bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IFN-β Mediates Suppression of IL-12p40 in Human Dendritic Cells following Infection with Virulent Francisella tularensis
Authors: Bauler Timothy J. , Chase Jennifer C. , Bosio Catharine M.
Published: July 2011

Active suppression of inflammation is a strategy used by many viral and bacterial pathogens, including virulent strains of the bacterium Francisella tularensis, to enable colonization and infection in susceptible hosts. In this study, we demonstrated that virulent F. tularensis strain SchuS4 selectively inhibits production of IL-12p40 in primary human cells via induction of IFN-β. In contrast to the attenuated live vaccine strain, infection of human dendritic cells with virulent SchuS4 failed to induce production of many cytokines associated with inflammation (e.g., TNF-α and IL-12p40). Furthermore, SchuS4 actively suppressed secretion of these cytokines. Assessment of changes in the expression of host genes associated with suppression of inflammatory responses revealed that SchuS4, but not live vaccine strain, induced IFN-β following infection of human dendritic cells. Phagocytosis of SchuS4 and endosomal acidification were required for induction of IFN-β. Further, using a defined mutant of SchuS4, we demonstrated that the presence of bacteria in the cytosol was required, but not sufficient, for induction of IFN-β. Surprisingly, unlike previous reports, induction of IFN-β by F. tularensis was not required for activation of the inflammasome, was not associated with exacerbation of inflammatory responses, and did not control SchuS4 replication when added exogenously. Rather, IFN-β selectively suppressed the ability of SchuS4-infected dendritic cells to produce IL-12p40. Together, these data demonstrated a novel mechanism by which virulent bacteria, in contrast to attenuated strains, modulate human cells to cause disease.
A semi-automated esker detection method (EDM) for improved quantification of glaciated landscapes
Authors: Broscoe D , Cummings D I , Russell H A J , Sharpe D R
Published: July 2011

A methodology is presented for the quantification of eskers that uses Canadian digital elevation data (CDED) and legacy esker line-work from Geological Survey of Canada publications. Using ESRI ArcGIS and an esker detection module (EDM) coded in Python, the CDED
data are smoothed using user-defined filter windows. A difference surface is produced that emphasizes ridge areas and is used to create polygons. The legacy esker line-work is used as a training data set to extract ridge areas within a user-defined buffer. The EDM results have been tested against
the input training data and a local data set generated manually from aerial photographic interpretation. Depending upon terrain characteristics, the success of the data extraction ranges from 65 to 81 per cent against the esker line-work and 35 to 72 per cent against the more geographically limited
aerial photographic interpretation. The variable success reflects esker size related to both relief and width in the CDED data.
Crohn's disease: Multimodality Imaging of Surgical Indications, Operative Procedures, and Complications
Authors: Kolar B , Speranza J , Bhatt S , Dogra V
Published: July 2011

Surgical management is considered for specific indications in Crohn's disease and a wide variety of surgeries is performed. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to depict manifestations of Crohn's disease that indicates surgery, various surgical procedures that are performed, and the complications arising from these surgical procedures. Surgical indications including obstruction due to strictures or adhesions, fistulae and abscesses, and surgeries for these conditions, such as, ileocecectomy, stricturoplasty, small bowel resection, fecal diversion, segmental colectomy, and lysis of adhesions and their complications will be discussed and their imaging will also be illustrated.
Altered Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Pump Expression during Breast Tumorigenesis
Authors: Papp Béla , Brouland Jean-Philippe
Published: July 2011

Endoplasmic reticulum calcium homeostasis is involved in several essential cell functions including cell proliferation, protein synthesis, stress responses or secretion. Calcium uptake into the endoplasmic reticulum is performed by Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPases (SERCA enzymes). In order to study endoplasmic reticulum calcium homeostasis in situ in mammary tissue, in this work SERCA3 expression was investigated in normal breast and in its benign and malignant lesions in function of the cell type, degree of malignancy, and histological and molecular parameters of the tumors. Our data indicate, that although normal breast acinar epithelial cells express SERCA3 abundantly, its expression is strongly decreased already in very early non-malignant epithelial lesions such as adenosis, and remains low in lobular carcinomas. Whereas normal duct epithelium expresses significant amounts of SERCA3, its expression is decreased in several benign ductal lesions, as well as in ductal adenocarcinoma. The loss of SERCA3 expression is correlated with Elston-Ellis grade, negative hormone receptor expression or triple negative status in ductal carcinomas. The concordance between decreased SERCA3 expression and several histological, as well as molecular markers of ductal carcinogenesis indicates that endoplasmic reticulum calcium homeostasis is remodeled during tumorigenesis in the breast epithelium.
Opioid-Induced Constipation in Advanced Illness: Safety and Efficacy of Methylnaltrexone Bromide
Authors: Bader S. , Jaroslawski K. , Blum H.E. , Becker G.
Published: July 2011

Constipation, one of the major side effects of opiates used in palliative care, can impair patients’ quality of life to a point where it prevents sufficient pain control. Methylnaltrexone is a novel μ-receptor antagonist, which does not pass the blood brain barrier. It is licensed to treat opiate induced constipation for patients with advanced diseases. This review article presents an overview of pharmacology and safety of its application, evidence of its efficacy and economic aspects of its use in clinical practice. Available data are limited but strongly suggest that methylnaltrexone causes laxation in less than 24 hours for at least half of those patients over the first two weeks of usage without impairing pain control or causing serious adverse effects. To avoid danger of gastrointestinal perforation it is contraindicated for patients at risk for that complication. More research is needed to evaluate its long-term efficacy and economic impact.
Aproximación a la literacidad crítica literacidad
Authors: Cassany Daniel , Casstellà Josep
Published: July 2011

Exploramos aquí los conceptos de literacidad y de crítica, o de lectura y escritura de ideologías, tomando “ideología” como el posicionamiento que hace un autor en su texto sobre cualquier cuestión (política, social, deportiva, etc.). Analizamos el campo semántico de ambos conceptos, sus raíces filosóficas, pedagógicas y lingüísticas, y los vocablos usados en varios idiomas para denominarlos. Formulamos finalmente la distinción teórica entre un lector crítico y acrítico, a partir de las aportaciones del Análisis Crítico del Discurso, y lo ejemplificamos con el caso de un cartel político de 5 palabras.
Letramentos escolares: coletâneas de textos nos livros didáticos de língua portuguesa
Authors: Rojo Roxane Rodrigues
Published: July 2011

O presente artigo discute os letramentos característicos da contemporaneidade, para, em seguida, voltar-se para os letramentos escolares, com base no perfil das coletâneas de textos do livro didático de Língua Portuguesa (LDP)1 que circulou nas redes públicas brasileiras de Ensino Fundamental (1a a 4a série), de 2004 a 2009. A análise dessas coletâneas, em termos de gêneros representados e de suas esferas de circulação, discute os letramentos escolares possíveis a partir desses textos. Os resultados mostram que o LDP ainda está longe de incorporar os letramentos requeridos na contemporaneidade.
Saberes, valores e crenças sobre a prática docente no discurso do professor em formação
Authors: Assis Juliana Alves
Published: July 2011

Tomando o discurso de uma professora de língua portuguesa em formação sobre sua primeira experiência docente, este artigo busca analisar as representações sociais que orientam a ação docente e sua construção identitária. A análise dos valores e conhecimentos projetados nos dados permite tanto entrever um processo intrincado e conflituoso de construção da identidade docente, quanto revelar pistas das redes de atividades e discursos implicadas no percurso de letramento desse “ser professor”.
Saberes e representações: práticas de letramento em aulas de língua materna
Authors: Lopes Maria Angela Paulino Teixeira
Published: July 2011

Sob uma perspectiva sociointeracionista de análise, este artigo objetiva demonstrar as relações existentes entre concepções e representações de agir docente e seus efeitos sobre os modos de didatização e as práticas de letramento, no ensino de língua materna. Para a demonstração da investigação foram considerados dados coletados em áudio e vídeo, em aulas de língua portuguesa, ao longo de quatro semanas, além de questionários, entrevistas semidirigidas e de autoconfrontação, realizados com professores de língua materna da Educação Básica.
O memorial no espaço da formação acadêmica: (re)construção do vivido e da identidade
Authors: Silva Jane Quintiliano Guimarães
Published: July 2011

Toma-se, como objeto de discussão, a escrita de memoriais de professores em formação inicial, alimentada pelas ações do lembrar e do recordar, das quais emergem movimentos discursivos que põem em cena a atuação de um sujeito que reflete sobre si e sobre seus saberes profissionais. O memorial, nesse quadro, é visto como um expediente metodológico produtivo por proporcionar ao pesquisador uma compreensão acerca dos movimentos do processo da formação identitária profissional, a partir do ponto de vista do professor, guiado, portanto, pelos olhos desse sujeito. Nessa atividade de escrita, identifica-se um jogo de atuação enunciativa e metadiscursiva que revela, ao leitor, o tipo de engajamento que o sujeito cria com o seu próprio dizer e/ou com o dizer do outro, com o seu saber profissional.
Encontros entre prática e pesquisa de ensino: Oralidade e letra¬mento no ensino da escrita
Authors: Correa Manoel Luiz Gonçalves
Published: July 2011

Neste trabalho, parte-se do processo de constituição dos gêneros discursivos,tomando-se como noção teórica central a de relações intergenéricas  (BAKHTIN, 1992). Tipos de letramentos, oralidade e heterogeneidade da escrita são os recursos pelos quais se investiga tanto o uso de provérbios parodiados na internet e em redações de vestibular, quanto o uso de temporalidades de diferentes ordens no processo de constituição dessas redações. Como resultado, evidencia-se a produtividade do encontro entre prática de pesquisa e ensino, mesmo que se reconheça que o tratamento teórico-metodológico do objeto de pesquisa não se transfere como tal para a atividade de ensinar.
Ideologia meritocrática e reflexão acadêmica: a contribuição da Revista Perspectiva do CED/UFSC (1983/2005)
Authors: Ruschel Elizete , Valle Ione Ribeiro
Published: July 2011

Neste estudo analisamos os artigos publicados pela Revista Perspectiva do Centro de Ciências da Educação/Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – Brasil (1983 a 2005). Nosso interesse se voltou à ideologia meritocrática, tendo por base o conjunto de termos relacionados a essa concepção. Para tanto, repertoriamos todas as Revistas desde sua aparição em 1983 até o ano de 2005, abrangendo 47 revistas e 425 artigos. Primeiramente, analisamos os títulos e resumos dos artigos, o que nos possibilitou uma primeira seleção. Em seguida, procedemos a uma leitura mais sistemática dos artigos selecionados (num total de 14), o que permitiu construir alguns grupos temáticos. Estes foram objetos de um estudo mais minucioso, que tornou possível estabelecer algumas relações e correlações entre democratização do ensino e meritocracia, seleção meritocrática numa escola democrática e formação de professores num sistema de ensino meritocrático.
Educação escolar e constituição do afetivo: algumas considerações a partir da psicologia histórico-cultural
Authors: Gomes Claudia Aparecida Valderramas , Mello Suely Amaral
Published: July 2011

A Psicologia Histórico-Cultural afirma a tese da experiência social como base da formação humana e aponta a unidade afetivo-cognitiva como mediadora nas relações do sujeito com o conhecimento no desenvolvimento das funções psicológicas. Este artigo apresenta alguns elementos que apontam para a constituição dos processos afetivos a partir das relações que o sujeito mantém com as objetivações humanas. Parte da crítica ao pensamento organicista e subjetivista que, tanto na Psicologia quanto na Educação, separa as emoções das demais funções no conjunto  a consciência humana – tratando-as como um impeditivo nos processos de ensino e de aprendizagem escolar – e assinala a importância de se (re) pensar as relações que o sujeito estabelece com a realidade, o papel do conhecimento e das condições concretas de vida e de educação que produzem os processos afetivos. Defende que pensamento e sentimento são processos psicológicos desenvolvidos a partir da história de apropriação e objetivação de signos e instrumentos que cada sujeito realiza, e afirma a educação escolar e o caráter intencional do trabalho docente – na organização e condução da prática pedagógica – como elementos determinantes na transformação dos modos de pensar e sentir.
Exploring antecedents of experimentation and implementation of the balanced scorecard
Authors: Braam Geert , Nijssen Ed
Published: July 2011

Adoption of management innovations like the balanced scorecard is generally a complex process. Many subdecisions are involved and customization is often required before firms can enjoy the benefits of these innovations. Consequently, firms tend to experiment before finally implementing such complex innovations. We develop a framework differentiating between antecedents of experimentation with and actual implementation of the balanced scorecard, a distinction that has largely been neglected in the literature. Focusing on a small set of firms that experimented with the balanced scorecard, we provide initial empirical evidence. The results support the framework showing that top management involvement, innovation-contingent departments and organizational-context factors play a significant positive role in the experimentation stage, while interdepartmental communication and formalization are important variables with positive and negative influences in the implementation stage. We discuss the findings and their managerial implications.
School-to-work transition and newcomer socialisation: The role of job-related education
Authors: Kowtha Narasimha Rao
Published: July 2011

This study investigated the interactive effects of on-the-job training (OJT), co-worker support (CWS), and supervisor support (SS) with newcomer job-related education (JRE), on newcomer adjustment. Given that socialisation is a learning process, an important factor in socialisation is job-related knowledge. Although many studies on organisational socialisation drew on new graduates making the school-to-work transition, they have not considered the role of JRE and associated job-related knowledge for socialisation. It was hypothesised that JRE and newcomer information-seeking will moderate the effects of OJT, CWS, and SS on role clarity, role conflict, and role orientation. The study was conducted with a sample 244 business and engineering graduates of an Asian university. Results provide some support for the moderating effects of JRE on role clarity and conflict. It was also found that SS was positively related to newcomer innovative role orientation. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Employee learning processes in New Zealand small manufacturing firms
Authors: Coetzer Alan , Peter Raja , Peter Vasanthi
Published: July 2011

We investigate differences between the ways novices and experienced specialists perceive their workplaces as learning environments and also examine differences between the learning processes of these two groups of employees. The study's research questions are explored by applying discriminant analysis to survey data collected from 218 employees in 31 New Zealand small manufacturing firms. We found that novices and experienced specialists do differ significantly in their perceptions of (1) work-environment conditions that either help or hinder learning, (2) supervisors' proximate support for learning, and (3) satisfaction with workplace learning. We also found that novices and experienced specialists do differ significantly in terms of the sources and methods of learning that they use. Our results identify the individual variables that contribute most to the discrimination between the two groups. Limitations of the study and the implications of our findings for researching and managing employee learning in small firms are discussed.
‘Kill Bill’ and the change agent: A multi-genre approach to organizational stories
Authors: Bryant Melanie , Frahm Jennifer
Published: July 2011

This paper argues that change practitioners could benefit from expanding change communication strategies to allow for the emergence and use of multi-genre change stories in place of minimalist storylines. We argue that minimalist storylines do not acknowledge the polyvocal view of change that has been discussed in storytelling theory or engage with multiple modes of understanding and suggest that change agents adopt a multi-genre approach to storytelling to address this gap. Drawing from Quentin Tarantino's movies Kill Bill 1 & 2 as an example of how stories can be constructed, this paper proposes that the use of multiple story genres increases the likelihood of audiences finding a genre they can relate to, thus increasing better audience reach. Findings suggest that existing change narrative types can be viewed as genres of organizational change and added to change agents' repertoires to make change communication interventions more appropriate and appealing to employees. While our paper aims to provide a conceptual way forward for change agents, we acknowledge that change agents need to engage with living stories in the future. Living stories recognize the multiple loose ends developed from past and present change experiences that can be used to construct new stories, which are more likely to transform organizations and acknowledge the unfolding nature of change.
Exploring the Foucauldian interpretation of power and subject in organizations
Authors: Välikangas Anita , Seeck Hannele
Published: July 2011

This paper assesses the recent contribution of Michel Foucault to the study of power and subject in organizations. First, we theoretically examine Foucault's thinking by dividing his works into archaeological, genealogical and aesthetic/ethical phases. We then conduct a review of 113 international journal articles from between the years 2000 and 2009. We do this in order to obtain an overview of the phases of Foucault's thinking that are prevalent in recent organization studies. We find that recent academic studies drawing on Foucault are increasingly leaning towards Foucault's writings on governmentality, as well as on his genealogical works, which have sustained their popularity. Reflecting the growing interest in governmentality and genealogy, we end by pointing out some avenues for future research.
Does the size distribution of mineral dust aerosols depend on the wind speed at emission?
Authors: Kok J. F.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The size distribution of mineral dust aerosols greatly affects their interactions with clouds, radiation, ecosystems, and other components of the Earth system. Several theoretical dust emission models predict that the dust size distribution depends on the wind speed at emission, with larger wind speeds predicted to produce smaller aerosols. The present study investigates this prediction using a compilation of published measurements of the size-resolved vertical dust flux emitted by eroding soils. Surprisingly, these measurements indicate that the size distribution of naturally emitted dust aerosols is independent of the wind speed. This finding is consistent with the recently formulated brittle fragmentation theory of dust emission, but inconsistent with other theoretical dust emission models. The independence of the emitted dust size distribution with wind speed simplifies both the parameterization of dust emission in atmospheric circulation models as well as the interpretation of geological records of dust deposition.
New estimates of direct N2O emissions from Chinese croplands from 1980 to 2007 using localized emission factors
Authors: Gao B. , Ju X. T. , Zhang Q. , Christie P. , Zhang F. S.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a long-lived greenhouse gas with a large radiation intensity and it is emitted mainly from agricultural land. Accurate estimates of total direct N2O emissions from croplands on a country scale are important for global budgets of anthropogenic sources of N2O emissions and for the development of effective mitigation strategies. The objectives of this study were to re-estimate direct N2O emissions using localized emission factors and a database of measurements from Chinese croplands. We obtained N2O emission factors for paddy fields (0.41 %) and uplands (1.05 %) from a normalization process through cube root transformation of the original data after comparing the results of normalization from the original values, logarithmic and cube root transformations because the frequency of the original data was not normally distributed. Direct N2O emissions from Chinese croplands from 1980 to 2007 were estimated using IPCC (2006) guidelines combined with separate localized emission factors for paddy fields and upland areas. Direct N2O emissions from paddy fields showed little change, increasing by 11 % with an annual rate of increase of 0.4 % from 29.8 Gg N2O-N in 1980 to 33.1 Gg N2O-N in 2007. In contrast, emissions from uplands changed dramatically, increasing by 296 % with an annual rate of 10.9 % from 64.4 Gg N2O-N in 1980 to 255.3 Gg N2O-N in 2007. Total direct N2O emissions from Chinese croplands increased by 206 % with an annual rate of 7.6 % from 94.2 Gg N2O-N in 1980 to 288.4 Gg N2O-N in 2007, and were determined mainly by upland emissions (accounting for 68.4–88.5 % of total emissions from 1980 to 2007). Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers played a major role in N2O emissions from agricultural land, and the magnitude of the contributions to total direct N2O emissions made by different amendments was synthetic N fertilizer > manure > straw, representing about 77, 16, and 6.5 % of total direct N2O emissions, respectively, between 2000 and 2007. The spatial pattern of total N2O emissions in 2007 in China shows that high direct N2O emissions occurred mainly in north China and in the Sichuan Basin in the southwest. The provinces with the highest emissions were Henan (32.6 Gg) and Shandong (29.1 Gg) and Tibet had the lowest (0.6 Gg). High direct N2O emissions per unit of arable land occurred mainly on the North China Plain and the southeast coast. The mean value nationally was 2.36 kg N ha−1, with 17 provinces above this, and with emissions of >4.0 kg N ha−1 in Beijing and in Jiangsu and Henan provinces.
Is the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) a statistical phantom?
Authors: Vincze M. , Jánosi I. M.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. In this work we critically compare the consequences of two assumptions on the physical nature of the AMO index signal. First, we show that the widely used approach based on red noise statistics cannot fully reproduce the empirical correlation properties of the record. Second, we consider a process of long range power-law correlations and demonstrate its better fit to the AMO signal. We show that in the latter case, the multidecadal oscillatory mode of the smoothed AMO index with an assigned period length of 50–70 years can be a simple statistical artifact, a consequence of limited record length. In this respect, a better term to describe the observed fluctuations of a smooth power-law spectrum is Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV).
Bilateral choroidal neovascularization associated with bilateral ABCA4 gene mutation
Authors: Parodi Maurizio Battaglia , De Benedetto Umberto , Knutsson Karl A. , Bandello Francesco M.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

To describe a case of ABCA4 gene mutation (G1961E) associated with bilateral choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections.

Methods

A 52-year-old man with bilateral CNV associated with ABCA4 gene mutation underwent complete ophthalmologic examination over a 30-month follow-up and was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections on an as-needed basis.

Results

Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/32 in the right eye (RE) and 20/63 in the left eye (LE). Two small CNVs with juxtafoveal location were detectable in the RE, whereas a single subfoveal CNV was visible in the LE. Overall, 6 and 9 intravitreal ranibizumab injections were administered in RE and LE, respectively, during the 30-month follow-up. At the end of the follow-up, BCVA was 20/100 in the RE and 20/200 in the LE.

Conclusions

This case report reveals that ABCA4 gene mutation may be complicated by multiple and bilateral CNVs. Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab can achieve temporary CNV stabilization, but cannot guarantee complete quiescence over a long-term follow-up. Other therapeutic approaches could be necessary to accomplish visual acuity preservation.
Assessment of the Vitamin B12 Status of Pregnant Women in Nigeria Using Plasma Holotranscobalamin
Authors: VanderJagt Dorothy J. , Ujah Innocent A. O. , Ikeh Eugene I. , Bryant Jessica , Pam Victor , Hilgart Amelia , Crossey Michael J. , Glew Robert H.
Published: July 2011

Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for neural tube defects and other neurological problems in infants. We determined the vitamin B12 status of 143 pregnant women in Nigeria representing all trimesters who presented to an antenatal clinic in Jos, Nigeria, using holotranscobalamin II levels (holoTCII), which is a measure of the vitamin B12 that is available for uptake into tissues. The holoTCII concentration ranged from 13 to 128 pmol/L. Using a cutoff of 40 pmol/L, 36% of the women were classified as vitamin B12-deficient. HoloTCII concentrations correlated negatively with plasma homocysteine levels (, ) and positively with red blood cell folate concentrations (, ). These data underscore the importance of supplementing pregnant women in Nigeria with vitamin B12 in order to ensure adequate vitamin B12 status and decrease the risk for neural tube defects.
Assessment of Microhardness Profile in Grinding Using Barkhausen Noise Technique at Various Analysis Parameters
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Yadav Mukesh , Agrawal Prateek , Zaheer Khan Mohd , Vashista Meghanshu
Published: July 2011

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the effect of variation in Barkhausen noise (BN) analysis parameters (magnetizing voltage and excitation frequency) for assessment of microhardness profile upon surface grinding. A varying amount of surface damage was induced in the ground samples by changing the downfeed during grinding. It was observed that variation in microhardness inversely affects root mean square (rms) value of BN signal. The observed BN profile indicated no phase transformation or microstructural changes upon grinding. Metallographic study of ground samples has been undertaken to confirm the results obtained by BN analysis. Barkhausen noise parameter (rms value of BN signal), at elevated magnetizing voltage and excitation frequency, increased with reduction in microhardness along the depth indicating the applicability of BN analysis technique in assessing the microhardness profile of ground steel.
A New Classification and Clinical Predictivity for Some Naevus Variants
Authors: Fabbrocini G. , Mazzella C. , Pastore F. , Monfrecola A. , Annunziata M. C. , Mauriello M. C. , D'Arco V. , Marasca C. , De Vita V.
Published: July 2011

Background. The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rapidly increasing in Europe. Active research is directed toward the identification of naevi as a risk factor.Objective. The aim of our case-control study was to observe different numbers of moles and different mole typology associations in order to evaluate clinical predictivity and to establish a new classification for some naevus variants.Methods. A case-control study was carried out, enrolling 64 cases affected by melanoma and 183 controls, between October 2009 and February 2011. Each patient was interviewed and subjected to clinical examination. The resulting data were analysed using the statistical elaboration program SPSS 16.0.Results. The association of target naevus with other variants increases the degree of risk (target + small brown Odds Ratio 5.25; confidence interval 1.8–15.4); (target + small brown + small black + large brown odds ratio 5.0; confidence interval 1.1–22.4). Therefore, other variants and/or other variant combinations do not significantly increase risk.Conclusion. People presenting two naevus variants in association with other naevus variants seem to run a major risk. The general nonuniformity of the whole naevus panorama should be carefully considered.
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Types and the Coexistence of Ovarian Tumor Conditions
Authors: van Niekerk Catharina. C. , Bulten Johan , van Dijck José A. A. M. , Verbeek André L. M.
Published: July 2011

Objective. Ovarian carcinomas are presumed to arise within ovarian inclusion cysts or from a coexisting epithelial lesion in the ovary. Insight may be gained by relating different subtypes of ovarian cancer with the presence of coexisting tumor-like conditions. Methods. The Dutch nation-wide pathology database PALGA (Pathologisch Anatomisch Landelijk Geautomatiseerd Archief) identified the various histopathological subtypes of ovarian cancer in 824 patients diagnosed in 1996–2003, and recorded the presence of epithelial tumor conditions around the ovarian tumors. In addition, a PALGA database of all 153 consecutive patients referred to the Nijmegen University Medical Centre in 2007 for histopathological work-up was analyzed. Results. The prevalence of coexisting ovarian tumor conditions was 16.4% (135 out of 824 patients, (95% CI: 8.4%–24.4%)). The coexistence was highest for endometrioid, mucinous, clear cell, and borderline malignancies. The referral group revealed 35% (54 out of 153 patients, (95% CI: 28%–42%)) of coexisting epithelial ovarian tumor conditions. Conclusion. One in six patients with a malignant ovarian tumor has a coexisting epithelial tumor condition in the ovary, which is also rather frequently observed in the diagnostic work-up practice.
Management-Oriented Classification of Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Authors: El Oakley Reida , Shah Aijaz
Published: July 2011

Mitral regurgitation (MR) has previously been classified into rheumatic, primary, and secondary MR according to the underlying disease process. Carpentier's/Duran functional classifications are apt in describing the mechanism(s) of MR. Modern management of MR, however, depends primarily on the severity of MR, status of the left ventricular function, and the presence or absence of symptoms, hence the need for a management-oriented classification of MR. In this paper we describe a classification of MR into 4 phases according to LV function: phase I = MR with normal left ventricle, phase II = MR with normal ejection fraction (EF) and indirect signs of LV dysfunction such as pulmonary hypertension and/or recent onset atrial fibrillation, phase III = EF ≥ 30%–< 50% and/or mild to moderate LV dilatation (ESID 40–54 mm), and phase IV = EF < 30% and/or severe LV dilatation (ESDID ≥ 55 mm). Each phase is further subdivided into three stages: stage “A” with an effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) < 20 mm, stage “B” with an ERO = 20–39 mm, and stage “C” with an ERO ≥ 40 mm. Evidence-based indications and outcome of intervention for MR will also be discussed.
Heart Rate Variability in HIV Patients, Diabetics, and Controls: The AGATAA Study
Authors: Benseñor Isabela M. , Eira Margareth , Dorea Egídio Lima , Dantas Eduardo M. , Mill José Geraldo , Lotufo Paulo A.
Published: July 2011

HIV infection can affect cardiac autonomic function. We aimed to compare heart rate variability in 29 HIV-infected patients using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), 28 naïve-treatment HIV patients, and diabetics with controls. There was no difference in time index parameters among groups. The normalized power of the low-frequency component (LF) in naïve patients of 39.9 (interquartile interval (IQ), 28.5–65.7) and diabetics of 42.9 (IQ, 14.5–57.7) were decreased compared with controls (67.5, IQ, 37.9–75.4). The normalized power of the high-frequency component (HF) in naïves of 49.7 (IQ, 30.4–64.8), and diabetics of 53.1 (IQ, 34.5–72.2) were increased compared with controls (27.0, IQ, 19.0–57.3). Naïve and diabetics also presented with lower LF/HF ratios (0.8 (IQ, 0.6–2.3), and 0.9 (IQ, 0.3–1.4),) compared with controls (2.3 (IQ, 0.8–3.3)). We can speculate that HAART improves autonomic imbalance in frequency domain indices because there was no difference between the HAART group and controls.
Rapid Filling Analysis of Pipelines with Undulating Profiles by the Method of Characteristics
Authors: Malekpour A. , Karney B. W.
Published: July 2011

On the premise of water hammer theory, a numerical model is proposed for simulating the filling process in an initially empty water conveyance pipeline with an undulating profile. Assuming that the pipeline remains full and ignoring air and water interactions in the already filled pipeline, the ongoing filling is simulated using the method of characteristics on an adaptive computational grid. The performance of the model is verified using previously published experimental and rigid column data. The model nicely replicates published experimental data. The model shows that the movement of the filling front into the system can be assumed as a rigid column as long as the flow away from the filling front is undisturbed elsewhere. Furthermore, applying the model to a hypothetical pipe system with an inline-partially open valve shows that the proposed model is robust enough to capture the transient events initiated within the moving column, a vital capability that the existing rigid water column models lack.
Aerosol (Aerobiology,Aerosols,Bioaerosols,MicrobialAerosols)
Authors: Mohr Allen Jeff
Published: July 2011

Aerobiology is the study of microbiological particles that have, either naturally or purposefully, been introduced into the air. Bioaerosols are attractive as terrorist weapons because they are silent, invisible, odorless, and can be introduced clandestinely to strike without warning. The fate, infectivity, and transport of bioaerosols are complicated issues involving many physical and biochemical factors. Both the physical properties of bioaerosols and the likelihood for their successful delivery depend largely on the dissemination method applied.
A
liens of
A
merica: A Case Study
Authors: Staff Monterey WMD‐Terrorism Database , Elrod Sarah
Published: July 2011

The Aliens of America first surfaced in Los Angeles, CA, in 1974. It was led by Yugoslavian immigrant Muharem Kurbegovic, better known as the Alphabet Bomber, who first came to the United States in 1967. The group terrorized residents of the Los Angeles city area through taped threats of nerve gas use and other acts of terrorism. While it was suspected that Kurbegovic sought to weaponize chemical agents to stage an attack, police reports indicate that there was no evidence of any acquisition or production of biological weapons.
A
nthrax
H
oaxes:
A
C
ase
S
tudy
Authors: Staff Monterey WMD‐Terrorism Database , Joliat Jacqueline N.
Published: July 2011

The term “anthrax hoax” refers to a case when a perpetrator threatens a target by alleging to have exposed them to
Bacillus anthracis
, a potentially highly lethal pathogen of particular interest to bioterrorists, usually via a letter or package containing a white powdery substance intended to resemble actual spores of anthrax bacteria. Beginning in the 1990s, there was an alarming surge in anthrax hoaxes, and authorities still respond to hundreds of these cases each year. The so‐called “epidemic” of anthrax hoaxes has come in two major waves: those preceding the deadly 2001 bioterrorist attacks in the U.S. using actual
B. anthracis
, and those that have taken place since. Prior to the first wave, there were also a number of events which occurred that served to introduce terrorism, bioterrorism, and anthrax to the public, and cumulatively created the ideal fearful atmosphere in which hoaxers' goals could be realized. It has become such a problem and has cost so many resources that perpetrators now face serious legal repercussions if convicted. This entry explains the recent history of the anthrax hoax epidemic, briefly covers a number of specific cases, and provides an overview of the legal repercussions and legislation that have resulted from this issue.
Anti‐Materials Agents
Authors: Kosal Margaret E.
Published: July 2011

Microorganisms that metabolize organic and inorganic compounds are ubiquitous to the planet. The prospect of a bioterrorist using such an organism as a weapon is small, and the implications of this type of use would likely be far more economic or disruptive than life threatening. The use of recombinant DNA techniques (genetic engineering) has been suggested as a means to accelerate the natural degradation processes; however, little progress has been documented in the open literature to date.
Assassinations
Authors: Holey Erika , Muldoon Anna
Published: July 2011

A small number of assassinations have been attempted using biological or toxin weapons in the past, with varying success. Four historical cases are reviewed.
B
aader‐
M
einhof
G
roup (
OR
B
aader‐
M
einhof
G
ang)
Authors: McAdams David , Kornblet Sarah
Published: July 2011

The Baader‐Meinhof Group (or Gang) was one of postwar West Germany's most violent and prominent left‐wing militant groups and its beginnings can be traced to the 1960s. Over the course of its existence, the Gang consisted of approximately 30 dedicated members (including leaders such as Andreas Baader, Ulrike Meinhof, Gundrun Ensslin, and Jan‐Carl Raspe) and up to 200 supporters (including such prominent individuals as politicians Horst Mahler and Silke Maier‐Witt).

In the 1980s, reports surfaced that the West German Red Army Faction (RAF), the second generation of the Baader‐Meinhof Gang, had sought to acquire biological weapons. Coinciding with these claims were reports in both German and French newspapers that French Police had raided a Paris RAF safe house in October 1980, and discovered vials containing Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria for producing botulinum toxi) and a basic biological laboratory. All further investigations into the incidents and those persons reportedly involved in the case turned up nothing, which suggests the incident was fabricated and never occurred. The terrorist activities of successive generations of RAF members continued until 1998, when the RAF sent a formal communiqué to the Reuters wire service declaring the group had officially disbanded.
Biotechnology and Bioterrorism
Authors: Zilinskas Raymond A. , Dando Malcolm , Nixdorff Kathryn
Published: July 2011

Advances in modern biotechnology may have a significant impact on how biological weapons are acquired, produced, and delivered. Of the three major components that constitute a biological weapon—agent payload, munition, and dispersal mechanism—the techniques of modern biotechnology have most applications for agents. Techniques that may be applicable to the weaponization of pathogens and toxins include genetic engineering, DNA technologies, protein engineering, functional genomics, artificial viruses, and systems biology. These techniques might be applied to enhance one or more of the five characteristics or traits of microorganisms and toxins considered important for weaponization: hardiness, resistance, infectivity, pathogenicity, and detection avoidance. However, although the barriers to applying the advanced biotechnologies for nefarious purposes continue to drop, it must be realized that substantial expertise is required to perform R&D to achieve complicated weapons objectives; expertise that is not available by far to most terrorist groups.
Breeders: a Case Study
Authors: Staff Monterey WMD‐Terrorism Database , Sheer Jennifer L.O.
Published: July 2011

The Breeders were a single‐issue environmental group that made itself known after authorities in Southern California decided to spray the pesticide malathion to stop an outbreak of Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) infestation in September 1989. The Breeders claimed to possess medflies, which they would release if the pesticide spraying was to take place. Because the medfly infestation did not fit the natural pattern, an investigation was done to determine the etiology of the infestation that found there was insufficient evidence to identify this infestation as an intentional introduction. As the Breeders has not been heard from for over 20 years, its leadership probably will never be known.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Bioterrorism Preparedness Program
Authors: Posid Joseph M. , Hayashi Konrad , Morse Stephen A.
Published: July 2011

A comprehensive public health response to the deliberate release of a biological agent (or for that matter, to any outbreak of infectious disease) will involve laboratory identification, epidemiologic investigation, medical treatment, possible prophylaxis for affected persons, and the initiation of disease prevention activities. For the past decade, in concert with a wide array of public and private partners, CDC has been actively involved in assisting State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial public health agencies prepare for, and rapidly respond to outbreaks of infectious disease of deliberate or natural occurrence.
The Caucasus Emirate
Authors: Hahn Gordon M.
Published: July 2011

The Chechen rebels once were one of the most aggressive groups in their attempts to procure or produce a biological agent. The rebels have carried out many attacks and have radicalized ideologically from a nationalist‐oriented separatist movement under the so‐called Chechen Republic of Ichkeria into an explicitly Salafist jihadist movement under the so‐called Caucasus Emirate (CE) declared in October 2007. Given a biological weapon they most likely would not hesitate to use it or at least threaten its use. There are indications that they have tried to make their own biological agents, including manuals found in rebel safe houses describing how to make biological agents and discoveries of traces of ricin.
C
entral
I
ntelligence
A
gency
Authors: Egan Jill
Published: July 2011

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is engaged in a broad range of efforts to combat biological weapons development and use, particularly in relation to threats involving state and nonstate actors and terrorists. The CIA's efforts in this regard, intelligence gathering responsibilities, and collaborative efforts within the intelligence community are discussed.
Consequence Management
Authors: Dembek Zygmunt F. , Cieslak Theodore J.
Published: July 2011

Consequence management is the component of overall incident response that includes those sustained measures taken to protect public health, maintain essential government and health care services, and provide emergency relief where needed. State public health and healthcare agencies and providers have vital roles in the consequence management as applied to a public health emergency or bioterrorism event. State coordination of the response to any disaster occurs through the State Coordinating Officer (SCO) and the State Emergency Management Agency, acting on behalf of the state's governor. In the event that state consequence management resources become exhausted, the National Response Framework (NRF) may be activated through the intervention of the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO). The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is the lead agent responsible for coordinating overall federal response efforts.
Cost Effectiveness of Biological Weapons
Authors: Siegrist David W.
Published: July 2011

Biological weapons may be the most cost effective weapons ever available. For a relatively small investment, knowledgeable perpetrators (or states) may develop bioterror or military‐type weapons. Yet, there are significant uncertainties concerning biological weapons. Will they work? Will they do more or less than expected? Will the environmental factors that are critical for effective employment be available to the attacker at the critical time? What opprobrium will attach to their use? Questions such as these may move ordinary actors who are pursuing weapons to opt for more reliable/predictable/less societally‐ostracized weapons, even though those could be more expensive. Nevertheless, biological weapons' invisible/invasive delayed onset characteristics may make them weapons of choice for the types of terrorists who desire such effects. They may find bioweapons' cost within their reach.
D
efense
R
esearch and
D
evelopment
C
anada—Suffield and Centre for Security Science
Authors: Staff DRDC
Published: July 2011

This entry provides a brief overview of Defense Research and Development Canada—Suffield (DRDC Suffield), which for 50 years has been the principal centre in Canada for bio‐defense research. It also provides an overview of Defense Research and Development Canada—Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) whose mission is to enhance Canada's ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from, high‐consequence public safety and security events through investments in science and technology.
D
efense
T
hreat
R
eduction
A
gency
Authors: Epstein Gerald , Sheer Jennifer L.O.
Published: July 2011

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) focal point for reducing the present threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and preparing for this threat in the future. DTRA's activities include anticipating future WMD threats, shaping the international environment to reduce current threats, deterring and defeating the use of WMD, and managing the consequences of a WMD event.
Delivery Methodologies
Authors: Pilch Richard F. , Masimova Nazrin
Published: July 2011

The delivery of a biological agent is generally based on whether it is contagious, such as the smallpox virus orYersinia pestis, or noncontagious such as botulinum toxin orBacillus anthracis. Contagious agents generally require a comparatively low‐tech delivery system that begins with the deliberate infection of a small group or even single individual, which then serves as a delivery device to spread the disease by secondary transmission. Non‐contagious agents, on the other hand, can be delivered using methods ranging from injection to the contamination of food or water to airborne dissemination. All of these methods are discussed.
D
epartment of
H
omeland
S
ecurity
Authors: Mitchell Jennifer , Joliat Jacqueline N.
Published: July 2011

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which became operational in January 2003, has the mission of “leading the unified national effort to secure America; preventing and deterring terrorist attacks and protecting against and responding to threats and hazards to the nation; and securing our national borders while welcoming lawful immigrants, visitors, and trade” (DHS 2009(e)). DHS guides the U.S.'s policies regarding the prevention of, response to, and management of catastrophic health incidents, including bioterrorism events. Through the Department's Office of Health Affairs (OHA) and Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T), DHS leads the nation's biodefense initiatives from research and development (R&D) to implementation. This entry provides a brief history of the Department's establishment and purpose, an overview of its important biological incident‐related policies and documents, and an overview of its current and projected biodefense and health preparedness initiatives.