bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are There Indications for Total Pancreatectomy in 2016?
Authors: Andrén-Sandberg Åke , Ansorge Christoph , Yadav Thakur Deen
Published: May 2016

An elective total pancreatectomy (TP) was first performed by Eugene Rockey of Portland, Oregon, in 1942. In the 1960s and 1970s, TP was the routine resection for pancreatic cancer in many centers because of fear of a leaking pancreatojejunostomy and multicentricity of the disease but the result used to be dreadful (in today's perspective). However, more recently, postoperative mortality and morbidity after pancreatic resections have improved due to better anastomotic technique and pre-, peri- and postoperative care. Today, TP - despite being a more extensive operation - can be offered with about the same operation risk as that of a Whipple procedure. Also, major improvements in the control of diabetes have been seen and there is actually an ongoing discussion on the actual severity of the diabetic state after TP. Also, the development of modern pancreatic enzyme preparations with sufficient control of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency provides options for overcoming the postoperative problems following TP. Due to the improved results, there are today different - and more specific - indications than before for TP: malignant tumors growing from the pancreatic head into the left pancreas, pancreatic head cancer where it is not possible to secure a tumor-free resection margin with extended resection or with dubious changes in the pancreatic main duct at frozen section, recurrent malignancy in the pancreatic remnant, at cancer surgery with resection of the celiac trunk, rescue pancreatectomy after a leaking pancreatojejunostomy with sepsis or bleeding after a Whipple-type first resection, multifocal intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with potentially malignant foci present in all parts of the gland, multiple metastases of renal cell carcinoma and melanoma without any residual tumor outside the pancreatic gland (possibly also other specified but uncommon metastatic tumors with a potential for cure by pancreatectomy), multifocal neuroendocrine tumors including multiple endocrine neoplasia and hereditary pancreatic cancer with a high grade of cancer penetration risk for the bearers.
Is It Time to Expand the Role of Total Pancreatectomy for IPMN?
Authors: Griffin James F. , Poruk Katherine E. , Wolfgang Christopher L.
Published: May 2016

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are cystic precursors to pancreatic cancer believed to arise within a widespread neoplastic field defect. The tendency for some patients to present with multifocal disease and/or develop additional lesions over time argues in favor of a field defect and complicates surgical management decisions. Surgery usually consists of partial pancreatic resection, which leaves behind a pancreatic remnant at risk for recurrent disease and progression to cancer. As an alternative, total pancreatectomy (TP) provides the most complete oncologic resection, but postoperative morbidity and quality of life (QoL) issues have generally limited its use to only the highest risk patients. Significant progress has been made in the management of the post-TP apancreatic state and studies now show less morbidity with acceptable QoL comparable to type 1 diabetic and post-pancreaticoduodenectomy patients. These improvements do not yet justify the routine use of TP, but they have opened the door for expansion to additional subsets of non-invasive IPMN. Here, we have identified several groups of patients that we believe would benefit from TP over partial resection based on the most current literature.
Treatment of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Loehrer Andrew P. , Ferrone Cristina R.
Published: May 2016

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is increasingly common and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Surgery remains the only possibility for cure. Upwards of 40% of patients present with locally advanced PDAC (LA-PDAC), where management strategies continue to evolve. In this review, we highlight current trends in neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical resection, and other multimodality approaches for patients with LA-PDAC. Despite promising early results, additional work is needed to more accurately and appropriately tailor treatment for patients with LA-PDAC.
Considerations in Applying a New Stent Retriever in Pediatric Endovascular Cerebral Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: See Alfred P. , Kochis Michael A. , Khandelwal Priyank , Orbach Darren B.
Published: May 2016

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in children has been difficult to diagnose, treat and study, due to atypical clinical presentation, imaging challenges and the rarity of large-vessel embolic occlusion as the etiology of acute neurological change in children. With endovascular thrombectomy showing success in randomized trials of adult AIS, the technique is increasingly being extrapolated to pediatric stroke. However, there is little evidence regarding the safety or efficacy of applying in children these devices developed and tested in adults. There is concern about a vessel-to-device size mismatch that may result in a different complication and benefit profile than typically seen. We report on the successful application in pediatric stroke of a newer-generation, smaller stent retriever, designed to be delivered through relatively smaller and more navigable microcatheters than the prior generation of this device.
Lung Ultrasound as a Predictor of Mechanical Ventilation in Neonates Older than 32 Weeks
Authors: Rodríguez-Fanjul Javier , Balcells Carla , Aldecoa-Bilbao Victoria , Moreno Julio , Iriondo Martín
Published: May 2016

Background: The prognosis of neonatal respiratory distress may be difficult to estimate at admission. Lung ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool that is quick, requires little training, and is radiation free. Objective: This study aims to analyze whether early lung ultrasound can predict respiratory failure. Methods: From January to December 2014, lung ultrasound was performed on neonates admitted with breathing difficulties if they were older than 32 weeks and not intubated. A neonatologist, not aware of the patient's clinical condition, analyzed the stored ultrasound images. The findings were classified into the following 2 groups according to the potential risk of a bad respiratory outcome: low risk (normal or transient tachypnea of the newborn) or high risk (respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumothorax, or pneumonia). A second investigator made the same classification after reading the chest X-rays. Respiratory failure was defined as a need for mechanical ventilation during the first day of life. Results: In total, 105 neonates were recruited (64.8% in the low-risk sonography group and 35.2% in the high-risk sonography group). Of those, 20% needed intubation, and this was more frequent in the high-risk group (relative risk = 17.5; 95% CI 4.3-70.9, p < 0.01). As predictors of respiratory failure, lung ultrasound and chest X-ray showed a high index of agreement (κ coefficient = 0.91; 95% CI 0.83-1, p < 0.01) and good accuracy (ultrasound: 95% sensitivity, 82.5% specificity, and a negative predictive value of 98.5%). Conclusions: Early lung ultrasound is a useful tool to determine which neonates admitted with respiratory distress will require mechanical ventilation. It may help the clinician to carrying out appropriate transfers.
Partial Response in an RRx-001-Primed Patient with Refractory Small-Cell Lung Cancer after a Third Introduction of Platinum Doublets
Authors: Carter Corey A. , Oronsky Bryan , Caroen Scott , Scicinski Jan , Degesys Aiste , Cabrales Pedro , Reid Tony R. , Brzezniak Christina
Published: May 2016

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), initially exquisitely sensitive to first-line cisplatin/etoposide, invariably relapses and acquires a multidrug chemoresistant phenotype that generally renders retreatment with first-line therapy both futile and counterproductive. This report presents the case of a 77-year-old Caucasian male with extensive-stage refractory SCLC who was restarted on platinum doublets as part of a clinical trial called TRIPLE THREAT (NCT02489903) involving pretreatment with the epi-immunotherapeutic agent RRx-001, and who achieved a partial response after only 4 cycles. The patient had received a platinum drug twice before, in 2009 for a diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) and in 2015 for SCLC, suggesting that RRx-001 pretreatment may sensitize or resensitize refractory SCLC patients to first-line chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Marmé Frederik
Published: May 2016

The importance of the tumor microenvironment including immune cell infiltrates in breast cancer has long been recognized. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are prognostic and predictive; however, their prevalence as well as their prognostic and predictive power are subtype-dependent and appear most prominent in aggressive subtypes like triple-negative and HER2-positive disease. The immune responses observed in many cancers are attracted by tumor-associated antigens and, as suggested by recent research, by neoantigens - immunogenic antigens encoded for by non-synonymous mutations. The appealing promise of cancer vaccines has been pursued in breast cancer for over 2 decades; however, despite much effort having been put into vaccine trials, their clinical benefit, with the exception of some encouraging preliminary results, remains disappointing. The main hurdles compromising the efficacy of these vaccination strategies are the difficulties to generate broad and robust immune responses as well as to overcome immune escape mechanisms. The remarkable efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma and lung cancer has set the ground for a race in the clinical development of numerous agents targeting these immune escape mechanisms in many tumor entities. Early clinical data in metastatic breast cancer suggests at least some clinical activity. This review discusses the current status and future perspectives of immunotherapy in breast cancer.
A DNA Hypermethylation Profile Independently Predicts Biochemical Recurrence Following Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Angulo Javier C. , Lopez Jose I. , Dorado Juan F. , Sanchez-Chapado Manuel , Colas Begoña , Ropero Santiago
Published: May 2016

Purpose: Detection of DNA hypermethylation is emerging as a novel molecular biomarker for different malignancies. We intend to define whether a hypermethylation profile of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) predicts biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP). Material and Methods: Genome-wide methylation analysis was performed using the GoldenGate Methylation Cancer Panel-I (Illumina, Inc.) on 10 normal prostate tissues and 58 tumor samples from patients treated by RP followed for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure (>0.4 ng/ml) and disease progression. Patients were classified on the basis of D'Amico criteria according to clinical staging, PSA at diagnosis and Gleason score after pathologist review. Hypermethylation status of 1505 CpGs present in the promoter region of 807 genes was studied. Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed and relationships with outcome were investigated using log-rank analysis and Cox regression model. Results: We found 28 genes significantly hypermethylated in >20% of the tumors analyzed. Four clusters of patients were characterized by their DNA methylation profile, one at higher risk to develop BCR (p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis revealed patients in this cluster (HR 2.56), and high-risk patients (HR 4.34) according to D'Amico classification were independent predictors of BCR after prostatectomy. From the selected genes MT1A, ALOX12, GSTM2, APC, MYCL2 and RARB hypermethylation predicted BCR and GSTM2 (HR 3.78) and MYCL2 hypermethylation (HR 2.71) did so independently. Conclusion: Epigenetic silencing of GSTM2 and MYCL2 comprise novel molecular markers to predict BCR after surgery for medium- and high-risk localized PCa undergoing surgical treatment and hypermethylation of these genes could be incorporated to the clinical and pathological factors defining the patient at higher risk of PSA failure after prostatectomy. The limitation of the study is that no independent validation cohort is analysed.
Checkpoint Blockade - a New Treatment Paradigm in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Grünwald Viktor
Published: May 2016

Nivolumab is the first checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is in line for approval in Europe. Despite its novelty in the treatment algorithm of RCC, it offers a whole new strategy of therapy management with safe applicability. The aim of this work was to review current data on checkpoint inhibitors in RCC and discuss future perspectives for this novel approach in RCC. A selective literature search was performed in the Pubmed database: Nivolumab is a first-in-class agent for the treatment of RCC, and its European label is anticipated for 2016. Contrary to many other agents, nivolumab was able to show a benefit in overall survival and health-related quality of life when compared to everolimus. Current trials focus on optimizing and expanding its use to metastatic RCC. In conclusion, nivolumab has already acquired a role in the treatment algorithm of RCC. However, which patient population derives the most benefit as well its optimal use in the treatment algorithm remain to be determined. A number of ongoing trials will provide novel insights and might help to untangle this novel network of therapy management for immunotherapies.
Entomopathogenic nematodes: a potential biocontrol agent against eggplant ash weevil Myllocerus subfasciatus Guerin (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Gowda Manjunatha T. , Patil Jagadeesh , Mansheppa Devindrappa , Rangasamy Vijayakumar , Verghese Abraham
Published: May 2016

Eggplant ash weevil, Myllocerus subfasciatus, is an important pest of eggplant that attacks other solanaceous crops in Asia and Southeast Asia. The potential efficacy of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis indica, against third instar and pre-pupal stages of this pest was tested under laboratory and poly-greenhouse conditions. In this present study, both stages were susceptible to EPN species but the pre-pupal stage was more susceptible. Steinernema carpocapsae was the most effective species against pre-pupal stages. In a pot experiment, among the EPN species tested, S. carpocapsae caused significantly greater mortality (20-100%) than H. indica (16-92%) against pre-pupal stages and S. carpocapsae caused 16-92% mortality in third instar larvae, while H. indica caused (12-80%) mortality. Both EPN species were able to reproduce in third instar and pre-pupal stages of ash weevil, but progeny production rate for H. indica was significantly higher than those of S. carpocapsae. Our observations also revealed that efficacy of EPN against M. subfasciatus varies with developmental stages of M. subfasciatus and EPN species; therefore, no generalisation can be made. Our findings provide the first insight into the biocontrol potential of S. carpocapsae and H. indica against third instar and pre-pupal stages of M. subfasciatus.
Redescription of 13 holotypes of Rheocricotopus Brundin, 1956 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Sino–Indian Region
Authors: FU YUE , HUANG JINGLI , LIU WENBIN , FANG XIANGLIANG , WANG XINHUA
Published: May 2016

Thirteen holotypes of the orthoclad genus Rheocricotopus from Sino–Indian Region: R. (Psilocricotopus) hidakadeeus Sasa & Suzuki, R. (P.) isigadeeus Sasa & Suzuki, R. (P.) kurocedeus Sasa, R. (P.) tokarakeleus Sasa & Suzuki, R. (P.) tobatervicesimus Kikuchi & Sasa, R. (Rheocricotopus) inaquereus Sasa, Kitami & Suzuki, R. (R.) inaxeyeus Sasa, Kitami & Suzuki, R. (R.) shoufukusecundus Sasa, R. (R.) tamahumeralis Sasa, R. (R.) tatequintus Sasa, R. (R.) tedorisecundus Sasa, R. (R.) togapeniculus Sasa & Okazawa and R. (R.) yakulemeus Sasa & Suzuki are re-examined and illustrated, Some additional descriptions, corrections and a key of these thirteen holotypes are given.
The genus Cecyrina Walker, 1867, with the description of two new species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae)
Authors: ZHAO QING , BU WEN-JUN , LIU GUO-QING
Published: May 2016

In this paper, three species of the genus Cecyrina Walker are reported. Of these, the type species C. platyrhinoides Walker, 1867 is the only member of the genus previously recorded. Cecyrina flata sp. nov. and C. rubra sp. nov. are described as new to science. Illustrations of the male and female genitalic structures, the dorsal view of the head, the ventral view of the abdomen, and photographs of the adult dorsal and ventral habitus are provided. A key to the males of the genus is also provided to assist in future identification. The type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China, except where noted.
Observed Concentration Budgets of Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice
Authors: Holland Paul R. , Kimura Noriaki
Published: May 2016

In recent decades, Antarctic sea ice has expanded slightly while Arctic sea ice has contracted dramatically. The anthropogenic contribution to these changes cannot be fully assessed unless climate models are able to reproduce them. Process-based evaluation is needed to provide a clear view of the capabilities and limitations of such models. In this study, ice concentration and drift derived from AMSR-E data during 2003–10 are combined to derive a climatology of the ice concentration budget at both poles. This enables an observational decomposition of the seasonal dynamic and thermodynamic changes in ice cover. In both hemispheres, the results show spring ice loss dominated by ice melting. In other seasons ice divergence maintains freezing in the inner pack while advection causes melting at the ice edge, as ice is transported beyond the region where it is thermodynamically sustainable. Mechanical redistribution provides an important sink of ice concentration in the central Arctic and around the Antarctic coastline. This insight builds upon existing understanding of the sea ice cycle gained from ice and climate models, and the datasets may provide a valuable tool in validating such models in the future.
Nissen Fundoplication for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux After Patient Selection Using Dual pH, Full Column Impedance Testing
Authors: Carroll Thomas L. , Nahikian Kael , Asban Ammar , Wiener Daniel
Published: May 2016

Objectives:

Prior studies demonstrate inconsistent diagnostic strategies for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) patients who are offered laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (Nissen). Superior symptom resolution outcomes are demonstrated in patients with accompanying typical gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selecting patients with LPR complaints for Nissen using full column, dual pH impedance catheters (multichannel intraluminal impedance catheters [MII]).

Methods:

All patients who underwent Nissen for management of LPR symptoms refractory to at least 3 months of twice daily (BID) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy with reflux symptom index (RSI) of 13 or higher and who had demonstrable reflux on MII were included. Pre- and (minimum) 16 week post-Nissen RSI scores as well as LPR-specific complaints were collected.

Results:

Eleven patients met criteria. Nine subjects (5 female, 4 male) had complete data. All 9 (100%) achieved improvement in RSI. The average pre-Nissen RSI was 31.7, and average post-Nissen RSI was 10 ( P < .001). Six (67%) subjects dropped below an RSI of 13. Seven subjects (78%) had resolution of their primary LPR symptom, and 6 (67%) subjects had resolution of all LPR symptoms.

Conclusions:

Patients with LPR who are selected using dual pH and full column impedance are likely to demonstrate improvement in RSI following Nissen.
Decoupling Among CSR Policies, Programs, and Impacts: An Empirical Study
Authors: Graafland Johan , Smid Hugo
Published: May 2016

There are relatively few empirical studies on the impacts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and programs. This article addresses the research gap by analyzing the incidence of, and the conditions that affect, decoupling (defined as divergence) among CSR policies, implementation of CSR programs, and CSR impacts for various environmental and social issues. Complete decoupling is a condition of full divergence among policies, programs, and impacts amounting to purely ceremonial CSR. Using ratings from a sustainability rating agency on a sample of about 1,000 large companies in 24 countries, the authors find empirical evidence not supporting a conclusion of complete decoupling. The empirical evidence suggests four levels of nondivergence in the sample. First, for most CSR issues examined, CSR policies of high quality (as measured by scope and level of detail) do have relatively strong effects on CSR implementation. Second, CSR programs of high quality (as measured by scope, the use of targets, and the use of strict deadlines) do have relatively strong effects on CSR impacts. Third, for most CSR issues, even low-quality CSR policies enforce the incidence and quality of programs in comparison with having no policy at all. Fourth, weak programs have more impact on the realization of CSR goals than having no program at all. The authors also find that the quality of CSR reporting (as measured by the implementation level of Global Reporting Initiative guidelines) and locating the responsibility for CSR at the board level reduce decoupling by strengthening the quality of CSR programs.
Examining the Environmental Characteristics of Drug Dealing Locations
Authors: Barnum Jeremy D. , Campbell Walter L. , Trocchio Sarah , Caplan Joel M. , Kennedy Leslie W.
Published: May 2016

Illicit drug dealers who operate in open-air markets must access customers in the face of risks posed by law enforcement, customers, and competitors. However, researchers purport that the environmental characteristics of certain locations may allow dealers to balance these competing demands. This research utilizes risk terrain modeling to identify the environmental characteristics of drug dealing locations in Chicago, Illinois, and compares these characteristics across different types of drugs. Results show that a number of place features increase the risk of drug dealing. Although many of these features are common to locations for all types of drug dealing, there are some variations. The findings provide insight into the environmental context of drug market locations, which has implications for researchers and practitioners.
Black Voter Dilution, American Exceptionalism, and Racial Gerrymandering
Authors: Waymer Damion , Heath Robert L.
Published: May 2016

Racial gerrymandering in the U.S. state of South Carolina offers a case study to take a unique look at political control, power management, and government communication from the critical perspective of hidden reward structures. These reward structures result from strategic messaging by which an elite’s perspectives deliver to them power by marginalizing others and their perspectives. More specifically, we interrogate one dominant narrative advanced in the United States—American Exceptionalism—by highlighting the irony of how South Carolina elected officials use the 1965 Voting Rights Act to assure a Black Democratic member of the House of Representatives, but simultaneously by gerrymandering elected officials actually reduce the likelihood of a second Democratic representative of any race/ethnicity. Using the paradox of the positive as a critical political public relations framework, we highlight the ways that American Exceptionalism is used to impose control, a control that favors one voting perspective to the marginalization of others in U.S. Southern politics.
Pointing Device Performance in Steering Tasks
Authors: Senanayake Ransalu , Goonetilleke Ravindra S.
Published: May 2016

Use of touch-screen-based interactions is growing rapidly. Hence, knowing the maneuvering efficacy of touch screens relative to other pointing devices is of great importance in the context of graphical user interfaces. Movement time, accuracy, and user preferences of four pointing device settings were evaluated on a computer with 14 participants aged 20.1 ± 3.13 years. It was found that, depending on the difficulty of the task, the optimal settings differ for ballistic and visual control tasks. With a touch screen, resting the arm increased movement time for steering tasks. When both performance and comfort are considered, whether to use a mouse or a touch screen for person–computer interaction depends on the steering difficulty. Hence, a input device should be chosen based on the application, and should be optimized to match the graphical user interface.
Bifactor Modeling of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in a Chilean Sample
Authors: Pérez-Salas Claudia Paz , Ramos Carlos , Oliva Karen , Ortega Alonso
Published: May 2016

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions evaluates executive functioning through the observation of students’ performance in real contexts. Most psychometric studies of the scale have only tested the first-order structure, despite the hierarchical configuration of its theoretical model. A bifactor model was conducted on a normative sample of 5- to 18-year-old Chileans ( M age  = 11.3 years, SD = 3.7) to test a hierarchical structure of three first-order factors and an independent second-order factor. Bifactor analyses showed best fit for the proposed hierarchical structure. Findings supported a method to evaluate executive functioning models that provides a general global factor score that may complement existing indices and thus help clinicians to make better inferences.
Tourism and Existential Transformation: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Kirillova Ksenia , Lehto Xinran , Cai Liping
Published: May 2016

Couched in the context of the experience economy 3.0, this research conceptualized transformations as changes in existential authenticity and anxiety, and phenomenologically explored the essence of a transformative tourist experience and subsequent long-term changes. This research uncovered nine chronologically ordered themes in which existentially oriented concerns were prevalent. It found that tourists did not reflect on existential givens in situ until a triggering episode initiated the meaning-making process. Existential anxiety felt post-trip was found to motivate tourists to resolve pertinent existential dilemmas and to initiate meaningful life changes. Participants sustained enhanced existential authenticity and became more sensitive to existential anxiety in their lives thereafter.
A fast initial alignment for SINS based on disturbance observer and Kalman filter
Authors: Du Tao , Guo Lei , Yang Jian
Published: May 2016

Initial alignment for a strap-down inertial navigation system (SINS) plays an important role in the following navigation and positioning operation. Initial alignment incorporates two stages: coarse and fine. This paper mainly investigates fine alignment for SINS under static base. A new fast SINS initial alignment scheme, a disturbance observer-based Kalman filter (DOBKF), is proposed to estimate the misalignment angles. As the name implies, the DOBKF is composed of a Kalman filter and a disturbance observer (DO). The Kalman filter is used to estimate horizontal misalignment angles, and the DO is applied to estimate the azimuth misalignment angle. In addition, when the estimations from the Kalman filter reach a steady state, they will be used as input for designing the DO. Compared with traditional filters, such as a Kalman filter used in initial alignment, the filter proposed by this paper not only greatly hastens the overall initial alignment process, but has comparable accuracy. Comparing simulation results shows that the proposed filter satisfies the requirement of SINS alignment.
A systematic approach for identifying level-1 error covariance structures in latent growth modeling
Authors: Ding Cherng G. , Jane Ten-Der , Wu Chiu-Hui , Lin Hang-Rung , Shen Chih-Kang
Published: May 2016

It has been pointed out in the literature that misspecification of the level-1 error covariance structure in latent growth modeling (LGM) has detrimental impacts on the inferences about growth parameters. Since correct covariance structure is difficult to specify by theory, the identification needs to rely on a specification search, which, however, is not systematically addressed in the literature. In this study, we first discuss characteristics of various covariance structures and their nested relations, based on which we then propose a systematic approach to facilitate identifying a plausible covariance structure. A test for stationarity of an error process and the sequential chi-square difference test are conducted in the approach. Preliminary simulation results indicate that the approach performs well when sample size is large enough. The approach is illustrated with empirical data. We recommend that the approach be used in LGM empirical studies to improve the quality of the specification of the error covariance structure.
Justifying the constitutional regulation of political parties: A framework for analysis
Authors: Borz Gabriela
Published: May 2016

What are the main reasons behind the regulation of political parties by contemporary constitutional practices? This article presents a framework for analysis which identifies types of justifications and actors involved in the process of regulation and their further influence on the outcomes of constitutionalisation. The empirical focus is on the revelatory case of Luxembourg, which amended the constitution for the sole reason of giving parties constitutional status. The analysis suggests that the constitutional regulation of political parties depends on their current interests and power status. Additionally, the paper draws attention to the involvement of external actors and to the changing nature of contemporary constitutionalism.
From liability to opportunity: An institutional approach towards value-based land remediation
Authors: Plant Roel , Boydell Spike , Prior Jason , Chong Joanne , Lederwasch Aleta
Published: May 2016

The remediation of contaminated sites impacts on stakeholders in potentially beneficial ways, yet stakeholder dialogue has historically been focussed on costs, risk, liability, stigma, and other negatives. Shedding light on stakeholders’ remediation values can help reform remediation policy towards more positive outcomes of site clean-up. We adopt institutional theory to elicit plural motivations and cognitive assumptions as embedded in stakeholders’ expressions of remediation values, objectives, and outcomes. We explore in four case studies with varying size, complexity, cultural diversity, and geographical location (three in Australia, one in Fiji) how remediation values operate within remediation decisions. Our findings suggest that more than economic costs, liability, and risks are at play in decision-making on contaminated land. Our research confirmed that different socio-ethical, environmental and sustainability values are evaluated differently by different types of actors (site owners, regulators, auditors, residents, local government, consultants). We found that remediation values often shift in the course of a remediation decision-making process, suggesting learning and improved understanding. Remediation policy that better facilitates and aligns stakeholders’ articulations of initial and emergent outcomes sought from site clean-up is likely to enhance both economic and social value outcomes of remediation. Further research is needed on how remediation policy could better incorporate remediation value dynamics in stakeholder consultation and engagement.
Can green infrastructure help to conserve biodiversity?
Authors: Salomaa Anna , Paloniemi Riikka , Kotiaho Janne S , Kettunen Marianne , Apostolopoulou Evangelia , Cent Joanna
Published: May 2016

The gradually decreasing connectivity of habitats threatens biodiversity and ecological processes valuable to humans. Green infrastructure is promoted by the European Commission as a key instrument for the conservation of ecosystems in the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020. Green infrastructure has been defined as a network of natural and semi-natural areas, designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. We surveyed Finnish experts' perceptions on the development of green infrastructure within the existing policy framework. Our results show that improving the implementation of existing conservation policy instruments needs to be an integral part of developing green infrastructure. Despite the potential of green infrastructure to benefit biodiversity, existing conceptual ambiguity of green infrastructure with rather complex role of ecosystem services – and the possible interpretation of this in practice – raises concerns regarding its ability to contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Activation of the ATF6 branch of the unfolded protein response in neurons improves stroke outcome
Authors: Yu Zhui , Sheng Huaxin , Liu Shuai , Zhao Shengli , Glembotski Christopher C , Warner David S , Paschen Wulf , Yang Wei
Published: May 2016

Impaired function of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER stress) is a hallmark of many human diseases including stroke. To restore ER function in stressed cells, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is induced, which activates 3 ER stress sensor proteins including activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). ATF6 is then cleaved by proteases to form the short-form ATF6 (sATF6), a transcription factor. To determine the extent to which activation of the ATF6 UPR branch defines the fate and function of neurons after stroke, we generated a conditional and tamoxifen-inducible sATF6 knock-in mouse. To express sATF6 in forebrain neurons, we crossed our sATF6 knock-in mouse line with Emx1-Cre mice to generate ATF6-KI mice. After the ATF6 branch was activated in ATF6-KI mice with tamoxifen, mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Forced activation of the ATF6 UPR branch reduced infarct volume and improved functional outcome at 24 h after stroke. Increased autophagic activity at early reperfusion time after stroke may contribute to the ATF6-mediated neuroprotection. We concluded that the ATF6 UPR branch is crucial to ischemic stroke outcome. Therefore, boosting UPR pro-survival pathways may be a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke.
Underestimation of Variance of Predicted Health Utilities Derived from Multiattribute Utility Instruments
Authors: Chan Kelvin K. W. , Xie Feng , Willan Andrew R. , Pullenayegum Eleanor M.
Published: May 2016

Background. Parameter uncertainty in value sets of multiattribute utility-based instruments (MAUIs) has received little attention previously. This false precision leads to underestimation of the uncertainty of the results of cost-effectiveness analyses. The aim of this study is to examine the use of multiple imputation as a method to account for this uncertainty of MAUI scoring algorithms. Method. We fitted a Bayesian model with random effects for respondents and health states to the data from the original US EQ-5D-3L valuation study, thereby estimating the uncertainty in the EQ-5D-3L scoring algorithm. We applied these results to EQ-5D-3L data from the Commonwealth Fund (CWF) Survey for Sick Adults ( n = 3958), comparing the standard error of the estimated mean utility in the CWF population using the predictive distribution from the Bayesian mixed-effect model (i.e., incorporating parameter uncertainty in the value set) with the standard error of the estimated mean utilities based on multiple imputation and the standard error using the conventional approach of using MAUI (i.e., ignoring uncertainty in the value set). Result. The mean utility in the CWF population based on the predictive distribution of the Bayesian model was 0.827 with a standard error (SE) of 0.011. When utilities were derived using the conventional approach, the estimated mean utility was 0.827 with an SE of 0.003, which is only 25% of the SE based on the full predictive distribution of the mixed-effect model. Using multiple imputation with 20 imputed sets, the mean utility was 0.828 with an SE of 0.011, which is similar to the SE based on the full predictive distribution. Conclusion. Ignoring uncertainty of the predicted health utilities derived from MAUIs could lead to substantial underestimation of the variance of mean utilities. Multiple imputation corrects for this underestimation so that the results of cost-effectiveness analyses using MAUIs can report the correct degree of uncertainty.
A hybrid systems model for simple manipulation and self-manipulation systems
Authors: Johnson Aaron M , Burden Samuel A , Koditschek Daniel E
Published: May 2016

Rigid bodies, plastic impact, persistent contact, Coulomb friction, and massless limbs are ubiquitous simplifications introduced to reduce the complexity of mechanics models despite the obvious physical inaccuracies that each incurs individually. In concert, it is well known that the interaction of such idealized approximations can lead to conflicting and even paradoxical results. As robotics modeling moves from the consideration of isolated behaviors to the analysis of tasks requiring their composition, a mathematically tractable framework for building models that combine these simple approximations yet achieve reliable results is overdue. In this paper we present a formal hybrid dynamical system model that introduces suitably restricted compositions of these familiar abstractions with the guarantee of consistency analogous to global existence and uniqueness in classical dynamical systems. The hybrid system developed here provides a discontinuous but self-consistent approximation to the continuous (though possibly very stiff and fast) dynamics of a physical robot undergoing intermittent impacts. The modeling choices sacrifice some quantitative numerical efficiencies while maintaining qualitatively correct and analytically tractable results with consistency guarantees promoting their use in formal reasoning about mechanism, feedback control, and behavior design in robots that make and break contact with their environment.
Secondary Respondent Consent in the German Family Panel
Authors: Schmiedeberg Claudia , Castiglioni Laura , Schröder Jette
Published: May 2016

To achieve high return among secondary respondents, primary respondents’ consent rates must be high. In the German Family Panel (pairfam), a large, randomly sampled panel study, primary respondents’ consent rates to surveying their parents were found to be low. Since we suspected that the underlying reason could be interviewer behavior, we tested in an experiment if placing the consent questions in the self-interview (CASI) part of the interview would increase consent rates. Results show that bypassing interviewers by asking respondents directly in the CASI section did not increase consent rates.
Electoral competition with ideologically biased voters
Authors: Magnani Marco
Published: May 2016

This paper studies pork barrel spending in a model where two symmetric parties compete for an electorate consisting of groups which have different ideological preferences. In equilibrium, party electoral promises decrease with voter ideological biases, and a “swing voter” outcome emerges. In this context, a problem of exclusion from party transfer plans arises which depends on ideology distribution. Groups with extreme ideological preferences are excluded from these plans, and also within moderate groups a share of voters receives a nil transfer from the parties. This exclusion problem is generally reduced if a transformation of the electorate occurs which decreases the polarization of the distribution of ideology.
An efficient genome-wide association test for mixed binary and continuous phenotypes with applications to substance abuse research
Authors: Buu Anne , Williams L Keoki , Yang James J
Published: May 2016

We propose a new genome-wide association test for mixed binary and continuous phenotypes that uses an efficient numerical method to estimate the empirical distribution of the Fisher’s combination statistic under the null hypothesis. Our simulation study shows that the proposed method controls the type I error rate and also maintains its power at the level of the permutation method. More importantly, the computational efficiency of the proposed method is much higher than the one of the permutation method. The simulation results also indicate that the power of the test increases when the genetic effect increases, the minor allele frequency increases, and the correlation between responses decreases. The statistical analysis on the database of the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment demonstrates that the proposed method combining multiple phenotypes can increase the power of identifying markers that may not be, otherwise, chosen using marginal tests.
What is in a Name? Khwaja Sara, Hijra and Eunuchs in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Shahnaz
Published: May 2016

This discussion draws upon research conducted in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad in 2014 with approximately 30 members of trans*1 communities and examines the historical and contemporary politics of naming and its consequences in British India and contemporary Pakistan. I maintain that the colonial state’s view of these communities coincided with regional reformist attempts to curtail their presence in British India. Their marginalised status was challenged in Pakistan2 in 2009, however, when the Supreme Court of the country gave these communities political recognition. Changes in their status, however, I argue, do not give trans* individuals full status as citizens of Pakistan. Instead, the state circumvents existing laws such as Section 377 and the Zina Ordinance to give them status as eunuchs with diseased bodies. While the state appears to direct its agencies to bring into the mainstream individuals identified through the sexually ambiguous category of eunuch, the various naming processes have resulted in the entry of individuals with alternative forms of sexualities into the public space where they demand recognition as legal citizens of Pakistan.
Women Living with HIV/AIDs in Manipur: Relations with Family and Neighbourhood
Authors: Devi N. Dayabati
Published: May 2016

This study documents the experiences of 100 ever-married women having children and living with HIV in four districts in Manipur, India. The study analyses everyday stigma and discrimination faced by the sample, women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA), in different settings following disclosure of their HIV status. Often families do not accept that women have been infected by their husbands. If a woman tests positive and the man negative, the situation becomes even worse, especially if confidentiality is breached. Most of the women reported that both natal and affinal families subjected them to rejection and discrimination, refusing to give them a share of the property or even provide financial, let alone emotional support.
Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Whole and Refined Grain Consumption and Stroke Risk Based on Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Huang Qingfeng , Shi Wei , Yang Liu , Chen Jian , Lan Qing
Published: May 2016

The association between whole and refined grain consumption and stroke risk remains unclear. A search using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed through February 29, 2016. Seven prospective studies with a total of 446 451 subjects and 5892 stroke events were included. The summary relative risk (SRR) of stroke for the high versus low consumption was 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83-1.14) for total grains, 0.92 (95% CI = 0.72-1.17) for whole grains, and 0.99 (95% CI = 0.84-1.16) for refined grains. Diets rich in whole grains were inversely associated with ischemic stroke risk (SRR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60-0.95). Our meta-analysis revealed that whole and refined grain consumption is not associated with total stroke risk; however, whole grain consumption is associated with reduced ischemic stroke risk.
‘It’s just girls’ hockey’: Troubling progress narratives in girls’ and women’s sport
Authors: Adams Carly , Leavitt Stacey
Published: May 2016

The current historical moment abounds with social ideologies suggesting that girls’ and women’s sport has come a long way. Narratives of achievement, success and the gains that have ostensibly been made over the last three decades hold up these ideologies. In this interview-based study, we consider girls’ minor hockey in Southern Alberta, Canada to examine whether and how historically entrenched inequalities are being challenged, eradicated and/or maintained. To do this, we consider how gender systems are simultaneously resisted and reproduced in girls’ minor hockey in this region thus, positioning it outside the ‘triumphant feminist tale’. In so doing, we highlight the importance of critically considering progress narratives of growth and success in girls’ and women’s sport.
Streptococcus bovis/S. equinus complex septicemia in a group of calves following intramuscular vaccination
Authors: Clarke Lorelei L. , Fathke Robert L. , Sanchez Susan , Stanton James B.
Published: May 2016

Organisms previously classified as Streptococcus bovis (i.e., the S. bovis/S. equinus complex) are common in cattle feces, but may also act as opportunistic pathogens. In the current work, Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli, a member of this complex, was associated of a cluster of calves that died within hours of injection with a modified live viral vaccine. Within 12 h of vaccination of 46 calves at a cow/calf operation, 4 calves had died, 3 calves were ill, and 1 unvaccinated cow was dead. Autopsies were performed on the cow, 2 dead calves, and 1 affected surviving calf, which was euthanized ~24 h after vaccine administration. The animals had similar gross anatomic and microscopic lesions, including subcutaneous and intramuscular dark hemorrhage on the caudal neck, multiorgan ecchymosis and petechiation, and alveolitis to interstitial pneumonia. Gram-positive cocci were in the vasculature of the lung and skeletal muscle, and S. infantarius subsp. coli was cultured from tissues and from the vaccines used on affected animals, but not in vials used on unaffected animals. Together, these findings suggest death caused by streptococcal septicemia and toxemia as a result of contamination.
Choroid plexus papilloma in a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
Authors: Thomas Christian , Mergl June , Gehring Erica , Paulus Werner , Martineau Daniel , Hasselblatt Martin
Published: May 2016

We report herein a choroid plexus papilloma in a beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas). This case was positive for choroid plexus tumor marker Kir7.1 on immunohistochemistry. These results and the high conservation of Kir7.1 across species at the amino acid sequence level strongly suggest that antibodies directed against Kir7.1 not only can be employed for the diagnosis of choroid plexus tumors in cetaceans, but are also likely to be diagnostically useful in other animal species.