bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
18‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) evaluation of nodular lesions in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and plexiform neurofibromas (PN) or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST)
Authors: Meany Holly , Dombi Eva , Reynolds James , Whatley Millie , Kurwa Ambereen , Tsokos Maria , Salzer Wanda , Gillespie Andrea , Baldwin Andrea , Derdak Joanne , Widemann Brigitte
Published: May 2012

Background

Individuals with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at risk for developing malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST), which frequently arise in preexisting plexiform neurofibromas (PN). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with volumetric analysis and 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) were utilized to monitor symptomatic nodular lesions.

Procedure

Patients with NF1 and PN on a NCI natural history trial were monitored for total body tumor volume (TTV) using volumetric MRI. FDG‐PET was performed in individuals with a nodular well‐demarcated lesion ≥3 cm if they were growing, painful, or there was a prior history of MPNST (target lesions). Asymptomatic nodular lesions were evaluated as non‐target lesions.

Results

Fifteen patients (8m, 7f) median age of 18.3 years (range, 10–45 years) had a single target and non‐target (n = 46) nodular lesions identified on MRI. Target lesions arose within (n = 8) or outside (n = 3) a PN, and all but 1 had increased FDG uptake. FDG uptake was increased in non‐target lesions but to a lesser degree. FDG uptake in the surrounding PN was low, similar to background activity. Pathologic evaluation performed in 11 patients demonstrated neurofibroma (n = 6), atypical neurofibroma (n = 2) and malignancy (n = 3).

Conclusions

Nodular target lesions identified on MRI in individuals with NF1 and PN demonstrate increased FDG uptake similar to MPNST, but may be benign on biopsy. Nodular target lesions may be at greater risk for malignant transformation, but their biologic and clinical behavior has not been well studied. Careful longitudinal evaluation will be required to better understand the malignant potential of these lesions. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 59–64. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of glycoproteomics for the discovery of biomarkers in lung cancer
Authors: Kay Li Qing , Gabrielson Edward , Zhang Hui
Published: May 2012

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the United States. Approximately 40–60% of lung cancer patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Lung cancer development and progression are a multistep process that is characterized by abnormal gene and protein expressions ultimately leading to phenotypic change. Glycoproteins have long been recognized to play fundamental roles in many physiological and pathological processes, particularly in cancer genesis and progression. In order to improve the survival rate of lung cancer patients, the discovery of early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is urgently needed. Herein, we reviewed the recent technological developments of glycoproteomics and published data in the field of glycoprotein biomarkers in lung cancer, and discussed their utility and limitations for the discovery of potential biomarkers in lung cancer. Although numerous papers have already acknowledged the importance of the discovery of cancer biomarkers, the systemic study of glycoproteins in lung cancer using glycoproteomic approaches is still suboptimal. Recent development in the glycoproteomics will provide new platforms for identification of potential protein biomarkers in lung cancers.
Differential occurrence of S100A7 in breast cancer tissues: A proteomic‐based investigation
Authors: Cancemi Patrizia , Di Cara Gianluca , Albanese Nadia Ninfa , Costantini Francesca , Marabeti Maria Rita , Musso Rosa , Riili Ignazio , Lupo Carmelo , Roz Elena , Pucci‐Minafra Ida
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The present study reports for the first time a large‐scale proteomic screening of the occurrence, subcellular localization and relative quantification of the S100A7 protein among a group of 100 patients, clinically grouped for the diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC).

Experimental design

To this purpose, the methods of differential proteomics, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used.

Results

The identity of two isoforms of the protein was assessed by mass spectrometry and immunologically confirmed. Moreover, we proved by immunocytochemical applications the exclusive localization of the protein within the neoplastic cells. The correlation of S100A7 expression levels with the collective profile of cancer patients’ proteomics predicted functional interactions, distinct for the two isoforms. The S100A7b isoform was significantly correlated with specific protein clusters (calcium binding, signaling and cell motion, heat shock and folding) and intercrossing pathways (antioxidant, metabolic and apoptotic pathways), while the more acidic isoform was correlated with a narrow number of proteins mainly unrelated to the b isoform.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

This study is the first proteomic‐based report on S100A7 in a large series of IDC patients. The correlation with in silico data may significantly contribute the knowledge of possible pathways for S100A7, providing novel insights into the mechanism of action of this protein. We suggest that each S100A7 isoform is involved in critical phases of the breast cancer growth and progression, probably through interaction with different partner proteins.
Angiotensin‐(1‐7) attenuates metastatic prostate cancer and reduces osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Krishnan Bhavani , Smith Thomas L. , Dubey Purnima , Zapadka Michael E. , Torti Frank M. , Willingham Mark C. , Tallant E. Ann , Gallagher Patricia E.
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin‐(1‐7) [Ang‐(1‐7)] is an endogenous, heptapeptide hormone with anti‐proliferative and anti‐angiogenic properties. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether Ang‐(1‐7) effectively reduces prostate cancer metastasis in mice.

METHODS

Human PC3 prostate cancer cells were injected into the aortic arch via the carotid artery of SCID mice pre‐treated with Ang‐(1‐7) or injected into the tibia of athymic mice, administered Ang‐(1‐7) for 5 weeks beginning 2 weeks post‐injection. Tumor growth and volume were determined by bioluminescent and magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of tumors was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining; TRAP histochemistry was used to identify osteolytic lesions. The effect of Ang‐(1‐7) on osteoclastogenesis was assessed in differentiated bone marrow cells.

RESULTS

Pre‐treatment with Ang‐(1‐7) prevented metastatic tumor formation following intra‐aortic injection of PC3 cells, while 83% of untreated mice developed tumors in metastatic sites. Circulating VEGF was significantly higher in control mice compared to mice administered Ang‐(1‐7). A 5‐week regimen of the heptapeptide hormone attenuated intra‐tibial tumor growth; Ang‐(1‐7) was significantly higher in the tibia of treated mice than in control animals. Osteoclastogenesis was reduced by 50% in bone marrow cells differentiated in the presence of Ang‐(1‐7), suggesting that the heptapeptide hormone prevents the formation of osteolytic lesions to reduce tumor survival in the bone microenvironment.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that Ang‐(1‐7) may serve as an anti‐angiogenic and anti‐metastatic agent for advanced prostate cancer. By extension, the heptapeptide hormone may provide effective therapy for bone metastasis produced from primary tumors of the lung and breast. Prostate 73: 71–82, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Designed synthetic analogs of the α‐helical peptide temporin‐La with improved antitumor efficacies via charge modification and incorporation of the integrin αvβ3 homing domain
Authors: Diao Yuwen , Han Wenyu , Zhao Honglei , Zhu Seng , Liu Xiaohe , Feng Xin , Gu Jingmin , Yao Cuimei , Liu Shanshan , Sun Changjiang , Pan Fengguang
Published: May 2012

How to target cancer cells with high specificity and kill cancer cells with high efficiency remains an urgent demand for anticancer drugs. Temporin‐La, which belongs to the family of temporins, presents antitumor activity against many cancer cell lines. We first used a whole bioinformatic analysis method as a platform to identify new anticancer antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). On the basis of these results, we designed a temporin‐La analog (temporin‐Las) and related constructs containing the Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) tripeptide, the integrin αvβ3 homing domain (RGD‐La and RGD‐Las). We detected a link between the net charges and integrin αvβ3 expression of cancer cell lines and the antitumor activities of these peptides. Temporin‐La and its synthetic analogs inhibited cancer cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. Evidence was provided that the affinity between RGD‐Las and tumor cell membranes was stronger than other tested peptides using a pull‐down assay. Morphological changes on the cell membrane induced by temporin‐La and RDG‐Las, respectively, were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, time‐dependent morphological changes were detected by confocal microscopy, where the binding process of RGD‐Las to the cell membrane could be monitored. The results indicate that the electrostatic interaction between these cationic peptides and the anionic cell membrane is a major determinant of selective cell killing. Thus, the RGD tripeptide is a valuable ligand motif for tumor targeting, which leads to an increased anticancer efficiency by RGD‐Las. These AMP‐derived peptides have clinical potential as specifically targeting agents for the treatment of αvβ3 positive tumors. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negative refraction in anisotropic metamaterials
Authors: Prieto‐López Carlos , Barrera Rubén G.
Published: May 2012

In this paper we analyse the self‐propagation of electromagnetic modes within an uniaxial non‐absorbing metamaterial with anisotropic electric permittivity and anisotropic magnetic pemeability, for arbitrary values of the anisotropy ratios ε∥/ε⟂ and µ∥/µ⟂. We then solve the problem of refraction and reflection from a flat interface of this material when the interface is perpendicular to the optical axis. We establish the general conditions under which negative refraction occurs and study some properties of refraction, reflection and their potential applications.
Luminescence efficiency of phosphors with periodically patterned surface
Authors: Barabanenkov Mikhail Yu. , Davidyuk Georgy E. , Mironchuk Galina L.
Published: May 2012

We propose a principal scheme of external efficiency enhancement of phosphor luminescence, in particular chalcogenide semiconductor CdS. Green, orange, red, and near infrared frequencies can be enhanced and filtered from a continuous emission spectra of CdS phosphor on the basis of two different effects: (i) radiation stimulated formation of optically active defects in the phosphor structure; (ii) resonance diffraction of emitted photons on a patterned (regular system of etching grooves or/and metal lamellar grating) structure surface. We calculate the reflection spectra of an one dimensional resonant diffraction grating with single (CdS) and binary (CdS/Au) strip‐like rulings by the Riccati equation method. The gratings will control the emission angle cone and couple exponentially decaying (evanescent) part of phosphor radiance to air, which is a new mechanism of external efficiency enhancement (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
4H‐ and 6H‐SiC UV photodetectors
Authors: Östlund Ludwig , Wang Qin , Esteve Romain , Almqvist Susanne , Rihtnesberg David , Reshanov Sergey , Zhang Andy Z. Z. , Lim Jang‐Kwon , Bakowski Mietek , Schöner Adolf , Kaplan Wlodek
Published: May 2012

In this work, wafer‐scale 4H‐ and 6H‐SiC lateral and vertical Schottky UV photodetectors (PDs) and arrays were fabricated, characterized and compared. The lateral type device was configured as a metal‐semiconductor‐metal (MSM) photodetector with different finger electrode widths and spacing between the fingers. The vertical type devices were formed utilizing the MSM electrodes as a top contact and a Ni contact on the wafer backside. Both types of device were fabricated on the same wafer, as seen in the abstract figure, where the transparent part of the wafer contains lateral devices and the opaque part contains vertical devices. This enables a direct comparison of the performance of the different devices types. The best fabricated PDs exhibited a UV to dark current ratio of about five orders of magnitude. The dark current was measured to be about 100 fA (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An error model for instantaneous satellite rainfall estimates: evaluation of BRAIN‐TMI over West Africa
Authors: Kirstetter Pierre‐Emmanuel , Viltard Nicolas , Gosset Marielle
Published: May 2012

Characterising the error associated with satellite rainfall estimates based on space‐borne passive and active microwave measurements is a major issue for many applications, such as water budget studies or assessment of natural hazards caused by extreme rainfall events. We focus here on the error structure of the Bayesian Rain retrieval Algorithm Including Neural Network (BRAIN), the algorithm that provides instantaneous quantitative precipitation estimates at the surface based on the MADRAS radiometer on board the Megha‐Tropiques satellite. A version of BRAIN using data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) has been compared to reference values derived either from TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) or from a ground validation (GV) dataset. The ground‐based measurements were provided by two densified rain‐gauge networks in West Africa, using a geostatistical framework. The comparisons were carried out at the BRAIN retrieval scale for TMI (instantaneous and 12.5 km) and over a ten‐year‐long period. The primary contribution of this study is to provide some insight into the most significant error sources of satellite rainfall retrieval. This involves comparisons of rainfall detectability, distributions and spatial representativeness, as well as separation of systematic biases and random errors using Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape. In spite of their different sampling properties, the three rain estimates were found to detect rainfall consistently. The most important BRAIN‐TMI error is due to the rain/no‐rain delimitation which causes about 20% of volume rainfall loss relative to PR and GV. BRAIN‐TMI presents a narrow PDF relative to GV and catches the spatial structure of the most active part of rain fields. The conditional bias is significant (e.g. +2 mm h−1 for light‐moderate rain rates, −2 mm h−1 for rain rates greater than 8 mm h−1) and the overall bias is within 10%. The PR shows a significant underestimation for high rain rates with respect to GV. The proposed framework could be applied to the evaluation of other passive microwave sensors (SSMI, AMSR‐E or MADRAS) or rainfall satellite products. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Rethinking the effectiveness of asset and cost retrenchment: The contingency effects of a firm's rent creation mechanism
Authors: Lim Dominic S. K. , Celly Nikhil , Morse Eric A. , Rowe W. Glenn
Published: May 2012

This paper posits that the efficacy of different retrenchment strategies depends upon the firm's core rent creation mechanism. We focus on two distinct mechanisms of rent creation: Ricardian rent creation based on the exploitation of resources and Schumpeterian rent creation based on explorative capabilities. We argue that cost retrenchment may have detrimental effects on firms with a relatively high Schumpeterian rent focus. On the other hand, asset retrenchment may erode the basis for future rent creation for firms with a higher Ricardian rent focus. Our findings based on a sample of large nondiversified Japanese firms highlight the differing degrees of fragility and recoverability of the two rent creation mechanisms in the context of different retrenchment strategies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constructing an SOA‐based model for integrating design‐centric Internet‐mediated product information
Authors: Cheng Yune‐Yu , Liu Shuo‐Fang , Lai Hsin‐His
Published: May 2012

An online platform focusing on intermediary transaction can provide its users with needed products and services. Also, it can be used to collect, exchange, and integrate product information which involves design, production, and marketing, as well as consumer feedback. Currently, it is rather difficult to integrate and share the knowledge coming from different stages of product development. In view of that, we have employed the service‐oriented architecture (SOA) to construct a design‐centric, Web‐intermediary, and knowledge‐sharing platform (DWKSP). The platform in question integrates all product samples belonging to different users. Moreover, it serves as the underlying infrastructure which communicates and transmits product information. Through Extensible Markup Language (XML) technology, different fields of knowledge are integrated into the programmed procedure of an Internet‐mediated transaction (IMT). Such knowledge is closely connected with designing, manufacturing, and marketing a particular product. Consequently, the knowledge accumulated during an IMT will be structurally preserved; later, it will be transmitted between the users' heterogeneous systems. As the specification files of the product are shared by different users, the goal of integrating heterogeneous data is achieved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 15
Cytoskeleton in action: lissencephaly, a neuronal migration disorder
Authors: Moon Hyang Mi , Wynshaw‐Boris Anthony
Published: May 2012

During neocortical development, the extensive migratory movements of neurons from their place of birth to their final location are essential for the coordinated wiring of synaptic circuits and proper neurological function. Failure or delay in neuronal migration causes severe abnormalities in cortical layering, which consequently results in human lissencephaly (‘smooth brain’), a neuronal migration disorder. The brains of lissencephaly patients have less‐convoluted gyri in the cerebral cortex with impaired cortical lamination of neurons. Since microtubule (MT) and actin‐associated proteins play important functions in regulating the dynamics of MT and actin cytoskeletons during neuronal migration, genetic mutations or deletions of crucial genes involved in cytoskeletal processes lead to lissencephaly in human and neuronal migration defects in mouse. During neuronal migration, MT organization and transport are controlled by platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase isoform 1b regulatory subunit 1 (PAFAH1B1, formerly known as LIS1, Lissencephaly‐1), doublecortin (DCX), YWHAE, and tubulin. Actin stress fibers are modulated by PAFAH1B1 (LIS1), DCX, RELN, and VLDLR (very low‐density lipoprotein receptor)/LRP8 (low‐density lipoprotein‐related receptor 8, formerly known as APOER2). There are several important levels of crosstalk between these two cytoskeletal systems to establish accurate cortical patterning in development. The recent understanding of the protein networks that govern neuronal migration by regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, from human and mouse genetics as well as molecular and cellular analyses, provides new insights on neuronal migration disorders and may help us devise novel therapeutic strategies for such brain malformations. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:229–245. doi: 10.1002/wdev.67

This article is categorized under:

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development

Birth Defects > Craniofacial and Nervous System Anomalies
Electroshocking as a survey technique for stream‐dwelling amphibians
Authors: Cossel John O. , Gaige Monica G. , Sauder Joel D.
Published: May 2012

Electroshocking has long been employed as a survey technique for fish, but has not been directly tested against rock rolling as a survey methodology for stream‐dwelling amphibians. Electroshocking has the potential to reduce habitat disturbances that result from surveys, improve abundance estimates, and reduce injuries and effort in collecting data. Furthermore, accurately quantifying species and survey technique‐specific estimates of detection probabilities is critical for appropriately interpreting survey results and employing occupancy analyses. We tested the efficiency and sensitivity of rock rolling and electroshocking in detecting Idaho giant salamanders (Dicamptodon aterrimus) in a small stream in northern Idaho, USA, by sampling short (25 m) segments of a stream using both survey techniques. We also conducted multi‐pass surveys of 400‐m stream segments to estimate detection probabilities for D. aterrimus and Rocky Mountain tailed frog (Ascaphus montanus). Using electroshocking, we detected D. aterrimus 40% more often than by rock rolling and detected 3.5 times as many individuals, with substantially reduced effort. Using electroshocking, detection probabilities were 1.0 for D. aterrimus and 0.79 (95% CI = 0.63–0.88) for A. montanus. Our results show electroshocking to be a much more sensitive and efficient method of detecting stream‐dwelling amphibians than the traditional technique of rock rolling. Electroshocking can serve as an important survey technique for secretive stream‐dwelling amphibians, allowing managers to quickly and safely acquire valuable data of better quality. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
The Quality Implementation Framework: A Synthesis of Critical Steps in the Implementation Process
Authors: Meyers Duncan C. , Durlak Joseph A. , Wandersman Abraham
Published: May 2012

Implementation science is growing in importance among funders, researchers, and practitioners as an approach to bridging the gap between science and practice. We addressed three goals to contribute to the understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of implementation. Our first goal was to provide a conceptual overview of the process of implementation by synthesizing information from 25 implementation frameworks. The synthesis extends prior work by focusing on specific actions (i.e., the “how to”) that can be employed to foster high quality implementation. The synthesis identified 14 critical steps that were used to construct the Quality Implementation Framework (QIF). These steps comprise four QIF phases: Initial Considerations Regarding the Host Setting, Creating a Structure for Implementation, Ongoing Structure Once Implementation Begins, and Improving Future Applications. Our second goal was to summarize research support for each of the 14 QIF steps and to offer suggestions to direct future research efforts. Our third goal was to outline practical implications of our findings for improving future implementation efforts in the world of practice. The QIF's critical steps can serve as a useful blueprint for future research and practice. Applying the collective guidance synthesized by the QIF to the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation (ISF) emphasizes that accountability for quality implementation does not rest with the practitioner Delivery System alone. Instead, all three ISF systems are mutually accountable for quality implementation.

Special Issue: Advances in Bridging Research and Practice Using the Interactive System Framework for Dissemination and Implementation; Guest Editors: Abraham Wandersman, Paul Flaspohler, Catherine A. Lesesne, Richard Puddy; Action Editor: Emilie Phillips Smith
Natural disease course and genotype‐phenotype correlations in Complex I deficiency caused by nuclear gene defects: what we learned from 130 cases
Authors: Koene S. , Rodenburg R. J. , van der Knaap M. S. , Willemsen M. A. A. P. , Sperl W. , Laugel V. , Ostergaard E. , Tarnopolsky M. , Martin M. A. , Nesbitt V. , Fletcher J. , Edvardson S. , Procaccio V. , Slama A. , den van Heuvel L. P. W. J. , Smeitink J. A. M.
Published: May 2012

Mitochondrial complex I is the largest multi‐protein enzyme complex of the oxidative phosphorylation system. Seven subunits of this complex are encoded by the mitochondrial and the remainder by the nuclear genome. We review the natural disease course and signs and symptoms of 130 patients (four new cases and 126 from literature) with mutations in nuclear genes encoding structural complex I proteins or those involved in its assembly. Complex I deficiency caused by a nuclear gene defect is usually a non‐dysmorphic syndrome, characterized by severe multi‐system organ involvement and a poor prognosis. Age at presentation may vary, but is generally within the first year of life. The most prevalent symptoms include hypotonia, nystagmus, respiratory abnormalities, pyramidal signs, dystonia, psychomotor retardation or regression, failure to thrive, and feeding problems. Characteristic symptoms include brainstem involvement, optic atrophy and Leigh syndrome on MRI, either or not in combination with internal organ involvement and lactic acidemia. Virtually all children ultimately develop Leigh syndrome or leukoencephalopathy. Twenty‐five percent of the patients died before the age of six months, more than half before the age of two and 75 % before the age of ten years. Some patients showed recovery of certain skills or are still alive in their thirties . No clinical, biochemical, or genetic parameters indicating longer survival were found. No clear genotype‐phenotype correlations were observed, however defects in some genes seem to be associated with a better or poorer prognosis, cardiomyopathy, Leigh syndrome or brainstem lesions.
Modeling Associations Among Multivariate Longitudinal Categorical Variables in Survey Data: A Semiparametric Bayesian Approach
Authors: Tchumtchoua Sylvie , Dey Dipak K.
Published: May 2012

This paper proposes a semiparametric Bayesian framework for the analysis of associations among multivariate longitudinal categorical variables in high-dimensional data settings. This type of data is frequent, especially in the social and behavioral sciences. A semiparametric hierarchical factor analysis model is developed in which the distributions of the factors are modeled nonparametrically through a dynamic hierarchical Dirichlet process prior. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is developed for fitting the model, and the methodology is exemplified through a study of the dynamics of public attitudes toward science and technology in the United States over the period 1992–2001.
Synthesis and Solution Properties of Novel Sugar‐Based Polysiloxane Surfactants
Authors: Zeng Xiaojun , Lu Zhongpei , Liu Yan
Published: May 2012

Two sugar‐based polysiloxane surfactants with well‐defined structures, 3‐(2‐aminoethylamino)propyl functional polysiloxane glucosamide grafted (AEAPFPS‐GA) and 3‐(2‐aminoethylamino)propyl functional polysiloxane lactobionamide grafted (AEAPFPS‐LA), were successfully synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR and1H NMR. Their surface activities and aggregation behavior in aqueous solution were investigated by surface tension measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and negative‐stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface tension measurements provided the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the surface tension at the CMC (γCMC), which revealed that these two surfactants have a much higher surface activity than those of conventional hydrocarbon surfactants. DLS and TEM analysis of the two polysiloxane surfactants aqueous solutions revealed that the AEAPFPS‐GA can self‐assemble into collapsed spherical micelles, and the AEAPFPS‐LA can self‐assemble into spherical micelles.
Value and feasibility of LLETZ procedures for pregnant women with suspected high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and microinvasive cervical cancer
Authors: Schaefer Kristina , Peters Dorothee , Aulmann Sebastian , Sohn Christof , Eichbaum Michael H.R.
Published: May 2012

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) procedures during pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective study included 27 patients who underwent LLETZ during pregnancy for suspected high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) where microinvasion could not be excluded. The study investigated intraoperative and postoperative complications, and compared preoperative and postoperative results. Questionnaires were used to obtain information about peripartum and postpartum data.

Results

Three (11.1%) women had invasive or microinvasive cancer, 22 (81.5%) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3, and 1 (3.7%) had CIN 2. Twenty‐four were positive for high‐risk human papillomavirus. All cervical cancers were classified as HSIL or CIN 3 before LLETZ. There were positive resection margins in 15 (55.6%) cases. No intraoperative complications occurred. One (3.7%) patient had a postoperative missed abortion. Major complications such as premature labor or cervical incompetence without influence on delivery occurred after LLETZ in 4 (14.8%) patients.

Conclusion

LLETZ during pregnancy can be performed if invasive cancer cannot be excluded by colposcopy, cytology, or biopsy. The procedure has a diagnostic intention but can also be a curative therapy in pregnancy, with low intraoperative, postoperative, and peripartum complication rates.
Reproductive experiences of teenagers in the Ejisu‐Juabeng district of Ghana
Authors: Morhe Emmanuel S.K. , Tagbor Harry K. , Ankobea Frank K. , Danso Kwabena A.
Published: May 2012

Objective

To determine the proportions of male and female teenagers aged 15–19 years who have ever been involved in pregnancy, and to examine factors associated with involvement in teenage pregnancy in the Ejisu‐Juabeng district of Ghana.

Methods

In a household‐based cross‐sectional survey, 481 randomly selected male and female teenagers were enrolled between August 3 and September 17, 2009. Study variables included demographics; sexual exposure; contraceptive use; and involvement in pregnancy, childbirth, and induced abortion. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between involvement in pregnancy, and the background and reproductive profiles of the respondents via SPSS version 16.0.

Results

Both the mean and median ages of the respondents were 17.2 years. One‐third of respondents lived with both parents, and one‐third lived with single mothers. The median age of sexual debut was 16.0 years. Approximately 58% of sexually experienced females had been pregnant, and 37% had had an induced abortion. Age at sexual debut, gender, and being out of school were significantly associated with involvement in teenage pregnancy, whereas residential status, relationship with first partner, and contraceptive use were not.

Conclusion

Keeping adolescents enrolled in school might reduce their risk of involvement in pregnancy in the Ejisu‐Juabeng district of Ghana.
Facial nerve palsy as a complication of ear syringing
Authors: Thomas A M , Poojary B , Badaridatta H C
Published: May 2012

Introduction:

Syringing of the ear is one of the most common procedures performed for cleaning cerumen from the external auditory canal. Common complications following syringing are pain, external auditory canal trauma and otitis externa. Hearing and vestibular loss have also been reported as complications. However, we are unaware of any report of facial nerve palsy as a complication of ear syringing. Such a case is reported.

Case presentation:

We describe a case of facial nerve palsy as a complication of syringing, which demonstrates the dramatic presentation of this condition and emphasises the need for great care while syringing the ears.

Conclusion:

It is important to be aware of this unusual complication with its distinctive presentation. Surgical intervention should be undertaken at the earliest opportunity, for favourable results. A risk-minimising strategy for ear syringing is recommended.
Towards a new societal security dilemma: comprehensive analysis of actor responsibility in intersocietal conflicts
Authors: BILGIC ALI
Published: May 2012

Scholars of the societal security dilemma implicitly or explicitly aim to analyse actor responsibility in intersocietal group confrontations. However, adherence of these approaches to (neo-)realist theoretical assumptions of the security dilemma hinders this objective. This article provides analytical principles upon which a new societal security dilemma can be constructed in order to conduct a more comprehensive analysis of actor responsibility. A new societal security dilemma framework can be built upon three principles: (1) a security dilemma results in violence depending on how the actors themselves interpret the political structure in which they interact with others; (2) differentiation of actors' intentions as malign or benign is inconsequential; what matters is how actors interpret security and which tools they choose to adopt to achieve security; and (3) identity is not exogenous to the politics of security. Adopting these principles requires reconceptualisation of the security dilemma. It will be argued that a new societal security, which reflects the politics of security, can provide a more comprehensive, dynamic, political, and realistic analysis of actor responsibility in societal-level confrontations. These new principles will be illustrated through re-reading of the dissolution of Yugoslavia to analyse actor responsibility as a sketch of the new societal security dilemma theorising.
Sovereignty as irresponsibility? A Realist critique of the Responsibility to Protect
Authors: MOSES JEREMY
Published: May 2012

This article aims to cast a critical light on the concept of ‘sovereignty as responsibility’, which lies at the heart of the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP). It argues that there are two distinct strands of theorising about sovereignty,de factoandde jure, which are not often clearly distinguished in the literature. After establishing the concept of ‘sovereignty as responsibility’ as ade juretheory of sovereignty, the article goes on to contrast thede factotheory, based upon the sovereignty theories of Hobbes, Schmitt, and Morgenthau. I argue that thede factotheories of sovereignty, concerned as they are with unlimited power and decision as the essence of sovereign authority, can be used to highlight the lack of appreciation of power in the literature surrounding the Responsibility to Protect. This is particularly the case in relation to the just war principles of ‘right authority’ and ‘reasonable prospects of success’, both of which lie at the heart of the RtoP criteria for assessing when military interventions for human protection purposes may take place. In conclusion, it is argued that any attempt to advance the RtoP norm must engage with the problem of unlimited power in a more sustained manner.
Secular theology and noble sacrifice: the ethics of Michael Walzer's just war theory
Authors: O'CALLAGHAN RONAN
Published: May 2012

The last decade has witnessed an attempt to solidify debate on war around the dichotomy of just war and holy war. In this dichotomy, the just war has increasingly been depicted as the progressive secularised opposite to holy war's antiquated religious fundamentalism. While wars argued for under the just war banner have been extensively critiqued and protested against, the rights based language of just war theory has largely escaped critical evaluation. Michael Walzer has emerged as a pivotal figure in just war theory's modern, secular rebirth within the discipline of International Relations. Walzer's theory argues the language of just war theory provides an effective means for us to engage with the moral reality of war. Drawing upon the work of Jacques Derrida this article investigates the construction of Walzer's moral language and its ethical implications. The first section focuses on Walzer's moral language; its structure, inconsistencies, and theological underpinnings. The second section addresses how Walzer employs this language to justify the sacrifice of combatants in defence of non-combatants. The central arguments presented in this article are that Walzer's theory is inconsistent in itself, and that the sacrifices initiated by this language constitute the unjustified sacrifice of just war theory's own ethical principles.
Reasonable force: the emergence of global policing power
Authors: RYAN BARRY J.
Published: May 2012

This article introduces reasonable force as ontological to the performance of late modern police power. It argues that policing emerged through reasonable force as an innovation of military power and as a supplement to legal power. The article tracks the development of reasonable force in late modern policing through to its emergence as a vanguard strategy of post-Cold War global governance. Police power, the article finds, has transformed traditional sovereign power relations to incorporate governmental power. It finds policing power to be an expansive reforming force that exhibits a dynamic capacity to provide relational coherence to multi-layered policing constellations from the local to the global.
Conditions of democracy-enhancing multilateralism: expansion of rights protections in Europe?
Authors: SQUATRITO THERESA
Published: May 2012

As argued in a recent article by Keohane, Macedo, and Moravcsik, ‘democracy-enhancing multilateralism’ highlights the potential ways in which international organisations can enhance domestic democracy. The thesis raises an important question about the conditions which shape the likelihood that multilateralism will have such democratising effects. This article responds to the question of conditionality, looking at one way in which democracy may be improved by multilateralism-through the expansion of rights protections. That is, under what conditions will domestic democratic processes garner an improved ability to protect rights as a result of a state's participation in multilateral institutions? Using most likely empirical cases – the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (COE) – this article argues that three conditions affect the likelihood that rights expansion will result from multilateral legal institutions. Together the compatibility between the international legal principle and pre-existing domestic law, legal mobilisation, and the precision and obligation of the international law have significant affect on the likelihood of rights expansion. The unique contribution here is a set of conditions that helps to understand when and where rights are likely to expand as a result of a state's participation in international organisations.
Pulmonary atresia with intact septum: the use of Conquest Pro coronary guidewire for perforation of atretic valve and subsequent interventions
Authors: Alwi Mazeni , Budi Rahmat R. , Mood Marhisham Che , Leong Ming C. , Samion Hasri
Published: May 2012

Objective

To determine the feasibility and safety of the Conquest Pro wire as an alternative to radiofrequency wire for perforation of atretic pulmonary valve and subsequent balloon dilatation and patent ductus arteriosus stenting in patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

Background

Radiofrequency valvotomy and balloon dilatation has become the standard of care for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum in many institutions today.

Methods

We report eight consecutive patients in whom we used the Conquest Pro coronary guidewire, a stiff wire normally reserved for revascularisation of coronary lesions with chronic total occlusion, for perforation of atretic pulmonary valve and subsequent balloon dilatation, and stenting of the patent ductus arteriosus.

Results

Perforation of atretic pulmonary valve was successful in seven out of eight cases. Radiofrequency valvotomy was employed after failure of perforation by the Conquest Pro wire in one case where the right ventricular outflow tract was broad based and tapered towards the pulmonary valve, and was heavily trabeculated. Failure of the Conquest Pro wire to perforate the pulmonary valve plate was mainly attributed by the failure to engage the wire at the correct position.

Conclusion

The Conquest Pro wire for perforation and subsequent interventions in the more straightforward cases of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is effective and safe, simplifying the entire procedure. However, the radiofrequency generator and wires remain essential tools in the paediatric interventional catheter laboratory.
Failure to Learn from Repeated Mistakes: Persistent Decision-Making Impairment as Measured by the Iowa Gambling Task in Patients with Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Lesions
Authors: Waters-Wood Samantha M. , Xiao Lin , Denburg Natalie L. , Hernandez Michael , Bechara Antoine
Published: May 2012

Although frontal patients show impaired decision-making on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), there has been no follow-up study to date to determine whether there is recovery of function over time. We examined neurological participants’ performance on repeated administrations of the IGT over the course of 6 years. We found that, while non-neurological participants showed considerable improvement due to practice effects on the IGT, patients with ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) damage persisted in showing impaired performance on each retest. These results validate the clinical observations that VMPFC dysfunction does not appear to be subject to autonomous recovery over time in real-life. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–4)
U.S. ELASTICITIES OF SUBSTITUTION AND FACTOR AUGMENTATION AT THE INDUSTRY LEVEL
Authors: Young Andrew T.
Published: May 2012

We provide industry-level estimates of the elasticity of substitution (σ) between capital and labor in the United States. We also estimate rates of factor augmentation. Aggregate estimates are produced. Our empirical model comes from the first-order conditions associated with a constant–elasticity of substitution production function. Our data represent 35 industries at roughly the 2-digit SIC level, 1960–2005. We find that aggregate U.S. σ is likely less than 0.620. σ is likely less than unity for a large majority of individual industries. Evidence also suggests that aggregate σ is less than the value-added share-weighted average of industry σ's. Aggregate technical change appears to be net labor–augmenting. This also appears to be true for the large majority of individual industries, but several industries may be characterized by net capital augmentation. When industry-level elasticity estimates are mapped to model sectors, the manufacturing sector σ is lower than that of services; the investment sector σ is lower than that of consumption.
QUASI-MONTE CARLO METHODS FOR HIGH-DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATION: THE STANDARD (WEIGHTED HILBERT SPACE) SETTING AND BEYOND
Authors: KUO F. Y. , SCHWAB CH. , SLOAN I. H.
Published: May 2012

This paper is a contemporary review of quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) methods, that is, equal-weight rules for the approximate evaluation of high-dimensional integrals over the unit cube [0,1]s. It first introduces the by-now standard setting of weighted Hilbert spaces of functions with square-integrable mixed first derivatives, and then indicates alternative settings, such as non-Hilbert spaces, that can sometimes be more suitable. Original contributions include the extension of the fast component-by-component (CBC) construction of lattice rules that achieve the optimal convergence order (a rate of almost 1/N, whereNis the number of points, independently of dimension) to so-called “product and order dependent” (POD) weights, as seen in some recent applications. Although the paper has a strong focus on lattice rules, the function space settings are applicable to all QMC methods. Furthermore, the error analysis and construction of lattice rules can be adapted to polynomial lattice rules from the family of digital nets.
Region-based memory management for Mercury programs
Authors: PHAN QUAN , JANSSENS GERDA , SOMOGYI ZOLTAN
Published: May 2012

Region-based memory management (RBMM) is a form of compile time memory management, well-known from the world of functional programming. In this paper we describe our work on implementing RBMM for the logic programming language Mercury. One interesting point about Mercury is that it is designed with strong type, mode, and determinism systems. These systems not only provide Mercury programmers with several direct software engineering benefits, such as self-documenting code and clear program logic, but also give language implementors a large amount of information that is useful for program analyses. In this work, we make use of this information to develop program analyses that determine the distribution of data into regions and transform Mercury programs by inserting into them the necessary region operations. We prove the correctness of our program analyses and transformation. To execute annotated programs, we have implemented runtime support that tackles the two main challenges posed by backtracking. First, backtracking can require regions removed during forward execution to be “resurrected”; and second, any memory allocated during computation that has been backtracked over must be recovered promptly without waiting for the regions involved to come to the end of their life. We describe in detail our solution of both these problems. We study in detail how our RBMM system performs on a selection of benchmark programs, including some well-known difficult cases for RBMM. Even with these difficult cases, our RBMM-enabled Mercury system obtains clearly faster runtimes for 15 out of 18 benchmarks compared to the base Mercury system with its Boehm runtime garbage collector, with an average runtime speedup of 24%, and an average reduction in memory requirements of 95%. In fact, our system achieves optimal memory consumption in some programs.
Tongued with Fire: T.S. Eliot's Poetics of Prayer
Authors: Kramer Kenneth P.
Published: May 2012

What makes prayer valid? For the poet, T.S. Eliot, there is something more, something that is sometimes unnoticed, but which, if realized, can reanimate prayer life. This brief essay unfolds in three steps: (1) pointing to the contemplative influence of Eliot's conversion to the Church of England; (2) depicting the seventeenth-century Little Gidding lay-monastic community as the definitive influence on Eliot's final quartet; and (3) unpacking six interrelated prayer-revitalizing insights from a passage in ‘Little Gidding’, practices that help make prayer valid.
Coupled air‐sea interaction patterns and surface heat‐flux feedback in the Bay of Biscay
Authors: Esnaola G. , Sáenz J. , Zorita E. , Lazure P. , Ganzedo U. , Fontán A. , Ibarra‐Berastegi G. , Ezcurra A.
Published: May 2012

The coupled variability of the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and atmosphere‐ocean surface heat fluxes over the Bay of Biscay (Eastern North Atlantic) has been analyzed. Daily surface heat fluxes from different meteorological reanalyses are combined with a high resolution reconstructed satellite SST data set by means of Lagged Maximum Covariance Analysis (MCA). Lagged MCA is applied at different spatial scales. Its results are interpreted within the framework of Hasselmann's stochastic climate model. The surface heat‐flux feedback on SST is confirmed to be generally negative. No clear relation is found between the first MCA expansion series and the leading Sea Level Pressure (SLP) patterns. However, a clear relation is found between the second expansion series and the leading SLP Principal Component (PC) when the atmosphere leads the ocean. Spatial patterns of anomalies of the SST and of the SST tendency are found to be related by a 4 day lag. The same reconstructed satellite SST and reanalysis heat fluxes are combined to estimate the feedbacks related to the surface heat fluxes. The traditional procedure used to compute the surface heat‐flux feedbacks from monthly data is adapted for daily data. High resolution maps of the heat‐flux feedback are derived for the annual and seasonal cases for the Bay of Biscay. Feedbacks related to turbulent (latent and sensible heat) fluxes are shown to dominate over the radiative ones. Special attention is paid to small‐scale features present in both Lagged Covariance patterns and surface heat‐flux feedback estimates.