bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BCR-ABL–Induced Deregulation of the IL-33/ST2 Pathway in CD34(+) Progenitors from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Levescot Anaïs , Flamant Stéphane , Basbous Sara , Jacomet Florence , Féraud Olivier , Anne Bourgeois Elvire , Bonnet Marie-Laure , Giraud Christine , Roy Lydia , Barra Anne , Chomel Jean-Claude , Turhan Ali , Guilhot François , Girard Jean-Philippe , Gombert Jean-Marc , Herbelin André
Published: March 2014

Although it is generally acknowledged that cytokines regulate normal hematopoiesis in an autocrine/paracrine fashion, their possible role in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and resistance to imatinib mesylate treatment remain poorly investigated. Here, we report that CD34(+) progenitors from patients with CML at diagnosis are selectively targeted by the cytokine/alarmin interleukin (IL)-33. Indeed, CML CD34(+) progenitors upregulate their cell surface expression of the IL-33–specific receptor chain ST2, proliferate and produce cytokines in response to IL-33, conversely to CD34(+) cells from healthy individuals. Moreover, ST2 overexpression is normalized following imatinib mesylate therapy, whereas IL-33 counteracts in vitro imatinib mesylate-induced growth arrest in CML CD34(+) progenitors via reactivation of the STAT5 pathway, thus supporting the notion that IL-33 may impede the antiproliferative effects of imatinib mesylate on CD34(+) progenitors in CML. Clinically, the levels of circulating soluble ST2, commonly considered a functional signature of IL-33 signaling in vivo, correlate with disease burden. Indeed, these elevated peripheral concentrations associated with a high Sokal score predictive of therapeutic outcome are normalized in patients in molecular remission. Finally, we evidenced a facilitating effect of IL-33 on in vivo maintenance of CD34(+) progenitors from patients with CML by using xenotransplant experiments in immunodeficient NOG mice, and we showed that engraftment of mouse BCR-ABL–transfected bone marrow progenitors was less efficient in IL-33–deficient mice compared with wild-type recipients. Taken together, our results provide evidence that IL-33/ST2 signaling may represent a novel cytokine-mediated mechanism contributing to CML progenitor growth and support a role for this pathway in CML maintenance and imatinib mesylate resistance. Cancer Res; 74(10); 2669–76. ©2014 AACR.
Molecular Mechanisms of Bone Metastasis and Associated Muscle Weakness
Authors: Waning David L. , Guise Theresa A.
Published: March 2014

Bone is a preferred site for breast cancer metastasis and leads to pathologic bone loss due to increased osteoclast-induced bone resorption. The homing of tumor cells to the bone depends on the support of the bone microenvironment in which the tumor cells prime the premetastatic niche. The colonization and growth of tumor cells then depend on adaptations in the invading tumor cells to take advantage of normal physiologic responses by mimicking bone marrow cells. This concerted effort by tumor cells leads to uncoupled bone remodeling in which the balance of osteoclast-driven bone resorption and osteoblast-driven bone deposition is lost. Breast cancer bone metastases often lead to osteolytic lesions due to hyperactive bone resorption. Release of growth factors from bone matrix during resorption then feeds a “vicious cycle” of bone destruction leading to many skeletal-related events. In addition to activity in bone, some of the factors released during bone resorption are also known to be involved in skeletal muscle regeneration and contraction. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that lead to osteolytic breast cancer bone metastases and the potential for cancer-induced bone-muscle cross-talk leading to skeletal muscle weakness. Clin Cancer Res; 20(12); 3071–7. ©2014 AACR.
Genetic Modification of T Cells Redirected toward CS1 Enhances Eradication of Myeloma Cells
Authors: Chu Jianhong , He Shun , Deng Youcai , Zhang Jianying , Peng Yong , Hughes Tiffany , Yi Ling , Kwon Chang-Hyuk , Wang Qi-En , Devine Steven M. , He Xiaoming , Bai Xue-Feng , Hofmeister Craig C. , Yu Jianhua
Published: March 2014

Purpose: Our goal is to test whether CS1 could be targeted by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to treat multiple myeloma (MM).

Experimental Design: We generated a retroviral construct of a CS1-specific CAR and engineered primary human T cells expressing the CAR. We then tested the capacity of CS1–CAR T cells to eradicate human MM tumor cells in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo using orthotopic MM xenograft mouse models.

Results: In vitro, compared with mock-transduced T cells, upon recognizing CS1-positive MM cells, CS1–CAR-transduced T cells secreted more IFN-γ as well as interleukin (IL)-2, expressed higher levels of the activation marker CD69, showed higher capacity for degranulation, and displayed enhanced cytotoxicity. Ectopically forced expression of CS1 in MM cells with low CS1 expression enhanced recognition and killing by CAR T cells. Ex vivo, CS1–CAR T cells also showed similarly enhanced activities when responding to primary MM cells. More importantly, in orthotopic MM xenograft mouse models, adoptive transfer of human primary T cells expressing CS1–CAR efficiently suppressed the growth of human MM.1S and IM9 myeloma cells and significantly prolonged mouse survival.

Conclusions: CS1 is a promising antigen that can be targeted by CAR-expressing T cells for treatment of MM. Clin Cancer Res; 20(15); 3989–4000. ©2014 AACR.
Preclinical Characterization of AMG 330, a CD3/CD33-Bispecific T-Cell–Engaging Antibody with Potential for Treatment of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Friedrich Matthias , Henn Anja , Raum Tobias , Bajtus Monika , Matthes Katja , Hendrich Larissa , Wahl Joachim , Hoffmann Patrick , Kischel Roman , Kvesic Majk , Slootstra Jerry W. , Baeuerle Patrick A. , Kufer Peter , Rattel Benno
Published: March 2014

There is high demand for novel therapeutic options for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). One possible approach is the bispecific T-cell–engaging (BiTE, a registered trademark of Amgen) antibody AMG 330 with dual specificity for CD3 and the sialic acid–binding lectin CD33 (SIGLEC-3), which is frequently expressed on the surface of AML blasts and leukemic stem cells. AMG 330 binds with low nanomolar affinity to CD33 and CD3ϵ of both human and cynomolgus monkey origin. Eleven human AML cell lines expressing between 14,400 and 56,700 CD33 molecules per cell were all potently lysed with EC50 values ranging between 0.4 pmol/L and 3 pmol/L (18–149 pg/mL) by previously resting, AMG 330–redirected T cells. Complete lysis was achieved after 40 hours of incubation. In the presence of AML cells, AMG 330 specifically induced expression of CD69 and CD25 as well as release of IFN-γ, TNF, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, and IL-6. Ex vivo, AMG 330 mediated autologous depletion of CD33-positive cells from cynomolgous monkey bone marrow aspirates. Soluble CD33 at concentrations found in bone marrow of patients with AML did not significantly affect activities of AMG 330. Neoexpression of CD33 on newly activated T cells was negligible as it was limited to 6% of T cells in only three out of ten human donors tested. Daily intravenous administration with as low as 0.002 mg/kg AMG 330 significantly prolonged survival of immunodeficient mice adoptively transferred with human MOLM-13 AML cells and human T cells. AMG 330 warrants further development as a potential therapy for AML. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(6); 1549–57. ©2014 AACR.
The ALK Inhibitor Ceritinib Overcomes Crizotinib Resistance in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Friboulet Luc , Li Nanxin , Katayama Ryohei , Lee Christian C. , Gainor Justin F. , Crystal Adam S. , Michellys Pierre-Yves , Awad Mark M. , Yanagitani Noriko , Kim Sungjoon , Pferdekamper AnneMarie C. , Li Jie , Kasibhatla Shailaja , Sun Frank , Sun Xiuying , Hua Su , McNamara Peter , Mahmood Sidra , Lockerman Elizabeth L. , Fujita Naoya , Nishio Makoto , Harris Jennifer L. , Shaw Alice T. , Engelman Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2014

Non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) harboring anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements invariably develop resistance to the ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) crizotinib. Herein, we report the first preclinical evaluation of the next-generation ALK TKI, ceritinib (LDK378), in the setting of crizotinib resistance. An interrogation of in vitro and in vivo models of acquired resistance to crizotinib, including cell lines established from biopsies of patients with crizotinib-resistant NSCLC, revealed that ceritinib potently overcomes crizotinib-resistant mutations. In particular, ceritinib effectively inhibits ALK harboring L1196M, G1269A, I1171T, and S1206Y mutations, and a cocrystal structure of ceritinib bound to ALK provides structural bases for this increased potency. However, we observed that ceritinib did not overcome two crizotinib-resistant ALK mutations, G1202R and F1174C, and one of these mutations was identified in 5 of 11 biopsies from patients with acquired resistance to ceritinib. Altogether, our results demonstrate that ceritinib can overcome crizotinib resistance, consistent with clinical data showing marked efficacy of ceritinib in patients with crizotinib-resistant disease.

Significance: The second-generation ALK inhibitor ceritinib can overcome several crizotinib-resistant mutations and is potent against several in vitro and in vivo laboratory models of acquired resistance to crizotinib. These findings provide the molecular basis for the marked clinical activity of ceritinib in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC with crizotinib-resistant disease. Cancer Discov; 4(6); 662–73. ©2014 AACR.

See related commentary by Ramalingam and Khuri, p. 634

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 621
Supporting Roles of Platelet Thrombospondin-1 and CD36 in Thrombus Formation on Collagen
Authors: Kuijpers Marijke J.E. , de Witt Susanne , Nergiz-Unal Reyhan , van Kruchten Roger , Korporaal Suzanne J.A. , Verhamme Peter , Febbraio Maria , Tjwa Marc , Voshol Peter J. , Hoylaerts Marc F. , Cosemans Judith M.E.M. , Heemskerk Johan W.M.
Published: March 2014

Objective—

Platelets abundantly express the membrane receptor CD36 and store its ligand thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) in the α-granules. We investigated whether released TSP1 can support platelet adhesion and thrombus formation via interaction with CD36.

Approach and Results—

Mouse platelets deficient in CD36 showed reduced adhesion to TSP1 and subsequent phosphatidylserine expression. Deficiency in either CD36 or TSP1 resulted in markedly increased dissolution of thrombi formed on collagen, although thrombus buildup was unchanged. In mesenteric vessels in vivo, deficiency in CD36 prolonged the time to occlusion and enhanced embolization, which was in agreement with earlier observations in TSP1-deficient mice. Thrombi formed using wild-type blood stained positively for secreted TSP1. Releasate from wild-type but not from TSP1-deficient platelets enhanced platelet activation, phosphatidylserine expression, and thrombus formation on collagen. The enhancement was dependent on CD36 because it was without effect on thrombus formation by CD36-deficient platelets.

Conclusions—

These results demonstrate an anchoring role of platelet-released TSP1 via CD36 in platelet adhesion and collagen-dependent thrombus stabilization. Thus, the TSP1–CD36 tandem is another platelet ligand–receptor axis contributing to the maintenance of a stable thrombus.
Nicotinic Acid Activates the Capsaicin Receptor TRPV1
Authors: Ma Linlin , Lee Bo Hyun , Mao Rongrong , Cai Anping , Jia Yunfang , Clifton Heather , Schaefer Saul , Xu Lin , Zheng Jie
Published: March 2014

Objective—

Nicotinic acid (also known as niacin or vitamin B3), widely used to treat dyslipidemias, represents an effective and safe means to reduce the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, a substantial fraction of patients discontinue treatment because of a strong side effect of cutaneous vasodilation, commonly termed flushing. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that nicotinic acid causes flushing partially by activating the capsaicin receptor TRPV1, a polymodal cellular sensor that mediates the flushing response on consumption of spicy food.

Approach and Results—

We observed that the nicotinic acid–induced increase in blood flow was substantially reduced in
Trpv1
–/–
knockout mice, indicating involvement of the channel in flushing response. Using exogenously expressed TRPV1, we confirmed that nicotinic acid at submillimolar to millimolar concentrations directly and potently activates TRPV1 from the intracellular side. Binding of nicotinic acid to TRPV1 lowers its activation threshold for heat, causing channel opening at physiological temperatures. The activation of TRPV1 by voltage or ligands (capsaicin and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate) is also potentiated by nicotinic acid. We further demonstrated that nicotinic acid does not compete directly with capsaicin but may activate TRPV1 through the 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate activation pathway. Using live-cell fluorescence imaging, we observed that nicotinic acid can quickly enter the cell through a transporter-mediated pathway to activate TRPV1.

Conclusions—

Direct activation of TRPV1 by nicotinic acid may lead to cutaneous vasodilation that contributes to flushing, suggesting a potential novel pathway to inhibit flushing and to improve compliance.
Crucial Role of Rho-Kinase in Pressure Overload–Induced Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Dysfunction in Mice
Authors: Ikeda Shohei , Satoh Kimio , Kikuchi Nobuhiro , Miyata Satoshi , Suzuki Kota , Omura Junichi , Shimizu Toru , Kobayashi Kenta , Kobayashi Kazuto , Fukumoto Yoshihiro , Sakata Yasuhiko , Shimokawa Hiroaki
Published: March 2014

Objective—

Right ventricular (RV) failure is the leading cause of death in various cardiopulmonary diseases, including pulmonary hypertension. It is generally considered that the RV is vulnerable to pressure overload as compared with the left ventricle (LV). However, as compared with LV failure, the molecular mechanisms of RV failure are poorly understood, and hence therapeutic targets of the disorder remain to be elucidated. Thus, we aimed to identify molecular therapeutic targets for RV failure in a mouse model of pressure overload.

Approach and Results—

To induce pressure overload to respective ventricles, we performed pulmonary artery constriction or transverse aortic constriction in mice. We first performed microarray analysis and found that the molecules related to RhoA/Rho-kinase and integrin pathways were significantly upregulated in the RV with pulmonary artery constriction compared with the LV with transverse aortic constriction. Then, we examined the responses of both ventricles to chronic pressure overload in vivo. We demonstrated that compared with transverse aortic constriction, pulmonary artery constriction caused greater extents of mortality, Rho-kinase expression (especially ROCK2 isoform), and oxidative stress in pressure-overloaded RV, reflecting the weakness of the RV in response to pressure overload. Furthermore, mice with myocardial-specific overexpression of dominant-negative Rho-kinase showed resistance to pressure overload–induced hypertrophy and dysfunction associated with reduced oxidative stress. Finally, dominant-negative Rho-kinase mice showed a significantly improved long-term survival in both pulmonary artery constriction and transverse aortic constriction as compared with littermate controls.

Conclusion—

These results indicate that the Rho-kinase pathway plays a crucial role in RV hypertrophy and dysfunction, suggesting that the pathway is a novel therapeutic target of RV failure in humans.
Induction of Atherosclerosis in Mice and Hamsters Without Germline Genetic Engineering
Authors: Bjørklund Martin Mæng , Hollensen Anne Kruse , Hagensen Mette Kallestrup , Dagnæs-Hansen Frederik , Christoffersen Christina , Mikkelsen Jacob Giehm , Bentzon Jacob Fog
Published: March 2014

Rationale:

Atherosclerosis can be achieved in animals by germline genetic engineering, leading to hypercholesterolemia, but such models are constrained to few species and strains, and they are difficult to combine with other powerful techniques involving genetic manipulation or variation.

Objective:

To develop a method for induction of atherosclerosis without germline genetic engineering.

Methods and Results:

Recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors were engineered to encode gain-of-function proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 mutants, and mice were given a single intravenous vector injection followed by high-fat diet feeding. Plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 and total cholesterol increased rapidly and were maintained at high levels, and after 12 weeks, mice had atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta. Histology of the aortic root showed progression of lesions to the fibroatheromatous stage. To demonstrate the applicability of this method for rapid analysis of the atherosclerosis susceptibility of a mouse strain and for providing temporal control over disease induction, we demonstrated the accelerated atherosclerosis of mature diabetic
Akita
mice. Furthermore, the versatility of this approach for creating atherosclerosis models also in nonmurine species was demonstrated by inducing hypercholesterolemia and early atherosclerosis in Golden Syrian hamsters.

Conclusions:

Single injections of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9–encoding recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors are a rapid and versatile method to induce atherosclerosis in animals. This method should prove useful for experiments that are high-throughput or involve genetic techniques, strains, or species that do not combine well with current genetically engineered models.
Consistency of Blood Pressure Control After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Towfighi Amytis , Markovic Daniela , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose—

Blood pressure (BP) reduction lowers vascular risk after stroke; however, little is known about the relationship between consistency of BP control and risk of subsequent vascular events.

Methods—

In this post hoc analysis of the Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention trial (n=3680), individuals with recent (<120 days) stroke, followed up for 2 years, were divided according to proportion of visits in which BP was controlled (<140/90 mm Hg): <25%, 25% to 49%, 50% to 74%, and ≥75%. Multivariable models adjusting for demographic and clinical variables determined the association between consistency of BP control versus primary (stroke) and secondary (stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death) outcomes.

Results—

Only 30% of participants had BP controlled ≥75% of the time. Consistency of BP control affected outcomes in individuals with baseline systolic BP >132 mm Hg. Among individuals with baseline systolic BP >75th percentile (>153 mm Hg), risks of primary and secondary outcomes were lower in those with BP controlled ≥75% versus <25% of visits (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.26–0.84 and adjusted hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.82). Individuals with mean follow-up BP <140/90 mm Hg had lower risk of primary and secondary outcomes than those with BP ≥140/90 mm Hg (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.59–0.98 and adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.92).

Conclusions—

In this rigorous clinical trial, fewer than one third of patients with stroke had BP controlled ≥75% of the time for 2 years. Furthermore, consistency of BP control among those with elevated baseline systolic BP was linked to reduction in risk of recurrent stroke and stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death.
Probabilistic Distributional Semantics with Latent Variable Models
Authors: Ó Séaghdha Diarmuid , Korhonen Anna
Published: March 2014

We describe a probabilistic framework for acquiring selectional preferences of linguistic predicates and for using the acquired representations to model the effects of context on word meaning. Our framework uses Bayesian latent-variable models inspired by, and extending, the well-known Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model of topical structure in documents; when applied to predicate–argument data, topic models automatically induce semantic classes of arguments and assign each predicate a distribution over those classes. We consider LDA and a number of extensions to the model and evaluate them on a variety of semantic prediction tasks, demonstrating that our approach attains state-of-the-art performance. More generally, we argue that probabilistic methods provide an effective and flexible methodology for distributional semantics.
Prescriber Perceptions of a Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
Authors: Flannery Dustin D. , Swami Sanjeev , Chan Shannon , Eppes Stephen
Published: March 2014

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) can help improve antimicrobial use in hospitals and, therefore, reduce resistance. Our hospital implemented an ASP in 2004, with interventions based on Infectious Diseases Society of America recommendations. We aimed to assess the perceived effectiveness of ASP interventions on antimicrobial prescribing behavior by surveying hospital-based providers at a pediatric tertiary care center. We surveyed providers via an online survey utilizing questions with a Likert scale response format. Our ASP was perceived to be useful in improving antimicrobial use and was well received by prescribers. Hospitals considering creation of an ASP can anticipate that these interventions may affect prescribing behaviors in positive ways.
Family Environment and Social Development in Gifted Students
Authors: Olszewski-Kubilius Paula , Lee Seon-Young , Thomson Dana
Published: March 2014

Involving more than 1,500 academically gifted students and their parents, this study examined relationships between family environment and social competence of gifted students. Results from an online survey revealed that our gifted students rated their families as cohesive and flexible with high levels of satisfaction and communication among family members. Compared with students, parents identified their families as more intimate, cohesive, and flexible and felt more positively about communication among their family members. Students’ ratings of their family were found to be good predictors of their interpersonal ability and peer relationships, and positive correlations were found between the students’ social competence and their ratings of functional aspects of the family. Differences were also found by students’ level of social competence, with students with higher levels of social competence rating their families more positively. Unlike the norming sample, rigidity was not endorsed as a negative family variable. The results of this study are consistent with previous research in that affectionate, supportive, and respectful family environments appear to be important to the development of interpersonal skills and competency and peer relationships for gifted individuals.
Who are the young people who are not in education, employment or training? An application of the risk factors to a rural area in the UK
Authors: Sadler Katy , Akister Jane , Burch Sarah
Published: March 2014

Young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) are a focus of government attention in the UK. For social service professionals the mechanisms underpinning the individual experience of NEET are critical to designing effective interventions. International comparisons point to similar experiences at the level of the individual family. This article examines the factors that may contribute to a young person becoming NEET and applies these to the demographics of a rural area in England. Poor educational attainment and low socio-economic status are key factors, with the mental well-being of young people as a proposed underpinning mechanism.
Asymmetric microcellular composites: Morphological properties
Authors: Tissandier Cédric , González-Núñez Rubén , Rodrigue Denis
Published: March 2014

Asymmetric microcellular composites were prepared by injection molding to study the effects of temperature gradient inside the mold (0 to 60℃) as well as blowing agent (0 to 1%) and natural fibers (0 to 30%) contents. High-density polyethylene, flax fiber, and azodicarbonamide were used as the matrix, reinforcement, and chemical blowing agent, respectively. From the samples produced, a complete morphological characterization was performed. As expected, cell size, cell density, and skin and core thicknesses were affected by blowing agent and natural fiber contents and mold temperatures. It was found that a better microcellular asymmetric structure was obtained with higher fiber and blowing agent contents and higher average mold temperature. From the data obtained, a simple mathematical model was used to fit the relative density of asymmetric foams to include skin, core, and transition zone thicknesses.
Microcellular injection molding of polypropylene and glass fiber composites with supercritical nitrogen
Authors: Xi Zhenhao , Sha Xinyi , Liu Tao , Zhao Ling
Published: March 2014

Microcellular injection molding of polypropylene and glass fiber composites (PP-1684/GF-950) was performed using supercritical nitrogen as the physical blowing agent. Based on design of experiment matrices, the influences of glass fiber content and operating conditions on cell structure, glass fiber orientation and mechanical properties of molded samples were studied systematically. The results showed the cell morphology and glass fiber orientation of foaming parts were definitely influenced by the cooling and shear effects. The mechanical properties of foamed polypropylene–glass fiber composites could be effectively enhanced by improving the cell morphology, dispersion state and orientation of the glass fiber at optimal weight percentage [Formula: see text]. And the optimal conditions for injection molding were obtained by analyzing the signal-to-noise ratio analysis of the mechanical properties of the molded samples, which were a shot size of 36 mm, a supercritical N2 weight percentage of 0.4%, an injection speed of 60%, a melt temperature of 190℃ and a mold temperature of 70℃. The molded specimens of polypropylene–glass fiber composites, produced under those optimal conditions, exhibited very uniform fiber dispersion and microcellular structures with an average cell size less than 30 µm. And the mechanical properties normalized by weight ratio of the microcellular samples were increased significantly, especially the impact strength.
Fabrication and thermal characteristics of functionalized carbon nanotubes impregnated polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites
Authors: Sagar Sadia , Iqbal Nadeem , Maqsood Asghari , Shahid Muhammad , Shah Nazar Abbas , Jamil Tahir , Bassyouni Mohamed Ismail
Published: March 2014

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified to covalently attach the carboxylic moiety with their surfaces. Variant concentrations of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs) were introduced into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) adopting solution mixing technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the carboxy functionalization presence on the surface of the nanotubes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns for both MWCNTs and F-MWCNTs illustrate that the crystallinity does not alter with surface modification of the nanotubes. Experimental results simulated that electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites was augmented with increasing filler concentration in the host matrix. Thermal conductivity and thermal impedance of the nanocomposite specimens were evaluated according to developed methodologies and the accumulative data revealed the nanocomposites thermal transport dependence on the F-MWCNTs doping concentration in the host polymer matrix. Thermal stability enhancement with increasing filler incorporation into the polymer matrix was observed in thermogravimetric/differential thermal analyzer (TG/DTA) contours. Crystallization, glass transition, and melting temperatures were examined using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and it was observed that phase transition temperatures of the composite specimens can be tuned by varying the nanotubes to matrix ratio. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were carried out to analyze the surface morphology/composition of the fabricated nanocomposites and dispersion of functionalized and pristine MWCNTs in the polymer matrix.
The First 50 Years of the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency
Authors: Clear Todd R. , Ho Aaron
Published: March 2014

From its first publication in 1964–2014, 890 articles have been published by The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency ( JRCD). During that period, the criminal justice field has experienced major transformations in its policies, theories, and practices. This article identifies major periods in the development of criminal justice policy; which are Prepolitical Era (1964–1972), Tough on Crime Era (1972–1980), National Consensus on Crime Policy Era (1980–1996), and Retrenchment Era (1996–2012). It then traces changes in the subject matter of JRCD over those periods. The articles published by the JRCD over the past half century reflect the changes in eras.
Methadone and oedema in the palliative care setting: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Dawson Camilla , Paterson Fiona , McFatter Fiona , Buchanan Deans
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Methadone is a synthetic opioid which is being used with increased frequency in the palliative care setting for management of complex pain. There have been cases published reporting the development of oedema with methadone maintenance therapy but no cases on the association with methadone and peripheral oedema in the palliative care setting. As yet, the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Case presentation

This case report describes a gentleman with ependymoma and difficult-to-control lower back pain and scrotal pain. This pain had failed to respond to other strong opioids. He was prescribed methadone and then subsequently developed bilateral peripheral oedema.

Case management

Peripheral oedema resolved following cessation of methadone.

Conclusions

This highlights an important potential adverse effect of methadone in a society of increased methadone prescription for pain control. The published literature to date is reviewed and possible underlying mechanisms explored.
Viscoelastoplastic modeling of compressional behaviors of kapok fibrous assembly
Authors: Yan Jinjiang , Wang Fumei , Xu Bugao
Published: March 2014

Kapok fiber is a kind of cellulosic fiber harvested from the kapok fruit and has many unique properties and potential applications owing to its high degree of hollowness. It is important to understand the mechanical properties of the kapok fiber under transverse compression because its hollow structure can be squashed easily. In this research, kapok fibers were carded slightly to form a kapok fibrous assembly (KFA) in which the fibers were straightened and parallel. A KFA was considered as an approximately isotropic matrix material in the transverse direction. The fiber arrangement in a KFA was geometrically modeled with a pipe-piling structure. The viscoelastoplastic model and its constitutive equations were established to characterize the mechanical response of the KFA under transverse compression. Three compressional stages (A – the viscoelastic stage, from the initial point 0 to the yielding point 1; B – the viscoelastoplastic stage, from the yielding point 1 to the point 2; and C – the senior viscoelastic stage, from the yielding point 2 to the point at the maximum compressional load) were observed from the stress–strain curve, and four parameters were determined to describe the elastic, viscoelastic, and viscoplastic behaviors under each compression cycle performed on the Instron compression tester. The results indicate that the variable elasticity of the KFAs exists throughout the total compression, viscoelasticity appeared only in stage C, and the viscoplastic property was evident in stage B. The KFAs did not exhibit viscoelastic behavior in stages A and B because the viscoelastic element of the Kelvin model failed to work in these two stages. The influence of conditioning humidity on the parameters was also investigated.
A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jeynes William H.
Published: March 2014

A meta-analysis was undertaken, including 66 studies, to determine the relationship between father involvement and the educational outcomes of urban school children. Statistical analyses were done to determine the overall impact and specific components of father involvement. The possible differing effects of paternal involvement by race were also examined. The results indicate that the association between father involvement and the educational outcomes of youth overall is significant statistically. Paternal involvement, as a whole, yielded effect sizes of usually just under .2 of a standard deviation unit. The positive effects of father involvement held for both White and minority children.
Conflicts and Contradictions: Conceptions of Empathy and the Work of Good-Intentioned Early Career White Female Teachers
Authors: Warren Chezare A.
Published: March 2014

Empathy is theorized to help teachers build strategic student–teacher relationships, develop productive parent partnerships, and acquire professionally informed social and cultural perspectives of students and families. However, this literature offers little empirical evidence regarding how practicing teachers conceive of and enact empathy in their work with students of color in urban schools. This article examines early career White female teachers’ conceptions or beliefs about empathy, and how those conceptions inform their professional decision making. Findings suggest several conflicts and contradictions exist between teacher participants’ conceptions of empathy’s relevance to her teaching, and what they do in their actual teaching practice.
Adaptive climate change governance for urban resilience
Authors: Boyd Emily , Juhola Sirkku
Published: March 2014

Climate change poses new challenges to cities and new flexible forms of governance are required that are able to take into account the uncertainty and abruptness of changes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss adaptive climate change governance for urban resilience. This paper identifies and reviews three traditions of literature on the idea of transitions and transformations, and assesses to what extent the transitions encompass elements of adaptive governance. This paper uses the open source Urban Transitions Project database to assess how urban experiments take into account principles of adaptive governance. The results show that: the experiments give no explicit information of ecological knowledge; the leadership of cities is primarily from local authorities; and evidence of partnerships and anticipatory or planned adaptation is limited or absent. The analysis shows that neither technological, political nor ecological solutions alone are sufficient to further our understanding of the analytical aspects of transition thinking in urban climate governance. In conclusion, the paper argues that the future research agenda for urban climate governance needs to explore further the links between the three traditions in order to better identify contradictions, complementarities or compatibilities, and what this means in practice for creating and assessing urban experiments.
Exploring the Constraint Profile of Winter Sports Resort Tourist Segments
Authors: Priporas Constantinos-Vasilios , Vassiliadis Chris A. , Bellou Victoria , Andronikidis Andreas
Published: March 2014

Many studies have confirmed the importance of market segmentation both theoretically and empirically. Surprisingly though, no study has so far addressed the issue from the perspective of leisure constraints. Since different consumers face different barriers, we look at participation in leisure activities as an outcome of the negotiation process that winter sports resort tourists go through, to balance between related motives and constraints. This empirical study reports the findings on the applicability of constraining factors in segmenting the tourists who visit winter sports resorts. Utilizing data from 1,391 tourists of winter sports resorts in Greece, five segments were formed based on their constraint, demographic, and behavioral profile. Our findings indicate that such segmentation sheds light on factors that could potentially limit the full utilization of the market. To maximize utilization, we suggest customizing marketing to the profile of each distinct winter sports resort tourist segment that emerged.
Planar formation control of swarm robots using dynamical elliptic Fourier descriptors
Authors: Evren Sanem , Unel Mustafa
Published: March 2014

Research on swarm robotics has become increasingly important in the last three decades. One of the major research directions in swarm robotics is the control of the formation of swarm robots to perform various tasks in 2D or 3D environments. In this paper, we propose a new planar (2D) formation control framework based on a dynamic version of elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFDs) and develop formation controllers that enable robots to form the desired shapes. The main advantage of this method over more traditional approaches in the literature is its flexibility in the representation of the desired shape. The formation can be virtually any arbitrary planar closed curve. Representation by EFDs becomes much more powerful as the number of harmonics in the representation increases. Performance of the proposed formation controller is tested in three simulations where desired swarm formations modelled by EFDs with two, three and six harmonics are considered. Results are quite promising.
The Relationship of Worry About Hypoglycemia With Diabetes-specific and Typical Youth Behavior Among Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hanna Kathleen M. , Weaver Michael T. , Stump Timothy E. , Fortenberry J. Dennis , DiMeglio Linda A.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Little is known about the relationship of worry about hypoglycemia with diabetes-specific and typical youth behaviors among emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. This study’s purpose was to examine the relationship among worry about hypoglycemia, diabetes management, and glycemic control within the context of alcohol use, hypoglycemia-related weight control behaviors, depressive symptoms, and impulse control among emerging adults with type 1 diabetes.

Research Design and Methods

The sample was 181 emerging adults with type 1 diabetes who were part of a larger study. Path analysis was used to test associations among worry about hypoglycemia, diabetes management, hypoglycemia-related weight control behaviors (WCB), alcohol use, impulse control, depressive symptoms, and glycemic control.

Results

Path model fit and modification indices suggested that a feedback loop between worry about hypoglycemia and diabetes management should be incorporated into the original model. Youth with fewer depressive symptoms reported fewer hypoglycemia-related WCB and less worry about hypoglycemia; those with higher impulse control had less alcohol use and better diabetes management; those with lower alcohol use had more worry about hypoglycemia; and better glycemic control was associated with better diabetes management.

Conclusions

Health care professionals need to understand how multiple factors related to worry about hypoglycemia and diabetes management interact in emerging adults. In the context of depressive symptoms, impulse control, alcohol use, and hypoglycemia-related WCB, the path model results suggest several potential avenues for intervening to improve glycemic control in emerging adults.
Experimental Evidence for Minorities’ Hesitancy in Reporting Their Opinions
Authors: Rios Kimberly , Chen Zhuoren
Published: March 2014

Four experiments provided evidence for when and why opinion minorities take more time than opinion majorities to report their opinions. In Study 1, participants who wrote about feeling overly different from—but not overly similar to—others were slower to report their opinions after being led to believe that they held a minority than majority opinion. In Studies 2 and 3, minority opinion holders’ hesitancy was attenuated among participants with a high dispositional need for uniqueness, and this effect was mediated by low need for uniqueness individuals’ beliefs that their minority opinions were less normative than their majority opinions (Study 3). In Study 4, a subtle need to belong manipulation amplified the differences in response times between opinion minorities and majorities. Together, these studies show that minorities’ hesitancy in reporting their opinions depends on their motives to belong versus be unique and stems from normative influence processes.
Malignant Otitis Externa: Evolving Pathogens and Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Hobson Candace E. , Moy Jennifer D. , Byers Karin E. , Raz Yael , Hirsch Barry E. , McCall Andrew A.
Published: March 2014

Objective

Malignant otitis externa (MOE) is an invasive infection of the temporal bone that is classically caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Increasingly, however, nonpseudomonal cases are being reported. The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical presentation and outcomes of cases of MOE caused by Pseudomonas versus non‐Pseudomonas organisms.

Study Design

Retrospective case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care institution.

Subjects and Methods

Adult patients with diagnoses of MOE between 1995 and 2012 were identified. Charts were reviewed for history, clinical presentation, laboratory data, treatment, and outcomes.

Results

Twenty patients diagnosed with and treated for MOE at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between 1995 and 2012 were identified. Nine patients (45%) had cultures that grew P aeruginosa. Three patients (15%) had cultures that grew methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Signs and symptoms at presentation were similar across groups. However, all of the patients with Pseudomonas had diabetes, compared with 33% of MRSA‐infected patients (P =. 046) and 55% of all non‐Pseudomonas‐infected patients (P =. 04). Patients infected with MRSA were treated for an average total of 4.7 more weeks of antibiotic therapy than Pseudomonas‐infected patients (P =. 10). Overall, patients with non‐Pseudomonas infections were treated for a total of 2.4 more weeks than Pseudomonas‐infected patients (P =. 25).

Conclusions

A high index of suspicion for nonpseudomonal organisms should be maintained in patients with signs and symptoms of MOE, especially in those without diabetes. MRSA is an increasingly implicated organism in MOE.
Women’s magazines in the Nordic style: Politics, politicians and the welfare state
Authors: Saarenmaa Laura , Ruoho Iiris
Published: March 2014

The article explores the engagement of women’s magazines with the political public sphere in Finland. The material for the study consists of the political content of three long-lived (1968–2008) women’s magazines that are still in existence. Women’s magazines in Finland have supported the rise of women in power from the 1960s onwards. Consequently, women’s magazines are being utilized in political performance in ways that should be put under critical scrutiny rather than bypassed as mere political advertising. Theoretically, the article draws on the debates around the personalization of politics and the emergence of celebrity politics. Furthermore, in studying these women’s magazines, the article highlights the particularity of the Nordic context.
Pharmacology should be at the centre of all preclinical and clinical studies on new psychoactive substances (recreational drugs)
Authors: Green A Richard , Nutt David J
Published: March 2014

Despite the publication of a substantial body of preclinical and clinical information on recent recreational drugs such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) and cathinone compounds such as mephedrone there remains a disturbing lack of consensus as to how dangerous these compounds are to the health of the individual and to society in general. This perspective proposes that use of good pharmacological practice should be mandatory in all preclinical and clinical studies. Its use will assist both translation and reverse translation of information produced in animals and clinical subjects. We propose several basic rules to be followed in all future studies. Preclinical studies should employ pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic integration thereby exposing animals to known or calculable drug concentrations. This will provide results relevant to pharmacology rather than toxicology and, crucially, data relevant to human drug use. Full experimental detail should be routinely provided, to allow comparison with other similar work. In clinical studies evidence should be provided that the drug under investigation has been ingested by the subjects being examined, and details given of all other drugs being ingested. Drug-drug interactions are an unavoidable confound but studies of a size that allows reliable statistical evaluation and preferably allows sub-group analysis, particularly by using meta-analysis, should help with this problem. This may require greater collaboration between investigative groups, as routinely occurs during pharmaceutical clinical trials. Other proposals include greater integration of preclinical and clinical scientists in both preclinical and clinical studies and changes in the law regarding Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) sourcing of drug for human studies.
Liver Biopsy Histopathology for Diagnosis of Johne’s Disease in Sheep
Authors: Smith S. L. , Wilson P. R. , Collett M. G. , Heuer C. , West D. M. , Stevenson M. , Chambers J. P.
Published: March 2014

Sheep with Johne’s disease develop epithelioid macrophage microgranulomas, specific to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) infection, in the terminal ileum, mesenteric lymph nodes, and organs distant to the alimentary tract such as the liver. The objectives of this study were to determine whether liver pathology was present in ewes affected by Map and whether liver cores provide adequate tissue for this potential diagnostic marker. One hundred and twenty-six adult, low body condition ewes were euthanized, necropsied, and underwent simulated liver biopsy. Ileal lesions typical of Map were found in 60 ewes. Hepatic epithelioid microgranulomas were observed in all ewes with Type 3b ( n = 40) and 82% ( n = 11) with Type 3c ileal lesions. None were found in ewes unaffected by Map or with Type 1, 2, or 3a ileal lesions. Liver biopsy core samples provided adequate tissue for histopathology with a sensitivity and specificity of 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-0.99) and 100% (95% CI, 0.95-1), respectively for detection of types 3b and 3c ileal lesions.
Linguistic Markers of Stance in Early and Advanced Academic Writing
Authors: Aull Laura L. , Lancaster Zak
Published: March 2014

This article uses corpus methods to examine linguistic expressions of stance in over 4,000 argumentative essays written by incoming first-year university students in comparison with the writing of upper-level undergraduate students and published academics. The findings reveal linguistic stance markers shared across the first-year essays despite differences in students’ educational context, with greatest distinctions emerging between first-year writers and all of the more advance writers. The specific features of stance that point to a developmental trajectory are approximative hedges/boosters, code glosses, and adversative/contrast connectors. The findings suggest methodological and conceptual implications: They highlight the value of descriptive, corpus-based studies of incoming first-year writing compared to advanced academic writing, and they underscore the construction of academic stance—particularly via certain stance features—as a process of delimiting one’s stance in a way that accounts for the views of others.