bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vocal Behavior and Vocal Central Pattern Generator Organization Diverge among Toadfishes
Authors: Chagnaud Boris P. , Bass Andrew H.
Published: August 2014

Among fishes, acoustic communication is best studied in toadfishes, a single order and family that includes species commonly known as toadfish and midshipman. However, there is a lack of comparative anatomical and physiological studies, making it difficult to identify both shared and derived mechanisms of vocalization among toadfishes. Here, vocal nerve labeling and intracellular in vivo recording and staining delineated the hindbrain vocal network of the Gulf toadfish Opsanus beta. Dextran-biotin labeling of the vocal nerve or intracellular neurobiotin fills of motoneurons delineated a midline vocal motor nucleus (VMN). Motoneurons showed bilaterally extensive dendritic arbors both within and lateral to the paired motor nuclei. The motoneuron activity matched that of the spike-like vocal nerve motor volley that determines the natural call duration and frequency. Ipsilateral vocal nerve labeling with biocytin or neurobiotin yielded dense bilateral transneuronal filling of motoneurons and coextensive columns of premotor neurons. These premotor neurons generated pacemaker-like action potentials matched 1:1 with vocal nerve and motoneuron firing. Transneuronal transport further revealed connectivity within and between the pacemaker-motor circuit and a rostral prepacemaker nucleus. Unlike the pacemaker-motor circuit, prepacemaker firing did not match the frequency of vocal nerve activity but instead was predictive of the duration of the vocal nerve volley that codes for call duration. Transneuronally labeled terminal-like boutons also occurred in auditory-recipient hindbrain nuclei, including neurons innervating the inner ear and lateral line organs. Together with studies of midshipman, we propose that separate premotor populations coding vocal frequency and duration with direct premotor coupling to auditory-lateral line nuclei are plesiomorphic characters for toadfishes. Unlike in midshipman, transneuronal labeling in toadfishes reveals an expansive column of pacemaker neurons that is weakly coupled to prepacemaker neurons, a character that likely depends on the extent of gap junction coupling. We propose that these and other anatomical characters contribute to neurophysiological properties that, in turn, sculpt the species-typical patterning of frequency and amplitude-modulated vocalizations.
Effects of Medical Therapy or Surgery on Prostatic and Bladder Resistive Indices in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Bulut Suleyman , Ozden Cuneyt , Aktas Binhan Kagan , Deren Tagmac , Tagci Suleyman , Gokkaya Cevdet Serkan , Baykam Mehmet Murat , Memis Ali
Published: August 2014

Introduction: The effects of medical therapy or surgery on bladder and prostatic resistive indices (RIs) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) were evaluated in the present study. Patients and Methods: A total of 124 consecutive LUTS/BPH patients who were candidates for medical therapy (alfuzosin 10 mg once daily, n = 66) or surgery (transurethral prostatectomy (TUR-P), n = 58) were prospectively included. Baseline assessment of patients was performed with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostatic and bladder RIs measured using power Doppler imaging (PDI). All patients were re-evaluated 3 months after treatment measuring the same parameters. Results: Following medical therapy, mean IPSS (17.2 ± 5.1 vs. 8.3 ± 5.3, p = 0.0001), postvoiding residual (PVR) urine (80.0 ± 80.5 vs. 40.3 ± 38.6, p = 0.0001), and prostatic RI (0.73 ± 0.1 vs. 0.70 ± 0.1, p = 0.0001) were decreased, Qmax (13.7 ± 4.2 vs. 16.9 ± 5.9, p = 0.0001) was increased, and bladder RI remained unchanged (0.70 ± 0.1 vs. 0.70 ± 0.1, p = 0.68). Mean IPSS (25.3 ± 5.6 vs. 6.0 ± 4.5, p = 0.0001), PVR urine volume (134.5 ± 115.5 vs. 35.7 ± 25.9, p = 0.0001), and prostatic (0.78 ± 0.1 vs. 0.67 ± 0.04, p = 0.0001) and bladder RIs (0.72 ± 0.1 vs. 0.64 ± 0.04, p = 0.005) were decreased, and Qmax (8.0 ± 4.5 vs. 17.2 ± 8.2, p = 0.0001) was increased after TUR-P. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that TUR-P decreased both prostatic and bladder RIs, while α-blocker therapy did not change bladder RI in the early posttreatment period in LUTS/BPH patients.
Syphilis Infection: An Uncommon Etiology of Infectious Nonimmune Fetal Hydrops with Anemia
Authors: Fuchs Florent , Michaux Katell , Rousseau Céline , Ovetchkine Philippe , Audibert François
Published: August 2014

An increased prevalence of syphilis has been observed in many developed countries over the last decade. During pregnancy, syphilis can affect the fetus through development of nonspecific symptoms such as microcephaly, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, dilated and echogenic bowel, placentomegaly, and, uncommonly, fetal hydrops. Congenital syphilis also leads to hematologic abnormalities such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and leukocytosis. We present a case of nonimmune fetal hydrops with anemia related to syphilis infection. Diagnosis was confirmed by a maternal serological test and microbiological testing on amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, and placental tissues. The patient was treated with penicillin and the fetus received an intrauterine red blood cell transfusion, but fetal death occurred shortly after. Such a presentation is mostly related to parvovirus B19, and syphilis etiology is poorly mentioned because physicians have rarely seen early congenital syphilis in the past. However, given the increasing prevalence of this disease in the adult population, clinicians should remain alert to the various presentations of congenital syphilis.
Gastric Metastasis of Malignant Melanoma: Report of a Case and Review of Available Literature
Authors: El-Sourani Nader , Troja Achim , Raab Hans-Rudolph , Antolovic Dalibor
Published: August 2014

Background: Malignant melanoma is a tumor with common lymphogenic or hematogenic metastasis. Metastasis to the gastric mucosa is uncommon. Case Report: We present the case of a 43-year-old female patient with metastases of a malignant melanoma to the lesser curvature of the stomach. The primary malignant melanoma of the right breast was resected 2 years previously. Conclusion: Metastases to the gastric mucosa are rarely seen. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy should be performed in symptomatic patients to rule out metastatic disease. When R0 resection can be achieved, it should be undertaken in order to increase the overall prognosis of the patient.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Infantile Myofibroma with Postnatal Imaging Correlation
Authors: Coleman Alan M. , Calvo-Garcia Maria A. , Zbojniewicz Andrew M. , Alonso Maria , Lim Foong-Yen
Published: August 2014

Infantile myofibroma is the most common fibrous tumor in infancy. A majority of these lesions are solitary and occur in the head and neck region. Unless visceral sites are involved, the clinical course is typically benign. However, the difficulty in these cases is the differentiation of a benign myofibroma from a solitary malignant neoplasm and determination of visceral involvement. Prenatal diagnosis of this condition is rarely described in the literature, but it does indeed have a role in perinatal management. Our patient was initially identified by prenatal ultrasound with fetal MRI for further characterization of the mass. We present the case of a prenatally diagnosed solitary infantile myofibroma of the lower extremity and highlight the role of prenatal imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Usefulness of Urine Output Criteria for Early Detection of Acute Kidney Injury after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Shacham Yacov , Rofe Maytal , Leshem-Rubinow Eran , Gal-Oz Amir , Arbel Yaron , Keren Gad , Roth Arie , Ben-Assa Eyal , Halkin Amir , Finkelstein Ariel , Banai Shmuel , Steinvil Arie
Published: August 2014

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that acute kidney injury (AKI) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is frequent and associated with adverse outcomes. However, these studies only applied the serum creatinine (sCr) criteria while ignoring the urine output criteria. We hypothesized that adding the urine output criteria might contribute to an earlier diagnosis of AKI. Methods: We included 143 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent transfemoral TAVI between December 2012 and April 2014. Urine output was assessed hourly for at least 24 h following TAVI, and sCr was assessed at least daily until discharge. Based on the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2), AKI was determined using both sCr and urine output criteria. We compared the incidence of AKI and time to AKI diagnosis based on these two methods. Results: The mean age was 81 w 6 years (range 61-94) and 56% were male. AKI occurred in 27 (19%) patients, 13 (9%) of whom had AKI defined by sCr criteria. Twenty (14%) patients had AKI defined by urine output criteria, only 6 of whom had AKI also defined by sCr criteria. The use of urine output criteria resulted in earlier identification of AKI (18 w 4 vs. 64 w 57 h, p = 0.02) and was associated with lower sCr elevation in patients having AKI defined by only urine output criteria (0.03 w 0.12 vs. 0.37 w 0.06 mg/dl, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of the VARC-2 urine output criteria significantly increased the incidence of AKI and shortened the time to AKI diagnosis. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
A Case of IgG2 Heavy Chain Deposition Disease in a Patient with Kappa Positive Plasma Cell Dyscrasia
Authors: Zhang Li , Marupudi Sindhuja , Kuppusamy Tamil , LaRosa William , Turer Paul , Heyman Meyer , Arend Lois
Published: August 2014

IgG2 heavy chain deposition disease (HCDD) is extremely rare. To date, only 4 cases have been reported in medical literature. To our knowledge, we report the first case of IgG2 HCDD accompanied by kappa plasma cell dyscrasia.
Extending the Frontiers Beyond Thermal Ablation by Radiofrequency Ablation: SBRT, Brachytherapy, SIRT (Radioembolization)
Authors: Hass Peter , Mohnike Konrad
Published: August 2014

Metastatic spread of the primary is still defined as the systemic stage of disease in treatment guidelines for various solid tumors. This definition is the rationale for systemic therapy. Interestingly and despite the concept of systemic involvement, surgical resection as a local treatment has proven to yield long-term outcomes in a subset of patients with limited metastatic disease, supporting the concept of oligometastatic disease. Radiofrequency ablation has yielded favorable outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal metastases, and some studies indicate its prognostic potential in combined treatments with systemic therapies. However, some significant technical limitations apply, such as size limitation, heat sink effects, and unpredictable heat distribution to adjacent risk structures. Interventional and non-invasive radiotherapeutic techniques may overcome these limitations, expanding the options for oligometastatic patients and cytoreductive concepts. Current data suggest very high local control rates even in large tumors at any given location in the human body. The article focusses on the characteristics and possibilities of stereotactic body radiation therapy, interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy, and Yttrium-90 radioembolization. In this article, we discuss the differences of the technical preferences as well as their impact on indications. Current data is presented and discussed with a focus on application in oligometastatic or cytoreductive concepts in different tumor biologies.
A genomewide study of body mass index and its genetic correlation with thromboembolic risk
Authors: Pena Geórgia , Ziyatdinov Andrey , Buil Alfonso , López Sonia , Fontcuberta Jordi , Soria José Manuel , Souto Juan Carlos
Published: August 2014

Thrombosis and obesity are complex epidemiologically associated diseases. The mechanism of this association is not yet understood. It was the objective of this study to identify genetic components of body mass index (BMI) and their possible role in the risk of thromboembolic disease. With the self-reported BMI of 397 individuals from 21 extended families enrolled in the GAIT (Genetic Analysis of Idiopathic Thrombophilia) Project, we estimated the heritability of BMI and the genetic correlation with the risk of thrombosis. Subjects were genotyped for an autosomal genome-wide scan with 363 highly-informative DNA markers. Univariate and bivariate multipoint linkage analyses were performed. The heritability for BMI was 0.31 (p= 2.9×10–5). Thromboembolic disease (including venous and arterial) and BMI had a significant genetic correlation (ρG= 0.54, p= 0.005). Two linkage signals for BMI were obtained, one at 13q34 (LOD= 3.36, p= 0.0004) and other at 2q34, highly suggestive of linkage (LOD= 1.95). Bivariate linkage analysis with BMI and thrombosis risk also showed a significant signal at 13q34 (LOD= 3), indicating that this locus influences at the same time normal variation in the BMI phenotype as well as susceptibility to thrombosis. In conclusion, BMI and thrombosis are genetically correlated. The locus 13q34, which showed pleiotropy with both phenotypes, contains two candidate genes, which may explain our linkage pleiotropic signal and deserve further investigation as possible risk factors for obesity and thrombosis.
Association of Lower Extremity Performance With Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Morris Dylan R. , Rodriguez Alexander J. , Moxon Joseph V. , Cunningham Margaret A. , McDermott Mary M. , Myers Jonathan , Leeper Nicholas J. , Jones Rhondda E. , Golledge Jonathan
Published: August 2014

Background

Peripheral artery disease (
PAD
) is associated with impaired mobility and a high rate of mortality. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether reduced lower extremity performance was associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in people with
PAD
.

Methods and Results

A systematic search of the
MEDLINE
,
EMBASE
,
SCOPUS
, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Studies assessing the association between measures of lower extremity performance and cardiovascular or all‐cause mortality in
PAD
patients were included. A meta‐analysis was conducted combining data from commonly assessed performance tests. The 10 identified studies assessed lower extremity performance by strength tests, treadmill walking performance, 6‐minute walk, walking velocity, and walking impairment questionnaire (
WIQ
). A meta‐analysis revealed that shorter maximum walking distance was associated with increased 5‐year cardiovascular (unadjusted
RR
=2.54, 95%
CI
1.86 to 3.47,
P
<10
−5
, n=1577, fixed effects) and all‐cause mortality (unadjusted
RR
=2.23 95%
CI
1.85 to 2.69,
P
<10
−5
, n=1710, fixed effects). Slower 4‐metre walking velocity, a lower
WIQ
stair‐climbing score, and poor hip extension, knee flexion, and plantar flexion strength were also associated with increased mortality. No significant associations were found for hip flexion strength,
WIQ
distance score, or
WIQ
speed score with mortality.

Conclusions

A number of lower extremity performance measures are prognostic markers for mortality in
PAD
and may be useful clinical tools for identifying patients at higher risk of death. Further studies are needed to determine whether interventions that improve measures of lower extremity performance reduce mortality.
City as Performance
Authors: Schipper Imanuel
Published: August 2014

While artistic interventions in urban space multiply continuously, there seems to be a lack of knowledge about what is really happening in and with public spaces in such processes. David Harvey’s proposition that “the right to the city” means the “right to change ourselves” begs the question: Who is producing the city, and in turn, what new ways of living together are they producing? Artistic productions in urban environments produce new modes of engaging with public spaces and initiate a process in which a city’s inhabitants and users make and remake the public sphere.
Standing Man and the Impromptu Performance of Hope: An Interview with Erdem Gündüz
Authors: Mee Erin B.
Published: August 2014

Erdem Gündüz discusses his “Standing Man” protest-performance on 17 June 2013 in Istanbul, with an analysis of the influence of that performance on the Gezi Park protests.
Three new species of the salamander genus Hynobius (Amphibia, Urodela, Hynobiidae) from Kyushu, Japan
Authors: NISHIKAWA KANTO , MATSUI MASAFUMI
Published: August 2014

Three new species of lotic breeding Hynobius, formerly assigned to H. boulengeri, are described from the Kyushu region, southwestern Japan. They differ from all the known congeners by a unique combination of body size, character ratios, coloration, mtDNA, and allozymic characteristics. Together with H. stejnegeri they form a clade, which is not a sister group of H. boulengeri, and their speciation in Kyushu is surmised to have occurred at the end of Miocene, accompanied by differentiations in larval period and metamorphosing size. Measures of conservation of these new species are discussed briefly.
Two new species of Piaroa (Arachnida: Schizomida, Hubbardiidae) from Colombia, with comments on the genus taxonomy and the flagellar setae pattern of Hubbardiinae
Authors: MORENO-GONZÁLEZ JAIRO A. , DELGADO-SANTA LEONARDO , DE ARMAS LUIS F.
Published: August 2014

Two new species of the genus Piaroa Villarreal, Tourinho & Giupponi, 2008, P. escalerete sp. nov. and P. bacata sp. nov. are described from Valle del Cauca, and Cundinamarca departments, Colombia, respectively. The female flagellum is fully illustrated for a Piaroa species for the first time; the generic diagnosis is also emended and the relationships of the new species with those previously described are discussed. New characters for Piaroa species, a new nomenclature for the chitinized arch and a reinterpretation of the Hubbardiinae flagellar setae pattern are proposed. A distribution map of the known species of Piaroa is provided.
First records of Ochrotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) in Northeastern Brazil: Five new species and two new geographical records
Authors: DE SOUZA WAGNER RAFAEL M. , SANTOS ALLAN PAULO MOREIRA , TAKIYA DANIELA M.
Published: August 2014

About 170 species have been assigned to the New World genus Ochrotrichia, only two of which were previously recorded from Brazil. Material collected in Bahia and Ceará states represent the first records of this genus from Northeastern Brazil and reveal five new species of Ochrotrichia. These are described and illustrated in this paper: O. caatinga sp. nov. (O. aldama group, from Ceará), O. priapo sp. nov. (O. aldama group, from Bahia); O. limeirai sp. nov. (O. aldama group, from Ceará), O. constricta sp. nov. (undetermined group, from Bahia), and O. igrapiuna sp. nov. (O. xena group, from Bahia). Ochrotrichia manuensis Flint & Bueno-Soria 1999 is firstly recorded from Brazil and O. patulosa (Wasmund & Holzenthal 2007) is firstly recorded from Northeastern Brazil.
A new genus of cardinalfish from tropical Australia and southern New Guinea (Percomorpha: Apogonidae)
Authors: FRASER THOMAS H.
Published: August 2014

Ozichthys is described as a new monotypic genus, type species Apogon albimaculosus. This species is restricted to tropical Australia and southern New Guinea. The combination of first dorsal fin with VIII visible spines, fused first and second hypurals, epineural on ninth rib, ossified lower preopercle edge, serrated edge of the preopercle, more than three flute canals on post orbit, 23–24 pored lateral- line scales, elongate last lateral-line scale, and sixteen rows of free neuromasts on principal caudal fin-rays will identify this genus from other brownish ground-colored apogonids. This genus is placed in the clade with Apogonichthys, Foa, Fowleria, and Neamia based on color patterns present on the head, body and vertical fins and in having a single pore above and below the raised median canal on each pored lateral-line scale.
Optimizing the Probability of Flying in High Ice Water Content Conditions in the Tropics Using a Regional-Scale Climatology of Convective Cell Properties
Authors: Protat A. , Rauniyar S. , Kumar V. V. , Strapp J. W.
Published: August 2014

In this paper, statistical properties of rainfall are derived from 14 years of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission data to optimize the use of flight hours for the upcoming High Altitude Ice Crystals (HAIC)/High Ice Water Content (HIWC) program. This program aims to investigate the convective processes responsible for the generation of the high ice water content that has been recognized as a threat to civil aviation. The probability that convective cells are conducive to HIWC is also further investigated using three years of C-band polarimetric radar data. Further insights into the variability of convective rainfall and favorable conditions for HIWC are also gained using two different methods to characterize the large-scale atmospheric conditions around Darwin, Australia (the Madden–Julian oscillation and the Darwin atmospheric regimes), and the underlying surface type (oceanic vs continental). The main results from the climatology relevant to flight-plan decision making are (i) convective cells conducive to HIWC should be found close to Darwin, (ii) at least 90% of convective cells are conducive to HIWC at 10- and 12-km flight levels, (iii) multiple flights per day in favorable large-scale conditions will be needed so as to utilize the 150 project flight hours, (iv) the largest numbers of HIWC radar pixels are found around 0300 and 1500 local time, and (v) to fulfill the requirement to fly 90 h in oceanic convection and 60 h in or around continental convection, a minimum “acceptable” size of the convective area has been derived and should serve as a guideline for flight-decision purposes.
Uncertainties of GPM DPR Rain Estimates Caused by DSD Parameterizations
Authors: Liao Liang , Meneghini Robert , Tokay Ali
Published: August 2014

A framework based on measured raindrop size distribution (DSD) data has been developed to assess uncertainties in DSD models employed in Ku- and Ka-band dual-wavelength radar retrievals. In this study, the rain rates and attenuation coefficients from DSD parameters derived by dual-wavelength algorithms are compared with those directly obtained from measured DSD spectra. The impact of the DSD gamma parameterizations on rain estimation from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) is examined for the cases of a fixed shape factor μ as well as for a constrained μ—that is, a μ–Λ relation (a relationship between the shape parameter and slope parameter Λ of the gamma DSD)—by using 11 Particle Size and Velocity (Parsivel) disdrometer measurements with a total number of about 50 000 one-minute spectra that were collected during the Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) experiment. It is found that the DPR-like dual-wavelength techniques provide fairly accurate estimates of rain rate and attenuation if a fixed-μ gamma DSD model is used, with the value of μ ranging from 3 to 6. Comparison of the results reveals that the retrieval errors from the μ–Λ relations are generally small, with biases of less than ±10%, and are comparable to the results from a fixed-μ gamma model with μ equal to 3 and 6. The DSD evaluation procedure is also applied to retrievals in which a lognormal DSD model is used.
National Obligations and Noncitizens
Authors: Smith Rogers M.
Published: August 2014

This paper argues that, in addition to humanitarian concerns, policies toward immigrants should also be shaped by recognition of special responsibilities toward some populations of noncitizens. National governments acquire such responsibilities in part through their histories of coercive impositions on those populations. Former imperial powers, in particular, often possess special obligations toward the inhabitants of their foreign colonies that go beyond their general humanitarian responsibilities. Those obligations might be met in various ways; but if national governments of wealthy, formerly imperial states granted greater access for immigration to the poor of their former colonies, migration flows might significantly contribute to reductions in global levels of inequality.
A case of right superior vena cava draining into the left atrial roof
Authors: Yokoyama Shinya , Kaneda Kozo , Yoshida Yuichi , Nagasaka Shigeo , Nishiwaki Noboru
Published: August 2014

We report the multidisciplinary consideration in a case of right superior vena cava draining into the left atrial roof. A 12-year-old boy was diagnosed with a sinus venosus-type atrial septal defect associated with anomalous right upper pulmonary venous return. However, intraoperative inspection showed the right superior vena cava draining into the left atrial roof, associated with anomalous right upper pulmonary venous return. An anatomical radical operation was performed using a modified conventional technique.
‘Wh-on-earth’ in Chinese speakers’ L2 English: Evidence of dormant features
Authors: Yuan Boping
Published: August 2014

Adopting a decompositional approach to items in the lexicon, this article reports on an empirical study investigating Chinese speakers’ second language (L2) acquisition of English wh-on-earth questions (i.e. questions with phrases like what on earth or who on earth). An acceptability judgment task, a discourse-completion task and an interpretation task were used in the study, and the results indicate that in Chinese speakers’ L2 English, the form of wh-on-earth can be learned and stored in a native-like manner, but without being endowed with fully elaborated features. A distinction between active features and dormant features in L2 lexicon is made in the analysis, and it is argued that features transferred from learners’ L1 to their L2 are likely to lose their vigour and vitality in their L2 lexicon and become dormant if there is no evidence in the target language input to confirm or disconfirm them. A typical consequence of a dormant feature is random behaviours of a related structure in L2 learners’ production and interpretation. The results of the study show that semantic features, discourse features as well as morphosyntactic features can become dormant in L2 lexicon.
Regional differences in statistical geometry of endothelial dense granules in human extremity veins
Authors: Gősi G , Nádasy GL , Raffai G , Fehér E , Szeberin Z , Monos E , Acsády G
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Leg and arm human veins are exposed to different gravitational stresses. We investigated if there is difference in the amount and geometry of secretory vesicles in their endothelium.

Methods

Superficial small vein segments were removed during vascular operations for electromicroscopic analysis. Vesicular area/total endothelial cross-sectional area was determined by computer-based morphometry. Long and short axes of granule cross sections were measured by image analyzing software.

Results

Vesicular density in all samples was 2.26 ± 0.34%. There was no significant difference between the vesicular densities of upper extremity and leg. The shape of the vesicles was more frequently elongated in leg than in arm sections ( p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The density of the vesicles does not depend on vascular region or orthostatic load. Ellipticity of these granules is significantly different in areas exposed to different gravitational stresses. This might contribute to the differences of thrombotic and hemodynamic properties of leg and upper body veins.
Electrophysiological correlates of alcohol- and non-alcohol-related stimuli processing in binge drinkers: A follow-up study
Authors: Petit Géraldine , Kornreich Charles , Dan Bernard , Verbanck Paul , Campanella Salvatore
Published: August 2014

Background:

The continuation of binge drinking is associated with the development of neurocognitive brain abnormalities similar to those observed in patients with alcohol dependence. Alcohol cue reactivity constitutes a risk marker for alcohol dependence. Through event-related potentials (ERPs), we aimed to examine its potential presence as well as its evolution over time in binge drinkers in a one-year period.

Methods:

ERPs were recorded during a visual oddball task in which controls ( n=15) and binge drinkers ( n=15) had to detect infrequent deviant stimuli (related or unrelated to alcohol) among frequent standard stimuli. The test was performed twice with a one-year interval in order to explore the long-lasting influence of drinking habits.

Results:

Contrary to the controls, binge drinkers showed significantly reduced amplitudes of the P1 component for both alcohol and non-alcohol-related cues and of the P3 component only for neutral cues in the second assessment compared with the first.

Conclusion:

The continuation of binge drinking over one year is associated with the development of brain functional abnormalities (indexed by the P1 component) as well as a higher reactivity to alcohol-related stimuli and/or a decreased reactivity to non-alcohol-related stimuli (indexed by the P3 component).
Somatic Complaints in Early Adolescence
Authors: Kehoe Christiane E. , Havighurst Sophie S. , Harley Ann E.
Published: August 2014

This study investigated the relationship between parent emotion socialization and youth somatic complaints (SC) in an early adolescent sample using a longitudinal experimental design. An emotion-focused parenting intervention, which taught parent’s skills to improve their emotional competence and emotion socialization, was used to examine whether changes in parent emotion socialization affected the young person’s SC. Questionnaires were completed prior to intervention and 10 months later by 225 youth (121 intervention) and their parents. Results indicated that changes in parents’ awareness and regulation of emotion and emotion socialization practices resulted in reduced youth SC. These findings have important implications for the prevention of SC.
Urban dystopia and epistemologies of hope
Authors: Pow C.P.
Published: August 2014

This paper takes issue with the dystopian views that have come to dominate research on privatized urban forms such as gated communities. Urban scholarship on gating is often overwhelmed by recurring case studies documenting the proliferation of urban fortressing and segregation that often warn of an impending urban dystopia with cities being besieged by neoliberal forces of privatism. Moving beyond such noir urban scholarship and universal pessimism, the paper argues for a more ‘hopeful’ research agenda by countering the overcoded mono-logic of urban fortification and segregation with a more nuanced perspective that underscores the differentiating dynamics and contingent nature of urban spaces.
Chinese Employees Negotiating Differing Conflict Management Expectations in a U.S.-Based Multinational Corporation Subsidiary in Southwest China
Authors: Deng Yiheng , Xu Kaibin
Published: August 2014

This article explores Chinese employees’ views of conflict management norms and their coping strategies in a U.S.-based multinational corporation (MNC) subsidiary in inland China. Twenty-seven interviews were conducted with employees of a renowned large-scale American Information Technology (IT) company in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in Southwest China. The findings showed that the company’s norm of conflict management is constructive confrontation, and the Chinese employees have contradictory attitudes when they are required to adopt it in everyday conflict management. During the process, the local employees bear burdens to conform to the MNC norms and culture, and have developed coping strategies such as switching mode, seeking hard facts, resorting to off-line talk, and turning to a third party of higher authority for intervention.
Electron beam curing of functionalized N-(4-hydroxy phenyl)maleimide monomers
Authors: Pitchaimari G. , Sarma K. S. S. , Varshney Lalit , Vijayakumar C. T.
Published: August 2014

Electron beam (E-beam) curing by different total radiation doses (100, 200, 300 and 400 kGy at 10 kGy per pass) of functionalized maleimides (20%) [ N-(4-acryloyloxy phenyl)maleimide, N-(4-methacryloyloxy phenyl)maleimide and N-(4-cyanato phenyl)maleimide] is carried out using N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone as the reactive diluent (80%). The swelling studies indicate the presence of highly cross-linked structure in the polymer derived from cyanate-functionalized maleimide cured using 400 kGy electron beam (E-beam) irradiation. The thermal stabilities of all the polymers are studied using thermogravimetric analyzer. The materials cured using the highest radiation dose (400 kGy) are found to have better thermal stability compared to other materials cured using lower doses (100, 200 and 300 kGy at 10 kGy per pass). The degradation kinetic studies using the Vyazovkin method showed that the activation energies for the thermal degradation of polymeric materials got by E-beam irradiation of the monomers at 400 kGy are higher. Of all the materials investigated, liquid composition having N-(4-cyanato phenyl)maleimide (20%) and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (80%) cured by E-beam radiation (400 kGy) showed better thermal stability.
Design and structural performance measurements of a novel multi-cantilever foil bearing
Authors: Feng Kai , Zhao Xueyuan , Guo Zhiyang
Published: August 2014

With increasing need for high-speed, high-temperature, and oil-free turbomachinery, gas foil bearings (GFBs) have been considered to be the best substitutes for traditional oil-lubricated bearings. A multi-cantilever foil bearing (MCFB), a novel GFB with multi-cantilever foil strips serving as the compliant underlying structure, was designed, fabricated, and tested. A series of static and dynamic load tests were conducted to measure the structural stiffness and equivalent viscous damping of the prototype MCFB. Experiments of static load versus deflection showed that the proposed bearing has a large mechanical energy dissipation capability and a pronounced nonlinear static stiffness that can prevents overly large motion amplitude of journal. Dynamic load tests evaluated the influence of motion amplitude, loading orientation and misalignment on the dynamic stiffness and equivalent viscous damping with respect to excitation frequency. The test results demonstrated that the dynamic stiffness and damping are strongly dependent on the excitation frequency. Three motion amplitudes were applied to the bearing housing to investigate the effects of motion amplitude on the dynamic characteristics. It is noted that the bearing dynamic stiffness and damping decreases with incrementally increasing motion amplitudes. A high level of misalignment can lead to larger static and dynamic bearing stiffness as well as to larger equivalent viscous damping. With dynamic loads applied to two orientations in the bearing midplane separately, the dynamic stiffness increases rapidly and the equivalent viscous damping declines slightly. These results indicate that the loading orientation is a non-negligible factor on the dynamic characteristics of MCFBs.
The changing relationship between bacterial STIs and HIV prevalence in South Africa – an ecological study
Authors: Kenyon Chris Richard , Osbak Kara , Buyze Jozefien , Chico R Matthew
Published: August 2014

Prevalence estimates of various bacterial sexually transmitted infections in South Africa have declined considerably since the mid-1990s. Syphilis among pregnant women, for example, declined from 10.8% in 1998 to 2.8% in 2001. We used Pearson’s correlation coefficients to estimate the association between the prevalence of syphilis/male urethral discharge/male genital ulcers and the peak HIV prevalence at a district and provincial level in the early and late phases of the HIV epidemic in South Africa. Prevalence estimates of syphilis, male urethral discharge and male genital ulcers during the period preceding the peak HIV prevalence were all positively correlated with the peak HIV prevalence at a provincial level (Pearson’s correlation coefficient [ r] = 0.83, p = 0.006; r = 0.66, p = 0.052; r = 0.79, 0.011, respectively). These relationships all switched to a negative association later in the HIV epidemic at a provincial level ( r = −0.53, p = 0.14; r = −0.73, p = 0.130; r = −0.54, p = 0.027, respectively). AIDS mortality may have played an important role in the decline of bacterial sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis in this region. Consequently, the relatively recent scale-up of antiretroviral therapy may result in a resurgence of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections as observed in high-income countries.
‘Good neighbours make good fences’: Seahorse operations, border externalization and extra-territoriality
Authors: Casas-Cortes Maribel , Cobarrubias Sebastian , Pickles John
Published: August 2014

In recent years border externalization has emerged as a central policy framework for European Union (EU) border and migration management. New multi-lateral and bi-lateral agreements on border management have been forged between the EU, its member states, and its North African neighbours and neighbours-of-neighbours. In the process, what is meant by the ‘border’ is being transformed with implications for where the border is located, who has jurisdiction over particular spaces, and how border and migration management is undertaken. This paper analyses the spatial logics of EU border externalization practices as they are being applied to and in North and West Africa. It focuses on Operation Seahorse and the transnationally coordinated border control projects and infrastructures implemented by the Guardia Civil of Spain. Seahorse serves as an implementation case of the Migration Routes Initiative, an approach toward migration management emphasizing interregional cooperation between designated origin-transit-destination countries. The initiative is the organizing strategy of the Global Approach to Migration, the EU’s overarching framework toward migration policy. The paper shows how Seahorse is changing migration policy and re-articulating Europe’s relations with African countries, producing new bordering processes, creating new geographies of integration and border management, and redefining the practices of territory, sovereignty, and extra-territoriality.
Samgwangsa
Authors: Cho Grace M.
Published: August 2014

Samgwangsa is an autoethnographic memoir that begins with the author’s early childhood memories of living in Korea with her mother, who became a “military bride” and the first Korean immigrant to settle in the author’s hometown. This piece questions what notions such as home, freedom, mobility, and the American dream mean under conditions of displacement. It chronicles the author’s desire to return to Korea with her mother, and through a life-long effort to do so, reveals new insights about kinship.
Compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network anti-emesis guidelines in a Community Hospital Cancer Center
Authors: Daniel Divya , Waddell Aubrey
Published: August 2014

Objective

Nausea and vomiting are common adverse events exhibited by patients receiving chemotherapy. Prophylactic use of anti-emetic agents has been shown to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Compliance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network anti-emesis guidelines (Version 1.2013) by practitioners in a community out-patient hospital (Blount Memorial Hospital) has been reviewed and the results are presented herein.

Design

Retrospective study of patients receiving their first cycle of chemotherapy.

Patients

A total of 487 patients were reviewed from January 2005 to July 2012. In total, 70 patients were categorized in the high-risk category, 292 patients were categorized in the moderate-risk category, 60 patients were categorized in the low-risk category, and 65 patients were categorized in the minimal-risk category as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Included patients were being administered the first cycle of their first treatment at Blount Memorial Hospital.

Data

Data were collected retrospectively from patient chemotherapy dispensing folders.

Results

In all, 63% of the patients received appropriate anti-emetic prophylaxis medications as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Post-comparison between outcomes based on the risk category showed that patients in the moderate-risk category were most likely (91%) and patients in the low-risk category were least likely (6.67%) to receive appropriate anti-emetic prophylaxis as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Conclusion

Overall compliance with guidelines is acceptable. Patients in the moderate risk category are most likely to receive appropriate anti-emetic prophylaxis.
Ride On! Mobility Business Models for the Sharing Economy
Authors: Cohen Boyd , Kietzmann Jan
Published: August 2014

The public perception of shared goods has changed substantially in the past few years. While co-owning properties has been widely accepted for a while (e.g., timeshares), the notion of sharing bikes, cars, or even rides on an on-demand basis is just now starting to gain widespread popularity. The emerging “sharing economy” is particularly interesting in the context of cities that struggle with population growth and increasing density. While sharing vehicles promises to reduce inner-city traffic, congestion, and pollution problems, the associated business models are not without problems themselves. Using agency theory, in this article we discuss existing shared mobility business models in an effort to unveil the optimal relationship between service providers (agents) and the local governments (principals) to achieve the common objective of sustainable mobility. Our findings show private or public models are fraught with conflicts, and point to a merit model as the most promising alignment of the strengths of agents and principals.
Who Seeks Cita Con El Doctor? Twelve Years of Spanish-Language Radio Program Targeting U.S. Latinos
Authors: Ramirez A. Susana , Graff Kaitlin , Nelson David , Galica Kasia , Leyva Bryan , Banegas Mateo , Huerta Elmer
Published: August 2014

Purpose. Spanish-dominant Latinos make up 13% of the U.S. population, and this group is poorer and faces multiple threats to health compared with the general population. Additionally, Spanish speakers face challenges accessing health information that is often not available in Spanish. This study provides a descriptive epidemiology of a unique, low-cost health information source: the longest-running U.S.-based Spanish-language call-in radio health education program. Method. From the universe of all calls 1999 to 2011, stratified random sampling yielded 1,237 analyzed calls, which were manually coded for caller sex, age, proxy status, and health concern. Descriptive statistics were used to examine basic demographics of callers and call topics overall and by sex and proxy caller status. Results. Among all calls, the top three call-generating health topics were specific symptoms/conditions, sexual/reproductive health, and gastrointestinal concerns. The top nine topics were consistent among women, men, and proxy callers; however, relative frequency of topics varied across groups. Nearly one quarter of calls were initiated on behalf of someone, generally a child, spouse or sibling, or parent. Sixty percent of callers were women; women made 70% of proxy calls. Conclusion. Understanding the differences in information seeking behaviors, information needs, and source preferences is important for determining where and how to disseminate health information and may help explain disparities in knowledge and health outcomes. The radio talk show format provides a uniquely personal, culturally sensitive channel for meeting health information needs of a vulnerable population while leveraging the cost-effectiveness and wide reach of a mass medium.
Application of a Socio-Ecological Model to Mother–Infant Bed-Sharing
Authors: Salm Ward Trina C. , Doering Jennifer J.
Published: August 2014

Mother–infant bed-sharing has been associated with an increased risk of sleep-related infant deaths, and thus, health messaging has aimed to discourage this behavior. Despite this messaging, bed-sharing remains a common practice in the United States, especially among minority families. Moreover, rates of accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (often related to bed-sharing) are on the rise, with Black infants at two to three times greater risk than Whites. Multiple studies have identified risk factors for bed-sharing, but a gap remains between findings and translation into interventions. The socio-ecological model (SEM) has been suggested as a way to study and design interventions addressing complex public health issues. This article reconceptualizes the literature on mother–infant bed-sharing using the SEM. PubMed, POPLINE, ERIC, and Psych Info were searched for articles that (a) included bed-sharing as the outcome variable, (b) were published between 2000 and 2013, (c) were conducted in the United States, and (d) included quantitative comparison of more than one factor. The following data were extracted: sample characteristics, bed-sharing definition, methods, factors examined, key findings, and conclusions. Data were summarized into five SEM levels—infant, maternal, family and household, and community and society, nested within the historical context of race. Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Significant factors associated with bed-sharing were present within each SEM level of influence. Educational interventions may increase efficacy by attending to multiple levels of the SEM, especially when implementing such interventions within minority subpopulations. Using a harm reduction approach to reducing the risk around bed-sharing may be one way to account for the multiple influences on bed-sharing. The science and practice of minimizing mother–infant bed-sharing may be advanced through use of the SEM.
Reproduction inside/outside: Medical imaging and the domestication of assisted reproductive technologies
Authors: Lie Merete
Published: August 2014

Contemporary medical imaging technologies produce images on the level of human cells. As a result of such images, egg and sperm cells have become well-known artefacts of popular culture. Medical imaging technology has transformed these gametes from invisible matter integrated in biological processes within the body to identifiable objects. The visualisation of egg and sperm cells has literally lifted the process of human reproduction out of the female body and made the gametes appear as protagonists in the story of human reproduction. The article argues that visualisation of the gametes and the central role they play in contemporary imaginations of reproduction may offer vital contributions to the rather rapid acceptance and normalisation of assisted reproduction.
New platform, old habits? Candidates’ use of Twitter during the 2010 British and Dutch general election campaigns
Authors: Graham Todd , Jackson Dan , Broersma Marcel
Published: August 2014

Twitter has become one of the most important online spaces for political communication practice and research. Through a hand-coded content analysis, this study compares how British and Dutch Parliamentary candidates used Twitter during the 2010 general elections. We found that Dutch politicians were more likely to use Twitter than UK candidates and on average tweeted over twice as much as their British counterparts. Dutch candidates were also more likely to embrace the interactive potential of Twitter, and it appeared that the public responded to this by engaging in further dialogue. We attribute the more conservative approach of British candidates compared to the Netherlands to historic differences in the appropriation of social media by national elites, and differing levels of discipline imposed from the central party machines.