bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Right Not to Be Left Alone – Utilising the Right to Private Life to Prevent Honour-related Violence
Authors: Grans Lisa
Published: July 2016

Honour-related violence is increasingly recognised as a human rights problem in a number of countries. However, the scope of State obligations to prevent such acts remains largely unexplored, with the exception of so-called honour killings. This article analyses other forms of honour-related violence from the perspective of the right to private life. It argues that a positive obligation to prevent honour-related violence arises under this right. The extent of the obligation is exemplified by demonstrating to which honour-related acts the right to private life is applicable and which measures authorities can be expected to take in order to prevent these acts.
Stochastic Parameterization: Toward a New View of Weather and Climate Models
Authors: Berner Judith , Achatz Ulrich , Batté Lauriane , Bengtsson Lisa , Cámara Alvaro de la , Christensen Hannah M. , Colangeli Matteo , Coleman Danielle R. B. , Crommelin Daan , Dolaptchiev Stamen I. , Franzke Christian L. E. , Friederichs Petra , Imkeller Peter , Järvinen Heikki , Juricke Stephan , Kitsios Vassili , Lott François , Lucarini Valerio , Mahajan Salil , Palmer Timothy N. , Penland Cécile , Sakradzija Mirjana , von Storch Jin-Song , Weisheimer Antje , Weniger Michael , Williams Paul D. , Yano Jun-Ichi
Published: July 2016

The last decade has seen the success of stochastic parameterizations in short-term, medium-range, and seasonal forecasts: operational weather centers now routinely use stochastic parameterization schemes to represent model inadequacy better and to improve the quantification of forecast uncertainty. Developed initially for numerical weather prediction, the inclusion of stochastic parameterizations not only provides better estimates of uncertainty, but it is also extremely promising for reducing long-standing climate biases and is relevant for determining the climate response to external forcing. This article highlights recent developments from different research groups that show that the stochastic representation of unresolved processes in the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and cryosphere of comprehensive weather and climate models 1) gives rise to more reliable probabilistic forecasts of weather and climate and 2) reduces systematic model bias. We make a case that the use of mathematically stringent methods for the derivation of stochastic dynamic equations will lead to substantial improvements in our ability to accurately simulate weather and climate at all scales. Recent work in mathematics, statistical mechanics, and turbulence is reviewed; its relevance for the climate problem is demonstrated; and future research directions are outlined.
Local and Remote Impacts of Aerosol Species on Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall in a GCM
Authors: Guo Liang , Turner Andrew G. , Highwood Eleanor J.
Published: July 2016

The HadGEM2 AGCM is used to determine the most important anthropogenic aerosols in the Indian monsoon using experiments in which observed trends in individual aerosol species are imposed. Sulfur dioxide (SD) emissions are shown to impact rainfall more strongly than black carbon (BC) aerosols, causing reduced rainfall especially over northern India. Significant perturbations due to BC are not noted until its emissions are scaled up in a sensitivity test, resulting in rainfall increases over northern India due to the elevated heat pump mechanism, enhancing convection during the premonsoon, and bringing forward the monsoon onset. Second, the impact of anthropogenic aerosols is compared to that of increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations and observed sea surface temperature (SST) warming. The tropospheric temperature gradient driving the monsoon shows weakening when forced by either SD or imposed SST trends. However, the observed SST trend is dominated by warming in the deep tropics; when the component of SST trend related to aerosol emissions is removed, further warming is found in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere that tends to offset monsoon weakening. This suggests caution is needed when using SST forcing as a proxy for greenhouse warming. Finally, aerosol emissions are decomposed into those from the Indian region and those elsewhere in pairs of experiments with SD and BC. Both local and remote aerosol emissions are found to lead to rainfall changes over India; for SD, remote aerosols contribute around 75% of the rainfall decrease over India, while for BC the remote forcing is even more dominant.
Reflection of Linear Internal Tides from Realistic Topography: The Tasman Continental Slope
Authors: Klymak Jody M. , Simmons Harper L. , Braznikov Dmitry , Kelly Samuel , MacKinnon Jennifer A. , Alford Matthew H. , Pinkel Robert , Nash Jonathan D.
Published: July 2016

The reflection of a low-mode internal tide on the Tasman continental slope is investigated using simulations of realistic and simplified topographies. The slope is supercritical to the internal tide, which should predict a large fraction of the energy reflected. However, the response to the slope is complicated by a number of factors: the incoming beam is confined laterally, it impacts the slope at an angle, there is a roughly cylindrical rise directly offshore of the slope, and a leaky slope-mode wave is excited. These effects are isolated in simulations that simplify the topography. To separate the incident from the reflected signal, a response without the reflector is subtracted from the total response to arrive at a reflected signal. The real slope reflects approximately 65% of the mode-1 internal tide as mode 1, less than two-dimensional linear calculations predict, because of the three-dimensional concavity of the topography. It is also less than recent glider estimates, likely as a result of along-slope inhomogeneity. The inhomogeneity of the response comes from the Tasman Rise that diffracts the incoming tidal beam into two beams: one focused along beam and one diffracted to the north. Along-slope inhomogeneity is enhanced by a partially trapped, superinertial slope wave that propagates along the continental slope, locally removing energy from the deep-water internal tide and reradiating it into the deep water farther north. This wave is present even in a simplified, straight slope topography; its character can be predicted from linear resonance theory, and it represents up to 30% of the local energy budget.
The Non-consensus Entrepreneur
Authors: Pontikes Elizabeth G. , Barnett William P.
Published: July 2016

Salient successes and failures, such as spectacular venture capital investments or agonizing bankruptcies, affect collective beliefs about the viability of particular markets. Using data on software start-ups from 1990 to 2002, we show that collective sense-making in the wake of such vital events can result in consensus behavior among entrepreneurs. Market search is a critical part of the entrepreneurial process, as entrepreneurs frequently enter new markets to find high-growth areas. When spectacular financings result in a collective overstatement of the attractiveness of a market, a consensus emerges that the market is resource-rich, and the path is cleared for many entries, including those that do not have a clear fit. When notorious failures render a market unpopular, only the most viable entrants will overcome exaggerated skepticism and enter, taking the non-consensus route. Venture capitalists likewise exhibit herding behavior, following other VCs into hot markets. We theorize that vital events effectively change the selection threshold for market entries, which changes the average viability of new entrants. We find that consensus entrants are less viable, while non-consensus entrants are more likely to prosper. Non-consensus entrepreneurs who buck the trends are most likely to stay in the market, receive funding, and ultimately go public.
The Role of Serum Bilirubin Levels in Predicting Troponin Positivity in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Ozturk Mustafa , Askın Lutfu , Ipek Emrah , Demirelli Selami , Turan Oguzhan Ekrem , Yıldırım Erkan , Ermis Emrah , Kalkan Kamuran , Delice Orhan
Published: July 2016

Data are scant regarding serum bilirubin levels in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). In this study, we evaluated the role of serum bilirubin levels in NSTE-ACS. We enrolled 782 patients who presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the troponin positivity. Patients with NSTE-ACS who had troponin positivity were included in group 1 (n = 382), and group 2 consisted of the control patients (n = 400). Direct bilirubin (DB) levels (group 1: 0.31 ± 0.37 mg/dL, group 2: 0.20 ± 0.25 mg/dL, P < .001) and total bilirubin (TB) levels (group 1: 0.78 ± 0.56 mg/dL, group 2: 0.62 ± 0.45 mg/dL, P < .001) were significantly higher in group 1. There was a significant and moderate correlation between serum bilirubin levels and admission troponin values ( r = .34, P < .001 for TB and r = .42, P < .001 for DB). These results show that serum bilirubin levels were associated with troponin positivity in patients with NSTE-ACS.
The Business Case for Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Barnett Michael L.
Published: July 2016

Do firms benefit from their voluntary efforts to alleviate the many problems confronting society? A vast literature establishing a “business case” for corporate social responsibility (CSR) appears to find that usually they do. However, as argued herein, the business case literature has established only that firms usually benefit from responding to the demands of their primary stakeholders. The nature of the relationship between the interests of business and those of broader society, beyond a subset of powerful primary stakeholders, remains an open question despite this vast literature. This article develops a set of propositions that highlight constraints on firms’ ability to profit from CSR and outlines a set of managerial challenges on which researchers must focus their attention to truly determine whether and when firms can profit by responding to the needs of society.
The Lived Environment Life Quality Model for institutionalized people with dementia
Authors: Wood Wendy , Lampe Jenna L. , Logan Christina A. , Metcalfe Amy R. , Hoesly Beth E.
Published: July 2016

Background.

There is a need for a conceptual practice model that explicates ecological complexities involved in using occupation to optimize the quality of life of institutionalized people with dementia.

Purpose.

This study aimed to prepare the Lived Environment Life Quality Model, a dementia-specific conceptual practice model of occupational therapy in institutional facilities, for publication and application to practice.

Method.

Interviews and focus groups with six expert occupational therapists were subjected to qualitative content analysis to confirm, disconfirm, and further develop the model.

Findings.

The model’s lived-environment domain as the focus of assessment and intervention was extensively confirmed, and its quality-of-life domain as the focus of intervention goals and outcomes was both confirmed and further developed.

Implications.

As confirmed in this study, the Lived Environment Life Quality Model is a client-centred, ecologically valid, and occupation-focused guide to optimizing quality of life of institutionalized adults with dementia in present moments and progressively over time.
Investigation on the synergistic effect of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and polyethylene-grafted glycidylmethacrylate on the properties of high-density polyethylene/poplar wood flour composites and their synergistic mechanism
Authors: Ding Yunsheng , Ni Guozhang , Xu Pei , Ali Bahader , Yang Shanzhong
Published: July 2016

Wood–plastic composites were prepared from poplar wood flour and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) by melt blending and injection molding techniques, using polyethylene-grafted glycidylmethacrylate (HDPE- g-GMA) as compatibilizer and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as coupling agent. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that a stronger interfacial adhesion was formed between the wood flour and HDPE matrices during the combined use of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and HDPE- g-GMA, while the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that more HDPE chains are linked to the surface of poplar wood flour through the formation of chemical bonding in the presence of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and HDPE- g-GMA. So, HDPE- g-GMA and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane showed a synergistic effect on the improvement of compatibility between the poplar wood flour and HDPE matrices and better mechanical properties of wood–plastic composites could be obtained. Furthermore, the thermogravimetric analysis results also indicated the synergistic effects to some extent. The synergistic mechanism of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and HDPE- g-GMA was proposed on the basis of investigation results.
Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates Homeostasis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Yang R. , Liu Y. , Shi S.
Published: July 2016

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has long been known as a toxic gas. However, recently accumulated evidence suggests that H2S contributes to a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes. Endogenous H2S production is regulated by multiple enzymes that are differentially expressed in the cardiovascular, neuronal, immune, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, liver, and endocrine systems. Alteration of H2S metabolism may affect multiple signaling pathways and tissue homeostasis. The growing number of diverse targets for which H2S serves as a gasotransmitter has been extensively reviewed elsewhere. In this review, the authors discuss current emerging evidence that H2S regulates mesenchymal stem cell and T-cell functions.
Comment on Wakebe et al. (2015)
Authors: Megalakaki Olga
Published: July 2016

A prior study by Wakebe, Hidaka, and Watamura, exploring the role of processing demands in analogical reasoning, showed that presenting a target problem in a foreign language decreases analogical problem-solving ability in a resource-independent manner. The present commentary, however, describes several factors that can affect the ability to draw analogies precisely by reducing processing resources, including working memory, executive functions, and relational knowledge. In future studies, it would therefore be interesting to ascertain whether the observed differences are due solely to the presentation of the target problem in a foreign language or also to the aforementioned factors.
The Influence of Career Stage on Police Officer Work Behavior
Authors: Johnson Richard R. , Lafrance Casey
Published: July 2016

Career stage theory suggested that workers progress through career stages, each marked by unique work attitudes. Little evidence exists, however, about the influence career stages have on the work activities of criminal justice agents. Using a sample of 401 police officers from 23 individual police departments, the present study examined the influence of employee career stage on three measures of work productivity, and the constructs of expectancy motivation theory. The results revealed curvilinear declines in productivity with progression through the career stages. The predictive values of opportunity, ability, and instrumentality on work activities varied with career stage and type of work output. Only performance-reward expectancy retained predictive value across all career stages and outputs. The findings emphasize the importance of intrinsic and informal extrinsic rewards for the management of experienced criminal justice agents.
The Effects of Transfer Laws on Youth With Sexual or Robbery Offenses
Authors: Rinehart Jenny K. , Armstrong Kevin S. , Shields Ryan T. , Letourneau Elizabeth J.
Published: July 2016

This study examines the effects of juvenile transfer laws on youth charged with sex offenses and youth charged with robbery offenses. Using matched samples of youth charged in South Carolina between 1990 and 2001, we examined the effects of transfer on adjudication, incarceration, and recidivism. For youth charged with sex offenses, there were no significant effects of transfer on adjudication or incarceration. Transferred youth were more than 4 times as likely to be convicted of a new person offense as youth adjudicated in juvenile court. For youth charged with robbery offenses, transferred youth were less likely to be adjudicated, but when adjudicated, they were more likely to be incarcerated than those processed as juveniles. Transferred youth were also less likely to be arrested for or convicted of new nonperson offenses and less likely to be arrested for any new offenses. Implications for juvenile transfer policy and future research are discussed.
People Use Psychological Cues to Detect Physical Disease From Faces
Authors: Tskhay Konstantin O. , Wilson John Paul , Rule Nicholas O.
Published: July 2016

Previous theoretical work has suggested that people can accurately perceive disease from others’ appearances and behaviors. However, much of that research has examined diseases with relatively obvious symptoms (e.g., scars, obesity, blemishes, sneezing). Here, we examined whether people similarly detect diseases that do not exhibit such visible physical cues (i.e., sexually transmitted diseases). We found that people could indeed identify individuals infected with sexually transmitted diseases significantly better than chance from photos of their faces. Perceptions of the targets’ affective expression and socioeconomic status mediated participants’ accuracy. Finally, increasing participants’ contamination fears improved their sensitivity to disease cues. These data therefore suggest that people may use subtle and indirect psychological markers to detect some physical diseases from appearance.
Mutual-Fund-Affiliated Analysts and Stock Price Synchronicity: Evidence From China
Authors: Jiang Xuanyu , Xu Nianhang , Yuan Qingbo , Chan Kam C.
Published: July 2016

We contend that mutual-fund-affiliated analysts have conflicts of interest in their role of information production. Similar to the investment-bank-affiliated analysts (Malmendier & Shanthikumar, 2014), mutual-fund-affiliated analysts are very likely to speak in two tongues, issuing optimism-biased recommendations to please their mutual fund clients due to the clients’ holdings of the stocks but less optimistic forecasts for their covered firms to provide firm-specific information for mutual funds. The net effect of these mutual-fund-affiliated analysts’ conflicting actions is not clear. We use a unique Chinese dataset that discloses the business affiliations between mutual funds and brokerage firms through commission allocations to examine whether mutual-fund-affiliated analysts produce more (or less) firm-specific information in their research compared with non-affiliated analysts. Our results indicate that mutual-fund-affiliated analysts produce more firm-specific information, manifested by lower stock price synchronicity for the firms they cover. We further find that the mutual-fund-affiliated analyst effects are more pronounced for stocks that represent significant exposure to an affiliated mutual fund’s investment, where mutual funds presumably need more firm-specific information to make investment decisions. Finally, we document that mutual-fund-affiliated analysts conduct more site visits on the stocks held by their mutual fund clients, which explains the greater information dissemination by mutual-fund-affiliated analysts.
Third-Party Certifications as an Organizational Performance Liability
Authors: Desai Vinit M.
Published: July 2016

Third-party accreditations and certifications can provide legitimacy or signal trustworthiness about an organization and its products or services, and with very little exception, the vast majority of research on these labels focuses on their benefits. Yet the value of becoming accredited may change dramatically over time. Little research, if any, has examined the processes through which this occurs. Here, I develop theory about three mechanisms that could each tarnish the value of accreditation and reduce its performance impact. First, “quality patching” occurs when organizations are penalized if they seek accreditation shortly after problems occur, as observers believe such pursuits reflect superficial impression-management efforts. Second, “legitimacy dilution” occurs when the value of third-party accreditations becomes diluted as third parties certify more and more businesses. Finally, “stigma transfer” occurs when a newly accredited organization experiences spillover from quality problems at other accredited organizations. Empirical tests provide support for quality patching and legitimacy dilution but not for stigma transfer. Results suggest that organizations gaining new accreditations under some circumstances may benefit much less than organizations that gain those same accreditations under different circumstances.
Gramsci and Foucault in Central Park: Environmental hegemonies, pedagogical spaces and integral state formations
Authors: Sevilla-Buitrago Alvaro
Published: July 2016

Gramsci’s and Foucault’s readings of power provide critical illuminations for understanding the linkage of state formations to urbanization and the spatial production of subjectivity. This article uses Central Park to illustrate how a combination of their insights helps to elucidate the emergence of pedagogical spaces and environmental hegemonies. I first propose a conceptual framework drawing on diverse parallels and tensions in Gramsci’s Quaderni del carcere and Foucault’s investigations in the 1970s, reassessed here from the vantage point of the implicit debate with Marxism in La société punitive. Urbanization and the built environment are theorized as material apparatuses of a form of capillary power that reconfigures the relations between state, civil society and individual subjects, striving to forge common senses of space that buttress political hegemony. This analytical toolkit is then applied in a political reappraisal of Central Park, exploring the role of design in the pedagogy of subaltern spatialities and the normalization of a consensual regime of publicity. The discussion pays special attention to the park’s assemblage of liberal and disciplinary spatial techniques, its connection to broader agencies beyond core state apparatuses, and their effect on the advent of an integral state formation.
Measuring the homogeneity of urban fabric using 2D geometry data
Authors: Hijazi Ihab , Li Xin , Koenig Reinhard , Schmit Gerhard , El Meouche Rani , Lv Zhihan , Abune’meh Mohammed
Published: July 2016

To preserve the urban fabric or characteristics in specific quarters, there is often a need to either strengthen or lessen the homogeneity of the urban fabric when inserting new buildings. Evaluating the form of urban fabric is fundamentally important for urban design practice and relevant policy making. However, the quantitative methods and attempts are rare due to the lack of available methods. To address this deficiency, this article presents a GIS-based method to measure the homogeneity of urban fabric by extracting attributes directly from the geometry of 2D building footprints, including the angles between buildings, areas of building footprints, and distances between buildings. These attributes are calculated for separate overlaid grids in the open space between buildings, where each grid holds the measured values for one attribute. We test the method on a prototype, which we applied on four real sites using OpenStreetMap data. The results show how to categorize different kinds of urban fabric based on the new measure of homogeneity. The method can be used to interactively inform urban planners how new design proposals would affect the homogeneity of a neighborhood. Furthermore, the measure can be used to synthesize new design variants with a defined homogeneity.
The association between sensory processing styles and mindfulness
Authors: Hebert Karen R
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Mindfulness is associated with psychological wellbeing and quality of life. The focus on body awareness in definitions of mindfulness suggests that an individual’s sensory processing pattern may influence mindfulness abilities. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the relationship between sensory processing styles and multiple aspects of mindfulness including components of attention, awareness, and acceptance in healthy adults.

Method

151 participants, aged 18 to 60 (mean 25.24 ± 8.8), completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, mindful attention and awareness scale, and cognitive and affective mindfulness scale.

Findings

Aspects of mindfulness associated with attention and awareness were significantly negatively related to sensory processing patterns associated with passive behavioral strategies (low registration and sensory sensitivity).

Conclusion

Individuals whose sensory processing patterns are characterized by poor awareness experience more mind wandering and distraction in daily life. Occupational therapists should consider mindfulness techniques when treating individuals with sensory processing disorders. In addition, information about sensory processing styles should be incorporated into relaxation and mindfulness-based interventions.
Extending beyond ‘world cities’ in World City Network (WCN) research: Urban positionality and economic linkages through the Australia-based corporate network
Authors: Sigler Thomas J , Martinus Kirsten
Published: July 2016

Defining the role of cities within economic networks has been a key theoretical challenge, particularly as nuanced understandings of positionality are increasingly championed over hierarchical notions of influence or power in the World City Network (WCN). This paper applies social network analysis (SNA) to identify the critical role that a wide range of cities plays in the Australian economic system. Drawing upon the set of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed firms, four distinct sub-networks are compared against the overall urban network. Each of the materials, energy, industrials, and financials sector sub-networks are found to have unique configurations of inter-urban relations, which are articulated through institutional and industry-specific factors, grounded in diverse histories and path-dependent trajectories. This analysis applies five different centrality measures to understand how positionality within the overall network and respective sub-networks might better inform policymakers formulating ‘globalizing’ urban policy. This addresses the long-standing theoretical debate regarding territorially articulated hierarchies of urban/corporate power, extricating WCN research from the core-periphery assumptions tied to its world-systems theory lineage. Understanding how, rather than if, cities are global provides contextual knowledge about how cities are situated within broader circuits of production, and the exogenous relations that shape urban economies around the world, providing a framework for research in other global contexts.
Diagnosis of primary headache in children younger than 6 years: A clinical challenge
Authors: Torriero Roberto , Capuano Alessandro , Mariani Rosanna , Frusciante Roberto , Tarantino Samuela , Papetti Laura , Vigevano Federico , Valeriani Massimiliano
Published: July 2016

Background

Criteria defined by the International headache Society are commonly used for the diagnosis of the different headache types in both adults and children. However, some authors have stressed some limits of these criteria when applied to preschool age.

Objective

Our study aimed to describe the characteristics of primary headaches in children younger than 6 years and investigate how often the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria allow a definitive diagnosis.

Methods

This retrospective study analysed the clinical feature of 368 children younger than 6 years with primary headache.

Results

We found that in our patients the percentage of undefined diagnosis was high when either the ICHD-II or the ICHD-III criteria were used. More than 70% of our children showed a duration of their attacks shorter than 1 hour. The absence of photophobia/phonophobia and nausea/vomiting significantly correlate with tension-type headache (TTH) and probable TTH. The number of first-degree relatives with migraine was positively correlated to the diagnosis of migraine in the patients ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study showed that the ICHD-III criteria are difficult to use in children younger than 6 years. The problem is not solved by the reduction of the lowest duration limit for the diagnosis of migraine to 1 hour, as was done in the ICHD-II.
Morphologic Characteristics and Strength of the Hamstring Muscles Remain Altered at 2 Years After Use of a Hamstring Tendon Graft in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Konrath Jason M. , Vertullo Christopher J. , Kennedy Ben A. , Bush Hamish S. , Barrett Rod S. , Lloyd David G.
Published: July 2016

Background:

The hamstring tendon graft used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been shown to lead to changes to the semitendinosus and gracilis musculature.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that (1) loss of donor muscle size would significantly correlate with knee muscle strength deficits, (2) loss of donor muscle size would be greater for muscles that do not experience tendon regeneration, and (3) morphological adaptations would also be evident in nondonor knee muscles.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Twenty participants (14 men and 6 women, mean age 29 ± 7 years, mean body mass 82 ± 15 kg) who had undergone an ACL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon graft at least 2 years previously underwent bilateral magnetic resonance imaging and subsequent strength testing. Muscle and tendon volumes, peak cross-sectional areas (CSAs), and lengths were determined for 12 muscles and 6 functional muscle groups of the surgical and contralateral limbs. Peak isokinetic concentric strength was measured in knee flexion/extension and internal/external tibial rotation.

Results:

Only 35% of the patients showed regeneration of both the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. The regenerated tendons were longer with larger volume and CSA compared with the contralateral side. Deficits in semitendinosus and gracilis muscle size were greater for muscles in which tendons did not regenerate. In addition, combined hamstring muscles (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris) and combined medial knee muscles (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, gracilis, vastus medialis, medial gastrocnemius, and sartorius) on the surgical side were reduced in volume by 12% and 10%, respectively. A 7% larger volume was observed in the surgical limb for the biceps femoris muscle and corresponded with a lower internal/external tibial rotation strength ratio. The difference in volume, peak CSA, and length of the semitendinosus and gracilis correlated significantly with the deficit in knee flexion strength, with Pearson correlations of 0.51, 0.57, and 0.61, respectively.

Conclusion:

The muscle-tendon properties of the semitendinosus and gracilis are substantially altered after harvesting, and these alterations may contribute to knee flexor weakness in the surgical limb. These deficits are more pronounced in knees with tendons that do not regenerate and are only partially offset by compensatory hypertrophy of other hamstring muscles.
Power, territory, and interstate conflict
Authors: Bell Sam R.
Published: July 2016

This paper examines how territorial claims between states condition the effect of power on interstate conflict. I argue that when the weaker state in a dyad controls a piece of contested territory, increases in power for the state that does not hold the territory lead to increases in the probability of conflict initiation. This has important implications for our understanding of the role that territorial claims play in conflict processes and attempts at conflict management, and provides support for the theoretical claim that the relationship between power and conflict is conditioned by the distribution of benefits.
Non-invasive assessment of human multifidus muscle stiffness using ultrasound shear wave elastography: A feasibility study
Authors: Moreau Baptiste , Vergari Claudio , Gad Hisham , Sandoz Baptiste , Skalli Wafa , Laporte Sébastien
Published: July 2016

There is a lack of numeric data for the mechanical characterization of spine muscles, especially in vivo data. The multifidus muscle is a major muscle for the stabilization of the spine and may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic low back pain (LBP). Supersonic shear wave elastography (SWE) has not yet been used on back muscles. The purpose of this prospective study is to assess the feasibility of ultrasound SWE to measure the elastic modulus of lumbar multifidus muscle in a passive stretching posture and at rest with a repeatable and reproducible method. A total of 10 asymptotic subjects (aged 25.5 ± 2.2 years) participated, 4 females and 6 males. Three operators performed 6 measurements for each of the 2 postures on the right multifidus muscle at vertebral levels L2-L3 and L4-L5. Repeatability and reproducibility have been assessed according to ISO 5725 standard. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for intra- and inter-observer reliability were rated as both excellent [ICC=0.99 and ICC=0.95, respectively]. Reproducibility was 11% at L2-L3 level and 19% at L4-L5. In the passive stretching posture, shear modulus was significantly higher than at rest ( µ < 0.05). This preliminary work enabled to validate the feasibility of measuring the shear modulus of the multifidus muscle with SWE. This kind of measurement could be easily introduces into clinical routine like for the medical follow-up of chronic LBP or scoliosis treatments.
Genetic selection pressure in TLR9 gene may enforce risk for SLE in Indian Tamils
Authors: Yusuf J H , Kaliyaperumal D , Jayaraman M , Ramanathan G , Devaraju P
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Lupus is a classical systemic autoimmune disease with genetics as one of the well known causative factors for the disease pathogenesis. Toll-like receptors are the major pattern recognition receptors associated with innate immunity and also act as an interface with the adaptive immunity. Genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding TLRs were implicated in the development of infections, malignancies and autoimmune diseases. TLR9 is a member of TLR family, and recognizes the CpG DNA motifs of pathogens. Though the incidence rate of lupus in Asians was reported to be low (30 − 50/100,000 population), poor disease prognosis due to higher incidence of renal complications and aggressive disease worsens the scenario. The ability of TLR9 to detect and elicit an immune response against double-stranded DNA makes TLR9 a relevant factor to be tested for its association with the clinical and serological phenotypes of lupus. However, lack of relevant genetic data on normative frequencies of the TLR9 (rs187084) polymorphism may serve as a constraint to derive the sample size to conduct case control association studies. Hence this study was conducted to establish the normative frequency of TLR9 (rs187084) polymorphism in Indian Tamils.

Materials and methods

The TLR9 (rs187084) polymorphism was screened in South Indian Tamils ( n = 208) by PCR-RFLP.

Results and discussion

We observed a higher occurrence of the mutant allele (65%) in South Indian Tamils. No gender disparity with respect to the mutant allele frequency was observed. The higher incidence of mutant allele in both genders suggests that this population had undergone a genetic selection pressure as an evolutionary genetic measure to withstand the prevailing endemic infections like TB and malaria. Though the enhanced expression of TLR9 was protective against infections, it may also influence the development of autoimmune diseases.

Conclusion

The higher incidence of theTLR9 (rs187084) over-expression mutation in Indian Tamils is suggestive of a genetic adaptation or selection pressure to withstand the prevailing endemic infectious and parasitic diseases. However, this genetic adaptation poses a greater risk to develop autoimmune diseases like SLE etc through complex gene environment interactions. The normative frequency of the TLR9 (rs187084) polymorphism established in our population could now be used to define the sample size for future case control studies.
Opportunities for cultural consumption: How is cultural participation in Switzerland shaped by regional cultural infrastructure?
Authors: Rössel Jörg , Weingartner Sebastian
Published: July 2016

Research on cultural consumption has focused either on socio-structural determinants or individual motives of cultural consumption. To better explain cultural consumption, we wish to more closely illuminate the role the supply side plays. We derive the role of the supply structure from a rather simple decision theoretical model of cultural demand. In our empirical investigation, we examine the impact of regional supply on the level of cultural consumption of both high and popular culture in Switzerland. We deploy two analytic strategies. First, applying multilevel analysis, we examine what influence the availability of cultural attractions in individual cantons has on cultural participation. Additionally, a quasi-experiment was used to determine whether the construction of a new cultural institution led to a systematic change in cultural behavior. Our main finding is that the availability of cultural attractions does contribute to explain cultural consumption. Nevertheless, individual socio-structural determinants remain, overall, of greater importance.
De Novo CD5-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Úbeda Romero Alfonso , Santonja Carlos , Blanco García Antonio , Requena Luis , Rodríguez Pinilla Socorro María
Published: July 2016

De novo CD5-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents 10% of DLBCLs and is frequently associated with an aggressive clinical course and poor response to chemotherapy. We report a case of an 84-year old man who presented with cutaneous lesions, malaise, and B-symptoms. A skin biopsy revealed neoplastic cells within the lumen of dermal vessels. The patient deteriorated rapidly and died. On postmortem examination, lymphadenopathy with diffuse effacement of lymph node architecture, widespread intravascular neoplastic cells in the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal glands, testes, and kidneys; and rare, isolated neoplastic cells within vessels of liver and central nervous system were noted. Intravascular or intrasinusoidal invasion has been previously reported in earlier series of de novo CD5-positive DLBCL, but is not a widely recognized phenomenon, and requires differentiation from other lymphomas sharing this histopathologic feature.
Solid-Pattern Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor
Authors: Ali Ahmed , Mohamed Mustafa , Chisholm Julia , Thway Khin
Published: July 2016

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an aggressive small round cell sarcoma that typically occurs intra-abdominally in adolescents and young adults, and is characterized by a recurrent t(11;22)(p13;q12) translocation leading to generation of the EWSR1-WT1 fusion gene, which codes for a chimeric protein with transcriptional regulatory activity. DSRCT has a characteristic histologic appearance of nests of uniform small cells within prominent fibroblastic stroma and immunohistochemically it shows multidirectional differentiation, with expression of epithelial, neural, and muscle markers. We illustrate a case of DSRCT that presented as a large intra-abdominal mass, which harbored EWSR1 rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization and EWSR1-WT1 fusion transcripts by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and which histologically had an entirely solid morphology, lacking evidence of desmoplastic stroma. This purely solid variant emphasizes that even when occurring at a typical location, DSRCT may be difficult to recognize when lacking nonclassical morphology. This is of clinical relevance, as DSRCT with this pattern could be misdiagnosed as Ewing sarcoma if RT-PCR is not performed, with resulting prognostic and therapeutic implications.
The Research Vignette
Authors: Langer Phil C.
Published: July 2016

The adequate presentation of empirical research findings poses an essential, yet often neglected challenge in qualitative methodology. This article contributes to the debate by proposing the research vignette as a mediating position between conventional and experimental forms of writing. On the basis of an illustrating example from an interview study on the psychosocial dynamics of HIV-related sexual risk behavior of gay men in Germany, the methodological foundations of the research vignette are outlined and practical applications for qualitative research are discussed. The research vignette provides the opportunity to conduct a psychoanalytically informed interpretation in which the presentation of findings is woven into a critical reflection of the interaction dynamic in the research encounter and substantiating theoretical considerations.
Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Kuehner Angela , Ploder Andrea , Langer Phil C.
Published: July 2016

This special issue is devoted to reflexivity as an epistemic tool in qualitative research. We suggest a distinction between epistemically weak and epistemically strong reflexivity and present examples for strongly reflexive research from the German-speaking countries and the United Kingdom. The issue pursues three major goals: First, it provides a vocabulary to deepen the discussion about the epistemic dimensions of reflexivity. Second, it intervenes in hegemonic discourses on the “threat of subjectivity” and shows that approaches often perceived as “more subjective” and therefore less valid use, in fact, an epistemically stronger concept of reflexivity. Third, it offers insight into some innovative areas of strongly reflexive research in Europe. A comparison of these methodologies shows that the use of reflexivity as an epistemic tool is compatible with a wide range of approaches.
Assessing Impairment in Childhood ADHD: Validation of the Parent and Teacher ADHD-FX Rating Scale in a Dual-Site Clinical Sample
Authors: Haack Lauren Marie , Gonring Kelsey , Harris Michael , Gerdes Alyson , Pfiffner Linda
Published: July 2016

Objective: The current study sought to establish psychometric properties of the ADHD-FX (a culturally sensitive measure designed to assess functional impairment related to ADHD) in a dual-site clinical sample. Method: We analyzed patient charts of 67 children (47 boys and 20 girls, ages 5 to 15 years) receiving comprehensive assessments from two university-based ADHD clinics. Results: The parent and teacher ADHD-FX rating scales demonstrated good psychometric properties via adequate reliability (Cronbach’s α > .70), convergent construct validity (significant correlations with majority of theoretically related measures), and divergent construct validity (insignificant correlations with majority of theoretically unrelated measures). Conclusion: Results extend upon previously published psychometric analyses to suggest that the ADHD-FX is a reliable and valid measure for parents and teachers to assess functional impairment related to ADHD (i.e., difficulties with academic achievement, social competence, and familial relationships) in community and clinical populations. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) for Assessing Cerebral Cortex Function During Human Behavior in Natural/Social Situations: A Concise Review
Authors: Quaresima Valentina , Ferrari Marco
Published: July 2016

Upon adequate stimulation, real-time maps of cortical hemodynamic responses can be obtained by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which noninvasively measures changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin after positioning multiple sources and detectors over the human scalp. This review is aimed at giving a concise and simple overview of the basic principles of fNIRS including features, strengths, advantages, limitations, and utility for evaluating human behavior. The transportable/wireless commercially available fNIRS systems have a time resolution of 1 to 10 Hz, a depth sensitivity of about 1.5 cm, and a spatial resolution up to 1 cm. fNIRS has been found suitable for many applications on human beings, either adults or infants/children, in the field of social sciences, neuroimaging basic research, and medicine. Some examples of present and future prospects of fNIRS for assessing cerebral cortex function during human behavior in different situations (in natural and social situations) will be provided. Moreover, the most recent fNIRS studies for investigating interpersonal interactions by adopting the hyperscanning approach, which consists of the measurement of brain activity simultaneously on two or more people, will be reported.
Usefulness of acute phase proteins in differentiating between feline infectious peritonitis and other diseases in cats with body cavity effusions
Authors: Hazuchova Katarina , Held Susanne , Neiger Reto
Published: July 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the measurement of acute phase proteins (APPs) as a diagnostic tool to differentiate between feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and other diseases in cats with body cavity effusions.

Methods

Cats with pleural, abdominal or pericardial effusion were prospectively enrolled. Cats were classified as having or not having FIP based on immunohistochemistry (if available) or a sophisticated statistical method using machine learning methodology with concepts from game theory. Cats without FIP were further subdivided into three subgroups: cardiac disease, neoplasia and other diseases. Serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) were measured in serum and effusion, using assays previously validated in cats.

Results

Serum and effusion samples were available for the measurement of APPs from 88 and 67 cats, respectively. Concentrations of the APPs in serum and effusion were significantly different in cats with and without FIP ( P <0.001 for all three APPs). The best APP to distinguish between cats with and without FIP was AGP in the effusion; a cut-off value of 1550 µg/ml had a sensitivity and specificity of 93% each for diagnosing FIP.

Conclusions and relevance

AGP, particularly if measured in effusion, was found to be useful in differentiating between FIP and other diseases, while SAA and Hp were not. The concentration of all three APPs in some diseases (eg, septic processes, disseminated neoplasia) was as high as in cats with FIP; therefore, none of these can be recommended as a single diagnostic test for FIP.
Risk of obesity in the neutered cat
Authors: Larsen Jennifer A
Published: July 2016

Surgical neutering is one of the most common procedures performed on pets in the USA among other countries. There are known effects of neutering on the physiology and behavior of the cat that predispose to obesity, which is the most significant sequela from a nutritional perspective. Increased food intake is the most likely factor influencing weight gain in the neutered cat. Proactively addressing these changes with nutritional management strategies can help prevent weight gain and associated negative consequences.