bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Synthesis of MnO2 Nanorods on Carbon Cloth as Flexible Supercapacitor Electrode
Authors: Xi Shuang , Zhu Yinlong , Yang Yutu , Liu Ying
Published: April 2017

MnO2 nanorod/carbon cloth (MnO2/CC) composites were prepared through in situ redox deposition as freestanding electrodes for flexible supercapacitors. The CC substrates possessing porous and interconnecting structures enable the uniform decoration of MnO2 nanorods on each fiber, thus forming conformal coaxial micro/nanocomposites. Three-dimensional CC can provide considerable specific surface area for high mass loading of MnO2, and the direct deposition process without using polymeric binders enables reliable electrical connection of MnO2 with CC. The effect of MnO2 decoration on the electrochemical performances was further investigated, indicating that the electrode prepared with 40 min deposition time shows high specific capacitance (220 F/g at a scan rate of 5 mV/s) and good cycling property (90% of the initial specific capacitance was maintained after 2500 cycles) in 1 M Na2SO4 aqueous solution. This enhanced electrochemical performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of good conductivity of carbon substrates as well as outstanding pseudocapacitance of MnO2 nanorods. The obtained MnO2/CC compositing electrode with the advantages of low cost and easy fabrication is promising in applications of flexible supercapacitors.
Patient Preferences with Regard to Laser versus Intravitreal Injections in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Mason Lauren , Crosson Jason N. , Mason John O. , McGwin Gerald
Published: April 2017

Purpose. To identify treatment preferences of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) having undergone laser and intravitreal injections. Methods. Patients with DME who received lasers and injections were surveyed, measuring preferences toward specific treatments. 66/210 diabetic patients met the criteria for our survey assessing preference for lasers and/or injections, incorporating demographics and treatment preference questions. Outcome measures included treatment preference (laser or injections), how often patients are willing to be treated, and how much vision they will sacrifice to avoid being treated every month. Results. 66 patients completed the survey. The mean diabetes duration was 20.7 years, the mean retina follow-up was 4.4 years, and patients received a mean of 4.82 lasers and 4.86 injections. 56% preferred injections, 33% preferred laser, and 11% had no preference. Regarding treatment effectiveness, 38% found no difference, 36% chose laser, and 25% chose injections. Regarding anxiety, 56% reported injection anxiety. While 50% versus 38% reported that laser was easier than injections. 91% would give up zero lines on the eye chart, and 76% would come in 12 times yearly for treatment to maintain vision. Conclusion. Patients with DME have no profound preference regarding laser versus intravitreal injections but prefer aggressive treatment and are unwilling to sacrifice vision for less visits.
Modulation of Bax and mTOR for Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Li Rui , Ding Chunyong , Zhang Jun , Xie Maohua , Park Dongkyoo , Ding Ye , Chen Guo , Zhang Guojing , Gilbert-Ross Melissa , Zhou Wei , Marcus Adam I. , Sun Shi-Yong , Chen Zhuo G. , Sica Gabriel L. , Ramalingam Suresh S. , Magis Andrew T. , Fu Haian , Khuri Fadlo R. , Curran Walter J. , Owonikoko Taofeek K. , Shin Dong M. , Zhou Jia , Deng Xingming
Published: April 2017

A rationale exists for pharmacologic manipulation of the serine (S)184 phosphorylation site of the proapoptotic Bcl2 family member Bax as an anticancer strategy. Here, we report the refinement of the Bax agonist SMBA1 to generate CYD-2-11, which has characteristics of a suitable clinical lead compound. CYD-2-11 targeted the structural pocket proximal to S184 in the C-terminal region of Bax, directly activating its proapoptotic activity by inducing a conformational change enabling formation of Bax homooligomers in mitochondrial membranes. In murine models of small-cell and non–small cell lung cancers, including patient-derived xenograft and the genetically engineered mutant KRAS-driven lung cancer models, CYD-2-11 suppressed malignant growth without evident significant toxicity to normal tissues. In lung cancer patients treated with mTOR inhibitor RAD001, we observed enhanced S184 Bax phosphorylation in lung cancer cells and tissues that inactivates the propaoptotic function of Bax, contributing to rapalog resistance. Combined treatment of CYD-2-11 and RAD001 in murine lung cancer models displayed strong synergistic activity and overcame rapalog resistance in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings provide preclinical evidence for a pharmacologic combination of Bax activation and mTOR inhibition as a rational strategy to improve lung cancer treatment. Cancer Res; 77(11); 3001–12. ©2017 AACR.
Phase I Clinical Trial of Autologous Stem Cell–Sheet Transplantation Therapy for Treating Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Miyagawa Shigeru , Domae Keitaro , Yoshikawa Yasushi , Fukushima Satsuki , Nakamura Teruya , Saito Atsuhiro , Sakata Yasushi , Hamada Seiki , Toda Koichi , Pak Kyongsun , Takeuchi Masahiro , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: April 2017

Background

When transplanted into failing heart, autologous somatic tissue–derived cells yield functional recovery via paracrine effects that enhance native regeneration. However, the therapeutic effects are modest. We developed a method in which scaffold‐free cell sheets are attached to the epicardial surface to maximize paracrine effects. This Phase I clinical trial tested whether transplanting autologous cell–sheets derived from skeletal muscle is feasible, safe, and effective for treating severe congestive heart failure.

Methods and Results

Fifteen ischemic cardiomyopathy patients and 12 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, who were in New York Heart Association functional class
II
or
III
and had been treated with the maximum medical and/or interventional therapies available, were enrolled. Scaffold‐free cell sheets of 3 to 9×10
8
cells derived from autologous muscle were transplanted over the
LV
free wall via left thoracotomy, without additional interventional treatments. There were no procedure‐related major complications during follow‐up. The majority of the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients showed marked symptomatic improvement in New York Heart Association classification (pre: 2.9±0.5 versus 6 months: 2.1±0.4,
P
<0.01; 1 year: 1.9±0.3,
P
<0.01) and the Six‐Minute Walk Test with significant reduction of serum brain natriuretic peptide level (pre: 308±72 pg/mL versus 6 months: 191±56 versus 1 year: 182±46,
P
<0.05), pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary vein resistance, and left ventricular wall stress after transplantation instead of limited efficacy in dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

Conclusions

Cell‐sheet transplantation as a sole therapy was feasible for treating cardiomyopathy. Promising results in the safety and functional recovery warrant further clinical follow‐up and larger studies to confirm this treatment's efficacy for severe congestive heart failure.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.umin.ac.jp/english/
. Unique identifier:
UMIN
000003273.
Perception of Spatial Sound Phenomena Created by the Icosahedral Loudspeaker
Authors: Wendt Florian , Sharma Gerriet K. , Frank Matthias , Zotter Franz , Höldrich Robert
Published: April 2017

The icosahedral loudspeaker (IKO) is able to project strongly focused sound beams into arbitrary directions. Incorporating artistic experience and psychoacoustic research, this article presents three listening experiments that provide evidence for a common, intersubjective perception of spatial sonic phenomena created by the IKO. The experiments are designed on the basis of a hierarchical model of spatiosonic phenomena that exhibit increasing complexity, ranging from a single static sonic object to combinations of multiple, partly moving objects. The results are promising and explore new compositional perspectives in spatial computer music.
Mapping the Klangdom Live: Cartographies for Piano with Two Performers and Electronics
Authors: Einbond Aaron
Published: April 2017

The use of high-density loudspeaker arrays (HDLAs) has recently experienced rapid growth in a wide variety of technical and aesthetic approaches. Still less explored, however, are applications to interactive music with live acoustic instruments. How can immersive spatialization accompany an instrument already with its own rich spatial diffusion pattern, like the grand piano, in the context of a score-based concert work? Potential models include treating the spatialized electronic sound in analogy to the diffusion pattern of the instrument, with spatial dimensions parametrized as functions of timbral features. Another approach is to map the concert hall as a three-dimensional projection of the instrument's internal physical layout, a kind of virtual sonic microscope. Or, the diffusion of electronic spatial sound can be treated as an independent polyphonic element, complementary to but not dependent upon the instrument's own spatial characteristics. Cartographies (2014), for piano with two performers and electronics, explores each of these models individually and in combination, as well as their technical implementation with the Meyer Sound Matrix3 system of the Südwestrundfunk Experimentalstudio in Freiburg, Germany, and the 43.4-channel Klangdom of the Institut für Musik und Akustik at the Zentrum für Kunst und Media in Karlsruhe, Germany. The process of composing, producing, and performing the work raises intriguing questions, and invaluable hints, for the composition and performance of live interactive works with HDLAs in the future.
Composition and Perception in Spatial Audio
Authors: Brümmer Ludger
Published: April 2017

This article discusses the advantages of spatial audio, in general, followed by strategies for applying spatial components to composition. The discussion then looks ahead to questions that may be solved by future implementations of spatial software and hardware. Despite the fact that technical systems for spatial audio have been in use since the 1950s, spatial concepts have not been widely integrated into the compositional process. This is because they involve a complex interaction of several phenomena, all of which play a role in the construction and perception of music. This article presents an analysis of the advantages of spatial audio for perception and provides examples of the decomposition of sonic material with the help of spatial properties, as well as a discussion of limitations in spatial construction and perception.

Archival strategies for spatial audio are also briefly discussed.
Et in Arcadia Ego: Addressing Cancer, Death and Immortality Using
Science
Authors: Jarvis Charlotte , Clevers Hans
Published: April 2017

Charlotte Jarvis has collaborated with Hans Clevers to grow her own tumor. Here, the authors discuss the project’s aims to examine mortality and create a dialogue with and about cancer.
Come and See? The Power of Images and International Criminal Justice
Authors: Tallgren Immi
Published: April 2017

What kind of interdisciplinary approaches on images and international criminal justice (icj) are there to be explored? What could they bring to scholarship and institutional practice? This article provides a panorama of images and their roles, analysing the power of persuasion and attraction of images and its shadows. The power of images of suffering is discussed in light of critical scholarship on solidarity and humanitarianism. Another kind of power emanates from images by institutions and advocacy where justice is ‘seen to be done’. These powers are intertwined; images of suffering derive legitimacy and veracity from the format of their deployment, whereas images of institutional authority fuel on affects and their appeasement in the order the institutions aim at narrating, also by images. Engaging with interdisciplinarity, the article invites critical attention to what happens when images are powerful, and on the subjectivities and hierarchies involved, thereby reaching beyond the images.
From the Homeric Epic to Modern Political Theory
Authors: Catanzaro Andrea
Published: April 2017

Starting from the idea that the Hobbesian English version of the Homeric poems was a translation work but especially a tool for spreading political theories and teaching moral virtue in a period when the philosopher was under censorship (Nelson, 2008 and 2012), the article focuses on a remarkable situation where original texts and Hobbesian purposes deeply diverge. In translating the Iliad and the Odyssey, Hobbes had to handle a lexicon imbued with expressions that linked men in power to the Olympian gods. Unfortunately, the existence of these ties was completely at odds with what he had previously explained in his political works; hence he had to work on it extensively. By starting from a lexical analysis and moving to the dimension of History of Political Ideas, the article will show how Hobbes bypasses this problem, in order to reach his political and educational target.
Was Kandinsky a Synaesthete? Examining His Writings and Other Evidence
Authors: Just Dyedra K. C.
Published: April 2017

Wassily Kandinsky is widely regarded as one of the most prominent examples of a synaesthetic artist. However, in the scientific literature there is disagreement on the genuineness of his synaesthesia. This paper investigates whether Kandinsky had inborn synaesthesia, while acknowledging that there are also types of induced synaesthesia which he may have cultivated. As these two types of synaesthesia are seen to work additively in some synaesthetes and not to be mutually exclusive, this is not seen as an argument against the view that he was a true inborn synaesthete. Whether Kandinsky was a synaesthete is examined through a detailed study of his primary writings (e.g., On the Spiritual in Art, Point and Line to Plane, and Reminiscences), in light of the modern diagnostic criteria. The experiences described in those writings indicate that his synaesthetic perceptions were genuine and inborn and not just a theoretical endeavour. Given the genetic dimension of synaesthesia, this view is further supported by the fact that Kandinsky’s uncle Victor Kandinsky also described having synaesthetic experiences.
The taxonomic status of two Telmatobius frog species (Anura: Telmatobiidae) from the western Andean slopes of northernmost Chile
Authors: FIBLA PABLO , SÁEZ PAOLA A. , SALINAS HUGO , ARAYA CAROLINA , SALLABERRY MICHEL , MÉNDEZ MARCO A.
Published: April 2017

On the basis of molecular and morphological evidence, we evaluated the taxonomic identity of two species of Andean frogs of the genus Telmatobius: Telmatobius pefauri and T. zapahuirensis, present in the western Andean slopes at the northern extreme of Chile. We also investigated the taxonomic assignment of five populations of Telmatobius recently discovered around the type localities of these two species. The results indicate that T. pefauri inhabits, not only Murmuntani its type locality, but also the montane localities of Belén, Copaquilla, Lupica, Saxamar and Socoroma. Our study also shows that T. pefauri and T. zapahuirensis are the same taxon. Therefore, Telmatobius zapahuirensis Veloso, Sallaberry, Navarro, Iturra, Valencia, Penna & Díaz, 1982 would be a subjective junior synonym of Telmatobius pefauri Veloso & Trueb, 1976.
Review of the Palearctic Atemelia Herrich-Schäffer (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutoidea, Praydidae), with description of a new leafmining species
Authors: LIU TENGTENG , YAN JIAHE
Published: April 2017

The Palearctic Atemelia Herrich-Schäffer, 1853 is reviewed. Two species are treated, one of which is described as new: A. fusca Liu, sp. nov. The genus Atemelia is recorded in China for the first time, and it is also newly recorded from the Eastern Palearctic region. Larvae of A. fusca sp. nov. mine leaves of Ulmus pumila (Ulmaceae), sharing the same host plant genus with another leaf miner A. torquatella (Lienig & Zeller, 1846) from Europe, but they are distinctive from the Nearctic and the Neotropical Atemelia species in host plant families and life styles. Photographs of adults and genitalia of the Palearctic Atemelia are provided. Additional photographs of immature stages, leafmines, and host plant are provided for the new species. In addition, three DNA barcodes are provided for A. fusca sp. nov.
A new species of Chaetolonchaea Czerny (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) from China, a larval pest on chives
Authors: ZHANG TING-TING , LIU FANG , MACGOWAN IAIN , XUE MING
Published: April 2017

A new species, Chaetolonchaea alliumi sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The larvae of this species are found in the bulbs of chives (Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng.), and the species is an important pest of liliaceous vegetables. A key to the eight known species of world Chaetolonchaea Czerny, 1934 is included. The egg, larva and larval skeleton of genus Chaetolonchae are illustrate for the first time. Photographs of the puparium, host plant and injury symptoms are also provided.
Mean-Flow Effects of Thermal Tides in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere
Authors: Becker Erich
Published: April 2017

This study addresses the heat budget of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere with regard to the energy deposition of upward-propagating waves. To this end, the energetics of gravity waves are recapitulated using an anelastic version of the primitive equations. This leads to an expression for the energy deposition of waves that is usually resolved in general circulation models. The energy deposition is shown to be mainly due to the frictional heating and, additionally, due to the negative buoyancy production of wave kinetic energy. The frictional heating includes contributions from horizontal and vertical momentum diffusion, as well as from ion drag. This formalism is applied to analyze results from a mechanistic middle-atmosphere general circulation model that includes energetically consistent parameterizations of diffusion, gravity waves, and ion drag. This paper estimates 1) the wave driving and energy deposition of thermal tides, 2) the model response to the excitation of thermal tides, and 3) the model response to the combined energy deposition by parameterized gravity waves and resolved waves. It is found that thermal tides give rise to a significant energy deposition in the lower thermosphere. The temperature response to thermal tides is positive. It maximizes at polar latitudes in the lower thermosphere as a result of poleward circulation branches that are driven by the predominantly westward Eliassen–Palm flux divergence of the tides. In addition, thermal tides give rise to a downward shift and reduction of the gravity wave drag in the upper mesosphere. Including the energy deposition in the model causes a substantial warming in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere.
Competition of a Different Flavor: How a Strategic Group Identity Shapes Competition and Cooperation
Authors: Sonenshein Scott , Nault Kristen , Obodaru Otilia
Published: April 2017

Using an inductive study of 41 gourmet food trucks, we develop theory about how firms form a strategic group identity that shapes both competitive and cooperative behaviors among its members. Based on an analysis of group prototypes, we find that members cooperate to help each other meet the central tendencies of the group—the properties that typical group members have—and yet compete to strive for the ideal tendencies of the group—the attributes of members held in highest regard. These competitive and cooperative dynamics lead to three surprising consequences in light of previous research on strategic groups: (1) existing members of the strategic group help new firms enter the market; (2) resource scarcity leads to cooperation, not competition; and (3) when competition does emerge, it focuses on status within the group and not on price. To make sense of these empirical puzzles, we develop theory around the micro identity processes that allow a strategic group’s identity to persist and to shape its member firms’ behaviors, which alters how scholars understand the inner workings of strategic groups and their impact on both firms and markets.
Talent Development Research, Policy, and Practice in Europe and the United States: Outcomes From a Summit of International Researchers
Authors: Subotnik Rena F. , Stoeger Heidrun , Olszewski-Kubilius Paula
Published: April 2017

The goal of this article is to convey a summary of research and conversation on talent development on the part of a small group of European and American researchers who participated in the Inaugural American European Research Summit in Washington. In the final hours of the summit, participants discussed the state of research on talent development and giftedness and a way forward that would benefit the field and, most important, children and educators. Collectively we identified four broad themes: (1) expanding our conceptual horizons through increased exposure to international scholars, (2) shifting the paradigm of gifted education toward talent development, (3) promoting key elements of talent development in research and practice, and (4) finding the most effective policy and advocacy strategies to promote talent development.
Manufacturing of Al–Al2O3–Mg multilayered nanocomposites by accumulative roll bonding process and study of its microstructure, tensile, and bending properties
Authors: Abbasi M , Sajjadi SA
Published: April 2017

Accumulative roll bonding is used for producing multilayered composites, with exciting mechanical properties, via the creation of bonding between dissimilar metallic layers. In this study for the first time, Al–Mg multilayered composites reinforced with nano-Al2O3 particles were produced by the accumulative roll bonding process at different temperatures. However, there was a problem regarding the adhesion of the nanoceramic particles with each other and with the sheet metals. To avoid these disadvantageous effects of the Al2O3 particle addition and to create better adhesion at interfaces, Al and different percentages of Al2O3 powders were ball milled and Al/Al2O3 composite powders were produced. Afterward, the composite powder was added between Al and Mg sheets and they were rolled to 50% reduction in thickness in each cycle. The process was continued up to four cycles at different temperatures. The microstructural evaluation and mechanical properties of aluminum/nanoalumina/magnesium composites showed that 300℃ is suitable temperature for accumulative roll bonding of Al and Mg sheets with nano-Al2O3 particles. Accumulative roll bonded composites with Al/5 wt% Al2O3 composite powder showed higher tensile strength while the maximum bending strength was related to the composites containing Al/10 wt% Al2O3. Fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites revealed a brittle fracture at higher cycles.
Introduction
Authors: Krobb Florian
Published: April 2017

This introduction sketches some of the challenges in applying post-colonial theory to conditions and discourses of intra-European coloniality, post-coloniality, post-imperialism and post-dependency. It argues for a sensitive blending of the study of the historically specific with a conceptual approach which acknowledges patterns and brings general dynamics into view. The seven articles collected in this issue of the Journal of European Studies demonstrate a concomitant plurality of approaches to a wide range of exemplary scenarios (from Baltic positionings under the conditions of multidirectional hegemony to German and Polish/Ukrainian post-imperialisms) and on a variety of discursive sites (from memory politics to urban development).
Process-oriented dynamic group psychotherapy for depression as a teaching modality in a family medicine residency program— A pilot study
Authors: Simon Eric P , McClaflin Richard , Zonca Rachel , Mikuni Karen , Chung Willard , Etnyre Ethan , Faucette Lindsey , Oates David , Merrill Chuck
Published: April 2017

Background and Objectives

This pilot study provides a description and evaluation of process-oriented dynamic group psychotherapy for depression as a teaching modality for family medicine residents. The main purpose of using this modality was to teach family medicine residents a variety of psychological clinical skills. A secondary benefit of this modality was to provide in-house, primary care treatment to depressed patients, although the efficacy of this was not evaluated in the present study.

Methods

A 10-item, self-report, Likert-type questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of family medicine residents who had participated in the program.

Results

Completed questionnaires were received from 100% of the family medicine resident participants. Responses to the questionnaires indicate that the residents felt they acquired a variety of clinical skills from the training modality, to include developing active listening and interviewing skills; methods to improve the doctor–patient relationship; increased skills in empathy, intuitive processes, and emotional support; a depth understanding of how intra-psychic conflicts and interpersonal problems contribute to depression; how to give effective feedback that promotes behavioral change; and how to place interventions at the appropriate level of change. Eighty-eight percent of residents indicated they would recommend this learning modality to a family medicine physician colleague.

Conclusions

The family medicine residents’ responses to the questionnaires indicate that they perceived process-oriented dynamic group psychotherapy for depression as a constructive and beneficial modality for both patient care and learning a variety of clinical skills.
Phoenix Rising: An Autoethnographic Account of a Gifted Black Male With Dyslexia
Authors: Robinson Shawn Anthony
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to describe my academic journey as a gifted Black male with dyslexia. The central research question was the following: What were some of the stories along my academic pathway that seem significant? The research design positioned me inside the culture in which I am the topic of examination. The research methodology used for my analysis was autoethnography, which allows personal experiences to be explored through the intersection between narrative inquiry and ethnography. The approach allowed me to fully articulate my lived experiences, which provided a deeper understanding on how the intersectionality of race, dyslexia, and giftedness influenced my identity formation. An analysis of my journey led to the finding that the intersection of identity categories must be attended to, in order to support the learning of students with “triple-identity.” The article presents a theoretical model for exploring the intersectionality of those elements.
Informal Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Review of Interventions, Care Activities, and Outcomes
Authors: Frambes Dawn , Given Barbara , Lehto Rebecca , Sikorskii Alla , Wyatt Gwen
Published: April 2017

Family and friends are important resources for patients during cancer treatment and warrant an expanded review of not only what they contribute to patient care but also the support they need and the personal consequences of caregiving. A review of 14 randomized controlled trials published between 2009 and 2016 was completed utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The results of this review expand the scope of what is known regarding relationships among supportive interventions for caregivers, activities performed to care for cancer patients, caregiver characteristics, and health outcomes of caregivers. Specific results include (a) updated synthesis of literature associated with variables important to caregiving, (b) attention to interventions designed to support caregivers, (c) classification of specific activities caregivers perform for cancer patients, (d) identification of caregiver characteristics associated with specific care activities, (e) inconsistencies in measurement of care activities, and (f) minimal reporting of outcome variables.
Music in preschool class: A quantitative study of factors that determine the extent of music in daily work in Swedish preschool classes
Authors: Ehrlin Anna , Tivenius Olle
Published: April 2017

The aim of this article is to highlight what opportunities a six year old in preschool class in Sweden might have for participating in and being inspired by music. We ask the following question: What factors determine how music teaching is conceived and carried out in preschool class? The present study is quantitative in character, and data were collected by means of a survey sent out to all teachers working with preschool classes in a Swedish city. We have brought a hermeneutic approach to bear on our comprehensive interpretations. Our conclusion, and the answer to the research question, is that the fundamental view of music education determines to what extent music teaching occurs, and how it is carried out, in preschool class.
Synthesis of high Tg and organosoluble poly(N-arylene benzimidazole ether imide) copolymers by C–N/C–O coupling reaction
Authors: Sidra Lala Rukh , Mushtaq Nafeesa , Chen Guofei , Fang Xingzhong
Published: April 2017

A series of poly( N-arylene benzimidazole ether imide) copolymers PEIBIs were prepared from 1H,3′H-5,5′-bis-benzimidazole, bisphenol-A and 4,4′-bis(4-fluorophthalimido)diphenyl ether by nucleophilic displacement polymerization. The resulting copolymers PEIBI(10–90) demonstrated moderate to good solubility in polar aprotic solvents and high glass transition temperatures ( Tgs) of 228–336°C, good thermal stability with 10% weight loss temperatures in the range of 503–548°C. All copolymer films showed good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 101–130 MPa, tensile moduli of 3.3–4.0 GPa, elongations at break of 5–7%, and also presented low water uptake (0.15–0.34%). The wide-angle X-ray diffraction results revealed the amorphous nature of copolymers. The copolymer PEIBI-80 showed good balance in solubility, thermal and mechanical properties.
Suspended liminality: Vacillating affects in cyberbullying/research
Authors: Kofoed Jette , Stenner Paul
Published: April 2017

This article develops a concept of liminal hotspots in the context of (a) a secondary analysis of a cyberbullying case involving a group of school children from a Danish school and (b) an altered auto-ethnography in which the authors “entangle” their own experiences with the case analysis. These two sources are used to build an account of a liminal hotspot conceived as an occasion of troubled and suspended transformative transition in which a liminal phase is extended and remains unresolved. The altered auto-ethnography is used to explore the affectivity at play in liminal hotspots, and this liminal affectivity is characterized in terms of volatility, vacillation, suggestibility, and paradox.
The emergence of motives in liminal hotspots
Authors: Nissen Morten , Sørensen Kathrine Solgaard
Published: April 2017

The concept of “motivation” commonly constructs as a psychological essence what is really the paradoxical imposition of a required desire. While the resulting impasse blocked theoretical development for around four decades, pragmatic motivational techniques evolved regardless. These could be (probably to no avail) dismissed for not taking account of the deep theoretical problems. This article suggests instead to rearticulate them with the conceptual repertoire of liminal hotspots, which directs attention to the emergent nature of activities and collectives, and thus motives. This is done as part of an ongoing collaboration with counselors who experiment with different ways of helping young drug users without taking motivation as premise, in the sense of a prerequisite, for interventions. Data from recorded counseling sessions are analyzed and rearticulated, first in terms of the classical motivation–resistance contradiction; then through pragmatic approaches in counseling, i.e., the prevalent cognitive-client-centered form and the “solution-focused brief therapy” approach—and finally as motives emergent in liminal hotspots.
Going for It
Authors: Anderson Brian A.
Published: April 2017

What we pay attention to is influenced by reward learning. Previously reward-associated stimuli are difficult to ignore, automatically drawing our attention even when we know they are no longer beneficial to us. Recent research has suggested that these value-dependent attentional biases affect more than just perception, biasing an individual to act in such a way as to pursue the attended stimulus. Here, I review this evidence and argue for a direct link between attentional biases and shifts in action-related priorities. Given this link, abnormal or otherwise inappropriate reward-related attentional biases are hypothesized to contribute to undesired habits and poor economic choices.
A Greek physician’s portrait in Windsor Castle
Authors: Bartsocas Christos S
Published: April 2017

To the visitor to Windsor Castle, the Thomas Lawrence portraits in the Waterloo Chamber represent the most important contributors to the military defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, by British, Prussian, Russian and Austrian forces at the Battle of Waterloo. Nevertheless, only few individuals realise that a Greek physician, Count Ioannis Capodistrias, a native of the island of Corfu, stands among these leading personalities as a diplomat, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who contributed remarkably to European unity in the early nineteenth century and as a statesman (‘Governor’ of Greece) with a tragic end to his life, after establishing a Greek State practically from ruins.
HR Practices, Learning Culture and Human Capital: A Study on Indian Business and Professional Service Sector
Authors: Singh Pooja K. , Rao M. K.
Published: April 2017

This study aims to examine the role of human resource (HR) practices and learning-oriented culture to influence organizational human capital through knowledge management (KM) processes. Several linkages were proposed among study constructs based on previous literature annotations. Further, proposed relationships were empirically tested using structural equation modelling technique with the help of SPSS 20, PROCESS macro and AMOS 20 software. Data were collected from 237 employees of Indian business and professional service providers. This study discusses the role of HR practices and learning-oriented culture to affect KM process and shows that the proposed relationship has the potential to positively influence organizational human capital. In addition, results of the study provide empirical evidence to the mediating role of KM process between the associations of HR practices, organizational human capital, learning oriented culture and organizational human capital. Later, authors discuss study findings and provide insights into implications, limitations and future scope of the study.
Integrated Cox’s model for predicting survival time of glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Ai Zhibing , Li Longti , Fu Rui , Lu Jing-Min , He Jing-Dong , Li Sen
Published: April 2017

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common primary brain tumor and is highly lethal. This study aims to figure out signatures for predicting the survival time of patients with glioblastoma multiforme. Clinical information, messenger RNA expression, microRNA expression, and single-nucleotide polymorphism array data of patients with glioblastoma multiforme were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Patients were separated into two groups by using 1 year as a cutoff, and a logistic regression model was used to figure out any variables that can predict whether the patient was able to live longer than 1 year. Furthermore, Cox’s model was used to find out features that were correlated with the survival time. Finally, a Cox model integrated the significant clinical variables, messenger RNA expression, microRNA expression, and single-nucleotide polymorphism was built. Although the classification method failed, signatures of clinical features, messenger RNA expression levels, and microRNA expression levels were figured out by using Cox’s model. However, no single-nucleotide polymorphisms related to prognosis were found. The selected clinical features were age at initial diagnosis, Karnofsky score, and race, all of which had been suggested to correlate with survival time. Both of the two significant microRNAs, microRNA-221 and microRNA-222, were targeted to p27Kip1 protein, which implied the important role of p27Kip1 on the prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme patients. Our results suggested that survival modeling was more suitable than classification to figure out prognostic biomarkers for patients with glioblastoma multiforme. An integrated model containing clinical features, messenger RNA levels, and microRNA expression levels was built, which has the potential to be used in clinics and thus to improve the survival status of glioblastoma multiforme patients.
Expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha in early-stage and in metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ribeiro Maisa , Teixeira Sarah R , Azevedo Monarko N , Fraga Jr Ailton C , Gontijo Antônio PM , Vêncio Eneida F
Published: April 2017

To investigate hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha expression in distinct oral squamous cell carcinoma subtypes and topographies and correlate with clinicopathological data. Hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 93 cases of OSCC. Clinical and histopathological data were reviewed from medical records. Hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha status was distinct according to tumor location, subtype and topography affect. In superficial oral squamous cell carcinomas, most tumor cells overexpressed hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha, whereas hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha was restricted to the intratumoral region in conventional squamous cell carcinomas. All basaloid squamous cell carcinomas exhibited downregulation of hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha. Interestingly, metastatic lymph nodes (91.7%, p = 0.001) and the intratumoral regions of corresponding primary tumors (58.3%, p = 0.142) showed hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha-positive tumor cells. Overall survival was poor in patients with metastatic lymph nodes. Hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha has distinct expression patterns in different oral squamous cell carcinoma subtypes and topographies, suggesting that low oxygen tension promotes the growth pattern of superficial and conventional squamous cell carcinoma, but not basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. Indeed, a hypoxic environment may facilitate regional metastasis, making it a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker in primary tumors.
Dicer1 dysfunction promotes stemness and aggression in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xiao-Jun , Jiang Fei-Zhou , Tong Huan , Ke Jie-Qi , Li Yi-Ran , Zhang Hui-Lin , Yan Xiao-Fang , Wang Fang-Yuan , Wan Xiao-Ping
Published: April 2017

Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, but the molecular events involved in the development and progression of endometrial carcinoma remain unclear. Dicer1 and cancer stem cells play important roles in cell motility and survival. This study investigated the role of the let-7 family and Dicer1 in the stemness of endometrial carcinoma cells. We profiled Dicer1 expression in clinical samples and explored its relationship with stem cell–associated markers and clinical parameters. We showed that Dicer1 dysfunction leads to the enrichment of tumor stemness features and tumor aggression both in vitro and in vivo. We also identified the mechanism related to this potential tumor-predisposing phenotype: loss of Dicer1 induced abnormal expression of the let-7 family, which comprises well-known tumor suppressors, thus regulating stemness in endometrial carcinoma cells.
Spontaneous spinal plexiform perineurioma in a juvenile chicken (Gallus domesticus)
Authors: Cusack Lara , Blas-Machado Uriel , Mayer Joerg
Published: April 2017

A 2-mo-old pet chicken ( Gallus domesticus) was presented because of lameness and a hind limb mass of 1 mo duration. Radiographs revealed a soft tissue mass extending from the mid-femur into the body wall. Cytology of a sample obtained from a fine-needle aspirate was unremarkable. The bird was prepared for surgical investigation of the mass but died acutely at the time of pre-medication. Autopsy revealed an extradural mesenchymal neoplasm that focally compressed the lumbar spinal cord, extended into and along the adjacent nerve structures, and displaced the kidneys, skeletal muscle, and body wall. Histopathology was consistent with a perineurioma, which was positive for alcian blue and negative for S100, GLUT1, and neurofilament proteins on immunohistochemistry. PCR testing of tumor tissue was negative for gallid herpesvirus 2 (Marek’s disease virus) and avian leukosis virus. Although the etiology of the mass was not determined, our case highlights a severe manifestation of an uncommonly diagnosed tumor in the chicken. Though uncommon, perineurioma should be considered a differential diagnosis for lameness in the chicken.
Primary cerebellar lymphoma with Hodgkin lymphoma–like morphology in a cat
Authors: Yoshino Yuka , Chambers James K. , Nakamori Taichi , Goto-Koshino Yuko , Nishigaki Kazuo , Tsujimoto Hajime , Matsuki Naoaki , Nakayama Hiroyuki , Uchida Kazuyuki
Published: April 2017

A 4-y-old cat exhibited neurologic signs such as wobbling, right head tilt, and intention tremor, and MRI revealed a mass in the cerebellum. The cat died 5 mo after initial presentation, and no neoplastic lesions, other than the cerebellar mass, were observed at autopsy. Histologically, large atypical cells resembling Hodgkin cells, with single large inclusion-like nucleoli, and those resembling Reed–Sternberg cells, with symmetrically arranged nuclei, had infiltrated the left side of the cerebellum and were admixed with small lymphocytes. These atypical cells were positive for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), CD20, BLA36, vimentin, p16, p53, and Pax5, and negative for CD3, CD79a, and Iba1 by immunohistochemistry. Multiplex PCR for immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement revealed monoclonal proliferation of B-lymphocytes. We describe this feline primary cerebellar B-cell lymphoma that displayed Hodgkin lymphoma–like tumor cells with FeLV protein expression.
PAX-5 Positivity in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase–Negative Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Arun Indu , Roy Paromita , Arora Neeraj , Bhave Saurabh Jayant , Nair Reena , Chandy Mammen
Published: April 2017

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)–negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a subtype of T-cell lymphomas that may mimic several other malignancies morphologically. With the help of immunohistochemistry, most cases of ALCL can be diagnosed on the basis of expression of T-cell lineage associated antigens. However, aberrations in the expression of immunohistochemical markers pose diagnostic challenges. The morphological and immunophenotypic features of ALCL show considerable overlap with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL), which is a B-cell lymphoma. The 2008 World Health Organization Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues suggests that staining for the B-cell transcription factor, paired box 5 (PAX-5), is helpful in differentiating between them, as it is weakly positive in most CHL and should be negative in ALCL. We report a rare case of ALK-negative ALCL, which was positive for PAX-5 and CD15, mimicking CHL by immunohistochemistry, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma.
The Effect of Audit Activity on Tax Declaration
Authors: D’Agosto Elena , Manzo Marco , Pisani Stefano , D’Arcangelo Filippo Maria
Published: April 2017

This article provides an empirical contribution to deterrence analysis by evaluating the effect of tax audits on compliance taxpayer behaviors over the 2004 to 2009 period. We use two unique databases: the Tax Return Register (Anagrafe Tributaria) and Italian Revenue Agency (IRA) audits data, with a focus on self-employment and sole proprietorships. The difference-in-differences approach has been applied as estimation strategy to evaluate the effect of three IRA audit policies: on-site audit (i.e., soft audit), desk audit (i.e., deep audit), and a combination of on-site and desk audit activities. Our results show an overall positive effect of tax audits in terms of deterrence. In particular, the contemporaneous presence of soft and deep audits has the greatest effect on compliance reporting behaviors. Moreover, on-site audits show greater effects compared to desk audit activities. Reasons can be found in different purposes for which various policies are designed.
An Autopsy Case of Sudden Unexpected Death of a Young Adult in a Hot Bath: Molecular Analysis Using Next-Generation DNA Sequencing
Authors: Hata Yukiko , Kinoshita Koshi , Nishida Naoki
Published: April 2017

We report a case of sudden unexpected death of a young woman who was found in a bathtub of hot water. The autopsy concluded that all possible causes of sudden loss of consciousness, except cardiac origin, could be excluded. However, the heart did not show any obvious pathological changes. We used next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) to examine 73 genes and detected 3 rare, potentially pathogenic variants with minor allele frequencies ⩽1.0%. The pathogenicity of these variants was evaluated using 8 in silico predictive algorithms, and SCN5A_p.Gly289Ser, CACNB2_p.Ser502Leu, and MYH11_p.Lys1573Glu were detected as possible pathogenic variants. Inherited heart disease is a likely cause of sudden unexpected deaths of young people in hot baths, even before the clinical manifestation of the disease. In the future, molecular analysis by NGS may help to predict young to early middle-aged people who could be at risk of sudden arrhythmogenic fatality in hot baths.
Prevalence and Predictors of Hypovitaminosis D Among Female University Students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alzaheb Riyadh A , Al-Amer Osama
Published: April 2017

Background:

A high hypovitaminosis D prevalence has repeatedly been reported in Middle Eastern countries. Previous data regarding the vitamin D status of young women in Saudi Arabia and the related hypovitaminosis D risk factors are scarce, so this research assessed hypovitaminosis D prevalence and its risk factors among apparently healthy female university students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

This cross-sectional research used a convenience sample of healthy female students (n = 180) aged between 19 and 25 years in May 2016. Information was gathered on the participants’ sociodemographics, health, lifestyle, dietary intakes, anthropometry, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), and a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess hypovitaminosis D risk factors.

Results:

The sample’s hypovitaminosis D prevalence (25(OH)D <30 ng/mL) was 80.6%. The main determinants of hypovitaminosis D were as follows: urban residence (odds ratio [OR] = 6.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.74-5.63), rare sun exposure (OR = 6.14; 95% CI, 2.15-17.55), and insufficient vitamin D intake (OR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.07-5.81).

Conclusions:

The findings emphasize that despite plentiful sunshine, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East face a vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Vitamin D status must therefore be assessed at the national level so that strategies aimed at boosting vitamin D levels can be instigated.
Exchange Rates and International Reserves in India
Authors: Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Kyophilavong Phouphet
Published: April 2017

This article aims to study the relationship between real effective exchange rate (REER) and international reserve in India by applying the bivariate and conditional bivariate Granger causality test in frequency domain framework proposed by Breitung and Candelon (2006). The variables that are included to condition the frequency domain are the industrial production index, stock prices and wholesale producer index. Results found the evidence of business cyclical causality running from international reserve to REER for frequencies between 0.01 and 1.63 that corresponds to the 4 months and higher months cycles in India. The results have a strong bearing on the policy implications of India and any country alike it. The study concludes that the Reserve Bank of India should consider exchange rate as a grave determinant to manage appropriate forex reserve.