bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case of Perianal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Arising from an Anorectal Fistula Successfully Resected after Preoperative Radiotherapy
Authors: Ohta Ryo , Sekikawa Koji , Goto Manabu , Narita Kazuhiro , Takahashi Yasumasa , Ikeda Hironari , Oneyama Masataka , Hirata Yudai , Nakayama Mikihiro , Shimoda Yohta , Sato Syun
Published: May 2013

A case of mucinous adenocarcinoma arising on a long-standing anorectal fistula is described. A 60-year-old man with a long history of mucinous discharge, pain and perianal induration underwent a biopsy of the external opening of the fistula that showed a mucinous infiltrating adenocarcinoma. Due to the large size of the tumor and the fact that it had extended into the surrounding tissue, preoperative radiotherapy was performed. Radiotherapy was given with 40 Gy in 25 fractions for 5 weeks through posterior and bilateral portals. After radiotherapy the tumor was markedly shrunk and the serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen was also improved. Abdominoperineal resection was performed 8 weeks after the termination of radiotherapy. Histological examination of the resected specimen revealed that the invasion of the tumor remained within the sphincter muscle and that no cancer cells were present on the surgical margin. The histological effect of radiotherapy was judged as grade 1b. This treatment can result in downstaging and R0 resection, which also has a possibility to prevent local recurrence. This case suggests that preoperative radiotherapy may play an important role in the definitive treatment of locally advanced perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma.
Assessment of Coronary Artery Stenosis by Coronary Angiography
Authors: Jiangping Song , Zhe Zheng , Wei Wang , Yunhu Song , Jie Huang , Hongyue Wang , Hong Zhao , Shengshou Hu
Published: May 2013

Background—

Conventional coronary angiography (CCA) has been considered as a gold standard for the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases; however, its diagnostic accuracy is still unknown.

Methods and Results—

Between July 2004 and December 2011, 97 patients underwent CCA within 15 days before heart transplantation in Fuwai hospital. A head-to-head comparison study was performed to examine the diagnostic accuracy of CCA as compared with that of pathological coronary artery anatomy. As confirmed by pathological coronary artery anatomy, 44 (45.4%) patients had coronary artery diseases. The patient-based diagnostic accuracy evaluation showed that the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of CCA for detecting ≥50% stenosis was 0.91, with a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 93%, and high concordance (κ=0.83). A per-vessel analysis of 291 vessels yielded an AUC of 0.79, the agreement of 3 vessels >0.6 (κ statistic). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.88 for proximal and middle segments, and was 0.62 for distal segments, κ was calculated to detect the distal segments with lower concordance than proximal and middle segments. The patient- and vessel-based evaluations showed similar diagnostic accuracy of CCA in detecting ≥75% stenosis. Per-segment evaluation found CCA was more accurate for detecting ≥50% and ≥75% stenosis in proximal and middle segments than in distal segments, and the diagnosis ability decreased in more severe stenosis segments and more complex lesions.

Conclusions—

The accuracy of CCA is quite high in detecting coronary artery stenosis in patients- and vessels-based levels. However, the diagnosis ability decreased in more severe and complex lesions, especially for distal segments.
Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Mediates Cerebrolysin-Improved Neurological Function After Stroke
Authors: Zhang Li , Chopp Michael , Meier Dieter H. , Winter Stefan , Wang Lei , Szalad Alexandra , Lu Mei , Wei Min , Cui Yisheng , Zhang Zheng Gang
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

Cerebrolysin, a mixture of neurotrophic peptides, enhances neurogenesis and improves neurological outcome in experimental neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway stimulates neurogenesis after stroke. The present study tests whether the Shh pathway mediates cerebrolysin-induced neurogenesis and improves neurological outcome after stroke.

Methods—

Rats subjected to embolic stroke were treated with cerebrolysin with or without cyclopamine.

Results—

Using neural progenitor cells derived from the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle of adult rats, we found that cerebrolysin significantly increased neural progenitor cells proliferation and their differentiation into neurons and myelinating oligodendrocytes, which were associated with upregulation of Shh and its receptors patched and smoothened. Blockage of the Shh signaling pathway with a pharmacological smoothened inhibitor, cyclopamine, abolished cerebrolysin-induced in vitro neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis. In the ischemic rats, treatment with cerebrolysin starting 24 hours after stroke significantly increased neural progenitor cell proliferation in the subventricular zone and enhanced neurogenesis, oligodendrogenesis, and axonal remodeling in the peri-infarct area. Moreover, profound neurological function improvements were observed in rats treated with cerebrolysin from week 3 to week 5 after stroke onset compared with vehicle-treated rats. However, in vivo inhibition of the Shh pathway with cyclopamine completely reversed the effects of cerebrolysin on neurorestoration and functional recovery.

Conclusions—

These results demonstrate that the Shh pathway mediates cerebrolysin-enhanced neurogenesis and white matter remodeling and improves functional recovery in rats after stroke.
Rotational Vertebral Artery Occlusion
Authors: Choi Kwang-Dong , Choi Jae-Hwan , Kim Ji-Soo , Kim Hyo Jung , Kim Min-Ji , Lee Tae-Hong , Lee Hyung , Moon In Soo , Oh Hui Jong , Kim Jae-Il
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

To elucidate the mechanisms and prognosis of rotational vertebral artery occlusion (RVAO).

Methods—

We analyzed clinical and radiological characteristics, patterns of induced nystagmus, and outcome in 21 patients (13 men, aged 29–77 years) with RVAO documented by dynamic cerebral angiography during an 8-year period at 3 University Hospitals in Korea. The follow-up periods ranged from 5 to 91 months (median, 37.5 months). Most patients (n=19; 90.5%) received conservative treatments.

Results—

All the patients developed vertigo accompanied by tinnitus (38%), fainting (24%), or blurred vision (19%). Only 12 (57.1%) patients showed the typical pattern of RVAO during dynamic cerebral angiography, a compression of the dominant vertebral artery at the C1-2 level during contralateral head rotation. The induced nystagmus was mostly downbeat with horizontal and torsional components beating toward the compressed vertebral artery side. None of the patients with conservative treatments developed posterior circulation stroke, and 4 of them (21.1%) showed resolution of symptoms during the follow-ups.

Conclusions—

RVAO has various patterns of vertebral artery compression, and favorable long-term outcome with conservative treatments. In most patients with RVAO, the symptoms may be ascribed to asymmetrical excitation of the bilateral labyrinth induced by transient ischemia or by disinhibition from inferior cerebellar hypoperfusion. Conservative management might be considered as the first-line treatment of RVAO.
Cannabis, Ischemic Stroke, and Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Barber Peter Alan , Pridmore Heidi M. , Krishnamurthy Venkatesh , Roberts Sally , Spriggs David A. , Carter Kristie N. , Anderson Neil E.
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

There is a temporal relationship between cannabis use and stroke in case series and population-based studies.

Methods—

Consecutive stroke patients, aged 18 to 55 years, who had urine screens for cannabis were compared with a cohort of control patients admitted to hospital without cardiovascular or neurological diagnoses.

Results—

One hundred sixty of 218 (73%) ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack patients had urine drug screens (100 men; mean [SD] age, 44.8 [8.7] years). Twenty-five (15.6%) patients had positive cannabis drug screens. These patients were more likely to be men (84% versus 59%; χ
2
:
P
=0.016) and tobacco smokers (88% versus 28%; χ
2
:
P
<0.001). Control urine samples were obtained from 160 patients matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. Thirteen (8.1%) control participants tested positive for cannabis. In a logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and ethnicity, cannabis use was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–5.08). However after adjusting for tobacco use, an association independent of tobacco could not be confirmed (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–3.70).

Conclusions—

This study provides evidence of an association between a cannabis lifestyle that includes tobacco and ischemic stroke. Further research is required to clarify whether there is an association between cannabis and stroke independent of tobacco.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.anzctr.org.au
. Unique identifier: ACTRN12610000198022
Competitive Integration of Visual and Goal-related Signals on Neuronal Accumulation Rate: A Correlate of Oculomotor Capture in the Superior Colliculus
Authors: White Brian J. , Marino Robert A. , Boehnke Susan E. , Itti Laurent , Theeuwes Jan , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: May 2013

The mechanisms that underlie the integration of visual and goal-related signals for the production of saccades remain poorly understood. Here, we examined how spatial proximity of competing stimuli shapes goal-directed responses in the superior colliculus (SC), a midbrain structure closely associated with the control of visual attention and eye movements. Monkeys were trained to perform an oculomotor-capture task [Theeuwes, J., Kramer, A. F., Hahn, S., Irwin, D. E., & Zelinsky, G. J. Influence of attentional capture on oculomotor control. Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance, 25, 1595–1608, 1999], in which a target singleton was revealed via an isoluminant color change in all but one item. On a portion of the trials, an additional salient item abruptly appeared near or far from the target. We quantified how spatial proximity between the abrupt-onset and the target shaped the goal-directed response. We found that the appearance of an abrupt-onset near the target induced a transient decrease in goal-directed discharge of SC visuomotor neurons. Although this was indicative of spatial competition, it was immediately followed by a rebound in presaccadic activation, which facilitated the saccadic response (i.e., it induced shorter saccadic RT). A similar suppression also occurred at most nontarget locations even in the absence of the abrupt-onset. This is indicative of a mechanism that enabled monkeys to quickly discount stimuli that shared the common nontarget feature. These results reveal a pattern of excitation/inhibition across the SC visuomotor map that acted to facilitate optimal behavior—the short duration suppression minimized the probability of capture by salient distractors, whereas a subsequent boost in accumulation rate ensured a fast goal-directed response. Such nonlinear dynamics should be incorporated into future biologically plausible models of saccade behavior.
A new species of the spider genus Taczanowskia (Araneae, Araneidae) from Mexico
Authors: IBARRA-NÚÑEZ GUILLERMO
Published: May 2013

A new species of the spider genus Taczanowskia, T. gustavoi n. sp. is described from Chiapas, Mexico. This finding ex-tends the distribution of Taczanowskia species, hitherto known only from South America to Southern Mexico. T. gustavoi n. sp. can be differentiated from all other species in this genus by having more than six tubercles in the dorsum of its opist-hosoma. This species is included in an earlier determination key for all previously known Taczanowskia species.
A new species and records of Diolenius Thorell, 1870 (Araneae: Salticidae) from New Guinea
Authors: GARDZIŃSKA JOANNA , PATOLETA BARBARA
Published: May 2013

Diolenius sarmiensis sp. nov. is recorded, described and illustrated from New Guinea.
Monitored Daily Ambulatory Activity, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Patients With Claudication
Authors: Gardner Andrew W. , Parker Donald E. , Montgomery Polly S. , Blevins Steve M. , Teague April M. , Casanegra Ana I.
Published: May 2013

We determined the association between daily ambulatory activity and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and claudication. Patients with PAD (n = 134) limited by claudication were studied. Patients took 3275 ± 1743 daily strides for 273 ± 112 minutes each day, and their average daily cadence was 11.7 ± 2.7 strides/min. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was significantly and negatively associated with the total number of daily strides ( P < .001), total daily ambulatory time ( P < .01), peak activity index ( P < .01), daily average cadence ( P < .05), and the maximum cadences for 60 minutes ( P < .05), 30 minutes ( P < .05), 20 minutes ( P < .05), and 5 minutes ( P < .01). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 were not significantly associated with any of the ambulatory measures ( P > .05). We conclude that higher levels of community-based, daily ambulatory activity are associated with lower levels of inflammation but are not associated with markers of oxidative stress.
Managing aggression and violence: The clinician’s role in contemporary mental health care
Authors: Allnutt Stephen H , Ogloff James R P , Adams Jonathon , O’Driscoll Colman , Daffern Michael , Carroll Andrew , Nanayakkara Vindya , Chaplow David
Published: May 2013

Objective:

From time to time misconceptions about violence risk assessment raise debate about the role mental health professionals play in managing aggression, with associated concerns about the utility of violence risk assessment. This paper will address some of the misconceptions about risk assessment in those with serious mental illness.

Methods:

The authors have expertise as clinicians and researchers in the field and based on their accumulated knowledge and discussion they have reviewed the literature to form their opinions.

Results:

This paper reflects the authors’ views.

Conclusion:

There is a modest yet statistical and clinically significant association between certain types of mental illness and violence. Debate about the appropriateness of clinician involvement in violence risk assessment is sometimes based on a misunderstanding about the central issues and the degree to which this problem can be effectively managed. The central purpose of risk assessment is the prevention rather than the prediction of violence. Violence risk assessment is a process of identifying patients who are at greater risk of violence in order to facilitate the timing and prioritisation of preventative interventions. Clinicians should base these risk assessments on empirical knowledge and consideration of case-specific factors to inform appropriate management interventions to reduce the identified risk.
Vinyl ester/ glass flake nanocomposites: An overview of chemical and physical properties
Authors: Ghadami Azam , Ehsani Morteza , Khonakdar Hossein Ali
Published: May 2013

The protection of steel against corrosion by nano-glass flake containing coatings has been evaluated in this article. Nano-glass flake was incorporated into epoxy vinyl ester resin by mechanical agitation, homogenizer and sonication process. The dispersion morphology and agglomeration degree of nanoadditives were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The effect of micro and nano-glass flake on anticorrosion performance of epoxy vinyl ester coatings were also compared in a salt spray chamber. The influence of nano-glass flake on the thermal behavior of resins was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that corrosion resistance of coatings improves as the amounts of nano-glass flake increases to 1.5 phr. Nano-glass-flake-filled specimens display a better corrosion protection than the micro-glass-flake-filled ones.
Factors Involved in Mechanical Fatigue Degradation of Dental Resin Composites
Authors: Lohbauer U. , Belli R. , Ferracane J.L.
Published: May 2013

The design of clinical trials allows for limited insights into the fatigue processes occurring in resin composites and the factors involved therein. In vitro studies, in contrast, can fundamentally narrow study interests to focus on particular degradation mechanisms and, to date, represent the major contributors to the state of knowledge on the subject. These studies show that microstructural features are important in determining strength and fracture toughness, whereas fatigue resistance is mainly related to the susceptibility of the matrix and the filler/matrix interface to mechanical and chemical degradation. In this review, we focus on fracture mechanisms occurring during fatigue, on the methods used to assess them, and on additional phenomena involved in the degradation of initial mechanical properties of resin composites.
Compounded PHOSPHO1/ALPL Deficiencies Reduce Dentin Mineralization
Authors: McKee M.D. , Yadav M.C. , Foster B.L. , Somerman M.J. , Farquharson C. , Millán J.L.
Published: May 2013

Phosphatases are involved in bone and tooth mineralization, but their mechanisms of action are not completely understood. Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP, ALPL) regulates inhibitory extracellular pyrophosphate through its pyrophosphatase activity to control mineral propagation in the matrix; mice without TNAP lack acellular cementum, and have mineralization defects in dentin, enamel, and bone. PHOSPHO1 is a phosphatase found within membrane-bounded matrix vesicles in mineralized tissues, and double ablation of Alpl and Phospho1 in mice leads to a complete absence of skeletal mineralization. Here, we describe mineralization abnormalities in the teeth of Phospho1-/- mice, and in compound knockout mice lacking Phospho1 and one allele of Alpl ( Phospho1-/-;Alpl+/-). In wild-type mice, PHOSPHO1 and TNAP co-localized to odontoblasts at early stages of dentinogenesis, coincident with the early mineralization of mantle dentin. In Phospho1 knockout mice, radiography, micro-computed tomography, histology, and transmission electron microscopy all demonstrated mineralization abnormalities of incisor dentin, with the most remarkable findings being reduced overall mineralization coincident with decreased matrix vesicle mineralization in the Phospho1-/- mice, and the almost complete absence of matrix vesicles in the Phospho1-/-;Alpl+/- mice, whose incisors showed a further reduction in mineralization. Results from this study support prominent non-redundant roles for both PHOSPHO1 and TNAP in dentin mineralization.
The Influence of Tonal and Atonal Contexts on Error Detection Accuracy
Authors: Groulx Timothy J.
Published: May 2013

Music education students ( N = 21) at a university in the southeastern United States took an error detection test that had been designed for this study to determine the effects of tonal contexts versus atonal contexts on the ability to detect performance errors. The investigator composed 16 melodies, 8 of which were tonal and 8 of which were atonal. The test administered included 18 planned errors, 9 in tonal melodies and 9 in atonal melodies, and errors were balanced between the two sets of melodies for error duration and error interval. These melodies were performed live for the participants, who were asked to identify where errors took place in the performance. Participant test scores were calculated, and mean scores were generated for each individual error. Each error was then classified according to its attributes of tonal context, interval deviation, and duration. Interval deviation and duration did not significantly affect error detection scores, while tonal context did. More specifically, errors in tonal contexts that deviated from the tonal framework were significantly more easily detected than atonal errors or errors in tonal contexts that remained within the tonal framework. These results confirmed findings in existing research.
A study on easy-care laundering of linen fabrics
Authors: Gocek Ikılem , Sahin Umut Kivanc , Erdem Ilkan , Namal Ozge , Acikgoz Hatice
Published: May 2013

Linen fabrics are known for their superior comfort properties over fabrics of other origins. However, they have a very high tendency to wrinkle during use and laundry. In order to overcome this problem, easy-care finishes are applied on linen during or after fabric production. These chemicals are partially released during use and washing. Moreover, strengths of fabrics are affected negatively. Increasing ecological concerns and public awareness bring the need for an environmentally friendly alternative process. Delicate washing may decrease the number of wrinkles on fabrics but the functions used in the new-generation washing machines regarding the wrinkle reduction do not provide the expected results on linen fabrics. In this study, the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics encountered during washing action in washing machines with steam generators is improved by selection of proper levels of processing parameters, including temperature, rate of mechanical action (ED), revolution per minute (rpm) and water amount applied during laundering. In order to further improve the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics while still maintaining the gentle washing action, steaming steps were inserted into the laundering process between the adjacent laundering steps. The shrinkage and wrinkling characteristics of laundered linen fabrics were measured and analyzed. The best four profiles amongst others were chosen, and will be used for the development of a laundering process specializing in gentle washing linen products.
Ammonia plasma treatment as a method promoting simultaneous hydrophilicity and antimicrobial activity of viscose wound dressings
Authors: Peršin Zdenka , Zaplotnik Rok , Kleinschek Karin Stana
Published: May 2013

Viscose non-woven was treated by NH3 plasma. Different exposure times were used in order to find the optimum conditions for simultaneously improved hydrophilicity and antimicrobial activity, as desired effects by wound dressings. Both chemical and morphological modifications were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively, revealing functionalization with nitrogen groups as well as formation of rich morphology at sub-micrometer scale. The wetting rise curves increased from 0.04 g2 s–1 for non-treated material to 1 g2 s−1 after prolonged treatment. The water contact angle decreased almost linearly with treatment time from 90° for non-treated samples to about 40° for samples treated for 140 s and remained rather constant thereafter. The AATCC 100–1999 standard test revealed reduction on all used bacteria, more pronounced for Gram-negative, that is, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, then for Gram-positive, that is, a significant for S. aureus and a marginal for E. faecalis.
Three-dimensional fully interlaced woven preforms for composites
Authors: Bilisik Kadir , Karaduman Nesrin Sahbaz , Bilisik Nedim Erman , Bilisik Havva Esra
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to develop three-dimensional (3D) fully interlaced and semi-interlaced representative woven preform structures and to understand the effects of weave pattern and number of layers on 3D woven structures. Various 3D woven preforms were developed. Data generated from these structures included yarn angle, yarn-to-yarn space and density, yarn length and crimp. It was shown that the weave patterns affected the 3D woven preform structures. The yarn-to-yarn spaces of the 3D fully interlaced and semi-interlaced structures were high compared to the traditional 3D woven structures (orthogonal, through-the-thickness and angle interlock) in fabric width due to the interlacement. The 3D plain, twill and satin structures resulted in warp angle (θ w) in fabric length and filling angle (θ f), and interlaced z-yarn angle (θ zi) in fabric width due to the warp–filling and warp–z-yarn interlacements. The weave patterns slightly affected the yarn angles. On the other hand, it was observed that the number of layers considerably affected the z-yarn arc length and the z-yarn length in thickness in the 3D woven structure. The interlacement on 3D plain, twill and satin woven structures resulted in warp crimp, filling crimp and z-yarn crimp. The crimps in the 3D structure fully interlaced and semi-interlaced woven structures slightly depended on the types of weave pattern and the number of layers.
Out of Place? The Effects of Demolition on Youths’ Social Contacts and Leisure Activities—A Case Study in Utrecht, the Netherlands
Authors: Visser Kirsten , Bolt Gideon , van Kempen Ronald
Published: May 2013

Most Dutch cities have adopted urban restructuring policies aimed at creating a socially mixed population in deprived neighbourhoods. This entails the demolition of low-cost, social rented housing units, which leads to the displacement of their residents. While researchers have investigated the social effects of displacement on adults, this study is the first to provide insight into the effects on youths. The findings indicate that, although the first months after displacement youths lose some social contacts and stop participating in certain leisure activities, they show high levels of flexibility and soon make new friends and take up leisure activities in their new neighbourhood. No differences were found in friendships and leisure activities between displaced youths and those in a control group of non-displaced youths as reported at the time of the study. This confirms that in the long term the effects of displacement are limited.
Guidance law design based on non-smooth control
Authors: Ding Shihong , Zhang Zhenxing , Chen Xiyuan
Published: May 2013

The guidance law design for the missile–target interception problem in the presence of system uncertainty is investigated in this paper. To improve the disturbance rejection property, two kinds of non-smooth guidance laws based on a finite-time control technique are developed. The first is a high-gain finite-time guidance law, which can be derived by assuming that the system uncertainty is bounded by a constant. The second one is a composite guidance law including a disturbance observer and a finite-time state feedback, where the disturbance observer is introduced to estimate the system uncertainty and the finite-time state feedback is to stabilize the guidance system. Under both of the proposed guidance laws, it can be proved that the line-of-sight angle rate will converge to the origin or a small region of the origin in a finite time. Simulation comparisons show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Revisiting the Functional Properties of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Yeo Gillian B. , Neal Andrew
Published: May 2013

This paper is a response to Bandura’s 2012 Guest Editorial, which defends the functional properties of self-efficacy by criticizing published studies that have demonstrated a negative relationship between self-efficacy and performance at the within-person level of analysis. We focus on the theoretical and methodological criticisms that Bandura has made in relation to our (Yeo & Neal) 2006 piece that examined the dynamic relationship between self-efficacy and performance across levels of analysis and specificity. In doing so, we explain the importance of designing and analyzing studies involving self-efficacy at the within-person level of analysis. We then demonstrate how the concept of resource allocation can explain the co-existence of positive and negative dynamic self-efficacy effects across the between- and within-person levels of analysis. We acknowledge the great strides that researchers have made in understanding the complex and dynamic processes involving self-efficacy and encourage researchers to continue this collective effort.
Mastering obesity: MasterChef Australia and the resistance to public health nutrition
Authors: Phillipov Michelle
Published: May 2013

At the same time as overweight and obesity have come to dominate population health priorities in most western countries, food programming takes up more time on western television screens than ever before. This has resulted both in increased televisual representations of so-called ‘unhealthy’ foods (such as butter, cream and fatty red meats), and in greater public health scrutiny of the preparation and consumption of such foods. This article explores this paradox via a case study of MasterChef Australia, the most successful iteration of the popular MasterChef franchise. At a time when the ‘obesity epidemic’ has been a particular focus of Australian public health promotion, MasterChef Australia revels in the apparently ‘excessive’ use of saturated fats, especially butter, a food routinely declared by Australian health advocacy bodies as one to be avoided. This article argues that MasterChef Australia offers an alternative to puritanical nutrition discourses – not, on the whole, by explicitly contesting them, but by presenting food in ways that such discourses are largely irrelevant. The public health concerns generated by this use of butter on MasterChef Australia offer important insight into current debates about food and health, and, in particular, into the limitations of current public health communication strategies.
WikiLeaks and the problem of anonymity: A network control perspective
Authors: Zajácz Rita
Published: May 2013

This article defines and applies the concept of “network control” as a tool for understanding the challenges and opportunities available to states as they seek territorial control over the global communications infrastructure. Through an analysis of the conflict between WikiLeaks and the US government on the tactical and structural levels, it reveals a contemporary dynamic of the territory–technology nexus of network control. From the perspective of the security establishment, the free speech aspect in the WikiLeaks case is tangential; the publication of sensitive information is just one of the many undesirable consequences of anonymity. Solutions to the problem so defined include the overhaul of the Pentagon’s network or “the Internet minus the anonymity,” which, if realized, will shape the future of the Internet.
Technoscientific promotion and biofuel policy: How the press and search engines stage the biofuel controversy
Authors: Eklöf Jenny , Mager Astrid
Published: May 2013

What are the conditions for the public understanding of biofuels and how do the media shape these conditions under the influence of a new production of knowledge? This article investigates how the biofuel controversy plays out in the Swedish press and Google search engine results and analyses winners and losers in the tight attention economy of contemporary media. It describes different visibility strategies biofuel stakeholders employ in both media arenas, and identifies a form of technoscientific promotion that hybrid actors use to succeed in the day-to-day struggle for media attention. To conclude, it raises broader societal questions of the contemporary blurring of knowledge boundaries and the emergence of new information hierarchies and their biases. By understanding how contemporary media shape controversies, we can address the democratic potential of both mass media and science.
Broadcast market structures and retransmission payments: A European perspective
Authors: Evens Tom , Donders Karen
Published: May 2013

As a considerable area of conflict in the US broadcast market, the issue of retransmission payments has gained momentum in Europe as well. By conducting case studies of two European regions, Flanders and Denmark, this article focuses on the political economy of retransmission payments in the broadcaster-to-distributor market. It is suggested that the competitive position of an actor in a bargaining game crucially depends on contextual factors, including market concentration, vertical integration and product differentiation.
Psychological Distress Among Sisters of Young Females With Eating Disorders
Authors: Latzer Yael , Katz Ruth , Berger Keren
Published: May 2013

There is limited research on sibling relationships in families with an eating disorder (ED) child. The aim of the study was to examine the association between sibling relationships, sense of coherence, psychological distress and depression among healthy sisters of females with or without EDs. Participants were 60 females (13-31 years old): 30 who had a sister with an ED (study group) and 30 without (controls). Participants completed self-report questionnaires: depression, psychological distress, sibling relationships, and sense of coherence. Results showed that the study group had significantly higher levels of depression and negative sibling relationships than the control. A significant negative correlation was found between sense of coherence and depression. The study model shows that belonging to one of the groups, sense of coherence, and sibling relationships were significant predictors of the healthy sisters’ depression level. It is suggested that when sister has an ED, negative sibling relationships can influence the psychological condition of her healthy sister.
Neural Monitored Revision Thyroid Cancer Surgery: Surgical Safety and Thyroglobulin Response
Authors: Phelan Eimear , Kamani Dipti , Shin Jennifer , Randolph Gregory W.
Published: May 2013

Objective

To evaluate the postoperative complications and to evaluate and stratify thyroglobulin (Tg) response associated with revision surgery for thyroid malignancy.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Settings

Academic, tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

All patients with regionally recurrent thyroid carcinoma and who underwent revision thyroid surgery by the senior author (GWR) during a 5‐year period were identified. All patients had pre‐ and postoperative laryngeal examination and underwent surgery with standardized neural monitoring. Postoperative complications and thyroglobulin (Tg) response were recorded.

Results

One hundred seventeen cases meeting the criteria for revision surgery for recurrent thyroid cancer were identified. Among this group, 30% presented for their third or higher revision procedure. Preoperative permanent vocal cord palsy was present in 14% (n = 16), and 19% (n = 22) had preoperative permanent hypocalcaemia. There were no new cases of either temporary or permanent vocal cord palsy in our study group. Approximately 5% developed temporary and 3% permanent hypocalcaemia requiring medical treatment. The mean basal Tg following revision surgery was 5.6 ng/ml (range, 0.2‐32.7), which represented a mean postoperative significant decline in Tg of approximately 90%. In nearly 40%, basal Tg was undetectable postoperatively. Tg response was stratified based on the number of revision surgeries, Tg decline was observed in 90% of all cases, 92% after first revision surgery, 85% after second, 34% after third, and 70% after fifth revision surgeries.

Conclusion

Revision thyroid cancer surgery can be performed with low rates of complications and significant impact on Tg levels even after multiple revision surgeries.
Development Focus and Electoral Success at State Level: Nitish Kumar as Bihar’s Leader
Authors: Kumar Ashutosh
Published: May 2013

Emergence of regional states in contemporary India as an effective arena for political and economic development has given state-level leaders a growing power. In the present coalition era, which reflects such regionalisation, this brings increasing prominence to effective state-based parties and their leaders. Focusing on recent politics of Bihar, this article shows in what ways Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, since 2005, unlike his predecessor Lalu Yadav, comes across as ‘unusual’. Setting aside neo-patrimonial political tendencies, much in vogue among the new crop of state leaders, Nitish Kumar has instead focused on channelling both private and public resources to provide quality governance in an erstwhile ‘failed state’. This, more than rootedness in a traditional community or vote bank, may largely explain continued electoral success, though a leader also depends on those around him, with all the risks for effective implementation that this entails.
Transboundary Dialogues and the ‘Politics of Scale’ in Palk Bay Fisheries: Brothers at Sea?
Authors: Stephen Johny , Menon Ajit , Scholtens Joeri , Bavinck Maarten
Published: May 2013

This article examines how the politics of scale affect a process of dialogue led by civil society actors over fishing conflicts taking place at the local level in South Asia. The location is the Palk Bay and the fishers are Tamils from India and Sri Lanka. An agreement over fishing rights reached between these fishers in August 2010 remains largely unimplemented, but takes centre stage for this article, which examines the negotiation processes in terms of politics of scale and highlights the various difficulties encountered. Major pitfalls in a dialogue of this sort are the failure to recognise diversity within the population(s) involved and lack of recognition of the linkages of this population with other actors at different scales or levels. In a transboundary context, national and regional identities at times override local identity and interests, thereby making locally constructed solutions difficult, if not impossible, to implement.
Kolkata’s Early Chinese Community And Their Economic Contributions
Authors: Bose Arpita
Published: May 2013

It is not widely known that Chinese people have been living and working in Kolkata for more than 300 years. Successive earlier waves of Chinese migration to the city can be traced by historical research. While such a work is still in its infancy, later developments in economic and legal fields remain almost completely uncovered, too. This brief article provides a preliminary overview of Chinese migration and business activities, occupational characteristics and various contributions of this community to the economy of the city and places Chinese migration to Kolkata in a wider context. It offers some insights into how a foreign migrant population arrives in the first place, how it may organise itself and what varied contributions it may make over time to the new place of residence. Always on the fringes, in many ways, the Chinese of Kolkata have displayed typical resilience and business acumen, but have also encountered significant difficulties worth researching in more depth.
On Topology
Authors: Phillips John W.P.
Published: May 2013

Recent arguments asserting a topological turn in culture also identify a range of topologically informed interventions in social and cultural theory. Talk of a topological turn evokes both the enduring interest that the field of mathematics presents and the business of analysis in the cultural sphere. This article questions the novelty of this ‘becoming topological of culture’ and digs into a deeper historicity in order to identify the trends that may be said to support the development of topology in the current situation. It also examines the relationship between mathematics considered ontologically (philosophy of mathematics) and mathematics considered epistemologically (as a methodological practice of knowledge), in order to better grasp the significance of the practical abstractions that mathematics as technics (or cultural topology) manifests. Discussions of Cantor, Russell, Poincaré, Lévi-Strauss, Lacan and others address the background of contemporary mathematical topology. The article goes on to examine Alain Badiou’s principle that mathematics is ontology and concludes with a discussion of the mathematics of Martin Heidegger.
The evaluation of Business Improvement Districts: Questions and issues from the Scottish experience
Authors: Donaghy Mhairi , Findlay Anne , Sparks Leigh
Published: May 2013

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are an increasingly familiar component of the management of places and the delivery of some services. However, how do we know if they succeed? An extended framework for the evaluation of BIDs is developed and then used in primary research on the Pathfinder BIDs in Scotland. The proposed framework, incorporating less tangible aspects of BIDs operations, appears to capture broad dimensions of activities, outcomes, impacts and processes. The Scottish experience shows limitations in traditional evaluation of BIDs and the benefits of an extended evaluation framework.
Family caregiver learning—how family caregivers learn to provide care at the end of life:  A qualitative secondary analysis of four datasets
Authors: Stajduhar Kelli I , Funk Laura , Outcalt Linda
Published: May 2013

Background:

Family caregivers are assuming growing responsibilities in providing care to dying family members. Supporting them is fundamental to ensure quality end-of-life care and to buffer potentially negative outcomes, although family caregivers frequently acknowledge a deficiency of information, knowledge, and skills necessary to assume the tasks involved in this care.

Aim:

The aim of this inquiry was to explore how family caregivers describe learning to provide care to palliative patients.

Design:

Secondary analysis of data from four qualitative studies ( n = 156) with family caregivers of dying people.

Data sources:

Data included qualitative interviews with 156 family caregivers of dying people.

Results:

Family caregivers learn through the following processes: trial and error, actively seeking needed information and guidance, applying knowledge and skills from previous experience, and reflecting on their current experiences. Caregivers generally preferred and appreciated a supported or guided learning process that involved being shown or told by others, usually learning reactively after a crisis.

Conclusions:

Findings inform areas for future research to identify effective, individualized programs and interventions to support positive learning experiences for family caregivers of dying people.
Decreased levels of cell-division cycle 42 (Cdc42) protein in peripheral lymphocytes from ischaemic stroke patients are associated with Golgi apparatus function
Authors: Mo Xiao-Ye , Li Ting , Hu Zhi-Ping
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To investigate levels of cell-division cycle 42 (Cdc42) protein, and their relationship with Golgi apparatus function in peripheral lymphocytes, in patients following ischaemic stroke.

Methods

Patients with acute cerebral ischaemic stroke (within 24–72 h of the onset of focal neurological symptoms) and healthy control subjects were enrolled in this prospective case–control study. The cellular location of Cdc42 in peripheral lymphocytes was demonstrated using immunofluorescence. Protein levels of Cdc42 and trans-golgi network protein 2 (TGN46) in peripheral lymphocytes were determined by immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting.

Results

A total of 38 patients with stroke and 38 control subjects were studied. The mean ± SD percentage of Cdc42-positive lymphocytes from patients with stroke was significantly lower than that in control subjects (39.53 ± 13.55% versus 66.61 ± 23.30%, respectively). Similar findings were demonstrated for TGN46. Cdc42 levels were positively correlated with TGN46 levels ( r = 0.92).

Conclusions

Acute ischaemic stroke was associated with reduced levels of Cdc42 protein. These findings might lead to the development of drugs that could have therapeutic benefits in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.
Clinical study of the relationship between γ-synuclein and the response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer
Authors: Wan Fan , Dong Li , Zhang Feng , Wang Yi , Chen Fang , Ni San , Chen Yi , Long Jing
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To investigate relationships between several protein biomarkers and clinical responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer.

Methods

Tumour tissue samples from female patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma (stages IIA to IIIC), treated with NAC regimens (including 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) were analysed retrospectively. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to test for protein levels of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2, protein 53 (p53) and γ-synuclein. Relationships between protein biomarkers and responses to NAC were analysed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Data from 154 patients (median age, 51 years; range 27–75 years) were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that γ-synuclein was an independent predictor of NAC objective response rate, and a statistically significant relationship was observed between NAC regimen, γ-synuclein levels and pathological complete response rate.

Conclusions

These study findings suggest that γ-synuclein – in combination with other markers such as ER, PR and HER-2 – may serve as a biomarker for response to NAC in breast cancer and warrants further study.
Botulinum toxin-A with and without rehabilitation for the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy
Authors: Jianjun Liu , Shurong Ji , Weihong Wu , Yan Zhang , Fanyong Zeng , Nanling Li
Published: May 2013

Objective

To determine the efficacy of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) nerve block, with and without rehabilitation, in the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy.

Methods

Patients (aged 1–23 years) with spastic cerebral palsy underwent nerve block with BTX-A, followed by ≥ 2 h/day rehabilitation (experimental group) or <2 h/day rehabilitation (control group). Muscle tension and motor function were evaluated pre-block using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and gross motor function measure (GMFM), respectively. MAS was assessed weekly to determine duration of action of BTX-A; GMFM was assessed at 1 year post-block.

Results

There were no significant differences between the experimental group ( n = 120) and the control group ( n = 124) in age, body weight, pre-block MAS or GMFM, or BTX-A duration of action. MAS was significantly improved in both groups at 1 month post-block. At 1 year post-block, GMFM was significantly improved in both groups, with a significantly greater improvement seen in the experimental group compared with the control group.

Conclusion

BTX-A block improved muscle tension and motor function. Rehabilitation training, following the block, resulted in greater improvements to motor function than block alone.