bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant Vaccine Immunotherapy of Resected, Clinically Node-Negative Melanoma: Long-term Outcome and Impact of HLA Class I Antigen Expression on Overall Survival
Authors: Carson William E. , Unger Joseph M. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Flaherty Lawrence E. , Tuthill Ralph J. , Porter Mark J. , Thompson John A. , Kempf Raymond A. , Othus Megan , Ribas Antoni , Sondak Vernon K.
Published: July 2014

Associations between HLA class I antigen expression and the efficacy of a melanoma vaccine (Melacine; Corixa Corp.) were initially described in stage IV melanoma. Similar associations were observed in S9035, a phase III adjuvant trial evaluating Melacine for 2 years compared with observation in patients with stage II melanoma. This report provides long-term results. The effects of treatment on relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated, and prespecified analyses investigated associations between treatment and HLA expression. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for tumor thickness, ulceration and site, method of nodal staging, and sex. P = 0.01 was considered statistically significant in subset analyses to account for multiple comparisons. For the entire study population of 689 patients, there were no significant differences in RFS or OS by treatment arm. HLA serotyping was performed on 553 (80%) patients (vaccine, 294; observation, 259). Among the subpopulation with HLA-A2 and/or HLA-Cw3 serotype, vaccine arm patients (n = 178) had marginally improved RFS (adjusted P = 0.02) and significantly improved OS compared with observation arm patients (n = 145), with 10-year OS of 75% and 63%, respectively [hazard ratio (HR), 0.62; 99% confidence interval (CI), 0.37–1.02; P = 0.01]. There was no impact of HLA-A2 and/or HLA-Cw3 expression on observation arm patients. An analysis of mature data from S9035 indicates a significant OS benefit from adjuvant vaccine therapy for patients with HLA-A2– and/or HLA-Cw3–expressing melanoma. The possibility of interactions between HLA type and outcome should be considered in future immunotherapy trials. Further investigations of melanoma-associated antigens present in Melacine and presented by HLA-A2 and HLA-Cw3 may be warranted. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(10); 981–7. ©2014 AACR.
Serum Prolactin and CA-125 Levels as Biomarkers of Peritoneal Endometriosis
Authors: Bilibio João P. , Souza Carlos A.B. , Rodini Gustavo P. , Andreoli Carolina G. , Genro Vanesa K. , de Conto Emily , Cunha-Filho João S.L.
Published: July 2014

Background/Aims: To evaluate serum prolactin and CA-125 levels as biomarkers for the diagnosis of peritoneal endometriosis. Methods: A prospective study was performed. Blood samples were drawn from a peripheral vein during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (day 19-21 prior to the surgery) to analyze through relative operating characteristic curve the serum prolactin and CA-125 levels for diagnosis of peritoneal endometriosis. The study was performed with 97 participants, 63 women with peritoneal endometriosis and 34 healthy women. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of peritoneal endometriosis diagnosis were equivalent for prolactin (21 and 99%) and for CA-125 (27 and 97%; p = 0.58). These two markers were used in a parallel test utilizing the usual cutoff (prolactin 20.0 ng/ml and CA-125 35 U/I). The sensitivity and specificity were 44 and 99%. However, by utilizing the best cutoff (prolactin 14.8 ng/ml and for CA-125 19.8 U/I), sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value were 77, 88 and 97%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum CA-125 and prolactin levels assessed together, and considering the cutoff for CA-125 (19.9 U/I) and prolactin (14.8 ng/ml), allow the diagnosis of peritoneal endometriosis with acceptable sensitivity and specificity (77 and 88%) and a high negative predictive value (97%).
Gemcitabine and Docetaxel for Epithelioid Sarcoma: Results from a Retrospective, Multi-Institutional Analysis
Authors: Pink Daniel , Richter Stephan , Gerdes Sebastian , Andreou Dimosthenis , Tunn Per-Ulf , Busemann Christoph , Ehninger Gerhard , Reichardt Peter , Schuler Markus K.
Published: July 2014

Objective: Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) presents unique clinical features in comparison to other sarcoma subtypes. Data regarding the benefits of chemotherapy are very limited. Combination regimens using gemcitabine and docetaxel (Gem/Doce) have proven to be effective, especially in uterine and nonuterine leiomyosarcoma. Yet, there is no available data on the efficacy of Gem/Doce in ES. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the three participating institutions was performed. Twenty-eight patients with an ES diagnosis presented at one of the participating institutions between 1989 and 2012. Of this group, 17 patients received chemotherapy. Results: Patients' median overall survival (OS) after the beginning of palliative chemotherapy was 21 months, and the 1-year OS was 87%. Twelve patients received Gem/Doce with a clinical benefit rate of 83%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8 months for all patients receiving Gem/Doce. The best response was complete remission in 1 patient and partial remission in 6 patients. All 6 patients receiving Gem/Doce as a first-line treatment showed measurable responses with a median PFS of 9 months. Conclusions: In this retrospective study, Gem/Doce was an effective chemotherapeutic regimen for ES. Prospective studies are needed to better assess the effects of this combination drug therapy.
Historic Records on the Commercial Production of Infant Formula
Authors: Obladen Michael
Published: July 2014

Industrialized food production first appeared in 1856, pioneered by Borden in the USA, Liebig in Germany, Nestlé in Switzerland, and Mellin in the UK. Their products differed remarkably and deviated from human and cow's milk, and physicians discussed the importance of minute variations in protein, fat and carbohydrates. Proprietary formulas were free of bacteria, and the companies prospered with mass production, international marketing and aggressive advertising. From 1932 on, medical societies restricted advertising to the laity. In 1939 Williams in Singapore and in 1970 Jelliffe in Jamaica suspected that commercial formula may be increasing infant mortality in the Third World. Breastfeeding continued to decline during the early 20th century, falling in 1970 below 10% in the USA. The Swiss ‘Third World Group' and the US ‘Infant Formula Action Coalition' linked infant mortality and industry marketing in the Third World. The controversy of 1970-1984 led to the WHO Code, which regulated the advertising and marketing of baby food. This was one of several public health statements contributing to the resurgence of breastfeeding.
The Microscopic Complexities of C3 in Breast Cytology
Authors: Weigner Julie , Zardawi Ibrahim , Braye Stephen , McElduff Patrick
Published: July 2014

Background: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of difficult breast lesions often results in an atypical (C3) report. The assortment of outcomes generated by C3 reports varies widely, and this has given rise to different clinical management pathways. Objective: To identify and objectively assess microscopic features associated with atypical/C3 breast FNA cases. Materials and Methods: A total of 230 atypical breast FNAs were subjected to a blind microscopic rescreen using a range of robust qualitative and quantitative cytological criteria including cellularity, architectural qualities, cytomorphology and background features. A logistic regression with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the resultant forward stepwise analysis were conducted to assess the results. This statistical testing was measured against malignant, benign proliferative and benign non-proliferative outcomes. Results: The malignant and benign proliferative outcomes showed a mixture of opposing protective and predictive individual cytological criteria. The stepwise analysis produced models demonstrating the best combination of individual cytological criteria for malignancy, proliferative and benign non-proliferative entities. In the malignancy model, discohesion, nuclear crowding within sheets, diminished numbers of bare bipolar nuclei and myoepithelial cells, the presence of tubules or necrosis and the absence of a cystic background were important features. The benign proliferative model suggested the same criteria but with the opposite implication and with the addition of several others, such as the presence of apocrine metaplasia, retained polarity and a speckled or coarse chromatin pattern. Age was a significant factor in malignant and proliferative outcomes. The benign non-proliferative stepwise analysis produced a model with fewer criteria (complex sheets, bare bipolar nuclei and a cystic background) limiting clinical application. Conclusion: Atypical/C3 breast cytology remains a legitimate reporting category. However, it is associated with a number of different histological outcomes. The incidence of the C3 category can be significantly reduced by controlling extrinsic factors and understanding the associated microscopic features.
Prediction of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis in the General Population
Authors: de Weerd Marjolein , Greving Jacoba P. , Hedblad Bo , Lorenz Matthias W. , Mathiesen Ellisiv B. , O’Leary Daniel H. , Rosvall Maria , Sitzer Matthias , de Borst Gert Jan , Buskens Erik , Bots Michiel L.
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose—

Because of a low prevalence of severe carotid stenosis in the general population, screening for presence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) is not warranted. Possibly, for certain subgroups, screening is worthwhile. The present study aims to develop prediction rules for the presence of ACAS (>50% and >70%).

Methods—

Individual participant data from 4 population-based cohort studies (Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, Tromsø Study, Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression Study, and Cardiovascular Health Study; totaling 23 706 participants) were pooled. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine which variables predict presence of ACAS (>50% and >70%). Calibration and discrimination of the models were assessed, and bootstrapping was used to correct for overfitting.

Results—

Age, sex, history of vascular disease, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio, diabetes mellitus, and current smoking were predictors of stenosis (>50% and >70%). The calibration of the model was good confirmed by a nonsignificant Hosmer and Lemeshow test for moderate (
P
=0.59) and severe stenosis (
P
=0.07). The models discriminated well between participants with and without stenosis, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve corrected for over optimism of 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.84) for moderate stenosis and of 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.85–0.90) for severe stenosis. The regression coefficients of the predictors were converted into a score chart to facilitate practical application.

Conclusions—

A clinical prediction rule was developed that allows identification of subgroups with high prevalence of moderate (>50%) and severe (>70%) ACAS. When confirmed in comparable cohorts, application of the prediction rule may lead to a reduction in the number needed to screen for ACAS.
Different Doses of Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke in Chinese Patients
Authors: Chao A-Ching , Liu Ching-Kuan , Chen Chih-Hung , Lin Huey-Juan , Liu Chung-Hsiang , Jeng Jiann-Shing , Hu Chaur-Jong , Chung Chih-Ping , Hsu Hung-Yi , Sheng Wen-Yung , Hu Han-Hwa
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose—

The relationship between the dose of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) and its safety/efficacy for ischemic stroke has not been well evaluated in the East Asian population. We assessed the safety/efficacy of different doses of r-tPA for acute ischemic stroke in Chinese patients.

Methods—

A total of 1004 eligible patients were classified according to the dose of r-tPA received for managing acute ischemic stroke: 0.9 mg/kg (n=422), 0.8 mg/kg (n=202), 0.7 mg/kg (n=199), and 0.6 mg/kg (n=181). The safety outcome was symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and death within 3 months. The efficacy outcome was good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤1) at 3 months.

Results—

There was a significant trend for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage with age (
P
=0.002). With multivariate logistic regression analysis, a dose of 0.9 mg/kg was a predictor of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (
P
=0.0109), and a dose ≤0.65 mg/kg was a predictor of good functional outcome (
P
=0.0369). In patients aged 71 to 80 years, there was a significant trend of increasing symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (
P
=0.0130) and less good functional outcome (
P
=0.0179) with increasing doses of r-tPA. There was also a trend of increasing mortality (
P
=0.0971) at 3 months in these patients.

Conclusions—

These results did not support the dose of 0.9 mg/kg of r-tPA being optimal for all patients in the East Asian population. In elderly patients (71–80 years), a lower dose of 0.6 mg/kg is associated with a better outcome. Confirmation of the results through randomized trial is required.
Cryptogenic Subtype Predicts Reduced Survival Among Cancer Patients With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Navi Babak B. , Singer Samuel , Merkler Alexander E. , Cheng Natalie T. , Stone Jacqueline B. , Kamel Hooman , Iadecola Costantino , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , DeAngelis Lisa M.
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose—

Cryptogenic stroke is common in patients with cancer. Autopsy studies suggest that many of these cases may be because of marantic endocarditis, which is closely linked to cancer activity. We, therefore, hypothesized that among patients with cancer and ischemic stroke, those with cryptogenic stroke would have shorter survival.

Methods—

We retrospectively analyzed all adult patients with active systemic cancer diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke at a tertiary care cancer center from 2005 through 2009. Two neurologists determined stroke mechanisms by consensus. Patients were diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke if no specific mechanism could be determined. The diagnosis of marantic endocarditis was restricted to patients with cardiac vegetations on echocardiography or autopsy and negative blood cultures. Patients were followed until July 31, 2012, for the primary outcome of death. Kaplan–Meier statistics and the log-rank test were used to compare survival between patients with cryptogenic stroke and patients with known stroke mechanisms. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis evaluated the association between cryptogenic stroke and death after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results—

Among 263 patients with cancer and ischemic stroke, 133 (51%) were cryptogenic. Median survival in patients with cryptogenic stroke was 55 days (interquartile range, 21–240) versus 147 days (interquartile range, 33–735) in patients with known stroke mechanisms (
P
<0.01). Cryptogenic stroke was independently associated with death (hazard ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–2.14) after adjusting for age, systemic metastases, adenocarcinoma histology, and functional status.

Conclusions—

Cryptogenic stroke is independently associated with reduced survival in patients with active cancer and ischemic stroke.
Human Embryology in the Islamic Tradition
Authors: Ghaly Mohammed
Published: July 2014

The translation of Greek works on medicine and biology into Arabic and their wide dissemination, at the latest by the 6th-7th/12th-13th centuries, in different disciplines of the Islamic tradition were not without consequences, especially for fiqh (Islamic law). In their religio-ethical discussions, Muslim jurists addressed this Greek medical legacy, together with comments and additions made by Muslim and non-Muslim, especially Jewish, physicians. This essay starts with introductory remarks about the main approaches to medical views on human embryology in philosophy and theology. I then focus on the works of five Muslims jurists from the 7th-8th /13th-14th centuries, with special attention to the Mālikī jurist Shihāb al-Dīn al-Qarāfī (d. 684/1285) and the Ḥanbalī Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751/1350), whose contributions to human embryology remain comparatively unexplored. My main thesis is that the introduction of medical views on human embryology to fiqh literature opened the door for post-formative jurists to practice ijtihād, sometimes on a large scale, by going beyond the established authority of the madhāhib (schools of law). In modern times, Muslim jurists who address human embryology, especially within the nascent of field of Islamic bioethics, have been influenced by these earlier discussions.
Islamic Law in the Modern World
Authors: Layish Aharon
Published: July 2014

The essay provides a general account of some of the main changes that Islamic law has undergone since the late 19th century: the transformation of Islamic law from a jurists’ law to a statutory law; the displacement of the ʿulamāʾ as the exclusive interpreters of Islamic law; and the secularization and nationalization of Islamic law through the judicial practice of the Constitutional Court and civil courts in Egypt. Other issues include the impact of the West on Islamic law; the reduction of Islamic law in Turkey to the sta-tus of custom; the collapse of traditional family law and the waqf institution; the Isla-mization of custom in tribal societies; and the application of Islamic law in a non-Muslim state. In the conclusion, I assess the chances of reinstating Islamic law and Islamizing the statutory legal corpus based on the experience of Iran, the Sudan and Egypt.
Animals and Attachment Theory
Authors: Rockett Ben , Carr Sam
Published: July 2014

The study of nonhuman animals in the context of attachment theory is steadily growing. This paper sought to pull together recent literature in order to review, summarize, and discuss (a) animals as attachment figures, (b) the conceptualization of attachment quality in human-animal bonds, and (c) the role of animals in assisting the development of human-human attachment.
Tools of the Trade or Part of the Family? Horses in Competitive Equestrian Sport
Authors: Dashper Katherine
Published: July 2014

The horse-human relationship is based on mutual respect and understanding, and the development of trusting partnerships may be particularly important in elite equestrian sport, where horses and humans rely on each other to tackle sporting challenges. The increasing commercialization of equestrian sport is eroding aspects of the horse-human relationship, as the commodity value of sports horses increases and the pressure for quick results threatens the formation of deep bonds between horse and rider. This article presents data from an ethnographic study of competitive equestrian sport in England, including interviews with 26 elite riders, to explore how the changing nature of elite equestrian sport is altering the basis of the horse-human relationship, changing the horse from a trusted partner in sporting pursuits to a commodity to be bought and sold for human commercial benefit.
Retinotopy of Facial Expression Adaptation
Authors: Matsumiya Kazumichi
Published: July 2014

The face aftereffect (FAE; the illusion of faces after adaptation to a face) has been reported to occur without retinal overlap between adaptor and test, but recent studies revealed that the FAE is not constant across all test locations, which suggests that the FAE is also retinotopic. However, it remains unclear whether the characteristic of the retinotopy of the FAE for one facial aspect is the same as that of the FAE for another facial aspect. In the research reported here, an examination of the retinotopy of the FAE for facial expression indicated that the facial expression aftereffect occurs without retinal overlap between adaptor and test, and depends on the retinal distance between them. Furthermore, the results indicate that, although dependence of the FAE on adaptation-test distance is similar between facial expression and facial identity, the FAE for facial identity is larger than that for facial expression when a test face is presented in the opposite hemifield. On the basis of these results, I discuss adaptation mechanisms underlying facial expression processing and facial identity processing for the retinotopy of the FAE.
Comparative Structure Of Vascular Cambium And Its Derivatives In Some Species Of Sterculia
Authors: Rao K. S. , Rajput Kishore S. , Srinivas T.
Published: July 2014

Structural variations in cambium, xylem and phloem collected from main trunks of Sterculia colorata, S. alata, S. villosa, S. urens and S. foetida growing in the South Dangs forests were studied. In all five species, the cambium was storied with variations in the length of fusiform cambial cells. Compared to other species S. foetida had the longest and S. urens the shortest fusiform cambial cells. Cambial rays in all the species were compound (tall) and heterocellular with sheath cells. Their height and width were maximal in S. foetida and in S. villosa respectively. In all the species the storied nature of fusiform cambial cells was maintained in derivative cells that developed into sieve tube elements; vessel elements and axial parenchyma of both phloem and xylem. However, fibres of phloem and xylem were nonstoried. The dimensions of elements in phloem and xylem varied among the species. The variation in the mean length of sieve tube elements and vessel members coincided with that of fusiform cambial cells.
Dalbergia Congestiflora Standl.: Wood Structure And Physico-Chemical Properties Compared With Other Central American Species Of Dalbergia
Authors: Georg Richter Hans , Krause Vlf-Joachim , Muche Claudia
Published: July 2014

Wood structure and selected physico-chemical properties of a rare Mexican species, tentatively identified as Dalbergia congestiflora, are described and compared with other Central American species of Dalbergia. On account of their distinct wood structure, four species groups can be distinguished: 1) D. granadillo, D. hypoleuca, D. lineata and D. retusa ('cocobolo') are characterised by mainly apotracheal diffuse-inaggregates parenchyma, large and few vessels, high density (0.89-1.35 g/cm3), identical heartwood colour, and chemical composition of extractives (D. granadillo, D. retusa); 2) D. tucuruensis (including D. cubitquitzensis) and D. palo-escrito are identical in all aspects but distinct from the coco bolo group on account of differences in parenchyma distribution, heartwood colour and extractives composition (D. tucuruensis), and the consistently lower density (~0.80 g/cm3); 3) D. congestiflora and D. funera (= D. calderonii) differ markedly in heartwood colour and somewhat in heartwood extractives composition but share a high density and similar wood structural pattern characterised primarily by relatively small and frequent vessels, banded parenchyma and the presence of prismatic crystals in ray cells; 4) D. stevensonii is very similar in wood structure to D. tucuruensis but has a much higher density and different heartwood extractives composition. These results indicate that the combination of wood structure and chemistry of heartwood extractives may be successfully employed for intrageneric classification of Dalbergia.
Contact And Non-Contact Proportions Between Axial Elements and Rays
Authors: Zhang Chunhua , Fujita Minoru , Takabe Keiji
Published: July 2014

Proportions ofaxial elements without any spatial contacts with rays were investigated. Non-contact rates between rays and fusiforrn initials or axial parenchyma strands were examined in tangential sections of cambial or axial parenchyma zones in 21 hardwood species . The noncontact rates were very different among species, ranging from 0% to 76%. Serial trans verse sections of xylem were used to deterrnine the non-contact rates between rays and wood fibers in 3 of the 21 hardwood species having high non-contact rates of parenchyma strands . The noncontact rate of wood fibers was 49% in Albizia julibrissin (non-storied cambium), 30% in Paulownia tomentosa (non-storied cambium), and 52% in Pterocymbium beccarii (storied cambium). Tangential seetions of three softwood species, Pinus thunbergii, Cryptomeria japonica, and Chamaecyparis obtusa were used to investigate the contacts between rays and tracheids. All tracheids in the three species had contact with at least one ray, ranging from 1 to 15 rays.
Seasonality in Cambial Activity of four Lianas from A Mexican Lowland Tropical Rainforest
Authors: León-Gómez Calixto , Monroy-Ata Arcadio
Published: July 2014

The rhythm of vascular cambial activity was studied in four species of lianas growing in a lowland tropical rainforest of Mexico. Cambial activity was determined by counting the number of layers of cells in the cambial zone. A greater number of layers was assumed to indicate greater cambial activity. In all four species (Machaerium cobanense, M.floribundum, Gouania lupuloides and Trichostigma octandrum) the cambium is active throughout the year. In three of the species (all but T. octandrum) cambial activity was significantly higher in the April-October rainy period than in the November-March dry period. Cambial activity in Trichostigma octandrum was not significantly associated with the wet or dry season.
Wood Quality of Coppiced Eucalyptus Tereticornisfor Value Addition
Authors: Sharma S.K. , Rao R.V. , Shukla S.R. , Kumar P. , Sudheendra R. , Sujatha M. , Dubey Y.M.
Published: July 2014

The anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of non-coppiced and coppiced (after first felling) wood of Eucalyptus tereticornis were studied to evaluate their quality and to recommend it for various end uses. The pith to periphery variation in specific gravity, fibre length, fibre diameter, fibre lumen diameter, double wall thickness, vessel diameter and vessel element length were investigated in both types of wood. Correlation coefficients between anatomical characteristics and specific gravity and among anatomical characteristics were established. The results of physical and mechanical properties indicate that the timber from both non-coppiced and coppiced wood can be classified as very heavy, strong, tough, very hard but liable to warp and crack badly. The studies suggest that there is no significant difference in anatomical and mechanical properties of non-coppiced and coppiced wood suggesting their timbers can be utilized for similar purposes.
Shrinkage of Tracheid Cells With Desorption Visualized by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
Authors: Sakagami Hiroki , Matsumura Junji , Oda Kazuyuki
Published: July 2014

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was applied as a new method of visualizing the shrinkage of wood and its anisotropy. Control of relative humidity and temperature in a specialized environment chamber made it possible to acquire transverse images of tracheids of Akamatsu (Pinus densiflora) from the saturated condition to the dried condition. The shrinkage of tracheid cells was also determined by measuring the tangential diameter of tracheid and lumen, the radial diameter of tracheid and lumen, and the thickness of tangential and radial walls. Moreover, this technique makes it possible to discuss the relationship between moisture content and tracheid cell shape. We found the CLSM technique to be an effective method for visualizing shrinkage of tracheid cells with desorption.
Comparison of Cross-Field Pitting in Fresh, Dried and Charcoalified Softwoods
Authors: Gerards T. , Damblon F. , Wauthoz B. , Gerrienne P.
Published: July 2014

Cross-field pitting is one of the most reliable characters for softwood identification. During charcoalification, a range of severe qualitative and quantitative modifications may occur in cross-field pitting. As most fossil or archaeological wood remains are preserved as charcoal (fusain), the question arises whether these modifications hamper the accurate identification of some taxa. This work is a systematic biometric study of a wide range of gymnosperm cross-field pitting after experimental charcoalification. We focused on the window-like, piceoid, taxodioid, cupressoid, araucarioid and podocarpoid cross-field pitting types. Our main results are the following: 1) Cross-field pits of wood specimens dried out before charcoalification are hidden by a thin closing wall; in this case, it is often impossible to discriminate between the various types of cross-field pitting. 2) Piceoid cross-field pitting becomes taxodioid-like after charcoalification. 3) Biometric study of charred softwood cross-field pitting dimensions shows that the ratios between height and width of pit aperture and border allow us to distinguish and characterise four types of pitting (window-like, piceoid, taxodioid, cupressoid +araucarioid +podocarpoid [= CAP]). The discrimination within the CAP type requires further investigation.
Comparative Wood Anatomy of Pinus Sylvestris and Its Var. Compacta in the West Black Sea Region of Turkey
Authors: Yaman Barbaros
Published: July 2014

Pinus sylvestris L. subsp. hamata (Steven) Fomin var. compacta Tosun is quite different from the common form of P. sylvestris in its external morphology. The size of the needles, cones and seeds of the former are significantly smaller than those of the latter. Besides, this variety branches out beginning from the ground level, and has very dense branches and needles. The present study describes the anatomical properties of the wood of P. sylvestris var. compacta and compares them with typical P. sylvestris. The woods of these taxa have the same qualitative anatomical features, but most of the quantitative anatomical characteristics show significant differences: variety compacta has lower values than common P. sylvestris in tracheid length and diameter, ray height and bordered pit diameter.
Comparative Anatomy of the Wood of Abies Pinsapo and Its two Moroccan Varieties
Authors: Esteban Luis García , de Palacios Paloma , Guindeo Antonio , Fernández Francisco García
Published: July 2014

This study describes the structure of the wood of Abies pinsapo from samples taken from its three natural distribution areas in the Iberian Peninsula (Sierra de Grazalema, Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra Bermeja) and compares them with the varieties from the north of Africa, Abies pinsapo var. marocana from the Talassemtane mountains and A. pinsapo var. tazaotana from the Tazaout mountains. All the samples were collected in their regions of provenance. To put the results into perspective, a comparison was also made with the wood of Abies alba and A. numidica. The wood of the Iberian A. pinsapo and of its two varieties from the Rif mountains in Morocco is anatomically similar, and there are no qualitative differences that enable the wood to be differentiated except for the presence of resin deposits in the tracheids adjacent to the rays in the samples from Grazalema. Quantitatively, for tracheid diameter and tracheid length there are statistically significantly differences (p<0.05) between those of Spanish provenance and the Moroccan varieties, but for tracheid pit diameter, largest diameter of cross-field pits and tall ray frequency the samples from Sierra Bermeja have more in common with the African samples.
Perforated Ray Cells in the Root snd Stem of Maytenus (Celastroideae-Celastraceae)
Authors: Joffily Ana , Domingues Danielle Freire , Vieira Ricardo Cardoso
Published: July 2014

Perforated ray cells are reported for Maytenus (Celastraceae). They are of relatively common occurrence in the xylem of nine species studied, including rootwood of two of these species, and thus seem diagnostic at the genus level.
Variation in the Wood Properties of Paraserianthes Falcataria Planted In Indonesia
Authors: Ishiguri F. , Eizawa J. , Saito Y. , Iizuka K. , Yokota S. , Priadi D. , Sumiasri N. , Yoshizawa N.
Published: July 2014

In many tree breeding programs, plus trees have been selected according to growth rate or stern form in trees. Trees that have a high growth rate or good stern form do not always produce industrially desirable wood. Therefore criteria for wood quality should be considered in tree breeding programs. The objective of this study is to obtain the basic knowledge for breeding for wood quality in Paraserianthes falcataria, an important commercial tree species of Indonesia. Variation in the growth, log properties, basic density, and fiber length in 13-year-old P. falcataria was investigated. Even though all trees were the same age, diameter at breast height showed high variation, indicating a significant variance in the growth rate of seedlings. Significant differences in the log properties (green density, dynamic Young's modulus, and stress-wave velocity) were observed among the trees. Basic density showed a constant value up to 10 cm from pith, at which point it began to increase. The fiber length increased up to 10 cm from the pith and then showed an almost constant value. According to the radial variation of the basic density and fiber length, wood is categorized as core wood, which includes that up to 10 cm from the pith, and outer wood, which is that from 10 cm to the bark. In addition, a significant difference in the basic density of core wood was observed among the trees, indicating that the selection of a plus tree with high-density wood in this species is possible at a relatively early stage. These results indicate that the wood quality in P. falcataria can be improved through tree breeding.
Shading Correction Methods for Digital Image Analysis of Confocal Wood Images
Authors: Moëll Mattias K. , Donaldson Lloyd A.
Published: July 2014

Confocal fluorescence microscopy provides a rapid method for acquiring high quality optically thin section images of wood suitable for measurement of cell dimensions. Single optical slice images of wood may occasionally contain artefacts due to differential light absorption caused by variation in the distance between the sample surface and the imaging plane across the field of view. Regional brightness variations, which we call shading, may cause problems when such images are used for wood cell measurements using digital image analysis, affecting the accuracy of wood cell dimensions. We have compared various shading correction methods for confocal microscope images and investigated the effect of shading on both the c1assification of cell wall pixels and the resulting cell dimension measurements. Severe shading results in significant errors for measurement of cell wall area, but smaller errors for cell wall thickness and lumen diameter. Some shading correction methods have unwanted effects on pixel c1assification and cell dimensions, while more effective methods remove the shading without introducing further artefacts. The effect of shading is influenced by choice of thresholding method.
Vessel Redundancy: Modeling Safety In Numbers
Authors: Ewers Frank W. , Ewers John M. , Jacobsen Anna L. , López-Portillo Jorge
Published: July 2014

We examined the concept that high vessel number provides xylem safety and also show that under certain circumstances high vessel number may increase rather than decrease the probab ility of mortality. The independent variable was the number of vessels per organ (redundancy). The dependent variable was the probab ility of organ death for which we set three thresho1ds for catastrophic runaway embolism (50, 75 and 90% embolisrn). Results were calculated based upon the probability that any particu1arvesse1would become embolized (P). When the modeled p was below the runaway embolism thresho1d, the safety benefits (decreased probability of organ death) increased dramatically in going from one to ten vessels and approached maximum levels of safety in organs with lOO or more vessels.Vessel redundancy conferred the greatest advantage when p approached, but was less than, the runaway embolism threshold of the organ. However, when p exceeded the runaway embolism threshold the redund ancy relationship was reversed and safety was greatest in organs with lower vessel numbers. Having greater vessel redundancy increased the likelihood of an "average" result, i.e., mortality if p is above the threshold, and survival when p is below the threshold. Model predictions are discussed in terms of redundancy segmentation, stern splitting and various other ecological and evolutionary strategies for plants exposed to different environmental conditions.
The Arboreal Component of The Neogene Forest Bed, West Point Island, Falkland Islands
Authors: Poole Imogen , Cantrill David
Published: July 2014

In 1907 Halle (1911) collected a diverse wood assemblage from the organic clays and lignites of the Forest Bed on West Point Island. This wood assemblage provides a reliable basis for determining the local arboreal component of the vegetation comprising the Forest Bed community. Five wood types have been recognised from Halle's collection as belonging to the Cupressaceae and Podocarpaceae. A reinvestigation of the only dicotyledonous angiosperm wood collected from this bed found that it resembled most closely Weinmannia L. of the Cunoniaceae. Together these remains represent an increased diversity of wood types derived from the arboreal component of thc vegetation, relative to previous studies. Gymnosperms are likely to have comprised the overstorey with angiosperms forming a closed canopy, interpreted as a broadleaf-gymnosperm temperate-type rainforest. The results agree with arecent palynological study of the same deposits, which concluded that the vegetative composition of the Forest Bed is a unique variant of the continuum of the Nothofagus Blume-Podocarpaceae rainforests that existed on middlehigh latitude landmasses across the Southern Hemisphere during the Late Tertiary.
Social Media, Collaboration, and Scientific Organizations
Authors: Murthy Dhiraj , Lewis Jeremiah P.
Published: July 2014

The use of social media by collaborative organizations has been studied in a variety of contexts, including virtual teams, enterprise organizations, and social movements. However, social media are not often examined within the context of scientific organizations. This article explores how an organization of 122 life scientists and science-related professionals—anonymized as Science City Network (SciCity)—combine monthly symposia with social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and blogs. Using an online survey, we found that younger SciCity members are more interested in using social media to support a collaborative community, whereas older members are more interested in social applications. Social media use was not found to significantly differ by gender. Using social network analysis, we found several individuals who act as hubs of information who keep the SciCity Twitter network alive. However, the hierarchical structure of the network reveals that it is better suited for information dissemination than innovation and collaboration. Our examination of this scientific organization ultimately offers insight into how a coalition of multiple social media technologies is used differentially by organizational members and that there is ultimately no general consensus of the utility of social media to scientific collaboration. This finding tempers some claims of the utility of social media for scientific collaboration.
The Future of Social Movement Organizations
Authors: Earl Jennifer
Published: July 2014

This article examines the role of social movement organizations (SMOs) in Internet activism. While SMOs may still play a vital role in offline protest that is facilitated online, I argue that SMOs do not necessarily offer strong returns on investment for forms of protest in which participation occurs online or in which entire movements are organized online. Specifically, I argue that several critical functions for SMOs in offline social movements are not as applicable online, rendering SMOs less necessary for online participation and/or organizing. However, that SMOs may no longer be prerequisites for online protest does not imply their extinction for several reasons. First, noninstrumental motives may drive SMO formation and maintenance. Second, other situations remain, such as facilitating offline protest using the Internet, in which SMOs are still likely to provide significant returns on investment. Third, SMOs may be important to healthy movement ecologies such that entire social movements that are devoid of SMOs may operate less optimally than movements in which at least some SMOs are active. I close by arguing for increased research on settings where SMOs are absent and on alternative returns on investments for SMOs in Internet activism.
Utilising technology to connect the hospital and the classroom: Maintaining connections using tablet computers and a ‘Presence’ App
Authors: Hopkins Liza , Wadley Greg , Vetere Frank , Fong Maria , Green Julie
Published: July 2014

Reduced school attendance is a recognised risk factor for poorer outcomes both educationally and across a wide range of social, economic and personal indicators throughout life. Children and young people with chronic health conditions often have poor or disrupted records of school attendance due to periods of hospitalisation and time spent recuperating at home. Keeping students with health conditions connected to school and learning is critical to avoid a trajectory of school absence, disengagement from schoolwork and peers, reduced achievement in education and early school leaving. This paper reports on a research project conducted in Victoria, Australia, to connect 7–12 year old hospitalised children with their school using a specially designed Presence App run on a mobile tablet computer. Nine hospitalised students, their families and schools participated in the trial. Results indicate that the Presence App helped to create and maintain a social presence for the absent child in the classroom and keep students at risk of disengagement connected to school. Our research also showed that while the ‘Presence’ App complemented existing information and communication technology such as videoconferencing and email by connecting hospitalised student and school, it had added advantages over these modes of communication such as creating an on-going classroom presence for the hospitalised child while respecting privacy and attempting to minimise disruption in the hospital and classroom settings.
Street network structure and household activity spaces
Authors: Parthasarathi Pavithra , Hochmair Hartwig , Levinson David
Published: July 2014

This research analyses the influence of street network structure on household travel patterns, as measured by activity spaces. The analysis uses street network and travel survey data from the Minneapolis – St. Paul (Twin Cities) and Miami – Ft. Lauderdale (South Florida) metropolitan areas. Various measures of street network structure are used to quantify street network structure. The activity space polygon for each household in the travel survey data set is identified by combining the destinations reached by all household members on the given travel day including the household location. Statistical regression models are then estimated for each study area to test the relationship between street network structure and household activity space. The results show that network structure has a significant influence on household travel patterns, after controlling for other non-network variables such as accessibility to jobs and shops, and car ownership.
Is economic growth improving urbanisation? A cross-regional study of China
Authors: Liu Tie-Ying , Su Chi Wei , Jiang Xu-Zhao
Published: July 2014

This study applies a bootstrap panel Granger causality test to determine the relationship between urbanisation and economic growth for China. We find that the patterns of interaction between urbanisation and economic growth vary across different regions. The empirical results show that in urbanisation of the northern coastal region and most of the inland region Granger causes economic growth, whereas economic growth does not have a significant effect on urbanisation, except in the southern coastal region and the inland region. One-fourth of China’s provinces, primarily in the southern coastal region, do not show a Granger causality relationship between urbanisation and economic growth. This finding indicates that urbanisation has promoted economic growth by expanding demand and that economic growth’s effect on urbanisation is restricted by administrative intervention rather than market mechanisms. Thus, the findings for three-fourths of the provinces in China conform to the urbanised economy theory. These results may help regional governments undergoing urbanisation to create fair economic growth policies.
The Impact of the Financial and Economic Crisis on Turnover Intention in the U.S. Federal Government
Authors: Wynen Jan , Op de Beeck Sophie
Published: July 2014

Using data from the U.S. Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, this article seeks to provide an insight into the effect of the financial and economic crisis on turnover intention within the U.S. federal government. By constructing panel data and applying a first difference estimator, the effect of the crisis on turnover intention is examined, while dealing with a possible issue of endogeneity. Not only does this approach allow us to examine the effect of the crisis, but it also enables us to analyze whether the specific effect of independent variables identified by turnover literature has changed due to the crisis. Results highlight that the crisis has a negative impact on turnover intention, while the effects of pay, training, and gender on turnover intention appear to have changed.
Emotion attention and recognition of facial expressions among close friends and casual acquaintances
Authors: Zhang Fang , Parmley Maria
Published: July 2014

The present study examined the link between emotion attention and accuracy of recognizing emotional facial expressions among close friend pairs and acquaintance pairs. Among acquaintance pairs, individuals high on emotion attention were more accurate than those low on emotion attention in reading the acquaintance’s negative expressions of sadness and anger but did not differ from the latter in reading the acquaintance’s happy expressions. Among close friend pairs, those high on emotion attention were also more accurate in reading the friend’s sad expressions and did not differ from the low emotion attention individuals in reading the friend’s happy expressions. However, they were actually less accurate in reading the friend’s angry expressions. This lower accuracy reflected a perceptual bias of systematically misperceiving the friend’s angry expressions as neutral or sad. This finding suggests a defensive mechanism in the perception of the friend’s angry expressions among individuals high on emotion attention. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of emotion attention in emotion recognition and the important role of the relationship context in this link.
Othering Obama
Authors: Tope Daniel , Pickett Justin T. , Cobb Ryon J. , Dirlam Jonathan
Published: July 2014

The literature on descriptive representation indicates that the election of black political leaders may prompt white enmity. We assess this claim by examining the relationship between whites’ racial attitudes and their likelihood of othering Barack Obama by labeling him as a Muslim and/or a noncitizen interloper. The findings reveal that both symbolic racial resentment and traditional racial attitudes are associated with othering Obama. In addition, the results reveal that the relationship between racial resentment and othering is substantially mediated by the use of seemingly nonracist frames based on emotional reactions and negative expectations about an Obama presidency. Conversely, much of the effect of belief in traditional antiblack stereotypes was transmitted directly to othering Obama without the use of justificatory frames. Despite claims of racial progress, our findings suggest that racial sentiments—both overt and symbolic—continue to play a major role in politics.