bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educational Differences in U.S. Adult Mortality
Authors: Masters Ryan K. , Hummer Robert A. , Powers Daniel A.
Published: July 2012

We use hierarchical cross-classified random-effects models to simultaneously measure age, period, and cohort patterns of mortality risk between 1986 and 2006 for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black men and women with less than a high school education, a high school education, and more than a high school education. We examine all-cause mortality risk and mortality risk from heart disease, lung cancer, and unpreventable cancers. Findings reveal that temporal reductions in black and white men’s and women’s mortality rates were driven entirely by cohort changes in mortality. Findings also demonstrate that disparate cohort effects between education groups widened the education gap in all-cause mortality risk and mortality risk from heart disease and lung cancer across this time period. Educational disparities in mortality risk from unpreventable cancers, however, did not change. This research uncovers widening educational differences in adult mortality and demonstrates that a cohort perspective provides valuable insights for understanding recent temporal changes in U.S. mortality risk.
The Roll, the Codex, the Wax Tablet and the Synoptic Problem
Authors: Poirier John C.
Published: July 2012

The Farrer hypothesis, especially as defended by Michael Goulder, has often been faulted for its supposed reliance on an anachronistic and technically impracticable understanding of Luke’s compositional practices. A closer look at the arguments against Farrer and Goulder, however, reveals a number of problems with this charge, including (but not limited to) its dependence on an inadequate understanding of how works were actually composed in antiquity. Goulder’s suggestion that Luke worked backwards through Matthew, in particular, has received a certain amount of criticism, but that scenario is shown here to be both technically feasible and perfectly in keeping with the way the ancients sometimes worked. Perhaps the greatest problem with the arguments made against the Farrer hypothesis is that they ignore Luke’s likely use of the wax tablet as a compositional aid—a medium that would have allowed Luke to rearrange Matthew’s material as freely as Farrerians suppose.
Stylistic Levels in Hebrews 1.1–4 and John 1.1–18
Authors: Nässelqvist Dan
Published: July 2012

This article presents the ancient concept of stylistic levels as a means of approaching the question of how New Testament writings were delivered in antiquity. It is argued that the levels of style affected both composition and delivery and that an analysis of the remaining texts is the first step towards understanding how they were once delivered. The levels of style are presented and the stylistic features of Heb. 1.1-4 and Jn 1.1-18 are analysed and interpreted within this system. It is seen that the style of New Testament writings can be profitably examined, and aspects of their composition revealed, with the help of the levels of style. Against many commentators, it is argued that the prologue of John does not contain poetry interspersed with prose passages. Instead, the stylistic intensity is steady at least all the way through Jn 1.1-13.
Tracking control for a class of switched non-linear systems with time-varying delay
Authors: Xiang Zhengrong , Liu Shilong , Chen Qingwei
Published: July 2012

This paper investigates the problem of tracking control for a class of switched non-linear systems with time-varying delay. Firstly, based on the average dwell time method, a new exponential stability criterion for a class of switched non-linear systems with time-varying delay is derived; it is shown that this new criterion can provide fewer conservative results than those in the existing references. Then, tracking control for the systems is investigated, and a kind of state feedback control law and switching signal are proposed to satisfy the H∞ model reference tracking performance. Finally, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Reduced-order observer design of multi-output nonlinear systems with application to a circadian model
Authors: That Long Ton , Ding Zhengtao
Published: July 2012

In this paper we present a new design of reduced-order observers which can be applied to a class of multi-output nonlinear systems. In this new method, the observer error dynamics can be designed by choosing the observer gain, unlike the existing method in literature, of which the observer error dynamics depend on the invariant zeros. Observer design of a fourth-order nonlinear system is used to demonstrate the proposed design procedure, before the application to the seventh-order mathematical model of circadian rhythms. The results of the observer design for the circadian model are useful to the people who are working on circadian rhythms for the possible reduction in the measurements. Several simulation studies of the proposed observer design are carried out with the results shown in this paper.
Observer-based finite-time exponential l2 − l∞ control for discrete-time switched delay systems with uncertainties
Authors: Hou Linlin , Zong Guangdeng , Wu Yuqiang
Published: July 2012

The problem of observer-based finite-time exponential l2 − l∞ control is studied in this paper for a class of discrete-time switched systems with time delay and uncertainties. The observer-based controller is designed to guarantee that the developed closed-loop system is robust finite-time exponential l2 − l∞ stabilizable for all admissible uncertainties. By resorting to the average dwell time approach and Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional technology, some new delay-dependent criteria guaranteeing finite-time boundedness and stabilizability with exponential l2 − l∞ performance are developed. The observer-based finite-time exponential l2 − l∞ controller is also designed by virtue of a cone complement linearization method. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Consensus control of second-order leader–follower multi-agent systems with event-triggered strategy
Authors: Xie Duosi , Yuan Deming , Lu Junwei , Zhang Yijun
Published: July 2012

In this paper we analyse an event-triggered control strategy for the leader–follower consensus problem of second-order multi-agent systems. Controllers of followers update when triggering a function, which is calculated from information transmitted from neighbours and itself, achieves a certain value. Within this strategy and with a strict positive lower bound on the inter-event interval, the second-order system is assured to achieve leader–follower consensus. A centralised formulation is first proposed and then the results are extended to the decentralised form which only requires information of their neighbours and the leader instead of all agents in the system. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Skin decontamination
Authors: Chan Heidi P , Zhai Hongbo , Hui Xiaoying , Maibach Howard I
Published: July 2012

Skin decontamination is the primary intervention needed in chemical, biological and radiological exposures, involving immediate removal of the contaminant from the skin performed in the most efficient way. The most readily available decontamination system on a practical basis is washing with soap and water or water only. Timely use of flushing with copious amounts of water may physically remove the contaminant. However, this traditional method may not be completely effective, and contaminants left on the skin after traditional washing procedures can have toxic consequences. This article focuses on the principles and practices of skin decontamination.
Unmet role expectations of expatriates, host-country national support, and expatriate adjustment
Authors: Mahajan Ashish , De Silva Sachini Rashenka
Published: July 2012

We discuss the impact of unmet role expectations of expatriates as one of the situations where support from host country nationals (HCNs) might be more useful for expatriates. Using job demand-resources (JD-R) theory, we argue that HCN support is an important job resource that can reduce the negative influence of unmet role expectations on expatriate adjustment. Because HCNs are distant others within the social network of expatriates, we also suggest that expatriates will be more accepting of HCN support if they believe that such support is coming from credible sources.
A functional equation related to inner product spaces in non-Archimedean "Equation missing" -random normed spaces
Authors: Vahidi Javad , Park Choonkil , Saadati Reza
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we prove the stability of a functional equation related to inner product spaces in non-Archimedean

L

-random normed spaces.

MSC: 46S10, 39B52, 47S10, 26E30, 12J25.
Whole blood-derived microRNA signatures in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Hsieh Ching-Hua , Rau Cheng-Shyuan , Jeng Jonathan Chris , Chen Yi-Chun , Lu Tsu-Hsiang , Wu Chia-Jung , Wu Yi-Chan , Tzeng Siou-Ling , Yang Johnson Chia-Shen
Published: July 2012

Background

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is recognized as the most potent microbial mediator presaging the threat of invasion of Gram-negative bacteria that implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock. This study was designed to examine the microRNA (miRNA) expression in whole blood from mice injected with intraperitoneal LPS.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of varying concentrations (range, 10–1000 μg) of LPS from different bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Serratia marcescens and were killed 2, 6, 24, and 72 h after LPS injection. Whole blood samples were obtained and tissues, including lung, brain, liver, and spleen, were harvested for miRNA expression analysis using an miRNA array (Phalanx miRNA OneArray® 1.0). Upregulated expression of miRNA targets in the whole blood of C57BL/6 and Tlr4

−/−
mice injected with LPS was quantified using real-time RT-PCR and compared with that in the whole blood of C57BL/6 mice injected with lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus.

Results

Following LPS injection, a significant increase of 15 miRNAs was observed in the whole blood. Among them, only 3 miRNAs showed up-regulated expression in the lung, but no miRNAs showed a high expression level in the other examined tissues. Upregulated expression of the miRNA targets (let-7d, miR-15b, miR-16, miR-25, miR-92a, miR-103, miR-107 and miR-451) following LPS injection on real-time RT-PCR was dose- and time-dependent. miRNA induction occurred after 2 h and persisted for at least 6 h. Exposure to LPS from different bacteria did not induce significantly different expression of these miRNA targets. Additionally, significantly lower expression levels of let-7d, miR-25, miR-92a, miR-103, and miR-107 were observed in whole blood of Tlr4
−/− mice. In contrast, LTA exposure induced moderate expression of miR-451 but not of the other 7 miRNA targets.

Conclusions

We identified a specific whole blood–derived miRNA signature in mice exposed to LPS, but not to LTA, from different gram-negative bacteria. These whole blood-derived miRNAs are promising as biomarkers for LPS exposure.
The severity of dental caries in adults aged 35 to 44 years residing in the metropolitan area of a large city in Brazil: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Costa Simone M , Vasconcelos Mara , Haddad João Paulo A , Abreu Mauro Henrique NG
Published: July 2012

Background

In recent decades, studies in the field of public health have increasingly focused on social determinants that affect the health-illness process. The epidemiological perspective considers oral health to be a reflection of socioeconomic and environmental aspects, and it is particularly influenced by the social context. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between the severity of dental caries among adults aged 35 to 44 years and characteristics on the different levels at which the determinants of caries operate (individual, social structure and social context).

Methods

A home-based, cross-sectional field study was carried out involving a sample of 1,150 adults (35 to 44 years of age) residing in metropolitan Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The DMFT (decayed, missing, filled tooth) index (≥14) was used to determine the severity of dental caries. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out using the Poisson regression model with the level of significance set at 5% (p < 0.05) and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The majority of the participants (68.5%) had high caries severity. The rate of high-severity caries in the group between 40 and 44 years of age was 1.15-fold (CI: 1.04-1.26) greater than that among those aged 35 to 39 years. A greater prevalence of high caries severity was found among those who frequently visited the dentist (PR = 1.18; CI: 1.07-1.30), those with a lower income (PR = 1.11; CI: 1.01-1.23), those who reported that their neighborhood did not come together in the previous year to petition political leaders for benefits (PR = 1.16; CI: 1.05-1.28) and those who are unable to make decisions (without empowerment) (PR = 1.12; CI: 1.01-1.24).

Conclusions

The present study revealed high dental caries severity in adults, which was associated with individual characteristics, health-related behavior and social structure and contextual variables. These findings underscore the importance of considering social determinants involved in the health-illness process when carrying out epidemiological studies on dental caries.
Protective effect of cactus cladode extract against cisplatin induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity and apoptosis in balb/c mice: combination with phytochemical composition
Authors: Brahmi Dalel , Ayed Yousra , Hfaiedh Mbarka , Bouaziz Chayma , Mansour Hedi Ben , Zourgui Lazhar , Bacha Hassen
Published: July 2012

Background

Cis-Platinum (II) (cis-diammine dichloroplatinum; CDDP) is a potent antitumor compound widely used for the treatment of many malignancies. An important side-effect of CDDP is nephrotoxicity. The cytotoxic action of this drug is often thought to induce oxidative stress and be associated with its ability to bind DNA to form CDDP–DNA adducts and apoptosis in kidney cells. In this study, the protective effect of cactus cladode extract (CCE) against CDDP-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity were investigated in mice. We also looked for levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, chromosome aberrations (CA) test, SOS Chromotest, expressions of p53, bax and bcl2 in kidney and we also analyzed several parameters of renal function markers toxicity such as serum biochemical analysis.

Methods

Adult, healthy balb/c (20–25 g) male mice aged of 4–5 weeks were pre-treated by intraperitonial administration of CCE (50 mg/Kg.b.w) for 2 weeks. Control animals were treated 3 days a week for 4 weeks by intraperitonial administration of 100 μg/Kg.b.w CDDP. Animals which treated by CDDP and CCE were divided into two groups: the first group was administrated CCE 2 hours before each treatment with CDDP 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The second group was administrated without pre-treatment with CCE but this extract was administrated 24 hours after each treatment with CDDP 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Results

Our results showed that CDDP induced significant alterations in all tested oxidative stress markers. In addition it induced CA in bone morrow cells, increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins p53 and bax and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein bcl2 in kidney. On the other hand, CDDP significantly increased the levels of urea and creatinine and decreased the levels of albumin and total protein.The treatment of CCE before or after treatment with CDDP showed, (i) a total reduction of CDDP induced oxidative damage for all tested markers, (ii) an anti-genotoxic effect resulting in an efficient prevention of chromosomal aberrations compared to the group treated with CDDP alone (iii) restriction of the effect of CDDP by differential modulation of the expression of p53 which is decreased as well as its associated genes such as bax and bcl2, (iiii) restriction of serums levels of creatinine, urea, albumin and total protein resuming its values towards near normal levels of control.

Conclusion

We concluded that CCE is beneficial in CDDP-induced kidney dysfunction in mice via its anti-oxidant anti-genotoxic and anti-apoptotic properties against CDDP.
Synergistic photothermal ablative effects of functionalizing carbon nanotubes with a POSS-PCU nanocomposite polymer
Authors: Tan Aaron , Madani Seyed Yazdan , Rajadas Jayakumar , Pastorin Giorgia , Seifalian Alexander M
Published: July 2012

Background

The application of nanotechnology in biology and medicine represents a significant paradigm shift in the approach to the treatment of cancer. Evidence suggests that when exposed to near-infrared radiation (NIR), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dissipate a substantial amount of heat energy. We have developed a novel nanocomposite polymer, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly (carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU). POSS-PCU displays excellent biocompatibility and has been used in making artificial organs as well as protective coatings for medical devices.

Results

Functionalizing (or “coating”) CNTs with POSS-PCU confers biocompatibility and increase the amount of heat energy generated, by enhancing dispersion. Here we demonstrate that POSS-PCU-functionalized multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) act synergistically together when exposed to NIR to thermally ablate cancer cells.

Conclusion

Given that POSS-PCU has already been used in human in first-in-man studies as trachea, lacrimal duct, bypass graft and other organs, our long-term goal is to take POSS-PCU coated CNTs to clinical studies to address the treatment of cancer by optimizing its therapeutic index and increasing its specificity via antibody conjugation.
Variationally stable dynamic systems on time scales
Authors: Choi Sung Kyu , Cui Yinhua , Koo Namjip
Published: July 2012

In this paper we give a Lyapunov functional characterization ofh-stability for nonlinear dynamic systems on time scales under the condition ofu∞-similarity between their variational systems. Furthermore, we give some examples related to the notions ofu∞-similarity andh-stability.

MSC:34N05, 39A30, 34D23, 34K20, 26E70.
Seismic Performance Assessment of Concentrically Braced Steel Frames
Authors: Roeder Charles W. , Lumpkin Eric J. , Lehman Dawn E.
Published: July 2012

Concentrically braced frames (CBFs) are stiff, strong structures, which are used for many seismic design applications. The seismic performance of CBFs varies widely because their behavior is a complex combination of resistance, elastic stiffness, and inelastic behavior and deformation. Performance-based seismic engineering (PBSE) is increasingly important. Fragility curves are statistical estimates of performance as a function of an engineering demand parameter. The Applied Technology Council's ATC-58 program is developing fragility curves for a wide range of structural systems, and this paper describes the development of fragility curves for CBF systems using experimental data that accurately simulated the boundary conditions and inelastic response of CBFs. Fragility curves were developed for common brace cross sections and gusset plate geometries at various damage states. In addition, fragility curves were developed for CBFs designed using an improved design procedure and compared to those designed using standard design methods.
Frame and Brace Action Forces on Steel Corner Gusset Plate Connections in Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames
Authors: Chou Chung-Che , Liu Jia-Hau
Published: July 2012

This work presents test and finite element analysis results for a steel buckling-restrained braced frame (BRBF). The objectives are to evaluate the forces of frame and brace actions on the corner gusset plate and to develop a method that considers both actions in design. The BRBF test frame exhibited excellent performance up to a drift of 2% with a maximum axial strain of 1.7% in the buckling-restrained brace. Without free-edge stiffeners, the corner gusset plate buckled at a significantly lower strength than that predicted by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) specifications ( AISC 2005a ). By idealizing the corner gusset plate as a strut, a strut model can be used to determine the forces resulting from frame action, which are on the same order as the brace forces. Considering the stress distributions and force components from the frame and brace actions, the maximum stresses in the gusset tips are used as an additional design parameter for sizing gusset connections.
Fragility Curves for Architectural Glass in Stick-Built Glazing Systems
Authors: O'Brien William C. , Memari Ali M. , Kremer Paul A. , Behr Richard A.
Published: July 2012

Fragility functions are presented for 15 glazing system configurations in support of Applied Technology Council efforts to develop a performance-based seismic design approach for building performance assessment. The study includes seismic evaluation of curtain wall and storefront systems in terms of probability and the consequences of damage, including economic and life safety consequences. Defined damage states consist of gasket degradation, initial glass cracking and crushing, and glass fallout. Alternatives are offered to the provided prototype fragilities for configurations with differing glazing characteristics, which account for varying glass-to-frame clearance, aspect ratio, and glass panel dimensions. Issues related to applying laboratory-based fragility data to actual glazing systems in the field are addressed.
Clinical Human Papillomavirus Detection Forecasts Cervical Cancer Risk in Women Over 18 Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Castle Philip E. , Glass Andrew G. , Rush Brenda B. , Scott David R. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Gage Julia C. , Buckland Julie , Rydzak Greg , Lorincz Attila T. , Wacholder Sholom
Published: July 2012

Purpose

To describe the long-term (≥ 10 years) benefits of clinical human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for cervical precancer and cancer risk prediction.

Methods

Cervicovaginal lavages collected from 19,512 women attending a health maintenance program were retrospectively tested for HPV using a clinical test. HPV positives were tested for HPV16 and HPV18 individually using a research test. A Papanicolaou (Pap) result classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or more severe was considered abnormal. Women underwent follow-up prospectively with routine annual Pap testing up to 18 years. Cumulative incidence rates (CIRs) of ≥ grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3+) or cancer for enrollment test results were calculated.

Results

A baseline negative HPV test provided greater reassurance against CIN3+ over the 18-year follow-up than a normal Pap (CIR, 0.90% v 1.27%). Although both baseline Pap and HPV tests predicted who would develop CIN3+ within the first 2 years of follow-up, only HPV testing predicted who would develop CIN3+ 10 to 18 years later (P = .004). HPV16- and HPV18-positive women with normal Pap were at elevated risk of CIN3+ compared with other HPV-positive women with normal Pap and were at similar risk of CIN3+ compared with women with a low-grade squamous intraepithelial Pap.

Conclusion

HPV testing to rule out cervical disease followed by Pap testing and possibly combined with the detection of HPV16 and HPV18 among HPV positives to identify those at immediate risk of CIN3+ would be an efficient algorithm for cervical cancer screening, especially in women age 30 years or older.
Up-Front Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: NLG-T-01
Authors: d'Amore Francesco , Relander Thomas , Lauritzsen Grete F. , Jantunen Esa , Hagberg Hans , Anderson Harald , Holte Harald , Österborg Anders , Merup Mats , Brown Peter , Kuittinen Outi , Erlanson Martin , Østenstad Bjørn , Fagerli Unn-Merete , Gadeberg Ole V. , Sundström Christer , Delabie Jan , Ralfkiaer Elisabeth , Vornanen Martine , Toldbod Helle E.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Systemic peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) respond poorly to conventional therapy. To evaluate the efficacy of a dose-dense approach consolidated by up-front high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in PTCL, the Nordic Lymphoma Group (NLG) conducted a large prospective phase II study in untreated systemic PTCL. This is the final report, with a 5-year median follow-up, of the NLG-T-01 study.

Patients and Methods

Treatment-naive patients with PTCL age 18 to 67 years (median, 57 years) were included. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) –positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) was excluded. An induction regimen of six cycles of biweekly CHOEP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, and prednisone) was administered (in patients age > 60 years, etoposide was omitted). If in complete or partial remission, patients proceeded to consolidation with HDT/ASCT.

Results

Of 166 enrolled patients, 160 had histopathologically confirmed PTCL. The majority presented with advanced-stage disease, B symptoms, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase. A total of 115 underwent HDT/ASCT, with 90 in complete remission at 3 months post-transplantation. Early failures occurred in 26%. Treatment-related mortality was 4%. At 60.5 months of median follow-up, 83 patients were alive. Consolidated 5-year overall and progression-free survival (PFS) were 51% (95% CI, 43% to 59%) and 44% (95% CI, 36% to 52%), respectively. Best results were obtained in ALK-negative ALCL.

Conclusion

Dose-dense induction followed by HDT/ASCT was well tolerated and led to long-term PFS in 44% of treatment-naive patients with PTCL. This represents an encouraging outcome, particularly considering the high median age and adverse risk profile of the study population. Therefore, dose-dense induction and HDT/ASCT are a rational up-front strategy in transplantation-eligible patients with PTCL.
Addition of Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin to Induction Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Older Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Burnett Alan K. , Russell Nigel H. , Hills Robert K. , Kell Jonathan , Freeman Sylvie , Kjeldsen Lars , Hunter Ann E. , Yin John , Craddock Charles F. , Dufva Inge Hoegh , Wheatley Keith , Milligan Donald
Published: July 2012

Purpose

There has been little survival improvement in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the last two decades. Improving induction treatment may improve the rate and quality of remission and consequently survival. In our previous trial, in younger patients, we showed improved survival for the majority of patients when adding gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) to induction chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods

Untreated patients with AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (median age, 67 years; range, 51 to 84 years) were randomly assigned to receive induction chemotherapy with either daunorubicin/ara-C or daunorubicin/clofarabine, with (n = 559) or without (n = 556) GO 3 mg/m2 on day 1 of course one of therapy. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

Results

The overall response rate was 69% (complete remission [CR], 60%; CR with incomplete recovery [CRi], 9%), with no difference between GO (70%) and no GO (68%) arms. There was no difference in 30- or 60-day mortality and no major increase in toxicity with GO. With median follow-up of 30 months (range, 5.5 to 54.6 months), 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse was significantly lower with GO (68% v 76%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.93; P = .007), and 3-year survival was significantly better (25% v 20%; HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.00; P = .05). The benefit was apparent across subgroups. There was no interaction with other treatment interventions. A meta-analysis of 2,228 patients in two United Kingdom National Cancer Research Institute trials showed significant improvements in relapse (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.93; P = .002) and OS (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.98; P = .02).

Conclusion

Adding GO (3 mg/m2) to induction chemotherapy reduces relapse risk and improves survival with little increase in toxicity.
“Why Hasn’t This Teacher Been Shot?” Moral-Sexual Panic, the Repressive Right, and Brazil’s National Security State
Authors: Cowan Benjamin
Published: July 2012

This article takes up the story of right-wing mobilization before and during Brazil’s military government of 1964–1985. Understanding the regime’s violent countersubversion requires analysis of the ideology that framed it. This ideology flourished among a long-neglected group of far-right intellectuals and organizations that had considerable influence in successive military administrations and worked to define subversion—the military state’s ever-invoked enemy—in terms chiefly moral and sexual. Scholars have noted that defense of “Western Christian civilization” peppered the vague rhetoric of Cold War autocrats throughout Latin America. Yet inattention to the Right per se and to those considered extremists has impeded our understanding of the specific values bound up in such visions of the West and hence of the centrality of morality and culture in countersubversive thought. This article argues that rightists, some of them radical, echoed past conservatisms by linking morality, sexuality, and subversion in ways that gained increasing influence in the 1960s and 1970s.
Solubilities of La and Ni on LaNiO3 in Li/K Carbonate Eutectic with La2O3
Authors: Matsuzawa Koichi , Zhai Shang , Ota Ken-ichiro , Mitsushima Shigenori
Published: July 2012

The solubilities of La and Ni on LaNiO3 in Li/K carbonate eutectic with La2O3 have been investigated. The solubilities of La and Ni were 1.9 × 10−2 (mole fraction) and 1.2 × 10−5 (mole fraction) under CO2/O2 of 0.7/0.3 at 923 K. The extraction of Ni from LaNiO3 in molten carbonate saturated with La2O3 was almost 57% lower than that from NiO in a molten carbonate without La2O3.
Detection of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 by Field Effect Transistor with a Fibronectin-immobilized Gate
Authors: Yamamoto Daisuke , Hideshima Sho , Kuroiwa Shigeki , Nakanishi Takuya , Osaka Tetsuya
Published: July 2012

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) is known to be involved in chronic inflammation, tumor invasion, and carcinogenesis. To detect MMP-2, we examined the use of field effect transistors (FETs). After the addition of MMP-2 to a fibronectin (FN)-immobilized gate, negative value of FET response was observed, which indicates MMP-2 decreased the amount of negative charges arising from FN molecules. This FET device successfully detected MMP-2 by utilizing degradation of FN on the gate.
Thiolato-bridged AuI2CuI2 and CuI4 Metallorings Derived from Benzothiazoline: Can Gold(I) Plus Copper(I) Make Silver(I)?
Authors: Takino Yusuke , Yoshinari Nobuto , Kawamoto Tatsuya , Konno Takumi
Published: July 2012

A thiolato-bridged AuI2CuI2 metalloring compound, [Au2Cu2(L)4] (L = (C6H4NMe2)CH=N(C6H4)S−), together with an analogous CuI4 compound, [Cu4(L)4], was newly prepared from 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)benzothiazoline. The AuI2CuI2 compound was found to show structural and spectroscopic features comparable well with those of [Ag4(L)4], rather than those of [Au4(L)4] and [Cu4(L)4].
Monopoly and the Incentive to Innovate When Adoption Involves Switchover Disruptions
Authors: Holmes Thomas J , Levine David K , Schmitz James A
Published: July 2012

Arrow (1962) argued that since a monopoly restricts output relative to a competitive industry, it would be less willing to pay a fixed cost to adopt a new technology. We develop a new theory of why a monopolistic industry innovates less. Firms often face major problems in integrating new technologies. In some cases, upon adoption of technology, firms must temporarily reduce output. We call such problems switchover disruptions. A cost of adoption, then, is the forgone rents on the sales of lost or delayed production, and these opportunity costs are larger the higher the price on those lost units. (JEL D21, D42, L12, L14, O32, O33)
Employee Initiative and Managerial Control
Authors: Rantakari Heikki
Published: July 2012

I analyze the impact of managerial involvement and the allocation of authority on employee initiative in a setting where both a manager and an employee can originate new ideas for implementation. I show that employee initiative is maximized through the combination of formal authority and limited but positive levels of involvement by the manager, a result which thus qualifies the motivational advantages of both formal delegation and a hands-off management strategy. This result arises through an indirect monitoring role played by managerial involvement that has been absent in previous frameworks, and the implications of which for the optimal organizational arrangement are further analyzed. (JEL D23, M12, M54)
Bonus Payments versus Efficiency Wages in the Repeated Principal-Agent Model with Subjective Evaluations
Authors: Maestri Lucas
Published: July 2012

We study an infinitely repeated principal-agent model with subjective evaluations. We compare the surplus in efficiency-wage equilibria and in bonus-payments equilibria. The agent receives a constant wage and is motivated by the threat of dismissal in efficiency-wage equilibria. The agent receives a bonus and quits the relationship after disagreements between his self-evaluation and the principal's performance appraisal in bonus-payments equilibria. We construct a class of equilibria with bonus payments that approach efficiency as patience increases. In contrast, payoffs from efficiency-wage equilibria are bounded away from the Pareto-payoff frontier for any discount factor. (JEL D82, J33, J41)
Evaluation of image reconstruction methods for 123I-MIBG-SPECT: a rank-order study
Authors: Söderberg Marcus , Mattsson Sören , Oddstig Jenny , Uusijärvi-Lizana Helena , Valind Sven , Thorsson Ola , Garpered Sabine , Prautzsch Tilmann , Tischenko Oleg , Leide-Svegborn Sigrid
Published: July 2012

Background

There is an opportunity to improve the image quality and lesion detectability in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) by choosing an appropriate reconstruction method and optimal parameters for the reconstruction.

Purpose

To optimize the use of the Flash 3D reconstruction algorithm in terms of equivalent iteration (EI) number (number of subsets times the number of iterations) and to compare with two recently developed reconstruction algorithms ReSPECT and orthogonal polynomial expansion on disc (OPED) for application on 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG)-SPECT.

Material and Methods

Eleven adult patients underwent SPECT 4 h and 14 patients 24 h after injection of approximately 200 MBq 123I-MIBG using a Siemens Symbia T6 SPECT/CT. Images were reconstructed from raw data using the Flash 3D algorithm at eight different EI numbers. The images were ranked by three experienced nuclear medicine physicians according to their overall impression of the image quality. The obtained optimal images were then compared in one further visual comparison with images reconstructed using the ReSPECT and OPED algorithms.

Results

The optimal EI number for Flash 3D was determined to be 32 for acquisition 4 h and 24 h after injection. The average rank order (best first) for the different reconstructions for acquisition after 4 h was: Flash 3D32 > ReSPECT > Flash 3D64 > OPED, and after 24 h: Flash 3D16 > ReSPECT > Flash 3D32 > OPED. A fair level of inter-observer agreement concerning optimal EI number and reconstruction algorithm was obtained, which may be explained by the different individual preferences of what is appropriate image quality.

Conclusion

Using Siemens Symbia T6 SPECT/CT and specified acquisition parameters, Flash 3D32 (4 h) and Flash 3D16 (24 h), followed by ReSPECT, were assessed to be the preferable reconstruction algorithms in visual assessment of 123I-MIBG images.
Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI with respect to the severity of liver cirrhosis
Authors: Kim Ah Yeong , Kim Young Kon , Lee Min Woo , Park Min Jung , Hwang Jiyoung , Lee Mi Hee , Lee Jae Won
Published: July 2012

Background

As gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have been widely used for the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is clinically relevant to determine the diagnostic efficacy of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and DWI for detection of HCCs with respect to the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and DWI for detection of HCCs with respect to the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Material and Methods

A total of 189 patients with 240 HCCs (≤3.0 cm) (Child-Pugh A, 81 patients with 90 HCCs; Child-Pugh B, 65 patients with 85 HCCs; Child-Pugh C, 43 patients with 65 HCCs) underwent DWI and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI at 3.0 T. A gadoxetic acid set (dynamic and hepatobiliary phase plus T2-weighted image) and DWI set (DWI plus unenhanced MRIs) for each Child-Pugh class were analyzed independently by two observers for detecting HCCs using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. The diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity were calculated.

Results

There was a trend toward decreased diagnostic accuracy for gadoxetic acid and DWI set with respect to the severity of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A [mean 0.974, 0.961], B [mean 0.904, 0.863], C [mean 0.779, 0.760]). For both observers, the sensitivities of both image sets were highest in Child-Pugh class A (mean 95.6%, 93.9%), followed by class B (mean 83.0%, 77.1%), and class C (mean 60.6%, 60.0%) ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In HCC detection, the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity for gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and DWI were highest in Child-Pugh class A, followed by Child-Pugh class B, and Child-Pugh class C, indicating a tendency toward decreased diagnostic capability with the severity of cirrhosis.
Can UK healthcare workers remotely support medical education in the developing world?: Focus group evaluation
Authors: Bowen Jst , Southgate Rj , Ali Am , Little Sj , Liakos A , Greaves F , Strachan Jm , Baraco Afh , Adem G , Abdillahi M , Handuleh J , Reed K , Walker F , Zeron J , Strachan M , Bowen S , Hellyer T , Hersheson J , Whitwell S , Fyfe M , Phillips Jc , Trim C , Johnson O , Leather Ajm , Al-Hadithy N , Finlayson Aet
Published: July 2012

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of providing regular, live, text-based teaching to medical students and junior doctors in Somaliland using a dedicated case-based medical education website ( www.MedicineAfrica.com ).

Design

Review of MedicineAfrica database for details of teaching sessions held in Somaliland from December 2008-October 2010 and evaluation of user experiences through focus groups.

Setting

King's College Hospital, London, UK and Ahmoud University, Borama, Somaliland.

Participants

Final year medical students, newly graduated interns and second year interns at Ahmoud University, Borama, Somaliland.

Main outcome measures

Qualitative and quantitative user rating of online case-based tutorials in the context of pre-existing educational opportunities available to them.

Results

Regular online teaching sessions are received enthusiastically by students and junior doctors and are reported to improve their clinical practice.

Conclusions

Despite technological limitations in Somaliland, a live text-based teaching service can be delivered effectively and streamlined with local curricula. This represents an alternative to traditional static teaching methodologies currently used in international medical education.
Recognition of guanosine by dissimilar tRNA methyltransferases
Authors: Sakaguchi Reiko , Giessing Anders , Dai Qing , Lahoud Georges , Liutkeviciute Zita , Klimasauskas Saulius , Piccirilli Joseph , Kirpekar Finn , Hou Ya-Ming
Published: July 2012

Guanosines are important for biological activities through their specific functional groups that are recognized for RNA or protein interactions. One example is recognition of N1 of G37 in tRNA by S-adenosyl-methionine (AdoMet)–dependent tRNA methyltransferases to synthesize m1G37-tRNA, which is essential for translational fidelity in all biological domains. Synthesis of m1G37-tRNA is catalyzed by TrmD in bacteria and by Trm5 in eukarya and archaea, using unrelated and dissimilar structural folds. This raises the question of how dissimilar proteins recognize the same guanosine. Here we probe the mechanism of discrimination among functional groups of guanosine by TrmD and Trm5. Guanosine analogs were systematically introduced into tRNA through a combination of chemical and enzymatic synthesis. Single turnover kinetic assays and thermodynamic analysis of the effect of each analog on m1G37-tRNA synthesis reveal that TrmD and Trm5 discriminate functional groups differently. While both recognize N1 and O6 of G37, TrmD places a much stronger emphasis on these functional groups than Trm5. While the exocyclic 2-amino group of G37 is important for TrmD, it is dispensable for Trm5. In addition, while an adjacent G36 is obligatory for TrmD, it is nonessential for Trm5. These results depict a more rigid requirement of guanosine functional groups for TrmD than for Trm5. However, the sensitivity of both enzymes to analog substitutions, together with an experimental revelation of their low cellular concentrations relative to tRNA substrates, suggests a model in which these enzymes rapidly screen tRNA by direct recognition of G37 in order to monitor the global state of m1G37-tRNA.
Diversity and Performance
Authors: Li Feng , Nagar Venky
Published: July 2012

This study measures the performance of U.S. firms initiating same-sex domestic partnership benefit (SSDPB) policies. The results show that holding these firms upon their SSDPB initiation in a calendar portfolio earns a four-factor annualized excess return (alpha) of approximately 10% over the 1995–2008 sample period, beating 95% of all professional mutual funds in the United States. This finding is robust to several tests of reverse causality. SSDPB adopters also show significant improvement in operating performance relative to nonadopters.

This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, finance.
Value Creation and Knowledge Loss: The Case of Cremonese Stringed Instruments
Authors: Cattani Gino , Dunbar Roger L. M. , Shapira Zur
Published: July 2012

To understand how the value of cultural products is determined, one must consider how evaluations evolve over time and have an impact on the conditions supporting knowledge development. If evaluations do not fully recognize the potential value of a cultural product, the associated knowledge—especially tacit knowledge—may be lost rather than passed on, thus jeopardizing subsequent attempts to reproduce the valued product. We examine these dynamics by studying how value was attributed to Cremonese stringed instruments. The value the Cremonese masters created was first recognized in the 16th century, and in the early 18th century, new methods to strengthen instrument sound and sonority were developed. However, the value of these new developments was not widely recognized until the 19th century, when, in evaluating musical performance, performers, critics, and public audiences took over from royal courts, and they selected Cremonese instruments as the best for performing the emerging Romantic music. We consider how the dynamics of value determination over time have implications for knowledge management processes.
On Adverbial Ante-Position and Operator Scope in Coptic
Authors: Uljas Sami
Published: July 2012

It is argued that in Coptic ante-position of adverbial expressions may be motivated by a desire to delimit and indicate the precise scope of negative, modal, conditional and information-structuring operators. Two principal strategies are distinguished. The ante-position may serve to exclude an adverbial expression from falling within the scope of e.g. a negation. Conversely, a similar positioning of an adverbial may have the function of including it within the scope of an (initial) operator.
Perspectives on Human Microbiome Research Ethics
Authors: McGuire Amy L. , Achenbaum Laura S. , Whitney Simon N. , Slashinski Melody J. , Versalovic James , Keitel Wendy A. , McCurdy Sheryl A.
Published: July 2012

Study of ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of human microbiome research has been integral to the Human Microbiome Project (HMP). This study explores core ELSI issues that arose during the first phase of the HMP from the perspective of individuals involved in the research. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with investigators and NIH employees (“investigators”) involved in the HMP, and with individuals recruited to participate in the HMP Healthy Cohort Study at Baylor College of Medicine (“recruits”). We report findings related to three major ELSI issues: Informed consent, data sharing, and return of results. Our findings demonstrate that investigators and recruits were similarly sensitive to these issues yet generally comfortable with study design in light of current knowledge about the microbiome.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone in relation to plasma B-type natriuretic peptide: the Hoorn Study
Authors: van Ballegooijen Adriana J , Visser Marjolein , Snijder Marieke B , Dekker Jacqueline M , Nijpels Giel , Stehouwer Coen D A , Diamant Michaela , Brouwer Ingeborg A
Published: July 2012

Objective

A disturbed vitamin D–parathyroid hormone (PTH)–calcium axis may play a role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Therefore, we investigated whether lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and higher PTH are cross sectionally and after 8 years of follow-up associated with higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in older men and women.

Design and methods

We measured baseline 25(OH)D, PTH, and BNP in 502 subjects in 2000–2001 in the Hoorn Study, a population-based cohort. Follow-up BNP was available in 2007–2009 in 278 subjects. Subjects were categorized according to season- and sex-specific quartiles of 25(OH)D and PTH at baseline. We studied the association of 25(OH)D and PTH quartiles with BNP using linear regression analyses adjusting for confounders. Analyses were stratified by kidney function estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ≤60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) because of significant interaction.

Results

At baseline, subjects had a mean age of 69.9±6.6 years, mean 25(OH)D level was 52.2±19.5 nmol/l and mean PTH 6.1±2.4 pmol/l. Cross sectionally, 25(OH)D was associated with BNP in subjects with impaired kidney function (eGFR ≤60 ml/min) only. The association attenuated after adjustment for PTH. PTH was cross sectionally associated with BNP, also in subjects with impaired kidney function only: regression coefficient of highest quartile 9.9 pmol/l (95% confidence interval 2.5, 17.4) with a significant trend across quartiles. Neither 25(OH)D nor PTH was associated with BNP in longitudinal analyses.

Conclusion

This study showed overall no strong association between 25(OH)D and BNP. However, PTH was associated with BNP in subjects with impaired kidney function and may point to a potential role in myocardial function.