bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Pigs Is Associated with Increased Density of Intestinal Mucosa-Associated Bacteria Including Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Støy Ann Cathrine F. , Mølbak Lars , Delègue Camilla L. , Thymann Thomas , Sangild Per T. , Heegaard Peter M.H. , Manurung Sarmauli , Skovgaard Kerstin
Published: August 2015

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with changes in the luminal gut microbiota. It is not known whether the mucosa-associated microbiota is affected by NEC and stimulates inflammatory lesions. Objective: We hypothesized that the density of the mucosa-associated microbiota correlates with NEC severity in preterm pigs and that in vitro infection with increasing densities of Clostridium perfringens, which has been associated with NEC in preterm infants, would lead to a transcriptional response related to the inflammatory conditions of NEC. Methods: First, we determined the density of total bacteria and C. perfringens in the distal small intestinal mucosa of 58 NEC and healthy preterm pigs using quantitative PCR. Next, we analyzed in IPEC-J2 cells the effect of different infection densities of C. perfringens type A on the expression of genes related to intestinal function and immune response. Results: Total bacterial and C. perfringens densities were higher in NEC versus healthy pigs and correlated positively with NEC severity. In IPEC-J2 cells expression levels of inflammation-related genes (CCL5, NFKBIA, IL8, IL1RN, and TNFAIP3) increased, while the expression of the sodium/glucose co-transporter (SLC5A1) decreased, with increasing density of C. perfringens. Conclusions: Total bacterial and C. perfringens densities were higher in NEC versus healthy pigs and correlated positively with NEC severity. In IPEC-J2 cells expression levels of inflammation-related genes (CCL5, NFKBIA, IL8, IL1RN, and TNFAIP3) increased, while the expression of the sodium/glucose co-transporter (SLC5A1) decreased, with increasing density of C. perfringens.
Schizophrenia-Like Symptoms in Narcolepsy Type 1: Shared and Distinctive Clinical Characteristics
Authors: Plazzi Giuseppe , Fabbri Chiara , Pizza Fabio , Serretti Alessandro
Published: August 2015

Background/Aims: The occurrence of psychotic symptoms in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) has been reported as responsible for delayed diagnosis due to the misdiagnosis of schizophrenia. This study aimed to identify shared and distinctive clinical characteristics between NT1 and schizophrenia, with the focus on psychotic symptoms. Methods: A total of 28 NT1 and 21 schizophrenia patients were included. Hallucination characteristics and PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), HRSD (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression), DES (Dissociative Experiences Scale), and STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) scores were collected. Symptom overlap was investigated by χ2, Fisher's or t tests and multiple logistic regression models. Results: Hallucinations and illusions frequently occurred in both diseases. Unimodal hallucinations were more common in schizophrenia (p = 6.30e-07) and multimodal hallucinations in NT1, but no clear difference was identified in their sensory modality. Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations were typical of NT1 (p = 5.22e-07), and 25% of NT1 patients exhibited some degree of insight deficit. Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, unimodal hallucinations and PANSS score were the most distinctive clinical characteristics. Clinical overlap was found in the dissociative and anxiety domains, while higher depressive scores were observed in schizophrenia. Conclusion: The overlap between NT1 and schizophrenia should be further investigated under a clinical and pathogenetic point of view to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
A Quantified Scoring System for Postoperative Complication Severity Compared to the Clavien-Dindo Classification
Authors: Slaman Annelijn E. , Lagarde Sjoerd M. , Gisbertz Suzanne S. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I.
Published: August 2015

Background/Aims: Esophagectomies are associated with high morbidity. To assess the complication severity, the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) grades the most severe complication. However, it ignores additional complications that are equal or less severe. The comprehensive complication index (CCI) incorporates all complication severities. It might therefore be a better system to assess the severities. The aim of this study was to validate the CCI compared to the CDC. Methods: A prospective database was used to analyze 621 patients, who underwent an esophagectomy between 1993 and 2005. The CCI was calculated and the relation with traditional parameters was assessed and compared to the relation of the CDC with these parameters. Results: Complications occurred in 429 patients (69.1%). The correlation between the CCI and the CDC was r = 0.987, p < 0.01. The relation of the CCI with 3 out of 7 parameters was not significantly different compared to the relation of the CDC (p > 0.05). There was a significantly stronger relation (p < 0.05) of the CCI with length of stay (LOS) (r = 0.663 vs. 0.646), a prolonged LOS (r = 0.542 vs. 0.530), reintervention, (r = 0.437 vs. 0.422) and reoperation rate (0.489 vs. 0.471) than the CDC. Conclusion: Therefore, the CCI could be a promising scoring system that could be used to identify risks in surgical patient groups.
Rare Neoplasia of the Stomach
Authors: Schulz Christian , Schütte Kerstin , Malfertheiner Peter
Published: August 2015

Background: Gastric adenocarcinoma accounts for more than 90% of malignant lesions of the stomach. Besides this entity, numerous neoplastic lesions with malignant or benign characteristics as well as lesions with uncertain malignant potential occur. This review gives an overview on rare neoplasia of the stomach, focusing on gastric polyps, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, gastric lymphoma and neuroendocrine neoplasia. Summary: A broad spectrum of rare neoplastic lesions of the stomach with significant differences in malignant potential and with specific demands of interventional therapy is known. In addition to the use of high-definition endoscopy techniques, the histopathological assessment of lesions and of the surrounding mucosa is mandatory to characterize and differentiate malignant and benign tumors. Key Message: Rare neoplasia of the stomach is detected in approximately 6% of patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Diligent examination of the gastric mucosa remains essential to detect mucosal and submucosal lesions. Practical Implications: Presenting with a broad spectrum of symptoms, ranging from unspecific abdominal discomfort to gastrointestinal bleeding or symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, different rare neoplastic lesions of the stomach with demand of specific diagnostic and therapeutic work-up occur. Diligent endoscopic evaluation of the entire gastric mucosa, preferably by high-definition endoscopy techniques, is essential in addition to histopathological examination of lesional and surrounding tissue.
The Effect of Transplacental Administration of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 on Fetal Lung Development in the Rabbit Model of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Eastwood Mary Patrice , Kampmeijer Anouck , Jimenez Julio , Zia Silvia , Vanbree Rieta , Verbist Godelieve , Toelen Jaan , Deprest Jan A.
Published: August 2015

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) increases surfactant protein expression in type 2 pneumocytes. Herein, we determine if transplacental GLP-1 treatment accelerates lung growth in the fetal rabbit model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (DH). Methods: Time-mated does had an induction of DH on day 23 followed by daily GLP-1 or placebo injection until term. At that time, the does were weighed, fetal blood was obtained for GLP-1 assay, and the lungs were dissected. Fetal outcome measures were lung-to-body-weight ratio (LBWR), morphometry, and Ki67 and surfactant protein B (SPB) expression. Results: Maternal weight loss in the GLP-1 group was 7.1%. Fetal survival was lower in GLP-1 fetuses compared to placebo controls (27/85, 32% vs. 35/57, 61%; p < 0.05). Fetal GLP-1 levels were increased 3.6-fold. The LBWR of GLP-1 DH fetuses fell within the range of DH placebo fetuses (1.166 ± 0.207% vs. 1.312 ± 0.418%), being significantly lower than that of placebo-exposed unoperated fetuses (2.280 ± 0.522%; p < 0.001). GLP-1 did not improve airway morphometry. GLP-1 DH lungs had a reduced adventitial and medial thickness within the range of controls, and lesser muscularization of vessels measuring 30-60 µm. There were no differences in Ki67 and SPB expression. Conclusion: GLP-1 at this dosage improves peripheric pulmonary vessel morphology in intra-acinar vessels with no effect on airway morphometry but with significant maternal and fetal side effects. Thus, it is an unlikely medical strategy.
Resolution of Severe Ulcerative Colitis with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet
Authors: Khandalavala Birgit N. , Nirmalraj Maya C.
Published: August 2015

A 73-year-old female of Asian origin was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) after initial gastrointestinal symptoms of abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. She had a relatively benign course over the subsequent 12 years. In 2009, she had increased left-sided abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and progressive weight loss, due to a severe exacerbation. In spite of a variety of standard treatments, her condition continued to decline with a significant impact on normal life and functioning. In December of 2010, repeat colonoscopy and microscopy confirmed pancolitis, without diverticulitis. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) was initiated due to failure of conventional therapies. Following this highly restricted diet, within a period of 3-6 months, improvement was noted, and within a year, no abdominal pain or diarrhea were present, and she returned to her baseline functioning and career. Two years later, repeat colonoscopy showed resolution of the pancolitis, confirmed with microscopic evaluation. Successful use of the SCD in children with UC has been documented. We describe previously unreported, highly beneficial results with both symptomatic and clinical improvement and complete remission of UC in an adult female with the SCD.
Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Obesity Alters Anxiety and Stress Coping Behaviors in Aged Mice
Authors: Balsevich Georgia , Baumann Valentin , Uribe Andres , Chen Alon , Schmidt Mathias V.
Published: August 2015

Background: There is growing evidence that maternal obesity and prenatal exposure to a high-fat diet program fetal development to regulate the physiology and behavior of the offspring in adulthood. Yet the extent to which the maternal dietary environment contributes to adult disease vulnerability remains unclear. In the current study we tested whether prenatal exposure to maternal obesity increases the offspring's vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders. Methods: We used a mouse model of maternal diet-induced obesity to investigate whether maternal obesity affects the response to adult chronic stress exposure in young adult (3-month-old) and aged adult (12-month-old) offspring. Results: Long-lasting, delayed impairments to anxiety-like behaviors and stress coping strategies resulted on account of prenatal exposure to maternal obesity. Although maternal obesity did not change the offspring's behavioral response to chronic stress per se, we demonstrate that the behavioral outcomes induced by prenatal exposure to maternal obesity parallel the deleterious effects of adult chronic stress exposure in aged male mice. We found that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR, Nr3c1) is upregulated in various hypothalamic nuclei on account of maternal obesity. In addition, gene expression of a known regulator of the GR, FKBP51, is increased specifically within the paraventricular nucleus. Conclusions: These findings indicate that maternal obesity parallels the deleterious effects of adult chronic stress exposure, and furthermore identifies GR/FKBP51 signaling as a novel candidate pathway regulated by maternal obesity.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G polymorphism, factor V Leiden, prothrombin mutations and the risk of VTE recurrence
Authors: Sundquist Kristina , Wang Xiao , Svensson Peter J. , Sundquist Jan , Hedelius Anna , Lönn Sara Larsson , Zöller Bengt , Memon Ashfaque A.
Published: August 2015

Plasminogen-activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is an important inhibitor of the plasminogen/plasmin system. PAI-1 levels are influenced by the 4G/5G polymorphism in the PAI-1 promoter. We investigated the relationship between the PAI-1 polymorphism and VTE recurrence, and its possible modification by factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin (PTM) mutations. Patients (n=1,069) from the Malmö Thrombophilia Study were followed from discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment until diagnosis of VTE recurrence or the end of the study (maximum follow-up 9.8 years). One hundred twenty-seven patients (11.9 %) had VTE recurrence. PAI-1 was genotyped by TaqMan PCR. Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex and acquired risk factors of VTE showed no evidence of an association between PAI-1 genotype and risk of VTE recurrence in the study population as a whole. However, by including an interaction term in the analysis we showed that FVL but not PTM modified the effect of PAI-1 genotype: patients with the 4G allele plus FVL had a higher risk of VTE recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) =2.3, 95 % confidence interval (CI) =1.5–3.3] compared to patients with the 4G allele but no FVL (reference group) or FVL irrespective of PAI-1 genotype (HR=1.8, 95 % CI=1.3–2.5). Compared to reference group, 5G allele irrespective of FVL was associated with lower risk of VTE recurrence only when compared with 4G allele together with FVL. In conclusion, FVL has a modifying effect on PAI-1 polymorphism in relation to risk of VTE recurrence. The role of PAI-1 polymorphism as a risk factor of recurrent VTE may be FVL dependent.
Prognostic effect of mean platelet volume in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Sansanayudh Nakarin , Muntham Dittapol , Yamwong Sukit , McEvoy Mark , Attia John , Sritara Piyamitr , Thakkinstian Ammarin , Numthavaj Pawin
Published: August 2015

Large platelets with high haemostatic activity may lead to increased platelet aggregation.. Mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet reactivity, may emerge as a prognostic marker in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It was the objective of this study to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess prognostic effects of MPV on cardiovascular events (CVE) in CAD patients. We searched MEDLINE and SCOPUS from inception to January 2, 2014. All studies that reported MPV and the incidence of cardiovascular events in CAD patients were included. Two reviewers independently extracted the data. A random-effects model was applied for pooling the mean difference of MPV between patients with vs without CVE. Among 30 eligible studies, eight studies reported mean difference of MPV between CVE groups, 11 studies reported MPV dichotomous into high vs low MPV groups, and 11 studies reported both. The pooled mean difference was 0.69 fL (95 %CI = 0.36, 1.01), i. e. patients with CVE had a MPV about 0.69 fL higher than non-CVE. Patients with higher MPV were about 12 % more likely to die than patients with lower MPV (RR 1.12; 95 %CI = 1.02–1.24). However, pooling these effects was based on high heterogeneity and the source of heterogeneity could not be identified. This might be explained by many differences among included studies (e. g. study population, outcomes of interest, analysate, time between blood collection and MPV analysis, etc). These findings suggest that MPV may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with CAD.
Molecular and clinical profile of von Willebrand disease in Spain (PCM–EVW–ES): Proposal for a new diagnostic paradigm
Authors: Batlle Javier , Pérez-Rodríguez Almudena , Corrales Irene , López-Fernández María Fernanda , Rodríguez-Trillo Ángela , Lourés Esther , Cid Ana Rosa , Bonanad Santiago , Cabrera Noelia , Moret Andrés , Parra Rafael , Mingot-Castellano María Eva , Balda Ignacia , Altisent Carmen , Pérez-Montes Rocío , Fisac Rosa María , Iruín Gemma , Herrero Sonia , Soto Inmaculada , Rueda Beatriz de , Jiménez-Yuste Víctor , Alonso Nieves , Vilariño Dolores , Arija Olga , Campos Rosa , Paloma María José , Bermejo Nuria , Toll Teresa , Mateo José , Arribalzaga Karmele , Marco Pascual , Palomo Ángeles , Sarmiento Lizheidy , Iñigo Belén , Nieto María del Mar , Vidal Rosa , Martínez María Paz , Aguinaco Reyes , Ferreiro María , García-Frade Javier , Rodríguez-Huerta Ana María , Cuesta Jorge , Rodríguez-González Ramón , García-Candel Faustino , Cornudella Rosa , Aguilar Carlos , Borràs Nina , Vidal Francisco , César Jesús María
Published: August 2015

The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) remains difficult in a significant proportion of patients. A Spanish multicentre study investigated a cohort of 556 patients from 330 families who were analysed centrally. VWD was confirmed in 480. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of the whole coding VWF was carried out in all recruited patients, compared with the phenotype, and a final diagnosis established. A total of 238 different VWF mutations were found, 154 were not included in the Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD). Of the patients, 463 were found to have VWF mutation/s. A good phenotypic/ genotypic association was estimated in 96.5 % of the patients. One hundred seventy-four patients had two or more mutations. Occasionally a predominant phenotype masked the presence of a second abnormality. One hundred sixteen patients presented with mutations that had previously been associated with increased von Willebrand factor (VWF) clearance. RIPA unavailability, central phenotypic results disagreement and difficult distinction between severe type 1 and type 3 VWD prevented a clear diagnosis in 70 patients. The NGS study facilitated an appropriate classification in 63 of them. The remaining seven patients presented with a VWF novel mutation pending further investigation. In five patients with a type 3 and two with a type 2A or 2B phenotype with no mutation, an acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) was suspected/confirmed. These data seem to support NGS as a first line efficient and faster paradigm in VWD diagnosis.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Increased risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Bucciarelli Paolo , Balice Ylenia , Cianchini Giuseppe , Quaglino Pietro , Pinton Piergiacomo Calzavara , Caproni Marzia , Alaibac Mauro , Simone Clara De , Patrizi Annalisa , Cozzani Emanuele , Papini Manuela , Tedeschi Alberto , Berti Emilio , Rosendaal Frits R. , Cugno Massimo , Marzano Angelo V. ,   for the INVENTEP Study Group
Published: August 2015

Activation of blood coagulation has been demonstrated in bullous pemphigoid (BP), a rare autoimmune blistering disease, potentially leading to a prothrombotic state. In order to evaluate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in BP, a cohort study was carried out on 432 BP patients (59 % females; median age 76 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 68–82). At diagnosis, autoimmune bullous skin disorder intensity score (ABSIS) was calculated. VTE incidence was standardised with rates of the general population. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio of VTE according to ABSIS and concomitant risk factors. During a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 31 objectively-diagnosed VTE events were recorded. The incidence rate of VTE (per 1000 patient-years) was 17.2 overall (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 11.1–23.2), 56.7 (95 %CI: 33.0–80.4) during acute phase (22 VTE) and 6.3 (95 %CI: 2.8–11.3) during remission (9 VTE). The standardised incidence ratio was 4.06 (95 %CI: 2.73–5.65), higher during the acute phase (14.86, 95 %CI: 9.20–21.88) than during remission (1.48, 0.66–2.63). The adjusted hazard ratio of VTE was 2.74 (95 %CI: 1.07–7.04) for ABSIS > 48 vs ABSIS < 28, and 2.56 (95 %CI: 1.00–6.70) in patients with [uni2265] 2 concomitant risk factors. In conclusion, BP patients have a 15-fold increased VTE risk during acute phase, proportional to disease severity and heightened by concomitant risk factors.
Update on Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Light of Recent Evidence
Authors: Fox Caroline S. , Golden Sherita Hill , Anderson Cheryl , Bray George A. , Burke Lora E. , de Boer Ian H. , Deedwania Prakash , Eckel Robert H. , Ershow Abby G. , Fradkin Judith , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Kosiborod Mikhail , Nelson Robert G. , Patel Mahesh J. , Pignone Michael , Quinn Laurie , Schauer Philip R. , Selvin Elizabeth , Vafiadis Dorothea K.
Published: August 2015

Cardiovascular disease risk factor control as primary prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has changed substantially in the past few years. The purpose of this scientific statement is to review the current literature and key clinical trials pertaining to blood pressure and blood glucose control, cholesterol management, aspirin therapy, and lifestyle modification. We present a synthesis of the recent literature, new guidelines, and clinical targets, including screening for kidney and subclinical cardiovascular disease for the contemporary management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Intramural Ventricular Septal Defect Is a Distinct Clinical Entity Associated With Postoperative Morbidity in Children After Repair of Conotruncal Anomalies
Authors: Patel Jyoti K. , Glatz Andrew C. , Ghosh Reena M. , Jones Shannon M. , Natarajan Shobha , Ravishankar Chitra , Mascio Christopher E. , Spray Thomas L. , Cohen Meryl S.
Published: August 2015

Background—

Intramural ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are interventricular communications through right ventricular free wall trabeculations that can occur after repair of conotruncal anomalies. We assessed the prevalence of residual intramural VSDs and their effect on postoperative course.

Methods and Results—

Children who underwent biventricular repair of a conotruncal anomaly from January 1, 2006, to June 30, 2013, and had a postoperative transthoracic echocardiogram were included. Images were reviewed for residual intramural or nonintramural VSDs. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, and need for subsequent catheter or surgical VSD closure. The secondary outcome was postoperative hospital length of stay. A residual VSD was present in 256 of the 442 subjects (58%), of which 231 (90%) were <2 mm in size. Forty-nine patients (11%) had intramural VSDs, and 207 (47%) had nonintramural VSDs. Patients with intramural VSDs were more likely to reach the primary composite outcome compared with those with nonintramural VSDs or no residual VSD (14 of 49 [29%] versus 15 of 207 [7%] versus 6 of 186 [3%];
P
<0.0001). In addition, those with intramural VSDs had longer postoperative hospital length of stay compared with those with nonintramural VSDs or no residual VSD (20 days [interquartile range, 11–42 days] versus 7 days [interquartile range, 5–14 days] versus 6 days [interquartile range, 4–11 days];
P
=0.0001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for known risk factors for poor outcomes, including residual VSD size and operative complexity.

Conclusions—

Among residual VSDs after repair of conotruncal anomalies, intramural VSDs are uniquely associated with postoperative morbidity, mortality, and longer postoperative hospital length of stay. It is important to recognize intramural VSDs in the postoperative period.
Of Whores and Hounds: A New Interpretation of the Subject of Deuteronomy 23:19
Authors: Bird Phyllis
Published: August 2015

The prohibition in Deut 23:19 against offering the “wages of a prostitute” (אתנןזונה) or the “price of a dog” (מחירכלב) in payment of a vow has generally been interpreted in connection with the proscription of the קדשה (“consecrated woman”) and קדש (“consecrated man”) in v. 18 as directed against some form of “cultic prostitution.” But the 2 m sg. verb raises the question of what a man is doing paying vows with a harlot’s fee. An investigation of v. 19 apart from the redactional v. 18 and an investigation of the key terms in their wider distribution in the Hebrew Bible yields a new understanding of the subject of this law and the idioms it employs.
Judah Bookends
Authors: Leonard-Fleckman Mahri
Published: August 2015

The story of David as king in 1-2 Samuel is defined by rule of Israel. In contrast, Judah’s centrality in the David narrative is limited to two sections: David’s anointing over Judah in 2 Sam 2:4a (part of a larger unit in vv. 1-4a) and the end of the Absalom lore in 19:9bβ-15, 16b-18a; and 19:41-20:5. These Judah additions or “bookends” interrupt the flow of the narrative, shifting and reorienting the reader’s direction in favor of Judah. Considered as a whole, the secondary nature of Judah in the David narrative invites us to reconsider the political and social landscape of the early monarchy. For the majority of its textual growth, the David material is defined not by a United Monarchy, nor by a clear political division between Israel and Judah, but by one important entity: Israel.
Prohibitions against Religious Clothing and Symbols in Public Schools and Universities: Narrowing the Scope by Introducing the Principle of Equal Treatment of Religious Manifestations
Authors: Strand Vibeke Blaker
Published: August 2015

The reasoning and conclusions reached by the European Court of Human Rights in cases against some Member States that involve prohibitions against the wearing of religious clothes and symbols in public educational institutions have led scholars to argue that introduction of similar prohibitions in other Member States will be in conformity with the Convention. By broadening the spectrum of relevant case-law, this article will argue that the wide margin of appreciation often referred to, conceals that the strictness of review may vary considerably depending on the circumstances of each case. The principle of equal treatment of religious manifestations is introduced as a norm that influences the strictness of review. Further, it is discussed to what extent the aim of preserving gender equality and the aim of avoiding religious pressure may be put forward in order to justify the introduction of prohibitions.
The Thorny British Question: Mrs Thatcher’s Bilateral Summitry from 1979-1984 and the Multilateral Issue of the British Budgetary Problem
Authors: Rice Matthew
Published: August 2015

In an era dominated by a web of institutionalised summitry, from the G20 to the European Council, the bilateral variant has been increasingly overlooked in the academic literature. This article seeks to rectify this situation by assessing the extent to which bilateral summits during the first five years of Mrs Thatcher’s premiership helped to solve the thorny issue of Britain’s net budgetary contribution to the European Community. In doing so, a qualitative case-study analysis was conducted, based on the use of newly released documents obtained from the National Archives in London. The argument is twofold: first, bilateral summits were not a panacea in the search for a solution to the budget question, but were instead part of a multi-level process; and second, bilateral summits were a useful forum for an exchange of views to take place, which was important in preparing for the multilateral summits that punctuated the period in question.
Polarimetric Radar Signatures of Dendritic Growth Zones within Colorado Winter Storms
Authors: Schrom Robert S. , Kumjian Matthew R. , Lu Yinghui
Published: August 2015

X-band polarimetric radar observations of winter storms in northeastern Colorado on 20–21 February, 9 March, and 9 April 2013 are examined. These observations were taken by the Colorado State University–University of Chicago–Illinois State Water Survey (CSU-CHILL) radar during the Front Range Orographic Storms (FROST) project. The polarimetric radar moments of reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization ZH, differential reflectivity ZDR, and specific differential phase KDP exhibited a range of signatures at different times near the −15°C temperature level favored for dendritic ice crystal growth. In general, KDP was enhanced in these regions with ZDR decreasing and ZH increasing toward the ground, suggestive of aggregation (or riming). The largest ZDR values (~3.5–5.5 dB) were observed during periods of significant low-level upslope flow. Convective features observed when the upslope flow was weaker had the highest KDP (>1.5° km−1) and ZH (>20 dBZ) values. Electromagnetic scattering calculations using the generalized multiparticle Mie method were used to determine whether these radar signatures were consistent with dendrites. Particle size distributions (PSDs) of dendrites were retrieved for a variety of cases using these scattering calculations and the radar observations. The PSDs derived using stratiform precipitation observations were found to be reasonably consistent with previous PSD observations. PSDs derived where riming may have occurred likely had errors and deviated significantly from these previous PSD observations. These results suggest that this polarimetric radar signature may therefore be useful in identifying regions of rapidly collecting dendrites, after considering the effects of riming on the radar variables.
Length Scale of the Finite-Amplitude Meanders of Shelfbreak Fronts
Authors: Zhang Weifeng G. , Gawarkiewicz Glen G.
Published: August 2015

Through combining analytical arguments and numerical models, this study investigates the finite-amplitude meanders of shelfbreak fronts characterized by sloping isopycnals outcropping at both the surface and the shelfbreak bottom. The objective is to provide a formula for the meander length scale that can explain observed frontal length scale variability and also be verified with observations. Considering the frontal instability to be a mixture of barotropic and baroclinic instability, the derived along-shelf meander length scale formula is [b1/(1 + a1S1/2)]NH/f, where N is the buoyancy frequency; H is the depth of the front; f is the Coriolis parameter; S is the Burger number measuring the ratio of energy conversion associated with barotropic and baroclinic instability; and a1 and b1 are empirical constants. Initial growth rate of the frontal instability is formulated as [b2(1 + a1S1/2)/(1 + a2αS1/2)]NH/L, where α is the bottom slope at the foot of the front, and a2 and b2 are empirical constants. The formulas are verified using numerical sensitivity simulations, and fitting of the simulated and formulated results gives a1 = 2.69, b1 = 14.65, a2 = 5.1 × 103, and b2 = 6.2 × 10−2. The numerical simulations also show development of fast-growing frontal symmetric instability when the minimum initial potential vorticity is negative. Although frontal symmetric instability leads to faster development of barotropic and baroclinic instability at later times, it does not significantly influence the meander length scale. The derived meander length scale provides a framework for future studies of the influences of external forces on shelfbreak frontal circulation and cross-frontal exchange.
On Shipboard Marine X-Band Radar Near-Surface Current ‘‘Calibration’’
Authors: Lund Björn , Graber Hans C. , Hessner Katrin , Williams Neil J.
Published: August 2015

The ocean wave signatures within conventional noncoherent marine X-band radar (MR) image sequences can be used to derive near-surface current information. On ships, an accurate near-real-time record of the near-surface current could improve navigational safety. It could also advance understanding of air–sea interaction processes. The standard shipboard MR near-surface current estimates were found to have large errors (of the same order of magnitude as the signal) that are associated with ship speed and heading. For acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs), ship heading errors are known to induce a spurious cross-track current that is proportional to the ship speed and the sine of the error angle. Conventional mechanical gyrocompasses are very reliable heading sensors, but they are too inaccurate for shipboard ADCPs. Within the ADCP community, it is common practice to correct the gyrocompass measurements with the help of multiantenna carrier-phase differential GPS systems. This study shows how a similar multiantenna GPS-based ship heading correction technique stands to improve the accuracy of MR near-surface current estimates. Changes to the standard MR near-surface current retrieval method that are necessary for high-quality results from ships are also introduced. MR and ADCP data collected from R/V Roger Revelle during the Impact of Typhoons on the Ocean in the Pacific (ITOP) program in 2010 are used to demonstrate the MR currents’ accuracy and reliability.
An Adaptive Compensatory Approach of the Fixed Localization in the EnKF
Authors: Wu Xinrong , Li Wei , Han Guijun , Zhang Lianxin , Shao Caixia , Sun Chunjian , Xuan Lili
Published: August 2015

Although the fixed covariance localization in the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) can significantly increase the reliability of background error covariance, it has been demonstrated that extreme impact radii can cause the EnKF to lose some useful information. Tuning an optimal impact radius, on the other hand, is always difficult for a general circulation model. The EnKF multiscale analysis (MSA) approach was presented to make up for the above-mentioned drawback of the fixed localization. As a follow-up, this study presents an adaptive compensatory approach to further improve the performance of the EnKF-MSA. The new method adaptively triggers a multigrid analysis (MGA) to extract multiscale information from the observational residual after the EnKF without inflation is completed at each analysis step. Within a biased twin experiment framework consisting of a barotropic spectral model and an idealized observing system, the performance of the adaptive method is examined. Results show that the MGA reduces the computational cost of the MSA by 93%. On the assimilation quality, the adaptive method has an incremental improvement over the EnKF-MSA. That is, the adaptive EnKF-MGA reduces to the EnKF without inflation, which is better than the EnKF-MSA, for moderate impact radii. The proposed scheme works for a broader range of impact radii than the standard EnKF (i.e., the EnKF with inflation). For extreme impact radii, the adaptive EnKF-MGA can produce smaller assimilation errors than the standard EnKF and shorten the spinup period by 53%. In addition, the computational cost of the MGA is negligible relative to that of the standard EnKF.
Building the next generation of foreign policy professionals: One internship at a time
Authors: Conley Tyler Melissa , Rothnie-Jones Olivia , McCambridge Kate , Walsh Eleanor
Published: August 2015

The future of foreign policy think tanks should involve acting as a training ground for the next generation of international affairs professionals. Internships are widely recognized as a way of improving young people’s skills and employment prospects. A case study of the Australian Institute of International Affairs’ (AIIA’s) internship program shows how foreign policy institutes can form a bridge between the academic grounding that universities provide and the rigours and requirements of a career in international affairs. Survey results from more than 100 interns showed an overwhelmingly positive reaction to their internship experience, with over 98 percent recommending the program. A range of learning outcomes and career benefits were reported. Foreign policy institutes wishing to contribute to career development should consider introducing internship programs that include goal setting, high-quality supervision, expert training, and career advice. They can help build the future of the field one internship at a time.
Publicness as an antecedent of transformational leadership: the case of Norway
Authors: Jacobsen Dag Ingvar
Published: August 2015

A large number of empirical studies have shown a wide range of positive effects of transformational leadership, which is arguably the dominating leadership paradigm in the last two decades. In this study, we ask whether this type of leadership is as common in public as in private organizations. Through a survey, the leadership style of 2488 leaders in Norwegian organizations with more than ten employees was mapped out. Focus is set on whether the occurrence of transformational leadership varies according to an organization’s publicness. It is hypothesized that the effect of publicness on transformational leadership will be mediated through bureaucratization, centralization, professionalization, pro-social motivation and gender composition. The study controls for organization size and task, variables often missing in comparisons of public and private organizations. The main finding is that publicness has no direct effect on transformational leadership when controlling for main task, organizational size and the leader’s gender. However, it does affect transformational leadership indirectly through bureaucratization, professionalization and gender composition. Based on the findings, more general implications for comparing public and private organizations are discussed.

Points for practitioners

It is often claimed that leadership in the public sector is different from leadership in the private sector. This study shows that such a claim is an oversimplification. First, there should be an awareness that leadership does not take place only in the private or public sector, but also in a myriad of hybrids between the public and the private sectors. Second, various challenges for leaders may be more strongly linked to basic features such as task and organizational size, rather than to whether an organization is public or private.
Problems and Prospects in Early Childhood Education Provisioning in Turkey and South Africa
Authors: Meier Corinne , Lemmer Eleanor , Niron Demet Gören
Published: August 2015

The benefits of early childhood development (ECD) programmes are strongly supported by evidence of reduced school dropout and repetition rates. However, the literature on ECD is primarily grounded in research based in the United States (US); in the light of this gap in the literature, this paper provides a comparative overview of ECD policy and practice from outside of the US, namely in South Africa and Turkey. As a theoretical framework the paper has followed the World Bank’s Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER)-ECD Analytical Framework. Findings indicate that both countries have established an enabling policy environment for ECD but implementation and the setting of and compliance to standards for quality is still emerging, in spite of massive strides made in this field during the past fifteen years.
The Potential of Community-based Geotourism in Rural Development in South Africa: The Case of Witsie Cave Project
Authors: Mukwada Geoffrey , Sekhele Ntebohiseng
Published: August 2015

This paper examines the challenges confronting community-based geotourism as a tool for Local Economic Development in a poor rural community based in the Free State province of South Africa. Data were collected through interviews that were held with participants of the Witsie Cave project, local community leaders and municipal officials, as well as through the content analysis of the project’s documents. The results indicate the need to address a conundrum of intertwined endogenous and exogenous conditions as a strategy for enhancing the viability of community-based geotourism projects.
Saint or sinner? Suttee in the depiction of Flora Annie Steel and Cornelia Sorabji
Authors: Roye Susmita
Published: August 2015

Suttee is a well-discussed and widely researched topic and yet the literary representations of it are not sufficiently probed into. Suttee, if merely understood as the rite of widow burning in India, is one of the cruelest practices of female subjugation. Hence, women’s attempts at articulating their views on such a practice are significant. This becomes more arresting when two women writers come from different (even opposing!) cultures and stand on different rungs of the colonial hierarchy. Moreover, given the flexibility of fiction as a mode of expression, it can arguably best be used as a powerful tool for one’s own propaganda. Several questions emerge. How does each writer see and show suttee? How does an awareness of their respective status in an imperialist world shape their creative imagination? What kind of politics of representation is involved in their writings in face of the charged politics surrounding the topic of suttee in a colonial world? In depicting this rite, how and why does each bring in the argument of sainthood that is inevitably related with any suttee-death? Endeavoring to find answers to these questions, I will examine one work of fiction each by two contemporaneous women writers, one British (Flora Annie Steel) and one Indian writer (Cornelia Sorabji), to see how the concept of ‘suttee’ has been used in each case.
Reconfiguring European history and cultural memory in Jamal Mahjoub’s Travelling with Djinns
Authors: Mohammad Yasemin
Published: August 2015

This article focuses on British-Sudanese writer Jamal Mahjoub’s novel Travelling with Djinns (2003). I argue that the novel attempts to reconfigure European history and cultural memory through a transnational, exilic perspective by exploring the British-Sudanese protagonist Yasin Zahir and his son Leo’s road trip through contemporary Europe. Traveling enables Yasin to challenge official historical accounts, and envision cultural memory as fluid and dynamic. Not only does he conjure up forgotten memories of European migrants, minorities, and exiles, but he also interlinks these memories so that new solidarities can be formed across lines of ethno-cultural and/or religious division. The novel implies that only by reconfiguring the past and working through their traumatic memories can culturally hybrid individuals such as Yasin defy essentialist notions of European identity and develop a new sense of belonging.
Automatic identification of ramie and cotton fibers based on iodine blue reaction, Part I: the optimum conditions for the iodine blue reaction of cellulose
Authors: Jia Li Feng , Yang Man , Liu Yue , Sun Lan
Published: August 2015

A new iodine blue staining technique to distinguish ramie fibers from cotton fibers was presented. The influencing factors on staining color, including temperature, concentration of iodide anions in I2-YI solution, ratio of the volumes of added I2-YI solution and saturated LiX solution, time, and concentrations of alkali metal cation Y+ and halide anion X–, were investigated to maximize the difference in color between stained cotton and ramie fibers. The optimum conditions were as follows: temperature: –15℃; concentration of iodide anion in colorant: 1/5; volume ratio: 1/20; colorant: I2-LiI solution; swelling reagent: saturated LiCl solution. The experimental results showed that the new staining technique can be useful for automatic identification of cotton and ramie fibers.
Competitive urbanism and the limits to smart city innovation: The UK Future Cities initiative
Authors: Taylor Buck Nick , While Aidan
Published: August 2015

The technological vision of smart urbanism has been promoted as a silver bullet for urban problems and a major market opportunity. The search is on for firms and governments to find effective and transferable demonstrations of advanced urban technology. This paper examines initiatives by the UK national government to facilitate urban technological innovation through a range of strategies, particularly the TSB Future Cities Demonstrator Competition. This case study is used to explore opportunities and tensions in the practical realisation of the smart city imaginary. Tensions are shown to be partly about the conjectural nature of the smart city debate. Attention is also drawn to weakened capacity of urban governments to control their infrastructural destiny and also constraints on the ability of the public and private sectors to innovate. The paper contributes to smart city debates by providing further evidence of the difficulties in substantiating the smart city imaginary.
Experiences of accessing CCTV data: The urban topologies of subject access requests
Authors: Spiller Keith
Published: August 2015

In this paper, I argue that careful attention needs to be paid to the handling of urban CCTV digital data. Since the early 1990s, CCTV has left an indelible mark on UK cities, and beyond. CCTV is a crime-reduction strategy, and its activation owes much to the laws and regulations that govern its function and the passivity with which it is often viewed. I consider the nature of security when CCTV signs, recorded images and the rights of citizens are interlinked in controlled urban spaces. Despite the regulatory powers of the Data Protection Act, the management of CCTV data is at times poorly operationalised and often obfuscated. The paper discusses my experiences of identifying 17 different CCTV cameras and being recorded, and my attempts to access my images through subject access requests (SARs). In what follows, I draw on different topologies of experience in expanding upon the mutable, unpredictable and intensive relations that guide the management of CCTV data.
Socioeconomic Status and the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Among Adults in Northwest China
Authors: Zhu Shuzhen , Hu Jie , McCoy Thomas P. , Li Guangwu , Zhu Jianyong , Lei Meirong , Yuan Jie , Peng Jingxia , Kong Linglin
Published: August 2015

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate (1) the associations of socioeconomic status, lifestyle risk factors, and the prevalence of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and (2) the mediating effects of lifestyle risk factors on the association of socioeconomic status and the prevalence of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes among Chinese adults in northwest China.

Methods

Based on a correlational design and random multistage sampling in communities (N = 3243), data were collected through face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements. Education, occupation, and income were considered indicators of socioeconomic status.

Results

Approximately 7.5% persons interviewed had newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Chi-square analyses showed that higher socioeconomic indicators (higher income, nonmanual occupation) were associated with increased risk. Lifestyle risk factors, including alcohol use, unhealthy diet, and higher body mass index, were significantly positively associated with type 2 diabetes. Adjusting for demographic characteristics, hierarchical logistic regression analyses showed that unhealthy diet and high body mass index were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions

Higher incomes and nonmanual occupations were related to a greater prevalence of type 2 diabetes, and high body mass index mediated these associations. These findings suggest that interventions for type 2 diabetes in China should be targeted at populations with high socioeconomic status and nonmanual occupations to reduce lifestyle risk factors and prevent diabetes.