bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Robust Recursive Filter for Nonlinear Systems with Correlated Noises, Packet Losses, and Multiplicative Noises
Authors: Qian Hua-Ming , Huang Wei , Liu Biao , Shen Chen
Published: March 2014

A robust filtering problem is formulated and investigated for a class of nonlinear systems with correlated noises, packet losses, and multiplicative noises. The packet losses are assumed to be independent Bernoulli random variables. The multiplicative noises are described as random variables with bounded variance. Different from the traditional robust filter based on the assumption that the process noises are uncorrelated with the measurement noises, the objective of the addressed robust filtering problem is to design a recursive filter such that, for packet losses and multiplicative noises, the state prediction and filtering covariance matrices have the optimized upper bounds in the case that there are correlated process and measurement noises. Two examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed filter.
Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Parkinson’s Disease as Assessed in Pivotal Trials of Pramipexole Extended Release
Authors: Hauser Robert A. , Gordon Mark Forrest , Mizuno Yoshikuni , Poewe Werner , Barone Paolo , Schapira Anthony H. , Rascol Olivier , Debieuvre Catherine , Fräßdorf Mandy
Published: April 2014

Background. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is the smallest change in an outcome measure that is meaningful for patients.Objectives. To calculate the MCID for Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores in early Parkinson’s disease (EPD) and for UPDRS scores and “OFF” time in advanced Parkinson’s disease (APD).Methods. We analyzed data from two pivotal, double-blind, parallel-group trials of pramipexole ER that included pramipexole immediate release (IR) as an active comparator. We calculated MCID as the mean change in subjects who received active treatment and rated themselves “a little better” on patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I) minus the mean change in subjects who received placebo and rated themselves unchanged.Results. MCIDs in EPD (pramipexole ER, pramipexole IR) for UPDRS II were −1.8 and −2.0, for UPDRS III −6.2 and −6.1, and for UPDRS II + III −8.0 and −8.1. MCIDs in APD for UPDRS II were −1.8 and −2.3, for UPDRS III −5.2 and −6.5, and for UPDRS II + III −7.1 and −8.8. MCID for “OFF” time (pramipexole ER, pramipexole IR) was −1.0 and −1.3 hours.Conclusions. A range of MCIDs is emerging in the PD literature that provides the basis for power calculations and interpretation of clinical trials.
Generalized Growth of Special Monogenic Functions
Authors: Kumar Susheel
Published: April 2014

We study the generalized growth of special monogenic functions. The characterizations of generalized order, generalized lower order, generalized type, and generalized lower type of special monogenic functions have been obtained in terms of their Taylor’s series coefficients.
Differential Role of Rapamycin and Torin/KU63794 in Inflammatory Response of 264.7 RAW Macrophages Stimulated by CA-MRSA
Authors: Shappley Rebekah K. H. , Spentzas Thomas
Published: April 2014

Background. Rapamycin suppresses the RAW264.7 macrophage mediated inflammatory response but in lower doses induces it. In the present study, we tested the suppression of the inflammatory response in the presence of mTOR 1 and 2 inhibitors, Torin and KU63794.Methods. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated for 18 hrs with 106to 107 CFU/mL inocula of community-acquired- (CA-) MRSA isolate, USA400 strain MW2, in the presence of Vancomycin. Then, in sequential experiments, we added Torin, KU63794, and Rapamycin alone and in various combinations. Supernatants were collected and assayed for TNF, IL-1, IL-6, INF, and NO.Results. Rapamycin induces 10–20% of the inflammatory cascade at dose of 0.1 ng/mL and suppresses it by 60% at dose of 10 ng/mL. The induction is abolished in the presence of Torin KU63794. Torin and KU63794 are consistently suppressing cytokine production 50–60%.Conclusions. There is a differential response between Rapamycin (mTOR-1 inhibitor) and Torin KU63794 (mTOR 1 and 2 inhibitors). Torin and KU63794 exhibit a dose related suppression. Rapamycin exhibits a significant induction-suppression biphasic response. Knowledge of such response may allow manipulation of the septic inflammatory cascade for clinical advantages.
Halo-Independent Comparison of Direct Dark Matter Detection Data
Authors: Del Nobile Eugenio
Published: April 2014

We review the halo-independent formalism that allows comparing data from different direct dark matter detection experiments without making assumptions on the properties of the dark matter halo. We apply this method to spin-independent WIMP-nuclei interactions, for both isospin-conserving and isospin-violating couplings, and to WIMPs interacting through an anomalous magnetic moment.
Successful Outcome of a Corticodependent Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Adult with Rituximab
Authors: Pindi Sala Taylor , Michot Jean-Marie , Snanoudj Renaud , Dollat Marion , Estève Emmanuel , Marie Bernadette , Taoufik Yacine , Delfraissy Jean-François , Lazure Thierry , Lambotte Olivier
Published: April 2014

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis involving small vessels with deposition of immunoglobulin A (IgA) complexes, usually affecting children. Compared with children, HSP in adults is more severe and frequently associated with cancer. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with medical history of kidney transplantation for segmental glomerular hyalinosis. Eight years after the transplantation, while taking combined immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus and azathioprine indicated for the prevention against transplant rejection, she developed a Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Vasculitis involves skin and sciatic peroneal nerve and she received systemic corticosteroid treatment. Because of four relapses and corticosteroid dependence, the patient was treated with rituximab (two intravenous infusions of 1000 mg given two weeks apart). Successful outcome was observed along two years of follow-up. This new case of successful use of rituximab in HSP promotes more investigations of this treatment in clinical trials.
Existence and Exponential Stability of Equilibrium Point for Fuzzy BAM Neural Networks with Infinitely Distributed Delays and Impulses on Time Scales
Authors: Li Yongkun , Sun Lijie , Yang Li
Published: April 2014

By using the fixed point theorem and constructing a Lyapunov functional, we establish some sufficient conditions on the existence, uniqueness, and exponential stability of equilibrium point for a class of fuzzy BAM neural networks with infinitely distributed delays and impulses on time scales. We also present a numerical example to show the feasibility of obtained results. Our example also shows that the described time and continuous neural time networks have the same dynamic behaviours for the stability.
Neutralization of Soybean Oil Deodorizer Distillate for Vitamin Supplement Production
Authors: Benites Cibelem Iribarrem , Klein Bruno Colling , Reis Soely Maria Pissini Machado
Published: April 2014

Soybean oil deodorizer distillate (SODD), a byproduct of the soybean oil refining process, is a complex mixture of compounds, such as free fatty acids (FFA), hydrocarbons, and sterols, such as tocopherols, a class of major natural antioxidants with vitamin E activity. As the utilization of SODD for tocopherol extraction is shown to be not economically viable, SODD in the semirefined form (neutral) is an interesting alternative to animal and possibly human diet enrichment. This study aimed to evaluate the SODD neutralization process varying the alkali (Na2CO3) concentration, temperature, and homogenization time. The optimal conditions for the neutralizing process, in order to obtain the greatest reduction in FFA content, the lowest leaching of tocopherols, and the greatest yield, were the following: Na2CO2concentration of 4.34 N, temperature of 45.8°C, and homogenization time of 3 min 20 s. The FFA content was reduced from 53.4% to 6.1% after the initial neutralization, thus requiring a second neutralization step. The final FFA content was of 1.8% and total tocopherol (TT) accounted for about 11% of SODD.
Schistosoma mansoniInfection and Associated Determinant Factors among School Children in Sanja Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Worku Ligabaw , Damte Demekech , Endris Mengistu , Tesfa Habtie , Aemero Mulugeta
Published: April 2014

Background. Intestinal schistosomiasis is one of the most widespread parasitic infections in tropical and subtropical countries.Objective. To determine the prevalence ofS. mansoniinfection and associated determinant factors among school children in Sanja Town, northwest Ethiopia.Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March, 2013. 385 school children were selected using stratified proportionate systematic sampling technique. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and associated determinant factors. Stool samples were examinedusing formol-ether concentration and Kato-Katz technique. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Multivariate logistic regression was done for assessing associated risk factors and proportions for categorical variables were compared using chi-square test.Pvalues less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.Results. The prevalence ofS. mansoniinfection was 89.9% (n=346). The overall helminthic infection in this study was 96.6% (n=372). Swimming in the river, washing clothes and utensil using river water, crossing the river with bare foot, and fishing activities showed significant association with the occurrence ofS. mansoniinfection.Conclusion.Schistosoma mansoniinfection was high in the study area. Therefore, mass deworming at least twice a year and health education for community are needed.
Integral Equation-Wavelet Collocation Method for Geometric Transformation and Application to Image Processing
Authors: Yang Lina , Tang Yuan Yan , Feng Xiang Chu , Sun Lu
Published: April 2014

Geometric (or shape) distortion may occur in the data acquisition phase in information systems, and it can be characterized by geometric transformation model. Once the distorted image is approximated by a certain geometric transformation model, we can apply its inverse transformation to remove the distortion for the geometric restoration. Consequently, finding a mathematical form to approximate the distorted image plays a key role in the restoration. A harmonic transformation cannot be described by any fixed functions in mathematics. In fact, it is represented by partial differential equation (PDE) with boundary conditions. Therefore, to develop an efficient method to solve such a PDE is extremely significant in the geometric restoration. In this paper, a novel wavelet-based method is presented, which consists of three phases. In phase 1, the partial differential equation is converted into boundary integral equation and representation by an indirect method. In phase 2, the boundary integral equation and representation are changed to plane integral equation and representation by boundary measure formula. In phase 3, the plane integral equation and representation are then solved by a method we call wavelet collocation. The performance of our method is evaluated by numerical experiments.
Poincaré Inequalities for Composition Operators withLφ-Norm
Authors: Fang Ru
Published: April 2014

We establish the Poincaré-type inequalities for the composition of the homotopy operator, exterior derivative operator, and the projection operator withLφ-norm applied to the nonhomogeneousA-harmonic equation inLφ(Ω)-averaging domains.
Asteroid Rendezvous Mission Design Using Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Luo Ya-zhong , Zhou Li-ni
Published: March 2014

A new preliminary trajectory design method for asteroid rendezvous mission using multiobjective optimization techniques is proposed. This method can overcome the disadvantages of the widely employed Pork‐Chop method. The multiobjective integrated launch window and multi‐impulse transfer trajectory design model is formulated, which employes minimum‐fuel cost and minimum‐time transfer as two objective functions. The multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) is employed to locate the Pareto solution. The optimization results of two different asteroid mission designs show that the proposed approach can effectively and efficiently demonstrate the relations among the mission characteristic parameters such as launch time, transfer time, propellant cost, and number of maneuvers, which will provide very useful reference for practical asteroid mission design. Compared with the PCP method, the proposed approach is demonstrated to be able to provide much more easily used results, obtain better propellant‐optimal solutions, and have much better efficiency. The MOPSO shows a very competitive performance with respect to the NSGA‐II and the SPEA‐II; besides a proposed boundary constraint optimization strategy is testified to be able to improve its performance.
Staphylococcus aureusand Staphylococcal Food-Borne Disease: An Ongoing Challenge in Public Health
Authors: Kadariya Jhalka , Smith Tara C. , Thapaliya Dipendra
Published: April 2014

Staphylococcal food-borne disease (SFD) is one of the most common food-borne diseases worldwide resulting from the contamination of food by preformedS. aureusenterotoxins. It is one of the most common causes of reported food-borne diseases in the United States. Although several Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) have been identified, SEA, a highly heat-stable SE, is the most common cause of SFD worldwide. Outbreak investigations have found that improper food handling practices in the retail industry account for the majority of SFD outbreaks. However, several studies have documented prevalence ofS. aureusin many food products including raw retail meat indicating that consumers are at potential risk ofS. aureuscolonization and subsequent infection. Presence of pathogens in food products imposes potential hazard for consumers and causes grave economic loss and loss in human productivity via food-borne disease. Symptoms of SFD include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea. Preventive measures include safe food handling and processing practice, maintaining cold chain, adequate cleaning and disinfection of equipment, prevention of cross-contamination in home and kitchen, and prevention of contamination from farm to fork. This paper provides a brief overview of SFD, contributing factors, risk that it imposes to the consumers, current research gaps, and preventive measures.
Stability Analysis of Retarded Differential Inclusions
Authors: Wang Jiafu , Zhang Gui
Published: April 2014

Retarded differential inclusions have drawn more and more attention, due to the development of feedback control systems with delays and dynamical systems determined by retarded differential equations with a discontinuous right-hand side. The purpose of this paper is to establish a result on the stability and asymptotical stability for retarded differential inclusions. Comparing with the previous results, the main result obtained in this paper allows Lyapunov functions to be nonsmooth. Moreover, to deal with the asymptotical stability, it is not required that Lyapunov functions should have an infinitesimal upper limit, but this condition is needed in most of the previous results. To demonstrate applicability, we use the main result in the analysis of asymptotical stability of a class of neural networks with discontinuous activations and delays.
On the Structures of Abelianπ-Regular Rings
Authors: Lu Jianwei , He Liguo
Published: April 2014

Assume thatRis an Abelian ring. In this paper, we characterize the structure ofRwheneverRisπ-regular. It is also proved that an Abelianπ-regular ring is isomorphic to the subdirect sum of some metadivision rings.
A Sustainable Financing Credit Rating Model for China’s Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises
Authors: Cao Yu , Xiong Shouyao
Published: March 2014

This paper builds a sustainable financing credit rating index system for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises in China from the perspective of sustainability. Then, a quantitative model for credit rating evaluation based on our index system is proposed by using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), which has the advantage of considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. Our numerical example shows that the index system is effective and practical. Our system improves the existing credit rating system to a certain extent. The evaluation method proposed can play an important guiding role for China′s small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises in the current transformation age. In particular, interested stakeholders can use this model to evaluate the investment risk of companies, especially with a focus on sustainability.
Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 Stimulate Melanogenesis in Human Epidermal Melanocytes via PKA/CREB/MITF Signaling
Authors: Lin Mao , Zhang Bao-Xiang , Zhang Ci , Shen Nan , Zhang Yun-Ying , Wang Ao-Xue , Tu Cai-Xia
Published: March 2014

Reduced or defective melanin skin pigmentation may cause many hypopigmentation disorders and increase the risk of damage to the skin triggered by UV irradiation. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 have many molecular targets including the cAMP‐response element‐binding protein (CREB), which is involved in melanogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 on melanogenesis in human melanocytes and their related mechanisms. The effects of Rb1 and Rg1 on cell viability, tyrosinase activity, cellular melanin content and protein levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), and activation of CREB in melanocytes were assessed. Results showed that Rb1 or Rg1 significantly increased cellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose‐dependent manner. By contrast, the cell viability of melanocytes remained unchanged. After exposure to Rb1 or Rg1, the protein levels of tyrosinase, MITF, and phosphorylated CREB were significantly increased. Furthermore, pretreatment with the selective PKA inhibitor H‐89 significantly blocked the Rb1‐ or Rg1‐induced increase of melanin content. These findings indicated that Rb1 and Rg1 increased melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity in human melanocytes, which was associated with activation of PKA/CREB/MITF signaling. The effects and mechanisms of Rb1 or Rg1 on skin pigmentation deserve further study.
On Third-Order Nonlinearity of Biquadratic Monomial Boolean Functions
Authors: Singh Brajesh Kumar
Published: April 2014

The rth-order nonlinearity of Boolean function plays a central role against several known attacks on stream and block ciphers. Because of the fact that its maximum equals the covering radius of the rth-order Reed-Muller code, it also plays an important role in coding theory. The computation of exact value or high lower bound on the rth-order nonlinearity of a Boolean function is very complicated problem, especially when r>1. This paper is concerned with the computation of the lower bounds for third-order nonlinearities of two classes of Boolean functions of the form Tr1nλxd for all x∈𝔽2n, λ∈𝔽2n*, where a d=2i+2j+2k+1, where i, j, and   k are integers such that i>j>k≥1 and n>2i, and b d=23ℓ+22ℓ+2ℓ+1, where ℓ is a positive integer such that gcdℓ,𝓃=1 and n>6.
Spectral Properties of the Iteration Matrix of the HSS Method for Saddle Point Problem
Authors: Cui Qun-Fa , Li Cui-Xia , Wu Shi-Liang
Published: March 2014

We discuss spectral properties of the iteration matrix of the HSS method for saddle point problems and derive estimates for the region containing both the nonreal and real eigenvalues of the iteration matrix of the HSS method for saddle point problems.
Wet and Dry Atmospheric Depositions of Inorganic Nitrogen during Plant Growing Season in the Coastal Zone of Yellow River Delta
Authors: Yu Junbao , Ning Kai , Li Yunzhao , Du Siyao , Han Guangxuan , Xing Qinghui , Wu Huifeng , Wang Guangmei , Gao Yongjun
Published: April 2014

The ecological problems caused by dry and wet deposition of atmospheric nitrogen have been widespread concern in the world. In this study, wet and dry atmospheric depositions were monitored in plant growing season in the coastal zone of the Yellow River Delta (YRD) using automatic sampling equipment. The results showed thatSO42-and Na+were the predominant anion and cation, respectively, in both wet and dry atmospheric depositions. The total atmospheric nitrogen deposition was ~2264.24 mg m−2, in which dry atmospheric nitrogen deposition was about 32.02%. The highest values of dry and wet atmospheric nitrogen deposition appeared in May and August, respectively. In the studied area,NO3-–N was the main nitrogen form in dry deposition, while the predominant nitrogen in wet atmospheric deposition wasNH4+–N with ~56.51% of total wet atmospheric nitrogen deposition. The average monthly attribution rate of atmospheric deposition ofNO3-–N andNH4+–N was ~31.38% and ~20.50% for the contents ofNO3-–N andNH4+–N in 0–10 cm soil layer, respectively, suggested that the atmospheric nitrogen was one of main sources for soil nitrogen in coastal zone of the YRD.
Effects of Stingless Bee Propolis on Experimental Asthma
Authors: Farias José Hidelbland Cavalcante de , Reis Aramys Silva , Araújo Marcio Antonio Rodrigues , Araújo Maria José Abigail Mendes , Assunção Anne Karine Martins , Farias Jardel Cavalcante de , Fialho Eder Magalhães Silva , Silva Lucilene Amorim , Costa Graciomar Conceição , Guerra Rosane Nassar Meireles , Ribeiro Maria Nilce Sousa , Nascimento Flávia Raquel Fernandes do
Published: April 2014

Bee products have been used empirically for centuries, especially for the treatment of respiratory diseases. The present study evaluated the effect of treatment with a propolis hydroalcoholic extract (PHE) produced by Scaptotrigona aff. postica stingless bee in a murine asthma model. BALB/c mice were immunized twice with ovalbumin (OVA) subcutaneously. After 14 days, they were intranasally challenged with OVA. Groups P50 and P200 received PHE by gavage at doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The DEXA group was treated with intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone. The OVA group received only water. The mice were treated daily for two weeks and then they were immunized a second time with intranasal OVA. The treatment with PHE decreased the cell number in the bronchoalveolar fluid (BAL). Histological analysis showed reduced peribronchovascular inflammation after treatment with PHE especially the infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells. In addition, the concentration of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) in the serum was decreased. These results were similar to those obtained with dexamethasone. Treatment with S. aff postica propolis reduced the pathology associated with murine asthma due an inhibition of inflammatory cells migration to the alveolar space and the systemic progression of the allergic inflammation.
Postsurgical Pathologies Associated with Intradural Electrical Stimulation in the Central Nervous System: Design Implications for a New Clinical Device
Authors: Gibson-Corley Katherine N. , Flouty Oliver , Oya Hiroyuki , Gillies George T. , Howard Matthew A.
Published: April 2014

Spinal cord stimulation has been utilized for decades in the treatment of numerous conditions such as failed back surgery and phantom limb syndromes, arachnoiditis, cancer pain, and others. The placement of the stimulating electrode array was originally subdural but, to minimize surgical complexity and reduce the risk of certain postsurgical complications, it became exclusively epidural eventually. Here we review the relevant clinical and experimental pathologic findings, including spinal cord compression, infection, hematoma formation, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, chronic fibrosis, and stimulation-induced neurotoxicity, associated with the early approaches to subdural electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, and the spinal cord in particular. These findings may help optimize the safety and efficacy of a new approach to subdural spinal cord stimulation now under development.
Intratumoral Immunization: A New Paradigm for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Marabelle Aurélien , Kohrt Holbrook , Caux Christophe , Levy Ronald
Published: April 2014

Immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment is of prognostic and therapeutic import. These immune cell subsets can be heterogeneous and are composed of mature antigen-presenting cells, helper and effector cytotoxic T cells, toleragenic dendritic cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and regulatory T cells, among other cell types. With the development of novel drugs that target the immune system rather than the cancer cells, the tumor immune microenvironment is not only prognostic for overall patient outcome, but also predictive for likelihood of response to these immune-targeted therapies. Such therapies aim to reverse the cancer immunotolerance and trigger an effective antitumor immune response. Two major families of immunostimulatory drugs are currently in clinical development: pattern recognition receptor agonists (PRRago) and immunostimulatory monoclonal antibodies (ISmAb). Despite their immune-targeted design, these agents have so far been developed clinically as if they were typical anticancer drugs. Here, we review the limitations of this conventional approach, specifically addressing the shortcomings of the usual schedules of intravenous infusions every 2 or 3 weeks. If the new modalities of immunotherapy target specific immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, it might be preferable to deliver them locally into the tumor rather than systemically. There is preclinical and clinical evidence that a therapeutic systemic antitumor immune response can be generated upon intratumoral immunomodulation. Moreover, preclinical results have shown that therapeutic synergy can be obtained by combining PRRagos and ISmAbs to the local tumor site. Clin Cancer Res; 20(7); 1747–56. ©2014 AACR.
A Panel of Three Markers Hyper- and Hypomethylated in Urine Sediments Accurately Predicts Bladder Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Su Sheng-Fang , de Castro Abreu André Luís , Chihara Yoshitomo , Tsai Yvonne , Andreu-Vieyra Claudia , Daneshmand Siamak , Skinner Eila C. , Jones Peter A. , Siegmund Kimberly D. , Liang Gangning
Published: April 2014

Purpose: The high risk of recurrence after transurethral resection of bladder tumor of nonmuscle invasive disease requires lifelong treatment and surveillance. Changes in DNA methylation are chemically stable, occur early during tumorigenesis, and can be quantified in bladder tumors and in cells shed into the urine. Some urine markers have been used to help detect bladder tumors; however, their use in longitudinal tumor recurrence surveillance has yet to be established.

Experimental Design: We analyzed the DNA methylation levels of six markers in 368 urine sediment samples serially collected from 90 patients with noninvasive urothelial carcinoma (Tis, Ta, T1; grade low-high). The optimum marker combination was identified using logistic regression with 5-fold cross-validation, and validated in separate samples.

Results: A panel of three markers discriminated between patients with and without recurrence with the area under the curve of 0.90 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86–0.92] and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.90–1.00), sensitivity and specificity of 86%/89% (95% CI, 74%–99% and 81%–97%) and 80%/97% (95% CI, 60%–96% and 91%–100%) in the testing and validation sets, respectively. The three-marker DNA methylation test reliably predicted tumor recurrence in 80% of patients superior to cytology (35%) and cystoscopy (15%) while accurately forecasting no recurrence in 74% of patients that scored negative in the test.

Conclusions: Given their superior sensitivity and specificity in urine sediments, a combination of hyper- and hypomethylated markers may help avoid unnecessary invasive exams and reveal the importance of DNA methylation in bladder tumorigenesis. Clin Cancer Res; 20(7); 1978–89. ©2014 AACR.
Untutored Learning Curve to Establish Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection on Competence Level
Authors: Berr Frieder , Wagner Andrej , Kiesslich Tobias , Friesenbichler Paul , Neureiter Daniel
Published: April 2014

Backgrounds/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of early cancer allows precise staging and avoids recurrence or surgery. Tutored by experts, ESD has rapidly spread in Japan, but still demands untutored learning in Western countries. A step-up approach starts with easiest gastric neoplasias, but fails on their low prevalence in Western countries. A prevalence-based approach includes challenging colonic neoplasias. Methods: We analyzed an untutored series of initial 50 ESD procedures by an experienced endoscopist on consecutive lesions referred according to prevalence. Results: Overall, 48 lesions (20% upper gastrointestinal, 80% colorectal; 2 hyperplastic (inflammatory) lesions, 46 neoplasms) were completely resected intention-to-treat with ESD, 2 required a second ESD. Neoplasias were resected 76% en-bloc (46% ESD, 30% ESD with snaring), 17% by ESD with snaring in 2-3 pieces, and 6.5% as ESD with snaring in multiple pieces. None of 15 neoplasias with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or an early esophageal cancer (R0) had recurred. Complications were 2 bleedings (4%) and 7 perforations (14%), 5 clipped and 2 (4%) operated. All patients were discharged within 9 days without long-term morbidity. Conclusion:Untutored learning of ESD is feasible on colonic lesions. We propose to establish ESD in Europe with structured training and a prevalence-of-lesions-based approach.
Speaking of Other Animals
Authors: Beauclair Alain
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Commonly ignored on the issue, Hans-Georg Gadamer’s contribution to the question of other animals is analyzed in this paper. Focusing on Gadamer’s phenomenological account of language and drawing from his Aristotelian and Heideggerian roots, I argue that Gadamer draws a path toward a novel reconsideration of the difference between the living and human essences, a reconsideration that brings us to the limits of λόγος and resolves itself in the ontological concept of play.
Language Policy and Language Conflict in Afghanistan and Adjoining Areas
Authors: de Chiara Matteo
Published: April 2014

This review article discusses various aspects of language policy and language conflict observed in Afghanistan and its surroundings. It is mainly based upon the analysis of material presented in a collective volume recently edited by H. F. Schiffman.
Décrire le français en relation aux langues en contact
Authors: Boutin Béatrice Akissi
Published: April 2014

It is not possible to explain what happens to French syntax in a situation of close contact with one or more languages, solely in terms of French. How then can we describe French in relation to the languages in contact? We first discuss the early research of Gabriel Manessy and their development by a number of linguists, and later show the importance of exploring several properties of the constructions under study in comparing languages, in order to place them within the context of general language processes. Furthermore, we will insist on the need to go beyond the forms at issue by focusing on their behavior. The examples will be taken from Ivory Coast French, which, ever since its establishment, has been in contact with the languages of the vast Niger-Congo family, in particular Jula and Baule (which have themselves been in contact for several centuries).
La dimension pragmatico-discursive du français en contact
Authors: Drescher Martina
Published: April 2014

The aim of this paper is two-fold : First it argues for a stronger consideration of the pragmatic and discourse level in research on language contact. Secondly it contributes to the pragmatics of a specific regional variety of French, namely Cameroonian French. Starting with a picture of the complex linguistic landscape of this multilingual African country, the paper stresses the importance of the pragmatic and discourse level by raising some of the crucial theoretical and methodological issues that a broader, usage-based view on language contact has to cope with. First it suggests that pragmatic and discourse conventions may be influenced by the local contact languages and secondly it emphasizes that they may not be specific to a language, but be shared by a much larger and encompassing community of discourse. A case study of Cameroonian radio phone-ins where callers seek advice on medical issues points out some of these conventions. Here the participants establish a specific participation framework that avoids direct interaction between caller and expert while the host is set in as a mediator. This global mitigation technique then allows for quite direct realisations of the advice at a local level.
“Carrefour Louisiane”
Authors: Neumann-Holzschuh Ingrid
Published: April 2014

The history of Louisiana French (LF) is closely related to Louisiana’s particular societal and linguistic ecosystem, characterized by a mixed society where new forms of societal organization emerged and were reflected in new forms of linguistic patterns and linguistic behavior. From the beginning, language contact has been of crucial importance for the emergence, evolution and gradual decline of Louisiana French (“Cajun French”). In colonial times, contact between related French lects resulted in the formation of a new variety of regional French in North America with its own features and its own evolutionary dynamics. The continuing contact with English, however, which takes place in an entirely different ecological frame, results in the ongoing attrition of the minority language. The first part of the article deals with early stages of dialect contact in Louisiana; it will be shown that from a diachronic point of view Louisiana French has to be seen as a product of language mixing and dialect leveling. In the second part two specific aspects of current English-French language contact will be discussed. Both aspects serve to illustrate particularities of the linguistic situation in Louisiana now and then as well as the importance of certain universal mechanisms of contact-induced language change.
Influence of Subfacet Heterogeneity and Material Properties on the Urban Surface Energy Budget
Authors: Ramamurthy Prathap , Bou-Zeid Elie , Smith James A. , Wang Zhihua , Baeck Mary L. , Saliendra Nicanor Z. , Hom John L. , Welty Claire
Published: March 2014

Urban facets—the walls, roofs, and ground in built-up terrain—are often conceptualized as homogeneous surfaces, despite the obvious variability in the composition and material properties of the urban fabric at the subfacet scale. This study focuses on understanding the influence of this subfacet heterogeneity, and the associated influence of different material properties, on the urban surface energy budget. The Princeton Urban Canopy Model, which was developed with the ability to capture subfacet variability, is evaluated at sites of various building densities and then applied to simulate the energy exchanges of each subfacet with the atmosphere over a densely built site. The analyses show that, although all impervious built surfaces convert most of the incoming energy into sensible heat rather than latent heat, sensible heat fluxes from asphalt pavements and dark rooftops are 2 times as high as those from concrete surfaces and light-colored roofs. Another important characteristic of urban areas—the shift in the peak time of sensible heat flux in comparison with rural areas—is here shown to be mainly linked to concrete’s high heat storage capacity as well as to radiative trapping in the urban canyon. The results also illustrate that the vegetated pervious soil surfaces that dot the urban landscape play a dual role: during wet periods they redistribute much of the available energy into evaporative fluxes but when moisture stressed they behave more like an impervious surface. This role reversal, along with the direct evaporation of water stored over impervious surfaces, significantly reduces the overall Bowen ratio of the urban site after rain events.
Remote Vegetation Feedbacks and the Mid-Holocene Green Sahara
Authors: Swann Abigail L. S. , Fung Inez Y. , Liu Yuwei , Chiang John C. H.
Published: March 2014

In the mid-Holocene, the climate of northern Africa was characterized by wetter conditions than present, as evidenced by higher paleolake levels and pollen assemblages of savannah vegetation suggesting a wetter, greener Sahara. Previous modeling studies have struggled to simulate sufficient amounts of precipitation when considering orbital forcing alone, with limited improvement from considering the effects of local grasslands. Here it is proposed that remote forcing from expanded forest cover in Eurasia relative to today is capable of shifting the intertropical convergence zone northward, resulting in an enhancement in precipitation over northern Africa approximately 6000 years ago greater than that resulting from orbital forcing and local vegetation alone. It is demonstrated that the remote and local forcing of atmospheric circulation by vegetation can lead to different dynamical patterns with consequences for precipitation across the globe. These ecoclimate teleconnections represent the linkages between the land surface in different regions of the globe and by inference show that proxy records of plant cover represent not only the response of vegetation to local climate but also that vegetation’s influence on global climate patterns.
Saudi Atrial Fibrillation Survey
Authors: Hersi Ahmad , Abdul-Moneim Mohammad , Almous’ad Abdulmohsen , Al-Samadi Faisal , AlFagih Ahmed , Sweidan Raid
Published: April 2014

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The Saudi Atrial Fibrillation Survey registry was designed to provide epidemiological and clinical data on patients with AF. The registry included 400 consecutive patients who met the eligibility criteria. Control of AF at the time of the initial visit was achieved by 211 (52.75%) patients. Cardiovascular risk profile of the patients with AF was smoking 92 (23.5%), hypertension 253 (63.25%), diabetes 192 (48%), and dyslipidemia 173 (44%). Rate control was the most frequent management strategy (in 265 patients, 66.2%) whereas rhythm control was chosen in 48 (12%) patients. Both strategies were attempted in 5 (1.2%) patients. This is the first nationwide registry of patients with AF in Saudi Arabia. Compared to developed countries, our patients with AF are relatively young and have higher rates of diabetes and rheumatic heart disease. Rate control is the main strategy currently used for managing AF.
There is ‘hope for you yet’: The female drug offender in sentencing discourse
Authors: Mann Monique , Menih Helena , Smith Catrin
Published: April 2014

Language and gender research has, in recent years, emphasised the importance of examining the context-specific ways in which people ‘do gender’ in different situations. In this paper, we explore how women involved in drug offences, specifically methamphetamine manufacture offences, are constructed within the language of the courts. Thirty-six sentencing transcripts from the New Zealand courts were examined to investigate how such offences, committed by women, are understood. In order to explore the representation of female offenders, a critical discourse analytic approach was adopted. Such an approach recognises that linguistic modes not only create and legitimise power inequalities but also embody a specific worldview. Three gendered discourses were identified in the sentencing texts: (i) the discourse of femininity, reinforcing the socially prescribed female role; (ii) the discourse of aberration, concerning women who breach traditional gender role expectations and, (iii) the discourse of salvation, presenting aberrant women with an opportunity to become ‘good’ women once again. The findings illustrate the ways in which processes of gendering take place within a specific community of practice: the courtroom.
Better in both? Bilingual intervention in an Australian school context
Authors: Hemsley Gayle , Holm Alison , Dodd Barbara
Published: April 2014

This study evaluated a bilingual intervention in the key learning area of mathematics. Nine typically developing Samoan–English students received math lessons in both Samoan and English. A control group of Samoan–English students received all lessons in English. The material covered and the amount of instruction was the same for each group. The only difference was in the language of instruction. Two assessments measured progress in early mathematical skills and concept development. Initial data from each test in isolation indicated no additional benefit for students who received bilingual intervention. Further analysis revealed two interesting patterns of learning between tests. First, all students more easily acquired rote mathematical skills and knowledge than conceptual knowledge and its associated vocabulary. Second, there were differences in patterns of learning between groups. The control group acquired mathematical skills but made limited progress acquiring conceptual knowledge. In contrast, the intervention group demonstrated more balanced learning: acquisition of core math skills was matched by gains in conceptual development. We propose that bilingual intervention facilitated English word learning, producing improved learning of core skills linked to underlying conceptual knowledge.
Magnitude Representation and Working Memory Updating in Children With Arithmetic and Reading Comprehension Disabilities
Authors: Pelegrina Santiago , Capodieci Agnese , Carretti Barbara , Cornoldi Cesare
Published: April 2014

It has been argued that children with learning disabilities (LD) encounter severe problems in working memory (WM) tasks, especially when they need to update information stored in their WM. It is not clear, however, to what extent this is due to a generally poor updating ability or to a difficulty specific to the domain to be processed. To examine this issue, two groups of children with arithmetic or reading comprehension LD and a group of typically developing children (9 to 10 years old) were assessed using two updating tasks requiring to select the smallest numbers or objects presented. The results showed that children with an arithmetic disability failed in a number updating task, but not in the object updating task. The opposite was true for the group with poor reading comprehension, whose performance was worse in the object than in the number updating task. It may be concluded that the problem of WM updating in children with LD is also due to a poor representation of the material to be updated. In addition, our findings suggest that the mental representation of the size of objects relates to the semantic representation of the objects’ properties and differs from the quantitative representation of numbers.
Compact development and preference heterogeneity in residential location choice behaviour: A latent class analysis
Authors: Liao Felix Haifeng , Farber Steven , Ewing Reid
Published: April 2014

The success of compact development depends in part on accurately gauging its public demand and understanding residents’ preferences towards it. Drawing upon a stated-preference survey in the Wasatch Front region in Utah, this paper estimates preferences for compact, walkable and transit-friendly neighbourhoods through the application of a discrete choice experiment. Results derived from a latent class analysis reveal significant heterogeneity in residential location preferences. Overall, strong preferences for compact development are more likely to occur among families with fewer school-age children, low-income and renter-occupied households, and those who appreciate social heterogeneity and have less desire for privacy. These tastes are also associated with personal preferences for walking and biking and supportive opinions toward environmental protection and urban growth boundary policies. By comparing respondents’ preferences to their actual residential and travel choices in two contrasting subregions, we further address the complex relationships between environment, preferences, residential locations and travel.
Looking for Work
Authors: Dixon Shane Michael , Quirke Linda
Published: April 2014

This paper examines the textual coverage of the topic of work in Canadian English–language introductory sociology textbooks. Our findings are based on a content analysis of 21 Canadian texts published between 2008 and 2012. We found that only 12 of 21 textbooks included a chapter on work, suggesting that work occupies a peripheral position in Canadian sociology texts. Most chapters on work discussed economic systems, economic sectors (e.g., secondary and service), and major transitions in the world of work over the past two generations. However, topics such as service sector work were given a disproportionate share of attention, while others (e.g., work-life conflict, workplace physical injury) were given short shrift. Textbook portrayals of content such as manufacturing work were frequently characterized by a lack of nuance. These findings highlight a gap between current research in the sociology of work and the “sociology of work” in many Canadian introductory sociology textbooks.
The relation between job insecurity, job satisfaction and organizational commitment among employees in the tourism sector in Novi Sad
Authors: Vujičić Dunja , Jovičić Ana , Lalić Danijela , Gagić Snježana , Cvejanov Aleksandar
Published: April 2014

This article analyses the relation between job insecurity, job satisfaction and organizational commitment among employees of companies working in the tourism sector in Novi Sad, Serbia. The article aims to discover whether and to what extent there is a relation between these three variables, drawing on theoretical approaches and a questionnaire conducted in Novi Sad in 2012/2013 on a sample of 149 respondents in companies involved in tourism (hotels, tourist agencies and restaurants). The results indicate that there are strong positive correlations between organizational commitment and the variables which measure job satisfaction, while job insecurity correlates negatively with the variables which describe job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
Measurement Properties of the Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS)
Authors: Davenport Todd E. , Cleland Joshua A. , Yamada Kimiko A. , Kulig Kornelia
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the measurement properties of the Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS) in individuals with post-acute low back pain (LBP) receiving nonsurgical intervention, including construct validity, factorial validity, and internal consistency reliability. Data were analyzed from an existing randomized clinical trial involving 112 patients with LBP. Evidence for convergent validity was observed through significant correlations between LoBACS subscale scores and other function, pain, and psychobehavioral measures. LoBACS subscales accounted for 36% of the unique variance in dependent variable measurements, suggesting a satisfactory level of statistical divergence between the LoBACS and other psychobehavioral measurements in this study. Cronbach’s α ranged from .88 to .92 for LoBACS subscales, and item-total correlations exceeded .6, indicating high internal consistency reliability. Principal axis factoring confirmed the hypothesized three-subscale structure by correctly classifying 14 of the 15 items. These findings indicate the LoBACS is valid and internally consistent to measure domain-specific self-efficacy beliefs.