bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post‐3/11 Japan and the Radical Recontextualization of Value: Music, Social Media, and End‐Around Strategies for Cultural Action
Authors: CONDRY IAN
Published: October 2011

The disasters of 3/11 provoked a global outpouring of emotion towards the suffering in Japan. In many ways, this singular event seemed to refigure the meanings of community and technology by drawing attention to the fragility of human control in times of disaster. Although the long‐term consequences remain uncertain, this radical recontextualization of value points to a way of thinking about broader processes of change, a contrast to cultural analysis that proceeds by directly critiquing structures of power on their own terms. If we look to processes whereby a new context can be the impetus that undermines seemingly entrenched interests, we might find inspiration for alternative forms of critique and action. Music provides a model for cultural movements that do not attack power directly, but rather operate through this kind of slippery, insidious, “end‐around” strategy of change that gains its force from recontextualizing social logics. These features of music foreshadow some of the contemporary developments in social media, and may point to untapped potentials for subverting, and possibly transforming, enduring structures of power and inequality.
Relative Rank‐order of Salient Identities of the Japanese
Authors: UEMURA RYOTARO
Published: October 2011

How are multiple identities of Japanese people rank‐ordered? Previous studies on multiple identities almost exclusively focus on people in the USA. Little is known about the structure of multiple identities of people living in other countries. Japan is a good comparative case because it has both similar and different social contexts than the USA. Analyzing a recent survey of a nationally representative sample of Japanese adults, I examine how multiple identities are rank‐ordered by their salience among the Japanese. The results suggest that among ten identities, the most salient are the family–marital status identity, the occupational identity, and the national identity, while the least salient identities are social class, religious, and political identities. This identity rank‐order differs from that found in a comparable study of Americans in that the rank‐orders of national and religious identities are reversed. The observed patterns also seem to contradict an emerging line of cross‐cultural research that suggests national identity is less important for the Japanese than for Americans. Overall, this paper empirically demonstrates the fundamental dictum of symbolic interactionism that self reflects society, and suggests the importance of specifying and examining country‐level factors to study identity structures.
ANALYSIS OF EXPRESSED SEQUENCE TAGS FROM THE GREEN ALGA DUNALIELLA SALINA (CHLOROPHYTA)1
Authors: Zhao Rui , Cao Yu , Xu Hui , Lv Linfeng , Qiao Dairong , Cao Yi
Published: October 2011

The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodor. is a novel model photosynthetic eukaryote for studying photosystems, high salinity acclimation, and carotenoid accumulation. In spite of such significance, there have been limited studies on the Dunaliella genome transcriptome and proteome. To further investigate D. salina, a cDNA library was constructed and sequenced. Here, we present the analysis of the 2,282 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) generated together with 3,990 ESTs from dbEST. A total of 4,148 unique sequences (UniSeqs) were identified, of which 56.1% had sequence similarity with Uniprot entries, suggesting that a large number of unique genes may be harbored by Dunaliella. Additionally, protein family domains were identified to further characterize these sequences. Then, we also compared EST sequences with different complete eukaryotic genomes from several animals, plants, and fungi. We observed notable differences between D. salina and other organisms. This EST collection and its annotation provided a significant resource for basic and applied research on D. salina and laid the foundation for a systematic analysis of the transcriptome basis of green algae development and diversification.
Head‐To‐Head Comparison of Arrhythmia Discrimination Performance of Subcutaneous and Transvenous ICD Arrhythmia Detection Algorithms: The START Study
Authors: GOLD MICHAEL R. , THEUNS DOMINIC A. , KNIGHT BRADLEY P. , STURDIVANT J. LACY , SANGHERA RICK , ELLENBOGEN KENNETH A. , WOOD MARK A. , BURKE MARTIN C.
Published: October 2011

Arrhythmia Detection with S‐ICD Versus Transvenous ICDs.

Background:
The development of a totally subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S‐ICD) system requires a new approach for arrhythmia detection. To evaluate arrhythmia discrimination of one such system, the Subcutaneous versus Transvenous Arrhythmia Recognition Testing (START) study was designed as a prospective, multicenter trial comparing simulated sensing performances of the S‐ICD system with single‐ (SC‐TV) and dual‐chamber transvenous (DC‐TV) implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) systems.

Methods: At ICD implantation, induced ventricular and atrial arrhythmias were recorded simultaneously in transvenous (right ventricular [RV]→superior vena cava [SVC]+ Coil) and cutaneous electrode configurations. Recorded signals of ventricular (n = 46) and atrial arrhythmias (n = 50) with ventricular rates >170 bpm from 64 patients were used to compare detection performance of the S‐ICD system with TV‐ICD systems from 3 manufacturers. Appropriate detection of ventricular tachyarrhythmias was assessed with devices programmed in single‐zone (rate ≥170 bpm) and dual‐zone configurations (ventricular fibrillation ≥240 bpm; ventricular tachycardia ≥170 bpm). S‐ICD specificity performance for supraventricular arrhythmias was compared to single‐ and dual‐chamber devices in a dual‐zone configuration.

Results: Appropriate detection of ventricular tachyarrhythmias for subcutaneous and TV devices in single‐ and dual‐zone configurations was 100% and >99%, respectively. Specificity for supraventricular arrhythmias was significantly better for the S‐ICD system compared to 2 of 3 TV systems, as well as the composite of TV devices (98.0%[S‐ICD] vs 76.7%[SC‐TV range: 64.0–92.0%] vs 68.0%[DC‐TV range: 32.7–89.8%; P < 0.001]).

Conclusion: Appropriate ventricular arrhythmia detection is excellent for all ICD systems evaluated; however, specificity of supraventricular arrhythmia discrimination by the S‐ICD system is better than discrimination by 2 of 3 TV systems.
Evolving Electroanatomic Substrate and Intra‐Atrial Reentrant Tachycardia Late After Fontan Surgery
Authors: YAP SING‐CHIEN , HARRIS LOUISE , DOWNAR EUGENE , NANTHAKUMAR KUMARASWAMY , SILVERSIDES CANDICE K. , CHAUHAN VIJAY S.
Published: October 2011

Atrial Remodeling After the Fontan Operation.

Introduction:
The prevalence of intra‐atrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) increases with age in Fontan patients. This study aimed to characterize the atrial electroanatomic substrate for IART late after Fontan surgery.

Methods and Results:
Detailed electroanatomic mapping of the right atrium (RA) was performed in 11 consecutive patients (33 ± 9 years) with older style Fontan circulation (atriopulmonary and atrioventricular connection) who underwent their first radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for IART. A comparative group of 30 non‐Fontan congenital heart disease (CHD) patients were also studied. Fontan patients had larger RA (P = 0.004), larger low‐voltage area ≤0.5 mV (P = 0.01), and more fractionated potentials (P < 0.001) than non‐Fontan CHD patients. RA enlargement correlated significantly with both low‐voltage zones (Spearman ρ= 0.68, P < 0.001) and fractionated potentials (Spearman ρ= 0.48, P = 0.001). Among Fontan patients, both age and time since Fontan surgery were significantly correlated to the amount of low‐voltage areas (Spearman ρ= 0.87, P < 0.001; Spearman ρ= 0.63, P = 0.04, respectively). Successful RFCA was accomplished in 30 (73%) patients and was less likely in Fontan patients (54% vs 83%, P = 0.04). Larger RA was significantly associated with a lower success rate (P = 0.04). During a follow‐up duration of 2.3 ± 1.6 years, IART recurred in 47% of patients. Larger RA size and larger low‐voltage areas predicted IART recurrence after RFCA.

Conclusion:
Fontan patients demonstrate progressive adverse atrial electrical remodeling with increasing age and time since surgery. Newer strategies beyond surgical incisions, such as pharmacotherapies that retard the progression of atrial fibrosis, may be required to reduce the long‐term risk of atrial arrhythmias.
Adiponectin and atherosclerosis risk factors in African hemodialysis patients: A population at low risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Amira Oluwatoyin C. , Naicker Saraladevi , Manga Pravin , Sliwa Karen , Mia Alamgir , Raal Frederick , Crowther Nigel John , Immelman Ronald A. , Olorunju Steve
Published: October 2011

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Adiponectin (ADPN), a recently discovered collagen‐like protein, is secreted exclusively by adipocytes. It has anti‐atherogenic properties and reduced serum ADPN levels have been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular events. In this study, we determined the atherosclerotic risk and the significance of ADPN levels in our HD patients and also examined its relationship to other traditional CVD risk factors. A cross‐sectional study of 84 patients on maintenance HD (58 Blacks and 26 non‐Blacks) and 63 healthy controls matched for age, sex and race (35 Blacks and 28 non‐Blacks) was undertaken. Serum ADPN levels and other risk factors, including blood pressure, serum lipid, and C‐reactive protein, were studied in HD patients and were compared with the controls. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness and plaque occurrence was measured by B‐mode ultrasonography while echocardiography was done according to American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. Serum ADPN levels were higher in the HD group compared with the control subjects (22.19 ± 0.98 μg/mL vs. 9.93 ± 0.68 μg/mL; P < 0.001). Higher ADPN levels in HD patients were associated with lower triglyceride levels. ADPN correlated positively (r = 0.49, P < 0.0001) with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in the total study population. ADPN levels were raised in HD patients and correlated with LVMI, possibly because of the confounding effect of low glomerular filtration rate. ADPN levels were inversely related to risk factors for atherosclerosis and may provide possible targets for therapeutic interventions.
Effects of glucose‐supplemented diets on food intake, nymphal development, and fecundity of glucose‐averse, non‐glucose‐averse, and heterozygous strains of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica
Authors: Silverman Jules
Published: October 2011

Life history parameters were determined for glucose‐averse (glu/glu), wild‐type (glu+/glu+) and heterozygous (glu/glu+) genotypes of Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae) fed diets supplemented with glucose. Glu/glu nymphs consumed less glucose‐supplemented diet, gained less weight, developed slower and had a lower rate of survival than glu/glu nymphs fed the same diet without added glucose, or glu+/glu+ and glu/glu+ fed either diet. Prior to formation of the first oötheca, female glu/glu consumed less glucose‐supplemented diet per day than glu+/glu+ and glu/glu+, which presumably delayed egg case production. Oötheca‐bearing glu/glu and glu/glu+ females consumed less glucose‐supplemented diet than glu+/glu+ females. Despite a difference in female total diet intake, there was no effect of diet or genotype on fecundity. However, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) for glulglu on unsupplemented diet was less than that of glu+/glu+ and glu/glu+, suggesting that individuals with both glu alleles may be at a selective disadvantage in environments lacking diets containing glucose plus a toxicant.
Genetic and phenotypic variation for flight ability in the cactophilic Drosophila species, D. aldrichi and D. buzzatii
Authors: Gu H. , Barker J. S. F.
Published: October 2011

The flight ability of Drosophila aldrichi (Patterson & Crow) and D. buzzatii (Patterson & Wheeler) using tethered flights, was measured with respect to age‐related changes, genetic variation and adult body size variation induced by rearing at different larval densities. Drosophila buzzatii flew for much longer than D. aldrichi, especially females, but age‐related changes in flight duration were significant only for D. aldrichi. Effects of body size on flight ability were significant in D. buzzatii, but not in D. aldrichi. In D. buzzatii, there was a significant genotype‐environment interaction (larval density × line) for flight duration, with short and average flight duration isofemale lines showing longer flights, but a long flight duration line shorter flights as body size decreased (i.e., as larval density increased). Heritability estimates for flight duration were similar in the two species, but flight duration showed no significant genetic correlations with developmental time, body size or wing dimensions (except for one wing dimension in D. buzzatii). Although not significantly different between the species, heritabilities for life‐history traits (adult size and developmental time) showed contrasting patterns ‐ with higher heritability for body size (body weight and thorax length) in D. buzzatii, and higher for developmental time in D. aldrichi. In agreement with limited previous field evidence, D. buzzatii is better adapted for colonization than is D. aldrichi.
Effects of pre‐adult and adult experience on host acceptance in choice and non‐choice tests in two strains of Trichogramma
Authors: Bjorksten Tracey A. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: October 2011

The effect of adult learning through an oviposition experience, and pre‐adult learning through development inside a host was investigated in two strains of an Australian egg parasitoid, Trichogramma nr ivelae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Host response was measured in two types of laboratory preference tests. In single host tests, females reared on three lepidopteran hosts (Heliothis punctigera (Noctuidae), Papilio aegeus (Papilionidae), and Hypolimnas bolina (Nymphalinae)) were presented host eggs individually, and allowed two ovipositions. Pre‐adult experience affected host preference in only one strain, while acceptance of a host was increased in both strains when they had previously oviposited in this host species. An oviposition experience had a stronger effect on host preference than pre‐adult experience. In choice tests, pairwise combinations of hosts were arranged in an alternating grid. The ratio of host acceptances to host contacts was computed for the whole test and up to the first oviposition. These indicated that effects of rearing host were weak or absent, but the host chosen initially had a strong effect on host preference. Relative size of the hosts had a strong effect on choice of the first host. The implications of learning in Trichogramma are discussed in relation to host preference testing procedures and the selection of candidate strains for mass rearing and inundative release.
Molecular Dissection of Novel Trafficking and Processing of the Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Metalloprotease Toxolysin‐1
Authors: Hajagos Bettina E. , Turetzky Jay M. , Peng Eric D. , Cheng Stephen J. , Ryan Christopher M. , Souda Puneet , Whitelegge Julian P. , Lebrun Maryse , Dubremetz Jean‐Francois , Bradley Peter J.
Published: October 2011

Toxoplasma gondii utilizes specialized secretory organelles called rhoptries to invade and hijack its host cell. Many rhoptry proteins are proteolytically processed at a highly conserved SΦXE site to remove organellar targeting sequences that may also affect protein activity. We have studied the trafficking and biogenesis of a secreted rhoptry metalloprotease with homology to insulysin that we named toxolysin‐1 (TLN1). Through genetic ablation and molecular dissection of TLN1, we have identified the smallest rhoptry targeting domain yet reported and expanded the consensus sequence of the rhoptry pro‐domain cleavage site. In addition to removal of its pro‐domain, TLN1 undergoes a C‐terminal cleavage event that occurs at a processing site not previously seen in Toxoplasma rhoptry proteins. While pro‐domain cleavage occurs in the nascent rhoptries, processing of the C‐terminal region precedes commitment to rhoptry targeting, suggesting that it is mediated by a different maturase, and we have identified residues critical for proteolysis. We have additionally shown that both pieces of TLN1 associate in a detergent‐resistant complex, formation of which is necessary for trafficking of the C‐terminal portion to the rhoptries. Together, these studies reveal novel processing and trafficking events that are present in the protein constituents of this unusual secretory organelle.
Nationalism and patriotism as predictors of immigration attitudes in Switzerland:  A municipality‐level analysis
Authors: Green Eva G. T. , Sarrasin Oriane , Fasel Nicole , Staerklé Christian
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Using Swiss data from the 2003 International Social Survey Programme (N = 902), this multilevel study combined individual and municipality levels of analysis in the explanation of nationalism, patriotism and exclusionary immigration attitudes. On the individual level, the results show that in line with previous research nationalism (uncritical and blind attachment to the nation) increased exclusionary immigration attitudes, while patriotism (pride in national democratic institutions) was related to greater tolerance towards immigration. On the municipality level, urbanization, socioeconomic status and immigrant proportion (and their interaction effects) were found to affect nationalism, patriotism and immigration attitudes. Nationalist and patriotic forms of national attachment were stronger in German‐speaking municipalities than in the French‐speaking municipalities. Path analyses further revealed that living in a Swiss‐German municipality indirectly led to more negative immigration attitudes through an increase in nationalism. The research is discussed in light of social psychological and political science literature on political attitudes.
Fairness Ex Ante and Ex Post: Experimentally Testing Ex Post Judicial Intervention into Blockbuster Deals
Authors: Engel Christoph , Kurschilgen Michael
Published: October 2011

The market for copyrights is characterized by a highly skewed distribution of profits: very few movies, books, and songs generate huge profits, whereas the great bulk barely manages to recover production cost. At the moment when the owner of intellectual property grants a license (ex ante), neither party knows the true value of the traded commodity. A seemingly odd provision from German copyright law, the so‐called bestseller paragraph, stipulates that the seller of a license has a legally enforceable right to a bonus in case the work (ex post) turns out a blockbuster. We experimentally explore the effect of the provision on market prices, on the number of deals struck, and on perceived fairness. Our results show that the provision leads to lower prices for copyrights. More copyrights trade. The buyers express less ex post discontent.
Safe Harbors from Fair‐Cross‐Section Challenges? The Practical Limitations of Measuring Representation in the Jury Pool
Authors: Hannaford‐Agor Paula , Waters Nicole L.
Published: October 2011

The U.S. Constitution guarantees criminal defendants the right to an impartial jury selected from a jury pool that reflects the demographic composition of the geographic community served by the court. Yet there is little consensus in case law from state and federal courts about the most appropriate method of measuring demographic representation or the degree of underrepresentation that would violate the fair‐cross‐section requirement. Although the U.S. Supreme Court recently addressed these issues for the first time since Duren v. Missouri, its opinion in Berghuis v. Smith did little to settle the questions. In the present article, the authors use demographic information from the U.S. Census Bureau and information about jury operations in state courts from the National Center for State Courts to estimate the potential impact of competing proposals about how to measure demographic representation at different threshold levels of constitutional tolerance. Given the demographic composition of counties in the United States and the size of the jury pool in most courts, the authors find that a bright‐line rule using either of the two most common measures of representation (absolute disparity and comparative disparity) would create “safe harbors” in which the courts in a majority of jurisdictions across the country would become effectively immune from fair‐cross‐section challenges.
Property Rights, Resource Access, and Long‐Run Growth
Authors: Keay Ian , Metcalf Cherie
Published: October 2011

In this article we use four Canadian Supreme Court decisions that have substantively contributed to the constitutional recognition of aboriginal rights to assess the impact that changes in the security of commercial property rights have had on long‐run macroeconomic performance. We use a series of event studies to measure the extent to which each court decision had an effect on the common share prices of Canadian forestry firms. These share price effects reflect investors' perception of the decisions' impact on forestry firms' contemporaneous access to resource stocks and uncertainty surrounding the security of their access into the future. A simulation model based on a resource industry's dynamic optimization problem links the stock access and uncertainty effects implied by our event studies to the commercial producers' economic fundamentals. Changes in the resource industry's simulated profits can be used in a general equilibrium framework to estimate the effect that the Court's decisions had on Canadian real GDP per capita growth during the 1970–2005 period. Our methodological approach allows us to estimate the aggregate, long‐run macroeconomic effects that resulted from the Court's recognition of aboriginal rights, and also trace the channels through which these changes in the distribution of property rights influenced performance; we assess the relative importance of the current access and future uncertainty components of these changes.
Morphological features of mutant rat, IS‐Tlk/Kyo, fetuses with caudal vertebral anomalies
Authors: Takano Masao , Katsumata Yoshihiro , Ogawa Junko , Ebata Tomonori , Urasoko Yoshinaka , Asano Yuzo , Serikawa Tadao , Kuramoto Takashi
Published: October 2011

IS‐Tlk/Kyo, a rat mutant strain derived from IS/Kyo strain, exhibits a kinked and/or short tail, in addition to a congenital anomaly of the lumbar vertebrae that is a hallmark of IS/Kyo rats. Homozygotes (Tlk/Tlk) of Tlk dominant gene are known to die during embryonic development. The present report deals with the morphological features of heterozygous IS‐Tlk/Kyo rat fetuses in comparison with those of IS/Kyo rat fetuses. One of the morphological features was a high incidence of tail vertebral anomalies in IS‐Tlk rats (81.6% versus 0% in IS/Kyo rats). Significantly low values in number of live fetuses and ossified 5th sternebra and sacral and caudal vertebrae were observed in IS‐Tlk/Kyo rats compared with those in IS/Kyo rats as well as a low incidence of fetuses with ventral septal defects in IS‐Tlk/Kyo (0% versus 54.4% in IS rats). These results suggest that the Tlk gene may be involved in the formation of the vertebral centra and the ventral septum when it expresses on the genetic background of the IS rat.
Understanding ageing in older Australians: The contribution of the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project to the evidence base and policy
Authors: Anstey Kaarin J , Bielak Allison AM , Birrell Carole L , Browning Colette J , Burns Richard A , Byles Julie , Kiely Kim M , Nepal Binod , Ross Lesley A , Steel David , Windsor Timothy D ,   the DYNOPTA team
Published: October 2011

Aim:  To describe the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project and illustrate its contributions to understanding ageing through innovative methodology, and investigations on outcomes based on the project themes. DYNOPTA provides a platform and technical expertise that may be used to combine other national and international datasets.

Methods:  The DYNOPTA project has pooled and harmonised data from nine Australian longitudinal studies to create the largest available longitudinal dataset (n= 50652) on ageing in Australia.

Results:  A range of findings have resulted from the study to date, including methodological advances, prevalence rates of disease and disability, and mapping trajectories of ageing with and without increasing morbidity. DYNOPTA also forms the basis of a microsimulation model that will provide projections of future costs of disease and disability for the baby boomer cohort.

Conclusion:  DYNOPTA contributes significantly to the Australian evidence base on ageing to inform key social and health policy domains.
Prediction of Well Levels in the Alluvial Aquifer along the Lower Missouri River
Authors: Criss Robert E. , Criss Everett M.
Published: October 2011

Temporal variations in the head of wells in the alluvial aquifer along the lower Missouri River are accurately simulated by summation of linear differential terms involving daily variations in river stage and effective precipitation. Scaling parameters were optimized using a fourth order Adams‐Bashforth‐Moulton method, providing predictions for head that are typically accurate within ±1.5 feet (0.5 m) over intervals of 1 to 15 years. Parameter magnitudes represent the product of realistic aquifer properties and geometric factors.
A prospective study evaluating spontaneous healing of aetiology, size and type‐different groups of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation
Authors: Lou Z.‐C. , Tang Y.‐M. , Yang J.
Published: October 2011

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 450–460

Objectives:  To evaluate the outcome of spontaneous healing of aetiology‐, size‐ and type‐different groups of acute traumatic eardrum perforation and to characterise changes in the morphology of the healing eardrum in various conditions.

Study design:  Prospective clinical study.

Setting:  University‐affiliated teaching hospital.

Participants:  A total of 126 patients who visited the Outpatient Department of the Otolaryngology Clinic of Yiwu Central Hospital, Yiwu, China between January 2008 and June 2009 with acute traumatic tympanic membrane perforations.

Main outcome measures:  All participants were allowed to heal spontaneously for 12 months. The clinical outcome including healing rate, healing time, hearing function and air–bone gap recovery as well as morphological changes of the healing tympanic membrane was evaluated on the bases of perforation aetiology, size and type, etc.

Results:  By perforation size, the overall healing rate at the end of the 12‐month follow‐up was comparable to each other in the three (small, medium and large) size groups (P > 0.05); however, there were significant perforation size‐dependent differences in the average closure time (P < 0.05). For serosanguinous discharge and dry perforations, the healing rate at the end of 12‐month follow‐up was similar (95%versus 85%, P > 0.05), but the average healing time was different (16 versus 28 days, P < 0.01) and so was the sequence of granulation tissue formation and epithelial migration in the course of perforation healing. The inverted or everted edges as compared with no curled edges did not significantly affect the healing rate (95%versus 82%, P > 0.05) or closure time (24 versus 27 days). Hearing loss differed significantly between perforations of different causes (P < 0.01), but the perforation cause did not affect recovery of the air–bone defect. Pre‐existing tympanosclerosis was the most prominent cause of healing failure.

Conclusion:  The clinical outcome of spontaneous healing of acute tympanic membrane perforations is generally associated with perforation size, aetiology and whether dry or with a serosanguenous discharge. The sequence of granulation tissue formation and epithelial migration differs during the healing of traumatic tympanic membrane formation in serosanguinous discharge conditions and dry perforation.
Reducing Cardiorenal Risk Through Combination Therapy With a Direct Renin Inhibitor
Authors: Rastogi Anjay , Rashid Mohamad , Wright Richard F.
Published: October 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:848–855. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Interruption of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) cascade with angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or more recently direct renin inhibitors (DRIs) is a safe and effective antihypertensive strategy that is in routine clinical use. The clinical utility of these agents in cardiorenal end‐organ protection is increasingly being recognized. Although both ACE inhibitors and ARBs demonstrate substantial benefit in patients with cardiovascular and/or renal disease, considerable evidence indicates that they only partially suppress the RAAS pathway due to feedback upregulation of plasma renin activity. With the goal of providing more comprehensive RAAS blockade, combination ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy has been evaluated. However, this approach has not shown the anticipated improvements in composite cardiovascular and renal outcomes and appears to be associated with significant toxicity. Due to a unique mechanism of action, the combination of a DRI with an ACE inhibitor or ARB may represent an effective end‐organ–protective therapeutic strategy.
Response to Davis: choosing relevant evidence to assess monarch population trends
Authors: BROWER LINCOLN P. , TAYLOR ORLEY R. , WILLIAMS ERNEST H.
Published: October 2011

Abstract.  1. We recently reported in this journal that the abundance of the migratory population of monarch butterflies is declining (Brower et al., 2011). Davis (Davis, 2011) subsequently challenged our conclusion.

2. Here, we provide further information about the increasing loss of larval habitat and how it may be contributing to the decline.

3. We also point out that Davis’s census data were obtained from peripheral monarch populations minimally influenced by the changes in agriculture and development that have affected the larger Midwestern monarch population. Therefore, the data cited by Davis are not representative of the overall monarch population.
A study of population density effects and demographic profiling on recorded customer contacts of sewer flooding
Authors: Unwin D. , Arthur S.
Published: October 2011

The reported research focuses on establishing tangible links between a series of interrelated databases, covering four major cities in Scotland, namely Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow (2003–2006). The databases, containing postcode sector information, customer contacts (relating to sewer flooding complaints) and Multiple Deprivation scoring/Census Data, were supplied in a non‐common format and ‘mined’ so as to reveal patterns of information relating to how complaint density varies with population density and social deprivation scores. The research shows that there are indistinct patterns among the cities and that these patterns may be used to define critical density limits to which targeted asset management modelling approaches may be applied.
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AND STRAIN IN DIALYSIS STAFF‐A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Böhmert Maren , Kuhnert Saskia , Nienhaus Albert
Published: October 2011

Backgroung: As the number of dialysis patients increases, the psychological stress and strain suffered by dialysis personnel is of growing importance. For this reason a systematic review of the international literature was performed.

Methods: A search of relevant databases for original studies or reviews published after 1990 resulted in 20 articles. The quality of these studies was assessed and they were grouped according to their focused central issues.

Results: Stress and burnout were examined in 10 studies and a review. Working conditions and working situation in general were examined in eight studies. The findings were heterogeneous and difficult to compare. The results indicate that employees in the dialysis sector are subject to moderate levels of stress and burnout. Job satisfaction seems to be good. The few studies that allowed for comparison with other professions did not reveal excess stress and strain in dialysis personnel.

Conclusion: The results do not indicate that dialysis workers are exposed to above‐average levels of stress or strain. Nevertheless, there is room for optimisation and need for action in some facilities.
THE IMPACT OF DIALYSIS MODALITY ON QUALITY OF LIFE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Boateng Edward Appiah , East Linda
Published: October 2011

Background: This systematic review aims to generate evidence on which dialysis modality (in‐centre haemodialysis HD, or peritoneal dialysis, PD) improves the quality of life (QOL) of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched from their inception to July 2010 for studies that compared QOL in both HD and PD patients.

Results: Only 26 of the 574 studies identified were included in this review. These were crosssectional, longitudinal or retrospective in design. QOL tools used include SF‐36, Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) and CHOICE Health Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ). PD patients mostly rate their QOL higher than HD patients. Yet HD patients may enjoy a relatively better QOL in the physical dimensions over time. Mental health components are comparable between both dialysis populations.

Conclusion: There is no simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to the question of which dialysis modality improves QOL. However a good understanding of the evidence base will facilitate individual decision‐making.
PATIENT HEALTH AND WELL‐BEING WHILE WAITING FOR RENAL TRANSPLANTATION: PART I
Authors: Murphy Fiona , Trevitt Ray , Chamney Melissa , McCann Margaret
Published: October 2011

This is the first article in a series of three articles concerning renal transplantation. This first article will address the patient's health and well‐being while waiting for renal transplantation and the role of the multidisciplinary team in the promoting of this. The subsequent articles will address pre‐ and post‐renal transplant care and the long‐term complications of renal transplantation.
Diagnostic Ultrasound of the Rotator Cuff: Sensitivity and Specificity in a District General Hospital
Authors: Mcbride Tim , Mathur Keshav
Published: October 2011

Background

Rotator cuff tears are associated with significant morbidity. Ultrasound scanning in the diagnosis and evaluation of cuff tears has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific. However, it is hypothesized that ultrasound may not be such a precise modality in the setting of a district general hospital.

Materials and Methods

The present study identified all patients in a 1-year period who underwent shoulder arthroscopy and who had also undergone a preceding ultrasound scan. Tables (2 × 2) were drawn up to compare findings and calculate sensitivity, specificity and predictive values.

Results

Eighty-five patients were identified with a total of 59 (69%) cuff tears detected at surgery. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound was 66% and 54%, respectively. This equated to an overall accuracy of 62%. The positive predictive value was 76% and the negative predictive value was 41%.

Discussion

The results obtained in the present study demonstrate disappointingly low sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as accuracy, for the use of ultrasound scanning in the assessment of the rotator cuff. This has implications not only for the diagnostic process, but also in terms of theatre time logistics. It is suggested that a regular multidisciplinary team meeting is held to discuss imaging and consideration of magnetic resonance imaging as an alternative modality in this setting.
Pectoralis Major Transfer for Subscapularis Deficiency: A Computational Study
Authors: Jastifer James , Gustafson Peter , Patel Bipin , Uggen Christopher
Published: October 2011

Background

Clinical studies purport an increase in internal rotation strength after transfer in subscapularis deficient patients. The present study aimed to establish the internal rotation biomechanics of a pectoralis major muscle transfer for the treatment of subscapularis muscle insufficiency.

Methods

A computational study was performed utilizing a three-dimensional, validated, computational model of the upper extremity. The pectoralis major was modeled as three distinct components. Moments were calculated from combined force (active and passive) as well as muscle moment arms for each of the internal rotators throughout a physiologic range of motion. The results were compared to both normal and subscapularis deficient simulations.

Results

A deficient subscapularis decreases the internal rotation moment by a maximum of 55% (16.9Nm). Transfer of the clavicular component in isolation and transfer of both the clavicular and sternal components decrease the sum internal rotation moment about the shoulder in a subscapularis deficient patient by a maximum of 5.3% (1.6Nm) and 10.6% (3.2Nm) respectively.

Conclusion

The clinical significance of this study is that the strength improvement demonstrated in clinical studies is likely a dynamic stabilizing effect of the transfer. This affirms the concept that the glenohumeral joint must have stability before the surrounding musculature can act effectively.
Solitary rectal metastasis from primary small cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Han Sang Hoon , Lee Jeong Won , Hyun Chang Lim , Yoo So Yeon , Lee Jong Hoo , Kwon Jung Mi , Kim Woo Kun
Published: October 2011

Lung cancer may rarely appear with a solitary rectal metastasis and no other metastases. We report the first case of primary small cell lung cancer presenting with a solitary rectal metastasis in a 62‐year‐old man. Chest computed tomography revealed a soft tissue lesion in the subcarinal area. Following bronchoscopic biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. The rectal mass was incidentally found during an imaging study for staging work‐up. Histological examination revealed that the rectal mass was consistent with metastasis from small cell lung cancer. We suggest that clinicians should consider the possibility of rectal metastasis in small cell lung cancer patients with rectal masses.
Antidepressant treatment of Medicaid-insured youth with a cancer diagnosis
Authors: Valluri Satish , Zito Julie M , Pao Maryland , Ballard Elizabeth D , Safer Daniel J , Korelitz James J , Mattison Donald R , Wayne Alan S
Published: October 2011

Objectives

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether youth with a clinical diagnosis of cancer are subsequently more likely to be prescribed antidepressants than their counterparts without cancer in a multi-state Medicaid-enrolled population.

Methods

Data on youth, ages 2–17 years, who were continuously enrolled in Medicaid for 3 or more months during 2000–2001 (n = 2 435 391), were extracted from administrative claims files of seven state Medicaid programmes. All youth with a cancer diagnosis were selected and, for each, 10 youth matched for age (±1 year), gender and race/ethnicity who did not have a cancer diagnosis were randomly selected as a comparison group. Antidepressant use in the subsequent 3–24 months following the index cancer diagnosis was compared to antidepressant use in the comparison group in the same time frame, adjusting for psychiatric diagnoses.

Key findings

Youth with cancer were predominantly male (60.8%), 5–14 years of age (67.9%) and white (51.7%). Antidepressant use (unadjusted) in the cancer group (8.8%) was higher than in the comparison group (5.2%). Adjusting for comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that antidepressant use was nearly twice as likely (hazard ratio = 1.97, 95% confidence interval = 1.57–2.46) in cancer-diagnosed youth as in a comparable group of youth without cancer.

Conclusions

A two-fold greater use of antidepressants following a cancer diagnosis in youth compared to their Medicaid-insured counterparts without cancer suggests a need for additional evaluation of the benefits and risks of antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, in a population likely to require complex medication treatments.
Cosmic‐ray exposure age and preatmospheric size of the Bunburra Rockhole achondrite
Authors: WELTEN Kees C. , MEIER Matthias M. M. , CAFFEE Marc W. , LAUBENSTEIN Matthias , NISHIZUMI Kunihiko , WIELER Rainer , BLAND Phil A. , TOWNER Martin C. , SPURNÝ Pavel
Published: October 2011

Abstract– Bunburra Rockhole is the first meteorite fall photographed and recovered by the Desert Fireball Network in Australia. It is classified as an ungrouped achondrite similar in mineralogical and chemical composition to eucrites, but it has a distinct oxygen isotope composition. The question is if achondrites like Bunburra Rockhole originate from the same parent body as the howardite‐eucrite‐diogenite (HED) meteorites or from several separate, differentiated parent bodies. To address this question, we measured cosmogenic radionuclides and noble gases in the Bunburra Rockhole achondrite. The short‐lived radionuclides 22Na and 54Mn confirm that Bunburra Rockhole is a recent fall. The concentrations of 10Be, 26Al and 36Cl as well as the 22Ne/21Ne ratio indicate that Bunburra Rockhole was a relatively small object (R approximately 15 cm) in space, consistent with the photographic fireball observations. The cosmogenic 38Ar concentration yields a cosmic‐ray exposure (CRE) age of 22 ± 3 Myr, whereas 21Ne and 3He yield approximately 30% and approximately 60% lower ages, respectively, due to loss of cosmogenic He and Ne, mainly from plagioclase. With a CRE age of 22 Myr, Bunburra Rockhole is the first anomalous eucrite that overlaps with the main CRE peak of the HED meteorites. The radiogenic K‐Ar age of 4.1 Gyr is consistent with the U‐Pb age, while the young U,Th‐He age of approximately 1.4 Gyr indicates that Bunburra Rockhole lost radiogenic 4He more recently.
Constraint Management of Reduced Representation Variables in Decomposition-Based Design Optimization
Authors: Alexander Michael J. , Allison James T. , Papalambros Panos Y. , Gorsich David J.
Published: October 2011

In decomposition-based design optimization strategies such as analytical target cascading (ATC), it is sometimes necessary to use reduced representations of highly discretized functional data exchanged among subproblems to enable efficient design optimization. However, the variables used by such reduced representation methods are often abstract, making it difficult to constrain them directly beyond simple bounds. This problem is usually addressed by implementing a penalty value-based heuristic that indirectly constrains the reduced representation variables. Although this approach is effective, it leads to many ATC iterations, which in turn yields an ill-conditioned optimization problem and an extensive runtime. To address these issues, this paper introduces a direct constraint management technique that augments the penalty value-based heuristic with constraints generated by support vector domain description (SVDD). A comparative ATC study between the existing and proposed constraint management methods involving electric vehicle design indicates that the SVDD augmentation is the most appropriate within decomposition-based design optimization.
Imaging of moving fiducial markers during radiotherapy using a fast, efficient active pixel sensor based EPID
Authors: Osmond John P. F. , Zin Hafiz M. , Harris Emma J. , Lupica Giovanni , Allinson Nigel M. , Evans Philip M.
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

The purpose of this work was to investigate the use of an experimental complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) active pixel sensor (APS) for tracking of moving fiducial markers during radiotherapy.

Methods:

The APS has an active area of 5.4 × 5.4 cm and maximum full frame read‐out rate of 20 frame s−1, with the option to read out a region‐of‐interest (ROI) at an increased rate. It was coupled to a 4 mm thick ZnWO4 scintillator which provided a quantum efficiency (QE) of 8% for a 6 MV x‐ray treatment beam. The APS was compared with a standard iViewGT flat panel amorphous Silicon (a‐Si) electronic portal imaging device (EPID), with a QE of 0.34% and a frame‐rate of 2.5 frame s−1. To investigate the ability of the two systems to image markers, four gold cylinders of length 8 mm and diameter 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2 mm were placed on a motion‐platform. Images of the stationary markers were acquired using the APS at a frame‐rate of 20 frame s−1, and a dose‐rate of 143 MU min−1to avoid saturation. EPID images were acquired at the maximum frame‐rate of 2.5 frame s−1, and a reduced dose‐rate of 19 MU min−1to provide a similar dose per frame to the APS. Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of the background signal and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of the marker signal relative to the background were evaluated for both imagers at doses of 0.125 to 2 MU.

Results:

Image quality and marker visibility was found to be greater in the APS with SNR ∼5 times greater than in the EPID and CNR up to an order of magnitude greater for all four markers. To investigate the ability to image and track moving markers the motion‐platform was moved to simulate a breathing cycle with period 6 s, amplitude 20 mm and maximum speed 13.2 mm s−1. At the minimum integration time of 50 ms a tracking algorithm applied to the APS data found all four markers with a success rate of ≥92% and positional error ≤90μm. At an integration time of 400 ms the smallest marker became difficult to detect when moving. The detection of moving markers using the a‐Si EPID was difficult even at the maximum dose‐rate of 592 MU min−1due to the lower QE and longer integration time of 400 ms.

Conclusions:

This work demonstrates that a fast read‐out, high QE APS may be useful in the tracking of moving fiducial markers during radiotherapy. Further study is required to investigate the tracking of markers moving in 3D in a treatment beam attenuated by moving patient anatomy. This will require a larger sensor with ROI read‐out to maintain speed and a manageable data‐rate.
Natural Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligands Control Organogenesis of Intestinal Lymphoid Follicles
Authors: Kiss Elina A. , Vonarbourg Cedric , Kopfmann Stefanie , Hobeika Elias , Finke Daniela , Esser Charlotte , Diefenbach Andreas
Published: October 2011

Nutrients can shape immune system development function through aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling.
Food for Nanoworms
Authors: Mashour George A.
Published: October 2011

Linked peptides target brain tumor blood vessels for destruction while sparing healthy brain tissue.
Genome Sequence of the Bacteriocin-Producing Oral Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius Strain M18
Authors: Heng Nicholas C. K. , Haji-Ishak Nurul S. , Kalyan Alaina , Wong Andrew Y. C. , Lovrić Marija , Bridson Joanna M. , Artamonova Julia , Stanton Jo-Ann L. , Wescombe Philip A. , Burton Jeremy P. , Cullinan Mary P. , Tagg John R.
Published: October 2011

Streptococcus salivarius
is a Gram-positive bacterial commensal and pioneer colonizer of the human oral cavity. Many strains produce ribosomally synthesized proteinaceous antibiotics (bacteriocins), and some strains have been developed for use as oral probiotics. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of the bacteriocin-producing oral probiotic
S. salivarius
strain M18.
Genome Sequence of Sphingobium yanoikuyae XLDN2-5, an Efficient Carbazole-Degrading Strain
Authors: Gai Zhonghui , Wang Xiaoyu , Tang Hongzhi , Tai Cui , Tao Fei , Wu Geng , Xu Ping
Published: October 2011

Sphingobium yanoikuyae
XLDN2-5 is an efficient carbazole-degrading strain. Carbazole-degrading genes are accompanied on both sides by two copies of IS
6100
elements. Here, we describe the draft genome sequence of strain XLDN2-5, which may provide important clues as to how it recruited exogenous genes to establish pathways to degrade the xenobiotics.