bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Blood Pressure and Adverse Renal Events in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Ku Elaine , McCulloch Charles E. , Mauer Michael , Gitelman Stephen E. , Grimes Barbara A. , Hsu Chi-yuan
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

To compare different blood pressure (BP) levels in their association with the risk of renal outcomes in type 1 diabetes and to determine whether an intensive glycemic control strategy modifies this association.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We included 1,441 participants with type 1 diabetes between the ages of 13 and 39 years who had previously been randomized to receive intensive versus conventional glycemic control in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). The exposures of interest were time-updated systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) categories. Outcomes included macroalbuminuria (>300 mg/24 h) or stage III chronic kidney disease (CKD) (sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2).

RESULTS

During a median follow-up time of 24 years, there were 84 cases of stage III CKD and 169 cases of macroalbuminuria. In adjusted models, SBP in the <120 mmHg range was associated with a 0.59 times higher risk of macroalbuminuria (95% CI 0.37–0.95) and a 0.32 times higher risk of stage III CKD (95% CI 0.14–0.75) compared with SBPs between 130 and 140 mmHg. DBP in the <70 mmHg range were associated with a 0.73 times higher risk of macroalbuminuria (95% CI 0.44–1.18) and a 0.47 times higher risk of stage III CKD (95% CI 0.21–1.05) compared with DBPs between 80 and 90 mmHg. No interaction was noted between BP and prior DCCT-assigned glycemic control strategy (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A lower BP (<120/70 mmHg) was associated with a substantially lower risk of adverse renal outcomes, regardless of the prior assigned glycemic control strategy. Interventional trials may be useful to help determine whether the currently recommended BP target of 140/90 mmHg may be too high for optimal renal protection in type 1 diabetes.
2016 Health Care & Education Presidential Address: If DSME Were a Pill, Would You Prescribe It?
Authors: Powers Margaret A.
Published: November 2016

This address was delivered by Margaret A. Powers, PhD, RD, CDE, President, Health Care & Education, of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), at the ADA’s 76th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, LA, on 11 June 2016. Dr. Powers conducts research and has a clinical practice as a registered dietitian and diabetes educator at the International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet in Minneapolis. Her research focuses on improving diabetes outcomes including factors that affect the clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral aspects of diabetes. Dr. Powers has been an ADA volunteer for more than 25 years, including serving as a founding editor of Diabetes Spectrum. She is the lead author of the 2015 joint Position Statement on Diabetes Self-management Education and Support published by the ADA, American Association of Diabetes Educators, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is the recipient of the ADA's Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award and has published research, authored numerous articles and chapters, published five books, and is an international presenter. Dr. Powers holds a doctorate in education with a focus on performance improvement from Capella University. She received her Master of Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University. She completed her dietetic internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago.
Effects of trazodone on behavioral signs of stress in hospitalized dogs
Authors: Gilbert-Gregory Shana E. , Stull Jason W. , Rice Mary Rose , Herron Meghan E.
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of trazodone treatment on behavioral signs of stress in hospitalized dogs.

DESIGN Prospective observational study.

ANIMALS 120 client-owned dogs.

PROCEDURES Hospitalized dogs administered trazodone (n = 60) were observed for stress-related signs or behaviors ≤ 45 minutes after the drug was administered (time 1) and approximately 90 minutes later (time 2). Dogs that did not receive trazodone (n = 60) were selected to serve as controls for environmental stimuli that could affect behavior and were observed at the same times. Signs or behaviors (scored as present or absent) were assessed individually and grouped into behavioral summation categories (frenetic [lip licking, pacing, panting, spinning, trembling, wet dog shake, whining, and yawning], freeze [averting gaze, pinning back ears, and whale eye sign], or fractious [growling, lunging, showing teeth, and snapping], with lifting of a forelimb and pupil dilation included in all categories). Results were compared between groups and within groups over time. Logistic regression was performed to assess associations between reduction in stress-related signs or behaviors and trazodone administration while controlling for environmental influences.

RESULTS Lip licking, panting, and whining were reduced (defined as present at time 1 and absent at time 2) in trazodone-treated but not environmentally matched dogs. The median number of stress-related behaviors and of frenetic and freeze behaviors was significantly lower at time 2, compared with time 1, in trazodone-treated dogs. Odds of reduced panting and reduced frenetic behaviors at time 2 for trazodone-treated dogs were > 2 times those for environmentally matched dogs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that trazodone administration reduced stress-related signs and behaviors in hospitalized dogs and may thereby improve patient welfare.
Morphological variability of Demodex cati in a feline immunodeficiency virus-positive cat
Authors: Taffin Elien R. L. , Casaert Stijn , Claerebout Edwin , Vandekerkhof Thomas J. J. , Vandenabeele Sophie
Published: November 2016

CASE DESCRIPTION A 17-year-old FIV-positive cat was evaluated because of weight loss during the preceding few months. The cat had a weight loss of 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) during the last month. Because of its FIV-positive status, the cat was confined indoors.

CLINICAL FINDINGS A large nonpruritic area of alopecia with hyperpigmentation and comedones was present on the right lateral aspect of the neck. The chin had diffuse alopecia and comedones. Mild alopecia was present on the dorsal aspect of the muzzle. Trichography and microscopic examination of acetate tape imprint preparations and skin scrapings revealed a very morphologically heterogeneous population of Demodex mites. Micrometry of adult mites revealed a broad range of body lengths (92.68 to 245.94 μm), which suggested that as many as 3 Demodex spp might be present in the skin lesions of this cat.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Owing to its concurrent disease, no treatment was initiated for the demodicosis, and the cat died spontaneously 14 days after the evaluation. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of collected mites was performed. Analysis revealed that the 16S rRNA gene sequence of collected mites appeared 100% identical to the Demodex cati 16S rRNA gene sequence deposited in GenBank (JX193759). A similarity of 79.2% and 74.4% was found when the 16S rRNA gene sequence of collected mites was compared with that of Demodex gatoi (JX981921) and Demodex felis (KF052995), respectively.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE Demodicosis in cats is often associated with underlying disease. In cats, FIV infection may lead to an altered immune response and induce species polymorphism of Demodex mites.
Parametric Optimization Of Gas Metal Arc Welding Process By Using Grey Based Taguchi Method On Aisi 409 Ferritic Stainless Steel
Authors: Ghosh Nabendu , Kumar Pradip , Nandi Goutam
Published: November 2016

Welding input process parameters play a very significant role in determining the quality of the welded joint. Only by properly controlling every element of the process can product quality be controlled. For better quality of MIG welding of Ferritic stainless steel AISI 409, precise control of process parameters, parametric optimization of the process parameters, prediction and control of the desired responses (quality indices) etc., continued and elaborate experiments, analysis and modeling are needed. A data of knowledge - base may thus be generated which may be utilized by the practicing engineers and technicians to produce good quality weld more precisely, reliably and predictively. In the present work, X-ray radiographic test has been conducted in order to detect surface and sub-surface defects of weld specimens made of Ferritic stainless steel. The quality of the weld has been evaluated in terms of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and percentage of elongation of the welded specimens. The observed data have been interpreted, discussed and analyzed by considering ultimate tensile strength ,yield strength and percentage elongation combined with use of Grey-Taguchi methodology.
Some Aspects of PDC Electrolysis
Authors: Poláčik Ján , Pospíšil Jiří
Published: November 2016

In this paper, aspects of pulsed direct current (PDC) water splitting are described. Electrolysis is a simple and well-known method to produce hydrogen. The efficiency is relatively low in normal conditions using conventional DC. PDC in electrolysis brings about many advantages. It increases efficiency of hydrogen production, and performance of the electrolyser may be smoothly controlled without compromising efficiency of the process. In our approach, ultra-short pulses are applied. This method enhances efficiency of electrical energy in the process of decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Efficiency depends on frequency, shape and width of the electrical pulses. Experiments proved that efficiency was increased by 2 to 8 per cent. One of the prospects of PDC electrolysis producing hydrogen is in increase of efficiency of energy storage efficiency in the hydrogen. There are strong efforts to make the electrical grid more efficient and balanced in terms of production by installing electricity storage units. Using hydrogen as a fuel decreases air pollution and amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the air. In addition to energy storage, hydrogen is also important in transportation and chemical industry.
Educating for Democracy in a Partisan Age
Authors: Kahne Joseph , Bowyer Benjamin
Published: November 2016

This article investigates youth judgments of the accuracy of truth claims tied to controversial public issues. In an experiment embedded within a nationally representative survey of youth ages 15 to 27 ( N = 2,101), youth were asked to judge the accuracy of one of several simulated online posts. Consistent with research on motivated reasoning, youth assessments depended on (a) the alignment of the claim with one’s prior policy position and to a lesser extent on (b) whether the post included an inaccurate statement. To consider ways educators might improve judgments of accuracy, we also investigated the influence of political knowledge and exposure to media literacy education. We found that political knowledge did not improve judgments of accuracy but that media literacy education did.
What One Hundred Years of Research Says About the Effects of Ability Grouping and Acceleration on K–12 Students’ Academic Achievement
Authors: Steenbergen-Hu Saiying , Makel Matthew C. , Olszewski-Kubilius Paula
Published: November 2016

Two second-order meta-analyses synthesized approximately 100 years of research on the effects of ability grouping and acceleration on K–12 students’ academic achievement. Outcomes of 13 ability grouping meta-analyses showed that students benefited from within-class grouping (0.19 ≤ g ≤ 0.30), cross-grade subject grouping (g = 0.26), and special grouping for the gifted (g = 0.37), but did not benefit from between-class grouping (0.04 ≤ g ≤0.06); the effects did not vary for high-, medium-, and low-ability students. Three acceleration meta-analyses showed that accelerated students significantly outperformed their nonaccelerated same-age peers (g = 0.70) but did not differ significantly from nonaccelerated older peers (g = 0.09). Three other meta-analyses that aggregated outcomes across specific forms of acceleration found that acceleration appeared to have a positive, moderate, and statistically significant impact on students’ academic achievement (g = 0.42).
A Two-Stage Method to Test the Robustness of the Generalized Approximate Message Passing Algorithm
Authors: You Qingshan , Luo Yongjie , Wan Qun
Published: November 2016

We propose a two-stage method to test the robustness of the generalized approximate message passing algorithm (GAMP). A pursuit process based on the marginal posterior probability is inserted in the standard GAMP algorithm to find the support of a sparse vector, and a revised GAMP process is used to estimate the amplitudes of the support. The numerical experiments with simulation and real world data confirm the robustness and performance of our proposed algorithm.
Biological Chemistry of Hydrogen Selenide
Authors: Cupp-Sutton Kellye , Ashby Michael
Published: November 2016

There are no two main-group elements that exhibit more similar physical and chemical properties than sulfur and selenium. Nonetheless, Nature has deemed both essential for life and has found a way to exploit the subtle unique properties of selenium to include it in biochemistry despite its congener sulfur being 10,000 times more abundant. Selenium is more easily oxidized and it is kinetically more labile, so all selenium compounds could be considered to be “Reactive Selenium Compounds” relative to their sulfur analogues. What is furthermore remarkable is that one of the most reactive forms of selenium, hydrogen selenide (HSe− at physiologic pH), is proposed to be the starting point for the biosynthesis of selenium-containing molecules. This review contrasts the chemical properties of sulfur and selenium and critically assesses the role of hydrogen selenide in biological chemistry.
The Emergence of Pan-Cancer CIMP and Its Elusive Interpretation
Authors: Miller Brendan , Sánchez-Vega Francisco , Elnitski Laura
Published: November 2016

Epigenetic dysregulation is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. In the last 16 years, a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) has been documented in tumors originating from different tissues. However, a looming question in the field is whether or not CIMP is a pan-cancer phenomenon or a tissue-specific event. Here, we give a synopsis of the history of CIMP and describe the pattern of DNA methylation that defines the CIMP phenotype in different cancer types. We highlight new conceptual approaches of classifying tumors based on CIMP in a cancer type-agnostic way that reveal the presence of distinct CIMP tumors in a multitude of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, suggesting that this phenotype may transcend tissue-type specificity. Lastly, we show evidence supporting the clinical relevance of CIMP-positive tumors and suggest that a common CIMP etiology may define new mechanistic targets in cancer treatment.
Special Issue “50th Anniversary of the Kohn–Sham Theory—Advances in Density Functional Theory”
Authors: Nagy Ágnes , Schwarz Karlheinz
Published: November 2016

The properties of many materials at the atomic scale depend on the electronic structure, which requires a quantum mechanical treatment. The most widely used approach to make such a treatment feasible is density functional theory (DFT), the advances in which were presented and discussed during the DFT conference in Debrecen. Some of these issues are presented in this Special Issue.
Enhancing the Performance of the Data Embedment Process through Encoding Errors
Authors: Kamal A. , Islam Mohammad
Published: November 2016

Image steganography is a multipurpose-serving key emerging technology that is used for covertly transferring, storing, and governing various digital data, including intellectual properties and copyrights, social media data, multimedia data, and secrets of law-enforcing agencies. During the management in the stated information, nowadays, massive amounts of data are handled that require greater security. For that purpose, data are embedded into a cover image to hide them from any intruders. Nevertheless, the requirements of a larger embedding capacity, improved stego-image quality, and reduced time complexity is increasing. In this paper, the authors have presented a novel data-embedding scheme where the prediction error-based data-hiding scheme is modified in an intricate way so that all the image pixels can accept secret bits. A distance matrix between the pixel values of each image block and a reference value are measured first. Thereafter, the distances are encoded into two states: 1 and −1. That encoding process enables the scheme to implant one bit in every pixel of the cover image. During the bit implantation, the errors 1 and −1 are modified by shifting them to the right and left directions, respectively. This strategy enhances the embedding capacity by a factor of more than 2. The use of reference values reduces the computational complexity notably, and in the meanwhile increases the security and robustness of the scheme because the reference values are not open to any third party. The scheme also reduces the time complexity by 2–16 times with compared to its competing schemes. Experimental results prove the superiority of the proposed algorithm on embedding capacity, visual quality, and time complexity compared to the current well-accepted existing schemes.
Accelerated Model Predictive Control for Electric Vehicle Integrated Microgrid Energy Management: A Hybrid Robust and Stochastic Approach
Authors: Ji Zhenya , Huang Xueliang , Xu Changfu , Sun Houtao
Published: November 2016

A microgrid with an advanced energy management approach is a feasible solution for accommodating the development of distributed generators (DGs) and electric vehicles (EVs). At the primary stage of development, the total number of EVs in a microgrid is fairly small but increases promptly. Thus, it makes most prediction models for EV charging demand difficult to apply at present. To overcome the inadaptability, a novel robust approach is proposed to handle EV charging demand predictions along with demand-side management (DSM) on the condition of satisfying each EV user’s demand. Variables with stochastic forecast models join the objective function in the form of probability-constrained scenarios. This paper proposes a scenario-based model predictive control (MPC) approach combining both robust and stochastic models to minimize the total operational cost for energy management. To overcome the concern about the convergence time increasing from the combination of scenarios, the Benders decomposition (BD) technique is further adopted to improve computational efficiency. Simulation results on a combined heat and power microgrid indicate that the proposed scenario-based MPC approach achieves a better economic performance than a traditional deterministic MPC (DMPC) approach, while ensuring EV charging demands, as well as minimizing the trade-off between optimal solutions and computing times.
A Three-Stage Optimal Approach for Power System Economic Dispatch Considering Microgrids
Authors: Huang Wei-Tzer , Yao Kai-Chao , Wu Chun-Ching , Chang Yung-Ruei , Lee Yih-Der , Ho Yuan-Hsiang
Published: November 2016

The inclusion of microgrids (MGs) in power systems, especially distribution-substation-level MGs, significantly affects power systems because of the large volumes of import and export power flows. Consequently, power dispatch has become complicated, and finding an optimal solution is difficult. In this study, a three-stage optimal power dispatch model is proposed to solve such dispatch problems. In the proposed model, the entire power system is divided into two parts, namely, the main power grid and MGs. The optimal power dispatch problem is resolved on the basis of multi-area concepts. In stage I, the main power system economic dispatch (ED) problem is solved by sensitive factors. In stage II, the optimal power dispatches of the local MGs are addressed via an improved direct search method. In stage III, the incremental linear models for the entire power system can be established on the basis of the solutions of the previous two stages and can be subjected to linear programming to determine the optimal reschedules from the original dispatch solutions. The proposed method is coded using Matlab and tested by utilizing an IEEE 14-bus test system to verify its feasibility and accuracy. Results demonstrated that the proposed approach can be used for the ED of power systems with MGs as virtual power plants.
Improved Direct Deadbeat Voltage Control with an Actively Damped Inductor-Capacitor Plant Model in an Islanded AC Microgrid
Authors: Kim Jaehong , Hong Jitae , Kim Hongju
Published: November 2016

A direct deadbeat voltage control design method for inverter-based microgrid applications is proposed in this paper. When the inductor-capacitor (LC) filter output voltage is directly controlled using voltage source inverters (VSIs), the plant dynamics exhibit second-order resonant characteristics with a load current disturbance. To effectively damp the resonance caused by the output LC filter, an active damping strategy that does not cause additional energy loss is utilized. The proposed direct deadbeat voltage control law is devised from a detailed, actively damped LC plant model. The proposed deadbeat control method enhances voltage control performance owing to its better disturbance rejection capability than the conventional deadbeat or proportional-integral-based control methods. The most important advantage of the proposed deadbeat control method is that it makes the deadbeat control more robust by bringing discrete closed-loop poles closer to the origin. Simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the enhanced voltage control performance and stability of the proposed voltage control method.
Determinants, Health Problems, and Food Insecurity in Urban Areas of the Largest City in Cape Verde
Authors: Craveiro Isabel , Alves Daniela , Amado Miguel , Santos Zélia , Fortes Argentina , Delgado António , Correia Artur , Gonçalves Luzia
Published: November 2016

Urbanization processes are intertwined with nutritional transition because there is easier access to food of low nutritional quality at reduced prices, changing dietary patterns and leading to an increase of non-communicable chronic diseases. This study aims to understand the perceptions for high blood pressure, obesity, and alcoholism, describing some interactions of these dimensions in the problem of food security in the city of Praia. A qualitative study was carried out under the framework of the research project “UPHI-STAT: Urban Planning and Health Inequalities—moving from macro to micro statistics”. Ten focus groups were conducted in three urban areas with distinct characteristics in the city of Praia, with a total of 48 participants. Participants reported frequent consumption of foods with poor nutritional quality, understanding the potential danger in terms of food security in the city of Praia. Easy access to and high levels of alcohol consumption, and poor quality of traditional drinks were mentioned by participants in the study areas. The impact of the economic situation on the possibility of access to safe and healthy options emerged as a differentiating factor.
Overt Primary Hypothyroidism in an Industrial Area in São Paulo, Brazil: The Impact of Public Disclosure
Authors: Zaccarelli-Marino Maria , Saldiva André Carmen , Singer Julio
Published: November 2016

Background: Primary hypothyroidism (PH) is the most common thyroid pathology. Purpose: to evaluate the impact of public disclosure of an unexpected number of PH cases on the frequency of patients seeking medical evaluation for endocrinological diseases. Methods: data on 6306 subjects (3356 living in the surroundings of a petrochemical complex and 2950 in a control region) were collected over a 15-year time span. Thyroid function was determined by serum levels of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, free thyroxine and thyrotrophin. Antithyroglobulin and antithyroperoxidase antibodies and sonographic scans of the thyroid were performed in all patients. The data were analyzed via log-linear models to compute odds and odds ratios. Results: An increasing trend in the odds of PH was detected along the observation period with greater slope in the study region than in the control region. The odds of PH in the post-disclosure period (2002 to 2004) are greater than the corresponding ones in the pre-disclosure period (1989 to 2001). Conclusions: This study shows that living in the surroundings of a petrochemical complex may be an important risk factor for PH for both adults and children. Furthermore, public disclosure of such risk factor contributes to the awareness of the problem and to the possibility of an early diagnosis.
Machine-Vision Systems Selection for Agricultural Vehicles: A Guide
Authors: Pajares Gonzalo , García-Santillán Iván , Campos Yerania , Montalvo Martín , Guerrero José , Emmi Luis , Romeo Juan , Guijarro María , Gonzalez-de-Santos Pablo
Published: November 2016

Machine vision systems are becoming increasingly common onboard agricultural vehicles (autonomous and non-autonomous) for different tasks. This paper provides guidelines for selecting machine-vision systems for optimum performance, considering the adverse conditions on these outdoor environments with high variability on the illumination, irregular terrain conditions or different plant growth states, among others. In this regard, three main topics have been conveniently addressed for the best selection: (a) spectral bands (visible and infrared); (b) imaging sensors and optical systems (including intrinsic parameters) and (c) geometric visual system arrangement (considering extrinsic parameters and stereovision systems). A general overview, with detailed description and technical support, is provided for each topic with illustrative examples focused on specific applications in agriculture, although they could be applied in different contexts other than agricultural. A case study is provided as a result of research in the RHEA (Robot Fleets for Highly Effective Agriculture and Forestry Management) project for effective weed control in maize fields (wide-rows crops), funded by the European Union, where the machine vision system onboard the autonomous vehicles was the most important part of the full perception system, where machine vision was the most relevant. Details and results about crop row detection, weed patches identification, autonomous vehicle guidance and obstacle detection are provided together with a review of methods and approaches on these topics.
Assessing the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines Report in Light of the Right to Health
Authors: Forman Lisa , Abdillahi Ifrah , Samuel Jeannie
Published: November 2016

Access to medicines is the lynchpin to realizing a range of human rights, public health and development imperatives. However, without strong policy action to increase access to affordable medicines, there is little hope of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals or of realizing the human right to health. Access to medicines is a fundamental element of the right to health, and the majority of states are bound by core obligations in this regard. Accordingly, states must ensure that this critical human rights, public health and development interest is appropriately prioritized against inadequate resource allocations and competing private or trade interests. This is an imperative which we have argued should have framed the deliberations of the UN High Level Panel on Access to Medicines, convened to propose solutions to the “policy incoherence” between international human rights, trade rules and public health that is impeding access to medicines and the right to health for millions. In this article we explore interpretations in international human rights law regarding state duties towards medicines that should have guided these deliberations, and which were presented by the first author in a submission to the panel. We argue that at least two clear right to health duties support the High Level Panel’s recommendations: (1) the duty to prevent unreasonably high costs for medicines from denying large segments of the population their rights to health; and (2) the core obligation to provide essential medicines. Consequently, we explore three areas of action implied by these duties: (1) consistent implementation of human rights impact assessment; (2) institutionalizing the Agreement on Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) flexibilities in law and policy; (3) making permanent the waiver of TRIPS for least developed countries (LDC), and waiving the application of TRIPS to essential medicines in low and middle-income countries. Finally, we assess the extent to which the recommendations made by the Panel’s final report comply with these duties and accordingly with the right to health.
Targeted Magnetic Nanoparticles for Mechanical Lysis of Tumor Cells by Low-Amplitude Alternating Magnetic Field
Authors: Vegerhof Adi , Barnoy Eran , Motiei Menachem , Malka Dror , Danan Yossef , Zalevsky Zeev , Popovtzer Rachela
Published: November 2016

Currently available cancer therapies can cause damage to healthy tissue. We developed a unique method for specific mechanical lysis of cancer cells using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle rotation under a weak alternating magnetic field. Iron oxide core nanoparticles were coated with cetuximab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody, for specific tumor targeting. Nude mice bearing a head and neck tumor were treated with cetuximab-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and then received a 30 min treatment with a weak external alternating magnetic field (4 Hz) applied on alternating days (total of seven treatments, over 14 days). This treatment, compared to a pure antibody, exhibited a superior cell death effect over time. Furthermore, necrosis in the tumor site was detected by magnetic resonance (MR) images. Thermal camera images of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cultures demonstrated that cell death occurred purely by a mechanical mechanism.
In Vitro and In Vivo Study of a Novel Porcine Collagen Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration
Authors: Salamanca Eisner , Tsai Chi-Yang , Pan Yu-Hwa , Lin Yu-Te , Huang Haw-Ming , Teng Nai-Chia , Lin Che-Tong , Feng Sheng-Wei , Chang Wei-Jen
Published: November 2016

For years, in order to improve bone regeneration and prevent the need of a second stage surgery to remove non-resorbable membranes, biological absorbable membranes have gradually been developed and applied in guided tissue regeneration (GTR). The present study’s main objective was to achieve space maintenance and bone regeneration using a new freeze-dried developed porcine collagen membrane, and compare it with an already commercial collagen membrane, when both were used with a bovine xenograft in prepared alveolar ridge bone defects. Prior to surgery, the membrane’s vitality analysis showed statistically significant higher cell proliferation in the test membrane over the commercial one. In six beagle dogs, commercial bone xenograft was packed in lateral ridge bone defects prepared in the left and right side and then covered with test porcine collagen membrane or commercial collagen membrane. Alveolar height changes were measured. Histomorphometric results, in vitro and in vivo properties indicated that the new porcine collagen membrane is biocompatible, enhances bone xenograft osteoconduction, and reduces the alveolar ridge height reabsorption rate.
Innovative Alternative Technologies to Extract Carotenoids from Microalgae and Seaweeds
Authors: Poojary Mahesha , Barba Francisco , Aliakbarian Bahar , Donsì Francesco , Pataro Gianpiero , Dias Daniel , Juliano Pablo
Published: November 2016

Marine microalgae and seaweeds (microalgae) represent a sustainable source of various bioactive natural carotenoids, including β-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin and fucoxanthin. Recently, the large-scale production of carotenoids from algal sources has gained significant interest with respect to commercial and industrial applications for health, nutrition, and cosmetic applications. Although conventional processing technologies, based on solvent extraction, offer a simple approach to isolating carotenoids, they suffer several, inherent limitations, including low efficiency (extraction yield), selectivity (purity), high solvent consumption, and long treatment times, which have led to advancements in the search for innovative extraction technologies. This comprehensive review summarizes the recent trends in the extraction of carotenoids from microalgae and seaweeds through the assistance of different innovative techniques, such as pulsed electric fields, liquid pressurization, supercritical fluids, subcritical fluids, microwaves, ultrasounds, and high-pressure homogenization. In particular, the review critically analyzes technologies, characteristics, advantages, and shortcomings of the different innovative processes, highlighting the differences in terms of yield, selectivity, and economic and environmental sustainability.
New Thiazolyl-triazole Schiff Bases: Synthesis and Evaluation of the Anti-Candida Potential
Authors: Stana Anca , Enache Alexandra , Vodnar Dan , Nastasă Cristina , Benedec Daniela , Ionuț Ioana , Login Cezar , Marc Gabriel , Oniga Ovidiu , Tiperciuc Brîndușa
Published: November 2016

In the context of the dangerous phenomenon of fungal resistance to the available therapies, we present here the chemical synthesis of a new series of thiazolyl-triazole Schiff bases B1–B15, which were in vitro assessed for their anti-Candida potential. Compound B10 was found to be more potent against Candida spp. when compared with the reference drugs Fluconazole and Ketoconazole. A docking study of the newly synthesized Schiff bases was performed, and results showed good binding affinity in the active site of co-crystallized Itraconazole-lanosterol 14α-demethylase isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An in silico ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) study was done in order to predict some pharmacokinetic and pharmacotoxicological properties. The Schiff bases showed good drug-like properties. The results of in vitro anti-Candida activity, a docking study and ADMET prediction revealed that the newly synthesized compounds have potential anti-Candida activity and evidenced the most active derivative, B10, which can be further optimized as a lead compound.
Fish Consumption and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Incidence: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Zhu Wei , Wu Yan , Meng Yi-Fang , Xing Qian , Tao Jian-Jun , Lu Jiong
Published: November 2016

The association between fish consumption and risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is still unclear. The aim of the current meta-analysis and systematic review was to quantitatively evaluate findings from observational studies on fish consumption and the risk of AMD. Relevant studies were identified by searching electronic databases (Medline and EMBASE) and reviewing the reference lists of relevant articles up to August, 2016. Prospective cohort studies that reported relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the link between fish consumption and risk of AMD were included. A total of 4202 cases with 128,988 individuals from eight cohort studies were identified in the current meta-analysis. The meta-analyzed RR was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.65–0.90) when any AMD was considered. Subgroup analyses by AMD stages showed that fish consumption would reduce the risk of both early (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72–0.96) and late (RR; 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60–0.97) AMD. When stratified by the follow-up duration, fish consumption was a protective factor of AMD in both over 10 years (n = 5; RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67–0.97) and less than 10 years (n = 3; RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.97) follow-up duration. Stratified analyses by fish type demonstrated that dark meat fish (RR, 0.68, 95% CI, 0.46–0.99), especially tuna fish (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 95% CI, 0.47–0.71) intake was associated with reduced AMD risk. Evidence of a linear association between dose of fish consumption and risk of AMD was demonstrated. The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that fish consumption can reduce AMD risk. Advanced, well-designed, randomized clinical trials are required in order to validate the conclusions in this study.
Performance Evaluation of Real Industrial RTO Systems
Authors: Câmara Maurício , Quelhas André , Pinto José
Published: November 2016

The proper design of RTO systems’ structure and critical diagnosis tools is neglected in commercial RTO software and poorly discussed in the literature. In a previous article, Quelhas et al. (Can J Chem Eng., 2013, 91, 652–668) have reviewed the concepts behind the two-step RTO approach and discussed the vulnerabilities of intuitive, experience-based RTO design choices. This work evaluates and analyzes the performance of industrial RTO implementations in the face of real settings regarding the choice of steady-state detection methods and parameters, the choice of adjustable model parameters and selected variables in the model adaptation problem, the convergence determination of optimization techniques, among other aspects, in the presence of real noisy data. Results clearly show the importance of a robust and careful consideration of all aspects of a two-step RTO structure, as well as of the performance evaluation, in order to have a real and undoubted improvement of process operation.
Cloud Extraction from Chinese High Resolution Satellite Imagery by Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis and Object-Based Machine Learning
Authors: Tan Kai , Zhang Yongjun , Tong Xin
Published: November 2016

Automatic cloud extraction from satellite imagery is a vital process for many applications in optical remote sensing since clouds can locally obscure the surface features and alter the reflectance. Clouds can be easily distinguished by the human eyes in satellite imagery via remarkable regional characteristics, but finding a way to automatically detect various kinds of clouds by computer programs to speed up the processing efficiency remains a challenge. This paper introduces a new cloud detection method based on probabilistic latent semantic analysis (PLSA) and object-based machine learning. The method begins by segmenting satellite images into superpixels by Simple Linear Iterative Clustering (SLIC) algorithm while also extracting the spectral, texture, frequency and line segment features. Then, the implicit information in each superpixel is extracted from the feature histogram through the PLSA model by which the descriptor of each superpixel can be computed to form a feature vector for classification. Thereafter, the cloud mask is extracted by optimal thresholding and applying the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm at the superpixel level. The GrabCut algorithm is then applied to extract more accurate cloud regions at the pixel level by assuming the cloud mask as the prior knowledge. When compared to different cloud detection methods in the literature, the overall accuracy of the proposed cloud detection method was up to 90 percent for ZY-3 and GF-1 images, which is about a 6.8 percent improvement over the traditional spectral-based methods. The experimental results show that the proposed method can automatically and accurately detect clouds using the multispectral information of the available four bands.
L'évolution archéologique de la Pédiada (Crète centrale) : premier bilan d'une prospection
Authors: Panagiotakis Nikos
Published: November 2016

Νίκος Παναγιωτακης,

Η Αρχαιολογική εξέλιξη της επαρχίας Πεδιάδος στην κεντρική Κρήτη

σ. 327-430.

Η παρούσα μελέτη είναι μια περίληψη της έρευνας επιφανείας στην επαρχία Πεδιάδος στην κεντρική Κρήτη. Η έρευνα σχεδιάστηκε για να διερευνήσει τη δυναμική της περιοχής, η γεωγραφική της οποίας την καθιστά την ενδοχώρα των κυριοτέρων Μινωικών ανακτόρων της Κνωσού και των Μαλίων. Εντοπίστηκε μεγάλος αριθμός αρχαιολογικών θέσεων από τη Νεολιθική έως την Ενετική περίοδο, με την πλέον έντονη οικιστική δραστηριότητα κατά την Παλαιοανακτορική, τη Νεοανακτορική, την Αρχαϊκή, τη Ρωμαϊκή και την Ενετική περίοδο. Τα αποτελέσματα αποδεικνύουν τη διαχρονική σπουδαιότητα της Πεδιάδος, η οποία οφείλεται στη γεωγραφική της θέση και στο φυσικό της πλούτο.
Étude en laboratoire des céramiques dites de Vassiliki (Crète orientale)
Authors: Pelon Olivier , Schmitt Anne
Published: November 2016

Olivier Pelon and Anne Schmitt,

Laboratory Study of the So-called Vasiliki Ware (Eastern Crete)

p. 431-442.

The Minoan pottery known as Vasiliki ware is dated from Early Minoan II and occurs for the most part at Cretan sites of this period; highly recognisable, it is characterised by a mottled decoration consisting of irregular red, orange and black patches.

To determine its place of production, we proceeded to make a chemical study by x-ray fluorescence backed by a petrographic study of different samples from Malia, Myrtos-Pyrgos, Myrtos-Fournou Koryphi and Vasiliki itself. This study enabled us to distinguish two groups of a different chemical composition.The first, well represented at Malia and Vasiliki — which permits the hypothesis of exchanges between the two sites —, could come from Malia. The second, much more coarsely made and much commoner than the first at Malia, is in all probability of local provenance: the characteristics of the clay used make it closer in fact to that from the metamorphic formations of the Selinari massif some kilometers east of the site.
The Tanagra Project: Investigations at an Ancient Boeotian City and in its Countryside (2000-2002)
Authors: Bintliff John , Farinetti Emeri , Sbonias Kostas , Sarri Kalliope , Stissi Vladimir , Poblome Jeroen , Ceulemans Ariane , De Craen Karlien , Vionis Athanasios K. , Music Branko , Kramberger Dusan , Slapsak Bozidar
Published: November 2016

John Bintliff et alii

Το Πρόγραμμα της Τανάγρας: έρευνες σε μια αρχαία πόλη της Βοιωτίας και στη χώρα της (2000-2002)

σ. 541-606

Το άρθρο αυτό παρουσιάζει τα προκαταρκτικά αποτελέσματα του προγράμματος Leiden-Ljubljana για την αρχαία πόλη της Τανάγρας και για τα περίχωρά της, στην ανατολική Βοιωτία. Οι εργασίες ξεκίνησαν το 1999, από μια μεγάλη ομάδα αποτελούμενη από ερευνητές και φοιτητές από την Ολλανδία, το Βέλγιο, τη Σλοβενία και την Ελλάδα. Διευθυντές του προγράμματος είναι ο John Bintliff και ο Bozidar Slapsak και υποδιευθυντής ο Κώστας Σμπόνιας. Οι διάφοροι ειδικοί παρουσιάζουν εδώ διεξοδικά τη δουλειά τους, αναπτύσσοντας τις εκθέσεις των δύο πρώτων περιόδων εργασιών, οι οποίες δημοσιεύτηκαν στο Pharos, το ετήσιο περιοδικό του Ολλανδικού Ινστιτούτου Αθηνών.
Nouveaux documents sur le culte d'Aphrodite à Amathonte, I. Aphrodite, l'empereur Titus et le hiéron dans les stèles : un nouveau sanctuaire amathousien d'Aphrodite. Texte et illustration ?
Authors: Aupert Pierre
Published: November 2016

A second example of an inscription referring to a sanctuary of Titus and Aphrodite, and a head of a statue attributable to Aphrodite which may be dated to the middle of the 2nd century BC were discovered 25 m. and 15 m. respectively from the north gate of the lower town of Amathus. The new text makes possible a sure reading of the old one and attests to the existence of a sanctuary called 'between the stelai', a formula that no doubt designates its boundaries and the stones themselves on which the inscriptions were carved. It draws attention once more to L. Bruttius Maximus and the imperial cult. The coincidence of the discoveries invites us to search in the immediate vicinity for a second sanctuary of the goddess, less celebrated than that on the acropolis, and which possibly took the place, in AD 79/80, of a hieros topos of the 2nd c. BC.
Nouveaux documents sur le culte d'Aphrodite à Amathonte, II. La tête en marbre : Aphrodite Kypria ?
Authors: Hermary Antoine
Published: November 2016

Η μαρμάρινη γυναικεία κεφαλή που βρέθηκε από τη Γαλλική Αρχαιολογική Σχολή κατά τη διάρκεια των ανασκαφών του βόρειου τείχους της Αμαθούντος χρονολογείται κατά πάσα πιθανότητα στο τέλος της ελληνιστικής εποχής. Η φυσιογνωμία της δείχνει ότι πρόκειται για απεικόνιση θεότητας, την οποίαν είναι δύσκολο να ταυτίσουμε με βεβαιότητα: η πιο εύλογη υπόθεση είναι ότι πρόκειται για άγαλμα της Αφροδίτης, της μεγάλης θεάς που είναι γνωστή με το όνομα Κυπρία, και είναι πιθανό ότι το άγαλμα ήταν τοποθετημένο στο ιερό, το οποίο αναφέρεται στην επιγραφή που ήρθε στο φως εκεί κοντά.
Eléments d'architecture monumentale d'Abdère
Authors: Skarlatidou Eudokia
Published: November 2016

Τρία πώρινα αρχιτεκτονικά μέλη, τυχαία ευρήματα από την περιοχή των αρχαίων Αβδήρων, παρουσιάζονται στη μελέτη αυτή. Ανήκουν στον τύπο του ιωνικού επικράνου παραστάδας, γνωστού από τα Δίδυμα και τη Σάμο. Αποτελούνται από τρία ημικυλινδρικά, οριζόντια και επάλληλα μέρη, τομής ιωνικού κυματίου, των οποίων τα άκρα αντιστοιχούν σε τρεις επάλληλες έλικες στις πλευρές των επικράνων. Επίκρανα αυτού του τύπου συνήθως διακοσμούσαν τις προεξέχουσες παραστάδες βωμών σχήματος Π, αλλά και άλλων κτιρίων. Τα δύο επίκρανα των Αβδήρων με τα τρίφυλλα ανθέμια μεταξύ των ελίκων είναι ημίεργα και πρέπει να αποτελούσαν ζεύγος. Το σχήμα των ελίκων οδηγεί σε μία χρονολόγηση περί το 480 π.Χ. Το τρίτο επίκρανο συνδυάζει συντηρητικά, αρχαϊκά στοιχεία με περισσότερο νεωτερικά και θα μπορούσε να χρονολογηθεί περί το 460 π.Χ. Η διαμόρφωση της πίσω επιφάνειας των επικράνων αυτών, οι κατασκευαστικές λεπτομέρειες και η έλλειψη ανασκαφικών στοιχείων, δεν επιτρέπουν την ασφαλή συσχέτισή τους με βωμούς ή άλλα κτίρια.
Baden im späthellenistischen Delos, I : Die öffentliche Badeanlage im Quartier du Théâtre
Authors: Trümper Monika
Published: November 2016

The only public baths on Delos, probably installed just before 88 BC in a house in the Theatre Quarter, has not received attention, despite the fact that it has been identified twice in the literature. This first detailed study of the baths includes a systematic analysis of bath installations, their technical equipment and decoration, followed by a reconstruction of the bathing procedure, reflections on the function and use of the house as a whole, and finally by a comparison with all the bath installations on Delos and with Greek public baths in the Mediterranean. The public baths on Delos has a number of marble architectural features and piece of furniture, includes three large tubs with seats, for hot showers, three deep tubs for cold immersion baths, and several luxurious, multifunctional rooms. The specific forms of the baths, the reduced capacity and the richness of the decoration of this establishment make it unique in the context of Delos and amongst Greek public baths of the Mediterranean.
Affranchissements de Physkeis en Locride occidentale
Authors: Rousset Denis
Published: November 2016

Δημοσίευση ή αναδημοσίευση δέκα απελευθερωτικών επιγραφών, οι οποίες προέρχονται από τους Φυσκείς, μια πόλη της δυτικής Λοκρίδας, και χρονολογούνται στο 2ο αι. π.Χ., καθώς και μιας αινιγματικής αναθηματικής επιγραφής, την οποίαν αντέγραψε ο P. Jamot το 1888 ανάμεσα στο Μαλανδρίνο-Φυσκείς και στο Λιδορίκι. Εκτός από δύο πολύ αποσπασματικές απελευθερωτικές επιγραφές και από την αναθεώρηση της επιγραφής IG IX 12, 671, το άρθρο παρουσιάζει το συμπληρωμένο κείμενο της επιγραφής IG IX 12, 676 και πέντε ακόμη ανέκδοτες απελευθερωτικές επιγραφές, οι οποίες είχαν χαραχθεί σε δύο ορθοστάτες του ιερού της Αθηνάς Ιλιάδος. Μεταξύ αυτών των απελευθερωτικών επιγραφών, μερικές από τις οποίες παρουσιάζονται υπό τη μορφή πώλησης στη θεά, ενώ άλλες έχουν τη μορφή ανάθεσης, τρεις περιλαμβάνουν μοναδικές διατυπώσεις. Τα κείμενα αυτά διασώζουν τα ονόματα των επωνύμων αρχόντων και το όνομα ενός μηνός, του Αγρείου, της πόλης των Δυμάνων, που βρίσκεται στη Λοκρίδα. Μας μαθαίνουν επίσης τρεις καινούριους Λοκρούς αγωνοθέτες, των οποίων παρουσιάζουμε με την ευκαιρία αυτήν τον ανακεφαλαιωτικό κατάλογο.