bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Baseline [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography and 99mTc-MDP Bone Scan in Progressing Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Meirelles Gustavo S.P. , Schöder Heiko , Ravizzini Gregory C. , Gönen Mithat , Fox Josef J. , Humm John , Morris Michael J. , Scher Howard I. , Larson Steven M.
Published: October 2010

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic and prognostic value of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and bone scans (BS) in the assessment of osseous lesions in patients with progressing prostate cancer.

Experimental Design: In a prospective imaging trial, 43 patients underwent FDG-PET and BS prior to experimental therapies. Bone scan index (BSI) and standardized uptake value (SUV) on FDG-PET were recorded. Patients were followed until death (n = 36) or at least 5 years (n = 7). Imaging findings were correlated with survival.

Results: Osseous lesions were detected in 39 patients on BS and 32 on FDG-PET (P = 0.01). Follow-up was available for 105 FDG-positive lesions, and 84 (80%) became positive on subsequent BS. Prognosis correlated inversely with SUV (median survival 14.4 versus 32.8 months if SUVmax > 6.10 versus ≤ 6.10; P = 0.002) and BSI (14.7 versus 28.2 months if BSI > 1.27 versus < 1.27; P = 0.004). Only SUV was an independent factor in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: This study of progressive prostate cancer confirms earlier work that BSI is a strong prognostic factor. Most FDG-only lesions at baseline become detectable on follow-up BS, suggesting their strong clinical relevance. FDG SUV is an independent prognostic factor and provides complementary prognostic information. Clin Cancer Res; 16(24); 6093–99. ©2010 AACR.
Brachytelephalangic Chondrodysplasia Punctata: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Outcome
Authors: Boulet S. , Dieterich K. , Althuser M. , Nugues F. , Durand C. , Charra C. , Schaal J.P. , Jouk P.S.
Published: October 2010

We report the prenatal management of a brachytelephalangic chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX1) case and how postnatal findings confirmed the diagnosis. The mother was initially referred after ultrasound revealed an abnormal fetal mid-face and punctuation of upper femoral epiphyses. Chondrodysplasia punctata (CP) with Binder anomaly was suspected. 3D-HCT revealed brachytelephalangy suggesting CDPX1. At birth, mid-face hypoplasia was marked. Postnatal imaging and genetic analysis confirmed the initial diagnosis. Binder anomaly is probably always associated with CP. The newly revised CP classification facilitates the diagnosis. The main etiologies are metabolic and chromosomal abnormalities, and arylsulfatase E enzyme dysfunction. Thus, screening for arylsulfatase E mutation is mandatory for an accurate diagnosis and can lead to better delineation among CP etiologies associated with a Binder phenotype.
Retinoid Pathway and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Hypothesis from the Analysis of Chromosomal Abnormalities
Authors: Goumy Carole , Gouas Laetitia , Marceau Geoffroy , Coste Karen , Veronese Lauren , Gallot Denis , Sapin Vincent , Vago Philippe , Tchirkov Andrei
Published: October 2010

Background/Objectives: Although there is strong evidence implicating genetic factors in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) pathogenesis, few causal genes have been identified. Many studies suggest that early disruption of the retinoid signaling pathway during gestation may contribute to CDH etiology. Chromosome abnormalities are detected in 10–20% of CDH cases. Chromosomal regions that are involved in balanced translocations or are recurrently deleted or duplicated in patients with CDH are of particular interest to researchers because they are more likely to harbor genes that cause or predispose one to the development of CDH. The aim of this review was to select chromosome loci which have been shown to be associated with CDH and to investigate if these loci contain candidate genes involved in the retinoic signaling pathway. Data Sources: We have re-examined the known CDH-critical chromosomal loci and searched in available databases, such as the UCSC Genome Browser and OMIM, to see whether candidate genes related to the retinoid pathway were present within these loci. Results: Twelve retinoid-related genes have been proposed as potential candidates. Among them, COUP-TFII, FOG2 and GATA4 have already been well studied, especially in animal models. We propose other candidates such as STRA6, LRAT, CRBP1, CRBP2 and CRABP1 are directly implicated in retinoic acid metabolism. Conclusion: The identification of CDH-related genes and pathways affecting a normal diaphragm will contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of this severe embryopathy and might help to facilitate prenatal management and devise more individual treatment strategies. Further studies are necessary to screen large cohorts of patients with CDH for microimbalances or de novo mutations in these candidate genes. Moreover, functional analyses are needed to establish their exact role in CDH etiology.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Pre-Ejection Period in the Fetus Using Simultaneous Magnetocardiography and Echocardiography
Authors: Mensah-Brown Nana Aba , Wakai Ronald T. , Cheulkar Bageshree , Srinivasan Shardha , Strasburger Janette F.
Published: October 2010

Introduction: Fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) is a promising new technique for assessing fetal rhythm; however, no prior studies have utilized fMCG to evaluate human fetal electromechanical physiology. Pre-ejection period (PEP) is an important measure of the electromechanical activation of the heart, and is altered by disease states and arrhythmias. Materials and Methods: A novel technique was used to assess fetal PEP and its relationship to other fetal systolic time intervals, RR interval, and gestational age (GA). 25 normal human fetuses between 19 and 38 weeks’ gestation were studied using simultaneous pulsed Doppler ultrasound and fMCG. Correlations among PEP, ejection time, QRS width and RR interval were assessed using linear regression. Results: Across all subjects, PEP was found to correlate with GA (R = 0.57, p < 0.0001), QRS width (R = 0.35, p = 0.026), and RR interval (R = 0.37, p = 0.018). In individual sessions, PEP negatively correlated beat-to-beat with the preceding RR interval. Conclusion: PEP exhibits developmental trends that provide a better understanding of the normal development of the human fetal heart.
Can Overmarking Be Considered as a Means of Chemical Mate Guarding in a Wild Callitrichid?
Authors: Lledo-Ferrer Yvan , Peláez Fernando , Heymann Eckhard W.
Published: October 2010

Mate guarding is a male strategy to monopolize matings and thus to ensure paternity. Since in callitrichids female reproductive status is advertised by scent marks, one may expect mate guarding by chemical means. We addressed this question during an episode of consortship observed in a polyandrous trio of wild saddleback tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis). During consortship, the consort male was the only one to allomark the female. Scent marking frequency decreased for all individuals, although the consort male marked more than the other male during consortship, while there was no difference in the previous period. During consortship, almost 50% of female scents were overmarked by the consort, and more than 56% of the consort’s scent marks were employed to overmark the female’s scents. Therefore, the other male had limited access to female scent marks. Mate guarding may thus have a chemical component in tamarins, and olfactory communication may play an important role in mating competition.
Dental Caries and Enamel Defects in Very Low Birth Weight Adolescents
Authors: Nelson S. , Albert J.M. , Lombardi G. , Wishnek S. , Asaad G. , Kirchner H.L. , Singer L.T.
Published: October 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine developmental enamel defects and dental caries in very low birth weight adolescents with high risk (HR-VLBW) and low risk (LR-VLBW) compared to full-term (term) adolescents. Methods: The sample consisted of 224 subjects (80 HR-VLBW, 59 LR-VLBW, 85 term adolescents) recruited from an ongoing longitudinal study. Sociodemographic and medical information was available from birth. Dental examination of the adolescent at the 14-year visit included: enamel defects (opacity and hypoplasia); decayed, missing, filled teeth of incisors and molars (DMFT-IM) and of overall permanent teeth (DMFT); Simplified Oral Hygiene Index for debris/calculus on teeth, and sealant presence. A caregiver questionnaire completed simultaneously assessed dental behavior, access, insurance status and prevention factors. Hierarchical analysis utilized the zero-inflated negative binomial model and zero-inflated Poisson model. Results: The zero-inflated negative binomial model controlling for sociodemographic variables indicated that the LR-VLBW group had an estimated 75% increase (p < 0.05) in number of demarcated opacities in the incisors and first molar teeth compared to the term group. Hierarchical modeling indicated that demarcated opacities were a significant predictor of DMFT-IM after control for relevant covariates. The term adolescents had significantly increased DMFT-IM and DMFT scores compared to the LR-VLBW adolescents. Conclusion: LR-VLBW was a significant risk factor for increased enamel defects in the permanent incisors and first molars. Term children had increased caries compared to the LR-VLBW group. The effect of birth group and enamel defects on caries has to be investigated longitudinally from birth.
Topiramate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: Comparison with Naltrexone
Authors: Flórez Gerardo , Saiz Pilar A. , García-Portilla Paz , Álvarez Sandra , Nogueiras Luis , Bobes Julio
Published: October 2010

Background: A 6-month naturalistic, randomized and open-label, trial of topiramate versus naltrexone was conducted, with assessments at enrollment and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. 182 alcohol-dependent patients who had been drinking heavily during the past month were included. Methods:Outcome was measured using tools that assessed alcohol intake, cravings, disability, and quality of life; changes in biomarkers of alcohol intake were also used. Results: At the 6-month evaluation, patients taking topiramate had significantly lower scores on the OCDS (all subscales), the EuropASI (medical, alcohol, family/social, and psychiatric) and the WHO/DAS (employment/social). More patients taking topiramate remained in the abstinence group and the moderate drinking without problems group. Conclusions: Topiramate at a mean dose of 200 mg/day was better than naltrexone at a mean dose of 50 mg/day at reducing alcohol intake and cravings throughout the study.
Old Donors for Kidney Transplantation: How Old?
Authors: Cravedi Paolo , Ruggenenti Piero , Remuzzi Giuseppe
Published: October 2010

The widening gap between transplant demand and supply has prompted the expansion of selection criteria for kidney donation to increase the available donor pool. Using kidneys from older donors has increased transplant activity, but has also resulted in reduced graft survival, possibly as a consequence of the imbalance between the number of viable nephrons supplied and the metabolic demand of the recipient. To fill this imbalance and improve graft outcomes, the transplant of 2 older kidneys in the same recipient has been proposed. This procedure, however, does not always confer the same benefit of single transplants from young donors. To optimize allocation of these organs, a panel of pathologists defined a scoring system of pretransplant graft biopsies to help guide the decision between single versus dual kidney transplantation. The survival of kidneys obtained from donors older than 60 years and allocated to single or dual transplantation on the basis of this pretransplant biopsy score was similar to that of single grafts from younger donors and substantially better than that of single grafts from older donors not evaluated histologically before grafting. This strategy has provided excellent outcomes even when kidneys from donors older than 70 years have been used. Thus, biopsy-based allocation algorithm of older grafts may allow extending selection criteria of donors to increase the number of available transplants without increasing the risk of premature graft failure.
Deleted in Esophageal Cancer 1(DEC1) Is Down-Regulated and Contributes to Migration in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Kunimoto Yasuomi , Nakano Seiji , Kataoka Hideyuki , Shimada Yutaka , Oshimura Mitsuo , Kitano Hiroya
Published: October 2010

Background: Previous studies have shown that the expression of Deleted in Esophageal Cancer 1 (DEC1) is significantly reduced in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often develop esophageal carcinomas. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the expression of DEC1 and histone modifications in HNSCC cell lines. The motility and invasive ability of the HNSCC cell lines were also studied. Results: Of 18 cell lines, 12 (66.7%) showed down-regulation of DEC1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that H3 K27 trimethylation levels in the DEC1-down-regulated cell lines were greater than that in the DEC1-expressed cell lines. Migration assays showed that the DEC1-down-regulated cell lines tended to be more motile than the DEC1-expressed cell lines. Conclusion:DEC1 is down-regulated and tends to contribute to the migration ability of HNSCC cell lines. In addition, H3 K27 trimethylation potentially plays an important role in the regulation of DEC1 expression.
Endocytosis of Microperoxidase in Marginal Cells Is Mainly Regulated by RhoA Signaling Cascade, but Not by Rho-Associated Protein Kinase, Myosin Light-Chain Kinase and Myosin Phosphatase
Authors: Kakigi Akinobu , Okada Teruhiko , Takeda Taizo , Takeda Setsuko , Nishioka Rie , Taguchi Daizo , Nishimura Masahiko , Yamasoba Tatsuya
Published: October 2010

Endocytosis plays an important role in cell function and the activation and propagation of signaling pathways. Signaling occurs on endocytic pathways and signaling endosomes, and endocytosis is subjected to high-order regulation by cellular signaling mechanisms. Marginal cells showed active endocytosis of microperoxidase (MPO) via the clathrin-independent pathway. We examined the signaling pathway that regulates MPO endocytosis in marginal cells using specific inhibitors and activators of signaling molecules. The results showed that pertussis toxin – which inhibits the ribosylation of G-protein-coupled receptor – did not affect MPO endocytosis, but Clostridium botulinum C3 toxin – which induces RhoA inactivation resulting in extracellular-signal-related kinase inactivation – inhibited MPO endocytosis. The main endocytotic pathway of MPO did not depend on the Rho-associated protein kinase molecular switch or actin/myosin motor system, but was mainly regulated by the RhoA signaling cascade.
Peach-Induced Contact Urticaria Is Associated with Lipid Transfer Protein Sensitization
Authors: Asero Riccardo
Published: October 2010

Background: Peach-induced contact urticaria is frequent in peach-allergic subjects. Objective: It was the aim of this study to detect whether contact urticaria is associated with a specific peach allergen. Methods: Ninety-two peach-allergic subjects were studied. Patients were diagnosed as being sensitized to lipid transfer protein (LTP; Pru p 3) or as having a pollen-food allergy syndrome induced by Pru p 1 and/or profilin, Pru p 4, on the basis of the results of a skin prick test containing these allergenic proteins in an isolated form. Specific IgE to peach extract was measured as well. Contact urticaria was confirmed by a contact test with intact, untreated peach. A contact test with nectarine was carried out as control. Results: Overall, contact urticaria was present in 21% of patients; the peach contact test scored positive in all cases. Contact urticaria was significantly more frequent in patients hypersensitive to LTP (63%) than in subjects with pollen-food allergy syndrome (6%; p < 0.001) and was not associated with a higher level of peach-specific IgE. In several cases, contact urticaria preceded the onset of food allergy by years. The contact test with nectarine scored negative in 5/5 cases. Conclusions: Although the peach contact test was not performed in all subjects, and peach allergy was not confirmed by oral challenges, this study shows that peach-induced contact urticaria is associated with sensitization to peach LTP. The negative clinical history and contact test with nectarine along with the well-known high concentration of LTP in peach fuzz suggest that peach fuzz plays a role in the pathogenesis of contact urticaria.
Comparison Between Transcatheter and Surgical Prosthetic Valve Implantation in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Clavel M.A. , Webb J.G. , Rodés-Cabau J. , Masson J.B. , Dumont E. , De Larochellière R. , Doyle D. , Bergeron S. , Baumgartner H. , Burwash I.G. , Dumesnil J.G. , Mundigler G. , Moss R. , Kempny A. , Bagur R. , Bergler-Klein J. , Gurvitch R. , Mathieu P. , Pibarot P.
Published: October 2010

Background—

Patients with severe aortic stenosis and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have a poor prognosis with conservative therapy but a high operative mortality when treated surgically. Recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for patients considered at high or prohibitive operative risk. The objective of this study was to compare TAVI and SAVR with respect to postoperative recovery of LVEF in patients with severe aortic stenosis and reduced LV systolic function.

Methods and Results—

Echocardiographic data were prospectively collected before and after the procedure in 200 patients undergoing SAVR and 83 patients undergoing TAVI for severe aortic stenosis (aortic valve area ≤1 cm
2
) with reduced LV systolic function (LVEF ≤50%). TAVI patients were significantly older (81±8 versus 70±10 years;
P
<0.0001) and had more comorbidities compared with SAVR patients. Despite similar baseline LVEF (34±11% versus 34±10%), TAVI patients had better recovery of LVEF compared with SAVR patients (ΔLVEF, 14±15% versus 7±11%;
P
=0.005). At the 1-year follow-up, 58% of TAVI patients had a normalization of LVEF (>50%) as opposed to 20% in the SAVR group. On multivariable analysis, female gender (
P
=0.004), lower LVEF at baseline (
P
=0.005), absence of atrial fibrillation (
P
=0.01), TAVI (
P
=0.007), and larger increase in aortic valve area after the procedure (
P
=0.01) were independently associated with better recovery of LVEF.

Conclusion—

In patients with severe aortic stenosis and depressed LV systolic function, TAVI is associated with better LVEF recovery compared with SAVR. TAVI may provide an interesting alternative to SAVR in patients with depressed LV systolic function considered at high surgical risk.
High-Density Lipoprotein Suppresses the Type I Interferon Response, a Family of Potent Antiviral Immunoregulators, in Macrophages Challenged With Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Suzuki Masashi , Pritchard David K. , Becker Lev , Hoofnagle Andrew N. , Tanimura Natsuko , Bammler Theo K. , Beyer Richard P. , Bumgarner Roger , Vaisar Tomas , de Beer Maria C. , de Beer Frederick C. , Miyake Kensuke , Oram John F. , Heinecke Jay W.
Published: October 2010

Background—

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) protects the artery wall by removing cholesterol from lipid-laden macrophages. However, recent evidence suggests that HDL might also inhibit atherogenesis by combating inflammation.

Methods and Results—

To identify potential antiinflammatory mechanisms, we challenged macrophages with lipopolysaccharide, an inflammatory microbial ligand for Toll-like receptor 4. HDL inhibited the expression of 30 (277 of 911) of the genes normally induced by lipopolysaccharide, microarray analysis revealed. One of its major targets was the type I interferon response pathway, a family of potent viral immunoregulators controlled by Toll-like receptor 4 and the TRAM/TRIF signaling pathway. Unexpectedly, the ability of HDL to inhibit gene expression was independent of macrophage cholesterol stores. Immunofluorescent studies suggested that HDL promoted TRAM translocation to intracellular compartments, which impaired subsequent signaling by Toll-like receptor 4 and TRIF. To examine the potential in vivo relevance of the pathway, we used mice deficient in apolipoprotein A-I, the major protein of HDL. After infection with
Salmonella typhimurium
, a Gram-negative bacterium that expresses lipopolysaccharide, apolipoprotein A-I–deficient mice had 6-fold higher plasma levels of interferon-β, a key regulator of the type I interferon response, than did wild-type mice.

Conclusions—

HDL inhibits a subset of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage genes that regulate the type I interferon response, and its action is independent of sterol metabolism. These findings raise the possibility that regulation of macrophage genes by HDL might link innate immunity and cardioprotection.
The Ability of the International Criminal Court to Deter Violations of International Criminal Law: ATheoretical Assessment
Authors: Mullins Christopher W. , Rothe Dawn L.
Published: October 2010

Many actors within the field of international criminal justice, including those who work for the Court itself, have heralded the deterrent power of the court and its ability to remove impunity for violations of international criminal law. Practitioners and scholars routinely assume a probability at best, to an assumption of sureness, of a powerful deterrent effect. Given the ongoing crimes against humanity that have occurred in the Twenty-First Century, such claims can only be seen as hopeful proclamations. This article examines the potential inhibitory effects that the Court may have on violations of international criminal law, especially international humanitarian law, grounded in criminological insights and explanatory power. To do so, we lay out the current state of thinking in deterrence theory and critically explore how it can, or fails to, generate the effects which so many international public actors, including the court itself, claim.
Peaks-over-Threshold Study of Trends in Extreme Rainfall over the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Acero Francisco Javier , García José Agustín , Gallego María Cruz
Published: October 2010

A peaks-over-threshold (POT) approach is used to study trends in extreme rainfall over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) at a daily scale. Records from 52 observatories regularly distributed over Iberia with no missing data were available for the common period from 1958 to 2004. The POT approach was used because it is particularly effective at extracting information concerning true extreme events. A generalized Pareto distribution fit was made to the data involving time-dependent parameters to account for possible temporal changes in the frequency distribution. These parameters were analyzed for trends in the return-level period, of importance for engineering purposes. A time-varying threshold was defined and an automatic declustering scheme was used to select independent extreme events exceeding the threshold. The results indicate a high variability of extreme events over the coastline of the IP, greater over the Mediterranean coast than over the Atlantic coast. The calculation of the trends for the 2-yr return level yielded a large proportion of negative trends for all three seasons considered: 58% for winter, 63% for spring, and 69% for autumn. The parametric approach also revealed an increase in the area with a positive trend of the 20-yr return level relative to the 2-yr return period, especially in autumn in the east of the IP.
Estimating the Observed Atmospheric Response to SST Anomalies: Maximum Covariance Analysis, Generalized Equilibrium Feedback Assessment, and Maximum Response Estimation
Authors: Frankignoul Claude , Chouaib Nadine , Liu Zhengyu
Published: October 2010

Three multivariate statistical methods to estimate the influence of SST or boundary forcing on the atmosphere are discussed. Lagged maximum covariance analysis (MCA) maximizes the covariance between the atmosphere and prior SST, thus favoring large responses and dominant SST patterns. However, it does not take into account the possible SST evolution during the time lag. To correctly represent the relation between forcing and response, a new SST correction is introduced. The singular value decomposition (SVD) of generalized equilibrium feedback assessment (GEFA–SVD) identifies in a truncated SST space the optimal SST patterns for forcing the atmosphere, independently of the SST amplitude; hence it may not detect a large response. A new method based on GEFA, named maximum response estimation (MRE), is devised to estimate the largest boundary-forced atmospheric signal. The methods are compared using synthetic data with known properties and observed North Atlantic monthly anomaly data. The synthetic data shows that the MCA is generally robust and essentially unbiased. GEFA–SVD is less robust and sensitive to the truncation. MRE is less sensitive to truncation and nearly as robust as MCA, providing the closest approximation to the largest true response to the sample SST. To analyze the observations, a 2-month delay in the atmospheric response is assumed based on recent studies. The delay strongly affects GEFA–SVD and MRE, and it is key to obtaining consistent results between MCA and MRE. The MCA and MRE confirm that the dominant atmospheric signal is the NAO-like response to North Atlantic horseshoe SST anomalies. When the atmosphere is considered in early winter, the response is strongest and MCA most powerful. With all months of the year, MRE provides the most significant results. GEFA–SVD yields SST patterns and NAO-like atmospheric responses that depend on lag and truncation, thus lacking robustness. When SST leads by 1 month, a significant mode is found by the three methods, but it primarily reflects, or is strongly affected by, atmosphere persistence.
Mixture Distributions and the Hydroclimatology of Extreme Rainfall and Flooding in the Eastern United States
Authors: Smith James A. , Villarini Gabriele , Baeck Mary Lynn
Published: October 2010

Flooding in the eastern United States reflects a mixture of flood-generating mechanisms, with landfalling tropical cyclones and extratropical systems playing central roles. The authors examine the climatology of heavy rainfall and flood magnitudes for the eastern United States through analyses of long-duration records of flood peaks and maximum daily rainfall series. Spatial heterogeneities in flood peak distributions due to orographic precipitation mechanisms in mountainous terrain, coastal circulations near land–ocean boundaries, and urbanization impacts on regional climate are central elements of flood peak distributions. Lagrangian analyses of rainfall distribution and storm evolution are presented for flood events in the eastern United States and used to motivate new directions for stochastic modeling of rainfall. Tropical cyclones are an important element of the upper tail of flood peak distributions throughout the eastern United States, but their relative importance varies widely, and abruptly, in space over the region. Nonstationarities and long-term persistence of flood peak and rainfall distributions are examined from the perspective of the impacts of human-induced climate change on flood-generating mechanisms. Analyses of flood frequency for the eastern United States, which are based on observations from a dense network of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauging stations, provide insights into emerging problems in flood science.
Numerical Simulation of Wave Breaking
Authors: Irisov Vladimir , Voronovich Alexander
Published: October 2010

The wave breaking events in a continuous spectrum of surface gravity waves are investigated numerically in 2D within a framework of the potential motion model. It is claimed that the major physical mechanism leading to wave breaking is “squeezing” of relatively short waves by the surface currents due to longer waves (the “concertina” effect), which causes the shorter waves to steepen and become unstable. It is demonstrated that locations of the breaking events are well correlated with the maximum of local current convergence, although slightly worse correlation of the locations with the local steepness of undulating surface cannot reliably exclude the latter mechanism either. It is found also that the breaking events are very rare for random surfaces with a root-mean-square (RMS) current gradient below a threshold value of about 1 s−1.

The process of wave breaking was investigated by two numerical codes. One of them is based on approximation of continuous media with a discrete Hamiltonian system, which can be integrated in time very efficiently and accurately but is limited to single-valued profiles. The other is the Laplacian approach, which can explicitly exhibit the overturning of plunging breakers. Study of the discrete system shows that wave breaking is associated with the explosive growth of a certain spatially localized mode of the system.
Parental Attachment, Interparental Conflict, and Young Adults’ Emotional Adjustment
Authors: Ross Jennifer , Fuertes Jairo
Published: October 2010

This study extends Engels et al.’s model of emotional adjustment to young adults and includes the constructs of interparental conflict and conflict resolution. Results indicate that parental attachment is better conceived as a two-factor construct of mother and father attachment and that although attachment to both mothers and fathers directly predicts emotional adjustment, the mechanisms that mediate these relationships differ. Attachment to fathers was found to be predictive of better social skills, which in turn promoted greater relational competence, and better emotional adjustment. Attachment to mothers was found to be predictive of better conflict resolution behavior, which in turn promoted greater relational competence, and better emotional adjustment. These results are discussed along with recommendations for practice and future research.
Neighborhoods and Schools as Competing and Reinforcing Contexts for Educational Attainment
Authors: Owens Ann
Published: October 2010

Scholars hypothesize that both neighborhood and school contexts influence educational attainment, but few have considered both contexts simultaneously. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the author analyzes how school and neighborhood contexts are jointly related to high school and college graduation. She finds that the absolute level of neighborhood resources positively predicts earning a bachelor’s degree, while relative neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) compared to school peers’ neighborhood SES predicts high school graduation. Interactions between school and neighborhood characteristics reveal that low odds of educational attainment among students from lower-SES neighborhoods are reduced even more when a student attends school with more white and high-SES peers. Conversely, the high odds of educational attainment among students from higher-SES neighborhoods are further enhanced by attending school with more white and high-SES peers. Findings suggest that neighborhood SES may be a basis for relative deprivation within schools. Policy makers need to determine how students from different neighborhoods are integrated into a school’s structure and culture in order for policies that mix students from different neighborhood backgrounds to succeed. Attending a high-SES, largely white school does not eliminate (and may even exacerbate) the disadvantages of coming from a low-SES neighborhood.
EU regulation and the UK employee consultation framework
Authors: Hall Mark
Published: October 2010

The growth in statutory provisions in the UK requiring employers to inform and consult employee representatives has been driven primarily by EU law rather than domestic policy. The 2002 EU information and consultation Directive was widely seen as having far-reaching implications for UK law and employment relations practice, but the ‘reflexive’ design of the UK regulations transposing the Directive has limited its impact to date. An assessment of the available evidence suggests that the regulations have prompted considerable voluntary activity in terms of reviewing, modifying and introducing information and consultation arrangements but that this has been largely employer-led. The article argues that the reform of key aspects of the UK regulations is necessary to overcome trade union ambivalence towards the legislation and the low uptake of its provisions by employees.
Industrial democracy from a European perspective: The example of SEs
Authors: Keller Berndt , Werner Frank
Published: October 2010

The article deals with the forthcoming challenges to the German system of co-determination (Mitbestimmung ) arising from the Europeanization of industrial relations (IR) in general and the European Company (Societas Europaea — SE) in particular. After some short remarks on co-determination’s national history and present challenges, recent political controversies are discussed. Then the most important European regulations on employee involvement are analysed from a German perspective. The main part of the article presents some first empirical results on the new SE form with particular emphasis on its impact on the existing German system. Finally, some tentative conclusions are made.
Can informal social relations help explain workers’ reactions to managerial interventions? Some case evidence from a study of quality management
Authors: Glover Linda
Published: October 2010

This article seeks to address the question of whether workers’ reactions to managerial interventions can be more fully explained when the influence of informal social relations are analysed. Empirical evidence is drawn from detailed case studies that examined workers’ reactions to quality management in British subsidiaries of two multinational companies. Some of the findings appear paradoxical at first sight. For example, workers expressed concerns for quality and customer satisfaction — despite feelings of demoralization and alienation. The analysis of informal relations offers an explanation for these responses. While not overlooking the importance of formal relations, the discussion focuses upon the nature and impact of informal relations (inside and outside the organization) as these have been less well discussed. Furthermore, the importance of linking the workplace with the non-work domain is increasingly being recognized and the concept of social relations can bridge these domains.
Group Visits in Diabetes Care
Authors: Braun Riley Susan , Marshall Elaine Sorensen
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This review appraised research evidence on the effectiveness of group visits for persons with diabetes. The group visit approach included both education and medical management of the patient, and this review focuses on the implications for the certified diabetes educator (CDE) as part of the group visit provider team.

Methods

A search of a comprehensive list of databases produced 395 articles related to group visits, group education, and primary care of patients with diabetes.

Results

Using specific inclusion criteria, 12 articles were included in the review. Four review articles examined a total of 75 studies, and 8 additional original research articles analyzed outcomes related to group visits in the care of patients with diabetes.

Conclusions

Current models for diabetes focused group visits that incorporate both group education and a health provider office visit in lieu of the traditional brief office visit failed to demonstrate consistent statistical improvement in A1C, BP, or lipids. There is evidence that group visits may reduce costs, some physiological outcomes may be improved, and patient and clinician satisfaction may be enhanced. The diabetes focused group visit model needs further testing by health care teams in a variety of settings including private primary care and rural practices.
Neurotropism in Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) and Red-Billed Queleas (Quelea quelea) After Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 Infection
Authors: Breithaupt A. , Kalthoff D. , Dale J. , Bairlein F. , Beer M. , Teifke J. P.
Published: October 2010

The epidemiologic role of passerine birds in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) remains controversial. However, confirmed natural infections with HPAIV in Passeriformes, their close contact to poultry and humans, and their role as a human food source indicate a need for increased research on passerines. To date, there are only a few studies on viral shedding and pathomorphologic changes in songbirds infected with HPAIV. To investigate susceptibility, clinical outcome, virus spread, and pathomorphology, the authors inoculated oculo-oronasally 22 red-billed queleas ( Quelea quelea) and 11 blackcaps ( Sylvia atricapilla) with A/ Cygnus cygnus/Germany/R65/2006 (H5N1) using 2 different doses of either 104 EID50 (50% egg infective dose) or 106 EID50 per animal. They monitored all birds for clinical signs and oropharyngeal and cloacal virus shedding. They also performed immunohistochemistry and obtained molecular virologic data by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in tissue samples. In contrast to blackcaps, where 100% of the infected individuals died, queleas were much less susceptible, with a mortality of 82% and 18%, depending on the doses applied. In both species, the virus was shed within 3 to 6 days postinfection, mainly via the respiratory tract. Viral antigen was detected in 100% of the succumbed birds, particularly in the central nervous system. In blackcaps, the heart, lungs, and pancreas were mainly infected. In contrast, the pancreas was predominantly affected in queleas, whereas the heart and the lower respiratory tract were of minor relevance. The authors hypothesize that neurotropism should be considered a main factor for the fatal course of disease in Passeriformes after infection with HPAIV.
Wounded Bodies, Recovered Bodies: Discourses around female sexual mutilations
Authors: Boni Tanella
Published: October 2010

This study reviews various discourses around female sexual mutilation from the perspective of the human and social sciences, and also current debates between supporters of the cultural argument and those defending the universality of human rights. An aside about the Dogon myth of world order recorded by Marcel Griaule in Dieu d’eau or Aristotle's philosophical discourse in the Reproduction of Animals is required in order to widen the debate and see its importance as regards the dignity of the human person. In Aristotle woman is a freak accident, she interrupts the circle that goes from man to man so that he can start off again. Woman is a “catastrophe” necessary to the exercise of the male genitalia; her body is naturally mutilated and incomplete. In the Dogon myth the clitoris rises up like a termite-hill, it is oversized and must be knocked down, that is, excised. Between excessive size, monstrousness and ugliness come discourses which have since time immemorial accompanied and justified wounding the female genitals. But today a medical type of discourse, which is widely accepted, is aiming to repair excised genitalia and give back to women the happiness of a recovered body. Thus we may ask what “woman's dignity” consists of and whether it is the same as the “dignity of the human person”.
Is Sociobiology Amendable? Feminist and Darwinian women biologists confront the paradigm of sexual selection
Authors: Hoquet Thierry
Published: October 2010

Is it possible to be a socio-biologist and a feminist? Socio-biology has been accused of being a macho ideological arsenal, which seems to exclude in advance any possibility of amending it. However that was the project of several female researchers (in particular S. B. Hrdy and P. A. Gowaty), who suggested adopting the science's theoretical framework in order to change it from within. This has been expressed in a change of focus: an appeal to take account of female strategies and their evolution as well as the “sex war” at work in process of reproduction. This opening out of socio-biology's theoretical framework has not been undertaken in the name of the privilege of a “female perspective” but it has without a doubt been nourished by the researchers’ marginal position in their discipline as well as their political involvement. “Male” contributions, such as W. G. Eberhard's work on the “female's cryptic choice”, are also part of this movement though they do not claim allegiance to it. Similarly, a critical study has been carried out on the vocabulary of socio-biology: not in order to exercise a “politically correct” ideological tyranny but to improve the efficiency of the conceptual tools introduced by the science. Today some feminists think feminism should incorporate socio-biology's results but resistance still remains strong. Though many feminists think feminism has more to bring to biology than the reverse, many biologists consider that feminism is just an ideology that should remain apart from scientific work.
Intersecting Views on the Exhibition “elles@centrepompidou”
Authors: Ernoult Nathalie , Gonnard Catherine
Published: October 2010

Nowadays it's difficult to ignore the increasing importance of women artists on the international art scene. The majority of art students are female and women artists are gradually making a name for themselves in an art market till recently dominated by men. Museums are beginning, very hesitantly, to recognize women's work (monographs, exhibits of feminist art, etc.); academic studies have focused on them more and more, and recently a comprehensive study published by Elisabeth Lebovici and Catherine Gonnard has brought a number of women artists out of the shadows.
The Impact of Gender on Religious Studies
Authors: Joy Morny
Published: October 2010

The theme of gender in religion has not been dealt with homogenously given the many research areas that feed into the discipline of religious studies. This paper reviews the different uses of “gender” over the last 20 years. It notes that, though there is no single definition of the word, “gender” as a term has had a very great impact on the way women have formulated their demand for equality of treatment and renegotiated or even raised new claims as regards their integrity and identity.
Multiculturalism, Gender and Political Participation in Morocco
Authors: Ennaji Moha
Published: October 2010

The multiculturalism and multilingualism typical of Moroccan society not only act as a backdrop to women's participation in the public and political arena, but also provide a grid to analyse it. Upper-class women, whose level of education contrasted with very widespread illiteracy among the female population, were responsible for the birth of the modern feminist movement in Morocco in the 1940s. The heirs to historical figures who were prominent in building the nation, they fired the starting gun for women's emancipation. Moroccan women have struggled against colonialism and contributed to the progress of society. Their participation in politics is still limited mainly because of conservative ideas that stand in the way of their entry into political life.

All in all women's emancipation in Morocco has advanced since independence. Because of their fight women's associations, and democratic forces in general, succeeded in bringing about reform of the Mudawana (family code) in 2004. However the choice between modernity and tradition remains a big challenge.
The Ambiguous State: Gender and Citizenship as Barter in Algeria
Authors: Cheriet Boutheina
Published: October 2010

This essay proposes a re-reading of the process of establishing the post-colonial nation-state in Algeria, and of the dynamics of citizenship in the light of gender, in order to illuminate the hesitations of the political class as to the meaning of the principle of universal emancipation and sexual equality in the private sphere of personal status.

Whereas up to now readings studying the nature of the Algerian political regime and its ideological discourse have been solely concerned with denouncing the “moribund” character of modernism and/or “Algerian-style” socialism, the argument will deal mainly with the private domestic sphere in order to expose ideological references and representations that are decidedly traditionalist, if not archaic, as regards gender relations in the Algerian family, idealized by the legislation underlying the Family Code (1984/2005).

Finally a detailed review, based on an analysis by gender, of the minutes of parliamentary debates in the legislatures from 1982 to 1984 will demonstrate the highly patriarchal nature of the cultural representations of Algeria's decision-makers, who are reluctant to extend “modernization” to the female population.
The low-velocity impact response of fiber-metal laminates
Authors: Fan J. , Cantwell WJ , Guan ZW
Published: October 2010

The low-velocity impact response of a series of glass fiber reinforced epoxy/aluminum alloy fiber metal laminates has been investigated. The influence of varying target thickness, plate diameter, and impactor radius has been studied and the results compared to those offered by plain composite samples. After testing, many samples were sectioned in order to highlight the failure modes under low-velocity impact loading. The FMLs absorbed significant energy in plastic deformation, tearing the metal layers and fiber fracture, and offered a superior impact resistance to the plain composite on which the FMLs were based. The perforation data were normalized by the areal density of the target and the superiority of the metal—composite hybrids remained in evidence. Increasing the target size, the plate thickness, and the indentor diameter resulted in an increase in the energy required to perforate the target. In contrast, impacting the square panels at the corner or along the edge of the target did not have a significant effect on the perforation response of the structures.
It’s Alive!
Authors: Pratt Jay , Radulescu Petre V. , Guo Ruo Mu , Abrams Richard A.
Published: October 2010

Across humans’ evolutionary history, detecting animate entities in the visual field (such as prey and predators) has been critical for survival. One of the defining features of animals is their motion—self-propelled and self-directed. Does such animate motion capture visual attention? To answer this question, we compared the time to detect targets involving objects that were moving predictably as a result of collisions (inanimate motion) with the time to detect targets involving objects that were moving unpredictably, having been in no such collisions (animate motion). Across six experiments, we consistently found that targets involving objects that underwent animate motion were responded to more quickly than targets involving objects that underwent inanimate motion. Moreover, these speeded responses appeared to be due to the perceived animacy of the objects, rather than due to their uniqueness in the display or involvement of a top-down strategy. We conclude that animate motion does indeed capture visual attention.
Better Mood and Better Performance
Authors: Nadler Ruby T. , Rabi Rahel , Minda John Paul
Published: October 2010

Theories of mood and its effect on cognitive processing suggest that positive mood may allow for increased cognitive flexibility. This increased flexibility is associated with the prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, both of which play crucial roles in hypothesis testing and rule selection. Thus, cognitive tasks that rely on behaviors such as hypothesis testing and rule selection may benefit from positive mood, whereas tasks that do not rely on such behaviors should not be affected by positive mood. We explored this idea within a category-learning framework. Positive, neutral, and negative moods were induced in our subjects, and they learned either a rule-described or a non-rule-described category set. Subjects in the positive-mood condition performed better than subjects in the neutral- or negative-mood conditions in classifying stimuli from rule-described categories. Positive mood also affected the strategy of subjects who classified stimuli from non-rule-described categories.