bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity with insulin resistance increase thrombosis in wild-type and bone marrow-transplanted Zucker fatty rats
Authors: Vera Rodrigo Hernández , Vilahur Gemma , Badimon Lina
Published: December 2012

Obesity induces metabolic and inflammatory alterations that contribute to the presentation of cardiovascular events. Although obesity is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and vascular disease, its role on thrombosis has not been directly explored. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which obesity affects thrombosis. Thrombus formation was monitored by real-time intravital microscopy in Zucker Fatty rats (ZF) and lean controls (ZC). Crossed bone marrow (BM) transplants between ZF and ZC were performed. Intravital microscopy showed that ZF had significantly shorter occlusion times (OTs) than ZC, reflecting a three-fold higher thrombotic risk. Transplantation of ZC-BM to ZF recipients significantly reduced thrombosis, reducing their thrombotic risk to one third of that observed in non-transplanted ZF. Wild-type ZF showed increased platelet counts and increased platelet size compared to wild-type ZC and platelet number remained unaltered after transplantation. However, ZF-BM produced a significant increase in platelet size in ZC recipients. Thrombotic risk was found to be inversely correlated with both weight and insulin levels and directly correlated to HOMA-IR, while platelet number and size were directly correlated with weight. Thus, our data shows that obesity with insulin resistance significantly increases thrombosis and that alterations in BM-derived cells significantly contribute to this prothrombotic behaviour. Importantly, the reduction of insulin resistance was associated with reduced thrombotic risk even in the presence of obesity.
Toronto Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Genotype Score for Prediction of a Positive Genotype in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gruner Christiane , Ivanov Joan , Care Melanie , Williams Lynne , Moravsky Gil , Yang Hua , Laczay Balint , Siminovitch Katherine , Woo Anna , Rakowski Harry
Published: December 2012

Background—

Genotyping in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has gained increasing attention in the past decade. Its major role is for family screening and rarely influences decision-making processes in any individual patient. It is associated with substantial costs, and cost-effectiveness can only be achieved in the presence of high-detection rates for disease-causing sarcomere protein gene mutations. Therefore, our aim was to develop a score based on clinical and echocardiographic variables that allows prediction of the probability of a positive genotype.

Methods and Results—

Clinical and echocardiographic variables were collected in 471 consecutive patients undergoing genetic testing at a tertiary referral center between July 2005 and November 2010. Logistic regression for a positive genotype was used to construct integer risk weights for each independent predictor variable. These were summed for each patient to create the Toronto hypertrophic cardiomyopathy genotype score. A positive genotype was found in 163 of 471 patients (35%). Independent predictors with associated-risk weights in parentheses were as follows: age at diagnosis 20 to 29 (−1), 30 to 39 (−2), 40 to 49 (−3), 50 to 59 (−4), 60 to 69 (−5), 70 to 79 (−6), ≥80 (−7); female sex (4); arterial hypertension (−4); positive family history for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (6); morphology category (5); ratio of maximal wall thickness:posterior wall thickness <1.46 (0), 1.47 to 1.70 (1), 1.71 to 1.92 (2), 1.93 to 2.26 (3), ≥2.27 (4). The model had a receiver operator curve of 0.80 and Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit
P
=0.22.

Conclusions—

The Toronto genotype score is an accurate tool to predict a positive genotype in a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cohort at a tertiary referral center.
A Validated Risk Score to Predict Outcomes after Carotid Stenting
Authors: Hoke Matthias , Ljubuncic Elmir , Steinwender Clemens , Huber Kurt , Minar Erich , Koppensteiner Renate , Leisch Franz , Dick Petra , Kerschner Klaus , Schillinger Martin , Hofmann Robert , Niessner Alexander
Published: December 2012

Background—

Periprocedural outcome has been extensively investigated in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting. However, risk factors contributing to long-term mortality have not been comprehensively assessed. We aimed to establish a validated clinical risk score for long-term mortality in patients after carotid artery stenting.

Methods and Results—

Two independent cohorts after successful carotid artery stenting (602 and 552 patients) were prospectively investigated. Multivariable Cox regression and bootstrap variable selection were used to select the best-fitting multivariable model. The mortality rate was 35% in the derivation and 39% in the validation cohort during a median follow-up of 6.5 and 7.4 years, respectively. The following variables were identified as most robust risk factors in the derivation cohort: age, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, relative lymphocyte count, prothrombin time, peripheral artery disease, and contralateral carotid occlusion. A weighted multimarker risk score yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.79 in the derivation (
P
<0.001) and of 0.69 (
P
<0.001) in the validation cohort. In comparison, the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for single risk factors were 0.67 and 0.63, respectively. For optimal clinical use, a simplified risk score was also developed, which discriminated very well from very low to very high risk. The risk of all-cause mortality ranged from 8% for a score of 1 to 93% for a score of 7 (
P
<0.001) in the derivation and from 11% to 100% in the validation cohort (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

A multimarker risk score outperformed the prognostic value of single risk factors for the prediction of long-term mortality.
The Quality and Impact of Risk Factor Control in Patients With Stable Claudication Presenting for Peripheral Vascular Interventions
Authors: Ardati Amer K. , Kaufman Samuel R. , Aronow Herbert D. , Nypaver Timothy J. , Bove Paul G. , Gurm Hitinder S. , Grossman P. Michael
Published: December 2012

Background—

Peripheral arterial disease is a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and is predictive of future cardiovascular events. Clinical trial data have demonstrated that medical therapy can attenuate cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease. The utilization and impact of recommended medical therapy in a contemporary population of patients who undergo percutaneous interventions for lifestyle-limiting peripheral arterial disease is unknown.

Methods and Results—

Using the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium Peripheral Vascular Intervention (BMC2 PVI) database, we identified 1357 peripheral vascular intervention encounters between January 2007 and December 2009 for the purpose of treating claudication. Before the intervention, 85% of these patients used aspirin, 76% used statin, 65% abstained from smoking, and 47% did all 3. There was no difference in cardiovascular events among those taking an aspirin and a statin on admission and those who were not. However, in both an unadjusted and a multivariable analysis, the odds of an adverse peripheral vascular outcome (repeat peripheral intervention, amputation, or limb salvage surgery) within 6 months decreased by more than half in patients receiving aspirin and statin therapy before peripheral vascular intervention as compared with those who received neither (odds ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.29–0.71).

Conclusions—

The fundamental elements of medical therapy in patients with lifestyle-limiting claudication are often underutilized before referral for revascularization. Appropriate medical therapy before percutaneous revascularization is associated with fewer peripheral vascular events at 6 months.
Hospital Case Volume and Appropriate Prescriptions at Hospital Discharge After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Schiele François , Capuano Frédéric , Loirat Philippe , Desplanques-Leperre Armelle , Derumeaux Geneviève , Thebaut Jean-François , Gardel Christine , Grenier Catherine
Published: December 2012

Background—

In acute myocardial infarction, the relationship between volume and quality indicators (QIs) is poorly documented. Through a nationwide assessment of QIs at discharge repeated for 3 years, we aimed to quantify the relationship between volume and QIs in survivors after acute myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

Almost all healthcare centers in France participated. Medical records were randomly selected. Data collection was performed by an independent group. QIs for acute myocardial infarction were defined by an expert consensus group as appropriate prescription at discharge of aspirin, clopidogrel, β-blocker, statin, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <0.40. A composite QI was calculated through the use of the all-or-none method. Volume was classified into 7 categories based on the number of admissions for acute myocardial infarctions in 2008 (centers with <10 acute myocardial infarctions were excluded). Odds ratios adjusted for age and sex with 95% confidence interval for volume categories were calculated by use of logistic regression for each QI. Temporal changes were tested in centers that participated in all 3 campaigns. A total of 46 390 records were examined: 18 159 in 2008, 12 837 in 2009, and 15 394 in 2010. Two hundred ninety-one centers were eligible for the temporal analysis. There was a significant increase between 2008 and 2009 in appropriate prescription of antiplatelet agents, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, statins at discharge, and the composite indicator. Similarly, a significant increase was observed between 2009 and 2010 in appropriate prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and β-blockers and in the composite QI. Compared with a volume of >300, a significantly lower rate of all QIs was observed in centers with the lowest volume. Odds ratios progressively decreased with increasing volume. Despite a significant increase in the composite QI over the 3 years, a significant relationship persisted between volume and quality of care.

Conclusions—

Analysis of QIs at discharge demonstrates the existence of a relationship between volume and appropriate prescriptions at discharge. Centers with the highest volume perform better on quality measures than centers with lower volumes. Temporal analysis over 3 consecutive years confirms this relationship and shows that it persists despite improvement in QIs between 2008 and 2010.
Allogenicity of Human Cardiac Stem/Progenitor Cells Orchestrated by Programmed Death Ligand 1
Authors: Lauden Laura , Boukouaci Wahid , Borlado Luis R. , López Itziar Palacios , Sepúlveda Pilar , Tamouza Ryad , Charron Dominique , Al-Daccak Reem
Published: December 2012

Rationale:

Transplantation of allogeneic cardiac stem/progenitor cells (CPC) in experimental myocardial infarction promoted cardiac regeneration and improved heart function. Although this has enhanced prospects of using allogeneic CPC for cardiac repair, the mechanisms regulating the behavior of these allogeneic cells, which are central to clinical applications, remain poorly understood.

Objective:

T cells orchestrate the allogeneic adaptive immune response. Therefore, to provide insight into the mechanisms regulating the immunologic behavior of human CPC (hCPC), we investigated the allogeneic T-cell response elicited by cryopreserved c-kit–selected hCPC.

Methods and Results:

By using an experimental model of allogeneic stimulation, we demonstrate that, whether under inflammatory conditions or not, hCPC do not trigger conventional allogeneic Th1 or Th2 type responses but instead induce proliferation and selective expansion of suppressive CD25
high
CD127
low
human leukocyte antigen-DR
+
FoxP3
high
effector regulatory T cells. The regulatory T-cell proliferation and amplification were dependent on the interaction with the B7 family member programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is substantially expressed on hCPC and increased under inflammatory conditions. Thus, hCPC in allogeneic settings acquire the capacity to downregulate an ongoing immune response, which was dependent on PD-L1.

Conclusions:

Collectively, these data reveal that hCPC in allogeneic settings have a tolerogenic immune behavior, promoting a contact PD-L1–dependent regulatory response and a PD-L1–dependent allogeneic-driven immunomodulation. Our study attributes an important role for PD-L1 in the immune behavior of allogeneic hCPC and raises the possibility of using PD-L1 expression as a marker to identify and select low-risk high-benefit allogeneic cardiac repair cells.
Remodeling of the Axon Initial Segment After Focal Cortical and White Matter Stroke
Authors: Hinman Jason D. , Rasband Matthew N. , Carmichael S. Thomas
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose—

Recovery from stroke requires neuroplasticity within surviving adjacent cortex. The axon initial segment (AIS) is the site of action potential initiation and a focal point for tuning of neuronal excitability. Remodeling of the AIS may be important to neuroplasticity after stroke.

Methods—

Focal cortical stroke in forelimb motor cortex was induced by photothrombosis and compared with sham controls. White matter stroke was produced through stereotactic injection of a vasoconstrictor together with biotinylated dextran amine to retrogradely label injured cortical neurons. AIS length, morphology and number were measured using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy 2 weeks after stroke.

Results—

Within the peri-infarct cortex and after white matter stroke, AIS length decreases. This shortening is accompanied by altered AIS morphology. In peri-infarct cortex, the decrease in AIS length after stroke occurs from the distal end of the AIS, resulting in a Nav1.6. γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-α2 subunit staining at axoaxonic synapses along the AIS is significantly decreased. In addition, a significant increase in small, immature initial segments is present in layers 2/3 of peri-infarct cortex, reflecting maturation of axonal sprouting and new initial segments from surviving neurons.

Conclusions—

Stroke alters the compartmental morphology of surviving adjacent neurons in peri-infarct cortex and in neurons whose distal axons are injured by white matter stroke. With a key role in modulation of neuronal excitability, these changes at the AIS may contribute to altered neuronal excitability after injury and prove crucial to increasing neuroplasticity in surviving tissue affected by stroke.
Characteristics of Ischemic Brain Lesions After Stenting or Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
Authors: Gensicke Henrik , Zumbrunn Thomas , Jongen Lisa M. , Nederkoorn Paul J. , Macdonald Sumaira , Gaines Peter A. , Lyrer Philippe A. , Wetzel Stephan G. , van der Lugt Aad , Mali Willem P. Th. M. , Brown Martin M. , van der Worp H. Bart , Engelter Stefan T. , Bonati Leo H.
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose—

In a substudy of the International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS), more patients had new ischemic brain lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after stenting (CAS) than after endarterectomy (CEA). In the present analysis, we compared characteristics of diffusion-weighted MRI lesions.

Methods—

Number, individual and total volumes, and location of new diffusion-weighted MRI lesions were compared in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis randomized to CAS (n=124) or CEA (n=107) in the ICSS-MRI substudy.

Results—

CAS patients had higher lesion numbers than CEA patients (1 lesion, 15% vs 8%; 2–5 lesions, 19% vs 5%; >5 lesions, 16% vs 4%). The overall risk ratio for the expected lesion count with CAS versus CEA was 8.8 (95% confidence interval, 4.4–17.5;
P
<0.0001) and significantly increased among patients with lower blood pressure at randomization, diabetes mellitus, stroke as the qualifying event, left-side stenosis, and if patients were treated at centers routinely using filter-type protection devices during CAS. Individual lesions were smaller in the CAS group than in the CEA group (
P
<0.0001). Total lesion volume per patient did not differ significantly. Lesions in the CAS group were more likely to occur in cortical areas and subjacent white matter supplied by leptomeningeal arteries than lesions in the CEA group (odds ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.7–10.2;
P
=0.002).

Conclusions—

Compared with patients undergoing CEA, patients treated with CAS had higher numbers of periprocedural ischemic brain lesions, and lesions were smaller and more likely to occur in cortical areas and subjacent white matter. These findings may reflect differences in underlying mechanisms of cerebral ischemia.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.isrctn.org
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN25337470.
Self-Report of Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack, or Stroke Symptoms and Risk of Future Stroke in the Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study
Authors: Judd Suzanne E. , Kleindorfer Dawn O. , McClure Leslie A. , Rhodes J. David , Howard George , Cushman Mary , Howard Virginia J.
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose—

History of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are documented risk factors for subsequent stroke and all-cause mortality. Recent reports suggest increased risk among those reporting stroke symptoms absent stroke or TIA. However, the relative magnitude of increased stroke risk has not been described across the symptomatic spectrum: (1) asymptomatic, (2) stroke symptoms (SS) only, (3) TIA, (4) distant stroke (DS), and (5) recent stroke (RS).

Methods—

Between 2003 and 2007, the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study enrolled 30 239 black and white Americans ≥45 years of age. DS and RS were defined as self-report of physician diagnosis of stroke >5 or <5 years before baseline, respectively. SS was defined as a history of any of 6 sudden onset stroke symptoms absent TIA/stroke diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier and proportional hazards analysis were used to contrast stroke risk differences.

Results—

Over 5.0±1.72 years of follow-up, 737 strokes were validated. Compared with asymptomatic persons, those with SS, TIA, DS, and RS all had increased risk of future stroke. After adjustment for age, race, sex, income, education, alcohol intake, current smoking, and a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia, there was 1.20-fold (not statistically significant) increased stroke risk for SS (95% CI, 0.96–1.51), 1.73-fold for TIA (95% CI, 1.27–2.36), 2.23-fold for DS (95% CI, 1.61– 3.09), and 2.85-fold for RS (95% CI, 2.16–3.76).

Conclusions—

Results suggest a spectrum of risk from stroke symptoms to TIA, DS, and RS, and imply a need for establishing these categories in health screenings to manage risk for future stroke, reinforcing the clinical importance of stroke history including the presence of stroke symptoms.
On a Natural Environment for Glaciogenic Cloud Seeding
Authors: Morrison Anthony E. , Siems Steven T. , Manton Michael J.
Published: December 2012

A “climatology” of supercooled cloud tops is presented for southeastern Australia and the western United States, where historic glaciogenic cloud-seeding trials have been located. The climatology finds that supercooled cloud tops are common over the mountainous region of southeastern Australia and Tasmania (SEAT). Regions where cloud-seeding trials reported positive results coincide with a higher likelihood of observing supercooled cloud tops. Maximum absolute frequencies (AFs) occur ∼40% of the time during winter. There is a relationship between the underlying orography and the likelihood of observing supercooled liquid water (SLW)-topped clouds. Regions of the United States that have been the subject of cloud-seeding trials show lower AFs of SLW-topped clouds. The maximum is located over the Sierra Nevada and occurs ∼20% of the time during winter (Sierra Cooperative Pilot Project). These sites are on mountains with peaks higher than any found in SEAT (>3000 m). For the Sierra Nevada, the AF of SLW-topped clouds decreases as the elevation increases, with glaciation occurring at the higher elevations. The remote sensing of supercooled cloud tops is not proof of a region’s amenability for glaciogenic cloud seeding. This study simply highlights the significant environmental differences between historical cloud-seeding regions in the United States and Australia, suggesting that it is not reasonable to extrapolate results from one region to another. Without in situ cloud microphysical measurements, in-depth knowledge of the timing and duration of potentially seedable events, or knowledge of the synoptic forcing of such events, it is not possible to categorize a region’s potential for precipitation augmentation operations.
Improvement of Multimodel Ensemble Seasonal Prediction Skills over East Asian Summer Monsoon Region Using a Climate Filter Concept
Authors: Lee Doo Young , Ahn Joong-Bae , Ashok Karumuri
Published: December 2012

The authors propose the use of a “climate filter” concept to enhance prediction skill of a multimodel ensemble (MME) suite for the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) precipitation and temperature at 850 hPa. The method envisages grading models on the basis of the degree of reproducibility of the association of EASM variability with a few relevant climate drivers with the respective model hindcasts for the period 1981–2003. The analysis identifies the previous winter Niño-3.4 and spring North Atlantic Oscillation indices as the most suitable climate drivers in designing a climate filter for evaluating models that replicate the observed teleconnections to EASM well. The results show that the hindcast skills of a new MME with the better-performing models are significantly higher than those from the nonperforming models or from an all-inclusive operational MME.
On the Signatures of Equatorial and Extratropical Wave Forcing in Tropical Tropopause Layer Temperatures
Authors: Grise Kevin M. , Thompson David W. J.
Published: December 2012

Temperatures in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) play an important role in stratosphere–troposphere exchange and in the formation and maintenance of thin cirrus clouds. Many previous studies have examined the contributions of extratropical and equatorial waves to the TTL using coarse-vertical-resolution satellite and reanalysis data. In this study, the authors provide new insight into the role of extratropical and equatorial waves in the TTL using high-vertical-resolution GPS radio occultation data.

The results examine the influence of four different wave forcings on the TTL: extratropical waves that propagate vertically into the stratosphere, extratropical waves that propagate meridionally into the subtropical stratosphere, extratropical waves that propagate meridionally into the subtropical troposphere, and the equatorial planetary waves. The vertically and meridionally propagating extratropical stratospheric waves are associated with deep, zonally symmetric temperature anomalies that extend and amplify with height throughout the lower-to-middle tropical stratosphere. In contrast, the extratropical tropospheric waves and the equatorial planetary waves are associated with tropical temperature anomalies that are confined below 20-km altitude. The equatorial planetary waves dominate the zonally asymmetric component of the TTL temperature field, and both the equatorial planetary waves and the extratropical tropospheric waves are linked to large temperature variability in a 1–2-km-deep layer near the tropical tropopause. The fine vertical scale of the TTL temperature features associated with the equatorial planetary waves and the extratropical tropospheric waves is only readily apparent in high-vertical-resolution data.
Sensitivity of Twenty-First-Century Global-Mean Steric Sea Level Rise to Ocean Model Formulation
Authors: Hallberg Robert , Adcroft Alistair , Dunne John P. , Krasting John P. , Stouffer Ronald J.
Published: December 2012

Two comprehensive Earth system models (ESMs), identical apart from their oceanic components, are used to estimate the uncertainty in projections of twenty-first-century sea level rise due to representational choices in ocean physical formulation. Most prominent among the formulation differences is that one (ESM2M) uses a traditional z-coordinate ocean model, while the other (ESM2G) uses an isopycnal-coordinate ocean. As evidence of model fidelity, differences in twentieth-century global-mean steric sea level rise are not statistically significant between either model and observed trends. However, differences between the two models’ twenty-first-century projections are systematic and both statistically and climatically significant. By 2100, ESM2M exhibits 18% higher global steric sea level rise than ESM2G for all four radiative forcing scenarios (28–49 mm higher), despite having similar changes between the models in the near-surface ocean for several scenarios. These differences arise primarily from the vertical extent over which heat is taken up and the total heat uptake by the models (9% more in ESM2M than ESM2G). The fact that the spun-up control state of ESM2M is warmer than ESM2G also contributes by giving thermal expansion coefficients that are about 7% larger in ESM2M than ESM2G. The differences between these models provide a direct estimate of the sensitivity of twenty-first-century sea level rise to ocean model formulation, and, given the span of these models across the observed volume of the ventilated thermocline, may also approximate the sensitivities expected from uncertainties in the characterization of interior ocean physical processes.
Current Capability of Operational Numerical Models in Predicting Tropical Cyclone Intensity in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Yu Hui , Chen Peiyan , Li Qingqing , Tang Bi
Published: December 2012

Forecasts of tropical cyclone (TC) intensity from six operational models (three global models and three regional models) during 2010 and 2011 are assessed to study the current capability of model guidance in the western North Pacific. The evaluation is performed on both Vmax and Pmin from several aspects, including the relative error, skill assessment, category score, the hitting rate of trend, and so on. It is encouraging to see that the models have had some skills in the prediction of TC intensity, including that two of them are better than a statistical baseline in Vmax at several lead times and three of them show some skill in intensity change. With dissipated cases included, all the models have skills in category and trend forecasting at lead times longer than 24 h or so. The model forecast errors are found to be significantly correlated with initial error and the observed initial intensity. A statistical calibration scheme for model forecasting is proposed based on such an attribute, which is more effective for Pmin than Vmax. The statistically calibrated model forecasts are important in setting up a skillful multimodel consensus, for either the mean or the statistically weighted mean. The Vmax forecasts converted from the calibrated Pmin consensus based on a statistical wind–pressure relationship show significant skill over the baseline and a skillful scheme is also proposed to deal with the delay of the model forecasts in operation.
Hurricane Eyewall Slope as Determined from Airborne Radar Reflectivity Data: Composites and Case Studies
Authors: Hazelton Andrew T. , Hart Robert E.
Published: December 2012

Understanding and predicting the evolution of the tropical cyclone (TC) inner core continues to be a major research focus in tropical meteorology. Eyewall slope and its relationship to intensity and intensity change is one example that has been insufficiently studied. Accordingly, in this study, radar reflectivity data are used to quantify and analyze the azimuthal average and variance of eyewall slopes from 124 flight legs among 15 Atlantic TCs from 2004 to 2011. The slopes from each flight leg are averaged into 6-h increments around the best-track times to allow for a comparison of slope and best-track intensity. A statistically significant relationship is found between both the azimuthal mean slope and pressure and between slope and wind. In addition, several individual TCs show higher correlation between slope and intensity, and TCs with both relatively high and low correlations are examined in case studies. In addition, a correlation is found between slope and radar-based eye size at 2 km, but size shows little correlation with intensity. There is also a tendency for the eyewall to tilt downshear by an average of approximately 10°. In addition, the upper eyewall slopes more sharply than the lower eyewall in about three-quarters of the cases. Analysis of case studies discusses the potential effects on eyewall slope of both inner-core and environmental processes, such as vertical shear, ocean heat content, and eyewall replacement cycles. These results indicate that eyewall slope is an important measure of TC inner-core structure, and may prove useful for future study of the processes that drive changes in the TC core.
Partial reform of partial defences: Developments in England and Wales
Authors: Quick Oliver , Wells Celia
Published: December 2012

The offences of murder and manslaughter have been the subject of several Law Commission reviews in England and Wales but no wholesale reform. The two major difficulties with the law of murder have been the continuing commitment to the mandatory penalty and the impossibility of capturing culpability in a nuanced way through the mechanics of the mental element of ‘intention to cause death or serious bodily harm’. The long accepted solution to these difficulties has been the use of partial defences of diminished responsibility and provocation to reduce murder to manslaughter in some circumstances, despite the defendant clearly having satisfied the mental element. In 2006, the Law Commission proposed a new architecture of homicide offences which would have resulted in partial defence killings being in the second of three categories of killing. This would have located them in the same bracket as killings accompanied by either intention to cause serious injury or an intention to cause injury coupled with a serious risk of causing death. Rather than adopt this new scheme, the government fast tracked reform of partial defences but retained the current bifurcation between murder and manslaughter. While diminished responsibility was retained, albeit cast in slightly different terms, provocation was replaced by a defence of ‘loss of control’. In this article we analyse these changes, consider the statutory consolidation of the law of self-defence, and point up the continuing incoherence and confusion in this area.
Rites vs rights: Female genital cutting at the crossroads of local values and global norms
Authors: Imoh Afua Twum-Danso
Published: December 2012

Although culture is frequently advanced as a key obstacle to children’s rights in Africa, the reality of people’s lives shows that the outlook of many communities incorporates both local and global values. This is becoming particularly evident in the case of female genital cutting which is being adapted by practising communities or abandoned altogether despite the fact that it is informed by deeply rooted socio-cultural ideologies. Hence, this article seeks to explore the various ways communities in Africa are trying to adapt long-held values while also maintaining the essence of their culture with regards to female genital cutting.
The Structural Properties of Sustainable, Continuous Change
Authors: Håkonsson Dorthe Døjbak , Klaas Peter , Carroll Timothy N.
Published: December 2012

Recent studies show that the relationship between structure and inertia in changing environments may be more complex than previously held and that the theoretical logics tying inertia with flexibility and efficiency remain incomplete. Using a computational model, this article aims to clarify this relationship by exploring what structural properties enable continuous change in inertia-generating organizations and what their performance consequences are in dynamic environments. The article has three main findings: First, employing managers who anticipate change is not enough to generate continuous change; it is also necessary to raise both the rate of responsiveness and desired performance. Second, continuous change increases average organizational performance and reduces its variation. Third, organizations’ capacity for continuous change is counterintuitively limited by the organizations’ capacity to build inertia. These are important insights, because they suggest that with the right design, organizations may be both more flexible and reliable than commonly believed.
Pain Catastrophizing is Associated with Dental Pain in a Stressful Context
Authors: Lin C.-S. , Niddam D.M. , Hsu M.-L. , Hsieh J.-C.
Published: December 2012

Pain is associated with anxiety in a dental setting. It has remained unclear how cognitive-affective factors modulate pain and anxiety in a stressful context, such as receiving dental procedures. We hypothesized that both the situational factor (unpredictability about painful stimuli) and the trait factor (pain catastrophizing, i.e., the tendency to interpret pain in negative orientation) account for dental pain. Fifteen healthy participants were recruited to perform an associative learning task. They were asked to learn the pairing between visual cues and the intensity of incoming painful stimuli delivered at the right upper central incisor. Brain activation associated with pain was recorded by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The participants reported increased anxiety and pain in the stressful context, where stimuli intensity was not predicted by the preceding cue. The score of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale was positively correlated with the increased pain modulated by unpredictability. Brain activation at the right posterior hippocampus, a region critically related to associative learning of aversive stimuli and context, was correlated with the individual catastrophizing level. Our findings suggest that both the situational factor (unpredictability) and the trait factor (catastrophizing) influence dental pain, highlighting the role of cognitive-affective factors in pain control of dental patients.
School Motivation in Secondary Schools
Authors: Aerts Saskia , Van Houtte Mieke , Dewaele Alexis , Cox Nele , Vincke John
Published: December 2012

This study focuses on the school motivation of LGB (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) students in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, a fairly LGB-friendly country. The authors hypothesize that LGB students in Flemish secondary schools are less motivated for school than heterosexual students because they experience less sense of school belonging and more discrimination. In addition, the authors investigate minority-specific factors that could influence the school motivation of LGB students. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses are performed on data from 1,745 secondary school students. The impact of minority stressors on the school motivation of LGB students is examined with hierarchical multiple regression analyses on data from 162 LGB students. Both analyses show that lesbian girls are less motivated to perform in school, but sense of belonging, perceived discrimination, and minority stressors do not explain this finding. Alternative explanations for these results and implications for further research are discussed.
Analyzing the Origins of Life-Course-Persistent Offending
Authors: Barnes J. C.
Published: December 2012

Moffitt’s developmental taxonomy has sparked much attention among criminologists interested in explaining the etiology of life-course-persistent (LCP) offending. The taxonomy suggests that genetic factors influence LCP offending, that genetic risk factors will be mediated by neuropsychological deficits, and that genetic factors interact with environmental factors to influence LCP offending. Various behavior genetic methodologies were used to estimate the genetic influence on LCP offending, to determine whether these genetic factors were mediated by the presence of neuropsychological deficits, and to control for genetic factors while simultaneously estimating the impact of numerous environmental influences. The findings suggested that genetic factors influence persistent offending and that these influences are partially mediated by levels of self-control. No parental influences predicted persistent offending after controlling for genetic effects, no Gene × Environment interactions were found, and few environmental influences operated as a nonshared environmental predictor of persistent offending.
Detecting False Positives in A-B Designs
Authors: Krueger Tyler K. , Rapp John T. , Ott Lisa M. , Lood Elizabeth A. , Novotny Marissa A.
Published: December 2012

This study evaluated the probability of generating false positives with A-B graphs. We generated 1,000 graphs consisting of three stable A-phase data points at 25% and three random B-phase data points; 1,000 graphs consisting of three stable A-phase data points at 50% and three random B-phase data points; and 1,000 graphs consisting of three random A-phase data points and three random B-phase data points. Results indicate that false positives were produced for (a) a relatively high percentage of graphs containing nonrandom data points in the A phase and (b) less than 2% of graphs containing random data points in both the A and B phases. These findings suggest that A-B designs may be a stronger clinical tool for evaluating the effects of interventions than previously recognized.
Factors Shaping Physicians’ Willingness to Accommodate Medication Requests
Authors: Arney Jennifer , Street Richard L. , Naik Aanand D.
Published: December 2012

Medical decisions, including physicians’ prescribing behaviors, are shaped by a complex interplay of clinical and nonclinical factors. We aim to determine how physician, patient, and relationship characteristics influence physicians’ decisions to accommodate brand-name prescription drug requests. We applied multivariate logistic regression to data from the Attitudinal and Behavioral Effects of Direct-to-Consumer Promotion of Prescription Drugs physician survey. We used a national probability sample of 500 primary care and specialty physicians reporting on a clinical encounter that involved a prescription drug request. Independent variables include physician’s assessment of the patient’s understanding of risks and benefits of a requested medication, whether the patient had the condition the drug treats, duration of the clinical relationship, and physician’s age, area of practice, years of experience, and gender. These variables were used to predict whether the physician prescribed the requested drug. Physicians were more willing to accommodate requests when they believed that patients had a clear understanding of the drug’s risks and when patients had the condition the drug treats. Primary care practitioners, compared to specialists, had higher odds of prescribing a requested drug. We conclude that clinical and communicative factors shape physicians’ decisions to prescribe requested brand-name drugs. Findings offer insight into the influence that direct-to-consumer advertising can have in medical encounters, and may guide efforts to enhance physician–patient communication and shared decision making.
Using Histopathological Changes as a Biomarker to Trace Contamination Loading of Musa Creeks (Persian Gulf)
Authors: Salamat Negin , Soleimani Zahra , Safahieh Alireza , Savari Ahmad , Ronagh Mohammad Taghi
Published: December 2012

Gill histological changes were used as a biomarker to evaluate the health of yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus latus ( A. latus), collected from different sites in Musa Creeks including: (A) Petrochemical, (B) Jaafari, (C) Ghazaleh, (D) Majidieh, and (E) Zangi creeks. Also Genaveh with relatively clean water was selected as reference. The gills of 60 A. latus were fixed in Bouin’s solution for 12 hr, dehydrated in a graded series of ethanol, and embedded in paraffin. Five micrometer thick sections were stained in H&E and Periodic Acid Schiff for microscopic examination. Also, the presence of gill histological alterations was assessed by the histopathologic alteration index (HAI). The gill morphological abnormalities include mucus secretion increase, debris, blood plaque, and shortening of filaments. The gill pathological changes included lamellar cells hyperplasia, aneurysm, lamellar fusion, and epithelial lifting. The HAI means were varied from moderate to severe in sites A and B, thus these sites are considered as being of low quality. Some severe pathological alterations were observed in site D, but their distribution was lower than sites A and B. The least HAI means of sites C and E demonstrated their good environmental quality. The results suggest that there is close relation between amounts of pathological alterations and environmental contamination.
Naturally Occurring Parelaphostrongylus tenuis–Associated Choriomeningitis in a Guinea Pig With Neurologic Signs
Authors: Southard T. , Bender H. , Wade S. E. , Grunenwald C. , Gerhold R. W.
Published: December 2012

An adult male guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus) with a 1-month history of hind limb paresis, torticollis, and seizures was euthanized and submitted for necropsy. Gross examination was unremarkable, but histologic examination revealed multifocal eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic choriomeningitis and cross sections of nematode parasites within the leptomeninges of the midbrain and diencephalon. Morphologic features of the nematode were consistent with a metastrongyle, and the parasite was identified as Parelaphostrongylus tenuis by polymerase chain reaction testing and nucleotide sequencing. Further questioning of the owner revealed that the guinea pig was fed grass from a yard often grazed by white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a naturally occurring P. tenuis infection in a guinea pig.
A Primer for the Design of Practice Manuals
Authors: Galinsky Maeda J. , Fraser Mark W. , Day Steven H. , Richman Jack M.
Published: December 2012

Treatment manuals are increasingly being used to guide interventions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. However, little is known about best practices in designing manuals. We describe a process that provides for the development of manuals and specifies the means by which manuals can be adapted for practice conditions and constraints. Manual development is conceptualized as comprising four systematic and recursive stages: (a) formulation, (b) revision, (c) differentiation, and (d) translation. We discuss issues and challenges in developing manuals that are responsive to a range of factors that influence social work practice, including advances in knowledge, the influence of evidence-based practice, the needs of individual clients, and contingencies linked to organizational policies, procedures, and leadership.
Focusing on the Future
Authors: Kim Mihyeon
Published: December 2012

Career development serves as a lifelong process requiring constant personal development of skills and knowledge. This article introduces a career development program, Focusing on the Future, designed for high-ability middle and high school students and their parents, and examines responses to open-ended questions related to the perceived benefits and effects of the program. Focusing on the Future is an annual career-related conference held by the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary. The program was designed to help gifted students and their parents engage in career planning and develop specific career plans. This study found different needs for career development for middle and high school students, and recommendations from the responses of participants are provided separately for middle school students, high school students, and their parents.
Effect of baking of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and frying of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) in olive and sunflower oil on their quality
Authors: Zotos Anastasios , Kotaras Akylas , Mikras Emmanouil
Published: December 2012

Quality changes due to oven-baking of sardine for 20, 40, 50 and 60 min and due to deep frying of anchovy for 2, 3, 4 and 5 min in olive and sunflower oil were studied. Linear increase in total losses with the time of processing was observed. A linear inverse relationship was observed between moisture/lipid and moisture/protein due to time of baking of sardines and time of frying of anchovies (wet matter). However, no changes were detected in sardine samples due to time of baking (dry matter), while a reduction in proteins and ash followed by an increase in lipids was detected in fried anchovies due to time of frying (dry matter). The fatty acid profiles indicated that a rich in EPA + DHA (33.16%) and in ω-3/ω-6 ratio (9.40) baked sardines can be produced in 20 min at 200 °C. The fatty acid profiles of fried anchovies tremendously changed, indicating entirely different products. Olive oil is probably a better medium to fry fish products, since either the two beneficial fatty acids (EPA and DHA) detected at higher concentrations in anchovies fried in olive oil or the ω-3/ω-6 ratio remained at higher values (0.71–2.56). An increase of cholesterol and squalene content with increasing the time of baking was detected in sardine samples, probably due to decline of moisture content. On the contrary, cholesterol significantly reduced due to frying of anchovy in olive oil. Simultaneously squalene concentration significantly and linearly increased, from 3.87 mg/100 g in the unprocessed anchovies to 73.25 mg/100 g in the samples fried for 5 min, indicating its existence at beneficial levels, besides low cholesterol concentration detected in fried olive oil and squalene concentration gradually and linearly decreased, confirming the absorption from the anchovy samples. Similar was the changes of cholesterol and squalene in anchovies samples fried in sunflower oil.
“Silent” monologues, “loud” dialogues and the emergence of hibernated I-positions in the negotiation of multivoiced cultural identities
Authors: Prokopiou Evangelia , Cline Tony , de Abreu Guida
Published: December 2012

Drawing on dialogical self theory (Hermans, 2001) and employing a case study approach, this article aims to provide insights into the dialogical processes through which two British-born siblings of Pakistani background construct and negotiate their cultural identities. The analysis suggests that both young people were moving towards their multivoiced cultural identities through a constant positioning and re-positioning within their communities, which resulted in dialogical negotiation of aspects of differences/similarities and belonging within their majority and minority communities as well as living in a multicultural society. When their negotiation is a struggle shaped by issues of racism and religious discrimination, two opposing processes are constructed, a dynamic dialogical and a monological one. We introduce the notion of hibernated I-positions as a resource to deal with rapid change, threat and uncertainty. I-positions that are inactive, or are in a hibernated state and silenced, are always available to re-emerge and become engaged in a new dialogue to help retain identity continuity. In this article, we challenge linear assumptions which assume that all immigrant groups undergo the same kind of psychological acculturation process.