bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Septic Open Abdomen in a Morbid Obese Patient with Enteroatmospheric Fistula by Using Standard Abdominal Negative Pressure Therapy in Conjunction with Intrarectal One
Authors: Yetisir Fahri , Salman A. Ebru , Acar Hasan Zafer , Özer Mehmet , Aygar Muhittin , Osmanoglu Gokhan
Published: December 2015

Introduction. Management of open abdomen (OA) with enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF) in morbid obese patient with comorbid disease is challenging. We would like to report the management of septic OA in morbid obese patient with EAF which developed after strangulated recurrent giant incisional hernia repair. We would also like to emphasize, in this case, the conversion of EAF to ileostomy by the help of second Negative Pressure Therapy (NPT) on ostomy side, and the chance of new EAF occurrence was reduced with intrarectal NPT.Case Presentation. 62-year-old morbid obese woman became an OA patient with EAF after strangulated recurrent giant hernia. EAF was converted to ostomy with pezzer drain by the help of second NPT on ostomy. Colonic distention was reduced with the third NPT application via rectum. Abdominal reapproximation anchor (ABRA) system was used for delayed abdominal closure.Conclusions. Using the 2nd NPT on ostomy side may help in the maturation of the ostomy created in a difficult condition in an open abdomen. Using the 3rd NPT through rectum may decrease the chance of EAF formation by reducing the pressure difference between intraluminal pressure and extraluminal pressure in hollow viscera.
Pharmacological Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Current Approaches, Unsolved Issues, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Kreuter Michael , Bonella Francesco , Wijsenbeek Marlies , Maher Toby M. , Spagnolo Paolo
Published: December 2015

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating condition with a 5-year survival of approximately 20%. The disease primarily occurs in elderly patients. IPF is a highly heterogeneous disorder with a clinical course that varies from prolonged periods of stability to episodes of rapid deterioration. In the last decade, improved understanding of disease mechanisms along with a more precise disease definition has allowed the design and completion of a number of high-quality clinical trials. Yet, until recently, IPF was essentially an untreatable disease. Finally, pirfenidone and nintedanib, two compounds with antifibrotic properties, have consistently proven effective in reducing functional decline and disease progression in IPF. This is a major breakthrough for patients and physicians alike, but there is still a long way to go. In fact, neither pirfenidone nor nintedanib is a cure for IPF, and most patients continue to progress despite treatment. As such, comprehensive care of patients with IPF, including management of comorbidities/complications and physical debility and timely referral for palliative care or, in a small number of highly selected patients, lung transplantation, remains essential. Several agents with high potential are currently being tested and many more are ready to be evaluated in clinical trials.
Predictors of Delay in Seeking Health Care among Myocardial Infarction Patients, Minia District, Egypt
Authors: Ghazawy Eman Ramadan , Seedhom Amany Edward , Mahfouz Eman Mohamed
Published: December 2015

Objectives. To determine the barriers that hinder early seeking of medical care among Minia’s myocardial infarction patients.Methods. The study was based on individual interviews with 207 men and women with a first confirmed myocardial infarction (MI), admitted to the coronary care units of hospitals in Minia city in the period from April 1 to August 30, 2014. Data was collected via structured questionnaire and patient medical charts. The delay was evaluated by assisting patients to triangulate time of symptom onset and time of professional health care by placing both times in context of daily activities that participants could easily remember.Results. The median (25th, 75th percentiles) delay time was 4 (2, 10) h. Only 32.8% of patients arrived within 2 hours of symptoms onset. Variables that significantly predicted prehospital delay time were patient’s misinterpretation of nature of pain with OR 8.98 (95% CI) (3.97–20.32), illiteracy 7.98 (2.77–22.95), age (>65) 5.07 (1.57–16.29), and pain resistance behavior 4.61 (2.04–10.41).Conclusions. Interventions to decrease prehospital delay must focus on improving public awareness of acute myocardial infarction symptoms and increasing their knowledge on early treatment benefits.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Vagina: An Exceedingly Rare Diagnosis
Authors: Keller Nathan A. , Godoy Heidi
Published: December 2015

Background. Primary leiomyosarcoma of the vagina is an exceedingly rare diagnosis. Current estimates are that this tumor could at most represent a mere 0.062% of malignant neoplasms in the female genital tract, although in actuality it is likely far less common.Case Presentation. A 70-year-old female gravida 3 para 2 with new onset palpable vaginal mass and pink vaginal discharge is diagnosed with primary leiomyosarcoma of the vagina. Chemotherapy is complicated by acute Lyme disease, and the patient requires a robotic-assisted total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and partial vaginectomy. The patient remains without recurrence 18 months after surgery.Conclusion. Vaginal leiomyosarcoma is exceedingly rare with an aggressive course, high recurrence, and undetermined ideal treatment regimen. Its diagnosis can be delayed and its presentation varied. Information on this rare tumor type is predominantly through rare case reports with collective consensus on management lacking. The gynecologic oncologist must exercise prudence in individualizing treatment regimens for this rare yet aggressive malignancy.
A Hybrid Mutation Chemical Reaction Optimization Algorithm for Global Numerical Optimization
Authors: Ngambusabongsopa Ransikarn , Li Zhiyong , Eldesouky Esraa
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes a hybrid metaheuristic approach that improves global numerical optimization by increasing optimal quality and accelerating convergence. This algorithm involves a recently developed process for chemical reaction optimization and two adjustment operators (turning and mutation operators). Three types of mutation operators (uniform, nonuniform, and polynomial) were combined with chemical reaction optimization and turning operator to find the most appropriate framework. The best solution among these three options was selected to be a hybrid mutation chemical reaction optimization algorithm for global numerical optimization. The optimal quality, convergence speed, and statistical hypothesis testing of our algorithm are superior to those previous high performance algorithms such as RCCRO, HP-CRO2, and OCRO.
Spherical Harmonics for Surface Parametrisation and Remeshing
Authors: Nortje Caitlin R. , Ward Wil O. C. , Neuman Bartosz P. , Bai Li
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes a novel method for parametrisation and remeshing incomplete and irregular polygonal meshes. Spherical harmonics basis functions are used for parametrisation. This involves least squares fitting of spherical harmonics basis functions to the surface mesh. Tikhonov regularisation is then used to improve the parametrisation before remeshing the surface. Experiments show that the proposed techniques are effective for parametrising and remeshing polygonal meshes.
Prognostics and Health Management of an Automated Machining Process
Authors: He Cheng , Li Jiaming , Vachtsevanos George
Published: December 2015

Machine failure modes are presenting a major burden to the operator, the plant, and the enterprise causing significant downtime, labor cost, and reduced revenue. New technologies are emerging over the past years to monitor the machine’s performance, detect and isolate incipient failures or faults, and take appropriate actions to mitigate such detrimental events. This paper addresses the development and application of novel Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) technologies to a prototype machining process (a screw-tightening machine). The enabling technologies are built upon a series of tasks starting with failure analysis, testing, and data processing aimed to extract useful features or condition indicators from raw data, a symbolic regression modeling framework, and a Bayesian estimation method called particle filtering to predict the feature state estimate accurately. The detection scheme declares the fault of a machine critical component with user specified accuracy or confidence and given false alarm rate while the prediction algorithm estimates accurately the remaining useful life of the failing component. Simulation results support the efficacy of the approach and match well the experimental data.
Knowledge, Treatment, Control, and Risk Factors for Hypertension among Adults in Southern Iran
Authors: Zinat Motlagh Sayed Fazel , Chaman Reza , Ghafari Sayed Rashid , Parisay Zafar , Golabi Mohamad Reza , Eslami Ahmad Ali , Babouei Amin
Published: December 2015

Hypertension is the first and the most common risk factor to diseases such as cardiovascular, stroke, and renal diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the factors relevant to hypertension knowledge, treatment, and control in southern Iran. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in Kohgiluye Boyer-Ahmad province, south of Iran, a total of 1836 hypertension patients were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. Hypertension treatment and its control were defined during study. In addition, knowledge about hypertension was measured by hypertension knowledge level scale (HK-LS). Treatment rates were 75.5 and 37.7 percent for female and male, respectively. Habitat, education, income, family history with hypertension, smoking, and time of diagnosis to the disease were found to be related to the treatment of the disease. Control rates were 30.7 and 31.4 for males and females, respectively. Habitat, education, and time of diagnosis to the disease were related to control. Over 50 percent of patients had average knowledge on hypertension. Considering the low rate of control and knowledge on hypertension among patients, health care providers should reinforce their services to improve appropriate knowledge level among elders and, also, plan comprehensive programs to promote health in order to encourage patients change and reform their life style.
High Loaded Mounts for Vibration Control Using Magnetorheological Fluids: Review of Design Configuration
Authors: Do Xuan Phu , Choi Seung-Bok
Published: December 2015

Design configurations of high loaded magnetorheological (MR in short) mounts are reviewed and discussed. The configurations are analyzed on the basis of three operating modes of MR fluid: flow mode, shear mode, and squeeze mode. These modes are significantly important to develop new type of mounts and improve the efficiency of vibration control. In this paper, advantages and disadvantages of each operation mode are analyzed on the basis of ability of designing high loaded mounts. In order for analysis, the field-dependent damping force equations for typical cross sections of mounts are firstly investigated while maintaining original equations of these cross sections. As a subsequent step, simulation tools for the high loaded mounts are investigated and discussed. These tools which are developed from the analyzed method are expressed as functions of various design parameters such as inside pressure, magnetic field, dimension, stiffness, and damping. These tools are essential for accurate design of MR mount and for careful checking of the operation capability before manufacturing the mounts. This paper can provide very useful information and guidelines to determine an appropriate design configuration of high loaded mounts whose vibration control performances depend on the operational mode of MR fluid.
The Evolution of Stress and Strain around the Bayan Har Block in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Sun Yujun , Fan Taoyuan , Zhou Chunjing , Wu Zhonghai
Published: December 2015

With the constraint of GPS observation, the tectonic deformation of the Bayan Har block and its periphery faults is investigated based on an elastoplastic plane-stress finite element model. The results show that the elastic model cannot explain the current GPS observation in the Bayan Har block. When East Kunlun fault and Yushu-Xianshuihe fault are under plastic yield state or high strain localization, the calculated velocities fit well with the observation values. It indicates that most of the current shear deformations or strain localizations are absorbed by these two large strike-slip faults. In addition, if the recurrence intervals of large earthquakes are used to limit the relative yield strength of major faults, the order of entering the plastic yield state of the major faults around Bayan Har block is as follows. The first faults to enter the yield state are Yushu-Xianshuihe faults and the middle segment of East Kunlun faults. Then, Margaichaka-RolaKangri faults (Mani segment) and Heishibeihu faults would enter the yield state. The last faults to enter the yield state are the eastern segment of East Kunlun faults and Longmenshan faults, respectively. These results help us to understand the slip properties of faults around the southeastward moving Bayan Har block.
Use of a Piezosurgery Technique to Remove a Deeply Impacted Supernumerary Tooth in the Anterior Maxilla
Authors: Sukegawa Shintaro , Kanno Takahiro , Kawakami Kiyokazu , Shibata Akane , Takahashi Yuka , Furuki Yoshihiko
Published: December 2015

Deeply impacted supernumerary teeth in the anterior maxillary cannot be generally removed by the conventional labial or palatal surgical approach because of the risk of damaging the surrounding soft tissues and the possibility of injuring the roots of adjacent permanent teeth. In piezosurgery, bony tissues are selectively cut, thereby avoiding the soft tissue damage caused by rotary cutting instruments. We report the case of a 15-year-old Japanese boy from whom a deeply impacted supernumerary tooth in the anterior maxillary was safely removed through the floor of the nasal cavity. The surgical extraction was performed without damaging the nasal mucosa or adjacent structures such as the roots of the adjacent permanent teeth. Considering that piezosurgery limits the extent of surgical invasion, this technique can be practiced as a minimally invasive and safe surgical procedure for treating suitably selected cases with a deeply impacted supernumerary tooth.
Administration of a Polyphenol‐Enriched Feed to Farmed Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) Modulates Intestinal and Spleen Immune Responses
Authors: Magrone Thea , Fontana Sergio , Laforgia Flavia , Dragone Teresa , Jirillo Emilio , Passantino Letizia
Published: December 2015

Farmed fish are exposed to a continuous antigenic pressure by microbial and environmental agents, which may lead to a condition of chronic inflammation. In view of the notion that polyphenols, largely contained in fruits and vegetables, are endowed with antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) have been administered with red grape polyphenol‐enriched feed. Polyphenols were extracted from the seeds of Canosina Nero di Troia Vitis vinifera and mixed with conventional feed at two different concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg, resp.). Fish samples collected at days 223 and 273, respectively, were evaluated for intestinal and spleen cytokine release as well as for spleen macrophage (MØ) and melanomacrophage center (MMC) areas and distribution. Data will show that in treated fish decrease of intestinal interleukin‐ (IL‐) 1β and IL‐6 and increase of splenic interferon‐ (IFN‐) γ occur. On the other hand, in the spleen reduction of MØ number seems to parallel increase in MMCs. Collectively, these data suggest that polyphenol‐administered sea bass generate lower levels of intestinal proinflammatory cytokines, while producing larger amounts of spleen IFN‐γ, as an expression of a robust and protective adaptive immune response. Increase of MMCs corroborates the evidence for a protective spleen response induced by feed enriched with polyphenols.
Loss of PTEN Promotes Resistance to T Cell–Mediated Immunotherapy
Authors: Peng Weiyi , Chen Jie Qing , Liu Chengwen , Malu Shruti , Creasy Caitlin , Tetzlaff Michael T. , Xu Chunyu , McKenzie Jodi A. , Zhang Chunlei , Liang Xiaoxuan , Williams Leila J. , Deng Wanleng , Chen Guo , Mbofung Rina , Lazar Alexander J. , Torres-Cabala Carlos A. , Cooper Zachary A. , Chen Pei-Ling , Tieu Trang N. , Spranger Stefani , Yu Xiaoxing , Bernatchez Chantale , Forget Marie-Andree , Haymaker Cara , Amaria Rodabe , McQuade Jennifer L. , Glitza Isabella C. , Cascone Tina , Li Haiyan S. , Kwong Lawrence N. , Heffernan Timothy P. , Hu Jianhua , Bassett Roland L. , Bosenberg Marcus W. , Woodman Scott E. , Overwijk Willem W. , Lizée Gregory , Roszik Jason , Gajewski Thomas F. , Wargo Jennifer A. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Radvanyi Laszlo , Davies Michael A. , Hwu Patrick
Published: December 2015

T cell–mediated immunotherapies are promising cancer treatments. However, most patients still fail to respond to these therapies. The molecular determinants of immune resistance are poorly understood. We show that loss of PTEN in tumor cells in preclinical models of melanoma inhibits T cell–mediated tumor killing and decreases T-cell trafficking into tumors. In patients, PTEN loss correlates with decreased T-cell infiltration at tumor sites, reduced likelihood of successful T-cell expansion from resected tumors, and inferior outcomes with PD-1 inhibitor therapy. PTEN loss in tumor cells increased the expression of immunosuppressive cytokines, resulting in decreased T-cell infiltration in tumors, and inhibited autophagy, which decreased T cell–mediated cell death. Treatment with a selective PI3Kβ inhibitor improved the efficacy of both anti–PD-1 and anti–CTLA-4 antibodies in murine models. Together, these findings demonstrate that PTEN loss promotes immune resistance and support the rationale to explore combinations of immunotherapies and PI3K–AKT pathway inhibitors.

Significance: This study adds to the growing evidence that oncogenic pathways in tumors can promote resistance to the antitumor immune response. As PTEN loss and PI3K–AKT pathway activation occur in multiple tumor types, the results support the rationale to further evaluate combinatorial strategies targeting the PI3K–AKT pathway to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy. Cancer Discov; 6(2); 202–16. ©2015 AACR.

See related commentary by Rizvi and Chan, p. 128.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 109
MicroRNA-138 Regulates Metastatic Potential of Bladder Cancer Through ZEB2
Authors: Sun De-Kang , Wang Jian-Ming , Zhang Peng , Wang Yong-Qiang
Published: December 2015

Background/Aims: The cases of bladder cancer (BC) with poor prognosis largely result from the distal metastases of the primary tumor. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles during cancer metastases, determination of the involved miRNAs in the regulation of the metastases of BC may provide novel therapeutic targets for BC treatment. Here, we aimed to study the role of miR-138 in regulation of BC cell invasion and metastases. Methods: We analyzed the levels of miR-138 and ZEB2, a key factor that regulates cancer cell invasion, in the BC specimens from the patients. We also studied the correlation between miR-138 and ZEB2. We performed bioinformatics analyses on the binding of miR-138 to the 3'-UTR of ZEB2 mRNA, and verified the biological effects of this binding through promoter luciferase reporter assay. The effects of miR-138-modification on BC cell invasion were evaluated in a transwell cell invasion assay and a scratch would healing assay. Results: We found that the levels of miR-138 were significantly decreased and the levels of ZEB2 were significantly increased in BC specimens, compared to the paired normal bladder tissue. Metastatic BC appeared to contained lower levels of miR-138. Moreover, miR-138 and ZEB2 inversely correlated in BC specimens. Bioinformatics analyses showed that miR-138 targeted the 3'-UTR of ZEB2 mRNA to inhibit its translation. Furthermore, miR-138 overexpression inhibited ZEB2-mediated cell invasion and metastases, while miR-138 depletion increased ZEB2-mediated cell invasion and metastases in BC cells. Conclusion: Suppression of miR-138 in BC cells may promote ZEB2-mediated cancer invasion and metastases. Thus, miR-138 appears to be an intriguing therapeutic target to prevent metastases of BC.
The Effect of Perinatal Hypoxic/Ischemic Injury on Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression in the Locus Coeruleus of the Human Neonate
Authors: Pagida Marianna A. , Konstantinidou Anastasia E. , Korelidou Anna , Katsika Dimitra , Tsekoura Effrosini , Patsouris Efstratios , Panayotacopoulou Maria T.
Published: December 2015

We have previously shown that perinatal hypoxic/ischemic injury (HII) may cause selective vulnerability of the mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons of human neonate. In the present study, we investigated the effect of perinatal HII on the noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) of the same sample. We studied immunohistochemically the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, first limiting enzyme for catecholamine synthesis) in LC neurons of 15 autopsied infants (brains collected from the Greek Brain Bank) in relation to the neuropathological changes of acute or chronic HII of the neonatal brain. Our results showed that perinatal HII appears to affect the expression of TH and the size of LC neurons of the human neonate. In subjects with neuropathological lesions consistent with abrupt/severe HII, intense TH immunoreactivity was found in almost all neurons of the LC. In most of the neonates with neuropathological changes of prolonged or older injury, however, reduction in cell size and a decrease or absence of TH staining were observed in the LC. Intense TH immunoreactivity was found in the LC of 3 infants of the latter group, who interestingly had a longer survival time and had been treated with anticonvulsant drugs. Based on our observations and in view of experimental evidence indicating that the reduction of TH-immunoreactive neurons occurring in the LC after perinatal hypoxic insults persists into adulthood, we suggest that a dysregulation of monoaminergic neurotransmission in critical periods of brain development in humans is likely to predispose the survivors of perinatal HII, in combination with genetic susceptibility, to psychiatric and/or neurological disorders later in life.
Visual Assessment of Age-Related White Matter Hyperintensities Using FLAIR Images at 3 T: Inter- and Intra-Rater Agreement
Authors: Boutet Claire , Rouffiange-Leclair Laure , Schneider Fabien , Camdessanché Jean-Philippe , Antoine Jean-Christophe , Barral Fabrice-Guy
Published: December 2015

Background: Age-related white matter hyperintensities are frequent incidental findings on T2-weighted brain MRI, and they are evaluated in clinical practice using a visual rating scale. Objective: To evaluate inter- and intra-rater agreement in MRI visual evaluations of age-related white matter hyperintensities made by two radiologists with different levels of experience using a visual rating scale. Methods: Two radiologists of two different levels of experience separately rated age-related white matter hyperintensities in 40 consecutive 3-tesla brain MRI scans using the Fazekas and Schmidt visual rating scale. Ratings were made on axial FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) sequences. Two readings were made by each radiologist. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was statistically determined by using Cohen's weighted kappa analysis. Results: Forty patients (21 females, 19 males; mean age = 57 ± 18.43 years) were included between September and October 2011. Mean values ± SD for visual scores were as follows: periventricular hyperintensities, between 1.175 ± 0.9 and 1.375 ± 0.89; number of deep white matter hyperintensity lesions, between 1.325 ± 1.18 and 1.575 ± 1.15, and extent of deep white matter hyperintensity lesions, between 0.925 ± 0.78 and 1.1 ± 0.74. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was very good (κ values, 0.85-0.91 and 0.80-0.97, respectively) for each of the three visual scale criteria, with significant correlations between ratings (r = 0.95; p < 0.0001) and readings (r = 0.91; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Visual assessment of age-related white matter hyperintensities by radiologists using a visual scale on FLAIR sequence is reproducible. Differences in experience level do not influence readings. Visual scale use is thus justified in common practice.
Timing and Outcome Concerns regarding Feminizing Genitoplasty from the Perspective of Egyptian Families of Girls with Virilized External Genitalia
Authors: Marei Mahmoud M. , Fares Ahmed E. , Musa Noha , Abdelsattar Ayman H. , Sharaf Amal , Hassan Mona M. , Elkotby Montasser , Eltagy Gamal , Hafez Mona , Elbarbary Mohamed M.
Published: December 2015

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in females leads to virilization of external genitalia and persistent urogenital sinus. There are controversies regarding the timing and outcomes of surgery. Deferring surgeries beyond childhood is difficult to implement in conservative societies, and may result in stigmatization and distress to individuals with disorders of sexual differentiation and their families. Methods: Thirty girls with virilization due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia were admitted for single-stage feminizing genitoplasty, between 2011 and 2014. We prospectively studied the concerns and input of the families represented by the mothers. After comprehensive counselling, the mothers completed a questionnaire to clarify their priorities and concerns related to surgery. Results: Surgeries were performed at a mean age of 22 months. Most cases ranged between Prader's degrees III and IV. Egyptian families believe that early surgical reconstruction is in the best interest of their girls. They are marginally more concerned about functional outcomes and future child bearing than external appearance and cosmetic outcomes. Conclusions: Social difficulties noticeably add challenges to the management plan within conservative societies. Early genital reconstructive surgery, when reasonably indicated, needs to remain a viable option. Comprehensive psychosocial support within a multidisciplinary approach is needed to defer feminizing genitoplasty in selected cases to adolescence.
Spatial Relationship between Acute Lacunar Infarction and White Matter Hyperintensities
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Ding Lingling , Yuan Junliang , Qin Wei , Hu Wenli
Published: December 2015

Background: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) predict incident strokes and new lacunes; moreover, WMH may also affect infarct locations. Our aim in this study was to examine the spatial relationship between WMH and acute lacunar infarction. Methods: Five hundred and ninety patients with acute lacunar infarction in supratentorial region were included. Four situations between infarction and WMH were assessed by axial and coronal MRI: no contact (Grade 0), contact without overlap (Grade Ia), partial overlap (Grade Ib), and complete overlap (Grade II) with preexisting WMH. Furthermore, we defined infarctions in Grades Ia and Ib as edge-localized infarctions and investigated their predictors and short-term outcome. Results: 47.9% (283) of the infarctions were edge-localized infarctions (Grade Ia = 27.6% and Grade Ib = 20.3%), 51.5% (304) were Grade 0, only 0.5% (3) were Grade II. Patients with edge-localized infarction had larger infarct size, more severe WMH, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and lower Barthel index (BI) score at admission than those with non-edge-localized infarction. They also had lower BI score at discharge. Infarction in subcortical white matter, diffusion-weighted imaging infarct size, periventricular WMH and deep WMH were predictors for edge-localized infarction. Conclusions: Half of lacunar infarctions were located at the edge of WMH. Both periventricular WMH and deep WMH were predictors for edge-localized infarction.
Surgical Approaches for Vitreomacular Tractions
Authors: Relimpio López María Isabel , Espejo Arjona Francisco , Garrido Hermosilla Antonio Manuel , Laborda Guirao Teresa , Gómez Escobar Antonio José , Rodríguez de la Rúa Franch Enrique
Published: December 2015

Purpose: The aim is to describe the main characteristics of different approaches in vitreomacular traction surgery. Setting/Venue: The video (see www.karger.com/doi/10.1159/ 000442579) about vitreomacular traction surgery was created at the Department of Ophthalmology, Virgin Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain. Methods: We present the surgical release of vitreomacular tractions in three different pathologies: (1) idiopathic epimacular membrane; (2) proliferative diabetic retinopathy with long-term hemovitreous, and (3) Coats' disease. Results: Although functional success is less common than anatomical success, we will never be able to improve vision without restoring retinal anatomy. Conclusions: Vitreomacular tractions are perfectly well known by ophthalmologists. However, the method used to release them must be the least aggressive possible in order to avoid retinal tears or macular holes with subsequent visual loss.
Energia e Sustentabilidade
Authors: Goldemberg José
Published: December 2015

Na década de 1980, foi criada pela Assembleia Geral das Nações Unidas a Comissão Mundial sobre o Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento (CMMAD), presidida por Gro Harlem Brundtland que, em 1987, lançou o relatório Nosso Futuro Comum (conhecido também como Relatório Brundtland), que definiu o desenvolvimento sustentável da seguinte forma:
"O desenvolvimento sustentável é aquele que atende às necessidades do presente sem comprometer a possibilidade de as gerações futuras atenderem a suas próprias necessidades."
Editorial
Authors: Caldas Waldenyr
Published: December 2015

O tema central deste número da nossa Revista não é novidade nem acontecimento inédito no Brasil. Não é também nada bombástico, porque não se trata de notícia do momento. Dito assim parece até que vamos tratar de um assunto desimportante, mas não é nada disso. Ao contrário, é justamente sua importância que nos fez pensar nele como tema principal desta edição. O prezado leitor, como considerável parcela da população brasileira, tem se preocupado com as relações entre Estado e sociedade, com os direitos e deveres do cidadão e seus respectivos reflexos na reconstrução e consolidação democrática em nosso país. Isso, no entanto, não se conquista da noite para o dia. Justamente por isso, o tema cidadania tem o destaque neste número.
Short‐Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution Is Preferentially Associated With the Risk of ST‐Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Events
Authors: Pope C. Arden , Muhlestein Joseph B. , Anderson Jeffrey L. , Cannon John B. , Hales Nicholas M. , Meredith Kent G. , Le Viet , Horne Benjamin D.
Published: December 2015

Background

Air pollution is associated with greater cardiovascular event risk, but the types of events and specific persons at risk remain unknown. This analysis evaluates effects of short‐term exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution with risk of acute coronary syndrome events, including
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, non–
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and non–
ST
‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Methods and Results

Acute coronary syndrome events treated at Intermountain Healthcare hospitals in urban areas of Utah's Wasatch Front were collected between September 1993 and May 2014 (N=16 314). A time‐stratified case‐crossover design was performed matching fine particulate matter air pollution exposure at the time of each event with referent periods when the event did not occur. Patients served as their own controls, and odds ratios were estimated using nonthreshold and threshold conditional logistic regression models. In patients with angiographic coronary artery disease, odds ratios for a 10‐μg/m
3
increase in concurrent‐day fine particulate matter air pollution >25 μg/m³ were 1.06 (95%
CI
1.02–1.11) for all acute coronary syndrome, 1.15 (95%
CI
1.03–1.29) for
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, 1.02 (95%
CI
0.97–1.08) for non–
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, 1.09 (95%
CI
1.02–1.17) for unstable angina, and 1.05 (95%
CI
1.00–1.10) for non–
ST
‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome events. Excess risk from fine particulate matter air pollution exposure was not observed in patients without angiographic coronary artery disease.

Conclusions

Elevated fine particulate matter air pollution exposures contribute to triggering acute coronary events, especially
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, in those with existing seriously diseased coronary arteries but not in those with nondiseased coronary arteries.
Damage to the Left Precentral Gyrus Is Associated With Apraxia of Speech in Acute Stroke
Authors: Itabashi Ryo , Nishio Yoshiyuki , Kataoka Yuka , Yazawa Yukako , Furui Eisuke , Matsuda Minoru , Mori Etsuro
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose—

Apraxia of speech (AOS) is a motor speech disorder, which is clinically characterized by the combination of phonemic segmental changes and articulatory distortions. AOS has been believed to arise from impairment in motor speech planning/programming and differentiated from both aphasia and dysarthria. The brain regions associated with AOS are still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to address this issue in a large number of consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods—

We retrospectively studied 136 patients with isolated nonlacunar infarcts in the left middle cerebral artery territory (70.5±12.9 years old, 79 males). In accordance with speech and language assessments, the patients were classified into the following groups: pure form of AOS (pure AOS), AOS with aphasia (AOS-aphasia), and without AOS (non-AOS). Voxel-based lesion–symptom mapping analysis was performed on T2-weighted images or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Using the Liebermeister method, group-wise comparisons were made between the all AOS (pure AOS plus AOS-aphasia) and non-AOS, pure AOS and non-AOS, AOS-aphasia and non-AOS, and pure AOS and AOS-aphasia groups.

Results—

Of the 136 patients, 22 patients were diagnosed with AOS (7 patients with pure AOS and 15 patients with AOS-aphasia). The voxel-based lesion–symptom mapping analysis demonstrated that the brain regions associated with AOS were centered on the left precentral gyrus.

Conclusions—

Damage to the left precentral gyrus is associated with AOS in acute to subacute stroke patients, suggesting a role of this brain region in motor speech production.
On Cellular Darwinism: Mitochondria
Authors: Bull Larry
Published: December 2015

The significant role of mitochondria within cells is becoming increasingly clear. This letter uses the NKCS model of coupled fitness landscapes to explore aspects of organelle-nucleus coevolution. The phenomenon of mitochondrial diversity is allowed to emerge under a simple intracellular evolutionary process, including varying the relative rate of evolution by the organelle. It is shown how the conditions for the maintenance of more than one genetic variant of mitochondria are similar to those previously suggested as needed for the original symbiotic origins of the relationship using the NKCS model.
An Arab Court of Human Rights: The Dream Desired
Authors: Alshehri Salem
Published: December 2015

The Arab Spring, which began at the end of 2010, created an atmosphere in the Arab world suitable for improving the protection of human rights through the establishment of the Arab Court of Human Rights. Plans to establish this court have existed since 2004, following the modification of the Arab Charter on Human Rights. This article explores the need for the establishment of the court, which will be a dream come true for residents in the Arab world.
Painted Gems. The Color Worlds of Portrait Miniature Painting in Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Britain
Authors: Leonhard Karin
Published: December 2015

It has been argued persuasively that we should see the art of the portrait miniaturist as being closely related to the art of the goldsmith – with the painted ‘jewel’ of the portrait set into a richly ornamented piece of jewelry. Indeed, there is a close affinity between Nicholas Hilliard’s art of portrait miniature painting and goldsmithery. His Treatise’s famous section devoted to precious stones reflects this idea, as it is concerned with the relationship of those stones to the colors used in the miniatures, colors that can be seen as surrogates for the stones themselves. Color, light and shadow – these three aspects of how to render the natural world into paint are closely related: it is the complexity of the relationship that demanded a painting technique that took care not to create chia­roscuro-effects and specifically not let color be ‘corrupted’ by shadows or ‘mixed’ with other colors.
Phylogeny of the Andean genus Deprea (Physalideae, Solanaceae): testing the generic circumscription
Authors: Carrizo García Carolina , Wahlert Gregory , Orozco Clara Inés , Barboza Gloria Estela , Bohs Lynn
Published: December 2015

Deprea (Solanaceae) is a small South American genus of 10 species occurring in Andean areas from Venezuela to Bolivia. The circumscription of Deprea has been repeatedly modified in recent years, with new species being described and others transferred into or out of the genus. The relationships of Deprea to other genera of Solanaceae are still poorly understood, although it seems to be closely related to Larnax. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to test the monophyly of Deprea. Sequences from three molecular markers (nuclear ITS and waxy and chloroplast psbA-trnH) were analyzed by parsimony and Bayesian methods. All the species of Deprea and Larnax sampled were intermixed in a strongly supported clade in the consensus trees, and therefore the currently recognized Deprea species do not form a monophyletic group. At least four strongly supported clades could be recovered within the Deprea + Larnax assemblage, but the affinities of several species of both genera remained unresolved. Additional sampling including the majority of the Deprea + Larnax species and more representatives of genera in the Physalideae should be done to clarify relationships within the clade and to pinpoint the closest relatives of Deprea + Larnax.
A new genus and three new species of tribe Oxycerini (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Oriental region
Authors: YANG ZAI-HUA , ROZKOŠNÝ RUDOLF , YANG MAO-FA
Published: December 2015

Oxyceroides gen. nov., including three new species, O. gracilis sp. nov., O. sinica sp. nov. and O. tangi sp. nov. from South China in the Oriental region are described and illustrated. Related genera from other biogeographical realms are briefly discussed. Identification keys to the known Oriental Oxycerini and to the three new species of Oxyceroides are given.
The first records on the genus Acalyptris from the Caribbean (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae)
Authors: STONIS JONAS R. , REMEIKIS ANDRIUS
Published: December 2015

In this paper we describe three new species of Acalyptris Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae): Acalyptris nigrisignum Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. from the Country of Curaçao (formerly the Netherlands Antilles), A. trigonijuxtus Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. from British Virgin Islands, and A. dominicanus Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. from Dominica. A pictorial key is provided for two newly established species complexes: bicornutus and tenuijuxtus. The newly described species are illustrated with photographs of the adults and the genitalia.
Stationary Wave Interference and Its Relation to Tropical Convection and Arctic Warming
Authors: Goss Michael , Feldstein Steven B. , Lee Sukyoung
Published: December 2015

The interference between transient eddies and climatological stationary eddies in the Northern Hemisphere is investigated. The amplitude and sign of the interference is represented by the stationary wave index (SWI), which is calculated by projecting the daily 300-hPa streamfunction anomaly field onto the 300-hPa climatological stationary wave. ERA-Interim data for the years 1979 to 2013 are used. The amplitude of the interference peaks during boreal winter. The evolution of outgoing longwave radiation, Arctic temperature, 300-hPa streamfunction, 10-hPa zonal wind, Arctic sea ice concentration, and the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index are examined for days of large SWI values during the winter.

Constructive interference during winter tends to occur about one week after enhanced warm pool convection and is followed by an increase in Arctic surface air temperature along with a reduction of sea ice in the Barents and Kara Seas. The warming of the Arctic does occur without prior warm pool convection, but it is enhanced and prolonged when constructive interference occurs in concert with enhanced warm pool convection. This is followed two weeks later by a weakening of the stratospheric polar vortex and a decline of the AO. All of these associations are reversed in the case of destructive interference. Potential climate change implications are briefly discussed.
Moist Process Biases in Simulations of the Madden–Julian Oscillation Episodes Observed during the AMIE/DYNAMO Field Campaign
Authors: Hagos Samson M. , Feng Zhe , Burleyson Casey D. , Zhao Chun , Martini Matus N. , Berg Larry K.
Published: December 2015

Two Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) episodes observed during the 2011 Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program MJO Investigation Experiment (AMIE)/DYNAMO field campaign are simulated using a regional model with various cumulus parameterizations, a regional cloud-permitting model, and a global variable-resolution model with a high-resolution region centered over the tropical Indian Ocean. Model biases in relationships relevant to existing instability theories of MJO are examined and their relative contributions to the overall model errors are quantified using a linear statistical model. The model simulations capture the observed approximately log-linear relationship between moisture saturation fraction and precipitation, but precipitation associated with the given saturation fraction is overestimated especially at low saturation fraction values. This bias is a major contributor to the excessive precipitation during the suppressed phase of MJO. After accounting for this bias using a linear statistical model, the spatial and temporal structures of the model-simulated MJO episodes are much improved, and what remains of the biases is strongly correlated with biases in saturation fraction. The excess precipitation bias during the suppressed phase of the MJO episodes is accompanied by excessive column-integrated radiative forcing and surface evaporation. A large portion of the bias in evaporation is related to biases in wind speed, which are correlated with those of precipitation. These findings suggest that the precipitation bias sustains itself at least partly by cloud radiative feedbacks and convection–surface wind interactions.
Seasonal Forecasts of Tropical Cyclone Activity in a High-Atmospheric-Resolution Coupled Prediction System*
Authors: Manganello Julia V. , Hodges Kevin I. , Cash Benjamin A. , Kinter James L. , Altshuler Eric L. , Fennessy Michael J. , Vitart Frederic , Molteni Franco , Towers Peter
Published: December 2015

Seasonal forecast skill of the basinwide and regional tropical cyclone (TC) activity in an experimental coupled prediction system based on the ECMWF System 4 is assessed. As part of a collaboration between the Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies (COLA) and the ECMWF called Project Minerva, the system is integrated at the atmospheric horizontal spectral resolutions of T319, T639, and T1279. Seven-month hindcasts starting from 1 May for the years 1980–2011 are produced at all three resolutions with at least 15 ensemble members. The Minerva system demonstrates statistically significant skill for retrospective forecasts of TC frequency and accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) in the North Atlantic (NA), eastern North Pacific (EP), and western North Pacific. While the highest scores overall are achieved in the North Pacific, the skill in the NA appears to be limited by an overly strong influence of the tropical Pacific variability. Higher model resolution improves skill scores for the ACE and, to a lesser extent, the TC frequency, even though the influence of large-scale climate variations on these TC activity measures is largely independent of resolution changes. The biggest gain occurs in transition from T319 to T639. Significant skill in regional TC forecasts is achieved over broad areas of the Northern Hemisphere. The highest-resolution hindcasts exhibit additional locations with skill in the NA and EP, including land-adjacent areas. The feasibility of regional intensity forecasts is assessed. In the presence of the coupled model biases, the benefits of high resolution for seasonal TC forecasting may be underestimated.
A Hybrid NWP–Analog Ensemble
Authors: Eckel F. Anthony , Delle Monache Luca
Published: December 2015

An analog ensemble (AnEn) is constructed by first matching up the current forecast from a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model with similar past forecasts. The verifying observation from each match is then used as an ensemble member. For at least some applications, the advantages of AnEn over an NWP ensemble (multiple real-time model runs) may include higher efficiency, avoidance of initial condition and model perturbation challenges, and little or no need for postprocessing calibration. While AnEn can capture flow-dependent error growth, it may miss aspects of error growth that can be represented dynamically by the multiple real-time model runs of an NWP ensemble. To combine the strengths of the AnEn and NWP ensemble approaches, a hybrid ensemble (HyEn) is constructed by finding m analogs for each member of a small n-member NWP ensemble, to produce a total of m × n members.

Forecast skill is compared between the AnEn, HyEn, and an NWP ensemble calibrated using logistic regression. The HyEn outperforms the other approaches for probabilistic 2-m temperature forecasts yet underperforms for 10-m wind speed. The mixed results reveal a dependence on the intrinsic skill of the NWP members employed. In this study, the NWP ensemble is underspread for both 2-m temperature and 10-m winds, yet displays some ability to represent flow-dependent error for the former and not the latter. Thus, the HyEn is a promising approach for efficient generation of high-quality probabilistic forecasts, but requires use of a small, and at least partially functional, NWP ensemble.
The impact of loose coupling on police effectiveness
Authors: Knight Gavin M
Published: December 2015

This paper discusses loose coupling within police organisations, and the implications for police effectiveness. It uses findings from a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews of 121 personnel from New Zealand Police and Queensland Police Service. The study provided insights into the characteristics of loose coupling in police agencies. The paper discusses the implications of these characteristics for the effectiveness of police. It suggests that the perceptions employees hold of the performance management practices that police use influence the extent of loose coupling. This loose coupling has both positive and negative effects. It reduces the ability of senior management to control the behaviour of employees. However, lack of management control does not result in an organisational culture that tolerates poor performance. The study found that strong peer pressure exists within workgroups to support the team and show commitment to doing a good job.