bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drug‐Free Macromolecular Therapeutics Induce Apoptosis via Calcium Influx and Mitochondrial Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Lian , Yang Jiyuan , Wang Jiawei , Kopeček Jindřich
Published: August 2017

Recently, an innovative paradigm has been proposed in macromolecular therapeutics for treatment of B‐cell lymphomas that can specifically kill cancer cells without a drug. The design rationale of this drug‐free macromolecular therapeutic (DFMT) system is crosslinking the cell surface receptor to initiate apoptosis. However, how the apoptosis signal is triggered after receptor hyper‐crosslinking remains to be elucidated. Here, two pathways, calcium influx dependent pathway and mitochondrial signal pathway, are identified to play major roles in triggering the programmed cell death. With the first step pretargeting and second step multiple binding, receptor hyper‐crosslinking is achieved in a highly specific, time‐dependent manner and largely mediated by multivalence. As a consequence, extracellular calcium influx is triggered, which subsequently decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential and induces apoptosis. The mitochondrial depolarization also stems from the Bcl‐2 inhibition mediated by DFMT, followed by the cytochrome c release that activates caspase signaling. With the participation of the two‐pronged mechanism, a programmed apoptosis is induced in response to DFMT treatment. The current findings can offer important implications to optimize the anti‐CD20 strategies to treat B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphomas.
HPMA Copolymer–Drug Conjugates with Controlled Tumor‐Specific Drug Release
Authors: Chytil Petr , Koziolová Eva , Etrych Tomáš , Ulbrich Karel
Published: August 2017

Over the past few decades, numerous polymer drug carrier systems are designed and synthesized, and their properties are evaluated. Many of these systems are based on water‐soluble polymer carriers of low‐molecular‐weight drugs and compounds, e.g., cytostatic agents, anti‐inflammatory drugs, or multidrug resistance inhibitors, all covalently bound to a carrier by a biodegradable spacer that enables controlled release of the active molecule to achieve the desired pharmacological effect. Among others, the synthetic polymer carriers based on N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers are some of the most promising carriers for this purpose. This review focuses on advances in the development of HPMA copolymer carriers and their conjugates with anticancer drugs, with triggered drug activation in tumor tissue and especially in tumor cells. Specifically, this review highlights the improvements in polymer drug carrier design with respect to the structure of a spacer to influence controlled drug release and activation, and its impact on the drug pharmacokinetics, enhanced tumor uptake, cellular trafficking, and in vivo antitumor activity.
Isolated Nocturnal Occurrence of Orofacial Dyskinesias in N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate Receptor Encephalitis–A New Diagnostic Clue
Authors: Morales‐Briceño Hugo , Fung Victor S.C.
Published: August 2017

View Supplementary Video 1

View Supplementary Video 2

Background

The syndrome of anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis is classically associated with a combination of limbic dysfunction, dysautonomia, central hypoventilation and movement disorders. On clinical grounds, the diagnosis is often supported by the presence of generalized dyskinesias in a patient with encephalopathy and catatonic signs. Orofacial dyskinesias have been recognized as characteristic of the disorder but can be absent in some patients. Pure psychiatric syndromes without movement disorders have also been described.

Methods and Results

The authors describe 2 male patients who presented with prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms without movement disorders during wakefulness but isolated orofacial dyskinesias during sleep. In 1 patient, this observation supported the early introduction of immunotherapy; and, in both patients, the clinical outcome was excellent.

Conclusions

Careful history and nocturnal examination may reveal orofacial dyskinesias in patients with N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis who have apparent pure psychiatric manifestations.
Low rank approximation methods for MR fingerprinting with large scale dictionaries
Authors: Yang Mingrui , Ma Dan , Jiang Yun , Hamilton Jesse , Seiberlich Nicole , Griswold Mark A. , McGivney Debra
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This work proposes new low rank approximation approaches with significant memory savings for large scale MR fingerprinting (MRF) problems.

Theory and Methods

We introduce a compressed MRF with randomized singular value decomposition method to significantly reduce the memory requirement for calculating a low rank approximation of large sized MRF dictionaries. We further relax this requirement by exploiting the structures of MRF dictionaries in the randomized singular value decomposition space and fitting them to low‐degree polynomials to generate high resolution MRF parameter maps. In vivo 1.5T and 3T brain scan data are used to validate the approaches.

Results

T1, T2, and off‐resonance maps are in good agreement with that of the standard MRF approach. Moreover, the memory savings is up to 1000 times for the MRF‐fast imaging with steady‐state precession sequence and more than 15 times for the MRF‐balanced, steady‐state free precession sequence.

Conclusion

The proposed compressed MRF with randomized singular value decomposition and dictionary fitting methods are memory efficient low rank approximation methods, which can benefit the usage of MRF in clinical settings. They also have great potentials in large scale MRF problems, such as problems considering multi‐component MRF parameters or high resolution in the parameter space. Magn Reson Med 79:2392–2400, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Politicized CSR: How corporate political activity (mis‐)uses political CSR
Authors: Lock Irina , Seele Peter
Published: August 2017

In this article, we posit that corporate political activities (CPA) such as lobbying make use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to advance instrumental goals. We juxtapose the theoretical foundations of the normative concept of political CSR and the strategic notion of nonmarket strategy to show that they are in opposition conceptually regarding the role of corporations in public policy. Using a systematic theoretical comparison along seven dimensions, we discuss the juxtapositions and identify the common ground of the two theories. Building on examples from the alcohol industry, we describe how CPA uses instrumental CSR to advance goals in public policy—we call this politicized CSR. Hence, we illustrate the shift from political to politicized CSR, a misuse of CSR for purposes of CPA, and discuss consequences for the theory and practice of public affairs and CSR.
Factors associated with physical activity among adolescent and young adult survivors of early childhood cancer: A report from the childhood cancer survivor study (CCSS)
Authors: Devine Katie A. , Mertens Ann C. , Whitton John A. , Wilson Carmen L. , Ness Kirsten K. , Gilleland Marchak Jordan , Leisenring Wendy , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Robison Leslie L. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Krull Kevin R.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To evaluate concurrent and longitudinal associations between psychosocial functioning and physical activity in adolescent and young adult survivors of early childhood cancer.

Methods

Adolescent survivors of early childhood cancer (diagnosed before age four) participating in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study completed the Coping Health and Illness Profile–Adolescent Edition (CHIP‐AE; n = 303; mean age at survey: 17.6 years). A subset of these survivors (n = 248) completed a follow‐up survey an average of 6.0 years later (range: 4‐10). Logistic regression identified associations between psychosocial functioning in adolescence and physical activity levels in adolescence and young adulthood.

Results

Survivors reported low physical activity as adolescents (46.1% scored below CHIP‐AE cut‐point) and young adults (40.8% below Centers for Disease Control guidelines). Poor physical activity during adolescence was associated with female sex (OR = 2.06, 95% CI, 1.18‐3.68), parents with less than a college education (OR = 1.91, 95% CI, 1.11‐3.32), previous treatment with cranial radiation (OR = 3.35, 95% CI, 1.69‐6.88), TV time (OR = 1.77, 95% CI, 1.00‐3.14), and limitations of activity due to health or mobility restrictions (OR = 8.28, 95% CI, 2.87‐30.34). Poor diet (OR = 1.84, 95% CI, 1.05‐3.26) and low self‐esteem (OR = 1.80, 95% CI, 0.99‐3.31) during adolescence were associated with lower odds of meeting Centers for Disease Control physical activity guidelines in young adulthood.

Conclusion

These findings provide targets for future interventional studies to improve physical activity in this high‐risk population.
Macrolide antibiotics and tetrahydrocannabinol
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: August 2017

Research has suggested a potential link between the development of psychotic symptoms and chronic use of cannabis, possibly resulting from the disruption of dopaminergic neurotransmission by the major active component of cannabis, delta‐9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The following case describes the development of a late‐onset acute psychotic episode in a long‐term cannabis user with no prior psychiatric history after initiation of treatment with an antibiotic in the macrolide class.
Decomposing a graph into expanding subgraphs
Authors: Moshkovitz Guy , Shapira Asaf
Published: August 2017

A paradigm that was successfully applied in the study of both pure and algorithmic problems in graph theory can be colloquially summarized as stating that any graph is close to being the disjoint union of expanders. Our goal in this paper is to show that in several of the instantiations of the above approach, the quantitative bounds that were obtained are essentially best possible. Three examples of our results are the following:

A classical result of Lipton, Rose and Tarjan from 1979 states that if is a hereditary family of graphs and every graph in has a vertex separator of size , then every graph in has O(n) edges. We construct a hereditary family of graphs with vertex separators of size such that not all graphs in the family have O(n) edges.

Trevisan and Arora‐Barak‐Steurer have recently shown that given a graph G, one can remove only 1% of its edges to obtain a graph in which each connected component has good expansion properties. We show that in both of these decomposition results, the expansion properties they guarantee are essentially best possible, even when one is allowed to remove 99% of G's edges.

Sudakov and the second author have recently shown that every graph with average degree d contains an n‐vertex subgraph with average degree at least and vertex expansion . We show that one cannot guarantee a better vertex expansion even if allowing the average degree to be O(1).

The above results are obtained as corollaries of a new family of graphs which we construct in this paper. These graphs have a super‐linear number of edges and nearly logarithmic girth, yet each of their subgraphs has (optimally) poor expansion properties.
Review on Modeling and Simulation of Electroslag Remelting
Authors: Kharicha Abdellah , Karimi‐Sibaki Ebrahim , Wu Menghuai , Ludwig Andreas , Bohacek Jan
Published: August 2017

The Electroslag Remelting (ESR) is an advanced technology for the production of high quality materials, for example, hot work tool steels or nickel base alloys. In the past years, several models are developed aiming to predict the way in which the operational parameters affect the structure and chemical composition of the final ESR ingot. Proper modeling of this process depends on the ability of the model to predict the Multiphysics resulting from the complex coupling between many physical phenomena. This review includes the main findings starting from the 1970's, with a special focus on the results obtained in the period of 1999–2017. The difficulties related to the poorly known physical properties of ESR slags are discussed. Then, the main achievements in the field of electromagnetism, fluid flow, heat transfer, and solidification are also summarized. The review finishes by presenting the special topics representing the actual scientific frontiers, such as the physics of mold current, the importance of multiphase phenomena, and the difficulties in predicting the electrode melting rate.
Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract treatment attenuated preneoplastic lesions and oxidative stress in the livers of diethylnitrosamine‐treated rats
Authors: Horng Chi‐Ting , Huang Chien‐Wei , Yang Mon‐Yuan , Chen Tzu‐Hsin , Chang Yun‐Ching , Wang Chau‐Jong
Published: August 2017

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) possesses antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anticancer potential. This study determined the protective role of aqueous extract from Nelumbo nucifera leaves (NLE) against N‐diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐induced oxidative stress and hepatocellular carcinogenesis in a sample of Sprague–Dawley rats. NLE was fed orally to rats in which hepatic carcinoma was induced with DEN for 12 weeks. Five groups of 12 rats each were used for the study: Group I (control group) rats received distilled water; Group II rats were induced with DEN; Group III rats were induced with DEN and cotreated with 0.5% NLE; Group IV rats were induced with DEN and cotreated with 1.0% NLE; and Group V rats were induced with DEN and cotreated with 2.0% NLE. Clinical chemistry, organ weight, inflammatory marker, protein expression, enzyme, and antioxidant analyses were conducted. NLE administration to rats resulted in significantly decreased levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and albumin, which is indicative of hepatocellular damage, compared with the control group. DEN‐induced oxidative stress was inhibited by NLE and this inhibition was paralleled by decreased lipid peroxides and increased glutathione transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in liver tissues. The status of nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as reduced glutathione, was also found to be increased in NLE‐administered rats. Furthermore, NLE decreased tumor size, hepatic Rac1, PKCα, and GSTπ expressions compared with the DEN‐only group. Thus, supplementation of NLE reduced the adverse changes that occur because of liver cancer. These results prove that NLE protects against liver carcinogenesis induced because of treatment with DEN through blocking lipid peroxidation, hepatic cell damage, and enhancing the antioxidant defense system.
Evaluation of cytotoxicity of propofol and its related mechanism in glioblastoma cells and astrocytes
Authors: Hsu Shu‐Shong , Jan Chung‐Ren , Liang Wei‐Zhe
Published: August 2017

Propofol (2,6‐diisopropylphenol), one of the extensively and commonly used anesthetic agents, has been shown to affect the biological behavior of various models. Previous researches have shown that propofol‐induced cytotoxicity might cause anticancer effect in different cells. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol on cytotoxicity is still elusive in human glioblastoma cells. The aims of this study were to evaluate effects of propofol on cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution and ROS production, and establish the relationship between oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in GBM 8401 human glioblastoma cells and DI TNC1 rat astrocytes. Propofol (20–30 μM) concentration‐dependently induced cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, and increased ROS production in GBM 8401 cells but not in DI TNC1 cells. In GBM 8401 cells, propofol induced G2/M phase cell arrest, which affected the CDK1, cyclin B1, p53, and p21 protein expression levels. Furthermore, propofol induced oxygen stresses by increasing
and H2O2 levels but treatment with the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) partially reversed propofol‐regulated antioxidative enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase). Most significantly, propofol induced apoptotic effects by decreasing Bcl‐2 but increasing Bax, cleaved caspase‐9/caspase‐3 levels, which were partially reversed by NAC. Moreover, the pancaspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK also partially prevented propofol‐induced apoptosis. Together, in GBM 8401 cells but not in DI TNC1 cells, propofol activated ROS‐associated apoptosis that involved cell cycle arrest and caspase activation. These findings indicate that propofol not only can be an anesthetic agent which reduces pain but also has the potential to be used for the treatment of human glioblastoma.
Nonparametric estimation in economics: Bayesian and frequentist approaches
Authors: Chan Joshua C. C. , Henderson Daniel J. , Parmeter Christopher F. , Tobias Justin L.
Published: August 2017

We review Bayesian and classical approaches to nonparametric density and regression estimation and illustrate how these techniques can be used in economic applications. On the Bayesian side, density estimation is illustrated via finite Gaussian mixtures and a Dirichlet Process Mixture Model, while nonparametric regression is handled using priors that impose smoothness. From the frequentist perspective, kernel‐based nonparametric regression techniques are presented for both density and regression problems. Both approaches are illustrated using a wage dataset from the Current Population Survey. WIREs Comput Stat 2017, 9:e1406. doi: 10.1002/wics.1406

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Bayesian Methods and Theory

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Density Estimation

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Nonparametric Methods
White‐tailed deer fawn survival, home range, and habitat composition in northwest Louisiana
Authors: Hasapes S. Kathryn , Comer Christopher E.
Published: August 2017

Low fawn recruitment, particularly related to coyote (Canis latrans) predation, has been seen as a potentially important factor limiting growth in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in the southeastern United States. We quantified fawn survival up to 3 months of age and home range size and habitat composition up to 1 month of age in 2 ecotypes on Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA, during 2009 and 2010. Overall fawn mortality was 50%, which is generally consistent with other studies in the southeast. We observed differences in fawn mortality between different vegetation communities, with 5 of 6 fawns depredated before 30 days on the hardwood‐dominated ecotype and 1 of 6 fawns dying (from apparent internal trauma and subsequent starvation) before 30 days on the pine‐dominated ecotype. Fawns in the hardwood ecotype had larger home ranges and core areas than in the pine ecotype but female home ranges and core areas did not differ by ecotype. Known parturition sites were closer to habitat edges and developed areas than random sites within female home ranges, suggesting females were seeking areas of their home range with greater cover at parturition. Fawn survival, home range, and habitat use varied considerably depending on the ecotype. Provision of additional fawning cover in the form of small openings or timber harvests in areas of mature, closed canopy forest may aid in survival following parturition. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Thromboembolic Events Following Splenectomy: Risk Factors, Prevention, Management and Outcomes
Authors: Rottenstreich Amihai , Kleinstern Geffen , Spectre Galia , Da’as Nael , Ziv Esther , Kalish Yosef
Published: August 2017

Background

Thromboembolic events following splenectomy are not uncommon. However, the role of thromboprophylaxis and risk factors for thrombosis, as well as the clinical course and outcomes, are not well characterized.

Methods

A retrospective review of individuals who underwent splenectomy between January 2006 and December 2015 in two university hospitals.

Results

Overall, 297 patients underwent splenectomy [open splenectomy (n = 199), laparoscopic splenectomy (n = 98)]. Mechanical (thigh‐length pneumatic compression stockings) and pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis (40 mg enoxaparin daily, starting 12 h after surgery until discharge) was provided for all patients. One hundred and sixteen patients (39%) also received an extended thromboprophylaxis course of enoxaparin for 2–4 weeks after discharge. Twenty‐three patients (7.7%) experienced thrombotic complications following splenectomy, including 16 cases (5.4%) of portal‐splenic mesenteric venous thrombosis (PSMVT), 5 (1.7%) pulmonary embolism and 2 (0.7%) deep vein thrombosis. Longer operative time (mean operative time of 405 vs. 273 min, P = 0.03) was independently associated with PSMVT. Post‐splenectomy thrombocytosis was not associated with thrombosis (P = 0.41). The overall thrombosis rate was significantly lower in patients who received an extended thromboprophylaxis course following splenectomy (3.4 vs. 10.5%, P = 0.02). Complete resolution of thrombosis was observed in most cases (n = 20, 87.0%), with no recurrent thrombosis during a mean follow‐up of 38 ± 25 months.

Conclusions

Thromboembolic complications, mainly PSMVT, are common following splenectomy. Longer operative time was associated with thrombosis. Significantly lower rates of thrombosis were found in patients who received an extended thromboprophylaxis course.
Effect of Different Drying Procedures on the Nutritional Value of the Mantle and Tentacles of Sepia officinalis
Authors: Tir Meriam , Bejaoui Safa , Chetoui Imene , Mejri Hssan , Zaaraoui Abderrazzek , El Cafsi Afif , El Cafsi Mhamed
Published: August 2017

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of two different drying methods, traditionally by sun and controlled temperatures of 45, 50, 60 and 70 °C and relative humidity of 20 and 30% on the chemical composition of Sepia officinalis. When compared to fresh samples, lipid content increased under both drying methods whereas protein levels significantly increased only under controlled conditions. Drying procedures increased the percentage of saturated fatty acids mainly in sun‐dried samples and at high temperature (70 °C). A significant decrease in the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids was detected in sun‐dried samples. No significant differences were found between the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids of fresh cuttlefish and those under controlled conditions. The highest value of malondialdehyde in mantles was observed in sun‐dried samples, while in tentacles the highest level was seen at 70 °C. The highest level of advanced oxidation protein products was noted in traditionally sun‐dried samples. The results obtained showed that 45–50 °C and 20–30% humidity conserved the value of proteins and lipids more than traditional drying. Results of this study may be suitable for developing a reliable industrial index.
Weight Loss through Virtual Support Communities: A Role for Identity-based Motivation in Public Commitment
Authors: Bradford Tonya Williams , Grier Sonya A. , Henderson Geraldine Rosa
Published: August 2017

Individuals increasingly participate in virtual support communities (VSCs) where they conduct numerous aspects of their lives with others whom they may never encounter in person, and they interact within these communities to attain various goals. Research finds that individuals are more likely to achieve success with such goals when they make a public commitment to achieving them. Through our netnographic inquiry, we extend prior theorizing of VSC with an explanation of how public commitment manifests in VSC in support of goal attainment. More specifically, we find these online communities make salient a context relevant social identity which motivates behaviors that facilitate compliance to the public commitment, and hence, more effective goal pursuit. In addition, we create a typology of member roles within these VSC that further influence public commitment. Our findings contribute to theories of VSC and public commitment.
Postoperative complication rates between Crohn's disease and Colorectal cancer patients after ileocolic resections: a comparative study
Authors: Boaron Larissa , Facchin Luiza , Bau Mariella , Zacharias Patricia , Ribeiro Diogo , Miranda Eron Fábio , Barcelos Ivan Folchini de , Ropelato Renato Vismara , Steckert Filho Álvaro , Meira Junior José Donizeti de , Sassaki Ligia , Saad-Hossne Rogério , Kotze Paulo Gustavo
Published: August 2017

Introduction Ileocolic resection (ICR) is the most common surgical procedure performed for Crohn's disease (CD). Similarly, right-sided Colorectal cancer (CRC) is treated by the same operation. The primary aim of this study was to analyze and compare the frequency and profile of early postoperative complications of ICR between patients with CD and CRC.

Methods Retrospective and observational study with patients submitted to ICR from two Brazilian tertiary referral units in colorectal surgery. We included patients with diagnosis of CD or CRC, treated with ICR, at any stage of follow-up. Variables analyzed: age at surgery, gender, diagnosis, surgical approach (open or laparoscopy), type of anastomosis (hand-sewn/stapled; end-to-end/side-to-side), presence and type of early postoperative complications (30 days) and mortality, among others.

Results 109 patients were included, 73 with CD (67%) and 36 with CRC (33%). CD patients were younger (42.44 ± 12.73 years vs. 66.14 ± 11.02 years in the CRC groups, p < 0.0001) and had more previous resections (20 ± 27.4 in CD and 0 in CCR, p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of overall early postoperative complications [17/73 (23.3%) in the CD and 5/36 (13.9%) in the CRC groups (p = 0.250)]. There was no significant difference between the groups in relation to anastomotic leakage (p = 0.185), surgical site infections (p = 0.883), other complications (0.829) and deaths (p = 0.069).

Conclusions There was no significant difference in early postoperative complications in patients with CD or CRC submitted to ICR.
A Formal Theory of Commonsense Psychology
Authors: Gordon Andrew S. , Hobbs Jerry R.
Published: August 2017

Commonsense psychology refers to the implicit theories that we all use to make sense of people's behavior in terms of their beliefs, goals, plans, and emotions. These are also the theories we employ when we anthropomorphize complex machines and computers as if they had humanlike mental lives. In order to successfully cooperate and communicate with people, these theories will need to be represented explicitly in future artificial intelligence systems. This book provides a large-scale logical formalization of commonsense psychology in support of humanlike artificial intelligence. It uses formal logic to encode the deep lexical semantics of the full breadth of psychological words and phrases, providing fourteen hundred axioms of first-order logic organized into twenty-nine commonsense psychology theories and sixteen background theories. This in-depth exploration of human commonsense reasoning for artificial intelligence researchers, linguists, and cognitive and social psychologists will serve as a foundation for the development of humanlike artificial intelligence.
Cross-sectional Survey of Long-Term Care Facilities in the Rockaway Peninsula: Preparedness and Response During Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Jiang Lynn , Tedeschi Christopher , Subaiya Saleena
Published: August 2017

Background

Few studies have described the challenges experienced by long-term care facilities (LTCFs) following Hurricane Sandy. This study examined LTCF preparedness and experiences during and after the storm.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted 2 years after Hurricane Sandy to assess LTCF demographics, preparation, and post-storm resources. Surveys were conducted at LTCFs located on the Rockaway Peninsula of New York City. All LTCFs located in a heavily affected area were approached.

Results

Of 29 facilities, 1 had closed, 5 did not respond, 9 declined to participate, and 14 participated, yielding a response rate of 50% for open facilities. Twenty-one percent of the facilities had preparations specifically for hurricanes. More than 70% of the facilities had lost electricity, heat, and telephone service, and one-half had evacuated. Twenty-one percent of the facilities reported not receiving any assistance and over one-half reported that relief resources did not meet their needs.

Conclusions

Many LTCFs lacked plans specific to such a large-scale event. Since nearly all of the LTCFs in the region were affected, preexisting transportation and housing plans may have been inadequate. Future preparation could include hazard-specific planning and reliance on resources from a wider geographic area. Access to electricity emerged as a top priority. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:194–200)
Note on optimum propulsion of heaving and pitching airfoils from linear potential theory
Authors: Fernandez-Feria R.
Published: August 2017

The conditions that maximize the propulsive efficiency of a heaving and pitching airfoil are analysed using a novel formulation for the thrust force within the linear potential theory. Stemming from the vortical impulse theory, which correctly predicts the decay of the thrust efficiency as the inverse of reduced frequency$k$for large$k$(Fernandez-Feria,Phys. Rev. Fluids, vol. 1, 2016, 084502), the formulation is corrected here at low frequencies by adding a constant representing the viscous drag. It is shown first that the thrust coefficient and propulsive efficiency thus computed agree quite well with several sets of available experimental data, even for not so small flapping amplitudes. For a pure pitching motion, it is found that the maximum propulsion efficiency is reached for the airfoil pitching close to the three-quarter chord point from the leading edge with a relatively large reduced frequency, corresponding to a relatively low thrust coefficient. According to the theory, this efficiency peak may approach unity. For smaller$k$, other less pronounced local maxima of the propulsive efficiency are attained for pitching points ahead of the leading edge, with larger thrust coefficients. The linear theory also predicts that no thrust is generated at all for a pitching axis located between the three-quarter chord point and the trailing edge. These findings contrast with the results obtained from the classical linear thrust by Garrick, with the addition of the same quasi-static thrust, which are also computed in the paper. For a combined heaving and pitching motion, the behaviour of the propulsive efficiency in relation to the pitching axis is qualitatively similar to that found for a pure pitching motion, for given fixed values of the feathering parameter (ratio between pitching and heaving amplitudes) and of the phase shift between the pitching and heaving motions. The peak propulsive efficiency predicted by the linear theory is for an airfoil with a pitching axis close to, but ahead of, the three-quarter chord point, with a relatively large reduced frequency, a feathering parameter of approximately$0.9$and a phase shift slightly smaller than $90^{\circ }$.
New material of scalidophoran worms in Orsten-type preservation from the Cambrian Fortunian Stage of South China
Authors: Zhang Huaqiao , Maas Andreas , Waloszek Dieter
Published: August 2017

Scalidophoran worms diversified in the Cambrian Fortunian, as indicated by recent reports from this stage, with two described species and two more unnamed forms exclusively from Orsten-type Lagerstätten yielding three-dimensionally phosphatized fossils. Here, we report new material of scalidophoran worms in Orsten-type preservation from the Cambrian Fortunian Xinli section in northern Sichuan Province, South China. At least five forms of scalidophoran worms were recovered from this location, includingEokinorhynchus rarusZhang et al., 2015 and four unnamed taxa—Forms A, B, C, and D. Co-occurring disassociated spinose small shelly fossils might also be isolated cuticular elements of these early scalidophoran worms. The ontogeny ofEokinorhynchus rarusis revised. Forms A, C, and D are assigned to total-group Scalidophora to indicate their uncertain positions within Scalidophora, while Form B might be a close relative ofEokinorhynchus rarus. The current work highlights the significance of Orsten-type Lagerstätten in uncovering the morphology, ontogeny, and taxonomy of early Scalidophora and Cycloneuralia, made particularly available by the new finds in China.
Pursuing defragmentation at the municipal level: signs of a changing pattern?
Authors: Bolgherini Silvia , Casula Mattia , Marotta Mariano
Published: August 2017

Municipal fragmentation is a real historical issue in Italy but its relevance has been differently perceived over time. With a focus on the municipal unions and amalgamations as the main tools for defragmentation, we will present an overview of the last quarter century (1990–2017) of territorial policy at the local level. The reforms introduced since 2010 marked a step change in this area: in fact, empirical evidence shows that the most recent defragmentation attempts have had a certain success. This article, by maintaining a descriptive approach, will try to answer why the most recent defragmentation policy achieved some results, in contrast to those of the past. Some explanatory factors will be presented by reviewing the stances of the main actors in this policy field and their interaction with national policy-maker goals and approaches as well as with normative elements and external conditions.
The Political Incorporation of Muslims in the United States: The Mobilizing Role of Religiosity in Islam
Authors: Dana Karam , Wilcox-Archuleta Bryan , Barreto Matt
Published: August 2017

Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, popular perceptions in the United States, especially among political elites, continue to believe that religious Muslims oppose American democratic traditions and values. While many studies find positive relationships between mosque attendance and civic participation among U.S. Muslims, an empirical and theoretical puzzle continues to exist. What is missing is research that examines the relationships between the multi-dimensional concept of religiosity and how this is associated with public opinion and attitudes towards the American political system among Muslim Americans. Using a unique national survey of Muslim Americans, we find a positive relationship between religious beliefs, behavior, and belonging and perceptions of compatibility with American democratic traditions. Quite simply, the most religious are the most likely to believe in political integration in the United States.
Effects of delayed mating on the reproductive biology of the vine mealybug,Planococcus ficus(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Authors: Lentini A. , Mura A. , Muscas E. , Nuvoli M.T. , Cocco A.
Published: August 2017

The effect of increasing mating delay on the reproductive performance and population growth rates of the vine mealybug,Planococcus ficus(Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), was investigated under laboratory conditions. Virgin females were mated at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after emergence and reproductive and life table parameters were estimated. The pre-oviposition period (number of days between mating and the onset of oviposition) significantly decreased in females mated within 7 days, whereas females mated at older ages showed equivalent pre-oviposition periods (<4 days). The length of the oviposition period did not vary with increasing age at mating. Female longevity significantly increased in females mated at 21 and 28 days, as a consequence of a longer pre-reproductive period. Fecundity and sex ratio were not affected by the female age at mating, whereas fertility was higher in mealybugs mated at older ages. Additional field observations highlighted that young and old virgin females were equally able to attract males, as both mated on the same day as the field release. Mating delay also affected the life table parameters ofP. ficus, as the intrinsic and finite rates of increase did not differ in mealybugs mated within 7 days and significantly decreased in females mated at older ages. The mean generation time and the population doubling time were overall similar in females mated at 1–7 days, and increased significantly in females that experienced longer mating delays. In terms of the mating disruption control ofP. ficus, our findings indicate that this method would be effective if mating is delayed >7 days, as shorter delays in mating did not reduce the population growth rates.
Further evidence for an impact origin of the Tsenkher structure in the Gobi-Altai, Mongolia: geology of a 3.7 km crater with a well-preserved ejecta blanket
Authors: KOMATSU GORO , ORMÖ JENS , BAYARAA TOGOOKHUU , ARAI TOMOKO , NAGAO KEISUKE , HIDAKA YOSHIHIRO , SHIRAI NAOKI , EBIHARA MITSURU , ALWMARK CARL , GERELTSETSEG LKHAGVA , TSERENDUG SHOOVDOR , GOTO KAZUHISA , MATSUI TAKAFUMI , DEMBEREL SODNOMSAMBUU
Published: August 2017

The Tsenkher structure in the Gobi-Altai, Mongolia is ac. 3.7 km diameter crater with a well-preserved ejecta blanket. It has been hypothesized to be either of impact or volcanic origin in our previous work. Observations during our 2007 expedition and related sample analyses give further support for an impact origin. The evidence includes the presence of a structurally uplifted near-circular rim surrounded by an ejecta blanket, and abundant breccias, some of which are melt- and millimetre-scale spherule-bearing. Planar deformation features (PDFs) were found in one quartz grain in a breccia sample. Fe-rich grains are found in a vesicular melt sample that is also characterized by elevated platinum group element (PGE) abundances with respect to the sedimentary bedrock of the area (approximately an order of magnitude). Noble gas analysis of one breccia sample yielded an elevated3He/4He value of (5.0±0.2) × 10−6. Although not conclusive alone, these geochemical results are consistent with a contribution of meteoritic components. A volcanic origin, in particular a maar formation, would require explanations for the unusual conditions associated with Tsenkher, including its large size occurring in isolation, the structurally uplifted rim and the lack of a bedded base surge deposit. A pronounced rampart structure observed at the eastern ejecta is also unusual for any volcanic origin.40Ar–39Ar dating of a vesicular melt sample gives an age of the Tsenkher structure of 4.9±0.9 Ma. The rampart structure could provide insights into the formation of similar ejecta morphologies associated with numerous impact craters on Mars.
Global comparison of national individual food consumption surveys as a basis for health research and integration in national health surveillance programmes
Authors: Huybrechts Inge , Aglago Elom K. , Mullee Amy , De Keyzer Willem , Leclercq Catherine , Allemand Pauline , Balcerzak Agnieszka , Zotor Francis B. , Gunter Marc J.
Published: August 2017

Individual food consumption surveys (IFCS) are performed to evaluate compliance with food/nutrient intake requirements or exposure to potential harmful dietary contaminants/components. In this review, we inventoried methods and designs used in national IFCS and discussed the methodologies applied across countries. Literature searches were performed using fixed sets of search terms in different online databases. We identified IFCS in thirty-nine countries from six world continents. National IFCS systems are available in most of the high-income countries, while such surveys are scarce in low- and middle-income countries (e.g. Africa, Eastern Europe and several Asian countries). Few countries (n9) have their national IFCS incorporated into national health and nutrition surveys, allowing the investigation of dietary-related disease outcomes. Of the integrated surveys, most have the advantage of being continuous/regular, contrary to other IFCS that are mostly erratic. This review serves as the basis to define gaps and needs in IFCS worldwide and assists in defining priorities for resource allocation. In addition, it can serve as a source of inspiration for countries that do not have an IFCS system in place yet and advocate for national IFCS to be incorporated into national health and nutrition surveys in order to create: (1) research opportunities for investigating diet–disease relationships and (2) a frame to plan and evaluate the effect of diet-related policies (e.g. promotion of local nutrient-rich foods) and of nutrition recommendations, such as food-based dietary guidelines. Countries that integrate their IFCS within their national health and nutrition survey can serve as proof-of-principle for other countries.
Stable pinching by controlling finger relative orientation of robotic fingers with rolling soft tips
Authors: Psomopoulou Efi , Karashima Daiki , Doulgeri Zoe , Tahara Kenji
Published: August 2017

There is a large gap between reality and grasp models that are currently available because of the static analysis that characterizes these approaches. This work attempts to fill this need by proposing a control law that, starting from an initial contact state which does not necessarily correspond to an equilibrium, achieves dynamically a stable grasp and a relative finger orientation in the case of pinching an object with arbitrary shape via rolling soft fingertips. Controlling relative finger orientation may improve grasping force manipulability and allow the appropriate shaping of the composite object consisted of the distal links and the object, for facilitating subsequent tasks. The proposed controller utilizes only finger proprioceptive measurements and is not based on the system model. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the performance of the proposed controller with objects of different shapes.
‘Violence without Violence’: Spectacle, War and Lola Arias'sMINEFIELD/CAMPO MINADO
Authors: FINBURGH CLARE
Published: August 2017

If spectacles are effects of power, designed to win wars, win elections and win customers, then how can these spectacles be better understood, so that we can better understand how they seek to work on us and others around us? And what part can theatre play in developing this understanding? In this article I explore Jean-Luc Nancy's notion of ‘violence without violence’, as set out in his essay ‘Image and Violence’ (2003). The synthesis of life's variety and disarray into an artwork is a violent act for Nancy. But if this violent act itself explodes the very seams which hold it together, it can enable ruptures or openings that prevent its violence from becoming ideologically oppressive. In this way the image inevitably participates in the ‘violence’ of representation, but simultaneously avoids the ‘violence’ of ideology. By way of an example I analyse the singular ways in which Lola Arias's productionMINEFIELD– first staged at the Brighton Festival in 2016 before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre during the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) – disarticulated the spectacles of power, heroism and virtuosity that are often weaponized by leaders and by the dominant media for the purposes of fighting and winning wars.
Log-concavity and strong q-log-convexity for Riordan arrays and recursive matrices
Authors: Zhu Bao-Xuan
Published: August 2017

Let [An,k]n,k⩾0 be an infinite lower triangular array satisfying the recurrence

for n ⩾ 1 and k ⩾ 0, where A0,0 = 1, A0,k = Ak,–1 = 0 for k > 0. We present some criteria for the log-concavity of rows and strong q-log-convexity of generating functions of rows. Our results can be applied to many well-known triangular arrays, such as the Pascal triangle, the Stirling triangle of the second kind, the Bell triangle, the large Schröder triangle, the Motzkin triangle, and the Catalan triangles of Aigner and Shapiro, in a unified approach. In addition, we prove that the binomial transformation not only preserves the strong q-log-convexity property, but also preserves the strong q-log-concavity property. Finally, we demonstrate that the strong q-log-convexity property is preserved by the Stirling transformation and Whitney transformation of the second kind, which extends some known results for the strong q-log-convexity property.
Geometric aspects of self-adjoint Sturm–Liouville problems
Authors: Wang Yicao
Published: August 2017

In this paper we use U(2), the group of 2 × 2 unitary matrices, to parametrize the space of all self-adjoint boundary conditions for a fixed Sturm–Liouville equation on the interval [0, 1]. The adjoint action of U(2) on itself naturally leads to a refined classification of self-adjoint boundary conditions – each adjoint orbit is a subclass of these boundary conditions. We give explicit parametrizations of those adjoint orbits of principal type, i.e. orbits diffeomorphic to the 2-sphere S2, and investigate the behaviour of the nth eigenvalue λnas a function on such orbits.
Detection of Spoofing Attack using Machine Learning based on Multi-Layer Neural Network in Single-Frequency GPS Receivers
Authors: Shafiee E. , Mosavi M. R. , Moazedi M.
Published: August 2017

The importance of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and related electronic systems continues to increase in a range of environmental, engineering and navigation applications. However, civilian GPS signals are vulnerable to Radio Frequency (RF) interference. Spoofing is an intentional intervention that aims to force a GPS receiver to acquire and track invalid navigation data. Analysis of spoofing and authentic signal patterns represents the differences as phase, energy and imaginary components of the signal. In this paper, early-late phase, delta, and signal level as the three main features are extracted from the correlation output of the tracking loop. Using these features, spoofing detection can be performed by exploiting conventional machine learning algorithms such as K-Nearest Neighbourhood (KNN) and naive Bayesian classifier. A Neural Network (NN) as a learning machine is a modern computational method for collecting the required knowledge and predicting the output values in complicated systems. This paper presents a new approach for GPS spoofing detection based on multi-layer NN whose inputs are indices of features. Simulation results on a software GPS receiver showed adequate detection accuracy was obtained from NN with a short detection time.
ArchME: A Systems Modeling Language extension for mechatronic system architecture modeling
Authors: Chen Ruirui , Liu Yusheng , Cao Yue , Zhao Jianjun , Yuan Lin , Fan Hongri
Published: August 2017

System architecture is important for the design of complex mechatronic systems because it acts as an intermediator between conceptual design and detail design. An explicit and exact system modeling language is imperative for successful architecture design. However, some deficiencies remain, such as the lack of geometry elements, hybrid behavior description, and specific association semantics for existing architecture modeling languages. In this study, a Systems Modeling Language extension for mechatronic system architecture modeling called ArchME is proposed. The requirements for the mechatronic System Modeling Language are analyzed, and the metamodels are defined. Then, the modeling elements are determined. Finally, the profiles based on the systems modeling language are defined to support the modeling of function, behavior, structure, and their association. This enables system designers to model the system architecture and facilitates communication between different stakeholders. A case study is provided to demonstrate the modeling capability of ArchME.