bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
End-user involvement in developing and field testing an online contraceptive decision aid
Authors: Hooiveld Truus , Molenaar Joyce M , van der Heijde Claudia M , Meijman Frans J , Groen Theo P , Vonk Peter
Published: November 2018

Objectives:

Decision aids in the field of healthcare contribute to informed decision making. To increase the usefulness and effectiveness of decision aids, it is important to involve end-users in the development of these tools. This article reports on the development of an online contraceptive decision aid.

Methods:

An exploratory, qualitative study was conducted in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2016. The development process of the decision aid consisted of six steps and included a needs assessment and field test. Interviews were conducted with 17 female students.

Results:

The needs assessment provided information on the preferred content and structure of a contraceptive decision aid and guided the development of the online contraceptive decision aid prototype. Participants had an overall positive impression of the decision aid prototype during the field test. Minor revisions were made based on participants’ feedback. Participants expected that the decision aid would positively contribute to decision making by increasing knowledge and awareness regarding the available contraceptive methods and their features and attributes, and by opening up to other options than the known methods.

Conclusion:

The developed contraceptive decision aid can contribute to better informed decision making and consultation preparation. Involving end-users in development seems valuable to adapt decision aids to specific needs and to identify in what way a decision aid influences decision making.
Barriers to Education and Shared Decision Making in the Chronic Kidney Disease Population: A Narrative Review
Authors: Cassidy Brendan P. , Getchell Leah E. , Harwood Lori , Hemmett Juliya , Moist Louise M.
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review:

Provision of education to inform decision making for renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a key component in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet patients report suboptimal satisfaction with the process of selecting a dialysis modality. Our purpose is to review the influencers of RRT decision making in the CKD population, which will better inform the process of shared decision making between clinicians and patients.

Sources of information:

PubMed and Google Scholar.

Methods:

A narrative review was performed using the main terms “chronic kidney disease,” “CKD,” “dialysis,” “review,” “decision-making,” “decision aids,” “education,” and “barriers.” Only articles in English were accessed. The existing literature was critically analyzed from a theoretical and contextual perspective and thematic analysis was performed.

Key findings:

Eight common themes were identified as influencers for decision making. “Patient-focused” themes including social influence, values and beliefs, comprehension, autonomy and sociodemographics, and “clinician-focused” themes including screening, communication, and engagement. Early predialysis education and decision aids can effectively improve decision making. Patient-valued outcomes need to be more fully integrated into clinical guidelines.

Limitations:

This is not a systematic review; therefore, no formal tool was utilized to evaluate the rigor and quality of studies included and findings may not be generalizable.

Implications:

Standardized comprehensive RRT education programs through multidisciplinary health teams can help optimize CKD patient education and shared decision making. Involving patients in the research process itself and implementing patient values and preferences into clinical guidelines can help to achieve a patient-centered model of care.
The Phenomenology and Correlates of Flashbacks in Individuals With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Authors: Malaktaris Anne L. , Lynn Steven Jay
Published: November 2018

Reexperiencing symptoms are a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Relatively little research has examined flashbacks in individuals with PTSD, and theoretical attempts to define and conceptualize flashbacks continue to be marked by considerable controversy. We compared individuals with PTSD or subthreshold PTSD symptoms (PTSS) with ( n = 45) and without flashbacks ( n = 32) to trauma-exposed controls ( n = 33) and control participants without trauma exposure ( n = 33). We compared the qualities of flashbacks of individuals with PTSS to those simulated by individuals without flashbacks. As predicted, individuals with PTSS reported significantly greater sleep disturbances, experiential avoidance, and lower trait mindfulness than those without PTSS. Individuals without PTSS underestimated the vividness, emotional intensity, distress, and functional impact associated with flashbacks. Consistent with basic-mechanisms theory, we did not find evidence of fragmentation of flashbacks in individuals with PTSS. Additional implications and future directions are discussed.
Associative Activation as a Mechanism Underlying False Memory Formation
Authors: Otgaar Henry , Howe Mark L. , Muris Peter , Merckelbach Harald
Published: November 2018

We recently made the case that associative activation is a viable mechanism underlying false memory formation and hence also false memory formation in psychopathology. In a recent issue of Clinical Psychological Science, Tryon argued that our description of associative activation did not meet the criteria of causation and explanatory value in order to qualify as a mechanism. In this commentary, we explain why we disagree with Tryon. Many studies focused on associative activation and false memory creation. We believe that these studies provide good arguments for associative activation as a likely causal antecedent in the production of false memories.
Tissue Expansion for Severe Foot and Ankle Deformities: A 16-Year Review
Authors: Nickel Kevin J. , Van Slyke Aaron C. , Knox Aaron D. , Wing Kevin , Wells Neil
Published: November 2018

Background:

Tissue expansion in the lower extremity is controversial, with studies reporting complication rates as high as 83%. Few studies have looked at tissue expansion prior to orthopaedic correction of severe foot and ankle deformities, and those available are restricted to clubfoot in the pediatric population. Here, we report the largest case series on the use of tissue expanders for the reconstruction of severe foot and ankle deformity and the only report in adults.

Methods:

This is a retrospective chart review of the senior author’s practice over a 16-year study period. All patients over 18 years of age who underwent tissue expansion prior to definitive orthopaedic correction of a severe foot and ankle deformity were included. Patient demographics, etiology of deformity, rate of expansion, and complications were recorded. Major complications were defined as those which required surgical intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

Nineteen cases were performed on 16 patients. Our overall complication rate was 31.6% (6/19), with major complications occurring in 21.1% (4/19) of cases, and minor complications occurring in 10.5% (2/19) of cases. Despite this, 94.7% (18/19) of cases went on to receive definitive orthopaedic correction after tissue expansion. No demographic parameters were associated with occurrence of complications.

Conclusions:

This represents the largest report on lower extremity tissue expansion for severe foot and ankle deformity correction. While we observed complications in 31.6% of patients, 94.7% of cases went on to receive definitive orthopaedic correction with successful primary closure.
Is There an Association Between Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Improved Outcome of Deep Chemical Peeling? A Randomized Pilot Clinical Study
Authors: Wiser Itay , Roni Averbuch Sagie , Ziv Ella , Friedman Mony , Efraty Shay , Heller Lior , Landau Marina , Friedman Tali
Published: November 2018

Background:

Phenol chemical peeling (PCP) treatment is associated with prolonged recovery and sustained adverse events. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is known to accelerate wound healing. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of HBOT on PCP recovery period and adverse events.

Methods:

This is a pilot randomized controlled clinical study. Women following PCP underwent 5 consecutive daily HBOT sessions, compared with PCP alone. Pain, pruritus, erythema, crusting, scaling, and edema were daily evaluated up to 28 days following PCP. Photographs taken on days 14 and 35 following PCP were assessed. Confidence to appear in public was assessed 14 days following PCP.

Results:

Eight participants equally assigned to HBOT and control groups. Lower severity scores for erythema, scaling, and pruritus were documented in the HBOT group (mean difference 1.19, P = .006; .84, P = .04; and 2.19, P = .001, respectively). Photographic assessment severity score was higher for skin tightness, edema, erythema, crusting, and scaling in the control group on day 14 post PCP ( P < .05) and for erythema on day 35 post PCP ( P < .05). Epithelialization percentage was higher in the HBOT group on day 14 post PCP compared with controls (98.5% ± 1% vs 94.2% ± 1%; P = .021). The HBOT group scored higher in confidence to appear in public (20.8 ± 1.7 vs 14.5 ± 1.3; P = .029).

Conclusion:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy following PCP is associated with faster recovery as assessed by both patients and caregivers. So far, HBOT was mainly used in the treatment of problematic or chronic wounds. Our study suggests expanding the indications in which hyperbaric oxygen treatment is applicable and recommended.
Rational Choice with Intransitive Preferences
Authors: Panda Santosh C.
Published: November 2018

Traditional rational choice theory assumes that the weak preference relation of an agent is an ordering that is it satisfies reflexivity, completeness and transitivity. It is also well known that the ordering property is essential to build the traditional ordinal utility analysis of consumer behaviour. However, there can be many situations when the weak preference relation of an agent may violate transitivity property, and hence, is not an ordering. In such situations traditional ordinal utility analysis breaks down. This paper develops a framework and discusses all the important results of rational choice theory when preferences are intransitive. It looks at weaker rationality properties such as quasi-transitivity and acyclicity and based on that it introduces weaker concepts of rationality such as quasi-transitive rationality and acyclic rationality and characterizes them. It also brings in the congruence axioms and property of path independence, and establishes the link with rationality. Finally, it analyzes how the results will change if we bring in restricted domain assumption of the choice function.

JEL Classification: D01, D10, D11
Spillovers and R&D Incentive under Incomplete Information
Authors: Chatterjee Rittwik , Chattopadhyay Srobonti , Kabiraj Tarun
Published: November 2018

Spillovers of R&D outcome affect the R&D decision of a firm. The present paper discusses the R&D incentives of a firm when the extent of R&D spillover is private information to each firm. We construct a two-stage game involving two firms when the firms first decide simultaneously whether to invest in R&D or not, then they compete in quantity. Assuming general distribution function of firm types we compare R&D incentives of firms under alternative scenarios based on different informational structures. The paper shows that while R&D spillovers reduce R&D incentives under complete information unambiguously, however, it can be larger under incomplete information.

JEL Classification: D43, D82, L13, O31
Peer-Review Guidelines Promoting Replicability and Transparency in Psychological Science
Authors: Davis William E. , Giner-Sorolla Roger , Lindsay D. Stephen , Lougheed Jessica P. , Makel Matthew C. , Meier Matt E. , Sun Jessie , Vaughn Leigh Ann , Zelenski John M.
Published: November 2018

More and more psychological researchers have come to appreciate the perils of common but poorly justified research practices and are rethinking commonly held standards for evaluating research. As this methodological reform expresses itself in psychological research, peer reviewers of such work must also adapt their practices to remain relevant. Reviewers of journal submissions wield considerable power to promote methodological reform, and thereby contribute to the advancement of a more robust psychological literature. We describe concrete practices that reviewers can use to encourage transparency, intellectual humility, and more valid assessments of the methods and statistics reported in articles.
Hospital-based antibiotic use in patients withMycobacterium aviumcomplex
Authors: Ricotta Emily E. , Olivier Kenneth N. , Lai Yi Ling , Prevots D. Rebecca , Adjemian Jennifer
Published: November 2018

Treatment guidelines exist for pulmonaryMycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) infection, although studies suggest poor concordance in clinician practice. Using a national database including hospital encounters of laboratory-confirmed MAC patients, we sought to characterise US treatment practices.

We assessed patients in the Premier Healthcare Database from 2009 to 2013 with two or more MAC-positive cultures or one MAC-positive culture and the International Classification of Diseases (9th revision) code for pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (PNTM). Treatment was characterised by patient-, provider- and facility-level factors; significant differences were assessed (p<0.05). Multilevel Poisson regression estimated adjusted relative risks (aRR) of receiving guidelines-based or macrolide resistance-promoting regimens.

Of 1326 MAC patients, 645 (49%) received treatment: 10% received guidelines-based treatment and 18% resistance-associated therapy. Patients were more likely to receive guidelines-based therapy if they had multiple hospital encounters (aRR 1.5), codes for PNTM (aRR 5.7) or tuberculosis (aRR 4.5) or radiological procedures (aRR 10.9); multiple hospital encounters (aRR 0.8) or a tuberculosis code (aRR 0.1) were less likely to be associated with receiving resistance-promoting regimens.

In hospital-based MAC patients, half received antibiotics active against MAC, a low proportion received therapy based on MAC guidelines and many received antibiotics that promote macrolide resistance. Improved implementation of guidelines-based treatment is needed to decrease use of regimens associated with macrolide resistance.
Meter Reader
Authors: Saad Afif H.
Published: November 2018

Possible sources of sedimentary magnetic anomalies include: Detrital magnetite deposited in sediments that have a nearby source in igneous terrain; magnetization is induced and sometimes detrital or depositional remanent magnetism. Diagenetic magnetic minerals (such as magnetite, pyrrhotite, greigite, and maghemite) that may be related to chemical changes of the sediments from microseepage of hydrocarbon reservoirs; magnetization is induced and sometimes chemical remanent magnetism. Diamagnetism of salt and anhydrite, responsible for negative anomalies over salt structures. Fault mineralization due to upward-migrating hydrothermal fluids along fractures and fault planes, which may or may not be related to hydrocarbons. Combustion metamorphism (CM) of carbonaceous pyrite-rich and organic-rich sediments, producing strong magnetization as a result of exothermic oxidation of pyrite to magnetite, as well as thermal remanence acquisition. The organic material in the rocks is consumed as fuel, but host rock remains after combustion. The phenomenon can be related to source rock outcrops or seepage. Clinkers (burned coal seams and lignite beds) is a special case of CM; however, host rock is consumed after combustion. Clinkers are diagenetic sources of strong magnetic anomalies over sedimentary rocks.
De novo recruitment of Polycomb-group proteins in Drosophila embryos
Authors: Alhaj Abed Jumana , Ghotbi Elnaz , Ye Piao , Frolov Alexander , Benes Judith , Jones Richard S.
Published: November 2018

Polycomb-group (PcG)-mediated transcriptional repression of target genes can be delineated into two phases. First, following initial repression of target genes by gene-specific transcription factors, PcG proteins recognize the repressed state and assume control of the genes' repression. Second, once the silenced state is established, PcG proteins may maintain repression through an indefinite number of cell cycles. Little is understood about how PcG proteins initially recognize the repressed state of target genes and the steps leading to de novo establishment of PcG-mediated repression. We describe a genetic system in which a Drosophila PcG target gene, giant (gt), is ubiquitously repressed during early embryogenesis by a maternally expressed transcription factor, and show the temporal recruitment of components of three PcG protein complexes: PhoRC, PRC1 and PRC2. We show that de novo PcG recruitment follows a temporal hierarchy in which PhoRC stably localizes at the target gene at least 1 h before stable recruitment of PRC2 and concurrent trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). The presence of PRC2 and increased levels of H3K27me3 are found to precede stable binding by PRC1.
The RhoGAP HUM-7/Myo9 integrates signals to modulate RHO-1/RhoA during embryonic morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wallace Andre G. , Raduwan Hamidah , Carlet John , Soto Martha C.
Published: November 2018

During embryonic morphogenesis, cells and tissues undergo dramatic movements under the control of F-actin regulators. Our studies of epidermal cell migrations in developing Caenorhabditis elegans embryos have identified multiple plasma membrane signals that regulate the Rac GTPase, thus regulating WAVE and Arp2/3 complexes, to promote branched F-actin formation and polarized enrichment. Here, we describe a pathway that acts in parallel to Rac to transduce membrane signals to control epidermal F-actin through the GTPase RHO-1/RhoA. RHO-1 contributes to epidermal migration through effects on underlying neuroblasts. We identify signals to regulate RHO-1-dependent events in the epidermis. HUM-7, the C. elegans homolog of human MYO9A and MYO9B, regulates F-actin dynamics during epidermal migration. Genetics and biochemistry support that HUM-7 behaves as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for the RHO-1/RhoA and CDC-42 GTPases. Loss of HUM-7 enhances RHO-1-dependent epidermal cell behaviors. We identify SAX-3/ROBO as an upstream signal that contributes to attenuated RHO-1 activation through its regulation of HUM-7/Myo9. These studies identify a new role for RHO-1 during epidermal cell migration, and suggest that RHO-1 activity is regulated by SAX-3/ROBO acting on the RhoGAP HUM-7.
Centriole planar polarity assessment in Drosophila wings
Authors: Garrido-Jimenez Sergio , Roman Angel-Carlos , Alvarez-Barrientos Alberto , Carvajal-Gonzalez Jose Maria
Published: November 2018

In vertebrates, planar polarization of ciliary basal bodies has been associated with actin polymerization that occurs downstream of the Frizzled-planar cell polarity (Fz-PCP) pathway. In Drosophila wing epithelial cells, which do not have cilia, centrioles also polarize in a Fz-PCP-dependent manner, although the relationship with actin polymerization remains unknown. By combining existing and new quantitative methods, we unexpectedly found that known PCP effectors linked to actin polymerization phenotypes affect neither final centriole polarization nor apical centriole distribution. But actin polymerization is required upstream of Fz-PCP to maintain the centrioles in restricted areas in the apical-most planes of those epithelial cells before and after the actin-based hair is formed. Furthermore, in the absence of proper core Fz-PCP signalling, actin polymerization is insufficient to drive this off-centred centriole migration. Altogether, the results reveal that there are at least two pathways controlling centriole positioning in Drosophila pupal wings – an upstream actin-dependent mechanism involved in centriole distribution that is PCP independent, and an unknown mechanism that links core Fz-PCP and centriole polarization.
Planar Chiral [2.2]Paracyclophanes: Optical Resolution and Transformation to Optically Active π-Stacked Molecules
Authors: Morisaki Yasuhiro , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: November 2018

In this article, our recent results from practical optical resolution methods of disubstituted and tetrasubstituted [2.2]paracyclophane compounds and their transformations are described. The obtained enantiopure [2.2]paracyclophane compounds have been used as chiral building blocks to prepare optically active π-stacked molecules. π-Stacked molecules construct optically active second-ordered structures, such as V-, N-, M-, X-, triangle-shaped, and one-handed double helical structures, due to the orientation of stacked π-electron systems. They emit circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) by photo-excitation. [2.2]Paracyclophane-based chiral π-stacked molecules in this article emit brightly owing to good photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiencies as well as large molar extinction coefficients. In particular, emission is of course CPL with a large disymmetry factor (glum value). It is basically difficult to achieve CPL with high brightness, high PL efficiency, and large glum value by using other chiral scaffolds; therefore, planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane is an ideal scaffold to be an excellent CPL emitters.
Ending Global Poverty: Why Money Isn’t Enough
Authors: Page Lucy , Pande Rohini
Published: November 2018

Between 1981 and 2013, the share of the global population living in extreme poverty fell by 34 percentage points. This paper argues that such rapid reductions will become increasingly hard to achieve for two reasons. First, the majority of the poor now live in middle-income countries where the benefits of growth have often been distributed selectively and unequally. Second, a reservoir of extreme poverty remains in low-income countries where growth is erratic and aid often fails to reach the poor. If the international community is to most effectively leverage available resources to end extreme poverty, it must ensure that its investments in institutions and physical infrastructure actually provide the poor the capabilities they need to craft an effective pathway out of poverty. We term the human and social systems that are required to form this pathway “invisible infrastructure” and argue that an effective domestic state is central to building this. By corollary, ending extreme poverty will require both expanding state capacity and giving the poor power to demand reforms they need by solving agency problems between citizens, politicians, and bureaucrats.
Quantifying steroid hormones in amniotic fluid by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Rivet Noëllie , Jamey Carole , Reix Nathalie , Kintz Pascal , Heil Martin , Erdmann Kathrin , Körner Lisa M. , Lawrenz Judith , Fröhlich Susanne , Kozlowski Peter , Meinlschmidt Gunther , Tegethoff Marion , Raul Jean-Sébastien
Published: November 2018

Background: Simultaneous assessment of steroid hormone concentrations in amniotic fluid is of importance for elucidating long-term consequences of intrauterine processes, and of broad scientific and clinical relevance. The objective of the study was to develop sensitive and specific analytical ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) methods for determination of steroid hormone concentrations in human amniotic fluid, and to provide proof-of-concept of their applicability.

Methods: Methods were validated according to linearity, limit-of-detection, limit-of-quantification, recovery, intra- and inter-assay precision, and applied to 275 amniotic fluid samples.

Results: Limits-of-quantification (S/N=10:1) were 0.05 ng/mL for cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), estradiol, estriol, and testosterone, and 0.01 ng/mL and 1.0 ng/mL for cortisone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), respectively. Good inter- and intra-assay precision were observed. Cortisol, cortisone, DHEAS, estradiol and estriol concentration were quantified in all samples. By lack of sensitivity of the analytical method, DHEA was quantified in 11 samples only. Testosterone was quantified in 119 of 275 samples analyzed. 116 of the quantified testosterone samples were from male offspring (out of 138 male offspring).

Conclusion: These specific and sensitive methods offer a simple and non-invasive way to measure cortisol, cortisone, DHEAS, estradiol, estriol, and testosterone concentrations in human amniotic fluid.
Genomic and transcriptomic comparisons of closely related malaria parasites differing in virulence and sequestration pattern
Authors: Lin Jing-wen , Reid Adam J. , Cunningham Deirdre , Böhme Ulrike , Tumwine Irene , Keller-Mclaughlin Sara , Sanders Mandy , Berriman Matthew , Langhorne Jean
Published: November 2018

Background: Malaria parasite species differ greatly in the harm they do to humans. While P. falciparum kills hundreds of thousands per year, P. vivax kills much less often and P. malariae is relatively benign. Strains of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi show phenotypic variation in virulence during infections of laboratory mice. This make it an excellent species to study genes which may be responsible for this trait. By understanding the mechanisms which underlie differences in virulence we can learn how parasites adapt to their hosts and how we might prevent disease.

Methods: Here we present a complete reference genome sequence for a more virulent P. chabaudi strain, PcCB, and perform a detailed comparison with the genome of the less virulent PcAS strain.

Results: We found the greatest variation in the subtelomeric regions, in particular amongst the sequences of the pir gene family, which has been associated with virulence and establishment of chronic infection. However, despite substantial variation at the sequence level, the repertoire of these genes has been largely maintained, highlighting the requirement for functional conservation as well as diversification in host-parasite interactions. However, a subset of pir genes, previously associated with increased virulence, were more highly expressed in PcCB, suggesting a role for this gene family in virulence differences between strains. We found that core genes involved in red blood cell invasion have been under positive selection and that the more virulent strain has a greater preference for reticulocytes, which has elsewhere been associated with increased virulence.

Conclusions: These results provide the basis for a mechanistic understanding of the phenotypic differences between Plasmodium chabaudi strains, which might ultimately be translated into a better understanding of malaria parasites affecting humans.
On Three Axiom Systems for Classical Mereology
Authors: Varzi Achille C.
Published: November 2018

We correct an error and expose two redundancies in the axiom systems presented by Paul Hovda in his 2009 influential paper, ‘What is classical mereology?’.
Disjunctive Programming for Multiobjective Discrete Optimisation
Authors: Bektaş Tolga
Published: November 2018

In this paper, I view and present the multiobjective discrete optimisation problem as a particular case of disjunctive programming where one seeks to identify efficient solutions from within a disjunction formed by a set of systems. The proposed approach lends itself to a simple yet effective iterative algorithm that is able to yield the set of all nondominated points, both supported and nonsupported, for a multiobjective discrete optimisation problem. Each iteration of the algorithm is a series of feasibility checks and requires only one formulation to be solved to optimality that has the same number of integer variables as that of the single objective formulation of the problem. The application of the algorithm shows that it is particularly effective when solving constrained multiobjective discrete optimisation problem instances.

The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2017.0804 .
Analysing use of evidence in public policymaking processes: a theory-grounded content analysis methodology
Authors: Yanovitzky Itzhak , Weber Matthew
Published: November 2018

A broad range of methodologies is routinely employed to track and analyse use of research evidence in public policymaking. However, available methods and tools are mostly equipped to track ‘evidence’ but are less equipped to capture and represent ‘use’ of evidence. In particular, existing methods overlook policymakers’ frequent use of evidence for political persuasion and bargaining. Drawing on established theories and research tools from the field of persuasive communication, we developed a content analysis instrument for tracking and analysing policymakers’ use of evidence based on the information contained in policy documents. We provide a specific example of applying this tool and demonstrate how it may be used to generate rich and nuanced insights regarding the scope, nature, and timing of policymakers’ evidence use at different levels and phases of the public policymaking process. We conclude with a discussion of potential strengths and limitations and offer recommendations regarding the optimal application of this methodology.
Computerspielwissenschaften und Ludoliteracy
Authors: Koubek Jochen
Published: November 2018

Computerspielwissenschaften beschäftigen sich aus medienwissenschaftlicher Sicht mit der Geschichte und Ästhetik, mit Theorien und kulturellen Ausprägungsformen, aus informatischer Sicht mit technischen und mathematischen Grundlagen, mit Algorithmen und Datenstrukturen von Computerspielen. Für beide Disziplinen gilt, dass es das Verständnis für das Medium erhöht, wenn Werke in ihrer Entstehung nachvollzogen und als technische Produkte analysiert, Argumente und Ideen praktisch überprüft werden können. Kenntnisse in der Konzeption, Entwicklung und Gestaltung von Computerspielen sind aus dieser Sicht eine praktische Form von medienbezogenem Orientierungswissen, das als Ludoliteracy bezeichnet werden kann. In dem Beitrag wird exemplarisch diskutiert, wie sowohl medienwissenschaftliche und informatische als auch theoretische und praktische Bildung zusammenwirken können, um Ludoliteracy und damit das Verständnis für das Medium Computerspiel zu stärken.
Schule der Gefühle
Authors: Wellgraf Stefan
Published: November 2018

Ausgrenzung wird von den Betroffenen selten abstrakt in Bezug auf Strukturen sozialer Ungleichheit wahrgenommen, sondern vor allem emotional erlebt: Hauptschüler sind wütend auf ihre Lehrer und gelangweilt von ihrem Schulalltag, sie schämen sich für ihre Schulnoten und haben Angst vor Arbeitslosigkeit. Stefan Wellgrafs vielschichtige Ethnografie einer Schule in Berlin-Neukölln stellt die emotionale Erfahrung der Schüler in den Mittelpunkt und schlägt eine politische Lesart von Gefühlen vor.
»Arbeitende Bilder«
Authors: Czirr Sarah
Published: November 2018

Skulpturen im Deutschen Kaiserreich waren meist kostenintensive Auftrags- bzw. kleinformatige Reproduktionskunst mit einem hohen Grad an Öffentlichkeit. Dies scheint mit dem gerade im 19. Jahrhundert vertretenen Diktum der autonomen Kunst im Widerspruch zu stehen. Zudem war der Kunstdiskurs bestimmt von einer Kontroverse um die Ikonografie der Moderne. Sarah Czirr untersucht in diesem Kontext das sich eröffnende Spannungsfeld von künstlerischer Aneignung und sozialer Wirklichkeit, in dem Skulpturen in Zeiten der Industrialisierung zu »arbeitenden Bildern«, zu produktiven Akteuren verschiedener Seiten werden, ohne dass die Gesetze der »Kunstwirklichkeit« je außer Kraft treten.
Aging and Self-Realization
Authors: Laceulle Hanne
Published: November 2018

Dominant cultural narratives about later life dismiss the value senior citizens hold for society. In her cultural-philosophical critique, Hanne Laceulle outlines counter narratives that acknowledge both potentials and vulnerabilities of later life. She draws on the rich philosophical tradition of thought about self-realization and explores the significance of ethical concepts essential to the process of growing old such as autonomy, authenticity and virtue. These counter narratives aim to support older individuals in their search for a meaningful age identity, while they make society recognize its senior members as valued participants and moral agents of their own lives.
Szenarien der Ernährungswende
Authors: Lemke Harald
Published: November 2018

Ernährungsverhältnisse beeinflussen das menschliche Leben und die Zukunft der Erde mehr als vieles andere. Und das Bewusstsein der Notwendigkeit einer radikalen Ernährungswende im Zeichen der ökologischen Krise nimmt seit einigen Jahren deutlich zu. Als Wegbereiter und Ideengeber dieses neuen Diskurses durchstreift Harald Lemke in seinen neuen Studien die komplexe Welt unserer Esskultur: Bildung, Immunsystem, Fleischkonsum, Klimawandel, Weltwirtschaft, Food Wars, Geschmacksfragen, Kochkünste, Widerstandsbewegungen, Alltagspraxis, Gesellschaftsutopie. Er zeigt: Die Kultur des Essens verbindet alles mit allem - und diese Zusammenhänge zu verstehen ist philosophisch ebenso reizvoll wie gesellschaftlich notwendig.
Trans*Gender im Film
Authors: Vanagas Annette
Published: November 2018

Wenn sich ein Individuum der binären Geschlechtseinteilung entzieht, wird das Alltagswissen instabil: Durch die Konstituierung eines ›Anderen‹ gegenüber dem menschlich ›Normalen‹ werden Individuen aus dem Bereich des Menschlichen ausgeschlossen, sie gelten als kulturell nicht intelligibel (Butler). Annette Raczuhn greift ein Forschungsdesiderat in diesem Bereich auf, indem sie erstmals die Produktion von gesellschaftlich geteiltem Wissen anhand der kulturellen Repräsentation von Transsex* in Filmen untersucht. Mit den Theoremen »Wrong Body Story«, Voyeurismus, Beichtpraxis und dem Passing-out zeigt sie die gesellschaftliche Diskrepanz zwischen wissenschaftlicher Konstruktion und Alltagsverständnis auf.
Instytucja sędziego śledczego w II Rzeczypospolitej
Authors: Materniak-Pawłowska Małgorzata
Published: November 2018

The institution of an investigating judge emerged in all three parts of then partitioned Poland at almost the same time, i.e. in the 70s of the 19th century, as the Austrians introduced it in 1873, the Russians in 1876, and the Germans in 1877. The very idea of an investigating judge and its model, however, derives from the legal system of Napoleonic France. During the period between two World Wars, the institution of an investigating judge functioned fi rst, as part of the legislation inherited from the occupant’s legal system, and then as part of the Polish legal system resulting, mainly, from the implementation of the ordinance on the regime of common courts of law of 1928 and the code of criminal procedure of the same year. The function of an investing judge was for and foremost connected with the preliminary stage of criminal proceedings, and the investigation process in particular. However, the main overall task of that stage was protection of an individual’s rights in a criminal proceeding. In the twenty years’ history of the interwar Poland, the role of an investigating judge in a criminal proceeding had been gradually limited, while the prosecutor’s role had increasingly strengthened. Although the prosecutor’s supervision sensu stricto was formally non-existent, a prosecutor could, inmany cases, restrict a judge’s independence by issuing binding conclusions. Such practice was further facilitated by the fact that the Ministry of Justice’s policy was to recruit for the position of an investigating judge from among the least experienced, usually junior judges. Thus the institution of an investigating judge was subsequently subjected to strong criticism by many lawyers, both theorists as well as practitioners of a criminal trial. Its supporters criticised the infl uence that procurators could exercise on the judges and demanded their independence of the former, whereas its critics questioned the very sense or idea of an investigating judge, emphasising that it only constituted an interim form between a prosecuting organ and an independent court and, as such, performed neither of those two had functions suffi ciently satisfactory.
Polibiusz – zapomniany następca Platona
Authors: Ceglarska Anna
Published: November 2018

Polibiusz – zapomniany następca Platona
O złym uprawianiu krytyki
Authors: Lityński Adam
Published: November 2018

O złym uprawianiu krytyki
Kazachstan jako obecny przewodniczący OBWE – rok 2010: nowa rola średnich państw w podejmowaniu globalnych decyzji strategicznych na podstawie konsensusu
Authors: Sydyknazarov Mukhit
Published: November 2018

The paper concerns the issue of Kazakhstan presiding over the OSCE this year, and the issue of the role played by medium-sized states in the contemporary architecture of international relations. As the interests of global players continue to clash incessantly, medium-sized states are forced to make increased efforts to build a safer and more stable world. The author uses the example of Kazakhstan to analyze the role of medium-sized states, which can be compared to that played by small and medium-sized enterprises in building an efficient and stable economy. The small and medium-sized states are increasingly appreciated on an international scale in various areas. Kazakhstan is consistently working to achieve its goals, not only at present within the OSCE, but as a future head of other organizations, many of which have been established on Kazakhstan’s initiative; the country has always been distinguished by its international activity. Many of these initiatives have been successfully implemented by the OSCE itself. The above-mentioned organizations include the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), International Organization of Turkic Culture, and the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of the International Organization of Turkic Speaking States (TURKSOY). It is important to include the new independent states in the common ideology of the development of market economies and democratic institutions. As a regional leader in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is better prepared to implement this mission than other states. Not all Kazakhstan’s initiatives fall within a purely European framework. As the country is located at the cusp of Europe and Asia, its government pays constant attention to Euro-Asian issues, all the more so as, after its presidency of the OSCE, Kazakhstan will chair the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 2011.
A Fibroblast Growth Factor Antagonist Peptide Inhibits Breast Cancer in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Jafarzadeh Mehrzad , Mousavizadeh Kazem , Joghataei Mohammad Taghi , Bahremani Mohammad Hashemi , Safa Majid , Asghari S. Mohsen
Published: November 2018

Objective

Given the role of basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) in tumor growth, it has been considered as a potential target for tumor therapy. In this study, we investigate the effect of bFGF antagonistic peptide on the growth and angiogenesis of 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumor (MCT) in BALB/c mice.

Methods

An engineered peptide was injected into BALB/c mice in doses of 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg daily for 14 days. Immunohistochemical analysis using anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 were conducted as indices of angiogenesis. In addition, blood samples were taken from the eyes of treated and control mice and the levels of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA. Data was analyzed by ANOVA using SPSS.

Results

The antagonistic peptide inhibited growth and angiogenesis of MCT (P ≤0.05), and decreased the serum level of IL-8 and TNF-α in treated groups compared to the control groups.

Conclusion

The inhibition of tumor angiogenesis has been considered as an important strategy to halt tumor growth. The results of current study confirm that the antiangiogenic peptide effectively inhibited the growth of MCT, and shows potential for clinical trials for the treatment of cancer in humans.
Stimmigkeit als Geltungsanspruch
Authors: Jung Matthias , Schlette Magnus
Published: November 2018

Meanings are felt and lived by the human organism before they are articulated. Following insights from pragmatism and embodied cognition, this paper suggests that there is an ‘appropriate’ relationship between what is meant and was is expressed in words and actions that can be formulated as a hitherto neglected yet crucial validity claim, namely congruity (Stimmigkeit). Congruity is what connects the meaningfulness implicit in living a life with the articulated meanings of symbolic communication. We distinguish between the intertwined aspects of (1) semiotic congruity, the fusion between sensual patterns and semiotic meanings, (2) performative congruity, the freedom and ability to articulate qualitatively experienced meaningfulness, and (3) hermeneutic congruity, the capability of achieving congruence between situational meanings and one’s entire being-in-the-world. The latter presupposes a synthesis of horizontal (biographical and experiental) and vertical (pertaining to the relation between the several strata of cultural meanings) congruity.
Modified flash flood potential index in order to estimate areas with predisposition to water accumulation
Authors: Tincu Roxana , Lazar Gabriel , Lazar Iuliana
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this study is to bring a series of changes to the potential flashed-flood index proposed and used by Smith (2003), to estimate floodplains in the upper part of Trotus Basin. Trotuş Basin is located in the central - eastern part of the Eastern Carpathians (Romania) having an area of 4.456 km2. The Trotus Basin is recognized as a basin where floods occur frequently due to climatic factors (precipitation, air temperature and winds) as well as due to the morphological characteristics (altitude, slope and versants orientation) that favour the formation of these phenomena. To develop a modified Flash Flood Potential Index was used six physical-geographical factors: land use, soil texture, rock’s permeability, slope, profile curvature and flow accumulation. Each thematic layer has been classified in five classes, from 1 to 5, where 1 means a low contribution and 5 a strong contribution of factors in water accumulation and each factor was weighted according to its importance. The result was a grid layer representing the flood potential index. The maximum flood hazard was associated with an area of approximate 10% from the studied surface. To see the contribution of each factor in the achievement of this index a multiple linear regression was made. The result shows that three variables are statistically significant and explain 91.6% from the model. This means that MFFPI can be obtained only from these three significant factors (flow accumulation, profile curvature and land cover) in order to identify areas with flood predisposition, the non-significant variables being removed. In order to verify these results the obtained MFFPI was compared with the flood hazard map for this area and the procedure showed that this index can be used in the identification of the flood-predisposed areas.
Galoisian and qualitative approaches to linear Polyanin-Zaitsev vector fields
Authors: Acosta-Humánez Primitivo B. , Reyes-Linero Alberto , Rodriguez-Contreras Jorge
Published: November 2018

In this paper we study a particular parametric family of differential equations, the so-called Linear Polyanin-Zaitsev Vector Field, which has been introduced in a general case in [1] as a correction of a family presented in [2]. Linear Polyanin-Zaitsev Vector Field is transformed into a Liénard equation and, in particular, we obtain the Van Der Pol equation. We present some algebraic and qualitative results to illustrate some interactions between algebra and the qualitative theory of differential equations in this parametric family.
Intelligent Monitoring Network Construction based on the utilization of the Internet of things (IoT) in the Metallurgical Coking Process
Authors: Gan Jianhou , Wang Xingchao , Zhou Juxiang , Tang Lin , Yuan Lingyun
Published: November 2018

With the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), a new and important research direction is possible using IoT to solve the problems of information and intelligence in the metallurgical industry. This paper proposes an intelligent monitoring network based on networking technology and uses the coking process as the research object. The construction of a coking process intelligence monitoring network should focus on the formation of a perception layer network and build on a ZigBee mesh clustered network. Moreover, it also puts forward a network routing establishment and data transmission mechanism. This study provides an effective reference for the wide application of the IoT in the intelligent management and monitoring of the metallurgical process.
The Social Brain Automatically Predicts Others' Future Mental States
Authors: Thornton Mark A. , Weaverdyck Miriam E. , Tamir Diana I.
Published: November 2018

Social life requires people to predict the future: people must anticipate others' thoughts, feelings, and actions to interact with them successfully. The theory of predictive coding suggests that the social brain may meet this need by automatically predicting others' social futures. If so, when representing others' current mental state, the brain should already start representing their future states. To test this hypothesis, we used fMRI to measure female and male human participants' neural representations of mental states. Representational similarity analysis revealed that neural patterns associated with mental states currently under consideration resembled patterns of likely future states more so than patterns of unlikely future states. This effect manifested in activity across the social brain network and in medial prefrontal cortex in particular. Repetition suppression analysis also supported the social predictive coding hypothesis: considering mental states presented in predictable sequences reduced activity in the precuneus relative to unpredictable sequences. In addition to demonstrating that the brain makes automatic predictions of others' social futures, the results also demonstrate that the brain leverages a 3D representational space to make these predictions. Proximity between mental states on the psychological dimensions of rationality, social impact, and valence explained much of the association between state-specific neural pattern similarity and state transition likelihood. Together, these findings suggest that the way the brain represents the social present gives people an automatic glimpse of the social future.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWhen you see a ball in flight, your brain calculates, not just its static visual features such as size and shape, but also predicts its future trajectory. Here, we investigated whether the same might hold true in the social world: when we see someone flying into a rage, does our brain automatically predict their social trajectory? In this study, we scanned participants' brain activity while they judged others' mental states. We found that neural activity associated with a given state resembled activity associated with likely future states. Additionally, unpredictable sequences of states evoked more brain activity than predictable sequences, consistent with monitoring for, and updating from, prediction errors. These results suggest that the social brain automatically predicts others' future mental states.