bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Periprocedural Brain Lesions Associated with Carotid Stenting
Authors: Russjan Arkadiusz , Goebell Einar , Havemeister Stefanie , Thomalla Götz , Cheng Bastian , Beck Christoph , Krützelmann Anna , Fiehler Jens , Gerloff Christian , Rosenkranz Michael
Published: December 2011

Background: Carotid stenting carries a risk of periprocedural stroke. We aimed at determining predictors of cerebral ischemic events associated with stenting for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Methods: 127 patients who had been studied by diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) before and on the day after carotid stenting were included. Six clinical variables and 5 variables characterizing the target carotid artery and aortic atherosclerosis were analyzed as potential risk factors for new ipsilateral DWI lesions after stenting. Results: Among all variables assessed, only age, length of stenosis and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) significantly modified the risk of new lesions after stenting. Age ≧68 years, stenosis ≧15 mm and IMT ≧1.3 mm were identified as the best thresholds to predict new lesions. In the subgroup of patients ≧68 years with carotid stenosis ≧15 mm in length and IMT ≧1.3 mm, the risk of new lesions was markedly higher than in patients to whom no more than two of these factors applied (odds ratio 7.250, 95% CI 1.612–34.513, p = 0.005). The use of this simple predictive model correctly identified patients who had new lesions after stenting with high specificity (0.96) and a negative predictive value (0.83), while the positive predictive value was moderate (0.60) and sensitivity was low (0.23). Conclusions: The risk of stenting for symptomatic carotid stenosis may vary with clinical and morphological patient characteristics. Further research is needed to validate these results and to evaluate the safety of stenting versus endarterectomy in specific patient subgroups.
Efficacy of Ustekinumab in Nail Psoriasis and Improvement in Nail-Associated Quality of Life in a Population Treated with Ustekinumab for Cutaneous Psoriasis: An Open Prospective Unblinded Study
Authors: Rigopoulos D. , Gregoriou S. , Makris M. , Ioannides D.
Published: December 2011

Background: The objective of this open-label prospective unblinded study was to evaluate the efficacy of ustekinumab in nail psoriasis and the improvement of patient quality of life (QoL). Methods: Twenty-seven patients with plaque psoriasis and fingernail involvement were treated with the standard ustekinumab regimen. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 16, 28 and 40 using the nail psoriasis severity index (NAPSI). QoL was evaluated before and after treatment using the international onychomycosis-specific questionnaire. Results: The pairwise comparisons showed statistically significant NAPSI reduction in 4, 16, 28 and 40 weeks compared to the baseline score. The mean NAPSI at week 40 was 2.00 ± 2.337. The international onychomycosis QoL scores were significantly improved at all time points (p < 0.001). No patient reported any adverse events. Conclusions: Even though no control group was used in this study, ustekinumab was effective and safe in the treatment of nail psoriasis.
The first methodical collection of French royal statutes: the Tractatus ordinationum regiarum by Étienne Aufréri (end of the 15th century – beginning of the 16th century)
Authors: Arabeyre Patrick
Published: December 2011

Little is known about the history of the first collections of French royal statutory law which appeared towards the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century. Étienne Aufréri's Tractatus ordinationum regiarum, one of the first collections to appear in print (1513–1514) and the first methodical collection of the kind, sheds some light on those early developments. The history of the collection (viz. its authorship, date and successive versions), its structure and its character (as a distinctive type of legal work, with its specific subject-matter and drafting technique) show that it was a learned undertaking at a time when the Toulouse Parlement (i.e. the supreme regional court of justice) was establishing its own particular tradition of records and when the royal procedural system was asserting its predominance.
Studying Framing in Political Communication with an Integrative Approach
Authors: D’Angelo Paul
Published: December 2011

This article explores the nature of framing as being an inherently integrative approach to political communication research. It proposes a two-part definition of integrative: “bring together” and “fit into.” It holds that knowledge about framing is depicted in models that show a shifting landscape of conceptual definitions of frame and framing, arguing that within a given piece of framing research, the bring-together approach leads to a focus on the operational level of design rather than the level of concept explication and theory development, which is the province of the fit-into approach. Although all framing studies must contain an element of each approach, many studies are characterized by a tension between them.
Vocal Stereotypy in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Lanovaz Marc J. , Sladeczek Ingrid E.
Published: December 2011

Vocal stereotypy is a common problem behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorders that may interfere considerably with learning and social inclusion. To assist clinicians in treating the behavior and to guide researchers in identifying gaps in the research literature, the authors provide an overview of research on vocal stereotypy in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, the authors review the research literature on behavioral interventions to reduce engagement in vocal stereotypy with an emphasis on the applicability of the procedures in the natural environment and discuss the clinical implications and limitations of research conducted to date. Researchers have shown that several antecedent-based and consequence-based interventions may be effective at reducing vocal stereotypy. However, the review suggests that more research is needed to assist clinicians in initially selecting interventions most likely to produce desirable changes in vocal stereotypy and collateral behavior in specific circumstances.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act’s Early Childhood Programs
Authors: Hebbeler Kathleen , Spiker Donna , Kahn Lynne
Published: December 2011

National policy affects local practice in a variety of ways and through a variety of mechanisms. In this article, the authors examine what has been learned from Individuals With Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA) two early childhood (EC) programs about the power and limitations of policy as a lever to improve the lives of young children. Ecological theory provides a useful framework for understanding how IDEA directly and indirectly influences the provision of services to young children with disabilities and their families. Experience implementing Part C and Part B Preschool for 25 years not only confirms the power of the law’s vision but also reveals some barriers to effective nationwide implementation. Implementation issues in four areas are discussed: access to services, the quality of services, cost and funding, and outcomes. The current move to build coordinated and integrated EC systems in states presents new opportunities and new challenges in these areas for IDEA’s early childhood programs.
The Dynamics of Family Trouble
Authors: Francis Ara A.
Published: December 2011

Because families are primary venues for self construction, they are also common sites of identity disruption, loss, and inner turmoil. Sociologists have a long tradition of studying the personal effects of troublesome family circumstances such as separation or divorce, illness, and death. However, scholars of these topics contribute to separate lines of research and rarely build on one another’s work. Drawing from interviews with middle-class parents whose children suffered from a range of problems, this article introduces “family trouble” as a concept that captures the similar social psychological elements of disruptive family events. On a broader level, the article highlights the relationship between the disruption of social order and the disruption of selves.
Simulating Dynamic Capabilities and Value Creation in Family Firms
Authors: Chirico Francesco , Nordqvist Mattias , Colombo Gianluca , Mollona Edoardo
Published: December 2011

The authors conduct a simulation study using system dynamics methods to interpret how and when paternalism affects dynamic capabilities (DCs) and by association value creation in family firms. Their simulation experiments suggest that the effect of paternalism on DCs and value creation varies over time. Initially, increasing levels of family social capital and low levels of paternalism are associated with high rates of DCs and value creation accumulation ( asset). Later, higher levels of paternalism produce their pressure to decrease DCs, value creation, and family social capital accumulation rates ( liability).
Determination of sensor location for cutting tool deflection using finite element method simulation
Authors: Ghani Jaharah A , Jye Poh Siang , Haron Che Hassan Che , Rizal Muhammad , Nuawi Mohd Zaki
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the the optimum locations to mount the sensor for measuring the cutting tool deflection during turning process using finite element method simulation. In this study, stress analysis had been conducted using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2010 integrated with ANSYS software. The simulation results were validated using a strain gauge as the sensor for the detection of cutting force signal during the turning of hardened plain carbon steel JIS S45C using carbide tool. Two strain gauges were mounted on the tool holder at two defined locations I and II, at distances of 37 and 47 mm, respectively, from the cutting point. Only one set of cutting parameters was conducted at spindle speed, N = 1000 rpm, feed, f = 0.25 mm/rev and depth of cut, d = 0.80 mm. The turning process was stopped and the insert discarded when the average flank wear, VBm, reached 0.30 mm. The main cutting force, Fy, and the feed force, Fx, for each machining run were measured, collected and analysed at locations I and II. It was found that when strain gauges were placed at a distance of approximately 43 mm from the cutting point, it was the optimum location for sensing the cutting force signals.
Defining dynamic route structure for airspace configuration
Authors: Zelinski S , Jastrzebski M
Published: December 2011

This article describes a method for defining route structure from flight tracks. Individual merge and diverge intersections between pairs of flights are identified, clustered, and grouped into nodes of a route structure network. Links are placed between nodes to represent major traffic flows. A parametric analysis determined the algorithm input parameters producing route structures of current day flight plans that are closest to today's airway structure. These parameters are then used to define and analyse the dynamic route structure over the course of a day for current day flight paths. Route structures are also compared between current day flight paths and more user-preferred paths such as great circle and weather avoidance routing.
Advanced damage tolerance and risk analysis methodologies and tools for aircraft structures containing multiple-site and multiple-element fatigue damages
Authors: Liao M , Bombardier Y , Renaud G , Bellinger N
Published: December 2011

This article presents the results obtained from the development of advanced damage tolerance analysis (DTA) and risk analysis methodologies and tools for aircraft structures, including build-up structures containing multiple-site fatigue damage (MSD) and multiple-element damage, to support the Canadian Forces aircraft structural life cycle management. The DTA methods developed include new closed-form solutions and generic finite element (FE) based tools to calculate the stress intensity factors and the β-solutions for build-up structural configurations. To facilitate the risk assessment, an in-house crack growth analysis program, CanGROW, was developed to simultaneously grow multiple cracks. Guidelines were established to calculate the residual strength of structures with MSD and multiple-element damage using global and/or local FE models, considering load redistribution among adjacent components. For the MSD risk analysis, an efficient Monte Carlo simulation technique was developed to determine the crack size distributions at different inspection intervals, which were then used in National Research Council Canada’s risk analysis code probabilistic damage tolerance analysis to calculate the single flight hour probability of failure. Case studies on critical locations of the CC-130 centre wing structure are presented to demonstrate the capability of the developed methods and tools.
Core-Self Evaluations and Team Performance
Authors: Haynie Jeffrey J.
Published: December 2011

Team composition literature has established associations of team personality composition and performance in previous research. This study adds to this literature by examining the positive relationship of mean core self-evaluations (CSE) and team performance as well as the moderating effect of team-member exchange (TMX) on this relationship. Using 63 senior business student teams engaged in a management-simulation exercise, there was no support for the main effect of CSE above any variance explained in team performance by mean levels of the Big 5 factors. However, there was strong support for TMX as a moderator where mean CSE was only found to positively relate with team performance when TMX was high. The discussion will detail the results and future directions for research.
The ‘Sexting’ Quagmire: Criminal Justice Responses to Adolescents’ Electronic Transmission of Indecent Images in the UK and the USA
Authors: Stone Nigel
Published: December 2011

Adolescent embrace of electronic communication with peers often involves sharing indecent images of each other, sometimes with abusive consequences. How should the criminal justice system respond? Use of conventional child pornography legislation can be inappropriately heavy-handed and draconian. This article considers recent developments in the United States and considers how this mode of juvenile indiscretion fits with law, policy and practice in England and Wales.
Meaning making and avoidance in parenting
Authors: Solem May-Britt
Published: December 2011

This article challenges the use of the concept of avoidance as dysfunctional in parenting, and questions research on parental coping practices in isolation from context. Sixteen parents with children with more or less behaviour problems were selected for analysis. The concept avoidance strategy constituted the analytical theme in situations associated with stress, and parents’ meaning making was the focus of analysis. Parental coping is not only related to internal processes, but also to the risk or opportunities in the social systems. All parents use avoidance actions in various ways, which may also be seen as adaptive and proactive actions. The meaning of age, gender, living conditions, social support, and the parents’ resources are significant in the framing of family life. It is significant to stretch the concept ‘normality’ to include more variation and diversity. By bringing in knowledge from ‘normal’ parenting processes into clinical practice, clinical cases may not always seem clinical.
A LASSO-based approach to analyzing rare variants in genetic association studies
Authors: Brennan Jennifer S , He Yunxiao , Calixte Rose , Nyirabahizi Epiphanie , Jiang Yuan , Zhang Heping
Published: December 2011

Genetic markers with rare variants are spread out in the genome, making it necessary and difficult to consider them in genetic association studies. Consequently, wisely combining rare variants into “composite” markers may facilitate meaningful analyses. In this paper, we propose a novel approach of analyzing rare variant data by incorporating the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator technique. We applied this method to the Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 data, and our results suggest that this new approach is promising. In addition, we took advantage of having 200 phenotype replications and assessed the performance of our approach by means of repeated classification tree analyses. Our method and analyses were performed without knowledge of the underlying simulating model. Our method identified 38 markers (in 65 genes) that are significantly associated with the phenotype Affected and correctly identified two causal genes, SIRT1 and PDGFD.
Effect of population stratification analysis on false-positive rates for common and rare variants
Authors: He Hua , Zhang Xue , Ding Lili , Baye Tesfaye M , Kurowski Brad G , Martin Lisa J
Published: December 2011

Principal components analysis (PCA) has been successfully used to correct for population stratification in genome-wide association studies of common variants. However, rare variants also have a role in common disease etiology. Whether PCA successfully controls population stratification for rare variants has not been addressed. Thus we evaluate the effect of population stratification analysis on false-positive rates for common and rare variants at the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and gene level. We use the simulation data from Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 and compare false-positive rates with and without PCA at the SNP and gene level. We found that SNPs’ minor allele frequency (MAF) influenced the ability of PCA to effectively control false discovery. Specifically, PCA reduced false-positive rates more effectively in common SNPs (MAF > 0.05) than in rare SNPs (MAF < 0.01). Furthermore, at the gene level, although false-positive rates were reduced, power to detect true associations was also reduced using PCA. Taken together, these results suggest that sequence-level data should be interpreted with caution, because extremely rare SNPs may exhibit sporadic association that is not controlled using PCA.
Identification of functional genetic variation in exome sequence analysis
Authors: Jaffe Andrew , Wojcik Genevieve , Chu Audrey , Golozar Asieh , Maroo Ankit , Duggal Priya , Klein Alison P
Published: December 2011

Recent technological advances have allowed us to study individual genomes at a base-pair resolution and have demonstrated that the average exome harbors more than 15,000 genetic variants. However, our ability to understand the biological significance of the identified variants and to connect these observed variants with phenotypes is limited. The first step in this process is to identify genetic variation that is likely to result in changes to protein structure and function, because detailed studies, either population based or functional, for each of the identified variants are not practicable. Therefore algorithms that yield valid predictions of a variant’s functional significance are needed. Over the past decade, several programs have been developed to predict the probability that an observed sequence variant will have a deleterious effect on protein function. These algorithms range from empirical programs that classify using known biochemical properties to statistical algorithms trained using a variety of data sources, including sequence conservation data, biochemical properties, and functional data. Using data from the pilot3 study of the 1000 Genomes Project available through Genetic Analysis Workshop 17, we compared the results of four programs (SIFT, PolyPhen, MAPP, and VarioWatch) used to predict the functional relevance of variants in 101 genes. Analysis was conducted without knowledge of the simulation model. Agreement between programs was modest ranging from 59.4% to 71.4% and only 3.5% of variants were classified as deleterious and 10.9% as tolerated across all four programs.
Advantages of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with triple-negative breast cancer at Stage II: usefulness of prognostic markers E-cadherin and Ki67
Authors: Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Yashiro Masakazu , Takashima Tsutomu , Aomatsu Naoki , Ikeda Katsumi , Ogawa Yoshinari , Ishikawa Tetsuro , Hirakawa Kosei
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is characterized by negativity for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), is a high risk breast cancer that lacks specific targets for treatment selection. Chemotherapy is, therefore, the primary systemic modality used in the treatment of this disease, but reliable parameters to predict the chemosensitivity of TNBC have not been clinically available.

Methods

A total of 190 TNBC patients who had undergone a curative resection of a primary breast cancer were enrolled. The adjuvant chemotherapy was performed for 138 (73%) of 190 TNBC cases; 60 cases had an anthracyclin-based regimen and 78 a 5-fluorouracil-based regimen. The prognostic value of E-cadherin, Ki67 and p53 expression in the outcome of TNBC patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results

The adjuvant therapy group, especially those with Stage II TNBC, had a more favorable prognosis than the surgery only group (P = 0.0043), while there was no significant difference in prognosis between the anthracyclin-based regimen and 5-fluorouracil-based regimen. Patients with E-cadherin-negative and Ki67-positive expression showed significantly worse overall survival time than those with either E-cadherin-positive or Ki67-negative expression (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the combination of E-cadherin-negative and Ki67-positive expression was strongly predictive of poor overall survival (P = 0.004) in TNBC patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. In contrast, p53 status was not a specific prognostic factor.

Conclusions

Adjuvant therapy is beneficial for Stage II TNBC patients. The combination of E-cadherin and Ki67 status might be a useful prognostic marker indicating the need for adjuvant chemotherapy in Stage II TNBC patients.
Estimating Unknown Input Parameters when Implementing the NGA Ground-Motion Prediction Equations in Engineering Practice
Authors: Kaklamanos James , Baise Laurie G. , Boore David M.
Published: December 2011

The ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) developed as part of the Next Generation Attenuation of Ground Motions (NGA-West) project in 2008 are becoming widely used in seismic hazard analyses. However, these new models are considerably more complicated than previous GMPEs, and they require several more input parameters. When employing the NGA models, users routinely face situations in which some of the required input parameters are unknown. In this paper, we present a framework for estimating the unknown source, path, and site parameters when implementing the NGA models in engineering practice, and we derive geometrically-based equations relating the three distance measures found in the NGA models. Our intent is for the content of this paper not only to make the NGA models more accessible, but also to help with the implementation of other present or future GMPEs.
Acute Stress Increases the Synthesis of 7α-Hydroxypregnenolone, a New Key Neurosteroid Stimulating Locomotor Activity, through Corticosterone Action in Newts
Authors: Haraguchi Shogo , Koyama Teppei , Hasunuma Itaru , Okuyama Shin-ichiro , Ubuka Takayoshi , Kikuyama Sakae , Do Rego Jean-Luc , Vaudry Hubert , Tsutsui Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2011

7α-Hydroxypregnenolone (7α-OH PREG) is a newly identified bioactive neurosteroid stimulating locomotor activity in the brain of newt, a wild animal, which serves as an excellent model to investigate the biosynthesis and biological action of neurosteroids. Here, we show that acute stress increases 7α-OH PREG synthesis in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) through corticosterone (CORT) action in newts. A 30-min restraint stress increased 7α-OH PREG synthesis in the brain tissue concomitant with the increase in plasma CORT concentrations. A 30-min restraint stress also increased the expression of cytochrome P4507α (CYP7B), the steroidogenic enzyme of 7α-OH PREG formation, in the DMH. Decreasing plasma CORT concentrations by hypophysectomy or trilostane administration decreased 7α-OH PREG synthesis in the diencephalon, whereas administration of CORT to these animals increased 7α-OH PREG synthesis. Glucocorticoid receptor was present in DMH neurons expressing CYP7B. Thus, CORT appears to act directly on DMH neurons to increase 7α-OH PREG synthesis. We further investigated the biological action of 7α-OH PREG in the brain under stress. A 30-min restraint stress or central administration of 7α-OH PREG increased serotonin concentrations in the diencephalon. Double immunolabeling further showed colocalization of CYP7B and serotonin in the DMH. These results indicate that acute stress increases the synthesis of 7α-OH PREG via CORT action in the DMH, and 7α-OH PREG activates serotonergic neurons in the DMH that may coordinate behavioral responses to stress. This is the first demonstration of neurosteroid biosynthesis regulated by peripheral steroid hormone and of neurosteroid action in the brain under stress in any vertebrate class.
Pelvic organ prolapse: review of the aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and management
Authors: Machin Sarah Elizabeth , Mukhopadhyay Sambit
Published: December 2011

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition affecting a large number of women. Incidence increases after the menopause. Age, parity and obesity are the most consistently reported risk factors. Many women can be asymptomatic of prolapse but common symptoms include a sensation of a bulge or fullness in the vagina or urinary, bowel or sexual dysfunction. Management depends upon symptoms and the type and grade of the prolapse as well as any associated medical co-morbidities. Management options include expectant, conservative or surgical approaches. Up to 10% of women having a surgical procedure for prolapse will require a second procedure. It is, therefore, important to consider lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and conservative measures including pelvic floor muscle training, topical estrogens and pessaries as initial management options.
Are synonymous codons indeed synonymous?
Authors: Venetianer Pál
Published: December 2011

It has long been known that the distribution and frequency of occurence of synonymous codons can vary greatly among different species, and that the abundance of isoaccepting tRNA species could also be very different. The interaction of these two factors may influence the rate and efficiency of protein synthesis and therefore synonymous mutations might influence the fitness of the organism and cannot be treated generally as ‘neutral’ in an evolutionary sense. These general effects of synonymous mutations, and their possible role in evolution, have been discussed in several recent papers. This review, however, will only deal with the influence of synonymous codon replacements on the expression of individual genes. It will describe the possible mechanisms of such effects and will present examples demonstrating the existence and effects of each of these mechanisms.
Ambulatory arterial stiffness indexes in acromegaly
Authors: Dassie Francesca , Grillo Andrea , Carretta Renzo , Fabris Bruno , Macaluso Loredana , Bardelli Moreno , Martini Chiara , Paoletta Agostino , Vettor Roberto , Sicolo Nicola , Fallo Francesco , Maffei Pietro
Published: December 2011

Objective

Acromegaly is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and with specific heart and vascular abnormalities. The aim of our study was to investigate arterial stiffness using the ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and symmetric AASI (Sym-AASI), two indexes derived from 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), in a group of normotensive and hypertensive patients with active acromegaly, compared with normotensive controls (NOR-CTR) or hypertensive controls (HYP-CTR).

Subjects and methods

Ninety-six consecutive patients with active acromegaly (46 males, mean age 49±14 years) underwent 24-h ABPM and evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors. Based on ABPM measurement, acromegalic patients were divided into 64 normotensive (normotensive acromegalic patients (NOR-ACRO)) and 32 hypertensive (hypertensive acromegalic patients (HYP-ACRO)) patients, and were compared with 35 normotensive (NOR-CTR) and 34 hypertensive (HYP-CTR) age-, sex,- and ABPM-matched control subjects.

Results

The AASI and Sym-AASI indexes were significantly higher in acromegalic patients than in controls, either in the normotensive (NOR-ACRO vs NOR-CTR, P<0.0001 for AASI and P=0.005 for Sym-AASI) or in the hypertensive (HYP-ACRO vs HYP-CTR, P=0.01 for AASI and P=0.01 for Sym-AASI) group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of the highest AASI tertile with serum IGF1 (P=0.034) in the whole acromegalic group.

Conclusion

AASIs are increased in acromegaly, independent of blood pressure (BP) elevation, and may have an important role in predicting cardiovascular risk in this disease.
Robots, intencionalidade e inteligência artificial
Authors: Teixeira João de Fernandes
Published: December 2011

O artigo aborda problemas filosóficos relativos à natureza da intencionalidade e da representação mental. A primeira parte apresenta um breve histórico dos problemas, percorrendo rapidamente alguns episódios da filosofia clássica e da filosofia contemporânea. A segunda parte examina o Chinese Room Argument (Argumento do Quarto do Chinês) formulado por J. Searle. A terceira parte desenvolve alguns argumentos visando mostrar a inadequação do modelo funcionalista de mente na construção de robots. A conclusão (quarta parte) aponta algumas alternativas ao modelo funcionalista tradicional, como, por exemplo, o conexionismo.
Calcium and Magnesium Prophylaxis for Oxaliplatin-Related Neurotoxicity: Is It a Trade-off Between Drug Efficacy and Toxicity?
Authors: Khattak Muhammad Adnan
Published: December 2011

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens are the current standard treatment in the management of colorectal cancer. Neurotoxicity is the major cause of treatment delay, dose reduction, and cessation of oxaliplatin. Evidence regarding the role of calcium and magnesium prophylaxis to prevent oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity is conflicting and further randomized data are needed to answer this question accurately. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical overview of various studies that have been conducted so far to evaluate the preventative role of calcium and magnesium prophylaxis against oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity.
Patient-Centered Cancer Treatment Planning: Improving the Quality of Oncology Care. Summary of an Institute of Medicine Workshop
Authors: Balogh Erin P. , Ganz Patricia A. , Murphy Sharon B. , Nass Sharyl J. , Ferrell Betty R. , Stovall Ellen
Published: December 2011

The Institute of Medicine's National Cancer Policy Forum recently convened a workshop on patient-centered cancer treatment planning, with the aim of raising awareness about this important but often overlooked aspect of cancer treatment. A primary goal of patient-centered treatment planning is to engage patients and their families in meaningful, thorough interactions with their health care providers to develop an accurate, well-conceived treatment plan, using all available medical information appropriately while also considering the medical, social, and cultural needs and desires of the patient and family. A cancer treatment plan can be shared among the patient, family, and care team in order to facilitate care coordination and provide a roadmap to help patients navigate the path of cancer treatment. There are numerous obstacles to achieving patient-centered cancer treatment planning in practice. Some of these challenges stem from the patient and include patients' lack of assertiveness, health literacy, and numeracy, and their emotional state and concurrent illnesses. Others are a result of physician limitations, such as a lack of time to explain complex information and a lack of tools to facilitate treatment planning, as well as insensitivity to patients' informational, cultural, and emotional needs. Potential solutions to address these obstacles include better training of health care providers and patients in optimal communication and shared decision making, and greater use of support services and tools such as patient navigation and electronic health records. Other options include greater use of quality metrics and reimbursement for the time it takes to develop, discuss, and document a treatment plan.
Manning the Battlements of Research Epidemiology
Authors: Brody Jacob A.
Published: December 2011

International trends and recently proposed changes risk confining the duties of epidemiologists to support of health services delivery or to serving as functionaries within exclusively clinical departments pose a threat to the future role and training of epidemiologists. It is argued that these attempts would weaken the academic focus for epidemiologists and compromise the system of recognition and rewards available through the hierarchy of the discipline. (Am J Public Health 1981; 71:70-72.)
Alcoholic beverages and myocardial infarction in young women.
Authors: Rosenberg L , Slone D , Shapiro S , Kaufman D W , Miettinen O S , Stolley P D
Published: December 2011

Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in men. To evaluate this relation in young women, we studied 513 patients with first infarctions and 918 hospital controls, all of whom were less than 50 years of age. The estimated relative risk of MI for current drinkers, after allowance for potential confounding factors, was 0.7 (95 per cent confidence interval. 0.5 - 1.0), and the apparent reduction in risk was strongest for women drank wine. There was no evidence of an effect among ex-drinkers.
The effect of processing method on drying kinetics of Petrovská klobása, an artisan fermented sausage
Authors: Ikonic Predrag , Petrovic Ljiljana , Tasic Tatjana , Jokanovic Marija , Savatic Snezana , Ikonic Bojana , Dzinic Natalija
Published: December 2011

The drying behaviour of dry-fermented sausage Petrovsk? klob?sa ripened in
traditional and industrial conditions has been studied. Obtained results
indicated that sausages dried in industrial room (batch I) had higher weight
loss and lower water activity (aw) values than counterparts from
traditional/artisanal production (batch T). Difference in drying intensity
between internal and external fractions of sausages was much more marked for
batch I. The experimental data of water content in Petrovsk? klob?sa, dried
in respective conditions, were compared with values predicted by seven
different mathematical models. Comparing the coefficient of determination
(r2), root mean square error (ERMS) and the reduced chi-square (?2) values of
all equations, it was concluded that the Page mathematical model
satisfactorily represents drying characteristics of Petrovsk? klob?sa both in
traditional (0.990; 2.22 x 10-2 and 6.01 x 10-4, respectively) and industrial
conditions (0.995; 1.79 x 10-2; 3.91 x 10-4, respectively).
Research Activity in British Clinical Psychology Training Staff: Do We Lead by Example?
Authors: Newman Emily F. , McKenzie Karen
Published: December 2011

Sixty-two members of staff from clinical psychology doctoral training programmes across Britain completed a survey about their level of research output, the extent to which they felt this met their own expectations and job requirements, and how it influenced promotion prospects. In addition, they listed perceived barriers to and facilitators of research activity. There was wide variation in research activity, such that many participants had limited or no publications while a smaller proportion had many. Respondents were as, or more, dissatisfied than satisfied with their publications, submissions and grant applications and over half felt that the number of grant applications failed to meet their expectations. Support from and collaboration with colleagues was the main facilitator for research, while a lack of time was viewed as the main barrier.
Creating Instructor Resources as a Student Project
Authors: Goldstein Susan B.
Published: December 2011

A media psychology course for third- and fourth-year (upper division) undergraduates was designed around a semester-long active learning project aimed at developing instructor resources. Fifteen students worked both independently and collaboratively to create lecture and discussion modules on 30 topics in media psychology, each supplemented by a set of multimedia resources and a classroom activity with handouts. Students presented their materials to the class and participated in in-depth peer reviews. Through the process of developing instructor resources, students were expected to become familiar with the literature of a specific subdiscipline, and to learn how to (1) evaluate the relative importance of research topics within an academic literature, (2) assess the validity of information sources, (3) simplify complex concepts and research findings for a student audience, (4) make effective presentations, (5) give constructive feedback to peers, (6) identify and avoid subtle forms of plagiarism, and (7) apply advanced aspects of American Psychological Association (APA) format. Students evaluated the project quite favourably and were unanimous in their preference for developing instructor resources over writing a standard term paper.
Chief species of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve: Naur
Authors: Thapa Prakash , Ojha Bhuwan Raj
Published: December 2011

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/init.v4i0.5547 The Initiation Vol.4 2011 133-137
Structural conditions required for the bridge lithiation and substitution of a basic calix[4]arene
Authors: Fischer Conrad , Seichter Wilhelm , Weber Edwin
Published: December 2011

Lithiation and subsequent reaction with CO2 was applied to calix[4]arenes with different, equal or mixed, ether functions at the lower-rim site as well as tert-butylated or non-tert-butylated upper-rim positions. Whereas this reaction fails for symmetric calix[4]arene ethers with alkoxy residues greater than methoxy, the carboxylation of mixed methoxy-propoxy calixarene ethers is possible. In connection with this, several new monobridge-substituted calix[4]arenes were characterized with respect to their conformational behaviour in solution and the X-ray crystal structure of one key intermediate is taken into consideration.
Molecular Aspects of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Brain
Authors: Saunus Jodi M. , Momeny Majid , Simpson Peter T. , Lakhani Sunil R. , Da Silva Leonard
Published: December 2011

Our knowledge of the biology underlying the development of brain metastases (BM) from breast cancer has improved over the last decade due to large clinical epidemiological studies, animal models of metastasis, and the use of high-resolution gene expression profiling technologies. However, there are still major gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms utilized by breast cancer cells to colonize the brain microenvironment, thus our arsenal of therapies remains relatively nonspecific, and the prognosis for breast cancer patients with BM remains poor. Additional insights into these mechanisms are necessary to facilitate the development of new preventive and curative therapeutic regimens to block this fatal disease. This paper aims to provide a general overview for the readers of what has been achieved in this field of research and its translation into clinical practice to date and to highlight exciting new areas of research that promise to inform the development of new targeted therapies for BM.
Study of the Inferior Alveolar Canal and Mental Foramen on Digital Panoramic Images
Authors: Pria Carlos M , Masood Farah , Beckerley Joy M , Carson Robert E
Published: December 2011

Objectives

To study the radiographic location of the mental foramen and appearance of the inferior alveolar canal and the relationship between image gray values and the clarity of inferior alveolar canal on the digital panoramic images and to evaluate if the histogram equalization of the digital image would improve the visualization of the inferior alveolar canal outline on the digital panoramic images in the mandible.

Methods

Five hundred digital panoramic images were evaluated by two examiners using a specific inclusion criteria. Only the right side of the mandible was studied. Chi-square analyses were used for comparisons of distributions. Mean and median pixel values were analyzed separately with a one-way analysis of variance. Also, percentages were calculated to report the usefulness of the histogram equalization for visualization of canal.

Results

Results show variation in location of mental foramen. Most frequent location of the mental foramen was reported as first and second premolar region. Chi-square analysis showed that the frequency of occurrence of the mental foramen was equally probable for any of the three locations. The study did not find significant usefulness of the gray values obtained from the histogram equalization in predicting the clarity of inferior alveolar canal outlines.

Clinical significance

Knowing the normal relationship and the anatomical variation of the maxillofacial structures for each patient is important for surgical implant treatment planning to avoid future complications. It is also important to be familiar with the advantages and limitations of diagnostic aids available before making treatment planning decisions based on such findings.

How to cite this article

Pria CM, Masood F, Beckerley JM, Carson RE. Study of the Inferior Alveolar Canal and Mental Foramen on Digital Panoramic Images. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011;12(4):265-271.
Language Development Hinges on Communication: An Emergentist Perspective
Authors: ABRAR‐UL‐HASSAN SHAHID
Published: December 2011

Studies on the human language system have brought to the fore two key aspects. First, the prime function of language is communication. Second, language exists in the social world. The language learning process takes place within the socio‐cultural context and the relevant macrostructures that influence language use and development. According to the emergentist perspective, during the language learning process communication plays the central role in the emergence of a language system in a learner. Thus, the grammatical structures emerge through discourse as a result of the interaction between the learner and the environment. This article explicates, from the emergentist perspective, the vital role of communication, particularly authentic communication, in the emergence of linguistic structures. It also sums up the pedagogical implications of this understanding.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the grassy outdoor run of organic broilers
Authors: Meda B. , Flechard C. R. , Germain K. , Robin P. , Hassouna M. , Walter C.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes over the grassy outdoor run of organically grown broilers were monitored using static chambers over two production batches in contrasted seasons. Measured N2O and CH4 fluxes were extremely variable in time and space for both batches, with fluxes ranging from a small uptake by soil to large emissions peaks, the latter of which always occurred in the chambers located closest to the broiler house. In general, fluxes decreased with increasing distance to the broiler house, demonstrating that the foraging of broilers and the amount of excreted nutrients (carbon, nitrogen) largely control the spatial variability of emissions. Spatial integration by kriging methods was carried out to provide representative fluxes on the outdoor run for each measurement day. Mechanistic relationships between plot-scale estimates and environmental conditions (soil temperature and water content) were calibrated in order to fill gaps between measurement days. Flux integration over the year 2010 showed that around 3 ± 1 kg N2O-N ha−1 were emitted on the outdoor run, equivalent to 0.9 % of outdoor N excretion and substantially lower than the IPCC default emission factor of 2 %. By contrast, the outdoor run was found to be a net CH4 sink of about −0.56 kg CH4-C ha−1, though this sink compensated less than 1.5 % (in CO2 equivalents) of N2O emissions. The net greenhouse gas (GHG) budget of the outdoor run is explored, based on measured GHG fluxes and short-term (1.5 yr) variations in soil organic carbon.
Dismantling an Innovation: The November 1964 Decision Reunifying Industrial and Agricultural Organs of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Authors: Chotiner Barbara Ann
Published: December 2011

Two years after the November 1962 decision to divide the Communist party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) into separate industrial and agricultural organs, the new Brezhnev-Kosygin leadership reunited the party. The reorganization was and remains the most fundamental reform of the Soviet political system since the Great Purges. Restructuring the CPSU "on the production principle" had divided party committees below the union-republican level into industrial and agricultural organizations. Raikoms and some gorkoms were abolished; territorial production kolkhozsovkhoz administration (TPA) party committees and zonal-industrial party committees were established. The CPSU Central Committee (CC) and its unionrepublican counterparts acquired specialized bureaus to oversee production in the different economic spheres. 1 As a result of the 1962 reorganization, party involvement in the economy became more frequent and more occupied with details of production. Moreover, partkoms' economic interventions became oriented primarily toward development and guidance through the restructuring of productive relationships, introducing new products and technology, and planning.
The Beginning of the End of Federal Yugoslavia: The Slovenian Amendment Crisis of 1989
Authors: Hayden Robert
Published: December 2011

War broke out in Yugoslavia in the summer of 1991. Like the American war of 1861-65, this war could be interpreted as either a civil war or a war between states. And like the American Civil War , the Yugoslav war of 1991 was the ultimate manifestation of a constitutional crisis, a collapse of constitutional mechanisms for resolving political disputes that produced a showdown over the continued existence of the federal state. In another parallel to the American Civil War, the structure of the conflict was determined by a constitution some of the parties rejected, for the constitutional order that existed until the outbreak of the war had been a loose union of states (in Yugoslav terminology, republics), each of which possessed a fully organized government. Thus, despite the breakdown of the constitutional order of relationships between these republics, their constitutional status as separate polities afforded secessionists the opportunity to manipulate fully developed state structures in their quests for independence from the federation that had hitherto defined those states (Bestor 1964:328-29).
Limonov's "It's Me, Eddie" and the Autobiographical Mode
Authors: Ryan-Hayes Karen
Published: December 2011

The publication of Eduard Limonov'sIt's Me, Eddie ("Eto ia- Edichka) in 1980 aroused impassioned polemics that have not been entirely quelled after more than a decade. Critical discourse on the book tends to superlatives and hyperbole; it has been lauded as "the quintessential novel of the third wave emigration" and reviled as pornographic slander. Limonov's heavy use of mat, his inclusion of numerous explicitly erotic scenes and his avowal of leftist political tendencies all contributed to establishing It's Me, Eddie's infamy.