bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypofractionated intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with temozolomide chemotherapy may alter the patterns of failure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Reddy Krishna , Gaspar Laurie E. , Kavanagh Brian D. , Chen Changhu
Published: June 2014

Introduction

The objective of this study was to report the patterns of failure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated on a phase II trial of hypofractionated intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (hypo‐IMRT) with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ).

Methods

Patients with newly diagnosed GBM post‐resection received postoperative hypo‐IMRT to 60 Gy in 10 fractions. TMZ was given concurrently at 75 mg/m2/day for 28 consecutive days and adjuvantly at 150–200 mg/m2/day for 5 days every 28 days. Radiographic failure was defined as any new T1‐enhancing lesion or biopsy‐confirmed progressive enhancement at the primary site. MRIs obtained at the time of failure were fused to original hypo‐IMRT plans. Central, in‐field, marginal and distant failure were defined as ≥95%, 80% to 95%, any to 80% and 0% of the volume of a recurrence receiving 60 Gy, respectively.

Results

Twenty‐four patients were treated on the trial. Median follow‐up was 14.8 months (range 2.7–34.2). Seventeen of 24 patients experienced radiographic failure: one central, five in‐field, two marginal, eight distant and one both in‐field and distant. Two of the eight distant failures presented with leptomeningeal disease. Two other patients died without evidence of radiographic recurrence. Five of 24 patients demonstrated asymptomatic, gradually progressive in‐field T1 enhancement, suggestive of post‐treatment changes, without clear evidence of failure; three of these patients received a biopsy/second resection, with 100% radiation necrosis found. The median overall survival of this group was 33.0 months.

Conclusion

A 60‐Gy hypo‐IMRT treatment delivered in 6‐Gy fractions with TMZ altered the patterns of failure in GBM, with more distant failures.
Vanishing bone disease of the orbital roof: Now you see it, now you don't
Authors: Dharsono Ferry , van Heerden Jolandi , Mesbah Ardakani Nima , Franconi Catherine , Honeybul Stephen , Lind Christopher R.P. , McAuliffe William
Published: June 2014

We describe a rare case of vascularised orbital roof and calvarial erosions with an associated venous malformation. In the absence of infection, malignancy, trauma and eosinophillic granuloma, the closest previously described entity is vanishing bone disease. Computed tomography (CT), MRI, catheter angiography and pathology were all important in the diagnostic workup to enable surgical planning for biopsy and reconstruction. Ongoing CT and MRI follow‐up imaging will determine future treatment planning.
New Fossil Procercopidae (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha) from the Early Cretaceous of Northeastern China
Authors: HU Haijing , YAO Yunzhi , REN Dong
Published: June 2014

A new fossil species, Anthoscytina macula sp. nov., of the family Procercopidae is described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Huangbanjigou, Chaomidian Village, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, China. A key to the species of the genus Anthoscytina Hong, 1983 is provided. The diagnosis of the genus is revised.
New specimens of Stenocybus acidentatus (Therapsida: Dinocephalia) from the Middle Permian Dashankou Fauna of China
Authors: JIANG Shan , JI Shu‐an
Published: June 2014

The basal dinocephalian clade Stenocybusidae was known from two incomplete specimens representing one generus, Stenocybus, from Dashankou fanua in Yumen, Gansu Province of China. The holotype of Stenocybus acidentatus is laterally compressed, making some characters unclear. Here we describe two new specimens of Stenocybus acidentatus from the same locality, an anterior portion of skull with articulated jaws, and a right dentary with nearly complete dentition. They show some detailed features on the morphology of the premaxilla, maxilla, nasal, external nares and dentary. The phylogenetic relationship between Stenocybus acidentatus and the relatively large Sinophoneus yumenensis is still difficult to determine, and needs more new complete material and further evidences.
Zircon U‐Pb age, Lu‐Hf Isotopic Characteristics and Origin of the Banshanping Granitoid Rocks in East Qinling Orogenic Belt
Authors: LI Mingze , WU Cailai , LEI Min , QIN Haipeng , LIU Chunhua
Published: June 2014

The Banshanping granitoid rocks distribute in the east of the North Qinling orogenic belt. It is a diorite‐quartz diorite‐granodiorite‐granite series, spreading in a NW‐SE direction, and intrudes into the Erlangping Group. The SiO2 content ranges from 57.04% to 76.56%, Na2O from 2.05% to 4.65%, K2O from 0.84% to 3.40%. Major element characteristics indicate that Banshanping granitoid rocks have properties of I type granotoids. SREE ranges from 36.51 ppm to 473.25 ppm, and LREE/HREE ratios lie between 3.95 and 22.18. Negative Eu anomalies are not obvious in most samples, though there are obvious Nb, P and Ti positive anomalies. The zircon LA‐ICP‐MS ages of Banshangping granitoid rocks are 496.0±8.1 Ma–486.9±9.3 Ma. Hf isotope shows that 176Hf/177Hf ratios range from 0.282721 to 0.282876, εHf(t) values from 8.5 to 14, all positive, and corresponding modal ages (TDM2) range from 559 Ma to 908 Ma. Based on Hf isotope characteristics and existing Sm‐Nd and Rb‐Sr isotope data, we consider that the Banshanping granitoid rocks originate from mantle‐derived material, i.e. the igneous rocks that formed in Neoproterozoic, and there may be a certain amount of crust‐derived material during the formation of Banshanping granitoid rocks.
Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Tinggong Porphyry Copper Ore Deposit, Tibet
Authors: CHEN Rui , LIU Yulin , GUO Lishuang , WANG Zhenghua , LIU Hongfei , XU Kaifeng , ZHANG Jinshu
Published: June 2014

We have determined the ages of the ore‐bearing Tinggong porphyries and the Eocene granites using the LA‐ICPMS zircon U‐Pb method. Zircons from one adamellite porphyry and two diorite porphyries yield ages of 15.54±0.28 Ma, 15.02±0.25 Ma and 14.74±0.22 Ma, respectively. The ages of two granites are 50.48±0.71 Ma and 50.16±0.48 Ma. Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) are enriched in the ore‐bearing adamellite porphyries, which are high‐K calc‐alkaline and metaluminous, while Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) and Y are strongly depleted, indicating an adakitic affinity. The Large Ion Lithophile Elements (LILE) of the adamellite porphyries are highly enriched, whereas some High Field Strength Elements (HFSE) are depleted. The diorite porphyry in this study is chemically similar to the adamellite porphyries, except that the Mg# of the diorite porphyry is a little higher, demonstrating more mantle contamination. Four samples from different rocks are selected for in situ zircon Hf isotopic analyses. The samples show positive εHf(t) values and young Hf model ages, indicating their derivation from juvenile crust However, the adamellite porphyry and diorite porphyry formed in the Miocene exhibit more heterogeneous Hf isotopic ratios, with lower εHf (t) values than the granites formed in the Eocene, suggesting the involvement of old Indian continent crust in their petrogenesis. The geochronology and geochemistry of the adamellite porphyries and the diorite porphyries indicate that they formed from the same source region in a post‐collisional environment, but contaminated by crust and mantle materials in different ratios. The metallic minerals formed mainly during the older adamellite porphyry stage, but they were recycled and reactivated by the diorite porphyry intrusion.
Hydrothermal Högbomite Associated with Vanadiferous‐Titaniferous (V‐Ti) Bearing Magnetite Bands in Bhakatarhalli Chromite Mine, Nuggihalli Greenstone Belt, Western Dharwar Craton, Karnataka, India
Authors: PERUMALA Raju V.S. , MERKLE Roland K.W.
Published: June 2014

Högbomite, a rare exotic mineral, is found to be associated with the vanadiferous–titaniferous (V‐Ti) bearing magnetite bands at Bhakatarhalli, Nuggihalli greenstone belt, western Dharwar Craton, India. We report on a second occurrence of högbomite from the Dharwar craton in Karnataka, which is the sixth documented occurrence of this mineral from India. We evaluate the chemical characteristics of högbomite and associated Fe‐Ti‐minerals in an attempt to identify its formation as a primary hydrothermal mineral in a metamorphosed magnetite layer. We report here the presence of högbomite as a complex oxide of Fe, Mg, Al and Ti with accessory of Zn, V and Sn. Petrographic studies suggest the (V–Ti) bearing magnetite (Mt) contain spinel, högbomite, chlorite, martite, ilmenite (Il) and minor amounts of diaspore. The högbomite displays euhedral to subhedral textures, and is up to 250 μm along the grain boundaries of magnetite and ilmenite. In the samples studied, högbomite is prismatic, irregular and elongated in shape. The genesis of högbomite in veins between magnetite and ilmenite implies its precipitation from fluids without involving complicated reactions. Several models were proposed for the formation of högbomite; however, the subject is still debatable.
Application of Hydrothermal Diamond Anvil Cell to Homogenization Experiments of Silicate Melt Inclusions
Authors: LI Jiankang , LI Shenghu
Published: June 2014

The homogenization of silicate melt inclusions (SMIs), small droplets of silicate melt trapped in magmatic minerals, is an important component of petrogenetic and magmatic research. Conventional homogenization experiments on SMIs use microscope‐mounted heating stages capable of producing high temperatures at 1 atm and cold‐seal high‐pressure vessels. Heating stages are generally used for SMIs with low internal pressures and allow in situ observations of the homogenization processes. In contrast, cold‐seal high‐pressure vessels are generally used to heat SMIs that have high internal pressures, although the homogenized SMIs can only be observed after quenching in this approach. Here we outline an alternative approach that uses a hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC) apparatus to homogenize SMIs. This is the only current method wherein phase changes in high‐internal‐pressure SMIs can be observed in situ during homogenization experiments, which represents an advantage over other conventional methods. Using an HDAC apparatus prevents high‐internal‐pressure SMIs from decrepitating during heating by elevating their external pressure, in addition to allowing in situ observations of SMIs. The type‐V HDAC that is currently being used has a shorter distance between the sample chamber and the observation window than earlier types, potentially enabling continuous observation of the processes involved in heating and SMI homogenization through an objective lens with a long working distance. Homogenization experiments using HDAC require that a number of steps, including HDAC preparation, sample preparation, sample loading, preheating, and formal heating, be carefully followed. Homogenization experiments on SMIs within granite samples from the Jiajika pegmatite deposit (Sichuan, China) are best performed using an HDAC‐based approach, because the elevated proper external pressure of these SMIs, combined with a short heating duration, helps to suppress material leakage and any reactions within the SMIs, in addition to allowing in situ observations during homogenization experiments. Furthermore, using the HDAC approach has other benefits: heating rates can be precisely controlled, wafer oxidization can be prevented, and samples can be subjected to in situ microbeam analysis. In summary, homogenization using HDAC provides more reliable results than those obtained using conventional heating equipment Future developments will include improvements to the quenching method and temperature controls for the HDAC apparatus, thereby improving the utility of this approach for SMI homogenization experiments.
Structure and Fluid Transportation Performance of Faults in the Changxing‐Feixianguan Formation, Xuanhan County, Northeastern Sichuan Basin
Authors: DU Chunguo , WANG Jianjun , ZHANG Jun , WANG Ping , XUE Mei , ZHOU Huayao
Published: June 2014

On the basis of field observations, microscopic thin‐sections and laboratory data analysis of ten faults in Xuanhan County area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, central China, the internal and megascopic structures and tectonite development characteristics are mainly controlled by the geomechanical quality in brittle formation of the Changxing‐Feixianguan Formation. The fluid transportation performance difference between the faults formed by different geomechanics or different structural parts of the same fault are controlled by the megascopic structure and tectonite development characteristics. For instance, the extension fault structure consists of a tectonite breccia zone and an extension fracture zone. Good fluid transportation performance zones are the extension fracture zone adjacent to the tectonite breccia zone and the breccia zone formed at the early evolutionary stage. The typical compression fault structure consists of a boulder‐clay zone or zones of grinding gravel rock, compression foliation, tectonite lens, and dense fracture development. The dense fracture development zone is the best fluid transporting area at a certain scale of the compression fault, and then the lens, grinding gravel rock zone and compression foliation zones are the worst areas for hydrocarbon migration. The typical tensor‐shear fault with a certain scale can be divided into boulder‐clay or grinding gravel rock zones of the fault, as well as a pinnate fractures zone and a derivative fractures zone. The grinding gravel rock zone is the worst one for fluid transportation. Because of the fracture mesh connectivity and better penetration ability, the pinnate fractures zone provides the dominant pathway for hydrocarbon vertical migration along the tensor‐shear fault.
Hydrocarbon Accumulation Process in the Marine Strata in Jianghan Plain Area, Middle China
Authors: XU Guosheng , ZHANG Lijun , GONG Deyu , WANG Guozhi , YUAN Haifeng , LI Changhong , HU Xiaofeng
Published: June 2014

Marine strata in the Jianghan Plain area are widely distributed with a total depth of more than 8,000 m from the Upper Sinian to the Middle Triassic. Six reservoir caprock units, named Z–€2, €2–O, S, D–C, P and T1, can be identified with each epoch. The geology, stratigraphy, drilling, oil testing and other basic data as well as the measured inclusion and strontium isotope data in the study area are used in the analysis of the formation and evolution process of marine petroliferous reservoirs in the Jianghan Plain area. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the further exploration of hydrocarbons in the Jianghan Plain and reduce the risks by analyzing the key factors for hydrocarbon accumulation in the marine strata. Our findings show that in the Lower Palaeozoic hydrocarbon reservoir, oil/gas migration and accumulation chiefly occurred in the early period of the Early Yanshanian, and the hydrocarbon reservoir was destroyed in the middle–late period of the Early Yanshanian. In the Lower Triassic–Carboniferous hydrocarbon reservoir, oil/gas migration and accumulation chiefly occurred in the Early Yanshanian, and the hydrocarbon reservoir suffered destruction from the Late Yanshanian to the Early Himalayanian. The preservation conditions of the marine strata in the Jianghan Plain area have been improved since the Late Himalayanian. However, because all source beds have missed the oil/gas generation fastigium and lost the capacity to generate secondary hydrocarbon, no reaccumulation of hydrocarbons can be detected in the study area's marine strata. No industrially exploitable oil/gas reservoir has been discovered in the marine strata of Jianghan Plain area since exploration began in 1958. This study confirms that petroliferous reservoirs in the marine strata have been completely destroyed, and that poor preservation conditions are the primary factor leading to unsuccessful hydrocarbon exploration. It is safely concluded that hydrocarbon exploration in the marine strata of the study area is quite risky.
Cenozoic Evolution of Sediments and Climate Change and Response to Tectonic Uplift of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: LIANG Xia , JI Junliang , LU Jingfang , KE Xue , AI Keke , XU Yadong , SONG Bowen
Published: June 2014

Through a comprehensive study of magnetostratigraphy and sedimentology of several basins in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, we reveal that the study area mainly experienced six tectonic uplift stages at approximately 52 Ma, 34–30 Ma, 24–20 Ma, 16–12 Ma, 8–6 Ma, and 3.6–2.6 Ma. Comprehensive analyses of pollen assemblages from the Qaidam, Linxia, Xining, and West Jiuquan Basins show that the northeastern Tibetan Plateau has undergone six major changes in vegetation types and climate: 50–40 Ma for the warm‐humid forest vegetation, 40–23 Ma for the warm‐arid and temperate‐arid forest steppe vegetation, 23–18.6 Ma for the warm‐humid and temperate‐humid forest vegetation, 18.6–8.5 Ma for the warm‐humid and cool‐humid forest steppe vegetation, 8.6–5 Ma for the temperate sub‐humid savanna steppe vegetation, and 5–1.8 Ma for the cold‐arid steppe vegetation. Comprehensive comparisons of tectonic uplift events inferred from sedimentary records, climatic changes inferred from pollen, and global climate changes show that in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau the climate in the Paleogene at low altitude was mainly controlled by the global climate change, while that in the Neogene interval with high altitude landscapes of mountains and basins is more controlled by altitude and morphology.
Geochemical Characteristics of Eolian Deposits on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau and Implications for Provenance
Authors: QI Lin , QIAO Yan‐song
Published: June 2014

Eolian dust deposition is intimately related to atmospheric circulation and environmental setting of the source region, and therefore is an invaluable tool for studying the evolutionary history of atmospheric circulation patterns and paleoclimatic change. Identifying the provenance of any eolian deposit is crucial not only for reconstructing the paleoenvironmental history of the dust source region, but also for understanding the paleoclimatic significance of various indices. Loess and paleosol samples from the Garze region on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) were analyzed for their elemental (major and trace elements) and isotopic (Sm‐Nd) geochemistry and compared with those of Northern Chinese (NC) loess formed at the same age. The results show that the geochemical compositions of the Garze loess and paleosol samples are similar to those eolian deposits on the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP), and also resemble the average UCC. This indicates that the eolian deposits on the eastern margin of the TP were derived from well‐mixed sedimentary protoliths that had undergone numerous upper crustal recycling processes, just as with the CLP loess deposits. However, compared with NC loess, the Garze samples have higher ΣREE, Li, Rb, Zr, Cs, Hf and Bi concentrations, higher TiO2/Al2O3, Hf/Nb, La/Nb, Th/Nb and lower K2O/TiO2, Zr/Hf, Ba/Rb ratios. From the Sm‐Nd isotopic geochemistry, εNd(0) and 147Sm/144Nd values of Garze loess and paleosol samples are clearly lower than the NC loess. The higher Bi, Zr and Hf concentrations are relevant to the widely distributed acid‐magmatic rocks in this region, whereas the higher contents of Li, Cs, Rb are attributed to the high background values of the TP. The geochemical characteristics of the Garze loess and paleosol samples further prove that the local glacial and other Quaternary detrital sediments are predominantly the contributors for the eolian deposits on the eastern margin of the TP. Stable element concentrations and their ratios in the Garze loess and paleosol samples formed at different times have relatively greater variation ranges in comparison with the NC loess, indicating that the source regions for eolian deposits have been unstable since the late Early Pleistocene. We attribute the instability of dust sources to variable earth surface conditions and the changeable TP winter monsoon in direction and intensity, which are in turn related to the uplift of the TP.
Surface Expressions of Rayleigh‐Taylor Instability in Continental Interiors
Authors: WANG Huilin , CURRIE Claire A , ZHAN Yan
Published: June 2014

Two‐dimensional thermal‐mechanical numerical models show that Rayleigh‐Taylor‐type (RT) gravitational removal of high‐density lithosphere may produce significant surface deformation (vertical deflection >1000 m) in the interior of a continental plate. A reasonable range of crustal strengths and thicknesses, representing a variation from a stable continental interior to a hot orogen with a thick crust, is examined to study crustal deformation and the surface deflection in response to an RT instability. In general, three types of surface deflection are observed during the RT drip event: (1) subsidence and negative topography; (2) uplift and positive topography; (3) subsidence followed by uplift and inverted topography. One key factor that determines the surface expression is the crustal thickness. Models with a thin crust mainly show subsidence and develop a basin. In the thick crust models, surface expressions are more variable, depending on the crustal strength and depth of high‐density anomaly. With weak crust and a deep high‐density anomaly, the RT drip is decoupled from the overlying crust, and the surface exhibits uplift or little deflection, as the RT drip induces contraction and thickening of the overlying crust. In contrast, with a strong crust and shallow anomaly, the surface is more strongly coupled with the drip and undergoes subsidence, followed by uplift.
Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of primary thoracic soft tissue sarcoma: A multicenter study of the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology (ASMO)
Authors: Unal Olcun Umit , Oztop Ilhan , Yasar Nurgul , Urakci Zuhat , Ozatli Tahsin , Bozkurt Oktay , Sevinc Alper , Gunaydin Yusuf , Yapar Taskoylu Burcu , Arpaci Erkan , Ulas Arife , Kodaz Hilmi , Tonyali Onder , Avci Nilufer , Aksoy Asude , Yilmaz Ahmet Ugur
Published: June 2014

Background

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare malignant tumors of embryogenic mesoderm origin. Primary thoracic STSs account for a small percentage of all STSs and limited published information is available. This study aimed to identify the prognostic factors for thoracic STSs and evaluate the disease's clinical outcomes.

Methods

The medical records of 109 patients with thoracic STSs who were treated between 2003 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' survival rates were analyzed and potential prognostic factors evaluated.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 29 months (range: 1–121 months). STSs were most frequently localized on the chest wall (n = 42; 38.5%) and lungs (n = 42; 38.5%). The most common histological types were malignant fibrous histiocytoma (n = 23; 21.1%), liposarcoma (n = 17; 15.6%), and leiomyosarcoma (n = 16; 14.7%). The median survival time of all patients was 40.3 months (95% confidence interval, 14.22–66.37 months), with one and five‐year survival rates of 93.4% and 63.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis of all groups revealed that metastatic stage, unresectability, tumor diameter of >10 cm, tumor location other than the chest wall, and grade 3 diseases were predictable of poor survival. However, only grade 3 diseases and tumor location other than the chest wall were confirmed by multivariate analysis as poor prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Primary thoracic STSs are rarely seen malignant tumors. Our results indicated that patients with low‐grade tumors and those localized on the chest wall often experienced better survival outcomes.
Comparing population patterns for genetic and morphological markers with uneven sample sizes. An example for the butterfly Maniola jurtina
Authors: Dapporto Leonardo , Vodă Raluca , Dincă Vlad , Vila Roger
Published: June 2014

Integrating genetic and/or phenotypic traits at population level is considered a fundamental approach in the study of evolutionary processes, systematics, biogeography and conservation. But combining the two types of data remain a complex task, mostly due to the high, and sometimes different, sample sizes required for reliable assessments of community traits. Data availability has been increasing in recent years, thanks to online resources, but it is uncommon that different types of markers are available for any given specimen.

We provide new R functions aimed at directly correlating traits at population level, even if data sets only overlap partially. The new functions are based on a modified Procrustes algorithm that minimizes differences between bidimensional ordinations of two different markers, based on a subsample of specimens for which both characters are known. To test the new functions, we used a molecular and morphological data set comprising Mediterranean specimens of the butterfly Maniola jurtina.

By using this method, we have been able to maximize similarities between genotypic and phenotypic configurations obtained after principal coordinate analysis for the model species and evaluated their degree of correlation at both individual and population level. The new recluster.procrustes function retained the information of the relative importance of different morphological variables in determining the observed ordinations and preserved it in the transformed configurations. This allowed calculating the best combination of morphological variables mirroring genetic relationships among specimens and populations. Finally, it was possible to analyse the modality and variance of the phenotypic characters correlated with the genetic structure among populations.

The genetic and phenotypic markers displayed high overall correlation in the study area except in the contact zone, where discrepancies for particular populations were detected. Interestingly, such discrepancies were spatially structured, with southern populations displaying typical western morphotype and eastern haplotypes, while the opposite occurred in the northern populations. The methodology here described can be applied to any number and type of traits for which bidimensional configurations can be obtained, and opens new possibilities for data mining and for meta‐analyses combining existing data sets in biogeography, systematics and ecology.
Quantifying range‐wide variation in population trends from local abundance surveys and widespread opportunistic occurrence records
Authors: Pagel Jörn , Anderson Barbara J. , O'Hara Robert B. , Cramer Wolfgang , Fox Richard , Jeltsch Florian , Roy David B. , Thomas Chris D. , Schurr Frank M.
Published: June 2014

Species’ abundances vary in space and time. Describing these patterns is a cornerstone of macroecology. Moreover, trends in population size are an important criterion for the assessment of a species’ conservation status. Because abundance trends are not homogeneous in space, we need to quantify variation in abundance trends across the geographical range of a species. A basic difficulty exists in that data sets that cover large geographic areas rarely include population abundance data at high temporal resolution. Whilst both broad‐scale geographic distribution data and site‐specific population trend data are becoming more widely available, approaches are required which integrate these different types of data.

We present a hierarchical model that integrates observations from multiple sources to estimate spatio‐temporal abundance trends. The model links annual population densities on a spatial grid to both long‐term count data and to opportunistic occurrence records from a citizen science programme. Specific observation models for both data types explicitly account for differences in data structure and quality.

We test this novel method in a virtual study with simulated data and apply it to the estimation of abundance dynamics across the range of a butterfly species (Pyronia tithonus) in Great Britain between 1985 and 2004. The application to simulated and real data demonstrates how the hierarchical model structure accommodates various sources of uncertainty which occur at different stages of the link between observational data and the modelled abundance, thereby it accounts for these uncertainties in the inference of abundance variations.

We show that by using hierarchical observation models that integrate different types of commonly available data sources, we can improve the estimates of variation in species abundances across space and time. This will improve our ability to detect regional trends and can also enhance the empirical basis for understanding range dynamics.
Pattern‐recognition ecological niche models fit to presence‐only and presence–absence data
Authors: Maher Sean P. , Randin Christophe F. , Guisan Antoine , Drake John M.
Published: June 2014

Identifying the boundary of a species' niche from observational and environmental data is a common problem in ecology and conservation biology and a variety of techniques have been developed or applied to model niches and predict distributions. Here, we examine the performance of some pattern‐recognition methods as ecological niche models (ENMs). Particularly, one‐class pattern recognition is a flexible and seldom used methodology for modelling ecological niches and distributions from presence‐only data. The development of one‐class methods that perform comparably to two‐class methods (for presence/absence data) would remove modelling decisions about sampling pseudo‐absences or background data points when absence points are unavailable.

We studied nine methods for one‐class classification and seven methods for two‐class classification (five common to both), all primarily used in pattern recognition and therefore not common in species distribution and ecological niche modelling, across a set of 106 mountain plant species for which presence–absence data was available. We assessed accuracy using standard metrics and compared trade‐offs in omission and commission errors between classification groups as well as effects of prevalence and spatial autocorrelation on accuracy.

One‐class models fit to presence‐only data were comparable to two‐class models fit to presence–absence data when performance was evaluated with a measure weighting omission and commission errors equally. One‐class models were superior for reducing omission errors (i.e. yielding higher sensitivity), and two‐classes models were superior for reducing commission errors (i.e. yielding higher specificity). For these methods, spatial autocorrelation was only influential when prevalence was low.

These results differ from previous efforts to evaluate alternative modelling approaches to build ENM and are particularly noteworthy because data are from exhaustively sampled populations minimizing false absence records. Accurate, transferable models of species' ecological niches and distributions are needed to advance ecological research and are crucial for effective environmental planning and conservation; the pattern‐recognition approaches studied here show good potential for future modelling studies. This study also provides an introduction to promising methods for ecological modelling inherited from the pattern‐recognition discipline.
A Longitudinal Study of Insomnia and Other Sleep Complaints in Adolescents With and Without Alcohol Use Disorders
Authors: Hasler Brant P. , Martin Christopher S. , Wood D. Scott , Rosario Bedda , Clark Duncan B.
Published: June 2014

Background

Sleep disturbances are both common and well‐characterized in adults with alcohol use disorders (AUDs), but have received little study in adolescents with AUDs. Furthermore, a handful of studies suggest that sleep complaints are a risk factor for AUDs. However, no published studies have yet examined the longitudinal course of sleep complaints in adolescents with AUDs; in particular, it remains unclear how persistent AUD‐associated sleep complaints are in this age group, and what types of sleep complaints are most relevant to alcohol‐use symptoms. We investigated these questions in a 5‐year longitudinal study of adolescents with and without AUDs at baseline.

Methods

Participants were 696 adolescents (age 12 to 19) from a longitudinal study at the Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research Center. At baseline, 347 participants had a current AUD (AUD+), while 349 had no current or past AUD (AUD−). We examined sleep and alcohol involvement at baseline as well as 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year follow‐up visits. Sleep variables included self‐reported insomnia and hypersomnia, as well as variability in weekday–weekend sleep duration, all at baseline. Covariates included sex, age, current alcohol symptoms, and depression severity.

Results

The AUD+ group reported more overall sleep disturbance at baseline, including greater insomnia and hypersomnia complaints, and greater variability in weekday–weekend sleep duration. Group differences in insomnia and hypersomnia complaints persisted to the 5‐ and 3‐year follow‐ups, respectively. In the AUD− group, greater insomnia complaints at baseline predicted an increase in alcohol symptoms at the 1‐year follow‐up, while greater variability in sleep duration at baseline predicted an increase in alcohol symptoms at the 3‐ and 5‐year follow‐ups.

Conclusions

These results complement previous findings in other samples, indicating that insomnia and other sleep problems are a chronic predicament for adolescents with AUDs. The findings also suggest that sleep disturbances may place adolescents without AUDs at an elevated risk of developing alcohol problems.
Plasmodium berghei infection ameliorates atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Kishi C. , Amano H. , Suzue K. , Ishikawa O.
Published: June 2014

Background

Atopic diseases are more prevalent in industrialized countries than in developing countries. In addition, significant differences in the prevalence of allergic diseases are observed between rural and urban areas within the same country. This difference in prevalence has been attributed to what is called the ‘hygiene hypothesis’. Although parasitic infections are known to protect against allergic reactions, the mechanism is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not malarial infections can inhibit atopic dermatitis (AD)‐like skin lesions in a mouse model of AD.

Methods

We used NC/Nga mice which are a model for AD. The NC/Nga mice were intraperitoneally infected with 1 × 105 Plasmoduim berghei (Pb) XAT‐infected erythrocytes.

Results

Malarial infections ameliorated AD‐like skin lesions in the NC/Nga mice. This improvement was blocked by the administration of anti‐asialo GM1 antibodies, which are anti‐natural killer (NK) cells. Additionally, adoptive transfer of NK cells markedly improved AD‐like skin lesions in conventional NC/Nga mice; these suggest that the novel protective mechanism associated with malaria parasitic infections is at least, in part, dependent on NK cells.

Conclusions

We have experimentally demonstrated for the first time that malarial infections ameliorated AD‐like skin lesions in a mouse model of AD. Our study could explain in part the mechanism of the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, which states that parasitic infections can inhibit the development of allergic diseases.
Connecting with consumers via live buzz marketing: public perceptions and the role of ethical ideology
Authors: Kimmel Allan J.
Published: June 2014

Buzz marketing has emerged as a popular, viable adjunct to traditional marketing communication, yet has received little critical scrutiny from an ethical perspective. This investigation represents an initial excursion into the public mind regarding the acceptability of buzz marketing techniques. One hundred thirty‐one participants evaluated scenarios descriptive of actual live buzz campaigns varying in degree of transparency and deception. More negative perceptions were associated with deceptive approaches (disclosed and secret) than overt ones, and participants were less accepting of peer‐to‐peer campaigns than performance‐to‐peer campaigns. Respondents classified as moral idealists evaluated live buzz campaigns more negatively than moral relativists. The author discusses the implications of these findings for connected marketing strategies and public policy and offers recommendations for connected marketing practitioners
Pathogenic conversion of forkhead box protein 3‐positive T cells into T helper 17 cells: Is this also the case for multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Saito Mineki
Published: June 2014

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. T helper 17 (Th17) cells have emerged as a key player in the pathogenesis of MS and other autoimmune disorders previously attributed to Th1 cells. New research published in Nature Medicine has shown that CD25lowFoxP3+CD4+ T cells can differentiate into Th17 cells in vivo, and that these cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis. Considering the role of autoreactive T cells particularly Th17 cells in MS, such exFoxP3 Th17 cells derived from FoxP3+ T cells might also be able to control the initiation and progression of MS.
Microglia in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Yamasaki Ryo
Published: June 2014

Unlike in vivo microglia, isolated microglia are already primed and activated, and have exaggerated responses to additional stimulation. In the present Commentary, the differences between in vivo and in vitro microglia are discussed.
Role of antiproliferative gene Tob1 in the immune system
Authors: Baranzini Sergio E.
Published: June 2014

Tob1 (transducer of ERBB2‐1, TOB1 is human) is a member of the antiproliferative (APRO) family of proteins that controls cell cycle progression in several cell types. In addition, Tob1 has been implicated in diverse cellular mechanisms, such as embryonic dorsal development and T helper 17 (Th17) cell function. More recently, evidence linking Tob1 function to experimental and human immune‐related disorders has mounted, thus underscoring the potential of this molecule as a biomarker and as a therapeutic target. The present article reviews these functions with an emphasis on their implications for human autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
Predicting the Spatial Distribution of a Seabird Community to Identify Priority Conservation Areas in the Timor Sea
Authors: LAVERS JENNIFER L. , MILLER MARK G. R. , CARTER MICHAEL J. , SWANN GEORGE , CLARKE ROHAN H.
Published: June 2014

Understanding spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of species is fundamental to the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. To support strategic decision making aimed at sustainable management of the oceans, such as the establishment of protected areas for marine wildlife, we identified areas predicted to support multispecies seabird aggregations in the Timor Sea. We developed species distribution models for 21 seabird species based on at‐sea survey observations from 2000–2013 and oceanographic variables (e.g., bathymetry). We applied 4 statistical modeling techniques and combined the results into an ensemble model with robust performance. The ensemble model predicted the probability of seabird occurrence in areas where few or no surveys had been conducted and demonstrated 3 areas of high seabird richness that varied little between seasons. These were located within 150 km of Adele Island, Ashmore Reef, and the Lacepede Islands, 3 of the largest aggregations of breeding seabirds in Australia. Although these breeding islands were foci for high species richness, model performance was greatest for 3 nonbreeding migratory species that would have been overlooked had regional monitoring been restricted to islands. Our results indicate many seabird hotspots in the Timor Sea occur outside existing reserves (e.g., Ashmore Reef Marine Reserve), where shipping, fisheries, and offshore development likely pose a threat to resident and migratory populations. Our results highlight the need to expand marine spatial planning efforts to ensure biodiversity assets are appropriately represented in marine reserves. Correspondingly, our results support the designation of at least 4 new important bird areas, for example, surrounding Adele Island and Ashmore Reef.

Pronostico de la Distribución Espacial de una Comunidad de Aves Marinas para Identificar Áreas Prioritarias de Conservación en el Mar de Timor
From Mobile Phone Sensing to Human Geo‐Social Behavior Understanding
Authors: Guo Bin , Liang Yunji , Yu Zhiwen , Li Minshu , Zhou Xingshe
Published: June 2014

The study of geo‐social behaviors has long been a scientific problem. In contrast to traditional social science, which suffers from the problems such as high data collection cost and imported user subjectivity, a new approach is presented to study social behaviors based on mobile phone sensing data. Different from other similar studies on mobile social sensing, three different types of geo‐social behaviors, including online interaction, offline interaction, and mobility patterns, are characterized based on a newly released Nokia mobile phone data set. We further discuss the impact factors to these behaviors as well as the correlation among them. The findings in this article are crucial for many different fields, ranging from urban planning, location‐based services, to social recommendation.
Debating Ethics in HIV Research: Gaps between Policy and Practice in Nigeria
Authors: Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Peterson Kristin , Haire Bridget , Brown Brandon , Audu Kadiri , Makanjuola Olumide , Pelemo Babatunde , Marsh Vicki
Published: June 2014

HIV prevention is a critical health issue in Nigeria; a country that has one of the worst HIV epidemic profiles in the world. With 270,000 new infections in 2012, Nigeria is a prime site for HIV prevention research. One effect of the HIV epidemic has been to revolutionalise ethical norms for the conduct of research: it is now considered unethical to design and implement HIV related studies without community engagement. Unfortunately, there is very little commensurate effort in building the capacity of local persons to engage actively with researchers, and there is no existing platform to facilitate dialogue between researchers and communities engaged in research in Nigeria. In an effort to address this gap, we undertook a series of three community dialogues (Phase One) and two community‐researcher interface meetings (Phase Two) in Nigeria. This paper aims to give an empirical account of the dialogue from these community engagement processes and provide a resulting critique of the implementation of research ethics practices in Nigeria. It is anticipated that the outputs will: (i) support researchers in designing community‐based research protocols; (ii) inform ethics committees of key considerations during research protocol reviews from a community perspective; and (iii) inform policy makers and research sponsors about issues of primary concern to communities with respect to HIV research.
Informal Entrepreneurship and Industry Conditions
Authors: Siqueira Ana Cristina O. , Webb Justin W. , Bruton Garry D.
Published: June 2014

Scholars have argued that informality is driven by the degree to which it is expensive or difficult to operate in the formal economy. In contrast, we argue that firms choose to be informal or formal partly driven by industry conditions. We examine informal firms that are not registered with a governmental authority. Based on a large data set of Brazilian businesses, we find that firm informality is positively associated with dynamism, yet negatively associated with munificence and concentration. Our findings suggest that informality is a decision driven by both cost of registering and risk reduction for entrepreneurs depending on industry conditions.
Total pelvic floor reconstruction during non‐nerve‐sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: Impact on early recovery of urinary continence
Authors: Hoshi Akio , Nitta Masahiro , Shimizu Yuuki , Higure Taro , Kawakami Masayoshi , Nakajima Nobuyuki , Hanai Kazuya , Nomoto Takeshi , Usui Yukio , Terachi Toshiro
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To develop a modified technique of “total pelvic floor reconstruction” during non‐nerve‐sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and to determine its effect on postoperative urinary outcomes.

Methods

A total of 128 patients who underwent non‐nerve‐sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy were evaluated, including 81 with total pelvic floor reconstruction and 47 with non‐total pelvic floor reconstruction. Nerve‐sparing cases were excluded. Urinary outcomes were assessed with self‐administrated questionnaires (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite) at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The total pelvic floor reconstruction technique included two concepts involving posterior and anterior reconstructions. In posterior reconstruction, Denonvilliers' fascia was approximated to the bladder neck and the median dorsal raphe by slipknot. The anterior surface of the bladder‐neck was approximated to the anterior detrusor apron and the puboprostatic ligament collar for anterior reconstruction.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in the patients' characteristics, and in perioperative and oncological outcomes. In the total pelvic floor reconstruction group, the continence rates at 3, 6 and 12 months after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy were 45.7%, 71.4%, and 84.6%, respectively. In the non‐total pelvic floor reconstruction group, the continence rates were 26.1%, 46.8% and 60.9%, respectively. The total pelvic floor reconstruction technique resulted in significantly higher continence rates at 3, 6 and 12 months after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, respectively (all P < 0.05). The mean interval to achieve continence was significantly shorter in the total pelvic floor reconstruction group (mean 7.7 months) than in the non‐total pelvic floor reconstruction group (mean 9.8 months; P = 0.0003).

Conclusion

The total pelvic floor reconstruction technique allows preservation of the blood supply to the urethra and physical reinforcement of the pelvic floor. Therefore, this technique is likely to improve urinary continence outcomes after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
Combination of lidocaine suppository and periprostatic nerve block during transrectal prostate biopsy: A prospective randomized trial
Authors: Lunacek Andreas , Mrstik Christof , Simon Josef , Frauscher Ferdinand , Schwentner Christian , Radmayr Christian , Horninger Wolfgang , Plas Eugen
Published: June 2014

Objective

To assess the most effective local analgesia during transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy.

Methods

A total of 123 consecutive patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy for elevated prostate‐specific antigen levels and/or a suspicious digital rectal examination were randomized to three groups. Patients received a 60‐mg lidocaine suppository (group 1, n = 41), a periprostatic nerve block (10‐mL injection of lidocaine hydrochloride; group 2, n = 41) or a combination of both (group 3, n = 41) before a 10‐core transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsy. A total of 80.5% (n = 99) of the patients underwent their first biopsy, 27.1% (n = 22) their second and 2.4% (n = 2) the third. Pain was evaluated on a 10‐point visual analog scale for each step of the procedure.

Results

Prostate‐specific antigen values ranged from 0.39 to 90.1 (mean [SD] 8.76 ng/mL [11.08 ng/mL]). Comparison of the median visual analog scale scores between groups 1 and 2 showed a significant difference (P = 0.004). The differences in the outcomes between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.001), and groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.001) were also significant. Patients of group 3 had the best output corresponding to the pain sensations and therefore the lowest visual analog scale scores.

Conclusion

The combination of lidocaine suppository and periprostatic lidocaine infiltration is more effective for pain control than either lidocaine suppository or periprostatic lidocaine infiltration alone in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy.