bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity signature of the Last Glacial Maximum at South Georgia, Southern Ocean
Authors: Barnes David K. A. , Sands Chester J. , Hogg Oliver T. , Robinson Ben J.O. , Downey Rachel V. , Smith James A.
Published: September 2016

Aim

High‐latitude biodiversity distributions can preserve signals of the timing and geography of past glaciations, and as such ground truth ice‐sheet models. Discrete polar archipelagos offer the fewest confounding factors for testing historic ice position records in extant biodiversity. At South Georgia, two competing geological hypotheses suggest that either the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ice was extensive, nearly covering the continental shelf (H1Big ice) or restricted to the inner fjords (H2Little ice). We examined the past configuration of the South Georgia ice cap using seabed biodiversity.

Location

South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

Methods

We used a bespoke camera lander (SUCS) and Agassiz trawl deployments across ‘big ice’ and ‘little ice’ hypothesized positions ofLGMgrounded ice around the South Georgia continental shelf. We investigated faunal assemblage structure and richness, especially of brooders, and modelled low dispersal taxa, for example, those with limited pelagic larvae (bryozoans and sponges).

Results

We found a striking ‘line’ of major richness discontinuity, with significantly higher richness, especially of brooders and low dispersal model taxa, mainly conforming to the ‘big ice’ hypothesized position. What few bryozoans and sponges occurred inside this line were a subset of those outside.

Main conclusions

Benthic biodiversity is consistent with extensiveLGMgrounded ice advancing to near the shelf break in most, but not all locations around South Georgia's shelf, for example, the eastern shelf area. We suggest that most of the shelf is still undergoing recolonization from when grounded ice covered the shelf ~20 kyr ago. Our alternative hypothesis ofLGMice position, H3‘Limited‐Extensive ice’, best fitted our data and is easily further testable, but if verified, shows that shelf recolonization following glaciation is much slower than previously thought. This contrasts with surprisingly rapid colonization of continental shelves after ice‐shelf collapses, but these are not grounded, which may be crucial to polar recolonization rates.
Sites With Small Impedance Decrease During Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Are Associated With Recovery of Pulmonary Vein Conduction
Authors: CHINITZ JASON S. , KAPUR SUNIL , BARBHAIYA CHIRAG , KUMAR SAURABH , JOHN ROY , EPSTEIN LAURENCE M. , TEDROW USHA , STEVENSON WILLIAM G. , MICHAUD GREGORY F.
Published: September 2016

Impedance Decrease During AF Ablation

Objective

To correlate impedance decrease during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with lesion durability and PV conduction recovery demonstrated during redo procedures.

Background

Markers of successful ablation beyond acute conduction block are needed to improve durability of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI). Local impedance decrease resulting from ablation is a real‐time marker of tissue heating and is correlated with lesion creation.

Methods

Impedance changes associated with point‐by‐point radiofrequency ablation in the PV antra were recorded during 167 consecutive first‐time AF ablations. During clinically indicated redo procedures, sites of recovered PV conduction were identified, and were correlated with the impedance change achieved during ablation at these locations during the initial procedure.

Results

Redo procedures were performed in 28 patients, in whom 19 sites of recovered PV conduction were documented. Most sites of PV reconnection (58%) occurred along the posterior PV antra. Ablation resulting in impedance decrease <10 ohms during the initial procedure was present in 89% (17/19) of sites with conduction recovery. Regions with adjacent ablation resulting in impedance decrease <10 ohms were associated with a higher rate of conduction recovery (37% vs. 1.5%, P < 0.001). Likewise, patients with PV conduction recovery demonstrated during redo procedure (Group 1) had larger regions where ablation resulted in <10 ohm impedance decrease than patients without PV conduction recovery (Group 2) (21.9 ± 15.5 mm vs. 11.5 ± 2.1 mm, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Recovered PV conduction occurs predominantly in regions where adjacent ablation applications result in impedance decreases <10 ohms. Impedance‐guided ablation strategies may improve durability of PVI.
Morphologic features of basal cell carcinoma using the en‐face mode in frequency domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: von Braunmühl T. , Hartmann D. , Tietze J.K. , Cekovic D. , Kunte C. , Ruzicka T. , Berking C. , Sattler E.C.
Published: September 2016

Background

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a valuable non‐invasive tool in the in vivo diagnosis of non‐melanoma skin cancer, especially of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Due to an updated software‐supported algorithm, a new en‐face mode – similar to the horizontal en‐face mode in high‐definition OCT and reflectance confocal microscopy – surface‐parallel imaging is possible which, in combination with the established slice mode of frequency domain (FD‐)OCT, may offer additional information in the diagnosis of BCC.

Objectives

To define characteristic morphologic features of BCC using the new en‐face mode in addition to the conventional cross‐sectional imaging mode for three‐dimensional imaging of BCC in FD‐OCT.

Methods

A total of 33 BCC were examined preoperatively by imaging in en‐face mode as well as cross‐sectional mode in FD‐OCT. Characteristic features were evaluated and correlated with histopathology findings.

Results

Features established in the cross‐sectional imaging mode as well as additional features were present in the en‐face mode of FD‐OCT: lobulated structures (100%), dark peritumoral rim (75%), bright peritumoral stroma (96%), branching vessels (90%), compressed fibrous bundles between lobulated nests (‘star shaped’) (78%), and intranodular small bright dots (51%). These features were also evaluated according to the histopathological subtype. In the en‐face mode, the lobulated structures with compressed fibrous bundles of the BCC were more distinct than in the slice mode.

Conclusion

FD‐OCT with a new depiction for horizontal and vertical imaging modes offers additional information in the diagnosis of BCC, especially in nodular BCC, and enhances the possibility of the evaluation of morphologic tumour features.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in End‐of‐Life Medicare Expenditures
Authors: Byhoff Elena , Harris John A. , Langa Kenneth M. , Iwashyna Theodore J.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To determine to what extent demographic, social support, socioeconomic, geographic, medical, and End‐of‐Life (EOL) planning factors explain racial and ethnic variation in Medicare spending during the last 6 months of life.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

Participants

Decedents who participated in HRS between 1998 and 2012 and previously consented to survey linkage with Medicare claims (N = 7,105).

Measurements

Total Medicare expenditures in the last 180 days of life according to race and ethnicity, controlling for demographic factors, social supports, geography, illness burden, and EOL planning factors, including presence of advance directives, discussion of EOL treatment preferences, and whether death had been expected.

Results

The analysis included 5,548 (78.1%) non‐Hispanic white, 1,030 (14.5%) non‐Hispanic black, and 331 (4.7%) Hispanic adults and 196 (2.8%) adults of other race or ethnicity. Unadjusted results suggest that average EOL Medicare expenditures were $13,522 (35%, P < .001) more for black decedents and $16,341 (42%, P < .001) more for Hispanics than for whites. Controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, geographic, medical, and EOL‐specific factors, the Medicare expenditure difference between groups fell to $8,047 (22%, P < .001) more for black and $6,855 (19%, P < .001) more for Hispanic decedents than expenditures for non‐Hispanic whites. The expenditure differences between groups remained statistically significant in all models.

Conclusion

Individuals‐level factors, including EOL planning factors do not fully explain racial and ethnic differences in Medicare spending in the last 6 months of life. Future research should focus on broader systemic, organizational, and provider‐level factors to explain these differences.
‘What vision?’: experiences of Team members in a community service for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Clare I. C. H. , Madden E. M. , Holland A. J. , Farrington C. J. T. , Whitson S. , Broughton S. , Lillywhite A. , Jones E. , Wade K. A. , Redley M. , Wagner A. P.
Published: September 2016

Background

In the UK, the closure of ‘long‐stay’ hospitals was accompanied by the development of community teams (CTs) to support people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) to live in community settings. The self‐reported experiences of staff working in such teams have been neglected.

Methods

Focusing on a single county‐wide service, comprising five multi‐disciplinary and inter‐agency CTs, we measured perceptions among the health care and care management Team members of (1) their personal well‐being; (2) the functioning of their team; and (3) the organisation's commitment to quality, and culture.

Results

Almost three‐quarters of the questionnaires were returned (73/101; 72%). The scores of health care practitioners and care managers were very similar: (1) the MBI scores of more than half the respondents were ‘of concern’; (2) similarly, almost four in ten respondents' scores on the Vision scale of the TCI were ‘of concern’; (3) the perceived commitment to quality (QIIS‐II Part 2) was uncertain; and (4) the organisational culture (QIIS‐II, Part 1) was viewed as primarily hierarchical.

Discussion

The perceived absence of a vision for the service, combined with a dominant culture viewed by its members as strongly focussed on bureaucracy and process, potentially compromises the ability of these CTs to respond proactively to the needs of people with IDs. Given the changes in legislation, policy and practice that have taken place since CTs were established, it would be timely to revisit their role and purpose.
Predictors of self‐reported alcohol use and attitudes toward alcohol among 11‐year‐old British children with and without intellectual disability
Authors: Emerson E. , Robertson J. , Baines S. , Hatton C.
Published: September 2016

Background

Reducing harmful levels of alcohol consumption among children is an important public health concern internationally and in many high income countries. Little is known about levels and predictors of alcohol use among children with intellectual disability (ID).

Method

Secondary analysis of child self‐report data at age 11 years collected in the UK's Millennium Cohort Study.

Results

Children with ID were significantly more likely to: have used alcohol in the last 4 weeks; to have had five or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion; to have had five or more alcoholic drinks or been intoxicated on one occasion; to have more positive attitudes about the psychological and social benefits of drinking; and to have less negative attitudes about the social and physical costs of drinking. Potentially harmful levels of drinking (intoxication or 5+ alcoholic drinks on one occasion) among children with ID were associated with child smoking, having friends who use alcohol, reporting that drinking makes it easier to make friends, and reporting that drinking reduces worrying. Children with ID accounted for 9% of all children with potentially harmful levels of drinking.

Conclusion

Public health interventions to reduce potentially harmful drinking among children in general must recognise that children with ID are a potentially high risk group and ensure that interventions are appropriately adjusted to take account of their particular needs and situation. Future research in this area is needed to untangle the causal pathways between attitudes toward alcohol and alcohol use among children with ID and the extent to which levels of alcohol use and predictors of alcohol use may be moderated by severity of ID.
A resegmentation‐shift model for vertebral patterning
Authors: Ward Lizzy , Evans Susan E. , Stern Claudio D.
Published: September 2016

Segmentation of the vertebrate body axis is established in the embryo by formation of somites, which give rise to the axial muscles (myotome) and vertebrae (sclerotome). To allow a muscle to attach to two successive vertebrae, the myotome and sclerotome must be repositioned by half a segment with respect to each other. Two main models have been put forward: ‘resegmentation’ proposes that each half‐sclerotome joins with the half‐sclerotome from the next adjacent somite to form a vertebra containing cells from two successive somites on each side of the midline. The second model postulates that a single vertebra is made from a single somite and that the sclerotome shifts with respect to the myotome. There is conflicting evidence for these models, and the possibility that the mechanism may vary along the vertebral column has not been considered. Here we use DiI and DiO to trace somite contributions to the vertebrae in different axial regions in the chick embryo. We demonstrate that vertebral bodies and neural arches form by resegmentation but that sclerotome cells shift in a region‐specific manner according to their dorsoventral position within a segment. We propose a ‘resegmentation‐shift’ model as the mechanism for amniote vertebral patterning.
Drug‐Coated Balloons: A Safe and Effective Alternative to Drug‐Eluting Stents in Small Vessel Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Sinaga Dasdo Antonius , Ho Hee Hwa , Watson Timothy James , Sim Alyssa , Nyein Thuzar Tint , Jafary Fahim H. , Loh Jason K. K. , Ooi Yau Wei , Tan Julian K. B. , Ong Paul J. L.
Published: September 2016

Background

Drug‐coated balloons (DCB) have been used to treat de novo small vessel coronary disease (SVD), with promising results and shorter dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration compared to drug‐eluting stents (DES). We compared safety and effectiveness of the two treatments at 1 year.

Methods

We reviewed 3,613 angioplasty cases retrospectively from 2011 to 2013 and identified 335 patients with SVD treated with device diameter of ≤2.5 mm. DCB‐only angioplasty was performed in 172 patients, whereas 163 patients were treated with second‐generation DES.

Results

DCB patients had smaller reference vessel diameter (2.22 ± 0.30 vs. 2.44 ± 0.19 mm, P < 0.001) and received smaller devices (median diameter 2.25 vs. 2.50 mm, P < 0.001) compared to the DES group. DES‐treated vessels had larger acute lumen gain (1.71 ± 0.48 mm) than DCB (1.00 ± 0.53 mm, P < 0.001). Half the patients had diabetes mellitus. While there were more patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the DCB group (77.9% vs. 62.2%, P = 0.013), they received shorter DAPT (7.4 ± 4.7 vs. 11.8 ± 1.4 months, P < 0.001) than the DES group. The 1‐year composite major adverse cardiac event rate was 11.6% in the DCB arm and 11.7% in the DES arm (P = 1.000), with target lesion revascularization rate of 5.2% and 3.7%, respectively, (P = 0.601).

Conclusions

In this high‐risk cohort of patients, DCB‐only angioplasty delivered good clinical outcome at 1 year. The results were comparable with DES‐treated patients, but had the added benefit of a shorter DAPT regime.
Assessment of the effectiveness of natural coral fragmentation as a dispersal mechanism for coral reef‐boring sponges
Authors: Nava Héctor , Carballo José Luis
Published: September 2016

Eastern Pacific reefs are mostly made up of interlocking coral branches of Pocillopora, which are easily broken by physical forces associated with heavy swells and winds. In this study we investigated the potential of these coral fragments to enable propagation of boring sponges. For this, we quantified the frequency of occurrence and diversity of boring sponges in fragments of corals recently trapped among the branches of live colonies, and later tested the hypothesis that these sponges colonize new branches of corals. Nearly 80% of the coral colonies investigated had coral fragments among their branches, and 69% of these coral fragments contained boring sponges (11 species), some of these sponges in reproduction (23% of them carried oocytes). To test whether sponges inhabiting coral fragments could colonize new branching corals we transplanted them to healthy branches, and to branches whose living tissue was mechanically eliminated to simulate damage produced by grazing and death after bleaching and other causes of coral tissue mortality. All the transplanted coral fragments cemented to each new colony by means of calcification, and of the three sponge species tested (Cliona vermifera, Cliona tropicalis and Thoosa mismalolli) only C. vermifera was able to colonize both new living branches (26.9%) and cleaned branches (65.5%). The apparent capability of C. vermifera to colonize by direct contact may be another key ability of this species to maintain high frequency of occurrence in Pacific coral reefs. However, although C. tropicalis and T. mismalolli were not able to colonize new coral substrata by direct contact, coral fragments have the potential to contribute to local persistence of these sponges and to their dispersal, both by asexual (fragments) and sexual means (transport of sexual products). The present findings may partly explain the current increase of excavating sponges on deteriorating reefs with a large availability of dead branching corals.
Spatial variability of the surf zone fish and macroinvertebrate community within dissipative sandy beaches in Oregon, USA
Authors: Marin Jarrin Jose R. , Miller Jessica A.
Published: September 2016

Habitat heterogeneity can influence biological communities by providing a diversity of areas that can be occupied by different species. Sandy beach surf zones are often considered homogenous environments; however, sand bars moved by currents and waves can produce trench‐like shapes or troughs that provide heterogeneity. The influence of habitat heterogeneity produced by sand movement is unclear despite the fact that surf zones are an important habitat for larval and juvenile fish and macrocrustaceans. To determine if, and how, the fish and macroinvertebrate communities present in trough and non‐trough or flat areas of Oregon surf zones differ, we compared species assemblages in both areas at three beaches adjacent to estuary mouths over 2 years. Troughs had different communities compared with flat areas, with higher total catch (mean ± SD = 123.2 ± 122.1 versus 43.6 ± 44.5 individuals × 100 m−2) and taxon richness (6.7 ± 2.7 versus 4.0 ± 2.3 taxa); these differences were potentially due to water movement, prey availability and sediment size. The fish and macroinvertebrate communities did not vary between years but there were significant differences among beaches, with the most distinct community present at the only beach adjacent to an estuary without a jetty at its mouth, which was possibly due to higher species movement between the surf zones and estuary. Fish and macrocrustacean surf zone communities varied spatially within and among beaches in relation to habitat heterogeneity provided by sand movement and, potentially, the influence of adjacent habitats.
Eye care services for older institutionalised individuals affected by cognitive and visual deficits: a systematic review
Authors: Thibault Lorraine , Kergoat Hélène
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The prevalence of dementia and ocular pathology increases with age and many older individuals affected by such diseases are being institutionalised. The objectives of this systematic review are to describe the level of eye care services being offered to older institutionalised individuals, present the prevalence of visual impairment in those with dementia, and describe the interventions offered to visually impaired residents with dementia.

Methods

A literature review was performed in four relevant databases, limited to peer‐reviewed journals published in English and French, between the years 1984 and 2014. The review targeted individuals 65 years of age or older, residing in long‐term care facilities/nursing homes and affected by dementia. Only relevant articles addressing at least one of the three objectives were retained for this review.

Results

The literature search identified 440 abstracts that were all read by each of the authors. After consensus, 92 articles were identified as potentially relevant and read. In the end, 28 were found to address at least one of the three objectives and were kept for the review. The results indicated that eye care services for older institutionalised individuals are sub‐optimal, that the prevalence of visual impairment remains high in that population, and that interventions such as optimising the ocular refraction, performing cataract surgery, providing low vision rehabilitation and adapting the environment can be beneficial to residents.

Conclusions

This systematic review demonstrated the benefits of providing regular eye care to long‐term care facility/nursing home residents, including those at all levels of dementia. Additionally, it documented the benefits of various treatment modalities such as cataract surgery, staff training, environmental adaptations and visual rehabilitation for improving several aspects of the residents’ quality of life. This review, however, has highlighted the fact that additional studies are required to strengthen the findings reported so far, and importantly, to evaluate the various treatment modalities described herein for residents in the most advanced stages of dementia.
Effectiveness of UK optometric enhanced eye care services: a realist review of the literature
Authors: Baker Helen , Ratnarajan Gokulan , Harper Robert A. , Edgar David F. , Lawrenson John G.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

UK demographic and legislative changes combined with increasing burdens on National Health Service manpower and budgets have led to extended roles for community optometrists providing locally‐commissioned enhanced optometric services (EOS). This realist review's objectives were to develop programme theories that implicitly or explicitly explain quality outcomes for eye care provided by optometrists via EOS and to test these theories by investigating the effectiveness of services for cataract, glaucoma, and primary eye care.

Methods

The review protocol was published on PROSPERO, and RAMESES publication standards were followed. Programme theories were formulated via scoping literature searches and expert consultation. The searching process involved all relevant electronic databases and grey literature, without restrictions on study design. Data synthesis focussed on questioning the integrity of each theory by considering supportive and refuting evidence from the source literature.

Results

Good evidence exists for cataract, glaucoma and primary eye care EOS that: with appropriate training, accredited optometrists manage patients commensurate with usual care standards; genuine partnerships can exist between community and hospital providers for cataract and glaucoma EOS; patient satisfaction with all three types of service is high; cost‐effectiveness of services is unproven for cataract and primary eye care, while glaucoma EOS cost‐effectiveness depends on service type; contextual factors may influence service success.

Conclusions

The EOS reviewed are clinically effective and provide patient satisfaction but limited data is available on cost‐effectiveness.
Multi‐Treatment Inventory Allocation in Humanitarian Health Settings under Funding Constraints
Authors: Natarajan Karthik V. , Swaminathan Jayashankar M.
Published: September 2016

In humanitarian operations, the amount of funding received and the timing and predictability of funding strongly influence program performance. In this paper, we study the problem of allocating inventory procured using donor funding to patients in different health states over a finite horizon with the objective of minimizing the number of disease‐adjusted life periods lost. The funding received and the number of new patients of different health states entering the program in every period could be unpredictable and hence, resource allocation and rationing assume significance in this setting. We use a stochastic dynamic programming model with financial constraints to analyze the inventory allocation problem. We demonstrate that the optimal allocation policy is state dependent, provide analytical results regarding the impact of funding timing and funding variability in our problem context, and develop two heuristics for the inventory allocation problem. Our computational study indicates that the two heuristics perform reasonably well against the full information lower bound (roughly 5% gap on average) and in many instances, they offer significant benefits over the first‐come‐first‐serve heuristic frequently used in practice. We also provide computational insights regarding the impact of funding timing and funding level on program performance. Our analysis indicates that for short planning horizons (up to 4 periods), receiving additional funding is beneficial even if the funding is delayed while for medium to long planning horizons, there exist situations where receiving less overall funding in a timely manner might be better than receiving more total funding in a delayed fashion.
Over‐expression of DXS gene enhances terpenoidal secondary metabolite accumulation in rose‐scented geranium and Withania somnifera: active involvement of plastid isoprenogenic pathway in their biosynthesis
Authors: Jadaun Jyoti Singh , Sangwan Neelam S. , Narnoliya Lokesh K. , Singh Neha , Bansal Shilpi , Mishra Bhawana , Sangwan Rajender Singh
Published: September 2016

Rose‐scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.) is one of the most important aromatic plants and is well known for its diverse perfumery uses. Its economic importance is due to presence of fragrance rich essential oil in its foliage. The essential oil is a mixture of various volatile phytochemicals which are mainly terpenes (isoprenoids) in nature. In this study, on the geranium foliage genes related to isoprenoid biosynthesis (DXS, DXR and HMGR) were isolated, cloned and confirmed by sequencing. Further, the first gene of 2‐C‐methyl‐d‐erythritol‐4‐phosphate (MEP) pathway, 1‐deoxy‐d‐xylulose‐5‐phosphate synthase (GrDXS), was made full length by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends strategy. GrDXS contained a 2157 bp open reading frame that encoded a polypeptide of 792 amino acids having calculated molecular weight 77.5 kDa. This study is first report on heterologous expression and kinetic characterization of any gene from this economically important plant. Expression analysis of these genes was performed in different tissues as well as at different developmental stages of leaves. In response to external elicitors, such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, light and wounding, all the three genes showed differential expression profiles. Further GrDXS was over expressed in the homologous (rose‐scented geranium) as well as in heterologous (Withania somnifera) plant systems through genetic transformation approach. The over‐expression of GrDXS led to enhanced secondary metabolites production (i.e. essential oil in rose‐scented geranium and withanolides in W. somnifera). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the expression profile of the three genes related to isoprenoid biosynthesis pathways operated in rose‐scented geranium as well as functional characterization study of any gene from rose‐scented geranium through a genetic transformation system.
Globalization, Worker Mobility and Wage Inequality
Authors: Stijepic Damir
Published: September 2016

In the present paper, I integrate frictional labor markets with on‐the‐job search into an otherwise standard heterogeneous firm model of intra‐industry trade. Most importantly, I show that the returns to workers' inter‐firm mobility are higher in a trade equilibrium than in autarky. Intuitively, by favoring large and productive firms, international trade amplifies the disparities in profitability between small and large firms. Hence, the returns to labor reallocation across firms rise. In view of the empirically observed higher inter‐firm mobility among high‐skill workers, this suggests a skill‐biased impact of trade liberalization.
Source Estimation for Propagation Processes on Complex Networks With an Application to Delays in Public Transportation Systems
Authors: Manitz Juliane , Harbering Jonas , Schmidt Marie , Kneib Thomas , Schöbel Anita
Published: September 2016

The correct identification of the source of a propagation process is crucial in many research fields. As a specific application, we consider source estimation of delays in public transportation networks. We propose two approaches: an effective distance median and a backtracking method. The former is based on a structurally generic effective distance-based approach for the identification of infectious disease origins, and the latter is specifically designed for delay propagation. We examine the performance of both methods in simulation studies and in an application to the German railway system, and we compare the results with those of a centrality-based approach for source detection.
HLA DRB1/DQB1 alleles and DRB1‐DQB1 haplotypes and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in Tunisians: a population‐based case–control study
Authors: Lagha A. , Messadi A. , Boussaidi S. , Kochbati S. , Tazeghdenti A. , Ghazouani E. , Almawi W. Y. , Yacoubi‐Loueslati B.
Published: September 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease, which affects synovial joints, and is influenced by environmental and genetic factors, in particular the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system. In our study, we investigated the association of HLA class II DRB1 and DQB1 alleles and DRB1‐DQB1 haplotypes with RA susceptibility in Tunisian subjects. Therefore, HLA class II low‐resolution genotyping was done in 110 RA patients and 116 controls, with aHLA‐DRB1*04high‐resolution typing. Our results showed a strong association betweenHLA‐DRB1*04/DRB1*04:05alleles and RA presence, which persisted after correcting for multiple comparisons (Pc< 10−3,Pc= 0.020, respectively), in contrast to the protective effect ofHLA‐DRB1*04:03allele (Pc= 15.2 × 10−4). However, increased frequency ofDQB1*05(Pc= 0.020) and decreased frequency ofDRB1*04:03subtype (Pc= 0.032) were seen in RF+ patients than controls. Moreover, when RA patients were compared to controls,DRB1*04‐DQB1*03haplotype was associated with RA susceptibility in Tunisians (Pc= 16.8 × 10−5), independently of RF status. Conversely,DRB1*01allele andDRB1*01‐DQB1*05haplotype was highly present in RF+vsRF− groups (Pc< 10−3,Pc= 5.6 × 10−3, respectively) and seems to be linked to seropositivity. Investigation of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes association with RA susceptibility with secondary Sjögren's syndrome (sSS) showed a predisposing effect ofDRB1*04(Pc< 10−3) andDRB1*04‐DQB1*03haplotype when RA with sSS/without sSS groups were compared to healthy controls. Our results confirms the association ofHLA‐DRB1*04, specificallyHLA‐DRB1*04:05subtype, andDRB1*04‐DQB1*03haplotype with RA susceptibility in Tunisians, independently of seropositivity or the sSS presence.
HLA‐A*11:134, a novel HLA‐A*11 variant, identified by sequence‐based typing in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Lin C. Y. , Chang C. L.
Published: September 2016

A one nucleotide replacement in codon 31 of HLA‐A*11:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐A*11:134.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B*07 variant, B*07:269, by sequence‐based typing in a Taiwanese bone marrow stem cell donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Lin P. Y.
Published: September 2016

One nucleotide replacement at residue 559 of HLA‐B*07:05:01:01 or B*07:06:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*07:269.
Serum and Synovial Fluid Serum Amyloid A Response in Equine Models of Synovitis and Septic Arthritis
Authors: Ludwig Elsa K. , Brandon Wiese R. , Graham Megan R. , Tyler Amelia J. , Settlage Julie M. , Werre Stephen R. , Petersson‐Wolfe Christina S. , Kanevsky‐Mullarky Isis , Dahlgren Linda A.
Published: September 2016

Objective

To investigate the serum and synovial fluid serum amyloid A (SAA) response in equine models of synovitis and septic arthritis and to compare handheld and validated immunoturbidometric assays for SAA quantification.

Study Design

Controlled, experimental study.

Animals

Healthy adult horses (n = 9).

Methods

Synovitis (n = 4) and septic arthritis (n = 5) were induced using lipopolysaccharide andStaphylococcus aureus, respectively, and serial serum and synovial fluid samples were collected. Serial synovial fluid cytology was performed for both models and synovial fluid from the septic arthritis model was submitted for bacterial culture. Serum and synovial fluid SAA were quantified by handheld test and immunoturbidometric assay. Cytologic and SAA data were compared within and between models (mixed model ANOVA) and results of SAA assays were compared using category‐by‐category analysis (weighted kappa coefficient).

Results

Synovial fluid total nucleated cell counts and total protein increased significantly following induction of both models. Serum and synovial fluid SAA remained normal in synovitis horses and increased significantly in septic arthritis horses. Serum SAA increased more rapidly than synovial fluid SAA. Agreement was 98% when SAA concentrations were low (<50 μg/mL) but the assays diverged when concentrations were greater than ∼100 μg/mL. Overall, there was good category‐by‐category agreement between SAA assays (weighted kappa = 0.824).

Conclusion

Serum and synovial fluid SAA may be useful adjuncts in diagnosing septic arthritis in horses. SAA concentrations for the assays diverged and examination using a larger sample size is needed before direct numeric comparisons between the assays can be made.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: September 2016

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 9     Abdul Azim Akhtar Ahmet Yıkmış Anastasia Panagakos Anna Maria Mouza António Calha Ayşegül SİLİ KALEM Begoña Montero-Fleta Bonnie L McIntyre Dipankar Chatterjee Elke Weik Hanaa Youssef Shaarawy Henry Poduthas JEHU ONYEKWERE NNAJI, Jolita Vveinhardt Julia M. Mack K.O. Aramide Katja Eman Lisa Cherkassky Małgorzata Haładewicz Mohammad Naji Shah Mohammadi OLUWAGBEMIGA PAUL AGBOOLA Paula Hanasz Priyono Rachita Shrivastava Roy Remigiusz Kijak Said Aldhafri Sandro Serpa Zafer İBRAHİMOĞLU               James Young Editorial Assistant On behalf of, The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science Studies Redfame Publishing 9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416 Beaverton, OR 97008, USA URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Dime cómo te vistes y te diré quién eres. Un estudio del material arqueológico de la Iglesia de La Candelaria de Bogotá
Authors: Cohen Daza David
Published: September 2016

La importancia que tienen los elementos de vestido y los objetos personales en los estudios de cultura material es bien conocida; aunque en el contexto colonial de la Nueva Granada existen muy pocas evidencias arqueológicas o investigaciones; que permitan comprender mejor cómo eran los procesos y prácticas individuales y colectivas en el vestirse y en particular; en el vestirse para la muerte. Más allá de las imágenes ampliamente difundidas y fuertemente estereotipadas de las clases sociales y raciales del período colonial y la manera como se supone se debían vestir unas y otras  trabajo de investigación pretende generar una reflexión acerca de la construcción de estas categorías de análisis; que limitan la interpretación en términos de la producción; consumo; comercio y uso de diferentes bienes relacionados con el vestuario. Se presentan los resultados del estudio; elaborado a partir de los análisis de laboratorio; de las evidencias arqueológicas recuperadas en 2004 durante las excavaciones de los enterramientos en la Iglesia de La Candelaria que incluyen textiles; elementos religiosos; zapatos; adornos y otra serie de objetos personales pertenecientes a los siglos XVII a comienzos del siglo XX; en Santafé de Bogotá.
Traducción de: L’inflation patrimoniale
Authors: Heinich Nathalie , Avila Gomez Andrés
Published: September 2016

El texto que se presenta corresponde a la introducción del libro La fabrique du patrimoine. “De la cathédrale a la petite cuillère” escrita por la autora del mismo, que hace una reflexión en torno al concepto de patrimonio y todo lo que representa en la actualidad. En estas líneas se hace una síntesis de lo que implica en nuestro tiempo el concepto y
su extensión, producto de la inclusión de obras, ya sean valiosas por su singularidad o por efecto de una extensión topográfica, que supera la mirada de la arquitectura y el urbanismo para comprender los territorios y toda una serie de expresiones que le otorgan significados particulares. La autora retoma afirmaciones de diferentes historiadores que
identifican la década de los ochenta del siglo XX como la oleada patrimonial, en las que se da mayor importancia a la memoria y se aproximan al límite de “todo es patrimonio”. El enfoque crítico hacia esta noción permitirá abrir un debate relacionado con factores identitarios, escalas de representatividad que dan cuenta de la diversidad de los pueblos.
LOS HABITANTES CONTRA EL PATRIMONIO MUNDIAL: El rol de los habitantes en la gestión de áreas patrimoniales de ciudad de México y Valparaíso
Authors: Guerrero Valdebenito Rosa María
Published: September 2016

Los habitantes tradicionales de las áreas históricas urbanas han tenido un rol central, pero ambivalente, en la construcción de los significados, acciones y efectos de los procesos de puesta en valor y gestión del patrimonio urbano latinoamericano. El artículo expone algunas reflexiones surgidas a partir de una investigación sobre el proceso de construcción y gestión del patrimonio cultural de  la ciudad de Valparaíso-Chile y México D.F.  El trabajo analiza y reflexiona sobre cuatro aspectos centrales: a) El rol tradicional que los habitantes han ocupado en los procesos de patrimonialización de espacios urbanos de América Latina; b)  el papel del Estado en la inclusión de las comunidades en la construcción y gestión de sus patrimonios, c) el cada vez más activo papel  de las comunidades en la construcción y gestión de sus patrimonios;  y d) finalmente algunas reflexiones sobre la categoría de patrimonio cultural mundial y el desafío que implica para las políticas públicas, a la luz de los antecedentes vistos,  el desarrollo de procesos de activación y gestión patrimonial más inclusivos y participativos.
La influencia alemana en el proceso de industrialización en Colombia
Authors: Scharnholz Lars , Toro O Alexandra
Published: September 2016

Aunque es bien sabido que realmente no hubo una mayor ola de inmigración, existe una imagen exagerada del peso de los extranjeros inmigrantes, especialmente de los alemanes, en el desarrollo del país. Esto es un fenómeno absolutamente notable, que remite específicamente hacia la formación de la identidad colombiana
ASPECTOS TEÓRICOS Y METODOLÓGICOS PARA LA IDENTIFICACIÓN DEL PAISAJE CULTURAL Y LA ARQUITECTURA ECOTONAL DE LA BARRANCA DE OBLATOS-HUENTITÁN, GUADALAJARA, MÉXICO.
Authors: Massimi Malo Carlos Xavier
Published: September 2016

El presente artículo contiene los avances de la tesis para la obtención del grado de Maestría, cuyo sujeto de estudio es el paisaje cultural de la barranca de Oblatos-Huentitán formado por la inclusión en los entornos naturales del accidente geográfico de edificaciones que presentan características y tipologías que responden al ecotono barranqueño, zona transicional que se forma entre los ecosistemas del Valle de Atemajac y el Río Santiago, en la que además de las especies endémicas de flora y fauna propias de toda área de transición, se advierte un cierto endemismo en los inmuebles que en ella el hombre ha construido para el aprovechamiento de sus recursos.Asumiendo los conceptos que la UNESCO hace sobre los paisajes culturales, así como los propios que sobre los ecotonos fijaran autores como di Ventós, Holland, Hansen y di Castri, se propone una metodología bajo el enfoque de la Teoría Fundamentada, mediante la cual se partirá de los datos obtenidos de los componentes de valor patrimonial propios de la barranca, para formular diversas hipótesis que definan en su conjunto las características del paisaje cultural, y que abran horizontes para la posible definición de una arquitectura particular de la barranca de Oblatos-Huentitán.

 
Acumulación y predicción de biomasa y carbono en plantaciones de bambú en Costa Rica
Authors: Fonseca William , Rojas Marilyn
Published: September 2016

El cambio climático cada día cobra mayor importancia y nuevas especies vegetales surgen como opciones para mitigar este problema mundial. El objetivo de la investigación fue estimar la biomasa acumulada y el carbono en biomasa vegetal y en el suelo en rodales artificiales de Dendrocalamus latiflorus, Guadua agustifolia, Guadua aculeata y desarrollar modelos matemáticos para estimar la biomasa y/o carbono. La biomasa se estimó por el método destructivo. La fracción de carbono promedio osciló de 43,2 % a 47,2 % entre los diferentes componentes en un mismo eje y de 36,4 % a 46,7 % en los demás componentes de la biomasa vegetal del ecosistema. El porcentaje de carbono en el suelo fue de 2,45 %. El carbono almacenado (incluido el suelo) por hectárea en plantaciones de D. latiflorus fue de 186,73 Mg ha-1 y de 117,74 Mg ha-1 en G. angustifolia y G. aculeata. Los culmos representan más del 87 % del carbono de la biomasa total y más de 34 % a nivel de ecosistema. Los modelos ensayados por componente del culmo y para el eje completo no presentaron buenos ajustes y se desestimaron, mientras que los modelos agregados poseen R2 superiores al 89 % y bajos errores de estimación.

 

Palabras clave: cambio climático, fracción de carbono, guadua, modelos de regresión.
Determinación de la contaminación acústica de fuentes fijas y móviles en la vía a Samborondón en Ecuador
Authors: Guijarro Peralta Joshelline , Terán Narváez Ivanna , Valdez González Mercedes Maria
Published: September 2016

La contaminación ambiental sonora representa un problema del medio que
paulatinamente deteriora la calidad de vida de las personas. Se le atribuye a la
actividad humana en los procesos de industrialización modernos, urbanización y
desarrollo, los cuales han causado un desequilibrio naturaleza-sociedad. Un ejemplo
de contaminación ambiental ocurre en la vía de Samborondón (Ecuador), es por
ello que se procedió a tomar los niveles de ruido en cuatro puntos estratégicos
de dicha vía, dentro de horas referenciales del horario diurno y nocturno. Como
resultado se obtuvo que el nivel sonoro equivalente más alto en el horario diurno fue de 73,5 dBA, del Centro Integrado de Seguridad, y en el horario nocturno el C.C.
Plaza Lagos con 74,9 dBA. De igual forma, se constató que ninguno de los lugares
muestreados cumple con la normativa vigente.
Hydric attenuation of a green roof experimental assembly in Bogotá
Authors: Oviedo Escobar Nicolas , Torres Andres , Devia Carlos , Puentes Angela
Published: September 2016

En este estudio se evaluó la atenuación hídrica de un techo verde utilizando tres
indicadores: lag-time, coeficiente de escorrentía y volumen de agua retenida. Se
registraron siete eventos de lluvia y se evaluó su respuesta para dos tipos de plantas
—Pennisetum clandestinum y Melissa officinalis— y tres profundidades de sustrato (5,
10 y 15 cm), para un total de seis tratamientos con tres repeticiones. Los experimentos
se realizaron en el techo del edificio “Rafael Arboleda” de la Pontificia Universidad
Javeriana, Bogotá Colombia (4°37’43 .33’’, 74 º 03’46 .04 ‘’) a 2633 metros sobre el
nivel del mar. Máximos lag-time y coeficientes de escorrentía de 70 minutos y 0,1,
respectivamente. De la misma manera, se observaron volúmenes de retención
máximos cercanos al 100 %. Sin embargo, se evidenciaron variabilidades importantes
de estos resultados, los cuales se analizaron utilizando el análisis de correspondencias
múltiples y Anova: el tipo de planta y las características hidrológicas del evento de
lluvia (duración, intensidad máxima, intensidad media, nivel de drenado) tienen
influencias significativas sobre estas variabilidades.
Modelo de transferencia-apropiación de un sistema de producción integral de alimentos (SIPIA), para el desarrollo humano
Authors: Isla Esquivel María Luisa , Cuevas Alfonso , Aranda Javier
Published: September 2016

Se presenta un modelo de Transferencia-Apropiación Tecnológica que tiene como objetivo la conformación de comunidades de trabajo-aprendizaje en torno a un sistema de producción integral de alimentos con el fin de formar habilidades para la vida que impulsen el desarrollo humano. Lo integran tres ejes que se trabajan de manera interrelacionada: el eje técnico, el pedagógico y el de desarrollo humano. Dicha propuesta surge de la necesidad de avanzar de un enfoque basado sólo en el proceso de transferencia a uno que incluya la apropiación, en el cual convergen tres conceptos importantes para el ser humano: el trabajo como proceso de promoción del desarrollo; la educación como vía para la formación de la persona y el concepto de naturaleza, vinculado orgánicamente a los seres humanos. El modelo que aquí se presenta, se desarrolla en la Universidad Marista de Mérida, el cual permitiría integrar las cuatro funciones sustantivas de la institución: docencia, investigación, extensión y servicio y desarrollo comunitario.
¿Y después de la guerra qué? Avatares en el tránsito a la vida civil de jóvenes desmovilizados de las FARC
Authors: Lara Salcedo Luz Marina
Published: September 2016

El artículo presenta  los principales resultados de la investigación referenciada, con relación a los movimientos que se suscitan en la identidad, los vínculos y los valores de un grupo de jóvenes desmovilizados de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-FARC. El diseño metodológico estuvo orientado a partir de las premisas centrales del socioconstruccionismo y su enfoque fue el narrativo. Para el trabajo analítico se abordaron los modelos arqueológico del relato, el de trayectorias y el estructural. Los aportes derivados de este artículo buscan por un lado, abordar los escenarios de la vida civil desde su potencial emocional, y por el otro, brindar comprensiones en torno al proceso de la reintegración, el papel de los ciudadanos, de la institucionalidad y de la sociedad, en la construcción del Estado que se requiere en tiempos de posconflicto.
Reconocimiento de Víctimas del conflicto armado en Colombia: Sobre tecnologías de representación y configuraciones de estado
Authors: Mora-Gámez Fredy
Published: September 2016

Este trabajo aborda los procedimientos expertos y administrativos implicados en el Registro Único de Víctimas (RUV) a través del rastreo etnográfico de las prácticas alrededor del Formato Único de Declaración (FUD) que materializan el Reconocimiento de Víctimas del conflicto armado en Colombia. En este sentido, el RUV y el FUD se problematizan como tecnologías sociales que reconfiguran al Estado colombiano y se describen algunas de sus trayectorias y los escenarios de participación que tales objetos condicionan. Esta investigación discute la forma en que el Reconocimiento de Víctimas transforma las experiencias de quienes son reconocidos y quienes reconocen, explorando también una aproximación a la conformación del estado precisamente desde las prácticas que ensamblan una noción particular de Víctima que se intersecta con distintos proyectos estatales.