bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Finite Time in Eliminating Disagreement of Opinion Dynamics via Noise
Authors: Ding Yong , Mo Lipo
Published: October 2017

We aim to refine the estimation of the finite stopping time when the disagreement in an opinion group is eliminated by a simple but novel noise intervened strategy. It has been proved that, by using this noise intervened control strategy, the divisive opinions would get synchronized in finite time. Moreover, the finite stopping time when resolving the disagreement has been clarified. The estimation of the finite stopping time will effectively reveal which factors and how they determine the consequence of intervention. However, the upper bound for the estimation of the integrable stopping time when noise is oriented has been quite conservative. In this paper, we investigate the finite stopping time of eliminating the disagreement by completely oriented noise and a much more precise formula for the estimation of the finite stopping time is obtained finally via direct calculation.
Extract of Fructus Cannabis Ameliorates Learning and Memory Impairment Induced by D‐Galactose in an Aging Rats Model
Authors: Chen Ning-Yuan , Liu Cheng-Wu , Lin Wei , Ding Yi , Bian Zhang-ya , Huang Ling , Huang Hao , Yu Kai-Hui , Chen Si-Bang , Sun Yu , Wei Lei , Peng Jun-Hua , Pan Shang-Ling
Published: October 2017

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) has been used as a health food and folk medicine in China for centuries. In the present study, we sought to define the underlying mechanism by which the extract of Fructus Cannabis (EFC) protects against memory impairment induced by D‐galactose in rats. To accelerate aging and induce memory impairment in rats, D‐galactose (400 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally once daily for 14 weeks. EFC (200 and 400 mg/kg) was simultaneously administered intragastrically once daily in an attempt to slow the aging process. We found that EFC significantly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, while lowering levels of malondialdehyde in the hippocampus. Moreover, EFC dramatically elevated the organ indices of some organs, including the heart, the liver, the thymus, and the spleen. In addition, EFC improved the behavioral performance of rats treated with D‐galactose in the Morris water maze. Furthermore, EFC inhibited the activation of astrocytes and remarkably attenuated phosphorylated tau and suppressed the expression of presenilin 1 in the brain of D‐galactose‐treated rats. These findings suggested that EFC exhibits beneficial effects on the cognition of aging rats probably by enhancing antioxidant capacity and anti‐neuroinflammation, improving immune function, and modulating tau phosphorylation and presenilin expression.
Fluorinated Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonists Inspired by Preladenant as Potential Cancer Immunotherapeutics
Authors: Yuan Gengyang , Jankins Tanner C. , Patrick Christopher G. , Philbrook Phaethon , Sears Olivia , Hatfield Stephen , Sitkovsky Michail , Vasdev Neil , Liang Steven H. , Ondrechen Mary Jo , Pollastri Michael P. , Jones Graham B.
Published: October 2017

Antagonism of the adenosine A2A receptor on T cells blocks the hypoxia-adenosinergic pathway to promote tumor rejection. Using an in vivo immunoassay based on the Concanavalin A mouse model, a series of A2A antagonists were studied and identified preladenant as a potent lead compound for development. Molecular modeling was employed to assist drug design and subsequent synthesis of analogs and those of tozadenant, including fluorinated polyethylene glycol PEGylated derivatives. The efficacy of the analogs was evaluated using two in vitro functional bioassays, and compound 29, a fluorinated triethylene glycol derivative of preladenant, was confirmed as a potential immunotherapeutic agent.
Antibacterial Effects of Natural Herbal Extracts onStreptococcus mutans: Can They Be Potential Additives in Dentifrices?
Authors: Banavar Ravi Spoorthi , Nirupad Sudarshini , Chippagiri Prashanthi , Pandurangappa Rohit
Published: October 2017

Background. Many plants or herbs exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. They have no side effects and presumably act against and modulate the factors that are crucial for microbial survival or their activity.Streptococcus mutansis a pioneer bacteria implicated in dental caries. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of garlic bulbs, pudina leaves, and mango and eucalyptus twig extracts onStreptococcus mutansby evaluating their zone of inhibition and determining their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).Methods. Microbiological assay (well diffusion method) to determine zone of inhibition against pure forms ofStreptococcus mutanswas performed. The antibacterial effects of methanolic extracts of mango twigs, eucalyptus twigs, pudina leaves, and garlic bulbs were studied. Test compounds were further evaluated for their MIC.Results. Extracts derived from mango and eucalyptus twigs showed significant antibacterial effects at test concentrations. Pudina and garlic extracts did not show any significant antibacterial effects at similar concentrations. Upon further evaluation of the 2 positive compounds for their MIC, mango twigs demonstrated more antimicrobial potential than eucalyptus twigs at a lower concentration.Conclusion. Our observations indicated that the mango twig extracts possess higher antibacterial effects againstStreptococcus mutansthan other compounds at specific test concentration.
Switch to Aflibercept in the Treatment of Neovascular AMD: Long-Term Results
Authors: Neves Cardoso Pedro , Pinheiro Ana Fernanda , Meira Jorge , Pedrosa Ana Catarina , Falcão Manuel S. , Pinheiro-Costa João , Falcão-Reis Fernando , Carneiro Ângela M.
Published: October 2017

Purpose. To report the long-term clinical outcomes after switching from intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab to aflibercept therapy in eyes with AMD. Methods. Retrospective analysis of changes in BCVA, SD-OCT image, and frequency of injections after 1, 2, and 3 years of follow-up. Results. 164 eyes were analyzed, 101 eyes switched from bevacizumab (group 1) and 63 from ranibizumab (group 2). One year after the switch, there was an overall nonsignificant mean decrease of 2 ETDRS letters in BCVA. Three years after, there was an overall mean decrease of 7 ETDRS letters, which was statistically significant. A significant improvement in the mean CRT was found at 1, 2, and 3 years. There was a significant decrease in the mean number of injections per year (7.8 to 6.5, p<0.005) between the first and third year. Conclusion. Aflibercept can be useful in the management of refractory neovascular AMD, with a good morphological response. However, in the long-term, BCVA stabilization was not achieved.
The Hazard Content of Cadmium, Lead, and Other Trace Elements in Some Medicinal Herbs and Their Water Infusions
Authors: Ababneh Fuad A.
Published: October 2017

54 samples belonging to 23 herbal species (15 individuals and 8 mixtures) were analyzed for their contents of heavy metals in the raw materials and in their water infusions. Trace and toxic elements in these samples were determined by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) following acid digestion. The order of decreasing mean metal concentrations in raw materials (mg/kg) was found to be as follows: Fe (440) > Mn (162) > Zn (45.8) > Cu (12) > Pb (10.4) > Ni (5.4) > Cr (2.9) > Co (0.91) > Cd (0.5). It was found that 21% of the analyzed samples contain both Cd and Pb above their permissible limits. However, the infusions produced from these plants were found to contain fewer amounts of metals than the raw materials. Studied metals had the following mass transfer percentages to the infusion solutions (Fe: 3.5%, Cd: 14%, Cr: 15%, Pb: 20%, Co: 29%, Ni: 31%, Zn: 36%, Cu: 48%, and Mn: 53%). The estimated daily intake calculated for the toxic elements Pb and Cd through the consumption of herbal infusions was far below the tolerable daily intake set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Perforated Duodenal Diverticulum with Subtle Pneumoretroperitoneum on Abdominal X-Ray
Authors: Shen Yuzeng , Leong Mark Kwok Fai
Published: October 2017

Abdominal pain is one of the most common presenting complaints at the Emergency Department (ED). Given the myriad of possible differential diagnoses for abdominal pain, it becomes more important to diagnose conditions requiring emergent surgical intervention early. We present a case of an elderly male patient with abdominal pain secondary to perforated hollow viscus, subtle evidence of pneumoretroperitoneum on the initial supine abdominal X-ray, and review the signs of pneumoperitoneum and pneumoretroperitoneum on plain abdominal X-rays.
Mixed Stimulus-Induced Mode Selection in Neural Activity Driven by High and Low Frequency Current under Electromagnetic Radiation
Authors: Lu Lulu , Jia Ya , Liu Wangheng , Yang Lijian
Published: October 2017

The electrical activities of neurons are dependent on the complex electrophysiological condition in neuronal system, the three-variable Hindmarsh-Rose (HR) neuron model is improved to describe the dynamical behaviors of neuronal activities with electromagnetic induction being considered, and the mode transition of electrical activities in neuron is detected when external electromagnetic radiation is imposed on the neuron. In this paper, different types of electrical stimulus impended with a high-low frequency current are imposed on new HR neuron model, and mixed stimulus-induced mode selection in neural activity is discussed in detail. It is found that mode selection of electrical activities stimulated by high-low frequency current, which also changes the excitability of neuron, can be triggered owing to adding the Gaussian white noise. Meanwhile, the mode selection of the neuron electrical activity is much dependent on the amplitude B of the high frequency current under the same noise intensity, and the high frequency response is selected preferentially by applying appropriate parameters and noise intensity. Our results provide insights into the transmission of complex signals in nerve system, which is valuable in engineering prospective applications such as information encoding.
Responses of Phospholipase D and Antioxidant System to Mechanical Wounding in Postharvest Banana Fruits
Authors: Li Li , He Xuemei , Sun Jian , Li Changbao , Ling Dongning , Sheng Jinfeng , Zheng Fengjin , Liu Guoming , Li Jiemin , Tang Yayuan , Yi Ping , Xin Ming , Li Zhichun , Zhou Zhugui
Published: October 2017

Banana fruits are susceptible to mechanical damage. The present study was to investigate the responses of phospholipase D (PLD) and antioxidant system to mechanical wounding in postharvest banana fruits. During 16 d storage at 25°C and 90% relative humidity, PLD activity in wounded fruits was significantly higher than that in control (without artificial wounding fruits). The higher value of PLD mRNA was found in wounded fruits than in control. PLD mRNA expression reached the highest peak on day 4 in both groups, but it was 2.67 times in wounded fruits compared to control at that time, indicating that PLD gene expression was activated in response to wounding stress. In response to wounding stress, the higher lipoxygenase (LOX) activity was observed and malondialdehyde (MDA) production was accelerated. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in wounded fruits were significantly higher than those in control. The concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion (O2•-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in fruits increased under mechanical wounding. The above results provided a basis for further investigating the mechanism of postharvest banana fruits adapting to environmental stress.
A Simplified Multipath Component Modeling Approach for High-Speed Train Channel Based on Ray Tracing
Authors: Yang Jingya , Ai Bo , He Danping , Wang Longhe , Zhong Zhangdui , Hrovat Andrej
Published: October 2017

High-speed train (HST) communications at millimeter-wave (mmWave) band have received a lot of attention due to their numerous high-data-rate applications enabling smart rail mobility. Accurate and effective channel models are always critical to the HST system design, assessment, and optimization. A distinctive feature of the mmWave HST channel is that it is rapidly time-varying. To depict this feature, a geometry-based multipath model is established for the dominant multipath behavior in delay and Doppler domains. Because of insufficient mmWave HST channel measurement with high mobility, the model is developed by a measurement-validated ray tracing (RT) simulator. Different from conventional models, the temporal evolution of dominant multipath behavior is characterized by its geometry factor that represents the geometrical relationship of the dominant multipath component (MPC) to HST environment. Actually, during each dominant multipath lifetime, its geometry factor is fixed. To statistically model the geometry factor and its lifetime, the dominant MPCs are extracted within each local wide-sense stationary (WSS) region and are tracked over different WSS regions to identify its “birth” and “death” regions. Then, complex attenuation of dominant MPC is jointly modeled by its delay and Doppler shift both which are derived from its geometry factor. Finally, the model implementation is verified by comparison between RT simulated and modeled delay and Doppler spreads.
Fluid Flow and Heat Transport Computation for Power-Law Scaling Poroperm Media
Authors: Leary Peter , Malin Peter , Niemi Rami
Published: October 2017

In applying Darcy’s law to fluid flow in geologic formations, it is generally assumed that flow variations average to an effectively constant formation flow property. This assumption is, however, fundamentally inaccurate for the ambient crust. Well-log, well-core, and well-flow empirics show that crustal flow spatial variations are systematically correlated from mm to km. Translating crustal flow spatial correlation empirics into numerical form for fluid flow/transport simulation requires computations to be performed on a single global mesh that supports long-range spatial correlation flow structures. Global meshes populated by spatially correlated stochastic poroperm distributions can be processed by 3D finite-element solvers. We model wellbore-logged Dm-scale temperature data due to heat advective flow into a well transecting small faults in a Hm-scale sandstone volume. Wellbore-centric thermal transport is described by Peclet number Pe ≡ a0φv0/D (a0 = wellbore radius, v0 = fluid velocity at a0, φ = mean crustal porosity, and D = rock-water thermal diffusivity). The modelling schema is (i) 3D global mesh for spatially correlated stochastic poropermeability; (ii) ambient percolation flow calibrated by well-core porosity-controlled permeability; (iii) advection via fault-like structures calibrated by well-log neutron porosity; (iv) flow Pe ~ 0.5 in ambient crust and Pe ~ 5 for fault-borne advection.
Impact of Uric Acid Levels on Kidney Disease Progression
Authors: Rincon-Choles Hernan , Jolly Stacey E. , Arrigain Susana , Konig Victoria , Schold Jesse D. , Nakhoul Georges , Navaneethan Sankar D. , Nally Jr. Joseph V. , Rothberg Michael B.
Published: October 2017

Background: Hyperuricemia is associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but it is not known whether the relationship is causal. We examined the association of hyperuricemia and uric acid lowering therapy (UALT) with progression of CKD in patients with CKD 3 and 4 in the Cleveland Clinic CKD registry. Methods: We included 1,676 patients with CKD stages 3 and 4 from Ohio, who had measured their uric acid (UA) levels a year prior to the recording of the second eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and follow-up eGFR, between 2005 and 2009. Our primary composite outcome included a 50% drop in eGFR or progression to ESRD. Secondary outcomes included the rate of decline in eGFR, all-cause mortality, progression to ESRD, and a composite measure of progression to ESRD or death. We assessed the association between UA, UALT, and outcomes using Cox models and competing risks regression models. Results: In multivariable models, higher UA was associated with the composite endpoint, but it reached statistical significance only in the 4th quartile (≥8.9 mg/dL). Receipt of UALT was significantly associated with increased risk of the composite outcome. Neither UA nor UALT (considered a time-dependent covariate) was significantly associated with mortality. The inference was similar for UA as high vs. low, quartiles, or continuous. Similarly, neither high UA nor UALT were significantly associated with ESRD, the composite of ESRD and mortality, or eGFR decline. Conclusions: Hyperuricemia is associated with increased risk of progression to ESRD in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4, but UALT does not ameliorate the risk, suggesting that the relationship is not causal.
Dementia and Hospital Readmission Rates: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pickens Sabrina , Naik Aanand D. , Catic Angela , Kunik Mark E.
Published: October 2017

Background: Although community-dwelling persons with dementia have an increased risk of hospital readmission, no systematic review has examined the contribution of dementia to readmissions. Summary: We examined articles in English, with no restrictions on publication dates, from Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Keywords used were dementia, Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, elderly, frontotemporal dementia, executive function, brain atrophy, frontal lobe atrophy, cognitive impairment, readmission, readmit, rehospitalization, patient discharge, and return visit. Of 404 abstracts identified, 77 articles were retrieved; 12 were included. Four of 5 cohort studies showed significantly increased readmission rates in patients with dementia. On average the absolute increase above the comparison groups was from 3 to 13%. Dementia was not associated with readmission in 7 included case-control studies. Key Message: Findings suggest a small increased risk of hospital readmission in individuals with dementia. More study is needed.
Urinary Erythrocyte-Derived miRNAs: Emerging Role in IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Duan Zhi-Yu , Cai Guang-yan , Li Ji-Jun , Bu Ru , Chen Xiang-Mei
Published: October 2017

Hematuria is one of the basic clinical manifestations of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Isolated microscopic hematuria or microscopic hematuria combined with proteinuria is risk factor for the long-term prognosis of IgAN. Current evidence of the consequences of glomerular hematuria rests on insights from basic research on the molecular mechanisms of hemoglobin and related reactive oxygen species-induced tubular injury as well as on the clinical evidence of macroscopic hematuria–associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in IgAN. These researches may simply elucidate some effects of macroscopic hematuria but not microscopic hematuria. Recent studies conducted on blood and urinary erythrocytes have made progress. Researches have revealed that mature erythrocytes contain abundant, long, non-coding RNA, miRNA (microRNA) and Y RNA. Among the top 50 expressions of erythrocyte-derived miRNAs, 33 (66%) of them may be the potential urinary biomarkers of IgAN. Moreover, when urinary erythrocytes are compressed while exiting out of an impaired nephron, erythrocyte-derived vesicles (including microvesicles and apoptotic vesicles) may increase. Animal models for hematuria and human biopsy tissues confirm renal parenchymal cells could phagocytose red blood cells and erythrocyte-derived vesicles. These vesicles, which contain miRNAs, may alter the transcriptome of recipient cells and impact the occurrence and development of IgAN.
Mir-29b Regulates Oxidative Stress by Targeting SIRT1 in Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Hou Meng , Zuo Xiaohang , Li Chen , Zhang Yan , Teng Yue
Published: October 2017

Background: Metabolic abnormalities are frequently observed in multiple malignancies including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), among which imbalance between generation and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a critical role in EOC onset and progression. Here we investigated the role of miR-29b, a well-established tumor-suppressor miRNA in metabolic regulation of EOC cells. Methods: cell viability and apoptosis in miR-29b inhibited and over-expressed EOC cells were evaluated by CCK8 and Annexin V–FITC/PI assays. Change in miR-29b was detected in EOC cells incubated in H2O2 culture by q-PCR. Relative ROS levels were also detected in different EOC cultures, including modified miR-29b and SIRT1 levels as well as H2O2 incubation. A luciferase reporter assay was employed to detect the direct binding of miR-29b to SIRT1 3’ UTR. Changes in cell viability and ROS levels were assessed in SIRT1-knocked down EOC cells. Results: miR-29b expression correlates with decreased EOC cell viability and increased apoptosis. H2O2 downregulated miR-29b in a time and dose-dependent manner. miR-29b expression negatively correlated with ROS levels, whereas SIRT1 significantly stimulated ROS formation. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed miR-29b downregulation of SIRT1by directly targeting its mRNA 3’-UTR. SIRT1 silencing rescues cell viability of H2O2 treated cells. Also, SIRT1 inhibition blocked cell apoptosis induced by H2O2 as well as reduced intracellular ROS levels. Conclusion: Together, our findings indicated that the miR-29b/SIRT1 axis has a protective effect against H2O2-induced damage of cell viability and oxidative stress and may provide novel options for miR-29b-based therapeutic approaches for EOC treatment.
Cantharidin Inhibits the Growth of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Suppressing Autophagy and Inducing Apoptosis in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Li Hong-chang , Xia Zhi-hua , Chen Ya-feng , Yang Fan , Feng Wen , Cai Han , Mei Yi , Jiang Yi-ming , Xu Ke , Feng Dian-xu
Published: October 2017

Background/Aims: Cantharidin, a type of terpenoid secreted by the blister beetle Mylabris phalerata (Pallas), has attracted great attention in cancer therapy because of its potential anti-cancer activities. Here, we report the effects on apoptosis and autophagy in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines after treatment with cantharidin and attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells were treated with cantharidin and cell proliferation was examined using CCK-8 and clone formation assays. The expression of apoptosis- and autophagy-associated proteins was detected by western blotting. Cells were infected with lentivirus carrying the Beclin-1 gene, and MDA-MB-231-beclin1 (MB231-Bec) and MDA-MB-468-beclin-1(MB468-Bec) cells stably expressing Beclin-1 were established. Autophagic vacuoles in cells were observed with LC3 staining using fluorescence microscopy, and apoptotic cells were detected via flow cytometry. Tumor growth was assessed by subcutaneous inoculation of TNBC cells into BALB/c nude mice. Results: Cantharidin inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells, and induced cell apoptosis. Cantharidin additionally inhibited the conversion of LC3 I to LC3 II and autophagosome formation by suppressing the expression of Beclin-1. Furthermore, overexpression of Beclin-1 in TNBC cells attenuated the cytotoxicity of cantharidin. In vivo, cantharidin inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 xenografts in nude mice by suppressing autophagy and inducing apoptosis, and Beclin-1 overexpression in TNBC cells reduced the efficacy of cantharidin. Conclusions: Cantharidin inhibits autophagy by suppressing Beclin-1 expression and inducing apoptosis of TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby representing a potential strategy for the treatment of TNBC.
An analysis of the effects of the interaction of university with firms on academic productivity
Authors: Garcia Renato De Castro , Araújo Veneziano De Castro , Santos Emerson Gomes dos , Mascarini Suelene , Costa Ariana
Published: October 2017

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o efeito das colaborações da universidade com as empresas sobre a produtividade acadêmica dos grupos de pesquisa no Brasil. Para isso, foi utilizada uma técnica de pareamento por propensity score para formação de grupos de controle, o que permitiu comparar, por meio da estimação de dois modelos empíricos, a produtividade acadêmica dos grupos de pesquisa que colaboram com empresas com a dos grupos que não interagem. Os principais resultados mostram que a interação com as firmas exerce efeitos positivos sobre a produtividade acadêmica dos grupos de pesquisa e esse efeito é amplificado no caso dos grupos de pesquisa que interagem de modo contínuo com empresas, em comparação com os grupos de pesquisa que interagem pontualmente.
Evidence of discrimination by preference in Brazil
Authors: Hirata Guilherme
Published: October 2017

Este artigo testa implicações do modelo de discriminação por preferência de Becker (1957). Utilizando dados brasileiros, rejeita-se a hipótese de que o hiato salarial entre brancos e negros seja determinado pelo nível médio de discriminação. Os resultados mostram que o hiato está relacionado ao grau de discriminação do empregador marginal, isto é, aquele que mais discrimina entre os que contratam negros. Além disso, os resultados estão de acordo com a previsão de que o hiato salarial é maior em lugares com maior proporção de negros no mercado de trabalho, ou seja, onde há mais interação social entre raças.
A influência do desenho na clínica psicanalítica para a constituição do sujeito: um estudo de caso sobre o autismo infantil
Authors: Gonçalves Renata Cristina
Published: October 2017

O presente artigo objetiva discutir o uso do desenho como ferramenta auxiliar na constituição subjetiva de uma paciente autista. Neste trabalho, foi realizado um estudo de caso de uma paciente com diagnóstico de autismo, no qual foram selecionados e interpretados desenhos significativos para a compreensão do caso. Por meio do conhecimento teórico vinculado à interpretação dos desenhos constatou-se que tal produção gráfica foi relevante no que se refere à constituição subjetiva da paciente em questão. É possível dizer que após o início das atividades lúdicas, a paciente obteve condições de desfrutar de algum controle sobre o Outro, diferenciando-se do mesmo.
Sabe-se sobre a criança? Acompanhamento terapêutico e educação inclusiva
Authors: Spagnuolo Lenara Spedo
Published: October 2017

Este trabalho se propõe a pensar a clínica do acompanhamento terapêutico como uma modalidade de apoio à inclusão escolar a partir de uma formulação sobre o (não) saber do acompanhante terapêutico que trabalha na escola orientado pela psicanálise. Através de vinhetas clínicas, abordaremos três atores – os educadores, os especialistas e, finalmente, o acompanhante terapêutico – e seus discursos que circulam no universo da inclusão escolar
Do urbanismo unitário à crítica ao urbanismo: um percurso sobre a cidade e o urbano na Internacional Situacionista
Authors: Gonçalves Glauco Roberto
Published: October 2017

A Internacional Situacionista se dedicou com afinco a estudos, práticas e elaborações textuais sobre importantes temas necessários para criticar e transformar radicalmente a vida. Nesse sentido, a cidade e o urbano se destacam nos debates das revistas letristas e situacionistas. Em particular, este texto aborda o conjunto de debates travados por esse grupo no campo sobre o urbano e o urbanismo e procura tecer um percurso histórico constitutivo de compreensão e ação desses temas para letristas e situacionistas. Como indica o próprio título do texto, o movimento vai do processo de proposição de concepções urbanísticas, mais notadamente aquelas voltadas ao Urbanismo Unitário, à crítica radical do urbanismo.
Espacialidades e interseccionalidades na vivência de mulheres prostitutas mães na cidade de Ponta Grossa-PR
Authors: Przybysz Juliana , Silva Joseli Maria
Published: October 2017

Este artigo visa compreender como a interseccionalidade entre maternidade/maternagem e prostituição feminina de baixa renda constituem espacialidades na cidade de Ponta Grossa-PR. A partir do desempenho de papéis sociais tidos como opostos – o de mãe, associado ao amor, e o de prostituta, associado ao pecado –, entendemos que as espacialidades vividas pelas mulheres mães prostitutas transpassam esses paradoxos a partir da interseccionalidade. As experiências sociais dessas mulheres são vistas como práticas encaixadas construídas por e através do espaço. A concomitância dos dois papéis faz com que essas mulheres criem estratégias espaciais para desenvolver a prostituição e a maternidade/maternagem.
Mining the Stiffness-Sensitive Transcriptome in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Identifies Long Noncoding RNA Stiffness Regulators
Authors: Yu Christopher K. , Xu Tina , Assoian Richard K. , Rader Daniel J.
Published: October 2017

Objective—

Vascular extracellular matrix stiffening is a risk factor for aortic and coronary artery disease. How matrix stiffening regulates the transcriptome profile of human aortic and coronary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is not well understood. Furthermore, the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the cellular response to stiffening has never been explored. This study characterizes the stiffness-sensitive (SS) transcriptome of human aortic and coronary VSMCs and identifies potential key lncRNA regulators of stiffness-dependent VSMC functions.

Approach and Results—

Aortic and coronary VSMCs were cultured on hydrogel substrates mimicking physiological and pathological extracellular matrix stiffness. Total RNAseq was performed to compare the SS transcriptome profiles of aortic and coronary VSMCs. We identified 3098 genes (2842 protein coding and 157 lncRNA) that were stiffness sensitive in both aortic and coronary VSMCs (false discovery rate <1%). Hierarchical clustering revealed that aortic and coronary VSMCs grouped by stiffness rather than cell origin. Conservation analyses also revealed that SS genes were more conserved than stiffness-insensitive genes. These VSMC SS genes were less tissue-type specific and expressed in more tissues than stiffness-insensitive genes. Using unbiased systems analyses, we identified MALAT1 as an SS lncRNA that regulates stiffness-dependent VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions—

This study provides the transcriptomic landscape of human aortic and coronary VSMCs in response to extracellular matrix stiffness and identifies novel SS human lncRNAs. Our data suggest that the SS transcriptome is evolutionarily important to VSMCs function and that SS lncRNAs can act as regulators of stiffness-dependent phenotypes.
Attenuation of Myeloid-Specific TGFβ Signaling Induces Inflammatory Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke
Authors: Hollander M. Christine , Latour Lawrence L. , Yang Dan , Ishii Hiroki , Xiao Zhiguang , Min Yongfen , Ray-Choudhury Abhik , Munasinghe Jeeva , Merchant Anand S. , Lin P. Charles , Hallenbeck John , Boehm Manfred , Yang Li
Published: October 2017

Rationale:

Cryptogenic strokes, those of unknown cause, have been estimated as high as 30% to 40% of strokes. Inflammation has been suggested as a critical etiologic factor. However, there is lack of experimental evidence.

Objective:

In this study, we investigated inflammation-associated stroke using a mouse model that developed spontaneous stroke because of myeloid deficiency of TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) signaling.

Methods and Results:

We report that mice with deletion of
Tgfbr2
in myeloid cells (
Tgfbr2
Myeko
) developed cerebrovascular inflammation in the absence of significant pathology in other tissues, culminating in stroke and severe neurological deficits with 100% penetrance. The stroke phenotype can be transferred to syngeneic wild-type mice via
Tgfbr2
Myeko
bone marrow transplant and can be rescued in Tgfbr2
Myeko
mice with wild-type bone marrow. The underlying mechanisms involved an increased type 1 inflammation and cerebral endotheliopathy, characterized by elevated NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) activation and TNF (tumor necrosis factor) production by myeloid cells. A high-fat diet accelerated stroke incidence. Anti-TNF treatment, as well as metformin and methotrexate, which are associated with decreased stroke risk in population studies, delayed stroke occurrence.

Conclusions:

Our studies show that TGF-β signaling in myeloid cells is required for maintenance of vascular health and provide insight into inflammation-mediated cerebrovascular disease and stroke.
Two new species and the molecular phylogeny of eight species of Macrostomum (Platyhelminthes: Macrostomorpha) from southern China
Authors: LIN YI-TAO , FENG WEI-TAO , XIN FAN , ZHANG LV , ZHANG YU , WANG AN-TAI
Published: October 2017

Two new species of Macrostomum (Platyhelminthes: Macrostomorpha), M. shiyanensis n. sp. and M. lankouensis n. sp. are described from Shiyan Reservoir and Lankou Town. Morphological characteristics of the penis stylets and sperm, as well as the phylogenetic analysis using concatenated sequences of 18S and 28S rDNA genes support the establishment of these two new species and indicate that they are closely related to M. sinensis and M. heyuanensis described from different regions of Guangdong province. Finally, the progress of molecular phylogenetics of Macrostomum worldwide is also discussed.
Spatiotemporal Changes in Active Layer Thickness under Contemporary and Projected Climate in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Peng Xiaoqing , Zhang Tingjun , Frauenfeld Oliver W. , Wang Kang , Luo Dongliang , Cao Bin , Su Hang , Jin Huijun , Wu Qingbai
Published: October 2017

Variability of active layer thickness (ALT) in permafrost regions is critical for assessments of climate change, water resources, and engineering applications. Detailed knowledge of ALT variations is also important for studies on ecosystem, hydrological, and geomorphological processes in cold regions. The primary objective of this study is therefore to provide a comprehensive 1971–2000 climatology of ALT and its changes across the entire Northern Hemisphere from 1850 through 2100. To accomplish this, in situ observations, the Stefan solution based on a thawing index, and the edaphic factor (E factor) are employed to calculate ALT. The thawing index is derived from (i) the multimodel ensemble mean of 16 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) over 1850–2005, (ii) three representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) for 2006–2100, and (iii) Climatic Research Unit (CRU) gridded observations for 1901–2014. The results show significant spatial variability in in situ ALT that generally ranges from 40 to 320 cm, with some extreme values of 900 cm in the Alps. The differences in the ALT climatology between the three RCPs and the historical experiments ranged from 0 to 200 cm. The biggest increases, of 120–200 cm, are on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, while the smallest increases of less than 20 cm are in Alaska. Averaged over all permafrost regions, mean ALT from CMIP5 increased significantly at 0.57 ± 0.04 cm decade−1 during 1850–2005, while 2006–2100 projections show ALT increases of 0.77 ± 0.08 cm decade−1 for RCP2.6, 2.56 ± 0.07 cm decade−1 for RCP4.5, and 6.51 ± 0.07 cm decade−1 for RCP8.5.
Trends in Extreme Rainfall Frequency in the Contiguous United States: Attribution to Climate Change and Climate Variability Modes
Authors: Armal Saman , Devineni Naresh , Khanbilvardi Reza
Published: October 2017

This study presents a systematic analysis for identifying and attributing trends in the annual frequency of extreme rainfall events across the contiguous United States to climate change and climate variability modes. A Bayesian multilevel model is developed for 1244 rainfall stations simultaneously to test the null hypothesis of no trend and verify two alternate hypotheses: trend can be attributed to changes in global surface temperature anomalies or to a combination of well-known cyclical climate modes with varying quasiperiodicities and global surface temperature anomalies. The Bayesian multilevel model provides the opportunity to pool information across stations and reduce the parameter estimation uncertainty, hence identifying the trends better. The choice of the best alternate hypothesis is made based on the Watanabe–Akaike information criterion, a Bayesian pointwise predictive accuracy measure. Statistically significant time trends are observed in 742 of the 1244 stations. Trends in 409 of these stations can be attributed to changes in global surface temperature anomalies. These stations are predominantly found in the U.S. Southeast and Northeast climate regions. The trends in 274 of these stations can be attributed to El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Pacific decadal oscillation, and the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation along with changes in global surface temperature anomalies. These stations are mainly found in the U.S. Northwest, West, and Southwest climate regions.
Low-Frequency North Atlantic Climate Variability in the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble
Authors: Kim Who M. , Yeager Stephen , Chang Ping , Danabasoglu Gokhan
Published: October 2017

There is observational and modeling evidence that low-frequency variability in the North Atlantic has significant implications for the global climate, particularly for the climate of the Northern Hemisphere. This study explores the representation of low-frequency variability in the Atlantic region in historical large ensemble and preindustrial control simulations performed with the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Compared to available observational estimates, it is found that the simulated variability in Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), North Atlantic sea surface temperature (NASST), and Sahel rainfall is underestimated on multidecadal time scales but comparable on interannual to decadal time scales. The weak multidecadal North Atlantic variability appears to be closely related to weaker-than-observed multidecadal variations in the simulated North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), as the AMOC and consequent NASST variability is impacted, to a great degree, by the NAO. Possible reasons for this weak multidecadal NAO variability are explored with reference to solutions from two atmosphere-only simulations with different lower boundary conditions and vertical resolution. Both simulations consistently reveal weaker-than-observed multidecadal NAO variability despite more realistic boundary conditions and better resolved dynamics than coupled simulations. The authors thus conjecture that the weak multidecadal NAO variability in CESM is likely due to deficiencies in air–sea coupling, resulting from shortcomings in the atmospheric model or coupling details.
Expansion of the subway network and spatial distribution of population and employment in the Seoul metropolitan area
Authors: Jin Jangik , Kim Danya
Published: October 2017

The objective of this study is to address two questions that are pertinent to the issue of transportation and urban spatial structure. First, we investigate whether the improvement of the subway system affects the spatial structure in the Seoul metropolitan area. Second, if so, we examine whether it contributes to the suburbanisation of population and employment or spatial concentration around the urban centre. To do so, we focus on the improvement of the subway system in Seoul metropolitan areas between 2000 and 2010 with micro population and employment data. Because of the interrelationship between population, employment and transportation, we control for the interplay between population, employment and subway network by using a simultaneous equation model. Our results provide several interesting findings. First, the improvement of the subway system plays an important role in changes in urban spatial structure. Second, the improvement of the subway system significantly affects job growth in the urban centre and subcentres in the city of Seoul. Third, the interrelationship between population, employment and public transportation generates redistributive effects that are substantially associated with urban growth and decline, and determine urban spatial structure.
Effects of Weather Conditions on Tourism Spending: Implications for Future Trends under Climate Change
Authors: Wilkins Emily , de Urioste-Stone Sandra , Weiskittel Aaron , Gabe Todd
Published: October 2017

Tourism is an important industry to many regions around the world and has the potential to substantially impact local communities. Climate change is expected to influence tourism since weather patterns help determine where and when people travel. In this analysis, the effect of weather conditions on tourism-related spending at three geographically distinct locations in Maine, United States, was evaluated. A nonparametric method (boosted regression trees) was used to first identify the relative influence of twenty-two weather variables as predictors of tourism spending. Following this, a parametric model was constructed to statistically evaluate tourism spending across different measures and predict potential spending changes due to a warming climate. Results indicated that warmer temperatures increased tourism spending in the summer and fall, but had more varying results in the winter. Findings suggest tourism businesses in Maine and other relatively colder destinations could capitalize on potential gains in warmer months.
Evaluation of classic and fractional models as constitutive relations for carbon black–filled rubber
Authors: Yin Boyuan , Hu Xiaoling , Song Kui
Published: October 2017

Many constitutive relationships have been derived to model the viscoelastic behaviors of materials, but limited works are done to point out which model is the most suitable one in certain conditions. In this article, we present the detailed comparisons of the classic rheological and fractional derivative models to make up for the deficiency. First, creep and stress relaxation tests of carbon black (CB)–filled rubber are carried out at the room temperature for 12 h, and frequency-sweep tests are conducted at a temperature ranging from Tg − 10°C to Tg + 100°C under tension loading. The master curve of storage modulus over a wide range of frequency covering about 21 decades is constructed according to the time/frequency–temperature superposition (TTS/fTS). And then the classic models (Maxwell, Kelvin, and their generalized models) and fractional derivative models (4, 5, 6, and 10 parameters Zener models) are used to fit the test data. The fitting results show that the classic generalized models and fractional Zener models are quantitatively equivalent. The classic generalized models with several parameters are much simpler and are able to predict the viscoelastic behaviors for short-term or narrow frequency conditions, while the fractional derivative models are suitable for wide frequency conditions.
Upregulating Positive Affectivity in the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: A Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: González-Robles Alberto , García-Palacios Azucena , Baños Rosa , Quero Soledad , Botella Cristina
Published: October 2017

Transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for emotional disorders (ED) has proven to be effective. However, current transdiagnostic treatment protocols address only the regulation of negative affectivity, and they do not include treatment components to more directly target the regulation of positive affectivity. In this study, we propose to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and acceptability of a transdiagnostic treatment protocol for ED that includes, as an innovative feature, a specific treatment component to directly upregulate positive affectivity based on positive psychology interventions. A total of 24 participants were randomized to either a transdiagnostic treatment protocol ( n = 12) or a transdiagnostic treatment protocol with an additional component designed to regulate positive affectivity ( n = 12). Participants completed measures of anxiety, depression, positive and negative affectivity, and quality of life, as well as treatment acceptability at pre- and posttreatment and at the 3-month follow-up. Both interventions led to improvements in all measures at posttreatment, and these outcomes were maintained at the 3-month follow-up, with large effect sizes for all measures. The effect sizes for positive affect were larger in the condition that included the component to upregulate positive affectivity. Attrition rate was low, and both treatment protocols were well accepted by participants. The results obtained in this study indicate the feasibility of testing the treatment protocol in a larger, randomized, controlled trial, and they suggest the potential of including treatment components for directly upregulating positive affectivity in future research on transdiagnostic treatment protocols for ED.
Transgender and non-binary persons and sexual risk: A critical review of 10 years of research from a feminist intersectional perspective
Authors: Van Schuylenbergh Judith , Motmans Joz , Coene Gily
Published: October 2017

Research shows that HIV prevalence in transgender and non-binary persons is extremely high, with prevalence rates ranging up to 52.4% (Edwards et al., 2007). This high risk is associated with a number of (trans-specific) factors, such as stigma, discrimination, normative gender roles, involvement in sex work, a lack of knowledge about safe sex and an inaccurate perception of risk. This article critically reviews the last 10 years of research on transgender and non-binary persons and sexual risk from a feminist intersectional perspective that focuses on gender identity, class, ethnicity and other axes of difference that contribute to the high risk for HIV for (some) transgender and non-binary persons. There appears to be an interweaving of different factors in which the discrimination and stigmatisation of transgender and non-binary persons is central. The limitations and pitfalls of current research are pointed out, and suggestions for policy and further research are made.
Making Food Aid Fit-for-Purpose in the 21st Century: A Review of Recent Initiatives Improving the Nutritional Quality of Foods Used in Emergency and Development Programming
Authors: Webb Patrick , Caiafa Kristine , Walton Shelley ,   for the Food Aid Quality Review Group
Published: October 2017

Important strides have been made recently in upgrading the global food aid agenda in line with evolving medical and nutrition sciences, operational experience, and innovations in food technology. A 2011 report endorsed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recommended numerous improvements to products intended to support improved survival and nutrition in humanitarian programming, as well as greater rigor and transparency in the research agenda that supports innovations in this critical field. This article reviews progress since 2011 made by USAID, and other global food aid providers, in developing food aid products that are fit-for-purpose and are appropriately formulated to save lives in emergencies and to promote healthy mothers and children in nonemergency contexts. It highlights important modifications and addition made to products and identifies persisting knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in future research.