bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brazilian brokers, boundaries and buildings: A material culture of politics
Authors: Koster Martijn
Published: March 2014

This article contributes to understanding the material culture of contemporary political practice, particularly in a context of high sociopolitical inequality, by focusing on the spatiality and materiality of political brokerage. Its central question is where brokers mediate between different worlds and with what material artifacts. The author presents the case of community leaders in a favela in Recife, Brazil, who operate at the boundary between different worlds separated by class, race and place. Their offices, with their material artifacts, form brokerage spaces. He introduces these offices as boundary places: privileged spatial and material contexts in which worlds that would be incompatible in other circumstances become temporarily compatible. Simultaneously, in these boundary places, the differences between these worlds are reproduced. Through an in-depth analysis, he shows how brokers’ practices ‘take place’ in the spatiality and materiality of their offices, which become a stage for both the convergence and divergence of different worlds.
A training and development project to improve services and opportunities for social inclusion for children and young people with autism in Romania
Authors: Pasco Greg , Clark Bruce , Dragan Ioana , Kalambayi Fidelie , Slonims Vicky , Tarpan Adelaide Katerine , Wittemeyer Kerstin
Published: March 2014

In 2010, the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation launched a 3-year national training and development programme to develop and deliver a model of diagnostic and therapeutic services aimed at promoting social inclusion for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders. The project adopted a number of strategies aimed at developing knowledge and skills among professionals and increasing awareness in political and public spheres: (a) a three-stage training programme designed to increase knowledge of autism spectrum disorders and promote best practice among professionals working in services providing for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families, on a nationwide basis; (b) two online courses for general practitioners and psychiatrists, with content relating to the identification, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; (c) a total of 40 counselling and assistance centres for people with autism spectrum disorders were launched in partnership with local authorities; (d) a national strategy for social and professional integration of people with autism spectrum disorders developed through consultation with political, statutory and voluntary sector partners; and (e) a nationwide media campaign to raise awareness of the needs of children and young people with autism spectrum disorders that reached over eight million people. The project provides a transferable model to achieve important improvements in the quantity and quality of services on a national level within a brief time frame.
Service development: An examination of the service development process using the Norwegian Coastal Voyage (Hurtigruten) as a case study
Authors: Skaalsvik Hugo , Johannessen Jon-Arild
Published: March 2014

This paper reports research on a service development study carried out on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage, also known as the Hurtigruten, which is its brand name. The Hurtigruten is an interesting case, as the most well-known tourist-attracting product in Norway. The primary research instrument employed was in-depth interviews with service managers and service personnel employed on the Hurtigruten. The paper shows that service development on the Hurtigruten features a dominant trait of an unstructured process that is explained by three groups of factors: company internal, company external and contextual factors.
Effects of telmisartan on lipid metabolisms and proinflammatory factors secretion of differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Kang Chen , Yijun Li , Jingtao Dou , Changyu Pan , Wenhua Yan , Baoan Wang , Fangling Ma , Xianling Wang , Guoqing Yang , Yiming Mu , Juming Lu
Published: March 2014

Aim:

To investigate the effect of telmisartan on the lipometabolisms and the proinflammatory factors secreted from 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to explore the possible mechanisms.

Materials and methods:

Telmisartan was applied to interfere with mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The culture’s free fatty acids, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were evaluated. Oil Red O staining was used to determine the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 18F-FDG uptake levels corrected for protein content were determined by cellular radioactivity. The total RNA was isolated for hybridization experimentation in the microarray.

Results:

Telmisartan reduced lipid storage and increased 18F-FDG uptake in a dose-dependent manner, reduced the levels of IL-6 and TNFα and increased those of free fatty acids. One hundred and fifty-seven differentially expressed genes were found by microarray. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway involved in the secretion of proinflammatory factor and lipid metabolisms was affected by telmisartan. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthetase gene 3 (Nos3) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (CPT1α) was up-regulated by telmisartan.

Conclusions:

Telmisartan affected lipometabolisms and the proinflammatory factors secreted from adipocytes. Nos3, CPT1α and the MAPK pathway being affected by telmisartan may be the underlying cause of the improvement in lipid metabolisms and secretion of proinflammatory factors of differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene polymorphism is associated with dermatomyositis
Authors: Shinjo Samuel K , Uno Miyuki , Oba-Shinjo Sueli M , Marie Suely KN
Published: March 2014

Background and objective:

The cornerstone of dermatomyositis (DM) pathogenesis involves vascular disturbance that leads to hypoxia, capillary necrosis and muscle perifascicular atrophy. Hence, the hypothesis is that the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism could be associated with susceptibility to DM.

Method:

A single centre, case control study that genotyped ACE gene in 88 DM and 99 healthy individuals. The ACE gene polymorphism was determined by melting curve analysis of real-time polymerase chain reaction products using SYBR Green.

Results:

The DM and the control subjects had a comparable mean age, gender frequency and ethnicity. The frequency of the D allele was higher in DM than in the control individuals (63.6% vs 55.6%, respectively). The DM had more ACE D/D and less ACE I/D genotype when compared to the control individuals, whereas the ACE I/I genotype distribution was similar in both case and control groups. Moreover, after sex-age-adjusted analysis, the ACE D/D genotype was strongly associated with DM disease (odds ratio (OR) 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–4.37), in contrast to ACE I/D genotype (OR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28–0.93).

Conclusions:

Homozygous ACE D/D was associated significantly with the DM risk. Further investigations are required to clarify and to confirm the association of these genes with DM susceptibility.
Binding of prorenin to (pro)renin receptor induces the proliferation of human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells via ROS generation and ERK1/2 activation
Authors: Liu Feng Y , Liu Xiao Y , Zhang Li J , Cheng Yun P , Jiang Yi N
Published: March 2014

Introduction:

Since the discovery of the (pro)renin receptor (PRR), it has been considered as a novel bioactive molecule of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). The activation of PRR can elicit a series of angiotensin II (AngII)-independent effects.

Materials and methods:

In this study, we investigated the effects of prorenin and PRR on the proliferation of human umbilical artery smooth muscle (HUASM) cells and explored the possible mechanisms underlying these effects.

Results:

The binding of prorenin to PRR can promote proliferation and upregulate the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and downregulate the pro-apoptotic protein Bax independently of AngII in HUASM cells. In addition, the binding of prorenin to PRR can also increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) independently of AngII. The pretreatment of HUASM cells with an NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI decreased the production of ROS and also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, pretreatment of HUASM cells with DPI and the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 significantly attenuated the prorenin-induced proliferation and regulation of apoptosis factors.

Conclusion:

Binding of prorenin to PRR can induce HUASM cell proliferation via the ROS generation and ERK1/2 activation.
Professional educator or professional manager? The contested role of the for-profit international school Principal
Authors: Machin Denry
Published: March 2014

For-profit education is increasingly prevalent within international schooling. The language of client, customer and consumer may not yet be embedded in the classroom, but international school leaders, particularly those operating in for-profit contexts, are having to respond not only to the needs of educational stakeholders but also to the commercial demands of the ‘bottom line’. This article examines the occupational tensions facing international school leaders (specifically Principals and senior managers) as they attempt to master this plural for-profit context. The role of Principals within for-profit school contexts, this article finds, is changing. Principals may define their role in educational terms but this article highlights an emerging commercial narrative, concluding that (for-profit) international school leaders are increasingly required to be personally, philosophically and ontologically at ease with simultaneous educational–commercial discourses, as well versed in the patois of commerce as they are those of education.
Embedding Language Therapy in Dialogic Reading to Teach Morphologic Structures to Children With Language Disorders
Authors: Maul Christine A. , Ambler Krysten L.
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of embedding language therapy in dialogic storybook reading as a method that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can use to teach morphologic structures to children with language disorders, while exposing them to literacy materials. Previous research has shown that dialogic reading (DR) improves children’s receptive and expressive vocabulary and increases their mean length of utterance. However, previous research has not examined the efficacy of the program as an intervention administered by SLPs for children diagnosed with language disorders. In the present study, participants were read to using principles of DR intended to evoke their production of specific bound morphemes. A multiple-baselines-across-subjects research design was employed. Results indicated that all three participants improved production of their respective target morphemes, although to varying degrees, and exhibited some generalization to unfamiliar stimuli and in conversation.
TV Formatting of the Chinese Ugly Betty
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , Fung Anthony
Published: March 2014

Using ethnographic observation, this study explores the television (TV) formatting of Ugly Wudi, the Chinese version of Ugly Betty. The article explicates how Chinese producers followed the “bible” of format production, differentiated ideological points of contestation, and modified narratives contradictory to Chinese ideology in the localization process. Ugly Betty’s localization reflects the political, cultural, and commercial imperatives in China. The producers recreated a televised drama with its own unique Chinese modernity, which invited a large spectatorship within the boundary of the current politico-social landscape. It also initiated an innovative marketing model that could maximize profits through format localization. As a new industry development strategy, TV formatting brings western values into China and is changing the landscape of Chinese TV.
Statistics Anxiety Update: Refining the Construct and Recommendations for a New Research Agenda
Authors: Chew Peter K. H. , Dillon Denise B.
Published: March 2014

Appreciation of the importance of statistics literacy for citizens of a democracy has resulted in an increasing number of degree programs making statistics courses mandatory for university students. Unfortunately, empirical evidence suggests that students in nonmathematical disciplines (e.g., social sciences) regard statistics courses as the most anxiety-inducing course in their degree programs. Although a literature review exists for statistics anxiety, it was done more than a decade ago, and newer studies have since added findings for consideration. In this article, we provide a current review of the statistics anxiety literature. Specifically, related variables, definitions, and measures of statistics anxiety are reviewed with the goal of refining the statistics anxiety construct. Antecedents, effects, and interventions of statistics anxiety are also reviewed to provide recommendations for statistics instructors and for a new research agenda.
Breadth-Based Models of Women’s Underrepresentation in STEM Fields: An Integrative Commentary on Schmidt (2011) and Nye et al. (2012)
Authors: Valla Jeffrey M. , Ceci Stephen J.
Published: March 2014

Relative strength of math and verbal abilities and interests drive science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career choices more than absolute math ability alone. Having one dominant aptitude (e.g., for mathematics) increases the likelihood of a strong self-concept in that domain and decreases the likelihood of equivocation about career choices in comparison with individuals with equivalent mathematical aptitude who have comparable strength in non-math areas. Males are more likely than females to have an asymmetrical cognitive profile of higher aptitude in math relative to verbal domains. Together, these two points suggest that the academic and career pursuits of high math ability males may be attributable to their narrower options among STEM fields, whereas females’ more symmetrical cognitive profile means their math and verbal interests compete in the formation of their ability self-concept and, hence, in their broader career choices. Such equivocation about STEM careers is in fact already evident in girls with high math aptitude as early as junior high school. Thus, we argue that asymmetry in interests and aptitudes is an underappreciated factor in sex differences in career choice. To the extent this is true, focusing on strengthening young women’s STEM-related abilities and ability self-concepts to increase female STEM representation may be an unproductive approach; to increase representation, it may be more effective to focus on harvesting the potential of those girls and women whose breadth of interest and high ability spans social/verbal and spatial/numerical domains. The use of interventions that play to this greater breadth by socially contextualizing STEM is one potential solution.
Soluble human TLR2 ectodomain binds diacylglycerol from microbial lipopeptides and glycolipids
Authors: Jiménez-Dalmaroni Maximiliano J , Radcliffe Catherine M , Harvey David J , Wormald Mark R , Verdino Petra , Ainge Gary D , Larsen David S , Painter Gavin F , Ulevitch Richard , Beutler Bruce , Rudd Pauline M , Dwek Raymond A , Wilson Ian A
Published: March 2014

TLRs are key innate immune receptors that recognize conserved features of biological molecules that are found in microbes. In particular, TLR2 has been reported to be activated by different kinds of microbial ligands. To advance our understanding of the interaction of TLR2 with its ligands, the recombinant human TLR2 ectodomain (hTLR2ED) was expressed using a baculovirus/insect cell expression system and its biochemical, as well as ligand binding, properties were investigated. The hTLR2ED binds synthetic bacterial and mycoplasmal lipopeptides, lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus, and synthetic lipoarabinomannan precursors from Mycobacterium at extracellular physiological conditions, in the absence of its co-receptors TLR1 and TLR6. We also determined that lipopeptides and glycolipids cannot bind simultaneously to hTLR2ED and that the phosphatidyl inositol mannoside 2 (Pim2) is the minimal lipoarabinomannan structure for binding to hTLR2ED. Binding of hTLR2ED to Pim4, which contains a diacylglycerol group with one of its acyl chains containing 19 carbon atoms, indicates that hTLR2ED can bind ligands with acyl chains longer than 16 carbon atoms. In summary, our data indicate that diacylglycerol is the ligand moiety of microbial glycolipids and lipoproteins that bind to hTLR2ED and that both types of ligands bind to the same binding site of hTLR2ED.
Monitoring Artificial Pancreas Trials Through Agent-based Technologies
Authors: Lanzola Giordano , Scarpellini Stefania , Di Palma Federico , Toffanin Chiara , Del Favero Simone , Magni Lalo , Bellazzi Riccardo ,   on behalf of the AP@home consortium
Published: March 2014

The increase in the availability and reliability of network connections lets envision systems supporting a continuous remote monitoring of clinical parameters useful either for overseeing chronic diseases or for following clinical trials involving outpatients. We report here the results achieved by a telemedicine infrastructure that has been linked to an artificial pancreas platform and used during a trial of the AP@home project, funded by the European Union. The telemedicine infrastructure is based on a multiagent paradigm and is able to deliver to the clinic any information concerning the patient status and the operation of the artificial pancreas. A web application has also been developed, so that the clinic staff and the researchers involved in the design of the blood glucose control algorithms are able to follow the ongoing experiments. Albeit the duration of the experiments in the trial discussed in the article was limited to only 2 days, the system proved to be successful for monitoring patients, in particular overnight when the patients are sleeping. Based on that outcome we can conclude that the infrastructure is suitable for the purpose of accomplishing an intelligent monitoring of an artificial pancreas either during longer trials or whenever that system will be used as a routine treatment.
Nanomaterial-mediated Biosensors for Monitoring Glucose
Authors: Taguchi Masashige , Ptitsyn Andre , McLamore Eric S. , Claussen Jonathan C.
Published: March 2014

Real-time monitoring of physiological glucose transport is crucial for gaining new understanding of diabetes. Many techniques and equipment currently exist for measuring glucose, but these techniques are limited by complexity of the measurement, requirement of bulky equipment, and low temporal/spatial resolution. The development of various types of biosensors (eg, electrochemical, optical sensors) for laboratory and/or clinical applications will provide new insights into the cause(s) and possible treatments of diabetes. State-of-the-art biosensors are improved by incorporating catalytic nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, electrospun nanofibers, and quantum dots. These nanomaterials greatly enhance biosensor performance, namely sensitivity, response time, and limit of detection. A wide range of new biosensors that incorporate nanomaterials such as lab-on-chip and nanosensor devices are currently being developed for in vivo and in vitro glucose sensing. These real-time monitoring tools represent a powerful diagnostic and monitoring tool for measuring glucose in diabetes research and point of care diagnostics. However, concerns over the possible toxicity of some nanomaterials limit the application of these devices for in vivo sensing. This review provides a general overview of the state of the art in nanomaterial-mediated biosensors for in vivo and in vitro glucose sensing, and discusses some of the challenges associated with nanomaterial toxicity.
An Unusual Case of Leg Pain in a Competitive Cyclist
Authors: Lindner Dror , Agar Gabriel , Domb Benjamin Gilbert , Beer Yiftah , Shub Idit , Mann Gideon
Published: March 2014

Cycling has become a popular recreational and competitive sport. The number of people participating in the sport is gradually increasing. Despite being a noncontact, low-impact sport, as many as 85% of athletes engaged in the sport will suffer from an overuse injury, with the lower limbs comprising the majority of these injuries. Up to 20% of all lower extremity overuse injuries in competitive cyclists are of a vascular source. A 39-year-old competitive cyclist had a 5-year history of thigh pain during cycling, preventing him from competing. The patient was eventually diagnosed with external iliac artery endofibrosis. After conservative treatment failed, the patient underwent corrective vascular surgery with complete resolution of his symptoms and return to competitive cycling by 1 year. Since its first description in 1985, there have been more than 60 articles addressing external iliac artery endofibrosis pathology.
Work-based assessments: making the transition from participation to engagement
Authors: Swayamprakasam Anand Prakash , Segaran Ashvina , Allery Lynne
Published: March 2014

Summary

Work-based assessments (WBAs) were only recently introduced into medicine. However, since their introduction, they have rapidly grown in popularity. WBAs are now a routine part of medical training. As WBAs are being implemented, the practical difficulties with their use have come to light. A major problem is failure of the trainees, trainers and training programmes to adequately engage with them. In this review, the reasons for this and how these can be overcome are discussed.
A nationwide analysis of successful litigation claims in neurological practice
Authors: Coysh Thomas , Breen David P
Published: March 2014

Objectives

Neurological practice has previously been highlighted as a high-risk speciality with regard to malpractice claims. We set out to study the nature of these claims in order to inform physicians about hazardous areas within their speciality and potentially alter clinical practice.

Design

Nationwide retrospective analysis of successful neurology and neurosurgery claims over a 17-year period.

Setting

We studied all successful claims occurring between 1995 and 2012 using the NHS Litigation Authority database, which collects data on claims made against clinicians practising in England and Wales.

Participants

Four hundred and twenty-three successful claims were identified during the study period.

Main outcome measures

The errors involved, the patient groups affected, the resulting mortality and the litigation payments.

Results

63.1% of claims were due to negligence in neurosurgical care, whilst 36.9% were due to negligence in neurological care. Litigation payments were significantly higher in neurosurgery compared to neurology cases. Diagnostic error was the most common cause of litigation. The disease categories with the highest numbers of successful litigation claims were spinal pathology, cerebrovascular disease including subarachnoid haemorrhage, intracranial tumours, hydrocephalus and neuropathy/neuromuscular disease.

Conclusions

This is the first study of successful litigation claims against the NHS for negligent neurological or neurosurgical care and provides data to help reduce risk and improve patient safety.
Listeria meningitis and resultant symptomatic hydrocephalus complicating infliximab treatment for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Rana Fahd , Shaikh Muddassir Muhammad , Bowles Jane
Published: March 2014

Lesson

Listeria monocytogenes, an uncommon pathogen, should be considered by clinicians as a source of sepsis and meningitis in the immunocompromised individuals, including those on anti-TNF alpha agents. Immunosuppressant agents including biologic therapies have transformed the management of various rheumatological and dermatological conditions. 1 We report a case of life-threatening L. monocytogenes sepsis and meningitis in a 75-year-old man receiving infliximab for severe ulcerative colitis (UC).
The Engineer, the Educationalist, and the Feminist Writer: National Champions and the Development of Probation in Europe
Authors: Vanstone Maurice
Published: March 2014

Probation developed throughout the world as a result of a variety of different elements and social conditions coinciding within a relatively short period of time at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Amongst these were the efforts of a number of people from different disciplines who shared an interest in giving people who were at the beginning of their criminal careers a second chance. This paper highlights the contributions of three of these people in an attempt to throw more light on how the concept of probation passed into law, how it attracted disparate interests in Europe, and what that reveals about the state of probation today.
Realising Potential: Community Service, Pro-Social Modelling and Desistance
Authors: McCulloch Trish
Published: March 2014

Recent attention to the question of ‘what works?’ in supporting desistance, coupled with the emergence of a number of research studies which suggest that Community Service (CS) might be effective in reducing recidivism, has contributed to growing interest in the rehabilitative potential of CS. Informed by this context, this paper reports on the findings of a small scale Scottish study which set out to evaluate the impact of pro-social modelling training on the practice of CS supervision within a local authority team. The study indicates that the training had a positive impact on CS supervision — most accurately described as a validation or development of existing approaches. However, the findings also highlight areas of limitation in training impact and, in doing so, present a rationale for attending to a number of key areas if CS is to realise its potential and assist offenders in their efforts towards desistance.
Huikahi Restorative Circles: Group Process for Self-Directed Reentry Planning and Family Healing
Authors: Walker Lorenn
Published: March 2014

The Huikahi Restorative Circle is a reentry planning group process that addresses individual incarcerated people's needs for achieving criminal desistence. The Circles use public health learning principles including applied learning experiences to increase self-efficacy and hopefulness, restorative justice, and solution-focused brief therapy language, which promote positive attitudes and healing. A primary strength of the Circles is treating individuals as their own change agents rather than the passive recipients of treatment directed by others. The author concludes that reentry planning resources are better invested in models similar to Huikahi Circles, which include the participation and decision making of incarcerated people and their loved ones, rather than professionally driven case management efforts.
Homecomings, Border Encounters and Hospitality: Alfred Shutz's and Jacques Derrida's Contributions to Conceptualizing a Transition from Prison
Authors: Opie Anne
Published: March 2014

The journey from prison towards desistance from crime is well recognised as challenging. This paper seeks to contribute to the transitions and desistance literature through a discussion of essays by Alfred Shutz and Jacques Derrida that deal with seemingly quite different subjects. Shutz writes of Strangers entering a new society and Homecomers returning; Derrida, of borders, singularity and hospitality. Their points of connection and significance, however, lie in Shutz's and Derrida's emphasis on the relational and what it means to be human. These emphases are highly pertinent to criminological understanding and practice.
Organisational Change, Increasing Managerialism and Social Work Values in the Belgian Houses of Justice, Department of Offender Guidance
Authors: Bauwens Aline
Published: March 2014

This paper examines the impact of organisational change in the Belgian Houses of Justice, Department of Offender Guidance. The change that occurred in the Houses of Justice can be defined as incremental change. While Belgian probation has been managerialised in its processes and to a lesser extent its practices, it has not been subjected to the same shift in its purposes. However, one question currently remains: can the increasing emphasis on managerialism leave the social work values and aims of the Houses of Justice in place, or not?
Signs of Resistance? Swedish Probation Officers' Attitudes towards Risk Assessments
Authors: Persson Anders , Svensson Kerstin
Published: March 2014

The Swedish Prison and Probation Service has been influenced by the ‘What Works’ agenda since the late 1990's and an orientation towards risk and risk management has gradually become visible in the organization. But there is, within the probation service, a discrepancy between two types of logics — an organizational logic and a professional logic. Although guidelines prescribe the use of risk-assessment tools, they are in reality seldom used by practitioners. Through an examination of the reasons given by the probation officers who expressed doubts or concerns about the risk-concept, we question whether this could be seen as signs of resistance based on professional logic.
The Failure of Recall to Prison: Early Release, Front-Door and Back-Door Sentencing and the Revolving Prison Door in Scotland
Authors: Weaver Beth , Tata Cyrus , Munro Mary , Barry Monica
Published: March 2014

This article seeks to explain the reasons for the sharp rise in prison recall rates in Scotland. It argues that recall practices need to be understood not as a technical corner of the justice system, but as part of a wider analysis of the politics of sentencing and release policy. While there are sound reasons for a policy of ‘early release’ (incentivizing good behavior and enabling the resettlement of prisoners), in practice early release has increasingly been used as a tool to try to limit the growth in the custodial population. Unable to control prison numbers through the ‘front door’ (judicial sentencing and bail/remand), successive governments have increasingly relied on early release as a surreptitious way of, in effect, re-sentencing prisoners. We argue that this political strategy is ultimately self-defeating, not least in feeding public cynicism about the penal system and community supervision in particular. This article reviews the changing legislative, policy and practice landscape of the regulation of non-compliance and recall practice, and draws on the desistance literature to illustrate how offender-supervisor relationships can be undermined by recall policies which threaten the legitimacy of both the supervisory relationship and the conditions of supervision orders.
Thinking about Electronic Monitoring in the Context of Pre-Trial Detention in Belgium: A Solution to Prison Overcrowding?
Authors: Maes Eric , Mine Benjamin , De Man Caroline , Van Brakel Rosamunde
Published: March 2014

Prison overcrowding is a major problem in the Belgian criminal justice system, with almost 40% of the current population consisting of prisoners in remand custody. Driven by a goal of prison overcrowding prevention, electronic monitoring has been implemented nationally since 2000, but only as an alternative to the execution of the entire or a part of the prison sentence imposed. This article aims to report some final results of a recent research on the possible application of electronic monitoring as an alternative to pre-trial detention in Belgium.
The Six Month Limit to Community Measures ‘Under Prison Registry’: A Study of Professional Perception
Authors: Herzog-Evans Martine
Published: March 2014

This paper deals with the sentence feasibility with a special focus on electronic monitoring. The purposes of this research were first to test the ‘six month limit’ idea amongst practitioners, before the Prison Law was implemented; second to determine whether they tailored their decisions accordingly; third, how they initially welcomed the reform and in particular whether they thought that a two years ‘mesure sous écrou’ was feasible; lastly, whether they had actually implemented the new two year limit and whether this had had an effect on how they perceived the six month absolute maximum. The conclusions put forward some reasons for this limit from the professional's point of view.
Foreigners to Justice? Irregular Migrants and Foreign National Offenders in England and Wales
Authors: Canton Rob , Hammond Nick
Published: March 2014

There is a long tradition of blaming foreigners for crime problems in England and Wales. The contemporary manifestation of this centres on suspicion about the involvement in crime of foreign nationals and irregular migrants. General descriptive terms like foreign nationals encompass people in widely diverse circumstances and of different legal immigration statuses. Debates about crime and about the management of movement across national borders have become entangled in political debate, to the detriment of clear thinking about either matter. The rehabilitation principle has a different significance and application for foreign nationals, in practice if not in law. The limited statistics available concerning the involvement of foreign nationals in crime and their treatment by judicial and criminal justice agencies, require more analysis. In criminal justice and sentencing, there are no formal requirements for agencies and courts to bring different principles to their decisions about foreign nationals, but in practice this group of offenders can be disadvantaged. The context of offending by foreign nationals and their distinctive and individual needs are often insufficiently appreciated and too little is done to support rehabilitation and desistance. The perceived political imperative to remove foreign national offenders by deportation distorts any principled approach to policy and practice.
Does Reintegration Need REHAB? Early Release Procedures for Prisoners without a Legal Permit of Residence in Belgium
Authors: De Ridder Steven , Beyens Kristel , Snacken Sonja
Published: March 2014

Since the eighties, Belgium faces an increasing number of foreign prisoners. Accordingly, the number of foreign prisoners without a legal permit of residence, who are incarcerated in Belgian prisons due to (suspicion of) violation of the Belgian Criminal law is also rising With regard to early release, all prisoners fall under the Belgian penitentiary Acts of 2005 and 2006 in which ‘reintegration’ is an important leading principle. However, a considerable part of the foreign prisoners without a legal permit of residence is exposed to expulsion under the Belgian Act of 1980 on the entry, stay, settlement and expulsion of foreigners after their (early) release. The use of different legal frameworks with conflicting rationales with regard to release from prison has consequences for the possibilities to prepare the reintegration of foreign prisoners without residence permit. The aim of this article is to analyse the meaning, use and importance of the reintegration principle with regard to the early release from prison of foreign prisoners without a legal permit of residence. The consequences of the interaction of requirements from immigration and penitentiary laws with regard to their release in society will be discussed. Also some statistical data on the presence of foreign prisoners without a legal permit of residence in the Belgian prisons are presented and commented from a methodological point of view.
Irregular Migrants under Criminal Sanctions: Rehabilitation and After-Care Perspectives in Greece
Authors: Pitsela Angelika , Antonopoulou Athanasia
Published: March 2014

Prisoners' rehabilitation is not explicitly included in the basic principles of Greek Penitentiary Code; though, it is adopted in several articles of this Code, as well as in other relevant national legislation and international binding legal instruments. In a country where the number of the irregular migrants is estimated circa half a million persons and the proportion of aliens in prisons has climbed above 50% of the total number of prison population during the last years, the challenged issue of the rehabilitation effort especially for irregular migrants, during the execution of criminal sanctions and after their release from prisons, becomes a statistically crucial reality that must be managed effectively. We cannot talk about prisoners' rehabilitation, if we are going to ignore and exclude the most numerous group of them out of the whole effort and procedure. Under this perspective, developing the rehabilitation idea and organizing better its elaboration becomes even more difficult but also more imperative for the penitentiary policy of the country.
The National Police Certificate is a Significant Barrier to Employment for Ex-Offenders
Authors: Saliba Antoinette M
Published: March 2014

Little investigation has been undertaken in relation to the impact of an ex-offender's reception into the community, especially in relation to employment, on their propensity to re-offend. This paper brings into focus the role of society, especially employers in potentially hindering the reintegration of ex-offenders. This role is considered in relation to the use of criminal records as risk assessment tools. A governmental framework is employed to examine the use of criminal records by employers in Victoria Australia, in line with current risk management approaches. Research findings support the contention that the increased use of National Police Certificates for employment purposes in Victoria places ex-offenders at a significant disadvantage.
Unpaid Work as an Alternative to Imprisonment for Fine Default in Austria and Scotland
Authors: McIvor Gill , Pirnat Carlotta , Grafl Christian
Published: March 2014

Many jurisdictions have introduced other non-custodial measures to decrease the usage of fines, nevertheless they are still a popular sanction. Although the majority of offenders fined pay their fine, some are unable or unwilling to do so and as a consequence can be imprisoned. At a time when prisons are overcrowded and short term sentences are a substantial administrative endeavour, with little to no re-socializing potential, many jurisdictions have implemented other measures to prevent imprisonment for fine default such as unpaid work. Both Austria and Scotland have implemented the possibility of unpaid work as an alternative to imprisonment for fine default. While Scotland has almost 20 years of experience, Austria has just recently implemented the option of community work for fine defaulters in 2008. This article examines the experience of unpaid work as an alternative to imprisonment for fine default in these two contrasting jurisdictions and discusses the key differences between them. It considers whether the implementation of unpaid work as an alternative to imprisonment for fine default in each jurisdiction fulfilled the original policy intentions and what wider lessons can be learned from their experiences of unpaid work for offenders who fail to pay their fines.
Desistance, Reflexivity Andrelationality: A Case Study
Authors: Weaver Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

This paper presents the analysis of a single life-story drawn from a larger study examining theindividual, relational and structural contributions to the desistance process. The emphasis here is on the contributions of key social relations in ‘Evan's’ narrative of change. How people relate to one another, and what these relationships mean to them both as individuals and together, are critical aspects of understanding the role of social relations in desistance. This paper concludes by considering how penal practices might generate and sustain the kinds of social capital and reflexive, relational networks relevant to desistance.
Mechanical properties of WC coatings evaluated using instrumented indentation technique
Authors: La Barbera-Sosa J. G. , Santana Y. Y. , Caro J. , Chicot D. , Lesage J. , Staia M. H. , Puchi-Cabrera E. S.
Published: March 2014

Instrumented indentation tests have been conducted on the surface and cross-section of the two WC based coatings obtained by means of high velocity oxygen fuel thermal spray techniques in order to investigate their mechanical properties. The yield strength of the coatings has been determined by means of the Zeng and Chiu model. In addition, the absolute hardness of the coatings has been determined by means of the modified proportional specimen resistance model. Additionally, conventional spherical indentation tests were carried out on the surface of the coatings, aimed at determining the yield strength by means of the equations employed in classical elastic contact mechanics. The analysis indicates that the yield strength determined from the Zeng and Chiu model is of 3·5 and 3·1 GPa for the WC–10Co–4Cr and WC–12Co coatings respectively. The absolute hardness of the WC–10Co–4Cr coating was found to be of 11·1 GPa, whereas that of the WC–12Co was of 9·3 GPa.
Pretransplant administration of imatinib for allo-HSCT in patients with BCR-ABL–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Mizuta Shuichi , Matsuo Keitaro , Nishiwaki Satoshi , Imai Kiyotoshi , Kanamori Heiwa , Ohashi Kazuteru , Fukuda Takahiro , Onishi Yasushi , Miyamura Koichi , Takahashi Satoshi , Onizuka Makoto , Atsuta Yoshiko , Suzuki Ritsuro , Morishima Yasuo , Kato Koji , Sakamaki Hisashi , Tanaka Junji
Published: March 2014

Key Points

Pretransplant imatinib improved both relapse and nonrelapse mortality in patients with BCR-ABL–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Interstitial lung disease
Authors: Antoniou Katerina M. , Margaritopoulos George A. , Tomassetti Sara , Bonella Francesco , Costabel Ulrich , Poletti Venerino
Published: March 2014

Interstitial lung diseases are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Knowledge achieved in recent years has resulted in the publication of the new classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, according to which there are three groups: major, rare and unclassified. The novelty of the new classification comes from the fact that difficult to classify entities can be treated according to the disease behaviour classification. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most lethal amongst the interstitial lung diseases and presents high heterogeneity in clinical behaviour. A number of biomarkers have been proposed in order to predict the course of the disease and group patients with the same characteristics in clinical trials. Early diagnosis and disease stratification is also important in the field of other interstitial lung diseases.
Assessing signatures of selection through variation in linkage disequilibrium between taurine and indicine cattle
Authors: Pérez O’Brien Ana M , Utsunomiya Yuri T , Mészáros Gábor , Bickhart Derek M , Liu George E , Van Tassell Curtis P , Sonstegard Tad S , Da Silva Marcos VB , Garcia José Fernando , Sölkner Johann
Published: March 2014

Background

Signatures of selection are regions in the genome that have been preferentially increased in frequency and fixed in a population because of their functional importance in specific processes. These regions can be detected because of their lower genetic variability and specific regional linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns.

Methods

By comparing the differences in regional LD variation between dairy and beef cattle types, and between indicine and taurine subspecies, we aim at finding signatures of selection for production and adaptation in cattle breeds. The VarLD method was applied to compare the LD variation in the autosomal genome between breeds, including Angus and Brown Swiss, representing taurine breeds, and Nelore and Gir, representing indicine breeds. Genomic regions containing the top 0.01 and 0.1 percentile of signals were characterized using the UMD3.1 Bos taurus genome assembly to identify genes in those regions and compared with previously reported selection signatures and regions with copy number variation.

Results

For all comparisons, the top 0.01 and 0.1 percentile included 26 and 165 signals and 17 and 125 genes, respectively, including TECRL, BT.23182 or FPPS, CAST, MYOM1, UVRAG and DNAJA1.

Conclusions

The VarLD method is a powerful tool to identify differences in linkage disequilibrium between cattle populations and putative signatures of selection with potential adaptive and productive importance.
Does Pomegranate intake attenuate cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis patients?
Authors: Shema-Didi Lilach , Kristal Batya , Sela Shifra , Geron Ronit , Ore Liora
Published: March 2014

Background

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients. It has been attributed, among other causes, to hypertension and dyslipidemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a year-long consumption of Pomegranate juice (PJ), on two traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors: hypertension and lipid profile, as well as on cardiovascular events.

Methods

101 HD patients were randomized to receive 100 cc of PJ (0.7 mM polyphenols) or matching placebo juice, three times a week for one year. The primary endpoints were traditional CV risk factors; blood pressure and lipid profile. Systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure, plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol were monitored quarterly during the study year. Secondary endpoint was incidence of cardiovascular events.

Results

PJ consumption yielded a significant time response improvement in systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, triglycerides and HDL level; an improvement that was not observed in the placebo intake group. These beneficial outcomes were more pronounced among patients with hypertension, high level of triglycerides and low levels of HDL.

Conclusion

Regular PJ consumption by HD patients reduced systolic blood pressure and improved lipid profile. These favorable changes may reduce the accelerated atherosclerosis and high incidence of CVD among HD patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov registry, Identifier number:NCT00727519
Development of an aptamer-conjugated fluorescent nanoprobe for MMP2
Authors: Han Myoung-Eun , Baek Sungmin , Kim Hyun-Jung , Lee Jung Hwan , Ryu Sung-Ho , Oh Sae-Ock
Published: March 2014

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) plays critical roles in various diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cancer, and has been suggested to contribute to the instability of atherosclerotic plaque. To visualize MMP2 in pathologic tissues, we developed an aptamer targeting MMP2 protein by performing eight rounds of modified DNA systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The aptamer showed high affinity for MMP2 (K
d = 5.59 nM), precipitated MMP2, and detected MMP2 protein in pathological tissues such as atherosclerotic plaque and gastric cancer tissues. Furthermore, a MMP2 aptamer-conjugated fluorescent nanoprobe successfully visualized atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice. These results suggest that the devised MMP2 aptamer could be useful for the development of various diagnostic tools.