bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enhance the Migration and Osteoclastic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages in vitro and in a Mouse Femur Fracture Model through Talin-1
Authors: Cui Yigong , Fu Shenglong , Hou Tianyong  , Wu Xuehui
Published: August 2018

Background/Aims: Bone resorption mediated by osteoclasts plays an important role in bone healing. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote bone repair by stimulating neovascularization and osteogenesis. However, the role of EPCs in osteoclast formation and function is not well defined. The aim of this study was to elucidate mechanisms of EPCs in osteoclast formation and function. Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of EPCs on the proliferation, migration and osteoclastic differentiation of primary mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) in a co-culture system in vitro. We also evaluated the effects of EPC co-transplantation on the homing and osteoclastic differentiation of transplanted BMMs in a mouse bone fracture model in vivo. The technology of immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical, western blot, Rt-PCR, cell co-culture and Transwell were used in this study. Results: EPCs secreted TGF-β1 in the EPC-BMM co-culture medium and increased Talin-1 expression in the co-cultured BMMs. Treatment with a TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody or Talin-1 silencing in BMMs completely inhibited BMM osteoclastic differentiation in the co-culture system. These results indicated that the osteoclastogenic effects of EPCs were mediated by TGF-β1-mediated Talin-1 expression in BMMs. In the femur fracture model, BMMs co-transplanted with EPCs exhibited enhanced engraftment into the fracture site and osteoclastic differentiation compared with those transplanted alone. Mice treated with EPC-BMM co-transplantation exhibited increased neovascularization at the fracture site and accelerated fracture healing compared with those treated with BMMs alone. Conclusion: Taken together, the results suggest that EPCs can promote bone repair by enhancing recruitment and differentiation of osteoclast precursors.
PRR11 Overexpression Facilitates Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion Through Activation of the PI3K/AKT/β-Catenin Pathway
Authors: Zhu Jing , Hu Hua , Wang Jing , Yang Ying , Yi Ping
Published: August 2018

Background/Aims: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, mainly due to the advanced stage at diagnosis in most patients and high rate of relapse. Thus, it is still essential to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the diagnostic and therapeutic targets of OC. Recent studies have revealed that proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) is dysregulated in different cancers, participating in their initiation and progression; however, it remains unclear whether PRR11 is involved in OC. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and western blotting were performed to evaluate PRR11 expression in OC tissues and cells. The relationship between PRR11 expression and the clinicopathologic data of patients were analyzed. We upregulated and downregulated PRR11 expression using a PRR11 overexpression vector and PRR11-specifc small interfering RNA, respectively, to further clarify its role in the malignant biological behavior of OC in vitro. Results: Overexpression of PRR11 in OC tissues and cells significantly correlated with advanced FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, and large tumor size. Downregulation of PRR11 inhibited cell proliferation and prevented the invasion and migration of HO-8910 OC cells, whereas opposite results were observed in Caov3 cells upon PRR11 upregulation. Further analyses showed that PRR11 positively regulated cell proliferation-related proteins, including c-myc and cyclin D1, and increased and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, respectively. Additionally, our preliminary results demonstrated that PRR11 expression was mediated by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that PRR11 plays a critical role in the progression and metastasis of OC, and as such, may serve as a potential prognostic and therapeutic target in OC.
Les Indésirables A Medida do Mundo e Seus Resíduos
Authors: Pinto Maria Fernanda Silva
Published: August 2018

O presente trabalho versa – a partir da leitura de obras de Hannah Arendt, Michel Foucault e Giorgio Agamben – sobre a problemática dos direitos humanos, que encontra seu refl exo invertido na experiência totalitária, e da interpretação desta mesma experiência não como uma exceção pontual e extremada ocorrida na história da humanidade e que fi cou para trás, mas como um acontecimento de extrema politização da vida nua que tem sua razão de ser na história da própria constituição política ocidental e que, principalmente, não se esgota na derrota das forças do Eixo ao fi nal da Segunda Guerra Mundial. Ao contrário, a fi gura do campo se faz cada vez mais presente nas áreas marginalizadas das grandes cidades. Quid rides? Mutato nomine de te Fabula narratur (HORÁCIO, Satirae 1.1.69).
Nina Rodrigues e a Modernização Através da Ciência das Raças
Authors: Chies Bruno
Published: August 2018

O artigo discorre sobre as características modernas da obra de Nina Rodrigues, um importante representante de uma das vertentes do darwinismo racial e de um pensamento de época dominante em um país que buscava se modernizar. Mais do que expor a invalidez e as falácias de uma teoria científica, visamos explorar os modos pelos quais projetos de conhecimento e de poder estão intimamente ligados, no esforço de trazer questões ainda pertinentes e que possam ser relevantes para a compreensão de nossos processos de construção do conhecimento científico moderno.
Estado Nacional, petróleo e desenvolvimento: uma análise furtadiana
Authors: Souza Silas Cardoso de
Published: August 2018

O artigo visa a compreender o papel que o controle e a exploração do petróleo cumprem para os Estados nacionais, especialmente o brasileiro, situando-o na perspectiva do desafio furtadiano de superação do subdesenvolvimento, através da modificação das estruturas econômicas e sociais.
Propriedade intelectual e tecnologias verdes
Authors: Sarra Adriana
Published: August 2018

Dado que as tecnologias de mitigação são fundamentais para combater as mudanças climáticas, questiona-se se os direitos de propriedade intelectual são meios eficientes de estímulo à difusão e ao desenvolvimento das tecnologias verdes. A partir da análise do estudo Patents and Clean Energy: Bridging the Gap Between Evidence and Police, concluiu-se que políticas públicas envolvendo os direitos de propriedade intelectual, embora não atuem de forma isolada, são meios eficientes de estímulo ao desenvolvimento local e à transferência de tecnologias verdes. Além disso, mostrou-se que países em desenvolvimento precisam incentivar a criação local e a transferência de tecnologias verdes. Com relação ao Brasil, constatou-se que o Projeto Patentes Verdes, proposto pelo Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Intelectual, é uma política pública que adota as visões do estudo.
A constituição do estranho em Bartleby, the Scrivener: a Story of Wall Street
Authors: Santos Carlos Henrique Francisco de Amorim
Published: August 2018

A novela de Herman Melville, Bartleby, the Scrivener: a Story of Wall Street, tem notório destaque entre as obras do autor e tem fascinado autores, filósofos e o público leitor diante do desafio de interpretá-la. Nosso artigo busca analisar a novela de Melville à luz dos textos de Deleuze e Freud, tendo como foco a constituição do “estranho” dentro da novela e seu efeito na construção da obra literária norte-americana.
A mais bela alma
Authors: Diniz Guilherme Grané
Published: August 2018

O trabalho busca mostrar através de um conceito de formação como Natalie é a personagem que mais se aproxima desse ideal dentro da obra Os anos de aprendizado de Wilhelm Meister. Realiza-se essa tarefa mostrando primeiramente o surgimento e desenvolvimento desse conceito dentro da obra, contrapondo os aspectos internos e externos dessa formação pela contraposição entre arte e vida. Depois analisamos mais pormenorizadamente o papel do teatro, principalmente de Shakespeare, dentro do contexto do livro. Em ainda mais um passo, passamos a observar em detalhe a formação da interioridade do homem pela análise das “Confissões de uma bela alma”. Explanado o funcionamento da formação interior e exterior, resta extrairmos a conclusão sobre o porquê de Natalie ter melhor cumprido este roteiro.
Nietzsche e ateísmo científico
Authors: Teza Rogério De Souza
Published: August 2018

O objetivo do presente artigo é, a partir das obras de Nietzsche, verificar sua ousada tese de ateísmo, mais profundo e mais radical do que o ateísmo dos modernos e dos iluministas, precursores das ciências positivas do século XIX. Propomos, então, que Nietzsche se dirigiria aos cientistas quando anuncia a “morte de Deus” em A gaia ciência. Para além de uma ciência sem Deus, analisamos consequências da desvalorização de todos os valores na busca pelo conhecimento prático, como empreendido pelos primeiros positivistas. Assim chegamos ao terreno da ciência niilista, onde aparentemente nenhuma ciência positiva teria lugar, em busca de abrir espaço para a proposição de uma nova prática científica.
Apply Yourself: Racial and Ethnic Differences in College Application
Authors: Black Sandra E. , Cortes Kalena E. , Lincove Jane Arnold
Published: August 2018

Access to higher education begins with a student's decision whether and where to apply to college. This paper examines racial and ethnic differences in college application behavior of high school graduates, using two recent graduation cohorts from Texas. We estimate racial and ethnic differences in the probability of applying to college, controlling for a student's college readiness, high school quality, certainty of college admissions, and high school fixed effects. We then investigate racial and ethnic differences in the choice of where to apply. We enhance the typical model of college matching by considering the social setting and high school feeder patterns of state universities. We find that racial and ethnic gaps in application rates, particularly for Hispanic students, are not explained by differential levels of college readiness, high school quality, or information regarding college admission processes. When applying to college, minorities are influenced by more than just matching their academic ability to the institution, and prefer institutions with a large proportion of same-race students and campuses where same-race students from their high school have been successful in the past.
Virtuous Governance and the Chinese Way
Authors: Fang Zhaohui , Gandolfo Stefano
Published: August 2018

Lucian W. Pye, the renowned American Sinologist, argues that power/authority in Chinese culture follows a paternalistic structure, that the distinction in Chinese society between public and private has historically been in a state of tension, and therefore that Chinese governance has always emphasized central power over local self-governance, suppressed cultural pluralism, and rebuffed multipolar structures of power. Even though the inherent tension identified by Pye certainly exists, the thesis that Chinese culture has a deeply ingrained authoritarian orientation is simply incorrect. In order to resolve the tension between the public and private realms, Chinese thinkers—from the various strands of legalist thought to the Confucian notion of “kingly governance”—have premised the division of power on the priority of preserving centralized power. In other words, diffusion of power has been premised on the idea of an already collectivized authority. Therefore, the power structure that defines Chinese culture has certainly not been the polycentric one that Pye implicitly values, but neither has it been the centralist, authoritarian structure that he abhors. Rather, it has been the Confucian model premised on the values of governance through ritual and moral virtue. Insights from cultural psychology help explain ethical governance—that is, rule by an ethical meritocracy—in Chinese society and culture.
The Muscidae (Diptera) of Armenia
Authors: PONT ADRIAN C.
Published: August 2018

A report is given on the Muscidae (Diptera) collected in Armenia during recent fieldwork. Locality data, Armenian distribution and general distribution are given for each species, including references to previously published records. 181 named species are listed, of which 93 are newly recorded from Armenia, and 15 are endemic (8%). Two new species are described: Thricops iliata sp. nov. and Phaonia gayaneae sp. nov.
Climate Dependence in Empirical Parameters of Subgrid-Scale Parameterizations using the Fluctuation–Dissipation Theorem
Authors: Pieroth Martin , Dolaptchiev Stamen I. , Zacharuk Matthias , Heppelmann Tobias , Gritsun Andrey , Achatz Ulrich
Published: August 2018

Many subgrid-scale (SGS) parameterizations in climate models contain empirical parameters and are thus data dependent. In particular, it is not guaranteed that the SGS parameterization still helps the model to produce the correct climate projection in the presence of an external perturbation (e.g., because of climate change). Therefore, a climate dependence of tuning parameters is proposed, using the fluctuation–dissipation theorem (FDT). The FDT provides an estimation of the changes in the statistics of a system, caused by a small external forcing. These estimations are then used to update the SGS parameterization. This procedure is tested for a toy atmosphere given by a quasigeostrophic three-layer model (QG3LM). We construct a low-order climate model for this toy atmosphere, based on a reduced number of its empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), equipped with either an empirical deterministic or an empirical stochastic SGS parameterization. External forcings are considered that are either a local anomalous heat source in the extratropics or a global dynamical forcing represented by individual EOF patterns. A quasi-Gaussian variant of the FDT is able to successfully update the SGS parameterization leading to an improvement in both amplitude and correlation between the low-order climate model and the QG3LM, in case of a perturbed system. The stochastic closure exhibits nearly no improvement compared to the deterministic parameterization. The application of a more sophisticated non-Gaussian FDT algorithm (i.e., the blended short-time/quasi-Gaussian FDT) yields only marginal improvement over the simple quasi-Gaussian FDT.
Characteristics of Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Fudeyasu Hironori , Ito Kosuke , Miyamoto Yoshiaki
Published: August 2018

This study statistically investigates the characteristics of tropical cyclones (TCs) undergoing rapid intensification (RI) in the western North Pacific in the 37 years from 1979 to 2015 and the relevant atmospheric and oceanic environments. Among 900 TCs, 201 TCs undergoing RI (RI-TCs) are detected by our definition as a wind speed increase of 30 kt (15.4 m s−1) or more in a 24-h period. RI-TCs potentially occur throughout the year, with low variation in RI-TC occurrence rate among the seasons. Conversely, the annual occurrence of RI-TC varies widely. In El Niño years, TCs tend to undergo RI mainly as a result of average locations at the time of tropical storm formation (TSF) being farther east and south, whereas TCs experience RI less frequently in La Niña years. The occurrence rates of RI-TC increased from the 1990s to the late 2000s. The RI onset time is typically 0–66 h after the TSF and the duration that satisfies the criteria of RI is 1–2 days. RI frequently occurs over the zonally elongated area around the eastern Philippine Sea. The development stage and life-span are longer in RI-TCs than in TCs that do not undergo RI. RI-TCs are small at the time of TSF and tend to develop as intense TCs as a result of environmental conditions favorable for TC development, weak vertical wind shear, high convective available potential energy, and tropical cyclone heat potential. The occurrence rates of RI-TCs that make landfall in Japan and the Philippines are higher than in China and Vietnam.
Implementation of a Geometrically Informed and Energetically Constrained Mesoscale Eddy Parameterization in an Ocean Circulation Model
Authors: Mak J. , Maddison J. R. , Marshall D. P. , Munday D. R.
Published: August 2018

The global stratification and circulation, as well as their sensitivities to changes in forcing, depend crucially on the representation of the mesoscale eddy field in a numerical ocean circulation model. Here, a geometrically informed and energetically constrained parameterization framework for mesoscale eddies—termed Geometry and Energetics of Ocean Mesoscale Eddies and Their Rectified Impact on Climate (GEOMETRIC)—is proposed and implemented in three-dimensional channel and sector models. The GEOMETRIC framework closes eddy buoyancy fluxes according to the standard Gent–McWilliams scheme but with the eddy transfer coefficient constrained by the depth-integrated eddy energy field, provided through a prognostic eddy energy budget evolving with the mean state. It is found that coarse-resolution models employing GEOMETRIC display broad agreement in the sensitivity of the circumpolar transport, meridional overturning circulation, and depth-integrated eddy energy pattern to surface wind stress as compared with analogous reference calculations at eddy-permitting resolutions. Notably, eddy saturation—the insensitivity of the time-mean circumpolar transport to changes in wind forcing—is found in the coarse-resolution sector model. In contrast, differences in the sensitivity of the depth-integrated eddy energy are found in model calculations in the channel experiments that vary the eddy energy dissipation, attributed to the simple prognostic eddy energy equation employed. Further improvements to the GEOMETRIC framework require a shift in focus from how to close for eddy buoyancy fluxes to the representation of eddy energetics.
Predicting Active Shooter Events: Are Regional Homogeneity, Intolerance, Dull Lives, and More Guns Enough Deterrence?
Authors: Duque Richard B. , LeBlanc E.J. , Rivera Robert
Published: August 2018

Based upon a secondary analysis of 2016 General Social Survey (GSS) data, this study identifies regional “Heterogeneity”, “Tolerance”, “Life is Exciting”, “Lack of Confidence in Institutions” and “Gun Ownership” effects related to the frequency of Active Shooter events, which occured in the United States between 2000 to 2016. For Education Active Shooters, regional homogeneity is related to more tragic events as is less gun ownership per capita. For Workplace Active Shooters, more gun ownership per capita is associated with more events as is regional diversity and tolerance. The findings support calls for arming schools in white, affluent neighborhoods as well as more aggressively profiling, arresting and convicting potential White perpetrators in order to reduce the risk of Education Active Shooters. Meanwhile, stronger gun control measures in diverse and tolerant regions might reduce the incidents of Workplace Active Shooter events. The findings also suggest that organizations should acquire digital “Human Analytics” platforms and programs that integrate internal member profiles, conflict incident reports and culture climate data along with relevant regional and national data like that analyzed in this paper to help alert them to their dynamic Active Shooter risk. Also, re-evaluating diversity training seminars and courses, which often cast teen and middle-aged, White males as historical “villains”, might help address the chronic strain this population experiences at school and at work. Finally, re-evaluating how disassociated White males are treated, as well as expelled/fired from school or work, might also help defuse the “popcorn effect”associated with these tragic events.
The readiness of various communities for the implementation of restorative justice in the community setting: A perspective of community organization
Authors: Mohammad Taufik
Published: August 2018

The method of community organization can be used to implement restorative justice within the community. This study aimed at understanding whether members from seven communities in Malaysia would assume responsibility for restorative justice initiatives, accept various elements of restorative justice, and welcome offenders back into the community. The findings are mixed. Some community members believed that the community setting may offer resources for offender rehabilitation that the criminal justice system does not have; others raised concerns over various limitations such that communities may not be equipped to deal with criminal cases.
Australia’s Refugee Policy
Authors: Minns John , Bradley Kieran , Chagas-Bastos Fabricio H.
Published: August 2018

The image of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi’s body, washed up on a Turkish beach is only the most visible face among the large number of tragic deaths resulting from the perilous journey of the world’s desperate to reach safety. Over the years, the arrival of asylum-seekers to Australia has been an issue of significant political contestation. In October 2015 former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott urged European leaders to follow Australia’s example and prevent the recent wave of Syrian refugees from crossing borders. Contrary to Abbott’s appeal, the ‘Australian Solution’ is a model neither Europe nor anyone else should follow. Australia’s refugee policies emerged not in response to the number of asylum-seeker arrivals, but rather as a political appeal to fear and segregation in order to scapegoat the Other. We outline Australia’s refugee policies over the previous two decades (1992–2015), discuss some of their negative consequences and the implications of the Australian model being adopted internationally. Finally, we propose alternative ways forward for both Australia and Europe.
Challenges to Tibetan Diasporic Institutions in India
Authors: Choedon Yeshi
Published: August 2018

The article starts with highlighting the peculiarity of Tibetan diaspora seeking not only personal safety but also the protection and preservation of their culture and religion when they sought refuge in South Asia in 1959. It then discusses how the Tibetan diaspora from South Asia disperse to distant countries and the variance of their interactions with political and social institutions under Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in India. The major focus of the article is to highlight the various societal and institutional challenges of the Tibetan diasporic community. It focuses on five major challenges such as confusion over goals of Tibetan freedom movement, the generation gap among three generations of Tibetan diasporas, unemployment among the Tibetan youth, the controversy over acquiring Indian citizenship and gender discrimination. It also discusses why and how Tibetan diasporas confronted with challenges of declining host countries’ support. It ends with highlighting the kinds of reforms that need to be carried out in the diasporic institutions and the community to take the Tibetan freedom movement forward and to facilitate the possibility of CTA and diasporic community holding their own in the changed international context of rising China.
Renegotiating Alternative Integration Model in the SAARC
Authors: Lama Mahendra P.
Published: August 2018

The regional cooperation process in South Asia had been triggered by failure of North–South Negotiations of the 1960s and 1970s; emergence of South–South Dialogues among the developing countries in the 1980s; urge to harnessing huge potentials of ‘region-ness’ and smaller countries’ bid to create regional platform to deflect and minimize their perceptions about Indian ‘hegemonic’ practices. Since the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was launched in 1985, 18 summit meetings have taken place and its declarations are perfect official documents. However, in achievement front, there is little to demonstrate. Nothing much has percolated down to societies and communities. Dismal commitments, protracted India–Pakistan imbroglios, principle of ‘unanimity’ and dearth of coordination among national and sectoral focal points have stunted its growth. Besides fear of Indian domination, severe institutional weaknesses, poor alignment of the SAARC issues with national priorities, absence of monitoring and evaluation and deficiency in acceptable and visionary regional leadership have added to its laggardness. Activities are just initiated as summit rituals. Model and existing mechanisms that have been used to develop SAARC itself have very strong limitations. Unless the regional partners rethink about the innovative model and pragmatic modalities, the SAARC would remain moribund and decrepit. In such an atmosphere, the extra-regional forces will inevitably emerge as another pole of attraction.
Energy Transition in India
Authors: Janardhanan Nandakumar
Published: August 2018

Energy transition is a strategic necessity for countries that are dependent on fossil fuel sources. Several factors demand this shift. First, the over-dependence on fossil fuels is one of the major reasons for the increasing energy-related emissions. Second, for the countries that are relying on overseas supply of fossil fuels, increasing import bill is a major economic burden. Third, the conventional hydrocarbon fuels, especially oil and gas resources, have been facing the various geopolitical vulnerabilities. The challenges that affect its production, transportation and supply lead to price volatility in the market, which directly affect the import-dependent economies. Transitioning to a mix of cleaner sources is critically important not only to reduce overseas dependency but also to curb energy-related emissions and vulnerability to price fluctuations. While geopolitical, economic and security reasons often termed as the major factors that catalyse the energy transition, concerns about climate change remain to be the cardinal element that drive the process in today’s world. This article examines the role of India’s climate change agenda as it takes the central stage in the energy transition process.
Inclusive unionism: Strategies for retaining idealism in the Service Employees International Union
Authors: Yu Kyoung-Hee
Published: August 2018

Despite the vast amount of scholarship covering the progressive turn in unions in the US and in Europe and a widespread recognition that it has been driven by the staff working for reformed unions there has been no examination of the causes, beliefs, and identities that new generations of staff bring into the labor movement. The question asked in this article is how personal projects – defined as a motivational narrative for social action – held by progressively minded union staff can impact inclusiveness in unions. A key focus is how staff's personal projects interact with organizational structures and practices. The study finds that personal projects vary in terms of the way that staff construct role boundaries in their jobs to invest more in certain roles than, others which also affected their investment in skills development. These strategies have theoretical implications for understanding the nexus between staff careers and organizational outcomes in unions in particular and in ‘social movement organizations’ more generally. Results also have practical implications for skills development and knowledge transfers within and across organizations, as well as for union capacities to deal with competing goals.
Development of multifunctional polyurethane elastomer composites containing fullerene: Mechanical, damping, thermal, and flammability behaviors
Authors: Kanbur Yasin , Tayfun Umit
Published: August 2018

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites filled with fullerene in the range from 0.5 wt% to 2 wt% were fabricated using melt-compounding. Fullerene addition levels up to nearly twofold increase in tensile strength, percent elongation, and modulus of TPU. The mechanical properties are improved as modified C60 content decreases. Fullerene loadings also enhance thermal stability of TPU. Glass transition temperature decreases by the inclusion of C60 into TPU matrix. Composites exhibited the improvement for storage modulus and vibration-damping behavior. The UL-94 rating and limiting oxygen index value of TPU are also extended to higher values after C60 loadings. Adjuvant effect is observed on fire performance in which pristine C60 inclusions and higher concentrations of C60 exhibit better fire performance. Additions of C60 give identical melt flow index values with that of TPU. Modified C60 particles disperse more homogeneously than pristine ones into TPU matrix because of the improvement in interfacial interactions between fullerene and polyurethane elastomer.
Improved detection of cerebrovascular disease processes: Introduction to the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism special issue on cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Donahue Manus J , Hendrikse Jeroen
Published: August 2018

Approximately 15 million individuals suffer a stroke worldwide each year, and stroke results in death or permanent disability in two-thirds of these individuals. Due to increased knowledge and management of modifiable risk factors, stroke incidence in developed countries is declining, however remains high at just under 1 million patients per year in the United States alone. Further improving management of patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) ultimately will require development and clinical adoption of sensitive markers of hemodynamic and metabolic failure, as well as trials that evaluate how to interpret these markers to optimize therapies. Realizing this goal and reducing the complete burden of CVD is dependent on an improved understanding of the pathophysiological processes that underlie CVD in all stages, including sub-clinical disease processes, acute stroke, and post-stroke recovery mechanisms. This document serves as an introduction to the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism special issue on cerebrovascular diseases, which is comprised of contributions from experts in each of the above stages of CVD, and outlines current standards for patient management and emerging directions that have potential for improving patient care over the next decade.
Pre-diagnosis consumption of preserved vegetables and prognosis of invasive oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a prospective cohort study in one high-risk area in China
Authors: Shi Feng , Yan Fengcai , Jin Mulan , Chang Hong , Zhou Quan , Zhao Lin , Hu Zhiping , Song Qingkun , Li Jun , He Yongming , Qu Chenxu
Published: August 2018

Objective

To investigate the prognostic effect of pre-diagnosis preserved vegetable consumption on oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Yanting County, China.

Methods

This prospective cohort study enrolled consecutive patients with ESCC. The pre-diagnosis diet consumption data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Preserved vegetable consumption was categorized into two groups: < 1/week and ≥1/week. Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis with a log-rank test and a Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis were undertaken to compare the two consumption groups.

Results

The study enrolled 185 patients (121 males and 64 females) with ESCC. Patients consuming preserved vegetables ≥1/week had a median survival time of 41 months, but patients consuming preserved vegetables <1/week did not achieve a median survival time. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for an intake of ≥1/week was 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01, 2.47). Among ‘ever smokers’, the HR increased to 2.04 (95% CI 1.10, 3.77) and among ‘ever alcohol drinkers’, the HR increased to 2.50 (95% CI 1.33, 4.73). Among ‘never smokers’ or ‘never alcohol drinkers’, no significant association was observed.

Conclusion

A high consumption of preserved vegetables was associated with a poorer prognosis among patients with ESCC.
Fall prevention knowledge and practice patterns among home healthcare professionals in southern Saudi Arabia: an observational study
Authors: Asiri Faisal , ALMohiza Mohammad A. , Faia Aseeri Mohammad , Mehtab Alam Mohammed , Ataalla Sabri M. , Alqahtani Mazen , Alshahrani Adel
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To determine the knowledge of falls risk factors among home healthcare (HHC) professionals and the practice patterns of HHC professionals regarding falls prevention.

Methods

A modified version of a survey designed and validated for use in home healthcare settings was distributed to HHC professionals for self-completion. Responses were collected and analysed using descriptive methods.

Results

Out of 80 surveys distributed to 23 HHC centres, 52 returned surveys were included for analyses (completed by physicians, physical therapists [PTs] and nurses). In terms of practice patterns, 82.7% of participants always asked older adults if they have a history of falls, 81% always identified falls risk factors, 73% documented risk factors for falling and 71% always provided interventions to address falls risk factors. Environmental hazards were the most common risk factor identified by HHC professionals. Approximately one quarter of nurses felt they had little knowledge of falls risk factors.

Conclusion

Over 70% of HHC professionals acknowledged the importance of falls, and over 80% of participants displayed knowledge of falls prevention factors. As HHC professionals most likely to encounter patients requiring intervention for falls prevention, physical therapists may benefit from training programmes to help identify important falls risk factors.
Vitamin D in acutely ill patients
Authors: Kostoglou-Athanassiou Ifigenia , Pantazi Eleni , Kontogiannis Sofoklis , Kousouris Dimitrios , Mavropoulos Iordanis , Athanassiou Panagiotis
Published: August 2018

Objective

To investigate 25(OH)D3 levels and their relationship to survival in a cohort of acutely ill patients on admission to an intensive care unit.

Methods

This study enrolled acutely ill patients at admission to an intensive care unit and a group of sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects. The 25(OH)D3 levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels were also measured using immunoassays.

Results

A total of 50 acutely ill patients and 50 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean ± SEM 25(OH)D3 levels were significantly lower in the acutely ill patients compared with the control group (11.74 ± 0.88 ng/ml versus 24.66 ± 1.60 ng/ml, respectively). The 25(OH)D3 levels were not related to survival. An inverse relationship was observed between 25(OH)D3 levels and C-reactive protein levels. A weak inverse relationship was also observed between 25(OH)D3 levels and procalcitonin levels.

Conclusions

The 25(OH)D3 levels were decreased in acutely ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit compared with healthy control subjects. 25(OH)D3 levels may be inversely related to C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels.
What’s in a name? ‘Refugees’, ‘migrants’ and the politics of labelling
Authors: Sajjad Tazreena
Published: August 2018

Through a critical examination of European immigration policy and using the case of Afghan asylum seekers in the European continent, this article argues that the politics of labelling and the criminalisation and securitisation of migration undermine the protection framework for the globally displaced. However, the issue goes deeper than state politicking to circumvent responsibilities under international law. The construction of migrants as victims at best, and as cultural and security threats at worst, particularly in the case of Muslim refugees, not only assists in their dehumanisation, it also legitimises actions taken against them through the perpetuation of a particular discourse on the European Self and the non-European Other. At one level, such a dynamic underscores the long-standing struggle of Europe to articulate its identity within the economic, demographic and cultural anxieties produced by the dynamics of globalisation. At another, these existing constructions, which hierarchise ‘worthiness’, are limited in their reflection of the complex realities that force people to seek refuge. Simultaneously, the labels, and the discourse of which they are part, make it possible for Europe to deny asylum claims and expedite deportations while being globally accepted as a human rights champion. This process also makes it possible for Europe to categorise turbulent contexts such as Afghanistan as a ‘safe country’, even at a time when the global refugee protection regime demands creative expansion. Ultimately, the politics of European migration policy illustrates the evolution of European Orientalist discourse – utilised in the past to legitimise colonisation and domination, now used to legitimise incarceration and deportation.
Worlding Cape Town by design: Encounters with creative cityness
Authors: Nkula-Wenz Laura
Published: August 2018

Considering the ongoing global proliferation of the urban ‘creativity fix’ and its inclination to further push local governments towards entrepreneurial governance logics and market-led development imperatives, there is a sustained need to understand how the creative city paradigm is being grounded, renegotiated and put into practice in so-called ‘Southern’ cities. To analyse Cape Town’s creative city trajectory and its eventual emergence as the ‘first African World Design Capital’ in 2014, this article brings together three strands of contemporary urban scholarship. First, it utilizes the notion of ‘worlding’ to foreground the complex and multi-scalar processes that shaped Cape Town’s ‘politics of becoming’ a creative city. Second, it draws on the related and growing body of work that engages with globally mobile urban policies, their modes of circulation, adoption and transformation in different socio-political and spatial contexts. Finally, in using this relational framework to analyse Cape Town’s creative-to-design city journey, it contributes to a ‘second wave’ of scholarship on creative city-making that focuses on understanding its heterogeneous manifestations and varied local effects – that is, the diverse and situated expressions of creative cityness in the broader context of a globalizing cultural political economy. Overall the article suggests that future research has much to gain from understanding the creative city paradigm as a powerful ‘worlding device’ that produces place-based responses, which are as much ambitious and aspirational as they are fragile and necessarily incomplete.
The Public Cost of Mental Health– and Addiction-Related Services for Youth (Ages 12-17) in Alberta
Authors: Jacobs Philip , Lesage Alain
Published: August 2018

Objective:

To measure the provincial government cost of mental health–related activities for youth ages 12 to 17 in Alberta in 2014 to 2015.

Methods:

The target population was Alberta youth ages 12 to 17 (the federal justice definition) who received or were funded for mental health–related or complementary services from Alberta Health Services, Alberta Health, Alberta Human Services, Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, and Alberta Education (public schools). Data on services and expenditures were obtained from each source for the target youth population.

Results:

Costs for mental health–related services for all ministries were $175 million for 27,169 youth who used mental health services as defined by Policy Wise, $6460 per youth. Public school special education supplements for youth with emotional problems was the largest group, amounting to 30% of all costs. Other prominent sources of expenditures were hospital inpatient mental health services (18%), community mental health services (11%), physician mental health services (10%), and secure services with treatment requiring judicial approval (9%).

Conclusion:

Economists in several countries have developed countrywide measures of mental health expenditures and have used these to generate national benchmarks for mental health spending. We have estimated spending for Alberta provincial mental health and addiction services for a distinct and highly vulnerable group. This measure can be used to develop measures and benchmarks for other provinces, which will be valuable policy indicators.
A Dyadic Study of Impacts of Sexual Assault Disclosure on Survivors’ Informal Support Relationships
Authors: O’Callaghan Erin , Lorenz Katherine , Ullman Sarah E. , Kirkner Anne
Published: August 2018

After a sexual assault, victims often disclose their assault to an informal support provider (SP) to receive social support. Ample research exists on social reactions of informal SPs to disclosure and how those reactions affect the victim both positively and negatively, but little research exists on how the disclosure impacts a survivor’s support relationships both in the short and in the long term. This qualitative interview study examined 45 ethnically diverse informal support dyads where women disclosed sexual assault to an informal SP (e.g., friend, family, significant other). Assault disclosure was examined to determine its impact on relationship quality of survivors and their SPs. Results revealed positive and negative effects on survivor–SP relationships of assault disclosure and social reactions. In almost all matched pairs (91%), the survivor, SP, or both remarked on how the relationship had changed following disclosure. Family member SPs spoke of survivors’ risk-taking and poor relationship choices. Significant others spoke of the toll of supporting survivors who sometimes left their needs unmet and strained their relationships with survivors. Friend SPs often appraised how the survivor engaged in other types of relationships, but overall felt that their relationships had become stronger or closer as a result of the disclosure. Implications of this study include acknowledging that informal supporters, particularly significant others, can experience adverse effects after disclosure, and that help is needed not only for survivors but also for their informal support sources. Future research should continue to investigate both the short-term and longitudinal impacts of sexual assault disclosure on survivors’ informal support relationships.
An Ecological Framework for Active Aging in China
Authors: Ko Pei-Chun , Yeung Wei-Jun Jean
Published: August 2018

Objectives: Against the background of emerging research interest in integrating Active Aging in long-term care policies, the study investigates the relationships between community environment and engagement in social activities (paid work, domestic care, participation in community and leisure activities) by older Chinese adults. Six indicators are derived from the economic, institutional, and sociodemographic environments of the communities under analysis. Method: The first wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) is used for empirical examinations. The sample includes respondents aged 50 years and above ( n = 6,290) from 307 communities. Random-intercept multilevel logistic models are employed. Results: Economic environment is positively linked to engagement in paid work and grandparental childcare, community activities, and leisure activities. However, the effects decreased after including the indicators for the institutional and sociodemographic environments. We found that older adults are more likely to engage in community activities and leisure activities in communities and with a higher percentage of migrant population. Discussion: To integrate Active Aging in the current long-term care policies in China, the study points out that residential community environment is crucial for older Chinese to enhance and sustain their involvement in family and communities before older adults rely on long-term care facilities. In particular, the relevance of institutional and sociodemographic environment provides policy makers to rethink about how to provide community-based long-term care.
Treatment of Sleep Disturbance May Reduce the Risk of Future Probable Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Burke Shanna L. , Hu Tianyan , Spadola Christine E. , Burgess Aaron , Li Tan , Cadet Tamara
Published: August 2018

Objective: This study explored two research questions: (a) Does sleep medication neutralize or provide a protective effect against the hazard of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? (b) Do apolipoprotein (APOE) e4 carriers reporting a sleep disturbance experience an increased risk of AD? Method: This study is a secondary analysis of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set ( n = 6,782) using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Sleep disturbance was significantly associated with eventual AD development. Among the subset of participants taking general sleep medications, no relationship between sleep disturbance and eventual AD was observed. Among individuals not taking sleep medications, the increased hazard between the two variables remained. Among APOE e4 carriers, sleep disturbance and AD were significant, except among those taking zolpidem. Discussion: Our findings support the emerging link between sleep disturbance and AD. Our findings also suggest a continued need to elucidate the mechanisms that offer protective factors against AD development.
Relationship between self-efficacy and HIV testing uptake among young men who have sex with men in Myanmar: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Pham Minh D , Aung Poe Poe , Agius Paul A , Pasricha Naanki , Oo Swai Mon , Tun Waimar , Bajracharya Ashish , Luchters Stanley
Published: August 2018

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected by the HIV epidemic. Self-efficacy is an important individual psychosocial factor associated with access to and use of health and HIV-related services. We estimated HIV testing prevalence and examined the relationship between HIV testing self-efficacy and self-reported HIV testing behavior among young MSM (YMSM) in Myanmar. We enrolled 585 MSM aged 18–24 years from six urban areas using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) technique. RDS analyses were performed to provide estimates for the key outcome of interest. More than a third (34.5%) had never been tested for HIV, whereas 27.5% and 38.0% had their most recent HIV test more than three months and within the past three months from the time of interview, respectively. Young MSM who reported high self-efficacy (adjusted relative risk ratio [ARR]=7.35, 95%CI = 2.29–23.5) and moderate self-efficacy (ARR = 8.61, 95%CI = 3.09–24.0) were more likely to report having tested for HIV in the past three months compared to their counterparts who reported low self-efficacy. Findings highlight a positive association between self-efficacy and HIV testing uptake, indicating a potential causal relationship. Further research is needed to examine the direction of this association and inform future public health interventions targeting YMSM in Myanmar.
Vitamin D in SLE: a role in pathogenesis and fatigue? A review of the literature
Authors: Nguyen MH , Bryant K , O'Neill SG
Published: August 2018

Fatigue is a common, disabling problem that is highly prevalent in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). More recently, vitamin D status has been established as a potential contributor to SLE pathogenesis and manifestations, in particular fatigue. This review summarizes the literature regarding the role of vitamin D in SLE, and provides an overview of the recent literature examining the association between vitamin D and fatigue in patients with SLE. Finally, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of SLE-related fatigue is considered.