bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design, Modeling and Testing of a Two-Terminal Mass Device With a Variable Inertia Flywheel
Authors: Yang Shuai , Xu Tongyi , Li Chuan , Liang Ming , Baddour Natalie
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we present a flywheel that can adaptively generate variable equivalent mass in response to application requirements. The motivation for the design comes from the need to achieve passive inertial mass, which eventually will lead to passive vibration isolation. This flywheel features a “host” flywheel frame with four sliders, each in a separate track. As the rotational speed of the variable inertia flywheel changes, the distance between sliders and rotation center changes, leading to a variable equivalent mass. The mathematical model of the flywheel is developed to examine its performance. The flywheel is mounted on a two-terminal hydraulic device to test its behavior. Experimental work has also been carried out to identify the parameters of the system (hydraulic device plus flywheel). The mathematical model with the identified parameters is then validated experimentally. During the experiments, the variable inertial force generated by the variable inertia flywheel in response to the changes in the excitation inputs is in good agreement with the prediction of the mathematical model, with the exception of spikes due to backlash of the two-terminal hydraulic system. The proposed design and experimental approach could inspire other passive variable inertial mass control of vibration systems.
Chromosome and Linear Plasmid Sequences of a 2015 Human Isolate of the Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Spirochete,
Borrelia turicatae
Authors: Kingry Luke C. , Batra Dhwani , Replogle Adam , Sexton Christopher , Rowe Lori , Stermole Benjamin M. , Christensen Anna M. , Schriefer Martin E.
Published: July 2016

The sequences of the complete linear chromosome and 7 linear plasmids of the relapsing fever spirochete
Borrelia turicatae
are presented in this report. The 925,547 bp of chromosome and 380,211 bp of plasmid sequence were predicted to contain a total of 1,131 open reading frames, with an average G+C content of 29.7%.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
Serovar Indiana C629, a Carbapenem-Resistant Bacterium Isolated from Chicken Carcass in China
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Feng , Peng Zixin , Li Fengqin , Ma Aiguo
Published: July 2016

The carbapenem-resistant
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Indiana strain C629 was isolated from a chicken carcass collected from a slaughterhouse in Qingdao, China. The complete genome sequence of C629 contains a circular 4,791,723-bp chromosome and a circular 210,106-bp plasmid. Genes involved in carbapenem resistance of this bacterium were identified by whole-genome analysis.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Campylobacter hyointestinalis
subsp.
hyointestinalis
Strain LMG 9260 and
C. hyointestinalis
subsp.
lawsonii
Strain LMG 15993
Authors: Miller William G. , Yee Emma , Chapman Mary H.
Published: July 2016

Campylobacter hyointestinalis
is isolated primarily from ruminants and swine, but is also occasionally isolated from humans.
C. hyointestinalis
is currently divided into two subspecies,
C. hyointestinalis
subsp.
hyointestinalis
and
C. hyointestinalis
subsp.
lawsonii
. This study describes the first closed whole-genome sequences of
C. hyointestinalis
subsp.
hyointestinalis
isolate LMG 9260 and
C. hyointestinalis
subsp.
lawsonii
isolate LMG 15993.
Draft Genome Sequences of Seven Bacterial Strains Isolated from a Polymicrobial Culture of Coccolith-Bearing (C-Type)
Emiliania huxleyi
M217
Authors: Rosana Albert Remus R. , Orata Fabini D. , Xu Yue , Simkus Danielle N. , Bramucci Anna R. , Boucher Yan , Case Rebecca J.
Published: July 2016

Strains of
Rhodobacteraceae
,
Sphingomonadales
,
Alteromonadales
, and
Bacteroidetes
were isolated from a polymicrobial culture of the coccolith-forming (C-type) haptophyte
Emiliania huxleyi
strain M217
.
The genomes encode genes for the production of algal growth factors and the consumption of their hosts' metabolic by-products, suggesting that the polymicrobial culture harbors many symbiotic interactions.
A near-transparent 90∘ polarization rotator with an array of L-shaped holes inside a glass cube
Authors: Liao Yan-Lin , Zhao Yan , Lu He-Ping
Published: July 2016

We report a near-transparent 90[Formula: see text] polarization rotator by using a single-layer microstructure. The co-polarization light has been suppressed by using destructive interference. At the same time, the transmission of cross-polarization light has been improved with inference effect between surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and localized surface plasmons (LSPs). This efficient polarization rotation mechanism may be very useful in designing polarization rotators.
An Adjustable Electrical Stimulator for Cell Culture
Authors: Yuan Yuan , He Meng , Zou Yuan-Wen , Huang Zhong-Bing , Li Jin-Chuan , Huang Xue-Jin
Published: July 2016

Electrical stimulations can promote cell growth, but most electrical stimulators could only output either voltage signals or current signals and do not output arbitrary waveforms according to need. In this paper, a wireless stimulator with adjustable stimulation signals is developed for cell culture. The original waveforms are produced by signal generating circuits. Then under the adjustment of amplification circuits, the original waveforms are converted into current stimulation signals or voltage stimulation signals. Finally, stimulation signals apply onto cells under the monitor of current measuring circuits. The stimulator can provide signals with the following characteristics: (a) required arbitrary waveforms at frequencies ranging from 0 Hz to 100[Formula: see text]kHz; (b) voltage signals at an amplitude ranging from [Formula: see text]15[Formula: see text]V to 15[Formula: see text]V with a resolution of 1[Formula: see text]mV; and (c) current signals at an amplitude ranging from [Formula: see text]1[Formula: see text]mA to 1[Formula: see text]mA with a resolution of 1[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A when load resistance is less than 50.0[Formula: see text]k[Formula: see text]. Results of these experiments confirm that the developed instrument can provide adjustable stimulation signals for cell growth.
Rank One Strange Attractors in Periodically Kicked Predator–Prey System with Time-Delay
Authors: Yang Wenjie , Lin Yiping , Dai Yunxian , Zhao Huitao
Published: July 2016

This paper is devoted to the study of the problem of rank one strange attractor in a periodically kicked predator–prey system with time-delay. Our discussion is based on the theory of rank one maps formulated by Wang and Young. Firstly, we develop the rank one chaotic theory to delayed systems. It is shown that strange attractors occur when the delayed system undergoes a Hopf bifurcation and encounters an external periodic force. Then we use the theory to the periodically kicked predator–prey system with delay, deriving the conditions for Hopf bifurcation and rank one chaos along with the results of numerical simulations.
Gravity: A gauge theory perspective
Authors: Nester James M. , Chen Chiang-Mei
Published: July 2016

The evolution of a generally covariant theory is under-determined. One hundred years ago such dynamics had never before been considered; its ramifications were perplexing, its future important role for all the fundamental interactions under the name gauge principle could not be foreseen. We recount some history regarding Einstein, Hilbert, Klein and Noether and the novel features of gravitational energy that led to Noether’s two theorems. Under-determined evolution is best revealed in the Hamiltonian formulation. We developed a covariant Hamiltonian formulation. The Hamiltonian boundary term gives covariant expressions for the quasi-local energy, momentum and angular momentum. Gravity can be considered as a gauge theory of the local Poincaré group. The dynamical potentials of the Poincaré gauge theory of gravity are the frame and the connection. The spacetime geometry has in general both curvature and torsion. Torsion naturally couples to spin; it could have a significant magnitude and yet not be noticed, except on a cosmological scale where it could have significant effects.
Understanding strongly coupling magnetism from holographic duality
Authors: Cai Rong-Gen , Yang Run-Qiu
Published: July 2016

The unusual magnetic materials are significant in both science and technology. However, because of the strongly correlated effects, it is difficult to understand their novel properties from theoretical aspects. Holographic duality offers a new approach to understanding such systems from gravity side. This paper will give a brief review of our recent works on the applications of holographic duality in understanding unusual magnetic materials. Some quantitative comparision between holographic results and experimental data will be shown and some predictions from holographic duality models will be discussed.
On rings whose nonunits are a unit multiple of a nilpotent
Authors: Vámos Peter
Published: July 2016

The rings in the title were called UN rings by Călugăreanu in [G. Călugăreanu, UN-rings, J. Algebra Appl. 15(9) (2016) 1650182]. He gave two examples of simple UN rings: matrix rings over a skew field and a ring, which is the filtered union of such rings. We give new examples of simple UN rings as endomorphism rings of ‘vector space like’ modules and determine the structure of UN rings, which satisfy a polynomial identity or have Krull dimension. We also answer some questions in [G. Călugăreanu, UN-rings, J. Algebra Appl. 15(9) (2016) 1650182] about Morita equivalence of UN rings and show that this question is related to Köthe’s conjecture. Finally a complete characterization is given of modules over a Dedekind domain (in particular Abelian groups) and modules of finite length with a UN endomorphism ring.
Stabilities of Irradiated DNA Complexes from Sarcoma 45 Tumors with Mitoxantrone at Small Fillings
Authors: Hakobyan Sergey N. , Shahinyan Mariam A. , Babayan Yuri S.
Published: July 2016

In the present work, the thermostabilities of mitoxantrone (MTX) complexes with DNA from sarcoma 45 and healthy rat liver were studied. DNAs from both sources were irradiated by resonant (64.5 GHz and 50.3 GHz) and nonresonant (48.3 GHz) frequencies of water. The obtained data showed that DNA solution irradiation by resonant frequencies of water induces a dehydration of nucleotides and Na[Formula: see text] ions in the solution. It is shown that at relatively low concentrations of MTX, when one MTX molecule binds to almost 100 pairs of bases of DNA, the thermostabilities of complexes decrease. Moreover, this change is more pronounced ([Formula: see text]C) at the complex formation with DNA released from sarcoma 45 tumor.
Cognitive AutonomouS CAtheters Operating in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Vander Poorten E. , Tran P. , Devreker A. , Gruijthuijsen C. , Portoles-Diez S. , Smoljkic G. , Strbac V. , Famaey N. , Reynaerts D. , Vander Sloten J. , Tibebu A. , Yu B. , Rauch C. , Bernard F. , Kassahun Y. , Metzen J. H. , Giannarou S. , Zhao L. , Lee S. , Yang G. , Mazomenos E. , Chang P. , Stoyanov D. , Kvasnytsia M. , Van Deun J. , Verhoelst E. , Sette M. , Di Iasio A. , Leo G. , Hertner F. , Scherly D. , Chelini L. , Häni N. , Seatovic D. , Rosa B. , De Praetere H. , Herijgers P.
Published: July 2016

Advances in miniaturized surgical instrumentation are key to less demanding and safer medical interventions. In cardiovascular procedures interventionalists turn towards catheter-based interventions, treating patients considered unfit for more invasive approaches. A positive outcome is not guaranteed. The risk for calcium dislodgement, tissue damage or even vessel rupture cannot be eliminated when instruments are maneuvered through fragile and diseased vessels. This paper reports on the progress made in terms of catheter design, vessel reconstruction, catheter shape modeling, surgical skill analysis, decision making and control. These efforts are geared towards the development of the necessary technology to autonomously steer catheters through the vasculature, a target of the EU-funded project Cognitive AutonomouS CAtheters operating in Dynamic Environments (CASCADE). Whereas autonomous placement of an aortic valve implant forms the ultimate and concrete goal, the technology of individual building blocks to reach such ambitious goal is expected to be much sooner impacting and assisting interventionalists in their daily clinical practice.
Association between Serum Albumin Concentration and Ketosis Risk in Hospitalized Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Cheng Po-Chung , Hsu Shang-Ren , Cheng Yun-Chung
Published: July 2016

Objective.This study examined the association between serum albumin concentration and ketosis risk in hospitalized individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical center in Taiwan. Inclusion criteria were endocrinology ward inpatients exceeding 21 years of age, with preexisting diagnosis of T2DM, and blood glucose above 13.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) at admission. Individuals without measurement of serum albumin, urine ketone, or hemoglobin A1C, or harboring active infection, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event, cirrhosis, malignancy, or overt proteinuria were excluded. Using serum albumin concentration below 3.0 grams per deciliter to define hypoalbuminemia, 151 hypoalbuminemic cases and 104 normoalbuminemic controls were enrolled. The presence of ketones in urine established ketosis.Results. The prevalence of ketonuria was 48% in hypoalbuminemic subjects compared to 30% in normoalbuminemic controls (odds ratio (OR): 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26–3.57;P=0.004). Moreover, among the 156 subjects with serum beta-hydroxybutyrate measurement in addition to urine ketone, 33% of the hypoalbuminemic individuals had ketonemia exceeding 3 mmol/L compared to 19% of those with normoalbuminemia (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 0.99–4.48,P=0.051).Conclusions. Serum albumin concentration is inversely associated with ketosis risk in hospitalized individuals with T2DM.
PGC‐1α Mediated Peripheral Nerve Protection of Tongxinluo in STZ‐Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Cui Xiaopei , Feng Hua , Xu Xia , Li Haijun , Zhang Hongyu
Published: July 2016

Aim. To investigate the effect of Tongxinluo (Txl), a Chinese herbal compound, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods and Results. Diabetic rat model was established by peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Txl ultrafine powder treatment for 16 weeks from the baseline significantly reversed the impairment of motor nerve conductive velocity (MNCV), mechanical hyperalgesia, and nerve structure. We further proved that Tongxinluo upregulates PGC‐1α and its downstream factors including COX IV and SOD, which were involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion. Our study indicates that the protective effect of Txl in diabetic neuropathy may be attributed to the induction of PGC‐1α and its downstream targets. This finding may further illustrate the pleiotropic effect of the medicine.
Homogeneous Esterification of Cellulose in the Mixture N-Butylpyridinium Chloride/Dimethylsulfoxide
Authors: El Hamdaoui Lahcen , El Moussaouiti Mohammed , Gmouh Said
Published: July 2016

The present study deals with the homogeneous acylation of cellulose withp-nitrobenzoyl chloride in a reaction medium composed of a mixture of 1-butylpyridinium chloride and dimethylsulfoxide (BPyCl/DMSO), in the presence of different bases and under mild conditions. The preparation of cellulosep-nitrobenzoate depending on the reaction conditions, the influences of reaction parameters such as the base type, and the types of cellulose (kraft and microcrystalline) on the products were investigated. Cellulosep-nitrobenzoate with a degree of substitution (DS) in the range from 0.12 to 1.5 was accessible, with a low excess of reagent and for a short reaction time. The cellulose esters were characterized by1H-NMR,13C NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and solubility tests.
Healthy Aging from the Perspectives of 683 Older People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Wallack Elizabeth M. , Wiseman Hailey D. , Ploughman Michelle
Published: July 2016

Purpose.The aim of this study was to determine what factors most greatly contributed to healthy aging with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the perspective of a large sample of older people with MS.Design and Methods.Participants (n=683; >55 years of age with symptoms >20 years) provided answers to an open-ended question regarding healthy aging and were categorized into three groups, 55–64 (young), 65–74 (middle), and 75 and over (oldest old). Sociodemographic actors were compared using ANOVA. Two independent raters used the framework method of analyzing qualitative data.Results.Participants averaged 64 years of age(±6.2)with MS symptoms for 32.9 years(±9.4). 531 participants were female (78%). The majority of participants lived in their own home (n=657) with a spouse or partner (n=483). Participants described seven themes: social connections, attitude and outlook on life, lifestyle choices and habits, health care system, spirituality and religion, independence, and finances. These themes had two shared characteristics, multidimensionality and interdependence.Implications.Learning from the experiences of older adults with MS can help young and middle aged people with MS plan to age in their own homes and communities. Our data suggests that older people with MS prioritize factors that are modifiable through targeted self-management strategies.
The Effects of Scleral Collagen Cross-Linking Using Glyceraldehyde on the Progression of Form-Deprived Myopia in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Chu Yanhua , Cheng Zhaohui , Liu Jing , Wang Ying , Guo Haixia , Han Quanhong
Published: July 2016

To investigate the effects of collagen cross-linking using glyceraldehyde on the biomechanical properties of the sclera and the axial elongation of form-deprived myopia in the guinea pig. Thirty-six guinea pigs were randomly assigned to four groups: FDM (form-deprived myopia); FDMG (form-deprived myopia treated with glyceraldehyde); FDMS (form-deprived myopia treated with 0.9% isotonic sodium chloride); and normal control (free of form-deprivation). FDM was achieved in the right eye using a latex facemask. The right eye in FDMG was treated with a posterior subtenon injection of 0.5 M glyceraldehyde; 0.9% isotonic sodium chloride was administered to the right eye in FDMS group using the same method. Axial length, refraction, and stress-strain of the sclera were measured at scheduled time points. The treated eyes were also examined histologically by light microscopy. It was found that glyceraldehyde treatment significantly increased the stiffness of the sclera in the FDM eyes and abnormalities have not been observed in the retina and optic nerve of the treated eyes. But the development of myopia was not affected.
Ulcerative Colitis Activity Presenting as Fever of Unknown Origin, in a Patient with Longstanding Disease under Continuous Treatment with Mesalazine
Authors: Voukelatou Panagiota , Sfendouraki Elissavet , Karianos Theodoros , Saranti Sofia , Tsitsimelis Dimitrios , Vrettos Ioannis , Kalliakmanis Andreas
Published: July 2016

Background. The presence of ulcerative colitis (UC) with no bowel symptoms, as fever of unknown origin (FUO), is uncommon.Objective. To describe the case of an 80-year-old woman who presented with fever, with a history of UC under treatment with mesalazine.Case Presentation. She was admitted due to fever lasting for 12 days with no associated symptoms. Seven years earlier, she was diagnosed with UC. After an extended workup for FUO that failed to reach the diagnosis, she underwent a gallium-67 scintigraphy. This revealed a persistent diffuse concentration of gallium-67 in the ascending colon at 24-hour imaging that remained stable at 48- and 72-hour imaging without any topographic change after the use of laxatives. Considering the results and in the absence of another diagnosis, the patient was treated with 30 mg prednisone daily and mesalazine, as treatment of active UC. Subsequently, the patient’s condition improved markedly and the fever retreated. One month later, she was reevaluated with a gallium-67 scintigraphy with total absence of gallium-67 concentration in the ascending colon.Conclusion. UC activity must be included in the differential diagnosis of FUO in patients with longstanding disease, since fever may present alone, with no other manifestations.
Heterologous, Expression, and Characterization of Thermostable Glucoamylase Derived fromAspergillus flavusNSH9 inPichia pastoris
Authors: Karim Kazi Muhammad Rezaul , Husaini Ahmad , Hossain Md. Anowar , Sing Ngieng Ngui , Mohd Sinang Fazia , Hussain Mohd Hasnain Md. , Roslan Hairul Azman
Published: July 2016

A novel thermostable glucoamylase cDNA without starch binding domain (SBD) ofAspergillus flavusNSH9 was successfully identified, isolated, and overexpressed inPichia pastorisGS115. The complete open reading frame of glucoamylase fromAspergillus flavusNSH9 was identified by employing PCR that encodes 493 amino acids lacking in the SBD. The first 17 amino acids were presumed to be a signal peptide. The cDNA was cloned intoPichia pastorisand the highest expression of recombinant glucoamylase (rGA) was observed after 8 days of incubation period with 1% methanol. The molecular weight of the purified rGA was about 78 kDa and exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.0 and temperature of 70°C. The enzyme was stable at higher temperature with 50% of residual activity observed after 20 min at 90°C and 100°C. Low concentration of metal (Mg++, Fe++, Zn++, Cu++, and Pb++) had positive effect on rGA activity. This rGA has the potential for use and application in the saccharification steps, due to its thermostability, in the starch processing industries.
Oxidative Stress Assessment in Response to Ultraendurance Exercise: Thiols Redox Status and ROS Production according to Duration of a Competitive Race
Authors: Vezzoli Alessandra , Dellanoce Cinzia , Mrakic-Sposta Simona , Montorsi Michela , Moretti Sarah , Tonini Annamaria , Pratali Lorenza , Accinni Roberto
Published: July 2016

Purpose. Response to an ultraendurance competitive race on thiols redox status, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and oxidative stress (OxS) was investigated according to duration. Methods. Twenty‐four elite runners were examined: six completed 50 km and eighteen 100 km. Blood and urine samples were collected before and immediately after the race. Erythrocytes and plasma aminothiols by high‐performance liquid chromatography, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and OxS biomarkers (protein carbonyl (PC), thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS), 8‐isoprostane (8‐iso‐PGF2α), and 8‐OH‐2‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OH‐dG)) by immunoenzymatic assays and ROS production by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance were assessed. Results. Significant increases (P between <0.05 and <0.0001) were recorded in plasma total and oxidized aminothiols concentration and TAC (P < 0.0001) only after 100 km: plasmatic (ROS production (+12 versus +29%), PC (+54 versus +115%), and TBARS (+28 versus +55%)) and urinary (8‐OH‐dG.creatinine−1 (+71 versus +158%) and 8‐iso‐PGF2α.creatinine−1 (+43 versus +135%)) concentrations for 50 and 100 km (duration 4 h 3′ versus 8 h 42′), respectively. Conclusion. Very prolonged ultraendurance exercise causes an increase in ROS production and OxS depending on specific biomarker examined but always linearly and directly related to exercise duration. Redox status of erythrocytes was preserved. A relationship between running performance and both prerace ROS production and antioxidant‐redox status was found in 100 km race.
Management of HIV Infection during Pregnancy in the United States: Updated Evidence-Based Recommendations and Future Potential Practices
Authors: Rimawi Bassam H. , Haddad Lisa , Badell Martina L. , Chakraborty Rana
Published: July 2016

All HIV-infected women contemplating pregnancy should initiate combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), with a goal to achieve a maternal serum HIV RNA viral load beneath the laboratory level of detection prior to conceiving, as well as throughout their pregnancy. Successfully identifying HIV infection during pregnancy through screening tests is essential in order to preventin uteroand intrapartum transmission of HIV. Perinatal HIV transmission can be less than 1% when effective cART, associated with virologic suppression of HIV, is given during the ante-, intra-, and postpartum periods. Perinatal HIV guidelines, developed by organizations such as the World Health Organization, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the US Department of Health and Human Services, are constantly evolving, and hence the aim of our review is to provide a useful concise review for medical providers caring for HIV-infected pregnant women, summarizing the latest and current recommendations in the United States.
A QFD-Based Evaluation Method for Business Models of Product Service Systems
Authors: Li Tianyang , He Ting , Wang Zhongjie , Zhang Yufeng
Published: July 2016

Organizations have been approaching Product Service Systems (PSS) in unoptimized business model fashions. This is partially because there is ineffective evaluation of PSS business models. Therefore, a more sufficient evaluation method might advance the evaluation of PSS business models and assist organizations that are considering a servitisation strategy. In this paper, we develop a value oriented method by using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) technique to employ correlations derived from the design information of PSS business models to evaluate these PSS business models. We describe the method applying steps and its practical application in a real life case study. This method improves the formulation of an evaluation step within a design process of PSS business models based on correlations of different dimensions of the PSS value and PSS business models; it allows a balance between the customer value and organization value that are delivered by PSS business models to be made quantitatively. Finally, it fosters the effective utilization of the design information accumulated in the earlier part of the design process to quantitatively evaluate whether a PSS business model is optimized for providing appropriate values for customers and organizations.
“Slalom”: Microsurgical Cross-Over Decompression for Multilevel Degenerative Lumbar Stenosis
Authors: Mayer H. Michael , Heider Franziska
Published: July 2016

Objective.Selective, bilateral multisegmental microsurgical decompression of lumbar spinal canal stenosis through separate, alternating cross-over approaches.Indications. Two-segmental and multisegmental degenerative central and lateral lumbar spinal stenosis.Contraindications. None.Surgical Technique.Minimally invasive, muscle, and facet joint-sparing bilateral decompression of the lumbar spinal canal through 2 or more alternating microsurgical cross-over approaches from one side.Results.From December 2010 until December 2015 we operated on 202 patients with 2 or multisegmental stenosis (115 f; 87 m; average age 69.3 yrs, range 51–91 yrs). All patients were suffering from symptoms typical of a degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. All patients complained about back pain; however the leg symptoms were dominant in all cases. Per decompressed segment, the average OR time was 36 min and the blood loss 45.7 cc. Patients were mobilized 6 hrs postop and hospitalization averaged 5.9 days. A total of 116/202 patients did not need submuscular drainage. 27/202 patients suffered from a complication (13.4%). Dural tears occurred in 3.5%, an epidural hematoma in 5.5%, a deep wound infection in 1.98%, and a temporary radiculopathy postop in 1.5%. Postop follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months. There was a significant improvement of EQ 5 D, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), VAS for Back and Leg Pain, and preoperative standing times and walking distances.
Systematic Analysis of the Cytokine and Anhedonia Response to Peripheral Lipopolysaccharide Administration in Rats
Authors: Biesmans Steven , Matthews Liam J. R. , Bouwknecht Jan A. , De Haes Patrick , Hellings Niels , Meert Theo F. , Nuydens Rony , Ver Donck Luc
Published: July 2016

Inflammatory processes may cause depression in subsets of vulnerable individuals. Inflammation-associated behavioral changes are commonly modelled in rodents by administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the time frame in which immune activation and depressive-like behavior occur is not very clear. In this study, we showed that systemic administration of LPS robustly increased circulating levels of corticosterone, leptin, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. Serum concentrations of most analytes peaked within the first 6 h after LPS injection and returned to baseline values by 24 h. Chemokine levels, however, remained elevated for up to 96 h. Using an optimized sucrose preference test (SPT) we showed that sickness behavior was present from 2 to 24 h. LPS-induced anhedonia, as measured by decreased sucrose preference, lasted up to 96 h. To mimic the human situation, where depression develops after chronic inflammation, rats were preexposed to repeated LPS administration or subchronic restraint stress and subsequently challenged with LPS. While these procedures did not increase the duration of anhedonia, our results do indicate that inflammation may cause depressive symptoms such as anhedonia. Using our SPT protocol, more elaborate rodent models can be developed to study the mechanisms underlying inflammation-associated depression in humans.
On the UV Dimensions of Loop Quantum Gravity
Authors: Ronco Michele
Published: July 2016

Planck-scale dynamical dimensional reduction is attracting more and more interest in the quantum-gravity literature since it seems to be a model independent effect. However, different studies base their results on different concepts of space-time dimensionality. Most of them rely on thespectraldimension; others refer to theHausdorffdimension; and, very recently, thethermaldimension has also been introduced. We here show that all these distinct definitions of dimension give the same outcome in the case of the effective regime of Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG). This is achieved by deriving a modified dispersion relation from the hypersurface-deformation algebra with quantum corrections. Moreover, we also observe that the number of UV dimensions can be used to constrain the ambiguities in the choice of these LQG-based modifications of the Dirac space-time algebra. In this regard, introducing thepolymerizationof connections, that is,K→sin⁡δK/δ, we find that the leading quantum correction givesdUV=2.5. This result may indicate that the running to the expected value of two dimensions is ongoing, but it has not been completed yet. FindingdUVat ultrashort distances would require going beyond the effective approach we here present.
Bacteriology of the Middle Meatus in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with and without Polyposis
Authors: Stern Sagit , Hadar Tuvia , Nachalon Yuval , Ben-Zvi Haim , Soudry Ethan , Yaniv Eitan
Published: July 2016

There are only limited data in the literature, and none specifically from the Middle East, on the pathogenic bacteria in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) as opposed to healthy nasal cavities and their association with disease severity. The present study was conducted in the department of head and neck surgery of a tertiary medical center. Middle meatal swabs were taken preoperatively from patients with CRS with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) (n = 60), CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) (n = 50), and control patients with septal deviation (n = 26) or no nasal abnormalities (n = 27). Culture findings were compared among the groups and correlated with CRS severity. Positive pathogenic culture rates were 78% in the CRSwNP group and 64% in the CRSsNP group. Twenty pathogenic bacterial species were identified; the most common was Staphylococcus aureus (27%). The most common Gram-negative isolate was Citrobacter spp. (17%). Gram-negative species were significantly more prevalent in the CRSwNP group than the others. Mean Lund-Mackay scores were 12.8 in the CRSwNP group and 6.9 in the CRSsNP group, and were unrelated to the culture findings. Positive culture rates were significantly higher in the septal deviation (54%) than the nasal healthy group (26%), although both values were significantly lower than in the CRS groups. In conclusion, patients with CRS have higher rates of bacterial isolates than patients without CRS. CRSwNP is associated with more Gram-negative bacteria than CRSsNP, regardless of disease severity. The relatively high positive culture rate in patients with septal deviation merits investigation.
Validation of the Italian Version of the Haemophilia Activities List
Authors: Balestri Elena , Villafañe Jorge Hugo , Bertozzi Lucia , Berlini Stefano , Rocino Angiola , Paganoni Anna Maria , Drago Lorenzo , Berjano Pedro
Published: July 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to provide an Italian version of the Haemophilia Activities List (HAL) and check its reliability in Italian medical centers. Methods: The Italian version of this assessment was administered to 80 patients (aged 18-65 years) affected by haemophilia A and B (moderate or severe). The validation was accomplished by comparing it to the revised and expanded Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2). Results: The internal consistency of the Italian version of the HAL had statistically high results: Cronbach's α 0.957-0.579. The highest internal consistency was measured in the domains ‘leg functionality' and in the overall points of the HAL questionnaire. The correlation between the AIMS2, which has been translated into Italian, and the version of the HAL questionnaire that we proposed, yielded good results for the following correlations: AIMS2 all and HAL overall (r = 0.64), AIMS2 physical function and HAL overall (r = 0.66), AIMS2 pain and HAL overall (r = 0.66). Conclusion: The Italian version of the HAL questionnaire presents both internal coherence and convergent validity. It can be used in addition to other functional tests to measure outcomes in moderate and severe haemophiliac diseases or to determine the quality of life as observed in the everyday life of patients.
Localization of α1-2 Fucose Glycan in the Mouse Olfactory Pathway
Authors: Kondoh Daisuke , Kamikawa Akihiro , Sasaki Motoki , Kitamura Nobuo
Published: July 2016

Glycoconjugates in the olfactory system play critical roles in neuronal formation, and α1-2 fucose (α1-2Fuc) glycan mediates neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity. Histochemical findings of α1-2Fuc glycan in the mouse olfactory system detected using Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I) vary. This study histochemically assessed the main olfactory and vomeronasal pathways in male and female ICR and C57BL/6J mice aged 3-4 months using UEA-I. Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I reacted with most receptor cells arranged mainly at the basal region of the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory nerve layer and glomerular layer of the main olfactory bulb were speckled with positive UEA-I staining, and positive fibers were scattered from the glomerular to the internal plexiform layer. The lateral olfactory tract and rostral migratory stream were also positive for UEA-I. We identified superficial short-axon cells, interneurons of the external plexiform layer, external, middle and internal tufted cells, mitral cells and granule cells as the origins of the UEA-I-positive fibers in the main olfactory bulb. The anterior olfactory nucleus, anterior piriform cortex and olfactory tubercle were negative for UEA-I. Most receptor cells in the vomeronasal epithelium and most glomeruli of the accessory olfactory bulb were positive for UEA-I. Our findings indicated that α1-2Fuc glycan is located within the primary and secondary, but not the ternary, pathways of the main olfactory system, in local circuits of the main olfactory bulb and within the primary, but not secondary, pathway of the vomeronasal system.
La fine del postmoderno
Authors: Berardinelli Alfonso
Published: July 2016

O autor navega pelo pós-moderno, procurando identificar seus percursos e definir suas fronteiras até decretar o fim de uma época.
Terra Amada de Liliana Laganà
Authors: Castro Giliola Maggio de
Published: July 2016

Resenha de Terra Amada, de Liliana Laganà. São Paulo: Editora Casa Amarela, 2005.
Fausto da Longiano e a tradução retórica do século XVI
Authors: Furlan Mauri
Published: July 2016

Dialogo del modo de lo tradurre, 1556, de Sebastiano Fausto da Longiano, é o primeiro tratado independente escrito em italiano sobre a tradução, e um dos mais significativos do Renascimento europeu. Nele, além das principais posições mantidas nas disputas sobre a tradução no período, também se encontram preceitos constituidores da grande linha de pensamento que caracterizou a reflexão sobre a tradução renascentista e que chamamos de “teoria retórico-locutiva da tradução”: o código que plasma a concepção da linguagem no Renascimento e, consequentemente, o código da tradução e o da elocutio retórica.
A historia da arte italiana, de Giulio Cario Argan
Authors: Katinsky Julio Roberto
Published: July 2016

Trata-se de uma análise dos percursos de G. C. Argan em sua História da arte italiana, traduzida recentemente para o português.
Escrita Siloniana entre Ensaio e Ficção
Authors: Cavallari Doris Nátia
Published: July 2016

O artigo discute a questão da escrita siloniana e suas características no ensaio e na ficção.
Voglio essere io a dire come mi chiamo: nome e paradigma identitario nella letteratura italiana della migrazione
Authors: Horn Vera
Published: July 2016

Ao defrontar-se com o outro e a sociedade que o acolhe, o migrante è levado a realizar um processo de renegociação e de redefinição do conceito de identidade, frequentement dissipada, renegada, diluída nesse confronto. Nesse sentido, o nome, que constitui um dos aspectos da questão mais complexa da formação de identidade em consequência de processos migratórios, torna-se um meio de afirmação e de salva-guarda da identidade pessoal e cultural contra o achatamento que pode caracterizar o processo de inserção e integração social que, às vezes é representado, justamente na tentativa de rebatizar o imigrnte. A literatura da migração na Itália, que já tem uma produção consistente que dura há mais de vinte anos, deteve-se sobre esse problema  em seu percurso evolutivo por meio de contos, romances, também recentes, dos quais daremos notícias a seguir.
Il Cristianesimo Felice del Muratori nella Galassia Guntenberg di McLuhan
Authors: Guardiani Francesco
Published: July 2016

Assunto do ensaio é uma interpretação do tratado de Muratori segundo a teoria das transformações culturais de Marshall McLuhan, autor de The Gutenberg  Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man. A utopia gesuítica do Paraguay, que iniciou em 1609, foi justamente fista por Muratori, um sécolo e meio mais tarde, como uma expressão de autêntica modernidade, entendida em sentido "tipográfico". A atividade dos gesuítas, com efeito, não é apreciada somente pela conversão ao cristianismo das populações indiígenas, mas também pela sua alfabetização e emancipação cultura.
Scrivere tra Due Lingue: Lingua Italiana e Traduzione in Christiana de Caldas Brito e Vera Lúcia de Oliveira
Authors: Di Lucchio Pierangela
Published: July 2016

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise comparativa de alguns textos de duas autoras brasileiras, Christiana de Caldas Brito e Vera Lúcia de Oliveira, que escrevem em língua italiana. Mediante algumas de suas obras mais representativas se esboça uma diferente geografia da identidade, suscitada pelo movimento de separação da terra mãe.
A Erosão Sufixal dos Italianos Cultos en Contato com o Português Brasileiro (PB)
Authors: Raso Tommaso
Published: July 2016

O artigo discute os mecanismos da erosão sufixal em italianos cultos em contatos prolongado com o português brasileiro. O trabalho se baseia num corpus falado de cerca de 50.000 palavras e 13 informantes, e é homogêneo diastraticamente, e diafasicamente. Foram investigados os casos de perda sufixal em relação às regras de formação de palavras e à produtividade sufixal das duas línguas. As conclusões apontam para uma perda não casual mas concentrada nos sufixos menos produtivos, em particular quando a base é idêntica e a sufixação diferente, mas somente se concorre mais de um fator condicionante (tipicidade, produtividade, interferência, simplificação para uma única possibilidade a partir de mais variantes).
Incontrare un altro mondo: immagini, intercultura e partecipazione nella classe di italiano come lingua straniera
Authors: Kucher Simona Bartoli
Published: July 2016

O presente artigo pretende mostrar – entre reflexões teóricas e prática didática – como o filme e o romance multimodal podem ter um papel fundamental em uma abordagem didática em cujo centro estão os aprendizes como actantes culturais. Se textos e filmes em língua estrangeira apresentam conteúdos ligados a seu mundo, se narram histórias que os envolvem do ponto de vista emocional e cognitivo, contribuem para potencializar a competência textual, a competência narrativa e a competência intercultural em língua estrangeira, dando uma importante contribuição educacional e ligada ao desenvolvimento da personalidade
papel dos dialetos nas políticas de educação linguística dos italianos da Unificação à atualidade
Authors: Lunati Manuela , Balthazar Luciana Lanhi , Freitas Paula Garcia de
Published: July 2016

Este trabalho propõe-se a investigar as políticas para a educação linguística adotadas na Itália, tanto no âmbito nacional quanto no local, desde a Unificação até os dias de hoje, com particular atenção ao papel reservado aos dialetos em sua relação com a língua italiana padrão. Quatro períodos históricos foram distinguidos: 1) unificação e primeiros anos após a unificação; 2) fascismo; 3) do pós-guerra até 2009 e, enfim, 4) de 2009 até hoje. A pesquisa, que examinou leis, projetos de lei, decretos, programas escolares e declarações de agentes políticos e sociais, evidenciou que foram atribuídos diferentes papeis aos dialetos nos diferentes períodos históricos: desde pragas a serem combatidas até instrumentos úteis para a aprendizagem do italiano padrão ou dados culturais a serem valorizados e até mesmo defendidos. Por fim, a análise do atual contexto sociocultural, determinado pelos fenômenos migratórios dos últimos anos, revelou que, no debate sobre políticas para a educação linguística, a questão do ensino dos dialetos perdeu sua centralidade, sendo substituída por uma reflexão sobre os instrumentos adequados para o desenvolvimento de competências em italiano dos alunos estrangeiros não-italófonos
Do italiano ao português: reflexões sobre a equivalência de unidades lexicais em um glossário gastronômico
Authors: Baccin Paola Giustina
Published: July 2016

A elaboração de um dicionário bilingue tem por objetivo estabelecer a equivalência de unidades lexicais entre duas línguas. Para estabelecê-la devemos considerar a correspondência entre o conjunto de traços significativos de cada unidade lexical, suas características e descritores, bem como o nível  de seleção que será o ponto de partida e de chegada da definição. Esses elementos dependem do tipo de obra lexicográfica e se seu público usuário. A pesquisa realizada para a elaboração de um glossário italiano-português sobre massas alimentícias originou uma série de reflexões que apresentamos nesse artigo.
Relato de um projeto de pesquisa: da Lenda de Jurupari aos Boletins Italianos do Conde Ermanno Stradelli
Authors: Bernardini Aurora Fornoni
Published: July 2016

Apresenta-se aqui o roteiro de uma pesquisa realizada em diversas etapas sobre a obra do explorador italiano onde Ermanno Stradelli (1852-1926). A pesquisa pretendeu realçar o valor antropológico e  literário da obra do autor, reavivar o interesse pela publicação em livro do Vocabulário Nheengatú-Português e Português-Nhengatú, obra máxima de Stradelli, publicada em revista do Instituto Histórico Geográphico Brasileiro em 1929, e localizar seus Boletins em diferentes instituições italianas, para futura tradução e edição.
Traduções de textos de A. Tabucchi
Authors: Editor O
Published: July 2016

Extraídos de I volatili del beato Angelico e Sogni di sogni (Ana Elvira Luciano Gebara, Maria Cristina Milani de Moraes e Roberta Barni; revisão: MariarosaFabris; apresentação do autor: Loredana de Stauber Caprara)
Cytochrome P450 Oxidase 2C Inhibition Adds to ω-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Protection Against Retinal and Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Gong Yan , Fu Zhongjie , Edin Matthew L. , Liu Chi-Hsiu , Wang Zhongxiao , Shao Zhuo , Fredrick Thomas W. , Saba Nicholas J. , Morss Peyton C. , Burnim Samuel B. , Meng Steven S. , Lih Fred B. , Lee Kin Sing Stephen , Moran Elizabeth P. , SanGiovanni John Paul , Hellström Ann , Hammock Bruce D. , Zeldin Darryl C. , Smith Lois E.H.
Published: July 2016

Objective—

Pathological ocular neovascularization is a major cause of blindness. Increased dietary intake of ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) reduces retinal neovascularization and choroidal neovascularization (CNV), but ω-3 LCPUFA metabolites of a major metabolizing pathway, cytochrome P450 oxidase (CYP) 2C, promote ocular pathological angiogenesis. We hypothesized that inhibition of CYP2C activity will add to the protective effects of ω-3 LCPUFA on neovascular eye diseases.

Approach and Results—

The mouse models of oxygen-induced retinopathy and laser-induced CNV were used to investigate pathological angiogenesis in the retina and choroid, respectively. The plasma levels of ω-3 LCPUFA metabolites of CYP2C were determined by mass spectroscopy. Aortic ring and choroidal explant sprouting assays were used to investigate the effects of CYP2C inhibition and ω-3 LCPUFA–derived CYP2C metabolic products on angiogenesis ex vivo. We found that inhibition of CYP2C activity by montelukast added to the protective effects of ω-3 LCPUFA on retinal neovascularization and CNV by 30% and 20%, respectively. In CYP2C8-overexpressing mice fed a ω-3 LCPUFA diet, montelukast suppressed retinal neovascularization and CNV by 36% and 39% and reduced the plasma levels of CYP2C8 products. Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition, which blocks breakdown and inactivation of CYP2C ω-3 LCPUFA–derived active metabolites, increased oxygen-induced retinopathy and CNV in vivo. Exposure to selected ω-3 LCPUFA metabolites of CYP2C significantly reversed the suppression of both angiogenesis ex vivo and endothelial cell functions in vitro by the CYP2C inhibitor montelukast.

Conclusions—

Inhibition of CYP2C activity adds to the protective effects of ω-3 LCPUFA on pathological retinal neovascularization and CNV.
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Behind Closed Doors
Authors: Dimitrov Radoslav S.
Published: July 2016

The Paris Agreement constitutes a political success in climate negotiations and traditional state diplomacy, and offers important implications for academic research. Based on participatory research, the article examines the political dynamics in Paris and highlights features of the process that help us understand the outcome. It describes battles on key contentious issues behind closed doors, provides a summary and evaluation of the new agreement, identifies political winners and losers, and offers theoretical explanations of the outcome. The analysis emphasizes process variables and underscores the role of persuasion, argumentation, and organizational strategy. Climate diplomacy succeeded because the international conversation during negotiations induced cognitive change. Persuasive arguments about the economic benefits of climate action altered preferences in favor of policy commitments at both national and international levels.