bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HDlive in the Assessment of Gynecologic Tumors
Authors: Hata Toshiyuki , Mashima Masato , Cajusay-Velasco Sarah
Published: February 2015

We present the latest HDlive images of uterine and adnexal tumors. Evaluation of these tumors with conventional twodimensional (2D) sonography has been the standard procedure for morphologic assessment, but the introduction of threedimensional (3D), power Doppler and other recent modalities has been of great help in providing more specific details, especially in characterizing malignancy. HDlive is the latest ultrasound modality that enhances 3D and four-dimensional images. Several different gynecologic tumors were assessed using HDlive in this study. HDlive can provide realistic features of the inner surfaces and contents of tumors which are very similar to the gross specimens. An accurate characterization of gynecologic tumors is important when deciding on clinical management options. Therefore, HDlive may be a valuable tool in adjunct to other imaging modalities to achieve an accurate preoperative diagnosis.

How to cite this article

Kanenishi K, Cajusay-Velasco S, Mashima M, Tanaka T, Hanaoka U, Hata T. HDlive in the Assessment of Gynecologic Tumors. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014;8(4):410-427.
Luteinizing Hormone in Controlled Ovarian Stimulation
Authors: Vohra Arveen
Published: February 2015

The role of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in assisted reproductive technology is well understood, though there is still no published consensus on the need for exogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) in controlled ovarian stimulation. There is a dilemma regarding the usefulness of LH supplementation in controlled ovarian stimulation despite growing understanding of the LH and FSH interrelation and their effects on fertilization and implantation. This review revisits the physiological role of LH, LH receptors and the concept of LH therapeutic window. With the availability of LH activity from different sources, there is a need to understand the differences between recombinant human LH (r-HLH), human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It has been observed that adjuvant r-HLH provides precise control over the dose of LH bioactivity administered to target the therapeutic window. This review discusses about the various patient subgroups that may benefit from LH supplementation. The use of r-HLH is recommended in women with poor response in a previous cycle or suboptimal follicular growth in an ongoing ovarian stimulation cycle by day 6 to 8 of stimulation. Exogenous LH administration should also be considered in women at risk of suboptimal response, specifically age > 35 years and women treated with GnRH analogues (agonists or antagonists) during ovarian stimulation causing over suppression of endogenous LH and FSH pituitary secretion. Further research is needed to identify LH polymorphisms, adequate dosing, cost efficacy, need for rLH and hCG supplementation in different patient profiles for maximum benefit during controlled ovarian stimulating (COS).

How to cite this article

Vohra A, Rao KA. Luteinizing Hormone in Controlled Ovarian Stimulation. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2014; 5(3):75-86.
Role of Midtrimester Localization of the Placenta in predicting Pregnancy Outcome
Authors: Faizi Shaweez , Pai Muralidhar V
Published: February 2015

The localization of the placenta by ultrasound in the second trimester has been hypothesized to have an impact on the pregnancy, in terms of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal outcome.

Objective

To evaluate the role of placental location in predicting the pregnancy outcome.

Materials and methods

It was a prospective observational study conducted between September 2011 and March 2013 at a tertiary care hospital. Placental location, as determined by midtrimester ultrasound in 620 antenatal women, was divided into five groups—anterior, posterior, fundal, lateral and low lying placenta-depending on where > 75% of the placental mass was located. Outcome variables, such as antenatal complications, intrapartum events and neonatal outcome in these women were studied.

Results

Out of 620 women, 274 (44.1%) had anterior, 169 (27.2%) had posterior, 98 (15.8%) had fundal, 61 (9.8%) had lateral placentae and 18 (2.9%) had placenta previa as per the last scan done at 28 weeks. Pre-eclampsia (27.9%) and antepartum hemorrhage (19.7%) were more common in lateral placenta whereas term prelabor rupture of membranes (11.2%) was more common in fundal placenta and these findings were statistically significant. The incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was also found to be higher in patients with lateral (16.4%) and posteriorly (16%) implanted placenta although there was no statistically significant association.

Conclusion

Among the various placental sites of implantation, lateral location of the placenta is associated with adverse antenatal outcomes like pre-eclampsia, antepartum hemorrhage and IUGR.

How to cite this article

Faizi S, Pai MV. Role of Midtrimester Localization of the Placenta in predicting Pregnancy Outcome. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2014;5(3):87-91.
Partial Vaginal Agenesis with Transverse Vaginal Septum
Authors: Muralidhar Lakshmidevi , Pandey Pramila
Published: February 2015

Partial vaginal agenesis with transverse vaginal septum is rare malformation of female genital system. The reported incidence of vaginal atresia is 1:4000 to 5000 live female birth. The incidence of septum in upper one-third is 46%, middle 35%, lower 19%. Transverse vaginal septum occurs due to defect in vertical fusion of mullerian ducts during embryogenesis. Vaginal atresia occurs due to failure of canalization of sinovaginal bulbs.

We are presenting such a rare case of partial vaginal agenesis with transverse vaginal septum.

The aim of this presentation is to make the consideration of transverse vaginal septum and vaginal atresia in young girls with cryptomenorrhea and to emphasize on is meticulous evaluation and diagnosis with counselling of a minor along with parents of future reproductive outcome along with surgical difficulties anticipation and difficulties post vangioplasty.

How to cite this article

Muralidhar L, Venkatesh S, Pandey P. Partial Vaginal Agenesis with Transverse Vaginal Septum. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2014;5(3):110-112.
Intercomparing different devices for the investigation of ice nucleating particles using Snomax® as test substance
Authors: Wex H. , Augustin-Bauditz S. , Boose Y. , Budke C. , Curtius J. , Diehl K. , Dreyer A. , Frank F. , Hartmann S. , Hiranuma N. , Jantsch E. , Kanji Z. A. , Kiselev A. , Koop T. , Möhler O. , Niedermeier D. , Nillius B. , Rösch M. , Rose D. , Schmidt C. , Steinke I. , Stratmann F.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Seven different instruments and measurement methods were used to examine the immersion freezing of bacterial ice nuclei from Snomax® (hereafter Snomax), a product containing ice-active protein complexes from non-viable Pseudomonas syringae bacteria. The experimental conditions were kept as similar as possible for the different measurements. Of the participating instruments, some examined droplets which had been made from suspensions directly, and the others examined droplets activated on previously generated Snomax particles, with particle diameters of mostly a few hundred nanometers and up to a few micrometers in some cases. Data were obtained in the temperature range from −2 to −38 °C, and it was found that all ice-active protein complexes were already activated above −12 °C. Droplets with different Snomax mass concentrations covering 10 orders of magnitude were examined. Some instruments had very short ice nucleation times down to below 1 s, while others had comparably slow cooling rates around 1 K min−1. Displaying data from the different instruments in terms of numbers of ice-active protein complexes per dry mass of Snomax, nm, showed that within their uncertainty, the data agree well with each other as well as to previously reported literature results. Two parameterizations were taken from literature for a direct comparison to our results, and these were a time-dependent approach based on a contact angle distribution (Niedermeier et al., 2014) and a modification of the parameterization presented in Hartmann et al. (2013) representing a time-independent approach. The agreement between these and the measured data were good; i.e., they agreed within a temperature range of 0.6 K or equivalently a range in nm of a factor of 2. From the results presented herein, we propose that Snomax, at least when carefully shared and prepared, is a suitable material to test and compare different instruments for their accuracy of measuring immersion freezing.
Characterization of incubation experiments and development of an enrichment culture capable of ammonium oxidation under iron-reducing conditions
Authors: Huang S. , Jaffé P. R.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Incubation experiments were conducted using soil samples from a forested riparian wetland where we have previously observed anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled to iron reduction. Production of both nitrite and ferrous iron was measured repeatedly during incubations when the soil slurry was supplied with either ferrihydrite or goethite and ammonium chloride. Significant changes in the microbial community were observed after 180 days of incubation as well as in a continuous flow membrane reactor, using 16S rRNA gene PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, 454 pyrosequencing, and real-time quantitative PCR analysis. We be Acidimicrobiaceae bacterium A6), belonging to the Acidimicrobiaceae family, whose closest cultivated relative is Ferrimicrobium acidiphilum (with 92% identity) and Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans (with 90% identity), might play a key role in this anaerobic biological process that uses ferric iron as an electron acceptor while oxidizing ammonium to nitrite. After ammonium was oxidized to nitrite, nitrogen loss proceeded via denitrification and/or anammox.
Carbon export and transfer to depth across the Southern Ocean Great Calcite Belt
Authors: Rosengard S. Z. , Lam P. J. , Balch W. M. , Auro M. E. , Pike S. , Drapeau D. , Bowler B.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Sequestration of carbon by the marine biological pump depends on the processes that alter, remineralize and preserve particulate organic carbon (POC) during transit to the deep ocean. Here, we present data collected from the Great Calcite Belt, a calcite-rich band across the Southern Ocean surface, to compare the transformation of POC in the euphotic and mesopelagic zones of the water column. The 234Th-derived export fluxes and size-fractionated concentrations of POC, particulate inorganic carbon (PIC), and biogenic silica (BSi) were measured from the upper 1000 m of 27 stations across the Atlantic and Indian sectors of the Great Calcite Belt. POC export out of the euphotic zone was correlated with BSi export. PIC export was not, but did correlate positively with POC flux transfer efficiency. Moreover, regions of high BSi concentrations, which corresponded to regions with proportionally larger particles, exhibited higher attenuation of >51 μm POC concentrations in the mesopelagic zone. The interplay among POC size partitioning, mineral composition and POC attenuation suggests a more fundamental driver of POC transfer through both depth regimes in the Great Calcite Belt. In particular, we argue that diatom-dominated communities produce large and labile POC aggregates, which generate high export fluxes but also drive more remineralization in the mesopelagic zone. We observe the opposite in communities with smaller calcifying phytoplankton, such as coccolithophores. We hypothesize that these differences are influenced by inherent differences in the lability of POC exported by different phytoplankton communities.
Nutrient utilisation and weathering inputs in the Peruvian upwelling region since the Little Ice Age
Authors: Ehlert C. , Grasse P. , Gutiérrez D. , Salvatteci R. , Frank M.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. For this study two sediment cores from the Peruvian shelf covering the time period between the Little Ice Age (LIA) and present were examined for changes in productivity (biogenic opal concentrations (bSi)), nutrient utilisation (stable isotope compositions of silicon (δ30Siopal) and nitrogen (δ15Nsed)), as well as in ocean circulation and material transport (authigenic and detrital radiogenic neodymium (ϵNd) and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopes). For the LIA the proxies recorded weak primary productivity and nutrient utilisation reflected by low average bSi concentrations of ~10%, δ15Nsed values of ~5‰ and intermediate δ30Siopal values of ~0.9‰. At the same time, the radiogenic isotope composition of the detrital sediment fraction indicates dominant local riverine input of lithogenic material due to higher rainfall in the Andean hinterland. These patterns were most likely caused by permanent El Niño-like conditions characterised by a deeper nutricline, weak upwelling and low nutrient supply. At the end of the LIA, δ 30Siopal dropped to low values of +0.6‰ and opal productivity reached its minimum of the past 650 years. During the following transitional period of time the intensity of upwelling, nutrient supply and productivity increased abruptly as marked by the highest bSi contents of up to 38%, by δ15Nsed of up to ~7‰, and by the highest degree of silicate utilisation with δ30Siopal reaching values of +1.1‰. At the same time, detrital ϵNd and 87Sr/86Sr signatures documented increased wind strength and supply of dust to the shelf due to drier conditions. Since about 1870, productivity has been high but nutrient utilisation has remained at levels similar to the LIA, indicating significantly increased nutrient availability. Comparison between the δ30Siopal and δ15Nsed signatures suggests that during the past 650 years the δ15Nsed signature in the Peruvian upwelling area has to a large extent been controlled by surface water utilisation and not, as previously assumed, by subsurface nitrogen loss processes in the water column, which only had a significant influence during modern times (i.e. since ~AD 1870).
A multi-model analysis of change in potential yield of major crops in China under climate change
Authors: Yin Y. , Tang Q. , Liu X.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Climate change may affect crop growth and yield, which consequently casts a shadow of doubt over China's food self-sufficiency efforts. In this study, we used the projections derived from four global gridded crop models (GGCropMs) to assess the effects of future climate change on the yields of the major crops (i.e., maize, rice, soybean and wheat) in China. The GGCropMs were forced with the bias-corrected climate data from five global climate models (GCMs) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5, which were made available through the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP). The results show that the potential yields of the crops would decrease in the 21st century without carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization effect. With the CO2 effect, the potential yields of rice and soybean would increase, while the potential yields of maize and wheat would decrease. The uncertainty in yields resulting from the GGCropMs is larger than the uncertainty derived from GCMs in the greater part of China. Climate change may benefit rice and soybean yields in high-altitude and cold regions which are not in the current main agricultural area. However, the potential yields of maize, soybean and wheat may decrease in the major food production area. Development of new agronomic management strategies may be useful for coping with climate change in the areas with a high risk of yield reduction.
A high-order conservative collocation scheme and its application to global shallow-water equations
Authors: Chen C. , Li X. , Shen X. , Xiao F.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. In this paper, an efficient and conservative collocation method is proposed and used to develop a global shallow-water model. Being a nodal type high-order scheme, the present method solves the pointwise values of dependent variables as the unknowns within each control volume. The solution points are arranged as Gauss–Legendre points to achieve high-order accuracy. The time evolution equations to update the unknowns are derived under the flux reconstruction (FR) framework (Huynh, 2007). Constraint conditions used to build the spatial reconstruction for the flux function include the pointwise values of flux function at the solution points, which are computed directly from the dependent variables, as well as the numerical fluxes at the boundaries of the computational element, which are obtained as Riemann solutions between the adjacent elements. Given the reconstructed flux function, the time tendencies of the unknowns can be obtained directly from the governing equations of differential form. The resulting schemes have super convergence and rigorous numerical conservativeness. A three-point scheme of fifth-order accuracy is presented and analyzed in this paper. The proposed scheme is adopted to develop the global shallow-water model on the cubed-sphere grid, where the local high-order reconstruction is very beneficial for the data communications between adjacent patches. We have used the standard benchmark tests to verify the numerical model, which reveals its great potential as a candidate formulation for developing high-performance general circulation models.
Complementing thermosteric sea level rise estimates
Authors: Lorbacher K. , Meinshausen M. , Nauels A.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Thermal expansion of seawater is one of the most important contributors to global sea level rise in the past 100 years. Yet, observational estimates of thermal expansion are sparse, mostly limited to the upper ocean layers, and only a part of the available climate model data is sufficiently diagnosed to complete our quantitative understanding of thermosteric sea level rise (thSLR). In order to support usage of results of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), complement observations and enable the development of surrogate techniques to project thSLR, we complete diagnostics of CMIP5 models. We obtain 30% more thermal expansion time series than currently published. We find that upper 700 m (2000 m) observational estimates need to be augmented by 36 ± 9% (15 ± 6%) on average to be considered for a global sea level budget. Half of the total expansion originates from depths below 480 ± 250 m – with the range indicating scenario-to-scenario variations. Lastly, to support the development of surrogate methods to project thermal expansion, we calibrate two simplified parameterisations against CMIP5 estimates of thSLR: one parameterisation is suitable for scenarios where only hemispheric ocean temperature profiles are available, the other, where total ocean heat uptake is known (goodness-of-fit: ±5 and ±9%, respectively).
Calibration approaches for distributed hydrologic models in poorly gaged basins: implication for streamflow projections under climate change
Authors: Wi S. , Yang Y. C. E. , Steinschneider S. , Khalil A. , Brown C. M.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. This study tests the performance and uncertainty of calibration strategies for a spatially distributed hydrologic model in order to improve model simulation accuracy and understand prediction uncertainty at interior ungaged sites of a sparsely gaged watershed. The study is conducted using a distributed version of the HYMOD hydrologic model (HYMOD_DS) applied to the Kabul River basin. Several calibration experiments are conducted to understand the benefits and costs associated with different calibration choices, including (1) whether multisite gaged data should be used simultaneously or in a stepwise manner during model fitting, (2) the effects of increasing parameter complexity, and (3) the potential to estimate interior watershed flows using only gaged data at the basin outlet. The implications of the different calibration strategies are considered in the context of hydrologic projections under climate change. To address the research questions, high-performance computing is utilized to manage the computational burden that results from high-dimensional optimization problems. Several interesting results emerge from the study. The simultaneous use of multisite data is shown to improve the calibration over a stepwise approach, and both multisite approaches far exceed a calibration based on only the basin outlet. The basin outlet calibration can lead to projections of mid-21st century streamflow that deviate substantially from projections under multisite calibration strategies, supporting the use of caution when using distributed models in data-scarce regions for climate change impact assessments. Surprisingly, increased parameter complexity does not substantially increase the uncertainty in streamflow projections, even though parameter equifinality does emerge. The results suggest that increased (excessive) parameter complexity does not always lead to increased predictive uncertainty if structural uncertainties are present. The largest uncertainty in future streamflow results from variations in projected climate between climate models, which substantially outweighs the calibration uncertainty.
Evaporation in a Mediterranean environment by energy budget and Penman methods, Lake Baratz, Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Giadrossich F. , Niedda M. , Cohen D. , Pirastru M.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. In Mediterranean environments, evaporation is a key component of lake water budgets. This applies to Lake Baratz in Sardinia, Italy, a closed lake that almost dried up in 2008 after a succession of years with low seasonal rainfall. We used the energy budget method and Penman's equation to estimate evaporation over Lake Baratz. We measured, using a raft station, water temperature at the surface and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 m depth, as well as air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and net radiation over a period of three years. We also compared Penman's equation and the energy budget method in two other climatic zones using published data. Our results indicate that mean yearly evaporation over Lake Baratz was 950 mm. On an annual scale evaporation estimated by Penman was 18% higher than by the energy budget method, with monthly difference ranging between −38 and +60%. Solar radiation and heat storage were found to be the most important energy fluxes to and from the lake and had the greatest effect on evaporation rates for the energy budget method. The bias between the two methods has a seasonal cycle due to the storage and release of energy from the lake. Energy advected to and from the lake by precipitation, surface water, and ground water had minor effect on evaporation rates. Lake Baratz, like other lakes in a Mediterranean environment, is particularly sensitive to the summer hot and dry climate. In contrast, we found that rates of evaporation estimated from Penman and the energy budget methods over tropical African lakes were nearly constant over the entire year and the difference between the two methods smaller. Difference between the two methods for north American lakes is also smaller probably owing to the ice-cover season and to lower radiation and lower temperatures during summer.
A Medium of Exchange for an Internet Age: How to Regulate Bitcoin for the Growth of E-Commerce
Authors: Papp Jeremy
Published: February 2015

Banks and other financial institutions have evolved along with e-commerce by enabling unfamiliar parties to transact around the globe with little to no risk. This service does not come without a price. Bitcoin was established as a more efficient way to securely transact online, removing the need for third-party financial institutions. The purpose of this Note is to highlight the potential of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, making Internet transactions more flexible and affordable to all. The author analyzes Bitcoin’s current price volatility, highlighting a trend of Bitcoin-backed investments, and argues against any government action in support of these purely speculative and short-sited investment schemes. This Note expounds upon the major obstacles facing Bitcoin’s acceptance by mainstream commercial marketplaces. Most importantly, the author looks at future government intervention, and argues against any direct legislation on the Bitcoin system in order to allow for its growth and development.
Trademark Protection in Bankruptcy Proceedings: A Closer Look at Lubrizol and its Progeny
Authors: Vereen Endia
Published: February 2015

When the worlds of bankruptcy and intellectual property licenses converge, licensees are placed in potentially dangerous positions. The seminal case on this issue, Lubrizol Enterprises, Inc. v. Richmond Metal Finishers, Inc., stands for the proposition that when a licensor rejects an intellectual property license as "executory," the licensee no longer has the right to rely on provisions within the agreement with the debtor for continued use of the technology. To countermand the negative effects of Lubrizol, Congress amended the Bankruptcy Code, but intentionally omitted trademarks from the definition of intellectual property. This omission has produced a string of conflicting case law, leaving trademark licensees in a precarious position with few options for recourse. This Note discusses the Intellectual Property Bankruptcy Protection Act and trademark protection specifically, and details the circuit split created by Sunbeam Products, Inc. v. Chicago American Manufacturing. This Note focuses on the implications of the circuit split, and concludes by providing some suggestions for how courts can resolve this issue in the future.
Regulating Rideshare Without Stifling Innovation: Examining the Drivers, the Insurance "Gap," and Why Pennsylvania Should Get on Board
Authors: Rassman Catherine Lee
Published: February 2015

Abstract
A Telehealth Technicality: Pennsylvania's Outdated Insurance Reimbursement Policies Deter Investment in Modern Telehealth Technology
Authors: Lee Gabrielle
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The People Versus the Powers; or, On Money and Speech The Continuing Saga of Campaign Finance Reform
Authors: RUPRECHT LOUIS A.
Published: February 2015

Two of the most significant threats to democratic governance at the national level are, first, the gerrymandering of congressional districts, which has tempted primary candidates in increasingly “safe” districts to present themselves as extremists unwilling to compromise, and, second, the Supreme Court decisions (Citizens United v. FEC and McCutcheon v. FEC) that have effectively opened the electoral process to virtually unlimited campaign contributions from increasingly anonymous, and therefore unaccountable, donors and behind-the-scenes political actors. This article examines the particulars of the recent McCutcheon decision and uses a recent book by retired U.S. Supreme Court justice John Paul Stevens to explore the possibility of constitutional reform aimed against these developments.
Thinking About Religion Before ‘Religion’: A Review of Brent Nongbri'sBefore Religion: A History of a Modern Concept
Authors: BROUCEK JAMES
Published: February 2015

Proponents of the view that religion is a socially constructed concept frequently argue that historians should not write about religion in the premodern world. Brent Nongbri's Before Religion nuances this argument by distinguishing between issues of translation and issues of historiography. Like other social constructionists, Nongbri argues that historians cannot defensibly translate words from premodern source languages as ‘religion’. He maintains, however, that historians can defensibly write about premodern religions, so long as they write redescriptive histories: narratives that explicitly treat ‘religion’ as a modern, anachronistic category that the historian applies to premodern materials for explanatory purposes. This review challenges both parts of Nongbri's argument. Historians are entitled to translate premodern terms as ‘religion’, and social constructionists of religion are better off abandoning Nongbri's distinction between descriptive and redescriptive histories. All histories are redescriptive, in Nongbri's sense, making histories of premodern religions less exotic and less problematic than many imagine.
Subjective determinants of the development of foreign language teacher expertise
Authors: Hanušová Světlana , Píšová Michaela , Kostková Klára , Janíková Věra , Najvar Petr
Published: February 2015

Článek přináší parciální výsledky výzkumného projektu, který se zabýval charakterem expertnosti učitelů cizího jazyka. Zatímco první dvě fáze projektu se zaměřovaly na expertní výkon učitele, poznatkovou bázi a vhled ze synchronní perspektivy, třetí fáze výzkumu byla orientovaná diachronně a jejím cílem byla identifikace subjektivních i objektivních determinant rozvoje expertnosti učitele. V textu představujeme výsledky vztahující se k subjektivním determinantám profesního rozvoje. Data jsme získali prostřednictvím narativních rozhovorů s osmi učiteli anglického a německého jazyka na nižším sekundárním stupni škol v České republice. Procesem otevřeného kódování jsme indukovali následující kategorie: učitelovo sebepoznání, vnitřní motivaci, hodnotový systém, pracovní spokojenost, otevřenost ke změně a zvládání náročnosti profese. Výsledky přispívají k porozumění procesu rozvoje a udržování expertnosti a též k porozumění potřebám učitelů a rozvoji podpůrných procesů jejich profesního rozvoje.
The impact of marketisation on undergraduate curriculum in an English university: A Bernsteinian analysis
Authors: Brady Norman , Bates Agnieszka
Published: February 2015

Kontext tohoto příspěvku tvoří marketizace terciárního vzdělávání v Anglii, která probíhá od devadesátých let dvacátého století a podle které je hlavní funkcí univerzity funkce ekonomická. Několik po sobě jdoucích vládních strategií zaštiťovalo tento přístup voláním po vytváření „užitečných“ poznatků a po zásobě šikovných absolventů, které potřebují firmy, aby mohly uspět v „globálních ekonomických závodech“. Terciární vzdělávání ve Spojeném království je nyní poháněno takovou dynamikou, ve které jsou univerzity nuceny soutěžit o studenty na kvazi-trhu, pro který je charakteristická rostoucí stratifikace a snížené financování státem. Tento příspěvek zkoumá dopad těchto změn v rámci případové studie kurikula bakalářského studia na ekonomické fakultě jedné z univerzit (a university Business School). Sběr dat probíhal pomocí polostrukturovaných rozhovorů s vyučujícími v bakalářských 918 Norman Brady, Agnieszka Bates programech. Dále byla uskutečněna analýza dokumentů (např. specifikace studijních modulů, oficiální hodnocení a revize studijních programů, strategie fakulty apod.). K interpretaci výsledků byla využita bernsteinovská pedagogická teorie, především pak koncept rekontextualizace. Analýzy naznačují, že diskurzu na Business School dominují požadavky trhu vztahující se k maximalizaci generovaného příjmu. Výsledkem je rekontextualizace pedagogických vztahů jako formy řízení produktu, kterou doprovází řada nezamýšlených důsledků.
High autonomy and low accountability: Case study of five Czech schools
Authors: Dvořák Dominik , Urbánek Petr , Starý Karel
Published: February 2015

Článek upozorňuje na efekty vysoké úrovně autonomie při současné nízké odpovědnosti za výsledky v případě českých základních škol. Jsou načrtnuty základní principy akontability jako klíčového pojmu současné vzdělávací politiky a stručně je popsán použitý výzkumný plán. Pak jsou představena data ilustrující efekty volby školy, autonomie školy v oblasti alokace zdrojů a kurikulární decentralizace. V diskusi je mj. zmíněn problém časové škály pro hodnocení efektů reformy a otevřena otázka potřeby nového přístupu k autonomii a akontabilitě škol. Po dobu více než pěti let sledujeme za použití převážně kvalitativních longitudinálních postupů vývoj pěti českých plně organizovaných základních škol. Výsledky naznačují, že některé efekty, považované za negativní a připisované plošnému testování a na něj navázaným politikám, lze překvapivě pozorovat ve zkoumaných školách, ačkoli v český vzdělávací systém řadu prvků akontability nezavedl. Současná bohatá literatura o rizicích spojených s plošným testováním by si zasloužila doplnění o studie rizik a negativních efektů projevujících se tam, kde výsledky žáků nejsou systematicky sledovány a využívány.
Iodine Addition to Drinking Water for Perchlorate Mitigation: Engineering Feasibility
Authors: Wildman Claire F. , Gandhi Deepa H. , Kavanaugh Michael C.
Published: February 2015

Perchlorate, a persistent inorganic anion known to inhibit iodine uptake, has been detected in drinking water at low concentrations (<20 μg/L), which will require treatment if a federal maximum contaminant level is established below this level. Toxicological modeling suggests that addition of ≤1.5 μg/L of iodine (as I2) to drinking water may effectively offset the potential thyroidal health impacts of exposure to ≤20 μg/L perchlorate in drinking water. This paper evaluates the engineering feasibility of iodation of drinking water to mitigate risk from low levels of perchlorate. Cost estimates demonstrate that iodation, analogous to fluoridation in implementation, could be significantly less expensive than conventional technologies: cost per 1,000 gal treated by iodation ranges from $0.01 to $0.07, versus from $0.37 to $0.67 for ion exchange and from $0.41 to $0.47 for water blending, depending on the system's size. Further evaluation of other toxicological, regulatory, and public acceptance aspects of this approach is merited.
La comunicación no verbal puede ser un activo para quien necesite ejercer un liderazgo
Authors: Ribeiro Maria João Soares
Published: February 2015

El libro "El lenguaje corporal de los líderes" (en la versión original “The silent language of leaders: how body language can help – or hurt – how you lead”) de Carol Kinsey Goman es muy recomendable para todos aquellos que quieren entender cómo la comunicación no verbal puede mejorar el liderazgo.
De ‘Las meninas’ a los tuits
Authors: Hung Elias Said
Published: February 2015

Estar atentos a las tendencias que en materia de investigación se hace en la publicidad, tanto en España como en el extranjero, permite al lector irse paseando por las múltiples firmas que adoptan la publicidad y los muchos medios en los que está.  El libro coordinado editorialmente por Liberal & Fernández (2014), permite al lector tomar contacto con una visión actualizada de los estudios aplicados a la publicidad, desde una perspectiva transmedia y una mirada retropectiva y prospectiva del mundo que enmarca este sector; así como de los manejos de la imagen, yy de los conflictos de los medios.
Tecnologías de la persuasión. Uso de las TIC en Publicidad y Relaciones Públicas
Authors: Vaqueiro Romero M Montserrat
Published: February 2015

La obra consta de un conjunto de interesantes artículos que giran en torno al uso de las TIC en Publicidad y Relaciones Públicas. En un primer momento se hace referencia a las relaciones “de conveniencia” entre comunicación comercial y tecnologías, refiriendo numerosos ejemplos de esta dualidad.
Two-signal requirement for growth-promoting function of Yap in hepatocytes
Authors: Su Tian , Bondar Tanya , Zhou Xu , Zhang Cuiling , He Hang , Medzhitov Ruslan
Published: February 2015

The transcriptional coactivator Yes-associated protein (Yap) promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis, suggesting that Yap functions as an oncogene. Most oncogenes, however, require a combination of at least two signals to promote proliferation. In this study, we present evidence that Yap activation is insufficient to promote growth in the otherwise normal tissue. Using a mosaic mouse model, we demonstrate that Yap overexpression in a fraction of hepatocytes does not lead to their clonal expansion, as proliferation is counterbalanced by increased apoptosis. To shift the activity of Yap towards growth, a second signal provided by tissue damage or inflammation is required. In response to liver injury, Yap drives clonal expansion, suppresses hepatocyte differentiation, and promotes a progenitor phenotype. These results suggest that Yap activation is insufficient to promote growth in the absence of a second signal thus coordinating tissue homeostasis and repair.
Distinct mechanisms regulating mechanical force-induced Ca2+ signals at the plasma membrane and the ER in human MSCs
Authors: Kim Tae-Jin , Joo Chirlmin , Seong Jihye , Vafabakhsh Reza , Botvinick Elliot L , Berns Michael W , Palmer Amy E , Wang Ning , Ha Taekjip , Jakobsson Eric , Sun Jie , Wang Yingxiao
Published: February 2015

It is unclear that how subcellular organelles respond to external mechanical stimuli. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which mechanical force regulates Ca2+ signaling at endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in human mesenchymal stem cells. Without extracellular Ca2+, ER Ca2+ release is the source of intracellular Ca2+ oscillations induced by laser-tweezer-traction at the plasma membrane, providing a model to study how mechanical stimuli can be transmitted deep inside the cell body. This ER Ca2+ release upon mechanical stimulation is mediated not only by the mechanical support of cytoskeleton and actomyosin contractility, but also by mechanosensitive Ca2+ permeable channels on the plasma membrane, specifically TRPM7. However, Ca2+ influx at the plasma membrane via mechanosensitive Ca2+ permeable channels is only mediated by the passive cytoskeletal structure but not active actomyosin contractility. Thus, active actomyosin contractility is essential for the response of ER to the external mechanical stimuli, distinct from the mechanical regulation at the plasma membrane.
The cis‐state of an azobenzene photoswitch is stabilized through specific interactions with a protein surface
Authors: Korbus Michael , Backé Sarah , Meyer‐Almes Franz‐Josef
Published: February 2015

The photocontrol of protein function like enzyme activity has been the subject of many investigations to enable reversible and spatiotemporally defined cascading biochemical reactions without the need for separation in miniaturized and parallelized assay setups for academic and industrial applications. A photoswitchable amidohydrolase variant from Bordetella/Alcaligenes with the longest reported half‐life (approximately 30 h) for the cis‐state of the attached azobenzene group was chosen as a model system to dissect the underlying mechanism and molecular interactions that caused the enormous deceleration of the thermal cis‐to‐trans relaxation of the azobenzene photoswitch. A systematic site‐directed mutagenesis study on the basis of molecular dynamics simulation data was employed to investigate enzyme and thermal cis‐to‐trans relaxation kinetics in dependence on selected amino acid substitution, which revealed a prominent histidine and a hydrophobic cluster as molecular determinants for the stabilization of the cis‐isomer of the attached azobenzene moiety on the protein surface. The nature of the involved interactions consists of polar, hydrophobic, and possibly aromatic Π–Π contributions. The elucidated principles behind the stabilization of the cis‐state of azobenzene derivatives on a protein surface can be exploited to design improved biologically inspired photoswitches. Moreover, the findings open the door to highly long‐lived cis‐states of azobenzene groups yielding improved bistable photoswitches that can be controlled by single light‐pulses rather than continuous irradiation with UV light that causes potential photodamage to the employed biomolecules. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissociation behavior of a bifunctional tempo‐active ester reagent for peptide structure analysis by free radical initiated peptide sequencing (FRIPS) mass spectrometry
Authors: Ihling Christian , Falvo Francesco , Kratochvil Isabel , Sinz Andrea , Schäfer Mathias
Published: February 2015

We have synthesized a homobifunctional active ester cross‐linking reagent containing a TEMPO (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxy) moiety connected to a benzyl group (Bz), termed TEMPO‐Bz‐linker. The aim for designing this novel cross‐linker was to facilitate MS analysis of cross‐linked products by free radical initiated peptide sequencing (FRIPS). The TEMPO‐Bz‐linker was reacted with all 20 proteinogenic amino acids as well as with model peptides to gain detailed insights into its fragmentation mechanism upon collision activation. The final goal of this proof‐of‐principle study was to evaluate the potential of the TEMPO‐Bz‐linker for chemical cross‐linking studies to derive 3D‐structure information of proteins. Our studies were motivated by the well documented instability of the central NO―C bond of TEMPO‐Bz reagents upon collision activation. The fragmentation of this specific bond was investigated in respect to charge states and amino acid composition of a large set of precursor ions resulting in the identification of two distinct fragmentation pathways. Molecular ions with highly basic residues are able to keep the charge carriers located, i.e. protons or sodium cations, and consequently decompose via a homolytic cleavage of the NO―C bond of the TEMPO‐Bz‐linker. This leads to the formation of complementary open‐shell peptide radical cations, while precursor ions that are protonated at the TEMPO‐Bz‐linker itself exhibit a charge‐driven formation of even‐electron product ions upon collision activation. MS3 product ion experiments provided amino acid sequence information and allowed determining the cross‐linking site. Our study fully characterizes the CID behavior of the TEMPO‐Bz‐linker and demonstrates its potential, but also its limitations for chemical cross‐linking applications utilizing the special features of open‐shell peptide ions on the basis of selective tandem MS analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preoperative Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Prognostic Nutritional Index Predict Overall Survival After Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Okamura Yukiyasu , Ashida Ryo , Ito Takaaki , Sugiura Teiichi , Mori Keita , Uesaka Katsuhiko
Published: February 2015

Background and aim

Several papers have shown that preoperative inflammation‐based prognostic scores and/or immunonutritional status are associated with survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the validity of prognostic factors of these scores remains controversial. This study aimed to validate the power of prognostic scores based on the preoperative inflammatory and immunonutritional indices of patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC with curative intent.

Methods

Clinicopathological parameters and inflammation‐based prognostic scores and immunonutritional status, including the Glasgow Prognostic Score, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), were retrospectively analyzed to identify the predictors of overall and recurrence‐free survival in 256 patients.

Results

In multivariate analysis, NLR was an independent prognostic factor for overall, and recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.59, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.56–4.31, P < 0.001, and HR 2.11, 95 % CI 1.44–3.11, P < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, PNI was an independent predictor of overall survival (HR 2.01, CI 1.21–3.36, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

The present study shows that the NLR and PNI based on preoperative inflammatory and immunonutritional indices are predictors of overall survival in patients who undergo hepatectomy for HCC with curative intent.
A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of the Laryngeal Mask Airway Versus the Endotracheal Intubation in the Thyroid Surgery: Evaluation of Postoperative Voice, and Laryngopharyngeal Symptom
Authors: Chun Byung‐Joon , Bae Ja‐Sung , Lee So‐Hui , Joo Jin , Kim Eun‐Sung , Sun Dong‐Il
Published: February 2015

Background

The present study was performed to determine whether thyroidectomy patients undergoing general anesthesia provided with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) have a lower risk of voice‐related complications and laryngopharyngeal symptoms than those undergoing endotracheal intubation (ETI).

Materials and methods

In a prospective, double‐blinded, randomized clinical trial, we studied 64 patients undergoing elective thyroid lobectomy between July 2013 and February 2014. Acoustic analyses were performed preoperatively and at 48 h and 2 weeks postoperatively. The voice handicap index (VHI), M.D. Anderson dysphagia index (MDADI), and laryngopharyngeal symptom score (LPS) were determined preoperatively and at 24 h, 48 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks post‐thyroidectomy.

Results

In acoustic analysis, jitter, shimmer and noise‐to‐harmonic ratio showed significantly better results in the LMA group than the ETI group 48 h after surgery, but there was no difference at 2 weeks. The incidence of postoperative lower‐pitched voice in the LMA group was also significantly lower than that in the ETI group. In the LMA group, the VHI, MDADI, and LPS were better compared to those in the ETI group at 24 h postoperatively, and improved to the preoperative state within 1 week. However, those in the ETI group remained poorer than the preoperative values 1 week after surgery.

Conclusions

Use of the LMA in general anesthesia for thyroid surgery has advantages over the ETI in decreasing patients’ subjective and objective voice symptoms, reducing the duration of symptoms, and relieving the laryngopharyngeal symptoms.
Robot‐Assisted Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer: Is It Beneficial in Viscerally Obese Patients Compared to Laparoscopic Gastrectomy?
Authors: Park Ji Yeon , Ryu Keun Won , Reim Daniel , Eom Bang Wool , Yoon Hong Man , Rho Ji Yoon , Choi Il Ju , Kim Young‐Woo
Published: February 2015

Background

The adoption of robotic systems for gastric cancer surgery has been proven feasible and safe; however, a benefit over the laparoscopic approach has not yet been well‐documented. We aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, according to the extent of surgery and patients’ obesity status.

Methods

Between January 2009 and July 2011, 770 patients were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. All had stage IA/IB gastric cancer preoperatively and underwent either laparoscopic (n = 622) or robotic (n = 148) gastrectomy. Patients were classified into obese and non‐obese groups on the basis of visceral fat area (VFA). The extent of surgery was defined by whether patients underwent distal or total gastrectomy.

Results

The surgical outcomes following distal gastrectomy were similar between the robotic and laparoscopic groups regardless of the obesity status. After total gastrectomy, the number of total and N2‐area lymph nodes were significantly higher in the robotic group than in the laparoscopic group in non‐obese patients with VFA < 100 cm2 (total, 38.8 vs. 46.5; p = 0.018; N2 area, 9.0 vs. 12.4; p = 0.041), but no significant differences were observed in obese population. Robotic group developed less severe complications after total gastrectomy compared to laparoscopic group in non‐obese patients (p = 0.036).

Conclusion

Robotic assistance did not improve surgical outcomes over the laparoscopic approach in obese patients undergoing distal gastrectomy. However, non‐obese patients with low VFA may benefit from robotic assistance during total gastrectomy in terms of radical D2 lymphadenectomy with fewer serious complications.