bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vrouwees: perspektiewe in die meer onlangse Afrikaanse poësie en prosa
Authors: Marais R.
Published: May 2013

This article investigates the views on woman and womanhood that are expressed in the poetry and prose of several contemporary women writers in Afrikaans. The study is conducted against the background of certain tendencies in feminist movements in Europe, Britain and the United States of America as well as views pronounced in the writings (both literary and feminist) of a number of feminist writers in Europe, Britain and the USA. For the purposes of this investigation a short exposition is given of what feminism entails, as well as of a number of the different views and approaches which it accommodates. Subsequently different views on womanhood as expressed in the creative writings of a number of women writers who have written extensively on this topic are discussed at the hand of their poetry and prose. Specific attention is paid to the South African woman’s views on men, marriage, her own sexuality and motherhood as revealed in the writings of these women.
Midterm Outcomes and Predictors of Clinical Success with the KineSpring Knee Implant System
Authors: London Nicholas J. , Smith Jon , Miller Larry E. , Block Jon E.
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate joint pain and function in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients treated with a joint-sparing, extracapsular implant and (2) identify patient characteristics that influenced clinical outcomes. This study included 99 patients with symptomatic medial knee OA refractory to conservative care who were treated with the KineSpring Knee Implant System and followed for a mean of 17 months (range, 1.5 to 48 months). All devices were successfully implanted and activated with no intraoperative complications. Statistically significant mean improvements of 56%, 50%, and 38% were observed for Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain, Function, and Stiffness scales, respectively (all P < 0.001). Regardless of gender, age group, body mass index classification, or disease severity, all WOMAC domain scores significantly improved during the postoperative follow-up period. WOMAC clinical success rates were 77.8% for Pain, 77.8% for Function, and 68.7% for Stiffness. Neither gender, age group, body mass index classification, nor disease severity predicted clinical success in any WOMAC domain. In conclusion, the KineSpring System yields clinically meaningful improvements in joint pain and function in patients with medial knee OA. Additionally, unlike joint-altering procedures such as knee arthroplasty or high tibial osteotomy, patient characteristics had little association with postoperative clinical outcomes.
State Rumination: Associations with Emotional Stress Reactivity and Attention Biases
Authors: LeMoult Joelle , Arditte Kimberly A. , D'Avanzato Catherine , Joormann Jutta
Published: May 2013

Within dysphoria, rumination has been identified as a particularly maladaptive emotion regulation strategy linked to prolonged negative affect and the onset of depressive episodes. Until now, the majority of research assessing naturally occurring rumination has utilized trait rumination measures; however, additional information may be obtained by assessing state rumination. The current study examined the association between state rumination and participants' emotional recovery from stress. In addition, biased attention toward emotional information was investigated as a mechanism that might underlie state rumination. Participants completed the exogenous cuing task to assess attentional engagement and disengagement from emotional facial expressions followed by a psychosocial stressor. State rumination and self-reported sadness were measured during the recovery period. As expected, state rumination was associated with less recovery in sadness scores, even after controlling for trait rumination and depressive symptoms. Moreover, within the high dysphoria group, participants who had more difficulty disengaging from emotional expressions reported higher levels of rumination in response to the stressor. Results highlight an important association between state rumination and individuals' recovery from stress, and suggest that difficulty disengaging attention from emotional expressions might be one mechanism underlying state rumination in dysphoria.
Borderline Personality Features Moderate Emotion Reactivity and Emotion Regulation in Response to a Fear Stressor
Authors: Chapman Alexander L. , Dixon-Gordon Katherine L. , Walters Kristy N.
Published: May 2013

This study examined emotional reactivity and emotion regulation strategies used by participants high (n = 41) and low (n = 55) in borderline personality (BP) features. Participants were randomly assigned to a neutral or fear emotion induction, and emotional responses (self-report and psychophysiological) were assessed. Participants also reported the types of strategies they used to regulate their emotions during the emotion induction. The high-BP (but not low-BP) participants reported greater fear, Upset, and hostility in the fear condition compared with the neutral condition. The participants in the fear condition evidenced vagal withdrawal, relative to the neutral condition, although there was some evidence of vagal withdrawal among the high-BP group in the neutral condition as well. Further, the high-BP (vs. low-BP) participants reported greater use of distraction, cognitive reappraisal, and emotion suppression, and less use of emotional acceptance. Reported use of acceptance partially mediated the moderation effect of BP features on the relationship between condition and reported hostility.
The impact of horizontal heterogeneities, cloud fraction, and cloud dynamics on warm cloud effective radii and liquid water path from CERES-like Aqua MODIS retrievals
Authors: Painemal D. , Minnis P. , Sun-Mack S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The impact of horizontal heterogeneities, liquid water path (LWP from AMSR-E), and cloud fraction (CF) on MODIS cloud effective radius (re), retrieved from the 2.1 μm (re2.1) and 3.8 μm (re3.8) channels, is investigated for warm clouds over the southeast Pacific. Values of re retrieved using the CERES Edition 4 algorithms are averaged at the CERES footprint resolution (~ 20 km), while heterogeneities (Hσ) are calculated as the ratio between the standard deviation and mean 0.64 μm reflectance. The value of re2.1 strongly depends on CF, with magnitudes up to 5 μm larger than those for overcast scenes, whereas re3.8 remains insensitive to CF. For cloudy scenes, both re2.1 and re3.8 increase with Hσ for any given AMSR-E LWP, but re2.1 changes more than for re3.8. Additionally, re3.8 – re2.1 differences are positive (< 1 μm) for homogeneous scenes (Hσ < 0.2) and LWP > 50 g m−2, and negative (up to −4 μm) for larger Hσ. Thus, re3.8 – re2.1 differences are more likely to reflect biases associated with cloud heterogeneities rather than information about the cloud vertical structure. The consequences for MODIS LWP are also discussed.
Nadir lidar observations of aerosol layers
Authors: Marenco F.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The observation of deep and optically thick aerosol layers by a nadir-pointing lidar poses a challenge in terms of the signal inversion into a geophysically meaningful quantity such as extinction coefficient. A far-end reference molecular layer will usually be unavailable if the observed layer is near the surface, and using a near-end reference results in an unstable mathematical solution. In this paper, it is demonstrated that a far-end reference, taken within the aerosol layer, yields a better solution, and that the influence of the reference reduces strongly when coming inward, so that 1–2 km above reference the solution can be trusted. A method is developed to set the reference using the assumption of a well-mixed layer near the surface, and its effect is tested on data collected during recent aircraft-based campaigns. The method is also tested on simulated profiles in order to verify its limits. The assumption of a well-mixed layer can be relaxed if one is able to set the reference well within a layer rather than at its boundaries.
The calcareous nannofossil Prinsiosphaera achieved rock-forming abundances in the latest Triassic of western Tethys: consequences for the δ13C of bulk carbonate
Authors: Preto N. , Agnini C. , Rigo M. , Sprovieri M. , Westphal H.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The onset of pelagic biomineralization marked a milestone in the history of the long term inorganic carbon cycle: as soon as calcareous nannofossils became major limestone producers, the pH and supersaturation state of the global ocean were stabilized (the so-called Mid Mesozoic Revolution). But although it is known that calcareous nannofossils were abundant already by the end of the Triassic, no estimates exist on their contribution to hemipelagic carbonate sedimentation. With this work, we estimate the volume proportion of Prinsiosphaera, the dominant Late Triassic calcareous nannofossil, in hemipelagic and pelagic carbonates of western Tethys. The investigated Upper Triassic lime mudstones are composed essentially of microspar and tests of calcareous nannofossils, plus minor bioclasts. Prinsiosphaera became a significant component of lime mudstones since the late Norian, and was contributing up to ca. 60% of the carbonate by the late Rhaetian in periplatform environments with hemipelagic sedimentation. The increasing proportion of Prinsiosphaera in upper Rhaetian hemipelagic lime mudstones is paralleled by a increase of the δ13C of bulk carbonate. We interpreted this isotopic trend as related to the diagenesis of microspar, which incorporated respired organic carbon with a low δ13C when it formed during shallow burial. As the proportion of nannofossil tests increased, the contribution of microspar with low δ13C diminished, determining the isotopic trend. We suggest that a similar diagenetic effect may be observed in many Mesozoic limestones with a significant, but not yet dominant, proportion of calcareous plankton.
A sensitivity study for far infrared balloon-borne limb emission sounding of stratospheric trace gases
Authors: Xu J. , Schreier F. , Vogt P. , Doicu A. , Trautmann T.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. This paper presents a sensitivity study performed for trace gases retrieval from synthetic observations by TELIS (TErahertz and submillimeter LImb Sounder) which is a stratospheric balloon-borne cryogenic heterodyne spectrometer. Issues pertaining to hydroxyl radical (OH) retrieval from the far infrared measurements by the 1.8 THz channel are addressed. The study is conducted by a retrieval code PILS (Profile Inversion for Limb Sounding) developed to solve the nonlinear inverse problems arising in the analysis of infrared/microwave limb sounding measurements. PILS combines a line-by-line forward model with automatic differentiation for computing Jacobians and employs regularized nonlinear least squares inversion. We examine the application of direct and iterative regularization methods and evaluate the performance of single- and multi-profile retrievals. Sensitivities to expected errors in calibration procedure, instrumental knowledge and atmospheric profiles have been analyzed. Nonlinearity effect, inaccurate sideband ratio, and pointing error turned out to be the dominant error sources. Furthermore, the capability of multi-channel simultaneous retrieval from the far infrared and submillimeter data has been investigated. The errors and averaging kernels infer that the quality of the obtained hydrogen chloride (HCl) can be improved by significantly better exploitation of information from the observations.
On the use of spring baseflow recession for a more accurate parameterization of aquifer transit time distribution functions
Authors: Farlin J. , Maloszewski P.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Baseflow recession analysis and groundwater dating have up to now developed as two distinct branches of hydrogeology and have been used to solve entirely different problems. We show that by combining two classical models, namely the Boussinesq equation describing spring baseflow recession, and the exponential piston-flow model used in groundwater dating studies, the parameters describing the transit time distribution of an aquifer can be in some cases estimated to a far more accurate degree than with the latter alone. Under the assumption that the aquifer basis is sub-horizontal, the mean transit time of water in the saturated zone can be estimated from spring baseflow recession. This provides an independent estimate of groundwater transit time that can refine those obtained from tritium measurements. The approach is illustrated in a case study predicting atrazine concentration trend in a series of springs draining the fractured-rock aquifer known as the Luxembourg Sandstone. A transport model calibrated on tritium measurements alone predicted different times to trend reversal following the nationwide ban on atrazine in 2005 with different rates of decrease. For some of the springs, the actual time of trend reversal and the rate of change agreed extremely well with the model calibrated using both tritium measurements and the recession of spring discharge during the dry season. The agreement between predicted and observed values was however poorer for the springs displaying the most gentle recessions, possibly indicating a stronger influence of continuous groundwater recharge during the summer months.
DESIGN ON VALIDATION NETWORK OF REMOTE SENSING PRODUCTS IN CHINA
Authors: Ma M. G. , Li X. , Weizhen Wang , Xiao Q. , Zhao K. , Xin X. P.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Validation is important assurance for the usage of remote sensing products. This paper introduces the design of a planning Validation network of Remote sensing Products in China (VRPC). VRPC is planning to incorporate more than 10 experimental stations relating to remote sensing observation. The observation fields of these stations need include typical land surface types as possible. VRPC will be realized step by step. In the first stage, four stations that have better remote sensing observation basis are incorporated. They are Heihe Remote Sensing Comprehensive Experimental Station, Huailai Remote Sensing Comprehensive Experimental Station, Jingyuetan Remote Sensing Experimental Station, Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station. In this paper, the over goal of VRPC was introduced firstly. Then the basic selection principles of the observation sites were set down especially for the validation of the remote sensing products. The layout scheme of each observation site was preliminarily designed for various types of products with different spatial resolutions. It is the key problem to realize the combination of observation and research among all the stations. Therefore the unified observation system and operating rules are necessary, which can increase the comparability and consistency of the observation data. Multi-year measurements ensure that inter-annual validity of land products can be assessed in China. 2013 is the first measurement year of the VRPC. Some joint observation plans will be performed in this summer. The validation products mainly include Leaf Area Index & FPAR, NPP & GPP, Land Surface Temperature, Evapotranspiration, and so on. The observation sites of VRPC are open and hope more cooperation and exchange in the world.
HANDLING IMPRECISION IN QUALITATIVE DATA WAREHOUSE: URBAN BUILDING SITES ANNOYANCE ANALYSIS USE CASE
Authors: Amanzougarene F. , Chachoua M. , Zeitouni K.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Data warehouse means a decision support database allowing integration, organization, historisation, and management of data from heterogeneous sources, with the aim of exploiting them for decision-making. Data warehouses are essentially based on multidimensional model. This model organizes data into facts (subjects of analysis) and dimensions (axes of analysis). In classical data warehouses, facts are composed of numerical measures and dimensions which characterize it. Dimensions are organized into hierarchical levels of detail. Based on the navigation and aggregation mechanisms offered by OLAP (On-Line Analytical Processing) tools, facts can be analyzed according to the desired level of detail. In real world applications, facts are not always numerical, and can be of qualitative nature. In addition, sometimes a human expert or learned model such as a decision tree provides a qualitative evaluation of phenomenon based on its different parameters i.e. dimensions. Conventional data warehouses are thus not adapted to qualitative reasoning and have not the ability to deal with qualitative data. In previous work, we have proposed an original approach of qualitative data warehouse modeling, which permits integrating qualitative measures. Based on computing with words methodology, we have extended classical multidimensional data model to allow the aggregation and analysis of qualitative data in OLAP environment. We have implemented this model in a Spatial Decision Support System to help managers of public spaces to reduce annoyances and improve the quality of life of the citizens. In this paper, we will focus our study on the representation and management of imprecision in annoyance analysis process. The main objective of this process consists in determining the least harmful scenario of urban building sites, particularly in dense urban environments.
PARALLEL VISUALIZATION WITH GLOBAL DATA BASED DISTRIBUTED CACHE FRAMEWORK
Authors: Di Z.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Visualizing the global data smoothly is a challenge to the present software and network technology, such as simulating global weather phenomena or global geological environment. In this paper, we devised an effective solution system to view global data at a real-time rendering pleasing frame rate based parallel mode. In software, we applied the open-source Visualization ToolKit (VTK) and the additional functionality of ParallelVTK. In network, we propose a centrally controlled cache system with distributed cache storage framework. The cache control server can manages a list of all contents cached by multiple cache servers and it can provide real-time requested content to the user. Additionally, it can reduce network traffic between the core network and the access network. We tested issues of our system and describe a prototype system. As a result of evaluation of the system, we have made it clear that our system architecture is effective to the global data.
VGI FOR LAND ADMINISTRATION – A QUALITY PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Navratil G. , Frank A. U.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Since the use of volunteered geographic information (VGI) or crowd sourced data (Goodchild, 2007) became more common, several people proposed the use of such methods of data collection for various fields. Success stories were Wikipedia encyclopaedia and OpenStreetMap (OSM), but also using VGI in land administration has been proposed. Robin McLaren proposed crowd sourcing as a way to get a new citizen collaboration model in land administration to enhance transparency and decrease costs (McLaren, 2011). Keenja et al. discussed the perception of VGI within the Dutch cadastre (Keenja, De Vries, Bennet, & Laarakker, 2012). Basiouka and Potsiou even discuss how crowd sourcing can be used to identify errors in the Hellenic cadastre (Basiouka & Potsiou, 2012). One problem of VGI is the quality control (compare Goodchild & Li, 2012). The problem with most data in a land administration system is that there is only a small group of people that can verify the correctness of information. The correct location of a boundary, for example, can only be assessed by the owners of the pieces of land touching at the boundary (and surveyors after investigation and measurement). How shall VGI then provide reliable data? Boundaries between areas of different use may be visible but land administration is often interested in ownership boundaries. In the paper we discuss the types of data used in land administration as discussed by Dale and McLaughlin (1999). These categories are then analyzed to identify the areas where VGI can actually provide reliable input. What we hope to learn from such an analysis is how to use the methodology of crowd sourcing for land administration, even if the data collection authoritatively.
Study on Increasing the Accuracy of Classification Based on Ant Colony algorithm
Authors: Yu M. , Chen D.-W. , Dai C.-Y. , Li Z.-L.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The application for GIS advances the ability of data analysis on remote sensing image. The classification and distill of remote sensing image is the primary information source for GIS in LUCC application. How to increase the accuracy of classification is an important content of remote sensing research. Adding features and researching new classification methods are the ways to improve accuracy of classification. Ant colony algorithm based on mode framework defined, agents of the algorithms in nature-inspired computation field can show a kind of uniform intelligent computation mode. It is applied in remote sensing image classification is a new method of preliminary swarm intelligence. Studying the applicability of ant colony algorithm based on more features and exploring the advantages and performance of ant colony algorithm are provided with very important significance. The study takes the outskirts of Fuzhou with complicated land use in Fujian Province as study area. The multi-source database which contains the integration of spectral information (TM1-5, TM7, NDVI, NDBI) and topography characters (DEM, Slope, Aspect) and textural information (Mean, Variance, Homogeneity, Contrast, Dissimilarity, Entropy, Second Moment, Correlation) were built. Classification rules based different characters are discovered from the samples through ant colony algorithm and the classification test is performed based on these rules. At the same time, we compare with traditional maximum likelihood method, C4.5 algorithm and rough sets classifications for checking over the accuracies. The study showed that the accuracy of classification based on the ant colony algorithm is higher than other methods. In addition, the land use and cover changes in Fuzhou for the near term is studied and display the figures by using remote sensing technology based on ant colony algorithm. In addition, the land use and cover changes in Fuzhou for the near term is studied and display the figures by using remote sensing technology based on ant colony algorithm. The causes of LUCC have been analysed and some suggestions to the development of this region were proposed.
ASSESSING UNCERTAINTIES IN ACCURACY OF LANDUSE CLASSIFICATION USING REMOTE SENSING IMAGES
Authors: Hsiao L.-H. , Cheng K.-S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Multispectral remote sensing images are widely used for landuse/landcover (LULC) classification. Performance of such classification practices is normally evaluated through the confusion matrix which summarizes the producer’s and user’s accuracies and the overall accuracy. However, the confusion matrix is based on the classification results of a set of multi-class training data. As a result, the classification accuracies are heavily dependent on the representativeness of the training data set and it is imperative for practitioners to assess the uncertainties of LULC classification in order for a full understanding of the classification results. In addition, the Gaussian-based maximum likelihood classifier (GMLC) is widely applied in many practices of LULC classification. The GMLC assumes the classification features jointly form a multivariate normal distribution, whereas as, in reality, many features of individual landcover classes have been found to be non-Gaussian. Direct application of GMLC will certainly affect the classification results. In a pilot study conducted in Taipei and its vicinity, we tackled these two problems by firstly transforming the original training data set to a corresponding data set which forms a multivariate normal distribution before conducting LULC classification using GMLC. We then applied the bootstrap resampling technique to generate a large set of multi-class resampled training data from the multivariate normal training data set. LULC classification was then implemented for each resampled training data set using the GMLC. Finally, the uncertainties of LULC classification accuracies were assessed by evaluating the means and standard deviations of the producer’s and user’s accuracies of individual LULC classes which were derived from a set of confusion matrices. Results of this study demonstrate that Gaussian-transformation of the original training data achieved better classification accuracies and the bootstrap resampling technique is a very helpful tool for assessing uncertainties of LULC classification. The uncertainties in classification accuracies were also found to be affected by the sizes of class-specific training samples.
FIRST, DO NO HARM: ELIMINATING SYSTEMATIC ERROR IN ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF GIS APPLICATIONS
Authors: Chrisman N. , Girres J.-F.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. GIS applications compute analytical results comprised of geometric measures such as perimeter, distance between objects, and area. Usual practice operates in Cartesian coordinates on map projections, inducing a systematic variation due to scale error. The magnitude of these errors is easy to foresee, though rarely corrected in analytical reports. Solutions to this error can be implemented though a number of alternative procedures.
QUALITY CONTROL OF "DLG AND MAP" PRODUCT
Authors: Wang P. , Yu J. Y. , Zhao L. B. , Guo X. C.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The product of "DLGM" is a vector dataset of DLG and map, and is software independent, which is produced by our DLGM integrated technology system. This product has been included in the fundamental Geographic Information system (GIS), and confirmed by the mapping industry with its advantages of the integration, commonality, and multi-purpose. As a new kind product of digital map, it involves a large number of theoretical issues and technical problems. Specially, quality of product is a crucial problem in one of them. In our study, the basic framework of DLGM product is given firstly. And then we talk about quality control method and mechanisms in the production process, which involved dynamic modelling based on the topological map model, data dictionary and "DLG and Map" integration template. The core task of this process is the consistency of maps and its corresponding geographic information. The rule of the process ensures the data quality in aspects of products design, manufacturing process method, tools, quality testing, application and data exchange. In recent years of practical application, a number of provincial fundamental DLGM products were produced by our DLGM integrated technology system, which has passed the existing quality standard authentication. It proved factually that the product quality control theory and technology which is adopted in our system is effective and feasible. At present, the technology and quality control method has been playing an important role in DLGM products.
QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN RIVER NETWORK GENERALISATION BY PRESERVING THE DRAINAGE PATTERN
Authors: Zhang L. , Guilbert E.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The drainage pattern of a river network is the arrangement in which a stream erodes the channels of its network of tributaries. It can reflect the geographical characteristics of a river network to a certain extent, because it depends on the topography and geology of the land. Whether in cartography or GIS, hydrography is one of the most important feature classes to generalise in order to produce representations at various levels of detail. Cartographic generalisation is an intricate process whereby information is selected and represented on a map at a certain scale, not necessarily preserving all geographical or other cartographic details. There are many methods for river network generalisation, but the generalized results are always inspected by expert cartographers visually. This paper proposes a method that evaluates the quality of a river network generalisation by assessing if drainage patterns are preserved. This method provides a quantitative value that estimates the membership of a river network in different drainage patterns. A set of geometric indicators describing each pattern are presented and the membership of a network is defined based on fuzzy logic. For each pattern, the fuzzy set membership is given by a defined IF-THEN rule composed of several indicators and logical operators. Assessing the quality of a generalisation is done by comparing and analysing the value before and after the network generalisation. This assessment method is tested with several river network generalisation methods on different sets of networks and results are analysed and discussed.
Urethral pseudodiverticulum secondary to penile fracture and complete urethra dissection
Authors: Di Pierro Giovanni B. , Iannotta Luca , Innocenzi Michele , Gulia Caterina , Gentile Vincenzo , Cristini Cristiano
Published: May 2013

A 22-year-old man reported cracking sound and acute pain during sexual intercourse followed by rapid penile detumescence and ecchymosis. He experienced more pain because he could not urinate and had a palpably full bladder. Moreover, his urethra was bleeding. Physical examination revealed swollen, ecchymotic and deviated penis and penis ultrasonography showed an injury of the tunica albuginea and Buck’s fascia with an expanding hematoma. Suprapubic catheter was positioned. Surgical exploration revealed a tear of tunica albuginea of both corpora cavernosa and complete urethral dissection. End-to-end urethral anastomosis and suture of corpora cavernosa lesion were performed. Vescical catheter was mantained for 6 days and suprapubic catheter for 3 months to allow a complete urethral healing. A pseudo diverticulum was found atanastomosis level on the urethrocistography 1 month after surgery. It disappeared by allowing micturition via the suprapubic catheter. The patient presented regular urinary flow and physiological erections 30 days later. In our experience, prompt surgical repair preserved erectile function and keeping the suprapubic catheter protected the urethra; this was the correct management for repairing the urethral lesion.
Genitourinary tuberculosis masquerading as a ureteral calculus
Authors: Wong Nathan , Hoag Nathan A. , Jones Edward C. , Rowley Allen , McLoughlin Martin G. , Paterson Ryan F.
Published: May 2013

The genitourinary tract is a common extrapulmonary site of tuberculosis infection, yet remains a rare clinical entity in North America. We report the case of a 37-year-old man who presented for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for a suspected ureteral stone on imaging. Further work up confirmed a diagnosis of genitourinary tuberculosis. Medical management was undertaken and ultimately, nephrectomy performed. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion for genitourinary tuberculosis.
A large cellular angiofibroma of the male pelvis presenting with obstructive voiding: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Emtage Justin B. , Parker Justin , Marcet Jorge E. , Finan Jon , Lockhart Jorge , Hernandez David J.
Published: May 2013

Cellular angiofibromas (CAF) are rare, benign soft-tissue tumours. The diagnosis of CAF is important given the heavy resemblance to other tumors. Herein, we describe the case of a rapidly growing, very large (13.5 cm) CAF located in the deep pelvis of a middle-aged male who presented with difficulty voiding.
The effect of alpha blockers on uroflowmetric parameters in different voiding positions
Authors: Koc Gokhan , Yilmaz Yuksel , Un Sitki , Akbay Kaan , Akdeniz Firat
Published: May 2013

Introduction: We assessed the effect of different voiding positionson uroflowmetric parameters and post-void residual (PVR)urine volume in symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)patients. We also evaluated the effect of alpha blockers on PVR indifferent voiding positions.Methods: The study was performed with 110 BPH patients over 50years old. In total, 4 uroflowmetries were performed in all patients:2 patients in the sitting position and 2 in the standing position. PVRwas measured with transabdominal ultrasonography. Also, patientswere divided into two groups according to the alpha adrenergicblocker treatment; the effect of this treatment on their uroflowmetricparameters in different positions was evaluated.Results: Maximum flow rate (Qmax) and average flow rate (Qave)were significantly higher in patients in the sitting position, butthere were no differences in other uroflowmetric parameters andPVR volume (Qmax: 15.5±5.9 mL/s vs. 13.7±5.2 mL/s, Qave:11.4±4.6 mL/s vs. 10.7± 3.9 mL/s, respectively; p < 0.05). TheQmax and Qave were significantly higher in sitting position, comparedto the standing position, in both alpha adrenergic treatmentand non-treated groups; again, there were no differences in otheruroflowmetric parameters and PVR volume.Conclusion: Qmax and Qave values were significantly higher inthe sitting position. Alpha blockers did not affect any change.
Effect of detrusor overactivity on the expression of aquaporins and nitric oxide synthase in rat urinary bladder following bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Kim Sun-Ouck , Choi Dongjune , Song Seung Hee , Ahn Kyu Youn , Kwon Dongdeuk , Park Kwangsung , Ryu Soo Bang
Published: May 2013

Background: Aquaporins (AQPs) have recently been reported to be expressed in rat and human urothelium. Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to play a role in the bladder overactivity related to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of BOO on the expression of AQP2-3 and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in rat urothelium.Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats (230-240 g, n = 60) were divided into 2 groups. The control group (n = 30) and the partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) group (n = 30). After 4 weeks, we performed a urodynamic study to measure the contraction interval and contraction pressure. The expression and cellular localization of AQP2-3, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronalnitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results: On the cystometrogram, the estimated contraction interval time (minutes, mean ± SE) was significantly lower in the BOO group (3.0 ± 0.9) than in the control group (6.3 ± 0.4; p < 0.05). AQP2 was localized in the cytoplasm of the epithelium, whereas AQP3 was found only in the cell membrane of the epithelium. The protein expression of AQP2-3, eNOS and nNOS was significantly increased in the BOO group.Conclusion: Detrusor overactivity induced by BOO causes a significant increase in the expression of AQP2-3, eNOS, and nNOSin rat urinary bladder. This may imply that the AQPs and NOS isoforms have a functional role in the bladder dysfunction that occurs in association with BOO.
Lacan avec saint Paul
Authors: Causse Jean-Daniel
Published: May 2013

La compréhension paulinienne de la loi a fait l’objet d’une réception dans la théorie psychanalytique de Jacques Lacan, en particulier le chapitre 7 de l’Épître aux Romains. Sur ce thème, plusieurs travaux récents en psychanalyse défendent la thèse selon laquelle Paul n’a pas su distinguer la loi symbolique du surmoi et, prenant l’un pour l’autre, a organisé tout un monde de la culpabilité, de la haine et de la persécution. Lacan adopte un point de vue assez différent. Sans ignorer la part du surmoi, il attribue une dimension plus structurelle à la loi paulinienne. Dans la compréhension de la loi chez Paul, il voit une dialectique, centrale en psychanalyse, où le désir se porte vers ce qu’il ne doit pas obtenir. De ce fait, l’originalité de Paul est d’avoir indiqué que le péché se découvre paradoxalement sur l’axe d’un Bien et dans le mouvement de la fidélité à la loi. C’est ce que cette contribution met en lumière pour reconsidérer, à partir de là, le sens de l’amour et de la grâce.
Entre intégration et patrimonialisation (trans-) frontalières : les dynamiques territoriales de l’ancienne frontière interallemande
Authors: Quéva Christophe
Published: May 2013

L’ancienne frontière interallemande a longtemps représenté une ligne de fracture majeure au sein des espaces allemand et européen. Avec la réunification de l’Allemagne, elle est passée d’une logique séparative à celle d’une nouvelle interface attractive entre les anciens et les nouveaux Länder. Les enjeux d’intégration ont alors conduit à un gommage certain de la frontière, aussi bien spatialement que politiquement. Néanmoins, l’héritage de la partition reste présent dans les représentations et les pratiques des populations. Il se réaffirme même de façon plus concrète dans le cadre d’un projet de patrimonialisation de tronçons de l’ancienne frontière, dont les enjeux sont à la fois mémoriels et écologiques. En quoi l’ancienne frontière interallemande incarne-t-elle des dynamiques complexes de perméabilité et de « frontiérisation » ? En s’appuyant sur l’exemple précurseur du projet de ceinture verte thuringienne, cet article analyse les enjeux spatiaux et identitaires de la patrimonialisation de cette ancienne frontière, de l’échelle locale à l’échelle européenne.
Diversification des territorialités autochtones contemporaines : réflexions sur l’accès à la propriété privée chez les Nisga’a de Colombie-Britannique
Authors: Gagnon Justine
Published: May 2013

En vertu d’ententes conclues récemment avec les différents paliers gouvernementaux canadiens, l’autonomie acquise par certains groupes autochtones permet à ces derniers de réaliser des changements considérables sur le plan de leurs relations territoriales, actrices et témoins de leur réaffirmation politique. Certaines de ces avancées participent en effet d’une interpénétration culturelle qui interpelle des modes autochtones et non autochtones de penser et de concevoir le territoire. Ce faisant, elles réinvestissent la nature même des relations que les Premières Nations entretiennent avec celui-ci. Dans le cadre de cet article, nous nous intéressons plus précisément aux initiatives conditionnant les droits de propriété au sein de la nation Nisga’a. Plus encore, nous verrons en quoi un accès à la propriété privée peut poser des défis d’ordres culturel et identitaire en procédant d’une restructuration scalaire. Ceci dit, dans un contexte où les milieux et les modes de vie des autochtones se diversifient et se fragmentent, leurs territorialités sont continuellement appelées à se transformer et à se redéfinir. Nous tenterons dès lors de démontrer si et en quoi l’avènement de la propriété privée sur les territoires résidentiels des Nisga’a répond à leurs aspirations économiques et politiques, mais aussi à leur affirmation culturelle, tout en étant en partie campé dans une structure ontologique exogène.
As donas do canto: o sucesso das estrelas-intérpretes no carnaval de Salvador
Authors: Santana Marilda
Published: May 2013

Daniela Mercury, Margareth Menezes e Ivete Sangalo. A publicação é fruto de uma tese de doutorado e analisa a trajetória de cada uma dessas cantoras. O objetivo é identificar elementos constitutivos do êxito na carreira de cada uma delas e da capacidade de cada uma enquanto autoras e gestoras de suas carreiras.
Make or break for mitochondria
Authors: Nezich Catherine L , Youle Richard J
Published: May 2013

Ensuring that mitochondrial DNA is successfully divided between daughter mitochondria involves a complex series of interactions with the endoplasmic reticulum and a variety of enzymes.
Biased‐Coin Randomization
Authors: Smith Mike D.
Published: May 2013

The biased coin randomisation is introduced as a procedure to minimize study bias whilst maintaining treatment balance throughout the trial. The range of biased coin randomizations are described for 2 and more than 2 treatment groups, and also for equal and unequal randomization. Biased coin randomizations are described which use both fixed and adaptive levels of coin ‘bias’. The well‐known urn model is described as a special representation of the biased coin randomization, and the link is discussed. Finally, the use of the biased coin randomization procedure for balance within covariate strata, and the application to response adaptive randomizations are described.
Censored Data
Authors: Andersen Per Kragh
Published: May 2013

The concepts of independent right censoring and noninformative right censoring in survival analysis are defined. Dependent censoring is a kind of selection bias and adds to biased inference for the survival time distribution. Informative censoring typically leads to inefficient inference. Examples are presented and relations between right censoring and competing risks are discussed. Other kinds of censoring, including interval censoring are touched upon.
Clinical Data Management
Authors: McBride Ruth
Published: May 2013

Clinical data management is data management systems and process focused on providing clean, current and reliable data to support clinical research, especially for clinical trials. Computerized systems have been used since the early 1960's. Current clinical data management systems vary. Many, but not all clinical trials use electronic data capture to collect data from clinical research sites. Efforts are underway to standardize the way clinical data are organized.
DNA
Bank
Authors: Sivakumaran Theru A , Iyengar Sudha K
Published: May 2013

Most diseases are multifactorial and are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Similarly, the way a person responds to a drug is also a complex trait that is influenced by many different genes. Paradigms to identify causative genetic variants responsible for disease or response to drugs are well described in the literature, and the following essential elements are required for successful completion of such studies: (
1
) rapid detection of genetic variation; (
2
) large number of samples of high quality with well‐characterized clinical data from participants, which includes longitudinal follow‐up for effect of treatment; (
3
) advanced informatics for storage and retrieval of samples and data; and (
4
) establishment of correlation between clinical and genetic data through modern statistical techniques. Although the basic conventions for sample collection in gene mapping were already established, it was only after completion of Human Genome Project and the initiation of the International HapMap Project that the need for large databases of well‐phenotyped study participants collected under unified protocols with DNA available was expressed. These endeavors resulted in the establishment of national and international DNA banks aimed initially at mapping specific disease entities, but later encompassing more global undertakings. Establishment of these DNA biobanks has not been without ethical, legal, and personal controversies, although their value to the biomedical research community is indisputable. The overall outcome of these initiatives is that the promise of personalized medicine is nearby, particularly for identification of the genetic variations responsible for drug response. We anticipate that clinical trials could perform genetic prescreening to exclude people who are unresponsive to treatment, which reduces side effects and increases the effectiveness of the drug for particular subgroups. This model is already being implemented for the P450 class of drugs, with the hope of more to come.
Missing Data
Authors: Molenberghs Geert , Lesaffre Emmanuel
Published: May 2013

Missing data frequently occur in clinical trials. An important source for missing data are patients who leave the study prematurely, so‐called dropouts. We will concentrate here on the impact of dropouts on the clinical trial analysis.

When patients are evaluated under treatment only once, then the presence of dropouts makes it hard to comply with the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) principle. However, when repeated measurements are taken, then one can make use of the observed portion of the data to retrieve information on dropouts. Generally, commonly used methods to analyze incomplete longitudinal clinical trial data include complete case (CC) analysis and a last observation carried forward (LOCF) analysis. However, these methods rest on strong and unverifiable assumptions about the dropout mechanism. Over the last decades, several longitudinal data analysis methods have been suggested, providing a valid estimate for, e.g., the treatment effect under less restrictive assumptions.

The assumptions regarding the dropout mechanism have been classified by Rubin and co‐workers as missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR), and missing not at random (MNAR). We will argue that repeated measures analysis provide valid estimates of the treatment effect under MAR. Finally, as it is impossible to verify that the dropout mechanism is MAR, we argue that, to evaluate the robustness of the conclusion, a sensitivity analysis thereby varying the assumption on the dropout mechanism should become a standard procedure when analyzing the results of a clinical trial.
Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT)
Authors: Eberly Lynn E. , Stamler Jeremiah , Kuller Lewis H. , Neaton James D.
Published: May 2013

The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT) was a randomized controlled trial on primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) death in men with elevated blood pressure (BP), serum cholesterol, and/or smoking habit. In all, 361,662 men were screened in 18 U.S. cities; 12,866 men were randomized to multifactor Special Intervention (SI) or Usual Care (UC). With a 7 year average follow‐up, the CHD death rate was 7.1% lower for SI than UC [relative difference in proportion dead; 90% CI (−15%, 25%)]. UC men made more extensive risk factor reductions than anticipated in trial design, and the number of UC deaths was substantially smaller than expected. This result led to an underpowered comparison. Post‐hoc assessments showed significantly lower rates of combined morbidity/mortality outcomes for SI than UC. Other findings from MRFIT substantially changed the treatment of hypertension, and long‐term epidemiologic follow‐up of all 361,662 screenees yielded important findings of great impact on major public health and medical care issues.
N
of 1 Randomized Trial
Authors: Avins Andrew L. , Neuhaus John
Published: May 2013

“N‐of‐1 clinical trials” are randomized, multiple‐period crossover trials carried out in individual patients. Most clinical trials are conducted for the purpose of producing information generalizable to a larger population, but N‐of‐1 trials are usually conducted to inform a single patient and a clinical‐care provider about the effects of a specific therapy for that patient. Generalizing beyond that patient is usually not the intent of an N‐of‐1 study, though multiple N‐of‐1 trials may be combined to produce results with greater external validity. Like all crossover studies, there is a limited range of conditions and treatments that are amenable to investigation with an N‐of‐1 design, and practical barriers often exist to wider implementation of these studies in the typical clinical setting. Nevertheless, N‐of‐1 trials provide a potential means for providing more evidence‐based individualized therapeutic decision‐making in clinical practice.
Open‐Labeled Trial
Authors: Day Simon
Published: May 2013

This article discusses open‐labeled studies; that is, studies that are not blinded. It is usually assumed that lack of blinding is “total,” not just single‐blinded (either patient‐ or investigator‐blinded). Different levels and aspects of blinding can often be achieved so that trials may be only partially open label. In some cases, open‐label trials might be practically more acceptable, and in some studies, they may even be preferred to blinded studies.