bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital radio and market failure: a tale of two complementary platforms
Authors: Pierre Freyens Benoît
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In sharp contrast to television, various sources of market failure currently prevent market forces fulfilling the promise of digital switchover in radio markets. The purpose of this paper is to review the strengths and weaknesses, business models and market deployment of the two main platforms, with a view to establishing the economic case for higher regulatory involvement in digital radio markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the relevant broadcaster, engineering and regulatory literature, with particular emphasis on technical compatibilities among terrestrial radio broadcast technologies, and the technological and economic difficulties they face. The exercise is the first of its kind to scope and bring together these multidisciplinary contributions.

Findings

The highly uncoordinated development and deployment of terrestrial digital radio platforms is leading this new digital industry to an impasse. There is a legacy of uncertainty and scepticism amongst market players. Furthermore, prevailing technology and business models have marginalised community radio services and regional audiences.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis does not cover the demand side (contents, culture) nor developments in non‐terrestrial digital platforms, nor in the US‐based IBOC standard.

Practical implications

There is considerable scope, particularly in large, sparsely inhabited countries with sizeable rural audiences to remedy the failings of the current fragmented approach through regulatory intervention through platform integration.

Originality/value

There is a lack of coherent information published on the potential benefits that the new digital platforms are bringing to the audio broadcasting market, and on the current market difficulties they face. The article remedies this gap.
Individual differences and analyst forecast accuracy
Authors: Luo Ting , Xie Wenjuan
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of unidentifiable individual differences among financial analysts on the cross section of their earnings forecast accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the concept of analyst fixed effects to control for unidentifiable individual differences. Various psychological factors, such as decision style and personality traits, are documented to impact individuals' decision making. However, analysts' individual differences in such psychological factors are not captured by identifiable personal attributes employed in finance literature, such as years of experience. The methodology used addresses this issue and presents a more comprehensive study of analyst forecast accuracy.

Findings

The paper documents that unidentifiable analyst‐specific effects are significant, and that controlling for them improves model fitting and changes the explanatory power of some of the traditionally used independent variables in the literature. The paper confirms that the analyst's firm‐specific experience, the intensity of following that a firm receives, and the forecast horizon are all significantly and consistently related to forecast accuracy. However, it is found that analyst general experience and coverage complexity lose explanatory power when individual differences are controlled for. Analyst general experience is not monotonically associated with better accuracy and that analysts only benefit from increased general experience during the early to middle stages of their career. Finally, when analysts' individual differences are controlled for, the boldness of a forecast revision is not associated with the improvement of accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

The documented non‐monotonic relationship between analyst general experience and forecast accuracy is explained as a result of U‐shaped self‐efficacy, decision style and career concerns. This observation is not necessarily in line with the theory of analyst seniority and reputation‐related performance.

Originality/value

The methodology used addresses the issue of analysts' individual differences in psychological factors and presents a more comprehensive study of analyst forecast accuracy.
A new process for creating points systems for prioritising patients for elective health services
Authors: Hansen Paul , Hendry Alison , Naden Ray , Ombler Franz , Stewart Ralph
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a new process for creating points systems – i.e. decision criteria and their point values – for prioritising patients for access to elective health services.

Design/methodology/approach

The process was developed in New Zealand from a project the authors were closely involved in, beginning in 2004, to create new points systems, initially for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and then successively for other elective services. The objective was to overcome the limitations of earlier methodologies for creating points systems.

Findings

The process, supported by internet‐based software, consists of seven steps performed by a working group of clinical leaders for the elective service concerned, in consultation with patient groups and other clinicians. The authors' experience reveals it is acceptable to clinicians and their professional organisations as well as to patient groups.

Originality/value

The process creates points systems that are valid and reproducible and based on a consensus of clinical judgements. The process is explained in a step‐by‐step manner so that it is possible for readers to apply it themselves to create points systems for their own patient‐prioritisation applications.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in subjects with adrenal incidentaloma
Authors: Papanastasiou Labrini , Pappa Theodora , Samara Christianna , Apostolopoulou Glyceria , Tsiavos Vaios , Markou Athina , Alexandraki Krystallenia , Piaditis George , Chrousos George , Kaltsas Gregory
Published: July 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (11): 1165–1172

Background  Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are associated with several parameters of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Although nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a cardiometabolic risk factor, no data exist on its prevalence and clinical relevance in AI. The aim was to investigate the presence of MS and NAFLD in AI subjects.

Patients and Methods  Fifty‐six AI subjects and 30 age‐, sex‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐matched controls were evaluated. All subjects underwent abdominal computerized tomography scan and hepatic and spleen attenuation measurements. The presence of NAFLD was defined as a mean hepatic minus mean spleen attenuation difference (ΔL−ΔS) < −10HU. Anthropometric variables [BMI and waist‐to‐hip ratio (W/H)] were recorded, and biochemical parameters were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and several insulin resistance (IR) indices were determined. All subjects underwent testing to reveal autonomous cortisol and/or aldosterone (ALD) secretion, while the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was ruled out.

Results  Adrenal incidentaloma subjects’ mean age (± standard deviation) was 59·64 (± 8·68) years, BMI 29·84 (± 5·85) kg/m2 and W/H 0·90 (± 0·07). Twelve subjects with AI had subtle autonomous cortisol, five autonomous ALD and three combined cortisol and ALD secretion. AI subjects exhibited higher IR indices than controls. NAFLD was present in three AI subjects and two controls. In the multiple regression analysis, W/H and triglycerides were independently associated with a low ΔL−ΔS and, hence, degree of hepatic steatosis.

Conclusions  There was no significant difference in the presence of NAFLD between AI patients and controls. ΔL−ΔS, an inverse index of NAFLD, was independently associated with abdominal obesity and increased triglycerides.
Phonological similarity and mutual exclusivity: on‐line recognition of atypical pronunciations in 3–5‐year‐olds
Authors: Creel Sarah C.
Published: July 2012

Recent research has considered the phonological specificity of children’s word representations, but few studies have examined the flexibility of those representations. Tolerating acoustic–phonetic deviations has been viewed as a negative in terms of discriminating minimally different word forms, but may be a positive in an increasingly multicultural society where children encounter speakers with variable accents. To explore children’s on‐line processing of accented speech, preschoolers heard atypically pronounced words (e. g. ‘fesh’, from fish) and selected pictures from a four‐item display as eye movements were tracked. Children recognized similarity between typical and accented variants, selecting the fish overwhelmingly when hearing ‘fesh’ (Experiment 1), even when a novel‐picture alternative was present (Experiment 2). However, eye movements indicated slowed on‐line recognition of accented relative to typical variants. Novel‐picture selections increased with feature distance from familiar forms, but were similarly sensitive to vowel, onset, and coda changes (Experiment 3). Implications for child accent processing and mutual exclusivity are discussed.
As nation, people and public collide: enacting Dutchness in public discourse
Authors: Van Reekum Rogier
Published: July 2012

In recent decades, Dutchness has become an intensely debated issue in Dutch public sphere. The article problematises the labelling of nations and nationalisms that occurs in public and academic understandings of these developments. Craig Calhoun's concept of discursive formation is argued to be more fruitful for understanding the recent contestations over Dutchness. Yet Calhoun's theory is itself in need of elaboration. Whereas Calhoun proposes to focus on the extent to which nations are constructed as publics of highly differentiated members, it is precisely this image that is central to an exclusionary discourse of Dutchness and enables the exclusion of cultural others from the Dutch imaginary. By analysing the enactment of Dutchness through discourses on citizenship, the surprising congruence of pluralism and exclusion in the Dutch context is explored.
A brain network instantiating approach and avoidance motivation
Authors: Spielberg Jeffrey M. , Miller Gregory A. , Warren Stacie L. , Engels Anna S. , Crocker Laura D. , Banich Marie T. , Sutton Bradley P. , Heller Wendy
Published: July 2012

Research indicates that dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is important for pursuing goals, and areas of DLPFC are differentially involved in approach and avoidance motivation. Given the complexity of the processes involved in goal pursuit, DLPFC is likely part of a network that includes orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), cingulate, amygdala, and basal ganglia. This hypothesis was tested with regard to one component of goal pursuit, the maintenance of goals in the face of distraction. Examination of connectivity with motivation‐related areas of DLPFC supported the network hypothesis. Differential patterns of connectivity suggest a distinct role for DLPFC areas, with one involved in selecting approach goals, one in selecting avoidance goals, and one in selecting goal pursuit strategies. Finally, differences in trait motivation moderated connectivity between DLPFC and OFC, suggesting that this connectivity is important for instantiating motivation.
Wiener–Haar Expansion for the Modeling and Prediction of the Dynamic Behavior of Self-Excited Nonlinear Uncertain Systems
Authors: Nechak Lyes , Berger Sébastien , Aubry Evelyne
Published: July 2012

This paper deals with the modeling and the prediction of the dynamic behavior of uncertain nonlinear systems. An efficient method is proposed to treat these problems. It is based on the Wiener–Haar chaos concept resulting from the polynomial chaos theory and it generalizes the use of the multiresolution analysis well known in the signal processing theory. The method provides a powerful tool to describe stochastic processes as series of orthonormal piecewise functions whose weighting coefficients are identified using the Mallat pyramidal algorithm. This paper shows that the Wiener–Haar model allows an efficient description and prediction of the dynamic behavior of nonlinear systems with probabilistic uncertainty in parameters. Its contribution, compared to the representation using the generalized polynomial chaos model, is illustrated by evaluating the two models via their application to the problems of the modeling and the prediction of the dynamic behavior of a self-excited uncertain nonlinear system.
Outgassing and photochemical studies of photosensitive films upon irradiation at 13.5 nm
Authors: Ho Grace H. , Shao Chih-H. , Sung Jia-J. , Kang Fu-H. , Kao Chih-B. , Hung Wei-L. , Chou Yu-L. , Huang Yen-H.
Published: July 2012

Neutral outgassed species from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a model resist (denoted RRR), and three underlayer thin films have been characterized and their absolute outgassing rates determined using a quadrupole mass spectrometer following irradiation at 13.5 nm. The radiation, which was in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) energy range at 13.5 nm, was delivered from the 08A1-beamline at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center in Taiwan. The side chains of acryl-type polymers that are vulnerable to fragmentation and outgassing upon EUV irradiation were characterized and the important outgassed species (H2O and H3O+) were identified from the Si-containing photosensitive materials. The authors propose that the Si-OH formed on the Si-containing surfaces upon EUV irradiation likely undergoes subsequent incremental H2O and H3O+ outgassing upon cumulative EUV irradiation. A benchmark comparison revealed that the absolute outgassing rates of PMMA, RRR, and a Si-containing underlayer sample determined in this work were consistent with values previously reported in the literature. Thus, we have effectively demonstrated that the Taiwanese facility is capable of evaluating absolute resist outgassing rates, making it one of a limited number of EUV resist evaluation sites worldwide. The authors have provided direct evidence that the extent of ionic and neutral outgassing from 80, 100, and 125 nm PMMA and RRR films is not thickness-dependent. The authors have further demonstrated that the absolute outgassing rates of PMMA and RRR films of various thickness and two oxy-hydrocarbon underlayer samples correlated strongly with the 13.5 nm photoabsorption (σabs) and the structural toughness [double-bond-equivalence-per-backbone (DBEPB)] of the polymers. The authors revealed that the formula σabs/DBEPB could be used as a generic metric to predict the resistance of photosensitive films to EUV irradiation for the oxy-hydrocarbons in this work and four previously studied photoresists.
Chromaticity and correlated color temperature of the white point in medical liquid–crystal display
Authors: Akamine Hiroshi , Morishita Junji , Matsuyama Michinobu , Nakamura Yasuhiko , Hashimoto Noriyuki , Toyofuku Fukai
Published: July 2012

Purpose:

The color characteristics of medical liquid–crystal displays (LCDs) have become one of the main interests in quality assurance and quality control of medical display devices. It is necessary to evaluate variations of the color characteristics in medical LCDs in order to provide consistent color characteristics for image reading. In this study, we characterize the color characteristics in grayscale images displayed on medical LCDs.

Methods:

Eight medical color LCDs and eight medical monochrome LCDs were used in this study with operating times ranging from 800 to 25 000 h. Default settings of correlated color temperature (CCT) of white points for all color LCDs were set at 7500 K. We measured chromaticity in the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE)u′v′ color space and CCT of the white point at 18 luminance levels. A colorimeter and grayscale test patterns with various luminance levels were used for the measurements. First, we examined differences in chromaticity and CCT at 18 luminance levels for each LCD. Second, we compared chromaticities of the different LCDs. Then, chromaticity and CCT of LCDs were measured at different ambient light conditions (30 and 560 lux) and compared to those measured in a dark room. Finally, the relationship between operating times and CCT was evaluated.

Results:

The chromaticities of monochrome LCDs changed toward the blue and CCT increased as luminance decreased. In color LCDs, the chromaticity and CCT of the white point except at the minimum luminance were nearly constant to those measured at the maximum luminance. We observed differences in chromaticity between color and monochrome LCDs because of the nonadjustable white point of monochrome LCDs. When the ambient light increased, chromaticity varied, and CCT decreased on every LCD. Ambient light had a much greater impact on chromaticity and CCT at lower luminance levels. The CCT of LCDs decreased in longer operating times. The grayscale of LCDs with longer operating times was measured to be more yellowish due to the degradation of cold cathode fluorescent lamps.

Conclusions:

Our results clearly indicate that the white point in grayscale images displayed on medical LCDs changes depending on luminance levels, color or monochrome LCDs, ambient light conditions, and operating times. These data provide useful information to understand color characteristics of LCD for image reading, especially for quality assurance and quality control of LCDs.
High-Throughput Amplicon Sequencing Reveals Distinct Communities within a Corroding Concrete Sewer System
Authors: Cayford Barry I. , Dennis Paul G. , Keller Jurg , Tyson Gene W. , Bond Philip L.
Published: July 2012

Microbially induced concrete corrosion (MICC) is an important problem in sewers. Here, small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene amplicon pyrosequencing was used to characterize MICC communities. Microbial community composition differed between wall- and ceiling-associated MICC layers.
Acidithiobacillus
spp. were present at low abundances, and the communities were dominated by other sulfur-oxidizing-associated lineages.
Intercity Spread of Echovirus 6 in Shandong Province, China: Application of Environmental Surveillance in Tracing Circulating Enteroviruses
Authors: Tao Zexin , Song Yanyan , Wang Haiyan , Zhang Yong , Yoshida Hiromu , Ji Shengxiang , Xu Aiqiang , Song Lizhi , Liu Yao , Cui Ning , Ji Feng , Li Yan , Chen Peng , Xu Wenbo
Published: July 2012

Environmental surveillance is an effective approach in investigating circulating enteroviruses and had been conducted in the cities of Jinan and Linyi since February 2008 and April 2010, respectively. This study analyzed 46 sewage samples collected in the two cities in 2011 and found that echovirus 6 (E6) was the predominant serotype, with 134 isolates (65 in Jinan and 69 in Linyi) from 23 (50%) samples. This differs from the 2010 data that found 29 E6 isolates in Jinan and only 3 in Linyi. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 coding region showed that all environmental E6 samples from 2008 to 2011 (
n
= 167) segregated into two lineages and revealed an increase in VP1 gene diversity in 2011, suggesting that the increased number of E6 detections reflects a real epidemic in the two cities. Most Linyi isolates (
n
= 61, or 88%) in 2011 segregated into sublineage 1a, together with 18 Jinan isolates in 2011. Interestingly, the ancestral VP1 sequence of sublineage 1a inferred using the maximum-likelihood method had 100% identity with the sequence of one environmental isolate from Jinan in August 2010, suggesting an intercity spread from Jinan to Linyi. By Bayesian phylodynamic methods, the most recent common ancestor of Linyi isolates in sublineage 1a dated back to 24 December 2010, revealing that this sublineage was likely imported into Linyi from August to December in 2010. This study demonstrates that environmental surveillance is a sensitive method in tracing transmission pathways of circulating enteroviruses among different regions and reveals that E6-associated aseptic meningitis is an emerging concern in China.
Analysis of Promoter Function in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Paul Sanjoy , Klutts J. Stacey , Moye-Rowley W. Scott
Published: July 2012

The filamentous fungus
Aspergillus fumigatus
is an important opportunistic pathogen that can cause high mortality levels in susceptible patient populations. The increasing dependence on antifungal drugs to control
A. fumigatus
has led to the inevitable acquisition of drug-resistant forms of this pathogen. In other fungal pathogens, drug resistance is often associated with an increase in transcription of genes such as ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters that directly lead to tolerance to commonly employed antifungal drugs. In
A. fumigatus
, tolerance to azole drugs (the major class of antifungal) is often associated with changes in the sequence of the azole target enzyme as well as changes in the transcription level of this gene. The target gene for azole drugs in
A. fumigatus
is referred to as
cyp51A
. In order to dissect transcription of
cyp51A
transcription and other genes of interest, we constructed a set of firefly luciferase reporter genes designed for use in
A. fumigatus
. These reporter genes can either replicate autonomously or be targeted to the
pyrG
locus, generating an easily assayable uracil auxotrophy. We fused eight different
A. fumigatus
promoters to luciferase. Faithful behaviors of these reporter gene fusions compared to their chromosomal equivalents were evaluated by 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. We used this reporter gene system to study stress-regulated transcription of a Hsp70-encoding gene, map an important promoter element in the
cyp51A
gene, and correct an annotation error in the actin gene. We anticipate that this luciferase reporter gene system will be broadly applicable in analyses of gene expression in
A. fumigatus
.
Genome Sequence of a Novel Indigo-Producing Strain, Pseudomonas monteilii QM
Authors: Ma Qiao , Qu Yuanyuan , Tang Hongzhi , Yu Hao , Ma Fang , Shi Shengnan , Zhang Xuwang , Zhou Hao , Zhou Jiti , Xu Ping
Published: July 2012

Pseudomonas monteilii
is a versatile bacterium found in various niches. A newly isolated strain,
P. monteilii
QM, can effectively produce indigoids from indoles. Here we present a 5.76-Mb assembly of the
P. monteilii
genome for the first time. It may provide abundant molecular information for the transformation of aromatics.
Complete Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Strain 1/06-A, Isolated from a Horse in North America
Authors: Pethick Florence E. , Lainson Alex F. , Yaga Raja , Flockhart Allen , Smith David G. E. , Donachie Willie , Cerdeira Louise T. , Silva Artur , Bol Erik , Lopes Thiago S. , Barbosa Maria S. , Pinto Anne C. , dos Santos Anderson R. , Soares Siomar C. , Almeida Sintia S. , Guimaraes Luis C. , Aburjaile Flavia F. , Abreu Vinicius A. C. , Ribeiro Dayana , Fiaux Karina K. , Diniz Carlos A. A. , Barbosa Eudes G. V. , Pereira Ulisses P. , Hassan Syed S. , Ali Amjad , Bakhtiar Syeda M. , Dorella Fernanda A. , Carneiro Adriana R. , Ramos Rommel T. J. , Rocha Flavia S. , Schneider Maria P. C. , Miyoshi Anderson , Azevedo Vasco , Fontaine Michael C.
Published: July 2012

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
causes disease in several animal species, although distinct biovars exist that appear to be restricted to specific hosts. In order to facilitate a better understanding of the differences between biovars, we report here the complete genome sequence of the equine pathogen
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
strain 1/06-A.
Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteriophage GH15
Authors: Gu Jingmin , Liu Xiaohe , Lu Rong , Li Yue , Song Jun , Lei Liancheng , Sun Changjiang , Feng Xin , Du Chongtao , Yu Hao , Yang Yongjun , Han Wenyu
Published: July 2012

GH15 is a polyvalent phage that shows activity against a wide range of
Staphylococcus aureus
strains. In this work, the complete genome sequence of GH15 was determined. With a genome size of 139,806 bp (double-stranded DNA), GH15 is the largest staphylococcal phage sequenced to date. The complete genome encodes 214 open reading frames (ORFs) and 4 tRNAs. The closest relatives are the class III staphylococcal myobacteriophages, including K, A5W, ISP, Sb-1, and G1. Interestingly, although corresponding gene sequences demonstrate very high similarity, all the introns and inteins present in the phages listed above are absent in GH15. As such, GH15 can be considered phylogenetically unique among the staphylococcal myobacteriophages, indicating the diversity of this family.
Complete Genome Sequence of Marinomonas Bacteriophage P12026
Authors: Kang Ilnam , Jang Hani , Oh Hyun-Myung , Cho Jang-Cheon
Published: July 2012

Members of the genus
Marinomonas
in the
Gammaproteobacteria
are broadly distributed in marine environments where they could be infected by bacteriophages. Here we report the genome sequence of bacteriophage P12026 that can lytically infect bacterial strain IMCC12026, a member of the genus
Marinomonas
. To our knowledge, this is the first genome sequence of a lytic bacteriophage infecting the genus
Marinomonas
.
Relating components of pressure-volume area in Suga's formulation of cardiac energetics to components of the stress-time integral
Authors: Han J.-C. , Taberner A. J. , Tran K. , Nickerson D. P. , Nash M. P. , Nielsen P. M. F. , Crampin E. J. , Loiselle D. S.
Published: July 2012

The concept of pressure-volume area (PVA) in whole heart studies is central to the phenomenological description of cardiac energetics proposed by Suga and colleagues ( Physiol Rev 70: 247–277, 1990). PVA consists of two components: an approximately rectangular work loop (W) and an approximately triangular region of potential energy (U). In the case of isovolumic contractions, PVA consists entirely of U. The utility of Suga's description of cardiac energetics is the observation that the oxygen consumption of the heart (V̇o2) is linearly dependent on PVA. By using isolated ventricular trabeculae, we found a basis on which to correlate the components of stress-length area (SLA; i.e., the 1-D equivalent of PVA) with specific regions of the stress-time integral (STI; i.e., the area under the force-time profile of a single twitch). In each case, proportionality obtains and is robust, independent of the type of twitch contraction (isometric or isotonic), and insensitive to changes of preload or afterload. We apply our results by examining retrospectively the interpretations reached in three independent studies published in the literature.
CD44/CD24 Expression in recurrent gastric cancer: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Yong Ching-Shya , Ou Yang Chih-Ming , Chou Yenn-Hwei , Liao Chao-Sheng , Lee Chung-Wei , Lee Chin-Cheng
Published: July 2012

Background

To correlate CD44/CD24 expression with gastric cancer recurrence and prognosis. Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality due to the high recurrence rate, of which the molecular signature has not yet been identified.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of patients with gastric cancer. Among 500 patients receiving curative resection, 95 patients had recurrence. Twenty patients from the recurrence group (95 patients) and 20 patients from the non-recurrence group (405 patients) were randomly selected and identified as “study” and “control” groups, respectively. We reviewed patients’ histological study of CD44/CD24 expression by performing immunohistochemistry and recurrence rate.

Results

Study group had higher TNM stage (III-IV) than control group (80% vs. 25%,P = 0.001). Proportion of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in study group than that in control group (90% vs. 45%,P = 0.002), and proportion of patients with 5 or more metastatic lymph nodes was also significantly higher in study group than in control group (45% vs. 15%,P = 0.007). Univariate analysis revealed no difference in risk of gastric cancer recurrence between CD44+ and CD44- patients (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.29-3.45,P=1.000). CD24+ patients showed no greater significance of gastric cancer recurrence than CD24- patients (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 0.52-6.61,P = 0.339). After adjusting for other risk factors, the association of CD44 expression (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.10-4.26,P = 0.658), CD24 expression (aOR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-1.35,P = 0.081) or combined (CD44/CD24) with gastric cancer recurrence were not significant.

Conclusion

Neither individual expression of CD24 or CD44, nor combined expression of CD44/CD24 was associated with recurrence of gastric carcinoma.
The validity of Iran’s national university entrance examination (Konkoor) for predicting medical students’ academic performance
Authors: Farrokhi-Khajeh-Pasha Yasin , Nedjat Saharnaz , Mohammadi Aeen , Rad Elaheh Malakan , Majdzadeh Reza , Monajemi Farshid , Jamali Ehsan , Yazdani Shahryar
Published: July 2012

Background

In Iran, admission to medical school is based solely on the results of the highly competitive, nationwide Konkoor examination. This paper examines the predictive validity of Konkoor scores, alone and in combination with high school grade point averages (hsGPAs), for the academic performance of public medical school students in Iran.

Methods

This study followed the cohort of 2003 matriculants at public medical schools in Iran from entrance through internship. The predictor variables were Konkoor total and subsection scores and hsGPAs. The outcome variables were (1) Comprehensive Basic Sciences Exam (CBSE) scores; (2) Comprehensive Pre-Internship Exam (CPIE) scores; and (3) medical school grade point averages (msGPAs) for the courses taken before internship. Pearson correlation and regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between the selection criteria and academic performance.

Results

There were 2126 matriculants (1374 women and 752 men) in 2003. Among the outcome variables, the CBSE had the strongest association with the Konkoor total score (r = 0.473), followed by msGPA (r = 0.339) and the CPIE (r = 0.326). While adding hsGPAs to the Konkoor total score almost doubled the power to predict msGPAs (R
2 = 0.225), it did not have a substantial effect on CBSE or CPIE prediction.

Conclusions

The Konkoor alone, and even in combination with hsGPA, is a relatively poor predictor of medical students’ academic performance, and its predictive validity declines over the academic years of medical school. Care should be taken to develop comprehensive admissions criteria, covering both cognitive and non-cognitive factors, to identify the best applicants to become "good doctors" in the future. The findings of this study can be helpful for policy makers in the medical education field.
Gender disparities in diabetes and coronary heart disease medication among patients with type 2 diabetes: results from the DIANA study
Authors: Krämer Heike U , Raum Elke , Rüter Gernot , Schöttker Ben , Rothenbacher Dietrich , Rosemann Thomas , Szecsenyi Joachim , Brenner Hermann
Published: July 2012

Background

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common long-term complications in people with type 2 diabetes. We analyzed whether or not gender differences exist in diabetes and CHD medication among people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

The study was based on data from the baseline examination of the DIANA study, a prospective cohort study of 1,146 patients with type 2 diabetes conducted in South-West Germany. Information on diabetes and CHD medication was obtained from the physician questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were employed in order to assess associations between gender and prescribed drug classes.

Results

In total, 624 men and 522 women with type 2 diabetes with a mean age of 67.2 and 69.7 years, respectively, were included in this analysis. Compared to women, men had more angiopathic risk factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption and worse glycemic control, and had more often a diagnosed CHD. Bivariate analyses showed higher prescription of thiazolidinediones and oral combination drugs as well as of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and aspirin in men than in women. After full adjustment, differences between men and women remained significant only for ACE inhibitors (OR = 1.44; 95%-confidence interval (CI): 1.11 – 1.88) and calcium channel blockers (OR = 1.42, 95%-CI: 1.05 – 1.91).

Conclusions

These findings contribute to current discussions on gender differences in diabetes care. Men with diabetes are significantly more likely to receive oral combination drugs, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers in the presence of coronary heart disease, respectively. Our results suggest, that diabetic men might be more thoroughly treated compared to women. Further research is needed to focus on reasons for these differences mainly in treatment of cardiovascular diseases to improve quality of care.
One-step fabrication of nanowire-grid polarizers using liquid-bridge-mediated nanotransfer molding
Authors: Park Kyung S , Dang Jeong M , Sung Myung M , Seo Soon-min
Published: July 2012

Ag nanowire-grid polarizers (NWGPs) were prepared by a one-step fabrication method, called liquid-bridge-mediated nanotransfer molding (LB-nTM). LB-nTM is a new direct nano-patterning method based on the direct transfer of various materials from a mold to a substrate via liquid layer. We fabricated NWGPs with Ag nanowire arrays (81 nm parallel lines and 119 nm spaces) on 2.5 in. transparent substrates by LB-nTM using an Ag nanoparticle solution. The maximum and minimum transmittances of the Ag NWGP at 800 nm were 80% and 10%, respectively.
PlantID – DNA-based identification of multiple medicinal plants in complex mixtures
Authors: Howard Caroline , Socratous Eleni , Williams Sarah , Graham Eleanor , Fowler Mark R , Scott Nigel W , Bremner Paul D , Slater Adrian
Published: July 2012

Background

An efficient method for the identification of medicinal plant products is now a priority as the global demand increases. This study aims to develop a DNA-based method for the identification and authentication of plant species that can be implemented in the industry to aid compliance with regulations, based upon the economically important Hypericum perforatum L. (St John’s Wort or Guan ye Lian Qiao).

Methods

The ITS regions of several Hypericum species were analysed to identify the most divergent regions and PCR primers were designed to anneal specifically to these regions in the different Hypericum species. Candidate primers were selected such that the amplicon produced by each species-specific reaction differed in size. The use of fluorescently labelled primers enabled these products to be resolved by capillary electrophoresis.

Results

Four closely related Hypericum species were detected simultaneously and independently in one reaction. Each species could be identified individually and in any combination. The introduction of three more closely related species to the test had no effect on the results. Highly processed commercial plant material was identified, despite the potential complications of DNA degradation in such samples.

Conclusion

This technique can detect the presence of an expected plant material and adulterant materials in one reaction. The method could be simply applied to other medicinal plants and their problem adulterants.
Gene ontology analysis of pairwise genetic associations in two genome-wide studies of sporadic ALS
Authors: Kim Nora Chung , Andrews Peter C , Asselbergs Folkert W , Frost H Robert , Williams Scott M , Harris Brent T , Read Cynthia , Askland Kathleen D , Moore Jason H
Published: July 2012

Background

It is increasingly clear that common human diseases have a complex genetic architecture characterized by both additive and nonadditive genetic effects. The goal of the present study was to determine whether patterns of both additive and nonadditive genetic associations aggregate in specific functional groups as defined by the Gene Ontology (GO).

Results

We first estimated all pairwise additive and nonadditive genetic effects using the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method that makes few assumptions about the underlying genetic model. Statistical significance was evaluated using permutation testing in two genome-wide association studies of ALS. The detection data consisted of 276 subjects with ALS and 271 healthy controls while the replication data consisted of 221 subjects with ALS and 211 healthy controls. Both studies included genotypes from approximately 550,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Each SNP was mapped to a gene if it was within 500 kb of the start or end. Each SNP was assigned a p-value based on its strongest joint effect with the other SNPs. We then used the Exploratory Visual Analysis (EVA) method and software to assign a p-value to each gene based on the overabundance of significant SNPs at the α = 0.05 level in the gene. We also used EVA to assign p-values to each GO group based on the overabundance of significant genes at the α = 0.05 level. A GO category was determined to replicate if that category was significant at the α = 0.05 level in both studies. We found two GO categories that replicated in both studies. The first, ‘Regulation of Cellular Component Organization and Biogenesis’, a GO Biological Process, had p-values of 0.010 and 0.014 in the detection and replication studies, respectively. The second, ‘Actin Cytoskeleton’, a GO Cellular Component, had p-values of 0.040 and 0.046 in the detection and replication studies, respectively.

Conclusions

Pathway analysis of pairwise genetic associations in two GWAS of sporadic ALS revealed a set of genes involved in cellular component organization and actin cytoskeleton, more specifically, that were not reported by prior GWAS. However, prior biological studies have implicated actin cytoskeleton in ALS and other motor neuron diseases. This study supports the idea that pathway-level analysis of GWAS data may discover important associations not revealed using conventional one-SNP-at-a-time approaches.
Structure Determination of the Cobalt(III) Complex Catalyst for Enantioselective Borohydride Reduction
Authors: Tsubo Tatsuyuki , Yokomori Minako , Chen Hsiu-Hui , Komori-Orisaku Keiko , Kikuchi Satoshi , Koide Yoshihiro , Yamada Tohru
Published: July 2012

The structure of the reactive cobalt complex catalyst for the enantioselective borohydride reduction of ketones was completely determined by ESI-MS, NMR, and X-ray analyses. It was confirmed that as an axial ligand, 1-chlorovinyl group derived from 1,1,1-trichloroethane was attached. Based on the X-ray analysis, two rotamers on cobalt–carbon bond were found in one unit. The obtained 1-chlorovinylcobalt(III) complex was examined for the enantioselective reduction to afford the reduced product in high yield with a high enantioselectivity.
Selective Intermolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction Using Platinum(II) Catalyst with Hollow-shaped Triethynylphosphine
Authors: Ebisawa Masaru , Kusama Hiroyuki , Iwasawa Nobuharu
Published: July 2012

Intermolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of an allenyl silyl ether with vinyl ethers was realized on the basis of electrophilic activation of the allene by the platinum–phosphine catalyst, affording the corresponding methylenecyclobutanes in good yield. The use of the bulky trialkynylphosphine as a ligand was indispensable to achieve highly selective [2 + 2] cycloaddition.
Synthesis of (1H)-Isochromen-1-imines by Nickel-catalyzed Reaction of 2-Iodobenzamides with Alkynes
Authors: Miura Tomoya , Hiraga Kentaro , Toyoshima Takeharu , Yamauchi Motoshi , Murakami Masahiro
Published: July 2012

2-Iodobenzamides reacted with alkynes in the presence of a nickel(0)/P(4-ClC6H4)3 catalyst to produce substituted (1H)-isochromen-1-imines. The reaction proceeded through the formation of an oxanickelacycle, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination.
Synthesis and Crosslinking Activity of 4-N-(4,5′,8-Trimethylpsoralen-4′-ylmethyl)-2′-deoxycytidine-containing Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
Authors: Kobori Akio , Kohji Tomita , Nagae Yuko , Yamayoshi Asako , Murakami Akira
Published: July 2012

Photocrosslinking oligonucleotides have been developed to investigate and control gene functions without damaging living systems. Here, 4-N-(4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen-4′-ylmethyl)-2′-deoxycytidine-containing oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN(P)) was newly synthesized. Photocrosslinking studies revealed that ODN(P) sequence-selectively crosslinked to the target with the uridine in the U–C mismatch base-pair.
Long-term outcome in an uncemented, hydroxyapatite-coated total knee replacement
Authors: Melton J. T. K. , Mayahi R. , Baxter S. E. , Facek M. , Glezos C.
Published: July 2012

A consecutive series of patients with a hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented total knee replacement (TKR) performed by a single surgeon between 1992 and 1995 was analysed. All patients were invited for clinical review and radiological assessment. Revision for aseptic loosening was the primary outcome. Assessment was based on the Knee Society clinical score (KSS) and an independent radiological analysis. Of 471 TKRs performed in 356 patients, 432 TKRs in 325 patients were followed for a mean of 16.4 years (15 to 18). The 39 TKRs in 31 patients lost to follow-up had a mean KSS of 176 (148 to 198) at a mean of ten years. There were revisions in 26 TKRs (5.5%), of which 11 (2.3%) were for aseptic loosening. Other further surgery was carried out on 49 TKRs (10.4%) including patellar resurfacing in 20, arthrolysis in 19, manipulation under anaesthetic in nine and extensor mechanism reconstruction in one.

Survivorship at up to 18 years without aseptic loosening was 96% (95% confidence interval 91.9 to 98.1), at which point the mean KSS was 176 (134 to 200). Of 110 knees that underwent radiological evaluation, osteolysis was observed in five (4.5%), one of which was revised.

These data indicate that uncemented hydroxyapatite-coated TKR can achieve favourable long-term survivorship, at least as good as that of cemented designs.
The assessment of the risk of fracture in femora with metastatic lesions
Authors: Derikx L. C. , van Aken J. B. , Janssen D. , Snyers A. , van der Linden Y. M. , Verdonschot N. , Tanck E.
Published: July 2012

Previously, we showed that case-specific non-linear finite element (FE) models are better at predicting the load to failure of metastatic femora than experienced clinicians. In this study we improved our FE modelling and increased the number of femora and characteristics of the lesions. We retested the robustness of the FE predictions and assessed why clinicians have difficulty in estimating the load to failure of metastatic femora. A total of 20 femora with and without artificial metastases were mechanically loaded until failure. These experiments were simulated using case-specific FE models. Six clinicians ranked the femora on load to failure and reported their ranking strategies. The experimental load to failure for intact and metastatic femora was well predicted by the FE models (R2= 0.90 and R2= 0.93, respectively). Ranking metastatic femora on load to failure was well performed by the FE models (τ = 0.87), but not by the clinicians (0.11 < τ < 0.42). Both the FE models and the clinicians allowed for the characteristics of the lesions, but only the FE models incorporated the initial bone strength, which is essential for accurately predicting the risk of fracture. Accurate prediction of the risk of fracture should be made possible for clinicians by further developing FE models.
Does a mobile-bearing, high-flexion design increase knee flexion after total knee replacement?
Authors: Nutton R. W. , Wade F. A. , Coutts F. J. , van der Linden M. L.
Published: July 2012

This prospective randomised controlled double-blind trial compared two types of PFC Sigma total knee replacement (TKR), differing in three design features aimed at improving flexion. The outcome of a standard fixed-bearing posterior cruciate ligament-preserving design (FB-S) was compared with that of a high-flexion rotating-platform posterior-stabilised design (RP-F) at one year after TKR.

The study group of 77 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee comprised 37 men and 40 women, with a mean age of 69 years (44.9 to 84.9). The patients were randomly allocated either to the FB-S or the RP-F group and assessed pre-operatively and at one year post-operatively. The mean post-operative non-weight-bearing flexion was 107° (95% confidence interval (CI) 104° to 110°)) for the FB-S group and 113° (95% CI 109° to 117°) for the RP-F group, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.032). However, weight-bearing range of movement during both level walking and ascending a slope as measured during flexible electrogoniometry was a mean of 4° lower in the RP-F group than in the FB-S group, with 58° (95% CI 56° to 60°) versus 54° (95% CI 51° to 57°) for level walking (p = 0.019) and 56° (95% CI 54° to 58°) versus 52° (95% CI 48° to 56°) for ascending a slope (p = 0.044). Further, the mean post-operative pain score of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index was significantly higher in the RP-F group (2.5 (95% CI 1.5 to 3.5) versus 4.2 (95% CI 2.9 to 5.5), p = 0.043).

Although the RP-F group achieved higher non-weight-bearing knee flexion, patients in this group did not use this during activities of daily living and reported more pain one year after surgery.
Shadows and nightmares: Lewton, Siodmak, and the Elusive Noirror Film
Authors: Goding Dain
Published: July 2012

Although the plot devices and visual conventions of classical horror films and films noirs are often similar in these two iconic genres of the 1940s, their films are rarely confused with each other or categorized together. The element missing from 1940s horror is the distinctive existentialist
themes associated with film noir. Several films, however, blur the distinctions between the two genres. While one could examine the many films noirs that have plot devices that are supernatural, a more productive approach is to examine the handful of classic, generic horror films that incorporate
elements of the philosophy of film noir. A close look at several of the films by the philosophically minded B-movie master Val Lewton, as well as noir auteur Robert Siodmak's Son of Dracula, reveals a great deal about the themes that distinguish the often difficult to define
group of films traditionally known as noir.
“That's Real! That's What You Want!”: Producing Fear in George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978) vs Zack Snyder's remake (2004)
Authors: Roche David
Published: July 2012

This article examines traditional oppositions between terror and horror in Dawn of the Dead (1978) and its recent remake (2004), by focusing on one of the major changes made by the producers of the remake: the use of running zombies, which emphasizes the danger the creatures
represent to the characters, and enables the film-makers to resort to the kind of cheap startle effects that abound in contemporary slasher and action movies. That the living dead of 1978 were slow-moving allowed for contemplation of their pathetic state and questioned the border between living
and dead. The 1978 film underlined how incompatible the living dead were with such techniques that rely on the use of the off-camera, for the horror they inspire (as well as their political significance) is intimately linked to their excessive on-screen presence. The 2004 remake even contradicts
its own terms by returning to the imagery of the 1978 film, while its politics also turn out to be very much antithetical to those of the 1978 film. The film-makers seem to display a tendency, which may be fairly typical in contemporary Hollywood cinema, towards nurturing contradictory desires
for verisimilitude and artifice in film.
Primal fear: A Darwinian perspective on Dan Simmons' Song of Kali
Authors: Clasen Mathias
Published: July 2012

The emerging evolutionary approach to literature explores the way that culture and biology interact. As a branch of evolutionary literary criticism, Darwinian horror study sees horror fiction as crucially dependent on evolved properties of the human constitution. This article argues
that a Darwinian perspective on Dan Simmons' 1985 novel Song of Kali best explains the atheist author's preoccupation with themes of the supernatural, and accounts for the novel's emotional impact as a result of humanity's evolutionary history.