bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition and Metabolic Support Recommendations for the Bariatric Patient
Authors: Isom Kellene A. , Andromalos Laura , Ariagno Meghan , Hartman Katy , Mogensen Kris M. , Stephanides Katrina , Shikora Scott
Published: October 2014

Managing the metabolic needs of the patient with obesity is a challenge unto itself without the added demands of accounting for an altered gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, with about 200,000 bariatric procedures being performed annually in the United States, clinicians must be prepared to manage the critically ill bariatric surgery patient. This article reviews the recent literature relating to nutrient needs and metabolic support for the bariatric patient. Bariatric patients are at risk for several micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamins D and B12, calcium, and iron; some bariatric procedures affect macronutrient needs as well. Literature on nutrition support guidelines for the bariatric population is limited. However, with an understanding of the anatomical and physiological effects of bariatric surgery, recent guidelines for critically ill patients with obesity can be applied to the bariatric surgery population. The unique needs of the bariatric population, such as susceptibility to micronutrient deficiencies and specialized access routes, must be considered to provide safe and efficacious nutrition support. Further research is necessary to develop specific nutrition support recommendations for the bariatric population.
Pheochromocytoma-Induced Inverted Takotsubo-Like Cardiomyopathy Leading to Cardiogenic Shock Successfully Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Flam Benjamin , Broomé Michael , Frenckner Björn , Bränström Robert , Bell Max
Published: October 2014

Pheochromocytoma classically displays a variety of rather benign symptoms, such as headache, palpitations, and sweating, although severe cardiac manifestations have been described. We report a case of pheochromocytoma-induced inverted takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy leading to shock and cardiac arrest successfully treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to pharmacological therapy and curative adrenalectomy. A previously healthy 46-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, dyspnea, nausea, and vomiting. Clinical evaluation revealed cardiorespiratory failure with hypoxia and severe metabolic acidosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed pulmonary edema and a left adrenal mass. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) displayed severe left ventricular dysfunction with inverted takotsubo contractile pattern. Despite mechanical ventilation and inotropic and vasopressor support, asystolic cardiac arrest ensued. The patient was resuscitated using manual chest compressions followed by venoarterial ECMO. Repeated TTEs demonstrated resolution of the cardiomyopathy within a few days. Laboratory results indicated transient renal and hepatic dysfunction, and CT scan of the brain displayed occipital infarctions. Biochemical testing and radionuclide scintigraphy confirmed a pheochromocytoma. Pharmacological adrenergic blockade was instituted prior to delayed adrenalectomy after which the diagnosis was histopathologically verified. The patient recovered after rehabilitation. We conclude that pheochromocytoma should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained cardiovascular compromise, especially if they display (inverted) takotsubo contractile pattern. Timely, adequate management might involve ECMO as a bridge to pharmacological therapy and curative surgery.
Fighting With Siblings and With Peers Among Urban High School Students
Authors: Johnson Renee M. , Duncan Dustin T. , Rothman Emily F. , Gilreath Tamika D. , Hemenway David , Molnar Beth E. , Azrael Deborah
Published: October 2014

Understanding the determinants of fighting is important for prevention efforts. Unfortunately, there is little research on how sibling fighting is related to peer fighting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sibling fighting and peer fighting. Data are from the Boston Youth Survey 2008, a school-based sample of youth in Boston, MA. To estimate the association between sibling fighting and peer fighting, we ran four multivariate regression models and estimated adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals. We fit generalized estimating equation models to account for the fact that students were clustered within schools. Controlling for school clustering, race/ethnicity, sex, school failure, substance use, and caregiver aggression, youth who fought with siblings were 2.49 times more likely to have reported fighting with peers. To the extent that we can confirm that sibling violence is associated with aggressive behavior, we should incorporate it into violence prevention programming.
Does Child Maltreatment Predict Adult Crime? Reexamining the Question in a Prospective Study of Gender Differences, Education, and Marital Status
Authors: Jung Hyunzee , Herrenkohl Todd I. , Klika J. Bart , Lee Jungeun Olivia , Brown Eric C.
Published: October 2014

Bivariate analyses of adult crime and child maltreatment showed that individuals who had been maltreated as children, according to child welfare reports, subsequently committed more crime than others who had not been maltreated. Analyses of crimes by category—property, person, and society—provided further evidence of a link between child maltreatment and crime at the bivariate level. Tests of gender differences showed that crime generally is more prevalent among males, although females with a history of maltreatment were more likely than those in a no-maltreatment (comparison) group to report having had some prior involvement in crime. Surprisingly, multivariate analyses controlling for childhood socioeconomic status, gender, minority racial status, marital status, and education level showed that, with one exception (crimes against society), the significant association between child maltreatment and crime observed in bivariate tests was not maintained. Implications for future research are discussed.
Replicability and Robustness of Genome-Wide-Association Studies for Behavioral Traits
Authors: Rietveld Cornelius A. , Conley Dalton , Eriksson Nicholas , Esko Tõnu , Medland Sarah E. , Vinkhuyzen Anna A. E. , Yang Jian , Boardman Jason D. , Chabris Christopher F. , Dawes Christopher T. , Domingue Benjamin W. , Hinds David A. , Johannesson Magnus , Kiefer Amy K. , Laibson David , Magnusson Patrik K. E. , Mountain Joanna L. , Oskarsson Sven , Rostapshova Olga , Teumer Alexander , Tung Joyce Y. , Visscher Peter M. , Benjamin Daniel J. , Cesarini David , Koellinger Philipp D. ,   the Social Science Genetics Association Consortium, Eriksson N. , Hinds D. A. , Kiefer A. K. , Mountain J. L. , Tung J. Y. , Medland S. E. , Vinkhuyzen A. A. E. , Yang J. , Visscher P. M. , Conley D. , Boardman J. D. , Dawes C. T. , Domingue B. W. , Rietveld C. A. , Benjamin D. J. , Cesarini D. , Koellinger P. D. , Conley D. , Eriksson N. , Esko T. , Chabris C. F. , Johannesson M. , Laibson D. , Magnusson P. K. E. , Oskarsson S. , Rostapshova O. , Teumer A. , Visscher P. M. , Benjamin D. J. , Cesarini D. , Koellinger P. D.
Published: October 2014

A recent genome-wide-association study of educational attainment identified three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose associations, despite their small effect sizes (each R2 ≈ 0.02%), reached genome-wide significance ( p < 5 × 10−8) in a large discovery sample and were replicated in an independent sample ( p < .05). The study also reported associations between educational attainment and indices of SNPs called “polygenic scores.” In three studies, we evaluated the robustness of these findings. Study 1 showed that the associations with all three SNPs were replicated in another large ( N = 34,428) independent sample. We also found that the scores remained predictive ( R2 ≈ 2%) in regressions with stringent controls for stratification (Study 2) and in new within-family analyses (Study 3). Our results show that large and therefore well-powered genome-wide-association studies can identify replicable genetic associations with behavioral traits. The small effect sizes of individual SNPs are likely to be a major contributing factor explaining the striking contrast between our results and the disappointing replication record of most candidate-gene studies.
A multi-proxy approach to reconstructing sedimentary environments from the Sperchios delta, Greece
Authors: Pechlivanidou Sofia , Vouvalidis Konstantinos , Løvlie Reidar , Nesje Atle , Albanakis Konstantinos , Pennos Christos , Syrides George , Cowie Patience , Gawthorpe Robert
Published: October 2014

This paper presents an integrated approach to assess Holocene environmental changes in the Sperchios delta, Sperchios rift, central Greece. A multidisciplinary study was carried out applying established analytical methods as well as exploring new techniques to detect past environmental conditions in a fluvio-deltaic depositional system. A series of six deep boreholes, up to 50 m long, and four shallow cores, up to 6 m long, from across the delta plain, were studied in detail. Sedimentary facies were defined by changes in grain size and macro- and microfaunal composition. Variability in mineral magnetic composition documented by changes in bulk magnetic susceptibility (χ and χ77K/χ293K) and remanence parameters ( S−300 and σARM/σSIRM ratios), as well as down-core elemental variations obtained by scanning micro-x-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF), provide constraints on the depositional changes related to the evolution of the Sperchios delta. Correlations between elemental data derived by µ-XRF analyses and grain size were also analyzed and used to further constrain the facies interpretation. Overall, these Holocene sediments reveal a transgressive–regressive succession overlying pre-transgressive terrestrial deposits of Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene age. Furthermore, 13 new 14C radiocarbon dates constrain the transgression rate to be ~3.5 m/yr for the Early Holocene and the regression rate to be ~1 m/yr for the Late Holocene. The Sperchios delta plain developed when the rate of sea-level rise decreased ~6000 cal. yr BP as it has been proposed for the broader area of Aegean Sea. This study demonstrates that the combination of techniques used here provides a powerful way to map out paleoenvironmental changes and thus the 3D stratigraphic architecture of Holocene sedimentary successions.
Exact one-sided confidence limits for Cohen’s kappa as a measurement of agreement
Authors: Shan Guogen , Wang Weizhen
Published: October 2014

Cohen’s kappa coefficient, κ, is a statistical measure of inter-rater agreement or inter-annotator agreement for qualitative items. In this paper, we focus on interval estimation of κ in the case of two raters and binary items. So far, only asymptotic and bootstrap intervals are available for κ due to its complexity. However, there is no guarantee that such intervals will capture κ with the desired nominal level 1– α. In other words, the statistical inferences based on these intervals are not reliable. We apply the Buehler method to obtain exact confidence intervals based on four widely used asymptotic intervals, three Wald-type confidence intervals and one interval constructed from a profile variance. These exact intervals are compared with regard to coverage probability and length for small to medium sample sizes. The exact intervals based on the Garner interval and the Lee and Tu interval are generally recommended for use in practice due to good performance in both coverage probability and length.
Profitable Public Health Venture!
Authors: Bhatnagar Nidhi , Grover Manoj
Published: October 2014

Public health goes beyond the domain of curative medicine. It has always taken a backseat with no immediate tangible outcome. Moreover, it generally falls in the ambit of government services, inadequate due to lack of resources. This paper proposes to revitalize some aspects of preventive and curative health service delivery, based on the felt need of the society. Changing demographics and disease pattern warrants modification in health service delivery. Economic growth of the country has made larger section of population capable to pay for quality health services at reasonable costs. Business in these identified domains will benefit population at large simultaneously satiating the interests of present-day entrepreneurs.
Separate Tracks or Real Synergy? Achieving a Closer Relationship between Education and SD, Post-2015
Authors: Sterling Stephen
Published: October 2014

This article is based upon a longer concept paper commissioned by UNESCO in preparation for the World Conference on ESD, and entitled ‘Winning the Future We Want—the pivotal role of education and learning’. Neither this article nor the original paper necessarily represents UNESCO’S views. The brief for this paper was to make a strong case for education for sustainable development (ESD) as a critically important means of realizing sustainable development goals and was based upon UNESCO’s analysis that the sustainable development discourse—including high-level reports associated with the post-2015 agenda—largely does not recognize the central role that learning and education must play in supporting individual and social change. The commissioned paper therefore covers a broad sweep including the place and role of education and learning in the context of the need for urgent social change; an outline of relevant ESD theory including learning strategies; a desk-based critical review of the post-2015 debate; and an outline of the role of ESD as a key to sustainable development. This article is a shortened and updated version of the paper.
Leaders of Sustainable Development Projects: Resources Used and Lessons Learned in a Context of Environmental Education?
Authors: Pruneau Diane , Lang Mathieu , Kerry Jackie , Fortin Guillaume , Langis Joanne , Liboiron Linda
Published: October 2014

In our day, leaders involved in ingenious sustainable development projects plan spaces and implement practices that are beneficial to the environment. These initiatives represent a fertile source of information on the competences linked to environmental design that we should nurture in our students. In view of improving our understanding of the competences that should be developed in environmental education (EE), this study sought to identify the competences used by leaders who participated in five sustainable development projects (in sustainable urban planning and forestry). The analysis of documents and data from individual interviews revealed that the main competences (cognitive, social and affective) used by the leaders interviewed, depended on creative, complex, flexible, longitudinal, adapted, patient, collaborative, humanistic and environmental planning. Finally, this study, of which we present the effects on EE, shows that leaders use competences which are associated with creative individuals.
A Support Program for English as an Additional Language Nursing Students
Authors: Choi Liza Lai Shan
Published: October 2014

Canada is among the most diverse countries in the world. To provide meaningful health care, the Canadian health care system requires nursing health care teams reflecting this diversity. Meeting this demand should be a specific goal of Canadian nursing schools. Nursing students with English as an Additional Language (EALs) are graduating and passing national licencing exams at a lower rate than nursing students whose first language is English. It is the premise of the article that EALs require both academic and nonacademic forms of support during their years of nursing education. A literature review reveals that EALs facing academic crisis benefit from individual and group English language support, aimed at improving their understanding and use of English in an academic environment. Studies also suggest that group sessions help improve EALs’ psychosocial functioning. This article provides an overview of the establishment and implementation of a proactive nursing support program, purposely designed to address the challenges faced by EALs.
African American Women’s Breastfeeding Experiences
Authors: Spencer Becky , Wambach Karen , Domain Elaine Williams
Published: October 2014

The low rate of breastfeeding among African American women in the United States is a poorly understood, persistent disparity. Our purpose in this study was to gain an understanding of how African American women experience breastfeeding in the context of their day-to-day lives. The Sequential-Consensual Qualitative Design (SCQD), a 3-stage qualitative methodology aimed at exploring the cultural, personal, and political context of phenomena, was used to explore the experiences of African American women who felt successful with breastfeeding. An integration of qualitative content analysis and Black feminist theory was used to analyze the data. Themes that emerged from Stage-2 data analysis included self-determination, spirituality and breastfeeding, and empowerment. In Stage 3 of the study, participant recommendations regarding breastfeeding promotion and support initiatives for African American breastfeeding were categorized into three themes, including engaging spheres of influence, sparking breastfeeding activism, and addressing images of the sexual breast vs. the nurturing breast.
Experiences of Cancer Caregiving in Socioeconomically Deprived Areas of Attica, Greece
Authors: Germeni Evi , Sarris Markos
Published: October 2014

The shift of the majority of cancer care from inpatient to outpatient settings has given rise to a number of issues that have not yet been adequately addressed. This is especially true in countries undergoing rapid and profound socioeconomic changes that have substantially affected the health care sector. We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with family cancer caregivers residing in socioeconomically deprived areas of Attica, Greece. Using an inductive thematic approach, we identified three major themes: (a) the truth within boundaries, focusing on the flow of information in the triad doctor–caregiver–patient; (b) the evil called “cancer,” reflecting caregivers’ perceptions of the illness; and (c) being left “high and dry,” reflecting participant experiences of home-based care. Against a background of financial crisis, this study underlines the need for safeguarding the rights of chronically ill patients and ensuring that informal cancer care, apart from a cost-effective solution, will also be an efficient one.
Evaluation of Aspirin Use in Patients With Diabetes Receiving Care in Community Health
Authors: Fosmire Rundgren Elaine W. , Anderson Sarah L. , Marrs Joel C.
Published: October 2014

Background: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends low-dose aspirin therapy as a primary prevention strategy in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) at increased cardiovascular risk. However, not all patients who are indicated are taking aspirin therapy, and it is not routinely documented in the electronic health record (EHR). Objective: To determine frequencies of appropriate aspirin use and documentation in the EHR in adult patients with DM. Methods: Adult patients with DM were randomized and contacted for participation in a telephonic survey between January and October 2013. Patients who consented were administered a standardized oral telephone survey regarding aspirin use. Patient demographics, current medications, allergies, past medical history, and pertinent laboratory values were collected. Patients were then stratified by the ADA-defined indication for aspirin. The primary outcomes were rates of appropriate aspirin use and documentation of aspirin therapy in the EHR. Results: Investigators contacted 276 patients for inclusion. Of the 81 patients surveyed, 74% were indicated for aspirin therapy. Nearly all (92.3%) patients reporting aspirin use were indicated for aspirin therapy compared with only 57.1% of patients who did not report aspirin but were indicated ( P = 0.0003). Alternatively, 96.7% of patients with aspirin use documented in their EHR were indicated for aspirin therapy compared with only 60.8% of patients who did not have aspirin use documented in the EHR but had an indication ( P = 0.0002). Approximately 20% of the patients indicated for and reporting aspirin use did not have aspirin documented in their EHR. Conclusions: Aspirin use in patients with DM who are indicated for therapy is significantly underutilized and underdocumented.
A normalized Hilbert-Huang transform technique for bearing fault detection
Authors: Osman Shazali , Wang Wilson
Published: October 2014

Bearings are commonly used in rotary machinery, whereas up to half of machinery malfunctions could be related to bearing defects. Unfortunately reliable fault detection systems still remain a challenging task, especially when bearing defect-related features are nonstationary. A new normalized Hilbert-Huang transform (NHHT) technique is proposed in this paper for vibration-based bearing fault detection. The NHHT for bearing fault detection takes two processes: firstly the vibration signal is denoised to highlight defect-related impulses; and secondly representative features are extracted for bearing fault detection. Vibration signal denoising is carried out by the use of the maximum kurtosis deconvolution filter to reduce impedance effect of transmission path of the measured vibration signal. A novel strategy based on D’Agostino-Person normality is suggested to enhance the distinctive intrinsic mode functions for representative features extraction and formulation for bearing fault detection. The effectiveness of the proposed NHHT technique is verified by a series of experimental tests corresponding to different bearing health conditions, and its robustness in bearing fault detection is examined by the use of data sets from a different experimental setup.
Sexual Harassment Victimization and Perpetration Among High School Students
Authors: Clear Emily R. , Coker Ann L. , Cook-Craig Patricia G. , Bush Heather M. , Garcia Lisandra S. , Williams Corrine M. , Lewis Alysha M. , Fisher Bonnie S.
Published: October 2014

This large, population-based study is one of the few to examine prevalence rates of sexual harassment occurring during the past 12 months by victimization and perpetration among adolescents. In this large, cross-sectional survey of students attending 26 high schools, sexual harassment was defined using three questions from the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire. Among 18,090 students completing the survey, 30% disclosed sexual harassment victimization (37% of females, 21% of males) and 8.5% reported perpetration (5% of females, 12% of males). Sexual harassment perpetration was highly correlated with male sex, minority race/ethnicity, same-sex attraction, bullying, alcohol binge drinking, and intraparental partner violence.
Relationship Type and Sexual Precedence
Authors: Wegner Rhiana , Pierce Jennifer , Abbey Antonia
Published: October 2014

Although most sexual assaults are committed by men who know their victims, few researchers have considered how characteristics of perpetrators and incidents differ depending on the victim–perpetrator relationship. This study addresses this gap with a community sample of 204 men who reported committing a sexually aggressive act in an audio computer-assisted self-interview. 2 (Relationship Type: Committed vs. Casual) × 2 (Sexual Precedence: Yes vs. No) ANOVAs revealed significant main effects of relationship type and sexual precedence associated with individual difference and incident characteristics. These findings demonstrate the importance of developing theories and prevention programs tailored for different relationship contexts.
Non-Partner Violence Against Women Who Use Drugs in San Francisco
Authors: Lorvick Jennifer , Lutnick Alexandra , Wenger Lynn D. , Bourgois Philippe , Cheng Helen , Kral Alex H.
Published: October 2014

This article examines non-partner violence among women who use methamphetamine ( N = 322), recruited in an inner-city neighborhood of San Francisco. The combined prevalence of non-partner physical or sexual violence in the past 6 months was 28%, roughly equal to the prevalence of partner violence (26%). In multivariate analysis, factors associated with non-partner violence included frequent subsistence difficulty (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.3, 4.6]) and sex trade (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI = [1.4, 4.1]). Having a steady male partner was not protective against non-partner violence. Violence perpetrated by non-partners should be considered when assessing social and structural factors that influence women’s health.
The linear elasticity tensor of incompressible materials
Authors: Federico Salvatore , Grillo Alfio , Imatani Shoji
Published: October 2014

With a universally accepted abuse of terminology, materials having much larger stiffness for volumetric than for shear deformations are called incompressible. This work proposes two approaches for the evaluation of the correct form of the linear elasticity tensor of so-called incompressible materials, both stemming from non-linear theory. In the approach of strict incompressibility, one imposes the kinematical constraint of isochoric deformation. In the approach of quasi-incompressibility, which is often employed to enforce incompressibility in numerical applications such as the Finite Element Method, one instead assumes a decoupled form of the elastic potential (or strain energy), which is written as the sum of a function of the volumetric deformation only and a function of the distortional deformation only, and then imposes that the bulk modulus be much larger than all other moduli. The conditions which the elasticity tensor has to obey for both strict incompressibility and quasi-incompressibility have been derived, regardless of the material symmetry. The representation of the linear elasticity tensor for the quasi-incompressible case differs from that of the strictly incompressible case by one parameter, which can be conveniently chosen to be the bulk modulus. Some important symmetries have been studied in detail, showing that the linear elasticity tensors for the cases of isotropy, transverse isotropy and orthotropy are characterised by one, three and six independent parameters, respectively, for the case of strict incompressibility, and two, four and seven independent parameters, respectively, for the case of quasi-incompressibility, as opposed to the two, five and nine parameters, respectively, of the general compressible case.
Count-Based Research in Management
Authors: Blevins Dane P. , Tsang Eric W. K. , Spain Seth M.
Published: October 2014

We review 11 years (2001-2011) of management research using count-based dependent variables in 10 leading management journals. We find that approximately one out of four papers use the most basic Poisson regression model in their studies. However, due to potential concerns of overdispersion, alternative regression models may have been more appropriate. Furthermore, in many of these papers the overdispersion may have been caused by excess zeros in the data, suggesting that an alternative zero-inflated model may have been a better fit for the data. To illustrate the potential differences among the model specifications, we provide a comparison of the different models using previously published data. Additionally, we simulate data using different parameters. Finally, we offer a simplified decision tree guideline to improve future count-based research.
Global human rights governance and orchestration: National human rights institutions as intermediaries
Authors: Pegram Tom
Published: October 2014

The United Nations remains the principal international governmental organisation for promoting human rights. However, serious concerns focus on persistent compliance gaps between human rights standards and domestic practice. In response and against a backdrop of growing regime complexity, United Nations human rights agencies have increasingly sought to bypass states by coordinating new forms of non-state and private authority. International Relations scholarship has captured this governance arrangement using the concept of orchestration, defined as when an international organisation enlists and supports intermediary actors to address target actors in pursuit of international governmental organisation governance goals. This article explores the implications of an orchestration topology for human rights governance by analysing national human rights institutions in the context of an established global human rights regime and its dedicated orchestrator: the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. I use the experience of national human rights institutions to further refine the concepts of managing versus bypassing states to capture how networked intermediaries are affected by, and respond to, new opportunities within international governmental organisation structures. The article identifies the conditions under which orchestration may be particularly well-suited to a human rights governance function. It further examines the analytical limitations of this mode of influence for addressing a multi-level compliance gap, as well as what the analysis means for international organisations and understanding orchestration more generally.
Boys and girls taking risks online: A gendered perspective on social context and adolescents’ risky online behavior
Authors: Notten Natascha , Nikken Peter
Published: October 2014

This study explores gender differences in the relationship between adolescents’ risky online behavior and their social context, as in family factors and the prevalence of Internet use in a country. Using the EU Kids Online dataset, including information on 8554, 14- to 16-year-old adolescents in 25 countries, and applying multilevel modeling, this study shows that social context is additionally and differentially related to adolescent boys’ and girls’ risky online behavior. When taking individual characteristics such as sensation seeking and digital skills into account, particularly for male adolescents, growing up in a single-parent household and lacking parental co-use increases the chance of online risk behavior. Adolescents, especially males, however, are less likely to participate in risky online behavior in societies where Internet use is widespread. Overall, this study shows that it is important to take account of individual and social factors when explaining adolescents’ online risk taking and gender differences herein.
Beyond the positive–negative paradigm of Latino/Latina news-media representations: DREAM Act exemplars, stereotypical selection, and American Otherness
Authors: Chuang Angie , Roemer Robin Chin
Published: October 2014

News-media research on coverage of Latino/Latinas has historically focused on negative stereotyping, particularly as threatening, criminal, lazy, or a burden on society. The 2010–2012 newspaper coverage of a proposed immigration policy commonly referred to as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act provides a distinctive case study, one that addresses a subgroup of Latino/Latinas that inherently defies traditional stereotypes. A mixed-methods analysis of the use of exemplars in newspaper coverage of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act reveals that an emphasis on signifiers of hard work, academic achievement, self-determination, and other traditionally ‘American’ cultural codes, juxtaposed with signifiers of poverty and financial need, constitutes a stereotypically selective ‘success story’. Such semiotic codes construct the exemplars as a dependent target population that must assimilate American values in order to overcome the ‘deficits’ of being Latino/Latina and undocumented. News media, part of the dominant culture, become complicit in mediation of Americanness in its legal and symbolic senses.
The boys on the timeline: Political journalists’ use of Twitter for building interpretive communities
Authors: Mourão Rachel Reis
Published: October 2014

During the 2012 presidential election, Twitter emerged as a key reporting tool for journalists on the campaign trail. Through a textual analysis of over 5700 tweets from 430 political journalists, this study sought to understand how the platform was used as a channel for community building during the first 2012 presidential debate. Building upon Zelizer’s definition of journalists as interpretive communities and Goffman’s dramaturgical model, results reveal that journalists used the online tool for constructing narratives. In addition, online interactions uncover facets of campaign reporting previously confined to backstage regions. Narrative-building, interpretive community discourses, and backstage behaviors were found in tweets in which journalists gave opinions about the political process and used humor to construct the traits of a professional group. Findings suggest that Twitter coverage helps establish new professional boundaries for political communication.
Antecedents of organizational citizenship behavior in a sample of Korean manufacturing employees
Authors: Daly Paula S , DuBose Philip B , Owyar-Hosseini Marion M , Baik Kibok , Stark Eric M
Published: October 2014

This study examines attitudinal variables, justice (distributive, procedural, and interactional), job satisfaction, and organizational commitment (affective and continuance) as predictors of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs; interpersonal helping, individual initiative, and loyal boosterism) in private sector employees in South Korea. Results show distributive justice as antecedent to loyal boosterism but not to interpersonal helping or individual initiative; procedural justice as antecedent to interpersonal helping and individual initiative but not to loyal boosterism; interactional justice as antecedent to all three OCBs; job satisfaction as antecedent to all three OCBs; affective commitment as antecedent to loyal boosterism but not to interpersonal helping or individual initiative; and continuance commitment as antecedent to loyal boosterism but not to interpersonal helping and individual initiative. The authors offer explanations for these findings based on the recent economic changes in South Korea and increasing westernization of South Korea’s business practices that may be affecting traditional cultural perspectives.
Exploring public support for suspended sentences in the Netherlands
Authors: Aarten Pauline G.M. , van Gelder Jean-Louis , Lamet Willemijn , Borgers Matthias J. , van der Laan Peter H.
Published: October 2014

Using data from a representative sample of the Dutch population ( n = 656), we examined to what extent confidence in the criminal justice system, punitive penal attitudes and political orientation relate to public support for suspended sentences. Mediation and moderation analyses were done to further explore the dynamics behind public support for suspended sentences. Results showed that confidence in the criminal justice system, punitive penal attitudes and political orientation were related to public support for suspended sentences. In addition, support was found for our mediation and moderation hypothesis. In our conclusion we illustrate the importance of examining these factors in determining public support for suspended sentences.
Antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine increases engraftment of human hematopoietic stem cells in immune-deficient mice
Authors: Hu Linping , Cheng Hui , Gao Yingdai , Shi Ming , Liu Yanfeng , Hu Zheng , Xu Jing , Qiu Lugui , Yuan Weiping , Leung Anskar Yu-Hung , Yang Yong-Guang , Cheng Tao
Published: October 2014

Key Points

NAC increases engraftment of human hematopoietic stem cells in immunodeficient mice.
Assembling single gold nanorods into large-scale highly aligned nanoarrays via vacuum-enhanced capillarity
Authors: Wang Jiaojiao , Li Min , Tang Bochong , Xie Peng , Ma Lei , Hu Zhongbo , Zhao Yuliang , Wei Zhongqing
Published: October 2014

We report a simple, straightforward, and efficient approach to assemble single gold nanorods (AuNRs) into highly aligned arrays, via a unique vacuum-enhanced capillarity. The assembled AuNR arrays demonstrate both an excellently unidirectional ordering and a wonderful single-rod resolution. The key role of vacuum in this approach enables high-aspect-ratio (10 to 22) AuNR alignment and efficiently facilitates large-area alignment. Further investigation of one- and two-dimensional AuNR arrays would undoubtedly be beneficial to their potential applications.
TP53 mutations detected in circulating tumor cells present in the blood of metastatic triple negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Fernandez Sandra V , Bingham Catherine , Fittipaldi Patricia , Austin Laura , Palazzo Juan , Palmer Gary , Alpaugh Katherine , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells shed from either primary tumors or its metastases that circulate in the peripheral blood of patients with metastatic cancers. The molecular characterization of the CTCs is critical to identifying the key drivers of cancer metastasis and devising therapeutic approaches. However, the molecular characterization of CTCs is difficult to achieve because their isolation is a major technological challenge.

Methods

CTCs from two triple negative breast cancer patients were enriched using CellSearch and single cells selected by DEPArray™. A TP53 R110 fs*13 mutation identified by next generation sequencing in the breast and chest skin biopsies of both patients was studied in single CTCs.

Results

From 6 single CTC isolated from one patient, 1 CTC had TP53 R110 delC, 1 CTC showed the TP53 R110 delG mutation, and the remaining 4 single CTCs showed the wild type p53 sequence; a pool of 14 CTCs isolated from the same patient also showed TP53 R110 delC mutation. In the tumor breast tissue of this patient, only the TP53 R110 delG mutation was detected. In the second patient a TP53 R110 delC mutation was detected in the chest wall skin biopsy; from the peripheral blood of this patient, 5 single CTC and 6 clusters of 2 to 6 CTCs were isolated; 3 of the 5 single CTCs showed the TP53 R110 delC mutation and 2 CTCs showed the wild type TP53 allele; from the clusters, 5 showed the TP53 R110 delC mutation, and 1 cluster the wild type TP53 allele. Single white blood cells isolated as controls from both patients only showed the wild type TP53 allele.

Conclusions

We are able to isolate uncontaminated CTCs and achieve single cell molecular analysis. Our studies showed the presence of different CTC sub-clones in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Some CTCs had the same TP53 mutation as their matching tumor samples although others showed either a different TP53 mutation or the wild type allele. Our results indicate that CTCs could represent a non-invasive source of cancer cells from which to determine genetic markers of the disease progression and potential therapeutic targets.
Mammographic breast density refines Tyrer-Cuzick estimates of breast cancer risk in high-risk women: findings from the placebo arm of the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study I
Authors: Warwick Jane , Birke Hanna , Stone Jennifer , Warren Ruth ML , Pinney Elizabeth , Brentnall Adam R , Duffy Stephen W , Howell Anthony , Cuzick Jack
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Mammographic density is well-established as a risk factor for breast cancer, however, adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI) is vital to its clinical interpretation when assessing individual risk. In this paper we develop a model to adjust mammographic density for age and BMI and show how this adjusted mammographic density measure might be used with existing risk prediction models to identify high-risk women more precisely.

Methods

We explored the association between age, BMI, visually assessed percent dense area and breast cancer risk in a nested case-control study of women from the placebo arm of the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study I (72 cases, 486 controls). Linear regression was used to adjust mammographic density for age and BMI. This adjusted measure was evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression model that included the Tyrer-Cuzick (TC) risk score, which is based on classical breast cancer risk factors.

Results

Percent dense area adjusted for age and BMI (the density residual) was a stronger measure of breast cancer risk than unadjusted percent dense area (odds ratio per standard deviation 1.55 versus 1.38; area under the curve (AUC) 0.62 versus 0.59). Furthermore, in this population at increased risk of breast cancer, the density residual added information beyond that obtained from the TC model alone, with the AUC for the model containing both TC risk and density residual being 0.62 compared to 0.51 for the model containing TC risk alone (P =0.002).

Approximately 16% of controls and 19% of cases moved into the highest risk group (8% or more absolute risk of developing breast cancer within 10 years) when the density residual was taken into account. The net reclassification index was +15.7%.

Conclusions

In women at high risk of breast cancer, adjusting percent mammographic density for age and BMI provides additional predictive information to the TC risk score, which already incorporates BMI, age, family history and other classic breast cancer risk factors. Furthermore, simple selection criteria can be developed using mammographic density, age and BMI to identify women at increased risk in a clinical setting.

Clinical trial registration number

http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN91879928 (Registered: 1 June 2006).
Potential use of human adipose mesenchymal stromal cells for intervertebral disc regeneration: a preliminary study on biglycan-deficient murine model of chronic disc degeneration
Authors: Marfia Giovanni , Campanella Rolando , Navone Stefania Elena , Zucca Ileana , Scotti Alessandro , Figini Matteo , Di Vito Clara , Alessandri Giulio , Riboni Laura , Parati Eugenio
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Biglycan is an important proteoglycan of the extracellular matrix of intervertebral disc (IVD), and its decrease with aging has been correlated with IVD degeneration. Biglycan deficient (Bgn−/0) mice lack this protein and undergo spontaneous IVD degeneration with aging, thus representing a valuable in vivo model for preliminary studies on therapies for human progressive IVD degeneration. The purpose of the present study was to assess the possible beneficial effects of adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) implants in the Bgn−/0 mouse model.

Methods

To evaluate ADSC implant efficacy, Bgn−/0 mice were intradiscally (L1-L2) injected with 8x104 ADSCs at 16 months old, when mice exhibit severe and complete IVD degeneration, evident on both 7Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (7TMRI) and histology. Placebo and ADSCs treated Bgn−/0 mice were assessed by 7TMRI analysis up to 12 weeks post-transplantation. Mice were then sacrificed and implanted discs were analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry for the presence of human cells and for the expression of biglycan and aggrecan in the IVD area.

Results

After in vivo treatment, 7TMRI revealed evident increase in signal intensity within the discs of mice that received ADSCs, while placebo treatment did not show any variation. Ultrastructural analyses demonstrated that human ADSC survival occurred in the injected discs up to 12 weeks after implant. These cells acquired a positive expression for biglycan, and this proteoglycan was specifically localized in human cells. Moreover, ADSC treatment resulted in a significant increase of aggrecan tissue levels.

Conclusion

Overall, this work demonstrates that ADSC implant into degenerated disc of Bgn−/0 mice ameliorates disc damage, promotes new expression of biglycan and increased levels of aggrecan. This suggests a potential benefit of ADSC implant in the treatment of chronic degenerative disc disease and prompts further studies in this field.
Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter, Phase III Study of Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan Versus Epirubicin, Cisplatin, and Capecitabine in Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A French Intergroup (Fédération Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive, Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer, and Groupe Coopérateur Multidisciplinaire en Oncologie) Study
Authors: Guimbaud Rosine , Louvet Christophe , Ries Pauline , Ychou Marc , Maillard Emilie , André Thierry , Gornet Jean-Marc , Aparicio Thomas , Nguyen Suzanne , Azzedine Ahmed , Etienne Pierre-Luc , Boucher Eveline , Rebischung Christine , Hammel Pascal , Rougier Philippe , Bedenne Laurent , Bouché Olivier
Published: October 2014

Purpose

To compare epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine (ECX) with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) as first-line treatments in patients with advanced gastric or esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma.

Patients and Methods

This open, randomized, phase III study was carried out in 71 centers. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric or EGJ cancer were randomly assigned to receive either ECX as first-line treatment (ECX arm) or FOLFIRI (FOLFIRI arm). Second-line treatment was predefined (FOLFIRI for the ECX arm and ECX for the FOLFIRI arm). The primary criterion was time-to-treatment failure (TTF) of the first-line therapy. Secondary criteria were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), toxicity, and quality of life.

Results

In all, 416 patients were included (median age, 61.4 years; 74% male). After a median follow-up of 31 months, median TTF was significantly longer with FOLFIRI than with ECX (5.1 v 4.2 months; P = .008). There was no significant difference between the two groups in median PFS (5.3 v 5.8 months; P = .96), median OS (9.5 v 9.7 months; P = .95), or response rate (39.2% v 37.8%). First-line FOLFIRI was better tolerated (overall rate of grade 3 to 4 toxicity, 69% v 84%; P < .001; hematologic adverse events [AEs], 38% v 64.5%; P < .001; nonhematologic AEs: 53% v 53.5%; P = .81).

Conclusion

FOLFIRI as first-line treatment for advanced gastric and EGJ cancer demonstrated significantly better TTF than did ECX. Other outcome results indicate that FOLFIRI is an acceptable first-line regimen in this setting and should be explored as a backbone regimen for targeted agents.
Safety and Efficacy of Neratinib in Combination With Capecitabine in Patients With Metastatic Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Saura Cristina , Garcia-Saenz Jose A. , Xu Binghe , Harb Wael , Moroose Rebecca , Pluard Timothy , Cortés Javier , Kiger Corinne , Germa Caroline , Wang Kongming , Martin Miguel , Baselga José , Kim Sung-Bae
Published: October 2014

Purpose

Neratinib is a potent irreversible pan-tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumor activity and acceptable tolerability in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive breast cancer. A multinational, open-label, phase I/II trial was conducted to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of neratinib plus capecitabine in patients with solid tumors (part one) and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of neratinib plus capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (part two).

Patients and Methods

Part one was a 3 + 3 dose-escalation study in which patients with advanced solid tumors received oral neratinib once per day continuously plus capecitabine twice per day on days 1 to 14 of a 21-day cycle at predefined dose levels. In part two, patients with trastuzumab-pretreated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer received neratinib plus capecitabine at the MTD. The primary end point in part two was objective response rate (ORR).

Results

In part one (n = 33), the combination of neratinib 240 mg per day plus capecitabine 1,500 mg/m2 per day was defined as the MTD, which was further evaluated in part 2 (n = 72). The most common drug-related adverse events were diarrhea (88%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (48%). In part two, the ORR was 64% (n = 39 of 61) in patients with no prior lapatinib exposure and 57% (n = 4 of 7) in patients previously treated with lapatinib. Median progression-free survival was 40.3 and 35.9 weeks, respectively.

Conclusion

Neratinib in combination with capecitabine had a manageable toxicity profile and showed promising antitumor activity in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer pretreated with trastuzumab and lapatinib.