bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on the police profession: an international investigation
Authors: Saskia Bayerl P. , E. Horton Kate , Jacobs Gabriele , Rogiest Sofie , Reguli Zdenko , Gruschinske Mario , Costanzo Pietro , Stojanovski Trpe , Vonas Gabriel , Gascó Mila , Elliott Karen
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to clarify the diversity of professional perspectives on police culture in an international context.

Design/methodology/approach

– In a first step the authors developed a standardized instrument of 45 occupational features for comparative analysis of police professional views. This set was inductively created from 3,441 descriptors of the police profession from a highly diverse sample of 166 police officers across eight European countries. Using this standardized instrument, Q-methodological interviews with another 100 police officers in six European countries were conducted.

Findings

– The authors identified five perspectives on the police profession suggesting disparities in officers’ outlooks and understanding of their occupation. Yet, the findings also outline considerable overlaps in specific features considered important or unimportant across perspectives.

Research limitations/implications

– The study emphasizes that police culture needs to be described beyond the logic of distinct dimensions in well-established typologies. Considering specific features of the police profession determines which aspects police officers agree on across organizational and national contexts and which aspects are unique.

Practical implications

– The feature-based approach provides concrete pointers for the planning and implementation of (inter)national and inter-organizational collaborations as well as organizational change.

Originality/value

– This study suggests an alternative approach to investigate police culture. It further offers a new perspective on police culture that transcends context-specific boundaries.
The value placed upon the facets that contribute to meaningful leisure by Activity Co-ordinators
Authors: Fenech Anne
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to establish the value placed on the facets that contribute to a meaningful leisure occupation for the residents of a residential care facility by the staff that care for them.

Design/methodology/approach

– This was a service evaluation using a self-reported questionnaire, completed by six Activity Co-ordinators from the home of 158 individuals with a wide range of neuropalliative conditions.

Findings

– The cultural/historical components, the built and social environment, learning, life satisfaction and goal orientation were reported as the least valued facets, which make up a leisure occupation. The staff did, however; value the sense of health and capability, purpose, the feeling of being fully human and the sense of belonging that comes about through leisure. They also valued preventing boredom, opportunities for self-expression, creativity, achievement, and control. Additionally they valued opportunities to gain a clear sense of the rhythm of life, of self-identity, choice of occupation, and engagement in the occupation.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings highlight a variance between the perceptions of staff members who deal with the day-to-day leisure opportunities and decisions of the residents, and the literature of occupational science about what makes an occupation meaningful, and therefore is worthy of consideration when planning a leisure occupation.

Practical implications

– Personalised care requires consideration of the individual's cultural and historical background, the environment surrounding the occupation, opportunities for social interaction, individual learning, life satisfaction, and goal orientation when organising leisure opportunities. These facets are stressed because the participants undervalued them.

Originality/value

– The context of this paper is a subset of individuals with neurological disabilities who experience profound disabilities, and the attitudes of staff to their leisure lifestyle.
Skills for life – evaluation of a group intervention for brain injury survivors
Authors: Foxhall Mia , Gurr Birgit
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a weekly, group-based occupational therapy (OT) intervention in an inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit. The evaluation aims to assess whether this intervention incorporates evidence-based recommendations for executive functioning and positive social interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review was carried out to identify those components deemed most effective for improvements of executive functions and group interventions. Systematic observations of the intervention were used to collect data matching the research requirements. The group intervention which was subject to the evaluation was a weekly OT activity called Life Skills Group. Participants were four brain injured patients, aged between 49 and 62 years and on average 4.5 month post injury. The group activities included the preparation, cooking and consuming of a meal.

Findings

– Some elements of evidence-based procedure for executive functioning training were observed, including repeated practice and errorless learning. The group provided opportunities for social interaction and peer support/modelling. The evaluation indicated opportunities for improving executive functions within the Life Skills Group setting, for instance, the consistent use of errorless practice, repetition and meta-strategy training. Social interventions were mainly initiated by the facilitation therapists and opportunities for social skills training and positive interactions between participants were overlooked. The evaluation concludes in a set of recommendations aimed at optimising the effectiveness of future groups.

Originality/value

– This paper gives an example how the use of research evidence can influence and optimise cognitive rehabilitation, social training and group interventions. Thus it is an attempt to highlight how occupational interventions and social interactions can be improved by a systematic evaluation. The evaluation provides a framework for how OT and social interventions can be planned, implemented and researched which will hopefully increase systematic outcomes studies in this field in the future.
A robust approach to time‐to‐depth conversion and interval velocity estimation from time migration in the presence of lateral velocity variations
Authors: Li Siwei , Fomel Sergey
Published: November 2014

The problem of conversion from time‐migration velocity to an interval velocity in depth in the presence of lateral velocity variations can be reduced to solving a system of partial differential equations. In this paper, we formulate the problem as a non‐linear least‐squares optimization for seismic interval velocity and seek its solution iteratively. The input for the inversion is the Dix velocity, which also serves as an initial guess. The inversion gradually updates the interval velocity in order to account for lateral velocity variations that are neglected in the Dix inversion. The algorithm has a moderate cost thanks to regularization that speeds up convergence while ensuring a smooth output. The proposed method should be numerically robust compared to the previous approaches, which amount to extrapolation in depth monotonically. For a successful time‐to‐depth conversion, image‐ray caustics should be either nonexistent or excluded from the computational domain. The resulting velocity can be used in subsequent depth‐imaging model building. Both synthetic and field data examples demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.
Diffraction imaging by uniform asymptotic theory and double exponential fitting
Authors: Zhao Jingtao , Wang Yanfei , Yu Caixia
Published: November 2014

Seismic diffracted waves carry valuable information for identifying geological discontinuities. Unfortunately, the diffraction energy is generally too weak, and standard seismic processing is biased to imaging reflection. In this paper, we present a dynamic diffraction imaging method with the aim of enhancing diffraction and increasing the signal‐to‐noise ratio. The correlation between diffraction amplitudes and their traveltimes generally exists in two forms, with one form based on the Kirchhoff integral formulation, and the other on the uniform asymptotic theory. However, the former will encounter singularities at geometrical shadow boundaries, and the latter requires the computation of a Fresnel integral. Therefore, neither of these methods is appropriate for practical applications. Noting the special form of the Fresnel integral, we propose a least‐squares fitting method based on double exponential functions to study the amplitude function of diffracted waves. The simple form of the fitting function has no singularities and can accelerate the calculation of diffraction amplitude weakening coefficients. By considering both the fitting weakening function and the polarity reversal property of the diffracted waves, we modify the conventional Kirchhoff imaging conditions and formulate a diffraction imaging formula. The mechanism of the proposed diffraction imaging procedure is based on the edge diffractor, instead of the idealized point diffractor. The polarity reversal property can eliminate the background of strong reflection and enhance the diffraction by same‐phase summation. Moreover,the fitting weakening function of diffraction amplitudes behaves like an inherent window to optimize the diffraction imaging aperture by its decaying trend. Synthetic and field data examples reveal that the proposed diffraction imaging method can meet the requirement of high‐resolution imaging, with the edge diffraction fully reinforced and the strong reflection mostly eliminated.
Sex Determination by Discriminant Function Analysis of Lumbar Vertebrae
Authors: Ostrofsky Kelly R. , Churchill Steven E.
Published: November 2014

Sex determination is critical for developing the biological profile of unidentified skeletal remains. When more commonly used elements (os coxa, cranium) for sexing are not available, methods utilizing other skeletal elements are needed. This study aims to assess the degree of sexual dimorphism of the lumbar vertebrae and develop discriminant functions for sex determination from them, using a sample of South African blacks from the Raymond A. Dart Collection (47 males, 51 females). Eleven variables at each lumbar level were subjected to univariate and multivariate discriminant function analyses. Univariate equations produced classification rates ranging from 57.7% to 83.5%, with the highest accuracies associated with dimensions of the vertebral body. Multivariate stepwise analysis generated classification rates ranging from 75.9% to 88.7%. These results are comparable to other methods for sexing the skeleton and indicate that measures of the lumbar vertebrae can be used as an effective tool for sex determination.
Effect of photoperiod on slow and fast developing individuals in aphidophagous ladybirds, Menochilus sexmaculatus and Propylea dissecta (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Singh Neha , Mishra Geetanjali , Omkar  
Published: November 2014

The effects of environmental parameters on insect development have been studied extensively. But the reasons for 2 differential developmental rates within same cohort under varying environmental factors have not been explored. For the purpose, in this study the existence and stability of slow and fast development under 5 photoperiods (i.e., 8L: 16D, 10L : 14D, 12L : 12D, 14L : 10D and 16L : 8D; light and dark hours per day) and its effect on body mass and reproductive attributes in 2 aphidophagous ladybirds, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) and Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) was examined on Aphis craccivora Koch at 27 ± 1 °C temperature. A clear bimodal (2 peaks, where the first peak represented the fast developing and the 2nd peak slow developing individuals) pattern of distribution at each photoperiod was found. The proportion of slow and fast developing individuals in a cohort differed with photoperiods. The slow developing individuals were more in numbers at 8L : 16D, in equal numbers at 14L : 10D and in less numbers at 16L: 8D, indicating that the variation in emergence was owing to exogenous cues influenced differential rates of mortality. Slow developing individuals had female biased sex ratio, higher longevity and lower body mass than fast developing individuals. Fast developing females laid higher numbers of eggs with higher egg viability than slow developing females. Study of such variations in development at different photoperiods is helpful to understand its role in the development of insects particularly ladybirds and permits the selection of fast developing bioagents for their use in biocontrol of pest species.
‘Land of Fires’: Urban Growth, Economic Crisis, and Forest Fires in Attica, Greece
Authors: SALVATI LUCA , RANALLI FLAVIA
Published: November 2014

This study investigates the spatial distribution and basic characteristics of 2692 forest fires between 2000 and 2011 in Attica, Greece, a rapidly expanding urban region. Fire variables were assessed, together with variables describing the socio‐economic local context in three distinct periods of Athens’ expansion (2000–2003: semi‐compact expansion and economic growth before the 2004 Olympic Games; 2004–2007: infrastructure development and discontinuous expansion following the Olympic Games; 2008–2011: crisis‐driven decline of the construction industry). Fire characteristics changed over the three periods following the negative trends in the construction industry. Burnt areas decreased in the rural area around Athens and the opposite pattern was observed in the peri‐urban belt. Our findings suggest that the temporal and spatial distribution of forest fires in Attica reflects the construction boom stimulated by the 2004 Olympic Games and the subsequent economic crisis.
Characterization of the inflammatory response to inhaled lipopolysaccharide in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Gupta Vandana , Banyard Antonia , Mullan Aoibheann , Sriskantharajah Srividya , Southworth Thomas , Singh Dave
Published: November 2014

Aims

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhalation causes increased airway and systemic inflammation. We investigated LPS inhalation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a model of bacterial exacerbations. We studied safety, changes in sputum and systemic biomarkers. We have also investigated interleukin (IL)‐17 concentrations in this model.

Methods

Twelve COPD patients inhaled 5 μg LPS. Safety was monitored over 24 h. Sputum was induced at baseline, 6 and 24 h for cells and IL‐8, IL‐17, neutrophil elastase, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β (MIP‐1β) in supernatants. Serum was collected at baseline, 4, 8 and 24 h for IL‐6, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and Clara cell protein (CC‐16) concentrations. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated at baseline and 4 h for systemic IL‐17 analysis.

Results

LPS 5 μg was well tolerated. The greatest FEV1 change was 11.7% (mean) at 1 h (95% CI 5.1–18.2%). There was a large range in maximal fall (2.5–37.7%). Total sputum cell count and neutrophil count significantly increased 6 and 24 h post‐LPS. There was no change in sputum supernatant mediators. IL‐6, CRP and CC‐16 increased post‐inhalation, with different temporal patterns. CD4+ and CD8+ cell associated IL‐17 significantly increased at 4 h.

Conclusions

Inhaled LPS in COPD patients safely causes increased airway and systemic inflammation. This may be a model for studying COPD exacerbations.
Circulating myeloid‐derived suppressor cells correlate with clinical outcome in Hodgkin Lymphoma patients treated up‐front with a risk‐adapted strategy
Authors: Romano Alessandra , Parrinello Nunziatina Laura , Vetro Calogero , Forte Stefano , Chiarenza Annalisa , Figuera Amalia , Motta Giovanna , Palumbo Giuseppe Alberto , Ippolito Massimo , Consoli Ugo , Raimondo Francesco Di
Published: November 2014

In the attempt to find a peripheral blood biological marker that could mirror the dysregulated microenvironment of Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL), we analysed the amount of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC), including the three main sub‐types (monocytic, granulocytic and CD34 + fraction). The absolute MDSC count was investigated in 60 consecutive newly diagnosed HL patients and correlated with clinical variables at diagnosis and outcome. Patients received standard‐of‐care chemotherapy with the exception of interim fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET‐2)‐positive patients, who were switched early to a salvage regimen. All MDSC subsets were increased in HL patients compared to normal subjects (P < 0·0001) and were higher in non‐responders. However, a strong prognostic significance was limited to immature (CD34+) MDSC. A cut‐off level of 0·0045 × 109/l for CD34+MDSC resulted in 89% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52–99%) sensitivity and 92% (95% CI 81–98%) specificity. The positive predictive value to predict progression‐free survival was 0·90 for PET‐2 and 0·98 for CD34+MDSC count; the negative predictive value was 0·57 for PET‐2 and 0·73 for CD34+MDSC. PFS was significantly shorter in patients with more than 0·0045 × 109 CD34+MDSC cells/l at diagnosis and/or PET‐2 positivity (P < 0·0001). In conclusion, all circulating MDSC subsets are increased in HL; CD34+MDSC predict short PFS, similarly to PET‐2 but with the advantage of being available at diagnosis.
Sex steroids levels in chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients: associations with disease severity and prediction of mortality
Authors: Grossmann Mathis , Hoermann Rudolf , Ng Tang Fui Mark , Zajac Jeffrey D. , Ierino Franscesco L. , Roberts Matthew A.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Our objective was to characterize and evaluate prognostic implications of circulating sex steroids in patients at different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Patients

We prospectively recruited patients with CKD III–IV, undergoing chronic dialysis and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) from a single centre in 2003–2004.

Measurements

Two stored samples taken 3 months apart were analysed for sex hormones using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and the mean of the two was used for analysis. We also measured novel biomarkers troponin T and NT‐proBNP. Patients were followed until death, transplant or 30 June 2013, and survival analysis performed.

Results

In males, but not in females, both testosterone (P = 0·003) as well as oestradiol (P < 0·02) levels were lowest in dialysis patients and highest in KTR. Over a median follow up of 8·5 years (interquartile range 3·8–9·2), 52 men (36%) died and 24 (17%) received a kidney transplant. In Cox proportional hazards regression up to 9·6 years, an increase in total testosterone of 1 nmol/l was associated with a 9·8% (95% confidence interval 3·1–16·3) decrease in mortality independent of age, body mass index, stage of renal disease and circulating levels of NT‐proBNP or troponin T. By contrast, sex steroid levels were not associated with mortality in females.

Conclusions

Testosterone levels differ across stages of kidney disease and low testosterone levels predict mortality in males, independent of established and novel predictors of mortality.
Osteocalcin and the pituitary‐gonadal axis in older men: a population‐based study
Authors: Limonard E.J. , van Schoor N.M. , de Jongh R.T. , Lips P. , Fliers E. , Bisschop P.H.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Osteocalcin is a well‐known marker of bone formation. Recently, mice lacking osteocalcin or its receptor were reported to be subfertile with low testosterone and high luteinizing hormone concentrations. In parallel, in humans, a loss‐of‐function mutation of the osteocalcin receptor was associated with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. This suggests that osteocalcin is necessary for normal pituitary‐gonadal axis function. Our objective was to determine the association between physiological variations in osteocalcin and the pituitary‐gonadal axis in older men.

Design and patients

Data were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), an ongoing cohort study in a representative sample of the older Dutch population (65–88 years).

Measurements

Serum levels of total (T), free (FT) and bioavailable (bioT) testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and osteocalcin were determined. Data were analysed using linear regression analyses and adjusted for age, BMI, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone and vitamin K antagonist use.

Results

A total of 614 men participated in the study. The median age was 75·4 (69·8–81·2) years, and the median osteocalcin level was 1·8 (1·3–2·4) nmol/l. Serum osteocalcin was inversely associated with FT (adjusted B = −0·22 ± 0·09 ng/dl, P = 0·012) and bioT (adjusted B = −0·26 ± 0·08 nmol/l, P < 0·01), but not with total T. Furthermore, osteocalcin was positively associated with LH (adjusted B = 0·09 ± 0·03 U/l, P < 0·01).

Conclusions

Serum osteocalcin was negatively associated with free and bioavailable testosterone and positively with luteinizing hormone levels.
A Vectorial Framework for Ray Traced Diffusion Curves
Authors: Prévost Romain , Jarosz Wojciech , Sorkine‐Hornung Olga
Published: November 2014

Diffusion curves allow creating complex, smoothly shaded images by diffusing colours defined at curves. These methods typically require the solution of a global optimization problem (over either the pixel grid or an intermediate tessellated representation) to produce the final image, making fully parallel implementation challenging. An alternative approach, inspired by global illumination, uses 2D ray tracing to independently compute each pixel value. This formulation allows trivial parallelism, but it densely computes values even in smooth regions and sacrifices support for instancing and layering. We describe a sparse, ray traced, multi‐layer framework that incorporates many complementary benefits of these existing approaches. Our solution avoids the need for a global solve and trivially allows parallel GPU implementation. We leverage an intermediate triangular representation with cubic patches to synthesize smooth images faithful to the per‐pixel solution. The triangle mesh provides a resolution–independent, vectorial representation and naturally maps diffusion curve images to a form natively supported by standard vector graphics and triangle rasterization pipelines. Our approach supports many features which were previously difficult to incorporate into a single system, including instancing, layering, alpha blending, texturing, local blurring, continuity control and parallel computation. We also show how global diffusion curves can be combined with local painted strokes in one coherent system.
Choice and caring: The experiences of parents supporting young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions as they move into adulthood
Authors: Spiers Gemma
Published: November 2014

This paper reports findings about parents' experiences of caring for young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) moving into adulthood. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 38 parents of young people (15–21 years) with ASCs. Data were analysed thematically. In the perceived absence of service support, parents' acted as ‘care‐coordinators’ and ‘life‐supporters’ for their child as they moved into adulthood. These roles came with little choice, emotional demands and personal restrictions. Being supported was important for parents, but preferences differed regarding what this should look like. Implications for policy are discussed.
A Multidisciplinary Conceptualization of Conservation Opportunity
Authors: MOON KATIE , ADAMS VANESSA M. , JANUCHOWSKI‐HARTLEY STEPHANIE R. , POLYAKOV MAKSYM , MILLS MORENA , BIGGS DUAN , KNIGHT ANDREW T. , GAME EDWARD T. , RAYMOND CHRISTOPHER M.
Published: November 2014

An opportunity represents an advantageous combination of circumstances that allows goals to be achieved. We reviewed the nature of opportunity and how it manifests in different subsystems (e.g., biophysical, social, political, economic) as conceptualized in other bodies of literature, including behavior, adoption, entrepreneur, public policy, and resilience literature. We then developed a multidisciplinary conceptualization of conservation opportunity. We identified 3 types of conservation opportunity:potential, actors remove barriers to problem solving by identifying the capabilities within the system that can be manipulated to create support for conservation action;traction, actors identify windows of opportunity that arise from exogenous shocks, events, or changes that remove barriers to solving problems; andexisting, everything is in place for conservation action (i.e., no barriers exist) and an actor takes advantage of the existing circumstances to solve problems. Different leverage points characterize each type of opportunity. Thus, unique stages of opportunity identification or creation and exploitation exist: characterizing the system and defining problems; identifying potential solutions; assessing the feasibility of solutions; identifying or creating opportunities; and taking advantage of opportunities. These stages can be undertaken independently or as part of a situational analysis and typically comprise the first stage, but they can also be conducted iteratively throughout a conservation planning process. Four types of entrepreneur can be identified (business, policy, social, and conservation), each possessing attributes that enable them to identify or create opportunities and take advantage of them. We examined how different types of conservation opportunity manifest in a social–ecological system (the Great Barrier Reef) and how they can be taken advantage of. Our multidisciplinary conceptualization of conservation opportunity strengthens and legitimizes the concept.
Characterizing Spatial Uncertainty when Integrating Social Data in Conservation Planning
Authors: Lechner A. M. , Raymond C. M. , Adams V. M. , Polyakov M. , Gordon A. , Rhodes J. R. , Mills M. , Stein A. , Ives C. D. , Lefroy E. C.
Published: November 2014

Recent conservation planning studies have presented approaches for integrating spatially referenced social (SRS) data with a view to improving the feasibility of conservation action. We reviewed the growing conservation literature on SRS data, focusing on elicited or stated preferences derived through social survey methods such as choice experiments and public participation geographic information systems. Elicited SRS data includes the spatial distribution of willingness to sell, willingness to pay, willingness to act, and assessments of social and cultural values. We developed a typology for assessing elicited SRS data uncertainty which describes how social survey uncertainty propagates when projected spatially and the importance of accounting for spatial uncertainty such as scale effects and data quality. These uncertainties will propagate when elicited SRS data is integrated with biophysical data for conservation planning and may have important consequences for assessing the feasibility of conservation actions. To explore this issue further, we conducted a systematic review of the elicited SRS data literature. We found that social survey uncertainty was commonly tested for, but that these uncertainties were ignored when projected spatially. Based on these results we developed a framework which will help researchers and practitioners estimate social survey uncertainty and use these quantitative estimates to systematically address uncertainty within an analysis. This is important when using SRS data in conservation applications because decisions need to be made irrespective of data quality and well characterized uncertainty can be incorporated into decision theoretic approaches.
Ambitious Advances of the European Union in the Legislation of Invasive Alien Species
Authors: Beninde Joscha , Fischer Marietta L. , Hochkirch Axel , Zink Andreas
Published: November 2014

Conservation legislation provides a legal basis for conservation action and is crucial for effective conservation management. In April 2014, the European Parliament agreed upon a proposal for an EU‐wide regulation to combat invasive alien species (IAS). The proposal incorporates many Guiding Principles of the Convention on Biodiversity for dealing with IAS. In addition, to prevention, eradication, management, and control it involves scientists, stakeholders and the public in decision making processes. It goes further by applying the “polluter‐pays” principle: costs of damage induced by IAS and costs for restoration are shifted to the natural person, that is, a human being, or legal person, for example a company, state, etc., responsible for a species introduction. Because of its deterrent and preventive effect, the “polluter‐pays” principle is a valued instrument in environmental policy. It now depends upon the Council of the European Union to agree on the ambitious proposal and adopt this modern conservation legislation. However, we recommend further improvements to achieve effective conservation management. Member States need to coordinate actions and adapt measures to newest scientific findings, best accomplished by a European center of IAS. Securing sufficient funding for such a center would greatly increase the likelihood of the regulation to facilitate efficient conservation initiatives. Before this publication went to press the Council of the European Union adopted this regulation (22. October 2014) in the version of the second proposal as referred to in this text.
Nimbolide inhibits invasion and migration, and down‐regulates uPAR chemokine gene expression, in two breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Elumalai P. , Brindha Mercy A. , Arunkamar R. , Sharmila G. , Bhat F. A. , Balakrishnan S. , Raja Singh P. , Arunakaran J.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women, worldwide. Urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease that is involved in cancer progression, especially invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. Nimbolide is a potent cytotoxic limnoid isolated from Azadirachta indica. Our previous studies have shown that nimbolide elicits pleiotropic effects on breast cancer cells; however, its roles in invasion and migration have not previously been fully elucidated.

Materials and methods

Protein expression of pEGFR, VEGFR, NFκB, IKKα, IKKβ, MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and TIMP‐2 were analysed by western blotting. We also analysed expressions of uPA, uPAR genes and chemokines by real‐time PCR. Breast cancer cell invasion was assessed by transwell invasion assay and cell migration analysed by scratch wound healing assay.

Results

Our results showed that reduced protein expression of pEGFR, VEGFR, NFκB, IKKα, β, MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and TIMP‐2 was higher in nimbolide‐treated breast cancer cells. mRNA expression of uPA, uPAR, chemokines and their receptors were also significantly reduced in response to nimbolide treatment. Nimbolide inhibited breast cancer cell migration and invasion as shown in transwell invasion and wound healing assays.

Conclusion

These results clearly proved inhibitory effects of nimbolide on tumour cell invasion and migration by down‐regulating proteins critically involved in regulation of cell invasion and metastasis, suggesting a possible therapeutic role of nimbolide for breast cancer.
Belatacept treatment for two yr after liver transplantation is not associated with operational tolerance
Authors: Schwarz Christoph , Rasoul‐Rockenschaub Susanne , Soliman Thomas , Berlakovich Gabriela A. , Steininger Rudolf , Mühlbacher Ferdinand , Wekerle Thomas
Published: November 2014

Belatacept was recently evaluated in liver transplantation (LT) in a phase II multicenter trial, which was terminated prematurely. Patients were more than two yr post‐LT at the time. As high rates of spontaneous tolerance after LT have been reported and as belatacept has marked immunomodulatory effects, we decided to maintain the belatacept patients enrolled at our center (n = 4) on MMF monotherapy. All belatacept patients on MMF monotherapy developed graft dysfunction consistent with acute rejection after a mean period of 10.3 (7–14) wk. Patients were therefore switched to triple therapy with CNI, MMF, and corticosteroids. Graft dysfunction resolved within 1–3 wk after switch. At the time of belatacept discontinuation, mean eGFR was 105.1 mL/min/1.73 m² (92.1–118.9) in belatacept patients compared to 58 mL/min/1.73 m² (36.1–98.2) in controls (p = 0.022). One yr after the switch to CNI therapy, eGFR had declined by 27.4 mL (19.2–39.3; p = 0.008). Thus, LT patients treated with belatacept show superior kidney function that declines upon institution of CNIs. MMF monotherapy following withdrawal of belatacept is associated with a high incidence of graft dysfunction. Belatacept has no obvious immunomodulatory effects in LT recipients that would be sufficient to allow drug withdrawal with a high rate of success.
Verwendung der Peng‐Lappenplastik bei einem großen Nasenrückendefekt
Authors: Deluca Jenny , Tappeiner Lukas , Pichler Maria , Eisendle Klaus
Published: November 2014

Der Verschluss großer chirurgischer Defekte im zentralen Nasenbereich stellt aufgrund der kosmetisch auffälligen Lokalisation eine chirurgische Herausforderung dar. Behandlungsoptionen umfassen sekundäre Wundheilung, Vollhauttransplantat und verschiedene lokale Lappenplastiken. Im vorliegenden Fall kam die „Peng‐Lappenplastik“ zur Wiederherstellung eines 3,1 x 2,7 cm großen Defekts der konvexen Kurvatur im zentralen Nasenbereich bei einer 66‐jährigen Patientin zum Einsatz. Das Verfahren wurde in einer Sitzung und ohne weitere Komplikationen durchgeführt. Durch Verwendung der umgebenden lockeren perinasalen Haut und Platzierung der Nähte in den Grenzlinien fazialer kosmetischer Einheiten sowie durch die exzellente Übereinstimmung des Lappens mit der talgdrüsenreichen nasalen Haut konnte ein gutes kosmetisches Ergebnis erzielt werden. Im Hinblick auf die geringe Anzahl möglicher Komplikationen dieses einzeitigen, ästhetisch hervorragenden Verfahrens, sollte die Peng‐Plastik nicht nur bei der kosmetisch komplexen Rekonstruktion der Nasenspitze, sondern auch als effektive Therapieoption an der konvexen Kurvatur des zentralen Nasenbereichs in Betracht gezogen werden.
Myeloide Suppressorzellen (MDSC) beim malignen Melanom
Authors: Umansky Viktor , Sevko Alexandra , Gebhardt Christoffer , Utikal Jochen
Published: November 2014

Melanome sind bekannt für ihre schnelle Progression, Fernmetastasierung und Therapieresistenz. Trotz ihrer hohen Immunogenität sind die Ergebnisse immuntherapeutischer klinischer Studien bisher unbefriedigend geblieben. Eine Erklärung dafür ist die starke immunsupprimierende Wirkung sogenannter myeloider Suppressorzellen [myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)], regulatorischen Leukozyten, die in der Mikroumgebung des Tumors angereichert und aktiviert werden, und dort durch eine starke Unterdrückung der Immunantwort die Tumorprogression erlauben.

Daher ist das Verständnis der Mechanismen der MDSC‐Bildung, ihrer Migration in die Tumorumgebung und ihrer Aktivierung essentiell für die Entwicklung neuer Strategien für eine effektive Immuntherapie bei Melanomen. Unserer Ansicht nach sollten derartige Therapieansätze eine Inhibition des immunsuppressiven Mikromilieus des Tumors mit anderen immunologischen Behandlungen kombinieren.
Der metastatische Zyklus: metastatische Nischen und Tumorzell‐Dissemination
Authors: Géraud Cyrill , Koch Philipp S , Damm Friederike , Schledzewski Kai , Goerdt Sergij
Published: November 2014

In den letzten Jahren hat das Konzept des metastatischen Zyklus das Konzept einer unidirektionalen Kaskade aufeinander folgender Metastasierungsschritte abgelöst. Dieses Konzept beschreibt einen dynamisch voranschreitenden Zyklus (feed forward cycle) metastatischer Nischen, die sich durch reziproke Interaktionen mit dem Primärtumor bzw. mit disseminierten Tumorzellen weiterentwickeln. Primärtumoren interagieren dabei mit prämetastatischen Geweben und bereiten so die Entstehung organspezifischer metastatischer Nischen vor. Metastasierende Zellen wandern in diese sich bildenden metastatischen Nischen ein und sind hier vielfältigen Interaktionen ausgesetzt; sekundär rezirkulierende maligne Zellen können wiederum retrograd mit dem Primärtumor interagieren. Die Organspezifität, aber auch das Fortschreiten der metastasierenden Tumorerkrankung sind das Ergebnis dieses dynamischen Zyklus reziproker Interaktionen der Tumorzellen mit ihren diversen metastatischen Nischen. Ein besseres Verständnis der vielfältigen Effekte organspezifischer metastatischer Nischen und ihrer komplexen Veränderungen auf die Tumorzelldissemination sowie des Zusammenspiels der beiderseitig beteiligten zellulären und molekularen Mechanismen wird neue therapeutische Möglichkeiten eröffnen, sowohl für bislang nicht behandelbare fortgeschrittene Erkrankungsstadien als auch für adjuvante Therapien, die bei tumorfreien Patienten ein Wiederauftreten der Erkrankung verhindern könnten.
My Two Moms: Disability, Queer Kinship, and the Maternal Subject
Authors: Braswell Harold
Published: November 2014

Dominant Western discourses of motherhood have depicted disabled women as incapable of being mothers. In contrast to these representations, recent literature in disability studies has argued that disabled women can provide maternal care and should therefore retain custody over their children. This literature is commendable, but its emphasis on custodial rights excludes from the category of “mother” those disabled women who cannot maintain child custody. In this article, I challenge this exclusion via an account of my experience with my two mothers: my biological mother, who relinquished custody over me because of her inability to provide care, and my maternal grandmother, who raised me as her child. Theorizing this account, I argue that disability studies must adopt a conception of motherhood that recognizes both alternative kinship structures and mothers whose disabilities preclude them from fulfilling normative conceptions of maternal care. I develop such a conception by synthesizing Judith Butler's theorization of queer kinship with Donald Winnicott's rethinking of the maternal subject. I conclude by drawing on this flexible conception of motherhood to argue that my disabled mother's relinquishing of custody over me to her own mother was the very gesture in which she accepted and adopted a maternal role.
Disability Studies Gets Fat
Authors: Mollow Anna
Published: November 2014

This article invites disability scholars to “get fat,” that is, to support the goals of the fat justice movement. I argue that the contemporary politics of fatness can productively be read through the lens of disability studies’ social model. At the same time, I mobilize feminist critiques of the social model to push fat disability studies toward a more in‐depth engagement with the topics of health and illness. Additionally, I contend that feminist scholars’ accounts of our personal relationships to fatness and disability can make crucial contributions to our scholarly work. These arguments take shape within a new interpretive framework that I introduce: “setpoint epistemology,” which brings together the feminist disability studies notion of “sitpoint theory” and the scientific concept of “setpoint theory.”
Phengaris (Maculinea) alconbutterflies deposit their eggs on tall plants with many large buds in the vicinity ofMyrmicaants
Authors: Wynhoff Irma , Bakker Raldi B. , Oteman Bas , Arnaldo Paula Seixas , van Langevelde Frank
Published: November 2014

The survival of eggs and larvae is dependent on the oviposition site selection of their mothers. In obligate myrmecophilic butterflies, both host plant phenology and host ant presence are expected to affect the decision where to deposit eggs. The importance of ant nest presence in the oviposition site selection ofPhengarisbutterflies is, however, highly debated.

We studied oviposition in the largestPhengaris (Maculinea) alconpopulation in Portugal, exploitingGentiana pneumonantheas the host plant andMyrmica alobaas host ant. We collected phenological plant data and recorded the presence and number of eggs on plants with and withoutMyrmicaants nearby during the flight period of the butterfly.

Females oviposited on tall plants with many tall buds, while the presence of host ant nests weakly affected oviposition on plants where the probability of finding ants at close range was high. Moreover, larger plants with many tall buds close to host ant nests received more eggs.

A density‐dependent shift in oviposition was not found as the proportion of buds not infected with eggs did not differ between plants with or without ants, whereas plant characteristics did have an effect. Tall plants with many large buds were associated with earlier oviposition.

Our results suggest that females ofP. alconin Portugal choose gentian plants for oviposition mainly based on plant characteristics whereas the vicinity of ants had a weak effect. Moreover, our study shows that testing the ant‐mediated oviposition hypothesis requires baiting ants more than once.
The coordination environment of copper in hair can be altered by treatment products
Authors: Worasith N. , Goodman B. A.
Published: November 2014

Synopsis

Objective

To determine whether the coordination environment of copper in hair is affected by the shampoo used.

Methods

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to discriminate between mixed oxygen/nitrogen and mixed oxygen/sulphur coordination of copper after treatment with two different shampoos.

Results

Copper with mixed oxygen/nitrogen coordination could be converted to mixed oxygen/sulphur coordination by treating with the appropriate shampoo, but this was not reversible with the products tested, although copper was removed from hair at very high pH values.

Conclusion

Commercial hair treatment products can have a profound effect on the copper coordination environment in hair, and this must be taken into account in any attempt to use hair as a health marker.
Temperature dependence and P/Ti ratio in phosphoric acid treatment of titanium dioxide and powder properties
Authors: Onoda H. , Matsukura A.
Published: November 2014

Synopsis

Objective

Titanium dioxide has photocatalytic activity and is used as a white pigment for cosmetics. A certain degree of sebum on the skin is decomposed by the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. In this work, titanium dioxide was shaken with phosphoric acid to synthesize a white pigment for cosmetics.

Methods

Titanium dioxide was treated with 0.1 mol/L of phosphoric acid at various P/Ti molar ratios, and then shaken in hot water for 1 h. The chemical composition, powder properties, photocatalytic activity, colour phase, and smoothness of the obtained powder were studied.

Results

The obtained materials indicated XRD peaks of titanium dioxide, however the peaks diminished subsequent to phosphoric acid treatment. The samples included small particles with sub‐micrometer size. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained powders decreased, decomposing less sebum on the skin. Samples prepared at high P/Ti ratio with high shaking temperature indicated low whiteness in in L*a*b* colour space. The shaking and heating temperature and P/Ti ratio had influence on the smoothness of the obtained materials.

Conclusion

Phosphoric acid treatment of titanium dioxide is an effective method to inhibit photocatalytic activity for a white pigment.
The Impact of Zeta Potential and Physicochemical Properties of TiO2‐Based Nanocomposites on Their Biological Activity
Authors: Jastrzębska Agnieszka Maria , Kurtycz Patrycja , Olszyna Andrzej , Karwowska Ewa , Miaśkiewicz‐Pęska Ewa , Załęska‐Radziwiłł Monika , Doskocz Nina , Basiak Dariusz
Published: November 2014

The aim of this research was to observe the relationship between zeta potential, morphology, surface area, porosity, chemical composition, and ecotoxicity of nanocomposite powders such as Au/TiO2, Ag2O/TiO2, PdO/TiO2, Ag/TiO2/SiO2, Ag/N(C)TiO2, and SiO2/TiO2 from which Ag2O/TiO2, Ag/N(C)/TiO2, and Ag/TiO2/SiO2 were exhibiting good antimicrobial properties. It was observed, that nanomaterials characterized by similar morphology and zeta potential revealed the similar toxic behavior. The samples of higher agglomeration and higher zeta potential, especially Ag/TiO2/SiO2 xerogel and TiO2/SiO2 aerogel were generally less ecotoxic to water organisms and plants. They were also not genotoxic in concentrations up to 500 and 250 mg/L, respectively.
Effect of Concentration and Temperature on the Surface Morphology of Gd2O3 Nanocrystallites in Silica
Authors: Ahlawat Rachna
Published: November 2014

Gd(NO3)3.6H2O and TEOS were used as precursors and obtained Gd2O3:SiO2 ceramic powder having different concentration of Gd2O3 as 2.2, 2.8, 3.4, and 4.0 wt % using solgel process. The powdered samples were annealed at 500°C and 900°C temperatures and characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. In X‐ray diffraction, cubic phase of Gadolinium oxide is reported only for the annealed samples having higher concentration (3.4 & 4.0 wt %) of Gd2O3. SEM and TEM results further confirm that the surface morphology of the microstructures depend on the temperature and concentration.
TRAUMATIC HAEMOBILIA TREATED BY HEPATIC ARTERY LIGATION
Authors: Shi E. C. P. , Ham J. M.
Published: November 2014

A 22‐year‐old woman developed haemobilia following suture of an apparently superficial liver injury. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the clinical features, duodenoscopy, and liver function tests. Selective hepatic angiography and liver scintiscan demonstrated a cavity in the right lobe of the liver, with the bleeding arising from a branch of the right hepatic artery.

She was treated by cholecystectomy, exploration of the common bile duct with removal of clots, and ligation of the right hepatic artery. Subsequent T tube cholangiography and liver scintiscans demonstrated complete resolution of the cavity, and there was no further bleeding.

Experience with this patient suggests that contrary to previous recommendations, haemobilia associated with an intrahepatic cavity may be successfully treated by hepatic artery ligation.
ATLANTO‐AXIAL SUBLUXATION: AN UNUSUAL CASE ELUCIDATED BY COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Dan Noel G.
Published: November 2014

An unusual atlanto‐axial dislocation is presented in which computerized tomography resolved the problem simply and rapidly.
TERMINATION OF EARLY PREGNANCY USING MIFEPRISTONE IN COMBINATION WITH PROSTAGLANDIN ANALOGS
Authors: Maria B. , Stampf F.
Published: November 2014

Mifepristone, (RU 486), is an antiprogesterone which, when administered alone will terminate early pregnancy in 80% of cases. Prostaglandins at high doses have also been used to terminate pregnancy but there are often unacceptable side effects. The combined treatment of mifepristone with low doses of prostaglandin analogs appears to be an effective method for termination of pregnancy, with a high success rate and a reduction in the side effects observed with prostaglandins.
Enhanced Light Storage of SrAl2O4 Glass‐Ceramics Controlled by Selective Europium Reduction
Authors: Nakanishi Takayuki , Watanabe Kazune , Ueda Jumpei , Fushimi Koji , Tanabe Setsuhisa , Hasegawa Yasuchika
Published: November 2014

A luminescent Eu, Dy: SrAl2O4 glass‐ceramics with high transparency in the visible region was successfully synthesized using the frozen sorbet technique with the control of O2 partial pressure () for the oxidation of Eu2+ ions. The glass‐ceramics include Eu2+, Eu3+, and Dy3+ ions, and thus exhibits three characteristic types of emission bands, 4f–5d at around 520 nm (Eu2+ ions), 4f–4f at 610 nm (Eu3+ ions), and 480 nm (Dy3+ ions). The Eu, Dy: SrAl2O4 glass‐ceramics provide remarkable long‐persistent luminescence under dark condition. The glass‐ceramics also exhibits color‐changing luminescence in the visible region based on their remarkable light storage properties. The luminescent Eu, Dy: SrAl2O4 glass‐ceramics using the frozen sorbet technique with control of are promising materials for application in novel photonic and light storage materials.