bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Biomarker Panels for Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Peripheral Blood
Authors: Zhang Fan , Deng Youping , Drabier Renee
Published: November 2013

Detecting breast cancer at early stages can be challenging. Traditional mammography and tissue microarray that have been studied for early breast cancer detection and prediction have many drawbacks. Therefore, there is a need for more reliable diagnostic tools for early detection of breast cancer due to a number of factors and challenges. In the paper, we presented a five-marker panel approach based on SVM for early detection of breast cancer in peripheral blood and show how to use SVM to model the classification and prediction problem of early detection of breast cancer in peripheral blood. We found that the five-marker panel can improve the prediction performance (area under curve) in the testing data set from 0.5826 to 0.7879. Further pathway analysis showed that the top four five-marker panels are associated with signaling, steroid hormones, metabolism, immune system, and hemostasis, which are consistent with previous findings. Our prediction model can serve as a general model for multibiomarker panel discovery in early detection of other cancers.
Pessimistic Portfolio Choice with One Safe and One Risky Asset and Right Monotone Probability Difference Order
Authors: Li Jiangfeng , Wu Qiong , Ye Zhiqiang , Zhang Shunming
Published: November 2013

As is well known, a first-order dominant deterioration in risk does not necessarily cause a risk-averse investor to reduce his holdings of that deteriorated asset under the expected utility framework, even in the simplest portfolio setting with one safe asset and one risky asset. The purpose of this paper is to derive conditions on shifts in the distribution of the risky asset under which the counterintuitive conclusion above can be overthrown under the rank-dependent expected utility framework, a more general and prominent alternative of the expected utility. Two new criterions of changes in risk, named the monotone probability difference (MPD) and the right monotone probability difference (RMPD) order, are proposed, which is a particular case of the first stochastic dominance. The relationship among MPD, RMPD, and the other two important stochastic orders, monotone likelihood ratio (MLR) and monotone probability ratio (MPR), is examined. A desired comparative statics result is obtained when a shift in the distribution of the risky asset satisfies the RMPD criterion.
Chemokines and Cytokines as Salivary Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Oral Cancer
Authors: Prasad Gareema , McCullough Michael
Published: November 2013

Chemokines have been shown to be important in both inflammation and carcinogenesis and are able to be measured in saliva with relatively robust methods including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Thus it has been hypothesized that patients with oral cancer and oral potentially malignant lesions will have elevated levels of specific chemokines in oral fluids and that this may be used as a marker of both the early detection of malignant disease and progression to malignancy. The concept that salivary biomarkers can be easily measured and indicate disease states has profound consequences for clinical practice and may open up new strategies for the diagnosis, prognosis, and potential therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This review focuses on our understanding of cytokines and chemokines and the potential role that they may have in clinical practice.
Dynamics of a Market Share Model for Enterprises with Coopetition Strategy
Authors: Zhao Mingxia
Published: November 2013

A deterministic model is used to study the change of the market share with coopetition strategy for enterprises. The model takes into consideration both coopetition enterprises and other enterprises, and the coopetition thresholdR0is identified and global dynamics are completely determined byR0. It shows thatR0is a global threshold parameter in the sense that ifR0<1, the coopetition free equilibrium is globally stable and the market share of coopetition enterprises tends to zero, whereas ifR0>1, there is a unique coopetition equilibrium which is globally attractive with some conditions, and thus the market share of coopetition enterprises tends to a steady state value. By some sensitivity analysis ofR0on parameters, we conclude that the size of the coopetition thresholdR0and coopetition equilibrium depended on the cooperation competitiveness of coopetition enterprises.
Molecular Signatures of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Secondary to Hepatitis C Virus following Liver Transplantation
Authors: Das Trina , Diamond Deborah L. , Yeh Matthew , Hassan Sajida , Bryan Janine T. , Reyes Jorge D. , Perkins James D.
Published: November 2013

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary indication for liver transplantation (LT). In western countries, the estimated rate of HCC recurrence following LT is between 15% and 20% and is a major cause of mortality. Currently, there is no standard method to treat patients who are at high risk for HCC recurrence. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular signatures underlying HCC recurrence that may lead to future studies on gene regulation contributing to new therapeutic options. Two groups of patients were selected, one including patients with HCV who developed HCC recurrence (HCC-R) ≤3 years from LT and the second group including patients with HCV who did not have recurrent HCC (HCC-NR). Microarray analysis containing more than 29,000 known genes was performed on formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded (FFPE) liver tissue from explanted livers. Gene expression profiling revealed 194 differentially regulated genes between the two groups. These genes belonged to cellular networks including cell cycle G1/S checkpoint regulators, RAN signaling, chronic myeloid leukemia signaling, molecular mechanisms of cancer, FXR/RXR activation and hepatic cholestasis. A subset of molecular signatures associated with HCC recurrence was found. The expression levels of these genes were validated by quantitative PCR analysis.
The Use of a Flexible Calix[4]arene Template to Stabilize a Cyclooctatetraindiyl Samarium-Potassium Complex
Authors: Guillemot Geoffroy , Solari Euro , Floriani Carlo , Prangé Thierry
Published: November 2013

A sandwich compound of cyclooctatetraendiyl (COT)2− samarium-potassium was synthesized and analyzed using a flexible calix[4]arene dianion. This compound, [p-tBu-calix[4]-(OMe)2(O)2]arenediyl-samarium-(η8-cyclooctatetraendiyl)-potassium (tetrahydrofurane)3, is constructed as a linear sequence L-Sm--K-, where L, , and are specific ligands with L = O,O-dimethyl-calix[4]arene2−, = cyclo-octatetraendiyl, and = tetrahydrofurane templates.
Elevated 1-αHydroxylase Activity in Monocytes from Patients with Active Tuberculosis
Authors: Tung Yi-Ching , Ou Tsan-Teng , Tsai Wen-Chan
Published: November 2013

A uremic patient developed hypercalcemia after tuberculosis infection, and his ionized calcium levels correlated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3) levels. We performed further studies to determine whether monocytes are alternative sites of 1,25(OH)2D3conversion beyond renal tubular cells. Using an ex vivo bioassay, in this study, we found that 1-αhydroxylase (CYP27B1) activity in monocytes is significantly higher in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) than in those with frequent TB contact. However, when monocytes from patients with active TB were restimulated with antigen derived fromMycobacterium tuberculosis, less 1,25(OH)2D3was observed. In contrast, the level of 1,25(OH)2D3was unchanged in those with frequent TB contact. We conclude that monocytes may be an alternative source of 1-αhydroxylase that could convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D3to the more active 1,25(OH)2D3.
Prevalence and Predictors of Urinary Tract Infections among Children with Cerebral Palsy in Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors: Anígilájé Emmanuel Adémólá , Bitto Terkaa Terrumun
Published: November 2013

Background. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are prone to urinary tract infection (UTI).Methods/Objectives.The prevalence and the predictors of UTI among children with CP were compared to age- and sex-matched children without CP at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria, from December 2011 to May 2013.Results. The age range was between 2 and 15 years with a mean age of years including 30 males and 22 females. UTI was confirmed in 20 (38.5%) CP children compared to 2 children (3.8%) without CP ( value 0.000). Among CP children,Escherichia coliwas the commonest organism isolated in 9 (9/20, 45.0%),Streptococcus faecalisin 4 (20.0%), andStaphylococcus aureusin 3 (15%), while bothProteus spp.andKlebsiella spp.were isolated in 2 children (10.0%) each.Escherichia coliwas also found in the 2 children without CP. All the organisms were resistant to cotrimoxazole, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, and amoxiclav, while they were 100% sensitive to ceftriaxone and the quinolones. In a univariate regression analysis, only moderate to severe gross motor dysfunction predicted the risk of UTI (, 95% CI, 2.27–1324.00, value 0.014).Conclusion. Efforts should be put in place to aid mobility among CP children in order to reduce the risk of UTI.
2-DOF Angle Measurement of Rocket Nozzle with Multivision
Authors: Guo Yubo , Chen Gang , Ye Dong , Yu Xiaoyu , Yuan Feng
Published: November 2013

A real-time measurement method is presented for the 2-DOF swing angles of rocket nozzle by the use of multivision and rocket nozzle rotation axes. This method takes offline processing to measure the position of two nozzle rotation axes in image coordinate system by means of multi-vision and identify the rotation transformation relation between image coordinate system and fixed-nozzle coordinate system. During real-time measurement, the nozzle 2-DOF swing angles can be measured with transformation of marker coordinate from image coordinate system to fixed-nozzle coordinate system. This method can effectively resolve the problem of occlusion by markers in wide swing range of the nozzle. Experiments were conducted to validate its correctness and high measurement accuracy.
Common and Complex Notch1 Mutations in Chinese Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Song Xiaomeng , Xia Ronghui , Li Jiang , Long Zhifeng , Ren Hening , Chen Wantao , Mao Li
Published: November 2013

Purpose: To determine Notch1 mutation status in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from Chinese population and its potential clinical implications.

Experimental Design: Surgically resected OSCC tissues from 51 Chinese patients and 13 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines were sequenced for mutations in the entire coding regions of Notch1 and TP53 using a next-generation sequencing platform. Sequences of the genes were also determined in corresponding normal tissues from 46 of the 51 patients. Mutations and their association with clinical parameters were analyzed.

Results: Six mutations in Notch1 and 11 mutations in TP53 coding regions were detected in 4 (31%) and 10 (77%) of the 13 HNSCC cell lines, respectively. Forty-two somatic Notch1 mutations, including 7 nonsense mutations and 11 mutations within the domain commonly harboring potential activating mutations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, were detected in 22 (43%) of the 51 Chinese OSCC tumors. In comparison, 25 somatic TP53 mutations were observed in 21 (41%) of the 51 tumors. Patients whose tumors carried Notch1 mutation had significantly shorter overall and disease-free survivals (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively, by log-rank test) compared with those whose tumors carried no Notch1 mutation. Multivariate analysis showed that both Notch1 mutation and lymph node metastasis are independent prognostic factors in the patient population (P = 0.001). All 15 patients with both Notch1 mutation and nodal metastasis recurred or metastasized within 2 years after surgery.

Conclusions: Notch1 mutation is common in Chinese OSCC and associates with clinical outcomes. The complexity of the mutation spectrum warrants further investigation of Notch1 in Chinese patients with OSCC. Clin Cancer Res; 20(3); 701–10. ©2013 AACR.
The PDGFRβ–AKT Pathway Contributes to CDDP-Acquired Resistance in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
Authors: Juliachs M. , Muñoz C. , Moutinho C.A. , Vidal A. , Condom E. , Esteller M. , Graupera M. , Casanovas O. , Germà J.R. , Villanueva A. , Viñals F.
Published: November 2013

Purpose: We examined whether PI3K–AKT or extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways could play a role in the development of cisplatin (CDDP) resistance in testicular germ cell tumor (TGT) cells.

Experimental Design: We compared AKT and ERK activation levels in CDDP-sensitive testicular tumor cells and in their corresponding CDDP-resistant–derived cells. We also analyzed these pathways in orthotopic testicular tumors and human patient samples.

Results: Our results indicated that there was overactivation of AKT in CDDP-resistant cells compared with sensitive cells, but no effect on activated ERK levels. We observed an increase in mRNA and protein levels for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor β and PDGF-B ligand. These were responsible for AKT overactivation in CDDP-resistant cells. When PDGFRβ levels were decreased by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) treatment or its activation was blocked by pazopanib, CDDP-resistant cells behaved like sensitive cells. Moreover, CDDP-resistant cells were more sensitive to incubation with PDGFRβ inhibitors such as pazopanib or sunitinib than sensitive cells, a finding consistent with these cells being dependent on this signaling pathway. We also found overexpression of PDGFRβ and pAKT in CDDP-resistant choriocarcinoma orthotopic tumor versus their CDDP-sensitive counterparts. Finally, we found high PDGFRβ levels in human testicular tumors, and overexpression in CDDP-resistant testicular choriocarcinomas compared with the CDDP-sensitive and nontreated tumors.

Conclusions: The PDGFRβ–AKT pathway plays a critical role in the development of CDDP resistance in testicular tumoral cells. Clin Cancer Res; 20(3); 658–67. ©2013 AACR.
Telomere Content and Risk of Second Malignant Neoplasm in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Gramatges Maria M. , Liu Qi , Yasui Yutaka , Okcu M. Fatih , Neglia Joseph P. , Strong Louise C. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Robison Leslie L. , Bhatia Smita
Published: November 2013

Purpose: Shorter constitutional telomere length has been associated with increased cancer incidence. Furthermore, telomere shortening is observed in response to intensive chemotherapy and/or ionizing radiation exposure. We aimed to determine whether less telomere content was associated with treatment-related second malignant neoplasms (SMN) in childhood cancer survivors.

Experimental Design: Using a nested case–control design, 147 cancer survivors with breast cancer, thyroid cancer, or sarcoma developing after treatment for childhood cancer (cases) were matched (1:1) with childhood cancer survivors without a SMN (controls). Cases and controls were matched by primary cancer diagnosis, years since diagnosis, age at the time of sample collection, years of follow-up from childhood cancer diagnosis, exposure to specific chemotherapy agents, and to specific radiation fields. We performed conditional logistic regression using telomere content as a continuous variable to estimate ORs with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for development of SMN. ORs were also estimated for specific SMN types, i.e., breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and sarcoma.

Results: There was an inverse relationship between telomere content and SMN, with an adjusted OR of 0.3 per unit change in telomere length to single-copy gene ratio (95% CI, 0.09–1.02; P = 0.05). Patients with thyroid cancer SMN were less likely to have more telomere content (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.00–0.55; P = 0.01), but statistically significant associations could not be demonstrated for breast cancer or sarcoma.

Conclusions: A relation between less telomere content and treatment-related thyroid cancer was observed, suggesting that shorter telomeres may contribute to certain SMNs in childhood cancer survivors. Clin Cancer Res; 20(4); 904–11. ©2013 AACR.
PD-1 Expression on Peripheral Blood Cells Increases with Stage in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients and Is Rapidly Reduced after Surgical Tumor Resection
Authors: MacFarlane Alexander W. , Jillab Mowafaq , Plimack Elizabeth R. , Hudes Gary R. , Uzzo Robert G. , Litwin Samuel , Dulaimi Essel , Al-Saleem Tahseen , Campbell Kerry S.
Published: November 2013

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor is an inhibitory receptor on hematopoietic cells that can negatively regulate immune responses, particularly responses to tumors, which often upregulate PD-1 ligands. PD-1/PD-1 ligand blocking antibodies can reverse the inhibition and show significant therapeutic promise in treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC), lung cancer, and melanoma. While PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been associated with poor outcome in RCC, we sought to define immune cell biomarkers, including PD-1, on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that could predict disease progression of RCC patients before and after nephrectomy. We analyzed expression of numerous immune cell markers on fresh PBMCs from 90 RCC patients preoperatively and 25 age-matched healthy controls by 10-color flow cytometry. Postoperative blood samples were also analyzed from 23 members of the RCC patient cohort. The most striking phenotypic immune biomarker in RCC patients was a significant increase in PD-1 expression on certain PBMCs in a subset of patients. Increased PD-1 expression on CD14bright myelomonocytic cells, effector T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells correlated to disease stage, and expression was significantly reduced on all cell types soon after surgical resection of the primary tumor. The results indicate that PD-1 expression on fresh peripheral blood leukocytes may provide a useful indicator of RCC disease progression. Furthermore, measuring PD-1 levels in peripheral blood may assist in identifying patients likely to respond to PD-1 blocking antibodies, and these therapies may be most effective before and immediately after surgical resection of the primary tumor, when PD-1 expression is most prominent. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(4); 320–31. ©2013 AACR.
Estimation of Caries Experience by Multiple Imputation and Direct Standardization
Authors: Schuller A.A. , van Buuren S.
Published: November 2013

Valid estimates of caries experience are needed to monitor oral population health. Obtaining such estimates in practice is often complicated by nonresponse and missing data. The goal of this study was to estimate caries experiences in a population of children aged 5 and 11 years, in the presence of nonresponse and missing data. Four estimation methods are compared. Each method makes implicit assumptions about the processes that caused the nonresponse and the missing data. Three of the four methods are based on unrealistic assumptions about the missing data and underestimate caries experience. Under the missing at random assumption, multiple imputation in combination with direct standardization corrects for the deficiencies of current methodology. In the presence of missing data and nonresponse, we recommend a combination of multiple imputation and direct standardization to obtain correct estimates of caries experience.
An Anthropometric Analysis of the Head and Face in Vocal Students
Authors: Wyganowska-Świątkowska Marzena , Kowalkowska Iwona , Mehr Katarzyna , Dąbrowski Mikołaj
Published: November 2013

Objectives: The aim of the study was an anthropometric analysis of the values of selected cranial and facial indexes in vocal students and a comparison of these values with the standards for the same ethnic and age group of non-singing students. Patients and Methodology: 56 vocal students, aged 19-26 years, were examined. Standard instruments, such as sliding and spreading callipers and soft measuring tape, were used for the examination. A set of 32 linear measurements of the head and face was provided. Results: In all head measurements the obtained results were greater for the vocal students. The vocal students revealed greater values of the indexes related to face width and depth of the lower jaw. In the comparison group the indices for the middle and lower part of the face were significantly higher. Conclusion: Vocalists have bigger heads and mandibles than non-singers.
Peripheral Endothelial Function and Cardiovascular Events in High‐Risk Patients
Authors: Matsuzawa Yasushi , Sugiyama Seigo , Sumida Hitoshi , Sugamura Koichi , Nozaki Toshimitsu , Ohba Keisuke , Matsubara Junichi , Kurokawa Hirofumi , Fujisue Koichiro , Konishi Masaaki , Akiyama Eiichi , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Nagayoshi Yasuhiro , Yamamuro Megumi , Sakamoto Kenji , Iwashita Satomi , Jinnouchi Hideaki , Taguri Masataka , Morita Satoshi , Matsui Kunihiko , Kimura Kazuo , Umemura Satoshi , Ogawa Hisao
Published: November 2013

Background

Endothelial dysfunction is a key component of vascular vulnerability. Reactive hyperemia index (
RHI
), as assessed by the peripheral arterial tonometry, can noninvasively evaluate endothelial function. This study was designed to determine the additional prognostic value of endothelial function to the Synergy Between
PCI
With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Score (
SYNTAX
sc) and the Framingham Risk Score (
FRS
) in predicting cardiovascular events in high‐risk patients.

Methods and Results

We undertook a two‐center prospective study in 528 stable patients at high‐risk for cardiovascular events from the years 2006–2011. The
RHI
was measured before coronary angiography and coronary complexity was assessed by
SYNTAX
sc. After optimal therapies including coronary revascularization, there was follow‐up with patients until August 2012. Cardiovascular events consist of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, heart failure‐induced hospitalization, aortic disease, and peripheral arterial disease. During 1468 person‐years of follow‐up, 105 patients developed cardiovascular events. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified B‐type natriuretic peptide (
BNP
),
SYNTAX
sc, and
RHI
as independent cardiovascular event predictors (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: natural logarithm of
BNP
per 0.1: 1.019 [1.002 to 1.037];
P
=0.023,
SYNTAX
sc per tertile: 2.426 [1.825 to 3.225];
P
<0.0001,
RHI
per 0.1: 0.761 [0.673 to 0.859];
P
<0.0001). When
RHI
was added to the
FRS
,
BNP
, and
SYNTAX
sc, net reclassification index was significantly improved (27.5%;
P
<0.0001), with a significant increase in the C‐statistic (from 0.728 [0.679 to 0.778] to 0.766 [0.726 to 0.806];
P
=0.031).

Conclusions

Advanced endothelial dysfunction significantly correlated with near future cardiovascular events in high‐risk patients. This physiological vascular measurement improved risk discrimination when added to the
FRS
,
BNP
, and
SYNTAX
sc.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
: clinicaltrials.gov (
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
). Unique identifier:
NCT
00737945.
Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Stroke‐Related Healthcare Costs
Authors: Sussman Matthew , Menzin Joseph , Lin Iris , Kwong Winghan J. , Munsell Michael , Friedman Mark , Selim Magdy
Published: November 2013

Background

Limited data exist on the economic implications of stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation (
AF
). This study assesses the impact of
AF
on healthcare costs associated with ischemic stroke (
IS
), hemorrhagic stroke (
HS
), or transient ischemic attack (
TIA
).

Methods and Results

A retrospective analysis of MarketScan claims data (2005‐2011) for
AF
patients ≥18 years old with ≥1 inpatient claim for stroke, or ≥1
ED
or inpatient claim for
TIA
as identified by
ICD
‐9‐
CM
codes who had ≥12 months continuous enrollment prior to initial stroke. Initial event‐ and stroke‐related costs 12 months post‐index were compared among patients with
AF
and without
AF
. Adjusted costs were estimated, controlling for demographics, comorbidities, anticoagulant use, and baseline resource use. Data from 23 807
AF
patients and 136 649 patients without
AF
were analyzed. Unadjusted mean cost of the index event was $20 933 for
IS
, $59 054 for
HS
, $8616 for
TIA
hospitalization, and $3395 for
TIA ED
visit. After controlling for potential confounders, adjusted mean incremental costs (index plus 12‐month post‐index) for
AF
patients were higher than those for non‐
AF
patients by: $4726, $7824, and $1890 for index
IS
,
HS
,
TIA
(identified by hospitalization), respectively, and $1700 for
TIA
(identified by
ED
) (all
P
<0.01). In multivariate regression analysis,
AF
was associated with a 20% (
IS
), 13% (
HS
), and 18% (
TIA
) increase in total stroke‐related costs.

Conclusion

Stroke‐related care for
IS
,
HS
, and
TIA
is costly, especially among individuals with
AF
. Reducing the risk of
AF
‐related stroke is important from both clinical and economic standpoints.
On photography Time split in two
Authors: Kay Ronald
Published: November 2013

The text presented here constitutes the first time that Ronald Kay's work has been rendered and published in English translation. A fundamental figure within Chile's art scene during its recent dictatorial period (1973–1990), Kay's written, pedagogic, and editorial contributions were instrumental in shaping the sophisticated and insurgent discourse of the artists working under the rubric now known as the neovanguardia. The first chapter of Ronald Kay's Del Espacio de Acá (1980), “On photography Time split in two” lays out, in a style and rhetoric that are both lyrical and rigorous, Kay's theorization of the photographic phenomenon as a miniature geological event.
Dead heterospecifics as cues of risk in the environment: Does size affect response?
Authors: Iglesias T.L. , Stetkevich R.C. , Patricelli G.L.
Published: November 2013

Organisms can minimize their exposure to risk of death or injury by assessing their environment and modifying their behavior accordingly. There is evidence that the current or recent presence of a predator introduces cues to the environment that organisms may use in risk assessment. However, we know little about whether terrestrial organisms use the remains of victims of predation as one such cue of elevated predation risk. A previous study showed that western scrub-jays (Aphelocoma californica) respond both to dead conspecifics and to encounters with a predator with alarm calling and aggregation (cacophonous aggregations), suggesting that they use dead conspecifics as indirect evidence of predation risk. Here we examine whether western scrub-jays also use dead heterospecifics as an indicator of risk. We find that jays respond with cacophonous aggregations to dead sympatric and allopatric jay-size heterospecifics but react weakly if at all to smaller heterospecifics. This suggests that size may be an important factor in determining whether a dead heterospecific is a relevant cue of risk. To our knowledge this is the first controlled experiment showing an animal using the visual cue provided by a dead heterospecific as an indicator of risk and communicating this risk to other conspecifics.
The frequency of vocal mimicry associated with danger varies due to proximity to nest and nesting stage in a passerine bird
Authors: Goodale Eben , Ratnayake Chaminda P. , Kotagama Sarath W.
Published: November 2013

Several species of birds vocally imitate sounds associated with danger. Two anecdotal studies suggest that such ‘danger mimicry’ increases during nesting, but such a relationship has not been quantitatively demonstrated. Sri Lanka drongos (Dicrurus paradiseus lophorhinus) are known to imitate predators and other species’ mobbing and alarm calls in alarm contexts. Here we investigated whether drongos vary their production of danger mimicry in different nesting stages (building, incubation, nests with hatchlings, fledglings still outside of mixed-species flocks), and when foraging away from young in mixed-species flocks. We recorded drongos over two breeding seasons at 14 different nesting trees, used year-after-year. We found that of all the types of danger mimicry, imitation of predators was the most common and exclusive to drongos that had young offspring. Such predator mimicry was observed at a higher rate during the hatchling and fledgling stages compared to incubation or flocks. Danger mimicry did not, however, increase during this stage in isolation: drongo species-specific alarm calls also increased, and the close connection between these two types of calls did not appear to change. Although it is possible that the association between danger mimicry and species-specific alarm calls could help young birds learn sounds associated with danger, the performance of this behaviour does not seem exclusive enough to interactions between adult drongos and their offspring to meet functional definitions of teaching.
Singly laid mole salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) eggs resist mortality from water mold infection
Authors: Croshaw Dean A.
Published: November 2013

Parasites and pathogens are noteworthy forces in evolutionary and population biology. Water molds are known to infect and kill amphibian eggs, and masses placed in clusters sometimes suffer greater losses. Thus, selection may favor single oviposition behavior in which females scatter individual eggs to avoid contact with dead eggs, thereby lowering the chances of hyphal spread. I tested the hypothesis that eggs in physical contact with dead eggs are more susceptible to death via pathogen infection using a singly laying urodele, the mole salamander, whose congeners mostly lay eggs in masses. Focal eggs were placed in replicated containers with variable egg contact (physically touching or separated) by treatment eggs that varied in status (dead or alive). The effect of egg arrangement was significant, with focal eggs surviving better to hatching when not contacting treatment eggs. Although treatment egg status (dead vs. alive) was not influential on its own, the interaction between egg contact and status was an important determinant of focal egg survival. Only when eggs were physically touching was it important whether they were dead or alive. Moreover, when eggs were touching there was a significant positive association between focal egg survival and the number of surviving treatment eggs. Water mold infected most dead eggs in all treatment groups. This study shows that mole salamander eggs are more likely to die when touching other eggs that have perished, most likely because of a greater chance of water mold infection. Such mortality may have contributed to diversification of egg-laying behavior in amphibians and shows a potentially compounding fitness cost of diminished fertilization success and embryo viability.
(Mis)interpreting the Statute? The International Criminal Court, the Sentence of Life Imprisonment and Other Emerging Sentencing Issues: A Comment on the Trial Chamber I Decision on the Sentence in Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo
Authors: Mujuzi Jamil Ddamulira
Published: November 2013

On 14 March 2012, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, ICC, in its first ever decision, convicted Mr Thomas Luganga Dyilo, as a coperpetrator, of ‘conscripting and enlisting children under the age of fifteen years into the UPC/FPLC and using them to participate actively in hostilities…’ On 10 July 2012, the Trial Chamber sentenced him to an effective term of 14 years’ imprisonment. In passing the sentence, the Trial Chamber held, inter alia, that in terms of the Rome Statute of the ICC, in cases where it sentences an offender to prison for a specified number of years, the sentence must not exceed 30 years’ imprisonment. The Trial Chamber also equated life imprisonment with ‘whole life.’ It is argued that in the light of the drafting history of the Rome Statute, the Trial Chamber incorrectly interpreted the Statute in those two respects. It is also argued that the ICC should have indicated which purpose the sentence it imposed was meant to serve.
The Legacy of the Gacaca Courts in Rwanda: Survivors’ Views
Authors: de Brouwer Anne-Marie , Ruvebana Etienne
Published: November 2013

Gacaca, the local courts in Rwanda, officially closed on 18 June 2012. In this contribution, the legacy of the gacaca courts is studied by looking at what the gacaca courts have achieved or may not have achieved against the objectives it was set up for in the first place from the perspective of genocide survivors. Twenty-eight interviews with genocide survivors provide insight into how changing circumstances (e.g. passing of time, better understanding of the workings of the gacaca courts, improved security situation, increased level of the most basic (material and psychological) needs, and role of teachings about forgiveness on individual and societal reconciliation) may influence the way survivors of international crimes evaluate gacaca. In the second part of this article, the question of how to move on now that gacaca courts have officially closed down is discussed, including the still unresolved issue of reparation to genocide survivors.
Specific Reparation for Specific Victimization: A Case for Suitable Reparation Strategies for War Crimes Victims in the DRC
Authors: Manirabona Amissi M. , Wemmers Jo-Anne
Published: November 2013

The vast number of victims as well as their tremendous needs have to be taken into consideration by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that is dealing with some of the war criminals from the DRC. However, while many international instruments provide war victims with rights to reparation, the ICC is limited in terms of who it considers a victim and what it can offer in terms of reparation. The Trust Fund for victims, however, does not suffer these same limitations. Nevertheless, the Trust Fund is grossly underfunded. Thus, it should be supplemented by a national compensation fund for war victims financed by the international community, the DRC as well as States involved in Congolese armed conflict. As we will see later on, although this research is focused to victims of the DRC armed conflict, many of its lessons might have broader implications and apply to other situations involving war-induced victimization.
Species diversity in the Palaeotropical leaf-litter genus Apelaunothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae)
Authors: MOUND LAURENCE A.
Published: November 2013

Species of Apelaunothrips are fungus-feeders on dead leaves, particularly in leaf-litter, and they are recorded across the Old World tropics from Africa to northern Australia and southern Japan. All species in this genus have the maxillary stylets 4–6 microns in diameter, considerably broader than the 2–3 micron diameter that is typical among Phlaeothripinae. The species are largely uniform in structure, but in four species the larger males have fore femora enlarged with a conspicuous tubercle on the inner margin at the base. In one of these species, the males are dimorphic, with no intermediates between large and small individuals, in contrast to the continuous variation in structure found in many polymorphic Phlaeothripidae. A key is provided to the 37 recognised species of Apelaunothrips, including the following: A. desleyae sp.n. from northern Australia; A. bogor sp.n. from Java; A. gombak sp.n. from Peninsular Malaysia.
Neural Network–Based Sensitivity Analysis of Summertime Convection over the Continental United States
Authors: Aires Filipe , Gentine Pierre , Findell Kirsten L. , Lintner Benjamin R. , Kerr Christopher
Published: November 2013

Although land–atmosphere coupling is thought to play a role in shaping the mean climate and its variability, it remains difficult to quantify precisely. The present study aims to isolate relationships between early morning surface turbulent fluxes partitioning [i.e., evaporative fraction (EF)] and subsequent afternoon convective precipitation frequency and intensity. A general approach involving statistical relationships among input and output variables, known as sensitivity analysis (SA), is used to develop a reduced complexity metamodel of the linkage between EF and convective precipitation. Two additional quantities characterizing the early morning convective environment, convective triggering potential (CTP) and low-level humidity (HIlow) deficit, are included. The SA approach is applied to the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) for June–August (JJA) conditions over the entire continental United States, Mexico, and Central America domain. Five land–atmosphere coupling regimes are objectively characterized based on CTP, HIlow, and EF. Two western regimes are largely atmospherically controlled, with a positive link to CTP and a negative link to HIlow. The other three regimes occupy Mexico and the eastern half of the domain and show positive links to EF and negative links to HIlow, suggesting that both surface fluxes and atmospheric humidity play a role in the triggering of rainfall in these regions. The regimes associated with high mean EF also tend to have high sensitivity of rainfall frequency to variations in EF. While these results may be sensitive to the choice of dataset, the approach can be applied across observational, reanalysis, and model datasets and thus represents a potentially powerful tool for intercomparison and validation as well as for characterizing land–atmosphere interaction regimes.
Challenging the ‘care penalty’: The Queensland pay equity campaign for community services workers
Authors: Bailey Janis , Robertson Michelle , Hulme Lyndall
Published: November 2013

In 2009, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission delivered a historic pay equity decision for the social and community services sector in Queensland. Employers were persuaded not to oppose the need for pay equity, and government – the major funder of the sector – was persuaded to agree to funding increases, as a result of a campaign coordinated by the relevant trade union, the Queensland Services Union, and the peak body representing the sector, the Queensland Council of Social Service. Informed by participant observation, interviews and documentary analysis, this article identifies key elements of the campaign’s success using the literature on union campaign strategy, especially studies of coalitions. The study contributes to the developing literature on ‘care movements’ and to knowledge of strategies for building and maintaining successful campaign coalitions involving unions.
“Staying On Our Feet”
Authors: Bell-Robertson Catherine G.
Published: November 2013

Multiple forms of support for teachers new to the profession are important and necessary. The use of an online community by 11 novice instrumental music teachers at the middle school and high school levels was investigated in this case study. The teachers exchanged messages and information within the online community during the 2010–2011 school year; data sources included all transcripts from the online community and multiple interviews with each participant. The participants’ experiences in the utilization of the wikispace as an online community of practice was analyzed using Wenger’s three components of domain, community, and practice. The findings suggest that the online community appeared to have met novice teachers’ emotional needs as they learned to become music teachers but that their positions were often also quite different in terms of specific responsibilities and music curricula they taught. Thus, online conversations focused more on the affective issues that surround being a new music teacher rather than on curriculum and classroom-specific content.
Young Listeners’ Music Style Preferences
Authors: Brittin Ruth V.
Published: November 2013

Listeners ( N = 543) in grades 4, 5, and 6 rated their preference for 10 instrumental and vocal selections from various styles, including four popular music selections with versions performed in English, Spanish, or an Asian language. Participants estimated their identification with Spanish/Hispanic/Latino and Asian cultures, the number of languages they spoke, and the number of musical styles the adults in their family listened to at home. There were significant but small correlations between degree of identification with pinpointed cultures and preference for the four popular songs chosen to represent those cultures and significant, small correlations between preference for those and number of languages spoken. However, results on how degree of cultural identification corresponded with preference when responding to English or non-English versions of songs were mixed. There was a significant, small correlation between the number of musical styles adults at home were estimated to like and overall preference, providing data with which to consider the issue of musical omnivorousness. Overall, there was a significant interaction between mean preference ratings by grade level, gender, and selection. With specific vocal selections, girls rated female performances higher than did boys, and boys rated male excerpts higher than did girls, with interesting grade-level patterns.
The development of narrative productivity, syntactic complexity, referential cohesion and event content in four- to eight-year-old Finnish children
Authors: Mäkinen Leena , Loukusa Soile , Nieminen Lea , Leinonen Eeva , Kunnari Sari
Published: November 2013

This study focuses on the development of narrative structure and the relationship between narrative productivity and event content. A total of 172 Finnish children aged between four and eight participated. Their picture-elicited narrations were analysed for productivity, syntactic complexity, referential cohesion and event content. Each measure showed a developmental trend. Concerning consecutive age groups, significant differences were observed between four- and five-year-olds in productivity and event content and between five- and six-year-olds in referential cohesion. Multiple regression analysis showed that the relationship between productivity and event content was important, and especially the number of different word tokens proved to be useful in explaining the event content, whereas the number of communication units did not. This suggests that some productivity measures should be interpreted with caution.
Political Aesthetics, the Third Chimurenga, and the ZANU-PF Mobilization in Shurugwi District of Zimbabwe
Authors: Marongwe Ngonidzashe
Published: November 2013

This article examines the deployment of political aesthetics of mobilization at ZANU-PF rallies during the Third Chimurenga, 2000–2008. Broadly, I ask: What impact was generated by the ritualization of performances at rallies? The article contends that the impact was, first, in engendering a particular Ranciere[an] “distribution of the sensible” in which ZANU-PF continued reign and violence were valorised. Second, this helped in the “democratisation” of agency, to the lower-level party structures, in the commission of violence. While the primary focus will be on the Third Chimurenga when the adulteration of aesthetics became apparent, the article, however, will draw comparisons with the precolonial Zimbabwe and the Second Chimurenga practices in order to fully delineate the turns the performances have undergone over time.
Giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura
Authors: Ludhani Prakash Manoharlal , Anathakrishnan Radha , Muthubaskaran Venkatadevanathan , Chandrasekar Padmanabhan , Muralidharan Srinivasan
Published: November 2013

Solitary fibrous tumors are rare mesenchymal tumors accounting for <5% of all neoplasms in the pleura and other sites. A 45-year-old man reported to us with cough and dyspnea. Radiological investigations revealed a giant mass displacing the mediastinum to the left. The tumor weighing 3.0 kg was successfully resected via a right thoracotomy. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed a benign tumor. Recurrence and malignant transformation of these benign tumors have been reported. Our patient has been followed up for 4 years with no recurrence.
Ring annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation: A single center experience
Authors: Malhotra Amber , Sharma Pranav , Garg Pankaj , Bishnoi Arvind , Kothari Jignesh , Pujara Jigisha
Published: November 2013

Background

Ischemic mitral regurgitation associated with coronary artery disease presents a management challenge to cardiac surgeons. We report our early and midterm results of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation treated with concomitant mitral ring annuloplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at our institute from January 2009 to December 2011. Data were collected in 50 patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation who had mitral ring annuloplasty along with coronary artery bypass grafting. Preoperative data, echocardiographic findings, operative procedure, outcome, and perioperative hemodynamics were analyzed. Early and intermediate follow-up data were also collected and analyzed.

Results

There were 3 (6%) early and 9 (18%) late deaths. Of the survivors, 38 (76%) had a significant reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions and improvement in New York Heart Association functional class.

Conclusion

Despite a risk of residual regurgitation, mitral ring annuloplasty combined with coronary artery bypass appears to be a good treatment option in selected patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation.
My Iranian Road Trip – Comments and Reflections on Videographic Interpretations of Iran’s Political Economy and Marketing System
Authors: Shultz Clifford J. , Peterson Mark , Zwick Detlev , Atik Deniz
Published: November 2013

Iran is an enigmatic political economy and marketing system. Access to it for purposes of rigorous and thorough research is not easy. Scholars therefore must be creative when studying such systems, and may be limited to interpreting extant findings by others. In this article, the authors share comments and reflections on My Iranian Road Trip, a short film documenting Nicholas Kristof’s 2012 tour through Iran, and an ensuing panel that analyzed and discussed the film during the 39th Annual Macromarketing Conference. The film was sponsored and released online by The New York Times. While it was agreed that some glimpse of Iran is better than none – and that Kristof’s film does contribute to the discourse on political and economic dynamics in Iran – the authors share comments on methodological shortcomings, representativeness, over-simplification, and concerns about some questionable conclusions, which inevitably implies need for more rigorous, thorough and nuanced research if we are to understand Iran’s complex political economy and marketing system.
Contrast enhancement in bladder tumors examined with CT urography using traditional scan phases
Authors: Helenius Malin , Dahlman Pär , Magnusson Mats , Lönnemark Maria , Magnusson Anders
Published: November 2013

Background

Bladder assessment in an early contrast-enhancing computed tomography urography (CTU) phase requires that bladder tumors be enhanced using contrast material.

Purpose

To investigate the enhancement pattern in bladder tumors using a CTU protocol where the scan is enhancement triggered.

Material and Methods

Fifty patients diagnosed with bladder cancer were examined during the unenhanced (UP), corticomedullary (CMP), and excretory phases (EP). Twenty-one patients, all aged 50 years or older, were also examined during the nephrographic phase (NP). A ROI placed in the aorta was used to start the scan during the CMP when the attenuation reached 200 Hounsfield units (HU). The NP and EP were started with a 40 s and 300 s delay, respectively, after the CMP was finished. Attenuation and size measurements were made in the axial plane.

Results

Mean contrast enhancement of bladder tumors was 37, 25, and 17 HU in the CMP, NP, and EP, respectively. The differences in contrast enhancement were significant across all three phases. Eighty-eight percent of patients showed the highest contrast enhancement in the CMP. In 96% of the cases, contrast enhancement >20 HU was seen. The mean value of the shortest dimension of the bladder tumors was 22 ± 12 mm.

Conclusion

The contrast enhancement is significantly higher in the CMP than in the NP and EP, suggesting that the CMP is preferable when assessing the bladder in the early contrast enhancing phase.