bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Merozoite Surface Protein 1 from Plasmodium falciparum Is a Major Target of Opsonizing Antibodies in Individuals with Acquired Immunity against Malaria
Authors: Jäschke Anja , Coulibaly Boubacar , Remarque Edmond J. , Bujard Hermann , Epp Christian
Published: September 2017

Naturally acquired immunity against malaria is largely mediated by serum antibodies controlling levels of blood-stage parasites. A limited understanding of the antigenic targets and functional mechanisms of protective antibodies has hampered the development of efficient malaria vaccines. Besides directly inhibiting the growth of
Plasmodium
parasites, antibodies can opsonize merozoites and recruit immune effector cells such as monocytes and neutrophils. Antibodies against the vaccine candidate merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) are acquired during natural infections and have been associated with protection against malaria in several epidemiological studies. Here we analyzed serum antibodies from semi-immune individuals from Burkina Faso for their potential (i) to directly inhibit the growth of
P. falciparum
blood stages
in vitro
and (ii) to opsonize merozoites and to induce the antibody-dependent respiratory burst (ADRB) activity of neutrophils. While a few sera that directly inhibited the growth of
P. falciparum
blood stages were identified, immunoglobulin G (IgG) from all individuals clearly mediated the activation of neutrophils. The level of neutrophil activation correlated with levels of antibodies to MSP-1, and affinity-purified MSP-1-specific antibodies elicited ADRB activity. Furthermore, immunization of nonhuman primates with recombinant full-size MSP-1 induced antibodies that efficiently opsonized
P. falciparum
merozoites. Reversing the function by preincubation with recombinant antigens allowed us to quantify the contribution of MSP-1 to the antiparasitic effect of serum antibodies. Our data suggest that MSP-1, especially the partially conserved subunit MSP-1
83
, is a major target of opsonizing antibodies acquired during natural exposure to malaria. Induction of opsonizing antibodies might be a crucial effector mechanism for MSP-1-based malaria vaccines.
Development of Serotype-Specific PCR Assays for Typing of Haemophilus parasuis Isolates Circulating in Southern China
Authors: Jia Aiqing , Zhou Ruyue , Fan Huiying , Yang Kaijie , Zhang Jianmin , Xu Yindi , Wang Guiping , Liao Ming
Published: September 2017

The bacteriumHaemophilus parasuisis the specific pathogenic cause of Glässer's disease in swine. Fifteen serotypes ofH. parasuishave been reported. A method to serotypeH. parasuisisolates accurately would help to prevent and control Glässer's disease outbreaks through appropriate vaccination and to understand the epidemiology in specific geographic areas. However, according to traditional serotyping, the rate of nontypeable (NT) strains is 10 to 40%, which gives low accuracy. In the present study, we developed a set of PCR assays that are able to identify all the currently knownH. parasuisserotypes, with a detection limit of 5 CFU. This PCR method is particularly useful to distinguish serotype 5 from serotype 12. We then surveyed the serotype prevalence ofH. parasuisisolates from southern China using both the traditional indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and current PCR methods. Of the 298 isolates tested, 228 (76.51%) and 281 (94.30%) were serotyped by the IHA and PCR tests, respectively, with a concordance rate of 80.87% (241/298). The most prevalent serotypes obtained by PCR were 4, 5, 12, 13, NT, and 2, and the most prevalent obtained by IHA were NT, 5, 4, 12, 13, and 2. In conclusion, the PCR assays developed in this study provide a rapid and specific method for the molecular serotyping ofH. parasuis.
Characterization of the Quasi-Enveloped Hepatitis E Virus Particles Released by the Cellular Exosomal Pathway
Authors: Nagashima Shigeo , Takahashi Masaharu , Kobayashi Tominari ,   Tanggis, Nishizawa Tsutomu , Nishiyama Takashi , Primadharsini Putu Prathiwi , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: September 2017

Our previous studies demonstrated that membrane-associated hepatitis E virus (HEV) particles—now considered “quasi-enveloped particles”—are present in the multivesicular body with intraluminal vesicles (exosomes) in infected cells and that the release of HEV virions is related to the exosomal pathway. In this study, we characterized exosomes purified from the culture supernatants of HEV-infected PLC/PRF/5 cells. Purified CD63-, CD9-, or CD81-positive exosomes derived from the culture supernatants of HEV-infected cells that had been cultivated in serum-free medium were found to contain HEV RNA and the viral capsid (ORF2) and ORF3 proteins, as determined by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy, with or without prior detergent and protease treatment, revealed the presence of virus-like particles in the exosome fraction. These particles were 39.6 ± 1.0 nm in diameter and were covered with a lipid membrane. After treatment with detergent and protease, the diameter of these virus-like particles was 26.9 ± 0.9 nm, and the treated particles became accessible with an anti-HEV ORF2 monoclonal antibody (MAb). The HEV particles in the exosome fraction were capable of infecting naive PLC/PRF/5 cells but were not neutralized by an anti-HEV ORF2 MAb which efficiently neutralizes nonenveloped HEV particles in cell culture. These results indicate that the membrane-wrapped HEV particles released by the exosomal pathway are copurified with the exosomes in the exosome fraction and suggest that the capsids of HEV particles are individually covered by lipid membranes resembling those of exosomes, similar to enveloped viruses.

IMPORTANCEHepatitis E, caused by HEV, is an important infectious disease that is spreading worldwide. HEV infection can cause acute or fulminant hepatitis and can become chronic in immunocompromised hosts, including patients after organ transplantation. The HEV particles present in feces and bile are nonenveloped, while those in circulating blood and culture supernatants are covered with a cellular membrane, similar to enveloped viruses. Furthermore, these membrane-associated and -unassociated HEV particles can be propagated in cultured cells. The significance of our research is that the capsids of HEV particles are individually covered by a lipid membrane that resembles the membrane of exosomes, similar to enveloped viruses, and are released from infected cells via the exosomal pathway. These data will help to elucidate the entry mechanisms and receptors for HEV infection in the future. This is the first report to characterize the detailed morphological features of membrane-associated HEV particles.
N
-Acetylglucosamine Metabolism Promotes Survival of Candida albicans in the Phagosome
Authors: Vesely Elisa M. , Williams Robert B. , Konopka James B. , Lorenz Michael C.
Published: September 2017

Candida albicans
is the most important medically relevant fungal pathogen, with disseminated candidiasis being the fourth most common hospital-associated bloodstream infection. Macrophages and neutrophils are innate immune cells that play a key role in host defense by phagocytosing and destroying
C. albicans
cells. To survive this attack by macrophages,
C. albicans
generates energy by utilizing alternative carbon sources that are available in the phagosome. Interestingly, metabolism of amino acids and carboxylic acids by
C. albicans
raises the pH of the phagosome and thereby blocks the acidification of the phagosome, which is needed to initiate antimicrobial attack. In this work, we demonstrate that metabolism of a third type of carbon source, the amino sugar GlcNAc, also induces pH neutralization and survival of
C. albicans
upon phagocytosis. This mechanism is genetically and physiologically distinct from the previously described mechanisms of pH neutralization, indicating that the robust metabolic plasticity of
C. albicans
ensures survival upon macrophage phagocytosis.
System-level optimal yield: increased value, less risk, improved stability, and better fisheries
Authors: Link Jason S.
Published: September 2017

The discipline and practice of fisheries science and management have had an useful, successful, and interesting history. The discipline has developed over the past century and a half into a very reductionist, highly quantitative, socially impactful endeavor. Yet given our collective successes in this field, some notable challenges remain. To address these challenges, many have proposed ecosystem-based fisheries management that takes a more systematic approach to the management of these living marine resources. Here I describe systems theory and associated constructs underlying system dynamics, elucidate how aggregate properties of systems can and have been used, contextualize these aggregate features relative to optimal yield, and note how this approach can produce useful estimates and outcomes for fisheries management. I explore two contrasting examples where this approach has and has not been considered, highlighting the benefits of applying such an approach. I conclude by discussing ways in which we might move forward with a portfolio approach for both the discipline and practice of fisheries science and management.
Graphene/blue-phosphorus heterostructure as potential anode materials for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Fan Kaimin , Tang Ting , Wu Shiyun , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: September 2017

The first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) have been implemented to investigate the graphene/blue-phosphorus (G/BP) heterostructure as potential anode material for SIBs. The adsorption and diffusion behaviors of sodium (Na) in G/BP heterostructure and the effect of external electric field on Na adsorption have been investigated. The results indicate that G/BP heterostructure with Na adsorption is metallic due to Na incorporation, which is of benefit for electronic conductivity as anode material. The results show that the design of G/BP heterostructure is an efficient scheme to enhance the Na adsorption in G/BP without affecting the high mobility of Na in the G/BP heterostructure surface. The present work demonstrates that the external electric field can effectively modulate the adsorption of Na, and the adsorption behavior of Na is more sensitive to the external electric field when E [Formula: see text] 0.10 V Å[Formula: see text] in G/BP heterostructure. The Mulliken population analysis and DOS calculations have been performed to explore the charge transfer and the interaction between Na and G/BP.
ION BEAM (Cu–Pb–Sn) IMPLANTATION OF SURFACE LAYER OF 30ChGSN2A
Authors: BOROVIN YU. M. , LUKYANENKO E. V. , OVCHINNIKOV V. V. , SKAKOVA T. YU. , UCHEVATKINA N. V. , YAKUTINA S. V.
Published: September 2017

Electron microscopy studies were conducted for the fine structure of ion-doped layer on 30ChGSN2A steel obtained by ion implantation of monotectic tin-doped copper–lead alloy Cu64Pb36[Formula: see text]Sn. Formation of a multi-level hierarchical structure was detected. The features of formation of each layer were analyzed, and it was found that the main mechanism of formation of these structures is diffusion and relaxation resulting in the occurrence of internal stresses both in the surface layer and in the sheet of 30ChGSN2A steel. Relaxation of elastic stress fields results in translational–rotational deformation forming various vortex structures.
MiCOMP
Authors: Ashouri Amir H. , Bignoli Andrea , Palermo Gianluca , Silvano Cristina , Kulkarni Sameer , Cavazos John
Published: September 2017

Recent compilers offer a vast number of multilayered optimizations targeting different code segments of an application. Choosing among these optimizations can significantly impact the performance of the code being optimized. The selection of the right set of compiler optimizations for a particular code segment is a very hard problem, but finding the best ordering of these optimizations adds further complexity. Finding the best ordering represents a long standing problem in compilation research, named the
phase-ordering
problem. The traditional approach of constructing compiler heuristics to solve this problem simply cannot cope with the enormous complexity of choosing the right ordering of optimizations for every code segment in an application.

This article proposes an automatic optimization framework we call MiCOMP, which Mitigates the Compiler Phase-ordering problem. We perform phase ordering of the optimizations in LLVM’s highest optimization level using optimization sub-sequences and machine learning. The idea is to cluster the optimization passes of LLVM’s O3 setting into different clusters to predict the speedup of a complete sequence of all the optimization clusters instead of having to deal with the ordering of more than 60 different individual optimizations. The predictive model uses (1) dynamic features, (2) an encoded version of the compiler sequence, and (3) an exploration heuristic to tackle the problem.

Experimental results using the LLVM compiler framework and the Cbench suite show the effectiveness of the proposed clustering and encoding techniques to application-based reordering of passes, while using a number of predictive models. We perform statistical analysis on the results and compare against (1) random iterative compilation, (2) standard optimization levels, and (3) two recent prediction approaches. We show that MiCOMP’s iterative compilation using its sub-sequences can reach an average performance speedup of 1.31 (up to 1.51). Additionally, we demonstrate that MiCOMP’s prediction model outperforms the -O1, -O2, and -O3 optimization levels within using just a few predictions and reduces the prediction error rate down to only 5%. Overall, it achieves 90% of the available speedup by exploring less than 0.001% of the optimization space.
SWITCHES
Authors: Diavastos Andreas , Trancoso Pedro
Published: September 2017

SWITCHES is a task-based dataflow runtime that implements a lightweight distributed triggering system for runtime dependence resolution and uses static scheduling and compile-time assignment policies to reduce runtime overheads. Unlike other systems, the granularity of loop-tasks can be increased to favor data-locality, even when having dependences across different loops. SWITCHES introduces explicit task resource allocation mechanisms for efficient allocation of resources and adopts the latest OpenMP Application Programming Interface (API), as to maintain high levels of programming productivity. It provides a source-to-source tool that automatically produces thread-based code. Performance on an Intel Xeon-Phi shows good scalability and surpasses OpenMP by an average of 32%.
BMCLua
Authors: Monteiro Felipe R. , Januário Francisco A.P. , Cordeiro Lucas C. , de Lima Filho Eddie B.
Published: September 2017

Lua is a programming language designed as scripting language, which is fast, lightweight, and suitable for embedded applications. Due to its features, Lua is widely used in the development of games and interactive applications for digital TV. However, during the development phase of such applications, some errors may be introduced, such as deadlock, arithmetic overflow, and division by zero. This paper describes a novel verification approach for software written in Lua, using as backend the Efficient SMTBased Context-Bounded Model Checker (ESBMC). Such an approach, called bounded model checking - Lua (BMCLua), consists in translating Lua programs into ANSI-C source code, which is then verified with ESBMC. Experimental results show that the proposed verification methodology is effective and efficient, when verifying safety properties in Lua programs. The performed experiments have shown that BMCLua produces an ANSI-C code that is more efficient for verification, when compared with other existing approaches. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first that applies bounded model checking to the verification of Lua programs.
Knowledge-Defined Networking
Authors: Mestres Albert , Rodriguez-Natal Alberto , Carner Josep , Barlet-Ros Pere , Alarcón Eduard , Solé Marc , Muntés-Mulero Victor , Meyer David , Barkai Sharon , Hibbett Mike J. , Estrada Giovani , Ma'ruf Khaldun , Coras Florin , Ermagan Vina , Latapie Hugo , Cassar Chris , Evans John , Maino Fabio , Walrand Jean , Cabellos Albert
Published: September 2017

The research community has considered in the past the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to control and operate networks. A notable example is the Knowledge Plane proposed by D.Clark et al. However, such techniques have not been extensively prototyped or deployed in the field yet. In this paper, we explore the reasons for the lack of adoption and posit that the rise of two recent paradigms: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Analytics (NA), will facilitate the adoption of AI techniques in the context of network operation and control. We describe a new paradigm that accommodates and exploits SDN, NA and AI, and provide use-cases that illustrate its applicability and benefits. We also present simple experimental results that support, for some relevant use-cases, its feasibility. We refer to this new paradigm as Knowledge-Defined Networking (KDN).
Geohyperbolic Routing and Addressing Schemes
Authors: Voitalov Ivan , Aldecoa Rodrigo , Wang Lan , Krioukov Dmitri
Published: September 2017

The key requirement to routing in any telecommunication network, and especially in Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks, is scalability. Routing must route packets between any source and destination in the network without incurring unmanageable routing overhead that grows quickly with increasing network size and dynamics. Here we present an addressing scheme and a coupled network topology design scheme that guarantee essentially optimal routing scalability. The FIB sizes are as small as they can be, equal to the number of adjacencies a node has, while the routing control overhead is minimized as nearly zero routing control messages are exchanged even upon catastrophic failures in the network. The key new ingredient is the addressing scheme, which is purely local, based only on geographic coordinates of nodes and a centrality measure, and does not require any sophisticated non-local computations or global network topology knowledge for network embedding. The price paid for these benefits is that network topology cannot be arbitrary but should follow a specific design, resulting in Internet-like topologies. The proposed schemes can be most easily deployed in overlay networks, and also in other network deployments, where geolocation information is available, and where network topology can grow following the design specifications.
Hydrogeomorphic Ecosystem Responses to Natural and Anthropogenic Changes in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Fu Bojie , Wang Shuai , Liu Yu , Liu Jianbo , Liang Wei , Miao Chiyuan
Published: September 2017

China's Loess Plateau is both the largest and deepest loess deposit in the world, and it has long been one of the most severely eroded areas on Earth. Since the 1970s, numerous soil- and water-conservation practices have been implemented: terracing, planting of vegetation, natural vegetation rehabilitation, and check-dam construction. With the implementation of the Grain-for-Green Project in 1999, the Loess Plateau has become the most successful ecological restoration zone in China. However, these large-scale restoration measures and drought have significantly reduced both runoff and sediment from the Loess Plateau. This situation has both advantages and disadvantages for the lower Yellow River. Some local soil erosion has been successfully controlled, but the whole regional ecosystem remains very fragile. Therefore, it is necessary to balance each ecosystem service, for example, by determining the region's vegetation capacity and its spatial distribution for the sustainable development of the socioecological system of the Loess Plateau.
Effects of Achyrocline satureioides Inflorescence Extracts against Pathogenic Intestinal Bacteria: Chemical Characterization, In Vitro Tests, and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Moresco Karla Suzana , Silveira Alexandre Kleber , Zeidán-Chuliá Fares , Correa Ana Paula Folmer , Oliveria Rafael R. , Borges Adriana Giongo , Grun Lucas , Barbé-Tuana Florencia , Zmozinski Ariane , Brandelli Adriano , Vale Maria Goretti Rodrigues , Gelain Daniel Pens , Bassani Valquiria Linck , Moreira José Cláudio Fonseca
Published: September 2017

Three Achyrocline satureioides (AS) inflorescences extracts were characterized: (i) a freeze‐dried extract prepared from the aqueous extractive solution and (ii) a freeze‐dried and (iii) a spray‐dried extract prepared from hydroethanol extractive solution (80% ethanol). The chemical profile, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial activity against intestinal pathogenic bacteria of AS extracts were evaluated. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by the total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) assay. In vivo analysis and characterization of intestinal microbiota were performed in male Wistar rats (saline versus treated animals with AS dried extracts) by high‐throughput sequencing analysis: metabarcoding. Antimicrobial activity was tested in vitro by the disc diffusion tests. Moisture content of the extracts ranged from 10 to 15% and 5.7 to 17 mg kg−1 of fluorine. AS exhibited antioxidant activity, especially in its freeze‐dried form which also exhibited a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity against intestinal pathogenic bacteria greater than those observed by the antibiotic, amoxicillin, when tested against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of AS extracts seemed to be positively correlated with the present amount of flavonoids. These findings suggest a potential use of AS as a coadjuvant agent for treating bacterial‐induced intestinal diseases with high rates of antibiotic resistance.
Continuous and Discrete-Time Optimal Controls for an Isolated Signalized Intersection
Authors: Tan Jiyuan , Shi Xiangyun , Li Zhiheng , Yang Kaidi , Xie Na , Yu Haiyang , Wang Li , Li Zhengxi
Published: September 2017

A classical control problem for an isolated oversaturated intersection is revisited with a focus on the optimal control policy to minimize total delay. The difference and connection between existing continuous-time planning models and recently proposed discrete-time planning models are studied. A gradient descent algorithm is proposed to convert the optimal control plan of the continuous-time model to the plan of the discrete-time model in many cases. Analytic proof and numerical tests for the algorithm are also presented. The findings shed light on the links between two kinds of models.
Dealing with Chronic Illness: Experiences of Iranian Families of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis—A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ebrahimi Hossein , Hasankhani Hadi , Namdar Hossein , Khodadadi Esmail , Fooladi Marjaneh
Published: September 2017

Background. Today family members are providing care and support to each other during illness. In particular, in chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis, the families are more involved in caring for and supporting their patients, so they use several strategies to cope with this situation. The purpose of this study was to explore the coping strategies in family caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis in Iran. Methods. This is a qualitative study that was conducted through 18 family caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis. A purposeful sampling method was used. Data were collected through semistructured and in-depth interviews conducted in Multiple Sclerosis Society and hospitals of Tabriz in Iran. The collected data was analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. Results. Five main categories were elicited from interviews: “using spirituality,” “living with hope,” “experiencing persistence and stability,” “seeking support,” and “seeking alternative treatments.” Conclusion. The study findings can help to inform the support given to families to help them cope with the effects of caring for someone with multiple sclerosis. Health system managers and professionals by using these results are able to support patients and their families appropriately in order to improve their quality of life and alleviate the complications of disease.
Performance Analysis of Two-Dimensional Dead Reckoning Based on Vehicle Dynamic Sensors during GNSS Outages
Authors: Han Joong-hee , Park Chi-ho , Hong Chang-Ki , Kwon Jay Hyoun
Published: September 2017

Recently, to improve safety and convenience in driving, numerous sensors are mounted on cars to operate advanced driver assistant systems. Among various sensors, vehicle dynamic sensors can measure the vehicle motions such as speed and rotational angular speed for dead reckoning, which can be applied to develop a land vehicle positioning system to overcome the weaknesses of the GNSS technique. In this paper, three land vehicle positioning algorithms that integrate GNSS with vehicle dynamic sensors including a wheel speed sensor (WSS), a yaw rate sensor (YRS), and a steering angle sensor (SAS) are implemented, and then a performance evaluation was conducted during GNSS outages. Using a loosely coupled strategy, three integration algorithms are designed, namely, GNSS/WSS, GNSS/WSS/YRS, and GNSS/WSS/YRS/SAS. The performance of the three types of integration algorithm is evaluated based on two data sets. The results indicate that both the GNSS/WSS/YRS integration and the GNSS/WSS/YRS/SAS integration could estimate the horizontal position with meter-level accuracy during 30-second GNSS outages. However, the GNSS/WSS integration would provide an unstable navigation solution during GNSS outages due to the accuracy limitation of the computed yaw rate using WSS.
Additional Benefits of Routine Drugs on Gastrointestinal Cancer: Statins, Metformin, and Proton Pump Inhibitors
Authors: Joo Moon Kyung , Park Jong-Jae , Chun Hoon Jai
Published: September 2017

Background: Commonly used medications including statins, metformin, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) effectively reduce the risk of esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer (CRC). Summary: A number of observational studies and meta-analyses have shown that long-term statin use significantly reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Moreover, statin use after GI cancer diagnosis has been significantly associated with better prognosis in large-scale cohort studies. Metformin was rigorously evaluated in a population-based study and meta-analysis, and was found to have an unexpected benefit in the prevention and prolonged survival of CRC patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In contrast, few studies have demonstrated the chemopreventive effect of metformin for esophageal and gastric cancer. Recent observational studies have demonstrated that PPIs effectively reduce the progression of nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus into esophageal adenocarcinoma in a dose-dependent manner. However, the association between chronic PPI use and CRC or gastric cancer risk is still controversial. It was expected that these 3 routinely used medicines would show a synergistic effect with conventional systemic chemotherapy in advanced GI cancers. However, recent phase III studies failed to show significantly better outcomes. Key Messages: Further studies are needed to identify “additional” anticancer effects of these commonly used medicines.
Current Practice of Airway Stenting in the Adult Population in Europe: A Survey of the European Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (EABIP)
Authors: Dutau Hervé , Breen David , Bugalho Antonio , Dalar Levent , Daniels Johannes , Dooms Christophe , Eberhardt Ralf , Ek Lars , Encheva Milena , Febvre Michel , Hackl Martin , Marran Sirje , Papai-Szekely Zsolt , Perch Michael , Roglic Mihovil , Rosell Antoni , Rozman Ales , Shah Pallav L. , Simon Marioara , Szlubowski Artur , Stratakos Grigoris , Sundset Arve , Uibu Toomas , Von Garnier Christophe , Zaric Bojan , Zdraveska Marija , Zuccatosta Lina , Bokan Darijo , Arshad Husain Syed , Bilaceroglu Semra , Gasche-Soccal Paola , Gasparini Stefano , Herth Felix J.F. , Munavvar Muhammed
Published: September 2017

Background: Airway stenting (AS) commenced in Europe circa 1987 with the first placement of a dedicated silicone airway stent. Subsequently, over the last 3 decades, AS was spread throughout Europe, using different insertion techniques and different types of stents. Objectives: This study is an international survey conducted by the European Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (EABIP) focusing on AS practice within 26 European countries. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all EABIP National Delegates in February 2015. National delegates were responsible for obtaining precise and objective data regarding the current AS practice in their country. The deadline for data collection was February 2016. Results: France, Germany, and the UK are the 3 leading countries in terms of number of centres performing AS. These 3 nations represent the highest ranked nations within Europe in terms of gross national income. Overall, pulmonologists perform AS exclusively in 5 countries and predominately in 12. AS is performed almost exclusively in public hospitals. AS performed under general anaesthesia is the rule for the majority of institutions, and local anaesthesia is an alternative in 9 countries. Rigid bronchoscopy techniques are predominant in 20 countries. Amongst commercially available stents, both Dumon and Ultraflex are by far the most commonly deployed. Finally, 11 countries reported that AS is an economically viable activity, while 10 claimed that it is not. Conclusion: This EABIP survey demonstrates that there is significant heterogeneity in AS practice within Europe. Therapeutic bronchoscopy training and economic issues/reimbursement for procedures are likely to be the primary reasons explaining these findings.
Einstellung von Ärzten gegenüber Komplementärmedizin in einer ländlichen Region der Schweiz: Ergebnisse einer Umfrage
Authors: Marszalek Gudrun , Torchetti Loredana , Barth Jürgen , Wolf Ursula , Frei-Erb Martin
Published: September 2017

Fragestellung: Im Zusammenhang mit der Einführung ambulanter KM-Sprechstunden am Regionalspital Burgdorf wurde die ärztliche Einstellung zu Komplementärmedizin (KM) untersucht. Weiterhin wurden der Anteil der Ärzte mit KM-Angeboten im Versorgungsgebiet des Regionalspitals, deren KM-Erfahrungen sowie der Einfluss dieser Erfahrungen auf die Einstellung gegenüber KM untersucht. Material und Methoden: Alle Ärzte jeglicher Fachrichtung (n = 170) im Versorgungsgebiet wurden 2011 und 2012 schriftlich zu ihrer Einstellung gegenüber KM (Befürwortung/Ablehnung und Ambivalenz), ihrem KM-Angebot und ihren KM-Erfahrungen befragt (Rücklaufquote 45% bzw. 36%). Ergebnisse: Die Einstellung gegenüber KM war im Durchschnitt neutral (M = 2,47, Standardabweichung (SD) = 0,61; Befürwortung von KM von 1 = «stimme völlig zu» bis 4 = «stimme überhaupt nicht zu») und klar (M = 1,59, SD = 0,46; Einstellungsambivalenz von 1 = «habe klare Meinung» bis 4 = «bin mir sehr unsicher in meiner Meinung»). Die höchste Zustimmung erhielten die Forderungen nach wissenschaftlicher Untersuchung der KM (M = 2,10, SD = 0,95) und nach zertifizierter ärztlicher KM in der Grundversicherung (M = 2,53, SD = 1,15). Knapp ein Drittel der Ärzte bot KM an, und 77% bzw. 69% überwiesen Patienten zu KM-Behandlungen. Die wichtigsten Prädiktoren der KM-Befürwortung waren eine zertifizierte KM-Ausbildung und unerwartete positive bzw. negative Verläufe unter einer KM-Behandlung (R22011 = 0,44, p < 0,001). 25% der Ärzte hatten Erfahrungen mit der neuen KM-Sprechstunde, die überwiegend positiv waren. Schlussfolgerung: Die teilnehmenden Ärzte aus einer ländlichen Region der Schweiz zeigten im Durchschnitt eine neutrale und klare Einstellung zur KM, die sich im eigenen KM-Angebot bzw. in der Überweisungspraxis spiegelte.
New species of Tinodes from Madagascar (Trichoptera, Psychomyiidae)
Authors: CHVOJKA PAVEL , GIBON FRANÇOIS-MARIE
Published: September 2017

Six new species are described from Madagascar in the genus Tinodes Curtis 1834: Tinodes tafo n. sp., Tinodes ivanovi n. sp., Tinodes helix n. sp., Tinodes furcatus n. sp., Tinodes forcipatus n. sp., and Tinodes marcossi n. sp. Additionally, we provide new distributional data for the species Tinodes schlingeri Johanson & Oláh 2007 and Tinodes dehadawate Johanson & Oláh 2007.
Robust Surface Warming in Offshore China Seas and Its Relationship to the East Asian Monsoon Wind Field and Ocean Forcing on Interdecadal Time Scales
Authors: Cai Rongshuo , Tan Hongjian , Kontoyiannis Harilaos
Published: September 2017

Robust surface warming with distinct interdecadal variations has been observed in the offshore area of China and adjacent seas (hereafter, offshore China) during winter and summer of the period 1958–2014. Acceleration of this warming during 1980–99 at rates greater than the global mean warming rate was accompanied by a weakening of the East Asian monsoon (EAM) and a strengthening of the west Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). It was determined that the sea surface temperature (SST) variation in offshore China correlates very well with changes in the EAM wind on interdecadal time scales. It was also established that the enhanced oceanic lateral heat transfer, mainly attributed to the leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF1), weakening EAM wind mode, has a central role in robust interdecadal winter surface warming in offshore China. However, except for the effect of oceanic lateral heat transfer, the increased surface heat flux through radiative heating related to the third EOF (EOF3) strengthening EAM anticyclone wind mode (WPSH) in summer appears to have a greater contribution to interdecadal summer surface warming in offshore China. These results help clarify the relationship between interdecadal SST variations, EAM, oceanic currents, and sea surface flux in offshore China.
What Makes Popular Culture Popular? Product Features and Optimal Differentiation in Music
Authors: Askin Noah , Mauskapf Michael
Published: September 2017

In this article, we propose a new explanation for why certain cultural products outperform their peers to achieve widespread success. We argue that products’ position in feature space significantly predicts their popular success. Using tools from computer science, we construct a novel dataset allowing us to examine whether the musical features of nearly 27,000 songs from Billboard’s Hot 100 charts predict their levels of success in this cultural market. We find that, in addition to artist familiarity, genre affiliation, and institutional support, a song’s perceived proximity to its peers influences its position on the charts. Contrary to the claim that all popular music sounds the same, we find that songs sounding too much like previous and contemporaneous productions—those that are highly typical—are less likely to succeed. Songs exhibiting some degree of optimal differentiation are more likely to rise to the top of the charts. These findings offer a new perspective on success in cultural markets by specifying how content organizes product competition and audience consumption behavior.
Informality, Class Structure, and Class Identity in Contemporary Argentina
Authors: Elbert Rodolfo
Published: September 2017

The dynamics of peripheral capitalism in Latin America includes the employment or self-employment of a significant proportion of the working class under informal arrangements. The neoliberal transformations of the 1990s deepened this feature of Latin American labor markets, and it was not reversed during the period of economic growth that followed the collapse of neoliberalism. In this context, sociological debates have focused on the relationship between the formal and the informal fractions of the working class. Examination of the biographical and family linkages between formal and informal workers in Argentina and the effect of these connections on the patterns of class self-identification of individuals shows that lived experience across the informality boundary makes formal workers similar to informal workers in terms of class self-identification. This research provides preliminary evidence that the two kinds of workers belong to the same social class because of the fluidity of the boundary that separates them. Instead of a class cleavage, this boundary is better defined as the separation between fractions of the working class.

La dinámica del capitalismo periférico en América Latina implica la informalidad laboral (sea entre trabajadores contratados o autónomos) de una sustancial parte de la clase obrera. Las transformaciones neoliberales de los años noventa profundizaron esta característica de los mercados de trabajo latinoamericanos, y el problema no se revirtió durante el período de crecimiento económico que siguió al colapso del neoliberalismo. En este contexto, los debates sociológicos se han centrado en la relación entre los grupos formales e informales de la clase obrera. Un análisis de los vínculos biográficos y familiares entre los trabajadores formales e informales en Argentina y el efecto de dichas conexiones en los patrones individuales de autoidentificación de clase muestra que la experiencia vivida en los límites de la informalidad hace que los trabajadores formales se consideren similares a los informales en términos de identificación de clase. Esta investigación brinda evidencia preliminar de que los dos tipos de trabajadores pertenecen a la misma clase social.
Half a Gift Is Not Half-Hearted: A Giver–Receiver Asymmetry in the Thoughtfulness of Partial Gifts
Authors: Kupor Daniella , Flynn Frank , Norton Michael I.
Published: September 2017

Four studies document an asymmetry in givers’ and receivers’ evaluations of gifts: Givers underestimate the extent to which receivers perceive partial (but more desirable) gifts to be thoughtful, valuable, and worthy of appreciation. Study 1 documents this asymmetry and suggests that givers underestimate the extent to which partial gifts signal thoughtfulness to receivers. Study 2 replicates this asymmetry in the context of a real gift exchange among friends. Study 3 shows that this asymmetry arises because givers believe that purchasing partial gifts is a greater violation of gift-giving norms than do receivers, leading givers to expect that partial gifts will damage receivers’ perceptions of a gift’s value. Study 4 offers an intervention that induces givers to select the (partial) gifts that receivers prefer more than givers expect: framing a gift’s separate components as complete units.
Creating Accountability with Interstate Cooperation
Authors: Fowler Luke , Castellano Isaac
Published: September 2017

While lacking coercive power to compel enforcement, interstate compacts create accountability through multiple sources and layers connecting enforcement behavior to oversight. Using logistic regression, we test a model of accountability and enforcement of unauthorized water usage on the Klamath River. Findings indicate unauthorized water usage is far more likely to be reported and enforced on the Klamath River than on neighboring rivers in the same counties. Conclusions indicate the increased institutional layers of interstate compacts lead to more accountability and stringent enforcement and reporting of unauthorized water use.
Populism in world politics: A comparative cross-regional perspective
Authors: Hadiz Vedi R , Chryssogelos Angelos
Published: September 2017

Populism has become more salient in multiple regions in the world, in developed as well as developing countries. Today it is largely a reaction to social dislocations tied to processes of neoliberal globalisation. As a concept, populism has had a long and contentious history. We suggest that populism has been on the rise alongside new imaginings of what constitutes the ‘people’ and ‘elites’, as the meanings attached to these labels are continually reshaped in conjunction with new social conflicts. These conflicts are intensifying across the globe together with new kinds of social marginalisation, precarious existence and disenchantment with the broken promises of liberal modernity. The article introduces a special issue on Populism in World Politics that seeks to understand general processes involved in the emergence of populist politics along with specific circumstances that affect how it is expressed in terms of identity politics, political strategies and shifting social bases.
Populism and political development in hybrid regimes: Russia and the development of official populism
Authors: Robinson Neil , Milne Sarah
Published: September 2017

Hybrid regimes like electoral authoritarianism blend elements of democratic and non-democratic political practices. Hybrid regimes can develop from populism or can themselves develop populism to explain and justify their democratic shortcomings. Where the latter occurs, populism is a tool of regime stabilisation rather than a form of ‘populism in power’. Moving from using some populist themes to assist regime stabilisation to official populism requires the development of populist discourse to a point where it becomes definitional of what constitutes the relationship between state and society. The paper uses the example of Russia to discuss the uses of populism in a hybrid regime. Populist rhetoric has been used by the Putin regime since the mid-2000s, but was initially balanced by other discourses. This changed during the 2011–2012 electoral cycle as a conservative-traditional populist discourse was deployed that redefined political agency and the relationship of the state to Russian society.
Adsorption performance of hydrophobically modified silica gel for the vapors of n-hexane and water
Authors: Huang Weiqiu , Xu Jixing , Tang Bo , Wang Hongning , Tan Xiaobin , Lv Aihua
Published: September 2017

An ordinary silica gel (SG-1) was chosen as the raw material and hydrophobically modified with trimethylchlorosilane under different microwave exposure. The orthogonal experiment was designed to screen the optimized modification method. The hydrophobic properties modified silica gel (SG-2) was analyzed by comparing the difference changes of surface chemistries. Then, the adsorption capacities of SG-1 and SG-2 to the n-hexane vapor and water vapor, respectively, were investigated and compared with the capacities of activated carbon and SG-3 (hydrophobically modified using the same composite modifier without microwave exposure). Meanwhile, there cyclable adsorptions of SG-2 to the two vapors were conducted while the desorptions of vacuum and heat was observed. The results showed that the effect of hydrophobic modification to SG-1 under microwave exposure was obvious and SG-2 also had a very good effect of adsorption for the n-hexane vapor. The modified silica gel shows great potential and effect for the recovery of volatile organic compounds with high content of water.
Valued elders or societal burden: Cross-national attitudes toward older adults
Authors: Peterson Lindsey , Ralston Margaret
Published: September 2017

Population aging is a nearly universal trend that is placing new importance on how societies view and treat their elderly. Past research has established that perceptions of the elderly vary across countries. This article empirically explores three competing theoretical explanations on potential reasons for these differences: the Value Orientation perspective, the Competition over Resources perspective, and Political and Economic Structure. Using Wave 6 of the World Values Survey, various sources of country-level data, and hierarchical logistic regressions the article provides insights as to which theoretical position holds the most weight. The analysis improves on past research by using a large and diverse sample of countries from every region of the world. Contrary to popular thought, and the traditional Value Orientation perspective, it is found that Asian, Middle Eastern, and Sub-Saharan African countries have significantly more negative views toward the elderly than Western countries. In addition, the study finds that countries with higher average lifespans and more elderly as a proportion of the total population actually have more favorable attitudes toward the elderly.
Evaluation of the endocrine-disrupting effects of homosalate (HMS) and 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (OD-PABA) in rat pups during the prenatal, lactation, and early postnatal periods
Authors: Erol Meltem , Çok Ismet , Bostan Gayret Özlem , Günes Pembegül , Yigit Özgül , Sayman Elif , Günes Aysegül , Çelik Duygu Sultan , Hamilçikan Sahin , Altinay Serdar , Ercan Oya
Published: September 2017

Homosalate (HMS) and 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (OD-PABA) are ultraviolet filters. We aimed to investigate the effects of dermal exposure to HMS and OD-PABA during the prenatal, lactation, and early infancy periods on pubertal development and thyroid function in male and female rats. The thyroid glands, uteri, testes, prostate glands, and seminal vesicles were excised and weighed, the reproductive organs were analyzed histologically, and the serum hormone levels were measured. In the prenatal period, the thyroxine (T4) levels increased in the female rats in the exposed groups ( p < 0.05); the thyroid weights, reproductive organ weights, and gonadal hormone levels were not altered. In males, the testosterone levels decreased ( p < 0.05), but the thyroid weights, T4 levels, prostate, and testis weights were not changed. In the lactation period, the weights of the thyroid glands increased in the exposed female groups ( p < 0.05), but the T4, gonadal hormone levels, and reproductive organ weights were not changed. In the males, the thyroid gland weights, T4 levels, reproductive organ weights, and gonadal hormone levels were not changed. During infancy, the thyroid gland weights increased in the female rats in the exposed groups ( p < 0.05), but the T4 levels, gonadal hormone levels, and reproductive organ weights were not affected. In the male rats in the exposed groups, the T4 levels were increased ( p < 0.05), but the thyroid and reproductive organ weights, gonadal hormone levels were not affected. Organ histopathology was not affected in all groups. HMS and OD-PABA do not have endocrine disruptor effects on thyroid function and the pubertal development of female and male rats.
I Failed the edTPA
Authors: Kuranishi Adam , Oyler Celia
Published: September 2017

In this article, co-written by a teacher and a professor, the authors examine possible explanations for why Adam (first author), a New York City public school special educator, failed the edTPA, a teacher performance assessment required by all candidates for state certification. Adam completed a yearlong teaching residency where he was the special educator intern of a co-teaching team. He received glowing reviews on all program assessments, including 12 clinical observations and firsthand evaluations by his principal and one student. In this article, the authors analyze Adam’s edTPA submission showing evidence of how he met his teacher education program’s expectations for teaching inclusively in a heterogeneous Integrated Co-Teaching classroom using frameworks from Universal Design for Learning and culturally sustaining pedagogy. They speculate that this pedagogical approach was in conflict with the Pearson/SCALE (Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity) edTPA expectations or scorer training. They conclude by discussing the paradigmatic conflicts between the Pearson/SCALE special edTPA handbook and the aims and practices of inclusive education.