bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La politique d'Obama en Amérique latine. La continuité sans le changement
Authors: Weisbrot Mark , Cohen Jim , Andréani Fabrice
Published: November 2013

Si l’Amérique latine en plein « virage à gauche » a accueilli plutôt favorablement l’élection de Barack Obama 2008, compte tenu notamment du bilan désastreux de l’époque Bush-Cheney, force est de constater que la politique étrangère de son administration témoigne d’une continuité profonde, en Amérique latine (comme ailleurs), en alimentant une dynamique de guerre froide régionale. Mark Weisbrot examine, à partir de plusieurs exemples (Honduras, Venezuela, Haïti, gestion des marchés financiers etc.), les mécanismes et les raisons de cette continuité, étant donné que la droite maintient à Washington des leviers non négligeables de pouvoir en matière de politique latino-américaine. En laissant la dimension sécuritaire l’emporter sur des formes inédites de coopération, l’administration Obama a opté pour la voie de moindre résistance politique, aux dépens de toute perspective d’amélioration des relations avec le sous-continent – mis à part quelques alliés réputés plus « sûrs »...
L'art de l'enquête collective sur la division sociale et sexuelle du travail
Authors: Achin Catherine , Cohen Jim , Descoutures Virginie
Published: November 2013

Née au Japon, Helena Hirata a grandi au Brésil avant d’être obligée en 1971 de fuir ce pays à cause de ses activités politiques contre la dictature militaire. Elle a fait toute sa carrière de chercheure en France, en tant que spécialiste des questions de la division sexuelle du travail dans une perspective comparative. Elle fait partie des pionnières des études de genre en France. Elle est l’auteure d’un grand nombre d’articles et coordinatrice de nombreux dossiers de revue et de livres collectifs. Retraitée et chercheure émérite au CNRS depuis 2011, elle a accepté en juin 2013 de répondre à nos questions à propos de son itinéraire.
Cartels Revisited
Authors: Schröter Harm G.
Published: November 2013

Les cartels revisités : un survol de questions neuves, de méthodes nouvelles et de résultats surprenants L’accord général concernant les avantages de la concurrence s’accompagne d’un consensus similaire autour du caractère destructeur des cartels. Partant de ce verdict, la présente contribution analyse diverses hypothèses et met en lumière une réalité pratique qui contredit ce jugement. De même que des exemples négatifs existent à coup sûr, on peut en trouver beaucoup de positifs. Dans une première étape, l’article présente des cas dans lesquels l’évidence historique contredit la perception négative traditionnelle. Une seconde traite des champs de recherche nouveaux pour une recherche future qui pourrait accroître beaucoup notre connaissance pratique de la cartellisation. Les cartels d’une part, les fusions-acquisitions de l’autre constituent les deux voies dans lesquelles une entreprise peut s’engager du point de vue de sa croissance externe. Alors qu’un comportement concurrentiel peut être impulsé au sein des cartels, il ne peut l’être dans les entreprises fusionnées. Une analyse récente du comportement coopératif contrôlée par l’État ouvre, en fin de compte, de nouvelles possibilités pour la décision économique prise dans le but de relancer la concurrence. JEL Codes: L4, L5, D42, F53, K21
Neutraal of sekularisties, humanisties en paganisties: Die alternatiewe godsdiens van die Weste?
Authors: Verster Pieter
Published: November 2013

Die soeke na neutraliteit in die wetenskapsbeoefening van die Weste het daartoe gelei dat ’n alternatiewe godsdiens na vore gekom het. Hierdie godsdiens is sekularisties, humanisties en paganisties. Die Christelike grondslae is verruil vir uitgangspunte wat die Christelike boodskap ondergrawe. Is daar ’n Christelike antwoord op die problematiek van die alternatiewe godsdiens wat in die Weste na vore kom? Die Christelike boodskap behoort ’n volledige en omvattende saak te wees. Wetenskap wat vanuit ’n Christelike geloofsperspektief beoefen word, behoort daarom onder andere die volgende aspekte te vertoon: ’n Verruimende perspektief van die erkenning van God, waarin die vryheid in Christus die ware vryheid tot die lewe is; ook medemenslikheid in die wetenskapsbeoefening vanuit die perspektief dat God die Een is wat in Jesus Christus die ware lewe gee. ’n Eskatologiese perspektief moet ook nie ontbreek nie. Die reformatoriese vernuwing van die samelewing en veral die wetenskap vereis die erkenning van Jesus Christus se lewensomvattende invloed en heerskappy. Hierdie apekte sal in die artikel bespreek word.In search for neutrality in the scientific endeavour in the West an alternative religion was established. This religion is secularistic, humanistic and paganistic. Christian views in science and society were changed for views that in reality reject the Christian gospel. Is there a Christian reply to the deep problems of the alternative religion which presents itself in the West? The Christian message must be in total and encompassing. Science which is practiced from the perspective of faith should therefore, among others, have the following aspects: A broad perspective in acknowledging God in whom the freedom in Christ is the true freedom for life; and also a respect for humanity in the practice of science from the perspective that God is the One who in Jesus Christ gives true life. There must also be an eschatological perspective. Reformational renewal of the community and especially in science requires the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ’s life-changing influence and rule. These aspects will receive attention in the article.
The Construction Technology of the Boundary Environment Model Based on Hexagon
Authors: Wu L.-L. , Hua Y.-X. , Xu Q. , Cheng Y.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Since ancient times, land boundary problem is one of the most sensitive issues. The study of land boundary environment, is the foundation of safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The land boundary environment includes natural geographical environment, human geographical environment and other aspects. These complicated information gathering at the land border area, to a certain extent, affects the land border demarcation and analysis. Although there are a number of ways to organize, manage and express these information, but these methods lack the entire description and abstract to the whole land boundary environment, and the correlation between the information is not strong, the most important is that they can not make the continuous border environment information participate in the process of analysis and demarcation of boundary. Therefore, this paper analyzed the specific content of the land boundary environment and its shortcomings in the land delimitation, proposed the Hexagonal Land Boundary Environment Model both with the hierarchy and integrity, expounded the superiority of the model, and discussed the process and methods of how to build the model.
Imagining and Imaging Borders: Understanding Borderlands for Global Sustainability
Authors: Konrad V.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Borders are increasingly complex human responses and social constructions in a world where globalizing forces confront basic human concerns for security and certainty. In an effort to provide a background to assess research directions for imaging borders, this paper explores what we know about borders, and what we do not know well about borders. Borders in globalization are the meeting points of globalizing forces of security, trade and migration flows with emerging technologies, self determination and regionalization around the world. We need to know more about how: self determination fuels secessions and new borders; borders result from complex rather than simple policy and governance issues; borders depend on the political clout of borderland communities; market and migration flows impact borders; and borders are always in motion. The paper shows how these organizing principles underlie the basic themes of border governance, flows, culture, history, security and sustainability. Finally, the paper offers two brief illustrations of border imaging to link this presentation to the following discussion of the workshop.
Automatic Match between Delimitation Line and Real Terrain Based on Least-Cost Path Analysis
Authors: Feng C. Q. , Jiang N. , Zhang X. N. , Ma J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Nowadays, during the international negotiation on separating dispute areas, manual adjusting is lonely applied to the match between delimitation line and real terrain, which not only consumes much time and great labor force, but also cannot ensure high precision. Concerning that, the paper mainly explores automatic match between them and study its general solution based on Least -Cost Path Analysis. First, under the guidelines of delimitation laws, the cost layer is acquired through special disposals of delimitation line and terrain features line. Second, a new delimitation line gets constructed with the help of Least-Cost Path Analysis. Third, the whole automatic match model is built via Module Builder in order to share and reuse it. Finally, the result of automatic match is analyzed from many different aspects, including delimitation laws, two-sided benefits and so on. Consequently, a conclusion is made that the method of automatic match is feasible and effective.
Key Spatial Relations-based Focused Crawling (KSRs-FC) for Borderlands Situation Analysis
Authors: Hou D. Y. , Wu H. , Chen J. , Li R.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Place names play an important role in Borderlands Situation topics, while current focused crawling methods treat them in the same way as other common keywords, which may lead to the omission of many useful web pages. In the paper, place names in web pages and their spatial relations were firstly discussed. Then, a focused crawling method named KSRs-FC was proposed to deal with the collection of situation information about borderlands. In this method, place names and common keywords were represented separately, and some of the spatial relations related to web pages crawling were used in the relevance calculation between the given topic and web pages. Furthermore, an information collection system for borderlands situation analysis was developed based on KSRs-FC. Finally, F-Score method was adopted to quantitatively evaluate this method by comparing with traditional method. Experimental results showed that the F-Score value of the proposed method increased by 11% compared to traditional method with the same sample data. Obviously, KSRs-FC method can effectively reduce the misjudgement of relevant webpages.
Using Web Crawler Technology for Text Analysis of Geo-Events: A Case Study of the Huangyan Island Incident
Authors: Hu H. , Ge Y. J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. With the social networking and network socialisation have brought more text information and social relationships into our daily lives, the question of whether big data can be fully used to study the phenomenon and discipline of natural sciences has prompted many specialists and scholars to innovate their research. Though politics were integrally involved in the hyperlinked word issues since 1990s, automatic assembly of different geospatial web and distributed geospatial information systems utilizing service chaining have explored and built recently, the information collection and data visualisation of geo-events have always faced the bottleneck of traditional manual analysis because of the sensibility, complexity, relativity, timeliness and unexpected characteristics of political events. Based on the framework of Heritrix and the analysis of web-based text, word frequency, sentiment tendency and dissemination path of the Huangyan Island incident is studied here by combining web crawler technology and the text analysis method. The results indicate that tag cloud, frequency map, attitudes pie, individual mention ratios and dissemination flow graph based on the data collection and processing not only highlight the subject and theme vocabularies of related topics but also certain issues and problems behind it. Being able to express the time-space relationship of text information and to disseminate the information regarding geo-events, the text analysis of network information based on focused web crawler technology can be a tool for understanding the formation and diffusion of web-based public opinions in political events.
Geopolitical Energy Security Evaluation Method and Its Application Based on Politics of Scale
Authors: Hu Z. D. , Ge Y. J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. This paper rebuilds geo-energy security evaluation model, and evaluates China's geo-oil energy security in Russia's pacific oil pipeline construction from 1995 to 2010 quantitatively. The results showed that: (1) from the time point of view, the geo-oil safety index of China in the Russia's Pacific oil pipeline construction rising; (2) from the geopolitical relationship point of view, the China- Japan energy competition index tended to decrease, but the competition of energy imports of the two countries from Russia intensified; (3) Russia's energy export strategy has long been biased towards Europe, but it has been turned to the trend, the energy export strategy index of Russia has dropped significantly; (4) to a certain extent, the proportion stability of China’s oil consumption and China-Russian friendly relations eased China's geo-oil energy security; (5) from the geographical structure point of view, the overall national strength of China increasing which driven by China's economic growth, will aggravates the North east Asia’s geooil competition.
A Tag Cloud-Based Visualization for Geo-Referenced Text Information
Authors: Li X. , Hua Y.-X. , Zhao J.-X. , Wang L.-N. , Wang P.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Large amounts of geo-referenced text information such as messages from microblog websites are continuously becoming more popular. In this paper, we introduce a new visualization method based on tag clouds for geo-referenced text information. We process large amounts of geo-referenced text, using several visual metaphors including tag clouds, for the exploration of information on maps, instead of using just conventional cartographic approaches. The results show that this method can be useful for presentation and exploration of such geo-referenced text information.
The Intersecting Worlds of Sustainability and Cyberspace: Old or/and New Boundaries
Authors: Brunn S. D.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The world is replete with boundaries at all scales, personal, community, disciplinary, national and global. Some of these are open and permeable; others are closed and difficult to cross. The fields, concepts and models associated with studying global sustainability call for an examination of both old boundaries and new boundaries, especially those that intersect different disciplines, scales and technologies. In this presentation I want to focus on new transdisciplinary boundaries that are essential for us to study sustainability at local and global levels and also cyberspace worlds where there is much fluidity, speed, networking that relate to issues of identity and territoriality. I discuss both what is similar to "old" or "traditional boundary thinking" and what is "new." I conclude by suggesting some challenges facing transitional boundary research and policy.
A Method for Place Name Display Considering User Locating Habits in Map Sites
Authors: Liu X. C. , Li X. , Wang L. , Wang P.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The traditional researches for cartographic lettering and display focus on conflict among labels and overlap between labels and features. But these two issues are not significant in web maps. It is worthwhile to concern about how to improve labels' readability considering user locating habits for enhancing user experience. This paper has established a new method for place name display called "the gravitational field". This method is appropriate for the display of dotted place names from the national level (approximately 1:20 million) to city level (approximately 1:250 thousand) in web maps. We have conducted a usability test which used all nationwide provincial capitals, autonomous regions, municipalities, prefecture-level cities, municipal districts, countries and part of the townships dotted names. The results show that this rule improves web map’s legibility, and can significantly enhance the user experience.
Numerical simulation of framed joints in sawn-timber roof trusses
Authors: Villar J.R. , Guaita M. , Vidal P.
Published: November 2013

This paper presents an analysis of carpentry joints between structural timber members based on numerical simulation. In conventional design, simplifying assumptions of the stress distribution and the transmission of forces on the contacting surfaces are made, and the effect of contact friction between surfaces is neglected. Whereas a number of authors have been concerned with other types of joints, such as mechanical or glued joints between timber members, carpentry joints have hardly been subject to numerical simulations. This study presents a more realistic approach to the behaviour of these joints, using the finite element method, which enables further knowledge of the stresses acting on the joint. In addition, the finite element method enables the optimization of the geometric definition of carpentry joints between structural timber members. The numerical simulations performed for framed joints have revealed that friction between contacting surfaces has particular relevance for the behaviour of the joint. The Spanish Technical Building Code, among others, is based on conventional design. Numerical simulations have revealed a high level of safety in such a conventional definition of framed joints.
Optical rotation measurements in process control and engineering research in foods
Authors: Huertas-Ruelas J. , López-Echevarria D. , Mendoza-Sánchez P. , Kongraksawech T. , Velazquez G. , Torres J.A.
Published: November 2013

A system to measure optical rotation (OR) and transmitted light (TL) was built and tested by the Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada (CICATA, México). A similar system was built and tested by the Food Process Engineering Group (FPEG) at Oregon State University. OR and TL values, as a function of time and sample temperature, were recorded by a data acquisition system. Sucrose (1% w/v) and distilled water were used to calibrate both instruments while sucrose solutions were used to determine sensitivity, linearity and stability. The OR of sucrose solutions was measured with less than 3% (0.03 to 20 g/100 mL) and 2% error (0.01 to 20 g/100 mL) for the FPEG and CICATA system, respectively. The instrument setup was tested at CICATA by monitoring sucrose hydrolysis and by comparing initial and final OR with published reference values. Application examples tested by FPEG were the characterization of hard candies and the fermentation monitoring of tepache, a prehispanic alcoholic beverage consumed in Mexico and some Latin American countries. These tests confirmed the instrument versatility and the advantages of building modular units with light sources and electronic components available today at low cost. This work showed, using specific applications, that modular units for well-established optical measurements such as OR and TL could have additional applications in food process control and engineering research.
Comparison between land suitability and actual crop distribution in an irrigation district of the Ebro valley (Spain)
Authors: Martínez-Casasnovas J.A. , Klaasse A. , Nogués J. , Ramos M.C.
Published: November 2013

The present research aims to obtain a better insight into the agreement between land evaluation results and actual crop spatial distribution by comparing biophysical land suitability with different crop frequency parameters and with crop rotations derived from multi-year crop maps. The research was carried out in the Flumen district (33,000 ha), which is located in the Ebro Valley (Northeast Spain). Land evaluation was based on a 1:100,000 soil survey according to the FAO framework for the main crops in the study area (alfalfa, winter cereals, maize, rice and sunflower). Three crop frequency maps and a crop rotation map, derived from a time-series of Landsat TM and ETM+ images of the period 1993-2000 were used for comparison with land suitability maps. The relationships between the two types of variables were analyzed by means of statistical tests (Pearson chi-square (chi2), Cramer's V, Gamma and Somers' D). The results show the existence of a significant (P=0.001) relationship between crops' location and land suitability, except for opportunist crops as sunflower, which is very much influenced by subsidies in the study period. The alfalfa-based rotations show the highest distribution percentages (52%) on the land most suitable for agriculture in the area. The present multitemporal analysis approach offers a more realistic insight than the comparison between a land evaluation map and static year crop map in assessing the degree of agreement of land evaluation recommendations with crops actually cultivated by farmers.
Assessing the history and value of Human Genome Sciences
Authors: McNamee Laura M. , Ledley Fred D
Published: November 2013

Human Genome Science (HGS) aspired to dominate the emergent field of genomics by discovering expressed gene sequences and developing therapeutic and diagnostic products based on proprietary genes. While HGSâ€™ accomplishments fell short of their own lofty expectations, by the time HGS was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline, the company had extensive intellectual property and had launched a product with >$1 billion market potential. Nevertheless, HGSâ€™ acquisition price was less than the total capital investments in the company. This work examines HGSâ€™ history and accomplishments in the context of the business plan described by the company at their IPO. We focus specifically on the companyâ€™s valuation over time, which was highly correlated with general market indices, but negatively correlated with metrics of technical or clinical progress. The history of HGS points to the challenge of accounting for the value created by a science-based business plan. Earnings-based metrics, present value calculations, and â€œfair valueâ€ assessments did not account for HGSâ€™ progress in executing their stated business plan. This work highlights the critical need for accounting practices that credit value to the progress of translational science and enable investors to profit from such investments.
Dangerous Science: Online Promotion of Unproven Stem Cell Therapies and Global Health Risks
Authors: Mackey Tim Ken , Liang Bryan A
Published: November 2013

Stem cell-based therapies represent a potential pathway for a new era of 21st century regenerative medicine. In support of this new form of treatment, a global multibillion-dollar research endeavor is currently underway in an effort to establish a scientific evidence base for safe and effective clinical use of stem cells. At present, due to its early stages, only a few stem cell therapies are approved for use. Yet despite very limited evidence-based data, a proliferation of questionable and often illegal stem cell providers around the world are now offering unfettered access to largely experimental stem cell treatment claiming cures for virtually any disease or condition. These stem cell clinics promote their services globally to patients using unregulated Internet and forms of direct-to-consumer advertising. In this paper we examine marketing characteristics of these questionable stem cell clinics and discuss pathways of access through the globalization of medical tourism. We conclude with an examination of the similarities between unproven stem cell therapy access and illicit online pharmacies and explore possible lessons that can be learned to inform future global regulation and policymaking in this arena.
Motorcycle Simulator Technology and Traffic-Related Injury Prevention: Global Health Potential
Authors: Balcius James Alan , Liang Bryan A
Published: November 2013

Road traffic related fatalities account for over 50% of the global deaths for individuals between ages 15 and 44Â and ranks 11th in the cause of death for all age groups. Itâ€™s future impact is equally dismal: within the next decade road traffic related morbidity is projected to be the 6th leading contributor global fatalities and 3rd leading contributor to global Disability-Adjusted Life Years, disproportionately impacting the overall global burden of disease. However, national-level traffic safety intervention by global health organizations lacks programmed efforts to include vehicle simulation-based technologies as a key element of comprehensive national traffic safety programs. This is particularly true for two wheel vehicles in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Importantly, US resources in diplomacy settings are also subject to loss because of deployment into these risky settings, lack of adaptability to traffic cultures and systems locally, and limited skills training. The United States Marine Corps has utilized two wheel motorcycle simulation based technologies as part of a comprehensive education and training strategy to reduce fatalities and injuries amongst military personnel operating motorcycles off-duty. Positive experiences with motorcycle vehicle-simulator training program indicate further potential to validate impact on injury rates and efficacy of motorcycle simulator technology both for those assigned abroad and for relevant LMICs personnel. Other international professional and charitable organizations contending with similar risks abroad would also benefit from shared advances in traffic safety training utilizing motorcycle simulators. By improving traffic safety in these environments, health care resources can be shifted from expensive reactive, acute care trauma settings to investments in longer term public health infrastructures, medicines, and outreach.
Les modèles économiques de l’accès libre : réflexions à partir de l’expérience d’Érudit
Authors: Paquin Émilie
Published: November 2013

La plateforme Érudit (http://www.erudit.org/) est une institution phare dans le domaine de la documentation au Québec. Ses collections, comme sa consultation, sont en progression continue. Malgré cela, le financement d’Érudit reste problématique. Il s’agira d’abord, dans cet article, de dresser un portrait des principaux défis auxquels fait face une structure comme Érudit au moment de revoir son modèle d’affaires, et de souligner, ensuite, l’impact des modes de financement de l’accès libre, non seulement sur la libre circulation des résultats de la recherche, mais aussi sur la recherche elle-même, sur les domaines qu’elle défriche et sur l’indépendance avec laquelle elle est conduite.
Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Carcinoma: Experience at a Single Institution
Authors: Kumagai Youichi , Nagata Koji , Ishiguro Toru , Haga Norihiro , Kuwabara Kohki , Sobajima Jun , Kumamoto Kensuke , Ishibashi Keiichiro , Baba Hiroyuki , Shimizu Michio , Tamaru Jun-ichi , Kawano Tatsuyuki , Takubo Kaiyo , Ishida Hideyuki
Published: November 2013

This retrospective study investigated the clinicopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of esophageal basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC). Among 190 patients with esophageal carcinoma treated surgically between 1998 and 2011, we identified 9 (4.7%) with BSC. All of the patients were male, with a median age of 65 years. The frequencies of venous invasion, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis were 56%, 89%, and 67%, respectively. A total of 2 patients were pathologic stage 1, 5 were stage 2, and 2 were stage 3. Tumor recurrence was observed in 56% of the patients. The 5-year survival rate for patients with esophageal BSC was 40%, which was compatible with the figure of 53.8% for control patients (n = 18) with typical squamous cell carcinoma matched for sex, age, tumor location, and pathologic stage (P = 0.45). Although esophageal BSC shows aggressive lymph-vascular invasion and has a high likelihood of recurrence, its prognosis seems identical to that of typical squamous cell carcinoma.
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Localized Neurofibroma of the Esophagus: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Nishikawa Katsunori , Omura Noburo , Yuda Masami , Tanaka Yujiro , Matsumoto Akira , Tanishima Yuichiro , Ishibashi Yoshiro , Yanaga Katsuhiko , Ikegami Masahiro
Published: November 2013

Esophageal submucosal tumors are less common than other gastrointestinal tract tumors. Leiomyoma is the most common benign esophageal SMT, accounting for more than 70% of these tumors. We report on a case of a 56-year-old woman with a 3-cm diameter midthoracic esophageal submucosal tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested leiomyoma or neurofibroma. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed to enucleate the tumor from the esophageal wall by splitting the muscle layers. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 8. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal neurofibroma. Gastrointestinal tract involvement of neurofibromatous lesions is rare and occurs most frequently as a systemic manifestation of von Recklinghausen disease. Cases of localized esophageal neurofibroma with prior or subsequent evidence of generalized neurofibromatosis have rarely been documented. This is a rare case of isolated esophageal neurofibroma without classic systemic manifestations of generalized neurofibromatosis, and it is the first reported case treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
Tumor Compression–Induced Portal Obstruction and Selective Transarterial Chemoembolization Increase Functional Liver Volume in the Unobstructed Area, Facilitating Successful Resection of a Large HCC
Authors: Tokunaga Ryuma , Hayashi Hiromitsu , Masuda Toshiro , Mima Kosuke , Chikamoto Akira , Tanaka Hiroshi , Horino Kei , Ishiko Takatoshi , Takamori Hiroshi , Beppu Toru , Baba Hideo
Published: November 2013

A 62-year-old man with hepatitis B was admitted for treatment of a large hepatocellular carcinoma. The right portal vein was completely obstructed by tumor compression. Although we initially planned a right trisectionectomy as curative hepatectomy, the percentage of future remnant liver volume (%RLV) and the percentage of functional liver volume (%RFLV) were 31.2% and 41.3%, respectively. Because %RFLV showed marginal tolerability for curative hepatectomy and %RLV was very low, we opted for transarterial chemoembolization of segment IV and the right lobe containing the tumor as an approach to selectively reduce liver volume and abolish liver function. One month later, %RLV and %RFLV had dramatically increased to 46.6% and 67.2%, resulting in curative hepatectomy. Our results suggest that tumor compression–induced portal obstruction and selective transarterial chemoembolization increase %RFLV much more than %RLV. This may represent a useful approach in preoperative management in patients with large hepatocellular carcinomas to improve %RFLV for hepatic resection.
Two Rare Metachronous Metastases of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Shinya Satoshi , Noritomi Tomoaki , Yamauchi Yasushi , Sasaki Takamistu , Hamada Yoshihiro , Yamashita Yuichi
Published: November 2013

A 59-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to liver cirrhosis caused by the hepatitis C virus underwent cadaveric whole liver transplantation. Two years later, he had a metastatic HCC in the superior mediastinum. Over the following postoperative year, he underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for 4 tumors in the implanted liver. In the third post-TACE month, he was emergently hospitalized due to intracerebral hematoma with a tumor invading the bone in the medial frontal segment. He underwent emergency intracranial tumorectomy and hemorrhage removal. The histopathologic diagnosis was metastatic HCC. He regained consciousness as well as the ability to speak and to feed himself, resulting in an improved quality of life. The incidence of HCC recurrence after liver transplantation is observed in approximately 8% to 11% of selected cases, with frequent relapses observed in the implanted liver, bones, adrenal glands, and lungs. Mediastinal and intracranial metastases from HCC post-liver transplantation are very rare.
Monitoring the width of the tropical belt with GPS radio occultation measurements
Authors: Ao Chi O. , Hajj Amanda J.
Published: November 2013

GPS radio occultation data collected over the period 2002–2011 were analyzed to examine the possible expansion of the tropical belt due to climate change. By the use of high vertical‐resolution temperature profiles, monthly averages of the lapse rate tropopause were obtained and used to derive a decade‐long time series of the tropical edge latitude (TEL) in each hemisphere and its linear trends. Two different TEL criteria were examined. Our analysis shows that a statistically significant widening trend of ≈1° latitude/decade was found in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) by either criterion. This contrasts strongly with the Southern Hemisphere (SH), where no statistically significant trends were found. Comparison with ECMWF reanalysis shows good agreement, but the agreement is worse over SH. Substantial differences in seasonal trends were found between NH and SH, with the latter showing strong widening in the austral summer countered by contraction over the austral winter and spring.
Low‐Tech Transgression: The Interventional Work of EXYZT
Authors: Römer Alex , Aït‐Sidhoum Naïm
Published: November 2013

Alex Romer and Naïm Aït‐Sidhoum define EXYZT's practice as one characterised by ‘transgressive forms’ and ‘construction devices’. They explain how this has come about through the studio's penchant for the loose conditions of leftover spaces – derelict urban sites or marginal spaces by the sides of roads and railway lines – which require the building of temporary structures in tight timetables on limited budgets.
Gasoline permeation behavior and mechanical properties of polyamide 6/nanoclay, polyamide 6/PE‐g‐maleic anhydride blend, and polyamide 6/PE‐g‐maleic anhydride/clay nanocomposite
Authors: Rouhollahi Ahmadreza , Khorasani Saied Nouri , Farzadfar Alireza , Khalili Shahla , Asgari Mohammad
Published: November 2013

In this article, polyamide 6 (PA6)/clay nanocomposites, PA6/polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) blends, and PA6/PE‐g‐MA/clay nanocomposites were prepared and their gasoline permeation behavior and some mechanical properties were investigated. In PA6/clay nanocomposites, cloisite 30B was used as nanoparticles, with weight percentages of 1, 3, and 5. The blends of PA6/PE‐g‐MA were prepared with PE‐g‐MA weight percents of 10, 20, and 30. All samples were prepared via melt mixing technique using a twin screw extruder. The results showed that the lowest gasoline permeation occurred when using 3 wt % of nanoclay in PA6/clay nanocomposites, and 10 wt % of PE‐g‐MA in PA6/PE‐g‐MA blends. Therefore, a sample of PA6/PE‐g‐MA/clay nanocomposite containing 3 wt % of nanoclay and 10 wt % of PE‐g‐MA was prepared and its gasoline permeation behavior was investigated. The results showed that the permeation amount of PA6/PE‐g‐MA/nanoclay was 0.41 g m−2 day−1, while this value was 0.46 g m−2 day−1 for both of PA6/3wt % clay nanocomposite and PA6/10 wt % PE‐g‐MA blend. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40150.
A ‘Twitter’ Generation Perspective on Biorefining
Authors: Tolbert Allison , Ragauskas Alyse M.E. , Akinosho Hannah , Hu Fan , Wells Tyrone , Sun Qining , Meng Xianzhi , Ragauskas Art J.
Published: November 2013

A quick examination of today's biorefining leaders in government, academia and industry brings to mind a group of experts in the prime of their life. Nonetheless, the field has attracted numerous students globally which will become the generation that converts the vision to an established industry. To reflect their interests, I asked several graduate/undergraduate students involved in the field to provide “Twitter‐like” definitions of the “A, B, C” of biorefining, which have been summarized below:
Meta-analysis of ischaemic preconditioning for liver resections
Authors: O'Neill S , Leuschner S , McNally S J , Garden O J , Wigmore S J , Harrison E M
Published: November 2013

Background

Vascular clamping reduces blood loss during liver resection but leads to ischaemia–reperfusion injury. Ischaemic preconditioning (IP) may reduce this. This study aimed to evaluate IP in liver resection under clamping.

Methods

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating IP in adults undergoing liver resection under either continuous clamping (CC) or intermittent clamping (IC). Primary outcomes were mortality, liver failure and morbidity. Secondary outcomes included duration of operation, blood loss, length of hospital stay, length of intensive therapy unit stay, transfusion requirements, prothrombin time, and bilirubin and aminotransferase levels. Weighted mean differences were calculated for continuous data, and pooled odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous data. Results were produced with a random-effects model with 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.).

Results

A total of 2960 records were identified and 11 RCTs included 669 patients (IP 331, control 338). No significant difference in mortality (6 RCTs; IP 186, control 190; OR 1·36, 95 per cent c.i. 0·13 to 13·68; P = 0·80) or morbidity (6 RCTs; IP 186, control 190; OR 0·58, 0·31 to 1·07; P = 0·08) was found for IP plus CCversus CC. Nor was there a significant difference in mortality (4 RCTs; IP 122, control 121; OR 1·33, 0·24 to 7·32; P = 0·74) or morbidity (4 RCTs; IP 122, control 121; OR 0·87, 0·52 to 1·47; P = 0·61) for IP plus (CC or IC) versus IC. No significant differences were found for secondary outcome measures.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis failed to find a significant benefit of IP in liver resection.
Randomized clinical trial of intraoperative superficial cervical plexus blockversusincisional local anaesthesia in thyroid and parathyroid surgery
Authors: Egan R J , Hopkins J C , Beamish A J , Shah R , Edwards A G , Morgan J D T
Published: November 2013

Background

Moderate wound pain and opiate analgesia requirement is reported following thyroid and parathyroid surgery. A randomized clinical trial was performed to investigate whether intraoperative superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) would decrease postoperative pain and analgesia use.

Methods

Patients were randomized to incisional local anaesthesia (control) or incisional local anaesthesia plus intraoperative SCPB. The primary outcome measure was pain, assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures were analgesia use (strong opiates defined as having potency at least as strong as that of oral morphine), respiratory rate and sedation score. Primary outcome measures were analysed with non-parametric tests, as well as with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves calculated as area under the curve (AUC) to discriminate between trial limbs.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were randomized to each group. Pain (VAS) scores were lower in patients who received intraoperative SCPB than in controls 30 min after surgery and subsequently (P < 0·020 at all time points), with a median pain score of zero on the day of operation in the SCPB group. Corresponding analysis of ROC curves showed differences between groups at 30 min (AUC = 0·722, P = 0·012), 90 min (AUC = 0·747, P = 0·005), 150 min (AUC = 0·803, P < 0·001) and 210 min (AUC = 0·849, P < 0·001) after surgery, and at 07.00 hours on postoperative day 1 (AUC = 0·710, P = 0·017). Fewer patients in the SCPB group required strong opiates (5 of 29 versus 16 of 29 in the control group; P = 0·003) and rescue opiates (6 of 29 versus 20 of 29; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Intraoperative SCPB reduces pain scores following thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and reduces the requirement for strong and rescue opiates. Registration number: 2009-012671-98 (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu).
Randomized clinical trial of fluid and salt restriction compared with a controlled liberal regimen in elective gastrointestinal surgery
Authors: Kalyan J P , Rosbergen M , Pal N , Sargen K , Fletcher S J , Nunn D L , Clark A , Williams M R , Lewis M P N
Published: November 2013

Background

Excessive intravenous fluid prescription may play a causal role in postoperative complications following major gastrointestinal resectional surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate whether fluid and salt restriction would decrease postoperative complications compared with a more modern controlled liberal regimen.

Methods

In this observer-blinded single-site randomized clinical trial consecutive patients undergoing major gastrointestinal resectional surgery were randomized to receive either a liberal control fluid regimen or a restricted fluid and salt regimen. The primary outcome was postoperative complications of grade II and above (moderate to severe).

Results

Some 240 patients (194 colorectal resections and 46 oesophagogastric resections) were enrolled in the study; 121 patients were randomized to the restricted regimen and 119 to the control (liberal) regimen. During surgery the control group received a median (interquartile range) fluid volume of 2033 (1576–2500) ml and sodium input of 282 (213–339) mmol, compared with 1000 (690–1500) ml and 142 (93–218) mmol respectively in the restricted group. There was no significant difference in major complication rate between groups (38·0 and 39·0 per cent respectively). Median (range) hospital stay was 8 (3–101) days in the controls and 8 (range 3–76) days among those who received restricted fluids. There were four in-hospital deaths in the control group and two in the restricted group. Substantial differences in weight change, serum sodium, osmolality and urine : serum osmolality ratio were observed between the groups.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in major complication rates, length of stay and in-hospital deaths when fluid restriction was used compared with a more liberal regimen. Registration number: ISRCTN39295230 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Presented to the United European Gastroenterology Congress, Barcelona, Spain, October 2010; published in abstract form as Gut 2010; 59(Suppl 3): A15
Outcomes following prosthetic patch repair in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Jawaid W B , Qasem E , Jones M O , Shaw N J , Losty P D
Published: November 2013

Background

The anatomical defect in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can usually be closed primarily but prosthetic patch repair may be required in newborns with a deficient diaphragm. High rates of patch failure and hernia recurrence (up to 50 per cent) have been reported. This study evaluated contemporary outcomes following patch repair of CDH at a UK paediatric surgical centre.

Methods

Medical records of newborns undergoing surgery for CDH between 1 February 1990 and 1 November 2010, and attending a multidisciplinary follow-up clinic, were examined. Operative details and patch utilization are reported.

Results

Of 118 newborns with CDH, 37 required a patch to the diaphragmatic defect. Gore-Tex® patches were used in 35 and biological Surgisis® patches in two. Eight babies additionally required an abdominal wall patch. Seven infants had an abdominal patch alone with primary diaphragm repair. A total of 102 infants (86·4 per cent) survived after surgery. Two early recurrences were both related to the use of biological patches, leading to revisional surgery with Gore-Tex® patch reconstruction. Diaphragmatic patch use was associated with a greater requirement for intensive cardiovascular and respiratory support, although there was no significant difference in mortality between patch versus primary diaphragm repair. The mortality rate was significantly higher among infants requiring abdominal wall patching (with or without a diaphragmatic patch): 40 per cent (6 of 15) versus 9·7 per cent (10 of 103) (P = 0·006). Postoperative survival rates for infants with a diaphragmatic patch alone, abdominal wall patch alone, and both abdominal and diaphragmatic patches were 86 per cent (25 of 29), 57 per cent (4 of 7) and 63 per cent (5 of 8) respectively.

Conclusion

Prosthetic diaphragmatic hernia repair at this centre has a good outcome and low rate of recurrence (5 per cent). The recognition of an inadequate abdominal domain prenatally may additionally prove to be a useful marker for predicting increased mortality in newborns with CDH.
Population-based study of presentation and adverse outcomes after femoral hernia surgery
Authors: Humes D J , Radcliffe R S , Camm C , West J
Published: November 2013

Background

Rates of emergency admission with femoral hernia are high compared with those for other hernias. This study aimed to determine the modes and consequences of presentation to primary care before admission to hospital.

Methods

This was a population-based cohort study using healthcare records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to Hospital Episode Statistics data from 1997 to 2007. Length of hospital stay, bowel resection rates and 30-day mortality were calculated.

Results

A total of 885 patients (690 female, 78.0 per cent) underwent femoral hernia repair, with 406 operations (45·9 per cent) performed as an emergency. The majority of patients who were admitted as an emergency (331, 81·5 per cent) presented to the general practitioner for the first time with symptoms of a hernia in the 7 days before admission, compared with just ten (2·1 per cent) of 479 patients admitted electively (P < 0·001). The median (i.q.r.) length of stay for patients undergoing elective surgery was 1 (0–2) day compared with 5 (3–9) days for those having an emergency repair (P < 0·001). Adverse events were more common among patients operated on as emergency, with 94 (23·2 per cent) having a small bowel resection compared with one (0·2 per cent) who had elective surgery. There were no deaths within 30 days in the elective group, but seven (1·7 per cent) in the emergency group.

Conclusion

A large proportion of patients with femoral hernia present late to primary care and are operated on as an emergency, with worse outcomes.

Presented to the Annual Meeting of the Society of Academic and Research Surgery, Nottingham, UK, January 2012; published in abstract form as Br J Surg 2012; 99(Suppl 4): 18
Harnessing the complexity of metabolomic data with chemometrics
Authors: Boccard Julien , Rudaz Serge
Published: November 2013

Because of the ever‐increasing number of signals that can be measured within a single run by modern platforms in analytical chemistry, life sciences datasets become not only gradually larger but also more intricate in their structures. Challenges related to making use of this wealth of data include extracting relevant elements within massive amounts of signals possibly spread across different tables, reducing dimensionality, summarising dynamic information in a comprehensible way and displaying it for interpretation purposes. Metabolomics constitutes a representative example of fast‐moving research fields taking advantage of recent technological advances to provide extensive sample monitoring. Because of the wide chemical diversity of metabolites, several analytical setups are required to provide a broad coverage of complex samples. The integration and visualisation of multiple highly multivariate datasets constitute key issues for effective analysis leading to valuable biological or chemical knowledge. Additionally, high‐order data structures arise from experimental setups involving time‐resolved measurements. These data are intrinsically multiway, and classical statistical tools cannot be applied without altering their organisation with the risk of information loss. Dedicated modelling algorithms, able to cope with the inherent properties of these metabolomic datasets, are therefore mandatory for harnessing their complexity and provide relevant information. In that perspective, chemometrics has a central role to play. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.