such expenses (for training slaves) are ‘useful’ expenses. This interpretation is plausible and applies also for classical Roman law. It shows that the use of the Basilica is of indispensable benefit to Romanists.
Event Causation and Agent Causation
Authors: Lowe E. J.
Published: December 2016

It is a matter of dispute whether we should acknowledge the existence of two distinct species of causation – event causation and agent causation – and, if we should, whether either species of causation is reducible to the other. In this paper, the prospects for such a reduction either way are considered, the conclusion being that a reduction of event causation to agent causation is the more promising option. Agent causation, in the sense understood here, is taken to include but not to be restricted to the intentional causation of an event by a rational agent. But, it is argued, there are certain special features of intentional causation, understood as a sub-species of agent causation, which make the agent-causation approach to human agency a particularly promising one with which to tackle the problem of free will.
Letting Happen, Omissions and Causation
Authors: Alvarez Maria
Published: December 2016

In this paper I consider whether it's possible to cause an event I argue: (i) that sometimes an agent who lets an event happen causes it; (ii) that whether an agent caused an event that he lets happen depends partly on whether he had an obligation to do what might have prevented that event, as well as on considerations about the agent's control over what they omit to do; and (iii) that the use of the word "cause" here is genuinely causal. I suggest that resistance to accept these claims depends often on an excessively narrow view of the concept of causation.
Kommunikation Ohne Sprache? Zu Davidsons Später Sprachphilosophie
Authors: Fermandois Eduardo
Published: December 2016

Davidson's thesis that the notion of a rule (convention) is dispensable in regard to a theoretical explanation of linguistic communication is here critically investigated. First I put Davidson's into question and thereby arrive at the conclusion that instances of communication in two (or more) languages pose no threat and that Davidson invokes a dubious concept of a rule in his treatment of so called malapropisms. Then I investigate his My thesis is that Davidson does not succeed-in taking into account appropriately the, as he himself concedes, important distinction between "using words correctly" and "believing that one uses words correctly". Finally I try to formulate of the later Davidson in such a manner that they do not fall prey to his rule-criticism.
Aristoteles Und Wittgenstein: Ihre Gemeinsame Kritik an Platons Auffassung Praktischer Vernunft
Authors: White Nicholas
Published: December 2016

Book VII describes a point at which Plato's future rulers have completed their philosophical education. At that point they have a complete grasp of evaluative concepts (esp. of), in that they can articulate and defend defi nitions of them against all objections. Immediately, without further training, they are charged with applying these concepts in their city. By contrast, Aristotle's ethical and political writings do not envisage any such point. This difference between Plato and Aristotle is no expository accident, but refl ects a fundamental disagreement between their respective views of the relationship between grasping and applying concepts, especially evaluative concepts. Aristotle's view is importantly similar to Wittgenstein's later view of 'how to go on' using a word 'in the same way'. This paper explores some aspects of this similarity between Aristotle's and Wittgenstein's opposition to platonism.
Austin on Sense-Data: Ordinary Language Analysis as 'Therapy'
Authors: Fischer Eugen
Published: December 2016

The construction and analysis of arguments supposedly are a philosopher's main business, the demonstration of truth or refutation of falsehood his principal aim. In , J.L. Austin does something entirely different: He discusses the sense-datum doctrine of perception, with the aim not of refuting it but of 'dissolving' the 'philosophical worry' it induces in its champions. To this end, he 'exposes' their 'concealed motives', without addressing their stated reasons. The paper explains where and why this at first sight outrageous aim and approach are perfectly sensible, how exactly Austin proceeds, and how his approach can be taken further. This shows Austin to be a pioneer of the currently much discussed notion of philosophy as therapy, reveals a subtle and unfamiliar use of linguistic analysis that is not open to the standard objections to ordinary language philosophy, and yields a novel and forceful treatment of the sense-datum doctrine.
Einschliessend oder ausschliessend, das ist hier die Frage – Zur Bedeutung von "oder"
Authors: Guenther Matthias
Published: December 2016

Commonly it is supposed that there is an inclusive "or" and an exclusive "or". However, doubts have been raised about this standard interpretation of "or". But, as far as I know, these doubts have never been elaborated. In this article I shall develope a critique of the standard interpretation. It is argued that the distinction between the inclusive and the exclusive understanding of sentences of the form "p or q" can be explained by making use of the inclusive "or" alone. This critique of the traditional point of view will be carried out by determining the sense in which the word "or" and sentences of the form "p or q" are used. Finally I shall discuss some special uses of "or" which are particularly challenging for the main thesis of this article.
Wittgenstein and Religion
Authors: Kober Michael
Published: December 2016

It will be shown that Wittgenstein's philosophical approach to religion is substantially shaped by William James' . For neither during the period nor later does Wittgenstein thematise religious doctrines, but rather struggles to determine what it means for a sincere person to have a specific religious (James called these attitudes "experiences"). Wittgenstein's almost exclusive focus on attitudes explains, (i) why he is able to strictly discriminate between scientific and empirical claims on the one hand and religious utterances on the other, (ii) why religious and mythical narrations should not be understood as promoting (pre-scientific) theories, (iii) why Wittgenstein non-cognitively interprets religious utterances such as "This is God's will" as avowals, and (iv) why he seems to promote fideism. Wittgenstein's one-sided way of reflecting on religious matters, however, should not be understood as adumbrating or even promoting any more specific account of religion, especially bearing in mind that many of his remarks concerning religion are connected to or motivated by reflections on his own life. This thesis is meant to imply that Wittgenstein does not, as the usual understanding holds, offer a theology for atheists.
The Transition from Causes to Norms: Wittgenstein on Training
Authors: Huemer Wolfgang
Published: December 2016

Anti-reductionist philosophers have often argued that mental and linguistic phenomena contain an intrinsically normative element that cannot be captured by the natural sciences which focus on causal rather than rational relations. This line of reasoning raises the questions of how reasons could evolve in a world of causes and how children can be acculturated to participate in rule-governed social practices. In this paper I will sketch a Wittgensteinian answer to these questions. I will first point out that throughout his later philosophy Wittgenstein draws a sharp distinction between "teaching" and "training": newly-born children are (conditioned) to react to specific stimuli in specific ways, which then allows them to acquire concepts and follow rules. I will then show that this picture presupposes a strong analogy between concepts and capacities, which is also present in Wittgenstein's later philosophy. In the last section I will point out that Wittgenstein only discusses the ontogenetic question of how individual children can acquire speech, but not the phylogenetic question of how rule-governed behavior could evolve in the first place. I will argue that this strategy should not be seen as a shortcoming, but rather as an expression of Wittgenstein's approach that can be characterized as naturalistic in a wide sense.
Fregean Propositions and Their Graspability
Authors: Sacchi Elisabetta
Published: December 2016

According to Frege a proposition—or, in his terms, a thought—is an abstract structured entity constituted by senses which satisfies, at least, the three following properties: it can be semantically assessed as true or as false, it is the object of so called propositional attitudes and it can be grasped. What Frege meant by 'grasping' is the peculiar way in which we can have epistemic access to propositions. The possibility for propositions to be grasped is put by Frege as a warrant for their existence: to challenge their graspability would amount to jeopardise their ontological reality. But is it true, as Frege uncritically maintained, that the "graspability requirement" is satisfied as far as propositions (as he conceived them) are concerned? This is the topic of the present work. A negative answer to the above mentioned question has been given in recent time by the representatives of what has come to be labelled the "cognitive turn" in analytical philosophy. People such as Fodor and Johnson-Laird patently denied the possibility for propositions, conceived Frege, to be accessed by the grasping relation. What grounds their position is, to put it roughly, the following train of thought: in order for something to be the target of the grasping relation it must enter the mind. Nothing which is different from a mental entity can enter the mind. Therefore, what can be grasped must be mental. The upshot of this move implies, among other things, the rejection of that radical anti-psychologism which was characteristic of the forefathers of the analytical tradition. In our work we shall try to resist their conclusion by showing that it is not necessary to zero the distinction between propositions and mental entities in order to provide an adequate account of the grasping relation. What one has to give up, instead, is only Frege's late Platonism of the "third realm" which, in our view, is a wholly unnecessary and dispensable accretion of his picture. For, as we shall show, if Platonism is in place it is difficult to provide an account of the grasping relation which makes no use of the "representationalist hypothesis" — i.e. of the hypothesis that mediate our access to whatever can be given to us. But representationalism, once in place, makes the theoretical role of the notion of sense dispensable or purely additional.
Speech Acts Without Propositions?
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: December 2016

This paper argues that understanding speech in terms of action requires dispensing with propositions. Austin's outline of speech act theory did not give any role to propositions, which were introduced into speech act theory later on, in order to cope with criticism leveled by Strawson and Searle at Austin's characterization of the locutionary act and his view of the truth/falsity assessment. The introduction of propositions had weakening effects on the claim that speech is action, foregrounding again the received picture of linguistic communication. I show that, in order to make sense of Austin's characterization of the locutionary act, propositions are not needed and give some suggestions as to how one could give an account of the truth/falsity assessment, compatible with the claim that speech is action, without resorting to propositions.
Does Husserl Have an Argument against Representationalism?
Authors: Naberhaus Thane Martin
Published: December 2016

It is often said that by rejecting the representationalist model of mind, phenomenology makes a decisive advance over empiricism. Yet despite such pronouncements, the arguments Husserl uses to refute representationalism have received scant critical attention, and upon examination many turn out to be obscure. I argue here that some of Husserl's best known anti-representationalist arguments fail. I end the paper, however, by suggesting that if these unsuccessful arguments are paired with certain methodological considerations taken from Husserl's mature philosophy, they may provide adequate grounds for a rejection of representationalism after all.
Janik on Hertz and the Early Wittgenstein
Authors: Preston John
Published: December 2016

Various claims have been made about the influence of Heinrich Hertz's on Wittgenstein's work. I consider some such recent claims, made by Allan Janik, to the effect that Hertz exercised a very strong influence on Wittgenstein, early and late. I suggest they are ill-founded, in virtue of misinterpretations either of Hertz, or of Wittgenstein, or of both. I try to set the record straight on issues such as the three criteria Hertz suggests for evaluating scientific 'representations' [] or 'images' [], his conception of philosophy, the nature of Hertz's project and its relation to philosophy, the extent to which he agrees and disagrees with Ernst Mach, and his influence on the .
Re-Definition and Alston's 'Illocutionary Acts'
Authors: Doerge Friedrich Christoph
Published: December 2016

The original definition of a technical term, the paper argues, should not be altered without a good reason. This notion is applied to the conception of illocutionary acts suggested by Alston, which markedly differs from the conception originally introduced by John L. Austin. Alston appears to agree with the argument; at least, he does attempt to justify his re-definition. The paper argues, however, that the reasons he gives fail.
Can there Be Epistemic Reasons for Action?
Authors: Booth Anthony Robert
Published: December 2016

In this paper I consider whether there can be such things as epistemic reasons for action. I consider three arguments to the contrary and argue that none are successful, being either somewhat question-begging or too strong by ruling out what most epistemologists think is a necessary feature of epistemic justification, namely the epistemic basing relation. I end by suggesting a "non-cognitivist" model of epistemic reasons that makes room for there being epistemic reasons for action and suggest that this model may support moral realism.
Perceiving Exploding Tropes
Authors: Almäng Jan
Published: December 2016

The topic of this paper is the perception of properties. It is argued that the perception of properties allows for a distinction between the sense of the identity and the sense of the qualitative nature of a property. So, for example, we might perceive a property as being identical over time even though it is presented as more and more determinate. Thus, you might see an object first as red and then as crimson red. In this case, the property is perceived as identical over time, even though the sense of the qualitative nature (the redness, the crimson redness) of the property is changing. The distinction between the sense of identity and the sense of quality is explicated in terms of perceiving a particular property, a trope, and perceiving it as an instance of a universal. It is subsequently argued that the perceived tropes cannot constitute the phenomenal character of the perceptual experience.
The Bradleyan Regress, Non-Relational Realism, and the Quinean Semantic Strategy
Authors: Surovell Jonathan Reid
Published: December 2016

Non-Relational Realism is a popular solution to the Bradleyan regress of facts or truths. It denies that there is a relational universal of exemplification; for an objectato exemplify a universal F-ness, on this view, is not for a relation to subsist betweenaand F-ness. An influential objection to Non-Relational Realism is that it is unacceptably obscure. The author argues that Non-Relational Realism can be understood as a selective application of satisfaction semantics to predicates like ‘exemplify’, and that so understood, it is not obscure. This kind of selective use of satisfaction semantics may be feasible in other contexts as a means of making theories more parsimonious.
A Processive View of Perceptual Experience
Authors: Rodríguez Sebastián Sanhueza
Published: December 2016

The goal of this piece is to put some pressure on Brian O’Shaughnessy’s claim that perceptual experiences are necessarily mental processes. The author targets two motivations behind the development of that view. First, O’Shaughnessy resorts to pure conceptual analysis to argue that perceptual experiences are processes. The author argues that this line of reasoning is inconclusive. Secondly, he repeatedly invokes a thought experiment concerning the total freeze of a subject’s experiential life. Even if this case is coherent, however, it does not show that perceptual experiences are processes.
“How the East Sees the East”
Authors: Hanser Eva-Maria
Published: December 2016

As the Slovenian art collective Neue Slowenische Kunst appropriates artefacts from different sources, the following paper attempts to clarify the significance of appropriation in relation to Russia. Three different artistic moments from different decades are chosen as starting points and key moments in order to examine nsk’s artistic approach.
Elevating Optics: The Title Page by Peter Paul Rubens of Franciscus Aguilonius’s Opticorum Libri Sex (1613) in its Historical Context
Authors: Bertram Gitta
Published: December 2016

The title page for the six books on optics by Franciscus Aguilonius shows optics as a science in its own right, as the queen of mathematical sciences. It also offers a visual discussion on the importance of the science within the Jesuit belief and educational system. Drawing on a well-known visual language consisting of allegorical, mythological and architectural elements, Rubens elevates Optics to the status of a queen, while also emphasising the connection of vision, the passions and knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge. This connection is not only the key to understanding of Rubens’s title page, but it explains the awkward outdatedness of Aguilonius’s book, in that it does not touch upon Kepler’s latest theories. The book was nevertheless important for Jesuit teaching in the following decades. This article offers a reading of the Aguilonius title page in its historical context.
Bragg Scatter Detection by the WSR-88D. Part I: Algorithm Development
Authors: Richardson Lindsey M. , Cunningham Jeffrey G. , Zittel W. David , Lee Robert R. , Ice Richard L. , Melnikov Valery M. , Hoban Nicole P. , Gebauer Joshua G.
Published: December 2016

Studies have shown that echo returns from clear-air Bragg scatter (CABS) can be used to detect the height of the convective boundary layer and to assess the systematic differential reflectivity (ZDR) bias for a radar site. However, these studies did not use data from operational Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) or data from a large variety of sites. A new algorithm to automatically detect CABS from any operational WSR-88D with dual-polarization capability while excluding contamination from precipitation, biota, and ground clutter is presented here. Visual confirmation and tests related to the sounding parameters’ relative humidity slope, refractivity gradient, and gradient Richardson number are used to assess the algorithm. Results show that automated detection of CABS in operational WSR-88D data gives useful ZDR bias information while omitting the majority of contaminated cases. Such an algorithm holds potential for radar calibration efforts and Bragg scatter studies in general.
Evaluating a Lithium-Seawater Battery on Gliders
Authors: Davis Russ E. , Sherman Jeffrey T.
Published: December 2016

Neutral-buoyancy vehicles demand high-density energy sources and lithium is light with high oxidation energy. PolyPlus Battery Company has developed a prototype lithium-seawater battery that is attractive for powering long-duration autonomous oceanographic vehicles (floats and underwater gliders). These batteries were tested in the laboratory and at sea.

PolyPlus batteries use “Protected Lithium Electrodes” with proprietary “windows” protecting the volatile lithium anode from water while passing lithium ions. The cathode reduces oxygen dissolved in seawater, or hydrolyzes seawater to produce hydrogen. Not requiring additional electrolyte, fuel, or pressure cases, these cells have impressive weight advantages. Good electrode–seawater mass transfer is required but can increase drag and be impeded by biofouling.

Tests assessing robustness of the PolyPlus batteries in oceanographic use, evaluating mass transfer issues, and observing biofouling impacts are reported. In sea trials, two cells were tested for 69 days mounted on a Spray glider. Findings are as follows: 1) the cells were robust over 900 dives, most to 400 m; 2) without antifouling measures, the cells became substantially biofouled, but their performance was undiminished; and 3) performance was complex, depending on current density, oxygen concentration, and flow conditions. For dissolved oxygen concentration above 1 mL L−1, the cells delivered 9 W m−2 of electrode surface at 3 V. For low oxygen, the cell shifted to hydrolysis near 2.3 V, but mass transfer was less critical so current density could be increased and observed power reached 5 W m−2. This could be increased using a lower resistance load.
Effect of Tapentadol on Splenic Cytokine Production in Mice
Authors: Franchi Silvia , Amodeo Giada , Gandolla Marta , Moschetti Giorgia , Panerai Alberto Emilio , Sacerdote Paola
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND:

Opioid drugs affect immunity, but not all opioid drugs share the same immunomodulatory properties. Tapentadol is an analgesic drug with a dual synergistic mechanism of action: µ-opioid receptor agonism and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition. Weaker µ-opioid receptor agonism combined with noradrenaline reuptake inhibition results in potent analgesia with reduced opioid side effects. We evaluated the impact of tapentadol on splenic cytokine in normal and in hyperalgesia/allodynia mice, comparing it with morphine and reboxetine, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor.

METHODS:

Tapentadol, reboxetine, and morphine were injected subcutaneously into naïve and mice that underwent sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury, and their effect on splenic cytokines (interferon-γ [IFN-γ], interleukin [IL]-2, IL-10, and IL-4) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after acute or chronic treatment. Nociceptive thresholds, thermal hyperalgesia, and allodynia also were assessed. Data were analyzed with 2-way analysis of variance (behavior) or 1-way analysis of variance (cytokines) followed by Bonferroni post hoc test.

RESULTS:

Primary outcomes of our study were the effects of drugs on splenic cytokines. Our data indicate that acute tapentadol did not modify cytokine production in comparison with animals that received saline, whereas morphine suppressed all the cytokines: saline versus morphine 10 mg/kg (mean difference [MD], 95% confidence interval [CI]: IFN-γ = 12,400 [7760, 17,040], P < .001; IL-2 = 216.2 [47.69, 384.7], P < .01; IL-10 = 868 [523.7, 1212], P < .001; and IL-4 = 17.26 [10.32, 24.20], P < .001). A significant difference also was present between morphine and tapentadol (morphine 10 mg/kg versus tapentadol 20 mg/kg: MD [95% CI]: IFN-γ = −11,600 [−16,240, −6960], P < .001; IL-2 = −334.2 [−502.7, −165.7], P < .001; IL-10 = −959 [−1303, −614.7], P < .001; IL-4 = −18.66 [−25.60, −11.72], P < .001). When chronically injected for 7 days, tapentadol and reboxetine did not significantly affect cytokines when compared with saline-treated animals. The immunoprofile of tapentadol was different from that of morphine also in mice that were in a condition of neuropathic pain. All cytokines appeared significantly decreased in mice that received a chronic constriction injury in comparison with sham animals but, after 7 days of treatment, with a similar antihyperalgesic profile, IL-10 and IL-4 were significantly increased in tapentadol and reboxetine animals in comparison with morphine mice (morphine versus tapentadol: MD [95% CI], IL-10 = −926.4 [−1664, −188.5], P < .01; IL-4 = −8.15 [−12.46, −3.84], P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Acute and chronic tapentadol seem to be protective of splenic cytokines in contrast with morphine, which exerts a generalized suppression on all cytokines.
Multimodal Analgesic Therapy With Gabapentin and Its Association With Postoperative Respiratory Depression
Authors: Cavalcante Alexandre N. , Sprung Juraj , Schroeder Darrell R. , Weingarten Toby N.
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND:

Gabapentinoids are widely used in perioperative multimodal analgesic regimens. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether gabapentin was associated with respiratory depression during phase-I postanesthesia recovery after major laparoscopic procedures.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed the electronic health records of 8567 patients who underwent major laparoscopic procedures (lasting ≥90 minutes) from January 1, 2010, to July 31, 2014. We assessed potential associations among patient and perioperative variables and episodes of respiratory depression during phase-I recovery. Multivariable and propensity score–matched analyses were performed to assess potential associations between preoperative gabapentin use and postoperative respiratory depression.

RESULTS:

The incidence of respiratory depression was 153 (95% confidence interval [CI], 146–161) episodes per 1000 cases. Multivariable analysis showed that gabapentin was associated with respiratory depression (odds ratio [OR], 1.47 [95% CI, 1.22–1.76]; P < .001). These results were confirmed by propensity score–matched analysis among a subset of patients who did not have analgesia supplemented by intrathecal opioids (OR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.02–1.58]; P = .04). Older patients and those who received more intraoperative opioids had increased risk of respiratory depression. Those who had an episode of respiratory depression had a longer phase-I recovery (P < .001) and an increased rate of admission to a higher level of care (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of gabapentin is associated with increased rates of respiratory depression among patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. When gabapentinoids are included in multimodal analgesic regimens, intraoperative opioids must be reduced, and increased vigilance for respiratory depression may be warranted, especially in elderly patients.
Perception of Gait Asymmetry During Split-Belt Walking
Authors: Hoogkamer Wouter
Published: December 2016

Optimization of gait rehabilitation using split-belt treadmills critically depends on our understanding of the roles of somatosensory perception and sensorimotor recalibration in perceiving gait asymmetry and adapting to split-belt walking. Recent evidence justifies the hypothesis that perception of gait asymmetry is based mainly on detection of temporal mismatches between afferent inputs at the spinal level.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON THE BASIS OF PERSONNEL CONTROLLING
Authors: Холькина Ольга , Kholkina Olga
Published: December 2016

The article is devoted to the problem of human resource management in organizations. We consider a system of personnel management as the main condition of increase of efficiency of management of human resources in the organization. On the example of construction organizations the main results of the monitoring practices of human resource management are presented. Human resource management system based on the perspective of the tool – controlling staff is proposed.
Nondestructive Testing of Composite Structures Specimens by Shearography
Authors: Бобко  , Bobko Yuriy , Синчугов  , Sinchugov Ilya
Published: December 2016

New composite materials call for a new approach to the nondestructive testing. The goal of this article is to show the advantages of shearography in comparison with other testing methods. The article describes the main principles of shearography as one of the interferometric methods. Applying various types of loading (thermal, mechanical, vibration, pressure, etc.) makes it possible to visualize various types of defects. High sensitivity and operativeness of the noncontact method, possibility of using many types of loading on the tested samples, non-contact testing of the object in question, and the possibility of testing large areas simultaneously determine the main advantages of the shearography method. The authenticity of the flaw detection grows when use is made of loading that resembles the operating conditions of the objects, which makes it possible to estimate the defect behavior in the specific operating conditions. The article provides the reader with an account of the main types of equipment, its limitations and features. Applications of shearography enable the user both to substantially optimize and check-out the production and monitor the objects in operation. Shearography can also serve as an input testing tool.
Young´s Modulus Determination for Case-Hardened Materials
Authors: Конаков  , Konakov Aleksandr , Емельянов  , Emelyanov Evgeniy , Ларионов  , Larionov Yuriy
Published: December 2016

The issue of strength analysis as well as foreknowledge of component and structure life is of interest at this time for new composite materials. New composite materials and alloys elastic response is often unknown, and standard methods for their determining can not be applied to, e.g. materials featuring surface gradient properties.

Elasticity modulus method of examination is based on stepwise removal of part of the material from the rod sample surface or application of a coating onto the sample surface. Each step is accompanied by measurement of the sample lateral dimensions, and density. To determine Young´s modulus, resonance frequencies of the sample subjected to forced longitudinal vibrations are measured using an ultrasonic device. The device principle of operation is based on excitation and tracking of the sample forced mechanical oscillations close to its own frequencies, measurement of resonance peak parameters followed by calculations of the Young´s modulus. To induce and track the forced oscillations in the sample, use is made of piezoelectric transducers attached to damped acoustic transmission rods, while the sample is fixed between pointed rod ends. This arrangement makes it possible to examine also Young´s modulus temperature dependences.

Young´s modulus measurement results for case-hardened hard alloy are provided. It is shown that Young´s modulus of surface layers is lower than that of the base material, which is explained by formation of new compounds in the surface layers owing to chemical and diffusion reactions between an alloying element and alloy components. The doped layer extends to 0.45 mm. The results obtained can be used for strength calculations of case-hardened materials, estimation of cohesive and adhesive strength of individual layers of coatings, structure and other physical and mechanical properties of materials.
Outsourcing Corporate Governance: Conflicts of Interest Within the Proxy Advisory Industry
Authors: Li Tao
Published: December 2016

Proxy advisory firms wield large influence with voting shareholders. However, conflicts of interest may arise when an advisor sells services to both investors and issuers. Using a unique data set on voting recommendations, I find that for most types of proposals, competition from a new entrant reduces favoritism toward management by an incumbent advisor that serves both corporations and investors. The results are not driven by factors that influence the entrant’s coverage decision, such as the marginal cost of new coverage or previously biased recommendations by the incumbent. Similar to other information intermediaries, biased advice by proxy advisors is shown to have real, negative consequences that allow management to enjoy greater private benefits. These results suggest conflicts of interest are a real concern in the proxy advisory industry, and increasing competition could help alleviate them.

This paper was accepted by Neng Wang, finance.
The Impact of Consumer Multi-homing on Advertising Markets and Media Competition
Authors: Athey Susan , Calvano Emilio , Gans Joshua S.
Published: December 2016

We develop a model of advertising markets in an environment where consumers may switch (or “multi-home”) across publishers. Consumer switching generates inefficiency in the process of matching advertisers to consumers, because advertisers may not reach some consumers and may impress others too many times. We find that when advertisers are heterogeneous in their valuations for reaching consumers, the switching-induced inefficiency leads lower-value advertisers to advertise on a limited set of publishers, reducing the effective demand for advertising and thus depressing prices. As the share of switching consumers expands (e.g., when consumers adopt the Internet for news or increase their use of aggregators), ad prices fall. We demonstrate that increased switching creates an incentive for publishers to invest in quality as well as extend the number of unique users, because larger publishers are favored by advertisers seeking broader “reach” (more unique users) while avoiding inefficient duplication.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.