bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ab initio investigation of the structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of the perovskite TlMnX3 (X = F, Cl) compounds
Authors: Hamioud Farida , AlGhamdi Ghadah S. , Al-Omari Saleh , Mubarak A. A.
Published: March 2016

We have performed ab initio investigation of some physical properties of the perovskite TlMnX3 (X = F, Cl) compounds using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is employed as exchange-correlation potential. The calculated lattice constant and bulk modulus agree with previous studies. Both compounds are found to be elastically stable. TlMnF3 and TlMnCl3 are classified as anisotropic and ductile compounds. The calculations of the band structure of the studied compounds showed the semiconductor behavior with the indirect (M–X) energy gap. Both compounds are classified as a ferromagnetic due to the integer value of the total magnetic moment of the compounds. The different optical spectra are calculated from the real and the imaginary parts of the dielectric function and connected to the electronic structure of the compounds. The static refractive index [Formula: see text] is inversely proportional to the energy bandgap of the two compounds. Beneficial optics technology applications are predicted based on the optical spectra.
Magnetic resonance-compatible model of isolated working heart from large animal for multimodal assessment of cardiac function, electrophysiology, and metabolism
Authors: Vaillant Fanny , Magat Julie , Bour Pierre , Naulin Jérôme , Benoist David , Loyer Virginie , Vieillot Delphine , Labrousse Louis , Ritter Philippe , Bernus Olivier , Dos Santos Pierre , Quesson Bruno
Published: March 2016

To provide a model close to the human heart, and to study intrinsic cardiac function at the same time as electromechanical coupling, we developed a magnetic resonance (MR)-compatible setup of isolated working perfused pig hearts. Hearts from pigs (40 kg, n = 20) and sheep ( n = 1) were blood perfused ex vivo in the working mode with and without loaded right ventricle (RV), for 80 min. Cardiac function was assessed by measuring left intraventricular pressure and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF), aortic and mitral valve dynamics, and native T1 mapping with MR imaging (1.5 Tesla). Potential myocardial alterations were assessed at the end of ex vivo perfusion from late-Gadolinium enhancement T1 mapping. The ex vivo cardiac function was stable across the 80 min of perfusion. Aortic flow and LV-dP/d tmin were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in hearts perfused with loaded RV, without differences for heart rate, maximal and minimal LV pressure, LV-dP/d tmax, LVEF, and kinetics of aortic and mitral valves. T1 mapping analysis showed a spatially homogeneous distribution over the LV. Simultaneous recording of hemodynamics, LVEF, and local cardiac electrophysiological signals were then successfully performed at baseline and during electrical pacing protocols without inducing alteration of MR images. Finally, 31P nuclear MR spectroscopy (9.4 T) was also performed in two pig hearts, showing phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio in accordance with data previously reported in vivo. We demonstrate the feasibility to perfuse isolated pig hearts in the working mode, inside an MR environment, allowing simultaneous assessment of cardiac structure, mechanics, and electrophysiology, illustrating examples of potential applications.
Living altitude influences endurance exercise performance change over time at altitude
Authors: Chapman Robert F. , Karlsen Trine , Ge R.-L. , Stray-Gundersen James , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: March 2016

For sea level based endurance athletes who compete at low and moderate altitudes, adequate time for acclimatization to altitude can mitigate performance declines. We asked whether it is better for the acclimatizing athlete to live at the specific altitude of competition or at a higher altitude, perhaps for an increased rate of physiological adaptation. After 4 wk of supervised sea level training and testing, 48 collegiate distance runners (32 men, 16 women) were randomly assigned to one of four living altitudes (1,780, 2,085, 2,454, or 2,800 m) where they resided for 4 wk. Daily training for all subjects was completed at a common altitude from 1,250 to 3,000 m. Subjects completed 3,000-m performance trials on the track at sea level, 28 and 6 days before departure, and at 1,780 m on days 5, 12, 19, and 26 of the altitude camp. Groups living at 2,454 and 2,800 m had a significantly larger slowing of performance vs. the 1,780-m group on day 5 at altitude. The 1,780-m group showed no significant change in performance across the 26 days at altitude, while the groups living at 2,085, 2,454, and 2,800 m showed improvements in performance from day 5 to day 19 at altitude but no further improvement at day 26. The data suggest that an endurance athlete competing acutely at 1,780 m should live at the altitude of the competition and not higher. Living ∼300-1,000 m higher than the competition altitude, acute altitude performance may be significantly worse and may require up to 19 days of acclimatization to minimize performance decrements.
Role of Extracranial Carotid Duplex and Computed Tomography Perfusion Scanning in Evaluating Perfusion Status of Pericarotid Stenting
Authors: Lin Chih-Ming , Chang Yu-Jun , Liu Chi-Kuang , Yu Cheng-Sheng , Lu Henry Horng-Shing
Published: March 2016

Carotid stenting is an effective treatment of choice in terms of treating ischemic stroke patients with concomitant carotid stenosis. Though computed tomography perfusion scan has been recognized as a standard tool to monitor/follow up this group of patients, not everyone could endure due to underlying medical illness. In contrast, carotid duplex is a noninvasive assessment tool and could track patient clinical condition in real time. In this study we found that “resistance index” of the carotid ultrasound could detect flow changes before and after the stenting procedure, thus having great capacity to replace the role of computed tomography perfusion exam.
Kruppel-like Pluripotency Factors as Modulators of Cancer Cell Therapeutic Responses
Authors: Farrugia Mark K. , Vanderbilt Daniel B. , Salkeni Mohamad A. , Ruppert J. Michael
Published: March 2016

Tumor cells inherit from their normal precursors an extensive stress response machinery that is critical for survival in response to challenges including oxidative stress, wounding, and shear stress. Kruppel-like transcription factors, including KLF4 and KLF5, are rarely affected by genetic alteration during tumorigenesis, but compose key components of the stress response machinery in normal and tumor cells and interact with critical survival pathways, including RAS, p53, survivin, and the BCL2 family of cell death regulators. Within tumor cells, KLF4 and KLF5 play key roles in tumor cell fate, regulating cell proliferation, cell survival, and the tumor-initiating properties of cancer stem–like cells. These factors can be preferentially expressed in embryonic stem cells or cancer stem–like cells. Indeed, specific KLFs represent key components of a cross-regulating pluripotency network in embryonic stem cells and induce pluripotency when coexpressed in adult cells with other Yamanaka factors. Suggesting analogies between this pluripotency network and the cancer cell adaptive reprogramming that occurs in response to targeted therapy, recent studies link KLF4 and KLF5 to adaptive prosurvival signaling responses induced by HER2-targeted therapy. We review literature supporting KLFs as shared mechanisms in stress adaptation and cellular reprogramming and address the therapeutic implications. Cancer Res; 76(7); 1677–82. ©2016 AACR.
Comparison of Peritoneal Low-Molecular-Weight-Protein-Removal in CCPD and CAPD Patients Based on C-Terminal Agrin Fragment Clearance
Authors: Steubl Dominik , Roos Marcel , Hettwer Stefan , Angermann Susanne , Wen Ming , Schmaderer Christoph , Luppa Peter , Heemann Uwe , Renders Lutz
Published: March 2016

Background/Aims: This study compares the peritoneal elimination of the low-molecular-weight-protein (LMWP) C-terminal agrin fragment (tCAF, size 22 kDa), a promising biomarker for kidney function, in continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Methods: 103 sets of serum, 24h-urine and dialysate samples were obtained in 15 CCPD (63 sets) and 11 CAPD (40 sets) patients. Total, renal and peritoneal substrate removals/clearances were measured/calculated for tCAF, creatinine, blood-urea-nitrogen (BUN), cystatin C and albumin and correlated with the peritoneal transport type. Results: Serum und urine concentrations of all biomarkers did not differ between both groups, urinary substrate removal was higher in CAPD patients for all biomarkers due to better residual renal function. Peritoneal substrate removal of tCAF and albumin were significantly higher in CAPD (tCAF: 35.3 vs. 19.3 µg/d, p<0.001; albumin: 4.3 vs. 3.7 g/d, p=0.001), whereas cystatin C and creatinine did not differ between CAPD and CCPD (cystatin: 7.7 vs. 6.1 mg/d, p=0.08, creatinine: 423.9 vs. 456.7 mg/d, p=0.241). BUN was better removed by CCPD (4846.6 vs. 3393.4 mg/d, p<0.001). CAPD patients with high-transporter characteristics had a higher peritoneal tCAF removal compared to high-average-transporters (49.8 vs. 28.4 µg/d, p<0.001), no differences could be detected in CCPD patients between these groups. CAPD patients using icodextrin twice/day had higher peritoneal clearance of tCAF compared to once daily (4.4 vs. 2.8 l/wk/1.73 m2 body-surface-area, p<0.001). Conclusions: CAPD was superior to CCPD concerning peritoneal tCAF removal. This finding was pronounced in high-transporters and CAPD patients using icodextrin twice daily.
Rhinosinusal Inflammation and High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein: A New Target for Therapy
Authors: Bellussi Luisa Maria , Cocca Serena , Chen Lei , Passali Francesco Maria , Sarafoleanu Condrut , Passali Desiderio
Published: March 2016

Background/Aims: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a protein belonging to the class of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules, which activates innate immunity and powerful inflammatory factors. The aim of this review is to show the importance of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of nasal inflammatory diseases and to suggest that inhibition of HMGB1 may be an innovative therapeutic target. Methods: We used immunohistochemistry to study whether HMGB1 increases in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and whether its expression is associated with eosinophils and inflammatory cytokines. Using primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells, we localised lipopolysaccharide-induced active translocation and release of HMGB1 by immunofluorescence assay and Western blot. Results: Patients with severe symptoms have the highest HMGB1 serum levels. Glycyrrhetic acid inhibits the chemotactic and mitogenic function of HMGB1, binding to the hydrophobic residues that delimit the pockets in box A and B. Conclusions: Chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses are increasingly prevalent and are a financial burden for society. HMGB1 has been shown to play a role in several inflammatory diseases of otolaryngological interest. The inhibition of HMGB1 may be an innovative therapeutic target for patients with chronic upper airway inflammatory diseases having nasal obstruction as a major symptom.
Er:Yag Laser Treatment of Simple Snorers in an Outpatient Setting
Authors: Cetinkaya Erdem Atalay , Turker Mustafa , Kiraz Kemal , Gulkesen Hakan Kemal
Published: March 2016

Objective: Snoring occurs as a result of soft tissue vibration caused by a partial upper airway collapse during sleep. This study evaluated the effectiveness and potential adverse side effects associated with the use of a nonsurgical, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment for patients with snoring conditions. Materials and Methods: In total, 33 patients with different degrees of snoring were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received three NightLase™ Er:YAG laser treatments. Results were measured using a follow-up questionnaire and then statistically analyzed. Any effects that occurred during the first year after treatment (i.e., short-term effects) were followed up with interviews. Results: Laser treatment effectively reduced patients' snoring and achieved a 65% satisfaction rate after three treatments. The greatest improvement and satisfaction were experienced by patients aged ≥50 years. Patients reported additional benefits from this treatment including easier breathing, higher alertness, and increased focus. Conclusion: Nonsurgical Er:YAG laser treatment is an effective and minimally invasive procedure to reduce patient snoring and other sleep-disordered breathing symptoms. Patients reported minimal disadvantages including minor discomfort and a low risk of side effects.
Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcome after Doxapram for Apnea of Prematurity
Authors: ten Hove Christine H. , Vliegenthart Roseanne J. , te Pas Arjan B. , Brouwer Emma , Rijken Monique , van Wassenaer-Leemhuis Aleid G. , van Kaam Anton H. , Onland Wes
Published: March 2016

Background: Doxapram has been advocated as a treatment for persistent apnea of prematurity (AOP). Objective: To evaluate the effect of doxapram on long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants as its safety still needs to be established. Methods: From a retrospective cohort of preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) <30 weeks and/or a birth weight <1,250 g, born between 2000 and 2010, infants treated with doxapram (n = 142) and a nontreated control group were selected (n = 284). Patient characteristics and clinical and neurodevelopmental outcome data at 24 months' corrected age were collected. Neurodevelopmental delay (ND) was defined as having a Mental or Psychomotor Developmental Index (MDI/PDI) <-1 standard deviation (SD), cerebral palsy, or a hearing or visual impairment. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Infants treated with doxapram had a lower GA compared to controls. The number of infants with a MDI or PDI <-1 SD was not different between the groups. The risk of the combined outcome death or ND was significantly lower in the doxapram group after adjusting for confounding factors (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.78). Doxapram-treated infants had a higher risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus, but a lower risk of spontaneous intestinal perforation. All other morbidities were not different between the groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that doxapram is not associated with an increased risk of ND. These findings need to be confirmed or refuted by a large, well-designed, placebo-controlled randomized trial.
Secretoneurin Serum Levels in Healthy Term Neonates and Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Wechselberger Karina , Schmid Anna , Posod Anna , Höck Michaela , Neubauer Vera , Fischer-Colbrie Reiner , Kiechl-Kohlendorfer Ursula , Griesmaier Elke
Published: March 2016

Background: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is a major cause of neurologic impairment and mortality in neonates. Early knowledge of brain injury is important to guide therapeutic decisions and reliably inform the parents. Increased secretoneurin levels have been detected in adult patients suffering from brain injury and it has also been shown to be a promising early serum biomarker of unfavourable neurological outcome. However, no data are available in neonates. Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain reference values for secretoneurin in healthy term neonates and then to assess the potential of this neuropeptide as a biomarker in the context of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in asphyxiated term neonates. Methods: A total number of 139 term neonates, of which 7 were asphyxiated and 132 were healthy, were prospectively enrolled. Secretoneurin serum concentrations were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Results: In healthy controls, secretoneurin serum concentrations were influenced by the mode of delivery (highest in infants born per vacuum extraction and lowest in infants born per caesarean section) and abnormal cardiotocography. In asphyxiated term neonates, secretoneurin concentrations were higher in umbilical cord blood and significantly lower 48 h after birth in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusion: Secretoneurin levels are elevated in cord blood in infants suffering from hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy following perinatal asphyxia. The potential of secretoneurin as a marker of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury should be further evaluated in larger trials.
Production of Tetraploid Gynogenetic Loach Using Diploid Eggs of Natural Tetraploid Loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, Fertilized with UV-Irradiated Sperm of Megalobrama amblycephala without Treatments for Chromosome Doubling
Authors: Huang Songqian , Cao Xiaojuan , Tian Xianchang , Luo Weiwei , Wang Weiming
Published: March 2016

The gynogenesis phenomenon in nature mainly appears in the reproduction of fish and invertebrates. So far, gynogenesis has been successfully induced in many fish species with the aid of some physical or chemical methods for chromosome doubling. However, few fish can produce gynogenetic progenies, genetically identical or similar to the somatic cells of the mothers, without a treatment for the doubling of chromosomes, which may be related to apomixis, premeiotic endoreduplication, or premeiotic endomitosis. At present, no studies are available about fish with normal ovarian structures producing gynogenetic progenies that could spontaneously double their chromosomes. According to the analyses of flow cytometry, chromosome number, and microsatellites, we found that, with the use of UV-irradiated sperm of blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala, tetraploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus produced tetraploid gynogenetic progenies without any treatments for the doubling of chromosomes. To determine the genetic relationships of gynogenetic progenies and their maternal parent, microsatellite genotyping was conducted. The results indicated that the reason for spontaneous chromosome duplication in gynogenetic progenies may be cytokinesis or inhibition of the extrusion of the second polar body. This is the first report on fish with normal ovarian structures that can produce gynogenetic progenies which spontaneously double their chromosomes and which are genetically identical or similar to the somatic cells of the mothers.
The Effect of Laser Panretinal Photocoagulation on Diabetic Macular Edema Using the Pascal® Photocoagulator versus the Conventional Argon Laser Photocoagulator
Authors: Mahgoub Mohamed M. , Macky Tamer A.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) on diabetic macular edema (DME) using a Pascal® Photocoagulator (PP) or a conventional argon laser photocoagulator (CALP). Methods: Eighty eyes with PDR and center-involving DME were randomized to PP or CALP. Both groups had baseline assessment of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and were examined with optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography. Results: The mean number of laser shots for the PP and CALP groups was 1,726.10 and 752.00 at session 1 and 1,589.00 and 830.00 (p < 0.001) at session 2, respectively. The mean central foveal thickness (CFT) at baseline was 306 ± 100 and 314 ± 98 for the PP and CALP groups, respectively. At 8 weeks, the mean CFT was 332 ± 116 and 347 ± 111 for the PP and CALP groups, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean BCVA was similar during the study period with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PP and CALP had similar effects on DME in PDR eyes and were equally safe with no significant increase in CFT.
Platelet Interaction with Innate Immune Cells
Authors: Kral Julia Barbara , Schrottmaier Waltraud Cornelia , Salzmann Manuel , Assinger Alice
Published: March 2016

Beyond their traditional role in haemostasis and thrombosis, platelets are increasingly recognised as immune modulatory cells. Activated platelets and platelet-derived microparticles can bind to leukocytes, which stimulates mutual activation and results in rapid, local release of platelet-derived cytokines. Thereby platelets modulate leukocyte effector functions and contribute to inflammatory and immune responses to injury or infection. Platelets enhance leukocyte extravasation, differentiation and cytokine release. Platelet-neutrophil interactions boost oxidative burst, neutrophil extracellular trap formation and phagocytosis and play an important role in host defence. Platelet interactions with monocytes propagate their differentiation into macrophages, modulate cytokine release and attenuate macrophage functions. Depending on the underlying pathology, platelets can enhance or diminish leukocyte cytokine production, indicating that platelet-leukocyte interactions represent a fine balanced system to restrict excessive inflammation during infection. In atherosclerosis, platelet interaction with neutrophils, monocytes and dendritic cells accelerates key steps of atherogenesis by promoting leukocyte extravasation and foam cell formation. Platelet-leukocyte interactions at sites of atherosclerotic lesions destabilise atherosclerotic plaques and promote plaque rupture. Leukocytes in turn also modulate platelet function and production, which either results in enhanced platelet destruction or increased platelet production. This review aims to summarise the key effects of platelet-leukocyte interactions in inflammation, infection and atherosclerosis.
New Pergalumna (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae) from Peru
Authors: ERMILOV SERGEY G. , FRIEDRICH STEFAN
Published: March 2016

Six species of oribatid mites of the genus Pergalumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae) are collected from the German Expedition to Amazonian Peru in 2013; of these, three are new for science, described from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest. Pergalumna (Pergalumna) parapassimpunctata sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. (P.) passimpunctata Balogh & Mahunka, 1969, but differs from the latter by the presence of foveolate body surface, two pairs of porose areas Aa and minute interlamellar setae, and the absence of porose areas A3. Pergalumna (Pergalumna) krisperi sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. (P.) cardosensis Pérez-Íñigo & Baggio, 1986, but differs from the latter by the smaller body size, rostral and lamellar setae of medium size and the presence of four pairs of notogastral porose areas. Pergalumna (Pergalumna) lenticulata sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. (P.) decorata Balogh & Mahunka, 1977, but differs from the latter by the larger body size and the presence of lenticulus and bidentate rostrum. The species Pergalumna (Pergalumna) bryani Jacot, 1934 is recorded for the first time in Peru.
A Comparative Study of Single-pulse and Double-pulse Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy with Uranium-containing Samples
Authors: Skrodzki Patrick J. , Becker Jason R. , Diwakar Prasoon K. , Harilal Sivanandan S. , Hassanein Ahmed
Published: March 2016

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) holds potential advantages in special nuclear material (SNM) sensing and nuclear forensics, which require rapid analysis, minimal sample preparation, and stand-off distance capability. SNM, such as U, however, result in crowded emission spectra with LIBS, and characteristic emission lines are challenging to discern. It is well-known that double-pulse LIBS (DPLIBS) improves the signal intensity for analytes over conventional single-pulse LIBS (SPLIBS). This study investigates the U signal in a glass matrix using DPLIBS and compares it to signal obtained using SPLIBS. Double-pulse LIBS involves sequential firing of a 1.06 µm Nd:YAG pre-pulse and 10.6 µm TEA CO2 heating pulse in a near collinear geometry. Optimization of experimental parameters including inter-pulse delay and energy follows identification of characteristic lines for the bulk analyte Ca and the minor constituent analyte U for both DPLIBS and SPLIBS. Spatial and temporal coupling of the two pulses in the proposed DPLIBS technique yields improvements in analytical merits with a negligible increase in damage to the sample compared to SPLIBS. Subsequently, the study discusses optimum plasma emission conditions of U lines and relative figures of merit in both SPLIBS and DPLIBS. Investigation into plasma characteristics also addresses plausible mechanisms related to the observed U analyte signal variation between SPLIBS and DPLIBS.
Automatic Gain Control in Compact Spectrometers
Authors: Protopopov Vladimir
Published: March 2016

An image intensifier installed in the optical path of a compact spectrometer may act not only as a fast gating unit, which is widely used for time-resolved measurements, but also as a variable attenuator–amplifier in a continuous wave mode. This opens the possibility of an automatic gain control, a new feature in spectroscopy. With it, the user is relieved from the necessity to manually adjust signal level at a certain value that it is done automatically by means of an electronic feedback loop. It is even more important that automatic gain control is done without changing exposure time, which is an additional benefit in time-resolved experiments. The concept, algorithm, design considerations, and experimental results are presented.
Moral panics by design: The case of terrorism
Authors: Walsh James P
Published: March 2016

This article assesses the relationship between terrorism and moral panics to expand understandings of the latter’s eruption and orchestration. Answering calls for deeper considerations of folk devils’ agentic properties, it interrogates how terrorist methods – the deployment of shocking and exceptional violence to incite fear and stimulate political change – challenge extant understandings of the moral panic framework. Specifically, it argues, in the case of terrorism, that the exaggerated threats and disproportionate responses that define moral panics are not driven solely by moral entrepreneurs or social control agents, but are informed by the strategic practices and rationalities of folk devils themselves. Through its approach, this research enhances social-scientific treatments of terrorism, broadens the scope of moral panic analysis, and extends understandings of how fear and anxiety are manipulated for political purposes.
Political regimes and employment relations in Thailand
Authors: Brown Andrew
Published: March 2016

Drawing on material collected from periods of fieldwork between 2011 and 2014, this article examines the institutions and practices of Thai employment relations in the context of broader conflicts over state power and regime type. It argues that a focus on regime and regime dynamics offers a more complex and nuanced way of investigating the political mediations of workplace regulation. It discusses how competing regime framers in Thailand have each had an impact on the establishment and modification of the rules that govern employment relations, as well as determining how those rules are enforced or not enforced in practice. Despite their differences, the interests of statist, liberal and pluto-populist forces have coalesced around using the various powers of the state to constrain workers’ collective attempts to engage in the work-effort bargain.
The state, democratic transition and employment relations in Indonesia
Authors: Ford Michele , Sirait George Martin
Published: March 2016

Indonesia's transition since 1998 from authoritarian developmentalism to democracy has had a fundamental effect on employment relations. Although the basic structure of the economy has not changed, the twin processes of democratisation and decentralisation have seen the return of a degree of political space not available in Indonesia since the 1950s. This transformation was underpinned by a shift in the balance between the primary logics of the state that has seen an enhanced emphasis on legitimation. It has reshaped expectations of workplace-level employment relations practice in the country's small formal sector and of trade unions' engagement with policy-making and electoral politics. This article traces the processes through which this transformation occurred and analyses both its successes and the ongoing challenges to more robust implementation of the country's industrial relations framework.
Employment relations and the state in Southeast Asia
Authors: Ford Michele , Gillan Michael
Published: March 2016

This article engages critically with the comparative employment relations literature, assessing its capacity to explain and analyse the relationship between state objectives – accumulation, pacification, legitimation – and employment relations. Having engaged with approaches that have influenced the discipline in recent decades, it draws on insights from capitalist Southeast Asia to identify determining factors not accounted for in comparative employment relations models developed from and applied to the Global North. These include the relatively high degree of fluidity in forms of governance characteristic of contexts where there is a dynamic interplay between democratic and authoritarian rule, which challenges the assumption that employment relations are underpinned by a relatively strong, stable and autonomous state. Equally significant is the impact of inter-state and international interests and influences, only some of which are economic, on the balance between different state objectives as they pertain to employment relations.
Employment relations and political transition in Cambodia
Authors: Ward Kristy , Mouyly Vichhra
Published: March 2016

Literature to date on employment relations in Cambodia has focused for the most part on the emergence of the labour legislation and third-party monitoring mechanisms in the context of export-oriented manufacturing in the 1990s. This article builds on these analyses to consider the state’s political transition and the role of external influences in this process. It explores the relationship between political transition and the development of Cambodia’s employment relations framework, arguing that deep contradictions between a formally progressive framework of labour regulation and the regime’s ideologies and interests continue to shape employment relations practice. These contradictions are evidenced by the obstacles posed to comprehensive implementation of the labour law by the need to accommodate international interests, facilitate prescribed forms of citizen participation and maintain ruling elite power and privilege. Despite these tensions, regulatory reform and the corresponding civil society developments have succeeded to the extent that workers are able to act in response to the limitations of the system and continued attempts by the state to control them.
A 37-year-old woman found dead in a Jacuzzi: A case report
Authors: Asl Nahiddadashzadeh , Taftachi Farrokh , Memarian Azadeh , Kordrostami Roya , Zavareh FatemehNoorian , Mehrpisheh Shahrokh
Published: March 2016

One of the main problems in forensic medicine is the autopsy diagnosis of drowning, especially in the case of delay in the victim’s recovery. The body of a 37-year-old woman was delivered to Kahrizak autopsy centre for post mortem. She was drowned in a public Jacuzzi because when she bent down to pick up her hairpin from the bottom of the Jacuzzi, her right arm became stuck in the drainage pipe and was sucked in. Unfortunately, she was not resuscitated after being pulled out of the Jacuzzi. The ambulance arrived too late, and she was already dead on arrival at the hospital. Her family pursued a claim against the managers and personnel of the pool for poor security management and failure to resuscitate. A forensic examination was needed to determine the manner of her death (natural, accidental, suicide and homicide).
The Big Picture
Authors: Kaschub Michele , Smith Janice P.
Published: March 2016

Creating, performing, responding, and connecting are often central foci in the development of music education curricula. While these meta-organizers provide a sense of direction for planning instruction, greater depths of knowledge and skill could be achieved if these actions were viewed as means rather than ends in music education. The profession needs a more artistically driven mind-set to ensure that engagements with performing, creating, and responding support both intellectual and musical growth. A critical examination of each organizer reveals specific capacities that should be nurtured as students discover/explore the relationships between music and feeling. These musical capacities can help students clarify artistic goals, enhance artistry, expand expressivity, and build technical skills. This article examines how teachers can actively engage K–12 students in the development of these capacities as they compose, perform, and listen to music.
Reimagining the Role of Composition in Music Teacher Education
Authors: Deemer Rob
Published: March 2016

The disconnect between the need for music composition instruction at the precollege levels and the content of music education curricula across North America has been a concern for over two decades. To be able to effectively teach their students how to compose, music educators need to have both experience and comfort in the creative process of composing. This experience and comfort can be achieved within the music education curriculum through a strong partnership between music education and composition faculty and in the field through experimentation, working with other teachers, and participating in joint composition projects with their students.
Increased bending rigidity of wool fabric imparted by hybrid organic-inorganic sol–gel coatings
Authors: McNeil Steven J , Standard Owen C
Published: March 2016

Hybrid organic–inorganic coatings prepared by the sol–gel method can impart desirable properties to textiles, but may adversely affect properties such as bending rigidity. This study investigated the causes of increased bending rigidity. Woven wool fabric was pad coated with formulations of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and Hercosett polyamide resin, examined by scanning electron microscopy, and the bending rigidities were determined. MTES coatings of up to 3.0% solids on mass of wool did not impart unacceptable bending rigidity. The coatings were not uniform on the fiber surfaces, and the increases in fabric bending rigidity could be partially attributed to inter-fiber bonding. In addition, the coatings “pinned” the edges of the cuticle scales, making individual fibers harder to bend. These effects are only weakly dependent on the Young's moduli of the coating materials.
Aftershocks of Pinochet’s Constitution: The Chilean Postearthquake Reconstruction
Authors: Arana Araya Ignacio
Published: March 2016

The criticism of the reconstruction that followed the cataclysm in Chile in 2010 has centered on contingent factors including the performance of politicians. An examination of the way structural factors conditioned the governmental response to the 8.8 earthquake shows that the constitution created by the military regime shaped the reconstruction through provisions that limited vertical and horizontal accountability in intrastate and state-society relations. The subsidiary state, executive-legislative power relations, the binomial electoral system, and the appointment rather than election of regional authorities favored a recovery effort that has been underinstitutionalized, privatized, characterized by scant participation of victims, and marred by irregularities. An analysis of governmental reports, media outlets, polls, and semistructured interviews conducted with legislators, social leaders, and scholars sheds light on the relation between the constitution and the recovery.

La crítica a la reconstrucción que siguió el cataclismo de 2010 en Chile se ha centrado en factores contingentes incluyendo el desempeño de los políticos. Un examen de la manera en la cual los factores estructurales condicionaron la respuesta gubernamental al terremoto de 8.8 puntos demuestra que la Constitución creado por el régimen militar configuró la reconstrucción a través de disposiciones que limitaron la responsabilidad vertical y horizontal en las relaciones intraestatales y de estado-sociedad. El estado subsidiario, las relaciones de poder ejecutivo-legislativo, el sistema electoral binomial, y el nombramiento en lugar de la elección de autoridades regionales favoreció un esfuerzo de recuperación que ha sido subinstitucionalizado, privatizado, caracterizado por escasa participación de las víctimas, y empañado por irregularidades. Un análisis de los informes gubernamentales, medios de comunicación, encuestas, y entrevistas semi-estructuradas con legisladores, líderes sociales, y académicos ilumina la relación entre la Constitución y la recuperación.
ICRP Publication 131: Stem cell biology with respect to carcinogenesis aspects of radiological protection
Authors: Hendry J.H. , Niwa O. , Barcellos-Hoff M.H. , Globus R.K. , Harrison J.D. , Martin M.T. , Seed T.M. , Shay J.W. , Story M.D. , Suzuki K. , Yamashita S.
Published: March 2016

Current knowledge of stem cell characteristics, maintenance and renewal, evolution with age, location in ‘niches’, and radiosensitivity to acute and protracted exposures is reviewed regarding haematopoietic tissue, mammary gland, thyroid, digestive tract, lung, skin, and bone. The identity of the target cells for carcinogenesis continues to point to the more primitive and mostly quiescent stem cell population (able to accumulate the protracted sequence of mutations necessary to result in malignancy), and, in a few tissues, to daughter progenitor cells. Several biological processes could contribute to the protection of stem cells from mutation accumulation: (1) accurate DNA repair; (2) rapid induced death of injured stem cells; (3) retention of the intact parental strand during divisions in some tissues so that mutations are passed to the daughter differentiating cells; and (4) stem cell competition, whereby undamaged stem cells outcompete damaged stem cells for residence in the vital niche. DNA repair mainly operates within a few days of irradiation, while stem cell replications and competition require weeks or many months depending on the tissue type. This foundation is used to provide a biological insight to protection issues including the linear-non-threshold and relative risk models, differences in cancer risk between tissues, dose-rate effects, and changes in the risk of radiation carcinogenesis by age at exposure and attained age.
Overview of ICRP Committee 3: protection in medicine
Authors: Vañó E. , Miller D.L. , Rehani M.M.
Published: March 2016

Committee 3 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) develops recommendations and guidance for protection of patients, staff, and the public against radiation exposure when ionising radiation is used for medical diagnosis, therapy, or biomedical research. This paper presents a summary of the work that Committee 3 has accomplished over the past few years, and also describes its current work. The most recent reports published by the Commission that relate to radiological protection in medicine are ‘Radiological protection in cone beam computed tomography’ ( Publication 129), ‘Radiation dose to patients from radiopharmaceuticals: a compendium of current information related to frequently used substances’ ( Publication 128, in cooperation with Committee 2), ‘Radiological protection in ion beam radiotherapy’ ( Publication 127), ‘Radiological protection in paediatric diagnostic and interventional radiology’ ( Publication 121), ‘Radiological protection in cardiology’ ( Publication 120), and ‘Radiological protection in fluoroscopically guided procedures outside the imaging department’ ( Publication 117). A new report on diagnostic reference levels in medical imaging will provide specific advice for interventional radiology, digital imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, paediatrics, and hybrid (multi-modality) imaging procedures, and is expected to be published in 2016. Committee 3 is also working on guidance for occupational radiological protection in brachytherapy, and on guidance on occupational protection issues in interventional procedures, paying particular attention to the 2011 Commission’s recommendations on the occupational dose limit for the lens of the eye ( Publication 118). Other reports in preparation deal with justification, radiological protection in therapy with radiopharmaceuticals, radiological protection in medicine as related to individual radiosusceptibility, appropriate use of effective dose (in cooperation with other Committees), and guidance for healthcare practitioners on radiological and patient protection. Committee 3 has also suggested specific priorities for research on radiological protection in medicine to the Commission.
Financial viability appraisals for site-specific planning decisions in England
Authors: Crosby Neil , Wyatt Peter
Published: March 2016

In England, appraisals of the financial viability of development schemes have become an integral part of planning policy-making, initially in determining the amount of planning obligations that might be obtained via legal agreements (known as Section 106 agreements) and latterly as a basis for establishing charging schedules for the Community Infrastructure Levy. Local planning authorities set these policies on an area-wide basis but ultimately development proposals require consent on a site-by-site basis. It is at this site-specific level that issues of viability are hotly contested.

This paper examines case documents, proofs of evidence and decisions from a sample of planning disputes in order to address two research issues within development viability; the veracity and extent of the knowledge base underpinning development appraisal modelling and the distribution of the development gain between the developer, landowner and community. The paper finds that development viability appraisal is being practiced within a poorly specified and misunderstood modelling framework that compromises the equitable distribution of development land value. It also finds that the use of either market value or price paid as a basis for determining the allocation of development gain to landowners within the modelling framework allows them to maximise their return at the expense of the community by introducing an element of circularity into viability appraisal.
A proof-of-concept, randomized controlled trial of DAR-0100A, a dopamine-1 receptor agonist, for cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia
Authors: Girgis Ragy R , Van Snellenberg Jared X , Glass Andrew , Kegeles Lawrence S , Thompson Judy L , Wall Melanie , Cho Raymond Y , Carter Cameron S , Slifstein Mark , Abi-Dargham Anissa , Lieberman Jeffrey A
Published: March 2016

Background:

Evidence from preclinical and human studies indicates the presence of reduced dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) signaling in the cortex, where D1Rs predominate, in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), which may contribute to their cognitive deficits. Furthermore, studies in nonhuman primates (NHP) have suggested that intermittent administration of low doses of D1R agonists produce long-lasting reversals in cognitive deficits. The purpose of this trial was to test whether a similar design, involving subacute intermittent administration of low doses of a full, selective agonist at D1Rs, DAR-0100A, would improve cognitive deficits in SCZ.

Methods:

We randomized 49 clinically stable individuals with SCZ to three weeks of intermittent treatment with 0.5 mg or 15 mg of DAR-0100A, or placebo (normal saline). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) BOLD was used to evaluate the effects of drug administration on brain activity during a working memory (WM) task. Effects on cognition were also assessed using the MATRICS and the N-back task as primary endpoints. The CogState battery was used as a secondary endpoint.

Results:

There were no observed treatment effects on either the BOLD fMRI signal during WM tasks or the WM domains of the MATRICS. Moderate improvement was detected on the CogState battery and on the attention domain of the MATRICS.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that low doses of D1 agonists that do not result in measureable occupancy of the D1R do not reliably improve cognition in SCZ, unlike the observations in NHP. As this drug is limited by its pharmacokinetic profile, better D1R agonists that can achieve adequate levels of D1R occupancy are needed to test the efficacy of this mechanism for cognitive enhancement in SCZ.
Contemporary Context of Drug-Eluting Stents in Brazil
Authors: Stella Steffan Frosi , Gehling Bertoldi Eduardo , Polanczyk Carísi Anne
Published: March 2016

Background. Although drug-eluting stents (DES) have been widely incorporated into clinical practice in developed countries, several countries restrict their use mainly because of their high cost and unfavorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). Objective. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of DES in comparison with bare-metal stents (BMS) for treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Design. Markov model. Data Sources. Published literature, government database, and CAD patient cohort. Target Population. Single-vessel CAD patients. Time Horizon. One year and lifetime. Perspective. Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). Intervention. Six strategies composed of percutaneous intervention with a BMS or 1 of 5 DES (paclitaxel, sirolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, and zotarolimus resolute). Outcome Measures. Cost for target vessel revascularization avoided and cost for quality-adjusted life year gained. Base Case Analysis. In the short-term analysis, sirolimus was the most effective and least costly among DES (ICER of I$20,642 per target vessel revascularization avoided), with all others DES dominated by sirolimus. Lifetime cumulative costs ranged from I$18,765 to I$21,400. In the base case analysis, zotarolimus resolute had the most favorable ICER among the DES (ICER I$62,761), with sirolimus, paclitaxel, and zotarolimus being absolute dominated and everolimus extended dominated by zotarolimus resolute, although all the results were above the willingness-to-pay threshold of 3 times the gross domestic product per capita (I$35,307). Sensitivity Analysis. In deterministic sensitivity analysis, results were sensitive to cost of DES, number of stents used per patient, baseline probability, and duration of stent thrombosis risk. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated a probability of 81% for BMS being the strategy of choice, with 9% for everolimus and 9% zotarolimus resolute, at the willingness-to-pay threshold. Conclusion. DES is not a good value for money in SUS perspective, despite its benefit in reducing target vessel revascularization. Since the cost-effectiveness of DES is mainly driven by the stents’ cost difference, they should cost less than twice the BMS price to become a cost-effective alternative.