bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macro‐ and microenvironmental factors affecting tyre‐breeding flies (Insecta: Diptera) in urbanised areas
Authors: RUBIO ALEJANDRA , ISABEL BELLOCQ MARÍA , VEZZANI DARÍO
Published: March 2013

Urbanisation is often considered a main driver of changes in the structure of insect communities. To assess macro‐ and microenvironmental factors determining the occurrence and community structure of fly larvae in water‐filled artificial containers, a total of 13 848 individuals were collected among 1380 water‐filled tyres inspected along an urbanisation gradient in temperate Argentina.

According to the best generalized linear mixed model obtained for fly occurrence, the probability of finding an occupied tyre was greater in large tyres with high water volume, containing organic matter and located in shaded conditions under high vegetation cover in backyards. Regarding macroenvironmental factors, fly occurrence decreased as the urbanisation level increased.

The anova revealed a negative effect of urbanisation on all variables used to characterize the fly community structure. The number of occupied tyres, the relative abundance of individuals, the species richness, and the Shannon diversity index showed consistent patterns with significantly lower values at high urbanisation level.

Community composition also varied along the urbanisation gradient, revealing three major groups of fly species: those found exclusively in highly urbanised areas, those found in the less urbanised sites, and those collected across the entire gradient.
Immune thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with cladribine‐based regiments or chlorambucil – follow‐up of PALG‐CLL randomized trials
Authors: Blonski Jerzy Z. , Robak Tadeusz , Chojnowski Krzysztof , Gora‐Tybor Joanna , Warzocha Krzysztof , Ceglarek Bernadetta , Seferynska Ilona , Calbecka Malgorzata , Kostyra Aleksandra , Stella‐Holowiecka Beata , Kloczko Janusz , Dmoszynska Anna , Kowal Malgorzata , Lewandowski Krzysztof , Dwilewicz‐Trojaczek Jadwiga , Wiater Elzbieta , Kuliczkowski Kazimierz , Potoczek Stanislaw , Hellmann Andrzej , Mital Andrzej , Skotnicki Aleksander , Nowak Wieslaw , Sulek Kazimierz , Zawilska Krystyna , Trelinski Jacek
Published: March 2013

Objectives

The relationship between treatments of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with cladribine (2‐CdA) or chlorambucil and immune thrombocytopenia (IT) has not been yet determined.

Methods

The records of 777 patients in two randomized Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG)‐CLL programs treated with these agents were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Immune thrombocytopenia occurred in 55 of 777 (7.1%) patients. No significant differences in IT prevalence were seen between patients on chlorambucil or 2‐CdA‐based regiments (P = 0.33). IT developed at a median time of 0.499 yr (0.06–4.8) from the start of CLL therapy. This time was significantly longer in patients treated with chlorambucil (2.03 yr, 95%CI: 0.06–4.22) in relation to patients treated with 2‐CdA‐based regiments (0.52 yr, 95%CI: 0.34–0.69, P = 0.049). Overall survival (OS) of patients with IT and those without IT were similar (2.65 yr vs. 3.2 yr P = 0.23) but the severity of bleeding was more pronounced in the 2‐CdA group. The responses to IT therapy were 35%, 54% and 75% for steroids, chemotherapy and splenectomy, respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, an unexpectedly high percentage of IT incidence was demonstrated in patients with CLL requiring chemotherapy. Although no marked differences were seen in IT frequency in patients treated with 2‐CdA‐based regiments compared to chlorambucil regimen, the clinical course of hemorrhagic diathesis was more severe in 2‐CdA group. Also, the time elapsed from study screening to IT diagnosis was significantly shorter in the 2‐CdA group than in the chlorambucil group suggesting a causative relationship. The appearance of IT did not influence the median time of OS.
Biotic resistance in marine environments
Authors: Kimbro David L. , Cheng Brian S. , Grosholz Edwin D.
Published: March 2013

Biological invasions depend in part on the resistance of native communities. Meta‐analyses of terrestrial experiments demonstrate that native primary producers and herbivores generally resist invasions of primary producers, and that resistance through competition strengthens with native producer diversity. To test the generality of these findings, we conducted a meta‐analysis of marine experiments. We found that native marine producers generally failed to resist producer invasions through competition unless the native community was diverse, and this diversity effect was weaker in marine than in terrestrial systems. In contrast, native consumers equally resisted invasive producers in both ecosystems. Most marine experiments, however, tested invasive consumers and these invasions were resisted more strongly than were producer invasions. Given these differences between ecosystems and between marine trophic levels, we used a model‐selection approach to assess if factors other than the resistance mechanism (i.e. competition vs. consumption) are more important for predicting marine biotic resistance. These results suggest that understanding marine biotic resistance depends on latitude, habitat and invader taxon, in addition to distinguishing between competition with and consumption by native species. By examining biotic resistance within and across ecosystems, our work provides a more complete understanding of the factors that underlie biological invasions.
Reduced antibody formation after influenza vaccination in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder treated with rituximab
Authors: Kim W. , Kim S.‐H. , Huh S.‐Y. , Kong S.‐Y. , Choi Y. J. , Cheong H. J. , Kim H. J.
Published: March 2013

Background and purpose

Vaccination against infection becomes important in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) because they are at an increased risk of infection due to long‐term immunosuppressive therapy. However, it is unclear whether NMOSD patients under immunosuppression therapy show proper antibody formation after vaccination. Thus the antibody formation after influenza A (H1N1) vaccination in patients with NMOSD receiving rituximab was evaluated.

Methods

The study enrolled 26 patients with NMOSD, nine with multiple sclerosis and eight healthy controls. The enrolled patients had been treated with rituximab (n = 16), mycophenolate mofetil (n = 5), azathioprine (n = 6) and interferon‐β (IFN‐β) (n = 8). Antibodies against the H1N1 influenza virus were measured in the serum drawn just before (T0) and between 3 and 5 weeks after (T1) vaccination. The immunization states for hepatitis B virus surface antigen, measles and tetanus during the treatment period were also tested.

Results

The rituximab group showed significantly lower geometric mean titer, seroprotection rate and mean fold increase than the azathioprine group, IFN‐β group and healthy controls, and a lower seroconversion rate than the IFN‐β group. This decrease in vaccination efficacy was also shown in patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil. The immunization state for hepatitis B virus surface antigen, measles and tetanus remained the same during the treatment period with each drug, suggesting that these treatments do not affect previously formed immunity.

Conclusion

This study shows a severely hampered humoral immune response to H1N1 influenza vaccine in patients with NMOSD treated with rituximab, although the vaccination itself is safe in these patients.
Nonfamily Managers, Family Firms, and the Winner's Curse: The Influence of Noneconomic Goals and Bounded Rationality
Authors: Chrisman James J. , Memili Esra , Misra Kaustav
Published: March 2013

We explain why family–centered noneconomic goals and bounded rationality decrease the willingness and ability of small– and medium–sized family firms to hire and provide competitive compensation to nonfamily managers even in a labor market composed of stewards rather than agents. Family–centered noneconomic goals attenuate the ability to attract high–quality, nonfamily managers by promoting inferior total compensation packages, fewer opportunities for advancement, idiosyncratic strategies, and higher performance expectations. Furthermore, bounded rationality limits nonfamily managers’ ability to meet performance expectations when hired. The result is the “winner's curse,” where neither the economic nor noneconomic goals of family owners are fully achieved.
The Role of Negative Emotions in the Social Processes of Entrepreneurship: Power Rituals and Shame–Related Appeasement Behaviors
Authors: Doern Rachel , Goss David
Published: March 2013

This paper examines the role of negative emotions in the social processes of entrepreneurship. Drawing on a study of Russian entrepreneurs, we develop a model of the emotional effects of social interactions between entrepreneurs and state officials. We found that negative emotions were elicited by these interactions and, in turn, fueled three forms of shame–related corrective appeasement behavior (reactive, anticipatory, and sporadic), which served to corrode entrepreneurial motivation and direct attention and energy away from business growth and development.
Characterisation of palatal dysfunction after laryngoplasty
Authors: Barnett T. P. , O'Leary J. M. , Dixon P. M. , Barakzai S. Z.
Published: March 2013

Reasons for performing study

Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in the horse has been previously described as intermittent, typically occurring at fast exercise; or persistent, seen at rest.Dorsal displacement of the soft palate has recently been reported following laryngoplasty (LP) and can be associated with continued poor performance and respiratory noise.

Objectives

The current study aimed to characterise theDDSPdiagnosed postLP.

Study design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Owners/trainers of horses undergoingLPat one institution over 6 years were contacted to determine the horse's progress and willingness for re‐examination. The horses were examined at the rest, walk, trot and canter with an overground exercising endoscope. AGPS‐equipped watch was carried to obtain maximal exercising speeds. Videos of horses withDDSPwere reviewed to determine frequency and duration ofDDSPand swallowing events at the various gaits.

Results

Exercising endoscopy was performed in 41 of the 89 horses that had undergoneLP. Nineteen of the 41 horses were diagnosed withDDSPat exercise, of which 7/41 also hadDDSPat rest. No difference was detected in the percentage of total time spent displaced at each gait (P = 0.67), or in the frequency of newDDSPevents per minute between each gait (P = 0.10), or in the frequency of swallowing events per minute between each gait (P = 0.52). The majority of horses displaced at various times throughout each gait. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate was most commonly solely induced spontaneously and always corrected with a swallow. The maximum speed achieved was 8.3 m/s.

Conclusions

Dorsal displacement of the soft palate was common followingLPand it appears to be induced at slower gaits thanDDSPthat has previously been described. It also occurred at various times throughout each gait and did not always occur persistently at rest.

Potential relevance

These findings suggest horses undergoingLPmay be more prone toDDSPand further investigations into the aetiology of postLPpalatal dysfunction are warranted.
China's distant‐water fisheries in the 21st century
Authors: Pauly Daniel , Belhabib Dyhia , Blomeyer Roland , Cheung William W W L , Cisneros‐Montemayor Andrés M , Copeland Duncan , Harper Sarah , Lam Vicky W Y , Mai Yining , Le Manach Frédéric , Österblom Henrik , Mok Ka Man , van der Meer Liesbeth , Sanz Antonio , Shon Soohyun , Sumaila U Rashid , Swartz Wilf , Watson Reg , Zhai Yunlei , Zeller Dirk
Published: March 2013

We conservatively estimate the distant‐water fleet catch of the People's Republic of China for 2000–2011, using a newly assembled database of reported occurrence of Chinese fishing vessels in various parts of the world and information on the annual catch by vessel type. Given the unreliability of official statistics, uncertainty of results was estimated through a regionally stratified Monte Carlo approach, which documents the presence and number of Chinese vessels in Exclusive Economic Zones and then multiplies these by the expected annual catch per vessel. We find that China, which over‐reports its domestic catch, substantially under‐reports the catch of its distant‐water fleets. This catch, estimated at 4.6 million t year−1 (95% central distribution, 3.4–6.1 million t year−1) from 2000 to 2011 (compared with an average of 368 000 t·year−1 reported by China to FAO), corresponds to an ex‐vessel landed value of 8.93 billion € year−1 (95% central distribution, 6.3–12.3 billion). Chinese distant‐water fleets extract the largest catch in African waters (3.1 million t year−1, 95% central distribution, 2.0–4.4 million t), followed by Asia (1.0 million t year−1, 0.56–1.5 million t), Oceania (198 000 t year−1, 144 000–262 000 t), Central and South America (182 000 t year−1, 94 000–299 000 t) and Antarctica (48 000 t year−1, 8 000–129 000 t). The uncertainty of these estimates is relatively high, but several sources of inaccuracy could not be fully resolved given the constraints inherent in the underlying data and method, which also prevented us from distinguishing between legal and illegal catch.
Can the past predict the future? Experimental tests of historically based population models
Authors: Adler Peter B. , Byrne Kerry M. , Leiker James
Published: March 2013

A frequently advocated approach for forecasting the population‐level impacts of climate change is to project models based on historical, observational relationships between climate and demographic rates. Despite the potential pitfalls of this approach, few historically based population models have been experimentally validated. We conducted a precipitation manipulation experiment to test population models fit to observational data collected from the 1930s to the 1970s for six prairie forb species. We used the historical population models to predict experimental responses to the precipitation manipulations, and compared these predictions to ones generated by a statistical model fit directly to the experimental data. For three species, a sensitivity analysis of the effects of precipitation and grass cover on forb population growth showed consistent results for the historical population models and the contemporary statistical models. Furthermore, the historical population models predicted population growth rates in the experimental plots as well or better than the statistical models, ignoring variation explained by spatial random effects and local density‐dependence. However, for the remaining three species, the sensitivity analyses showed that the historical and statistical models predicted opposite effects of precipitation on population growth, and the historical models were very poor predictors of experimental responses. For these species, historical observations were not well replicated in space, and for two of them the historical precipitation‐demography correlations were weak. Our results highlight the strengths and weaknesses of observational and experimental approaches, and increase our confidence in extrapolating historical relationships to predict population responses to climate change, at least when the historical correlations are strong and based on well‐replicated observations.
CO2 emissions from land‐use change affected more by nitrogen cycle, than by the choice of land‐cover data
Authors: Jain Atul K. , Meiyappan Prasanth , Song Yang , House Joanna I.
Published: March 2013

The high uncertainty in land‐based CO2 fluxes estimates is thought to be mainly due to uncertainty in not only quantifying historical changes among forests, croplands, and grassland, but also due to different processes included in calculation methods. Inclusion of a nitrogen (N) cycle in models is fairly recent and strongly affects carbon (C) fluxes. In this study, for the first time, we use a model with C and N dynamics with three distinct historical reconstructions of land‐use and land‐use change (LULUC) to quantify LULUC emissions and uncertainty that includes the integrated effects of not only climate and CO2 but also N. The modeled global average emissions including N dynamics for the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000–2005 were 1.8 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2, and 1.4 ± 0.2 GtC yr−1, respectively, (mean and range across LULUC data sets). The emissions from tropics were 0.8 ± 0.2, 0.8 ± 0.2, and 0.7 ± 0.3 GtC yr−1, and the non tropics were 1.1 ± 0.5, 0.9 ± 0.2, and 0.7 ± 0.1 GtC yr−1. Compared to previous studies that did not include N dynamics, modeled net LULUC emissions were higher, particularly in the non tropics. In the model, N limitation reduces regrowth rates of vegetation in temperate areas resulting in higher net emissions. Our results indicate that exclusion of N dynamics leads to an underestimation of LULUC emissions by around 70% in the non tropics, 10% in the tropics, and 40% globally in the 1990s. The differences due to inclusion/exclusion of the N cycle of 0.1 GtC yr−1 in the tropics, 0.6 GtC yr−1 in the non tropics, and 0.7 GtC yr−1 globally (mean across land‐cover data sets) in the 1990s were greater than differences due to the land‐cover data in the non tropics and globally (0.2 GtC yr−1). While land‐cover information is improving with satellite and inventory data, this study indicates the importance of accounting for different processes, in particular the N cycle.
A predicted niche shift corresponds with increased thermal resistance in an invasive mite, Halotydeus destructor
Authors: Hill Matthew P. , Chown Steven L. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: March 2013

Aim

Predicted distributions of invasive species are often not congruent between their realized native and introduced ranges, but the reasons for this are rarely investigated empirically. We tested for niche shift in an invasive species using a simple framework combining environmental niche models (ENMs) and niche‐limiting thermal tolerance traits.

Location

Australia and South Africa.

Methods

The red‐legged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, native to South Africa, is a major agricultural pest in Australia and has expanded its range to areas not predictable from its native range in the last 40 years. Revisiting recently constructed ENMs for H. destructor, we select populations in both native and invasive ranges that appear to occupy different niches. We characterize thermal tolerance traits and test for acclimation patterns of cold tolerance of these H. destructor populations to test for niche shifts.

Results

Australian populations had an increased upper thermal threshold for movement and were able to recover from cold stress more rapidly than South African populations. Australian populations also differed in trait means from the likely source population in South Africa. Acclimation patterns were conserved across ranges for most populations, with 10 °C acclimation lowering the onset of and recovery from cold tolerance and 15 °C raising them when compared with field‐acclimated populations.

Main conclusions

These results support the prediction, based on ENMs, that H. destructor may have undergone a niche shift by adapting to environmental conditions in Australia. The increase in thermal resistance has implications for how this invasive species will respond to future climate change.
Tanzanian Women's Move into Wage Labour: Conceptualizing Deference, Sexuality and Respectability as Criteria for Workplace Suitability
Authors: Fischer Gundula
Published: March 2013

Although female labour force participation in Tanzania is growing, little is known about how hiring authorities fill job positions with respect to gender. Qualitative interviews with hospitality and manufacturing managers in Mwanza (Tanzania's second largest city) reveal that female deference, sexuality, domesticity and respectability constitute important recruitment and job placement criteria. This article examines the various notions behind these criteria and how they serve to include or exclude women in the workforce. It is shown that when the interaction of these criteria is conceptualized, deference and domesticity emerge as essential elements of female respectability, supporting each other in the control of women's sexuality.
Women's views and experiences of antenatal enquiry for domestic abuse during pregnancy
Authors: Salmon Debra , Baird Kathleen M. , White Paul
Published: March 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability of antenatal enquiry for domestic abuse from the perspective of women using maternity services. It also sought to understand the experiences of referral and support offered to women who had positively disclosed abuse.

Methods

A multimethod approach was adopted including quantitative and qualitative elements. The survey assessed women's views of the acceptability and impact of routine enquiry for domestic abuse. Interviews aimed, to understand the views and experiences of women who had positively disclosed abuse during their contact with maternity services.

Results

94.4% of those surveyed felt comfortable with a midwife asking about abuse. 96.6% of the participants also believed it was appropriate for a midwife to ask and that midwives should be able to respond to positive disclosure. Interviewees subject to abuse during pregnancy were happy to be questioned, even though they did not always feel able to disclose immediately.

Conclusion

Women had a positive view of antenatal enquiry for domestic abuse in healthcare settings and support its continuation. Women expect to be asked and that midwives can respond appropriately. Raising the issue creates a culture in which women are made aware of the impact of abuse and understand there are avenues of support even if she decides not to leave the relationship. Women may choose not to disclose about the abuse at the initial time of asking, for fear of their own safety but asking signifies that she can disclose about at a later contact.
Morphological parameters of lobular in situ neoplasia in stereotactic 11‐gauge vacuum‐assisted needle core biopsy do not predict the presence of malignancy on subsequent surgical excision
Authors: Bianchi Simonetta , Bendinelli Benedetta , Castellano Isabella , Piubello Quirino , Renne Giuseppe , Cattani Maria Grazia , Stefano Domenica Di , Carrillo Giovanna , Laurino Licia , Bersiga Alessandra , Giardina Carmela , Dante Stefania , Loreto Carla Di , Quero Carmela , Antonacci Concetta Maria , Palli Domenico ,   VANCB Study Group
Published: March 2013

Aims

The management of lobular in situ neoplasia (LN) when diagnosed on core biopsy remains a controversial issue. The present study aimed to investigate the association between morphological parameters of LN on vacuum‐assisted needle core biopsy (VANCB) and the presence of malignancy (ductal carcinoma in situ, pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ, or invasive carcinoma) at surgical excision (SE).

Methods and results

The study included 14 pathology departments in Italy. Available slides from 859 cases of VANCB reporting an original diagnosis of flat epithelial atypia, atypical ductal hyperplasia or LN, all with subsequent surgical excision, were reviewed. Overall, 286 cases of LN, pure or associated with other lesions, were identified, and a malignant outcome was reported at excision for 51 cases (17.8%). Among the 149 cases of pure LN, an increased risk of malignancy emerged in women in mammographic categories R4–R5 as compared with those in categories R2–R3 (OR 2.46; P = 0.048). In the series, a statistically significant decreased malignancy risk emerged among cases without determinant microcalcifications (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the diagnosis of pure LN on VANCB warrants follow‐up excision, because clinicopathological parameters do not allow the prediction of which cases will present carcinoma at surgical excision.
Formation ofCuAlO2at theCu/Al2O3Interface and its Influence on Interface Strength and Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Lee Shao‐Kuan , Tuan Wei‐Hsing
Published: March 2013

The criteria for the formation of aCuAlO2reaction phase at theCu/Al2O3interface are explored. Oxygen solutes up to 2 wt% were introduced into the copper first. The bonding was carried out at 1075°C. The reaction phase was observed only when the oxygen solute in copper before bonding was higher than 1.3 wt%. TheCuAlO2phase is polycrystalline and covers only part of the interface. TheCuAlO2grains interact with the crack, which improves the interface strength. AsCuAlO2is not continuous at the interface, the thermal conductivity of theAl2O3/Cu/Al2O3laminate is affected little.
The Effect of the Two‐Step Sintering Process on Consolidation of Fluoridated Hydroxyapatite and its Mechanical Properties and Bioactivity
Authors: Esnaashary, Mohammadhossein , Fathi Mohammadhossein , Ahmadian Mahdi
Published: March 2013

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the two‐step sintering process on consolidation of fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA). In addition, the effect of fluorine content on sinterability, mechanical properties, and bioactivity of FHA bulks was studied. Nanostructured FHA bulks were obtained under the conditions of 1000 and 900°C for the initial and secondary temperatures, respectively, without any structural decomposition. In addition, by increasing the fluorine content, the sinterability of FHA bulks was decreased and the hardness of FHA bulks was improved. Moreover, FHA bulks showed acceptable bioactivity.
Stroke Incidence and 30-Day and Six-Month Case Fatality Rates in Udine, Italy: A Population-Based Prospective Study
Authors: Janes Francesco , Gigli Gian Luigi , D'Anna Lucio , Cancelli Iacopo , Perelli Anna , Canal Giessica , Russo Valentina , Zanchettin Barbara , Valente Mariarosaria
Published: March 2013

Background

Stroke incidence in high-income countries is reported to decrease, and new data on stroke incidence and outcome are needed to design stroke services and to ameliorate stroke management.

Methods

This study is part of a two-year prospective community-based registry of all cerebrovascular events in the district of Udine (153 312 inhabitants), Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, northeast of Italy, between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2009. Overlapping sources for case finding were used, combining hot and cold pursuit.

Results

We identified 784 stroke cases, 640 (81·6%) incident. The crude overall annual incidence rate per 100 000 residents was 256 (95% confidence interval 241–271) for all strokes and 209 (95% confidence interval 195–223) for first-ever strokes. Incidence rate for first-ever strokes was 181 (95% confidence interval 155–211) after adjustment to the 2007 Italian population and 104 (95% confidence interval 88–122) compared with the European standard population. Incidence rates for first-ever strokes was 215 (196–235) for women, 202 (183–223) for men. Crude annual incidence rates per 100 000 population were 167 (153–178) for ischemic stroke, 31 (26–37) for intracerebral hemorrhage, 8·1 (5·7–11·4) for sub-arachnoid hemorrage, and 4·6 (2·8–7·1) for undetermined stroke. Overall case fatality rates for first-ever stroke were 20·6% at 28 days and 30·2% at 180 days.

Conclusions

Our study shows incidence rates higher than previously reported in our region but not supporting the view of higher incidence rates in Northern than in Southern Italy. Results contribute to time-trends analysis on epidemiology, useful for dimensioning services in Italy and show the persistence of a gap between the outcome of stroke in Italy and that of the best performing European countries, urging to adopt better stroke management plans.
The End of the Incarnation: John Owen, Trinitarian Agency and Christology
Authors: Wittman Tyler R.
Published: March 2013

Recent interpreters of John Owen incorrectly argue that Owen's trinitarian theology undermines the doctrine of inseparable operations (Opera Trinitatis ad extra sunt indivisa). On the contrary, this article argues Owen upheld this doctrine like his Reformed Orthodox contemporaries, using the incarnation as a test case. Owen maintained the incarnation was an undivided act of the Trinity, which had its appropriative terminus on the Son alone – a pattern of thought he extended to the Spirit's work on the Son's humanity. Owen's creative use of the tradition is an example for contemporary theologians who would emphasize the Spirit's role in Christology.
‘We shall be like him, for we shall see him’: Augustine's De Trinitate and the Purification of the Mind
Authors: Simmons Daniel
Published: March 2013

Contemporary re‐examinations of Augustine's De Trinitate have made the case for the coherence and consistency of the work based on the material content of its trinitarian theology. I propose that Augustine's understanding of De Trinitate's function also ties the work together as a whole. Rather than just talking about purification, De Trinitate attempts to participate in and correspond to God's economically grounded, eschatological purification of humanity. By undertaking a close reading of Book 1, followed by a brief overview of Books 2–15, I make the case that reading De Trinitate as a participation in purification holds all 15 books together.
Impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on prostate cancer risk among Japanese men with prostate‐specific antigen <10 ng/mL and non‐suspicious digital rectal examination
Authors: Ito Masaya , Masuda Hitoshi , Kawakami Satoru , Fujii Yasuhisa , Koga Fumitaka , Saito Kazutaka , Yamamoto Shinya , Yonese Junji , Fukui Iwao , Kihara Kazunori
Published: March 2013

Objective

To investigate the association between lower urinary tract symptoms status and prostate cancer risk at initial extended biopsy.

Methods

Between 2005 and 2011, the International Prostate Symptom Score was completed on 1467 consecutive men with prostate‐specific antigen <10 ng/mL and non‐suspicious digital rectal examination. After excluding 308 men treated with alpha‐blockers, the remaining 1159 men were enrolled in the present study. Lower urinary tract symptoms status was divided into absent or mild (International Prostate Symptom Score scores of 0–7) and moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score scores of 8–35). The risks of prostate cancer diagnosis and high‐grade (Gleason score ≥4 + 3) prostate cancer diagnosis in relation to lower urinary tract symptoms status was evaluated using logistic regression. A stratified analysis based on prostate volume (<30 cc, 30–50 cc and >50 cc) was also carried out.

Results

Of 1159 patients, 421 (36.3%) had a positive biopsy and 590 (51.0%) had moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms. On multivariate analysis, absent or mild lower urinary tract symptoms had a significant and positive impact on the risk of prostate cancer and high‐grade disease (odds ratio 1.64 and 1.70, P = 0.0007 and 0.0121, respectively). Furthermore, the aforementioned findings for prostate cancer detection did not change throughout every prostate volume subgroup. In contrast, in men with prostate volume ≤50 cc, but not in those with prostate volume >50 cc, prostate‐specific antigen or %free prostate‐specific antigen remained as a significant predictor of prostate cancer.

Conclusion

In men with elevated prostate‐specific antigen, absent or mild lower urinary tract symptoms are positively associated with prostate cancer and high‐grade disease regardless of the prostate volume. This finding is especially useful in men with enlarged prostates.
Lymphocele after extraperitoneal robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A propensity score‐matching study
Authors: Lee Joo Yong , Diaz Richilda Red , Cho Kang Su , Yu Ho Song , Chung Jae Seung , Ham Won Sik , Choi Young Deuk
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To investigate the incidence of lymphocele and determine the risk factors for postoperative lymphocele after extraperitoneal robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy by using propensity score‐matching.

Methods

A total of 483 patients underwent extraperitoneal robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer between January 2009 and August 2011. Of these, 200 patients underwent pelvic lymph node dissection during robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography postoperatively to detect lymphocele after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy. Propensity scores for an established control group were calculated for each patient using multivariate logistic regression based on the following covariates: age, body mass index, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen level, prostate volume calculated by transrectal ultrasound, biopsy Gleason sum and clinical tumor stage.

Results

Lymphocele was identified in 41 patients (20.5%). There were no statistical differences in variables used in propensity score‐matching. Operation time, estimated blood loss, catheterization and surgical margin positivity did not show differences between the two groups. Seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.015) and tumor volume (P = 0.042) between the two groups were significantly different. In the multivariate logistic regression model, extracapsular extension (P = 0.017, odds ratio 4.231), seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.028, odds ratio 2.643) and the number of positive lymph nodes (P = 0.041, odds ratio 3.532) were independent risk factors for lymphocele development after extraperitoneal robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection.

Conclusions

Lymphocele might preferentially develop in cases with seminal vesicle invasion and large tumor volume. Additionally, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and the number of positive lymph nodes are independent risk factors for postoperative lymphocele after extraperitoneal robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.
Role of vaccine therapy for renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy
Authors: Yoshimura Kazuhiro , Uemura Hirotsugu
Published: March 2013

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor originating from the kidney. Compared with other solid tumors, it does not respond to traditional management modalities, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, it is well known that renal cell carcinoma represents one of the most immune‐responsive cancers and several immunotherapeutic strategies have been investigated in the management of renal cell carcinoma with variable degrees of success. The development of immunotherapy with α‐interferon or high‐dose interleukin‐2 is the best established treatment, and is associated with durable disease control. Although the lack of defined antigens in renal cell carcinoma has hindered more specific vaccine development, research regarding vaccination therapy has been of special interest for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma for more than 30 years. At present, there are three types of cell‐based vaccines in renal cell carcinoma treatment: autologous tumor‐cell vaccines, genetically modified tumor vaccines and dendritic cell‐based vaccines. A further type is peptide‐based vaccination with tumor‐associated antigens as possible targets, such as carbonic anhydrase IX, survivin and telomerase that are overexpressed in renal cell carcinoma. In the present article, we review data from completed clinical trials of vaccine therapy, and discuss future trials to assess the current knowledge and future role of vaccine therapy for renal cell carcinoma in the era of recently developed targeted therapy.
Canada's Migrants without History: Neoliberal Immigration Regimes and Trinidadian Transnationalism
Authors: Leach Belinda
Published: March 2013

Temporary migration programmes have re‐emerged as a preferred mechanism for regulating labour migration in many migrant‐receiving countries in the past decade. In this paper, I consider the role of shifting Canadian immigration policies, notably the expanded streams for temporary workers, in the changing flow of migrants from Trinidad to Canada. Temporary programmes can bring workers to Canada relatively quickly, but they limit access to permanent residency and citizenship, in sharp contrast to most of Canada's earlier immigration policies. Ethnographic fieldwork reveals that Trinidadians actively seeking to make the move to Canada have little interest in new temporary work programmes. Rather, they continue to plan futures in Canada that they expect to be years in the making. I consider some reasons for this apparent refusal to submit to the new migration realities. I show that present‐day Trinidadian emigrant desires and practices are deeply connected to individual, familial and national emigration and immigration histories. Trinidadians are declining to participate in new immigration regimes and are restricting their migration practices to those forms that are historically familiar and have been proven successful. I attempt to show how ethnographic approaches that take seriously migrants' agency can assist in developing a fuller understanding of the ways in which migration flows are changing. These approaches reveal what are otherwise the silences and invisibility surrounding those whose previous access to permanent migration streams has been diminished through neoliberal restructuring of migration policy. I argue that temporary worker policies disregard long‐standing histories of migration and engagement with capitalist processes for people in particular regions of the world, rendering them, for policy purposes, effectively “people without history” (Wolf, 1982).
Latino Immigrants, Discrimination and Reception in Columbus, Ohio
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey H. , Chavez Nidia Merino
Published: March 2013

Columbus, Ohio has witnessed rapid growth in its Latino population as immigrants settle in the city to access jobs and a generally low cost of living. Immigrants also face discrimination as they settle in Columbus and interact with the city's citizens. In this paper, we note how discrimination plays out in social and economic isolation; a lack of programmes to support the incorporation of Latinos in the city; and state laws that target immigrants. We present results of ongoing ethnographic work with the Latino community in Columbus.
Increased expression of programmed death (PD)‐1 and its ligand PD‐L1 correlates with impaired cell‐mediated immunity in high‐risk human papillomavirus‐related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Yang Wen , Song Yan , Lu Yun‐Long , Sun Jun‐Zhong , Wang Hong‐Wei
Published: March 2013

Impaired local cellular immunity contributes to the pathogenesis of persistent high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) infection and related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, the programmed death 1/programmed death 1 ligand (PD‐1/PD‐L1; CD279/CD274) pathway was demonstrated to play a critical role in attenuating T‐cell responses and promoting T‐cell tolerance during chronic viral infections. In this study, we examined the expression of PD‐1 and PD‐L1 on cervical T cells and dendritic cells (DCs), respectively, from 40 women who were HR‐HPV‐negative (−) or HR‐HPV‐positive (+) with CIN grades 0, I and II–III. We also measured interferon‐γ, interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) and IL‐10 in cervical exudates. The most common HPV type was HPV 16, followed by HPV 18, 33, 51 and 58. PD‐1 and PD‐L1 expression on cervical T cells and DCs, respectively, was associated with HR‐HPV positivity and increased in parallel with increasing CIN grade. The opposite pattern was observed for CD80 and CD86 expression on DCs, which decreased in HR‐HPV(+) patients in parallel with increasing CIN grade. Similarly, reduced levels of the T helper type 1 cytokines interferon‐γ and IL‐12 and increased levels of the T helper type 2 cytokine IL‐10 in cervical exudates correlated with HR‐HPV positivity and CIN grade. Our results suggest that up‐regulation of the inhibitory PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway may negatively regulate cervical cell‐mediated immunity to HPV and contribute to the progression of HR‐HPV‐related CIN. These results may aid in the development of PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway‐based strategies for immunotherapy of HR‐HPV‐related CIN.
Objective evaluation by reflectance spectrophotometry can be of clinical value for the verification of blanching/non blanching erythema in the sacral area
Authors: Sterner Eila , Fossum Bjöörn , Berg Elisabeth , Lindholm Christina , Stark André
Published: March 2013

Early detection of non blanching erythema (pressure ulcer category I) is necessary to prevent any further skin damage. An objective method to discriminate between blanching/non blanching erythema is presently not available. The purpose of this investigation was to explore if a non invasive objective method could differentiate between blanching/non blanching erythema in the sacral area of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Seventy‐eight patients were included. The sacral area of all patients was assessed using (i) conventional finger‐press test and (ii) digital reading of the erythema index assessed with reflectance spectrophotometry. The patients were examined at admission and during 5 days postsurgery. Reflectance spectrophotometry measurements proved able to discriminate between blanching/non blanching erythema. The reliability, quantified by the intra‐class correlation coefficient, was excellent between repeated measurements over the measurement period, varying between 0·82 and 0·96, and a significant change was recorded in the areas from day 1 to day 5 (P < 0·0001). The value from the reference point did not show any significant changes over the same period (P = 0·32). An objective method proven to identify early pressure damage to tissue can be a valuable tool in clinical practice.
Quantifying reciprocity in distylous and tristylous plant populations
Authors: Sánchez J. M. , Ferrero V. , Navarro L.
Published: March 2013

Reciprocal herkogamy (heterostyly) is an example of extreme relevance of accuracy of the location of the sexual organs within some floral systems. It involves the reciprocal positioning of anthers and stigmas in flowers of different plants within the same population, and the accuracy of this positioning is important to promote out‐cross pollination, prevent self‐interference, or both. Hence, several indices have been proposed to quantify reciprocity, most of them for populations with two different morphs (distylous). Here, we propose an extension of our index of reciprocity for distylous populations to be applied also to populations with three morphs (tristylous), allowing effective comparisons of reciprocity between tristylous, but also distylous populations. As for the distylous version, the index is based on comparison of the position of every single sexual organ in the sample with each and every organ of the opposite sex, for each of the three possible organ levels. Due to the massive amount of calculations required, a macro was developed that is available as Supplementary Information and at the website of the authors. The index and macro were tested on several hypothetical tristylous and distylous populations with predetermined mean and dispersion of sexual organs at each level, as well as on several actual tristylous and distylous populations. The index proposed is a solid tool for the study of reciprocity in distylous and tristylous populations. Comparisons between distylous and tristylous populations are easily performed and can be readily interpreted. The applicability of the index is facilitated through the software provided.
The Social Market After the Crash
Authors: Mulheirn Ian
Published: March 2013

Markets are powerful tools for reform in both the public and private realms. But those markets need careful design and stewardship if they are to work to create value rather than simply becoming a mechanism for distributing rents to private investors. SMF Director Ian Mulheirn examines how the social market framework offers the most cogent analysis of recent events and how it can be a vital guide for future policy.
The Left and Constitutional Reform, Gladstone to Miliband
Authors: Morgan Kenneth O.
Published: March 2013

Nineteenth‐century constitutional reformers focussed on parliament. Their central idea was citizenship, modelled variously on the democracy of ancient Athens, small communities like Switzerland, and especially the United States, a particular inspiration for Gladstone who admired its constitution. The 1911 Parliament Act marked the final triumph of the Victorian Liberals legacy, with a very different impetus coming from Lloyd George during his coalition. Labour focussed on class, not the constitution, though the ILP favoured localism and devolution, before succumbing to a centralising unionism. Tawney championed the idea of social citizenship, emphasising activism and education. After 1945, Labour did not prioritize constitutional reform until the dramatic changes that came after 1997. Gordon Brown then revived the notion of citizenship, and possible codification, in pursuing the values of Britishness. Labour's legacy was a confusing one. But Ed Miliband's policy revision could reclaim the idea of citizenship, an egalitarian concept to counter the inequalities of class.
Ergodic chaos and aggregate stability: A deterministic discrete‐choice model of wealth distribution dynamics
Authors: Kamihigashi Takashi
Published: March 2013

This paper studies wealth distribution dynamics in a small open economy with a continuum of consumers indexed by initial wealth. Each of them solves a discrete‐choice problem whose optimal policy function exhibits ergodic chaos. We show that for any initial distribution of wealth given by a density, the wealth distribution converges to a unique invariant distribution, and aggregate wealth converges to the corresponding value. Thus ergodic chaos leads to aggregate stability rather than instability. These results are illustrated with various numerical examples.
Optimal ergodic chaos under slow capital depreciation
Authors: Sato Kenji , Yano Makoto
Published: March 2013

It has been known that, in a standard two‐sector dynamic model, slow capital depreciation may result in a unimodal system with a kinked peak and that this system may be topological chaos, which is unobservable in Grandmont's sense. However, whether or not slow capital depreciation can cause observable chaos has not been examined in the existing literature. The present study demonstrates that slow capital depreciation may cause ergodic chaos, which is observable, by using a recent result of Sato and Yano (2012).
High Tunability in (111)‐Oriented Relaxor Pb0.8Ba0.2ZrO3 Thin Film with Antiferroelectric and Ferroelectric Two‐Phase Coexistence
Authors: Peng Biaolin , Fan Huiqing , Zhang Qi
Published: March 2013

Using a sol‐gel method Pb0.8Ba0.2ZrO3 (PBZ) thin film with a thickness of ~320 nm was fabricated on Pt(111)/TiOx/SiO2/Si substrate. The analysis results of XRD, SEM, and dielectric properties revealed that this thin film is a (111)‐oriented nano‐scaled antiferroelectric and ferroelectric two‐phase coexisted relaxor. Calculations of dielectric tunability (η) and figure‐of‐merit (FOM) at room temperature display a maximum value of 75% at E = 560 kV/cm and ~236, respectively. High‐temperature stability (η > 75% and FOM > 230 at 560 kV/cm in the range from 300 to 380 K) and high breakdown dielectric strength (leakage current < 1 nA at 598 kV/cm) make the PBZ thin film to be an attractive material for applications of tunable devices.
Direct Laser Patterning of β‐BaB2O4 Crystals with High Orientation in the Inside of Glass Fiber
Authors: Suzuki Futoshi , Honma Tsuyoshi , Komatsu Takayuki
Published: March 2013

The laser‐induced crystallization method was applied to pattern β‐BaB2O4 crystals (β‐BBO) in the inside of bulk glass plate and fibers of 8Sm2O3–42BaO–50B2O3, in which the focal position of continuous wave (CW) Yb:YVO4 fiber lasers (power: 0.9–1.0 W, scanning speed: 2 μm/s) with a wavelength of 1080 nm was moved gradually from the surface to the inside. It was confirmed from micro‐Raman scattering spectra, second harmonic generation, and transmission electron microscope observations that β‐BBO crystals are patterned in the inside of glass plate and fibers (diameter: 110 μm) and are highly oriented that is c‐axis orientation, along the laser scanning direction. This study proposes the direct and simple processing for the fabrication of glass fibers consisting of optical functional crystal cores.