bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Article: Investment Treaties and Transition from Authoritarian Rule
Authors: Bonnitcha Jonathan 
Published: November 2014

Following recent events in Egypt, Libya, Myanmar (Burma) and Tunisia, foreign investors have lodged international claims under investment treaties. Several of these cases follow a common fact pattern. They concern foreign investments acquired from authoritarian governments substantially below market value through transactions that were not arms’ length. Subsequently, new governments sought to renegotiate these contracts and concessions, or to change the regulatory arrangements that govern them. The investors then invoked the protections of an investment treaty.
This article draws on political science scholarship on transition. It argues that investment treaties risk constraining the ability of incoming democratic regimes to consolidate their position, and questions the normative justifications for applying the principle of full market value compensation to situations in which investments were not acquired on a full market value basis. These conclusions are relevant to wider debates about the tension between legal stability and political change in international law.
Short-Term Precipitation and Temperature Trends along an Elevation Gradient in Northeastern Puerto Rico
Authors: Van Beusekom Ashley E. , González Grizelle , Rivera Maria M. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
As is true of many tropical regions, northeastern Puerto Rico is an ecologically sensitive area with biological life that is highly elevation dependent on precipitation and temperature. Climate change has the potential to increase the risk of losing endemic species and habitats. Consequently, it is important to explore the pattern of trends in precipitation and temperature along an elevation gradient. Statistical derivatives of a frequently sampled dataset of precipitation and temperature at 20 sites along an elevation gradient of 1000 m in northeastern Puerto Rico were examined for trends from 2001 to 2013 with nonparametric methods accounting for annual periodic variations such as yearly weather cycles. Overall daily precipitation had an increasing trend of around 0.1 mm day−1 yr−1. The driest months of the annual dry, early, and late rainfall seasons showed a small increasing trend in the precipitation (around 0.1 mm day−1 yr−1). There was strong evidence that precipitation in the driest months of each rainfall season increased faster at higher elevations (0.02 mm day−1 more increase for 100-m elevation gain) and some evidence for the same pattern in precipitation in all months of the year but at half the rate. Temperature had a positive trend in the daily minimum (around 0.02°C yr−1) and a negative trend in the daily maximum whose size is likely an order of magnitude larger than the size of the daily minimum trend. Physical mechanisms behind the trends may be related to climate change; longer-term studies will need to be undertaken in order to assess the future climatic trajectory of tropical forests.
The Social and Developmental Antecedents of Legal Cynicism
Authors: Nivette Amy E. , Eisner Manuel , Malti Tina , Ribeaud Denis 
Published: November 2014

Objectives: This study explores the social and developmental antecedents of legal cynicism. This study comprises a range of indicators organized into four domains—bonds to institutions, predispositions, experiences, and delinquent involvement—that bear on theoretically plausible mechanisms involved in the development of legal cynicism. Methods: This study examines four pathways to legal cynicism using data from two waves of the Zurich Project on the Social Development of Children and Youths ( N = 1,226). Ordinary least squares (OLS) procedures are used to regress legal cynicism at t2 (age 15) on social and psychological characteristics measured at t1 (age 13), and retrospective variables measured at t2. Baseline legal cynicism was included as a covariate in all models. Results: The results show that self-reported delinquency is the strongest predictor of legal cynicism. There is also evidence that alienation from society, negative experiences with police, and association with deviant peers can foster legal cynicism. Conclusions: This study shows that legal cynicism is to a small extent the result of alienation from social institutions and negative experiences with the police. To a much larger degree, legal cynicism seems to represent a cognitive neutralization technique used to justify one’s previous self-reported delinquency.
Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI for liver fibrosis assessment: a pilot study
Authors: Chung Sae Rom , Lee Seung Soo , Kim Namkug , Yu Eun Sil , Kim Eunki , Kühn Bernd , Kim In Seong 
Published: November 2014

Background There has been a growing need for an imaging method for the accurate diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis as a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging for classifying the severity of liver fibrosis. Material and Methods Fifty-seven patients who underwent navigator-triggered, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver on a 1.5-T system using nine b-values and had a reliable reference standard for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis (histopathologic findings [ n = 27] or clinical findings for normal [ n = 18] or cirrhotic liver [ n = 12]), were included in our study. Liver apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure diffusion ( Dslow), perfusion fraction ( f), and perfusion-related diffusion ( Dfast), and the product f · Dfast were compared with the liver fibrosis stages (F). The accuracies of these parameters in diagnosing severe liver fibrosis (F ≥3) were evaluated using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results The liver fibrosis stages had the strongest negative correlation with f · Dfast ( ρ = –0.52). All of the parameters, except for Dslow, were significantly lower in patients with F ≥3 than in those with F ≤2 ( P ≤ 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for diagnosing severe fibrosis was the largest for f · Dfast (0.844) with an overall accuracy of 79.0% (45/57) at the optimal cutoff value and followed by f (0.834), Dfast (0.773), ADC (0.762), and Dslow (0.656). Conclusion IVIM imaging is a promising method for classifying the severity of liver fibrosis, with the product f · Dfast being the most accurate parameter.
The effect of benzo[α]pyrene on expression and signaling cross talk of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and NFATc1 in mouse lung tissue
Authors: Parsa Maliheh , Ostad Seyed Nasser , Moogahi Seyed Mohammad Hossein Noori , Bayat Mohammad , Ghahremani Mohammad Hossein 
Published: November 2014

Objective: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potent environmental pollutants. Benzo[α]pyrene (B[α]P) is the major compound of PAHs that acts by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in cells. B[α]P is a known carcinogen and an immunotoxicant; however, its role with regard to nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) pathway is unclear. AhR and NFAT signaling pathways have common roles in pathological functions in immunotoxicity and lung cancer. In this study, the effect of AhR activation on expression and signaling cross talk of AhR and NFATc1 pathways in mouse lung tissue has been investigated. Methods: Swiss albino mice were randomly allocated to five groups and administered with cyclosporin A (CsA) and B[α]P for seven constitutive days. Animals were then killed, and lung tissues were obtained after washing the whole blood. Paraffin-embedded blocks were prepared, and 5 µm sections were cut for histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments. The results were scored by observer and digitally analyzed using ImageJ software. Results: Our data showed that CsA administration resulted in a significant reduction of AhR expression. This effect was partly blocked in mice coadministrated with B[α]P and CsA. NFATc1 expression was also reduced in CsA-treated animals. Furthermore, CsA inhibited the pathological effects of B[α]P in mouse lung tissue. Conclusion: AhR expression is dependent on NFATc1 activation, and NFATc1 inhibition remarkably decreases AhR expression. However, it seems that total expression of NFATc1 is not dependent on AhR expression or activation. Moreover, CsA can prevent B[α]P-induced lung tissue damage, and it remarkably decreases NFATc1 expression. The results from this study point toward the molecular interactions of AhR and NFATc1 activation in lung tissue and the benefit of CsA treatment in B[α]P-induced lung damage.
Staple Fixation for Akin Proximal Phalangeal Osteotomy in the Treatment of Hallux Valgus Interphalangeus
Authors: Neumann Julie A. , Reay Kathleen D. , Bradley Kendall E. , Parekh Selene G. 
Published: November 2014

Background: The Akin proximal phalangeal osteotomy is commonly used in conjunction with metatarsal osteotomies to treat hallux valgus. Multiple fixation methods including suture, wire, screw, and staple fixation have been described. The aims of this study were to assess the intraoperative and postoperative complications and to evaluate short-term postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent Akin osteotomy with staple fixation. Methods: Forty-four patients (51 feet) with painful hallux valgus were retrospectively reviewed at an average of 40.4 ± 15.8 (range, 25.9 to 79.9) weeks following an Akin osteotomy with staple fixation. Patient reported preoperative and postoperative Visual Analog Score (VAS) (0 to 10, 0 = no pain) was recorded. Level of activity was reported postoperatively. Hallux valgus angles (HVAs), intermetatarsal angles (IMAs), and hallux valgus interphalangeus angles (IPAs) were evaluated on preoperative as well as final postoperative radiographs. Postoperative clinical and radiographic examinations were used to evaluate for complications. Results: Mean VAS improved from 4.4 ± 2.6 to 1.0 ± 1.2 ( P < .001). Activity level was classified as ability to bear weight as tolerated 3/51 (5.9%), ambulate 1 to 4 blocks 2/51 (3.9%), ambulate a minimum of 6 blocks 18/51 (35.3%), and ambulate an unlimited distance 28/51 (59.4%). Average HVA, IMA, and IPA improved from 25.6 ± 10.0 degrees to 14.1 ± 8.1 degrees ( P < .001), 13.1 ± 4.6 degrees to 8.0 ± 3.0 degrees ( P < .001), and 7.9 ± 3.4 degrees to −3.1 ± 6.4 degrees ( P < .001), respectively. No major postoperative complications, including infections, nonunions, or recurrent deformities, were recorded. Two patients sustained breaches of the lateral cortex, but this was without appreciable complication. Three patients (5.9%) reported unilateral proximal-medial great phalanx tenderness. There was 1 revision for persistent deformity, specifically in the HVA and IPA angles. Conclusion: Akin osteotomy with staple fixation was a safe and effective procedure as part of a hallux valgus correction with improvement in pain and hallux valgus deformity with a low risk for complications. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
What do nurses and midwives value about their jobs? Results from a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Scott Anthony , Witt Julia , Duffield Christine , Kalb Guyonne 
Published: November 2014

Objectives To examine nurses’ and midwives’ preferences for the characteristics of their jobs. Methods A discrete choice experiment of 990 nurses and midwives administered as part of a survey of nurses and midwives in Victoria, Australia. Results Autonomy, working hours, and processes to deal with violence and bullying were valued most highly. Nurses and midwives would be willing to forgo 19% and 16% of their annual income for adequate autonomy and adequate processes to deal with violence and bullying, compared to poor autonomy and poor processes for violence and bullying. They would need to be paid an additional 24% to increase their working hours by 10% ($73 per hour). Job characteristics that were less important were shift work, nurse to patient ratios, and public or private sector work. Conclusions Policies to improve retention and job satisfaction of nurses and midwives should initially focus on autonomy, processes to deal with violence and bullying, and reasonable working hours. Further research on the cost-effectiveness of these different policies is needed.
A Peer-Led HIV Medication Adherence Intervention Targeting Adults Linked to Medical Care but without a Suppressed Viral Load
Authors: Enriquez Maithe , Cheng An-Lin , Banderas Julie , Farnan Rose , Chertoff Keyna , Hayes Deana , Ortego Gerry , Moreno Jose , Peterson Jane , McKinsey David 
Published: November 2014

Background: Non-adherence to antiretroviral (ART) treatment remains a prevalent problem even among the segment of the U.S. HIV population that is ‘linked’ to medical care. Methods: Controlled pilot feasibility study with ART experienced adult patients (n = 20) linked to HIV medical care without suppressed viral load. Patients were randomized to a peer-led HIV medication adherence intervention named `Ready' or a time equivalent `healthy eating' control arm. Lay individuals living with HIV were trained to facilitate `Ready'. Results: Patients had been prescribed a mean of three prior ART regimens. The group randomized to `Ready' had significantly improved adherence. MEMS and pharmacy refill data correlated with viral load log drop. Higher readiness for healthful behavior change correlated with viral load drop and approached significance. Conclusion: A peer-led medication adherence intervention had a positive impact among adults who had experienced repeated non-adherence to HIV treatment. A larger study is needed to examine intervention dissemination and efficacy.
Therapeutic targeting of the BCR-associated protein CD79b in a TCR-based approach is hampered by aberrant expression of CD79b
Authors: Jahn Lorenz , Hombrink Pleun , Hassan Chopie , Kester Michel G. D. , van der Steen Dirk M. , Hagedoorn Renate S. , Falkenburg J. H. Frederik , van Veelen Peter A. , Heemskerk Mirjam H. M. 
Published: November 2014

Key PointsB-cell malignancies were efficiently recognized by T cells expressing high-affinity alloHLA-restricted TCRs specific for CD79b. Aberrant expression of CD79b in non–B cells caused unwanted reactivity, rendering CD79b unsuitable for TCR-based immunotherapies.
Plasmodium vivax: restricted tropism and rapid remodeling of CD71-positive reticulocytes
Authors: Malleret Benoit , Li Ang , Zhang Rou , Tan Kevin S. W. , Suwanarusk Rossarin , Claser Carla , Cho Jee Sun , Koh Esther Geok Liang , Chu Cindy S. , Pukrittayakamee Sasithon , Ng Mah Lee , Ginhoux Florent , Ng Lai Guan , Lim Chwee Teck , Nosten François , Snounou Georges , Rénia Laurent , Russell Bruce 
Published: November 2014

Key PointsPlasmodium vivax merozoites preferentially infect a subgroup of reticulocytes generally restricted to the bone marrow. Accelerated “maturation” of infected reticulocytes.
Constitutive activation of the ERK pathway in melanoma and skin melanocytes in Grey horses
Authors: Jiang Lin , Campagne Cécile , Sundström Elisabeth , Sousa Pedro , Imran Saima , Seltenhammer Monika , Pielberg Gerli , Olsson Mats J , Egidy Giorgia , Andersson Leif , Golovko Anna 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Background
Constitutive activation of the ERK pathway, occurring in the vast majority of melanocytic neoplasms, has a pivotal role in melanoma development. Different mechanisms underlie this activation in different tumour settings. The Grey phenotype in horses, caused by a 4.6 kb duplication in intron 6 of Syntaxin 17 (STX17), is associated with a very high incidence of cutaneous melanoma, but the molecular mechanism behind the melanomagenesis remains unknown. Here, we investigated the involvement of the ERK pathway in melanoma development in Grey horses.

Methods
Grey horse melanoma tumours, cell lines and normal skin melanocytes were analyzed with help of indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblotting for the expression of phospho-ERK1/2 in comparison to that in non-grey horse and human counterparts. The mutational status of BRAF, RAS, GNAQ, GNA11 and KIT genes in Grey horse melanomas was determined by direct sequencing. The effect of RAS, RAF and PI3K/AKT pathways on the activation of the ERK signaling in Grey horse melanoma cells was investigated with help of specific inhibitors and immunoblotting. Individual roles of RAF and RAS kinases on the ERK activation were examined using si-RNA based approach and immunoblotting.

Results
We found that the ERK pathway is constitutively activated in Grey horse melanoma tumours and cell lines in the absence of somatic activating mutations in BRAF, RAS, GNAQ, GNA11 and KIT genes or alterations in the expression of the main components of the pathway. The pathway is mitogenic and is mediated by BRAF, CRAF and KRAS kinases. Importantly, we found high activation of the ERK pathway also in epidermal melanocytes, suggesting a general predisposition to melanomagenesis in these horses.

Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that the presence of the intronic 4.6 kb duplication in STX17 is strongly associated with constitutive activation of the ERK pathway in melanocytic cells in Grey horses in the absence of somatic mutations commonly linked to the activation of this pathway during melanomagenesis. These findings are consistent with the universal importance of the ERK pathway in melanomagenesis and may have valuable implications for human melanoma research.
Soft UV nanoimprint lithography-designed highly sensitive substrates for SERS detection
Authors: Cottat Maximilien , Lidgi-Guigui Nathalie , Tijunelyte Inga , Barbillon Grégory , Hamouda Frédéric , Gogol Philippe , Aassime Abdelhanin , Lourtioz Jean-Michel , Bartenlian Bernard , de la Chapelle Marc Lamy 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Abstract
We report on the use of soft UV nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) for the development of reproducible, millimeter-sized, and sensitive substrates for SERS detection. The used geometry for plasmonic nanostructures is the cylinder. Gold nanocylinders (GNCs) showed to be very sensitive and specific sensing surfaces. Indeed, we demonstrated that less than 4 ×106 avidin molecules were detected and contributed to the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal. Thus, the soft UV-NIL technique allows to obtain quickly very sensitive substrates for SERS biosensing on surfaces of 1 mm 2.
Evaluation of a modified clinical prediction rule for use with spinal manipulative therapy in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Dougherty Paul E , Karuza Jurgis , Savino Dorian , Katz Paul 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Background
Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Active Exercise Therapy (AET) have both demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of Chronic Lower Back Pain (CLBP). A Clinical Prediction Rule (CPR) for responsiveness to SMT has been validated in a heterogeneous lower back pain population; however there is a need to evaluate this CPR specifically for patients with CLBP, which is a significant source of disability.

Methods
We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Veteran Affairs and civilian outpatient clinics evaluating a modification of the original CPR (mCPR) in CLBP, eliminating acute low back pain and altering the specific types of SMT to improve generalizability. We enrolled and followed 181 patients with CLBP from 2007 to 2010. Patients were randomized by status on the mCPR to undergo either SMT or AET twice a week for four weeks. Providers and statisticians were blinded as to mCPR status. We collected outcome measures at 5, 12 and 24-weeks post baseline. We tested our study hypotheses by a general linear model repeated measures procedure following a univariate analysis of covariance approach. Outcome measures included, Visual Analogue Scale, Bodily pain subscale of SF-36 and the Oswestry Disability Index, Patient Satisfaction and Patient Expectation.

Results
Of the 89 AET patients, 69 (78%) completed the study and of the 92 SMT patients, 76 (83%) completed the study. As hypothesized, we found main effects of time where the SMT and AET groups showed significant improvements in pain and disability from baseline. There were no differences in treatment outcomes between groups in response to the treatment, given the lack of significant treatment x time interactions. The mCPR x treatment x time interactions were not significant. The differences in outcomes between treatment groups were the same for positive and negative on the mCPR groups, thus our second hypothesis was not supported.

Conclusions
We found no evidence that a modification of the original CPR can be used to discriminate CLBP patients that would benefit more from SMT. Further studies are needed to further clarify the patient characteristics that moderate treatment responsiveness to specific interventions for CLBP.

Trial registration
ISRCTN30511490
The fluid management of adults with severe malaria
Authors: Hanson Josh , Anstey Nicholas M , Bihari David , White Nicholas J , Day Nicholas P , Dondorp Arjen M 
Published: November 2014

AbstractFluid resuscitation has long been considered a key intervention in the treatment of adults with severe falciparum malaria. Profound hypovolemia is common in these patients and has the potential to exacerbate the acidosis and acute kidney injury that are independent predictors of death. However, new microvascular imaging techniques have shown that disease severity correlates more strongly with obstruction of the microcirculation by parasitized erythrocytes - a process termed sequestration. Fluid loading has little effect on sequestration and increases the risk of complications, particularly pulmonary edema, a condition that can develop suddenly and unpredictably and that is frequently fatal in this population. Accordingly, even if a patient is clinically hypovolemic, if there is an adequate blood pressure and urine output, there may be little advantage in infusing intravenous fluid beyond a maintenance rate of 1 to 2 mL/kg per hour. The optimal agent for fluid resuscitation remains uncertain; significant anemia requires blood transfusion, but colloid solutions may be associated with harm and should be avoided. The preferred crystalloid is unclear, although the use of balanced solutions requires investigation. There are fewer data to guide the fluid management of severe vivax and knowlesi malaria, although a similar conservative strategy would appear prudent.