bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Stranger Effect
Authors: Szczurek Lauren , Monin Benoît , Gross James J.
Published: September 2012

What happens when affective displays deviate from normative expectations? In this study, participants evaluated target individuals displaying flat, incongruent, or congruent expressions seemingly in response to pictures eliciting positive, neutral, or negative affect. Relative to targets who displayed normative reactions, those who violated affective norms ( affective deviants) were rated more negatively on various dimensions of social judgment. Participants also preferred greater social distance from affective deviants, reported more moral outrage in response to them, and inferred that these targets did not share their moral values. Incongruent affect resulted in more negative social judgment than did flat affect, and this relationship was moderated by stimulus valence. Finally, the relationship between targets’ affective expressions and participants’ avoidant intentions was mediated by the extent to which participants thought the targets shared their moral values. These findings demonstrate the interpersonal costs of affective deviance, revealing the pervasiveness and force of affective norms.
Zoo visitors’ understanding of terms denoting research activity
Authors: Carson Lloyd
Published: September 2012

Zoos have increasingly sought to justify their existence by reference to a scientific role particularly in the domains of animal welfare and conservation. Given recent initiatives by the UK government to foster public engagement with science, it is timely to investigate public attitudes towards primary research activity by zoos. This study reports the views of 83 visitors to Edinburgh Zoo. Within certain items in a structured interview noun terms denoting research activity were manipulated (“research” versus “studies”) as was their qualification (adjective “scientific” present or absent before the noun term). “Research” was associated with a restricted and negative perception of investigatory activity. This effect was intensified when the noun term was preceded by “scientific”. It is concluded that there is a continuing need to challenge public perceptions, particularly of the phrase “scientific research”; that in the meantime zoos should perhaps exercise caution when using it in relation to their activities.
Flooding and the framing of risk in British broadsheets, 1985–2010
Authors: Escobar Maria Paula , Demeritt David
Published: September 2012

Our analysis of 2707 news stories explores the framing of flooding in Britain over the past quarter century and the displacement of a once dominant understanding of flooding as an agricultural problem of land drainage by the contemporary concern for its urban impacts, particularly to homes and property. We document dramatic changes in the volume and variety of reporting about flooding since 2000 as the risks of flooding have become more salient, the informal ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’ between government and private insurers has broken down, and flood management subjected to greater public scrutiny. While the historic reliance on private insurance remains largely unchallenged, we show that other aspects of flood hazard management are now topics of active political debate to which the looming threat of climate change adds both urgency and exculpatory excuses for poor performance. We conclude by reflecting on the significance of the case for grand theories of neoliberalisation and governmentality.
Constructing and contesting the Olympics online: The internet, Rio 2016 and the politics of Brazilian development
Authors: Millington Rob , Darnell Simon C
Published: September 2012

The awarding of the 2016 Summer Olympics to the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil continues the trend of international sports mega-events being hosted in the global South and constructed and promoted as part of long-term development plans and policies. Rio 2016 also connects with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) current commitment to international development and global humanitarianism. In this paper, we examine the proliferation of this agenda through official online Olympic communication and compare it against critical perspectives from activist bloggers concerned with development issues specific to Rio 2016. The results support the notions that the internet can be used both to serve and challenge processes of capitalist accumulation and that political debates and contestations, such as those regarding development policy, are increasingly ‘amplified’ online. We argue, therefore, that while the IOC and Olympic stakeholders use the internet in support of neoliberal and modernist notions of development, online communications also offer important avenues for disseminating current critiques of, and resistance to, Olympic hosting.
A case of feline neurolymphomatosis: pathological and molecular investigations
Authors: Mandrioli Luciana , Morini Maria , Biserni Roberta , Gentilini Fabio , Turba Maria Elena
Published: September 2012

Neurolymphomatosis is a very rare form of nervous system infiltration by lymphoma that can affect cranial and peripheral nerves and spinal nerve roots. The clinical appearance can mimic autoimmune or paraneoplastic neuropathies. To date, only 2 cases of neurolymphomatosis have been reported in the veterinary literature (1 dog and 1 cat). A case of neurolymphomatosis in a 5-year-old female Domestic Shorthair cat is reported. Two, whitish, bosselated, non-symmetric masses (1 cm × 1.2 cm × 0.5 cm) that incorporated almost all cranial nerves and semilunar ganglia occupying the basisphenoid depression were histologically composed of a proliferation of monomorphic lymphocytes. These lymphoid cells were positive for CD3 (T-cell lymphoma). Nested polymerase chain reaction detected feline leukemia provirus. Fragment analysis of feline T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements evidenced an oligoclonal pattern with few peaks of similar height. The integration of pathologic with biomolecular findings adds to the information concerning the role of Feline leukemia virus on TCRγ rearrangements in cases of feline lymphoma.
“A Good Death”—Sequence (Not Stigma), to an Enigma Called Life
Authors: Bhatnagar Sushma , Joshi Saurabh
Published: September 2012

Fear of death and the stigma associated with the terminal events of illness prevents us from dying well. Lack of recognition of palliative care as a speciality, in many countries, leads us to die a pathetic death in ICU rather than dying at home with near and dear ones around. Its time to break the taboo of death and to start talking about this terminal sequence (good death) of good living.
Promoting Sleep for Hospitalized Patients With Advanced Cancer With Relaxation Therapy
Authors: Ducloux Dominique , Guisado Huguette , Pautex Sophie
Published: September 2012

Aims and Objectives:

Sleep disorders are frequent in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. The objective of this study was to demonstrate whether relaxation therapy can improve their satisfaction with sleep.

Background:

Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of relaxation in patients hospitalized with an advanced chronic disease.

Design:

Prospective randomized study with an immediate intervention group (IIG; relaxation days 3-6) and a delayed intervention group (DIG; relaxation days 6-9).

Methods:

The main measure was the overall satisfaction of sleep measured on a Numerical Rating Scale of Satisfaction of Sleep (NRSSS) between 0 and 10.

Results:

Totally 18 (IIG: 9; DIG: 9) patients were included in this study (mean age 66 ± 10.7). The NRSSS improved in both the groups (almost statistically significant) between the day of inclusion and day 2. Because of the dropout of the patients during the last days of the study, we analyzed the improvement in sleep satisfaction only between day 2 and 5. The NRSSS D5 for the immediate and delayed groups were 4.0 ± 23 and 3.8 ± 2.3, respectively. There was no significant improvement in both the groups.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrated the difficulty to include patients with advanced cancer in a randomized study with a DIG. We were not able to demonstrate the effectiveness of relaxation therapy on sleep satisfaction.

Relevance to Clinical Practice:

Techniques that can be easily used to improve sleep in patients with an advanced cancer should be developed and used already early in the disease.
Effects of a Comprehensive Nutritional Program on Pressure Ulcer Healing, Length of Hospital Stay, and Charges to Patients
Authors: Allen Beverlin
Published: September 2012

The burden of pressure ulcers will intensify because of a rapidly increasing elderly population. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary nutritional protocol on pressure ulcer wound healing, length of hospital stays, and charges for pressure ulcer management. The pre/post quasi-experimental design study comprised of 100 patients (50 patients in each group) 60 years or older with pressure ulcer. Research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, chi-square tests, and t tests. Study findings indicate that the intervention was effective in improving pressure ulcer wound healing, decreasing both hospital length of stay (LOS) for treatment of pressure ulcer and total hospital LOS, while showing no significant additional charges for treatment of pressure ulcers. The older adults are at the highest risk of developing pressure ulcers that result in prolonged hospitalization, high health care costs, increased mortality, and decreased quality of life.
Antiaging Effects of Simvastatin on Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lei Junping , Gu Xiaosong , Ye Zhong , Shi Jianbo , Zheng Xing
Published: September 2012

The anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiarteriosclerosis activities of simvastatin along with its protective effects on the endothelium suggest that it may also have antiaging effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiaging effects of simvastatin as well as its effects on sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression in endothelial cells. Aged rats and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with simvastatin in the presence and absence of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL). Aortic β-galactosidase staining was undertaken to determine senescence, and SIRT1 protein expression was evaluated using Western blot analysis. After simvastatin therapy, arterial endothelial cell aging was significantly reduced, and SIRT1 expression was significantly increased. The OX-LDL significantly accelerated the senescence of umbilical vein endothelial cells and decreased SIRT1 expression. The OX-LDL-induced downregulation of SIRT1 was blocked by simvastatin. Simvastatin treatment also reduced umbilical vein endothelial cell aging and increased SIRT1 expression.
Plasma Levels and Distribution of Gene Polymorphisms of Factor VII in Turkish Population
Authors: Turfan Murat , Poyraz Fatih , Kaymak Ayşegül Öztürk , Ergun Mehmet Ali , Tavil Yusuf , Gursel Turkiz , Abaci Adnan
Published: September 2012

Three factor VII (FVII) promoter haplotypes are associated with stratified plasma FVII levels. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the distribution of FVII gene polymorphism and levels in Turkish population. The study population was classified into 3 groups according to the absence of coronary arterial disease and presence or absence of a history of myocardial infarction. It was found that the levels of FVII coagulant activity (FVIIc) were higher in the event group than that of the other groups. Participants with high FVIIc levels were found to have 2-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The alleles at the FVII loci in all cases are similar. In conclusion, our results indicate that FVIIc levels have an important predictive role in cardiovascular events. The distribution of FVII gene polymorphisms in the Turkish population shows significant differences when compared with European populations.
A variational method for free vibration analysis of joined cylindrical-conical shells
Authors: Qu Yegao , Chen Yong , Long Xinhua , Hua Hongxing , Meng Guang
Published: September 2012

A variational method is proposed to study the free vibration of joined cylindrical-conical shells (JCCSs) subjected to classical and non-classical boundary conditions. A JCCS is divided into its components (i.e., conical and cylindrical shells) at the cone-cylinder junction. The interface continuity and geometric boundary conditions are approximately enforced by means of a modified variational principle and least-squares weighted residual method. No constraints need to be imposed a priori in the admissible displacement functions for each shell component. Reissner-Naghdi's thin shell theory is used to formulate the theoretical model. Double mixed series, i.e. the Fourier series and Chebyshev orthogonal polynomials, are adopted as admissible displacement functions for each shell component. To test the convergence, efficiency and accuracy of the present method, free vibrations of JCCSs are examined under various combinations of edge support conditions. The results obtained in this study are found to be in a good agreement with previously published results where possible, and those from the finite element program ANSYS. The effects of elastic foundation stiffness and semi-vertex angle on frequency characteristics of the JCCSs are also discussed.
Te Ataakura: Digital taonga and cultural innovation
Authors: Ngata Wayne , Ngata-Gibson Hera , Salmond Amiria
Published: September 2012

The Te Ataakura project is among the latest in a series of initiatives undertaken by the Ma-ori tribal organization Toi Hauiti to revisit, rekindle and restore knowledge of their ancestral taonga (artefacts), many of which are now dispersed among collections throughout New Zealand and internationally. This article describes some of these earlier projects, which deployed digital technologies in innovative ways, as part of a broader strategy of artistic and economic revitalization. It outlines Toi Hauiti’s continuing efforts to build relationships with holding institutions at home and abroad, and to explore possibilities offered by recent technological developments. Setting this work in the context of similar initiatives on the part of other Ma-ori, with a focus on cultural revitalization and institutional collaboration, we consider the role of digitization in cultural endurance and dynamism, offering a critical view of emergent concepts including ‘digital taonga’ and ‘virtual repatriation’.
Protecting indigenous cultural property in the age of digital democracy: Institutional and communal responses to Canadian First Nations and Māori heritage concerns
Authors: Brown Deidre , Nicholas George
Published: September 2012

This article presents a comparative study of how Canadian First Nations and New Zealand Māori peoples have employed digital technologies in the recording, reproduction, promotion and discussion of their cultural heritage. The authors explore a selection of First Nations and Māori initiatives that resist or creatively respond to the digitization and electronic dissemination of cultural ‘objects’, knowledges and landscapes as a continuation of social processes that have dynamically endured over more than two centuries. Their comparison also considers the limitations of conventional law in regard to the protection of indigenous cultural and intellectual property. Expressions of traditional knowledge and culture generally fall outside the protection of copyrights and patents, a situation that is often exacerbated when that heritage assumes digital forms.
School-aged workers: Industrial citizens in waiting?
Authors: McDonald Paula , Bailey Janis , Price Robin , Pini Barbara
Published: September 2012

While the literature points to significant shifts in young peoples’ labour market participation and the social, economic and political context in which this has occurred, it tells us little about whether and in what sense young people can be considered as industrial citizens. We explored the notion of youth citizenship using data derived from 48 focus groups conducted with 216 young people (13-16 years of age) at 19 high schools in Australia. The findings reveal the ways in which several key dimensions of industrial citizenship come to be shaped and have implications for addressing the vulnerability of youth in employment and informing policy and action.
Rehabilitating the ‘drugs lifestyle’: Criminal justice, social control, and the cultivation of agency
Authors: Kaye Kerwin
Published: September 2012

In the face of rising imprisonment costs, drug treatment has become an increasingly popular alternative to incarceration. Yet little work has been done concerning the nature of the treatment systems for offenders. This study examines rehabilitative practice within a residential drug treatment facility that works closely with the criminal justice system. The target of rehabilitative reform is revealed to be a ‘drugs lifestyle’ whose description strongly recalls earlier discussions of the ‘culture of poverty’. Residents are deemed to be in need of disciplinary control in order to foster an emotional disposition oriented toward accepting boredom, following rules, responding calmly to being yelled at by supervisors, and other skills useful in the low-wage labor market. Given its apparent functions in terms of social control, the fact that some participants find the harsh disciplinary system beneficial requires explanation, and it is argued that rehabilitation fosters new forms of agency that are associated with leaving the informal labor market and entering the lower tiers of formalized labor. Understanding the benefits of drug treatment requires a careful conceptualization of agency, treating it as a characteristic that emerges from within social formations rather than in opposition to them.
Delamination failure of composite top-hat stiffeners using finite element analysis
Authors: Raju  , Prusty B Gangadhara , Kelly Don W
Published: September 2012

The paper presents the finite element analysis of top-hat stiffeners (transversely loaded keel support structure) under a static load where splitting–delamination is the primary mode of failure. A set of experiments is conducted on the composite top-hat stiffeners with three different lay-up arrangements. The experimental study, together with the finite element modelling to capture the delamination failure, is presented. Fracture initiation is predicted using an interlaminar-strength-based criterion. A fracture-mechanics-based formulation is used to predict delamination propagation by connecting the composite layers with two-dimensional and three-dimensional interface elements using the commercially available MSC Marc Mentat 2008 r1 finite element software package. Reasonable agreement between the experiments and finite element analysis was achieved. The reserve strength identified by the experimental testing is successfully modelled. The factors affecting the fibre–matrix interface strength are studied. The failure location and mode for fracture initiation and propagation are determined.
Effects of Survey Question Comprehensibility on Response Quality
Authors: Lenzner Timo
Published: September 2012

Many studies have shown that vague or ambiguous questions are often interpreted idiosyncratically by respondents and thus can increase measurement error. This article provides some evidence that the cognitive effort required to comprehend survey questions affects data quality in a similar way. A web survey experiment revealed that respondents receiving less comprehensible questions provided lower-quality responses (as indicated by breakoff rates, number of nonsubstantive responses, number of neutral responses, and over-time consistency) than respondents receiving control questions that were easier to comprehend. Moreover, interaction effects of question comprehensibility with respondents’ verbal skills and their motivation to answer surveys were found. These findings indicate that survey designers should minimize the cognitive effort required to comprehend their questions and the article suggests specific ways how to do so.
Ethnic Identity, Questionnaire Content, and the Dilemma of Race Matching in Surveys of African Americans by African American Interviewers
Authors: Davis Rachel E. , Caldwell Cleopatra H. , Couper Mick P. , Janz Nancy K. , Alexander Gwen L. , Greene Sarah M. , Zhang Nanhua , Resnicow Ken
Published: September 2012

We used data from two telephone-administered health surveys to explore African Americans’ preferences for interviewer race. The first survey utilized African American interviewers to assess ethnic identity and aspects of healthy eating among 617 African American adults. In the second survey, interviewers of varying races queried 534 African American adults about their motivations to eat healthier. The motivation survey contained almost no racial content, whereas 40% of the ethnic identity survey assessed racial content. Using only ethnic identity survey data, we found that respondents with Afrocentric or Black American identity components were more likely to prefer African American interviewers than respondents with solely assimilated, bicultural, or multicultural identity components. Ethnic identity survey respondents were also more likely to prefer racially/ethnically matched interviewers than motivation survey respondents. Ethnic identity respondents with a college or graduate degree reported lower hypothetical comfort with a white interviewer than respondents with a high school education.
Examining the Gender Effects of Different Incentive Amounts in a Web Survey
Authors: Boulianne Shelley
Published: September 2012

Researchers are struggling to determine effective methods to improve response rates to web surveys. This study presents the results of an experiment that varied the disbursement of an incentive in a web survey. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a $5 or a $10 prepaid incentive. In line with the social exchange theory of survey participation, no significant differences were found in response rate between the two conditions. However, the incentive amount interacted with gender. Specifically, women were more likely to respond to the survey when provided with a $5 incentive compared to a $10 incentive.
Comparing Random Sample Q and R Methods for Understanding Natural Resource Attitudes
Authors: Thompson Aaron W. , Dumyahn Sarah , Prokopy Linda S. , Amberg Shannon , Baumgart-Getz Adam , Jackson-Tyree JoElla , Perry-Hill Rebecca , Reimer Adam , Robinson Kimberly , Mase Amber Saylor
Published: September 2012

This study collects data on community views of the Wabash River in north-central Indiana using 36 representative statements. The statements were incorporated into two different formats: (1) a standard survey, or Likert-type, instrument and (2) a Q-methodology instrument for mailed distribution to two separate random samples of community residents, which allowed for comparing the results of these methodologies. The data were analyzed using factor analysis techniques. The analysis revealed that under identical sampling conditions, the results of Q and R methodologies are similar. Additional discussion focuses on the similarities and differences of these results and how Q methodology can contribute to our understanding of community attitudes toward natural resources.
Implementing Self-Collection of Biological Specimens with a Diverse Sample
Authors: Fernandes April , Skinner Martie L. , Woelfel Tiffany , Carpenter Thomas , Haggerty Kevin P.
Published: September 2012

Collecting saliva is the most noninvasive way to detect changing levels of cortisol, a stress hormone of interest to behavioral and health scientists, where there are benefits from multiple samples taken over a period of days. Various self-collection strategies have been employed, ranging from treated cards to cotton swabs and passive drool methods. The current study investigates the effectiveness of a variety of reminder techniques in encouraging adherence to procedures requiring four samples per day on 3 separate days of passive drool collection among African American and European American young adults. The findings suggest that direct texts were associated with the greatest level of adherence, while phone reminders were most effective when controlling for total number of contacts. Results indicate that both traditional and novel reminder methods can positively influence adherence, even with challenging populations.
Exploring the Response Process of Culturally Differing Survey Respondents with a Response Style
Authors: Morren Meike , Gelissen John P. T. M. , Vermunt Jeroen K.
Published: September 2012

This article presents a mixed methods approach that integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze why the four largest minorities in the Netherlands—Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, and Surinamese—respond differently to items treating cultural topics. First, we conducted latent class factor analyses on a large data set to assess whether these minorities respond differently to the items and to distinguish respondents with different types of response styles. These analyses indicate that group differences between minorities can partially be explained by response styles and that some respondents prefer to select the extreme categories whereas others prefer adjacent categories. Then, we selected interviewees from the same cultural groups and classified them according to the response profiles derived from the quantitative study. The qualitative study shows that extreme responders use different strategies to answer survey questions than do adjacent responders.
Bridging the Digital Divide in HIV Care
Authors: Luque Amneris E. , Corales Roberto , Fowler Richard J. , DiMarco Jamie , van Keken Adjuah , Winters Paul , Keefer Michael C. , Fiscella Kevin
Published: September 2012

Background:

Persons living with HIV (PLWH) need practical tools to self-manage their condition.

Methods:

We conducted a proof-of-concept study among PLWH to assess whether patients could learn to use a personal health record (PHR) on a hand-held device (iPod Touch) to manage their condition. We began individual trainings and later adapted this to group training. We assessed usability, acceptability and also effects on self-efficacy for treatment adherence using the HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES).

Results:

Nine PLWH participated in the individual training and 29 participated in the group sessions. The participants were largely middle aged, low-income and of racial/ethnic minorities. The sessions were well attended and participants fully engaged in tasks and shared learning. Most participants stated they intended to use the PHR and reported improved self-efficacy in treatment adherence ( P = .05) particularly on the integration of treatment adherence into one's routine ( P < .02).

Conclusions:

Training PLWH in use of a handheld PHR shows promise.
Recovery From Poststroke Visual Impairment
Authors: Ali Myzoon , Hazelton Christine , Lyden Patrick , Pollock Alex , Brady Marian
Published: September 2012

Introduction. Limited evidence suggests that visual impairments may influence outcome after stroke. The degree of recovery from these impairments is poorly characterized. Objectives. To describe recovery and to determine whether visual impairments influence functional outcome and quality of life. Methods. We extracted demographic and outcome data from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA). We examined horizontal eye movement disorders and hemianopia using the Best Gaze and Visual domains of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and described recovery at 30 and 90 days. Proportional odds modelling was used to examine the association between impairments at baseline, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and European Quality of Life Score (EQ-5D) at 90 days. Results. Visual impairments were reported in 7,204/11,900 (60.5%) patients at baseline. Complete recovery occurred in 1,398/3,285 (42.6%) and 3,243/7,204 (45.0%) patients by 30 and 90 days respectively. The burden of persistent visual impairment in survivors was 1,135/4,028 (28.2%) at 30 days and 1,915/9,338 (20.5%) at 90 days. Partial gaze palsy (P < .0001; OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.74-0.87), forced deviation (P < .0001; OR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.43-0.53), and complete homonymous hemianopia (P < .0001; OR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.62-0.73) at baseline were associated with poor mRS at 90 days. Conclusions. The rate of recovery was greater in the first month after stroke, suggesting a potential time frame for interventions. The associations between visual impairments and poor mRS suggest that these impairments should be considered in multidisciplinary assessments and interventions.
Breast Reconstruction With Autologous Fat Graft Mixed With Platelet-Rich Plasma
Authors: Gentile Pietro , Di Pasquali Camilla , Bocchini Ilaria , Floris Micol , Eleonora Tati , Fiaschetti Valeria , Floris Roberto , Cervelli Valerio
Published: September 2012

Background. The purpose of this study was to review the authors’ experience of fat grafting, evaluating the effects related to the use of fat grafting with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the improvement of fat volume in breast reconstruction and comparing the results with a control group (only centrifuged fat grafting). Methods. A total of 50 patients aged between 19 and 60 years affected by breast soft-tissue defects were analyzed at the Plastic and Reconstructive Department of the University of Tor Vergata. They were treated with fat grafting + PRP. The control group (50 patients with breast soft-tissue defects) were treated with centrifuged fat grafting injection according to Coleman’s procedure. Results. The patients treated with PRP added to the autologous fat grafts showed a 69% maintenance of the contour restoring and of 3-dimensional volume after 1 year, whereas the patients of the control group treated with centrifuged fat grafting showed a 39% maintenance. Conclusion. PRP mixed with fat grafting leads to an improvement in maintaining breast volume in patients affected by breast soft-tissue defects.
Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery for Partial Nephrectomy Without Ischemia Using a Microwave Tissue Coagulator
Authors: Nozaki Tetsuo , Watanabe Akihiko , Fuse Hideki
Published: September 2012

Background. Herein, we report our initial experience with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for partial nephrectomy (LESSPN) using a microwave tissue coagulator (MTC). Methods. Two patients with small and exophytic renal tumors underwent LESSPN. A multichannel port was inserted into the peritoneal or retroperitoneal space through a 3-cm skin incision. After tumor exposure, the surgeon introduced a laparoscopic MTC instrument through a 5-mm port and the tumor margin was coagulated circumferentially. After coagulation, the tumor was resected without renal pedicle clamping. Results. These procedures were successfully performed without any conversions to standard laparoscopy or need for placement of additional trocars. The operative times were 183 and 160 minutes, respectively. The estimated blood loss was <150 mL in both cases. The final length of the LESS wound was 3 cm. Using the transumbilical approach, the operative scar receded into the umbilicus and was hardly visible. Conclusions. This novel surgical technique is feasible and enables the bloodless resection of a renal tumor without renal pedicle clamping. Further clinical experience and longer follow-up are needed to define the benefits of this new technique.
Supporting Complex Decision Making Through Option Awareness
Authors: Pfaff Mark S. , Klein Gary L. , Drury Jill L. , Moon Sung Pil , Liu Yikun , Entezari Steven O.
Published: September 2012

This article describes the theoretical underpinnings and preliminary experimental support for option awareness (OA): the perception and comprehension of the relative desirability of available options, as well the underlying factors and trade-offs that explain that desirability. The authors’ research has produced a body of theory and experimental findings supporting the potential for OA to beneficially augment situation awareness (SA) and help decision makers identify the most robust options: those that are most likely to turn out well under the widest range of possible future conditions. OA incorporates perspectives from rationalistic and naturalistic models of decision making, as both are used concurrently in the types of complex high-technology work the authors have examined, including emergency management, infectious disease containment, and air traffic control. The authors have developed approaches to support OA through the use of exploratory modeling and visual analytics. These systems were tested over the course of four human-in-the-loop experiments. The results demonstrate the value of this approach to improve decision accuracy, confidence, and speed for decision makers facing scenarios at varying levels of difficulty. The methodology described here provides a framework to move forward with research on supporting OA in complex and uncertain scenarios in a variety of task domains.
An Incidental Finding of an Intraosseous Metallic Object Within the Os Calcis
Authors: Chaudhary Osman Khan , Trompeter Alex , Ramesh Palanisamy
Published: September 2012

The authors present a case of an incidental finding of a metallic foreign body located within the calcaneus of a 17-year-old girl. Although the presence of foreign material is a common occurrence in the foot, intraosseous metallic bodies are rare, especially so when they present as an incidental finding. A literature review of PubMed using keywords metallic, foreign body, and calcaneus revealed only a single case report, which did not present as an incidental finding. The presentation described here is rare and provides a platform for discussion about possible management options.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case study
Sizing Opportunity
Authors: Daas Chantal den , Häfner Michael , Wit John de
Published: September 2012

An abundance of research has investigated the effects of motivational states on size estimates, with initially a strong focus on the functionality of size overestimations. We suggest and found, however, that goal-relevant objects can be over- and underestimated, depending on which size is goal congruent. Specifically, we found that people with a throwing goal estimated (verbally and via visual matching) the size of a basketball as smaller than people without a throwing goal; hoop size estimates showed the reverse effect (Experiments 1 and 2). In Experiment 3, sex-primed men estimated a woman’s breasts as larger than neutral-primed men; women showed the reverse effect. Finally, Experiment 4 replicated this finding for people in impulsive but not reflective cognitive states, suggesting that biased size estimation is a spontaneous process that promotes readiness for goal pursuit. We conclude that bigger is not always better; people size the world as it best suits them.
Interventions for the metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia: a review
Authors: Papanastasiou Evangelos
Published: September 2012

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an increasingly prevalent condition in people with schizophrenia. It remains highly prevalent in the general population in developed countries, but recently health promotion campaigns and greater awareness of the high associated mortality rates have resulted in improvements in the rates of cardiovascular risk factors. This is not the case for people with schizophrenia who continue to have more than twice the rates of MetS and significantly higher mortality rates than the general population. Various behavioural and pharmacological interventions have been used to improve conditions that are linked to MetS, mainly smoking and obesity. This review aims to provide an update of the latest knowledge about the behavioural, pharmacological and other interventions that might help to combat this life-threatening problem in people with schizophrenia.
Targeted Rejection Triggers Differential Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Gene Expression in Adolescents as a Function of Social Status
Authors: Murphy Michael L. M. , Slavich George M. , Rohleder Nicolas , Miller Gregory E.
Published: September 2012

Social difficulties during adolescence influence life-span health. To elucidate underlying mechanisms, we examined whether a noxious social event, targeted rejection (TR), influences the signaling pathways that regulate inflammation, which is implicated in a number of health problems. For this study, 147 adolescent women at risk for developing a first episode of major depression were interviewed every 6 months for 2.5 years to assess recent TR exposure, and blood was drawn to quantify leukocyte messenger RNA (mRNA) for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and inhibitor of κB (I-κB) and the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. Participants had more NF-κB and I-κB mRNA at visits when TR had occurred. These shifts in inflammatory signaling were most pronounced for adolescents high in perceived social status. These findings demonstrate that social rejection upregulates inflammatory gene expression in youth at risk for depression, particularly for those high in status. If sustained, this heightened inflammatory signaling could have implications for life-span health.
Villous Adenoma With High Grade Dysplasia of Ampulla of Vater
Authors: Northrup Mindy , Gandhari Sujit , Connors James
Published: September 2012

A 43-year-old South Korean male presented to urgent care with pain free jaundice and weight loss. An abdominal ultrasound was ordered and demonstrated a 2.5 cm irregularly contoured ampullary mass that was obstructing the common bile duct (CBD). Endoscopic biopsy demonstrated ampullary villous adenoma with high grade dyspasia. Villous adenoma is a type of polyp typically found in the colon, but it is rarely seen at the ampulla of Vater. To our knowledge this is the first documented case found by transabdominal sonography.
Assessment of ductility dip cracking susceptibility on Ni based alloy by FEM simulation
Authors: Chen J Q , Yu C , Chen J M , Lu H , Zhang M L
Published: September 2012

Alloy 690 is a Ni–Cr–Fe type alloy with a widespread application in nuclear power plants. However, the companion filler metal 52M (FM-52M) is susceptible to ductility dip cracking (DDC), which seriously affects safety and life extension in nuclear application. To provide a better understanding of DDC formation in the varestraint test, local strain is adopted to assess materials resistance of DDC instead of average bending strain. In this work, spot varestraint tests of FM-52M were performed with an average strain (0·25–7%). Then, a thermomechanical simulation of the spot varestraint tests was modelled based on the experiment. The simulation obtained preferential propagation orientation of DDC and accumulated strain increment during a susceptible temperature range. Simulated local strain caused at an elevated temperature is much larger than the average strain. Besides, prediction of DDC distribution agrees well with experimental results. The finite element model presents a clear local strain distribution and provides an extra understanding of DDC formation.
Synthesis of Fe based ZrB2 composite coating by gas tungsten arc welding
Authors: Guo L J , Wang X B , Zhang P P , Yang Z H , Wang H B
Published: September 2012

ZrB2/Fe composite coating was in situ synthesised by gas tungsten arc welding cladding process on AISI 1020 steel. Zr, B4C and Fe–B alloy powders were used as precursor powders. The phase composition and microstructure were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Microhardness of ZrB2/Fe composite coating at room temperature was examined. Main phases obtained from Zr and B4C precursor are ZrB2 and α-Fe, and those obtained from Zr and Fe–B precursor are ZrB2 and FeB. In the upper part of these composite coatings, ZrB2 phase mainly grows along temperature gradient direction. The middle part of these composite coatings has the highest ZrB2 content and highest microhardness. Gradient dispersions of ZrB2 reinforcements appeared in the composite coating from the middle to the bottom, leading to gradient dispersions of microhardness. With decreasing dilution rate, ZrB2 content and microhardeness increase.
Super-resolution imaging of remodeled synaptic actin reveals different synergies between NK cell receptors and integrins
Authors: Brown Alice C. N. , Dobbie Ian M. , Alakoskela Juha-Matti , Davis Ilan , Davis Daniel M.
Published: September 2012

Natural killer (NK) cells secrete lytic granules to directly kill virus-infected or transformed cells and secrete cytokines to communicate with other cells. Three-dimensional super-resolved images of F-actin, lytic granules, and IFN-γ in primary human NK cells stimulated through different activating receptors reveal that both IFN-γ and lytic granules accumulated in domains where the periodicity of the cortical actin mesh at the synapse opened up to be penetrable. Ligation of some activating receptors alone (eg, CD16 or NKG2D) was sufficient to increase the periodicity of the actin mesh, but surprisingly, ligation of others (eg, NKp46 or CD2) was not sufficient to induce cortical actin remodeling unless LFA-1 was coligated. Importantly, influenza virus particles that can be recognized by NK cells similarly did not open the actin mesh but could if LFA-1 was coligated. This leads us to propose that immune cells using germline-encoded receptors to directly recognize foreign proteins can use integrin recognition to differentiate between free pathogens and pathogen-infected cells that will both be present in blood. This distinction would not be required for NK cell receptors, such as NKG2D, which recognize host cell–encoded proteins that can only be found on diseased cells and not pathogens.
Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells are equipped with antigen-presenting and tumoricidal capacities
Authors: Tel Jurjen , Smits Evelien L. , Anguille Sébastien , Joshi Rubin N. , Figdor Carl G. , de Vries I. Jolanda M.
Published: September 2012

Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) represent a highly specialized naturally occurring dendritic-cell subset and are the main producers of type I interferons (IFNs) in response to viral infections. We show that human pDCs activated by the preventive vaccine FSME specifically up-regulate CD56 on their surface, a marker that was thought to be specific for NK cells and associated with cytolytic effector functions. We observed that FSME-activated pDCs specifically lysed NK target cells and expressed cytotoxic molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and granzyme B. Elevated levels of these molecules coincided with the expression of CD56, indicative for skewing human pDCs toward an interferon-producing killer DC subset. Detailed phenotypical and functional analysis revealed that pDCs attained a mature phenotype, secreted proinflammatory cytokines, and had the capacity to present antigens and stimulate T cells. Here, we report on the generation of CD56+ human interferon producing killer pDCs with the capacity to present antigens. These findings aid in deciphering the role for pDCs in antitumor immunity and present a promising prospect of developing antitumor therapy using pDCs.
Natural Bagaza virus infection in game birds in southern Spain
Authors: Gamino Virginia , Gutiérrez-Guzmán Ana-Valeria , Fernández-de-Mera Isabel G , Ortíz José-Antonio , Durán-Martín Mauricio , de la Fuente José , Gortázar Christian , Höfle Ursula
Published: September 2012

In late summer 2010 a mosquito born flavivirus not previously reported in Europe called Bagaza virus (BAGV) caused high mortality in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). We studied clinical findings, lesions and viral antigen distribution in naturally BAGV infected game birds in order to understand the apparently higher impact on red-legged partridges. The disease induced neurologic signs in the two galliform species and, to a lesser extent, in common wood pigeons (Columba palumbus). In red-legged partridges infection by BAGV caused severe haemosiderosis in the liver and spleen that was absent in pheasants and less evident in common wood pigeons. Also, BAGV antigen was present in vascular endothelium in multiple organs in red-legged partridges, and in the spleen in common wood pigeons, while in ring-necked pheasants it was only detected in neurons and glial cells in the brain. These findings indicate tropism of BAGV for endothelial cells and a severe haemolytic process in red-legged partridges in addition to the central nervous lesions that were found in all three species.
Integrating cytogenetics and genomics in comparative evolutionary studies of cichlid fish
Authors: Mazzuchelli Juliana , Kocher Thomas David , Yang Fengtang , Martins Cesar
Published: September 2012

Background

The availability of a large number of recently sequenced vertebrate genomes opens new avenues to integrate cytogenetics and genomics in comparative and evolutionary studies. Cytogenetic mapping can offer alternative means to identify conserved synteny shared by distinct genomes and also to define genome regions that are still not fine characterized even after wide-ranging nucleotide sequence efforts. An efficient way to perform comparative cytogenetic mapping is based on BAC clones mapping by fluorescence in situ hybridization. In this report, to address the knowledge gap on the genome evolution in cichlid fishes, BAC clones of an Oreochromis niloticus library covering the linkage groups (LG) 1, 3, 5, and 7 were mapped onto the chromosomes of 9 African cichlid species. The cytogenetic mapping data were also integrated with BAC-end sequences information of O. niloticus and comparatively analyzed against the genome of other fish species and vertebrates.

Results

The location of BACs from LG1, 3, 5, and 7 revealed a strong chromosomal conservation among the analyzed cichlid species genomes, which evidenced a synteny of the markers of each LG. Comparative in silico analysis also identified large genomic blocks that were conserved in distantly related fish groups and also in other vertebrates.

Conclusions

Although it has been suggested that fishes contain plastic genomes with high rates of chromosomal rearrangements and probably low rates of synteny conservation, our results evidence that large syntenic chromosome segments have been maintained conserved during evolution, at least for the considered markers. Additionally, our current cytogenetic mapping efforts integrated with genomic approaches conduct to a new perspective to address important questions involving chromosome evolution in fishes.