bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘One physical system’: Tansley's ecosystem as Earth's critical zone
Authors: Richter Daniel deB. , Billings Sharon A.
Published: March 2015

Integrative concepts of the biosphere, ecosystem, biogeocenosis and, recently, Earth's critical zone embrace scientific disciplines that link matter, energy and organisms in a systems‐level understanding of our remarkable planet. Here, we assert the congruence of Tansley's (1935) venerable ecosystem concept of ‘one physical system’ with Earth science's critical zone. Ecosystems and critical zones are congruent across spatial–temporal scales from vegetation‐clad weathering profiles and hillslopes, small catchments, landscapes, river basins, continents, to Earth's whole terrestrial surface. What may be less obvious is congruence in the vertical dimension. We use ecosystem metabolism to argue that full accounting of photosynthetically fixed carbon includes respiratoryCO2and carbonic acid that propagate to the base of the critical zone itself. Although a small fraction of respiration, the downward diffusion ofCO2helps determine rates of soil formation and, ultimately, ecosystem evolution and resilience. Because life in the upper portions of terrestrial ecosystems significantly affects biogeochemistry throughout weathering profiles, the lower boundaries of most terrestrial ecosystems have been demarcated at depths too shallow to permit a complete understanding of ecosystem structure and function. Opportunities abound to explore connections between upper and lower components of critical‐zone ecosystems, between soils and streams in watersheds, and between plant‐derivedCO2and deep microbial communities and mineral weathering.

ContentsSummary900I.Introduction900II.Tansley's ecosystem as ‘one physical system’901III.Earth's critical zone901IV.Historic developments in ecosystem science902V.The metabolism of ecosystems and critical zones905VI.Towards a more active biogeoscience908Acknowledgements909References909
Management of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a literature review
Authors: Spanou A , Lyritis GP , Chronopoulos E , Tournis S
Published: March 2015

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a serious side effect of bisphosphonate use in patients with osteoporosis, Paget's disease, hypercalcemia of malignancy, metastatic bone disease and multiple myeloma, although recently this complication has also been reported in patients under non‐bisphosphonate medication, such as denosumab and bevacizumab. The occurrence of ONJ is higher in oncology patients treated with high‐dose iv bisphosphonates than in osteoporosis patients treated with oral bisphosphonates. Although multiple hypotheses have been proposed, the exact pathogenic mechanism of ONJ still remains unclear. As treatment protocols based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) do not exist, we critically reviewed the existing data concerning the management of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw, including the most recent data for the use of teriparatide and hyperbaric oxygen.
Cooperative induction of apoptosis in NRAS mutant melanoma by inhibition of MEK and ROCK
Authors: Vogel Celia J. , Smit Marjon A. , Maddalo Gianluca , Possik Patricia A. , Sparidans Rolf W. , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , Verdegaal Els M. , Heck Albert J. R. , Samatar Ahmed A. , Beijnen Jos H. , Altelaar A. F. Maarten , Peeper Daniel S.
Published: February 2015

No effective targeted therapy is currently available for NRAS mutant melanoma. Experimental MEK inhibition is rather toxic and has only limited efficacy in clinical trials. At least in part, this is caused by the emergence of drug resistance, which is commonly seen for single agent treatment and shortens clinical responses. Therefore, there is a dire need to identify effective companion drug targets for NRAS mutant melanoma. Here, we show that at concentrations where single drugs had little effect, ROCK inhibitors GSK269962A or Fasudil, in combination with either MEK inhibitor GSK1120212 (Trametinib) or ERK inhibitor SCH772984 cooperatively caused proliferation inhibition and cell death in vitro. Simultaneous inhibition of MEK and ROCK caused induction of BimEL, PARP, and Puma, and hence apoptosis. In vivo, MEK and ROCK inhibition suppressed growth of established tumors. Our findings warrant clinical investigation of the effectiveness of combinatorial targeting of MAPK/ERK and ROCK in NRAS mutant melanoma.
Activating the Forces of Public Service Motivation: Evidence from a Low‐Intensity Randomized Survey Experiment
Authors: Pedersen Mogens Jin
Published: March 2015

Employees with higher public service motivation (PSM) are likely to perform better in public service jobs. However, research on how practitioners may capitalize on this knowledge is sparse. This article expands the understanding of how to activate employeePSM, which is understood as a human resource that is present in the work environment. Using a randomized survey experiment with 528 law students, this article shows how low‐intensity treatments may activatePSMand how the effect ofPSMactivation efforts compares with efforts to activate another, less self‐determined type of motivation (relating to the need for feelings of self‐importance). The findings are robust and suggest that low‐intensity efforts to activatePSMhave a positive effect on an individual's behavioral inclinations. However, efforts toward the activation of motivation relating to feelings of self‐importance appear to engender an effect of similar size.
Intellectual property protection mechanisms in collaborative new product development
Authors: Manzini Raffaella , Lazzarotti Valentina
Published: February 2015

Intellectual property (IP) is widely recognized to be a critical issue for implementing open innovation and collaborative research in new product development (NPD). Several intellectual property protection mechanisms (IPPMs) can be employed by companies to protect their critical technology and know‐how (patents, designs, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights). However, how they should be used in the different phases of collaborativeNPDprocesses is still debatable, and few empirical studies regarding the issue are available at the moment. This paper, which is based upon the case of anItalianNPDservice company namedMR&D, focuses on one main question: how can companies protect ideas, technology, and know‐how in collaborations concerning different phases of theNPDprocess? It proposes an initial tentative framework to answer this question by way of an analysis of pertaining literature and a case study.
Effects of Pregnancy‐associated Malaria on T Cell Cytokines in Cameroonian Women
Authors: Megnekou R. , Lissom A. , Bigoga J. D. , Djontu J. C.
Published: March 2015

Although Th17 cells subsets improve immunity against extra and intracellular pathogens, and in modulating Th1 and other immune responses, its role on pregnancy‐associated malaria (PAM) is unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of PAM on Th1 (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α), IL‐10 family (IL‐10, IL‐19, IL‐22), Th17 (IL‐17A, IL‐23) cytokines and on CXCL‐10 chemokine profiles in pregnant women. Between 2010 and 2011, venous blood specimens from 107 volunteer pregnant Cameroonian women was used to determine parasitaemia microscopically and haemoglobin levels using HemoCue analyzer. Plasma levels of the biomarkers were determined by ELISA. Parasitaemia was higher in women with low haemoglobin levels, parity and mother's age. IL‐10 and CXCL‐10 plasma levels were higher in the malaria infected and in anaemic women while IFN‐γ and IL‐17A levels were higher in malaria non‐infected and in non‐anaemic women. Parasitaemia correlated positively with IL‐10 and CXCL‐10 levels but inversely with IFN‐γ and IL‐17A. Haemoglobin levels were higher in women with low IL‐10 and CXCL‐10 levels, and in group with high IFN‐γ, IL‐17A and IL‐23 levels. Only IL‐10 levels associated negatively with parity. Positive correlations were observed between Th17 (IL‐17A) and Th1 (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α), IL‐10 family (IL‐19 and IL‐22) and Th17 (IL‐23) cytokines. Multivariate analysis showed association between: mother's age and IFN‐γ levels, parasitaemia and IL‐10 and CXCL‐10 levels and haemoglobin levels, gestational age and IL‐17A levels. In conclusion, during PAM, CXCL‐10 and IL‐10 responses are implicated in the pathogenesis while Th17 and Th1 immune responses, via IL‐17A and IFN‐γ might play protective roles.
Immunological Profiling of Haemodialysis Patients and Young Healthy Individuals with Implications for Clinical Regulatory T Cell Sorting
Authors: Bergström M. , Joly A.‐L. , Seiron P. , Isringhausen S. , Modig E. , Fellström B. , Andersson J. , Berglund D.
Published: March 2015

With the increasing interest in clinical trials with regulatory T cells (Tregs), immunological profiling of prospective target groups and standardized procedures for Treg isolation are needed. In this study, flow cytometry was used to assess peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles of young healthy individuals and patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment. Tregs obtained from the former may be used in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and Tregs from the latter in the prevention of kidney transplant rejection. FOXP3 mRNA expression with accompanying isoform distribution was also assessed by the quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Flow‐cytometric gating strategies were systematically analysed to optimize the isolation of Tregs. Our findings showed an overall similar immunological profile of both cohorts in spite of great differences in both age and health. Analysis of flow‐cytometric gating techniques highlighted the importance of gating for both CD25high and CD127low expression in the isolation of FOXP3‐positive cells. This study provides additional insight into the immunological profile of young healthy individuals and uraemic patients as well as in‐depth analysis of flow‐cytometric gating strategies for Treg isolation, supporting the development of Treg therapy using cells from healthy donors and uraemic patients.
Risk factors for acute and overuse sport injuries in Swedish children 11 to 15 years old: What about resistance training with weights?
Authors: Boström A. , Thulin K. , Fredriksson M. , Reese D. , Rockborn P. , Hammar M. L.
Published: February 2015

To determine the 1‐year self‐reported incidence of overuse and traumatic sport injuries and risk factors for injuries in children participating in a summer sports camp representing seven different sports. 4363 children, 11 to 15 years old participating in a summer camp in seven different sports answered a questionnaire. Injury in this cross‐sectional study was defined as a sport‐related trauma or overload leading to pain and dysfunction preventing the person from participation in training or competition for at least 1 week. A number of risk factors for injury were investigated such as sex, age, number of hours spent on training in general, and on resistance training with weights. Nearly half [49%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 48–51%] of the participants had been injured as a result of participation in a sport during the preceding year, significantly more boys than girls (53%, 95% CI 50–55% vs 46%, 95% CI 43–48%; P < 0.001). Three factors contributed to increased incidence of sport injuries: age, sex, and resistance training with weights. Time spent on resistance training with weights was significantly associated with sport injuries in a logistic regression analysis. In children age 11 to 15 years, the risk of having a sport‐related injury increased with age and occurred more often in boys than in girls. Weight training was the only modifiable risk factor that contributed to a significant increase in the incidence of sport injuries.
The “New” World of Prosumption: Evolution, “Return of the Same,” or Revolution?
Authors: Ritzer George
Published: March 2015

While strong arguments can be made that prosumption today can be seen as a primal phenomenon and an evolutionary process, the strongest argument is that it involves a revolutionary set of developments producing a dramatically new world of prosumption. While those developments can be seen in both the material and digital worlds (although they augment one another), they are clearest in the digital world, especially the Internet. Among the forces that are creating this new world of consumption are new means of prosumption (e.g., IKEA, massive online open courses, automated teller machines) which are made possible by a variety of new technologies (the computer, the Internet). However, overarching these and other changes is the emergence of a new form of capitalism, “prosumer capitalism.” In addition to exploiting often low‐paid commodified workers, prosumer capitalism increasingly prioritizes the exploitation of largely uncommodified prosumers who are generally unpaid. Prosumers offer the capitalist many other advantages (e.g., no long‐term obligations such as high‐cost benefit programs). There are few, if any, obligations to prosumers with the result that they fit well with today's reigning neoliberal philosophy. The new world of prosumption could have been a more positive development had it not been usurped by capitalist interests.
Hispanic Immigration and Black Violence at the Macro‐Level: Examining the Conditioning Effect of Victim Race/Ethnicity
Authors: Harris Casey T. , Gruenewald Jeff , Painter‐Davis Noah
Published: March 2015

Much attention has been devoted to the relationship between Hispanic immigration and violent offending at the macro‐level, including how it varies across racial and ethnic groups. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to the conditioning effect of the race/ethnicity of the victim, or how Hispanic immigration is associated with crime by one racial/ethnic group against members of the same or different groups. Using National Incident‐Based Reporting System offending estimates and American Community Survey data, we examine the association between Hispanic immigration and black intra‐ and intergroup (black‐on‐white and black‐on‐Hispanic) homicide, robbery, and serious index violence in over 350 U.S. communities. We employ advanced imputation methods to address missing data that have constrained much prior research, as well as utilize crime measures adjusted for the likelihood of random contact between groups. Findings suggest that (1) Hispanic immigration has a positive association with black violence on the whole, but that (2) this association is conditioned by the race/ethnicity of the victim. Our results reinforce the importance of distinguishing across offender–victim dyads in research on the immigration–crime nexus, particularly in light of competing theoretical expectations. Directions for future research and policy are discussed.
Can (and Should) We Construct an Evolutionary Psychological Theory of Institutions?
Authors: Eastwood Jonathan
Published: March 2015

This article considers the question of whether, as a number of scholars have suggested, we can (or should) develop a theory of institutions from the perspective of evolutionary psychology (EP), construed broadly. To do so, the article reviews EP's core explanatory strategy and the main claims that have been made by proponents of an EP institutional theory, focusing on arguments about (1) welfare states and (2) “honor cultures” and the institutions associated with them. On the one hand, the article argues, there are both logical and empirical problems with current efforts to develop EP theories of these institutional domains. On the other hand, sociology's relative absence from the development of such theories contributes to these problems, and sociologists can learn from EP. Above all, insights drawn from EP may help us to construct better accounts of various institutions’ micro‐foundations. To this end, collaboration and exchange between EP scholars and sociologists is called for, and some suggestions are made about how this might be done most fruitfully.
Contested Cosmopolitanisms: Global Meetings and Local Mobilizations
Authors: Kutz‐Flamenbaum Rachel V. , Duncan Brittany
Published: March 2015

This article analyzes the ways that Pittsburgh anarchist activists, politicians, and journalists framed the 2009 G‐20 meetings and protests through a content analysis of newspaper articles and activist documents. Our analysis found that cosmopolitanism was a central discourse, but it was also contested. Pittsburgh anarchists introduced an open‐community cosmopolitanism that prioritizes the local over the global as a site of struggle and also embraces expansion of rights and commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Somewhat unexpectedly, this open‐community cosmopolitanism was successfully transmitted beyond activist discourse into the public and the local media. The anarchist activist open‐community framing challenged Pittsburgh residents to question whether increased global corporate investments were best for Pittsburgh and, in doing so, fostered connections between local anarchist activists, local journalists, and local Pittsburgh residents. To reflect on the ways that activists contribute to ideas of cosmopolitanism, this article presents a theoretical model that incorporates individual and collective dispositions and multiple ideological standpoints. We also show how movement groups may strategically draw on these shared cosmopolitan dispositions to expand their movement base, communicate their messages, and challenge the hegemony of global capitalism.
The Moral Effects of Economic Teaching
Authors: Etzioni Amitai
Published: March 2015

Over the past 2 decades, dozens of studies have explored the relationship between exposure to economics and antisocial behavior. With a few exceptions, these studies find the economists and economics students are more likely to exhibit a range of “debased” moral behavior and attitudes, both in the controlled environment of the laboratory and in the outside world. This article presents a review of these studies. It draws on the various studies to address the question of whether the found differences are due to a selection effect—that is, those with antisocial tendencies tend to study economics—or an indoctrination effect whereby exposure to economic theory causes antisocial behavior. The article suggests there is evidence that both effects play a role in explaining the debased behavior of economists and students of economics.
Worthy of Recognition? How Second Home Owners Understand Their Own Group's Moral Worth in Rural Host Communities
Authors: Farstad Maja
Published: March 2015

Second home owners are conspicuous stakeholders in many rural areas, and their understanding of what would be the morally right position for them to occupy in the host community matters not only to themselves but also to the local authorities and potentially affected residents. Based on interviews with 23 owners of second homes in rural municipalities in Norway, this article examines second home owners' understanding of their own group's moral worth in their rural host communities and their expectations of receiving – or not receiving – distributional goods and other forms of recognition. Both the humble and the reward‐collecting perspective on second home owners' position are based on the perception of the rural community as weak and dependent upon second home owners' presence. Second home owners with a humble perspective think this unbalanced relationship is unpleasant, which weighs against the suggestion that second home owners be granted greater political power.
Activation Reform and Inter‐Agency Co‐operation – Local Consequences of Mixed Modes of Governance in Sweden
Authors: Qvist Martin
Published: February 2015

Organizational reform has become a recurring solution to problems of social exclusion and unemployment. In Europe, and other parts of the world, there is a trend towards policies of ‘activation’ in employment and social policy. The idea of flexible, individualized and tailor‐made services is coupled with managerial and market‐based reforms as well as collaborative governance. In these complex structures of service provision, coordination and inter‐agency co‐operation have become key concerns. Based on a study of a recent reform of programmes for newly arrived refugees in Sweden (Etableringsreformen), this article seeks to contribute to the literature on governance of ‘activation’ by examining the consequences of mixed modes of governance (market and collaborative) on local inter‐agency co‐operation. Drawing on data from in‐depth case studies in two municipalities, it is demonstrated how the coupling of managerial practices and quasi‐markets with existing collaborative arrangements has created barriers for inter‐agency co‐operation. The results indicate that institutional tensions between governance forms represent an important factor for explaining governance failure in this policy area.
Jack (and Jill?) of All Trades – A Canadian Case Study of Equity in Apprenticeship Supports
Authors: Levasseur Karine , Paterson Stephanie
Published: February 2015

In the past decade, Canadian federal and provincial governments have designed programmes to facilitate entry into trades in an attempt to stimulate economic growth. As part of these efforts, increasing attention is focusing on programmes to encourage women to enter skilled trades, while paying little attention to those trades traditionally dominated by females. In this article, we explore the gendered dimensions of apprenticeship programmes in Canada, demonstrating the ways in which gender inequality is reproduced by programmes that situate employers and women as responsible for change. In particular, using a case study, we illustrate that the gendered structure of the labour market is preserved and reproduced. While efforts have targeted women to facilitate entry into non‐traditional occupations such as electricians and plumbers, female‐dominated trades such as hairstylists remain untouched, thereby sustaining the gendered wage structure of the economy. Thus women remain segregated in low‐paying trades and receive fewer public supports when pursuing training in these segregated trades. The article argues that apprenticeship training and certification is constructed to respond to the needs of male‐dominated trades, but not the needs of female‐dominated trades. Ultimately, the public policy decisions that make up the apprenticeship training and certification system in Canada reproduce gender inequality.
Impact of squalene‐based adjuvanted influenza vaccination on graft outcome in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Fernández‐Ruiz M. , Lumbreras C. , Arrazola M.P. , López‐Medrano F. , Andrés A. , Morales J.M. , de Juanes J.R. , Aguado J.M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Safety concerns have been raised about the use of adjuvanted vaccines after kidney transplantation.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 65 kidney transplant (KT) recipients who received ≥1 dose of influenza vaccine (pandemic or seasonal) during the 2009–2010 campaign. Participants were classified into 2 groups: those who received a squalene‐based AS03‐ or MF59‐adjuvanted vaccine (“adjuvanted vaccination” [AV] group, n = 37) and those who exclusively received non‐adjuvanted vaccines (“non‐adjuvanted vaccination” [NAV] group, n = 28). Primary outcomes included occurrence of biopsy‐proven acute graft rejection (BPAR) and graft function at months 6 and 12 after vaccination. Patients were followed up until graft loss, death, or October 2010.

Results

Four episodes of BPAR occurred during post‐vaccination follow‐up, with no differences between the AV and NAV groups, in terms of cumulative incidence (5.4% vs. 7.1%, respectively; P = 0.581), incidence rate (0.22 vs. 0.18 episodes per 1000 transplant‐days; P = 0.950), or occurrence of severe episodes (T‐cell‐mediated BPAR of grade ≥2a) (2.7% vs. 3.6%; P = 0.680). No between‐group differences were seen in graft function after vaccination.

Conclusion

Adjuvanted influenza vaccination in KT recipients seems to be safe regarding graft outcome.
Nosocomial bloodstream infections in a nationwide study: comparison between solid organ transplant patients and the general population
Authors: Camargo L.F.A. , Marra A.R. , Pignatari A.C.C. , Sukiennik T. , Behar P.P.P. , Medeiros E.A.S. , Ribeiro J. , Girão E. , Correa L. , Guerra C. , Brites C. , Pereira C.A.P. , Carneiro I. , Reis M. , Souza M.A. , Barata C.U. , Edmond M.B. ,   the Brazilian SCOPE Study Group
Published: March 2015

Background

The incidence of bloodstream infection (BSI) varies according to the transplanted organ. Mortality can be as high as 24%, with a significant impact on graft survival. Transplantation is a risk factor for multidrug‐resistant (MDR) organisms, but comparison with a non‐transplanted population in a single large cohort has not been described.

Methods

This is a prospective nationwide study (16 centers) reporting data on 2364 monomicrobial nosocomial BSIs, comparing 83 episodes in solid organ transplant patients with 2447 BSIs occurring in the general hospital population.

Results

The prevalence of groups of infecting organisms (gram‐positive, gram‐negative, and fungi) was similar between transplant patients and the general population and a similar crude mortality rate was observed (34.9% in transplant vs. 43.3% in non‐transplant patients). Staphylococcus aureus was the single most frequently isolated organism in both groups, and Acinetobacter species was more frequently isolated in the general population. Regarding MDR organisms, Klebsiella species, and Enterobacter species resistant to cefepime, as well as Acinetobacter species resistant to meropenem, were significantly more frequent in transplant patients.

Conclusion

Antimicrobial resistance is higher, particularly among gram‐negative bacteria in the transplant population, although the overall mortality rate between transplant and non‐transplant patients with nosocomial BSI is similar.
Evaluation of human and non‐human primate antibody binding to pig cells lacking GGTA1/CMAH/β4GalNT2 genes
Authors: Estrada Jose L. , Martens Greg , Li Ping , Adams Andrew , Newell Kenneth A. , Ford Mandy L. , Butler James R. , Sidner Richard , Tector Matt , Tector Joseph
Published: March 2015

Background

Simultaneous inactivation of pig GGTA1 and CMAH genes eliminates carbohydrate xenoantigens recognized by human antibodies. The β4GalNT2 glycosyltransferase may also synthesize xenoantigens. To further characterize glycan‐based species incompatibilities, we examined human and non‐human primate antibody binding to cells derived from genetically modified pigs lacking these carbohydrate‐modifying genes.

Methods

The Cas9 endonuclease and gRNA were used to create pigs lacking GGTA1, GGTA1/CMAH, or GGTA1/CMAH/β4GalNT2 genes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from these animals and examined for binding to IgM and IgG from humans, rhesus macaques, and baboons.

Results

Cells from GGTA1/CMAH/β4GalNT2 deficient pigs exhibited reduced human IgM and IgG binding compared to cells lacking both GGTA1 and CMAH. Non‐human primate antibody reactivity with cells from the various pigs exhibited a slightly different pattern of reactivity than that seen in humans. Simultaneous inactivation of the GGTA1 and CMAH genes increased non‐human primate antibody binding compared to cells lacking either GGTA1 only or to those deficient in GGTA1/CMAH/β4GalNT2.

Conclusions

Inactivation of the β4GalNT2 gene reduces human and non‐human primate antibody binding resulting in diminished porcine xenoantigenicity. The increased humoral immunity of non‐human primates toward GGTA1‐/CMAH‐deficient cells compared to pigs lacking either GGTA1 or GGTA1/CMAH/β4GalNT2 highlights the complexities of carbohydrate xenoantigens and suggests potential limitations of the non‐human primate model for examining some genetic modifications. The progressive reduction of swine xenoantigens recognized by human immunoglobulin through inactivation of pig GGTA1/CMAH/β4GalNT2 genes demonstrates that the antibody barrier to xenotransplantation can be minimized by genetic engineering.
Xenotransplantation—theological–ethical considerations in an interdisciplinary symposium
Authors: Sautermeister Jochen , Mathieu Richard , Bogner Veronika
Published: February 2015

Background

Unlike allotransplantation, reflections on xenotransplantation are infrequent in theological literature. However, xenotransplantation poses questions specifically concerning ethical and theological aspects that are imperative to address, such as personal identity between the poles of body, soul, and mind, the relationship between humans and animals, as well as challenges regarding specific issues of medical and social ethics.

Method

This study summarizes the lectures of the symposium on “Xenotransplantation—a challenge to theological ethics,” which took place in Munich from September 30 until October 2, 2013, and analyses the implications of xenotransplantation from the perspectives of Christian theological ethics, biblical theology, and systematic theology. Furthermore, the issue of xenotransplantation is addressed from the perspectives of Judaism and Islam. Beyond these theological deliberations, the metaphorical and religious meaning of the human heart, which may have an impact on the societal acceptability of xenotransplantation, as well as the Christian notion of compassion regarding animals, is analyzed from the perspective of historical sciences.

Results and Conclusion

According to the perspectives of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, there are no specifically religious fundamental and generally binding reasons to prohibit xenotransplantation as a means of treating grave and life‐threatening organ insufficiencies.
Reduced human platelet uptake by pig livers deficient in the asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 protein
Authors: Paris Leela L. , Estrada Jose L. , Li Ping , Blankenship Ross L. , Sidner Richard A. , Reyes Luz M. , Montgomery Jessica B. , Burlak Christopher , Butler James R. , Downey Susan M. , Wang Zheng‐Yu , Tector Matthew , Tector A. Joseph
Published: February 2015

Background

The lethal thrombocytopenia that accompanies liver xenotransplantation is a barrier to clinical application. Human platelets are bound by the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) on pig sinusoidal endothelial cells and phagocytosed. Inactivation of the ASGR1 gene in donor pigs may prevent xenotransplantation‐induced thrombocytopenia.

Methods

Transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs) were targeted to the ASGR1 gene in pig liver‐derived cells. ASGR1 deficient pig cells were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). ASGR1 knock out (ASGR1−/−) fetal fibroblasts were used to produce healthy ASGR1 knock out piglets. Human platelet uptake was measured in ASGR1+/+ and ASGR1−/− livers.

Results

Targeted disruption of the ASGR1 gene with TALENs eliminated expression of the receptor. ASGR1‐/‐ livers phagocytosed fewer human platelets than domestic porcine livers during perfusion.

Conclusions

The use of TALENs in liver‐derived cells followed by SCNT enabled the production of healthy homozygous ASGR1 knock out pigs. Livers from ASGR1‐/‐ pigs exhibit decreased human platelet uptake. Deletion of the ASGR1 gene is a viable strategy to diminish platelet destruction in pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation.
A New Integrated Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Model for Performance Evaluation
Authors: Aydogan Emel Kızılkaya , Demirtas Ozgur , Dagdeviren Metin
Published: February 2015

The perspective of competition in the high technology industry has changed impressively over the last two decades and the indicators which can be defined as the traditional indicators of business performance are insufficient today. So we have identified a new set of financial and non-financial performance indicators that can be used by firms and then, we developed a business performance measurement model. There may be relations and dependencies among the dimensions of performance. For this reason, performance evaluation should be conducted in a holistic manner. In this study, a hybrid method, Equated Priority Values (EPV), has been used to reflect the outcomes of the most commonly used approaches, including the modified Fuzzy Logarithmic Least Squares Method (modified fuzzy LLSM), Chang’s Extent Analysis Method and Mikhailov’s Fuzzy Prioritization Approach. A real world application is carried out to illustrate how the model can be utilized. The application could be interpreted as demonstrating the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed model.
Implosion of Longitudinally Off-Centered Cylindrical Volumes in a Confining Environment
Authors: Gupta Sachin , LeBlanc James M. , Shukla Arun
Published: March 2015

A comprehensive experimental/numerical study on the implosion of longitudinally off-centered cylindrical implodable volumes was conducted within a tubular confining space. In particular, the aim of this study was to examine the changes in the implosion mechanics and in the nature of pressure waves, arising from the longitudinally off-centered location of the implodable volume. Experiments were conducted with 31.8 mm outer diameter, cylindrical aluminum 6061-T6 implodable volumes placed concentrically within the confining tube. Three longitudinal offset locations were chosen within the confining tube, such that distance from the center of the implodable volume to the center of confining tube is equal to: (a) zero, (b) 3/7 of the half-length of confining tube (L), and (c) 5 L/7. Pressure transducers mounted on the inner surface of the confining tube were used to capture the pressure waves released during the implosion event. Computational simulations were performed using a coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian scheme to explicitly model the implosion process of the tubes along with the resulting compressible fluid flow. The experiments revealed that the longitudinal asymmetric placement of the implodable volume enhances the strength of hammer pressure waves generated during the implosion process. The off-centered location of the implodable volume causes a pressure imbalance in the entire length of the confining tube. Hence, the water particle velocity shifts toward the implodable volume producing high pressure region at the end-plate near the implodable volume, while the other end-plate experiences significantly longer cavitation due to low pressure. This far end-plate cavitation duration is also found to increase with increasing longitudinal offset, even though the total combined cavitation duration at both the end-plates is approximately same for all offset locations. With high correlation observed between the experiments and simulations, computation models were further used to correlate the longitudinal offset and the signature of pressure waves at various interpolated locations. Simulations show that there is increase in both the peak pressure and the impulse of the hammer wave with increasing longitudinal offset of the implodable volume. Simulations also show that the collapse rate of the implodable volume decreases with the increasing longitudinal offset.
Microstructural Parameter-Based Modeling for Transport Properties of Collagen Matrices
Authors: Park Seungman , Whittington Catherine , Voytik-Harbin Sherry L. , Han Bumsoo
Published: March 2015

Recent advances in modulating collagen building blocks enable the design and control of the microstructure and functional properties of collagen matrices for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, this is typically achieved by iterative experimentations and that process can be substantially shortened by computational predictions. Computational efforts to correlate the microstructure of fibrous and/or nonfibrous scaffolds to their functionality such as mechanical or transport properties have been reported, but the predictability is still significantly limited due to the intrinsic complexity of fibrous/nonfibrous networks. In this study, a new computational method is developed to predict two transport properties, permeability and diffusivity, based on a microstructural parameter, the specific number of interfibril branching points (or branching points). This method consists of the reconstruction of a three-dimensional (3D) fibrous matrix structure based on branching points and the computation of fluid velocity and solute displacement to predict permeability and diffusivity. The computational results are compared with experimental measurements of collagen gels. The computed permeability was slightly lower than the measured experimental values, but diffusivity agreed well. The results are further discussed by comparing them with empirical correlations in the literature for the implication for predictive engineering of collagen matrices for tissue engineering applications.
Creating Rigid Foldability to Enable Mobility of Origami-Inspired Mechanisms
Authors: Yellowhorse Alden , Howell Larry L.
Published: March 2015

Rigidly foldable origami crease patterns can be translated into corresponding rigid mechanisms with at least one degree of freedom. However, origami crease patterns of interest for engineering applications are not always rigidly foldable, and designers trying to adapt a crease pattern may be confronted with the need to add more mobility to their design. This paper presents design guidelines for making alterations to a crease pattern to make it rigidly foldable. Adding creases, removing panels, and splitting creases are presented as potential alterations for increasing mobility, and approaches for determining the position and number of alterations are discussed. This paper also investigates means for reducing the number of changes necessary to achieve this condition. The approach is developed in general and illustrated through a demonstrative example.
Monitoring local heating around an interventional MRI antenna with RF radiometry
Authors: Ertürk M. Arcan , El‐Sharkawy AbdEl‐Monem M. , Bottomley Paul A.
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

Radiofrequency (RF) radiometry uses thermal noise detected by an antenna to measure the temperature of objects independent of medical imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, an active interventional MRI antenna can be deployed as a RF radiometer to measure local heating, as a possible new method of monitoring device safety and thermal therapy.

Methods:

A 128 MHz radiometer receiver was fabricated to measure the RF noise voltage from an interventional 3 T MRI loopless antenna and calibrated for temperature in a uniformly heated bioanalogous gel phantom. Local heating (ΔT) was induced using the antenna for RF transmission and measured by RF radiometry, fiber‐optic thermal sensors, and MRI thermometry. The spatial thermal sensitivity of the antenna radiometer was numerically computed using a method‐of‐moment electric field analyses. The gel's thermal conductivity was measured by MRI thermometry, and the localized time‐dependent ΔT distribution computed from the bioheat transfer equation and compared with radiometry measurements. A “H‐factor” relating the 1 g‐averaged ΔT to the radiometric temperature was introduced to estimate peak temperature rise in the antenna's sensitive region.

Results:

The loopless antenna radiometer linearly tracked temperature inside a thermally equilibrated phantom up to 73 °C to within ±0.3 °C at a 2 Hz sample rate. Computed and MRI thermometric measures of peak ΔT agreed within 13%. The peak 1 g‐average temperature was H = 1.36 ± 0.02 times higher than the radiometric temperature for any media with a thermal conductivity of 0.15–0.50 (W/m)/K, indicating that the radiometer can measure peak 1 g‐averaged ΔT in physiologically relevant tissue within ±0.4 °C.

Conclusions:

Active internal MRI detectors can serve as RF radiometers at the MRI frequency to provide accurate independent measures of local and peak temperature without the artifacts that can accompany MRI thermometry or the extra space needed to accommodate alternative thermal transducers. A RF radiometer could be integrated in a MRI scanner to permit “self‐monitoring” for assuring device safety and/or monitoring delivery of thermal therapy.
Segmentation of myocardium from cardiac MR images using a novel dynamic programming based segmentation method
Authors: Qian Xiaohua , Lin Yuan , Zhao Yue , Wang Jing , Liu Jing , Zhuang Xiahai
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

Myocardium segmentation in cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images plays a vital role in clinical diagnosis of the cardiovascular diseases. Because of the low contrast and large variation in intensity and shapes, myocardium segmentation has been a challenging task. A dynamic programming (DP) based segmentation method, incorporating the likelihood and shape information of the myocardium, is developed for segmenting myocardium in cardiac MR images.

Methods:

The endocardium, i.e., the left ventricle blood cavity, is segmented for initialization, and then the optimal epicardium contour is determined using the polar‐transformed image and DP scheme. In the DP segmentation scheme, three techniques are proposed to improve the segmentation performance: (1) the likelihood image of the myocardium is constructed to define the external cost in the DP, thus the cost function incorporates prior probability estimation; (2) the adaptive search range is introduced to determine the polar‐transformed image, thereby excluding irrelevant tissues; (3) the connectivity constrained DP algorithm is developed to obtain an optimal closed contour. Four metrics, including the Dice metric (Dice), root mean squared error (RMSE), reliability, and correlation coefficient, are used to assess the segmentation accuracy. The authors evaluated the performance of the proposed method on a private dataset and the MICCAI 2009 challenge dataset. The authors also explored the effects of the three new techniques of the DP scheme in the proposed method.

Results:

For the qualitative evaluation, the segmentation results of the proposed method were clinically acceptable. For the quantitative evaluation, the mean (Dice) for the endocardium and epicardium was 0.892 and 0.927, respectively; the mean RMSE was 2.30 mm for the endocardium and 2.39 mm for the epicardium. In addition, the three new techniques in the proposed DP scheme, i.e., the likelihood image of the myocardium, the adaptive search range, and the connectivity constrained DP algorithm, improved the segmentation performance for the epicardium with 0.029, 0.047, and 0.007 in terms of the Dice and 0.98, 1.31, and 0.21 mm in terms of the RMSE, respectively.

Conclusions:

The three techniques (the likelihood image of the myocardium, the adaptive search range, and the connectivity constrained DP algorithm) can improve the segmentation ability of the DP method, and the proposed method with these techniques has the ability to achieve the acceptable segmentation result of the myocardium in cardiac MR images. Therefore, the proposed method would be useful in clinical diagnosis of the cardiovascular diseases.
Dynamic Postural Control Two Years Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Female Collegiate Soccer Player
Authors: Samaan Michael A. , Greska Eric K. , Hoch Matthew C. , Weinhandl Joshua T. , Bawab Sebastian Y. , Ringleb Stacie I.
Published: March 2015

Context:

ACL injury may cause a lack of knee joint proprioception and motor control due to knee joint instability. ACL reconstruction restores knee joint stability, yet dynamic postural control may still be affected while performing dynamic tasks.

Objective:

To examine the effects of ACL injury and reconstruction on dynamic postural control using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and single leg hop (SLH).

Participant:

One Division I female athlete.

Main Outcome Measure:

The athlete’s dynamic postural control, both pre- and postreconstruction, was compared with preinjury data using the method of minimal detectable change using reach distances obtained from the SEBT and hop distances from the SLH.

Results:

ACL injury and reconstruction affected the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach distances of the SEBT. Despite restoration of joint stability, anterior reach distance in the SEBT did not return to preinjury levels 27 months after ACL reconstruction. SLH distances decreased following injury but returned to preinjury levels 27 months after ACL reconstruction.

Conclusion:

Dynamic postural control and performance during the SEBT and SLH were affected by ACL injury and for extended periods of time after ACL reconstruction. Quadriceps inhibition and muscle strength of the involved limb may affect dynamic postural control both after ACL injury and reconstruction while performing the SEBT. Compensatory mechanisms at the hip and ankle may aid in performance of the SLH after reconstruction. Using baseline measurements, where possible, may help researchers better understand the effects of ACL injury and reconstruction on dynamic postural control.
Serratus Anterior Muscle Activation During Different Push-up Exercises: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Meier Taylor , Snyder Brice , Cuchna Jennifer W. , Hoch Johanna M.
Published: March 2015

Clinical Question:

In a healthy adult population, which push-up position produces the greatest mean serratus anterior (SA) activation, expressed as a percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)?

Clinical Bottom Line:

In a healthy population, there is moderate evidence to support the use of the standard push-up on an unstable surface, elbow push-ups on stable and unstable surfaces, wall push-ups on an unstable surface, the full weight-bearing position using the Cuff Link system, and all three hand positions (shoulder width, wide base, and narrow base) with and without the use of the Perfect Pushup™ handgrips for the purpose of SA strengthening. These exercises produced a mean SA activation of at least 50% of the MVIC in the four cross-sectional studies that were reviewed for this critically appraised topic.
Going to the Gym or to the Movies?: Situated Decisions as a Functional Link Connecting Automatic and Reflective Evaluations of Exercise With Exercising Behavior
Authors: Brand Ralf , Schweizer Geoffrey
Published: March 2015

The goal of the present paper is to propose a model for the study of automatic cognition and affect in exercise. We have chosen a dual-system approach to social information processing to investigate the hypothesis that situated decisions between behavioral alternatives form a functional link between automatic and reflective evaluations and the time spent on exercise. A new questionnaire is introduced to operationalize this link. A reaction-time–based evaluative priming task was used to test participants’ automatic evaluations. Affective and cognitive reflective evaluations, as well as exercising time, were requested via self-report. Path analyses suggest that the affective reflective (beta = .71) and the automatic evaluation (beta = .15) independently explain situated decisions, which, in turn (beta = .60) explain time spent on exercise. Our findings highlight the concept of contextualized decisions. They can serve as a starting point from which the so far seldom investigations of automatic cognition and affect in exercise can be integrated with multitudinous results from studies on reflective psychological determinants of health behavior.
Transformational Leadership and Task Cohesion in Sport: The Mediating Role of inside Sacrifice
Authors: Cronin Lorcan Donal , Arthur Calum Alexander , Hardy James , Callow Nichola
Published: March 2015

In this cross-sectional study, we examined a mediational model whereby transformational leadership is related to task cohesion via sacrifice. Participants were 381 American (Mage = 19.87 years, SD = 1.41) Division I university athletes (188 males, 193 females) who competed in a variety of sports. Participants completed measures of coach transformational leadership, personal and teammate inside sacrifice, and task cohesion. After conducting multilevel mediation analysis, we found that both personal and teammate inside sacrifice significantly mediated the relationships between transformational leadership behaviors and task cohesion. However, there were differential patterns of these relationships for male and female athletes. Interpretation of the results highlights that coaches should endeavor to display transformational leadership behaviors as they are related to personal and teammate inside sacrifices and task cohesion.