bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract B35: Establishment of patient-derived xenograft models of acute leukemias.
Authors: Siegert Antje , Brzezicha Bernadette , Wulf-Goldenberg Annika , Fichtner Iduna , Hoffmann Jens
Published: August 2015

Acute leukemia, a hematological malignancy, is characterised by a rapid increase of functionally immature blood cells. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) are distinguished by their cells of origin. If untreated, AML and ALL are life-threatening and patients show different responses to current standards of care (SoC) therapy. The majority of acute leukemias are genetically heterogeneous and therefore a challenge for the development of new targeted therapies. There is a need to develop robust animal models to investigate leukemia in vivo. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models recapitulate many clinical features of cancer. They have proven to be useful tools for the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers, and for the study of cancer biology.

The aim of our work was to establish PDX models of AML and ALL and to characterize their sensitivity to different therapeutic agents.

Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from primary and relapsed AML/ALL patients and were intravenously (i.v.) and/or subcutaneously (s.c.) inoculated into immunodeficient mice. Mice were sacrificed when signs of disease were obvious and single cell suspensions of spleens (i.v.) or tumor fragments (s.c.) were transferred to new recipient mice. Chemosensitivity to SoC treatments was tested.

In our study several AML-PDX and ALL-PDX were established. These models show different sensitivity to SoC treatment. The models will be used for further investigations like gene expression or mutation analysis or biomarker identification.

The established PDX models of AML and ALL are suitable tools for preclinical drug development. In order to cover the complex heterogeneity of acute leukemias, the establishment of further PDX models is currently in progress.

Citation Format: Antje Siegert, Bernadette Brzezicha, Annika Wulf-Goldenberg, Iduna Fichtner, Jens Hoffmann. Establishment of patient-derived xenograft models of acute leukemias. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(17 Suppl):Abstract nr B35.
Abstract B41: Mutant U2AF1 alters hematopoiesis and pre-mRNA splicing in transgenic mice.
Authors: Shirai Cara Lunn , Ley James N. , White Brian , Tibbitts Justin , Shao Jin , Ndonwi Matthew , Kim Sanghyun , Okeyo-Owuor Theresa , Graubert Timothy A. , Walter Matthew J.
Published: August 2015

This abstract is being presented as a short talk. A full abstract is printed in the Proffered Abstracts section (PR06) of the Conference Proceedings.

Citation Format: Cara Lunn Shirai, James N. Ley, Brian White, Justin Tibbitts, Jin Shao, Matthew Ndonwi, Sanghyun Kim, Theresa Okeyo-Owuor, Timothy A. Graubert, Matthew J. Walter. Mutant U2AF1 alters hematopoiesis and pre-mRNA splicing in transgenic mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(17 Suppl):Abstract nr B41.
Abstract B42: Modeling MDS in mice through precise molecular lesions in APC and mDia1.
Authors: Turner Julie Davis , Kitchen-Goosen Susan , Howard Andrew M. , Schumacher Heather , Alberts Art S.
Published: August 2015

While the murine equivalent to “5q– syndrome” should map to the distal arms of murine chromosomes 11 and 18, molecular attempts have been unsuccessful in generating a reliable mouse model of myelodysplasia leading to exacerbated myeloid leukemia. Genetic studies suggest interactions between individual proteins in this locus suppress tumor initiation. More specifically, cellular and biochemical studies demonstrated collaboration between two proteins in the commonly deleted regions of 5q– syndrome: mDia1 (mammalian Diaphanous-related Rho GTPase effector formin) and APC (adenomatous polypolis coli). Therefore, we generated mice compounding these two putative disease alleles. Because both mDia1 knockout [Drf1(–/–)] mice and Apcmin (min = multiple intestinal neoplasia; haploinsufficient) mice develop age-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), we hypothesized that a mouse strain lacking both proteins will exhibit a more severe MDS phenotype than either mutant allele alone.

To define the disease caused by mutation in Drf1 and Apcmin, we monitored erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis, and overall survival. At all ages, mice with both mutant alleles exhibit granulocytosis. Anemia occurs in aged mice (>270 days), exhibiting drastic differences in blood cell morphology that corresponded to differences in long-term survival in comparison to either Drf1–/– or Apcmin animals. Furthermore, immunophenotyping of all subpopulations indicate an accumulation of CD71+/TER-119+ cells in mice with both mutant alleles, however no significant differences in CD11b expression appeared among CD45+ bone marrow subpopulations.

Our studies indicate that combined loss of mDia1 and APC expression and function direct disease progression. We are currently defining the hematopoietic precursor cell responsible for anemia and bone marrow failure. This enhanced mouse model also serves as molecular laboratory to study disease progression and to test potential therapeutics under development in our laboratory.

Citation Format: Julie Davis Turner, Susan Kitchen-Goosen, Andrew M. Howard, Heather Schumacher, Art S. Alberts. Modeling MDS in mice through precise molecular lesions in APC and mDia1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(17 Suppl):Abstract nr B42.
Abstract IA29: Using mitochondria to guide leukemia therapy.
Authors: Letai Anthony , Hogdal Leah , Chonghaile Triona , Gutierrez Alejandro , Roderick Justine , Kelliher Michelle , Konopleva Marina
Published: August 2015

Most biomarkers in cancer rely on the study of parts of dead cells: DNA, RNA, or proteins. Studying viable functioning cells offers the opportunity to capture some of the complexity that is lost upon killing the cancer cell. BH3 profiling uses BH3 peptides derived from pro-apoptotic proteins to perturb functional mitochondria from cancer cells. The effect of these peptides on mitochondria provides very useful information to guide cancer therapy. Examples include the identification of CLL, AML, and ETP-ALL as disease that are sensitive to BCL-2 inhibition, identifications that are now being tested in the clinic. In addition BH3 profiling can guide the use of conventional chemotherapy and novel targeted pathway inhibitors in the clinic.

Citation Format: Anthony Letai, Leah Hogdal, Triona Chonghaile, Alejandro Gutierrez, Justine Roderick, Michelle Kelliher, Marina Konopleva. Using mitochondria to guide leukemia therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(17 Suppl):Abstract nr IA29.
Abstract IA42: Interpreting the role of acquired gene mutations in defining clinical outcome and treatment response.
Authors: Papaemmanuil Elli
Published: August 2015

Recent sequencing studies in MDS, have identified a diverse range of somatic mutations in genes implicated in RNA splicing, DNA modification, chromatin regulation and cell signalling. Similar to most cancers and other haematological neoplasms the genomic landscape of MDS is composed by a small number of frequently (>10% of the patient population) mutated genes accompanied by a long list of genes that are infrequently mutated (<3%). Importantly the majority of MDS patients have two or more oncogenic mutations (defined by gene mutation or structural variation) with evidence of specific pairwise interactions and intra-clonal heterogeneity. Whilst new gene discoveries improve our understanding of the molecular aetiology of this disease, a detailed evaluation of how the individual genetic contributions as well as the frequently observed genotype interactions and clonal relationships correlate with treatment response is warranted.

Next generation sequencing based approaches, deliver quantitative profiles of the composite genomic architecture, support the identification of the key molecular lesions and reconstruction of partial clonal phylogenies from a single sample. Profiling of sequential specimens before and after treatment allows for the first time to track response at a clonal level, providing important new insights into the molecular mechanisms of therapeutic response as well as resistance. Examples of how mutational profiling of samples before, during and after treatment allow for detailed definition of clonal response and the related genetic changes will be presented.

The complex genetic architecture, and the large proportion of infrequently mutated genes impose great challenges to the identification of robust and reliable gene-treatment interactions and overall clinical outcome predictions. Importantly, these effects can be modified by comorbidities, performance status and age amongst other demographic variables. Systematic characterisation of well-annotated and large (>1000) clinical trial samples are necessary to accurately define risk contributions and support the development of molecularly guided prognostication and predictive algorithms in the future.

Citation Format: Elli Papaemmanuil. Interpreting the role of acquired gene mutations in defining clinical outcome and treatment response. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(17 Suppl):Abstract nr IA42.
Functional Characterization Reveals Novel Putative Coding Sequences in Prevotella ruminicola Genome Extracted from Rumen Metagenomic Studies
Authors: Nathani Neelam M. , Kothari Ramesh K. , Patel Amrutlal K. , Joshi Chaitanya G.
Published: August 2015

Aim: To reassemble Prevotella ruminicola genome from rumen metagenomic data of cattle and buffalo and compare with the published reference genome. Method: Rumen microbial communities from Mehsani buffaloes (n = 8) and Kankrej cattle (n = 8), each adapted to different proportions of a dry or green roughage diet, were subjected to metagenomic sequencing by Ion Torrent PGM, and subsequent reads were analyzed by MG-RAST. Using reference-guided assembly of the sequences against the published P. ruminicola strain 23, draft genomes of 2.56 and 2.46 Mb were reconstructed from Mehsani buffalo and Kankrej cows, respectively. The genomes were annotated using the RAST Server and carbohydrate active enzyme (CAZyme) analysis. Results: Taxonomic analysis by MG-RAST revealed P. ruminicola to be the most abundant species present among the rumen microflora. Functional annotation of reconstructed genomes using the RAST Server depicted the maximum assignment of coding sequences involved in the subsystems amino acid and derivatives and carbohydrate metabolism. CAZyme profiling revealed the glycoside hydrolases (GH) family to be the most abundant. GH family subclassification revealed that the extracted genomes had more sequence hits for GH2, GH3, GH92 and GH97 as compared to the reference. Conclusion: The results reflect the metabolic significance of rumen-adapted P. ruminicola in utilizing a coarse diet for animals based on acquisition of novel genetic elements.
Cabozantinib and Tivantinib, but Not INC280, Induce Antiproliferative and Antimigratory Effects in Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells in vitro: Evidence for ‘Off-Target' Effects Not Mediated by c-Met Inhibition
Authors: Reuther Clemens , Heinzle Vera , Spampatti Matilde , Vlotides George , de Toni Enrico , Spöttl Gerald , Maurer Julian , Nölting Svenja , Göke Burkhard , Auernhammer Christoph J.
Published: August 2015

Background/Aims: The hepatocyte growth factor/transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met has been defined as a potential target in antitumoral treatment of various carcinomas. We aimed to investigate the direct effect of c-Met inhibition on neuroendocrine tumor cells in vitro. Methods: The effects of the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors cabozantinib and tivantinib and of the highly specific c-Met inhibitor INC280 were investigated in human pancreatic neuroendocrine BON1, bronchopulmonary NCI-H727 and midgut GOT1 cells in vitro. Results: INC280, cabozantinib and tivantinib inhibited c-Met phosphorylation, respectively. However, while equimolar concentrations (10 μM) of cabozantinib and tivantinib inhibited cell viability and cell migration, INC280 had no inhibitory effect. Knockdown experiments with c-Met siRNA also did not demonstrate effects on cell viability. Cabozantinib and tivantinib caused a G2 arrest in neuroendocrine tumor cells. Conclusions: Our in vitro data suggest that c-Met inhibition alone is not sufficient to exert direct antitumoral or antimigratory effects in neuroendocrine tumor cells. The multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors cabozantinib and tivantinib show promising antitumoral and antimigratory effects in neuroendocrine tumor cells, which are most probably ‘off-target' effects, not mediated by c-Met.
Piezoelectric Nanowire toward Harvesting Energy from In-Vivo Environment
Authors: Ghareaghaji Ali
Published: August 2015

This paper discusses technologies used to harvest energies from in-vivo environment. The discussion mainly concentrated on  nanogenerators based on Piezoelectric nanowires which are employed for converting biomechanical energy (such as muscle stretching), vibration energy (such as heart rate sound, sound waves) and  biohydraulic energy (such as blood flow, contraction of blood vessel) into electric energy. At the end this paper studies an approach for harvesting biomechanical and biochemical energies from living organisms simultaneously. This system, by using aligned nanowire arrays, can power medical nanosystems and nanodevices through converting vibration, biomechanical and biohydrulic energies into electricity. On the other hand by using biofuel cell structure, this hybrid cell can convert biochemical (glucose/O2) energy in biofluid into electricity. This technology can provide adequate power required for feeding nanodevices and nanosystems or at least to indirectly charge battery of the device. This technology can provide a sound basis for designing wireless self-powered nanodevices with direct energy harvesting from in-vivo environment.
Portable Biomass Gasifier Power Generation Using Non Edible Seed Cake
Authors: Vivek M , Srividhya PK , Sujatha K
Published: August 2015

Non edible seeds are used most of the applications but the dehydration of seed cakes is too difficult. And the same time the seeds could not feed food as animal. Hence, to adopt various techniques it can be used for other applications. 1 ton crude oil yield from 3 tons of seeds and the remaining becomes seed cake. After oil extraction using screw press machine, seed cake still has 10 % to 15 % of oil.  Hence this is a good combustible material with calorific value of approximately 600 Kcal/m3 and the electrical output voltage 180 – 200 at the range of 3.00 -3.5 amps. This paper deals with the power generation from Jatropha seed cake using gasification technology.
Fractal dimension (df ) as a new structural biomarker of clot microstructure in different stages of lung cancer
Authors: Davies Nia Anne , Harrison Nicholas Kim , Keith Morris Roger H. , Noble Simon , Lawrence Matthew James , D’Silva Lindsay Antonio , Broome Laura , Brown Martin Rowan , Hawkins Karl M. , Williams Phylip Rhodri , Davidson Simon , Evans Phillip Adrian
Published: August 2015

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in cancer patients, and is the second commonest cause of death associated with the disease. Patients with chronic inflammation, such as cancer, have been shown to have pathological clot structures with modulated mechanical properties. Fractal dimension (df) is a new technique which has been shown to act as a marker of the microstructure and mechanical properties of blood clots, and can be performed more readily than current methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We measured df in 87 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer prior to treatment and 47 matched-controls. Mean group values were compared for all patients with lung cancer vs controls and for limited disease vs extensive disease. Results were compared with conventional markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis and SEM images. Significantly higher values of df were observed in lung cancer patients compared with controls and patients with extensive disease had higher values than those with limited disease (p< 0.05), whilst conventional markers failed to distinguish between these groups. The relationship between df of the incipient clot and mature clot microstructure was confirmed by SEM and computational modelling: higher df was associated with highly dense clots formed of smaller fibrin fibres in lung cancer patients compared to controls. This study demonstrates that df is a sensitive technique which quantifies the structure and mechanical properties of blood clots in patients with lung cancer. Our data suggests that df has the potential to identify patients with an abnormal clot micro-structure and greatest VTE risk.
A Conductive Polymer Hydrogel Supports Cell Electrical Signaling and Improves Cardiac Function After Implantation into Myocardial Infarct
Authors: Mihic Anton , Cui Zhi , Wu Jun , Vlacic Goran , Miyagi Yasuo , Li Shu-Hong , Lu Sun , Sung Hsing-Wen , Weisel Richard D. , Li Ren-Ke
Published: August 2015

Background—

Efficient cardiac function requires synchronous ventricular contraction. After myocardial infarction, the nonconductive nature of scar tissue contributes to ventricular dysfunction by electrically uncoupling viable cardiomyocytes in the infarct region. Injection of a conductive biomaterial polymer that restores impulse propagation could synchronize contraction and restore ventricular function by electrically connecting isolated cardiomyocytes to intact tissue, allowing them to contribute to global heart function.

Methods and Results—

We created a conductive polymer by grafting pyrrole to the clinically tested biomaterial chitosan to create a polypyrrole (PPy)-chitosan hydrogel. Cyclic voltammetry showed that PPy-chitosan had semiconductive properties lacking in chitosan alone. PPy-chitosan did not reduce cell attachment, metabolism, or proliferation in vitro. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes plated on PPy-chitosan showed enhanced Ca
2+
signal conduction in comparison with chitosan alone. PPy-chitosan plating also improved electric coupling between skeletal muscles placed 25 mm apart in comparison with chitosan alone, demonstrating that PPy-chitosan can electrically connect contracting cells at a distance. In rats, injection of PPy-chitosan 1 week after myocardial infarction decreased the QRS interval and increased the transverse activation velocity in comparison with saline or chitosan, suggesting improved electric conduction. Optical mapping showed increased activation in the border zone of PPy-chitosan–treated rats. Echocardiography and pressure–volume analysis showed improvement in load-dependent (ejection fraction, fractional shortening) and load-independent (preload recruitable stroke work) indices of heart function 8 weeks after injection.

Conclusions—

We synthesized a biocompatible conductive biomaterial (PPy-chitosan) that enhances biological conduction in vitro and in vivo. Injection of PPy-chitosan better maintained heart function after myocardial infarction than a nonconductive polymer.
Outcomes of Patients With Acute Type B (DeBakey III) Aortic Dissection
Authors: Afifi Rana O. , Sandhu Harleen K. , Leake Samuel S. , Boutrous Mina L. , Kumar Varsha , Azizzadeh Ali , Charlton-Ouw Kristofer M. , Saqib Naveed U. , Nguyen Tom C. , Miller Charles C. , Safi Hazim J. , Estrera Anthony L
Published: August 2015

Background—

Aortic dissection remains the most common aortic catastrophe. In the endovascular era, the management of acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD) is undergoing dramatic changes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with ATBAD who were treated at our center over a 13-year period.

Methods and Results—

We reviewed patients with ATBAD between 2001 and 2014, analyzing variables based on status (complicated [c] versus uncomplicated [u]) and treatment modalities. We defined cATBAD as rupture, expansion of diameter on imaging during the admission, persistent pain, or clinical malperfusion leading to a deficit in cerebral, spinal, visceral, renal, or peripheral vascular territories at presentation or during initial hospitalization. Postoperative outcomes were defined as deficits not present before the intervention. Outcomes were compared between the groups by use of Kaplan-Meier and descriptive statistics. We treated 442 patients with ATBAD. Of those 442, 60.6% had uATBAD and were treated medically, and 39.4% had cATBAD, of whom 39.0% were treated medically to 30.0% with open repair, 21.3% with thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and 9.7% with other open peripheral procedures. Intervention-free survival at 1 and 5 years was 84.8% and 62.7% for uATBAD, 61.8% and 44.0% for cATBAD-medical, 69.2% and 47.2% for cATBAD-open, and 68.0% and 42.5% for cATBAD–thoracic endovascular aortic repair, respectively (
P
=0.001). Overall survival was significantly related primarily to complicated presentation.

Conclusions—

In our experience, early and late outcomes of ATBAD were dependent on the presence of complications, with cATBAD faring worse. Although uATBAD was associated with favorable early survival, late complications still occurred, mandating radiographic surveillance and open or endovascular interventions. Prospective trials are required to better determine the optimal therapy for uATBAD.
International University Education
Authors: Roberts Gethin Wyn
Published: August 2015

In 2004, The University of Nottingham was the first Sino-Foreign University to open a campus in mainland China. Today, the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China (unnc) campus holds approximately 6,600 students and 500 staff from 40 different countries. Science and Engineering subjects are relatively new on the campus, but are all based on the long standing pedigree at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. In 2012, a new msc course in Engineering Surveying and Geodesy started at unnc, which was the same as the course in the uk. All the courses at unnc are the same in learning outcomes as those on the uk campus, all the teaching is carried out in the medium of English and undergo the same stringent Quality Assurance. The University of Nottingham also has a campus in Malaysia, which makes the university truly global. Students attending any of these campuses have the opportunities of exchange at any of the other two, as well as many other international universities.

unnc aspires to grow to 8,000 students by 2020, consisting of 20% international students and 15-20% postgraduate students, approximately 40% of which will be within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

This paper details the model used by the University of Nottingham in establishing and operating the msc course and research activities in Engineering Surveying and Geodesy at unnc, and gives a case study of this parallel course.
Ecology of bryophytes along altitudinal and latitudinal gradients in Chile

Authors: Frahm Jan-Peter
Published: August 2015

The bryophyte vegetation in twenty-eight hectare plots in forests of S-Chile between 38° and 42°S and sea level and the forest line has been studied. Since bryophytes are fully dependend on atmospheric water and nutrient supply, they are good indicators of ecological conditions, especially for humidity. Therefore cover of epiphytic bryophytes, percentage of hepatics, composition of life forms and phytomass of epiphytic bryophytes were used as parameters. Cover and phytomass of epiphytic bryophytes as well as percentage of hepatics show moderate values in the lowlands, peak values in the montane belt (400-800m) and low values in the high montane to subalpine forests. This zonation corresponds with the composition of life forms and is attributed to a higher humidity in the montane belt. Life forms characteristic for the lowlands and submontane belts are pendants, those for the montane belt are wefts and tails, and those for the high montane and and subalpine belts are mats and cushions. The same zonation is found in New Zealand at comparable latitudes. The altitudinal differences are much stronger than the latitudinal ones. Compared with similar transect studies in New Zealand, there is a comparable zonation based on bryphytes. The percentage of hepatics as a good indicator of humidity, is – both in Chile and New Zealand - higher in the transects along the coast with higher precipitation, lower in transects in the inland with less precipitation, and increasing with altitude. Compared with tropical rain forests, the “mossiness” of temperate rain forests expressed by phytomass of epiphytic bryophytes per hectare, cover and percentage of hepatics is comparable to tropical rain forests above 2000 m, which is the corresponding elevation with regard to the mean annual precipitation. In Chile, however, there is a distinct decrease of “mossiness” in the high montane and subalpine forests, which is attributed to special climatological conditions, whereas bryophytes reach maximum cover and phytomass in the tropical high montane and subalpine forests. A comparison with montane forests in Europe in 48°N reveal, that phytomass and percentage of hepatics is distinctly less than in the true rain forests of the southern hemisphere.
Mosses of Mt. Trus Madi, Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Suleiman M. , Edwards S. R.
Published: August 2015

A species list of mosses collected in Mt. Trus Madi, Sabah, between 10 September and 10 October 1996 is presented. A total of 153 taxa were collected, of which 11 are new to Borneo and five new to Sabah.
Wave-Induced Boundary Layer Separation in the Lee of the Medicine Bow Mountains. Part I: Observations*
Authors: French Jeffrey R. , Haimov Samuel J. , Oolman Larry D. , Grubišić Vanda , Serafin Stefano , Strauss Lukas
Published: August 2015

Two cases of mountain waves, rotors, and the associated turbulence in the lee of the Medicine Bow Mountains in southeastern Wyoming are investigated in a two-part study using aircraft observations and numerical simulations. In Part I, observations from in situ instruments and high-resolution cloud radar on board the University of Wyoming King Air aircraft are presented and analyzed. Measurements from the radar compose the first direct observations of wave-induced boundary layer separation.

The data from these two events show some striking similarities but also significant differences. In both cases, rotors were observed; yet one looks like a classical lee-wave rotor, while the other resembles an atmospheric hydraulic jump with midtropospheric gravity wave breaking aloft. High-resolution (30 × 30 m2) dual-Doppler syntheses of the two-dimensional velocity fields in the vertical plane beneath the aircraft reveal the boundary layer separation, the scale and structure of the attendant rotors, and downslope windstorms. In the stronger of the two events, near-surface winds upwind of the boundary layer separation reached 35 m s−1, and vertical winds were in excess of 10 m s−1. Moderate to strong turbulence was observed within and downstream of these regions. In both cases, the rotor extended horizontally 5–10 km and vertically 2–2.5 km. Horizontal vorticity within the rotor zone reached 0.2 s−1. Several subrotors from 500 to 1000 m in diameter were identified inside the main rotor in one of the cases.

Part II presents a modeling study and investigates the kinematic structure and the dynamic evolution of these two events.
Wave-Induced Boundary Layer Separation in the Lee of the Medicine Bow Mountains. Part II: Numerical Modeling
Authors: Grubišić Vanda , Serafin Stefano , Strauss Lukas , Haimov Samuel J. , French Jeffrey R. , Oolman Larry D.
Published: August 2015

Mountain waves and rotors in the lee of the Medicine Bow Mountains in southeastern Wyoming are investigated in a two-part paper. Part I by French et al. delivers a detailed observational account of two rotor events: one displays characteristics of a hydraulic jump and the other displays characteristics of a classic lee-wave rotor. In Part II, presented here, results of high-resolution numerical simulations are conveyed and physical processes involved in the formation and dynamical evolution of these two rotor events are examined.

The simulation results reveal that the origin of the observed rotors lies in boundary layer separation, induced by wave perturbations whose amplitudes reach maxima at or near the mountain top. An undular hydraulic jump that gave rise to a rotor in one of these events was found to be triggered by midtropospheric wave breaking and an ensuing strong downslope windstorm. Lee waves spawning rotors developed under conditions favoring wave energy trapping at low levels in different phases of these two events. The upstream shift of the boundary layer separation zone, documented to occur over a relatively short period of time in both events, is shown to be the manifestation of a transition in flow regimes, from downslope windstorms to trapped lee waves, in response to a rapid change in the upstream environment, related to the passage of a short-wave synoptic disturbance aloft.

The model results also suggest that the secondary obstacles surrounding the Medicine Bow Mountains play a role in the dynamics of wave and rotor events by promoting lee-wave resonance in the complex terrain of southeastern Wyoming.
Rossby Waves Mediate Impacts of Tropical Oceans on West Antarctic Atmospheric Circulation in Austral Winter
Authors: Li Xichen , Holland David M. , Gerber Edwin P. , Yoo Changhyun
Published: August 2015

Recent studies link climate change around Antarctica to the sea surface temperature of tropical oceans, with teleconnections from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans making different contributions to Antarctic climate. In this study, the impacts of each ocean basin on the wintertime Southern Hemisphere circulation are identified by comparing simulation results using a comprehensive atmospheric model, an idealized dynamical core model, and a theoretical Rossby wave model. The results herein show that tropical Atlantic Ocean warming, Indian Ocean warming, and eastern Pacific cooling are all able to deepen the Amundsen Sea low located adjacent to West Antarctica, while western Pacific warming increases the pressure to the west of the international date line, encompassing the Ross Sea and regions south of the Tasman Sea. In austral winter, these tropical ocean basins work together linearly to modulate the atmospheric circulation around West Antarctica. Further analyses indicate that these teleconnections critically depend on stationary Rossby wave dynamics and are thus sensitive to the background flow, particularly the subtropical/midlatitude jet. Near these jets, wind shear is amplified, which strengthens the generation of Rossby waves. On the other hand, near the edges of the jets the meridional gradient of the absolute vorticity is also enhanced. As a consequence of the Rossby wave dispersion relationship, the jet edge may reflect stationary Rossby wave trains, serving as a waveguide. The simulation results not only identify the relative roles of each of the tropical ocean basins in the tropical–Antarctica teleconnection, but also suggest that a deeper understanding of teleconnections requires a better estimation of the atmospheric jet structures.
Performance Bounds for Particle Filters Using the Optimal Proposal
Authors: Snyder Chris , Bengtsson Thomas , Morzfeld Mathias
Published: August 2015

Particle filters may suffer from degeneracy of the particle weights. For the simplest “bootstrap” filter, it is known that avoiding degeneracy in large systems requires that the ensemble size must increase exponentially with the variance of the observation log-likelihood. The present article shows first that a similar result applies to particle filters using sequential importance sampling and the optimal proposal distribution and, second, that the optimal proposal yields minimal degeneracy when compared to any other proposal distribution that depends only on the previous state and the most recent observations. Thus, the optimal proposal provides performance bounds for filters using sequential importance sampling and any such proposal. An example with independent and identically distributed degrees of freedom illustrates both the need for exponentially large ensemble size with the optimal proposal as the system dimension increases and the potentially dramatic advantages of the optimal proposal relative to simpler proposals. Those advantages depend crucially on the magnitude of the system noise.
Value Orientations From the World Values Survey
Authors: Alemán José , Woods Dwayne
Published: August 2015

We examine data from the World Values Survey regarding the existence of two consistent orientations in mass values, traditional versus secular/rational and survival versus self-expression. We also evaluate the empirical validity of Welzel’s revised value orientations: secular and emancipative. Over the years, a large body of work has presumed the stability and comparability of these value orientations across time and space. Our findings uncover little evidence of the existence of traditional–secular/rational or survival–self-expression values. Welzel’s two dimensions of value orientations—secular and emancipative—seem more reflective of latent value orientations in mass publics but are still imperfectly capturing these orientations. More importantly, these value orientations do not seem very comparable except among a small number of advanced post-industrial democracies. We call attention to the use of value measurements to explain important macro-level phenomena.
The Ethiopian Revolution after 40 Years (1974–2014)
Authors: Abbink Jon
Published: August 2015

In this article, I reflect on the sociopolitical impact and memory construction of the Ethiopian revolution of 1974. Decades have passed and a new political leadership has reshaped Ethiopian society after the demise of the Ethiopian revolutionary regime in May 1991, but the effects are still felt. The violent political drama of the 1970s and 1980s redefined the Ethiopian political tradition and the practices of (political) violence in the light of new revolutionary ideologies, mainly imported from abroad. The post-1991 regime has shown a particular way of handling the aftermath of the 1974 events, but evinces a number of continuities with the ideologies and practices of that era – if only because all participants and current rulers were part of the same revolutionary (student) generation. The regime presently in power is thus partly a successor regime to the “socialist” regime, having started with largely a similar socioeconomic and Marxist-ideological program. At least in one central aspect, the two regimes differ: in their practical response to the “nationalities question.” The handling of this issue after 1991 by the current regime of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front – Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (EPRDF-TPLF) has confirmed that today we in fact may see “Plan B” of the 1974 revolution being consolidated. We analyze the two strains of the Ethiopian revolution and comment on the how and why of their different paths since 1974.
Full-movement neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves plantar flexor spasticity and ankle active dorsiflexion in stroke patients: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Wang Yong-hui , Meng Fei , Zhang Yang , Xu Mao-yu , Yue Shou-wei
Published: August 2015

Objective:

To investigate whether full-movement neuromuscular electrical stimulation, which can generate full range of movement, reduces spasticity and/or improves motor function more effectively than control, sensory threshold—neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and motor threshold—neuromuscular electrical stimulation in sub-acute stroke patients.

Design:

A randomized, single-blind, controlled study.

Setting:

Physical therapy room and functional assessment room.

Participants:

A total of 72 adult patients with sub-acute post-stroke hemiplegia and plantar flexor spasticity.

Method:

Patients received 30-minute sessions of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the motor points of the extensor hallucis and digitorum longus twice a day, five days per week for four weeks.

Measures:

Composite Spasticity Scale, Ankle Active Dorsiflexion Score, and walking time in the Timed Up and Go Test were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and at two-week follow-up.

Results:

After four weeks of treatment, when comparing interclass pretreatment and posttreatment, only the full-movement neuromuscular electrical stimulation group had a significant reduction in the Composite Spasticity Scale (mean % reduction = 19.91(4.96)%, F = 3.878, p < 0.05) and improvement in the Ankle Active Dorsiflexion Score (mean scores = 3.29(0.91), F = 3.140, p < 0.05). Furthermore, these improvements were maintained two weeks after the treatment ended. However, there were no significant differences in the walking time after four weeks of treatment among the four groups (F = 1.861, p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

Full-movement neuromuscular electrical stimulation with a stimulus intensity capable of generating full movement can significantly reduce plantar flexor spasticity and improve ankle active dorsiflexion, but cannot decrease walking time in the Timed Up and Go Test in sub-acute stroke patients.
Does facilitated Advance Care Planning reduce the costs of care near the end of life? Systematic review and ethical considerations
Authors: Klingler Corinna , in der Schmitten Jürgen , Marckmann Georg
Published: August 2015

Background:

While there is increasing evidence that Advance Care Planning has the potential to strengthen patient autonomy and improve quality of care near the end of life, it remains unclear whether it could also reduce net costs of care.

Aim:

This study aims to describe the cost implications of Advance Care Planning programmes and discusses ethical conflicts arising in this context.

Design:

We conducted a systematic review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.

Data sources:

We systematically searched the databases PubMed, NHS EED, EURONHEED, Cochrane Library and EconLit. We included empirical studies (no limitation to study type) that investigated the cost implications of Advance Care Planning programmes involving professionally facilitated end-of-life discussions.

Results and discussion:

Seven studies met our inclusion criteria. Four of them used a randomised controlled design, one used a before-after design and two were observational studies. Six studies found reductions in costs of care ranging from USD1041 to USD64,827 per patient, depending on the study period and the cost measurement. One study detected no differences in costs. Studies varied considerably regarding the Advance Care Planning intervention, patient selection and costs measured which may explain some of the variations in findings.

Normative appraisal:

Looking at the impact of Advance Care Planning on costs raises delicate ethical issues. Given the increasing pressure to reduce expenditures, there may be concerns that cost considerations could unduly influence the sensitive communication process, thus jeopardising patient autonomy. Safeguards are proposed to reduce these risks.

Conclusion:

The limited data indicate net cost savings may be realised with Advance Care Planning. Methodologically robust trials with clearly defined Advance Care Planning interventions are needed to make the costs and returns of Advance Care Planning transparent.
Brain glucose metabolism in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients as assessed with FDG-PET: impact on outcome and chemotherapy effects
Authors: Adams Hugo JA , de Klerk John MH , Fijnheer Rob , Heggelman Ben GF , Dubois Stefan V , Nievelstein Rutger AJ , Kwee Thomas C
Published: August 2015

Background

There is a lack of data on the effect of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) therapy on brain glucose metabolism of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, as measured by 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Moreover, the prognostic value of brain glucose metabolism measurements is currently unknown.

Purpose

To investigate the use of FDG-PET for measurement of brain glucose metabolism in R-CHOP-treated DLBCL patients, and to assess its prognostic value.

Material and Methods

This retrospective study included DLBCL patients who underwent FDG-PET including the brain. FDG-PET metabolic volume products (MVPs) of the entire brain, cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum were measured, before and after R-CHOP therapy. Whole-body total lesion glycolysis (TLG) was also measured.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were included, of whom 18 had an appropriate end-of-treatment FDG-PET scan. There were no significant differences ( P > 0.199) between pre- and post-treatment brain glucose metabolism metrics. Low basal ganglia MVP was associated with a significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) ( P = 0.020 and P = 0.032), and low cerebellar MVP was associated with a significantly worse OS ( P = 0.034). There were non-significant very weak correlations between pretreatment brain glucose metabolism metrics and TLG. In the multivariate Cox regression, only the National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) remained an independent predictor of PFS (hazard ratio 3.787, P = 0.007) and OS (hazard ratio 2.903, P = 0.0345).

Conclusion

Brain glucose metabolism was not affected by R-CHOP therapy. Low pretreatment brain glucose metabolism was associated with a worse outcome, but did not surpass the predictive value of the NCCN-IPI.
What Is Suspicious When Trying to be Inconspicuous? Criminal Intentions Inferred From Nonverbal Behavioral Cues
Authors: Koller Corinne I. , Wetter Olive E. , Hofer Franziska
Published: August 2015

The present study investigates whether nonverbal behavioral cues to hidden criminal intentions during the build-up phase of a criminal act can be measured. To this end, we created recordings of actors once in a search situation and once committing a mock crime (theft or bomb placing) in a public crowded area. For ecological validation, we used authentic CCTV footage of real crimes in Experiment 1. In this experiment, the two behavioral clusters pattern of movement in space and nonverbal communication behavior were analyzed. The results showed a deviance in pattern of movement in space for offenders’ compared with the nonoffenders’ condition as well as a bystanders’ baseline. There was no significant difference between nonverbal communication behavior in the offenders’ and nonoffenders’ conditions. Experiment 2 was conducted to examine the two behavior clusters use of object- and self-adaptors while controlling for interpersonal differences. The results showed an increased use of object- and decreased use of self-adaptors during the build-up phase of a mock crime compared with a control condition (search). Thus, nonverbal behavior of offenders seems to differ from nonverbal behavior of nonoffenders. However, this holds only under the conditions of a valid baseline and of judging not only a single, typical behavioral cue but a whole cluster of nonverbal behaviors, such as pattern of movement in space or use of object-adaptors in general.
The rhetorical devices for marketing and branding Johannesburg as a city: a critical review
Authors: Sihlongonyane Mfaniseni Fana
Published: August 2015

Since the founding of the city of Johannesburg in 1886, the city has taken up the quest to project a modernist image whose meaning has an international reach and a local foundation. In this endeavor, its locational advantages, product (gold), ethnicity (African), race, and class (notwithstanding the interconnections of these factors) has been used as part of the branding narratives of the city. However, the use of these factors has been closely shaped by the political ideologies of the day. While the brand imaginary of the apartheid government was largely Euro-modernist and dependent on the use of locational, product, and racial influences, the post-apartheid vision has been Afromodern relying on the fusion of global and African images informed by ethnicity and class. Whereas the two governments had political systems that differ widely on ideological grounds, both have had to contend with the indelible influence of the global market in the production of the city's brand narratives. The paper traces the different trajectories of image/branding narratives of the city from its founding to the present. Consequently, it posits the theoretical argument that a global-African imaginary as a form of African modernity is the driving force for the branding of Johannesburg. The goal of the paper is not to assess the effectiveness of the marketing campaigns but to gain insights into the city's self-reflective efforts at re-imagining the city's identity as captured in branding texts through a critical and interpretive approach. The paper presents an Afro-modernity that is relational and inclusively intercultural but perverted by the hegemonic impact of neoliberal policy and its adverse articulations of globalization.
Proposing a Benchmark Based on Vehicle Collision Data in Racial Profiling Research
Authors: Withrow Brian L. , Williams Howard
Published: August 2015

Estimating the racial and ethnic proportions within a constantly changing population of drivers is difficult. Commonly called benchmarks, these estimates are the basis upon which researchers determine the potential for racial profiling. Most benchmarks do not consider the effect driving frequency has on exposure to routine police supervision. Furthermore, racial profiling research has a tendency to focus on overrepresentation at the expense of underrepresentation. This research demonstrates the use of a benchmark based on vehicle collision data. Benchmarks based on these data are more valid and reliable and enable researchers to consider driving frequency and the potential for disengagement.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward? Difficulties and Dilemmas With Connecting Hate Crime Policy and Research
Authors: Garland Jon
Published: August 2015

This article will assess the difficulties and misunderstandings that prevent hate crime academics and practitioners from working together more productively. It will be argued that many of these problems stem from the different occupational cultures across the two spheres, which can generate varying expectations, values, and practices that exacerbate problems in working relationships. Some of these difficulties relate to differing understandings of what hate crime actually is and how to counter it. The article suggests that by gaining in-depth knowledge of each other’s working methods and outputs, perhaps by being involved in formal and informal joint projects that necessitate flexibility and the development of shared approaches, academics and practitioners can devise more nuanced interventions that deal with the harms of hate crime more effectively.