bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Schizophrenia, Self, and Person: Eugen Bleuler and Arthur Kronfeld on a Conceptual Alliance
Authors: Maatz Anke , Hoff Paul
Published: August 2017

The conceptual history of schizophrenia is marked by considerable dissent about its nosological status, and the question of whether it represents a distinct disease entity remains hotly debated. Another recurring feature in the conceptual history of schizophrenia is the reference to concepts of self and person. This paper brings in connection these two debates by interrogating the nosological function of “self” and “person” by means of a fictitious dialogue between Eugen Bleuler, the inventor of schizophrenia, and his contemporary Arthur Kronfeld. Introducing their respective accounts of schizophrenia with a special focus on how concepts of self and person figure therein, our analysis suggests that these concepts are primarily employed in an attempt to guarantee the nosological unity of schizophrenia: mediated by the concept of a core disturbance, alterations of the self or the person thus become the essential core of schizophrenia. Yet, rather than providing an easy solution to the nosological problem of the unity of schizophrenia, the concepts of self and person and their assumed disturbances are themselves fraught with debates about unity. We discuss these conceptual challenges in light of present-day nosological debates and the currently abounding research on the self.
Comparison of Renal Outcome among Japanese Patients with or without Microangiopathic Hemolysis in Malignant Phase Hypertension: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Nagayama Yoshikuni , Inoue Yoshihiko , Inui Kiyoko , Yoshimura Ashio
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Although microangiopathic hemolysis (MAH) is a well-known complication of malignant phase hypertension (MPH), only less data on whether MAH in MPH predicts renal outcome exist. Therefore, we evaluated whether MAH was associated with the renal outcome in patients with MPH. Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Data from 35 patients diagnosed with MPH between October 1998 and January 2015 were analyzed. MPH was defined as the presence of a diastolic blood pressure of ≥120 mm Hg and grades III/IV hypertensive retinopathy according to the Keith-Wagener-Barker classification. MAH was defined as the presence of a low platelet count (<150 × 109/L) together with either an elevated level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; >220 U/L), or the presence of schistocytes, or both and the normalization of platelet and LDH level or schistocyte levels after adequate blood pressure control was achieved. The primary outcome was dialysis induction. Results: Fifteen patients had MAH. Those with MAH had significantly severe renal dysfunction at the onset of MPH. The length of follow-up (median, interquartile range) of patients with MAH and those without MAH were 30 (16-94) and 48 (25-115) months, respectively. Dialysis was induced in 9 of 15 patients with MAH and in 6 of 20 patients without MAH. Renal survival in patients with MAH was worse than that in those without, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). By multivariate Cox regression analysis, MAH was not shown to contribute to dialysis induction. Conclusion: MAH did not predict renal outcome in MPH.
Increases in Intracellular Zinc Enhance Proliferative Signaling as well as Mitochondrial and Endolysosomal Activity in Human Melanocytes
Authors: Rudolf Emil , Rudolf Kamil
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Zinc (Zn) is an important microelement required by skin cells for a variety of biological processes. The role of Zn in melanocyte proliferation and homeostasis has to date not been investigated. Methods: Human dermal melanocytes were isolated from patients and their proliferative activity determined along with both total and labile Zn content. Subsequently, changes in proliferation as well as in Zn content were determined upon exposure of the dermal melanocytes to external Zn. Further in-depth analyses were undertaken aimed at measuring the expression of proliferation-related proteins (determined by immunoblotting and densitometry), as well as changes in mitochondrial biogenesis and membrane potential (assessed by fluorescence-based cellometry) along with endolysosomal activity (determined by spectrofluorimetrically-measured elevation in fluorescence of lysosomal-aimed non-fuorescent substrate). Results: Human skin melanocytes accumulate externally added Zn, a process which dose-dependently enhances their injury or proliferative activity. Enhanced proliferation is accompanied by an increased expression of the proteins AKT3, ERK1/2, c-MYC and CYCD. In addition, Zn-enriched melanocytes exhibit enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, with individual mitochondria possessing stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential as well as showing elevated ATP and superoxide levels. Moreover, upon external exposure, Zn enters lysosomes/melanosomes, the activity of which is stimulated along with the process of autophagy. Conclusion: The determination of the unique Zn-dependent stimulation of melanocytes and in particular the enhancement of the cells’ mitochondrial as well as lysosomal/melanosomal activities may prove important in tracing the sequence of steps in the process of melanomagenesis.
Ethanol Decreases Inflammatory Response in Human Lung Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting the Canonical NF-kB-Pathway
Authors: Mörs Katharina , Hörauf Jason-Alexander , Kany Shinwan , Wagner Nils , Sturm Ramona , Woschek Mathias , Perl Mario , Marzi Ingo , Relja Borna
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) as significant contributor to traumatic injury is linked to suppressed inflammatory response, thereby influencing clinical outcomes. Alcohol-induced immune-suppression during acute inflammation (trauma) was linked to nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-ĸB). Here, we analyzed alcohol`s effects and mechanisms underlying its influence on NF-ĸB-signaling during acute inflammation in human lung epithelial cells. Methods: A549-cells were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β, or sera from trauma patients (TP) or healthy volunteers, with positive/negative blood alcohol concentrations (BAC), and subsequently exposed to EtOH (170 Mm, 1h). IL-6-release and neutrophil adhesion to A549 were analyzed. Specific siRNA-NIK mediated downregulation of non-canonical, and IKK-NBD-inhibition of canonical NF-ĸB signaling were performed. Nuclear levels of activated p50 and p52 NF-ĸB-subunits were detected using TransAm ELISA. Results: Both stimuli significantly induced IL-6-release (39.79±4.70 vs. 0.58±0.8 pg/ml) and neutrophil adhesion (132.30±8.80 vs. 100% control, p<0.05) to A549-cells. EtOH significantly decreased IL-6-release (22.90±5.40, p<0.05) and neutrophil adherence vs. controls (105.40±14.5%, p<0.05). IL-1β-induced significant activation of canonical/p50 and non-canonical/p52 pathways. EtOH significantly reduced p50 (34.90±23.70 vs. 197.70±36.43, p<0.05) not p52 activation. Inhibition of canonical pathway was further increased by EtOH (less p50-activation), while p52 remained unaltered. Inhibition of non-canonical pathway was unchanged by EtOH. Conclusion: Here, alcohol`s anti-inflammatory effects are mediated via decreasing nuclear levels of activated p50-subunit and canonical NF-ĸB signaling pathway.
Exosomes Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Rescue Myocardial Ischaemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inducing Cardiomyocyte Autophagy Via AMPK and Akt Pathways
Authors: Liu Liang , Jin Xian , Hu Cui-Fen , Li Rong , Zhou Zhong’e , Shen Cheng-Xing
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Reperfusion after an ischaemic insult might cause infarct extension. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes could attenuate myocardial remodelling in animal models of myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury (MIRI), and the present study aimed to explore the related mechanisms. Methods: In vitro, rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes (H9C2s) were exposed to H2O2. Cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay, apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-PE/7-AAD staining, ROS production was detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, and apoptosis-related proteins and signalling pathway-related proteins were detected by western blot analysis. Autophagic flux was measured using the tandem fluorescent mRFG-GFP-LC3 assay. MSC-derived exosomes were extracted using the total exosome isolation reagent. Apoptosis, myocardial infarction size, heart function and myocardial LC3B expression were examined in an in vivo I/R model by the TUNEL assay, TTC/Evan blue staining, echocardiography and immunohistochemicalstaining, respectively. Results: In vitro, H2O2 dose-dependently increased ROS production and cell apoptosis in H9C2s and blocked autophagic flux after 3 h of exposure; autophagy gradually decreased thereafter, and the lowest level was detected at 12 h after exposure. MSC-derived exosomes reduced H2O2-induced ROS production and cell apoptosis and enhanced autophagy at 12 h after exposure. In H9C2 cells exposed to H2O2 for 12 h, treatment with exosomes enhanced autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR and Akt/mTOR pathways. Likewise, in vivo exosome injections in rats that underwent I/R injury significantly reduced apoptosis and the myocardial infarct size and upregulated myocardial LC3B expression as well as improved heart function. Conclusions: Our results indicate that MSC-derived exosomes could reduce MIRI by inducing cardiomyocyte autophagy via AMPK/mTOR and Akt/mTOR pathways.
Post-Translational Modification of Adiponectin Affects Lipid Accumulation, Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Chen Xinzhong , Yuan Yanhong , Wang Qin , Xie Fei , Xia Dongsheng , Wang Xianguo , Wei Yutao , Xie Ting
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Adiponectin (Apn) is a multifunctional adipokine that circulates as several oligomeric complexes in the blood stream. Previous reports showed that several conserved lysine residues within the N-terminal collagenous domain of Apn are modified by hydroxylation and glycosylation. Here, we investigated the potential roles of post-translational modifications of Apn on the function of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods: Blood samples of 92 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and 20 healthy volunteers were collected and total and high molecular weight (HMW) Apn concentration and glycosylation were analyzed. Results: The results revealed that total and HMW Apn derived from blood samples of CAD patients with severe stenosis significantly increased, however the glycosylation of HMW Apn significantly decreased. Functional studies of human VSMCs revealed that glycosylated Apn significantly inhibited the oxidized LDL-induced lipid accumulation, proliferation and migration of VSMCs, whereas non-glycosylated Apn had no inhibitory effects. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that glycosylation of Apn is critically involved in regulating function against atherosclerosis by inhibiting lipid accumulation and proliferation and migration of VSMCs.
Radial Artery and Ulnar Artery Occlusions Following Coronary Procedures and the Impact of Anticoagulation:
ARTEMIS
(Radial and Ulnar
ARTE
ry Occlusion
M
eta‐Analys
IS
) Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Hahalis George , Aznaouridis Konstantinos , Tsigkas Gregory , Davlouros Periklis , Xanthopoulou Ioanna , Koutsogiannis Nikolaos , Koniari Ioanna , Leopoulou Marianna , Costerousse Olivier , Tousoulis Dimitris , Bertrand Olivier F.
Published: August 2017

Background

Incidence of radial artery occclusions (RAO) and ulnar artery occclusions (UAO) in coronary procedures, factors predisposing to forearm arteries occlusion, and the benefit of anticoaggulation vary significantly in existing literature. We sought to determine the incidence of RAO/UAO and the impact of anticoagulation intensity.

Methods and Results

Meta‐analysis of 112 studies assessing RAO and/or UAO (N=46 631) were included. Overall, there was no difference between crude RAO and UAO rates (5.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4–6.0 versus 4.0%; 95% CI, 2.8–5.8;
P
=0.171). The early occlusion rate (in‐hospital or within 7 days after procedure) was higher than the late occlusion rate. The detection rate of occlusion was higher with vascular ultrasonography compared with clinical evaluation only. Low‐dose heparin was associated with a significantly higher RAO rate compared with high‐dose heparin (7.2%; 95% CI, 5.5–9.4 versus 4.3%; 95% CI, 3.5–5.3; Q=8.81;
P
=0.003). Early occlusions in low‐dose heparin cohorts mounted at 8.0% (95% CI, 6.1–10.6). The RAO rate was higher after diagnostic angiographies compared with coronary interventions, presumably attributed to the higher intensity of anticoagulation in the latter group. Hemostatic techniques (patent versus nonpatent hemostasis), geography (US versus non‐US cohorts) and sheath size did not impact on vessel patency.

Conclusions

RAO and UAO occur with similar frequency and in the order of 7% to 8% when evaluated early by vascular ultrasonography following coronary procedures. More‐intensive anticoagulation is protective. Late recanalization occurs in a substantial minority of patients.
Association Between Smoking and Serum GlycA and High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein Levels: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA‐Brasil)
Authors: Kianoush Sina , Bittencourt Marcio S. , Lotufo Paulo A. , Bensenor Isabela M. , Jones Steven R. , DeFilippis Andrew P. , Toth Peter P. , Otvos James D. , Tibuakuu Martin , Hall Michael E. , Harada Paulo H. N. , Blaha Michael J.
Published: August 2017

Background

Inflammation is suggested to be a central feature of atherosclerosis, particularly among smokers. We studied whether inflammatory biomarkers GlycA and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein are associated with cigarette smoking.

Methods and Results

A total of 11 509 participants, 6774 from the
MESA
(Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) and 4735 from
ELSA
‐Brasil (The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health) were included. We evaluated the cross‐sectional association between multiple measures of smoking behavior and the inflammatory biomarkers, GlycA and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, using regression models adjusted for demographic, anthropometric, and clinical characteristics. Participants were 57.7±11.1 years old and 46.4% were men. Never, former, and current smokers comprised 51.7%, 34.0%, and 14.3% of the population, respectively. Multivariable‐adjusted mean absolute difference in GlycA levels (μmol/L) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were higher for former (4.1, 95% CI, 1.7–6.6 μmol/L) and current smokers (19.9, 95% CI, 16.6–23.2 μmol/L), compared with never smokers. Each 5‐unit increase in pack‐years of smoking was associated with higher GlycA levels among former (0.7, 95% CI, 0.3–1.1 μmol/L) and current smokers (1.6, 95% CI, 0.8–2.4 μmol/L). Among former smokers, each 5‐year increase in time since quitting smoking was associated with lower GlycA levels (−1.6, 95% CI, −2.4 to −0.8 μmol/L) and each 10‐unit increase in number of cigarettes/day was associated with higher GlycA among current smokers (2.8, 95% CI, 0.5–5.2 μmol/L). There were similar significant associations between all measures of smoking behavior, and both log‐transformed GlycA and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein.

Conclusions

Acute and chronic exposure to tobacco smoking is associated with inflammation, as quantified by both GlycA and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein. These biomarkers may have utility for the study and regulation of novel and traditional tobacco products.
How to See Black Space in Total Whiteness: taisha paggett’s underwaters (we is ready, we is ready) and the 2014 Whitney Biennial
Authors: Coan Jaime Shearn
Published: August 2017

underwaters (we is ready, we is ready), taisha paggett’s durational 2014 Whitney Biennial performance, was largely overlooked amidst the controversy over the lack of representation of Black female artists in the show. paggett’s process and performative installation challenge institutional forms of knowledge that shape the viewing of Black performance within the white cube. Her project makes space and place (both imaginative and material) for Black(female)ness in the art world.
A new species of Platypleura Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae) from the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: MARATHE KIRAN , YESHWANTH H. M. , BASU DIPENDRA NATH , KUNTE KRUSHNAMEGH
Published: August 2017

We here describe a new cicada species, Platypleura poorvachala sp. nov., (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae) from the Eastern Ghats of India. The combination of following characters distinguishes this species from its platypleurine relatives: (a) transverse continuous infuscation along the nodal line and in the central area of the forewings, and (b) opaque hindwings, which are indochine-coloured with two prominent sub-distal black bands. We illustrate the male and female types and the male genitalia, and present a photographic plate for comparison of this species with other Indian and Southeast Asian Platypleura species with respect to its morphology and distribution.
Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi sp. nov., a new species of stygobiotic atyid shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from Kumistavi Cave, Imereti, Western Georgia, Caucasus
Authors: MARIN IVAN
Published: August 2017

A new species of stygobiotic atyid shrimp genus Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) Dormitzer, 1853 from underground stream and lakes of Kumistavi (Prometheus) Cave, Tskaltubo, Imereti region, Western Georgia is described based on morphology and DNA analysis. Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi sp. nov. clearly differs from all Caucasian congeners by (1) long slender dorsally and ventrally armed rostrum with sting-like tip turned upward, (2) very slender fingers of pereiopod II both in males and females and (3) distally expanded telson with 5–7 pairs of distal spines. These features are rather unique within the known Caucasian Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) and show some morphological similarities with Dinaric species of the genus. Neotype of Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kutaissiana (Sadowsky, 1930) is also designated based on the material from Tskaltsitela Cave, Kutaisi, Georgia.
The Influence of Atmospheric Convection on the Interaction between the Indian Ocean and ENSO
Authors: Wieners Claudia E. , Dijkstra Henk A. , de Ruijter Will P. M.
Published: August 2017

In recent years it has been proposed that a negative (positive) Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) in boreal autumn favors an El Niño (La Niña) at a lead time of 15 months. Observational analysis suggests that a negative IOD might be accompanied by easterly anomalies over the western Pacific. Such easterlies can enhance the western Pacific warm water volume, thus favoring El Niño development from the following boreal spring onward. However, a Gill-model response to a negative IOD forcing would lead to nearly zero winds over the western Pacific. The authors hypothesize that a negative IOD—or even a cool western Indian Ocean alone—leads to low-level air convergence and hence enhanced convectional heating over the Maritime Continent, which in turn amplifies the wind convergence so as to cause easterly winds over the western Pacific. This hypothesis is tested by coupling an idealized Indian Ocean model and a convective feedback model over the Maritime Continent to the Zebiak–Cane model. It is found that, for a sufficiently strong convection feedback, a negative (positive) IOD indeed forces easterlies (westerlies) over the western Pacific. The contribution from the eastern IOD pole dominates. IOD variability is found to destabilize the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) mode, whereas Indian Ocean basinwide warming (IOB) variability dampens ENSO, even in the presence of convection. The influence of the Indian Ocean on the spectral properties of ENSO is dominated by the IOB, while the IOD is a better predictor for individual ENSO events.
Modeled Northern Hemisphere Autumn and Winter Climate Responses to Realistic Tibetan Plateau and Mongolia Snow Anomalies
Authors: Liu Shizuo , Wu Qigang , Ren Xuejuan , Yao Yonghong , Schroeder Steven R. , Hu Haibo
Published: August 2017

Observational studies link a persistent dipole of autumn and winter snow cover anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and Mongolia with winter Pacific–North American (PNA)-like atmospheric variations. This study investigates atmospheric responses to such snow forcings using multiple ensemble transient integrations of the CAM4 and CLM4.0 models. Model boundary conditions are based on climatological sea ice extent and sea surface temperature, and satellite observations of snow cover extent (SCE) and snow water equivalent (SWE) over the TP and Mongolia from October to March in 1997/98 (heavy TP and light Mongolia snow) and 1984/85 (light TP and heavy Mongolia snow), with model-derived SCE and SWE elsewhere. In various forcing experiments, the ensemble-mean difference between simulations with these two extreme snow states identifies local, distant, concurrent, and delayed climatic responses. The main atmospheric responses to a dipole of high TP and low Mongolia SCE persisting from October to March (versus the opposite extreme) are strong TP surface cooling, warming in the surrounding China and Mongolia region, and a winter positive PNA-like response. The localized response is maintained by persistent diabatic cooling or heating, and the remote PNA response results mainly from the increased horizontal eastward propagation of stationary Rossby wave energy due to persistent TP snow forcing and also a winter transient eddy feedback mechanism. With a less persistent dipole anomaly in autumn or winter only, local responses are similar depending on the specific anomalies, but the winter PNA-like response is nearly absent or noticeably reduced.
Structure and Variability of the Shelfbreak East Greenland Current North of Denmark Strait
Authors: Håvik L. , Våge K. , Pickart R. S. , Harden B. , Appen W.-J. von , Jónsson S. , Østerhus S.
Published: August 2017

Data from a mooring array deployed north of Denmark Strait from September 2011 to August 2012 are used to investigate the structure and variability of the shelfbreak East Greenland Current (EGC). The shelfbreak EGC is a surface-intensified current situated just offshore of the east Greenland shelf break flowing southward through Denmark Strait. This study identified two dominant spatial modes of variability within the current: a pulsing mode and a meandering mode, both of which were most pronounced in fall and winter. A particularly energetic event in November 2011 was related to a reversal of the current for nearly a month. In addition to the seasonal signal, the current was associated with periods of enhanced eddy kinetic energy and increased variability on shorter time scales. The data indicate that the current is, for the most part, barotropically stable but subject to baroclinic instability from September to March. By contrast, in summer the current is mainly confined to the shelf break with decreased eddy kinetic energy and minimal baroclinic conversion. No other region of the Nordic Seas displays higher levels of eddy kinetic energy than the shelfbreak EGC north of Denmark Strait during fall. This appears to be due to the large velocity variability on mesoscale time scales generated by the instabilities. The mesoscale variability documented here may be a source of the variability observed at the Denmark Strait sill.
Executive Constraint, Political Stability, and Economic Growth
Authors: Cox Gary W. , Weingast Barry R.
Published: August 2017

Previous studies have argued that democracy diminishes the extent to which leadership contests depress economic growth, by reducing the violence and uncertainty attendant on such contests. We reconsider the theoretical basis for this claim, highlighting the separate roles of executive constraint and electoral accountability. Exploiting panel data from 1850 to 2005, we show that the executive’s horizontal accountability to the legislature significantly moderates the economic downturns associated with leadership turnover, while its vertical accountability to the electorate does not. These results suggest that, in terms of moderating succession-related downturns and thereby promoting steadier economic growth, the health of legislatures is more important than the health of elections.
The role of addressee backchannels and conversational grounding in vicarious word learning in four-year-olds
Authors: Tolins Jackson , Namiranian Neda , Akhtar Nameera , Fox Tree Jean E.
Published: August 2017

Children successfully learn words through overhearing others engaged in verbal interactions. The current studies investigated the degree to which four-year-old overhearers are influenced by the response behaviors of addressees and by the interactional pattern of the speakers and addressees. It was found that while addressee responses on their own did not influence vicarious word learning (Experiment 1), they did influence vicarious word learning when they were part of the shared process of dialogue construction (Experiment 2). When speaker responses reinforced the label after disagreeing addressee behaviors, vicarious word learning was boosted. This suggests that, by the age of four, vicarious word learning involves dialogue comprehension and a pragmatic understanding of the joint construction of talk by conversational partners.
Constructing, confirming, and contesting icons: the Alan Kurdi imagery appropriated by #humanitywashedashore, Ai Weiwei, and Charlie Hebdo
Authors: Mortensen Mette
Published: August 2017

This article argues that appropriations are central to the production and reception of visual icons: appropriations are instrumental in iconization processes as they confirm and consolidate the iconic status by recycling the image in question. Moreover, appropriations are vital to their reception as they help shape and delimit the publics and discourses surrounding visual icons. This article draws on existing research on icons and appropriations to develop a theoretical framework for how appropriations construct, confirm, and contest icons and how personification constitutes the main link between icons and their appropriations. Three sets of appropriations are analyzed of the iconic imagery of Alan Kurdi, the refugee boy drowning in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015. First, the numerous appropriations circulated under the Twitter hashtag #humanitywashedashore. Based on genre analysis of these appropriations, two overall modes are singled out: the appropriations decontextualize or recontextualize the figure of Kurdi. The two next analytical cases test the limits of decontextualization and recontextualization: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei decontextualizes the Kurdi imagery in a controversial reenactment, while a series of cartoons by French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo inserted the photo into contested contexts to critique why and how this imagery was turned into an icon.
Dynamic properties of carbon aerogel/epoxy nanocomposite and carbon fiber-reinforced composite beams
Authors: Hsieh Tsung-Han , Huang Yau-Shian , Shen Ming-Yuan
Published: August 2017

Carbon aerogels are a promising candidate for vibration insulation due to their three-dimensional networked structures interconnected with carbon nanoparticles. However, the effect of adding carbon aerogels to polymer-based composites on their dynamic properties remains unclear. In this study, an epoxy polymer matrix was modified with carbon aerogels, and this modified matrix was used to manufacture nanocomposite plates and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite laminates to investigate its dynamic properties. Force vibration tests were performed on cantilever beams of the composite beams. The frequency responses of the composite beams were measured experimentally and analytically; the half-power method was used to calculate the damping ratio for each vibration mode. According to the experimental results, the presence of carbon aerogel in the nanocomposites and laminates steadily increased the natural frequencies. Differences within 10% of the natural frequencies were obtained between the experimental and numerically. Furthermore, the damping ratios of the nanocomposite and laminate beams increased significantly with the increase in aerogel loading. For a nanocomposite with 0.3 wt% aerogel, a damping ratio approximately 44% greater than that of unmodified nanocomposite was obtained. The maximum damping ratio was 4.682% for the laminate with 0.5 wt% aerogel—an 88% increase compared with the unmodified laminate.
A New Rhodopsin Influences Light-dependent Daily Activity Patterns of Fruit Flies
Authors: Kistenpfennig Christa , Grebler Rudi , Ogueta Maite , Hermann-Luibl Christiane , Schlichting Matthias , Stanewsky Ralf , Senthilan Pingkalai R. , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte
Published: August 2017

Rhodopsin 7 ( Rh7), a new invertebrate Rhodopsin gene, was discovered in the genome of Drosophila melanogaster in 2000, but its function has remained elusive. We generated an Rh7 null mutant ( Rh70) by P element–mediated mutagenesis and found that an absence of Rh7 had significant effects on fly activity patterns during light-dark (LD) cycles: Rh70 mutants exhibited less morning activity and a longer siesta than wild-type controls. Consistent with these results, we found that Rh7 appears to be expressed in a few dorsal clock neurons that have been previously implicated in the control of the siesta. We also found putative Rh7 expression in R8 photoreceptor cells of the compound eyes and in the Hofbauer-Buchner eyelets, which have been shown to control the precise timing of locomotor activity. The absence of Rh7 alone impaired neither the flies’ responses to constant white light nor the ability to follow phase shifts of white LD cycles. However, in blue light (470 nm), Rh70 mutants needed significantly longer to synchronize than wild-type controls, suggesting that Rh7 is a blue light–sensitive photopigment with a minor contribution to circadian clock synchronization. In combination with mutants that lacked additionally cryptochrome-based and/or eye-based light input to the circadian clock, the absence of Rh7 provoked slightly stronger effects.
Crashworthiness investigation of bitubal columns reinforced with several inside ribs under axial and oblique impact loads
Authors: Pirmohammad Sadjad , Nikkhah Hamid
Published: August 2017

This paper deals with the crashworthiness capability of newly designed bitubal columns with different polygonal cross-sections (i.e. triangular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal and circular) reinforced with several inside ribs. A large number of finite element analyses were performed on these columns under axial and oblique impact loads using LS-DYNA to find the crashworthiness indicators. These columns were studied with five different size ratios (the ratios of the perimeter a of the inner tube to the perimeter b of the outer tube), namely a/ b = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1. A decision-making method, which in this case is the technique for ordering preferences by similarity to the ideal solution, was then employed to select the better columns which possessed a higher energy absorption and a lower peak force. The bitubal columns with size ratios a/ b of 0.5, 0.25 and 0.75 were generally found to be the best cases. Furthermore, the multi-cell columns with the decagonal and octagonal cross-sectional shapes were selected as the best energy absorbers.
India, Non-alignment and Emerging Global Governance
Authors: Alam Anwar
Published: August 2017

India is a significant part of Rising Asia, which has attracted considerable international attention in recent years. Two decades of sustained economic growth along with its functional liberal democratic institution of governance has made India an emerging leading voice in matters related to the reform of institutions of global governance including the UN, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and other ‘global common’ issues such as ocean, air, space and Internet, security, trade and climate. This article attempts to highlight the emerging orientation and the policy shift in the Indian leadership towards the issue of its vision and shaping of emerging global political and economic order and argues that, contrary to the prevailing view, India continues to conduct its foreign policy within the broad normative order of discourse of non-alignment, which has served India’s national interest well, including its rising aspiration of becoming a global power. The article also reflects upon the domestic challenges and unstable regional dynamics that hamper its capacity to become a global player and share the responsibility expected from a global power.
‘We wear dresses, we look pretty’: The feminization and heterosexualization of netball spaces and bodies
Authors: Marfell Amy
Published: August 2017

Since its introduction in New Zealand during the early 20th century, netball has been considered ‘unambiguously for women’ and it continues to represent one of the few team sport environments not characterized by the interests and participation of men. Yet, despite a long history as the ‘good game for girls’, there is an ongoing and complex relationship between netball and heteronormative femininity in New Zealand that has gone largely unexplored among contemporary studies of sport. In this paper, I take inspiration from French philosopher and social theorist Henri Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space in order to examine this relationship, and particularly the geography of social relations in netball. Drawing upon insights obtained via historical and media analysis, observations and interviews with 16 women players, I demonstrate how netball is (re)produced as feminized and heterosexualized space, and thus, how this sport works to inscribe women’s moving bodies with a dominant, normative and culturally valued version of femininity. To conclude, I discuss how the findings of this paper and Lefebvre’s spatial theory may be useful for thinking further about the gendered nature of this sport and women’s everyday lived experiences.
Survey of guidelines and current practices for safe handling of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs used in 24 countries
Authors: Mathias Patricia I , MacKenzie Barbara A , Toennis Christine A , Connor Thomas H
Published: August 2017

Purpose

A survey of guidelines and current practices was conducted to examine the safe handling procedures for antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs that are used in 24 countries including the Americas, Europe, the Mideast, Far East, and Australia.

Methods

Subject experts were asked to complete a brief survey regarding safe handling guidelines and practices for hazardous drugs in their countries. Questions addressed practices for handling monoclonal antibodies, the use of closed-system transfer devices, medical surveillance practices, and measurements of compliance with existing guidelines.

Results

Responses from 37 subject experts representing 24 countries revealed considerable variation in the content and scope of safe handling guidelines and pharmacy practices among the participating countries. Guidelines in the majority of countries used the term “cytotoxics,” while others referred to “hazardous” or “antineoplastic” drugs. The International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practice standard was cited by six countries, and five cited the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Alert. Others cited international guidelines other than International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, or they have created their own guidelines. Approximately half reported that their guidelines were mandatory under federal, state, or provincial legislation. Only 11 countries reported that monoclonal antibodies were covered in their guidelines. Closed-system drug-transfer devices are widely used, but were not specifically recommended in four countries, while one country required their use. Medical surveillance programs are in place in 20 countries, but only in The Netherlands is surveillance mandatory. Nine countries reported that they have completed recent updates or revisions of guidelines, and the measures for their adoption have been initiated.

Conclusions

Although the overall goals in the participating countries were similar, the approaches taken to assure safe handling of hazardous drugs varied considerably in some cases.
The oral education clinic: A pharmacist- and nurse-led clinic to support patients starting oral systemic anti-cancer treatments
Authors: Mawhinney Michael WR , Warden Jacqui , Stoner Nicola
Published: August 2017

With the increased number of oral systemic anti-cancer treatments available, patients need to be managed safely and effectively in line with national guidance. In response to guidance in 2011, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust implemented an ‘Oral Education Clinic’. This nurse- and pharmacist-led clinic facilitates the delivery of patient education, highlighting key safety aspects of drug administration and management, and ensures follow-up is arranged as per protocol. Patients have found this service to be effective and it has had a positive impact on the running of outpatient units, the volume of triage calls, emergency admissions and workload associated with consenting patients to an oral systemic anti-cancer treatments.
Inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shucked raw oyster (Grassostrea gigas) and clam (Venerupis phillippinarum) by using a combination of NaClO and gamma irradiation
Authors: Park Shin Young , Ha Sang-Do
Published: August 2017

This study investigated the synergistic effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and gamma irradiation combination against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shucked oysters and clams. V. parahaemolyticus decreased to 1.1–5.6 log10 CFU/g in oysters and 1.1–5.7 log10CFU/g in clams by NaClO (20–80 ppm) + γ irradiation (0.1–2.0 kGy) combinations. V. parahaemolyticus was not detected by 60 or 80 ppm NaClO + 2.0 kGy. Synergistic reduction of >1 log was observed by 60 ppm NaClO + 0.3–2 kGy and 80 ppm NaClO + 0.5 or 2 kGy. Specifically, >2 log of the synergistic reduction was obtained by 60 or 80 ppm NaClO + 2 kGy. Furthermore, using the Weibull model, 5D values (5-log reductions) were calculated for 60 or 80 ppm NaClO + 0.5–0.9 kGy. No significant differences were observed for all sensory parameters between samples of 2.0 kGy + 0–80 ppm NaClO. This study suggests that 60 ppm NaClO + 2.0 kGy in reducing 7-log V. parahaemolyticus without any deteriorative changes of sensory qualities could be a potential strategy for post-harvest process in seafood processing and distribution to enhance the microbial safety of molluscan shellfish.
Dynamic modeling of an eccentric face seal including coupled rotordynamics, face contact, and inertial maneuver loads
Authors: Varney Philip , Green Itzhak
Published: August 2017

Mechanical face seals are constitutive components of turbomachines, which in turn can be constitutive to other systems (e.g. aircraft). Furthermore, the rotating element of a face seal is inextricably coupled to the turbomachine via a flexible mount, and the stationary seal element is coupled to the rotating seal element via the fluid film existing between the seal faces. Consequentially, understanding interactions between the seal and turbomachine is important for quantifying seal performance and improving its design. With few exceptions, previous works study the face seal dynamics independent from the rotordynamics. In addition, most prior investigations consider only angular and axial seal dynamics and neglect eccentric (i.e. lateral) deflections of the seal element(s). For the first time, this work develops a comprehensive and novel model of a mechanical face seal in the inertial reference frame including coupled rotordynamics and inertial maneuver loads of the overall system. The model is developed for a general seal geometry where both seal elements, stationary and rotating, are flexibly mounted and allowed to undergo angular, axial, and eccentric deflections. In addition, the seal model presented here accounts for transient operation, fluid shear forces, seal face contact, friction, and thermoelastic deformation. Finally, various faults due to manufacturing imperfections, component flaws, and/or installation errors can be accounted for by incorporating static angular misalignment of both seal elements, dynamic angular misalignment of the rotating seal element, eccentric rotating imbalance, and axial offset of the rotating seal element center of mass. Throughout this work, the equations of motion developed are valid for both steady-state and transient operation. This comprehensive model significantly advances the state of the art in mechanical face seal dynamic modeling and represents a pivotal step towards analyzing seal performance regarding a broad diversity of realistic problems.
Statistical damage localization with stochastic load vectors using multiple mode sets
Authors: Bhuyan Md Delwar Hossain , Döhler Michael , Lecieux Yann , Mevel Laurent , Schoefs Franck
Published: August 2017

The stochastic dynamic damage locating vector method is an output-only damage localization method based on both a finite element model of the structure and modal parameters estimated from output-only measurements in the damage and reference states of the system. A vector is obtained in the null space of the changes in the transfer matrix from both states and then applied as a load vector to the model. The damage location is related to this stress where it is close to zero. In previous works, an important theoretical limitation was that the number of modes used in the computation related to the transfer function could not be higher than the number of sensors located on the structure. It would be nonetheless desirable not to discard information from the identification procedure. In this article, the stochastic dynamic damage locating vector method has been extended with a joint statistical approach for multiple mode sets, overcoming this restriction on the number of modes. Another problem is that the performance of the method can change considerably depending on the Laplace variable where the transfer function is evaluated. Particular attention is given to this choice and how to optimize it. The new approach is validated in numerical simulations and on experimental data, where the outcomes for multiple mode sets are compared with only using a single mode set. From these results, it can be seen that the success rate of finding the correct damage localization is increased when using multiple mode sets instead of a single mode set.
Stem Cell Smart Technology, where are we now and how far we have to go?
Authors: Sultan Sherif , Kavanagh Edel P , Michalus Robert , Hynes Niamh
Published: August 2017

Approximately eight million people in the United States have peripheral arterial disease, which increases exponentially with age. There have been a plethora of available treatments including surgery, angioplasty, atherectomy, laser technology, and cell-based therapies. Cell-based therapies were developed in the hope of translating laboratory-based technology into clinical successes. However, clinical results have been disappointing. Infusion or injection for stem cell therapy is still considered experimental and investigational, and major questions on safety and durability have arisen. In no option patients, how can they be treated safely and successfully? In this article, we review contemporary practice for cell therapy, its pitfalls and breakthroughs, and look at the future ahead. We introduce a novel smart system for minimally invasive delivery of cell therapies, which exemplifies the next generation of endovascular solutions to stem cell technology and promises safety, efficacy, and reliability.
Co-adaptation of ball reception to the serve constrains outcomes in elite competitive volleyball
Authors: Paulo Ana , Davids Keith , Araújo Duarte
Published: August 2017

How impactful is volleyball’s “serve-reception game”? Its efficacy has been found to discriminate between winning and losing a match. But how does reception become (in)effective? Based on the theoretical rationale of ecological dynamics, we hypothesized that skilled receivers in volleyball would not display ready-made responses, but rather would co-adapt action modes during serve-reception to deal with the specific, emergent constraints of serve to achieve task goals. In order to examine this issue, we investigated whether the co-adaptation of serve and reception action modes was a significant predictor of set outcome in elite volleyball performance (win or loss), analyzing the first and last sets of the 2014 World League Finals matches (897 game-sequences). The power-jump and jump-float were the serving modes observed and the overhand, underhand-lateral, and underhand-frontal passes were the reception modes categorized. We found that the co-adaptation of serve and reception action modes predicted set outcome in the final set of a match. Receiving the jump-float serve with an overhand pass or underhand-lateral pass increased the odds of winning the final set by 200%. Results suggested that, at an expert level, mastering the overhand pass and the underhand-lateral pass gives teams a competitive edge. Receivers showing flexibility in action mode selection improved a team’s odds of successfully winning the final set of a match.
Comparison of ballistic and strength training on swimming turn and dry-land leg extensor characteristics in elite swimmers
Authors: Jones Julian V , Pyne David B , Haff G Gregory , Newton Robert U
Published: August 2017

Swimmers undertake dry-land resistance training as part of their overall training regime in order to increase lower body force output, impulse and swim turn performance. We investigated whether short-term ballistic training or maximal strength training is more effective in enhancing leg extensor force characteristics during the swim turn. Twelve elite swimmers (10 males and 2 females 19.4 ± 1.0 y) were assigned to either strength (n = 6) or ballistic leg extensor (n = 6) training based on their coaching group for a six-week period. All testing was conducted during the final training cycle towards the World Championships selection trials. Swimmers undertook dry-land testing of a squat jump on a portable force platform with bodyweight only and an additional 30 kg load for males and 20 kg load for females. On the same day, all swimmers performed a turn analysis using a fixed force platform within the pool wall. There were no substantial differences between the strength and ballistic groups after the six-week intervention. Only squat jump peak velocity (loaded) showed a moderately large standardized difference (–0.71, ± 0.42 m/s) after six weeks in the strength-trained group. Relative peak power (4.0 ± 2.1 W/kg), squat jump peak force (loaded and unloaded) (195.0, ± 122.8 N; 155.0, ± 152.3 N), and squat jump impulse (unloaded) (2.9, ± 2.1 N) all showed small and clear improvements with ballistic training over the six-week intervention. Both strength and ballistic dry-land training can improve aspects of the push-off stage of the swim turn providing programming options for swimming and strength and conditioning coaches.