bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypertension and its correlates among in‑school adolescents in Ekiti State, South‑west, Nigeria
Authors: Emmanuel Eyitayo Ebenezer , Dada Samuel Ayokunle , Amu Eyitope Oluseyi , Aduayi Victor Adovi , Atoyebi Oladele Ademola , Marcus Oluwadare , Ibirongbe Demilade Olusola
Published: June 2017

Background: Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Though generally believed to be a disease of the adults, It has been shown to start in early life and tracks through adolescence into adulthood.Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among adolescents in Ekiti State.Materials and Methods: The study was a cross sectional survey involving 416 secondary school adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. A ‘two-stage’ sampling technique was used to select the subjects. Facilitated self-administered questionnaire was used for the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Level of significance was set at P<0.05.Results: A total of 416 students participated in the study. Prevalence of hypertension was 10.1% with male and female prevalence rates of 5.8% and 14.4% respectively (P=0.004). Hypertension was higher among adolescents with BMI ≥ the 85th percentile for age and sex compared to those with lower BMI (P=0.004). There was a weak positive correlation between BMI and blood pressure in the study (Systolic r=0.33, P=0.001: diastolic r=0.31, P=0.001).Conclusion: The study concluded that hypertension is not a rare phenomenon among adolescents and that female gender and high BMI were the main risk factors for adolescent hypertension in this study.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(4) 2017 1-5
Speaking of Editing: The Nomenclature of Copy-Editing
Authors: Fretz Mark J.H.
Published: June 2017

Publishing professionals concern themselves with the textual and graphic details of the content they publish. Editors, specifically, are responsible for checking and correcting the details of language, style, format, and typography. As precise as editors are paid to be, the nomenclature employed by editing professionals to identify the type of editing required by manuscripts, to communicate about editorial activity, and to evaluate editorial work is, ironically, imprecise. This article identifies the nomenclature used in the publishing industry, the scholarly publishing sector specifically, to label, describe, and discuss editorial activity. It provides an overview of terminology and definitions garnered from a review of literature on the subject of editing. It also presents the results of an original survey of editorial professionals, conducted online, which solicited responses to questions about terms and valuations in the practice of copy-editing. Based on these data, the article draws conclusions and makes suggestions about potential courses of action for standardizing editorial nomenclature in the publishing industry.
Changes in use of cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging for pediatric patients with nonaccidental trauma
Authors: Oh Ahyuda , Sawvel Michael , Heaner David , Bhatia Amina , Reisner Andrew , Tubbs R. Shane , Chern Joshua J.
Published: June 2017

OBJECTIVE

Past studies have suggested correlations between abusive head trauma and concurrent cervical spine (c-spine) injury. Accordingly, c-spine MRI (cMRI) has been increasingly used in radiographic assessments. This study aimed to determine trends in cMRI use and treatment, and outcomes related to c-spine injury in children with nonaccidental trauma (NAT).

METHODS

A total of 503 patients with NAT who were treated between 2009 and 2014 at a single pediatric health care system were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Additional data on selected clinical events were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. In 2012, a clinical pathway on cMRI usage for patients with NAT was implemented. The present study compared cMRI use and clinical outcomes between the prepathway (2009–2011) and postpathway (2012–2014) periods.

RESULTS

There were 249 patients in the prepathway and 254 in the postpathway groups. Incidences of cranial injury and Injury Severity Scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups. More patients underwent cMRI in the years after clinical pathway implementation than before (2.8% vs 33.1%, p < 0.0001). There was also a significant increase in cervical collar usage from 16.5% to 27.6% (p = 0.004), and more patients were discharged home with cervical collar immobilization. Surgical stabilization occurred in a single case in the postpathway group.

CONCLUSIONS

Heightened awareness of potential c-spine injury in this population increased the use of cMRI and cervical collar immobilization over a 6-year period. However, severe c-spine injury remains rare, and increased use of cMRI might not affect outcomes markedly.
Civilisation and the Rise of the Television Blockbuster Documentary
Authors: Irwin Mary
Published: June 2017

This article examines how Civilisation created a formula for putting together and presenting documentary series on British television using expensive production values and a well-respected presenter to introduce serious cultural content. It explores the international and historic impact of Civilisation, which became the blueprint for a whole range of popular, high-budget, internationally co-produced documentary series from the early 1970s onwards: the ‘blockbuster documentary’.
Microbial Populations of Stony Meteorites: Substrate Controls on First Colonizers
Authors: Tait Alastair W. , Gagen Emma J. , Wilson Sasha , Tomkins Andrew G. , Southam Gordon
Published: June 2017

Finding fresh, sterilized rocks provides ecologists with a clean slate to test ideas about first colonization and the evolution of soils de novo. Lava has been used previously in first colonizer studies due to the sterilizing heat required for its formation. However, fresh lava typically falls upon older volcanic successions of similar chemistry and modal mineral abundance. Given enough time, this results in the development of similar microbial communities in the newly erupted lava due to a lack of contrast between the new and old substrates. Meteorites, which are sterile when they fall to Earth, provide such contrast because their reduced and mafic chemistry commonly differs to the surfaces on which they land; thus allowing investigation of how community membership and structure respond to this new substrate over time. We conducted 16S rRNA gene analysis on meteorites and soil from the Nullarbor Plain, Australia. We found that the meteorites have low species richness and evenness compared to soil sampled from directly beneath each meteorite. Despite the meteorites being found kilometers apart, the community structure of each meteorite bore more similarity to those of other meteorites (of similar composition) than to the community structure of the soil on which it resided. Meteorites were dominated by sequences that affiliated with the Actinobacteria with the major Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) classified as Rubrobacter radiotolerans. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the next most abundant phyla. The soils were also dominated by Actinobacteria but to a lesser extent than the meteorites. We also found OTUs affiliated with iron/sulfur cycling organisms Geobacter spp. and Desulfovibrio spp. This is an important finding as meteorites contain abundant metal and sulfur for use as energy sources. These ecological findings demonstrate that the structure of the microbial community in these meteorites is controlled by the substrate, and will not reach homeostasis with the Nullarbor community, even after ca. 35,000 years. Our findings show that meteorites provide a unique, sterile substrate with which to test ideas relating to first-colonizers. Although meteorites are colonized by microorganisms, the microbial population is unlikely to match the community of the surrounding soil on which they fall.
Factors that Influence Intake to One Municipal Animal Control Facility in Florida: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Spencer Terry , Behar-Horenstein Linda , Aufmuth Joe , Hardt Nancy , Applebaum Jennifer , Emanuel Amber , Isaza Natalie
Published: June 2017

This qualitative study identified a study area by visualizing one year of animal intake from a municipal animal shelter on geographic information systems (GIS) maps to select an area of high stray-dog intake to investigate. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with residents of the selected study area to elucidate why there were high numbers of stray dogs coming from this location. Using grounded theory, three themes emerged from the interviews: concerns, attitudes, and disparities. The residents expressed concerns about animal welfare, personal safety, money, and health. They held various attitudes toward domestic animals in the community, including viewing them as pets, pests, or useful commodities (products). Residents expressed acceptance as well as some anger and fear about the situation in their community. Interviewees revealed they faced multiple socioeconomic disparities related to poverty. Pet abandonment can result when pet owners must prioritize human needs over animal needs, leading to increased shelter intake of stray dogs. Community-specific strategies for reducing local animal shelter intake should address the issue of pet abandonment by simultaneously targeting veterinary needs of animals, socioeconomic needs of residents, and respecting attitude differences between residents and shelter professionals.
Toward Defect Engineering Strategies to Optimize Energy and Electronic Materials
Authors: Sgourou Efstratia , Panayiotatos Yerasimos , Vovk Ruslan , Chroneos Alexander
Published: June 2017

The technological requirement to optimize materials for energy and electronic materials has led to the use of defect engineering strategies. These strategies take advantage of the impact of composition, disorder, structure, and mechanical strain on the material properties. In the present review, we highlight key strategies presently employed or considered to tune the properties of energy and electronic materials. We consider examples from electronic materials (silicon and germanium), photocatalysis (titanium oxide), solid oxide fuel cells (cerium oxide), and nuclear materials (nanocomposites).
Synergetic of PALSAR-2 and Sentinel-1A SAR Polarimetry for Retrieving Aboveground Biomass in Dipterocarp Forest of Malaysia
Authors: Omar Hamdan , Misman Muhamad , Kassim Abd
Published: June 2017

Space borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data have become one of the primary sources for aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation of forests. However, studies have indicated that limitations occur when a single sensor system is employed, especially in tropical forests. Hence, there is potential for improving estimates if two or more different sensor systems are used. Studies on integrating multiple sensor systems for estimation of AGB over Malaysia’s tropical forests are scarce. This study investigated the use of PALSAR-2 L-band and Sentinel-1A C-band SAR polarizations to estimates the AGB over 5.25 million ha of the lowland, hill, and upper hill forests in Peninsular Malaysia. Polarized images, i.e., HH–HV from PALSAR-2 and VV–VH from Sentinel-1A have been utilized to produce several variables for predictions of the AGB. Simple linear and multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the best predictor. The study concluded that although limitations exist in the estimates, the combination of all polarizations from both PALSAR-2 and Sentiel-1A SAR data able to increase the accuracy and reduced the root means square error (RMSE) up to 14 Mg ha−1 compared to the estimation resulted from single polarization. A spatially distributed map of AGB reported the total AGB within the study area was about 1.82 trillion Mg of the year 2016.
Increasing Heatwave Hazards in the Southeastern European Union Capitals
Authors: Morabito Marco , Crisci Alfonso , Messeri Alessandro , Messeri Gianni , Betti Giulio , Orlandini Simone , Raschi Antonio , Maracchi Giampiero
Published: June 2017

Heatwaves (HWs) are one of the “natural” hazards with the greatest impact worldwide in terms of mortality and economic losses, and their effects may be exacerbated in large urban areas. For these reasons, more detailed analyses of urban HW trends represent a priority that cannot be neglected. In this study, HW trends were investigated during the warmest period of the year (May–September) by using a slightly improved version of the EuroHEAT HW definition applied on long meteorological time-series (36-year period, 1980–2015) collected by weather stations located in the capitals of the 28 European Union member countries. Comparisons between two 18-year sub-periods (1980–1997 vs. 1998–2015) were carried out and a city-specific HW hazard index (HWHI), accounting for the main HW characteristics, was proposed. Most of the capitals revealed significant positive trends of the majority of HW hazard characteristics and substantial HWHI increases were observed during the sub-period 1998–2015, especially in the central-eastern and southeastern cities. Conversely, minor HWHI increases were observed in most of the northern capitals and opposite situations were even observed in several northern and especially southwestern cities. The results of this study represent a support for planning urban HW-related mitigation and adaptation strategies with the priority given to the southeastern cities.
Entropic Phase Maps in Discrete Quantum Gravity
Authors: Dribus Benjamin
Published: June 2017

Path summation offers a flexible general approach to quantum theory, including quantum gravity. In the latter setting, summation is performed over a space of evolutionary pathways in a history configuration space. Discrete causal histories called acyclic directed sets offer certain advantages over similar models appearing in the literature, such as causal sets. Path summation defined in terms of these histories enables derivation of discrete Schrödinger-type equations describing quantum spacetime dynamics for any suitable choice of algebraic quantities associated with each evolutionary pathway. These quantities, called phases, collectively define a phase map from the space of evolutionary pathways to a target object, such as the unit circle S 1 ⊂ C , or an analogue such as S 3 or S 7 . This paper explores the problem of identifying suitable phase maps for discrete quantum gravity, focusing on a class of S 1 -valued maps defined in terms of “structural increments” of histories, called terminal states. Invariants such as state automorphism groups determine multiplicities of states, and induce families of natural entropy functions. A phase map defined in terms of such a function is called an entropic phase map. The associated dynamical law may be viewed as an abstract combination of Schrödinger’s equation and the second law of thermodynamics.
Investigation of the Energy Performance of a Novel Modular Solar Building Envelope
Authors: Ren Gang , Zhao Xudong , Zhan Changhong , Jin Hong , Zhou Aishen
Published: June 2017

The major challenges for the integration of solar collecting devices into a building envelope are related to the poor aesthetic view of the appearance of buildings in addition to the low efficiency in collection, transportation, and utilization of the solar thermal and electrical energy. To tackle these challenges, a novel design for the integration of solar collecting elements into the building envelope was proposed and discussed. This involves the dedicated modular and multiple-layer combination of the building shielding, insulation, and solar collecting elements. On the basis of the proposed modular structure, the energy performance of the solar envelope was investigated by using the Energy-Plus software. It was found that the solar thermal efficiency of the modular envelope is in the range of 41.78–59.47%, while its electrical efficiency is around 3.51% higher than the envelopes having photovoltaic (PV) alone. The modular solar envelope can increase thermal efficiency by around 8.49% and the electrical efficiency by around 0.31%, compared to the traditional solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) envelopes. Thus, we have created a new envelope solution with enhanced solar efficiency and an improved aesthetic view of the entire building.
Flower Power: Desire, Gender, and Folk Belief in the Joycean Mary Garden
Authors: Mulligan Christin
Published: June 2017

Robert Brazeau and Derek Gladwin’s Eco-Joyce (2014) largely overlooks a historical basis for ecocritical thought. The absence of a historicist view requires consideration not only of the natural world but folk botany, such as the Mary Garden that is a phantom presence in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man as well as in “Nausicaa” and “Penelope” in Ulysses and Finnegans Wake. The undergrowth of the garden reconfigures human action and subtly predicts it with its compendium of theological and devotional meanings for the burgeoning sexuality expressed by Gerty MacDowell and Issy Earwicker as well as the mature longing of Molly Bloom. This essay will establish a fresh Deleuzian paradigm of Becoming-Flower to demonstrate how the Mary Garden blooms to present new perspectives on Catholicism, eros, and gender identity in Joyce’s major works.
Covariates of Identified Stress and Depression among Seasonal Farmworkers
Authors: Chaney Beth , Torres Essie
Published: June 2017

Many noted difficulties of farmworker life result in increased risk for stress and depression. To date, limited research has focused primarily on seasonal farmworkers; much of the prior research examines migrant farmworkers or both groups collectively. This study aims to: (1) describe levels of stress and depression among a sample of seasonal farmworkers; and (2) identify if covariates (age, gender, marital status, education level, years of residency, problems obtaining healthcare due to documentation, language barriers, transportation, costs, medical insurance, and stress level) are significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Survey data were collected from 150 Latino seasonal farmworkers. A hierarchical binary logistic regression was conducted to identify significant covariates. The results indicated that the only statistically significant covariates were health insurance coverage (p = 0.025) and stress (p = 0.008). Those farmworkers without health insurance were 1.8 times more likely than those with health insurance to possess depressive symptoms, while those demonstrating higher stress levels were over 7 times more likely to demonstrate symptoms of depression. The implications of the results are discussed in the manuscript.
Primary Esophageal Motility Disorders: Beyond Achalasia
Authors: Schlottmann Francisco , Patti Marco
Published: June 2017

The best-defined primary esophageal motor disorder is achalasia. However, symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation and chest pain can be caused by other esophageal motility disorders. The Chicago classification introduced new manometric parameters and better defined esophageal motility disorders. Motility disorders beyond achalasia with the current classification are: esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, major disorders of peristalsis (distal esophageal spasm, hypercontractile esophagus, absent contractility) and minor disorders of peristalsis (ineffective esophageal motility, fragmented peristalsis). The aim of this study was to review the current diagnosis and management of esophageal motility disorders other than achalasia.
Estrogen Promotes Hepatic Synthesis of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids by Regulating ELOVL5 at Post-Transcriptional Level in Laying Hens
Authors: Zhang Meng , Li Cui-Cui , Li Fang , Li Hong , Liu Xiao-Jun , Loor Juan , Kang Xiang-Tao , Sun Gui-Rong
Published: June 2017

The very long chain fatty acid elongase (ELOVL) plays an important role in the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). Previous studies suggest that chicken could be an alternate source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In this study, we detected that ELOVL5, which plays a key role in the biosynthesis of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), was highly expressed in the liver of laying hens and increased rapidly after sexual maturity. Bioinformatic analysis revealed ELOVL fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5) gene as a putative target of miR-218-5p, miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-30b-5p, and miR-30e-5p. We demonstrated estrogen downregulated microRNA (miRNA), and that ELOVL5 is a direct target of miR-218-5p, which was located in intron 14 of the Slit guidance ligand 2 (SLIT2) gene and co-expressed with the host gene. Overall, estrogen enhanced hepatic synthesis of LCPUFA by functioning as a negative regulator of miRNA thereby augmenting the expression of these miRNA target genes, especially ELOVL5, which plays a key role in the biosynthesis of n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA. This study provides a novel model for the use of estrogen in the poultry industry as an inducer of ELOVL5 expression to enhance hepatic n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA synthesis at the post-transcriptional level.
Silver(I) Extraction with Benzo-18-Crown-6 Ether from Water into 1,2-Dichloroethane: Analyses on Ionic Strength of the Phases and their Equilibrium Potentials
Authors: Kudo Yoshihiro , Ikeda Satoshi , Morioka Saya , Tomokata Shuntaro
Published: June 2017

Extraction constants (Kex & Kex±) for the extraction of silver picrate (AgPic) by benzo-18-crown-6 ether (B18C6) into 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) were determined at 298 K and various ionic strength (I)-values of a water phase with or without excess HNO3. Here the symbols, Kex and Kex±, were defined as [AgLPic]DCE/P and [AgL+]DCE[Pic−]DCE/P with P = [Ag+][L]DCE[Pic−] and L = B18C6, respectively; [ ]DCE refers to the concentration of the corresponding species in the DCE phase at equilibrium. Simultaneously, KD,Pic (= [Pic−]DCE/[Pic−]) and K1,DCE (= Kex/Kex±) values for given I and IDCE values were determined, where the symbol IDCE shows I of the DCE phase. Also, equilibrium potential differences (Δφeq) based on the Pic− transfer at the water/DCE interface were obtained from the analysis of the KD,Pic [= KD,PicS exp{−(F/RT) Δφeq}] values; the symbol KD,PicS shows KD,Pic at Δφeq = 0 V. On the basis of these results, I dependences of logKex and logKex± and IDCE ones of logK1,DCE and logKex± were examined. Extraction experiments of AgClO4 and AgNO3 by B18C6 into DCE were done for comparison. The logKex±-versus-Δφeq plot for the above Ag(I) extraction systems with Pic−, ClO4−, and NO3− gave a good positive correlation.
The Influence of Lath, Block and Prior Austenite Grain (PAG) Size on the Tensile, Creep and Fatigue Properties of Novel Maraging Steel
Authors: Simm Thomas , Sun Lin , McAdam Steven , Hill Paul , Rawson Martin , Perkins Karen
Published: June 2017

The influence of martensitic microstructure and prior austenite grain (PAG) size on the mechanical properties of novel maraging steel was studied. This was achieved by looking at two different martensitic structures with PAG sizes of approximately 40 µm and 80 µm, produced by hot rolling to different reductions. Two ageing heat-treatments were considered: both heat-treatments consisted of austenisation at 960 °C, then aging at 560 °C for 5 h, but while one was rapidly cooled the other was slow cooled and then extended aged at 480 °C for 64 h. It is shown that for the shorter ageing treatment the smaller PAG size resulted in significant improvements in strength (increase of more than 150 MPa), ductility (four times increase), creep life (almost four times increase in creep life) and fatigue life (almost doubled). Whereas, the extended aged sample showed similar changes in the fatigue life, elongation and hardness it displayed yet showed no difference in tensile strength and creep. These results display the complexity of microstructural contributions to mechanical properties in maraging steels.
Kinetics, Mechanism and Theoretical Studies of Norbornene-Ethylene Alternating Copolymerization Catalyzed by Organopalladium(II) Complexes Bearing Hemilabile α-Amino–pyridine
Authors: Yu Kuo-Hsuan , Huang Shou-Ling , Liu Yi-Hung , Wang Yu , Liu Shiuh-Tzung , Cheng Yuan-Chung , Lin Ya-Fan , Chen Jwu-Ting
Published: June 2017

Cationic methylpalladium complexes bearing hemilabile bidentate α-amino–pyridines can serve as effective precursors for catalytic alternating copolymerization of norbornene (N) and ethylene (E), under mild conditions. The norbornyl palladium complexes in the formula of {[RHNCH2(o-C6H4N)]Pd(C7H10Me)(NCMe)}(BF4) (R = iPr (2a), tBu (2b), Ph (2c), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (2d), 2,6-iPr2C6H3 (2e)) were synthesized via single insertion of norbornene into the corresponding methylpalladium complexes 1a–1e, respectively. Both square planar methyl and norbornyl palladium complexes exhibit facile equilibria of geometrical isomerization, via sterically-controlled amino decoordination–recoordination of amino–pyridine. Kinetic studies of E-insertion, N-insertion of complexes 1 and 2, and the geometric isomerization reactions have been examined by means of VT-NMR, and found in excellent agreement with the results estimated by DFT calculations. The more facile N-insertion in the cis-isomers, and ready geometric isomerization, cooperatively lead to a new mechanism that accounts for the novel catalytic formation of alternating COC.
Biological Fate of Fe3O4 Core-Shell Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Depending on Particle Surface Chemistry
Authors: Rascol Estelle , Daurat Morgane , Da Silva Afitz , Maynadier Marie , Dorandeu Christophe , Charnay Clarence , Garcia Marcel , Lai-Kee-Him Joséphine , Bron Patrick , Auffan Mélanie , Liu Wei , Angeletti Bernard , Devoisselle Jean-Marie , Guari Yannick , Gary-Bobo Magali , Chopineau Joël
Published: June 2017

The biological fate of nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications is highly dependent of their size and charge, their aggregation state and their surface chemistry. The chemical composition of the NPs surface influences their stability in biological fluids, their interaction with proteins, and their attraction to the cell membranes. In this work, core-shell magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Fe3O4@MSN), that are considered as potential theranostic candidates, are coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) lipid bilayer. Their biological fate is studied in comparison to the native NPs. The physicochemical properties of these three types of NPs and their suspension behavior in different media are investigated. The attraction to a membrane model is also evaluated using a supported lipid bilayer. The surface composition of NPs strongly influences their dispersion in biological fluids mimics, protein binding and their interaction with cell membrane. While none of these types of NPs is found to be toxic on mice four days after intravenous injection of a dose of 40 mg kg−1 of NPs, their surface coating nature influences the in vivo biodistribution. Importantly, NP coated with DMPC exhibit a strong accumulation in liver and a very low accumulation in lung in comparison with nude or PEG ones.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Nanomedical Applications of Conjugates between Resorcinarene-Dendrimers and Ibuprofen
Authors: Pedro-Hernández Luis , Martínez-Klimova Elena , Cortez-Maya Sandra , Mendoza-Cardozo Sonia , Ramírez-Ápan Teresa , Martínez-García Marcos
Published: June 2017

Ibuprofen has been reported to possess anticancer activity. In the present work, four ibuprofen conjugates of resorcinarene-Polyamidoamine PAMAM-dendrimers were synthesized with eight or 16 ibuprofen moieties. The ibuprofen was released from the dendrimers in a dependent manner. The drug-conjugated nanoresorcinarene-dendrimers showed higher cellular uptake than free ibuprofen. In vitro cytotoxicity studies were performed with free ibuprofen and with the synthesized conjugates in U251, PC-3, K-562, HCT-15, MCF-7, SKLU-1, and MDA U251 (human glioblastoma), PC-3 (human prostatic adenocarcinoma), K-562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells), HCT-15 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (human mammary adenocarcinoma), SKLU-1 (human lung adenocarcinoma), and MDA-MB-231 (human mammary adenocarcinoma) cancer cell lines by different cytotoxicity assays. Ibuprofen conjugates of the first and second generations showed significant cytotoxic effects towards the human glioblastoma (U251) and human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF-7, MDA) cell lines. Moreover, the ibuprofen conjugates improved cytotoxicity compared to free ibuprofen. Increased therapeutic efficacy was observed with specific ibuprofen conjugates of the second generation using low doses.
Calcium Intake and the Risk of Ovarian Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Song Xingxing , Li Zongyao , Ji Xinqiang , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: June 2017

Several epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between calcium intake and the risk of ovarian cancer. However, the results of these studies remain controversial. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to explore the association between calcium intake and the risk of ovarian cancer. Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science were searched for eligible publications up to April 2017. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model. Small-study effect was estimated using Egger’s test and the funnel plot. Among 15 epidemiological studies involving 493,415 participants and 7453 cases eligible for this meta-analysis, 13 studies were about dietary calcium intake, 4 studies about dairy calcium intake and 7 studies about dietary plus supplemental calcium intake. When comparing the highest with the lowest intake, the pooled RRs of ovarian cancer were 0.80 (95% CI 0.72–0.89) for dietary calcium, 0.80 (95% CI 0.66–0.98) for dairy calcium and 0.90 (95% CI 0.65–1.24) for dietary plus supplemental calcium, respectively. Dietary calcium was significantly associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer among cohort studies (RR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.74–0.99) and among case-control studies (RR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.64–0.89). In subgroup analysis by ovarian cancer subtypes, we found a statistically significant association between the dietary calcium (RR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.69–0.88) and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This meta-analysis indicated that increased calcium intake might be inversely associated with the risk of ovarian cancer; this still needs to be confirmed by larger prospective cohort studies.
Preparation and Property Evaluation of Conductive Hydrogel Using Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Polyethylene Glycol/Graphene Oxide for Human Electrocardiogram Acquisition
Authors: Xiao Xueliang , Wu Guanzheng , Zhou Hongtao , Qian Kun , Hu Jinlian
Published: June 2017

Conductive hydrogel combined with Ag/AgCl electrode is widely used in the acquisition of bio-signals. However, the high adhesiveness of current commercial hydrogel causes human skin allergies and pruritus easily after wearing hydrogel for electrodes for a long time. In this paper, a novel conductive hydrogel with good mechanical and conductive performance was prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles. A cyclic freezing–thawing method was employed under processing conditions of −40 °C (8 h) and 20 °C (4 h) separately for three cycles in sequence until a strong conductive hydrogel, namely, PVA/PEG/GO gel, was obtained. Characterization (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy) results indicated that the assembled hydrogel was successfully prepared with a three-dimensional network structure and, thereafter, the high strength and elasticity due to the complete polymeric net formed by dense hydrogen bonds in the freezing process. The as-made PVA/PEG/GO hydrogel was then composited with nonwoven fabric for electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes. The ECG acquisition data indicated that the prepared hydrogel has good electro-conductivity and can obtain stable ECG signals for humans in a static state and in motion (with a small amount of drift). A comparison of results indicated that the prepared PVA/PEG/GO gel obtained the same quality of ECG signals with commercial conductive gel with fewer cases of allergies and pruritus in volunteer after six hours of wear.
Effects of Climate Change on Outdoor Skating in the Bei Hai Park of Beijing and Related Adaptive Strategies
Authors: Liu Jun , Cheng Han , Sun Xiaoqian , Huang Li , Fan Qiuchan , Liu Haolong
Published: June 2017

This paper reports findings derived from a study of the impacts of climate change on winter outdoor skating activities in the Chinese park of Bei Hai from 1989 to 2015. Based on field observation data and in-depth interviews, it was concluded that the outdoor skating activities, with a history of more than 1000 years, are being threatened by the warming climate. The opening dates and duration times of skating over the last 26 years showed periodic variations over three-year cycles. Increases of temperatures by 1 °C in December were associated with a 3.80-day delay in the skating-field opening dates and a 4.49-day decrease in the operation duration times. In particular, climate change has resulted in a loss of the skating field area and a reduction in the operation duration times, and tourists are moving north for skating-related recreation or conducting alternative activities. The current adaptive strategies are not very effective.
Synthesis of novel 13α-estrone derivatives by Sonogashira coupling as potential 17β-HSD1 inhibitors
Authors: Bacsa Ildikó , Jójárt Rebeka , Wölfling János , Schneider Gyula , Herman Bianka Edina , Szécsi Mihály , Mernyák Erzsébet
Published: June 2017

Novel 13α-estrone derivatives were synthesized by Sonogashira coupling. Transformations of 2- or 4-iodo regioisomers of 13α-estrone and its 3-methyl ether were carried out under different conditions in a microwave reactor. The 2-iodo isomers were reacted withpara-substituted phenylacetylenes using Pd(PPh3)4as catalyst and CuI as a cocatalyst. Coupling reactions of 4-iodo derivatives could be achieved by changing the catalyst to Pd(PPh3)2Cl2. The product phenethynyl derivatives were partially or fully saturated. Compounds bearing a phenolic OH group furnished benzofurans under the conditions used for the partial saturation. The inhibitory effects of the compounds on human placental 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 isozyme (17β-HSD1) were investigated by an in vitro radiosubstrate incubation method. Certain 3-hydroxy-2-phenethynyl or -phenethyl derivatives proved to be potent 17β-HSD1 inhibitors, displaying submicromolar IC50values.
La fabrique du gouvernement métropolitain de la santé
Authors: Honta Marina , Basson Jean-Charles
Published: June 2017

Traditionnellement dévolue à l’État, la santé n’échappe pas au processus de territorialisation de l’action publique dont les configurations sont marquées par la fragmentation et les concurrences institutionnelles. La question est alors posée de la désignation et de la légitimité de l’autorité chargée d’assurer l’articulation entre les différents niveaux de gouvernement impliqués dans la promotion de ce secteur. Au sein de l’agglomération bordelaise, le contrat et l’échelle métropolitaine constituent les leviers privilégiés par l’État pour se repositionner au sein de la régulation politique de la santé. Or, la manière par laquelle les représentants de l’agence régionale de santé, des villes et de la métropole participent et réagissent à ces orientations traduit une lutte permanente pour définir et légitimer les échelles d’intervention pertinentes, les acteurs qu’elles consacrent et qui leur donnent sens et, ce faisant, les frontières territoriales et sectorielles du gouvernement urbain de la santé.
Pour un écoféminisme de l’égalité
Authors: Puleo Alicia
Published: June 2017

Dans cet article, on propose un écoféminisme non essentialiste qui relève d’une réflexion éthique et politique sur les rapports de l’être humain à la Nature. Orienté vers l’écojustice et la durabilité, cet écoféminisme critique se caractérise par la défense des principes d’égalité et d’autonomie, le dialogue interculturel, une acceptation de la science et de la technique limitée par le principe de précaution ainsi que l’universalisation de l’éthique de la sollicitude.
Prévention, dissuasion, préemption
Authors: Massumi Brian , Bordeleau Erik
Published: June 2017

Après avoir distingué trois types de stratégies visant à neutraliser une menace – la prévention, la dissuasion, la préemption – Brian Massumi analyse le fonctionnement et les implications de cette dernière, dans la façon dont l’administration de G.W. Bush l’a théorisée et implémentée dans sa « guerre contre le terrorisme ». À la fois épistémologie et ontologie à tendance auto-propulsive, la préemption est une logique opératoire du pouvoir qui définit notre époque politique de manière aussi insidieusement infiltrante et infiniment extensive que la logique de la « dissuasion » qui a défini l’époque de la Guerre froide. Cette analyse est de la plus grande actualité pour comprendre à quoi nous engagent les politiques menées désormais en France et en Europe au nom de la même « guerre contre le terrorisme ».
Les défis méthodologiques de l’observation sociale
Authors: Saussey Magalie
Published: June 2017

Alors que plusieurs textes réglementaires de l’action sanitaire et sociale font référence à l’observation sociale, cette démarche reste peu mise en œuvre par les professionnel-le-s du travail social. L’institution joue un rôle essentiel dans l’impulsion et le soutien, sur le temps long, de cette démarche qui représente un enjeu important en termes de connaissances des publics concernés, mais aussi de revalorisation et de reconnaissance des savoirs des professionnel-le-s du travail social. Dès lors que l’observation sociale s’inscrit dans une démarche de co-production des savoirs, cette approche implique pour les travailleur-se-s sociaux de s’interroger non seulement sur leurs outils méthodologiques, mais aussi sur la nouvelle posture qu’il-elle-s devront négocier sur le « terrain ».
Humaniser le béton ou les politiques publiques au service de l’humanisation de la ville
Authors: Tellier Thibault
Published: June 2017

Sur la moyenne durée de l’histoire urbaine du seconde vingtième siècle, il existe bel et bien de la part des pouvoirs publics une volonté de procéder à l’humanisation des cités HLM dans la mesure où elles sont apparues dès leur création comme potentiellement dangereuses pour le maintien de l’ordre social. Cette approche s’inscrit d’ailleurs elle-même dans le temps long du développement de la ville contemporaine. L’article a donc pour objet d’en resituer les grandes étapes qui, au final, aboutiront à l’invention d’une nouvelle politique publique, la politique de la ville.
A Case of Endophthalmitis After Bilateral Medial Rectus Recession
Authors: Patel Sagar B. , Reddy Nikitha , Hogan Robert N. , Cao Jennifer H.
Published: June 2017

A 9-month-old male infant with a history of Down syndrome underwent bilateral medial rectus recession. Two weeks postoperatively, he developed leukocoria of the left eye with a white opacity posterior to the lens, numerous undulations, necrosis, and hemorrhages in the retrolental space. His contralateral eye had white retinal lesions nasally. Ultrasound examination of the left eye showed a funnel retinal detachment, loculated debris, and a small, central, hyperechoic area concerning for calcification. He underwent enucleation because retinoblastoma could not be definitively ruled out. Given this patient's low visual potential, enucleation was a definitive and safe treatment option. Ocular pathology showed significant inflammation and necrosis. There was an area of scleral perforation by a suture adherent to the retina and vitreous, surrounded by inflammatory cells. This case uniquely demonstrates pediatric endophthalmitis following strabismus surgery, secondary to scleral perforation confirmed by histopathological analysis. Care must be taken during scleral passage of sutures to prevent inadvertent scleral perforation and the potential complication of endophthalmitis.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2017;54:e37–e41.]
Autoridad, poder y razón de Estado en el teatro de Antonio Enríquez Gómez
Authors: Calderón Calderón Manuel
Published: June 2017

Las comedias de contenido político de Antonio Enríquez Gómez reflejan, a través de sus cuatro temas recurrentes (la dicotomía ley-poder, la razón de Estado, la aplicación de la ley desde el punto de vista político y el perdón), las líneas maestras del naciente Leviatán o Estado moderno. Aunque la relación patriarcal entre el Rey y sus súbditos está anclada en presupuestos iusnaturalistas, el amor debe supeditarse a la eficacia en el ejercicio del poder. Y si unas veces los personajes dudan entre el racionalismo aristotélico-tomista y la razón de Estado maquiavélico- hobbesiana, en otras ocasiones oponen la fuerza, el riesgo y la voluntad del «pueblo» a la «razón» divina de la ley. En el contexto de la crisis de la Monarquía Hispánica, las críticas de Enríquez Gómez no se limitan a los representantes y funcionarios del Estado, sino que abarcan a la Iglesia y al Tercer Estado.
La periferia en la biblioteca de Occidente
Authors: Becerra Bolaños Antonio
Published: June 2017

En principio, se pueden suponer cuáles son las obras que han de formar parte de una hipotética biblioteca de Occidente, a modo de la biblioteca borgesiana de Babel. Sin embargo, se podría incluir una serie de libros excluidos por su doble condición periférica, tanto geográfica (como Hispanoamérica) como cultural. Esas obras rara vez aparecieron consideradas en los diversos cánones de la literatura hispánica que se plantearon a partir del siglo XVIII, en muchas ocasiones por desconocimiento de aquellas, exceptuando a Menéndez Pelayo. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo reflexionar acerca de cuáles han sido los criterios por los que la periferia ha permanecido en los márgenes de esa biblioteca y proponer un canon alternativo de acuerdo con esa condición, en tanto que lectura necesaria de una realidad común que presenta sus propias peculiaridades.
Influence of Patent Law on Price of Medicines
Authors: Singh Naina , Kaur Rajinder , Aggarwal Rashmi
Published: June 2017

There is a great deal of disparity between the availability and affordability of medicines in least developed, developing and developed nations. Patents are one of the major reasons of this difference. The pharmaceutical industry spends over US$10 billion to fund some 90% of 40,000-80,000 randomised controlled trails being conducted across the world at any given time. A United Nations AIDS study reported that the number of people in poor countries who have access to anti-retroviral medicines remains extremely low; only 30,000 received medication in 2002, out of an estimated 5 million in need. The proposed chapter aims to study effect of patent law on pricing of medicines. The legal and regulatory policies such as TRIPs jointly introduced by various nations to regulate the pricing of patented products will be elaborated in this chapter. Apart from national and international policies, the behaviour of pharmaceutical companies also affect price of patented products. The chapter will also cover various techniques pharmaceutical industry adopt to control price of patented products such as proliferation of me-too drugs, product reformulation, prolonging patent rights, biasing research and large promotional expenditures.
Medical Patents and Impact on Availability and Affordability of Essential Medicines in India
Authors: Dulam Kishore
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses the Pharmaceutical patents in India and its effects. The definition of patents and its aspects, registration patent bodies, and the time period aspects are studied. The need of patents in the pharmaceutical industry is discussed in detail with cases. Regulatory bodies and their relevance as the majority of revenue for Indian pharmaceutical companies are studied. The intent of the government is to control the prices of a few drugs and to make basic drugs affordable to the common public.
Enabling Multichannel Participation Through ICT Adaptation
Authors: Kapoor Kawaljeet Kaur , Omar Amizan , Sivarajah Uthayasankar
Published: June 2017

Online deliberation invests significant sums in priorities co-decided by inhabitants, and is mostly relegated to small and non-influential experiments. There is a gap between ICT solutions and participatory initiatives. E-participation is a broad, undefined space of opportunities that needs to be operationalized to prove if the many theoretical exercises emphasizing on the potential of ICT in increasing deliberative quality of participatory processes and security, are realistic or not. The EMPATIA platform seeks to radically enhance inclusiveness and impact of participatory budgeting processes in increasing multichannel citizen participation by designing, evaluating and making publicly available an advanced ICT platform for participatory budgeting. EMPATIA takes advantage of the fact that it surrounds an established and widespread social practice with clear and adaptable principles recognized worldwide, alongside a community of practitioners and researchers, and ICT tools, which only need to be adapted, refined and integrated into an adequate PB platform.
About Emergency Managers and Their Tools
Authors: Nikolai Cynthia Marie , Treboniak Chelsea , Heller Page , Madey Greg
Published: June 2017

This paper presents findings emerging from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program. The aim of I-Corps is to aid in transitioning academic research into commercialized technology. Through this program, the authors developed and tested hypotheses in search of a sustainable and scalable business model for a potential future company. An element of the rigorous I-Corps curriculum included 133 interviews with emergency manager practitioners from around the country to determine the root of their immediate problems. The unbiased feedback from the industry professionals determined the outcome of our hypotheses, while validating our proposed business model.
“Systems”, Strengths, Weaknesses and Challenges
Authors: Stowell Frank
Published: June 2017

Systems and Cybernetics no longer occupies the position, in academic circles, it once did. There are many reasons why this is the case but a common reason given is the lack of research funding for the subject. The knock-on effect is that the subject has fewer 'champions' and as a consequence is less prominent then it once was. There are many factors that mitigate against research funding for the domain but the cumulative effect is that there are few (if any) new ideas generated now which in turn is having an impact upon the number of academics attracted to it. In this paper the author revisits the action research programme at the University of Lancaster. This project contributed valuable insights into organisational inquiry and the nature of Systems thinking for over 30 years. In this paper the author revisits the programme to discover if there are lessons to be learnt that may be adopted to help provide a means of re-establishing the profile of the domain.
Combustion Synthesis of MAX Phase Solid Solution Ti3(Al,Sn)C2
Authors: Yeh Chun Liang , Chiang Chang Hung
Published: June 2017

Formation of the Ti3(Al,Sn)C2 solid solutions was studied by combustion synthesis from elemental powder compacts with Al4C3 and TiC additions. Combustion temperatures of 1590–1700 °C and flame-front speeds of 14.2–18.8 mm/s were measured for the Al4C3-added samples. Due to the dilution effect of TiC, the combustion temperature and flame velocity were significantly reduced to 1220–1280 °C and 7.1–9.6 mm/s, respectively, for the TiC-adopted samples. The XRD analysis indicated that MAX solid solutions Ti3(Al1–xSnx)C2 with x = 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 were produced from the Al4C3-adopted samples. Because of the low reaction temperature, the extent of Sn substitution for Al in Ti3(Al1–ySny)C2 was narrowed down to y = 0.4 for the TiC-containing samples. The as-synthesized Ti3(Al,Sn)C2 grains were plate-like and closely stacked into a laminated microstructure.