bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Functional Model of Sensemaking in a Neurocognitive Architecture
Authors: Lebiere Christian , Pirolli Peter , Thomson Robert , Paik Jaehyon , Rutledge-Taylor Matthew , Staszewski James , Anderson John R.
Published: November 2013

Sensemaking is the active process of constructing a meaningful representation (i.e., making sense) of some complex aspect of the world. In relation to intelligence analysis, sensemaking is the act of finding and interpreting relevant facts amongst the sea of incoming reports, images, and intelligence. We present a cognitive model of core information-foraging and hypothesis-updating sensemaking processes applied to complex spatial probability estimation and decision-making tasks. While the model was developed in a hybrid symbolic-statistical cognitive architecture, its correspondence to neural frameworks in terms of both structure and mechanisms provided a direct bridge between rational and neural levels of description. Compared against data from two participant groups, the model correctly predicted both the presence and degree of four biases: confirmation, anchoring and adjustment, representativeness, and probability matching. It also favorably predicted human performance in generating probability distributions across categories, assigning resources based on these distributions, and selecting relevant features given a prior probability distribution. This model provides a constrained theoretical framework describing cognitive biases as arising from three interacting factors: the structure of the task environment, the mechanisms and limitations of the cognitive architecture, and the use of strategies to adapt to the dual constraints of cognition and the environment.
Nonsyndromic Familial Oligodontia with Multiple Dens Invaginatus: A Case Report of an Unusual Case
Authors: Vinuth D. P. , Agarwal Poonam , Dube Gunjan , Abhilash S. , Dube Pallavi
Published: November 2013

Oligodontia is a rare dental anomaly with a prevalence of 0.3% in permanent teeth and much less frequency in the primary dentition. Familial oligodontia represents an absence of varying numbers of primary and/or secondary teeth as an isolated trait. It is a complex and multifactorial condition. Many explanations—evolutionary, genetic, and environmental—have been proposed as the etiology. Simultaneous with oligodontia are often the different positional changes of the existing teeth, their morphology, size, and growth disturbances of the maxillofacial skeleton. Early recognition is vital to provide adequate treatment and prevent squeal. Multidisciplinary referral or consultation is thus important in treatment planning to improve function and esthetics. The present paper reports a rare case of familial oligodontia associated with multiple dense invaginatus and microdontia.
Targeting PARP-1 Allosteric Regulation Offers Therapeutic Potential against Cancer
Authors: Steffen Jamin D. , Tholey Renee M. , Langelier Marie-France , Planck Jamie L. , Schiewer Matthew J. , Lal Shruti , Bildzukewicz Nikolai A. , Yeo Charles J. , Knudsen Karen E. , Brody Jonathan R. , Pascal John M.
Published: November 2013

PARP-1 is a nuclear protein that has important roles in maintenance of genomic integrity. During genotoxic stress, PARP-1 recruits to sites of DNA damage where PARP-1 domain architecture initiates catalytic activation and subsequent poly(ADP-ribose)–dependent DNA repair. PARP-1 inhibition is a promising new way to selectively target cancers harboring DNA repair deficiencies. However, current inhibitors target other PARPs, raising important questions about long-term off-target effects. Here, we propose a new strategy that targets PARP-1 allosteric regulation as a selective way of inhibiting PARP-1. We found that disruption of PARP-1 domain–domain contacts through mutagenesis held no cellular consequences on recruitment to DNA damage or a model system of transcriptional regulation, but prevented DNA-damage–dependent catalytic activation. Furthermore, PARP-1 mutant overexpression in a pancreatic cancer cell line (MIA PaCa-2) increased sensitivity to platinum-based anticancer agents. These results not only highlight the potential of a synergistic drug combination of allosteric PARP inhibitors with DNA-damaging agents in genomically unstable cancer cells (regardless of homologous recombination status), but also signify important applications of selective PARP-1 inhibition. Finally, the development of a high-throughput PARP-1 assay is described as a tool to promote discovery of novel PARP-1 selective inhibitors. Cancer Res; 74(1); 31–37. ©2013 AACR.
Complement Activation and Intraventricular Rituximab Distribution in Recurrent Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Authors: Kadoch Cigall , Li Jing , Wong Valerie S. , Chen Lingjing , Cha Soonmee , Munster Pamela , Lowell Clifford A. , Shuman Marc A. , Rubenstein James L.
Published: November 2013

Purpose: To elucidate the mechanistic basis for efficacy of intrathecal rituximab. We evaluated complement activation as well as the pharmacokinetics of intraventricular rituximab in patients who participated in two phase 1 multicenter studies.

Experimental Design: We evaluated complement activation as a candidate mediator of rituximab within the central nervous system (CNS). Complement C3 and C5b-9 were quantified by ELISA in serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens after intraventricular rituximab administration. We determined rituximab concentration profiles in CSF and serum. A population three- compartment pharmacokinetic model was built to describe the disposition of rituximab following intraventricular administration. The model was derived from results of the first trial and validated with results of the second trial.

Results: Complement C3 and C5b-9 were reproducibly activated in CSF after intraventricular rituximab. Ectopic expression of C3 mRNA and protein within CNS lymphoma lesions was localized to myeloid cells. Constitutive high C3 activation at baseline was associated with adverse prognosis. A pharmacokinetic model was built, which contains three distinct compartments, to describe the distribution of rituximab within the neuroaxis after intraventricular administration.

Conclusions: We provide the first evidence of C3 activation within the neuroaxis with intraventricular immunotherapy and suggest that complement may contribute to immunotherapeutic responses of rituximab in CNS lymphoma. Penetration of rituximab into neural tissue is supported by this pharmacokinetic model and may contribute to efficacy. These findings have general implications for intraventricular immunotherapy. Our data highlight potential innovations to improve efficacy of intraventricular immunotherapy both via modulation of the innate immune response as well as innovations in drug delivery. Clin Cancer Res; 20(4); 1029–41. ©2013 AACR.
Radium Ra 223 Dichloride Injection: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Drug Approval Summary
Authors: Kluetz Paul G. , Pierce William , Maher V. Ellen , Zhang Hui , Tang Shenghui , Song Pengfei , Liu Qi , Haber Martin T. , Leutzinger Eldon E. , Al-Hakim Ali , Chen Wei , Palmby Todd , Alebachew Elleni , Sridhara Rajeshwari , Ibrahim Amna , Justice Robert , Pazdur Richard
Published: November 2013

On May 15, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved radium Ra 223 dichloride (Ra-223; Xofigo injection; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.) for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), symptomatic bone metastases, and no known visceral metastatic disease. The FDA review was based on clinical trial BC1-06, which randomly allocated patients (2:1) to either Ra-223 plus best standard of care (BSoC) or placebo plus BSoC. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) with a key secondary endpoint of time to first symptomatic skeletal event (SSE). A statistically significant improvement in OS was demonstrated [HR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–0.88, P = 0.0019]. At the prespecified interim analysis, the median OS durations were 14.0 and 11.2 months in the Ra-223 and placebo arms, respectively. The improvement in OS was supported by a delay in time to first SSE favoring the Ra-223 arm. The most common (>10%) adverse reactions in patients receiving Ra-223 were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and peripheral edema. The most common (>10%) hematologic laboratory abnormalities were anemia, lymphocytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. Ra-223 is the first α-emitting radiotherapeutic and the first radiopharmaceutical to demonstrate an OS advantage in metastatic prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(1); 9–14. ©2013 AACR.
Immune Impact Induced by PROSTVAC (PSA-TRICOM), a Therapeutic Vaccine for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Gulley James L. , Madan Ravi A. , Tsang Kwong Y. , Jochems Caroline , Marté Jennifer L. , Farsaci Benedetto , Tucker Jo A. , Hodge James W. , Liewehr David J. , Steinberg Seth M. , Heery Christopher R. , Schlom Jeffrey
Published: November 2013

PSA-TRICOM (PROSTVAC) is a novel vector-based vaccine designed to generate a robust immune response against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-expressing tumor cells. The purpose of this report is to present an overview of both published studies and new data in the evaluation of immune responses to the PSA-TRICOM vaccine platform, currently in phase III testing. Of 104 patients tested for T-cell responses, 57% (59/104) demonstrated a ≥2-fold increase in PSA-specific T cells 4 weeks after vaccine (median 5-fold increase) compared with pre-vaccine, and 68% (19/28) of patients tested mounted post-vaccine immune responses to tumor-associated antigens not present in the vaccine (antigen spreading). The PSA-specific immune responses observed 28 days after vaccine (i.e., likely memory cells) are quantitatively similar to the levels of circulating T cells specific for influenza seen in the same patients. Measurements of systemic immune response to PSA may underestimate the true therapeutic immune response (as this does not account for cells that have trafficked to the tumor) and does not include antigen spreading. Furthermore, although the entire PSA gene is the vaccine, only one epitope of PSA is evaluated in the T-cell responses. Because this therapeutic vaccine is directed at generating a cellular/Th1 immune response (T-cell costimulatory molecules and use of a viral vector), it is not surprising that less than 0.6% of patients (2/349) tested have evidence of PSA antibody induction following vaccine. This suggests that post-vaccine PSA kinetics were not affected by PSA antibodies. An ongoing phase III study will evaluate the systemic immune responses and correlation with clinical outcomes. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(2); 133–41. ©2013 AACR.
Invertebrate Models in Addiction Research
Authors: Søvik Eirik , Barron Andrew B.
Published: November 2013

While drug addiction is a uniquely human problem, most research examining the biological mechanisms of the transition from substance use to addiction is conducted with vertebrate animal models. Many other fields of neuroscience have greatly benefitted from contributions from simple and manipulable invertebrate model systems. However, the potential of invertebrate research has yet to be fully capitalised on in the field of addiction neuroscience. This may be because of the complexity of addiction and the clinical imperative of addiction research. We argue that the homocentric diagnostic criteria of addiction are no more a hindrance to the use of invertebrate models than they are to vertebrate models. We highlight the strengths of the diversity of different invertebrate model systems in terms of neuroanatomy and molecular machinery, and stress that working with a range of different models will aid in understanding addiction and not be a disadvantage. Finally, we discuss the specific advantages of utilising invertebrate animals for addiction research and highlight key areas in which invertebrates are suited for making unique and meaningful contributions to this field.
Spatial Association Between Ambient Fine Particulate Matter and Incident Hypertension
Authors: Chen Hong , Burnett Richard T. , Kwong Jeffrey C. , Villeneuve Paul J. , Goldberg Mark S. , Brook Robert D. , van Donkelaar Aaron , Jerrett Michael , Martin Randall V. , Kopp Alexander , Brook Jeffrey R. , Copes Ray
Published: November 2013

Background—

Laboratory studies suggest that exposure to fine particulate matter (≤2.5 μm in diameter) (PM
2.5
) can trigger a combination of pathophysiological responses that may induce the development of hypertension. However, epidemiological evidence relating PM
2.5
and hypertension is sparse. We thus conducted a population-based cohort study to determine whether exposure to ambient PM
2.5
is associated with incident hypertension.

Methods and Results—

We assembled a cohort of 35 303 nonhypertensive adults from Ontario, Canada, who responded to 1 of 4 population-based health surveys between 1996 and 2005 and were followed up until December 31, 2010. Incident diagnoses of hypertension were ascertained from the Ontario Hypertension Database, a validated registry of persons diagnosed with hypertension in Ontario (sensitivity=72%, specificity=95%). Estimates of long-term exposure to PM
2.5
at participants’ postal-code residences were derived from satellite observations. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for various individual and contextual risk factors including body mass index, smoking, physical activity, and neighbourhood-level unemployment rates. We conducted various sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the effect estimate, such as investigating several time windows of exposure and controlling for potential changes in the risk of hypertension over time. Between 1996 and 2010, we identified 8649 incident cases of hypertension and 2296 deaths. For every 10-µg/m
3
increase of PM
2.5
, the adjusted hazard ratio of incident hypertension was 1.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.22). Estimated associations were comparable among all sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions—

This study supports an association between PM
2.5
and incident hypertension.
National Trends in Heart Failure Hospitalization After Acute Myocardial Infarction for Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Chen Jersey , Hsieh Angela Fu-Chi , Dharmarajan Kumar , Masoudi Frederick A. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: November 2013

Background—

Previous studies have reported conflicting findings regarding how the incidence of heart failure (HF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has changed over time, and data on contemporary national trends are sparse.

Methods and Results—

Using a complete national sample of 2 789 943 AMI hospitalizations of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries from 1998 through 2010, we evaluated annual changes in the incidence of subsequent HF hospitalization and mortality using Poisson and survival analysis models. The number of patients hospitalized for HF within 1 year after AMI declined modestly from 16.1 per 100 person-years in 1998 to 14.2 per 100 person years in 2010 (
P
<0.001). After adjusting for demographic factors, a relative 14.6% decline for HF hospitalizations after AMI was observed over the study period (incidence risk ratio, 0.854; 95% confidence interval, 0.809–0.901). Unadjusted 1-year mortality following HF hospitalization after AMI was 44.4% in 1998, which decreased to 43.2% in 2004 to 2005, but then increased to 45.5% by 2010. After adjusting for demographic factors and clinical comorbidities, this represented a 2.4% relative annual decline (hazard ratio, 0.976; 95% confidence interval, 0.974–0.978) from 1998 to 2007, but a 5.1% relative annual increase from 2007 to 2010 (hazard ratio, 1.051; 95% confidence interval, 1.039–1.064).

Conclusions—

In a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries, HF hospitalization after AMI decreased from 1998 to 2010, which may indicate improvements in the management of AMI. In contrast, survival after HF following AMI remains poor, and has worsened from 2007 to 2010, demonstrating that challenges still remain for the treatment of this high-risk condition after AMI.
Human Interventions to Characterize Novel Relationships Between the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System and Parathyroid Hormone
Authors: Brown Jenifer M. , Williams Jonathan S. , Luther James M. , Garg Rajesh , Garza Amanda E. , Pojoga Luminita H. , Ruan Daniel T. , Williams Gordon H. , Adler Gail K. , Vaidya Anand
Published: November 2013

Observational studies in primary hyperaldosteronism suggest a positive relationship between aldosterone and parathyroid hormone (PTH); however, interventions to better characterize the physiological relationship between the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and PTH are needed. We evaluated the effect of individual RAAS components on PTH using 4 interventions in humans without primary hyperaldosteronism. PTH was measured before and after study (1) low-dose angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion (1 ng/kg per minute) and captopril administration (25 mg×1); study (2) high-dose Ang II infusion (3 ng/kg per minute); study (3) blinded crossover randomization to aldosterone infusion (0.7 µg/kg per hour) and vehicle; and study (4) blinded randomization to spironolactone (50 mg/daily) or placebo for 6 weeks. Infusion of Ang II at 1 ng/kg per minute acutely increased aldosterone (+148%) and PTH (+10.3%), whereas Ang II at 3 ng/kg per minute induced larger incremental changes in aldosterone (+241%) and PTH (+36%;
P
<0.01). Captopril acutely decreased aldosterone (−12%) and PTH (−9.7%;
P
<0.01). In contrast, aldosterone infusion robustly raised serum aldosterone (+892%) without modifying PTH. However, spironolactone therapy during 6 weeks modestly lowered PTH when compared with placebo (
P
<0.05). In vitro studies revealed the presence of Ang II type I and mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA and protein expression in normal and adenomatous human parathyroid tissues. We observed novel pleiotropic relationships between RAAS components and the regulation of PTH in individuals without primary hyperaldosteronism: the acute modulation of PTH by the RAAS seems to be mediated by Ang II, whereas the long-term influence of the RAAS on PTH may involve aldosterone. Future studies to evaluate the impact of RAAS inhibitors in treating PTH-mediated disorders are warranted.
Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Incident Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Garg Parveen K. , Biggs Mary L. , Carnethon Mercedes , Ix Joachim H. , Criqui Michael H. , Britton Kathryn A. , Djoussé Luc , Sutton-Tyrrell Kim , Newman Anne B. , Cushman Mary , Mukamal Kenneth J.
Published: November 2013

Prior studies evaluating metabolic syndrome (MetS) and incident peripheral artery disease (PAD) have been limited by use of modified MetS criteria and restriction to clinical PAD end points. We investigated MetS and risk of developing a low ankle-brachial index (ABI) and clinical PAD in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a population-based cohort of adults aged ≥65 years. Participants with MetS met at least 3 of 5 Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Baseline C-reactive protein-MetS or fibrinogen-MetS were defined as presence of 3 of 6 components, with elevated C-reactive protein (>3 mg/L) or fibrinogen (>341 mg/dL) as a sixth component. Incident low ABI, defined as ABI <0.9 and decline of ≥0.15, was assessed among a subset of 1899 individuals with 2 ABI measurements 6 years apart. Over a median follow-up of 13.7 years, 4632 individuals were followed up for clinical PAD, defined as revascularization or diagnosed claudication. Adult Treatment Panel III MetS was associated with both incident low ABI (risk ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.58) and clinical PAD (hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.11–1.94). Incorporating C-reactive protein or fibrinogen into Adult Treatment Panel III criteria identified an additional 16% to 20% of individuals as having MetS, and both C-reactive protein-MetS and fibrinogen-MetS were associated with incident low ABI (risk ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07–1.72 and risk ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.13–1.81, respectively) and clinical PAD (hazard ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.17–2.08 and hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.17–2.07, respectively). Among Adult Treatment Panel III MetS criteria, risk of PAD was most strongly associated with hypertension.
Enalapril Attenuates the Exaggerated Sympathetic Response to Physical Stress in Prenatally Programmed Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Mizuno Masaki , Lozano German , Siddique Khurrum , Baum Michel , Smith Scott A.
Published: November 2013

Adulthood hypertension can be prenatally programmed by maternal dietary protein deprivation. We have shown that the sympathetically mediated pressor response to physical stress is exaggerated in prenatally programmed hypertensive (PPH) rats. The mechanisms underlying this abnormal responsiveness remain undetermined. The renin–angiotensin system is known to affect sympathetic nerve activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether inhibition of the renin–angiotensin system attenuates the enhanced sympathetic and pressor responses to physical stress in PPH rats. Changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in response to hindlimb contraction, hindlimb stretch, and hindlimb intra-arterial capsaicin administration were assessed in control and PPH rats treated (from age 3 weeks) with either vehicle or the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril. Conscious resting systolic arterial pressure was significantly greater in PPH rats (142±5 mm Hg) than in control (128±2 mm Hg) after vehicle treatment (
P
<0.05). Resting systolic pressure was reduced by enalapril treatment in PPH rats (125±2 mm Hg) but had no effect in control (128±2 mm Hg). The pressor and renal sympathetic responses to muscle contraction and stretch were significantly higher in decerebrate PPH rats than in decerebrate control in vehicle-treated groups. Responses to capsaicin were variable. Enalapril significantly attenuated the enhanced contraction-induced elevations in mean pressure (vehicle, 45±6 mm Hg; enalapril, 21±3 mm Hg) and renal sympathetic activity (vehicle, 175±22%; enalapril, 89±23%) in PPH rats. Its effects were similar on responses to stretch in PPH rats but were equivocal during capsaicin administration. The results suggest that the renin–angiotensin system contributes to the enhancement of the renal sympathetic and pressor responses to physical stress in PPH rats.
Synonymy of the North African spider genus Castanilla Caporiacco, 1936 with Micaria Westring, 1851 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)
Authors: HADDAD CHARLES R. , BOSMANS ROBERT
Published: November 2013

The spider genus Castanilla Caporiacco, 1936 is presently represented by two species, C. quinquemaculata Caporiacco, 1936 (type species) and C. marchesii Caporiacco, 1936, both described from Libya. The genus has never been revised and neither of the two species have ever been redescribed (Platnick 2013). The placement of the genus has up to now also been rather uncertain. Caporiacco (1936a,b) described and placed its two species in the Clubionidae, Reiskind (1969) placed it in Clubionidae: Castianeirinae, and it is currently included in the Corinnidae (Platnick 2013).
A new gall-inducing genus and species of Eriococcidae
(Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea) on Sapindaceae from Brazil
Authors: HODGSON CHRIS , ISAIAS ROSY M.S. , OLIVEIRA D. C.
Published: November 2013

A new gall-inducing genus and species of felt scales (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) found on the leaves and twigs of Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae) in Brazil is described: Bystracoccus Hodgson gen n. and B. mataybae Hodgson, Isaias & Oliveira sp. n.  This is the first record of an eriococcid inducing leaf and stem galls on Sapindaceae and is only the second example of a member of the Eriococcidae to induce stem galls in which the insects diapause during the dry (winter) season.  Only the adult female, second-instar female and crawler are known.  The species overwinters as the first-instar nymph in pit galls on the twigs but spends the rest of the year associated with two-chambered galls on the leaves.  It has recently become clear that South America has a rich felt-scale insect fauna many of which induce galls. It has proved very difficult to place this new genus in a family as it appears to fall between the Eriococcidae and Beesoniidae but is here placed in the eriococcids based on the similarity of the first-instar nymphs and the abundance of this family in the Neotropics.  However, the dorsum of the abdomen of the mature adult female becomes heavily sclerotised, forming a round plug-like structure that completely fills the gall orifice.  This structure shows remarkable morphological similarities to that of the beesoniid Danumococcus parashoreae Takagi & Hodgson found on Parashorea tomentella (Dipterocarpaceae) in Sabah, Malaysia, with which it is compared along with other eriococcid genera known from South America.
A re-appraisal of the systematic status of selected genera in Palaemoninae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)
Authors: GRAVE SAMMY DE , ASHELBY CHRISTOPHER W.
Published: November 2013

Recent phylogenetic work (Ashelby et al., 2012) has demonstrated the need for a fresh appraisal of the systematic status of some Palaemoninae genera. In the present contribution the accumulated morphological as well as molecular evidence is reviewed. The genera Palaemonetes, Exopalaemon and Coutierella are demonstrated to be junior synonyms of Palaemon, which now contains 83 species. As a result of this systematic re-arrangement, two replacement names are needed. Palaemon kwantung nom. nov. now replaces Exopalaemon guangdongensis Guo, Wang & Zhang, 2005, nec Palaemon guangdongensis Liu, Liang & Yan, 1990. Palaemon mundusnovus nom. nov. is the replacement name for Palaemonetes intermedius Holthuis, 1949, nec Palaemon intermedius (Stimpson, 1860).
A new species of deep-sea squat lobster of the genus Munida Leach, 1820 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Munididae) from a hydrothermal field in the southwestern Indian Ocean
Authors: LIU XINMING , LIN RONGCHENG , HUANG DINGYONG
Published: November 2013

A new species of the genus Munida Leach, 1820, is described and illustrated based on a single specimen from the deep-sea hydrothermal area in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Munida manqingae sp. nov. closely resembles M. tiresias Macpherson 1994, but differs in the morphology of the carapace, basal segment of the antennular peduncles, first segment of the antennal peduncle.
A new species of Siamites Franz (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae) from Thailand
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: November 2013

A new species of so far monospecific genus Siamites, S. complicatus sp. n., is described. The type specimens were collected in the Krabi Province of Thailand. Morphology of the new species is described and illustrated in details, including male genitalia, and the distribution of Siamites is summarized.
Skillful Wintertime North American Temperature Forecasts out to 4 Weeks Based on the State of ENSO and the MJO*
Authors: Johnson Nathaniel C. , Collins Dan C. , Feldstein Steven B. , L’Heureux Michelle L. , Riddle Emily E.
Published: November 2013

Previous work has shown that the combined influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) significantly impacts the wintertime circulation over North America for lead times up to at least 4 weeks. These findings suggest that both the MJO and ENSO may prove beneficial for generating a seamless prediction link between short-range deterministic forecasts and longer-range seasonal forecasts. To test the feasibility of this link, wintertime (December–March) probabilistic 2-m temperature (T2m) forecasts over North America are generated solely on the basis of the linear trend and statistical relationships with the initial state of the MJO and ENSO. Overall, such forecasts exhibit substantial skill for some regions and some initial states of the MJO and ENSO out to a lead time of approximately 4 weeks. In addition, the primary ENSO T2m regions of influence are nearly orthogonal to those of the MJO, which suggests that the MJO and ENSO generally excite different patterns within the continuum of large-scale atmospheric teleconnections. The strong forecast skill scores for some regions and initial states confirm the promise that information from the MJO and ENSO may offer forecasts of opportunity in weeks 3 and 4, which extend beyond the current 2-week extended-range outlooks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC), and an intraseasonal link to longer-range probabilistic forecasts.
Smells like team spirit: Opening a paradoxical black box
Authors: Silva Tânia , Cunha Miguel Pina e , Clegg Stewart R , Neves Pedro , Rego Arménio , Rodrigues Ricardo A
Published: November 2013

Despite the common usage of the term, researchers and practitioners have not been able properly to explain what team spirit is and what benefits and drawbacks it might bring to teams. Several definitions have been proposed, but not in a consistent manner. Using a qualitative approach, we worked with one football team to shed light on how individuals experience and characterize team spirit. Our results suggest that team spirit is built around four paradoxes: these are a paradox of selfless egoism; a paradox of results; a paradox of conflict, and a paradox of relationships. Essentially, team spirit can be viewed as an inter-subjectively shared facility with which individual members of a team can balance opposing tensions in a consistent way, managing to maintain a healthy synthesis between individual and collective needs and expectations, preventing the team from dominating the individuals, as well as specific individuals from capturing the team.
The Ethical Imperative of Addressing Oral Health Disparities
Authors: Lee J.Y. , Divaris K.
Published: November 2013

Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged population groups. Reducing health disparities has been identified as an ethical imperative by the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Determinants of Health and numerous other national and international bodies. Significant progress has been made over the past years in identifying vulnerable groups, and ‘distal’ factors including political, economic, social, and community characteristics are now considered pivotal. It is thus unsurprising that the remarkable advances in the science and practice of dentistry have not led to notable reductions in oral health disparities. In this review, we summarize recent work and emphasize the need for a solid theoretical framing to guide oral health disparities research. We provide a theoretical framework outlining pathways that operate across the continuum of oral health determinants during the lifecourse and highlight potential areas for intervention. Because oral health disparities emanate from the unequal distribution of social, political, economic, and environmental resources, tangible progress is likely to be realized only by a global movement and concerted efforts by all stakeholders, including policymakers, the civil society, and academic, professional, and scientific bodies.
Planar surface area transformation using modified homography matrix
Authors: Ruchanurucks Miti , Apiroop Pongthorn , Sutiworwan Surangrak
Published: November 2013

This research targets a problem of planar area size inconsistency after image warping to the top view. An orientation sensor attached to a camera was used to acquire the camera’s orientation in real time. Then, extrinsic parameters derived from the sensor and pre-computed intrinsic parameters were used to generate a homography matrix. The homography matrix was modified to eliminate the effect of an angle change, by avoiding the use of shift parameters. In doing so, an area size stays the same regardless of any change in such an angle. A separately required translation matrix was used to shift the top view image. In the shifted top view image, the number of target pixels can be directly counted. Finally, the number of pixel was converted to an area size in real-world units.
Muslim bloggers in Germany: an emerging counterpublic
Authors: Eckert Stine , Chadha Kalyani
Published: November 2013

The Muslim minority in Germany has been historically misrepresented in and excluded from the mainstream public sphere. In response, some Muslims in Germany have turned to blogs as an alternative space to challenge the dominant public discourse through varied discursive practices. In this study, we examine these practices through 28 in-depth interviews with Muslim bloggers in Germany. Applying Nancy Fraser’s theory of counterpublics, we posit that this group, which seeks to challenge mainstream representations and offer oppositional counter-discourses, represents an emerging counterpublic.
Pathology Working Groups
Authors: Mann Peter C. , Hardisty Jerry H.
Published: November 2013

Pathology Working Groups (PWG) are a specialized form of review consisting of a panel of expert pathologists who provide an independent, unbiased assessment of specific questions concerning study results. PWGs may concentrate on pivotal studies with controversial end points, address questions that are of concern to a regulatory agency, or compare the results of multiple studies that may have been conducted and evaluated by different laboratories and/or pathologists. The PWG does not review the entire study but always includes a preliminary review by a peer review pathologist. The PWG chairperson needs to thoroughly understand the issue in question, reviews all relevant data and study results, and is responsible for the organization and conduct of the PWG. The members of the PWG examine coded slides without knowledge of treatment group or previous diagnosis and arrive at a consensus diagnosis by majority vote. Once the results are decoded, the PWG evaluates the results and provides discussion and conclusions that are reflected in the final PWG report. Specific examples of PWG issues are provided.
Leg muscle power is enhanced by training in people with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Paul Serene S , Canning Colleen G , Song Jooeun , Fung Victor SC , Sherrington Catherine
Published: November 2013

Objective:

To determine the effects of leg muscle power training in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

University laboratory (outcome measures and experimental intervention), community (control intervention).

Subjects:

Community-dwelling people with Parkinson’s disease.

Interventions:

Leg muscle power training using pneumatic variable resistance equipment (experimental) was compared with low intensity sham exercise (control). Both groups exercised twice weekly for 12 weeks.

Main measures:

Primary outcomes were peak power of four leg muscle groups. Secondary outcomes were measures of muscle strength, mobility, balance and falls.

Results:

Exercise adherence was high in both groups. Leg muscle power was significantly better in the experimental group than the control group in all four primary outcome measures at 12 weeks after adjusting for baseline values: leg extensors (57.9 watts, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.0–93.7, p = 0.002); knee flexors (29.6 watts, 95% CI 7.4–51.8, p = 0.01); hip flexors (68.1 watts, 95% CI 19.6–116.5, p = 0.007); and hip abductors (37.4 watts, 95% CI 19.9–54.9, p < 0.001). The experimental group performed significantly better on tests of leg muscle strength ( p < 0.001 to 0.07) and showed trends toward better performance in the Timed Up and Go ( p = 0.13) and choice stepping reaction time ( p = 0.11). There was a non-significant reduction in the rate of falls in the experimental group compared with the control group (incidence rate ratio 0.84, p = 0.76).

Conclusions:

This programme significantly improved muscle power in all trained muscle groups.
The effectiveness of virtual reality interventions in improving balance in adults with impaired balance compared with standard or no treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Booth Vicky , Masud Tahir , Connell Louise , Bath-Hextall Fiona
Published: November 2013

Objective:

To evaluate whether virtual reality interventions, including interactive gaming systems, are effective at improving balance in adults with impaired balance.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

Methods:

Studies were identified from electronic databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, PyschINFO, PyschBITE, OTseeker, Ei Compendex, and Inspec) searched to November 2011, and repeated in November 2012. Two reviewers selected studies meeting inclusion criteria and quality of included studies assessed using a Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. Data was pooled and a meta-analysis completed. The systematic review was reported following guidance of the PRISMA statement.

Results:

A total of 251 articles were screened. Eight randomized control trials were included. These studies presented the results of 239 participants, with various aetiologies, and used a variety of virtual reality systems. The number of falls was documented in only one included study. Meta-analysis was completed on data from the Berg Balance Scale, walking speed, 30 second sit-to-stand test, and Timed Up and Go Test, and favoured standard therapy when compared with standard plus virtual reality interventions.

Conclusions:

There was a notable inconsistency in the outcome measures, experimental, and control interventions used within the included studies. The pooled results of the studies showed no significant difference. Therefore this review cannot support nor refute the use of virtual reality interventions, rather than conventional physiotherapy, to improve balance in adults with impaired balance.
Ultra-high-speed combined machining of electrical discharge machining and arc machining
Authors: Wang Fei , Liu Yonghong , Tang Zemin , Ji Renjie , Zhang Yanzhen , Shen Yang
Published: November 2013

In this study, a new kind of ultra-high-speed combined machining of electrical discharge machining and arc machining was developed. A rotating graphite electrode and a workpiece were connected to the negative and positive poles of the power supply, which consisted of a pulse generator and direct current power. Efficient electrode injection flushing and side flushing yielded a noncontinuous arc and achieved a maximum material removal rate of 12,688 mm3/min at a relative electrode wear ratio of 2.3% during quenched mold steel machining. The characteristics of the combined machining process were determined by studying the effects of flushing, rotation, peak current, and peak voltage on process performance, such as on the material removal rate and relative electrode wear ratio. The recast layer and surface defects were also investigated. The result shows that the novel combined machining process has great potential to reduce machining time.
Development of a steering-system model considering viscous friction and its verification
Authors: Shin Min Chul , Kim Seong Han , Cho Gwang Hee , Chu Chong Nam
Published: November 2013

A method to model the column-type electric power steering system considering viscous friction is proposed. In general column-type electric power steering systems, viscous friction occurs in the reducer. However, it is very difficult to predict with respect to modelling because it varies with the conditions, and accordingly many parameters should be considered. In this study, in order to estimate the dynamic behaviour of a column-type electric power steering system which uses a worm gear as a reducer, the viscous friction generated in the worm gear was derived through theoretical approaches, and the results were applied to modelling the steering system. In the theoretical approaches, the gear geometry and Hertz’s law were employed to derive parameters such as the normal load and the sliding velocity from the worm gear’s driving conditions. Then, the derived parameters were applied to a tribometer to measure the friction coefficients between the worm and the worm wheel. Finally, the friction coefficients were converted to the viscous friction torque of the steering system. By applying the converted viscous friction torque to the modelling, the entire steering system was modelled and the results were verified by comparative simulations and experiments. To model the entire steering system, the individual subparts of the steering system such as the steering column, the universal joint and the rack-and-pinion gear were modelled with MATLAB/Simulink. Then, for verification of the steering-system model, the dynamic behaviour of the steering system was measured experimentally and compared with the simulation results. Taking into account viscous friction and all the mechanical characteristics of the steering system, the established steering-system model which considers viscous friction was employed to estimate very accurately the dynamic behaviour of the steering system, whereas use of the steering-system model which does not consider viscous friction did not achieve accurate estimations.
Advocating beyond the academy: dilemmas of communicating relevant research results
Authors: MacKenzie Catrina A , Christensen Julia , Turner Sarah
Published: November 2013

Drawing from experiences in Northern Indigenous Canada, Uganda, and Vietnam, we discuss the challenges encountered while trying to communicate relevant results to local communities with whom we work. Wavering between participatory and advocacy research, we explore how we grapple with finding the right audience with whom to share results, our attempts to craft communication to be relevant within specific contexts, and dilemmas over self-censorship. We also document our struggles to manage our own expectations and those of the communities with whom we work regarding the ability of our research to broker change. This article emerged from our frustration at wanting to be accountable to our interviewee communities, but finding few academic articles that go beyond ideals to examine how researchers often struggle to meet these expectations. While participatory approaches are increasingly mainstreamed in social science work, we argue that advocacy research can be a more appropriate response to community needs in certain cases.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism studies in Asian Indian pregnant women biochemically identifies gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Khan Imran A , Jahan Parveen , Hasan Qurratulain , Rao Pragna
Published: November 2013

Introduction:

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy. Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of a 287 bp Alu repetitive sequence in intron 16 of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been widely investigated in Asian Indian populations with different ethnic origins. The present study examined possible association between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and GDM in Asian Indian pregnant women.

Methods:

A total of 200 pregnant women (100 GDM and 100 non-GDM) were recruited in this study and I/D polymorphism of a 287 bp Alu1 element inside intron 16 of the ACE gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based gel electrophoresis.

Result:

The distribution of the variants like II, ID, and DD genotypes of ACE gene showed differences between normal GDM versus non-GDM subjects, and the frequency of the ID+ DD Vs II genotype was significant ( p=0.0002) in the GDM group.

Conclusion:

ACE gene polymorphism was associated with GDM in Asian Indian pregnant women.
Normobaric, intermittent hypoxia conditioning is cardio- and vasoprotective in rats
Authors: Manukhina Eugenia B , Belkina Ludmila M , Terekhina Olga L , Abramochkin Denis V , Smirnova Elena A , Budanova Olga P , Mallet Robert T , Downey H Fred
Published: November 2013

Favorable versus detrimental cardiovascular responses to intermittent hypoxia conditioning (IHC) are heavily dependent on experimental or pathological conditions, including the duration, frequency and intensity of the hypoxia exposures. Recently, we demonstrated that a program of moderate, normobaric IHC (FIO29.5–10% for 5–10 min/cycle, with intervening 4 min normoxia, 5–8 cycles/day for 20 days) in dogs afforded robust cardioprotection against infarction and arrhythmias induced by coronary artery occlusion–reperfusion, but this protection has not been verified in other species. Accordingly, in this investigation cardio- as well as vasoprotection were examined in male Wistar rats completing the normobaric IHC program or a sham program in which the rats continuously breathed atmospheric air. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (IR) was imposed by occlusion and reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in in situ experiments and by subjecting isolated, perfused hearts to global ischemia–reperfusion. Cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarct size were quantified in in situ experiments. Endothelial function was evaluated from the relaxation to acetylcholine of norepinephrine-precontracted aortic rings taken from in situ IR experiments, and from the increase in coronary flow produced by acetylcholine in isolated hearts. IHC sharply reduced cardiac arrhythmias during ischemia and decreased infarct size by 43% following IR. Endothelial dysfunction in aorta was marked after IR in sham rats, but not significant in IHC rats. Similar findings were found for the coronary circulations of isolated hearts. These findings support the hypothesis that moderate, normobaric IHC is cardio- and vasoprotective in a rat model of IR.
The Psychology of Competition
Authors: Garcia Stephen M. , Tor Avishalom , Schiff Tyrone M.
Published: November 2013

Social comparison—the tendency to self-evaluate by comparing ourselves to others—is an important source of competitive behavior. We propose a new model that distinguishes between individual and situational factors that increase social comparison and thus lead to a range of competitive attitudes and behavior. Individual factors are those that vary from person to person: the relevance of the performance dimension, the similarity of rivals, and their relationship closeness to the individual, as well as the various individual differences variables relating to social comparison more generally. Situational factors, conversely, are those factors on the social comparison landscape that affect similarly situated individuals: proximity to a standard (i.e., near the number 1 ranking vs. far away), the number of competitors (i.e., few vs. many), social category fault lines (i.e., disputes across vs. within social categories), and more. The distinction between individual and situational factors also helps chart future directions for social comparison research and generates new vistas across psychology and related disciplines.
The Brain on Stress
Authors: McEwen Bruce S.
Published: November 2013

The discovery of stress-hormone receptors in the hippocampal formation has fostered research showing that the brain, including its higher cognitive centers, is the key organ of the response to stressors, in terms of both perception of what is stressful and its ability to determine the consequences of stress for brain and body via the neuroendocrine, autonomic, immune, and metabolic systems. These systems, in turn, are responsible for either successful adaptation or pathophysiology as a result of the cumulative burden of adaptation to stress and maladaptive lifestyle, which is known as “allostatic load.” The brain itself is also a target of stress and stress-related hormones, and it undergoes structural and functional remodeling and significant changes in gene expression. These changes are adaptive under normal circumstances but can lead to damage when stress is excessive. The growing recognition of the adaptive plasticity and stress vulnerability of the brain itself, which began with research on the hippocampus, now includes other brain regions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex and fear-related memories, working memory, and self-regulatory behaviors. The interactions between these brain regions during the biological embedding of experiences over the life course determines whether events in the social and physical environment will lead to successful adaptation or to maladaptation and impaired mental and physical health, with implications for understanding health disparities and the impact of early life adversity and for intervention and prevention strategies.