bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Polyadenylation Maps Reveal Dynamic mRNA 3′-End Formation in the Failing Human Heart
Authors: Creemers Esther E. , Bawazeer Amira , Ugalde Alejandro P. , van Deutekom Hanneke W.M. , van der Made Ingeborg , de Groot Nina E. , Adriaens Michiel E. , Cook Stuart A. , Bezzina Connie R. , Hubner Norbert , van der Velden Jolanda , Elkon Ran , Agami Reuven , Pinto Yigal M.
Published: December 2015

Rationale:

Alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) of mRNA represents a layer of gene regulation that to date has remained unexplored in the heart. This phenomenon may be relevant, as the positioning of the poly(A) tail in mRNAs influences the length of the 3′-untranslated region (UTR), a critical determinant of gene expression.

Objective:

To investigate whether the 3′UTR length is regulated by APA in the human heart and whether this changes in the failing heart.

Methods and Results:

We used 3′end RNA sequencing (e3′-Seq) to directly measure global patterns of APA in healthy and failing human heart specimens. By monitoring polyadenylation profiles in these hearts, we identified disease-specific APA signatures in numerous genes. Interestingly, many of the genes with shortened 3′UTRs in heart failure were enriched for functional groups such as RNA binding, whereas genes with longer 3′UTRs were enriched for cytoskeletal organization and actin binding. RNA sequencing in a larger series of human hearts revealed that these APA candidates are often differentially expressed in failing hearts, with an inverse correlation between 3′UTR length and the level of gene expression. Protein levels of the APA regulator, poly(A)-binding protein nuclear-1 were substantially downregulated in failing hearts.

Conclusions:

We provide genome-wide, high-resolution polyadenylation maps of the human heart and show that the 3′end formation of mRNA is dynamic in heart failure, suggesting that APA-mediated 3′UTR length modulation represents an additional layer of gene regulation in failing hearts.
Global Governance and Investment Treaty Arbitration: The Importance of the Argentine Crisis for Future Disputes
Authors: de Sá Ribeiro Marilda Rosado , Costa Júnior Orlando José Guterres
Published: December 2015

Foreign direct investments are important catalysts for national development and states have sought to attract investment by ratifying investment treaties that offer guarantees to foreign investors and that allow foreign investors to file an arbitration against a host state directly before an international tribunal. However, investment treaty arbitrations do not act only as a mechanism of dispute settlement; they also have a global governance role. They review the legality of state conduct through their adjudicative powers, in reference to those obligations that are narrowly stipulated in investment treaties. On the other hand, states must protect the most basic interests of those under their jurisdiction, even if to do so contradicts the interests of investors, and, in turn, investors have submitted claims against states through international arbitration whenever their interests have been contradicted. In the following article it will be discussed how the regulatory capacity of states has been considered in investment treaty arbitrations, with particular regard to the arbitrations filed against Argentina in the 2000s.
Government Regulation on Trial: Expropriation Claims against Latin American States at icsid
Authors: Pasipanodya Tafadzwa
Published: December 2015

In the 1960s, all Latin American member states of the World Bank rejected a resolution recommending an international agreement that would create a center for arbitration in which private foreign investors could settle their disputes with member states. Nevertheless, the resolution was approved and the icsid Convention was born. Ironically, Latin American states – which later became party to the icsid Convention – have had to defend themselves against more expropriation claims before icsid than any other region. This paper analyzes these expropriation claims with a twofold goal. First, to highlight the cases against Latin American states that have been most influential in defining expropriation. And, second, to draw attention to those cases that have revived apprehension about Latin American states’ consent to be adjudged by icsid tribunals.
Some Morpho-syntactic Challenges in Abkhaz and Georgian
Authors: Hewitt George
Published: December 2015

The article begins by examining a type of question-formation that equates to the English ‘can it really be the case that X?’ and presents an analysis of the same. It then moves on to consider a particular usage by Abkhaz of its reflexive construction to build a structure that translates a dynamic passive in languages that have the kind of clearly differentiated diathetical opposition active: passive, which Abkhaz lacks. Consideration of one specific example leads to speculation about what might have caused the long-standing puzzle of the unmotivated presence of the x-agreement-prefix attested in the oldest manuscripts of Georgian (viz. those from the khanmet’i-era).
Recent Studies on the September Pogrom in Istanbul 1955
Authors: Törne Annika
Published: December 2015

Drawing on theories of nationalism, two recent books by Dilek Güven and Ülkü Ağır engage with the September Pogrom in Istanbul on the 6th and the 7th of September 1955. To explain the pogrom’s emergence from its historical background both studies discuss the role of Young Turkish ideology, ethnic violence in the course of Turkish nation building, and the development of minority politics throughout the Turkish Republic. On the basis of interviews and archival materials, Dilek Güven meticulously reconstructs the course of events, the actors, their motives and the context. Ülkü Ağır analyses the Turkish press discourse in the pogrom’s preparatory phase focusing on the Greek Orthodox community. Critically discussing the two studies, this article scrutinises current conceptualisations of collective violence in research devoted to post-Genocidal Turkey.
Circumcision Indecision in Germany
Authors: Pekárek Hendrik
Published: December 2015

Male ritual circumcision is one of the most frequently conducted surgical procedures in the world, and constitutes an important aspect of the Jewish and Muslim religions. When in May 2012 a German court in Cologne allegedly “banned” the procedure, legal uncertainty in Germany set in and emotions worldwide ran high against the decision. In December 2012, the German parliament enacted a law explicitly granting parents the right to have their sons circumcised. This article revisits the complex and unique criminological, legal-dogmatic, and constitutional debates and processes that shaped both the earlier court decision and the later legislation. It presents the facts of the case, explains the arguments for and against the legality of the procedure that were raised in the legal debate that preceded and accompanied the court ruling, and analyzes the new law that now regulates the matter.
Ordering of the cellular arrangement and xylogenesis in wounded shoots of willow
Authors: Zajączkowska Urszula
Published: December 2015

Development of living organisms is characterized by self-organization, which results in ordered cell and tissue patterns. Xylem formation in callus tissue may serve as a model to study these phenomena. Applying auxin on the apical transverse cut surface of willow shoot segments stimulates the proliferation of callus with an unorganized cell arrangement. In some areas of callus, the cells form an ordered system and partly differentiate into tracheary elements. Below the cut surface a zone of initially unorganized parenchymatous cells is produced by the cambium. Later, some of the cells formed ordered arrangements giving rise to differentiation in xylem rays with a subsequent layer of normal wood. Digital image processing software based on a structure tensor revealed a more coherent orientation of the cellular pattern in the callus region close to the cambial zone in the cut shoot surface, compared with the areas at further distances near the outer parts of the callus ring. Differentiation of tracheary xylem elements occurs mostly in the regions where a higher degree of cellular ordering in parenchyma tissue is observed. Digital image analysis is a useful tool for the quantitative estimation of subtle changes of cellular ordering in various regions of regenerating tissue. Wider application of this tool may open new opportunities in studies of the complex mechanisms that control morphogenetic patterns in plants.
A new sledge microtome to combine wood anatomy and tree-ring ecology
Authors: Gärtner H. , Lucchinetti S. , Schweingruber F.H.
Published: December 2015

Based on the Reichert Om E microtome a more sophisticated, nevertheless solely mechanically operated microtome was developed enabling to section specimens of various forms and sizes. The materials used and the special construction of the microtome resulted in a higher stability of the moving parts whilst simultaneously reducing weight. As a result of the high stability of the sledge guidance, bigger sections can be cut enabling more detailed analyses of anatomical structures within plant stems, roots or branches as well as their variation back in time. Consequently, wood anatomical parameters can be integrated more easily in time-series analyses supporting the aims of a quantitative wood ecology.
Three new species of Macrelmis Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Elmidae: Elminae) from Southeastern Brazil with new definition of species groups to the genus
Authors: PASSOS MARIA INÊS SILVA DOS , MIRANDA GUSTAVO SILVA DE , NESSIMIAN JORGE LUIZ
Published: December 2015

Three new species of Macrelmis Motschulsky, 1859 are described and illustrated based on adult males from Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo states (southeastern Brazil). A new species groups definition is proposed for the genus, with a redefinition of the former six (aristeae sp. group, celsa sp. group, isus sp. group, granigera sp. group, milleri sp. group and striata sp. group) and designation of four new groups (alea new sp. group, amazonica new sp. group, grandis new sp. group and jureceki new sp. group). The male genitalia of M. clypeata is illustrated for the first time and distributional maps for all species of the genus are provided.
Sustained Production of Multidecadal Climate Records: Lessons from the NOAA Climate Data Record Program
Authors: Bates John J. , Privette Jeffrey L. , Kearns Edward J. , Glance Walter , Zhao Xuepeng
Published: December 2015

The key objective of the NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) program is the sustained production of high-quality, multidecadal time series data describing the global atmosphere, oceans, and land surface that can be used for informed decision-making. The challenges of a long-term program of sustaining CDRs, as contrasted with short-term efforts of traditional 3-yr research programs, are substantial. The sustained production of CDRs requires collaboration between experts in the climate community, data management, and software development and maintenance. It is also informed by scientific application and associated user feedback on the accessibility and usability of the produced CDRs. The CDR program has developed a metric for assessing the maturity of CDRs with respect to data management, software, and user application and applied it to over 30 CDRs. The main lesson learned over the past 7 years is that a rigorous team approach to data management, employing subject matter experts at every step, is critical to open and transparent production. This approach also makes it much easier to support the needs of users who want near-real-time production of CDRs for monitoring and users who want to use CDRs for tailored, derived information, such as a drought index.
Comparison of Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) and TRMM Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) Monthly Precipitation Products: Initial Results
Authors: Liu Zhong
Published: December 2015

Launched on 27 February 2014, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission comprises an international constellation of satellites to provide the next generation of global observations of precipitation. Built upon the success of the widely used TRMM Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) products, the Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) products continue to make improvements in areas such as spatial and temporal resolutions and snowfall estimates, etc., which will be valuable for research and applications. During the transition from TMPA to IMERG, characterizing the differences between these two product suites is important in order for users to make adjustments in research and applications accordingly. In this study, the newly released IMERG Final Run monthly product is compared with the TMPA monthly product (3B43) in the boreal summer of 2014 and the boreal winter of 2014/15 on a global scale. The results show the IMERG monthly product can capture major heavy precipitation regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres reasonably well. Differences between IMERG and 3B43 vary with surface types and precipitation rates in both seasons. Over land, systematic differences are much smaller compared to those over ocean because of the similar gauge adjustment used in the two monthly products. Positive relative differences (IMERG > 3B43) are primarily found at low precipitation rates and negative differences (IMERG < 3B43) at high precipitation rates. Over ocean, negative systematic differences (IMERG < 3B43) prevail at all precipitation rates. Analysis of the passive microwave (PMW) and infrared (IR) monthly products from TMPA and IMERG shows the large systematic differences in the tropical oceans are closely associated with the differences in the PMW products.
Climate patriots? Concern over climate change and other environmental issues in Australia
Authors: Tranter Bruce , Lester Libby
Published: December 2015

Echoing the anti-pollution and resource conservation campaigns in the United States in the early-to-mid-twentieth century, some scholars advocate mobilising support for environmental issues by harnessing the notion of environmental patriotism. Taking action to reduce the impact of global warming has also been cast as a patriotic cause. Drawing upon quantitative data from a recent national survey, we examine the link between patriotism and environmental attitudes in Australia, focussing upon climate change. We find that patriotism has a largely neutral association with concern over environmental issues, with the exception of climate change and, to a lesser extent, wildlife preservation. Expressing concern over climate change appears to be unpatriotic for some Australians. Even after controlling for political party identification and other important correlates of environmental issue concerns, patriots are less likely than others to prioritise climate change as their most urgent environmental issue and less likely to believe that climate change is actually occurring.
Endoscopic modalities for the diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus
Authors: Sharma Neel , Srivastava Supriya , Kern Florian , Xian Wa , Ming Teh , McKeon Frank , Ho Khek Yu
Published: December 2015

Barrett’s oesophagus is a pre‐malignant condition associated with the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Currently white light endoscopy and biopsy is the mainstay diagnostic tool. Yet this approach is troubled by issues related to cumbersome biopsy sampling, biopsy sampling errors and cost. Therefore in order to overcome such adversity, there needs to be evolutionary advancement in terms of diagnosis, which should address these concerns and ideally enhance risk stratification in order to provide timely management in real time. This review highlights the current endoscopic tools aimed to enhance the diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus and its subsequent progression.
von Willebrand factor is dimerized by protein disulfide isomerase
Authors: Lippok Svenja , Kolšek Katra , Löf Achim , Eggert Dennis , Vanderlinden Willem , Müller Jochen P. , König Gesa , Obser Tobias , Röhrs Karoline , Schneppenheim Sonja , Budde Ulrich , Baldauf Carsten , Aponte-Santamaría Camilo , Gräter Frauke , Schneppenheim Reinhard , Rädler Joachim O. , Brehm Maria A.
Published: December 2015

Key Points

The protein disulfide isomerase is involved in VWF dimerization by initiating disulfide bond formation at cysteines 2771 and 2773. von Willebrand disease-associated mutations in the dimerization domain of von Willebrand factor disturb processing by the protein disulfide isomerase.
Multiple and Secondary Hormone Secretion in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours
Authors: Crona Joakim , Norlén Olov , Antonodimitrakis Pantelis , Welin Staffan , Stålberg Peter , Eriksson Barbro
Published: December 2015

Context:

As a group, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) secrete many different peptide hormones, yet heretofore each NET patient is typically thought to produce at most one hormone that causes a distinct hormonal syndrome. A minority of patients have multiple hormones at diagnosis and may also develop secondary hormone secretion at a later stage.

Objectives:

The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency and to describe the impact of multiple and secondary hormone secretion in sporadic gasteroenteropancreatic NET patients.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

This was a retrospective analysis of patients (n = 972) with gasteroenteropancreatic NET treated at Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Patients with the secretion of multiple hormones at diagnosis and/or those developing secondary hormone secretion during the disease course were identified and studied in further detail.

Results:

In pancreatic NETs (PNETs), a total of 19 of 323 patients (6%) had secretion of multiple hormones at diagnosis, and 14 of 323 (4%) had secondary changes during the disease course. These phenomena occurred exclusively in patients with an advanced disease stage, and secondary hormones were detected in a close time span with progressive disease. Patients with secondary insulin hypersecretion had increased morbidity as well as reduced survival (P < .002). In contrast, multiple and secondary hormone secretion was rarely seen in NETs of the small intestine with 0 and 1 of 603 cases, respectively.

Conclusion:

Diversity of PNET hormone secretion either at diagnosis or during the disease course occurred in a minority of patients (9.3%). These phenomena had a major impact on patient outcome both through increased morbidity and mortality. Our results support that patients with metastatic PNETs should be monitored for clinical symptoms of secondary hormone secretion during the disease course.
Infection with schistosome parasites in snails leads to increased predation by prawns: implications for human schistosomiasis control
Authors: Swartz Scott J. , De Leo Giulio A. , Wood Chelsea L. , Sokolow Susanne H.
Published: December 2015

Schistosomiasis – a parasitic disease that affects over 200 million people across the globe – is primarily transmitted between human definitive hosts and snail intermediate hosts. To reduce schistosomiasis transmission, some have advocated disrupting the schistosome life cycle through biological control of snails, achieved by boosting the abundance of snails' natural predators. But little is known about the effect of parasitic infection on predator–prey interactions, especially in the case of schistosomiasis. Here, we present the results of laboratory experiments performed on Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria glabrata snails to investigate: (i) rates of predation on schistosome-infected versus uninfected snails by a sympatric native river prawn, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, and (ii) differences in snail behavior (including movement, refuge-seeking and anti-predator behavior) between infected and uninfected snails. In predation trials, prawns showed a preference for consuming snails infected with schistosome larvae. In behavioral trials, infected snails moved less quickly and less often than uninfected snails, and were less likely to avoid predation by exiting the water or hiding under substrate. Although the mechanism by which the parasite alters snail behavior remains unknown, these results provide insight into the effects of parasitic infection on predator–prey dynamics and suggest that boosting natural rates of predation on snails may be a useful strategy for reducing transmission in schistosomiasis hotspots.
Numerical Simulation: Hydro-Morphology of Meghna Estuary
Authors: Uddin Md. Misbah , Alam Jahir Bin , Khan Zahirul Haque , Hasan G. M. Jahid , Alam Rubayat
Published: December 2015

The Meghna Estuary is formed by the combined flows from three great rivers in the south-east Asia; the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna. This estuary experiences dynamic hydro-morphological changes due to very high discharge of water and sediment from these three mighty rivers. Erosion and accretion occur simultaneously at very high rates; such that, the flow and sediment discharge through the estuary are the third highest and the highest, respectively, in the world. On the other hand, the tidal current itself is also strongly affected by the dynamic morphology changes. It is thus essential to understand the hydraulic behavior and interactive features of tides and morphology change in the estuary. With this end in view a two dimensional general model of Bay of Bengal was developed under cyclone shelter preparatory study (csps) undertaken by Bangladesh Government and the model was updated later during other projects. The present article focuses on development of model, its set-up, boundary conditions and few calibration results of this two dimensional hydrodynamic and morphology model. The model applications clearly show the variation of the flow structure; their speed and direction separately for monsoon and dry season around the model area which covers the northern part of Bay of Bengal more specifically the Meghna Estuary.
Special Features of Reactor Coolant Pipe Inspection Exampled by Testing of Weld Specimen
Authors: Титов  , Titov Vyacheslav
Published: December 2015

Introduction. Testing of reactor coolant pipe (RCP) weld joints and matters of testing quality ensuring are considered in the article. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the potential of phased array ultrasonic systems for testing of RCP as well as to show capabilities of portable X-ray fluorescence analyzers for composition express analysis of weld joints.

Method. Real fragments of RCP weld joints Du580 were chosen for the experiment. Phased array ultrasonic flaw detector OmniScan MX was used as a testing instrument; testing data were analyzed and interpreted with TomoView software. Chemical analysis was fulfilled with PMI Master UVR and Olympus DELTA devices.

Results. Fragments of RCP weld joints Du580 have been examined. Chemical analysis results have confirmed that a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer can be used for determining the main alloying elements. Benefits and drawbacks of phased array ultrasonic testing for RCP weld joints have been revealed; recommendations for time corrected gain adjustment and pulse repetition frequency selection have been given; questions of improvement of testing productivity and quality have been considered.

Conclusion. Application of phased array at ultrasonic testing of complex and important objects increases objectivity of the testing results. Using real fragments of reactor coolant pipe as specimens for adjustment makes it possible both to avoid interpretation mistakes and develop detailed testing techniques.
Ultrasonic Testing of Railway Transport Units with Phased Array Flaw Detectors. Part 2
Authors: Сойфер  , Soyfer Yuriy , Макарова  , Makarova Taisiya , Мелешко  , Meleshko Nataliya , Жаринов  , Zharinov Sergey
Published: December 2015

The second part of the article describes possibilities of phased array flaw detectors application for testing of railway transport units, such as solebars of freight cars. The task was to reproduce the standard testing procedures using phased array flaw detectors and demonstrate their advantages in visibility, efficiency, repeatability, results validity. Unfortunately, one of the main advantages of phased array flaw detectors, namely – a possibility to control the focusing depth – is lost while testing of large scale objects.

Sector scanning technique with the phased array flaw detectors OmniScan and Isonic 2010 in the minimum configuration was used for the research. In the all cases acoustical images of the side drilled holes and natural defects in solebars were obtained within the range of selected angles.

Solebar testing has been more complicated because of a form and irregularity of scanning surface, necessity of its cleaning and a complex profile of back surface. Nevertheless the usage of phased array flaw detectors has made it possible to identify the back surface profile.

Application of phased arrays substantially increases testing efficiency and improves visibility of obtained results.
Coercimetric Quality Testing of Steel Parts. Ural School of Coercimetry
Authors: Муриков  , Murikov Sergey , Костин  , Kostin Vladimir , Сташков  , Stashkov Aleksey , Ничипурук  , Nichipuruk Aleksandr , Муриков  , Murikov Egor
Published: December 2015

The article shows the main areas of application coercimetric NDT method. The article presents historical information about the method founders who represents the Ural scientific school of magnetism. The main limitations of the method and practical applications of one-parameter and multiparameter coercimetric techniques are shown. Problems of magnetic quality inspection of quenched and tempered steels with different carbon contents and different degrees of alloying are considered. The possibility of monitoring the quality of steel products surface hardening with the use of external converters is demonstrated. Guidelines for external electromagnet size selection in dependence on a hardened layer thickness are presented. The brief analysis of the impact of current and residual stresses on the coercive force of steel products has been fulfilled. Problems of coercimetric inspection of stresses and steel plastic deformation degree are indicated; these problems are connected with varied behaviour of the coercive force under elastic extension and at high degrees of plastic deformation in the stage of pre-destruction. The originally developed technique for coercimetric quality control of forming rolls is presented. Information about modern coercimeters developed at the Institute of Metal Physics is provided.
The State and Private Capital: Reassuring Prospects of Partnership
Authors: Смирнов  , Smirnov E.
Published: December 2015

Federal Law № 224-FZ decreed on July 13, 2015 by the Parliament of the Russian Federation opened possibilities

for fruitful partnership between the state and private capital.
Method activation end date in the past. direction:re
Authors: Булыга  , Bulyga R.
Published: December 2015

Th e article contains a review of modern concepts of how to compile an organization’s complex public reports. It

focuses on the leading Russian scientifi c school in this area. Th e author provides the review of the recent publications of

the scientists belonging to this school; presents the scheme of such category as business as a triad of capital, transaction

and performance results; off ers a schematic structure of the notion “intellectual capital of business”.
Liability for Bribing Foreign Authorities
Authors: Донцова  , Dontsova Lyudmila , Артёменко  , Artemenko I.
Published: December 2015

Th e article is devoted to one of the most important aspects in fi ght against corruption, namely to questions of

liability of both legal entities and individuals for off enses, and its legislative regulation in the Russian Federation and

abroad.
Procedure of NDT Instruments Qualification Tests. Classification of Ultrasonic Testing Devices
Authors: Окунев  , Okunev Denis , Тульский  , Tulskiy Mikhail , Литвинов  , Litvinov Ivan
Published: December 2015

Introduction. Qualification tests are carried out with the aim to understand real possibilities of NDT instruments to detect defects as well as calculate measurement errors at size measurements.

Method. Previous experience has shown that it is impossible to obtain defects with given parameters only by changing welding conditions. Defects were made mechanically or with electroerosive method. Size measurements were fulfilled with X-Ray tomograph; its measurement accuracy was confirmed by the results of metallographic study.

Results. 18 types of UT instruments have been tested on 5 types of weld grooving. Tests were fulfilled in accordance with DNV-OS-F-101 and DNV-RP-F118 standards. Welds’ unfoldings with indications of detected defects have been presented as well as average values and dispersion of absolute errors of defect parameters measuring. Classifications of UT instruments have been proposed – according to testing hardware implementation and to the methodology of ultrasound application. The results of NDT instruments qualification tests fulfilled in 2014 were used as the basis.

Conclusions. The fulfilled tests have made it possible to determine acceptability of each instrument for pipelines construction and repair.
Research roundup: December 2015
Authors: Brook Judy , Odd Dawn , Brook Judy
Published: December 2015

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles that may be of interest to health visitors is presented. The aim of this roundup is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
The UK child and adolescent vaccination schedule: An update
Authors: Bedford Helen
Published: December 2015

After clean water, immunisation is the most effective public health intervention for the prevention of disease and an important component of the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) ( Department of Health (DH), 2009 ). As leaders of the HCP, health visitors are a trusted and key source of advice for parents on the childhood immunisation programme, but keeping up-to-date can prove challenging in view of frequent changes to the schedule. This article describes the most recent changes, including the introduction of meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines to the schedule and the extension of the influenza vaccine to some older children. The success of the rotavirus programme is described and continuing issues for the maternal pertussis and influenza vaccine programmes discussed. In addition, possible future changes to the human papillomavirus and hepatitis B programmes are outlined.
Welcome to the family
Authors: Oldman Crystal
Published: December 2015

Supporting communities, families and children to attain the best possible health and wellbeing is one of the shared values of the family of nurses who work in the community, says Crystal Oldman.
The Effects of Pupil Control Ideology of Teachers on their Conflict Management Strategies
Authors: Cobanoglu Necati , Kaya Oguz , Angay Abdurrahman
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to determine teachers' perspectives on conflict management strategies and further to determine the effects of pupil control ideologies on their conflict management strategies. 120 primary and secondary school teachers were administered a Likert type questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed through multiple regression analyses and the teachers’ perspectives on conflict management strategies were determined. Moreover, the effects of pupil control ideology of teachers on their conflict management strategies were revealed. The results of this study suggested that teachers preferred integration reconciliation strategy in conflict resolution the most, and domination strategy the least. It was observed that, among the conflict management strategies, teachers’ pupil control ideologies predicted domination strategy positively and integration-reconciliation negatively. Certain suggestions were made based on the findings of the study.
Impact of a dedicated emergency surgical unit on early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis
Authors: Bokhari S , Walsh U , Qurashi K , Liasis L , Watfah J , Sen M , Gould S
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Emergency general surgery (EGS) accounts for 50% of the surgical workload, and yet outcomes are variable and poorly recorded. The management of acute cholecystitis (AC) at a dedicated emergency surgical unit (ESU) was assessed as a performance target for EGS.

Methods

The outcomes for AC admissions were compared one year before and after inception of the ESU. The impact on cost and compliance with national guidance recommending early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) within seven days of diagnosis was assessed.

Results

The overall ELC rate increased from 26% for the 126 patients admitted in the pre-ESU period to 45% for the 152 patients admitted in the post-ESU period (p=0.001). With those unsuitable for ELC excluded, the ELC rate increased from 34% to 82% (p<0.001). The proportion of patients precluded from ELC for avoidable reasons, particularly owing to ‘surgeon preference/skill’, was reduced from 69% to 18% (p<0.001). The mean total length of stay (LOS) and postoperative LOS fell by 1.7 days (from 8.3 to 6.6 days, p=0.040) and 2 days (from 5.6 to 3.6 days, p=0.020) respectively. The higher ELC rate and the reduction in LOS produced additional tariff income (£111,930) and estimated savings in bed day (£90,440) and readmission (£27,252) costs.

Conclusions

A dedicated ESU incorporating national recommendations for EGS improves alignment of best practice with best evidence and can also result in financial rewards for a busy district general hospital.
K. Lasslett,
State Crime on the Margins of Empire
Authors: Michalowski Raymond
Published: December 2015

None
S. Beyerle,
Curtailing Corruption: People Power for Accountability and Justice
Authors: Kasm Saeb
Published: December 2015

None
D. Rothe and D. Kauzlarich (EDS),
Towards a Victimology of State Crime
Authors: Walklate Sandra
Published: December 2015

None
L. Weber, E. Fishwick and M. Marmo,
Crime, Justice and Human Rights
Authors: Scott David
Published: December 2015

None
Holding down half the sky: female knowledge workers and flexible employment in China's publishing conglomerates
Authors: Jin Cao  , Graham Murdock
Published: December 2015

Drawing on surveys and in-depth interviews with educated women working in the contemporary Chinese publishing industry, this article details the deterioration in their living and working conditions produced by the combination of conglomeration within the industry and the erosion of the state-supported welfare system. It pays particular attention to the role of flexible employment practices and revised organisational hierarchies in reshaping their work to fit the contemporary market for cultural production. These innovations, it is argued, have created more precarious working conditions, devalued their labour and left them less protected and more exploited.
Rethinking gender and waste: exploratory findings from participatory action research in Brazil
Authors: Sonia Maria Dias  , Ana Carolina Ogando
Published: December 2015

This article focuses on how women waste pickers identify and deal with hierarchical gender relations. Based on findings from an exploratory participatory research action project with women waste pickers in Minas Gerais, Brazil, it reflects on the different forms of oppression experienced by women waste pickers at home, in the workplace and in their national movement. The article seeks to highlight how shared reflections on particular experiences of oppression not only help build awareness of women's multiple and intersectional identities but also foster paths towards individual and collective empowerment.
Intersectionality theory and governmentality: bringing together what belongs together?
Authors: Christiane Bomert
Published: December 2015

The current care crisis and the increasing outsourcing of care work in the context of neoliberal reorganisation are major issues currently being addressed within feminist science. On the basis of these gendered characteristics of the new global division of labour, this theoretical article aims to bring two heavily discussed approaches in this field together: intersectional theory and the Foucauldian concept of governmentality. The article suggests that there are three different theoretical or methodological ways that these complex approaches might be combined. Discussing the mutual benefit, it then goes on to deal critically with the concept of intersectionality as a current dominant and widespread feminist theory, which tries to capture social complexity.
Gæslumaður Alþingis: Breytt valdastaða forseta Íslands
Authors: Thorarensen Björg , Óskarsdóttir Stefanía
Published: December 2015

Greinin fjallar um stjórnskipulega stöðu forseta Íslands við lýðveldisstofnun árið 1944 og þróun hennar í forsetatíð Ólafs Ragnars Grímssonar. Rannsóknin leiðir í ljós að nánast engin breyting varð á stjórnskipulegri stöðu þjóðhöfðingjans á sviði framkvæmdar- og löggjafarvalds. Þess vegna er þeirri kenningu hafnað að við stofnun lýðveldisins hafi orðið til tvíveldi forseta Íslands og Alþingis og gert hafi verið ráð fyrir valdamiklu forsetaembætti í anda forsetaþingræðis. En þrátt fyrir að orðalagi stjórnarskrárinnar um forsetaembættið hafi ekki verið breytt frá 1944 hefur pólitískt vægi forsetans aukist hin síðari ár. Eins og sýnt er fram á í greininni skýrist það m.a. af túlkun Ólafs Ragnars Grímssonar á stjórnskipulegu hlutverki forsetans og breyttum viðhorfum meðal kjósenda um lýðræði og hlutverk forseta. Forseti Íslands er því orðinn nokkurs konar gæslumaður Alþingis (þingmeirihlutans) þvert á það sem var ákveðið árið 1944. Það er mat höfunda að á meðan engar breytingar eru gerðar á stjórnarskránni til að skilgreina betur hlutverk og stöðu forseta geti valdahlutföll þings, ríkisstjórnar og forseta þróast enn frekar í átt til aukins forsetavalds.
Iceland’s External Affairs from the Napoleonic Era to the occupation of Denmark: Danish and British Shelter
Authors: Thorhallsson Baldur , Joensen Tómas
Published: December 2015

This paper argues that Iceland enjoyed essential shelter, for its development and prosperity, provided by Denmark and Britain. Societal relations with Copenhagen were of fundamental importance in the preservation and evolution of Icelandic identity and culture, providing the foundation of the modern society and leading to the establishment of the Icelandic state. Danish financial backups created the basis for the island’s economic prosperity in the 20th century. Moreover, Denmark provided partial political shelter in terms of significant diplomatic support in guaranteeing trade agreements with other states. Also, Denmark led by example and Iceland followed its foreign policy. On the other hand, Denmark failed to provide Iceland with protection of its land and waters and economic cover when it was in most need. Moreover, the economic cover it did provide was, at times, highly costly. Denmark had been downgraded to a small European power in the post-Napoleonic period. In practice, Britain was in control over the North Atlantic. It guaranteed Iceland’s neutrality and connection to the outside world and markets when the Danish authorities failed in these areas, as long as British interests were also served. Nor did British protection come without cost. Accordingly, this paper confirms the common claim of small-state studies that small states are at the mercy of their larger neighbours. Moreover, our findings indicate that Iceland’s growing autonomy did not affect its need for political, economic and societal cover.
Gender Bias in the Media: The Case of Iceland
Authors: Jóhannsdóttir Valgerður , Einarsdóttir Þorgerður
Published: December 2015

The news media are the most influential sources of information, ideas and opinion for most people around the world. Who appears in the news and who is left out, what is covered and what is not and how people and events are portrayed matter. Research has consistently shown that women are underrepresented in the news and that gender stereotypes are reinforced in and through the media. The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action recognised the relationship between women and media as a major area of concern in achieving gender equality in contemporary societies. This article presents Nordic findings from the 2015 Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), which is the largest and longest-running study on gender in the world’s media. The findings show that women account for only 1 in 5 of the people interviewed or reported on by Icelandic news media and that women’s overall presence in the news has declined compared to the last GMMP study in 2010. The proportion of women as news subjects is also considerably lower than in other Nordic countries. We argue that the number of women who are journalists, managers in the media industry and decision makers in society has increased, but this shift has not automatically changed the representation of women in the news, either in numbers or in their portrayal. This discrepancy indicates that the relationship between gender and the news media is complicated and needs to be approached from different perspectives.
Die Gewalt des kollektiven Besserwissens
Authors: Sommer Ilka
Published: December 2015

Klassifizierendes Bewerten ist ein soziales Phänomen, das so alt ist wie die Menschheit selbst. Wie bewertet der deutsche Staat, ob weltweit erworbene ausländische Bildungsabschlüsse als »gleichwertig« anerkannt werden oder nicht? Ilka Sommers Studie zeigt anknüpfend an Pierre Bourdieus Theorie symbolischer Gewalt: Anerkennung ist weder eine objektive Information noch eine subjektive Entscheidung. Erstmals wird die administrative Praxis der »Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung«, die jüngst durch »Anerkennungsgesetze« ausgeweitet wurde, methodologisch reflektiert untersucht. Die impliziten Konstruktionsmechanismen werden empirisch fundiert sichtbar gemacht: Bewertende und Bewertete eint und entzweit die Gewalt des kollektiven Besserwissens.
Perceptual Integration Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorders Are Associated with Reduced Interhemispheric Gamma-Band Coherence
Authors: Peiker Ina , David Nicole , Schneider Till R. , Nolte Guido , Schöttle Daniel , Engel Andreas K.
Published: December 2015

The integration of visual details into a holistic percept is essential for object recognition. This integration has been reported as a key deficit in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The weak central coherence account posits an altered disposition to integrate features into a coherent whole in ASD. Here, we test the hypothesis that such weak perceptual coherence may be reflected in weak neural coherence across different cortical sites. We recorded magnetoencephalography from 20 adult human participants with ASD and 20 matched controls, who performed a slit-viewing paradigm, in which objects gradually passed behind a vertical or horizontal slit so that only fragments of the object were visible at any given moment. Object recognition thus required perceptual integration over time and, in case of the horizontal slit, also across visual hemifields. ASD participants were selectively impaired in the horizontal slit condition, indicating specific difficulties in long-range synchronization between the hemispheres. Specifically, the ASD group failed to show condition-related enhancement of imaginary coherence between the posterior superior temporal sulci in both hemispheres during horizontal slit-viewing in contrast to controls. Moreover, local synchronization reflected in occipitocerebellar beta-band power was selectively reduced for horizontal compared with vertical slit-viewing in ASD. Furthermore, we found disturbed connectivity between right posterior superior temporal sulcus and left cerebellum. Together, our results suggest that perceptual integration deficits co-occur with specific patterns of abnormal global and local synchronization in ASD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe weak central coherence account proposes a tendency of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) to focus on details at the cost of an integrated coherent whole. Here, we provide evidence, at the behavioral and the neural level, that visual integration in object recognition is impaired in ASD, when details had to be integrated across both visual hemifields. We found enhanced interhemispheric gamma-band coherence in typically developed participants when communication between cortical hemispheres was required by the task. Importantly, participants with ASD failed to show this enhanced coherence between bilateral posterior superior temporal sulci. The findings suggest that visual integration is disturbed at the local and global synchronization scale, which might bear implications for object recognition in ASD.
Bidirectional Signaling of Neuregulin-2 Mediates Formation of GABAergic Synapses and Maturation of Glutamatergic Synapses in Newborn Granule Cells of Postnatal Hippocampus
Authors: Lee Kyu-Hee , Lee Hyunsu , Yang Che Ho , Ko Jeong-Soon , Park Chang-Hwan , Woo Ran-Sook , Kim Joo Yeon , Sun Woong , Kim Joung-Hun , Ho Won-Kyung , Lee Suk-Ho
Published: December 2015

Expression of neuregulin-2 (NRG2) is intense in a few regions of the adult brain where neurogenesis persists; however, little is understood about its role in developments of newborn neurons. To study the role of NRG2 in synaptogenesis at different developmental stages, newborn granule cells in rat hippocampal slice cultures were labeled with retrovirus encoding tetracycline-inducible microRNA targeting NRG2 and treated with doxycycline (Dox) at the fourth or seventh postinfection day (dpi). The developmental increase of GABAergic postsynaptic currents (GPSCs) was suppressed by the early Dox treatment (4 dpi), but not by late treatment (7 dpi). The late Dox treatment was used to study the effect of NRG2 depletion specific to excitatory synaptogenesis. The Dox effect on EPSCs emerged 4 d after the impairment in dendritic outgrowth became evident (10 dpi). Notably, Dox treatment abolished the developmental increases of AMPA-receptor mediated EPSCs and the AMPA/NMDA ratio, indicating impaired maturation of glutamatergic synapses. In contrast to GPSCs, Dox effects on EPSCs and dendritic growth were independent of ErbB4 and rescued by concurrent overexpression of NRG2 intracellular domain. These results suggest that forward signaling of NRG2 mediates GABAergic synaptogenesis and its reverse signaling contributes to dendritic outgrowth and maturation of glutamatergic synapses.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe hippocampal dentate gyrus is one of special brain regions where neurogenesis persists throughout adulthood. Synaptogenesis is a critical step for newborn neurons to be integrated into preexisting neural network. Because neuregulin-2 (NRG2), a growth factor, is intensely expressed in these regions, we investigated whether it plays a role in synaptogenesis and dendritic growth. We found that NRG2 has dual roles in the development of newborn neurons. For GABAergic synaptogenesis, the extracellular domain of NRG2 acts as a ligand for a receptor on GABAergic neurons. In contrast, its intracellular domain was essential for dendritic outgrowth and glutamatergic synapse maturation. These results imply that NRG2 may play a critical role in network integration of newborn neurons.