bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silicate Urolithiasis during Long-Term Treatment with Zonisamide
Authors: Taguchi Satoru , Nose Yorito , Sato Toshikazu , Kobayashi Teruaki , Takaya Kanami , Ishikawa Akira , Homma Yukio
Published: July 2013

Silicate urinary calculi are rare in humans, with an incidence of 0.2% of all urinary calculi. Most cases were related to excess ingestion of silicate, typically by taking magnesium trisilicate as an antacid for peptic ulcers over a long period of time; however, there also existed unrelated cases, whose mechanism of development remains unclear. On the other hand, zonisamide, a newer antiepileptic drug, is one of the important causing agents of iatrogenic urinary stones in patients with epilepsy. The supposed mechanism is that zonisamide induces urine alkalinization and then promotes crystallization of urine components such as calcium phosphate by inhibition of carbonate dehydratase in renal tubular epithelial cells. Here, we report a case of silicate urolithiasis during long-term treatment with zonisamide without magnesium trisilicate intake and discuss the etiology of the disease by examining the silicate concentration in his urine.
Combination of Chinese Herbal Medicines and Conventional Treatment versus Conventional Treatment Alone in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (5C Trial): An Open-Label Randomized Controlled, Multicenter Study
Authors: Wang Shao-Li , Wang Cheng-Long , Wang Pei-Li , Xu Hao , Liu Hong-Ying , Du Jian-Peng , Zhang Da-Wu , Gao Zhu-Ye , Zhang Lei , Fu Chang-Geng , Lü Shu-Zheng , You Shi-Jie , Ge Jun-Bo , Li Tian-Chang , Wang Xian , Yang Guan-Lin , Liu Hong-Xu , Mao Jing-Yuan , Li Rui-Jie , Chen Li-Dian , Lu Shu , Shi Da-Zhuo , Chen Ke-Ji
Published: July 2013

Aims.To evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) plus conventional treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods and Results.Participants (n=808) with ACS who underwent PCI from thirteen hospitals of mainland China were randomized into two groups: CHMs plus conventional treatment group (treatment group) or conventional treatment alone group (control group). All participants received conventional treatment, and participants in treatment group additionally received CHMs for six months. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal recurrent MI, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Secondary endpoint was the composite of readmission for ACS, stroke, or congestive heart failure. The safety endpoint involved occurrence of major bleeding events. The incidence of primary endpoint was 2.7% in treatment group versus 6.2% in control group (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.87;P=0.015). The incidence of secondary endpoint was 3.5% in treatment group versus 8.7% in control group (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.72;P=0.002). No major bleeding events were observed in any participant.Conclusion.Treatment with CHMs plus conventional treatment further reduced the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with ACS after PCI without increasing risk of major bleeding.
An Intuitive Approach to Inertial Sensor Bias Estimation
Authors: Tereshkov Vasiliy M.
Published: July 2013

A simple approach to gyro and accelerometer bias estimation is proposed. It does not involve Kalman filtering or similar formal techniques. Instead, it is based on physical intuition and exploits a duality between gimbaled and strapdown inertial systems. The estimation problem is decoupled into two separate stages. At the first stage, inertial system attitude errors are corrected by means of a feedback from an external aid. In the presence of uncompensated biases, the steady-state feedback rebalances those biases and can be used to estimate them. At the second stage, the desired bias estimates are expressed in a closed form in terms of the feedback signal. The estimator has only three tunable parameters and is easy to implement and use. The tests proved the feasibility of the proposed approach for the estimation of low-cost MEMS inertial sensor biases on a moving land vehicle.
Power-Driven Global Routing for Multisupply Voltage Domains
Authors: Wu Tai-Hsuan , Davoodi Azadeh , Linderoth Jeffrey T.
Published: July 2013

This work presents a method for global routing (GR) to minimize power associated with global nets. We consider routing in designs with multiple supply voltages. Level converters are added to nets that connect driver cells to sink cells of higher supply voltage and are modeled as additional terminals of the nets during GR. Given an initial GR solution obtained with the objective of minimizing wirelength, we propose a GR method to detour nets to further save the power of global nets. When detouring routes via this procedure, overflow is not
increased, and the increase in wirelength is bounded. The power saving opportunities include (1) reducing the area capacitance of the routes by detouring from the higher metal layers to the lower ones, (2) reducing the coupling capacitance between adjacent routes by distributing the congestion, and (3) considering different power weights for each segment of a routed net with level converters (to capture its corresponding supply voltage and activity factor). We present a mathematical formulation to capture these power saving opportunities and solve it using integer programming techniques. In our simulations, we show considerable saving in a power metric for GR, without any wirelength degradation.
An Attenuated Cytomegalovirus Vaccine with a Deletion of a Viral Chemokine Gene Is Protective against Congenital CMV Transmission in a Guinea Pig Model
Authors: Leviton Michael P. , Lacayo Juan C. , Choi K. Yeon , Hernandez-Alvarado Nelmary , Wey Andrew , Schleiss Mark R.
Published: July 2013

Development of a vaccine against congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a public health priority, but CMVs encode immune evasion genes that complicate live virus vaccine design. To resolve this problem, this study employed guanosyl phosphoribosyl transferase (gpt) mutagenesis to generate a recombinant guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) with a knockout of a viral chemokine gene, GPCMV MIP (gp1). MIP deletion virus replicated with wild-type kinetics in cell culture but was attenuated in nonpregnant guinea pigs, demonstrating reduced viremia and reduced inflammation and histopathology (compared to a control virus with an intact GPCMV MIP gene) following footpad inoculation. In spite of attenuation, the vaccine was immunogenic, eliciting antibody responses comparable to those observed in natural infection. To assess its protective potential as a vaccine, either recombinant virus or placebo was used to immunize seronegative female guinea pigs. Dams were challenged in the early 3rd trimester with salivary gland-adapted GPCMV. Immunization protected against DNAemia (1/15 in vaccine group versus 12/13 in the control group,P<0.01). Mean birth weights were significantly higher in pups born to vaccinated dams compared to controls (98.7 g versus 71.2 g,P<0.01). Vaccination reduced pup mortality, from 35/50 (70%) in controls to 8/52 (15%) in the immunization group. Congenital GPCMV infection was also reduced, from 35/50 (70%) in controls to 9/52 (17%) in the vaccine group (P<0.0001). We conclude that deletion of an immune modulation gene can attenuate the pathogenicity of GPCMV while resulting in a viral vaccine that retains immunogenicity and demonstrates efficacy against congenital infection and disease.
Metabolic Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Nontargeted Tissue Metabolomics
Authors: Huang Qiang , Tan Yexiong , Yin Peiyuan , Ye Guozhu , Gao Peng , Lu Xin , Wang Hongyang , Xu Guowang
Published: July 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma has a poor prognosis due to its rapid development and early metastasis. In this report, we characterized the metabolic features of hepatocellular carcinoma using a nontargeted metabolic profiling strategy based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty pairs of liver cancer samples and matched normal tissues were collected from patients having hepatocellular carcinoma, including tumor tissues, adjacent noncancerous tissues, and distal noncancerous tissues, and 105 metabolites were filtered and identified from the tissue metabolome. The principal metabolic alternations in HCC tumors included elevated glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and β-oxidation with reduced tricarboxylic acid cycle and Δ-12 desaturase. Furthermore, increased levels of glutathione and other antioxidative molecules, together with decreased levels of inflammatory-related polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipase A2, were observed. Differential metabolite levels in tissues were tested in 298 serum specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Betaine and propionylcarnitine were confirmed to confer good diagnostic potential to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. External validation of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma serum specimens further showed that this combination biomarker is useful for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with a supplementary role to α-fetoprotein. Cancer Res; 73(16); 4992–5002. ©2013 AACR.
Genomic Heterogeneity of Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Malouf Gabriel G. , Monzon Federico A. , Couturier Jérôme , Molinié Vincent , Escudier Bernard , Camparo Philippe , Su Xiaoping , Yao Hui , Tamboli Pheroze , Lopez-Terrada Dolores , Picken Maria , Garcia Marileila , Multani Asha S. , Pathak Sen , Wood Christopher G. , Tannir Nizar M.
Published: July 2013

Purpose: Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare subtype of kidney cancer involving the TFEB/TFE3 genes. We aimed to investigate the genomic and epigenetic features of this entity.

Experimental Design: Cytogenomic analysis was conducted with 250K single-nucleotide polymorphism microarrays on 16 tumor specimens and four cell lines. LINE-1 methylation, a surrogate marker of DNA methylation, was conducted on 27 cases using pyrosequencing.

Results: tRCC showed cytogenomic heterogeneity, with 31.2% and 18.7% of cases presenting similarities with clear-cell and papillary RCC profiles, respectively. The most common alteration was a 17q gain in seven tumors (44%), followed by a 9p loss in six cases (37%). Less frequent were losses of 3p and 17p in five cases (31%) each. Patients with 17q gain were older (P = 0.0006), displayed more genetic alterations (P < 0.003), and had a worse outcome (P = 0.002) than patients without it. Analysis comparing gene-expression profiling of a subset of tumors bearing 17q gain and those without suggest large-scale dosage effects and TP53 haploinsufficiency without any somatic TP53 mutation identified. Cell line–based cytogenetic studies revealed that 17q gain can be related to isochromosome 17 and/or to multiple translocations occurring around 17q breakpoints. Finally, LINE-1 methylation was lower in tRCC tumors from adults compared with tumors from young patients (71.1% vs. 76.7%; P = 0.02).

Conclusions: Our results reveal genomic heterogeneity of tRCC with similarities to other renal tumor subtypes and raise important questions about the role of TFEB/TFE3 translocations and other chromosomal imbalances in tRCC biology. Clin Cancer Res; 19(17); 4673–84. ©2013 AACR.
ARF Regulates the Stability of p16 Protein Via REGγ-Dependent Proteasome Degradation
Authors: Kobayashi Takashi , Wang Jingqiang , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat , Abate-Shen Cory
Published: July 2013

The cell-cycle regulatory gene INK4A-ARF (CDKN2A) has two alternative transcripts that produce entirely different proteins, namely p14ARF and p16, which have complementary functions as regulators of p53 and pRB tumor suppressor pathways, respectively. The unusual organization of INK4A-ARF has long led to speculation of a need for coordinated regulation of p14ARF and p16. We now show that p14ARF (ARF) regulates the stability of p16 protein in human cancer cell lines, as well as in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). In particular, ARF promotes rapid degradation of p16 protein, which is mediated by the proteasome and, more specifically, by interaction of ARF with one of its subunits, REGγ. Furthermore, this ARF-dependent destabilization of p16 can be abrogated by knockdown of REGγ or by pharmacologic blockade of its nuclear export. Thus, our findings have uncovered a novel crosstalk of 2 key tumor suppressors mediated by a REGγ-dependent mechanism. The ability of ARF to control p16 stability may influence cell-cycle function.

Implications: The ability of ARF to control p16 stability may influence cell cycle function.

Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/11/8/828/F1.large.jpg. Mol Cancer Res; 11(8); 828–33. ©2013 AACR.
Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness and Distensibility in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Doyon Anke , Kracht Daniela , Bayazit Aysun K. , Deveci Murat , Duzova Ali , Krmar Rafael T. , Litwin Mieczyslaw , Niemirska Anna , Oguz Berna , Schmidt Bernhard M.W. , Sözeri Betul , Querfeld Uwe , Melk Anette , Schaefer Franz , Wühl Elke
Published: July 2013

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid artery distensibility are reliable screening methods for vascular alterations and the assessment of cardiovascular risk in adult and pediatric cohorts. We sought to establish an international reference data set for the childhood and adolescence period and explore the impact of developmental changes in body dimensions and blood pressure (BP) on carotid wall thickness and elasticity. cIMT, the distensibility coefficient, the incremental modulus of elasticity, and the stiffness index β were assessed in 1155 children aged 6 to 18 years and sex-specific reference charts normalized to age or height were constructed from 1051 nonobese and nonhypertensive children. The role of body dimensions, BP, and family history, as well as the association between cIMT and distensibility, was investigated. cIMT increased and distensibility decreased with age, height, body mass index, and BP. A significant sex difference was apparent from the age of 15 years. Age- and height-normalized cIMT and distensibility values differed in children who are short or tall for their age. By stepwise multivariate analysis, standardized systolic BP and body mass index were independently positively associated with cIMT SD scores (SDS). Systolic BP SDS independently predicted all distensibility measures. Distensibility coefficient SDS was negatively and β SDS positively associated with cIMT SDS, whereas incremental modulus of elasticity was independent of cIMT. Morphological and functional aspects of the common carotid artery are particularly influenced by age, body dimensions, and BP. The reference charts established in this study allow to accurately compare vascular phenotypes of children with chronic conditions with those of healthy children.
miR-30a Regulates Endothelial Tip Cell Formation and Arteriolar Branching
Authors: Jiang Qiu , Lagos-Quintana Mariana , Liu Dong , Shi Yu , Helker Christian , Herzog Wiebke , le Noble Ferdinand
Published: July 2013

Microvascular rarefaction increases vascular resistance and pressure in systemic arteries and is a hallmark of fixed essential hypertension. Preventing rarefaction by activation of angiogenic processes could lower blood pressure. Endothelial tip cells in angiogenic sprouts direct branching of microvascular networks; the process is regulated by microRNAs, particularly the miR-30 family. We investigated the contribution of miR-30 family members in arteriolar branching morphogenesis via delta-like 4 (Dll4)-Notch signaling in a zebrafish model. The miR-30 family consists of 5 members (miR-30a-e). Loss-of-function experiments showed that only miR-30a reduced growth of intersegmental arterioles involving impaired tip cell function. Overexpression of miR-30a stimulated tip cell behavior resulting in augmented branching of intersegmental arterioles. In vitro and in vivo reporter assays showed that miR-30a directly targets the Notch ligand Dll4, a key inhibitor of tip cell formation. Coadministration of a Dll4 targeting morpholino in miR-30a morphants rescued the branching defects. Conversely, conditional overexpression of Notch intracellular domain restored arteriolar branching in miR-30a gain-of-function embryos. In human endothelial cells, loss of miR-30a increased DLL4 protein levels, activated Notch signaling as indicated in Notch reporter assays, and augmented Notch downstream effector, HEY2 and EFNB2 (ephrin-B2), expression. In spheroid assays, miR-30a loss- and gain-of-function affected tip cell behavior, consistent with miR-30a targeting Dll4. Our data suggest that miR-30a stimulates arteriolar branching by downregulating endothelial Dll4 expression, thereby controlling endothelial tip cell behavior. These findings could have relevance to the rarefaction process and, therefore, to hypertension.
Extent of Preoperative False Lumen Thrombosis Does Not Influence Long‐Term Survival in Patients With Acute Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Larsen Magnus , Bartnes Kristian , Tsai Thomas T. , Eagle Kim A. , Evangelista Arturo , Nienaber Christoph A. , Suzuki Toru , Fattori Rossella , Froehlich James B. , Hutchison Stuart , Sundt Thoralf M. , Januzzi James L. , Isselbacher Eric M. , Montgomery Daniel G. , Myrmel Truls
Published: July 2013

Background

Partial thrombosis of the false lumen has been related to aortic growth, reoperations, and death in the chronic phase of type B and repaired type A aortic dissections. The impact of preoperative false lumen thrombosis has not been studied previously. We used data from a contemporary, multinational database on aortic dissections to evaluate whether different degrees of preoperative false lumen thrombosis influenced long‐term prognosis.

Methods and Results

We examined the records of 522 patients with surgically treated acute type A aortic dissections who survived to discharge between 1996 and 2011. At the preoperative imaging, 414 (79.3%) patients had patent false lumens, 84 (16.1%) had partial thrombosis of the false lumen, and 24 (4.6%) had complete thrombosis of the false lumen. The annual median (interquartile range) aortic growth rates were 0.5 (−0.3 to 2.0) mm in the aortic arch, 2.0 (0.2 to 4.0) mm in the descending thoracic aorta, and similar regardless of the degree of false lumen thrombosis. The overall 5‐year survival rate was 84.7%, and it was not influenced by false lumen thrombosis (
P
=0.86 by the log‐rank test). Independent predictors of long‐term mortality were age >70 years (hazard ratio [
HR
], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [
CI
], 1.20 to 4.56,
P
=0.012) and postoperative cerebrovascular accident, coma, and/or renal failure (
HR
, 2.62; 95%
CI
, 1.40 to 4.92,
P
=0.003).

Conclusions

Patients with acute type A aortic dissection who survive to discharge have a favorable prognosis. Preoperative false lumen thrombosis does not influence long‐term mortality, reintervention rates, or aortic growth.
Soft Moon: Exploring Matter and Mutability in Narratives and Histories of the Earth-Moon System
Authors: Grant Jane
Published: July 2013

Theories of the formation of the Earth-Moon system allow us to understand not only our historical relationship to science and observation but also how we have perceived ourselves in the context of the vastness of the universe. In this paper the author discusses her work Soft Moon—a computer-generated film that explores the mutual attraction of two planetary spheres, with reference to the story of the same name and other works by Italo Calvino and by Stanislaw Lem. The development of the film is inter-contextualized with a series of ancient and modern historical theories of the formation of the Earth-Moon system.
Inseparable Impulses: The Science and Aesthetics of Ernst Haeckel and Charley Harper
Authors: Halpern Megan K. , Rogers Hannah Star
Published: July 2013

This article examines the role of aesthetics in scientific argument by analyzing two images. The first, from Ernst Haeckel's Art Forms in Nature (1904), depicts 15 bats evenly spaced on a white field. The second, Charley Harper's Darwin's Finches (1961), shows 13 finches, similarly displayed. Although these two images may at first appear to have little in common, they both present a specific interpretation of Darwin's theories using visual language. This article argues that the act of representation and scientific theory are inextricably intertwined.
From the Distant Past
Authors: Roth Tim Otto , Sembach Ken , Nota Antonella , Staude Benjamin
Published: July 2013

In collaboration with the Space Telescope Science Institute, the German artist Tim Otto Roth presented astronomical spectra as a core component of art exhibits in Venice, Baltimore, and New York City. “From the Distant Past” is not only a light based art and science project in public space about the origins of the universe, it is also an artistic reflection on the phenomenon of color by the means of concept art using laser light as a minimalist tool of graphical notation.
Discovery of new species and country records for the North American sap beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)
Authors: CLINE ANDREW R. , SKELLEY PAUL E.
Published: July 2013

Brachypeplus habecki Cline and Skelley, sp. nov. is described from southern Texas, and Brachypeplus glaber LeConte is rediagnosed and discussed. Cyllodes thomasi Cline and Skelley, sp. nov. is described from southern Arizona, and Cyllodes biplagiatus is discussed. Habitus and genitalic photographs are provided as well as images of key diagnostic features for these species. An identification key is provided to distinguish the Brachypeplus and Cyllodes present in North America. Cryptarcha omisitoides Reitter, a previously unreported Central American nitidulid, is newly recorded from Arizona; and Carpophilus opthalmicus Murray, a previously unreported Caribbean species, is newly recorded from Florida. A discus-sion of Cryptarcha omisitoides and Carpophilus opthalmicus is also provided.
Description of new andean species of the genus Phymaturus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Northwestern Argentina
Authors: LOBO FERNANDO , LASPIUR ALEJANDRO , ACOSTA JUAN CARLOS
Published: July 2013

As a result of several field trips and studies of collections of Phymaturus samples from Andean areas of central western Argentina (San Juan province), we discovered two populations that exhibit a particular character combination not seen in other species formally recognized in the literature. Based on a detailed analysis of an extended list of morphological characters (93), including scalation, color pattern, gular and nuchal folds, precloacal pores, and morphometric data, we conclude that these populations represent independent lineages that deserve to be considered as new species. According to the most recent revision of the genus and considering the descriptions made in another recent contribution, the taxo-nomic composition of the genus was increased to 38 species. In this study we provide the formal description of two addi-tional new taxa, including their diagnosis and detailed comparisons with other members of their species group. The two new species belong to the palluma group, and can be assigned to the Puna subclade because they present the typical dorsal “spray” pattern. Other characters described in this study suggest their close phylogenetic relationship with other species of this subclade inhabiting the southern Puna region of Argentina, such as Phymaturus punae. Within the Puna subclade, Phymaturus aguanegra sp. nov. differs from all other members (P. antofagastensis, P. denotatus, P. laurenti, P. punae, P. extrilidus, P. mallimaccii and P. paihuanense) exhibiting the following combination of diagnostic characters: a complete melanism over the dorsum of neck, the presence of enlarged scales at the base of tail in males, having strongly keeled tarsal scales, lacking enlarged scales on the anterior margin of the antehumeral fold and centre of chest, females without flank coloration, a vertebral dark gray stripe usually present on the dorsum, females exhibiting a tricolor dorsal pattern, with two types of brown and scattered ferriferous oxide spots, and the absence of a scapular spot. Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. differs from all other members of the Puna clade because: exhibits an “aggregate” dorsal pattern, unlike the ho-mogeneous spray of most Puna species, lacks enlarged scales on the anterior margin of the antehumeral fold and in the centre of chest, flank coloration in females is absent, females of Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. lack white transversal stripes on the dorsal pattern, preocular scale in contact with canthal scale in Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov., rostral scale can be divided in Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. and shows the largest number of scales counted around midbody within the Puna subclade (x= 213.4; 186-235).
New land mollusk fauna from Serra da Capivara, Piauí, Brazil, with a new genus and five new species (Gastropoda: Orthalicoidea, Streptaxidae, Subulinidae)
Authors: SIMONE LUIZ RICARDO L. , CASATI RAFAEL
Published: July 2013

Five new species and one new genus are described from the Serra da Capivara, Piauí, Brazil, a region of semi-dry, Caat-inga environment. The described taxa are: Odontostomidae: 1) Clinispira insolita, n. gen. n. sp., possessing strange spire inclination and aperture approaching to the shell apex, it looks closely related to Anostoma, Tomigerus and Biotocus; 2) Cyclodontina capivara n. sp., with well-developed axial ribs and 6 teeth at peristome; 3) Anctus prolatus n. sp., very elon-gated, with aperture lacking teeth; Simpulopsidae: 4) Rhinus gilbertus n. sp., somewhat elongated and relatively well-sculptured; Streptaxidae: 5) Streptartemon molaris n. sp., possessing a very large basalis tooth at peristome. Two subulin-ids are also reported from the region: 6) Beckianum beckianum (Pfeiffer, 1846), a population with peculiar pointed shell apex and well-developed axial sculpture; 7) Lamellaxis cf. gracilis (Hutton, 1834), a wide-ranged species that merits fur-ther investigation. These descriptions show how scanty is our knowledge on northeast Brazilian malacofauna and may raise efforts for its preservation.
Nyx pholeocola, a new genus and cavernicolous species of tribe Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae) from southern Thailand based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: HARBACH RALPH E. , KITCHING IAN J. , CULVERWELL C. LORNA , HOWARD THERESA M. , LINTON YVONNE-MARIE
Published: July 2013

Nyx Harbach & Linton, gen. nov., is introduced as a new mosquito genus of tribe Aedini for a previously unknown cave-dwelling species, Nyx pholeocola Linton & Harbach, sp. nov., from southern Thailand. A diagnosis of the genus is pro-vided that features unique anatomical characters of the adult, pupal and larval stages of the type species. The affinities of Nyx are discussed in terms of its position in the phylogeny of Aedini. Nyx is more closely related to Borichinda and Isoaedes than to other genera of tribe Aedini. Salient differences that distinguish these three genera are contrasted. The male and female genitalia, pupa and fourth-instar larva of the new species are illustrated. DNA sequence for the second nuclear in-ternal spacer region (ITS2) and the 658-bp barcode fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene re-veal very low similarity with published sequences, supporting the unique status of the new species.
Description of a new species of Kibakoganea from Vietnam (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini)
Authors: DO CUONG
Published: July 2013

Kibakoganea canhcamsung new species (holotype male and paratype female), from Quang Nam province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated based on two specimens. The genus Kikobaganea Nagai was erected as subgenus of Fruhstoferia (Nagai 1984). Hirasawa (1992) later elevated Kibakoganea to the generic level. In that paper, Hirasawa erected two new related genera from Malaysia, Muramotokoganea Hirasawa and Nagainokoganea Hirasawa. The latter genus was originally defined based on two species N. malayanus from Malaysia and N. curta from Laos. Later, N. curta was moved to the genus Pukupuku Muramoto with P. kasurai, another species from Vietnam, based on similarities in the male genitalia (Muramoto 2006). Therefore, the genus Nagainokoganea only contains the type species N. malayanus, and perhaps the classification should be reconsidered or redefined with updated characteristics. The similarities of N. malayanus with Didrepanephorus bifurcifer Wood Mason suggest the possibility that Nagainokoganea should be a synonym or subgenus of Didrepanephorus Wood Mason.
First record of Praetorblissus from Mexico (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Blissidae), with the description of a new species associated with bamboo
Authors: PEREDO LUIS CERVANTES , BRAILOVSKY HARRY
Published: July 2013

Praetorblissus mexicanus is described as a new species of Blissidae. This species represents the first record of the genus for Mexico and expands its northern limit of distribution. The species was collected in a pine area in the state of Oaxaca associated with the bamboo Chusquea repens. A key is included to separate all the species in the genus.
The aetiological crisis in South African criminology
Authors: Dixon Bill
Published: July 2013

Violent crime in South Africa has remained persistently high since the end of apartheid in 1994. Almost 16,000 murders at a rate of 31.9 per 100,000 of the population in 2010/11 attest to this. Violent crime remains a concern for government and has led one independent observer to describe South Africa as ‘a country at war with itself’ ( Altbeker, 2007 ). This article argues that South African criminology has struggled to come to terms with the often brutal reality of the post-apartheid condition. Drawing on a notion first used by Young (1986) in relation to 1960s Britain, it suggests that stubbornly high rates of violent crime have given rise to an aetiological crisis in South African criminology. An analysis of the origins and nature of this crisis evident in recent writings on violent crime in South Africa is offered against the background of international debates about what criminology is for. A solution to the crisis is sought in work that connects history and biography ( Mills, 1959) to reveal the causes, meanings and uses of violence, and point the way to a more relevant post-colonial South African criminology.
The Potential Impact of Social Science Research on Legal Issues Surrounding Single-Sex Classrooms and Schools
Authors: Eckes Suzanne Elizabeth , McCall Stephanie D.
Published: July 2013

Purpose: This article examines the role social science has played in litigation involving public single-sex educational programs. It also explores a body of social science research related to gender and education that we believe could assist the courts and school leaders in better examining the possibilities and the limitations of single-sex programs in the public sector. Specifically, we want to show how a particular set of social science research at the intersection of gender and education, from a range of theoretical frameworks, could assist school leaders in demonstrating to the courts that a justification for single-sex programs may exist in current empirical research. Method: This article uses traditional legal research methods, which is a form of historical-legal research used to investigate the interpretation of law. We used the two major legal databases (i.e., Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw) to determine how many lawsuits have been initiated as a result of the amendments to the Title IX regulations. The retrieved cases were coded to determine the legal claims relied upon by plaintiffs and to learn if/how social science research was considered in these cases. Findings: We analyzed four schools currently involved in litigation. We report the social science that was relied upon by school districts and analyzed by courts. Implications: We encourage school leaders and the courts to explore more diverse theoretical frameworks related to gender and education that we believe could add some analytic strength to the existing body of empirical research about single-sex schooling.
Extruded AA6061 alloy matrix composites: The performance of multi-strategies to extend the searching area of the optimization algorithm
Authors: Mazahery Ali , Shabani Mohsen Ostad
Published: July 2013

This article focuses on the development of a comprehensive method for optimization of casting parameters including stirring time and speed of stirrer. Particulate AA6061 aluminum alloy matrix composites were produced by compocasting. First, the effects of extrusion and particles coating on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Then, a hybrid algorithm based on PSO and GA was implemented in order to solve the global problems and optimize the coefficients of equations with much better performance, resulting in higher possibility for industry application. PSO evolved the population over a certain number of generations, retained the best M particles and excluded the remaining pop size-M particles. Selection, crossover and mutation GA operators generated pop size M new individuals and combined them with the best M particles to form a new population for the next generation. The model based on combination of GA and PSO is capable to predict with greater reliability than single optimization methods including ACO and multiple linear regression.
Preparation and physical characterization of conjugated polymer-polycarbonate polymer blends
Authors: Abdeen M Abu , Ayesh Ayman S , Ibrahim SS , Khaldi Rana H Al
Published: July 2013

Poly(3-octyl thiophene) (P3OT)–polycarbonate (PC) polymer blends were prepared at different P3OT weight ratios to investigate the effect of P3OT content on the optical, electrical, mechanical, rheological, and thermal properties of P3OT–PC polymer blends. Optical results showed that addition of P3OT to neat PC enhanced the ultraviolet/visible absorption of the neat PC. The optical energy gap of blend system was decreased with increasing P3OT up to 10% P3OT and the blend system appeared to be immiscible when P3OT content was 20% P3OT. Electrical results showed that incorporation of P3OT into neat PC up to 20% P3OT elevated the electrical up to six orders of magnitude and enhanced the polar character of the neat PC. Also, electrical results showed that P3OT–PC blend system became percolated above 0.8% P3OT. Mechanical and rheological results indicated that incorporation of P3OT into neat PC up to 10% P3OT will enhance elastic modulus, complex viscosity, storage modulus ( G′), and loss modulus ( G′) of the blend system while these parameters were found to be decreased when P3OT content in the blend system was 20% P3OT. Generally, all obtained results indicated that P3OT–PC blends are partially miscible blends up to 10% P3OT while this blend system appeared to be immiscible blend at 20% P3OT.
Influence of modifying organoclay on the properties of natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Sookyung Uraiwan , Thaijaroen Woothichai , Nakason Charoen
Published: July 2013

Montmorillonite nanoclay was modified with octadecylamine and compounded with natural rubber by the melt mixing method. Influence of the modification on the properties of natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposites was investigated. Furthermore, structures of the natural rubber/clay nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that organoclay was well dispersed in the natural rubber matrix. Curing characteristics of the rubber compound indicated that octadecylamine modification accelerated the vulcanization reaction of natural rubber and caused a higher degree of crosslinking. The storage modulus ( E′) of the natural rubber vulcanizates was higher with the modified clay than with unmodified montmorillonite (Na-MMT). The effects on the storage modulus are more pronounced at temperatures above the melting temperature of octadecylamine. The low thermal stability of this modifying agent does not affect the thermal stability of the natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposite.
Hydrophobic sol-gel finishing for textiles: Improvement by plasma pre-treatment
Authors: Montarsolo Alessio , Periolatto Monica , Zerbola Marco , Mossotti Raffaella , Ferrero Franco
Published: July 2013

The surface of cotton (COT) and polyester (PET) fabrics was modified to create a water-repellent finishing by depositing a modified silica-based film using the sol-gel technique. TEOS (tetraethoxysilane)-based physically modified sols with 2% and 11% on weight fabric (o.w.f.) of hydrophobic additives were tested. N-propyltrimethoxysilane (C3), hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (C16) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-fluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FOS) were investigated as additives.

Furthermore, a low-temperature plasma pre-treatment was used to activate the COT and PET fabric surface to improve the sol-gel coating adhesion, resistance to abrasion and fastness to washing stresses.

A complete chemical/morphological (Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy) and physical characterization (abrasion and air permeability test) of treated samples was carried out. High values of θ (around 140°) on PET and COT samples were obtained with all additives used (C3, C16 and FOS) even at a low concentration (2%). Due to plasma pre-treatment, interesting water-repellent properties were achieved for PET (θ = 148°) treated with TEOS/FOS molar ratio 0.63 and for COT (θ = 140°) with TEOS/C16 molar ratio 0.63. The enhanced coating adhesion, due to plasma surface activation, was confirmed by abrasion and washing tests.
Impact of raw material, yarn and fabric parameters, and finishing on water vapor resistance
Authors: Cubric Ivana Salopek , Skenderi Zenun , Havenith George
Published: July 2013

The objective of this study was to explore a number of technical–technological parameters affecting the water vapor resistance of knitted fabric and clothing, as well as to develop a predictive model that describes the prominent affecting parameters. Thirty-four knitted fabrics were carefully produced and measured on a sweating guarded hotplate and thermal manikin. The study focused on the influence of the following parameters on the transfer of water vapor: type of textile fibers, yarn and knitted fabric parameters, finishing of fabrics (recipes include bleaching, dyeing, and softening), and body activity. The statistical analysis, performed to examine the relationship between observed parameters, indicated medium correlation between water vapor resistance and moisture regain (R = 0.7). Furthermore, the relationship between water vapor resistance and the following knitted fabric parameters is especially prominent: mass per unit area, knitted fabric thickness, and tightness factor (R = 0.9). When the fabrics are made into ensembles, however, effects of material differences become small and the differences between garments more difficult to discriminate; even more so when movement is present.
Testing Moderators of Message Framing Effect
Authors: Shen Lijiang , Mercer Kollar Laura Min
Published: July 2013

A 2 (frame: gain vs. loss) × 2 (evaluative input: high vs. low) × 3 (target behavior: sunscreen, self-exam, and indoor tanning) quasi-experimental study ( N = 452) was conducted to test moderators of message framing effect. The results showed that effectiveness of a frame is a function of its evaluative input. There was evidence that the gain frame is more effective for prevention behavior and the loss frame for detection behavior. There was no evidence that proscriptive vs. prescriptive behaviors moderated framing effect. Data also suggested that dispositional motivations can be a moderator of message framing effect, but might be contingent upon level of evaluative input and type of behavior.
Research and Clinical Scoring of the Psychopathy Checklist can show good Agreement
Authors: Harris Grant T. , Rice Marnie E. , Cormier Catherine A.
Published: July 2013

The Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) is an important predictor of violent behavior and is widely used to make important decisions about forensic clients. Some research casts doubt on whether the scoring of the PCL-R in clinical practice matches that attained in research and, therefore, whether the use of the PCL-R is warranted in high-stakes decisions. We examined scoring correspondence of the PCL-R in 58 offenders where scoring by trained clinicians was compared with that by a very experienced researcher whose scoring was of known predictive validity (or with a student supervised by this experienced researcher). Research and clinical scorers showed good agreement (Spearman’s rank order correlation = .85; intraclass correlation coefficient = .79, absolute agreement for single measures), especially on those parts of the PCL-R that are most consistently and robustly associated with violence. We conclude that trained clinicians can achieve acceptable reliability and validity when scoring the PCL-R, especially for risk assessment.
The acute swollen knee: diagnosis and management
Authors: Gupte Chinmay , St Mart Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2013

The acutely swollen knee is a common presentation of knee pathology in both primary care and the emergency department. The key to diagnosis and management is a thorough history and examination to determine the primary pathology, which includes inflammation, infection or a structural abnormality in the knee. The location of pain and tenderness can aid to localization of structural pathology even before radiological tests are requested, and indeed inform the investigations that should be carried out. Aspiration of an acutely swollen knee can aid diagnosis and help relieve pain. The management of the swollen knee depends on underlying pathology and can range from anti-inflammatory medication for inflammation to operative intervention for a structural abnormality.
Scandinavian welfare states and gender (de) segregation: Recent trends and processes
Authors: Ellingsæter Anne Lise
Published: July 2013

High levels of gender segregation in Scandinavian labour markets have been referred to as a paradox in view of these countries’ commitment to gender equality and advancements in other areas. The status of gender segregation in these welfare states is addressed here: Are they (still) the most gender segregated? What processes drive (de)segregation? Relatively fast occupational desegregation in recent years has moved Denmark, Norway and Sweden from the group of highly to moderately gender segregated labour markets, and women’s share of management positions is rising. Empirical case studies selected to shed light on (de)segregation processes are discussed in relation to two presently influential theoretical theses – ‘gender essentialism’ and the ‘welfare state paradox’. Findings suggest the existence of gender essentialist ideas, but the weakening of such ideas is likely to be a main driver of desegregation. Findings on the role of the public sector and work–family policy in segregation processes are somewhat conflicting.
Pure‐tone Audiometry in Otosclerosis: Insufficient Evidence for the Diagnostic Value of the Carhart Notch
Authors: Wegner Inge , Bittermann Arnold J. N. , Hentschel Mayke A. , van der Heijden Geert J. M. , Grolman Wilko
Published: July 2013

Objective

To evaluate whether the Carhart notch on pure‐tone audiometry is reliable as a diagnostic test for predicting otosclerosis in patients with conductive hearing loss.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Scopus.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted. Studies reporting original study data were included. After assessment of directness of evidence and risk of bias of the selected articles, the prevalences and the positive and negative predictive values were extracted.

Results

A total of 1402 unique studies was retrieved. Three of these satisfied the eligibility criteria. One study provided direct evidence, while all studies carried moderate to high risk of bias. One study with moderate directness of evidence and high risk of bias was not further analyzed. In a study with a high directness of evidence, a high risk of bias, and a low prevalence of otosclerosis (8%) in patients with conductive hearing loss, the presence of a Carhart notch at 2000 Hz increased the risk of otosclerosis with 33%. In a second study with moderate directness of evidence, moderate risk of bias, and a high prevalence of otosclerosis (72%) in patients with a surgically confirmed congenital ossicular anomaly or otosclerosis, the presence of a Carhart notch at 2000 Hz increased the risk of otosclerosis with 2%.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Although there is insufficient high‐quality evidence regarding the diagnostic value of the Carhart notch, it seems it is a useful hint for the presence of otosclerosis, but it cannot be used to confirm a diagnosis of otosclerosis.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: implications for Asian patients
Authors: Tay Edgar LW , Yip James Wei-Luen , Teoh Kristine LK , Ang Sophia , Poh Kian Keong , Teo Lynette LS , Yeo Tiong Cheng , Lee Chuen Neng , Tan Huay Cheem , Hon Jimmy KF
Published: July 2013

Background:

transcatheter aortic valve implantation is now an accepted therapy for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who are deemed inoperable, and it is a reasonable alternative for patients with high surgical risk. This study assessed the clinical outcomes of this procedure and the implications of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for such patients.

Methods:

14 consecutive patients with severe aortic valve stenosis, who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation, were assessed. Baseline clinical characteristics, procedural information, and clinical outcomes and complications were compared at baseline and at follow-up. Thirty-day mortality was also assessed.

Results:

the mean age of the patients was 81 ± 8 years (35% females). The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 6.8 ± 3.7. Most patients had chronic kidney disease with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 44.5 ± 14.9 mL·kg−1·min−1. The mean annulus diameter was 21.9 ± 1.7 mm, and 8 (57%) patients received 23-mm valves. After transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the mean transaortic gradient and aortic valve area improved from 42.9 ± 19.4 to 8.9 ± 3.1 mm Hg ( p < 0.001) and 0.7 ± 0.1 to 1.5 ± 0.3 cm2 ( p < 0.001), respectively. The 30-day mortality for this cohort was 7%.

Conclusion:

transcatheter aortic valve implantation can be performed successfully in carefully selected Asian patients. The decision to undertake this procedure should be guided by the surgical team.
Trends in coronary artery bypass surgery: impact on early outcomes
Authors: Salick Muhammad Musa , Qadir Irfan , Perveen Shazia , Furnaz Shumaila , Sharif Hasanat
Published: July 2013

Background:

improvements in nonsurgical revascularization have left a group of higher-risk patients presenting for operation in a later stage of coronary artery disease. We undertook this study to analyze temporal changes in demographic and clinical profiles and outcomes of cardiac surgical patients.

Methods:

we identified and retrieved preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables for 3064 consecutive patients who underwent myocardial revascularization at the Aga Khan University Hospital between 2006 and 2011. Mortality and morbidity outcomes were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

mean age, prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, unstable angina, mean number of occluded vessels, and arrhythmias at presentation increased steadily over time. The prevalence of diabetes, chronic lung disease, peripheral vascular disease, prior stroke, prior myocardial infarction, and left main disease declined. Operative mortality did not change significantly (3.5% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.512). Determinants of operative mortality included older age, female sex, renal insufficiency, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and longer bypass and crossclamp times.

Conclusion:

coronary operations are increasingly performed in higher-risk patients with greater comorbidities. Despite this, operative mortality has not increased.