bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recombinant Osteopontin Stabilizes Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype via Integrin Receptor/Integrin-Linked Kinase/Rac-1 Pathway After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats
Authors: Wu Jiang , Zhang Yang , Yang Peng , Enkhjargal Budbazar , Manaenko Anatol , Tang Jiping , Pearce William J. , Hartman Richard , Obenaus Andre , Chen Gang , Zhang John H.
Published: March 2016

Background and Purpose—

Recombinant osteopontin (rOPN) has been reported to be neuroprotective in stroke animal models. The purpose of this study is to investigate a potential role and mechanism of nasal administration of rOPN on preserving the vascular smooth muscle phenotype in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods—

One hundred and ninety-two male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The SAH model was induced by endovascular perforation. Integrin-linked kinase small interfering RNA was intracerebroventricularly injected 48 hours before SAH. The integrin receptor antagonist fibronectin-derived peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP), focal adhesion kinase inhibitor Fib-14, and Rac-1 inhibitor NSC23766 were administered 1 hour before SAH induction. rOPN was administered via the intracerebroventricular and nasal route after SAH. SAH grade, neurological scores, brain water content, brain swelling, hematoxylin and eosin staining, India ink angiography, Western blots, and immunofluorescence were used to study the mechanisms of rOPN on the vascular smooth muscle phenotypic transformation.

Results—

The marker proteins of vascular smooth muscle phenotypic transformation α-smooth muscle actin decreased and embryonic smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMemb) increased significantly at 24 and 72 hours in the cerebral arteries after SAH. rOPN prevented the changes of α-smooth muscle actin and SMemb and significantly alleviated neurobehavioral dysfunction, increased the cross-sectional area and the lumen diameter of the cerebral arteries, reduced the brain water content and brain swelling, and improved the wall thickness of cerebral arteries. These effects of rOPN were abolished by GRGDSP, integrin-linked kinase small interfering RNA, and NSC23766. Intranasal application of rOPN at 3 hours after SAH also reduced neurological deficits.

Conclusions—

rOPN prevented the vascular smooth muscle phenotypic transformation and improved the neurological outcome, which was possibly mediated by the integrin receptor/integrin-linked kinase/Rac-1 pathway.
Diplomatic Security for Hire: The Causes and Implications of Outsourcing Embassy Protection
Authors: Cusumano Eugenio
Published: March 2016

The increasing deployment of foreign service officials in fragile and post-conflict environments has enormously magnified the need to protect diplomatic premises and personnel. Consequently, several states have resorted to private security companies (pscs) as providers of diplomatic protection. As epitomised by the scandals surrounding the United States government’s use of armed contractors, however, the privatisation of diplomatic security has often proved problematic. This article analyses the scope, causes and implications of outsourcing diplomatic protection, assessing the extent to which the use of pscs by the us State Department offers an appropriate response to the need to secure diplomatic personnel in dangerous locations, and providing some policy recommendation on how to improve the effectiveness and accountability of privatised diplomatic protection.
The oldest accurate record of Scenopinidae in the Lowermost Eocene amber of France (Diptera: Brachycera)
Authors: GARROUSTE ROMAIN , AZAR DANY , NEL ANDRE
Published: March 2016

Eocenotrichia magnifica gen. et sp. nov. (Diptera: Scenopinidae: Metatrichini) is described and illustrated from the Lowermost Eocene amber of Oise (France) and represents the oldest definitive window fly fossil. The present discovery in the Earliest Eocene supports the Late Cretaceous—Paleocene age currently proposed for the emergence of Metatrichini.
Elfin butterflies of the genus Rhamma Johnson (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae): A review of the Colombian species
Authors: PRIETO CARLOS , VARGAS MARIA A.
Published: March 2016

The Colombian species of the genus Rhamma Johnson, 1992 are revised. Male and female phenotypes of all species are associated and diagnosed, and data on their distributions are given along with a discussion of the geographic variability of the species. Thirteen taxa are considered valid at the species level. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Rhamma andradei (Le Crom & Johnson), stat. nov, comb. nov.; previously considered a nomen dubium in Penaincisalia Johnson, the taxon is considered a valid species of Rhamma. The placement of Rhamma anosma (Draudt), comb. nov., described as Thecla, is confirmed as belonging to Rhamma. A lectotype is designated for Thecla mishma Hewitson, 1878. Adults, male and female genitalia, and distribution maps are depicted for all species, along with an identification key based on adults.
Multilocus phylogeny of the Asian Lance-headed pitvipers (Squamata, Viperidae, Protobothrops)
Authors: GUO PENG , LIU QIN , WEN TAO , XIAO RONG , FANG MING , ZHONG GUANGHUI , TRUONG NGUYEN Q. , ZHU FEI , JADIN ROBERT C. , LI CAO
Published: March 2016

Despite the public health significance and potential applications to medical research, the evolutionary history of the Asian Lance-headed pitvipers (genus Protobothrops) remains inadequately studied. Previous research generally focused on a few selected species with no comprehensive molecular study of Protobothrops. Here, we conduct the first study to infer the phylogenetic relationships of all currently recognized species in this genus based on four mitochondrial DNA fragments and four nuclear genes. Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses show that within Protobothrops there are four strongly supported clades forming distinct subgroups. The first subgroup, which is sister to the other three, consists of three species, P. himalayanus, P. kaulbacki, and P. sieversorum. The second subgroup contains only P. mangshanensis. The final two subgroups, which are sister groups, include the other four and six Protobothrops species. Although our findings provide additional information on the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Protobothrops, the placement of P. dabieshanensis and P. elegans remains problematic. In addition, our molecular results indicate that P. trungkhanhensis, currently considered endemic to Vietnam, should be added to the species known from China. Our ancestral area estimation indicated that Protobothrops likely originated in southwestern China. This study improves our understanding of the evolutionary relationships among species of Asian Lance-headed pitvipers, providing a greater framework for future studies.
Two new species of diminutive leaf-litter skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Tytthoscincus) from Gunung Penrissen, Sarawak, Malaysia (northern Borneo)
Authors: KARIN BENJAMIN R. , DAS INDRANEIL , BAUER AARON M.
Published: March 2016

We describe two new species of skinks from Gunung Penrissen, Sarawak, Malaysia, in northern Borneo, Tytthoscincus batupanggah sp. nov. and T. leproauricularis sp. nov. Morphological and molecular analyses both corroborate the two new species as unique compared to all other Tytthoscincus and additional Sphenomorphus that are candidates for taxonomic placement in the genus Tytthoscincus. Despite their phenotypic similarity and sympatric distribution, a molecular analysis shows that the new species are not sister taxa and exhibit a deep genetic divergence between each of their respective sister taxa. We discuss how historical climatic and geographic processes may have led to the co-distribution of two relatively distantly related phenotypically similar species. In light of these discoveries, we also emphasize the importance of conserving primary montane tropical rainforest for maintaining species diversity.
Latheticomyia Wheeler (Diptera: Pseudopomyzidae) from Peru: new species, description of the male of L. longiterebra Hennig and a key to species
Authors: MARQUES DAYSE W.A. , RAFAEL JOSÉ A.
Published: March 2016

Latheticomyia Wheeler is a small New World genus, with five described species. Here two species from Peru, Latheticomyia peruana sp. nov. and Latheticomyia xantha sp. nov. are described and illustrated. The male of L. longiterebra Hennig is described and illustrated for the first time. Additionally, a key to species is provided.
Revision of the Neotropical genus Coroichlorops Paganelli 2002 (Diptera: Chloropidae)
Authors: RICCARDI PAULA RAILE , AMORIM DALTON DE SOUZA
Published: March 2016

Coroichlorops is a monotypic genus of Chloropini known to occur only in South America. The type species, C. yungas (Sabrosky & Paganelli), is formally known only from the holotype, collected in Bolivia. The male genitalia of the genus has peculiar prolonged, forceps-like surstyli. Two additional species of the genus, C. plaumanni sp. nov. and C. antennatus sp. nov., are formally described and illustrated here, and a key to the species of the genus is provided. The atypical flat arista of C. antennatus sp. nov. is also found in the Mepachymerini genus Sagareocerus and its implications are discussed.
A new Polia Ochsenheimer, 1816 species from China (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Hadenini)
Authors: SALDAITIS AIDAS , BENEDEK BALÁZS , BEHOUNEK GOTTFRIED
Published: March 2016

The genus Polia Ochsenheimer, 1816 includes 26 species in the Palaearctic region, with the familiar European species being properly classified (Hacker et al., 2002), while most species from the more diverse Himalayan-region still require a comprehensive revision. Most recently, a new Polia species from China was described by Saldaitis et al. (2013). The sino-tibetian species Polia costirufa (Draudt, 1950) is one of the most interesting members of the complex as it is separable from its relatives at least on the subgeneric level. Certain elements of its forewing pattern resemble those of the genus Heliophobus Boisduval, but P. costirufa is much larger with more elongate forewings. While the P. costirufa male genital capsule shows typical Polia conservative features, the broad, sack-like vesica and the huge terminal cornutus are unique in the male and the large, elliptical and strongly sclerotised appendix bursae are unique female characters. The collective of the mentioned external and genital characters are suggesting the justifiable separation of P. costirufa from any other relatives, certainly on subgeneric level, but this would be better to integrate into a study incorporate the complete overview of the Polia-complex in the Himalayan region. P. costirufa male and female genitalia are described here for the first time but further study integrating this species into a complete overview of the Polia complex in the Himalayan region is recommended
Paracoccus leucadendri Mazzeo & Franco in Mazzeo, Franco & Russo, 2009, a junior synonym of Paracoccus hakeae (Williams, 1985) comb. nov.
(Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae)
Authors: ELLENRIEDER NATALIA VON , Watson Gillian W. , Kinnee Scott A. , Franco José C. , Mazzeo Gaetana
Published: March 2016

Two mealybug species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) feeding on Proteaceae in U.S.A. (California), Portugal and Australia were studied: Paracoccus leucadendri Mazzeo & Franco in Mazzeo, Franco & Russo, 2009, described from Portugal, and Phenacoccus hakeae Williams, 1985, described from Australia. A comparative morphological analysis was made of relevant paratypes and additional specimens from Australia, California and Portugal, and the variability of the morphological characters in the populations in each country was documented. Molecular analysis of the COI gene of specimens from Australia and California showed them to be identical, and comparative morphological analysis among specimens from Australia, California and Portugal revealed no differences either; therefore Paracoccus leucadendri is placed as a junior synonym of Phenacoccus hakeae. A comparison of the COI sequences with those of species of Paracoccus, Phenacoccus and other mealybug genera revealed that Phenacoccus hakeae does not belong in Phenacoccus. Even though its COI shows no close match to any other species its morphology fits within the generic concept of Paracoccus, and we transfer it to that genus under the new combination Paracoccus hakeae (Williams, 1985) as a holding option until a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the group is carried out.
Development and Applications of Portable Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Emergency Responders, the Military, and Law-Enforcement Organizations
Authors: Leary Pauline E. , Dobson Gareth S. , Reffner John A.
Published: March 2016

Portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems are being deployed for field use, and are designed with this goal in mind. Performance characteristics of instruments that are successful in the field are different from those of equivalent technologies that are successful in a laboratory setting. These field-portable systems are extending the capabilities of the field user, providing investigative leads and confirmatory identifications in real time. Many different types of users benefit from the availability of this technology including emergency responders, the military, and law-enforcement organizations. This manuscript describes performance characteristics that are important for field-portable instruments, especially field-portable GC-MS systems, and demonstrates the value of this equipment to the disciplines of explosives investigations, fire investigations, and counterfeit-drug detection. This paper describes the current state of portable GC-MS technology, including a review of the development of portable GC-MS, as well as a demonstration of the value of this capability using different examples.
Wireless Data Acquisition of Transient Signals for Mobile Spectrometry Applications
Authors: Trzcinski Peter , Weagant Scott , Karanassios Vassili
Published: March 2016

Wireless data acquisition using smartphones or handhelds offers increased mobility, it provides reduced size and weight, it has low electrical power requirements, and (in some cases) it has an ability to access the internet. Thus, it is well suited for mobile spectrometry applications using miniaturized, field-portable spectrometers, or detectors for chemical analysis in the field (i.e., on-site). There are four main wireless communications standards that can be used for wireless data acquisition, namely ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and UWB (ultra-wide band). These are briefly reviewed and are evaluated for applicability to data acquisition of transient signals (i.e., time-domain) in the field (i.e., on-site) from a miniaturized, field-portable photomultiplier tube detector and from a photodiode array detector installed in a miniaturized, field-portable fiber optic spectrometer. These are two of the most widely used detectors for optical measurements in the ultraviolet–visible range of the spectrum. A miniaturized, 3D-printed, battery-operated microplasma-on-a-chip was used for generation of transient optical emission signals. Elemental analysis from liquid microsamples, a microplasma, and a handheld or a smartphone will be used as examples. Development and potential applicability of wireless data acquisition of transient optical emission signals for taking part of the lab to the sample types of mobile, field-portable spectrometry applications will be discussed. The examples presented are drawn from past and ongoing work in the authors’ laboratory. A handheld or a smartphone were used as the mobile computing devices of choice.
How many children in Australia are at risk of adult mental illness?
Authors: Guy Sophie , Furber Gareth , Leach Matthew , Segal Leonie
Published: March 2016

Objective:

To estimate the prevalence of children in the Australian population with risk factors for adult mental illness.

Method:

Key risk factors and risk domains were identified from a 2013 review of longitudinal studies on child and adolescent determinants of adult mental illness. Data items were identified from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children that map onto the risk domains and were used to estimate the prevalence of these key individual risk factors and the magnitude of multiple risk in children aged 3 months to 13 years.

Results:

Even by infancy, risk factors for adult mental illness are highly prevalent, with 51.7% of infants having multiple risks. In 10 infants, 1 was born to mothers who consumed daily alcohol and 1 in 8 to mothers who smoked cigarettes daily during pregnancy. Also, 10.5% of infants were in families where the parents had separated, which increased to 18% in 10–11 year-olds. Psychological problems in the clinical range (based on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire total problems score) ranged from 7.8% to 9.7% across the 4–13 years age range. Risks from negative parenting behaviours were highly prevalent across age groups. Two-thirds of children aged 12–13 years had parents who displayed low warmth or exhibited high hostility/anger. Across childhood, one in seven children are in families exposed to 3+ major life stressors. By age 8–9 years, more than 18% of children are exposed to ⩾5 risk factors.

Conclusions:

We find that modifiable risk factors for adult mental illness occur at the earliest stage in the life course and at greater prevalence than is commonly recognised. Considerable capacity will be required in child and adolescent mental health services and complementary family support programmes if risk factors for adult mental illness that are already apparent in infancy and childhood are to be addressed.
Economic Hardship and Policy Preferences in the Eurozone Periphery
Authors: Fernández-Albertos José , Kuo Alexander
Published: March 2016

What is the impact of economic suffering on support for euro membership and austerity policies in the Eurozone periphery? This article uses original public opinion and firm surveys conducted in Spain in the midst of the great recession to describe the structure of preferences toward the euro as a common currency and austerity policies, focusing on the specific impact of crisis exposure. We find that in spite of the depth and the duration of the economic crisis, support for Spain’s membership in the Eurozone is strong. However, while economic suffering divides the electorate on support for the euro and austerity, it does not do so for firms. Surprisingly, individuals who have suffered due to the crisis in terms of higher income loss are more skeptical of tax and spend programs but are more critical of the euro. Moreover, individuals who are skeptical of the euro and austerity are demographically distinct groups of people. One implication of our joint individual and firm-level findings is that a coalition to seriously challenge the status quo policy coalition remains difficult.
A dual-mode framework of organizational categorization and momentary perception
Authors: Elsbach Kimberly D , Breitsohl Heiko
Published: March 2016

We examine how both automatic and motivated modes of categorization are integral to understanding momentary perceptions of organizations, including perceptions of organizational identity and legitimacy. We begin by discussing how extant organizational research has relied, primarily, on single modes of categorization to describe how we form momentary perceptions of organizations. These ‘single-mode’ frameworks have explained momentary organizational perceptions as the result of either automatic categorization (i.e. driven by unconscious cognitive processes) or motivated categorization (i.e. driven by individual needs and desires). While these frameworks explain much about momentary organizational perceptions, we provide some notable examples that do not follow the paths they predict. To more fully explain momentary organizational perceptions, we present a framework grounded in psychological research that considers how both motivated and automatic modes of categorization influence these perceptions. In doing so, we illustrate how such a ‘dual-mode’ framework might better account for organizational perceptions that seem counter-intuitive when viewed through a single-mode lens. We conclude by outlining some theoretical and practical implications of our framework, and presenting an agenda for future research on organizational categorization and perception that may capitalize on our dual-mode framework.
‘We must take our allies’ views into account’: Pierre Trudeau and the turn back to NATO in the mid-1970s
Authors: Maas Francis
Published: March 2016

Many scholars have noted that Pierre Trudeau became a stronger supporter of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the mid-1970s, and the common wisdom is that he was forced into this change to appease allies. Canada was looking to develop trade links with Western Europe, and allies, notably West German chancellor Helmut Schmidt, told Canada to beef up its defences if it wanted trade. Although there is evidence to support this argument, it has obscured other critical reasons. This paper argues that Trudeau came to support NATO because of an acceptance of the alliance’s role in maintaining the balance of power between East and West and Schmidt’s accommodating, rather than mercenary, approach.
Delivery of RANKL-Binding Peptide OP3-4 Promotes BMP-2–Induced Maxillary Bone Regeneration
Authors: Uehara T. , Mise-Omata S. , Matsui M. , Tabata Y. , Murali R. , Miyashin M. , Aoki K.
Published: March 2016

Although bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is known to stimulate osteogenesis, there is evidence that high doses of BMP-2 can lead to side effects, including inflammation and carcinogenesis. The supplementation of other bone-augmenting agents is considered helpful in preventing such side effects by reducing the amount of BMP-2 required to obtain a sufficient amount of bone. We recently showed that a receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)–binding peptide promotes osteoblast differentiation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether OP3-4, a RANKL-binding peptide, promotes BMP-2–induced bone formation in the murine maxilla using an injectable gelatin hydrogel (GH) carrier. A GH carrier containing OP3-4 with BMP-2 was subperiosteally injected into the murine maxillary right diastema between the incisor and the first molar. The mice were sacrificed 28 d after the injections. The local bone formation in the OP3-4-BMP-2–injected group was analyzed in comparison to the carrier-injected, BMP-2–injected, and control-peptide-BMP-2–injected groups. The GH carrier containing OP3-4 with BMP-2 enlarged the radio-opaque area and increased the bone mineral content and density in the radiological analyses in comparison to the other experimental groups. Interestingly, fluorescence-based histological analyses revealed that the mineralization had started from the outside, then proceeded inward, suggesting that the size of the newly formed bone had already been set before calcification started and that the effects of OP3-4 might be involved in accelerating the early steps of osteogenesis. Actually, OP3-4 enhanced the BMP-2–induced 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU)–positive cell numbers at the injected site on day 7 and the expression of Runx2 and Col1a1, which are early osteogenic cell markers, on day 10 after the subperiosteal injections. In summary, we demonstrated, for the first time, that the application of OP3-4 by subperiosteal injection promoted BMP-2–induced bone formation, which could lead to the development of an easy and noninvasive means of promoting alveolar ridge formation.
Contingent Instrumental and Intrinsic Support: Exploring Regime Support in Asia
Authors: Huhe Narisong , Tang Min
Published: March 2016

This study presents a contextual explanation of regime support by arguing that although an individual’s instrumental economic calculation and intrinsic democratic value are important predictors of political support, the extent to which they matter is contingent on the nature of the regime, as defined primarily by democracy. Using data drawn from the second wave of the Asia Barometer, we find that economic perceptions are less important for regime support in democratic countries than they are in authoritarian countries, and an affection for democracy makes people more critical of the political system in authoritarian countries than in democratic countries.
Preparation and characterization of reactive chitosan quaternary ammonium salt and its application in antibacterial finishing of cotton fabric
Authors: Zhang W , Zhou JJ , Dai XL
Published: March 2016

The water soluble and reactive O-methyl acrylamide quaternary ammonium salt of chitosan (NMA-HTCC) was prepared with a view to develop an antibacterial finishing on cotton fabric. 2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HTCC) was synthesized by the chemical reaction of chitosan and 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride. Then, NMA-HTCC with reactive groups was synthesized by the chemical reaction of HTCC and N-(hydroxymethyl) –acrylamide, and its chemical structure was characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The antibacterial activities of chitosan and NMA-HTCC were tested and compared by the minimal inhibitory method. Cotton fabrics were finished by NMA-HTCC under the alkalinity condition using sodium bicarbonate as the catalyst. The antibacterial activity of cotton fabric before and after finishing was measured by the oscillation flask method. The results showed that both chitosan and NMA-HTCC had a significant antibacterial effect on staphylococcus and coli, and the antibacterial activity of NMA-HTCC was better than that of chitosan. The antibacterial activity of cotton fabric to staphylococcus and coli were significantly improved after finishing by chitosan and NMA-HTCC, and the antibacterial activity of the cotton fabric finished by NMA-HTCC was better than that finished by chitosan.
Nanostructured superhydrophobic lyocell fabrics with asymmetric moisture absorbency: Moisture managing properties
Authors: Kwon Seong-ok , Kim Jooyoun , Moon Myoung-Woon , Park Chung Hee
Published: March 2016

This study investigated moisture management properties of a single-faced superhydrophobic fabric. A single-faced superhydrophobic lyocell fabric, where one face of the surface is superhydrophobic and the opposite face is hydrophilic, was produced by a two-step plasma process on one side of the fabric: (1) the addition of nano-scale roughness by 5 minutes of O2 plasma etching; (2) subsequent 30 seconds of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition with hexamethyldisiloxane to lower the surface energy of lyocell fibers. As a result, the superhydrophobic lyocell fabric exhibited water repellency with a static water contact angle greater than 161° on the treated surface, allowing water absorption from the untreated face. The nanometer depth of the superhydrophobic layer in the hydrophilic textile affected water absorption capacity, drying rate, vertical wicking rate, and moisture management properties. The air permeability and water vapor transmission rate of the superhydrophobic treated lyocell fabric were hardly changed. The superhydrophobic properties were maintained after a gentle wash cycle, although the level of superhydrophobicity was reduced, especially when it was washed with detergent. This superhydrophobic and moisture managing textile would be relevant for an application that requires a water repellent property on one face and water absorbing property on the opposite face, such as medical operation gowns, wound dressings, and hygienic products.
Erik H. Erikson and the deep context of ministry
Authors: Myers William R.
Published: March 2016

Erikson described how we adopt childhood moralities that we often carry into adulthood. He suggested a strong spiritual interconnection between what happens, or does not happen in this regard among infancy, adolescence, and mature adulthood. The mature adult’s ethical responsibility within generational interplay is described. The ethical adult’s ability to face death without dread is described. The question of Erikson’s personal ties to Christianity is considered. Key to this conversation is his essay on the Galilean sayings of Jesus. The interconnections are explored, and two congregations serve as positive examples.
Friedrich Schleiermacher’s theology as a resource for ecological economics
Authors: Poe Shelli M.
Published: March 2016

In this article, the author argues that Friedrich Schleiermacher’s Christian Faith offers useful theological resources for ecofeminists and all those concerned with establishing ecological economics. His notion of the Naturzusammenhang, or the interconnected process of nature, is significant for imagining the proper place of the human economy within the planet’s economy. However, for his theology to be an unambiguous resource for ecological living, his claims regarding the Christian community becoming total and his appeal to an afterlife as the mechanism for that totalization need revision. The author constructs a Schleiermacherian revision of his work by further emphasizing the interconnectivity of humanity and retaining the epistemic limits that Schleiermacher himself has put in place.
The Abrahamic pilgrimage story in sermons: An ontological-narrative foundation of Asian American life in faith
Authors: Yang Sunggu
Published: March 2016

Sang Hyun Lee and many other Asian American scholars have found that the Abrahamic pilgrimage story has been an ontological-narrative backbone of Asian American faith constructs. This article further explores their previous research by suggesting three distinct theological narrative styles of the given Abrahamic pilgrimage saga: the allegorical-typological narrative style, the illustrative narrative style, and the eschatological-symbolic narrative style. However, though distinct, the styles are closely associated with one another. I will show sermon excerpts by Asian American preachers that are good examples of the theological-spiritual embodiment of the three styles.
Encounters with diversity: Children’s friendships and parental responses
Authors: Vincent Carol , Neal Sarah , Iqbal Humera
Published: March 2016

This paper reports on a project exploring the friendships of children and adults in ‘super-diverse’ (Vertovec, 2007) localities in London, England, examining whether and how friendships are made and maintained across ethnic and social class differences. The aim is to identify what friendships reveal about the nature and extent of ethnic and social divisions in contemporary multicultural society. Drawing on interviews with children and their parents, this paper analyses affective parental responses to their children’s friendships, identifying instances where parents seek to manage these friendships. We identify the importance of the ‘ease of similarity’ for many parents concerning their children’s friendships, and the relative lack of concrete practices amongst parents to support their children’s friendships across difference. However, we also note parental support for living in super-diverse localities and children attending schools therein.
Coproduction of Scientific Addiction Knowledge in Everyday Discourse
Authors: Winter Katarina
Published: March 2016

The phenomenon of addiction enables studies of how society governs citizens and produces (healthy) bodies through classifications and definitions within treatment, science, and politics. Definitions and explanations of addiction change over time, and collective narratives of addiction in society are shared between scientific, official, and colloquial discourses. It is thus reasonable to argue that scientists, clinicians, and practitioners, as well as politicians, journalists, and laypersons, co-create addiction as a (bio)medical, social, and cultural phenomenon defined by varying actions, experiences, contexts, and meanings. The mass media is a key link between science and citizens. Explanations and definitions of the nature and causes of, and solutions for, addiction are provided by science and communicated to the rest of the society in popular scientific representations. While the language of scientific discourse is actively used, reproduced, and redefined in everyday language, laypersons are seldom acknowledged as active participants in studies of knowledge coproduction. This study examines how 25 newspaper readers interpret and explain dimensions of addiction phenomena through their own knowledge and interpretation of scientific representations in the media. The analysis shows how (popular) scientific biomedical addiction discourse interacts with newspaper readers’ interpretations, focusing on lay discussion of the causes of and solutions for addiction, how lay coproduction of scientific explanations is made, and how we can understand it. The study contributes to our understanding of the complex network of interacting and competing actors coproducing knowledge of addiction, emphasizing laypersons’ involvement in this process.
Intoxicating Entertainment? The Influence of “Star Music Trek” on the Drinking Practices of Nigerian Students
Authors: Dumbili Emeka W.
Published: March 2016

Sophisticated marketing strategies are increasingly used by transnational alcohol companies in Nigeria. While this facilitates alcohol availability and encourages alcohol consumption, there are no effective policies to regulate alcohol marketing. This study draws on qualitative interviews with 31 Nigerian university students (aged 19–23 years) to explore some of the ways in which “Star Music Trek” (SMT, a brewer-sponsored music concert) establishes spaces that facilitate alcohol consumption among Nigerian youths. The data were analyzed to generate themes with the aid of NVivo 10 software. The article argues that although the rationale for attending the SMT event is to be entertained by famous artists for a reduced entrance fee, the event creates conditions that influence young people to use alcohol in diverse ways. Among nondrinkers, SMT establishes conditions that influence alcohol initiation because purchasing “Star beer,” the brand that sponsors SMT, not only serves as a ticket or gate pass to some of the concerts, but it is also the only brand sold at the event. Among those who use alcohol, SMT creates spaces that encourage a culture of intoxication because of the easy availability and accessibility of Star beer and promotional activities in the form of price reductions, raffle draws, and free drinks. The participants also discussed the ways in which the sponsor uses its marketing representatives to promote brand allegiance by encouraging attendees to favor Star beer after the concert. Overall, the findings reveal that SMT is a sophisticated marketing strategy to promote the Star brand. The study discusses the implications of the findings and concludes that effective national alcohol control policies should be formulated and implemented in Nigeria.
Psychiatric Comorbidity and Hoarding Symptoms in African Americans With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Williams Monnica T. , Brown Tamara L. , Sawyer Broderick
Published: March 2016

This study investigated comorbidity and hoarding symptoms in a sample of African American adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder ( N = 75). For lifetime disorders, 87.9% of participants had at least one other comorbid condition. The most prevalent comorbidities were mood disorders (67.1%), anxiety disorders (51.4%), and substance abuse disorders (38.0%). There was low comorbidity with eating disorders, as only 4.1% had binge-eating disorder and none met criteria for anorexia or bulimia nervosa. In terms of gender differences, females were more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder and males were more likely to have a comorbid alcohol use disorder. Over half of the participants had hoarding compulsions (56.0%) as indicated by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Individuals with hoarding compulsions were more likely to have comorbid anxiety-related disorders than those without, and experienced greater indecisiveness, pathological slowness, and doubting; they also had less education and earning power than those without these behaviors. African Americans with obsessive-compulsive disorder tend to have high rates of comorbid disorders, with patterns that resemble findings in non-Hispanic White populations.
Transnational communication practices of unaccompanied young Korean students in the United States
Authors: Kim Tae-Sik
Published: March 2016

Based on a study of unaccompanied Korean student migrants, this article investigates how transnational communication helped the students continue their transnational journey for educational success. Although suffering perennial loneliness, the students continued with their studies because they still believed acquiring education in the United States would be advantageous in securing their success. They became actively involved in transnational communication to cope with stresses and to gain emotional support. Transnational communication played an important role in mediating between their pursuit of education and desired cultural capital on the one hand, and the loneliness and isolation as migrants on their own on the other.
Protection of the environment in existing exposure situations
Authors: Copplestone D. , Larsson C-M. , Strand P. , Sneve M.K.
Published: March 2016

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) described its approach to the protection of the environment and how it should be applied in Publication 124. The report expanded on the Commission’s objectives for environmental protection, and how the Derived Consideration Reference Levels (DCRLs) apply within different exposure situations. DCRLs relate radiation effects to doses over and above their normal local background radiation levels, and consider different potential pathways of exposure for animals and plants. This paper will describe how the DCRLs may be used within existing exposure situations to better understand the potential impacts on animals and plants. In these circumstances, the Commission recommends that the aim be to reduce exposures to levels that are within the DCRL bands (or even below, depending upon the potential cost/benefits), but with full consideration of the radiological and non-radiological consequences of doing so. Using examples, this paper will demonstrate how this may be achieved in practice, bearing in mind the potential exposure of humans, animals and plants during and following any remediation attempted.
How well does Google work with Persian documents?
Authors: Sadeghi Mohammad , Vegas Jesús
Published: March 2016

The performance evaluation of an information retrieval system is a decisive aspect of the measure of the improvements in search technology. The Google search engine, as a tool for retrieving information on the Web, is used by almost 92% of Iranian users. The purpose of this paper is to study Google’s performance in retrieving relevant information from Persian documents. The information retrieval effectiveness is based on the precision measures of the search results done to a website that we have built with the documents of a TREC standard corpus. We asked Google for 100 topics available on the corpus and we compared the retrieved webpages with the relevant documents. The obtained results indicated that the morphological analysis of the Persian language is not fully taken into account by the Google search engine. The incorrect text tokenisation, considering the stop words as the content keywords of a document and the wrong ‘variants encountered’ of words found by Google are the main reasons that affect the relevance of the Persian information retrieval on the Web for this search engine.
The multivariate polity or democratic fragmentation
Authors: Benhabib Seyla
Published: March 2016

Alessandro Ferrara’s The Democratic Horizon: Hyperpluralism and the Renewal of Political Liberalism poses an important challenge to recent defenders of ‘realism’ in political theory and shows that a renewal of Rawlsian ideal theory is possible. Ferrara focuses on the contemporary condition of ‘hyperpluralism’, in which every comprehensive worldview and religion has to admit the equal validity of at least one other conception, and claims that only a ‘pluralist justification of pluralism’ can lead to a genuine revival of the democratic horizon. Naming such a project of democracy the ‘multivariate’ polity, he uses Rawls’ method of conjecture to show how such a justification strategy is possible. I argue that the multivariate polity may attain pluralism but not stability and may fail in securing democratic respect among equal citizens for each other’s point of view.
Recommended Diagnostic Approach to Documenting and Reporting Skin Findings of Nonhuman Primates from Regulatory Toxicity Studies
Authors: Mecklenburg Lars , Romeike Annette
Published: March 2016

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) in patients are not uncommon, and they are difficult to predict from nonclinical safety studies. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are predestinated for a high predictivity of adverse drug reactions, and we postulate that this may also be true for CADRs, if skin findings in NHPs are thoroughly worked up, following the diagnostic approach in clinical veterinary dermatology. This article proposes a systematic approach to describe, analyze, and report skin findings that occur in NHP toxicity studies. Implementing this approach may increase the likelihood to differentiate between test item–related cutaneous findings and those that are independent of the test item. This will eventually result in increased relevance of skin findings identified in the scope of an NHP regulatory toxicity study for the risk assessment process to safeguard patients in clinical trials and beyond.
Surgical and Audiologic Outcomes in Endoscopic Stapes Surgery across 4 Institutions
Authors: Hunter Jacob B. , Zuniga M. Geraldine , Leite Janaina , Killeen Daniel , Wick Cameron , Ramirez Julian , Rivas Jose A. , Nogueira Joao F. , Isaacson Brandon , Rivas Alejandro
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To investigate intra‐ and postoperative outcomes of endoscopic stapes surgery.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Four tertiary care otologic centers.

Subjects and Methods

Sixty‐five subjects 18 years and older who underwent endoscopic stapes surgeries were analyzed. Variables analyzed included surgical techniques and intraoperative findings. Outcomes measured included postoperative hearing and complications to date.

Results

Fifty‐one patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average patient age was 48.1 years (range, 26‐87 years), with 60.0% female patients. Patients had a median follow‐up of 5.13 months (range, 0.8‐57.4 months). Of the subjects, 71.7% required scutum removal. The chorda tympani nerve was manipulated in 94.0% of subjects and transected in 12.0%. At last follow‐up visit, the median air‐bone gap decreased from 34.5 dB hearing level (HL) preoperatively to 9.0 dB HL postoperatively (P <. 0001). Ninety percent of subjects had closure of their air‐bone gap ≤20 dB HL. Intraoperative complications included tympanic membrane tears in 8.0% of subjects, all of which resolved at first follow‐up. Postoperatively, 10.0% of subjects complained of altered taste.

Conclusions

The present multicentered study of endoscopic stapes surgery demonstrates similar audiometric and postoperative outcomes previously published in the literature, with a median postoperative air‐bone gap of 9.0 dB HL. Future prospective endoscopic stapes surgery studies, addressing the need for scutum removal, postoperative taste changes, and pain scores, are merited.
A network meta-analysis of atomoxetine and osmotic release oral system methylphenidate in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adult patients
Authors: Bushe Chris , Day Kathleen , Reed Victoria , Karlsdotter Kristina , Berggren Lovisa , Pitcher Ashley , Televantou Foula , Haynes Virginia
Published: March 2016

The lack of head-to-head clinical studies powered to compare atomoxetine and osmotic release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate necessitates treatment comparison by methods that include indirect evidence such as network meta-analysis (NMA). A NMA assessing the relative treatment effects of atomoxetine and OROS methylphenidate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was conducted. Studies were identified by systematic literature review. Analyses summarised improvements in efficacy, measured by ADHD-specific scales, using Cohen’s d to calculate the standardised mean difference (SMD), and all cause discontinuations. Results showed effect sizes (SMD, 95% credible interval (CrI)) relative to placebo that did not differ significantly between atomoxetine (0.46, 0.36–0.56) and OROS methylphenidate (0.51, 0.40–0.63) in clinical studies of up to 12 weeks’ duration (SMD, 95% CrI for atomoxetine versus OROS methylphenidate: –0.05, –0.18–0.08). Patients treated with these medications responded better than those given placebo across all analyses. There was also no significant difference in discontinuation rates between atomoxetine and OROS methylphenidate (odds ratio, 95% CrI: 0.85, 0.53–1.35). Between-study heterogeneity was low overall. Results of this NMA suggest that the efficacy of atomoxetine and OROS methylphenidate in adults does not differ significantly. Clinical guidelines may require amendment to reflect these recent data.
γ-aminobutyric acid as a metabolite: Interpreting magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments
Authors: Myers James FM , Nutt David J , Lingford-Hughes Anne R
Published: March 2016

The current rise in the prevalence of magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments to measure γ-aminobutyric acid in the living human brain is an exciting and productive area of research. As research spreads into clinical populations and cognitive research, it is important to fully understand the source of the magnetic resonance spectroscopy signal and apply appropriate interpretation to the results of the experiments. γ-aminobutyric acid is present in the brain not only as a neurotransmitter, but also in high intracellular concentrations, both as a transmitter precursor and a metabolite. γ-aminobutyric acid concentrations measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy are not necessarily implicated in neurotransmission and therefore may reflect a very different brain activity to that commonly suggested. In this perspective, we examine some of the considerations to be taken in the interpretation of any γ-aminobutyric acid signal measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Preventing exploitation, promoting equity: findings from the International Forum on Intercountry Adoption and Global Surrogacy 2014
Authors: Cheney Kristen E
Published: March 2016

This article summarises the findings of the International Forum on Intercountry Adoption and Global Surrogacy that took place in The Hague over 11–13 August 2014. The Forum brought together 80 of the world's pre-eminent scholars, activists and policy-makers on international adoption and surrogacy to consider the most pressing issues in both fields and posit solutions for them. Participants identified concerns about commercialisation and exploitation, poverty and inequality, and subsidiarity determinations. They recommended better preservation of information, pre- and post-adoption and surrogacy support, implementation of subsidiarity, and accountability of agencies to ensure equity and rights for all involved in international adoption and surrogacy arrangements.