bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autocracy Defeats Military Reform on Eve of First World War
Authors: von Hagen Mark 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSteinberg reconstructs the history of the Russian Imperial General Staff during the final decades of the autocracy and highlights the reformist vision of War Minister Alexei Kuropatkin. The aim of the reformers was to create a general staff on the Prussian/German model that would allow Russia to fight the new wars of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, wars marked by increasingly large conscript armies and the application of ever more lethal weaponry made possible by Europe's industrial revolutions. The reforms also focused on officer education and aimed at creating leadership for the management and coordination of the troops in wartime. Unfortunately for Russia, these reforms foundered on the resistance of the autocrat himself and the structure of privilege that gave family connections and noble privilege power over merit and competence. They also met resistance from an older tradition of military leadership and education that favored elan over technical expertise with modern weaponry. The first test against a modern enemy during the Russo-Japanese War ended in humiliating defeat and the marginalization of the General Staff Academy by Nicholas II and his entourage, save for his uncle, the Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich. Even with the Grand Duke's encouragement of the reformers, what they could accomplish was too little and too late for the next large confrontation that sealed the fate of the Russian Empire, World War I.
Gareth Richard Vaughan Jones (1905-1935) (Part 1)
Authors: Colley Margaret Siriol 
Published: February 2011

AbstractA short biography of Gareth Jones, Foreign Aff airs Adviser to British Prime Minister Lloyd George and an early visitor to the Soviet Union, who exposed the Ukrainian famine and daily life under communist rule, Fragments of his letters and a 1930 article in the New Chronicle are included.
Rogozhin in Dostoevsky's The Idiot: Enigma, Allegory and Visual Imagery
Authors: Weickhardt George G. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractRogozhin, one of the main characters of Dostoevsky's The Idiot, appears infrequently in the novel, and the author does not give him the philosophical depth of his other great criminal characters. His relationships with Prince Myshkin and Nastasia are nonetheless among the main themes and driving forces of the plot. Driven by jealousy, he eventually murders Nastasia and drives the Prince back to insanity. Rogozhin is presented and given depth by visual imagery, including his gloomy house, the Holbein painting in it, and the knife with which he eventually kills Nastasia. His Old Believer family is also important in defi ning him. The article addresses this visual imagery and Rogozhin's Old Believer roots.
Effects of Wave Breaking on the Near-Surface Profiles of Velocity and Turbulent Kinetic Energy
Authors: Melsom Arne , SÆtra Øyvind 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
A theoretical model for the near-surface velocity profile in the presence of breaking waves is presented. Momentum is accumulated by growing waves and is released upon wave breaking. In effect, such a transition is a process involving a time-dependent surface stress acting on the mean current. In this paper, conventional theory for the Stokes drift is expanded to fourth-order accuracy in wave steepness. It is shown that the higher-order terms lead to an enhancement of the surface Stokes drift and a slight retardation of the Stokes volume flux. Furthermore, the results from the wave theory are used to obtain a bulk parameterization of momentum exchange during the process of wave breaking. The mean currents are then obtained by application of a variation of the “level 2.5” turbulence closure theory of Mellor and Yamada. When compared with the traditional approach of a constant surface stress, the mean Eulerian current exhibits a weak enhancement in the near-surface region, compensated by a negative shift deeper in the water column. However, it is found that the results of Craig and Banner and the results of Craig are not significantly affected by the present theory. Hence, this study helps to explain why the Craig and Banner model agrees well with observations when a realistic, time-varying surface stress acts on the drift currents.
A Snapshot of the Modeling and Simulation Community and Education
Authors: Kölsch Mathias 
Published: February 2011

The Department of Defense’s need for modeling and simulation (M&S) tools and professionals is growing at a rapid pace. From research to development, from training to acquisition, from requirements analysis to testing, M&S has become invaluable to achieve the best performance, lowest cost and risk, best-trained and best-prepared, adaptive and effective modern services. The demands on M&S professionals are constantly changing, adapting to different foci in application areas, shifting with increasing civilian workforce expertise and availability, and reallocating with budget priorities. Hence, instrumental to relevant education and training is adaptation to the current situation and setting sustainable long-term directions.We took a snapshot of the M&S community in the US Army and their education via a survey of senior personnel, querying the importance of M&S-related skills and the perceived proficiency of entry- and senior-level professionals. The goal was to obtain validation for education and training programs, and to determine areas for improvement. The most important skills were found to be communications, fundamental concepts of M&S, distributed simulations, training systems, computer networks, program management, and VV&A (Verification, Validation and Accreditation). M&S education seems to be on the right track since the greatest expertise was observed in the areas of greatest importance (highly correlated, Pearson 0.74). Disconcertingly, however, we also found greater lack in more important skills than in less important ones, particularly for entry-level professionals. We propose a three-pronged approach for shaping the future of training and education in M&S that addresses the observed shortfalls: (1) proper focus of the technical education, combined with (2) stronger emphasis on communication (e.g., through completion of a technical thesis including oral defense), better system overview (e.g., training systems, the greater processes of program management, and VV&A), and stronger emphasis on the distributed and networked environment we live in; finally, (3) conduct concerted, interdisciplinary research and education efforts in human, social, cultural, and behavioral M&S.
Expression of an endotoxin-free S-layer/allergen fusion protein in gram-positive Bacillus subtilis 1012 for the potential application as vaccines for immunotherapy of atopic allergy
Authors: Ilk Nicola , Schumi Christian-Thomas , Bohle Barbara , Egelseer Eva Maria , Sleytr Uwe B 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
Genetic fusion of the major birch pollen allergen (Bet v1) to bacterial surface-(S)-layer proteins resulted in recombinant proteins exhibiting reduced allergenicity as well as immunomodulatory capacity. Thus, S-layer/allergen fusion proteins were considered as suitable carriers for new immunotherapeutical vaccines for treatment of Type I hypersensitivity. Up to now, endotoxin contamination of the fusion protein which occurred after isolation from the gram-negative expression host E. coli had to be removed by an expensive and time consuming procedure. In the present study, in order to achieve expression of pyrogen-free, recombinant S-layer/allergen fusion protein and to study the secretion of a protein capable to self-assemble, the S-layer/allergen fusion protein rSbpA/Bet v1 was produced in the gram-positive organism Bacillus subtilis 1012.

Results
The chimaeric gene encoding the S-layer protein SbpA of Lysinibacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 as well as Bet v1 was cloned and expressed in B. subtilis 1012. For that purpose, the E. coli-B. subtilis shuttle vectors pHT01 for expression in the B. subtilis cytoplasm and pHT43 for secretion of the recombinant fusion protein into the culture medium were used. As shown by western blot analysis, immediately after induction of expression, B. subtilis 1012 was able to secret rSbpA/Bet v1 mediated by the signal peptide amyQ of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Electron microscopical investigation of the culture medium revealed that the secreted fusion protein was able to form self-assembly products in suspension but did not recrystallize on the surface of the B. subtilis cells. The specific binding mechanism between the N-terminus of the S-layer protein and a secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP), located in the peptidoglycan-containing sacculi of Ly. sphaericus CCM 2177, could be used for isolation and purification of the secreted fusion protein from the culture medium. Immune reactivity of rSbpA/Bet v1 could be demonstrated in immunoblotting experiments with Bet v1 specific IgE containing serum samples from patients suffering birch pollen allergy.

Conclusions
The impact of this study can be seen in the usage of a gram-positive organism for the production of pyrogen-free self-assembling recombinant S-layer/allergen fusion protein with great relevance for the development of vaccines for immunotherapy of atopic allergy.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in young Maine Coon cats caused by the p.A31P cMyBP-C mutation - the clinical significance of having the mutation
Authors: Godiksen Mia TN , Granstrøm Sara , Koch Jørgen , Christiansen Michael 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackgroundIn Maine Coon (MC) cats the c.91G > C mutation in the geneMYBPC3, coding for cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C), is associated with feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (fHCM). The mutation causes a substitution of an alanine for a proline at residue 31 (p.A31P) of cMyBP-C. The pattern of inheritance has been considered autosomal dominant based on a single pedigree. However, larger studies are needed to establish the significance of cats being heterozygous or homozygous for the mutation with respect to echocardiographic indices and the probability of developing fHCM. The objective of the present study was to establish the clinical significance of being homozygous or heterozygous for the p.A31P cMyBP-C mutation in young to middle-aged cats.MethodsThe cohort consisted of 332 MC cats, 282 cats < 4 years (85%). All cats were examined by 2-D and M-mode echocardiography. DNA was extracted from blood samples or buccal swabs and screened for the p.A31P cMyBP-C mutation in exon 3 of the gene, using polymerase chain reaction followed by DNA sequencing.ResultsThe fHCM prevalence was 6.3% in the cohort. Eighteen cats were homozygous and 89 cats were heterozygous for the mutation. The odds ratio for having fHCM for homozygous cats was 21.6 (95% confidence interval 7.01-66.2) - when the group of equivocal cats was categorized as non-affected. Overall, 50% of the cats that were homozygous for the mutation had fHCM. p.A31P heterozygosity was not associated with a significant odds ratio for fHCM. In cats in the 4 to 6 years of age range a similar, non significant, odds ratio was seen in heterozygous cats. Only two cats over four years were homozygous and both were diagnosed with fHCM.ConclusionAs there is no significant odds ratio associated with being heterozygous for the pA31P cMyBP-C mutation at this age, the mutation must have a very low penetrance in this group. From our data it would appear that most MC cats that develop fHCM due to the p.A31P mutation prior to the age of approximately 6 years do so because they are homozygous for this mutation.
Small risk of developing symptomatic tick-borne diseases following a tick bite in the Netherlands
Authors: Tijsse-Klasen Ellen , Jacobs Jac J , Swart Arno , Fonville Manoj , Reimerink Johan H , Brandenburg Afke H , van der Giessen Joke WB , Hofhuis Agnetha , Sprong Hein 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
In The Netherlands, the incidence of Lyme borreliosis is on the rise. Besides its causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., other potential pathogens like Rickettsia, Babesia and Ehrlichia species are present in Ixodes ricinus ticks. The risk of disease associated with these microorganisms after tick-bites remains, however, largely unclear. A prospective study was performed to investigate how many persons with tick-bites develop localized or systemic symptoms and whether these are associated with tick-borne microorganisms.

Results
In total, 297 Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected from 246 study participants who consulted a general practitioner on the island of Ameland for tick bites. Ticks were subjected to PCR to detect DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp. or Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp.. Sixteen percent of the collected ticks were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., 19% for Rickettsia spp., 12% for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. and 10% for Babesia spp.. At least six months after the tick bite, study participants were interviewed on symptoms by means of a standard questionnaire. 14 out of 193 participants (8.3%) reported reddening at the bite site and 6 participants (4.1%) reported systemic symptoms. No association between symptoms and tick-borne microorganisms was found. Attachment duration ≥24 h was positively associated with reddening at the bite site and systemic symptoms. Using logistic regression techniques, reddening was positively correlated with presence of Borrelia afzelii, and having 'any symptoms' was positively associated with attachment duration.

Conclusion
The risk of contracting acute Lyme borreliosis, rickettsiosis, babesiosis or ehrlichiosis from a single tick bite was <1% in this study population.
Factors predicting the outcome of customised foot orthoses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: van der Leeden Marike , Fiedler Karin , Jonkman Annelies , Dahmen Rutger , Roorda Leo D , van Schaardenburg Dirkjan , Dekker Joost 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackgroundConservative management of foot problems in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may consist of the prescription of customised foot orthoses. Indications for foot orthoses are not clear and the effectiveness of the intervention is highly variable among patients. Knowledge on which patients benefit the most from foot orthoses can help to select patients eligible for this type of intervention. The objective of the present study was to determine clinical and demographic factors that predict the outcome of customised foot orthoses on pain and disability in patients with RA.MethodsA total of 135 RA patients who were supplied with customised foot orthoses were included in this prospective cohort study. Pain and disability were measured before and after the intervention period using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for foot pain, the Foot Function Index (FFI), the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and a 10‐meter walking test. The intervention period consisted of one or more appointments with the podiatrist during which the foot orthoses were customised.Swollen foot joint count, foot deformity scores, forefoot peak pressure, disease duration, age, gender, body mass index and baseline values of the outcome measures were selected as potential factors predicting outcome. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with change in pain and disability (at P < 0.05).ResultsDisease duration was negatively associated with the change scores in NRS foot pain (P = 0.018), WOMAC pain (P = 0.001), FFI disability (P = 0.003) and WOMAC physical function (P = 0.002). Age was negatively associated with the change score in 10 meter walking time (P = 0.008). For all outcome measures baseline values were positively associated with the change scores (P < 0.001).ConclusionsShorter disease duration predicted greater improvements in self‐reported foot pain and disability, and younger age predicted greater improvements in walking time after intervention with foot orthoses. Also, higher baseline values of pain and disability predicted greater improvements. Referral for conservative management with foot orthoses in the early stage of RA seems important when aiming to achieve reduction in pain and improvement in daily activities.
Temporal lobe necrosis: a dwindling entity in a patient with nasopharyngeal cancer after radiation therapy
Authors: Dassarath Meera , Yin Zhongyuan , Chen Jing , Liu Hongli , Yang Kunyu , Wu Gang 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Our objective was to report a case of misdiagnosed temporal lobe necrosis (TLN) in a patient with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) after radiation therapy.

Case Presentation
We report a case of a 45 years old Chinese woman who developed moderate to severe headache and dizziness 1 year after 2D radiation therapy for NPC. Subsequent MRI scanning revealed a big enhancing mass in the right temporal lobe. The initial diagnosis was metastatic or intracranial extension of NPC, or a primary intracranial malignancy. She was referred to the neurosurgery department where a maximal surgical resection of the lesion was performed. A diagnosis of TLN was made according to the final histology.

Conclusion
TLN still matters in the IMRT era. The diagnostic quagmire of TLN lies in its close resemblance to neoplasm on clinical presentation and imaging. Reviewing the patient's treatment plan to scrutinize the dose to the temporal lobes is an important prerequisite for diagnosis.
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for sepsis: a meta-analysis
Authors: Bo Lulong , Wang Fei , Zhu Jiali , Li Jinbao , Deng Xiaoming 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Introduction
To investigate the effects of G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy in non-neutropenic patients with sepsis.

Methods
A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted using specific search terms. A manual review of references was also performed. Eligible studies were randomized control trials (RCTs) that compared granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) therapy with placebo for the treatment of sepsis in adults. Main outcome measures were all-cause mortality at 14 days and 28 days after initiation of G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy, in-hospital mortality, reversal rate from infection, and adverse events.

Results
Twelve RCTs with 2,380 patients were identified. In regard to 14-day mortality, a total of 9 death events occurred among 71 patients (12.7%) in the treatment group compared with 13 events among 67 patients (19.4%) in the placebo groups. Meta-analysis showed there was no significant difference in 28-day mortality when G-CSF or GM-CSF were compared with placebo (relative risks (RR) = 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79 to 1.11, P = 0.44; P for heterogeneity = 0.31, I2 = 15%). Compared with placebo, G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy did not significantly reduce in-hospital mortality (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.36, P = 0.86; P for heterogeneity = 0.80, I2 = 0%). However, G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy significantly increased the reversal rate from infection (RR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.62, P = 0.002; P for heterogeneity = 0.47, I2 = 0%). No significant difference was observed in adverse events between groups (RR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.23, P = 0.62; P for heterogeneity = 0.03, I2 = 58%). Sensitivity analysis by excluding one trial did not significantly change the results of adverse events (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.32, P = 0.44; P for heterogeneity = 0.17, I2 = 36%).

Conclusions
There is no current evidence supporting the routine use of G-CSF or GM-CSF in patients with sepsis. Large prospective multicenter clinical trials investigating monocytic HLA-DR (mHLA-DR)-guided G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy in patients with sepsis-associated immunosuppression are warranted.
The Calcium-Sensing Receptor: A Molecular Perspective
Authors: Magno Aaron L. , Ward Bryan K. , Ratajczak Thomas 
Published: February 2011

AbstractCompelling evidence of a cell surface receptor sensitive to extracellular calcium was observed as early as the 1980s and was finally realized in 1993 when the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) was cloned from bovine parathyroid tissue. Initial studies relating to the CaR focused on its key role in extracellular calcium homeostasis, but as the amount of information about the receptor grew it became evident that it was involved in many biological processes unrelated to calcium homeostasis. The CaR responds to a diverse array of stimuli extending well beyond that merely of calcium, and these stimuli can lead to the initiation of a wide variety of intracellular signaling pathways that in turn are able to regulate a diverse range of biological processes. It has been through the examination of the molecular characteristics of the CaR that we now have an understanding of how this single receptor is able to convert extracellular messages into specific cellular responses. Recent CaR-related reviews have focused on specific aspects of the receptor, generally in the context of the CaR's role in physiology and pathophysiology. This review will provide a comprehensive exploration of the different aspects of the receptor, including its structure, stimuli, signalling, interacting protein partners, and tissue expression patterns, and will relate their impact on the functionality of the CaR from a molecular perspective.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment in Postmenopausal Women with Hyperandrogenism of Ovarian Origin
Authors: Vollaard Esther S. , van Beek André P. , Verburg Frederik A. J. , Roos Annemieke , Land Jolande A. 
Published: February 2011

Context:
The most frequent cause of virilization in postmenopausal women is excessive androgen production of ovarian origin. Bilateral oophorectomy is usually performed, even in cases of benign tumors or hyperthecosis. This is the first report of a case series of long-term GnRH-agonist treatment of hyperandrogenism in postmenopausal women.

Objective:
We present three women with postmenopausal hyperandrogenism of ovarian origin who were treated with GnRH agonists.

Patients:
We describe three cases of postmenopausal women with virilization and hyperandrogenism of presumed ovarian origin, all with slight enlargement of the ovaries but without visualization of a tumor, who had long-term treatment with GnRH agonists. No histological diagnosis was available, and therefore all patients received careful follow-up, including periodic testing of androgen levels and ovarian imaging by computed tomography scans. The three patients responded in different ways to treatment with GnRH agonists.

Conclusions:
Long-term GnRH agonist treatment is an acceptable choice for treatment of postmenopausal hyperandrogenism in patients where ovarian origin of androgen excess is ascertained, and especially in those patients who have an increased risk for surgery due to comorbidities or who are unwilling to undergo bilateral oophorectomy.
Organic Radical Battery Approaching Practical Use
Authors: Nakahara Kentaro , Oyaizu Kenichi , Nishide Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The electrochemical redox reactions of organic polymers bearing robust unpaired electrons were investigated to determine the applicability of these polymers to rechargeable batteries. Such an “organic radical battery” would be environmentally friendly and have high-power characteristics. This highlight review describes the performance of a battery using a nitroxyl radical polymer as the cathode active material. The electron-transfer mechanism and recent developments that should lead to the practical application of the organic radical battery are also described.