bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutation in the Hair Cell Specific GenePOU4F3Is a Common Cause for Autosomal Dominant Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss in Chinese Hans
Authors: He Longxia , Pang Xiuhong , Chen Penghui , Wu Hao , Yang Tao
Published: December 2016

Autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss (ADNSHL) is extremely heterogeneous. So far the genetic etiological contribution of the genePOU4F3associated with ADNSHL has been rarely reported. In our previous study, a c.603_604delGG mutation in the hair cell specific genePOU4F3has been identified as the pathogenic cause in one of the seven Chinese Han ADNSHL families. In the present study, we performed targeted next-generation sequencing of 144 known deafness genes in another nine Chinese Han ADNSHL families and identified two more novel mutations inPOU4F3, p.Leu311Pro and c.120+1G>C, as the pathogenic cause. Clinical characterization of the affected individuals in these three families showed that the threePOU4F3mutations may lead to progressive hearing loss with variable ages of onset and degrees of severity. Our results suggested that mutations inPOU4F3are a relatively common cause (3/16) for ADNSHL in Chinese Hans, which should be routinely screened in such cases during genetic testing.
Fatty Acid Oxidation and Its Relation with Insulin Resistance and Associated Disorders
Authors: Lopaschuk Gary D.
Published: December 2016

Alterations in muscle fatty acid metabolism have been implicated in mediating the severity of insulin resistance. In the insulin resistant heart fatty acids are favored as an energy source over glucose, which is thus associated with increased fatty acid oxidation, and an overall decrease in glycolysis and glucose oxidation. In addition, excessive uptake and beta-oxidation of fatty acids in obesity and diabetes can compromise cardiac function. In animal studies, mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) show cardiac insulin resistance in which the accumulation of intra-myocardial diacylglycerol has been implicated, likely involving parallel signaling pathways. A HFD also results in accumulation of fatty acid oxidation byproducts in muscle, further contributing to insulin resistance. Carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) has an essential role in the cardiomyocyte because of its need for large amounts of carnitine. In the cardiomyocyte, carnitine switches energy substrate preference in the heart from fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation. This carnitine-induced switch in fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation is due to the presence of cytosolic CrAT and reverse CrAT activity. Accordingly, inhibition of fatty acid oxidation, or stimulation of CrAT, may be a novel approach to treatment of insulin resistance.
Acoustic Characteristics of Long Calls Produced by Male Orang-Utans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii): Advertising Individual Identity, Context, and Travel Direction
Authors: Askew James A. , Morrogh-Bernard Helen C.
Published: December 2016

Acoustic characteristics and context of the long-distance call of male orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) were examined in a population of orang-utans from Central Kalimantan, Borneo. Male orang-utans produced long calls under different circumstances, including calls made spontaneously, in response to conspecifics, when accompanied by a snag crash and when travelling with a female. It was shown by acoustic analyses that there was individual discrimination between the male's calls, discrimination between the calls made under different contexts, and between calls from one individual from different years, which coincided with a change in his dominance status. We also confirm that flanged male orang-utans advertise their intended travel route, by long calling in the direction of their travel. If other orang-utans (males and females) within ear shot of the caller can identify the caller from their long call, and even obtain information about the context and status of the individual, they can then therefore choose whether to approach or avoid them. Thus, males seem to be using their long call to announce their presence, allowing them to orient themselves spatially to other orang-utans, and, potentially, to co-ordinate a network of loose associations between both males and females in the area.
Diabetic Phenotype in the Small Intestine of Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats
Authors: Hvid Henning , Jensen Stina Rikke , Witgen Brent M. , Fledelius Christian , Damgaard Jesper , Pyke Charles , Rasmussen Thomas Bovbjerg
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: In contrast to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rodent models of diabetes, there are no thorough characterizations of the intestinal phenotype and the underlying changes in the global gene-expression of genetic models of diabetes, such as the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. The aim of the present study was to characterize the intestine in the ZDF rat. Methods: The intestine of ZDF rats and lean controls was examined macroscopically and histologically, and ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNAseq) was performed in samples of jejunal mucosa. Results: We observed an increased mass and length of the small and large intestines in ZDF rats. RNAseq showed an increased expression of Pdk2 and Pdk4, which are involved in the regulation of glucose and fatty acid metabolism, and increased expression of genes involved in gluconeogenesis and peroxisomal beta-oxidation in jejunal mucosa. Conclusion: Intestinal enlargement in ZDF rats is likely driven by increased food intake, since (i) it also occurs in obese and normoglycemic Zucker fatty rats, and (ii) insulin treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats reduced the food intake and mass of the small intestine. Results from RNAseq indicate that small intestinal epithelial cells in ZDF rats have developed insulin resistance, and support that a normal physiological effect of insulin in the enterocytes is the regulation of glucose metabolism.
Alectinib-Induced Erythema Multiforme and Successful Rechallenge with Alectinib in a Patient with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Rearranged Lung Cancer
Authors: Kimura Tatsuo , Sowa-Osako Junko , Nakai Toshiyuki , Ohyama Ayako , Kawaguchi Tomoya , Tsuruta Daisuke , Ohsawa Masahiko , Hirata Kazuto
Published: December 2016

Background: Alectinib is an oral drug developed for the treatment of patients with fusion gene encoding echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we present the case of a patient treated with alectinib who developed a hypersensitivity reaction with successful rechallenge treatment. Case Presentation: A 39-year-old woman who was a passive smoker was referred to Osaka City University Hospital for the evaluation of a skin event caused by treatment for NSCLC with the fusion gene EML4-ALK. The skin reaction was observed on the anterior chest, upper arms, and ear auricles on day 11 of treatment with oral alectinib. The skin event presented as widely distributed erythematous macules that were confluent, indicating a severe and life-threatening form. The skin lesions started to resolve after the initiation of treatment with 40 mg prednisolone. After regrowth of the tumor, she received a rechallenge program for alectinib for 2 weeks; thereafter, alectinib treatment was successfully reinitiated. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case in which alectinib, which binds to the adenosine triphosphate site of EML4-ALK, induced erythema multiforme. Moreover, successful readministration of alectinib through our rechallenge program has not been reported so far.
The importance of genetic factors for the development of arthropathy: a longitudinal study of children and adolescents with haemophilia A
Authors: Gomperts Edward D. , Schwarz John , Donfield Sharyne M. , Lail Alice E. , Astermark Jan , Hoots W. Keith , Winkler Cheryl A. , Berntorp Erik
Published: December 2016

Haemophilia A is a congenital bleeding disorder characterised by recurrent haemorrhages into the major joints. Haemophilic arthropathy is a well-established outcome of recurrent joint bleeding; however, it is clear that multiple factors determine the extent and severity of its occurrence. We sought to identify genetic factors related to abnormalities in range of motion (ROM) in the knees, ankles and elbows in a cohort of children and adolescents with haemophilia A not treated primarily with regular prophylaxis. Using data from the Haemophilia Growth and Development Study, we examined associations between 13,342 genetic markers and ROM scores measured at six-month intervals for up to seven years. As a first step, ordered logistic regression models were fit for each joint separately. A subset of SNP markers showing significant effects (p<0.01) on the right and left sides for at least two joints were included in a full model fit using a multivariate generalised linear mixed model assuming an ordinal response. The models contained all ROM scores obtained at all visits. Twenty-five markers analysed in the full model showed either increased or decreased risk of ROM abnormalities at the p<0.001 level. Several genes identified at either the first or second stage of the analysis have been associated with arthritis in a variety of large studies. Our results support the likelihood that risk for haemophilic arthropathy is associated with genetic factors, the identification of which holds promise for further advancing the individualisation of treatment.
Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase-C Suppresses cAMP Formation in Human Heart Failure
Authors: Abu-Taha Issam H. , Heijman Jordi , Hippe Hans-Jörg , Wolf Nadine M. , El-Armouche Ali , Nikolaev Viacheslav O. , Schäfer Marina , Würtz Christina M. , Neef Stefan , Voigt Niels , Baczkó István , Varró András , Müller Marion , Meder Benjamin , Katus Hugo A. , Spiger Katharina , Vettel Christiane , Lehmann Lorenz H. , Backs Johannes , Skolnik Edward Y. , Lutz Susanne , Dobrev Dobromir , Wieland Thomas
Published: December 2016

Background:

Chronic heart failure (HF) is associated with altered signal transduction via β-adrenoceptors and G proteins and with reduced cAMP formation. Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) are enriched at the plasma membrane of patients with end-stage HF, but the functional consequences of this are largely unknown, particularly for NDPK-C. Here, we investigated the potential role of NDPK-C in cardiac cAMP formation and contractility.

Methods:

Real-time polymerase chain reaction, (far) Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunocytochemistry were used to study the expression, interaction with G proteins, and localization of NDPKs. cAMP levels were determined with immunoassays or fluorescent resonance energy transfer, and contractility was determined in cardiomyocytes (cell shortening) and in vivo (fractional shortening).

Results:

NDPK-C was essential for the formation of an NDPK-B/G protein complex. Protein and mRNA levels of NDPK-C were upregulated in end-stage human HF, in rats after long-term isoprenaline stimulation through osmotic minipumps, and after incubation of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes with isoprenaline. Isoprenaline also promoted translocation of NDPK-C to the plasma membrane. Overexpression of NDPK-C in cardiomyocytes increased cAMP levels and sensitized cardiomyocytes to isoprenaline-induced augmentation of contractility, whereas NDPK-C knockdown decreased cAMP levels. In vivo, depletion of NDPK-C in zebrafish embryos caused cardiac edema and ventricular dysfunction. NDPK-B knockout mice had unaltered NDPK-C expression but showed contractile dysfunction and exacerbated cardiac remodeling during long-term isoprenaline stimulation. In human end-stage HF, the complex formation between NDPK-C and Gα
i2
was increased whereas the NDPK-C/Gα
s
interaction was decreased, producing a switch that may contribute to an NDPK-C–dependent cAMP reduction in HF.

Conclusions:

Our findings identify NDPK-C as an essential requirement for both the interaction between NDPK isoforms and between NDPK isoforms and G proteins. NDPK-C is a novel critical regulator of β-adrenoceptor/cAMP signaling and cardiac contractility. By switching from Gα
s
to Gα
i2
activation, NDPK-C may contribute to lower cAMP levels and the related contractile dysfunction in HF.
Preaching, Practicing and Publishing International Criminal Justice: Academic Expertise and the Development of an International Field of Law
Authors: Christensen Mikkel Jarle
Published: December 2016

The article investigates the role of scholarly expertise in and around the international criminal courts. Building on the sociology of Pierre Bourdieu, the article analyses the influence of different forms of scholarship by situating them in the wider ‘field’ of international criminal law. Structured by opposing poles of social worth organized around different perceptions of what is considered valuable knowledge, scholarship on international criminal law took competing forms. A dominant form of scholarship is oriented towards societal impact and caters to legal practice, while more critical perspectives adhere to norms of disinterest and autonomy embedded in academia. Formatted by the larger field of practice in which they exist and by their relative proximity to the opposing poles of societal and academic power and prestige, these perspectives structure the professional rules that govern the field and thus affect the development of its law by defining what is perceived as relevant knowledge.
The Commission’s Omission to Use Article 267 tfeu as a Tool to Enforce eu Environmental Law
Authors: Krämer Ludwig
Published: December 2016

The present contributions examines if and to what extent preliminary judgments by the Court of Justice were used as an enforcement tool and helped the full legal and practical application of eu environmental legislation. Looking at available data about the use of this procedure and at the enforcement practice of Member States and the eu commission it is concluded that neither the means of preliminary reference according to Article 267 nor the infringement procedure under Article 258 tfeu are systematically exploited for effective enforcement of eu environmental law. In particular, it becomes evident, that Commission does not assume its role as environmental law enforcement authority. It rather acts as an opportunist political body which sometimes takes into consideration the rule of law, but sometimes not.
The Commission: A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing?
Authors: Darpö Jan
Published: December 2016

This article centres on the effectiveness of Article 258 tfeu proceedings for the enforcement of eu environmental law. Employing as an example the case between the Commission and Sweden on the licensed hunting of wolves – a species enjoying strict protection in accordance with the Habitats Directive – the pros and cons will be discussed of infringement proceedings for the enforcement of the common responsibilities in the environmental area. While these proceedings can be effective in situations where they are used, they suffer unpredictability and a lack of consistency owing to political balancing within the Commission. Furthermore, lack of transparency in communication between the Commission and the governments of the Member States prevent public scrutiny of the system, which contributes to alienation of the eu from the public. Finally, on areas of environmental law – which are highly dependent upon scientific expert knowledge and thus dominated by ‘soft guidelines’ – infringement proceedings are an important complement to references from national courts to cjeu for preliminary rulings on controversial issues in order to avoid ‘circular decision-making’. Thus, the Swedish wolf issue can serve as a background for a more general discussion on infringement proceedings as an effective means for the enforcement of environmental law within the Union.
Regulatory Cooperation in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership ttip – Thrill or Threat for the Environment?
Authors: Calliess Christian , Dross Miriam
Published: December 2016

By means of regulatory cooperation, ttip is to increase the depth of cooperation between the eu and the usa on regulatory issues. This article sketches out the envisioned regulatory cooperation as far as this is possible based on the eu negotiating texts and assesses it from an environmental perspective. In this perspective particular attention need to be paid to differences in the stringency of regulation of sectors of environmental relevance (e.g. food, chemicals and cosmetics) in the us and the eu. As a result, adverse environmental impacts can only be avoided if harmonization takes place at a high level. Sub-statutory regulations and private sector standardization such as iso standards may also be of considerable environmental relevance. The example of manipulated vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides shows how important even the apparently technical issue of effective verification of exhaust emissions can be for environmental protection. The criteria used to assess risks and deal with uncertainties are highly relevant. The precautionary principle embodied in German and European law can be found neither in us nor in international trade law. In should remain a part of ttip (and more prominently so) and not be sacrificed in last minute negotiations.
Pinnule-less polyps: a new genus and new species of Indo-Pacific Clavulariidae and validation of the soft coral genus Acrossota and the family Acrossotidae (Coelenterata: Octocorallia)
Authors: ALDERSLADE PHILP , McFADDEN CATHERINE S.
Published: December 2016

Clavularia amboinensis Burchardt, a species described as possessing simple, pinnule-less tentacles (a fact refuted by later authors) is confirmed to be as described and is transferred as a new combination to Acrossota Bourne — a genus dismissed until now by a number of authors. The species is compared to recently collected material with live photographs. A second new genus and species, Knopia octocontacanalis, is also described. This taxon resembles Acrossota in general form, but has tentacles where the pinnules appear as though they are fused side to side along the tentacles’ lateral margins. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes support placement of Knopia in Clavulariidae and retention of genus Acrossota in Bourne’s unrecognised family Acrossotidae.
Description of the puparium of Hermetia pulchra (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Brazil
Authors: PUJOL-LUZ JOSÉ ROBERTO , GODOI FABIO SIQUEIRA PITALUGA DE , BARROS-CORDEIRO KARINE BRENDA
Published: December 2016

The puparium of Hermetia pulchra is described, based on a single specimen reared in laboratory under controlled conditions until the emergence of an adult female. The puparium of H. pulchra was compared with puparium of H. illucens and some differential features were indicated. A checklist of the Brazilian species of the genus Hermetia is included, with new distributional records for H. pulchra in the Brazilian States of Bahia and Distrito Federal. Hermetia sphecodes is recorded for the first time for Brazil (State of Amazonas).
Management of Posterior Glottal Insufficiency With Use of a Buccal Graft
Authors: Helman Samuel N. , Karle William , Pitman Michael J.
Published: December 2016

Objective:

Posterior glottal insufficiency manifests as a rough, breathy voice with poor vocal projection, air hunger, and decreased phonatory efficiency. There are limited medical and surgical therapies. This study reports the use of insetting a buccal mucosa graft into the posterior interarytenoid space to close the posterior glottic gap for phonatory rehabilitation.

Methods:

Our study is a retrospective case series of 2 female patients undergoing buccal mucosa graft inset to repair acquired posterior glottic insufficiency as a result of prolonged intubation and laryngeal tuberculosis infection. Patients selected for this procedure had posterior glottal insufficiency due to erosion of posterior glottal tissue. They also had dysphonia refractory to voice therapy and injection augmentation.

Conclusions:

Interarytenoid buccal graft for posterior glottal insufficiency is effective with excellent vocal rehabilitation and minimal donor site morbidity.
Expansion characteristics of expandable styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymer particles: The effects of copolymer molecular weight and particle size
Authors: Mehravar Ehsan , Abbasi Farhang , Jalili Kiyumars , Rostami Hadi , Rezaei Mostafa
Published: December 2016

Spherical foamable particles were synthesized by suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene in the presence of a blowing agent. When the surrounding temperature was high enough to vaporize the blowing agent and soften the polymer shell, the particles were expanded due to pressure difference across the shell. The effects of initiator and crosslinker concentration on the particle size, average molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of synthesized copolymer, pentane content and expansion properties (density, residual pentane, and dimensional stability of pre-expanded beads) of expandable particles were investigated. The results showed that the expansion behavior of the particles was dependent on molecular weight of the matrix polymer and size of the synthesized particles. In a constant copolymer molecular weight, the pre-expanded bead density decreased with increasing of particle size whereas it increased with molecular weight in a constant particle size. Moreover, the crosslinker improved dimensional stability of the pre-expanded beads.
Scalable nanoparticle assembly on carbon nanotubes using flash-induced dewetting
Authors: Espich Taylor , Salcedo Eduardo , Kulkarni Ameya , Sung Choi Daniel , Ryu Jong Eun
Published: December 2016

Nanoparticle assembly through a novel photothermal dewetting was demonstrated on a macro-scale carbon nanotube (CNT) film. Intense pulsed Xe-light (IPL) was applied to transform a gold (Au) thin-film on CNT into nanoparticles (NPs). Au films measuring 3, 6, and 9 nm were completely dewetted by 10, 20, and 35 J/cm2 of IPL intensities, respectively. The means of NP diameters after dewetting were 7.25 nm (standard deviation, σ = 2.23 nm), 13.07 nm ( σ = 2.38 nm), and 21.02 nm ( σ = 5.86 nm) for the 3, 6, and 9 nm of Au films, respectively. On the other hand, the means of Au NPs formed by furnace annealing were 13.16 nm ( σ = 1.78 nm) and 20.98 nm ( σ = 15.60 nm) for 6 and 9 nm of Au films, respectively. The 6 and 9 nm of Au films on CNTs were annealed in a furnace at 300 and 400℃, respectively. The distributions of NPs induced by IPL were not significantly different from the result of conventional furnace annealing ( p values = 0.45 and 0.96 for 6 and 9 nm Au films, respectively). Finally, thermodynamic stability of IPL dewetted NPs was evaluated by comparing the samples treated with multiple IPL up to five times and with extended thermal annealing up to 10 h.
Stiffness predictions for closed-cell PVC foams
Authors: Lo King Him , Miyase Akira , Wang Su S
Published: December 2016

Light-weight polymeric foams are frequently used in composite sandwich construction in which foam core material properties could significantly influence the overall performance of the sandwich structure. Foam mechanical properties usually depend on a number of factors, including foam density, cell microstructure, and properties of foam–matrix polymer. Although the properties of foam–matrix polymer are determined mainly by the properties of the foam base (parent) polymer, they are also affected by other factors such as foam processing conditions. With the large number of material and microstructure parameters that influence foam properties, modeling mechanical behavior of polymeric foams could be quite involved, especially if foam behavior is anisotropic. This paper describes an effort to predict static elastic stiffness of closed-cell PVC foams. PVC foams are modeled as transversely isotropic materials with properties in the foam rise direction different from those in the planar (plane of isotropy) directions. An engineering approach, based on fibrous composites, is developed to predict in-plane and out-of-plane stiffness of PVC foams. The validity of the engineering model for the PVC foam stiffness is first demonstrated through comparison with test results on DIAB H80 foam obtained from a systematic in-house test program. Comparison of the predictions with the stiffness properties reported by a PVC foam manufacturer for various other density foams is also carried out. Good agreements are obtained for the cases studied. Comparison of stiffness predictions obtained in the paper with predictions from other published models of isotropic foam behavior is presented.
Lack of Capacity
Authors: Howard Helen
Published: December 2016

This article examines the new tests proposed for effective participation at trial and ability to plead guilty set out in the recently published Law Commission Report.1 The two new tests aim to replace the current criteria on unfitness to plead developed in M (John)2 and originating from Pritchard.3 While the tests are a welcome development, particular focus will be given to the absence of a diagnostic threshold, which detracts from the quality of otherwise scrupulously drafted proposals.
Lesser Included Offences, Alternative Offences and Accessorial Liability
Authors: Baker Dennis J
Published: December 2016

In this essay I shall examine when an alternative offence and also a lesser-included offence is available for an accessory. Particular reference will be made to the offences of manslaughter and murder. It shall be argued that the decision in R v Jogee and Ruddock v The Queen is wrong as far as it holds that an accessory can be liable for manslaughter when the principal has been convicted of murder, because it is necessary to prove that the accessory intended the principal to perpetrate the actus reus of the relevant offence with the requisite mens rea for that offence. In such a scenario the accessory does not intentionally assist or encourage the more serious offence (murder), so she cannot be derivatively liable for it, and the principal does not perpetrate the less serious offence (manslaughter), so there is no offence of manslaughter for the accessory’s liability to derive from. The accessory only attempts to assist or encourage the principal to engage in conduct that has the potential to form the conduct element of constructive manslaughter. Such a conviction would rest on a presumption of participation in a result crime, when no result was in fact caused by the non-perpetrated crime (manslaughter), but instead the result was caused by an alternative more serious crime (murder), which was in fact perpetrated. If the principal had done the actus reus that the accessory intended (i.e. unlawfully inflict actual bodily harm), the victim most likely would not have been killed and it is pure speculation to suggest that the victim could have been killed by actual bodily harm as opposed to the act of grievous bodily harm or an act of intentional killing, which in fact killed the victim. It shall be argued that in such cases it is best to prosecute the putative assister or encourager under ss 44 or 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2007, for attempting to assist or encourage a potential aggravated assault.
Esthetic and Clinical Performance of Implant-Supported All-Ceramic Crowns Made with Prefabricated or CAD/CAM Zirconia Abutments: A Randomized, Multicenter Clinical Trial
Authors: Wittneben J.G. , Gavric J. , Belser U.C. , Bornstein M.M. , Joda T. , Chappuis V. , Sailer I. , Brägger U.
Published: December 2016

Patients’ esthetic expectations are increasing, and the options of the prosthetic pathways are currently evolving. The objective of this randomized multicenter clinical trial was to assess and compare the esthetic outcome and clinical performance of anterior maxillary all-ceramic implant crowns (ICs) based either on prefabricated zirconia abutments veneered with pressed ceramics or on CAD/CAM zirconia abutments veneered with hand buildup technique. The null hypothesis was that there is no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Forty implants were inserted in sites 14 to 24 (FDI) in 40 patients in 2 centers, the Universities of Bern and Geneva, Switzerland. After final impression, 20 patients were randomized into group A, restored with a 1-piece screw-retained single crown made of a prefabricated zirconia abutment with pressed ceramic as the veneering material using the cut-back technique, or group B using an individualized CAD/CAM zirconia abutment (CARES abutment; Institut Straumann AG) with a hand buildup technique. At baseline, 6 mo, and 1 y clinical, esthetic and radiographic parameters were assessed. Group A exhibited 1 dropout patient and 1 failure, resulting in a survival rate of 94.7% after 1 y, in comparison to 100% for group B. No other complications occurred. Clinical parameters presented stable and healthy peri-implant soft tissues. Overall, no or only minimal crestal bone changes were observed with a mean DIB (distance from the implant shoulder to the first bone-to-implant contact) of −0.15 mm (group A) and 0.12 mm (group B) at 1 y. There were no significant differences at baseline, 6 mo, and 1 y for DIB values between the 2 groups. Pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic score (WES) values at all 3 examinations indicated stability over time for both groups and pleasing esthetic outcomes. Both implant-supported prosthetic pathways represent a valuable treatment option for the restoration of single ICs in the anterior maxilla ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02905838).
An intelligent method for the evaluation and prediction of fabric formability for men’s suits
Authors: Xue Z , Zeng X , Koehl L
Published: December 2016

Sixty-six commonly used suitings were selected as the experimental samples of the current study. The Kawabata Evaluation System was used to measure the mechanical properties of the samples. Each sample fabric was made into a shoulder-back as a part of a men’s suit. In order to study the appropriateness of the samples for making good shaped men’s suits, which is known as fabric formability, sensory evaluation methods have been applied to obtain panelists’ assessments on the shape of the shoulder-backs. During data analysis, principal component analysis was initially adopted to reduce the complexity of the system by extracting a small number of important mechanical properties. Then, a fuzzy neural network was developed to model the underlying relations between the samples’ formability and their mechanical properties. Finally, a number of testing samples were used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed predictive model.
Implementation of a triage system in Pakistan: the need of the hour
Authors: Majid Zain , Masood Irfan
Published: December 2016

In today’s world, an effective emergency department (ED) cannot function properly without having a triage system. Though available in various forms, this essentially categorises patients according to the seriousness of their condition and the priority of their need.

Pakistan is yet to introduce this system and where it exists, it is in its infancy. A disaster-prone country such as ours, which is frequently faced with both man-made and natural calamities, could benefit tremendously from its introduction. The activity of EDs would be streamlined and precious lives would be saved.
Time-Free Effects in Predicting Recidivism Using Both Fixed and Variable Follow-Up Periods
Authors: Flores Anthony W. , Holsinger Alexander M. , Lowenkamp Christopher T. , Cohen Thomas H.
Published: December 2016

We provide a comparison of analyses used to estimate predictive validity, across fixed (logistic regression and area under the curve receiver operating characteristic [AUC-ROC]) and variable (Cox regression and Harrell’s C) lengths of follow-up. This study adds to research demonstrating a relationship between time at risk offense free and recidivism in two ways. First, reoffending hazard rates were calculated across levels of general offending risk to better understand how failure relates to time at risk. Second, this research compared validity estimates derived from Cox and logistic regression analyses to examine the importance of variable versus fixed follow-up periods. Results show that risk declines as a function of time offense free for all but low risk offenders. In addition, findings demonstrate remarkable stability in estimates of validity after just 7 months of follow-up. Finally, comparisons of Cox and logistic regression analyses, along with their related Harrell’s C and AUC-ROC validity estimates, revealed little substantive differences in prediction
Affect and the dialectics of uncertainty: Governing a Paraguayan frontier town
Authors: Tucker Jennifer L
Published: December 2016

This article discusses the affective politics enabling urban development in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, a young frontier boomtown where the volume of the extralegal transborder trade once exceeded the GDP of the entire nation. Against stereotypes of the city as lawless, I demonstrate how governing practices work through affect and emotion. I argue that local strategies of governing have temporal and spatial dimensions that produce an affective field of uncertainty for hawkers and street vendors. Paradoxically, the legal and spatial ambiguities that produce uncertainty as a disciplining structure of feeling are also the grounds from which vendors make claims to urban space. Yet vendors develop their own registers of need and entitlement through a politics of affective interconnection. This paper contributes to debates on the government of precarity and to geographical studies on emotion and affect by exploring how this dialectics of uncertainty enables exclusionary urban development.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral mecamylamine – development of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist cognitive challenge test using modelling and simulation
Authors: Alvarez-Jimenez Ricardo , Baakman Anne Catrien , Stevens Jasper , Goulooze Sebastiaan C , Hart Ellen P , Rissmann Robert , van Gerven Joop MA , Groeneveld Geert Jan
Published: December 2016

A pharmacologic challenge model with a nicotinic antagonist could be an important tool not only to understand the complex role of the nicotinic cholinergic system in cognition, but also to develop novel compounds acting on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The objective was to develop a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model using nonlinear mixed effects (NLME) methods to quantitate the pharmacokinetics of three oral mecamylamine doses (10, 20 and 30 mg) and correlate the plasma concentrations to the pharmacodynamic effects on a cognitive and neurophysiologic battery of tests in healthy subjects. A one-compartment linear kinetic model best described the plasma concentrations of mecamylamine. Mecamylamine’s estimated clearance was 0.28 ± 0.015 L min−1. The peripheral volume of distribution (291 ± 5.15 L) was directly related to total body weight. Mecamylamine impaired the accuracy and increased the reaction time in tests evaluating short term working memory with a steep increase in the concentration-effect relationship at plasma concentrations below 100 μg L−1. On the other hand, mecamylamine induced a decrease in performance of tests evaluating visual and fine motor coordination at higher plasma concentrations (EC50 97 μg L−1). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased exponentially after a plasma mecamylamine concentration of 80 μg L−1, a known effect previously poorly studied in healthy subjects. The developed mecamylamine PKPD model was used to quantify the effects of nicotinic blockade in a set of neurophysiological tests in humans with the goal to provide insight into the physiology and pharmacology of the nicotinic system in humans and the possibility to optimize future trials that use mecamylamine as a pharmacological challenge.
Economic shock and regional resilience: Continuity and change in Canada's regional employment structure, 1987–2012
Authors: Ray D Michael , MacLachlan Ian , Lamarche Rodolphe , Srinath KP
Published: December 2016

This article analyses regional resilience to economic shock in Canada from 1987 to 2012, a period that included severe recessions and major free-trade agreements. Employment is cross-tabulated by region, industry and gender and partitioned cumulatively using three-way multifactor partitioning for each period from 1987–1988 to 1987–2012. Employment loss in each recession is found to be more closely associated with industry-mix in the preceding growth period than with the region effect. At each recession, manufacturing had much bigger employment losses and a much weaker recovery than business services. Thus manufacturing amplifies economic shocks, while business services act as regional shock absorbers. Manufacturing employment decline in Ontario was influenced by trade liberalization and far exceeds what would be expected from the industry and region effects alone. Female employment growth outpaced male employment growth in every region and in every industry group apart from business and appeared to be more resilient to recession. But corrected for their industry composition and regional disparities, these gender differences are substantially reduced.
Clean city politics: An urban political ecology of solid waste in West Bengal, India
Authors: Cornea Natasha , Véron René , Zimmer Anna
Published: December 2016

Solid waste management is often perceived as one of the most pressing environmental problems facing local governments in urban India and elsewhere in the global south. However, solid waste is not simply a managerial problem but is in many ways a highly political issue that involves diverse political actors at different scales. Particularly at the local level, solid waste management can also be a key part of broader political strategies, acting through its unique materiality as an environmental artefact and social relic. In this paper, we use an urban political ecology approach to examine a recent segregation-at-source project in a small town in West Bengal as a lens to understand more general multi-scalar, socio-political urban processes. Drawing primarily upon qualitative field research, the paper shows how diffuse forms of power and different governmentalities were applied between and within state-level government agents, municipal authorities, local waste workers and local communities to implement and (re)shape this project. The research points to the complexity of urban environmental governance and everyday politics in which action repertoires ranging from threats, the creation of environmental and hygienic subjects, moral appeals and economic rationality, underpinned by the harmful character of waste and by socio-cultural imaginaries thereof, (re)produced uneven political ecologies of waste between and within different neighbourhoods of the city.
Past, Present and Future Compensation Research Perspectives
Authors: Conroy Samantha A. , Yoon Yeong Joon , Bamberger Peter A. , Gerhart Barry , Gupta Nina , Nyberg Anthony J. , Park Sanghee , Park Tae-Youn , Shaw Jason D. , Sturman Michael C.
Published: December 2016

Compensation decisions are some of the most important decisions made in organizations, and research in this area has the potential to inform these decisions. Yet compensation has been viewed as a neglected area of HR research. In order to encourage greater quantity and quality of compensation research, this article provides an overview of perspectives of compensation scholars on (1) the future of compensation research, (2) the bridging of individual-level and organization-level compensation research, and (3) the challenges common to publishing compensation research. These comments are based on a professional development workshop conducted at the 2016 Academy of Management meeting focused on encouraging interaction of junior and senior compensation researchers.
Modeling of axial contact stiffness of a double-nut with preloads
Authors: Li Tiemin , Li Fuhua , Jiang Yao , Wang Haitong , Du Yunsong
Published: December 2016

Ball screw drives are commonly used to provide linear motion in machine tools. And stiffness is one of the most important performance indexes. However, stiffness of nuts with different preloads is difficult to be calculated precisely because of complex structures. In order to improve the calculating accuracy, a new model is proposed with the consideration of geometry errors of grooves and balls based on the existing theoretical model. The influence of geometry errors on axial deformation of double-nut is analyzed and modeled. Meanwhile, a preload-adjustable ball screw drive is constructed on the basis of a modified double-nut mechanism. A novel loading mechanism is designed to apply axial load on the working table and test the force in real time. Two laser displacement sensors are adopted to test axial deformation of the double-nut. The axial stiffness of the double-nut is analyzed based on the axial load and the axial deformation. Stiffness simulations of the new improved model, the theoretical model, and the empirical model are also analyzed. The contrastive analysis shows that the experimental results agree much better with the axial stiffness calculated by the new improved model. This study provides a more accurate model to calculate the stiffness of the double-nut with preloads for preloaded ball screw drives.
Beyond Purity
Authors: Giner-Sorolla Roger , Chapman Hanah A.
Published: December 2016

Previous studies support a link between moral disgust and impurity, whereas anger is linked to harm. We challenged these strict correspondences by showing that disgust is activated in response to information about moral character, even for harm violations. By contrast, anger is activated in response to information about actions, including their moral wrongness and consequences. Study 1 examined disgust and anger in response to an action that suggests bad moral character (animal cruelty) versus an action that is seen as inherently more wrong (domestic abuse). Animal cruelty was associated with more disgust than domestic abuse was, whereas domestic abuse was associated with more anger. Studies 2 and 3 manipulated character by varying the agent’s desire to cause harm and also varied the action’s harmful consequences. Desire to harm predicted only disgust (controlling for anger), whereas consequences were more closely related to anger (controlling for disgust). Taken together, these results indicate that disgust arises in response to evidence of bad moral character, not just to impurity.
Serum 25-OH vitamin D level in treatment-naïve systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Relation to disease activity, IL-23 and IL-17
Authors: Shahin D , El-Farahaty R M , Houssen M E , Machaly S A , Sallam M , ElSaid T O , Neseem N O
Published: December 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin D status in treatment-naïve SLE patients and its association with clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity, including serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23.

Methods

Fifty-seven treatment-naïve SLE patients along with 42 matched controls were included. SLEDAI score was used to estimate disease activity. Serum levels of 25(OH) D, IL-17 and IL-23 were measured.

Results

The median level of 25(OH) D in SLE patients (40.8; 4–70 ng/ml) was significantly lower than in the controls (47; 25–93 ng/ml) ( P = 0.001). A total of 38.6% of SLE cases had 25 (OH) D levels < 30 ng/ml (hypovitaminosis D) vs. 4.8% of the controls ( P < 0.0001). Apart from thrombocytopenia, vitamin D was not associated with clinical signs of SLE. There were negative correlations between serum 25(OH) D and serum levels of IL-17, IL-23 and ANA (rho = −0.5, −0.8, −0.5, P ≤ 0.05) in SLE patients.

Conclusion

Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent in treatment naïve SLE patients. It contributes to ANA antibody production and is associated with high serum levels of IL-23 and IL-17; thus they may trigger the inflammatory process in SLE.
The Japanese LupusPRO: A cross-cultural validation of an outcome measure for lupus
Authors: Inoue M , Shiozawa K , Yoshihara R , Yamane T , Shima Y , Hirano T , Jolly M , Makimoto K
Published: December 2016

Objective

This study aimed to validate the Japanese version of the LupusPRO questionnaire for use with systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Methods

Participants were 205 lupus patients recruited from three rheumatology centers in Japan. Demographic data were collected and quality of life was assessed using the LupusPRO and the Short Form Health Survey-12. Disease activity was evaluated by physicians using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index. Some participants completed questionnaires 10–14 days after the first survey. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, content validity and convergent validity were examined, and confirmatory factor analysis was performed.

Results

Participants’ mean age was 47.8 ± 13.6 years. Older participants scored lower on physical quality of life and higher on coping than younger participants. The LupusPRO showed satisfactory test-retest reliability ( n = 111). Test-retest reliability was lower for the mental and social aspects of quality of life, indicating fluctuations in quality of life during the two-week interval. Internal consistency reliability was good and convergent validity with the corresponding domains of the Short Form Health Survey-12 was satisfactory. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit.

Conclusion

The Japanese LupusPRO is a reliable and valid measure to evaluate treatment interventions for systemic lupus erythematosus.
Serum osteoprotegrin (OPG) in subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kiani A N , Aukrust P , Ueland T , Hollan I , Barr E , Magder L S , Petri M
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. It has recently been demonstrated that OPG is produced by a variety of tissues, including the cardiovascular system (heart, arteries, veins), lung, kidney, immune tissues, and bone. The OPG-RANKL signaling pathway is strongly related to vascular calcification. We determined the association of this biomarker with subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematous (SLE).

Methods

We measured OPG and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis (coronary artery calcium (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) carotid plaque) in 166 SLE patients (91% female, 64% Caucasian, 31% African American, 5% others, mean age 45 years). Subgroups of patients with different levels of OPG level were compared with respect to average levels of CAC, cIMT, and with respect to presence of carotid plaque. Age was adjusted for using multiple regression.

Results

OPG was highly correlated with age ( p < 0.0001). Individuals with higher levels of OPG tended to have higher measures of CAC, cIMT, and more carotid plaque. However, after adjustment for age, these associations, while still positive, were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusion

In our study much of the association observed was due to confounding by age, and after adjusting for age, our findings do not rule out the possibility of a null association.
Brain abscess due to Listeria monocytogenes after HELLP syndrome in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Fervienza A , Bodro M , Castro P , Hernández S , Teixidó I , Espinosa G , Cervera R
Published: December 2016

Objective

To illustrate an unusual case of Listeria cerebral abscess.

Material and methods

A 32-year-old pregnant woman with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) received corticotherapy for two weeks due to hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet (HELLP) syndrome. After delivery she presented with neurological symptoms and fever.

Results

The MRI scan confirmed the presence of a brain abscess, and Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in blood cultures. After eight weeks of antibiotic treatment, the patient presented no sequelae.

Conclusion

L. monocytogenes should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever and neurological dysfunction, especially in those with a recent history of corticotherapy.