bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor and human papillomavirus in patients with oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Matsumoto Fumihiko , Fujimaki Mitsuhisa , Ohba Shinichi , Kojima Masataka , Yokoyama Junkichi , Ikeda Katsuhisa
Published: April 2014

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is associated with better prognosis than HPV‐negative oropharyngeal SCC. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) in patients with oropharyngeal SCC, its relationship to HPV status and various clinical parameters, and its relationship with clinical outcome.

Methods

The study subjects were 59 patients with oropharyngeal SCC. IGF‐1R expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin‐embedded tumor tissues. HPV status was evaluated by in situ hybridization (ISH) in the same tissues.

Results

IGF‐1R did not correlate with clinical parameters, but IGF‐1R expression was more common in HPV‐negative tumors than in HPV‐positive tumors. The prognosis was poorer in patients of the IGF‐1R‐positive group than in the IGF‐1R‐negative group.

Conclusion

The results suggested that IGF‐1R expression in oropharyngeal SCC correlated with poor prognosis in HPV‐negative patients. Treatment targeting IGF‐1R could potentially improve the survival of patients with HPV‐negative oropharyngeal SCC. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 977–981, 2015
Spectrum of statin hepatotoxicity: Experience of the drug-induced liver injury network
Authors: Russo Mark W. , Hoofnagle Jay H. , Gu Jiezhun , Fontana Robert J. , Barnhart Huiman , Kleiner David E. , Chalasani Naga , Bonkovsky Herbert L.
Published: April 2014

The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely prescribed for patients with hyperlipidemia and are generally well tolerated. Mild elevations in serum aminotransferases arise in up to 3% of treated patients, but clinically apparent drug-induced liver injury is rare. The aim of this study is to report the presenting features and outcomes of 22 patients with clinically apparent liver injury due to statins. Among 1,188 cases of drug-induced liver injury enrolled between 2004 and 2012 in a prospective registry by the U.S. Drug Induced Liver Injury Network, 22 were attributed to a statin. All patients were evaluated in a standard fashion and followed for at least 6 months after onset. The median age was 60 years (range 41-80), and 15 (68%) were female. The latency to onset of liver injury ranged from 34 days to 10 years (median = 155 days). Median peak levels were alanine aminotransferase 892 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 358 U/L, and total bilirubin 6.1 mg/dL. Nine patients presented with cholestatic hepatitis and 12 patients presented with hepatocellular injury, of which six had an autoimmune phenotype. Nine patients were hospitalized, four developed evidence of hepatic failure, and one died. All commonly used statins were implicated. Four patients developed chronic liver injury, of which three had an autoimmune phenotype of liver injury. Conclusion: Drug-induced liver injury from statins is rare and characterized by variable patterns of injury, a range of latencies to onset, autoimmune features in some cases, and persistent or chronic injury in 18% of patients, most of whom have an autoimmune phenotype. (Hepatology 2014;60:679–686)
Risk factors for cancers of unknown primary site: Results from the prospective EPIC cohort
Authors: Kaaks Rudolf , Sookthai Disorn , Hemminki Kari , Krämer Alwin , Boeing Heiner , Wirfält Elisabet , Weiderpass Elisabete , Overvad Kim , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja , Peeters Petra H. , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. B(as) , Panico Salvatore , Pala Valeria , Vineis Paolo , Quirós J. Ramón , Ardanaz Eva , Sánchez María‐José , Chirlaque Maria‐Dolores , Larrañaga Nerea , Brennan Paul , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Trichopoulou Antonia , Lagiou Pagona , Hallmans Göran , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Key Timothy J. , Riboli Elio , Canzian Federico
Published: April 2014

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) may be called an “orphan” disease, as it is diagnosed when metastases are detected while the primary tumor typically remains undetected, and because little research has been done on its primary causes. So far, few epidemiological studies, if any, have addressed possible risk factors for CUP. We analyzed data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort (N = 476,940). During prospective follow‐up, a total of 651 cases of incident cases of CUP were detected (ICD‐O‐2 code C809). Proportional hazards models were conducted to examine the associations of lifetime history of smoking habits, alcohol consumption, levels of education and anthropometric indices of adiposity with risk of being diagnosed with CUP. Risk of being diagnosed with CUP was strongly related to smoking, with a relative risk of 3.66 [95% C.I., 2.24–5.97] for current, heavy smokers (26+ cigarettes/day) compared to never smokers (adjusted for alcohol consumption, body mass index, waist circumference and level of education) and a relative risk of 5.12 [3.09–8.47] for cases with CUP who died within 12 months. For alcohol consumption and level of education, weaker associations were observed but attenuated and no longer statistically significant after adjusting for smoking and indices of obesity. Finally, risk of CUP was increased by approximately 30 per cent for subjects in the highest versus lowest quartiles of waist circumference. Our analyses provide further documentation, in addition to autopsy studies, that a substantial proportion of cancers of unknown primary site may have their origin in smoking‐related tumors, in particular.
A Path of Counselor Self‐Awareness
Authors: Pompeo Alyson M. , Levitt Dana Heller
Published: April 2014

This article explores self‐reflection and self‐awareness from an ethical standpoint, proposing that counselors have a responsibility to themselves, their clients, and the profession to engage in these practices. The authors propose a path to counselor self‐awareness and a 2nd process that assumes counselor mastery.
Assessing Parentification in South American College Students: A Factor Analytic Study of a Spanish Version of the Parentification Inventory
Authors: Hooper Lisa M.
Published: April 2014

The Parentification Inventory (PI; Hooper,) was developed to retrospectively assess various levels of parentification (whereby children take on caregiving and parental roles, responsibilities, and relationships reserved for adults). This study examined the underlying factor structure of the first Spanish version of the PI with a sample of 231 South American Latina/o college students. The results showed sound internal consistency and supported an 18‐item, 3‐component solution. Implications for culturally tailored research and practice are discussed.

El Inventario de Parentificación (PI, por sus siglas en inglés; Hooper,) fue desarrollado para evaluar retrospectivamente varios niveles de parentificación (el proceso mediante el cual los niños adoptan roles, responsabilidades y relaciones paternales y de cuidadores, normalmente reservadas para adultos). Este estudio examinó la estructura de factores subyacentes de la primera versión en español del PI con una muestra de 231 estudiantes universitarios sudamericanos/latinos de ambos sexos. Los resultados mostraron una firme consistencia interna y afirmaron una solución de 18 elementos en 3 componentes. Se discuten las implicaciones para investigaciones y prácticas culturalmente adaptadas.
An Interview With Garry Landreth: Play Therapy, Humanism, and the Future of Counseling
Authors: CARNES‐HOLT KARA
Published: April 2014

Garry Landreth is an international leader in child‐centered play therapy with a long‐standing commitment to humanistic education and counseling. Landreth recently retired from the University of North Texas after completing 45 years as a counselor educator. His work includes more than 150 journal articles, books, and training materials that are recognized by leading counseling organizations. During this interview, Landreth shared his thoughts on his professional journey, passions, and visions related to humanism, counselor education, and play therapy.
Enhanced adsorption capacity and selectivity towards molybdenum in wastewater by a persimmon tannin waste based new adsorbent
Authors: Shan Weijun , Ren Fuqiang , Zhang Qing , Wan Li , Xing Zhiqiang , Lou Zhenning , Xiong Ying
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND

Taking advantage of their voluminous availability as agricultural or industrial waste and ease of chemical modification, it is always a promising strategy to fabricate waste biomass materials as adsorbents for selective uptake of concerned metal ions. In the present paper, an environmentally “green” adsorbent was developed by introduced triethylamine (TEA) group on persimmon waste and its potentiality for adsorption, desorption behavior, and mechanism of molybdenum were evaluated.

RESULTS

As compared to the persimmon tannin waste based other adsorbents, TEA‐CPT gel exhibited reasonable uptake capacity (287.21 mg g−1) and selectivity for the adsorption of molybdenum. Chelation action between the O‐atom of molybdenum poly‐anions and the N‐atom of tertiary amine is considered to be responsible for selective binding and sorption of molybdenum over co‐existing metal ions. In addition, the adsorbed molybdenum was very effectively eluted with low concentration NH3H2O solution (1%) in column experiment and the regenerated adsorbent exhibited undiminished sorption efficiency for at least six cycles.

CONCLUSION

Results show that the TEA‐CPT gel modified by triethylamine has the good stability and the selectivity, etc make it a promising candidate for selective recovery of molybdenum from aqueous system. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of Clinician‐ and Self‐Assessments of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Older Versus Younger Veterans
Authors: Lunney Carole A. , Schnurr Paula P. , Cook Joan M.
Published: April 2014

Assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older adults has received limited investigation. The purpose of this study was to compare the severity of PTSD symptoms in treatment‐seeking older and younger U.S. veterans with PTSD. Participants were 360 male and 284 female veterans enrolled in 2 separate clinical trials of psychotherapy for PTSD. About 4% of the participants were age 60 years or older. Symptoms were assessed before treatment using clinician‐rated and self‐report measures. For men, only numbing symptoms were lower in older veterans; this was so in clinician ratings, d = 0.76, and self‐reports, d = 0.65. For women, clinician‐rated hyperarousal symptoms were lower in older veterans, d = 0.57. Clinician‐rated and self‐reported symptoms were strongly related, Bs = 0.95 and 0.80 in the male and female samples, respectively. Among men, clinician‐rated and self‐reported reexperiencing and hyperarousal symptoms were associated only in younger veterans. Accurate assessment of PTSD symptoms in older adults is essential to identifying and implementing effective treatment. Our findings suggest that some symptoms may be lower in older men, and that some symptoms of PTSD may be underdetected in older women. Future research should assess the combined effect of gender and age on PTSD symptom presentation.
Bandgap engineering of GaxZn1–xO nanowire arrays for wavelength‐tunable light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Zhang Xianghui , Li Luying , Su Jun , Wang Yumei , Shi Yuling , Ren Xiaoliang , Liu Nishuang , Zhang Aiqing , Zhou Jun , Gao Yihua
Published: April 2014

Wavelength‐tunable light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) of GaxZn1–xO nanowire arrays are demonstrated by a simple modified chemical vapor deposition heteroepitaxial growth on p‐GaN substrate. As a gallium atom has similar electronegativity and ion radius to a zinc atom, high‐level Ga‐doped GaxZn1–xO nanowire arrays have been fabricated. As the x value gradually increases from 0 to 0.66, the near‐band‐edge emission peak of GaxZn1–xO nanowires shows a significant shift from 378 nm (3.28 eV) to 418 nm (2.96 eV) in room‐temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurement. Importantly, the electroluminescence (EL) emission of GaxZn1–xO nanowire arrays LED continuously shifts with a wider range (∼100 nm), from the ultraviolet (382 nm) to the visible (480 nm) spectral region. The presented work demonstrates the possibility of bandgap engineering of low‐dimensional ZnO nanowires by gallium doping and the potential application for wavelength‐tunable LEDs.
Pulsed versus continuous wave CO2 laser excisions of 100 oral fibrous hyperplasias: A randomized controlled clinical and histopathological study
Authors: Suter Valerie G.A. , Altermatt Hans Jörg , Dietrich Thomas , Warnakulasuriya Saman , Bornstein Michael M.
Published: April 2014

Background

In experimental animal studies, pulsing the CO2 laser beam has been shown to reduce the thermal damage zone of excised oral mucosal tissue. However, there is still controversy over whether this is borne out under clinical conditions.

Objective

To compare the outcome following excisional biopsies of fibrous hyperplasias using a pulsed (cf) versus a continuous wave (cw) CO2 laser mode regarding the thermal damage zone, duration of surgeries, intra‐ and postoperative complications, postoperative pain sensation, scarring and/or relapse during the initial 6 months.

Materials and Methods

One hundred Swiss‐resident patients with a fibrous hyperplasia in their buccal mucosa were randomly assigned to the cw mode (5 W) or the cf mode (140 Hz, 400 microseconds, 33 mJ, 4.62 W) group. All excisions were performed by one single oral surgeon. Postoperative pain (2 weeks) was recorded by visual analogue scale (VAS; ranging from 0 to 100). Intake of analgesics and postoperative complications were recorded in a standardized study form. The maximum width of the collateral thermal damage zone was measured (µm) in excision specimens by one pathologist. Intraoral photographs at 6‐month follow‐up examinations were evaluated regarding scarring (yes/no).

Results

Median duration of the excision was 65 seconds in the cw and 81 seconds in the cf group (P = 0.13). Intraoperative bleeding occurred in 16.3% of the patients in the cw and 17.7% of the cf group. The median value of the thermal damage zone was 161(±228) μm in the cw and 152(± 105) μm in the cf group (P = 0.68). The reported postoperative complications included swelling in 19% and minor bleeding in 6% without significant differences between the two laser modes. When comparing each day separately or the combined mean VAS scores of both groups between Days 1–3, 1–7, and 1–15, there were no significant differences. However, more patients of the cw group (25%) took analgesics than patients of the cf group (9.8%) resulting in a borderline significance (P = 0.04). Scarring at the excision site was found in 50.6% of 77 patients after 6 months, and more scars were identified in cases treated with the cf mode (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Excision of fibrous hyperplasias performed with a CO2 laser demonstrated a good clinical outcome and long‐term predictability with a low risk of recurrence regardless of the laser mode (cf or cw) used. Scarring after 6 months was only seen in 50.6% of the cases and was slightly more frequent in the cf mode group. Based on the findings of the present study, a safety border of 1 mm appears sufficient for both laser modes especially when performing a biopsy of a suspicious soft tissue lesion to ensure a proper histopathological examination. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:396–404, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glycopolymer Functionalization of Engineered Spider Silk Protein‐based Materials for Improved Cell Adhesion
Authors: Hardy John G. , Pfaff André , Leal‐Egaña Aldo , Müller Axel H. E. , Scheibel Thomas R.
Published: April 2014

Silk protein‐based materials are promising biomaterials for application as tissue scaffolds, due to their processability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The preparation of films composed of an engineered spider silk protein (eADF4(C16)) and their functionalization with glycopolymers are described. The glycopolymers bind proteins found in the extracellular matrix, providing a biomimetic coating on the films that improves cell adhesion to the surfaces of engineered spider silk films. Such silk‐based materials have potential as coatings for degradable implantable devices.
Two‐Phase Network Formation in Sulfur Crosslinking Reaction of Isoprene Rubber
Authors: Yasuda Yoritaka , Minoda Shinya , Ohashi Takumi , Yokohama Hiroyuki , Ikeda Yuko
Published: April 2014

Synchrotron in situ zinc K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure measurements are conducted during sulfur crosslinking reactions of isoprene rubber at 140 °C. A two‐phase network formation via two different reactions is revealed in a benzothiazolesulfenamide‐accelerated curing system with zinc oxide and stearic acid. DSC measurements support this observation. The results are in good agreement with previous work using small‐angle neutron scattering, where network domains of high network‐chain density are proposed to be embedded in a mesh network. A formation of the mesh network is found to occur a little earlier than that of the network domains, and its fraction is unexpectedly observed to be larger than that calculated on the basis of a concentration of zinc stearate. The result is ascribable to amounts of zinc intermediates forming the mesh network. This study may be the first in situ evaluation for the inhomogeneous network formation during vulcanization.

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Push forward measures and concentration phenomena
Authors: Hugo Jiménez C. ,  Naszódi Márton , Villa Rafael
Published: April 2014

In this note we study how a concentration phenomenon can be transferred from one measure μ to a push‐forward measure ν. In the first part, we push forward μ by , where , and obtain a concentration inequality in terms of the medians of the given norms (with respect to μ) and the Banach‐Mazur distance between them. This approach is finer than simply bounding the concentration of the push forward measure in terms of the Banach‐Mazur distance between K and L. As a consequence we show that any normed probability space with exponential type concentration is far (even in an average sense) from subspaces of . The sharpness of this result is shown by considering the spaces.
Utility values in health technology assessments: a statistician's perspective
Authors: Whately‐Smith Caroline , Watkins Claire , Mann Helen , Fletcher Chrissie , Ducournau Pierre
Published: April 2014

This paper provides an introduction to utilities for statisticians working mainly in clinical research who have not had experience of health technology assessment work. Utility is the numeric valuation applied to a health state based on the preference of being in that state relative to perfect health. Utilities are often combined with survival data in health economic modelling to obtain quality‐adjusted life years. There are several methods available for deriving the preference weights and the health states to which they are applied, and combining them to estimate utilities, and the clinical statistician has valuable skills that can be applied in ensuring the robustness of the trial design, data collection and analyses to obtain and handle this data. In addition to raising awareness of the subject and providing source references, the paper outlines the concepts and approaches around utilities using examples, discusses some of the key issues, and proposes areas where statisticians can collaborate with health economic colleagues to improve the quality of this important element of health technology assessment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Movement through Dams Facilitates Population Connectivity in a Large River
Authors: Pracheil B. M. , Mestl G. E. , Pegg M. A.
Published: April 2014

Even in heavily impounded river ecosystems, aquatic populations and communities retain limited connectivity via movement through dams. This connectivity has the potential to influence population dynamics but has been infrequently characterized. We used 1995–2008 paddlefish mark–recapture data to perform the following: (i) quantify rates of movement through dams and (ii) examine the influence of dam discharge on fish passing dams. We found that there are substantial one‐way (upstream to downstream) population connections maintained via fish passing dams and that dam discharge is a key driver of downstream fish movement. Results of our study suggest that population connections maintained by fish passing dams can play an important role in population dynamics depleting upstream populations and subsidizing downstream populations, particularly in years with high flow events. We suggest that the influence of hydrology on maintaining populations in fragmented ecosystems is an increasingly important consideration for conservation and management of aquatic ecosystems in the face of predicted hydrological changes from climate change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SEM observation of the live morphology of human red blood cells under high vacuum conditions using a novel RTIL
Authors: Hyono Atsushi , Yonezawa Tetsu , Kawai Koji , Abe Shigeaki , Fujihara Mitsuhiro , Azuma Hiroshi , Wakamoto Shinobu
Published: April 2014

In this study, we succeed in visualizing a ‘living’ morphology of red blood cells (RBCs) by a rapid and simple scanning electron microscope (SEM) pretreatment using a hydrophilic room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) with asymmetrical structure. The conventional pretreatment induces size shrinkage of the cells, and the diameter observed in an SEM (less than 6 µm) was smaller than that in an optical microscope (8 µm). Though RBCs are well‐known to be easily deformed with the environmental conditions, the cells did not show the deformation when they were pretreated with our RTILs. Since the chemical structure of our RTIL resembles a ‘choline’, which is a typical bioactive material, and has biocompatibilities, they may make it avoid from the deformation of RBCs. In fact, only immersing RBCs, our novel RTIL can provide a clear SEM image without size shrinkage and deformation. Interestingly, the obtained SEM image shows 8 µm in the diameter, almost same size as that in optical microscope. Therefore, this method is expected for novel SEM pretreatment for various biological samples observation as ‘living’ matter. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface and interface investigation of electrochemically induced corrosion on a quaternary bronze
Authors: Papadopoulou O. , Delagrammatikas M. , Vassiliou P. , Grassini S. , Angelini E. , Gouda V.
Published: April 2014

A quaternary (Cu‐Zn‐Sn‐Pb) cast bronze was submitted to an electrochemical corrosion experiment using an anodic polarization sweep. The surface/interface chemical analysis of the patina removed after the anodic polarization and the metallographic observations on the corroded bulk alloy highlight the onset of a dezincification process followed by a decuprification process, as well as the formation of a Sn‐enriched layer located at the interface patina‐bulk alloy. Different local corrosion patterns, as CuCl precipitation in pits, epitaxial growth of corrosion products on dendritic structures and of Cl‐enriched oxyhydroxides, are observed too. The results are discussed in comparison with experimental findings obtained in previous ageing tests performed on the same alloy in different chloride‐containing solutions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying performance differences among trail cameras used to monitor forest mammals
Authors: Wellington Kelsey , Bottom Christopher , Merrill Cody , Litvaitis John A.
Published: April 2014

As a result of the increasing popularity of remotely triggered (trail) cameras among hunters, amateur naturalists, and field biologists, a large variety of equipment and technologies have become available. Among various models of cameras, such features as the size of detection zone, trigger speed, and sensitivity of infrared‐motion detector can influence performance, including animal detection rates. Variation in detection (or photographic) rates among cameras may be problematic in studies where several models of cameras are used, especially when performance differences are not incorporated in the study design. To evaluate this potential source of sampling bias, we conducted head‐to‐head field trials with 2 cameras (Cuddeback™ Capture IR and Reconyx™ HC 600 Hyperfire) that had substantially different attributes that can affect sampling efficiency. Among initial comparisons, we found that Reconyx cameras (large detection zone and high‐sensitivity motion detector) recorded approximately twice as many independent photographs as did the paired Cuddeback cameras. In subsequent trials, we reduced the sensitivity of the motion detector on the Reconyx cameras and positioned a wooden stake with bait in the center of the immediate detection zone of both cameras. These adjustments reduced performance differences between the 2 cameras. We recommend that biologists involved with research, inventory, or monitoring programs that rely on more than one model of trail camera consider a testing phase where they can evaluate and possibly adjust differences among cameras. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
What is new for monoamine neurotransmitter disorders?
Authors: Marecos Clara , Ng Joanne , Kurian Manju A.
Published: April 2014

The monoamine neurotransmitter disorders are increasingly recognized as an expanding group of inherited neurometabolic syndromes caused by disturbances in the synthesis, transport and metabolism of the biogenic amines, including the catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) and serotonin. Disturbances in monoamine metabolism lead to neurological syndromes that frequently mimic other conditions, such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, parkinsonism‐dystonia syndromes, primary genetic dystonia and paroxysmal disorders. As a consequence, neurotransmitter disorders are frequently misdiagnosed. Early and accurate diagnosis of these neurotransmitter disorders is important, as many are highly amenable to, and some even cured by, therapeutic intervention. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the field, particularly the recent extensive characterization of known neurotransmitter disorders and identification of novel neurotransmitter disorders. We also provide an overview of current and future research in the field focused on developing novel treatment strategies.
Evaluation and prediction of the effect of load frequency on the wear properties of pre-cracked nylon 66
Authors: Abdelbary A. , Abouelwafa M. N. , El Fahham I. M.
Published: April 2014

Nylon 66 has been widely used for numerous mechanical applications but its sliding wear mechanisms are not fully understood. In particular, limited attention has been paid to the generation of fatigue surface cracks under constant and cyclic load conditions. The present work focuses on the effect of load frequency on the wear behavior of a polymer with surface defects in dry sliding conditions. The defects were imposed vertical deep cracks perpendicular to the direction of sliding. Wear studies were conducted against a steel counterface at constant loads, and in cyclic loads at different frequencies. Artificial neural network (ANN) models were examined to identify one that optimally simulates wear under the applied load parameters.

Surface cracks were found to have a remarkable adverse effect on the wear behavior of the polymer. The wear rates were influenced by the number of cracks as well as the type of applied load. Furthermore, results suggest that the presence of surface cracks is attributable to the section B wear regime. Finally, acceptable predicted wear rate values were obtained by introducing the ANN wear model.
L1CAM promotes enrichment of immunosuppressive T cells in human pancreatic cancer correlating with malignant progression
Authors: Grage-Griebenow Evelin , Jerg Elfi , Gorys Artur , Wicklein Daniel , Wesch Daniela , Freitag-Wolf Sandra , Goebel Lisa , Vogel Ilka , Becker Thomas , Ebsen Michael , Röcken Christoph , Altevogt Peter , Schumacher Udo , Schäfer Heiner , Sebens Susanne
Published: April 2014

Regulatory T cell (T‐reg) enrichment in the tumor microenvironment is regarded as an important mechanism of tumor immune escape. Hence, the presence of T‐regs in highly malignant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is correlated with short survival. Likewise, the adhesion molecule L1CAM is upregulated during PDAC progression in the pancreatic ductal epithelium also being associated with poor prognosis. To investigate whether L1CAM contributes to enrichment of T‐regs in PDAC, human CD4+CD25+CD127−CD49d− T‐regs and CD4+CD25− T‐effector cells (T‐effs) were isolated by magnetic bead separation from blood of healthy donors. Their phenotype and functional behavior were analyzed in dependence on human premalignant (H6c7) or malignant (Panc1) pancreatic ductal epithelial cells, either exhibiting or lacking L1CAM expression. T cells derived from blood and tumors of PDAC patients were analyzed by flow cytometry and findings were correlated with clinical parameters. Predominantly T‐regs but not T‐effs showed an increased migration on L1CAM expressing H6c7 and Panc1 cells. Whereas proliferation of T‐regs did not change in the presence of L1CAM, T‐effs proliferated less, exhibited a decreased CD25 expression and an increased expression of CD69. Moreover, these T‐effs exhibited a regulatory phenotype as they inhibited proliferation of autologous T cells. Accordingly, CD4+CD25−CD69+ T cells were highly abundant in PDAC tissues compared to blood being associated with nodal invasion and higher grading in PDAC patients. Overall, these data point to an important role of L1CAM in the enrichment of immunosuppressive T cells in particular of a CD4+CD25−CD69+‐phenotype in PDAC providing a novel mechanism of tumor immune escape which contributes to tumor progression.
Personality Characteristics in a Population of Mountain Climbers
Authors: Monasterio Erik , Alamri Yassar A. , Mei-Dan Omer
Published: April 2014

Objective

Mountaineering and mountain-related sports are growing in popularity and are associated with significant risk of injury. There is a perception that mountaineers possess unique personality characteristics that attract them to the sport. We aim to determine whether there are any identifiable differences between the personality characteristics of experienced mountaineers and a normal control population and to determine whether there is an association between specific personality traits and risk of injury.

Methods

Questionnaires were utilized to obtain data on demographics, accidents, and personality characteristics from a population of experienced mountaineers. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used, and the results were compared with normative data from age-matched controls.

Results

Forty-seven mountaineers from 8 different countries enrolled in the study. The mean age was 33 years, and 44 (90%) had been mountaineering for more than 5 years. Twenty-three climbers (49%) had been involved in a total of 33 accidents. Mountaineers scored higher on novelty seeking ( P < .05) and self-directedness ( P < .05) and lower on harm avoidance ( P < .001) and self-transcendence ( P < .001). There was a significant association between the character measure of cooperativeness and the total number (−.33, P < .05) and severity (−.475, P < .05) of accidents.

Conclusions

Mountaineering is associated with significant risk of injury. Wide variation in the scores of personality traits suggests that there is not a tightly defined personality profile among mountaineers. Scores on cooperativeness may assist in determining risk of injury in mountaineers.
Measuring Judicial Ideal Points in New Democracies: The Case of the Philippines
Authors: Dalla Pellegrina Lucia , Escresa Laarni , Garoupa Nuno
Published: April 2014

This paper extends the empirical analysis on the determinants of judicial behaviour by measuring the ideal points for the Justices of the Philippine Supreme Court for 1986−2010. The Philippines is an interesting case given the US influence in designing the Supreme Court while the political and social context differs significantly. The estimated ideal points allow us to focus on political coalitions based on presidential appointments. We find strong evidence to support the existence of such coalitions along a government-opposition policy space. Implications for comparative judicial politics are discussed.
REFLEXIVE INDEX OF A FAMILY OF SUBSPACES
Authors: LONGSTAFF W. E.
Published: April 2014

A definition of the reflexive index of a family of (closed) subspaces of a complex, separable Hilbert space $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}H$ is given, analogous to one given by D. Zhao for a family of subsets of a set. Following some observations, some examples are given, including: (a) a subspace lattice on $H$ with precisely five nontrivial elements with infinite reflexive index; (b) a reflexive subspace lattice on $H$ with infinite reflexive index; (c) for each positive integer $n$ satisfying dim $H\ge n+1$, a reflexive subspace lattice on $H$ with reflexive index $n$. If $H$ is infinite-dimensional and ${\mathcal{B}}$ is an atomic Boolean algebra subspace lattice on $H$ with $n$ equidimensional atoms and with the property that the vector sum $K+L$ is closed, for every $K,L\in {\mathcal{B}}$, then ${\mathcal{B}}$ has reflexive index at most $n$.
A NOTE ON SPACES WITH RANK 2-DIAGONAL
Authors: XUAN WEI-FENG , SHI WEI-XUE
Published: April 2014

We prove that if a space $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}X$ with a rank 2-diagonal either has the countable chain condition or is star countable then the cardinality of $X$ is at most $\mathfrak{c}$.
The Religious Underpinnings of Early Prussian Liberalism: The Case of Wilhelm Grävell
Authors: Pangburn Kris
Published: April 2014

Writing in 1957, Leonard Krieger famously argued that Lutheranism was “not itself central” to what he called the “problem of political liberty” in the German lands during the nineteenth century. By downplaying the influence of Luther's teachings on German political thought, Krieger tacitly aimed to refute the controversial “from Luther to Hitler thesis” proposed by some historians in an effort to identify the ideological roots of National Socialism. Contrary to these scholars, Krieger blamed the emergence of Germany's “peculiar 19th century version of political freedom” not on religious doctrine, but on a complex of political and socioeconomic circumstances that, he argued, were unique to central Europe. Scholars have almost universally followed Krieger's line of interpretation. Recent debate focuses not on whether he was correct to argue that political and socioeconomic factors were primarily responsible for engendering a distinctively German species of liberalism, but rather on the question of which of these factors was paramount. As a consequence, religion's role in the making of early German liberalism seldom receives serious consideration today.
Alpine Modern: Central European Skiing and the Vernacularization of Cultural Modernism, 1900–1939
Authors: Denning Andrew
Published: April 2014

In 1932, author and outdoorsman Carl Luther diagnosed the pathologies of modern life and prescribed their ideal cure, writing:

Because our work in the daily routine and in the cities, in factories, and in offices has become prosaic, atomizing, and devoid of adventure—because we live faster and must demonstrate greater resistance—because we do not wish to age, but rather wish to remain young, fresh, and slender—because we are anxious and know that only new thrills and new visions can rejuvenate us . . . Spring, summer, and fall, the former seasons of relaxation, no longer suffice for us . . . We have also discovered the winter, the most alien to us of all manifestations of nature, thus for us nature in its most modern and most youthful form . . . The ski entered into the world . . . to allow men to flee excessive snow and cold. Today, however, skiing is also flight, but flight from the metropolis [in search of] all remote winter environments . . . Fortune is with the skis, because they overcome the awkwardness of nature-estranged urbanites and have so evaded natural [limits upon] speed, that in them man and speed become consubstantial.
Genetic characteristics of Chinese isolates of the tapewormTaenia pisiformisbased on two mitochondrial genes
Authors: Yang D.Y. , Ren Y.J. , Fu Y. , Xie Y. , Nong X. , Gu X.B. , Wang S.X. , Peng X.R. , Yang G.Y.
Published: April 2014

Cysticercosis is caused by infections with embryonated eggs of the tapewormTaenia pisiformis. Knowledge of the genetic characteristics ofT. pisiformiscould be applied to study the epidemiology and transmission of this parasite. In this study, 61 isolates of intraperitoneal cysticerci from eight geographically distinct regions in Sichuan province, China, were subjected to a molecular analysis in order to determine their intra-regional genetic characteristics. Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I (cox1, 1427 bp) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1, 738 bp) were concatenated. Five haplotypes were identified, and 89.04% of total genetic variation was found in collections ofT. pisiformisisolates from a single region. According to the phylogenetic reconstruction, theT. pisiformisisolates from eight regions did not form geographical clusters. Our study highlights the genetic characteristics ofT.pisiformiswith the aim of accelerating the genetic research and control of cysticercosis.
Dissemination of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusSCCmectype IV and SCCmectype V epidemic clones in a tertiary hospital: challenge to infection control
Authors: DHAWAN B. , RAO C. , UDO E. E. , GADEPALLI R. , VISHNUBHATLA S. , KAPIL A.
Published: April 2014

Two-hundred MRSA strains from inpatients with healthcare-associated (HA) and 100 MRSA strains from outpatients with community-associated (CA) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin,sehandarcAgenes. Based on SCCmectyping, HA-MRSA isolates were further divided into HA-SCCmecI/II/III MRSA and HA-SCCmecIV/V MRSA, and CA-MRSA isolates into CA-SCCmecI/II/III MRSA and CA-SCCmecIV/V MRSA. SCCmectypes were further characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis,spatyping and multi-locus sequence typing. Seventy-five (37·5%) HA-MRSA isolates and 83/100 CA-MRSA isolates were SCCmecIV/V genotype. HA-SCCmecIV/V MRSA was associated with malignancy (P = 0·03) and bone fractures (P = 0·02) compared to CA-SCCmecIV/V MRSA. HA-SCCmecIV/V MRSA was associated with PVL gene carriage compared to HA-SCCmecI/II/III MRSA (P < 0·001). ST22-MRSA-IV (EMRSA-15), ST772-MRSA-V, and ST36-MRSA-IV and ST239:EMRSA-I:III were the major clones identified. Our study documents the emergence of SCCmecIV and SCCmecV MRSA clones in an Indian hospital.
Foucault in Berkeley and Magnitogorsk: Totalitarianism and the Limits of Liberal Critique
Authors: ZIMMERMAN ANDREW
Published: April 2014

Returning to Stephen Kotkin'sMagnetic Mountain: Stalinism as a Civilizationalmost two decades after its publication allows us to take stock, from a slight temporal distance, of the reception in our discipline of the work of Michel Foucault.Magnetic Mountainis the one of the books that came out of a project that Kotkin and a number of other students began under Foucault's direction at the University of California, Berkeley in 1983 (p. xviii). Foucault's work in California occurred during a particular turn in his political thinking, a moment when he experimented with liberal alternatives to the left theories of the first decades of his career. Kotkin's book is not simply an application of a general Foucauldianism, but rather of a specific California Foucault.
Acquired long QT interval complicated with Torsades de Pointes as presentation of a pheochromocytoma in a paediatric patient: a case report
Authors: Cecilia Gonzalez M. , Emilien Derycke , Laurent Houtekie
Published: April 2014

Torsades de Pointes is an extremely rare arrhythmia in children associated to LQT syndrome. Pheochromocytomas are also extremely rare tumours in the paediatric age. We present a case of a young patient with an acquired long QT syndrome complicating with Torsades de Pointes as first clinical manifestation of a pheochromocytoma.
Local Band Gap Measurements by VEELS of Thin Film Solar Cells
Authors: Keller Debora , Buecheler Stephan , Reinhard Patrick , Pianezzi Fabian , Pohl Darius , Surrey Alexander , Rellinghaus Bernd , Erni Rolf , Tiwari Ayodhya N.
Published: April 2014

This work presents a systematic study that evaluates the feasibility and reliability of local band gap measurements of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films by valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy (VEELS). The compositional gradients across the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 layer cause variations in the band gap energy, which are experimentally determined using a monochromated scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The results reveal the expected band gap variation across the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 layer and therefore confirm the feasibility of local band gap measurements of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 by VEELS. The precision and accuracy of the results are discussed based on the analysis of individual error sources, which leads to the conclusion that the precision of our measurements is most limited by the acquisition reproducibility, if the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum is high enough. Furthermore, we simulate the impact of radiation losses on the measured band gap value and propose a thickness-dependent correction. In future work, localized band gap variations will be measured on a more localized length scale to investigate, e.g., the influence of chemical inhomogeneities and dopant accumulations at grain boundaries.
Two novel memory polynomial models for modeling of RF power amplifiers
Authors: Landin Per N. , Barbé Kurt , Van Moer Wendy , Isaksson Magnus , Händel Peter
Published: April 2014

Two novel memory polynomial models are derived based on physical knowledge of a general power amplifier (PA). The derivations are given in detail to facilitate derivations of other model structures. The model error in terms of normalized mean square error (NMSE) and adjacent channel error power ratio (ACEPR) of the novel model structures are compared to that of established models based on the number of parameters using data measured on two different amplifiers, one high-power base-station PA and one low-power general purpose amplifier. The novel models show both lower NMSE and ACEPR for any chosen number of parameters compared to the established models. The low model errors make the novel models suitable candidates for both modeling and digital predistortion.
Wie brauchbar ist der „Overexcitability Questionnaire-Two (OEQII)”?
Authors: Rost Detlef H. , Wirthwein Linda , Steinmayr Ricarda
Published: April 2014

Obwohl das Konstrukt „Overexcitability” („Übersensibilität”) aktuell vermehrt thematisiert wird, existieren nur wenige Validitätsbefunde. Darüber hinaus fehlt im deutschen Sprachraum bislang ein psychometrisch überprüftes Erfassungsverfahren. Bei drei Stichproben von Schülerinnen und Schülern der neunten bis elften Jahrgangsstufen wurde eine deutsche Version des im englischen Sprachraum zwar häufig verwendeten, jedoch psychometrisch nur unzureichend überprüften „Overexcitability Questionnaire-Two” (OEQII; 50 Items) von Falk, Lind, Miller, Piechowski und Silverman (1999) eingesetzt. Nach der Eliminierung von 18 ungeeigneten Items konnten die fünf OEQII-Skalen (emotionale, imaginative, psychomotorische, sensorische, intellektuelle Übersensibilität) faktorenanalytisch bestätigt werden, ihre psychometrischen Kennwerte waren zufriedenstellend. Als Validitätshinweise wurden Korrelationen zur allgemeinen Intelligenz, zu Schulnoten, den Big Five und zu Temperamentsskalen analysiert sowie Geschlechtsunterschiede betrachtet. Es ergaben sich nur sehr schwache Hinweise auf konvergent-divergente Validitäten. Die Brauchbarkeit des Konstrukts „Übersensibilität” bleibt fraglich.
Konstruktion und Validierung eines multimethodalen berufsbezogenen Tests zur Messung interkultureller Kompetenz
Authors: Schnabel Deborah , Kelava Augustin , Seifert Lena , Kuhlbrodt Beate
Published: April 2014

Interkulturelle Kompetenz wird als globale Verhaltensorientierung mit mehrdimensionaler Struktur verstanden. Auf dieser Basis wurde der Test zur Messung Interkultureller Kompetenz (TMIK) entwickelt, der anhand von Selbsteinschätzungs- und Situationsbeurteilungsitems die differenzierte Messung interkultureller Kompetenz ermöglicht. An n1= 641 Studierenden wurden die Messeigenschaften der Skala sowie die Ausprägung interkultureller Kompetenz in Abhängigkeit von vier Außenkriterien überprüft. Eine Stichprobe von n2= 313 Berufstätigen diente der Konstruktvalidierung und Generalisierbarkeit des Instruments. Mithilfe des ESEM-Verfahrens (Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling; Asparouhov & Muthén, 2009 ) konnte eine 17-faktorielle Struktur bestätigt und repliziert werden. Das Instrument besitzt gute psychometrische Eigenschaften. Der TMIK wies hypothesenkonforme Beziehungen mit den Außenkriterien sowie mit drei vergleichbaren Konstrukten auf, was die Kriteriums- und Konstruktvalidität zeigt. Für 16 Faktoren konnten wie erwartet konvergente Zusammenhänge mit den konstruierten Situationsbeurteilungsitems festgestellt werden. Wie vorhergesagt erzielten Personen, die bereits an einem interkulturellen Training teilgenommen haben oder interkulturell involviert waren, höhere Mittelwerte im Großteil der Faktoren.
Die Matrizenkonstruktionsaufgabe
Authors: Becker Nicolas , Preckel Franzis , Karbach Julia , Raffel Nathalie , Spinath Frank M.
Published: April 2014

Figurale Matrizenaufgaben stellen eine bedeutsames Aufgabenformat im Bereich der Diagnostik kognitiver Fähigkeiten dar. Während die Konstruktion der Aufgabenstämme in der Literatur relativ gut dokumentiert ist, finden sich nur wenige Hinweise zur Konstruktion der für die Vorgabe benötigten Distraktoren. Dies erweist sich als problematisch, da ein Einfluss der Distraktorgestaltung auf das Bearbeitungsverhalten von Testpersonen vermutet werden kann. Die Matrizenkonstruktionsaufgabe stellt ein alternatives Format zur Vorgabe figuraler Matrizen dar. In diesem müssen die Testpersonen die Lösung der Aufgaben in einer computerisierten Testumgebung selbst konstruieren, weshalb auf die Verwendung von Distraktoren verzichtet werden kann. Im Rahmen der Studie wurden einer Stichprobe von 318 Studierenden 40 Matrizenkonstruktionsaufgaben vorgegeben. Die Ergebnisse deuten auf eine gute psychometrische Eignung des Aufgabenformats hin: Es konnte eine große Bandbreite an Aufgabenschwierigkeiten realisiert werden. Die Aufgaben erfassen eine latente Fähigkeitsdimension und weisen eine gute Konstrukt- und Kriteriumsvalidität auf. In der Diskussion werden Perspektiven zur Weiterentwicklung des Aufgabenformats besprochen.