bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematics of the Mesalina guttulata species complex (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Arabia with the description of two new species
Authors: SINDACO ROBERTO , SIMÓ-RIUDALBAS MARC , SACCHI ROBERTO , CARRANZA SALVADOR
Published: June 2018

Mesalina are small diurnal lacertid lizards inhabiting arid areas from North Africa to northwestern India. Previous phylogenetic studies have shown the existence of several species complexes within the genus, some of them with high levels of undiscovered diversity. In the present study, we carry out an integrative systematic revision of the Mesalina guttulata species complex using both molecular and morphological data from across its entire distribution range in North Africa, the Middle East and Arabia. The results of the genetic analyses indicate that M. guttulata and M. bahaeldini are two allopatric sister taxa separated by the Suez Canal and that the species complex includes a further three unnamed deep phylogenetic lineages, two of them restricted to southern and southwestern Arabia and described herein as Mesalina austroarabica sp. nov. and Mesalina arnoldi sp. nov., respectively. As a result of the lack of enough material, the third deep lineage, distributed across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, is provisionally left undescribed. The two newly described species are characterized by their size, scale counts and tail coloration, as well as differences at the three mitochondrial and one nuclear gene analyzed in the present study.
On Sphallambyx mexicanum and key to species of Sphallambyx (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae)
Authors: SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO , BOTERO JUAN PABLO , GALILEO MARIA HELENA M.
Published: June 2018

The male of Sphallambyx mexicanum Galileo & Martins, 2007 is described for the first time; the geographical distribution of the species is expanded to Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama. Sphallambyx chabrillacii (Thomson, 1857) is formally excluded from the fauna of Costa Rica. A key to species of Sphallambyx Fragoso, 1982 is provided.
Note on two genera proposed by Gistel in 1834
Authors: BOUSQUET YVES
Published: June 2018

The genera Geocharis and Caloclyptus, proposed by Gistel in 1834, are placed in synonymy with Molops Bonelli, 1810 (n. syn.). Geocharis thoracica and Caloclyptus jenisonii, also described by Gistel in 1834, are nomina dubia but, for pratical reasons, are placed in synonymy with Molops striolatus Fabricius, 1801 (n.syn.). Geocharis Gistel, 1834 is declared nomen oblitum and Geocharis Ehlers, 1883 nomen protectum.
Description of the female of Smerkata zolotuhini (Lepidoptera: Endromidae)
Authors: SALDAITIS AIDAS , VOLYNKIN ANTON V.
Published: June 2018

Smerkata Zolotuhin, 2007 has been described as a subgenus of Mustilia Walker, 1865 (Zolotuhin 2007), and recently upgraded to the genus level by Wang et al. (2015). Smerkata zolotuhini (Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2015) was recently described from western part of Sichuan province of China based on male specimens, as females were unknown at the time (Saldaitis et al. 2015). Recent collecting has provided additional specimens, including females described below.
An Analytical Approach to the Determination of Optimal Perturbations in the Eady Model
Authors: Kalashnik Maxim V. , Chkhetiani Otto
Published: June 2018

Within the framework of the baroclinic instability Eady model, an analytical approach to the determination of optimal perturbations with a maximum of the energy growth rate or the ratio of the final and initial energies is considered. This approach is based on the energy balance equation and explicit expressions for the energy functionals resulting from the perturbation representation by means of the superposition of the edge Rossby waves (ERWs). The corresponding expressions are functions of the parameters of the initial perturbation, and the determination of optimal parameters reduces to the study of these functions on an extremum. For perturbations with zero potential vorticity (PV), the amplitudes of the initial buoyancy distributions at the boundaries of the atmospheric layer and the phase shift between these distributions serve as parameters. Analytical formulas are obtained for the optimal phase shift and the maximum of the energy ratio, which determine their dependence on the wavenumber and optimization time. It is also shown that the optimal perturbations always have equal boundary amplitudes. The parameters of the optimal perturbations are compared with the parameters of the growing normal modes. It is established that there exists only one exponentially growing normal mode, which is the optimal perturbation. Along with the instability, the ERWs can be excited by their interaction with the initial vortex perturbations (PV ≠ 0). The optimal regime of ERWs excitation by the initial singular distribution of PV is investigated.
On the Simulations of Global Oceanic Latent Heat Flux in the CMIP5 Multimodel Ensemble
Authors: Zhang Rongwang , Wang Xin , Wang Chunzai
Published: June 2018

Simulations of the global oceanic latent heat flux (LHF) in the CMIP5 multimodel ensemble (MME) were evaluated in comparison with 11 LHF products. The results show that the mean state of LHF in the MME coincides well with that in the observations, except for a slight overestimation in the tropical regions. The reproduction of the seasonal cycle of LHF in the MME is in good agreement with that in the observations. However, biases are relatively obvious in the coastal regions. A prominent upward trend in global-mean LHF is confirmed with all of the LHF products during the period of 1979–2005. Despite the consistent increase of LHF in CMIP5 models, the rates of increase are much weaker than those in the observations, with an average of approximately one-ninth that in the observations. The findings show that the rate of increase of near-surface specific humidity qa in MME is nearly 6 times that in the observations, while the rate of increase of the near-surface wind speed U is less than one-half that in the observations. The faster increase of qa and the slower increase of U could both suppress evaporation, and thus latent heat released by the ocean, which may be one of the reasons that the upward trend of LHF in the MME is nearly one order of magnitude lower than that in the observations.
Secure-base Relationships as Drivers of Professional Identity Development in Dual-career Couples
Authors: Petriglieri Jennifer Louise , Obodaru Otilia
Published: June 2018

Through a qualitative study of 50 dual-career couples, we examine how partners in such couples shape the development of each other’s professional identities and how they experience and interpret the relationship between those identities. We found that the extent to which and how partners shaped each other’s professional identities depended on the couple’s attachment structure, that is, whether one partner—or both—experienced the other as a secure base. Someone comes to regard another person as a secure base when he or she experiences the other as both dependably supportive and encouraging of his or her exploratory behavior. Couples who had a unidirectional secure-base structure experienced conflict between the development of their professional identities. The partner who received a secure base pursued ongoing professional identity development, while the partner who provided a secure base foreclosed it. Couples who had a bidirectional secure-base structure experienced mutual enhancement of their professional identity development. Both partners engaged in it and expanded their professional identity by incorporating attributes of their partner’s. Building on these findings, we develop a model of professional identity co-construction in secure-base relationships that breaks new theoretical ground by exploring interpersonal identity relationships and highlighting their roots in the secure-base structure of a dyadic relationship.
The Karel Dobbelaere lecture: Divergent global roads to secularization and religious pluralism
Authors: Casanova José
Published: June 2018

This article analyzes the two divergent, though intertwined, roads of European secularization and global religious pluralism. In continental Western Europe, modernization and urbanization were accompanied by drastic secularization with limited religious pluralism. By contrast, in much of the rest of the world, in the Americas, North and South, throughout Asia and the Pacific and in Sub-Saharan Africa, modernization and urbanization have led to religious pluralism with limited secularization. In our contemporary global secular age, the parallel religious and secular dynamics are becoming ever more intertwined and interrelated.
Teaching the Self-Regulation of Eating
Authors: Standen Erin C. , Furman Celina R. , Mann Traci
Published: June 2018

Although most psychology courses do not include the topic of eating, we believe it can be rewarding to teach because much of the conventional wisdom about eating is wrong. Teachers can use scientific evidence to clarify incorrect, but long-held, beliefs that many students have about eating, including the extent to which weight is under individual control, whether diets are effective in the long term, whether obesity is deadly, and whether comfort food is comforting. Teaching about psychological theories of self-regulation works well in the context of eating because eating is the prototypical self-control task and because most students are aware of the difficulty of controlling eating. In this article, we discuss misconceptions surrounding the psychology of eating and theories of self-control, and we provide easy classroom activities that make the topic of eating fun to teach.
Can Identity Conflicts Impede the Success of Ethnic Minority Students? Consequences of Discrepancies Between Ethnic and Ideal Selves
Authors: Debrosse Régine , Rossignac-Milon Maya , Taylor Donald M. , Destin Mesmin
Published: June 2018

Because of stigma and underrepresentation, many ethnic minority students may find it difficult to align their ethnicities with their ideal selves. However, these difficulties and their potential consequences have been empirically neglected. To inform this gap in the literature, we propose that the novel concept of ethnic/ideal self-discrepancies (i.e., perceived mismatches between who a person aspires to be and this person’s conception of their ethnic self) is associated with the academic outcomes of ethnic minority students. As hypothesized, large ethnic/ideal self-discrepancies predict high academic disengagement, according to cross-sectional data from Study 1 ( n = 147) and Study 2 ( n = 105), as well as high academic disengagement 2 months later according to half-longitudinal data from Study 2 ( n = 78). In Study 3 ( n = 99), ethnic minority students experimentally induced to perceive high ethnic/ideal self-discrepancies reported significantly higher academic disengagement than ethnic minority students in a low discrepancy condition.
Model Selection for Multilevel Mixture Rasch Models
Authors: Sen Sedat , Cohen Allan S. , Kim Seock-Ho
Published: June 2018

Mixture item response theory (MixIRT) models can sometimes be used to model the heterogeneity among the individuals from different subpopulations, but these models do not account for the multilevel structure that is common in educational and psychological data. Multilevel extensions of the MixIRT models have been proposed to address this shortcoming. Successful applications of multilevel MixIRT models depend in part on detection of the best fitting model. In this study, performance of information indices, Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), consistent Akaike information criterion (CAIC), and sample-size adjusted Bayesian information criterion (SABIC), were compared for use in model selection with a two-level mixture Rasch model in the context of a real data example and a simulation study. Level 1 consisted of students and Level 2 consisted of schools. The performances of the model selection criteria under different sample sizes were investigated in a simulation study. Total sample size (number of students) and Level 2 sample size (number of schools) were studied for calculation of information criterion indices to examine the performance of these fit indices. Simulation study results indicated that CAIC and BIC performed better than the other indices at detection of the true (i.e., generating) model. Furthermore, information indices based on total sample size yielded more accurate detections than indices at Level 2.
Surgical antegrade transcatheter valve implantation and heavily calcified heart
Authors: Lupon Elise , Lemaire Anais , Cron Christophe , Marcheix Bertrand
Published: June 2018

It is well known that a heavily calcified mitral valve significantly increases the perioperative and postoperative risks of mitral valve surgery. A 71-year-old woman was referred to our department with severe mitral valve disease. Cardiac imaging revealed extremely severe calcification of the entire left heart. Surgery was performed through a median sternotomy with standard cardiopulmonary bypass. After dilating the mitral orifice with a balloon, we replaced the valve with a transcatheter Edwards Sapiens 3 aortic valve under direct vision. Seven months after the procedure, the patient was doing well and no longer suffered from dyspnea.
Conflict resolution in community development: Are the benefits worth the costs?
Authors: Asenjo Palma Cristina
Published: June 2018

In the UK, conflict resolution strategies have become increasingly popular within community development practice. Conflict resolution has been used to prevent homelessness, tackle neighbourhood disputes, address family conflict, facilitate community involvement, address discrimination and reduce anti-social behaviour. The promise of conflict resolution is that confidential and informal processes of ‘justice from below’ might better reconcile community interests, improve relationships and promote social change. Within the field of community development, these promises have been widely vaunted. However, outside community development, conflict resolution has been subject to extensive criticism. This article draws upon debates in legal scholarship to discuss four criticisms in particular: that conflict resolution disadvantages vulnerable groups, undermines social justice, suppresses legitimate grievances and mistreats public issues as private problems. It then considers these criticisms in relation to community development practice and explores potential solutions.
Association of cough hypersensitivity with tracheal TRPV1 activation and neurogenic inflammation in a novel guinea pig model of citric acid-induced chronic cough
Authors: Xu Xianghuai , Chen Qiang , Qiu Zhongmin , Shi Cuiqin , Ding Hongmei , Wang Lan , Lv Hanjing , Yu Li
Published: June 2018

Objective

This study was performed to establish a novel model of citric acid-induced chronic cough in guinea pigs and to investigate the pathogenesis of cough hypersensitivity.

Methods

Healthy conscious guinea pigs inhaled citric acid (0.4 M) for 3 minutes twice daily for 25 days. Cough reactivity was evaluated, substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected, and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) protein expression in the trachea and bronchus was determined. Tracheal and bronchial tissues were examined for TRPV1.

Results

Inhalation of 0.4 M citric acid increased coughing in a time-dependent manner: coughing peaked at 15 days and reached the lowest level at 25 days. This was accompanied by similar changes in SP, CGRP, and TRPV1 protein expression. TRPV1 was mainly observed in the mucosal and submucosal layer of the trachea and bronchi. The areas of TRPV1 positivity in the trachea and bronchi of citric acid-treated animals were significantly larger than in the control group.

Conclusions

Repeated inhalation of citric acid can be employed to establish a chronic cough model in guinea pigs. Cough hypersensitivity in this model is related to tracheal TRPV1 activation and neurogenic inflammation.
Experimental and numerical investigation of novel Savonius wind turbine
Authors: Mohan Kumar Palanisamy , Surya M Mohan Ram , Narasimalu Srikanth , Lim Teik-Cheng
Published: June 2018

Savonius wind turbines have distinct advantages in terms of simplicity, low noise, and ease of manufacturing, yet they are not preferred for large-scale power generation due to their lower aerodynamic performance and high wind loads. This study is aimed at reducing the thrust load with retractable type telescopic blades. This novel telescopic Savonius turbine is tested in an open jet wind tunnel to assess the performance in terms of torque, power, and thrust on the rotor. The dynamic and static characteristics are obtained for both extended and retracted configuration after correcting the experimental data for wind tunnel blockage. A preliminary numerical study is carried out in an effort to determine the variation of the drag coefficient in relation to the bucket thickness. The proposed telescopic turbine demonstrates a reduction in thrust load of 72.4% with a maximum power coefficient of 0.14 at the tip speed ratio of 0.7 compared to an extended operating configuration, similar to a conventional Savonius turbine. Thus, the telescopic Savonius turbine can be scaled up to higher kilowatt capacity with the cost comparable to other high-speed rotors such as Darrieus or horizontal axis wind turbines.
Red flag findings in children with headaches: Prevalence and association with emergency department neuroimaging
Authors: Tsze Daniel S , Ochs Julie B , Gonzalez Ariana E , Dayan Peter S
Published: June 2018

Background

Clinicians appear to obtain emergent neuroimaging for children with headaches based on the presence of red flag findings. However, little data exists regarding the prevalence of these findings in emergency department populations, and whether the identification of red flag findings is associated with potentially unnecessary emergency department neuroimaging.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the prevalence of red flag findings and their association with neuroimaging in otherwise healthy children presenting with headaches to the emergency department. Our secondary aim was to determine the prevalence of emergent intracranial abnormalities in this population.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of otherwise healthy children 2–17 years of age presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department with non-traumatic headaches was undertaken. Emergency department physicians completed a standardized form to document headache descriptors and characteristics, associated symptoms, and physical and neurological exam findings. Children who did not receive emergency department neuroimaging received 4-month telephone follow-up. Outcomes included emergency department neuroimaging and the presence of emergent intracranial abnormalities.

Results

We enrolled 224 patients; 197 (87.9%) had at least one red flag finding on history. Several red flag findings were reported by more than a third of children, including: Headache waking from sleep (34.8%); headache present with or soon after waking (39.7%); or headaches increasing in frequency, duration and severity (40%, 33.1%, and 46.3%). Thirty-three percent of children received emergency department neuroimaging. The prevalence of emergent intracranial abnormalities was 1% (95% CI 0.1, 3.6). Abnormal neurological exam, extreme pain intensity of presenting headache, vomiting, and positional symptoms were independently associated with emergency department neuroimaging.

Conclusions

Red flag findings are common in children presenting with headaches to the emergency department. The presence of red flag findings is associated with emergency department neuroimaging, although the risk of emergent intracranial abnormalities is low. Many children with headaches may be receiving unnecessary neuroimaging due to the high prevalence of non-specific red flag findings.
A study on ego-motion estimation based on stereo camera sensor and 2G1Y inertial sensor with considering vehicle dynamics
Authors: Song Moonhyung , Shin Dongho
Published: June 2018

The vision sensor on a vehicle platform with dynamic motion is affected severely by disturbances that occur owing to vehicle dynamic movement, which results in the degradation of outputs from vision sensor such like the distance between ego-vehicle to objects. To get around this phenomenon, it is necessary to estimate vehicle ego-motion, that is, tri-axis linear velocities and angular velocities that can be utilized to make up for the contaminated outputs from vision sensor. This study proposes a novel method for vehicle ego-motion estimation by using the optical and disparity flows from vision sensor and 2G1Y (longitudinal/lateral acceleration and yaw-rate) measurements from the inertial sensor in vehicle. The approach considers vehicle platform characteristics to estimate ego-motion more accurately. To the end, vehicle kinetics are augmented into the evolving equation represented in a form of state space equation for applying Kalman filter and the vanishing point is to be estimated online to enhance the information of optical flows because the optical flow radiates from a vanishing point that might vary owing to vehicle dynamic motion. To show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, experiments have been carried out on real vehicle environments and the results confirm its effectiveness and accuracy.
Baerveldt tube shunt implantation through a long scleral tunnel
Authors: Kusaka Mami , Kujime Yuki , Yamakawa Momoko , Akimoto Masayuki
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To develop a new technique for the placement of a Baerveldt glaucoma implant tube through a long scleral tunnel.

Materials and methods:

Patients with refractory glaucoma undergoing the maximum tolerated medical therapy were recruited. We created a scleral tunnel with a 24-gauge catheter needle and used the external tube for guidance when introducing a Baerveldt glaucoma implant tube. Main outcome measures included intraocular pressure, supplemental medical therapy score, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications.

Results:

Nine eyes of six patients were included in the study. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (score) was 41.0 mmHg (4.78). Mean postoperative intraocular pressures were 18.3 mmHg (0.22), 18.8 mmHg (0.13), and 16.9 mmHg (0.50) at postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Minor vitreous hemorrhages were observed in three cases. Postoperative hypotony (<5 mmHg) was observed only in the first case at postoperative day 3. In one case, a stent suture could not be placed because the patient was restive intraoperatively, which resulted in an expulsive hemorrhage at 3 months postoperatively. The tube could have penetrated into the anterior chamber in another case. Tube exposure and corneal erosions were not observed in all cases.

Conclusion:

We developed a new technique to place a Baerveldt glaucoma implant tube through a long scleral tunnel. The outcomes were comparable to other reports of Baerveldt glaucoma implant surgery, although the number of cases was limited in this study. A long scleral tunnel can substitute for a preserved scleral patch and self-scleral flap to avoid tube-related complications.
Simulation of rail wheel axle bearing vibration due to local damages on outer races
Authors: Liu Hongbin , Wang Ling , Li Yunbin
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a dynamic model of bearings that simulates the vibration of rail wheel bearings due to local damages such as pits on the bearing outer race. The model, based on the multi-body simulation software RecurDyn, integrates the major parts of the functionalities according to the three-dimensional model and railway axle dynamic system. Three types of surface damages on the raceway of cylindrical roller bearings were designed and evaluated by the dynamic model developed in this study. The results show that the dynamic model can effectively simulate the influence of the damages on the bearing vibration under varied pit shape and size. Furthermore, the model can predict the level of bearing damage based on the peak value of bearing vibration in the frequency domain.
Does generational status matter in college? Expectations and academic performance among second-generation college students in the US
Authors: Kirui David K , Kao Grace
Published: June 2018

Using the 2004–2009 wave of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative sample of students who enroll in college in 2004, we examine generational differences in the relationship between educational expectations, academic achievement, and college persistence among native-born and immigrant youth in the United States. Using the theory of immigrant optimism, which has primarily focused on high school youth, we examine whether immigrant parents provide children an advantage in completing their college degrees. Our analyses suggest that students who have at least one immigrant parent are (1) more likely to expect to earn advanced degrees and (2) more likely to complete college on time and less likely to withdraw with no degree compared to their counterparts with native-born parents. We also find that the higher expectations held by these students are associated with higher levels of persistence and attainment. We argue that the optimism conferred by having immigrant parents persists through young adulthood.
Higher order affordances for reaching: Perception and performance
Authors: Wagman Jeffrey B , Cialdella Vincent T , Stoffregen Thomas A
Published: June 2018

Affordances are available behaviours emerging from relations between properties of animals and their environment. In any situation, multiple behaviours are available, that is, multiple affordances exist. We asked whether participants could detect means–ends relations among affordances (i.e., higher order affordances) in the context of reaching to a maximum height. We both assessed perceived affordances and evaluated actual reaching ability. In Experiment 1, we co-varied higher order goals (reaching to touch vs reaching to grasp) and the lower order effectors used to achieve the goals (fingertips vs a hand-held tool). In Experiment 2, we varied the lower order posture from which reaching would occur (standing vs kneeling). In both experiments, perceived maximum reaching height reflected relations between lower order means (effectors and postures) and higher order ends (reaching goals), and judgments closely reflected actual performance. We conclude that participants demonstrated prospective sensitivity to higher order affordances for reaching extended across multiple levels of the means–ends hierarchy.
Polysaccharides from Citrus grandis associate with luteolin relieves chronic pharyngitis by anti-inflammatory via suppressing NF-κB pathway and the polarization of M1 macrophages
Authors: Chen Xiumei , Lai Yongfeng , Song Xicheng , Wu Jinying , Wang Li , Zhang Hua , Liu Zhonglu , Wang Yan
Published: June 2018

Chronic pharyngitis is characterized as a common inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, and anti-inflammatory medications are the common treatment to relieve it. Polysacharides of Citrus grandis L. Osbeck (PCG) and luteolin have been reported to have anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the protective effects of PCG and luteolin on chronic pharyngitis are evaluated and the underlying mechanisms are explored. PCG and luteolin are administrated to animal models with granuloma, ear edema and chronic pharyngitis and the effects of PCG and luteolin on disease severity are evaluated. We also evaluate the effects of PCG and luteolin on inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and detect the effects of PCG and luteolin on macrophage polarization. Finally, we evaluate the effects of PCG and luteolin on activations of LPS-induced downstream signaling pathways. PCG and luteolin alleviate the disease severity of granuloma, ear edema and chronic pharyngitis. PCG and luteolin suppress the productions of pro-inflammatory cytokines interlukin-6 (IL-6), interlukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in macrophages. Luteolin promotes macrophage M2 polarization by enhancing expressions of arginase (Arg1) and mannose receptor C type 1 (Mrc1). PCG and luteolin suppress nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) expression. PCG together with luteolin relieves chronic pharyngitis by anti-inflammatory via suppressing NF-κB pathway and the polarization of M1 macrophage.
Computed tomography quantification of emphysema in people living with HIV and uninfected controls
Authors: Ronit Andreas , Kristensen Thomas , Hoseth Vilde S. , Abou-Kassem Dalia , Kühl Jørgen T. , Benfield Thomas , Gerstoft Jan , Afzal Shoaib , Nordestgaard Børge G. , Lundgren Jens D. , Vestbo Jørgen , Kofoed Klaus F. , Nielsen Susanne D.
Published: June 2018

People living with HIV (PLWH) may be more susceptible to the development of emphysema than uninfected individuals. We assessed prevalence and risk factors for emphysema in PLWH and uninfected controls. Spirometry and chest computed tomography scans were obtained in PLWH from the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection (COCOMO) study and in uninfected controls from the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS) who were >40 years. Emphysema was quantified using a low attenuation area < −950 Hounsfield units (%LAA-950) and the 15th percentile density index (PD15) and assessed by semi-quantitative visual scales. Of 742 PLWH, 21.2% and 4.7% had emphysema according to the %LAA-950 threshold with cut-offs at 5% and 10%, respectively. Of 470 uninfected controls, these numbers were 24.3% (p=0.23) and 4.0% (p=0.68). HIV was not associated with emphysema (adjusted OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.68–2.36 for %LAA-950 >10%) by PD15 or by visually assessed emphysema. We found no interaction between HIV and cumulative smoking. Breathlessness and sputum production were more common in PLWH with emphysema, and emphysema seemed to be more prevalent in PLWH with airflow limitation. HIV was therefore not independently associated with emphysema, but the clinical impact of emphysema was greater in PLWH than in uninfected controls.
Challenges and research opportunities for lung cancer screening in China
Authors: Wang Zixing , Wang Yuyan , Huang Yao , Xue Fang , Han Wei , Hu Yaoda , Wang Lei , Song Wei , Jiang Jingmei
Published: June 2018

Following publication of the results of the National Lung Screening Trial in the United States, a randomized controlled trial in Italy (ITALUNG) and two simulation studies in China reported similar findings in 2017 favoring lung cancer screening with low‐dose computed tomography among smokers. With such advances in lung cancer screening, worldwide interest has gradually shifted from evaluating whether refining lung cancer screening protocols is effective in preventing deaths. However, there are several practical problems to be resolved, including the balance of enrollment criteria and cost effectiveness, precise measurements to reduce false positive findings, risk‐based optimization of screening frequency, challenges associated with cancer heterogeneity, strategies to combine image screening with novel biomarkers, dynamic monitoring of the natural history of cancer, accurate identification and diagnosis of cases among huge populations, and the impact of tobacco control policy and environment protection. As one in three individuals with lung cancer worldwide resides in China, these questions pose great challenges as well as research opportunities for population screening programs in China.
Improved Outcome by Adding Concurrent Chemotherapy to Cetuximab and Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Carcinomas: Results of the GORTEC 2007-01 Phase III Randomized Trial
Authors: Tao Yungan , Auperin Anne , Sire Christian , Martin Laurent , Khoury Cedric , Maingon Philippe , Bardet Etienne , Kaminsky Marie-Christine , Lapeyre Michel , Chatellier Thierry , Alfonsi Marc , Pointreau Yoann , Jadaud Eric , Géry Bernard , Zawadi Ayman , Tourani Jean-Marc , Laguerre Brigitte , Coutte Alexandre , Racadot Séverine , Hasbini Ali , Malaurie Emanuelle , Borel Christian , Meert Nicolas , Cornely Alexandre , Ollivier Nathalie , Casiraghi Odile , Sun Xu Shan , Bourhis Jean
Published: June 2018

Purpose

To investigate the effect of adding concurrent chemotherapy (CT) to cetuximab plus radiotherapy (RT; CT-cetux-RT) compared with cetuximab plus RT (cetux-RT) in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-SCCHN).

Patients and Methods

In this phase III randomized trial, patients with N0-2b, nonoperated, stage III or IV (nonmetastatic) LA-SCCHN were enrolled. Patients received once-daily RT up to 70 Gy with weekly cetuximab or with weekly cetuximab and concurrent carboplatin and fluorouracil (three cycles). To detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.64 for progression-free survival (PFS) with 85% power at a two-sided significance level of P = .05, 203 patients needed to be included in each arm.

Results

Four hundred six patients were randomly assigned to either CT-cetux-RT or cetux-RT. Patient and tumor characteristics were well balanced between arms, including p16 status. With a median follow-up of 4.4 years, the HR for PFS favored the CT-cetux-RT arm (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.94; P = .015), with 3-year PFS rates of 52.3% and 40.5% and median PFS times of 37.9 and 22.4 months in the CT-cetux-RT and cetux-RT arms, respectively. The HR for locoregional control was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.38 to 0.76; P < .001) in favor of CT-cetux-RT. These benefits were observed regardless of p16 status for oropharynx carcinomas. Overall survival (HR, 0.80; P = .11) and distant metastases rates (HR, 1.19; P = .50) were not significantly different between the two arms. The CT-cetux-RT arm, compared with cetux-RT, had a higher incidence of grade 3 or 4 mucositis (73% v 61%, respectively; P = .014) and of hospitalizations for toxicity (42% v 22%, respectively; P < .001).

Conclusion

The addition of concurrent carboplatin and fluorouracil to cetux-RT improved PFS and locoregional control, with a nonsignificant gain in survival. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a clinical benefit for treatment intensification using cetux-RT as a backbone in LA-SCCHN.
CARMENA: Cytoreductive nephrectomy followed by sunitinib versus sunitinib alone in metastatic renal cell carcinoma—Results of a phase III noninferiority trial.
Authors: Mejean Arnaud , Escudier Bernard , Thezenas Simon , Beauval Jean-Baptiste , Geoffroy Lionnel , Bensalah Karim , Thiery-Vuillemin Antoine , Cormier Luc , Lang Herve , Guy Laurent , Gravis Gwenaelle , Rolland Frederic , Linassier Claude , Timsit Marc Olivier , Albiges Laurence , Beisland Christian , Aitchison Michael , Colas Sandra , Lebret Thierry , Ravaud Alain
Published: June 2018

LBA3

Background: Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) has been the standard of care in mRCC in the past twenty years, supported by randomized and large retrospective studies. However the efficacy of targeted therapies has challenged this standard. CARMENA was designed to answer the question of whether upfront CN should continue to be performed before sunitinib. Methods: CARMENA was a randomized phase III trial. Patients (pts) with synchronous mRCC, amenable to CN, were enrolled after confirmation of clear cell histology on biopsy if PS 0-1, absence of symptomatic brain metastasis, acceptable organ function and eligible for sunitinib therapy. Pts were randomized 1:1 to either CN followed by sunitinib (arm A) or sunitinib alone (arm B), and stratified by MSKCC risk groups. Sunitinib was given at 50 mg/d, 4/6wk with dose adaptation to routine practice. In arm A, sunitinib had to start 4 to 6 wk after surgery. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). A total of 576 pts had to be enrolled to demonstrate non inferiority hypothesis (H0: λE/λC > 1.20), with 80% power at a 1-sided significance level of 5%. Results: 450 pts were included from 9/09 to 9/17, 226 and 224 in arm A and B, respectively. Median age was 62, ECOG-PS was 0 in 56% and 1 in 44%. MSKCC risk groups were intermediate/poor in 55.6/44.4% (arm A) and in 58.5/41.5% (arm B). In arm A, 6.7% did not have CN and 22.5% never received sunitinib. In arm B, 4.9 % never received sunitinib and 17% had secondary nephrectomy. At the time of the analysis, 326 deaths have been observed with a median follow-up of 50.9 mo. OS was not inferior in arm B, overall as well as by MSKCC risk groups (table). No difference in response rate and PFS was observed. Safety of sunitinib was as expected in both arms. Conclusions: Sunitinib alone is not inferior to CN followed by sunitinib in synchronous mRCC both in intermediate and poor MSKCC risk groups. CN should not be anymore the standard of care when medical treatment is required. Clinical trial information: NCT00930033. [Table: see text]
Unicancer GI PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA.6 trial: A multicenter international randomized phase III trial of adjuvant mFOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine (gem) in patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.
Authors: Conroy Thierry , Hammel Pascal , Hebbar Mohamed , Ben Abdelghani Meher , Wei Alice Chia-chi , Raoul Jean-Luc , Chone Laurence , Francois Eric , Artru Pascal , Biagi James Joseph , Lecomte Thierry , Assenat Eric , Faroux Roger , Ychou Marc , Volet Julien , Sauvanet Alain , Jouffroy-Zeller Claire , RAT Patrick , Castan Florence , Bachet Jean-Baptiste
Published: June 2018

LBA4001

Background: FOLFIRINOX is more effective than gem as first-line treatment in metastatic pancreatic cancer for patients (pts) with good performance status. This trial assessed the benefit of mFOLFIRINOX in the adjuvant setting. Methods: PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA.6 is a phase III multicenter, randomized clinical trial. Pts aged 18-79 years with histologically proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, 21-84 days after R0 or R1 resection, WHO PS ≤1, adequate hematologic and renal function, and no cardiac ischemia, were eligible. Randomization was stratified by center, pN, R margin status, and post-operative CA 19-9 level (≤ 90 U/mL vs 91-180). Arm A pts received 28-day cycles of gem on days 1, 8, and 15 for 6 cycles. Arm B pts received mFOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², leucovorin 400 mg/m², irinotecan 150 mg/m² D1, and 5-FU 2.4 g/m² over 46 h) every 14 days for 12 cycles. Primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and adverse events (AE). 490 pts were required to observe 342 events to show a gain in 3-year DFS from 17% to 27% (HR = 0.74) with a two-sided α = 0.05 and 80% power. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI were estimated by a stratified Cox proportional hazard model. We observed 91.5% of the events required. The IDMC approved early ITT analysis before March 15, 2018. Surgical procedures, pathology and postoperative CT scans reports were centrally reviewed. Results: From Apr 2012 to Oct 2016, 493 pts were enrolled in 77 centers: Arm A/B: 246/247. With a median follow up of 30.5 months [m] (95% CI, 29.5-33.7), median DFS was 12.8 (95% CI, 11.7-15.2) in Arm A vs 21.6 m (95% CI, 17.5-26.7) in Arm B, HR = 0.59 (95% CI, 0.47-0.74). The median OS (Arm A/B) was 34.8 (95% CI, 28.6-43.8) vs 54.4 m (95% CI, 41.5- --), HR = 0.66 (95% CI, 0.49-0.89). The median MFS (Arm A/B) was 17.7 (95% CI, 14.2-21.7) vs 30.4 m (95% CI, 21.6- --), HR = 0.59 (95% CI, 0.46-0.76). Grade 3-4 AE (Arm A/B) were reported in 51.1% vs 75.5%, including 12% grade 4 in each arm, with a toxic death in Arm A. Conclusion: Adjuvant mFOLFIRINOX is safe and significantly improves DFS, MFS and OS compared to gem. Clinical trial information: NCT01526135.
Abi Race: A prospective, multicenter study of black (B) and white (W) patients (pts) with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP).
Authors: George Daniel J. , Heath Elisabeth I. , Sartor A. Oliver , Sonpavde Guru , Berry William R. , Healy Patrick , Winters Carolyn , Riggan Colleen , Anand Monika , Kephart Julie , Milowsky Matthew I. , Fleming Mark T. , Balaji K. C. , Zhang Tian , Bitting Rhonda L. , Harrison Michael Roger , McNamara Megan Ann , Freedman Jennifer A. , Halabi Susan , Armstrong Andrew J. , Bruner Deborah
Published: June 2018

LBA5009

Background: Pivotal trials of AAP for patients with mCRPC enrolled few B pts, a population with a higher mortality from prostate cancer. Retrospective data suggests B pts may have higher PSA response rates than W pts treated with AAP for mCRPC. Therefore, we prospectively investigated AAP in B vs. W pts with mCRPC. Methods: Abi Race (NCT01940276) is a prospective, multicenter, parallel group study of AP in 100 men (50 B, 50 W) with mCRPC, self-identified by race. All pts received AA 1000 mg/D and P 10 mg/D (AAP) until disease progression or unacceptable adverse events (AE). The primary objective was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS); key secondary endpoints include PSA kinetics and safety. Exploratory analyses include SNP, metabolomics and hormonal differences by race. Results: Baseline characteristics among pts were similar. The median rPFS for B and W pts was 16.8 months (mo) in each. However, PSA PFS varied by race; median PSA PFS for B and W pts were 16.6 and 11.5 mo [Table]. B pts also had numerically higher rates of ≥30%, ≥50% and ≥90% PSA decline [Table]. AEs were similar in frequency and severity by race including hypertension (42 vs 40%); however, fatigue was higher in W pts (40 vs 26%), and hypokalemia was higher in B pts (36 vs 18%). SNP profiling revealed differences in key genes involved in androgen metabolism and transport. Conclusions: This is the first prospective multicenter study by race of secondary hormonal therapy in mCRPC. B pts may have greater and more durable PSA response to AAP than W pts. SNP patterns vary by race and will be evaluated for prognostic significance. Further prospective studies in B pts are possible and needed to understand the impact of racial determinants on outcome of new hormonal regimens. Clinical trial information: NCT01940276. [Table: see text]
Are women with head and neck cancer undertreated?
Authors: Park Annie , Albaster Amy , Shen Hanjie , Mell Loren K. , Katzel Jed Abraham
Published: June 2018

LBA6002

Background: Generalized competing event (GCE) models have been used to stratify patients with cancer according to their relative hazard for cancer death versus death from other causes. We evaluated outcomes for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) based on demographic data and comorbidities using a GCE model. Methods: We identified 884 HNC patients diagnosed 2000-2015 from the KPNC cancer registry, age 18-85 and stage II-IVB by AJCC 7th edition. Using the GCE proportional relative hazards model, controlling for age, sex, tumor site, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), we identified associations between these factors and the relative hazard for HNC-specific mortality (ω+ ratio, ‘gcerisk’ package in R). Death, disenrollment, and end of study (12/31/2016) were used as censoring events. Logistic regression models estimated the odds of receiving intensive treatment (platinum based regimen), adjusting for the same covariates plus stage, smoking, and alcohol abuse history. Results: With a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 271 patients died of cancer, and 93 of non-cancer causes. Compared to male, females were less likely to receive intensive chemotherapy (35% vs. 46%, p = 0.006) and radiation (60% vs. 70%, p = 0.008). On GCE analysis, female patients had an increased relative hazard ratio (RHR) for death from HNC vs. other causes (adjusted RHR 1.92; 95% CI 1.07-3.43), indicating they may be relatively undertreated. Conclusions: Female patients in our cohort may be undertreated in clinical practice, potentially missing the opportunity to aggressively treat their HNC. This study supports the use of a GCE methodology to objectively identify patients more likely to benefit from treatment intensification. These findings may help guide future research in health disparities.[Table: see text]
Unsuitable for Children? Adult-erated Age in Underground Graphic Narratives
Authors: Howard Yetta
Published: June 2018

This article explores expressions of eroto-abject desire in two collaborative graphic narratives: Kathy Acker, Diane DiMassa, and Freddie Baer’s Pussycat Fever (1995) and David Wojnarowicz, James Romberger, and Marguerite Van Cook’s 7 Miles a Second (1996). Reflecting the resistance to heteronormative logics of age categorization, “adult-erated age” names the ways that childhoods in the texts are adult oriented but also characterizes how they, in their respective contexts, revise and reflect notions of impurity and being worsened as singularly queer ways of being and representing. This is accomplished by turning to traumatic memory and ill embodiment via graphic textual form.
ORIGIN AND QUALITY OF THERMAL GROUNDWATERS IN THE REGION OF FARSALA (E. THESSALY/GREECE)
Authors: Stamatis G. , Parpodis K. , Lambrakis N. , Zagana E.
Published: June 2018

Farsala Basin presents a remarkable geothermal interest. Areas exhibiting geothermal potential are directly related to faulted zones, represented mainly by cross-faulted systems of E-W, NW-SE and NNE-SSW direction. Thermal waters occur in the areas of Ampelia and Krini in boreholes of 420 m depth. Their temperature ranges between 20,5° and 39,1° C. Thermal waters originate from meteoric waters, which have been infiltrated and heated in great depths, moved towards the surface through faults and hosted in the aquifers of coarse - grained formations find in the area. Their chemical composition is controlled by their contact with the volcanic parts (pillow lavas) of the ophiolithic series. They show alkaline character and low salts concentration. Waters of Ampelia region, which belong to Na-HCO^ type, exhibit temperatures from 27,9° to 39,1° C and low salt concentrations (405- 607 mg/l TDS). On the contrary, waters of Krini area present lower temperatures (20,5° -26,2° C) and higher salt concentrations (734-1850 mg/l TDS). These waters belong to Na-Mg-Ca-HCO^and Na-S04 -Cl-HCO} types. According to chemical geothermometers the study area can be classified to low enthalpy geothermal field, since the estimated thermal liquids temperature in great depths varies from 50° to 70° C.