bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alleviating Emotional Distress in a Young Adult Survivor of Adolescent Cancer
Authors: McNicol Kirsten , Salmon Peter , Young Bridget , Fisher Peter
Published: November 2012

A substantial proportion of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors experience persistent emotional distress, but little research has evaluated psychological interventions in this population. Metacognitive therapy (MCT), a transdiagnostic intervention, is an effective treatment for depression and a range of anxiety disorders in mental health settings, but its efficacy in cancer populations is unknown. This study used an AB design with 6-month follow-up to evaluate the potential efficacy of MCT for reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress in a young adult female survivor of adolescent leukemia. Clinician-rated and self-report measures demonstrated large, clinically meaningful, improvements on all outcome measures over seven treatment sessions, and these gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. The case study demonstrates the potential applicability of MCT to treating emotional distress in young adult survivors of childhood cancer.
American Sentimentalism and the Production of Global Citizens
Authors: Krabill Ron
Published: November 2012

“American Sentimentalism and the Production of Global Citizens” looks at recent trends in the globalization of U.S. higher education through the lens of sentimentalism to expose three dangers: the linking of a certain kind of productivity with global citizenship; the division of the world into global citizens and global subjects; and the illusion that awareness and enthusiasm are sufficient for social change. Social scientist Ron Krabill calls for international education policies that embrace radical reciprocity to overcome these dangers.
What Would Jefferson Do?
Authors: Press Andrea
Published: November 2012

Sociologist Andrea Press discusses the recent firing of President Teresa Sullivan, the first woman and first sociologist serving this role at the University of Virginia, by Helen Dragas, the first woman rector directing University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors. She analyzes the role of gender in these events and also examines the importance of social media in relation to facilitating faculty governance.
Religious Origins
Authors: Mendieta Eduardo
Published: November 2012

Eduardo Mendieta reviews the book Religion in Human Evolution. He reflects on Robert Bellah’s massive book on the role of religion in human evolution up to the Axial Period, and the emergence of second order cognitive and moral reflexivity.
Breakthrough Books: Education
Authors: Arum Richard , Bills David B. , Devine-Eller Audrey , Lareau Annette , Young Michael
Published: November 2012

A “list” of what five social scientists consider breakthrough books about education.
Educating Men About Prostate Cancer in the Workplace
Authors: Ilic Dragan
Published: November 2012

Prostate cancer is a common cancer affecting men worldwide. Few men access health services with respect to early detection. Workplace health education initiatives can promote behavior change in men. A total of 12 in-depth interviews with men were conducted in this study to examine how a workplace-based educational campaign on prostate cancer influences the knowledge, awareness, and beliefs of male workers on screening for prostate cancer. Analyses of interview transcripts identified that men had a poor overall knowledge about prostate cancer, its screening, and treatment. Participants were receptive to the introduction of workplace-based health education initiatives to promote men’s health issues but recommended an integrated health approach that incorporated information delivered by medical professionals, cancer survivors, supplemented with existing patient education materials. Further research is required to formally evaluate the impact of workplace-based education strategies on men’s health.
Clinically representative research in the psychological therapies: an emerging paradigm
Authors: Cahill Jane
Published: November 2012

This paper considers the tension between the ‘biology’ and the ‘therapeutic relationship’ camps within mental health nursing, which is focussed on differing conceptualisations of what it is that constitutes evidence and appropriate lines of inquiry. I argue that the struggle that mental health nurses have experienced in delivering evidence-based practice also resides in the thorny issue of methodological inquiry and how it is written into nursing practice. I would suggest that what is alienating to practitioners is the way in which evidence and evidence-based enquiry is generated. This paper offers a line of methodological inquiry that is based in clinical representativeness, a way of conducting and evaluating research to produce an evidence base that is informed from the ‘bottom up’ by ‘practice’. This paper not only contributes to the knowledge base of clinically representative research (CRR) but examines the ways in which this knowledge base has been produced and is currently perpetuated. The following themes are addressed: Processes and outcomes in CRR: I identify key treatment outcomes and processes operating in practice settings and consider with what confidence we can make conclusions on observed outcomes in these settings. I also examine key moderating and mediating processes influencing such outcomes. Practice of CRR: I reflect on the paradigm of CRR giving particular attention to how the paradigm has developed and is maintained. I look at how the relationship of CRR to effifficacy research has influenced paradigm development. Future directions of CRR: I summarise the conclusions of CRR to date and identify points of consensus, disagreement and clarity suggesting in what areas the field has moved forward and whether there are instances where points of conflict have contributed to growth.
Organized crime and the visible hand: A theoretical critique on the economic analysis of organized crime
Authors: Kleemans Edward R
Published: November 2012

The illegal enterprise-model has become very popular in the research of organized crime. However, the theoretical foundations of the economic analysis of organized crime can be criticized in a fundamental way, since two key explanatory principles, the model of ‘homo economicus’ and ‘efficient markets’, do not seem to fit the empirical phenomena to be explained. The shortcomings of the economic approach are demonstrated by presenting findings from the Dutch Organized Crime Monitor, an ongoing research project based upon systematic analysis of closed, extensive police investigations into 120 cases of organized crime. These findings highlight social embeddedness (also in cases of transnational organized crime), social relations, work relations, leisure activities and sidelines and life events shaping involvement in organized crime and developments in criminal careers, and manipulation and violence embedded in social relations. The latter demonstrate that offender behaviour is not so much driven by market mechanisms (or the ‘invisible hand’), but rather by the ‘visible hand’ of social relations, and the ‘visible hand’ of manipulation and violence.
Esophageal dilation with integrated balloon imaging: initial evaluation in a porcine model
Authors: O’Dea John , Siersema Peter D.
Published: November 2012

Background:

When treating achalasia, balloon dilation is often combined with fluoroscopy to allow the lower esophageal sphincter to be visualized as it is being dilated. We sought to evaluate a new balloon dilation technology, EsoFLIP, which allows the shape of the balloon to be visualized in a nonradiographic manner by using impedance planimetry electrodes located within the dilation balloon.

Methods:

Two pigs weighing 35 kg were used. The EsoFLIP balloon dilator was introduced under endoscopic visualization. Successive injections of 50, 60, 70 and 85 mL into the dilation balloon permitted dilations at increasing diameters to be achieved. Following each dilation fluid was withdrawn to leave 30 mL in the balloon and an EsoFLIP image was captured to track progressive dilation of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).

Results:

The EsoFLIP catheter was safely deployed in the two pigs and no complications were noted. For pig 1, during dilation, the measured balloon diameter at the waist was 24.1, 28.9, 29.2 and 30.0 mm for balloon dilation volumes of 50, 60, 70 and 85 mL respectively. For pig 2 the corresponding diameter at the waist was 22.8, 27.1, 28.5 and 29.4 mm. The GEJ diameter increased from 12.5 and 12.4 mm to 17.4 and 17.5mm for pigs 1 and 2 respectively. Distensibility of the GEJ in pig 1 increased from 2.3 mm2/mmHg before to 4.4 mm2/mmHg after dilation and in pig 2 from 4.4 to 9.6 mm2/mmHg. The GEJ substantively achieved its final diameter after the dilation using just 50 mL in the balloon.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated technical feasibility and safety of the EsoFLIP dilator in a porcine model. Further studies in humans with achalasia remain to be conducted, which, besides demonstrating technical feasibility, should also evaluate the use of distensibility measurements taken during dilation to predict outcomes.
Visual Context Processing in Schizophrenia
Authors: Yang Eunice , Tadin Duje , Glasser Davis M. , Hong Sang Wook , Blake Randolph , Park Sohee
Published: November 2012

Abnormal perceptual experiences are central to schizophrenia, but the nature of these anomalies remains undetermined. We investigated contextual processing abnormalities across a comprehensive set of visual tasks. For perception of luminance, size, contrast, orientation, and motion, we quantified the degree to which the surrounding visual context altered a center stimulus’s appearance. Healthy participants showed robust contextual effects across all tasks, as evidenced by pronounced misperceptions of center stimuli. Schizophrenia patients exhibited intact contextual modulations of luminance and size but showed weakened contextual modulations of contrast, performing more accurately than controls. Strong motion and orientation context effects correlated with worse symptoms and social functioning. Importantly, the overall strength of contextual modulation across tasks did not differ between controls and schizophrenia patients. In addition, performance measures across contextual tasks were uncorrelated, implying discrete underlying processes. These findings reveal that abnormal contextual modulation in schizophrenia is selective, arguing against the proposed unitary contextual processing dysfunction.
JAK2V617F activates Lu/BCAM-mediated red cell adhesion in polycythemia vera through an EpoR-independent Rap1/Akt pathway
Authors: De Grandis Maria , Cambot Marie , Wautier Marie-Paule , Cassinat Bruno , Chomienne Christine , Colin Yves , Wautier Jean-Luc , Le Van Kim Caroline , El Nemer Wassim
Published: November 2012

Polycythemia vera (PV) is characterized by an increased RBC mass, spontaneous erythroid colony formation, and the JAK2V617F mutation. PV is associated with a high risk of mesenteric and cerebral thrombosis. PV RBC adhesion to endothelial laminin is increased and mediated by phosphorylated erythroid Lu/BCAM. In the present work, we investigated the mechanism responsible for Lu/BCAM phosphorylation in the presence of JAK2V617F using HEL and BaF3 cell lines as well as RBCs from patients with PV. High levels of Rap1-GTP were found in HEL and BaF3 cells expressing JAK2V617F compared with BaF3 cells with wild-type JAK2. This finding was associated with increased Akt activity, Lu/BCAM phosphorylation, and cell adhesion to laminin that were inhibited by the dominant-negative Rap1S17N or by the specific Rap1 inhibitor GGTI-298. Surprisingly, knocking-down EpoR in HEL cells did not alter Akt activity or cell adhesion to laminin. Our findings reveal a novel EpoR-independent Rap1/Akt signaling pathway that is activated by JAK2V617F in circulating PV RBCs and responsible for Lu/BCAM activation. This new characteristic of JAK2V617F could play a critical role in initiating abnormal interactions among circulating and endothelial cells in patients with PV.
Differential interactions of virulent and non-virulent H. parasuis strains with naïve or swine influenza virus pre-infected dendritic cells
Authors: Mussá Tufária , Rodríguez-Cariño Carolina , Sánchez-Chardi Alejandro , Baratelli Massimiliano , Costa-Hurtado Mar , Fraile Lorenzo , Domínguez Javier , Aragon Virginia , Montoya María
Published: November 2012

Pigs possess a microbiota in the upper respiratory tract that includes Haemophilus parasuis. Pigs are also considered the reservoir of influenza viruses and infection with this virus commonly results in increased impact of bacterial infections, including those by H. parasuis. However, the mechanisms involved in host innate responses towards H. parasuis and their implications in a co-infection with influenza virus are unknown. Therefore, the ability of a non-virulent H. parasuis serovar 3 (SW114) and a virulent serovar 5 (Nagasaki) strains to interact with porcine bone marrow dendritic cells (poBMDC) and their modulation in a co-infection with swine influenza virus (SwIV) H3N2 was examined. At 1 hour post infection (hpi), SW114 interaction with poBMDC was higher than that of Nagasaki, while at 8 hpi both strains showed similar levels of interaction. The co-infection with H3N2 SwIV and either SW114 or Nagasaki induced higher levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-10 compared to mock or H3N2 SwIV infection alone. Moreover, IL-12 and IFN-α secretion differentially increased in cells co-infected with H3N2 SwIV and Nagasaki. These results pave the way for understanding the differences in the interaction of non-virulent and virulent strains of H. parasuis with the swine immune system and their modulation in a viral co-infection.
Prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis in extra cranial carotid arteries in Nigeria: an autopsy study
Authors: Erete Erete I , Ogun Olabiyi G , Oladapo Olulola O , Akang Effiong E U
Published: November 2012

Background

There has been a paucity of autopsy studies on atherosclerotic lesions in Nigerians, the last one conducted at our centre being more than four decades ago. There has also been considerable epidemiological transition. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency, severity, pattern and distribution of atherosclerotic lesions in extra cranial carotid arteries (ECCA) in Nigerians at autopsy.

Methods

ECCA of 30 consecutive Nigerian patients undergoing autopsy at a University teaching hospital were examined using the American Heart Association (AHA) histological grading and classification of atherosclerosis.

Results

Atherosclerotic lesions of ECCA were present in 73.3% of the subjects with the right and the left carotid bifurcations (28.3%) being the most frequently affected sites. Using the AHA classification of atherosclerosis, a total of 176(73.3%) lesions were found in the 240 histological sections of blood vessels examined. Of these, 22.5% were types I, 22.5% were types II, 15.4% were type V, and 7.5% were type III. The VII to type IX lesions were rare. When these atherosclerotic lesions were grouped into mild, moderate and severe, 52.5% were mild lesions (types I-III); 18.3% were moderate lesions (types IV and V); and 2.5% were severe lesions (types VI to IX). The severe lesions were most frequently observed in the left carotid bifurcation (50%) and they first appeared in the age group 45–49 years. Age, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were strong risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Conclusions

Compared with four decades ago there has been an apparent increase in severity and extent of ECCA atherosclerosis especially after the age of 45 years in autopsies from our centre. This change in the amount of atherosclerosis over time is possibly due to the epidemiologic transition. This may worsen the rise in stoke incidence within this community and as such, great effort should be made to follow-up and manage CVD risk factors within the community.
SRY mutation analysis by next generation (deep) sequencing in a cohort of chromosomal Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) patients with a mosaic karyotype
Authors: Hersmus Remko , Stoop Hans , Turbitt Erin , Oosterhuis J Wolter , Drop Stenvert LS , Sinclair Andrew H , White Stefan J , Looijenga Leendert HJ
Published: November 2012

Background

The presence of the Y-chromosome or Y chromosome-derived material is seen in 4-60% of Turner syndrome patients (Chromosomal Disorders of Sex Development (DSD)). DSD patients with specific Y-chromosomal material in their karyotype, the GonadoBlastoma on the Y-chromosome (GBY) region, have an increased risk of developing type II germ cell tumors/cancer (GCC), most likely related to TSPY. The Sex determining Region on the Y gene (SRY) is located on the short arm of the Y-chromosome and is the crucial switch that initiates testis determination and subsequent male development. Mutations in this gene are responsible for sex reversal in approximately 10-15% of 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis (46,XY DSD) cases. The majority of the mutations described are located in the central HMG domain, which is involved in the binding and bending of the DNA and harbors two nuclear localization signals. SRY mutations have also been found in a small number of patients with a 45,X/46,XY karyotype and might play a role in the maldevelopment of the gonads.

Methods

To thoroughly investigate the presence of possible SRY gene mutations in mosaic DSD patients, we performed next generation (deep) sequencing on the genomic DNA of fourteen independent patients (twelve 45,X/46,XY, one 45,X/46,XX/46,XY, and one 46,XX/46,XY).

Results and conclusions

The results demonstrate that aberrations in SRY are rare in mosaic DSD patients and therefore do not play a significant role in the etiology of the disease.
Frequent alcohol drinking is associated with lower prevalence of self-reported common cold: a retrospective study
Authors: Ouchi Eriko , Niu Kaijun , Kobayashi Yoritoshi , Guan Lei , Momma Haruki , Guo Hui , Chujo Masahiko , Otomo Atsushi , Cui Yufei , Nagatomi Ryoichi
Published: November 2012

Background

Alcohol intake has been associated with reduced incidence of common cold symptoms in 2 European studies. However, no study has addressed the association between the frequency of alcohol intake and the incidence of common cold. This study aimed to investigate the association between the amount and frequency of alcohol drinking and the retrospective prevalence of common cold in Japanese men.

Methods

This retrospective study included men who participated in an annual health examination conducted in Sendai, Japan. The frequency of common cold episodes in the previous year was self-reported. The weekly frequency and amount of alcohol consumed, as well as the type of alcoholic drink, were reported by a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between the amount and frequency of alcohol intake and the retrospective prevalence of common cold.

Results

Among 899 men, 83.4% of the subjects reported drinking alcohol, and 55.4% of the subjects reported having experienced at least one episode of common cold in the previous year. Compared with non-drinkers, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for having had 1 or more episodes of common cold during the past year across categories of alcohol intake frequency of 3 or less, 4–6, and 7 days/week were 0.827 (0.541–1.266), 0.703 (0.439–1.124), and 0.621 (0.400–0.965), respectively (P for trend = 0.025); the adjusted ORs with 95% CIs for having had of 2 or more episodes of common cold across the same categories were 0.642 (0.395–1.045), 0.557 (0.319–0.973), and 0.461 (0.270–0.787), respectively (P for trend = 0.006). Compared with subjects who consumed 11.5–35.8 g of alcohol per day, the non-drinkers were significantly more likely to experience 2 or more episodes of common cold (OR, 1.843; 95% CI, 1.115–3.047).

Conclusion

The frequency, not the amount, of alcohol intake was significantly related to lower prevalence of self-reported common cold episodes in Japanese men.
Measuring financial protection for health in families with chronic conditions in Rural China
Authors: Jiang Chunhong , Ma Jingdong , Zhang Xiang , Luo Wujin
Published: November 2012

Background

As the world’s largest developing country, China has entered into the epidemiological phase characterized by high life expectancy and high morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and malignant tumors have become the leading causes of death since the 1990s. Constant payments for maintaining the health status of a family member who has chronic diseases could exhaust household resources, undermining fiscal support for other necessities and eventually resulting in poverty. The purpose of this study is to probe to what degree health expenditure for chronic diseases can impoverish rural families and whether the New Cooperative Medical Scheme can effectively protect families with chronic patients against catastrophic health expenditures.

Methods

We used data from the 4thNational Health Services Survey conducted in July 2008 in China. The rural sample we included in the analysis comprised 39,054 households. We used both households suffering from medical impoverishment and households with catastrophic health expenditures to compare the financial protection for families having a chronic patient with different insurance coverage statuses. We used a logistic regression model to estimate the impact of different benefit packages on health financial protection for families having a chronic patient.

Results

An additional 10.53% of the families with a chronic patient were impoverished because of healthcare expenditure, which is more than twice the proportion in families without a chronic patient. There is a higher catastrophic health expenditure incidence in the families with a chronic patient. The results of logistic regression show that simply adding extra benefits did not reduce the financial risks.

Conclusions

There is a lack of effective financial protection for healthcare expenditures for families with a chronic patient in rural China, even though there is a high coverage rate with the New Cooperative Medical Schemes. Given the coming universal coverage by the New Cooperative Medical Scheme and the increasing central government funds in the risk pool, effective financial protection for families should be possible through systematic reform of both financing mechanisms and payment methods.
A qualitative study of the aspirations and challenges of low-income mothers in feeding their preschool-aged children
Authors: Herman Allison N , Malhotra Khushi , Wright Gretchen , Fisher Jennifer O , Whitaker Robert C
Published: November 2012

Background

The prevalence of obesity among preschool-aged children has increased, especially among those in low-income households. Two promising behavioral targets for preventing obesity include limiting children’s portion sizes and their intake of foods high in solid fats and/or added sugars, but these approaches have not been studied in low-income preschoolers in the home setting. The purpose of this study was to understand the contextual factors that might influence how low-income mothers felt about addressing these behavioral targets and mothers’ aspirations in feeding their children.

Methods

We recruited 32 English-speaking women in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who were eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and who were the biologic mothers of children 36 to 66 months of age. Each mother participated in 1 of 7 focus groups and completed a brief socio-demographic questionnaire. Focus group questions centered on eating occasions, foods and drinks consumed in the home, and portion sizes. Each focus group lasted 90 minutes and was digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Three authors independently identified key themes and supporting quotations. Themes were condensed and modified through discussion among all authors.

Results

Thirty-one mothers identified themselves as black, 15 had a high school education or less, and 22 lived with another adult. Six themes emerged, with three about aspirations mothers held in feeding their children and three about challenges to achieving these aspirations. Mothers’ aspirations were to: 1) prevent hyperactivity and tooth decay by limiting children’s sugar intake, 2) use feeding to teach their children life lessons about limit setting and structure, and 3) be responsive to children during mealtimes to guide decisions about portions. Especially around setting limits with sweets and snacks, mothers faced the challenges of: 1) being nagged by children’s food requests, 2) being undermined by other adults in the family, and 3) having bad memories from childhood that made it hard to deny children’s food requests.

Conclusions

Although the primary aspirations of low-income mothers in feeding their preschool-aged children were not focused on children’s weight, these aspirations were compatible with obesity prevention strategies to limit children’s portion sizes and their intake of solid fats and/or added sugars.
MLPA-conservation mechanism in wireless sensor network environments
Authors: Cheng Sheng-Tzong , Shih Jia-Shing , Chang Tun-Yu , Horng Gwo-Jiun , Chou Chih-Lun
Published: November 2012

Transmission using excess power not only shortens the lifetime of sensor nodes, but also introduces interference. Packets should ideally be transmitted with moderate power. This study proposes a multi-level power adjustment (MLPA) mechanism for a wireless sensor network to prolong the lifetime of individual nodes and the overall network. In this study, we constructed an analytical model of the MLPA mechanism with m distinct power levels (m-LPA). For m-LPA, the closed-form expression of the optimal power setting was determined and the mean transmission power was minimized to one-third of the original fixed-transmission power. We found that the average power consumption of our proposed mechanism is 33.93% higher than that of fixed-transmission power. Thus, each node can extend the lifetime by 2.5 times. We have shown the relations between m and density in simulation results. Although the mechanism worked smoothly in this study, the sensors do not need to handle the distance and interference problem.
Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis as a primary manifestation of gastric carcinoma in a young adult: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Moubax Kim , Wuyts Wim , Vandecaveye Vincent , Prenen Hans
Published: November 2012

Background

Lymphangitic carcinomatosis as a manifestation of gastric carcinoma is rare. The presenting symptoms are misleading and nonspecific, often resulting in delayed diagnosis.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 24 year old male with progressive dyspnea. Initial radiologic assessment suggested interstitial lung disease, which was subsequently treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids. However, endoscopy and whole body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed a metastatic gastric cancer with the presence of lymphangitic carcinomatosis.

Conclusions

Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis is a rare manifestation of metastatic gastric cancer. Patients present with severe but non-specific respiratory complaints. Definitive diagnosis can be achieved by transbronchial biopsy. Prognosis is poor and optimal treatment is not defined. Whole body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a promising imaging tool for the diagnosis of metastatic gastric cancer.
Cardiac valve disease: an unreported feature in Ehlers Danlos syndrome arthrocalasia type?
Authors: Melis Daniela , Cappuccio Gerarda , Ginocchio Virginia Maria , Minopoli Giorgia , Valli Maurizia , Corradi Massimiliano , Andria Generoso
Published: November 2012

Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) athrocalasia type (type VII), is characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. No heart involvement has been reported. Two forms have been described: type VII A and VII B. The abnormally processed collagen α2(I) and the skipping of the exon 6 in COL1A2 gene are typically detected in EDS type VII B. We describe a seven-year old female, with a phenotype consistent with EDS type VII B and a diagnosis further confirmed by biochemical and molecular analyses. Cardiac ultrasound showed normal data in the first year of life. When she was 5 years old, the patient developed mitral valve regurgitation, and aortic and tricuspidal insufficiency at 7 years of age. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cardiac valvular involvement in EDS VII B. This feature probably has been underreported for the limited follow-up of the patients. Echocardiography might be warranted in the clinical assessment of EDS VII patients.
Male human papillomavirus infection post-kidney transplant: an overlooked disease
Authors: Genzer Oksana , El-Sayegh Suzanne E , Kleiner Morton J , Castellanos Mario R
Published: November 2012

While immunosuppressive regimens improve the overall survival of renal transplant recipients, they also contribute to the long-term complications of post-transplant malignancies. Chronic immune suppression in renal transplant recipients (RTR) increases the risk of viral-associated cancers. In male RTR, human papillomavirus (HPV) is implicated in the development of penile, anal, oropharyngeal, and non-melanoma skin carcinomas. Despite the significance of this virus in RTR, there is an overall deficiency in the understanding of the natural history of HPV infection in male RTR. In the next 20 years, it is believed that cancers will be the leading cause of death in kidney transplant recipients. HPV-associated carcinomas are of particular interest since they are sexually transmitted and in theory may be preventable diseases. This commentary highlights some of the progress made in understanding how HPV is transmitted amongst couples in the general population. It also summarizes the current knowledge of HPV infection in male RTR and describes the deficiencies in published medical literature.
Do High Symptom Scores Trigger Clinical Actions? An Audit After Implementing Electronic Symptom Screening
Authors: Seow Hsien , Sussman Jonathan , Martelli-Reid Lorraine , Pond Greg , Bainbridge Daryl
Published: November 2012

The authors examine whether patient visits with higher symptom scores are associated with higher rates of symptom documentation in the chart and symptom-specific actions being taken.
Impact of Robotic Antineoplastic Preparation on Safety, Workflow, and Costs
Authors: Seger Andrew C. , Churchill William W. , Keohane Carol A. , Belisle Caryn D. , Wong Stephanie T. , Sylvester Katelyn W. , Chesnick Megan A. , Burdick Elisabeth , Wien Matt F. , Cotugno Michael C. , Bates David W. , Rothschild Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2012

Although robotically prepared antineoplastic and adjuvant medications did not reduce serious medication errors, both staff safety and accuracy of medication preparation were improved significantly.
Promise and Perils of Guidelines in Quality Cancer Care
Authors: Irwin Blair , Peppercorn Jeffrey
Published: November 2012

In an era of guideline propagation, this case helps raise the question, Does quality cancer care now require that we always follow guidelines exactly, or do some circumstances still require a more individualized approach?
Improving Electronic Oral Chemotherapy Prescription: Can We Build a Safer System?
Authors: Weingart Saul N. , Mattsson Thea , Zhu Junya , Shulman Lawrence N. , Hassett Michael
Published: November 2012

Oncology clinicians readily accepted features designed to enhance oral chemotherapy safety. Additional enhancements are needed to facilitate prescriptions with complex dosing regimens.
Utility of Routine Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Measurement Before Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy in Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Conrad Amber L. , Gundrum Jacob D. , McHugh Vicki L. , Go Ronald S.
Published: November 2012

The authors' findings challenge the utility of routine LVEF measurement in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma before anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
Cellular damage as induced by high temperature is dependent on rate of temperature change – investigating consequences of ramping rates on molecular and organismal phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen 1830
Authors: Sørensen Jesper G. , Loeschcke Volker , Kristensen Torsten N.
Published: November 2012

Ecological relevance and repeatability of results obtained in different laboratories are key issues when assessing thermal tolerance of ectotherms. Traditionally assays have used acute exposures to extreme temperatures. The outcomes of ecologically more relevant ramping experiments, however, are dependent on the rate of temperature change leading to uncertainty of the causal factor for loss of function. Here, we test the physiological consequences of exposing female Drosophila melanogaster to gradually increasing temperatures in so called ramping assays. We exposed flies to ramping at rates of 0.06 and 0.1 °C per minute, respectively. Flies were sampled from the two treatments at 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 °C and tested for heat tolerance and expression levels of the heat shock genes hsp23 and hsp70 as well as Hsp70 protein. Heat shock genes were up-regulated more with a slow as compared to a faster ramping rate and heat knock down tolerance was higher in flies exposed to the faster rate. The fact that slow ramping induces a stronger stress response (Hsp expression) compared to faster ramping suggests that slow ramping induces more heat damage at the cellular level due to longer exposure time. This is supported by the observation that fast ramped flies have higher heat knock down tolerance. Thus, we observed both accumulation of thermal damage on the molecular level and heat hardening on the phenotypic level as a consequence of heat exposure. The balance between these processes is dependent on ramping rate leading to the observed variation in thermal tolerance when using different rates.
Shelter availability, stress level, and digestive performances in the aspic viper
Authors: Bonnet Xavier , Fizesan Alain , Michel Catherine Louise
Published: November 2012

The lack of shelter can perturb behaviors, increase stress level, and thus alter physiological performances (e.g. digestive, immune, or reproductive functions). Although intuitive, such potential impacts of lack of shelter remain poorly documented. We manipulated shelter availability, environmental and physiological variables (i.e. access to a heat source, predator attack, feeding status) in a viviparous snake. We assessed sun-basking behavior, digestive performance (i.e., digestive transit time, crude estimate of assimilation, regurgitation rate) and plasma corticosterone levels (a proxy of stress level). Shelter deprivation provoked a strong increase in sun-basking behavior and thus elevated body temperature; even in unfed individuals for which energy savings would have been otherwise beneficial. The lack of heat was detrimental digestive performance (i.e. all the metrics used to assess it). Simulated predator attacks worsened the situation and entailed a further deterioration of digestion. The combination of the lack of shelter with cool ambient temperatures markedly elevated basal corticosterone level and was associated with low digestive performance. This hormonal effect was absent when only one negative factor was involved, suggesting a threshold response. Overall, our results revealed important non-linear cascading impacts of shelter availability on stress-hormone levels, behaviors and physiological performance. These results infer shelter availability is important for laboratory studies, captive husbandry, and possibly conservation plans.
Dietary composition regulatesDrosophilamobility and cardiac physiology
Authors: Bazzell Brian , Ginzberg Sara , Healy Lindsey , Wessells Robert J.
Published: November 2012

The impact of dietary composition on exercise capacity is a subject of intense study in both humans and model organisms. Interactions between diet and genetics are a critical component in optimized dietary design. However, the genetic factors governing exercise response are still not well understood. The recent development of invertebrate models for endurance exercise is likely to facilitate study designs examining the conserved interactions between diet, exercise, and genetics. As a first step, we use the Drosophila model to describe here the effects of varying dietary composition on several physiological indices, including fatigue tolerance and climbing speed, cardiac performance, lipid storage and autophagy. We find that flies of two divergent genetic backgrounds optimize endurance and cardiac performance on relatively balanced low calorie diets. When flies are provided with unbalanced diets, diets higher in sugar than in yeast facilitate greater endurance at the expense of cardiac performance. Importantly, we find that dietary composition has a profound effect on various physiological indices, whereas total caloric intake per se has very little predictive value for performance. We also find that the effects of diet on endurance are completely reversible within 48 hours if flies are switched to a different diet.
Ammonia Chemiresistor Sensor Based on Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) Film Oxidized by Nitrosonium Hexafluorophosphate
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Yong-Qiang , Liu Li-Wei , Pan Ge-Bo
Published: November 2012

An ammonia chemiresistor sensor is demonstrated on the basis of a poly(3-hexylthiophene) film oxidized by nitrosonium hexafluorophosphate. The sensor gave a good response to ammonia, but it was insensitive to a variety of organic vapors. The detection limit was estimated to be ca. 0.22 ppm. The redox reaction between ammonia and bipolarons was attributed to the sensor signals.
An alternative procedure for extraction of DNA from ancient and weathered bone fragments
Authors: Benoit Jean-NoëL , Quatrehomme Gérald , Carle Georges F , Pognonec Philippe
Published: November 2012

Bone is the most challenging tissue for DNA extraction and purification. Expensive commercial kits and specific equipments are often used in forensic and anthropology laboratories towards that goal. We present here an integrated procedure that gives satisfactory results for DNA preparation from fresh, ancient or weathered bones. Extraction is performed under simple but efficient vacuum-controlled conditions that greatly limit the risks of cross-contaminations. The whole process has been designed to minimize the need for expensive equipment and chemicals, and to be compatible with any molecular biology laboratory. In addition, no toxic reagents are necessary and the procedure is straightforward. Combined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), this method allows species identification and sex determination from subcellular amount of DNA (1-5 pg). In addition, enough DNA is generally obtained for human DNA profiling if necessary. The whole procedure from bone treatment to the final qPCR results takes less than 48 hours. This procedure should allow any laboratory with standard molecular biology equipment and expertise to perform bone DNA characterization whenever necessary.
Cyber Physical Systems — Convergence of Physical and Information Sciences
Authors: Sztipanovits Janos
Published: November 2012

Recent attention to Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) is driven by the need for deeper integration of design disciplines that dominate physical and computational domains. Consequently, heterogeneity is the norm as well as the main challenge in CPS design: components and systems are modeled using multiple physical, logical, functional and non-functional modeling aspects. The scope of relevant design domains includes (1) physical domains, such as structure, mechanical dynamics, thermal, propulsion, fluid, electrical, acoustics, vibration and (2) computational, networking domains, used for implementing system control, sensors, health management, mission management, communication. The need for deep integration of these interrelated facets of CPS opens up a rich research agenda towards establishing a new systems science that is simultaneously physical and computational.
The EIT ICT Labs — Towards a Leading European Innovation Initiative
Authors: Heger Tobias , Bub Udo
Published: November 2012

In this introductory article to the EIT ICT Labs we outline its innovation ecosystem and recap the underlying motives for its foundation from the perspectives of industry, academia and society. The EIT ICT Labs are one of the initial Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) that was founded in 2008. It bundles and facilitates the competences and resources of its 65 high profile partners from academia and industry to tackle the grand societal challenges such as ever increasing importance of ICT for various industries, the digitalizing energy environment and advanced mobility systems and the increasingly urbanized society.
Automated HW/SW Co-Verification of SystemC Designs Using Timed Automata
Authors: Herber Paula
Published: November 2012

SystemC has become the de facto standard for modeling and simulation in hwsw co-design. However, existing verification techniques for SystemC are mostly ad hoc and non-systematic. To overcome this problem, we present a systematic, comprehensive, and formally founded framework for hwsw co-verification of SystemC designs. The framework is based on a formal definition of the semantics of SystemC and uses a combination of model checking and conformance testing. With that, it facilitates automated verification and validation throughout the whole design process. We demonstrate the performance of our approach with two case studies, namely a packet switch and an anti-slip regulation and anti-lock braking system.}.
Smoke motion: comparison of experimental data with simulations
Authors: Carlotti Pierre , Vallerent Stéphanie , Fromy Philippe , Demouge François
Published: November 2012

Fire safety in buildings usually relies on the withdrawal of smoke or the preservation of stratification to allow proper evacuation of occupants. In order to assess safety levels, much work has been done in the past, leading to regular prescribed solutions. However, in the case of large enclosures such as theatres or sports arenas, the degree of precision of these classical methods is not well known, leading to high calculated safety coefficients and thus high construction and operating costs. This paper is devoted to a specific project where smoke motion simulations were run to help conceive a more cost-effective design. After completion of the building, a large-scale fire test was performed inside to validate the conclusions of the numerical study. The paper focuses on this fire test and subsequent simulations performed on the fire test scenario and aims at comparing the numerical and large-scale experimental results. Several simplifying modelling hypotheses (geometry, fire modelling, boundary and initial conditions) are examined and compared with the test. Provided enough care is taken in the simulations, these results show that good agreement can be reached. Recommendations are drawn on this basis.
Effects of fire on belowground biomass in Chihuahuan desert grassland
Authors: Burnett Shayla A. , Hattey Jeffory A. , Johnson Jennifer E. , Swann Amaris L. , Moore Douglas I. , Collins Scott L.
Published: November 2012

Grasslands occupy large areas in the northern Chihuahaun Desert. These grasslands, dominated by Bouteloua eriopoda, are subjected to periodic drought, infrequent fire and grazing by herbivores. Previous work shows that B. eriopoda is sensitive to disturbance but much work has been based on aboveground responses. We evaluated seasonal and annual recovery of belowground production and biomass following fire at two sites in ungrazed B. eriopoda‐dominated grassland in Central New Mexico, USA. At one site, we quantified belowground standing crop and net primary production in burned and unburned areas during the first full growing season following wildfire the previous summer. At a second site, we measured annual below‐ and aboveground net primary production in burned and unburned grassland from 2005 through 2010 following a fire in 2003. At the first site, belowground standing crop did not change seasonally nor differ between burned/unburned areas. Patch types were different in that belowground standing crop was higher in soils under clumps of B. eriopoda than patches of unvegetated soil. Patterns of belowground biomass and daily production differed between patch types and over time in burned/unburned areas. Biomass was higher in soils below clumps of B. eriopoda than beneath unvegetated soil patches throughout the monsoon season. Patterns of belowground biomass and daily production differed in burned and unburned areas. Earlier in the growing season, biomass in the burned area was greater than in the unburned area. By early August, biomass increased rapidly in the unburned area and was higher than in the burned area. Daily rates of belowground production generally declined throughout the growing season with a large increase in rate of production in the unburned site in early August. At the second site's measured inter‐annual responses, annual belowground production did not differ consistently between burned/unburned grasslands nor over time, nor was belowground production correlated with aboveground production. Our results demonstrate that despite the years required for aboveground production to recover following fire in B. eriopoda‐dominated grassland, belowground standing crop and production was unchanged the year following fire. These results emphasize that aboveground production is not a reliable proxy for belowground production in this grassland.
Row Spacing and Nitrogen Fertilizer Effect on No‐Till Oat Production
Authors: Lafond G. P. , May W. E. , Holzapfel C. B.
Published: November 2012

A major challenge in agriculture is to enhance crop production in an environmentally sustainable fashion to meet the needs of a growing population given the continual decline in the global arable land base. The objectives of the study were to study the interaction between row spacing and N rate in oat (Avena sativa L.) on plant establishment and development, biomass production, grain quality, and grain yield under a no‐till production system. Four row spacing (25, 30, 35, and 40 cm) and five rates of N fertilizer were investigated for 3 yr. Plant density was not affected by N rate and there was no N rate by row spacing interaction. There was a 10% decrease in plant population going from 25 to 40 cm with some years showing no differences. Some differences on the origin and frequency of tillers were observed due to spacing. Grain yield was similar among 25, 30, and 35 cm row spacing with a 13% yield decrease at 40 cm. A row spacing by N rate interaction for grain yield was observed. Grain quality was not affected by spacing other than for a small increase in thin seed and seed weight at wider spacing. Grain N and P concentrations were not affected by row spacing. The results support the feasibility of wide row spacing up to 35 cm combined with placing all fertilizer requirements in a side‐banded position.