bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum Biomarker Panels for the Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Brand Randall E. , Nolen Brian M. , Zeh Herbert J. , Allen Peter J. , Eloubeidi Mohamad A. , Goldberg Michael , Elton Eric , Arnoletti Juan P. , Christein John D. , Vickers Selwyn M. , Langmead Christopher J. , Landsittel Douglas P. , Whitcomb David C. , Grizzle William E. , Lokshin Anna E.
Published: February 2011

Purpose: Serum–biomarker based screening for pancreatic cancer could greatly improve survival in appropriately targeted high-risk populations.

Experimental Design: Eighty-three circulating proteins were analyzed in sera of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n = 333), benign pancreatic conditions (n = 144), and healthy control individuals (n = 227). Samples from each group were split randomly into training and blinded validation sets prior to analysis. A Metropolis algorithm with Monte Carlo simulation (MMC) was used to identify discriminatory biomarker panels in the training set. Identified panels were evaluated in the validation set and in patients diagnosed with colon (n = 33), lung (n = 62), and breast (n = 108) cancers.

Results: Several robust profiles of protein alterations were present in sera of PDAC patients compared to the Healthy and Benign groups. In the training set (n = 160 PDAC, 74 Benign, 107 Healthy), the panel of CA 19–9, ICAM-1, and OPG discriminated PDAC patients from Healthy controls with a sensitivity/specificity (SN/SP) of 88/90%, while the panel of CA 19–9, CEA, and TIMP-1 discriminated PDAC patients from Benign subjects with an SN/SP of 76/90%. In an independent validation set (n = 173 PDAC, 70 Benign, 120 Healthy), the panel of CA 19–9, ICAM-1 and OPG demonstrated an SN/SP of 78/94% while the panel of CA19–9, CEA, and TIMP-1 demonstrated an SN/SP of 71/89%. The CA19–9, ICAM-1, OPG panel is selective for PDAC and does not recognize breast (SP = 100%), lung (SP = 97%), or colon (SP = 97%) cancer.

Conclusions: The PDAC-specific biomarker panels identified in this investigation warrant additional clinical validation to determine their role in screening targeted high-risk populations. Clin Cancer Res; 17(4); 805–16. ©2010 AACR.
Riluzole Enhances Ionizing Radiation–Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Melanoma Cells that Ectopically Express Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Khan Atif J. , Wall Brian , Ahlawat Stuti , Green Camille , Schiff Devora , Mehnert Janice M. , Goydos James S. , Chen Suzie , Haffty Bruce G.
Published: February 2011

Purpose: Brain metastases are a common preterminal event in patients with metastatic melanoma and require radiation therapy. Our group has previously shown that human GRM1 (hGRM1) expressing melanoma cells release excess extracellular glutamate and are growth inhibited by riluzole, an inhibitor of glutamate release. Riluzole-treated cells accumulate in G2/M phase of the cell cycle at 24 hours, and then undergo apoptotic cell death. We evaluated whether riluzole enhanced radiosensitivity in melanoma cells.

Experimental Design: Clonogenic assays were performed to evaluate clonogenic survival after treatment in hGRM1 expressing and nonexpressing melanoma cells. Western immunoblots were performed to confirm apoptotic cell death. A xenograft mouse model was used to validate the in vitro experiments. Tumors harvested from the xenografts were fixed and stained for apoptosis and DNA damage markers.

Results: In the hGRM1-positive cell lines C8161 and UACC903, riluzole enhanced the lethal effects of ionizing radiation; no difference was seen in the hGRM1-negative UACC930 cell line. C8161 cells treated with riluzole plus irradiation also showed the highest levels of the cleaved forms of PARP and caspase-3; excised C8161 xenografts showed the greatest number of apoptotic cells by immunohistochemistry (P < 0.001). On cell cycle analysis, a sequence-dependent enrichment in the G2/M phase was shown with the combination of riluzole and irradiation. Xenografts treated with riluzole and weekly radiation fractions showed significant growth inhibition and revealed markedly increased DNA damage.

Conclusions: We have shown, in vitro and in vivo, that the combination of riluzole and ionizing radiation leads to greater cytotoxicity. These results have clinical implications for patients with brain metastases receiving whole brain radiation therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1807–14. ©2011 AACR.
Close and Stable Relationship between Proliferation and a Hypoxia Metagene in Aromatase Inhibitor–Treated ER-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Ghazoui Zara , Buffa Francesca M. , Dunbier Anita K. , Anderson Helen , Dexter Tim , Detre Simone , Salter Janine , Smith Ian E. , Harris Adrian L. , Dowsett Mitchell
Published: February 2011

Purpose: The majority of breast cancer patients who have estrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumors whose proliferation is reduced after estrogen deprivation by aromatase inhibitors (AI). This study investigates any link between proliferation and hypoxia, a major determinant of tumor biology, and defines the effect of estrogen deprivation on hypoxia-associated genes.

Methods: Genome-wide expression profiles were obtained from tumor biopsies from 81 ER+ postmenopausal patients, before and after 2 weeks' anastrozole treatment. A hypoxia metagene was developed by identifying genes clustered with classical hypoxia-regulated genes, excluding those associated with proliferation. Proliferation was measured by Ki67 and a proliferation metagene derived from two published breast cancer data sets.

Results: Hypoxia and proliferation metagenes were associated at baseline (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.67, P < 10−4) and after 2 weeks (r = 0.71, P < 10−4). Hypoxia metagene at baseline was associated with 2-week Ki67 (r = 0.43, P = 0.0002) and more weakly with poor 2-week Ki67 change consistent with a weak association with AI resistance. Hypoxia metagene was significantly downregulated with AI. This downregulation was significantly associated with change in the proliferation metagene and with Ki67 but, importantly, not with the substantial change in expression of classical estrogen-dependent genes.

Conclusions: Hypoxia metagene is closely associated with proliferation before and after AI treatment. The downregulation of hypoxia metagene after AI therapy is most likely the result of changes in proliferation. There may be a weak effect of hypoxia metagene on de novo resistance to AIs. These findings are important to consider in coapplication of antiproliferative agents with antiangiogenic or antihypoxia agents. Clin Cancer Res; 17(9); 3005–12. ©2011 AACR.
Androgen Receptor Expression and Breast Cancer Survival in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Hu Rong , Dawood Shaheenah , Holmes Michelle D. , Collins Laura C. , Schnitt Stuart J. , Cole Kimberley , Marotti Jonathan D. , Hankinson Susan E. , Colditz Graham A. , Tamimi Rulla M.
Published: February 2011

Purpose: Androgen receptor (AR) is commonly expressed in breast cancers. However, the association between tumor AR status and breast cancer survival is uncertain. Hence, we examined the association between AR status and breast cancer survival in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS).

Experimental Design: It was a prospective study of postmenopausal women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study with stage I to III breast cancer diagnosed between 1976 and 1997 and followed from the date of diagnosis until January 1, 2008 or death. Analyses were conducted using Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard models, to determine the association of AR status with survival outcomes adjusting for covariates.

Results: Among 1467 breast cancers, 78.7% were AR-positive (AR+). Among 1,164 estrogen receptor (ER)-positive cases, 88.0% were AR+. AR positivity was associated with a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47–0.99) and overall mortality (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53–0.91) after adjustment for covariates. In contrast, among women with ER-negative tumors (303 cases), 42.9% were AR+. There was a nonsignificant association between AR status and breast cancer death (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.94–2.68).

Conclusions: The association of AR status and breast cancer survival is dependent on ER status. In particular, AR expression was associated with a more favorable prognosis among women with ER-positive tumors. Thus, determination of AR status may provide additional information on prognosis for postmenopausal women with breast cancer, and provide novel opportunities for targeted therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1867–74. ©2011 AACR.
Natural Killer Cells are Scarce in Colorectal Carcinoma Tissue Despite High Levels of Chemokines and Cytokines
Authors: Halama Niels , Braun Monika , Kahlert Christoph , Spille Anna , Quack Christian , Rahbari Nuh , Koch Moritz , Weitz Jürgen , Kloor Matthias , Zoernig Inka , Schirmacher Peter , Brand Karsten , Grabe Niels , Falk Christine S.
Published: February 2011

Purpose: Tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes in colorectal cancer (CRC) have prognostic impact, but the role of natural killer (NK) cells in CRC tissue is unclear. The contribution of intratumoral cytokines and chemokines in shaping the composition of the inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrate is also unclear.

Experimental Design: In this study, localization and densities of NK and T cells within primary CRC, CRC liver metastases, adenomas, and normal tissues were analyzed on whole tissue sections from 112 patients. In a subset of these patients, the most important 50 cytokines and chemokines were quantified in paired serum, primary CRC and adjacent mucosa samples and in CRC liver metastases and correlated with NK and T-cell infiltration, respectively.

Results: The various compartments displayed characteristic differences like significantly higher chemokine concentrations in CRC tissue. Most importantly, despite high local chemokine levels, NK cells were generally scarce within CRC tumor tissues, independent of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I expression. Adjacent normal mucosa contained normal levels of NK cells. In contrast, corresponding T-cell numbers varied substantially and were positively correlated with higher chemokine levels.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate a distinct regulation of NK cells versus T cells in the CRC tumor microenvironment. NK-cell migration into CRC tumor tissue is obviously impaired early during tumor development by mechanisms that do not affect T-cell infiltration. Clin Cancer Res; 17(4); 678–89. ©2011 AACR.
Identification of Loss of p16 Expression and Upregulation of MDR-1 as Genetic Events Resulting from Two Novel Chromosomal Translocations Found in a Plasmablastic Lymphoma of the Uterus
Authors: Matsuki Eri , Miyakawa Yoshitaka , Asakawa Shuichi , Tsukada Yuiko , Yamada Taketo , Yokoyama Kenji , Kudoh Jun , Ikeda Yasuo , Okamoto Shinichiro
Published: February 2011

Purpose: To establish cell lines from the patient with plasmablastic lymphoma, who was immunologically competent including negative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology, and analyze the unique chromosomal translocations seen in the cell lines in order to unveil the pathogenesis of this tumor, which had no evidence of Epstein-Barr virus involvement.

Experimental Design: Establishment of the cell lines was attempted by inoculating the patient's lymph node biopsy specimen subcutaneously to immunodeficient mice. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array and FISH analysis were performed to identify breakpoints of the two chromosomal translocations. Of the 4 candidate genes identified by FISH analysis to be involved in the translocations, reverse transcription-PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and proliferation assay were performed to identify the exact genes involved.

Results: Analysis of the cell lines identified loss of p16 at the protein level by chromosomal translocation of t(9;13) and upregulation of MDR-1 by t(4;7). The cell lines expressing MDR-1 acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, but not bortezomib. Expression of B lymphoid lineage marker genes of these cell lines was negative for paired box 5 (Pax5) or PR domain containing 1, with ZNF domain (PRDM1), but was positive for X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1).

Conclusions: We established three novel cell lines of plasmablastic lymphoma. Characterization of the unique chromosomal translocation identified loss of p16 and upregulation of MDR-1 at protein level. Expression of Xbp1(s), which is involved in the maturation of plasma cells, corresponded to the plasmablastic appearance of the tumor. These cell lines may be a useful tool to understand the pathophysiology of the disease and to develop novel treatment strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 17(8); 2101–9. ©2011 AACR.
CTCF and BORIS Regulate Rb2/p130 Gene Transcription: A Novel Mechanism and a New Paradigm for Understanding the Biology of Lung Cancer
Authors: Fiorentino Francesco Paolo , Macaluso Marcella , Miranda Fabrizio , Montanari Micaela , Russo Antonio , Bagella Luigi , Giordano Antonio
Published: February 2011

Although innumerable investigations regarding the biology of lung cancer have been carried out, many aspects thereof remain to be addressed, including the role played by the retinoblastoma-related protein Rb2/p130 during the evolution of this disease. Here we report novel findings on the mechanisms that control Rb2/p130 gene expression in lung fibroblasts and characterize the effects of Rb2/p130 deregulation on the proliferative features of lung cancer cells. We revealed for the first time that in lung fibroblasts the expression of Rb2/p130 gene is directly controlled by the chromatin insulator CCCTC-binding factor, CTCF, which by binding to the Rb2/p130 gene promoter induces, and/or maintains, a specific local chromatin organization that in turn governs the transcriptional activity of Rb2/p130 gene. However, in lung cancer cells the activity of CTCF in controlling Rb2/p130 gene expression is impaired by BORIS, a CTCF-paralogue, which by binding to the Rb2/p130 gene could trigger changes in the chromatin asset established by CTCF, thereby affecting CTCF regulatory activity on Rb2/p130 transcription. These studies not only provide essential basic insights into the molecular mechanisms that control Rb2/p130 gene expression in lung cancer, but also offer a potential paradigm for the actions of other activators and/or corepressors, such as CTCF and BORIS, that could be crucial in explaining how alterations in the mechanism regulating Rb2/p130 gene expression may accelerate the progression of lung tumors, or favor the onset of recurrence after cancer treatment. Mol Cancer Res; 9(2); 225–33. ©2011 AACR.
Negative Anti-C1q Antibody Titers May Influence Therapeutic Decisions and Reduce the Number of Renal Biopsies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Guerreiro de Moura Carlos Geraldo , Pitangueira Mangueira Cristóvão Luis , Sampaio Cruz Luzia Arlinda , Sampaio Cruz Constança Margarida
Published: February 2011

In a cross-sectional study involving 62 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we found that patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis (LN) had higher titers of anti-C1q antibodies than active SLE without nephritis patients. Anti-C1q was associated with a negative predictive value of 94.59%, a positive predictive value of 52%, a sensitivity of 86.66% and a specificity of 74.47% for the diagnosis of LN. We conclude that high titers of anti-C1q antibodies are strongly associated with the presence of active LN, and the negative predictive value of this test for diagnosing LN is very high; therefore, it can influence therapeutic decisions and reduce the number of renal biopsies in patients with SLE.
The Association of Lipoprotein Parameters and C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Čolak Emina , Kosanović-Jaković Natalija , Žorić Lepša , Radosavljević Aleksandra , Stanković Sanja , Majkić-Singh Nada
Published: February 2011

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of visual impairment in individuals over 50 years of age, with the prevalence of 0.05% before the age of 50 rising to 30% after 74 years of age. An elevated concentration of plasma lipoproteins is considered to be one of the risk factors of AMD development. The aim of our study was to analyze the concentration of serum lipoproteins – total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), non-LDL cholesterol and triglycerides – as well as apolipoproteins – apoA1, apoB and Lp(a) – along with C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with AMD in order to explore the possible association of lipid and inflammatory parameters with the pathogenesis of AMD. Material and Methods: In the cross-sectional study in the University clinical setting, 79 patients with AMD, aged 71.47 ± 7.02 years, and 84 aged-matched control subjects were included. The patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination including visual acuity assessment, color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Results: Statistical processing data revealed significantly higher total (p = 0.0002), LDL (p = 0.023), non-HDL cholesterol (p = 0.0014) and CRP (p = 0.049) values in AMD patients compared to control subjects. Conclusions: Based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that lipid status disorder and inflammation could play an important role in the development of AMD in elderly people.
Hypercoagulability and Hypofibrinolysis and Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Smalberg Jasper H. , Kruip Marieke J.H.A. , Janssen Harry L.A. , Rijken Dingeman C. , Leebeek Frank W.G. , de Maat Moniek P.M.
Published: February 2011

In this review, we provide an overview of the risk factors for venous thromboembolism, focusing on hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis. In the first part of this review, we discuss the risk factors for commonly occurring venous thrombosis, in particular deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. In the second part, we provide an overview of the risk factors for the Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis. These are rare, life-threatening forms of venous thromboembolism located in the splanchnic veins. There are many similarities in the risk profiles of patients with common venous thrombosis and splanchnic vein thrombosis. Inherited thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis increase the risk of both common venous thrombosis and splanchnic vein thrombosis. However, there are also apparent differences. Myeloproliferative neoplasms and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria have a remarkably high frequency in patients with thrombosis at these unusual sites but are rarely seen in patients with common venous thrombosis. There are also clear differences in the underlying risk factors for Budd-Chiari syndrome and for portal vein thrombosis, suggesting site specificity of thrombosis even within the splanchnic venous system. These clear differences in underlying risk factors provide leads for further research on the site specificity of venous thrombosis and the development of thrombosis at these distinct sites.
Computational Approaches to Studying Thrombus Development
Authors: Xu Zhiliang , Kamocka Malgorzata , Alber Mark , Rosen Elliot D.
Published: February 2011

In addition to descriptive biological models, many computational models have been developed for hemostasis/thrombosis that provide quantitative characterization of thrombus development. Simulations using computational models that have been developed for coagulation reactions, platelet activation, and fibrinogen assembly have been shown to be in close agreement with experimental data. Models of processes involved in hemostasis/thrombosis are being integrated to simulate the development of the thrombus simultaneously in time and space. Further development of computational approaches can provide quantitative insights leading to predictions that are not obvious from qualitative biological models.
Genetic Variations in the α
2A
-Adrenoreceptor Are Associated With Blood Pressure Response to the Agonist Dexmedetomidine
Authors: Kurnik Daniel , Muszkat Mordechai , Li Chun , Sofowora Gbenga G. , Friedman Eitan A. , Scheinin Mika , Wood Alastair J.J. , Stein C. Michael
Published: February 2011

Background—

α
2A
-Adrenoceptors (α
2A
-ARs) have important roles in sympathetic cardiovascular regulation. Variants of
ADRA2A
affect gene transcription and expression and are associated with insulin release and risk for type 2 diabetes. We examined whether
ADRA2A
variants are also associated with cardiovascular responses to the selective α
2
-AR-agonist dexmedetomidine.

Methods and Results—

Seventy-three healthy subjects participated in a placebo-controlled, single-blind study. After 3 infusions of placebo, subjects received 3 incremental infusions of dexmedetomidine (cumulative dose, 0.4 μg/kg). Primary outcomes were changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and plasma norepinephrine concentrations, measured as difference of the area-under-the-curve during placebo and dexmedetomidine infusions (ΔAUC). We used multiple linear regression analysis to examine the associations between 9
ADRA2A
tagging variants and 5 inferred haplotypes and ΔAUC after adjustment for covariates. Homozygous carriers of rs553668 and the corresponding haplotype 4, previously associated with increased α
2A
-AR expression, had a 2.2-fold greater decrease in AUC
SBP
after dexmedetomidine (adjusted
P
=0.006); similarly, the maximum decrease in SBP was 24.7±8.1 mm Hg compared with 13.6±5.9 mm Hg in carriers of the wild-type allele (
P
=0.007). Carriers of haplotype 3, previously associated with reduced α
2A
-AR expression, had a 44% smaller decrease in AUC
SBP
(
P
=0.013). Haplotype information significantly improved the model predicting the decrease in SBP (
P
<0.001). There were similar but nonsignificant trends for diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Genotypes were not significantly associated with norepinephrine responses.

Conclusions—

Common ADRA2A variants are associated with the hypotensive response to dexmedetomidine. Effects of specific variants/haplotypes in vivo are compatible with their known effects on gene expression in vitro.
SCN5A Variation Is Associated With Electrocardiographic Traits in the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Jeff Janina M. , Brown-Gentry Kristin , Buxbaum Sarah G. , Sarpong Daniel F. , Taylor Herman A. , George Alfred L. , Roden Dan M. , Crawford Dana C.
Published: February 2011

Background—

Understanding variation in the normal electric activity of the heart, assessed by the ECG, may provide a starting point for studies of susceptibility to serious arrhythmias such as sudden cardiac death during myocardial infarction or drug therapy. Recent genetic association studies of one ECG trait, the QT interval, have identified common variation in European-descent populations, but little is known about the genetic determinants of ECG traits in populations of African descent.

Methods and Results—

To identify genetic risk factors, we have undertaken a candidate gene study of ECG traits in collaboration with the Jackson Heart Study, a longitudinal study of 5301 blacks ascertained from the Jackson, Mississippi, area. Nine quantitative ECG traits were evaluated: P, PR, QRS, QT, and QTc durations, heart rate, and P, QRS, and T axes. We genotyped 72 variations in the predominant sodium channel gene expressed in heart,
SCN5A
, encoding the Na
v
1.5 voltage-gated sodium channel in 4558 subjects. Both rare and common variants in this gene have previously been associated with inherited arrhythmia syndromes and variable conduction. Adjusting for age, sex, and European ancestry, we performed tests of association in 3054 unrelated participants and identified 14 significant associations (
P
<1.0×10
−4
), of which 13 are independent, based on linkage disequilibrium. These variants explain up to 2% of the variation in ECG traits in the Jackson Heart Study.

Conclusions—

These results suggest that
SCN5A
variation contributes to ECG trait distributions in blacks, and these same variations may be risk or protective factors associated with susceptibility to arrhythmias.
Overview
Authors: Van Eyk Jennifer E.
Published: February 2011

Proteomic technologies are used to study the complexity of proteins, their roles, and biological functions. It is based on the premise that the diversity of proteins, comprising their isoforms, and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) underlies biology. Based on an annotated human cardiac protein database, 62% have at least one PTM (phosphorylation currently dominating), whereas ≈25% have more than one type of modification. The field of proteomics strives to observe and quantify this protein diversity. It represents a broad group of technologies and methods arising from analytic protein biochemistry, analytic separation, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics. Since the 1990s, the application of proteomic analysis has been increasingly used in cardiovascular research. Technology development and adaptation have been at the heart of this progress. Technology undergoes a maturation, becoming routine and ultimately obsolete, being replaced by newer methods. Because of extensive methodological improvements, many proteomic studies today observe 1000 to 5000 proteins. Only 5 years ago, this was not feasible. Even so, there are still road blocks. Nowadays, there is a focus on obtaining better characterization of protein isoforms and specific PTMs. Consequently, new techniques for identification and quantification of modified amino acid residues are required, as is the assessment of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in addition to determination of the structural and functional consequences. In this series, 4 articles provide concrete examples of how proteomics can be incorporated into cardiovascular research and address specific biological questions. They also illustrate how novel discoveries can be made and how proteomic technology has continued to evolve.
Humanitarian Performance and the Asian Tsunami
Authors: Thompson James
Published: February 2011

The Asian tsunami killed approximately 225,000 people and led to an unprecedented humanitarian response, but who received the aid and how the story was told owed as much to pressures of performance as to the duty of care. How and why do certain disasters take the limelight to the detriment of others?
Performing a Geography of Asian America: The Chop Suey Circuit
Authors: Kwan SanSan
Published: February 2011

The Chop Suey Circuit describes Asian American cabaret performers who toured the US from the 1930s through the '50s. Performing the era's popular songs and dances, these “Orientals” were novel yet familiar, exotic yet accessible. At a time of war, internment, and segregation they simultaneously solidified and challenged racial cartographies that would emplace race.
Markets for Land, Labor, and Capital in Northern Italy and the Low Countries, Twelfth to Seventeenth Centuries
Authors: van Bavel Bas J. P.
Published: February 2011

Comparative analysis of the markets for land, labor, and capital in north-central Italy and the Low Countries in the late Middle Ages and the early modern period reveals that urbanization in itself was not the crucial variable in the quality and effect of developing factor markets. More important was the counterweight offered in this process by territorial lords and rural interests to the influence of urban elites. Without this counterweight, urban elites could exploit factor markets to their own ends.
Observed Increase of TTL Temperature and Water Vapor in Polluted Clouds over Asia
Authors: Su Hui , Jiang Jonathan H. , Liu Xiaohong , Penner Joyce E. , Read William G. , Massie Steven , Schoeberl Mark R. , Colarco Peter , Livesey Nathaniel J. , Santee Michelle L.
Published: February 2011

Satellite observations are analyzed to examine the correlations between aerosols and the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) temperature and water vapor. This study focuses on two regions, both of which are important pathways for the mass transport from the troposphere to the stratosphere and over which Asian pollution prevails: South and East Asia during boreal summer and the Maritime Continent during boreal winter. Using the upper-tropospheric carbon monoxide measurements from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder as a proxy of aerosols to classify ice clouds as polluted or clean, the authors find that polluted clouds have a smaller ice effective radius and a higher temperature and specific humidity near the tropopause than clean clouds. The increase in water vapor appears to be related to the increase in temperature, as a result of increased aerosols. Meteorological differences between the clouds cannot explain the differences in temperature and water vapor for the polluted and clean clouds. The authors hypothesize that aerosol semidirect radiative heating and/or changes in cirrus radiative heating, resulting from aerosol microphysical effects on clouds, may contribute to the increased TTL temperature and thus increased water vapor in the polluted clouds.
Soil Initialization Strategy for Use in Limited-Area Weather Prediction Systems
Authors: Di Giuseppe Francesca , Cesari Davide , Bonafé Giovanni
Published: February 2011

Three diverse methods of initializing soil moisture and temperature in limited-area numerical weather prediction models are compared and assessed through the use of nonstandard surface observations to identify the approach that best combines ease of implementation, improvement in forecast skill, and realistic estimations of soil parameters. The first method initializes the limited-area model soil prognostic variables by a simple interpolation from a parent global model that is used to provide the lateral boundary conditions for the forecasts, thus ensuring that the limited-area model’s soil field cannot evolve far from the host model. The second method uses the soil properties generated by a previous limited-area model forecast, allowing the soil moisture to evolve over time to a new equilibrium consistent with the regional model’s hydrological cycle. The third method implements a new local soil moisture variational analysis system that uses screen-level temperature to adjust the soil water content, allowing the use of high-resolution station data that may be available to a regional meteorological service.

The methods are tested in a suite of short-term weather forecasts performed with the Consortium for Small Scale Modeling (COSMO) model over the period September–November 2008, using the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System (IFS) model to provide the lateral boundary conditions. Extensive comparisons to observations show that substantial improvements in forecast skills are achievable with improved soil temperature initialization while a smaller additional benefit in the prediction of surface fluxes is possible with the soil moisture analysis. The analysis suggests that keeping the model prognostic variables close to equilibrium with the soil state, especially for temperature, is more relevant than correcting the soil moisture initial values. In particular, if a local soil analysis system is not available, it seems preferable to adopt an “open loop” strategy rather than the interpolation from the host global model analysis. This appears to be especially true for the COSMO model in its current operational configuration since the soil–vegetation–atmosphere transfer (SVAT) scheme of the ECMWF global host model and that of COSMO are radically diverse.
Assessment of Assimilating ASCAT Surface Wind Retrievals in the NCEP Global Data Assimilation System
Authors: Bi Li , Jung James A. , Morgan Michael C. , Le Marshall John F.
Published: February 2011

A two-season Observing System Experiment (OSE) was used to quantify the impacts of assimilating the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) surface winds product distributed by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMESAT) and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). The ASCAT wind retrievals were provided by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Office (KNMI) and the 50-km resolution ASCAT products were assimilated. The impact of assimilating the ASCAT surface wind product in the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Data Assimilation/Global Forecast System (GDAS/GFS) was assessed by comparing the forecast results through 168 h for the months of August 2008 and January 2009. The NCEP GDAS/GFS was used, at a resolution of T382–64 layers, as the assimilation system and forecast model for these experiments.

A control simulation utilizing all the data types assimilated in the operational GDAS was compared to an experimental simulation that added the ASCAT surface winds. Quality control procedures required to assimilate the ASCAT surface winds are discussed. Anomaly correlations (ACs) of geopotential height forecasts as well as geographic distribution of AC of geopotential height forecasts at 1000 and 500 hPa were evaluated for the control and experiment during both seasons. The geographical distribution of forecast impact (FI) on the wind and temperature fields near the surface is also presented.

The results of this study show that assimilation of the surface wind retrievals from the ASCAT sensor improve the NCEP GFS wind and temperature forecasts. A positive FI, which suggests the error growth of the experiment is slower than the control, has been realized in the NCEP GDAS/GFS wind and temperature forecasts through 24 h. The ASCAT experiment AC scores show modest forecast improvements from days 4 through 7.
A Hybrid Background Error Covariance Model for Assimilating Glider Data into a Coastal Ocean Model
Authors: Yaremchuk Max , Nechaev Dmitri , Pan Chudong
Published: February 2011

A hybrid background error covariance (BEC) model for three-dimensional variational data assimilation of glider data into the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) is introduced. Similar to existing atmospheric hybrid BEC models, the proposed model combines low-rank ensemble covariances with the heuristic Gaussian-shaped covariances to estimate forecast error statistics. The distinctive features of the proposed BEC model are the following: (i) formulation in terms of inverse error covariances, (ii) adaptive determination of the rank m of with information criterion based on the innovation error statistics, (iii) restriction of the heuristic covariance operator to the null space of , and (iv) definition of the BEC magnitudes through separate analyses of the innovation error statistics in the state space and the null space of .

The BEC model is validated by assimilation experiments with simulated and real data obtained during a glider survey of the Monterey Bay in August 2003. It is shown that the proposed hybrid scheme substantially improves the forecast skill of the heuristic covariance model.
A Digital Agora: Citizen Participation in the 2008 Presidential Debates
Authors: Kirk Rita , Schill Dan
Published: February 2011

During the 2008 presidential election, communication technology permitted media outlets, such as YouTube, ABC, and CNN, to create an electronic gathering place for citizens—a digital agora—both as created online and through related news and mediated events. While the web and media channels served as mouthpieces or magnifiers for campaign messages in previous elections, they were transformed into participatory spaces during this election. The YouTube debates and CNN’s use of debate dial testing are examined as the authors demonstrate how such civic engagement resulted in increased feelings of citizen efficacy in the political process and changed the political media environment.
Policy Regimes and Normative Conceptions of Nationalism in Mass Public Opinion
Authors: Wright Matthew
Published: February 2011

The effect of policy regimes on immigrant incorporation has been the subject of extensive debate. Despite much theoretical literature on the subject, the relationships between specific national policies in various domains and outcomes broadly related to social solidarity have not been well explored empirically. The present work develops measures tapping the priority of “ascriptive” traits defining membership in the national community. It tests the expectations of the theoretical literature on multiculturalism, citizenship policy, and social welfare redistribution against these measures across 18 immigrant-receiving democracies. Cross-sectional analyses on, 2003 data indicate that both jus soli citizenship regimes and high levels of social spending are related to more immigrant-inclusive definitions of the national community, but the effect of multiculturalism is inconsistent. Examined longitudinally, the effect of a jus soli citizenship regime and social spending remains consistent, but citizens in multicultural countries appear to have become substantially more “ascriptive” on these outcomes over time.
Hostile witnesses, judicial interactions and out-of-court narratives in a north Indian district court
Authors: Berti Daniela
Published: February 2011

This article examines the argument that people in India are strongly oriented towards litigation in court as against other forms of negotiation or advising. In spite of the centrality of the court system to Indian public life, the flow of cases arriving at court does not reflect any such fixed preference. Going to court may simply be a choice which the parties make in the first instance, but which will eventually be abandoned in favour of private forms of compromise. By drawing on the ethnography of a court case followed in a district court of Himachal Pradesh, this contribution will show how even in serious criminal cases where no private compromise is allowed, it often happens that all the prosecution witnesses deny before the judge what they are supposed to have previously stated to the police. The analysis of court interactions and out-of-court narratives will show how nonofficial forms of conciliation may internally unsettle the rules of evidence followed in criminal proceedings.
What Determines Migrant Workers’ Life Chances in Contemporary China? Hukou, Social Exclusion, and the Market
Authors: Shaohua Zhan
Published: February 2011

It is widely believed that household registration ( hukou) continues to play a fundamental role in determining migrant workers’ life chances in contemporary China. This article contends, on the contrary, that the importance of hukou has declined substantially, and that migrant workers’ life chances would not be significantly improved even if China were to abolish the hukou system. Based on an investigation of migrant workers in Beijing and Chifeng City in Inner Mongolia, the author shows that in addition to hukou, two other mechanisms—social exclusion and the market—also limit migrant workers’ life chances. Moreover, it is not hukou but social exclusion and market resources that most concern the majority of migrant workers when they strive to find a better job, move up the social ladder, and secure opportunities to settle in the city.
Radiological Features of the Intraosseous Lipoma of the Sphenoid
Authors: Srubiski Aviva , Csillag Andrew , Timperley Daniel , Kalish Larry , Qiu Min Ru , Harvey Richard J.
Published: February 2011

Objective

Benign intraosseous lesions of the skull base are often identified in the course of routine radiological investigation. Imaging features associated with suspected intraosseous lipoma (IOL) can mimic more aggressive pathology. The features of this poorly described entity in the skull base were analyzed to aid the otolaryngologist in differentiation from other pathology.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images over the period from March 2007 to March 2009.

Setting

Radiology service, tertiary hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Methods

Images with diagnosis of incidental suspected IOL within the sphenoid were selected. Radiological features including trabecular pattern, secondary calcification, cortical bone thinning, and size and the presence of fat (defined as <−5 HU) were recorded.

Results

Ten patients (5 male) were identified. Seventy percent had unilateral, single lesions occurring within the sphenoid bone. The mean size was 13.1 ± 5.6 mm (range, 4‐21 mm). Fat was demonstrated in all lesions. There were 3 cases of multiple lesions occurring within the sphenoid bone. In addition, 61.5% were associated with cortical bone thinning and 46.2% with secondary calcification within the lesion. Changes to normal trabecular bone occurred: 46.2% with a partial loss of and 53.8% with a complete absence of trabecular pattern. Histopathologic confirmation of IOL is presented.

Conclusion

IOL is believed to be a more common benign intraosseous lesion within the skull base than previously reported. Cortical bone thinning and other features normally suggestive of aggressive pathology commonly occur. Otolaryngologists should be aware of these common lesions to avoid unnecessary further investigation.
Evaluation of Second Look Procedures for Pediatric Cholesteatomas
Authors: McRackan Theodore R. , Abdellatif Walid M. , Wanna George B. , Rivas Alejandro , Gupta Nikita , Dietrich Mary S. , Haynes David S.
Published: February 2011

Objective

This study aims to identify factors that may help predict recurrence, the need for second‐look operations, and other outcomes in the pediatric population.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Five hundred and seventeen ears in 493 patients underwent primary acquired cholesteatoma resection over a 37‐year period. Demographic (age, sex, and other medical conditions), cholesteatoma laterality, presence of perforation or otorrhea on otoscopic exam, preoperative and most recent audiologic data, and detailed intraoperative data were collected.

Results

Overall, 47.2% of patients underwent second‐look operations, with 48.0% having recurrent cholesteatoma visualized with attic recurrence being the most common location. In total, 22.7% of all patients in this study had recurrent disease. Factors at initial operation associated with a statistically significant increased risk of recurrence included cholesteatoma in the sinus tympani (odds ratio = 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.36‐3.22) and incus destruction (1.65; 1.01‐2.71).

Conclusion

The authors have successfully identified multiple factors at the time of initial operation that can have significant postoperative implications.
Nasal Skin Thickness Measured Using Computed Tomography and Its Effect on Tip Surgery Outcomes
Authors: Cho Gye Song , Kim Jeoung Hyun , Yeo Nam‐Kyung , Kim Soo Hyun , Jang Yong Ju
Published: February 2011

Objective

Skin thickness can be a major factor affecting rhinoplasty outcomes. However, few studies have examined the impact of nasal skin thickness on rhinoplasty aesthetic results. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of nasal skin thickness on the tip surgery outcome objectively.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Academic tertiary care medical center.

Subjects and Methods

The study involved 77 patients who were evaluated using preoperative computed tomography scans and underwent rhinoplasty including tip surgery. Surgical outcomes were classified as excellent, good, or poor. Nasal skin thickness was measured at nasion, rhinion, nasal tip, and columella using computed tomography scans and was analyzed according to surgical outcomes.

Results

The mean nasal skin thickness was 3.3 mm for nasion, 2.4 mm for rhinion, 2.9 mm for nasal tip, and 2.3 mm for columella. Postoperative outcomes were classified as excellent in 45, good in 17, and poor in 15 patients. The excellent outcome group had the thinnest nasal tip and columella nasal skin (2.8 mm and 2.2 mm), whereas the poor outcome group had the thickest skin in these regions (3.4 mm and 2.6 mm) (P <. 0001 and P = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

Nasal skin is thickest over the nasofrontal angle, thins over the rhinion, is thick again in the nasal tip, and thins out over the columella. Thick skin at the nasal tip and columella was associated with poor surgical outcomes. Regional skin thickness appears to be an important prognostic factor for tip surgery success.
Mycotoxicosis Produced in Swine by Cultural Products of an Isolate of Aspergillus ochraceus
Authors: Zimmermann J. L. , Carlton W. W. , Tuite J.
Published: February 2011

Pigs fed a ration, 25% of which was rice culture, of Aspergillus ochraceus lost weight or failed to gain and became depressed. Some pigs died and most developed subcutaneous edema, hydrothorax, hydroperitoneum, pulmonary atelectasis, edema of the mesentery and perirenal edema. Microscopic lesions in addition to edema were primarily renal and consisted of tubular degeneration and necrosis, hyaline tubular casts, interstitial fibrosis and tubular cell regeneration. The first change found after 3 days was cytoplasmic vacuolation of the convoluted and straight segments of the proximal tubules. Necrotic proximal tubules were found after 4 days and after 9 days degeneration and necrosis involved predominantly proximal tubular segments. Pigs fed a ration, 12.5% of which was rice culture, for 8 weeks did not develop perirenal edema but had firm kidneys. Extensive interstitial fibrosis of the cortical labyrinth was the principal change. Within the fibrous connective tissue, some tubules were necrotic and others were atrophied.
X-ray elastic response of metallic thin film supported by polyimide substrates
Authors: Le Bourhis E , Faurie D , Renault P O , Geandier G , Thiaudière D , Castelnau O , Goudeau Ph
Published: February 2011

This paper illustrates the insights gained on the mechanical response of metal-coated soft polymer substrates using in-situ tensile testing under synchrotron x-rays. Progress made in external loading (uniaxial and biaxial) and detection capacities is reviewed since they allow scrutinizing multiphased specimens in a reasonable time frame. In general, the microstructure (grain morphology, preferential crystallographic orientation) has to be incorporated into the models used to interpret the experimental data.
Detailed and simplified models of bolted joints under impact loading
Authors: Tanlak N , Sonmez FO , Talay E
Published: February 2011

Mechanical components are commonly fastened together using bolts. In many applications, they are subjected to impact loads during their service life. Their response and failure behaviour under these conditions needs to be known for their safe use. The objective of this study was to develop computationally efficient and accurate finite element models for bolted joints under impact loading. First, a three-dimensional detailed finite element model for a bolted joint was developed using solid elements. With this full modelling, the aim was to simulate the physics of the impact event as accurately as possible without any concern about computational cost. In the design of mechanical structures containing numerous fastening elements, use of detailed models is not practicable, because the computational cost of the analysis dramatically increases with the increased number of complex interacting parts. Instead, simplified models that only account for dominating effects should be utilized so that the analysis time can be significantly reduced without compromising the level of accuracy. Accordingly, a number of simplified finite element bolt models were developed and then compared with the full model with regard to the solution accuracy and computational cost to select the most representative and cost-effective simplified model.