bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac-deleterious role of galectin-3 in chronic angiotensin II-induced hypertension
Authors: González Germán E. , Rhaleb N.-E. , D'Ambrosio Martin A. , Nakagawa Pablo , Liao Tang-Dong , Peterson Edward L. , Leung Pablo , Dai Xiangguo , Janic Branislava , Liu Yun-He , Yang Xiao-Ping , Carretero Oscar A.
Published: August 2016

Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a member of the β-galactoside lectin family, has an important role in immune regulation. In hypertensive rats and heart failure patients, Gal-3 is considered a marker for an unfavorable prognosis. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of Gal-3 action in hypertension-induced target organ damage are unknown. We hypothesized that, in angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertension, genetic deletion of Gal-3 prevents left ventricular (LV) adverse remodeling and LV dysfunction by reducing the innate immune responses and myocardial fibrosis. To induce hypertension, male C57BL/6J and Gal-3 knockout (KO) mice were infused with ANG II (3 μg·min−1·kg−1 sc) for 8 wk. We assessed: 1) systolic blood pressure by plethysmography, 2) LV function and remodeling by echocardiography, 3) myocardial fibrosis by histology, 4) cardiac CD68+ macrophage infiltration by histology, 5) ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression by Western blotting, 6) plasma cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and 7) regulatory T (Treg) cells by flow cytometry as detected by their combined expression of CD4, CD25, and FOXP3. Systolic blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy increased similarly in both mouse strains when infused with ANG II. However, hypertensive C57BL/6J mice suffered impaired ejection and shortening fractions. In these mice, the extent of myocardial fibrosis and macrophage infiltration was greater in histological sections, and cardiac ICAM-1, as well as plasma IL-6, expression was higher as assessed by Western blotting. However, all these parameters were blunted in Gal-3 KO mice. Hypertensive Gal-3 KO mice also had a higher number of splenic Treg lymphocytes. In conclusion, in ANG II-induced hypertension, genetic deletion of Gal-3 prevented LV dysfunction without affecting blood pressure or LV hypertrophy. This study indicates that the ANG II effects are, in part, mediated or triggered by Gal-3 together with the related intercellular signaling (ICAM-1 and IL-6), leading to cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.
Cadmium attenuates the macrophage response to LPS through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway
Authors: Cox Jessica Napolitano , Rahman Mohd. Akhlakur , Bao Shengying , Liu Mingjie , Wheeler Sarah E. , Knoell Daren L.
Published: August 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the U.S. is primarily caused by cigarette smoking. COPD patients are highly susceptible to respiratory infections in part due to alveolar macrophage dysfunction despite a substantial increase in macrophages in the lung. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal that is concentrated within tobacco and accumulates in the lung of smokers. We hypothesized that Cd uptake into macrophages alters immune function thereby impairing the macrophage response to invading pathogens. Our hypothesis was tested by comparing primary human monocytes and macrophages, primary mouse bronchoalveolar lavage myeloid cells, and related cell lines. Strikingly, Cd exposure followed by LPS stimulation resulted in a dose-dependent, significant decrease in nuclear p65 activity in macrophages that was not observed in monocytes. This corresponded with Cd-mediated inhibition of IKKβ and an impaired ability to transcribe and release cytokines in response to LPS challenge in vivo. These findings provide novel evidence that Cd has the capacity to disrupt macrophage immune function compared with monocytes. Importantly, Cd results in immune dysfunction in macrophages through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Based on these findings, we provide new evidence that Cd contributes to immune dysfunction in the lung of COPD subjects and may increase susceptibility to infection.
In vitro and in vivo evidence for an inflammatory role of the calcium channel TRPV4 in lung epithelium: Potential involvement in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Henry Clémence O. , Dalloneau Emilie , Pérez-Berezo Maria-Teresa , Plata Cristina , Wu Yongzheng , Guillon Antoine , Morello Eric , Aimar Rose-France , Potier-Cartereau Marie , Esnard Frédéric , Coraux Christelle , Börnchen Christian , Kiefmann Rainer , Vandier Christophe , Touqui Lhousseine , Valverde Miguel A. , Cenac Nicolas , Si-Tahar Mustapha
Published: August 2016

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease associated with chronic severe lung inflammation, leading to premature death. To develop innovative anti-inflammatory treatments, we need to characterize new cellular and molecular components contributing to the mechanisms of lung inflammation. Here, we focused on the potential role of “transient receptor potential vanilloid-4” (TRPV4), a nonselective calcium channel. We used both in vitro and in vivo approaches to demonstrate that TRPV4 expressed in airway epithelial cells triggers the secretion of major proinflammatory mediators such as chemokines and biologically active lipids, as well as a neutrophil recruitment in lung tissues. We characterized the contribution of cytosolic phospholipase A2, MAPKs, and NF-κB in TRPV4-dependent signaling. We also showed that 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, i.e., four natural lipid-based TRPV4 agonists, are present in expectorations of CF patients. Also, TRPV4-induced calcium mobilization and inflammatory responses were enhanced in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-deficient cellular and animal models, suggesting that TRPV4 is a promising target for the development of new anti-inflammatory treatments for diseases such as CF.
Circadian variation of the pancreatic islet transcriptome
Authors: Rakshit Kuntol , Qian Jingyi , Ernst Jason , Matveyenko Aleksey V.
Published: August 2016

Pancreatic islet failure is a characteristic feature of impaired glucose control in diabetes mellitus. Circadian control of islet function is essential for maintaining proper glucose homeostasis. Circadian variations in transcriptional pathways have been described in diverse cell types and shown to be critical for optimization of cellular function in vivo. In the current study, we utilized Short Time Series Expression Miner (STEM) analysis to identify diurnally expressed transcripts and biological pathways from mouse islets isolated at 4 h intervals throughout the 24 h light-dark cycle. STEM analysis identified 19 distinct chronological model profiles, and genes belonging to each profile were subsequently annotated to significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes biological pathways. Several transcriptional pathways essential for proper islet function (e.g., insulin secretion, oxidative phosphorylation), cell survival (e.g., insulin signaling, apoptosis) and cell proliferation (DNA replication, homologous recombination) demonstrated significant time-dependent variations. Notably, KEGG pathway analysis revealed “protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum - mmu04141” as one of the most enriched time-dependent pathways in islets. This study provides unique data set on time-dependent diurnal profiles of islet gene expression and biological pathways, and suggests that diurnal variation of the islet transcriptome is an important feature of islet homeostasis, which should be taken into consideration for optimal experimental design and interpretation of future islet studies.
Plasmin Enzyme-Assisted Vitrectomy in Pediatric Patients with Vitreoretinal Diseases
Authors: Lee Yung-Sung , Wang Nan-Kai , Chen Yen-Po , Chen Kuan-Jen , Hwang Yih-Shiou , Lai Chi-Chun , Wu Wei-Chi
Published: August 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using plasmin-assisted vitrectomy in pediatric patients with vitreoretinal diseases. Methods: We prospectively recruited children aged 16 years or younger who presented with vitreoretinopathies and underwent plasmin-assisted vitrectomy between 2012 and 2013. The main outcome measure was the induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) using a suction power of 200 mm Hg or less during surgery. Results: Eleven eyes of 11 patients (mean age: 3.7 years; average follow-up duration: 14.1 months) were included. Of these 11 patients, there were 3 (27%) cases of stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity, 2 (18%) cases of persistent fetal vasculature, 2 (18%) cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, 2 (18%) cases of idiopathic epiretinal membrane, 1 (9%) case of traumatic macular pucker, and 1 (9%) case of traumatic vitreous hemorrhage (9%). PVD was achieved in all cases (100%) during surgery using low suction after plasmin treatment (mean: 150 ± 39 mm Hg; range: 100-200). Overall, anatomical success was achieved in 8 eyes (73%). Visual acuity improved in all 5 (100%) patients for whom vision could be measured at 6 months after the operation. Cataracts were found in 4 eyes (36%), and a rise in transient intraocular pressure was observed in 1 eye (9%). Conclusions: Plasmin-assisted vitrectomy offers an effective and less traumatic intervention for a variety of pediatric vitreoretinal diseases.
MicroRNA-328, a Potential Anti-Fibrotic Target in Cardiac Interstitial Fibrosis
Authors: Du Weijie , Liang Haihai , Gao Xu , Li Xiaoxue , Zhang Yue , Pan Zhenwei , Li Cui , Wang Yuying , Liu Yanxin , Yuan Wei , Ma Ning , Chu Wenfeng , Shan Hongli , Lu Yanjie
Published: August 2016

Background/Aims: Deregulated myocardial fibrosis is associated with a wide spectrum of cardiac conditions, being considered one of the major causes for heart disease. Our study was designed to investigate the role of microRNA-328 (miR-328) in regulating cardiac fibrosis. Methods: We induced cardiac fibrosis following MI by occlusion of the left coronary artery in C57BL/6 mice. Real-time PCR was employed to evaluate the level of miR-328. Masson's Trichrome stain was used to evaluate the development of fibrosis. Luciferase activity assay was performed to confirm the miRNA's binding site in the TGFβRIII gene. Western blot analysis was used to examine TGFβRIII, p-smad2/3 and TGF-β1 at protein level. Results: In this study, we found that miR-328 was significantly upregulated in the border zone of infarcted myocardium of wild type (WT) mice; TGFβRIII was downregulated whereas TGF-β1 was upregulated along with increased cardiac fibrosis. And miR-328 stimulated TGF-β1 signaling and promoted collagen production in cultured fibroblasts. We further found that the pro-fibrotic effect of miR-328 was mediated by targeting TGFβRIII. Additionally, cardiac fibrosis was significantly reduced in infarcted heart when treated with miR-328 antisense. Conclusions: These data suggest that miR-328 is a potent pro-fibrotic miRNA and an important determinant of cardiac fibrosis in diseased heart.
A Blockade of IGF Signaling Sensitizes Human Ovarian Cancer Cells to the Anthelmintic Niclosamide-Induced Anti-Proliferative and Anticancer Activities
Authors: Deng Youlin , Wang Zhongliang , Zhang Fugui , Qiao Min , Yan Zhengjian , Wei Qiang , Wang Jing , Liu Hao , Fan Jiaming , Zou Yulong , Liao Junyi , Hu Xue , Chen Liqun , Yu Xinyi , Haydon Rex C. , Luu Hue H. , Qi Hongbo , He Tong-Chuan , Zhang Junhui
Published: August 2016

Background/Aims: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, and there is an unmet clinical need to develop new therapies. Although showing promising anticancer activity, Niclosamide may not be used as a monotherapy. We seek to investigate whether inhibiting IGF signaling potentiates Niclosamide's anticancer efficacy in human ovarian cancer cells. Methods: Cell proliferation and migration are assessed. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis are analyzed by flow cytometry. Inhibition of IGF signaling is accomplished by adenovirus-mediated expression of siRNAs targeting IGF-1R. Cancer-associated pathways are assessed using pathway-specific reporters. Subcutaneous xenograft model is used to determine anticancer activity. Results: We find that Niclosamide is highly effective on inhibiting cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell cycle progression, and inducing apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells, possibly by targeting multiple signaling pathways involved in ELK1/SRF, AP-1, MYC/MAX and NFkB. Silencing IGF-1R exert a similar but weaker effect than that of Niclosamide's. However, silencing IGF-1R significantly sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to Niclosamide-induced anti-proliferative and anticancer activities both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Niclosamide as a repurposed anticancer agent may be more efficacious when combined with agents that target other signaling pathways such as IGF signaling in the treatment of human cancers including ovarian cancer.
Palmitate-Induced MMP-9 Expression in the Human Monocytic Cells is Mediated through the TLR4-MyD88 Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Sindhu Sardar , Al-Roub Areej , Koshy Merin , Thomas Reeby , Ahmad Rasheed
Published: August 2016

Background/Aims: Obese individuals are known to have increased Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 plasma levels and MMP-9 is reported to play an important role in obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation. Since in obesity, the levels of circulatory saturated free fatty acid (FFA) palmitate (palimitic acid) are increased and modulate the expression of inflammatory mediators, the role of palmitate in the regulation of MMP-9 remains unclear. Methods: Human monocytic cell line THP-1 and primary monocytes were stimulated with palmitate and TNF-α (positive control). MMP-9 expression was assessed with real time RT-PCR and ELISA. Signaling pathways were studied by using THP-1-XBlue™ cells, THP-1-XBlue™-defMyD cells, anti-TLR4 mAb and TLR4 siRNA. Phosphorylation of NF-kB and c-Jun was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Here, we provide the evidence that palmitate induces MMP-9 expression at both mRNA (THP-1: 6.8 ± 1.2 Fold; P = 0.01; Primary monocytes: 5.9 ± 0.7 Fold; P = 0.0003) and protein (THP1: 1116 ±14 pg/ml; P<0.001; Primary monocytes: 1426 ± 13.8; P = 0.0005) levels in human monocytic cells. Palmitate-induced MMP-9 secretion was markedly suppressed by neutralizing anti-TLR-4 antibody (P < 0.05). Furthermore, genetic silencing of TLR4 by siRNA also significantly abrogated the palmitate-induced up-regulation of MMP-9. Additionally, MyD88-/- THP-1 cells did not express MMP-9 in response to palmitate treatment. Increased NF-κB/AP-1 activity (P<0.05) was also observed in palmitate-treated THP-1 cells. Conclusion: Altogether, these results show that palmitate induces TLR4-dependent activation of MMP-9 gene expression, which requires the recruitment of MyD88 leading to activation of NF-kB/AP-1 transcription factors. Thus, our findings suggest that the palmitate-induced MMP-9 secretion might be an underlying mechanism of its increased levels in obesity and related metabolic inflammation.
Distribution of 45S rDNA in Modern Rose Cultivars (Rosa hybrida), Rosa rugosa, and Their Interspecific Hybrids Revealed by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization
Authors: Ding Xiao-Liu , Xu Ting-Liang , Wang Jing , Luo Le , Yu Chao , Dong Gui-Min , Pan Hui-Tang , Zhang Qi-Xiang
Published: August 2016

To elucidate the evolutionary dynamics of the location and number of rDNA loci in the process of polyploidization in the genus Rosa, we examined 45S rDNA sites in the chromosomes of 6 modern rose cultivars (R. hybrida), 5 R. rugosa cultivars, and 20 hybrid progenies by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Variation in the number of rDNA sites in parents and their interspecific hybrids was detected. As expected, 4 rDNA sites were observed in the genomes of 4 modern rose cultivars, while 3 hybridization sites were observed in the 2 others. Two expected rDNA sites were found in 2 R. rugosa cultivars, while in the other 3 R. rugosa cultivars 4 sites were present. Among the 20 R. hybrida × R. rugosa offspring, 13 carried the expected number of rDNA sites, and 1 had 6 hybridization sites, which exceeded the expected number by far. The other 6 offspring had either 2 or 3 hybridization sites, which was less than expected. Differences in the number of rDNA loci were observed in interspecific offspring, indicating that rDNA loci exhibit instability after distant hybridization events. Abnormal chromosome pairing may be the main factor explaining the variation in rDNA sites during polyploidization.
As múltiplas abordagens sobre a temática racial no Brasil
Authors: Lima Márcia
Published: August 2016

Apresentação
Classe, cor, raça e racialização na agenda das ciências sociais - Entrevista com Antonio Sérgio Alfredo Guimarães
Authors: Rios Flavia , Gato Matheus , Sotero Edilza
Published: August 2016

Classe, cor, raça e racialização na agenda das ciências sociais - Entrevista com Antonio Sérgio Alfredo Guimarães
O Brasil contemporâneo em dois romances de Chico Buarque
Authors: Brito Leonardo Octavio Belinelli de
Published: August 2016

Estorvo e Leite Derramado, dois romances de Chico Buarque, apresentam-se como importantes contribuições para se pensar o Brasil contemporâneo. Nesse sentido, o presente artigo buscará esclarecer os pressupostos históricos e sociais presentes em tais livros, partindo das leituras feitas por Roberto Schwarz. Dessa maneira, pretende-se articular o diagnóstico de Schwarz sobre o Brasil contemporâneo à maneira como tal diagnóstico é formulado nos dois livros de Chico Buarque. Convém esclarecer que essas dimensões se articulam não apenas num sentido unívoco. Por fim, o artigo pretende indicar paralelos que os romances destacados podem ter com reflexões contemporâneas de outros autores ligados ao que se costuma chamar de “tradição crítica brasileira”.
Participation and Decision-making in Non-dominant Communities. A Perspective from Civic Republicanism
Authors: Haugen Hans Morten
Published: August 2016

The article investigates the civic republicanism non-domination approach to freedom, which encompasses power asymmetries. This freedom approach differs from the neo-liberal freedom approach which is essentially about non-interference. Recent jurisprudence from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (iacthr) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights is analysed. It is found that the non-domination approach is a relevant approach in order to bridge the many gaps (participation/representation, accountability and protection) vulnerable communities depending upon harvesting of natural resources are struggling with. It is found that the free, prior and informed consent (fpic) requirement is not formally recognized in only one state’s legislation, the Philippines, specification of the less demanding free, prior and informed consultation is interpreted by the iacthr in a manner which is essentially corresponding to the fpic requirement.
History and drivers of plant taxonomy in South Africa
Authors: VICTOR JANINE E. , SMITH GIDEON F. , WYK ABRAHAM E. VAN
Published: August 2016

The development of plant taxonomy in South Africa from about 1600 to 2015 is reviewed, with emphasis on the main driving factors that have influenced the research direction, techniques used, and choice of taxonomic research topic. In addition, key personalities and important historical events are highlighted. The early scientific interest in the flora of South Africa and, by implication, its taxonomy was initially driven by curiosity. Exploration of plants for economic purposes especially for medicinal use and later, agriculture, drove the scientific development of botany and formed the foundation of formal botany in the country. Establishment of botanical gardens and herbaria influenced botanical research, in particular the field of taxonomy. Technological advances lead to increased modernisation of taxonomy as new sources of information derived from other fields of botany were incorporated into taxonomic research. Funding priorities and availability of financial resources influence the taxonomic research that is conducted, and international initiatives that impact on priorities in biodiversity science have further impact on taxonomy. At present the predominant culture of taxonomy is directed towards electronic dissemination of taxonomic information, leading to increased accessibility and connectivity. Strategic planning of plant taxonomy in South Africa has become more formal as relevance and impact of research products increasingly need to be justified with respect to the financial costs of conducting taxonomic research.
Three new stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Indo–West Pacific
Authors: LAST PETER R. , WHITE WILLIAM T. , NAYLOR GAVIN
Published: August 2016

Three undescribed stingrays were discovered as part of a broader revision of the family Dasyatidae that formed part of the Chondrichthyan Tree of Life project. This research forms part of a sequence of papers on rays aimed at describing unnamed species for inclusion in a multi-authored guide to rays of the world. The first part of this series focused on a redefinition of genera of the family Dasyatidae. The new Indo–West Pacific taxa are represented by separate genera from three dasyatid subfamilies: Himantura australis sp. nov. (northern Australia and Papua New Guinea), Taeniura lessoni sp. nov. (Melanesia) and Telatrygon biasa sp. nov. (Indo–Malay Archipelago). Himantura australis sp. nov., which belongs to a complex of four closely related reticulate whiprays, differs subtly from its congeners in coloration, morphometrics and distribution. Taeniura lessoni sp. nov. is the second species in a genus containing the widely-distributed T. lymma, which is possibly the most abundant stingray in shallow coral-reef habitats of the Indo–Pacific, with the new species apparently restricted to Melanesia. Taeniura lessoni sp. nov. is distinguishable by the absence of a distinctive pair of vivid blue longitudinal stripes on the dorsolateral edges of the tail which is one of the most distinctive features of T. lymma. Telatrygon biasa sp. nov. belongs to a small, recently designated genus of stingrays represented by four species in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Telatrygon biasa sp. nov. differs from these species in morphometrics. The new species differs markedly from T. zugei in its NADH2 sequence. Telatrygon crozieri is resurrected as a valid northern Indian Ocean representative of the T. zugei complex.
New species of Graphocaecilius Enderlein (Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’: Lachesillidae) from Colombia
Authors: ARANGO STEPHANIA SANDOVAL , OBANDO RANULFO GONZÁLEZ , ALDRETE ALFONSO NERI GARCÍA
Published: August 2016

Three new species of Graphocaecilius Enderlein are here described and illustrated; the species were found in the Colombian departments of Valle del Cauca and Risaralda, raising to five the number of species of this genus in Colombia, making it the most species rich country for Graphocaecilius in South America. A key to the species in the genus is included.
New species and records of Batraxis Reitter (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) in continental China
Authors: WANG DAN , YIN ZI-WEI
Published: August 2016

Nine new species of the genus Batraxis Reitter are described from continental China: Batraxis robusta sp. n., B. gloriosa sp. n., B. antennata sp. n., B. longicornis sp. n., B. gesar sp. n., B. longithorax sp. n., B. nanlingensis sp. n., B. yifan sp. n., and B. ziyueae sp. n. New records of B. bicolor Wang & Yin and B. tibialis Wang & Yin are given. An identification key to the Batraxis species of China based on males is provided.
Measuring Well-Being
Authors: Cooke Philip J. , Melchert Timothy P. , Connor Korey
Published: August 2016

Interest in the study of psychological health and well-being has increased significantly in recent decades. A variety of conceptualizations of psychological health have been proposed including hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, quality-of-life, and wellness approaches. Although instruments for measuring constructs associated with each of these approaches have been developed, there has been no comprehensive review of well-being measures. The present literature review was undertaken to identify self-report instruments measuring well-being or closely related constructs (i.e., quality of life and wellness) and critically evaluate them with regard to their conceptual basis and psychometric properties. Through a literature search, we identified 42 instruments that varied significantly in length, psychometric properties, and their conceptualization and operationalization of well-being. Results suggest that there is considerable disagreement regarding how to properly understand and measure well-being. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
From information to predictability: transparency on the path to democratic governance. The case of Romania
Authors: Schnell Sabina
Published: August 2016

This article proposes a new conceptual framework for assessing transparency at the country level. It identifies three distinct interpretations of transparency: access to information; two-way communication; and predictability, or decision-making based on clear and publicly known rules. Each represents an increasingly demanding form of transparency, but all are tied to democratic accountability and the rule of law. Using the case of Romania, the article illustrates how such a framework can be employed to assess the evolution of transparency in a relatively recent democracy.

Points for practitioners

The virtues of transparency have been advocated by international organizations, governments, and civil society. The focus has primarily been on access to information—whether through freedom of information acts or open data. However, realizing the democratizing potential of transparency requires a multifaceted approach. This article suggests that transparency advocates should pay more attention to issues such as increasing citizen participation, opening up decision-making rather than just data, strengthening the rule of law, and fighting corruption. In other words, it argues for a more holistic discourse and practice of transparency.
Legal Consequences of Animal Hoarding in New Zealand
Authors: Killeen Anita
Published: August 2016

A 10-year prohibition against a defendant from owning or exercising authority over any animals has been upheld by the New Zealand Court of Appeal in an animal hoarding case which has progressed through the New Zealand legal system over the past 5 years.

This comment reviews the Court of Appeal decision ( Kondratyeva v R CA6/2015 2015] NZCA 266 [23 June 2015]) and explores the increasing evidence of a mental health component in animal hoarding behaviour. It also discusses the stress and burden that animal hoarding cases places on the shelters that have the legal responsibility for prosecuting animal cruelty cases in New Zealand.
Exorcism, Religious Freedom and Consent
Authors: Hall Helen
Published: August 2016

The ruling in R v Brown that consent could not be a defence to actual bodily harm or more serious injury unless a recognised exemption applied has been much criticised. When considered exclusively in light of adult sexual activity, such criticisms may appear extremely persuasive. However, the issue of assault within exorcism reveals that there are other contexts in which the arguments appear more complex. This article examines the criminal law relating to consent and exorcism and asks how we should deal with the interplay between the general and the specific when it comes to formulating legal policy.
Delaware Longitudinal Study of Fraction Learning: Implications for Helping Children With Mathematics Difficulties
Authors: Jordan Nancy C. , Resnick Ilyse , Rodrigues Jessica , Hansen Nicole , Dyson Nancy
Published: August 2016

The goal of the present article is to synthesize findings to date from the Delaware Longitudinal Study of Fraction Learning. The study followed a large cohort of children ( N = 536) between Grades 3 and 6. The findings showed that many students, especially those with diagnosed learning disabilities, made minimal growth in fraction knowledge and that some showed only a basic grasp of the meaning of a fraction even after several years of instruction. Children with low growth in fraction knowledge during the intermediate grades were much more likely to fail to meet state standards on a broad mathematics measure at the end of Grade 6. Although a range of general and mathematics-specific competencies predicted fraction outcomes, the ability to estimate numerical magnitudes on a number line was a uniquely important marker of fraction success. Many children with mathematics difficulties have deep-seated problems related to whole number magnitude representations that are complicated by the introduction of fractions into the curriculum. Implications for helping students with mathematics difficulties are discussed.
Sustained-release alkali source used in the oxidation degumming of ramie
Authors: Meng Chaoran , Li Zhaoling , Wang Chaoyun , Yu Chongwen
Published: August 2016

Sodium hydroxide is commonly used as the main alkali source in the oxidation degumming of ramie in the current studies for natural fiber extraction. However, due to the strong alkalinity of sodium hydroxide, the oxidation reaction speed of hydrogen peroxide is difficult to control and thus results in great damage to the treated fibers. In this paper, magnesium hydroxide was selected as an effective sustained-release alkali source to improve the tensile properties of degummed fibers and reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) values of degumming wastewater. This novel reagent can adjust and buffer pH values in the degumming solution. The chemical components and structure properties of degummed fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively, and the as-developed oxidation degumming solution performance was monitored by an oxidation–reduction potentiometer. The results showed that the optimal substitution rate of magnesium hydroxide was 20% during the oxidation process. Compared with the degummed fibers without magnesium hydroxide, the tenacity, work of rupture and degumming yield of treated fibers increased by 39.82%, 46.15% and 5%, respectively. Moreover, the COD values of wastewater decreased by 20% at the same time.
Theoretical analysis of the yarn fracture mechanism of self-twist jet vortex spinning
Authors: Han Chenchen , Xue Wenliang , Cheng Longdi , Zou Zhuanyong
Published: August 2016

According to the yarn mechanism of self-twist jet vortex spinning, this article analyzes the structure and the fracture mechanism of self-twist jet vortex spinning yarn. Combined with experiments, this article established that the fiber in self-twist jet vortex spun yarn has self-twist, which increases the mutual contact area and the cohesion between the fibers in the yarn. This is helpful to improve the evenness and tensile properties of jet vortex spun yarn. The self-twist jet vortex spinning can keep the high spinning speed of the jet vortex spinning at the same time. The research on self-twist jet vortex spinning lays the foundation for the research and the development of jet vortex spinning.
Harm Reduction in Process
Authors: Gonçalves Davi Martinelli , Kolstee Johann , Ryan Dermot , Race Kane
Published: August 2016

In recent work on environmental and health risks, Isabelle Stengers has suggested that governing logics have been seized by a strange injunction: “the right not to pay attention.” She characterizes “paying attention” as an art that brings into play connections we are in the habit of keeping separate. In this article, we use this insight to characterize different forms of prevention in the drugs field, arguing that “modes of attention” are an important consideration for harm reduction and counterpublic health. Our case study centers on the ACON Rovers, a team of volunteers who rove around gay dance events on the lookout for people in trouble. Through certain “arts of interception” and through an immanent practice of working with possibilities, the Rovers aim to avert certain dangers, especially those associated with use of the drug gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. But doing this work well involves a certain mode of attending to risk, derived from embodied knowledge, that has regard to the affective relations of surveillance. In this article, we seek to describe and theorize the work of the ACON Rovers. We discuss the historical emergence of the program, the forms of knowledge it draws upon and mobilizes, the attention the project pays to affective relations between different actors in the party environment, and the mechanisms the project has installed to assess and reflect upon its work. Since they seek to intervene in drug effects, we argue that the Rovers are engaged in ontological work. Their mode of operation can be contrasted with that of drug enforcement, which often assumes “the right not to pay attention.”
Generalizing Treatment Effect Estimates From Sample to Population: A Case Study in the Difficulties of Finding Sufficient Data
Authors: Stuart Elizabeth A. , Rhodes Anna
Published: August 2016

Background:

Given increasing concerns about the relevance of research to policy and practice, there is growing interest in assessing and enhancing the external validity of randomized trials: determining how useful a given randomized trial is for informing a policy question for a specific target population.

Objectives:

This article highlights recent advances in assessing and enhancing external validity, with a focus on the data needed to make ex post statistical adjustments to enhance the applicability of experimental findings to populations potentially different from their study sample.

Research design:

We use a case study to illustrate how to generalize treatment effect estimates from a randomized trial sample to a target population, in particular comparing the sample of children in a randomized trial of a supplemental program for Head Start centers (the Research-Based, Developmentally Informed study) to the national population of children eligible for Head Start, as represented in the Head Start Impact Study.

Results:

For this case study, common data elements between the trial sample and population were limited, making reliable generalization from the trial sample to the population challenging.

Conclusions:

To answer important questions about external validity, more publicly available data are needed. In addition, future studies should make an effort to collect measures similar to those in other data sets. Measure comparability between population data sets and randomized trials that use samples of convenience will greatly enhance the range of research and policy relevant questions that can be answered.
Antecedent Value of Professional Commitment and Job Involvement in Determining Job Satisfaction
Authors: Deepak
Published: August 2016

The study attempts to explore the relationship between job satisfaction of veterinarians and their level of professional commitment and job involvement. The universe of the study has been confined to veterinary doctors working on a permanent basis in government institutions in the state of Punjab. A sample of 322 veterinary doctors was collected to represent the universe. The analysis reveals that professional commitment and job involvement have positive relationship with and have explanatory power for job satisfaction. Taking into consideration the significance of animal husbandry to the growth of Indian economy and specifically to the Punjab economy, the government should take consistent and steadfast measures to improve the level of job involvement, professional commitment and, hence, job satisfaction of veterinarians. Such measures will definitely benefit the veterinarians, the government itself and the nation as a whole.
How Positive Framing May Fuel Opposition to Low-Carbon Technologies
Authors: de Vries Gerdien
Published: August 2016

Low-carbon technologies are necessary to combat global warming. However, they are often opposed by members of the general public, causing costly delays and cancellations. In this article, I argue that language may be a relevant cause of such opposition. I introduce a theoretical model describing a boomerang effect in which positively framed communication about low-carbon technologies may actually lead to opposition in the long run. An example of positive framing is emphasising the climate benefits of a technology while neglecting to mention associated safety risks. I predict that, over time, people begin to perceive positive framing as an attempt to manipulate them into supporting a technology. In turn, this perceived manipulation may make them feel that their freedom to make their own decision to support or oppose the technology is under threat. To counter this behavioural threat, people may begin to oppose low-carbon technologies. My boomerang model further describes how certain characteristics of the source of information as well as of the recipient may influence both the direct and indirect effects of positive framing. I then discuss the model’s implications for effective communication and indicate directions for future research.
Desorption of copper ions from the polyamine-functionalized adsorbents: Behaviors and mechanisms
Authors: Liu Changkun , Liang Xiaoyan , Liu Ji’an , Yuan Wenxiang
Published: August 2016

This paper is aiming at analyzing the desorption performance of the four polyamine-functionalized adsorbents after copper ion adsorption, with nitric acid as the desorption agent. The four adsorbents (namely, P-EDA, P-DETA, P-TETA and P-TEPA) studied were immobilized with ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), respectively. Nitric acid concentration, ionic strength, and solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio were taken into consideration as the influencing factors on the desorption performance. The findings showed that higher desorption efficiency had no necessary connection with the higher concentration of nitric acid, and the highest desorption efficiency was realized for P-EDA and P-DETA at 0.10 mmol/L, and for P-TETA and P-TEPA at 0.25 mmol/L, in the nitric acid concentration range of 0.01–2.00 mmol/L studied. In addition, Ionic strength showed obvious influence on the desorption efficiency, and higher ionic strength resulted in significant lower desorption efficiency. Different S/L ratios studied showed almost no differences on the desorption efficiency. The copper ion desorption kinetics, best described by the Elovich model, was discovered to be very fast that more than 85% of the desorption efficiency was attained within 2 min. A slight decrease in Cu ion adsorption capacity was found through ten cycles of adsorption-desorption-regeneration for all the four adsorbents.
In Perspective: Local economic development in Jordan: A city-to-city partnership
Authors: Hummel Daniel , Crowell Lon
Published: August 2016

In March 2015, the United States Agency for International Development through the Local Enterprise Support Project hosted a series of city-to-city exchanges between two cities based in the United States and a number of cities in the country of Jordan. The purpose was to exchange ideas and best practices regarding local economic development. This is a reflection from those exchanges between representatives of the City of Pocatello, Idaho and various cities in the Irbid Governorate in northwestern Jordan. The proposed projects as well as the challenges with those projects in these cities in Jordan are explored in summary. Recommendations are also explored to facilitate future development in these cities.
A prospective observational study of outcomes from rehabilitation of elderly patients with moderate to severe cognitive impairment
Authors: Vassallo Michael , Poynter Lynn , Kwan Joseph , Sharma Jagdish C , Allen Stephen C
Published: August 2016

Objectives:

To evaluate rehabilitation outcomes in patients with moderate to severe cognitive impairment.

Design:

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting:

Rehabilitation unit for older people.

Subjects:

A total of 116 patients (70F) mean age (SD) 86.3 (6.4). Group 1: 89 patients with moderate cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination 11–20); and Group 2: 27 patients with severe cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination 0–10).

Intervention:

A personalised rehabilitation plan.

Main measures:

Barthel Activity of Daily Living score on admission and discharge, length of stay and discharge destination.

Results:

Of 116 patients, 64 (55.2%) showed an improvement in Barthel score. Mini-Mental State Examination was significantly higher in those who improved, 15.4 (SD 3.7) vs.13.2 (SD 5.1): p = 0.01. The mean Barthel score improved in both groups; Group 1 – 14.7 (SD 19.1) vs. Group 2 – 9.3 (SD 16.3): p = 0.17. Of 84 home admissions in Group 1, more patients returning home showed improvements of at least 5 points in the Barthel score compared with nursing/residential home discharges (32/37 – 86.5% vs. 10/28 – 35.7%: p = 0.0001). In Group 2 of 17 home admissions, 6/6 (100%) home discharges showed improvement compared with 3/7 (42.8%) discharges to nursing/residential home ( p = 0.07). In Group 1, a discharge home was associated with significantly greater improvement in number of Barthel items than a nursing/residential home discharge (3.27 (SD 2.07) vs. 1.86 (SD 2.32): p = 0.007). A similar non-significant pattern was noted for severe cognitive impairment patients (3.5 (3.06) vs. 1.14 (1.06); p = 0.1).

Conclusion:

Patients with moderate to severe cognitive impairment demonstrated significant improvements in Barthel score and Barthel items showing that such patients can and do improve with rehabilitation.
Current status of accurate prognostic awareness in advanced/terminally ill cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-regression analysis
Authors: Chen Chen Hsiu , Kuo Su Ching , Tang Siew Tzuh
Published: August 2016

Background:

No systematic meta-analysis is available on the prevalence of cancer patients’ accurate prognostic awareness and differences in accurate prognostic awareness by publication year, region, assessment method, and service received.

Aim:

To examine the prevalence of advanced/terminal cancer patients’ accurate prognostic awareness and differences in accurate prognostic awareness by publication year, region, assessment method, and service received.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods:

MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were systematically searched on accurate prognostic awareness in adult patients with advanced/terminal cancer (1990–2014). Pooled prevalences were calculated for accurate prognostic awareness by a random-effects model. Differences in weighted estimates of accurate prognostic awareness were compared by meta-regression.

Results:

In total, 34 articles were retrieved for systematic review and meta-analysis. At best, only about half of advanced/terminal cancer patients accurately understood their prognosis (49.1%; 95% confidence interval: 42.7%–55.5%; range: 5.4%–85.7%). Accurate prognostic awareness was independent of service received and publication year, but highest in Australia, followed by East Asia, North America, and southern Europe and the United Kingdom (67.7%, 60.7%, 52.8%, and 36.0%, respectively; p = 0.019). Accurate prognostic awareness was higher by clinician assessment than by patient report (63.2% vs 44.5%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Less than half of advanced/terminal cancer patients accurately understood their prognosis, with significant variations by region and assessment method. Healthcare professionals should thoroughly assess advanced/terminal cancer patients’ preferences for prognostic information and engage them in prognostic discussion early in the cancer trajectory, thus facilitating their accurate prognostic awareness and the quality of end-of-life care decision-making.
An atypical role for the myeloid receptor Mincle in central nervous system injury
Authors: Arumugam Thiruma V , Manzanero Silvia , Furtado Milena , Biggins Patrick J , Hsieh Yu-Hsuan , Gelderblom Mathias , MacDonald Kelli PA , Salimova Ekaterina , Li Yu-I , Korn Othmar , Dewar Deborah , Macrae I Mhairi , Ashman Robert B , Tang Sung-Chun , Rosenthal Nadia A , Ruitenberg Marc J , Magnus Tim , Wells Christine A
Published: August 2016

The C-type lectin Mincle is implicated in innate immune responses to sterile inflammation, but its contribution to associated pathologies is not well understood. Herein, we show that Mincle exacerbates neuronal loss following ischemic but not traumatic spinal cord injury. Loss of Mincle was beneficial in a model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion but did not alter outcomes following heart or gut ischemia. High functional scores in Mincle KO animals using the focal cerebral ischemia model were accompanied by reduced lesion size, fewer infiltrating leukocytes and less neutrophil-derived cytokine production than isogenic controls. Bone marrow chimera experiments revealed that the presence of Mincle in the central nervous system, rather than recruited immune cells, was the critical regulator of a poor outcome following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. There was no evidence for a direct role for Mincle in microglia or neural activation, but expression in a subset of macrophages resident in the perivascular niche provided new clues on Mincle's role in ischemic stroke.
Changes in intracranial venous blood flow and pulsatility in Alzheimer’s disease: A 4D flow MRI study
Authors: Rivera-Rivera Leonardo A , Schubert Tilman , Turski Patrick , Johnson Kevin M , Berman Sara E , Rowley Howard A , Carlsson Cynthia M , Johnson Sterling C , Wieben Oliver
Published: August 2016

Cerebral blood flow, arterial pulsation, and vasomotion may be important indicators of cerebrovascular health in aging and diseases of aging such as Alzheimer’s disease. Noninvasive markers that assess these characteristics may be helpful in the study of co-occurrence of these diseases and potential additive and interacting effects. In this study, 4D flow MRI was used to measure intra-cranial flow features with cardiac-gated phase contrast MRI in cranial arteries and veins. Mean blood flow and pulsatility index as well as the transit time of the peak flow from the middle cerebral artery to the superior sagittal sinus were measured in a total of 104 subjects comprising of four groups: (a) subjects with Alzheimer’s disease, (b) age-matched controls, (c) subjects with mild cognitive impairment, and (d) a group of late middle-aged with parental history of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s disease group exhibited: a significant decrease in mean blood flow in the superior sagittal sinus, transverse sinus, middle cerebral artery, and internal carotid arteries; a significant decrease of the peak and end diastolic blood flow in the middle cerebral artery and superior sagittal sinus; a faster transmission of peak flow from the middle cerebral artery to the superior sagittal sinus and increased pulsatility index along the carotid siphon.