bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between dry etching resistance of Ta masks and the oxidation states of the surface oxide layers
Authors: Satake Makoto , Yamada Masaki , Li Hu , Karahashi Kazuhiro , Hamaguchi Satoshi
Published: September 2015

Mechanisms of dry etching resistance of Ta masks, which are widely used for magnetic random access memory etching processes, have been investigated for a better understanding of their faceting characteristics. In magnetic-material etching processes by CO/NH3 or CH3OH plasmas, CO+ ion is considered as one of the most dominant ion species irradiating the substrate surface. An earlier study by Li et al. [J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 33, 040602 (2015)] has shown that the Ta sputtering yield by CO+ ion irradiation depends strongly on the ion irradiation angle and the level of the surface oxidation. In this study, the primary focus is placed on the effects of surface oxidation and physical sputtering only (without possible chemical effects of carbon) on the etching rate of Ta, and the etching characteristics of Ta and Ta2O5 have been examined with Ar+ and/or oxygen ion beams. It has been found that there is a strong negative correlation between the etching rate of Ta and the oxidation states of the surface oxide layer formed during the etching process; the higher the oxidation states are, the lower the etching rate becomes. The results indicate that a strong propensity of a Ta mask to taper by irradiation of oxidizing ions (i.e., strong ion-irradiation-angle dependence of the Ta etching rate) arises from less efficient oxidation of a tapered surface by incident oxidizing ions, which enter the surface with an oblique angle.
Uncertainty of decibel levels
Authors: Taraldsen Gunnar , Berge Truls , Haukland Frode , Lindqvist Bo Henry , Jonasson Hans
Published: September 2015

The mean sound exposure level from a source is routinely estimated by the mean of the observed sound exposures from repeated measurements. A formula for the standard uncertainty based on the Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) is derived. An alternative formula is derived for the case where the GUM method fails. The formulas are applied on several examples, and compared with a Monte Carlo calculation of the standard uncertainty. The recommended formula can be seen simply as a convenient translation of the uncertainty on an energy scale into the decibel level scale, but with a theoretical foundation.
Objective and perceptual assessment of the scattered sound field in a simulated concert hall
Authors: Shtrepi Louena , Astolfi Arianna , Pelzer Sönke , Vitale Renzo , Rychtáriková Monika
Published: September 2015

Acoustic scattering audibility thresholds are needed for the efficient design of performance spaces and to increase the accuracy of geometric room acoustic models. This paper focuses on the evaluation of the perceptual thresholds of the scattering coefficient through listening tests in simulated concert halls. It also deals with an investigation on the sensitivity of room acoustic parameters to scattering coefficients. A rectangular concert hall has been simulated with three prediction models, in which scattering coefficients of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.9 were applied to the ceiling and walls in six different configurations. The analysis was performed comparing the results of the three-alternative forced choice listening tests and considering the objective parameters T30, early decay time (EDT), C80, and G. An increase in EDT and a decrease in C80 have been observed for increasing scattering coefficient values for all three types of software, while no similar trend was observed for the other parameters. The perceptual evaluation has shown that differences of ∼0.4, relative to an anchor value of 0.9 of the scattering coefficient, were perceived in the listening test conducted with one of the three kinds of software, while no clear differences in auralizations were perceived with the other two kinds.
Atlanta, a Soccer City?
Authors: Adams Holden W. , Warner Stacy
Published: September 2015

Sidney Naron has been hired to be the Director of Strategic Marketing for a new Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team in Atlanta, GA. Based on the information provided in the case, she will need to develop a multifaceted marketing plan that will be best suited for the new team. The strengths and weaknesses, of the new team are highlighted in the case, but Naron also must become acquainted with the club’s potential fan base via an analysis of the external environment (i.e., opportunities and threats). She then must strategically implement a marketing plan. The case is fictional; however, it is based on factual news and press conference information regarding MLS expanding to Atlanta. Thus, instructors and students likely will find the case relevant and timely.
Biomechanical Changes During a 50-minute Run in Different Footwear and on Various Slopes
Authors: Lussiana Thibault , Hébert-Losier Kim , Millet Grégoire P. , Mourot Laurent
Published: September 2015

The effects of footwear and inclination on running biomechanics over short intervals are well documented. Although recognized that exercise duration can impact running biomechanics, it remains unclear how biomechanics change over time when running in minimalist shoes and on slopes. Our aims were to describe these biomechanical changes during a 50-minute run and compare them to those observed in standard shoes. Thirteen trained recreational male runners ran 50 minutes at 65% of their maximal aerobic velocity on a treadmill, once in minimalist shoes and once in standard shoes, 1 week apart in a random order. The 50-minute trial was divided into 5-minute segments of running at 0%, +5%, and –5% of treadmill incline sequentially. Data were collected using photocells, high-speed video cameras, and plantar-pressure insoles. At 0% incline, runners exhibited reduced leg stiffness and plantar flexion angles at foot strike and lower plantar pressure at the forefoot and toes in minimalist shoes from minute 34 of the protocol onward. However, only reduced plantar pressure at the toes was observed in standard shoes. Overall, similar biomechanical changes with increased exercise time were observed on the uphill and downhill inclines. The results might be due to the unfamiliarity of subjects to running in minimalist shoes.
The Immunoregulatory Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Treatment of Asthma or Asthmatic Inflammation
Authors: Li Jinyu , Zhang Fuchun , Li Jinyao
Published: September 2015

Asthma is a chronic respiratory symptoms with variable airflow limitation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and causes high economic burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long-lasting history of using herbal medicine in the treatment of various respiratory diseases including asthma. In the last several decades, an increasing number of herbs have been shown to be effective in the treatment of asthma in clinical trials or asthmatic inflammation in animal models. Literature about the effects of TCM on the immune system were searched in electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus from 2000 to 2014. 'TCM' and 'asthma' were used as keywords for the searches. Over 400 literatures were searched and the literatures about the immune system were selected and reviewed. We only reviewed literatures published in English. Accumulating evidence suggests that TCM can directly inhibit the activation and migration of inflammatory cells, regulate the balance of Th1/Th2 responses, and suppress allergic hyperreactivity through inducing regulatory T cells or attenuating the function of dendritic cells (DCs). These studies provided useful information to facilitate the use of TCM to treat asthma. This review was conducted to classify the findings based on their possible mechanisms of action reported.
Levitation or suspension: Which one is better for the heavy-load HTS maglev transportation
Authors: Liu Wei , Kang Dong , Yang X. F. , Wang Fei , Peng G. H. , Zheng Jun , Ma G. T. , Wang J. S.
Published: September 2015

Because of the limitation of permanent magnet (PM), the efficient of bulk high-[Formula: see text] superconductor (HTSC) in a high-[Formula: see text] superconducting (HTS) maglev system is not very high. It is better to magnetize the bulk HTSC with a high trapped field to increase the force density. The different application type of magnetized bulk HTSC in a maglev system, namely, levitation or suspension type, will bring quite different operation performance. This paper discusses the influence of application type on operation performance of magnetized bulk HTSC by experiments and simulations. From the discussion, it can be found which application type is better for the heavy-load HTS maglev system.
On marked braid groups
Authors: Fedoseev Denis A. , Manturov Vassily O. , Cheng Zhiyun
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we introduce [Formula: see text]-braids and, more generally, [Formula: see text]-braids for an arbitrary group [Formula: see text]. They form a natural group-theoretic counterpart of [Formula: see text]-knots, see [V. O. Manturov; Reidemeister moves and groups, preprint (2014), arXiv:1412.8691]. The underlying idea used in the construction of these objects — decoration of crossings with some additional information — generalizes an important notion of parity introduced by the second author (see [V. O. Manturov, Parity in knot theory, Sb. Math. 201(5) (2010) 693–733]) to different combinatorically geometric theories, such as knot theory, braid theory and others. These objects act as natural enhancements of classical (Artin) braid groups. The notion of dotted braid group is introduced: classical (Artin) braid groups live inside dotted braid groups as those elements having presentation with no dots on the strands. The paper is concluded by a list of unsolved problems.
Effects of the cosmological constant on compact star in quark-meson coupling model
Authors: Nayak S. N. , Parida P. K. , Panda P. K.
Published: September 2015

We study effect of the cosmological constant on compact star with equation of state provided by quark-meson coupling (QMC) model. In this model, baryons are described as a system of nonoverlapping bags interacting through the scalar and vector mesons. We derive the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (TOV) equation taking into account the cosmological constant in static and spherically symmetric metric. Using the equation of state given by QMC model, the mass–radius relationship of the compact star has been computed for various values of the cosmological constant.
MicroRNA-141 regulates the expression level of ICAM-1 on endothelium to decrease myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Liu Rong Rong , Li Jun , Gong Jiu Yu , Kuang Fang , Liu Jia Yun , Zhang Yu Si , Ma Qian Li , Song Chao jun , Truax Agnieszka D. , Gao Feng , Yang Kun , Jin Bo Quan , Chen Li Hua
Published: September 2015

A growing number of studies have suggested microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the modulation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury; however, the role of endogenous miRNAs targeting endothelial cells (ECs) and its interaction with ICAM-1 in the setting of MI/R remain poorly understood. Our microarray results showed that miR-146a, miR-146b-5p, miR-155*, miR-155, miR-497, and miR-451 were significantly upregulated, whereas, miR-141 and miR-564 were significantly downregulated in the ECs challenged with TNF-α for 6 h. Real-time PCR analyses additionally validated that the expression levels of miR-146a, miR-155*, and miR-141 were consistent with the microarray results. Then, ICAM-1 was identified as a novel target of miR-141 by Target Scan software and the reporter gene system. Further functional experiments showed that elevated levels of miR-141 inhibited ICAM-1 expression and diminished leukocytes adhesion to ECs in vitro. In an in vivo murine model of MI/R injury, pretreatment with miR-141 mimics through the tail vein downregulated the expression level of ICAM-1 in heart and attenuated MI/R injury as evidenced by decreased infarct size and decline of serum cardial troponin I (cTnI) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration. The cardioprotective effects of miR-141 mimics may be attributed to the decreased infiltration of CD11b+ cells and F4/80+ macrophages into ischemic myocardium tissue. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that miR-141, as a novel repressor of ICAM-1, is involved in the attenuation of MI/R injury via antithetical regulation of ICAM-1 and inflammatory cells infiltration. Thus miR-141 may constitute a new therapeutic target in the setting of ischemic heart disease.
Loss of Rad-GTPase produces a novel adaptive cardiac phenotype resistant to systolic decline with aging
Authors: Manning Janet R. , Withers Catherine N. , Levitan Bryana , Smith Jeffrey D. , Andres Douglas A. , Satin Jonathan
Published: September 2015

Rad-GTPase is a regulator of L-type calcium current (LTCC), with increased calcium current observed in Rad knockout models. While mouse models that result in elevated LTCC have been associated with heart failure, our laboratory and others observe a hypercontractile phenotype with enhanced calcium homeostasis in Rad−/−. It is currently unclear whether this observation represents an early time point in a decompensatory progression towards heart failure or whether Rad loss drives a novel phenotype with stable enhanced function. We test the hypothesis that Rad−/− drives a stable nonfailing hypercontractile phenotype in adult hearts, and we examine compensatory regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) loading and protein changes. Heart function was measured in vivo with echocardiography. In vivo heart function was significantly improved in adult Rad−/− hearts compared with wild type. Heart wall dimensions were significantly increased, while heart size was decreased, and cardiac output was not changed. Cardiac function was maintained through 18 mo of age with no decompensation. SR releasable Ca2+ was increased in isolated Rad−/− ventricular myocytes. Higher Ca2+ load was accompanied by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) protein elevation as determined by immunoblotting and a rightward shift in the thapsigargan inhibitor-response curve. Rad−/− promotes morphological changes accompanied by a stable increase in contractility with aging and preserved cardiac output. The Rad−/− phenotype is marked by enhanced systolic and diastolic function with increased SR uptake, which is consistent with a model that does not progress into heart failure.
Stream-Based Extreme Learning Machine Approach for Big Data Problems
Authors: Horta Euler Guimarães , Castro Cristiano Leite de , Braga Antônio Pádua
Published: September 2015

Big Data problems demand data models with abilities to handle time-varying, massive, and high dimensional data. In this context, Active Learning emerges as an attractive technique for the development of high performance models using few data. The importance of Active Learning for Big Data becomes more evident when labeling cost is high and data is presented to the learner via data streams. This paper presents a novel Active Learning method based on Extreme Learning Machines (ELMs) and Hebbian Learning. Linearization of input data by a large size ELM hidden layer turns our method little sensitive to parameter setting. Overfitting is inherently controlled via the Hebbian Learning crosstalk term. We also demonstrate that a simple convergence test can be used as an effective labeling criterion since it points out to the amount of labels necessary for learning. The proposed method has inherent properties that make it highly attractive to handle Big Data: incremental learning via data streams, elimination of redundant patterns, and learning from a reduced informative training set. Experimental results have shown that our method is competitive with some large-margin Active Learning strategies and also with a linear SVM.
Ki-67 Expression in CRC Lymph Node Metastasis Does Not Predict Survival
Authors: Martins Sandra F. , Amorim Ricardo , Mota Sílvia Coelho , Costa Luís , Pardal Fernando , Rodrigues Mesquita , Longatto-Filho Adhemar
Published: September 2015

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Molecular markers may improve clinicopathologic staging and provide a basis to guide novel therapeutic strategies which target specific tumour-associated molecules according to individual tumour biology; however, so far, no ideal molecular marker has been found to predict disease progression. We tested Ki-67 proliferation marker in primary and lymph node metastasis of CRC. We observed a statistical significant difference between the positive rates of neoplastic cells positively stained by Ki-67 in both sites, with remarkable increased number of Ki-67 positive cells in primary tumor cells compared to cancer cells that invaded lymph nodes. We can speculate that the metastatic CRC in lymph node can be more resistant to the drugs that target cellular division.
Photocatalytic Oxidation of Trichloroethylene in Water Using a Porous Ball of Nano‐ZnO and Nanoclay Composite
Authors: Bak Sol-A , Song Myong-Shin , Nam In-Tak , Lee Woong-Geol
Published: September 2015

The presence of nondegradable organic compounds and xenobiotic chemicals in water is a great concern for the general public because of their polar properties and toxicity. For instance, trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used solvent in the chemical industry, and it is also a contaminant of soil, surface water, and groundwater. Recent studies on new treatment technologies have shown that photocatalyst‐based advanced oxidation processes are appropriate for removing these polar and toxic compounds from water. The objective of this study was to remove TCE from water using novel nano‐ZnO‐laponite porous balls prepared from photocatalyst ZnO with nanoscale laponite. These nano‐ZnO‐laponite porous balls have a porosity of approximately 20%. A lower initial concentration of TCE resulted in high removal efficiency. Moreover, the removal efficiency increased with increasing pH in the photocatalytic degradation experiments employing UVC light with nano‐ZnO‐laponite. The optimal dosage of nano‐ZnO‐laponite was 30 g and the use of UVC light resulted in a higher removal efficiency than that achieved with UVA light. In addition, the removal efficiency of TCE significantly increased with increasing light intensity. We think that TCE’s removal in water by using porous ball of nano‐ZnO and nanoclay composite is a result of degradation from hydroxide by photons of nano‐ZnO and physical absorption in nanoclay.
Estimation of Modal Properties of Low-Rise Buildings Using Ambient Excitation Measurements
Authors: Wijesundara K. K. , Negulescu C. , Foerster E.
Published: September 2015

Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) has recently emerged as a promising tool for identification of modal properties through ambient excitation measurements of structures. However, it is difficult to obtain an accurate estimation of damping ratio directly from time-frequency decomposition of ambient vibration measurements using CWT. The main objective of this study is to introduce a new method called two-step procedure in the estimation of damping ratios using ambient vibration measurements. The two-step procedure involves the development of random decrement (RD) signature from the ambient vibration measurements, which is equivalent to the damped free vibration response of a structure under a given initial displacement and subsequently decomposition of time domain RD signature into time-frequency domain using CWT. The secondary objective of the study is to show that CWT is capable of identifying the natural periods and mode shapes of low-rise buildings using ambient vibration measurements. Furthermore, the two-step procedure is validated with two practical applications in a five-storey reinforced concrete structure with masonry infill walls and a three-storey masonry structure. Finally, a conclusion can be drawn that the two-step procedure yields a reasonably good estimation of damping ratio.
Performance of Restarted Homotopy Perturbation Method for TV-Based Image Denoising Problem
Authors: Han Yu Du , Yun Jae Heon
Published: September 2015

We first propose a restarted homotopy perturbation method (RHPM) for solving a nonlinear PDE problem which repeats HPM process by computing only the first few terms instead of computing infinite terms, and then we present an application of RHPM to TV- (Total Variation-) based image denoising problem. The main difficulty in applying RHPM to the nonlinear denoising problem is settled by using binomial series techniques. We also provide finite difference schemes for numerical implementation of RHPM. Lastly, numerical experiments for several test images are carried out to demonstrate the feasibility, efficiency, and reliability of RHPM by comparing the performance of RHPM with that of existing TM and recently proposed RHAM methods.
Long‐Term Structural Health Monitoring System for a High‐Speed Railway Bridge Structure
Authors: Ding You-Liang , Wang Gao-Xin , Sun Peng , Wu Lai-Yi , Yue Qing
Published: September 2015

Nanjing Dashengguan Bridge, which serves as the shared corridor crossing Yangtze River for both Beijing‐Shanghai high‐speed railway and Shanghai‐Wuhan‐Chengdu railway, is the first 6‐track high‐speed railway bridge with the longest span throughout the world. In order to ensure safety and detect the performance deterioration during the long‐time service of the bridge, a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system has been implemented on this bridge by the application of modern techniques in sensing, testing, computing, and network communication. The SHM system includes various sensors as well as corresponding data acquisition and transmission equipment for automatic data collection. Furthermore, an evaluation system of structural safety has been developed for the real‐time condition assessment of this bridge. The mathematical correlation models describing the overall structural behavior of the bridge can be obtained with the support of the health monitoring system, which includes cross‐correlation models for accelerations, correlation models between temperature and static strains of steel truss arch, and correlation models between temperature and longitudinal displacements of piers. Some evaluation results using the mean value control chart based on mathematical correlation models are presented in this paper to show the effectiveness of this SHM system in detecting the bridge’s abnormal behaviors under the varying environmental conditions such as high‐speed trains and environmental temperature.
Effectiveness of Certolizumab Pegol in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Persistent Inflamed Residual Mono- or Oligosynovitis Resistant to Prior TNF-αInhibitors
Authors: Koarada Syuichi , Tsuboi Masahiko , Komine Mitsunori , Nakao Yoshinobu , Tokuda Yukiko , Ono Yukihide , Tashiro Satoko , Maruyama Akihito , Ono Nobuyuki , Ohta Akihide , Tada Yoshifumi
Published: September 2015

We report four cases of successful treatment with certolizumab pegol (CZP) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with persistent inflamed residual mono- or oligosynovitis resistant to prior TNF-αinhibitors. Although the patients were in a moderate disease activity, a low activity, or a remission of RA, they sustained inflammatory mono-/oligoarthritis even after treatment with prior TNF inhibitors. They were then all treated with CZP and observed in a serial ultrasonography. In all cases, the positive power Doppler signals in the joint have disappeared promptly and all of the patients were able to retain remission in the long term. The treatment of CZP to the refractory mono-/oligoarthritis of inflammatory synovitis in RA patients has not been previously described. The cases suggest that it may be associated with the feature of CZP, possible effective penetration into the site of inflammation.
Ninety-Day Oral Toxicity Assessment of an Alternative Biopolymer for Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems Obtained from Cassava Starch Acetate
Authors: Jesus Douglas Rossi , Barbosa Lorena Neris , Prando Thiago Bruno Lima , Martins Leonardo Franco , Gasparotto Francielli , Guedes Karla Moraes Rocha , Dragunski Douglas Cardoso , Lourenço Emerson Luiz Botelho , Dalsenter Paulo Roberto , Gasparotto Junior Arquimedes
Published: September 2015

The large consumption of biodegradable films from cassava starch acetate (FCSA) as ingredients in food and pharmaceutical products requires the assessment of the possible toxicity of these products. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of biodegradable film from cassava starch acetate after oral exposure of Wistar rats for 90 days. The amount of food consumed and the body weight were weekly monitored. Blood and urine samples were obtained for the assessment of serum parameters and renal function. Histopathological analyses in target organs were also performed. No evidence of clinical toxicity in hematological, biochemical, or renal parameters in the FCSA-treated animals was found. In addition, relative organ weight and histopathological evaluations did not differ between groups treated with FCSA and control. Data obtained suggest that the subchronic exposure to FCSA does not cause obvious signs of toxicity in Wistar rats, indicating possible safety of this biofilm.
Fracture of the Fabella: An Uncommon Injury in Knee
Authors: Cherrad Taoufik , Louaste Jamal , Bousbaä Hicham , Amhajji Larbi , Khaled Rachid
Published: September 2015

The fabella is a sesamoid bone that may contribute to the stabilization of the posterolateral knee corner and it can very occasionally act as a source of atypical and rare knee pain and functional impairment. Fracture of the fabella is a rare but important clinical entity which may be overlooked clinically and radiographically. However, it causes an intermittent mechanical pain of the knee and it can mistakenly harm another knee pathology like intra-articular loose body. We report a case of a 21-year-old man who was sustaining a fracture of fabella following vehicle accident.
Ammonium Ion Exchanged Zeolite for Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Phosphorylated Peptides
Authors: Yang Mengrui , Fujino Tatsuya
Published: September 2015

α-Cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), an organic matrix molecule for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, was adsorbed toNH4+-type zeolite surface, and this new matrix was used for the detection of low-molecular-weight compounds. It was found that this matrix could simplify the mass spectrum in the low-molecular-weight region and prevent interference from fragments and alkali metal ion adducted species. CHCA adsorbed toNH4+-type ZSM5 zeolite (CHCA/NH4ZSM5) was used to measure atropine and aconitine, two toxic alkaloids in plants. In addition, CHCA/NH4ZSM5 enabled us to detect phosphorylated peptides; peaks of the protonated peptides had higher intensities than the peaks observed using CHCA only.
Chromium Exposure and Hygienic Behaviors in Printing Workers in Southern Thailand
Authors: Decharat Somsiri
Published: September 2015

Objectives.The main objective of this study was to assess the chromium exposure levels in printing workers. The study evaluated the airborne, serum, and urinary chromium levels and determines any correlation between level of chromium in specimen and airborne chromium levels.Material and Methods.A cross-sectional study was conducted with 75 exposed and 75 matched nonexposed subjects. Air breathing zone was measured by furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum and urine samples were collected to determine chromium levels by graphite furnaces atomic absorption spectrometer chromium analyzer.Results and Discussion.The printing workers’ urinary chromium levels (6.86±1.93 μg/g creatinine) and serum chromium levels (1.24±1.13 μg/L) were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001andp<0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene were significantly associated with urinary chromium level and serum chromium levels (p<0.001andp<0.001). This study found a correlation between airborne chromium levels and urinary chromium levels (r=0.247,p=0.032). A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary and serum chromium levels were shown in this study.Conclusion.Improvements in working conditions, occupational health training, and PPE use are recommended to reduce chromium exposure.
Metastatic Salivary Gland Tumors: A Single-Center Study Demonstrating the Feasibility and Potential Clinical Benefit of Molecular-Profiling-Guided Therapy
Authors: Popovtzer Aron , Sarfaty Michal , Limon Dror , Marshack Gideon , Perlow Eli , Dvir Addie , Soussan-Gutman Lior , Stemmer Salomon M.
Published: September 2015

We evaluated the use of molecular profiling (MP) for metastatic salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC), for which there is no standard treatment. MP (Caris Molecular Intelligence) was performed on biopsy samples from all metastatic SACC patients attending a tertiary medical center between 2010 and 2013n=14. Treatment was selected according to the biomarkers identified. Findings were compared with all similarly diagnosed patients treated in the same center between 1996 and 2009n=9. For each patient, MP identified 1–13 biomarkers associated with clinical benefit for specific therapies (most commonly low/negative TS, low ERCC1). Eleven patients (79%) received MP-guided treatment (2 died prior to treatment initiation, 1 opted not to be treated), with complete response in 1, partial response (PR) in 3, and stable disease in 4. In the historical controls, 2 patients (22%) were treated (1 had PR). Median (range) progression-free survival in the first line after MP was 8.2 months (1.4–49.5+). Median (range) overall survival from diagnosis of metastatic disease was 31.3 (1.4–71.1+) versus 14.0 (1.5–116) months in the historical controls. In conclusion, MP expands treatment options and may improve clinical outcomes for metastatic SACC. In orphan diseases where randomized trials cannot be performed, MP could become a standard clinical tool.
Prevalence of Dermatophytic Infection and the Spectrum of Dermatophytes in Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Teklebirhan Gebreabiezgi , Bitew Adane
Published: September 2015

Background. Dermatophytosis is common worldwide and continues to increase.Objective. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis and the spectrum of ringworm fungi in patients attending a tertiary hospital.Methods. Samples were collected from 305 patients. A portion of each sample was examined microscopically and the remaining portion of each sample was cultured onto plates of Sabouraud’s dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol with and without cycloheximide. Dermatophyte isolates were identified by studying macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their colonies.Result. Of 305 samples, fungi were detected in 166 (54.4%) by KOH of which 95 were dermatophytes while 242 (79.4%) samples were culture positive of which 130 isolates were dermatophytes. Among dermatophyte isolatesT. violaceumwas the most common (37.7%) cause of infection. Tinea unguium was the predominant clinical manifestation accounting for 51.1% of the cases. Patients with age group 25–44 and 45–64 years were more affected.T. violaceumwas the most common pathogen in tinea unguium and tinea capitis, whereasT. mentagrophyteswas the most common pathogen in tinea pedis.Conclusion. Further intensive epidemiological studies of ring worm fungus induced dermatophytosis which have public health significance are needed.
Production of Extracellular Laccase fromBacillus subtilisMTCC 2414 Using Agroresidues as a Potential Substrate
Authors: Muthukumarasamy Narayanan P. , Jackson Beenie , Joseph Raj Antony , Sevanan Murugan
Published: September 2015

Laccases are the model enzymes for multicopper oxidases and participate in several applications such as bioremediation, biopulping, textile, and food industries. Laccase producing bacterium,Bacillus subtilisMTCC 2414, was subjected to optimization by conventional techniques and was partially purified using ammonium salt precipitation method. The agroresidue substrates used for higher yield of laccase were rice bran and wheat bran. Maximum production was achieved at temperature 30°C (270 ± 2.78 U/mL), pH 7.0 (345 ± 3.14 U/mL), and 96 h (267 ± 2.64 U/mL) of incubation. The carbon and nitrogen sources resulted in high enzyme yield at 3% sucrose (275 ± 3.11 U/mL) and 3% peptone (352.2 ± 4.32 U/mL) for rice bran and 3% sucrose (247.4 ± 3.51 U/mL) and 3% peptone (328 ± 3.33 U/mL) for wheat bran, respectively. The molecular weights of partially purified laccase were 52 kDa for rice bran and 55 kDa for wheat bran. The laccase exhibited optimal activity at 70°C (260.3 ± 6.15 U/mL), pH 9.0 (266 ± 4.02 U/mL), and metal ion CuSO4(141.4 ± 6.64) was found to increase the production. This is the first report that delivers the higher yield of laccase produced fromB. subtilisMTCC 2414 using agroresidues as a potential substrate.
Collagen Type XI Alpha 1 Expression in Intraductal Papillomas Predicts Malignant Recurrence
Authors: Freire Javier , García-Berbel Lucia , García-Berbel Pilar , Pereda Saray , Azueta Ainara , García-Arranz Pilar , De Juan Ana , Vega Alfonso , Hens Ángela , Enguita Ana , Muñoz-Cacho Pedro , Gómez-Román Javier
Published: September 2015

Despite the progress achieved in the treatment of breast cancer, there are still many unsolved clinical issues, being the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of papillary diseases, one of the highest challenges. Because of its unpredictable clinical behavior, treatment of intraductal papilloma has generated a great controversy. Even though considered as a benign lesion, it presents high rate of malignant recurrence. This is the reason why there are clinicians supporting a complete excision of the lesion, while others support an only expectant follow-up. Previous results of our group suggested that procollagen 11 alpha 1 (pro-COL11A1) expression correlates with infiltrating phenotype in breast lesions. We analyzed the correlation between expression of pro-COL11A1 in intraductal papilloma and their risk of malignant recurrence. Immunohistochemistry of pro-COL11A1 was performed in 62 samples of intraductal papilloma. Ten out 11 cases relapsed as carcinoma presents positive staining for COL11A1, while just 17 out of 51 cases with benign behaviour present immunostaining. There were significant differences (P<0.0001) when comparing patients with malignant recurrence versus nonmalignant relapse patients. These data suggest that pro-COL11A1 expression is a highly sensitive biomarker to predict malignant relapse of intraductal papilloma and it can be used as indicative factor for prevention programs.
Multiobjective Optimization of Precision Forging Process Parameters Based on Response Surface Method
Authors: Zhu Fayuan , Wang Zhaohui , Lv Mi
Published: September 2015

In order to control the precision forging forming quality and improve the service life of die, a multiobjective optimization method for process parameters design was presented by applying Latin hypercube design method and response surface model approach. Meanwhile the deformation homogeneity and material damage of forging parts were proposed for evaluating the forming quality. The forming load of die was proposed for evaluating the service life of die. Then as a case of study, the radial precision forging for a hollow shaft with variable cross section and wall thickness was carried out. The 3D rigid-plastic finite element (FE) model of the hollow shaft radial precision forging was established. The multiobjective optimization forecast model was established by adopting finite element results and response surface methodology. Nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) was adopted to obtain the Pareto-optimal solutions. A compromise solution was selected from the Pareto solutions by using the mapping method. In the finite element study on the forming quality of forging parts and the service life of dies by multiobjective optimization process parameters, the feasibility of the multiobjective optimization method presented by this work was verified.
PERCEPÇÕES SOBRE O SETOR EDUCACIONAL DO MERCOSUL E SUA ATUAÇÃO VISANDO À INTEGRAÇÃO ENTRE PAÍSES POR MEIO DA EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR UNIVERSITÁRIA
Authors: Castro Rita de Cássia Marques Lima de
Published: September 2015

Mediante revisão bibliográfica e questionário via web, este artigo apresenta uma análise da atuação do Setor Educacional do MERCOSUL (SEM) com foco na integração de países pela Educação Superior Universitária. Embora haja diversas tentativas do MERCOSUL visando à maior integração, constata-se que: (i) houve menos avanços no setor terciário universitário que em outros níveis; (ii) há diferenças significativas sem reconhecer o papel do SEM ao se comparar as respostas do grupo I – Argentina, Paraguai e Uruguai, com maior índice de respostas favoráveis, e os do grupo II – Brasil, onde também é maior o nível de desconhecimento sobre o tema.
O nome próprio, a tela-espelho, o corpo-palavra e seu duplo
Authors: Xavier Ismail Norberto
Published: September 2015

O artigo analisa a construção do ponto de vista narrativo e a mise-en-scène de Nome próprio, de Murilo Salles, que dialoga com romances de Clarah Averbuck centrados na personagem Camila; o objetivo é caracterizar a leitura que o filme traz da experiência desta jovem protagonista, focada nas tensões entre seu investimento especial no ato da escrita, sua interação com figuras de corpo presente e sua comunicação via redes sociais, mundo em que demandas se aceleram e se entrelaçam com a invenção de identidades.
Resenha nacional: Regulação de medicamentos no mundo globalizado
Authors: Rothbarth Renata
Published: September 2015

Resenha sobre a publicação "Regulação de medicamentos no mundo globalizado", de Fernando Aith e Sueli Gandolf Dallari (organizadores), publicada pelo Cepedisa, em 2014.
Análise das ações judiciais individuais para fornecimento de medicamentos em São João da Boa Vista
Authors: Cabral Ildelisa , Rezende Laura Ferreira de
Published: September 2015

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar as ações judiciais individuais realizadas para garantir o acesso a medicamentos no município de São João da Boa Vista (SP). Tratou-se de um estudo longitudinal retrospectivo, de caráter exploratório documental, nos anos de 2009 a 2012, tendo como objeto de análise processo judicial movido individualmente em face do Município com a finalidade de fornecimento de medicamento. Após a análise de 87 ações judiciais, foram encontrados os seguintes resultados: mandado de segurança individual interposto por mulheres beneficiárias da gratuidade de justiça, com patrocínio de advogados particulares, em que a ré é a diretora do Departamento Municipal de Saúde, solicitando, através de receitas privadas, medicamentos pelo nome comercial, não listados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, todos com registro na Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Os resultados obtidos são compatíveis com os encontrados pela literatura. Concluiu-se que, a fim de garantir o direito constitucional à saúde dos indivíduos, será necessária uma melhor organização do Estado quanto à assistência farmacêutica.
A jurisprudência dos tribunais superiores e o direito à saúde – evolução rumo à racionalidade
Authors: Balestra Neto Otávio
Published: September 2015

O direito à saúde tem sido objeto de intensa judicialização no Brasil, com um número crescente de ações ano a ano. Este cenário tem gerado debates acerca do alcance deste inquestionável direito fundamental e suas repercussões na administração judiciária e nos orçamentos públicos. O presente trabalho estuda a posição adotada pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal e pelo Superior Tribunal de Justiça acerca do direito à saúde, mediante análise da jurisprudência das duas cortes, classificando-a em fases distintas segundo critério material e cronológico. Em um primeiro momento, a jurisprudência negou a viabilidade judicial do direito à saúde. Depois, passou-se a uma etapa na qual o acesso às prestações materiais em saúde foi entendido praticamente como ilimitado. Atualmente, prevalece uma posição conciliadora entre as inadiáveis necessidades do cidadão em saúde pública e a observância da racionalidade das políticas públicas sanitárias, sem embargo da flexibilidade cabível em casos específicos.
A LEGALIDADE E A MORALIDADE: A PREVISÃO NORMATIVA E A COMPREENSÃO DOUTRINÁRIA DE DOIS PRINCÍPIOS EM APARENTE TENSÃO NO DISCURSO JUDICIAL BRASILEIRO
Authors: Martins Tamira Almeida
Published: September 2015

Este artigo discorre brevemente acerca da compreensão dos princípios da legalidade e da moralidade, a partir do sentido que lhes foi atribuído pelo ordenamento jurídico brasileiro atual e pela interpretação judicial levada a efeito pelos Tribunais Superiores nacionais. Analisa, ao fim, a aparente tensão existente entre as noções de moralidade e de legalidade e o embate criado entre os referidos princípios nas Cortes brasileiras.
O TOMBAMENTO DO PATRIMÔNIO CULTURAL IMÓVEL NO BRASIL
Authors: Cordido Ruth Maria Barros Reicao
Published: September 2015

O objetivo principal do trabalho se concentra no estudo crítico do tombamento federal de bens imóveis (Decreto-lei nº 25/1937, Decreto-lei nº 3.866/1941, Lei nº 6.292/1975) em seis pontos. Para tanto são discutidos a finalidade da tutela e os seus procedimentos à luz da Constituição Federal de 1988.
PRINCÍPIO DA DEVOLUÇÃO FACULTATIVA OU DA SUFICIÊNCIA DISCRICIONÁRIA NO CONTENCIOSO ADMINISTRATIVO
Authors: Rodrigues Ricardo Alexandre Cardoso
Published: September 2015

No presente estudo desenvolvemos, criticamente, os aspetos mais marcantes do princípio da devolução facultativa ou da suficiência discricionária no contencioso administrativo. O seu enquadramento dogmático, os seus caracteres fundamentais, a concretização prática do substrato conteudístico dos dois princípios em que se desdobra – devolução facultativa; suficiência discricionária. Finalmente, a problematização destes dois critérios jurídicos enquanto instrumentos orientativos da conduta do interprete/julgador nos tribunais administrativos.
A AUTOCONTENÇÃO JUDICIAL NO DIREITO ADMINISTRATIVO PARTICIPATIVO: O CASO DAS AUDIÊNCIAS PÚBLICAS AMBIENTAIS
Authors: Bim Eduardo Fortunato
Published: September 2015

O aumento de previsões participativas dos cidadãos está gerando uma burocratização excessiva ou superprocedimentalização do processo decisório estatal, baseado em critérios subjetivos e no casuísmo dos interesses dos impugnantes, desnaturando a função desses instrumentos ao lhes dar importância que não têm.  O presente artigo discorre sobre tal tendência, com base no direito administrativo comparado estadunidense, especialmente sob o prisma de Vermont Yankee, cotejando-o com diversos precedentes envolvendo audiências públicas em matéria ambiental.
REGIME JURÍDICO DOS BENS DAS EMPRESAS PRESTADORAS DE SERVIÇO PÚBLICO
Authors: Santos Murillo Giordan
Published: September 2015

O presente artigo analisa o regime jurídico dos bens empregados na prestação de serviços públicos pelas empresas estatais e pelas empresas privadas concessionárias. Para tanto, faz uso do método teórico para analisar a legislação e a doutrina sobre assunto e do método empírico para analisar a jurisprudência. A partir dessa análise, observa-se uma constante aproximação entre os modelos jurídicos aplicados aos bens de ambas as espécies empresariais e uma tendência de reinterpretação do critério funcional aplicado para a definição doutrinária e jurisprudencial dos bens públicos afetados à prestação de serviços públicos.
O MODELO REGULATÓRIO DAS AGÊNCIAS E SUAS PROMESSAS: UM ESTUDO A PARTIR DAS RESOLUÇÕES DA ANATEL
Authors: Mian Ingrid Garbuio
Published: September 2015

Este artigo propõe-se a analisar a regulação, em sua dimensão normativa, na esfera das agências reguladoras. Para tanto, optou-se por selecionar a ANATEL como representativa do modelo regulatório das agências no Brasil, sendo suas resoluções analisadas e categorizadas à luz das propostas teóricas das agências regulatórias e da realidade política, econômica e jurídica brasileira.
A new species of Tragia (Euphorbiaceae) from Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Gordillo Martha Martinez , COLÍN RAFAEL TORRES
Published: September 2015

A new species of Tragia from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico is described and illustrated; it is different from other known Mexican species, although somewhat similar in habit to T. nepetifolia. Tragia chiltepeca is an erect herb with deeply cordate leaves with an acuminate apex and a long petiole, a long pedunculate inflorescence, a single pistillate flower in the proximal node, several male flowers at the distal nodes, and pyriform buds. This species is endemic to the Tuxtepec district. A taxonomic key is provided to distinguish this from other Tragia species in Oaxaca.
Endevouridae, a review with description of four new species (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Lysianassoidea)
Authors: LOWRY JAMES K. , HUGHES LAUREN E.
Published: September 2015

The family Endevouridae is reviewed and four new species from the two genera, Endevoura and Ensayara, are described from Australian and Japanese waters. All species are diagnosed and the type species of Endevoura (End. mirabilis Chilton, 1921) and Ensayara (Ens. ramonella J.L. Barnard, 1964), respectively, are redescribed and illustrated. A key to the 19 known world species of Endevouridae is provided.
Comments on “Interdecadal Change of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon Onset”
Authors: Chen Guanghua
Published: September 2015

In a recent paper, Kajikawa and Wang detected the interdecadal shift of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) onset with a late SCSSM onset in an earlier epoch (1979–93) and an early SCSSM onset in a later epoch (1994–2008) and attributed this change to enhanced tropical cyclone (TC) activity and intraseasonal variability (ISV) related to 30–80-day and 10–25-day anomalies in the second epoch. This comment assesses the individual impact of TCs and ISV on the interdecadal change of the SCSSM onset by means of the removal of anomalies associated with TCs and ISV. Results herein show that TCs have no significant impact on the SCSSM onset in all years, except 2006 in which a strong and long-lived TC occurred over the South China Sea. After removing the 30–80-day anomaly, the difference in the mean SCSSM onset date in the two epochs decreases to some extent, implying that the 30–80-day anomaly can, in part, play a role in the interdecadal shift of the SCSSM onset. In contrast, the 10–25-day anomaly has an insignificant contribution to the interdecadal shift of the SCSSM onset. The discrepancy of ISV contribution results from the SCSSM background state, the magnitude and spatiotemporal scale of ISV, and the phase relationship between ISV and SCSSM transition from easterly to westerly.