bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Does El Niño Affect the Interannual Variability of the Boreal Summer Hadley Circulation?
Authors: Sun Yong , Zhou Tianjun
Published: January 2014

Analyses of 30-yr four reanalysis datasets [NCEP–NCAR reanalysis (NCEP1), NCEP–Department of Energy reanalysis (NCEP2), Japanese 25-year Reanalysis Project (JRA-25), and Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim)] reveal remarkably interannual variability of the Hadley circulation (HC) in boreal summer (June–August). The two leading modes of interannual variability of boreal summer HC are obtained by performing empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis on the mass streamfunction. A general intensification of boreal summer HC is seen in EOF-1 mode among NCEP1, NCEP2, and JRA-25 but the corresponding EOF-2 mode in ERA-Interim, while a weakened northern Hadley cell and remarkable regional variation of a southern Hadley cell are captured by the EOF-2 mode (from NCEP1, NCEP2, and JRA-25) and EOF-1 mode (from ERA-Interim), as evidenced by the enhanced (decreased) southern Hadley cell in the southern tropics (the northern tropics and southern subtropics). Both modes are driven by El Niño–like SST forcing in boreal summer, but are relevant to different phases of El Niño events. The EOF-1 (or EOF-2 derived from ERA-Interim) [EOF-2 (or EOF-1 derived from ERA-Interim)] mode is driven by SST anomalies in developing (decaying) El Niño summers. The interannual variations of the northern Hadley cell in both modes are driven by El Niño through modulating the interannual variations of the East Asian summer monsoon, while anomalous local Hadley circulation (LHC) in the regions 30°S–20°N, 110°E–180° and 30°S–20°N, 160°E–120°W in response to El Niño forcing largely determine the interannual variations of southern Hadley cell in both modes, respectively. The different behaviors of the southern Hadley cell between two leading modes can be well explained by the southward shift of the tropical heating center from north of 10°N in developing El Niño summers to south of 10°N in decaying El Niño summers.
Negotiating Virtue
Authors: Sajoo Amyn B.
Published: January 2014

Principlist modes of reasoning in bioethics – with autonomy at the core – resonate strongly with a legalism that dominates Muslim ethics, including the understanding of the shari’a. From abortion and organ donation/transplant to end-of-life decisions, both secular and Muslim bioethics generally apply “cardinal” principles in ways felt to be relatively objective and certain, though they may produce different outcomes. This article builds on recent critiques, notably that of virtue ethics, in drawing attention to the cost in sensitivity to context and the individual. The Aristotelian basis of virtue ethics has a venerable place in Islamic traditions – as does maslaha, the public good, which has long played a critical role in tempering formalism in the shari’a. In conjunction with the agent- and context-centred reasoning of virtue ethics, maslaha can contribute vitally to negotiating competing bioethical claims. It is also more inclusive than principlist legalism, given the latter’s traditionalist and patriarchal moorings. The shift is urgent amid the growing interface of religious and secular approaches to problems raised by biomedical technologies, and to biosocial issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and honour killings.
Correlates of smokeless tobacco use among first year college students
Authors: Spangler John , Song Eunyoung , Pockey Jessica , Sutfin Erin L , Reboussin Beth A , Wagoner Kimberly , Wolfson Mark
Published: January 2014

Objective:

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is associated with specific adverse health effects. Knowledge of student tobacco use, including SLT, may guide inquiry into other risky health behaviors, and provide opportunities for health education of students.

Design:

An incentivized email invitation to complete a web-based survey was sent to students at 11 colleges and universities in North Carolina and Virginia.

Methods:

In autumn 2010, emails were sent to all first-year students ( n=29,536) at 11 colleges and universities in North Carolina and Virginia, inviting them to participate in a brief web-based survey to be used to establish a cohort for the parent study evaluating tobacco use over 4 years. Survey items elicited demographic characteristics, tobacco use and other health behaviors.

Results:

A total of 10,520 (36%) students responded. Past 30 day smoking and SLT use were 12% and 3%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 11.6, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 8.16–16.59); current smoking (AOR = 5.5, 95% CI = 4.21–7.10), ever use of alcoholic energy drinks (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI = 3.63–6.43), and ≥ 5 days vs. < 3 days of physical activity a week (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.07–2.01) predicted risk of past 30 day SLT use.

Conclusion:

While SLT use is relatively uncommon, knowledge of significant correlations between student tobacco use, including SLT and other risky health behaviors, might guide clinicians’ inquiry and provide opportunities for health education of students.
Design of an oral health information brochure for at-risk individuals
Authors: Morgaine Kate C , Carter Angharad S , Meldrum Alison M , Cullinan Mary P
Published: January 2014

Objective:

Our aim was to develop written resource material for use in the Oral Health Information through Community Pharmacists project. Poor oral health is associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Many people do not access dental services on a regular basis; however, they may access community pharmacies for help and advice about oral health problems. Community pharmacists may be a valuable point of oral health information for people with heart disease or diabetes.

Design:

This paper reports the development of the written resource material for the project groups.

Methods:

Brochure development was guided by Fishbein and Yzer’s integrative model, and pre-tested with seven focus groups representing the potential target groups. Feedback from the focus groups was analysed concurrently and modified versions of the brochures were presented to subsequent groups.

Results:

The use of both written and visual messages enhanced the readability of the brochures for the focus groups with attendant Flesch Reading Ease scores of 77.4 and 79.4, while the ‘Make a plan’ section prompted future action planning amongst the participants.

Conclusion:

Well-designed patient education materials with good content, aesthetics and readability are important to deliver health messages within the context of a planned intervention. The three final brochures will be used in the intervention trial of the project.
Cross-sectoral collaboration in the pursuit of social change: Addressing sex trafficking in West Bengal
Authors: Lux Kimberly , Mosley Jennifer E
Published: January 2014

This field note explores how a hybrid social change organization based in India engaged in cross-sectoral collaboration with police and community-based sectors to address sex trafficking and advance both social change and service provision goals. Staff members successfully mobilized and engaged partners via insider tactics, ultimately improving the response of mainstream institutions to sex trafficking, while also strengthening individual services and community prevention efforts. An analysis of these partnerships offers transferable lessons on effective collaboration and the promise of an insider approach when mobilizing multiple sectors. Cross-sectoral collaboration may hold special promise for addressing complex social problems, like sex trafficking.
More than just rescue: Thinking beyond exploitation to creating assessment strategies for child survivors of commercial sexual exploitation
Authors: McIntyre Bonnie L
Published: January 2014

Child survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) are in need of comprehensive assessment as a critical first step to providing assistance post-exploitation. This article presents a conceptual analysis based on ecological system theories and concepts for the initial assessment of child survivors of CSE and trafficking upon exit from exploitation. It is based on the example of real-life practice through a residential aftercare setting providing care to female child survivors in Indonesia in addition to best practices from work in Cambodia. Assessment is conducted within two domains of the life of the survivor: her trafficking experience and her social environment.
Predicting Family Violence Recidivism Using the DVSI-R
Authors: Stansfield Richard , Williams Kirk R.
Published: January 2014

Recent published predictive validation studies of risk assessment instruments commonly used the explanatory power of Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. The present study also tested the predictive validity of the Revised Domestic Violence Screening Instrument (DVSI-R) by conducting a ROC analysis of 18-month follow-up data post assessment from the entire state of Connecticut between January 1, 2010, and May 31, 2012. With a sample of 29,317, the analysis examined rearrests for new family violence incidents and new violations of protective or restraining orders. The sample was predominantly male (70%), with an average age of 34 years, and equally split between non-Latino White and minority perpetrators. Moving beyond the explanatory power of ROC analysis, the Kaplan–Meier (KM) estimator of the survival function was used to examine the cumulative probability of rearrest during the time at-risk period. In addition to determining the survival functions of perpetrators based on their level of risk as identified by their DVSI-R total numeric risk scores, the analysis examined differences by characteristics of perpetrators, an issue given scant attention in prior research. Survival analyses identified critical times after intake assessments when those who reoffended were at greatest risk and significant differences in timing of reoffending by gender and ethnicity. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Reading the Stockholm riots – a moment for social justice?
Authors: Schierup Carl-Ulrik , Ålund Aleksandra , Kings Lisa
Published: January 2014

This article examines the 2013 riots in Stockholm in the context of other urban rebellions across disadvantaged metropolitan neighbourhoods in the North-Atlantic region over the past three decades of neoliberal transformation. The authors discuss the consequences of securitisation and police repression, institutional racism, the corrosion of citizenship and the structuring of inequality in Swedish cities. Beyond the violence of the recent riots, contemporary Sweden reveals the emergence of an autonomous, non-violent and organisationally embedded movement for social justice among young people contesting urban degradation and reclaiming the nation in terms of an inclusive citizenship, social welfare and democracy. The article asks whether the Stockholm uprising could possibly be read as a sobering moment of self-examination in Swedish politics that could open space up for new political voices.
Business–Nonprofit Partnerships
Authors: Sanzo María José , Álvarez Luis I. , Rey Marta , García Nuria
Published: January 2014

The objective of this research is to determine the extent to which the effects of a business–nonprofit partnership (BNPP) go beyond those associated with their traditional roles of donor and beneficiary. Specifically, the study focuses on foundations as a distinct, fast-growing type of nonprofit, and evaluates the influence of engaging in partnerships with businesses on the not-for-profit organization’s (NPO) development of innovations, capacity building, visibility, scale of operations, funding, and mission accomplishment. We propose that stable relationships based on greater perceived value, communication, lower conflict, trust, and commitment improve innovation in nonprofits and give rise to a process of capacity building and better performance indicators. Empirical research is based on a survey of a representative sample of 325 Spanish foundations. Structural equation techniques served to analyze the data. The results confirm the positive effects of this type of BNPP.
Drag constants for common indoor bioaerosols
Authors: Wong L. T. , Yu H. C. , Mui K. W. , Chan W. Y.
Published: December 2013

In practice, the drag coefficient of a particle is usually calculated using empirical relationships obtained by generalizing experimental data. This study demonstrates that using the default Stokes’ law settings in FLUENT to computationally predict the drag coefficients for bioaerosol deposition is not really appropriate: the average fractional bias is 7% and the average normalized mean square error is 15%. Comparatively, the errors for bacteria (−12% to 24%) are larger than those for fungi (−8% to 26%). These errors, however, can be minimized by selecting a suitable drag constant, which can be determined based on the bioaerosol diameter. The average drag constants for bacteria were shown by the results to vary from 0.25 to 3.1, which are much smaller than the default value of 24, whereas the values for fungi were generally larger and in a wider range. This study also investigated the correlation between the drag coefficient and Reynolds number for common indoor bioaerosols with diameters between 0.69 and 8.6 µm. The outcome of this study would therefore provide a good reference point for future estimation of the deposition distribution patterns of various common indoor bioaerosols.
The integration of groups
Authors: Pfeffer Daniel
Published: January 2014

How should we study the integration of newcomers so as to better incorporate immigrants into their new society? To respond to this question, this paper introduces and defines the concept of ‘group integration’. It is true that the integration of composites of individuals has long been studied. Examples of composite individual integration include rates of linguistic apprehension or political participation among members of a specific community. However, few studies have looked at factors that are proper to the group, such as the number of lobby and community groups that the group has, and its institutional completeness in the general sense. This paper argues that we ought to promote group integration, since a well-integrated group provides resources which influence the ability of individuals to integrate into their new host society and promotes just relationships between groups and host societies.
Identification of vibration–speed curve for hydroelectric generator unit using statistical fuzzy vector chain code and support vector machine
Authors: Xiao Han , Zhou Jianzhong , Xiao Jian , Fu Wenlong , Xia Xin , Zhang Weibo
Published: December 2013

The faults of hydroelectric generator unit have many different symptoms, and the relation between vibration amplitude and rotating speed is an important diagnosis criterion. In this article, a novel vibration–speed curve identification approach based on statistical fuzzy vector chain code and support vector machine is proposed and applied to identify the relation between vibration amplitude and rotating speed. In the identification process, the shape features of vibration–speed curve are extracted by statistical fuzzy vector chain code at first and then input to support vector machine to identify the type of vibration–speed curve; furthermore, the fault type of hydroelectric generator unit can be determined. Compared with the previous methods, statistical fuzzy vector chain code shows the advantages of low feature dimension, simple calculation, invariance to scaling and translation, and sensitive variance to rotation. The results of identification and comparative experiments show that the proposed method is more effective and efficient and can identify the vibration–speed curve with satisfactory accuracy.
Is bone transplantation the gold standard for repair of alveolar bone defects?
Authors: Raposo-Amaral Cassio Eduardo , Bueno Daniela Franco , Almeida Ana Beatriz , Jorgetti Vanda , Costa Cristiane Cabral , Gouveia Cecília Helena , Vulcano Luiz Carlos , Fanganiello Roberto D , Passos-Bueno Maria Rita , Alonso Nivaldo
Published: January 2014

New strategies to fulfill craniofacial bone defects have gained attention in recent years due to the morbidity of autologous bone graft harvesting. We aimed to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of bone tissue engineering strategy using mesenchymal stem cells associated with two matrices (bovine bone mineral and α-tricalcium phosphate), compared to an autologous bone transfer. A total of 28 adult, male, non-immunosuppressed Wistar rats underwent a critical-sized osseous defect of 5 mm diameter in the alveolar region. Animals were divided into five groups. Group 1 (n = 7) defects were repaired with autogenous bone grafts; Group 2 (n = 5) defects were repaired with bovine bone mineral free of cells; Group 3 (n = 5) defects were repaired with bovine bone mineral loaded with mesenchymal stem cells; Group 4 (n = 5) defects were repaired with α-tricalcium phosphate free of cells; and Group 5 (n = 6) defects were repaired with α-tricalcium phosphate loaded with mesenchymal stem cells. Groups 2–5 were compared to Group 1, the reference group. Healing response was evaluated by histomorphometry and computerized tomography. Histomorphometrically, Group 1 showed 60.27% ± 16.13% of bone in the defect. Groups 2 and 3 showed 23.02% ± 8.6% ( p = 0.01) and 38.35% ± 19.59% ( p = 0.06) of bone in the defect, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 showed 51.48% ± 11.7% ( p = 0.30) and 61.80% ± 2.14% ( p = 0.88) of bone in the defect, respectively. Animals whose bone defects were repaired with α-tricalcium phosphate and mesenchymal stem cells presented the highest bone volume filling the defects; both were not statistically different from autogenous bone.
Intramuscular Myxoma
Authors: Singhal Manphool , Yadav Mukesh K. , Rajwanshi Arvind , Khandelwal Niranjan , Gupta Nalini
Published: December 2013

Intramuscular myxoma is an uncommon benign soft tissue tumor that may arise from fibroblasts that produce an excessive amount of mucopolysacchrides. It is typically seen in adults in the large muscles of extremities and exhibits typical radiological features on sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. A case of intramuscular myxoma in the left Vastus intermedius is described in a 52-year-old man who presented with gradually increasing swelling in the thigh. The case illustrates characteristic radiologic “bright cap and rim” signs with pathologic correlation.
Variability in DNA methylation defines novel epigenetic subgroups of DLBCL associated with different clinical outcomes
Authors: Chambwe Nyasha , Kormaksson Matthias , Geng Huimin , De Subhajyoti , Michor Franziska , Johnson Nathalie A. , Morin Ryan D. , Scott David W. , Godley Lucy A. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Melnick Ari , Campagne Fabien , Shaknovich Rita
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Unsupervised clustering of DLBCLs based on DNA methylation changes identifies 6 novel epigenetic clusters. Greater magnitude of methylation changes correlates with worse clinical outcome.
New mini- zincin structures provide a minimal scaffold for members of this metallopeptidase superfamily
Authors: Trame Christine B , Chang Yuanyuan , Axelrod Herbert L , Eberhardt Ruth Y , Coggill Penelope , Punta Marco , Rawlings Neil D
Published: January 2014

Background

The Acel_2062 protein fromAcidothermus cellulolyticusis a protein of unknown function. Initial sequence analysis predicted that it was a metallopeptidase from the presence of a motif conserved amongst the Asp-zincins, which are peptidases that contain a single, catalytic zinc ion ligated by the histidines and aspartic acid within the motif (HEXXHXXGXXD). The Acel_2062 protein was chosen by the Joint Center for Structural Genomics for crystal structure determination to explore novel protein sequence space and structure-based function annotation.

Results

The crystal structure confirmed that the Acel_2062 protein consisted of a single, zincin-like metallopeptidase-like domain. The Met-turn, a structural feature thought to be important for a Met-zincin because it stabilizes the active site, is absent, and its stabilizing role may have been conferred to the C-terminal Tyr113. In our crystallographic model there are two molecules in the asymmetric unit and from size-exclusion chromatography, the protein dimerizes in solution. A water molecule is present in the putative zinc-binding site in one monomer, which is replaced by one of two observed conformations of His95 in the other.

Conclusions

The Acel_2062 protein is structurally related to the zincins. It contains the minimum structural features of a member of this protein superfamily, and can be described as a “mini- zincin”. There is a striking parallel with the structure of a mini-Glu-zincin, which represents the minimum structure of a Glu-zincin (a metallopeptidase in which the third zinc ligand is a glutamic acid). Rather than being an ancestral state, phylogenetic analysis suggests that the mini-zincins are derived from larger proteins.
UFV-P2 as a member of the Luz24likevirus genus: a new overview on comparative functional genome analyses of the LUZ24-like phages
Authors: Eller Monique R , Vidigal Pedro M P , Salgado Rafael L , Alves Maura P , Dias Roberto S , da Silva Cynthia C , de Carvalho Antônio F , Kropinski Andrew , De Paula Sérgio O
Published: January 2014

Background

Phages infecting spoilage microorganisms have been considered as alternative biocontrol agents, and the study of their genomes is essential to their safe use in foods. UFV-P2 is a new Pseudomonas fluorescens-specific phage that has been tested for its ability to inhibit milk proteolysis.

Results

The genome of the phage UFV-P2 is composed of bidirectional modules and presented 75 functionally predict ORFs, forming clusters of early and late transcription. Further genomic comparisons of Pseudomonas-specific phages showed that these viruses could be classified according to conserved segments that appear be free from genome rearrangements, called locally collinear blocks (LCBs). In addition, the genome organization of the phage UFV-P2 was shown to be similar to that of phages PaP3 and LUZ24 which have recently been classified as a Luz24likevirus.

Conclusions

We have presented the functional annotation of UFV-P2, a new Pseudomonas fluorescens phage. Based on structural genomic comparison and phylogenetic clustering, we suggest the classification of UFV-P2 in the Luz24likevirus genus, and present a set of shared locally collinear blocks as the genomic signature for this genus.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer significantly reduces number of yielded lymph nodes by axillary dissection
Authors: Erbes Thalia , Orlowska-Volk Marzenna , zur Hausen Axel , Rücker Gerta , Mayer Sebastian , Voigt Matthias , Farthmann Juliane , Iborra Severine , Hirschfeld Marc , Meyer Philipp T , Gitsch Gerald , Stickeler Elmar
Published: January 2014

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) is an established therapy in breast cancer, able to downstage positive axillary lymph nodes, but might hamper their detectibility. Even if clinical observations suggest lower lymph node yield (LNY) after NC, data are inconclusive and it is unclear whether NC dependent parameters influence detection rates by axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively the LNY in 182 patients with ALND after NC and 351 patients with primary ALND. Impact of surgery or pathological examination and specific histomorphological alterations were evaluated. Outcome analyses regarding recurrence rates, disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed.

Results

Axillary LNY was significantly lower in the NC in comparison to the primary surgery group (median 13 vs. 16; p < 0.0001). The likelihood of incomplete axillary staging was four times higher in the NC group (14.8% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analyses excluded any influence by surgeon or pathologist. However, the chemotherapy dependent histological feature lymphoid depletion was an independent predictive factor for a lower LNY. Outcome analyses revealed no significant impact of the LNY on local and regional recurrence rates as well as DFS and OS, respectively.

Conclusion

NC significantly reduces the LNY by ALND and has profound effects on the histomorphological appearance of lymph nodes. The current recommendations for a minimum removal of 10 lymph nodes by ALND are clearly compromised by the clinically already established concept of NC. The LNY of less than 10 by ALND after NC might not be indicative for an insufficient axillary staging.
Resistive switching behavior in Lu2O3 thin film for advanced flexible memory applications
Authors: Mondal Somnath , Her Jim-Long , Koyama Keiichi , Pan Tung-Ming
Published: January 2014

In this article, the resistive switching (RS) behaviors in Lu2O3 thin film for advanced flexible nonvolatile memory applications are investigated. Amorphous Lu2O3 thin films with a thickness of 20 nm were deposited at room temperature by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate. The structural and morphological changes of the Lu2O3 thin film were characterized by x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The Ru/Lu2O3/ITO flexible memory device shows promising RS behavior with low-voltage operation and small distribution of switching parameters. The dominant switching current conduction mechanism in the Lu2O3 thin film was determined as bulk-controlled space-charge-limited-current with activation energy of traps of 0.33 eV. The oxygen vacancies assisted filament conduction model was described for RS behavior in Lu2O3 thin film. The memory reliability characteristics of switching endurance, data retention, good flexibility, and mechanical endurance show promising applications in future advanced memory.
A comparative study of fluoride ingestion levels, serum thyroid hormone & TSH level derangements, dental fluorosis status among school children from endemic and non-endemic fluorosis areas
Authors: Singh Navneet , Verma Kanika Gupta , Verma Pradhuman , Sidhu Gagandeep Kaur , Sachdeva Suresh
Published: January 2014

The study was undertaken to determine serum/urinary fluoride status and comparison of free T4, free T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone levels of 8 to 15 years old children with and without dental fluorosis living in an endemic and non-endemic fluorosis area. A sample group of 60 male and female school children, with or without dental fluorosis, consuming fluoride-contaminated water in endemic fluoride area of Udaipur district, Rajasthan were selected through a school dental fluorosis survey. The sample of 10 children of same age and socio-economic status residing in non endemic areas who did not have dental fluorosis form controls. Fluoride determination in drinking water, urine and blood was done with Ion 85 Ion Analyzer Radiometer with Hall et al. method. The thyroid gland functional test was done by Immonu Chemiluminiscence Micropartical Assay with Bayer Centaur Autoanalyzer.

The significantly altered FT3, FT4 and TSH hormones level in both group1A and 1B school children were noted. The serum and urine fluoride levels were found to be increased in both the groups. A significant relationship of water fluoride to urine and serum fluoride concentration was seen. The serum fluoride concentration also had significant relationship with thyroid hormone (FT3/FT4) and TSH concentrations. The testing of drinking water and body fluids for fluoride content, along with FT3, FT4, and TSH in children with dental fluorosis is desirable for recognizing underlying thyroid derangements and its impact on fluorosis.
Prediction of deep stratigraphic targets from integrated interpretation of the gravity, magnetic, seismic, and well data: Concept, methodology, and application
Authors: Goussev Serguei , Rauch-Davies Marianne , Smith Paul A. , Weber Janine
Published: December 2013

We present a concept and methodology for the prediction of deep stratigraphic targets of the incised-valley trap type from the prospect-scale integrated interpretation of the gravity, magnetic, seismic, and well data. The key components in this concept are the “reference” stratigraphic target, identified and delineated on 2D seismic sections, and the “tuning” filter designed from the target's spatial dimensions. The tuning-filter-derived residual gravity anomalies are evaluated and sorted out to keep those that have the highest probability of being associated with sand accumulations of the incised-valley type. The concept and methodology of its application are illustrated with an example of the case study in the East Texas/North Louisiana sedimentary basin.
Defining Early-Onset Kidney Cancer: Implications for Germline and Somatic Mutation Testing and Clinical Management
Authors: Shuch Brian , Vourganti Srinivas , Ricketts Christopher J. , Middleton Lindsay , Peterson James , Merino Maria J. , Metwalli Adam R. , Srinivasan Ramaprasad , Linehan W. Marston
Published: December 2013

Purpose

Approximately 5% to 8% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is hereditary. No guidelines exist for patient selection for RCC germline mutation testing. We evaluate how age of onset could indicate the need for germline mutation testing for detection of inherited forms of kidney cancer.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed the age distribution of RCC cases in the SEER-17 program and in our institutional hereditary kidney cancer population. The age distributions were compared by sex, race, histology, and hereditary cancer syndrome. Models were established to evaluate the specific age thresholds for genetic testing.

Results

The median age of patients with RCC in SEER-17 was 64 years, with the distribution closely approaching normalcy. Statistical differences were observed by race, sex, and subtype (P < .05). The bottom decile cutoff was ≤ 46 years of age and slightly differed by sex, race, and histology. The mean and median ages at presentation of 608 patients with hereditary kidney cancer were 39.3 years and 37 years, respectively. Although age varied by specific syndrome, 70% of these cases were found to lie at or below the bottom age decile. Modeling age-based genetic testing thresholds demonstrated that the 10th percentile maximized sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

Early age of onset might be a sign of hereditary RCC. Even in the absence of clinical manifestations and personal/family history, an age of onset of 46 years or younger should trigger consideration for genetic counseling/germline mutation testing and may serve as a useful cutoff when establishing genetic testing guidelines.
Toward a Postdigital Humanities: Cultural Analytics and the Computational Turn to Data-Driven Scholarship
Authors: Hall Gary
Published: January 2014

What forms will literary and cultural criticism take in the twenty-first century, given the move toward open access, open data, and open government that is currently being promoted in the name of greater efficiency and transparency? Will the growing use of digital tools and data-led methodologies adopted from computer science to help us analyze the vast, networked nature of knowledge and information in postindustrial society produce a major change in our understanding of literature and culture, and indeed the humanities? Some have suggested that we have already embarked on a post-theoretical era, exemplified by a shift away from a concern with ideology and critique and toward more positivistic, quantitative, and empirical modes of analysis. If this is the case, should we be looking to develop new forms of literary and cultural criticism, characterized by an ability to combine the methodological and the theoretical, the quantitative and the qualitative, the digital and the traditional humanities? Are such new forms of literary and cultural criticism even possible?
Fabulously Procedural:Braid, Historical Processing, and the Videogame Sensorium
Authors: Jagoda Patrick
Published: January 2014

In recent years, the growing field of game studies has contributed to the ongoing cultural debate about what it means for videogames to be an art form that both selectively draws and dramatically departs from earlier forms such as the novel, theater, and cinema. To achieve a sense of videogames as a unique art form requires a more intimate understanding of the new sensorium that they open up—that is, the specific experience of spatiality, temporality, speed, graphics, audio, and procedural activity that they make available. To explore that sensorium, this essay analyzes Jonathan Blow’s independently produced hit American videogame Braid (2008). For all of the ways that Braid stands apart from contemporary videogames, it does so less to dismiss them than to contemplate, historicize, and produce a reading of the videogame form. Moreover, this game uses media-specific techniques to make accessible the material effects of the American military-industrial-media-entertainment network on historical consciousness. Braid adopts the affordances of game form to develop a formally experimental analytic of processing—one that is aesthetic, affective, and interactively experiential as opposed to purely cognitive. The game uses its formal blends and its play mechanics to complicate how history is typically thought and to imagine how it might be engaged or processed differently. Ultimately, Braid interrogates the impulses that drive videogames and the historical subjects that they produce.
Laudian Feminism and the Household Republic of Little Gidding
Authors: Shuger Debora
Published: January 2014

The three volumes of Little Gidding Story Books—the first published in 1899, the last in 1970—are based on shorthand transcripts of the informal seminars held on feast days during the early 1630s by members of a quasi-monastic extended family, most of them young women. The discussions center on history (i.e., “story”) and theology, but also engage political topics: class, equality, governance, gender, the authority of reason, and conscience vis-à-vis that of tradition, custom, and culture. The essay focuses on these latter issues, that is to say, on the political opinions held by a mostly female group of pious Laudian gentry. Their views, defended with considerable argumentative verve, turn out to defy expectation on every front. The Story Books represent a major (and largely unknown) body of early modern women's writing, one that challenges the received pictures of feminists, republicans, and Laudians.
Retinal neurogenesis
Authors: Centanin Lázaro , Wittbrodt Joachim
Published: December 2013

A unique feature of humans is the complexity of our central nervous system. A fully functional brain requires that billions of neurons make specific contacts in a highly coordinated way, an issue that is still not well understood. The neural retina constitutes an excellent system with which to analyze key aspects of neurogenesis and circuit formation in the central nervous system. Here, we provide an overview of retinal neurogenesis in vertebrates and discuss implications of the developmental mechanisms involved for regenerative therapy approaches.
Lotman’s epistemology: Analogy, culture, world
Authors: Gherlone Laura
Published: December 2013

According to Jeanne Parain-Vial and others, humans are characterized by their need for analogy, together with the need for logic and intelligibility, and this need is expressed by a continuous research of models in the scientific field that can, in some aspects, bring to light some properties of reality, namely be analogous of them. The knowability of things is founded on analogy; thus, they are not exhausted by a single model of knowledge but rather through multiple and autonomous forms of comprehension.As also pointed out by Juri Lotman and Boris Uspenskij, mythical thought was the first to postulate the possibility of establishing a relationship of likeness among very different realities, as in the archetypical cosmological model of world: a possibility that, as they explain, has survived in post-archaic man, constituting a fundamental component of cognitive activity and scientific modelling.The article is dedicated to the use of analogy in Lotmanian semiotic theorization and to its heuristic and epistemological value.
Nonvisual and Visual Object Shape Representations in Occipitotemporal Cortex: Evidence from Congenitally Blind and Sighted Adults
Authors: Peelen Marius V. , He Chenxi , Han Zaizhu , Caramazza Alfonso , Bi Yanchao
Published: December 2013

Knowledge of object shape is primarily acquired through the visual modality but can also be acquired through other sensory modalities. In the present study, we investigated the representation of object shape in humans without visual experience. Congenitally blind and sighted participants rated the shape similarity of pairs of 33 familiar objects, referred to by their names. The resulting shape similarity matrices were highly similar for the two groups, indicating that knowledge of the objects' shapes was largely independent of visual experience. Using fMRI, we tested for brain regions that represented object shape knowledge in blind and sighted participants. Multivoxel activity patterns were established for each of the 33 aurally presented object names. Sighted participants additionally viewed pictures of these objects. Using representational similarity analysis, neural similarity matrices were related to the behavioral shape similarity matrices. Results showed that activity patterns in occipitotemporal cortex (OTC) regions, including inferior temporal (IT) cortex and functionally defined object-selective cortex (OSC), reflected the behavioral shape similarity ratings in both blind and sighted groups, also when controlling for the objects' tactile and semantic similarity. Furthermore, neural similarity matrices of IT and OSC showed similarities across blind and sighted groups (within the auditory modality) and across modality (within the sighted group), but not across both modality and group (blind auditory–sighted visual). Together, these findings provide evidence that OTC not only represents objects visually (requiring visual experience) but also represents objects nonvisually, reflecting knowledge of object shape independently of the modality through which this knowledge was acquired.
Brain-Based Translation: fMRI Decoding of Spoken Words in Bilinguals Reveals Language-Independent Semantic Representations in Anterior Temporal Lobe
Authors: Correia João , Formisano Elia , Valente Giancarlo , Hausfeld Lars , Jansma Bernadette , Bonte Milene
Published: December 2013

Bilinguals derive the same semantic concepts from equivalent, but acoustically different, words in their first and second languages. The neural mechanisms underlying the representation of language-independent concepts in the brain remain unclear. Here, we measured fMRI in human bilingual listeners and reveal that response patterns to individual spoken nouns in one language (e.g., “horse” in English) accurately predict the response patterns to equivalent nouns in the other language (e.g., “paard” in Dutch). Stimuli were four monosyllabic words in both languages, all from the category of “animal” nouns. For each word, pronunciations from three different speakers were included, allowing the investigation of speaker-independent representations of individual words. We used multivariate classifiers and a searchlight method to map the informative fMRI response patterns that enable decoding spoken words within languages (within-language discrimination) and across languages (across-language generalization). Response patterns discriminative of spoken words within language were distributed in multiple cortical regions, reflecting the complexity of the neural networks recruited during speech and language processing. Response patterns discriminative of spoken words across language were limited to localized clusters in the left anterior temporal lobe, the left angular gyrus and the posterior bank of the left postcentral gyrus, the right posterior superior temporal sulcus/superior temporal gyrus, the right medial anterior temporal lobe, the right anterior insula, and bilateral occipital cortex. These results corroborate the existence of “hub” regions organizing semantic-conceptual knowledge in abstract form at the fine-grained level of within semantic category discriminations.
Replay of Very Early Encoding Representations during Recollection
Authors: Jafarpour Anna , Fuentemilla Lluis , Horner Aidan J. , Penny Will , Duzel Emrah
Published: December 2013

Long-term memories are linked to cortical representations of perceived events, but it is unclear which types of representations can later be recollected. Using magnetoencephalography-based decoding, we examined which brain activity patterns elicited during encoding are later replayed during recollection in the human brain. The results show that the recollection of images depicting faces and scenes is associated with a replay of neural representations that are formed at very early (180 ms) stages of encoding. This replay occurs quite rapidly, ∼500 ms after the onset of a cue that prompts recollection and correlates with source memory accuracy. Therefore, long-term memories are rapidly replayed during recollection and involve representations that were formed at very early stages of encoding. These findings indicate that very early representational information can be preserved in the memory engram and can be faithfully and rapidly reinstated during recollection. These novel insights into the nature of the memory engram provide constraints for mechanistic models of long-term memory function.
A Quantitative Description of Dendritic Conductances and Its Application to Dendritic Excitation in Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons
Authors: Almog Mara , Korngreen Alon
Published: December 2013

Postsynaptic integration is a complex function of passive membrane properties and nonlinear activation of voltage-gated channels. Some cortical neurons express many voltage-gated channels, with each displaying heterogeneous dendritic conductance gradients. This complexity has hindered the construction of experimentally based mechanistic models of cortical neurons. Here we show that it is possible to overcome this obstacle. We recorded the membrane potential from the soma and apical dendrite of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons of the rat somatosensory cortex. A combined experimental and numerical parameter peeling procedure was implemented to optimize a detailed ionic mechanism for the generation and propagation of dendritic spikes in neocortical L5 pyramidal neurons. In the optimized model, the density of voltage-gated Ca2+channels decreased linearly from the soma, and leveled at the distal apical dendrite. The density of the small-conductance Ca2+-activated channel decreased along the apical dendrite, whereas the density of the large-conductance Ca2+-gated K+channel was uniform throughout the apical dendrite. The model predicted an ionic mechanism for the generation of a dendritic spike, the interaction of this spike with the backpropagating action potential, the mechanism responsible for the ability of the proximal apical dendrite to control the coupling between the axon and the dendrite, and the generation of NMDA spikes in the distal apical tuft. Moreover, in addition to faithfully predicting many experimental results recorded from the apical dendrite of L5 pyramidal neurons, the model validates a new methodology for mechanistic modeling of neurons in the CNS.
StartReact Restores Reaction Time in HSP: Evidence for Subcortical Release of a Motor Program
Authors: Nonnekes Jorik , Oude Nijhuis Lars B. , de Niet Mark , de Bot Susanne T. , Pasman Jacobus W. , van de Warrenburg Bart P.C. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Weerdesteyn Vivian , Geurts Alexander C.
Published: December 2013

Startling acoustic stimuli (SAS) can accelerate reaction times (“StartReact” effect), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Both direct release of a subcortically stored motor program and a subcortically mediated trigger for a cortically stored motor program have been hypothesized. To distinguish between these hypotheses, we examined the StartReact effect in humans with pure hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Delayed reaction times in HSP patients in trials both with and without a SAS would argue in favor of a cortically stored response.

We instructed 12 HSP patients and 12 matched controls to respond as rapidly as possible to a visual imperative stimulus, in two different conditions: dorsiflexion of the dominant ankle; or flexion of the dominant wrist. In 25% of trials, a SAS was delivered simultaneously with the imperative stimulus. Before these tests, subjects received five SAS while standing to verify normal function of the reticulospinal tract in HSP.

Latencies of startle responses in sternocleidomastoid and tibialis anterior muscles were comparable between patients and controls. During the ankle dorsiflexion task, HSP patients had an average 19 ms delay in reaction times compared with controls. Administration of a SAS accelerated ankle dorsiflexion in both groups, but more so in the patients, which completely normalized their latencies. The wrist flexion task yielded no differences in onset latencies between HSP patients and controls.

The reticulospinal tract seems unaffected in HSP patients, because startle reflex onsets were normal. The corticospinal tract was affected, as reflected by delayed ankle dorsiflexion reaction times. These delayed onsets in HSP were normalized when the imperative stimulus was combined with a SAS, presumably through release of a subcortically stored motor program conveyed by the preserved reticulospinal tract.
Building Research Ethics Capacity in Post-Communist Countries: Experience of Two Fogarty Training Programs
Authors: Strosberg Martin A. , Gefenas Eugenijus , Loue Sana , Philpott Sean
Published: January 2014

The post-Communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia are at various stages of development with respect to their capacity to protect human research participants. We examined the impact of two Fogarty-funded programs in this region, the Union Graduate College–Vilnius University Advanced Certificate Program and the Case Western Reserve University Master's Degree Program, by surveying these programs' graduates and by examining alumni activities. Alumni have served in leadership roles on research ethics committees, developed and taught new courses in research ethics, and contributed to scholarship. However, political, social, and economic challenges impede the ability of graduates to maximize their effectiveness. Additional curricular attention is needed in research methodology, policy development and implementation, and the interplay between research ethics and human rights.
Introduction: The Fogarty International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development Program in Historical Context
Authors: Millum Joseph , Grady Christine , Keusch Gerald , Sina Barbara
Published: January 2014

In response to the increasing need for research ethics expertise in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the NIH's Fogarty International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development Program has provided grants for the development of training programs in international research ethics for LMIC professionals since 2000. This collection of papers draws upon the combined expertise of Fogarty grantees, trainees, and other experts to assess the state of research ethics in LMICs, and the lessons learned over 12 years of international research ethics education; to assess future needs; and to chart a way forward to meet those needs. In this introductory paper we briefly sketch the evolution of research ethics as applied to LMIC research, the underpinning and evolution of the Fogarty bioethics program, and summarize key conclusions from the other papers in the collection.