bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Let’s Hug It Out, Bitch”
Authors: Click Melissa A. , Holladay Holly Willson , Lee Hyunji , Kristiansen Lars J.
Published: April 2014

Media scholars have begun to examine how masculinities function in the media through exploration of a variety of texts and personas; however, most have sought to do so by using textual analysis. We argue that this emphasis on textual analysis has overshadowed scholarship on media audiences, limiting opportunities to understand how audiences’ gender identities are affected by mediated masculinities. Through interviews with viewers of HBO’s Entourage, we examine how viewers apply their attitudes and beliefs about masculinity to Entourage’s characters and use Entourage’s portrayal of masculinities to think through their own gender identities. We found that participants were drawn to a fantasy version of a powerful, dominant masculinity and felt less favorably about characters who exhibited forms of masculinity that incorporated attitudes and behaviors deemed feminine. Our findings suggest that scholarship on the crisis in masculinity, and theorization of hegemonic masculinity generally, would be strengthened with critical qualitative audience studies.
Cultivating an Active Online Counterpublic
Authors: Leung Dennis K. K. , Lee Francis L. F.
Published: April 2014

While alternative media have long been playing important roles in the politics of protests and resistance in many countries, the Internet has led to the emergence of online alternative media and arguably expanded the reach of such outlets. This article focuses on the audience of Internet alternative media. It examines the factors associated with usage and whether and how usage relates to political participation. Analysis of survey data ( N = 1,018) in Hong Kong shows that, not surprisingly, Internet alternative media usage was driven by preexisting political attitudes and critical views toward the mainstream media. But social media usage could also drive alternative media usage even among people who did not hold congruent preexisting attitudes. Meanwhile, alternative media usage leads to protest participation and support for unconventional protest tactics. The study thus provides empirical evidence regarding how Internet alternative media can facilitate the formation of an active online counterpublic and the role of social media in potentially enlarging the counterpublic.
Lurasidone Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Centers
Authors: Forrester Mathias B.
Published: April 2014

Background: Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in 2010. There is limited information on potentially toxic events involving lurasidone outside of clinical investigations. Objective: This investigation describes potentially toxic lurasidone ingestions from a single data source. Methods: Cases were lurasidone ingestions reported to Texas poison centers during 2011 to 2013. The distribution was determined for selected characteristics. For management and outcome factors, analyses were limited to those cases without coingestants. Results: There were 140 lurasidone ingestions. Of the 72 cases with a reported dose, the mean dose was 536 mg (range = 20-4000 mg). The patient age was 5 years or less in 8.6% of the cases, 6 to 12 years in 2.1%, 13 to 19 years in 17.9%, and 20 years or more in 70.7%; 65.7% of the patients were female. The most commonly reported reason for the exposure was suspected attempted suicide, reported in 54.3% of the cases. No coingestants were reported in 55 (39.3%) of the cases. For these cases, the management site was 56.4% already at/en route to health care facility, 29.1% managed on site, and 10.9% referred to a health care facility. The medical outcome was known or suspected to not be serious in 65.5% of the cases. The most commonly reported clinical effects were drowsiness, agitation, and nausea. Conclusions: The majority of lurasidone ingestions reported to Texas poison centers involved adults and females. Over half were suspected attempted suicides and most involved coingestants. The majority of lurasidone ingestions without coingestants did not have serious outcomes.
Influence of Viscosity and Consumer Use on Accuracy of Oral Medication Dosing Devices
Authors: Elliott Jennifer Padden , McConaha Jamie , Cornish Nicole , Bunk Elizabeth , Hilton Lindsey , Modany Ashley , Bucker Ira
Published: April 2014

Background: In response to numerous reports of overdoses with over-the-counter (OTC) liquid medications, the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that all OTC liquid drug products contain a measuring device but provided no recommendation on the type of device to be included. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of liquid medication dosing devices (cup, dropper, syringe) in dispensing medications of varying viscosity in the laboratory and clinical settings. Methods: This experimental study evaluated dosing device accuracy. A pharmaceutics laboratory was used to evaluate accuracy under ideal conditions and subjects ≥18 years of age were recruited from community pharmacies to evaluate accuracy when used by consumers. Results: In the laboratory setting, the syringe was the most accurate for the more viscous formulations (cherry and grape suspension; 1% error, 1.2% error, respectively), and the dropper was the most accurate for the less viscous formulation (solution; 0.8% error). A volunteer sample of 320 participants was enrolled from the clinical setting. In the clinical setting, the syringe was most accurate, followed by the cup and then the dropper for all formulations (mean error, 2%, 14%, 33%, respectively). The cup was the most likely to overdose (mean, 5.7 mL), while the dropper was most likely to underdose (mean, 3.3 mL). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that medication viscosity, consumer use, and dosing device contribute to dosing accuracy. The syringe appears to be the most accurate dosing device, accounting for differences in medication viscosity and the impact of consumer use.
Microstructure and tensile properties of new type of hot rolled Mg–3Sn–1Zn alloy sheet at elevated temperatures
Authors: Luo D. , Xia N. , Wang H-Y. , Chen L. , Wang J-G. , Jiang Q-C.
Published: April 2014

Uniaxial tensile tests of a new type of hot rolled Mg–3Sn–1Zn (TZ31) alloy have been investigated within the temperature range of 25 to 200°C. The elongation to failure ϵf increases from 21·9 at 25°C to 79·0 at 200°C, while the 0·2 offset yield strength and peak true strength σp decrease from 141 to 60 MPa and from 264 to 91 MPa respectively. The thermal stability of globular Mg2Sn precipitates is beneficial to the strength of the rolled TZ31 alloy at elevated temperatures. However, dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallisation play an important role in the elevated temperature elongation. Results obtained here can be used as a reference to develop inexpensive new types Mg alloys with potential for applications at elevated temperatures.
Somatic mutation as a mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation in CLL
Authors: Wang Lili , Shalek Alex K. , Lawrence Mike , Ding Ruihua , Gaublomme Jellert T. , Pochet Nathalie , Stojanov Petar , Sougnez Carrie , Shukla Sachet A. , Stevenson Kristen E. , Zhang Wandi , Wong Jessica , Sievers Quinlan L. , MacDonald Bryan T. , Vartanov Alexander R. , Goldstein Natalie R. , Neuberg Donna , He Xi , Lander Eric , Hacohen Nir , Regev Aviv , Getz Gad , Brown Jennifer R. , Park Hongkun , Wu Catherine J.
Published: April 2014

Key Points

Wnt pathway is frequently mutated in CLL. Wnt pathway mutations can lead to pathway activation and enhanced CLL survival.
Exome sequencing helped the fine diagnosis of two siblings afflicted with atypical Timothy syndrome (TS2)
Authors: Fröhler Sebastian , Kieslich Moritz , Langnick Claudia , Feldkamp Mirjam , Opgen-Rhein Bernd , Berger Felix , Will Joachim C , Chen Wei
Published: April 2014

Background

Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) causes a prolongation of the QT-interval in the ECG leading to life threatening tachyarrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation. One atypical form of LQTS, Timothy syndrome (TS), is associated with syndactyly, immune deficiency, cognitive and neurological abnormalities as well as distinct cranio-facial abnormalities.

Case presentation

On a family with both children diagnosed with clinical LQTS, we performed whole exome sequencing to comprehensively screen for causative mutations after a targeted candidate gene panel screen for Long-QT syndrome target genes failed to identify any underlying genetic defect. Using exome sequencing, we identified in both affected children, a p.402G > S mutation in exon 8 of the CACNA1C gene, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. The mutation was inherited from their father, a mosaic mutation carrier. Based on this molecular finding and further more careful clinical examination, we refined the diagnosis to be Timothy syndrome (TS2) and thereby were able to present new therapeutic approaches.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the difficulties in accurate diagnosis of patients with rare diseases, especially those with atypical clinical manifestation. Such challenge could be addressed with the help of comprehensive and unbiased mutation screening, such as exome sequencing.
Longitudinal analysis of minority women’s perceptions of cohesion: the role of cooperation, communication, and competition
Authors: Harden Samantha M , Estabrooks Paul A , Mama Scherezade K , Lee Rebecca E
Published: April 2014

Background

Interaction in the form of cooperation, communication, and friendly competition theoretically precede the development of group cohesion, which often precedes adherence to health promotion programs. The purpose of this manuscript was to explore longitudinal relationships among dimensions of group cohesion and group-interaction variables to inform and improve group-based strategies within programs aimed at promoting physical activity.

Methods

Ethnic minority women completed a group dynamics-based physical activity promotion intervention (N = 103; 73% African American; 27% Hispanic/Latina; mage = 47.89 + 8.17 years; mBMI = 34.43+ 8.07 kg/m2) and assessments of group cohesion and group-interaction variables at baseline, 6 months (post-program), and 12 months (follow-up).

Results

All four dimensions of group cohesion had significant (ps < 0.01) relationships with the group-interaction variables. Competition was a consistently strong predictor of cohesion, while cooperation did not demonstrate consistent patterns of prediction.

Conclusions

Facilitating a sense of friendly competition may increase engagement in physical activity programs by bolstering group cohesion.
Significance of an increase in the Child-Pugh score after radiotherapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Son Seok Hyun , Jang Hong Seok , Jo In-Young , Choi Byung Ock , Jang Jeong Won , Yoon Seung Kew , Kay Chul Seung
Published: April 2014

Background

We attempted to analyze the effects of an increase in the Child-Pugh (CP) score on the overall survival of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

From March 2006 to February 2012, 103 patients received RT using the TomoTherapy Hi-Art at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. The dose per fraction was 1.8–5 Gy, and the total dose was 40–60 Gy (median, 50 Gy). We considered an increase of at least 2 points in the CP score within 3 months after RT to be clinically important radiation-induced hepatic toxicity and analyzed the effects of an increased CP score on overall survival.

Results

The median follow-up duration was 11.6 months (range, 3.5–85.3 months). The median survival time was 11.6 months. In multivariate analysis, planning target volume and an increase in the CP score after RT were found to be a statistically significant factors (p = 0.010 and 0.015, respectively). In a comparison of cases with and without an increase in the CP score, there was an 11.0-month difference in the median survival time (6.9 vs. 17.9 months), and the relative risk of mortality was 1.8.

Conclusion

An increase of at least 2 points in the CP score within 3 months of RT completion is an important on-treatment factor that affects overall survival. To minimize such increases, careful patient selection and a more sophisticated radiation treatment plan are imperative.
Sleep quality and general health status of employees exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in a petrochemical complex
Authors: Monazzam Mohammad Reza , Hosseini Monireh , Matin Laleh Farhang , Aghaei Habib Allah , Khosroabadi Hossein , Hesami Ahmad
Published: April 2014

Background

Advances in science and technology of electrical equipment, despite increasing human welfare in everyday life, have increased the number of people exposed to Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs). Because of possible adverse effects on the health of exposed individuals, the EMFs have being the center of attention. This study was performed to determine possible correlation between Extremely Low Frequency Electro-Magnetic Fields (ELF EMFs) and sleep quality and public health of those working in substation units of a petrochemical complex in southern Iran.

Materials and method

To begin with, magnetic flux density was measured at different parts of a Control Building and two substations in accordance with IEEE std 644–1994. Subsequently, the questionnaires “Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index” (PSQI) and “General Health Quality (GHQ)” were used to investigate relationship between ELF exposure level and sleep quality and public health, respectively. Both questionnaires were placed at disposal of a total number of 40 workers at the complex. The filled out questionnaires were analyzed by T-test, Duncan and the Chi-square tests.

Results

The obtained results revealed that 28% of those in case group suffered from poor health status and 61% were diagnosed with a sleep disorder.

However, all members in control group were in good health condition and only 4.5% of them had undesirable sleep quality.

Conclusion

In spite of a significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of sleep quality and general health, no significant relationship was found between the exposure level and sleep quality and general health. It is worth noting that the measured EMF values were lower than the standard limits recommended by American Conference of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). However, given the uncertainties about the pathogenic effects caused by exposure to ELF EMFs, further epidemiological studies and periodic testing of personnel working in high voltage substations are of utmost importance.
Integrated computational materials engineering from a gas turbine engine perspective
Authors: Bolcavage Ann , Brown Paul D , Cedoz Robert , Cooper Nate , Deaton Chris , Hartman Daniel R , Keskin Akin , Ma Kong , Matlik John F , Modgil Girish , Stillinger Jeffrey D
Published: April 2014

In 2008, the National Research Council published a landmark report on Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) and defined it as ‘an emerging discipline that aims to integrate computational materials science tools into a holistic system that can accelerate materials development, transform the engineering design optimization process, & unify design and manufacturing’. ICME is becoming a critical enabler for reducing the design/make cycle time and getting complex systems into production more quickly. There are several reasons why this is the case. Firstly, ICME allows materials experts to develop new material systems and methods of manufacture much more quickly. Advanced new materials and their associated manufacturing processes can be tailored to deliver products that meet design requirements quickly and more effectively in terms of cost and performance. Secondly, ICME enables design processes to quantify cause and affect relationships between manufacturing methods and variability, material properties, product geometry, and design requirement margins. In the design phase, material selection itself can impose consideration of material-specific failure modes that are naturally correlated to important attributes such as strength, weight, and geometry. ICME enables designers to quickly understand the complex and probabilistic interactions between the material, manufacturing processes, manufacturing variability, and design. Thirdly, it has been shown that successful account of variability of the manufacturing processes in life calculations leads to improved accuracy in declared low cycle fatigue crack initiation and damage tolerance lives on life limited gas turbine engine components. Furthermore, ICME enables engineers to rapidly explore more effective design and manufacturing solutions for delivering superior products at lower cost, faster but not without challenges. To highlight challenges and progress toward realization of this transformational technology, a survey of recent examples of materials and manufacturing process simulations along with the overarching approach and requirements within ICME to link these simulation capabilities to design and manufacturing methods will be reviewed from a gas turbine engine perspective.
Immunomodulation by fish-oil containing lipid emulsions in murine acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Hecker Matthias , Ott Juliane , Sondermann Christoph , Schaefer Martina Barbara , Obert Martin , Hecker Andreas , Morty Rory E , Vadasz Istvan , Herold Susanne , Rosengarten Bernhard , Witzenrath Martin , Seeger Werner , Mayer Konstantin
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major cause of mortality in intensive care units. Patients with ARDS often require parenteral nutrition with lipid emulsions as essential components. Besides being an energy supply, these lipid emulsions might display differential modulatory effects on lung integrity and inflammation.

Methods

In a pre-emptive strategy, we investigated the impact of three different intravenously infused lipid emulsions on lung morphology, leukocyte invasion, protein leakage and cytokines in a murine model of ARDS. Mice received an infusion of normal saline solution, a pure long-chain triglycerides (LCT) emulsion, a medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) containing mixed emulsion (LCT/MCT), or a fish oil (FO) containing mixed emulsion (LCT/MCT/FO) before lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge.

Results

Mice pre-infused with fish oil-containing lipid emulsion showed decreased leukocyte invasion, protein leakage, myeloperoxidase activity, and cytokine production in their alveolar space after LPS challenge compared to mice receiving LCT or LCT/MCT. In line with these findings, lung morphology assessed by histological staining after LPS-induced lung injury improved faster in the LCT/MCT/FO group. Concerning the above mentioned parameters, no significant difference was observed between mice infused with LCT or the combination of LCT and MCT.

Conclusion

Fish oil-containing lipid emulsions might exert anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects in the murine model of acute lung injury. Partial replacement of n-6 fatty acids with n-3 fatty acids may thus be of benefit for critically ill patients at risk for ARDS which require parenteral nutrition.
Sparse reflectivity inversion for nonstationary seismic data
Authors: Chai Xintao , Wang Shangxu , Yuan Sanyi , Zhao Jianguo , Sun Langqiu , Wei Xian
Published: April 2014

Conventional reflectivity inversion methods are based on a stationary convolution model and theoretically require stationary seismic traces as input (i.e., those free of attenuation and dispersion effects). Reflectivity inversion for nonstationary data, which is typical for field surveys, requires us to first compensate for the earth’s [Formula: see text]-filtering effects by inverse [Formula: see text] filtering. However, the attenuation compensation for inverse [Formula: see text] filtering is inherently unstable, and offers no perfect solution. Thus, we presented a sparse reflectivity inversion method for nonstationary seismic data. We referred to this method as nonstationary sparse reflectivity inversion (NSRI); it makes the novel contribution of avoiding intrinsic instability associated with inverse [Formula: see text] filtering by integrating the earth’s [Formula: see text]-filtering operator into the stationary convolution model. NSRI also avoids time-variant wavelets that are typically required in time-variant deconvolution. Although NSRI is initially designed for nonstationary signals, it is suitable for stationary signals (i.e., using an infinite [Formula: see text]). The equations for NSRI only use reliable frequencies within the seismic bandwidth, and the basis pursuit optimizes a cost function of mixed [Formula: see text] norms to derive a stable and sparse solution. Synthetic examples show that NSRI can directly retrieve reflectivity from nonstationary data without advance inverse [Formula: see text] filtering. NSRI is satisfactorily stable in the presence of severe noise, and a slight error in the [Formula: see text] value does not greatly disturb the sensitivity of NSRI. A field data example confirmed the effectiveness of NSRI.
Sexual Dimorphisms in the Associations of BMI and Body Fat with Indices of Pubertal Development in Girls and Boys
Authors: Crocker Melissa K. , Stern Elizabeth A. , Sedaka Nicole M. , Shomaker Lauren B. , Brady Sheila M. , Ali Asem H. , Shawker Thomas H. , Hubbard Van S. , Yanovski Jack A.
Published: April 2014

Context:

The effect of obesity and concomitant insulin resistance on pubertal development is incompletely elucidated.

Objective:

To determine how measures of adiposity and insulin resistance are associated with pubertal maturation in boys and girls.

Setting and Design:

Breast and pubic hair Tanner stage and testicular volume by orchidometry were determined by physical examination in 1066 children. Ovarian volume was estimated by trans-abdominal ultrasound. Fat mass, skeletal age, and fasting serum for insulin and glucose, total T, estradiol, estrone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, and androstenedione were measured at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Center. Convenience sample; 52% obese, 59% female.

Results:

Logistic regression identified a significant interaction between sex and obesity for prediction of pubertal development (P ≤ .01). There was a negative association between boys' testicular volume and body mass index (BMI)/fat mass but a positive association between girls' breast stage and BMI/fat mass. Ovarian volume in girls was positively associated with insulin resistance but not with BMI/fat mass. There was a positive association between obesity and measures of estrogen exposure (breast development and skeletal age) in both sexes. Positive correlations were seen for girls between BMI and pubic hair development and between insulin resistance and T production, whereas adiposity was negatively associated with pubic hair in boys.

Conclusions:

Significant sexual dimorphisms in the manifestations of pubertal development are seen in obese girls and boys. Two known effects of obesity, increased peripheral conversion of low-potency androgens to estrogens by adipose tissue-aromatase and increased insulin resistance, may be in large part responsible for these differences.
Gouverner Par L’enquête En France, de Philippe Auguste Aux Derniers Capétiens
Authors: Dejoux Marie
Published: April 2014

Dès que l’on en vient au Moyen Age central, il est difficile de faire abstraction de l’enquête, tant cette procédure est caractéristique du regimen médiéval et devient centrale dans l’art de gouverner. L’article se centre sur la séquence politique majeure allant de Philippe Auguste aux derniers Capétiens, quand les rois de France se saisirent de l’enquête comme d’un mode de gouvernement, lors de la transformation progressive de leur royaume féodal en Etat moderne. Après avoir décrit la progressive diffusion de l’inquisitio et ses principales mutations, cette contribution se concentre sur les hommes qui menèrent ces investigations : les enquêteurs.

When studying the central Middle Ages, it is hard to miss the importance of the inquest, a procedure that becomes characteristic of the medieval regime and central to the art of government. This article focuses on the major political evolution from Philip Augustus to the last Capetians, a period during which the kings of France used the inquest as an instrument of government in the progressive transformation of their feudal realm into a modern state. After describing the progressive diffusion of the inquisitio and its principal mutations, the article concentrates its analysis on the men who carried out these investigations: the enquêteurs.
Interferon regulatory factor 6 regulates keratinocyte migration
Authors: Biggs Leah C. , Naridze Rachelle L. , DeMali Kris A. , Lusche Daniel F. , Kuhl Spencer , Soll David R. , Schutte Brian C. , Dunnwald Martine
Published: April 2014

Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 regulates keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Irf6 regulates cellular migration and adhesion. Irf6-deficient embryos at 10.5 days post conception failed to close their wound compared to wild type. In vitro, Irf6-deficient murine embryonic keratinocytes were delayed in closing a scratch wound. Live imaging of the scratch showed a deficient directional migration and reduced speed in cells lacking Irf6. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions were investigated. We show that wild type and Irf6-deficient keratinocytes adhere similarly to all matrices after 60 min. However, Irf6-deficient keratinocytes were consistently larger and more spread, a phenotype that persisted during the scratch. Interestingly, Irf6-deficient keratinocytes exhibited an increased network of stress fibers and active RhoA compared to wild type. Blocking ROCK, a downstream effector of RhoA, rescued the scratch wound delay. Arhgap29, a Rho GTPase Activating Protein was reduced in Irf6-deficient keratinocytes. Together these data suggest that Irf6 functions through the RhoA pathway to regulate cellular migration.
Arl13b and the non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA are required for circular dorsal ruffle formation and cell migration
Authors: Casalou Cristina , Seixas Cecília , Portelinha Ana , Pintado Petra , Barros Mafalda , Ramalho José S. , Lopes Susana S. , Barral Duarte C.
Published: April 2014

The Arf-like protein Arl13b has been implicated in ciliogenesis and Sonic hedgehog signaling. Furthermore, we have previously shown that it regulates endocytic recycling traffic and interacts with actin. Herein, we report that the non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA, also known as Myh9, is an Arl13b effector. Moreover, we found that both proteins localize to circular dorsal ruffles (CDRs) induced by platelet-derived growth factor stimulation and are required for their formation. CDRs are ring-shaped actin-dependent structures formed on the dorsal cell surface and have been involved in diverse processes such as macropinocytosis, integrin recycling, internalization of receptor tyrosine kinases and cell migration. We found that Arl13b or Myh9 silencing impairs cell migration, suggesting that Arl13b is required for this function through the interaction with Myh9. Moreover, Arl13b silencing impairs neural crest cell migration in zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, we show that Arl13b is required for the formation of CDRs in migrating cells. Thus, our results indicate a novel role for Arl13b in actin cytoskeleton remodeling through the interaction with Myh9, by driving the formation of CDRs necessary for cell migration.
Livraria Cultura: está bom, mas poderia estar melhor
Authors: Morgado Maurício Gerbaudo
Published: April 2014

O caso discute como a incorporação de novos dados e o uso de sistemas de informação gerenciais podem acrescentar nova luz à resolução de problemas em empresas de varejo.DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n1c1http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n1c1
Uma empresa, duas famílias: qual o segmento de atuação?
Authors: Coutinho Carina Vedooto Scheneider , Ganzer Paula Patricia , Xavier Eduardo da Motta , Fachinelli Ana Cristina , Olea Pelayo Munhoz
Published: April 2014

A NI Informática é administrada por duas famílias sócias, os Baldin e os Moraes, que se dividem em relação aos segmentos em que a empresa deverá competir.DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n1c4http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n1c4
Só tecnologia não basta
Authors: Freitas Wilson Aparecido , Da Cunha Maria Alexandra Viegas Cortez
Published: April 2014

O gestor de uma empresa de comunicação visual aposta na tecnologia de informação como solução para para fazer a empresa se manter e crescer. Até que ponto essa aposta é razoável? Pode-se depositar na TI essa responsabilidade?DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n1c8http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n1c8
Livraria Cultura: está bom, mas poderia estar melhor (Notas de ensino)
Authors: Morgado Mauricio Gerbaudo
Published: April 2014

DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n1n1http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n1n1
A gestão do marketing mix: como mexer no time que está ganhando? (Notas de ensino)
Authors: Da Costa Filho Custódio Genésio , De Mesquita José Marcos Carvalho , Fernandes Renato Borges , Caixeta Ronaldo Pereira , De Castro Cleber Carvalho
Published: April 2014

DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n1n2http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n1n2
A Game-Theoretic Approach to Graph Clustering
Authors: Mandala Supreet , Kumara Soundar , Chatterjee Kalyan
Published: April 2014

The last decade has witnessed an explosion in the modeling of complex systems. Predominantly, graphs are used to represent these systems. The problem of detecting overlapping clusters in graphs is of utmost importance. We present a novel definition of overlapping clusters. A noncooperative game is proposed such that the equilibrium conditions of the game correspond to the clusters in the graph. Several properties of the game are analyzed and exploited to show the existence of a pure Nash equilibrium (NE) and compute it effectively. We present two algorithms to compute NE and prove their convergence. Empirically, the running times of both algorithms are nearly linear in the number of edges. Also, one of the algorithms can be readily parallelized, making it scalable. Finally, our approach is compared with existing overlapping cluster detection algorithms and validated on several artificial and real data sets.
On the Estimation of Marginal Cost
Authors: Delis Manthos , Iosifidi Maria , Tsionas Efthymios G.
Published: April 2014

This article proposes the estimation of the marginal cost of individual firms using semiparametric and nonparametric methods. These methods have a number of appealing features when applied to cost functions. The empirical analysis uses data from a unique sample of the California electricity industry for which we observe the actual marginal cost and estimate the marginal cost from these data. We compare the actual values of marginal cost with the estimates from semiparametric and nonparametric methods, as well as with the estimates obtained through conventional parametric methods. We show that the semiparametric and nonparametric methods produce marginal cost estimates that very closely approximate the actual. In contrast, the results from conventional parametric methods are significantly biased and provide invalid inference.
Delay Management Including Capacities of Stations
Authors: Dollevoet Twan , Huisman Dennis , Kroon Leo , Schmidt Marie , Schöbel Anita
Published: April 2014

The question of delay management is whether passenger trains should wait for delayed feeder trains or should depart on time. Solutions to this problem strongly depend on the available capacity of the railway infrastructure. Although the limited capacity of the tracks has been considered in delay management models, the limited capacity of the stations has been neglected so far. In this paper, we develop a model for the delay management problem that includes the capacities of the stations. This model allows rescheduling the platform track assignment. Furthermore, we propose an iterative heuristic in which we first solve the delay management model with a fixed platform track assignment, and then improve this platform track assignment in each step. We show that the latter problem can be solved in polynomial time by describing it as a minimum cost flow model. Finally, we present an extension of the model that balances the delay of the passengers on one hand and the number of changes in the platform track assignment on the other. All models are evaluated on real-world instances from Netherlands Railways.
Towards a Theory of Endogenous Financial Instability and Debt-Deflation
Authors: Bill Lucarelli
Published: April 2014

Post-keynesian and heterodox critiques have challenged the Monetarist assumptions of an exogenous money supply and the doctrine of monetary neutrality in the long run. Within these heterodox currents, there has emerged a widespread consensus that the money supply is endogenous—governed by the demand for credit and by the keynesian notion of liquidity preferences. These heterodox theories also reinstate the original insights by keynes over the critical issue of uncertainty in the behavior of investors, which contradicts the assumptions of rational expectations. This article will examine some of these intellectual currents in order to develop a more rigorous interpretation of the root causes of financial turbulence.
South-North Nurse Migration and Accumulation by Dispossession in the Late 20th and Early 21st Centuries
Authors: Salimah Valiani
Published: April 2014

Using David Harvey's notion of “accumulation by dispossession,” this article brings systematic understanding to the connections between two widely observed contemporary phenomena: growing inequality on a world scale, and the rapidly increasing shortages of nursing and other health labor in the global South. Through an exploration of the dynamics of late 20th-and early 21st-century nurse migration, it is demonstrated that the increasing flow of temporary migrant skilled labor from African and other countries of the global South, to the global North, is a new form of accumulation by dispossession. Socialist feminist notions of caring labor and the Marxian concept of unequal exchange are used to articulate how the disproportionate accumulation of global nursing labor in the global North represents a dispossession of yet greater proportions in the global South.
Overexploitation of the Workforce and Concentration of Wealth: Key Issues for Development Policy in Brazilian Peripheral Capitalism
Authors: Niemeyer Almeida Filho
Published: April 2014

This article aims to work out transformational proposals for development policies in Brazil sustained by Ruy Mauro Marini's analysis of the nature of peripheral capitalism in Latin America. In his analysis, superexploitation is constituted as a category showing the structural conditions of capitalism in Latin America, which tend to reproduce. In his most important work—Dialectics of Dependence (1973 [2000])—Marini shows that this very specific Latin American capitalism is deformed as compared to that observed in advanced countries. In this case, superexploitation does not impair the reproduction of labor power, but it limits the dynamics of accumulation through the extraordinary concentration of income and wealth. Considering that the political stance of Marini is clearly revolutionary, the proposals are valid only as an exegesis of his thought, and are not presented as a result of its theoretical propositions. The idea is to associate superexploitation and concentration of wealth, showing that the sui generis nature of peripheral capitalism represents a concentration of wealth and income much higher than that observed in developed capitalism.
On the So-Called “Middle-Class Citizens” as the Power of Social Change
Authors: Hiroshi Setooka
Published: April 2014

This article, looking at the middle-class citizens of today who have grown into the majority of the population in developed countries and who are gradually becoming the majority in emerging countries too, argues that none other than such citizens might retain the power of social change in this phase of capitalism. This article, by tracing the different aspects of citizens' features along with capitalist development, reveals the complicated characteristics of contemporary middle-class citizens who though usually supporting of the capitalist system, sometimes turn into influential opponents of the system where they feel themselves betrayed or abandoned by it. This article insists on the distinct meaning of the Worldwide Comprehensive Consumption Reduction Movement, which is effective not only for preventing the destruction of nature, culture and human health but also for the middle-class citizens to develop into constructive reformists, not simply opponents, of the very same capitalist society.
On Althusser's Philosophy of the Encounter
Authors: Paul Cockshott
Published: April 2014

The article reviews Althusser'sPhilosophy of the Encounter, examining in turn the problem of the Epistemological Break and the idea ofmatérialisme aléatoire. It looks at Althusser's critique of the concept of commodity fetishism and suggests a possible response. It goes on to situate the matérialisme aléatoire in the context of the history of atomism with particular reference to the work of Boltzmann. It provides a possible technique of both rejecting teleology whilst retaining the arrow of time.
The Long Roots of the Present Crisis: Keynesians, Austerians, and Marx's Law
Authors: Guglielmo Carchedi  , Michael Roberts
Published: April 2014

The ultimate cause of crises in capitalism is lack of profitability. The Keynesian and Austerians (the supporters of austerity measures), deny this. So their solutions to crises do not work. Keynesian state-induced stimulus programs (redistributive, monetary, and fiscal) cannot overcome the underlying tendency for profitability to fall. The same holds for the policies of “austerity,” which are designed to reduce debt and raise profitability. These conclusions are particularly relevant for the weaker Eurozone economies in the midst of the euro crisis. In a case study of Argentina, we argue that it was not competitive devaluation that restored growth after the 2001 crisis, but default on state debt caused by the previous destruction of productive capital.
The Sphere of Political Economy and the Ruling Class
Authors: Ercan Gündoǧan
Published: April 2014

The article argues that political economy is the sphere and theory through which the dominant class becomes the ruling class and when the ruling class position is acquired, it loses its function and is replaced by economics by leaving it to socialists and Marxists among others. It also suggests that the totality of capitalist socialist relations can be understood through a cubic model of representation that clarifies the borders and territories of economy, political economy and political ideology in the main, an argument grounded upon two recent books by the writer.
The Problem of Absorbing All the Available Labor Force and Capital
Composition
Authors: Alejandro Valle Baeza  , Blanca Gloria Martínez González
Published: April 2014

In this article we open discussion of a very important question for workers, especially in
developing countries: Why is capitalism unable to absorb all the exploitable labor force? There is a
serious precarization of labor going on all around the world, but it is much worse in underdeveloped
countries. How does importing means of production affect the composition of capital in
underdeveloped countries and worsen the problem of precarization? An account is examined based on
value theory and such composition is estimated in the case that means of production are
imported.
A Social Provisioning Employer of Last Resort: Post-Keynesianism Meets Feminist Economics
Authors: Donatella Alessandrini
Published: April 2014

This article proposes a collaboration between post-Keynesians and feminist economists with regard to macroeconomic policies aimed at the socialization of investment, in particular the proposal for the government to act at once as the Employer of Last Resort and as a social provider. This is particularly important in the UK because the coalition government's Spending Review and Plan for Growth have dismantled public services and welfare benefits while emphasizing a narrow range of productive activities. This strategy threatens to widen the inequality that has led to low levels of demand and reliance by low- and middle-income households on unsustainable borrowing in order to maintain living standards. The article therefore contributes to current debates about alternative macroeconomic policies: it argues that the current emphasis on austerity needs to be replaced by a social provisioning approach that requires us to first pose the question of what the economy should be for.
The Academic Career and Contributions of Chengxun Yang
Authors: Xinning Zhang
Published: April 2014

Professor Chengxun Yang has deepened study of the economics of socialism with Chinese characteristics. With “serving the people” as his goal, and “only the truth” as his sole reference point, he has extracted the essence of Lenin's thoughts on commodity production after a socialist revolution. He has proposed theories on developing socialist commodity economy in its early stages, and he has elaborated the mechanisms and forms of the “two leaps” in rural economy, which were originally proposed by Deng Xiaoping in 1990. Based on empirical studies, he has revealed profound contradictions in reforming state-owned enterprises. He has engaged in study of the economy of the Yellow River Basin. Prof. Yang also established a new discipline of the economics of science and technology under socialism with Chinese characteristics, within the framework of maintaining and advancing Marxist economics.
Major Schools of Marxist Economics in Japan: History and Contemporary Development
Authors: Masao Watanabe  , Xiaojun Tan
Published: April 2014

Marxist economics was introduced into Japan in the 1920s and diverged into several schools. These Marxist schools developed and evolved along with the socio-economic conditions of Japanese society. Japanese Marxism made significant achievements, even though it is facing various difficulties at present. This article offers an account of the formation, development and current quandary of Japanese Marxist economics, so that a comprehensive understanding and overview of Japanese Marxist economics can be obtained.
Intensified Restructuring of the Global Industrial System and Remodeling the Competitive Advantage of Nations
Authors: Yahong Li  , Maoxing Huang
Published: April 2014

The global financial crisis of 2008 has profoundly changed global economic patterns. In response to the profound changes in the global economic environment and in order to position themselves for future economic development, all countries have engaged in significant industrial restructuring. This has led to a new round of industrial adjustment, transfer and upgrading, as well as profound adjustments in the modes of economic growth. It has also changed the pattern of international competition to some extent. Emerging economies in particular have exhibited “eye-catching” performance in overcoming the crisis, with robust economic recoveries and apparent enhancements of national competitiveness. In the current and forthcoming periods, global industrial upgrading will need more extensive technological support. Technical innovation is a key factor in enhancing the competitive advantage of nations. It will become an important driver for new and innovation modes of industrial development and global industrial benefit adjustments. All countries of the world should make timely adjustments to their economic structures, expedite innovations in industrial technology, and enhance core competencies so as to increase their international competitiveness.
The Reduction of Inequality in Latin America during 2000–2010: A Path to Development?
Authors: Ana Maria Rita Milani
Published: April 2014

After implementation of the structural adjustment model in the region since the 1990s, we see that the benefits to economic growth and social equality were mediocre, even if there was a recovery cycle between 2004 and 2008, although Latin America presents a slight flexibility in inequality with positive trends in this period. There is, today, more centralization with regard to the social question, because Latin America does not present a shift of its workforce from less productive to more efficient activities. Therefore, this article is concerned with analyzing the impact of social policies in the last decade, as compared to the change in the economic structure. This article shows that for ECLA vision authors, the transformation of the productive structure is important to development. Although the region showed improvement with regard to inequality, poverty levels and other changes, an economic structure that is more dynamic and closer to the international technological border has not yet been achieved.
Brazil: Extractive Capitalism and the Great Leap Backward
Authors: James Petras
Published: April 2014

This article examines Brazil's economic, social and environmental policy under neoliberal
and center-left regimes, and finds substantial continuities in promoting an extractive economic
development strategy. The devastating impacts on the Amazon, and the continuation in class
inequalities counter the reformist imagery of the Workers' Party regime. The study emphasizes
the utility of class analysis in deconstructing ideological identities.
The relevance of the irrelevant beginning
Authors: Davis Philip J.
Published: April 2014

There are many paradoxes associated with the concept of infinity. I would like to set forth and comment on one which, though well-known in principle, I have not seen stated in the following form.
Tim Key and Gogol's Overcoat: Review 2
Authors: Hesthamar Kari
Published: April 2014

The documentary Tim Key and Gogol’s Overcoat is based on the short story The Overcoat by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol. The Ukrainian-born Russian was one of the major authors of the 19th century, who tried to demonstrate what Tsarist Russia entailed. The Overcoat, published in 1842, is a satire of the civil service and petty officialdom. It is about how an external object transforms a person's self-esteem and others' opinions of a man of low rank.
As the program unfolds, the boundaries between fact and fiction become more blurred, and the weave between St Petersburg and London, between Akaky Akakievich (protagonist of the story) and Tim Key (the documentary’s narrator) becomes tighter and tighter. Right from the start, Tim Key's own threadbare jacket becomes part of the documentary, used surprisingly and humorously, furthermore, in that it emphasises Key's personal relationship to Gogol and his short story. He takes a small, concrete thing, which is easy to follow dramaturgically, and places the other elements along this storytelling thread. The literary text counterpointed against Tim Key's narrator creates a fine contrast within the program; it is playful and with liberatingly little intellectual discussion of a great novella. The distinction between Gogol and Tim Key, between fact and fiction, becomes increasingly blurred. Steven Rajam manages to build up his program in such a way that everything gets its due pay-off as the program unfolds. To make people laugh is harder than making them cry. Tim Key and Gogol’s Overcoat is bolted together in an informal, surprising, smart and witty manner.
Reviewer Kari Hesthamar is an award-winning radio feature maker and head of radio features at NRK, Norway's national broadcasting organisation.