bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Non-Transplant Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Routine Treatment by Office-Based Haematologists in Germany - Data from the Prospective Tumour Registry Lymphatic Neoplasms (TLN)
Authors: Knauf Wolfgang , Abenhardt Wolfgang , Aldaoud Ali , Nusch Arnd , Grugel Renate , Münz Michaela , Hartmann Holger , Marschner Norbert , on behalf of the TLN Study Group
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackground: Various treatment options exist for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Clinical registries provide insight into routine treatment and identify changes in treatment over time. Patients and Methods: The Tumour Registry Lymphatic Neoplasms (TLN) prospectively collects data on the treatment of patients with lymphoid B cell neoplasms as administered by office-based haematologists in Germany. Data on patient and tumour characteristics, comorbidities, systemic treatments and outcome parameters are recorded. Results: 371 non-transplant patients with MM were recruited between 2009 and 2011. At the start of first-line (second-line) treatment, the median age was 73 (75) years; 67% (74%) of the patients had stage III MM (classification of Durie and Salmon) and 19% (28%) had renal insufficiency. In the first line, 40% of the patients received bortezomib + melphalan + prednisone (VMP), 25% received bortezomib ± dexamethasone (V±D) and 8% were treated with melphalan + prednisone + thalidomide (MPT). While use of bortezomib-based regimens increased from 67% (2009) to 85% (2011), use of melphalan-based regimens decreased from 68% to 48%. The overall objective response rate of treatment was 82%. In the second line, 34% of the patients received V±D and 16% lenalidomide + dexamethasone (LD). Conclusion: Bortezomib-based regimens dominate the first- and second-line treatment of MM. Future analyses will investigate outcome data, e.g. effectiveness of bortezomib retherapy compared to other second-line treatments.
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Subtype 1 Inhibits Inflammation and Apoptosis via the Release of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in the Heart after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Lei Jiayan , Zhu Fengxi , Zhang Yi , Duan Lixiao , Lei Han , Huang Wei
Published: May 2016

Objective: A high mortality rate occurs with silent myocardial infarction (MI), particularly in aging and diabetic populations due to defects in the transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV1)-positive sensory nerve function. We have previously shown that TRPV1 deficiency markedly enhances post-MI inflammation and remodeling. However, the mechanisms remain unknown. The objective of this study was to clarify whether calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release was associated with the protective role of TRPV1 against postmyocardial inflammation and apoptosis. Methods: TRPV1 gene knockout (TRPV1KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to left anterior descending ligation or sham operation. The concentration of CGRP in the myocardium was measured at 30 min, 1, 6 and 24 h post-MI. Mice received saline vehicle, CGRP or the CGRP antagonist CGRP8-37 before ligation. Inflammation was evaluated by ELISA assay and histological staining. Apoptosis was assessed by Western blot and TUNEL assay. Results: Post-MI, both TRPV1KO and WT mice displayed elevated CGRP levels in myocardium when compared to sham controls. However, the levels of CGRP were significantly lower in TRPV1KO mice than in WT mice at 30 min after MI. Exogenous CGRP downregulated the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 expression in TRPV1KO mice post-MI. Moreover, exogenous CGRP decreased the neutrophil infiltration in TRPV1KO mice, whereas inhibition of CGRP by CGRP8-37 increased the neutrophil infiltration in WT mice. Western blotting data indicated that CGRP attenuated caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression, and enhanced Bcl-2 expression in TRPV1KO mice post-MI. CGRP8-37 upregulated caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression and downregulated Bcl-2 expression in WT mice. Conclusion: Our data suggest a protective role of TRPV1 activation against inflammation and apoptosis in mice post-MI, possibly through CGRP release. These findings elucidate a neurogenic mechanism in mice post-MI, which may participate in sensory neurotransmitter-mediated protection in TRPV1 activation.
Cytokine Kinetics after Monthly Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Retinal Vein Occlusion Associated with Macular Oedema
Authors: Noma Hidetaka , Mimura Tatsuya , Yasuda Kanako , Shimura Masahiko
Published: May 2016

Purpose: To investigate changes of cytokines after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: Monthly doses of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) were administered for 6 months to treat macular oedema associated with BRVO or CRVO. Aqueous humour levels of 11 factors were measured using samples obtained from 24 patients during IVB treatment (16 BRVO patients and 8 CRVO patients). Levels of VEGF, placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble VEGF receptor (sVEGFR)-1, sVEGFR-2, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-12 (p70), and IL-13 were measured by suspension array. Results: Vision and macular oedema improved significantly after monthly IVB. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in sVEGFR-1, VEGF, PDGF-AA, MCP-1, and IL-8 after monthly IVB. On the other hand, there were no significant changes of sVEGFR-2, PlGF, sICAM-1, or IL-6 after monthly IVB. After 1 dose of bevacizumab, changes of VEGF, visual acuity, and optical coherence tomography parameters almost occurred in parallel. Conclusions: These findings suggest an important role of the cytokine network in both BRVO and CRVO, and may contribute to a new strategy for macular oedema associated with retinal vein occlusion.
Lipid Transfer Protein Syndrome in a Non-Mediterranean Area
Authors: Azofra Julian , Berroa Felicia , Gastaminza Gabriel , Saiz Noemi , Gamboa Pedro M. , Vela Catalina , García Blanca E. , Lizarza Susana , Echenagusia Miguel Angel , Joral Alejandro , Aranzabal María Ascensión , Quiñones Maria Dolores , Jauregui Ignacio , Madera Juan F. , Navarro Jose Antonio , Lizaso Maria Teresa , Bernad Amalia , Goikoetxea Maria José
Published: May 2016

Background: Plant food allergies associated with lipid transfer protein (LTP) have been widely described in the Mediterranean Basin. Objective: The aim of this work was to describe the clinical profile and pollen sensitization of plant food- allergic patients sensitized to LTP in a non-Mediterranean area. Methods: Patients with clear IgE-mediated symptoms associated with plant foods and a positive skin prick test (SPT) to Pru p 3 were included in a prospective study in the north of Spain. Reported symptoms were analyzed together with a battery of food and pollen SPTs and specific IgE components by ISAC microarray. Cross-inhibition studies were performed by ImmunoCAP with plane tree, mugwort and rPru p 3. Results: Among the 72 patients included, the most frequent food allergy reported was to peaches (69%) followed by nuts (walnuts 55%, peanuts 54% and hazelnuts 43%). Most patients suffered from symptoms with multiple plant foods (a median of 6 foods per patient). Regarding the patients' pollen sensitization, 36% were sensitized to mugwort pollen (72% showing sIgE to Art v 3), 33% to grass pollen and 24% to plane tree pollen (94% with sIgE to Pla a 3). Inhibition studies showed that specific IgEs against mugwort and plane tree pollen are inhibited by Pru p 3 in a strong manner, whereas Pru p 3 was less inhibited by pollen extracts. Conclusions: LTP syndrome occurs in a non-Mediterranean area and is related to multiple sensitizations to foods and pollens such as plane tree and mugwort. In these pollen sensitizations, Pru p 3 seems to be the primary sensitizer.
Stroke: Changing Risk Factor Profile and Unaltered Mean Age in a Developing Country. A Retrospective Study and Literature Review
Authors: Amalakanti Sridhar , Nagarjunakonda Sundarachary , Uppala Veeramma , Gajula Rama Krishna , Potharlanka Murali Gopala Krishna , Rajanala Lalitha , Athina Srinivasulu , Daggumati Rajeswari
Published: May 2016

Background: The rapid changes in the lifestyles of people in the developing countries such as India are known to increase the incidence of risk factors for stroke like hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Tobacco smoking and alcoholism are on the rise. Hence, stroke might occur in younger age groups when compared to the earlier generations. We compared data of age at stroke in India across a decade. Methods: Data from medical case records of 299 stroke patients from our tertiary referral Government General Hospital, Guntur, from January 2012 to December 2014 are collected and compared with previous studies of stroke in India. Results: The mean age at stroke was 55 (14) years with 32.3% women. The prevalence of smoking was 43%, HTN 46%, diabetes 17% and dyslipidemia 54.6%. A previous medical diagnosis of coronary artery disease was reported in 0.01% cases. When compared to previous studies, there was no significant change in mean age of stroke (p = 1.0). While smoking and dyslipidemias have increased, HTN and diabetes were more in earlier decades. Conclusions: The age at stroke has remained constant over the last 4 decades in India. The profile of risk factors for stroke has changed over the years.
IgE-Mediated Hypersensitivity and Desensitisation with Recombinant Enzymes in Pompe Disease and Type I and Type VI Mucopolysaccharidosis
Authors: Capanoglu Murat , Dibek Misirlioglu Emine , Azkur Dilek , Vezir Emine , Guvenir Hakan , Gunduz Mehmet , Toyran Muge , Civelek Ersoy , Kocabas Can Naci
Published: May 2016

Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is important for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders. Hypersensitivity reactions with ERT have been reported, and in these cases, desensitisation with the enzyme is necessary. Here we report the cases of 3 patients with lysosomal storage disorders, including Pompe disease and mucopolysaccharidosis type I and VI, who had IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions and positive skin tests. Successful desensitisation protocols with the culprit enzyme solution were used for these patients. All 3 patients were able to safely receive ERT with the desensitisation protocol.
2016 Focused Update: Clinical Recommendations for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Data Assessment in Specific Patient Populations
Authors: Guazzi Marco , Arena Ross , Halle Martin , Piepoli Massimo F. , Myers Jonathan , Lavie Carl J.
Published: May 2016

In the past several decades, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) has seen an exponential increase in its evidence base. The growing volume of evidence in support of CPX has precipitated the release of numerous scientific statements by societies and associations. In 2012, the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation and the American Heart Association developed a joint document with the primary intent of redefining CPX analysis and reporting in a way that would streamline test interpretation and increase clinical application. Specifically, the 2012 joint scientific statement on CPX conceptualized an easy-to-use, clinically meaningful analysis based on evidence-vetted variables in color-coded algorithms; single-page algorithms were successfully developed for each proposed test indication. Because of an abundance of new CPX research in recent years and a reassessment of the current algorithms in light of the body of evidence, a focused update to the 2012 scientific statement is now warranted. The purposes of this update are to confirm algorithms included in the initial scientific statement not requiring revision, to propose revisions to algorithms included in the initial scientific statement, to propose new algorithms based on emerging scientific evidence, to further clarify the application of oxygen consumption at ventilatory threshold, to describe CPX variables with an emerging scientific evidence base, to describe the synergistic value of combining CPX with other assessments, to discuss personnel considerations for CPX laboratories, and to provide recommendations for future CPX research.
Targeted Ablation of Periostin-Expressing Activated Fibroblasts Prevents Adverse Cardiac Remodeling in Mice
Authors: Kaur Harmandeep , Takefuji Mikito , Ngai C.Y. , Carvalho Jorge , Bayer Julia , Wietelmann Astrid , Poetsch Ansgar , Hoelper Soraya , Conway Simon J. , Möllmann Helge , Looso Mario , Troidl Christian , Offermanns Stefan , Wettschureck Nina
Published: May 2016

Rationale:

Activated cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are crucial players in the cardiac damage response; excess fibrosis, however, may result in myocardial stiffening and heart failure development. Inhibition of activated CF has been suggested as a therapeutic strategy in cardiac disease, but whether this truly improves cardiac function is unclear.

Objective:

To study the effect of CF ablation on cardiac remodeling.

Methods and Results:

We characterized subgroups of murine CF by single-cell expression analysis and identified periostin as the marker showing the highest correlation to an activated CF phenotype. We generated bacterial artificial chromosome–transgenic mice allowing tamoxifen-inducible Cre expression in periostin-positive cells as well as their diphtheria toxin-mediated ablation. In the healthy heart, periostin expression was restricted to valvular fibroblasts; ablation of this population did not affect cardiac function. After chronic angiotensin II exposure, ablation of activated CF resulted in significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function. After myocardial infarction, ablation of periostin-expressing CF resulted in reduced fibrosis without compromising scar stability, and cardiac function was significantly improved. Single-cell transcriptional analysis revealed reduced CF activation but increased expression of prohypertrophic factors in cardiac macrophages and cardiomyocytes, resulting in localized cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

Modulation of the activated CF population is a promising approach to prevent adverse cardiac remodeling in response to angiotensin II and after myocardial infarction.
Robust Support Vector Machines for Classification with Nonconvex and Smooth Losses
Authors: Feng Yunlong , Yang Yuning , Huang Xiaolin , Mehrkanoon Siamak , Suykens Johan A. K.
Published: May 2016

This letter addresses the robustness problem when learning a large margin classifier in the presence of label noise. In our study, we achieve this purpose by proposing robustified large margin support vector machines. The robustness of the proposed robust support vector classifiers (RSVC), which is interpreted from a weighted viewpoint in this work, is due to the use of nonconvex classification losses. Besides the robustness, we also show that the proposed RSCV is simultaneously smooth, which again benefits from using smooth classification losses. The idea of proposing RSVC comes from M-estimation in statistics since the proposed robust and smooth classification losses can be taken as one-sided cost functions in robust statistics. Its Fisher consistency property and generalization ability are also investigated. Besides the robustness and smoothness, another nice property of RSVC lies in the fact that its solution can be obtained by solving weighted squared hinge loss–based support vector machine problems iteratively. We further show that in each iteration, it is a quadratic programming problem in its dual space and can be solved by using state-of-the-art methods. We thus propose an iteratively reweighted type algorithm and provide a constructive proof of its convergence to a stationary point. Effectiveness of the proposed classifiers is verified on both artificial and real data sets.
McCulloch-Pitts Brains and Pseudorandom Functions
Authors: Chvátal Vašek , Goldsmith Mark , Yang Nan
Published: May 2016

In a pioneering classic, Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts proposed a model of the central nervous system. Motivated by EEG recordings of normal brain activity, Chvátal and Goldsmith asked whether these dynamical systems can be engineered to produce trajectories that are irregular, disorderly, and apparently unpredictable. We show that they cannot build weak pseudorandom functions.
In Search of an Authentic Pax Gaia
Authors: Appolloni Simon , Hrynkow Christopher
Published: May 2016

Many people working in the field of religion and ecology share a concern for peace in this world. For example, the geologian Thomas Berry wrote a poignant essay presenting his vision of the peace of the Earth, a Pax Gaia, which was published in his important book, Dream of the Earth (1988). In crafting a response to the ecological crisis, Berry repeatedly wrote with urgency about the need to rediscover and foster wonder amongst humans in relation to both the Earth and universe communities. Broadly taking these two features of Berry’s work as its jumping off point, this article unfolds select ways to couple wonder, the moral imagination and socio-ecological flourishing at a time of climate change and social unrest, in the service of substantive peace. Specifically, the authors offer a discussion of wonder as it can be understood from reading Berry’s work. Moving towards a contemporary contextual ethical application, this article then draws on the work of conflict transformation theorist and practitioner Jean Paul Lederach concerning the moral imagination, which he characterizes as the art and soul of building peace. The authors conclude by proposing a path towards an authentic Pax Gaia that broadens the scope of wonder to include more fully its human component, and broadens the scope of the moral imagination to include more fully its biological and geological components. It is in this way, this article suggests that we can foster an integral approach to peace, one characterized by socio-ecological flourishing.
The Road to Genocide: The Propaganda Machine of the Self-declared Islamic State (is)
Authors: Badar Mohamed Elewa
Published: May 2016

In the same manner as the Third Reich, Islamic State (is) uses law, terror and propaganda as ‘techniques of governance’ that serve to advance their political aims: securing themselves in power, preparing and waging war, and fostering the idea of an Islamic state. is have successfully used print and radio media systematically for the dissemination of lethal ideas and for the mobilization of the population on a grand scale in order to materialise these ideas. When such propaganda is laced with the dolus specialis of the crime of genocide, the severity of the mass action it brings about can be disastrous. This article analyses the hate propaganda used in the online publications of is. Evidence will then bring to light the fact that their hate propaganda amounts to direct and public incitement of others to commit genocide and the propagandists could, thus, be prosecuted for this crime at national or international courts.
Selected Aspects of the Regulation of Insider Trading and Market Manipulation in the European Union and South Africa
Authors: Chitimira Howard
Published: May 2016

The increasingly global market has given rise to increased interaction and interdependence among national regulators as well as investors in different jurisdictions. However, this has brought several regulatory problems to the enforcement authorities particularly with regard to the detection, investigation and prosecution of cross-border market abuse activities in many jurisdictions, such as the European Union and South Africa. Consequently, the European Union became the first body to establish multinational market abuse laws in order to enhance the detection and combating of cross-border market abuse practices. The European Union Insider Dealing Directive was subsequently adopted in 1989 and was the first law that harmonised the insider trading ban among the European Union member states. Thereafter, the European Union Directive on Insider Dealing and Market Manipulation was adopted in a bid to increase the combating of all the forms of market abuse in the European Union’s securities and financial markets. Similar anti-market abuse regulatory efforts were also made in South Africa. In light of this, selected regulatory aspects of market abuse in the European Union and South Africa will be briefly and comparatively discussed in tandem. Thereafter, some concluding remarks will be provided.
Chinese Student Migration, Social Networking, and Local Engagement in the uk (华人留学生移民，社交网络与参与当地社会：一个基于英国的实证研究)
Authors: Wu Bin
Published: May 2016

The unprecedented growth in the number of Chinese international students since the twenty-first century raises questions about their links to and impact on local communities in host countries. Viewing Chinese students as an important part of diasporic Chinese community, this paper sheds new light on Chinese students’ social networking with different groups internally and externally, both Chinese and non-Chinese, on campus or in the wider community. Many questions arise: What is the contribution of Chinese students to the growth and transformation of diasporic Chinese communities in major destinations? What is the scope of their social networking and what are their functions in regard to Chinese community cohesion and integration? What are the differences between Chinese students and local residents and between Chinese students from mainland China and those from Hong Kong and Singapore in terms of network building and local engagement? The above questions are addressed by a combination of official data analysis and a questionnaire survey conducted in Nottingham. The evidence suggests a correlation between the local engagement of Chinese students in the wider community and their social networking, which offers a key to understand the new momentum for the transformation of diasporic Chinese community in majorhedestinations. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

进入21世纪以来，中国海外留学生人数持续增长，由此提出了有关他们和所在国当地社会的联系及其影响的问题。基于华人留学生（包括中国留学生）是海外华人社会的一个重要组成部分这一观点出发，本文试图揭示华人留学生群体的社交网络特征，及其对他们跨文化学习和参与当地社会的影响。具体而言，它旨在回答以下几个问题：为什么中国留学生移民是理解主要目的地国海外华人社会变化的重要因素？留学生社交网络的范围及其对增进华人社会内部凝聚力和融入当地社会的作用如何？华人留学生和当地华人居民之间，以及来自中国大陆的留学生和那些来自香港和新加坡的华人留学生在社交网络建设及参与当地社会方面的差异如何？通过对英国官方人口普查及高等教育数据的收集分析，结合对英国诺丁汉华人社会的一项问卷调查，本文揭示了中国留学生的社交网络与他们的实践活动的相关性，一个影响当地华人社会发展变化的关键因素。最后，本文就其实证研究发现的理论和政策意义进行了讨论。

This article is in Chinese Language
Indonesia’s Environmental Diplomacy under Yudhoyono: A Critical–Institutionalist–Constructivist Analysis
Authors: Taufik Kinanti Kusumawardani
Published: May 2016

Indonesia’s environmental diplomacy during Yudhoyono’s administration gained positive international recognition, yet Indonesia’s high-profile diplomatic initiatives took place amid a continued path of environmental decline. Broadly defining environmental diplomacy as a mediating institution between universalism and particularism through the co-constitutive processes of environmental regimes, this article employs a critical–institutionalist–constructivist framework to explain the gap between Indonesia’s commitments to universal norms of environmental preservation and the corresponding local practices. Using both primary and secondary data, the research offers a boundary analysis of diplomacy as the hub between universal norms and local values concerning human–nature relations. Findings suggest that however assertive Indonesia may be in its external diplomatic initiatives, the benefits that it expects to gain from a ‘green reputation’ will only go as far as its efforts to strengthen the foundational local institutions that are required to adapt and localize its global environmental diplomacy strategies.
Word, Object, Narrative: The Philosophical View
Authors: András Ferenc
Published: May 2016

According to Bakhtin, two poles are accepted by the philosophy of language; all linguistic phenomena can be interpreted on the basis of these. In my paper I argue that it is necessary to assume a third pole, the object, which plays an important role in the history of the philosophy of language. My aim is to show that the object cannot be deduced either from the community of language users or from rules of language. Nevertheless, I argue that both Kantian and Fregeian paradigms are necessary conditions for the interpretation of the fundamental poles of language. According to my model, the philosophical concept of the object is transferable to the literary context.
Bakhtinʼs Influence on Croatian Literary Theory and Criticism
Authors: Ladányi István
Published: May 2016

The School of Stylistics in Zagreb and the School of Literary Studies in Zagreb had a dominant role in the shaping of literary studies in Croatia. From its beginnings in the late 1950ʼs, it can be only investigated in correlation with the other Yugoslav centres of literary studies, mainly with the literary researches and translations carried out at the University of Belgrade. The School of Literary Studies in Zagreb was influenced by the Structuralist schools and Russian Formalism. In the research focusing on the history of the novel (Viktor Žmegac, Milivoj Solar and others), the interest was raised in Bakhtinʼs theoretical works (both the Russian editions and their translations). Especially the notions of carnivalization, chronotope and the concept of the novel’s polyphony are discussed in works on the history of the novel. The influence of the latest Russian and international readings of Bakhtin’s work can be seen in Croatian literary studies in the researches and editions by Vladimir Biti and his co-workers, from the beginning of the 1990’s onwards.
Phylogenetic relationships of geckos of the Hemiphyllodactylus harterti group, a new species from Penang Island, Peninsular Malaysia, and a likely case of true cryptic speciation
Authors: COBOS ANTHONY , GRISMER L. LEE , WOOD, JR. PERRY L. , QUAH EVAN S. H. , ANUAR SHAHRUL , MUIN MOHD ABDUL
Published: May 2016

An integrative taxonomic analysis based on the mitochondrial gene ND2 and its flanking tRNAs, morphology, and color pattern indicates that a newly discovered gecko described herein as Hemiphyllodactylus cicak sp. nov. from Penang Hill on the Island of Penang, Peninsular Malaysia is a member of the H. harterti group. Hemiphyllodactylus cicak sp. nov. is most closely related to the clade composed of the sister species H. harterti from Bukit Larut, Perak in the Bintang Mountain Range and H. bintik from Gunung Tebu, Terengganu from the Timur Mountain Range. These three allopatric species form a monophyletic group that extends approximately 270 km across three isolated mountain ranges in northern Peninsular Malaysia. The molecular analysis also indicates that H. titiwangsaensis from the Titiwangsa Mountain Range is composed of three genetically distinct allopatric populations. The southern two populations from Fraser’s Hill and Genting Highlands, Pahang have an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 3.5% whereas these two populations have 12.4 and 12.8 % sequence divergences, respectively, from the northern population at Cameron Highlands, Pahang. Although the high sequence divergence clearly distinguishes the southern two populations from the former as a different species, all three populations are morphologically indistinguishable, leading to the hypothesis of a true, cryptic speciation event.
Description of a new species of Pareiorhina (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio São Francisco basin, Brazil
Authors: SILVA GABRIEL S. C. , ROXO FÁBIO F. , OYAKAWA OSVALDO T.
Published: May 2016

In the present paper we describe a new species of Pareiorhina from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: the dorsal surface of caudal peduncle strongly concave, 30 vertebrae, bicuspid teeth, a conspicuous cylindrical shaped papilla between the oral valve and premaxilla, smaller odontodes along the snout margin, a small orbital diameter, a higher head width, a shorter interorbital width, a shorter predorsal length, a shorter cleithral width, and a shorter caudal peduncle depth. The new species is known from four small streams of the rio São Francisco basin: one tributary of the rio Maranhão, one tributary of the rio Paraopeba and two tributaries of the Rio das Velhas. This species is found in fast-flowing streams associated with rocks and sand in the bottom of the rivers.
Discovery of a fourth species of Shaanxiana (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) from China
Authors: HUANG HAO
Published: May 2016

Shaanxiana langi sp. n. (Theclinae: Theclini), a fourth species of the genus Shaanxiana, is described from Guangxi province, China. It is similar to the recently described S. australis from Guangdong, but S. langi males can be distinguished from the latter by their lack of orange scales within the underside submarginal wing markings, and the medially protruding uncus of the genitalia. The female is notable for its extensive pale blue upperside wing coloration, requiring re-characterization of the genus with respect to sexual dimorphism. Both male and female genitalia of S. langi sp. n. are illustrated and described in detail, together with S. takashimai.
Correlation of E-selectin concentrations with carotid intima-media thickness and cardio-metabolic profile of mixed ancestry South Africans: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zemlin Annalise E , Matsha Tandi E , Kengne Andre P , Hon Gloudina M , Erasmus Rajiv T
Published: May 2016

Background

E-selectin, an adhesion molecule, is a specific marker of endothelial dysfunction. High concentrations have been reported in type 2 diabetes and disorders with high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of early atherosclerosis. We examined the relationship between E-selectin concentrations, CIMT and cardio-metabolic traits in normo- and hyperglycaemic mixed ancestry South Africans.

Methods

E-selectin concentrations were determined in 308 subjects from the Cape Town Bellville South Community–based study on a mixed ancestry population. Their correlation with CIMT and cardio-metabolic profile used robust correlations and linear regression models.

Results

E-selectin concentrations were significantly higher in the hyperglycaemic (median 139.8 µg/L) compared to the normoglycaemic group (median 118.8 µg/L), ( p = 0.0007). Significant differences between the two groups were found for markers of glycaemia and adiposity, but not for CIMT. Significant correlations were found between E-selectin and age, markers of glycaemia and inflammation, central obesity and lipid variables. Associations remained significant only with age, hyperglycaemia and C-reactive protein in robust linear regression models. In similar regressions models, age and gender were the main predictors of CIMT, which was not associated with E-selectin.

Conclusions

E-selectin concentrations in this study were associated with hyperglycaemia, possibly reflecting early endothelial damage. However, E-selectin was not useful to assess CIMT, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, which appeared to be determined by ageing and male gender.
An optical method for measuring surface roughness of machined carbon fibre-reinforced plastic composites
Authors: Duboust N , Ghadbeigi H , Pinna C , Ayvar-Soberanis S , Collis A , Scaife R , Kerrigan K
Published: May 2016

Characterization of the damage induced by machining of fibre-reinforced composites is usually performed by measuring surface roughness. Contact-based surface profilometers are the most used equipment in industry; however, it has been found that there are performance limitations which may result when used to measure machined heterogeneous composite surfaces. In this research, surface roughness is characterised using a commercial non-contact optical method, and compared with a conventional stylus profilometer. Unidirectional and multidirectional carbon fibre laminates were edge trimmed and slot milled. The variation in surface roughness was compared using different tool types, fibre orientations and cutting parameters. Surface damage and cutting mechanisms were assessed by using scanning electron microscope images, and the suitability of roughness parameters were also analysed including: Sa, Skewness and Kurtosis. Using the optical system allowed accurate roughness calculation of individual plies on a multidirectional laminate with different fibre orientations. The research has also shown that the optical system, including the use of areal roughness parameters, can increase the accuracy of roughness measurement for machined fibrous composite surfaces and is less sensitive to measurement position than the stylus.
Psychometric Properties of Creative Self-Efficacy Inventory Among Distinguished Students in Saudi Arabian Universities
Authors: Alotaibi Khaled N.
Published: May 2016

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of Abbott's Creative Self-Efficacy inventory. Saudi honors students (157 men vs. 163 women) participated. These students are undergraduates ( M age = 19.5 year, SD = 1.9) who complete 30 credit hours with a grade point average of no less than 4.5 out of 5. The results showed that the internal consistency (α = .87) and the test–retest reliabilities ( r = .73) were satisfactory. The study sample was separated into two subsamples. The data from the first subsample ( n = 60) were used to conduct an exploratory factor analysis, whereas the data from the second subsample ( n = 260) were used to perform a confirmatory factor analysis. The results of exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that creative self-efficacy was not a unidimensional construct but consisted of two factors labeled “creative thinking self-efficacy” and “creative performance self-efficacy.” As expected, this two-factor model fit the data adequately, supporting prior research that treated creative self-efficacy as multidimensional construct.
Pressure drop, penetration and quality factor of filter paper containing nanofibers
Authors: Tang Min , Hu Jian , Liang Yun , Pui David YH
Published: May 2016

Nanofiber has shown outstanding performance in many studies. Blending nanofibers into fibrous filter media is a promising way to improve the filtration performance. This paper discussed the modeling method for multi-fiber filter paper and the proper way to apply nanofiber into filter paper. Sixteen different filter papers were prepared and these filter papers covered the range of coarse-fiber-dominant and fine-fiber-dominant fibrous structure. The theoretical modeling method in this study for pressure drop and penetration of multi-fiber filter paper showed accurate results compared with the experiment data. It was found that for the higher quality factor, the nanofibers should be effectively separated by the coarse fibers. This study presented the idea of the fiber's effective contribution to filtration efficiency, which can lead to a comprehensive and distinct understanding of fibrous structure and filtration properties.
Influence of He/O2 atmospheric pressure plasma pretreatment on sizing adhesion strength and breaking elongation of sized cotton rovings
Authors: Sun Shiyuan , Li Ying , Fu Chunhong , Wu Jianzhong , Qiu Yiping , Hui Jin , Du Xuegen
Published: May 2016

This study investigated the influence of pretreatment conditions of helium/oxygen (He/O2) atmospheric pressure plasma, including treatment duration, oxygen flow, and distance between the nozzle and the sample (DBNS), on sizing properties of cotton roving. Results indicate that plasma treatment can effectively improve the surface roughness, static friction coefficient, and the wettability of raw cotton fibers, as well as the absorption ability of cotton rovings for starch size. Consequently, sizing adhesion strength (SAS) and breaking elongation (BE) of the roving sized by starch are greatly influenced by the treatment. They first rise and then slightly drop with the increase of treatment duration or oxygen flow, but decrease with the elongation of the DBNS. Compared with a roving without plasma pretreatment, pretreated rovings can possess 59% and 36% improvement of SAS and BE, respectively, by a chosen plasma treatment condition, i.e. 15 s of treatment duration, 1.5 mm of DBNS, 30/0.3 L/min of He/O2, and 40 W of the power.
An investigation on the distribution of massive fiber granules in rotor spinning units
Authors: Jin Yuzhen , Cui Jingyu , Li Xiangdong , Chen Hongli
Published: May 2016

Rotor spinning is an open-end spinning method that uses air as the medium to transform the fibers into yarn. Nowadays, the properties of its final product—yarn—such as yarn strength and yarn twist, are not satisfied due to the fiber morphology, which greatly depends on the distribution of the massive fibers in the rotor spinning unit (RSU). In this paper, theoretical analysis is given to describe the trajectory of fiber on the slide wall. A numerical study is performed with the massive fibers being simplified into granules to study their distribution characteristics in the RSU. According to our numerical results, the forming process of the fibrous ring is discussed and the effects of two variables, the rotor speed and the angle of the slide wall, on the distribution of fiber granules were also studied. The simulation results indicate that the fiber granules are not evenly distributed during their transport in the fiber transport channel (FTC) and they tend to accumulate on the upper and lower edge of the FTC. The distribution of fiber granules in the groove (fibrous rings) is closely related to the rotor speed. The higher the rotor speed, the longer and thinner the fibrous ring. The distribution of fiber granules on the slide wall is related to the angle of the slide wall such that a smaller angle leads to a scattered distribution on the slide wall, while a larger angle tends to bring a concentrated one. The simulation results show good agreements with our experimental results.
Emergency Management and Tourism Stakeholder Responses to Crises
Authors: Morakabati Yeganeh , Page Stephen J. , Fletcher John
Published: May 2016

This article examines the contested area of the responsibility for destinations and tourists, within emergency settings. It incorporates a Delphi-Scenario technique to facilitate a structured discussion of emergency management for different destination stakeholders. The Delphi exercise engaged 123 senior international stakeholders, from 9 different industry sectors, across 34 countries to provide a global perspective. The study’s principal focus is on the notion of emergency management, to identify the challenges that stakeholders would face within a disaster scenario. The exercise asked stakeholders to identify with whom the responsibility rests for 18 distinct disaster-related activities. The study proposes a responsibility allocation building-block framework that could help speed up the emergency management responses by “knowing who is going to do what” with a particular focus on dealing with international tourists as a community in a disaster zone.
Assessing the Efficacy of Communication Interventions for Shifting Public Perceptions of Park Benefits
Authors: Weiler Betty , Moyle Brent D. , Wolf Isabelle D. , de Bie Kelly , Torland Monica
Published: May 2016

One way national parks can sustain their societal relevance and ensure ongoing political and community support is through conscious and deliberate repositioning. This study investigates the potential for psychologically repositioning national parks using persuasive communication designed to shift public perceptions of the benefits of visitor experiences in parks. The experimental communication interventions were selected to target benefits where gaps were identified between the perceptions of park managers and the parks’ constituent publics. Using a pre–post design on 1,055 respondents split evenly across two Australian states, the experiment revealed that the website and the video used as interventions were highly effective at improving public perceptions of park benefits. This was attributed to the persuasiveness of the website and the video, which respondents rated as having positive valence, as highly vivid and as credible. This research provides theoretically informed insights into the application of persuasive communication theory to psychologically reposition national parks.
A Comparison of Self-Report Measures of Callous-Unemotional Traits Among Incarcerated Youth
Authors: Ray James V. , Pechorro Pedro , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa
Published: May 2016

The current study compared the psychometric properties and incremental validity of the callous-unemotional (CU) traits dimensions from four self-report measures of youth psychopathic traits, including the Antisocial Process Screening Device Self-Report version (APSD-SR), the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI), Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory–Short version (YPI-S), and the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) among a sample of male youth incarcerated in Portuguese detention centers ( N = 221). Across these measures, estimates of reliability and internal consistency were generally good; however, the correlations between measures ranged from very low to high suggesting moderate convergent validity. With regard to incremental validity, the Callousness dimension of the ICU was the best predictor of aggression, conduct disorder, and crime seriousness, whereas the Uncaring dimension of the ICU was the best predictor of age of crime onset. The current findings have important implications regarding the assessment of CU traits.
Incarcerating Juveniles in Adult Prisons
Authors: Kolivoski Karen M. , Shook Jeffrey J.
Published: May 2016

The experiences of juveniles in adult prisons have gained increased attention over the last several decades. This article adds to understandings of these experiences by examining the relationship between age and prison behavior among transferred juveniles ( N = 763). Results reveal that juveniles committed to prisons at younger ages accumulate more misconducts than those committed at older ages. Results also indicate that African American youth, youth with mental health issues, youth with more extensive prior histories in the juvenile system, and youth committed for property and weapons offenses accumulated more prison misconducts. Policy and practice implications are discussed.
Preparation and characterization of incompletely condensed POSS and its application in RTV composites
Authors: Yuan Zhanglin , Wang Jincheng
Published: May 2016

Research on the structure and properties of room-temperature vulcanizated silicone rubber (RTV) composites with a type of incompletely condensed polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was conducted. Trisilanolphenyl POSS (TPOSS) was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectra suggested successful bonding of TPOSS. XRD analysis illustrated that POSS exhibited a crystal behavior while TPOSS had an amorphous structure. The chemical shift of 1H NMR at 7.1–7.8 ppm and 3.71–3.73 ppm further confirmed the structure of TPOSS. TPOSS particle was aggregated with large size observed from SEM Then, TPOSS was applied in RTV composites. Properties of RTV/TPOSS composites such as swelling behavior, tensile strength, elongation at break, thermal stability, and flame retardance were researched and compared. Results showed that the TPOSS were beneficial for increasing the cross-linking points and forming the effective three-dimensional networks in RTV composites. Tensile tests revealed that the tensile strength of RTV/TPOSS-3 was 20% higher than that of pure RTV, and the elongation at break of RTV/TPOSS-1 also showed an improvement. Thermogravimetric analysis studies demonstrated that RTV/TPOSS-5 presented the highest values of temperature at 5% mass loss and temperature at maximum mass loss rate of 437.5°C and 573.7°C, respectively. In addition, the residue of RTV/TPOSS-9 increased to 61.0%. Horizontal burning test found that the burning rate with 9% content of TPOSS was strikingly decreased by 66.4% compared with pure RTV.
Understanding Agency Problems in Headquarters-Subsidiary Relationships in Multinational Corporations: A Contextualized Model
Authors: Kostova Tatiana , Nell Phillip C. , Hoenen Anne K.
Published: May 2016

This paper proposes an agency model for headquarters-subsidiary relationships in multinational organizations with headquarters as the principal and the subsidiary as the agent. As a departure from classical agency theory, our model is developed for the unit level of analysis and considers two root causes of the agency problem—self-interest and bounded rationality. We argue that in the organizational setting, one cannot assume absolute self-interest and perfect rationality of agents (subsidiaries) but should allow them to vary. We explain subsidiary-level variation through a set of internal organizational and external social conditions in which the headquarters-subsidiary agency dyad is embedded. We then discuss several agency scenarios reflecting various levels of self-interest and rationality that lead to different manifestations of the agency problem. The proposed framework can inform more relevant applications of the agency perspective in organizational studies and motivate future research.
Self-Report Versus Medical Record for Mammography Screening Among Minority Women
Authors: Nandy Karabi , Menon Usha , Szalacha Laura A. , Park HanJong , Lee Jongwon , Lee Eunice E.
Published: May 2016

Self-report is the most common means of obtaining mammography screening data. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of minority women’s self-reported mammography by comparing their self-reported dates of mammograms with those in their medical records from a community-based randomized control trial. We found that out of 192 women, 116 signed the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act form and, among these, 97 had medical records that could be verified (97 / 116 = 83.6%). Ninety-two records matched where both sources confirmed a mammogram; 48 of 92 (52.2%) matched perfectly on self-reported date of mammogram. Complexities in the verification process warrant caution when verifying self-reported mammography screening in minority populations. In spite of some limitations, our findings support the usage of self-reported data on mammography as a validated tool for other researchers investigating mammography screening among minority women who continue to have low screening rates.