bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Additive Value of Magnetic Resonance Coronary Angiography in a Comprehensive Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Stress-Rest Protocol for Detection of Functionally Significant Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Bettencourt Nuno , Ferreira Nuno , Chiribiri Amedeo , Schuster Andreas , Sampaio Francisco , Santos Lino , Melica Bruno , Rodrigues Alberto , Braga Pedro , Teixeira Madalena , Leite-Moreira Adelino , Silva-Cardoso José , Portugal Pedro , Gama Vasco , Nagel Eike
Published: July 2013

Background—

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a state-of-the-art noninvasive modality for detection of myocardial ischemia and coronary artery disease. Magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) allows visualization of the coronary tree, but its incremental value as part of a CMR protocol including MPI and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is not well established. We aimed to evaluate the additive diagnostic value of a 3-dimensional whole-heart MRCA integration into a 1.5T CMR-MPI/LGE protocol for the detection of functionally significant coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results—

Forty-three symptomatic patients (61±8.3 years; 65% men) with suspected coronary artery disease and intermediate/high-pretest probability underwent CMR (including CMR-MPI, MRCA, and LGE) and x-ray invasive coronary angiography (XA) with fractional flow reserve evaluation. Diagnostic performances of MRCA, CMR-MPI/LGE, and MRCA+CMR-MPI/LGE integration were determined having XA+fractional flow reserve as standard for coronary artery disease (≥90% stenosis/occlusion or fractional flow reserve≤0.80 in vessels>2 mm). MRCA inclusion into the CMR protocol was associated with a mean increase of 7.9±4.69 (0–17.7) minutes in total examination duration (14%). On patient-based analysis, MRCA had 96% sensitivity, 68% specificity, positive predictive value of 79%, and negative predictive value of 93%. CMR-MPI/LGE had 79% sensitivity, 95% specificity, positive predictive value of 95%, and negative predictive value of 78%. Integration of MRCA with CMR-MPI/LGE further improved CMR performance to 96% sensitivity, 89% specificity, positive predictive value of 92%, and negative predictive value of 94%, with a global accuracy of 93%.

Conclusions—

In this intermediate/high-pretest population, integration of noncontrast-enhanced whole-heart MRCA nonsignificantly improved per-patient diagnostic accuracy of a comprehensive 1.5-T stress-rest CMR-MPI/LGE protocol at a cost of longer scanning times.
Focal Arterial Inflammation Precedes Subsequent Calcification in the Same Location
Authors: Abdelbaky Amr , Corsini Erin , Figueroa Amparo L. , Fontanez Sara , Subramanian Sharath , Ferencik Maros , Brady Thomas J. , Hoffmann Udo , Tawakol Ahmed
Published: July 2013

Background—

Arterial calcium (Ca) deposition has been identified as an active inflammatory process. We sought to test the hypothesis that local vascular inflammation predisposes to subsequent arterial calcium deposition in humans.

Methods and Results—

From a hospital database, we identified 137 patients (age, 61±13 years; 48.1% men) who underwent serial positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (1–5 years apart). Focal arterial inflammation was prospectively determined by measuring 18F-flourodeoxyglucose uptake (using baseline positron-emission tomography) within predetermined locations of the thoracic aortic wall and was reported as a standardized uptake value. A separate, blinded investigator evaluated calcium deposition (on the baseline and follow-up computed tomographic scans) along the same standardized sections of the aorta. New calcification was prospectively defined using square root–transformed difference of calcium volume score, with a cutoff value of 2.5. Accordingly, vascular segment was classified as either with or without subsequent calcification. Overall, 67 (9%) of aortic segments demonstrated subsequent calcification. Baseline median (interquartile range) standardized uptake value was higher in segments with versus without subsequent calcification (2.09 [1.84–2.44] versus 1.92 [1.72–2.20],
P
=0.002). This was also true in the subset of segments with Ca present at baseline (2.08 [1.81–2.40] versus 1.86 [1.66–2.09],
P
=0.02), as well as those without (2.17 [1.87–2.51] versus 1.93 [1.73–2.20],
P
=0.04). Furthermore, across all patients, subsequent Ca deposition was associated with the underlying 18F-flourodeoxyglucose uptake (inflammatory signal), measured as standardized uptake value (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=2.94 [1.27–6.89],
P
=0.01) or target-to-background ratio (2.59 [1.18–5.70],
P
=0.02), after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions—

Here, we provide first-in-man evidence that arterial inflammation precedes subsequent Ca deposition, a marker of plaque progression, within the underlying location in the artery wall.
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Endothelium Mediates Hemodynamic-Induced Atherosclerosis Susceptibility
Authors: Xiao Han , Lu Min , Lin Ting Yang , Chen Zhen , Chen Gang , Wang Wei-Chi , Marin Traci , Shentu Tzu-pin , Wen Liang , Gongol Brendan , Sun Wei , Liang Xiao , Chen Ju , Huang Hsien-Da , Pedra Joao H.F. , Johnson David A. , Shyy John Y-J.
Published: July 2013

Background—

The molecular basis for the focal nature of atherosclerotic lesions is poorly understood. Here, we explored whether disturbed flow patterns activate an innate immune response to form the NLRP3 inflammasome scaffold in vascular endothelial cells via sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2).

Methods and Results—

Oscillatory flow activates SREBP2 and induces NLRP3 inflammasome in endothelial cells. The underlying mechanisms involve SREBP2 transactivating NADPH oxidase 2 and NLRP3. Consistently, SREBP2, NADPH oxidase 2, and NLRP3 levels were elevated in atheroprone areas of mouse aortas, suggesting that the SREBP2-activated NLRP3 inflammasome causes functionally disturbed endothelium with increased inflammation. Mimicking the effect of atheroprone flow, endothelial cell–specific overexpression of the activated form of SREBP2 synergized with hyperlipidemia to increase atherosclerosis in the atheroresistant areas of mouse aortas.

Conclusions—

Atheroprone flow induces NLRP3 inflammasome in endothelium through SREBP2 activation. This increased innate immunity in endothelium synergizes with hyperlipidemia to cause topographical distribution of atherosclerotic lesions.
Limited English Proficient Patients and Time Spent in Therapeutic Range in a Warfarin Anticoagulation Clinic
Authors: Rodriguez Fátima , Hong Clemens , Chang Yuchiao , Oertel Lynn B. , Singer Daniel E. , Green Alexander R. , López Lenny
Published: July 2013

Background

While anticoagulation clinics have been shown to deliver tailored, high‐quality care to patients receiving warfarin therapy, communication barriers with limited English proficient (
LEP
) patients may lead to disparities in anticoagulation outcomes.

Methods and Results

We analyzed data on 3770 patients receiving care from the Massachusetts General Hospital Anticoagulation Management Service (
AMS
) from 2009 to 2010. This included data on international normalized ratio (
INR
) tests and patient characteristics, including language and whether
AMS
used a surrogate for primary communication. We calculated percent time in therapeutic range (
TTR
for
INR
between 2.0 and 3.0) and time in danger range (
TDR
for
INR
<1.8 or >3.5) using the standard Rosendaal interpolation method. There were 241
LEP
patients;
LEP
patients, compared with non‐
LEP
patients, had a higher number of comorbidities (3.2 versus 2.9 comorbidities,
P
=0.004), were more frequently uninsured (17.0% versus 4.3%,
P
<0.001), and less educated (47.7% versus 6.0% ≤high school education,
P
<0.001).
LEP
patients compared with non‐
LEP
patients spent less
TTR
(71.6% versus 74.0%,
P
=0.007) and more
TDR
(12.9% versus 11.3%,
P
=0.018). In adjusted analyses,
LEP
patients had lower
TTR
as compared with non‐
LEP
patients (
OR
1.5, 95%
CI
[1.1, 2.2]).
LEP
patients who used a communication surrogate spent less
TTR
and more
TDR
.

Conclusion

Even within a large anticoagulation clinic with a high average
TTR
, a small but significant decrease in
TTR
was observed for
LEP
patients compared with English speakers. Future studies are warranted to explore how the use of professional interpreters impact
TTR
for
LEP
patients.
In the Eye of the Beholder: How Leaders and Intelligence Communities Assess the Intentions of Adversaries
Authors: Yarhi-Milo Keren
Published: July 2013

How do policymakers infer the long-term political intentions of their states' adversaries? A new approach to answering this question, the “selective attention thesis,” posits that individual perceptual biases and organizational interests and practices influence which types of indicators a state's political leaders and its intelligence community regard as credible signals of an adversary's intentions. Policymakers often base their interpretations on their own theories, expectations, and needs, sometimes ignoring costly signals and paying more attention to information that, though less costly, is more vivid (i.e., personalized and emotionally involving). In contrast, intelligence organizations typically prioritize the collection and analysis of data on the adversary's military inventory. Over time, these organizations develop substantial knowledge on these material indicators that they then use to make predictions about an adversary's intentions. An examination of three cases based on 30,000 archival documents and intelligence reports shows strong support for the selective attention thesis and mixed support for two other approaches in international relations theory aimed at understanding how observers are likely to infer adversaries' political intentions: the behavior thesis and the capabilities thesis. The three cases are assessments by President Jimmy Carter and officials in his administration of Soviet intentions during the collapse of détente; assessments by President Ronald Reagan and administration officials of Soviet intentions during the end of the Cold War; and British assessments of Nazi Germany before World War II.
Early History of French CG
Authors: Welker Cécile
Published: July 2013

This paper provides an historical summary of the emergence of computer graphics research and creation in France between 1970 and 1990, a period of innovation that transformed artistic practice and French visual media. The paper shows the role of these developments in the history of art, the evolution of digital technology, and the expansion of animation and visual effects in the film industry.
A Lost Maqāma of Badīʿ al-Zamān al-Hamad̠ānī?
Authors: Orfali Bilal W. , Pomerantz Maurice A.
Published: July 2013

Abstract

This article provides the editio princeps of a previously unknown maqāma attributed to Badīʿ al-Zamān al-Hamad̠ānī (d. 398/1008). It begins with a review of the scholarship on the manuscripts of Hamad̠ānī’s Maqāmāt and discusses how the text of this lost maqāma was uniquely preserved in one manuscript, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Salisbury collection no. 63. This manuscript, copied in 603/1206, was well-known to European scholarship, having been in the possession of Everard Scheidius (1742-1794), Silvestre de Sacy (1775-1838), and Edward Eldridge Salisbury (1814-1901). The maqāma, preserved therein, describes a fraudulent doctor’s sale of medicinal compounds allegedly composed of rare materia medica. The text of this maqāma, which the editors have entitled al-Maqāma l-Ṭibbiyya, is then provided in facsimile, a critical edition, and a fully-annotated English translation. A detailed analysis of the maqāma follows, in which the form, subject matter, language, and style of this maqāma are discussed in relation to the known corpus of Hamad̠ānī’s other maqāmāt. The article concludes with several hypotheses about the possible authenticity of this lost work.
Revision of the bee subgenus Centris (Wagenknechtia) Moure, 1950 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini)
Authors: VIVALLO FELIPE
Published: July 2013

In this paper, a complete taxonomic revision of the species of Centris (Wagenknechtia) Moure is presented for the first time. The following species are recognized: Centris cineraria Smith, C. escomeli Cockerell, C. moldenkei Toro & Chiap-pa, C. muralis Burmeister, C. orellanai Ruiz, C. rhodophthalma Pérez and C. vardyorum Roig-Alsina. Floral associations, distribution records, and diagnoses of both sexes based on type specimens, are given. An identification key, illustrations, along with an updated catalogue of all species of the subgenus, are also provided. In addition, a neotype for Centris orel-lanai is designated.
Egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae) of the gall-making leafhopper Scenergates viridis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from Uzbekistan, with taxonomic notes on the Palaearctic species of Aphelinoidea
Authors: RAKITOV ROMAN , TRIAPITSYN SERGUEI V.
Published: July 2013

A new species of the Aphelinoidea Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), A. (Aphelinoidea) sariq Triapitsyn & Rakitov sp. n., is described from Uzbekistan. Both sexes were reared from eggs of the only known truly gall-making leaf-hopper, Scenergates viridis (Vilbaste), laid inside its galls on camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum Medikus; additional females were found dead inside the galls. Aphelinoidea sariq is the only known species of the nominate subgenus of Aphelinoidea whose body color is predominantly yellow. Taxonomic notes on other Palaearctic species of Aphelinoidea are provided; A. scythica Fursov, syn. n. is synonymized under A. (Aphelinoidea) turanica S. Trjapitzin. Another trichogrammatid, Par-acentrobia (Paracentrobia) sp., was reared from eggs of S. viridis in much smaller numbers. Also described from the same locality and host is Gonatocerus (Lymaenon) mitjaevi Triapitsyn & Rakitov sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae).
Three new species of the genus Kosalya Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae) from China
Authors: LONG JIAN-KUN , CHEN XIANG-SHENG
Published: July 2013

Three new species of the planthopper genus Kosalya Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae: Plectoderini) are described and illustrated from China: K. unimaculata sp. nov., K. circumscripta sp. nov. and K. curvusanusa sp. nov.. The genus is redescribed, and includes male genitalia characters. A key to all species of the genus is given.
Pupal cases of three Nearctic species of Machimus (Diptera: Asilidae)
Authors: DENNIS D. STEVE , BARNES JEFFREY K.
Published: July 2013

The pupal cases of the Nearctic robber flies, Machimus latapex Martin, 1975, M. occidentalis (Hine, 1909), and M. prai-riensis (Tucker, 1907) are described. They are compared with the previously described pupal cases of six other Nearctic species of Machimus. The pupal case of M. latapex and facial sheaths and posterior antennal processes of M. occidentalis are illustrated.
New species and records of Cerambycinae and Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from the Neotropical Region
Authors: MARTINS UBIRAJARA R. , GALILEO MARIA HELENA M.
Published: July 2013

New species are described in Cerambycinae, in Elaphidiini: Eurysthea parva sp. nov. from Ecuador (Loja); in Hexoploni-ni: Hexoplon rubriceps sp. nov. from Ecuador (Napo); in Neoibidionini: Cycnidolon praecipuum sp. nov. from Bolivia (Santa Cruz); in Pteroplatini: Pteroplatus caudatus sp. nov. from Colombia (Cundinamarca); Pteroplatus pallidicolor sp. nov. from Peru (Cajamarca); in Tillomorphini: Epropetes tristis sp. nov. from Panama (Darien) and Euderces elachys sp. nov. from Ecuador (Manabi). In Lamiinae, Agapanthiini: Trichohippopsis barbatulus sp. nov. from Ecuador (Manabi) is described. Chromatic variation in Gnomidolon pulchrum Martins, 1960 (Hexoplonini) is discussed. New records are given for: Eburodacrystola pickeli Melzer, 1928 and Eburodacrys cunusaia Martins, 1997 (Eburiini) for Bolivia; Tetranodus tropipennis Chemsak, 1977 (Tillomorphini) for Nicaragua and Ecuador; and Pteroplatus transversalis Breme, 1844 (Pteroplatini) for Ecuador.
Schistura paucireticulata, a new loach from Tuirial River, Mizoram, India (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
Authors: LOKESHWOR Y. , VISHWANATH W. , KOSYGIN L.
Published: July 2013

Schistura paucireticulata, new species, is described from the Tuirial River in Mizoram, India. It is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: 8–9 brown bars on the body, bars in front of the dorsal fin divided into 2-3 small bars forming a reticulations; basicaudal bar black, dissociated; dorsal fin spotted, with 4 simple and 8½ branched rays; anal fin with 3 simple and 6 branched rays; lateral line complete; caudal fin deeply emarginated with 9+8 branched rays; well developed axillary pelvic lobe; and caudal fin with numerous black spots arranged in 3–4 bars.
A new species of the caridean shrimp genus Ogyrides Stebbing, 1914 (Decapoda: Ogyrididae) from the eastern tropical Pacific
Authors: AYÓN-PARENTE MANUEL , SALGADO-BARRAGÁN JOSÉ
Published: July 2013

The caridean shrimp Ogyrides wickstenae sp. nov. is described from Mazatlán, Pacific coast of Mexico. The new species is most closely related to O. tarazonai Wicksten & Méndez, 1988 and O. hayi Williams, 1981, sharing with them a single spine on the dorsal midline of the carapace. However, the new species can be distinguished from the two allied species by the presence of a single small spine on the second endopodal segment of the third maxilliped and the five-segmented car-pus of the second pereopod. A key for the Eastern Pacific species of Ogyrides is provided.
Spider Systematics: Past and Future
Authors: PLATNICK NORMAN I. , RAVEN ROBERT J.
Published: July 2013

Spider systematics has a history that reaches back over 250 years, to the publication of Carl Clerck’s Svenska Spindlar (Clerck, 1757).  Linnaeus (1758), in the famous 10th edition of his Systema Naturae that was published the following year (and which serves as the starting point for the rest of zoological nomenclature), recognized only 39 species of spiders, worldwide, even though he knew (and cited) Clerck’s book.  Clerck had already recognized more species than that from Sweden alone, and (unlike Linnaeus) provided good, color illustrations of them, often including even drawings of the male palps.  So it is not surprising that arachnologists take Clerck, rather than Linnaeus, as their starting point.
On Psilorhynchus sucatio and P. nudithoracicus, with the description of a new species of Psilorhynchus from northeastern India (Ostariophysi: Psilorhynchidae)
Authors: CONWAY KEVIN W. , DITTMER DREW E. , JEZISEK LACI E. , NG HEOK HEE
Published: July 2013

Psilorhynchus sucatio (Hamilton) is redescribed based on the examination of 462 specimens, 13–67 mm standard length (SL). Psilorhynchus nudithoracicus Tilak & Husain is redescribed based on the examination of 97 specimens, 10–68 mm SL. Psilorhynchus gracilis Rainboth is placed in the synonymy of P. nudithoracicus. Psilorhynchus hamiltoni, a new species and a member of the P. balitora species group, is described from the Tista River in West Bengal, India. It is distinguished from all other members of the P. balitora species group by having a well-developed lateral stripe, 6–7 poorly developed saddles that do not make contact with the lateral blotches, 7–11 lateral blotches, 34–35 lateral line scales, 9+8–9 principal caudal-fin rays, 36 total vertebrae, and the ventral surface between paired fins with a broad rectangular scaleless patch. A key to the species groups of Psilorhynchus is also provided, as are revised diagnoses for the P. balitora and P. nudithoracicus species groups.
A Test of Recent Inferences of Net Polar Ice Mass Balance based on Long-Wavelength Gravity
Authors: Morrow E. , Mitrovica J. X. , Sterenborg M. G. , Harig C.
Published: July 2013

A comprehensive analysis of satellite datasets has estimated that the ice sheets of Greenland, West Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula, and East Antarctica experienced a net mass loss of −100 ± 92 Gt yr−1 over the period 1992–2000 and −298 ± 58 Gt yr−1 over the period 2000–11, representing an increase of −198 ± 109 Gt yr−1 between the two epochs. The authors demonstrate that the time rate of change of the degree-four zonal harmonic of Earth's gravitational potential provides an independent check on these mass balances that is less sensitive to uncertainties that have contaminated previous analyses of the degree-2 zonal harmonic [e.g., due to ongoing glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), solid Earth body tides, and core–mantle coupling]. For the period 2000–11, the signal implied by the ice sheet mass flux cited above is (3.8 ± 0.6) × 10−11 yr−1, whereas the change in the harmonic across the two epochs is (2.3 ± 1.1) × 10−11 yr−1. In comparison, using satellite laser ranging (SLR) data, the authors estimate a GIA-corrected value of (3.8 ± 0.6) × 10−11 yr−1 for the epoch 2000–11 and a change across the two epochs of (5.3 ± 1.6) × 10−11 yr−1. The authors conclude that the former supports recent estimates of melting over the last decade, whereas the latter suggests either that estimated melt rates for the earlier epoch were too high or that the uncertainty associated with the SLR-based inference of during the earlier epoch is underestimated.
Development of a Coupled Land Surface Hydrologic Model and Evaluation at a Critical Zone Observatory
Authors: Shi Yuning , Davis Kenneth J. , Duffy Christopher J. , Yu Xuan
Published: July 2013

A fully coupled land surface hydrologic model, Flux-PIHM, is developed by incorporating a land surface scheme into the Penn State Integrated Hydrologic Model (PIHM). The land surface scheme is adapted from the Noah land surface model. Because PIHM is capable of simulating lateral water flow and deep groundwater at spatial resolutions sufficient to resolve upland stream networks, Flux-PIHM is able to represent heterogeneities due to topography and soils at high resolution, including spatial structure in the link between groundwater and the surface energy balance (SEB). Flux-PIHM has been implemented at the Shale Hills watershed (0.08 km2) in central Pennsylvania. Multistate observations of discharge, water table depth, soil moisture, soil temperature, and sensible and latent heat fluxes in June and July 2009 are used to manually calibrate Flux-PIHM at hourly temporal resolution. Model predictions from 1 March to 1 December 2009 are evaluated. Both hydrologic predictions and SEB predictions show good agreement with observations. Comparisons of model predictions between Flux-PIHM and the original PIHM show that the inclusion of the complex SEB simulation only brings slight improvement in hourly model discharge predictions. Flux-PIHM adds the ability of simulating SEB to PIHM and does improve the prediction of hourly evapotranspiration, the prediction of total runoff (discharge), and the predictions of some peak discharge events, especially after extended dry periods. Model results reveal that annual average sensible and latent heat fluxes are strongly correlated with water table depth, and the correlation is especially strong for the model grids near the stream.
Sample Size Requirements for Structural Equation Models
Authors: Wolf Erika J. , Harrington Kelly M. , Clark Shaunna L. , Miller Mark W.
Published: July 2013

Determining sample size requirements for structural equation modeling (SEM) is a challenge often faced by investigators, peer reviewers, and grant writers. Recent years have seen a large increase in SEMs in the behavioral science literature, but consideration of sample size requirements for applied SEMs often relies on outdated rules-of-thumb. This study used Monte Carlo data simulation techniques to evaluate sample size requirements for common applied SEMs. Across a series of simulations, we systematically varied key model properties, including number of indicators and factors, magnitude of factor loadings and path coefficients, and amount of missing data. We investigated how changes in these parameters affected sample size requirements with respect to statistical power, bias in the parameter estimates, and overall solution propriety. Results revealed a range of sample size requirements (i.e., from 30 to 460 cases), meaningful patterns of association between parameters and sample size, and highlight the limitations of commonly cited rules-of-thumb. The broad “lessons learned” for determining SEM sample size requirements are discussed.
Drug Trafficking Wars
Authors: Che Ying , Benson Bruce L.
Published: July 2013

Decision making in the face of risk from law enforcement is considered from the perspective provided by theoretical models of interdependent decisions of potential drug smugglers regarding entry and the use of violence following entry. Implications of three different models of decision making under risk are examined: expected value, expected utility, and prospect theory. The theoretical results help explain many observed characteristics of drug-smuggling operations and allow clarification of some implications drawn from studies of smuggling behavior that were not considered in the context of such models.
Anticipating Transnational Publics
Authors: Smith William
Published: July 2013

This article evaluates mini-publics as a potential means of realizing deliberative democratic values in transnational contexts. A mini-public is a group of citizens that is chosen by random or near-random selection to debate matters of public concern in a suitably structured deliberative environment. The argument of the article is that mini-publics can be an important deliberative resource, but only as supplements to rather than replacements for alternative means of reforming transnational institutions. These forums can be used to prefigure transnational publics, but entrenched institutional assumptions about the delineation and definition of these publics must be subject to critical scrutiny by other elements of a transnational deliberative system. This argument is developed through a critical engagement with the literature on mini-publics, an analysis of a prominent example of a transnational mini-public, and a defense of the role of civil society as a resource for counteracting the shortcomings of mini-publics.
Branding as Urban Collective Strategy-making: The Formation of NewcastleGateshead’s Organisational Identity
Authors: Pasquinelli Cecilia
Published: July 2013

Increasing attention has focused on relational spatial entities as potentially embedding renewed and alternative paths of local development. This paper discusses the intertwining of an emerging relational configuration of space and the pursuit of post-industrial development, by analysing the formation of an organisational identity. The case of NewcastleGateshead (UK) is interpreted as a brand emerging from urban collective strategy-making, involving two partner cities, thus crossing administrative borders. By suggesting the importance of the emergence of ‘branded relational spaces’, research results stress the active role of a collective construction of meanings and their communication in the creation of relational spatial entities. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the extent to which branding, here interpreted as collective strategy-making, goes beyond mere communication and fosters an institutionalisation of the branded space, thus influencing the way in which local development is spatially and strategically conceived.
Military Warriors as Peacekeeper–Diplomats
Authors: Hajjar Remi M.
Published: July 2013

This project examines the sophisticated cultural toolkit deployed by contemporary US military advisors to successfully build productive relationships with foreign security forces, advance the advising mission, and survive combat. This project's data stems from a three-part multi-method, including a survey conducted in Iraq; a document analysis; and interviews. This article focuses on numerous subthemes that coalesce to vividly divulge an intriguing story about how contemporary advisors build relationships with counterparts, including avoiding an “Ugly American” approach, how cross-cultural competence benefits the mission and increases survivability, learning about counterparts, the power of informal socializing, employing humor, navigating taboo topics, cultural stretching and associated limits, diplomatically balancing strength and subtlety, and taking physical and cultural risks. This project argues that effective advisors deploy a multifaceted cultural toolkit filled with peacekeeper-diplomat, warrior, subject matter expert, innovator, leader, and other tools, which reveals broader organizational changes indicative of emergent postmodern US military culture.
Should Entrepreneurially Oriented Firms Have Narcissistic CEOs?
Authors: Engelen Andreas , Neumann Christoph , Schmidt Susanne
Published: July 2013

Extant research has shown that firms with high levels of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) outperform competitors. The present study sheds light on this performance relationship in large, publicly listed high-tech firms by examining whether the strength of this relationship depends upon the CEO’s narcissism, an executive personality trait recently debated controversially in both academic and practitioner publications. A theoretically derived research model is empirically validated by means of multisource secondary data for 41 S&P 500 firms from 2005 to 2007. Findings indicate that narcissistic CEOs usually weaken the EO-performance relationship, although the opposite is true under some conditions, such as in highly concentrated and dynamic markets.
Horkheimer's Criticism of Husserl
Authors: Türker Habip
Published: July 2013

This article focuses on Max Horkheimer’s criticism of Husserl’s phenomenology in basic philosophical matters such as method, theory, logic, truth, metaphysics, etc. Horkheimer objects to Husserl’s conception of philosophy as a mathesis universalis and of science as relativistic research. However, he finds Husserl’s criticism of scientific rationalism the most important step for the legitimacy of philosophy. According to him, Husserl’s method is intended to be a science of apriority. But his understanding of apriority is static, is radically abstract, and overlooks the dialectical relation. Therefore, his method is ahistorical and undialectical. Horkheimer does not interpret Husserl’s idealism in the sense of classical idealism. However, he believes that the positivistic and Cartesian implications in Husserl’s philosophy made his method less fruitful in concrete situations. Consequently, he calls Husserl’s phenomenology abstract positivism, traditional theory and a bourgeois ideology. Horkheimer’s critique focuses on Husserl’s early period of phenomenology.
Repression, political threats, and survival under autocracy
Authors: Escribà-Folch Abel
Published: July 2013

Along with the mobilization of political support, repression is one of the two basic instruments dictators use to stay in power. Yet, there is no systematic investigation analyzing whether repression actually helps dictators retain power. This article fills this gap by addressing the simultaneous relationship between survival and repression. The results reveal that repression certainly increases the likelihood of dictators’ survival. Furthermore, this article also analyzes different types of authoritarian leader exit and repression. The article distinguishes between, on the one hand, nonviolent and regular exits and, on the other hand, violent and irregular exits as well as between political terror and restrictions on civil liberties. It argues that terror is effective against threats from organized groups, while restrictions on civil liberties essentially serve to prevent collective action. The empirical evidence confirms that political terror only reduces the likelihood of nonviolent and regular exits. Instead, restrictions on civil liberties are effective in deterring both sorts of threats.
The dynamics of within-regime stability: Party tenure and economic performance
Authors: Hall Steven , Nishikawa Misa
Published: July 2013

This article investigates the interactive effects of ruling party stability and veto players on economic performance. We show that ruling party duration has an inverted U-shaped relationship with growth when the number of veto players is low, while it has a regular U-shaped relationship when there are more veto players. We find support for these contentions using time-series cross-section data on the economic growth of a sample of 66 democracies between 1975 and 2007.
Combined approach in ventricular septal defect and adult pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Cingoz Faruk , Tavlasoglu Murat , Sahin Mehmet Ali , Kurkluoglu Mustafa
Published: July 2013

Early closure of a large ventricular septal defect before the onset of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance is important. Pulmonary hypertensive events might cause significant morbidity or mortality, even when closure is performed after infancy. Therefore, treatment of pulmonary hypertension after surgery may be the most important issue affecting the prognosis. We describe successful treatment of pulmonary hypertension in a 25-year-old woman after closure of large ventricular septal defect, with inhaled nitric oxide, sildenafil, and bosentan.
What outcome after the prescription of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in lung cancer?
Authors: Boudaya Mohamed-Sadok , Smadhi Hanène , Marghli Adel , Charmiti Fatma , Ouerghi Sonia , Mohamed Jalel , Brahem Emna , Smati Belhassen , Mestiri Taher , Kilani Tarek
Published: July 2013

Background

The treatment of patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is controversial. Surgery remains the gold standard, even in this group. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy could allow surgical resection in patients initially judged inoperable.

Methods

From January 2009 to May 2010, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was indicated in 27 patients with NSCLC (25 men, 2 women). Their mean age was 65 years. The stages were: IIB in 5, IIIA in 17 (6 in stage IIIAN2), IIIB in 2, and IV in 3.

Results

23 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 2 refused induction treatment, and 2 had impaired status. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen was gemcitabine-cisplatin in 17 patients and vinorelbine-cisplatin in 6. Only 5 patients underwent complete surgical treatment after induction: 1 in stage IIB, 1 in stage IIIAN0, 1 in IIIB, and 2 in stage IV (1 operated brain metastasis, and 1 operated adrenal metastasis). Surgical treatment was not achieved after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 18 patients because of progressive disease.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy offers several potential benefits, but it may delay surgery or eliminate eligibility as a surgical candidate. Rigorous patient selection for this type of multimodal treatment is essential.
Progressive muscular dystrophy of heart: diagnosis easily missed by clinicians
Authors: Gupta Sumiti , Duhan Amrita , Marwah Nisha , Hasija Sonia , Sen Rajeev
Published: July 2013

Muscular dystrophy connotes a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by progressive wasting and weakness of the skeletal muscles. In several forms of muscular dystrophy, cardiac dysfunction occurs, and cardiac disease may even be the predominant manifestation of the underlying genetic myopathy. We present a case of progressive muscular dystrophy of the heart in which the initial and only manifestation was sudden death in a young man.
Strategy to avoid patient-prosthesis mismatch: aortic root enlargement
Authors: Srivastava Dharmendra Kumar , Sanki Prokash , Bhattacharya Subhankar , Siddique Javed Veqar
Published: July 2013

Background

The choice of a valve with an effective orifice area matching the body surface area and providing efficient hemodynamics is an important factor affecting mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Patients and methods

Our preventative strategy was to implant a larger prosthetic valve by aortic root enlargement using the Nunez procedure in 17 patients between February 2010 and January 2011. The decision to enlarge the aortic root was taken when the 19-mm sizer could not be negotiated easily through the aortic root, or on the basis of body surface area of the patient or type of prosthesis available.

Results

Postoperative reductions in peak and mean pressure gradients across aortic valve of 12.8–16.5 and 10.2–12.6 mm Hg, respectively, were observed. Postoperative effective orifice areas of the aortic valves were 1.1–1.5 cm2. By upsizing the aortic valve, we were able to eliminate patient-prosthesis mismatch in 5 patients, and reduce severe patient-prosthesis mismatch to moderate in 11.

Conclusion

Aortic root enlargement is a safe procedure. Therefore, cardiac surgeons should not be reluctant to enlarge the aortic root with an autologous pericardial patch to permit implantation of an adequate size of aortic valve prosthesis, with minimal additional aortic crossclamp time and no added cost.
Debating ‘visibility’ and its effects on the effective delivery of Official Development Assistance – diagnosis, justification and possibilities
Authors: Vollmer Frank
Published: July 2013

Development cooperation has to be visible in some form to ensure domestic political support for Official Development Assistance. This explains the frequent calls for greater visibility at the headquarters level of aid agencies. However, effective development cooperation is not compatible with every form of visibility. Aid practitioners at field level in partner countries report that actions geared toward increasing the effectiveness of development cooperation become more challenging if these actions lack a certain degree of visibility. Whether aid is delivered on or off the budget of the partner country or whether aid programmes are aligned to the partner country’s priorities is linked to the domestic pressure on development partners for visibility in the partner country. This paper analyses the influence of visibility on the implementation of the aid effectiveness agenda. It assesses the impact of visibility on the principles and commitments of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (2005), the Accra Agenda for Action (2008) and the Busan Partnership Agreement for Effective Development Cooperation (2011), and presents parameters of a ‘new’ visibility that is conducive to the agenda.
Breathlessness – current and emerging mechanisms, measurement and management: A discussion from an European Association of Palliative Care workshop
Authors: Currow David C , Higginson Irene J , Johnson Miriam J
Published: July 2013

Background:

A pre-conference workshop at the 2012 European Association of Palliative Care meeting discussed the current scientific and clinical aspects of breathlessness.

Aim:

To describe a current overview of clinically relevant science in breathlessness.

Design:

A collation of workshop presentations and discussions.

Data sources:

Narrative review.

Results:

The mismatch between the drive to breathe and the ability to breathe underlies the major theories of breathlessness unifying central processing of peripheral inputs including more recent recognition of the importance of peripheral muscles in mediating efferent inputs, supporting reduction of breathlessness with muscle conditioning. Key questions are whether there is a ‘final common pathway’ for breathlessness? Are the central nervous system targets for reducing breathlessness identical irrespective of underlying aetiology? Central nervous system functional imaging confirms an ability to differentiate severity (intensity) from affective components (unpleasantness). Breathlessness generates suffering across the community for patients and their caregivers often for long periods. The exertional nature of breathlessness means that reduction rather than elimination of the symptom is the therapeutic goal. No single intervention is likely to relieve chronic refractory breathlessness, but interventions made up of several components may provide incremental relief. Having optimally treated any underlying reversible components, the resultant chronic refractory breathlessness can be treated with pharmacological, psychological and physical therapies to reduce the sensation and its impacts.

Conclusion:

Ensuring optimal delivery of interventions for breathlessness, whose design is underpinned by improving the understanding in the aetiology and maintenance of breathlessness, is the subject of ongoing controlled clinical trials.
Functional characterization of a novel C-terminal ATP1A2 mutation causing hemiplegic migraine and epilepsy
Authors: Pisano Tiziana , Spiller Susan , Mei Davide , Guerrini Renzo , Cianchetti Carlo , Friedrich Thomas , Pruna Dario
Published: July 2013

Background

We describe a four-generation Italian family with familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) and epilepsy due to a novel ATP1A2 missense mutation (R1007W).

Case results

Mutational analysis revealed a heterozygous nucleotide substitution c.3019C>T resulting in the missense substitution p.Arg1007Trp (p.R1007W) in seven subjects: Three individuals had hemiplegic migraine, two exhibited a clinical overlap between migraine and epilepsy, one had migraine and one was unaffected. The identified ATP1A2 mutation was not found in an ethnically matched control population of 190 individuals and was not reported in a polymorphisms database. In two-electrode voltage-clamp experiments on Xenopus oocytes, the ATP1A2 R1007W mutant showed (i) reduced ion pumping activity due to a more profound voltage dependence and (ii) decreased apparent affinity for extracellular K+ at voltages around the cellular resting potential. This distinct type of loss of function has not been reported for other FHM2 mutations and can lead to impaired K+ clearance and elevated K+ levels in the CNS.

Conclusions

The functional data and clinical evidence suggest that in FHM2 migraine and epilepsy may originate from the same pathogenic mechanisms associated with genetically determined alterations of ion channels and pumps. Our data also support the hypothesis that the new mutation R1007W in our family may be a susceptibility factor for epilepsy.
Hypnic headache
Authors: Holle Dagny , Naegel Steffen , Obermann Mark
Published: July 2013

Background

Hypnic headache (HH) is a rare primary headache disorder that is characterised by strictly sleep-related headache attacks.

Purpose

Because of the low prevalence of this headache disorder, disease information is mainly based on case reports and small case series. This review summarises current knowledge on HH in regard to clinical presentation, pathophysiology, symptomatic causes and therapeutic options.

Method

We review all reported HH cases since its first description in 1988 by Raskin. Broadened diagnostic criteria were applied for patient selection that slightly deviate from the current ICHD-II criteria. Patients were allowed to describe the headache character to be other than dull. Additionally, accompanying mild trigemino-autonomic symptoms were permitted.

Conclusions

Mainly elderly patients are affected, but younger patients and even children might also suffer from HH. Headache attacks usually last between 15 and 180 minutes, but some patients report headache attacks up to 10 hours. Almost all patients report motor activity during headache attacks. Cerebral MRI and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring should be performed in the diagnostic work-up of HH. Other primary headache disorders such as migraine and cluster headache may also present with sleep-related headache attacks and should be considered first. Caffeine taken as a cup of strong coffee seems to be the best acute and prophylactic treatment option.
The influence of earthworms on nutrient dynamics during the process of vermicomposting
Authors: Domínguez Jorge , Gómez-Brandón María
Published: July 2013

In the present study the potential of the earthworm Eisenia andrei to modify chemical and microbiological properties, with a special focus on the nutrient content of fresh organic matter, was evaluated during 16 weeks of vermicomposting of cattle manure and sewage sludge. Samples were periodically collected in order to determine the changes in inorganic nitrogen (N), in total microbial biomass and activity, as well as in the total and available content of macro- and micronutrients. An optimal moisture level, ranging from 75% to 88%, was maintained throughout the process. The content of organic matter decreased over time, but no changes were found in this parameter as a result of earthworm activity. The carbon/N ratio rapidly decreased, but only in the manure, reflecting rapid decomposition and mineralisation of the organic matter by the earthworms. An increase in N mineralisation was also attributable to the presence of earthworms, although in the manure this effect was hardly detectable before the eighth week of vermicomposting. Earthworm activity also enhanced the total content of potassium, calcium and iron together with an increase in the availability of phosphorus and zinc. We did not detect a significant earthworm effect on microbial respiration, but their activity increased greatly microbial biomass nitrogen in sewage sludge.
An analysis of the TABARI coding system
Authors: Best Rebecca H. , Carpino Christine , Crescenzi Mark J.C.
Published: July 2013

Textual Analysis by Augmented Replacement Instructions (TABARI) provides an automated method for coding large amounts of text. Using TABARI to code lead sentences of news stories, the KEDS/Penn State Event Data project has produced event data for several regions. The wide range of events and actors, TABARI’s ability to filter duplicate events and the number of events coded allow users to analyze patterns in conflict and cooperation between state and nonstate actors over time. We evaluate whether coding full stories provides more detailed information on the actors referenced in the lead sentences. Additional actor information would allow researchers interested in the interactions between violent nonstate actors to test hypotheses regarding group cohesiveness and splintering, spoiling behavior, commitment problems between factions and many other issues critical to management of an insurgency. We downloaded Reuters news stories relevant to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and used TABARI to code the lead sentences. We then analyzed the full text of the coded stories to determine the level of actor detail available. Our findings highlight the dynamic relationship among nonstate and state actors during the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and we find that, contrary to expectations, hand coding full news stories does not lead to significant improvements in the accuracy or depth of actor information compared with machine coding by TABARI using lead sentences. These findings should bolster the confidence of researchers using TABARI coded data, with the caveat that TABARI’s ability to distinguish between actors is dependent upon the detail available in the actor dictionaries.