bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a higher BMD in middle-aged and elderly Chinese
Authors: Chen Geng-dong , Dong Xiao-wei , Zhu Ying-Ying , Tian Hui-yuan , He Juan , Chen Yu-ming
Published: May 2016

Previous studies showed that better adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with lower risk of chronic diseases, but limited data are available on bone health. We investigated the association of the MD with bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese adults. We included 2371 participants aged 40–75 years in this community-based cross-sectional study. Dietary information was assessed at baseline and a 3-year follow-up. Alternate Mediterranean diet (aMed) scores were calculated. BMD was determined at the second survey. After adjusting for potential covariates, higher aMed scores were positively and dose-dependently associated with BMD (all P-trends < 0.05). The BMD values were 1.94% (whole body), 3.01% (lumbar spine), 2.80% (total hip), 2.81% (femur neck), 2.62% (trochanter) and 2.85% (intertrochanter) higher in the quintile 5 (highest, vs. quintile 1) aMed scores for all of the subjects (all P-values < 0.05). Similar associations were found after stratifying by gender (P-interaction = 0.338–0.968). After excluding the five non-significant components of vegetables, legumes, fish, monounsaturated to saturated fat ratio and alcohol intake from the aMed scores, the percentage mean differences were substantially increased by 69.1–150% between the extreme quintiles. In conclusion, increased adherence to the MD shows protective associations with BMD in Chinese adults.
Etiology matters – Genomic DNA Methylation Patterns in Three Rat Models of Acquired Epilepsy
Authors: Dębski Konrad J. , Pitkanen Asla , Puhakka Noora , Bot Anna M. , Khurana Ishant , Harikrishnan KN , Ziemann Mark , Kaspi Antony , El-Osta Assam , Lukasiuk Katarzyna , Kobow Katja
Published: May 2016

This study tested the hypothesis that acquired epileptogenesis is accompanied by DNA methylation changes independent of etiology. We investigated DNA methylation and gene expression in the hippocampal CA3/dentate gyrus fields at 3 months following epileptogenic injury in three experimental models of epilepsy: focal amygdala stimulation, systemic pilocarpine injection, or lateral fluid-percussion induced traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. In the models studies, DNA methylation and gene expression profiles distinguished controls from injured animals. We observed consistent increased methylation in gene bodies and hypomethylation at non-genic regions. We did not find a common methylation signature in all three different models and few regions common to any two models. Our data provide evidence that genome-wide alteration of DNA methylation signatures is a general pathomechanism associated with epileptogenesis and epilepsy in experimental animal models, but the broad pathophysiological differences between models (i.e. pilocarpine, amygdala stimulation and post-TBI) are reflected in distinct etiology-dependent DNA methylation patterns.
In-stem thiazole orange reveals the same triplex intermediate for pH and thermal unfolding of i-motifs
Authors: Devi Gitali , He Lei , Xu Baochang , Li Tianhu , Shao Fangwei
Published: May 2016

The unfolding pathway of human telomeric i-motifs was monitored by both monomer and exciplex fluorescence of in-stem thiazole orange. A uniform triplex intermediate was determined upon unfolding i-motifs against either pH or thermal denaturation.
Tumor-penetrating peptide modified and pH-sensitive polyplexes for tumor targeted siRNA delivery
Authors: Zhou Guoyong , Xu Yongmin , Chen Meiwan , Cheng Du , Shuai Xintao
Published: May 2016

The pH-sensitive copolymer enhanced the lysosome escape of polyplexes and modification of iRGD endowed the polyplexes with effective intratumoral delivery and high transfection efficiency.
Pluronic F127–chondroitin sulfate micelles prepared through a facile method for passive and active tumor targeting
Authors: Lü Shaoyu , Gao Nannan , Cao Zhen , Gao Chunmei , Xu Xiubin , Bai Xiao , Feng Chen , Liu Mingzhu
Published: May 2016

Micelles based on Pluronic F127 and chondroitin sulfate with targeting properties were fabricated to specifically deliver DOX to tumors.
Gold nanoparticles encapsulated in hierarchical porous polycarbazole: preparation and application in catalytic reduction
Authors: Liu Jing , Chen Qi , Sun Ya-Nan , Xu Meng-Ying , Liu Wei , Han Bao-Hang
Published: May 2016

AuNPs/porous polycarbazole composites with hierarchical pores exhibit high porosity and efficient catalytic reduction.
Electrochemical treatment of mature landfill leachate using Ti/RuO2–IrO2 and Al electrode: optimization and mechanism
Authors: Li Juan , Yang Zhao-hui , Xu Hai-yin , Song Pei-pei , Huang Jing , Xu Rui , Zhang Yi-jie , Zhou Yan
Published: May 2016

Today, improving the elimination of refractory pollutants in landfill leachate through electrochemical oxidation technology has attracted considerable attention.
Highly conductive and flexible transparent films based on silver nanowire/chitosan composite
Authors: Nengduo Zhang , Xuesong Yin , Hao Gong
Published: May 2016

The bio-derived polymer, chitosan, has been incorporated in a silver nanowire (AgNW) network to form the composite film which could solve the critical drawbacks of AgNW films including rough surface, poor adhesion and low oxidation resistance.
Tailor-made poly(l-lactide)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds prepared via high-pressure compression molding/salt leaching
Authors: Zhang Jin , Yang Shu-Gui , Ding Jian-Xun , Li Zhong-Ming
Published: May 2016

The degradation rate, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of PLLA/PLGA/HA scaffolds can be tuned by adjusting the composition. Such tailor-made scaffolds are hopeful to address the specific requirements of the regenerated tissue.
Heteroarm core cross-linked star polymers via RAFT copolymerization of styrene and bismaleimide
Authors: Ahn Nam Young , Seo Myungeun
Published: May 2016

Core cross-linked star polymer containing polystyrene and polylactide arms can be prepared by alternating RAFT copolymerization and self-assembles into superstructures.
Isomerizable (E/Z)-alkynyl-O-methyl oximes employing TMSCl–NCS in chlorinative cyclization for the direct synthesis of 4-chloroisoxazoles
Authors: Kaewsri Wilailak , Thongsornkleeb Charnsak , Tummatorn Jumreang , Ruchirawat Somsak
Published: May 2016

For the first time, 4-chloroisoxazoles are directly synthesized in moderate to excellent yields from mixtures of (E)- and (Z)-alkynyl-O-methyl oximes via (E)- to (Z)-oxime isomerization followed by chlorinative cyclization.
Efficient chemical synthesis for the analogue of ubiquitin-based probe Ub–AMC with native bioactivity
Authors: Xu Ling , Xu Yang , Qu Qian , Guan Chao-Jian , Chu Guo-Chao , Shi Jing , Li Yi-Ming
Published: May 2016

The analogue of ubiquitin-based probe ubiquitin–7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Ub–AMC) was efficiently synthesized through a methyl thioglycolate (MTG) assisted one-pot ligation–desulfurization protocol.
Beyond academic tracking: using cluster analysis and self-organizing maps to investigate secondary students' chemistry self-concept
Authors: Nielsen Sara E. , Yezierski Ellen J.
Published: May 2016

Academic tracking, placing students in different classes based on past performance, is a common feature of the American secondary school system. A longitudinal study of secondary students' chemistry self-concept scores was conducted, and one feature of the study was the presence of academic tracking. Though academic tracking is one way to group data for analysis, since students are naturally grouped in their classes, we aimed to uncover other groupings characterized by their self-concept scores. A cluster analysis was performed using scores from the chemistry and mathematics subscales of the chemistry self-concept inventory. The analysis yielded five clusters, four of which demonstrate a positive relationship between chemistry and mathematics self-concept scores. One cluster, however, was composed of students with low chemistry self-concept scores and high mathematics self-concept scores. Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs), new to chemistry education research (CER), were used to identify smaller groupings of students within the clusters to better understand students' self-concept. This technique was also used to explore longitudinal trends in students' chemistry self-concept data. This work has important implications for tracking in chemistry, the value of considering the affective characteristics of chemistry students, and the prospect of SOMs as a new CER tool.
Copper nanoparticles spaced 3D graphene films for binder-free lithium-storing electrodes
Authors: Guo Dong-Jie , Wei Zi-Ying , Shi Bo , Wang Shi-Wen , Wang Li-Zhen , Tan Wei , Fang Shao-Ming
Published: May 2016

Using a copper nanoparticle-spaced graphene film as the anode, a newly developed lithium-ion battery exhibits a high charge/discharge capacity, an excellent reversibility, a high coulombic efficiency, and a good rate capacity.
Limits on anion reduction in an ionically functionalized fullerene by cyclic voltammetry with in situ conductivity and absorbance spectroscopy
Authors: Bradley Colin , Lonergan Mark C.
Published: May 2016

The reduction level in a highly conductive ion-containing fullerene was determined to be 0.01–1% in its pristine state.
3D Fe3O4@Au@Ag nanoflowers assembled magnetoplasmonic chains for in situ SERS monitoring of plasmon-assisted catalytic reactions
Authors: Ding Qianqian , Zhou Hongjian , Zhang Haimin , Zhang Yunxia , Wang Guozhong , Zhao Huijun
Published: May 2016

A 3D Fe3O4@Au@Ag nanoflower assembled magnetoplasmonic chains used for in situ SERS monitoring of catalytic reactions and was constructed with 3D nanoflower shaped silver nanoplates coated on the magnetoplasmonic nanochains via a magnetic field induced assembly.
Bis(borano)hypophosphite-based ionic liquids as ultrafast-igniting hypergolic fuels
Authors: Zhang Wenquan , Qi Xiujuan , Huang Shi , Li Jianling , Tang Chenglong , Li Jinshan , Zhang Qinghua
Published: May 2016

A new family of bis(borano)hypophosphite-based ionic liquids with ultralow ignition delay times was designed and synthesized.
Novel FeNi2S4/TMD-based ternary composites for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Shen Jianfeng , Ji Jin , Dong Pei , Baines Robert , Zhang Zhuqing , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Ye Mingxin
Published: May 2016

Novel FeNi2S4/TMD-based ternary composites with high specific capacitance and cycling stability were achieved.
Effects of multi-component mixtures of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metal/loid(s) on Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway in ARE reporter-HepG2 cells
Authors: Muthusamy Sasikumar , Peng Cheng , Ng Jack C.
Published: May 2016

The effect of mixtures of PAHs and heavy metal/loid(s) on the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway in HepG2-ARE cells was determined as an indicator of the oxidative stress response.
Preclinical Imaging of siRNA Delivery
Authors: Fletcher Nicholas , Ardana Aditya , Thurecht Kristofer J.
Published: May 2016

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is emerging as a class of therapeutic with extremely high potential, particularly in the field of oncology. Despite this growing interest, further understanding of how siRNA behaves in vivo is still required before significant uptake into clinical application. To this end, many molecular imaging modalities have been utilised to gain a better understanding of the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of administered siRNA and delivery vehicles. This highlight aims to provide an overview of the current state of the field for preclinical imaging of siRNA delivery.
Reinforcement without Awareness: I. Voice Level
Authors: Lieberman David A. , Sunnucks Wendy L. , Kirk Jamie D.J.
Published: May 2016

Although some studies have reported that reinforcement can strengthen people's behaviour without their awareness, most studies that have incorporated adequate procedures for assessing awareness have been unsuccessful. Using rigorous procedures, we report two studies designed to provide more scope for learning without awareness by making the reinforcement contingency as unobtrusive as possible. Subjects were told that the experiment was on ESP, and that they were to say which of two words the experimenter was thinking about. In fact, reinforcement was contingent on the loudness of the subject's voice when responding. Even though subjects reported no awareness of a relationship between trial outcomes and their behaviour, the probability of the reinforced responses increased significantly over trials in both experiments. These results support the view that reinforcement can occur without awareness.
New progress of Grey System Theory in the new millennium
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Yang Yingjie , Xie Naiming , Forrest Jeffrey
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to summarize the progress in grey system research during 2000-2015, so as to present some important new concepts, models, methods and a new framework of grey system theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– The new thinking, new models and new methods of grey system theory and their applications are presented in this paper. It includes algorithm rules of grey numbers based on the “kernel” and the degree of greyness of grey numbers, the concept of general grey numbers, the synthesis axiom of degree of greyness of grey numbers and their operations; the general form of buffer operators of grey sequence operators; the four basic models of grey model GM(1,1), such as even GM, original difference GM, even difference GM, discrete GM and the suitable sequence type of each basic model, and suitable range of most used grey forecasting models; the similarity degree of grey incidences, the closeness degree of grey incidences and the three-dimensional absolute degree of grey incidence of grey incidence analysis models; the grey cluster model based on center-point and end-point mixed triangular whitenization functions; the multi-attribute intelligent grey target decision model, the two stages decision model with grey synthetic measure of grey decision models; grey game models, grey input-output models of grey combined models; and the problems of robust stability for grey stochastic time-delay systems of neutral type, distributed-delay type and neutral distributed-delay type of grey control, etc. And the new framework of grey system theory is given as well.

Findings

– The problems which remain for further studying are discussed at the end of each section. The reader could know the general picture of research and developing trend of grey system theory from this paper.

Practical implications

– A lot of successful practical applications of the new models to solve various problems have been found in many different areas of natural science, social science and engineering, including spaceflight, civil aviation, information, metallurgy, machinery, petroleum, chemical industry, electrical power, electronics, light industries, energy resources, transportation, medicine, health, agriculture, forestry, geography, hydrology, seismology, meteorology, environment protection, architecture, behavioral science, management science, law, education, military science, etc. These practical applications have brought forward definite and noticeable social and economic benefits. It demonstrates a wide range of applicability of grey system theory, especially in the situation where the available information is incomplete and the collected data are inaccurate.

Originality/value

– The reader is given a general picture of grey systems theory as a new model system and a new framework for studying problems where partial information is known; especially for uncertain systems with few data points and poor information. The problems remaining for further studying are identified at the end of each section.
Similarity measures for diagnostic symptom evolution
Authors: Tabaszewski Maciej , Cempel Czeslaw
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The observed diagnostic symptoms are often characterized by local fluctuations of their values. Hence, instead of direct observation of symptoms it is worth observing their grey models and research similarity between life curves, which can enable to guess the nature of wear. The purpose of this paper is to find useful measures of similarity of diagnostics symptoms modeled by GM(1,1).

Design/methodology/approach

– Measures of similarity may be used to determine the character of wear of the diagnosed object by way of comparison with known examples, which have previously been obtained and identified. A methodology for creation of such comparisons based on pre-smoothing by means of a GM(1,1) model with rolling window has been proposed. The process of smoothing enables to eliminate local fluctuations of a symptom. Their existence makes it difficult to compare symptoms. Application of a rolling window enables in turn to map the symptom properly, which may be difficult in the case of relatively short period of accelerated wear and changes of symptom values. To compare the life curves it is also necessary to normalize the life curves, so that they are represented by the same number of measurements (compression or extension of the measure of operation).

Findings

– The paper concerns the similarity measures for symptom life curves obtained during vibration monitoring of fan mills working at a heat and power station. Similarity measures of symptoms were proposed and applied to the acquired data from the machines.

Practical implications

– The method of symptom modeling and life curve comparing can be used to discover type of wear of the machine and eventually estimation of the remaining useful life.

Originality/value

– The proposed method is very important for development of condition monitoring.
Top Managers' Academic Credentials and Firm Value
Authors: Joh Sung Wook , Jung Jin‐Young
Published: May 2016

This study investigates whether top management teams' (TMTs) academic credentials from prestigious universities can be a source of competitive advantage. We examine the academic backgrounds of 72,165 top managers in 590 non‐financial firms in South Korea from 1990 to 2006. We find that firms with a higher proportion of top managers from top universities have a higher Tobin's Q. Furthermore, this relation is stronger in challenging environments when firms face higher volatility, more growth opportunities, or financial distress, or when managers have greater discretionary power or are held accountable for their decisions. These results suggest that the effects of TMTs' human capital on firm value vary in the contexts of organizational and corporate environments. In short, our study suggests that education from elite schools is an important managerial attribute that contributes to performance.
Pyramid Establishment Resulting from Succession Motivation
Authors: Yang Dong Ryung
Published: May 2016

I examine if a valuation method for unlisted firms adopted by the Korean inheritance tax code allows economic agents to counterplot and leads to the establishment of pyramids. The Korean inheritance tax code, adopting a weighted average of the net asset value of the most recent year (40%) and 3‐year average net income (60%) as firm value for inheritance taxation, implicitly leads controlling shareholders to vertically split or insert an intermediary to control subsidiaries, both of which yield pyramidal governance structure within family business groups. Inheriting unlisted firms via intermediaries reduces inheritance tax and its tax saving effect is maximized when intermediary firms are much smaller than subsidiaries.
OUTPUT GROWTH AND STRUCTURAL REFORM IN LATIN AMERICA: HAVE BUSINESS CYCLES CHANGED?
Authors: Fossati Sebastian
Published: May 2016

This paper documents important changes in real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of six large Latin American countries. The main results can be summarized as follows. First, there is evidence of a structural break in real GDP toward stronger mean growth and a substantial reduction in volatility. Second, the timing of the breaks suggests that the important changes in economic policies of the 1980s and 1990s have been effective in permanently improving economic growth in the region. These changes in the growth processes imply recessions that are shorter in duration and milder in amplitude. The sustained increase in commodity prices observed in recent years explains an important share of growth in the region since 2003. But after accounting for the effect of commodity prices, there is even stronger evidence of a structural break in real GDP growth. (JEL E32)
Evaluation of morphological representative sample sizes for nanolayered polymer blends
Authors: BIRONEAU A. , DIRRENBERGER J. , SOLLOGOUB C. , MIQUELARD‐GARNIER G. , ROLAND S.
Published: May 2016

The size of representative microstructural samples obtained from atomic force microscopy is addressed in this paper. The case of an archetypal one‐dimensional nanolayered polymer blend is considered. Image analysis is performed on micrographs obtained through atomic force microscopy, yielding statistical data concerning morphological properties of the material. The variability in terms of microstructural morphology is due to the thermomechanical processing route. The statistical data is used in order to estimate sample size representativity, based on an asymptotic relationship relating the inherent point variance of the indicator function of one material phase to the statistical, size‐dependent, ensemble variance of the same function. From the study of nanolayered material systems, the statistical approach was found to be an effective mean for discriminating and characterizing multiple scales of heterogeneity.
Sphingobacterium spiritivorumsepticaemia associated with cellulitis in a patient with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Anthony Jonathan M , Verma Rajanshu
Published: May 2016

Sphingobacterium spiritivorum, a Gram-negative bacillus, is abundant in nature and is rarely involved in causing human infections. However, it is intrinsically resistant to many commonly administered antibiotics and can thus be a life-threatening microorganism. We describe a case of an 89-year-old Caucasian man who presented with sepsis fromS. spiritivorumcellulitis.
Values and Networks
Authors: Orwat Carsten , Bless Roland
Published: May 2016

Many technical systems of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector enable, structure and/or constrain social interactions. Thereby, they influence or implement certain values, including human rights, and affect or raise conflicts among values. The ongoing developments toward an "Internet of everything'' is likely to lead to further value conflicts. This trend illustrates that a better understanding of the relationships between social values and networks is urgently needed because it is largely unknown what values lie behind protocols, design principles, or technical and organizational options of the Internet. This paper focuses on the complex steps of realizing human rights in Internet architectures and protocols as well as in Internet-based products and services. Besides direct implementation of values in Internet protocols, there are several other options that can indirectly contribute to realizing human rights via political processes and market choices. Eventually, a better understanding of what values can be realized by networks in general, what technical measures may affect certain values, and where complementary institutional developments are needed may lead toward a methodology for considering technical and institutional systems together.
Primary Intracranial Synovial Sarcoma
Authors: Patel Mohit , Li Luyuan , Nguyen Ha Son , Doan Ninh , Sinson Grant , Mueller Wade
Published: May 2016

Background. Synovial sarcoma is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma with uncertain histological origin. The pathology frequently presents as a localized disease, especially near large joints around the knee and thigh. Intracranial disease, which is rare, has been reported as metastasis from synovial sarcoma. We report a case with no obvious primary extracranial pathology, suggesting primary intracranial disease; this has not been reported in the literature.Case Description. A 21-year-old male, with a prior right skull lesion resection for atypical spindle cell neoplasm, presented with headaches, gait instability, left arm weakness, and left homonymous hemianopsia. CT of head demonstrated a right parietal hemorrhagic lesion with mass effect, requiring surgical decompression. Histopathology revealed synovial sarcoma. FISH analysis noted the existence of the t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) chromosomal translocation. PET scan did not show other metastatic disease. He underwent stereotactic radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. At 2-year follow-up, he remained nonfocal without recurrence.Conclusion. We report the first known case of primary intracranial synovial sarcoma. Moreover, we stress that intracranial lesions may have a tendency for hemorrhage, requiring urgent lifesaving decompression.
The Reliability of a Novel Automated System for ANA Immunofluorescence Analysis in Daily Clinical Practice
Authors: Alsuwaidi Mohammed , Dollinger Margit , Fleck Martin , Ehrenstein Boris
Published: May 2016

Automated interpretation (AI) systems for antinuclear antibody (ANA) analysis have been introduced based on assessment of indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) patterns. The diagnostic performance of a novel automated IIF reading system was compared with visual interpretation (VI) of IIF in daily clinical practice to evaluate the reduction of workload. ANA-IIF tests of consecutive serum samples from patients with suspected connective tissue disease were carried out using HEp-2 cells according to routine clinical care. AI was performed using a visual analyser (Zenit G-Sight, Menarini, Germany). Agreement rates between ANA results by AI and VI were calculated. Of the 336 samples investigated, VI yielded 205 (61%) negative, 42 (13%) ambiguous, and 89 (26%) positive results, whereas 82 (24%) were determined to be negative, 176 (52%) ambiguous, and 78 (24%) positive by AI. AI displayed a diagnostic accuracy of 175/336 samples (52%) with a kappa coefficient of 0.34 compared to VI being the gold standard. Solely relying on AI, with VI only performed for all ambiguous samples by AI, would have missed 1 of 89 (1%) positive results by VI and misclassified 2 of 205 (1%) negative results by VI as positive. The use of AI in daily clinical practice resulted only in a moderate reduction of the VI workload (82 of 336 samples: 24%).
Early Recruitment of IL-10-Producing B Cells Into Alveoli Improved the Resolution of Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Xu Shumin , Xu Mingzheng , Li Guang-Gang , Wang Chunmei , Song Haihan , Bai Jianwen
Published: May 2016

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by rapid induction of inflammation at the alveolar-capillary membrane, and immunosuppressive mechanisms were shown to contribute to its resolution. Despite the central role of lymphocytes in initiating and mediating an inflammatory response, their influx dynamics in ALI has not been examined. Methods: We collected mini-BAL samples from the lung of ALI patients over a maximum period of 7 days, and examined the lymphocyte composition. Results: CD3+CD4+IFN-gamma+ Th1 cells were detected early on in all patients examined, while IL-10-producing B cells and CD3+CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+ Treg cells appeared later. Interestingly, IL-10-producing B cells appeared earlier than Tregs in most subjects, which possibly exerted anti-inflammatory function before Tregs. We then found that in patients with earlier recruitment of IL-10-producing B cells, the magnitude of Th1 inflammation decreased significantly over time, which was not observed in patients with later recruitment of IL-10-producing B cells. Furthermore, early IL-10-producing B cell recruiters also had significantly earlier recruitment of Tregs and better survival than late IL-10-producing B cell recruiters. Conclusion: This study provided data on the alveolar infiltration of lymphocytes during ALI, which suggested an inhibitory role of IL-10-producing B cells in ALI and emphasized the importance of controlling inflammation during the initial stage of ALI.
Resected Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease on Azathioprine
Authors: Heron Valérie , Fortinsky Kyle Joshua , Spiegle Gillian , Hilzenrat Nir , Szilagyi Andrew
Published: May 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma rarely occurs in patients without underlying cirrhosis or liver disease. While inflammatory bowel disease has been linked to certain forms of liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma is exceedingly rare in these patients. We report the twelfth case of hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with Crohn’s disease. The patient is a 61-year-old with longstanding Crohn’s disease who was treated with azathioprine and was found to have elevated liver enzymes and a new 3-cm liver mass on ultrasound. A complete workup for underlying liver disease was unremarkable and liver biopsy revealed hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient underwent a hepatic resection, and there is no evidence of recurrence at the 11-month follow-up. The resection specimen showed no evidence of cancer despite the initial biopsy revealing hepatocellular carcinoma. This case represents the third biopsy-proven complete spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although large studies have failed to show a definite link between azathioprine and hepatocellular carcinoma, the relationship remains concerning given the multiple case reports suggesting a possible association. Clinicians should exercise a high degree of suspicion in patients with Crohn’s disease who present with elevated liver enzymes, especially those on azathioprine therapy.
A Linguagem das Mercadorias
Authors: Santaella Lucia , Nöth Winfried
Published: May 2016

Mercadorias têm sido estudadas pela economia, economia política e, evidentemente, pelo marketing. Tendo como base a semiótica, ciência geral de todos os tipos de signos e seus respectivos modos de produzir sentido, este artigo visa analisar as mercadorias em sua natureza e funcionamento de linguagem. Para isso, depois de examinar as teorias semióticas das mercadorias e as abordagens antropológicas, as mercadorias são apresentadas como signos em uma visão pluralista. Assim, a mercadoria é contemplada como signo utilitário, como signo comercial e como signo sociocultural. Por fim, são analisados os processos de semiotização por que passam as mercadorias e a linguagem da mercadoria como um sistema.
Representação visual e cognição: o potencial da analogia
Authors: Drigo Maria Ogécia
Published: May 2016

Com o propósito de analisar o papel da representação visual na cognição, iniciamos com ideias peirceanas e explicitamos que a semiose, ação de signo na mente humana, se dá em meio a três tipos de raciocínio: abdução, dedução e indução. Em seguida, também com contribuições em Perelman y Olbretchs-Tyteca sobre analogia, avaliamos o movimento dessa operação mental como propício à abdução, bem como para a geração de futuras semioses.
Consumo: um olhar para a alimentação
Authors: Siqueira Amanda Costa Reis de
Published: May 2016

Este artigo tem como objetivo desvendar como o modelo de restaurante a quilo se tornou um “espaço social alimentar” onde se revelam representações de valores da cultura brasileira e traços da nossa identidade social.
Franco Fábrica. Análise da Publicidade do Seat 600 (1957-1973)
Authors: Fernández Rincón Antonio Raúl
Published: May 2016

Apresentamos neste artigo os resultados de uma análise realizada sobre uma amostra sócio-semiótica da publicidade e do audiovisual, que procura compreender os mecanismos discursivos utilizados como centros de comunicação para o veículo "Seat 600" e sua relação com o contexto espanhol político e econômico. Em um momento como o presente onde as marcas estão lutando para ser inserido na "consciência coletiva", para gerar empatia com os meios cada vez mais segmentada e com menor custo, é necessário dedicar algumas palavras a este produto pouco que poderia ter alcançado.
Sobre a importância do emocional na política marcária
Authors: Zozzoli Jean Charles Jacques
Published: May 2016

Com o intuito de ser fornecedora de percepções e experimentos não só sociorrelacionais, mas atinentes a disposições afetivas fundamentais que provocam reações emocionais de afinidade, afeição, adesão, paixão, indiferença, distanciamento, ira, repulsa etc., a marca contemporânea é provedora de experiências. Gera elementos temporários de monopólio simbólico e econômico apoiando-se em percepções que substituem características racionais por experiências emocionais e sensoriais, algo vivenciado tanto física quanto imaginariamente. O artigo propõe-se debater teórica e criticamente esse tema, objeto de reflexões teóricas e livros de sucesso.
Leia na minha camisa – comunicação, consumo e subversão de sentido de marcas absolutas
Authors: Carballido Irene
Published: May 2016

O artigo trata da produção de sentido feita pelo micro-discurso da publicidade: o nome da marca. As mensagens subvertidas veiculadas em camisas mostram que o processo de produção de sentido do nome da marca e. O mito da marca é esvendado quando destoa pela sintaxe do ready-made e do desvio. E destoa na dimensão mais ideológica da linguagem, a conotação. Com seu conteúdo denunciativo, criativo e bem humorado, a subversão de marcas, traz reflexões sobre o universo da produção sentido em torno da mercadoria e suas contradições.
Resenha do livro Big Data
Authors: Koo Lawrence
Published: May 2016

Resenha do livro: TAURION, Cezar. Big data. Rio de Janeiro: Brasport Livros e Multimídia Ltda., 2013.
É Impossível comer um só? Publicidade, embalagem e conteúdo dos salgadinhos Elma Chips
Authors: Corrêa Laura Guimarães , Salgado Tiago Barcelos Pereira , Castro Rebeca Heringer Lisboa de
Published: May 2016

Este trabalho objetiva identificar os elementos estratégicos de persuasão utilizados pela Elma Chips para conquistar consumidores potenciais, fomentando o desejo de experimentar o produto em suas diversas apresentações: embalagem, marcas, anúncios e o chips propriamente dito. Para tanto, procedemos à análise de três promoções que ofereciam tazos como brinde entre os anos de 1997 e 2002. Discutimos, ainda, questões relacionadas à regulamentação da publicidade de produtos alimentícios voltada a crianças naquela época e atualmente.
Resenha do livro: A estetização do mundo: Viver na era do capitalismo artista
Authors: Damasceno Alhen Rubens Silveira
Published: May 2016

LIPOVETSKY. G. & SERROY, J. A estetização do mundo: viver na era do capitalismo artista. São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2015.
Organização curricular de cursos superiores de publicidade: Um olhar brasileiro sobre a oferta americana
Authors: Giacomini Filho Gino
Published: May 2016

O propósito deste artigo é apresentar e discutir a oferta curricular americana para cursos superiores de Publicidade por meio de referencial teórico e estudo de caso com a Boston University e a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Os resultados apontam que tais ofertas são estruturadas, diferenciadas, e mostram contribuições para a experiência brasileira.
O cotidiano fantástico na propaganda de havaianas: O comercial televisivo como tecnologia do imaginário
Authors: Tonin Juliana , Azubel Larissa , Kurtz Gabriela , Weber Karina Pereira
Published: May 2016

A partir desse estudo buscamos pensar o papel do comercial televisivo como uma tecnologia do imaginário contemporâneo, em sua estimulação para o conhecimento de novas referências, potencializando novas representações. Assim, selecionamos para análise duas propagandas de uma marca reconhecida por sua brasilidade, as sandálias Havaianas. A perspectiva adotada é a da sociologia compreensiva e autores como Durand, Maffesoli, Lipovetsky e Silva constituem o referencial dessa pesquisa.
As origens das marcas e da publicidade moderna: As campanhas publicitárias de sabões e sabonetes
Authors: Rosa António Machuco
Published: May 2016

Neste artigo é analisado o surgimento das marcas e da publicidade moderna através do exemplo das campanhas publicitárias de sabões e sabonetes no início do século XX. Serão analisadas as campanhas de Woodbury’s e de Lux, sublinhando-se o papel que a agência J. Water Thompson teve nessas campanhas. Mostra-se que no início do século XX já existiam duas grandes tendências na criação de campanhas publicitárias, a publicidade “reason-why e a publicidade “emocional”. Mostra-se finalmente como essas duas tendências estão associadas a duas conceções sobre o papel das marcas registadas.
A filosofia da comunicação de Flusser ou por uma nova imaginação
Authors: Agostinho Larissa Drigo
Published: May 2016

Resenha do livro:FLUSSER, V. O mundo codificado: Por uma filosofia do design e da comunicação. São Paulo: Cosac & Naif, 2013.
Ludwig Boltzmann's philosophy of science: atomism, classical mechanics, darwinism and theoretical pluralism
Authors: Videira Antonio Augusto Passos
Published: May 2016

Este artigo apresenta e analisa as idéias epistemológicas que o físico teórico austríaco Ludwig Boltzmann defendeu nos últimos 20 anos de sua vida. Concede-se destaque especial a duas idéias, que são, pensamos nós, as mais importantes: o pluralismo teórico e o atomismo epistemológico. A nossa discussão insere o pensamento de Boltzmann no contexto de sua época, uma vez que esta se caracteriza por uma riqueza extraordinária no domínio da epistemologia.
Two new species of Leptochelia Dana, 1849 (Peracarida, Tanaidacea) from Cuba
Authors: Jarquín-González J.
Published: May 2016

To date, only one species ofLeptocheliaDana, 1849 has been described from the Cuban archipelago,L. tenuiculaMakkaveeva, 1968, and two others have been recorded,L. forresti(Stebbing, 1896) andL. savignyi(Krøyer, 1842). From new collections in the area, herein two new species are described,L. ortizin. sp. andL. pinarensisn. sp. Males ofL. ortiziare distinguished by the possession of two small, unequal medial processes on the cutting edge of the cheliped fixed finger, and six spiniform setae on the inner margin of the dactylus. Females bear an inner row of fine setules on the lacinia mobilis of the left mandible. Likewise, females ofL. pinarensisare recognized by having two plumose setae on the inner margin of the fourth article of the maxilliped. The addition of these two species increases the number of species of the genus in Cuba to five.
The Arse Poetica of Thomas Hobbes: On the Composition and Reception of De Mirabilibus Pecci
Authors: Wolfe Jessica
Published: May 2016

This article provides a two-part study of Thomas Hobbes’ De Mirabilibus Pecci, a Latin poem composed very early in his career. Part one examines the poem as a product of Hobbes’ participation in the recreational literary culture of Caroline England, in particular analysing the influence of mock-epic and burlesque traditions that would continue to shape Hobbes’ writings but also studying how the poem offers compelling evidence for his early preoccupation with the laws of motion, with geological processes such as the creation and erosion of stone formations, and with the philosophy of Lucretius. Part two recounts the extraordinary history of the poem’s reception in the last decades of the seventeenth century. The poem’s familiarity among Hobbes’ allies and adversaries alike helped to cement his reputation as a master of scoffing and drollery, as an opponent of the experimental science practiced by the Royal Society, and as a freethinker or atheist.
Effect of Three Levels of Dietary Protein on Metabolic Phenotype of Healthy Individuals With 8 Weeks of Overfeeding
Authors: Bray George A. , Redman Leanne M. , de Jonge Lilian , Rood Jennifer , Smith Steven R.
Published: May 2016

Context:

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and other metabolic changes that might be modified by overfeeding diets with different protein levels.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of overfeeding diets with 5%, 15%, or 25% energy from protein on insulin sensitivity and compartments of body fat in healthy men and women.

Methods:

Fifteen men and five women were overfed by approximately 40% for 56 days with 5% (low protein), 15% (normal protein), or 25% (high protein) protein diets. Insulin sensitivity was measured using a two-step insulin clamp at baseline and at 8 weeks. Body composition and fat distribution were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and multislice computed tomography scan and abdominal sc fat cell size was determined on osmium-fixed fat cells.

Setting:

This was an in-patient metabolic ward study.

Main Outcome Measures:

Insulin sensitivity and free fatty acids during low and high levels of insulin infusion before and after 8 weeks after overfeeding and changes in body fat distribution from computed tomography were measured.

Results:

Total body fat mass, fat-free mass (FFM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and deep sc fat all increased with overfeeding. FFM and intrahepatic lipid increased more on the high protein diet, whereas percentage BF and fasting free fatty acids (FFAs) increased more on the low protein diet. Baseline fat cell size predicted the increase in VAT and the magnitude of FFA suppression during the high-dose insulin clamp. Acute release of insulin at baseline predicted the increase in deep sc fat but not VAT. Fasting insulin and glucose increased with overfeeding, but glucose disposal as measured by the clamp was not changed. Suppression of FFAs was less complete during the high-dose insulin infusion after overfeeding.

Conclusion:

Eight weeks of overfeeding, which increased fat mass including expansion of visceral and deep sc tissues and intrahepatic lipid, increased fasting insulin and glucose, impaired the suppression of FFA but did not produce whole-body insulin resistance.
Closing gaps between open software and public data in a hackathon setting: User-centered software prototyping
Authors: Busby Ben , Lesko Matthew ,   August 2015 and January 2016 Hackathon participants, Federer Lisa
Published: May 2016

In genomics, bioinformatics and other areas of data science, gaps exist between extant public datasets and the open-source software tools built by the community to analyze similar data types.  The purpose of biological data science hackathons is to assemble groups of genomics or bioinformatics professionals and software developers to rapidly prototype software to address these gaps.  The only two rules for the NCBI-assisted hackathons run so far are that 1) data either must be housed in public data repositories or be deposited to such repositories shortly after the hackathon’s conclusion, and 2) all software comprising the final pipeline must be open-source or open-use.  Proposed topics, as well as suggested tools and approaches, are distributed to participants at the beginning of each hackathon and refined during the event.  Software, scripts, and pipelines are developed and published on GitHub, a web service providing publicly available, free-usage tiers for collaborative software development. The code resulting from each hackathon is published at https://github.com/NCBI-Hackathons/ with separate directories or repositories for each team.
Can free open access resources strengthen knowledge-based emerging public health priorities, policies and programs in Africa?
Authors: Tambo Ernest , Madjou Ghislaine , Khayeka-Wandabwa Christopher , Tekwu Emmanuel N. , Olalubi Oluwasogo A. , Midzi Nicolas , Bengyella Louis , Adedeji Ahmed A. , Ngogang Jeanne Y.
Published: May 2016

Tackling emerging epidemics and infectious diseases burden in Africa requires increasing unrestricted open access and free use or reuse of regional and global policies reforms as well as timely communication capabilities and strategies. Promoting, scaling up data and information sharing between African researchers and international partners are of vital importance in accelerating open access at no cost. Free Open Access (FOA) health data and information acceptability, uptake tactics and sustainable mechanisms are urgently needed. These are critical in establishing real time and effective knowledge or evidence-based translation, proven and validated approaches, strategies and tools to strengthen and revamp health systems.  As such, early and timely access to needed emerging public health information is meant to be instrumental and valuable for policy-makers, implementers, care providers, researchers, health-related institutions and stakeholders including populations when guiding health financing, and planning contextual programs.
The Role of the Hidden Curriculum: Institutional Messages of Inclusivity
Authors: Killick David
Published: May 2016

Significant attention is rightly given in literature concerning institutional curricular change to the design and delivery of the formal curriculum. Particularly influential in this area has been Biggs’ work on constructive alignment (Biggs, 1999, and subsequent editions) and the learning taxonomies which higher education has sought to utilise in the alignment process (Biggs & Collins, 1982; Bloom, 1956). However, the role of the hidden curriculum (Giroux & Purpel, 1983), much discussed in the context of school education for many years, has barely featured in the discourse around learning and teaching in higher education. In this reflective analysis, I consider the question, ‘To what extent do the learning communities we create and the hidden curriculum which frames them foster or fight the development of capabilities needed by our global students?’ and propose the hidden curriculum to be an area we can no longer neglect.
Let Your Banner Wave? Antecedents and Performance Implications of Retailers’ Private-Label Branding Strategies
Authors: Keller Kristopher O. , Dekimpe Marnik G. , Geyskens Inge
Published: May 2016

The authors study the drivers and performance implications of retailers’ branding strategies for their premium and economy private-label tiers. Retailers can opt for store-banner branding and use their store-banner name and/or logo to reveal their ownership, or they can use stand-alone branding and avoid an explicit link between store brand and retail banner. Hypotheses are tested on a large pan-European sample of premium and economy tiers that were introduced over almost 15 years. For the premium tier, retailers’ propensity to use store-banner branding is higher when they have a hi–lo price format and a higher brand equity, and when they have used store-banner branding in the past (on their standard tier and in other markets). The attractiveness of using store-banner branding for the premium tier also varies across countries: it is more likely to be chosen when the retail environment is less concentrated, when uncertainty avoidance and rule of law are higher, and when power distance is lower. For most of these drivers, the effect is significantly weaker for the economy tier. Retailers whose premium-tier branding decision is congruent with the proposed contingency framework perform better. For the economy tier, congruence is not associated with higher performance.