bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LncRNA Expression Discriminates Karyotype and Predicts Survival in B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Fernando Thilini R. , Rodriguez-Malave Norma I. , Waters Ella V. , Yan Weihong , Casero David , Basso Giuseppe , Pigazzi Martina , Rao Dinesh S.
Published: February 2015

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been found to play a role in gene regulation with dysregulated expression in various cancers. The precise role that lncRNA expression plays in the pathogenesis of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is unknown. Therefore, unbiased microarray profiling was performed on human B-ALL specimens, and it was determined that lncRNA expression correlates with cytogenetic abnormalities, which was confirmed by qRT-PCR in a large set of B-ALL cases. Importantly, high expression of BALR-2 correlated with poor overall survival and diminished response to prednisone treatment. In line with a function for this lncRNA in regulating cell survival, BALR-2 knockdown led to reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and increased sensitivity to prednisolone treatment. Conversely, overexpression of BALR-2 led to increased cell growth and resistance to prednisone treatment. Interestingly, BALR-2 expression was repressed by prednisolone treatment and its knockdown led to upregulation of the glucocorticoid response pathway in both human and mouse B cells. Together, these findings indicate that BALR-2 plays a functional role in the pathogenesis and/or clinical responsiveness of B-ALL, and that altering the levels of particular lncRNAs may provide a future direction for therapeutic development.

Implications: lncRNA expression has the potential to segregate the common subtypes of B-ALL, predict the cytogenetic subtype, and indicate prognosis. Mol Cancer Res; 13(5); 839–51. ©2015 AACR.
Lack of Effect of Metformin on Mammary Carcinogenesis in Nondiabetic Rat and Mouse Models
Authors: Thompson Matthew D. , Grubbs Clinton J. , Bode Ann M. , Reid Joel M. , McGovern Renee , Bernard Philip S. , Stijleman Inge J. , Green Jeffrey E. , Bennett Christina , Juliana M. Margaret , Moeinpour Fariba , Steele Vernon E. , Lubet Ronald A.
Published: February 2015

Epidemiologic studies have shown that diabetics receiving the biguanide metformin, as compared with sulfonylureas or insulin, have a lower incidence of breast cancer. Metformin increases levels of activated AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and decreases circulating IGF-1; encouraging its potential use in both cancer prevention and therapeutic settings. In anticipation of clinical trials in nondiabetic women, the efficacy of metformin in nondiabetic rat and mouse mammary cancer models was evaluated. Metformin was administered by gavage or in the diet, at a human equivalent dose, in standard mammary cancer models: (i) methylnitrosourea (MNU)-induced estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) mammary cancers in rats, and (ii) MMTV-Neu/p53KO ER− (estrogen receptor–negative) mammary cancers in mice. In the MNU rat model, metformin dosing (150 or 50 mg/kg BW/d, by gavage) was ineffective in decreasing mammary cancer multiplicity, latency, or weight. Pharmacokinetic studies of metformin (150 mg/kg BW/d, by gavage) yielded plasma levels (Cmax and AUC) higher than humans taking 1.5 g/d. In rats bearing small palpable mammary cancers, short-term metformin (150 mg/kg BW/d) treatment increased levels of phospho-AMPK and phospho-p53 (Ser20), but failed to reduce Ki67 labeling or expression of proliferation-related genes. In the mouse model, dietary metformin (1,500 mg/kg diet) did not alter final cancer incidence, multiplicity, or weight. Metformin did not prevent mammary carcinogenesis in two mammary cancer models, raising questions about metformin efficacy in breast cancer in nondiabetic populations. Cancer Prev Res; 8(3); 231–9. ©2015 AACR.
Prevention of Tumor Growth Driven by PIK3CA and HPV Oncogenes by Targeting mTOR Signaling with Metformin in Oral Squamous Carcinomas Expressing OCT3
Authors: Madera Dmitri , Vitale-Cross Lynn , Martin Daniel , Schneider Abraham , Molinolo Alfredo A. , Gangane Nitin , Carey Thomas E. , McHugh Jonathan B. , Komarck Christine M. , Walline Heather M. , William William N. , Seethala Raja R. , Ferris Robert L. , Gutkind J. Silvio
Published: February 2015

Most squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) exhibit a persistent activation of the PI3K–mTOR signaling pathway. We have recently shown that metformin, an oral antidiabetic drug that is also used to treat lipodystrophy in HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals, diminishes mTOR activity and prevents the progression of chemically induced experimental HNSCC premalignant lesions. Here, we explored the preclinical activity of metformin in HNSCCs harboring PIK3CA mutations and HPV oncogenes, both representing frequent HNSCC alterations, aimed at developing effective targeted preventive strategies. The biochemical and biologic effects of metformin were evaluated in representative HNSCC cells expressing mutated PIK3CA or HPV oncogenes (HPV+). The oral delivery of metformin was optimized to achieve clinical relevant blood levels. Molecular determinants of metformin sensitivity were also investigated, and their expression levels were examined in a large collection of HNSCC cases. We found that metformin inhibits mTOR signaling and tumor growth in HNSCC cells expressing mutated PIK3CA and HPV oncogenes, and that these activities require the expression of organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3/SLC22A3), a metformin uptake transporter. Coexpression of OCT3 and the mTOR pathway activation marker pS6 were observed in most HNSCC cases, including those arising in HIV+ patients. Activation of the PI3K–mTOR pathway is a widespread event in HNSCC, including HPV− and HPV+ lesions arising in HIV+ patients, all of which coexpress OCT3. These observations may provide a rationale for the clinical evaluation of metformin to halt HNSCC development from precancerous lesions, including in HIV+ individuals at risk of developing HPV− associated cancers. Cancer Prev Res; 8(3); 197–207. ©2015 AACR.
Common Genetic Variants and Response to Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: Shoemaker M. Benjamin , Bollmann Andreas , Lubitz Steven A. , Ueberham Laura , Saini Harsimran , Montgomery Jay , Edwards Todd , Yoneda Zachary , Sinner Moritz F. , Arya Arash , Sommer Philipp , Delaney Jessica , Goyal Sandeep K. , Saavedra Pablo , Kanagasundram Arvindh , Whalen S. Patrick , Roden Dan M. , Hindricks Gerhard , Ellis Christopher R. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Darbar Dawood , Husser Daniela
Published: February 2015

Background—

Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at chromosomes 4q25 (rs2200733, rs10033464 near
PITX2
), 1q21 (rs13376333 in
KCNN3
), and 16q22 (rs7193343 in
ZFHX3
) have consistently been associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Single-center studies have shown that 4q25 risk alleles predict recurrence of AF after catheter ablation of AF. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that these 4 AF susceptibility SNPs modulate response to AF ablation.

Methods and Results—

Patients underwent de novo AF ablation between 2008 and 2012 at Vanderbilt University, the Heart Center Leipzig, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The primary outcome was 12-month recurrence, defined as an episode of AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia lasting >30 seconds after a 3-month blanking period. Multivariable analysis of the individual cohorts using a Cox proportional hazards model was performed. Summary statistics from the 3 centers were analyzed using fixed effects meta-analysis. A total of 991 patients were included (Vanderbilt University, 245; Heart Center Leipzig, 659; and Massachusetts General Hospital, 87). The overall single procedure 12-month recurrence rate was 42%. The overall risk allele frequency for these SNPs ranged from 12% to 35%. Using a dominant genetic model, the 4q25 SNP, rs2200733, predicted a 1.4-fold increased risk of recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio,1.3 [95% confidence intervals, 1.1–1.6];
P
=0.011). The remaining SNPs, rs10033464 (4q25), rs13376333 (1q21), and rs7193343 (16q22) were not significantly associated with recurrence.

Conclusions—

Among the 3 genetic loci most strongly associated with AF, the chromosome 4q25 SNP rs2200733 is significantly associated with recurrence of atrial arrhythmias after catheter ablation for AF.
Effect of Catheter Ablation and Periprocedural Anticoagulation Regimen on the Clinical Course of Migraine in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With or Without Pre-Existent Migraine
Authors: Mohanty Sanghamitra , Mohanty Prasant , Rutledge J. Neal , Di Biase Luigi , Yan Rachel Xue , Trivedi Chintan , Santangeli Pasquale , Bai Rong , Cardinal Deb , Burkhardt J. David , Gallinghouse Joseph G. , Horton Rodney , Sanchez Javier E. , Bailey Shane , Hranitzky Patrick M. , Zagrodzky Jason , Al-Ahmad Amin , Natale Andrea
Published: February 2015

Background—

We examined the influence of catheter ablation and periprocedural anticoagulation regimen on trajectory of migraine in atrial fibrillation patients with or without migraine history.

Methods and Results—

Forty patients with (group 1: 64±8 years; men 78%) and 85 (group 2: 61±10 years; men 73%) without migraine history undergoing atrial fibrillation-ablation were enrolled. Migraine status and quality of life were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging of brain was performed for all at pre and 24 hours post procedure. Catheter ablation was performed with (88, 70%) or without (37, 30%) continuous warfarin treatment. Fifty-four patients (11 and 43 from groups 1 and 2, respectively) had subtherapeutic international normalized ratio on procedure day. At 17±5 months follow-up, from group 1, 25 (63%) reported no migraine, 10 (25%) had <1, and 3 (8%) had 2 to 3 monthly symptoms. Intensity of pain decreased from baseline 7 (Q1–Q3, 4–8) to 2 (0–4) scale points at follow-up (
P
<0.001) and duration of headache from median 8 (Q1–Q3, 4–15) to 0.5 (Q1–Q3, 0–2) hours (
P
<0.001). Two patients from group 1 reported increased migraine severity and 2 from group 2 had new-onset migraine. Follow-up diffusion magnetic resonance imaging revealed new infarcts in 9.6% (12/125) patients; of which 11 had subtherapeutic preprocedural international normalized ratio on or off continuous warfarin. Quality of life improved significantly in patients with successful ablation, being more pronounced in group 1.

Conclusions—

In most patients, migraine symptoms improved substantially after catheter ablation. Interestingly, the only cases of new migraine and aggravation of pre-existent headache had subtherapeutic international normalized ratio during the procedure and new cerebral infarcts.
Core Isolation of Critical Arrhythmia Elements for Treatment of Multiple Scar-Based Ventricular Tachycardias
Authors: Tzou Wendy S. , Frankel David S. , Hegeman Timothy , Supple Gregory E. , Garcia Fermin C. , Santangeli Pasquale , Katz David F. , Sauer William H. , Marchlinski Francis E.
Published: February 2015

Background—

Radiofrequency ablation of multiple or unmappable ventricular tachycardias (VTs) remains a challenge with unclear end points. We present our experience with a new strategy isolating core elements of VT circuits.

Methods and Results—

Patients with structural heart disease presenting for VT radiofrequency ablation at 2 centers were included. Strategy involved entrainment/activation mapping if VT was hemodynamically stable, and voltage mapping with electrogram analysis and pacemapping. Core isolation (CI) was performed incorporating putative isthmus and early exit site(s) based on standard criteria. If VT was noninducible, the dense scar (<0.5 mV) region was isolated. Successful CI was defined by exit block (20 mA at 2 ms) within the isolated region. VT inducibility was also assessed. Forty-four patients were included (mean age, 63; 95% male; 73% ischemic cardiomyopathy; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 31%; 68% with multiple unstable VTs [mean, 3+2]). CI area was 11+12 versus 55+40 cm
2
total scar area. Additional substrate modification was performed in 27 (61%), and epicardial radiofrequency ablation was performed in 4 (9%) patients. CI was achieved in 37 (84%) and led to better VT-free survival (log rank
P
=0.013).

Conclusions—

CI is a novel strategy with a discrete and measurable end point beyond VT inducibility to treat patients with multiple or unmappable VTs. The CI region can be selected based on standard characterization of suspected VT isthmus surrogates thus limiting ablation target size. Exit block within the isolated area is achievable in most and may further improve long-term success.
Usefulness of Global Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain for Risk Stratification in Low Ejection Fraction, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Dahou Abdellaziz , Bartko Philipp Emanuel , Capoulade Romain , Clavel Marie-Annick , Mundigler Gerald , Grondin Samuel Larue , Bergler-Klein Jutta , Burwash Ian , Dumesnil Jean G. , Sénéchal Mario , O’Connor Kim , Baumgartner Helmut , Pibarot Philippe
Published: February 2015

Background—

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured at rest and at dobutamine stress echocardiography on the outcome of patients with low LV ejection fraction and low-gradient aortic stenosis.

Methods and Results—

Among the 202 patients with low LV ejection fraction (≤40%), low-gradient aortic stenosis (mean transvalvular gradient <40 mm Hg and indexed aortic valve area ≤0.6 cm
2
/m
2
) prospectively enrolled in the multicenter True or Pseudo-Severe Aortic Stenosis study, 126 patients with resting GLS and 73 patients with stress GLS available were included in this substudy. Three-year survival rate was 49% in patients with rest GLS <|9|% compared with 68% in patients with GLS >|9|% (
P
=0.02). In a multivariable Cox model adjusted for age, coronary artery disease, projected aortic valve area at a normal flow rate and type of treatment (aortic valve replacement versus conservative), rest GLS <|9|% (hazard ratio, 2.18;
P
=0.015) remained independently associated with all-cause mortality. GLS <|10|% measured during dobutamine stress echocardiography was also independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 2.67;
P
=0.01). In the subset of patients with stress GLS (n=73), the χ
2
of the multivariable model to predict all-causes mortality was 21.96 for stress GLS versus 17.78 for rest GLS.

Conclusions—

GLS is independently associated with mortality in patients with low LV ejection fraction, low-gradient aortic stenosis. Stress GLS measured during dobutamine stress echocardiography may provide incremental prognostic value beyond GLS measured at rest. Hence, measurement of GLS at rest and during dobutamine stress echocardiography may be helpful to enhance risk stratification in low LV ejection fraction, low-gradient aortic stenosis.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01835028.
Cognitive Function in Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest After Target Temperature Management at 33°C Versus 36°C
Authors: Lilja Gisela , Nielsen Niklas , Friberg Hans , Horn Janneke , Kjaergaard Jesper , Nilsson Fredrik , Pellis Tommaso , Wetterslev Jørn , Wise Matt. P. , Bosch Frank , Bro-Jeppesen John , Brunetti Iole , Buratti Azul Forti , Hassager Christian , Hofgren Caisa , Insorsi Angelo , Kuiper Michael , Martini Alice , Palmer Nicki , Rundgren Malin , Rylander Christian , van der Veen Annelou , Wanscher Michael , Watkins Helen , Cronberg Tobias
Published: February 2015

Background—

Target temperature management is recommended as a neuroprotective strategy after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Potential effects of different target temperatures on cognitive impairment commonly described in survivors have not been investigated sufficiently. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether a target temperature of 33°C compared with 36°C was favorable for cognitive function; the secondary aim was to describe cognitive impairment in cardiac arrest survivors in general.

Methods and Results—

Study sites included 652 cardiac arrest survivors originally randomized and stratified for site to temperature control at 33°C or 36°C within the Target Temperature Management trial. Survival until 180 days after the arrest was 52% (33°C, n=178/328; 36°C, n=164/324). Survivors were invited to a face-to-face follow-up, and 287 cardiac arrest survivors (33°C, n=148/36°C, n=139) were assessed with tests for memory (Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test), executive functions (Frontal Assessment Battery), and attention/mental speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test). A control group of 119 matched patients hospitalized for acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction without cardiac arrest performed the same assessments. Half of the cardiac arrest survivors had cognitive impairment, which was mostly mild. Cognitive outcome did not differ (
P
>0.30) between the 2 temperature groups (33°C/36°C). Compared with control subjects with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, attention/mental speed was more affected among cardiac arrest patients, but results for memory and executive functioning were similar.

Conclusions—

Cognitive function was comparable in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest when a temperature of 33°C and 36°C was targeted. Cognitive impairment detected in cardiac arrest survivors was also common in matched control subjects with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction not having had a cardiac arrest.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01946932.
Trends in Endovascular Therapy and Clinical Outcomes Within the Nationwide Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Registry
Authors: Menon Bijoy K. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Goyal Mayank , Nogueira Raul , Prabhakaran Shyam , Liang Li , Xian Ying , Hernandez Adrian F. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Schwamm Lee , Smith Eric E.
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

We sought to determine hospital and patient characteristics associated with the use of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke and to analyze trends in clinical outcome.

Methods—

Data were from Get With The Guidelines-Stroke hospitals from April 1, 2003, to June 30, 2013. We looked at trends in number of hospitals providing endovascular therapy, the use of endovascular therapy in these hospitals and clinical outcomes. We analyzed hospital and patient characteristics associated with endovascular therapy use.

Results—

Of 1087 hospitals, 454 provided endovascular therapy to ≥1 patient in the study period. From 2003 to 2012, proportion of hospitals providing endovascular therapy increased by 1.6% per year (from 12.9% to 28.9%;
P
<0.0001), with a modest drop to 23.4% in 2013. Utilization of endovascular therapy increased from 0.7% to 2% (
P
<0.001) with a modest drop to 1.9% in 2013. The overall rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage among endovascular therapy treated patients was 9.7%. In multivariable analyses, patient outcomes after endovascular therapy improved over time, with reductions in in-hospital mortality (29.6% in 2004 to 16.2% in 2013;
P
=0.002); and from late 2010, reduction in symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (11% in 2010 to 5% in 2013;
P
<0.0001), increased independent ambulation at discharge (24.5% in 2010 to 33% in 2013;
P
<0.0001) and discharge home (17.7% in 2010 to 26.1% in 2013;
P
<0.0001). Trends for these outcomes persist in the analyses adjusted for baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale.

Conclusion—

The use of endovascular therapy increased modestly nationally from 2003 to 2012 and decreased in 2013. Clinical outcomes improved notably from 2010 to 2013, coincident with more experience and newer thrombectomy devices.
Psychotherapy use in bipolar disorder: Association with functioning and illness severity
Authors: Sylvia Louisa G , Thase Michael E , Reilly-Harrington Noreen A , Salcedo Stephanie , Brody Benjamin , Kinrys Gustavo , Kemp David , Shelton Richard C , McElroy Susan L , Kocsis James H , Bobo William V , Kamali Masoud , McInnis Melvin , Friedman Edward , Tohen Mauricio , Bowden Charles L , Ketter Terence A , Singh Vivek , Calabrese Joseph , Nierenberg Andrew A , Rabideau Dustin J , Elson Constance M , Deckersbach Thilo
Published: February 2015

Objective:

This study examines characteristics of individuals with bipolar disorder who sought psychotherapy versus those who did not.

Methods:

Bipolar CHOICE was an 11-site comparative effectiveness study of lithium versus quetiapine in symptomatic outpatients ( N = 482) with bipolar disorder. At baseline, participants’ psychotherapy use within the past 3 months, mood, functioning, and overall health were assessed. Logistic regressions were used to test whether psychotherapy users and non-users differed on various demographic and clinical variables at baseline. Mixed-effects regression was used to determine whether psychotherapy groups differed on response to treatment over the 6-month study. Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests were employed to test whether there were any differences in time to recovery (CGI-BP ≤ 2 for at least 8 weeks) between the groups.

Results:

Thirty one percent of participants reported using psychotherapy services. Psychotherapy users reported greater medication side effect burden than non-users and were more likely to have moderate to high suicide risk and at least one anxiety disorder. Participants not utilizing medications or psychotherapy had greater mania symptom severity, were younger, and less educated than medication only users. Medication only users were more likely to be married than the other participants.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that a minority of individuals with bipolar disorder attend psychotherapy services, and those that do have greater illness burden.
Framing Dynamically Changing Firm–Stakeholder Relationships in an International Dispute Over a Foreign Investment
Authors: Lehtimaki Hanna , Kujala Johanna
Published: February 2015

Stakeholder literature tends to presume that effective stakeholder dialogue, occurring directly or indirectly, among a focal firm, local communities, governments, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) is desirable for successful firm–stakeholder relationships. Even if theoretically desirable, effective dialogue does not always occur. There are two key theory-informing lessons in Botnia’s Fray Bentos successful green field pulp mill investment and start-up in Western Uruguay. First, critics could not halt the project politically supported by Uruguay in an expanding multi-party international dispute. Second, the Botnia corporate communications process did not succeed in building consensus relationships, and attention was not paid to discourse creating shared meanings among all stakeholders. Participatory relationships were few, and successful dialogue was at best limited to supporters. This article uses discursive analysis to examine how newspaper and press release texts and language used therein both shaped and reflected the dynamically changing nature of firm–stakeholder relations in the Fray Bentos dispute. Despite the focal firm’s professed good intentions to create participatory relationships with its stakeholders during the building project, various stakeholders opposed the project and Botnia was caught in the crossfire of heated debate between Uruguay and Argentina. Three different frames changing over time are identified: (a) the investment frame, (b) the conflict frame, and (c) the political frame. The analysis shows that the relationships between the focal firm and stakeholders involved many meanings only partly shared, due in part to a lack of corporate appreciation for the role of language in managing firm–stakeholder relationships.
Trans Men’s Positive Emotions
Authors: Budge Stephanie L. , Orovecz Joe J. , Thai Jayden L.
Published: February 2015

The current study used grounded theory methods to analyze trans men’s positive emotions. The sample included 11 participants who were assigned a female sex at birth and currently identify with a binary male identity. Results yielded eight positive emotion themes emerging for trans men, which included the following: confidence, comfort, connection, feeling alive, amazement, pride, happiness, and interpersonal reactionary emotions. Participants reported specific gender experiences within these themes, including a sense of brotherhood, excitement related to taking testosterone, authentic pride in identifying as a man, and happiness connected to others using correct gender language (e.g., pronouns, family labels, greetings). A theoretical model from the eight themes and 39 higher order categories emerged, indicating the importance of initial internal emotions, confidence related to trans men’s identity processes, and the ways in which positive interpersonal interactions affect positive emotions. Implications include using emotion-focused therapy and including more positivity into trans individuals’ experiences and emotions.
Sentencing Outcomes in U.S. District Courts
Authors: Franklin Travis W.
Published: February 2015

Numerous studies have examined the influence of offender characteristics on sentencing outcomes, yet little attention has been afforded to offenders’ educational attainment. The focal concerns theory provides reason to suspect that greater educational attainment may insulate offenders from the effects of criminal stereotypes linked to extralegal factors, including race/ethnicity, age, and sex. The current analysis employs a sample of 115,674 federal offenders to test this assumption on the in/out and sentence length decisions. Results of the in/out models demonstrate a general pattern where the effects of several extralegal factors (i.e., race, ethnicity, age, sex, and detention) are reduced, and in some cases fully moderated, by offenders’ educational attainment. This pattern, however, is not apparent during the sentence length decision.
Galileo's new mathematical philosophy
Authors: Peterson Mark A
Published: February 2015

Galileo's earliest mathematical work, on problems originating in literature and the arts, is closely related, thematically, to his late mathematical philosophy and the beginnings of modern physics. It is suggested that a key role in the transition from the early work to the late work, in which once seemingly isolated observations about the arts came to be seen as illustrations of a general and universal theory about the world, was played by one of Galileo's protégés, Niccolò Aggiunti, a person almost lost to history.
Effect of the type of fiber (coconut, eucalyptus, or pine) and compatibilizer on the properties of extruded composites of recycled high density polyethylene
Authors: Naldony Patrícia , Flores-Sahagun Thais HS , Satyanarayana Kestur G
Published: February 2015

Because of the growing interest in recycling agro-industrial materials to address both environmental concerns and add value to products, this paper reports experiments to develop composites using recycled high density polyethylene and three lignocellulosic fiber powders. The composites were processed with and without compatibilizer by extrusion and characterized. The melt flow index, mechanical properties, and water absorption of composites with compatibilizer varied with the type of fibers, with composites having eucalyptus fiber showing the best results for flexural and compressive strength and water absorption. However, no significant gain in flexural and compressive strengths was observed in composites containing coconut fibers and those without compatibilizer. Screw-holding strength and hardness values were highest in composites containing coconut fibers. The mechanical properties can be explained based on morphology and fractographic studies of composites. Linear thermal coefficient values of all the composites were lower than those of the matrix due to the presence of fillers.
Torsional and cracking characteristics of steel fiber-reinforced oil palm shell lightweight concrete
Authors: Yap Soon Poh , Alengaram U Johnson , Jumaat Mohd Zamin , Khaw Kuan Ren
Published: February 2015

The study presents the investigations of the torsional behavior and crack resistance of a sustainable lightweight oil palm shell (OPS) concrete. In the comparison between the OPS concrete (OPSC) and normal weight concrete (NWC), the torsional failure of the NWC was sudden and brittle, while the OPSC exhibited post-cracking behavior. The second part of the study examines the effect of steel fibers of 0.25–1.00% in the OPSC to produce OPS fiber-reinforced concrete (OPSFRC). Improved mechanical properties and reduced brittleness were reported in the OPSFRC mixes. The addition of 1% steel fibers in the OPSC-100 mix produced the highest compressive and flexural strengths of 47 MPa and 8.2 MPa, respectively. The steel fibers up to 1% enhanced the ultimate torque, torsional toughness, and twist at failure of the OPSFRC specimens by 60%, 1000%, and 550%, respectively. The addition of steel fibers significantly improved the crack resistance of the OPSFRC specimens.
Experimental and numerical investigation of unbalanced boron/epoxy-aluminum single lap joints subjected to a corrosive environment
Authors: Papanicolaou GC , Charitidis PJ , Mouzakis DE , Jiga G
Published: February 2015

The present study focusses on the experimental and analytical investigation of unbalanced Boron/Epoxy-Aluminum 2024 T3 single lap joints subjected to tensile loading, after being exposed to a corrosive environment (salt spray chamber) in order to study its effects on their strength and failure. FM94, high strength adhesive, was used for bonding. Different overlap lengths have been tested and an extensive experimental analysis has been executed. A geometrically nonlinear, two-dimensional finite element analysis has been employed to determine the hydrostatic stress and the shear strain distribution across the two interfaces of the single-lap joints, for four different overlap lengths. The results mainly prove that the overlap length and the aging conditions directly affect the joint tensile strength, while an optimum value of the overlap length can be defined. The maximum shear and normal stresses are found to increase as the overlap length increases, but the lap shear strength is not proportional to the overlap length. A good agreement between finite element results and experimental findings was found.
The Role of Domestic Opposition and International Justice Regimes in Peaceful Transitions of Power
Authors: Nalepa Monika , Powell Emilia Justyna
Published: February 2015

This article considers how international criminal justice administered by the International Criminal Court (ICC) affects the possibility of negotiated, peaceful transitions of power in autocracies. We argue that a strong international criminal tribunal can deter dictators’ decisions to peacefully relinquish their power. It does so when the dictator in question has faced a relatively violent opposition, one that was ready to strike a deal with the dictator promising him amnesty in exchange for stepping down. Facing an opposition that “has skeletons in its closet,” the dictator will peacefully exit his office only under a weak ICC regime. We use a cross-national time-series data set spanning 1998 to 2007 to test our theory and find that under a weak ICC regime, the more skeletons the opposition has in its own closet, the more likely is the dictator to peacefully step down from office. Interestingly, this relationship holds, to a large extent, across various levels of dictator’s culpability. If the ICC is strong, the number of skeletons the opposition has in its closet has, for the most part, no effect on the dictator’s likelihood of stepping down.
Avoiding Obligation
Authors: Hill Daniel W.
Published: February 2015

This article examines the decisions of governments to enter reservations upon ratification of international human rights treaties. I argue that, in the context of the human rights regime, reservations are simply attempts to avoid international legal obligations where they would be consequential. I develop an explanation for their use that focuses on the following two factors: the legal constraints that already exist in domestic law and the likelihood that international agreements will be enforced by domestic courts. Using an original measure of domestic legal protection of civil, political, and personal integrity rights, I find evidence that governments are more likely to enter reservations when domestic legal standards are lax compared to those in the treaty and when judiciaries are likely to enforce treaty-based obligations. This suggests that full adoption of international human rights treaties is more likely when treaties will not create genuine domestic legal constraints and that explanations for treaty adoption and implementation must take reservations into account. It also suggests that adoption of international human rights law is best explained by the specific legal institutions that relate to domestic enforcement rather than broad distinctions between democratic/autocratic political institutions.
Political Exclusion, Oil, and Ethnic Armed Conflict
Authors: Asal Victor , Findley Michael , Piazza James A. , Walsh James Igoe
Published: February 2015

Why do members of some ethnic groups rebel against the state? One approach holds that groups subject to exclusion from national politics engage in armed conflict. We theorize that the presence of resource wealth moderates the effect of political exclusion. Ethnic groups subject to exclusion whose settlement area includes oil wealth are more likely to experience the onset of armed conflict than groups experiencing exclusion alone. We depart from the convention of cross-national analysis to examine subnational, geocoded units of analysis—ethnic group settlement areas—to better capture the impact of natural resource distribution. Using data on ethnic group political exclusion derived from the Ethnic Power Relations database and geo-coded indicators, we conduct a series of logistic regression analyses for the years 1946 to 2005. We find that exclusion alone increase the likelihood of conflict, while the presence of oil wealth further raises the risk of war.
When War Helps Civil–military Relations
Authors: Piplani Varun , Talmadge Caitlin
Published: February 2015

Coups remain a widespread and consequential political phenomenon, but it remains unclear whether interstate conflict protects leaders from the risk of coups or increases this risk. We theorize that interstate conflict—especially when it is prolonged—should protect domestic regimes from military overthrow by foreclosing many of the key pathways by which elites plot and execute coups. We test this argument using event history modeling. The evidence provides support for our claim that coup risk declines in the presence of enduring interstate conflict. Just as important, we detect no evidence that war increases coup risk.
Coordination, Learning, and Coups
Authors: Little Andrew T.
Published: February 2015

This article proposes a theory of coups that centers around coordination and learning. The military is modeled as many officers who only want to join a coup if others join as well (i.e., coordination). If the current regime has survived past coup attempts, it is common knowledge that it is relatively strong (i.e., learning). Combining these effects, once the regime survives the first period, officers know that the regime is strong enough that they may refrain from staging a coup—regardless of how dissatisfied they may become with the status quo—under the mutually enforcing expectation that no other officer will rebel. The model has other equilibria where coup attempts can occur after the first period, allowing for more detailed empirical predictions. The analysis highlights several reasons why new regimes are prone to coups, but among regimes surviving the initial turmoil, structural factors that would seem to predict coup attempts can have an ambiguous effect. The model also makes novel predictions about how the “initial conditions” of a regime as well as what kinds of changes to payoffs affect the likelihood of coups.
The Distinctive Effects of Empathy and Hope in Intractable Conflicts
Authors: Rosler Nimrod , Cohen-Chen Smadar , Halperin Eran
Published: February 2015

The goal of the current research was to examine how discrete positive intergroup emotional phenomena affect conflict-related attitudes in different contexts of intractable conflict. We hypothesized that empathy, but not hope would be negatively associated with aggressive attitudes during escalation, while hope, but not empathy would be associated with conciliatory attitudes during de-escalation. In study 1, we examined our hypotheses within a correlational design in an emotion-inducing context, while in study 2 a two-wave survey was conducted during real-life events within the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict; a peace summit as well as a war. Both studies supported our hypotheses, thus indicating the unique, yet complimentary, contribution of each of the two emotional phenomena to the advancement of peace.
Do Negotiation Interventions Matter? Resolving Conflicting Interests and Values
Authors: Harinck Fieke , Druckman Daniel
Published: February 2015

This study compared the effects of three interventions and a no-intervention control on the settlement of resource and value conflicts. These variables were arranged in a two (conflict issue: resources vs. values) by four (no intervention vs. other affirmation vs. shared identity vs. transaction costs) between-dyads design in which 127 dyads engaged in a negotiation task. Negotiators reached generally lower joint outcomes in the value conflict compared to the resource conflict, but after the other-affirmation intervention, this pattern was reversed. The shared-identity intervention did not result in higher joint outcomes for value conflicts. Stressing positive concern for the other negotiator may be a more effective strategy than stressing commonalities between the parties: increased concern for self and decreased defense of own opinions may account for this result. Forcing and logrolling behavior are shown to be mediating variables between the type of conflict and outcomes.
Molecular and Clinical Aspects of Drug-induced Gingival Overgrowth
Authors: Trackman P.C. , Kantarci A.
Published: February 2015

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is a tissue-specific condition and is estimated to affect approximately one million North Americans. Lesions occur principally as side-effects from phenytoin, nifedipine, or ciclosporin therapy in approximately half of the people who take these agents. Due to new indications for these drugs, their use continues to grow. Here, we review the molecular and cellular characteristics of human gingival overgrowth lesions and highlight how they differ considerably as a function of the causative drug. Analyses of molecular signaling pathways in cultured human gingival fibroblasts have provided evidence for their unique aspects compared with fibroblasts from the lung and kidney. These findings provide insights into both the basis for tissue specificity and into possible therapeutic opportunities which are reviewed here. Although ciclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth lesions exhibit principally the presence of inflammation and little fibrosis, nifedipine- and especially phenytoin-induced lesions are highly fibrotic. The increased expression of markers of gingival fibrosis, particularly CCN2 [also known as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)], markers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and more recently periostin and members of the lysyl oxidase family of enzymes have been documented in phenytoin or nifedipine lesions. Some oral fibrotic conditions such as leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis, after subsequent additional genetic damage, can develop into oral cancer. Since many pathways are shared, the study of gingival fibrosis and comparisons with characteristics and molecular drivers of oral cancer would likely enhance understandings and functional roles of molecular drivers of these oral pathologies.
Using social media to measure foreign policy dynamics
Authors: Zeitzoff Thomas , Kelly John , Lotan Gilad
Published: February 2015

Does social media reflect meaningful political competition over foreign policy? If so, what relationships can it reveal, and what are the limitations of its usage as data for scholars? These questions are of interest to both scholars and policymakers alike, as social media, and the data derived from it, play an increasingly important role in politics. The current study uses social media data to examine how foreign policy discussions about Israel–Iran are structured across different languages (English, Farsi, and Arabic) – a particularly contentious foreign policy issue. We use follower relationships on Twitter to build a map of the different networks of foreign policy discussions around Iran and Israel, along with data from the Iranian and Arabic blogosphere. Using social network analysis, we show that some foreign policy networks (English and Farsi Twitter networks) accurately reflect policy positions and salient cleavages (online behavior maps onto offline behavior). Others (Hebrew Twitter network) do not. We also show that there are significant differences in salience across languages (Farsi and Arabic). Our analysis accomplishes two things. First, we show how scholars can use social media data and network analysis to make meaningful inferences about foreign policy issues. Second, and perhaps more importantly, we also outline pitfalls and incorrect inferences that may result if scholars are not careful in their application.
Intravesical explosion during transurethral electrosurgery
Authors: Georgios Kallinikas , Evangelos Boulinakis , Helai Habib , Ioannis Gerzelis
Published: February 2015

Intravesical explosion is a very rare complication of transurethral resection of prostate and transurethral resection of bladder tumour operations. In vitro studies have shown that the gases produced during the procedure could result in a blast once they are mixed with air from the atmosphere. A 79-year-old male experienced an explosion in his bladder while undergoing a transurethral resection of bladder tumour. The case is presented as well as the way that it was treated as an emergency. Precautions of such events are finally suggested.
Transformations in identity, governance and planning: The case of the small city
Authors: James Katie , Thompson-Fawcett Michelle , Hansen Carsten Jahn
Published: February 2015

Cities that have transformed in response to socio-economic crises are a focus of theorists interested in identifying why changes are triggered and how they are played out. Stories of success add to knowledge of ‘fruitful’ city functioning. This paper examines how transformations in urban governance and planning can unfold in smaller cities by scrutinising the New Zealand city of Invercargill. The city underwent metamorphosis from a faded town with a negative image to one that has a new path despite isolation and small population. Leadership, networking and innovation have been key factors. The paper unveils how development fortunes on the global periphery can be reshaped by strong place leadership, revised connections between different tiers of policy making, and reframed processes of governance and planning.
Adrenalin Junkies
Authors: Brænder Morten
Published: February 2015

This article calls for military sociologists to contribute to the study of excitement motivation. Bravery has always played a dominant role in depictions of soldiers in popular culture, and the importance of concepts similar to excitement has been recognized in disciplines adjacent to sociology for decades. Given the transgressive nature of combat, we would intuitively expect soldiers to have their need for thrilling experiences satisfied during deployment, and hence their level of excitement motivation to have decreased when they return from war. However, the opposite seems to be the case. Soldiers return wanting more, and we lack a theoretical explanation why this is the case. This article starts closing this gap by offering one possible reason. And, most importantly, it calls for other researchers to offer other explanations as well. The explanation suggested here is that just like real drug addicts build up a physiological tolerance to narcotics, soldiers can become “adrenalin junkies” because their tolerance toward excitement is “pushed upward” by being exposed to danger. This explanation is tested, and finds partial support, using panel data with soldiers from two Danish companies, serving in Helmand, Afghanistan in 2011.
When the Model Fits the Frame
Authors: Bosone Lucia , Martinez Frédéric , Kalampalikis Nikos
Published: February 2015

In health-promotional campaigns, positive and negative role models can be deployed to illustrate the benefits or costs of certain behaviors. The main purpose of this article is to investigate why, how, and when exposure to role models strengthens the persuasiveness of a message, according to regulatory fit theory. We argue that exposure to a positive versus a negative model activates individuals’ goals toward promotion rather than prevention. By means of two experiments, we demonstrate that high levels of persuasion occur when a message advertising healthy dietary habits offers a regulatory fit between its framing and the described role model. Our data also establish that the effects of such internal regulatory fit by vicarious experience depend on individuals’ perceptions of response-efficacy and self-efficacy. Our findings constitute a significant theoretical complement to previous research on regulatory fit and contain valuable practical implications for health-promotional campaigns.
Overview of ICRP Committee 3 ‘Protection in Medicine’
Authors: Vañó E. , Miller D.L. , Rehani M.M.
Published: February 2015

According to the 2011–2017 strategic plan, Committee 3 develops recommendations and guidance for protection of patients, staff, and the public against radiation exposure when ionising radiation is used for medical diagnosis, therapy, or biomedical research. This paper presents an overview of the work that Committee 3 has accomplished in recent years and describes its current work. The International Commission on Radiological Protection reports dealing with radiological protection in medicine from 2000 to the present cover topics on education and training in radiological protection; preventing accidental exposures in radiation therapy; doses to patients from radiopharmaceuticals; radiation safety aspects of brachytherapy; release of patients after therapy with unsealed radionuclides; and managing radiation dose in interventional radiology, digital radiology, computed tomography, paediatrics, cardiology, and other medical specialties. Current work deals with radiological protection in ion beam therapy, occupational protection in brachytherapy, justification in imaging, radiological protection in cone-beam computed tomography, occupational protection in interventional procedures, diagnostic reference levels for diagnostic and interventional imaging, and an update of an earlier publication on doses to patients and staff from radiopharmaceuticals. Committee 3 is also involved in preparation of a document on effective dose and its use in medicine.
The ongoing significance of national media systems in the context of media globalization
Authors: Flew Terry , Waisbord Silvio
Published: February 2015

This article argues that the concept of national media systems, and the comparative study of media systems, institutions, and practices, retains relevance in an era of media globalization and technological convergence. It considers various critiques of ‘media systems’ theories, such as those which view the concept of ‘system’ as a legacy of an outdated positivism and those which argue that the media globalization is weakening the relevance of nation-states in structuring the field of media cultures and practices. It argues for the continuing centrality of nation-states to media processes, and the ongoing significance of the national space in an age of media globalization, with reference to case studies of Internet policies in China, Brazil, and Australia. These studies indicate that nation-states remain critical actors in media governance and that domestic actors largely shape the central dynamics of media policies, even where media technologies and platforms enable global flows of media content.