bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintaining balance against force perturbations: impaired mechanisms unresponsive to levodopa in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Di Giulio Irene , St George Rebecca J. , Kalliolia Eirini , Peters Amy L. , Limousin Patricia , Day Brian L.
Published: April 2016

There is evidence that postural instability associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) is not adequately improved by levodopa, implying involvement of nondopaminergic pathways. However, the mechanisms contributing to postural instability have yet to be fully identified and tested for their levodopa responsiveness. In this report we investigate balance processes that resist external forces to the body when standing. These include in-place responses and the transition to protective stepping. Forward and backward shoulder pulls were delivered using two force-feedback-controlled motors and were randomized for direction, magnitude, and onset. Sixteen patients with PD were tested OFF and ON levodopa, and 16 healthy controls were tested twice. Response behavior was quantified from 3-dimensional ground reaction forces and kinematic measurements of body segments and total body center-of-mass (CoM) motion. In-place responses resisting the pull were significantly smaller in PD as reflected in reduced horizontal anteroposterior ground reaction force and increased CoM displacement. Ankle, knee, and hip moments contributing to this resistance were smaller in PD, with the knee extensor moment to backward pulls being the most affected. The threshold force needed to evoke a step was also smaller for PD in the forward direction. Protective steps evoked by suprathreshold pulls showed deficits in PD in the backward direction, with steps being shorter and more steps being required to arrest the body. Levodopa administration had no significant effect on either in-place or protective stepping deficits. We conclude that processes employed to maintain balance in the face of external forces show impairment in PD consistent with disruption to nondopaminergic systems.
A motor planning stage represents the shape of upcoming movement trajectories
Authors: Wong Aaron L. , Goldsmith Jeff , Krakauer John W.
Published: April 2016

Interactions with our environment require curved movements that depend not only on the final position of the hand but also on the path used to achieve it. Current studies in motor control, however, largely focus on point-to-point movements and do not consider how movements with specific desired trajectories might arise. In this study, we examined intentionally curved reaching movements that navigate paths around obstacles. We found that the preparation of these movements incurred a large reaction-time cost. This cost could not be attributed to nonmotor task requirements (e.g., stimulus perception) and was independent of the execution difficulty (i.e., extent of curvature) of the movement. Additionally, this trajectory representation cost was not observed for point-to-point reaches but could be optionally included if the task encouraged consideration of straight trajectories. Therefore, when the path of a movement is task relevant, the shape of the desired trajectory is overtly represented as a stage of motor planning. This trajectory representation ability may help explain the vast repertoire of human motor behaviors.
TAS-102 for Treatment of Advanced Colorectal Cancers That Are No Longer Responding to Other Therapies
Authors: van der Velden Daphne L. , Opdam Frans L. , Voest Emile E.
Published: April 2016

TAS-102 is a novel oral formulation of trifluridine (TFT) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI), a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor. TFT was originally synthesized in the 1960s and is a nucleoside analogue that impedes DNA synthesis by inhibition of thymidylate synthase. TFT's main mechanism of action, however, seems to be its incorporation into DNA, which distinguishes TFT from current well-known antimetabolites like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The rapid degradation of TFT brought initial clinical development to a halt, but TFT reentered clinical trials when addition of a TPI was found to improve the bioavailability of TFT. The combined TFT-TPI formulation was tested in patients with treatment-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer in the randomized phase III RECOURSE study. Compared with placebo, TAS-102 was associated with an overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) benefit and a 32% reduction in risk of death [median OS, 7.1 (95% CI, 6.5–7.8) vs. 5.3 months (95% CI, 4.6–6.0); median PFS, 2.0 (95% CI, 1.9–2.1) vs. 1.7 months (95% CI, 1.7–1.8); HR for death, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.58–0.81, P < 0.001)]. Based on the results of this pivotal trial and supported by results from an earlier phase II study, TAS-102 recently gained FDA approval. This article reviews the development of TAS-102 and its therapeutic value for the proposed indication. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 2835–9. ©2016 AACR.
Association between Transfusion Status and Overall Survival in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Harnan Sue , Ren Shiji , Gomersall Tim , Everson-Hock Emma S. , Sutton Anthea , Dhanasiri Sujith , Kulasekararaj Austin
Published: April 2016

Introduction: Multiple studies show that transfusion independence (TI) in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) has a positive impact on overall survival (OS). To assess this, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between TI and OS in patients with MDS was conducted (PROSPERO ID: CRD42014007264). Methods: Comprehensive searches of 5 key bibliographic databases were conducted and supplemented with additional search techniques. Included were studies that had recruited adults aged >18 years with MDS and had examined the impact of transfusion status on OS. Results: Fifty-five studies (89 citations) were included. The vast majority reported a statistically significant hazard ratio (HR) for OS in favor of TI patients or in patients who acquired TI after treatment. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted. Patients classed as TI at baseline showed a 59% decrease in the risk of death compared with transfusion-dependent (TD) patients [HR 0.41; 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.29-0.56], and this effect did not appear to interact significantly with illness severity (interaction coefficient HR 1.38; 95% CrI 0.62-3.41). A meta-analysis of studies where patients acquired TI was not possible, but those studies consistently reported a survival benefit for those who acquired TI. Conclusion: The findings revealed a 59% pooled reduction in mortality among TI patients when compared with TD patients.
Subretinal Fluid Drainage and Vitrectomy Are Helpful in Diagnosing and Treating Eyes with Advanced Coats' Disease
Authors: Imaizumi Ayako , Kusaka Shunji , Takaesu Sugie , Sawaguchi Shoichi , Shimomura Yoshikazu
Published: April 2016

Severe forms of Coats’ disease are often associated with total retinal detachment, and a differential diagnosis from retinoblastoma is critically important. In such eyes, laser- and/or cryoablation is often ineffective or sometimes impossible to perform. We report a case of advanced Coats’ disease in which a rapid pathological examination of subretinal fluid was effective for the diagnosis, and external subretinal drainage combined with vitrectomy was effective in preserving the eye.
Educação e diversidade cultural: o impacto da cultura popular no espaço escolar
Authors: Souza Andréa C. Batista de
Published: April 2016

Este artigo faz uma análise da escola brasileira e da legislação abordando as políticas educacionais que buscam assegurar práticas educativas que incorporam as manifestações da cultura popular brasileira. Pretende promover uma reflexão sobre a oficialização da temática diversidade cultural frente à escola, relacionando o papel da cultura na escola de hoje e a formação de professores, agentes na mudança das práticas escolares. O referencial adotado inspira-se em idéias de Gramsci, Paulo Freire, Moacir Gadotti, Edgar Morin, Ana Mae Barbosa entre outros, percorrendo o caminho histórico da cultura popular na escola brasileira.
A cultura do consumo e a erotização na infância
Authors: Santos Ivone Maria dos
Published: April 2016

Este artigo trata da importância da formação e desenvolvimento intelectual da criança relacionados ao papel da publicidade neste processo. Em tempos em que a atual indústria mercadológica dedica uma importância cada vez maior ao público infantil, é comum perceber que este público é um dos mercados mais visados nesta sociedade de consumo desenfreado. Os meios de comunicação muitas vezes usam das deficiências de julgamento e da ingenuidade das crianças em busca de lucros; inserindo-as de maneira precoce ao mundo adulto, deixando de lado questões que podem prejudicar o seu desenvolvimento como futuros cidadãos.
Mulheres nas comunidades de samba tradicional: Liderança e luta ressignificadas
Authors: Gottardi Christiane
Published: April 2016

Este artigo discute a atuação da comunidade Samba D’Elas – Herança de Ciata no movimento de retorno ao samba tradicional no contexto da sociedade em rede, cultura do feminino e negro-brasileira.
O Palco da Praça: As transformações na praça Franklin Roosevelt pelas mãos do teatro
Authors: Cardoso Celina
Published: April 2016

Este trabalho discute as transformações ocorridas na praça Franklin Roosevelt, localizada no centro de São Paulo, a partir da instalação de teatros em seu entorno, bem como a ressignificação deste espaço público pela população da cidade.
Sobre a Publicidade Infantil: Discursos em destaque no Cenário Nacional
Authors: Guedes Brenda
Published: April 2016

Este artigo deriva de uma ampla reflexão pautada na articulação que se estabelece entre três termos: infância, cultura do consumo e publicidade infantil. Contudo, a maior parte dos argumentos ponderados nas páginas a seguir concentra-se em evidenciar as facetas que a noção sobre a publicidade de produtos infantis vem assumindo no Brasil, a partir dos discursos do Instituto Alana; da campanha Somos Todos Responsáveis (STR); e do Movimento Infância Livre de Consumismo (MILC). Os pronunciamentos destes três grupos são analisados a partir de informações postadas em seus sites oficiais, e conectados com base em perspectivas bakhtinianas como o enunciado concreto, a compreensão responsiva ativa e a dupla face das palavras.
Jovens e a construção de identidade na fronteira por meio do audiovisual
Authors: Mombelli Neli Fabiane , Borba Marcos Severino de
Published: April 2016

O projeto Diz Aí Fronteiras desenvolveu oficinas de produção audiovisual e de cidadania nas divisas entre Brasil, Argentina e Uruguai para cerca de 140 jovens no início de 2014. O objetivo deste texto é analisar o papel do processo de formação audiovisual dos alunos do projeto. Para isso, trabalhamos com a metodologia da pesquisa-ação. Os resultados trazem o audiovisual como importante ferramenta que permite aos jovens a integração e a reflexão sobre quem eles são em uma região de fronteiras.
Comunicação e cultura: desafios e possibilidades
Authors: Cultura e Comunicacao Centro de Estudos Latino-Americanos sobre
Published: April 2016

Comunicação e cultura: desafios e possibilidades
Autoconceito: a construção de um novo ethos para o consumidor de baixa renda
Authors: Bacha Maria De Lourdes
Published: April 2016

O objetivo do presente artigo é analisar constructo autoconceito em relação ao consumidor da baixa renda de São Paulo Capital. Após breve referencial teórico sobre o constructo autoconceito, são apresentados os resultados de pesquisa descritiva do tipo survey, com uma amostra não probabilística, constituída por 420 indivíduos pertencentes às classes C e D, selecionados conforme o critério Brasil. Este trabalho oferece alguns insights não somente com relação às avaliações positivas ou negativas do autoconceito, mas também a julgamentos mais complexos, que poderiam ser considerados como sugestões para novas pesquisas.
Acute effect of aerobic exercise in different intensities in mucociliary clearance of patients with COPD
Authors: Leite Marceli R. , Ramos Ercy Mara C. , Freire Ana Paula C. F. , Silva Bruna S. de Alencar , Nicolino Juliana , Toledo Alessandra C. de , Vanderle Luiz Carlos M. , Ramos Dionei
Published: April 2016

Design of the Study: Clinical Trial. Objective (s): To analyze the acute effect of aerobic exercise at different intensities in mucociliary clearance in patients with COPD, and to investigate possible associations of the autonomic nervous system in this response. Methods: 22 COPD patients underwent an initial evaluation for collecting personal data and spirometry to assess lung function. It was performed a progressive treadmill test for aerobic exercise prescription. Finally two randomized sessions of aerobic exercise with intensity of 60 % and 90 % of peak speed reached during the incremental test ( vVO2peack ) were performed with at least 24 hours of rest between them. The mucociliary clerance was assessed before and after the exercise sessions by testing the saccharin transit time (STT). Assessment of autonomic modulation was performed by heart rate variability (HRV) which continued throughout the protocol. Results: The values obtained in the STT test after aerobic exercise at 60 % of vVO2peack (9,08 minutes ± 4,96 ) was lower when compared to the STT before exercise ( 11,96 ± 6,31, p = 0,005 ) . That response also occurred after aerobic exercise at 90% of vVO2peack ( 8,90 ± 4,21 min ) compared to baseline ( 12,94 ± 7,22 , p = 0,023 ). Correlation analysis between the final values of STT test and HRV indexes did not show significant differences. Conclusions: Patients with COPD showed acceleration of mucociliary clerance right after a session of aerobic exercise. It was not possible to observe the association of autonomic modulation in this response
Health indicators among elderly active and insufficiently active residents in rural areas
Authors: Pinto Lélia L. T. , Leal Neto João S. , Rocha Saulo V. , Vasconcelos Lélia R. C. , Santos Mateus C. , Silva Diego A. S.
Published: April 2016

Study design: cross-sectional study. Study objective: To examine the association between health indicators in active and insufficiently active older adults. Methodology: The study included individuals 60 years or older residing in rural Jequie - BA who were registered in the Family Health Strategy program in the district Itajurú. Sociodemographic data, behavioral characteristics, health status, history of falls, cognitive status and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed. For data analysis, we used the procedures of descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, “t” test for independent samples and the Mann-Whitney test (significance level p ≤0.05). Results: Ninety-five individuals were interviewed, including 55 women and 40 men between the ages of 60 and 96 years (73.5 ± 9.4).The prevalence of physical inactivity was 40%, being higher among the elderly who live alone reported that patients with cognitive impairment, who could not read and write with a history of falls in the last year. The older people with lower BMI were more active compared to their peers. Conclusion: The elderly who not reached the recommended adequate levels of physical activity had health conditions more unfavorable. We recommend the implementation of public policies to promote physical activity in order to improve health conditions, especially the elderly residents of rural areas
Autonomic cardiac and cardiorespiratory responses in volleyball athletes compared to recreationally trained individuals
Authors: Maior Alex Souto , Menezes Pedro , Fleck Steven , Bunker Travis , Rhea Matthew , Leite Richard Diego , Simão Roberto
Published: April 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the autonomic cardiac modulation between professional volleyball players (VP) and recreational aerobically trained individuals (RAT). Methods: Twentyeight men were divided into two groups, (VP; n = 14) and (RAT; n = 14) and each group was subjected to a sub-maximal progressive ramp treadmill test. Cardiac cycle beat to beat (RR) intervals, was obtained through electrocardiogram recording with the test being stopped when the individual reached 85% of their maximum age-predicted heart rate (HR). The heart rate variables were calculated from ECG using MATLABbased algorithms. Results: At rest, RAT showed lower values of the mean value of RR interval, the root mean square successive difference of all RR intervals (r-MSSD), low frequency (LF) and total power spectral (TP) when compared to VP. No significant difference between groups was noted for high frequency (HF) and index LF/HF. After exercise, no significant differences were measured between groups. Mean values of VO2, VE/VO2, and VE showed no significant difference at rest and post effort. Conclusion: The variables such as frequency, intensity and volume may to interfere the autonomic cardiac modulation and possibly indicating a superior protection against exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and lower risk of sudden cardiac deaths
Informed consent: analysis of the level of knowledge of medical professionals from Maranhão
Authors: Murad Neto Abdon José , Ferreira Evaldo César Macau Furtado , Cutrim Patrícia Travassos , Ribeiro Carlos Henrique Bento , Oliveira Andrieli Barros , Pestana Ricardo Henrique Oliveira , Pires Cibelle Dutra , Brito Luciane Maria Oliveira
Published: April 2016

Design of the Study: Analytical cross-sectional observational study. Introduction: The Informed Consent (IC) is expressed by respect for human dignity requires that all research occurs after informed consent of the subjects, individuals or groups, by themselves and/or their legal representatives express their agreement to participate in the research. However, despite its extreme importance, it is observed that its use is not common in ordinary practice of medicine in our country, because the knowledge about this instrument is still incomplete of many doctors, that consists of a fundamental right of the patient and a ethical requirement for medicine. Objective: Investigate the level of knowledge about the Informed Consent by medical professionals active in Maranhão. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional analytical study with physicians in activity in the period from December 2012 to October 2013. A questionnaire consists of 18 questions about The Informed Consent was sent to 368 doctors who had registered email at the Regional Council of Medicine. Results: 170 (46,2%) questionnaires were answered. The level of knowledge about the IC was rated as average to 83,5% of physicians. Most of participants were specialists (85,7%) and 96,4% correctly recognized that the IC is a right of the patient. When asked about the main function of Informed Consent, 65,9% chose the wrong statement. It was noticed that all interviewees did not know how to proceed when delivering the IC to the patient. Conclusions: The doctors evaluated had a deficient knowledge of the IC, even being rated as average, had flaws in its use and in some main aspects of this term, as its main function and the ability to consent
As concepções de “território” na pesquisa histórica: o sertão paulista
Authors: Santos Amália Cristovão dos
Published: April 2016

Sendo o território a transforma­ção do espaço segundo uma lógica específica – oficial, econômica, militar ou outra –, são várias as possibilidades de apreensão desse processo, criando diferentes significados. No presente artigo, apontamos quatro deles: a de­marcação oficial de fronteiras; a representação institucional no espaço; os caminhos que unem e questionam os limites definidos; e a ideia de rede urbana. Para cada um, apontamos pes­quisadores e as conceituações que constroem na esfera de seus trabalhos. Essa análise faz parte das reflexões que ensejamos em nos­sa pesquisa de doutorado em andamento, na qual examinamos as dinâmicas internas da colônia e a forma como formavam e confor­mavam o
Sérgio Milliet: Críticas a Anita Malfatti
Authors: Cardoso Renata Gomes
Published: April 2016

A pintura de Anita Malfatti foi co­mentada por diversos escritores, destacando-se entre eles Mário de Andrade, amigo que sempre a defendeu no âmbito do modernismo no Bra­sil, em críticas publicadas ou em cartas. Além de Mário de Andrade e de Oswald de Andrade, outro escritor que avaliou a produção da artis­ta foi Sérgio Milliet, figura muito significativa naquele contexto, tanto por ter contribuído com artigos para diversos jornais e revistas, quanto por ter viabilizado o contato dos artis­tas e escritores brasileiros com personalidades relevantes do ambiente cultural francês. Este artigo apresenta e discute a recepção crítica de Sérgio Milliet aos trabalhos de Anita Malfatti, através de comentários publicados em artigos e livros ou proferidos em cartas. O objetivo da discussão é verificar como as transformações na pintura da artista foram interpretadas pelo autor na década de 1920 e consecutivamente, quando houve uma preocupação maior em escrever uma história do modernismo no Brasil.
O sertão e a geografia
Authors: Rêgo André Heráclio do
Published: April 2016

Os sertões foram conquistados e ocupados aos poucos, com base em um conheci­mento dividido entre mito e realidade. Criou-se assim uma “geografia imaginária” sobre os ser­tões dos dois lados do Atlântico, que começou a ser superada com mais vigor no século XVIII. Até então, o interior do continente constituía um extenso vazio cartográfico que, a partir daí, começou a ser preenchido. Esse preenchi­mento somente foi possível, a exemplo do que ocorreu com a própria expansão pelos sertões, por uma estreita interpendência entre as ações da Coroa e as dos particulares.
Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Endothelial Cell Activation
Authors: Li Xinyuan , Fang Pu , Li Yafeng , Kuo Yin-Ming , Andrews Andrew J. , Nanayakkara Gayani , Johnson Candice , Fu Hangfei , Shan Huimin , Du Fuyong , Hoffman Nicholas E. , Yu Daohai , Eguchi Satoru , Madesh Muniswamy , Koch Walter J. , Sun Jianxin , Jiang Xiaohua , Wang Hong , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: April 2016

Objective—

Hyperlipidemia-induced endothelial cell (EC) activation is considered as an initial event responsible for monocyte recruitment in atherogenesis. However, it remains poorly defined what is the mechanism underlying hyperlipidemia-induced EC activation. Here, we tested a novel hypothesis that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) serve as signaling mediators for EC activation in early atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

Metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses revealed that several lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) species, such as 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1, and their processing enzymes, including Pla2g7 and Pla2g4c, were significantly induced in the aortas of apolipoprotein E knockout mice during early atherosclerosis. Using electron spin resonance and flow cytometry, we found that LPC 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1 induced mtROS in primary human aortic ECs, independently of the activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase. Mechanistically, using confocal microscopy and Seahorse XF mitochondrial analyzer, we showed that LPC induced mtROS via unique calcium entry–mediated increase of proton leak and mitochondrial O
2
reduction. In addition, we found that mtROS contributed to LPC-induced EC activation by regulating nuclear binding of activator protein-1 and inducing intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene expression in vitro. Furthermore, we showed that mtROS inhibitor MitoTEMPO suppressed EC activation and aortic monocyte recruitment in apolipoprotein E knockout mice using intravital microscopy and flow cytometry methods.

Conclusions—

ATP synthesis–uncoupled, but proton leak-coupled, mtROS increase mediates LPC-induced EC activation during early atherosclerosis. These results indicate that mitochondrial antioxidants are promising therapies for vascular inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.
Mitochondrial Function, Biology, and Role in Disease
Authors: Murphy Elizabeth , Ardehali Hossein , Balaban Robert S. , DiLisa Fabio , Dorn Gerald W. , Kitsis Richard N. , Otsu Kinya , Ping Peipei , Rizzuto Rosario , Sack Michael N. , Wallace Douglas , Youle Richard J.
Published: April 2016

Cardiovascular disease is a major leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and elsewhere. Alterations in mitochondrial function are increasingly being recognized as a contributing factor in myocardial infarction and in patients presenting with cardiomyopathy. Recent understanding of the complex interaction of the mitochondria in regulating metabolism and cell death can provide novel insight and therapeutic targets. The purpose of this statement is to better define the potential role of mitochondria in the genesis of cardiovascular disease such as ischemia and heart failure. To accomplish this, we will define the key mitochondrial processes that play a role in cardiovascular disease that are potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions. This is an exciting time in mitochondrial research. The past decade has provided novel insight into the role of mitochondria function and their importance in complex diseases. This statement will define the key roles that mitochondria play in cardiovascular physiology and disease and provide insight into how mitochondrial defects can contribute to cardiovascular disease; it will also discuss potential biomarkers of mitochondrial disease and suggest potential novel therapeutic approaches.
After Toronto
Authors: McClymond Michael
Published: April 2016

This essay explores the unity and diversity of global charismatic ministries emerging from the 1990s Toronto Blessing revival, including John and Carol Arnott’s Catch the Fire Ministries (Toronto, Canada), Randy Clark’s Global Awakening (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA), and Heidi and Rolland Baker’s Iris Ministries (Pemba, Mozambique). Such practices as bodily healing, verbal evangelism, care for the poor, Bible teaching, exuberant worship, “soaking prayer,” and inner healing are held in common, while each group has some area of functional specialization. The post-Toronto movements thus do not present an archetypal, Weberian “routinization of charisma” or a global dissemination of a single, homogenized approach to Christian ministry. A common element among the groups is an insistence on an individual, inner spiritual renewal that must precede any outer work of service. Effective ministry derives from “intimacy with God.” In their diversity, vitality, and adaptability, these post-Toronto movements offer hope for reviving the worldwide charismatic renewal.
Member States and International Legal Responsibility
Authors: Brölmann Catherine
Published: April 2016

The ‘institutional veil’ of international organizations is the linchpin for legal analysis and appraisal of the role and interrelation of international organizations, member States and organs. Through this lens the article examines in semi-broad strokes the position of international organizations’ member States in the legal framework of international responsibility, with reference to pertinent provisions in the ilc
ario. This leads to the finding that in (the discourse on) the establishment of responsibility there are four possible legal contexts, which have the institutional veil of the organization work out in different ways: subsidiary responsibility of member States (the proverbial ‘piercing of the corporate veil’); the attribution of conduct to member States; the ‘attribution of responsibility’ to member States; and the bypassing of the institutional veil to establish independent responsibility of member States, which is then connected by a material link to the wrongful act of the organization or to the injurious circumstances originally at issue. While in the context of subsidiary responsibility the institutional veil can be seen as consistently impermeable since the 1980s Tin Council cases, in the context of attribution of conduct the institutional veil of organizations appears to be increasingly contested, engaged with and challenged for transparency.
The Responsibility of Member States of International Organizations?
Authors: Paasivirta Esa
Published: April 2016

This article outlines the contours of the special case of the eu in the context of the general question of the responsibility of a member State of an international organization. The special case of eu member States is connected with the modus operandi of the eu in general, and the fact that the implementation of eu acts is largely carried out by national authorities rather than by the eu relying solely on its own organs. This special case is also connected with the phenomenon of so-called ‘mixed agreements’ to which both the eu and its member States are parties. In both situations, the role of the member States is important and appears as part of the normal conduct of the organization. Against the background of these observations, the paper reviews the central concepts of legal personality, competence and responsibility in order to consider and assess the special case of the eu in a broader international law context. The paper also reviews recent legal developments which bear on the assessment of the special case of the eu.
Litigating Member State Responsibility
Authors: Palchetti Paolo
Published: April 2016

It is not rare that, in a dispute brought before an international tribunal against a member State of an organization, that State, by relying on the Monetary Gold principle, asks the tribunal to refrain from exercising its jurisdiction, arguing that this would lead to determining the responsibility of the organization. Such an objection raises the question of whether the Monetary Gold principle, which so far has been applied in cases when the absent third party was a State, also applies to absent organizations. The present article intends to study the question of the applicability of the Monetary Gold principle in relation to situations in which member States can be held responsible for the conduct of the organization. While in principle there are situations in which the determination of the responsibility of the organization appears to be a precondition to the determination of the responsibility of the member State, the fact that an international tribunal does not have jurisdiction over international organizations should lead one to exclude that the Monetary Gold principle applies at all to situations in which the absent third party is an international organization.
The Invocation of Member State Responsibility before National and International Courts
Authors: Messineo Francesco
Published: April 2016

This article highlights the various legal obstacles faced by injured parties when litigating against States in relation to their participation in the operations of international organizations. The primary issue is finding the right forum. Rules on the invocation of responsibility hinge on whether the respondent State is sued before its own courts (domestic law being decisive), before the courts of another country (state immunity notwithstanding), or before international courts or tribunals (Monetary Gold difficulties aside). This choice will largely depend on who the applicant is: an individual, or a State. In turn, a State may act either because it was directly injured or because it is espousing a claim of one of its citizens, in which case rules on diplomatic protection may present further obstacles. Assuming that a suitable forum is available, other hindrances may be encountered, such as legal costs and restrictive substantive law. Solutions often proposed as remedies to such obstacles, such as the further reduction of State immunity before domestic courts, may be less effective than a more ambitious strategy aimed at increasing the range of situations in which domestic public law procedures and international adjudication are actually available to victims of harm.
The identity of Orthaea maculifera, with proposal of a new synonymy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae)
Authors: RÉDEI DÁVID , ZHU XUDONG , KONDOROSY ELŐD
Published: April 2016

Orthaea maculifera Uhler, 1861 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Rhyparochromidae) was described by Uhler (1861) based on an unspecified number of female specimens from Hong Kong. For a long time this species remained of unknown identity and uncertain generic placement (Stål 1874, Lethierry & Severin 1894). As a result of the synonymy of the genus Orthaea Dallas, 1852 with Pachybrachius Hahn, 1826 proposed by Barber (1939) (not accepted by Harrington (1980) and subsequent workers), Slater (1964) listed the species within the genus Pachybrachius. Although the species has still been regarded as of unknown identity (Zheng & Zou 1981), this generic placement has been followed by subsequent authors (Péricart 2001).
Interannual Variability in North Atlantic Weather: Data Analysis and a Quasigeostrophic Model
Authors: Feliks Yizhak , Robertson Andrew W. , Ghil Michael
Published: April 2016

This paper addresses the effect of interannual variability in jet stream orientation on weather systems over the North Atlantic basin (NAB). The observational analysis relies on 65 yr of NCEP–NCAR reanalysis (1948–2012). The total daily kinetic energy of the geostrophic wind (GTKE) is taken as a measure of storm activity over the North Atlantic. The NAB is partitioned into four rectangular regions, and the winter average of GTKE is calculated for each quadrant. The spatial GTKE average over all four quadrants shows striking year-to-year variability and is strongly correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).

The GTKE strength in the northeast quadrant is closely related to the diffluence angle of the jet stream in the northwest quadrant. To gain insight into the relationship between the diffluence angle and its downstream impact, a quasigeostrophic baroclinic model is used. The results show that an initially zonal jet persists at its initial latitude over 30 days or longer, while a tilted jet propagates meridionally according to the Rossby wave group velocity, unless kept stationary by external forcing.

A Gulf Stream–like narrow sea surface temperature (SST) front provides the requisite forcing for an analytical steady-state solution to this problem. This SST front influences the atmospheric jet in the northwest quadrant: it both strengthens the jet and tilts it northward at higher levels, while its effect is opposite at lower levels. Reanalysis data confirm these effects, which are consistent with thermal wind balance. The results suggest that the interannual variability found in the GTKE may be caused by intrinsic variability of the thermal Gulf Stream front.
Statistics of Simulated and Observed Pair Separations in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Beron-Vera Francisco J. , LaCasce J. H.
Published: April 2016

Pair-separation statistics of in situ and synthetic surface drifters deployed near the Deepwater Horizon site in the Gulf of Mexico are investigated. The synthetic trajectories derive from a 1-km-resolution data-assimilative Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) simulation. The in situ drifters were launched in the Grand Lagrangian Deployment (GLAD). Diverse measures of the dispersion are calculated and compared to theoretical predictions. For the NCOM pairs, the measures indicate nonlocal pair dispersion (in which pair separations grow exponentially in time) at the smallest sampled scales. At separations exceeding 100 km, pair motion is uncorrelated, indicating absolute rather than relative dispersion. With the GLAD drifters, however, the statistics are ambiguous, with some indicating local dispersion (in which pair separations exhibit power-law growth) and others suggesting nonlocal dispersion. The difference between the two datasets stems in part from inertial oscillations, which affect the energy levels at small scales without greatly altering pair dispersion. These were significant in GLAD but much weaker in the NCOM simulation. In addition, the GLAD drifters were launched over a limited geographical area, producing few independent realizations and hence lower statistical significance. Restricting the NCOM set to pairs launched at the same locations yields very similar results, suggesting the model is for the most part capturing the observed dispersion.
Rent Seeking and the Transformation of Employment Relationships
Authors: Dencker John C. , Fang Chichun
Published: April 2016

A key debate in research on corporate restructuring is whether this widespread and extensive transformation process made contemporary employment relationships more open—with firms relying largely on market forces to reward employees—or left them relatively closed, with wages remaining primarily a function of internal labor market systems, practices, and policies. Research in this arena has had conceptual and empirical challenges in clearly distinguishing between these contrasting perspectives, leaving open the question of whether corporate restructuring reflects a full-fledged transformation in wage patterns, determinants, and outcomes, or instead erosion around the margins. We seek to resolve this debate by extending, refining, and assessing a rent-destruction account of the effect of corporate restructuring on employment relationships—which we contrast with internal labor market approaches. Results from analyses of 25 years of personnel records from a Fortune 500 energy-sector firm are consistent with the rent-destruction account: employment relationships became more market-based following the onset of corporate restructuring—albeit with production workers’ contracts seemingly becoming more open than those of managers.
Safety of Monopolar Electrocautery in Patients With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Tien Duc A. , Woodson Erika A. , Anne Samantha
Published: April 2016

Objective:

The outcomes of 2 patients with cochlear implants (CIs) who underwent adenotonsillectomy (AT) with inadvertent use of monopolar cautery are presented. The safety data regarding monopolar cautery use in CI recipients is also reviewed.

Study Design:

This is a retrospective case series of 2 CI recipients that underwent AT with monopolar cautery and literature review of electrocautery safety in the setting of CI.

Results:

Two patients with CIs underwent AT with use of monopolar cautery inadvertently by surgeons that do not routinely perform cochlear implants as part of his or her clinical practice. Patient 1 was a 9-year-old female who had AT for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after undergoing unilateral CI for profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) 8 years ago. Patient 2 was a 7-year-old female who underwent AT for OSA 4 months after undergoing unilateral CI for congenital SNHL. Both patients had no immediate signs of complications with their CI use postoperatively. Both patients demonstrated unchanged postoperative neural response telemetry and behavioral audiometric testing. Patient 1 continues to have no CI-related complications 3.5 years after the procedure. Patient 2 has been followed for at least 3 months by audiometric testing and 10 months by otolaryngologist with no CI-related complications.

Conclusion:

Although animal and cadaveric studies suggest that monopolar cautery may be safely used in patients with cochlear implants, there have been no in vivo human studies that have evaluated the risk to the patient or implant. This is a report of a small, unintended experience with 2 patients, both of whom exhibit no complications or changes to CI function thus far.
Thyroxine replacement: a clinical endocrinologist’s viewpoint
Authors: Eligar V , Taylor PN , Okosieme OE , Leese GP , Dayan CM
Published: April 2016

Background

Hypothyroidism affects 2–5% of the general population. Patients with uncorrected disease suffer significant morbidity and have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive impairment. Levothyroxine, the treatment of choice, is inexpensive, easy to administer and in most cases restores well-being while normalizing thyroid function. However, 30–50% of individuals on levothyroxine are either over-treated or under-treated and others remain dissatisfied with treatment despite achieving thyroid hormone concentrations within the laboratory reference interval.

Methods

This review is based on a systematic search of the literature for controlled trials, systematic reviews, guideline papers and cohort studies addressing best practice in thyroid hormone replacement.

Results

Recent decades have seen improvements in patient management strategies driven by a better appreciation of levothyroxine pharmacokinetics. However, aspects of therapy such as the optimal timing of medication, strategies to overcome treatment non-adherence and target thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations in pregnancy and in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer remain challenging. Furthermore, there is now a substantial body of literature on common genetic variations in the deiodinases and thyroid hormone transporters and their role in the local regulation of thyroid hormone delivery. The benefits of combination therapy with liothyronine and levothyroxine are uncertain, and while it is theoretically probable that subsets of genetically predisposed individuals will benefit from combination therapy the existing evidence is as yet limited.

Conclusion

Despite the availability of thyroid hormone replacement for more than a century, there are still substantial challenges in practice and opportunities to improve treatment outcomes.
Engaging Suburban Students in Dialogues on Diversity in a Segregated Metropolitan Area
Authors: Checkoway Barry , Lipa Todd , Vivyan Erika , Zurvalec Sue
Published: April 2016

What are some strategies for engaging suburban students in dialogues on diversity in new American metropolis? This question is important, especially at a time when some suburbs are changing from “segregated” to “segregated and diverse,” and scholarship is needed to guide their discussion. This article analyzes efforts by a suburban school district, municipal agency, and a university to collaborate for this purpose. It draws on work with students in metropolitan Detroit, while framing the effort in terms of its wider significance.
SOCS-3 Regulates Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis
Authors: Papathanasiou E. , Kantarci A. , Konstantinidis A. , Gao H. , Van Dyke T.E.
Published: April 2016

The host immune response plays a key role in bacteria-induced alveolar bone resorption. Endogenous control of the magnitude and duration of inflammatory signaling is considered an important determinant of the extent of periodontal pathology. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are inhibitors of cytokine signaling pathways and may play a role in restraining periodontal inflammation. We hypothesized that SOCS-3 regulates alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis. Periodontal bone loss was induced in 16-wk-old myeloid-specific SOCS-3-knockout and wild-type (WT) C57Bl6-B.129 mice by oral inoculation 9 times with 109 colony-forming units of Porphyromonas gingivalis A7436 through an oral gavage model for periodontitis. Sham controls for both types of mice received vehicle without bacteria. The mice were euthanized 6 wk after the last oral inoculation. Increased bone loss was demonstrated in P. gingivalis–infected SOCS-3-knockout mice as compared with P. gingivalis–infected WT mice by direct morphologic measurements, micro–computed tomography analyses, and quantitative histology. Loss of SOCS-3 function resulted in an increased number of alveolar bone osteoclasts and increased RANKL expression after P. gingivalis infection. SOCS-3 deficiency in myeloid cells also promotes a higher P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response with higher secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and KC (IL-8) by peritoneal macrophages as compared with WT controls. Our data implicate SOCS-3 as a critical negative regulator of alveolar bone loss in periodontitis.
Osteopontin Is Essential for Type I Collagen Secretion in Reparative Dentin
Authors: Saito K. , Nakatomi M. , Ida-Yonemochi H. , Ohshima H.
Published: April 2016

Osteopontin (OPN) is a highly phosphorylated glycoprotein that is a prominent component of the mineralized extracellular matrix of bone. The secretion of OPN by immunocompetent cells plays a role in the differentiation of odontoblast-like cells during pulpal healing following tooth transplantation. This study aimed to clarify the role of OPN during reparative dentinogenesis. A groove-shaped cavity was prepared on the mesial surface of the upper first molars of wild-type (WT) and Opn knockout (KO) mice, and the samples were collected at intervals of 1 to 14 d. The demineralized sections were processed for immunohistochemistry for Ki67, nestin, OPN, dentin sialoprotein (DSP), integrin αvβ3, and type I collagen; in situ hybridization for Opn, col1a1, and dentin sialophosphoprotein ( Dspp); and apoptosis assay. For the loss and gain of function experiments, an in vitro culture assay for evaluating dentin-pulp complex regeneration was performed. On day 1 in WT mice, odontoblasts beneath the affected dentin lost nestin immunoreactivity. On day 3, the expression of Opn was recognized at the mesial dental pulp, and OPN was deposited along the predentin-dentin border. Nestin-positive newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells expressed both Dspp and col1a1 and showed positive immunoreactivity for integrin αvβ3, DSP, and type I collagen. Until day 14, reparative dentin formation continued next to the preexisting dentin at the mesial coronal pulp. In contrast, there was no reparative dentin in the Opn KO mice where nestin- and DSP-positive newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells lacked immunoreaction for type I collagen. The in vitro organ culture demonstrated that the administration of recombinant OPN rescued the type I collagen secretion by odontoblast-like cells in the Opn KO mice. The results suggested that the deposition of OPN at the calcification front is essential for the type I collagen secretion by newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells to form reparative dentin during pulpal healing following cavity preparation.
How many words do children know? A corpus-based estimation of children’s total vocabulary size
Authors: Segbers Jutta , Schroeder Sascha
Published: April 2016

In this article we present a new method for estimating children’s total vocabulary size based on a language corpus in German. We drew a virtual sample of different lexicon sizes from a corpus and let the virtual sample “take” a vocabulary test by comparing whether the items were included in the virtual lexicons or not. This enabled us to identify the relation between test performance and total lexicon size. We then applied this relation to the test results of a real sample of children (grades 1–8, aged 6 to 14) and young adults (aged 18 to 25) and estimated their total vocabulary sizes. Average absolute vocabulary sizes ranged from 5900 lemmas in first grade to 73,000 for adults, with significant increases between adjacent grade levels except from first to second grade. Our analyses also allowed us to observe parts of speech and morphological development. Results thus shed light on the course of vocabulary development during primary school.
The Appropriateness of Contrast Metric for Reaction Times
Authors: O’Donell Beatriz M. , Colombo Elisa M.
Published: April 2016

We analyzed different contrast metrics to scale the stimulus strength for suprathreshold reaction times (RTs) when it is modulated along an achromatic channel (L + M) and both chromatic channels L/M and S/(L + M) considering increments and decrements along these axes. RTs were examined as a function of the Weber luminance contrast; spatial luminance ratio (SRL) and, in terms of threshold units. The results show that when there is only luminance decreasing or increasing, RTs cluster around a single RT/luminance contrast function regardless the stimulus sign and our results indicate that both SRL, Weber luminance contrast or threshold units, equate RT values. While, if the stimulus is modulated along an isoluminant plane, the appropriate contrast is Weber (RMS) or SRL for stimuli modulated along L/M axis and for stimuli modulated along S/L + M, showing an asymmetry between S-cone decrements and increments in L/M cone pathway. Threshold units are not appropriate, showing inconsistencies: The stimulus with chromatic direction equal to 90° appears as the most informative with a maximum gain. Even more so, the shared contrast gain grows as the size of the stimulus decreases.