bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptations of motoneuron properties to chronic compensatory muscle overload
Authors: Krutki P. , Hałuszka A. , Mrówczyński W. , Gardiner P. F. , Celichowski J.
Published: February 2015

The aim of the study was to determine whether chronic muscle overload has measurable effect on electrophysiological properties of motoneurons (MNs), and whether duration of this overload influences intensity of adaptations. The compensatory overload was induced in the rat medial gastrocnemius (MG) by bilateral tenotomy of its synergists (lateral gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris); as a result, only the MG was able to evoke the foot plantar flexion. To assure regular activation of the MG muscle, rats were placed in wheel-equipped cages and subjected to a low-level treadmill exercise. The intracellular recordings from MG motoneurons were made after 5 or 12 wk of the overload, and in a control group of intact rats. Some of the passive and threshold membrane properties as well as rhythmic firing properties were considerably modified in fast-type MNs, while remaining unaltered in slow-type MNs. The significant changes included a shortening of the spike duration and the spike rise time, an increase of the afterhyperpolarization amplitude, an increase of the input resistance, a decrease of the rheobase, and a decrease of the minimum current necessary to evoke steady-state firing. The data suggest higher excitability of fast-type MNs innervating the overloaded muscle, and a shift towards electrophysiological properties of slow-type MNs. All of the adaptations could be observed after 5 wk of the compensatory overload with no further changes occurring after 12 wk. This indicates that the response to an increased level of chronic activation of MNs is relatively quick and stable.
A Note on Isomorphism Theorems for Semigroups of Order-Preserving Transformations with Restricted Range
Authors: Jitjankarn Phichet , Rungratgasame Thitarie
Published: February 2015

Finding necessary and sufficient conditions for isomorphism between two semigroups of order-preserving transformations over an infinite domain with restricted range was an open problem. In this paper, we show a proof strategy to answer that question.
Ferroelectric and Dielectric Properties of ZnFe2O4‐Pb(ZrTi)O3 Multiferroic Nanocomposites
Authors: Sen Shrabanee , Mursalin Sk. Md. , Maharajan M.
Published: February 2015

Magnetoelectric composites of zinc ferrite and soft lead zirconate titanate (PZT) having formula 0.5 ZnFe2O4‐0.5 PZT were synthesized by sol‐gel technique. X‐ray diffraction analysis was carried out to confirm the coexistence of individual phase. TEM micrographs were taken to confirm the formation of nanosized powders and SEM micrographs were taken to study the morphology of the sintered pellets. Dielectric and P‐E hysteresis loops were recorded, respectively, to confirm the ferroelectric properties of the composites.
Coopetition in Intermodal Freight Transport Services
Authors: Liu Jian , Li Yinzhen , Li Jun
Published: February 2015

The paper studies the coopetition of the downstream different carriers by providing complementary transport services in intermodal freight transport chain. Considering different information structure, a two-stage dynamic game model with simultaneous actions on investment and price is first formulated. Equilibria show both parties have motivation to select coopetition even if the agreement for cooperation investment is reached in advance. When both firms agree on the specific allocation, the new coopetition with higher efficiency would be emerged. Moreover, we analyze the complexity and evolution of coopetition by repeated pricing game with finitely and infinitely time horizon. In the finitely repeated pricing game, both firms have incentive to reach a tacit understanding to alternate choosing price cooperation and competition after setting suitable allocation scheme; the repeated periodstare then going to be an issue. In the infinitely repeated pricing game, the perfect cooperation is realized by designing the suitable trigger strategy.
Minimum Principles for Interacting Cosserat Elastic Continua
Authors: Ieşan D. , Scalia A.
Published: February 2015

This paper is concerned with the linear theory of composites modelled as mixtures of two Cosserat elastic continua. First, we present a minimum principle in the case of equilibrium. Then, we consider the dynamic theory and establish a minimum principle of Reiss type for a mixed problem.
Anticancer Activities of Mononuclear Ruthenium(II) Coordination Complexes
Authors: Motswainyana William M. , Ajibade Peter A.
Published: February 2015

Ruthenium compounds are highly regarded as potential drug candidates. The compounds offer the potential of reduced toxicity and can be tolerated in vivo. The various oxidation states, different mechanism of action, and the ligand substitution kinetics of ruthenium compounds give them advantages over platinum-based complexes, thereby making them suitable for use in biological applications. Several studies have focused attention on the interaction between active ruthenium complexes and their possible biological targets. In this paper, we review several ruthenium compounds which reportedly possess promising cytotoxic profiles: from the discovery of highly active compounds imidazolium [trans-tetrachloro(dmso)(imidazole)ruthenate(III)] (NAMI-A), indazolium [trans-tetrachlorobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)](KP1019), and sodium trans-[tetrachloridobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)] (NKP-1339) to the recent work based on both inorganic and organometallic ruthenium(II) compounds. Half-sandwich organometallic ruthenium complexes offer the opportunity of derivatization at the arene moiety, while the three remaining coordination sites on the metal centre can be functionalised with various coordination groups of various monoligands. It is clear from the review that these mononuclear ruthenium(II) compounds represent a strongly emerging field of research that will soon culminate into several ruthenium based antitumor agents.
Inhibition of ERK1/2 and Activation of LXR Synergistically Reduce Atherosclerotic Lesions in ApoE-Deficient Mice
Authors: Chen Yuanli , Duan Yajun , Yang Xiaoxiao , Sun Lei , Liu Mengyang , Wang Qixue , Ma Xingzhe , Zhang Wenwen , Li Xiaoju , Hu Wenquan , Miao Robert Q. , Xiang Rong , Hajjar David P. , Han Jihong
Published: February 2015

Objective—

Activation of liver X receptor (LXR) inhibits atherosclerosis but induces hypertriglyceridemia. In vitro, it has been shown that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) inhibitor synergizes LXR ligand–induced macrophage ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux. In this study, we determined whether MEK1/2 (U0126) and LXR ligand (T0901317) can have a synergistic effect on the reduction of atherosclerosis while eliminating LXR ligand–induced fatty livers and hypertriglyceridemia. We also set out to identify the cellular mechanisms of the actions.

Approach and Results—

Wild-type mice were used to determine the effect of U0126 on a high-fat diet or high-fat diet plus T0901317-induced transient dyslipidemia and liver injury. ApoE deficient (apoE
−/−
) mice or mice with advanced lesions were used to determine the effect of the combination of T0901317 and U0126 on atherosclerosis and hypertriglyceridemia. We found that U0126 protected animals against T0901317-induced transient or long-term hepatic lipid accumulation, liver injury, and hypertriglyceridemia. Meanwhile, the combination of T0901317 and U0126 inhibited the development of atherosclerosis in a synergistic manner and reduced advanced lesions. Mechanistically, in addition to synergistic induction of macrophage ABCA1 expression, the combination of U0126 and T0901317 maintained arterial wall integrity, inhibited macrophage accumulation in aortas and formation of macrophages/foam cells, and activated reverse cholesterol transport. The inhibition of T0901317-induced lipid accumulation by the combined U0126 might be attributed to inactivation of lipogenesis and activation of lipolysis/fatty acid oxidation pathways.

Conclusions—

Our study suggests that the combination of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor and LXR ligand can function as a novel therapy to synergistically reduce atherosclerosis while eliminating LXR-induced deleterious effects.
Early Hyperlipidemia Promotes Endothelial Activation via a Caspase-1-Sirtuin 1 Pathway
Authors: Yin Ying , Li Xinyuan , Sha Xiaojin , Xi Hang , Li Ya-Feng , Shao Ying , Mai Jietang , Virtue Anthony , Lopez-Pastrana Jahaira , Meng Shu , Tilley Douglas G. , Monroy M. Alexandra , Choi Eric T. , Thomas Craig J. , Jiang Xiaohua , Wang Hong , Yang Xiao-Feng
Published: February 2015

Objective—

The role of receptors for endogenous metabolic danger signals–associated molecular patterns has been characterized recently as bridging innate immune sensory systems for danger signals–associated molecular patterns to initiation of inflammation in bone marrow–derived cells, such as macrophages. However, it remains unknown whether endothelial cells (ECs), the cell type with the largest numbers and the first vessel cell type exposed to circulating danger signals–associated molecular patterns in the blood, can sense hyperlipidemia. This report determined whether caspase-1 plays a role in ECs in sensing hyperlipidemia and promoting EC activation.

Approach and Results—

Using biochemical, immunologic, pathological, and bone marrow transplantation methods together with the generation of new apoplipoprotein E (ApoE)
−/−
/caspase-1
−/−
double knockout mice, we made the following observations: (1) early hyperlipidemia induced caspase-1 activation in ApoE
−/−
mouse aorta; (2) caspase-1
−/−
/ApoE
−/−
mice attenuated early atherosclerosis; (3) caspase-1
−/−
/ApoE
−/−
mice had decreased aortic expression of proinflammatory cytokines and attenuated aortic monocyte recruitment; and (4) caspase-1
−/−
/ApoE
−/−
mice had decreased EC activation, including reduced adhesion molecule expression and cytokine secretion. Mechanistically, oxidized lipids activated caspase-1 and promoted pyroptosis in ECs by a reactive oxygen species mechanism. Caspase-1 inhibition resulted in accumulation of sirtuin 1 in the ApoE
−/−
aorta, and sirtuin 1 inhibited caspase-1 upregulated genes via activator protein-1 pathway.

Conclusions—

Our results demonstrate for the first time that early hyperlipidemia promotes EC activation before monocyte recruitment via a caspase-1–sirtuin 1–activator protein-1 pathway, which provides an important insight into the development of novel therapeutics for blocking caspase-1 activation as early intervention of metabolic cardiovascular diseases and inflammations.
Blood–Brain Barrier Compromise Does Not Predict Perihematoma Edema Growth in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: McCourt Rebecca , Gould Bronwen , Kate Mahesh , Asdaghi Negar , Kosior Jayme C. , Coutts Shelagh , Hill Michael D. , Demchuk Andrew , Jeerakathil Thomas , Emery Derek , Butcher Kenneth S.
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

There are limited data on the extent of blood–brain barrier (BBB) compromise in acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients. We tested the hypotheses that BBB compromise measured with permeability-surface area product (PS) is increased in the perihematoma region and predicts perihematoma edema growth in acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients.

Methods—

Patients were randomized within 24 hours of symptom onset to a systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment of <150 (n=26) or <180 mm Hg (n=27). Permeability maps were generated using computed tomographic perfusion source data acquired 2 hours after randomization, and mean PS was measured in the hematoma, perihematoma, and hemispheric regions. Hematoma and edema volumes were measured on noncontrast computed tomographic scans obtained at baseline, 2 hours and 24 hours after randomization.

Results—

Patients were randomized at a median (interquartile range) time of 9.3 hours (14.1) from symptom onset. Treatment groups were balanced with respect to baseline SBP and hematoma volume. Perihematoma PS (5.1±2.4 mL/100 mL per minute) was higher than PS in contralateral regions (3.6±1.7 mL/100 mL per minute;
P
<0.001). Relative edema growth (0–24 hours) was not predicted by perihematoma PS (β=−0.192 [−0.06 to 0.01]) or SBP change (β=−0.092 [−0.002 to 0.001]). SBP was lower in the <150 target group (139.2±22.1 mm Hg) than in the <180 group (159.7±12.3 mm Hg;
P
<0.0001). Perihematoma PS was not different between groups (4.9±2.4 mL/100 mL per minute for the <150 group, 5.3±2.4 mL/100 mL per minute for the <180 group;
P
=0.51).

Conclusions—

BBB permeability is focally increased in the hematoma and perihematoma regions of acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients. BBB compromise does not predict acute perihematoma edema volume or edema growth. SBP reduction does not affect BBB permeability.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00963976.
Analysing the Irish Supreme Court judgement of Sweeney v Governor of Loughan House Open Centre and Others in the light of the European Court of Human Rights’ Jurisprudence on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons
Authors: Mujuzi Jamil Ddamulira
Published: February 2015

The majority of Irish nationals transferred from abroad to serve their sentences in Ireland are transferred from the United Kingdom. Likewise, the majority of foreign nationals transferred from Ireland to serve their sentences in their countries of nationality are transferred to the United Kingdom. This means that the United Kingdom is Ireland’s major prisoner receiving and sending country. In July 2014 the Supreme Court of Ireland held that an offender who had been sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in the United Kingdom and transferred to serve his sentence in Ireland must be released after serving in Ireland the custodial sentence he would have served had he not been transferred to serve his sentence in Ireland. To reach this conclusion, the Supreme Court referred to the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act and to the relevant English law. This article highlights the implications of this judgement for the transfer of offenders between Ireland and the United Kingdom in particular and other countries in general. In order to put the discussion in context, the article first deals with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights on the transfer of offenders.
Creaky voice as a distinctive feature of tone systems: An analysis of the entering tones in Baduhua in Guangxi
Authors: Mai Yun
Published: February 2015

Creaky voice is found in the entering tones (rusheng) in Baduhua, a Chinese dialect in Guangxi. Both rusheng tones in Baduhua have falling contours, yinru being high falling and yangru low falling. Of theoretical interest is that they contrast with the two plain falling tones, yinqu and yangqu, respectively, in the same language. The only difference between the two pairs of tones is presence or absence of creaky voice. This is the first time that creaky voice has been found to serve as the only distinctive feature in differentiating tonal categories.
Tonal Extrusion of Three Falling Contours in Meixian Hakka: An Analysis of Characters Shifting between yinshang and yinqu
Authors: Yan Xiuhong
Published: February 2015

Generally, words with ancient voiceless consonants in the rising tone and those in the departing tone belong to distinct modern tone categories in Hakka dialects like Meixian, Pingyuan, Jiaoling and Wuping. However, there are some notable exceptions. Some words in the ancient rising tone are pronounced in the departing tone and vice versa. This paper first describes the phenomena based on dialect reports. Through geographical and systematic analyses, the author then concludes it is the loss of the lower-register departing tone in the synchronic context of three falling contours that has caused this tone mixture to occur.
Generalization of Meaning and Debuccalization
Authors: Sun Jingtao
Published: February 2015

Debuccalization of initial consonant is sometimes phonologically conditioned, and sometimes determined by other causes. This paper is an attempt to investigate the latter case, finding in Chinese dialects that some single cases of debuccalization are actually caused by the combined influences of meaning generalization and phonological conditioning. After analyzing the debuccalization of kh-, th-, s- and ʂ-, this paper also makes an investigation into the reason why this is the case.
Lectotypification and a new synonym of Ceropegia kachinensis (Apocynaceae)
Authors: Singh Rajeev Kumar , Garg Arti , Singh Paramjit
Published: February 2015

Ceropegia kachinensis is lectotypified and C. farrokhii is treated here as its synonym.
Seasonal Variability of the Polar Stratospheric Vortex in an Idealized AGCM with Varying Tropospheric Wave Forcing
Authors: Sheshadri Aditi , Plumb R. Alan , Gerber Edwin P.
Published: February 2015

The seasonal variability of the polar stratospheric vortex is studied in a simplified AGCM driven by specified equilibrium temperature distributions. Seasonal variations in equilibrium temperature are imposed in the stratosphere only, enabling the study of stratosphere–troposphere coupling on seasonal time scales, without the complication of an internal tropospheric seasonal cycle. The model is forced with different shapes and amplitudes of simple bottom topography, resulting in a range of stratospheric climates. The effect of these different kinds of topography on the seasonal variability of the strength of the polar vortex, the average timing and variability in timing of the final breakup of the vortex (final warming events), the conditions of occurrence and frequency of midwinter warming events, and the impact of the stratospheric seasonal cycle on the troposphere are explored. The inclusion of wavenumber-1 and wavenumber-2 topographies results in very different stratospheric seasonal variability. Hemispheric differences in stratospheric seasonal variability are recovered in the model with appropriate choices of wave-2 topography. In the model experiment with a realistic Northern Hemisphere–like frequency of midwinter warming events, the distribution of the intervals between these events suggests that the model has no year-to-year memory. When forced with wave-1 topography, the gross features of seasonal variability are similar to those forced with wave-2 topography, but the dependence on forcing magnitude is weaker. Further, the frequency of major warming events has a nonmonotonic dependence on forcing magnitude and never reaches the frequency observed in the Northern Hemisphere.
Circumpolar Mapping of Antarctic Coastal Polynyas and Landfast Sea Ice: Relationship and Variability
Authors: Nihashi Sohey , Ohshima Kay I.
Published: February 2015

Sinking of dense water from Antarctic coastal polynyas produces Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), which is the densest water in the global overturning circulation and is a key player in climate change as a significant sink for heat and carbon dioxide. Very recent studies have suggested that landfast sea ice (fast ice) plays an important role in the formation and variability of the polynyas and possibly AABW. However, they have been limited to regional and case investigations only. This study provides the first coincident circumpolar mapping of Antarctic coastal polynyas and fast ice. The map reveals that most of the polynyas are formed on the western side of fast ice, indicating an important role of fast ice in the polynya formation. Winds diverging from a boundary comprising both coastline and fast ice are the primary determinant of polynya formation. The blocking effect of fast ice on westward sea ice advection by the coastal current would be another key factor. These effects on the variability in sea ice production for 13 major polynyas are evaluated quantitatively. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a drastic change in fast ice extent, which is particularly vulnerable to climate change, causes dramatic changes in the polynyas and possibly AABW formation that can potentially contribute to further climate change. These results suggest that fast ice and precise polynya processes should be addressed by next-generation models to produce more accurate climate projections. This study provides the boundary and validation data of fast ice and sea ice production for such models.
Adaptive Evolutionary Programming
Authors: Roebber Paul J.
Published: February 2015

Previous work has shown that evolutionary programming is an effective method for constructing skillful forecast ensembles. Here, two prototype adaptive methods are developed and tested, using minimum temperature forecast data for Chicago, Illinois, to determine whether they are capable of incorporating improvements to forecast inputs (as might occur with changes to operational forecast models and data assimilation methods) and to account for short-term changes in predictability (as might occur for particular flow regimes). Of the two methods, the mixed-mode approach, which uses a slow mode to evolve the overall ensemble structure and a fast mode to adjust coefficients, produces the best results. When presented with better operational guidance, the mixed-mode method shows a reduction of 0.57°F in root-mean-square error relative to a fixed evolutionary program ensemble. Several future investigations are needed, including the optimization of training intervals based on flow regime and improvements to the adjustment of fast-mode coefficients. Some remarks on the appropriateness of this method for other ensemble forecast problems are also provided.
Robustness of carbon nanotube-based sensor to probe composites' interfacial damage in situ
Authors: Pillin Isabelle , Castro Mickael , Nag Chowdhury Suvam , Feller Jean-Francois
Published: February 2015

A carbon nanotube-based sensing interphase, acting as a quantum resistive sensor, has been homogenously integrated in glass fibres–epoxy composites to investigate their interfacial damage in situ. Depending on the chemical constitution of the transducer, the strain monitoring of composites via quantum resistive sensor can be limited to the elastic domain of deformation over which it is progressively destroyed, or it can allow collecting information on the damage in the nonlinear range. Combined macro- and micromechanical tests on composites with quantum resistive sensor interphase appear helpful to develop smart composites with health monitoring capability.
Assessing residential satisfaction among low income households in multi-habited dwellings in selected low income communities in Accra
Authors: Addo Irene Appeaning
Published: February 2015

Multi-habitation is the predominant housing strategy adopted by low income households to address their housing needs in urban areas in Ghana. The recent housing policy draft in Ghana recommends multi-habitation as an urban low income housing strategy. However, a couple of researches indicate that households living in multi-habited houses are faced with a myriad of challenges. One such challenge is conflict over inadequate shared facilities. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, this paper examines multi-habited households’ residential satisfaction with a holistic approach where the characteristics of the dwelling unit, the social networks and neighbourhood facilities are all considered in accessing household satisfaction. Five low income communities in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area were studied. The research found out that the dwelling characteristics have a negative influence on the residential satisfaction of the respondents. Households derived the most satisfaction from community support but were moderately satisfied with their neighbourhood characteristics. The significance of this finding on multi-habited housing development and planning in Ghana reflects in the design, location and maintenance of such dwellings.
The heterogeneity of housing-tenure choice in urban China: A case study based in Guangzhou
Authors: Chen Guo
Published: February 2015

This paper investigates the heterogeneity of housing-tenure choice in the city of Guangzhou based on a household survey. Using methods of finite mixture regression, we identified three groups with distinct housing-tenure choice subprocesses, which we labelled as the ‘urban elites’, the ‘native plebeians’ and the ‘lower masses’, accordingly. The urban elites group includes affluent local urban residents, migrants from other cities and privileged citizens such as state employees and Communist Party members. Housing-tenure choice among the urban elites positively correlates with marital status, age and education. The native plebeians group is comprised of less affluent local residents, including those with rural Hukou status. They have the highest homeownership rate among the three groups and their housing-tenure choice positively correlates with household size and income. The majority of the lower masses are migrants from rural areas. They are mostly renters, although household size was found to be a significant predictor of homeownership. Institutional factors such as Hukou status, Party membership and state employment affect tenure outcomes for both the urban elites and the lower masses, but not for the native plebeians. These findings show the correspondence between housing-tenure choice subprocesses and socioeconomic differentiation, and suggest a need to create housing policies tailored for specific housing groups.
Primary malignant tumors of the heart: Outcomes of the surgical treatment
Authors: Pacini Davide , Careddu Lucio , Pantaleo Antonio , Parolari Alessandro , Leone Ornella , Daprati Andrea , Gargiulo Gaetano Domenico , Di Bartolomeo Roberto
Published: February 2015

Background

Malignant cardiac tumors are rare and have an extremely poor prognosis even when complete resection is attempted. The aim of this study was to review the experience of primary malignant cardiac tumors in 2 Italian academic hospitals.

Methods

The hospital records were searched to identify patients with primary malignant cardiac tumors who underwent surgery between January 1979 and December 2012. Secondary cardiac tumors, whether metastatic or invasive, were excluded as were primary sarcomas of the great arteries. Fourteen patients selected from our institution’s surgical series were identified. Eleven (78.6%) were men and 3 (21.4%) were women, and the mean age at surgery was 47.4 years.

Results

The most common histological type was angiosarcoma (28.6%). The mean survival was 28.8 ± 28 months and it was better in men than in women (30.5 ± 8.7 vs. 21.1 ± 3.2 months). Patients with a radical resection at the first surgery had a longer survival compared to patients with a partial resection (39.9 ± 23.2 vs. 24 ± 4 months).

Conclusions

The treatment outcome for patients affected by primary malignant heart tumors remains poor. Aggressive surgery alone does not provide good results in terms of survival rate. A new multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to improve long-term survival.
Bilateral lung transplantation from a donor with previous aortic valve surgery
Authors: Das De Sudeep , Nenekidis Ioannis , Itrakjy Abdul , Mascaro Jorge
Published: February 2015

The British Transplantation Society states that previous chest surgery in a donor constitutes a contraindication to lung retrieval. In this report, we describe a case of successful bilateral lung harvest from a donor who had previously undergone aortic valve replacement. This case highlights that isolated valve surgery can be an addition to the extended donor criteria for lung retrieval and therefore increase the number of organs available for transplantation.
An Interplay between Internal and External Markets
Authors: Cedro Rafael Rosa , Melnyk Leanne
Published: February 2015

In a world undergoing multiple transformations, domestic and regional development policies are increasingly conditioned by multilateral treaties, such as those within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This article analyzes an aspect of the interplay between internal/regional and external markets and their respective regulatory frameworks. It uses a case study of the dairy import tariffs of the European Union in contrast to the broader multilateral regulation provided by the WTO. The case analyzed demonstrates the need for detailed attention to potential impacts of ongoing multilateral integration processes that may affect different countries and regions of the world, their policies, and their capacity to pursue their own development objectives.
Migration in the Age of the Nation-state
Authors: Czajka Agnes
Published: February 2015

This article attends to the historical and contemporary relationship between migration and the global international order. It takes as its point of departure the argument that comprehensive analyses of migration must not only transcend the traditional subjects, objects, and assumptions of international relations theory, but also interrogate and historicize that which conditions the possibility of the international order, namely, the nation-state. As such, it attends to the emergence and consolidation of the international order, to the role of migration in its production, and to the manner in which it continues to structure the field and practices of migration, and conditions the possibilities of migrant populations.
Influence of end distances on the failure of composite bolted joints
Authors: Zhang Jianyu , Liu Fengrui , Zhao Libin , Zhi Jie , Zhou Longwei , Fei Binjun
Published: February 2015

To explore the physical effect of end distances on mechanical behaviors of composite bolted joints, series of single-bolt composite joints designed with different end distances were tested. In conjunction with the experimental work, a numerical progressive damage method is introduced to trace the damage process from the onset and propagation up to ultimate failure of the joints. A group of material degradation factors is presented by a trial-and-error method to establish three-dimensional progressive damage models of the bolted joints. The progressive damage analyses show that the predicted load–displacement curves, failure loads, and failure patterns of bolted joints with different end distances are in good agreements with the related experimental outcomes. From the experimental and numerical results, it follows that the cleavage failure gradually switches to the bearing failure with the increasing ratio of E/ D ranged from about 2 to 4. An economic and suitable ratio of E/ D ≈ 3 is provided for the bolted joints made of X850 carbon/epoxy composites with balanced and symmetric layups [45/0/−45/0/90/0/45/0/−45/0]s. The understanding of the effect of E/ D on the mechanical behaviors including the strength, stiffness, and failure patterns of single-bolt joints is strengthened.
A review on completely biodegradable composites developed using soy-based matrices
Authors: Reddy Narendra
Published: February 2015

Considerable efforts have been made to develop biocomposites that can replace the non-biodegradable synthetic polymer-based composites. Most often, composites are made using either the matrix or reinforcement derived from renewable resources, but are still referred to as biocomposites. However, the biodegradability of such composites, especially those containing synthetic polymers as matrices, is questionable. Attempts have also been made to develop completely biodegradable composites that contain both the matrix and reinforcement from renewable and biodegradable sources. Composites containing biopolymers as matrix have shown to have good tensile and flexural properties but typically fail to have adequate resistance to moisture leading to poor performance at high humidity or aqueous conditions. Among the various biopolymer matrices used, soy-based matrices are extensively studied due to the abundant and low cost availability of coproducts. Soy proteins, soy concentrate, soy flour and soy oil obtained as coproducts of soybean processing have been studied as possible matrices for composites in their native form and also after chemical and physical modifications. Although extensively studied, information on composites containing soy-based matrices is incoherent and the suitability of the composites developed for practical applications is not clear. This review provides an overview of the literature available on composites developed using thermoplastic soy-based resins, properties of such composites and their limitations and future potential.
Co-digestion of municipal sewage sludge and solid waste: Modelling of carbohydrate, lipid and protein content influence
Authors: Nielfa A , Cano R , Pérez A , Fdez-Polanco M
Published: February 2015

Solid wastes from industrial, commercial and community activities are of growing concern as the total volume of waste produced continues to increase. The knowledge of the specific composition and characteristics of the waste is an important tool in the correct development of the anaerobic digestion process. The problems derived from the anaerobic digestion of sole substrates with high lipid, carbohydrate or protein content lead to the co-digestion of these substrates with another disposed waste, such as sewage sludge. The kinetic of the anaerobic digestion is especially difficult to explain adequately, although some mathematical models are able to represent the main aspects of a biological system, thus improving understanding of the parameters involved in the process. The aim of this work is to evaluate the experimental biochemical methane potential on the co-digestion of sewage sludge with different solid wastes (grease; spent grain and cow manure) through the implementation of four kinetic models. The co-digestion of grease waste and mixed sludge obtained the best improvements from the sole substrates, with additional positive synergistic effects. The Gompertz model fits the experimental biochemical methane potential to an accuracy of 99%, showing a correlation between the percentage of lipid in the substrates and co-digestions and the period of lag phase.
Synthesis of diol monomers and organosoluble fluorinated polyimides with low dielectric
Authors: Saritha B. , Thiruvasagam P.
Published: February 2015

Four diimide–diol monomers were synthesized from 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic dianhydride and aminophenol/aminonaphthol. The structures of the monomers were characterized by spectroscopic analysis. A series of fluorinated polyimides (FPI-1 to FPI-8) were synthesized from these new diols and 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone/4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulphone, through nucleophilic displacement reaction. The FPIs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, solution viscosity, solubility test, and dielectric properties test. FPIs were amorphous and showed good solubility due to the presence of >C(CF3)2 unit and flexible groups in the polyimides backbone. These FPIs also showed good thermal stability and the 10% weight loss occurred in the range 353–505°C. The limiting oxygen index values of FPIs were in the range of 31.5–39.1 and such FPIs can be used as self-extinguishing polymers. These FPIs have a dielectric constant in the range of 3.10–4.23 and can be used as high temperature electrical insulation materials.
Psychological symptoms and medical responses in nineteenth-century India
Authors: Radhika P , Murthy Pratima , Sarin Alok , Jain Sanjeev
Published: February 2015

The article documents medical approaches to mental illness in mid- to late-nineteenth-century India through examining the Indian Medical Gazette and other medical accounts. By the late nineteenth century, psychiatry in Europe moved from discussions around asylum-based care to a nuanced and informed debate about the nature of mental symptoms. This included ideas on phrenology and craniometry, biological and psycho-social causes, physical and drug treatments, many of which travelled to India. Simultaneously, indigenous socio-medical ideas were being debated. From the early to the mid-nineteenth century, not much distinction was made between the Western and the native ‘mind’, and consequently the diagnosis and investigation of mental symptoms did not differ. However, by the late nineteenth century Western medicine considered the ‘Western mind’ as more civilized and sophisticated than the ‘native mind.
Constance Pascal’s Chagrins d’amour et psychoses (1935): a French psychiatrist’s views on psychoanalysis
Authors: Gordon Felicia
Published: February 2015

In 1935 Constance Pascal (1877–1937), France’s first woman psychiatrist, published Chagrins d’amour et psychoses (The Sorrows of Love and Psychosis). My analysis of her monograph will consider: her major article leading up to Chagrins; Pascal’s debts to her predecessors, particularly Morel and Kretschmer; her relationship to the French psychoanalytic movement; her co-option of psychoanalysis as a tool in her own therapeutic work with patients in the state psychiatric system; and her social/cultural interpretations of her woman patients. The literary and philosophic aspects of her work are emphasized as well as her contribution to French psychiatry.
Photography and radical psychiatry in Italy in the 1960s. The case of the photobook Morire di Classe (1969)
Authors: Foot John
Published: February 2015

In the 1960s Franco Basaglia, the Director of a Psychiatric Hospital in a small city on the edge of Italy (Gorizia), began to transform that institution from the inside. He introduced patient meetings and set up a kind of Therapeutic Community. In 1968 he asked two photographers – Carla Cerati and Gianni Berengo Gardin – to take photos inside Gorizia and other asylums. These images were then used in a photobook called Morire di Classe (To Die Because of your Class) (1969). This article re-examines in detail the content of this celebrated book and its history, and its impact on the struggle to reform and abolish large-scale psychiatric institutions. It also places the book in its social and political context and as a key text of the anti-psychiatry movement of the 1960s.
Lupus in Latin-American patients: lessons from the GLADEL cohort
Authors: Pons-Estel G J , Catoggio L J , Cardiel M H , Bonfa E , Caeiro F , Sato E , Massardo L , Molina-Restrepo J F , Toledano M Guibert , Barile-Fabris L A , Amigo M C , Acevedo-Vásquez E M , Abadi I , Wojdyla D , Alarcón-Riquelme M E , Alarcón G S , Pons-Estel B A
Published: February 2015

The need for comprehensive published epidemiologic and clinical data from Latin American systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients motivated the late Dr Alarcón-Segovia and other Latin American professionals taking care of these patients to spearhead the creation of the Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio del Lupus (GLADEL) cohort in 1997. This inception cohort recruited a total of 1480 multiethnic (Mestizo, African-Latin American (ALA), Caucasian and other) SLE patients diagnosed within two years from the time of enrollment from 34 Latin American centers with expertise in the diagnosis and management of this disease. In addition to the initial 2004 description of the cohort, GLADEL has contributed to improving our knowledge about the course and outcome of lupus in patients from this part of the Americas. The major findings from this cohort are highlighted in this review. They have had important clinical implications for the adequate care of SLE patients both in Latin America and worldwide where these patients may have emigrated.
Evaluation of early cardiac dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with or without anticardiolipin antibodies
Authors: Barutcu A , Aksu F , Ozcelik F , Barutcu C A E , Umit G E , Pamuk O N , Altun A
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to use transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic (TTE) imaging methods to identify cardiac dysfunction, an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in terms of cardiac effects. This study involved 80 patients: a study group ( n = 50) and control group ( n = 30). They were categorized into four subgroups: anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) (+) ( n = 14) and aCL (−) ( n = 36); systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) ≥ 6 ( n = 15) and SLEDAI < 6 ( n = 35); disease period ≥ 5 years ( n = 21) and disease period < 5 years ( n = 29); major organ involvement (+) ( n = 19), major organ involvement (−) ( n = 31). The ratio of mitral peak velocity of early filling to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E′) for the study group was found to be higher than the control ( p < 0.01). Systolic septal motion velocity (Ssm) was lower in the study group compared with the control ( p < 0.01). Left atrium (LA) dimension was greater in the study group than the control ( p < 0.01). Ssm was found to be lower in the aCL (+) patients compared with the control and aCL (−) groups ( p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). LA dimension was greater in the aCL (+) and (−) groups compared with the control, ( p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively) and aCL groups compared with each other ( p < 0.05). The E/E′ ratio for the aCL (+) and (−) groups was found to be greater than the control ( p < 0.05). In the study, both the Ssm and the late diastolic septal velocity (sA′) was found to be lower in the SLEDAI ≥6 group compared with SLEDAI<6 group, ( p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). LA dimension was statistically greater in the SLEDAI ≥6 group compared with the SLEDAI <6 group ( p < 0.001). E′ and early diastolic septal velocity (sE′) were statistically lower in the disease period >5 years group compared with the disease period <5 years group ( p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). Carrying out regular scans with TTE image of SLE patients is important in order to identify early cardiac involvement during monitoring and treatment. Identifying early cardiac involvement in SLE may lead to a reduction in mortality and morbidity rates.
The association between antiphospholipid antibodies and pregnancy morbidity, stroke, myocardial infarction, and deep vein thrombosis: a critical review of the literature
Authors: Chighizola C B , Andreoli L , de Jesus G Ramires , Banzato A , Pons-Estel G J , Erkan D
Published: February 2015

In a previous systematic literature search, we demonstrated that the frequencies of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in general-population patients with pregnancy morbidity (PM), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke (ST) are 6%, 10%, 11%, and 14%. To determine the association between aPL and clinical outcomes, we conducted a follow-up analysis of the 120 studies included in the original paper. Based on the analysis of 81 studies, a significant difference in the frequency of aPL criteria tests between patients and controls emerged considering all the outcomes together (10% versus 3%). In particular, a significant difference was reported for overall PM, pregnancy loss (PrL), late PrL, severe preeclampsia (PEC), ST, MI, and DVT. No difference emerged for early PrL, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), PEC, eclampsia (EC), and HELLP. A positive association was found in more than half of the studies for overall PrL, severe PEC, HELLP, ST, MI, and DVT and in less than half for early and late PrL, PEC, EC, and IUGR. The positive association between aPL and clinical outcomes included in the antiphospholipid syndrome classification criteria is not supported by every study, being particularly inconsistent for early PL, IUGR, PEC, EC, and HELLP.
Lifestyle habits and fatigue among people with systemic lupus erythematosus and matched population controls
Authors: Pettersson S , Boström C , Eriksson K , Svenungsson E , Gunnarsson I , Henriksson E Welin
Published: February 2015

Objective

The objective of this paper is to identify clusters of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and matched controls, and to analyze these clusters with respect to lifestyle habits, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression.

Methods

Patients with SLE ( n = 305) and age- and gender-matched population controls ( n = 311) were included. Three measurements of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Vitality (VT, from SF-36) and Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale (MAF) and hierarchic cluster analysis were used to define clusters with different degrees of fatigue. Lifestyle habits were investigated through questionnaires. HRQoL was assessed with the SF-36 and anxiety/depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results

Three clusters, denominated “High,” “Intermediate” and “Low” fatigue clusters, were identified. The “High” contained 80% patients, and 20% controls (median; VT 25, FSS 5.8, MAF 37.4). These had the most symptoms of depression (51%) and anxiety (34%), lowest HRQoL ( p < 0.001) and they exercised least frequently. The “Intermediate” (48% patients and 52% controls) (median; VT 55, FSS 4.1, MAF 23.5) had similarities with the “Low” regarding sleep/rest whereas social status and smoking were closer to the “High.” The“Low” contained 22% patients and 78% controls (median; VT 80, FSS 2.3, MAF 10.9). They had the highest perceived HRQoL ( p < 0.001), least symptoms of anxiety (10%), no depression, smoked least (13%) and reported the highest percentage (24%) of exercising ≥3 times/week.

Conclusion

Fatigue is common, but not a general feature of SLE. It is associated with depression, anxiety, low HRQoL and less physical exercise. Patients with SLE and population controls with a healthy lifestyle reported lower levels of fatigue. Whether lifestyle changes can reduce fatigue, which is a major problem for a majority of SLE patients, needs to be further explored.
Science communication on YouTube: Factors that affect channel and video popularity
Authors: Welbourne Dustin J. , Grant Will J.
Published: February 2015

YouTube has become one of the largest websites on the Internet. Among its many genres, both professional and amateur science communicators compete for audience attention. This article provides the first overview of science communication on YouTube and examines content factors that affect the popularity of science communication videos on the site. A content analysis of 390 videos from 39 YouTube channels was conducted. Although professionally generated content is superior in number, user-generated content was significantly more popular. Furthermore, videos that had consistent science communicators were more popular than those without a regular communicator. This study represents an important first step to understand content factors, which increases the channel and video popularity of science communication on YouTube.