bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging Features of HER2 Overexpression in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Elias Sjoerd G. , Adams Arthur , Wisner Dorota J. , Esserman Laura J. , van't Veer Laura J. , Mali Willem P.Th.M. , Gilhuijs Kenneth G.A. , Hylton Nola M.
Published: May 2014

Breast cancer imaging phenotype is diverse and may relate to molecular alterations driving cancer behavior. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed relations between breast cancer imaging features and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) overexpression as a marker of breast cancer aggressiveness. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for mammography, breast ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography studies through February 2013. Of 68 imaging features that could be pooled (85 articles, 23,255 cancers; random-effects meta-analysis), 11 significantly related to HER2 overexpression. Results based on five or more studies and robustness in subgroup analyses were as follows: the presence of microcalcifications on mammography [pooled odds ratio (pOR), 3.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.46–4.00] or ultrasound (mass-associated pOR, 2.95; 95% CI, 2.34–3.71), branching or fine linear microcalcifications (pOR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.07–4.14) or extremely dense breasts on mammography (pOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.07–1.76), and washout (pOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.11–2.21) or fast initial kinetics (pOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.43–4.73) on MRI all increased the chance of HER2 overexpression. Maximum [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was higher upon HER2 overexpression (pooled mean difference, +0.76; 95% CI, 0.10–1.42). These results show that several imaging features relate to HER2 overexpression, lending credibility to the hypothesis that imaging phenotype reflects cancer behavior. This implies prognostic relevance, which is especially relevant as imaging is readily available during diagnostic work-up. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(8); 1464–83. ©2014 AACR.
Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: May 2014

Background: Liver transplantation has become an established treatment for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the Milan criteria are now widely accepted and applied as an indication for deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in Western countries. In contrast, however, due to the severe organ shortage, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is mainstream in Japan and in other Asian countries. Summary: Unlike DDLT, LDLT is not limited by the restrictions imposed by the nationwide allocation system, and the indication for LDLT in patients with HCC often depends on institutional or case-by-case considerations, balancing the burden on the donor, the operative risk, and the overall survival benefit for the recipient. Accumulating data from a nationwide survey as well as individual center experience indicate that extending the Milan criteria is warranted. Key Messages: While the promotion of DDLT should be intensified in Japan and other Asian countries, LDLT will continue to be a mainstay for the treatment of HCC in cirrhotic patients.
How to Define Transarterial Chemoembolization Failure or Refractoriness: A European Perspective
Authors: Raoul Jean-Luc , Gilabert Marine , Piana Gilles
Published: May 2014

In Europe, trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is usually given to patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) "intermediate stage" hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is associated with a modest improvement in median overall survival. In the two positive randomized trials that have been reported, TACE was stopped in cases of severe toxicity, worsening of liver cirrhosis or performance status and tumor progression, including local progression, extrahepatic spread and portal vein thrombosis. The necessity to stop TACE leads to the concept of untreatable progression, which is characterized by massive liver involvement, extrahepatic spread, vascular invasion, impaired liver function or performance status. More recently, the assessment for re-treatment with TACE (ART) score has been developed to determine which patients will not benefit from a second or a third TACE therapy. Herein, we propose an algorithm that summarizes our experience with TACE.
State of the Art: Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Wölnerhanssen Bettina , Peterli Ralph
Published: May 2014

In the biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) type duodenal switch, sleeve gastrectomy was applied as the restrictive part instead of a horizontal gastrectomy in the original Scopinaro type BPD. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) was used as a first step in a staged concept for high-risk patients undergoing bariatric surgery. However, it is now being increasingly favored as a stand-alone procedure. This article discusses the history, surgical technique, early results, metabolic effects, mid- to long-term results regarding weight loss, improvement of comorbidities and quality of life, management of complications and indications. LSG is a safe and effective bariatric procedure with satisfying weight loss results and effects on comorbidities. Further data are required to assess long-term effectiveness and safety of LSG. In patients with very high initial BMI, LSG can be used in a staged concept. Other indications are: in cases with dense adhesions of the small bowel, patients with inflammatory bowel disease and patients where repeated endoscopy of the duodenum is necessary.
A Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor (Etodolac) Prevents Spontaneous Biliary Tumorigenesis in a Hamster Bilioenterostomy Model
Authors: Kitasato Amane , Kuroki Tamotsu , Adachi Tomohiko , Ono Shinichiro , Tanaka Takayuki , Tsuneoka Noritsugu , Hirabaru Masataka , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Eguchi Susumu
Published: May 2014

Background: Secondary biliary carcinomas are associated with persistent reflux cholangitis after bilioenterostomy. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been a target for cancer prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of long-term treatment with a selective COX-2 inhibitor medication during the natural course after bilioenterostomy without chemical induction. Methods: Syrian golden hamsters which underwent choledochojejunostomy were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 31), which was fed a normal diet, and the etodolac group (n = 33), which was fed 0.01% etodolac (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) mixed in the meal. The hamsters were killed at the postoperative weeks 20-39, 40-59, 60-79, or 80-100. Biliary neoplasms, cholangitis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA-LI) of the biliary epithelium, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production were evaluated. Results: The occurrence rates of biliary neoplasm were 43.8 and 15.2% in the control and etodolac groups, respectively (p < 0.05). The incidence of biliary neoplasm increased as time progressed in the control group, whereas it remained at a low level throughout the experimental period in the etodolac group. PGE2 products tended to be lower in the etodolac group, and PCNA-LI was significantly lower in the etodolac group (p < 0.01). These results suggest that the medication etodolac suppresses cell proliferation of the biliary epithelium, thereby preventing biliary carcinogenesis. Conclusions: Etodolac is expected to prevent secondary biliary carcinogenesis caused by persistent reflux cholangitis after bilioenterostomy.
Bullous Mastocytosis Mimicking Congenital Epidermolysis Bullosa
Authors: Salas-Alanis Julio Cesar , Rosales-Mendoza Cesar Eduardo , Ocampo-Candiani Jorge
Published: May 2014

A 2-month-old female infant was referred to DebRA Mexico from the Regional Children's Hospital because of a generalized dermatosis from birth characterized by multiple blisters and erosions on the trunk, face and limbs, associated with minor trauma. A skin biopsy showing subepidermal blisters associated with a dermal infiltrate of Giemsa-positive cells and CD117-positive antibody was consistent with the diagnosis of bullous mastocytosis. Treatment with oral antihistamines, topical steroids, and antibiotics was initiated, leading to a remission of the lesions.
Abdominal Aortic Calcium, Coronary Artery Calcium, and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Criqui Michael H. , Denenberg Julie O. , McClelland Robyn L. , Allison Matthew A. , Ix Joachim H. , Guerci Alan , Cohoon Kevin P. , Srikanthan Preethi , Watson Karol E. , Wong Nathan D.
Published: May 2014

Objective—

To evaluate the predictive value of abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) for incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) independent of coronary artery calcium (CAC).

Approach and Results—

We evaluated the association of AAC with CVD in 1974 men and women aged 45 to 84 years randomly selected from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants who had complete AAC and CAC data from computed tomographic scans. AAC and CAC were each divided into following 3 percentile categories: 0 to 50th, 51st to 75th, and 76th to 100th. During a mean of 5.5 years of follow-up, there were 50 hard coronary heart disease events, 83 hard CVD events, 30 fatal CVD events, and 105 total deaths. In multivariable-adjusted Cox models including both AAC and CAC, comparing the fourth quartile with the ≤50th percentile, AAC and CAC were each significantly and independently predictive of hard coronary heart disease and hard CVD, with hazard ratios ranging from 2.4 to 4.4. For CVD mortality, the hazard ratio was highly significant for the fourth quartile of AAC, 5.9 (
P
=0.01), whereas the association for the fourth quartile of CAC (hazard ratio, 2.1) was not significant. For total mortality, the fourth quartile hazard ratio for AAC was 2.7 (
P
=0.001), and for CAC, it was 1.9,
P
=0.04. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed improvement for both AAC and CAC separately, although improvement was greater with CAC for hard coronary heart disease and hard CVD, and greater with AAC for CVD mortality and total mortality. Sensitivity analyses defining AAC and CAC as continuous variables mirrored these results.

Conclusions—

AAC and CAC predicted hard coronary heart disease and hard CVD events independent of one another. Only AAC was independently related to CVD mortality, and AAC showed a stronger association than CAC with total mortality.
The Total Right/Left-Volume Index: A New and Simplified Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Measure to Evaluate the Severity of Ebstein Anomaly of the Tricuspid Valve
Authors: Hösch Olga , Sohns Jan Martin , Nguyen Thuy-Trang , Lauerer Peter , Rosenberg Christina , Kowallick Johannes Tammo , Kutty Shelby , Unterberg Christina , Schuster Andreas , Faßhauer Martin , Staab Wieland , Paul Thomas , Lotz Joachim , Steinmetz Michael
Published: May 2014

Background—

The classification of clinical severity of Ebstein anomaly still remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to focus on the interaction of the pathologically altered right heart with the anatomically—supposedly—normal left heart and to derive from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) a simple imaging measure for the clinical severity of Ebstein anomaly.

Methods and Results—

Twenty-five patients at a mean age of 26±14 years with unrepaired Ebstein anomaly were examined in a prospective study. Disease severity was classified using CMR volumes and functional measurements in comparison with heart failure markers from clinical data, ECG, laboratory and cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and echocardiography. All examinations were completed within 24 hours. A total right/left-volume index was defined from end-diastolic volume measurements in CMR: total right/left-volume index=(RA+aRV+fRV)/(LA+LV). Mean total right/left-volume index was 2.6±1.7 (normal values: 1.1±0.1). This new total right/left-volume index correlated with almost all clinically used biomarkers of heart failure: brain natriuretic peptide (
r
=0.691;
P
=0.0003), QRS (
r
=0.432;
P
=0.039), peak oxygen consumption/kg (
r
=−0.479;
P
=0.024), ventilatory response to carbon dioxide production at anaerobic threshold (
r
=0.426;
P
=0.048), the severity of tricuspid regurgitation (
r
=0.692;
P
=0.009), tricuspid valve offset (
r
=0.583;
P
=0.004), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (
r
=0.554;
P
=0.006). Previously described severity indices ([RA+aRV]/[fRV+LA+LV]) and fRV/LV end-diastolic volume corresponded only to some parameters.

Conclusions—

In patients with Ebstein anomaly, the easily acquired index of right-sided to left-sided heart volumes from CMR correlated well with established heart failure markers. Our data suggest that the total right/left-volume index should be used as a new and simplified CMR measure, allowing more accurate assessment of disease severity than previously described scoring systems.
G Protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase 2
Authors: Woodall Meryl C. , Ciccarelli Michele , Woodall Benjamin P. , Koch Walter J.
Published: May 2014

Heart failure (HF) causes a tremendous burden on the worldwide healthcare system, affecting >23 million people. There are many cardiovascular disorders that contribute to the development of HF and multiple risk factors that accelerate its occurrence, but regardless of its underlying cause, HF is characterized by a marked decrease in myocardial contractility and loss of pump function. One biomarker molecule consistently shown to be upregulated in human HF and several animal models is G protein–coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2), a kinase originally discovered to be involved in G protein–coupled receptor desensitization, especially β-adrenergic receptors. Higher levels of GRK2 can impair β-adrenergic receptor–mediated inotropic reserve and its inhibition, or molecular reduction has shown to improve pump function in several animal models including a preclinical pig model of HF. Recently, nonclassical roles for GRK2 in cardiovascular disease have been described, including negative regulation of insulin signaling, a role in myocyte cell survival and apoptotic signaling, and it has been shown to be localized in/on mitochondria. These new roles of GRK2 suggest that GRK2 may be a nodal link in the myocyte, influencing both cardiac contractile function and cell metabolism and survival and contributing to HF independent of its canonical role in G protein–coupled receptor desensitization. In this review, classical and nonclassical roles for GRK2 will be discussed, focusing on recently discovered roles for GRK2 in cardiomyocyte metabolism and the effects that these roles may have on myocardial contractile function and HF development.
Endothelial Cell–Specific Reactive Oxygen Species Production Increases Susceptibility to Aortic Dissection
Authors: Fan Lampson M. , Douglas Gillian , Bendall Jennifer K. , McNeill Eileen , Crabtree Mark J. , Hale Ashley B. , Mai Anna , Li Jian-Mei , McAteer Martina A. , Schneider Jurgen E. , Choudhury Robin P. , Channon Keith M.
Published: May 2014

Background—

Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) throughout the vascular wall is a feature of cardiovascular disease states, but therapeutic strategies remain limited by our incomplete understanding of the role and contribution of specific vascular cell ROS to disease pathogenesis. To investigate the specific role of endothelial cell (EC) ROS in the development of structural vascular disease, we generated a mouse model of endothelium-specific Nox2 overexpression and tested the susceptibility to aortic dissection after angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion.

Methods and Results—

A specific increase in endothelial ROS production in Nox2 transgenic mice was sufficient to cause Ang II–mediated aortic dissection, which was never observed in wild-type mice. Nox2 transgenic aortas had increased endothelial ROS production, endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression, matrix metalloproteinase activity, and CD45
+
inflammatory cell infiltration. Conditioned media from Nox2 transgenic ECs induced greater Erk1/2 phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells compared with wild-type controls through secreted cyclophilin A (CypA). Nox2 transgenic ECs (but not vascular smooth muscle cells) and aortas had greater secretion of CypA both at baseline and in response to Ang II stimulation. Knockdown of CypA in ECs abolished the increase in vascular smooth muscle cell Erk1/2 phosphorylation conferred by EC conditioned media, and preincubation with CypA augmented Ang II–induced vascular smooth muscle cell ROS production.

Conclusions—

These findings demonstrate a pivotal role for EC-derived ROS in the determination of the susceptibility of the aortic wall to Ang II–mediated aortic dissection. ROS-dependent CypA secretion by ECs is an important signaling mechanism through which EC ROS regulate susceptibility of structural components of the aortic wall to aortic dissection.
Population‐Based Incidence of Sudden Cardiac and Unexpected Death Before and After the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Iwate, Northeast Japan
Authors: Niiyama Masanobu , Tanaka Fumitaka , Nakajima Satoshi , Itoh Tomonori , Matsumoto Tatsuya , Kawakami Mikio , Naganuma Yujiro , Omama Shinichi , Komatsu Takashi , Onoda Toshiyuki , Sakata Kiyomi , Ichikawa Takashi , Nakamura Motoyuki
Published: May 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal impact of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami on the incidence of sudden cardiac and unexpected death (
SCUD
).

Methods and Results

We surveyed the impact of the disaster on the incidence and clinical characteristics of
SCUD
in Iwate. To perform complete identification of
SCUD
for 8 weeks before and 40 weeks after the disaster, medical records and death certificates relevant to
SCUD
were surveyed in the study area. Compared with the previous year's rate, the incidence (per 10 000 person‐year) of
SCUD
for the initial 4 weeks after the disaster (acute phase) was double (33.5 vs 18.9), and thereafter the rate returned to the previous level. Significant relationships were found between weekly numbers of
SCUD
and seismic activity (intensity,
r
=0.43;
P
<0.005: frequency,
r
=0.46;
P
<0.002). The standardized incidence ratio (
SIR
) of
SCUD
in the acute phase was significantly increased compared with that of previous years (1.71, 95%
CI
1.33 to 2.16). Increased
SIR
s were predominantly found in female subjects (1.73, 95%
CI
1.22 to 2.37), the elderly (1.73, 95%
CI
1.29 to 2.27), and residents living in the tsunami‐stricken area (1.83, 95%
CI
1.33 to 2.46). In addition,
SIR
s for weekdays (1.71, 95%
CI
1.28 to 2.24) and nights‐mornings (2.09, 95%
CI
1.48 to 2.86) were amplified.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that the magnitude of a disaster, related stress, and population aging may cause a temporary increase in the incidence of
SCUD
with amplification of ordinary weekly and circadian variations.
Book review: The Constitution of Capital: Essays on Volume 1 of Marx’s ‘Capital’, written by Riccardo Bellofiore and Nicola Taylor Book review: Re-reading Marx: New Perspectives after the Critical Edition, written by Riccardo Bellofiore and Roberto Fineschi
Authors: Green Peter
Published: May 2014

Abstract

The two books under review are both edited collections of essays by some of the most serious scholars internationally concerned with Marx’s method in Capital and related texts. Essays in both books share an emphasis on the ‘openness’ of Marx’s texts which were extensively revised both by Marx in his own lifetime and in the editing performed by Engels. The review engages critically with contributions in both volumes with respect to ‘value-form’ approaches to Marx’s method. It highlights some of the differences of approach between the various contributors which are not always apparent in the texts themselves.
Notes on Early Land Plants Today. 54. A transfer in Lepidoziaceae (Marchantiophyta)
Authors: Cooper Endymion D. , Söderström Lars , Hagborg Anders , Von Konrat Matt
Published: May 2014

When Cooper et al. (2013) reorganized species among genera in Lepidoziaceae Limpricht (1876: 310), one taxon, Lepidozia leratii Stephani (1922: 333), was mistakenly combined under Neolepidozia Fulford & Taylor (1959: 81). The transfer was not based on any morphological or molecular evidence placing it in Neolepidozia. On the contrary, molecular phylogenetic studies (Cooper et al., 2011, 2012; Heslewood & Brown, 2007) all place Lepidozia leratii in close proximity of Tricholepidozia pulcherrima (Stephani 1909: 600) E.D.Cooper in Cooper et al. (2013: 60) the type of Tricholepidozia (Schuster 1963: 256) E.D.Cooper in Cooper et al. (2013: 58). This error is corrected here.
Concavocorona, a new genus of the leafhopper subfamily Evacanthinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), with description of a new species
Authors: WANG YANG , ZHANG YALIN
Published: May 2014

Concavocorona, gen. n., is described and illustrated based on a new species C. supercilia sp. n. from Thailand. In addition, C. abbreviata (Jacobi, 1944), n. comb. from China is transferred to this genus from Cunedda Distant, and its male genitalia is described for the first time.
Three new Afrotropical species of Tersilochinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from the Kibale National Park, Uganda
Authors: KHALAIM ANDREY I. , SÄÄKSJÄRVI ILARI E. , ROININEN HEIKKI
Published: May 2014

Seven species of Tersilochinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) have been found from Uganda in Equatorial Africa: Allophrys budongoana Khalaim, Diaparsis interstitialis Khalaim, D. kanyawara sp. nov., D. mostovskii Khalaim, D. sinuator sp. nov., D. umbrosa sp. nov. and Tersilochus moestus Holmgren. Two species of Diaparsis, described in this paper, possess a white banded flagellum, and a key to the group of four Afrotropical species having a white-banded flagellum is provided. Tersilochus moestus Holmgren, previously known only from a single female from South Africa, is recorded from the Kibale National Park, Uganda. Antennae and ovipositor of this species, broken in the type specimen, are described for the first time.
Error Analysis of Satellite Precipitation Products in Mountainous Basins
Authors: Mei Yiwen , Anagnostou Emmanouil N. , Nikolopoulos Efthymios I. , Borga Marco
Published: May 2014

Accurate quantitative precipitation estimation over mountainous basins is of great importance because of their susceptibility to hazards such as flash floods, shallow landslides, and debris flows, triggered by heavy precipitation events (HPEs). In situ observations over mountainous areas are limited, but currently available satellite precipitation products can potentially provide the precipitation estimation needed for hydrological applications. In this study, four widely used satellite-based precipitation products [Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42, version 7 (3B42-V7), and in near–real time (3B42-RT); Climate Prediction Center (CPC) morphing technique (CMORPH); and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Imagery Using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN)] are evaluated with respect to their performance in capturing the properties of HPEs over different basin scales. Evaluation is carried out over the upper Adige River basin (eastern Italian Alps) for an 8-yr period (2003–10). Basin-averaged rainfall derived from a dense rain gauge network in the region is used as a reference. Satellite precipitation error analysis is performed for warm (May–August) and cold (September–December) season months as well as for different quantile ranges of basin-averaged precipitation accumulations. Three error metrics and a score system are introduced to quantify the performances of the various satellite products. Overall, no single precipitation product can be considered ideal for detecting and quantifying HPE. Results show better consistency between gauges and the two 3B42 products, particularly during warm season months that are associated with high-intensity convective events. All satellite products are shown to have a magnitude-dependent error ranging from overestimation at low precipitation regimes to underestimation at high precipitation accumulations; this effect is more pronounced in the CMORPH and PERSIANN products.
Energy Budget of a Small Convectively Driven Marginal Sea: The Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba (Northern Red Sea)*
Authors: Biton Eli , Gildor Hezi
Published: May 2014

Oceanic model simulations and model-based energy budget calculations have been used to quantitatively study the relative importance of different processes affecting the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba dynamics and hydrographic conditions. Large seasonality among various energetic pathways is observed. Similar to other oceanic waters, a significant amount of energy is stored in the potential energy (PE) that is predominately in the form of background potential energy (BPE). During September–March PE/BPE gains energy by raising the center of mass due to atmospheric cooling. During April–August, PE decreases its strength due to the exchange of light, warmer water from the northern Red Sea through the Strait of Tiran. The available potential energy (APE) is stored in baroclinic modes that are linked to the along-gulf temperature gradient. During April–August, the APE is sustained by baroclinic energy flux through the straits, resulting from advective density fronts into the gulf, and during September–March, the APE is sustained by the differential heating at the surface. Part of the APE is converted into kinetic energy (KE) by vertical buoyancy flux and in smaller quantity to background potential energy by isopycnal mixing. The conversion from APE is the only source of KE, where losses are related to the work done by pressure at the straits and energy dissipation. The wind stress work subtracts energy from the buoyancy-driven flow, which explained by the opposite surface flow and mean wind directions. The authors found that temperature and salinity variations contribute to the dynamics, via the APE–KE conversion, by a ratio of 10:1.
On the Factors Controlling the Eddy-Induced Transport in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Authors: Pennel Romain , Kamenkovich Igor
Published: May 2014

This study examines eddy-driven material transport by analyzing trajectories of Lagrangian particles in an idealized model of the Southern Ocean. The main focus is on the direction of the transport in the latitude–depth plane, as well as on the magnitudes of the vertical and meridional particle dispersion. In particular, this transport is along the mean isopycnals in the control simulation, but changes its direction and intensity in a series of sensitivity experiments with artificially modified currents. The main new conclusion is that the direction of the transport is determined by the three-dimensional interplay between the zonal background flow and the transient eddies; the stationary meanders play a secondary role. The key parameter here is the strength of the zonal advection relative to the eddy magnitudes, whereas the mean vertical shear in the zonal velocity is of secondary importance. In particular, stronger mean zonal advection leads to steeper orientation of the eddy fluxes and deeper penetration of tracer anomalies.
Predictability of Tropical Cyclone Intensity Evaluated through 5-yr Forecasts with a Convection-Permitting Regional-Scale Model in the Atlantic Basin
Authors: Zhang Yunji , Meng Zhiyong , Zhang Fuqing , Weng Yonghui
Published: May 2014

The practical predictability of tropical cyclone (TC) intensity in terms of mean absolute forecast error with respect to different conditions at forecast initialization was explored through convection-permitting hindcasts of all Atlantic storms during the 2008–12 hurricane seasons using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. Averaged over a total of 2190 simulations, the day 1–5 performance of these WRF hindcasts was comparable to two operational regional-scale hurricane prediction models used by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) but was slightly inferior to the NHC official forecasts. It was found that the prediction accuracy of TC intensity, both at the initialization time and the targeted forecast hours, was strongly correlated with the TC intensity. On average, for both the WRF hindcasts and the NHC official forecasts, stronger intensities and larger intensity variations led to larger forecast errors. A number of synoptic-scale environmental parameters, such as vertical wind shear, sea surface temperature (SST), and the underlying surface condition (land vs sea), affected the intensity forecast errors of TCs, in part due to their influence on intensity changes, while other thermodynamic environmental parameters, such as moisture and instability, had relatively minor effects. The accuracy of the intensity prediction was also found to be sensitive to the translation speed of the TCs. A moderate TC translation speed of 11–15 knots (kt; 1 kt = 0.51 m s−1) corresponded to the largest intensity errors during forecast lead times less than 60 h, while the slowest translation speed (<7 kt) was associated with the largest errors after the 60-h forecast lead time.
Metacognitive therapy versus cognitive behavioural therapy for depression: a randomized pilot study
Authors: Jordan Jennifer , Carter Janet D , McIntosh Virginia VW , Fernando Kumari , Frampton Christopher MA , Porter Richard J , Mulder Roger T , Lacey Cameron , Joyce Peter R
Published: May 2014

Objective:

Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is one of the newer developments within cognitive therapy. This randomized controlled pilot study compared independently applied MCT with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in outpatients with depression to explore the relative speed and efficacy of MCT, ahead of a planned randomized controlled trial.

Method:

A total of 48 participants referred for outpatient therapy were randomized to up to 12 weeks of MCT or CBT. Key outcomes were reduction in depressive symptoms at week 4 and week 12, measured using the independent-clinician-rated Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology16. Intention-to-treat and completer analyses as well as additional methods of reporting outcome of depression are presented.

Results:

Both therapies were effective in producing clinically significant change in depressive symptoms, with moderate-to-large effect sizes obtained. No differences were detected between therapies in overall outcome or early change on clinician-rated or self-reported measures. Post-hoc analyses suggest that MCT may have been adversely affected by greater comorbidity.

Conclusions:

In this large pilot study conducted independently of MCT’s developers, MCT was an effective treatment for outpatients with depression, with similar results overall to CBT. Insufficient power and imbalanced comorbidity limit conclusions regarding comparative efficacy so further studies of MCT and CBT are required.
Trade Openness and Economic Growth
Authors: Jawaid Syed Tehseen
Published: May 2014

This article is an attempt to examine the comparative effect of three different measures of trade openness on the economic growth in Pakistan by using more rigorous econometric techniques. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method, JJ COintegration and ordinary least square (OLS) results suggest significant positive long run relationship between export and economic growth. In contrast, total volume of trade and imports have significant negative effect on the economic growth. The addition of variables and results of fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) suggest that the results are robust. The Granger causality and variance decomposition analysis indicate the unidirectional causality between trade openness and economic growth. In export model, causality runs from export to growth. Whereas, in the model with total volume of trade and import, causality runs from growth to total volume of trade, and imports in Pakistan. From the findings it is concluded that the policy makers should focus on export promotion strategy to enhance the economic growth in Pakistan. Besides, efficient utilization of capital goods should be ensured and reliance on non-capital goods should be less in order to ensure high domestic production in the country.
Undergraduates’ Perceptions of Parental Relationship-Oriented Guilt Induction Versus Harsh Psychological Control
Authors: Rudy Duane , Carlo Gustavo , Lambert Michael Canute , Awong Tsasha
Published: May 2014

In this study, we examined whether culture moderates the correlates of psychological control as a function of the type of measure used. We administered two measures of parental psychological control to university undergraduates from India ( n = 166) and the United States ( n = 177), as well as a measure of participants’ self-esteem. One measure assessed harsh psychologically controlling tactics; the other relationship-oriented guilt induction. We argued that while relationship-oriented guilt induction might be deemed inappropriate in the United States, Indian parents might more frequently use this technique to promote familial interdependence, a culturally specific value. Harsh psychological control, on the other hand, is unlikely to be used for benign purposes in either group. We had the following hypotheses: (a) across groups, harsh psychological control would be more strongly associated than relationship-oriented guilt induction with lower levels of reported self-esteem; (b) reports of relationship-oriented guilt induction and harsh psychological control would be more strongly associated in the United States than in India; (c) reports of relationship-oriented parental guilt induction would be more strongly associated with lower levels of self-esteem in the United States than in India; and (d) the negative associations between relationship-oriented guilt induction and self-esteem for students from the United States would become non-significant when controlling for harsh parental psychological control. Support was found for all hypotheses. Unexpectedly, in the Indian group, relationship-oriented guilt induction was positively associated with self-esteem. The implications for the measurement of psychological control are discussed.
Foreign policies or culture
Authors: Berger Lars
Published: May 2014

This analysis uses survey data representing three of the world’s most populous Muslim majority countries to challenge conventional wisdom on what shapes Muslim public opinion on political violence against the United States. It improves previous analysis by clearly distinguishing support for violence against civilians from support for violence against military targets and by featuring independent variables that clearly separate views on US foreign policies from views on US culture. Logistic regression shows that, among Egyptian, Pakistani and Indonesian Muslims, perceptions of controversial US policies toward Israel, Middle Eastern oil, or the perceived attempt to weaken and divide the Muslim world are not related to support for attacks on civilians in the United States, but only to support for attacks on US military targets. Approval of attacks on US civilians is shaped, instead, by negative views of US freedom of expression, culture, and people, disapproval of the domestic political status quo and the notion of general US hostility toward democracy in the Middle East. This last finding has important implications for US and Western policies toward the post-Arab Spring Middle East in particular and the broader relationship with the Muslim World in general.
Intraregional Spatial Inequalities and Regional Income Level in the European Union
Authors: Artelaris Panagiotis , Petrakos George
Published: May 2014

The aim of the article is to examine, for the first time to our knowledge, the relationship between the intraregional spatial inequality and the regional income level in the European Union (EU)-27 regions, in the context of the inverted-U hypothesis. Although this hypothesis might exist not only at the intranational but also at the intraregional level, the empirical consideration of the latter has been largely ignored. This is quite surprising because intraregional inequality is a very important issue in regional science literature. The results of the article establish a strong empirical relationship that contradicts the conventional wisdom. In other words, the results imply a U-shaped rather than an inverted U-shaped curve, raising doubts about the adequacy and interpretative power of this hypothesis. Moreover, the acknowledgment of the importance of intraregional inequality in the EU, the empirical evidence of spatial effects in intraregional spatial inequality, and the possibility of a trade-off between the regional income level and intraregional inequalities constitute other important contributions of this article, deriving major economic and political implications. The evidence presented in this article can be used as a building block for future theoretical and empirical work.
Virtual Geographies of Belonging
Authors: Bauer Susanne
Published: May 2014

This article explores human genetic diversity research east of what was the iron curtain. It follows the technique of “genogeographic mapping” back to its early Soviet origins and up to the post-Soviet era. Bringing together the history of genogeographic mapping and genealogies of “nationality” and “race” in the USSR, I discuss how populations and belonging were enacted in late Soviet biological anthropology and human genetics. While genogeography had originally been developed within the early Soviet livestock economy, anthropologists, public health scientists, and medical geneticists reanimated the technique in the late 1960s after the end of the Lysenko era and its ban on classical genetics. In the 1970s, population geneticists pursued a project to compile all genetic data on the USSR population, resulting in a “genogeographic atlas,” consisting of series of tables as well as maps projecting genetic markers onto geographic grids. Following the post-Soviet trajectories of these maps, I examine the ways in which human genetic diversity studies realign with renegotiations of difference in today’s Russian Federation. The exploration of the Soviet case of human genetic diversity research contributes to our understanding of the varied ways in which racializing discourses were entangled in the project of modernization.
Career pursuit pathways among emerging adult men and women
Authors: Shulman Shmuel , Barr Tamuz , Livneh Yaara , Nurmi Jari-Erik , Vasalampi Kati , Pratt Michael
Published: May 2014

The present study examined career pursuit pathways in 100 Israeli emerging adults (54 men) who were followed from age 22 to 29. Employing a semi-structured interview at the age of 29, participants were asked about current work and educational status, work and educational goals and status changes in recent years, and to reflect on the meaning of the processes they followed. Analyses of interviews yielded four distinctive career pursuit pathways that were associated with different levels of concurrent well-being: Consistent Pursuit, Adapted Pursuit, Survivors, and Confused/Vague. Self-criticism, efficacy, and level of motivation measured seven years earlier predicted pathway affiliation at 29. In addition, paternal support was found to serve as a protective factor associated with adaptive career pursuit. Gender differences were found, with women more likely to be affiliated with the less adapted pathways. In addition, paternal and maternal support were differently associated with career pathways. By employing this mixed-method approach, the findings demonstrate the diversity, and gender-related nature, of career pursuit and development pathways during emerging adulthood, and indicate the importance of personality and both paternal and maternal support in the process of career development.
Restoration of positive mood states in major depression as a potential drug development target
Authors: Lane Roger M
Published: May 2014

Restoration of positive mood, in addition to reducing negative mood, is an important treatment goal in the management of depression. The need to restore positive mood states in depressed patients is not adequately addressed by available treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), suggesting that this mood dimension could be a useful target for drug development. However, for positive mood restoration to become a valid target for antidepressant drug development certain questions should be answered: are symptoms of decreased positive mood phenomenologically distinct from other symptoms of MDD? Should they be considered a distinct aspect of MDD in the diagnostic nomenclature? Is there evidence for differential responsiveness to treatment? Is the underlying pathophysiology understood and different from that of other MDD symptoms? Is low positive mood specific to depression or does it contribute to psychopathology in other disorders? Beyond these basic questions, this review identifies a number of design issues that need to be considered when conducting studies that target improving positive mood. These design issues include (1) what population to study, (2) what line of treatment to target, (3) the appropriateness and validation of methods and measures to evaluate positive mood and its restoration, (4) the role of functional outcome measures in determining success of the treatment, and (5) optimal designs for add-on therapy versus monotherapy agents.
Designing Healthy Neighborhoods
Authors: Wineman Jean D. , Marans Robert W. , Schulz Amy J. , van der Westhuizen Diaan Louis , Mentz Graciela B. , Max Paul
Published: May 2014

Detroit is a city with low-density housing and a high proportion of lower-socioeconomic-status multiethnic residents. Physical activity tends to be lower in low- to moderate-income urban communities. To understand the design components of healthy neighborhoods, interrelationships between built environment characteristics and walking behavior were studied for three neighborhoods. Results suggest that as independent predictors, higher density and multiple land uses tended to deter walking. However, residents of neighborhoods with strong well-connected street networks (both locally and globally) reported higher levels of walking as compared to those in less well-connected neighborhoods.
College Students’ Preferences for Test Accommodations
Authors: Lewandowski Lawrence , Lambert Tonya L. , Lovett Benjamin J. , Panahon Carlos J. , Sytsma Marcia R.
Published: May 2014

College students with ( n = 137) and without disabilities ( n = 475) were surveyed about their perceptions of using various types of test accommodations. Results indicated that extended time was perceived as having a positive effect by the most students (>87% of both groups), followed by separate room testing and extra breaks (>60% of both groups). Students with disabilities rated separate room, a scribe, reader, and word processor more positively than did nondisabled students. Students generally felt that test accommodations on high-stakes exams would be more beneficial than on classroom tests. A significant number of students felt that everyone should have access to test accommodations, and/or that tests should be redesigned to remove the need for accommodations. Implications of these findings for practice and future research are discussed.
Fixation-off Sensitivity in Idiopathic Childhood Occipital Epilepsy of Gastaut
Authors: Jain Puneet , Sharma Suvasini , Patra Bijoy , Aneja Satinder
Published: May 2014

A 7-year-old boy presented with episodic blindness for the last 2 months with occipital paroxysms and fixation-off sensitivity on electroencephalography (EEG). The clinico-EEG features were suggestive of idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut. The interesting phenomenon of fixation-off sensitivity is discussed.
Symptomatic Neonatal Seizures Followed by Febrile Status Epilepticus
Authors: Spagnoli Carlotta , Cilio Maria Roberta , Pavlidis Elena , Pisani Francesco
Published: May 2014

Neonatal seizures have been associated with the later development of postneonatal epilepsy, mainly beginning within the first year of life. Mechanisms of epileptogenesis in the immature brain still need to be fully elucidated but a two-hit hypothesis, showing that an early insult heightens later susceptibility to seizure-induced brain damage, has been demonstrated in animal models. We describe 2 cases of preterm babies sustaining recurrent neonatal seizures in the context of a severe perinatal brain damage who presented with symptomatic epilepsy only after the occurrence of an episode of febrile status epilepticus. In the context of preexisting perinatal brain damage, febrile status epilepticus acted as a second hit for developing epilepsy, confirming animal evidence.
Predicting Aggression, Conciliation, and Concurrent Rumination in Escalating Conflict
Authors: Honeycutt James M. , Sheldon Pavica , Pence Michelle E. , Hatcher Laura C.
Published: May 2014

Interactions are characterized by opposite motives according to game theory. The purpose of this study was to explore how people judge the probability and advisability of conflict reactions in an unfolding dispute within a married couple using latent growth curve modeling (LGCM). Individuals participated in a study using two videotaped scenarios depicting marital conflict in which a spouse comes home after a long day at work only to criticize his or her partner for violating expectations of a good meal. One situation involved male-initiated conflict and female reactance, whereas another illustrated female-initiated conflict and male reactance. Participants were asked to predict the future reactions based on aggressive tactics (e.g., slapping the partner, insulting the partner) or prosocial and forgiving communication (e.g., apologizing, discussing the issue calmly) as well as the use of online, imagined interaction (II) rumination in which individuals replay arguments in their mind as well as thinking about what to say next during the argument. Results of the LGCM revealed support for various hypotheses in which it was predicted that the husband would be more likely to be conciliatory than the wife, and the wife would be more aggressive than her husband. II rumination was initially expected to increase and be advised before reaching a plateau. Findings are discussed in terms of game theory and II conflict-linkage theory.
Fluorescence properties of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) composites
Authors: Lin Meijuan , Tang Qiang , An Qi , Zeng Huijuan , Ling Qidan
Published: May 2014

In the last decades, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been widely studied due to its outstanding mechanical, chemical, and physical properties. In this article, the PMMA composites doped with an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) compound 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (3HNA) are reported. The 3HNA-doped PMMA composites were synthesized by in situ polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, ultraviolet absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of 3HNA and various solvents on the fluorescent properties of the PMMA composites was systematically investigated. The results indicated that the emission spectra of the 3HNA-doped PMMA composites exhibited 3HNA dual emission. A violet emission was observed in 3HNA-doped PMMA composites containing nonpolar solvents or weak polar solvents, whereas the composites containing strong polar solvents exhibited a large Stokes-shifted green fluorescence, which was attributed to the ESIPT of 3HNA.