Body Counting Research Articles

The Staunch Book Prize: Feminist Initiative or Not?

Features “Death is its own invention with its own effect and its own observances. You regard the failing body. The body is the vessel.” – “Closer to Where You Will Find Him,” by Michael Mattes Read Mattes’s story and more in the Illness & Literature feature starting on page 46. PHOTO: FEDERICO PICCIRILLO WORLDLIT.ORG 9 PHOTO: EVELYN/PEXELS O n November 25, 2018, a new book prize for crime novels where “no woman is beaten, stalked, sexually exploited, raped or murdered ” will be awarded for the first time. The Staunch Prize has been initiated and financed by author and screenwriter Bridget Lawless as a reaction to the rising body count in film and television. As a crime novelist and president of the largest European female crime writer association, Mörderische Schwestern e.V, this new prize grabbed my attention. And not just mine. Rarely have I witnessed such a controversial reception of a new and—with a monetary award of £ 2,000—relatively small prize. It took me by surprise, as my first reaction was entirely positive, if not to say enthusiastic. This is an award for novels that don’t contain the kind of brutal and voyeuristic violence against women which make me stop reading a book. I don’t want to read every gory detail of how a woman gets raped, tortured, slaughtered, disembodied. I don’t want to get these atrocious pictures into my head, and I am not alone in my distaste. About twenty-five years back, when it first became in vogue to take the crime novel reader into the depths of sadistic slaughter scenes, I simply brushed over the brutal scenes and carried on with the story; often I The Staunch Book Prize Feminist Initiative or Not? by Janet Clark CRIME & MYSTERY 10 WLT NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2018 liked the characters and the side plots that carried the characters from one book to the other. In the meantime, I try to avoid those books. Still, often enough, drastic sexual abuse and sadistic violence finds its way even into books where you don’t expect it, even worse since it turned into an inflationary-applied thrill-enhancing spice for TV and film scenes. With this in mind, I thought a prize encouraging writers to break with the spiral of obsessive violence against women would be a great initiative. Then I read and heard the critical voices, such as best-selling novelist Val McDermid and film critic Sonja Hartl, and plunged into heated discussions about the usefulness of the Staunch Prize to raise awareness toward violence against women. Val McDermid, who insists on the importance of writing about violence against women to ensure that these acts of violence do not go unnoticed, claims that “to impose a blanket ban on any writing that deals with this seems to me to be self-defeating.”1 I totally agree that writing about violence against women has been and still is important to highlight the unacceptable fact that such violence is a societal problem of pandemic proportions, with one out of three women having experienced physical or sexual violence, according to UN Women. Actually, neither of my adult crime novels would qualify for the prize, as each of them contain few but necessary scenes of violence against women—necessary, as it would arguably be difficult to write about domestic violence without depicting any violent scenes, and it would be unrealistic to write about a strong, female protagonist chasing down the murderer of her husband or, in another story, the abductor of her child, without her getting into some trouble when fighting the perpetrator. Still, I do not see this prize as a “blanket ban.” It’s one prize out of many, and most of the literary prizes carry some kind of limitation: age of the author, debut, region of the book setting, and many more. In my view, the prize is one way of drawing attention toward an undeniable trend of using horrific and perverse brutality as cheap plot devices. And it works: people talk about it. Let’s look at some facts surrounding violence toward women: 1. Most murder victims in real life are men. Most murder victims in...

Turning Korea Around: An Analysis of Mission Command at Chipyong-Ni

The Korean war, famously euphemized by president Truman as a “police action,” was a near-miss military endeavor for America and the allied forces characterized by international threat, high body counts and unexpected reversals on the battlefield. Military strategy in Korea began with the failed task force smith at Suwon, a movement gen Douglas MacArthur later admitted being an “arrogant display of strength.” Indeed, although Americans had been conditioned by Wii to mount large-scale combat to complete victory, the Truman administration had made significant cuts to defense spending and it was clear early on that the situation in Korea required a new strategy. The U.S. lost 6,000 soldiers in the first few months of the war; south Korean casualties neared 70,000. By September 1950, the tide had changed and American military action, driven mainly by amphibious attack, had succeeded in the steady seizure of Suwon via inch ‘on, resulting in the recapture of Seoul. But not more than two months later an “entirely new war” had emerged with the influx of more than 300,000 Chinese combat troops to aid Kim ill sung and the soviet forces in north Korea. It was a bitter winter for the allies in Korea. Were it not for the exemplary leadership at the battle of chipyong-ni in mid-February 1951, the communist Chinese forces (CCF) would have continued their strong drive into south Korea and the war may well have been lost. Col Paul freeman, commander of the 23rd regimental combat team (RCT), clearly met gen George c. Marshall’s definition of strong leadership and put into action the mission command principles that lead to successful mission completion at chipyong-ni. This battle was truly a major turning point for the U.S. and changed the way we fought future battles.

An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe, 1846–1873 by Benjamin Madley

Reviewed by: An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe, 1846–1873 by Benjamin Madley Brendan Lindsay (bio) An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe, 1846–1873. By Benjamin Madley. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2016. Pp. 712. Cloth, $38.00.) Benjamin Madley's impressive An American Genocide advances genocide studies and California history significantly. In this chronologically organized, painstakingly researched, impeccably documented monograph, Madley sets goals he achieves admirably. Key among these is making the case that genocide was committed against California Indian peoples by the state of California and the United States government through direct [End Page 195] and indirect policies and laws, financial sponsorship, neglect, and massacres committed by state militia and U.S. Army units. The core of Madley's argument focuses on the intentionality of government-sponsored genocide in California. Madley assembled a massive data set of the violent killings taking place in California using letters, government reports, newspaper articles, and other archival sources, which he then organized chronologically, and set about looking for patterns. This method applied to a mass of evidence clearly produced results. Most important among them is what timing in policy decisions can tell us about genocidal intent. Madley shows a vicious cycle of state and federal action and inaction intended to bring about genocide. California created laws removing legal protections and denying rights to Indians, prevented them from sustaining themselves as cohesive groups, and sanctioned militia and volunteer campaigns to physically exterminate Native peoples or deliver them into conditions producing similarly mortal results. The timing and context of these genocidal policies and actions encouraged non-Native Californians to commit acts of unsanctioned genocide. By the 1860s, non-Native Californians were killing Indian people with impunity, adding to the violent death tolls Madley estimates at 9,000–16,000 murdered between 1846 and 1873. Madley's method reveals another important conclusion: Over time, operations designed to annihilate California Indians became smaller, yet more effective in terms of body counts and expense. The patterns also reveal how vigilante, state militia, and army units destroyed village sites and resources stores, oftentimes as Native communities were about to face the brutal winters of the mountains into which they had been driven. The state then billed the national government. The United States repaid much of the cost incurred, meanwhile adopting federal policies best described as malevolent neglect. Lawmakers cut funding for Indian affairs when needed most, refused to ratify treaties, directed federal agents and army officers not to interfere in stemming violence, ignored public and intragovernmental reports of atrocities and unlivable reservation conditions, ceded Native land bases to the state, and ordered troops to carry out the murder or removal of Indian peoples. The consequence of state and federal action and inaction, Madley argues, was the creation of a "killing machine" (173) clearly intended—in whole or in part—to exterminate California Indians as a group. Madley employs the definitions set forth in the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. As with other scholars adopting this standard, much [End Page 196] depends on a reader's acceptance or rejection of this document as defining authority. It is a third-party standard, conceived neither by Native peoples nor the United States government, and serves perhaps as the most neutral arbiter possible in such a debate. Nonetheless, it is an attractive target for naysayers; it is relatively broad in its categorizations, open to interpretation, and seems to favor the rights of victims rather than err on the side of perpetrators. It seems an appropriate choice, given the hesitancy of many Americans to even consider the possibility of an American genocidal past. The work is not without some weaknesses and potential disappointments. Madley well places himself in the historiography of American Indian genocide in the text, but is less successful when it comes to California history. There is a rich literature on atrocities committed against Native people in California—dozens of books and articles have commented on the slaughter of California Indians—yet one must consult the endnotes to really get such a sense. Indeed, Madley's front cover flap claims that he is the "first historian to uncover the full extent...

THE VIEW TO COLLISION OF NORMS OF THE CRIMINAL LAW

Topicality and issue of a subject-matter Collision of norms in criminal law is incompleteness of legal provisions concerning collision of norms in Criminal law, despite the fact that such legal provisions have been developed in legal doctrine and recognized in case law. Goal of an article is to summarize and show these legal provisions in order to help readers and law enforcers to discern between multiplicity and aggregation of criminal offences, and collision of norms of the Criminal law.In essence – collision of norms of Special part of Criminal law differs from multiplicity (especially a conceptual aggregation) of criminal offences with a count of criminal offences and bodies of the crime (corpus delicti) corresponding to such offences. In a case of multiplicity two or more separate (unitary) criminal offences correspond to two or more bodies of the crime (corpus delicti) which are set out in Criminal law. Collision of norms of Special part of Criminal law occurs where two or more bodies of the crime (corpus delicti) corresponds to one, separate (unitary) criminal offence.In collision between general and special norm of a Special part of Criminal law, special norm (provision) must be applied.In collision between partial (narrower) and complete (broader) norm of Special part of Criminal law, broader norm (provision) must be applied. If such partial (narrower) norm sets out more severe punishment than a complete (broader) norm, both norms must be applied in accordance with rules of conceptual aggregation.In collision between aggravating and mitigating norms (provisions) mitigating norm must be applied, that is – a norm with a lesser punishment.In collision between mitigating norms (provisions), more mitigating norm must be applied.In collision between aggravating norms, more aggravating norm must be applied, that is – a norm wish sets out more severe punishment.Collision of norms (provisions) in administrative violations law is also decided in accordance the same rules of legal norm collision resolution, despite the fact that Latvian Administrative violations code does not contain relevant legal provisions.

Therapeutic Effect of Hydrogen Injected Subcutaneously on Onion Poisoned Dogs.

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of hydrogen on the therapy of onion poisoned dogs.Material and MethodsA total of 16 adult beagle dogs were divided into two groups (control and hydrogen) and all were fed dehydrated onion powder at the dose of 10 g/kg for three days. The dogs of the experimental group were given subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mL/kg of hydrogen for 12 days after making the poisoned model successful. Blood samples were collected before feeding onions, one day before injecting hydrogen, and 2 h after the injection of hydrogen on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12. Control dogs were not treated with hydrogen.ResultsThe levels of leukocyte production, anaemia, red blood cell degeneration which was reflected by the values of Heinz body count, haemolytic ratio, and oxidative products in hydrogen treated group were lower than in control dogs on some days. The capacity of medullary haematopoiesis that was based on reticulocyte counts, and the antioxidation in hydrogen group were higher compared with control group. However, the differences in renal function were not obvious in both groups.ConclusionAccordingly, it was concluded that subcutaneous injection of hydrogen could alleviate the symptoms in onion poisoned dogs.

Role of Neuropilin-1/Semaphorin-3A signaling in the functional and morphological integrity of the cochlea.

Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) encodes the transmembrane cellular receptor neuropilin-1, which is associated with cardiovascular and neuronal development and was within the peak SNP interval on chromosome 8 in our prior GWAS study on age-related hearing loss (ARHL) in mice. In this study, we generated and characterized an inner ear-specific Nrp1 conditional knockout (CKO) mouse line because Nrp1 constitutive knockouts are embryonic lethal. In situ hybridization demonstrated weak Nrp1 mRNA expression late in embryonic cochlear development, but increased expression in early postnatal stages when cochlear hair cell innervation patterns have been shown to mature. At postnatal day 5, Nrp1 CKO mice showed disorganized outer spiral bundles and enlarged microvessels of the stria vascularis (SV) but normal spiral ganglion cell (SGN) density and presynaptic ribbon body counts; however, we observed enlarged SV microvessels, reduced SGN density, and a reduction of presynaptic ribbons in the outer hair cell region of 4-month-old Nrp1 CKO mice. In addition, we demonstrated elevated hearing thresholds of the 2-month-old and 4-month-old Nrp1 CKO mice at frequencies ranging from 4 to 32kHz when compared to 2-month-old mice. These data suggest that conditional loss of Nrp1 in the inner ear leads to progressive hearing loss in mice. We also demonstrated that mice with a truncated variant of Nrp1 show cochlear axon guidance defects and that exogenous semaphorin-3A, a known neuropilin-1 receptor agonist, repels SGN axons in vitro. These data suggest that Neuropilin-1/Semaphorin-3A signaling may also serve a role in neuronal pathfinding in the developing cochlea. In summary, our results here support a model whereby Neuropilin-1/Semaphorin-3A signaling is critical for the functional and morphological integrity of the cochlea and that Nrp1 may play a role in ARHL.

Calibration of the LDI/CDTN Whole Body Counter us-ing two physical phantoms

The Laboratory of Internal Dosimetry of the Center for Development of Nuclear Technology (LDI/CDTN) is responsible for routine monitoring of internal contamination of the Individuals Occupationally Exposed (IOEs) at the Unit for Research and Production of Radiopharmaceuticals (UPPR/CDTN), the Research Reactor TRIGA-IPR-R1/CDTN and other workplaces of the institute where there is a risk of accidental intakes. Additionally, LDI supports the Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry (IRD/CNEN) to attend radiological emergencies. The determination of photon emitting radionuclides in the human body requires the use of calibration techniques in different counting geometries for converting the count rates into activity in organs and tissues. This paper presents and discusses the calibration of the LDI/CDTN Whole Body Counter (WBC) using a standard BOMAB phantom (Bottle Mannequin Absorber) compared to a home-made phantom produced with Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles (PET). Initially, the BOMAB was filled with a cocktail containing 60 Co, 137 Cs and 133 Ba. The phantom was counted at the LDI whole body counter and an Efficiency x Energy curve was obtained. Subsequently the PET-BOMAB was filled with the same standard source and a second curve was determined. The efficiency values in each region of interest as well as the shape of both curves were found to be equivalent. The results validate the use of the PET-BOMAB for the calibration of whole body geometry applied to the measurement of high energy radionuclides in the energy region evaluated in this work.

Maternal plasma LPCAT 1 mRNA correlates with lamellar body count.

Human lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (hLPCAT1) is a protein which helps produce surfactant in the fetal lung. We previously reported that levels of cell-free fetal mRNA for hLPCAT1 in amniotic fluid are correlated with lamellar body count (LBC) (r2=0.93). This short communication demonstrates that fetal hLPCAT1 mRNA is also present in maternal blood. Its quantity also correlates with amniotic fluid LBC (r2=0.81). Research in maternal plasma hLPCAT1 may assist in understanding fetal and placental maturational processes.

026. - Determination of an environmental background spectrum and data to be used for routine analyses of whole body and lung counts

026. - Determination of an environmental background spectrum and data to be used for routine analyses of whole body and lung counts

A solution for 40K interference from K internal to the human body, in an underground high sensitivity whole body counter at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Carlsbad, NM, USA

The objective of the present work is to find a solution for the interference arising from 1461 keV photons emitted by 40K in natural K internal to the human body in the detection of 241Am and 210Pb activities at the level of 37 mBq (1 pCi). The response of a broad energy Ge (BEGe) reference crystal to 1461 keV photons was simulated using GEANT4 code. Simulations were performed for a point source without and with shielding, as well as for a Bottle Manikin Absorption (BOMAB) phantom in the shielded whole-body counting chamber (WBC). The WBC facility is located underground at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Carlsbad, NM, USA. The simulation results were discussed with regards to the interference in detecting the 241Am and 210 Pb at the level of 37 mBq (1 pCi). The specific conclusion is that the interference counts from 40K activity at the natural levels present in the human body in typical clinical settings were found to be greater than the 210Pb and 241Am signal counts from 37 mBq (1 pCi), when a 38.1 mm diameter, 25.4 mm thick BEGe reference crystal was used. Our solution for minimizing the interference to the desired precision at the specified levels was found by sacrificing the broad energy response of the counting system.

Iris Freckles a Potential Biomarker for Chronic Sun Damage.

To investigate the role of sunlight exposure in iris freckles formation. We prospectively examined volunteers attending a skin cancer screening program conducted by ophthalmologists and dermatologists. Frequency and topographical variability of iris freckles were noted and associated with behavioral and dermatologic characteristics indicating high sun exposure. Six hundred thirty-two participants (n = 360; 57% female) were examined. Mean age of all participants was 38.4 ± 18.4 years (range, 4-84 years). Of all individuals, 76.1% (n = 481) exhibited at least one iris freckle. Most freckles were observed in the inferior temporal quadrant. The presence of iris freckles was associated with higher age (participants with iris freckles: 41.8 ± 16.8 years versus participants without iris freckles: 27.6 ± 19.2 years), a high number of sunburns during lifetime (>10: 31% vs. 19%), sunlight-damaged skin (26% vs. 11%), presence of actinic lentigines (72% vs. 45%), and a high total nevus body count (>10; 78% vs. 67%). The association of iris freckles, behavioral factors, and dermatologic findings, as well as the topographical distribution, indicate that sunlight exposure may trigger the formation of iris freckles. The evaluation of iris freckles offers an easily accessible potential biomarker, which might be helpful in indicating sun damage on the skin associated with cutaneous malignancies. Furthermore, the evaluation of iris freckles could also be helpful in understanding the role of sunlight in several ophthalmologic diseases.

Genetic parameters for tick counts across months for different tick species and anatomical locations in South African Nguni cattle

The objective of the study was to characterise genetic parameters across months for different tick species and anatomical locations in South African Nguni cattle. Tick counts were conducted monthly, over a 2-year period, on 586 Nguni cattle under natural infestation, from four herds located in different provinces of South Africa. The counts were recorded for six species of ticks (Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus decoleratus and microplus (Boofilids), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus simus and Hyalomma marginatum) attached on eight anatomical locations on the animals and were summed by species and anatomical location. Heritability estimates, phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated on a monthly basis using mixed linear models, fitting univariate and bivariate sire models. Fixed effects considered were location, sex, year and age as a covariate. Tick counts were higher in the hot months, and A. hebraeum was the most dominant tick species. Heritability estimates for tick count varied by month and trait and ranged from 0 to 0.89. Genetic correlations were mostly positive, and low to high, with some negative correlations with high standard error. Phenotypic correlations were low to moderate. In general, high genetic correlations were observed between whole body count and the anatomical location counts, suggesting that it may not be necessary to conduct whole body counts. Counts from the belly and perineum appeared to be the most suitable surrogate traits for whole body count. These findings provide useful information for developing strategies for the practical implementation of genetic selection, as a supplement to the traditional tick control measures.

Lamellar Body Count With Cell Dyn Emerald And Cell Dyn Ruby Methods On Preterm Birth

Background: Lamellar bodies are produced by pneumocyte type II cells in the lung alveoli. Lamellar bodies are present in amniotic fluid in increasing quantities as gestation advances, 1 – 5 µm in size, similar in size to small platelets and can be counted on most electronic cell counters in hematology analyzer. Lamellar body count is useful for prediction of fetal lung maturity and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. The current gold standard for determination of fetal lung maturity is the evaluation of phospholipids in amniotic fluid samples by thin-layer chromatography, but it is time-consuming and not continuously available at most institutions. In this study we compare Cell Dyn Emerald and Cell Dyn Ruby method, which is expected to be a review for lamellar body count method. Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze lamellar body count with Cell Dyn Emerald and Cell Dyn Ruby method on preterm birth. Methods : This was a cross sectional study. Thirty three samples study were inpatient’s amniotic fluid with premature rupture of membranes in Obstetry and Gynecology ward emergency room Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya. Lamellar body count was counted with Cell Dyn emerald and Cell Dyn Ruby method. The statistical differences were assessed using the ANOVA test . Results : The results showed significant differences (t=49,04), lamellar body count with Cell Dyn Ruby method was much lower than Cell Dyn Emerald method. The lowest result with Cell Dyn Ruby method was 3.38 x 103/µL and 17 x 103/ µL with Cell Dyn Emerald method. The highest results with Cell Dyn Ruby method was 98,2 x 103/ µL and 221 x 103/ µL with Cell Dyn Emerald method. Conclusion : Lamellar body count with impedance method (Cell Dyn Emerald) is significantly higher than optic method (Cell Dyn Ruby).

Divergence of the seasonal races of chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta Walbaum, 1792, in the Amur and Poronai rivers: Ecology, genetics, and morphology

The chum salmon of the Amur River (the mainland part of the Far East) and the Poronai River (Terpeniya Bay, Sakhalin Island) are historically related to one another, as the drainage basins of these rivers are the remnants of a formerly single river system, the Paleoamur, which existed when Sakhalin Island was a part of the continent. Both river populations of chum salmon consist of the early-run and late-run ecological forms (seasonal races), which are also referred to as the summer and autumn races. They are reproductively isolated from each other due to their spawning at different times and in different types of spawning grounds. To assess the direction, pattern, and degree of divergence between these chum salmon races in the both river fragments since the Paleoamur, it is necessary to compare them using two types of traits: selectively neutral DNA markers and morphological and physiological traits, variations in which may have an adaptive value. For this, we have studied chum salmon from both rivers in terms of microsatellite DNA markers, body counts and measurements, body weight, and fecundity. Both in the Amur River and in the Poronai River, the autumn race of chum salmon prevails over the summer race in body length and weight, fecundity, number of pyloric caeca, and several other meristic traits. The intra-basin differences between the races are much more pronounced in the Amur chum salmon. The inter-race differences in microsatellites are also greater in the Amur chum salmon compared to the Poronai chum salmon. Using microsatellites, three levels of differentiation have been revealed: (1) between the basins of the Amur and Poronai rivers, (2) between the races within each of the river basins, (3) and between population samples within each race of each basin. A hypothesis is proposed that the currently existing races of chum salmon in the Amur and Poronai rivers have evolved since the breakup of the Paleoamur, and the intra-basin divergence of the races started in the Amur River earlier than in the Poronai River. An analysis of our own data and the published data suggests that the adaptation of the seasonal races of chum salmon to the conditions of their spawning grounds is determined by a complex of morphological and physiological traits, including the number of pyloric caeca, which is an adaptive and highly heritable trait associated with the incubation temperature of the water.

Abstract 2119: Acetylated secretory APE1/Ref-1 induces apoptotic cell death in orthotopic xenografts of triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract The anticancer properties of acetylated secretory apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease-1 (Ape1/Ref-1) was suggested in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells; Posttranslational modification, hyperacetylation in MDA-MB-231 cells caused extracellular secretion of acetylated-APE1/Ref-1 (Ac-APE1/Ref-1) and initiated apoptotic cell death by auto-, paracrine binding to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). In the present study, we observed potential therapeutic efficacy of Ac-APE1/Ref-1 in preclinical orthotopic models of TNBC in response to hyperacetylation. The extracellular Ac-APE1/Ref-1 was confirmed by proximity ligation assay in hyperacetylated tumor tissue, showing direct binding of Ac-APE1/Ref-1 and RAGE. Treatment of orthotopic TNBC xenografts with acetylating agents induced a strong growth inhibition in the tumor development as observed in computed tomography: it caused an increase of RAGE expression and activation of caspase-3 and PARP. The tumors also exhibited markedly higher count of apoptotic bodies and reduced proliferation index and neovascularization compared with control tumors. However, the Ac-APE1/Ref-1-stimulated apoptotic cell death was remarkably retarded in RAGE-knockout tumor even in hyperacetylation compared with RAGE-overexpressed one. The functional role of secreted Ac-APE1/Ref-1 in hyperacetylated TNBC was confirmed in vivo, demonstrating its relevance to the anticancer agent. Our findings suggest that Ac-APE1/Ref-1 protein possesses potent chemotherapeutic efficacy against TNBC, resistant to standard chemotherapeutic agents, warranting further evaluation as an anticancer agent Citation Format: Yu Ran Lee, Hee Kyoung Joo, Eun Ok Lee, Myoung Soo Park, Byeong Hwa Jeon, Sunga Choi. Acetylated secretory APE1/Ref-1 induces apoptotic cell death in orthotopic xenografts of triple-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2119. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2119

‘Killing is our business and business is good’: The evolution of ‘war managerialism’ from body counts to counterinsurgency

Managerialism versus professionalism is a central axis of conflict across many occupations. ‘The profession of arms’ is no exception. This article explores the contested yet symbiotic relationship of management and the military via a discussion of the Vietnam conflict and contemporary debates over restructuring the US military to fight so-called ‘New Wars’. It portrays a complex picture of the organization and measurement of destruction, arguing that managerialism has long been an important ideological element of civilian and military practice. While management systems such as the infamous ‘measurements of progress’ in the Vietnam War were practically dysfunctional, they were effective up to a point in their managerialist goal of portraying civilian and military organizations as effective, evidence-based, progressive and ethical. This logic also pertains to contemporary debates over ‘progress’, and its measurement in the Iraq and Afghanistan counterinsurgencies and the campaign against Isil. Despite its practical limitations, managerialism is highly prevalent as ideology in warfare, fixating on tactical and operational levels, thereby excluding broader strategic, political or ethical discussions. ‘Progress’ and its mismeasurement in Vietnam and the New Wars are therefore best understood not simply as reasons for military and civilian failures in prolonged and inconclusive conflicts but as evidence of the success of managerialism in restricting public scrutiny and accountability of the business of war.

Radiological/Nuclear Human Monitoring Tabletop Exercise

Health Canada is the lead department for coordinating the federal response to a Canadian nuclear emergency event. The framework to manage a radiological consequence is outlined in the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan (FNEP). In 2014, a full scale exercise (FSX) was held to test the capacity of the federal government to handle a nuclear facility emergency disaster in Canada. The FSX provided a means to demonstrate the integration of various departments and agencies in response to such an event, and although a number of task teams within FNEP were tested, the capacity to monitor humans for exposure post-event was not played out fully. To address this, a table top exercise (TTX) was held in 2015 that brought together experts from human monitoring groups (HMGs) in partnership with Provincial and Municipal emergency response organizations. The TTX took the form of a facilitated discussion centered around two types of radiological/nuclear (RN) emergency scenarios that commenced post-release. The purpose of the exercise was to integrate these communities and identify knowledge gaps in policies and concepts of operations pertaining to the human monitoring aspects of RN events including biodosimetry, bioassay, portal monitors, whole body counting, and the provision of personal dosimetry. It also tested the interoperability between first responders/receivers and Federal, Provincial, and Municipal emergency response organizations. The end outcome was the identification of clear knowledge gaps in existing and newly developed concepts of operation in the human population monitoring response to an RN emergency in Canada; these and possible recommendations are captured in this report.

The asbestos fibre burden in human lungs: new insights into the chrysotiledebate.

The traceability of asbestos fibres in human lungs is a matter of discussion especially for chrysotile. This issue is of high significance for differential diagnosis, risk assessment and occupational compensation. At present no intra-individual longitudinal information is available. This study addresses the question whether the asbestos fibre burden in human lungs decreases with time after exposure cessation.The database of the German Mesothelioma Register was screened for patients with asbestos body counts of at least 500 fibres per gram of wet lung, which had been analysed twice from different tissue excisions at minimum intervals of 4 years.Twelve datasets with individual longitudinal information were discovered with a median interval of about 8 years (range 4–21 years). Both examinations were performed after exposure cessation (median: surgery, 9.5 years; autopsy, 22 years). Pulmonary asbestos fibre burden was stable between both examinations (median 1623/4269 asbestos bodies per gram wet lung). Electron microscopy demonstrated a preponderance of chrysotile (median 80%).This study is the first to present longitudinal intra-individual data about the asbestos fibre burden in living human lungs. The high biopersistence of amphiboles, but also of chrysotile, offers mechanistic explanations for fibre toxicity, especially the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases.

Human Security and the Emergence of Modern-Day Body Counts: The Law, the Theory, and the Practice of Casualty Recording

Human Security and the Emergence of Modern-Day Body Counts: The Law, the Theory, and the Practice of Casualty Recording

Alternative Means of Estimating 131I Maximum Permissible Activity to Treat Thyroid Cancer.

To protect bone marrow from overirradiation, the maximum permissible activity (MPA) of 131I to treat thyroid cancer is that which limits the absorbed dose to blood (as a surrogate of marrow) to less than 200 cGy. The conventional approach (method 1) requires repeated γ-camera whole-body measurements along with blood samples. We sought to determine whether reliable MPA values can be obtained by simplified procedures. Methods: Data acquired over multiple time points were examined retrospectively for 65 thyroid cancer patients, referred to determine 131I uptake and MPA for initial treatment after thyroidectomy (n = 39), including 17 patients with compromised renal function and 22 patients with known (n = 16) or suspected (n = 6) metastases. The total absorbed dose to blood (DTotal) was the sum of mean whole-body γ-ray dose component (Dγ) from uncollimated γ-camera measurements and dose due to β emissions (Dβ) from blood samples. Method 2 estimated DTotal from Dβ alone, method 3 estimated DTotal from Dγ alone, and method 4 estimated DTotal from a single 48-h γ-camera measurement. MPA was computed as 200 cGy/DTotal for each DTotal estimate. Results: Method 2 had the strongest correlation with conventional method 1 (r = 0.98) and values similar to method 1 (21.0 ± 13.7 cGy/GBq vs. 21.0 ± 14.1 cGy/GBq, P = 0.11), whereas method 3 had a weaker (P = 0.001) correlation (r = 0.94) and method 4 had the weakest (P < 0.0001) correlation (r = 0.69) and lower dose (16.3 ± 14.8 cGy/GBq, P < 0.0001). Consequently, correlation with method 1 MPA was strongest for method 2 MPA (r = 0.99) and weakest for method 4 (r = 0. 75). Method 2 and method 1 values agreed equally well regardless of whether patients had been treated with 131I previously or had abnormal renal function. Conclusion: Because MPA based on blood measurements alone is comparable to MPA obtained with combined body counting and blood sampling, blood measurements alone are sufficient for determining MPA.