bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Producing Distant Planets by Mutual Scattering of Planetary Embryos
Authors: Silsbee Kedron , Tremaine Scott
Published: January 2018

It is likely that multiple bodies with masses between those of Mars and Earth (“planetary embryos”) formed in the outer planetesimal disk of the solar system. Some of these were likely scattered by the giant planets into orbits with semimajor axes of hundreds of au. Mutual torques between these embryos may lift the perihelia of some of them beyond the orbit of Neptune, where they are no longer perturbed by the giant planets, so their semimajor axes are frozen in place. We conduct N-body simulations of this process and its effect on smaller planetesimals in the region of the giant planets and the Kuiper Belt. We find that (i) there is a significant possibility that one sub-Earth mass embryo, or possibly more, is still present in the outer solar system; (ii) the orbit of the surviving embryo(s) typically has perihelion of 40–70 au, semimajor axis less than 200 au, and inclination less than 30°; (iii) it is likely that any surviving embryos could be detected by current or planned optical surveys or have a significant effect on solar system ephemerides; (iv) whether or not an embryo has survived to the present day, its dynamical influence earlier in the history of the solar system can explain the properties of the detached disk (defined in this paper as containing objects with perihelia >38 au and semimajor axes between 80 and 500 au).
Transiting Exoplanet Monitoring Project (TEMP). III. On the Relocation of the Kepler-9 b Transit
Authors: Wang Songhu , Wu Dong-Hong , Addison Brett C. , Laughlin Gregory , Liu Hui-Gen , Wang Yong-Hao , Yang Taozhi , Yang Ming , Yisikandeer Abudusaimaitijiang , Hong Renquan , Li Bin , Liu Jinzhong , Zhao Haibin , Wu Zhen-Yu , Hu Shao-Ming , Zhou Xu , Zhou Ji-Lin , Zhang Hui , Zheng Jie , Wang Wei , Fan Zhou , Niu Hubiao , Chen Yuan-Yuan , Lu Hao , Peng Xiyan , Li Kai , Guo Di-Fu
Published: January 2018

The Kepler-9 system harbors three known transiting planets. The system holds significant interest for several reasons. First, the outer two planets exhibit a period ratio that is close to a 2:1 orbital commensurability, with attendant dynamical consequences. Second, both planets lie in the planetary mass “desert” that is generally associated with the rapid gas agglomeration phase of the core accretion process. Third, there exist attractive prospects for accurately measuring both the sky-projected stellar spin–orbit angles as well as the mutual orbital inclination between the planets in the system. Following the originalKeplerdetection announcement in 2010, the initially reported orbital ephemerides for Kepler-9 b and c have degraded significantly, due to the limited time base-line of observations on which the discovery of the system rested. Here, we report new ground-based photometric observations and extensive dynamical modeling of the system. These efforts allow us to photometrically recover the transit of Kepler-9 b and thereby greatly improve the predictions for upcoming transit mid-times. Accurate ephemerides of this system are important in order to confidently schedule follow-up observations of this system, for both in-transit Doppler measurements as well as for atmospheric transmission spectra taken during transit.
Quiescent Prominences in the Era of ALMA. II. Kinetic Temperature Diagnostics
Authors: Gunár Stanislav , Heinzel Petr , Anzer Ulrich , Mackay Duncan H.
Published: January 2018

We provide the theoretical background for diagnostics of the thermal properties of solar prominences observed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). To do this, we employ the 3D Whole-Prominence Fine Structure (WPFS) model that produces synthetic ALMA-like observations of a complex simulated prominence. We use synthetic observations derived at two different submillimeter/millimeter (SMM) wavelengths—one at a wavelength at which the simulated prominence is completely optically thin and another at a wavelength at which a significant portion of the simulated prominence is optically thick—as if these were the actual ALMA observations. This allows us to develop a technique for an analysis of the prominence plasma thermal properties from such a pair of simultaneous high-resolution ALMA observations. The 3D WPFS model also provides detailed information about the distribution of the kinetic temperature and the optical thickness along any line of sight. We can thus assess whether the measure of the kinetic temperature derived from observations accurately represents the actual kinetic temperature properties of the observed plasma. We demonstrate here that in a given pixel the optical thickness at the wavelength at which the prominence plasma is optically thick needs to be above unity or even larger to achieve a sufficient accuracy of the derived information about the kinetic temperature of the analyzed plasma. Information about the optical thickness cannot be directly discerned from observations at the SMM wavelengths alone. However, we show that a criterion that can identify those pixels in which the derived kinetic temperature values correspond well to the actual thermal properties in which the observed prominence can be established.
Blazar Sheath Illumination of the Outer Molecular Torus: A Resolution of the Seed Photon Problem for the Far-GeV Blazar Flares
Authors: Breiding Peter , Georganopoulos Markos , Meyer Eileen T.
Published: January 2018

Recent multiwavelength work led by the Boston University blazar group (e.g., Marscher et al.) strongly suggests that a fraction of the blazar flares seen by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) take place a few to several pc away from the central engine. However, at such distances from the central engine, there is no adequate external photon field to provide the seed photons required for producing the observed GeV emission under leptonic inverse Compton (IC) models. A possible solution is a spine-sheath geometry for the emitting region (MacDonald et al., but see Nalewajko et al.). Here we use the current view of the molecular torus (e.g., Elitzur; Netzer), in which the torus extends a few pc beyond the dust sublimation radius with dust clouds distributed with a declining density for decreasing polar angle. We show that for a spine-sheath blazar jet embedded in the torus, the wide beaming pattern of the synchrotron radiation of the relatively slow sheath will heat molecular clouds with subsequent IR radiation that will be highly boosted in the spine comoving frame, and that under reasonable conditions this photon field can dominate over the sheath photons directly entering the spine. If the sheath is sufficiently luminous it will sublimate the dust, and if the sheath synchrotron radiation extends to optical-UV energies (as may happen during flares), this will illuminate the sublimated dust clouds to produce emission lines that will vary in unison with the optical-UV continuum, as has been very recently reported for blazar CTA 102 (Jorstad et al.).
Radiation Transfer of Models of Massive Star Formation. IV. The Model Grid and Spectral Energy Distribution Fitting
Authors: Zhang Yichen , Tan Jonathan C.
Published: January 2018

We present a continuum radiative transfer model grid for fitting observed spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of massive protostars. The model grid is based on the paradigm of core accretion theory for massive star formation with pre-assembled gravitationally bound cores as initial conditions. In particular, following the turbulent core model, initial core properties are set primarily by their mass and the pressure of their ambient clump. We then model the evolution of the protostar and its surround structures in a self-consistent way. The model grid contains about 9000 SEDs with four free parameters: initial core mass, the mean surface density of the environment, the protostellar mass, and the inclination. The model grid is used to fit observed SEDs via

minimization, with the foreground extinction additionally estimated. We demonstrate the fitting process and results using the example of massive protostar G35.20-0.74. Compared with other SED model grids currently used for massive star formation studies, the properties of the protostar and its surrounding structures are more physically connected in our model grid, which reduces the dimensionality of the parameter spaces and the total number of models. This excludes possible fitting of models that are physically unrealistic or are not internally self-consistent in the context of the turbulent core model. Thus, this model grid serves not only as a fitting tool to estimate properties of massive protostars, but also as a test of core accretion theory. The SED model grid is publicly released with this paper.
All-flavor Search for a Diffuse Flux of Cosmic Neutrinos with Nine Years of ANTARES Data
Authors: Albert A. , André M. , Anghinolfi M. , Anton G. , Ardid M. , Aubert J.-J. , Aublin J. , Avgitas T. , Baret B. , Barrios-Martí J. , Basa S. , Belhorma B. , Bertin V. , Biagi S. , Bormuth R. , Bourret S. , Bouwhuis M. C. , Brânzaş H. , Bruijn R. , Brunner J. , Busto J. , Capone A. , Caramete L. , Carr J. , Celli S. , El Moursli R. Cherkaoui , Chiarusi T. , Circella M. , Coelho J. A. B. , Coleiro A. , Coniglione R. , Costantini H. , Coyle P. , Creusot A. , Díaz A. F. , Deschamps A. , Bonis G. De , Distefano C. , Palma I. Di , Domi A. , Donzaud C. , Dornic D. , Drouhin D. , Eberl T. , Bojaddaini I. El , Khayati N. El , Elsässer D. , Enzenhöfer A. , Ettahiri A. , Fassi F. , Felis I. , Fusco L. A. , Gay P. , Giordano V. , Glotin H. , Grégoire T. , Ruiz R. Gracia , Graf K. , Hallmann S. , Haren H. van , Heijboer A. J. , Hello Y. , Hernández-Rey J. J. , Hößl J. , Hofestädt J. , Illuminati G. , James C. W. , Jong M. de , Jongen M. , Kadler M. , Kalekin O. , Katz U. , Kießling D. , Kouchner A. , Kreter M. , Kreykenbohm I. , Kulikovskiy V. , Lachaud C. , Lahmann R. , Lefèvre D. , Leonora E. , Lotze M. , Loucatos S. , Marcelin M. , Margiotta A. , Marinelli A. , Martínez-Mora J. A. , Mele R. , Melis K. , Michael T. , Migliozzi P. , Moussa A. , Navas S. , Nezri E. , Organokov M. , Păvălaş G. E. , Pellegrino C. , Perrina C. , Piattelli P. , Popa V. , Pradier T. , Quinn L. , Racca C. , Riccobene G. , Sánchez-Losa A. , Saldaña M. , Salvadori I. , Samtleben D. F. E. , Sanguineti M. , Sapienza P. , Schüssler F. , Sieger C. , Spurio M. , Stolarczyk Th. , Taiuti M. , Tayalati Y. , Trovato A. , Turpin D. , Tönnis C. , Vallage B. , Elewyck V. Van , Versari F. , Vivolo D. , Vizzoca A. , Wilms J. , Zornoza J. D. , Zúñiga J. ,   (The ANTARES Collaboration)
Published: January 2018

The ANTARES detector is at present the most sensitive neutrino telescope in the northern hemisphere. The highly significant cosmic neutrino excess observed by the Antarctic IceCube detector can be studied with ANTARES, exploiting its complementing field of view, exposure, and lower energy threshold. Searches for an all-flavor diffuse neutrino signal, covering nine years of ANTARES data taking, are presented in this Letter. Upward-going events are used to reduce the atmospheric muon background. This work includes for the first time in ANTARES both track-like (mainly

and shower-like (mainly

) events in this kind of analysis. Track-like events allow for an increase of the effective volume of the detector thanks to the long path traveled by muons in rock and/or sea water. Shower-like events are well reconstructed only when the neutrino interaction vertex is close to, or inside, the instrumented volume. A mild excess of high-energy events over the expected background is observed in nine years of ANTARES data in both samples. The best fit for a single power-law cosmic neutrino spectrum, in terms of per-flavor flux at 100 TeV, is

10−18 GeV−1 cm−2 s−1 sr−1 with spectral index

. The null cosmic flux assumption is rejected with a significance of 1.6σ.
Sweet’s Syndrome (SS) in the Course of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Authors: Guarneri Claudio , Wollina Uwe , Lotti Torello , Maximov Georgi Konstantinov , Lozev Ilia , Gianfaldoni Serena , Pidakev Ivan , Lotti Jacopo , Tchernev Georgi
Published: January 2018

Firstly described by Robert Douglas Sweet in 1964, febrile neutrophilic dermatosis is a disabling, not only cutaneous disorder, clinically characterised by fever and painful erythematous nodules, with a typical background of neutrophilia. Sweet’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory reactive disorder of unknown cause and incompletely established pathogenesis, although an interplay between genetic and environmental factors, including infections, is likely to occur. A significant part of cases has been demonstrated to be linked with malignancies, especially in the hematologic setting. Because of the underlying disease and related therapeutic measures, SS may present atypical clinical course, whereas the response to treatment is strictly dependent on the concurrent hematologic disease. Herein we describe a case of a lady who had a refractory form of SS, resulted in a paraneoplastic cutaneous disease, and AML. Surprisingly, clinical remission of SS followed cytotoxic chemotherapy while hematologic disorder obtained a further complete response.
Another Case of Interdigital Located ʺMetastasing Hematomaʺ?
Authors: Tchernev Georgi , Pidakev Ivan , Chokoeva Anastasiya Atanasova , Wollina Uwe , Lotti Torello , Yungareva Irina , Lozev Ilia , Maximov Georgi Konstantinov
Published: January 2018

Interdigital spaces could be an area of affection of a various cutaneous conditions, most of them with benign origin. The spectrum of differential diagnosis of pigmented interdigital lesions with a recent occurrence is not so wide, in contrast. When considering pigmented lesions in the interdigital area, the most harmless differential diagnosis is a traumatic hematoma. But what would happen if we based our therapeutic behaviour or suspicious and unconfirmed harmless diagnosis, instead of considering the real life-threatening once with priority, if we kept in mind that acral lentiginous melanoma has rather an aggressive course and is the main cause of death in skin cancer patients? We present a case of misdiagnosed interdigital melanoma, treated as a hemangioma with curettage, with almost fatal consequences, in regard to uncontrolled tumor progression as a result of the wrong traumatic procedure in one hand, and the lack of adequate screening and follow up, leading to progress of the disease with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in general. We want to emphasise the importance of acral lentiginous melanoma with an unusual location in the differential diagnostic plan because, despite the early detection, early eradication with simple excision could save a life, or at least could provide a better prognosis.
A Patient with Multiple Keratinocytic Cancers (MKC): Uncommon Presentation in a Bulgarian Patient
Authors: Tchernev Georgi , Philipov Stanislav , Chokoeva Anastasiya Atanasova , Wollina Uwe , Lotti Torello , Lozev Ilia , Yungareva Irina , Maximov Georgi Konstantinov
Published: January 2018

Keratinocyte skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common cancer occurring in people with fair skin, worldwide. Despite all known triggers, several suggested contributors are still investigated. We will focus our attention on the personal history of previous cancers and radiation exposure as occupational risk factors, as in the presented case. We report a patient, with multiple BCCs, and subsequent occurrence of a SCC on photo-exposed area of the face, as we want to emphasize the importance of strict following up of these patients, regarding the risk for developing new tumors in short periods of time, no matter if the triggering exposure factor is known from the history, or not.  Although keratinocytes tumours are associated with the low mortality rate, we focus the attention on the fact, that the history of non-melanoma skin cancer is associated with increased mortality.
Peri - and Intraocular Mutilating Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma: ʺMonsters Inside Your Bodyʺ?
Authors: Tchernev Georgi , Lotti Torello , Lozev Ilia , Maximov Georgi Konstantinov , Wollina Uwe
Published: January 2018

Periocular malignancies represent between 5% and 10% of all types of skin cancers. The incidence of eyelid (but also the periocular located) malignancies seems to differ in distribution across the continents.  The incidence of eyelid tumours (but also the periocular located tumours) in a predominantly white population determined that BCC is the most common malignant periocular eyelid tumour in whites. This finding has been replicated consistently throughout the literature, with BCC representing 85–95% of all eyelid malignancies, SCC representing 3.4 - 12.6%, Seb Ca representing 0.6 - 10.2%, and both melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma representing less than 1%. Most periocular skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Ultraviolet radiation causes local immune suppression, which, coupled with DNA abnormalities in tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes, leads to the development of skin cancers.  We are presenting a 62 - year - old patient with a small nodule about 2 cm away from the lower lid of his left eye. A tumour was surgically treated. Several years later there was a tumour relapse, treated with radiotherapy and subsequent chemotherapy with Endoxan and Cisplatin. After the second relapse, he was treated surgically in general anaesthesia by orbital exenteration, removal of the orbital floor and resection of zygomatic bone and the maxillary sinus. A couple of months later, he developed a tumour relapse in the scars and the area of a primary tumour with tumour progression. A possible therapy with Cetuximab or radiation therapy was discussed as a possible treatment option.
Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) of Parotid Gland with Massive Cutaneous Involvement: Bilateral Pedicle Advancement Flap (U - Plasty) As Adequate Surgical Approach
Authors: Lozev Ilia , Ruseva Sonya , Pidakev Ivan , Cardoso José Carlos , Wollina Uwe , Lotti Torello , Maximov Georgi Konstantinov , Terziev Ivan , Tchernev Georgi
Published: January 2018

Neoplasms of the major and minor salivary glands are morphologically and a clinically diverse group of neoplasms which lead the clinician to diagnostic and management challenges. This article aims to report a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 83 – year - old woman who presented in the dermatology clinic with a tumour mass in the left auricular area. The patient complained of pain and abnormal bleeding of the mass. The lesion was examined, and surgical treatment was performed. A tumour was extirpated, and partial resection of both the parotid gland and the sternocleidomastoid muscle was done. Lymphatic dissection was performed. Post recovery was uneventful with no functional defects and abnormalities. The pathohistological result confirmed the diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland with massive infiltration of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. Lymph nodules with total metastasis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and capsular invasion were additionally presented. Postoperative radiation therapy was planned.
Collusion et possibilité d’entrée en aval dans une industrie verticalement intégrée
Authors: Avenel Éric , Caprice Stéphane
Published: January 2018

L’article revisite la question de la soutenabilité d’une entente en présence d’une menace d’entrée dans un contexte où les firmes en place sont verticalement intégrées. Les entrants dépendent des firmes intégrées pour leurs approvisionnements. Alors que l’entrée laisse les profits de collusion inchangés, nous montrons que les profits de déviation sont également inchangés et que l’entrée abaisse les profits dans les périodes de punition. En ce sens, la possibilité d’entrée facilite la collusion entre les firmes intégrées. Classification JEL  : D43, L13, L23, L40.
Transition écologique et numérique. Vers des territoires communs ?
Authors: Petit Victor
Published: January 2018

Cet article se propose de réfléchir à la possibilité de réunir transition numérique et transition écologique, tout en prenant acte du fait que l’impact environnemental des Tic est désastreux. Une opposition conceptuelle sera proposée (écologie de l’environnement/écologie du milieu) dans le but d’éclairer l’ambivalence du rapport entre Tic et écologie. Le but de cet article est de donner à lire l’engouement actuel pour les « communs » comme la possibilité de relier ces deux transitions. À travers un certain nombre d’exemples, nous montrerons que la dynamique qui s’opère autour de ce concept est susceptible de devenir le milieu d’une expérimentation territoriale inédite.
La communauté de communes comme système pilote pour l’étude d’un réseau de création de valeurs forestier élargi
Authors: Esparon Stéphane
Published: January 2018

Des travaux dans le champ de l’analyse des réseaux montrent des relations entre la topologie et les propriétés systémiques émergentes. Or, depuis la loi sur la transition énergétique, les politiques publiques encouragent les démarches d’écologie industrielle et territoriale ( Eit ). Par nature, l’ Eit induit une restructuration des relations entre entreprises. Ces constats nous incitent à interroger la mise en œuvre de l’ Eit sur les capacités qui émergent de la topologie des systèmes productifs. Le contexte post-tempête que connaît le territoire forestier landais est l’occasion pour nous d’investiguer ce champ. Cet article propose un cadre d’analyse nommé Réseau de création de valeurs élargi. Ce dernier s’appuie sur une approche méthodologique qui implique le périmètre d’une collectivité territoriale. Au moyen d’une analyse bibliographique, nous proposons la communauté de communes comme unité adéquate. Elle combine les critères de base et les facteurs de succès des démarches d’écologie industrielle. Ce travail théorique est préparatoire à l’étude d’un cas pratique.
Mouvement Coopératif Paysan et agroécologie au Nicaragua
Authors: Metereau Renaud , Figuière Catherine
Published: January 2018

Une étude de terrain réalisée au Nicaragua montre que le Mouvement coopératif paysan expérimente des stratégies d’écodéveloppement, à la fois alternatives et soucieuses de l’environnement. Ces stratégies intègrent notamment les principes de l'agroécologie et initient ainsi des bouclages rudimentaires de flux s’appuyant sur la diversification et les complémentarités au sein des agroécosystèmes. La production conjointe d'aliment et d'énergie en constitue l’une des manifestations probantes. Ces observations inspirent ici une réflexion sur la mutation écologique des Sociétés Industrielles Modernes ( Sim ). Au cœur du processus de développement, et en prise direct sur l’environnement, l’organisation des systèmes agroalimentaires constitue dans cette perspective un enjeu privilégié. Considérant que cette mutation est également l’objectif de l’Écologie Industrielle Territoriale ( Eit ), réfléchir à la fécondation réciproque entre cette dernière et une approche agroécologique des systèmes agroalimentaires apparaît dès lors comme une proposition fondatrice.
Weighing in on the risks and benefits of probiotic use in HIV-infected and immunocompromised populations
Authors: Happel A.U. , Barnabas S.L. , Froissart R. , Passmore J.S.
Published: January 2018

Probiotics are used in the prophylaxis and treatment of several conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and colic in infants. Despite the long history of probiotic use in humans, there is still significant debate about their efficacy and safety, particularly in HIV-infected and immunocompromised individuals. Here, we reviewed the safety and adverse event (AE) reporting from clinical trials that have tested probiotics in at risk populations, including HIV-infected individuals, the terminally ill and elderly, and neonates. Our analysis suggests that the benefits of probiotic therapy outweigh their potential risks in HIV-infected populations, and in the treatment of colic and NEC in low birth weight or premature neonates. Most case reports of severe AEs were in the elderly and terminally ill, or in those with additional severe medical conditions. We conclude that probiotic use, as adjunctive treatment, is effective and safe in the majority of patients including HIV-infected individuals, although special care should be taken in individuals with extreme immunosuppression and severe medical conditions in all ages.
Proceso constructivo del cimorro de la Catedral de Ávila (siglos XII-XIV). Hipótesis verificadas a partir del análisis de estabilidad estructural
Authors: Benito Pradillo Mª A.
Published: January 2018

En este artículo se presenta una hipótesis del proceso constructivo seguido en el Cimorro de la Catedral de Ávila, durante las tres etapas de su construcción, correspondientes a los siglos XII, XIII y XIV, respectivamente. Las hipótesis propuestas se han verificado mediante análisis de estabilidad, en concreto, del Análisis Límite para Estructuras de Fábrica. Después de comprobar la estabilidad estructural para cada una de las etapas constructivas se realizan las siguientes afirmaciones: La bóveda central se construyó y cerró en el siglo XII, careciendo durante un breve periodo de tiempo de sistema de contrarresto alguno, hasta la colocación de la tribuna. En el siglo XIII se aumentó la fortificación mediante la barbacana y dos adarves. En la centuria siguiente, siglo XIV, se desmontó la tribuna para dotar al Cimorro del sistema de contrarresto con estribo y dos arbotantes, que podemos ver actualmente.
Modelos predictivos del consumo energético de climatización asociado a soluciones de fachadas en Madrid a partir de la monitorización en módulos de ensayo
Authors: Guerrero-Rubio J. , Sendra J. J. , Fernández-Agüera J. , Oteiza I.
Published: January 2018

Este trabajo pretende realizar aportaciones de interés para reducir la brecha existente entre el comportamiento energético real y previsto en edificios. Tiene como principal objetivo establecer modelos predictivos que relacionen el consumo eléctrico de climatización para mantener unas determinadas condiciones operacionales en el ambiente interior, según sea el clima exterior, en función de la solución de fachada. Esos modelos predictivos se obtienen para módulos de ensayo en la que toda su envolvente es adiabática, a excepción de la fachada que se quiere ensayar. Tres soluciones de fachada han sido consideradas: una base que se corresponde con una solución de doble hoja de ladrillo con cámara de aire intermedia, la solución más común en viviendas plurifamiliares en España que fueron construidos entre 1940 y 1980, previamente a la primera normativa que, con carácter global, limitaba la demanda energética en los edificios; y dos soluciones de rehabilitación de la fachada anterior muy frecuentemente utilizadas: Fachada Ventilada y ETICS. Usando los datos de monitorización de los consumos eléctricos de equipos de climatización en esos tres módulos, se generan esos modelos predictivos, tanto para el periodo de verano como el de invierno, que son rectas de regresión lineal cuyas ecuaciones se enuncian, así como sus principales parámetros estadísticos.
The contribution of prosody to foreign accent: A study of Spanish as a foreign language
Authors: Conceição Silva Cristiane , Almeida Barbosa Plínio
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study is to analyze the contribution of prosody on the perception of foreign accent by Brazilian learners of Spanish. The data were collected from 15 participants and a control group of 5 native Spanish speakers. A perceptual test was performed with two different speech styles (reading and storytelling) and with delexicalized and natural speech. The speech production was judged by 24 native Spanish subjects. First, they had to determine the nationality of the speaker by listening to the delexicalized excerpts in Spanish (storytelling). After that, the listeners used a continuous scale to rate the excerpts (reading and storytelling) for the degree of foreign accent in Spanish. The results suggest that it is possible to identify foreign accent only with the prosodic information provided in the delexicalized stimuli, i.e., f0, duration, and overall intensity. In addition, the perceptual test allowed us to assess the degree of foreign accent of each subject while revealing the great variability of their production. Finally, concerning the external data, the following factors predicted foreign accent among the learners: gender, length of residence in Spain, formal language instruction in Brazil, age of arrival in Spain, and reported use of Brazilian Portuguese in Spain. These results confirm the crucial role of naturalistic learning of a foreign language, as shown by previous studies.
Dual excitation multi-fluorescence flow cytometry for detailed analyses of viability and apoptotic cell transition
Authors: Mazzini G , Ferrari C , Erba E
Published: January 2018

The discrimination of live/dead cells as well as the detection of apoptosis is a frequent need in many areas of experimental biology. Cell proliferation is linked to apoptosis and controlled by several genes. During the cell life, specific events can stimulate proliferation while others may trigger the apoptotic pathway. Very few methods (i.e. TUNEL) are now available for studies aimed at correlation between apoptosis and proliferation. Therefore, there is interest in developing new methodological approaches that are able to correlate apoptosis to the cell cycle phases. Recently new approaches have been proposed to detect and enumerate apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Among these, the most established and applied are those based on the cell membrane modifications induced in the early phases of the apoptotic process. The dye pair Hoechst 33342 (HO) and Propidium Iodide (PI), thanks to their peculiar characteristics to be respectively permeable and impermeable to the intact cell membrane, seems to be very useful. Unfortunately the spectral interaction of these dyes generates a consistent “energy transfer” from HO to PI. The co-presence of the dyes in a nucleus results in a modification in the intensity of both the emitted fluorescences. In order to designate the damaged cells (red fluorescence) to the specific cell cycle phases (blue fluorescence), we have tested different staining protocols aimed to minimize the interference of these dyes as much as possible. In cell culture models, we are able to detect serum-starved apoptotic cells as well as to designate their exact location in the cell cycle phases using a very low PI concentration. Using a Partec PAS flow cytometer equipped with HBO lamp and argon ion laser, a double UV/blue excitation has been performed. This analytical approach is able to discriminate live blue cells from the damaged (blue-red) ones even at 0.05 ?g/mL PI. The same instrumental setting allows performing other multi-colour analyses including AnnexinV-FITC as well as the possibility to make a correlated analysis to phenotype markers.
Immunohistochemical study of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in rat liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide
Authors: Hori Y , Sato S , Yamate J , Kurasaki M
Published: January 2018

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a molecule known to regulate macrophage accumulation at sites of inflammation. To elucidate the role of MIF in progression of liver fibrosis, the immunohistochemical localization of MIF and macrophages in the liver were examined. Male Wistar rats received thioacetamide (TA) injections (200 mg/kg, i.p.) for 1 or 6 weeks. In biochemical and histological tests, it was confirmed that liver fibrosis was induced. In immunohistochemical analyses, the expression of MIF protein was seen in hepatocytes in the areas extending out from the central veins to the portal tracts. In particular, at 6 weeks, immunoreactivity was detected in degenerated hepatocytes adjacent to the fibrotic areas but hardly observed in the fibrotic areas. On the other hand, a number of exudate macrophages stained by antibody ED1 were seen in the areas from the central veins to the portal tracts at 1 week and in the fibrotic areas at 6 weeks. Macrophages also showed a significant increase in number as compared with controls. These results revealed that there was a close relationship between the appearance of MIF expression and ED1-positive exudate macrophages in degenerated hepatocytes during the progression of TA-induced liver fibrosis.
Experimental Maedi Visna Virus Infection in sheep: a morphological, immunohistochemical and PCR study after three years of infection
Authors: Preziuso S , Taccini E , Rossi G , Renzoni G , Braca G
Published: January 2018

A morphological, immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study was performed on eight ewes experimentally infected with an Italian strain of Maedi-Visna Virus (MVV) in order to evaluate the lesions and the viral distribution after three years of infection. At the moment of euthanasia, seven sheep were seropositive for MVV, while one sheep in poor body conditions was seronegative since one year. Lungs, pulmonary lymph nodes, udder, supramammary lymph nodes, carpal joints, the CNS, spleen and bone marrow of the eight infected sheep were collected for histology, for immunohistochemical detection of the MVV core protein p28 and for PCR amplification of a 218 bp viral DNA sequence of the pol region. The most common histological findings consisted of interstitial lymphoproliferative pneumonia and lymphoproliferative mastitis of different severity, while no lesions were observed in the CNS. MVV p28 antigen was immunohistochemically labelled in lungs, udder, pulmonary lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow but not in the CNS of all the eight infected sheep. A 218 bp sequence of MVV pol region was detected in lung of a seropositive and of the seroconverted negative sheep. The results suggest that (i) MVV causes heterogeneous lesions in homogeneously reared ewes, (ii) MVV p28 antigen is detectable not only in inflammed target organs, but also in pulmonary lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow, and (iii) immunohistochemistry and PCR are useful methods for Maedi-Visna diagnosis in suspected cases, also when serological tests are negative.
Signal amplification by combining two advanced immunohistochemical techniques
Authors: Russo D , Ambrosino A , Vittoria A , Cecio A
Published: January 2018

The immunohistochemical techniques known as EnVision™+ System (EVS) and Mirror Image Complementary Antibody (MICA) were recently introduced into laboratory practice because of their high sensitivity. In this paper these techniques were compared and their sequences combined to obtain a new method possibly more sensitive than the original ones. The immunohistochemical staining employing the avidin-biotin complex (ABC), largely used as routine, was adopted as a term of comparison. Samples from the small and large intestine of pigs and sheep were fixed in Bouin and embedded in Paraplast. The primary antibodies utilized were directed against the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and chromogranin A (Cr A). Targets of these antibodies were nerve structures of the intestinal wall, as well as endocrine cells scattered in the mucosa of the bowel, defined neuroendocrine cells or paraneurons. The EVS method appeared as slightly superior to the MICA method regarding sensitivity of detection. The EVS/MICA (combined) method resulted four/eight times more effective than the original techniques regarding sensitivity of detection and staining intensity, both at low and high dilutions of the primary antibodies. Of these latter, immunopositive structures were still clearly identifiable, at a dilution of 1:256,000. Such efficiency could be explained by the high number of revealing molecules of peroxidase contained in the new sequence. The application of the combined method is recommended when a small quantity of tissue antigens needs to be detected immunohistochemically.
Contrasting dynamics and environmental controls of dispersed bacteria along a hydrologic gradient
Authors: Ruiz-González Clara , Niño-García Juan Pablo , Berggren Martin , Del Giorgio Paul A.
Published: January 2018

Freshwater bacterioplankton communities are influenced by the transport of bacteria from the surrounding terrestrial environments. It has been shown that, although most of these dispersed bacteria gradually disappear along the hydrologic continuum, some can thrive in aquatic systems and become dominant, leading to a gradual succession of communities. Here we aimed at exploring the environmental factors driving the structure of such contrasting bacterial populations as well as their functional properties. Using Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we characterized the taxonomic composition of bacterioplankton communities from 10 streams and rivers in Québec spanning the whole hydrologic continuum (river Strahler order 0 to 7), which were sampled in two occasions. With the aim to understand the fate and controls of the transported bacteria, among the taxa present at the origin of the hydrologic gradient (i.e., in the smallest headwater streams) we identified two types of dynamics: i) ‘Tourist’ taxa, which were those that decreased in abundance from the headwaters towards the largest rivers, and ii) ‘Seed’ taxa, those that increased their abundances along the hydrologic continuum. Communities changed gradually from the fast-flowing headwater streams dominated by ‘Tourist’ taxa (ca. 95% of the sequences) towards the largest rivers (Strahler order 4-7) where ‘Seed’ taxa comprised up to 80% of community sequences. Variation in taxonomic composition of the communities dominated by ‘Tourist’ taxa in streams seemed related to different degree of terrestrial inputs, whereas compositional changes in ‘Seed’ communities in the large rivers were linked to differences in autochthonous processes. Finally, the two types of communities differed significantly in their metabolic potential assessed through Biolog Ecoplates. All this suggests that hydrologic transport modulates the gradual replacement of two contrasting population types subjected to different environmental controls and with different metabolic potentials. Moreover, we show that the separate exploration of the two pools of taxa allows unveiling environmental drivers and processes operating on them that remain hidden if explored at the whole community level.
Prevalence of phimosis and foreskin sliding abnormalities in male adolescents and their correlation with later onset of first sexual intercourse
Authors: La Pera Giuseppe , De Luca Francesco , Guerani Attilio , Palmieri Alessandro , Franco Giorgio
Published: January 2018

Introduction and objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of andrological abnormalities, such as phimosis and foreskin sliding abnormalities among male adolescents, and if these might interfere with sexuality, leading to a later onset of sexual experiences. Material and methods: Between April and May 2015 a prevention campaign in andrology was conducted in an area surrounding Rome, Ostia and the Ladispoli area, among 15-19 year-old students. The screening consisted of a frontal lesson with the students in order to explain and raise the awareness of the most common andrological abnormalities and diseases. Among the routine anamnestic questions, three additional questions were submitted to 18-year-old boys: “Have you ever had sexual intercourse?”, “How old were you when you had your first sexual intercourse?” and “Have you consulted a health professional about your genitals?” Finally a detailed clinical examination was performed and the outcome sent to the family and to the General Practitioner (GP). Results: A total of 552 high school students were evaluated. Out of them 131 (23.7%) were at least 18 years old. Among these, 79 (60.3%) said that they had already had full sexual intercourse. The phimosis and foreskin sliding abnormalities had a prevalence of 12.9% within the 18-year-old students, with a significant prevalence among those who hadn’t had any sexual intercourse at all, 21.1% vs 7.5% p = 0.023. The age of the complete first sexual experience in the circumcised young men was the same as those without phimosis; 89% of the boys with phimosis hadn't had an andrological examination in the previous years. Conclusions: Male adolescents with phimosis or preputial sliding abnormalities tend to have a late onset of sexual experiences compared to same aged boys without phimosis. These data support the urgent need of an andrological consultation for all boys at the beginning of, and during, their adolescent period because genital abnormalities may interfere with sexuality. Finally, in order not to confuse effects with causes, we suggest matching a routine genital physical examination in all studies dealing with sexual psychological aspects of male adolescents.
Elderly patient with atypical leiomyoma of the bladder presenting as flank pain: A case report
Authors: Ameli Mojtaba , Rahmandoost Mina
Published: January 2018

Atypical leiomyoma is a rare tumor of the bladder whose correct diagnosis with imaging techniques and cystoscopy is difficult. This tumor is prevalent in females and more common in middle age. In the present study we report a rare case of atypical leiomyoma presenting as flank pain and history of recurrent urinary tract infections in an elderly female. Ultrasound (US) showed that the wall of bladder was thickening and irregular, especially in the lower part of the bladder. US revealed hypoechoic solid mass with dimensions of 37 x 26 mm in the posterior bladder wall protruding into the bladder. Computed Tomography scan of the patient showed a mass with dimensions of 29 x 38 mm in the posterior wall of the bladder that infiltrated the mesenteric fat and also seemed to be invading the intestinal wall. According to the general condition and age of our patient, we removed all of the mass under spinal anesthesia by transurethral bladder resection (TURBT). Biopsy results showed atypical leiomyoma. About 6 months after the patient follow-up, no recurrence was observed and symptoms had completely resolved. According to the non-specificity of the imaging, of the age of presentation and of clinical manifestations of atypical leiomyoma differential diagnosis for bladder cancer it is recommended. Only with histopathologic findings, the diagnosis can be confirmed.
Low QRS Voltage and Atrial Fibrillation Precluding Implantation of a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverterdefibrillator in a Patient with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kahr Peter C. , Steffel Jan , Breitenstein Alexander , Wolber Thomas , Haegeli Laurent M. , Akdis Deniz , Duru Firat , Brunckhorst Corinna , Saguner Ardan M.
Published: January 2018

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a rare mostly hereditary disease, in which fibro-fatty tissue replaces cardiomyocytes. Typically, the first alterations of the disease can be encountered in the epicardium of the right ventricle in adolescent patients. From there, the disease usually progresses over time. Besides the development of heart failure, the clinical significance of the disease is determined by the predisposition to potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Hence, a majority of patients with AC require an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to be protected from sudden cardiac death. A recently developed alternative to transvenous systems are subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD), associated with a lower risk of device-related complications such as endocarditis since no foreign material is implanted within the heart and vascular system. In this report, we describe and discuss our experience with the implantation of a S-ICD in a patient with AC, who had low QRS voltage and persistent atrial fibrillation precluding successful S-ICD implantation, as well as the challenges encountered during subsequent transvenous lead implantation.
Management of pneumothorax with oxygen therapy: a case series
Authors: Panjwani Amit
Published: January 2018

Pneumothorax is relatively common condition affecting individuals of all ages. Goals of treatment of pneumothorax are removal of air from the pleural cavity and prevent its recurrence. The different strategies available at the disposal of the treating physician include observation, supplemental oxygen administration, needle aspiration, insertion of small bore chest drains and last but definitely not the least, surgery in recurrent cases. Oxygen therapy is useful in the treatment of all types of pneumothorax where it is found to be safe, effective and associated with reduced length of hospital stay. Four cases of pneumothoraces are presented here which were successfully managed with supplemental oxygen administration only.
Experimental determination of highly dynamic forces during wood trunk comminution with a drum chipper
Authors: Pichler Philip , Leitner Martin , Grün Florian , Guster Christoph
Published: January 2018

Using large wood chips for heating systems in industrial applications is becoming popular. As a result, the requirements of the machinery that produces these large wood chips have increased, especially on the chipping tools and on the surrounding supportive components. This paper evaluates the acting main forces on a chipping drum that produces large wood chips via field and laboratory-based experimental measurements. In this study, a variety of strain gauges are applied to selected areas of the rotating chipping drum to measure localised strain conditions during wood-stem cutting. Four different wood species were investigated for comparison. Furthermore, the influence of sharp and dull knives is analysed. With the aid of experimental measurements and analysis on a laboratory scale, linear models are developed to determine the chipping force, which is cutting depth-dependent, for a variety of wood species. Testing parameters for such models are proposed via load spectra. The variability of the acting force value is evident. The maximum load on the drum affects at 10% of the time of a single cut. The largest applied forces are between 1.6 and 1.8 higher than the calculated average force. The commuting hornbeam sample exhibits the highest resistance against chipping compared to the three-other species. Additionally, a change in the load is easily recognised in the field test when utilising dull chipping blades. A reconstruction of the alternate load direction is based on laboratory testing.
Multivariate Rankin–Selberg Integrals on GL4 and GU(2, 2)
Authors: Pollack Aaron , Shah Shrenik
Published: January 2018

Inspired by a construction by Bump, Friedberg, and Ginzburg of a two-variable integral representation on GSp4 for the product of the standard and spin L-functions, we give two similar multivariate integral representations. The first is a three-variable Rankin–Selberg integral for cusp forms on PGL4 representing the product of the L-functions attached to the three fundamental representations of the Langlands L-group SL4(C). The second integral, which is closely related, is a two-variable Rankin–Selberg integral for cusp forms on PGU(2, 2) representing the product of the degree 8 standard L-function and the degree 8 exterior square L-function.