bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiotherapeutic Options for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis
Authors: Lee Dong Soo , Seong Jinsil
Published: March 2014

Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is a common paraneoplastic condition in advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatobiliary tract malignancies. Tumors with PVTT are frequently associated with adverse and aggressive features such as intrahepatic tumor dissemination, early treatment failure, or deterioration of hepatic function. Therefore, the treatment outcomes for PVTT in historical series are often dismal and discouraging. More recently, beneficial effects and excellent outcomes of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for treating this disease have been reported, and the use of EBRT is becoming more common because of the non-invasive nature of RT and rapid advances in RT technology. We hope to be able to cure this devastating condition in the near future with more advanced and efficacious disease management strategies. The current status and clinical trial results for EBRT as a promising treatment option for managing PVTT will be discussed here.
Degarelix versus Goserelin plus Bicalutamide Therapy for Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Relief, Prostate Volume Reduction and Quality of Life Improvement in Men with Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cui Yuanshan , Zong Huantao , Yan Huilei , Li Nan , Zhang Yong
Published: March 2014

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and tolerability of degarelix for lower urinary tract symptom relief, prostate volume reduction and quality of life improvement in men with prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and Methods: A literature review was performed to identify all of the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used degarelix versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists plus antiandrogens therapy for the treatment of PCa. The search included the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Results: Three publications involving a total of 466 patients were used in the analysis, including three RCTs that compared degarelix with goserelin plus bicalutamide therapy for PCa over 12 weeks. For the comparison of degarelix with goserelin plus bicalutamide therapy, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) reduction (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.97 to -0.72, p = 0.001) and IPSS ≥13 (SMD = -2.68, 95% CI = -4.57 to -0.78, p = 0.006) indicated that decreases in IPSS were greater in degarelix-treated patients than in goserelin plus bicalutamide-treated patients. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicates that, compared with goserelin plus bicalutamide, degarelix has significantly more pronounced effects on lower urinary tract symptoms.
A New Domain in the Toll/IL-1R Domain-Containing Adaptor Inducing Interferon-ß Factor Protein Amino Terminus Is Important for Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Receptor-Associated Factor 3 Association, Protein Stabilization and Interferon Signaling
Authors: Nguyen Vinh-Phuc , Chen Jing , Petrus Michael N. , Goldman Carolyn K. , Kruhlak Michael J. , Bamford Richard N. , Waldmann Thomas A.
Published: March 2014

Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-ß (IFN-ß) factor (TRIF) is a key adaptor for Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and TLR4 signaling. Using a novel cDNA isolate encoding a TRIF protein with a 21-residue deletion (Δ160-181) from its amino-terminal half, we investigated the impact of this deletion on TRIF functions. Transfection studies consistently showed higher expression levels of the (Δ160-181) TRIF compared to wild-type (wt) TRIF, an effect unrelated to apoptosis, cell lines or plasmid amplification. Colocalization of wt and (Δ160-181) TRIF proteins led to a dramatic reduction of their respective expressions, suggesting that wt/(Δ160-181) TRIF heterocomplexes are targeted for degradation. We demonstrated that wt TRIF associates with tumor necrosis factor-a receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) better than (Δ160-181) TRIF, culminating in its greater ubiquitination and proteolysis. This explains, in part, the differential expression levels of the two TRIF proteins. Despite higher expression levels in transfected cells, (Δ160-181) TRIF inefficiently transactivated the IFN pathway, whereas the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway activation remained similar to that by wt TRIF. In coexpression studies, (Δ160-181) TRIF marginally contributed to the IFN pathway activation, but still enhanced NF-κB signaling with wt TRIF. Therefore, this 21 amino acid sequence is crucial for TRAF3 association, modulation of TRIF stability and activation of the IFN pathway.
Activity Assessment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Schoepfer Alain , Safroneeva Ekaterina
Published: March 2014

The activity of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can be assessed with patient-reported outcomes and biologic measures. Patient-reported outcomes include symptoms and quality of life, whereas biologic measures refer to endoscopic, histologic, and biochemical activity (e.g. blood biomarkers). So far, a validated tool to assess EoE activity in the above-mentioned dimensions is lacking. Given the lack of a standardized way to assess EoE activity in the various dimensions, the results of different clinical trials may be difficult to compare. For symptom assessment in adult patients, the symptom ‘dysphagia' should be evaluated according to different standardized food consistencies. Furthermore, symptom assessment should take into account the following items: avoidance of specific food categories, food modification, and time to eat a regular meal. A distinct symptom recall period (e.g. 2 weeks) has to be defined for symptom assessment. Performing an ‘esophageal stress test' with ingestion of a standardized meal to measure symptom severity bears the potential risk of acute food bolus impaction and should therefore be avoided. The description of endoscopic findings in EoE has meanwhile been standardized. Histologic evaluation of EoE activity should report either the size of the high-power field used or count the eosinophils per mm2. There is a current lack of blood biomarkers demonstrating a good correlation with histologic activity in esophageal biopsies. The development and validation of an adult and pediatric EoE activity index is urgently needed not only for clinical trials and observational studies, but also for daily practice.
The Development of the MeDALL Core Questionnaires for a Harmonized Follow-Up Assessment of Eleven European Birth Cohorts on Asthma and Allergies
Authors: Hohmann Cynthia , Pinart Mariona , Tischer Christina , Gehring Ulrike , Heinrich Joachim , Kull Inger , Melén Eric , Smit Henriette A. , Torrent Maties , Wijga Alet H. , Wickman Magnus , Bachert Claus , Lødrup Carlsen Karin C. , Carlsen Kai-Håkon , Bindslev-Jensen Carsten , Eller Esben , Esplugues Ana , Fantini Maria Pia , Annesi-Maesano Isabella , Momas Isabelle , Porta Daniela , Vassilaki Maria , Waiblinger Dagmar , Sunyer Jordi , Antó Josep M. , Bousquet Jean , Keil Thomas ,   The MeDALL Study Group
Published: March 2014

Background: Numerous birth cohorts have been initiated in the world over the past 30 years using heterogeneous methods to assess the incidence, course and risk factors of asthma and allergies. The aim of the present work is to provide the stepwise proceedings of the development and current version of the harmonized MeDALL-Core Questionnaire (MeDALL-CQ) used prospectively in 11 European birth cohorts. Methods: The harmonization of questions was accomplished in 4 steps: (i) collection of variables from 14 birth cohorts, (ii) consensus on questionnaire items, (iii) translation and back-translation of the harmonized English MeDALL-CQ into 8 other languages and (iv) implementation of the harmonized follow-up. Results: Three harmonized MeDALL-CQs (2 for parents of children aged 4-9 and 14-18, 1 for adolescents aged 14-18) were developed and used for a harmonized follow-up assessment of 11 European birth cohorts on asthma and allergies with over 13,000 children. Conclusions: The harmonized MeDALL follow-up produced more comparable data across different cohorts and countries in Europe and will offer the possibility to verify results of former cohort analyses. Thus, MeDALL can become the starting point to stringently plan, conduct and support future common asthma and allergy research initiatives in Europe.
Comparison between On-Line High-Efficiency Hemodiafiltration and Conventional High-Flux Hemodialysis for Polyclonal Free Light Chain Removal
Authors: Lamy Thomas , Henri Patrick , Lobbedez Thierry , Comby Elisabeth , Ryckelynck Jean-Philippe , Ficheux Maxence
Published: March 2014

Background: Polyclonal free light chains (FLC) are considered as middle molecular weight uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease. In this study, we investigate polyclonal FLC removal by comparing conventional high-flux hemodialysis (HD) and online high-efficiency hemodiafiltration (ol-HDF) in end-stage renal disease patients. Methods: We analyzed 31 chronic dialysis patients who were treated by HD then by postdilution ol-HDF during a prospective study. All patients were anuric and without monoclonal gammopathy. Serum pre- and postdialysis FLC were collected during 4 sessions: 1 HD session and 3 ol-HDF sessions. We calculated the reduction ratio using kinetic modeling. Results: The κ reduction ratio was higher with ol-HDF than with HD (66 ± 14 vs. 52 ± 13%, p < 0.001). However, the λ reduction ratio was not significantly higher with ol-HDF (37 ± 20 vs. 37 ± 15%, p = 0.67). Furthermore, predialysis κ- and λ-FLC increased with ol-HDF compared with HD (κ 155 ± 82 vs. 87 ± 47 mg/l, p < 0.05; λ 101 ± 46 vs. 72 ± 41 mg/l, p < 0.05). Postdialysis FLC levels were raised only for λ-FLC with ol-HDF (74 ± 39 vs. 53 ± 31 mg/l, p < 0.05) and were not significantly different for κ. Conclusions: This study shows that κ-FLC removal is better in ol-HDF compared with HD, whereas there is no difference in λ-FLC removal. Surprisingly, predialysis κ and λ levels are both increased in ol-HDF, which is disturbing since polyclonal excess of λ-FLC is associated with mortality in chronic kidney disease.
Primary Metastatic Breast Cancer: The Impact of Locoregional Therapy
Authors: Hartmann Steffi , Reimer Toralf , Gerber Bernd , Stachs Angrit
Published: March 2014

The impact of treatment for the primary tumor on distant metastases and survival in primary metastatic breast cancer patients is controversial. Previous retrospective studies and meta-analyses suggested a survival benefit for the removal of the primary tumor. Early follow-up data from 2 prospectively randomized trials presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2013 could not confirm this. Only a very small subgroup of patients with solitary bone metastases seemed to profit from surgery, while patients with multiple visceral metastases showed a worse prognosis with initial surgery. There are no studies available with the primary aim to investigate the impact of axillary lymph node surgery or locoregional radiotherapy on the survival of stage IV breast cancer patients. Based on current data, locoregional treatment in primary metastatic breast cancer should not be recommended in patients with asymptomatic primary tumor as a matter of routine. More solid conclusion of the impact of primary tumor treatment in stage IV breast cancer patients on their prognosis will be reached with the completion of the ongoing prospectively randomized trials. Until these studies are completed, locoregional therapy, which can provoke additional morbidity in a metastatic setting with limited live expectancy, is exclusively indicated for palliative reasons.
Association of Body Mass Index With Increased Cost of Care and Length of Stay for Emergency Department Patients With Chest Pain and Dyspnea
Authors: Peitz Geoffrey W. , Troyer Jennifer , Jones Alan E. , Shapiro Nathan I. , Nelson R. Darrell , Hernandez Jackeline , Kline Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2014

Background—

High body mass index (BMI) increases the probability of indeterminate findings on diagnostic studies, length of stay, and cost of care for hospitalized patients. No study has examined the economic and operational impact of BMI in patients with chest complaints presenting to the emergency department (ED). The objective was to measure the association of BMI with the main outcomes of cost of care, length of stay (including time in the ED and time in the wards if admitted), and radiation exposure in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain and dyspnea.

Methods and Results—

This was a prospective, 4-center, outcomes study. Patients were adults with dyspnea and chest pain, nondiagnostic electrocardiograms, and no obvious diagnosis. Patients were followed for the main outcomes for 90 days. Outcomes that were stratified by BMI in 5 categories, underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese, were compared using the Kruskall–Wallis rank test, and the independent predictive value of BMI was tested with multivariate regressions. Compared with medical costs for normal weight patients, costs were 22% higher for overweight patients (
P
=0.077), 28% higher for obese patients (
P
=0.020), and 41% higher for morbidly obese patients (
P
=0.015). Morbidly obese patients without computerized tomographic scanning stayed in the hospital 34% longer than normal weight patients (
P
=0.073), and morbidly obese patients with computerized tomographic scanning stayed in the hospital 44% longer than normal weight patients (
P
=0.083). BMI was not a significant predictor of radiation exposure. Morbidly obese patients had the highest proportion (87%) of no significant cardiopulmonary diagnosis for 90 days after computerized tomographic pulmonary angiography.

Conclusions—

BMI was associated with increases in cost of care and length of hospital stay for patients with chest pain and dyspnea. These results emphasize a need for specific protocols to manage morbidly obese patients presenting to the ED with chest pain and dyspnea.

Clinical Trial Registration—

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01059500.
Sources of Hospital-Level Variation in Major Bleeding Among Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Xian Ying , Chen Anita Y. , Thomas Laine , Roe Matthew T. , Subherwal Sumeet , Cannon Christopher P. , Pollack Charles V. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Kosiborod Mikhail , Peterson Eric D. , Alexander Karen P.
Published: March 2014

Background—

Major bleeding has received increasing attention as a target for quality improvement in care of patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, little is known about variation in bleeding across hospitals and whether variation is attributable to quality of hospital care, treatments, or case mix.

Methods and Results—

We characterized hospital variation in major bleeding events (an absolute hemoglobin drop ≥4 g/dL, intracranial hemorrhage, retroperitoneal bleed, or transfusion) among 99 200 patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry–Get With the Guidelines (ACTIOM Registry-GWTG) between January 2007 and June 2010. A total of 9566 (9.6%) patients experienced a major bleeding event during hospitalization. The median of the estimated distribution of major bleeding rates across hospitals was 9.4% (interquartile range, 7.5%–11.7%), with some hospitals having bleeding rates >2.3 times higher than others (10th–90th percentile, 6.1%–14.2%). Multivariable hierarchical models revealed that differences in case mix explained 19.2% of the hospital variation in bleeding complications, where anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies explained an incremental 9.9% and 6.8%, respectively. Together, 32.3% of hospital variation in major bleeding rates was attributable to differences in patient case mix and identifiable differences in treatment strategies in patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Conclusions—

In-hospital major bleeding rates varied widely across hospitals. Although patient factors and treatments explained less than one third of hospital-level variation, ≈70% of bleeding variation remains after adjustment. A better understanding of causes for substantial hospital-level bleeding variations is needed to help target high-risk patients or practices and to optimize care.
Type A Aortic Dissection in Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Rylski Bartosz , Bavaria Joseph E. , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Branchetti Emanuela , Desai Nimesh D. , Milewski Rita K. , Szeto Wilson Y. , Vallabhajosyula Prashanth , Siepe Matthias , Kari Fabian A.
Published: March 2014

Background—

Data on outcomes after Stanford type A aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome are limited. We investigated the primary surgery and long-term results in patients with Marfan syndrome who suffered aortic dissection.

Methods and Results—

Among 1324 consecutive patients with aortic dissection type A, 74 with Marfan syndrome (58% men; median age, 37 years [first and third quartiles, 29 and 48 years]) underwent surgical repair (85% acute dissections; 68% DeBakey I; 55% composite valved graft, 30% supracoronary ascending replacement, 15% valve-sparing aortic root replacement; 12% total arch replacement; 3% in-hospital mortality) at 2 tertiary centers in the United States and Europe over the past 25 years. The rate of aortic reintervention with resternotomy was 24% (18 of 74) and of descending aorta (thoracic+abdominal) intervention was 30% (22 of 74) at a median follow-up of 8.4 years (first and third quartiles, 2.2 and 12.7 years). Freedom from need for aortic root reoperation in patients who underwent primarily a composite valved graft or valve-sparing aortic root replacement procedure was 95±3%, 88±5%, and 79±5% and in patients who underwent supracoronary ascending replacement was 83±9%, 60±13%, 20±16% at 5, 10, and 20 years. Secondary aortic arch surgery was necessary only in patients with initial hemi-arch replacement.

Conclusions—

Emergency surgery for type A dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome is associated with low in-hospital mortality. Failure to extend the primary surgery to aortic root or arch repair leads to a highly complex clinical course. Aortic root replacement or repair is highly recommended because supracoronary ascending replacement is associated with a high need (>40%) for root reintervention.
Long‐term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery for Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Holzmann Martin , Jernberg Tomas , Szummer Karolina , Sartipy Ulrik
Published: March 2014

Background

Patients with chronic kidney disease have an increased risk of death after myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery (
CABG
), and percutaneous coronary intervention. We sought to describe the association between chronic kidney disease and long‐term cardiovascular outcomes and death in patients who underwent
CABG
for acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and Results

All patients (N=12 956) from the Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence‐Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART) registry who underwent CABG for acute coronary syndromes in Sweden between 2000 and 2008 with complete information on preoperative serum creatinine values were included. Estimated glomerular filtration rates (
eGFRs
) were obtained, and hazard ratios with 95% CIs were calculated for the composite end point of myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, or death in relation to
eGFR
. During a mean follow‐up of 3.5 years, there were in total 2844 (22%) cardiovascular events and 1340 (10%) deaths. In patients with
eGFR
>60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, 45 to 60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, and 15 to 45 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, there were 2896 (28%), 882 (43%), and 407 (61%) cardiovascular events or deaths, respectively. Hazard ratios with 95% CIs for death or any cardiovascular event in patients with
eGFR
45 to 60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, and 15 to 45 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
were 1.07 (0.98 to 1.15) and 1.36 (1.22 to 1.53) respectively, after multivariable adjustment. The corresponding figures for any cardiovascular event were 1.08 (0.98 to 1.19), and 1.24 (1.08 to 1.43).

Conclusions

Severe, but not moderate, renal dysfunction was independently associated with an increased risk of long‐term cardiovascular events and death in patients undergoing
CABG
for acute coronary syndromes.
Martinus Dacus and Boethius Dacus on the Signification of Terms and the Truth-Value of Assertions
Authors: Mora-Márquez Ana María
Published: March 2014

Abstract

The article intends to show: a) that the modist Martin of Dacia sides with the traditional reading of the first chapter of Aristotle’s De interpretatione that we find in masters of arts from the first half of the thirteenth century; and b) that the modist Boethius of Dacia is one of the first thirteenth-century scholars to depart from this reading. In fact, Boethius presents us with an account of propositional verification where the terms’ signification is not operational and where the immediate truth-maker of statements like ‘homo est animal’ is an external state of affairs. In Martin’s case, to the contrary, the terms’ signification is operational in his account of propositional verification and the immediate truth-bearer of such statements is a mental composition or division.
Was the Early Wyclif a Determinist? Concerning an Unnoticed Level within His Taxonomy of Being
Authors: Campi Luigi
Published: March 2014

Abstract

This article takes issue with the most authoritative argument for the commonplace that John Wyclif was an extreme determinist: he denied distinctions between divine ideas and God’s metaphysical constituents and between ideas as principle of divine cognition of creatures (rationes) and as models for their production ad extra (exemplaria); since as a constituent of God’s essence every divine idea is absolutely necessary, and every idea is unfailingly a pattern for creation, therefore God cannot but create anything He can think of. This paper argues against the premise that Wyclif never distinguished rationes and exemplaria by examining significant excerpts from Wyclif’s edited and unedited academic writings in which the distinction is assumed or discussed. Wyclif maintains that there are more ideas in God than created essences ad extra, and that God’s absolute power covers more than His ordained power does. To stress that not every divine idea is automatically a model for creation, Wyclif sometimes includes in his standard taxonomy of being a hitherto unnoticed level, the esse intentionale, which is eternal and ad intra, like the esse intelligibile, but contingent, the kind of being in which something participates as the result of God’s free choice to bring it into existence ad extra at the due time.
Hylomorphism versus the Theory of Elements in Late Aristotelianism: Péter Pázmány and the Sixteenth-Century Exegesis of Meteorologica IV
Authors: Petrescu Lucian
Published: March 2014

Abstract

This paper investigates Péter Pázmány’s theory of mixtures from his exegesis of Meteorologica IV, in the context of sixteenth-century scholarship on Aristotle’s Meteorologica. It aims to contribute to a discussion of Anneliese Maier’s thesis concerning the incompatibility between hylomorphism and the theory of elements in the Aristotelian tradition. It presents two problems: (1) the placement of Meteorologica IV in the Jesuit cursus on physics and (2) the conceptualization of putrefaction as a type of substantial mutation. Through an analysis of these issues, it shows (1) how sixteenth-century exegesis imposes the hylomorphic thesis onto the subject matter of meteorology and (2) how the hylomorphic theory of substantial change can be adapted in order to accommodate the theory of elements. The case being made is that Meteorologica is a privileged place where hylomorphism and the theory of elements meet and that the late Aristotelian theory of mixtures sought to accommodate both theories of material substance.
Significative Supposition and Ockham’s Rule
Authors: Crimi Milo
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Paul Spade argues that there is a tension between Ockham’s descriptions of the various types of supposition at Summa Logicae (sl) I.64 and a rule he provides at sl I.65. In later papers, Spade proposes a solution: a term supposits significatively (i.e., personally) just in case it supposits for everything it signifies. I evaluate Spade’s proposal and explore some of its implications. I show that it successfully resolves the tension and that it suggests a way to more precisely describe material and simple supposition. I argue furthermore that Ockham is committed to the proposal by showing that uncontroversial features of his theory imply it. In doing so, I raise and refute three potential objections. Finally, I highlight and discuss a controversial result: self-signifying conventional terms can supposit materially. I argue that this result makes for a more satisfying theory.
A new species of Admesturius Galiano, 1988 from north Chile (Araneae: Salticidae: Amycoida)
Authors: BUSTAMANTE ABEL A. , SCIOSCIA CRISTINA L. , CASANUEVA MARÍA E.
Published: March 2014

The Hurieae group was created by Simon (1901) and revised by Galiano (1987). This group includes the genera Admesturius Galiano; Atelurius Simon; Hurius Simon; Scoturius Simon and Simonurius Galiano. They are nested within the Neotropical clade Amycoida (Maddison & Hedin 2003), but their phylogenetic relationships among these genera are uncertain.
“A Time to Dance”: Music, the Bible and the Book of Ecclesiastes
Authors: Dell Katharine J.
Published: March 2014

This article explores the burgeoning interest in biblical studies in the use of the Bible in music, as a medium and as an ever fresh way of expounding and expressing the stories and sentiments of the Bible. It looks at some recent scholarship on the Bible and music and then goes on to look closely at a sample book, that of Ecclesiastes, to see which texts have been used as inspiration for musical expression and in what ways that has evolved in ever fresh historical and cultural contexts. It is seen that particular themes such as time (Eccl 3:1-8), the fate of humans and animals (Eccl 3:9-14) and that of ‘vanity’ (the repeated refrain of the book) have been of particular interest to librettists and composers.
Reception Exegesis of Lamentations: A Review Article
Authors: Riches John
Published: March 2014

Joyce and Lipton’s Wiley-Blackwell’s Bible Commentary on Lamentations develops a form of ‘reception exegesis’ which analyses each unit of the biblical text by reference to a ‘receiving text’ chosen from a wide range of genres: literature, drama, music, film, commentary, midrash, psychology, theology. The review considers the (considerable) success of such a strategy and compares and contrasts it with other more historical considerations of the reception of biblical texts. Where reception exegesis uses the receiving text to throw (sometimes critical) light directly onto the sending text itself, reception history, by tracing out the history of the reception of the biblical text at different times and in different contexts, rather shows the potential of the biblical text for generating new meanings.
La scena del delitto: Sulla commedia gialla degli anni Trenta
Authors: Di Nallo Antonella
Published: March 2014

A partire dalla fine degli anni Venti del secolo scorso, in concomitanza se non in anticipo rispetto alla diffusione della narrativa poliziesca e nell’ambito della profonda trasformazione che la nascente società di massa proietta anche sulle forme dello spettacolo, si sviluppa in Italia uno dei fenomeni più vistosi della scena teatrale: la commedia gialla. Il saggio, attingendo a fonti generalmente trascurate, come la stampa periodica specializzata, ridefinisce i contorni del genere, ne approfondisce la specificità, ne studia le relazioni con le tendenze predominanti delle correnti drammaturgiche coeve nel contesto di una crisi storica che investe la società e la cultura negli anni del fascismo. Pur assecondando un’intenzione certamente commerciale, il delitto portato sul palcoscenico, al di là dei suoi evidenti significati sociologici, svela direzioni e orientamenti chiave della storia del teatro novecentesco.
The mental health of Korean transnational mothers: A scoping review
Authors: Kim Jaemin , Agic Branka , McKenzie Kwame
Published: March 2014

Background:

A recent migration trend from Korea is transnational family arrangement where mothers migrate with children to English-speaking countries, while the fathers stay in the home country. Mothers in these families may experience more challenges than other family members because they have to adjust to a new country, new parenting role and family separation. But little is known about their mental health.

Aims:

This article scopes the evidences in the literature on impact of transnational family arrangement and migration on the mental health of Korean transnational mothers.

Method:

A comprehensive search was undertaken in 16 databases and 17 studies were identified.

Results:

The evidence on the mental health of Korean transnational mothers was analyzed into two themes: (1) challenges and life difficulties, (2) psychological and emotional states. In relation to the life difficulties such as role changes, adaptation in the host country and lack of social support, the mothers reported anxiety, depression, increased psychological distress and feeling of isolation. Positive perceptions such as sense of empowerment and increased self-confidence were also reported.

Conclusion:

The evidence suggests that there may be a potential for vulnerability to mental health problems in Korean transnational mothers. More research is needed to assess their mental health and to identify the risk factors.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Persistence of Late Emerging Reading Disabilities
Authors: Etmanskie Jill M. , Partanen Marita , Siegel Linda S.
Published: March 2014

There are some children who encounter unexpected reading difficulties in the fourth grade. This phenomenon has been described as late emerging reading disabilities (LERD). Using Grade 4 as a starting point, this study examined the reading development of 964 children between kindergarten and Grade 7. The results showed that 72.0% of children had typical reading performance in Grade 4, whereas there was 0.7% with poor word reading, 12.6% with poor reading comprehension, 2.5% with poor word reading and comprehension, and 12.2% with borderline performance. We also showed that there were similar proportions of children who had early versus late emerging reading difficulties; however, most of the late emerging poor readers recovered by Grade 7. Furthermore, our study showed that poor comprehenders showed poorer performance than typical readers on word reading, pseudoword decoding, and spelling between Grade 1 and Grade 7 and poorer performance on a working memory task in kindergarten. Overall, this study showed that most children recover from late emerging reading problems and that working memory may be an early indicator for reading comprehension difficulties.
Songs From the Car Seat
Authors: Koops Lisa Huisman
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the musical “place” of the family vehicle by describing the music making of nine young children, ages 10 months to 4.5 years, that occurred in vehicles over the course of 9 weeks during which the children were enrolled in a researcher-led early childhood music course. Research questions examined the qualities of children’s music making in the car, optimal activities, and comparison of in-car and at-home music spaces. Data included parent journals on music activities that occurred in a vehicle, parent-filmed videos of children’s music-making activities both in and out of vehicles, videos of early childhood music classes, researcher field notes of music classes, and exit interviews with parents regarding their perceptions of music-making in the vehicles. The children sang, moved, listened to music, composed, and improvised while in the car, with activities mostly similar to those that occurred inside of the home. The family vehicle provided several advantageous characteristics as compared with the home, including reduced distractions; proximity to siblings, leading to increased sibling interaction at times; and opportunity for parent and child reflection.
Revisiting Media Effects in Authoritarian Societies
Authors: Lu Jie , Aldrich John , Shi Tianjian
Published: March 2014

We argue that, to effectively understand media effects in authoritarian societies, researchers must assess different types of media strategies adopted by authoritarian leaders. Using survey data from two Chinese cities, we examine the effects of two types of media strategies adopted by the Chinese government, targeting political attitudes and nonpolitical values and norms, respectively. Following a new line of research, we contrast China’s domestic-controlled media to foreign free media. After accounting for the selection bias in Chinese urbanites’ media access, we do not find sufficient evidence for the effect of the media strategies directly targeting their democratic conceptions. However, sufficient and robust evidence shows that more intensive consumption of diverse media sources, including foreign media, does significantly but indirectly counteract the Chinese government’s political campaigns targeting its citizens’ democratic conceptions, via thwarting the government’s media strategies to cultivate a collectivistic norm in the society.
Fabric defect detection via small scale over-complete basis set
Authors: Zhu Qiuping , Wu Minyuan , Li Jie , Deng Dexiang
Published: March 2014

Defect detection has been a focal point in fabric inspection research and remains challenging. In this paper, a novel method for fabric defect detection is presented. In the proposed algorithm, only defect-free fabric images are used to build the over-complete basis set via sparse coding. Compared to traditional defect detection methods via sparse coding, our method uses a Gabor filter to reduce the complexity of the fabric signal, and takes the fabric patch’s projections in the small scale over-complete basis set as the original features, not the sparse representation. We compare the averages of the patch and its neighborhoods’ features with the standard features, which are the averages of all defect-free fabric images’ features. At last, according to this compared distance, the patch is classified as defective or non-defective. The experimental results on our own database and the TILDA database reveal that our features are more robust and the proposed algorithm can detect defects on twill, plain, gingham and striped fabric effectively.
Confluence
Authors: Gilliam Angela M.
Published: March 2014

Ever since the Cuban Revolution challenged the Monroe Doctrine by asserting a right to independence and mutuality between the United States and Cuba, no effort has been spared to gain control of the island. The National Endowment for Democracy, which has long pursued regime change in Cuba in the guise of democracy promotion, has recently “discovered” Cuban black people and manipulated the discourse of nonviolent civil disobedience to charge Cuba with racism. In 2009, an open letter from the esteemed Abdias do Nascimento and a document signed by 59 respected U.S.-based public figures of African descent became part of this effort. This process was enhanced in 2013 with visits to the United States by Afro-descendant Cuban dissidents and the increase of the reward for the capture of Assata Shakur, an exiled political activist currently living in Cuba. The original charge was countered by Cuban artists and writers and by U.S. Afro-descendants in support of Cuba’s history of mobilization against discrimination and racial prejudice. If there is one way in which Cubans are taking to heart what Fidel Castro once called “the monopoly of knowledge,” it is combining the full-throated struggle against racism with the objective to improve socialism at all levels of society.

Desde que la revolución cubana desafió la doctrina Monroe al afirmar el derecho a la independencia y la reciprocidad entre Estados Unidos y Cuba no se han escatimado esfuerzos para tomar control de la isla. El National Endowment for Democracy, que durante mucho tiempo ha buscado un cambio de régimen en Cuba, recientemente ha “descubierto” a los cubanos negros y manipulado el discurso de la desobediencia civil no violenta para acusar a Cuba de racismo. En 2009, una carta abierta del estimado Abdias do Nascimento y un documento firmado por 59 respetadas personalidades de origen africano en los Estados Unidos se convirtió en parte de este esfuerzo. Este proceso se ha intensificado con visitas a los Estados Unidos de disidentes cubanos afrodescendientes y un aumento en la recompensa por la captura de Assata Shakur, una activista política exiliada que vive en Cuba. La imputación original ha sido debatida por escritores y artistas cubanos y por afrodescendientes estadounidenses que apoyan la lucha histórica cubana contra la discriminación y los prejuicios raciales. Si hay una forma en la que los cubanos están tomando en serio aquello que Fidel Castro llamó “el monopolio del conocimiento” es combinando la lucha contra el racismo con el objetivo de mejorar el socialismo a todos los niveles sociales.
Examining the Academic Achievement of Black Adolescents
Authors: Darensbourg Alicia M. , Blake Jamilia J.
Published: March 2014

The achievement gap between White and Black youth is well documented. This continuing gap becomes of particular concern in middle school because of the general decline in engagement and achievement noted in all students during this transition. Cultural explanations are typically provided for the racial achievement gap, but additional reasons should be explored to gain a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. One such reason is the influence of parents and peers. While these influences on academic achievement, engagement, and achievement values of youth have been examined in middle school White populations, less attention has focused on Black populations. The current study explored these constructs in a sample of 181 Black adolescents to identify protective factors that may counteract decreases in achievement in this population. Results indicated that achievement values significantly predicted engagement, and engagement significantly predicted achievement. Additionally, both peer and parental influence affected these processes. Implications for future research and intervention strategies are discussed.
Intellectual structure of the institutional repository field: A co-word analysis
Authors: Cho Jane
Published: March 2014

The institutional repository is a major means of providing open access to academic output and is changing academic communications. As use of the institutional repository is spreading, research advancing its management policy and technology has been conducted in the library and academic communities. This study has undertaken a co-word analysis of author keywords in articles from the SCOPUS database from 1997 to 2012 and found 8 clusters that represent the intellectual structure of Institutional Repository Research, including ‘Metadata’, ‘Open Access’, ‘Institutional Repository’, ‘digital Library’, ‘dSpace’, ‘Copyright’, ‘Preservation’ and ‘Sematic Web’. To understand these intellectual structures, this study used a co-occurrence matrix based on Pearson’s correlation coefficient to create a clustering of the words using the hierarchical clustering technique. To visualize these intellectual structures, this study carried out a multidimensional scaling analysis, to which a PROXCAL algorithm was applied.
Political legitimacy and Islam in the Ottoman Empire
Authors: Barkey Karen
Published: March 2014

This article explores the role of religion in Ottoman political legitimation. It shows that the Ottoman rulers were interested in a much more expansive, diverse form of political legitimation that included Islamic religious legitimation, but also used toleration and sultanic law to construct a more capacious form of political legitimation that included Muslim and non-Muslim populations of the empire.
Z‐palatopharyngoplasty Combined with Endoscopic Coblator Open Tongue Base Resection for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome
Authors: Lin Hsin‐Ching , Friedman Michael , Chang Hsueh‐Wen , Yalamanchali Sreeya
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To investigate the safety and outcomes of Z‐palatopharyngoplasty (ZPPP) combined with endoscopic Coblator open tongue base resection (Eco‐TBR) for the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Study Design

Review of a prospective database.

Setting

Academic tertiary medical center.

Methods

Thirty‐nine patients with severe OSAHS who had multilevel obstruction, failed continuous positive airway pressure therapy, and then underwent ZPPP plus Eco‐TBR were enrolled in this study. The subjective symptoms and objective polysomnography parameters were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 12 weeks postoperatively. Statistical analysis was determined by the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results

Thirty‐five patients, consisting of 3 female and 32 male patients (mean age, 42 years), had completed data for final analysis. None of the patients had perioperative or postoperative serious complications. The classical success rate was 62.9% (22/35). Three months postoperatively, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale decreased from 11.0 ± 4.2 to 8.7 ± 4.3 (P =. 0006). The mean apnea/hypopnea index decreased from 50.6 ± 16.6 to 26.5 ± 23.5 events/h, the lowest oxygen saturation (%) improved from 70.4 ± 9.9 to 80.1 ± 11.3, and the snoring visual analog scale (0‐10) as assessed by bed partner decreased from 9.86 ± 0.69 to 3.27 ± 1.96 (P <. 0001 for all variables).

Conclusion

This study shows the significant benefits of ZPPP plus Eco‐TBR in patients with severe OSAHS.
Focal Purkinje ventricular tachycardia ablation in structurally normal heart
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Jaishankar , Lakshmanan Anitha , Mullasari Ajit
Published: March 2014

A 21-year-old man presented with recurrent palpitations and giddiness. Clinical examination, echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a structurally normal heart. Electrocardiography showed broad-complex tachycardia with 250 beats per minute, which required cardioversion. An electrophysiological study could not induce tachycardia by programmed electrical stimulation. On isoprenaline infusion, frequent ventricular ectopics, bigeminy, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and broad-complex tachycardia similar to clinical tachycardia were readily inducible. This was considered to be ventricular tachycardia due to enhanced automaticity. Using 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping, successful ablation was undertaken. The patient was asymptomatic on follow-up after 12 and 18 months.
Impact of Transformational Leadership on Follower’s Self-efficacy
Authors: Aggarwal Jyoti , Krishnan Venkat R.
Published: March 2014

Enhancing the belief in the abilities of employees to perform a particular task is the critical role played by a transformational leader subject to impression management strategies used by the employees. The purpose of this article is to report a study on how self-efficacy of the subordinates is enhanced by their use of impression management strategies on supervisors and the impact of transformational leadership in enhancing subordinate’s self-efficacy. Data were collected from 112 respondents (40 females and 72 males) working in the information technology industry in India. They responded to questions about their supervisor’s transformational leadership, the impression management strategies they used on their supervisors and their self-efficacy. The results show positive relationship between transformational leadership and the self-efficacy of the subordinates. Self-focused impression management strategies are positively related to the self-efficacy. Other-focused strategies have positive relationship with transformational leadership. Other-focused and job-focused strategies moderate the relation between transformational leadership and self-efficacy, such that there is a positive relationship between transformational leadership and follower self-efficacy only when followers’ use of other-focused and job-focused impression management strategies is high.
Employment Relations
Authors: Sridhar R. , Nayak Anand
Published: March 2014

This article argues that the prevalence of schisms and divergences regarding the adoption of human relations and industrial democracy principles as well as the role of labour unions and collective bargaining in industrial relations practices provide fecund breeding grounds for labour problems. The employment relations equation is often found to be unbalanced, with managements relying too heavily on scientific management and welfare hand outs, and shunning human relations and industrial democracy. We seek a rebalancing of the employment relations equation with managements placing due emphasis on employee voice and the human factor. The equation that we are considering has the elements of scientific management, industrial welfare, human relations, and industrial democracy as the causative factors affecting good employment relations. We demonstrate the utility of these factors through examples from ITC’s Employment Relations’ experiences.
Emotional Labour
Authors: Naqvi Farah
Published: March 2014

This study examines the emotional labour performed by employees in customer service roles working in the hospitality industry. The research investigates one of the consequences of performing emotional labour, namely, emotional exhaustion, and attempts to determine how self-monitoring and co-worker support can moderate the relationship between the emotional labour and the outcome variable taken in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 230 participants working in five-star chains of hotel industry and those having direct customer interaction participated in the study. Self-monitoring was found to be a moderator in the relationship between emotional labour and emotional exhaustion. Similarly, the analysis indicated that the positive association was weakened between emotional labour and emotional exhaustion where the employees received higher support from co-workers. Managerial implications and suggestions for future research are also provided.