bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limiting the Growth of Water-Soluble, Monolayer-Protected Quantum Dots
Authors: Conner Ava E. , Gordillo-Herrejon Veronica , Francone Sonia C. , Shriner Emily A. , Acosta Fernando E. , Barnett Nathan D. , Miles Deon T.
Published: July 2018

The growth and solubility of quantum dots (QDs) are important factors that must be examined before these nanoparticles are incorporated into a variety of potential applications. In this work, monolayer-protected CdSe QDs surrounded by water-soluble thiols were prepared using various cadmium salts. The use of a variety of cadmium salts did not have a significant impact on the spectral properties of the CdSe QDs. CdSe QDs were synthesized at rather low temperatures (< 0°C), resulting in slow nanoparticle growth upon subsequent heating of the reaction mixture. The effect of multiple drying and redissolving cycles of the QD samples was examined. The effect of heating temperature on QD growth was studied, with more rapid nanoparticle growth associated with higher temperatures. The results show that QDs can be synthesized at low temperatures and their subsequent growth can be controlled during the heating process.
Effects of Dust Storms and Climatological Factors on Mortality and Morbidity of Cardiovascular Diseases Admitted to ED
Authors: Al Behcet , Bogan Mustafa , Zengin Suat , Sabak Mustafa , Kul Seval , Oktay M. Murat , Bayram Hasan , Vuruskan Ertan
Published: July 2018

Objective. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Desert Dust Storms and Climatological Factors on Mortality and Morbidity of Cardiovascular Diseases admitted to emergency department in Gaziantep. Method. Hospital records, obtained between September 01, 2009 and January 31, 2014, from four state hospitals in Gaziantep, Turkey, were compared to meteorological and climatological data. Statistical analysis was performed by Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) for windows version 24.0. Results. 168,467 patients were included in this study. 83% of the patients had chest pain and 17% of patients had cardiac failure (CF). An increase in inpatient hospitalization due to CF was observed and corresponded to the duration of dust storms measured by number of days. However, there was no significant increase in emergency department (ED) presentations. There was no significant association of cardiac related mortality and coinciding presence of a dust storm or higher recorded temperature. The association of increases in temperature levels and the presence of dust storms with “acute coronary syndrome- (ACS-) related emergency service presentations, inpatient hospitalization, and mortality” were statistically significant. The relationship between the increase in PM10 levels due to causes unrelated to dust storms and the outpatient application, admission, and mortality due to heart failure was not significant. The increase in particle matter 10 (PM) levels due to causes outside the dust storm caused a significant increase in outpatient application, hospitalization, and mortality originated from ACS. Conclusion. Increased number of dust storms resulted in a higher prevalence of mortality due to ACS while mortality due to heart failure remained unchanged. Admission, hospitalization, and mortality due to chest pain both dependent and independent of ACS were increased by the presence of dust storms, PM10 elevation, and maximum temperature.
Impact of Ridge-Furrow Planting in Pakistan: Empirical Evidence from the Farmers Field
Authors: Hussain Imtiaz , Ali Akhter , Ahmed Ansaar , Nasrullah Hafiz , Khokhar Badar ud Din , Iqbal Shahid , Aulakh Azhar Mahmood , Khan Atta ullah , Akhter Jamil , Ahmed Gulzar
Published: July 2018

Wheat is planted through the broadcast method on 7.8 million ha and irrigated through low-efficiency flood basin irrigation methods. With decreased water availability, there is a need to adopt water use efficient planting techniques. The current paper uses two-year trials data set as well as farmer survey data to demonstrate benefits of ridge-furrow planting wheat and farmer perception regarding the technology in Pakistan. During 2014–15 and 2015–16, ridge-furrow planting of wheat was compared with farmer practice of planting on flat surface through broadcasting at 162 sites located in 15 districts of Pakistan. In a survey, 134 farmers shared their experiences about ridge-furrow planting. Data collected from field trials and demonstrations showed that better tillering and crop growth contributed towards 12% higher wheat grain yield with ridge-furrow planting in comparison with the farmer practice of flat planting in all 15 districts during both years. Furrow-irrigated ridge planting of wheat helped farmers in saving of 30–35% water in comparison with farmer practice. Farmers adopting ridge-furrow wheat planting earned USD 100.63 per hectare more profit than nonadopter farmers. Adoption of this technology on one million hectare can help in saving 1 million acre foot of water and produce additional 0.36 million tons of wheat per year.
σ-Algebra and σ-Baire in Fuzzy Soft Setting
Authors: Khalil Shuker Mahmood , Ulrazaq Mayadah , Abdul-Ghani Samaher , Al-Musawi Abu Firas
Published: July 2018

We first introduce some new notions of Baireness in fuzzy soft topological space (FSTS). Next, their characterizations and basic properties are investigated in this work. The notions of fuzzy soft dense, fuzzy soft nowhere dense, fuzzy soft meager, fuzzy soft second category, fuzzy soft residual, fuzzy soft Baire, fuzzy soft δ-sets, fuzzy soft λσ-sets, fuzzy soft σ-nowhere dense, fuzzy soft σ-meager, fuzzy soft σ-residual, fuzzy soft σ-Baire, fuzzy soft σ-second category, fuzzy soft σ-residual, fuzzy, fuzzy soft submaximal space, fuzzy soft P-space, fuzzy soft almost resolvable space, fuzzy soft hyperconnected space, fuzzy soft A-embedded, fuzzy soft D-Baire, fuzzy soft almost P-spaces, fuzzy soft Borel, and fuzzy soft σ-algebra are introduced. Furthermore, several examples are shown as well.
The Use of Carbon Nanoparticles for Inkjet-Printed Functional Labels for Smart Packaging
Authors: Hrytsenko Olha , Hrytsenko Dmytro , Shvalagin Vitaliy , Grodziuk Galyna , Kompanets Mikhail
Published: July 2018

Smart packaging functions can be provided by printing functional labels onto packaging materials using inkjet printing and inks with changeable photoluminescence properties. Carbon nanoparticles are considered a perspective fluorescent component of such inks. Ink compositions based on carbon nanoparticles are developed and adapted for inkjet printing on paper packaging materials for producing smart packaging labels. The influence of technological factors of the printing process on the photoluminescence characteristics of the printed images is investigated. The main investigated factors are the concentration of carbon nanoparticles, the relative area of raster elements of a raster field of a tone image, the absorbance and surface smoothness of paper. The resulting parameters are photoluminescence intensity and color. It is found that in case of changes in surface smoothness and absorbance of paper and concentrations of carbon nanoparticles in the ink compositions, the photoluminescence intensity of a printed image changes while its photoluminescence color remains the same. To obtain the highest contrast of tone inkjet-printed images with carbon nanoparticles on papers with any absorbance, the highest concentration of carbon nanoparticles in the ink composition should be used. However, the highest contrast and the highest own photoluminescence intensity of a tone inkjet-printed image with inks with carbon nanoparticles can be achieved only on papers with the lowest absorbance. The most noticeable difference between photoluminescence intensity of printed images on papers with any absorbance can be obtained with the lower concentration of carbon nanoparticles in the ink composition (10 mg/mL). The optimum concentrations of carbon nanoparticles in the composition are determined: for papers with low absorbance—10 mg/mL, and for papers with medium and high absorbance—25 mg/mL. Analytical dependency is created for photoluminescence intensity of images printed with inkjet printing inks with carbon nanoparticles as a function of the studied technological factors. Some design solutions for photoluminescent labels are suggested.
Data Preprocessing Method and Fault Diagnosis Based on Evaluation Function of Information Contribution Degree
Authors: Ji Siyu , Wen Chenglin
Published: July 2018

Neural network is a data-driven algorithm; the process established by the network model requires a large amount of training data, resulting in a significant amount of time spent in parameter training of the model. However, the system modal update occurs from time to time. Prediction using the original model parameters will cause the output of the model to deviate greatly from the true value. Traditional methods such as gradient descent and least squares methods are all centralized, making it difficult to adaptively update model parameters according to system changes. Firstly, in order to adaptively update the network parameters, this paper introduces the evaluation function and gives a new method to evaluate the parameters of the function. The new method without changing other parameters of the model updates some parameters in the model in real time to ensure the accuracy of the model. Then, based on the evaluation function, the Mean Impact Value (MIV) algorithm is used to calculate the weight of the feature, and the weighted data is brought into the established fault diagnosis model for fault diagnosis. Finally, the validity of this algorithm is verified by the example of UCI-Combined Cycle Power Plant (UCI-ccpp) simulation of standard data set.
On the Rate of Convergence of P-Iteration, SP-Iteration, and D-Iteration Methods for Continuous Nondecreasing Functions on Closed Intervals
Authors: Daengsaen Jukkrit , Khemphet Anchalee
Published: July 2018

We introduce a new iterative method called D-iteration to approximate a fixed point of continuous nondecreasing functions on arbitrary closed intervals. The purpose is to improve the rate of convergence compared to previous work. Specifically, our main result shows that D-iteration converges faster than P-iteration and SP-iteration to the fixed point. Consequently, we have that D-iteration converges faster than the others under the same computational cost. Moreover, the analogue of their convergence theorem holds for D-iteration.
Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Zircaloy-4 and AISI 304 Stainless Steel Material Pair in Water Sliding Conditions
Authors: Khare Neelima , Limaye Praveen Kumar , Singh Kulwant , Jadhav Dhananjay Tatyasaheb , Bute Arundhati , Kalel Navnath
Published: July 2018

Current work was simulated for sliding wear interaction of materials of fuel bundle bearing pad (zircaloy-4) and magazine rotor tube (AISI 304 stainless steel) of Indian Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). A plan of experiments, based on the techniques of Taguchi, was performed. The objective was to establish a correlation between load and sliding speed with the volume loss and coefficient of friction (COF). These correlations were obtained by multiple linear regressions. The treatment of the experimental results is based on the analysis average and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Worn surface analyses carried out using SEM and wear mechanisms were identified. ANOVA analysis indicated that load factor has a great influence on the coefficient of friction (~73%). COF suddenly increases to high value after a particular contact pressure due to absence of lubricating film and increase in metal to metal contact. Volume loss of AISI 304 stainless steel and zircaloy-4 is highly affected due to load (~90%) and speed (~65%), respectively. Worn surfaces exhibited deformation, adherence, and compaction of material at all PV conditions. Contact pressures above 475 MPa indicated formation of ratcheting mechanisms and formation of fatigue striation marks. Due to low yield strength of AISI 304 SS, volume loss was on higher side than that of Zr-4.
MIF mRNA Expression and Soluble Levels in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Valdés-Alvarado Emmanuel , Valle Yeminia , Muñoz-Valle José Francisco , García-Gonzalez Ilian Janet , Valdez-Haro Angelica , Flores-Salinas Hector Enrique , Pérez-Ibarra Jorge Manuel , Sandoval-Pinto Elena , Padilla-Gutiérrez Jorge Ramón
Published: July 2018

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) describes any condition characterized by myocardial ischaemia and reduction in blood flow. The physiopathological process of ACS is the atherosclerosis where MIF operates as a major regulator of inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the mRNA expression of MIF gene and its serum levels in the clinical manifestations of ACS and unrelated individuals age- and sex-matched with patients as the control group (CG). All samples were run using the conditions indicated in TaqMan Gene Expression Assay protocol. Determination of MIF serum levels were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and MIF ELISA Kit. ST-segment elevation myocardial infraction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) showed 0.8 and 0.88, respectively, less expression of MIF mRNA with regard to CG. UA and STEMI presented more expression than NSTEMI 5.23 and 0.68, respectively. Otherwise, ACS patients showed significant higher MIF serum levels (p=0.02) compared with CG. Furthermore, the highest soluble levels of MIF were presented by STEMI (11.21 ng/dL), followed by UA (10.34 ng/dL) and finally NSTEMI patients (8.75 ng/dL); however, the differences were not significant. These novel observations further establish the process of MIF release after cardiovascular events and could support the idea of MIF as a new cardiac biomarker in ACS.
CTGF Mediates Tumor–Stroma Interactions between Hepatoma Cells and Hepatic Stellate Cells to Accelerate HCC Progression
Authors: Makino Yuki , Hikita Hayato , Kodama Takahiro , Shigekawa Minoru , Yamada Ryoko , Sakamori Ryotaro , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Morii Eiichi , Yokoi Hideki , Mukoyama Masashi , Hiroshi Suemizu , Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: July 2018

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a matricellular protein related to hepatic fibrosis. This study aims to clarify the roles of CTGF in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which usually develops from fibrotic liver. CTGF was overexpressed in 93 human HCC compared with nontumorous tissues, primarily in tumor cells. Increased CTGF expression was associated with clinicopathologic malignancy of HCC. CTGF was upregulated in hepatoma cells in hepatocyte-specific Kras-mutated mice (Alb-Cre KrasLSL-G12D/+). Hepatocyte-specific knockout of CTGF in these mice (Alb-Cre KrasLSL-G12D/+ CTGFfl/fl) decreased liver tumor number and size. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were present in both human and murine liver tumors, and α-SMA expression, a marker of HSC activation, positively correlated with CTGF expression. Forced expression of CTGF did not affect growth of PLC/PRF/5 cells, a hepatoma cell line with little CTGF expression, but facilitated their growth in the presence of LX-2 cells, an HSC line. The growth of HepG2 cells, which express high levels of CTGF, was promoted by coculture with LX-2 cells compared with monoculture. Growth promotion by LX-2 cells was negated by an anti-CTGF antibody in both culture and xenografts. Coculturing LX-2 cells with HepG2 cells drove LX-2-derived production of IL6, which led to STAT-3 activation and proliferation of HepG2 cells. An anti-CTGF antibody reduced IL6 production in LX-2 cells and suppressed STAT-3 activation in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, our data identify tumor cell–derived CTGF as a keystone in the HCC microenvironment, activating nearby HSC that transmit progrowth signals to HCC cells, and this interaction is susceptible to inhibition by an anti-CTGF antibody.

Significance: Protumor cross-talk between cancer cells and hepatic stellate cells presents an opportunity for therapeutic intervention against HCC.

Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/17/4902/F1.large.jpg. Cancer Res; 78(17); 4902–14. ©2018 AACR.
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of DGK Improves Antitumor Activities of Human T Cells
Authors: Jung In-Young , Kim Yoon-Young , Yu Ho-Sung , Lee Myoungsoo , Kim Seokjoong , Lee Jungmin
Published: July 2018

The efficacy of T-cell therapy is inhibited by various tumor-associated immunosuppressive ligands and soluble factors. Such inhibitory signals turn specific T-cell signaling pathways on or off, impeding the anticancer functions of T cells. Many studies have focused on PD-1 or CTLA-4 blockade to invigorate T-cell functions through CD28/B7 signaling, but obtaining robust clinical outcomes remains challenging. In this study, we use CRISPR/Cas9 to potentiate T-cell function by increasing CD3 signaling via knockout of diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), an enzyme that metabolizes diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid. Knockout of DGK augmented the effector functions of CAR-T cells in vitro via increased TCR signaling. DGK knockout from CAR-T cells rendered them resistant to soluble immunosuppressive factors such as TGFβ and prostaglandin E2 and sustained effector functions under conditions of repeated tumor stimulation. Moreover, DGK knockout caused significant regression of U87MGvIII glioblastoma tumors through enhanced effector functions in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, our study shows that knockout of DGK effectively enhances the effector functions of CAR-T cells, suggesting that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of DGK could be applicable as part of a multifaceted clinical strategy to treat solid cancers.

Significance: This novel study demonstrates efficient ablation of diacylglycerol kinase in human CAR-T cells that leads to improved antitumor immunity and may have significant impact in human cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Res; 78(16); 4692–703. ©2018 AACR.
Resistance to Systemic Therapies in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Mechanisms and Management Strategies
Authors: Makhov Peter , Joshi Shreyas , Ghatalia Pooja , Kutikov Alexander , Uzzo Robert G. , Kolenko Vladimir M.
Published: July 2018

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer. It is categorized into various subtypes, with clear cell RCC (ccRCC) representing about 85% of all RCC tumors. The lack of sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation therapy prompted research efforts into novel treatment options. The development of targeted therapeutics, including multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and mTOR inhibitors, has been a major breakthrough in ccRCC therapy. More recently, other therapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, have emerged as effective treatment options against advanced ccRCC. Furthermore, recent advances in disease biology, tumor microenvironment, and mechanisms of resistance formed the basis for attempts to combine targeted therapies with newer generation immunotherapies to take advantage of possible synergy. This review focuses on the current status of basic, translational, and clinical studies on mechanisms of resistance to systemic therapies in ccRCC. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(7); 1355–64. ©2018 AACR.
Craniofrontonasal Syndrome Caused by Introduction of a Novel uATG in the 5′UTR of EFNB1
Authors: Romanelli Tavares Vanessa L. , Kague Erika , Musso Camila M. , Alegria Thiago G.P. , Freitas Renato S. , Bertola Debora R. , Twigg Stephen R.F. , Passos-Bueno Maria R.
Published: July 2018

Craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) is an X-linked disorder caused by EFNB1 mutations in which females are more severely affected than males. Severe male phenotypes are associated with mosaicism, supporting cellular interference for sex bias in this disease. Although many variants have been found in the coding region of EFNB1, only 2 pathogenic variants have been identified in the same nucleotide in 5′UTR, disrupting the stop codon of an upstream open reading frame (uORF). uORFs are known to be part of a wide range of post-transcriptional regulation processes, and just recently, their association with human diseases has come to light. In the present study, we analyzed EFNB1 in a female patient with typical features of CFNS. We identified a variant, located at c.-411, creating a new upstream ATG (uATG) in the 5′UTR of EFNB1, which is predicted to alter an existing uORF. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed significant reduction in protein translation, but no difference in the mRNA levels. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, the regulatory impact of uATG formation on EFNB1 levels and suggests that this should be the target region in molecular diagnosis of CFNS cases without pathogenic variants in the coding and splice sites regions of EFNB1.
Corpo-temporalidade: a intuição como conhecimento no ensino de teatro
Authors: Sampaio Juliano Casimiro De Camargo
Published: July 2018

Nossa pesquisa versa sobre as relações entre ensino de teatro, naturezas de conhecimento e duração interior – corpo-temporalidade. Objetivamos de modo mais amplo responder à questão: Como o método da intuição bergsoniana pode nos ajudar a pensar as naturezas de conhecimento no fazer teatral, a partir da reflexão sobre as funções para a inserção do ensino de teatro na educação básica brasileira institucionalizada? Metodologicamente, apresentamos neste texto proposições de natureza teórico-conceitual por meio de revisão crítica da literatura. Em suma, com o método da intuição bergsoniana propomos um deslocamento do foco no ensino de teatro de: 1. apresentação da linguagem teatral para o aluno (contextualização); 2. desenvolvimento do gosto pela linguagem por meio da prática (feitura); 3. formação de espectadores para a linguagem (recepção), – para a experiência da alteridade de si para si mesmo.
Corpo-imagem: o jogo do ator na cena intermedial
Authors: Monteiro Gabriela Lírio Gurgel
Published: July 2018

Este artigo analisa o jogo do ator na cena intermedial e a problemática da sensibilidade da imagem. Com o advento das tecnologias digitais, o teatro contemporâneo investe nos relatos autobiográficos e na interface entre o ator e as imagens, criadas e/ou pré-registradas e projetadas na cena.
Dramaturgias intempestivas: anotações sobre dispositivos poéticos – Um artigo escrito a quatro olhos
Authors: Costa Felisberto Sabino da , Ramos Vicente Antunes
Published: July 2018

Neste artigo buscamos explorar a noção de dispositivo dramatúrgico enfocando três possibilidades. A primeira a partir da leitura de obras cênicas já existentes. Compõe a segunda o conceito de dispositivo como base da dramaturgia, e suas implicações inclusive na relação dramaturgia/encenação, elegendo o trabalho de Samuel Beckett como ponto de reflexão. A terceira abarca as possibilidades de dispositivos dramatúrgicos enquanto procedimentos de criação, não mais atrelados a uma obra pronta. Essas perspectivas não encerram de forma alguma as possibilidades do olhar sobre o conceito de dispositivo dramatúrgico, mas operam como as histórias de Clarice Lispector – quantos olhares não cabem sobre um mesmo objeto? Quantas histórias?
Teatro expandido em contexto brasileiro
Authors: Fernandes Sílvia
Published: July 2018

O texto trata da retomada do ativismo nas instâncias da arte contextual (Paul Ardenne) e relacional (Nicolas Bourriaud), que se reflete na aproximação das artes cênicas com a política. Claire Bishop considera a tendência um “giro social” da arte, que localiza no final do século XX e detecta na postura social, característica dos criadores, e na rejeição à estética e à formalização, substituídas por intervenções decididamente ligadas ao trabalho em comunidades e à atuação em frentes próximas ao trabalho social. Na tentativa de reabilitar a ideia de estética em conexão com a política, Bishop recorre ao filósofo Jacques Rancière e a suas concepções de “partilha do sensível” e “regime estético da arte”. A partir desses pressupostos, analisa-se o trabalho da artista Lia Rodrigues e sua relação com a comunidade da Maré.
Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure
Authors: Anand Inder S. , Gupta Pankaj
Published: July 2018

Anemia and iron deficiency are important and common comorbidities that often coexist in patients with heart failure. Both conditions, together or independently, are associated with poor clinical status and worse outcomes. Whether anemia and iron deficiency are just markers of heart failure severity or whether they mediate heart failure progression and outcomes and therefore should be treated is not entirely clear. Treatment of anemia in patients with heart failure with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents has been evaluated intensively during the past several years. Unfortunately, these agents did not improve outcomes but were associated with a higher risk of adverse events. Iron deficiency in patients with heart failure can be absolute, when total body iron is decreased, or functional, when total body iron is normal or increased but is inadequate to meet the needs of target tissues because of sequestration in the storage pool. Whereas iron replacement is appropriate in patients with anemia resulting from absolute iron deficiency, it has been unclear whether and how absolute or functional iron deficiency should be treated in nonanemic patients with heart failure. Recently, small studies found that administration of intravenous iron in patients with heart failure and absolute or functional iron deficiency with or without anemia improves symptoms and exercise capacity, but long-term outcomes and safety data are not yet available. In this review, we discuss the causes and pathogenesis of and treatment options for anemia and iron deficiency in patients with heart failure.
Association Between Prepregnancy Cardiovascular Function and Subsequent Preeclampsia or Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Foo Fung L. , Mahendru Amita A. , Masini Giulia , Fraser Abigail , Cacciatore Stefano , MacIntyre David A. , McEniery Carmel M. , Wilkinson Ian B. , Bennett Phillip R. , Lees Christoph C.
Published: July 2018

Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of maternal cardiovascular disease later in life. It is unclear whether this association is causal or driven by similar antecedent risk factors. Clarification requires recruitment before conception which is methodologically difficult with high attrition rates and loss of outcome numbers to nonconception/miscarriage. Few prospective studies have, therefore, been adequately powered to address these questions. We recruited 530 healthy women (mean age: 35.0 years) intending to conceive and assessed cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate before pregnancy. Participants were followed to completion of subsequent pregnancy with repeat longitudinal assessments. Of 356 spontaneously conceived pregnancies, 15 (4.2%) were affected by preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Women who subsequently developed preeclampsia/fetal growth restriction had lower preconception cardiac output (4.9 versus 5.8 L/min;
P
=0.002) and cardiac index (2.9 versus 3.3 L/min per meter
2
;
P
=0.031) while mean arterial pressure (87.1 versus 82.3 mm Hg;
P
=0.05) and total peripheral resistance (1396.4 versus 1156.1 dynes sec cm
−
5
;
P
<0.001) were higher. Longitudinal trajectories for cardiac output and total peripheral resistance were similar between affected and healthy pregnancies, but the former group showed a more exaggerated fall in mean arterial pressure in the first trimester, followed by a steeper rise and a steeper fall to postpartum values. Significant relationships were observed between cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and mean arterial pressure and gestational epoch. We conclude that in healthy women, an altered prepregnancy hemodynamic phenotype is associated with the subsequent development of preeclampsia/fetal growth restriction.
Flabelloporina, a new genus in the Porinaceae (Ascomycota, Ostropales), with the first record of F. squamulifera from Brazil
Authors: SOBREIRA PRISCYLLA NAYARA BEZERRA , CÁCERES MARCELA EUGENIA DA SILVA , MAIA LEONOR COSTA , LÜCKING ROBERT
Published: July 2018

A new genus of lichenized fungi of the family Porinaceae is described, known from Costa Rica and Brazil. Flabelloporina Sobreira, M. Cáceres & Lücking is a thus far monospecific genus with an isolated position of its only species in the family, morphologically different from all other genera in Porinaceae. The genus is characterized by the production of numerous, flabelliform squamules on the surface of the thallus, together with black perithecia and transversally septate ascospores (with three septa in the only species). The new combination Flabelloporina squamulifera (Breuss, Lücking & Navarro) Sobreira, M. Cáceres & Lücking is proposed, based on Porina squamulifera Breuss, Lücking & Navarro, and the species is for the first time reported from Brazil.
A new species of Rhadinella (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the dry forest of Motagua Valley, Guatemala
Authors: ARIANO-SÁNCHEZ DANIEL , CAMPBELL JONATHAN A.
Published: July 2018

We describe a new species of Rhadinella from the dry forest and thorn scrub of Valle del Motagua, Guatemala, a region and habitat where the congeners were previously unrecorded. This species is related to the group of Rhadinella that have dark dorsal coloration, which mostly or completely obscures a pattern of longitudinal striping characteristic of the majority of species of Rhadinella. The new species has dark gray, almost black, dorsal coloration with barely discernible slightly darker striping. Top of the head is mostly blackish with irregular auburn-orange markings on the internasals, prefrontals, frontal, parietals, loreals, postoculars, temporals, and two ultimate supralabials. Most conspicuous features are an orange-auburn Y-shaped marking along frontal-parietal and interparietal sutures, followed by an orange nuchal collar. The closest relative of the new species, based on morphological similarities, appears to be Rhadinella pilonaorum, which occurs in a relatively mesic habitat of pine-oak forest located about 90 km southwest from the type-locality of the new species.
On the taxonomy of the genus Tumicla Wallengren, 1863 with description of two new species from Mozambique (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , LÁSZLÓ GYULA M.
Published: July 2018

The paper presents an overview of the Afrotropical genus Tumicla Wallengren, 1863 and the updated checklist of all currently known species of this genus belonging to the tribe Lithosiini. We propose 18 new combinations: Tumicla atricraspeda (Hampson, 1914), comb. nov., T. calimerae (Durante, 2008), comb. nov., T. congoensis (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., T. dimidiata (Durante, 2008), comb. nov., T. distyi (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., T. doa (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., T. eala (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., T. fasciata (Durante, 2008), comb. nov., T. gigantea (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., T. hermanni (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., T. mutabilis (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., T. retromaculata (Durante, 2008), comb. nov., T. rosea (Durante, 2008), comb. nov., T. rubea (Durante, 2008), comb. nov., T. russula (Kiriakoff, 1963), comb. nov., T. similis (Durante, 2008), comb. nov., T. spinata (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov., and T. versicolor (Kühne, 2007), comb. nov. Two new species of Tumicla, T. tsonga sp. nov. and T. arktos sp. nov. are described from southern Mozambique.
Redescription of Honduriella maxima Denmark & Evans (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), description of a new species of Honduriella Denmark & Evans from the Amazonian Forest, and a modified characterisation of the genus
Authors: DEMITE PETERSON R. , CRUZ WILTON P. DA , BOLTON SAMUEL , MORAES GILBERTO J. DE
Published: July 2018

Until now, Honduriella Denmark & Evans has been known only from the holotype of its type species, Honduriella maxima Denmark & Evans. In recent surveys conducted in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, a second species of this genus was found. It is here described as Honduriella mcmurtryi Demite n. sp., based on morphological characteristics of adult females and males. Honduriella maxima is redescribed based on an examination of the holotype. In order to accommodate the new species, a modified characterisation of Honduriella is given.
Total Triterpenic Fraction of Centella asiatica in Chronic Venous Insufficiency and in High-Perfusion Microangiopathy
Authors: Incandela L. , Cesarone M. R. , Cacchio M. , De Sanctis M. T. , Santavenere C. , D'Auro M. G. , Bucci M. , Belcaro G.
Published: July 2018

Total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica (TTFCA) is effective in improving venous wall alterations in chronic venous hypertension and in protecting the venous endothelium. TTFCA is active on connective tissue modulation, improves the synthesis of collagen and other tissue proteins by modulating the action of fibroblasts in the vein wall, and stimulates collagen remodeling in and around the venous wall. This is due to the modulating action of TTFCA on fibroblasts as shown by experiments on the growth of human embryonal fibroblasts. TTFCA has a moderate in-vitro and in-vivo stimulating effect on collagen synthesis and, at higher dosages, an inhibition on the synthesis of collagen and acid mucopolysaccharides. Studies have indicated the role of TTFCA on the synthesis of specific venous wail elements by cell cultures of human embryonal fibroblasts. The tissue-stimulating action is shown by the increased collagen production independent from the stimulation of cell proliferation (this differentiates the action of TTFCA from cell growth factors). TTFCA is active on the microcirculation in venous and diabetic microangiopathy. Signs and symptoms of venous hypertension and edema are improved by treatment. The remodeling on collagen synthesis could be one of the possible mechanisms of actions of TTFCA in the remodeling of echolucent (soft; therefore, with risk of thrombosis and embolization) plaques at the carotid and femoral bifurcation. This compound is safe and well tolerated. In conclusion, several actions of TTFCA in vascular diseases makes the use of this compound very interesting in venous and arterial problems.
Capillary Filtration in Venous Hypertension: Evaluation with the Vacuum Suction Chamber Device and Strain-Gauge Plethysmography
Authors: Belcaro G. , Rulo A. , Cesarone M. R. , De Sanctis M. T. , Incandela L. , Griffin M. , Cacchio M.
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate local capillary filtration with the vacuum suction chamber (VSC) and the rate of ankle swelling (RAS) in patients with ankle edema due to venous hypertension before and after treatment with oral TTFCA (60 mg tablets twice daily) for 4 weeks. Strain-gauge plethysmography (SGP) was used to assess RAS and local capillary filtration was studied with the VSC (applied on the perimalleolar region); the disappearance of the weal was measured (minutes). Fifty patients with chronic venous insufficiency and edema were included (M:F = 25:25) after informed consent and randomized into a treatment (mean age 43; SD 7) and a control (mean age 44; SD 8) group. Compliance was very good (100% completed the 4-week trial); no side effects were observed. The two groups were comparable for age/sex distribution. Values of RAS and VSC time were comparable in the two groups, at inclusion. After 4 weeks there were no changes in the control group. A significant reduction was observed in the treatment (RAS decreased to 34% of the initial value; the VSC time decreased 48%; p<0.02). Treatment with TTFCA in chronic venous insufficiency is useful as soon as edema is detected to control the progressive alterations leading to ulcerations. This action is produced by complex actions on the microcirculation reducing and controlling edema and modulating collagen synthesis. This results in an improvement of the microcirculation, skin and subcutaneous tissue perfusion and functions.
Achievements and Problems in Vietnam
Authors: Cuong Nguyen Xuan , Hoa Nguyen Thi Phuong
Published: July 2018

Since Vietnam and China normalised their ties in 1991, high-ranking leaders of the two countries have arrived at a common awareness on various issues with a view to promoting a relationship based on friendship, equality and mutual benefit. However, in reality, a big gap still exists between awareness and practice. There is a certain ‘phase deviation’, which leads to differences in assessment and approaches to the development of bilateral relations. Two-way trade has developed in a fast but imbalanced manner. China’s direct investments in Vietnam have not been on par with its potential. Many projects have been contracted, but a number of issues in terms of quality, technology and environmental protection have surfaced. Two out of three territorial and border issues have been settled, but the one concerning the Biển Ðông (the East Sea, or South China Sea) has become increasingly complicated. At present, the Vietnam–China relationship has entered a new phase of development with new requirements and demands as well as new opportunities and challenges.
Cultural responses towards the aftermath of suicide among the Acholi in Northern Uganda
Authors: Mugisha James , Muyinda Herbert , Hjelmeland Heidi , Kinyanda Eugene , Vancampfort Davy , Knizek Birthe Loa
Published: July 2018

Background:

Suicide is a public health problem in Uganda among indigenous societies, and different societies manage its aftermath differently.

Aim:

To explore how the Acholi in Northern Uganda manage the aftermath of suicide.

Methods:

We conducted a qualitative study in Gulu district, a post-conflict area in Northern Uganda. We conducted a total of four focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 key informant (KI) interviews. KI interviews were conducted with community leaders, while the FGDs were conducted with members of the general population. We analysed the data by means of Grounded Theory.

Results:

Our findings indicate that rituals form a large part in managing suicide among the Acholi. Study communities practised distancing (symbolically and physically) as a way of dealing with the threat of suicide.

Conclusion:

Distancing was organized into two broad themes: affect regulation and securing future generations. It is recommended that public health interventions should utilize cultural institutions in the prevention of suicide.
Thoughts on some administrative problems of international organisations
Authors: de Carmoy Guy
Published: July 2018

This paper attempts to raise a number of problems which appear to be peculiar to, or present in a more accentuated form in, international organisations. It does not claim to be exhaustive. It is our hope, only, that it may provoke discussion and be the starting point of a deeper study of these and other administrative problems which beset those of us who work in international organisations.
The Administrative Organisation of the Holy See and of Vatican City
Authors: Bachelet Vittorio
Published: July 2018

I. Eglise, Saint-Siège et Etat de la Cité du Vatican. — 2. Caractères singuliers du système juridique et ecclésiastique; exclusion d'une division des pouvoirs. — 3. La plénitude des fonctions de gouvernement du Souverain Pontife. — 4. Les Cardinaux. — 5. La Curie Romaine: Les Sacrées Congrégations. — 6. La Curie Romaine: les Offices. — 7. Les administrations Palatines. — 8. L'organisation administrative de l'Etat de la Cité du Vatican. — 9. Le gouvernement de l'Eglise et de l'Etat de la Cité du Vatican pendant la vacance du Siège apostolique.
The Teaching of Administrative Science in Brazil
Authors: Moitihho Alvaro Porto
Published: July 2018

by Alvaro Pôrto Moitinho.

The author describes how public administration is taught in the several faculties of economic science. There is, however, a strong trend in favour of separate faculties of public administration.
From Industrial Regulation to Controlled Economy
Authors: Flamme M.-A.
Published: July 2018

(Précis of a course of lectures on Industrial Legislation)

by M.-A. Flamme

Lecturer at the University of Brussels

The author begins by defining « Industrial Legislation » as an academic field. This subject is optional for undergraduates of the Faculties of Laws of the four Belgian Universities, in the last two semesters of their studies. But its scope has never yet been determined precisely. French, and Belgian, authors writing on Industrial Legislation, in point of fact treat only of labour legislation — classed in Belgian universities under « Social Legislation ».

Yet, between Private and Public Law, there is an important sector, the limits of which are not closely defined, comprising inter alia Transport, Motive Power, and Mines, considered as « the big three » of Industrial Legislation.

The author reviews: rail transport, both railways proper and the rural lines operated respectively (in Belgium) by the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges and the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Vicinaux; tramways (of which the Brussels Intercommunal régie or « directly operated public enterprise » is the most advanced example); road transport, both passengers and goods; inland waterways transport; air transport, for each of which the regime of concessions, of control, and, in some cases, of direct operation comes under consideration.

The second chapter deals with power production and distribution; the third with mines. Further, the doctrinal aspects of the freedom of trade and of industry are studied, in Law. In conclusion, the author finds that the title Industrial Legislation, is somewhat of a misnomer. Economists often place industry in opposition to trade, whilst jurists group them both under « Commercial Law ». Speaking more generally, human industry is a global concept. And it is hard to say under what heading industrial ownership, distinct or not from freedom of trade and industry, is to be classed, in view of problems such as that of the civil or the public rights involved.

Industrial Legislation would appear to come best under Economic Administrative Law, or Economic Public Law, concerned with State regulatory powers and protectionism, or even interventionism.

Freedom or Control of industry? The choice between the two is the very crux of modern existence.
Findings from an in situ Thin-section Sandwich Model for Evaluating Cariogenic and Anti-cariogenic Activity
Authors: Mellberg J.R. , Petrou I.D. , Grote N.E.
Published: July 2018

This report summarizes the findings from eight individual remineralization studies that used the thin-section sandwich model. This model uses thin sections of human enamel (or dentin) containing caries-like lesions sandwiched between sheets of thin plastic which are then implanted into the buccal surfaces of molars in removable partial mandibular dentures. Toothbrushing with a sodium fluoride-positive control dentifrice for two-week periods always produced positive remineralization of the lesions, and similar use of a placebo always produced mean mineral loss. In most studies, the difference was significant at p < 0.01. However, variation among specimens placed within an individual mouth were often large and even included cases where one lesion gained mineral while a closely adjacent lesion lost mineral. Similarly, mean mineral changes produced by an individual subject were not consistent from study to study and ranged from net demineralization in one study to net remineralization in another study. Nevertheless, mean mineral changes from all eight studies showed that all subjects produced more remineralization than demineralization when using a sodium fluoride-positive control dentifrice. Data are presented showing remineralization of thin-section lesions from a number of other fluoride and non-fluoride dentifrices and mouthrinses and showing that a product with reduced anti-caries activity (as measured by several tests) also resulted in reduced remineralization by the thin-section model.
Analysis of Wisc Coding: 4. Paired-Associate Learning and Performance Strategies
Authors: Johnson E. G. , Lyle J. G.
Published: July 2018

A training procedure was used to ensure equal familiarity with the number-symbol pairs of the code of the WISC for both good and poor coders. The former learned more readily than the latter, but subsequent scores on the coding task were equivalent for both groups when account was taken of differences in writing speed. Two possible sources of slower performance were investigated: time taken to refer to the code and time spent scanning completed work. These were not found to be related to poor coding performance. It was concluded that learning of the paired-associates and writing speed discriminated between good and poor coders.
Perception of Internal-External Control in Ideal and Non-Ideal Others as a Function of One's Own I-E Score
Authors: Hannah T. Edward
Published: July 2018

Ss who had previously completed Rotter's (1966) I-E scale completed it twice more, once for the “ideal type of person” and once for the “non-ideal type of person.” When Ss were divided into two groups on the basis of own I-E scores, Internals rated the ideal other as strongly internal and the non-ideal other as strongly external. The responses of Externals paralleled those of Internals. Since previous research (Hjelle, 1971) has shown that internal choices on the I-E scale are more socially desirable, the present results taken together with those of Hannah (1973) suggest that perhaps Internals are overly sensitive to this social desirability factor in the items of the I-E scale. Two lines of future research are suggested.
Prediction of Behavioral Personal Space from Simulated Personal Space
Authors: Pedersen Darhl M.
Published: July 2018

Simulated and behavioral personal-space measures were administered to 170 male Ss. 36 scores obtained from 3 simulated measures were used to predict both unawareness and awareness behavioral personal space. A factor analysis of the simulated measures showed that they were rather distinct. Thus, a linear combination of them enhanced prediction. The multiple correlations of simulated scores with the unawareness and awareness measures were .41 and .61, respectively.
Note on the Denominator of ω2 in Factorial Designs
Authors: Levin Joseph
Published: July 2018

The denominator of ω2 in a factorial design is inflated owing to rectangularity of the distribution of the factors in analysis of variance, while many quantitative psychological variables are normally distributed. The magnitude of the bias depends on the correlation between the dependent variable and the relevant factor and is therefore relative to each experiment. Corrections of ω2 for range are discussed.
Sources and Recency of Information in Learning-Disability Literature
Authors: Black F. William
Published: July 2018

References from a random selection of learning disability citations in Psychological Abstracts from 1970 to 1972 were examined to determine the nature and recency of the source. The references examined appeared in a wide variety of educational, psychological, and medical sources; with a high incidence of recent journal sources. A listing of the 20 most frequently cited journals is provided.
Form Perception: Area and Jaggedness as Objective and Subjective Dimensions
Authors: Mavrides Cynthia M.
Published: July 2018

Ss performed magnitude estimation of the Area and Jaggedness of 6-, 8- and 10-sided polygons over 90 trials. Half of the Ss in each case received feedback after each estimation. In general, feedback resulted in reduced errors for the estimation of both features, but did not change the correlations between the objective measures of Area and Jaggedness and their corresponding subjective estimates. Either feedback or practice in estimation was judged sufficient to raise feature-estimation correlations to the level of .9 when Ss were tested with 30 additional polygons presented at two different tachistoscopic speeds. Speed of presentation did not affect estimation of either measure. In a final stage, Ss drew polygons with different specified values of both features: errors in drawing for Area were related to extremity with more extreme figures being drawn more accurately. Results are interpreted as supporting the validity of the particular physical measures used with respect to subjective dimensions utilized by Ss since extremely high correlations were present for both features even when no feedback was involved. Differences in absolute errors of estimation are interpreted as being due to a tendency in Ss to readjust the judgmental scales provided for them.