bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NOVEL TECHNIQUE FOR SIZE CONSTRAINED VIDEO STORYBOARD GENERATION USING STATISTICAL RUN TEST AND SPANNING TREE
Authors: MOHANTA PARTHA PRATIM , SAHA SANJOY KUMAR , CHANDA BHABATOSH
Published: April 2013

Storyboard consisting of key-frames is a popular format of video summarization as it helps in efficient indexing, browsing and partial or complete retrieval of video. In this paper, we have presented a size constrained storyboard generation scheme. Given the shots i.e. the output of the video segmentation process, the method has two major steps: extraction of appropriate key-frame(s) from each shot and finally, selection of a specified number of key-frames from the set thus obtained. The set of selected key-frames should retain the variation in visual content originally possessed by the video. The number of key-frames or representative frames in a shot may vary depending on the variation in its visual content. Thus, automatic selection of suitable number of representative frames from a shot still remains a challenge. In this work, we propose a novel scheme for detecting the sub-shots, having consistent visual content, from a shot using Wald–Wolfowitz runs test. Then from each sub-shot a frame rendering the highest fidelity is extracted as key-frame. Finally, a spanning tree based novel method is proposed to select a subset of key-frames having specific cardinality. Chronological arrangement of such frames generates the size constrained storyboard. Experimental result and comparative study show that the scheme works satisfactorily for a wide variety of shots. Moreover, the proposed technique rectifies mis-detection error, if any, incurred in video segmentation process. Similarly, though not implemented, the proposed hypothesis test has ability to rectify the false-alarm in shot detection if it is applied on pair of adjacent shots.
REGION-BASED CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT OF DIGITAL MAMMOGRAMS USING AN IMPROVED WATERSHED SEGMENTATION
Authors: MOHIDEEN ABUBACKER KAJA , THANGAVEL KUTTIANNAN
Published: April 2013

A simple edge-based preprocessing scheme is proposed in this paper for contrast enhancement of digital mammogram images while preserving the edges more accurately. This proposed method has three steps: (i) initially the breast region is segmented from the mammogram images by removing the film artifacts, (ii) the pectoral muscle region is identified and excluded from the breast region using a novel adaptive thresholding method, and (iii) an Improved Watershed Segmentation (IWS) is applied to segment the breast profile, and each region is enhanced with simple histogram equalization. The segmentation is performed in order to achieve adaptive contrast enhancement. The performance of this proposed pectoral removal method is analyzed with two measures: Hausdorff Distance (HD) and Mean of Absolute Error Distance (MAED), and the proposed contrast enhancement approach is been analyzed with the five diverse parameters along with the classification accuracy. The experiments and results show the potential performance of our proposed algorithm over the existing approaches with optimum results on all the performance measure and the classification performance is been evaluated with a hybrid neural network, our proposed method proves the better performance with the achievement of 92% accuracy.
HEMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF STENT EXPANSION RATIO FOR VERTEBRAL ARTERY OSTIAL STENOSIS INTERVENTION
Authors: NIU JING , QIAO AI-KE , JIAO LI-QUN
Published: April 2013

Stents have been used successfully for treating stenosis in the vertebral artery ostium. The size of stent is found to be an important link in stent design, implantation strategy, and clinical outcome. However, there is no direct evidence of a relationship between stent expansion ratio and the stented artery. This study investigated the influence of stent expansion ratio on local hemodynamics (such as pressure distribution and pressure gradient) of vertebral artery ostial stenosis to determine a possible biomechanical mechanism. Computer-aided design of models with stents with different expansion ratios (i.e., 1.00, 1.125, and 1.25) and internal flow fields were created. All the models were meshed and simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools. The comparisons of pressure distribution and pressure gradient are specifically presented. The results showed that the pressures increase and the pressure gradient decreases after stent implantation. The mean pressure at the stented region rises significantly with the increase of stent oversize. The heterogeneity of the pressure gradient was reduced at the stented region in the case with the expansion ratio of 1.125, whereas this effect was not obvious in other expansion ratio cases. Additionally, the combination of higher pressure and a lower pressure gradient in the case with the expansion ratio of 1.125 was significantly observed. This study demonstrated that the proper size of stent, especially with regards to the expansion ratio, is an important factor influencing the treatment of vertebral artery ostial stenosis. It is the recognition of the necessity to consider the relationship between expansion ratio and stenosis in vertebral artery ostium. These findings could help to address the optimization of hemodynamic performance for stent implantation.
当代华人知识分子社团的跨国实践及其理念：
Authors: 廖赤阳
Published: April 2013

本文是对日本华人教授会的个案研究。 虽然有关1980年代以来出国的新移民社团受到学界的瞩目， 但是研究者仅关心这个群体所具有的高学历和高技术特征， 却无视其知识分子的性格。 而本文的考察对象既非单纯的专业团体， 也不是大学教师公会， 而是当代知识分子跨国社团。 该团体在中国和日本之间建立起广泛的社会网络， 不仅在高等教育、 学术研究上有所建树， 在大众传媒上也确立了很强的话语权。 本文主要通过对其行动的分析， 以揭示其内在思考及其外在的时空背景。 个案表明， 专业人士是其职业特征， 而知识分子才是其性格特征。 其行动和思考的基本动机来自中日关系的历史与现状。 在日本， 他们表现出强烈的中国民族主义意识， 而在中国则以亲日的形象出现。 所谓跨国性， 有时恰恰表现出很强的领域性， 并与国民国家、 地方与地域性相互影响。 他们基本上不对中、 日进行制度性批判。 相反的， 其努力拓展多样化的网络关系， 并且巧妙地运用各种社会资源以实现其促进中日关系发展、 帮助中国建设和回馈日本社会、 提升华侨地位的目标， 体现了士人性格与华人网络的巧妙结合。
1933之变革： 论新加坡早期华人银行发展 — 以华侨银行为例
Authors: 杨妍
Published: April 2013

关于早期海外华人银行的研究甚少， 且停留在概述层面。 本文以个案研究的方式， 使用员工口述历史、 传记、 银行内部文档、 报章报道等一手资料， 聚焦在1933年新马地区发生的史无前例的华人银行合并， 关注事件主角华侨银行在合并前后发生的改变。 华人银行作为股份制现代企业， 在管理、 组织、 经营模式等方面都和一般华人家族企业有所不同。 本文通过具体分析华侨银行在1933年前后进行的管理组织的调整、 如何创建发展公司文化、 扩大设立为华人服务的经营业务， 探讨银行如何将传统儒家理念与西方现代企业制度结合， 呈现出中西合璧的华人现代化特色， 解释了早期华人银行为何能与传统金融机构（钱庄）、 西方银行竞争。 这一发展历程揭示： 华人企业中传统与现代的关系未必是冲突关系， 也有共存、 融合的状态， 也反映了华人企业在传统与现代二分法之外的一种情况。 更重要的是， 这次变革发生在1932年经济大萧条过后。 关键性的时间点暗示了海外华人银行的现代化并没有照搬西方套路， 而是华人通过经济全球化的动荡了解自身的缺陷和不足， 根据其经历背景而灵活地进行改革， 以满足市场发展形势和当地华人社会的需要， 使银行得以生存并发展壮大。
Effects of stabilizing or increasing respiratory motor outputs on obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Xie Ailiang , Teodorescu Mihaela , Pegelow David F. , Teodorescu Mihai C. , Gong Yuansheng , Fedie Jessica E. , Dempsey Jerome A.
Published: April 2013

To determine how the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patient's pathophysiological traits predict the success of the treatment aimed at stabilization or increase in respiratory motor outputs, we studied 26 newly diagnosed OSA patients [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 42 ± 5 events/h with 92% of apneas obstructive] who were treated with O2supplementation, an isocapnic rebreathing system in which CO2was added only during hyperpnea to prevent transient hypocapnia, and a continuous rebreathing system. We also measured each patient's controller gain below eupnea [change in minute volume/change in end-tidal Pco2(ΔV̇e/ΔPetCO2)], CO2reserve (eupnea-apnea threshold PetCO2), and plant gain (ΔPetCO2/ΔV̇e), as well as passive upper airway closing pressure (Pcrit). With isocapnic rebreathing, 14/26 reduced their AHI to 31 ± 6% of control ( P < 0.01) (responder); 12/26 did not show significant change (nonresponder). The responders vs. nonresponders had a greater controller gain (6.5 ± 1.7 vs. 2.1 ± 0.2 l·min−1·mmHg−1, P < 0.01) and a smaller CO2reserve (1.9 ± 0.3 vs. 4.3 ± 0.4 mmHg, P < 0.01) with no differences in Pcrit (−0.1 ± 1.2 vs. 0.2 ± 0.9 cmH2O, P > 0.05). Hypercapnic rebreathing (+4.2 ± 1 mmHg PetCO2) reduced AHI to 15 ± 4% of control ( P < 0.001) in 17/21 subjects with a wide range of CO2reserve. Hyperoxia (SaO2∼95–98%) reduced AHI to 36 ± 11% of control in 7/19 OSA patients tested. We concluded that stabilizing central respiratory motor output via prevention of transient hypocapnia prevents most OSA in selected patients with a high chemosensitivity and a collapsible upper airway, whereas increasing respiratory motor output via moderate hypercapnia eliminates OSA in most patients with a wider range of chemosensitivity and CO2reserve. Reducing chemosensitivity via hyperoxia had a limited and unpredictable effect on OSA.
A strategy for in-flight measurements of physiology of pilots of high-performance fighter aircraft
Authors: West John B.
Published: April 2013

Some pilots flying modern high-performance fighter aircraft develop “hypoxia-like” incidents characterized by short periods of confusion and cognitive impairment. The problem is serious and recently led to the grounding of a fleet of aircraft. Extensive discussions of the incidents have taken place but some people believe that there is inadequate data to determine the cause. There is a tremendous disconnect between what is known about the function of the aircraft and the function of the pilot. This paper describes a plan for measuring the inspired and expired Po2 and Pco2 in the pilot's mask, the inspiratory flow rate, and pressure in the mask. A critically important requirement is that the interference with the function of the pilot is minimal. Although extensive physiological measurements were previously made on pilots in ground-based experiments such as rapid decompression in an altitude chamber and increased acceleration on a centrifuge, in-flight measurements of gas exchange have not been possible until now primarily because of the lack of suitable equipment. The present paper shows how the recent availability of small, rapidly responding oxygen and carbon dioxide analyzers make sophisticated in-flight measurements feasible. The added information has the potential of greatly improving our knowledge of pilot physiology, which could lead to an explanation for the incidents.
Relationship between tendon stiffness and failure: a metaanalysis
Authors: LaCroix Andrew S. , Duenwald-Kuehl Sarah E. , Lakes Roderic S. , Vanderby Ray
Published: April 2013

Tendon is a highly specialized, hierarchical tissue designed to transfer forces from muscle to bone; complex viscoelastic and anisotropic behaviors have been extensively characterized for specific subsets of tendons. Reported mechanical data consistently show a pseudoelastic, stress-vs.-strain behavior with a linear slope after an initial toe region. Many studies report a linear, elastic modulus, or Young's modulus (hereafter called elastic modulus) and ultimate stress for their tendon specimens. Individually, these studies are unable to provide a broader, interstudy understanding of tendon mechanical behavior. Herein we present a metaanalysis of pooled mechanical data from a representative sample of tendons from different species. These data include healthy tendons and those altered by injury and healing, genetic modification, allograft preparation, mechanical environment, and age. Fifty studies were selected and analyzed. Despite a wide range of mechanical properties between and within species, elastic modulus and ultimate stress are highly correlated ( R2= 0.785), suggesting that tendon failure is highly strain-dependent. Furthermore, this relationship was observed to be predictable over controlled ranges of elastic moduli, as would be typical of any individual species. With the knowledge gained through this metaanalysis, noninvasive tools could measure elastic modulus in vivo and reasonably predict ultimate stress (or structural compromise) for diseased or injured tendon.
Cytotoxic Activity of Tivantinib (ARQ 197) Is Not Due Solely to c-MET Inhibition
Authors: Katayama Ryohei , Aoyama Aki , Yamori Takao , Qi Jie , Oh-hara Tomoko , Song Youngchul , Engelman Jeffrey A. , Fujita Naoya
Published: April 2013

The receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET is the high-affinity receptor for the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The HGF/c-MET axis is often dysregulated in tumors. c-MET activation can be caused by MET gene amplification, activating mutations, and auto- or paracrine mechanisms. Thus, c-MET inhibitors are under development as anticancer drugs. Tivantinib (ARQ 197) was reported as a small-molecule c-MET inhibitor and early clinical studies suggest antitumor activity. To assess whether the antitumor activity of tivantinib was due to inhibition of c-MET, we compared the activity of tivantinib with other c-MET inhibitors in both c-MET–addicted and nonaddicted cancer cells. As expected, other c-MET inhibitors, crizotinib and PHA-665752, suppressed the growth of c-MET-addicted cancers, but not the growth of cancers that are not addicted to c-MET. In contrast, tivantinib inhibited cell viability with similar potency in both c-MET-addicted and nonaddicted cells. These results suggest that tivantinib exhibits its antitumor activity in a manner independent of c-MET status. Tivantinib treatment induced a G2–M cell-cycle arrest in EBC1 cells similarly to vincristine treatment, whereas PHA-665752 or crizotinib treatment markedly induced G0–G1 cell-cycle arrest. To identify the additional molecular target of tivantinib, we conducted COMPARE analysis, an in silico screening of a database of drug sensitivities across 39 cancer cell lines (JFCR39), and identified microtubule as a target of tivantinib. Tivantinib-treated cells showed typical microtubule disruption similar to vincristine and inhibited microtubule assembly in vitro. These results suggest that tivantinib inhibits microtubule polymerization in addition to inhibiting c-MET. Cancer Res; 73(10); 3087–96. ©2013 AACR.
Dysregulated Expression of FOXM1 Isoforms Drives Progression of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kong Xiangyu , Li Lei , Li Zhaoshen , Le Xiangdong , Huang Chen , Jia Zhiliang , Cui Jiujie , Huang Suyun , Wang Liwei , Xie Keping
Published: April 2013

The transcription factor Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) plays important roles in oncogenesis. However, the expression statuses of FOXM1 isoforms and their impact on and molecular basis in oncogenesis are unknown. We sought to determine the identities of FOXM1 isoforms in and the impact of their expression on pancreatic cancer development and progression using human tissues, cell lines, and animal models. Overexpression of FOXM1 mRNA and protein was pronounced in human pancreatic tumors and cancer cell lines. We identified five FOXM1 isoforms present in pancreatic cancer: FOXM1a, FOXM1b, and FOXM1c along with two isoforms tentatively designated as FOXM1b1 and FOXM1b2 because they were closely related to FOXM1b. Interestingly, FOXM1c was predominantly expressed in pancreatic tumors and cancer cell lines, whereas FOXM1a expression was generally undetectable in them. Functional analysis revealed that FOXM1b, FOXM1b1, FOXM1b2, and FOXM1c, but not FOXM1a, promoted pancreatic tumor growth and metastasis. Consistently, FOXM1b, FOXM1b1, FOXM1b2, and FOXM1c activated transcription of their typical downstream genes. Also, Sp1 mechanistically activated the FOXM1 promoter, whereas Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) repressed its activity. Finally, we identified an Sp1- and KLF4-binding site in the FOXM1 promoter and showed that both Sp1 and KLF4 protein bound directly to it. Deletion mutation of this binding site significantly attenuated the transcriptional regulation of the FOXM1 promoter positively by Sp1 and negatively by KLF4. We showed that overexpression of specific FOXM1 isoforms critically regulates pancreatic cancer development and progression by enhancing tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Our findings strongly suggest that targeting specific FOXM1 isoforms effectively attenuates pancreatic cancer development and progression. Cancer Res; 73(13); 3987–96. ©2013 AACR.
APOBEC3 Cytidine Deaminases in Double-Strand DNA Break Repair and Cancer Promotion
Authors: Nowarski Roni , Kotler Moshe
Published: April 2013

High frequency of cytidine to thymidine conversions was identified in the genome of several types of cancer cells. In breast cancer cells, these mutations are clustered in long DNA regions associated with single-strand DNA (ssDNA), double-strand DNA breaks (DSB), and genomic rearrangements. The observed mutational pattern resembles the deamination signature of cytidine to uridine carried out by members of the APOBEC3 family of cellular deaminases. Consistently, APOBEC3B (A3B) was recently identified as the mutational source in breast cancer cells. A3G is another member of the cytidine deaminases family predominantly expressed in lymphoma cells, where it is involved in mutational DSB repair following ionizing radiation treatments. This activity provides us with a new paradigm for cancer cell survival and tumor promotion and a mechanistic link between ssDNA, DSBs, and clustered mutations. Cancer Res; 73(12); 3494–8. ©2013 AACR.
REST Negatively and ISGF3 Positively Regulate the HumanSTAT1Gene in Melanoma
Authors: Amalraj James , Cutler Samuel J. , Ghazawi Ibtisam , Boyle Glen M. , Ralph Stephen J.
Published: April 2013

STAT1 plays a pivotal role in signal transduction and transcriptional activation in response to type I and II IFNs. Regulation of STAT1 expression has significant consequences in human cancer cells, where STAT1 deficiencies have been associated with cellular resistance to type I IFN. Distinct promoter, enhancer, and repressor regions have previously been described in the regulatory part of the human STAT1 gene extending as far as the second intron. A putative IFN-stimulated response element sequence in the STAT1 promoter is inducible by type I IFN and binds the IFN-α/β–induced complex, ISGF3. Together with the previously characterized IRF-E/GAS/IRF-E (IGI) motif, these positive regulatory elements provide a means for intracellular amplification of STAT1 expression, which is necessary for increasing cell responsiveness to the IFNs. In contrast, the transcriptional repressor REST binds to an RE-1 element in the STAT1 repressor region and in doing so represses transcription from the STAT1 gene regulatory region in melanoma cells lines. Repression significantly decreased in a REST-null cell line. Altering REST function from a transcriptional repressor into an activator as REST-VP16 increased expression from RE-1–targeted reporters. RNA expression of 65 melanoma cell lines by microarray and selected lines with known IFN responsiveness showed significant inverse correlations between STAT1/REST that were related to cellular responses to IFN. Thus REST, through the intronic RE-1 element, provides a means for downregulating STAT1 expression, affecting melanoma responsiveness to IFN. Intracellular levels of REST may be a useful marker to test for IFN resistance and as a novel therapeutic target in IFN-resistant melanomas. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(7); 1288–98. ©2013 AACR.
Prediction of Recurrence and Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Two Cox Models Mainly Determined by FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Lin Sheng-Zhang , Chen Kang-Jie , Xu Zhi-Yuan , Chen Hui , Zhou Lin , Xie Hai-Yang , Zheng Shu-Sen
Published: April 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis and limited methods to predict patient survival. Immune cells infiltrating tumors is known to impact clinical outcome. Here, we investigated the prognostic significance of immune infiltration within the tumor microenvironment in 245 specimens from two independent cohorts by immunohistochemical analyses. A Cox regression model was constructed using a training cohort and validated in an independent cohort. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve. The activation, function, and chemotaxis of intratumoral regulatory T cells (Treg) were analyzed using flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, and chemotaxis assay. We identified that the proportion of FoxP3+ cells within tumors is negatively associated with patient prognosis, whereas the proportion of interleukin (IL)-17+ cell and the number of trypase+ cells are positive predictor. The two Cox models, composed of independent predictors in multivariate analysis, provided a high diagnostic accuracy of prognosis for patients with HCC. The proportion of FoxP3+ cells showed the most significant predictive power, with the highest Cox score in the two models. Furthermore, we found Tregs from tumor with high FoxP3+ proportion were more active and powerful than the counterparts from tumor with low FoxP3+ proportion. In conclusion, two Cox models are established that have considerable clinical value in predicting tumor recurrence and survival of patients with HCC, respectively. In the both models, the proportion of Tregs among CD4+ T cells plays a central role. Cancer Prev Res; 6(6); 594–602. ©2013 AACR.
Clinical Spectrum of Neurosyphilis among HIV-Negative Patients in the Modern Era
Authors: Zhang Hui-Lin , Lin Li-Rong , Liu Gui-Li , Zeng Yan-Li , Wu Jing-Yi , Zheng Wei-Hong , Tong Man-Li , Dong Jie , Su Yuan-Hui , Liu Li-Li , Yang Tian-Ci
Published: April 2013

Background: The clinical spectrum of neurosyphilis (NS) has changed over time. Objective: To describe the clinical spectrum and characteristics of NS in HIV-negative patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for 149 in patients with NS. Result: All patients were >25 years old, including 16.8% asymptomatic for NS, 15.4% with syphilitic meningitis, 24.2% with meningovascular NS, 38.9% with general paresis, 4.0% with tabes dorsalis and 0.7% with gummatous NS. The original misdiagnosis rate was 84.6%. All 149 patients had positive serum Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR). The overall positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid RPR (CSF-RPR) and CSF-TPPA were 57.0 and 89.9%, respectively. CSF pleocytosis and elevated CSF protein were found in 40.3% of patients. Nonspecific abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography findings were present in 60.4 and 54.8% of NS patients, respectively. Conclusions: NS has various clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography findings, but all studies lack specificity. Every patient with neurological or psychiatric symptoms that are without unambiguous causes should have blood tests for syphilis. When serology proves positive, patients should undergo CSF examination.
Tau Pathology and Parietal White Matter Lesions Have Independent but Synergistic Effects on Early Development of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Hertze Joakim , Palmqvist Sebastian , Minthon Lennart , Hansson Oskar
Published: April 2013

Background: White matter lesions (WMLs) are a common finding in patients with dementia. This study investigates the relationship between WMLs, hyperphosphorylated tau (P-tau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype in prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: Baseline levels of tau, P-tau and β-amyloid 1-42 in CSF, the presence of WMLs in the brain, and the APOE genotype were ascertained in 159 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 38 cognitively healthy controls. Results: After 5.7 years, 58 patients had developed AD. In this group, patients with normal levels of CSF P-tau had higher levels of WMLs in the parietal regions than those with pathological P-tau levels (p < 0.05). Also, patients without APOE ε4 alleles had more WMLs in the parietal lobes than those with at least one allele (p < 0.05). MCI patients with pathological P-tau levels and parietal WMLs showed a greater risk of developing AD than those with just one of the two pathological parameters. Conclusions: We suggest that WMLs in parietal lobes and tau pathology likely have independent but synergistic effects on the reduction of the cognitive reserve capacity of the brain. In patients with a more low-grade AD pathology, WMLs in the parietal lobes might increase the risk of developing dementia.
Effects of Cigarette Smoking Intensity on the Mucociliary Clearance of Active Smokers
Authors: Xavier Rafaella Fagundes , Ramos Dionei , Ito Juliana Tiyaki , Rodrigues Fernanda Maria Machado , Bertolini Giovana Navarro , Macchione Mariangela , de Toledo Alessandra Choqueta , Ramos Ercy Mara Cipulo
Published: April 2013

Background: Smoking impairs mucociliary clearance and increases respiratory infection frequency and severity in subjects with and without smoking-related chronic lung diseases. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of smoking intensity on mucociliary clearance in active smokers. Methods: Seventy-five active smokers were grouped into light (1-10 cigarettes/day; n = 14), moderate (11-20 cigarettes/day; n = 34) and heavy smokers (≥21 cigarettes/day; n = 27) before starting a smoking cessation programme. Smoking behaviour, nicotine dependence, pulmonary function, carbon monoxide in exhaled air (exCO), carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and mucociliary clearance measured by the saccharin transit time (STT) test were all evaluated. An age-matched non-smoker group (n = 24) was assessed using the same tests. Results: Moderate (49 ± 7 years) and heavy smokers (46 ± 8 years) had higher STT (p = 0.0001), exCO (p < 0.0001) and COHb (p < 0.0001) levels compared with light smokers (51 ± 15 years) and non-smokers (50 ± 11 years). A positive correlation was observed between STT and exCO (r = 0.4; p < 0.0001), STT and cigarettes/day (r = 0.3, p = 0.02) and exCO and cigarettes/day (r = 0.3, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Smoking impairs mucociliary clearance and is associated with cigarette smoking intensity.
Killian-Jamieson Diverticula Presenting Synchronously with Thyroid Adenoma
Authors: Mimatsu Kenji , Oida Takatsugu , Kano Hisao , Kawasaki Atsushi , Fukino Nobutada , Kida Kazutoshi , Kuboi Youichi , Amano Sadao
Published: April 2013

Killian-Jamieson diverticulum is a rare hypopharyngeal diverticulum, less commonly encountered compared with Zenker's diverticulum. These hypopharyngeal diverticula that cause dysphagia often mimic a thyroid tumor incidentally detected on neck ultrasonography. However, to our knowledge, Killian-Jamieson diverticula complicated by a thyroid tumor have not been previously described. We experienced a rare case of bilateral Killian-Jamieson diverticula synchronously complicated by a thyroid adenoma in a 74-year-old woman who became aware of dysphagia and a tumor in the left side of her neck. Pharyngoesophagography revealed bilateral diverticula protruding from the lateral wall of the esophagopharyngeal junction, but the appearance of the cricopharyngeal bar representing the cricopharyngeus muscle above the diverticula had become unclear because the thyroid tumor was pressing on the diverticula and the cervical esophagus. However, the diverticula were diagnosed as Killian-Jamieson diverticula because cervical computed tomography showed bilateral diverticula arising from the cervical esophagus just below the level of the cricoid cartilage, and operative finding showed that the diverticula were located above the upper esophageal longitudinal muscle. Radiographic imaging is useful for diagnosis as cause of dysphagia and cervical tumor.
Increased Fetal Brain Perfusion and Neonatal Neurobehavioral Performance in Normally Grown Fetuses
Authors: Mula Raquel , Savchev Stefan , Parra Miguel , Arranz Angela , Botet Francesc , Costas-Moragas Carme , Gratacos Eduard , Figueras Francesc
Published: April 2013

Objective: To explore the association between fetal cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and frontal brain perfusion at third trimester with neonatal neurobehavioral performance in normally grown fetuses. Methods: CPR and frontal brain perfusion measured by fractional moving blood volume (FMBV) were assessed in 258 consecutive healthy fetuses at routine third trimester scan (32-35.6 weeks). Neonates were evaluated with the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale. The association between Doppler parameters and neurobehavior was analyzed by MANCOVA (multiple analysis of covariance) and logistic regression, with adjustment for smoking, socioeconomic class, mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, postnatal days at examination and gender. Results: Fetuses with increased FMBV (in the upper quartile) had lower neurobehavioral scores in all areas, reaching significance in motor (5.6 vs. 5.8; p = 0.049), social (6 vs. 6.4; p = 0.006) and attention (5.3 vs. 5.9; p = 0.032). Fetuses with increased FMBV had higher risk of abnormal (<10th centile) motor (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.36-8.1), social (OR 2.9; 95 CI% 1.33-6.5) and attention (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1-5.8) scores. Fetuses with lower CPR (in the lower quartile) did not differ in their neurobehavioral scores from those with normal values. Conclusions: Normally grown fetuses with increased frontal brain perfusion have poorer neurobehavioral competences, suggesting a disrupted neurological maturation. The results support the existence of forms of placental insufficiency not detected by current definitions of growth restriction.
Hyponatremia - A Rare but Serious Complication of Amiodarone: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Pham Linh , Shaer Andrea J. , Marnejon Thomas
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Hyponatremia secondary to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) during amiodarone therapy is a rare but potentially lethal adverse effect. We report a case of severe hyponatremia associated with amiodarone, and discuss its clinical implications. Case Report: An 84-year-old Caucasian man with a past medical history of hypertension and diabetes was admitted to the hospital with a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. He underwent coronary artery bypass graft and developed atrial fibrillation on postoperative day 2. A loading dose of amiodarone followed by a maintenance dose was started. The serum sodium level was 136 mmol/l at discharge and subsequently decreased to 105 mmol/l 11 days later, at which time the patient represented with altered mental status. The diagnosis of SIADH was made based on euvolemic hypoosmotic hyponatremia, lack of any other medication known to cause SIADH and urine that was less than maximally dilute. The serum sodium increased gradually to 123 mmol/l after 36 h of treatment with hypertonic saline, demeclocycline and fluid restriction. Conclusion: SIADH-induced hyponatremia associated with amiodarone occurs rarely. Since severe hyponatremia is associated with significant neurological damage and mortality, clinicians should carefully monitor serum sodium during amiodarone therapy.
A Case of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis That Progressed Rapidly after Treatment Involving Rituximab
Authors: Tajiri Kazuto , Tsuneyama Koichi , Miyazono Takahiro , Kawai Kengo , Minemura Masami , Sugiyama Toshiro
Published: April 2013

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive liver disease for which limited therapies are recommended. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is expected to be a useful therapeutic regimen for PBC. Previous studies indicated biochemical and immunological improvement in PBC after rituximab treatment. Although rituximab shows therapeutic potential for PBC, few cases have been reported and histological improvement and long-term outcome remain uncertain. Here, we report a case of PBC in a 66-year-old Japanese female patient who presented with a gastric lymphoma and who had been treated with a regimen containing rituximab for incidental malignant lymphoma. She showed biochemical and immunological improvements, and liver histology before and after rituximab treatment confirmed a decrease in liver inflammation. However, she developed liver cirrhosis a short time after rituximab treatment without biochemical or immunological worsening. Rituximab treatment for PBC might be considered and careful observation is required after treatment.
Genetic Risk Prediction and a 2-Stage Risk Screening Strategy for Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Tikkanen Emmi , Havulinna Aki S. , Palotie Aarno , Salomaa Veikko , Ripatti Samuli
Published: April 2013

Objective—

Genome-wide association studies have identified several genetic variants associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic risk discrimination and reclassification and apply the results for a 2-stage population risk screening strategy for CHD.

Approach and Results—

We genotyped 28 genetic variants in 24 124 participants in 4 Finnish population-based, prospective cohorts (recruitment years 1992–2002). We constructed a multilocus genetic risk score and evaluated its association with incident cardiovascular disease events. During the median follow-up time of 12 years (interquartile range 8.75–15.25 years), we observed 1093 CHD, 1552 cardiovascular disease, and 731 acute coronary syndrome events. Adding genetic information to conventional risk factors and family history improved risk discrimination of CHD (C-index 0.856 versus 0.851;
P
=0.0002) and other end points (cardiovascular disease: C-index 0.840 versus 0.837,
P
=0.0004; acute coronary syndrome: C-index 0.859 versus 0.855,
P
=0.001). In a standard population of 100 000 individuals, additional genetic screening of subjects at intermediate risk for CHD would reclassify 2144 subjects (12%) into high-risk category. Statin allocation for these subjects is estimated to prevent 135 CHD cases over 14 years. Similar results were obtained by external validation, where the effects were estimated from a training data set and applied for a test data set.

Conclusions—

Genetic risk score improves risk prediction of CHD and helps to identify individuals at high risk for the first CHD event. Genetic screening for individuals at intermediate cardiovascular risk could help to prevent future cases through better targeting of statins.
Population-Based Study of Incidence and Outcome of Acute Aortic Dissection and Premorbid Risk Factor Control
Authors: Howard Dominic P.J. , Banerjee Amitava , Fairhead Jack F. , Perkins Jeremy , Silver Louise E. , Rothwell Peter M.
Published: April 2013

Background—

Acute aortic dissection is a preventable life-threatening condition. However, there have been no prospective population-based studies of incidence or outcome to inform an understanding of risk factors, strategies for prevention, or projections for future clinical service provision.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively determined incidence and outcomes of all acute aortic dissections in a population of 92 728 in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, from 2002 to 2012. Among 155 patients with 174 acute aortic events, 54 patients had 59 thoracoabdominal aortic dissections (52 incident events: 6/100 000, 95% confidence interval, 4–7; 37 Stanford type A, 15 Stanford type B; 31 men, mean age=72.0 years). Among patients with type A incident events, 18 (48.6%) died before hospital assessment (61.1% women). The 30-day fatality rate was 47.4% for patients with type A dissections who survived to hospital admission and 13.3% for patients with type B dissections, although subsequent 5-year survival rates were high (85.7% for type A; 83.3% for type B). Even though 67.3% of patients were on antihypertensive drugs, 46.0% of all patients had at least 1 systolic BP ≥180 mm Hg in their primary care records over the preceding 5 years, and the proportion of blood pressures in the hypertensive range (>140/90 mm Hg) averaged 56.0%. Premorbid blood pressure was higher in patients with type A dissections that were immediately fatal than in those who survived to admission (mean/standard deviation pre-event systolic blood pressure=151.2/19.3 versus 137.9/17.9;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Uncontrolled hypertension remains the most significant treatable risk factor for acute aortic dissection. Prospective population-based ascertainment showed that hospital-based registries will underestimate not only incidence and case fatality, but also the association with premorbid hypertension.
Coronary Artery Disease and Risk of Major Vascular Events After Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Amarenco Pierre , Lavallée Philippa C. , Labreuche Julien , Ducrocq Gregory , Juliard Jean-Michel , Feldman Laurent , Cabrejo Lucie , Meseguer Elena , Guidoux Céline , Adraï Valérie , Ratani Samina , Kusmierek Jérôme , Lapergue Bertrand , Klein Isabelle F. , Gongora-Rivera Fernando , Jaramillo Arturo , Abboud Halim , Olivot Jean-Marc , Mazighi Mikael , Touboul Pierre-Jean , Steg Philippe Gabriel
Published: April 2013

Background and Purpose—

The impact of asymptomatic coronary artery disease on the risk of major vascular events in patients with cerebral infarction is unknown.

Methods—

Four hundred five patients with acute cerebral infarction underwent carotid, femoral artery, thoracic, and abdominal aorta ultrasound examination. Of 342 patients with no known coronary heart disease, 315 underwent coronary angiography. We evaluated the 2-year risk of major vascular events (myocardial infarction, resuscitation after cardiac arrest, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, stroke, or major peripheral arterial disease events) in patients with known coronary heart disease (n=63), and in the no known coronary heart disease group (n=315) as a function of coronary angiographic status (n=315).

Results—

At 2 years, the estimated risk of major vascular events was 11.0% (95% confidence interval, 8.2–14.7). According to baseline coronary angiography, estimated risk was 3.4% in patients with no coronary artery disease (n=120), 8.0% with asymptomatic coronary artery stenosis <50% (n=113), 16.2% with asymptomatic coronary artery stenosis ≥50% (n=81), and 24.1% with known coronary heart disease (
P
<0.0001). Using no coronary artery disease as the reference, the age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of vascular events was 2.10 (0.63–6.96) for asymptomatic coronary stenosis <50%, 4.36 (1.35–14.12) for asymptomatic coronary stenosis ≥50%, and 6.86 (2.15–21.31) for known coronary artery disease.

Conclusions—

In patients with nonfatal cerebral infarction, presence and extent of asymptomatic stenoses on coronary angiography are strong predictors of major vascular events within 2 years.
CLOTBUST-Hands Free
Authors: Barlinn Kristian , Barreto Andrew D. , Sisson April , Liebeskind David S. , Schafer Mark E. , Alleman John , Zhao Limin , Shen Loren , Cava Luis F. , Rahbar Mohammad H. , Grotta James C. , Alexandrov Andrei V.
Published: April 2013

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to evaluate safety and tolerability of a novel operator-independent ultrasound device among stroke-free volunteers.

Methods—

A headframe containing 18 ultrasound transducers (each operating at 2 MHz, pulsed-wave) was used to expose both temporal windows and the suboccipital window. The transmission characteristics were set to emulate the acoustic characteristics of the exposure levels in the Combined Lysis of Thrombus in Brain Ischemia using Transcranial Ultrasound and Systemic tPA (CLOTBUST) trial and to never exceed Food and Drug Administration mandated diagnostic ultrasound exposure limits. Volunteers underwent 2 hours of insonation with transducer activation one at a time. Safety was captured using serial neurological examinations and pre- and postinsonation MRI for detection of the blood brain barrier permeability.

Results—

A total of 15 volunteers (40% men; 49±16 years; 27% black; all pre-exposure National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores 0) were enrolled. Five volunteers received pulsed-wave ultrasound via the best pair temporal transducers, 5 via sequential activation of the suboccipital transducers, and 5 via sequential activation of all bilateral temporal and suboccipital transducers. All subjects were safely insonated with no adverse effects as indicated by the neurological examinations during, immediately after the exposure, and at 24 hours, and no abnormality of the blood brain barrier was found on any of the MRIs.

Conclusions—

Our novel device was well tolerated by stroke-free volunteers and did not cause any neurological dysfunction nor did it affect blood brain barrier integrity. The safety and efficacy of the device are now being tested in stroke patients receiving intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator in phase II–III clinical trials.
Womanist Ways and Pentecostalism: The Work of Recovery and Critique
Authors: Pierce Yolanda
Published: April 2013

Abstract

This essay questions the notion that a womanist identity and Pentecostal faith are mutually exclusive. Using major tenets of womanist theology, I argue for an honest recovery of all the personal and political influences on classical Pentecostalism as a way to move forward to a more egalitarian faith. Seeking to redress the lack of scholarship about women of color in early Pentecostalism, the essay raises questions that, I hope, will spur more research and interest in a womanist Pentecostal theology.
Pitfalls in the Conception, Manipulation, and Measurement of Visual Accommodation
Authors: Miller R. J.
Published: April 2013

Reports of applied research in visual accommodation frequently contain points of confusion, suggesting that there may be some widespread misunderstanding regarding the nature of accommodation, the complexities involved in its measurement, and the multiple meanings inherent in its terminology. The present paper reviews several of these problem areas. Included are discussions of the effect of refractive error on accommodation assessment; the dangers involved in assuming equivalence among physiological, refractive power, and conjugate distance changes; and multiple meanings in the conception of resting accommodation. A variety of manipulation and measurement problems also are reviewed, including the specification of accommodative target distance, the use of lenses, and the correction of refractive error. The review concludes with recommendations regarding conceptions and procedures useful in avoiding the difficulties described.
Proximity Compatibility and Information Display: Effects of Color, Space, and Objectness on Information Integration
Authors: Wickens Christopher D. , Andre Anthony D.
Published: April 2013

We report two experiments in which different features of the display of multiple channels of information are varied in their proximity to one another. The display presents three indicators of aircraft stall danger (airspeed, flaps, and bank). On some trials the stall danger is estimated, requiring information integration. On other trials the value of individual indicators is estimated, requiring focused attention. In Experiment 1 the spatial proximity between indicators and their distinctiveness in color were manipulated. Spatial proximity had little effect on either focused attention or integration, whereas a distinct color code improved focused attention and disrupted integration. In Experiment 2 the three indicators were presented as a bar graph or were combined as features of an object display, either with or without color coding of the separate dimension. Relative to the bar graph display, the object display improved information integration but disrupted focused attention. The presence of color borders restored the focused attention accuracy, with a slight cost to response time.
Short-Term Memory for Numbers
Authors: Chapanis Alphonse , Moulden John V.
Published: April 2013

Each of 52 (25 female and 27 male) high school students reproduced from memory 1000 eight-digit numbers after viewing each number for 5 s. Subjects were given unlimited time to reproduce the numbers and were allowed to change their reproductions. The range of errors was very large: from 71 to 2231 out of 8000 digits reproduced by each subject. Every subject showed a serial position effect and almost the same effect—about 70% of subjects made the greatest number of errors at the seventh digit. Female subjects made significantly more errors than did the males. Every subject improved his or her score by making changes. Data are given on the relative difficulty of recalling each of the 10 digits, the 100 doublets (pairs of digits), and the 1000 triplets (sets of three digits).
Backward versus Forward Chaining in the Acquisition of a Keyboard Skill
Authors: Ash Daniel W. , Holding Dennis H.
Published: April 2013

Although backward chaining has been found superior to whole-task training, the effect might depend on the ordering of difficult and easy segments of the task, and forward chaining requires investigation. The experiment uses a musical keyboard task to test these possibilities, counterbalancing difficulty order with direction of chaining in a comparison with whole training. Performance was scored for melodic errors and for rhythmic accuracy and consistency. Both of the part-task methods proved superior to the whole method during training trials, in criterion trials on the whole task, and during retention after one week. However, forward chaining conferred a greater advantage than backward chaining on most measures. The results weaken several explanations for the superiority of backward chaining but confirm the advantages of segmentation methods in part-task training.
Work Preferences as Moderators of the Effects of Paced and Unpaced Work on Mood and Cognitive Performance: A Laboratory Simulation of Mechanized Letter Sorting
Authors: Parkes Katharine R. , Styles Elizabeth A. , Broadbent Donald E.
Published: April 2013

This article describes a laboratory study of work preferences (ideal job demand and discretion levels) as moderators of the effects of paced and unpaced work on cognitive and affective responses. Posttest measures of cognitive performance and self-reported stress and arousal were used as outcome measures with covariance control for the corresponding pretest values. The experimental design allowed within-subjects contrasts of fast versus slow pacing and of machine-paced versus self-paced conditions. Self-paced performance compared favorably with machine-paced performance; however, individual differences in ideal demand influenced the relative speed of work under the two conditions. Work preferences also moderated relationships between pacing and outcome measures; ideal discretion moderated machine-pacing versus self-pacing effects in relation to cognitive performance and stress, and ideal demand moderated fast versus slow pacing effects in relation to arousal. These findings are discussed in relation to existing literature on pacing and on person-environment fit.
Visual Mechanisms and Predictors of Far Field Visual Task Performance
Authors: Barber Andrew V.
Published: April 2013

Visual mechanisms involved in target detection, recognition, and tracking were examined. Relationships were analyzed in the context of simulated combat, focusing on the short-range air defense weapon operator. Objectives were to identify visual ability interrelations, predictors of performance, and interactions with cuing, target characteristics, and experience. Good predictors included visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, resting focus, near focal point, and blur interpretation. Many of these abilities interacted with the independent variables, producing differential effects on performance. Visual abilities logically grouped into three principal components: active accommodation predicted target detection and identification; passive accommodation predicted detection and acquisition; and image interpretation predicted acquisition, identification, and tracking. Results supported the three visual subsystems hypothesis, based on neurophysiological evidence of pathways in the brain corresponding to specific visual functions.
John Henry Newman and the Church Fathers: Writing Church History in the First Person
Authors: King Benjamin J.
Published: April 2013

Throughout his life, Newman’s particular historical interest lay in what he took to be the triumph of Athanasius of Alexandria’s orthodoxy over Antiochene heresy in the early church. But the construction of the Alexandrian-Antiochene split served more than Newman’s scholarly interest: he deployed it to make objections to opponents in his own day. The three texts examined here (from the end, middle, and beginning of his scholarship) enabled him to show his own Alexandrian credentials in three different controversies—and reveal that Newman was not quite as consistent a thinker as some have claimed.