bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-374 Exerts Protective Effects by Inhibiting SP1 Through Activating the PI3K/Akt Pathway in Rat Models of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion After Sevoflurane Preconditioning
Authors: Zhang Shu-Bo , Liu Tie-Jun , Pu Guo-Hua , Li Bao-Yong , Gao Xiao-Zeng , Han Xiao-Liang
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death in cardiovascular diseases, and microRNAs (miRs) have been reported to be potential therapeutic targets in heart disease. Herein, this study aims to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)-374 on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat models pretreated with sevoflurane by targeting SP1 through the PI3K/Akt pathway. Methods: SD rats were grouped into sham, I/R and sevoflurane + I/R (sevoflurane preconditioning and I/R) groups. The biochemical indicators, pathological changes, positive expression of SP1 protein, and apoptosis rates were measured using biochemical detection, Evans blue-TTC staining, immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to investigate the expression of miR-374 mRNA and the protein expression of SP1, PI3K, HO-1, p53, iNOS, c-fos, Akt/p-Akt, and GSK-3β/p-GSK-3β. Cardiomyocytes were treated with miR-374 mimics, miR-374 inhibitors, or siRNA-SP1. Cardiomyocyte proliferation and cycle distribution and apoptosis were studied by MTT and flow cytometry. Results: Compared with the I/R group, in the sevoflurane + I/R group, serum SOD and IL-10 increased, while MDA, LDH, CK, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 decreased, as did the percentage of infarct area, the positive rate of SP1 and the apoptosis index. The expression of SP1, p53, iNOS and c-fos decreased, and the miR-374 expression of PI3K, HO-1, Akt/p-Akt, GSK-3β/p-GSK-3β increased. With the upregulation of miR-374 and the downregulation of SP1, the expression of SP1, p53, iNOS and c-fos decreased, as did the proportion of cells in G1 phase and the apoptosis rate; the expression of PI3K, HO-1, Akt/p-Akt, GSK-3β/p-GSK-3β increased. The results in the miR-374 inhibitor group contrasted with the above results. Conclusion: The results indicated that miR-374 could alleviate myocardial I/R damage in rat models pretreated with sevoflurane by targeting SP1 by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Major Differences in Hypoxia Tolerance and P38 Regulation Among Different Renal Cells
Authors: Shi Qianqian , Shi Jian , Luo Fengbao , Song Guanglai , He Xiaozhou , Xia Ying
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in the cellular response to hypoxia and their dysregulation may contribute to the progression and pathology of diverse human renal diseases. Recent studies suggest that the regulation of MAPK responses to hypoxic stress may be different in different cells, even within the same organ. However, it is unclear if MAPKs are differentially regulated in different renal cells in hypoxia. This work was carried out to clarify this fundamental issue. Methods: We cultured normal rat kidney epithelial (NRK-52E) cells, human kidney epithelial (HK-2) cells and human renal cell adenocarcinoma (769-P) cells simultaneously under normoxia and hypoxia (1% O2) for 24-72 hours. The protein levels of P-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, P-p38, p38 and eEF2K were detected by western blotting. The morphology of all cells was examined using light microscopy. Results: Under the same hypoxic condition, P-ERK1/2 was up-regulated in all renal cells. Meanwhile,P-p38 in NRK-52E cells was markedly increased after hypoxia for 24-72 hours, while it appeared to show no appreciable change in HK-2 and 769-P cells exposed to hypoxia for 24-48 hours and significantly decreased in these cells after 72 hours hypoxia. On the other hand, hypoxia markedly down-regulated the expression of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF2K) in all three cells. Under microscopy, NRK-52E cells had no visible injury after 72 hours hypoxia, while HK-2 and 769-P cells were mostly damaged under the same condition. Conclusions: Our data suggest that in response to prolonged hypoxic stress, ERK1/2 and p38 are differentially regulated in three renal cells, while eEF2K is largely down-regulated in all of these cells.
O que é uma constituição? Decisionismo como estrutura em Carl Schmitt
Authors: Benjamin Cássio Corrêa
Published: April 2018

Nesse artigo, analisaremos o que Schmitt entende por Constituição. É a partir dessa discussão que determinaremos a estrutura decisionista de seu pensamento. Na verdade, a análise do conceito de Constituição é apenas mais um dos lugares onde Schmitt reafirma o seu decisionismo. O decisionismo é, de fato, o cerne do pensamento schmittiano, é a sua estrutura permanente. A discussão de Schmitt sobre o significado da noção de Constituição é um momento privilegiado para essa compreensão.
Instrumentos jurídico-econômicos para proteção do clima no Brasil: tributação, pagamento por serviços ambientais e MDL
Authors: Gambi Luciana Della Nina
Published: April 2018

O presente artigo pretende analisar os mecanismos já instituídos no eixo climático de proteção do meio ambiente, notadamente aquele aplicável ao Brasil, verificando seus últimos resultados. Nesse contexto, será discutida a viabilidade de implementação de formas alternativas de fomento à redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa e desenvolvimento de práticas que resultem em sequestro de carbono, o pagamento por serviços ambientais e a tributação do carbono, instrumentos esses a serem aplicados de forma paralela aos mecanismos já reconhecidos internacionalmente.
A perseguição às religiões afro-brasileiras à luz da teoria das lutas de classes: uma análise jurídico-literária
Authors: Lima Fernando Perez da Cunha
Published: April 2018

O presente trabalho tem como norte analisar o fenômeno da intolerância religiosa que origina a perseguição às religiões afro-brasileiras no decorrer dos séculos XX e XXI. Para tal, o autor faz uso do materialismo histórico dialético e da Teoria das lutas de classes.
Texts as Objects of Value and Veneration
Authors: Kooria Mahmood
Published: April 2018

For the Islamic communities, the Quran is not the only sacred text or object, but most religious texts is sacred and valuable for their comparative connectivity with the text and contents of the Holy Book. The phenomenological discourses on Islamic textuality are very much centered on Sufism. The legal texts have hardly been acknowledged as part of religious signs, symbols or rituals, whereas those are considered the most important for the majority of Muslims in the Indian Ocean littoral who identify themselves as Sunnī and Shāfiʿī Muslims. The texts of the Shāfiʿī school have played a crucial role in disseminating and sustaining ideas and notions of Islam in the littoral from the age of the manuscripts until the present age of print and new media. As sources of this knowledge and their faith systems, those texts have found significant places in their religious imaginations and performances with varying meanings and functions as objects of sacralization, conservation, and commodification. This article analyses multiple forms of intentionality and temporal and spatial awareness in the making and keeping of these legal texts as valued and venerated objects.
Parmaturus nigripalatum n. sp., a new species of deep-sea catshark (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from Indonesia
Authors: FAHMI FAHMI , EBERT DAVID A.
Published: April 2018

Parmaturus nigripalatum, a new species of catshark of the genus Parmaturus is described from a single specimen collected from a deep-water shark longliner operating in south Sumbawa waters, Indonesia. This new species is distinguished from its closest geographic congener P. lanatus by having prominent enlarged caudal crests, well-developed labial furrows with the uppers and lowers of equal lengths, mouth roof blackish with dark pores, first dorsal fin origin more posteriorly positioned on body trunk, and much lower tooth counts than all other known Parmaturus species. This is the second Parmaturus species recorded from Indonesian waters.
The Joint Air-Sea Interaction Experiment—JASIN 1978
Authors: Pollard Raymond T.
Published: April 2018

In June the first of 17 ships and aircraft left their home bases to participate in the Joint Air-Sea Interaction (JASIN) Experiment. This paper summarizes the scientific and operational plans for the field experiment.
Objective 12 h Precipitation Forecasts Using a Single Radiosonde
Authors: Druyan Leonard M. , Sant Yisraela
Published: April 2018

Radiosonde profiles of temperature and dew point at Bet Degan, Israel, are used to develop and test an objective procedure for making 12 h forecasts of precipitation by an approach suggested by Schell (1946) and Krown (1953). Verification of 62 forecasts based on the procedure showed 89% to be correct, although some degree of “overforecasting” of precipitation was evident. The verified skill compares favorably to the skill of official subjective forecasts made available to the public during the same season.
Evaluation of a 5-Year Forecast
Authors: Vederman Joseph
Published: April 2018

A forecast 5 years in advance for each of 6 successive days is verified. Although the forecast has some interesting features, forecasters did not rate it highly. The forecast correlates lower with verifying observations than a monthly normal forecast does.
The Kansas City Flash Flood of 12 September 1977
Authors: Hales John E.
Published: April 2018

On 12 September 1977, severe flash flooding in Kansas City, Mo., resulted in widespread damage and 25 fatalities. It was the worst flash flood of modern times in this area in terms of loss of life and damage. Meteorological analysis of the flood situation indicates the key ingredients for the unprecedented flooding were: 1) two heavy convective rain events occurring in essentially the same location within a 20 h period, and 2) the formation by the first storm system of a small-scale surface boundary wave that concentrated the low-level convergence over the Kansas City area for an extended period of time preceding the second event. Total rainfall amounts for the 24 h storm period were >16 inches (40 cm). Rainfall rates were as high as 8 inches (20 cm) in 4 h during the flooding on the evening of the 12th. Besides the conventional surface and upper air observational network, radar and satellite input were of significant value in analyzing the storm evolution.
The Global Weather Experiment II. The Second Special Observing Period
Authors: Fleming R. J. , Kaneshige T. M. , McGovern W. E. , Bryan T. E.
Published: April 2018

During the Second Special Observing Period of May and June 1979, the Global Weather Experiment reached a peak. At this time the largest concentration of resources ever assembled was deployed to meet the challenge of observing the atmosphere and oceans to an unprecedented degree. This article outlines this effort and highlights the various observing systems involved in this effort—in particular the quantity of observations gathered from each major system.
Drift Analysis of GATE Ship Surface Measurement Systems
Authors: Goerss James S.
Published: April 2018

An analysis scheme is developed to estimate drift or low frequency noise in ship measurement systems during GATE. The term “measurement system”. is used to encompass the collection of hand recorded as well as automatically recorded observations. The scheme is applied to ship systems measuring pressure, wet-bulb temperature, sea-surface temperature, dry-bulb temperature, wind speed, and wind direction. The drift analysis scheme is found to be quite successful in estimating the drift for the pressure and temperature measurement systems, but little success is found in the analysis of the wind data. In many cases the analysis scheme provides information about the error content of systems that would otherwise be unavailable and shows that drift corrections based solely on ship intercomparison results can, in some cases, lead to significant errors.
Global Weather Experiment Data From the National Environmental Satellite Service
Authors: Green Robert N.
Published: April 2018

The National Environmental Satellite Service (NESS) provided sea surface temperature values, cloud motion vectors, and vertical temperature soundings for the Global Weather Experiment. This article gives a brief history of the operational satellite system and a short description of each of the products for the two year period of the Global Weather Experiment.
Predicted Land Carbon Dynamics Are Strongly Dependent on the Numerical Coupling of Nitrogen Mobilizing and Immobilizing Processes: A Demonstration with the E3SM Land Model
Authors: Tang Jinyun , Riley William J.
Published: April 2018

While coupling carbon and nitrogen processes is critical for Earth system models to accurately predict future climate and land biogeochemistry feedbacks, it has not yet been analyzed how numerical methods that land biogeochemical models apply to couple soil mineral nitrogen mobilizing and immobilizing processes affect predicted ecosystem carbon and nitrogen cycling. These effects were investigated here by using the E3SM land model and an evaluation of three plausible and widely used numerical couplings: 1) the mineral nitrogen–based limitation scheme, 2) the net uptake–based limitation scheme, and 3) the proportional nitrogen flux–based limitation scheme. It was found that these three schemes resulted in large differences (with a range of 316 PgC) in predicted cumulative land–atmosphere carbon exchanges under the RCP4.5 atmospheric CO2 simulations. This large uncertainty is without accounting for the different representations of the many land biogeochemical processes, but is about 73% of the range (434 PgC) reported for CMIP5 RCP4.5 simulations. These results help explain the large uncertainty found in various model intercomparison experiments and suggest that more robust numerical implementations are needed to improve carbon–nutrient cycle coupling in terrestrial ecosystem models.
A Water Balance–Based, Spatiotemporal Evaluation of Terrestrial Evapotranspiration Products across the Contiguous United States
Authors: Carter Elizabeth , Hain Christopher , Anderson Martha , Steinschneider Scott
Published: April 2018

Accurate gridded estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) are essential to the analysis of terrestrial water budgets. In this study, ET estimates from three gridded energy balance–based products (ETEB) with independent model formations and data forcings are evaluated for their ability to capture long-term climatology and interannual variability in ET derived from a terrestrial water budget (ETWB) for 671 gauged basins across the contiguous United States. All three ETEB products have low spatial bias and accurately capture interannual variability of ETWB in the central United States, where ETEB and ancillary estimates of change in total surface water storage (ΔTWS) from the GRACE satellite project appear to close terrestrial water budgets. In humid regions, ETEB products exhibit higher long-term bias, and the covariability of ETEB and ETWB decreases significantly. Several factors related to either failure of ETWB, such as errors in ΔTWS and precipitation, or failure of ETEB, such as treatment of snowfall and horizontal heat advection, explain some of these discrepancies. These results mirror and build on conclusions from other studies: on interannual time scales, ΔTWS and error in precipitation estimates are nonnegligible uncertainties in ET estimates based on a terrestrial water budget, and this confounds their comparison to energy balance ET models. However, there is also evidence that in at least some regions, climate and landscape features may also influence the accuracy and long-term bias of ET estimates from energy balance models, and these potential errors should be considered when using these gridded products in hydrologic applications.
Calibration and Validation of Reprocessed HY-2A Altimeter Wave Height Measurements Using Data from Buoys, Jason-2, Cryosat-2, and SARAL/AltiKa
Authors: Jiang Maofei , Xu Ke , Liu Yalong
Published: April 2018

The Haiyang-2A (HY-2A) satellite is China’s first ocean dynamic environment satellite, and the radar altimeter is one of its main payloads. In this study the HY-2A altimeter sensor interim geophysical dataset records (SIGDR) data are reprocessed to obtain better significant wave height (Hs) measurements over a period of more than four years (from 1 October 2011 to 15 March 2016). The reprocessed HY-2A Hs measurements are calibrated and validated using National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys and several operating altimeters: Joint Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network-2 (Jason-2), CryoSat-2, and Satellite with Argos Data Collection System and Ka-Band Altimeter (SARAL/ALtiKa) The final results of buoys and cross-altimeter comparisons show that the accuracy of the reprocessed HY-2A Hs measurements is significantly improved with respect to the Hs measurements in the operational HY-2A interim geophysical data record (IGDR) publicly distributed by the National Satellite Ocean Application Service (NSOAS), State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of China. Compared with the NDBC Hs measurements, the reprocessed HY-2A Hs measurements show a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.215 m with a positive bias of 0.117 m. After calibrating with the two-branched corrections, the RMSE for the reprocessed HY-2A Hs measurements is reduced to 0.173 m, which is lower than those for the calibrated HY-2A IGDR, Jason-2, Cryosat-2, and SARAL measurements with an RMSE of 0.278, 0.233, 0.239, and 0.184 m, respectively. Long-term validation of the altimeter Hs measurements shows that the reprocessed HY-2A Hs measurements after calibration are stable with respect to the buoys and three other altimeters over the entire period. The reprocessed HY-2A Hs measurements are expected to improve the practical applicability of HY-2A Hs measurements significantly.
Curriculum and Context: Trends in Interventions With Transition-Age Students With Severe Disabilities
Authors: Dymond Stacy K. , Butler Anne M. , Hopkins Shari L. , Patton Kimberly A.
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this systematic literature review was to determine trends in the curricular focus and instructional context of intervention research conducted with transition-age students with severe disabilities between 1975 and 2014. A total of 138 studies met inclusion criteria. Across the last three decades, interventions focused on functional skills declined while academic interventions increased. The most frequently used instructional contexts were special education classrooms, simulated activities, mass trials, and either a researcher or nonresearcher as the instructor. Differences in instructional context were present according to curricular focus. Findings suggest the need for interventions that span the breadth of curriculum promoted in the literature with specific emphasis on increasing interventions in areas predictive of positive post-school outcomes. Interventions are also needed that reflect instructional contexts that align more strongly with contexts valued within the field of severe disabilities.
Doing disability through charity and philanthropy in contemporary South India
Authors: Staples James
Published: April 2018

Drawing on multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork in Hyderabad, South India, this article explores the relationship between charity and disability. Despite a stereotype of philanthropic aid as reproductive of existing power structures or symptomatic of state failures to eliminate poverty, closer investigation exposes a more multi-layered picture. Disjunctures in donor and recipient perspectives on charity are shown to create spaces in which recipients might challenge the very characterisations that allow them access to aid in the first place, revealing both the potential and the limitations of charitable aid to bring about social change for disabled people.
The Methodology of the Multi-Site Study of the Termination of Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Drug Addicts and Alcoholics
Authors: Swartz James , Tonkin Peggy , Baumohl Jim
Published: April 2018

This paper describes the quantitative and qualitative methodologies used in a nine-site, two-year study of the effects of terminating Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for drug addiction and alcoholism (DA&A). The quantitative component of the study involved a longitudinal survey that collected data on 1,744 former DA&A recipients, representing about one-fourth of the national population, and achieved an aggregate follow-up rate of 82%. Despite limitations in questionnaire design and implementation, the survey provided reasonably valid data in the following areas: demographics, employment/income, medical/psychiatric status, drug and alcohol use, legal involvement, family/social functioning, food and hunger, housing, and victimization. The qualitative component examined the lives of a subsample to help clarify important issues that could not be addressed within the more structured protocol and format of the longitudinal survey. The paper also presents details on the survey instrument design, the results of validation studies of selected survey items, and data collection protocols across study sites.
Homelessness, Hunger and Material Hardship among those who Lost SSI
Authors: Norris Jean , Scott Richard , Speiglman Richard , Green Rex
Published: April 2018

The nine-city SSI Stud) followed 1,764 randomly sampled recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DA&A) for two years after program termination in January 1997. About one-third of respondents requalified for SSI benefits, and about half of those who lost benefits replaced 50% or more of their baseline income with public assistance, wages, or help from family or friends. We examined the effects of loss of benefits and income replacement on six hardship indicators. Material hardship rates were high even at baseline. Over the follow-up period, hardships were 60%–70% more likely among those who lost SSI benefits and were unable to replace half of baseline income. Alcohol, drug, social, and legal problems also increased the odds of housing and food-related hardships. Physical and mental health problems increased hunger but not housing problems. Those who did not replace half their income were 10 times more likely than those who retained SSI to double-up in housing during the follow-up.
Drug use Prevalence among Former SSI DA&A Recipients
Authors: Podus Deborah , Chang Eunice , Brecht Mary Lynn , Swartz James A. , Anglin M. Douglas
Published: April 2018

This paper examines illegal drug use prevalence among former recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for drug addiction and alcoholism (DA&A) in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, based on urinalysis and self-report data. It presents estimates of current prevalence (past three days) for four categories of illegal drugs–-opiates, cocaine, marijuana, or any use–-at 12 and 24 months after termination of the DA&A program. Data were obtained as part of a longitudinal study of 1,764 former SSI DA&A recipients in nine sites. Analyses indicate that a substantial number of former DA&A recipients, probably 45%–55%, were engaged in active drug use after termination of the program. Among users, cocaine and opiate use were extensive. Although there were high rates of underreporting by self-reported non-users, underreporting was not systematically associated with age, gender, ethnicity, criminal justice involvement, recent substance abuse treatment, or SSI benefit status.
Transnational Mexican Farmworkers and Problem Drinking: A Review of the Literature
Authors: García Victor , Gondolf Edward
Published: April 2018

Transnational Mexican migrants are the largest farm labor force in the United States. Problem drinking among their ranks is drawing increased public attention and concern in their new U.S. communities, but there is scant research that specifically addresses alcohol use among this population of migrants. The research on Mexican American migrants, other migrants, Mexicans, and farmworkers in general is reviewed to identify etiological factors and data collection methods for future research on drinking among transnational Mexican migrants. This research reveals that situational factors (i.e., social isolation and peer influence) are highly associated with problem drinking among these migrants. It also demonstrates that binational ethnographic field methods are needed to study this “hidden” migrant population. Policies and programs that support the migration of families and offset social isolation appear to be a means for addressing the problem drinking.
Estimating the Prevalence of Ecstasy use among Club Rave Attendees
Authors: Yacoubian George S. , Deutsch Julia K. , Schumacher Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2018

The “rave” phenomenon has been a major element in the resurgence of psychedelic drug use in Western society. Purportedly central to raves is the use of “club drugs” such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “Ecstasy”). To date, however, few studies have examined the prevalence of Ecstasy use and dependence symptoms among rave attendees in the United States. In the current study, self-report drug use information and oral fluid (OF) specimens were collected from a sample of adult “club rave” attendees along the Baltimore-Washington corridor between September and November 2002. Data collection was scheduled between 12 midnight and 5 a.m. Participation rates were high. Of the 192 rave attendees approached, 80% completed the interview. Of those who completed the interview, 82% provided an OF specimen. Twenty-four percent of the respondents with usable specimens (N=103) reported using Ecstasy within the two days preceding the interview, while 30% tested positive for MDMA by OF analysis. Sixteen percent responded affirmatively to at least one of the three dependence symptoms. Self-reported 12-month Ecstasy users were more likely than non-users to be white, and recent users were more likely to have used most other drugs of abuse during the 12 months preceding the interview.
Cannabis Careers Reconsidered: Transitions and Trajectories of Committed Long-Term Users
Authors: Hathaway Andrew D.
Published: April 2018

Despite the cross-culturally persistent high prevalence of cannabis use in general adult populations, in-depth analyses of extended use careers are uncommon in the scientific literature. This paper reports on in-depth interviews conducted with 104 users living in Toronto, Canada. A pretested questionnaire developed for use in a larger, cross-national study guided data collection on use levels and frequency from the first year to most recent month of use. The data support a controlled drug use model, with aggregate intake eventually decreasing and becoming stable or more moderate over time. Four main career patterns are identified and compared on measures of dependence and levels of consumption in the year prior to the study. In comparison with those whose long-term use has varied, stable users report fewer cannabis-related problems, despite using more heavily and frequently. While dependency problems are highly subjective, transitions in use patterns more generally reflect personal contingencies of lifestyle.
Priorities in Swedish Alcohol and Drug Treatment: Policies, Staff Views, and Competing Logics
Authors: Palm Jessica
Published: April 2018

The aim of the article is to report how treatment staff think priorities for access to alcohol and drug treatment are and should be set and to describe the extent to which different client groups are seen as receiving the treatment they need. Questionnaires were sent to staff in the social and health care systems in Stockholm County. The empirical data is contrasted against official priorities and different ways of ethical reasoning.

Official priorities are mainly based on an egalitarian way of reasoning. Data collected from staff indicates that “misusers with children,” “new misusers” and “youth” are seen as groups that should be prioritized, whereas few think that “persons who have been misusing for a long time” and “heavy misusers” should be prioritized. Staff also favored prioritizing a larger number of groups than are seen as receiving emphasis now. The reasoning of staff seems to be based on clients’ past actions, and to a lesser extent on utilitarian and egalitarian concerns.
Differences in Predictors of Alcohol-Related Aggression and Non-Alcohol-Related Violent Perpetration: An Exploratory Analysis in a Sample of Young Adult Drinkers
Authors: Wells Samantha
Published: April 2018

In a secondary analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the present article explored whether drinking behaviors, early behavioral problems, risk-taking and demographic variables were differentially associated with alcohol-related aggression (arguments or fights after drinking) and non-alcohol-related violent perpetration (hitting or attacking someone) among drinkers aged 17 to 21. The most notable finding was that heavy episodic drinking and usual drinking location were significantly associated with arguments or fights after drinking but not with attacking or hurting someone, suggesting that drinking behaviors are risk factors that are specific to alcohol-related aggression; however, because identical measures of aggression were not used, further research is required. Additionally, predictors of engaging in both forms of aggression were examined, with findings indicating that drinking behavior, early conduct problems, and demographic variables were significant explanatory variables. Thus, there may be heightened risks associated with engaging in multiple forms of aggression.
Model order reduction using factor division algorithm and fuzzy c-means clustering technique
Authors: Gautam Rudar Kumar , Singh Nitin , Choudhary Niraj Kumar , Narain Anirudha
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes a novel hybrid approach that combines factor division algorithm and fuzzy c-means clustering technique for reducing the model order of high-order linear time invariant system. The process of clustering is used for finding the group of objects with similar nature that can be differentiated from the other dissimilar objects. The numerator of the higher order model is reduced using the factor division algorithm and the denominator of the higher order model is reduced using the fuzzy c-means clustering technique. The stability of the model is also verified using the pole zero stability analysis and it was found that the obtained reduced order model (ROM) is stable. Further, the steady state and transient response of the ROM is found to be better than the other existing techniques. The performance of the ROM is compared to other existing techniques in terms of integral square error, integral of time multiply squared error, integral absolute error and integral time-weighted absolute error.
Item Selection Methods in Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing With Polytomously Scored Items
Authors: Tu Dongbo , Han Yuting , Cai Yan , Gao Xuliang
Published: April 2018

Multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT) has been developed over the past decades, and most of them can only deal with dichotomously scored items. However, polytomously scored items have been broadly used in a variety of tests for their advantages of providing more information and testing complicated abilities and skills. The purpose of this study is to discuss the item selection algorithms used in MCAT with polytomously scored items (PMCAT). Several promising item selection algorithms used in MCAT are extended to PMCAT, and two new item selection methods are proposed to improve the existing selection strategies. Two simulation studies are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the extended and proposed methods. The simulation results show that most of the extended item selection methods for PMCAT are feasible and the new proposed item selection methods perform well. Combined with the security of the pool, when two dimensions are considered (Study 1), the proposed modified continuous entropy method (MCEM) is the ideal of all in that it gains the lowest item exposure rate and has a relatively high accuracy. As for high dimensions (Study 2), results show that mutual information (MUI) and MCEM keep relatively high estimation accuracy, and the item exposure rates decrease as the correlation increases.
Pediatric Salivary Cancer: Epidemiology, Treatment Trends, and Association of Treatment Modality with Survival
Authors: Morse Elliot , Fujiwara Rance J. T. , Husain Zain , Judson Benjamin , Mehra Saral
Published: April 2018

Objective

To characterize the epidemiology of pediatric salivary cancer and associate patient, tumor, and treatment factors with treatment modality and survival.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Setting

US national database.

Subjects and Methods

We identified 588 patients 19 years or younger diagnosed with salivary cancer in the National Cancer Database 2004‐2013. We characterized patient, tumor, and treatment factors as proportions and associated these factors with treatment modality and overall survival via multivariable logistic regression and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, respectively.

Results

In total, 588 patients were included. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was identified in 234 of 588 patients (40%) and acinar cell carcinoma in 215 of 588 (37%). Parotid tumors were seen in 504 (86%) of patients. Surgery alone was used to treat 351 (60%) of patients; surgery plus adjuvant radiation was used to treat 145 (25%). Overall 5‐year survival was 93%. Controlling for patient and tumor characteristics, treatment with surgery and radiation vs surgery alone was associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02‐0.92; P =. 041). High tumor grade was associated with decreased overall survival (HR = 33.17; 95% CI, 5.89‐186.8; P <. 001). Treatment with surgery plus radiation remained associated with improved overall survival in the subset of patients with high tumor grade (HR = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02‐0.64; P =. 014).

Conclusion

Tumor grade is an important predictor of survival in pediatric patients with salivary gland cancer. Surgery plus adjuvant radiation vs surgery alone is associated with improved overall survival and may be considered for high‐risk patients, particularly those with high‐grade tumors.
Metagenomics Analysis of Bacterial Population of Tympanosclerotic Plaques and Cholesteatomas
Authors: Kalcioglu M. Tayyar , Guldemir Dilek , Unaldi Ozlem , Egilmez Oguz Kadir , Celebi Bekir , Durmaz Riza
Published: April 2018

Objective

Chronic otitis media can cause cholesteatomas or tympanosclerosis; however, the pathophysiology of such conditions is not completely known. The aim was to identify a bacterial genome that might be present in tympanosclerotic plaques and cholesteatomas using sequence analysis of the gene responsible for the transcription of 16 ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

Study Design

Metagenomics analysis of the samples.

Setting

Samples were collected and evaluated at tertiary care centers.

Subjects and Methods

Sixty‐five tympanosclerotic plaques and 37 cholesteatomas were evaluated. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using primers designed for the amplification of the gene responsible for the transcription of bacterial 16 rRNA. The PCR‐positive samples were sequenced via Sanger method, and 46 selected samples were analyzed with next‐generation sequencing (NGS).

Results

Sanger sequencing revealed the presence of bacterial genomes in a total of 18 of the 102 samples tested. Sequencing of these genomes indicated the presence of Alloiococcus otitis, Staphylococcus aureus, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus caprae, Parvimonas spp., and Bacillus sp. in the tested samples. The NGS showed 1 or more different bacterial genomes in 44 (95.7%) of the 46 samples tested. Predominately, genome of Clostridiales (27 samples), Staphylococcaceae (24 samples), Peptoniphilaceae (12 samples), and Turicella otitidis (9 samples) were identified.

Conclusion

The middle ear is inhabited by a diverse microbial community than that previously known. With the use of molecular biology, it has become easier to identify the bacterial genomes and improve our understanding of the role of middle ear microbiota in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory ear diseases.
Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of Balloon Catheter Dilation on “Sinus Pressure” / Barometric Headaches
Authors: Laury Adrienne M. , Chen Philip G. , McMains Kevin C.
Published: April 2018

Objective

To determine if balloon catheter dilation of sinus ostia affects the severity or frequency of headache among patients who have barometric pressure–related “sinus” headache.

Study Design

Prospective single‐blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Tertiary care medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Subjects with a diagnosis of sinus pressure headache without evidence of mucosal thickening on computed tomography were recruited. Subjects were blinded and randomized to undergo balloon dilation of affected sinus ostia (active treatment) or balloon dilation in the nasal cavity (placebo). Two balloon devices were utilized (Acclarent and Entellus) and outcomes compared. Subjects were followed with pre‐ and postprocedure SNOT‐22 scores (Sinonasal Outcome Test–22), HIT‐6 scores (Headache Impact Test–6), and medication utilization logs for 6 months.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in SNOT‐22 or HIT‐6 scores between the arms at any time point. However, both arms experienced statistically and clinically significant decreases in SNOT‐22 and HIT‐6 scores from preprocedure to 6 months postprocedure. There was no statistically significant difference in SNOT‐22 or HIT‐6 score reductions between the Entellus and Acclarent devices. There was no statistically significant difference in medication utilization between the groups at any time point.

Conclusions

Subjects with sinus pressure headache without evidence of mucosal thickening on computed tomography had no significant difference in outcomes between active treatment (balloon dilation of sinus ostia) and placebo (nasal dilation). Further study on the etiology and effective treatment of barometric pressure / “sinus” headache is needed.
The FHWA’s Demonstration Project for Enhanced Durability of Asphalt Pavements through Increased In-Place Pavement Density
Authors: Aschenbrener Tim , Brown E. Ray , Tran Nam , Blankenship Phillip B.
Published: April 2018

Recognizing the importance of in-place density in building cost-effective asphalt pavements, a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Demonstration Project was created for “Enhanced Durability of Asphalt Pavements through Increased In-Place Pavement Density.” The objective of the demonstration project was to determine the benefit of additional compaction and show that additional density could be obtained through improved techniques. This project effort included two major components: (1) a literature search to serve as an educational component regarding the best practices for increasing density, and (2) the construction of 10 field demonstration projects. Eight of the 10 states improved densities by at least 1% compared to a control section on their field demonstration projects. There were at least two pavement sections (a control and at least one test section) constructed within each of the 10 states that participated in this field demonstration project. Many of the states constructed more than two pavement sections for a total of 38 sections. There were many variables, including mixture type, construction equipment, and procedures between states and within states. A summary of the methods that states used to obtain increased density generally fell into one of five categories: (1) improving the agency’s specification by including or increasing incentives and increasing the minimum percentage density requirements; (2) making engineering adjustments to the asphalt mixture design to obtain slightly higher optimum asphalt content (although not part of the original goal of the demonstration project); (3) improving consistency as measured by the standard deviation; (4) following best practices; and (5) using new technologies.
Not All Civic Action Is Equal: Two Forms of Civic Associations and Their Disparate Effects on Poverty and Poverty Segregation
Authors: Crubaugh Bryant
Published: April 2018

This study specifies the relationship between civic associations and their effects on communities by analyzing how two forms of civic association—neighborhood development organizations and institution-based community organizing coalitions—impact poverty in neighborhoods and cities, and poverty segregation in cities. Some social scientists argue that civic associations are the key to well-functioning democracy, allowing people to collectively organize for the promotion of their common interests, but others argue that civic associations instead breed exclusion, leaving few communities in the position to reap their benefits. Results show that not all civic associations’ effects are equal. The form of civic association is vital in determining its effects. Place-based organizations help their neighborhoods, but not their cities, unless they are organizing in poor cities. Alternatively, identity-based organizations do not affect their neighborhood but do significantly decrease city-level poverty segregation. Longitudinal analyses of neighborhoods and cities from 1990 to 2010 provide evidence.
Long-term Cognitive Outcome of Children With Parenchymal Neurocysticercosis: A Prospective Observation Study
Authors: Singhi Pratibha , Malhi Prabhjot , Suthar Renu , Deo Brijendra , Khandelwal N. K.
Published: April 2018

To study the cognitive profile and scholastic performance of children with parenchymal neurocysticercosis. A total of 500 children with a diagnosis of neurocysticercosis and epilepsy registered in our pediatric neurocysticercosis clinic between January 1996 and December 2002 were enrolled. Patients were evaluated for their scholastic performance using their school grades. Cognitive assessment was done using Parental interview and the “Draw-a-Man” test. Poor scholastic performance was seen in 22.2% (111) children. Draw-a-Man test was done in 148 children; 18.2% (27/148) had scores equivalent to IQ <70. Intermittent headache, behavior problems, and poor memory were reported in 40% (201) children. Multiple lesions, lower socioeconomic status, and calcified lesions on follow-up were associated with academic underachievement ( P < .05). About a fourth of children with neurocysticercosis had cognitive impairment during follow-up. This was mostly seen in children from lower socioeconomic status and in those with multiple-lesion neurocysticercosis.
Ideology as Performance in The Power of the Powerless
Authors: Danaher David S.
Published: April 2018

While ideology is a central concept in Václav Havel’s master essay, at no point does he operate with a standard definition of the term. Instead, Havel “defines” ideology in metaphorical and performative terms, reframing our understanding of its meaning and power in the modern world by focusing on its pre-political operation. This point has yet to be appreciated by scholars of Havel. To better understand the import of Havel’s approach, this essay details metaphorical contexts for ideology in The Power of the Powerless and draws connections to ideological performativity in Havel’s plays from the 1970s as well as in the cinema of the Czech New Wave.
Multistage Bernstein collocation method for solving strongly nonlinear damped systems
Authors: Bataineh Ahmad Sami , Al-Omari Abd Alkreem , Rasit Isik Osman , Hashim Ishak
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we propose an approximate solution method, called multistage Bernstein collocation method (MBCM), to solve strongly nonlinear damped systems. The method is given with an error analysis. The systems investigated include step function external excitation and periodical function external excitation. We found that the MBCM gives more accurate approximate solutions than the standard collocation method. Since MBCM splits the domain of the problem [Formula: see text] into n parts, one can overcome oscillations arising from the standard collocation method by increasing n. The results obtained from MBCM compare favorably with that of the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method (RK4).
Effects of simulated weightlessness on thermal sweating of human body: An experimental study
Authors: Zhu Hui , Wang Hanqing , Yu Chuck , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: April 2018

Thermal sweating is the thermoregulatory activity of the human body in hot and warm environments, which is critical to the human thermal comfort and health. The sweating of a human body in a real weightlessness environment has seldom been researched, and simulated weightlessness has usually been conducted under comfortable environments. In order to study the sweating of the human body under weightlessness, a 7-day −6° head down bed rest experiment was carried out on six male subjects lying on their backs to simulate the physiological changes that occur under a weightless environment. The skin microcurrents of the subjects were recorded to evaluate sweating under a range of environments. The results showed that sweating was more significant in the torso and head areas than on the arms and lower body. The whole body sweat rates of subjects were lower than those before the simulated weightlessness experiment. However, the threshold air temperature for the onset of sweating under simulated weightlessness was higher than that before the simulation. This was possibly due to the raising of thermoregulatory set-point temperature of the body. Findings have shown that the sweating behaviour and thermal response of a male human body in a weightless environment could be different to those in the terrestrial condition.
IWSHM 2017: Damage-scattered wave extraction in an integral stiffened isotropic plate: a baseline-subtraction-free approach
Authors: He Jiaze , Leser Patrick E , Leser William P , Yuan Fuh-Gwo
Published: April 2018

Ultrasonic guided waves enable long-distance inspection of structures for health monitoring purposes. However, this capability is diminished when applied to complex structures where damage-scattered waves are often buried by scattering from various structural components or boundaries in the time–space domain. Here, a baseline-subtraction-free inspection concept based on the Radon transform is proposed to identify and separate these scattered waves from those scattered by damage. The received time–space domain signals can be converted into the Radon domain, in which the scattered signals from structural components are suppressed into relatively small regions such that damage-scattered signals can be identified and extracted. In this study, a piezoelectric wafer and a linear scan via laser Doppler vibrometer were used to excite and acquire the Lamb wave signals in an aluminum plate with multiple stiffeners. Linear and inverse linear Radon transform algorithms were applied to the direct measurements. Currently, this method needs baseline measurements for comparison in the Radon domain, but avoids baseline subtraction. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Radon transform as an extraction tool for damage-scattered waves in a stiffened aluminum plate for a damage site in the bay area between two stiffeners and also suggest the possibility of generalizing this technique for application to a wide variety of complex, large-area structures.