bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sacred comedy: The problems and possibilities of Peter Berger's Theory of Humor
Authors: Feltmate David
Published: October 2013

Peter Berger is one of the world's best known sociologists of religion, having made significant contributions to the theories of the social construction of religious worlds and secularization theory. He is also a lay theologian who has never been shy about putting forth his religious interpretations of modernity and combining his theological concerns with his sociological insights. This article considers the role of humor in Berger's overarching theoretical framework, demonstrating its consistency over a thirty-six year period in his writings from
Metabolic syndrome and its components among obese (BMI ≥95th) Mexican adolescents
Authors: Evia-Viscarra Maria Lola , Rodea-Montero Edel Rafael , Apolinar-Jiménez Evelia , Quintana-Vargas Silvia
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in obese Mexican adolescents and to compare the clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical characteristics between patients with and without MS by sex. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 110 obese adolescents (boys and girls) from 8 to 16 years old (BMI ≥95th percentile), who were recruited in the pediatric obesity clinic of a third-level care hospital. A frequency analysis was used to estimate the prevalence of MS and its components, and the assessments were compared between the sexes and between the groups with and without MS using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The prevalence of MS was 62%. In order of prevalence, the following components of MS were observed in the sample: abdominal obesity (88%), high triglycerides (TG) (85%), low HDL-C (60%), hypertension (35%), and hyperglycemia (5%). In the groups with MS, hypertension (P<0.001), waist circumference (P=0.003), and TG (P=0.012) were significantly higher, and HDL-C (P<0.001) was significantly lower. In conclusion the prevalence of MS and its components is high among obese Mexican-Hispanic children. These findings show the importance of preventing and treating obesity in the early stages of life in order to decrease the incidence rates of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Cellular insulin resistance disrupts hypothalamic mHypoA-POMC/GFP neuronal signaling pathways
Authors: Nazarians-Armavil Anaies , Chalmers Jennifer A , Lee Claire B , Ye Wenqing , Belsham Denise D
Published: October 2013

POMC neurons play a central role in the maintenance of whole-body energy homeostasis. This balance requires proper regulation of POMC neurons by metabolic hormones, such as insulin. However, the heterogeneous cellular population of the intact hypothalamus presents challenges for examining the molecular mechanisms underlying the potent anorexigenic effects of POMC neurons, and there is currently a complete lack of mature POMC neuronal cell models for study. To this end, we have generated novel, immortalized, adult-derived POMC-expressing/α-MSH-secreting cell models, mHypoA-POMC/GFP lines 1–4, representing the fluorescence-activated cell-sorted POMC population from primary POMC-eGFP mouse hypothalamus. The presence of Pomc mRNA in these cell lines was confirmed, and α-MSH was detected via immunofluorescence. α-MSH secretion in the mHypoA-POMC/GFP-1 was found to increase in response to 10 ng/ml ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) or 10 nM insulin as determined by enzyme immunoassay. Further experiments using the mHypoA-POMC/GFP-1 cell line revealed that 10 ng/ml CNTF increases Pomc mRNA at 1 and 2 h after treatment, whereas insulin elicited an increase in Pomc mRNA level and decreases in insulin receptor (Insr (Ir)) mRNA level at 4 h. Furthermore, the activation of IR-mediated downstream second messengers was examined by western blot analysis, following the induction of cellular insulin resistance, which resulted in a loss of insulin-mediated regulation of Pomc and Ir mRNAs. The development of these immortalized neurons will be invaluable for the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie POMC neuronal function under normal and perturbed physiological conditions.
Optimizing Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Exploring the Benefits of Continuous Kinase Suppression
Authors: Le Cesne Axel , Blay Jean-Yves , Reichardt Peter , Joensuu Heikki
Published: October 2013

Background.

The oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) imatinib has revolutionized the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), most of which harbor oncogenic mutation in genes that encode the receptor tyrosine kinases KIT or PDGFA. Imatinib is the standard of care for patients with advanced GIST and for patients with primary GIST at significant risk of recurrence after surgery.

Design.

This review discusses data supporting continuous kinase suppression with imatinib and key issues, including response to imatinib reintroduction, effect of treatment interruption on secondary resistance to imatinib, and prognostic factors associated with sustained response to imatinib.

Results.

Long-term follow-up results of the B2222 study and updated results of the BFR14 trial demonstrate that continuous imatinib treatment in patients with advanced GIST is associated with reduced risk of progression. For patients progressing on or intolerant of imatinib, continuing therapy with TKIs sunitinib followed by regorafenib is recommended. In the adjuvant setting, final results of the trial by the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group and the Sarcoma Group of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie demonstrate that 3 years of adjuvant imatinib, compared with 1 year, significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and improves overall survival of patients with KIT-positive GIST at high risk of recurrence.

Conclusions.

Maintenance of therapy with TKIs is the key to successful treatment of GIST. Results from recent studies provide a strong rationale for continuous imatinib treatment for 3 years following surgical resection and long-term continuous administration in advanced or metastatic GIST.
Pilot Studies for Personalized Cancer Medicine: Focusing on the Patient for Treatment Selection
Authors: De Mattos-Arruda Leticia , Rodon Jordi
Published: October 2013

Learning Objectives

Describe approaches to individualized cancer treatment that are showing promise in clinical trials. Identify barriers that exist to designing studies that provide individual, rather than aggregate, results.
Concrete's green credentials boosted by carbonation study
Authors: De Saulles Tom
Published: October 2013

The embodied carbon dioxide content of concrete is already among the lowest of the main construction materials. Tom De Saulles of MPA The Concrete Centre reports on a new study into carbonation, which is set to provide a further boost to concrete's environmental credentials.
Institution of Civil Engineers launches online image library
Authors: Marney Rose
Published: October 2013

The Institution of Civil Engineers holds one of the largest and oldest collections of civil engineering photographs and drawings in the world. A new online service is making access for practitioners and researchers even easier, says librarian Rose Marney.
State of the art of steel–concrete composite structures in Brazil
Authors: De Nardin Silvana , Debs Ana El
Published: October 2013

Steel–concrete composite structures are now increasingly used in Brazil and are the subject of significant research by the country's leading universities. This paper summarises the typology, state of the art and usage of steel–composite structures from a Brazilian perspective. It presents the concepts, definitions and design philosophy for basic structural elements, including composite slabs, beams and columns, and also for various types of connections. Summaries of the extensive research findings are presented for each composite element. The paper concludes with a call for all the research results to be condensed into a single design manual, which in turn will help Brazil's fastgrowing construction industry take full advantage of the benefits of composite construction techniques.
Population fluctuations of moths and small rodents in relation to plant reproduction indices in southern Norway
Authors: Selås Vidar , Kobro Sverre , Sonerud Geir A.
Published: October 2013

Trophic interaction hypotheses for multiannual population fluctuations of herbivores include the predation hypothesis, the induction hypothesis and the plant stress hypothesis. Spatial synchrony is best explained by plant stress, such as high reproduction, because weather may synchronize resource allocation in plants over large areas. We used a 29‐yr time series on moth light trapping (6 selected species) and small rodent snap trapping (2 selected species) from southern Norway to test whether herbivore population fluctuations can be related to sexual reproduction of their host plants. The fluctuation pattern of the moths Parashwammerdamia lutarea and Yponomeuta padella, feeding on leaves of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), could be explained by fluctuations in an annual index of rowanberry production, whereas the fluctuation pattern of Yponomeuta evonymella, feeding on leaves of bird cherry (Prunus padus), could not. The moth Eulithis populata, feeding on bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaves, fluctuated in synchrony with the bank vole (Myodes clethrionomys), which feeds on bilberry twigs in winter. E. populata and the bank vole also fluctuated in synchrony with a shorter index on bilberry seed crops. Finally, two moths feeding on mosses, Eudonia truncicolella and Catoptria falsella, fluctuated in synchrony with the moss‐feeding wood lemming (Myopus schisticolor). The observed patterns could be caused by a positive effect of the supply of highly nutritious reproductive plant tissue, but the one‐year delayed response by the rodents, which to a large extent feed on the plant species in question during winter, suggests that feeding deterrents are involved.
Linking Geophysics and Soil Function Modeling—An Application Study for Biomass Production
Authors: Krüger Janine , Franko Uwe , Fank Johann , Stelzl Ernest , Dietrich Peter , Pohle Marco , Werban Ulrike
Published: October 2013

Modeling of soil functions often faces rough estimations of soil properties. These rough estimations originate from coarse soil survey maps and miss to adequately represent small‐scale soil heterogeneity. This study presents an approach to account for this heterogeneity to improve biomass production modeling. We employed two common proximal soil sensing (PSS) methods: ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic induction (EMI) to describe soil depths over small spatial scales at the field site Wagna (Austria). The experiment encompasses highly heterogenic soil depth variations of fine topsoil above sandy subsoil. These variations are only roughly contained in the “standard” soil parameterization (STSP) although they strongly influence the local soil water balance. To adequately map small scale soil depth variation for the entire experiment we exploited the advantages of GPR (exact detection of boundary depth between top‐ and subsoil) and EMI (rapid scan on field scales to obtain distinct soil patterns). Both, the resulting small scale “geophysical adapted” soil map and the coarse scale STSP served as soil input for Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics (CANDY) Plant Universal Simulator (PLUS) to model plant biomass production. The validation with “geophysical adapted” parameterization indicated an improved performance with a RMSE of the modeled grain biomass of 1762.7 kg ha−1 in comparison to 3584.6 kg ha−1 with STSP. The result demonstrated PSS to provide important small‐scale soil data that can improve agro‐ecosystem modeling.
Hydropedology and Preferential Flow in the Tasmanian Texture‐Contrast Soils
Authors: Hardie Marcus , Doyle Richard , Cotching William , Holz Greg , Lisson Shaun
Published: October 2013

The two‐way interaction between soil morphology and the processes governing soil water movement were investigated for a range of texture‐contrast soil profiles. The texture‐contrast soils consisted of a seasonally water‐repellent sandy loam A1 horizon over a bleached silica‐cemented A2e horizon and a mottled vertic clay subsoil. Differences in soil morphology and structure among sites had little influence on the proportion of soil that participated in infiltration or the maximum depth of infiltration; however, differences in subsoil structure influenced the processes by which water infiltrated and was stored within the B2 horizons. The occurrence of preferential flow was largely controlled by the effects of antecedent soil moisture content on water repellence in the A1 horizon, silica bridging in the A2e horizon, and clay shrinkage in the B2 horizons. Under dry soil conditions, infiltration resulted from up to five different forms of preferential flow. When soils were near field capacity, most forms of preferential flow ceased; however, wetting front instability and lateral flow developed in the A1 horizon. Preferential flows are not thought to have contributed to the pedogenesis of the texture‐contrast soils. Development of the contrasting soil texture horizons, sand infills, and bleached A2e horizons developed before and independently of the observed preferential flow processes in which reworked aeolian sands buried previously developed clay columns.
25 (OH) Vitamin D Levels and Renal Disease Progression in Patients with Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy and Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System
Authors: Fernández-Juárez Gema , Luño José , Barrio Vicente , de Vinuesa Soledad García , Praga Manuel , Goicoechea Marian , Lahera Vicente , Casas Luisa , Oliva Jesús
Published: October 2013

Background and objectives

Experimental studies show that 25 (OH) vitamin D is a suppressor of renin biosynthesis and that vitamin D deficiency has been associated with CKD progression. Patients with type II diabetes and CKD have an exceptionally high rate of severe 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency; however, it is not known whether this deficiency is a risk factor for progression of diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to investigate whether there is an association of 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency with disease progression in type II diabetic nephropathy.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

25 (OH) vitamin D levels were measured at baseline and 4 and 12 months in 103 patients included in a multicenter randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of combining an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor blocker with the efficacy of each drug in monotherapy to slow progression of established diabetic nephropathy during 2006–2011. The primary composite endpoint was a >50% increase in baseline serum creatinine, ESRD, or death. All study participants were included in the analysis.

Results

Fifty-three patients (51.5%) had 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency (<15 ng/ml). After a median follow-up of 32 months, the endpoint was reached by 23 patients with deficiency (43.4%) and 8 patients without (16%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for urinary protein/creatinine ratio, estimated GFR, and baseline aldosterone showed that 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency was associated with the primary endpoint (hazard ratio, 2.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.84 to 7.67; P=0.04).

Conclusions

These results show that 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency is independently associated with a higher risk of the composite outcome in patients with type II diabetic nephropathy.
Metformin, but Not Rosiglitazone, Attenuates the Increasing Plasma Levels of a New Cardiovascular Marker, Fibulin-1, in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Skov Vibe , Cangemi Claudia , Gram Jeppe , Christensen Mette M. , Grodum Ellen , Sørensen Ditte , Argraves W. Scott , Henriksen Jan E. , Rasmussen Lars M.
Published: October 2013

OBJECTIVE

The extracellular matrix protein fibulin-1 is upregulated in the arterial wall in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and circulates in increased concentrations in diabetes. Metformin is an antidiabetic drug with beneficial cardiovascular disease effects in diabetes. We hypothesized that metformin would influence the increased level of plasma fibulin-1 in diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

After a 4-week run-in period, 371 eligible patients with T2D were randomized to treatment groups in a factorial design including insulin alone (control), +metformin, +rosiglitazone, or +both metformin and rosiglitazone. Plasma fibulin-1 was analyzed at the beginning of the study and after 18 and 24 months.

RESULTS

Plasma fibulin-1 increased in all groups throughout the 2-year period; however, the increase was strongly attenuated among patients treated with metformin. A highly significant difference was observed when the mean change in plasma fibulin-1 was compared between metformin- and non–metformin-treated individuals both at 18 and 24 months of treatment, but rosiglitazone had no effect. Metformin and rosiglitazone alone reduced the HbA1c levels to comparable levels and in combination even further.

CONCLUSIONS

Metformin attenuates the increase in plasma fibulin-1 concentrations in T2D, independently of glycemic effects. Changes in fibulin-1 may reflect an important element in diabetic arteriopathy that can be influenced by metformin.
Low Prevalence of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Patients With Type 1 Diabetes in a European Mediterranean Population
Authors: Aguilera Eva , Serra-Planas Enric , Granada M. Luisa , Alonso Núria , Pellitero Silvia , Pizarro Eduarda , Reverter Jordi Lluís , Salinas Isabel , Soldevila Berta , Mauricio Dídac , Puig-Domingo Manel
Published: October 2013

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the presence of early carotid and coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes with no history of ischemic heart disease.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

One hundred and fifty patients with type 1 diabetes (58% males; 38.6 ± 8.1 years, 20.4 ± 8.1 years of evolution; HbA1c 8.1 ± 2.3%; 52% nonsmokers; 26% retinopathy; 9% microalbuminuria) and 50 nondiabetic control subjects age and sex matched were studied. Carotid ultrasonography to determine common carotid artery intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and the presence of atheroma plaques and cardiac computed tomography for calcium analysis and quantification (coronary artery calcium score [CACS]) were performed.

RESULTS

Most patients with type 1 diabetes and control subjects displayed a CACS of 0 (82 vs. 92%). Patients with type 1 diabetes with CACS ≥1 were older and had higher HbA1c (44.5 ± 5.1 vs. 36.7 ± 8.1 years [P < 0.001] and 8.5 ± 1.1 vs. 7.8 ± 1.0% [P < 0.003], respectively) and longer evolution of diabetes (25.4 ± 9.2 vs. 19.3 ± 7.4 years, P < 0.005) and mean c-IMT (0.67 ± 0.18 vs. 0.53 ± 0.11 mm, P < 0.001) compared with patients with CACS of 0. Smoking (P < 0.02), nephropathy (P < 0.05), retinopathy (P < 0.05), and male sex (P < 0.03) were significantly and positively associated with CACS ≥1. Mean c-IMT was significantly higher in patients with type 1 diabetes (0.55 ± 0.14 vs. 0.48 ± 0.14 mm, P < 0.01), and 11% of them presented atheroma plaques (8% of control subjects). Multivariant logistic regression analysis showed that c-IMT was related to CACS (β = 6.87, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A small percentage of patients with type 1 diabetes showed data suggestive of subclinical atherosclerosis. Universal screening of coronary disease in this population is not justified. Carotid ultrasonography may be useful for screening in the subset of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and long disease evolution.
Gut retention time in captive brown bears Ursus arctos
Authors: Elfström Marcus , St⊘en Ole‐Gunnar , Zedrosser Andreas , Warrington Ian , Swenson Jon E.
Published: October 2013

Knowing animals' gut retention time (GRT) for important food items is critical when using non‐invasive studies based on faecal remains, e.g. when analysing nutritive quality of food, or relating diet or behaviour to movements. We analysed GRT in six captive brown bears Ursus arctos, after feeding on either berries (a mixture of bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and lingonberry V. vitis‐idaea) or animal carcasses (either reindeer Rangifer tarandus, European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, domestic pig Sus scrofa domestica, cattle Bos taurus or horse Equus ferus caballus). Median GRT50% (i.e. when 50% of all faeces containing experimental food had been defecated) was 5 hours and 47 minutes (1st and 3rd quartiles = 4 hours and 36 minutes and 7 hours and 3 minutes; N = 20) after feeding on berries and 14 hours and 30 minutes (1st and 3rd quartiles = 10 hours and 9 minutes and 16 hours and 57 minutes; N = 20) after feeding on carcasses. Median GRTmin (i.e. first defecation comprised of experimental food) was 3 hours and 5 minutes (1st and 3rd quartiles = 1 hour and 51 minutes and 4 hours and 12 minutes; N = 21) for berries and 8 hours and 2 minutes (1st and 3rd quartiles = 6 hours and 14 minutes and 10 hours and 44 minutes; N = 20) for carcasses. Median GRTmax (i.e. last defecation comprised of experimental food) was 15 hours and 27 minutes (1st and 3rd quartiles = 11 hours and 36 minutes and 17 hours and 16 minutes; N = 21) for berries and 16 hours and 16 minutes (1st and 3rd quartiles = 12 hours and 11 minutes and 17 hours and 27 minutes; N = 20) for carcasses. A carcass diet had 6 hours and 26 minutes ± 1 hour and 56 minutes (SE) longer GRT50% than a berry diet (N = 39), despite low variation in food intake. Activity level, feeding time (midday/midnight), sex, age (subadult/adult), ingested amounts of food, prior food remains processed by the gut (i.e. cumulative faeces weight) and defecation rate did not influence the GRT50%. Our reported GRT estimates are reliable values to be used within research and management to relate diet based on faecal remains to habitat use for common and important food items used by Scandinavian brown bears.
Dispersal behaviour of a polygynous carnivore: do cougars Puma concolor follow source‐sink predictions?
Authors: Stoner David C. , Wolfe Michael L. , Mecham Clint , Mecham McLain B. , Durham Susan L. , Choate David M.
Published: October 2013

The source‐sink model of population dynamics predicts that density drives emigration of subordinate animals to habitats offering lower competition for resources. Several authors have suggested use of this model as a potential framework for conservation of exploited carnivores when precise enumeration is unfeasible. Dispersal is a critical behavioural mechanism for management based on this model, yet there is a lack of knowledge on the habitat and social conditions that motivate carnivore emigration and settlement. The cougar Puma concolor is a widely distributed and heavily exploited carnivore, indigenous to the western hemisphere. We evaluated patterns in cougar dispersal behaviour from two sites in Utah, differing in terms of management and the level of natural and anthropogenic habitat fragmentation. We used our results to evaluate three predictions with respect to cougar dispersal behaviour: 1) natal population density and maternal reproductive status prompt emigration, 2) movement of dispersing cougars is shaped by habitat configuration and permeability, and 3) dispersers preferentially settle in areas of high habitat quality and low conspecific density. We documented the emigration of 62 individuals and measured movement variables, including sex and site‐specific frequency, distance, seasonality, direction and the habitat quality and harvest rates characterizing areas where immigrants settled. Although males and females exhibited pronounced differences in dispersal frequency, we found few differences in distance traveled, season of departure and direction moved. Dispersal occurred most frequently during spring, coinciding with the estrus pulse. Natural and anthropogenic obstacles modified landscape permeability, and therefore dispersal distances were shorter in fragmented habitats than in contiguous ones. Relative to males, females dispersed into habitats of lower productivity with higher mean annual harvest rates. Patterns in male settlement suggested habitat selection based on mating opportunities, whereas female settlement was predicated on avoiding conspecifics. Cougars in this Great Basin ecosystem largely conformed to source‐sink predictions. Results can be used to parameterize source‐sink models based on animal behaviour and landscape permeability to conserve exploited carnivores, under conditions of population expansion or recolonization of habitats where Allee effects are a limiting factor.
Contexts Matter
Authors: Hart Cassandra M. D.
Published: October 2013

This study examines public school characteristics, and public and private school market characteristics, associated with participation among elementary-aged students in a means-tested school voucher program in Florida. Participants are more likely than eligible nonparticipants to come from disadvantaged public schools on multiple dimensions. On average, participants’ public schools have lower aggregate student achievement, and higher rates of disciplinary incidents. Participants’ schools receive less positive ratings on various measures from principals and teachers. Participants face more competitive private school markets, and less competitive public school markets, than do nonparticipants. When these factors are considered together, the mean achievement and disciplinary incident rate of students’ own public schools, as well as public and private school market variables, independently predict voucher use.
Finding Urjo Kareda in the Archive
Authors: Riley Jessica
Published: October 2013

Hoping to get closer to her dissertation subject, the late Urjo Kareda, Jessica Riley embarks on a search through the dusty documents of the past. But is it really Kareda she finds in the archive?
Factors neurosurgery candidates use when choosing a residency program
Authors: Marasa Lauren H. , Pittman Thomas A.
Published: October 2013

Object

Many factors affect an applicant's decision when selecting a residency program. While some issues are likely important to all applicants, others may be specific to, or weighed differently by, those applying to certain specialties. In an effort to better understand how applicants to neurosurgery programs make decisions about relative rank, the authors created a survey to identify the program characteristics thought most important by applicants.

Methods

An electronic survey was created and posted to the neurosurgery residency coordinator's forum. Coordinators throughout the country were asked to send the survey link to students who were scheduled to begin as first-year residents in July of 2012. A paper copy of the survey was also distributed at the Society of Neurological Surgeons intern boot camp in Atlanta, Georgia, in July of 2012.

Results

One hundred ninety-six students obtained a neurosurgical postgraduate year 1 position in the 2011–2012 match; 40 survey responses were received (response rate 20.4%). The factors cited as being most important in selecting a residency were the residents currently in the program, team camaraderie, and the number of operative cases performed. The interview day, specifically the opportunity to talk to the residents, was also thought to be important, as was the knowledge that the applicant would likely be ranked by the program.

Conclusions

Applicants for neurosurgical training choose a program for reasons similar to those given by applicants to other specialties. Neurosurgery applicants seem marginally more interested in an emphasis on academics and research and slightly less concerned with a program's location, but overall, the differences appear minimal. The interview process is very important, and contact by a representative after the interview also seems significant in applicants' decision making. By recognizing what applicants think is important in choosing a residency, programs can more effectively recruit residents and more efficiently use faculty time and department resources.
Endovascular correction of an infantile intracranial venous outflow obstruction
Authors: Soltanolkotabi Maryam , Rahimi Shahram , Hurley Michael C. , Bowman Robin M. , Russell Eric J. , Ansari Sameer A. , Shaibani Ali
Published: October 2013

The authors report on the case of a 7-year-old boy who presented with a reduced level of activity, macrocephaly, prominent scalp veins, and decreased left-sided visual acuity. Imaging workup demonstrated generalized cerebral volume loss, bilateral chronic subdural hematomas, absent left sigmoid sinus, hypoplastic left transverse sinus, and severe focal weblike stenosis of the right sigmoid sinus. Right sigmoid sinus angioplasty and stent insertion was performed, with an immediate reduction in the transduced intracranial venous pressure gradient across the stenosis (from 22 to 3 mm Hg). Postprocedural diminution of prominent scalp and forehead veins and spinal venous collateral vessels was followed by a progressive improvement in visual acuity and physical activity over a 1-year follow-up period, supporting the efficacy of angioplasty and stent insertion in intracranial venous outflow obstruction.

There are multiple potential causes of intracranial venous hypertension in children. Development of dural sinus stenosis in infancy may be one such cause, mimicking the clinical presentation of other causes such as vein of Galen malformations. This condition can be ameliorated by early endovascular revascularization.
Impact of posterior cerebral artery involvement on long-term clinical and social outcome of pediatric moyamoya disease
Authors: Funaki Takeshi , Takahashi Jun C. , Takagi Yasushi , Yoshida Kazumichi , Araki Yoshio , Kikuchi Takayuki , Kataoka Hiroharu , Iihara Koji , Miyamoto Susumu
Published: October 2013

Object

In the study of pediatric moyamoya disease, information on long-term social outcomes and risk factors for unfavorable social outcomes remains insufficient. The authors analyzed the long-term results of surgical revascularization for pediatric patients with moyamoya disease to determine whether the involvement of a stenoocclusive lesion in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), relatively common in pediatric moyamoya disease, represents an underlying predictor for unfavorable social outcomes.

Methods

Prospectively collected data on 61 consecutive patients with moyamoya disease who had undergone combined bypass surgery were analyzed. Neuroradiological features and other baseline clinical factors were incorporated into univariate and multivariate analyses to determine any association with an unfavorable social outcome, defined as difficulty attending regular school or obtaining regular employment.

Results

Posterior cerebral artery involvement detected by angiography on admission was noted in 22 (36.1%) of the 61 patients. Follow-up data were acquired in 56 patients (91.8%), and the mean follow-up period was 15.8 years. While transient ischemic attacks were eliminated in 52 (92.9%) of these 56 patients after surgery, and late-onset ischemic stroke was observed in only 1 patient during the follow-up period, 10 (17.9%) experienced an unfavorable social outcome. Although younger age at onset, longer duration between onset and surgery, infarction present on preoperative neuroradiological images, and PCA involvement had been identified as risk factors for an unfavorable social outcome in univariate analysis, only infarction present on preoperative images and PCA involvement remained statistically significant after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusions

Posterior cerebral artery involvement can be considered one of the underlying risk factors for unfavorable social outcome and should be studied further to improve social outcome in pediatric moyamoya disease.
Bow hunter's syndrome: the use of dynamic magnetic resonance angiography and intraoperative fluorescent angiography
Authors: Anaizi Amjad Nasr , Sayah Anousheh , Berkowitz Frank , McGrail Kevin
Published: October 2013

Bow hunter's syndrome is a diagnosis typically made using dynamic digital subtraction angiography. The authors present the case of a 68-year-old woman who presented with symptoms consistent with bow hunter's syndrome that was accurately diagnosed utilizing noninvasive dynamic MR angiography. The dynamic MR angiogram clearly illustrated unilateral vertebral artery compression upon turning of the head. A subsequent CT of the cervical spine showed a ventral C-1 osteophyte within the foramen. The patient underwent posterior surgical decompression of the left vertebral artery. Sufficient decompression was confirmed using intraoperative fluorescent angiography with the patient's head turned. This case report is the first to illustrate that dynamic MR angiography can be a reliable and less invasive diagnostic tool. It can also be used to confirm sufficient postoperative decompression and monitor for recurrence. Intraoperative fluorescent angiography has been previously used in the evaluation of intracranial and extracranial vascular patency. This report is the first to show that fluorescent angiography can offer rapid and reliable intraoperative evaluation of vertebral artery decompression in bow hunter's syndrome.
Publisher’s Note: Children and Sustainability
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: October 2013

We are launching the open access journal Children, a scholarly forum with pediatrics as the main focus. The journal title came to the minds of Dr. Brietta Pike and I in 2011, when both of us were lucky enough to have a new baby in our respective families. [...]
Are the Economically Optimal Harvesting Strategies of Uneven-Aged Pinus nigra Stands Always Sustainable and Stabilizing?
Authors: López-Torres Ignacio , Ortuño-Pérez Sigfredo , García-Robredo Fernando , Fullana-Belda Carmen
Published: October 2013

Traditional uneven-aged forest management seeks a balance between equilibrium stand structure and economic profitability, which often leads to harvesting strategies concentrated in the larger diameter classes. The sustainability (i.e., population persistence over time) and influence of such economically optimal strategies on the equilibrium position of a stand (given by the stable diameter distribution) have not been sufficiently investigated in prior forest literature. This article therefore proposes a discrete optimal control model to analyze the sustainability and stability of the economically optimal harvesting strategies of uneven-aged Pinus nigra stands. For this model, we rely on an objective function that integrates financial data of harvesting operations with a projection matrix model that can describe the population dynamics. The model solution reveals the optimal management schedules for a wide variety of scenarios. To measure the distance between the stable diameter distribution and the economically optimal harvesting strategy distribution, the model uses Keyfitz’s delta, which returns high values for all the scenarios and, thus, suggests that those economically optimal harvesting strategies have an unstabilizing influence on the equilibrium positions. Moreover, the economically optimal harvesting strategies were unsustainable for all the scenarios.
Thermodynamic Tuning of Mg-Based Hydrogen Storage Alloys: A Review
Authors: Zhu Min , Lu Yanshan , Ouyang Liuzhang , Wang Hui
Published: October 2013

Mg-based hydrides are one of the most promising hydrogen storage materials because of their relatively high storage capacity, abundance, and low cost. However, slow kinetics and stable thermodynamics hinder their practical application. In contrast to the substantial progress in the enhancement of the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics, thermodynamic tuning is still a great challenge for Mg-based alloys. At present, the main strategies to alter the thermodynamics of Mg/MgH2 are alloying, nanostructuring, and changing the reaction pathway. Using these approaches, thermodynamic tuning has been achieved to some extent, but it is still far from that required for practical application. In this article, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of these strategies. Based on the current progress, finding reversible systems with high hydrogen capacity and effectively tailored reaction enthalpy offers a promising route for tuning the thermodynamics of Mg-based hydrogen storage alloys.
Biological Activity of Oleanane Triterpene Derivatives Obtained by Chemical Derivatization
Authors: Cheng Shi-Yie , Wang Chao-Min , Cheng Hsueh-Ling , Chen Hui-Jye , Hsu Yuan-Man , Lin Yu-Chi , Chou Chang-Hung
Published: October 2013

Nine new derivatives of oleanane triterpenoids isolated from Fatsia polycarpa Hayata were synthesized through chemical transformations. Acetylation was effected by reaction with acetic anhydride in pyridine to afford compounds 1–5, while compound 6 was obtained using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC·HCl) in CH2Cl2. The others derivatives 7–9 were obtained in reactions of the corresponding triterpenoids with EDC·HCl, 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine hydrochloride and 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine in CH2Cl2. The structures of 1–9 were elucidated from extensive spectroscopic and HRESIMS data, while the structure of 9 was further confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxic, anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV), antibacterial, hypoglycaemic and Wnt signaling activities of these derivatives were evaluated in vitro.
Synthesis and Protective Effect of New Ligustrazine-Benzoic Acid Derivatives against CoCl2-Induced Neurotoxicity in Differentiated PC12 Cells
Authors: Wang Penglong , Zhang Honggui , Chu Fuhao , Xu Xin , Lin Jinxuan , Chen Chunxiao , Li Guoliang , Cheng Yatao , Wang Lin , Li Qiang , Zhang Yuzhong , Lei Haimin
Published: October 2013

A series of novel ligustrazine-benzoic acid derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their protective effect against cobalt chloride-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells. Combining hematoxylin and eosin staining, we found compound that (3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)methyl 3-methoxy-4-[(3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)methoxy]benzoate (4a) displayed promising protective effect on the proliferation of the injured PC12 cells (EC50 = 4.249 µM). Structure-activity relationships are brieﬂy discussed.
Liposome Formulation of Fullerene-Based Molecular Diagnostic and Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Zhou Zhiguo
Published: October 2013

Fullerene medicine is a new but rapidly growing research subject. Fullerene has a number of desired structural, physical and chemical properties to be adapted for biological use including antioxidants, anti-aging, anti-inflammation, photodynamic therapy, drug delivery, and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. Chemical functionalization of fullerenes has led to several interesting compounds with very promising preclinical efficacy, pharmacokinetic and safety data. However, there is no clinical evaluation or human use except in fullerene-based cosmetic products for human skincare. This article summarizes recent advances in liposome formulation of fullerenes for the use in therapeutics and molecular imaging.
A Wearable Inertial Measurement Unit for Long-Term Monitoring in the Dependency Care Area
Authors: Rodríguez-Martín Daniel , Pérez-López Carlos , Samà Albert , Cabestany Joan , Català Andreu
Published: October 2013

Human movement analysis is a field of wide interest since it enables the assessment of a large variety of variables related to quality of life. Human movement can be accurately evaluated through Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), which are wearable and comfortable devices with long battery life. The IMU’s movement signals might be, on the one hand, stored in a digital support, in which an analysis is performed a posteriori. On the other hand, the signal analysis might take place in the same IMU at the same time as the signal acquisition through online classifiers. The new sensor system presented in this paper is designed for both collecting movement signals and analyzing them in real-time. This system is a flexible platform useful for collecting data via a triaxial accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer, with the possibility to incorporate other information sources in real-time. A µSD card can store all inertial data and a Bluetooth module is able to send information to other external devices and receive data from other sources. The system presented is being used in the real-time detection and analysis of Parkinson’s disease symptoms, in gait analysis, and in a fall detection system.
Hydroxyurea Potentiates the Caspase-Independent Killing of B-Cell Lines by Rituximab and GA101
Authors: Daniels Ian , Abulayha Abdulmunem , Haynes Andrew P.
Published: October 2013

Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma over the last decade. Unfortunately, a significant number of patients treated by these antibodies exhibit innate or acquired antibody resistance and fail to respond to treatment. Strategies to improve antibody function and overcome resistance include the development of new “engineered” antibodies and the use of new drug combination therapies. In this report, we show that the antimetabolite hydroxyurea significantly enhances the ability of two therapeutic monoclonal antibodies to directly kill some human B-cells. The two anti-CD20 antibodies studied were a clinically well-established type 1 therapeutic antibody, namely rituximab and GA101, an antibody representing the new breed of type 2 glycoengineered monoclonals. Hydroxyurea specifically enhanced the direct caspase-independent killing pathway of both of these antibodies as exemplified by the resistance to broad spectrum caspase inhibitors, lack of internucleosomal DNA laddering, and lack of activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9. Both rituximab and GA101 appear to preferentially kill cells in the G0/G1cell cycle phase. One of the many reported effects of hydroxyurea is cell arrest in this phase. Arresting antibody-sensitive cells in this stage of the cell cycle by means other than hydroxurea also sensitized the cells to caspase-independent antibody-mediated death, suggesting that the potentiating effect of hydroxyurea may be mediated via its effects upon the cell cycle. The possible combination of hydroxyurea and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies may offer new possibilities for combination therapies in the clinic.
Mobilité et passage à l'âge adulte
Authors: Flipo Aurore
Published: October 2013

L’entrée dans l’Union européenne de dix pays d’Europe centrale et orientale, en 2004 et 2007, a été accompagnée du départ de centaines de milliers de jeunes vers les pays de l’ouest et du sud de l’Europe. Dans un contexte économique difficile, la mobilité apparaît comme une nouvelle option possible pour des jeunes en quête d’intégration professionnelle. Il s’agit alors de comprendre quelle est l’articulation entre mobilité internationale et passage à l’âge adulte dans le parcours des jeunes migrants intra-européens.
Naissance : pourquoi valoriser le corps ?
Authors: Lacroix Xavier
Published: October 2013

La naissance se joue à l’articulation de la chair et de la parole. Le choix qui consisterait à dissocier volontairement naissance et filiation équivaudrait à exposer délibérément les enfants concernés à un parcours semé d’embûches. Une société en a-t-elle le droit ?
Un projet de paix perpétuelle. Fédéralisme et pacifisme chez Jacques Novicow
Authors: Alleno Kevin
Published: October 2013

J. Novicow (1849-1912) est un penseur pacifiste et fédéraliste quelque peu oublié. Contempteur virulent du darwinisme social, son œuvre s’attaque à la guerre de manière générale, systématique et rationnelle. Sociologue de formation, sa pensée est très fortement inspirée par Kant, le positivisme comtien et le libéralisme. Identifiant le concept de souveraineté comme le mal principal, il estime que son éradication par l’établissement d’une fédération est l’unique solution pour établir une paix viable. Son pacifisme et son internationalisme l’amènent par ailleurs à un certain rapprochement avec les socialistes.
Lorsque le Quai d'Orsay dictait des articles : la fabrication de l'opinion publique dans l'entre-deux-guerres
Authors: Meltz Renaud
Published: October 2013

Comment les diplomates français appréhendaient-il la notion d’opinion publique dans l’entre-deux-guerres ? La notion leur était évidemment familière, en pratique, après l’expérience de la guerre, mais ils ne l’ont guère théorisée. S’il est possible de comprendre comment les diplomates se la représentaient grâce à la définition fonctionnelle qui ressort de l’emploi de l’expression « opinion publique », il est frappant de constater qu’il n’existait pas de réflexion sur sa nature et peu d’outils pour l’appréhender. À vrai dire, l’effort de connaître l’opinion domestique, réduit à l’exercice de la revue de presse, mobilisait beaucoup moins d’énergie que la volonté de la modeler. En bonne logique, cet exercice passait par le contrôle de la presse.
Simulating the Stiffness of RC Beams Strengthened by CFRP with Secondary Load by ANSYS
Authors: Sun Li Ping , Liu Zheng , Yang Chen Xing , Zhang Ze Fu
Published: October 2013

The purpose of the paper is to simulate stress distribution of flexural members which is reinforced with CFRP with secondary load using ANSYS, so the flexural performance the beams containing with same layer of CFRP which is affected by different torque can be studied. As a result, the comparison of the stiffness and deflection of beams influenced by different load history (with initial load or not) and different layers of CFRP in this paper will provide guidance for project.
Analysis the Flexural Properties of RC Beams Strengthened by High Strength Steel Wire Mesh and Polymer Mortar Using the Finite Element
Authors: Sun Li Ping , Liu Zheng , Liu Yan Zi
Published: October 2013

The high strength steel wire mesh and polymer mortar reinforcement technology has the advantages of high strength, high temperature resistance,corrosion,resistant, etc. In this paper,we analysis the flexural properties of RC beams strengthened by it using ANSYS.To bear the same moment in the same area of the reinforcement steel strand, and then get effect of different span and different reinforcement methods (comparative beam, direct reinforced beams,and secondary load of reinforced beams) on flexural load-carrying capacity and deflection, then compare and analysis,and draws the conclusion which can provide reference for practical engineering.
Application of Simulated Annealing Particle Swarm Optimization in Response Spectrum Fitting of Simulated Earthquake Wave
Authors: Wang Xue Ni , Zhou Jing
Published: October 2013

In order to get a simulated earthquake wave whose response spectrum fitted well to the smooth design response spectrum, a model was established by making the standard error between the response spectrum of simulated earthquake wave and the design response spectrum as the minimal optimization objective. Simulated annealing particle swarm optimization algorithm, which was an improvement algorithm of particle swarm optimization, was used to solve the model. This spectrum fitting method was compared with the conventional spectrum fitting method, which adjusted Fourier amplitude spectrum in frequency domain. The results show that the method of response spectrum fitting by applying simulated annealing particle swarm optimization algorithm has a good convergence. And the response spectrum of simulated earthquake wave generated by simulated annealing particle swarm optimization algorithm agrees better with the design response spectrum than that by conventional spectrum fitting method.
A Practical Approach of Greedy Algorithm
Authors: Xu Mo Han , Wang Hong Qing
Published: October 2013

On the basis of the greedy algorithm, we discuss the classification of the campsites, and a combination of the best rafting program stands out from the many programs. Therefore, in order to meet the full use of the campsites of river and under the premise of reducing encounter times, we make the best planning enable the river to accommodate the largest amount. After statistics, we find that utilization in our model can be achieved as high as 98.5%.