bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘And when everyone is super […] no one will be’: The limits of American Exceptionalism in The Incredibles
Authors: Meinel Dietmar 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
The Incredibles (Bird, 2004) envisions a society in which superheroes are prohibited from using their superhuman abilities. The struggle for recognition of this ‘marginalized’ group has been deemed a simplistic representation of ‘an Ayn Randian or scientologist notion of the special people who must resist social pressures to suppress their superpowers in order to fit in with the drab masses’ (Halberstam 2011: 47).
This fleeting assessment of the Pixar film captures the exceptionalist logic underlying its narrative: A ‘tyranny of the majority’ denies individuals their due recognition, and these individuals find strength and courage by forming a ‘voluntary association’. The Incredibles, thus, mirrors the logic of American Exceptionalism as portrayed by Alexis de Tocqueville in his Democracy in America (1835). My article will explore these core themes of exceptionalism and critically assess their intersection with discourses of whiteness and gender in The Incredibles. My article will, furthermore, unearth the establishment of a neo-liberal social order as a fundamental element of the film narrative to examine the links between neo-liberalism, exceptionalism and identity politics. As I will demonstrate, the prevalence of the neo-liberal ideology in The Incredibles eventually dismantles the hegemonic logic of American Exceptionalism.
My article, therefore, explores the lasting significance of American Exceptionalism within contemporary film and demonstrates its conflicting, unstable relations to neo-liberalism. In this sense, The Incredibles offers a rarely acknowledged example of the contradictory nature of the dominant ideologies of American Exceptionalism and neo-liberalism to suggest novel insights into their critique.
A mutation in the STAT1 DNA-binding domain associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis
Authors: Faitelson Yoram , Bates Andrea , Shroff Manohar , Grunebaum Eyal , Roifman Chaim M. , Naqvi Ahmed 
Published: December 2014

Introduction: The transcription factor Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) is a key element in many of the signalling cascades involved in immune system function. Different mutations in STAT1 are associated with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes that range from early fatality due to overwhelming infection to limited involvement of the mucus membrane with recurrent Candida infections. Multiple genes related to immune function have been associated with the development of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), but the association between STAT1 mutation and HLH has not been described in detail. Methods: We report the genetic background of a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) as well as an unusual clinical course. Results: In this study we describe a patient with a mutation in the STAT1 DNA-binding domain and a history of CMC who developed a refractory and fatal case of HLH despite having bone marrow transplantation. Conclusion: We describe a patient with refractory and fatal HLH who was found to have a mutation in the DNA-binding domain of STAT1. Statement of novelty: The association of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis with HLH.
PON-1 and ferroxidase activities in older patients with mild cognitive impairment, late onset Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia
Authors: Cervellati Carlo , Romani Arianna , Bergamini Carlo M. , Bosi Cristina , Sanz Juana Maria , Passaro Angelina , Zuliani Giovanni 
Published: December 2014

AbstractA large body of evidence suggests that not only cerebral but also systemic oxidative stress (OxS) might be involved in the pathogenesis of late onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) and vascular dementia (VAD), as well as of the prodromal phase of dementia, the so-called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In the present study, we evaluated whether paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) and ferroxidase (FeOx) activities, because of their well acknowledged effectiveness as systemic antioxidants, might be associated with dementia and/or MCI.Serum arylesterase and paraoxonase of PON-1, along with FeOx I (ceruloplasmin-related) and II activities were assessed in 223 MCI, 162 LOAD, 65 VAD patients, and in 143 older normal cognitive controls.Among the enzymatic activities examined, only arylesterase significantly changed across the groups (ANOVA: p<0.001), with similar lower levels in MCI, LOAD, and VAD compared to controls. By multivariate logistic regression analysis we showed that, in respect to controls, low levels (under the median value) of serum arylesterase were independently associated with an increase in the likelihood of being affected by LOAD [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–5.0], VAD (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.2), or MCI (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–3.8).Overall, our results suggest that depression of PON-1, and in particular, of arylesterase activity, in serum might be an early feature of dementia-related diseases. Further longitudinal exploration of the role of this enzyme in the onset and progression of these disorders are required.
Preanalytical quality improvement. In pursuit of harmony, on behalf of European Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE)
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Banfi Giuseppe , Church Stephen , Cornes Michael , De Carli Gabriella , Grankvist Kjell , Kristensen Gunn B. , Ibarz Mercedes , Panteghini Mauro , Plebani Mario , Nybo Mads , Smellie Stuart , Zaninotto Martina , Simundic Ana-Maria 
Published: December 2014

AbstractLaboratory diagnostics develop through different phases that span from test ordering (pre-preanalytical phase), collection of diagnostic specimens (preanalytical phase), sample analysis (analytical phase), results reporting (postanalytical phase) and interpretation (post-postanalytical phase). Although laboratory medicine seems less vulnerable than other clinical and diagnostic areas, the chance of errors is not negligible and may adversely impact on quality of testing and patient safety. This article, which continues a biennial tradition of collective papers on preanalytical quality improvement, is aimed to provide further contributions for pursuing quality and harmony in the preanalytical phase, and is a synopsis of lectures of the third European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)-Becton Dickinson (BD) European Conference on Preanalytical Phase meeting entitled ‘Preanalytical quality improvement. In pursuit of harmony’ (Porto, 20–21 March 2015). The leading topics that will be discussed include unnecessary laboratory testing, management of test request, implementation of the European Union (EU) Directive on needlestick injury prevention, harmonization of fasting requirements for blood sampling, influence of physical activity and medical contrast media on in vitro diagnostic testing, recent evidence about the possible lack of necessity of the order of draw, the best practice for monitoring conditions of time and temperature during sample transportation, along with description of problems emerging from inappropriate sample centrifugation. In the final part, the article includes recent updates about preanalytical quality indicators, the feasibility of an External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for the preanalytical phase, the results of the 2nd EFLM WG-PRE survey, as well as specific notions about the evidence-based quality management of the preanalytical phase.
Ibsen Exposed: Atle Næss’s Sensommer and Niels Fredrik Dahl’s Henrik og Emilie
Authors: Rees Ellen 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn this article the author considers two Norwegian fictionalizations of the historical figure Henrik Ibsen. Building on theories of biographical fiction and biographical theater, the author examines how contemporary writers Atle Næss and Niels Fredrik Dahl represent Ibsen’s body in the novel Sensommer (1987) and the play Henrik og Emilie (2006) respectively, and explores the implications of how this focus on Ibsen's corporeality affects his reception and canonization. The author finds that both authors employ a discourse of impotence and intimacy, which reinforces the more speculative elements of ostensibly factual biographical writing about Ibsen.
Spiegelbilder des Krieges. Grenzverletzungen als literarische Katalysatoren der nationalen und existentiellen Selbstreflexion
Authors: Möller-Christensen Ivy York 
Published: December 2014

AbstractGermany versus Denmark in the years 1864 and 1940. Nationalistic and military confrontations reflected in Danish literature. Border violations as catalysts for self-reflection in relation to nationality and existence.The purpose of this article is to throw light on nationalistic and military confrontations acting as literary catalysts for self-reflection in relation to Danish nationality and existence. Highlighted in this article are two major discourses of this, both originating in the 19th century. One of these is rooted in an idealistic, universal romanticism, and the other is characterized by an existentialistic discourse of modernity.The analysis demonstrates how the first mentioned, idealistic and national-romantic school of thought builds on the identity-creative elements of history, nature, language and national character. These factors form a common ideological frame of reference for two of the most influential writers during the World War 2 German occupation of Denmark: Valdemar Rørdam and Kaj Munk, who nevertheless ended up on either side of the table; the former advocating the national-socialistic ideology, and the latter as an uncompromising critic and opponent of the occupational power.The existentialistic discourse of modernity – of which the author Herman Bang is one of the most significant representatives during the last part of the 19th century – has shown to be the most vigorous and viable, and even to-day it is forming an artistic and ideological background for a critical, existential and national self-reflection which up to now has left its mark on the rich Danish war literature.
Application of the Surface Wave Survey Method on Multi-Scale Engineering Problems: Laboratory and Field Testing Case Studies
Authors: Dai Kaoshan , Song Xuehang , Li Xiaofeng , Huang Zhenhua , Pan Yongdong 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
The geometric dispersion of surface waves offers the feature to infer the properties of a medium. The surface wave survey method is under continuous evolution and its applications include the noninvasive characterization of a medium at a small scale and the earthquake geotechnical survey at a large scale. Despite the significant difference in scales, these applications generally utilize the propagation of the surface waves along the boundary of a layered medium. This paper discusses standard steps involved in surface wave surveys. Two application case studies are conducted and presented in detail. In the small scale laboratory application case, a nondestructive testing (NDT) methodology is proposed for the coating investigation using laser interferometric measurements of surface waves. In the large scale field application, an accelerometer-based passive surface wave survey is designed for earthquake geotechnical engineering site characterization. Finally, recommendations for practical application of surface waves in multi-scale engineering problems are presented.
On Designing Time-Censored Step-Stress Life Test for Lomax Distribution
Authors: Ismail Ali A. 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
This article presents optimum time step-stress partially accelerated life tests (SSPALTs) where a pre-specified censoring time is considered. The time to failure is assumed to have Lomax distribution. Maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of SSPALT model parameters are obtained. Moreover, a confidence intervals estimation for the parameters with associated coverage probabilities is obtained. In addition, optimum test plans for SSPALT are also developed. Such test plans minimize the generalized asymptotic variance (GAV) of the MLEs of the model parameters. To demonstrate the theoretical results, Monte Carlo simulations are introduced and a real life example is provided.
Evaluating the Lagged Effects of Direct Employee Equity Incentives on Organizational Innovation
Authors: Wang Mei-Ling 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
This study evaluated the lagged effects of direct employee equity incentives on organizational innovation. Based on a sample consisting of 366 publicly listed high-tech firms in Taiwan, we tested the lagged effects in pooled-time-series data during the time period of 1995–2004. The fixed-effects models showed that direct employee equity incentive schemes indeed enhanced innovation as measured by the number of patents, and the positive effects lasted for 4 years. The results imply that direct employee equity schemes have lagged effects on organizational innovation.
Influenza-Related Hospitalization and ED Visits in Children Less Than 5 Years: 2000–2011
Authors: Jules Astride , Grijalva Carlos G. , Zhu Yuwei , Talbot H. Keipp , Williams John V. , Poehling Katherine A. , Chaves Sandra S. , Edwards Kathryn M. , Schaffner William , Shay David K. , Griffin Marie R. 
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
In the United States, recommendations for annual influenza vaccination gradually expanded from 2004 to 2008, to include all children aged ≥6 months. The effects of these policies on vaccine uptake and influenza-associated health care encounters are unclear. The objectives of the study were to examine the annual incidence of influenza-related health care encounters and vaccine uptake among children age 6 to 59 months from 2000–2001 through 2010–2011 in Davidson County, TN.

METHODS:
We estimated the proportion of laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits by enrolling and testing children with acute respiratory illness or fever. We estimated influenza-related health care encounters by multiplying these proportions by the number of acute respiratory illness/fever hospitalizations and ED visits for county residents. We assessed temporal trends in vaccination coverage, and influenza-associated hospitalizations and ED visit rates.

RESULTS:
The proportion of fully vaccinated children increased from 6% in 2000–2001 to 38% in 2010–2011 (P &lt; .05). Influenza-related hospitalizations ranged from 1.9 to 16.0 per 10 000 children (median 4.5) per year. Influenza-related ED visits ranged from 89 to 620 per 10 000 children (median 143) per year. Significant decreases in hospitalizations (P &lt; .05) and increases in ED visits (P &lt; .05) over time were not clearly related to vaccination trends. Influenza-related encounters were greater when influenza A(H3N2) circulated than during other years with median rates of 8.2 vs 3.2 hospitalizations and 307 vs 143 ED visits per 10 000 children, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:
Influenza vaccination increased over time; however, the proportion of fully vaccinated children remained &lt;50%. Influenza was associated with a substantial illness burden particularly when influenza A(H3N2) predominated.
Growth Charts for Non-Growth Hormone Treated Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Butler Merlin G. , Lee Jaehoon , Manzardo Ann M. , Gold June-Anne , Miller Jennifer L. , Kimonis Virginia , Driscoll Daniel J. 
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE:The goal of this study was to generate and report standardized growth curves for weight, height, head circumference, and BMI for non–growth hormone–treated white male and female US subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) between 3 and 18 years of age and develop standardized growth charts.METHODS:Anthropometric measures (N = 133) were obtained according to standard methods from 120 non–growth hormone–treated white subjects (63 males and 57 females) with PWS between 3 and 18 years of age. Standardized growth curves were developed for the third, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles by using the LMS method for weight, height, head circumference, and BMI for PWS subjects along with the normative third, 50th, and 97th percentiles from national and international growth data. The LMS smoothing procedure summarized the distribution of the anthropometric variables at each age using three parameters: power of the Box-Cox transformation λ (L), median μ (M) and coefficient of variation δ (S).RESULTS:Weight, height, head circumference, and BMI standardized growth charts representing 7 percentile ranges were developed from 120 non–growth hormone–treated white male and female US subjects with PWS (age range: 3–18 years) and normative third, 50th, and 97th percentiles from national and international data.CONCLUSIONS:We encourage the use of syndrome-specific growth standards to examine and evaluate subjects with PWS when monitoring growth patterns and determining nutritional and obesity status. These variables can be influenced by culture, individual medical care, diet intervention, and physical activity plans.
Pediatric Germ Cell Tumors From 1987 to 2011: Incidence Rates, Time Trends, and Survival
Authors: Kaatsch Peter , Häfner Carla , Calaminus Gabriele , Blettner Maria , Tulla Mira 
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND:
Malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a rare and a heterogeneous group of pediatric cancers. The incidence rate has increased in some populations or subgroups. However, only a few recent publications on epidemiologic data showing the trends in incidence of pediatric GCTs are available.

METHODS:
We analyzed the incidence rates, time trends, and survival for 1366 GCTs in children 0 to 14 years old registered in the nationwide, population-based German Childhood Cancer Registry in 1987–2011.

RESULTS:
The incidence rate of GCTs was slightly higher in girls (age-standardized rate: girls, 5.3; boys, 4.4 per million). A bimodal age distribution was seen. In children aged &lt;1 year, the highest age-specific incidence rates were seen for girls with GCTs in the pelvis (12.7 per million) and for boys with GCTs in the testis (9.5 per million). For 10- to 14-year-old boys, the tumors occurred most often in the central nervous system (3.1 per million); for girls, the most common site was in the ovaries (4.5 per million). Only the incidence rate for ovarian GCTs increased statistically significantly. The 5- and 20-year survival probabilities for the patients diagnosed between 1987 and 2010 were 92% and 90%, respectively. Survival rates improved notably for intracranial and extragonadal GCTs from 1987 to 2006.

CONCLUSIONS:
The localization and histology of the GCTs varied between the genders and age groups. During 1987 to 2011, the incidence rate increased only for ovarian GCTs. The increase, however, may be due to changes in reporting. The survival rates were excellent.
Etiologies of NICU Deaths
Authors: Jacob Jack , Kamitsuka Michael , Clark Reese H. , Kelleher Amy S. , Spitzer Alan R. 
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Infant mortality is an indicator of overall societal health, and a significant proportion of infant deaths occur in NICUs. The objectives were to identify causes of death and to define potentially preventable factors associated with death as areas for quality improvement efforts in the NICU.

METHODS:
In a prospectively defined study, the principal investigator in 46 level III NICUs agreed to review health care records of infants who died. For each infant, the principal investigator reviewed the medical record to identify the primary cause of death and to look for preventable factors associated with the infant’s death. Infants born at ≥22 weeks estimated gestational age who were born alive were included. Stillborn infants were excluded.

RESULTS:
Data were collected on 641 infants who died. At lower gestational ages, mortality was most commonly due to extreme prematurity and the complications of premature birth (respiratory distress progressing to respiratory failure, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis). With increasing gestational age, the etiology of mortality shifted to hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy and genetic or structural anomalies. Reviewers of clinical care identified 197 (31%) infants with potentially modifiable factors that may have contributed to their deaths.

CONCLUSIONS:
The factors associated with death in infants admitted for intensive care are multifactorial and diverse, and they change with gestational age. In 31% of the deaths, potentially modifiable factors were identified, and these factors suggest important targets for reducing infant mortality.
Echinoids from the Chlamys Ledge Member (Polonez Cove Formation, Oligocene) of King George Island, West Antarctica
Authors: Kroh Andreas 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
New echinoid material from the Oligocene Chlamys Ledge Member (uppermost part of the Polonez Cove Formation) on King George Island, West Antarctica, includes the “regular” echinoid Caenopedina aleksandrabitnerae sp. n. and poorly preserved spatan-goids, here tentatively identified as members of the genus Abatus. Caenopedina aleksan-drabitnerae sp. n. is characterized by fully tuberculate genital plates, which sets it apart from most other species in the genus, by the uneven periproctal margin which indicates that periproctal plates were incorporated into the apical disc, and by moderately wide inter-ambulacral plates with a height/width ratio of 1:3. Among the modern Caenopedina species it is closest to the Australian and New Zealand representatives, which is in contrast to previ-ous reviews of Cenozoic Antarctic echinoid faunas that suggested limited relationship to the Australasian region. This is the first record of Caenopedina from Antarctica; it considerably extends its historical distribution to the south.
Phylogenetic Characters in the Humerus and Tarsometatarsus of Penguins
Authors: Chávez Hoffmeister Martín 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe present review aims to improve the scope and coverage of the phylogenetic matrices currently in use, as well as explore some aspects of the relationships among Paleogene penguins, using two key skeletal elements, the humerus and tarsometatarsus. These bones are extremely important for phylogenetic analyses based on fossils because they are commonly found solid specimens, often selected as holo- and paratypes of fossil taxa. The resulting dataset includes 25 new characters, making a total of 75 characters, along with eight previously uncoded taxa for a total of 48. The incorporation and analysis of this corrected subset of morphological characters raise some interesting questions considering the relationships among Paleogene penguins, particularly regarding the possible exis-tence of two separate clades includingPalaeeudyptesandParaptenodytes,the monophyly ofPlatydyptesandParaptenodytes,and the positionofAnthropornis.Additionally,Noto-dyptes wimaniis here recovered in the same collapsed node asArchaeospheniscusand not withinDelphinornis,as in former analyses.
Towards a Complete Model for Software Component Deployment on Heterogeneous Platform
Authors: Švogor Ivan 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
This report briefly describes an ongoing research related to optimization of allocating software components to heterogeneous computing platform (which includes CPU, GPU and FPGA). Research goal is also presented, along with current hot topics of the research area, related research teams, and finally results and contribution of my research. It involves mathematical modelling which results in goal function, optimization method which finds a suboptimal solution to the goal function and a software modeling tool which enables graphical representation of the problem at hand and help developers determine component placement in the system design phase.