bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charlotte Brontë: A radical Tory
Authors: Thormählen Marianne
Published: December 2017

Although it is well known that Charlotte Brontë had pronounced political views and interests from childhood onwards, few academics have examined her preoccupation with politics, in the sense of public life and government affairs, at any length. Insofar as critics and scholars have considered her political opinions, they have found her Toryism hard to reconcile with the rebellious spirit in evidence throughout her mature fiction—a spirit that was felt by more than one contemporaneous reviewer to be akin to that of Radicalism. This article shows that there is no contradiction: Charlotte Brontë's political opinions were rooted in her ardent patriotism and love of freedom, both of which passions are compatible with Tory values. In her writings, veneration for the traditional British institutions, and for the Duke of Wellington as the preserver of Britain's ancient liberties, coexists with awareness of the right of women as well as men to carve out independent and meaningful lives for themselves. In the latter respect, she may be said to have adopted a radical stance.
On Whitham and Related Equations
Authors: Klein Christian , Linares Felipe , Pilod Didier , Saut Jean‐Claude
Published: December 2017

The aim of this paper is to study, via theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, the dynamics of Whitham and related equations. In particular, we establish rigorous bounds between solutions of the Whitham and Korteweg–de Vries equations and provide some insights into the dynamics of the Whitham equation in different regimes, some of them being outside the range of validity of the Whitham equation as a water waves model.
Pro‐Market Policies and Major Industrial Disasters—A Dangerous Combination?
Authors: Blanton Robert G. , Peksen Dursun
Published: December 2017

Industrial disasters are tragically frequent events, yet little systematic research has been devoted to the factors that contribute to their occurrence. Seeking broader insights into the causes of major industrial disasters, we focus on the role of state policies, particularly the effect of neoliberal policy prescriptions. We formulate and test several related hypotheses that delineate how a pro‐market policy environment, specifically a “business‐friendly” regulatory approach, openness to global trade and capital flows, and a smaller and less economically intrusive state, affect the probability of major industrial disasters. To test these claims, we gathered time‐series cross‐sectional data for 127 countries for the period 1981–2011. Results point to a significant positive association between pro‐market reforms and major industrial disasters. Specifically, we find that economic liberalization in general as well as the two aspects of liberalization—business regulatory environment and economic openness—are positively and significantly related to the occurrence of major industrial disasters.
Experiences of community-dwelling older adults with the use of telecare in home care services: a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Karlsen Cecilie , Ludvigsen Mette Spliid , Moe Carl Erik , Haraldstad Kristin , Thygesen Elin
Published: December 2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background:

The aging population will lead to a rise in the number of people with age-related diseases, and increasing demand for home care services. Telecare is seen as a solution to this challenge by promoting aging in place. Nevertheless, there is still a poor understanding of older adults’ experiences with the actual use of telecare.

Objective:

The aim of this review was to identify and synthesize the best available qualitative evidence of community-dwelling older adults’ experience with the use of telecare in home care services.

Inclusion criteria:

This review considered studies that focused on qualitative data, examining older adults’ experiences with the use of active and passive technology devices, such as personal alarms and sensor technology, in the context of home care services.

Search strategy:

This review systematically searched the databases Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and SveMed+ to find both published and unpublished studies in English, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish, from 2005 to 2017.

Methodological quality:

Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed independently by two reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument.

Data extraction:

Qualitative data were extracted from papers included in the review using the standardized Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument from the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Data synthesis:

Qualitative research findings were pooled using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument, and involved aggregation and synthesis of findings.

Results:

A total of 118 findings from 11 studies were aggregated into 20 categories. The categories generated seven synthesized findings: 1) Aging in place is desired; however, it may also be related to feeling isolated and lonely. 2) Telecare contributes to safety, security, and aging in place. 3) Privacy is not seen as a problem by most older adults because the technology is intended to help them live safely in their own home. 4) Some telecare devices have side effects, especially new technology. Some devices do not work outside the home, thus limiting active aging. 5) Some older adults experience a misfit between technology and needs. They must see the value of a telecare device to use it. 6) Telecare may enforce an identity with negative connotations on older adults, as frail and helpless people. Autonomy is considered important. 7) Lack of understanding can hamper the correct use of telecare. Specific strategies may be needed.

Conclusions:

The experiences with the use of telecare are diverse. Findings indicate telecare systems can promote safety and security to age in place that is a wish of many older adults. However, “one size does not fit all”- Telecare systems must fit individual needs, and be supported by service providers to accommodate sustainable use over time.
Community-based management of multiple drug resistant tuberculosis in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Jelly Isaya , Peters Micah D.J.
Published: December 2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized collaboration with communities in its 2016 “End TB” implementation strategy. Acknowledging the difficulties that some communities face in gaining access to health facilities due to barriers such as stigma, discrimination, healthcare expenditure, transport and income loss, partnering with communities in the roll-out of community–based TB management activities is vital.

Aim:

The aim of this project was to make a contribution to promoting evidence-based practice with regards to the community-based management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) at Kibong’oto National Infectious Disease Hospital, Tanzania, and thereby supporting improvements in patient outcomes and resource utilization.

Methods:

The project utilized the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) program to facilitate the collection of pre- and post-audit data. The Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) module was also used to analyze the potential barriers and for designing the final action plan. This project was conducted in three phases over a three-month period at the MDR-TB unit in a referral hospital in Northern Tanzania.

Results:

The project showed that there were significant improvements in compliance rates in staff education and documentation of patients’ suitability and preferences in receiving community-based care for MDR-TB. The compliance rate of criterion 2, which was already 100% at baseline, was slightly lower at follow-up.

Conclusions:

The project achieved significant improvements in the delivery of evidence-based practice with regards to community-based management of MDR-TB.
The Virtual Mass Theory of a Taylor Bubble Rising in Vertical Pipes
Authors: Kendoush Abdullah Abbas
Published: December 2017

Analytical solutions were obtained for the virtual mass of a Taylor bubble rising in a liquid confined by a circular pipe under transient conditions. The solution of the virtual mass coefficient was based on potential inviscid flow. The present solution is applicable to low viscosity liquids and to Capillary number (Ca)<0.005. The virtual mass solution showed dependence on bubble geometry. The present solution was validated by comparison with the available numerical solutions and experimental data of other investigators.
Evaluating Oil Potential in Shale Formations Using Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy
Authors: Li Yizhang , Miao Xinyang , Zhan Honglei , Wang Wei , Bao Rima , Leng Wenxiu , Zhao Kun
Published: December 2017

Optical assessment of oil shale using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) was carried out to study oil potential. Fischer assay testing was employed to obtain the oil yield of oil shale specimens to examine the difference of oil potential between oil shale samples from three regions: Beipiao, Barkol, and Huadian in China. Then, two types of specimens from each area were prepared for the optical tests and the results were compared. The refractive index (n) at 0.2–1.2 THz was derived; n decreased slowly with increasing frequency for all the specimens despite the oscillation pattern observed at lower frequencies. The specimen preparation method that mixed the powdered material led to minor differences between the specimens. The different response of kerogen to the terahertz pulse depending on the kerogen's evolutionary stage leads to a difference in the refractive index between the specimens from the various regions. This study indicates that using THz-TDS to evaluate the oil content in oil shale without inducing reaction within the specimen can be an effective method for resource exploration.
Performance Studies of Powder-Lubricated Journal Bearing Having Different Pocket Shapes at Cylindrical Bore Surface
Authors: Rahmani Faisal , Pandey R. K. , Dutt J. K.
Published: December 2017

It becomes impossible to use conventional fluid film journal bearings in the hot working environments (500–800 °C) due to rapid thermal degradation of lubricating oils. Under this situation, powder lubricants prove beneficial in spite of high friction values associated with them in comparison to lubricating oils. Thus, reduction of friction in powder-lubricated journal bearings is an essential task for making the operation energy efficient. Hence, the objective of this paper is to explore the reduction of coefficient of friction in a powder-lubricated journal bearing employing different pocket shapes (elliptical, parabolic, rectangular, and trapezoidal) placed on bore surface. Based on the investigations reported herein, it is found that the journal bearing having rectangular pocket yields least coefficient of friction among all the cases.
An Improved Technique for Measuring the Vibration Sensitivity of Subminiature Microphones
Authors: Walsh Jonathan D. , Su Quang T. , Warren Daniel
Published: December 2017

Presented is a test methodology for characterizing the vibration sensitivity of miniature microphones. An ordinary vibration sensitivity experiment becomes difficult because vibrating surfaces are also sources of sound. This sound is picked up by the microphone being tested, changing the result. The sound pressure will be correlated with the vibration signal such that averaging will not serve to increase the accuracy of that result.The previously described techniques reduce the correlated pressure using custom experimental equipment and have geometric limitations. In the improved technique, the microphone is treated like a linear two-input-one-output system. The two input signals (vibration and acoustic pressure) are measured, and the vibration sensitivity is determined using two different spectral analysis techniques. These techniques have good agreement between one another, and the measured values fit well into a simple acoustic model of the microphone. A technique for estimating the major source of measurement error indicates that this error is small enough for a reasonable estimate of vibration sensitivity to be made.
Nations put science before fishing in the Arctic
Authors: Hoag Hannah
Published: December 2017

Historic fishing ban gives scientists time to probe ecology as northern waters warm.
Cuban panel claims stress caused mystery illnesses
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: December 2017

Report finds hypothesis of “sonic weapon” implausible.
To help save the heart, is it time to retire cholesterol tests?
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: December 2017

Measuring a blood protein, apoB, might save more lives.
Science groups urge changes as Congress nears final taxbill
Authors: Malakoff David
Published: December 2017

Several provisions seen as harming research and education.
Technology Feature | Biomarkers on the brain: Putting biomarkers together for a better understanding of the nervous system
Authors: Smith Caitlin
Published: December 2017

Biomarkers for neurological diseases used to be few and far between, but better technology is making it easier for researchers to track brain health by measuring molecules. This means less invasive testing, earlier diagnosis, faster drug development, and—hopefully—more effective treatments.

Read the Feature (Full-Text HTML)

Read the Feature (PDF)

Read New Products (PDF)
On the origin of modern humans: Asian perspectives
Authors: Bae Christopher J. , Douka Katerina , Petraglia Michael D.
Published: December 2017

The peopling of Asia

In recent years, there has been increasing focus on the paleoanthropology of Asia, particularly the migration patterns of early modern humans as they spread out of Africa. Bae
et al.
review the current state of the Late Pleistocene Asian human evolutionary record from archaeology, hominin paleontology, geochronology, genetics, and paleoclimatology. They evaluate single versus multiple dispersal models and southern versus the northern dispersal routes across the Asian continent. They also review behavioral and environmental variability and how these may have affected modern human dispersals and interactions with indigenous populations.

Science
, this issue p.
eaai9067
Comment on “Cognition-mediated evolution of low-quality floral nectars”
Authors: Pyke Graham H. , Waser Nickolas M.
Published: December 2017

Nachev
et al
. (Reports, 6 January 2017, p. 75) present dilute nectar in bat-pollinated plants as “paradoxical” because bats prefer concentrated nectar, but paradox disappears with realistic assumptions about nectar evolution. We argue that they make unrealistic assumptions about the cognitive abilities of bat pollinators, invoke Weber’s law inappropriately, and cannot predict observed nectar concentrations of bat flowers or negative correlations between pollinator body size and average concentration.
Can dams be designed for sustainability?
Authors: Poff N. LeRoy , Olden Julian D.
Published: December 2017

Dam design on the Mekong River can help to support water, energy, and fisheries needs
Probing the metabolism of microorganisms
Authors: Louca Stilianos
Published: December 2017

Modeling and genetic analyses reveal insights into microbial metabolic
pathways
Biology and physics rendezvous at the membrane
Authors: Simunovic Mijo
Published: December 2017

A reductionist model of the cell membrane reveals the physics underlying
endocytosis
Reading the genome like a history book
Authors: Harris Kelley
Published: December 2017

Mathematical modeling sheds light on the evolution of human genetic variation
Molecular Mechanisms for Microbe Recognition and Defense by the Red Seaweed
Laurencia dendroidea
Authors: de Oliveira Louisi Souza , Tschoeke Diogo Antonio , Magalhães Lopes Ana Carolina Rubem , Sudatti Daniela Bueno , Meirelles Pedro Milet , Thompson Cristiane C. , Pereira Renato Crespo , Thompson Fabiano L.
Published: December 2017

Marine bacteria are part of the healthy microbiota associated with seaweeds, but some species, such as
Vibrio
spp., are frequently associated with disease outbreaks, especially in economically valuable cultures. In this context, the ability of seaweeds to recognize microbes and, when necessary, activate defense mechanisms is essential for their survival. However, studies dedicated to understanding the molecular components of the immune response in seaweeds are rare and restricted to indirect stimulus. This work provides an unprecedentedly large-scale evaluation of the transcriptional changes involved in microbe recognition, cellular signaling, and defense in the red seaweed
Laurencia dendroidea
in response to the marine bacterium
Vibrio madracius
. By expanding knowledge about seaweed-bacterium interactions and about the integrated defensive system in seaweeds, this work offers the basis for the development of tools to increase the resistance of cultured seaweeds to bacterial infections.
Can traditional risk factors explain the higher risk of cardiovascular disease in South Asians compared to Europeans in Norway and New Zealand? Two cohort studies
Authors: Rabanal Kjersti S , Meyer Haakon E , Tell Grethe S , Igland Jannicke , Pylypchuk Romana , Mehta Suneela , Kumar Bernadette , Jenum Anne Karen , Selmer Randi M , Jackson Rod
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The objective was to prospectively examine potential differences in the risk of first cardiovascular disease (CVD) events between South Asians and Europeans living in Norway and New Zealand, and to investigate whether traditional risk factors could explain any differences.

Methods

We included participants (30–74 years) without prior CVD in a Norwegian (n=16 606) and a New Zealand (n=129 449) cohort. Ethnicity and cardiovascular risk factor information was linked with hospital registry data and cause of death registries to identify subsequent CVD events. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to investigate the relationship between risk factors and subsequent CVD for South Asians and Europeans, and to calculate age-adjusted HRs for CVD in South Asians versus Europeans in the two cohorts separately. We sequentially added the major CVD risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, diabetes and smoking) to study their explanatory role in observed ethnic CVD risk differences.

Results

South Asians had higher total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and more diabetes at baseline than Europeans, but lower blood pressure and smoking levels. South Asians had increased age-adjusted risk of CVD compared with Europeans (87%–92% higher in the Norwegian cohort and 42%–75% higher in the New Zealand cohort) and remained with significantly increased risk after adjusting for all major CVD risk factors. Adjusted HRs for South Asians versus Europeans in the Norwegian cohort were 1.57 (95% CI 1.19 to 2.07) in men and 1.76 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.82) in women. Corresponding figures for the New Zealand cohort were 1.64 (95% CI 1.43 to 1.88) in men and 1.39 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.73) in women.

Conclusion

Differences in TC/HDL ratio and diabetes appear to explain some of the excess risk of CVD in South Asians compared with Europeans. Preventing dyslipidaemia and diabetes in South Asians may therefore help reduce their excess risk of CVD.
Likelihood of death among hospital inpatients in New Zealand: prevalent cohort study
Authors: Gott Merryn , Broad Joanna , Zhang Xian , Jarlbaek Lene , Clark David
Published: December 2017

Objectives

(1) To establish the likelihood of dying within 12 months for a cohort of hospital inpatients in New Zealand (NZ) on a fixed census date; (2) to identify associations between likelihood of death and key sociodemographic, diagnostic and service-related factors and (3) to compare results with, and extend findings of, a Scottish study undertaken for the same time period and census date. National databases of hospitalisations and death registrations were used, linked by unique health identifier.

Participants

6074 patients stayed overnight in NZ hospitals on the census date (10 April 2013), 40.8% of whom were aged ≥65 years; 54.4% were women; 69.1% of patients were NZ European; 15.3% were Maori; 7.6% were Pacific; 6.1% were Asian and 1.9% were ‘other’.

Setting

All NZ hospitals.

Results

14.5% patients (n=878) had died within 12 months: 1.6% by 7 days; 4.5% by 30 days; 8.0% by 3 months and 10.9% by 6 months. In logistic regression models, the strongest predictors of death within 12 months were: age ≥80 years (OR=5.52(95% CI 4.31 to 7.07)); a history of cancer (OR=4.20(3.53 to 4.98)); being Māori (OR=1.62(1.25 to 2.10)) and being admitted to a medical specialty, compared with a surgical specialty (OR=3.16(2.66 to 3.76)).

Conclusion

While hospitals are an important site of end of life care in NZ, their role is less significant than in Scotland, where 30% of an inpatient cohort recruited using similar methods and undertaken on the same census date had died within 12 months. One reason for this finding may be the extended role of residential long-term care facilities in end of life care provision in NZ.
Acupuncture for patients with vascular dementia: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Ye Yang , Xiao Ling-Yong , Liu Yi-Hua , Yang Jing-Wen , Yan Chao-Qun , Wang Xue-Rui , Shi Guang-Xia , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: December 2017

Introduction

This systematic review protocol aims to provide the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy for treating vascular dementia.

Methods and analysis

The following eight databases will be searched from inception to July 2017: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database and Wanfang Database. All randomised controlled trials in English or Chinese related to acupuncture for vascular dementia will be included. Outcomes will include change in cognitive function and activities of daily living. The incidence of adverse events will be assessed for safety evaluation. Study inclusion, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers. Assessment of risk of bias and data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager software.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required because individual patient data are not included. The findings of this systematic review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication or conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017071820.
Stress echocardiography in patients with native valvular heart disease
Authors: Lancellotti Patrizio , Dulgheru Raluca , Go Yun Yun , Sugimoto Tadafumi , Marchetta Stella , Oury Cécile , Garbi Madalina
Published: December 2017

Valve stress echocardiography (VSE) can be performed as exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) or dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) depending on the patient’s clinical status, severity and type of valve disease. ESE combines exercise testing with two-dimensional grey scale and Doppler echocardiography during exercise. Thus, it provides objective assessment of symptomatic status (exercise test), as well as exercise-induced changes of a series of echocardiographic parameters (different depending on the valve disease type), which yield prognostic information in individual patients and help in a better treatment planning. DSE is useful in symptomatic patients with low-gradient aortic stenosis. It clarifies its severity and helps in assessing surgical risk in patients with severe disease and systolic dysfunction. It can be also used to test valve haemodynamics in asymptomatic patients with significant mitral stenosis unable to perform an exercise test or to test the left ventricle response, namely to test viability, in patients with ischaemic secondary mitral regurgitation. VSE has taught us that history taking, clinical examination and resting echocardiography give an ‘incomplete picture’ of the disease in patients presenting with a severe valve disease. Therefore, its use should be encouraged in such patients.
Molecular characterisation of Mycobacterium caprae strains isolated in Poland
Authors: Krajewska‐Wędzina Monika , Kozińska Monika , Orłowska Blanka , Weiner Marcin , Szulowski Krzysztof , Augustynowicz‐Kopeć Ewa , Anusz Krzysztof , Smith Noel H
Published: December 2017

Bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB, bTB) is caused by bovine bacilli: Mycobacterium bovis and M caprae. The studies conducted in Poland, in the National Bovine Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology of the National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy, show that animal tuberculosis in Poland is also caused by M caprae. We here describe the identification and genotypic assessment of 52 isolates of M caprae obtained from Polish cattle and wild animals over the last five years. We show that strains isolated from bison have significant genotypic diversity and are distinct compared with the genotypes of strains isolated from cattle. Similarly, isolates from cattle herds can be highly genotypically variable. Formal designation of the members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is controversial in Poland; there is a gap in veterinary legislation with regard to bTB and no explicit mention of M caprae causing tuberculosis in animal.
Altered muscarinic receptor expression in the cerebral cortex of epileptic rats: restorative role ofWithania somnifera
Authors: Anju T.R. , Smijin S. , Jobin M. , Paulose C.S.
Published: December 2017

Temporal lobe epilepsy involves a sequence of events that can lead to neurotransmitter signalling alterations. There are many herbal extracts considered to be alternative therapeutic methods to manage epilepsy. In this study, we investigated the effect of Withania somnifera (WS) root extract and withanolide A (WA) in the management of temporal lobe epilepsy. Confocal imaging of TOPRO-3-stained cortical sections showed severe damage in the epileptic brain. We also observed a reduced antioxidant potential and increased peroxide levels in the epileptic test group of rats. Oxidative stress resulted in the down-regulation of CREB, NF-κB, and TNF-α, and with up-regulation of the apoptotic factors caspases 8 and 3 and Bax in the epileptic group. Epileptic condition also resulted in increased muscarinic receptor binding and mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex. Withania somnifera and withanolide A significantly reversed the altered muscarinic receptor expression and reversed the oxidative stress and resultant derailment in cell signalling. Thus our studies suggest that Withania somnifera and withanolide A play important roles in central muscarinic receptor functional balance and activation of the antioxidant system in the cerebral cortex in temporal lobe epilepsy. These findings can be of immense therapeutic significance for managing epilepsy.
Lycopene depresses glutamate release through inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+entry and protein kinase C in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals
Authors: Lu Cheng-Wei , Hung Chi-Feng , Jean Wei-Horng , Lin Tzu-Yu , Huang Shu-Kuei , Wang Su-Jane
Published: December 2017

Lycopene is a natural dietary carotenoid that was reported to exhibit a neuroprotective profile. Considering that excitotoxicity and cell death induced by glutamate are involved in many brain disorders, the effect of lycopene on glutamate release in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals and the possible mechanism involved in such effect was investigated. We observed here that lycopene inhibited 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-evoked glutamate release and intrasynaptosomal Ca2+concentration elevation. The inhibitory effect of lycopene on 4-AP-evoked glutamate release was markedly reduced in the presence of the Cav2.2 (N-type) and Cav2.1 (P/Q-type) channel blocker ω-conotoxin MVIIC, but was insensitive to the intracellular Ca2+-release inhibitors dantrolene and CGP37157. Furthermore, in the presence of the protein kinase C inhibitors GF109203X and Go6976, the action of lycopene on evoked glutamate release was prevented. These results are the first to suggest that lycopene inhibits glutamate release from rat cortical synaptosomes by suppressing presynaptic Ca2+entry and protein kinase C activity.
Electronically Tunable Current-Mode Third-Order Square-Root-Domain Filter Design
Authors: Kircay Ali , Keserlioglu M. Serhat , Adalar F. Zuhal
Published: December 2017

In this study, electronically-tunable, current-mode, square-root-domain, third-order low-pass filter is proposed. The study is carried out with three circuit designs. First circuit is third-order low-pass Butterworth filter, second circuit is third-order low-pass Chebyshev filter and the last circuit is third-order low-pass elliptic filter. All the input and output values of the filter circuit are current. Only grounded capacitors and MOSFETs are required in order to realize the filter circuit. Additionally, natural frequency [Formula: see text] of the current-mode filter can be adjusted electronically using outer current sources. To validate the theory and to demonstrate the performance of third-order filter, frequency and time domain simulations of PSPICE program are used. To that end, TSMC 0.35[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m Level 3 CMOS process parameters are utilized to realize the simulations of the filter.
d + t → n + α fusion reaction in a model inspired by halo/cluster effective field theory
Authors: Arani M. Moeini , Koohi A. , Yarmahmoodi S.
Published: December 2017

We study the low-energy [Formula: see text] fusion reaction using a model inspired by the halo/cluster effective field theory (H/CEFT) formalism. For this purpose, we initially focus on the [Formula: see text] reaction without considering the Coulomb force in the incoming deuteron–triton system. In the next step, we insert the Coulomb correction in the [Formula: see text] cross-section. The cross-section results involve unknown parameters. So, finally, we fit the H/CEFT cross-section of the [Formula: see text] reaction to the experimental data and obtain the values of these unknown parameters.
An extension of the mixed Novikov–Kazamaki condition
Authors: Chikvinidze B.
Published: December 2017

Given a continuous local martingale [Formula: see text], the associated stochastic exponential [Formula: see text] is a local martingale, but not necessarily a true martingale. To know whether [Formula: see text] is a true martingale is important for many applications, e.g., if Girsanov’s theorem is applied to perform a change of measure. We give several generalizations of Kazamaki’s results and finally construct a counterexample which does not satisfy the mixed Novikov–Kazamaki condition, but satisfies our conditions.
Probabilistic boundaries of finite extensions of quantum groups
Authors: Malacarne Sara , Neshveyev Sergey
Published: December 2017

Given a discrete quantum group [Formula: see text] with a finite normal quantum subgroup [Formula: see text], we show that any positive, possibly unbounded, harmonic function on [Formula: see text] with respect to an irreducible invariant random walk is [Formula: see text]-invariant. This implies that, under suitable assumptions, the Poisson and Martin boundaries of [Formula: see text] coincide with those of [Formula: see text]. A similar result is also proved in the setting of exact sequences of C[Formula: see text]-tensor categories. As an immediate application, we conclude that the boundaries of the duals of the group-theoretical easy quantum groups are classical.
Stability of a Time Delayed SIR Epidemic Model Along with Nonlinear Incidence Rate and Holling Type-II Treatment Rate
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Nilam
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we present a mathematical study of a deterministic model for the transmission and control of epidemics. The incidence rate of susceptible being infected is very crucial in the spread of disease. The delay in the incidence rate is proved fatal. In the present study, we propose an SIR mathematical model with the delay in the infected population. We are taking nonlinear incidence rate for epidemics along with Holling type II treatment rate for understanding the dynamics of the epidemics. Model stability has been done by the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text]. The model is locally asymptotically stable for disease-free equilibrium [Formula: see text] when the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] is less than one ([Formula: see text]). We investigated the stability of the model for disease-free equilibrium at [Formula: see text] equals to one using center manifold theory. We also investigated the stability for endemic equilibrium [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. Further, numerical simulations are presented to exemplify the analytical studies.
China’s New Role in Global Governance: Shaping the Emerging World Order
Authors: He Yafei
Published: December 2017

Since China rejoined the global economy four decades ago, it has adopted a peaceful development strategy that is deeply rooted in the peaceful DNA of the Chinese civilization. Benefiting from comprehensive engagement with other countries, China has bolstered its contribution to globalization and the global governance system with its own robust economic growth, more active participation in such key mechanisms as the Group of Twenty (G20), and a “China model” that provides valuable lessons for other nations on their social and economic development. Now that the global governance system is under serious challenge due to sudden withdrawal of many of the United States’ global commitments by the Trump administration, China is in a good position to shoulder more responsibilities while fostering a new type of major-power relationship with the United States.
Mechanisms of Tumor Cell–Intrinsic Immune Evasion
Authors: Spranger Stefani , Gajewski Thomas F.
Published: December 2017

The immune system has the potential to recognize and eliminate tumor cells, and failed immune surveillance contributes to cancer development. Many immunotherapeutics, including checkpoint blockade therapy, harness the endogenous antitumor immune response. While clinical benefit can be profound in some cases, some patients show primary resistance, whereas others experience clinical response and then develop secondary resistance under immune selective pressure. In this review, we discuss tumor cell–intrinsic mechanisms of primary and secondary immune evasion, both of which contribute to resistance to immunotherapeutic interventions. General mechanisms include adaptive evasion, allowing the tumor to establish equilibrium with an existing T cell infiltrate, and innate evasion, in which T cells and other immune cells are excluded from the tumor microenvironment. Evidence suggests that both processes can mediate resistance to checkpoint blockade therapy, but the different biological processes involved may necessitate distinct treatment strategies for overcoming resistance therapeutically.
Global Well-Posedness for a Class of Kirchhoff-Type Wave System
Authors: Jiang Xiaoli , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: December 2017

In recent years, the small initial boundary value problem of the Kirchhoff-type wave system attracts many scholars’ attention. However, the big initial boundary value problem is also a topic of theoretical significance. In this paper, we devote oneself to the well-posedness of the Kirchhoff-type wave system under the big initial boundary conditions. Combining the potential well method with an improved convex method, we establish a criterion for the well-posedness of the system with nonlinear source and dissipative and viscoelastic terms. Based on the criteria, the energy of the system is divided into different levels. For the subcritical case, we prove that there exist the global solutions when the initial value belongs to the stable set, while the finite time blow-up occurs when the initial value belongs to the unstable set. For the supercritical case, we show that the corresponding solution blows up in a finite time if the initial value satisfies some given conditions.
Unusual Radiographic Presentation of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in a Patient with AIDS
Authors: Block Brian L. , Mehta Tejas , Ortiz Gabriel M. , Ferris Sean P. , Vu Thienkhai H. , Huang Laurence , Cattamanchi Adithya
Published: December 2017

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) typically presents as an interstitial and alveolar process with ground glass opacities on chest computed tomography (CT). The absence of ground glass opacities on chest CT is thought to have a high negative predictive value for PCP in individuals with AIDS. Here, we report a case of PCP in a man with AIDS who presented to our hospital with subacute shortness of breath and a nonproductive cough. While his chest CT revealed diffuse nodular rather than ground glass opacities, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of PCP and did not identify additional pathogens. PCP was not the expected diagnosis based on chest CT, but it otherwise fit well with the patient’s clinical and laboratory presentation. In the era of combination antiretroviral therapy, routine prophylaxis for PCP, and increased use of computed tomography, it may be that PCP will increasingly present with nonclassical chest radiographic patterns. Clinicians should be aware of this presentation when selecting diagnostic and management strategies.
Safety and Efficacy of First-Line Treatments for Chemotherapy-Naive Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Indirect Comparison
Authors: Zheng Haofeng , Chen Jialiang , Qiu Wenhan , Lin Sijie , Chen Yanxiong , Liang Guancan , Fang Youqiang
Published: December 2017

Recently, several drugs have been introduced for the first-line treatment of chemotherapy-naive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but few studies have compared treatment outcomes directly. This indirect comparison among 10 clinical trials (n= 4870 patients) retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Collaboration, and ClinicalTrails.gov was performed to assess the safety and efficacy of docetaxel, cabazitaxel, abiraterone, enzalutamide, and sipuleucel-T for the initial treatment of mCRPC. No significant differences in primary outcome (overall survival) were found among initial treatments. However, docetaxel had the highest probability (37.53%) of being the most effective, but at the cost of more adverse events, while enzalutamide was associated with the best secondary outcomes (prostate-specific antigen response, progression-free survival, quality of life, and adverse event profile). Thus, docetaxel is recommended as the first agent used for the chemotherapy of mCRPC, while enzalutamide is recommended as the first nonchemotherapy treatment. Additional clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish the optimal order for multidrug treatment of mCRPC.
A Complex Variable Solution for Rectangle Pipe Jacking in Elastic Half‐Plane
Authors: Li Xin-yuan , Liu Guo-bin
Published: December 2017

In mechanics, the solution of soil stresses and displacements field caused by shallow rectangular jacking pipe construction can be simplified as half‐plane problem. Both the boundary conditions of the surface and the cavity boundary must be taken into account. It is the essential prerequisite for mechanical analysis of the pipe jacking with the complex variable theory that the mechanical boundary must be transformed from the half‐plane with a rectangle cavity to the concentric ring. According to Riemann’s existence theorem and basic complex variable theory, a conformal mapping function is established. Both sides of boundary conditions equation are developed into Laurent series, and then the coefficients of complex stress function are solved by power series method. The derived solution is applied to an example and a comparison is made using FEM method to show the accuracy of the methods. The result shows the following: (1) the method presented in this paper is applicable to a shallow‐buried rectangular tunnel; (2) the complex function method proposed in this paper is characterized by clear steps, fast convergence, and simple operation.
Design, Synthesis, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Novel Griseofulvin Analogues with Improved Water Solubility
Authors: Hamdy Ahmed K. , Sheha Mahmoud M. , Abdel-Hafez Atef A. , Shouman Samia A.
Published: December 2017

Griseofulvin 1 is an important antifungal agent that has recently received attention due to its antiproliferative activity in mammalian cancer cells. Study of SAR of some griseofulvin analogues has led to the identification of 2′-benzyloxy griseofulvin 3, a more potent analogue which retards tumor growth through inhibition of centrosomal clustering. However, similar to griseofulvin 1, compound 3 exhibited poor aqueous solubility. In order to improve the poor water solubility, six new griseofulvin analogues 5–10 were synthesized and tested for their antiproliferative activity and water solubility. The semicarbazone 9 and aminoguanidine 10 analogues were the most potent against HCT116 and MCF-7 cell lines. In combination studies, compound 9 was found to exert synergistic effects with tamoxifen and 5-fluorouracil against MCF-7 and HCT116 cells proliferation, respectively. The flow cytometric analysis of effect of 9 on cell cycle progression revealed G2/M arrest in HCT116. In addition, compound 9 induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Finally, all synthesized analogues revealed higher water solubility than griseofulvin 1 and benzyloxy analogue 3 in pH 1.2 and 6.8 buffer solutions.
Efficacy of Fluoride Varnishes with Added Calcium Phosphate in the Protection of the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Enamel
Authors: Shahmoradi Mahdi , Hunter Neil , Swain Michael
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of various fluoride varnishes in the protection of the structural and nanomechanical properties of dental enamel. Demineralized enamel specimens were imaged using a high-resolution micro-CT system and lesion parameters including mineral density and lesion depth were extracted from mineral density profiles. Nanoindentation elastic modulus and hardness were calculated as a function of penetration depth from the load-displacement curves. The average depth of the lesion in specimens with no prior fluoride varnish treatment was 86±7.19 μm whereas the varnish treated specimens had an average depth of 67±7.03 μm (P<0.05). The mineral density of enamel lesions with no fluoride varnish treatment had an average of 1.85 gr/cm3 which was 25% lower than the corresponding value in varnish treated enamel and 37% lower than sound enamel. While, in the varnish treated group, elastic modulus and hardness values had decreased by 18% and 23%, respectively, the corresponding values in the non-varnish treated specimens had a reduction of 43% and 54% compared to the sound enamel. The findings from this study highlight the preventive role of fluoride varnishes. Addition of calcium and phosphate does not seem to enhance or inhibit the prevention or remineralization performance of fluoride varnishes.
Large-Cell Transformed Mycosis Fungoides Coexisting with Mycosis Fungoides Bullosa: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Porntharukcharoen Saneerat , Rutnin Suthinee , Rajatanavin Natta
Published: December 2017

Mycosis fungoides is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Both large-cell transformed mycosis fungoides and mycosis fungoides bullosa are rare presentations and predict unfavorable prognosis. We report the case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with generalized erythematous scaly annular plaques, and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. She was treated with various conventional therapies but only achieved partial response and always relapsed after discontinuation of treatment. Her last treatment was combined chemotherapy (CHOP regimen) followed by romidepsin. However, 1 month after the last cycle of romidepsin, she developed multiple ulcerative masses and nodules. Skin biopsy was compatible with CD30+ large cell transformation, and she was treated with a new combination of chemotherapy (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide). One day after receiving chemotherapy, multiple tense bullae on normal-appearing skin and mycosis fungoid plaques erupted. A histological study demonstrated subepidermal blistering with epidermotropism of atypical lymphocytes. Direct immunofluorescence study was negative. The results confirmed the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides bullosa. We present the first reported case of large-cell transformed mycosis fungoides coexisting with mycosis fungoides bullosa.
Regional Differences in Efficacy, Safety, and Biomarkers for Second-Line Axitinib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From a Randomized Phase II Study
Authors: Kudo Masatoshi , Kang Yoon-Koo , Park Joong-Won , Qin Shukui , Inaba Yoshitaka , Assenat Eric , Umeyama Yoshiko , Lechuga Maria José , Valota Olga , Fujii Yosuke , Martini Jean-Francois , Williams J. Andrew , Obi Shuntaro
Published: December 2017

Background: An unmet need exists for treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who progress on or are intolerant to sorafenib. A global randomized phase II trial (ClinicalTrial.gov No. NCT01210495) of axitinib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1-3 inhibitor, in combination with best supportive care (BSC) did not prolong overall survival (OS) over placebo/BSC, but showed improved progression-free survival in some patients. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify potential predictive/prognostic factors. Methods: The data from this phase II study were analyzed for the efficacy and safety of axitinib/BSC in patients from Asia versus non-Asia versus Asian subgroups (Japan, Korea, or mainland China/Hong Kong/Taiwan) and predictive/prognostic values of baseline microRNAs and serum soluble proteins, using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Of 202 patients, 78 were from non-Asia and 124 from Asia (37 Japanese, 36 Korean, and 51 Chinese). No significant differences in OS were found between axitinib/BSC and placebo/BSC in non-Asians, Asians, or Asian subgroups. However, in an exploratory analysis, axitinib/BSC showed favorable OS in Asians, especially Japanese, when patients intolerant to prior antiangiogenic therapy were excluded from the data set. Axitinib/BSC was well tolerated by non-Asians and Asians alike. The presence of 4 circulating microRNAs, including miR-5684 and miR-1224-5p, or a level lower than or equal to the median protein level of stromal cell-derived factor 1 at baseline was significantly associated with longer OS in axitinib/BSC-treated Asians or non-Asians. Conclusions: Axitinib/BSC did not prolong survival over placebo/BSC in non-Asians, Asians, or Asian subgroups, but favorable OS with axitinib/BSC was observed in a subset of Japanese patients. A patient population that excludes sorafenib-intolerant patients might potentially be more suitable for clinical trials of new agents in advanced HCC. Since these results are very preliminary, further investigation is warranted. The potential predictive/prognostic value of several baseline microRNAs and soluble proteins identified in this study would require validation in prospective studies on a large cohort of patients.
Mind the Gap: Successful Endoscopic Closure of a Large Gastric Sleeve Leak Using an Endoscopic Stent and Over-the-Scope Clips
Authors: Anastasiou Jiannis , Hussameddin Anas , Al Quorain  Abdulaziz
Published: December 2017

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining popularity for the treatment of morbid obesity. It is regarded as a simple, low-cost procedure achieving significant weight loss within a short period of time. LSG is considered a safe procedure with a relatively low complication rate. The complications encountered nevertheless can result in significant morbidity and may even be lethal. The most significant complications are staple-line bleeding, stricture, and staple-line leak. The purpose of this paper is to present a case of a 31-year-old patient complicated by a 3.06 cm staple-line leak 10 days after LSG. Review of the current literature regarding this complication as well as outline of a strategy for the management of large post-LSG gastric leaks is suggested.