bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapy of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) with a Topoisomerase-I–inhibiting Antibody–Drug Conjugate (ADC) Targeting Trop-2, Sacituzumab Govitecan
Authors: Gray Jhanelle E. , Heist Rebecca S. , Starodub Alexander N. , Camidge D. Ross , Kio Ebenezer A. , Masters Gregory A. , Purcell W. Thomas , Guarino Michael J. , Misleh Jamal , Schneider Charles J. , Schneider Bryan J. , Ocean Allyson , Johnson Tirrell , Gandhi Leena , Kalinsky Kevin , Scheff Ronald , Messersmith Wells A. , Govindan Serengulam V. , Maliakal Pius P. , Mudenda Boyd , Wegener William A. , Sharkey Robert M. , Goldenberg David M.
Published: July 2017

Purpose: We evaluated a Trop-2–targeting antibody conjugated with SN-38 in metastatic small cell lung cancer (mSCLC) patients.

Experimental Design: Sacituzumab govitecan was studied in patients with pretreated (median, 2; range, 1–7) mSCLC who received either 8 or 10 mg/kg i.v. on days 1 and 8 of 21-day cycles. The primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR); duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were secondary endpoints.

Results: Sixty percent of patients showed tumor shrinkage from baseline CTs. On an intention-to-treat basis (N = 50), the ORR was 14% (17% for the 10-mg/kg group); the median response duration, 5.7 months; the clinical benefit rate (CBR ≥4 months), 34%; median PFS, 3.7 months; and median OS, 7.5 months. There was a suggested improvement in PR, CBR, and PFS with sacituzumab govitecan in second-line patients who were sensitive to first-line therapy, but no difference between first-line chemosensitive versus chemoresistant patients in the overall population. There was a statistically significant higher OS in those patients who received prior topotecan versus no topotecan therapy in a small subgroup. Grade ≥3 adverse events included neutropenia (34%), fatigue (13%), diarrhea (9%), and anemia (6%). Trop-2 tumor staining was not required for patient selection. No antibodies to the drug conjugate or its components were detected on serial blood collections.

Conclusions: Sacituzumab govitecan appears to have a safe and effective therapeutic profile in heavily pretreated mSCLC patients, including those who are chemosensitive or chemoresistant to first-line chemotherapy. Additional studies as a monotherapy or combination therapy are warranted. Clin Cancer Res; 23(19); 5711–9. ©2017 AACR.
Sleep-Related Electrophysiology and Behavior of Tinamous (Eudromia elegans): Tinamous Do Not Sleep Like Ostriches
Authors: Tisdale Ryan K. , Vyssotski Alexei L. , Lesku John A. , Rattenborg Niels C.
Published: July 2017

The functions of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, distinct sleep substates present in both mammals and birds, remain unresolved. One approach to gaining insight into their function is to trace the evolution of these states through examining sleep in as many taxonomic groups as possible. The mammalian and avian clades are each composed of two extant groups, i.e., the monotremes (echidna and platypus) and therian (marsupial and eutherian [or placental]) mammals, and Palaeognaths (cassowaries, emus, kiwi, ostriches, rheas, and tinamous) and Neognaths (all other birds) among birds. Previous electrophysiological studies of monotremes and ostriches have identified a unique “mixed” sleep state combining features of SWS and REM sleep unlike the well-delineated sleep states observed in all therian mammals and Neognath birds. In the platypus this state is characterized by periods of REM sleep-related myoclonic twitching, relaxed skeletal musculature, and rapid eye movements, occurring in conjunction with SWS-related slow waves in the forebrain electroencephalogram (EEG). A similar mixed state was also observed in ostriches; although in addition to occurring during periods with EEG slow waves, reduced muscle tone and rapid eye movements also occurred in conjunction with EEG activation, a pattern typical of REM sleep in Neognath birds. Collectively, these studies suggested that REM sleep occurring exclusively as an integrated state with forebrain activation might have evolved independently in the therian and Neognath lineages. To test this hypothesis, we examined sleep in the elegant crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans), a small Palaeognath bird that more closely resembles Neognath birds in size and their ability to fly. A 24-h period was scored for sleep state based on electrophysiology and behavior. Unlike ostriches, but like all of the Neognath birds examined, all indicators of REM sleep usually occurred in conjunction with forebrain activation in tinamous. The absence of a mixed REM sleep state in tinamous calls into question the idea that this state is primitive among Palaeognath birds and therefore birds in general.
A Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma: History, Biology, Mechanism of Action, and Classification
Authors: Alves Rubina , Grimalt Ramon
Published: July 2017

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is currently used in different medical fields. The interest in the application of PRP in dermatology has recently increased. It is being used in several different applications as in tissue regeneration, wound healing, scar revision, skin rejuvenating effects, and alopecia. PRP is a biological product defined as a portion of the plasma fraction of autologous blood with a platelet concentration above the baseline. It is obtained from the blood of patients collected before centrifugation. The knowledge of the biology, mechanism of action, and classification of the PRP should help clinicians better understand this new therapy and to easily sort and interpret the data available in the literature regarding PRP. In this review, we try to provide useful information for a better understanding of what should and should not be treated with PRP.
Navigation Bronchoscopy-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Nonsurgical Peripheral Pulmonary Tumors
Authors: Xie Fangfang , Zheng Xiaoxuan , Xiao Bo , Han Baohui , Herth Felix J.F. , Sun Jiayuan
Published: July 2017

We have recently developed a flexible catheter electrode used for bronchoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Two patients with nonsurgical stage IA peripheral lung cancer and 1 with lung metastasis underwent treatment with flexible catheter RFA utilizing navigation bronchoscopy. Chest computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) were performed before and after RFA to assess the ablation response of the patients. One patient's tumor had no prior PET uptake and therefore no follow-up PET was obtained. The first and the third patient obtained partial response to RFA, and the second patient obtained complete response 3 months after RFA. The first patient developed progressive disease 6 months after RFA. The second and the third patient achieved one-year progression-free survival. No significant complications occurred in the 3 patients. Navigation bronchoscopy-guided RFA is a safe and feasible procedure for poor surgical candidates with stage IA lung cancer or lung metastasis.
Early Change in Stroke Size Performs Best in Predicting Response to Therapy
Authors: Simpkins Alexis Nétis , Dias Christian , Norato Gina , Kim Eunhee , Leigh Richard ,   on behalf of the NIH Natural History of Stroke Investigators
Published: July 2017

Background: Reliable imaging biomarkers of response to therapy in acute stroke are needed. The final infarct volume and percent of early reperfusion have been used for this purpose. Early fluctuation in stroke size is a recognized phenomenon, but its utility as a biomarker for response to therapy has not been established. This study examined the clinical relevance of early change in stroke volume and compared it with the final infarct volume and percent of early reperfusion in identifying early neurologic improvement (ENI). Methods: Acute stroke patients, enrolled between 2013 and 2014 with serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (pretreatment baseline, 2 h post, and 24 h post), who received thrombolysis were included in the analysis. Early change in stroke volume, infarct volume at 24 h on diffusion, and percent of early reperfusion were calculated from the baseline and 2 h MRI scans were compared. ENI was defined as ≥4 point decrease in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scales within 24 h. Logistic regression models and receiver operator characteristics analysis were used to compare the efficacy of 3 imaging biomarkers. Results: Serial MRIs of 58 acute stroke patients were analyzed. Early change in stroke volume was significantly associated with ENI by logistic regression analysis (OR 0.93, p = 0.048) and remained significant after controlling for stroke size and severity (OR 0.90, p = 0.032). Thus, for every 1 mL increase in stroke volume, there was a 10% decrease in the odds of ENI, while for every 1 mL decrease in stroke volume, there was a 10% increase in the odds of ENI. Neither infarct volume at 24 h nor percent of early reperfusion were significantly associated with ENI by logistic regression. Receiver-operator characteristic analysis identified early change in stroke volume as the only biomarker of the 3 that performed significantly different than chance (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Early fluctuations in stroke size may represent a more reliable biomarker for response to therapy than the more traditional measures of final infarct volume and percent of early reperfusion.
TNF-α Deficiency Prevents Renal Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Obese Mice
Authors: Wang Huaiguo , Li Jian , Gai Zhibo , Kullak-Ublick Gerd A. , Liu Zewei
Published: July 2017

Background/Aims: Obese patients and experimental animals exhibit high levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. However, the role of TNF-α in the pathophysiologic process in obesity induced kidney damage is still unknown. Methods: We used TNF-α deficient mice and wild-type (WT) C57/BJ6 mice controls to study the effect of TNF-α on inflammation and oxidative stress in kidney by the model of high-fat diet (HFD) and primary isolated mouse renal proximal tubule cells treated with a mixture of free fatty acids (FFA). Results: Compared with the chow diet group, HFD-fed WT mice had higher urinary albumin and increased levels of renal fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in the kidney. These changes were co-related with increased expression of TNF-α in the kidney and were attenuated by TNF-α deficiency. In vitro, accumulation of intracellular lipids induced TNF-α expression and oxidative stress in FFA treated primary proximal tubule cells. However, TNF-α inhibition with siRNA or TNF-α deficiency decreased the lipid induced oxidative stress in these cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that TNF-α plays an important role in the HFD induced kidney damage, and targeting TNF-α and/or its receptors could be a promising therapeutic regimen for progressive nephropathy.
Interactions of TLR4 and PPARγ, Dependent on AMPK Signalling Pathway Contribute to Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Vaccariae Hypaphorine in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Sun Haijian , Zhu Xuexue , Lin Wei , Zhou Yuetao , Cai Weiwei , Qiu Liying
Published: July 2017

Background /Aims: Accumulating evidence indicates that endothelial inflammation is one of the critical determinants in pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our previous studies had demonstrated that Vaccariae prevented high glucose or oxidative stress-triggered endothelial dysfunction in vitro. Very little is known about the potential effects of hypaphorine from Vaccariae seed on inflammatory response in endothelial cells. Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Vaccariae hypaphorine (VH) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged endothelial EA.hy926 cells. The inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The expressions of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were detected by Western blotting or immunofluorescence. Results: We showed that LPS stimulated the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, VCAM-1 and TLR4, but attenuated the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC as well as PPARγ protein levels, which were reversed by VH pretreatment. Moreover, we observed that LPS-upregulated TLR4 protein expressions were inhibited by PPARγ agonist pioglitazone, and the downregulated PPARγ expressions in response to LPS were partially restored by knockdown of TLR4. The negative regulation loop between TLR4 and PPARγ response to LPS was modulated by AMPK agonist AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside or acadesine) or A769662. Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggested that VH ameliorated LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines production in endothelial cells via inhibition of TLR4 and activation of PPARγ, dependent on AMPK signalling pathway.
Acute Kidney Injury and Hemolytic Anemia Secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection
Authors: Carrara Camillo , Abbate Mauro , Sabadini Ettore , Remuzzi Giuseppe
Published: July 2017

Glomerulonephritis as well as kidney injury secondary to fulminant intravascular hemolysis are rare extrapulmonary manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. We describe a 50-year-old female diagnosed with M. pneumoniae infection-associated hemolytic anemia, characterized by negative cold agglutinin tests but with laboratory evidence of complement alternative pathway activation. The patient presented both with anemia and severe kidney failure and she was treated with steroids and red blood cell transfusions along with plasmapheresis. She also received a short course of antibiotics. Renal biopsy showed combined features of resolving postinfectious glomerulonephritis and hemolysis-associated extensive acute tubular injury characterized by renal hemosiderosis and intratubular hemoglobin casts. Electron microscopy revealed features of glomerular microangiopathic injury. The treatment led to complete disease remission and a favorable renal outcome at the first year follow-up.
Classification of Power Quality Disturbances at Transmission System using Support Vector Machines
Authors: Shahbudin Shahrani , Mohmad Zaki Firdaus , Suliman Saiful Izwan , Kassim Murizah , Mohamad Roslina
Published: July 2017

Power Quality has become one of the important issues in modern smart grid environment. Smart grid generally utilizes computational intelligence method from the generation of electricity to electricity distribution to the customers. This is done for the safety, reliability, tenacity and efficiency of the system. The classification of power disturbances has become a major topic in maintaining power quality. These disturbances occur due to faults, natural causes, load switching, energizing transformer, starting large motor, as well as utilization of power electronic devices. The key issue is about maintaining the continuous supply of electricity to the end-users without any problem. If a problem occurs, it might increase the production cost significantly especially to large-scale industries. In this paper, S-transform is used to extract distinctive features of real data from transmission system, and Support Vector Machine was utilized to classify four types PQ disturbances namely, voltage sag, interruption, transient and normal voltage. Results obtained indicate that performance of the One Against One classifier produces high accuracy using k-fold cross validation and RBF kernel.
Modelling and Simulation of Field Oriented Control Based Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive System
Authors: Amin Faisal , Bin Sulaiman Erwan , Mulyo Utomo Wahyu , Ali Soomro Hassan , Jenal Mahyuzie , Kumar Rajesh
Published: July 2017

On the basis of analysis of dq model of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) and principle of field oriented control (FOC), detail modelling of PMSM drive system and simulation results presented in this paper. The PMSM model is based on electronic components rather than mathematical blocks, this enabled us to achieve simulation results more realistic. Moreover all the modules of this simulation, such as inverter and pwm generator are made from scratch instead of using premade Simulink blocks. Simulation was carried on the basis of step change in speed and torque then made performance comparison of several parameters such as abc current, dq current, speed and torque.
Real-Time LCD Digit Recognition System
Authors: Saad N. M. , Noor N. S. M. , Abdullah A. R. , Fong O. Y. , Rahman N. N. S. A.
Published: July 2017

In recent years, the utilization of digital instruments in industries is quickly expanding. This is because digital instruments are typically more exact than the analog instruments, and easier to be read as they are hooked up to a liquid-crystal display (LCD). However, manual data entry from LCD display is tedious and less accurate. This paper proposes a real-time LCD digit recognition system for the industrial purposes. The system is interfaced with an IP webcam to capture the video frames from the LCD display. The digital data is pre-processed into grayscale and being cropped into a selected region of interest (ROI). Adaptive thresholding and morphological operation are applied for the digit segmentation process. Data extraction and characterization are done by utilizing neural network classifier. Finally, all the information are logged out to Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The 90% accuracy is accomplished for 50 test images of various LCD display.
Adverse Impact of STATCOM on the Performance of Distance Relay
Authors: Emhemad Aker Elhadi , Lutfi Othman Mohammad , Aris Ishak , Izzri Abdul Wahab Noor , Hizam Hashim , Emmanuel Osaji
Published: July 2017

FACTS devices like the Static synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), are mostly used to enhance the maximum power transfer capability of the transmission Line (TL) system. A Matlab simulation model of Distance Relay protection of TL, with connected STATCOM at the mid-point for optimum power transfer is presented. The STATCOM’s impact on the operation of the relay is assessed with the effects on the relay misoperation in the third zone of protection coverage, during fault conditions, in four different locations.The wrong measured fault impedance by relay resulted to misoperation in zone 3 (under reach phenomena). The simulation result indicates a slight increase in the measured impedance of 1.33 Ω over the actually expected impedance setting (72.02 Ω) of the relay at 220 km protection coverage of zone 3 along the TL. This variation is about 4 km distance outside the expected distance protection coverage for fault in zone 3 as proven.
Small Signal Stability Analysis of Grid Connected Photovoltaic
Authors: Lim Zhu Aun Shalom , Bte Marsadek Marayati , K. Ramasamy Agileswari
Published: July 2017

This paper primarily focuses on the small signal stability analysis of a power system integrated with solar photovoltaics (PV). The test system used in this study is the IEEE 39-bus. The small signal stability of the test system are investigated in terms of eigenvalue analysis, damped frequency, damping ratio and participation factor. In this study, various conditions are analyzed which include the increase in solar PV penetration into the system and load variation. The results obtained indicate that there is no significant impact of solar PV penetration on the small signal stability of large scaled power system.
Optimal Feature Selection Technique for Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient Feature Extraction in Classifying Infant Cry with Asphyxia
Authors: Zabidi A. , Mansor W. , Y. Lee Khuan
Published: July 2017

Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient is an efficient feature representation method for extracting human-audible audio signals. However, its representation of features is large and redundant. Therefore, feature selection is required to select the optimal subset of Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient features. The performance of two types of feature selection techniques; Orthogonal Least Squares and F-ratio for selecting Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient features of infant cry with asphyxia was examined. OLS selects the feature subset based on their contribution to the reduction of error, while F-Ratio selects them according to their discriminative abilities. The feature selection techniques were combined with Multilayer Perceptron to distinguish between asphyxiated infant cry and normal cry signals. The performance of the feature selection methods was examined by analysing the Multilayer Perceptron classification accuracy resulted from the combination of the feature selection techniques and Multilayer Perceptron. The results indicate that Orthogonal Least Squares is the most suitable feature selection method in classifying infant cry with asphyxia since it produces the highest classification accuracy.
Chaotic Mutation Immune Evolutionary Programming for Voltage Security with the Presence of DGPV
Authors: Azma Syed Mustaffa Sharifah , Musirin Ismail , Murthada Othman Mohd. , Helmi Mansor Mohd.
Published: July 2017

Due to environmental concern and certain constraint on building a new power plant, renewable energy particularly distributed generation photovoltaic (DGPV) has becomes one of the promising sources to cater the increasing energy demand of the power system. Furthermore, with appropriate location and sizing, the integration of DGPV to the grid will enhance the voltage stability and reduce the system losses. Hence, this paper proposed a new algorithm for DGPV optimal location and sizing of a transmission system based on minimization of Fast Voltage Stability Index (FVSI) with considering the system constraints. Chaotic Mutation Immune Evolutionary Programming (CMIEP) is developed by integrating the piecewise linear chaotic map (PWLCM) in the mutation process in order to increase the convergence rate of the algorithm. The simulation was applied on the IEEE 30 bus system with a variation of loads on Bus 30. The simulation results are also compared with Evolutionary Programming (EP) and Chaotic Evolutionary Programming (CEP) and it is found that CMIEP performed better in most of the cases.
Relationship Between Serum Inflammatory Marker Levels and the Dynamic Changes in Coronary Plaque Characteristics After Statin Therapy
Authors: Kwon Osung , Kang Soo-Jin , Kang Se Hun , Lee Pil Hyung , Yun Sung-Cheol , Ahn Jung-Min , Park Duk-Woo , Lee Seung-Whan , Kim Young-Hak , Lee Cheol Whan , Han Ki Hoon , Park Seong-Wook , Park Seung-Jung
Published: July 2017

Background—

The mechanism of statin for atheroma stabilization remains unclear. We aimed to assess the relationship between on-treatment changes in serum inflammatory biomarker levels and plaque composition in differed nonculprit coronary lesions.

Methods and Results—

The changes in serum biochemical values, and intravascular ultrasound data were evaluated in 218 patients with virtual histology (VH)-intravascular ultrasound—defined fibroatheroma-containing segments after 12-month rosuvastatin treatment. When stratifying patients into quartiles according to the change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), there was a significant positive linear relationship for the changes in %necrotic core (coefficient, 1.31; standard error, 0.54) and %dense calcium volumes (coefficient, 0.80; standard error, 0.27), but a negative linear relationship for the changes in %fibrous (coefficient, −0.94; standard error, 0.45) and %fibrofatty volumes (coefficient, −1.17; standard error, 0.56; all
P
<0.05). The decrease in hsCRP (−1.2±3.9 versus 0.5±3.4 mg/L;
P
=0.02) was greater in those without VH-defined thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA, defined as >30° of necrotic core abutting the lumen in 3 consecutive slices) than those with VH-TCFA at follow-up. Diabetes mellitus, a larger normalized total atheroma volume, and the presence of VH-TCFA at baseline predicted the presence of VH-TCFA at follow-up (odds ratio, 4.01, 1.18, and 9.21, respectively; all
P
<0.05), whereas the change in hsCRP showed a trend (odds ratio, 1.19;
P
=0.07). The change in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol had no relationship with the changes in hsCRP or plaque compositions.

Conclusions—

With 12-month rosuvastatin therapy, a greater hsCRP reduction (not low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) was associated with a greater decrease in %necrotic core volume and the absence of VH-TCFA, indicating a link between the anti-inflammatory action of statin and plaque stabilization by reducing NC and reinforcing fibrous cap.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00997880.
Acute Occlusions of Dual-Layer Carotid Stents After Endovascular Emergency Treatment of Tandem Lesions
Authors: Yilmaz Umut , Körner Heiko , Mühl-Benninghaus Ruben , Simgen Andreas , Kraus Catherine , Walter Silke , Behnke Stefanie , Faßbender Klaus , Reith Wolfgang , Unger Marcus M.
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—

A new generation of carotid artery stents that uses a second micromesh layer to reduce embolic events during carotid artery stenting has recently been introduced. The purpose of this study was to compare acute occlusion rates of these new dual-layer stents with those of single-layer stents in the setting of emergency carotid artery stenting with intracranial mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—

Consecutive patients with acute tandem (intra- and extracranial) lesions of the anterior circulation who were endovascularly treated at our institution were identified from our registry of neuroendovascular interventions. Clinical, angiographic, and neuroimaging data were analyzed. End points included acute occlusions of the carotid stents (within 72 hours after stenting) and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Results—

Forty-seven patients were included. Dual-layer stents (n=20) had a significantly higher rate of acute occlusions than single-layer stents (n=27; 45% versus 3.7%;
P
=0.001; odds ratio, 21.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.4–188.4). There were no significant differences in the rates of patients who had any antiplatelet or dual antiplatelet medication before admission, in the rates of postinterventional symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, the mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission, or the modified Rankin Scale scores at discharge.

Conclusions—

The recently introduced dual-layer stents have a higher risk of acute occlusion compared with single-layer stents in the treatment of acute stroke.
Challenges in the Medical Management of Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis in an Urban Setting
Authors: Sangha Rajbeer S. , Naidech Andrew M. , Corado Carlos , Ansari Sameer A. , Prabhakaran Shyam
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—

Since the SAMMPRIS trial (Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis), aggressive medical management (AMM), which includes dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and high-dose statin (HDS) therapy, is recommended for patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease. However, limited data on the real-world application of this regimen exist. We hypothesized that recurrent stroke risk among patients treated with AMM is similar to the medical arm of the SAMMPRIS cohort.

Methods—

Using a prospective registry, we identified all patients admitted between August 2012 and March 2015 with (1) confirmed ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack; (2) independently adjudicated symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease; and (3) follow-up at 30 days. We analyzed 30-day risk of recurrent ischemic stroke stratified by treatment: (1) AMM: DAPT plus HDS therapy, (2) HDS alone, and (3) DAPT alone. We also assessed 30-day risk among patients who met prespecified SAMMPRIS eligibility criteria.

Results—

Among 99 patients who met study criteria (51.5% male, 54.5% black, mean age 68.2±11.2 years), 49 (48.5%) patients were treated with AMM, 69 (69.7%) with DAPT, and 73 (73.7%) with HDS therapy. At 30 days, 20 (20.2%) patients had recurrent strokes in the territory of stenosis. Compared with the risk in the medical arm of SAMMPRIS (4.4%), the 30-day risk of recurrent stroke was 20.4% in AMM patients, 21.5% in HDS patients, 22.4% in DAPT patients, and 23.2% in SAMMPRIS-eligible patients (all
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Recurrent stroke risk within 30 days in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease was higher than that observed in the medical arm of SAMMPRIS even in the subgroup receiving AMM. Replication of the SAMMPRIS findings requires further prospective study.
Seasonal Analysis of Cloud Objects in the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) Model Using Object-Based Verification
Authors: Griffin Sarah M. , Otkin Jason A. , Rozoff Christopher M. , Sieglaff Justin M. , Cronce Lee M. , Alexander Curtis R. , Jensen Tara L. , Wolff Jamie K.
Published: July 2017

In this study, object-based verification using the method for object-based diagnostic evaluation (MODE) is used to assess the accuracy of cloud-cover forecasts from the experimental High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRRx) model during the warm and cool seasons. This is accomplished by comparing cloud objects identified by MODE in observed and simulated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 10.7-μm brightness temperatures for August 2015 and January 2016. The analysis revealed that more cloud objects and a more pronounced diurnal cycle occurred during August, with larger object sizes observed in January because of the prevalence of synoptic-scale cloud features. With the exception of the 0-h analyses, the forecasts contained fewer cloud objects than were observed. HRRRx forecast accuracy is assessed using two methods: traditional verification, which compares the locations of grid points identified as observation and forecast objects, and the MODE composite score, an area-weighted calculation using the object-pair interest values computed by MODE. The 1-h forecasts for both August and January were the most accurate for their respective months. Inspection of the individual MODE attribute interest scores showed that, even though displacement errors between the forecast and observation objects increased between the 0-h analyses and 1-h forecasts, the forecasts were more accurate than the analyses because the sizes of the largest cloud objects more closely matched the observations. The 1-h forecasts from August were found to be more accurate than those during January because the spatial displacement between the cloud objects was smaller and the forecast objects better represented the size of the observation objects.
On the Topographic Modulation of Large-Scale Eddying Flows
Authors: Radko Timour , Kamenkovich Igor
Published: July 2017

The modulation of large-scale eddying flows by gentle variation in topography is examined using a combination of direct numerical simulations and theoretical arguments. The basic state is represented by a laterally uniform zonal current that is restricted to the upper layer of a baroclinically unstable quasigeostrophic two-layer system. Therefore, the observed topographically induced generation of large-scale patterns is attributed entirely to the action of mesoscale eddies. The parameter regime investigated in this study is not conducive to the spontaneous formation of stationary zonal jets. The interaction between the large-scale current, eddies, and topography is described using an asymptotic multiscale model. The ability of the model to explicitly represent the interaction between distinct flow components makes it possible to unambiguously interpret the essential dynamics of the topographic/eddy-induced modulation. The multiscale solutions obtained reflect the balance between the modification of the meridional fluxes of potential vorticity (PV) due to the variation in topography and the corresponding modification of PV fluxes due to the induced large-scale circulation. The predictions of the asymptotic theory are successfully tested by comparing to the ones obtained by direct numerical simulations.
PURGATORIO II: IL FASCINO PERICOLOSO DELL' «AMOROSO CANTO» DI CASELLA
Authors: Cerocchi Marco
Published: July 2017

Il saggio illustra ed analizza l'ipotesi secondo la quale si potrebbe interpretare l'episodio dell'incontro di Dante con Casella come l'intento del poeta di far risaltare la dolcezza quale elemento caratterizzante del canto in volgare italico, parallelamente allo stile letterario dello stil novo. Nonostante il pellegrino si trovi ormai all'ingresso del posto di espiazione delle colpe di cui si è macchiato sulla terra, luogo di peccato, egli non se ne è ancora distaccato del tutto. Per esprimere con la massima efficacia questo richiamo nostalgico, Dante si serve di una canzone d'amore e ne sottolinea ripetutamente il potere ipnotico della “dolce” musica. L‘«amoroso canto» intonato da Casella è un canto profano, quindi estraneo al regno della purificazione dell'anima. Egli canta da solo, come per esprimere l'attaccamento alle passioni umane che ogni singola anima filtra, rivivive e personalizza nei propri ricordi. Alla stasi di Dante, di Virgilio e delle anime, si contrappone il tempestivo intervento di Catone; essendo lo stato contemplativo della grazia spirituale prerogativa assoluta dei penitenti, occorre che le anime del Purgatorio rinuncino a voltarsi indietro, cioè verso quella dimensione terrena in cui, erroneamente, avevano creduto di poter raggiungere la felicità eterna.
DA FOGAZZARO a GALLONE: L'INTERPRETAZIONE “PITTORICA” DELL'ISTERIA FEMMINILE
Authors: Ramsey-Portolano Catherine
Published: July 2017

In questo saggio viene esaminato il rapporto nel film Malombra (1917) di Carmine Gallone tra i temi dell'isteria femminile, del modello artistico e culturale della passività imposto in quel periodo alle donne e quindi anche alle attrici e dello stile pittorico di recitazione. Un'analisi approfondita di questi tre aspetti, sulla base di importanti fonti primarie e secondarie, mette in risalto lo stile di recitazione della diva Lyda Borelli nel film nonché il modo in cui le concezioni fin de siècle culturali, scientifiche e artistiche della donna si fondono nella figura della diva, condizionandone la tecnica interpretativa ed il ruolo nel primo cinema italiano.
Memory in CRISTO SI È FERMATO a EBOLI and CRONACA DI UNA MORTE ANNUNCIATA: Considerations of Francesco Rosi's Identity as a Director
Authors: Veronese Cosetta
Published: July 2017

Since the late 1970's, Francesco Rosi's cinema is considered to have experienced a substantial change: from a rigorous historical, documentary and politically committed approach the director has turned towards more commercial productions, as evidenced by the recruitment of international stars, a tendency towards sentimentalism and nostalgia, and a refrain from serious ideological engagement. The article analyzes two of Rosi's later films, Cristo si è fermato a Eboli (1979) and Cronaca di una morte annunciata (1987), in order to challenge these readings. The analysis of the use and function of subjective memory in the two films paves the way to a discussion of the impact that postmodernity had on the director's identity. The swift cultural transformations brought about by the turbo-capitalist economy and by globalization have progressively submerged that sense of understanding and control over historic and cultural dynamics which constituted Gramsci's legacy to neorealist and post-neorealist intellectuals. As a response to the confusion, relativity and disorder originated by the advent of a postmodern society the director points at the constructive value of personal memories, a route which climaxes in Diario Napoletano (Rosi's autobiographical documentary of his personal and artistic past) and in his final decision to renounce cinema and return to the theater.
The Evolution of Performance Theory and Practice in Postwar Italian Cinema: From Barbaro to de Santis
Authors: Vitti Antonio C.
Published: July 2017

The essay defines the neorealist position in general and that of director Giuseppe De Santis in particular with regard to the use of actors. It examines the theories related to acting that most influenced postwar filmmakers. It also considers De Santis's campaign to renew Italian cinema during his collaboration with Cinema and how this practice was elaborated during the neorealist period, to ascertain whether a contradiction between theory and practice truly existed. It also considers the origins and growth of the phenomenon of diva worship, commonly associated with voluptuous bombshells, in the fifties.
Italian and World Poetry in Benigni's and Cerami's the Tiger and the Snow
Authors: Testa Carlo
Published: July 2017

In the published screenplay of The Tiger and the Snow (2005), the two authors, Roberto Benigni and Vincenzo Cerami, call our attention to their film's literary background by indicating the dozens of Italian and world poets they have quoted or directly drawn upon. In so doing, they close a narrow technico-philological problem, and open up for discussion a space beyond it with much broader intellectual, cultural and political implications.

The article broaches a general assessment of such complex issues in the light that The Tiger and the Snow casts on them; then, focusing more closely on the litcrature-and-film question, debates just what kind of literature — specifically, what kind of poetry — seems to be most in favor with today's mainstream Italian intelligentsiia; and it closes by proposing some thoughts about the reasons why, despite embodying to perfection the prevalent literary canon just alluded to, The Tiger and the Snow has been received outside Italy with considerably less enthusiasm than the two author's previous Academy Award winner, Life is Beautiful.
Assuring Development Gains from the International Trading System and Trade Negotiations
Authors: secretariat Unctad
Published: July 2017

The present note draws on the results of intergovernmental discussions in the Trade and Development Board and its subsidiary bodies since UNCTAD X, as well as on analyses by the UNCTAD Secretariat. Its main objective is to facilitate the thematic session's discussion of Assuring development gains from the international trading system and trade negotiations within the conference theme of Enhancing coherence between national development strategies and global economic processes towards economic growth and development, particularly of developing countries. These discussions could explore policy approaches and UNCTAD's contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, including the commitment “to an open, equitable, rule-based, predictable, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading and financial system”. The fundamental challenge is to make the international trading system ensure commercially meaningful and measurable development gains for developing countries from international trade and trade negotiations.
Horticultural Exports during the Post-WTO Regime
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Badal P.S. , Singh Alka
Published: July 2017

Horticultural commodities are becoming an increasingly important source of export earnings for a number of countries. India has taken a number of measures to boost the export of horticultural commodities. World Trade Organization (WTO) came into being on 1 January 1995, and this marked the beginning of a new era of international trade. Initially, it was expected that India would be a net beneficiary under this trade regime with greater access to the world market. Therefore, an attempt was made to examine the changing pattern in the commodity basket, comparative advantage and direction of trade in horticultural commodities in the post reform period. A total of 132 items registered an increase, both in quantity and value terms in the post-WTO period. The share of these commodities increased to 83 per cent in post-WTO period from a level of 67 per cent in pre-WTO period. All these commodities were classified into two broad categories on the basis of their value elasticities (EV) - (a) commodities with EV greater than unity, and (b) commodities with EV less than unity. It is relatively more paying to put export promotion efforts on the former category of exportables rather than the latter. The country continues to have comparative advantage in a number of horticultural commodities over the period. Contrary to the general perception, it was revealed that India does not have comparative advantage in a large number of horticultural commodities. In order to improve the comparative advantage, it is necessary to reduce the cost of production, improve productivity, create efficient post-harvest management and processing, provide infrastructural facilities and policy support. Processed horticultural commodities were exported mainly to developed nations especially Europe, America, Japan, and the UK, whereas fresh fruits & vegetables found greater share of markets in Gulf countries, ASEAN and SARRC nations. Future export promotion efforts must encourage adherence to quality standards by following good manufacturing practices (GMP), HACCP and SPS standards.
Internationalization of Indian Firms
Authors: Kumar Mehta Pradeep
Published: July 2017

In the background of deepening and widening of globalization, many developing nations have introduced policies of internationalization leading their firms to assume a transnational character. In this background, Indian entrepreneurs have also intensified their overseas expansion. Towards this, they received a strong government support in the form of liberal policy regime facilitating easy outflow of capital. The mounting foreign exchange reserves have also helped them in their endeavours. Thus, stories of Indian firms going global and becoming successful became more and more frequent. The present paper attempts to explore the progress, mindset, and perspective of Indian firms in their global expeditions. It highlights major characteristics of India's investment abroad in terms of volume, geographical spread and sectoral pattern in the post-reform period especially since the mid-nineties. It also makes a comparison of recent trends with that of the pre-reform period to reflect upon the changing mindset and perspective of Indian business community.
Bilateral Trade and Investment between India and China
Authors: Nag Biswajit , Chatterjee Rittwik
Published: July 2017

The paper focuses on bilateral strategic cooperation between India and China. It started with describing and explaining the recent bilateral situation between these two countries. The comparative macroeconomic variables between these two countries are also provided to initiate the discussion and to make a better understanding of the present situation. The paper explains the overall trade dynamics between India and China, where Constant Market Share Analysis (CMS) model is used to understand the nature of export change. Using CMS, the paper analyzed the prospects of several products in each other's market. While analyzing investment, the paper examines FDI policies of China and the sectors where the Indian companies have invested. The potential sectors for the Indian companies to invest in China have also been identified. Finally, the paper concludes through describing the trade negotiation strategy of both the countries and the areas where economic synergies can be formed.

JEL: F13, F15
An Empirical Analysis of Foreign Institutional Investment and Stock Market Returns in India
Authors: Srinivasan P. , Bhat K. Sham
Published: July 2017

Augmented Dickey Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests were employed to examine the stationarity of both net foreign institutional investment and NSE market return series. Besides, Instantaneous Granger Causality test was employed to examine the contemporaneous relationship between net foreign institutional investment flows and equity market returns in India for the pre-global financial crisis and during a crisis period. By and large, our analysis reveals that there is an evidence of negative feedback trading hypothesis and positive feedback trading hypothesis by foreign investors before the global financial crisis period and during a crisis period respectively. This implies that foreign institutional investment acts as smoothening effect and destabilizing forces before and during the crisis period respectively. However, such positive feedback trading strategies from foreign institutional investors seem to be rational during the period of global financial crisis.
India's Foreign Trade and Industrial Development
Authors: Banerjee Subrata
Published: July 2017

THE BASIC strategy of export promotion currently in vogue is import liberalization. The objective is to remove every possible obstacle to the production of goods for export. The logic is that the liberal import of machinery and intermediate products would make production for export less expensive, more profitable and hence easier.

Whatever way we might look at it, the major beneficiary of a strategy of import-based export production and industrialization is the transnational corporation.

We need a different approach to foreign trade as one of the components of industrial development. Foreign trade must become an integral part of the planning process. The basic principle of imports for industrial development and exports bas to be modified, to ensure that import liberalization meets priority needs of industry, not indigenously available or likely to be developed within a short time.

Import substitution has not become irrelevant, however fashionable it might be to say so. In our drive to increase our exports of engineering goods, we should not Jose sight of our traditional exports. In the case of nontraditional goods, the need is to bear in mind comparative advantage and build up such thrust areas as are likely to have a continuing and expanding market over a reasonable time-frame. This is what demands unport substitution in certain well-identified thrust areas, in which we have comparative advantage.
Drinking Behavior and Risk Factors Related to the Work Place: Implications for Research and Prevention
Authors: Trice Harrison M. , Sonnenstuhl William J.
Published: July 2017

This article presents a review of the literature addressing employees' alcohol abuse and dependence. Based on this review, the authors identify four perspectives adopted by social scientists studying drinking behavior and the work place. The work culture perspective postulates that administrative and occupational subcultures establish norms for alcohol use. The social control perspective postulates that an organization's disciplinary structure may either inhibit or create opportunities for the development of drinking problems. The alienation perspective and the work stress perspective postulate that various work place conditions (e.g., boring tasks, work overload) cause distress, which employees may seek to relieve with alcohol. The authors recommend that these four perspectives guide future research and current efforts to reduce risk factors in the work place that are associated with drinking behavior.
Employee Assistance Programs in Context: An Application of the Constructive Broker Role
Authors: Steele Paul D.
Published: July 2017

This article describes how practitioners in employee assistance programs (EAPs) can adopt the role of constructive broker to achieve the goal of providing humane treatment to troubled workers. The context in which EAPs operate is discussed in terms of the labor process model, which holds that inherent ideological conflicts between management and labor make the work place a contentious environment. The author presents strategies constructive brokers employ for enacting the role, and issues related to cost containment, role definition, and professionalism that affect EAPs today. Effective constructive brokers must constantly remain aware of the role they play, their status relative to others in the network, and their original goals. The author concludes that if employee assistance practitioners do not adopt the constructive broker role, their EAPs will likely become absorbed into other organization units, which would make them less capable of fulfilling their humanitarian ideals.